2024-25 Roster…too soon?

[Clownish]

It probably looks like a Kyle Connor or Brock Boeser type of player. Somewhere in the 8-10 million range, but maybe not until it’s clear one of these young defenseman is actually a 1D. This team isn’t doing shit until they have a 1D to pair with Vlasic, even if you stick Rantanen next to Bedard.

Colorado had the best defenseman in the league next to a 1D while having rantanen next to a top-three center. This team has such a long way to go before being good.

So $8-10 mil for two players who aren't nearly as impactful nor useful for the Blackhawks in terms of increasing puck possession (they're both just shooters like Panarin or Debrincat) as 12.5 mil for Rantanen. I'd say that's a bigger waste as well. If the money is going to be spent, get the best player especially when there isn't much money being saved between the two options. It's all moot since Rantanen wouldn't choose Chicago anyway.

 

[Hawkaholic]

I'm not paying any player not named McDavid or MacKinnon 14mil a year. That's crazy talk.

 

[MHO]

Regarding what to do with Rantanen, there are a few different questions.

1. Will he hit the open market?

Maybe. Players of his caliber usually don't but Colorado's cap situation is murky. If Landeskog retires or makes it known that he is not playing next year, his $7M cap hit will not be on the books for next season. If he plays this season or announces he will play next season, Colorado might not have to cap space to give Rantanen what he wants without moving other pieces. (In that case, I might inquire about Mittelstadt) The cap is going up but Makar is due for a raise after next year and they have a lot of money tied up with no goaltender under contract after this year. Take a look Colorado's cap structure on CapWages or something and see for yourself.

2. Would an 8 year $14M AAV contract for a 29 year old compromise the Blackhawks' salary structure going into their window?

I don't think so. Teams like Toronto and Edmonton, while flawed, have multiple players making 8 figures with term and the Blackhawks have none. They also have been hampered by the cap staying stagnant the past 5 years due to COVID. I think the cap might get to $100M by the time they have to pay Bedard and might even be $120M when they have to start giving significant contracts to other prospects in 4-5 years. Other than Jones, they really don't have too much money tied up long term to anyone and they will benefit from many of their prospects and draft picks playing on ELC's for the next 5 seasons I would guess.

3. Should the Blackhawks offer an 8 year $14M AAV contract to Mikko Rantanen?

I would say they should. Players like him don't hit the market much, if he even does, and he's still relatively young. I feel like when the Hawks signed Hossa, they had a feeling that he would age well. I have no idea if Rantanen will but KD should definitely do his due diligence on his profile and how 6'4 215lb 2 way wingers age. I also still think he's worth it even if he's not a 100 point player without MacKinnon. He's big, kills penalties (until this year for some reason), and can win a faceoff despite the fact that he plays on the wing.

4. Would Rantanen sign with the Blackhawks when other (better) teams will also be willing to give $14M with term?

I don't have a f***ing clue

 

[GIADF]

14M will seem steep at first, but I'd still do it. Cap needs to go up to 92M for a 14M hit to come in at 15% of your cap usage and it's only going to go down from there.

I'm guessing Colorado extending him comes down to what happens with Landeskog, who I believe recently had a health update and it went poorly.

 

[Pertti]

On Rantanen I would give him max 6 year's. Doubt that he gets over 13,5M but 10 - 12 M is a lot for 35 year's old in 6 year's.

As Toronto and Tavares deal was after all mainly because all Matthews, Marner and Nylander made big with Tavares. Had they become as good without Tavares.

6y and 11M for Rantanen, I could live with that but knowing the insanity of GM's that probably isn't biggest offer.

 

[MHO]

Who got the biggest AAV deal last offseason? Was is Guentzel?

 

[Mrfenn92]

Who got the biggest AAV deal last offseason? Was is Guentzel?

Yes

 

[Crow]

So $8-10 mil for two players who aren't nearly as impactful nor useful for the Blackhawks in terms of increasing puck possession (they're both just shooters like Panarin or Debrincat) as 12.5 mil for Rantanen. I'd say that's a bigger waste as well. If the money is going to be spent, get the best player especially when there isn't much money being saved between the two options. It's all moot since Rantanen wouldn't choose Chicago anyway.

Just shooters like Panarin? He averages 63 assists per 82.

 

[Space umpire]

Does anyone on here have a tiny part of them that hopes Nazar ends up being bad only because they want to see how Musto handles it?

What scares me is Musto likes him and Musto is in a 3 way tie (with fiddy and BWC) for worst talent evaluator on the board.

 

[Space umpire]

No. Actually, the most important part is performing the surgery correctly. They butchered Seabrook, for instance.

No they didn’t. Seabrook balked at having replacement surgeries in an attempt to keep playing.
I can’t hate him for it though. He gave his body to win 3 cups.

Other than poor placement of a pain killer injection to Chelios (A LONG TIME AGO) I haven’t heard of the Hawks medical people botching surgeries.

They also traded for Dickinson because the teams medical people felt the Canucks were mistreating an injury. They were right and after Hawk medical people treated him he returned to being a good player.

 

[Space umpire]

Honestly wonder if they would be open to Del Mastro for Jiricek

We are heavy on LD prospects and it never hurts to have more RD prospects. Jiricek can cook a little in Rockford until we trade Murphy at deadline and then come up to finish year

Next year

Vlasic-Jones
Kaiser-Levshunov
Allan-Jiricek

Black hole of suck as vet #7 = Brodie

Hopefully they are not considering moving EDM for him.

 

[MHO]

Hopefully they are not considering moving EDM for him.

I would hope so too as I commented how I love EDM's game, though it has limitations, and intangibles. But I also think that Columbus would say hell no to EDM for Jiricek straight up.

 

[Hattrick Kane]

I would hope so too as I commented how I love EDM's game, though it has limitations, and intangibles. But I also think that Columbus would say hell no to EDM for Jiricek straight up.

Probably. But it’s hilarious how overrated guys get just based on draft position. Gus get blinded and someone is going to make a big mistake.

 

[MHO]

Probably. But it’s hilarious how overrated guys get just based on draft position. Gus get blinded and someone is going to make a big mistake.

Who is Gus? Or did you mean to say 'Guys"?

 

[Hattrick Kane]

Who is Gus? Or did you mean to say 'Guys"?

Guys lol

 

[Space umpire]

You never know

We got that shitstain Nylander for a promising 19 yr old Joker

Plus, Jackets GM didn't draft him and if there is a prospect out there, he really likes he may move Jiricek without issue to get him

Joker is a #6 Dman on a fairly bad team.

 

[Space umpire]

I would hope so too as I commented how I love EDM's game, though it has limitations, and intangibles. But I also think that Columbus would say hell no to EDM for Jiricek straight up.

I love EDM’s game but everyone is moveable in the right deal. Jiricek is soft, doesn’t play a lick of actual defense and feels entitled to a roster spot.
No interest in him at almost any price.

 

[nmgrbhfn]

Wouldn't the Hawks be wary of dealing with the Jackets for a d man? I was looking at the jackets d stats and was wondering whether Fabbro feels "punished" with his +11 in 8 games since being acquired (i meant claimed).

 

[Hawkaholic]

Joker is a #6 Dman on a fairly bad team.

Lol No he's not. He has the 4th most TOI per game amongst their Dmen. Do people just say things and expect others to believe them?

They also aren't really a bad team. We are a bad team. Buffalo is basically a bubble playoff team.

 

[MHO]

I love EDM’s game but everyone is moveable in the right deal. Jiricek is soft, doesn’t play a lick of actual defense and feels entitled to a roster spot.
No interest in him at almost any price.

Oh totally. I just think that EDM for Jiricek would be wone of those deals that both teams would say 'absolutely not' to

 

[Hawkaholic]

Oh totally. I just think that EDM for Jiricek would be wone of those deals that both teams would say 'absolutely not' to

Hawks should say absolutely.

 

[ello]

You guys wouldnt move EDM for Jiricek??? Ill be honest I havent watched him play much but he was AHL rookie of the year as a 19 year old, dominant at the 2023 world juniors and was considered like the top RHD prospect in hockey at one point.

He's only 21. Talent like he has can't be taught. I know there have been concerns about his character and the pace he plays but frankly he reminds me quite of Rinzel in the times Ive watched him play. Obviously it'd be a bit of a gamble but man EDM projects to be like a #5 defensive guy.

Columbus would say go f yourselves lol

 

[MHO]

You guys wouldnt move EDM for Jiricek??? Ill be honest I havent watched him play much but he was AHL rookie of the year as a 19 year old, dominant at the 2023 world juniors and was considered like the top RHD prospect in hockey at one point.

He's only 21. Talent like he has can't be taught. I know there have been concerns about his character and the pace he plays but frankly he reminds me quite of Rinzel in the times Ive watched him play. Obviously it'd be a bit of a gamble but man EDM projects to be like a #5 defensive guy.

Columbus would say go f yourselves lol

Part of the reason why the Hawks say no is that character is a pretty big deal. Jiricek is undoubtedly more talented but given how they already have Rinzel and Levshunov, I'd keep EDM over Jiricek. Call me crazy but I think EDM's intangibles are a much bigger deal than most