We really are spoiled, aren't we?

The 2015-16 Blackhawks were a good team. It's not good luck that saw them finish 6th in the league. Were they largely carried by Kane and Crawford? Absolutely. But that doesn't mean they weren't good. Those guys are part of the team. I would take this iteration over the 2010-11 and 2011-12 teams, and maybe even over the 2013-14 team. Certainly most fans of other teams would have preferred this team to the one they watched this year. But to a Hawks fan, 2015-16 was mediocre.

I love it. That means our expectations are high -- justifiably. But that doesn't mean that they were actually mediocre or bad. It just means that they've been better.

It's very easy to criticize the 2015-16 team when, in the past seven years, they've iced three championship teams. But really, what was the difference between this year's team and last year's team? Johnny Oduya? Maybe. But maybe it was also Brian Elliot, who played as well as any opposing goaltender has against Chicago in the playoffs in a long time. If Elliot saves only 92% of shots instead of 93%, then the Hawks win the series. It Crawford's able to come back across the goalmouth on Brouwer or if Seabrook's shot goes in, we'd have seen overtime last night. If Duncan Keith plays like Duncan Keith in the first period, they spend more time in the Blues' end of the ice, less in their own, and maybe they score one more goal or give up one fewer.

There's no denying that this team had a glaring hole in its defensive depth. It's one that should have been fixed this past summer, and it should be fixed this summer. Don't know how they'll do that, but it's what they've got to do. But you can't point to a team this year that doesn't have a hole, a team that doesn't have a flaw.

We've now had the pleasure of watching the Blackhawks in the playoffs for eight straight seasons, which would have seemed impossible a decade again. We've seen them win the Stanley Cup three times, which no other team has matched in the salary cap era. And I think all of us know that they're not done yet. The window's not closed.

I, for one, am glad to have this team, and I'm going to enjoy every second of it -- even when they fall just short like they did last night.
- darklighter

Absolutely! The Hawks had a good team this year and nearly knocked off a Blues team that is also very solid. A Blues team that early in the year had so many injury issues, but probably should have finished ahead of Dallas, 1st in the West and 2nd in the NHL. The way some people talk around here, the Hawks were swept by a low seed that barely belonged in the post season.

My personal belief is the Hawk FO is too crowded, too "procedural," too many cooks in the kitchen for ANYONE to make the best moves in most situations. I suspect Bowman was hamstrung to a large extent by that dynamic except on the Saad deal when the team, and the rest of the FO, had NO CHOICE, but to take the deal.

I can think of at least a couple of guys they could get rid of, without naming names. And maybe one to two more who need to be kept on a shorter leash. If they don't trust Stanley to do the job, get someone else and give him the room to operate.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks JJ. I think I read that someone in the front office (McDonaugh) preferred Kessel over Toews but Dale had final authority and took Toews. That's what concerns me about Stan, I think the final decision maker needs above all else to be a superior talent evaluator.

This season the team was more like 2012 than 2011. The team wasn't a complete mess like 2011, but more of a team with a couple holes that didn't get it done.

Overall, this series was winnable by the Hawks. They played well enough that they could have won it. You can have a championship quality team and not win a championship. The Blues are a solid team and had a lot more to prove.

Let's be honest, Q didn't have his best series as a coach, putting some questionable line ups on the ice. It took too long to find enough lines that could roll, but once they finally spread out the scoring on 3 lines, the Hawks were tough to handle.

Fleischmann was awful, Weise was alright, and Ladd played very well.

This team could have gone deep. This 1st round match up was of quality of two teams that should be playing in a conference final, rather than round 1. A good team had to lose.
- breadbag

The overriding advantage the Hawks had beyond the will and talent was the winning know how of becoming a Champion....That can't be taught from a book or dry erase board.

With LA out another team will gain the same valuable experience and will be more difficult to beat the next time.

>Yes, indeed
>And add to the fact that some say Q has a big voice on personnel -- that's a lot of roster "voices"
>Mentioned this before: think this organization got a bit full of itself based on the monumental achievement of 3 Cups in 6 years -- and some very poor decisions were made
>Would love to hear why Oduya was not the offseason priority -- as Al said, you cannot lose Leddy, Oduya, Johns for nothing, but the Hawks did -- and look at their D depth now
>Many of you already mentioned it -- Soupy DOES live in the Western burbs and if he could be had on the cheap would help a lot next year
>This is the biggest offseason of Toews career -- not because the Hawks lost round 1 -- not because he did not score -- as Al said, he had 6 points -- but because of his cap hit
>Toews needs to produce more offensively -- and to do so -- he needs more escape moves from tight spaces, countermoves to the bearhug, more open ice moves, and a better shot -- in short, Toews needs to be more explosive and it's only going to happen if he's willing to develop more moves to be so -- BTW -- Kane does this every summer
>Unless that D gets fixed, next year we will see a lot more unwatchable regular season home games like this year -- ticket holders deserved a refund for those games -- especially for what the Hawks charge for tickets
- SnapitUpstairs

Soupy DOES live in the Western burbs and if he could be had on the cheap would help a lot next year

It has been reported he and his wife are looking at houses in South Florida and want to stay.

Hank , no one can convince me any different that when mcD and Rocky approached Scotty Bowman about coming on board, he said "only if my kid gets elevated to the GM's position.Dale Tallon should have stayed on as GM regarding player personal and kept Stan Bowman in the back office as the bean counter. Tell me why that wouldn't have worked other than Scotty saying " my kid or no deal!"
- wonthecup10

I really don't have anything against Bowman. Sure, he's made some moves that didn't work out, but he's made a lot that have. GM's swing and miss some times and connect on others. That's league-wide.

I think Dale was/is an excellent judge of talent, but caused some money issues in the past. But look what he's done in Florida...a fantastic job. You could see the Panthers over the past few years building up really well. They have a great, young team. A lot of talented Forwards and a strong defensive core. Picking up Lou, Mitchell and Jagr as the savvy vets for the young guys to pick their brains was a great move. They have a nice balance and I foresee them continuing to build and become stronger. They may need to be in the market for some goaltending, though. Lou is getting up there in age.

All of this. Hundred percent.

Another note, if Bowman can finally get rid of Bickell and convince Soupy to take a cap friendly deal, I will never badmouth that man again.
- Crawford

>Soupy fits on every level -- except the $ -- but Soupy could make that happen if he wanted to

This isn't a response to anybody in particular, but sometimes I wonder whether I'm watching the same games as everybody else.

First of all, I don't know why everybody thinks that Teuvo Teravainen is Joe Thornton or something, but he's not, and he's not supposed to be. He's a skilled, intelligent player who plays a sound defensive game and can make things happen in the offensive zone. Being knocked off the puck because you're paper-thin isn't the same thing as avoiding contact, and I saw him take hits along the board and still come out with the puck more than once during Games 6 and 7. This may mean that the Blackhawks need to treat him as a winger, not a center -- which should certainly play a role in their calculations this summer -- but that doesn't give us license to have unreasonable expectations about what he should be able to do.

Relatedly, while it would be nice if Chicago could pick up some more physical players without losing their skill advantage, that's simply not who they have right now. Those kinds of players are few, far between, and expensive. It cost them a first-round pick and a future NHLer to acquire one of those players as a rental. That's not who they have on the team. I want the players to be doing what they do well, not trying to be something they're not. The Hawks have won two -- TWO -- Stanley Cups in the last four years with relatively non-physical teams.

Lots of complaints about perimeter shooting, but (especially as the series wore on) I saw lots of Blackhawks in front of the net, and a lot of goals scored from there, too. I thought the problem was that rebound-generating shots were being taken too early, without giving net-crashing Blackhawks the opportunity to get there to play the rebound. I also saw too much skating PAST the net. That's on the coaches. They have to have these players better prepared. But the Hawks weren't playing a purely perimeter game.

We really are spoiled, aren't we?

I, for one, am glad to have this team, and I'm going to enjoy every second of it -- even when they fall just short like they did last night.
- darklighter

Amen - darklighter!

Its funny how in June 2015 Stan was the best GM and Q was the best coach. After one early playoff exit on the past 4 seasons the villagers are out with their pitchforks demanding blood.

Everyone take a deep breath. Losing hurts but this run is far from over.
- DarthKane

I didn't exactly bank on repeat Cup champions, but losing to the Blues of all teams in round 1 by a single goal has been the worst loss in recent memory. And the tying shot rang off both posts. It's gonna take some time to get over this one...

Agree completely on this. You look at Kane's development his shot has improved tremendously. He (when playing all out) throws body checks, wins board battles, forces turnovers, and now has several "power" type moves. When he is on top of his game he is unpredictable and a nightmare for D-men. Toews offensive game has become a bit stale and predictable. He has the skill set. Every O-zone possession does not need to be a grinding cycle down low. He takes a lot of abuse playing that game night in night out. His body has to be worn down.
- bhawks2241

>Stale and predictable is a fair characterization

I enjoy your posts but I really need to be sold on a realistic level how this team is a cup contender next year given the salary cap issues, etc.

I don't see it, but doesn't mean it can't happen.......
- SteveRain

How deep will the cap issues impact us next season? Shaw is gone and that's likely it (aside from Bickell hopefully).

The rest of the team will be rested and the youngsters like TvR will be that much more experienced. I'm not trying to imply the Blackhawks would be the Cup favorite, but they will be up there in contention with all the other top teams.

There are lots of potential reasons why the boys lost early this season - fatigue, increased quality of opposition, negative impacts of salary cap, poor coaching decisions. But there are still a lot of positives about this team and realistically there's no reason why they won't contend again next season.
- DarthKane

Nobody really likes to admit it - myself included - but it's impossible to think that this didn't play a role, especially for guys like Toews and Seabrook.

This team could really use a long break. I hope they get it. And I also hope that the coaching staff bucks conventional hockey wisdom and gives days off to the players that need it. I don't think it's an accident that when Hossa came back after several games off due to injury, he had an extra jump in his step and looked a lot more like the guy they signed in 2009.

How deep will the cap issues impact us next season? Shaw is gone and that's likely it (aside from Bickell hopefully).

The rest of the team will be rested and the youngsters like TvR will be that much more experienced. I'm not trying to imply the Blackhawks would be the Cup favorite, but they will be up there in contention with all the other top teams.
- DarthKane

They had to also implement a lot of new faces while trying to defend the Cup on the fly. Not easy to do.

Another year with some of the guys in the same system will help them

St. Louis played well and you were 1/8" away from that puck deflecting in as opposed to hitting both posts.

The Hawks are a truly terrific team that will be very tough to beat after a long summer to re-charge.

Just wan´t to add that TT will benefit from long summer. Last summer was too short to build on. He didn´t play as good as I hoped this season but it´s not like he can´t develop anymore. It was his second season in NA.

Its funny how in June 2015 Stan was the best GM and Q was the best coach. After one early playoff exit on the past 4 seasons the villagers are out with their pitchforks demanding blood.

Stan and Q are the same GM and coach they were a year ago. They are both among the top of their respective peers and we are fortunate to have them. Are both Stan and Q perfect? No, but there isn't a GM or coach out there who is.

There are lots of potential reasons why the boys lost early this season - fatigue, increased quality of opposition, negative impacts of salary cap, poor coaching decisions. But there are still a lot of positives about this team and realistically there's no reason why they won't contend again next season.

Everyone take a deep breath. Losing hurts but this run is far from over.


- DarthKane

Well said

Regardless of how you define it, there are penalties associated to it if he retires early.
- Tumbleweed

The penalties were defined an codified AFTER the contract was signed and in effect for a couple of years - the penalties are part of the most recent CBA contract.

Seems a bit unfair to retroactively punish a team for executing a contract that was completely legal when signed, but - to be fair - I don't recall Rocky / McDonnough putting up a fight about it.

How deep will the cap issues impact us next season? Shaw is gone and that's likely it (aside from Bickell hopefully).

The rest of the team will be rested and the youngsters like TvR will be that much more experienced. I'm not trying to imply the Blackhawks would be the Cup favorite, but they will be up there in contention with all the other top teams.
- DarthKane

Exactly. This team with two extra months of rest will still be dangerous. We have another springtime of thrills coming next year.

Nobody really likes to admit it - myself included - but it's impossible to think that this didn't play a role, especially for guys like Toews and Seabrook.

This team could really use a long break. I hope they get it. And I also hope that the coaching staff bucks conventional hockey wisdom and gives days off to the players that need it. I don't think it's an accident that when Hossa came back after several games off due to injury, he had an extra jump in his step and looked a lot more like the guy they signed in 2009.
- darklighter

If you're going to use an excuse, I think the season and a half of extra hockey they've played over the past 8 years is probably the best one. 120+ games of the hardest kind - playoff hockey. I know it won't happen but players skipping the IIHF Worlds and the World Cup would be for the best. Hawks need a long rest.

I do not think this was Q's best coaching Job and he made Stans in season job very hard. The sharp trade setup the demise of the season and he was never able to recover. Assuming he has cash to work with I really think he should be more aggressive late in FA signing guys for $950K or less. you would have to think all of the below would come to the hawks and if they don't make the team send them to the AHL at no cap hit.

Flesch $750K
schlemko $625
Ryan Stanton $575
Setmpinak $850

In regard to this off season we went all in the last 2 years and just got clobbered on most trades. We have to get young cost controlled talent back and so the key is not having to move one guy. IE sharp last year and get back worthless pieces you are better working with a open mind. What if since the offer was terrible for sharp last year we moved SEABS for Nurse + 2nd (use that 2nd to get someone to bickel) and moved Steeg for picks, we probably have enough to resign SAAD and JO and keep sharp or wait for a better offer and we still have Johns. instead we had to Pay a 4th and Johns to just get someone to take Sharp and steeg and we just were playing catch up all year and then dumped a 1st a 2nd and 2 NHL young cost controlled NHL players for rentals trying to fill holes.

That is why I move Crawford this year. He is coming off a great year. You will get back Value. and that allows you to keep shaw who will probably sign a reasonable deal. you can either trade shaw and kruger and get back 1/2 of what you would get for Crawford. or trade Craw and get back a NHL level cost controlled d man. This also probably gives you the room to buy out Bick and keep pan in 17.

As always spot on.

Problem I also see is Toews doesn't have the talent around him next year to produce like he will need to. Hossa is a great 200 ft player but his elite finishing days are over. In a loaded Hawks team he's probably a 3rd line player. I also dont' think you can bet on Panik to play 1Lw...so again, that's why resigning Shaw has to be a priority.

Otherwise you aren't fixing the same holes from this year, and on top of that are creating new ones.

Biggest offseason in Bowman era has arrived. Should be interesting to see where things go, and shopping Kruger for right return can't be ruled out.
- SteveRain

As good as 72-15-88 was this season, I really think that next season you have to look at splitting up 19/88/15/72 into two groups of 2 to give balance to the top 2 lines. Maybe something like:

X-Toews-Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-Y or Hossa

I think Panarin-Anisimov-Hossa could be a good line if given time to gel. Or you put Hossa with Kruger on the third line and create three "duos" on the top 3 lines and build around that.

Hopefully they can find a way to keep Shaw, because his versatility definitely would help fill out any of those lines.

John Jaeckel: So 'It' Ends
- John Jaeckel

Hossa should maybe consider calling it a career, I did t watch alot of hawk games but he seems to have lost a step.

As always spot on.

Problem I also see is Toews doesn't have the talent around him next year to produce like he will need to. Hossa is a great 200 ft player but his elite finishing days are over. In a loaded Hawks team he's probably a 3rd line player. I also dont' think you can bet on Panik to play 1Lw...so again, that's why resigning Shaw has to be a priority.

Otherwise you aren't fixing the same holes from this year, and on top of that are creating new ones.

Biggest offseason in Bowman era has arrived. Should be interesting to see where things go, and shopping Kruger for right return can't be ruled out.
- SteveRain

>Rainman, one encouraging thing I saw in Round 1 from Hossa was going upstairs with his shot
>Hoss followed his high, short-side goal by driving to the net and chipping the puck upstairs (instead of low along the ice) -- his shot clipped off of Elliot's mask -- a few inches to left and it's 2 goals in two shifts for Hoss
>If Hoss can start scoring upstairs, he will score a lot more next year -- AND -- open up his low shot as an option
>You are spot on about this "Bowman offseason" -- the marketing cycle is about maxed out -- and looks silly when the on-ice team is subpar

A few random thoughts....

I think Toews played hurt a lot of this year. A talent like him doesn't have a down year like what we saw at age 26-27 without injuries. No way. It wasn't all about no Saad, either. Toews/Hossa carried Carcillo once upon a time. When he's healthy, we'll see the real #19. This wasn't it.

I expect the front office will get another hit in the undrafted free agent market this summer. TVR was a hit, and Panarin was a megahit. They just need one hit a year from this market where they already have an inside track.

Having Campbell back would obviously check a lot of boxes over the short term, but I'm not holding my breath.

I don't see how they can keep Shaw. He's probably their only valuable trading chip. If they actually do sign Campbell, get as much in picks and prospects as possible.

Trading Ladd's rights will get a 4th or 5th. It's something, even if it feels like getting the box of Creamettes as a consolation prize on a game show.

Get Panarin signed this summer. If that doesn't happen, then I guess they'll be trading him for a king's ransom next summer when his ELC expires.

Buy out Bickell and hope that Scuderi retires.

Keep Panik. He's not Saad, but he will be useful and cost controlled.

This is the end of the line for Rozsival. As much as we female dog about him on here, he played a very valuable role for this team.

Don't ever think of trading Crawford. He's the main reason the Hawks got this far this year. He deserves the Vezina, but the voters don't like sending the trophy out west, so Holtby will be a near unanimous winner.

Congratulations JJ on the nuptials. May your marriage be blessed with a lifetime of joy and happiness.

As for Hawks, another solid year in the most competitive league in the world. They play hard with character and class and have been a source of happiness and joy for the citizens and fans in Chicago.

It is just hard for me to comprehend that 6 or so years have gone by already and what an amazing run it has been.

Here's hoping they have a few more runs in them the next few years...