If Panarin isn't extended by the Jackets a year from now - 90% chance he's re-signing with the Blackhawks......

We will see, now obviously that would be out of the question if Bowman signed JVR this summer or committed long term to a top 6 LW...... Then Panarin wouldn't be back, but if Bowman tosses a 1 year deal at a guy like Kovalchuk - that would be a good indicator that Bowman plans to bring Panarin back next summer...

We will have to see......Bowman is going to have 18-20 million to spend on free agents this summer, so what he does should really give us an indication on what the future is of the Blackhawks.....

It's going to be a very interesting summer for Bowman and the Blackhawks, perhaps franchise altering.......

Do you have some sort of insider info that points to this? Just curious as to why you are 90% certain about this... I do buy your theory on a 1 year Kovi setting that up, but you just seem very sure of that...

I agree with you that the following summer will be franchise altering. I think it is somewhat akin to what happened to Pittsburgh when they won their 2009 cup, and then had Crosby and Malkin on massive deals that didn't make any room for a supporting cast. They didn't make it too far until they won again in 2016. I am hoping we see a similar rebound for 19 & 88, and a large and talented enough supporting cast next year to see them back to the big dance... Though we all know Crosby is a whole different animal, and any comparisons to him may be a bit foolish... But raise a glass to hoping.

Do I have insider info? maybe..lol

Ultimately it will all come down to Panarin and what he wants to do.....

Look at it this way - why would Bowman trade Panarin for Saad? well, because Saad is signed for 6 years and Panarin is signed for 2 (1 more year now) and is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and he will be 27 years old...... Look at the Hawks cap situation now, and look at it next summer..... Now they have 18-20 million in cap space, next summer they will have more if they sign guys to 1-year deals........ Bowman has set himself up to have a big offseason this summer and next - and that was the plan all along - he even said as much last summer when he traded Panarin and Hammer......

TBH, Bowman, Q and Wirtz all knew this past season was going to be a difficult one, but Bowman and company had to get out of "cap hell" and that's exactly what they did..... From a cap perspective they're in a very good position now...

Yes, I'm sure if Panarin doesn't sign an extension with Columbus this season he will be a Chicago Blackhawk for the 2019-20 season..........To be honest don't be shocked if Bowman re-acquired Panarin at the trade deadline if Columbus are sellers and the Hawks are playoff bound (which they will be).....

When this happens Bowman is going to look like a genius, because he basically got Saad & Forsberg for free...

From your mouth to Stanbo's ears...