Blackhawks 2026/27 season

[jersey cubs fan]

It absolutely sucks that Teuvo and Mangiapane are in top 6 roles. A decent team has guys better than Bertuzzi in that role, too. Bedard and Kantserov are cooking, but the rest of this forward group is a mess. 
 

Frondell and Nazar are being wasted 

Roman Kantserov — Connor Bedard — Tyler Bertuzzi 
Andrew Mangiapane — Anton Frondell — Teuvo Teräväinen 
Oliver Moore — Frank Nazar — Ryan Donato 
Cole Smith — Ryan Greene — Jordan Greenway

[jersey cubs fan]

So the assumption has been the Hawks own pick is off the table as a likely high lottery pick, but the Edmonton and Florida picks will be back of the first round. Edmonton is on pace to be a 28-32 type pick, essentially a second rounder. But Florida is borderline playoff team. Currently on the outside looking in. You can’t count on them to miss the playoffs again but they are old and you never know. Then throw in Vancouver’s 2nd round pick (likely 33) and their own (likely no lower than 38, and they are set up for a new decision maker to have an impactful first draft. 

curious if Wirtz has limited Davidsons ability to trade away these picks. Kyle completely blundered the 4th overall trade for a ghost defenseman in a desperate attempt to get better quicker and I could see him attempting a similar move this winter. Probably not their own pick but the next four picks they own that will be top 38 next summer are likely on the table. 

[Rex Buckingham]

I just don't know that I want Davidson making another big trade after that awful trade for Byram... I feel like they miss Crevier on top of moving the 4th pick and giving a massive contract to a guy who has barely played

[jersey cubs fan]

47 minutes ago, Rex Buckingham said:

I just don't know that I want Davidson making another big trade after that awful trade for Byram... I feel like they miss Crevier on top of moving the 4th pick and giving a massive contract to a guy who has barely played

Crevier plus Smits or Carels or Reid would have this defense in a much better position currently and in the future. But they were never going to draft a D there. 
 

The problem is if you don’t allow Davidson to make a trade he can’t be in the job. A president of hockey Ops is the obvious intermediary step. But Eddie O isn’t going to make Kyle better at handling his assets.

He’s had a plethora of picks and treats them like spare change. They have 8 forwards with no future on the team on the roster and at least 3 D that won’t get another contract, but maybe 5. Vlasic is becoming a lost cause as well and Rinzel should be in Rockford. 
Coaching is a concern but it all comes down to roster construction and the lack of quality pieces plus too many guys making back but doing nothing. 

Edited 22 hours ago by jersey cubs fan

[Rex Buckingham]

25 minutes ago, jersey cubs fan said:

Crevier plus Smits or Carels or Reid would have this defense in a much better position currently and in the future. But they were never going to draft a D there. 
 

The problem is if you don’t allow Davidson to make a trade he can’t be in the job. A president of hockey Ops is the obvious intermediary step. But Eddie O isn’t going to make Kyle better at handling his assets.

Yeah, I definitely left that unsaid, but I think he should go. Not that I know who steps in, maybe just let Eddie do it, but Kyle has flopped.

[jersey cubs fan]

The Spencer Knight quotes in Ben Pope’s article reads like a goalie that is rightfully incredibly pissed off at his inept teammates and the front office for putting this roster in front of him 

[jersey cubs fan]

So the big takeaway from Davidsons press conference is that Marc Eaton will embed with the staff as a defensive coach. And Blashill is free to keep doing what he’s going with all the bizarre roster decisions. And Byram is going to the Kyler Gordon method of injury rehab