Four years (minus one game) is way too much term and cap for the Hawks to take on Campbell.
I'm surprised Campbell has declined that fast. Gee, maybe a warning to teams giving up long term contract to 30 year old goalies.

Cody Ceci is still playing in the top 4. Absolutely nothing changes for us.

I doubt Nuge waives his NMC.

I doubt Boston would be interested in this deal.

I like Nuge's contract, but there are better deals to be had out there for the Bruins. And no way they want Mrazk coming back either.

No.

I do it for the picks. Davidson hasn't been shy about "buying" picks in the past and adding two more 1st rounders to the arsenal of draft picks plus a prospect that's a year or two away from being a full time NHL player is worth taking on an expensive backup

No thank you

100% I do this if I’m the Hawks. I know Campbell’s ticket is significant with basically four years left at a $5m per year cap hit but getting Holloway and two (more than likely late) 1st round picks is worth the price.

Holloway is just scratching the surface of his abilities and I can see him riding shotgun with either Bedard or Reichel in the future. Adding the additional 1st round picks would give Davidson the flexibility to package late 1st round picks and 2nd round picks to jump up higher in the draft and grab more elite level prospects for the rebuild.

I really like the comment about the expensive backup, with Soderblom, Commesso and Gajan currently in the system, there is the potential that the other half of their goaltending tandem will be on low cost contracts until Campbell’s deal expires.

As a Hawks fan, I'd do this trade in a heart beat. There's a method to the madness though. The Hawks already have too many picks in my opinion...So they're almost already forced to trade up in the drafts ahead. Would love to see what Kyle Davidson can do If he can move that TBL 1st into a top 15 or even top 10 pick depending on where things play out. Sure, it's a risk as is everything in life, BUT it's also a risk to keep drafting late 1st rounders and either A.) have them leave like Kevin Hayes, Brandon Hagel, Jimmy Vesey, etc... Or B.) Hawks don't have enough roster spots and they get claimed off waivers like Lassi/Greer/etc...

Besides, we currently have $50M in cap space next year...well $45M with this trade, BUT the goalie and defense spots are basically set...just forwards to spend it on.

Creates the flexibility to move up in drafts, flip 1st in the coming draft for future years or trade for young assets that teams can no longer afford; as an example, Pinto.

2 1sts and Holloway, sign me up

Campbell never had the consistency that warranted that contract. I saw this as the equivalent of the Korpisalo contract. A team desperate for a goalie paid a mediocre option with the hope that they’d be better than they are. That frankly is happening a lot now.

With Bedard, you have the most important part of your rebuild in place. You made some opportunistic deals, but still had to overpay players to join the team. My hope is you leverage your cap space better to improve the main club and put better talent around your generational talent. There is no reason that an original six franchise in a great city with a tremendous history and incredible fan base should be overpaying so Nick Foligno will join your team

There are only so many premium prospects that an organization can develop and keep. It’s why the same teams with premium prospect lists always seem to repeat themselves at the top of the draft. Some graduate like New Jersey last year and probably Buffalo this year, but many stay stagnant. The opportunity that exists is in consolidating your assets into better pieces, because most prospect lists of the top tier prospect teams are littered with overrated AHL caliber players who will never sniff a top 2 line position on a good team.

I look at your team and I’m not sure I am a fan of what your GM did in the offseason in terms of roster construction. Sure, I liked some of the individual moves but I feel like he’s put an incomplete roster around Bedard and hope he does better next offseason in building a team around a very special young player.

On a side note, how many Shane Pinto type players change teams? My guess is they trade Kubalik for free.. he’d be a good acquisition for the Hawks who need forward talent

Great thoughts! I appreciate the honest and detailed feedback. Much props to you!

I agree on Campbell. He had a nice run in TOR, but clearly played above his average and he took advantage of a team desperate for goaltending. I also agree that we have ONE OF the most important pieces in Bedard. I believe we have another in Korchinski, but we need to make sure we get those additional pieces as 1 or 2 guys don't win a Cup. Vegas is a good example. They have crazy depth and playoff hockey is too easy to shutdown 1-2 guys. EDM unfortunately hasn't had a ton of success because the 2 best players in the league right now are McDavid/Draisaitl and ~2 guys (I don't want to imply the rest of the guys are bad though.) haven't been able to carry a team to 16 wins.

As far as KD's offseason moves. Drafting Bedard/Moore are good picks. I think we agree there. I don't mind the Perry/Foligno deals at all because we need veteran leadership. They're also playing great hockey right now. I believe development comes from many different areas. Having veterans travel with the kids helps them stay out of trouble. We're icing 6 rookies right now and it's not like the Entwistles/Raddyshs/Reece Johnsons are truly even veterans to turn to for leadership. Besides those contracts are 1 year deals. I don't mind the overpay, BUT I can 100% admit they were overpays.

I can understand what you're saying about surrounding Bedard with talent. Taylor Hall (hopefully he's not injured for long) was supposed to fill that role. Donato's been a nice surprise and I think that's so far been a very underrated signing. SURE, they're not Pastranak. I get that, but those players aren't ever available. I do agree with you that this rebuild is FAR from over. This next offseason there's ALOT of more work to do. I just excited to watch!

I think there is a lot to be excited about for Chicago fans. I just wish they utilized their cap space more effectively to surround Bedard with more moves like Hall. I think teams get too caught up with matching timelines on a lot of players rather than developing key players. It’s a common mistake.