lanceuppercut75
Registered User
I understand about Schmaltz DeBrincat Hinostroza Forsling Jokiharju and so on. I just see the Hawks getting a little bit worse each year, for three reasons.They just had Schmaltz and Debrincat step in and become legit top 6 forwards. As long as Q doesn’t do something stupid, Hinostroza is likely a full time top 6 player this year. Forsling had great stretches last year, he should be in the lineup full-time, hopefully in the top 4. Then Jokiharu and Mitchell seem pretty likely to make their NHL debuts at some point this season. I think you drastically underestimate the amount of young talent the Hawks have brought in and continue to bring in.
(A) due to the salary cap
(B) due to the lack of high end guys projected to step in GOING FORWARD (not including the aforementioned)
(C) due to Keith and Seabrook regressing each year as they age. Also the regression of Toews Kane Anisimov Crawford Rutta etc as they age, but that will happen much much slower since they aren't 35ish yet.
As those three things happen each year and slowly pull the team down, I see DeBrincat Schmaltz Forsling Hinostroza Jokiharju 8th overall pull the team back up a bit. But all of this combined, IMO, more or less balances out. The team will be able to prevent regression but will be unable to actually improve (again, IMO).
As they stand now, they're not quite a contender, just a playoff team. I see that being the best they can be going forward without a rebuild or big big shakeup, or without making Seabrook's cap hit disappear.
If this is the case, either work agressively to trade Seabrook or just get it over and start rebuilding (keeping Kane and maybe Toews). Rebuilding means trading out Corey Crawford.