Quoting: ForsbergForVezina
Totally meant to sign Mitchell but forgot lol. I think they're trying to do some thing where if they sign him once the offseason has officially begun they don't burn a year on the contract. Could be wrong, but that's what someone suggested to me.
I just can't help but feel like this is another situation they (coaching or management idk) totally ruined. I saw your comment on another post and you brought up how he was randomly playing wing earlier this year. Still have no idea why that had to happen. They kept separating him from DeBrincat for some reason and now he's finally playing well with Kane and they want him out. Not sure what's going here
I have a theory as to why they did that, but who knows if it's true or not. My theory is that once Dach proved he was capable at the NHL level...they started to move him around for this moment. They separated the two because they needed to see how he'd play away from Debrincat. Debrincat was just as successful away from Strome as he was with Strome...so that's why he got his deal. Strome has NOT had the same success away from Debrincat.
So, now Bowman's stuck, BUT it's not "up in the air" The direction is fairly clear.
He knows Strome isn't worth #2C money...(to the Hawks anyway and for this upcoming year)... He also knows the Hawks are MUCH better off keeping him. So it's sitting down with the kid/agent and being 100% blunt. We want to keep you. So far, you've proven that in order to be an elite player worth giving a big contract...you NEED to play with other really good talent. I.E...you're NOT the main reason the line you're on is having success. Debrincat was on lines away from you...he is on the line with you. SO...we're not going to pay you like you're the main reason your line is having success. We can do a 1 year deal and let you prove it. You'll likely be with Debrincat on the 3rd line, but nothing's guaranteed. OR if you want the big contract today, we're going to trade you.
However keep 1 thing in mind. With the Hawks, this certainly won't be your last contract. With another team...….. who knows. You know what it's like to be in purgatory or in a system that doesn't fit you. Maybe taking lower dollars today means you play in the NHL longer and actually make more over your career.
Then see what he says...while also looking at Plan B or Plan C. Stan HAS to play hardball with this kid. Stan took his career out of the graveyard.