And here's the narrative we feared:

Stan Bowman: "We were one shot away from being in the Final this year. We don't need to make big changes."
- golfbard

Yet he tried to get Ryan Kesler... Liar.

Schmaltz vs Schmaltz in a few years could be pretty fun.


- carcus

So sometime in 2020, at the earliest?

Re: Kesler hunt, Joel Quenneville said the team is always looking to improve. As for the annual 2C question, “It’s not a big issue to me.”

Bowman on cap: “Months ago, when everyone was excited about the number, I told you guys let’s wait and see where it is, be more cautious.”


Second quote is interesting.

Bowman on Kesler: "I don’t think it’s helpful to really talk about the talks. He’s in Anaheim now and we’re not really going to comment."

Bowman, asked about Sharp: "I don’t want to get into that. We believe in the guys we have and I think we’ve got a really good thing going."
- L_B_R

and you were expecting something else....

Schmaltz vs Schmaltz in a few years could be pretty fun.


- carcus

Rockford vs Wolves.....gonna be a donnybrook

Bowman on cap: "Months ago, when everyone was excited about the number, I told you guys let’s wait and see where it is, be more cautious."
- golfbard

That's what happens when one would ass-u-me the cap is going through the roof.

And here's the narrative we feared:

Stan Bowman: "We were one shot away from being in the Final this year. We don't need to make big changes."
- golfbard

Shut up Stan

2 at most.
- Elbows15

So you're thinking he's going to pan out?

Even if he had a two-way contract, they still couldn't send Morin down. He'd have to pass through waivers, and I'd doubt he'd make it through without a team putting in a claim on him.
- EKolb13

Hopefully Stan learned his lesson last year by screwing the pooch on the Stanton situation.

No doubt, I agree regarding utilizing players. I just believe ALL coaches have to do that each year, even if in bits and pieces.

Brookbank, no thanks, I see him more like I saw Zues, that is as the extra guy spotting guys here and there. But asking him to do it day in and day out, don't think that is a smart bet. But that is just my opinion. So I don't mind him on the team, just not in a featured role.
- TrueGrit

Nope, agree. 6/7 dman.

I'm sure one of Dahlbeck or Rundblad gets a long look in camp.

Stanley used the "one shot away" meme.

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 4m

Stan Bowman: "We were one shot away from being in the Final this year. We don't need to make big changes."

The kiss of death, I would call it.

Rockford vs Wolves.....gonna be a donnybrook
- TrueGrit

They usually are anyways.

Stanley used the "one shot away" meme.
- kwolf68

And the Blues were 2 shots away from beating the Hawks.....

Nope, agree. 6/7 dman.

I'm sure one of Dahlbeck or Rundblad gets a long look in camp.
- HawkintheD

Depending on what happens between now and July 2nd, both could be getting a long look.

As close as they are to cap Hell - and probably will be for several years - does it make sense to draft a questionable, home-run-or-strike-out project? Especially if they don't have a second or third round pick (I don't think)?
- StLBravesFan

If they think the kid has a little DATSYUK in him, that ability to come through traffic and you think you are taking it from him, and beats you with either the pass or the stick...I say I am perfect willing to see him develop.

The thing is he is highly skilled and got 190lb. on the weights pretty fast.This kid is bigger framed.

If I had to bet they would have the balls to actually go up and make a move and have convictions about his upside that they were willing to trade.....when have they doen that?

That tells you they figured they could move up and get a special player, and I respect that enough to see the outcome....

And here's the narrative we feared:

Stan Bowman: "We were one shot away from being in the Final this year. We don't need to make big changes."
- golfbard

Should've known that was coming

And here's the narrative we feared:

Stan Bowman: "We were one shot away from being in the Final this year. We don't need to make big changes."
- golfbard

Is he serious...............


The golden age of Blackhawks hockey is dead.

2009-2014..... Amazing run boys.


Hawks will compete but Cups...... im thinking not.

What time does the draft start tomorrow?
- EKolb13

ten central

A year or two ago we were questioning McNeil's desire. He sure seemed to find his way this past year.
- NewToHockey

Who was? I never was....sounds to me like sme haters who don't watch the game with their eyes were saying that....

I have no problem with the schmaltz pick, in fact a few mok drafts had the hawks taking him. The thing is, there was absolutely no need to trade up to get him.

So ultimately the 2014 draft for the hawks goes like this : schmaltz, rundblad. Tomorrow a bunch of swedes that are listed as "nr" on most lists meaning not ranked.

Oh well, hope the experts are correct that this a weak draft because it looks like we got very very little.

He would not have been there at 27????
- mvp0207

Blues with the next pick.....

I have no problem with the schmaltz pick, in fact a few mok drafts had the hawks taking him. The thing is, there was absolutely no need to trade up to get him.

So ultimately the 2014 draft for the hawks goes like this : schmaltz, rundblad. Tomorrow a bunch of swedes that are listed as "nr" on most lists meaning not ranked.

Oh well, hope the experts are correct that this a weak draft because it looks like we got very very little.
- Omahawk

It's already been discussed that they did indeed need to trade up for him. The Blues had the 21st pick and we're likely going for him as they are high on him as well.

Rumor had it Q thought Kevin Weeks was the guy they hired and only recently learned it was the other weekes and was disappointed.
- TrueGrit

I'm depressed. What a poop day!

Is he serious...............


The golden age of Blackhawks hockey is dead.

2009-2014..... Amazing run boys.


Hawks will compete but Cups...... im thinking not.
- mrpaulish

Blackhawks might as well not even play anymore, amiright?