I really like Elliotte Friedman.
I largely do too.
Friedman referenced the Jake Guentzel and the Blackhawks run at him this summer.
I covered that pretty extensively over the summer.
I thought it was a good move.
I wish they were able to get it over the goal line.
Guentzel ultimately signed for 7 years and $9M AAV with Tampa.
Are the Blackhawks a destination…I think they should be.
I think they used to be.
I know that they aren’t right now.
The longer term guys they signed this summer signed their best financial offer.
The other guys they signed perhaps signed their only offer.
Now, it wasn’t a destination before either and it became one.
Those signings were statements of intent.
They changed the narrative even if it wasn’t necessarily the soundest business.
Those deals, especially Soupy, changed the narrative around Chicago.
The Campbell deal also helped them compete and they got to the conference final in 2009.
I think making big free agent signings was always part of the Davidson blueprint.
We are Chicago, we will have money, and furthermore…we are Chicago.
Truly impactful free agents leaving in their prime just doesn’t happen very often.
Tavares left the Isles to play for his childhood team.
Hossa signed in Chicago.
How many other super star players have moved on via free agency in the salary cap era?
Not many that I can think of.
If he does…do you think he’d want to come to Chicago?
I have my doubts.
- What is our timeline here?
This is a big question.
Davidson has drafted 30 players in three years.
I am very encouraged by many of them.
That’s all well and good.
The Blackhawks are going to be a bottom 5 team again this year most likely.
I don’t think that those guys, as rookies, give you a big push towards the playoffs.
So any improvement would have to be acquired some other way.
Meaning they have to make a push to sign Rantanen, Marner, or my choice…Sam Bennett.
Which goes back to the first question…is Chicago a destination?
Probably not compared to what those other organizations have cooking.
Which brings us to question #3
- When does losing become part of DNA?
This is something I’ve been saying for a while.
They played like losers last year.
So far they don’t look too dissimilar this year.
You don’t need all-stars to play the right way.
All I really care about is the team playing smart and playing hard.
If the Blackhawks lose to a more talented team, fine.
Don’t beat yourself.
Losses will come, but you don’t losses to become who you are.
I don’t know who exactly to blame for stuff like this besides literally everyone.
- “Rebuilding isn’t an exact science and it’s hard to know what you have”.
What do the Blackhawks have?
That scenario was impossible.
There was nothing here when Bedard arrived.
The Sabres have been rebuilding my entire adult life.
Detroit is still trying to get the Yzerplan into the playoffs.
The Kings rebuilt their Cup teams into a solid, but unspectacular team with a ceiling.
The Maple Leafs hit on virtually all of their high picks and landed a super star free agent.
With all of those stars they have one playoff series win to show for it.
Winning ain’t easy and it’s definitely not guaranteed.
What do the Blackhawks have?
I think their defense will end up being very good.
Vlasic is a top shut down guy and he’s locked up at a good number.
I think Levshunov will be a true two-way defenseman at some point.
Rinzel looks like he can be a top 4 guy with power play value too.
The big question mark is still Korchinski.
Obviously there’s a chance that he never becomes that player.
That’s not what you hope for when you draft a guy 7th overall.
That description of a PP/3rd pair sheltered minutes guy…that is Erik Gustafsson.
It especially hurts when you traded Alex Debrincat for that punch in of player.
So let’s hope that a year in the AHL will do him some good.
Bedard obviously has the goods.
I do think there’s a question of how to get the absolute most out of him.
I am still not sold that his best position in the NHL is as a center.
At least not a top 6 center.
They are also both on the smaller side like Bedard.
Big, mean, fast, and physical.
They also have the goaltending situation to work out.
Which brings us back to the original point…how long is Bedard going to be cool with losing?
I think he will eventually sign a long term deal here.
It’s very difficult to become a UFA as a top player.
It’s why those guys don’t become available often.
Will he sign immediately?
I was also jealous and frustrated when the Blues gave Dylan Holloway an offersheet and Chicago didn’t.
Holloway would’ve been the perfect piece to add to the mix up front.
Great speed, good size, and has been in a good culture with great players in Edmonton.
He’s still young, the Blues got him for pretty cheap both AAV and draft comp.
Not sure if the Blackhawks kicked the can on that at all, but they should’ve.
Holloway fits their style of player and their timeline.
I think Bedard is here long term.
I think he signs an 8-year deal at somepoint, but the clock is ticking, officially.
Eichel went into a bad situation, left, and ended up with his name on the Cup.
That starts with doing the little things right.
