Mitches Get Riches: Bedard’s Wingman Quest. The NHL offseason thread

[MartyFunkhouser]

I'm starting to think that maybe it should be a no on going all in on Mitch Marner.

Maybe it is time to give some restricted free agents an offer sheet, or to look at moving down in the draft. Try to get JJ Peterka from the Sabres by swapping picks with them. Either that, or just go the offer sheet route with him. The Blackhawks have enough draft capital to give up several first rounders. Offer him 7.5 million (on the high end) and hope that the Sabres don't match it. It is risky, because if the team doesn't improve you could lose a high draft pick, but the prospect pool is stacked. Or go after Knies at 8.75 million.

Or, it may really need to be to sit it out this year and hope that throwing 15 million at Kirill Kaprizov gets it done. Kaprizov is obviously the biggest prize the Blackhawks could end up with.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Yeah, I'm passing on Marner at this point unless there is a discount for him. 12 million AAV, yes go for it. More than that, pass on him. The consistent disappearing act in the playoffs is a huge concern.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Pronman and Wheeler's latest mock draft:

Frondell to Chicago at 3
Desnoyers to Utah at 4

Martone drops to 8th.

There definitely seems to be a pretty wide range right now with Martone. Some predicting as early as 3 to the Blackhawks and others dropping him in the 8+ range.

I really don't see Martone going to Chicago. Also, I really think that I'd prefer Desnoyers at 3 for Chicago. Still hoping for the Isles to go rogue and draft Hagens or being willing to swap with the Blackhawks to allow the team to get MIsa.

McQueen to Boston at 7. It will be really interesting to see what happens with McQueen. 6'5 and skilled but that back injury has to scare teams off. I could see Utah reaching with McQueen. Utah seems interested in drafting size after the absurd Tij Iginla draft pick.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/635...onman-wheeler/

[MartyFunkhouser]

Second mock draft keeps the same top 4:

1) Islanders - Schaeffer
2) Sharks - Misa
3) Blackhawks - Frondell
4) Mammoth - Desnoyers

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/640...ft-2025-staff/

The interesting thing though in this mock is a comment that there are some rumblings that the Sharks could look to Martone with the 2nd pick. if they do, that is an ideal outcome for the Blackhawks. Misa really is the best fit in this draft of the forward prospects for the Blackhawks, especially if they intend to keep Bedard at center. Nazar is looking legit as a center for the Blackhawks. At the end of the season, he was playing better hockey than Bedard. Misa would fit in nicely on the wing with Bedard or he could center Bedard's line.

It seems like the consensus is that Desnoyers is the better prospect than Frondell, but that Frondell is the better fit for Chicago, as he is a better prospect on the wing than Desnoyers.

As for Utah, they are saying it is between Desnoyers or Martone. I think there thought process of drafting a center over a winger is solid. Utah is not going to be picking this high in the draft in the future, so it really makes sense to go with the center, which are harder to get later in the draft. Utah really really really effed up the draft last year with going with Iginla when Buium was on the board. I'm even wondering if the Blackhawks screwed up by not going with Buium over Levshunov. Utah could have gotten a legit top pairing defenseman last year and point on the powerplay and then followed that up with a top 6 center this year. Now, they are stuck without young talent on the blueline and Iginla who is going to end up being nothing more than a bottom 6 forward.

I still expect it to go Schaeffer/Misa at 1/2 in the draft. The talk about Hagens or Martone at the top is just to make things interesting. However, the draft, again, starts where Chicago is picking.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Smoke out there right now that the Mammoth might draft Brady Martin. Makes sense given the ridiculous reach for Iginla last year.

I’m not thrilled the Blackhawks will likely pass on Desnoyers for Frondell, but that is so much better than reaching again for the Mammoth.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Pronman's latest mock also has Brady Martin to Utah. Still has Frondell to Chicago.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/642...ounds-pronman/

[MartyFunkhouser]

Damnit the comp on Misa has me even more bummed that Chicago is missing out on him. Hossa is my favorite Blackhawk player of all time.

Michael Misa, C, 6-foot-1 (Saginaw Spirit)
Player comparable: Marian Hossa


Misa was the player I had the toughest time with in this exercise. I think there’s a little Dylan Larkin in his profile. I think there’s a little Sam Reinhart in his profile (though he’s a much better skater than Reinhart was). I think there’s some early years Paul Stastny to him when Stastny was a 70-plus point guy, but again, he’s a better skater and will have a better career and a high peak in all likelihood. I think there’s some Logan Couture, but again, I didn’t love it. And then I started going back in time and arrived at Hossa, which felt too lofty as a Hall of Famer but fit for me as a player type. Both are 6-foot-1 and are skilled, but can play in different ways. I’ve always admired Hossa’s career for the different chapters it had and the different players he was over time. I think Misa could become different things depending on his linemates, his role and his usage. It’s still not perfect, but it was the closest I came.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...r-comparables/

Hossa doesn't get as much credit as he deserves for his importance to the Blackhawks 3 cups.

It really seems like the consensus on Chicago is Frondell. His comp:

Anton Frondell, C, 6-foot-1.25 (Djurgardens IF)
Player comparable: Higher-end Anton Lundell/Brayden Schenn


I’ve had people toss around Aleksander Barkov and Anze Kopitar, but I don’t think we’re talking about that level of defensive conscience/impact. They’re perennial Selke favorites and two of the best two-way centers in the history of the game. I thought about Sean Couturier, but that didn’t feel like a fit either. I think Lundell or Schenn with a bigger shot and a little more offense (Schenn has been a high-50s guy who broke 60 twice and hit 70 once, and I think Frondell can be a consistent 60s guy) feels closer.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...r-comparables/

[MartyFunkhouser]

Donato at 4 years and 4 million AAV is a nice signing for the team. A good price for a top 6 forward. I'm guessing this will be the biggest move that the Blackhawks make this season.

I don't know what the hell Edmonton was thinking with an 8 year deal for Trent Frederic. I wonder if Bowman also threw in a NMC.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Toews signs with the Jets. Really happy to see him get a chance at a comeback.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...-contract-nhl/

[Flystripper]

Toews signs with the Jets. Really happy to see him get a chance at a comeback.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/644...-contract-nhl/

agreed. I wish him nothing but the best. Jets makes sense for him on a personal level.

[MartyFunkhouser]

It really is going to be a wild offseason. So many teams actually have cap space. You also have the cap rising the next 2 seasons as well. Where was this when the Blackhawks were in the middle of their dynastic. So many incredible players that we had to trade or let go after 2015. The Blackhawks could have easily won another 2 to 3 cups if the cap was rising the way it is now. Teams like the Panthers, Knights, Stars, Avs, Jets etc. are really lucky right now.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Well, this is an interesting development if there is any truth to these rumors. Sharks may be debating between Frondell and Misa and may actually prefer Frondell. I'd be thrilled if that happens.

2. San Jose Sharks – Anton Frondell, C, Djugårdens IF


Since the combine, there have been some rumblings that the Sharks could prefer Anton Frondell over Michael Misa and in recent weeks, chatter in the scouting circles is that this is more than a theory but a real possibility. Why would the Sharks pass on Michael Misa? This is not a majority opinion, but there are a few teams that seem to have the Swedish pivot ahead of Misa. There's some belief that Frondell offers a more complete game, including better defensive capabilities and has a size and strength advantage without giving away as much offense. The question among scouts waiting to see what San Jose does is if they will go against the external consensus that seems to suggest Misa is the clear No. 2 prospect. It's a fascinating discussion. In the end, I think picks 2 and 3 will ultimately be Frondell and Misa, but suddenly the order is not so certain.

At this point, I think we can say the draft starts at 4. I think it is going to be Schaeffer, Misa, Frondell as the top 3 picks, regardless of the order.

[MartyFunkhouser]

Good news and bad news for the Mammoth. They get JJ Peterka. Bad news it didn’t involve the draft pick so they can still eff that up by passing on Desnoyers.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I’m starting to believe that the Blackhawks end up Misa.

[Shaka]

Peterka is a great get. However, I will miss Doan and Kesselring.