We have a GM problem

[Hawkaholic]

The Hawks wasted so much time 2017-18 through 2020-21, basically four seasons when they needed to rebuild but were chasing mediocrity. In a perfect world, Bedard comes at the end of a rebuild

For sure, traded their picks in 2022, so they had to gut the team to get picks that lined up with their rebuild. I can't think of any teams that gutted their team like Chicago did, its going to take a while to rebuild it properly. But they can take the shortcut and start signing UFAs and be a playoff team that doesn't ever win anything.

 

[Castle8130]

It's crazy to think its going to be a 5 year rebuild. Especially when you started out with literally nothing. There were no prospects in the pipeline when they tore it down, there was no good to elite NHLers on the team when they drafted Bedard. 7-9 years is a much more realistic time frame for your prospects to develop to be great to elite players. After 7 years, you hope to be contending for the playoffs, 9 years you hope you are winning your division/championships.

Point me to a team who started out with nothing and became a contender in less than 7 years. You can't find a team that did that. Most teams who had a 1st overall pick had players around those picks to help them. Chicago had nothing.

We are one of, if not, the most attractive franchise for free agents. The Hawks pockets are deep and the facilities are top notch. We can get the strongest talent in free agency to bolster the roster at any time. The Hawks already had Vlasic/Crevier/Allen/EDM in the pipeline when KD decided to blow up everything to get Bedard. We have Seth Jones on the roster who has been a fine #3 and KD decided to let Strome go so we could suck.

The Hawks are more than capable of signing/trading for players to become a competitive team at anytime. Just like all the other powerhouse teams, you get 3-5 high end prospects and build around them through free agency signings and trades.

 

[Hawkaholic]

We are one of, if not, the most attractive franchise for free agents. The Hawks pockets are deep and the facilities are top notch. We can get the strongest talent in free agency to bolster the roster at any time. The Hawks already had Vlasic/Crevier/Allen/EDM in the pipeline when KD decided to blow up everything to get Bedard. We have Seth Jones on the roster who has been a fine #3 and KD decided to let Strome go so we could suck.

The Hawks are more than capable of signing/trading for players to become a competitive team at anytime. Just like all the other powerhouse teams, you get 3-5 high end prospects and build around them through free agency signings and trades.

Signing big free agents is a recipe for disaster. The other powerhouse teams didn't sign big free agents to make their teams better, they made savvy trades or developed their own, and made a signing when they were already a playoff team.

None of the guys you mentioned outside of Vlasic are good to elite, and Seth Jones is hopefully on his way out sooner rather than later.

 

[ClydeLee]

We are one of, if not, the most attractive franchise for free agents. The Hawks pockets are deep and the facilities are top notch. We can get the strongest talent in free agency to bolster the roster at any time. The Hawks already had Vlasic/Crevier/Allen/EDM in the pipeline when KD decided to blow up everything to get Bedard. We have Seth Jones on the roster who has been a fine #3 and KD decided to let Strome go so we could suck.

The Hawks are more than capable of signing/trading for players to become a competitive team at anytime. Just like all the other powerhouse teams, you get 3-5 high end prospects and build around them through free agency signings and trades.

This is a recipe for mediocrity. This pathway is based on zero teams that have done this to win a Cup. You want another Wild or Rangers (at best doing that)

Meanwhile every normal comparable Cup winner sans St Louis, has had years of basement getting multiple top 5 picks, who has won a cup in the cap era since 2011? It's like 1 in a decade that works, it's like winning in the nfl with an ok QB. It's not the model to copy

None of the powerhouse teams do this... Florida had a 1 2 and 3. Tampa had a 1 2 and 3, Pittsburgh had 2 1sts and 2 2nd overalls. Hawks had a 1, 2, 3. Caps has a 1, 4 & 5. There's several of those that weren't great picks, the smart move sometimes you quickly trade a guy for another great prospect like Tampa & Chicago did to help. You need these picks and time. I'd say the Hawks and Pens were exceptions that won quick because their teams cheapness held them back before the cap started.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Need a random, no reason for it breakout. Or 2. Whether it's a 2nd/3rd round pick that's a superstar. A random guy you trade for that hits a completely unexpected level. A waiver pickup that becomes your Number 1 Defenseman. Something like that. League is generally small/random enough for this kind of stuff to happen for anyone.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

Need a random, no reason for it breakout. Or 2. Whether it's a 2nd/3rd round pick that's a superstar. A random guy you trade for that hits a completely unexpected level. A waiver pickup that becomes your Number 1 Defenseman. Something like that. League is generally small/random enough for this kind of stuff to happen for anyone.

Maybe a chance Rinzel or Kantserov is that?

 

[Kevin Musto]

Maybe a chance Rinzel or Kantserov is that?

Rinzel for sure has that kind of upside.

Lardis is putting up nasty numbers, and could be a top 6er.

John Mustard is quite good and that doesn't get mentioned ever. He's very young too with his August birthday.