Team: 2019-20 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Dec. 12, 2019

Published: Dec. 12, 2019

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Let's just be real:

1. This team is very skilled, but the coaching systems implemented try to get them to play like they're the New York Islanders, a slow, boring style. There is too much talent on this team to have the bottom 6 play like 6 Leo Komarovs dumping and chasing every damn shift, and there is not enough defensive zone awareness for them to even be close to successful. Team defense is simply not a strength.

2. The goaltending is probably the only thing of value at this point, even with Saad playing well, I don't think anyone is interested in his cap hit and i'm not sure he'd fit anywhere anyways.

3. Gustafsson has been TERRIBLE. If you actually watch him for his entire shift (Literally, just stare at him until he changes), you can see that he is completely checked out, he half-asses his rushes up the ice, and gets off the ice seemingly every time a pass misses. Maybe this is a part oof the poor system, but he has been inexcusably bad. He doesn't want to be in Chicago anymore, but his poor play has really ruined his value.

4. I see a couple buyouts on the horizon in Maatta and Smith, this team needs space for the young kids. These guys just aren't consistent enough or worth the money. Maatta buy out will be very affordable long term at $680K for 6 years.

5. As for the future, Boqvist, Beaudin, Dach, Kurashev, Mitchell, and the 2020 1st rounder will NEED new coaching. None of these kids are meant to play a boring style of hockey. Speed and skill is the name of the game, it's time the hawks use what they have to their advantage.

Trades may be off in value, that wasn't necessarily my point in this. Doubt Caggiula is worth anything at this point.

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