Team: 2019-20 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Apr. 15, 2019

Published: Apr. 15, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Instead of signing Hayes in this scenario, the Hawks take a big-bodied C in Cozens at #3. This Top 6 showed a ton of chemistry in 2019, and now a very physical 3rd line that has some scoring punch is created.

Another difference from last post is Trading for Murray's RFA rights, as a very early 2nd round pick may be enough for Columbus to make the deal instead of holding out hope for a bigger offer sheet from someone on the open market (and greater compensation). They make the move and begin to focus on bringing back other main pieces. Meaning, Mitchell starts in Rockford to log big minutes, and can come up whenever Gus or Murphy is ultimately traded.

Similar to what I mentioned in Option 1, you now have a D core of Keith, Seabrook, Murray, Joker, Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell for the next 4-5 years. Krys becoming the odd-man out can be kept for depth or traded if need be.

This amount of cap space would allow you to re-sign Debrincat and Strome in 2020 after Crawfords pay-cut, Murphy being off the books, and another increase in salary cap.

Losing a 2nd round pick but having an extra 2.5 million in future cap space is difference from Option 1

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