Joined: Jan. 2017
Posts: 80
Likes: 13
I like the Dahlin idea. I'm really hoping the Blackhawks lose a lot of games between now and the end of the season, get as low in the standings as possible, and end up with a top 3 pick in the draft lottery that, if it's not #1, can be traded with the Preds 1st round pick (adding a prospect if necessary) for the overall #1 pick so they can take Dahlin. It'd solve a world of problems with the salary cap and the D for at least the next 3 seasons.
I also like Faulk but I think it's unlikely that the Canes part with their captain and leave a hole in their D to fill their need at center. I don't know their D that well though. Do they have all of their future Top 4 in the younger defenseman? I think the 2020 first rounder, while a good idea to save the 2019 first rounder for the trade deadline and a Cup push, is probably too far in the future to be dealt for both teams.
JVR for 6 seasons from age 28-34 (on the decline) at $6.5m a season would be tough to do with the needs on D, the young forwards they have for cheap that need to play, and cap management. While I think they sign Duclair, Hinostroza, and Hayden to reasonably modest bridge deals around $4m combined this off season, they going to have bigger contracts due for Schmaltz and Sikura in 2 years and DeBrincat the year after that. I think they'll try to keep all 3 of those guys through their next contracts.
The only unrealistic move is the Seabrook trade. No one is ever going to take that contract for 6 more seasons at nearly $7m a season without the Blackhawks retaining at least half the salary. It doesn't make sense for a team rebuilding that's trying to get to the cap floor until a couple more years have passed - it's too long. Plus, Seabrook has a NMC and isn't going to accept a trade to a non-contender. The only hopes to make the Seabrook contract go away are: the Seattle expansion draft in 2020 allows you to expose 1 player with a NMC, early retirement by Seabrook, or an owner's lockout and a new deal with the NHLPA that includes another compliance buyout or two. A regular buyout is even unrealistic because the Blackhawks would be on the hook for 2/3 of the contract anyway and the remaining years double against the cap, so even 4 years from now, Seabrook's contract would be counting against the cap for 8 more seasons. It's better to let him decline and retire on his own. The way he's playing, I suspect he might retire by age 36 anyway. Hopefully, he works hard this offseason and comes back a better player.