Knights Burn Blackhawks With Third Period Blitz
After getting their lunches handed to them in Arizona by the worst team in the NHL on Monday night, the safe way to open would be Shaun White winning gold.
REDEMPTION FOR SHAUN WHITE!
HE WINS GOLD on his final run in men's snowboard halfpipe! #BestOfUS #WinterOlympics https://t.co/E1XuTKbGvd pic.twitter.com/b4Yn2jVVGN
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 14, 2018
There you go, feelin’ good bout America.
Then the Hawks took the ice in Vegas against the best team in the Western Conference…
Coach Joel Quenneville threw the lines in the blender again. Erik Gustafsson took the place of Jordan Oesterle on the blue line. Tommy Wingels got bumped up to skating with Brandon Saad and Jonathan Toews. And Patrick Sharp and Ryan Hartman took the places of Anthony Duclair and Vinnie Hinostroza.
With all of that, if would figure that the Blackhawks would score a power play goal 2:10 into the game.
The Wingels goal came with helpers from Gustafsson and Alex DeBrincat and put Chicago up 1-0 early.
But Jeff Glass isn’t the diamond-in-the-rough story that Scott Darling was, and an ugly angle goal allowed to Ryan Carpenter less than three minutes later tied the game.
Chicago would then spend almost four straight minutes short-handed as Gustafsson served two minutes and then Duncan Keith sat four seconds after the conclusion of the Gustafsson minor. The Hawks killed both penalties, however.
The first period ended with both teams having 11 shots on net and one goal on the board. But Chicago would start the second period with Patrick Kane in the box for 1:16 after he hooked Jonathan Marchessault.
For Vegas, forward James Neal blocked a shot and needed assistance to get to the bench late in the first period. He did not return to the bench for the second.
The Hawks killed the remaining time on the Kane penalty and then Patrick Sharp was awarded a penalty shot three minutes into the second period. He failed to convert, however, and on we went in a 1-1 game.
Fleury denies the penalty shot attempt. ? pic.twitter.com/Lg7goCYdvP
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) February 14, 2018
However, the Hawks would get the lead back at 6:37 when Alex DeBrincat beat Marc-Andre Fleury for his 21st of the season.
Sharp made up for the whiffed penalty shot by setting up DeBrincat. Ryan Hartman also picked up an assist on the goal.
Alex DeBrincat scores his 21st of 2017-18. That ties Darcy Rota (1971-72) & Patrick Kane (2007-08) for the 5th most in a season by a @NHLBlackhawks rookie 20 or younger
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) February 14, 2018
Neal returned to the Vegas bench in the middle of the period as the Knights got a fourth power play, this time with Brent Seabrook headed to the box. Duncan Keith saved a goal, barely keeping a puck from crossing the line, and the Hawks were able to kill yet another Vegas advantage.
Wingels was playing a fantastic game, but he went to the box with 36 seconds left in the second period.
As the third period began, however, the Hawks weren’t able to kill the rest of the Wingels penalty. Brad Hunt tied the game at two late in the advantage. Chicago successfully killed their first four penalties of the night, but when you continue to play short-handed the odds aren’t in your favor. The fifth Knights power play cost them.
Quickly after the Hunt goal, David Perron reminded Hawks fans that you can take the man out of St. Louis but you can’t take the St. Louis out of the man. He went to the box for cross-checking and Sharp served a matching minor. The two sides would skate 4-on-4 only 2:26 into the third period with the score tied.
It didn’t take long for the Knights to grab the lead. Reilly Smith scored during the 4-on-4 and suddenly the Hawks were chasing – again.
Perron came out of the box and immediately scored to give Vegas a 4-2 lead.
And in the span of 4:54 to open the third period, what had been a 2-1 Blackhawks lead was now a two-goal deficit.
Oh, and it only took Vegas three shots to score their three goals.
Which perfectly sums up most of this season for the Hawks. Even when you look like you’ve got it together, all it takes is a three or four minute lapse to get absolutely buried.
Quenneville pulled Glass for the extra attacked with 3:07 left in regulation. That didn’t matter. The only goal scored was by Vegas’ Tomas Nosek into the empty cage to make the score 5-2.
The Hawks lost their seventh straight. At least this time it was relatively close and to a good team…
Who filled out the pro scouting report on Connor Murphy before telling Bowman about trading for him? Mr.Pierre Gauthier? DId he see seem skate?
Yikes…
Can not win low scoring games with AHL goalies.
I agree, it deflates the team. In fact, these guys may be ECHL goalies at best. We do have a Belguim and a Russian goalie waiting in the wings? Wrong!!!
Maybe Quennville is rubbing Wingels and Bouma in Bowman’s face but at this point, let’s leave Hinostroza and Duclair in the lineup. Let them develop until the rest of the season. Benching #91 was an shot at the GM as well.
I liked Saad’s effort tonight, but his puck luck is gone for some reason. And then you hear about Teuvo and Panarin lighting it up in other cities.
Maybe, like Bruins did with Julien and Chiarelli (another bad GM), might be time to bring in new blood in management. Just a thought before Bowman and Q actually get in to a street fight.
OMG, forgot about that Belguim goalie, Peeters??? Can you imagine what that scout was smoking when he convinced Bowman to draft this guy ahead of a Canadian or American goalie? Bad, real bad. Meanwhile, a freshman a Northeastern , 6’4″ tall, wins the Beanpot, was drafted in the 7th round by the Montreal Canadians last draft. They signed Lindgren, another goalie to a 3 year extension and they still have Fucale (2nd round pick in their farm system.
Who is our goalie scout?
The Cup teams had an identity which was speed, skill and puck possession. Much like the Pens!
But unlike the Pens, who continue along with that same identity, with the same type of players making their roster, somehow, Bowman decided after losing to the Nashville that we need to get slower and bigger. So now, we have to get excited about a dump and chase team led by #57 and #17?
These guys are honest players but they would not make the roster of the many teams in the league. In fact, maybe every team!!!
Management has mismanaged prospects and depth, plain and simple.
When a team plays as poorly as the Hawks have been lately, there are a lot of things we could point to that contributed to the loss. Sometimes there’s a domino effect that exacerbates the problem where if momentum could be turned around the same team could be successful due to a renewed sense of confidence. But I don’t think a crisis of confidence is the root cause of the Hawks problem. I think there is an intrinsic deficiency in this team that is the root cause of the effect we see, exacerbated by low confidence. The deficiency is in the area of physical strength.
Almost across the board the Hawks players are at a physical disadvantage against their opponent. The cause and effect is that the Hawks know they can’t win a one-on-one physical battle so they rush making the play. The rushed play results in poor execution of a pass or a poor decision on where to pass. Their passing game is usually somewhere between barely adequate to terrible. It’s not only that their passes are often off the mark or not received cleanly – it’s also passing to a team mate who is covered with no chance to do anything with the pass – that happens multiple times a game and is essentially a turnover.
The cause and effect goes beyond that though. The Hawk players realize what’s going wrong and make conscious decision to slow it down and not rush the play and it more times than not backfires with soft passes and weak plays that get picked off. Overcompensating for rushing the play results in not playing with the sense of urgency required to play at the highest levels. There’s a fine line between not rushing the play and not not rushing the play, if you will, and the Hawks can’t locate that sweet spot they need to play within – they’re either too soft or not hard enough.
But it all stems from the Hawks being an inferior physical team that can’t compensate for that with unshakable confidence they can execute at a high skill level.
With still 1/3 of the season left, I’ve got a feeling there will be a lot more chances to pick the bones of this cadaver.
Watching the Golden Knights roster and their style of play, they has lots of size but that size can skate an an elite level. Thus, there was a plan put in place by their coach in GM.
Wonder if dale Tallon laughing now that this is BS team and there’s no end to this joke of a team.
I wonder if McDonough if McDonough is giving thought to reuniting Dean Lombardi and Daryl Sutter in Chicago ?
I’m wondering if McDonough’s self proclaimed lack of nostalgia will have him cleaning house ?
With such atrocious goaltending, I’m wondering if the narrative becomes : “ With Corey Crawford fully healthy next year we expect to be much better”
When you have talent, real talent across the board, the wins add up. This version is a huge decline from last year’s team. Without Hossa, Panarin, Hjalmarsson,Campbell TVR, and Oduya, the drop off is too big especially if we replace these veterans by Wingels, Bouma, Murphy, Osterle, Rutta, and Franson??? Let’s face it, not very impressive. Combine that with Coach Q’s impatience with Hinostroza, Jurco, Hartman, Sharp, Kempny and Schmaltz to a certain extent, the result is total confusion. By and large, the rookies did ok. The free agent signings were a total disaster which falls on the GM. And the doghouse routine with many players (Sharp and Saad who won cups) destroyed the chemistry of the room.
Slammer, I hope Tallon is laughing at the entire Bowman family who shoved him aside, led by Scotty. The same Scotty who gave was given a job as a scout by Dale’s father with the Montreal Canadians way back when.
The little accountant son is way over is head this morning.
Maybe Lombardi can be a good choice but I am not sure I want Darryl Sutter’s style of boring hockey. But Lombardi may be the leader Coach Q wants and respects unlike little Stan. Could be a good idea!
I’m curious what Anisimovs value is. Big centers at the deadline are generally coveted. He has 14 goals. Might a contender, like Winnipeg or Boston, give us a late 1st rounder and a 4 th for him ?
How is Kempny… not in the lineup more -considering the glaring weakness on D???
Bowman- has been really bad. imo- is the biggest blame.
It is ironic how we bitch about size and strength and at the same time bitch about the losses of Panarin and TT. Both are tiny and weak with not great 2 way games. Saad would seem to be just the player you want…..but bash SB for the trade.
The question here is what is wrong with Saad?
re: getting a 1st for Anisimov – highly unlikely, esp w/ his NTC limiting the Hawks’ leverage. I’d be happy to get a 2nd if there’s money coming back in the deal and even that’s a reach…
I love it how people keep bringing up Dale Tallon’s name up like he is some sort of hero. What has he done since he left????
Ebony hit the nail on the head. We have no net front presence or win puck battles. REAL NHL goalies will stop what they see. No matter how many shots you put on net. Without anyone wanting to get dirty, we will score less than 2 goals a game. PERIOD.
Craig teams value their first (even late) too much-perhaps a 2nd pick–but the contract would be gone–that would be a blessing (even though you would be losing one of your better centers-he’s gotten a little slow for today’s game) as his 4.5 cap hit is for a few more years
Embrace the Suck, Thank the Tank. Don’t Stall the Fall, or if you must–Take a Nap During the Crap…
The question is who’s best to guide this the right way and what are the costs to the young players if this type of play continues for too long?
Kane has 53 points and is a minus 12 (no time on penalty kill)
Toews 36 points and plus 4 (and he’s on the PK every time)–my point is some avoid criticism and some play roles that are thankless but just as valuable.
(also see Keith-Seabrook stats)
Big Al that is why Wingels and Bouma are getting top 6 and pp time. Q is sending a message that these are the best we got at playing in the dirty areas right now. AA playing there too some and gets rewarded. Saad demoted and Hartman sits, telling them you gotta win a spot back. Not much else you can do if the guys you are counting on don’t do their job.
Tab- Re: AA trade bait… Hawks should still move him… BUT- not gonna get 1st Rd. Pick… guy does nothing point wise when he is not with Kane…
But- with a Real SC contending team – would be a nice add ( like Handzus/Hawks back in the day)… of course he is younger/faster/ more expensive than Handzus was at that time…
Ian-Re: Dirty areas… Hawks have never really been that team… Hawks/SC teams would beat you on the rush/transition… 2015- beat you on Patience/D and out smarting/lasting you…
while I agree the Hawks youth- have added speed… The CORE- has lost speed and WILL… furthermore– the D side- Non-core… don’t have the IQ… and the Core with IQ (Keith/Seabs) have both lost step and ability to make a ANY difference on O side…
Kempny- seems like the ONLY D guy who can consistently get a shot on net from the Blue line… But – Q Hates Kempny ???
The scout (or SB)- who proclaimed that Murphy was a “fast” skater… that’s a joke – right… I am not a Murphy hater… but to flat out lie- when he was traded for and proclaim – Hawks added speed to game with him… was a JOKE!!!
I write this off to another goalie loss, and the number of brutal soft goals going in on a game to game basis that kills the spirit of hockey teams. 5 on 5 play was not bad at all last night by the Hawks albeit some defensive lapses. Yes they took too many penalties. Given the collapse in goaltending quality is there no player in Rockford that can’t do any better than the Glass/Forsberg mess? Those two keepers really look deflated via body language and that sure as hell does not help the players confidence in front of them. So right now, no Crow, no chance. I would agree with the those that say shut Corey down in the interest of his health number one, and next season.
For all the moaning and groaning about Wingels and Bouma let’s remember these guys with Hayden were a solid 4th line through the first 1/4 of the season. I was happy to see Wingels get some time up with Toews and Saad last night. Apart from a bad penalty he played really well and with passion. Don’t blame Hawks woes on Wingels and Bouma. This Hawks team was really short of any physical presence last few years. Anyone remember the Nashville series last year??? Preds beat the hell out of the Hawks physically. I thought SB addressed that issue with Wingels and Bouma.
The faults of this team are many at the moment, but goal scorers getting paid big bucks need to score some goals. BTW Sharpy had a nice game last night too.
I DVR’d the last 2 games and watched em on delay. One is not forced to endure the torture of watching these live debacles in this way. Came in especially handy last night when Foley into his painful extended Harry Carey shtick. Fast forward, thank you…. yikes.
Lets Go Hawks!
Noonan, no minuses for goals against on the penalty kill.
I would keep Wingles and Bouma ,they both compete every game and get dirty ,.,.,whats not to like about that ?
That line up last night v.s. Vegas was the best we have had in 10 games ,.,.,goalie has to stop the puck .
Its all about the future and developing the young guys.
Scratching my head why Q benches Duclair and Vinnie to play Bouma and Sharp against maybe the fastest team in the NHL.
I think that SB and Q are not on the same page. Q has done this before Dailey, Weise and Fleischmann come to mind. This petty BS has got to end between those 2. Either Q or SB have to move on and the team leadership has to embrace the rebuild concept. Want to send a message, its called the AHL. Bring up young guys and see what you have in the AHL. Trotting out Sharp and Bouma night in and night out makes you no better next year.
The line up decisions are not making sense. Arty has killed the speed that the Kaner line was playing with. Arty does provide net presence long as Kane and Schaltz can hold the puck long enough for him to get there. Kempny had 3 SOG was +/- of zero in 21 min and will soon be back in the press box. Keith regularly turns the puck over but as soon as Kempny does his ass is stapled to the bench and in the press box. This is text book for killing young player’s confidence. If Q is incapable or unwilling to develop the player, he needs to go.
SB also better get his head out of his ass if he is going to be kept around. The goaltending performance of late highlights how unprepared the Hawks were for trading Darling and Crow going down. It makes you question the scouting and development. He also should be shopping our tradable assets and asking the vets with NMC if they want to be here through a rebuild. SB get moving and start selling.
And finally, before we make Tallon a saint lets be reminded of these busters Barker, Skille, Beach and Olsen.
Go Hawks
I agree with all regarding the utter deflation of poor goaltending. It just sucks the life out of the team. Perhaps the Hawks have no real intention of activating Crow….he just wants to be around the team right now? No way do I play him in a game. Not sure what Kempny’s stats were last night but it continues to befuddled me as to what Q has against him (relative to our current D core). I wanted a coaching change after last season when Q’s answer to the 0-3 start against the Preds was to dress 7 D and quadruple shift Kane (if I recall correctly).
Regarding next year…
Perhaps Hawks should Tank next year too…. or if their “Guy” in this year’s draft is off the board…
trade for another team’s 2019 1st round + tank for Hawk’s First round (2– 1st picks/2019)
Jack Hughes 2019 pick– out pacing both Kane/Matthews at same age!!!!!!!!
Never seen him play— any one seen this Kid???
Berube just back from ir, got a couple of games in good to go, expecting him to be recalled.
The one bright spot in this train wreck is Alex DeBrincat. The kid has an uncanny ability to find space in tight quarters to shoot from. Plus he has a quick, accurate and deceptive shot. I noticed last night his teammates were looking for him. He is becoming the go to guy. The kid also looks to be as tough as nails. A star in the making despite his small size.
I agree the goaltending has been bad and undoubtedly cost a game or two or three or more. And even if you want to hang a “bad goaltending team-wide deflation effect” on the goalies – I can agree with that to a certain extent.
BUT
Does anyone really believe this team would be a CUP contender with better goaltending? C’mon, really? The Hawks team defense, or lack thereof, would make a great goalie look average. The goalies are contributors to these losses, some games more than others, but all these losses aren’t “goalie losses”. Goalies have very little to do the inability to win board battles and clear the puck, not to mention even less to do with putting the puck in the other team’s net.
Paraphrasing the old adage of not being as good on the good days nor or bad on the bad days probably applies for this Hawks team. With better goaltending and more confident play this team might be more like an average borderline playoff team than a team eyeing favorable draft position, but as far as I know the Hawks goal hasn’t been lowered from competing for the Cup to competing for the last playoff position.
I don’t don’t have the answer. Hopefully Stan and crew do, eventually.
Thanks Mike-I forgot that
“Does anyone really believe this team would be a CUP contender with better goaltending? C’mon, really?” Agreed, we’ve been spoiled by Crow but even he isn’t enough to win the playoffs.
and Hawks 1961 re: Debrincat did you see the two passes he made to the outside winger in the third period-right on the tape, and perfect lead pass to allow the winger to get by the D–
he loves to shoot from his off wing but he can really pass from his natural side.
We are now under 500 and closing in on 7th pick. The bad news is we don’t have a second (I hated that trade at the time and it’s not getting better). Everyone should be tradeable at this point at although you have to think that 20, 15, 38 might be our best shots at getting back into the late first or early second. If Stan doesn’t get us at least 2 second rounders or better with the assets we have, he’s not doing his job.
Good point Noonan- I failed to mention D-Cat’s passing skill and vision.
To ER’s comments, I want to clarify my statements from earlier regarding “goalie losses”. This recent skid has featured some very rough goaltending that has been a major contribution to some of those losses. Soft goals given up certainly hurt, but there are 5 players out there in front of the keepers that have jobs to do both defensively and offensively. I should included that in my initial observations today. Those jobs have not been getting done on a game to game basis, hence the poor record up until this point. I have railed in previous weeks about Haawks D men unwilling to physically engage opposing players especially in front of the net. Losing board battles in O and d zone is about giving a damn and working hard. Some guys get it. Not enough are in that club. We have seen some good periods from this team, and plenty of piss poor efforts. It all gets down to consistency of effort within the lineup. This team has underachieved, but it is has done so within the framework of an on the fly rebuild which most of us felt was a work in progress.
While this team showed glimmers of promise early on, the regression has been swift and the results devastating since Crow went out. This can be laid on the table of SB to chew on. Hawks had no Darling to right the ship. The defensive rebuild showed some promise, but has since gone hard downhill perhaps due to younger guys not having the seasoning to endure heavy minutes within a tough NHL grinding schedule. Oesterle, Rutta, Murphy standout in that regard. Maybe they just aren’t good enough period. I’m sure the back line will see some tinkering in the off season to shore up the defense.
Bowman overestimated the quality of his core guys and their potential production. I guess I did to. Schmaltz and D Cat are welcome additions who will improve and will likely be part of the future. The other young guys are kind of average plug ins right now as opposed to top 6 forwards or top 4 d pairings. This team as we see it just isn’t that good from a talent standpoint compared to where we were 2-10 years ago.
In the end, many keys to the Hawks success over the past 10 years are either gone, got old, or are not playing up to expectations. The salary cap imposed by the NHL has been effective in bringing parity to the NHL. The cap makes it really hard for successful teams to remain highly competitive. Retooling via promising younger talent is essential. Hawks are now in full rebuild mode.
Rough patch guys. Very rough indeed.
Lets Go Hawks!
You can’t underestimate the value goaltending can make. Look at the Oilers this year and look at the year Talbot had this year, compared to last, Sens one game from the finals with Craig Anderson playing like an mvp and this year the team struggling and him nor Condon can provide quality netminding. The Leafs with all their struggles defense lacking consistency, forwards playing tbrough slumps and Frederick Andersen arguably been best goalie in league this year and they are in the thick of it. Not saying the Blackhawks were going to be cup favorites but Crawford has been a huge loss to this lineup and alot of what we are seeing is a snowball effect from that.
1961 agree re: Debrincat. As we both stated in the summer when the doubters were out in full force, natural pure goal scorers are extremely difficult to find. Bowman deserves kudos once again re: Debrincat.
Speaking of young players, Bowman also deserves kudos as to Schmaltz and Hinostroza as well. He signed Highmore as a free agent out of nowhere. Bowman has done a fine job reeling in young players, draft and otherwise. His major Achilles heel — and it’s a full blown out tear — is how he has handled his NHL players signings and acquisitions.
One would think that Bouma & Wingels are playing a lot now b/c they are being showcased. One would think. Sharp looked good last night, he still has something left in the tank for a playoff run for someone. Those 3 need to either be traded or waived after February 26 to clear room for Hayden and Highmore. Throw Jurco into the “thanks for playing, we’ll drop you a post card” grouping w/ those other 3 forwards set forth above.
Q was correct re: getting on a streak after the break — it’s 7 and counting. Kempny solid again last night.
Glass put on waivers
I agree that Jurco has had his showcase and he’s seems to be getting slower every game-time to move on from that front
Re: DeBrincat – his passing is equal or almost equal to his elite shot. He has put passes on the tape many many times with no assist to show for most of them. If he played with a sniper like Panarin or Kane he would probably have double the assists he currently has. Not every great pass results in a goal but the stumblebums he’s played with have squandered many good scoring chances.
He has silenced any legitimate questions of whether he can play at the NHL level or whether he is so inept defensively to where his offensive game doesn’t adequately compensate for his defense deficiencies. He plays well enough in all 3 zones that his overall impact for the team is a plus.
The one legitimate criticism remaining is that he gets knocked off the puck too easily. I would say this to that concern – he’s 20 and he will get stronger and more adept at not allowing opposing players to get leverage on him. He doesn’t have Johnny Gaudreau speed but he has a more solid base and with added strength he will be able to handle physical battles much better in another year or two or three.
I agree on Dcat, seemed destined for the AHL coming out of 3 years of junior, being a slight guy, but he has made his way into the NHL and produced given the opportunity. That’s the key word though, produced. It is not enough to be young and play all the young guys, because if they can’t cut the mustard and produce when given the opportunity, you are wasting some of the last final productive years of guys like Kane and Crawford.
I see a lot of consternation about who is and is not playing on the Hawks blueline. I would say it doesn’t matter. None of these guys have really helped. Osterle for a stretch, Forsling for a stretch, Ruuta for a stretch earlier in the year. Then each of their game’s fell apart. Kempny is in and out, has a nice plus minus, but hasn’t set the world on fire with great decision making on when to pinch and where to move the puck.
We have Keith who is like a number 2. Seabs is a number 5. Murphy is like a 6. We don’t have a 1, 3, or 4.
I want a good draft position too. But watch, when Crow starts playing, this team will start winning some games again.
Please no more Tallon comments if he was/is so wonderful why is Florida doing so great. He shouldn’t be laughing at anyone. I’m sorry but if you want anything from Duclair you don’t bench him same thing can be said for Hinostra he has been a spark no matter what line he’s been on. Glad to see the news on Glass trying Berube can’t hurt you need to see if any of him and Fosberg can be a backup. Hopefully we can get some defensemen in who can play. I think Dahlstrom hasn’t been too bad. Should make a concerted effort to balance the D-men minutes.
Hey Corey, we need to go real slow before getting you back in the net. Like maybe another month or so. Because …
The Hawks jockeying for draft position is improving with each loss. They currently sit in the 9th position with 56 points – BUT – they’ve played 2 more games than the 8th place team (Detroit 55 points) and 4 more games than the 7th place team (Florida 54 points). If Detroit and Florida win a game or two with their games in hand, the Hawks will be in 7th place. The 6th, 5th and 4th place teams all have games in hand too and are within striking distance.
If things go “well”, the Hawks could end up in the top five in the draft. Now there’s some positivity.
Another good heat map. Gone wild.
Talon did let us have Frozal.
HHNL,
I agree with everything you have said especially with Kane’s demise since AA has taken over at centre and actually spotted left wing ahead of SAAD as well. Why? #8 is what works for Kane at Centre. Add more speed with Duclair.
20 19 12
91 8 88
39 15 10
47 64 13
2 7
56 5
6 64
As for the Wingels and Bouma saga? No one needs to see them on the ice ever again and no one cares they are chasing pucks with passion. They will be out of the NHL next year and were about to retire until the mastermind, Stan Bowman, called their agent who was probably laughing his head off at a bar when he got the call. The 3 time CUP winners Chicago Blackhawks want my clients??? Really??? Let me down this whiskey and say yes!!!
Please, let’s move on from this farce and see what prospects Mr. BOWMAN has lined up for us in the AHL. Bring up Knott, Iacopelli, Fortin, Hayden and Pokka.
As for Tallon, he record of drafting and trading and signing free agents is outstanding. Just look at the young players he drafted in rounds 1-7 while with then Hawks and the Panthers. The hockey trades he has made very good. Of course, there was the odd Olsen (drinking problem), Barker (drinking problem) Skille (attitude problem) Beach(attitude problem), but his performance is in the top 5 of the NHL. Stan Bowman has not been productive, in fact, he has been arrogantly lazy about certain realities.
How many times did he resign Roszival? Why did he aqcuire Timmonen for a 2nd rounder??? Danault? Teuvo? Let’s move on but something has to give. Either we keep the coach and hire a real GM or fire both.
Hereismike be nice to be able to take that approach to bolstering the defence. Maybe if 1st pick is dman then in couple of years be able to have 3 of top prospects on ice in top 4 role. Hopefully they get a partner for Keith and he cleans up his game. Seabrook as 3rd pair, maybe if he sticks work in Jokiharju with him on offensive starts, Seabrook actually has shown suprisingly good numbers there with a high number of shots generated and scoring chances. Shots and scoring chances against considerably lower when he’s in that role. 2nd pair likely still develop from within, with Murphy and Dahlstrom maybe or Gilbert, possibly even Forsling or 1st rounder. If there is need at trade deadline re-enforce there then.
ER- I donot see how we could get to 5. 6 or 7 is possible if we lose games and FLR and DET win just enough. Prob EDM for some reason sucks and wont let us by them. Were ahead of FLR right now but that took a 6 lose and 1 tie stretch to do so and that isint going to continue to happen. Would love the 6 or 7 th pick though man. We deserve it. Its WAY better for us to get good again as as pose to a 16-22 pick.
If we need top 6 and top 4 players were going to have loads of cap space for the first time in yrs. Get a ufa FW and D in summer and let the young guys prove themselves. You can do it.
I just had a vision.
I saw Anisimov traded at the TDL
I saw Stan inking Dylan Sikura to an ELC.
I saw Stan select d-man Evan Bouchard with the 4th pick in the draft.
I saw Stan sign Henri Jokiharju to an ELC
I saw Stan resign RFA’s Hayden, Duclair, Hartman and Hinostroza/
I saw Stan resign UFA Rutta.
I saw McD announce the new slogan “Let the kids play”.
2018/19 opening night lineup:
Saad-Toews-DeBrincat
Sikura-Schmaltz-Kane
Hartman-Highmore-Duclair
Hinostroza-Kampf-Hayden
Keith-Bouchard
Jokiharju-Rutta
Murphy-Seabrook
Crawford
(free agent pickup)
Then let them play and build for 2019/20.
You’re on the right track EB
Ian you are so right about the goaltending. I just finished watching the Leafs-Blue Jackets and Anderson made 54 saves. The Leafs D is not good (kind of like the Pens last year with Murray and Fleury saving their ass). The Leafs have the young guns to score but without Anderson playing like he is they are cooked
The Hawks currently have 6 draft picks this June, not many. Would like to see that number increase to 8.
So theoretically the Hawks get a blue chipper with their top 10 pick in the first round then hopefully they can get one other blue chip prospect in this draft.
That’s how you keep building. Draft and develop !
Yes yes. We can have 10 picks. If we trade 15 we could get a 1st by adding to the trade.
I may be getting old but it just seems like yesterday when Kane, Toews, Keith and Seabs were tearing up the league and the UC would play “youth gone wild” in the pre-game warm ups.
Reg-
everything, even Satchel Page, Gordie Howe, Tom Brady (I think) and us have a shelf life in one way or another.
But I get where your coming from-hopefully we’re blessed to have another Cup in our lifetime. It really felt good being the best of the best for a few years.
Pitchers and Catchers have reported….
Hey ER, are you sure you did not see Saad traded for a high second round pick.
Well, well, well. When the Hawks had a good record in the previous two years I was criticizing Bowman’s drafting and trades. Now that the Hawks are done for the year, the long knives are out for him. As much as I’ve criticized Bowman, I agree with HHNL about Tallon: Barker, Skille, Beach and Olsen. Also, when you have the 3rd pick in 2006 (Toews) and 1st in 2007 (Kane) it didn’t take much skill to get it right. Give him huge credit in selecting Keith, Hjalmarsson, and Crawford in 2nd round or lower.
MIKITA21, the Hawks traded what turned out to be two 2nd round picks for Timmonen, the worst trade in their history. Timmonen was a heatlhy (if you could call him that) scratch for most of the 2015 playoffs.