Quote Originally Posted by 4T2 View Post
But let’s imagine that Anaheim or Columbus were drafting first overall this year because the ping pong balls didn’t work out for Chicago. Are people praising Davidson’s strip down then? Wouldn’t Fantilli look better playing with Dach and Debrincat? Wouldn’t Chicago’s immediate future look a little brighter?
So... fine, let's say CHI doesn't get Bedard - I'm on board with that, because, statistically - they shouldn't have.

Nope, nope, nope... you can't have your argument AND Fantilli.
No.

Here's what we have, anybody can choose:

Roster Choice #1: 2023-24 season: CHI has current roster + Dach (contract unknown) + DeBrincat (RFA) + Zach Benson (let's say, #6 overall pick, because 2022/23 Hawks team with Dach/DeBrincat probably/possibly finishes 5th/6th last in NHL - above ARI/MON)

Roster Choice #2: 2023-24 season: CHI has current roster + Nazar, Gavin Hayes (via Dach trade) + Korchinski (via DeBrincat trade) + either Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov ++ (because they finish 3rd last in NHL) [++, because, fairly, there is/was a chance at Bedard]

^Notably towards this one... the #1 in 2024 Macklin Celebrini will be a pretty damn fine NHL-er. CHI is, IMO, worst team in NHL with roster above. If they are holding Dach/DeBrincat, they are a 5th/6th-last-ish NHL team... as you say "improving" with this roster - so they aren't in shape to land Celebrini in 2024.


It's basically this:
One of Z.Benson/W.Smith (an 80/100 type player) + DeBrincat + Dach + 8%-ish shot at Celebrini in 2024
vs.
One of Fantilli/Carlsson/Michkov (a 90/100 type player) + Korchinski + Nazar + 25% shot at Celebrini in 2024


I'm taking Roster #2.




[As side-bar... Chicago landing Bedard turns the corner for this team away from the Kyle-Beach-era.
That move alone... a possible distraction of positive-enormity from Kyle Beach... is value to the franchise that couldn't be "built" with DeBrincat & Dach.
Even on its own... the move of Davidson tanking the team so blatantly was "better bad press coverage" (than all things Kyle Beach).]