Looks realistic, and probably good moves, but I don't think JVR would meet expectations on the first line, he has had a great couple of years offensively only because Babcock gives him very sheltered minutes

Yeah swap JvR and DeBrincat, and give Hickey less money. He dont deserve 3M. More like 1.5-2M the way he plays, but 2.5M due to inflation from being a FA, unless nobody wants him (and Idk y anyone would want him enough to pay him 3M).

I don't have a huge issue with this. I just think Rutta can get more at the TDL next year. VERY possibly a 2nd without having to give up a 3rd considering Holden/Kempny/Davidson/Cole trade values. My team is the Hawks, but I don't think there's going to be a last to first type season...it'll take at the VERY least 1 more season to be real contenders, but that's just my opinion which is what I'd like to stock pile picks 1 more year.

Seems very reasonable. I agree that flipping Cat with JVR makes more sense. I'd love to see the Hawks have a shut-down 4th line again to take the pressure off of Toews in the d-zone. Maybe add a guy like Jay Beagle or Vermette for your d-zone and PK face-offs.

The problem the hawks have is they have a lot of D men signed. Jokiharju can't get much ice behind all these guys, where's Forsling? The 7th pick will probably get the hawks an NHL ready D man, where is he going to slot in? That's why i'll always advocate trading the 7th overall pick for some young (22-25 years old) NHL ready talent.

I 100% agree. I'm not sure they're going to give Henri J much ice time in the beginning of the year though. Unless they feel like he's a Panarin/Debrincat quality player (which even if they did like you said there's a log jam @ D which wasn't the case for either Panarin/Debrincat at the forward slot) they'll keep him in Rockford for about 30 games. Forsling is VERY interesting! They may decide to NOT sign Hickey and role out Forsling instead. They has a lot of tough choices to make. ESPECIALLY because I also agree that they're going to draft a Dman depending on their lottery selection. AND what do you do with Oesterle who played most of this past year on the top pair...do you trade him too @ the TDL?

If the hawks have a good team, I find it hard to believe that the hawks will sell at the deadline while they contend (Although this deadline, the Pens moved Cole). All we can do is wait and see.

Waiting another year might not be an option with all those pending rfas that need big raises, might be one more shot and then move out the vets with big contracts for more youth on elc

I mean I understand your concern, but if that's the case that the Hawks have 1 year as a make or break season...then they should blow it up right now, right? There are 3 RFAs due this year and 4 RFAs due next year. Schmaltz will probably get a big raise, but who else? We don't know what Sikura can really do yet. I have a very hard time believing that Kane at 29 years old has 1 year left of productivity. I think Toews is still a very valuable piece. Keith too. I think the hawks should move away from the 1st round draft pick trades @ the TDL and use assets to build a solid squad where these Vets can train the next generation.

The problem with the Hawks is they don't have enough good D guys signed (1st or 2nd liners) that are physical. Forsling is unproven and is in the AHL in my scenario. The 7th WILL NOT get a NHL ready D guy...that's crazy talk. D guys aren't like offensive guys that can come in the league typically at 18 years old and have an impact. There is only 2 guys that will be able to do that in this year's draft in they will be taken in the top 3 or 4 picks. Jokiharju and whoever they draft will be on the Wolves for at least the 1st 1/3rd of the season. Rutta, Oesterle, Forsling, Gus are all 3rd pairing guys on most teams and even murphy isn't much better...that's the Hawks problem. They need a either a #1, #2, #3, guy and physical would help a lot with the soft defense these guys played this year.

Well schmaltz raise will certainly be huge, and hopefully sikura will play well enough to earn a decent raise, and the next year debrincat (especially if he is playing beside toews) will need a huge one too, I guess you could wait till debrincat is up to move out contracts, but i would be making the most out of these two seasons rather than collecting 3rd and 4th rounders was my point

Then why even draft someone who isn't NHL ready? This core is getting old, why not go all in for the next 2-3 seasons and trade more firsts. 5 years from now the hawks will be irrelevant either way. Mind as well go all in.