2025 26 Roster…too Soon

[Toews2Bickell]

I think the jist of it was Dickinson said "everyone is going to say me" when they talk about whos the oldest which he didnt say in any jokingly way. It's also interesting that everyone thinks he is the oldest despite Martinez, Foglino, and Maroon on the roster all of which are 8 years olden than him. Like maybe Dickinson is the whipping boy of the young guys.

I am definitely reading way too much into this and its probably not that though right?...

Foligno and Dickinson were the most popular answers for players on the team, nobody said Maroon or Martinez lol

 

[dj Mahoney]

Kurashev is a negative asset. He has to be qualified at 2.25 and has arbitration rights which his agent will use his 54 pt season to bamboozle an arbitrator into something even more silly. Hawks (and anyone who would consider trading for him) will be walking away from him at probably the qualifying offer and certainly after his arbitratiord.

Kyle could offer 1.8 / 2 yrs

 

[DisgruntledHawkFan]

I'm kinda glad Kurashev had a bad year because if he put up Donato's stat line this year we'd end up paying him way too much for way too long.

 

[WarriorofTime]

All this middle school girl drama stuff, man... whatever, people overblow this kind of stuff.

Watched Dickinson's interview. He's not the Team Dad (Foligno is 38 and Captain, that's "his job" so to speak), he's about to 30 years old, had a frustrating year on a personal level and the team still sucks. He and the other guys in his age bracket aren't going to glaze the young kids every time they step on the ice. Dickinson was a 1st round pick himself once upon a time, Hall was a first overall, Jones a 4th overall, Murphy a 1st round pick, Foligno a 1st round pick, Bertuzzi/Donato 2nd round picks. Maybe this crew of 1st/2nd round picks turn out better, maybe not, that's the NHL and kind of his point.

He's also still a professional who understands the youth movement and why the Hawks are doing it. He knows that he and nobody else is entitled to everything, the Hawks have a whole bunch of wide open spots and everyone is competing all the time. He knows with a year left it's possible he gets traded. If he's still around he's ready to come in, be the 3rd line center, penalty killer, take the tough matchups. It's all much ado about nothing. Job is to play hockey to the best of your ability. I don't care if he isn't taking Nazar out for ice cream after practice.

 

[Muffinalt]

Hockey and business wise it makes sense - need a linemate for Bedard that will not command a ton of term, its season 100 so lot of marketing opportunity, but its so so unlikely to happen...Feel like Kane might go to Toronto to play with Matthews if Marner leaves...The Detroit thing isnt working, Toronto maybe tries some patchwork to compete, makes sense for both sides

I think it would make sense for him to go to Washington.

They play a style he would excel at. Strome's there. Ovi on the PP.

I would absolutely love it for him. Of course welcome him with open arms, but I also think that ship has unfortunately sailed.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I think it would make sense for him to go to Washington.

They play a style he would excel at. Strome's there. Ovi on the PP.

I would absolutely love it for him. Of course welcome him with open arms, but I also think that ship has unfortunately sailed.

Kane reunited with Stromegod would be insane

Plus they're gonna have Cristall and Leonard fighting for the Calder

Washington will be fun to watch

 

[Muffinalt]

I'm reading the Marner thread on the main boards, and came across this post from one of their fans:

You haven't watched the Leafs playoffs either.

Marnee literally is 40' away from the net in the offensive zone. Media has posted data showing Marner is proportionally much further from the net then in the season relative any of the other Leaf core.

He also is taking the least amount of slot shots compared to ANY leaf player.yes even 4th liners.

How can Marners line produce if Marner isn't competing? If he's on the perimeter or standing at the blueline? They cant...its essentially 4v5. If they do score Matthews does everything, short of making a play with Marners stick.

Mcdavid alluded to Marners perimeter play at 4Nations. Mcdavid was asked to talk about his linemates Reinhart and Marner and he said this about Marner "Marner, the playmaker, umm kinda plays high in the zone" yes, that's the best compliment (is it a compliment) he could come up with for Marner.

Marner and him were caught in a heated discussion at the bench in game 1. Marner was interviewed and said "we are still working out where eachother is on the ice". Note that Marner was suddenly playing a little closer to the net then he ever does in Toronto. Probably because Mcdavid was yelling at him.

Hmm and Coopers faith in him wavered too... first line game 1, dropped to 2nd line game 2, least amount of 5v5 minutes by game 3, and game 4 he was given an opportunity when he ("looked like he had legs"). Cooper also gave him a backhanded compliment and said "he doesnt have any one skill that he does better than anyone on the ice, but can you say anyone played better?" Or something to that effect. That was game 1 though and by game 3 he was the least played forward 5v5.

Last years playoffs Hrudey and Biz on different networks did separate intermissions focused on Marners "pathetic" battle/effort to fight for pucks. Both said he was pathetic.

This all isn't a coincidence lol.

Marner is terrified of the dirty areas of the ice.

Good player but huge warts and I definitely would quickly walk away, with a very big grin, before paying him an elite contract.

One of the slowest player on the ice (around 60% percentile), among weakest shot and around 300th in the league in xg/60. It will be bad if he isnt with one of the top 5 players in the league leaders he is in Toronto. Not to mention a PP that includes Tavares, Nylander, Matthews (3 of the leavues best natural goal scorers).

I like Marner for his scoring, skating and especially the defense he brings with that package, but if he's this much of a perimeter player, he won't be a good fit with Bedard, especially down the line.

We need some legitimate skill for Connor, and of course 100 point regular seasons are no fluke.

But if we manage to land him, we will need a plan for some board/net front physical players as well, otherwise we'd be forcing Bedard into position we don't want again.

I think the ideal situation for Connor is if he can be the skill, high up last in the zone guy, and there are two hardworking grinder skill guys on his wing. Marner is not that (although I think he would be lights out with Nazar).

So anyway long winded post, but if we do land Marner and if the lottery balls go that way and we bring in Misa, we will have to rebalance the roster.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

can see the argument that if you sign Marner its probably not to play him with Bedard, its to play him with Misa/Frondell etc, and have Nazar and Bedard together

 

[scorehawks]

Kane reunited with Stromegod would be insane

Plus they're gonna have Cristall and Leonard fighting for the Calder

Washington will be fun to watch

And Washington has the younger Protas in Windsor.

 

[crazyhawk]

I'm reading the Marner thread on the main boards, and came across this post from one of their fans:



I like Marner for his scoring, skating and especially the defense he brings with that package, but if he's this much of a perimeter player, he won't be a good fit with Bedard, especially down the line.

We need some legitimate skill for Connor, and of course 100 point regular seasons are no fluke.

But if we manage to land him, we will need a plan for some board/net front physical players as well, otherwise we'd be forcing Bedard into position we don't want again.

I think the ideal situation for Connor is if he can be the skill, high up last in the zone guy, and there are two hardworking grinder skill guys on his wing. Marner is not that (although I think he would be lights out with Nazar).

So anyway long winded post, but if we do land Marner and if the lottery balls go that way and we bring in Misa, we will have to rebalance the roster.

I don't see the point in spending big $$ on landing Marner. He dramatically helps with the point totals in the regular season and so in making the playoffs eventually but in the immediate time frame ensures a later draft pick for 25 and 26. Not the kind of player you win with when it counts.

 

[TheFridge]

I'm reading the Marner thread on the main boards, and came across this post from one of their fans:



I like Marner for his scoring, skating and especially the defense he brings with that package, but if he's this much of a perimeter player, he won't be a good fit with Bedard, especially down the line.

We need some legitimate skill for Connor, and of course 100 point regular seasons are no fluke.

But if we manage to land him, we will need a plan for some board/net front physical players as well, otherwise we'd be forcing Bedard into position we don't want again.

I think the ideal situation for Connor is if he can be the skill, high up last in the zone guy, and there are two hardworking grinder skill guys on his wing. Marner is not that (although I think he would be lights out with Nazar).

So anyway long winded post, but if we do land Marner and if the lottery balls go that way and we bring in Misa, we will have to rebalance the roster.

Have none of you guys watched Marner in the playoffs? The dude goes out of his way to avoid contact. He will be skating to a 50/50 puck in the corner, while even with the defender, then concede ice and give up the inside for the puck. Not the end of the world if he gets the puck back, but he's not physically capable of it once he concedes the inside. I can recall so many times, watching Leafs games with friends (who are Leafs fans) and pulling my hair out for them watching Marner (and Nylander) just not willing to battle for a puck.

I never had that feeling watching Kane and it's not like Kane was going into the corners looking to get hit or hit someone himself. But if Kaner had inside position on a defender, he wasn't going to hold up and concede the inside in fear of being hit.

 

[Muffinalt]

Have none of you guys watched Marner in the playoffs? The dude goes out of his way to avoid contact. He will be skating to a 50/50 puck in the corner, while even with the defender, then concede ice and give up the inside for the puck. Not the end of the world if he gets the puck back, but he's not physically capable of it once he concedes the inside. I can recall so many times, watching Leafs games with friends (who are Leafs fans) and pulling my hair out for them watching Marner (and Nylander) just not willing to battle for a puck.

I never had that feeling watching Kane and it's not like Kane was going into the corners looking to get hit or hit someone himself. But if Kaner had inside position on a defender, he wasn't going to hold up and concede the inside in fear of being hit.

No I have not watched him extensively in the playoffs.

The above descriptions aren't the player I want to be spending 14M on.

We need tougher guys to surround our smaller skilled ones.

I wonder how KD and co will see it come FA period.

 

[Cold Steel on Ice]

And Washington has the younger Protas in Windsor.

And the the younger Hudson coming on defense.

 

[Northernhawk]

Have none of you guys watched Marner in the playoffs? The dude goes out of his way to avoid contact. He will be skating to a 50/50 puck in the corner, while even with the defender, then concede ice and give up the inside for the puck. Not the end of the world if he gets the puck back, but he's not physically capable of it once he concedes the inside. I can recall so many times, watching Leafs games with friends (who are Leafs fans) and pulling my hair out for them watching Marner (and Nylander) just not willing to battle for a puck.

I never had that feeling watching Kane and it's not like Kane was going into the corners looking to get hit or hit someone himself. But if Kaner had inside position on a defender, he wasn't going to hold up and concede the inside in fear of being hit.

Obviously not a Leafs fan but if my memory’s correct Marner was for their first few years the BETTER playoff performer out of the Leafs big four but has fallen behind them now

 

[Northernhawk]

Tonight’s LeafsSens game is a perfect example of why the Blackhawks need to sign a John Tavares type center this off season…not a Mitch Marner type…he wins faceoffs and still produces…

Two areas to he Hawks lacked this year

Winning faceoffs/puck possession and five on five play

Offer Tavares two years at $10 million per

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Marner is a 100 point forward that is playing all situations, how is that not extremely additive to what this team has, players like him do not become available very often via UFA, and he's been a very consistent producer

 

[TheFridge]

Marner is a 100 point forward that is playing all situations, how is that not extremely additive to what this team has, players like him do not become available very often via UFA, and he's been a very consistent producer

No one is making the argument that signing Marner wouldn't improve the team. You have to look at the big picture. Not to mention the fact that you'd be committing 12/13/14M to a guy who wilts under pressure every single year and Marner is going to be in his 30s by the time the Hawks are contending again.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

No one is making the argument that signing Marner wouldn't improve the team. You have to look at the big picture. Not to mention the fact that you'd be committing 12/13/14M to a guy who wilts under pressure every single year and Marner is going to be in his 30s by the time the Hawks are contending again.

Failing to see how signing Marner wouldn't be looking toward the big picture. His game should age well.

 

[TheFridge]

Failing to see how signing Marner wouldn't be looking toward the big picture

Really? The Hawks *just* got rid of a contract of a good, 30-year-old player paid like an all-world player and now you want them to give another one out?

The big picture is, this team is still a long way from contending. Why are they giving out monster contracts to 28-year-olds when the majority of their best players are 19/20/21/22/23? Because "players like this don't come around that often?"

You've got Kaprizov, Eichel and McDavid next year. Hischier and Q Hughes the year after. Keller, Matthews and B Tkachuk the year after that. There are good UFAs available every year, assuming they get there. You don't and can't build your team through UFA. It's a supplementary market. Now isn't he time to supplement with a player as expensive and old as Marner.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

Really? The Hawks *just* got rid of a contract of a good, 30-year-old player paid like an all-world player and now you want them to give another one out?

The big picture is, this team is still a long way from contending. Why are they giving out monster contracts to 28-year-olds when the majority of their best players are 19/20/21/22/23? Because "players like this don't come around that often?"

You've got Kaprizov, Eichel and McDavid next year. Hischier and Q Hughes the year after. Keller, Matthews and B Tkachuk the year after that. There are good UFAs available every year, assuming they get there. You don't and can't build your team through UFA. It's a supplementary market. Now isn't he time to supplement with a player as expensive and old as Marner.

They tried to give Guentzel a max term deal last summer, so if they are determined to add a top 6 forward of that caliber then give me Marner over Ehlers, Boeser and Bennett

 

[Kevin Musto]

we're still pretending Marner doesn't re-sign with the Leafs?

 

[bwanajamba]

Really? The Hawks *just* got rid of a contract of a good, 30-year-old player paid like an all-world player and now you want them to give another one out?

The big picture is, this team is still a long way from contending. Why are they giving out monster contracts to 28-year-olds when the majority of their best players are 19/20/21/22/23? Because "players like this don't come around that often?"

You've got Kaprizov, Eichel and McDavid next year. Hischier and Q Hughes the year after. Keller, Matthews and B Tkachuk the year after that. There are good UFAs available every year, assuming they get there. You don't and can't build your team through UFA. It's a supplementary market. Now isn't he time to supplement with a player as expensive and old as Marner.

You listed a bunch of players not yet eligible for extensions and the odds are against any of those guys actually making it to UFA. Players of that caliber almost never do.

And Marner is in a whole different tier of player than Jones ever was. I'm not necessarily saying it would be wise to sign him to a record contract, and the timeline definitely isn't ideal, but he is one of the best wings in the game on both sides of the puck. He's not merely another "good" player.

 

[Toews2Bickell]

we're still pretending Marner doesn't re-sign with the Leafs?

Yes, delusional optimism...Misa, Marner, McKenna

 

[ello]

Really? The Hawks *just* got rid of a contract of a good, 30-year-old player paid like an all-world player and now you want them to give another one out?

The big picture is, this team is still a long way from contending. Why are they giving out monster contracts to 28-year-olds when the majority of their best players are 19/20/21/22/23? Because "players like this don't come around that often?"

You've got Kaprizov, Eichel and McDavid next year. Hischier and Q Hughes the year after. Keller, Matthews and B Tkachuk the year after that. There are good UFAs available every year, assuming they get there. You don't and can't build your team through UFA. It's a supplementary market. Now isn't he time to supplement with a player as expensive and old as Marner.

Vast vast majoirity of these star forward types won't make to UFA. Like Panarin/Tavares are really the only ones that come to mind the past like 10 years. If Marner reaches UFA AND wants to come here of all places I think you take it and run

 

[CallMeShaft]

Really? The Hawks *just* got rid of a contract of a good, 30-year-old player paid like an all-world player and now you want them to give another one out?

The big picture is, this team is still a long way from contending. Why are they giving out monster contracts to 28-year-olds when the majority of their best players are 19/20/21/22/23? Because "players like this don't come around that often?"

You've got Kaprizov, Eichel and McDavid next year. Hischier and Q Hughes the year after. Keller, Matthews and B Tkachuk the year after that. There are good UFAs available every year, assuming they get there. You don't and can't build your team through UFA. It's a supplementary market. Now isn't he time to supplement with a player as expensive and old as Marner.

1. Most of those guys you listed will re-sign with their teams. You might get one of those guys hit free agency.
2. Seth Jones wasn't a "good" 30yo player here. I'd almost be willing to say he was bad.
3. Hawks are strong on right side D, with both Rinzel and Levshunov knocking on the door step. What we don't have is guys up front who can flirt with 100pts a season.
4. Cap space is likely there for at least the next handful of seasons.