Get to Know Mike Doneghey, Duncan Keith Retiring?, Buyout Candidates, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Jun 13, 2022

So no Stanley Cup Final or NBA Finals on Sunday? What a weekend, eh? We have to wait until Wednesday for the Avalanche and Lightning to get back on the ice, so buckle in for a few days of… waiting. With that being said

Over the weekend, Ben Pope at the Chicago Sun-Times wrote about Mike Doneghey, the Blackhawks’ new amateur scouting director. He’ll be in charge of the Hawks’ draft this year, and isn’t discouraged by the lack of a first-round pick (for now). Here’s one quote that stood out: “

“[When] you look at a team like Carolina, three of their best players — Sebastian Aho, Brett Pesce and Jaccob Slavin — were second-, third- and fourth-round picks,” Doneghey said this week. “So the players are there. You just have to [find them]. My advice to the guys is, ‘Let’s buckle down and not leave any stone unturned.’ Because there are players historically that come out of that portion of the draft and make an impact for your team.”

Only 21% of the Blackhawks' 2nd-through-7th round picks between 2012 and 2018 have made the NHL.

The league average is 38%.

It's up to Mike Doneghey, the Hawks' new amateur scouting director under Davidson, to change that trend this year.

Story: https://t.co/g6OPAFOcLd— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) June 12, 2022

The Blackhawks also shared a video of Doneghey at the NHL Draft Combine in Buffalo recently. This video, partnered with Pope’s story, give you some nice insight into the guy calling the shots for the new front office heading into the 2022 NHL Draft.

Over the weekend on SportsNet, Elliotte Freidman noted that the Edmonton Oilers have asked goaltender Mike Smith and defenseman Duncan Keith to let them know their individual plans for next season by July 1, with retirement as an option for both players. You can watch the abbreviated “32 Thoughts” video here.

Keith retiring would be a bad scenario for the Blackhawks because of the cap recapture penalty attached to his contract. The Hawks would be hit with a $5.5 million cap hit in 2022-23 and an additional $2 million hit n 2023-24 from the recapture penalty if Keith retires before the natural end of his contract; he has one seson remaining. The Oilers, on the other hand, would receive a cap benefit from Keith retiring early, so there are two organizations carefully watching for Keith’s decision.

No @JeffMarek, so not an official 32. Quick notes tonight on Smith/Keith/Oilers; SJ; OTT; and some of the coaches (there are plenty more candidates, obviously): https://t.co/Zk63jHaJ1c— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) June 12, 2022

Speaking of making money disappear, Frank Seravelli at The Daily Faceoff looked ahead to the July 1 deadline for NHL teams to buy out players’ contracts. In his list of ten potential buyout candidates, Chicago forward Tyler Johnson made the list. In his notes about Johnson, Seravelli also notes the Blackhawks could consider buying out forward Brett Connolly as well.

10 #NHL Buyout Candidates ahead of the window opening on July 1.

Many thanks to @CapFriendly for their insanely useful buyout calculator tool.https://t.co/JALnhvN6ry— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 13, 2022

What would a buyout of Johnson mean to the Hawks’ cap reality? Johnson would have the following cap hits if the Blackhawks bought him out this summer: $2.7 million (2022-23), $1.7 million (2023-24), $1.4 million (2024-25), and $1.4 million (2025-26).

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has said he places high value on cap space. So why would a buyout of Johnson make sense? He has two more years at a $5 million cap hit. So the Blackhawks would save $2.3 million and $3.3 million in cap space in each of the next two seasons, respectively, with a buyout. But they would add the $1.4 million cap hit in the subsequent two seasons, at which point the cap will have started moving up (rapidly, we hope) because of the new television deals and other new revenues for the NHL.

Speaking of rebuild issues, Frank the Tank might become eligible as a pitcher on your fantasy team soon.

When Frank Schwindel is Your Best Pitcher (and Makes History) That’s Probably Not Good and Other Cubs Bullets – https://t.co/w6C0TpNBko pic.twitter.com/m4Iuynwe0L— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) June 13, 2022

written by

Tab Bamford

Tab Bamford has been writing about the Chicago Blackhawks for almost two decades. He joined Bleacher Nation as the lead Blackhawks writer in May 2022. Tab is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and is the author of two books about the Blackhawks: "100 Things Blackhawks Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die" (Triumph Books) and "Chicago Blackhawks: An Illustrated Timeline" (Reedy Press, 2021). Find him on Twitter/X/Instagram/Threads at @The1Tab

more blackhawks news

Chicago Blackhawks

Late Hits on Connor McDavid Lead To Punishment For Multiple Canucks

How many times over the years have you yelled "Hey! You can't do that!" at the television or, in person, at the ice when you watch someone take liberties with a star player? Well, Sunday night's game in Edmonton was...

Matt Rooney

May 13, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

The Russia Problem: Could IIHF Sanctions Impact the Blackhawks’ Plans?

Over the weekend, news broke that the IIHF was taking some steps regarding Russia, players and the whole are-they-allowed-to-leave issue that may have an impact on the Blackhawks consideration of top prospect Ivan Demidov, should he be deemed the best...

Tab Bamford

May 13, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard is Dominating the World Championship, Reichel Arrives, Bruins Lose, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Another day, another load of Connor Bedard highlights from the World Championships in Czechia. Remember when the Blackhawks' star rookie scored twice in his first appearance of the tournament and we were all like "whoa that's cool!" Well, he did...

Tab Bamford

May 13, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

World Championships Updates, Great Stars, Canes Survive, Still No Q, and Other Blackhawks Mother’s Day Bullets

Happy Mother's Day to all of the wonderful moms out there. My sons are incredibly fortunate to have a great mom and two wonderful grandmas still in their lives. We hear Blackhawks players talk about hot much they appreciate their...

Tab Bamford

May 12, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Points Galore at World Championship, Toews Stories, Toronto Drama, OT Oilers, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The World Championships got started with a bang on Friday morning. Germany, without Lukas Reichel (who still wasn't on their roster), beat Slovakia 6-4. Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland rolled to a 5-2 win over Norway. Kurashev picked up an assist...

Tab Bamford

May 11, 2024

Connor Bedard Canada 2024 World Championship

Chicago Blackhawks

Connor Bedard Scored Twice in His World Championship Debut!

After finishing his Calder Trophy-caliber rookie season with the Blackhawks, Connor Bedard decided to jump right back on the ice and do his best to help Canada win gold at the World Championship. Notice the lack of the word "Junior"...

Tab Bamford

May 11, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Fans Guide to the IIHF World Championship

While we're watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs without the Blackhawks, there are a few guys from the NHL roster this season competing for a championship of their own. The IIHF World Championship is taking place in Czechia from May 10-26....

Tab Bamford

May 09, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

NHL Mock Draft Roundup: More Projected Picks for Blackhawks Fans to Consider

The day after the 2024 NHL Draft Lottery I did a quick wrap of some updated mock drafts from around the interwebs to see who folks were projecting the Blackhawks to select. We've had a few more drop recently, so...

Tab Bamford

May 10, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

World Championships Begin, Demidov vs Levshunov, Unbeatable Rangers, Wild Selling, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

The IIHF World Championship begins this morning with Blackhawks forward Philipp Kurashev and Switzerland facing Norway in Game 1 of the tournament. That game begins at 9:20 AM CT. On Friday morning the lines for the game posted and Kurashev...

Tab Bamford

May 10, 2024

Chicago Blackhawks

UPDATE: Stadium to Partner With Standard Media Group to Build Blackhawks, Bulls & White Sox TV Network

Over the weekend I shared a news story from Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers at The Athletic that detailed the formation of the new regional sports network (RSN) that would eventually be the home for Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls and White...

Tab Bamford

May 09, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Injury Notes: Morel, Almonte, Alzolay, Smyly, Wicks

We don't yet know if there's an "injury" here, but it's a pretty scary possibility, so I'm leading with it. If you didn't catch the moment in last night's game, Christopher Morel fouled a ball off his toe in the...

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

Chicago Cubs

A Reliever Trade! Chicago Cubs Acquiring Tyson Miller from the Mariners

The Chicago Cubs are acquiring righty reliever Tyson Miller from the Seattle Mariners for minor league utility man Jake Slaughter, per Jeff Passan. The Cubs did it! An early-May bullpen trade! It can be done! ... ok, there are some...

Brett Taylor

May 14, 2024

How to Watch

Las Vegas Aces vs. Phoenix Mercury: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Las Vegas Aces face the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 10:00 PM ET in the season opener for both teams. The matchup airs on ESPN2 and ESPN+.Watch the WNBA all season long on Fubo!How to Watch...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

How to Watch

Seattle Storm vs. Minnesota Lynx: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Minnesota Lynx take on the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The game, the first of the 2024 season for both teams, tips at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN3, BSNX, FOX13+, and Prime Video.Watch...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Philadelphia Phillies will take the field against the New York Mets (19-21) on Tuesday. The game begins at 1:10 PM ET on SNY, with the Phillies listed as -140 favorites on the moneyline.Aaron Nola starts for Philadelphia while Jose...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – May 14

The New York Mets (19-21) play on Tuesday in Queens against the Philadelphia Phillies (29-13). First pitch is at 1:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Phillies will send Aaron Nola (4-2) to the mound, while Jose...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Celtics vs. Cavaliers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Wednesday, May 15, 2024

The Boston Celtics are massive 15.5-point favorites in a decisive Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden on Wednesday, tipping off at 7:00 PM ET on TNT. The Celtics have...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Picks

Thunder vs. Mavericks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets for Western Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Wednesday, May 15, 2024

The Dallas Mavericks are 4.5-point underdogs in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on Wednesday, tipping off at 9:30 PM ET on TNT. The series is tied 2-2....

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

NBA Picks

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Western Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Denver Nuggets and the Minnesota Timberwolves meet in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. The Nuggets are favored by 4.5 points in the contest, which airs on TNT at 10:30 PM ET. The over/under in...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

NBA Picks

Knicks vs. Pacers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 5 – Tuesday, May 14, 2024

The Indiana Pacers are slight 2.5-point underdogs in Game 5 of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on TNT. The series is...

Data Skrive

May 14, 2024

Get to Know Mike Doneghey, Duncan Keith Retiring?, Buyout Candidates, and Other Blackhawks Bullets

Read More

more blackhawks news

Latest News

more blackhawks news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular