Blackhawks Fall To Bruins In Winter Classic
The setting looked great.
The Hawks jerseys looked great.
The conditions were great.
So why not have a great game?
Chicago, wearing their crisp black and white throwbacks, got on the board first. David Kampf won a board battle and fed Brendan Perlini, who was all alone in front of the net.
Dylan Sikura was credited with the second assist on the Perlini goal.
David Pastrnak would tied the game four minutes later, however. At the end of the first period, the score was tied at one. Boston had a 14-12 shot advantage after 20 minutes.
Chicago scored first again in the second period. Dominik Kahun redirected an Erik Gustafsson blast into the net to give the Hawks a 2-1 lead.
But Boston came back and tied the game again. This time it was Patrice Bergeron with the tying goal.
Chicago put 16 shots on net in the 2nd perdiod.
Unfortunately, the first team to score their third goal was Boston. Sean Kuraly gave the Bruins their first lead of the afternoon at 10:20 into the third.
After Boston used their timeout at 39 seconds left in regulation, Brad Marchand scored into the emtpy Blackhawks net to give Boston the win.
Chicago finished with a 38-36 shot advantage and Boston blocked another 19 Blackhawks attempts.
Patrick Kane led the Hawks with five shots on net.
Not a bad game to watch – Ward was very good and PK reasonable, although JC has to be frustrated with the “lazy” penalties ( reaching, not skating, getting burnt!) Gustafsson- great game! Still no bodies want to go to the front of the net!
Stan, please add AA to the trade list – at $4.55M he really lacks some healthy skills, such as shooting accuracy, passing, stick-handling…man, he’s frustrating to watch!
Again, more positive signs of recovery!
The Early 2018 Hawks appeared again, horrible D zone coverage and couldn’t clear the puck, poor passing out of their zone, poor neutral zone passing, coverage…..etc. Ward was the only positive in the entire game.
Should have replaced the sign with one that read “Play like a loser today”. Would have been a better fit for those loser Hawks. Haha. 1-5 in outdoor games yet somehow they CONTINUE to get them. Really makes you wonder why. Hawks suck.
Penalty killing atrocious. That’s the main reason the Hawks lost. A close second was Martinsen Kruger & Forsling on the ice for the third Boston goal. Martinsen is 100% useless, Kruger close to that and Forsling on the medal stand as well.
A highly winnable game. Get rid of a few more players (see above) and Hawks will win more often than they lose.
I thought Marchand went into Ward and no response again? Did I not see it right?
Tazer donot touch that Notre Dame sign, its bad luck.
Best thing that could happen.
We outplayed them the whole game and deserved to celebrate the win. We end up with 2 pts for top 5 skill. The refs did change the way both teams were playing the whole game without calling that boarding on 64 then calling everything in sight after. that’s ok, were going to get a top 5 skill because of it. Which when you think about what matters, for Stanley Cup matters, is that. Not winning a game we deserved to win based on play. Get reward in the end, with a deep roster for yrs to some, not this stinking root beer of 10-25 picks.
Just glad they know and we know we outplayed them and they had not right to be tied 2-2. That was a good 2-1 win in regulation, if refs mind their business. Backfire and we get top 5 skill. Thank you sir may I have another.
Top 5 or top 5 skill.
Any leave Hull the fuck alone, he doesn’t know what hes saying. He cares and that’s all that matters. 17 is better then 8 for the long term. Sign 72 or were fucked, bwahahahaha.
BOP…..2013…..17 seconds that made Boston LOSERS.
That’s all that needs to be said.
Details do not matter, when the refs do not blow whislt and have a center ice faceoff after goalie contact, reaction or not. Blow the GD whistle. You cant allow the play to comtinue without reset. Its not like they were outplaying us and we needed a break. Its contact/interference. That fact that we outplayed them the whole game, is the reason why they let them do that.
Trying to get the game more completive. Sometimes you give credit to the other team. This game they were tryng to make it competitive.
Theres no whining or blaming refs. They didn’t call the whistles right and it changed the way both teams playined the whole game with those calls/5on3 and another one right after, but no boarding on 64 and goalie contact. At somepint you have to start hitting refs in head for some common ground.
I ok with it, we get that top 5 skill and have that, with a top elite ufa at 8-10m caphit because that’s what makes top 5 teams top 5 teams. Having fucking top 5 players, eh.
And if you donot like what I said F off.
Young team mistakes bound to happen, thats what reloading the roster is about. Special teams still need attenton, improving but a not there yet. Pk looked very good in 3rd on stretch of penalties there after allowing a couple earlier.
The empty netter play was probably something experience fixes. Debrincat not used to playing point likely could have lined up closer to faceoff and got a good scoring chance getting to the puck off the fo win. Instead Strome who doesn’t have that first step quickness was making a play he shouldn’t have too.
Ward was terrific and Noonan agree Marchand should’ve been called out. Anytime Rask was touched 2 or 3 Bruins jumped on to protect him.
Why not 2 or 3 refs jumping on calls/whistle with goalie contact on PP. Isint that the same. Controlling the game. At least/what I think a whistle and center ice faceoff with tha goalie contact.
Otherwise lets play lie Rags and try to wipe out goalies so TB, the best team those yrs, cant win later. The league needs a mindset/meaningful punishment for goalie contact. Whay lave it to the players. The league is suppose to lead or get the fuck out of the way.
Man I am pissed at NHL and NCAA for not calling/blow whistle when they are to. You cant hide and only call over glass/high stick. Your not that stupid. I donot belive they are. Get some balls and stop making the people slapping you in back of head, for lame reasons, call you out.
I know its hard to ref but get a sack and call/whistle the important plays and not just let it go and only call high sticks and over glass.
I thought the leagues went to better action and less cheating with the calls. At least in 82 games, now they are calling no calls on hooks holds and interferences when teams finally adjusted to no tackling plays. Its back to that, for some teams.
What I am saying is league is disgrace more then last few yrs and not following through. Its like their trying to make competitive and not let the team that playing better win. In which computerized refs would be better outcome for more games, then this scripted call stuff on team that already has more calls againt kind of thing.
Whatever, you have to be good enough to beat the calls and the other team. that has been the same since 2013 (2010 SNJ).
We outplayed them, regardless of anything ‘that’ happened. Thtas ok, the goal os top get top 5 skill. The refs helped us in that with the no calls and whistles/calls this game. We played too good for 8 of 10 games. So now we can lose 5 in a row and get in position for top 5 skill.
I cannot believe anyone wouldn’t want us to add a elite top 6 player, just to save cap space for players like 8/ Nothing agasint 8, but you know what I mean.
VEG not ever. EVER going anywhwere, because their more then 2 players away from being top 5 team.
Yes the refs can screw a team in not getting a win. This happened. Not trading 8 and getting 17 because he missed that goal 3-2 lead.
Adding a elite high end ufa is only way to win Cup. Having a team like VEG will result in a balanced team that can play with anyone but not beat everyone.
Whats the difference in the ‘real’ top 5 team the last 10 yrs and other teams, they have more top 6 skill and top pair skill.
Not adding those kind of players will result in a VEG team.
Close but no cigar. Suck on Thaaaat.
Didn’t like the calls or missed calls either. Thought the call on Forsling was a dive. New rule. NHL gets to review tape after the game. If evidence shows the player embellished 10 minute misconduct for the next game. 2nd offence 10 minute and game misconduct. 3rd suspension. Team cannot suit up different player during suspension.
Morrison, Vegas lost in the Stanley cup finals last season.
All you are saying is that Vegas should sign an elite high end free agent and they will win the cup.
If Chicago can sign a high end free agent next year what will that do?
Win a Cup for the Hawks?
Ian, Pittsburg and then Washington did have flaws with there teams and both went on to win the cup. They also both had one thing in common before they won.
They made the playoffs.
Stape i’m missing your logic, on one hand you talk about Vegas going to finals as an expansion team and being a legitimate contender. They made a couple of big adds this year by the way Pacioretty and Stastny. Then you say a team with established stars are too far away and have good young stars at or about to be NHL high end talent available, doesn’t make sense to me. Never said it would be this season, fa are added in off season.
I’m not going to dump 0n them for today’s effort. I thought they played a pretty good game until Gus took the penalty at the end of the second. I’m not blaming him directly (and as a long time critic of his I acknowledge that he has improved recently) but the ensuing goal and then the penalties in the third seemed to kill our flow and we just couldn’t get it back. There’s a lot more to like than there was a few weeks ago. Shoutouts to 5 and 20 both of whom are winning battles and doing a lot of little things well. Agree that the call on Forsling was weak.
NHL Network intermission crew just broke the bruins’ winning goal. Martinsen flattened in the corner by a smaller player, loses puck, Kruger chases after wrong D man at point, leaving opposite D man wide open, who shoots at Ward, but Forsling coverage in front is pathetic, leading to the goal.
Happy New Year to all.
P.S. so Bowman has shown he excels at getting rid of mistakes, waive Martinsen and Kruger and send both to minors, and same with Forsling back to Rockford when Jorki returns. If someone (maybe Edmonton GM) is ignorant enough to claim either forward, thanks very much.
It was a fun game to watch. The PK let the Hawks down with goals on the first two. It was good after that. The ice was tilted in the third period. You could feel the inevitability of that that third Boston goal and when it happened it was one of the least surprising things of the day.
Ward was excellent. Colliton should alternate starts between Ward and Delia. Go with a 50 – 50 program until one of them falters.
The Hawks played hard trying to tie it up. They had some great opportunities and it never felt like an exercise in futility. It was unfortunate that Toews drew iron instead of twine, but they kept battling. It was a shame about the empty netter, but when the net is empty there is zero room for error. You can’t micro-analyze those. I wonder what percentage of the time a goal is scored in to an empty net. 30? 40? Kane got robbed a couple times. Strome looked good again and Perlini had his best game by far as a Hawk. Some have given up on Perlini but he earned some additional rope today.
Bottom line is that there isn’t too much to cry about as they played hard and had their chances and it was a pretty even game. We have probably seen the last of Martensen. I have liked him in the past, realizing what he is, but it seems like lately a goal is scored every time he is on the ice.
They are so much more fun to watch than earlier in the year. The early Colliton haters should be re-thinking their loathing.
The Hawks likely will not be in an outdoor game for a while now. Positives were Ward and Gus, who both had pretty good games. Also that Blackhawks sweater is great. They should keep it as a third sweater. Negatives were the PP and to some extent the PK. 5 on 5 they outplayed the Bruins. Another negative on these NBC games is the Pregame and between periods programming. How about some coverage of the NHL standings or state of the current Season. Instead we get Roenick clowning around again, or a Rock Band way past their prime. At least it wasn’t Kid Rock this time.
Sorry Ian, I was try to respond to Morrison logic.
I do think that Vegas has a legit shot of winning the cup.
I don’t concider Pacioretty to be a great pickup.
If you think Chicago is a team with established stars I think you are living a little bit in the past. No one would argue that Kane is an established star right now.
I would not concider anyone else on Chicago to be a star. Former stars that are on the downside of their careers, for sure we have those guys.
How can Chicago win the cup in the next two or three years Ian?
Former stars will get worse. Guys like Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell and others prospects that are doing well in their respective leagues will take time to develop.
My logic Is by the time our young guys get good our former stars will be useless.
Ian if the goal is to make the playoffs we should keep our established players, sign high end free agents and remain mediocre for a very long time.
Building through the draft with high draft picks and a lot of luck takes time and ultimately wins Stanley cups.
Only saw the end of second and the third but it seemed the penalties swung momentum in BOS’s favour – bit of a cheap call on Forsling but you’re asking for trouble if your stick is stuck in a player’s mid-section – he could have played Kuraly better
And on 3rd B’s goal Forsling needs to do something with the puck once he sees he’s going to get hit rather than simply hold onto it resulting in a turnover that leads to the goal
I agree that he likely goes back to RKF when Joki returns but I still like him for the Hawks D once another spot opens up – he’s still a work in progress but he is progressing
I thought the hawks played well overall. There were some bad calls I thought there were some coverage breakdowns. Bad break with that post in the 3rd. That wouldve been big.
I was pretty pissed at outcome, when we played better overall I thought. I was also really pissed at something else, so it was a multiplier for me.
What I mean is I think its better to have 72/similar then 2 4m cap hit players, because any draft pick (or another ufa on another summer) can become a 4m player and then we have two. yes three 4m caphit players is good and more balanced.
I would rather have
72/similar and another 4m caphit player, then
3 4m caphit players.
Its the elite players that seem to be difference makers not the little/medium guys. I know its not good to be top heavy, and I mean I rather have that 72 and other 4m then three 4m guys, when we have a deep enough roster.
Didn’t mean to sound like it was toward you, in anyway, I was just pissed and that’s what I would rather have.
One Hossa, not two Buffs.
I donot think PIT wins once, if they have to go through Cambell conference. NAS wasn’t full strength in round 4 like they were early rounds.
I apologize if you felt or it sounded like it was towards you. Just pretty mad today.
Remind myself that this yr is about top 5 skill and try not to greedy penalty of my own.
As of right now these forwards/ d-men should be removed the roster: Kunitz,Kruger,Martenson,Anisimov,Sikura,Forsling, either by waiver,trade, or sent to Rockford. As for PP, DKeith should never be included on any PP unit. His shot is non-existent, he is slow to react, doesn’t have the anticipatory vision anymore. Maybe give Connor Murphy a shot on a PP unit, at least his shots hit the iron.This is the ultimate task at hand for S B. Finally,Hawks fans better hope that their “core player,Kane” never suffers s serious injury again,or we will be in deep trouble.
NO MORE WINTER GAMES for Hawks PLEASE!
They never win. Not sure how many points Kane and Toews have in these games but as usual, if they don’t score, Hawks lose. Get the Cat up with Saad and Teows, he is having a catnap on that 3rd line. He only produces on the PP.
Feel bad for the fans today but it’s time for the HAWKS to hang up their winter classic tradition. Watching them lose every time is not fun at all. By the way, this was what the HAWKS should expect the rest of the season, tough hockey. This us where BOWMAN has no clue or memory on what it takes to win in the NHL. SPEEED, SKILL AND SIZE!!!
It was like a playoff game where you see who can survive every shift. Players like SIKURA, DEBRINCAT, KAHUN, FORSLING, KRUGER can’t perform. Perlini had his best game and should have moved up on the first line instead of Kahun, or second line instead of AA or SIKURA on the 3rd line. JC was asleep!
CAGGIULA will be another small forward who cannot survive this speed and skill game. A game which the CUP HAWKS had and that BOWMAN still has not figured out he needs.
Thinking positive about this transition yr, other teams are starting to lose and get now theres about 5 teams close to LA and CHI not 2. Its goingt o be hard to get top 3% pick, because were not a bottom 10 team and other/the bottom 10 teams will start to lose.
Hopefully they get free wins against each other and it stays close/within range. So we can tank the last 5-12 games if were not in it then. I ripped on NWJ being a shit team and then they win 3 in a row, so I should rip on some other teams like that. OTT sure does suck now.
CHI 6
LA 6
OTT 6
PHI 4
DET 4
ARI 3
STL 3
Luke nailed. Toews hits the post late in the game. Kane gets stopped from same place he scored from against Colorado in overtime. Instead of 3-3, it’s 4-2.
Forsling has lost his confidence. He’s looking very very shaky with his puck decisions in his own zone. He’s not playing quick either. Instead very tentative. That will not get fixed against a suddenly hot Islanders team on Thursday or the Penguins on Sunday.
We’ll see if Colliton and Stan think he needs to go to Rockford and get it back. Question is who do you play in the meantime? Davidson off IR ? Garrison (forced to take him in Manning deal) ? Ruuta? Or Lucas Carlsson?
well thank goodness; I thought they might start winning. Actually this is the ONE game I really wanted them to win for the rest of the season. Oh well. I didn’t watch so I shouldn’t comment. Rather I didn’t watch much. I hope this Gus can work things out and become an elite NHLer. Let’s be honest after the past few years the bar is very high. Unattainable high. For any team in the NHL.
I’ll say this TVR was. a disaster IMO. I really disliked him. Gus doesn’t come anywhere near that level for me, so he has that going for him. And as we all know my opinion is the end all be all. Go Blackhawks.
Theazts – “As of right now these forwards/ d-men should be removed the roster: Kunitz,Kruger,Martenson,Anisimov,Sikura,Forsling” — premature on Sikura and Forsling. Anisimov is a “good” player, but I would move the $4,550,000 cap hit at the trade deadline for a reasonable return (- a pick, not an unwanted veteran). I agree on the others…although Martinsen has had some good moments, but Hayden has size and hits, so Martinsen is expendable.
I also agree on Keith – Jokiharju, when he returns, should be given the opportunity. Until then, Seabrook and Gustafsson are better alternatives.
Recliner, that’s what I always thought of the other outdoor games, rather win that one. This yr I wasn’t expecting to win since we always donot. Except blowing PIT out of the water. So when we outplayed them the whole game, until some calls in mid 3rd I thought we win. That game really should have been a 2-1 win. Like you said its not important anymore, like it used to be to win the outdoor game.
10 ys ago hey were exciting now, last 5 yrs its like can we take a rain ck please. Let some teams that actually are excited about it play in them.
Agree with DD about Anisimov-and I agree he is a good player, that is why he is valuable and a good chip to use-we don’t have many.
Too early to judge Forsling.
another close call was when Debrincat hit the d-man’s leg with the goalie out of the play to the side. Wide open other than that leg, and he wasn’t even watching the shot.
Very close game.
BOS has a better roster then CHI, right now/last yr half, until we’re deep again in 2 yrs/maybe start of 20 season. We only outplayed them because we had been playing good for 7 of 9 games and they haven’t been playing good their last 5 or more games. Otherwise it wouldn’t have looked that way for us, prob.
15 and anyone that can get good picks. We are reloading and this draft, like last 2 are important more then people think. We need that top 3% pick and 32-35 pick and extra picks that could be a good player, like the ones we be been getting in 3rd round lately from trading guys that aren’t part of 23man in 2yrs.
I am sure Bowman makes good trade/return at deadline. Prob won’t be as many as people want, it will be a couple good ones though. So overall we ll be real happy to get return like the 38 trade did. Really the 65 and 38 and another I forget right now has set us up for the future with good players, so we need a little more that way. And I think we keep doing those kind of trades until we’re deep/back to stacking roster and we’re talking about how to pay cap wise.
Forsling sucks and they need to move AA, Kruger and a few more dogs, and get Sikura to rock. Maybe Seabrook will pick health over money and retire after the season. there is something neurologically wrong with him, as he keeps falling and or losing stick. Keith is a shell of former self, and lost his speed but can still be effective 2nd -3rd pairing next 2-3 years and coach the young guys.
Strome -Perlini for #8 showing to be a good trade, and Strome can get a lil bigger and faster with work. He has skills.
Hawks are playing much better hockey than a month a go, but still need to cover in D zone in front of net.
Garrison on unconditional waivers today so he can be released. Davidson on regular waivers today.
Just for a gauge the Blackhawks likely have to finish with over 95 pts. to be in playoffs. ( not likely), 80-85 or less pts. to be sure of a top 10 odds in draft lottery. low 70s or less to get top 5 odds in lottery( not likely either). 81-95 pts. still in lottery.
Not sure, I would say there are better records as of now/41 games of every bottom 10 team so might/prob not need as bad a record as other yrs to be top 3/5 pick.
Same for playoffs/7 or 8 seed might be not as high as 10 over. 500 could be 6-10. Any team could win a lot or lose a lot in games 72-82 which could also screwl or put the numbers right at what your saying, even though it’s been like it’s been.
I wanted to move AA after last season, assuming we could get an early 2nd rounder or good prospect. AA has value to a playoff team with an injured 3rd or 4th line center or as a backup for insurance. It’s OK to lose a couple of extra games without him. Let’s get a high pick and continue to move in the right direction for the rebuild.
Mo its hard to say exactly, could be like last year with a few teams bssically losing out, that drops your floor. 3 years ago Wild gets in playoffs with 87 pts. If that happens and Blackawks with favorable schedule rest of the way and get 51 pts in last 41 games guess what could happen.
After reading through the comments, I agree with many, but I fail to see how anyone could think that Sadd had anything other than an uninspired, lazy outing. Sadd seems to have a very bad combination of laziness and bad hockey IQ, and is out of position more times than not. In games when he’s lazy, he looks awful. I think this was one of them. Debrincat also seems to be trying to find his game lately. I thought the ice was crap (which didn’t stop the NHL salesmen from lying to us and telling us how good it was), we got some bad bounces, and I agree with Morrison that to some extent the Refs were not good – but that’s sort of the norm in the NHL, isn’t it? Bad referees, bad overall governance? I also thought the sound quality was shit. Why wasn’t the crowd mic’d up? Either that, or they were bored, quiet, or too far away from the action to be heard? Anyway, it was extremely disappointing to watch, and I agree with many that while I love them for what they’ve done over the years, #s 7, 15, and 16 need to be replaced with younger, faster anybody’s.
And to further my point about younger, faster anybody’s, look at the Vegas Knights. While the creation of that franchise was rigged to succeed by the NHL, can anyone name more than a few players on their roster without looking? What they have is speed, and lots of it, a coach that pushes them hard and runs a good system, and because of that they now have confidence as a group.
My two cents….no change required.
this is the team we have for this year so either watch or don’t. Bitching is allowed but it’s not going to do any good. I believe upper management knows changes need to be made but can’t be made overnight. Total different systems from Q to Collinton, it will take time. I see a better team game coming but we still need a high draft pick to add talent.
I know man, not going against your numbers. It just seems like at 41 games the bottom 10 teams have better records across the board then usual. I havnt looked it up.
I mean like last yr it seemed their was like 5 or 6 or 7 really bad teams and with us going 19-28 we could only get to 7th at 32-39. that 19-28 isn’t that far off from the 20-25 that get us a lock at top 3 % pick. But so far were like better then .500 in the last 45 games, need to drop to even. Then tank last 5 to 12 games range once we know were not in.
17-11
15-28
32-39
I think Kakko’s stock has gone down-not even close to dominant play against his age group. (I know he’s 17)
Canada is in mourning!
Noonan agree on Kakko, interesting to see if he trends down on draft rankings.
Good point Capone patience and waiting is what is needed, better days coming.
Quiet say for prosprcts at wjc
Mitchell only goal in Can Q loss only point, Unless Barrett gets points late.
I know stock changes throughout and is where the player is at draft, then its 6mths to next season, so a while yet/could change again for stock/rankings.
Wouls like to see where you guys rank them after tournament and what our order list/whats best for Blackhawks.
If Kakkos down, whos the next few guys after Hughes.
SWE got beat to.
USA licking their chops with the platter on the table.
With Mitchell scoring a big first goal in a low scoring game, has him doing good/or just as well as our other Defensemen guys.
Would SWI win gold with Kurashev scoring World Juniors gwg.
I wouldn’t say calling out refs, when they suck, whether we win or lose is bitching. Doing every once in awhile like that is just letting the steam out from time to time with a yr like this/last yr.
Complaining about same thing every post, after every game/loss, that’s a different story.
There is not point in bitching just release it on/about/callout the refs when appropriate.
gday.
Cleaning the house and found an old Panini redemption card for a 2010 Rookie autograph-(Panini lets you claim them even if they have expired)-
put the code in and ……….Wait…Tavares, Hedman?? Nope
Jeremy Morin–I had a good laugh!
Good for Mitchell for scoring CAN’s only goal although he played 3rd pair minutes
Entwhistle I thought looked good when he got a chance to play but CAN coach hardly played him – not sure why, seemed like a coaching error there, he had some chances when he was on the ice
Joki was very steady, not spectacular but played a ton of minutes and solidly – good for him for moving on to next round, I guess we’ll see Forsling for a couple more games
Elliot Friedman in his 30 Thoughts this week, questioned why Edmonton would trade Drake Cagiula when he has been a very productive player for them. He seems to think the Hawks made a really good deal.
I wholeheartedly agree.
In 2 yrs from now for several yrs from then on, were going to look back at this yr and laugh in a good way. To go through this, last yr and this yr. Having to wait dues since this doesn’t happen overnight. It also doesn’t take 5-10 yrs.
We might sell now, it wont be too long from now were adding every summer and deadline.
Mo to me after Hughes, Podkolzin is the most complete player and ready the soonest for NHL, but he didn’t put up great offensive numbers at wjc and played less minutes. I like Cozens think he can be a top notch center who plays all aspects of the game well. Some say he plays too physical at times and goes for hit and gets caught. He has potential to move into top center role when Toews has to transition to other roles. Dach a similar player to Dach.
Kaliyev and Lavoie both good wingers. Kaliyev better numbers and 3g and 1a last 2 games doing it without Entwistle. Lavoie be in Memorial Cup and a good showing there could really jump his stock up just before the draft.
Ok.
Not worrying about who is more NHL ready for start of 20 season, I would want the best player. Not possible highest ceiling, highest ceiling most likely.
Size and fast and top 6 would be good. Center would be what we want the most right.
Kurashev, Barratt, and Entwistle can all play center although one or more might project as wings. Strome. Our potential at center has improved considerably in a short time. Drafting a top line winger would help fill out the depth chart.
Joki playing with a lot of poise. Looks solid.
Jake Wise is also a center
Jordy, Tab all those guys can potentially be very good centers, just not sure i would say their ceiling is as a Toews level center. Realistically drafting a high end center on a draft that has high end center talent isn’t a bad idea.
Good to have more, potentially, then we ‘really’ need. Even when 4th line checking line center like when having 16 and 36 at same time.
To say these guys don’t have a ceiling as high as Toews isn’t much, Ian. Toews is a Hall of Famer and among the greatest players in the history of the league. The Blackhawks need really good players who might, someday, be great.
I think its for a legit 1st line center for 10yrs or so.
The best/elite centers new to league last 5 yrs prob be HOF to, not dynasty or even maybe once Stanley Cup captions.
We would rather have a legit 1st line center then LW or RW because this might be only chance at one, unless we trade a top 4 D guy like NAS did for CLB 1st line center way of doing it. Boy is it smart to have lots of those puck moving defensemen in case we need to adjust like that when needed/deep.
Guess I should be more clear, was meaning a ceiling as a number one center on a contending team, hard to expect anyone to bring everything Toews has brought. Certainly if a winger is obviously a better player then go for him. Just saying this is a draft of top centers and getting one might not be bad thing.
The Blackhawks should take the best player on their board – period. It certainly appears they’ve drafted well on the blue line early in the last few drafts and those prospects could/should be in Chicago relatively soon. Evan Barratt looks like he might be capable of being a solid center at some point and he was a late-third round pick. Jake Guentzel in Pittsburgh was a third round pick in 2013. Take the best player available and develop. Always.
Think same.
Just thinking and looking at draft players stock and who we could get and what we might need more.
We only has one top 6 center in 2010 and lots of good LW and RW, so thers no perfect formula to it.