Thats not much of a retool... this team still finishes in the bottom 10

Lankinen doesn't get a 1 way and if he does it'll be a $925,000x1. Kubalik is one goal away from 30 in his rookie season so maybe a bridge deal at that rate but not a 3 year deal

I agree this team isn't going to get to the playoffs it will be a bubble team at best, but I don't see how you can fully retool when Seabrook's contract hangs like an albatross plus you have Shaw and Dehaan who are useful and good players who have been missing since Nov & Dec. It will be hard to move either with their cap and injury history which essentially gives you $15 million or 18% of the total cap in dead cap space you can't move. However, if they stay healthy they certainly improve the team in a significant manner. Dehaan gives you 3 legit top 4 defenseman.

Bridge deals run 2-3 years and given Lankinen outplaying Delia, I could see them giving him a similar deal that they gave Delia and letting them compete for the backup job.

There has been no history of Hawks buying out contracts. You may not like Smith & Määttä but they would be move first before they are bought out.
Smith was a cap savings when Chicago moved Anismov as Strome replaced him as 2C. The Hawks penalty kill has been much better this season thanks to Smith contribution. Yes, I agree that $3.25 M is high for a 4th C when the Blackhawks have Kamp and Carpenter available. With the RFA’s on this club, Bowman’s will have to be creative this summer.

As I see it, the Hawks are still developing their defense prospects. They are not ready for the NHL. The Blackhawks were just terrible last year on defence. De Haan & Määttä were acquired to added experience on the blue line. Both players are cap friendly and have no movement clauses, so they can be moved in the future for the right opportunity.
The defense is improved from last season. I am not saying the D is stellar. You can’t give up 40 shots a game say you are elite. There is lots of improvement needed.

However, I don’t see this club needing to “blow it up” To me they are a couple of pieces away from competing. I have see much improvement in the Hawks puck management since November. Their forecheck and puck support is better.

This club needs to find consistency, whether it for 60 minutes or game to game.