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.

 

[Bubba88]

8-9 years to rebuild is fine if you want to contend then. 8-9 years of rebuild just to get to the POs seems a bit long.

If you make the POs on the back of young players, that's saying you have done something right. To contend, it takes more than that.

 

[Sarava]

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.

They didn't have to gut their team...they chose too. I agree, they took this down to the studs further than you see other teams do it. It was almost like they were copying what the Cubs and Sox did in baseball, moreso than following other NHL teams' path to success. Actually probably more like the White Sox, who's rebuild failed spectacularly.

Let's not lose sight of the fact that the Hawks have had 8 1st round picks and 5 2nd round picks in the last 3 drafts. They have another 2+2 lined up for this coming draft (could end up being more or less).

They shouldn't need to tank for more top 5 picks after this season.

Now let's start to erase this losing culture and get it moving in the right direction. Get Bedard a stud to play with and help his development. Stop relying on aging former stars to help Bedard.

It will take time. We all get that. They won't be a cup contender in the next few years.

But this hesitancy by some fans to even try and be competitive is bizarre. It's what we all used to make fun of when Edmonton fans acted like they won the Stanley Cup every time they secured another top pick in the draft.

 

[GIADF]

Let's not lose sight of the fact that the Hawks have had 8 1st round picks and 5 2nd round picks in the last 3 drafts. They have another 2+2 lined up for this coming draft (could end up being more or less).

Yep, exactly. If we need another 2-3 top 5 picks after this next draft like some posters suggest then things are going poorly enough that I wouldn't blame Bedard, or anyone else for that matter, for asking for a trade out of this mess.

With consecutive drafts of 1 OA, 2 OA, and whatever this draft yields us + the other picks you mentioned. That plus all the cap space they have should be plenty to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

We will see what the off season brings, I think it'll be a make or break situation for KD.

 

[Hawkaholic]

They didn't have to gut their team...they chose too. I agree, they took this down to the studs further than you see other teams do it. It was almost like they were copying what the Cubs and Sox did in baseball, moreso than following other NHL teams' path to success. Actually probably more like the White Sox, who's rebuild failed spectacularly.

Let's not lose sight of the fact that the Hawks have had 8 1st round picks and 5 2nd round picks in the last 3 drafts. They have another 2+2 lined up for this coming draft (could end up being more or less).

They shouldn't need to tank for more top 5 picks after this season.

Now let's start to erase this losing culture and get it moving in the right direction. Get Bedard a stud to play with and help his development. Stop relying on aging former stars to help Bedard.

It will take time. We all get that. They won't be a cup contender in the next few years.

But this hesitancy by some fans to even try and be competitive is bizarre. It's what we all used to make fun of when Edmonton fans acted like they won the Stanley Cup every time they secured another top pick in the draft.

I'm not saying they are going to tank for another 3+ seasons, I just dont think they will be a legit contender for another 5 seasons or so. Maybe they get lucky and get into the playoffs in 3 years, or are at least competing for a spot and come up short in 3-5 years. I don't consider the rebuild over if they are doing that though, the rebuild is over when we are a legit playoff team that can win a couple or a few playoff rounds.

I dont think there is hesitancy from some fans (like me) to be competitive, its just how do you go about becoming competitive that people disagree on. I just dont think signing big free agents (unless you can wow McDavid to come here) is the way to go.

 

[TLEH]

I'm not saying they are going to tank for another 3+ seasons, I just dont think they will be a legit contender for another 5 seasons or so. Maybe they get lucky and get into the playoffs in 3 years, or are at least competing for a spot and come up short in 3-5 years. I don't consider the rebuild over if they are doing that though, the rebuild is over when we are a legit playoff team that can win a couple or a few playoff rounds.

I dont think there is hesitancy from some fans (like me) to be competitive, its just how do you go about becoming competitive that people disagree on. I just dont think signing big free agents (unless you can wow McDavid to come here) is the way to go.

I just think with the cap numbers being what they are, its sort of a get out of jail free card to take some additional risks.