Mrazek earned a contract.
Other than Bedard and Vlasic, I’d say Mrazek has been the best player on the team.
I like that the Blackhawks re-signed him, Foligno, and Dickinson.
One of those being a true generational star in Bedard, and another top 5 pick coming this year.
Eventually it’s crucial that you build a culture for these prospects to walk into.
That’s part of the rebuild.
It’s part of the development process.
Dickinson, Mrazek, and Foligno have been both good players and good citizens here by all accounts.
The Hawks “overpaid” to keep them, but they have a gazillion dollars to spend.
These short term deals won’t impact the future negatively at all.
Me wanting to add help for Bedard is because I care about the rebuild.
I care about the development.
This clip of KG talking about Rondo helps explain that.
There’s nobody on the team that can help Bedard grow on the ice right now.
It’s why I was/am furious about them turning their back on Patrick Kane.
As I said above, the Blackhawks have a SHIT ton of money in the short term.
They should flex that.
They can get creative.
Who in their right mind would offer Stamkos a 2-year $24M deal?
Well, I would.
Stamkos can still play.
He’s a good leader.
The Hawks can give him that money and it would help Bedard without hurting their long-term cap situation.
I’d come up with similar structures for other free agents too.
They can’t roll out a similar roster next year.
They need to take a step.
Well, that is coming true.
He has some great attributes, but I think people need to realize that he’s just not good.
He’s not going to be an all-star.
Very curious to see what happens to him this summer with his rookie deal being up.
No it is not.
He’s been incredible this year.
I hope the organization is able to sign him to an 8-year extension with an AAV in the 4s.
That could end up looking like one of the better contracts in the game as the cap goes up.
This is most definitely the way the Hawks will be active at this deadline.
They’re a salary cap bank.
We’ve seen them do it before with Jason Dickinson and Nikita Zaitsev trades.
Would be great if they could find a way to land a useful player.
The top of the next NHL is going to be very interesting.
I think the Blackhawks would pass on him.
The other thing is the Russian factor.
I think Demidov would be passed over by the Hawks in the top 3 as well.
The Blackhawks have Jones, Vlasic, and Korchinski on the team for the foreseeable future.
That’s 75% of your top 4.
Murphy is still here.
I know they still like Wyatt Kaiser and are extremely high on Rinzel.
If they feel Rinzel has a legit shot at being a top 4 guy do you need another one?
I could see them taking Sam Dickinson or Levshunov.
They both fit their profile.
I love what I’ve seen in Dickinson in limited viewings.
If I am picking 2nd my gut right now says either Dickinson or Cayden Lindstrom.
Lindstrom is a big power forward with a lot of offense.
Something the Blackhawks desperately need.
Gun to my head on 1/24/24 I would take Dickinson.
He’s already got a pretty mature defensive game and he’s 6'3 190lbs.
Skating, vision, confidence, skill, size, he has it all.
I’d be thrilled to get any of Celebrini, Lindstrom, or Dickinson.
I think the Blackhawks were hoping Soderblom would show something this year, but he’s been brutal.
I haven’t seen Commesso in Rockford, but his numbers aren’t great.
Gajan looked great in the WJC, but he’s going into his freshman season NEXT year at UMD.
If I were Davidson I would call them up and see if a deal can be worked out.
Maybe one of the Hawks three 2nd round picks in the 2026 draft and something else.
They need more talent.
I don’t want to handcuff the cap situation so they’ll have to get creative.
I don’t know.
I maintain that the Blackhawks don’t need more prospect or draft picks beyond what they already have.
Time to start adding.
- Sign Patrick Kane
