Hopefully the incoming 3rd and 4th line players, the Smiths, Pirris, Hayes, et al, can step up and fill the void. The stars will be stars. But those lines won the Cup.
- 1mbecker

Don't forget that Frolik is still under contract, and hopefully the Hawks sign Kruger,Shaw is still under contract, so your bottom 6 is in ok shape, whereas last time Steeger,Ladd,Burish,Madden,Eager were all gone...Losing Stalberg will not hurt that much imo, I don't think the guy is a waste like some people think, but I also do not think he is what makes the bottom 6 go either

I've heard the draft is not as deep as once thought or as everyone has said. I'm not a draft expert but I'm curious to hear what you JJ think and others in the know are feeling. For me it looks like there's three potential All-Star to franchise type players in Jones, Drouin and MacKinnon. Inquiring minds want to know...
- golfbard

You should delete your post now before Wiz sees it. He's liable to pop a blood vessel.

I've heard the draft is not as deep as once thought or as everyone has said. I'm not a draft expert but I'm curious to hear what you JJ think and others in the know are feeling. For me it looks like there's three potential All-Star to franchise type players in Jones, Drouin and MacKinnon. Inquiring minds want to know...
- golfbard

Wiz has repeatedly said this years draft is if not THE deepest, then one of the deepest he has seen in a long LONG time...Wiz knows his stuff, So i will take his word for it....he had some nice tweets yesterday too

Fastened!

Keep the info coming. Still think Drouin will be the best NHL player of the top 4. Kind of like when another Jonathan wasn't the top 2 picks in his draft year.

Though if the deal is with the panthers, one of their young centers to play on the second line and Seth Jones would be an unexpected haul.
- vabeachbear

I love Drouin. Hawks like Seth Jones and another player. Will fill in later.

Don't forget that Frolik is still under contract, and hopefully the Hawks sign Kruger,Shaw is still under contract, so your bottom 6 is in ok shape, whereas last time Steeger,Ladd,Burish,Madden,Eager were all gone...Losing Stalberg will not hurt that much imo, I don't think the guy is a waste like some people think, but I also do not think he is what makes the bottom 6 go either
- captainserious

Kruger's not going anywhere

You should delete your post now before Wiz sees it. He's liable to pop a blood vessel.
- QStache

Love it when Wiz gets all riled up...the guy is a legend

There are those playing gotcha today with fans who wanted the Hawks to be more aggressive at the trade deadline. Well, we'll never know if dealing away the likes of Jimmy Hayes and Brandon Pirri would have improved the team or not. As fate (or luck) would have it, it likely wasn't necessary.

But there's nothing wrong with stacking the deck either.
- John Jaeckel

Nice write-up. What about "team chemistry"? Is this overrated? The Pens, for example, did stack the deck at the deadline with Morrow, Murray and of course Iggy, and look where it got them. A team is more than a collection of star players. I only discovered these boards in March, and there was a lot of hollering then about acquiring a "physical" winger for the playoffs, and I was more inclined to not disrupt the chemistry of a team that was winning almost every single night. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. And certainly don't mortgage the future to fix it.

... On the other hand, I don't think anyone expected Bickell to emerge as forcefully as he has. So in a way, the Hawks did "acquire" the power forward they needed without trading for him, and without disrupting team chemistry. It's easy to say in retrospect, of course, but the fact that the Cup is in Chicago means that any personnel moves were the right ones, and that the acquisition of Zeus was perfect.

Bolland? I admit I've been fickle about the Rat. He was such a force in 2010, but I eventually gave up on him, though I did predict here that he would do something "pivotal" before the SCF began. I get that he's not really a 2C, and that he brings home too much tofu for a 3rd/4th line player. I also get that he doesn't always appear to have his head in the game, commits bad penalties etc. But he proved himself really damn valuable again in several critical moments, so now I'm on his bandwagon again and want him to stay.

You should delete your post now before Wiz sees it. He's liable to pop a blood vessel.
- QStache

I recall hearing him say both. I know these things are fluid.

Wiz has repeatedly said this years draft is if not THE deepest, then one of the deepest he has seen in a long LONG time...Wiz knows his stuff, So i will take his word for it....he had some nice tweets yesterday too
- captainserious

What's his Twitter handle?

Don't forget that Frolik is still under contract, and hopefully the Hawks sign Kruger,Shaw is still under contract, so your bottom 6 is in ok shape, whereas last time Steeger,Ladd,Burish,Madden,Eager were all gone...Losing Stalberg will not hurt that much imo, I don't think the guy is a waste like some people think, but I also do not think he is what makes the bottom 6 go either
- captainserious

Bollig too. He's shown more than being a meathead. If they do lose Bolland and Stalberg, but keep Kruger and Bickell, that's still offers a pretty decent third and fourth lines.

Kane Toews Bickell
Hossa ______ Sharp
_____ Shaw Saad
Frolik Kruger Bollig

Of course, you have lost some depth that you'll need to replace because Hossa is likely starting the season on IR and who knows if all the other guys will be ready in a mere 13 weeks.

Kruger's not going anywhere
- John Jaeckel

That is my thinking too....He was hand picked by Scotty Bowman(I think you said that right?) And his value to the Hawks is through the roof....Hopefully he can add some more strength this offseason and work on his FO's a bit....I think if he can get at or above 50% on FO's his offensive numbers would be better as well

What's his Twitter handle?
- golfbard

@TheREALWiz

Liked his tweet about the glove hand yesterday

I've heard him say both. So which is it now? I know these things are fluid.
- golfbard

I think he's been pretty consistent that this is the deepest draft that he can remember. [Paraphrasing] He has talked about how the tier 2 players extends well into the 40s, which is an absurdly high number, and that there are multiple legit stars in this draft, plus overall depth that extends beyond the total number of draft selections.

Kruger's not going anywhere
- John Jaeckel

Yep, it is sad and due to timing even worse than last time. Guys will be in a parade on Friday and before that buzz wears off, will be traded Saturday or Sunday.

Definitely will be interesting to see how it plays out.

@TheREALWiz

Liked his tweet about the glove hand yesterday
- captainserious

Thanks bud.. I just saw it.. Good stuff

Kruger's not going anywhere
- John Jaeckel

Hopefully he continues to add some muscle. I know he's done just fine without it but I'd love to see him add some to his wiry frame.

Thank god. Finally some action. I've been bored senseless since Monday night.
- QStache

Hopefully he continues to add some muscle. I know he's done just fine without it but I'd love to see him add some to his wiry frame.
- golfbard

Didnt get credited with an assist on Bollands GWG, but another terrific under the radar play that he is so good at. Hustling his arse off, finding the right coverage and support area, recognizing the open man, and dropping a pass into Oduyas wheelhouse with traffic in front

I love Drouin. Hawks like Seth Jones and another player. Will fill in later.
- John Jaeckel

I might be wrong, but just by looking at the draft order....

Col at #1 - conference rival, do not see the Hawks trading with them

Flarida #2 - eastern conference, uncle Dale, JJ you mentioned he is very high on Tearravainen, and has a history with Bowman and the Hawks, and I believe you said despite what happened, he doesn't think Stan Bowman is a jerk, nor does he have it in for him-possible trading partner

Tampa Bay #3 - They added a goalie, could be looking to add some Defense(Leddy) and defensive minded players(Bolland) plus a draft pick and or prospect + Stevie Y...I think he might still have a very good relationship with Scotty, which could make them possible trading partners

#4 Nashville - Conference/Division rival - Not happening imo

after 4 I don't know who the Blackhawks would trade with...5 is Carolina, 6and 7 are Calgary and Edmonton, again conference rivals...so maybe Carolina is a possibility too...but I think top 4 is where they would land this player they want...and you mentioned Jones, and I think the other one is Barkov, because of Scotty's tendency to like Euro's from Swe and Fin

JJ. I read an article Wirtz says the Hawks are still losing money. Why do you think that is ?

Thanks bud.. I just saw it.. Good stuff
- golfbard

Didnt get credited with an assist on Bollands GWG, but another terrific under the radar play that he is so good at. Hustling his arse off, finding the right coverage and support area, recognizing the open man, and dropping a pass into Oduyas wheelhouse with traffic in front
- FourFeathers773

That drop pass to Oduya which I believe was by him was money. His hockey IQ and work ethic are off the charts. That compensates for his lack of beef. I think if he can add some strength which could also help him on faceoffs, he could become even better.

JJ. I read an article Wirtz says the Hawks are still losing money. Why do you think that is ?
- Ruboy88

Check this article out: http://www.chicagobusines...ackhawks-are-losing-money

They spend 10-20 million more than they take in. Big reason they are not making the money they should be is from ticket revenue. Their ticket prices are not among the highest which is good for fans but impacts their bottom line. The Cup run helped make up for some lost games due to the lockout. They are a few years away from turning a profit. Read the article as it explains everything.

Just heard from a very good source: fasten your seatbelts. The Hawks are trying to move up high in the draft. That could definitely factor in to the Leddy and/or Bolland situations.
- John Jaeckel

Excellent blog. Thank you.

If they have to move Leddy it would be very nice if they could jump into the top 5.

Nashville brought in Phil Housley as an assistant....

Would also be nice if they could swing the TT, Bolland plus Hawks number 1 for Dale's 2.

These are the types of moves dynasties make. Hope they pull it off.

That drop pass to Oduya which I believe was by him was money. His hockey IQ and work ethic are off the charts. That compensates for his lack of beef. I think if he can add some strength which could also help him on faceoffs, he could become even better.
- golfbard

The kid is a prime time player...And this is one of the things that is making it easier to live with the fact that the same team is not coming back next season...Kruger is still young and is going to get better, he just has the work ethic and mentality to get better and better....I think the same holds true for Shaw and Frolik too....The one person I am worried about is Saad....JJ and others have mentioned that before a lot of scouts and coaches questioned his desire work ethic etc...he could possibly be a: (frank) it, I won a CUP , I don't care anymore type...not saying he will be like that, but more of a possibility that comes from him than Kruger