The 2 most intriguing things I took away from this press conference today are:

1. Teuvo.

Q saying he wasn't please with his inconsistency all year and not taking advantage of the opportunities.
Bowman saying Teuvo did everything that was asked to do for a young player.

Sounds like some different trains of thought here........

2. Shaw

Bowman saying they would like him back but wouldn't talk further about it.
q calling him irreplaceable.

As stated here before, his versatility is what Q loves most. Guy can slide into wing or center and you don't lose a beat. Knows his role...team guy, and most important can play and produce with highly skilled guys OR lower skilled guys and is a gamer.

If people can't see the disconnect here, I dont' know what else to type........
- SteveRain

So TT got a bad report card from Q and the teacher flunked him. And he probably wants Shaw to punch him in the face out in the school yard.

And the principal said he's young and he understands, lets all play nicely together.

So TT got a bad report card from Q and the teacher flunked him. And he probably wants Shaw to punch him in the face out in the school yard.

And the principal said he's young and he understands, lets all play nicely together.
- RickJ

well done Rick

StanBo: Hey Jimmy its Stan Bowman. How would you like to play on a line with Toews and Kane AND be adored by millions of die-hard Hawks fanatics with 300+ consecutive sellout crowds and a chance to play for the Cup every year?

Vesey: Where do I sign!?
- EnzoD

Based on what I read about him he is exactly the type of young cost controlled power winger the Hawks will need next year. Sounds like he has some puck skills too and plays LW? Anyone know what kind of skating ability he has?I like that pitch. Someone get Bowman on the phone and help him out.

Ah, gotcha Grinder...and apologize if there was any misunderstanding. Honestly, McNeil is the the one guy I really don't want them to part with and hope makes the big club next year. They should have had him up instead of that trainwreck Mashinter.
- Murph76

IMO, the Hawks days of shedding picks and talented prospects are over. They need those draft picks, astute evaluation prospects and their effective development to fill from within at reasonable costs. Trading prospects from a position of strength for prospects to fill a position of need. That seems to be Stan’s instinct and based on comments today, sounds like he intends to return to it. Probably rightly so.

My opinion again is that failing to adequately develop from within (and instead dealing picks and projectable prospects) puts the Hawks in a death cycle and increases the annual hemorrhaging of talent.

I don't think it is a question of blame or scapegoating or get rid of this guy or that guy as addition by subtraction.

Insanity, however, is doing something the same way over and over again and expecting a different result.

If, as expected, the Hawks are fairly close or hard up against the cap, what do they do? Just get rid of the "worst" guy and expect to get Bobby Orr in return?

They have no Marko Danos left to trade. The farm is stripped. You can't deal Hossa, Kruger DOES have a NTC next year according to General Fanager (FWIW). And even if he didn't, there is almost no way they deal a guy after just signing a new deal with him.

I still maintain, unless they really luck out and unearth a d-man overseas, they will likely have to cut some salary somehow (either in a trade or a buyout) and possibly deal one of a small handful of NHL assets that have value to another team. That's where TT's name comes in.
- John Jaeckel

And if you read the quotes....they (JQ/SB) both agree on TVR...>The one they do not is TT.

My head may explode soon, but I'll double check the CBA but I'm fairly certain Panarin has the same carrot (bonuses) on the back end of his 2 year deal he had this year...meaning same year as this year, another 2.5 million bonus his the books and you are back at square one....but even worse off if Shaw is on a 1 yr bridge and Panarin will command at least 5-6 AAV for 2017-18.

So buying out Bickell is putting a band aid on it. May have to go to larger money over more years to get your relief and the only deal I could see is trading CC........Q loves him some big athletic goalies and Darling fits that mold and still has his Nashville series body of work.....They went to CC with a lot less credentials in 2011 after they had to let Niemi walk..........

So TT got a bad report card from Q and the teacher flunked him. And he probably wants Shaw to punch him in the face out in the school yard.

And the principal said he's young and he understands, lets all play nicely together.
- RickJ

This is 86's 3rd offseason now with the Hawks.

I get your joke, but Teuvo still may be in the 3rd grade for the 3rd straight year.........

And my head exploded reading Haugh's article today........No wonder they cancelled his radio show. Watch out Jud Sirott he may be coming after your gig..........

Based on what I read about him he is exactly the type of young cost controlled power winger the Hawks will need next year. Sounds like he has some puck skills too and plays LW? Anyone know what kind of skating ability he has?I like that pitch. Someone get Bowman on the phone and help him out.
- bhawks2241

Unfortunately he has family ties Boston + Toronto. Still, how do you pass up that gaping LW opportunity besides Toews+Kane+Panarin+Hossa in the Hawks top 6??

Or - angle the posts so more pucks deflect into the net.

I prefer Al's solution - shrink the trapper.

But - I don't care about more goals - I want better flow - call the interfering grabs and holds, the very late hits - eventually the interferences will stop, the flow will be better, and we'll be able to enjoy the speed and grace and skill that these world class athletes are capable of.

There were several 1-0 games this week (including the double OT Isles-Panthers game 6) - great games, great action - I enjoyed them completely.
- StLBravesFan

I agree.

I don't like any of the tweaks that have been suggested: increasing the size of the nets, changing the shape or making nets bigger, etc.

The game is fine--just call the rules that are in the freaking book: call the holding, clutching, grabbing, and interference. After the rules were adjusting as a result of the last lockout, they are still calling the hook pretty consistently, which I'm fine with. My pet peeve this year was the defensemen getting away with obstruction when the offensive team dumps the puck in. Call interference when the offensive player is held up, for God's sake, that alone will increase scoring.

I like Al's idea about the downsizing the trappers as well, because it doesn't negatively affect goalie safety.

Yeah I agree....it's tough to fathom how many people just can realistically look at this roster, the pending UFAs/RFAs, the cap situation and still believe just because with rest things are going to be entirely different next year. yet, I am singled out for being too hard or too negative or whatever buzz word comes to mind.

Yet you read ACTUAL player quotes talking about how hard of a year it was because the bottom 6 was constantly shuffled with rookies, trades, etc and chemistry was never formed. Well what the hell do people on this board think is going to change that next year when you have to implant a lot of guys making NHL debuts, etc? It's going to be tough and frustrating for the core to absorb...again.

That's the bottom line. I could give 2 qs what people think about my posts, but when those posts are then backed up with player quotes, etc maybe those leaving in a fictional world need to come to grips with reality. Are the Hawks going to be a playoff team? Of course. Will they realistically have a shot at a 4th cup in this run? Probably not.

The bottom line is they have 69 million tied to 17 guys including overages, bonuses, retained salary. Your cap number will fall between 71 and 74. As john and many of us others have routinely pointed out shipping out Bickell wont' be easy and if you buy him out, you are still looking at a very similar cap issue next summer If Shaw takes a bridge deal AND Panarin will need to be resigned and if he duplicates this season his same bonuses will hit and his AAV for the following year could be as much as 5-6 million.

Now it's time sit back and wait for the cap number to be finalized the draft to hit. Draft only exciting for us in the sense of Hawks trades since picks are miniscule.

I don't envy Bowman's spot but he has a LOT of tough calls to make and his priority 1 is trying to free up cap room ASAP and see if Bickell for 1 year with a cherry and minimal retained salary is something that is doable. Otherwise he has to go to Wirtz and admit wrong doing and get authorization to buy him out.

Let the fun begin........
- SteveRain

I heard/interpreted Toews' quote as him believing they weren't even given a chance to develop chemistry or team morale because of the number of changes. To me, that says he wasn't happy with the rapidity with which decisions about players were made, number of call-ups/send-down back-and forth for some players, constant line changes instituted, etc. Can't imagine it's easy for the Captains to keep the players' spirits up and get the "all for one. . ." thing going when they are watching others get yanked around. Develops the opposite - self-interest/self-protection.

Quite possible I'm interpreting it that way because I have that opinion, but I do think Stan/Q can do something about that piece by not (unrealistically) expecting a new guy, whether new or veteran, to immediately fit into his "system" and/or the role they were given or be sent down again or sat in the press box. Risk is much lower early in RS to let things gel in this manner.

Maybe on the 18th green in Washington or Columbus??
- EnzoD

Actually he played a little D in Detroit. Late 90's maybe? Not sure about that but he definitely did in Detroit.

I don't think it is a question of blame or scapegoating or get rid of this guy or that guy as addition by subtraction.

Insanity, however, is doing something the same way over and over again and expecting a different result.

If, as expected, the Hawks are fairly close or hard up against the cap, what do they do? Just get rid of the "worst" guy and expect to get Bobby Orr in return?

They have no Marko Danos left to trade. The farm is stripped. You can't deal Hossa, Kruger DOES have a NTC next year according to General Fanager (FWIW). And even if he didn't, there is almost no way they deal a guy after just signing a new deal with him.

I still maintain, unless they really luck out and unearth a d-man overseas, they will likely have to cut some salary somehow (either in a trade or a buyout) and possibly deal one of a small handful of NHL assets that have value to another team. That's where TT's name comes in.
- John Jaeckel

But TT's cap hit is only about $900,000 - if they can't bring back salary, what problem do they solve?

And if they can possibly throw in Bickell - sending a total of $4MM to another team (the additional $3MM on Bickell over his cap savings at Rockford or on a buyout) - still, what do those two bring back? I don't think you would get much for TT and Bickell - maybe less than for TT alone.

I'm not sure how Stan solves any problems through trades this summer.

Based on what I read about him he is exactly the type of young cost controlled power winger the Hawks will need next year. Sounds like he has some puck skills too and plays LW? Anyone know what kind of skating ability he has?I like that pitch. Someone get Bowman on the phone and help him out.
- bhawks2241

I think its AVG factoring in his size 6-3 210 the reason he is as good as he is. Elite level Hockey IQ matched with good size, good hands, Good D, Great effort and leadership. More of a teows type player. Everybody agree's he is NHL ready the question is where 1,2,3,4LW. Teows has good not great: SIZE, SPEED,HANDS,SHOT, ETC. but when you factor in effort and leadership and IQ it makes him a elite player with other then FO no elite level measurable. IMO from what I have read.

My thoughts as to whether you move Crow are as follows. (I know what he brings and the fact that he carried us most of this year and the later part of last post season but the cap problem we are in won't fix itself)

If you move Crawford and his full salary does that give Bowman enough room to add a legit top 4 d man and an established bottom 6 winger?

If you move Crawford and are able to accomplish both things listed above: Does a solidified top 4 plus and Darling + veteran goalie give you a better chance of winning than Crawford and the Big 3?

I don't see Bowman being able to move TT plus, for a cost controlled young top 4 d-man that would provide that much more than what TVR provided this year. Teams are not just going to trade away young Top 4 d-men (with the exception of the Preds and Hawks

There are a lot of questions and scenarios to work through for this front office. They will have to take a calculated gamble or two for next year. I don't think the core getting a longer off season of rest will be enough to get back to the SC Finals. Too many holes in the roster.

I really think the time to actually make a decision on TT is either in training camp this fall, or at the TDL next season. There is no denying that he has a load of talent and keeping him in the organization isn't hurting at his current salary. Move him if he doesn't progress, and let someone else resign him as RFA.
- breadbag

I'm not sure TT will ever fulfill his promise. Sure, he's young, but I don't see the "want to" in him to spend the needed time in the gym, to get bigger. Patrick Kane was small, too, when he came into the league, but spent the time needed to get bigger. Kane will never be a "banger", but he's come a long way and WILL win some board battles. I don't see alligator-arms TT doing that.

TT may be best served taking his talents to Europe, on the bigger ice surface, where he won't get physically man-handled, like he does here.

If the Hawks can move him for a cost controlled good young #4 D-man, I do it.

I heard/interpreted Toews' quote as him believing they weren't even given a chance to develop chemistry or team morale because of the number of changes. To me, that says he wasn't happy with the rapidity with which decisions about players were made, number of call-ups/send-down back-and forth for some players, constant line changes instituted, etc. Can't imagine it's easy of the Captains to keep the players' spirits up and get the "all for one. . ." thing going when they are watching others get yanked around. Develops the opposite - self-interest/self-protection.

Quite possible I'm interpreting it that way because I have that opinion, but I do think Stan/Q can do something about that piece by not (unrealistically) expecting a new guy, whether new or veteran, to immediately fit into his "system" and/or the role they were given or be sent down again or sat in the press box. Risk is much lower early in RS to let things gel in this manner.
- pdx2ord

That's exactly how I read it as well that was transcribed by the journalist. And truthfully it may be a matter of guys accepting roles that are BEST for the TEAM and maybe not themselves. See Frolik in 2013 who excelled in his role and then cashed in.

I do agree...the major fault I have with this coaching staff is not giving guys a longer leash at times to get adjusted in those lower tiered roles.

I just dont' see how that changes in 2016-17 with a similar situation of having to find the best cheap option in that forward depth to allow the Hawks to roll 4 lines, which Q said was the biggest problem this year...which tells me already he's impatient in that regard entering next year. So keeping a guy like Shaw only would help ease his anxiety.

Otherwise, what young guys did Q truly get a long look at this year that can help this long term> Maybe Rasmussen?

That's exactly how I read it as well that was transcribed by the journalist. And truthfully it may be a matter of guys accepting roles that are BEST for the TEAM and maybe not themselves. See Frolik in 2013 who excelled in his role and then cashed in.

I do agree...the major fault I have with this coaching staff is not giving guys a longer leash at times to get adjusted in those lower tiered roles.

I just dont' see how that changes in 2016-17 with a similar situation of having to find the best cheap option in that forward depth to allow the Hawks to roll 4 lines, which Q said was the biggest problem this year...which tells me already he's impatient in that regard entering next year. So keeping a guy like Shaw only would help ease his anxiety.

Otherwise, what young guys did Q truly get a long look at this year that can help this long term> Maybe Rasmussen?
- SteveRain

I hope #70 gets a long look at the 4C role. He played very well during his call-up and I don't see why the Hawks wouldn't give him a shot.

IMO, the Hawks days of shedding picks and talented prospects are over. They need those draft picks, astute evaluation prospects and their effective development to fill from within at reasonable costs. Trading prospects from a position of strength for prospects to fill a position of need. That seems to be Stan’s instinct and based on comments today, sounds like he intends to return to it. Probably rightly so.

My opinion again is that failing to adequately develop from within (and instead dealing picks and projectable prospects) puts the Hawks in a death cycle and increases the annual hemorrhaging of talent.
- grinder10

I was working on a team of Blackhawks cap casualties last night and will post it later tonight when I get home. I list all the lines and their CURRENT cap hits... I think the team of cap casualties is actually going to be OVER the salary cap on its own.

Part of it is the Hawks accumulated so much talent when they were frickin' terrible. In more recent years, they've had some hits with lower picks, like Kruger, Saad, Shaw, etc.

But these hits have been so amazing that they price themselves out of playing for Chicago. Our homegrown talent in the last few years IS SAAD, SHAW, and KRUGER. Saad is gone, and it's not looking good for Shaw either.

This is 86's 3rd offseason now with the Hawks.

I get your joke, but Teuvo still may be in the 3rd grade for the 3rd straight year.........

And my head exploded reading Haugh's article today........No wonder they cancelled his radio show. Watch out Jud Sirott he may be coming after your gig..........
- SteveRain

TT is the perfect example of why the American Hockey League exists - to develop young players in a very competitive environment amidst older guys who still still believe they can make the big show.

Unfortunately with the cap and ELC deals, players sometimes get promoted on the basis of what they earn not how they are playing.

So if Q was unhappy with his consistency or thought he needed a kick in the ass, why wasn't he sent to Rockford for a period of time? That's what the Red Wings do regularly with their kids.

Q presser comments

- No injuries in play affecting playoff roster effectiveness. Healthy squad.
- Close series, division most competitive in the league
- Had all the tools to make the run

No one asked a tough question.....

Ladd:

- At the point in his career where money is not the issue. Wants to play for a winner and offer best situation for his family.

Toews:

- Fatigue not an issue or an excuse, but rest will help he and Hossa
- Most competitive division in the league makes it harder
- Roster movement sapped momentum and impeded chemistry
- Need to make newcomers welcome in the room
- Return of the Roar

Concerning Ladd, money is almost always an issue...The likelihood of a Hammer like hometown discount happens very, very seldom.

With Ladd he could easily make upwards of $4 mill somewhere, maybe right back in Winnipeg...Hawks can't afford to pay him near that amount even if Bickell was somehow gone.

Q not making health an excuse, but if that is true how could he dress both Runblad and Gus ahead of Rozsival????

Today's interview...
Blackhawks summer outlook http://chirb.it/8k57sL
NHL Radio-What will Stan Bowman do? TT-Shaw-Kruger

My thoughts as to whether you move Crow are as follows. (I know what he brings and the fact that he carried us most of this year and the later part of last post season but the cap problem we are in won't fix itself)

If you move Crawford and his full salary does that give Bowman enough room to add a legit top 4 d man and an established bottom 6 winger?

If you move Crawford and are able to accomplish both things listed above: Does a solidified top 4 plus and Darling + veteran goalie give you a better chance of winning than Crawford and the Big 3?

I don't see Bowman being able to move TT plus, for a cost controlled young top 4 d-man that would provide that much more than what TVR provided this year. Teams are not just going to trade away young Top 4 d-men (with the exception of the Preds and Hawks

There are a lot of questions and scenarios to work through for this front office. They will have to take a calculated gamble or two for next year. I don't think the core getting a longer off season of rest will be enough to get back to the SC Finals. Too many holes in the roster.
- bhawks2241

After hearing Q's presser, I'm not sure that adding a 4D is even on their radar. It sounds to me like the Hawks are going to look to fill in for Saad's replacement. Q even said that that's the biggest hole.

I don't agree with it because if it was me, I'd be looking for another D man because I've NEVER seen Seabrook and Keith look so gassed as game 7. Seabrook looked like he had gone 6 rounds with Tyson. I just don't see how this D corp is going to step up and lock down the back end when it was a like a revolving door on pairings. I love TVR and thought he had a great season but he would be suited to a #5 role.

That's exactly how I read it as well that was transcribed by the journalist. And truthfully it may be a matter of guys accepting roles that are BEST for the TEAM and maybe not themselves. See Frolik in 2013 who excelled in his role and then cashed in.

I do agree...the major fault I have with this coaching staff is not giving guys a longer leash at times to get adjusted in those lower tiered roles.

I just dont' see how that changes in 2016-17 with a similar situation of having to find the best cheap option in that forward depth to allow the Hawks to roll 4 lines, which Q said was the biggest problem this year...which tells me already he's impatient in that regard entering next year. So keeping a guy like Shaw only would help ease his anxiety.

Otherwise, what young guys did Q truly get a long look at this year that can help this long term> Maybe Rasmussen?
- SteveRain

The door swings both ways on the Toews comment...He was ecstatic when they picked up Ladd but bottom line-Those type of moves hardly ever lead to a Cup win.

The last time a top line player or top pairing dman was dealt at the deadline and they won the Cup the same year....Was Billy Guerin in 2009 and before that I think it happened in the 80's.

Today's interview...
Blackhawks summer outlook http://chirb.it/8k57sL
NHL Radio-What will Stan Bowman do? TT-Shaw-Kruger

TT is the perfect example of why the American Hockey League exists - to develop young players in a very competitive environment amidst older guys who still still believe they can make the big show.

Unfortunately with the cap and ELC deals, players sometimes get promoted on the basis of what they earn not how they are playing.

So if Q was unhappy with his consistency or thought he needed a kick in the ass, why wasn't he sent to Rockford for a period of time? That's what the Red Wings do regularly with their kids.
- RickJ

agreed 100% but then you read how Teuvo doesn't feel his game fits the AHL, etc so what I am getting at here......is there a problem with this kid's personality in regards to what is best for the team? Seems to me Teuvo thinks he's an every day NHL player, but I think we all can agree at times he is, but at other times he's a fringe player based on his inconsistent trend.

He's the most polarizing of the pieces of the puzzle for 2016-17 IMO.

And can he get the puck to the 72 if he's playing RW2 the same way 88 did? Or does this kid go all the way to Line 1 to play with 19 but then you sure as hell better find another proven scorer for 19, otherwise that's a lot for 19 to carry if he's paired with 14/86 assuming 81 skates with 22 and possibly 65/replacement IF you keep 72-15-88 together.

Again....see the same problem as this year...very dependent upon 1 line producing with that make up and when that line goes cold, you better hope your D and goalie are on top of their games.

After hearing Q's presser, I'm not sure that adding a 4D is even on their radar. It sounds to me like the Hawks are going to look to fill in for Saad's replacement. Q even said that that's the biggest hole.

I don't agree with it because if it was me, I'd be looking for another D man because I've NEVER seen Seabrook and Keith look so gassed as game 7. Seabrook looked like he had gone 6 rounds with Tyson. I just don't see how this D corp is going to step up and lock down the back end when it was a like a revolving door on pairings. I love TVR and thought he had a great season but he would be suited to a #5 role.
- Lido_Shuffle

I think if Game 7 was a regular season game Seabrook would have been in the dressing room well before it ended...He got popped in the opening minute by Upshall when the glass broke and was hit hard again.

The door swings both ways on the Toews comment...He was ecstatic when they picked up Ladd but bottom line-Those type of moves hardly ever lead to a Cup win.

The last time a top line player or top pairing dman was dealt at the deadline and they won the Cup the same year....Was Billy Guerin in 2009 and before that I think it happened in the 80's.

Today's interview...
Blackhawks summer outlook http://chirb.it/8k57sL
NHL Radio-What will Stan Bowman do? TT-Shaw-Kruger
- Al

was carter acquired from Columbus same year Kings won the cup?

I get yoru point, just pointing out the revolving door issue on bottom 6.

agreed 100% but then you read how Teuvo doesn't feel his game fits the AHL, etc so what I am getting at here......is there a problem with this kid's personality in regards to what is best for the team? Seems to me Teuvo thinks he's an every day NHL player, but I think we all can agree at times he is, but at other times he's a fringe player based on his inconsistent trend.

He's the most polarizing of the pieces of the puzzle for 2016-17 IMO.

And can he get the puck to the 72 if he's playing RW2 the same way 88 did? Or does this kid go all the way to Line 1 to play with 19 but then you sure as hell better find another proven scorer for 19, otherwise that's a lot for 19 to carry if he's paired with 14/86 assuming 81 skates with 22 and possibly 65/replacement IF you keep 72-15-88 together.

Again....see the same problem as this year...very dependent upon 1 line producing with that make up and when that line goes cold, you better hope your D and goalie are on top of their games.
- SteveRain

His game doesn't fit the AHL but that's not the real issue. TT will be traded this summer if they can't find a way to play him in the top 6.