News Article: Why the Blackhawks could be major players for Mikko Rantanen, others this offseason

[BLKHKhockey]

I think you grab someone who can have a Toffoli-like impact for Bedard. So maybe Boeser? Nelson’s big body is also enticing but I haven’t watched him play recently.

Doesn’t need to be a top player for a huge overpay. Can’t be another TT/Bert/Hall though.

A new coach and some more youth alone should give this team a new look next year. One or two true top 6 vet forwards would be great.

 

[BHawk21]

Why wait? Marner and Kaprizov are the same age. They will continue to be the same age. We want the team to improve next year. The only downfall would be a slightly higher draft pick in 2026. I hope to god we have a higher draft pick next year.

If Mcdavid wants to come to the Blackhawks you unload whoever you need to make it happen.

 

[Ace Card Bedard]

Rantanen is a big dude, will he fall-0ff in his early 30's like most big wingers?
The only real outliers are Jagr and Ovechkin. All the other great, big wingers fell off pretty hard. Shanahan, Leclair, Andreychuk, etc.

I'd love to see Boeser on Bedard's wing but I don't know what the cap hit would look like.

 

[x Tame Impala]

I doubt any of Marner, Rantanen, Kaprizov, or McDavid hit free agency anyway

 

[Putt Pirate]

I doubt any of Marner, Rantanen, Kaprizov, or McDavid hit free agency anyway

Nor want to come to a rebuild at the point in their career they are at.

 

[statswatcher]

Nor want to come to a rebuild at the point in their career they are at.

what was the last really bad rebuilding team to land a top 5 free agent anyway? toronto? do they even qualify?

 

[x Tame Impala]

Nor want to come to a rebuild at the point in their career they are at.

There's a chance we look like an appealing destination in July 26. Our roster will hopefully have been filled out by our graduated prospects, our D core will be looking great, Bedard will be hopefully a 90+ point player, and we may be adding another top 5 pick to the system. Not impossible.

But if I had to put money down I'd say Toronto re-signs Marner, Carolina signs Rantanen (why else trade for him?), and McDavid is an Edmonton purist who will play out his career with Draisaitl and get 2,000 career points. Kaprizov...maybe, because who wants to stay in Minnesota? Especially when you can play in Chicago with Bedard.

Lots of ifs going forward so we'll just have to see how it all shakes out.

 

[GIADF]

what was the last really bad rebuilding team to land a top 5 free agent anyway? toronto? do they even qualify?

Minnesota and Parise/Suter count? They had 81 points the season before signing them. Only 5 teams the prior year had less points.

 

[statswatcher]

Minnesota and Parise/Suter count? They had 81 points the season before signing them. Only 5 teams the prior year had less points.

probably a better example than toronto. forgot they'd been a playoff team for two years by the time they signed tavares.

 

[GIADF]

probably a better example than toronto. forgot they'd been a playoff team for two years by the time they signed tavares.

Wasn't JT supposed to be the piece and veteran leader to take them from a wild card team to a Cup winner?


oops

 

[Muffinalt]

I think the reason is what always counts.

Signing Hossa was to complete the rebuild. But that's not the case here it's obviously too early.

Doesn't always have to be that though. Now we want to sign someone to give life to our young stars, and positively influence their development. Same reason as last year, but it's clear we need a higher level than two middle sixers.

So I think need wise, it's good to go for it. We are not delusional in thinking about completing any rebuilds, but rather it's a needed positive tool.

Of course you always need to be careful on who you are signing/going for. We are not trying to cash in on our assets too early here, it's just cap space so that's good. We also have way too much of it in a big cap increase coming by most accounts, so spending on one guy doesn't impede the cap structure.

Cautionary tale is Tavares who's high cap f***ed up the internal asks of Toronto's blue chippers. If KD has a plan already to address that (for example keeping it around Bedards perceived next AAV - and they could be already discussing that with Connor), than I think it's good.

Equally big risk I think is the young guys' development stalling, so we need to be cautious of that too. We can't have an inept scoring environment for 4 years straight. That doesn't help strong character building either. Bringing in a properly motivated star that demands a lot from teammates would help with the winning culture.

Well, I don't know who that is. I'm more familiar with Rantanen's behind the scenes now thanks to the traxe (work ethic questions, no defense etc), so I'm not on that train anymore.

Marner has his own issues, but I think they're overblown. I think he would be a really positive influence as a successful and outspoken character.

Ehlers comes from a strong lockeroom, Boeser Im more worried about with yhe Vancouver shitshow.

Nelson I think would be great for the above, but he's older and so that would need to be a shorter type contract for sure.

Kaprizov would be ideal I agree.

I'm leaning testing the market on Marner actually. It would be big enough of an acquisition to change the locker room and help the young guys further along. He's also a superb skater and plays defense well, all of which we need.

In either case I think we should limit ourselves to one or max two guys only, because the youth is coming.

 

[statswatcher]

I think the reason is what always counts.

Signing Hossa was to complete the rebuild. But that's not the case here it's obviously too early.

Doesn't always have to be that though. Now we want to sign someone to give life to our young stars, and positively influence their development. Same reason as last year, but it's clear we need a higher level than two middle sixers.

So I think need wise, it's good to go for it. We are not delusional in thinking about completing any rebuilds, but rather it's a needed positive tool.

Of course you always need to be careful on who you are signing/going for. We are not trying to cash in on our assets too early here, it's just cap space so that's good. We also have way too much of it in a big cap increase coming by most accounts, so spending on one guy doesn't impede the cap structure.

Cautionary tale is Tavares who's high cap f***ed up the internal asks of Toronto's blue chippers. If KD has a plan already to address that (for example keeping it around Bedards perceived next AAV - and they could be already discussing that with Connor), than I think it's good.

Equally big risk I think is the young guys' development stalling, so we need to be cautious of that too. We can't have an inept scoring environment for 4 years straight. That doesn't help strong character building either. Bringing in a properly motivated star that demands a lot from teammates would help with the winning culture.

Well, I don't know who that is. I'm more familiar with Rantanen's behind the scenes now thanks to the traxe (work ethic questions, no defense etc), so I'm not on that train anymore.

Marner has his own issues, but I think they're overblown. I think he would be a really positive influence as a successful and outspoken character.

Ehlers comes from a strong lockeroom, Boeser Im more worried about with yhe Vancouver shitshow.

Nelson I think would be great for the above, but he's older and so that would need to be a shorter type contract for sure.

Kaprizov would be ideal I agree.

I'm leaning testing the market on Marner actually. It would be big enough of an acquisition to change the locker room and help the young guys further along. He's also a superb skater and plays defense well, all of which we need.

In either case I think we should limit ourselves to one or max two guys only, because the youth is coming.

i wouldn't kick and scream if they brought one of these guys in depending on the specifics. i probably couldn't help but smile about it. i don't see that it's very likely though, and i can see a world where it ends up being unnecessary or worse counterproductive.

 

[Kevin Musto]

I think the reason is what always counts.

Signing Hossa was to complete the rebuild. But that's not the case here it's obviously too early.

Doesn't always have to be that though. Now we want to sign someone to give life to our young stars, and positively influence their development. Same reason as last year, but it's clear we need a higher level than two middle sixers.

So I think need wise, it's good to go for it. We are not delusional in thinking about completing any rebuilds, but rather it's a needed positive tool.

Of course you always need to be careful on who you are signing/going for. We are not trying to cash in on our assets too early here, it's just cap space so that's good. We also have way too much of it in a big cap increase coming by most accounts, so spending on one guy doesn't impede the cap structure.

Cautionary tale is Tavares who's high cap f***ed up the internal asks of Toronto's blue chippers. If KD has a plan already to address that (for example keeping it around Bedards perceived next AAV - and they could be already discussing that with Connor), than I think it's good.

Equally big risk I think is the young guys' development stalling, so we need to be cautious of that too. We can't have an inept scoring environment for 4 years straight. That doesn't help strong character building either. Bringing in a properly motivated star that demands a lot from teammates would help with the winning culture.

Well, I don't know who that is. I'm more familiar with Rantanen's behind the scenes now thanks to the traxe (work ethic questions, no defense etc), so I'm not on that train anymore.

Marner has his own issues, but I think they're overblown. I think he would be a really positive influence as a successful and outspoken character.

Ehlers comes from a strong lockeroom, Boeser Im more worried about with yhe Vancouver shitshow.

Nelson I think would be great for the above, but he's older and so that would need to be a shorter type contract for sure.

Kaprizov would be ideal I agree.

I'm leaning testing the market on Marner actually. It would be big enough of an acquisition to change the locker room and help the young guys further along. He's also a superb skater and plays defense well, all of which we need.

In either case I think we should limit ourselves to one or max two guys only, because the youth is coming.

I like Marner, but his father is going to ensure he signs for nothing less than 13M per.

Don't want to pay that much.

 

[GIADF]

I like Marner, but his father is going to ensure he signs for nothing less than 13M per.

Don't want to pay that much.

I'd happily pay that price.

On pace for 117 points this year. His career 82 game point pace is 92. Not to mention he plays great defense and the PK.

Oh and a perfect linemate for Bedard.

 

[Wally1112pac]

Pass on Marner.

He's a regular season hero. He's no where to be found come playoff time.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

Why wait? Marner and Kaprizov are the same age. They will continue to be the same age. We want the team to improve next year. The only downfall would be a slightly higher draft pick in 2026. I hope to god we have a higher draft pick next year.

If Mcdavid wants to come to the Blackhawks you unload whoever you need to make it happen.

Marner is actually a month younger than Kaprizov, funny enough.

But ya, I don’t get why it’s “all in for Kaprizov next year, hell no to Marner this year.”

Regardless it doesn’t matter because Davidson says he’s “extremely open” to adding an established star or two this offseason. If there’s mutual interest there, then Davidson is going to go for it despite the call to wait for the maybes of Kaprizov or McKenna (or McDavid lmao).

 

[ClydeLee]

Marner is actually a month younger than Kaprizov, funny enough.

But ya, I don’t get why it’s “all in for Kaprizov next year, hell no to Marner this year.”

There's rumor, whatever the reason or validity, that Kaprizov is linked to wanting to go to Chicago.

He can go for it, and get no takes because the team is still too far away.

probably a better example than toronto. forgot they'd been a playoff team for two years by the time they signed tavares.

Panarin joining the Rangers... and the timing never made sense to work out for them. But that would of been like us signing someone huge 2 offseasons ago.

 

[GIADF]

There's rumor, whatever the reason or validity, that Kaprizov is linked to wanting to go to Chicago.

He can go for it, and get no takes because the team is still too far away.

Wasn’t that just a made up Laz idea that had zero foundation whatsoever?

 

[EddieTheEagle]

I may be in the minority but I do not want to see Panarin back here. Strictly my opinion, but he just doesn't strike me as a guy you win it all with and he is currently 33.

 

[Mrfenn92]

Sign Brad Marchand and Brock Nelson
2 year deals $6.5 aav

 

[WarriorofTime]

Hawks should have a much better sense of their pieces after next season. Should have a really good sense of what you have with Reichel, Slaggert, Dach, Nazar, Bedard up front, if they're long-term roster players, where they slot in and how much they'll cost. Same with Vlasic, Crevier, Kaiser, Del Mastro, Allan, Korchinski on the back end. That's a lot of graduated prospect pieces from within that you should have pretty solid answers on by then.

Plus you'll have another 2025 Draft Pick that will be high plus your high/medium/low projections on the rest of your prospect pool like Levshunov, Moore, Boisvert, Rinzel, Vanacker, Kantserov, Greene, Lardis, Spellacy, Hayes, Savoie, Mustard, Pridham

I think that's where the waiting another year makes some sense. Based on the timing of when the tank was really in earnest, the picture is going to clear up a lot more based on the ages/levels the prospects will be at.

 

[CanadianHawks]

Nelson would be a great fit. Size down the middle and likely gets what 3 years? 4 tops? We can over pay him and not ever worry about it with that term. Also Midwest guy. Perfect C for Nazar and guys like Kantersov down the road.

Bennett is a great fit too but I worry about the term with him. Always loved his game. Absolute gamer. Exactly the kind of guy you win with. He’s like a second line C version of Bolland.

Boeser would be incredible on Bedard wing. He would essentially be another Debrincat for us.

 

[RememberTheRoar]

Wasn’t that just a made up Laz idea that had zero foundation whatsoever?

Yes, and laz backtracked the very next day.

 

[HawksDub89]

These guys have to WANT to be in Chicago. Assuming you’ll get an elite FA later just because is a dangerous game.

If KD can convince Marner or Rantanen to be a Blackhawk you absolutely do it. Would 2026 be more ideal? Sure, but if you can add a star you add a star despite it being a tad early.

 

[Taze em]

We don't "need a sense" of where we stand. We know we need impact forwards. We don't need D, thank god they are impossible to get. Pick whoever you like best Marner, Rantanen, Ehlers, Kaprizov... the name doesn't matter. Whoever you CAN get. They are free assets that cost our least scarce resource: Cap Dollars.

Usually to get an impact forward you have to suck for a full year, then wait for them to peak for 3 years. These guys are free.

We have to stop comparing this Free Agent addition to Marian Hossa FA. It was perfectly timed and it was cap amazing. Sometimes you gotta take what you can get... Our D is timed out to peak perfectly, the Offense isn't. Just find a way to get one of them. Cap Hell is a vestige of the past and our fanbase are all deathly afraid of it to the point we're ready to mash our pudd on the sidelines.