Team: 2020-21 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Jun. 30, 2020

Published: Jul. 12, 2020

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Just about everyone needs cap space right now. I don't want to lose Maatta, BUT that's $3.5M bucks.

With that said...I'd prefer to NOT buyout Zach Smith. He can be waived and sent down to Rockford. For all the talk/trades Bowman's said/made about Rockford needing to be a quality development path for prospects...I think Zach Smith can be very useful in teaching these kids/imports how to be a professional. Especially because Smith wasn't a superstar...which AHL players aren't likely to be anyway. Those are the role players and that's exactly what Smith can help teach. So bring him up/down/etc... I think he's worth the 1 year vs 2 years of cap hit. If nothing else Smith's year 2 cap hit can go to Strome.

Kubalik takes a 2 or 3 year deal. He was a 24 year old rookie that was put in a very good position. I think there will be mutual interest between him and the Hawks to keep him in a top 6 role. He gets more ice time and can play for his big contract. Kinda like Binnington, but 100% understand they play different positions.

Strome takes a 1 year deal that's slightly less than Kubalik because he has more RFA years to get a higher contract. At this point, I honestly don't care who his line mates are as long as he plays the center position. I do however think it would be wise to have him and Debrincat together, but if not...fine. The Hawks have expiring contracts at the end of the year where Strome will get a larger deal.

Seattle...I think Seattle takes DeHaan if he's healthy. If not I see them taking Koekkoek or Carlsson. It's kinda their only options to be honest.

If the Hawks are losing, they'll be sellers at the TDL, but who knows...???

There's $4M here and I think we need to leave ~$1.75M for bonuses. Do whatever you want with the extra ~$2.25M....I think maybe Talbot would sign a 1 year deal for that, BUT it's not the most important part of this post.

Hawks Draft Quinn with their 2020 1st round pick.