Well, then we've all been agreeing strenuously on that point.

ALL I've been saying is the approach of perhaps over-indexing the limited budget toward two defense acquisitions and then hoping to strike gold later (and on the cheap) with a wing MAY turn out to have been misguided.because the second half didn't work out—and they should NOT have assumed it would.

So, IF, forward play in all three zones, production and especially balanced production is not improved versus last year—to the tune of a bubble team (sacrilege!) or another first round out, then I think maybe we will have that discussion.

Have to wait and see. And maybe the team addresses it before it reaches that point.

All I was saying.
- John Jaeckel

Gotcha. Same page

Because he might have gotten one of them with the cap money he still had remaining. Vesey on an ELC obviously would fit. When that didn't work out Stan offered Hudler what he could and Hudler found it inadequate and signed elsewhere for more. No harm in trying.
- garacat

If I remember correctly, the Dallas GM was an assistant with Detroit where Hudler played for a bit. Maybe Hudler thought it was a better fit in Dallas due to that relationship.

On Vesey, the player and agent might have noted the Q line blender. Hey kid, play with and learn from 2 hall of famers. But they left out the "for a few shifts at least" part.

I don't understand how some fans looking at the present and future of the Hawks as opposed to the past means that we don't appreciate or value the 3 Cups and amazing rebirth this franchise had since 2007??? It is an accusation and has no basis in fact. If some want to just keep posting about the 2013 Hawks and reminisce, by all means! If others would like to assess the current situation and look forward, that shouldn't be met with slights and criticism.
- EnzoD

AMEN brother !! Just because we've won 3 cups in 6 years doesn't mean that serious mistakes by MANAGEMENT haven't been made, nor should they be ignored. Those bandwagon fans that are happy with the past can be just that !! Let the knowledgeable Hawk fans that truly see the gaffs express their concerns openly.
Isn't that part of what this forum is all about ? The list is ENDLESS of the mistakes by BOWMAN that are now limiting the successes of this current team, along with last year's team. Yes this CAP is killing the Blackhawks more than any other team, however, we were told years ago that Mr. Bowman is a genius capologist.....well that certainly is the major problem with this team and HE created it...... for all the reasons that have been noted here for 2 years now. The question remains on how he will get this team back to the hierarchy of the NHL. What has he done in the trade market of his tenure to make any of us believe that he can find hockey solutions ?? Panarin is a major accomplishment, but, now he has to find a way to pay him. We will continue to discuss his options and give suggestions, take it or leave it !!

On Vesey, the player and agent might have noted the Q line blender. Hey kid, play with and learn from 2 hall of famers. But they left out the "for a few shifts at least" part.
- 6628

That could have been part of it. However, I believe Vesey and his agent took a look at the Hawks cap situation, and the idea that the Hawks have moved out young up and comers like Leddy and Saad.

In sum, it appears to me that Vesey was looking for a spot where he could possibly stay for a long time, and not just a two year stay in Chicago.

AMEN brother !! Just because we've won 3 cups in 6 years doesn't mean that serious mistakes by MANAGEMENT haven't been made, nor should they be ignored. Those bandwagon fans that are happy with the past can be just that !! Let the knowledgeable Hawk fans that truly see the gaffs express their concerns openly.
Isn't that part of what this forum is all about ? The list is ENDLESS of the mistakes by BOWMAN that are now limiting the successes of this current team, along with last year's team. Yes this CAP is killing the Blackhawks more than any other team, however, we were told years ago that Mr. Bowman is a genius capologist.....well that certainly is the major problem with this team and HE created it...... for all the reasons that have been noted here for 2 years now. The question remains on how he will get this team back to the hierarchy of the NHL. What has he done in the trade market of his tenure to make any of us believe that he can find hockey solutions ?? Panarin is a major accomplishment, but, now he has to find a way to pay him. We will continue to discuss his options and give suggestions, take it or leave it !!
- Hawkytalk

The mess the Hawks are in is a product of their success. IMO your expectations on the GM are unreasonable. Not ever move will be right and not every contract will be a good one, but these things happen throughout the NHL. You can't expect this team to be at the top of the NHL all the time just because they are the Hawks. Take bad and the good.

The Hawks for sure have their work cut out for them. Like it or not Toews is going to have to step up and carry that line since the team and he agreed to the fat contract. He doesn't have to score but he needs to step up and control the puck and let Panik and Motte foo to the net and get the rebounds.

I know it's early but many were saying how Subban was a steal? Funny how Weber's team is doing well and Subban's is struggling. Way more to defense than scoring. Don't know if the Oiler's can sustain it, but I was wondering how soon it would be before Chiarelli would work his magic, good gm imho.

That could have been part of it. However, I believe Vesey and his agent took a look at the Hawks cap situation, and the idea that the Hawks have moved out young up and comers like Leddy and Saad.

In sum, it appears to me that Vesey was looking for a spot where he could possibly stay for a long time, and not just a two year stay in Chicago.
- EKB13

Makes sense.

The Hawks for sure have their work cut out for them. Like it or not Toews is going to have to step up and carry that line since the team and he agreed to the fat contract. He doesn't have to score but he needs to step up and control the puck and let Panik and Motte foo to the net and get the rebounds.

I know it's early but many were saying how Subban was a steal? Funny how Weber's team is doing well and Subban's is struggling. Way more to defense than scoring. Don't know if the Oiler's can sustain it, but I was wondering how soon it would be before Chiarelli would work his magic, good gm imho.
- BetweenTheDots

Toews frequently has a slow start. While he does need to pick things up I wouldn't be too worried yet.

All I was trying to get at last night is that there doesn't need to be ONE discussion on the board at all times. There can be multiple points of discussion with different POVs. Those who are hopeful things will sort themselves out are entitled to their opinion, as are those of us who feel that things need to fixed, and in a hurry, in order to be a true Stanley Cup contender not only this year, but in the next few years. There does not have to be a one or the other.

All I was trying to get at last night is that there doesn't need to be ONE discussion on the board at all times. There can be multiple points of discussion with different POVs. Those who are hopeful things will sort themselves out are entitled to their opinion, as are those of us who feel that things need to fixed, and in a hurry, in order to be a true Stanley Cup contender not only this year, but in the next few years. There does not have to be a one or the other.
- EnzoD

All I was trying to get at last night is that there doesn't need to be ONE discussion on the board at all times. There can be multiple points of discussion with different POVs. Those who are hopeful things will sort themselves out are entitled to their opinion, as are those of us who feel that things need to fixed, and in a hurry, in order to be a true Stanley Cup contender not only this year, but in the next few years. There does not have to be a one or the other.
- EnzoD

Nope, hivemind only.

Toews frequently has a slow start. While he does need to pick things up I wouldn't be too worried yet.
- DarthKane

I think if 2-3 of his shots had found a way in right now, we wouldn't be having this discussion on Toews. He has pretty much done everything you'd expect from him but just hasn't found the back of the net.

Sorry, not to quote Trump again: "wrong"

They did not know they were getting Campbell til about 24-48 hours before it was announced. There were at least 1-2 other teams involved and making pitches, including the Dallas Stars up to that point. And that's not just going by my sources, but even the Great Hockey Writers Of The North had that.

Let's stick to the facts, as we know them.
- John Jaeckel

I don't doubt other teams made pitches, but it seems from Campbell's interviews that he wasn't interested in going anywhere else unless the conditions for his return to the Hawks were really bad. Anyway, it feels like this is a weird point to like nail as all that vital to the discussion and my main point is still valid - if they felt Kempny was a sure thing, they wouldn't have signed Campbell.

And that further, if there was about $750k difference between what the Hawks offered ($1.25m as you say) and what he eventually got ($2m), then Rozsival's $600k could have been closer to the difference than Campbell to signing Hudler. So, personally and no one else has to agree, I'm not upset at all about the Campbell signing but I find Rozsival's continued employment to be irksome. This isn't me saying I think Bowman did the best job, just that the signing I have issue with is not Campbell. That was all.

- DarthKane

#Blackhawks lines today:

Panik – Toews - Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-Hossa
Motte-Schamltz-Hartman
Rasmussen-Kruger-Tootoo

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 25s25 seconds ago
Kruger and Schmaltz flip-flopping between 3C and 4C.

#Blackhawks lines today:

Panik – Toews - Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-Hossa
Motte-Schamltz-Hartman
Rasmussen-Kruger-Tootoo

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 25s25 seconds ago
Kruger and Schmaltz flip-flopping between 3C and 4C.
- JRoenick97

About time Q.

Yes! Yes! Yes! Per Laz, at practice today:

Correct #Blackhawks lines:
Panik-Toews-KANE
Panarin-Anisimov-Hossa
Motte-Schmaltz-Hartman
Rasmussen-Kruger-Tootoo

#Blackhawks lines today:

Panik – Toews - Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-Hossa
Motte-Schamltz-Hartman
Rasmussen-Kruger-Tootoo

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 25s25 seconds ago
Kruger and Schmaltz flip-flopping between 3C and 4C.
- JRoenick97

I like these lines, it will be interesting to watch them for 2-3 shifts before they're broken up.

I like these lines, it will be interesting to watch them for 2-3 shifts before they're broken up.
- DarthKane

Motte-Kruger-Hartman was a great line the first couple games. Glad it's back. I imagine 14-19-88 is to jump start the captains offense.

Motte-Kruger-Hartman was a great line the first couple games. Glad it's back. I imagine 14-19-88 is to jump start the captains offense.
- JRoenick97

In practice Schmaltz is on the 3rd line but he always seems to drop to the 4th by the end of the game.

I think Motte-Kruger-Hossa would be a good line too, but given the current roster I like Hossa in the top 6.

#Blackhawks lines today:

Panik – Toews - Kane
Panarin-Anisimov-Hossa
Motte-Schamltz-Hartman
Rasmussen-Kruger-Tootoo

Mark Lazerus ‏@MarkLazerus 25s25 seconds ago
Kruger and Schmaltz flip-flopping between 3C and 4C.
- JRoenick97

Any word on Forsling? Is he practicing and does anyone know what injury he had? concussion, shoulder?

Any word on Forsling? Is he practicing and does anyone know what injury he had? concussion, shoulder?
- EnzoD

They said he's the only guy not out there. No status yet.

In practice Schmaltz is on the 3rd line but he always seems to drop to the 4th by the end of the game.

I think Motte-Kruger-Hossa would be a good line too, but given the current roster I like Hossa in the top 6.
- DarthKane

They are flipping Krugs and Schmaltz.

They said he's the only guy not out there. No status yet.
- JRoenick97

That's unfortunate. His poise and skill with the puck is impressive. His potential is through the roof if he can add some muscle. Can't teach vision/patience like that...

That's unfortunate. His poise and skill with the puck is impressive. His potential is through the roof if he can add some muscle. Can't teach vision/patience like that...
- EnzoD

He has been a nice surprise to watch, especially when they paired him with Hammer. Q did say earlier this week he should be back this weekend, but maybe not Friday.