Blackhawks Sign Defenseman Jake McCabe
The Blackhawks have reportedly found the veteran left-handed defenseman addition for their blue line. The Blackhawks have signed Jake McCabe to a four-year contract with a $4 million cap hit.
SIGNED ON: Defenseman Jake McCabe has inked a four-year deal??#Blackhawks https://t.co/O4Pq8ikMcb pic.twitter.com/pXDLPJ6IST
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) July 28, 2021
This comes on the heels of the Hawks trading Nikita Zadorov to Calgary on Wednesday morning.
McCabe, who turns 28 on Oct. 12, suffered a catastrophic knee injury in early February that ended his 2021 season after only 13 games. He was averaging 19:11 on the ice per night before suffering damage to his ACL, MCL and meniscus. The plan in February was that his rehab would take 6-8 months which (checks calendar) would put him back just in time for the new season.
Originally a second-round pick (#44 overall) by the Sabres in 2012. McCabe has appeared in 353 regular-season games — all with the Sabres. He has 77 career points and 203 penalty minutes on his resume. And no playoff appearances.
McCabe has averaged 121 hits and 120 blocked shots per 82 games in his career, though he has never played more than 77 in a season. Since the start of the 2015-16 season, he has averaged 19:23 on ice per game.
Jake McCabe, signed 4x$4M by CHI, is an excellent top four defensive defenceman who put up absurd results this season before getting injuries. I don't think he's as elite as those 13 games make him look, but definitely did very well in a tough situation. #Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/E5HvMqmrkc
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 28, 2021
What makes this addition at least a little humorous is it continues Stan Bowman’s love affair with the 2012 NHL Draft, which we wrote about back in March 2020. McCabe is the eight player drafted in the first two rounds in 2012 to, at some point, become part of the Hawks organization.
Lot $$$ for an Often injured guy- coming off some serious Knee injuries?
Good signing – I wonder if DeHaan makes it to TDL or is gone in the next couple days
How many D men do we need to replace Boqvist 3-5-6 ?
Their is probably a plan behind that but hard to understand now ..
Here is some quick analysis:
THN’s Take: An analytical darling when healthy, McCabe is coming off of major knee surgery with Buffalo, so the deal definitely looks a little expensive as it stands. When he’s healthy, he’s a nice piece to have, so we’ll see how he performs out of the gate.
Expensive? StanBo has never understood the meaning of “expensive”. Just look at the Seabrook and, now, Jones contracts.
Wait a minute, where are all these D-men coming to the Hawks for? I don’t get what the plan is? Trade for a goalie that may not want to play in Chi-town? Trade retired players for cap issues? What about a player that puts the puck into the NET!!!!!
Defense has been the Hawks Achilles heel for a number of years and a top 6 of Toews Kane DCat Kubalik Dach and possibly Reichel should be able to score enough plus add in secondary scoring from Johnson Kurashev Gaudette Hagel and they’ll be fine putting the puck in the net
Keeping the puck out of their own net has been a much bigger problem
Holy crapballs. The rebuild is over and the reload has begun. There are more dominoes that will fall; Strome, CDH, Johnson, Nylander. Bye by Kampf and Hino
If he can stay healthy, this is a solid pick up. If……..
StanBo has always used the get-rich-quick approach. Roster moves are made for the upcoming season only, which comes at the expense of maintaining a strong pipeline leaving enough cap space. When Nashville swept us a few years ago, this should have been the canary-in-the-coal mine moment that we were too slow and needed to focus on draft picks and youth. But not this GM. Put his chips on Jones for nine years at the expense of Boqvist, drafting Wallstedt (or a good forward), a 2021 second rd pick, and 2022 1st rd pick.
Next season will end, the Hawks will have been eliminated from the first or second round of the playoffs (at best), and then what? No young 1A goalie, no high pick, and an aging roster.
Make the last sentence: No young 1A goalie, no high pick, and aging K&T, and not enough top 6 talent.
I think it would be more fair to allow the roster to be completely constructed before assessing it as a mess after the upcoming season. We obviously have many more moves/transactions to make before the finish product will be revealed. No doubt though, Stan has taken many here (including myself) by surprise with moves that didn’t fit the plan as we knew it last season.
Having said that, and being a person that doesn’t always (or even often) welcome change with open arms, I am willing to wait for a more finished product before I start slamming the changes. I know that many here would just prefer to piss and moan, or to pass the judgement now and scream that Stan is an idiot (which may prove to be true or not).
I see the arguments by posters for Fleury, but what that is telling me is that Stan doesn’t see a backup goalie currently in our system worth spending 35-40 games on this coming season. I think it is critical to continue growing our youth with experience when/where practical, and apparently backup goalie isn’t a position deemed worthy of that role. It would appear that the young Dmen will get more opportunity to grow in Rockford, and I am all for that, but I would prefer to see Lankinen taking the majority of starts in net and then get a much better gauge on his future, especially knowing that there likely will be a better defensive in front of him. If Fleury gets 50 starts, then we still don’t really know the Lankinen story. Since we haven’t picked up another viable YOUNG goalie (other than last year’s draft), goalie A and B remains an unknown for next year and forward. I believe we should push Lankinen to step up this year.
Our defense can’t help but be better unless injuries jump up. I’m thinking Stillman and Kalynuk are gonna be counted on for growth this year, and whoever looks best in Rockford will get a chance when needed due to injuries.
Still a lot to work out. Watching for Kampf and Suter to be signed by someone or reportedly going back across the pond. No hurry to pass judgement for me. The piece of artwork is still being formed, so I think it is a bit soon to say it is garbage.
I don’t like stop-gap measures right now. So I need to better understand the entire plan. I remain patient, but a bit more confused than last year.
JC will have more to work with this year than last. His evaluation opportunity also becomes more focused.
Orig6 – As I’ve said before the rebuild is still in place unless you think there can’t be a rebuild without Boquist because he’s the only young player out the door – everyone else of the youngsters is literally still here
Trading Fleury very likely recoups the 2022 first and you get another goalie next year – no biggie
Stan already recouped the 2nd he gave up to acquire S Jones in the Johnson deal
Sure it’ll be harder for Beaudin and Mitchell to get minutes in CHI this year but they shouldn’t be in CHI this year anyway but learning the pro game in the minors
When/if they’re ready the Hawks will find room for them as they will for Reichel if he’s ready
Don’t understand the doom and gloom – Stan has used his cap space to upgrade the current team without jeopardizing the rebuild
He hasn’t traded away the farm and the draft picks he lost are either worth it and/ or can be recouped
Hopefully MAF comes and plays – I think he will but we’ll see
SS – Lank could hardly wish for a better mentor for 1 year than MAF – it’s a perfect scenario as long as Fleury comes to CHI
Lank will better for it and the Hawks can get back an asset if he’s traded at TDL
I see your point and respect it Wrap. I just think we could have been better served growing another goalie at the NHL level this coming season, likely through a trade for a young one who has already put in a year or so at the NHL level. There were a few available and didn’t cost all that much. Detroit getting Nedeljkovic is one. If needed, hiring another goalie coach would have been considerably cheaper than paying Fleury, especially a reluctant Fleury.
I also believe you learn a lot more from experience than mentoring, but I can also admit that it may not be the case for all, and some teachers are better than others.
With Fleury already causing a stink about coming to Chicago, that tells me his heart likely won’t be where we all hope it is. He’s still a human being.
Hate to see Danault sign with L.A. We should have made a run for him, but he probably didn’t want to have anything to do with us, or SB, after his first go-round here.
Another thing that comes to mind for me regarding MAF – His goalie teammate spent the better part of a season in Chicago, and likely shared the darker side of the Hawks team with MAF. Even a blind person could see that there was a lack of mutual respect between core players of the Hawks and the coaching staff/management of the team during the time Robin was here. While Lehner said all the right things on his way out, it wouldn’t shock me to hear that he also let MAF know all the “goings on” between players and coach in Chicago, and I’m betting that isn’t a very flattering story to tell. Perhaps that doesn’t help in the attempts of Chicago to woo MAF to come here for a year. Lehner called out different parts of the team while here, attempting to get a more cohesive defensive product in front of his net, and we all know how well that worked out. He didn’t need to tell us he hated facing breakaways. We could watch it every night.
Probably plenty of stories shared with MAF, and a now negative perception of what a Chicago experience likely would be.
Here’s how our lineup is potentially looking for opening night-
Cat-Dach-Kane
Kubalik-Toews-Hagel
Nylander-Johnson-Kurashev
Hardman-Khaira-Carpenter
Strome-Scratch
Connolly-buried in Rockford..I think the Hawks only go with 13 forwards..
Borgstrom and Reichel both waiting in the wings..both could make the opening night roster of course..this is just illustrative..Strome probably won’t be a scratch..but he would be if I was setting the roster..Strome isn’t built for the bottom six and he’s not effective on the wing..he’s a man without a home(or a line in this case)..so unless there’s an injury or Toews doesn’t begin the season at full strength, he’s a scratch for me..as for the blueline..
Kalynuk-Jones
McCabe-Murphy
DeHaan-Mitchell
Stillman
Jones
I see a ton of projections assuming that DeHaan would be paired with Jones on the top pair..why? He’s slow and doesn’t have any offensive upside..Kalynuk will end up on the top pair..McCabe and Murphy become our newest attempt at Hammer-Oduya..if McCabe stays healthy, I like their chances of becoming a good shut down second pair..DeHaan anchors(literally and figuratively) the third pair until he’s moved and then Stillman or C Jones slots in..I do very much like the potential for 3 true pairings..I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the Hawks carry eight defenseman to begin the season if DeHaan isn’t moved..just a hunch..
Seems like a lot…hope his knee is healthy.
I feel better each passing day seeing that the Hawks GM saw what I saw regarding some of these players that have been shipped out. Strome and Dehaan next to go.
TimW just as we discussed the size and physical players would be there when ready for them, either come through system or quick and easier pickups vs finding the needed skill players. Thought it could happen this summer but really didn’t expect it, thought the auditions would slow things a bit longer. Now see what kind of chemistry is there amongst the roster and coaches. Players win awards, teams win cups.
Where will Beaudin, Regula , Mitchell fit on Defence now that they have sign 3 more Dmen ..Rockford will be strong this year on Defence.
Now you have a shutdown pair Cabe Murphy
? Jones
Cabe Murphy
? ?
Ohh Nooooo!
My two favorite Hawks are gone!
The defenseman who couldn’t defend and the
Offensive player who couldn’t score
I’ll try to survive!
Pick up the phone and call Joe Sakic and tell him we’ll take a #1 and a #2 for MAF and we will retain 2mil. If not now we’ll take 2 #1s and a #2 and retain nothing at tdl for him.
Better idea:
Hey Joe, this is Stan. I’m trying to make a team that’s not slapped around like tinkerbell. Looks like you need a goalie and some bodies and cap room. I could use some space too. How about I give you MAF and hang on to 3.5mil. Do the same with Connelly at 1.75mil and you take Shaw’s 3.9mi. LTIR. This gives you the goalie you need to get you to the Cup. I’m 3 years away. An extra body with Connelly and let’s you go over 3.9mil over the cap. Just like TB is doing with Seabs money.
All I want is picks. A #1 and a #2 definitely. They’re going to be low picks for you anyways. And a second #2
What do you say?
Joe, Stan again
By the way you can have deHaan for 2.275mil too. He’ll probably get hurt so you’ll have extra ltir to use.
Thanks again
My observations:
1. Stan Bowman has done an excellent job of injecting heavy doses of ‘hopium’ into the veins of the congregation. He has also taken control of the headlines.
2. The move to larger, arguably slower, players is a proof point that Colliton’s euro-style, run-and-gun, one and half man nonsense is a failed (3 year) experiment.
3. The rash of moves is also a proof point of what I have been saying: Bowman and Colliton are desperate to have a winning season and make the playoffs NOW! Being patient with the likes of Boqvist or Lankinen, be damned.
4. With Seabrook, Keith, Hossa and (probably) Toews gone, who will be the leader(s) of this team? Who will be the veteran that the young players model themselves after? Who will inspire others with their work ethic, their preparation, their competitiveness? Who will be the spiritual leader of the team?
5. What will motivate Seth Jones? He didn’t come to Chicago because he thought they were close to winning a Cup, like Marian Hossa and others did. He came to Chicago for the money. Now that he has it, guaranteed until 2030, what is his goal? Unless he actually comes out and says what his goal -please spare me all the unfounded speculation that he wants to win another Norris, or he thinks he can lead the Blackhawks to another Cup, or whatever. To better understand my question / concern, read the book Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella.
Finally, the question I have is:
Is Colliton the right Coach for this roster?
@Silent Spot – great point about MAF. Here is a guy who has been royally dissed by the very teams he help make successful and is shown no respect. With Chicago’s history – especially with goalies – why would he jump into that situation again?
MAF doesn’t want to play here….PERIOD.
all blowman can do now is trade him for whatever he can get. Not sure why some of you think he will be a mentor to any of our goalies.
Well said Original6. Mired in mediocrity. This is the fear of any fan base. The draft is where its at to build a sound organization. Hard to believe that both goalies were available at pick 11.
Wowzer, there’s a lot to digest. And, the flurry of activity may not be complete yet so it’s probably a tad premature to make conclusions, but for sure there is one thing we know which is the Hawks acquired the most pressing need which was a #1 d-man. From there, everything else can be seen from a perspective we haven’t had since Keith was still playing like a #1 d-man a few years ago.
Another thing I think will be a positive once the dust settles is the pruning of the forward group which had become overgrown and needed to be cut back. Not sure how things will shake out but so far, on the whole, I like what’s been done.
If Fleury he provides stability and an upgrade in goal, if not status quo there, wait and see.
On defense they should now have a legitimate number 1 pairing in S. Jones and McCabe, Murphy paired with Stillman, C. Jones or Dehaan should provide a capable shutdown pairing and if Kalynuk can pick up where he left or Mitchell, Beaudin develop into capable defenseman, icing a solid Ozone pairing shouldn’t be any problem.
Johnson and Khaira in for Suter and Kampf should be an add to the forward group without alot of subtraction to do it.
There are a couple of teams who may like Shaws caphit, hopefully he can move it too. Strome doesn’t appear in their plans, moving him even retaing half his salary to do it coukd be beneficial.
Sorry to see Vinny go
This. I know 1st Sillinger is better then our 1st 32nd player otherwise BoQ is not a top pair guy and Jones is a top 10 top pair guy.
Load young wave!
WRAPAROUND
July 28, 2021 at 4:19 pm
Orig6 – As I’ve said before the rebuild is still in place unless you think there can’t be a rebuild without Boquist because he’s the only young player out the door – everyone else of the youngsters is literally still here
Couldn’t help but notice the price COL just paid for Darcy Kuemper
A 2022 first round pick a rostered young player (Connor Timmins) and a conditional 3rd round pick
If that is what a team will pay for Kuemper why wouldn’t they pay at least that for Fleury at TDL when it could mean winning a Cup? (if of course Fleury plays in CHI)
If this is what Kuemper is worth it seems Stan did well to get Jones for what he got him for – that is not substantially more – a flip of 2021 first rounders and a second instead of a third
Hey Billy,
Stan here. I see you gave Darcy to Joe for some picks. How about you take The Flower for a #1 in 2023 and one of your five #2s for next year. This way you still have two number ones next year. If you like I can eat 2mil of the contract.
Wadaya say Billy?
This just about says it all for both sides/those who cant take it no matter what and those who think Jones is the 2nd coming of Jesus.
Tell it how it is.
We only traded BoQ in all of this the picks will be replaced equally other then the tim eit takes for a 2 drafty to be ready to compared to a 22 drafty. Which is fine in the grand sceme of things.
WRAPAROUND
July 28, 2021 at 4:19 pm
Orig6 – As I’ve said before the rebuild is still in place unless you think there can’t be a rebuild without Boquist because he’s the only young player out the door – everyone else of the youngsters is literally still here
Trading Fleury very likely recoups the 2022 first and you get another goalie next year – no biggie
Stan already recouped the 2nd he gave up to acquire S Jones in the Johnson deal
Sure it’ll be harder for Beaudin and Mitchell to get minutes in CHI this year but they shouldn’t be in CHI this year anyway but learning the pro game in the minors
When/if they’re ready the Hawks will find room for them as they will for Reichel if he’s ready
Don’t understand the doom and gloom – Stan has used his cap space to upgrade the current team without jeopardizing the rebuild
He hasn’t traded away the farm and the draft picks he lost are either worth it and/ or can be recouped
Hopefully MAF comes and plays – I think he will but we’ll see
@Ebony
Keith was elite, Jones was never nor will he in the future be elite. Jones might get to
pretty good and that the most we can hope for.
@WIJG
JC will probably be gone after 10 games as Stan will try to reenact a Q replay .
BTW I agree w/your comment fully and if Stan is around 2 years from now watch
us go small again, he’s always reactive never proactive
It’s amazing that a couple of you did not understand what I posted on July 28 3:27 PM:
“But not this GM. Put his chips on Jones for nine years at the expense of Boqvist, drafting Wallstedt (or a good forward), a 2021 second rd pick, and 2022 1st rd pick.
Your response was only about my comment about Boqvist being out the door. I guess the part about flipping our #12 pick, giving up our 2nd rd pick and next year’s 1st rd pick, were not important.
I never impled Seth is on the same elite level as primetime Keith – I called Seth a legitimate #1 d-man (which I believe he is) which allows them to slot other players correctly.
O6 – I didn’t misread your post – Boquist was the only actual player that the Hawks lost – every other young player who could be considered part of the rebuild is still here
Draft picks are not sure things and they won’t be NHL ready for 2-4 years maybe more for a goalie and they are an asset that can be recouped – for example Stan has already recouped a second in the Johnson trade and if Flower comes to CHI he’ll recoup at least a first in 2022 at TDL (see what COL paid for Kuemper – a first a player and a 3rd)
Draft picks are great but there’s more to building a team than sitting back and holding all your draft picks close to your chest – at a certain point you need to build a team that has youngsters as well as capable and elite veteran players – Stan has decided that time is now – I for one applaud him for his aggressiveness
Lots of NHL hockey people (not you I know) think Jones is one of the few #1 D men in the league – you don’t have to agree but if he does in fact play that way the price Stan paid is fair not an overpay and he did it with only giving up Boquist plus picks and I liked Boquist
He didn’t give Boquist Kurashev and Mitchell for example or Dach or Reichel or DCat – only Boquist
Now we have a #1 D to go with all the young guys (excluding Boquist) – the rebuild with Jones McCabe Johnson and hopefully Fleury has moved to warp speed but it’s still on – these young guys that are ready for the NHL are gonna learn more and learn faster with the addition of these new players and if they make the playoffs they going to learn even more
To me this is better than waiting around for years for your first round pick from 2022 to impact the NHL roster – T and K will be too old by then
Most of the dead weight is gone… few more need to be moved…
Wonder why colorado didn’t resign the great Saad? Lmfaoooo
Colorado lost Saad & Grubauer because they gave the bag to Makar.
I think SAAD is a bit expensive at 4.5 millions$
Hoping to see Fleury accepting to play with Hawks shirt..
Where will Regula,Mitchell and Beaudin start their season .?
Plus a few more kids who thought they had a chance to play with the big team .
H10 – those 3 will start in RKF where they belong for now
I see Werenski signed for 6 x $9.6 – add that to Makar at $9 million AAV and Hamilton also $9 AAV and Jones @ $9.5 seems to be market value for a #1 D
Hawks can be a decent team if Toews shows up to play, Fleury joins us, move shaws contract , and also move DeHaan… maybe package DeHaan & Shaws contract… Bomb move…lol
Billy Reay, We still have to move Strome, Dehaan, Carpenter but you’re right. They have moved out what they needed to so far. I think Mitchell and Kalynuk will be battling out for the open Defense spot. Beaudin may get 1 more year at Rockford along with Regala.I like the way this team is looking but of course all is hinged on a fully healthy and productive Toews and Dach.
TimW agree Beaudin and Regula likely call up depth in Rfd this year and Mitchell, Kalynuk stay on Nhl roster competing for ice time with Dehaan moved.
Where Strome, Carpenter, Reichel and even Connolly are come opening night answers alot of questions about roster spots. If Fleury says yes he will play, then a number of other moves could be made yet. Shaw cap maybe moved regardless.
@Billy Reay – I agree, IF Toews can return AND play at the same level as before AND if MAF is the #1 net minder AND if Jones performs at the level he is being paid THEN the Blackhawks will probably make the playoffs AND save Bowman’s and Colliton’s jobs IF Bowman isn’t shit canned for the John Doe scandal.
I have to give Bowman credit for making the necessary moves to improve the team rather than follow the strategy (some here have been promoting) of spending the next couple of years nurturing and evaluating unknown entities in the system hoping they blossom. We wasted 3 years, at least Bowman knows he won’t be around to waste another 3 years (maybe 3 months).
Before ER accuses me of abandoning the Bowman Hater’s Mob, I should say that giving Bowman credit for his recent moves is like giving a player credit for tying his skates.
On the other hand:
IF Colliton remains committed to his ‘system’ (whatever the hell you want to call it) and expects Jones, McCabe and others to adapt to it, he may get himself fired.
Especially, IF Jones, Johnson and others who have played for ‘real’ NHL coaches, like Cooper and Tortorella, have trouble ‘buying into’ to the Colliton system.
IF the Blackhawks DO clean house as result of the scandal, do not expect them to hire a proven and experienced GM and Director of Hockey Operations. Danny Wirtz and Jamie Faulkner will probably hire someone that is non-traditional and more progressive socially. Perhaps the Blackhawks will be the 1st professional sports team to hire a female GM. That alone may be enough motivation for them to fire Bowman.
Wrap
I hope that the kids will take it positively and decide to bring the Hogs to the next level.
This is a great opportunity for them to bond together and show the Hawks who they really are .After all they are the next Hawks
Now it’s time to put the Maximum prospect in Rockford and bring the Hogs where they belong …top 7-8 team in The American League .
Go Hogs Go
GO HAWKS GO
JG – glad to see you’ve put your ‘personal dislike’ of Bowman aside for long enough to admit that he’s done a good job so far this off season – welcome to the club ; )
Tim, Yes you’re right on the other 2 players that should be expelled from the team also….
Wrap – While I’m in a good mood, I will commend Jeremy Colliton for tying his own tie (assuming it’s not a clip on).
WIJG – be not concerned, I would never even think to accuse you of abandoning the Stan haters club.
As a Hawks fan who is much more neutral in my opinion of Stan/Colliton than would appear when juxtaposed against the Stan/Colliton Haters Club, I will find it interesting to see if Colliton changes the system or not. The idea that the system may not need to be changed with more experienced players being able to execute it better. Was it indeed the system at fault or the players who couldn’t execute it well enough? The myth that Colliton’s “one and a half man” system was some peewee or Euro system that couldn’t work in the NHL was exposed by many of the best playoff teams playing a similar system. But, even if better personnel can execute the system better – is there a ramp up learning curve for players who haven’t played the system before and would that affect the decision to stay with or abandon the system?
Lot’s of things to be interested in seeing going into training camp – exciting times.
So far so good. Need MAF to make a decision like now! Wish we kept Suter instead of talking to Strome. Vinny for 1m would have made sense to me. Signing Hagel is important. Kampf…like him but meh.
It’s probably tempting to write off the 56-game 2021 season and more or less forget about because the Hawks weren’t good enough to make the playoffs and weren’t bad enough to get a top-10 draft pick – they were in the dreaded middle where no team ever wants to be.
But, considering the primary objective for the 2021 season was young player discovery and development – I think there were some good things to come out of last season that puts the Hawks in better shape moving forward over and above the improvements made since the season ended.
We discovered we had a young goalie capable of playing in the NHL, if not as a starter than at least as a capable #2.
We auditioned quite a few rookie forwards to play various roles and even though a couple left, we kept (
People complained about Kampf and 4th liners not scoreing much or at all. Here is what you wanted.
Like Ian says,
Johnson and Khaira in for Suter and Kampf should be an add to the forward group without alot of subtraction to do it.
ER- I am so confused and ignorant. Thanks for enlightening me.
I foolishly thought the reason they hired Colliton (and not a veteran coach) was to bring in a fresh approach, to rethink the game, to be an innovator.
I also foolishly thought Colliton’s forte was developing players and his professorial acumen.
So, now I learn that his system is common and the horrific stats are the results of players not being able to adapt to it and/or too dim witted to understand it.
Well, at least Colliton and Bowman are fixing everything.
Go Stan and Collie!
This. Is a goos posts there is more then what it seems woth the trades and use the same way as last summer tradeline adds. Keep going and do the movie ‘the draft’ Costner with this summer/offseason moves.
WRAPAROUND
July 29, 2021 at 2:01 pm
Couldn’t help but notice the price COL just paid for Darcy Kuemper
A 2022 first round pick a rostered young player (Connor Timmins) and a conditional 3rd round pick
If that is what a team will pay for Kuemper why wouldn’t they pay at least that for Fleury at TDL when it could mean winning a Cup? (if of course Fleury plays in CHI)
If this is what Kuemper is worth it seems Stan did well to get Jones for what he got him for – that is not substantially more – a flip of 2021 first rounders and a second instead of a third
oops – hit enter by mistake … continuing from previous post …
We auditioned quite a few rookie forwards to play various roles and even though a couple left, we kept (in my opinion) the best two (and youngest) top-9 forwards in Hagel and Kurashev and discovered we had a couple viable bottom-6 guys in Entwistle and Hardman. That’s 4 forwards that we weren’t sure we had before the season started who will be part of the team going forward.
The young d-men auditions weren’t as positive as the forwards but Mitchell and Beaudin got a taste and should be better for it in the long run, especially if they grow their games in Rockford the upcoming season. Kalynuk was a pleasant surprise and even though a small sample shows tremendous promise to be solid on both sides of the puck. We also found out that Zadorov wasn’t what we needed and we’re better off knowing that and getting rid of him which has now been accomplished.
The veteran additions almost assuredly make the Hawks better heading into 2021/22 and there is still some discovery/development on the agenda with the additions of Borgstrom, Gaudette and possibly Reichel too.
Exiting times.
Theres no question Jones or any other top 10 top pair guy are not as good as Dunks was or Seabs or Hammer or Hoss. None.
THose guys are generatinal dynastyiers. Dunks was best Defensemen for 15 yrs basically and when he was there was more top Defensemen in league overall.
So to have/get any top 10 top pair guys is better then a 11-30 or 30-60 top pair guy.
We still need to add the 2nd top pair guy and find that Hammer. Until then Jones is one of three and these pther guys are fine until then/we find the other two.
Were trying to build a Cup roster not anpther dynasty roster so we donot have to comapre/need to match the dynasty rosters we had to win again.
WIJG, hyperventilate much? Not quite what I posted, but, you know, what ever works for you, Actually I meant the Haters Club comment to be a little humorous but I should have known it wouldn’t be received as I intended – so, sorry ’bout that.
Original, I thiknk we get back every pick that we traded for Jones at some point in next 36 mths. Sure the Sillinger player could be better then our 32nd pick and everyone knows how much I want a top 10 draft quality then 19th area. We did have to get two top pair guys though someway.
Tim, even if some get hurt this season its ok if its short what we want is full healthy longterm wise/next 5 yrs overall.
Yes keep getting rid of the small shit slow shit/nothing agsint any player and keep adding size speed good skating Defenseively good players.
Hardnosers you are welcome to CHI!
Or, not talented enough to execute Colliton’s / the NHL’s system
ER – Just pointing out absurdity by being absurd. Most amusing.
Did anyone consider why Keith was said to be Elite ?? Look at who his D partner was for those ELITE years… Seabrook…. without Seabrook, Keith would not have won any Norris Trophies or been an ELITE player. It’s a team game…not individual like Golf.
To try and answer one of ” Who is John Galt”`s questions regarding coaching for this year…………. With all the recent changes to the team and the defense in particular, I`ve said it here before and I`ll say it here again now…….. it`s time to replace Sheldon Brookbank right now and try to add an experienced veteran coach for the D-men that they`ll respect and who advocates a defensive system other than what was deployed that last few years. Gotta happen right now.
@Jim Ross – Steve Smith is available and still lives in the area. Why Colliton and Bowman prefer young Sheldon over a 3-time Stanley Cup winner, Assistant Coach with the Flames, Hurricanes and Sabres, I’ll never know.
Beer League – I’ve written the same opinion not less than a dozen times here. Keith was given freedoms most defensemen would love to have – jump up on plays as often as you want, cross the ice to double team and leave your guy open for a breakaway, and never EVER be physical with the guy in front of the net unless he just scored (and then get the puck out of the net for your goalie). Yes, that’s critical – I admit. But it was also FAR too often for my tastes.
Having said that – Keith took advantage of those freedoms and had an ability to see plays happening better than most, managed to get in the way of almost as many shots as he fired into the opposing players shins, clearly had the respect of other in the league cuz they never seemed to run him for as often as that option was available. Active stick defines his strongest attribute, and he did it most of the time very effectively. But most importantly, he had a wing man – the guy that covered for everything that could have gone wrong. Until the past couple of years. Seabrook is probably the most underappreciated Dman I can remember on this team. Without 7 at his side, I don’t think Keith gets nearly the love he has gotten in awards.
Just my opinion.
Steve Smith would be a much better option for sure.
Pretty obvious that Seabrook was the Main guy playing defense with Keith… Amazing how much Keith “declined” AFTER Seabrook couldn’t play anymore….85% of all odd man rushes Against tge Hawks in recent years were caused by Saad in offense zone and Keith pinching in (where it wasnt needed)…
Lotta ppl gunna bet on Edmonton team to win 2022 Cup?
Beer Leaguer and Silent Spot, We need to golf or grab a beer sometime….lol
Brookbank costs LESS than Stud STEVE SMITH… Thats why Smith isn’t considered…
Lol
Colliton,s whole staff should have been dismantled at the end of last season. Check Kamph off of the laundry list to go. We are progressing.
Exciting times is right for the first time in 2 or 3? yrs when I look at the Blackhawks sweater it looks like its got buzz to it again.
ER says,
Lot’s of things to be interested in seeing going into training camp – exciting times.
ER, think we were a bottom 10 team without 19 77 if it wasnt for a really good performance in his first 40 agmes rookie yr/not even his first full 82 game yr Lankenin is why we were in the 15-20 place. Funny MTL was 18th place team.
With 19 77 and these moves were back to a 10-15 team.
I am curious in why there are a bunch of good posters here smart that you guys/silent original6 okie and others.
Why do you guys think these moves are bad and mostly what is your guys ‘ideal’ way and time to do this. How/Who/When?
Thanks.
I am not agasint Collitan would like to see any of the Blackhawks dynasty teams 2009 2010 2013 2014 2015 or TB last two yrs teams play this system and see it.
Mo, I agree. The excitement level for the upcoming season has certainly ticked up from last season, and the couple seasons before that. There’s a bunch of “if’s” but if all or most of those “if’s” go in our favor – then the Hawks have a chance to be in the mix for a playoff spot and who knows how good they can be. Usually the more “if’s” a team has the less likely enough of them will go their way and the less likely they will have a great season – but, hope springs eternal and there are some nice reasons to be hopeful.
One key thing I’m wrestling with is whether or not I want MAF to play for the Hawks or not. I can make an argument either way and I haven’t landed on one side of the fence or the other yet.
Again, lots of interesting things going on with the Hawks this summer.
Mo – Let’s talk MAF as our #1 goalie. There are 2 immediate downsides for me. First, Lankinen isn’t getting the pressure and repetition of a starter (to prove or disprove his capability), and second MAF is most likely a 1 year player for us. So, we can look forward to getting a #1 at the TDL for him right? Well, that is always an optimistic view, but I will just concede it. But what happens if we are 2 points in a playoff spot at the TDL? Does Rocky say, “Hey!! I like the idea of having 2 home playoff games and the revenue from that. Keep Fleury”. And then, we fail to make the playoffs and the best thing we can say is something like it was a growing experience for the team. Meanwhile, we haven’t figured out if Subban or Delia have improved at the NHL level. Mentorship, for me, is an overrated product. These guys are professionals who should be able to take instruction for other professionals. Did Keith’s mentoring of Boqvist help him last year? For me, Boqvist’s improvement was not great or obvious, but was minimal. The workout fanatic (by everyone’s account) Duncan Keith didn’t even get the kid committed to lifting weights by season’s end.
Seth Jones – I’m a liker of the player, but not the contract. That contract now already tightens the screws on the cap situation going forward. I have been a raging voice of the need for a defensive top pair on this board. But I don’t like the cost of this contract. How much are we paying Kane and JT next contract? Can Kane live with less than the highest pay on the team? Maybe that discussion has quietly taken place – I don’t know. One more year and we need to bridge Dach. If this is a breakout year – then how much? Tyler J at $5m for 3 years isn’t a back breaker, but it starts to add up for a player in his 30s. The cap creeps up on ya by making poor decisions. I think Jones at $9.5m is a risky move. Prove it to me first.
We are in the process of getting out of cap hell – why hurry back into it?
Clearly – in my opinion – the patience game was shorter lived than I expected for management. Another year of kids made more sense to me, but I admit we have/had a glut of similar players, and a thinning out needed to take place. What I don’t like is that we filled spots with guys that really aren’t long term pieces (McCabe may work out at a decent price as time will tell – but knee injuries are knee injuries). Khaira is a tough guy we obviously needed and likely will fit in.
Fleury and Johnson are place holders that are not long term answers. We should be doing what we did last year – offering 1 year deals for guys that are intended to be flipped, regardless of team position at TDL. I don’t see that being the case this year, like it was last year.
In my view, there is now a case to be made by the Walldogs here that the roster development of the team is a bit mysterious to understand. Last year made sense to me, but this year takes me back a bit.
So stoked for season to start!!!!!!! If we can move DeHaan AND Stome (and get something Good of value) so others Can play, They we Really be cookin!!!!!
If EVERYONE Buy into system being implemented & player chemistry be good, Have MAF or someone of that caliber as net minder… we be good.
Needed a number 1 dman position secured for future, Jones was best available, made the deal, like it.
Vegas needed to do a cap dump, got current vezina trophy winner and gave up echl/ahl player, why wouldn’t you make the move.
The albatross Seabrook contract we been hearing about for years, brought back a guy who played a big role who played a big role in 2 cup runs for Bolts who will upgrade the forward group next year and a 2nd rnder, would have been ridiculed off the board here to suggest that could happen and still people complaining.
Keith was top defenceman on a gold medal winner without his regular partner, the hockey world gave him 2 norris trophies, i mean i get if you say he sucks enough somebody will buy into it, but c’mon.
It is what it is lets hope we can enjoy it.
I’ve read a ton of comments over the past week and here is what I know. The Hawks brass was never all that enthused about picking at #12. I know they liked Chaz Lucius but did not love him at 12. They were not enamored with the Goalie Wallstedt.
Instead as we know Stan was fixated on acquiring Seth Jones. That was the number one objective of the off-season. Giving up “futures” was not a tough pill to swallow. Boqvist is concussion prone and clearly afraid of contact.
Once they got Jones, they had to go forward with “win now”.
Tyler Johnson has tremendous character and is a fantastic leader. Jake McCabe is a heart and soul type player who’s best days are ahead.
The Vezina Trophy winner for free.
A 2nd rounder from Tampa and a 3rd rounder from Calgary (“futures”) already recouped for the next draft.
Khaira =meh. Kampf departing =meh. Pius Suter cashing in =meh.
Jeremy Colliton is now on the clock. One other note : Seth Jones biggest backer is John Torterella. Colliton would be wise to push the players hard in the first ten to fifteen games or he might find himself on Boqvist Boulevard.
This is in fine shape to get through the frozen cap for next yearcor 2 and one if the better positioned to to take advantage of what many expect to be significant raises in cap when that happens. Plus the signing of McCabe gives them when should be a legitimate top pairing defencemen next season. Gotta like it, everything else aside.
Acquiring a #1 d-man is not the panacea for fixing the defense but it’s the most important step. Seth Jones is not a top-5 elite d-man on the order of Victor Hedman, Roman Josi, or Cale Makar, but he is a #1 d-man capable of playing big minutes in all situations and with him as the anchor all the other d-men are more properly slotted for an improved overall defensive corps.
The $9.5M cap hit seemed too much until Hamilton got $9M, and Werenski got $9.5M – it’s the cost of signing a #1 d-man in 2021. So be it – we got the ever elusive #1 d-man we needed so that’s the main thing.
Yep – stoked.
In fairness to Duncan Keith.
I vividly remember Keith standing/watching from 10 feet away as Viktor Arvidsson scored the only goal of Game 1 of the 2017 playoffs. It was infuriating. I screamed obscenities at the TV. But, that was Queenneville’s ‘fronting strategy’. That’s what the Blackhawks defense did.
Seabrook and and every other defenseman had their share of spectator moments watching opponents standing alone in front of our net.
I always hated the fronting strategy, even though you could argue that it delivered 3 Cups.
Watching Keith under the Colliton system was no better (for me, at least). I don’t know if he bought into Collition’s system and that was the reason or if he was fighting it and that was the reason, but he always looked lost.
I believe Keith still has some good years in him and hope that Dave Tippet will be able to make the best use of him.
I do like getting Flury for the tradeline thing and getting a 1st back from that to me is huge because it redeems ourselves for the 1st in Jones trade. Sure not/might not be as goos as Sillinger the 32nd we did and a 22 1st tahts prob 15-25 area though to me then its like we got Jones from ufa then since we got the picks back/other then BoQ. Then basically makes it like BoQ for the rights to Jones ahead of summer stil a ufa way.
Caphit is high for Jones I thought when I saw it then see every other top players got around 9 so still high and thouhg well 2 7 were 5.5 and 7 in 2010 so once the cap starts going up again 9 area is the new 7 so want the other top pair guy to be in the 7.5 area and that could be good.
What you said makes sense. I do see 88 caphit maybe same and 19 lower say they do 10.5 and 9 is the same 10.5 and 10.5 really screw us up though I mean until the goalie is Crow quality or in the neihborhood prob be 1-4m for long enough time so that should help that.
I am good with the mentor thing only when it gets us a 1st back especially when we used an extra one to get a top pair guy.
We are in the process of getting out of cap hell – why hurry back into it?
Yea sure if we can get rid of the players when we want to then its ok we donot want to get stuck. With others like Shaw Smith need to keep people moving and it might be good/ok.
Overall I always looked at using 2 7 caphits to cove the new top pair guys caphits they had 5.5 and 7 so if that equates to 7.5 and 9 this decade ok we better get the 2nd guy for a decent caphit.
I am good with trading Johnson or use Shaw to cover 77 bridge.
Like you said just donot get stuck or in a corner and clear the dang player bonuses.
DIdnt think of it until reading Craigs post like I have thought before trading Lehner to help VEG is good trade relations as I say so maybe we got Flury and not another team just because we made the Lehner trade. Just like when we got Vermette and not another team we had good tarde realtions by helping ARI with a 2nd for Rundy. So those Rundys and Lenhers out there helped in getting what we needed or wanted later.
For when some trades seem not that good a return we get the return we like/love later for it. Paying our dues.
I agree with the sentiment that after all these moves (and with more to come) JC is on the clock
I’m sure Stan and Rocky expect to this team to make the playoffs – the onus will be on JC to show he can coach and not just develop because it is not entirely clear yet that he can
If the Hawks still are a train wreck in their own zone after revamping the D that will probably spell doom for JC – I know he’s Stan’s guy but I don’t think Stan is going to give him a lot more leash than what he’s had already – it’s go time for JC – he’s had 3 admittedly strange years of circumstances but gained a lot of experience along the way – if he can’t get this group (with Toews Jones x 2 Johnson McCabe additions) to play the right way then something is wrong with JC’s approach and he will be shown the door
If the Hawks are flailing by the new year I would think Stan will change coaches
CapFriendly has 15 forwards listed on the Hawks’ NHL roster, 13 under contract – Toews, Kane, DCat, Johnson, Kubalik, Connolly, Strome, Carpenter, Borgstrom, Gaudette, Khaira, Dach, and Kurashev, and 2 RFA’s needing to be signed – Nylander, and Hagel. There are also several forwards listed on the minor league roster who either made their NHL debut last season or are likely to do so this season – Reichel, Hardman, and Entwistle. Something has to give.
Course, I have no clue what will happen, but I’d like to see Connolly and Carpenter somehow jettisoned and Nylander and Hagel signed and there’s the Hawks 2021/22 opening day forward roster. Then again, would that forward group be tough enough to play against with Khaira the only true tough to play against 4th line guy? I suppose Hagel could be considered tough to play against but he’s more or an irritating gnat type that a bruising punishing type. That’s maybe where Hardman and Entwistle come into the picture – but then who are the 2 forwards moved to make room for them?
Still lots of tough decisions ahead. Exciting offseason so far, eh?
That’s what I get for going out of town for a couple of days to get laughed at by some Red Wing buddies: StanBo’s revolving door keeps spinning!!! But now he has the perfect excuse for this season: “Its going to take a while for our players to get adjusted to our system”. To take anything positive from this is that the other 20 defensemen StanBo’s been hoarding can go back to Rockford to get some seasoning. Pretty sure jersey sales are down right now. Sure lot of ifs, maybe’s and I don’t knows for this roster. I think that’s by design. Nobody right now is talking about the “scandal”.
Wrap – My belief is that Bowman is a goner for his role in the John Doe scandal. Ironically (in the true sense of that word), that is also may keep him from getting fired if the Blackhawks get off to a bad start – The Blackhawks cannot fire Bowman while the litigation is going on lest it appear as an admission of guilt (e.g. they fired him for his role).
After the lawsuits are settled, Stan Bowman will resign (plug in usual explanations here: to spend time with his family, accomplished what he wanted, to pursue other endeavors, etc…). MacIsaac and Gary will also find reasons to leave after the lawsuits are settled.
Then, I predict, they Blackhawks hire a female GM.
Ebony, I think shaping the forward lineup will be easy if all are healthy. Connelly, Carpenter,Strome,and Nylander will be moved out or to Rockford. Borgstrom and Reichel make the team. I don’t think Toews will be back. Wrap, Again if all are healthy to start, I give Colliton 20 games if things continue as they did the last 2 months of the season. Quick trigger on him and his entire staff.
Just to clarify: I am not suggesting Bowman actually did anything wrong are was the main reason the Blackhawks behaved the way they did back in 2010.
The Blackhawks will escape legal consequences. But, this is all about appearances – a bunch of executives telling a sexual assault victim it’s his fault, that everyone knew about it and no one did anything, that they helped this guy find another job, etc… This is making international headlines (‘ex-players says everyone knew…’, etc…)
This scandal is making people like Sharp and Queenneville nervous and really angry it has gotten this far. Heads will roll.
TimW- I agree w
Reichel and Borgstrom making team- If not the whole season, at some point will get time and shine.
Also- agree Toews is 50/50 still-
Hamilton @$9M– gonna be Seabs 2.0— guy will be out of Hockey due to lack of skating ability before that contract ends.
Hope SB can turn MAF into some picks- will be a great outcome for Hawks-imo
This is in response to Craig Nigrellie’s post re: Colliton on the clock.
I’ve been thinking (or hoping) the same thing. These recent moves remove the mantra of “we’re gonna play the youngsters”. Older guys are gone and new veterans are in. Some youngsters are gone out of the system. This is a different team dynamic.
Whether Fleury plays or not this is a different hockey club. There’s seemingly no more of this need for a young coach who can relate to the young player and develop them. Now is the time for a proven coach (and Colliton is not) to lead a team forward. A guy who gets the team’s attention, makes good tactical decisions, and doesn’t lean on the idea of (whether it was true or not) that guys are gonna make mistakes. If the team is not out to a good start, the front brass need to put in new coaching leadership. They’ve not been afraid to do it before.
Just saw where Nick Ritchie signed with Toronto.
Wijg, a Gm could and very likely will be hired without/before firing Bowman however it plays out as that position is actually vacant and being handled by Bowman and others to be filled later according to Rocky Wirtz.
Bowmans guy or not, not a chance Collitons leash is long enough to jeopardize his own job, i said since day one i didn’t believe Colliton would be around when actually trying to win again, not sure he doesn’t get this year unless it’s a disaster out the gate though, and a move would be made when time was right.
Four moves that don’t cost them the future and clear capspace easily could be. Dehaan and Strome both with retained salary, this year only are moved. A team needing ltir hit acquiring Shaws caphit, both budget and contending teams possibilities. Connelly if not in picture as a roster player, can be waived and if not claimed buried in Rfd. and clear enough room for an elc caphit doing that. Also Carpenter with 1m caphit should be enticing to a contender needing a 4th liner who is a decent pk guy and can play center in a pinch. First moves clear 11.45m in capspace and last moves clear forward roster spots and ease the logjam.
Silent, posts wasnt answers for your view on this just saying thoughts of them/it. Wa thinking you guys/the others to would say more about who to get and when/like 12 24 36 mths from now and what players to go for for the spots we need. Like the two to pair guys goalie other then Lankenin and what kind/who to get go for.
Anyways like Ian said were looking good even with these moves and can trade some of these players to donot have to keep them the whole yrs/contract. Just dono corner ourselves so we cant add the plaeyrs we want because were full in these 36 mths.
JG/Ian – good points re: Bowman – obviously we have to wait to see what happens with the investigation and whether it becomes public or not
Barring unforseen damaging info on Bowman I would expect him to stay on as VP (McDonough I believe will bear the brunt of the fall out) or whatever his current title is but as Ian said perhaps a new GM is hired by next season
The investigation will likely not be concluded for months yet
I’m still very curious about the NHLPA’s role in this – John Doe apparently told the PA about his allegations and presumably they looked into it seeing as how John Doe was one of their members yet nothing came of that – why??
Only I keep in mind about those kind of things is when Penn State had that thing the FBI guy lied about Paterno being involved because of his name on cc in some emails so for 2.5 yrs the public though Joe was involved when the judge said he wanted to see all these emails he looked at them and said Joe had nothing to do with those emails and cleared his name/thats when NCAA espn redid back his wins to 409.
So my point is/and I donot want to talk about that or any of this is that I donot believe anything that comes out/even by FBI people and that was a former FBI person who lied to make PAterno look bad to the public like that. Until its in court and the judge looks at the stuff.
Then and only then is what I will go by.
Thats why I wish the public isint allowed to know anything hear anything or even know its going on until its at court and then whats from the court because the general public wants to hang people when some of the times its not even the truth but the public justy wants to burn people and hang on cross with the first bad/wrong thing said. Hey this guy said this that so it must be true.
Peace.
So Danault 5.5 and Saad 4.5 for right now Johnson is good eventually we need those two way FW that can score/pts and round off the 23man balanced and good at Defenseive players/players that can play 200 ft.
Hardnosers!
Goodbye Kampf, goodbye Vinny. Better hope Toews will be healthy or we’ll never win a faceoff.
Faceoffs was something i was thinking about too. Toews being healthy a biggie, Johnson a 50 % guy, not sure in a workhorse role or not he would be. Borgstrom was strong fo guy in his european league, see how that translates, maybe even a righty lefty line combo of Kurashev and Gaudette might work. Signing Casey Cizinkas could help full a 4th line voud as well.
@Wrap: I don’t recall reading anything about John Doe-1 talking with the NHLPA, so your thoughts are quite interesting and agree I’d like to know what they did or why they didn’t.
HAMMER, I doubt that Toews will be back for the start of the season,and really at all. I think our largest hope right now has to be that Dach makes monumental improvement not only on faceoffs but with his entire game. I hope he is fully healed and is able to be at least the #2 Center. After that Borgstrom has to hit the ice ready to go because relying on Strome is no plan at all. I hope that he DeHaan,Conelly,and Carpenter are all shipped out. My additional hopes are that Reichel makes the team ahead of Nylander and Mitchell can earn 1 of the 6 Defensemen spots with greatly improved and confident play.
Uncle – I had read that about the NHLPA when the lawsuit first became public and as I recall that info came from John Doe’s lawyer but haven’t read anything about it recently – there are not part of the lawsuit so that’s why I suppose but am surprised the media hasn’t followed up on that
There’s been so little about I’m actually wondering if I was mistaken but I don’t think so I think the lawyer is not going there for obvious reasons
We not get a top 3 pick in summers of 22 23 24 or 24-28 and say Toews retires in 3-8 yrs. I like him playing the whole time if healthy.
Who are the top 1st line centers in league now/or coming that will be 27 in summers of 24 25 26 27 or 28 because thats who we would get when 19 retires because prob not get a top 3 pick in those yrs drafts.
?
Athletic article suggests Fleury will only come to Hawks if he is guaranteed no TDL trade. Really limits first round draft possibilities.
I keep thinking Kaner has already earned over $100 million. How much does one guy need? Would he do a Jason Spezza deal with the Hawks if they committed to spend all of the savings on free agents for another Cup run?
Well trade goalie in summer COL spend what we want in return how many yrs on cobtract left?
Morrison brings up some good points about letting the John Doe “internal review” run its course and not take a ‘guilty until proven innocent’ position like Lazerus did with Patrick Kane.
So as not to be misunderstood:
1. I have said repeatedly the Jane Doe attorney, Susan Loggins, is trying to create enough pain for the Blackhawks and the NHL that she wins a big out of court settlement. She doesn’t have to prove anything in the court of public opinion and can toss hand grenades at regular intervals. It’s about appearances and money for her in my opinion.
2. The Blackhawks will probably not be held culpable in the legal sense, but are at risk of losing in the court of public opinion, which may be worse. And so they are doing everything to sweep this under the carpet and never let the “internal review” see the light of day. They are also scared to death of ‘discovery’ for these same reasons.
3. There are a lot of headlines that require closer scrutiny. I mentioned a while back that when you hear “everyone knew” – ask what does that mean. Did they know Aldrich was threatening violence and other consequences? Or, did they ‘know’ that he was a promiscuous homosexual? When you hear that the Blackhawks gave references -what did they exactly say?
4. I think it is entirely fair to demand that the Blackhawks explain what they knew and what they did? I think it is entirely fair for fans to demand that the Blackhawks release the ‘internal review’ to let people judge for themselves whether this was a fair review or a sham. Whether the Blackhawks and Stan Bowman did the right thing or not.
5. I find it entirely plausible that the Blackhawks, who were making their 1st real run at a Stanley Cup, just decided to punt and not risk creating a distraction by going to the police and figured they would just shit can Aldrich when the season was over (which is what they did). Was it right? I don’t know. We won’t know until the Blackhawks come clean. Getting the cases tossed on statute of limitations grounds or other legal technicalities is a big mistake in my opinion. It would be far better to say certain executives made a bad decision and need to be held accountable.
Unfortunately, the Blackhawks operate like the Vatican. You see how well that worked out.
We need Lankenin/other to be prime yrs goalie ready and four top 4 Defensemen with two of them being top pair quality. Got one with Jones needs another.
Plus more elite FWs and deep and hardnose. Then yes were ready.
Team system.
A couple of things a week after the draft.
Interesting that the first four picks were all really big kids from Canada.
Perhaps just a coincidence. However, the Hawks have had an affinity for Players from the US National Development program in recent years. Slaggert and Commesso last year, Vlasic, Wise etc.
Secondly on Seth Jones. I must say I’m not losing sleep as a fan over losing out on Cole Sillinger or Heimosalmi(pick 44).
Boqvist as the centerpiece for Columbus is not that impressive.
The Hawks are getting panned for having a horrible draft and maybe it will be but with limited viewings it’s very tough to get excited by a lot of the names outside the top 5 or 6.
Fleury, T. Johnson, 2nd rounder, 3rd rounder for Zadorov and Seabrook’s contract. Pretty amazing on paper.
So is CAN still the gold medal team. Did they say not playing in Olympics anymore/what is where is taht at.
CRAIG, I am with you on your recent Hawk activity thoughts,and I am usually overly critical. I was one of the 1st Seth Jones advocates so that was great with me. I never particularly cared for Boqvist and at the end thought his injuries were going to stop him before his on ice play. I have always liked Johnson and Fleury so that worked for me,even if Fleury decides to retire at least Stan took a shot. I was also happy to see Kamph and Zadorov move on. So for me,so far so good this offseason.
According to a photo from DCat’s wedding from last night that Charlie Roumeliotis posted on Twitter Toews in good spirits – that’s a good sign
Who is the guy on the left in that picture – behind Toews and on Kane’s right?
Thats good to hear Wrap, not until training camp and preseason will we really know whats what, until then just speculation based on nothing known.
Sounding like Fleury may play with Blackhawks next year, hope to hear soon. Teamed with Lankinen should make a formable tandem. Morris will be one of Rfd. goalies and seems like Soderbloms european clause isn’t an issue, so he should have another spot, interesting to see if Delia or Subban get snuck through waivers or not, to keep for depth as well. Fleury nmc may block a tdl move yet.
Craig with this draft being what it was, wonder if they felt a better gauge on reaching for playerswith size, and add numbers increasing odds there rather than flash was a safer route. Usda and Europe are where they have looked for more skilled players down in the draft but maybe felt more comfortable with these guys as role players. Just a thought. I like the Jones trade, i still think Boqvist has potential to be an impact offensive defenseman in this league but price was right. There was alot of discusion here over the last few years about eventually needing a number 1 defenseman, Jones name came up alot. The big thing about a trade vs free agency was an extension assured not trade for him on a wing and a prayer giving up future to do it. The return was another issue, but i am ok with it, you have give something good to get something good. The going rate for a number one D, sorta caught everybody off guard but itis what is, the full nmc considering his age and style likely won’t become a big deal to most people. McCabe with him really makes blueline alot more legit. Now hopefully Fleury makes up his mind to report and then get done what needs to happen with forward group and see who is in the picture for opening night.
I really donot want to talk about that kind of stuff so I wont much but that nhlpa if they knew or had anything on it and did nothing as well that needs to been known to all. Again I donot think any public should be allowed to know anything until its official after courts are done.
What I mena is CHI org shouldnt take blame or stuff for it and nhlpa get a free pass if they knew as much.
Who ever did it eats it and if some others were not directly involved but knew something was going on they are the ones hat should get the community service/nothing for those who were directly the people doing it/covering it they should get the McD thing/if he had anything to do with at all.
Anyways my gut tells me that like Paterno Bowman didnt really have much/any to do with it and then should be fine/and known that he didnt. The others or who did yes.
Move on and do what Penn State did and thats help people and make it right for what you can PSU did a really good thing after that and that is what this org should do to. Not to look good/better to really care and do something in good ways afterwards. You cant change what happened/and people get raped at every single collwge in the country not just the well sprected ones like PSU and then people want to hang them becauise they did things the right way for long time. ANd at a lot of pro semi pro other types of places/it happens everywhere.
Do anything you can afterwards to care as as posed to saying sorry and not caring.
The offseason activities have gone a long way to reshape (retool? / rebuild?) the team. Many good things have already been accomplished with the only negative being the loss of Boqvist but we’re better off with Jones so on the whole even the loss of Boqvist can be filed under “good things”.
Hopefully there are more positives moves to come. It’s unrealistic to expect everything on the “to do” list to get done in one offseason, but I would like to see as many of these roster deletions get done as possible: deHaan, Carpenter, Connolly, and Strome. That frees up $12M in 2021/22 Cap space and $3.5M in 2022/23. It also reduces the number of forwards on the NHL roster to 12 (once Nylander and Hagel are signed) which opens up a spot or two for Reichel/Hardnam/Entwistle.
Another move on my wish list would be to acquire a veteran RD to play behind Jones and Murphy, preferably on a short term contract to be a placeholder for Mitchell – especially if deHaan is traded.
And then of course to resolve the goalie situation with either MAF playing for the Hawks or acquiring a 1A/1B goalie to pair with Lankinen.
That’s not too much to ask … is it? C’mon Stan, git-r-done.
Silent/others, taht makes sense wasnt saying excuses for your points just ways out of it and main thing is to not get stuck/in corner keep bein able to move players/that we have plenty to move for when we need cap space and have plenty for when a player we really want is available.
Overall I think other then Sillinger/and Craig said the Sillinger difference wasnt a thing to the point of not getting a top pair guy. Again were lucky we got a very good player in Reichel at 17th when that kind of player usually comes from the 10 area and lucky if Lankenin is a top 15 goalie in league once hes established and starts prime yrs.
So let add what we need keep the better prospects and get moar! top 10 draft qiality players on any of the yrs in next 36 mths we donot make playoffs and for 1 or 2 of net 36 mths we do make playoffs fine use that to progress.
Just keep adjusting 23man to get the kind we need want/Hardnosers and keep pushing until were HHNL quality deep.
2025.
For those interested here is a link to the article mentioning that John Doe took his allegations to the NHLPA and a quote from his lawyer saying that they did “Nothing” – that part is towards the end
The PA was contacted by the media outlet for comment but didn’t respond
Did the PA purposely look the other way or did they have reason to be skeptical?
Who knows? again I’m surprised someone like Rick Westhead hasn’t probed into this angle because something is amiss there
https://www.wbez.org/stories/a-chicago-blackhawks-player-from-the-2010-championship-team-is-accusing-a-coach-of-sexual-assault/8dd7e951-c039-4572-9fb1-f3f099f86371
Fleury Playing ?
Can we end the Toews mystery illness please….
Anyone see the pics of Dcats wedding….Toews looks just fine nocking down cocktails, but maybe the doc said your immune syndrome can handle booze…and lots of it….
Looks like FLR got better the most and DAL PHI CAR VAN LA got better CHI got better.
Flury is playing for CHI.
EBONYRAPTOR- You say the only negative thing is losing Boqvist.
How about losing the 11th pick in this year’s draft?
How about losing this year’s second round pick number 44 overall?
How about losing next year’s first round pick?
How about overpaying Jones to the tune of 9.5 million for 8 years with a no trade contract?
If Jones is so good why was there not a bidding war to get him?
Bowman overpaid for Jones with the amount he gave up in the trade and he doubled down with the crazy contact that he handed out.
Do you remember the last time Bowman had cap space?…..Matta, deHaan, Shaw.
Now that looks like a GM with a vision.
Ahh man back to this 12 hr delay again.
God is there anything worse then 2nd best.