Blackhawks Push Back — But Come Up Short Against Predators
I mean, they tried.
The first period was a battle but the Blackhawks hung around. They were chasing one when Patrick Kane tied the game a little over seven minutes into the game.
A fan in the front row apparently said something to Kane because he immediately skated over and said something after scoring the goal. Kane was fired up and physical the entire game.
The Preds out-shot the Hawks 7-6 in the first period. Kevin Lankinen made a few big saves in the first and Chicago’s young defensemen were looking increasingly comfortable in NHL action. Alec Regula and Alex Vlasic each showed good, physical play and Regula showed off some offense as well. It’s almost like the Blackhawks have good defensemen in the system that should have been in the NHL for a while…
Things got chippy early in the second and continued to get more physical as the period progressed. Dominik Kubalik scored at 5:15 into the second period to give Chicago a 2-1 lead. More importantly, Lukas Reichel — who burned the first year of his contract by playing in this one — was credited with an assist for his first career NHL point.
A pile of bodies in front of the net resulted in a 4-on-4 with Mattias Ekholm and Mackenzie Entwistle in their boxes less than 20 seconds after the Kubalik goal. Apparently Boris Katchouk said the magic word(s) because he got a 10-minute penalty for something we couldn’t see through the broadcast at the same time.
Roman Josi scores his 20th of the season early in the 4-on-4 to tie the game. It appeared he scored again moments later, but the Blackhawks rightfully challenged that the play was offsides and the go-ahead goal was taken off the board… until Matt Duchene scored a power play goal with 22 seconds left in the period to give Nashville a 3-2 lead.
Nashville out-shot the Blackhawks 19-11 in the second period. Lankinen was doing everything he could to keep the game close but he was under fire way too often in the second.
When Mikael Granlund scored 3:14 into the third period it felt like the game was slipping away from the Hawks. It seemed like there were a couple slashes and crosschecks every time someone left the ice for either team; hacks and whacks were happening all over the ice without a whistle but Nashville was the more aggressive team with both the hitting and the puck.
Riley Stillman got the Blackhawks back within one with 5:29 left in regulation off a pretty play from Kane (again).
Alex DeBrincat is in the midst of his longest goal drought of the season, but he picked up his second assist of the afternoon on Stillman’s goal.
The Hawks pulled Lankinen with more than two minutes left but the Preds actually had a few better chances than the Hawks did in the first minute with the cage empty. Chicago’s best shot came with four seconds left in regulation but it was denied and the game ended with the Blackhawks on the losing end of another contest.
Was late in watching the game and my DVR quit taping with 10 minutes to go in the game. Oh well.
Nice to see a push back . Nice to see some rookie d men showing their stuff !
Would have been great to tie it in the final seconds like old times .
With out Kane this team would be a complete laughing stock of the league …Thank You Mr .Kane !
S.Jones is as soft as a pillow , and number 90 has no business being on the ice . Two of you know who`s wonderful signings .
Lank keeps putting up crap numbers and over playing darn near every play in the Hawks end ,he needs to simplify his movement . I am not a huge fan .
$ Jones will pan out. He will turn into the modern day Keith. We need to look for our modern day Seabs. Vlasic and Regula look good. We all know who’s wonderful acquisition Regula was. We need a modern day Charlie Manson, Crevier? Phillips? D future looks good not even mentioning Galvas Allen Mitchell Beaudin CJones and Stillman yet.
I am very interested in where our ping pong ball will fall. I understand that if it falls at 1 Wright is the choice. If it falls at 2 can we expect a team to give us their #1 this year and their #1 next year. A team like Phill. Better yet Columbus. To whom we say give us your #1 this year and our #1 next year back.
Jr Roman
Or the Hawks stay in the now and pick up the second best player available
I think they will get the first round pick and keep it
Regula …is a player we receive with Strome ( indirectly) he was acquire in a trade for B Perlini . So Hawks receive Strome Regula, for Swartz ( Arizona ) that was a good trade for the Hawks .
I don’t know what Kind off player Regula will be in the future but so far he can play in NHL and is just 21 years old .
Regula and Vlasic both noticeable, I like the inclination to carry the puck into the zone when the blue line’s all clogged up
Now if the rest of the team can be COACHed on plans to keep puck control once they do that it’d be even better
$$$$ Jones will not pan out by the time the Hawks are revalent again the over thirty Jones will be on the downside of his career and his 9.5 million dollar contact that includes a full no-movement clause throughout will handcuff the franchise. Seabrook 2.0
Blackhawks have very little talent on their roster and very little depth in the system are probably in the worst position of ALL teams in the NHL in terms of a rebuild.
I didn’t watch as I was celebrating Easter with a few Pops ! Those kids have to learn the craft ! They all need to learn to play both ends of the rink ! I am travelling into LAX on Thursday to see the Hawks at Kings ! Going for a skate also ! It’s a 5 hour non stop from YYZ Toronto ! It better be worth it ! Now the rebuild years ! I just hope they know what they’re doing ! POPS 4
I agree JR. Seth Jones needs a partner. He played with Vlasic today, has played with his brother as well as deHaan and McCabe.
Obviously nobody close to Zach Werenski.
On your other post. I think if the Hawks Win the lottery we are drafting Shane Wright. If they land at number 2 it will likely be in play. I’m personally rooting for Wright. This team needs a shred of good news now.
It’s one thing to say “we are rebuilding “. It’s another to provide some hope for us die hard fans and who the cornerstones are going to be. Wright would definitely be one of them.
Patrick Kane is still filthy. Going on 34 years and he’s on pace for a 96 point season even having missed a few games. Sure, nobody is gonna confuse his defensive game Hossa or Datsyuk, but still. Really torn on whether I’d be in favor of trading him this summer or before next year’s deadline (if he was willing), or keeping him and hoping he can be extended for another 3-4 years at maybe $7ish-$8 million per year.
Seth Jones fills a void that nobody in organization fill right now, if they draft somebody who eventually fills that void it would still 5 to 7 years before they are playing at that level anyways, why take a hit moving him and then in a couple of years trade for another dman to fill the void. He may work out fine, if not and his contract is the reason for crippling a rebuild, then alarm bells should tell you KD is definitely not the guy for the job, any GM worth his weight could figure out how to work around the last couple of years of a contract.
Craig agree completely on what you say about Wright, definitely an elite player to build around. As far as number 2, dreaming about next year is fine but if you don’t move up is 2 picks betwen 5 and 10 next 2 years worth a number 2 this year. If there is somebody at no. 2 they are sold on being a star, be tough to pass on him.
Okie, on one hand the window for getting a really high return on Kane is closing. On the other he likely still can be a major contributer for a while yet. As far as how plays, one way to look at it, if somebody on a job site where welding is a priority, is the best welder you know of, you don’t really care that he isn’t a very good millwright.
Kane agreeing to be traded (NYR) would be the best thing possible. A huge haul with the Hawks retaining 50%. And Kane could come back the next year at a more reasonable CAP to go for his career Hawk points and retirement.
Not having him next season would also mean a top 4 pick in 2023.
The Jones contract might be a problem, but it won’t cripple the organization. Any number one defenseman was going to cost $7, $8, $9 mil. It’s not optimal, but there is a lot of big money coming off the table over the next few years. Kane and Toews to name a couple. Granted, DeBrincat will get a big deal, but he’s already at $6.5 and probably isn’t going to $10. It would be surprising if the Hawks ever trade Kane. The fans want something to cling to and even though the Hawks are not going to be winning, they still wants some fans in the seats and some TV ratings during the rebuild. If Kane went to them and said he wanted out, they would probably go along.
It was hard to believe that the refs and Eddie initially missed the offsides on the challenged goal. It was absolutely obvious and there was no way that goal was going to count. I didn’t even bother yelling at the TV it was so certain that goal was coming off. Foley made a good point the other night that Olczyk sees stuff on the ice that others don’t. He really has a fine eye for things and misses very little. I was surprised he missed that.
The Hawks fought hard and that was good. The rookies all look like they can play at this level some day and that is encouraging. As was mentioned, why weren’t they playing earlier? DeBrincat made some very nice defensive plays. He has also been piling up assists lately during the goal drought.
There were probably some distraught posters on this board, who constantly complain bitterly about McCabe, when Eddie said that McCabe has been playing well lately.
Strome is not as noticeable as during his hot streak, although it does look like his total game has a higher compete level than previously. What to do, what to do?
You’ve got to wonder what that fan said to Kane to cause Kane to respond like that. I do not know with certainty what the magic word(s) that Katchouk said is/are, but can probably guess.
A decent effort but the better team won. Pops is devoted to be flying in to LA to watch this team play. Don’t think I’d be going that far out of the way to watch one of the worst teams in the league, but enjoy!
unless ur a great millwright too…lol
Wishing Happy Easter to all.
Even to Don, Wolf, Rachel, Chuck, Joe, Lawrence, and Andrea, too.
May intolerant tolerance finally melt away.
Stillman starting to play with an edge and some gritt. That’s exactly what this team has been needing. Like Vlasic and Regula they both will make good Dmen. As far as Jones he’s being asked to do it all and although not perfect he’s pretty damn good.
Thinking Hawks will be relevant in 3 to 5 years and 30 to 32 year old $Jones is ok. Stape every team is going to have a $9mil Dman. Cap going up to about $87mil in 5 years.
My idea on the #2 if we get it to trade down no further than 10. Then get Gauthier or Geekie and have a #1 pick in ’23.
Just wondering if you read Johnson signing thread Stape?
Herman exactly, tales specialists and do it all types.
Takes i meant
I’m not really sure how the Hawks will be a Stanley Cup contender in 3-5 years
If the Hawks would have picked up $$$$ Jones as a free agent that would have been one thing. I don’t see the need for a so called number one defenseman on a team that needs a total rebuild. Plus giving up 3 top 10 draft picks in the process.
I said as soon as Blowman traded for $$$$ Jones that Jones would lead the Hawks to the playoffs just like he lead Columbus to the playoffs.
Hawks are proving that if you have a so called number one defenseman on an absolutely terrible team that so called number one defenseman might help lead your team to a 27th place finish in a 32 team league.
Bottom line in Chicago’s position the Jones trade and sign was really dumb and yes this is just an opinion.
Stape be lucky you are not a Sharks fan!
Carlsson $11.5 mil til 37
Burns $8 mil til 41
Vlasic $7 mil til 40
3 defenseman $26.5 mil for minimum 3yrs
Seth may well be captain if Kane and Toews get traded and why not – he’s their best 2 way player and it’s not close
The better team won but the Hawks have McCabe so it’s not really fair
At 2-2 he falls down trying to skate leading to a Dushene breakaway which Lank stops but during the ensuing scramble Regula takes a penalty – thanks Jake
Then on the PP McCabe is standing by the net by himself marking no one while Duschene fires the go ahead goal in – thanks Jake
Then to start the third he’s caught completely unaware as Granlund sneaks in behind him for the 4th NSH goal – thanks again
Yet people complain about Seth Jones
There is going to be a blueline of mostly young players in next few years, why is having a 27 year old S. Jones around to lead that defensive core into the future a bad thing at all. Was that Bowman’s vision for him when he made the move, no obviously he wanted a fast track. There is lots of time to have a contender around him for a few years, if the last year or so of his contract he is a 2nd pair guy, well hopefully his replacement is drafted and developed, ready to step in. It’s not a situation where the opportunity to make the most of him on the team isn’t there, hopefully they can.
Jr Lol I wonder why Doug Wilson decided to step down after those dumb signings.
Some Hawks fans actually wanted Wilson to be Chicago’s GM
$$$$ Jones is -36 this year.
Seth Jones can make mistakes although not as many you’d think given a -36 because when McCabe or Gus or DeHaan or Kurashev or Kubalik or Kane or whoever misses their assignment or falls down or throws the puck away and the other team scores Seth gets a minus like every one else on the ice for the Hawks and guess what the Hawks are pretty close to the worst defensive team in the league and guess who plays more minutes than anybody else on the team – do the math
If you put so much stock in +/- stats then try giving Seth’s responsibilities to any other Hawk D man who has a lesser minus number and see how that goes
Is it because Stan traded for him or is because he’ll be making $9 million?
lol 1.50 magnifying power at the dollar store Stape. $Jones is 27 this year. I had to get them too.
JR I said Lol because you pointed out the fact that Doug Wilson was being just as incompetent as Stan Blowman and I didn’t realize that fact. It was not meant as a slight against you. Perhaps 2.0 will work better.
If any GM with any team that should be in a rebuild trades away basically 3 top ten draft picks for a 27 year old defenseman when realistically the rebuild will take at least 5-7 years I would say that is not a smart move. Especially if the defenseman is not a superstar.
Handing out long term contracts with no-movements should not be handed out to every good player. Yes I know NHL gm regularly hand them out.
Wrap… I hate the Jones trade because in my opinion they gave up too much youth. They gave up too much term especially to a 27 year old. The 9.5 million was an overpay. The full no- movement on an 8 year deal does not help the Hawks in any way. In the beginning of a rebuild on a terrible team trading for a number one defenseman would not be a priority.
Yes I realize Blowman wanted Jones because he was in win now mode to save his own ass and we all see how that has worked for the Hawks so far.
Jr
Stape means minus minus 36. – 36 for $jones this year so far ,maybe he can reach – 42 before year end
Next year will be better with a good Dman beside him .
My bad. I might need to go to 2. magnification, lol.
Stape I’m with you not wanting Wilson here. Also none of the long term no Cup GMs. Poile etc.
$Jones is a needed #1 when ever. He will grow and mature with the team. Let’s not forget Keith and Seabs were on a bad team also before it became a 3 time Stanley Cup team. The money is big but that’s the going rate. The cap will grow it will not be an albatross.
I am glad to see that the Hawks are playing some off their big young Dmen these days . They will know what they need to work on during the summer.
Their is no real pressure on them knowing they don’t compete for a playoff spot .
They can play ,listen to the older players advice and have fun .I think their will be huge change next summer on the Hawks organization. And adding a guy like Hossa at any position will be a plus .( credibility) .
Hopefully it will be a real reconstruction ,not just words.Hawks should have a very young team in the next 2-3 years .let see iff the Hawks organization can get young talented players .because Young doesn’t mean talented.we need Big ,solid,strong young talented players for the future.
Eager to see Nolan in Rockford next year ( 7 goals 41 pts minus 4 69 min penalties this year with a bad team ) that’s a huge improvement( Skating is NHL ready according to many recruiting pro.) let see iff he can play with the Hogs next 2-3 seasons.( elite prospect said … Allen defends the rush with NHL ready fundamentals and a suffocating mentality .( I love that ) maybe we have the next Hammer here iff he continues to develop.
And Crevier in Quebec ..Patrick Roy is in love with the kid since he got him in a transaction. 10 goals 33 pts plus 32 this year. 6’ 8” 214 pounds last year probably gain another 2-3 kilos this year and learn a lot from his Coach ( Roy ) but I think this guy is a long shot and not sure he can become a NHL players ,his skating is good but maybe not enough for the big league …it’s a long shot and he was selected # 188 in the 7 th round . But who knows…sometimes you have surprised when those kids grow up . Love my Hawks
Let’s try this one.
$Jones is a -36 with 44 points so he’s been on the ice for 80 goals against.
Roman Josi (luv the name) is a +20 with 88 points so he’s been on ice for 68 goals against.
This year at a $5mil difference I think being on the ice for only 12 more goals is a steal.
Happy easter to everyone.
Played decently hard and with some emotion yesterday.
I do think this hawks team has talent but the coaching to me is the issue. No friggin structure defensively. Guys just floating around ad libbing.
“goals against”
Agree with Stape. At the time of the Jones trade and $igning I posted that it made no sense to a team with so many holes and a pipeline ranked near the bottom of the league. Blowman always operated in “save my ass” mode with his short-term patch-up moves. KD’s Hagel trade was brilliant. This team is not going to be a contender anytime soon. Make that big investment for the future.
Hawks2010, Allen is only turning 19 in a few days, so unless he stays on Nhl roster next year he will go back to juniors for another season, which likely happens. Then the following year Allen, Del Mastro, and if Kaiser goes same route as Vlassic, he will sign and burn his elc after his Ncaa season ends next spring, burn his 1st year, have 2 elc years left. Those 4 will play a big part on the future blueline with Jones and other youngsters we’ve seen to form what should be a very good blueline. All 4 have potential to be Nhl defenseman, they bring size, skill, skating ability with an edge to their games. Should be fun watching them develop and see who lives up to their potential.
I don’t want to re-litigate the Jones trade but if you’re saying the Hawks gave up 3 top 10 picks then you’re including Boquist so likewise Seth has to be included who was a top 10 pick also
You could then say the Hawks got two first round picks (Jones and Allan) for 3 first round picks but I digress
My main point is the trade is done and whether you liked it or not does not affect how Seth is as a player and his -36 rating is in no way representative of how good a player he is
Put him on CAL or TBL and people might think he’s a superstar
He’s the best all around player on a bad CHI team – I’m glad to have him and the $ is not issue for Hawks cap situation
JR one of the many – and I really mean many – problems with the plus/minus stat is how it gets lost in power play situations. All the stats about Seth Jones you gave are thrown out if you can’t calculate in the goals scored while the Hawks are on a PP or PK situation, where a lot of his ice time is spent. Good luck calculating that time on ice into a statistic that is only ….. an even strength statistic.
Use them as you feel needed. Wasn’t Ovechkin a minus 40-something one season? I seriously doubt the only thing talked about at his contract time is even strength statistics. Same with Seth Jones. And by the way – I was not and still am not a fan of that Jones trade. Unfortunately our worst case scenario came true after that trade.
Patrick Kane is the reason for the Hawks existence since he arrived here. And if he is traded, he will continue to pay dividends for years to come in what the Hawks get for him. He is without a doubt one of the top ten NHL players of all time. Even at his age today, he is as good as any TOP forward in the NHL.
Ovechkin in 2013-2014 was minus 35 with ZERO short handed goals, 1 short handed assist, and 24 power play goals and 15 power play assists.
So what was his real plus minus? Did it reflect his real value to his team?
SS as Brian Burke once said +/- is the most useless stat ever invented. The award for regular season +/- winner was abolished because of that and attempts to create more credible possession stats came about too at the same time. Usually good players with bad +/- are playing high minutes on bad teams and vice versa. The only time i give it any use, maybe misleading and useless too, is if lines playing together tend to +/- rollercoaster as a unit, depending on the teams they are playing.
Agree as a quick fix to get in playoffs, the Jones move was a bad move. As a long term no. 1 guy to lead an up and coming young blueline, intentional or not doesn’t matter now, it may very well turn out to be a positive move, time will tell, what ifs never happen, i see it as a good problem not a bad one.
Actually finding the special team stats you talked about are there if you look. Jones scored all his 5 goals at even strength, 19 assists came on pp and 1 assist on pk, rest at even strength.
Kane is a tough call. We have some draft assets and some dmen in the pipe and on the way as mentioned above. We need a couple of impact players and some smart acquisitions like our last run, Hossa, Sharp, Oduya etc. if we land the number 1 this year, keep Kane, draft Wright and cross your fingers for TB pick next year to rise up the board.
Yeah Ian – on same page for +/- . I voiced my dislike at the time for the Jones move, but understood – in the bigger picture of the other moves made – what Bowman was trying to do. The jury is now in and the moves were not very helpful for the season. Jones is a #1 – I don’t dispute. I think in general we can live with his contract simply because we expect the cap to not be our enemy in the near future, and hopefully we can stay well under it and pull off some big trade to gain assets for other player salaries.
I’m not gonna be one of the complainers about the team record for the next few years as long as we can see that KD is taking the path to do a full rebuild. A few filler vets to round out the team and give the young goalies a reasonable amount of defensive help will be necessary. Jones will supply a lot of that. Murphy too, or McCabe. But I only want one of them and Murphy is the more likely player to have value for a trade.
Sorry Wrap – I think short of a buyout we are living with McCabe for a few years. Now’s not the time to add an asset to a trade to rid ourselves of a player. Perhaps he gets moved to take a salary and then gets bought out over there (seems like it would only hurt the other team) or becomes a 3rd pair on a good team (we keep half the salary). I dunno. But I suspect he is a Hawks player next season.
This doesn’t fix in one summer.
Silent – yeah I’m resigned to McCabe being in CHI next year and if he isn’t I’ll be pleasantly surprised
Agree +/- stat is garbage
I think of $Jones like an early Ace in 500 Rummy. I keep him waiting for another’s to match them up.
Correct Murph or McCabe but not both. McCabe will be on the Hawks next year. Thinking someone will need him for half and happy to ablige for a pick.
Have this concoction in my head.
JT to Vegas for Patch. We retain $5mil and take all of Patch’s $$. Vegas in turn sends JT to Winnipeg for $2.5mil. Winnipeg sends Lowry to us. We send low picks/aged assets to Vegas and Winnipeg. Thinking they are going to need Cap room. We have room with Flower’s money gone and sending Kub’s rights somewhere for a pick.
I would prefer the Hawks got rid of both McCabe and Murphy in the off season and rely on S Jones, R Stillman and C Jones as the three vets and then rotated in the likes of Regula, Vlasic, Mitchell, Galvas, Kalynuck (if he returns), Beaudin et al…
But if I had to pick one of McCabe or Murphy, I would want McCabe back next year. In a year the Hawks need to tank and end up with a lottery pick, I would rather have a guy with a wicked variance in his game than a guy who is steady if unspectacular. McCabe has a higher ceiling in my mind than Murphy, but also a lower floor. If McCabe ends up becoming the player the Hawks hoped they were getting when they signed him, great. If he is the same inconsistent player we see on the ice now, what better way to help a tank season?
Neither player is going to be a contributor to the Hawks next contender, so why not roll the dice with the one who is more likely to secure a high draft position the next two years?
eugene
i will beg to differ with you on kane being a top ten player in the history of nhl. the following are blackhawks who are better players than kane:
toews
hossa
hull
mikita
roenick
keith
larmer
you have to remember it is a two foot game. during the cup years the hawks had brilliant players who covered up for his lack of effort on defense. what you get when he isn’t surrounded by those who can protect him is the results of the past several years. the shame of it is he could have been that two hundred foot player and arguably the best hawk of all time. he just hasn’t been interested.
A little surprised at how many people on here think this rebuild will actually work in 3-5 years.
They have virtually nobody that looks like they will be a top 4D and a Top 6 forward and goaltending is a crap shoot
Debrincat, S Jones are about it…maybe Raddysh/Reichel. After that I see 3rd pairing Dmen and 3rd/4th line forwards
This is not your Dad’s NHL – in the salary cap era teams can rebuild faster than they use to
Although I would shade towards 5 years rather than 3 getting to the playoffs can happen in that time with astute moves and some draft day or lottery luck
Keith was -29 in 2017/2018…
He sucks too, just like Jones does….
& was on a Way Better Team…
LOL
Let the Rebuild begin….. Franchise is in such a sh**hole place right now by blower trading away assets to win now.
But the failure is he rotted at accessing talent.
Wrap …you know why Jones is not with Calgary or Tampa?????? They don`t scout big soft overrated players .
Going forward… everyone here should back off the $. Jones/K. Dach issues
we don’t want to chase off the Younger/better ( especially when figuring Cap) Brothers
Caleb and Colton
Colton has been putting up some solid #’s this year… something like 24 points in last 10 games or so
looks like he might be the Better brother.
Nolan Allan- also having a strong finish
Amonte – if Seth had made it to UFA status I imagine every team in the league would have at least inquired about him
They all love to have a ‘big soft overrated player‘ like Seth Jones
Very true Wrap. Players have their own DNA and play the way they are-in todays NHL they look at ability to defend the puck and player and how they exit the zone thru the pass and skating ability with the puck. Times change and it’s less about size use and more about playing in todays quick NHL. (Now that doesn’t lessen the need for players with size,grit and a bit of ‘mean’. The Hawks need a couple of those with talent)
Jones is very talented.
@Seth Jones. I waver with Seth! There are games where he looks and plays the part. Then, there are other games where he defends like Gustafson! Overall, I think he is a top-2 pairing defensemen on every team in the league. He may not be a #1 on every team, but he is definitely a #2! However, we can all agree that he is not a $9M/year player, at least not on this team the way it’s built. What we need to do is find a stay-at-home left handed defensemen with great speed and excellent defensive awareness to play with Seth. Now, we do have a slew of young defensemen in Rockford, with the main club, and in the system. So, I would not be opposed to trading a couple of these defensemen not named Regula and Vlasic to acquire such a player. I think Caleb Jones is wildly inconsistent and is not the guy we are seeking.
Tommy – no doubt he needs someone to pair with – right now there is literally no one on the Hawks who can capably do that job and as a result Seth sometimes (rightly or wrongly) tries to do too much, covering for his D partner and gets caught out
That happened the other game when he tried to help out Regula and left the back door play open on a 2 on 2 – can’t remember which game NSH I think
Those sorts of plays don’t happen though if he has a capable partner – not saying Regula couldn’t be that one day and maybe soon but he’s not there yet
Tommy Ivan– Re $ Jones… pretty much agree w what you said… Biggest issue is $$$ /length… and why/what is he doing for this team- when by the time Hawks are good enough to make PO run… Seth will be wrong side of prime- earning $9M
( I know BLOWMAN)
Caleb Jones– at least there is chance that he could be solid/cheap player – near hi prime if/when Hawks are making PO push– and it should be Cap friendly
@Board – I wonder what it would take to trade for Bowen Byrum to play alongside Seth? Perhaps, Kirby Dach, Ian Mitchell, and the pick that we received from Minny for MAF?
Tommy – For me it doesn’t make sense to trade away those kinds of assets for a player that doesn’t help the immediate cause – to rebuild. Trading 3 potential players for 1 potential player (with perhaps more early showing of ability in growth) just doesn’t strike me as sensible right now. Perhaps closer to the actual turnaround time, as a piece to potentially fill a playoff run spot. But definitely not now.
@Silent – Man, I really want to say – “you really should stay silent!”. But, I can’t! You make excellent points! Plus, I always like what you have to say!
My take is that I would rather have a guy that is closer to a sure thing All-Star than 3 What-Ifs! Plus, if Colorado is going to trade Byrum, they are going to want a strong package, and in my estimation, Mitchell and the pick are way more attractive than Dach.
I do think that Byrum is the type of quality that we need to jump start that re-build. Raddysh, Regula, Vlasic, and Reichel are the other building blocks behind Debrincat, Strome, and Seth Jones!
Thanks Tommy. Not hard to understand your point about Byrum. I’m personally hoping for some overcooking of our young guys in the AHL or Juniors instead of putting them in the NHL too early and destroying their biggest need aside from ability – confidence. We need to get this right so we don’t have to start over again in 3 years.
Big summer coming for this team and KD. I not only hope, but I think, he will be up to the task. I like his start. He – and the fan base – needs to be patient.
Byram had a concussion issue early but do like him. Bear is another I like and is more in the Montour kind of player. One of ours has the chance to grow into a good pair for $Jones.
@Silent – Agree 100%! This is a huge year! We need to get this right! I am a huge believer in trying to acquire top tier talent this year and next, and then surround them with solid building blocks going forward. We only have three Mozart’s right now – Kane, Debrincat, and Jones. We need a few more! Then, surround them with quality like Raddysh, Entwhistle, Slavin, Regula, and Vlasic. I think Byrum is a Mozart type and will only get better! He will also make Seth better!
Tommy, if the Blackhawks were in the right place that could be the type of deal they should make. Right now there is no hurry or need to roll the dice on trades that you need to end up on the right side of, or they will set back the rebuild if your not. Agree with SS that KD seems on right track, stay on course, slow and steady is likely the norm for now.
Hope that some players wants to join the rebuilding in Chicago,it’s not every body who wants to join a team that will not make the playoffs in the next 2-4 years except if you like to play golf or don’t like to play hockey and prefer to go fishing when the season open .
Ok ,now let talk about my favourite Dman Murphy, I wish to see him practice with the team till the end off the season but please don’t play him before next year and let’s the kids have fun playing in a few no pressure NHL games.
Tonight we should loose to The Flames 6-2 against a very strong team .
don’t get the love for de brincat as a building block. he is a one trick pony and needs quality players around him to make up for his defensive deficiencies. and if he isn’t paired with kane his numbers aren’t going to be what they have been the last couple of seasons.
beware of his next contract. especially if kane is traded.
HAWKS29, it is possible Debrincat struggles without Kane, but there has been alot of doubt in his career and he has silenced the critics so far. He may not be physical but he does play in both ends. Many posters said the same about Panarin and were happy with the Saad trade at the time, he thrived fine without Kane, Saad not so much, rest is history. If same thing happens with Debrincat it could set rebuild back a long ways as well. Lets hope they get it right. My guess is Cats next contract would be in the 8.5-9.5m range, maybe Kane’s too if he stays. The days of 88 & 19 being tied at the hip on contracts is a thing of the past though.
Kaiser- supposed to be HIGH quality Leddy type skater?
Any see him play several times? and care to comment?
seems like Hawks have built quite a stable of SIZE on the D side of puck to choose from- only need 2 out of the 6 guys to ” blossom” – I am fairly confident they will… Regula – looks better each game.
Crevier/ Del Mastro/ Harding- I hear lots of good things about… Loved what I saw from Crevier in Camp last summer- kid jumped out at me w/ His agility at that size.
That’s what makes $ Jones- even more expendable- imo
@Bluto! Good Morning!
I watched that game last night, against probably one of the 4 teams that makes it to the SC Finals this year, and you can add Vlasic to your list of guys who keep getting better every game and will need a regular spot in the lineup next year. Outstanding work by the two kids – Regula and Vlasic. Reichel is not ready for Primetime!
I also think that we will allow Kalynuk to leave via FA, since he has not been up here all year practically. Also, I am certain that we will allow Beaudin to leave too. Galvas is a depth guy, but with all of those guys you mentioned knocking on the door, I don’t think that Galvas is long for the organization either.
Now, Phillips who I really liked when I saw him play is still too raw for the NHL, maybe next year. But, he is promising. So, that only leaves Ian Mitchell as the only guy from Rockford to make the team next year. Of course, I am assuming that Vlasic and Regula become regulars.
I think part of the problem now with Debrincat is he was/is physical (probably up in the top in hits on the team) But you do that at 5’7 and 165 all year and top minutes and you lose the top gear, especially when nothing to play for. His whole hockey life-one trick pony, novelty act, way too small, needs a star with him-it never stops.
Too bad but it is what it is. And usually coming from people who have never done what he has done for the last 10-15 years.
Only saw bits of last night’s game but I agree that Regula and Vlasic looked good – already better than any Hawk D not named Seth Jones
Tommy I — I also like Vlasic,,, saw him at Hawks camp after he was drafted… I was surprised by his skating for such a lanky guy.
But- I really do think that Crevier and Del Mastro – will be better. At least I found their skating to be more fluid/agile… of course there is more to Hockey than skating… so time will tell.
Galvas- I am pretty High on too… Kid is SKINNY- but really moves the puck well and has high IQ… was playing W Grown MEN in Czech for years– at under 160lbs… albeit on a larger slate of ice… Kid has a good mind for game… Pair him w/ a long armed Giant in the future… and it may work.
Watched some of the game last night also. Was going back and forth with Chicago’s good baseball team’s game.
Happy to see Regula and Vlasic.
Happy to see R&V with ice time.
Happy to see R&V skate the puck in the zone. Will be happy to see R&V all of next year.
Lanks looked good yesterday. Seeing, stopping and getting to the puck was good. Now work on how to smother the puck or to send those rebounds away from the front or away from the traffic. He reminds me of a Lehner on the bad Buffalo team.
T Fluery 163 goals first 5 yrs
DCat 158 goals so far first 5 yrs
T Fluery did get $8mil one year. Big dough back then. How about attaching Kaner and DCat at the contract hip. $8mil each Kaner for 3 maybe 4yrs DCat for 5 maybe 6.
Noonan when i said Debrincat isn’t physical, was referring to being big strong on the puck power forward type. Agree he usually is one of the few on this team that gets credited with multiple hits per game on a regular basis. Problem with making players who bring big offense be more defensively responsible is for every action there is a reaction. Is what you lose on offense worth it for what may be a minimal gain.
Bluto, i am very high on Kaiser, brings it all but may take time to find his offense at Nhl level which isn’t unusual. Very strong shot suppressor in defensive zone, blocks shots, can pass or skate puck out of zone. Strong skater. Kinda makes me think of a Hammer type player and impact potential. Good chance he follows the same route as Vlassic this year and signs elc next spring when Ncaa season ends, then burns a year, giving him 2 elcs years before his 2nd contract to show where he is at development wise.
Impressed by what Vlassic and Regula are showing too, Vlasdic may spend some time in Rfd. to start next year but should see alot of both next year. Mitchell another i hope takes that next step as well.
@DeBrincat
I love the Cat! I don’t care how big he is, I don’t care that he is a one trick pony, because that is a great trick to have. The kid hustles, he fights in the corners, and he sees the entire ice. He is a keeper!
I just remember that Diego Maradona was 5’4″ and destroyed Germany’s back line to win the other Cup in 1986. Heart and skill baby!
So what does a DeBrincat trade look like? If Hagel gets us 2 late first rounders, and middle 6 decent prospect and a bottom 6 decent prospect, what is the Cat worth?
Pretty high bar set by KD for a trade.
ian
neither kane nor de brincat are players who are cornerstones of a franchise. kane was the best kane he could be because toews, hossa, and keith were the cornerstones of those teams and seabrook, sharp, hjalmarsson, and, for the last two cups, crawford were cornerstone like as well. and then terrific supporting role players filling out those rosters. the question during the guts of the run was would you pick toews or crosby if you were starting a franchise? it was never kane or crosby. i am not saying kane isn’t a great player. he provides terrific value, but if he is the best player on a team that team likely isn’t winning any cups unless the supporting roster is outstanding and this roster is light years from being outstanding.
AT THIS POINT IN TIME the hawks don’t need to be at $25+ million per year to employ kane, de brincat, and seth. they would help the hawks be better. they would be mediocre, but winning games against the chump teams who de brincat and kane can abuse. more victories, not enough to be a good team, and worse draft position.
will the team be more interesting for fans to watch on any given night? sure. is that the best scenario for a rebuild to a cup contending team? not so much.
Can’t trade DCat. He shows heart. Heart is important for team chemistry. He can and has gotten better at d responsibilities, not good but better.
Give Strome $4 to $5mil for 3yrs. Funny we wanted to get rid of him now we’re giving him a raise with little term.
Have to have some competitiveness to put on the ice. Keeping that line gives us a line that teams will prioritize shutting down. This will take away too defenders from other lines. Now to figure out the other lines.
DCat– Honestly he is best/toughest fighter on Hawks too…
Yes- he shouldn’t fight w His golden hands… but – honestly the few times I have seen him throw…
his hands are ? quick… sadly the BEST fighter on this team… so He isn’t a Push over… just doesn’t make sense to drive Porsche into a rock quarry. So he shouldn’t fight…
@JR – I agree. We can’t trade the Cat. Heart and soul, but I would be open to trading Kane. Age and salary dump is appealing, plus the return. NY Rangers – come on down!
This statement of yours is so funny, but true!
“.Give Strome $4 to $5mil for 3yrs. Funny we wanted to get rid of him now we’re giving him a raise with little term.”
HAWKS29, if you are trying to suggest the Blackhawks could have enjoyed the success they had without Kane, sorry but that’s just plain denial. You play 20 minutes a night being the driving offensive of a multiple cup dynasty, an annual hart trophy candidate during those years, you’re a cornerstone player. The Nhl themselves voted him one of the top 100 players ever a few years ago and he is still producing. Could he have played harder on defense, yes but as i said every action has a reaction as well. To be a team like the Blackhawks were those years, requires talent, chemistry on ice and coach also, plus a whole lot of luck in how things play out. I like 2way hocley as much as anyone but have to believe that if Q had of tried to make Kane a more defensively responsible player, they wouldn’t have been as successful as a team and possibly he agreed is why he didn’t.
DCat is the heart off the Hawks now that Hagel is gone ,plus he is the next Hawks 50 goals player. I would keep him for at least another 5-7years ,Just turn 24 yo a few months Ago. I would trade Toews iff he his not happy with the Hawks , keep Kane,trade Kubalik and Kurashev .
Then try to get one very solid player in the summer à kind off Wilson, Suban , a guy that when he his on the ice the opponent needs to always be aware.
MAF is 7-1 since leaving the Hawks ..so we might get a first round before he return with the Hawks next year..
Don’t think you can get PLD for Kubalik and Kurashev. Can we get Roslovic for Kubalik and Kurashev?
I don’t agree that DeBrincat should be un-tradable. He is an asset that the team needs to leverage, either by locking him up in the lineup or using him in a trade to bring in more talent. No one on a team that can’t finish in a playoff position should be untouchable.
No one is untouchable, Gretzky got traded. When building you must pick your pieces. DCat fits as a/the scorer for the team. Has heart and leadership qualities.
SS wonder how the Hagel trade if 7 or 8 years ago the Blackhawks gave up 2 good young players and two 1sts for a 3rd liner averaging under 13 mins. a game. He does have 3g in 15 games, 16 g season pace, plus if he has a big impact on another long playoff run for all will good. Still not sure it would be a positive reaction so far.
Different type of deals, Hagel low caphit, for this year plus 2 more, player who they hope can spark a 3rd line and help win a 3rd cup, also Rfa when contract up, who they hope likely will still be a manageable caphit for another deal if they want to extend their cup window. Debrincat would be if moved high caphit long term type of acquisition to extend. Should be a sizeable return but comparing it to Hagel which may have bern a perfact storm type deal with Tampa might be a bit unfair.
Does anyone know if Cat wants to stay and not be in the PO’s for the next 5 to 6 years?
Does anyone know whether or not Cat and Strome can perform at the same level they
are performing at without Kane? And if not why sign Strome to anything more than 2 years
and give Cat a $9-10 mil which will look bad rather quickly if he’s only scoring 25-30.
The 2010 Cup winning team was built already and then they got in order Toews/Kane/Hossa
to complete it
Everyone Jones/Cat/Toews/Kane/Strome, on this team should be tradeable over the
summer bar Regula/Vlasic/Dach/Reichel and if you can get steals you deal the last 4 also
Anyhow this is all pure speculation because we have no idea which way KD wants to go in
building a team.
Should he want high draft choices the next couple of years you keep King as HC, everything
else should then fall into place
Ian I am not going to argue with someone sharing a very similar opinion as mine. Perfect storm definitely for Hagel. His pay, term and proven versatility were huge variables for Tampa. Dcat is whole different ball of wax. I’m not sure we can get that much for him, but if he is moved – and I think KD needs to be open to listen – we need a more proven prospect in return with picks that may be 2nd rounders.
I do think that the eyes of Kane and Toews have been opened to what is happening and they have some tough decisions to make. I suspect KD will honor their wishes rather than force them out, pay/term dependent of course.
Come on Tab please update, some of these guys are talking crazy as hell. If they have their way everyone will be gone.
I wonder what kind of deal we could get for Emily’s Dad?
Too funny! You may be right! We could trade everyone but Gustafson!
Gotta have fun with a season like this
Here is a weird scenario to consider. What happens if the Hawks win the lottery this year and they have to forfeit their 2023 pick to complete the Jones trade?
Could one see a scenario where the Hawks move DeBrincat to recover their 2023 #1 pick from Columbus?
Would that be worth it to the Hawks? Would it be worth it to Columbus? Am I crazy?
The reason why it could be attractive to Columbus is that Davidson could make it very obvious he will buy, beg, borrow and steal his way to the playoffs next year rather than forfeit a potential lottery pick willingly. It could be attractive to Davidson in that he could find himself with a chance at consecutive lottery picks quicker than he anticipated, jump starting the rebuild process a year sooner.
What if…
Yep, Gus gave up 5 goals last night. Everyone else was +3
Miroslav
Why trade A 40 goals scorer for a number one pick that we don’t know if he will play in NHL ?
Why give the best scorer on the team that is 24 years old for a pick ..explain because I don’t see the reason to do that . For me it’s a nonsense but I am waiting for your response .
I wouldn’t be shocked if KD is needing Toews and Kane to make decisions on their next year and going forward before he can plan the off-season moves. It would be tough to move either without holding back some salary, which can impede potentially trying to move Murphy or McCabe, or even Johnson, or at least change the calculus of what to do with Strome and Dcat. If 19 or 88 move, then you may as well move Dcat and/or Strome. Is Strome gonna be worth the time without Kane or Dcat? Can you weigh offers for anyone without knowing what 19 and 88 are gonna do? I really think it starts with them, and then may snowball from there.
I expect to see no major players coming this way via free agency or trade unless they are in their last year of contract as flips for TDL next year. Lots of blockage in the Dmen group right now. Some likely need to go just to make room in Rockford! Gus gone. Beaudin appears to be done. Why did Kalynuk fall out of favor? Stillman and C Jones are similar in talent with Stillman a tougher guy.
Forwards? Kurachev stays – Kubalik goes. Lafferty stays. Strome may have value for a trade – a 3rd anyway. Don’t forget Khaira is signed for another year. Connolly probably stays in Rockford. Just rambling here.
Man, what a mess. Definitely time to burn it down.
Thinking we are all in agreement that if number one over all falls in our lap we take Wright.
If number 2 falls in our lap Buf and Ana have multiple #1s at around 8. Mont and AZ have multiple picks but I think they are too high to move up if they do not get 1 or 2.
Would Ana or Buf want to move up to #2 over all and their #1 next year. We can add a body if needed.
SS, definitely starts owith 88 and 19s decisions on their future, its possible we see a forward group quite similar to what we are seeing now. Counting Reichel and Khaira 11 are under contract next year. With Dach and Lafferty almost sure to comeback makes 13. Strome, Kurashev and Kubalik the rfas, with Slavin, Hardman the 2 from Rfd. likely to push hardest for a roster spot in camp. If one or both of 19 and 88 go then will see some movement in that group likely. Agree Kubalik the surest to leave, Strome the biggest decision after that , Kurashev could be brought back cheap if they want, be only one of him or Borgstrom brought back, maybe neither.
Barring Wright falling in their lap, Reichel will the only rookie forward coming out of camp.
Defense is a question mark, Regula and Mitchell appear ready and others in Rfd. close. Kalynuk used the Ufa loophole to leave Ncaa and sign with Blackhawks because he thought Flyers blueline was blocked. Figured Blackhawks blueline had alot of opportunity for him to stick on Nhl roster without alot of Ahl time. Obviously hasn’t worked out for him, King commented others were playing better is why he didn’t much callup time this year. Sounds like he is not happy and a new a start may best for him. They way Lankinen and Soderblom being giving big minutes down the stretch, gotta wonder if that’s the projected tandem for next year. Can’t imagine much priority on serious upgrading coming on the Nhl roster for a year or 2.
Thanks Ian. Not expecting Borgstrom back myself. He seemed lost most of the time. I’m hoping you are correct with the goalie choices – those work for me. Prefer that to a band aide from NHL retread land.
Really would be nice to move McCabe or Murphy. Wouldn’t be mad if they both moved along.
Reichel back in Rockford and get pt on first goal …Hogs win
Say it like Pat Foley would: “Hogs win, Hogs win!”
Yeah agree Borgstrom be 25 this summer, hard to imagine he is going to be a keeper after this season. Would like to see them keep Kurashev around, i know alot are down on him but he is only 22 and the lack of young skilled forwards coming up right now hate to see them give up on him, for a just because reason. Reichel on Nhl roster and Luypen to Rfd. Will quite likely be only new blood coming this year from sustem forwards, unless a Kayumov signs but that is believe when you see it. No harm to the team to try and work with him another year or 2 right now. May not work out but nothing lost trying.
Ian, Silent – agree on Borgstrom – I think he’s done in CHI and on Kurashev – I see enough good things that he’s worth another short contract – maybe he blossoms maybe he doesn’t but at 22 you don’t know yet and the Hawks can ill afford to be letting young potentially good assets go
I think you re-sign Caleb and Lank for the same reasons
You also need room on the D for young guys – you need at least 2 young guys (Regula?, Mitchell?) in the regular 6 next year maybe 3 (Vlasic?, Galvas?, Kalynuk?) – you don’t need to move a D man for that to happen because Gus and deHaan won’t be back but if you can get a decent return for either Murphy or McCabe (likely the former) then you do it
If the Hawks were to win the #1 pick in draft lottery that would change how you look at the 2022-23 season and maybe then you’d hang on to both 5 and 6
Of the decision that need to be made are Kubalik Dach Strome Kurashev CJones as RFAs
Gus deHaan Lanks Delia Lafferty as UFAs
If no one bites on Kubalik let him be a UFA and see if you can sign him 1 yr cheap as a pawn for TDL. Same goes for deHaan.
Dach $2-$3mil
Strome $4mil
Kurashev $1mil
CJones $1mil
Lanks $2mil
Lafferty $1.5mil
We still have Borgstrom for another year. The decisions on the farm that need to be made are Morrison Altybarmaykan Gabriel Kalynuk Morris
Haven’t seen or heard much on Morrison or Alty or Morris so don’t know. Like to resign Kalynuk. Even Gabriel just to have some knuckles around when needed.
How about swapping some RFAs.
Kub and Kurashev for Georgiev.
10:56 am I asked if we can get Roslovic for Kub and Kurashev.
On cue Roslovic nets two last night.
Kurachev can’t be a bottom 6 player. Just not who he is. That’s why rushing these guys like we did is not just unfair to his teammates but also to him. He needed to be percolating in Rockford, not struggling so badly in Chicago. Destroying confidence can be fatal for kids if not taking years to recover. But I like the flashes and feel the consistency comes from a couple of months in the Rock, clearly stated to him at the start of next year. We have wrecked some kids and other teams have rebuilt them, particularly the kid dmen.
Hopefully we finally learn some patience as an organization, and as fans.
Hawks have no structure on the ice… Just watch opposing teams….
Why are 80% of all Hawks passing plays missing?
Who ices the puck more often that our Hawks?
Starts with the Coach & accountability.
What do the practice in practice…. Stop & Starts, endurance drills, positioning on ice, assignments, Dump & chase formulas, or just ice capades shit and rat hockey ?
What has gotten better after 60-70 games during this season…
King is buddy buddy with the vets… needs to go.
Wrap if C. Jones gets re-signed, then there is 5 under contract at Nhl level. If Regula and Mitchell start year on Nhl roster, that’s your 7. Galvas, Philips with Vlassic who may need a month or 2 in Rfd., ready for callups. Crevier, Roos when his season ends likely his signing made official then be in Rfd. too, that leaves Beaudin, Kalynuk, plus a couple of D under Ahl contract usually, so that likely means one or both of Besudin ( 1 year left) and Kalynuk will not be back next year. Moving a McCabe or more tradeable but bigger loss for sure Murphy would allow a Kalynuk, who at 25 may not get alot of benefit of another year in Rfd. the opportunity to fill the 7th D out of camp role at Nhl level. Could C. Jones and Kalynuk on 1 year deals make possible tdl trade bait, maybe 1 at least, if say a McCabe moved this summer. Then with Beaudin on the bubble next year, the room for Allen, Del Mastro and a goid chance Kaiser coming in another year.
JR, agree letting Kubalik become a free agent, signing for a paycut is the only way i would even consider bringing him back, possibly go that route Kurashev and Kalynuk as well. If reports today are accurate that Kayumov signing is close to being announced, Altybarmakyan who had a good year, will likely be brought back at least. Woukdn’t surprise me if Borgstrom goes Eydsell route and heads back to Seeden for next year. Khaira under contract could be buried in Rfd. to fill Gabriels role maybe.
@Hawks2010, I guess I would trade DeBrincat if I thought that doing so would get us to Cup contention faster than keeping him. I guess my fascination with exploring trading DeBrincat is that having him on the roster right now doesn’t seem to be much for the Hawks to make that happen.
I see DeBrincat as a very good player on a bad team, but I don’t see him as a difference maker.
I would trade a guy who is not a difference maker for a chance to get someone who is. I was exploring a possible scenario where the Hawks would lose their best chance to draft a difference maker and was curious what people thought of that scenario.
@miroslav. With the Cat we know what we have, a guy that has the potential to throw up 30-50 goals in a season. If we move him, it has to be for an equitable asset, say a front line center men. There are no guarantees going for picks exclusively. The other night, the broadcast was talking about the Lindholm trade. Lindholm and Hannibal for Hamilton, Ferlund and the rights on Fox. I’d do something like that where the Cat goes to a contender and we get some proven assets from an area of strength from the contender. Picks only, no bueno.
Ian
Yea maybe you are right about keeping Kurashev for another 1-2 years to see iff he can become a reliable player who can play with more ( Hagel heart ) .
He is still young like you say and he might grow up and become a NHL player.he has the strength and the speed for sure .
I was thinking about Kubalik,what iff he just had a bad year like DCat had on his second full year .maybe sign him for a year . Iff he doesn’t fit anymore trade him before tdl next year .
I really think that Mitchell will be a good number 3 or 4 Dman in NHL in the future and maybe a number 2 Dman in 3-4 years.. the kid just turn 23 a few months ago and need to gain at least 5-7 kilos to become a solid Dman.( now 170 pounds at 5’11) similar to Keith when he was playing in Rockford.
Reichel should stay maybe another 25-35 games with Rockford next year .except iff he had 10 -12kilos in the summer .
Maybe Phillips need a few games with the Hawks next season also .just for fun because the kid is just 20 and that’s young but he is a big strong kid already at 6’3 205 pounds ..in 2 years he will probably be 215 pounds plus he like to hit. He is a long shoot but who knows what can happen when kids grow in a good hockey environment.
kurashev presents the same problem strome does. they just don’t bring it every night. unimaginable for players who should be working hard every night for that first real contract. i would definitely bring back kurashev on the cheap on a one a one year deal. strome playing like he deserves a three year deal for some decent money, but does he keep the motor turned on when the ink dries on the contract? it will be very interesting what kd rolls out come october 1st. i would like to see three spots on the ice every night that are manned by young dmen. likely hard to get value from moving murphy or mc cabe. might be hard to keep c. jones around.
deHaan is a MUST GO ASAP…
McCabe should be moved if thats a possibility…. gus be gone (or make him a forward wing)… Forwards that play 75-82 games and score 3-5 goals… How many do you need of these?
Dime/Doz in minors…
Goalies here Rot…
Need a Goalie & accountable HC…
Then we are Rolling…
Strome scored 20 goals… Kurachev scored 5…
We cannot WAIT on these questionable players anymore. Trade Kurashev, Strome and Kubalik. We already know that they are not what we need moving forward. Let these kids from Rockford come up and see if they can be difference makers at the NHL level.
Find a goalie that can stop the shots that he should stop, instead of making incredible saves and then letting one roll in with 3 minutes left in a tie game.
Bring up some of our D men from Rockford and let them play through their growing pains. The great thing that Talon did(yes, Talon) when he built the Cup teams was that he got rid of the guys who were not ready to give everything they had to the team. Sometimes you THINK that you have good players and that they can lead you to the promised land and then you find out that , when the game is on the line, they will not get their noses dirty or block a shot or clear the puck when it needs to be done.
Lastly, this team is confused about how they want to play. Some guys are playing man to man and some are playing zone. Derek King is going to have to fix all of that in a training camp in the fall. You have players chasing and players covering an area and when teams like Tampa Bay, Florida and Colorado play us they just run us all over in our own zone. That needs to be fixed.
Sorry for my bitching and moaning. I just want our Hawks to make the playoffs.
I highly doubt that Interim King will be back next season. I don’t think Crawford or any of that staff will be back and that is a potential nice beginning. On the player side of things, Kubalik,Borgstrom,Kurashev,DeHaan,and Gus more than likely will not be on next years opening night roster. Lankinen has to undergo a drastic transformation in the offseason as far as positioning,angles,rebound control,puck handling,etc. to be the opening night starter. Lets hope a new staff hits the ground running and can weed through this mess. Maybe a lottery ball can land in the Hawks favor also so they can get Wright fast and all the way around.