Preparing next years team is difficult because we have so many defenseman that are veteran and therefore deserve time, but also have a ton of prospects looking in. Feel free to comment on how you might solve this problem as a Chicago fan.
This post assumes no CBO, a steady cap, and a shortened season (January-April)
First cuts - Nicolas Beaudin
I really like this guys game, and I think he could potentially be a good top 4 option in the future. He had a really solid start to his NHL career the last game of the season vs the sharks, and I hope that gives him confidence moving forward in his development. He is the first cut because he is the easiest to cut, barring some insane development/ training camp. I think this is the right move for his development as well considering he had a tough first year at pro hockey with the ice hogs. Now that he has more experience he can hone his game in the AHL and get a call up, and permanent spot the year after the expansion draft.
2nd cut
Dennis Gilbert
I like Gilbert’s fighting spirit, he fights a lot ha ha that’s the joke, but otherwise I’m not sure he has much more upside than a bottom pair defenseman. Considering we have plenty of those currently, combined with his waiver exemption status, I see him being an injury call up and not much else for this year. Because he is young, he is an easy cut, again barring an incredible training camp.
3rd Cut
Nick Seeler
This one is not really a cut per se, but I would guess the Blackhawks would put Seeler on waivers before sending someone like Lucas Carlson down, and with good reason. Seeler served his purpose, but I think Carlson has proven himself a more capable defensman at this point. I am only wondering if the Blackhawks are okay with Carlsson being the 7th D-man.
4th and final cut
Ian Mitchell
I know I’m going to get my you know what handed to me for saying this, but I don’t envision (at least not with what we know now) Seabrook not being ready for next season. Unless someone us traded from our defense , and that looks unlikely considering the state of the cap, our three right handed shots are Murphy, Boqvist and Seabrook. People have said to move Murphy to his off side, but then who does he push out? Keith is going to be our top pair LHD again this year, and I can’t see De Hann not being right behind him. At this point I’m thinking Maatta and Carlson will be fighting for games, and you probably want to use Murphy higher than the third pairing anyways. The Blackhawks May want him to spend a year in Rockford, or might have to stash him there if they don’t get this figured out. Boqvist is Boqvist and he is making the NHL for obvious reasons. I also think it should be self explanatory that Seabrook is playing bottom pair.
Overall I think my thoughts are probably scatterbrained, but I’m thinking the real Bowman is going to have his work cut our for him this offseason. (This post does not even tackle forwards)
My first thought is where's Slater Koekkoek? I agree with what you you said. Additionally, it's tough to trade away a veteran like Maatta because DeHann and Seabs are coming off major surgeries. I think Carlsson will start in Rockford. Slater will be paired with Maata on the bottom pair and unfortunately Seabs will be the 7th Dman swapped in and out with Koekkoek.
Koekkoek deserves to play the bottom pair with maata after the season he had last year, but I can't see Seabs in the press box for the majority of the season so he probably stays on the bottom pair. As much as us fans like carlson, it seemed to me that colliton didn't. When he played he was really good, but would still be scratched the next game anyways. Matta/koekkoek fight for the bottom pair spot all year and carlson spends the year in Rockford (possibly paired with Mitchell). I want to see Mitchell make this team, but it probably won't happen for the reasons you mentioned
Koekkoek deserves to play the bottom pair with maata after the season he had last year, but I can't see Seabs in the press box for the majority of the season so he probably stays on the bottom pair. As much as us fans like carlson, it seemed to me that colliton didn't. When he played he was really good, but would still be scratched the next game anyways. Matta/koekkoek fight for the bottom pair spot all year and carlson spends the year in Rockford (possibly paired with Mitchell). I want to see Mitchell make this team, but it probably won't happen for the reasons you mentioned
So I hear you on Carlsson should get more NHL ice time. Would it be the worst thing for his development...and chemistry to spend the beginning of the season in Rockford (since he can still be sent down without being waived) paired with Ian Mitchell?
So I hear you on Carlsson should get more NHL ice time. Would it be the worst thing for his development...and chemistry to spend the beginning of the season in Rockford (since he can still be sent down without being waived) paired with Ian Mitchell?
Carlson should get icetime, but won't play over koekkoek or maata
I agree with a lot of this, which sucks because I don’t think a Seabrook is an NHL option at this point, but that’s the nature of the game unfortunately. I like Smith for Baerstchi, could be a shrewd pickup if he clicks with someone. I know I’m a Koekkoek fanboy, but at the very least trade his rights for something reasonable. I think if we are stuck with Seabrook there is a chance we have to him go, which isn’t ideal but help is on the way.
Looking at this team as it’s constructed, who do you see Seattle taking?
McDavid, Connor
$250,000)
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