2021 NHL Draft: Blackhawks Rounds 4-7 Recap
The Blackhawks were tremendously active before the start of the 2021 NHL Draft and then moved back into the third round to grab another player.
Chicago had two picks in the fourth round, one in the sixth and two in the seventh.
Here’s who the Blackhawks selected with their final five picks in this year’s draft.
4 (105)
Ethan Del Mastro, D
6-4 / 209
Shoots: L
Adding a defenseman from the @OHLSteelheads! pic.twitter.com/TdVbZ8dq06
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 24, 2021
Ranked #62 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #79 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #77 by TSN/BOB McKENZIE
Ranked #52 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #57 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
Ranked #98 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #83 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #68 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #70 by SMAHT SCOUTING
- From Corey Pronman – The Athletic
#84 Overall Prospect
Skating: Poor
Puck Skills: Below-average
Hockey Sense: Average
Compete: Above-average
“Del Mastro was a decent underage player in the OHL. His U18 worlds were a solid performance and his only hockey of the season. Del Mastro is a big defenseman who is a strong defender. He breaks up a lot of rushes due to his reach, physicality and ability to close gaps efficiently. His skating is a work in progress and will be the main obstacle for him as he advances levels since he can struggle escaping pressure as well as play in transition. His game lacks skill and offense, but he can make a solid outlet pass and make the basic play out of his own end. In a sentence, Del Mastro has a chance to play due to his defensive value but his game will need to add pace to be an NHL player.“
4 (108)
Victor Stjernborg, C
5-11, 203
Shoots: L
And if you think you know how to pronounce this no you don’t ? pic.twitter.com/IYjcVKiojT
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 24, 2021
Ranked #43 by ELITEPROSPECTS.COM
Ranked #61 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #69 by MCKEEN’S HOCKEY
Ranked #50 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
Ranked #67 by RECRUIT SCOUTING
Ranked #70 by DOBBERPROSPECTS
Ranked #71 by DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY
Ranked #65 by SMAHT SCOUTING
#135 Overall Prospect
Skating: Below-average
Puck Skills: Below-average
Hockey Sense: Average
Compete: Above-average
“Stjernborg is not a player that will pop out to you in a typical way, but he’s a player coaches love, which is how at 17 years old, he found his way into a regular shift on the SHL champions. He’s undersized and he’s not that fast or skilled with the puck, but he makes the most of what he has due to his hockey sense and competitiveness. He has enough offensive instincts to make tough offensive plays and create in hard areas. He generates a lot of offense through his work ethic, forcing turnovers and creating around the net-front area. That may not be enough, but at several levels he has found ways to produce and get coaches to lean on him. In a sentence, Stjernborg’s work ethic and play versus men give him a chance, but his toolkit may be too bland to play in the NHL.“
6 (172)
Ilya Safonov, F
6-4 / 205
Shoots: L
Ilya Safonov comes off the board with the 172nd pick in the #NHLDraft! pic.twitter.com/jfbZy9VpR8
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 24, 2021
Ranked #173 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #54 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (EU Skaters)
Safonov is another overage skater (born May 20, 2001) who has appeared in 38 games in the KHL over the past two years. As has been the trend throughout this draft, the Blackhawks went for size with this pick.
7 (204)
Connor Kelley, D
6-1 / 190
Shoots: R
The pick is in ?
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 24, 2021
The #Blackhawks select defenseman Connor Kelley! pic.twitter.com/gXsEKPTIEI
After a year on the @UMDMensHockey blue line, Connor Kelley goes to the @NHLBlackhawks in Round 7!
— The NCHC (@TheNCHC) July 24, 2021
He's the first #NCHCHockey rising sophomore selected in this year's #NHLDraft#BulldogCountry x #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/gEr67JufqZ
7 (216)
Jaylen Luypen, C
5-10 / 150
Shoots: L
Our final selection in the 2021 #NHLDraft is ? pic.twitter.com/yfYIohEeng
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 24, 2021
Ranked #189 by FCHOCKEY
Ranked #133 by NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING (NA Skaters)
I’m amused by the PR battle going on.
John Doe’s attorney is making it a point to reveal new details during the Blackhawks most critical period and trying to steal headlines. My guess is she is trying to make herself such a big pain in the ass that they will pay anything to make her go away.
At the same time Bowman and Company are parading out every female in the front office and looking for every opportunity to steal a headline – ‘hey, we drafted Kirby Dach’s little brother so they can have playdates with Jones brothers’, isn’t that cool?’
Meanwhile, ER is busier than Baghdad Bob during Iraqi invasion, trying to defend Bowman’s Seabrook 2.0 deal with Jones.
It would be funny if not so sad.
Poor draft last 2 days a disaster Bowman’s destroyed everything accomplished last year never going to make the playoffs with his leadership only suckers will support this joke of a team hard to outdo the bulls Stans accomplished this
Totally agree wing.
@John Galt: Did you see the number of women StanBo had out there when they announced the Allan pick???? I thought for a second he was going to play “Deal or No Deal” with the ladies carrying briefcases!!! He couldn’t have been more obvious that he was guilty of something with that sideshow he put on for the fans.
@Hammer: I did not see that. Thanks for pointing it out.
I know the downside to the last 24 hours but what the HELL,at least we are getting bigger and stronger and are purging some of the softness off this team. Strome,Nylander,and Carpenter next I hope. They are listening to us guys!
Good luck kids !
@ John Galt After the commercial break they had StanBo off to the side with about 7 women standing like pillars, StanBo said some garbally gook stuff and then passed it on to one of the women who announced(cant remember who she was or what she did, I was laughing hysterically by the sight of it) the pick. They never mentioned who the heck the other women were but it was totally bizarre and it was choreographed. Hoping maybe someone else here seen the skit.
I wonder if Stan’s next order of business is to find a new home for Z
This is just to give everyone a snapshot of the focus the Hawks have given to adding size to the roster over the past few years-below is a list of any player 6-2 or taller that has either been drafted, traded for or signed as a free agent(PS-This list probably isn’t complete but you’ll get the idea lol)..
Signed free agents
Mike Hardman 6-2 205 pounds. Winger
Jakub Pour 6-3 198 pounds. Winger
Cam Morrison 6-3 209 pounds. Winger
Arvid Soderblom 6-3 180 pounds. Goaltender
Traded for
Henrik Borgstrom 6-3 198 pounds. Center
(I refuse to include Connolly since he’s just a cap dump in my mind)
2020 draft
Micheal Krutil 6-3 203 pounds. Defenseman
Isaac Phillips 6-2 193 pounds. Defenseman
Louis Crevier 6-7 209 pounds. Defenseman
2019 draft
Kirby Dach 6-4 197 pounds. Center
Alex Vlasic 6-5 198 pounds. Defenseman
Michael Teply 6-3 187 pounds. Winger
Cole Moberg 6-2 187 pounds. Defenseman
2018 draft
Josiah Slavin 6-3 189 pounds. Winger
Add all of the above to this year’s draft picks and I think it’s safe to say that over the next few years, this Hawks team is going to get much bigger and stronger..something else that I thought was interesting is that, if you look through this list, except for maybe Morrison and Hardman, every single player on this list could add 12-15 pounds (or more in a few cases) to their frames over the next couple of seasons..they all have large frames that you could add quality muscle to..this list doesn’t even include Entwhistle and Regula who each grabbed a cup of coffee with the Hawks last year and could be in line to at least battle for larger roles this year..but I think the strategy is if we have a Beaudin or Kaiser on a pairing, give him some beef to pair up with, or if we have Reichel on a line, give him some beef to jump into the offensive zone with..not a bad strategy..pair your skill/playmakers with size..
Slayer good point as the skill players are getting their audition time the system was being bolstered with size the last few years to be there when they are ready for them. Could probably throw in Connor Murphy and Zadorov if he stays around to the traded for group too.
Qualifying offers due tomorrow, something to keep an eye on, Hagel and Nylander in the group of rfas with no arbitration rights and other teams can’t make offer sheets too are no brainers to qualify. Suter and Kampf arbitration eligible will likely be brought back. Zadorov and Gaudette will need decisions on what their future with team is.
Quite a last few days and unlikely to change with Qos and free agency this week, more moves most certainly will happen.
The Good-
Like S7 mentions- Hawks going out of their way to add/find size.
This draft tons of size added- best one might be the kid from SHL- Stjernborg.
shorter- BUT beefy 205 lbs. and Known for Defense/toughness/compete.
BIG D guys drafted- who seem to be able to skate well. +
Seth Jones- really good- really like him.
Bad- Hawks aren’t near competing-imo
So why give away picks/ spots in draft for Jones- during “Rebuild”
we went from bottom 12 team… to bottom 22 team w/ Jones.
Seems like past few years- Hawks/drafts- focused on finding the elite PMD players… now they are focused on SIZE d guys… But where is the SKILL… 19 may not even play and his skill is trending down.
So back to the point- I like Jones, I like that they are Loading the team w/ Size at both forward/D- of course none of the picks/signs have (landed or paid off yet).
BUT- I don’t like the timing of Jones and losing picks/slots in draft. I think we are few years away. imo
Then again maybe – SB has a “Hossa” type UFA in his view- in next 1-2 years. But even with that – would Hossa add this year or next- make Hawks an instant top 8 contender for CUP? I say NOT even close.
So – I am left with- BAD – Jones timing of deal… OR Bowman- knows Toews- isn’t coming back- and SB will Have even More $$$ to fill in the roster- To actually get Hawks into top 10 in next 2 years with Jones – making “rebuild” – sooner than later reality.
slayer
other than dach there is no player on your listing who is a definite blackhawk in 2/3 years. big on paper counts for nothing on the ice. not saying none on the list will be contributors, but not getting over my skis with any of them. especially with thoughts of a top six winger our top four d-man coming from that group.
SB drafting Safunov
I think he was trying to fool Shalunov- and tell him ” Hey -look I drafted your younger brother”- come play w/ Him – and we will have the “all Bros team”!
@hawks29..Borgstrom should get a long look this year in training camp and I don’t think we’ll be waiting two years for him to make his debut..Hardman already played NHL games last year, as did Entwhistle and Regula..the rest are all 22 and under..so of course there aren’t any guarantees..but that’s the case with any prospect..Kalynuk was a 7th round pick but after 4 years developing in college, he looks pretty good now..and Forsling didn’t even play in the NHL two years ago, but this past year, at 25, he seemed to be a more well rounded defenseman..takes time..a bit premature to assume zero of our defensive prospects will develop into a top four role (the bigger question is will Stan ever keep a defensive prospect long enough for them to develop lol)…as for the forwards, well the Hawks top six is pretty well appointed currently with Cat, Kane, Dach, and Kubalik..only so many spots in the top six..if Toews is healthy you’re looking at one spot for a winger..maybe Hagel or Reichel or Borgstrom or Suter..but our top six doesn’t look bad at all right now assuming Toews comes back close to form..so while there may not be a top six forward among the prospect group besides Reichel or Borgstrom, there could be some nice help coming for the bottom six, which would allow the Hawks to roll four lines..
Bluto where this team looks to be next summer and what roster players remain, who can be added will tell us a lot more than this summer and a work in progress type year coming up. As i said before the opportunity to reset the roster and then the salary cap freeze ending will allow them to make alot of moves over the summer and next year or 2. Jones contract may be a risk if it pays off that will quiet the criticism down for few of years. Jones is the type of player you can’t win without if he is on his game, that kind of player comes with a price, nobody gives them away. Now can Bowman find the pieces needed to put around him, some are there, some are still unknown how much they will contribute and others will no doubt need to be found.
Just have to put my two cents in re: the women as one of the few females that has been here since the beginning and comments regularly.
While I am absolutely disgusted that Stan and MacIssac have not been fired yet, please don’t confuse the women that have worked their asses off for these opportunities in the organization as a PR stunt.
The timing of it is horrid & doesn’t pass the eye test but the women that have been chosen to do these jobs are highly qualified and all of this was put into place way in advance of the lawsuit.
The women that announced the draft picks are deserving of the roles they have earned. As a hockey Mom of a daughter in the sport who has interacted with Laura Jordan, her staff of women & Kendall Coyne a lot in the last year—the culture change they are making is palpable and powerful. It is horrible that it’s all overshadowed by the assault.
Please don’t confuse the female staff capabilities/resumes & their future as a one off PR stunt. I give credit to Danny Wirtz for affecting this change and hope he can convince his Dad to finally get rid of Bowman & MacIssac.
Just my thoughts as a woman who loves the sport & a girl mom.
@Stefanie. I only watched until the end of the 1st round so I don’t know what happened afterwards. Did the other women that shared the stage all get introduced and did they all introduce draft picks?? I meant no disrespect to women involved in hockey but I really question the timing of what the Hawks did and I question why according to what I remember seeing during the 1st round(I was in and out watching)no other team nor Bettman mentioned anything about women involved in hockey until StanBo was there. I think it was unfortunate and puzzling at the same time watching that 1st pick and if there was no other team that did anything to honor women being a part of the NHL, then I’m led to believe that StanBo turned it into a PR stunt despite the fact that Hawks do include women into the organization.
Yes @Hammertime they had all the women introduce all the Hawks picks. Like I said, the timing of it all is horrible and it doesn’t pass the eye/smell test; but when I tell you this was planned waaaaay in advance of the lawsuit I speak the truth. It truly was meant to highlight the women in the organization.
Brian Lawton of the NHL Network nailed it on Saturday saying – Every team wants big defensemen, it’s where the league is going.
So the Hawks add Vlasic, Crevier, Allen, dal Castro, Harding, Regula, Phillips and Krutil to the prospect cupboard in the last 3 years. That’s 8 big bodies including at least 3 that are gigantic. We will see if it works. Even if just two or perhaps three become NHL regulars, the plan/strategy will have been a success.
As for the picks, let’s hope the added size over the years isn’t at the expense of guys who can skate. Speed is a major factor in the league. There has to be balance.
As for how the picks were presented, it was a bit over the top (and seemingly insincere) with all of the picks being made in that choreographed fashion. Why can’t they just let the investigation take its course, have the GM make the picks, and stop with the spectacle. It’s just too obvious. Have advertising and PR people gotten blind to the fact that people can actually see through this stuff?
I want so badly for the team to do well. I also want the team’s front office to do the right things, and quit tripping over themselves in silly ways. They made their bed several years ago on this deal. Let the chips fall where they fall, face the consequences, address it respectfully and with sincerity, and move forward.
Excellent post Slayer.
Another good point on the NHL Network was how teams took more overagers because they had seen these kids play in person pre-Covid and they would rather take an older kid whom they’ve scouted in person than a younger kid who has played fewer games due the pandemic and who the scouts have only viewed on video.
Pretty interesting. The Hawks were into the overagers last year including Phillips and Yetman and again this year on day 2.
Craig that also leads to the point for scouting undrafted free agents from this draft will be a bigger part of this of this year. As for the draft Jones was the game changer the picks just added potential depth/role players to the system, as you say giving a better chance of 2 or 3 payoffs to compliment the roster.
@Stefanie as you say this might have been planned before the lawsuit but the question is why did they do this now??? Why didn’t they do this during the last season when the league spotlighted women making significant strides in the NHL?? The league could have done a better, more in depth piece on the Hawks with maybe Rocky or Danny(not StanBo) explaining the women’s roles and accomplishments in the organization instead of now with this scandal continually gaining steam. I think this was horrible to even subject these women to that while the details of this scandal are still coming out. I don’t think it was right. The optics were poor at best and the Blackhawks organization and the NHL will keep trying to put a lid on this but in due time it will come out and it won’t be pretty. In the meantime StanBo, Macissac and even the “mental skills coach” who supposedly told John Doe #1 that it was his fault is still gainfully employed by the team. This is rotten to the core.
@craig, yes, that’s a good point regarding the Hawks focus on overagers this year and last..the very early returns look intriguing as well..Phillips and Yetman didn’t look out of place at Rockford last year and I’ll be interested to see how they each look in year 2 as they continue to develop..Yetman especially would be a real find if he could one day contribute as a bottom six option..has a good record of finding the net in the OHL and I love that he’s a right handed winger..I know that our fourth line is supposed to be purely a checking/defensive line but defense leads to offense and it would be great to have a right handed shot like Yetman on the fourth line who could bury some of those scoring opportunities that the line generates. Similar to when Bolland and Frolik were on our fourth line (because of the Hawks enviable forward depth) and they each could contribute offensively even from a fourth line role..the Hawks have a lot of interesting bottom six options and between Hardman, Entwhistle, Gaudette, Pour, Slavin, Barratt, Teply, Yetman, Altybarmakyan and eventually Slaggert among the players like Kampf and Kurashev already in place, I wonder if one day the Hawks 3rd and 4th lines could end up being a real strength of this team..
Apparently Hammer is retiring – he had a great career especially in CHI
This makes the Murphy trade look even better
@Hammer I don’t disagree with the rotten to the core assessment. At all.
I feel like it comes off as a PR stunt as you These women are talented, “know hockey” and qualified for their positions.
I didn’t want that part to get lost in the mess that is the lawsuit. They are worth their positions and will be a big part of the culture change that needs to happen.
re: Hjalmarsson retiring – we wrote about that back in May. Now it’s rumored to be happening as he’s on the cusp of hitting UFA. Helluva run.
When we saw the 8 women in black with Bowman we thought of the scene from ‘dude wheres my car’ and the 5 women in black with Kutcher and Luke Duke.
You are dude and we are 5 hot women who…..
Hammer and Oduya were a perfect second pairing..didn’t Q use basically four defensemen in one of our SC finals..I can’t remember if it was 13 or 15 but I specifically remember him leaning on our top two pairings..what a tremendous career Hammer had..the true definition of shut down..and he was cost effective..his cap hit was one of the best bargains in hockey during our SC runs..kind of interesting how Murphy now plays that role for the Hawks-penalty killer, shot blocking machine, etc..so now the question is this..do the Hawks re-sign Murphy after next year? Is an Adam Larsson type deal at four years X four mil per year reasonable for what Murphy provides? I think so. What I also find interesting is that after this upcoming season, the Hawks will have to navigate one season where they’ll have the full cap hits for Toews, Kane, and Jones on the books..so you have to make it work cap wise for one year and then after that, the Hawks will have more cap flexibility(in part because I think they’ll move the last year of Seabrook’s contract)..but the Hawks will have decisions to make during that one year on the fate of Lankinen, Murphy, and Kubalik..who do the Hawks think is the highest priority out of Lankinen, Murphy and Kubalik? For me, I think it’s actually Kubalik..which is counterintuitive since defense and goaltending are so important..but true finishers are hard to find in the NHL..and Kubalik is already a good one who cost basically nothing to add to our roster..this year will be his age 26 season..this is the same age that Patrick Sharp really put it all together and became a consistent 60-70 point winger..I’m really interested to see how Kubalik looks this year..if he ends up in the 55-60 point range, I think he should be a priority to lock up..
I realize I see things a little more optimistically than some others, but I think there’s a lot of good news so far this offseason. First, Toews was heard from and sounded pretty positive he would be back on the ice next season. Second, we acquired a legit #1 d-man to anchor our rebuilding d-Corps. Third, we traded Keith and recouped $5.5M in Cap space. Fourth, we didn’t lose anyone of significance to Seattle. Fifth, we drafted the guy I was hoping we would get – Colton Dach.
I just don’t believe missing out on the player taken at #11 this season (Sillinger) and another middle-6 guy 1st round pick next year is all that important to the success of the rebuild, especially when the Hawks have an excess of middle-6 forwards on the roster. I think the rebuild is in better shape not than it was a couple months ago.
The “rebuild” is over. Now its “we’re in it to win it” because after next year a whole lot of young players are going to want to get paid. And once again StanBo will be in a salary cap crunch. Does that sound familar?? He’ll make a minor deal or two this year to help and that’s all he can do. Its now or its never going to happen. I don’t think its going to happen this year. Good bye StanBo!!
Thing to remember is we donot have to build a roster so ggod to win another dynasty/no team will have a dynasty in salary cap and even id TB does get a 3rd Cup in next 4 yrs it was all during the time the leagues top 10 teams got watered down/they had no other top teams to go agasint like we did/others did from 2008-2015 the league had way more top teams in it then/not even close.
We only have to build roster good enough to be a ‘typical’ top 10 team because once TB gets older in 2 yrs there arnt going o be anymore top teams just a bunch of top 6-10 kind of teams.
So the blueprints for winning arnt as high as last decade for this decade.
GO with the flow of the league for roster size speed good skating.
Mo: agreed, and I will die on this hill:
two Cups/World Series/Lombardi/NBA trophies is NOT a dynasty. Especially when both of TBL’s Cups came in short seasons; neither of which had a full 82 game schedule.
Yes I realize 2013 was a short season too, but two years of abnormal circumstances that were nothing like the grind of 82 games plus playoff hockey does not afford TBL the title of dynasty.
IMHO.
I look at getting Jones like getting/draft or ufa or trade how we got/had Dunks and Seabs and Sharp before we were ready and then when we were ready got Hoss and others. So even adding a another elite FW or top pair guy/the 2nd we still need is like having those trhee.
Then go get our Hoss when were really ready.
@ER, all good and valid points. My issue(s) with Bowman is that he is a ‘C’ average GM and the Blackhawks can / need do better.
In my opinion, almost all his moves are either an ‘A’ of an ‘F’. Too many to fully list, but here are some examples:
Hjalmarsson for Murphy = A
Saad for Zadorov = F
Seth Jones trade = A
Seth Jones contract = F
Jaime Faulkner / Kendall Coyne Schofield = A / A
Jeremy Colliton / Adam Brookbank = F /F
Again, the Blackhawks can do better. The Blackhawks NEED to do better if they want be the best again.
Rocky needs to wake up.
Slayer – that Cup run was 2015 where Rozival got injured and Q played Keith Seabs Hammer Oduya almost exclusively after that which was half of ANA series and all of TB series with an occasional terrifying shift from Kimmo and a few only slightly less terrifying shifts from a young and recently returned from injury TVR
Keith was magical that run and deserving of the Conn Smythe
Good times ; )
Three points on Seth Jones trade
1) Ristolainen went earlier in the day for a roster player a first and a second
Jones who is a better player went for a roster player a first a second and a flip of first round picks this year
Unless you think Boquist is a future all star (I know for a fact most of you don’t) the trade for Jones seems like fair market value
2) David Savard went at last TDL 2021 for a first and a third
Jones again a better player would command more than that if CBL had waited to TDL 2022 to deal him – likely at least a player a first in 2022 and a second considering what TB paid for Savard
Looked at from that POV CHI only gave up a flip of first rounders in 2021 more than what they would likely have had to pay at TDL 2022 in return for having Jones on the team all of this coming year
3) If you hate Stan for giving Jones $9.5 because you think it’ll put the Hawks in cap hell then I hope you’re not also one of those that hate Stan for trading Breadman and would want him to still be on the team with his $11.5 million per year contract cause that would be taking your Stan hate to irrational levels
Jones is giving up 8 UFA years and on the open market in 2022 would be getting as much or more than 9.5 – there would be more suitors than we saw for trading him plus we know CHI would give him at least $9.5 because they just did and likely someone would attempt to outbid them – Jones likely tops $10 mil per as a UFA
If Jones plays like a #1 and I think he will then this is exactly the trade the Hawks needed – of course if he doesn’t then it looks bad
Stan is betting on Jones – like I said after the trade was made it was a ballsy move and IMO will ultimately be viewed as a good one
Right on Wrap. Sillinger could end up being a steal at the 11th pick, or he could end up being what his projection says – a middle-6 guy. He could be no better or possibly not as good as some guys already on the Hawks like Borgstrom, Reichel, Kurashev, Nylander, Kubalik or a couple other guys that project to be middle-6 guys. It would be the same for the 2022 1st rounder given up – either the Hawks win one of the two lottery spots and the pick to CLB moves to the 2023 draft – OR – it will probably be a pick in the 10-15 range or higher which would mean another middle-6 guy – not a rebuild crusher.
There is excitement that the Blackhawks are getting bigger, adding players with size.
So, what does that mean (I honestly don’t know)?
1. Colliton his going to change his system (whatever that is) to a more traditional, playoff style, system?
2. If so, have we just wasted 3 years on a failed experiment with his 1.5 man, Euro-style, run and gun system?
Also, why do people with opposing opinions and observations always get described as “haters”? Wrap, I don’t “hate” Stan because of his contract with Jones. I simply disagree with it and think it is idiotic to make a deal that gives up Big Money + Long Term + Full NMC. As stated, I just think Stan Bowman is a marginal GM and if the Blackhawks want to be an elite team then they need an elite GM and Coaching staff. No hate, just my observation and opinion.
And, yes, I don’t like him and have said so. That doesn’t mean I hate him.
JG- perhaps I should have said “those that personally dislike Stan”
Today at 5 is the deadline for QOs to be offered – I wonder if Stan chooses not to qualify Z and let him become UFA – the Hawks could then resign him to possibly the same $ on a short term deal or just be done with him and his cap hit
I’m thinking they let him walk unless they can find a trade partner today
If Jones is our Campbell could :
Danault & Armia
Wennberg & Gusev
Landeskog & Saad
McGinn & Martinook
be our Hossa & Kopecky?
JR, remember Hossa/Kopecky came a year after Campbell, so if Jones in 2021/22 is like our Campbell in 2008/09 – then our 2022/23 Hossa/Kopecky will be from the UFA crop next summer, not the guys you have listed. Hossa was the final piece to a Cup winning team – the Hawks aren’t a Hossa away from being a Cup contending team yet and may not be heading into the 2022/23 season either.
I’m as optimistic a Hawks fan as you’ll find but I think the Hawks are still a couple years away from looking for that “final piece” of the puzzle. I think the young d-men need at least another year and more likely two of game time experience to solidify the backend into a champion caliber defense.
But I will would be very happy if things come together faster than expected and the Hawks are in position to add the 2022/23 version of Hossa/Kopecky.
Love the trade and the talent acquired in the draft. Very ballsy move and Hawks have their #1 dman. I’m not a Stan hater or fan , but liked the aggressiveness of the moves.
My question is how the front office and coaching staff shapes up going forward. If all of the allegations are true, I see no choice but everyone from Stan on down is gone and a new GM will bring in a new coaching staff .
They can’t place blame solely on McD because when he was let go these incidents we’re never brought up either! This was a second chance to come clean and they dropped the ball. Very disappointed in Rocky as he had to know, right? Not sure how long the investigation will take along with litigation but it sure looks like it will be very murky for a while. 3/4 months? Curious to everyone’s thoughts on this.
I always enjoy everyone’s posts! Good stuff.
Stan is 5 years behind other gms took him this long to figure out size matters if towes let all the allegations go on in practice he’s not much of a captin thoughts out stuck up for your teamates and coach Q should be barred from hall of fame team could loose draft pick bergvin chevdale everyone knew this was going on hawks are going to give nhl a black eye and may lose sponsorship as well
I think McD’s actions or inactions back in 2010 when the sexual allegations were brought to that meeting are key to if and who may get let go
As a control freak it is not unreasonable to think that McD told his subordinates including Stan and McIssac that he’d deal with it and that nobody else was to say anything to anybody or risk losing their jobs – we don’t know what happened in that meeting other than “they refused to take the allegations to the police” – there are a lot details that need to be parsed out of that statement alone before anyone is fired IMO
If Seth Jones is so good could someone please tell me how Columbus with Seth Jones on their defense could end up finishing with the 5th worst record in the nhl last year.
To try to make a case for first round draft picks between 10-15 or higher to not be extremely important is just plain silly. If the Hawks do end up in the bottom 15 next season that should show all of the Seth Jones diehards that Jones is not the be all end all.
Stape – if Patrick Kane is so good why did the Hawks finish out of the playoffs last year and if the Hawks finish in the bottom 15 next year does that show all the Kane diehards that he’s not the end all and be all?
Hockey is not basketball – one player cannot make the sort of difference you think Jones should be able to make
Hockey is the ultimate team game but Jones is a very important piece of that team
So far for next year the Hawks will adding Toews Dach Nylander C Jones S Jones possibly Reichel and probably another addition yet
They should be better but if they’re not that’ll fall on JC I think rather than any one player whether that’s Jones or Kane or whoever
The goal is supposed to be to win the Stanley Cup.
If the Hawks were a Stanley Cup contender and figured they were one defenseman away from winning the Stanley Cup overpaying for a guy like Jones might make sense.
In case you didn’t know it the hawks have not been a legitimate cup contender for a few years now and unless you are a diehard Blackhawks fan who cannot realize that fact you might actually believe overpaying Jones was a smart move.
Wrap – why with Kane in the lineup did the hawks not make the playoffs?
THE HAWKS ARE NOT A GOOD HOCKEY TEAM
Kane is definitely not the be all end all. In fact in the hawks position trading Kane while he is at his highest trade value would be a wise move.
Go to 2022 Stanley Cup Odds … if Chicago is going to be so good next season out of thirty two teams why do the odds makers have Chicago with the twenty third longest odds.
Wijg, exactly. Criticism does not mean hater. Such a weak and lame way to reason for some.
Maybe I’m missing something but it doesn’t seem that difficult to grasp that the rebuild is a process – it is a series of steps, which arent always linear, but which all work together to get the rebuild process to completion.
Improving the d-corps was was an objective within the process of the rebuild. Acquiring a true #1 d-man was the primary objective within the d-corps improvement. Seth Jones is that #1 d-man. He will be here for 9 more seasons which bridges the rebuild process we’re currently in into and possibly through to Cup contending window which could start as soon as 2-3 years.
Anyone thinking the acquisition of Seth Jones somehow indicates Stan has shifted gears from the rebuild process to “win-now” mode is just being silly. Seth Jones doesn’t make the Hawks a contender in 2021/22 and probably not 2022/23 – but having Seth Jones for the next 9 years means the primary player in the d-corps is there so the other part of the rebuild can fall into place properly.
This. I f were 5 elite players from getting back to top 5 team/4 81 20 2 7 27 then adding one of them/Jones is one of 5 we ll add.
Not saying we have to have same blueprint as 2009 2010 2013 2014 2015 dynasty teams just that were going to get back to having something in that area/though not as deep-donot think any team can be that loaded. Just that we ll be adding more elites in next 36 mths and it will still be a rebuild.
When we have to reload the elite spots of 5 six if you count Crow its a rebuild until will hget to that 81/82 add to polish it off.
I guess we ll go one less elite and more deep for the next Cup in roster makeup.
EBONYRAPTOR
July 25, 2021 at 4:57 pm
I realize I see things a little more optimistically than some others, but I think there’s a lot of good news so far this offseason. First, Toews was heard from and sounded pretty positive he would be back on the ice next season. Second, we acquired a legit #1 d-man to anchor our rebuilding d-Corps. Third, we traded Keith and recouped $5.5M in Cap space. Fourth, we didn’t lose anyone of significance to Seattle. Fifth, we drafted the guy I was hoping we would get – Colton Dach.
I just don’t believe missing out on the player taken at #11 this season (Sillinger) and another middle-6 guy 1st round pick next year is all that important to the success of the rebuild, especially when the Hawks have an excess of middle-6 forwards on the roster. I think the rebuild is in better shape not than it was a couple months ago.
To me and I understand the wait until last min and then add five elites at once so they are younger/27/28 and we have worse record to then and get higher picks/which brings better players.
Its only one of five elite to add back/4 81 20 2 27. And we prob add the 2nd this summer or then the others by 36 mths.
I can see having two players like Reichel instead of one by trading 1st to get top paiur guy sure. Do players like Kubalik and Suter and who ever is next euro player make up/even for that?
Bottom line is we need two top pair guys or we cant win so they have to be added at some point. We add both ufa wise they are 27 28 and Jones is what 25? so in 36 mths when were really ready he is that 28 area anyways so I am not sure why everyone doesnt love it unless they want to suck longer.
2025 is a thing.
Stef, even though TB is the best team since Blackhgawks dynasty team 2015 they only won after league got watered down/same for PIT WAS STL.
PIT WAS STL were decade long top 5-8 teams but could never compete with the real top 3/5 teams CHI LA BOS ANA during that decade. Yea DET PIT were good in 08 09 but they had cap and didnt come back after. We did after 09 10 came back in 13 14 15 as top team/win.
Point is bookends like PIT donot count that is like NJ had good teams and won a few times but spread out and won those extra two as soon as league got watered.
Theres a reason WAS STL as good as they were couldnt win once until then.
Which is why I repsect LA BOS ANA more as LA was the COL of this 20/25 yr dynasty team Blackhawks because they went head to head with us like that. BOS gets a close 2nd for being the COL team of this 20/25 yrs they smoked PIT. STL was a tuffer team then PIT or WAS. Every yr whoever played STL for LA or CHI didnt win on that yr/strange.
Just proud were the better dynasty team since when? Those teams in first 50/60 yrs I donot know how you count any of those yrs 55 cups of 60 to first two picks every draft or no salary cap for ISL EDM DET at least EDM ISL didnt buy it like DET with 95m in mid 90s.
I need to verify those payrolls of the 90s teams?
I to would rather have two players like Reichel/with this yrs 11th and get the top pair from ufa.
Does players of the quality of Kubalik Suter and whos next equal a player like Reichel/11th pick?
Only quaestion is is there as good/or better ufa top pair guy in next 36 mths and we need two.