Whether right or wrong I think it's time to "let the kids play" so to say. Do I think that it's the best path forward to securing another cup...not necessarily, but at some point you have to see what you got in some of the guys.

The reality is without a large salary trade, which doesn't look like it's happening this year, this is the path forward the Hawks need to take. Personally, I'd rather watch the younger guys than see some retread or over the hill vet that can't hack it anymore.

Again, I'm not disputing that having that many young guys in the line up may mean the team takes a step back, but outside of fantasy trade scenario what are the other options? Hudler...ya he was okay last year and had a big year 2 years ago on a bad team. But other than him, who is probably priced higher than the Hawks can pay, who else is out there that's affordable and worth a flyer? Slim pickins...

Welcome to Chicago Chapman, now we just need a stud starting pitcher, love this new regime they've got a clue

I think vessey would be a prefect fit to learn from Kane and John and the best coach to have immediately a chance at the cup great city fans and exposure and meatman is a great depth guy that's all imo

Meatman? You know there's a Fleischmann's margarine. A bread man and a margarine man for the top 2 LW spots.

????-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Fleischmann-Kruger-Panik
Desi-Moose-TooToo

Schmaltz/Hartman/McNeill/etcetc

Signing Fleischmann leaves you in the same boat you're already in, just with less money to work with, if you ask me. Still need a #1 guy to fit in with the style of Toews and Hossa, assuming you don't want to move Hossa down.

Kane has proven that he can play with just about any center there is, so Anisimov could be an answer up there.

Welcome to Chicago Chapman, now we just need a stud starting pitcher, love this new regime they've got a clue
- BetweenTheDots

????-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Fleischmann-Kruger-Panik
Desi-Gustafsson-TooToo

Schmaltz/Hartman/McNeill/etcetc

Signing Fleischmann leaves you in the same boat you're already in, just with less money to work with, if you ask me. Still need a #1 guy to fit in with the style of Toews and Hossa, assuming you don't want to move Hossa down.

Kane has proven that he can play with just about any center there is, so Anisimov could be an answer up there.
- roots_gamble

Gustafson moves from 8D to 4C, impressive. I'm assuming you mean Rasmussen.

I think it might be worth watching the situation in Winnipeg. They have more forwards than they need right now but their defensive depth lacks a little bit. There might be a trade opportunity for Stan.

Gustafson moves from 8D to 4C, impressive. I'm assuming you mean Rasmussen.

I think it might be worth watching the situation in Winnipeg. They have more forwards than they need right now but their defensive depth lacks a little bit. There might be a trade opportunity for Stan.
- DarthKane

Whoops. Got my names mixed up. That's what I meant, yes.

I was looking forward to your review of Waffle House. Did you get chunked, dunked, smothered, covered, and topped?

Welcome to Chicago Chapman, now we just need a stud starting pitcher, love this new regime they've got a clue
- BetweenTheDots

Very very expensive rental. Without an extension, this is not a good move. Also, I question his character, both on and off the field.

Gustafson moves from 8D to 4C, impressive. I'm assuming you mean Rasmussen.

I think it might be worth watching the situation in Winnipeg. They have more forwards than they need right now but their defensive depth lacks a little bit. There might be a trade opportunity for Stan.
- DarthKane

It's obvious that the Jets wouldn't deal Laine, Scheifele, or Wheeler, but do you think they'd trade Armia or Ehlers if we sent them some of our defense prospects and draft picks? Doubt it but worth a shot. Perreault would be nice, but he's a center and we need wingers.

I am not a fan of Fleishman as LW1 at all. In fact, I would try one of the Rockford boys ahead of him. He may be ok as a 3LW....maybe. Like him as a PK guy. But as a LW1..... That would be a bad, bad sign as far as I am concerned.....

Very very expensive rental. Without an extension, this is not a good move. Also, I question his character, both on and off the field.
- TexasFlood

I didn't believe in Rondon, they will be able to talk extension rest of the year, this regime will get it done, 6 blown saves past 3 years that's a not bad.

It's obvious that the Jets wouldn't deal Laine, Scheifele, or Wheeler, but do you think they'd trade Armia or Ehlers if we sent them some of our defense prospects and draft picks? Doubt it but worth a shot. Perreault would be nice, but he's a center and we need wingers.
- AEL_Fox

Darth makes a good point that WPG might be a partner. Who knows what's going to happen with Trouba and even so they probably only go a legit 5 deep on the backend.

That Ehlers kid is fun. Gotta think the Jets want a bunch for what seems to be a probable top 6 guy for 10 years. With Schiefle, Ehlers, Laine and Kyle Connor on the way the have a really nice forward core.

Adam Lowry? Big (6ft 5in) bottom 6 guy who can play center or wing, 23 yrs old, 1.1 for two more years, will lay the body.

Armia I think can be had. Watched him a bit. Big kid seemed heavy footed but at 23 he can still develop. 2011 1st rounder of BUF.

Burmistrov? Eye test was much better than his advanced stats but at 24 he can play center or wing, think he's a natural centerman.

Dano!!!

All those guys are 1.5 per or less and are all bottom 6.

I still think the Hawks stand pat unless some value presents. With Tootoo and Lundberg in the lineup they only have to start one rookie. Probably at least get through camp and the preseason before they look to deal.

Welcome to Chicago Chapman, now we just need a stud starting pitcher, love this new regime they've got a clue
- BetweenTheDots

Would rather have Miller, but the price was Schwarber. This is going to be a mistake I fear, even if he does sign an extension.

Starter??? Wonder who....

I didn't believe in Rondon, they will be able to talk extension rest of the year, this regime will get it done, 6 blown saves past 3 years that's a not bad.
- BetweenTheDots

Rondos, Strop and Montgomery, not a bad threesome. Also, wonder what Nathan has left? Despite having Russell and Baez ahead of him, many rated this Torres kid as the best of three.

Would much rather seen them get a cost controlled starter. I thought the goal was to be good for many years?

We'll see how it plays out though

Darth makes a good point that WPG might be a partner. Who knows what's going to happen with Trouba and even so they probably only go a legit 5 deep on the backend.

That Ehlers kid is fun. Gotta think the Jets want a bunch for what seems to be a probable top 6 guy for 10 years. With Schiefle, Ehlers, Laine and Kyle Connor on the way the have a really nice forward core.

Adam Lowry? Big (6ft 5in) bottom 6 guy who can play center or wing, 23 yrs old, 1.1 for two more years, will lay the body.

Armia I think can be had. Watched him a bit. Big kid seemed heavy footed but at 23 he can still develop. 2011 1st rounder of BUF.

Burmistrov? Eye test was much better than his advanced stats but at 24 he can play center or wing, think he's a natural centerman.

Dano!!!

All those guys are 1.5 per or less and are all bottom 6.

I still think the Hawks stand pat unless some value presents. With Tootoo and Lundberg in the lineup they only have to start one rookie. Probably at least get through camp and the preseason before they look to deal.
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks for the insights! I personally would go with a winger who projects to top 6 potential since we have plenty of bottom 6 wingers in the system already. Does Armia project to top 6 in a few years or is he projecting to be more of a checking winger? I always thought he projected high like Ehlers, but I know Ehlers is more coveted.

Would rather have Miller, but the price was Schwarber. This is going to be a mistake I fear, even if he does sign an extension.

Starter??? Wonder who....
- blackhawk24

Miller? No that would of been the mistake I know Chapman isn't a model citizen but he's got something nobody in baseball does, he's a flame thrower with a track record and I mean a track record as being a closer.if the Cubs want to run with the big dogs they have to get off the porch, big big big step forward today.

Thanks for the insights! I personally would go with a winger who projects to top 6 potential since we have plenty of bottom 6 wingers in the system already. Does Armia project to top 6 in a few years or is he projecting to be more of a checking winger? I always thought he projected high like Ehlers, but I know Ehlers is more coveted.
- AEL_Fox

Armia is 23, former 1st rounder and short of 50 NHL games. So too early to say anything definitively but I think the hope for him to be a top 6 is now very slim. ...Looking him up since you mentioned him he's listed at 205lbs which surprised me. The way he moved and looked I thought he was easy 220-225. He's slowish.

Ehlers is pure dynamic/explosion/speed/burst/skill. Doubt he goes anywhere for a long time: http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=66581

I don't think there are any top 6 hopefuls that can be had from WPG although I think Lowry is very interesting as a bottom 6 guy.

Really? Fleishmann? All offseason on this board we have heard "The Hawks need a 1LW". Now we are okay with settling for him?

And honestly...I like the team. I think our D is way improved. And I think the young guys will do just fine.

But to hear on these boards for the past 2-3 months we need an upgrade...and now to be fine with Fleishmann....that does not seem right.
- onehundredlevel

The pickings are getting slimmer all of the time. Fleischmann is better than what they have now, I'd be happy if the Blackhawks brought him back. Or Hudler. I'd like to see Vesey signed too. And if a trade can be made for an even better 1LW, great. But given the choice with the current roster without Fleischmann and the current roster plus him, I'd take the latter.

Miller? No that would of been the mistake I know Chapman isn't a model citizen but he's got something nobody in baseball does, he's a flame thrower with a track record and I mean a track record as being a closer.if the Cubs want to run with the big dogs they have to get off the porch, big big big step forward today.
- BetweenTheDots

Hope you're correct. This has lockerroom mess written on it.

I'd rather have seen a starter. Too many things could go wrong with the present staff. See Lester yesterday? Gonna be a track meet in the PO. Lackey? Out of gas. Hammels? Terrible 2nd half guy. Can Arrieta match last years' final two months? Year ago today Hamels no-hit the Cubs at Wrigley, last RS Arrieta loss of 2015.

Hope you're correct. This has lockerroom mess written on it.

I'd rather have seen a starter. Too many things could go wrong with the present staff. See Lester yesterday? Gonna be a track meet in the PO. Lackey? Out of gas. Hammels? Terrible 2nd half guy. Can Arrieta match last years' final two months? Year ago today Hamels no-hit the Cubs at Wrigley, last RS Arrieta loss of 2015.
- blackhawk24

No argument here, many things can go wrong, but at least now I'm much more comfortable with a 1 run lead in the ninth, I've seen so many playoff teams get burnt thinking they had a closer and they would blow a huge save in a playoff game and never recover from it.

Hope you're correct. This has lockerroom mess written on it.

I'd rather have seen a starter. Too many things could go wrong with the present staff. See Lester yesterday? Gonna be a track meet in the PO. Lackey? Out of gas. Hammels? Terrible 2nd half guy. Can Arrieta match last years' final two months? Year ago today Hamels no-hit the Cubs at Wrigley, last RS Arrieta loss of 2015.
- blackhawk24

Lester had every right to be pissy yesterday. The home plate umpire was terrible. Ball 4 on the leadoff hitter for Milwaukee was a strike (at the letters). The umpire was giving nothing high or low (except for the Milwaukee pitcher).

Darth makes a good point that WPG might be a partner. Who knows what's going to happen with Trouba and even so they probably only go a legit 5 deep on the backend.

That Ehlers kid is fun. Gotta think the Jets want a bunch for what seems to be a probable top 6 guy for 10 years. With Schiefle, Ehlers, Laine and Kyle Connor on the way the have a really nice forward core.

Adam Lowry? Big (6ft 5in) bottom 6 guy who can play center or wing, 23 yrs old, 1.1 for two more years, will lay the body.

Armia I think can be had. Watched him a bit. Big kid seemed heavy footed but at 23 he can still develop. 2011 1st rounder of BUF.

Burmistrov? Eye test was much better than his advanced stats but at 24 he can play center or wing, think he's a natural centerman.

Dano!!!

All those guys are 1.5 per or less and are all bottom 6.

I still think the Hawks stand pat unless some value presents. With Tootoo and Lundberg in the lineup they only have to start one rookie. Probably at least get through camp and the preseason before they look to deal.
- Mr Ricochet

I don't think Stan has the assets to to get one of Winnipeg's top young guys (ie Ehlers). I was thinking along the lines of the guys you mentioned - Armia, Dano and Lowry, although there are others that could work.

I'm thinking Stan would have to part with a guy like Gustafsson or Pokka.

I wouldn't expect any of the guys from Winnipeg to be top 6, at least right away. But if some of our young guys don't step up a trade with Chevy might be an option.

Gustafson moves from 8D to 4C, impressive. I'm assuming you mean Rasmussen.

I think it might be worth watching the situation in Winnipeg. They have more forwards than they need right now but their defensive depth lacks a little bit. There might be a trade opportunity for Stan.
- DarthKane

I would hope they could get Lemieux for one of the bottom lines