It’s Go Time For Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson
Wednesday, NHL general managers got busy.
The New York Rangers acquired forward Frank Vatrano for a fourth-round pick. The Calgary Flames landed forward Calle Jarnkrok from Seattle for a second-round pick in 2022, a third in 2023 and a seventh in 2024. And the Florida Panthers brought in defenseman Ben Chiarot from Montreal for 2023 first-round pick, a 2022 fourth-round pick and unsigned college prospect Tyler Smilanic.
It’s now Thursday. The NHL Trade Deadline is Monday afternoon. Deals are being made. It’s time for now-permanent Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson to start showing us what his vision is for the franchise — and what he’s able to get done in an active trade market.
According to Elliotte Friedman in his “32 Thoughts” column last Wednesday night, teams still looking for a left-handed defenseman include Boston, Carolina, Los Angeles, Rangers, St. Louis and Toronto. The Blackhawks happen to have Calvin de Haan, Jake McCabe, Riley Stillman and Erik Gustafsson who shoot from the left side.
Friedman also indicates the Avalanche “have inquired about Patrick Kane” but doubts the Hawks make that deal. Not now, at least.
The first name that could/should come off the board for the Blackhawks is Dominik Kubalik, who we reported after the game on Tuesday has — according to sources — played his final game for the Hawks. Given some of the returns yesterday and Chicago’s potential ability/willingness to retain salary, it isn’t insane to think Davidson could ask for a second-round pick in a deal for him.
Anaheim and Edmonton have been reportedly interested but we’ve been told there is at least one Eastern Conference team in on Kubalik. Our friends at The Fourth Period have also reported the LA Kings are interested in Kubalik; they drafted him back in 2013. A deal could happen Thursday.
There’s also a strong chance the Blackhawks move veteran forward Ryan Carpenter, who could be a nice fit for a team looking to add some PK depth and a guy who can win faceoffs on a fourth line.
The wildest of wild cards for the Blackhawks is center Dylan Strome, who will be an RFA this summer. Since his last trip to the press box, he has come back with a surprising, new ability to win faceoffs consistently — the biggest issue with him being a potential top-six center. His work between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat has made that a lethal line lately, which has not only made his value to the Blackhawks intriguing but also helped his potential trade value. He might bring a nice price at this point from a team that needs a center. He also might have played his way into another contract in Chicago.
The Blackhawks should be in the middle of lots of trade conversations right now. And we’ve preached patience with Kyle Davidson this season as he starts to do the job of turning around the franchise. But now the clock is ticking, deals are happening and it’s time to show the fans — and the rest of the NHL — what he’s got.
And then there’s the curious case of Marc-André Fleury. We’re hearing it’s 50-50 if he accepts a trade. The list of teams desperate for a goaltender — who also have the cap space to at least create an interesting case for a trade — isn’t long. And the entire free world is staring at Toronto as a team that has the goods to go for it if they want to… but a defenseman might make more sense than thinking Fleury solves all of their problems.
Certainly the return for Fleury could/should be solid. He showed us on Tuesday night that he’s still got the ability to steal a game. And he’s got championship experience.
Davidson will have to do two sell jobs for a Fleury deal to happen: one to a team to trade for the future Hall of Famer, the other to the player to accept the trade.
I really don’t have a lot of faith in this franchise any longer. It seems teams just make trades to change personel without a real working plan. Some of it is luck some actual talent. But when it all boils down to it its all a roll of the dice.
Chiarot– seems like a BIG pay day for Montreal… it’s a shame Murphy got hurt.
I don’t know Chiarot- to well- but gotta think Murphy had similar value??
Kane trade– to Avs– hate to see best O player in Hawks history / at least top 3… get moved…
But all Kane really brings to Hawks now is entertainment value…. prudent thing is to listen and see If AVs will mortgage their future- and really be the TOP cup contender next few years w/ Kane
Actually might be best MOVE for all 3 parties– Kane/Hawks/ AVS- depending on what/who Avs give up
— AVS are probably biggest potential loser from deal … of course if they win 1 or more cups w/ him… look like Biggest winners too
Maybe the Hawks are still doing those ” organizational exercises” that Danny was so proud about like months ago. Remember KD is a “Stanbo disciple” so perhaps he’s throwing darts at the wall to decide what he’s doing.
MAF market almost disappearing if Friedman is right. Toronto or nothing as you mentioned. Alot of defense supposedly still available too, Lindholm, Braun, Giordano who might be more attractive option than Dehaan and obviously Gus. Chariot on expiring contract, Murphy and McCabe aren’t and not really big tdl trade targets. More than likely at draft over summer moves. Kane an off srason move likely too but you never know. Hopefully Kubalik and Carpenter bring something back. Strome talk seems alot quieter now. See what he can do.
The Hawks need A Lot! Let’s going.
They don’t have the guts to trade Kane and I think he only waives for the Rangers anyway. Saw a Detroit article on a proposed Debrincat to motown for 2 high picks and a prospect. Toronto is desperate and has to get Fleury and Dehaan. If this is a true rebuild then Kubalik,Carpenter, Kurashev,Borgstrom,Gus,and Murphy or McCabe are gone. My gut tells me that Davidson and Woke Danny are nowhere near competent or savy enough to pull off any more than maybe 2 trades.
Per tsn- Mcbain not resigning with the wild. Several teams interested in him. So it maybe more than a 2nd round pick. Kubliak – interest from Anaheim and Edmonton.
Strome and a 3rd might get ya something better at entry draft than we can get now. But trading away 3rds can be dumb too. I don’t get why people think McCabe could go anywhere with 3 years left unless we ate half for those years. Murphy is 4 years. Those trades don’t happen at TDL. I can’t imagine a 2nd for Kubalik, but would take it in a heartbeat. And I actually like the player. Gus may get a 7th or be a throw in. Carpenter has value. Watch for Beaudin to get moved as a sweetener, perhaps with Strome if he goes. Again, more likely at entry time.
Lookit, I enjoy the labels put on the people running this team by this board. At least we aren’t quick to judge. Lookit, maybe becoming Coyote fans is a better option for some here!!
But I’ve been wrong before.
Too bad Kubalik went cold on us. He needs high end talent on his line to build consistency and confidence, and we just don’t have enough to go around. We can’t let him walk in the summer and get nothing back, so hopefully KD can get a mid round pick for him. If we get a 2nd, I’ll be surprised. I also read that Winnipeg is now in play for him.
The goal is to get picks in the top 50 and high end prospects. Maybe MAF gets a first on his, but otherwise it falls on KD to get creative. Put some packages together, figure it out. That’s what the job is. Let’s see if he’s up for it.
I hope you are right Tab. Thinking Fleury is the only way you get your prediction to be true. Otherwise KD is gonna have to give in multiples to get that kind of value back. I wish him luck and suspect he does something right this week as teams are less likely to be holding the Cups against us these days.
Craig is pretty adamant that Beaudin is no longer in Hawks plans. Then he must be moved to make room in Rockford. We must clear roadblocks before entry draft is over. Only placeholders on this team next season should be vets that get sold at TDL or necessary vets in Rock to provide some offensive balance to develop our slim offensive weapons down there.
Kubaliks 4m Qualifying offer to retain his rfa rights is going to be a tough sell as value with his numbers this season.
Goroux plays his 1000th game gor Philly tonight, then likely moved, msy need a 3rd team to eat some cap, be an easy way to pick up a mid round pick for somebody. Hopefully KD looming at that stuff too.
TimW, Kane controls whether he goes or not, doubt he was approached about anything around staying or leaving yet, likely an after seaon over conversation, we’ll see.
Ian- one can hope that they find ways to move those D Guys… they can afford to eat $$$– Hawks are in Real rebuild… doesn’t matter…
Goal should be to aquire drafts/Lotto tickets , prospects…. over 3-4 years… and then have tons of cap space to buy few UFA targets to get to possible PO team again.
Still standing with my prediction: Kubalik gets traded for crumbs and possibly deHaan. Possibly a minor league trade to make it seem KD is a horse trader. Can’t see nothing big. They definitely don’t want to see more empty seats. That is what it’s all about. $$$$
Bluto it’s isn’t as much the Blackhawks willingness to move them as it is the market for long term contracts just isn’t there at the tdl, buyers normally looking for expiring rentals for reduced caphits for a quarter of season and playoffs. Those trades are usually done around draft and over the summer. Happens occasionally term contracts are moved but mostly either rfas with rights or a non playoff team taking a bad contract.
TOR seems best bet for Fleury if he agrees – TOR also needs a responsible D
So MAF and CDH for Matthew Knies and a 3rd rounder in 2022
Knies is 19 years old 6’3″ 205 lbs getting rave reviews playing at U of Minnesota – picked last year in 2nd round 57th overall but developing into a first round talent
TOR won’t want to give up 2022 1st rounder but Knies compensates for that and a 3rd for CDH
Good deal for both sides – if TOR can pick up a good forward first it might convince MAF that they could win
An amazing number of junior GM’s out there. Have any of you applied for a position with any NHL teams?
@Wrap, I like that trade for Chicago. I hope that MAF would be amenable to Toronto.
@Puck Monkey
“It’s a big club and you ain’t in it”
Other news …..it’s good to see King having faith in his D…..not
From Dietz today:
“It’s about time we got a defenseman who can make a pass around here.”
– Derek King on what he told the Blackhawks after watching Alex Vlasic in practice.
Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
King on Vlasic: “His first pass is hard. He snaps that puck around pretty good. … You could see the players were like, ‘I like this kid already.’ And then I had to chime in and say, ‘It’s about time we got a defenseman who can make a pass around here.’”
Wrap….Leafs don’t have the capspace for that trade
to all the armchair GMs in our midst: Please keep the salary cap in mind when throwing out trade ideas. If Toronto is already over the cap, nothing more than a prospect & pick doesn’t happen. They would have to send back at least $4M in salary AND the Hawks would then have to eat half of Fleury’s deal AND talk him into accepting a trade to Toronto if something was going to happen there…
re: Vlasic – with Seth Jones, Regula and Vlasic we suddenly could have a lot of size on the back end. Now let’s clean out some of the crap and make room for the 37 young puck movers we have and see how this thing works…
Re: TOR trade and cap space – fair point so the Hawks retain half of MAF and take back Mrazek and the Leafs throw in another pick or upgrade the 3rd to a 2nd
Or something like that….
It’s doable
What is to prevent the Hawks from retaining all the salaries for anyone with an expiring contract? Is there a rule that prevents this?
The Hawks could do the same with other contracts that extend past this year, but only eat THIS years salary and force the other team to get cap compliant before next season…
Is there something that prevents the Hawks from doing this?
Mrazek and Lankinen ….? What a 1- 2 punch lol . I hope we don`t burn the team down to those to clowns .
Miro the rule is a team can retain up to a maximum 50% of contract salary and caphit. If contract has years and not expiring then the % retained up to 50% is applied the same every year left on contract. Teams are allowed up to 3 retained salaries on the books in any year.
Wrap with Mzarek and retained salary it would work no problem. Wouldn’t mind seeing them take Simmonds back too, be good protection for 12 and 88, add protection to this roster during rebuild next year too. Leafs have been scratching him lately so might agree to it.
Now you’re talking Ian although I just read Leaf reporter James Mirtle saying that he’s hearing ‘no way’ Fleury agrees to TOR
Maybe that changes – who knows – Fleury also said he wouldn’t come to CHI
I’m not an Armchair GM per se, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express. Like 3 weeks ago. Nothing big is happening.
@Ian, many thanks on the clarification on salary retention.
Pretty disappointing so far, hope KD finishes with some good results by Monday. Supposedly Pens could be in on MAF, kinda thought that would be where he went originally, time will tell.
Hammer good post, lol. Ian was thinking Pitt would be the team. Don’t think they will give us a number 1 probably a 2. Take the 2 and Hollander. I think I got a way to get their number one. If they give us their #1 we’ll take Nylander back!
CRICKETSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!
VGK GM has said no way would they trade to bring MAF back. Now with Lehner out for probably the rest of the season, will minds change? Would MAF want to go back there? The Hockey Writers had an interesting take on it in case you haven’t read it.
Tab- I would like to correct a typo in your title here….
Should be — ” It’s NO time for Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson” I am surprised that nobody caught the typo.
I’m hearing a rumor that Hagel is going to be traded…..
Friedman saying Hagel to Tampa – details coming
They better be good…
Ross and Raddysh would be good
Seravalli saying multiple first rounders and apparently multiple players – we’ll see
Now clean out all the softness off this team now that you are clearly starting over. Hope it was a great return for Hagel.
Well… I suggested Hagel was the Hawks greatest trade asset several weeks ago
And He is/was my favorite Hawk -since Hossa
But it is a Damned if you don’t / damned if you don’t trade… Love the player… but Hawks are years away from being really good again.
Now that it has happened– i kinda feel sick/empty… kinda like when Hoss said he was done.
Once again- great for the kid- to get to play in games that matter… HOPE Hawks office can get lucky and use the incoming assets wisely to make THIS count!!!
Thanks Hagel for your passion/relentless game/IQ