Oh come on JJ !!!!!


The Hawks , with Kane and it looks like they will be with Kane are absolutley STACKED at forward STACKED.

I agree they have some questions with D men 4-7 but the Hawks have the absolute best top 3 D men in the NHL .

Crawford and Darling are both very good.

I dont see the Hawks missing the playoffs at all. Even without Kane if thats the case the Hawks will still get into the tournament.
- mrpaulish

team may be stacked, but stacked w/unproven youth w/unbelievable potential. hard to project how they might turn out in 1st yr of pro hockey.
Could Hawks make PO's, sure but also could miss PO's just as easy. Every franchise almost goes thru the cap/financial changes. Nothing's a given in the NHL....

Entirely possible the Hawks to miss the playoffs. It just happened with the 2014 defending champs and nobody saw that coming. And a long offseason in the spring/summer of 2016 may not be a horrible thing in the long run for a team that's played quite a bit of hockey in the league and internationally since 2009-10.

I think a repeat is going to be near impossible. I think making the playoffs is 50-50.
- John Jaeckel

The experts in the media here in Canada are saying with Kane the Hawks will be in the mix and will be a factor in the playoffs but a repeat will be tough.

I think a repeat is going to be near impossible. I think making the playoffs is 50-50.
- John Jaeckel

I tend to agree with you John. One thing for sure is there are a lot more questions and what if's than the previous few years. If Q is as good a coach as most here think he should have them on a roll by the time they come down the stretch. But that's the opposite of the way the past few seasons have been. Others here are quick to point out younger players that have made the squad when someone says Q doesn't like young players. Ok, so then why is Bowman seemingly putting an APB out for (hopefully) cheap veterans?

The hawks could poop the bed, or they could be world beaters. But the coaching job this year is going to be more than just shuffling the lines of a stacked team.

Waite is good at what he does. Perreault is the best at what he does. Dineen's experience includes coaching a bottom 1/2 team and taking a shambles of an olympic team and winning gold in the span of 60 days, so I think he has very good perspective and has proven he can make a difference. Q and Kitchen have had stacked teams as long as they have been here, as well as Q in St. Louis and Colorado. I'm not trying to take away the three cups to their credit, but this is the year they have the opportunity to confirm that they are hall of fame material, and not simply the beneficiaries of stacked rosters. IMHO of course.

Despite what this may sound like, I'm optimistic looking forward. If they stumble at first that's to be expected. But I hope to see them put it together about the 1st of the year and come down the stretch and into the playoffs building steam. I don't think they go all the way, but learn some tough lessons for the future. So game on and drop the freaking puck.

Actually, they're similar-ish players, and neither is great. TVR is steadier and moves a little better, Rundblad is better coming up the ice, but both right-handed, non-physical, not terribly mobile.

I think Hejda makes it ahead of either of them, and Visnofsky could as well, although he is a much bigger question mark and I think a longshot to make the team. The real question is if Gustaffson is as good as or better than either of them, then one or both are likely in Rockford or gone somehow..
- John Jaeckel

I watched Viz in NY a lot (when he played) and the issue is he's always hurt. Maybe he was relied upon too much but I think Hejda has a much better chance to make it than Viz.

Entirely possible the Hawks to miss the playoffs. It just happened with the 2014 defending champs and nobody saw that coming. And a long offseason in the spring/summer of 2016 may not be a horrible thing in the long run for a team that's played quite a bit of hockey in the league and internationally since 2009-10.
- acmidd28

Anything is possible but the Blackhawks aren't going into the season thinking anything other than being a good team and integrating a lot of younger players into the squad. I can see 5 teams making the playoffs from the Central.

Q will have his challenges this year but he has plenty of winners on the team and will lean on them when it gets tough. Missing the playoffs because they have played a lot of hockey is not an option.

It's going to be an interesting start to the season to say the least, but I'm looking forward to the season starting up again!

From the link BHawk1 provided...

"But according to the Tribune, those sources say both sides feel wronged and have threatened to walk away."

This is what I believe is the biggest "problem" holding up a settlement, even more so than money.

As for Runblad, we will see.

As for TVR, he hasn't shown me much of anything. Those first 19 games he was well protected and didn't display any great mental or physical prowess. Now, he could certainly settle in and become a good player, but I'm not sold on it. Plus, he has suffered a major injury almost every season going back to his pre-College days.

I heard that Rozy can't get the inflammation out of his injured ankle, and that most of his cardio work has been on the bike and not on skates.

Have any of you noticed that more and more the kind of players that Stan Bowman is bringing in, or trading for reflect Coach Q's preferences and needs? This is a good sign in my books.

I really like the Hartman kid, I hope he sticks.

As for the Hawks and Kane, as JJ said, regardless of how this plays out over the next month, this situation is NOT done in the eyes of Rocky Wirtz. We will hear what we hear tomorrow.

Finally, any deal for Bickell will involve the Hawks having to take back some of the salary, even if that involves another "bad" contract coming to Chicago.

Camp opens Friday!
- MexicoHawk

Michalek?

I watched Viz in NY a lot (when he played) and the issue is he's always hurt. Maybe he was relied upon too much but I think Hejda has a much better chance to make it than Viz.
- golfbard

Sorry but then u didn't watch Viz, bc he wasn't relied upon much, fact is he barely played period......

edit: If Viz could stay healthy, is a very good offensive option on D, but health is the only issue....

Sorry but then u didn't watch Viz, bc he wasn't relied upon much, fact is he barely played period......

edit: If Viz could stay healthy, is a very good offensive option on D, but health is the only issue....
- Ur Not Me

Viz has been a passenger for a few years now. No need to have that influence around the younger Russians.

Hejda made sense. Viz no.

I think a repeat is going to be near impossible. I think making the playoffs is 50-50.
- John Jaeckel

So let's assume this year is 50/50 on making the playoffs, how do you feel about 2016/17? My opinion is the future is bright with many young players significantly producing at that time. The major negative would be Hossa and having one more full season under his belt. I assume Seabs will be signed so they really only need to decide on Shaw and if he is in the long term plans.

What are your thoughts?

Sorry but then u didn't watch Viz, bc he wasn't relied upon much, fact is he barely played period......

edit: If Viz could stay healthy, is a very good offensive option on D, but health is the only issue....
- Ur Not Me

Read what I wrote. Health was an issue. Guy averaged 19 minutes/game (and that was low for him) when he played. He logged way more ice time than he should have. Guy should be a 12-14 min per game player max.

Bickell for Doan? Haha I know it'll never happen, he is never leaving the desert. He is a God down there. If Bickell is becoming a Yote, I'd imagine low draft pick in return?

Viz has been a passenger for a few years now. No need to have that influence around the younger Russians.

Hejda made sense. Viz no.
- tredbrta

I did hear that Viz was a good player towards the kids, just had health issues...
But I do agree Hejda would be a better solution.

Read what I wrote. Health was an issue. Guy averaged 19 minutes/game (and that was low for him) when he played. He logged way more ice time than he should have. Guy should be a 12-14 min per game player max.
- golfbard

Hejda should have the edge over Viz based on being 2 years younger and being a much bigger man. But if they will play for the $500K minimum I could see Bowman trying to find a way to keep both of them.

Hejda should have the edge over Viz based on being 2 years younger and being a much bigger man. But if they will play for the $500K minimum I could see Bowman trying to find a way to keep both of them.
- RickJ

Like a buy 1 get one free if that is the case, versus what what they are paying Rundblad

It seems like what we're really watching here is negotiations game-theory in action. The accuser has the advantage if Kane has to stay away from hockey so it comes out that Kane is going to come to camp, advantage Kane. But now there is the supposed pressure to get a deal done before the press conference tomorrow or before camp starts Friday, advantage accuser. I don't think the accuser wants the case to go to the grand jury because if they vote against charges, she loses leverage, and if they vote for charges, the trial could be a very difficult experience for her. Kane doesn't want it to go to GJ either because of the risk of indictment.

The Blackhawks are playing their own game too. Trying to keep Kane away from camp might not be worth the fight, especially if it looks like resolution is coming soon. He's an asset and they are protecting their asset. Does he get traded now, this season, in the next couple of years, after that, or never? I'm so curious about what's going to happen next. It's not as good as actually hockey, but it's been fun speculating (even though I've been mostly wrong.)
- matt_ahrens

Very nice assessment. Clearly all of the high-faluting morality is nothing more than image management for the organization.

Michalek?
- golfbard

Yeah, you don't want that guy. He's not all that useful. I watched him at the end of last year.

I think a repeat is going to be near impossible. I think making the playoffs is 50-50.
- John Jaeckel

I think the Hawks assuming Kane plays at least half the season will put up more points than they did last year.

1. OT rules should favor them.
2. Younger team should favor them at least in the regular season.
3. There ha been healthy turnover of young guys and vets for that matter to keep them hungry.
3. It is possible to make an argument, that this is actually a better hockey team than the 14 version, that the additions help more than the losses subtracted. There is a reason the Hawks odds to repeat have improved since they won the cup.
4. Jonathan Toews is on the Chicago Blackhawks.

Bickell for Doan? Haha I know it'll never happen, he is never leaving the desert. He is a God down there. If Bickell is becoming a Yote, I'd imagine low draft pick in return?
- BURDA13

I can't see Arizona moving Doan now, but maybe at the trade deadline? That's provided that Doan wants a shot at a cup instead of collecting a paycheck and hanging out in the nice warm weather.

Hejda should have the edge over Viz based on being 2 years younger and being a much bigger man. But if they will play for the $500K minimum I could see Bowman trying to find a way to keep both of them.
- RickJ

Me too

So let's assume this year is 50/50 on making the playoffs, how do you feel about 2016/17? My opinion is the future is bright with many young players significantly producing at that time. The major negative would be Hossa and having one more full season under his belt. I assume Seabs will be signed so they really only need to decide on Shaw and if he is in the long term plans.

What are your thoughts?
- Beaks99

2016-17, the Hawks could be right back in legit Cup contention

I can't see Arizona moving Doan now, but maybe at the trade deadline? That's provided that Doan wants a shot at a cup instead of collecting a paycheck and hanging out in the nice warm weather.
- EKB13

Doan is too expensive for the Hawks if they are trying to trade Bickell unless Arizona eats 50% of the contract which I can't see them doing.

Ideally, if Bickell got traded for a 4th round pick, I'd be ecstatic to get that cap hit off the books. If a player had to come back, looking on the Arizona roster it would be Boyd Gordon, Nicklas Grossman, or Zbynek Michalek. That would save $1M off the cap for Gordon & Grossman who both have 1 year remaining on their contracts or $800k for Michalek who has 2 years remaining.

Too bad Bickell's cap hit wasn't around $2.5M because I wouldn't mind him on the team still. Should be interesting to see what happens.

2016-17, the Hawks could be right back in legit Cup contention
- John Jaeckel

Don't know if I missed your reasoning, but why are you giving the Hawks a 50/50 shot at making the playoffs? Is that if Kane is not on the team?

2016-17, the Hawks could be right back in legit Cup contention
- John Jaeckel

As tough as the central is. There are not really any givens outside of the Preds and Blues being good. Hawks are still better than the rest of the bunch but Avs, Stars, Wild, and Jets all have question marks.

I see the Hawks still being 3rd in the Central and once in the playoffs, not too many teams can match up with them. even if Kane is in a time out for the most part of this year