Panarin, Johns, Baun, Danault, Hartmann, Nordstrom all have a shot with this club next year.
- John Jaeckel

I'd add McNeill to that list of possibilities too.

I'd add McNeill to that list of possibilities too.
- EKolb13

McNeill could surely match Bickel's output if he is dealt....no?

I'd add McNeill to that list of possibilities too.
- EKolb13

Ditka was a legend for his personality. He left a lot on the table. Totally lost his focus....

-Poorly handled the Flutie/Tomzack situation
-Poorly handled the strike (the "real Bears" comment)
-Was stubborn and obtuse.
-Badly out-coached by Gibbs and Walsh in playoff games.
-His demeanor while endearing while the team was winning became a circus joke
-More interested in commercials than coaching it appeared

Ditka WAS a great coach in the early days. But once he "became a star" he lost his way. His idiocy was further realized in New Orleans.

There is absolutely NO reason the Bears didn't win at least another Super Bowl between 85 and 90. That team was a GREAT football team. Got to 1, and 1 only. A lot was left on the table. A dedicated Ditka maybe gets another one, but he was no longer a football coach by 1987 or so, he was a 'personality'.

McMahon was also an idiot. He divided the locker room when the QB battle became Flutie v Tomzcak. Had that team come together they'd have run the Redskins off the field. Instead they got taken by the Redskins TWICE at HOME no less. The Bears were the better football team, yet Gibbs was the better football coach than Ditka.

Ditka's passion was always there...his focus sadly was not.
- kwolf68

Totally agree on Ditka

Hey, all the junior GMs

Do you think you can table all the adds and drops to the 2015-16 Blackhawks roster long enough to let us all enjoy our CURRENT team in their Stanley Cup appearance?

You have ample time to agree and disagree by the middle of June.
- wiz1901

Amen brother

McNeill could surely match Bickel's output if he is dealt....no?
- hawk35

Points wise? It's possible.

McNeill has some of the inconsistencies Bickell has in relation to bringing a physical game. However, McNeill has become an effective PK'er in Rockford, and can slide over and take face-offs.

Buffalo would be great. We'd then be compensated the #2 overall pick + ..
.

Ok
- mrpaulish

Sadly, no. The picks would be in the 2016 draft.

Its not going to happen. Here is why. This management group does not play money games with the players. Especially with who they identify as integral pieced. They just don't. I can't think of any contract talks being contentious.

At the end of the day Stanley Cup champions don't have Clayton Stoner and Franky Beauchemin playing regular minutes on their back end.
-RickJ

Indeed...

...if only the Ducks had a difference maker like Wisniewski on the blueline

Hello fellow Hawk fans!

It's me, Anti from the Hawks official chat room. Now that I've finally figured out how to get in here, just wanted to check out all you good fans here.

Hopefully when this series is in the books, JT will be hoisting the cup again.

And to the Hawks........."Good luck.....we're all counting on you" (spoken in my best Leslie Neilson voice)

Actually, my buddy Ryan Wilson touches on this in his latest blog. They'll basically be swapping out parts of the second and third tiers.

The "core" today is: 19, 88, 81, 20, 4, 27, 7, 2, 16, 65, 86.

7 forwards, 4 defenseman. You'll note pretty much all of these guys are either signed long term (bold) or up for new contracts this summer, or next.

These are the guys they will build around. They know all they have to get is solid, serviceable players in addition to these guys,and that includes the goalie position, and they are going to be a very, very good hockey team, year in and year out.

If you're not on this list, you could be expendable the summer. I think they would like to have Desjardins back and even Richards at a bargain.

Panarin, Johns, Baun, Danault, Hartmann, Nordstrom all have a shot with this club next year

Sharp, Bickell, Versteeg, even CC, all guys who are higher priced . . .
- John Jaeckel

You're thinkin' Oduya is back?

Points wise? It's possible.

McNeill has some of the inconsistencies Bickell has in relation to bringing a physical game. However, McNeill has become an effective PK'er in Rockford, and can slide over and take face-offs.
- EKolb13

I said I doubt they would guarantee him NHL time but they did do that for Paliotta and Baun so it is a possibility. We all know they won't guarantee him a spot.

They will not sign Nillsen to trade him unless he is unreasonable. Better chance he gets signed and they move Raanta. Nillsen numbers were really solid in the regular season but he had a rough post season. Probably not in a position to make demands. I hope they sign him though. Great to have the chips.
- tredbrta

What the did for Baun and Paliotta wasn't so much about guaranteeing NHL spot but it had more to do with burning the first year on the ELC. That is why both were put on the roster.

Hope so. Those two have been good for the Hawks...the rest of the holes can likely be filled from within--which is in stark contrast to the 2010 purge.
- grinder10

something that is never brought up when people genuflect at the alter of Tallon. The system was pretty bare of prospects.

You're thinkin' Oduya is back?
- StLBravesFan

I would be stunned if he is back. I just don't see how he is going to be able to turn down some of the offers he likely to get in FA. Who could blame him?

And if he does sign somewhere I sure the hell hope they understand what he is going to bring and not expect him to be a #1 d-man. He may, just may, be able to handle the top pair but he is at his best in a 2nd pair spot with another solid defensive defenseman.

well a new narrative has stared: what the ducks hit hard strategy couldn't accomplish the speed of the bolts will...

and for sure those top 4 dmen will get exhausted chasing the bolts all series....Ok...

the bolt bottom six is really nothing special...my guess is that q and the hawks will find a way keep the triplets under control....
- bogiedoc

But the "overworked top 4 defenders" meme will live on for another series as well.

something that is never brought up when people genuflect at the alter of Tallon. The system was pretty bare of prospects.
- Elbows15

Lol, but they had Aliu, Skille, Olsen, and Lalonde....

Lol, but they had Aliu, Skille, Olsen, and Lalonde....
- BearsnHawks

And a few others who I can no longer nor want to recall. And while I like Tallon. a lot of the players on 2010 team were picks made by Neil Smith.

I lost respect for the Blackhawks yesterday. There was no way the Anaheim ducks deserved to shake hands with the Western Conference Champions after the game. All the Blackhawks should have just skated in line, and not extend a hand. I really hope Q rips into them.

But the "overworked top 4 defenders" meme will live on for another series as well.
- ArlingtonRob

now it will be can you believe a team using 4 D-men cam make it to the Final?

good thing is they only will have 1 game in the next week.

What the did for Baun and Paliotta wasn't so much about guaranteeing NHL spot but it had more to do with burning the first year on the ELC. That is why both were put on the roster.
- Elbows15

Sorry if it wasn't clear but that was sort of my point. They did give those guys time in the NHL to burn a year. I see that as the limit they will do for Nillsen. He will not be guaranteed a spot. I could see them telling AN that he can get a look but it is their decision if he sticks. He can take it or leave it. I really doubt he makes that demand though. He did it with the Isles because he had outplayed Poulin. If he were doing that here he'd be crazy.

And a few others who I can no longer nor want to recall. And while I like Tallon. a lot of the players on 2010 team were picks made by Neil Smith.
- Elbows15

Mike Smith?

Ditka was a legend for his personality. He left a lot on the table. Totally lost his focus....

-Poorly handled the Flutie/Tomzack situation
-Poorly handled the strike (the "real Bears" comment)
-Was stubborn and obtuse.
-Badly out-coached by Gibbs and Walsh in playoff games.
-His demeanor while endearing while the team was winning became a circus joke
-More interested in commercials than coaching it appeared

Ditka WAS a great coach in the early days. But once he "became a star" he lost his way. His idiocy was further realized in New Orleans.

There is absolutely NO reason the Bears didn't win at least another Super Bowl between 85 and 90. That team was a GREAT football team. Got to 1, and 1 only. A lot was left on the table. A dedicated Ditka maybe gets another one, but he was no longer a football coach by 1987 or so, he was a 'personality'.

McMahon was also an idiot. He divided the locker room when the QB battle became Flutie v Tomzcak. Had that team come together they'd have run the Redskins off the field. Instead they got taken by the Redskins TWICE at HOME no less. The Bears were the better football team, yet Gibbs was the better football coach than Ditka.

Ditka's passion was always there...his focus sadly was not.
- kwolf68

Hey Kwolf have to disagree about Jimmy Mac...he was a leader plain and simple and when he was in there they won. Now he's got the onset of dementia from playing. He was a heck of a player. If Martin the scum from the pack doesn't body slam him who knows what happens...completely agree on Ditka...he came in at the right time and Buddy's defense was going to another level at that point...shame it all blew up...they should have won at least three if not more.

But if we're still talking coaches heck yeah PJ is up there...tough enough to win but to handle all those egos...and getting Michael to share...those Bulls teams were unreal...and we're seeing the hockey version of those years right now so enjoy it however long it lasts...

Mike Smith?
- HawkintheD

No. Neil Smith. The GM before Tallon when Pulford wasn't putting his nicotine stained hands in there

Hey Kwolf have to disagree about Jimmy Mac...he was a leader plain and simple and when he was in there they won. Now he's got the onset of dementia from playing. He was a heck of a player. If Martin the scum from the pack doesn't body slam him who knows what happens...completely agree on Ditka...he came in at the right time and Buddy's defense was going to another level at that point...shame it all blew up...they should have won at least three if not more.

But if we're still talking coaches heck yeah PJ is up there...tough enough to win but to handle all those egos...and getting Michael to share...those Bulls teams were unreal...and we're seeing the hockey version of those years right now so enjoy it however long it lasts...
- DK002

Hey DK, respectfully disagree. He picked sides in the whole Tomczak vs Harbaugh thing and did similar when the team signed Flutie IIRC.

While he was a great Field General, he wasn't necessarily a locker room leader. He divided the locker room in other ways too as I know some on the defense felt he could have played through some of the injuries...Hampton for one.

No. Neil Smith. The GM before Tallon when Pulford wasn't putting his nicotine stained hands in there
- Elbows15

Neil Smith was with the Rangers. Mike Smith was the GM for Chicago. Good with drafts (for the most part) but terrible with NHL level trades...