r/hawks

The last month has absolutely torched whatever confidence I had left in Kyle Davidson's vision for this team.

As a Blackhawks fan, my belief that we're anywhere close to icing a legitimately competitive roster is at an all-time low.

First, let's talk about the Bowen Byram trade. I don't necessarily have a problem with moving the 4th overall pick for an established NHL player. Prospects are lottery tickets, and not every rebuild needs another teenager. But if you're going to cash in a premium asset, shouldn't you be getting an elite player in return? I’m not convinced Byram is that guy, and I'm even less convinced that was the right price.

More concerning is Davidson's complete inability to find a legitimate running mate for Connor Bedard.

Bedard is heading into his fourth season. Fourth.

At some point, the endless excuses about "sticking to the plan" stop being reassuring and start sounding like a guy reading from a script. The franchise was gifted a generational talent and Davidson still hasn't found him a top-line winger capable of maximizing his offensive potential. That's roster malpractice.

Meanwhile, the rest of the league appears to be figuring out that draft picks are massively overrated compared to proven NHL talent. Danny Briere's aggressive move for Leo Carlsson is exactly the kind of swing that changes a franchise's trajectory. It sends a message: stop hoarding futures and start acquiring players.

The market is changing, and Davidson seems determined to operate like it's still Year One of the rebuild.

I've already seen multiple articles suggesting Pen's GM Kyle Dubas should make a monster offer for Bedard. Let's pretend he actually does. What are the Hawks getting back? Four late first-round picks? Congratulations, you've traded Connor Bedard for the opportunity to maybe draft a future Connor Bedard. Makes perfect sense.

And if Bedard ever reaches the point where the Hawks have to match some astronomical offer, that's another problem entirely, one that became exponentially harder because management has spent years failing to build a winning environment around him.

At this point, Kyle Davidson feels like the intern who wandered into Stan Bowman's office one day, got promoted to the big chair, and never updated the PowerPoint presentation he brought to the interview.

He came in with a plan. Fine.

The problem is the league changed and the plan didn't.

Teams are valuing NHL talent more and draft picks less. Smart GMs are adapting. Davidson is still collecting futures like it's a hobby.

Good luck, Kyle.

You're going to need a lot more than another draft pick to get yourself out of this one.

Seattle and Shane Wright have reportedly agreed to part ways this summer via a future trade. What would you think of the Hawks adding him? Obviously hasn't lived up to his draft slot yet but curious if people think he can still be worth a look at a presumably cheap price.

There’s alot of talk and posts about Bedard potentially being offersheeted by Pittsburg and I don’t know what to think. We match realistically anything but should we be worried??

Leo Carlsson just got an 18mil AAV contract. This is going to be brutal that Bedard is still not signed.

Do we see a Bedard offer sheet?

With Leo Carlsson going for 18 million it’s time for the hawks to sweep in on the ducks.

Offer sheet Mintyukov for 7 million or trade Korchinski and a pick, rounding out D core out even more. Make a trade offer with Anaheim for Cutter Gauthier for 2 firsts next year and the 2028 first round pick.

Next, trade Columbus for Marchenko for a first round pick next year.

Overall our team looks great on paper, should make playoffs if healthy.

Gauthier Bedard Kantersov
Marchenko Frondell Nazar
Bertuzzi Moore Lardis

Byram Lev
Vlasic Minty
Cole Rinzel

if Blackhawks offer sheeted Zegras for 9.1 per year and he signed it and flyers didn’t match would you be happy? we would have to give up a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick. just curious what people thought and if there are any offer sheet you think could make sense

A team spokesperson told The Athletic the Blackhawks don’t yet have any “definitive updates” on Bedard’s situation and likely won’t have any official word until at least Monday.

I’ve been trying to stay positive about the Byram deal. All the other moves have seemed silly and blowing up our penalty kill, seeing Mikheyev go to the lightning for a deal we could have easily paid him for and he more than earned pisses me off.

If Bedards injury today is as bad as it looks, what do you guys think our line pairings look like as it stands?

I’m sure some guys will get called up but I’m feeling so disillusioned, the depth of our prospect pool doesn’t give me the hope and excitement that it did going into last season.

The lack of hunger in our management is palatable. No wonder no strong established forwards want to come play for us. They can get paid to lose more gracefully on almost any other team

I'm excited to see what Kantserov can do. If all the hype pans out seems like he'll be a great sniper and decent all around offensive player. Next to that I'm curious if Korch can solidify himself as a long term NHL defenseman.

Who are y'all most excited to see how they develop?

Free agency is good. Sign the guy and schedule his jersey retirement. We all know it is going to happen.