Team: 2022-23 Chicago Blackhawks

Initial Creation Date: Nov. 12, 2021

Published: Nov. 12, 2021

Salary Cap Mode: Basic

Kubalik is Kubalik. He could probably go anywhere and be successful. But to speculate on whether he is traded or is a long term piece in the eyes of the hawks brass is difficult to discern. Especially with an interim GM and Coach. I think 5mil is probably the low end of what he gets in his next contract and for this purpose I will go with a simple 5x5. Although, this very well could change A LOT if this season starts getting better for him and the team. And depending on his value he could fetch a nifty haul in trade that would be hard to say no to. Judging from all of the interest by other ACGM's, I would say that it's likely the hawks could get a nice return for him in a trade regardless.

Dach, I'm not sure I see becoming a bonified 1C. But whether he is on the wing or in the middle, I think he still has a lot more to show us. I'm just not sure how far that will go yet.

Kurashev, although I like him, he probably becomes a secondary piece in a big trade or a primary piece in a smaller trade. The Hawks have enough forwards like him to chance moving on. Remember, Nylander is still pretty darn young and would probably be cheaper to keep around a little longer, and if so, his upside is more compelling. But for this purpose I'll sign both and work on trades after that.

Tyler Johnson is a bad contract. Don't hate him. Don't love him. Don't like his cap hit. And I don't think he fits anywhere on this roster. He definitely has skill and some upside in the right situation, but that situation isn't CHI. But I'm sure there is a better fit for him somewhere in the NHL. And maybe that still could be a CHI roster without Colliton. But I doubt it.

Does Reichel progress enough to make Hagel and/or Kubalik expendable? Does Reichel become a bonifide Centre? It is very possible. This kid has been looking awesome in Rockford. I don't think he get any sort of permanent play time this season. But he could be up permanently as soon as next season if he proves himself and maybe puts on some more muscle.

Same with Strome. If Strome isn't gone come the TDL I think he'll probably end up being around a while longer. And if utilized properly could become a pretty big piece or part of a big deal. Either way, this years base salary probably becomes the AAV in his next contract unless they want to chance him getting taken for nothing by another team or he agrees to a lower number to prove himself.

Kalynuk and Caleb jones looked GREAT in the preseason. But injuries have hindered any chance of making bigger predictions about the value of their next contracts. They both look like NHLer's though.

As for Beaudin and Mitchell, this season and next season will probably end up being their time to shine or become trade pieces. I think guys like Regula, Crevier, and Phillips have at least next season in the AHL before they are looked at the same way. But all of them could easily be passed up by Crevier, Galvas, Regula, or Allan depending on how they progress and if they are ready for the NHL sooner than later. Even Phillips, who seems to be an afterthought for a lot of Hawks fans, looked really responsible and promising in camp this year and when he's been called up. Unnoticeable isn't a bad thing for defensemen. That also means they didn't mess up real bad.

Reese Johnson and Entwistle... a few years ago I had higher hopes for these guys. Now, I really don't see why they keep getting called up. Leave them down. Let them prove themselves a little more or add them into some trades as depth pieces or to recoup some late picks possibly.

Do they bring up Soderblom to back up and possibly take the starting job from Lankinen? Or do they let him season one more year in the AHL. Either way, our back up netminder next year will probably be cheap unless they want to go shopping for a bigger fish. Either way, they probably walk away from Delia. But for these purposes, lets say they extend him either to hold down the fort in Rockford or be Lankinen's backup. Same with Subban. Although, from what I saw in the preseason practices that I went to, Subban is much better than his numbers show. He's definitely better than Delia.

Gus... Well, I've always liked Gus. I know he has been a defensive liability in the past. But I think he actually looks better defensively this year than I have ever seen him. This probably depends largely on what kind of steps guys like Caleb Jones, Beaudin, Kalynuk, etc. take leading into next season. But I think he could stick around this time if utilized properly. But he will still need at least one more season to prove it before he gets any sort of pay day. And at his age that could be a long shot. If he is affordable enough he could always be a powerplay quarterback TDL trade bait option until he drops off. And if he improves defensively, he could be all around affordable trade bait.

Alty is so much fun to watch on the ice. I think he makes the roster at some point in a bottom 6 role. And although his numbers don't show it, the eye test says he could develop into a NHL with a more offensive upside.

We all know Gaudette has been fun to watch. And shows flashes of becoming the player people thought he might be when he won the hobey baker. Some experimenting with him playing with more skilled players could prove beneficial. Either way he seems to be pretty responsible on the ice and has a lot of energy.

Alright, So Hawks RFA's and UFA's are done for next season. Where do we go from here? Who rounds out the roster and who gets sent down? Do we make trades? If so, who becomes trade pieces? What positions are we targeting? UFA acquisitions? Rebuild type moves? Andrew Copp? Lindholm? Hertl? ...OFFER SHEETS?!?!?!?

If anyone is down, let's discuss it and I'll make changes based on consensus.