Guess my point was more towards that ur not getting a 1st for a G on a cap strapped team...

I think a team w/Cap space can net a late 2nd or def a 3rd pick for sure,
- Ur Not Me

Depends on how desperate a team is for a goalie. Looking at you, Winnipeg. Too bad they have 3 goalies signed. Though Crow for Hutch and a 2nd wouldn't be terrible. Sign Darls to start and keep Hutch as the backup.

Do we inquire on Duclair?

What do you guys think it would take?

Teams can only lose one player in the expansion draft.
- TheTrob

fixed

Do we inquire on Duclair?

What do you guys think it would take?
- nickmo2699

Too much, I'm afraid.

Glad to see Darling start, for several reasons:
1. Keeps him sharp, may need him in the playoffs again like against Nashville couple of years back.
2. Gives Crawford some needed rest. He hasn't been sharp lately and maybe a little "down time" will be the fix he needs.
3. Hawks have a point cushion. They should play Darling once every 3-4 starts anyway. 50-55 starts for Crawford is plenty. 30-35 for Darling is not too much.
4. Nice to have TWO fairly rested and game-ready goalies ready when the playoffs roll around.

Go Hawks....beat dem Bruins!!!!!

Hi Rain, I tend to agree with you more than not. Agree that Crawford being dealt is a good way to open up cap space. Seems the more Darling plays the more consistent he gets. Makes sense.
But when you reference their system I am not so sure. The only consistent thing about it I see is to play patty cake and not go to the net. When they do go to the net they score more. So to me their plan A system is highly suspect.
- 6628

I just look more so at the stats between 50 and 33 and they are very similar. I think 33, like 50 back in 2010-11 can be THE guy. He's big, athletic and has shown ability to win big games (see playoffs vs nash when CC was lost).

System wise, I don't know what the hell they are doing this year but puck possession seems off, but I think I attribute that more to 19/2 being way off their games.

Bowman has a tough next few weeks. Lots of factors at stake....mcegos quest to pick as often as possible at the UC during the draft, cap problems in 2017-18, and expansion draft...........

I just look more so at the stats between 50 and 33 and they are very similar. I think 33, like 50 back in 2010-11 can be THE guy. He's big, athletic and has shown ability to win big games (see playoffs vs nash when CC was lost).

System wise, I don't know what the hell they are doing this year but puck possession seems off, but I think I attribute that more to 19/2 being way off their games.

Bowman has a tough next few weeks. Lots of factors at stake....mcegos quest to pick as often as possible at the UC during the draft, cap problems in 2017-18, and expansion draft...........
- SteveRain

I think there's a trust issue as well. There are a TON of new players and rookies on the team. Between lack of reps and just plain inexperience, it makes the possession game sputter. Just my .02.

Depends on how desperate a team is for a goalie. Looking at you, Winnipeg. Too bad they have 3 goalies signed. Though Crow for Hutch and a 2nd wouldn't be terrible. Sign Darls to start and keep Hutch as the backup.
- JRoenick97

With Mason & Bishop becoming ufa's and are quality enuff to be starters are prob the 1st domino, plus the way Winnipeg has played this year with their 3 G issue and slowly becoming a cap team soon enuff, Hellybuck is their future.....

I think isles should take a look but w/cap issues my team has, a 3rd pick & lesser salary roster player could make sense...

With Mason & Bishop becoming ufa's and are quality enuff to be starters are prob the 1st domino, plus the way Winnipeg has played this year with their 3 G issue and slowly becoming a cap team soon enuff, Hellybuck is their future.....

I think isles should take a look but w/cap issues my team has, a 3rd pick & lesser salary roster player could make sense...
- Ur Not Me

I agree, but he has struggled big time this season. May not hurt to have a good bridge guy to start a couple years.

I agree, but he has struggled big time this season. May not hurt to have a good bridge guy to start a couple years.
- JRoenick97

Hellybuck has won at least 12 or more games so far in his 1st professional season, no bridge is needed, maybe a stable backup but not at the expense of $6m, maybe like a $1m or $2m backup. Its his team now.....

If Toews is injured, he shouldn't be playing every game. He also had a bad season in 15/16...was he injured then too?? It's an excuse for a guy that got paid, won everything, has a serious long-term GF, and seems to have lost his drive to be the best. That is my opinion, but we are going on 1.5 seasons of basically a 0.5 PPG pace for the Co-Highest paid player in the NHL. Its completely unacceptable, and the Hawks will only go as far as 2+19 can take them due to the Salary Cap situation and resulting Roster Holes. Hopefully 19 figures it out.

I'll re-post this from the last blog:

"Out of those I'd take Hudler. No contest.

Vanek has good numbers but he's useless in the playoffs. He'd be a healthy scratch at least once. He has great hands and offensive instincts but he's the definition of a coaster. It's always been his style.

Edit: Not that he's the best of the ones listed, but I think he'd be a good fit and he's cheap. JVR is too expensive and would be a bigger ask. Frankly I don't think the Hawks should be buying anything this season. You go big at the deadline to add a complimentary piece. We need a CORE piece to achieve.
- kinigitt"

Respectfully, and completely, disagree.

Vanek has been one of our Top 3 best defensive forwards all season long. The thing that I appreciate most is, when he makes a poor offensive decision, he skates back the hardest to diffuse the opponent's rush and/or play. He is more creative and smarter than most people will give him credit for. I honestly think his signing and play, aside from faceoffs, has completely replaced what Datsyuk provided.

I'll re-post this from the last blog:

"Out of those I'd take Hudler. No contest.

Vanek has good numbers but he's useless in the playoffs. He'd be a healthy scratch at least once. He has great hands and offensive instincts but he's the definition of a coaster. It's always been his style.

Edit: Not that he's the best of the ones listed, but I think he'd be a good fit and he's cheap. JVR is too expensive and would be a bigger ask. Frankly I don't think the Hawks should be buying anything this season. You go big at the deadline to add a complimentary piece. We need a CORE piece to achieve.
- kinigitt"

Respectfully, and completely, disagree.

Vanek has been one of our Top 3 best defensive forwards all season long. The thing that I appreciate most is, when he makes a poor offensive decision, he skates back the hardest to diffuse the opponent's rush and/or play. He is more creative and smarter than most people will give him credit for. I honestly think his signing and play, aside from faceoffs, has completely replaced what Datsyuk provided.
- TwoPieceFeed

I'll re-post this from the last blog:

"Out of those I'd take Hudler. No contest.

Vanek has good numbers but he's useless in the playoffs. He'd be a healthy scratch at least once. He has great hands and offensive instincts but he's the definition of a coaster. It's always been his style.

Edit: Not that he's the best of the ones listed, but I think he'd be a good fit and he's cheap. JVR is too expensive and would be a bigger ask. Frankly I don't think the Hawks should be buying anything this season. You go big at the deadline to add a complimentary piece. We need a CORE piece to achieve.
- kinigitt"

Respectfully, and completely, disagree.

Vanek has been one of our Top 3 best defensive forwards all season long. The thing that I appreciate most is, when he makes a poor offensive decision, he skates back the hardest to diffuse the opponent's rush and/or play. He is more creative and smarter than most people will give him credit for. I honestly think his signing and play, aside from faceoffs, has completely replaced what Datsyuk provided.
- TwoPieceFeed

Sorry dude but defense & Vanek dont belong together.....

Sorry dude but defense & Vanek dont belong together.....
- Ur Not Me

He probably just didn't want to play for the Islanders.

He plays motivated and responsibly on the Wings. I've watched 31 of the games that he played in and he was one of our best players in all but 2 of them. It hurts to say that he's replaced Datsyuk, but his play merits that statement. Datsyuk was a responsible 60-point player when he left, and that's currently what Vanek is for us.

If Toews is injured, he shouldn't be playing every game. He also had a bad season in 15/16...was he injured then too?? It's an excuse for a guy that got paid, won everything, has a serious long-term GF, and seems to have lost his drive to be the best. That is my opinion, but we are going on 1.5 seasons of basically a 0.5 PPG pace for the Co-Highest paid player in the NHL. Its completely unacceptable, and the Hawks will only go as far as 2+19 can take them due to the Salary Cap situation and resulting Roster Holes. Hopefully 19 figures it out.
- EnzoD

The elephant in the room.
The issue is the contract and his performance based on his salary.
Nothing less, nothing more.
Sooner or later it will have to be adddresed if the performance stays the same.

If Toews is injured, he shouldn't be playing every game. He also had a bad season in 15/16...was he injured then too?? It's an excuse for a guy that got paid, won everything, has a serious long-term GF, and seems to have lost his drive to be the best. That is my opinion, but we are going on 1.5 seasons of basically a 0.5 PPG pace for the Co-Highest paid player in the NHL. Its completely unacceptable, and the Hawks will only go as far as 2+19 can take them due to the Salary Cap situation and resulting Roster Holes. Hopefully 19 figures it out.
- EnzoD

I'd assume the team doctors and coaching staff would know best if he should be playing or not. It is what they get paid for.

Also his 0.68 PPG over that span isn't great, but it isn't that dramatic.

He scored 35 goals and add 45 assists, where typically he would have been more like 45 goals and 57 assists. A slump, but not as dramatic as some make it out to be. He may be hurt or he may just be doing something wrong, but you also can not deny the facts that he lost a lot of support from his line mates as well. Hossa struggled last year and missed time due to injury and the LW side was often 3rd and 4th line guys trying to fill a hole they shouldn't. You can call it an excuse or not, but it is a factor. An undeniable factor. There is such a thing as chemistry and make up of a line to have it be effective. True, Toews isn't living up to the $ in his contract right now, but it was the deal signed at the time. Stan has to deal with that and Q needs to get his Captain playing right, but don't forget that the real value will come playoff time. If Toews performs in the postseason like usual, then I don't care if he slumps a bit in the regular season. The Hawks aren't struggling to make the playoffs or on the outside looking in.

Would you guys trade Toews/Kane for McJesus/a winger straight up?

(lets assume EDM has the cap space to make that trade)

He probably just didn't want to play for the Islanders.

He plays motivated and responsibly on the Wings. I've watched 31 of the games that he played in and he was one of our best players in all but 2 of them. It hurts to say that he's replaced Datsyuk, but his play merits that statement. Datsyuk was a responsible 60-point player when he left, and that's currently what Vanek is for us.
- TwoPieceFeed

Vanek is having a pretty darn solid year IMO. I don't think there are many better low salary options on the trade market. He hasn't been the best playoff performer, but man he is better than some of the options in the Hawks lineup right now.

Would you guys trade Toews/Kane for McJesus/a winger straight up?

(lets assume EDM has the cap space to make that trade)
- Slofire94

Yes. McDavid is generational.

Do u think Crow can fetch a 1st rd pick? I understand he's a cup G but he has term and ur up against the cap...

edit: Plus G's are always available
- Ur Not Me

I heard from a knowledgeable source the likely market price for him last summer (contract and all) was a mid-first round draft pick. And you are right about the glutted market. Which was the case last summer too.

He's a really good, dependable (and credentialed as such) goalie. If a team on the rise were looking for the guy to get them over the top, i.e. win a Cup, CC would be the guy to go with.

I don't think he's in the top 2-3 goalies in the league, but top 5 there is an argument. And def 5-10, like I said, with impeccable playoff credentials.

I just look more so at the stats between 50 and 33 and they are very similar. I think 33, like 50 back in 2010-11 can be THE guy. He's big, athletic and has shown ability to win big games (see playoffs vs nash when CC was lost).

System wise, I don't know what the hell they are doing this year but puck possession seems off, but I think I attribute that more to 19/2 being way off their games.

Bowman has a tough next few weeks. Lots of factors at stake....mcegos quest to pick as often as possible at the UC during the draft, cap problems in 2017-18, and expansion draft...........
- SteveRain

I don't think 33=50, but 33 has some qualities (size, altheticism at his size, demeanor, performance under immense pressure) that suggest he could be the Hawks' #1. Bookmark that thought for late June . . .

System-wise, to me, the BIG things are as follows:

1) Keith

Watch him closely. He lacks explosion and he does not react quickly/smoothly in short areas. Not like . . . Keith. I am convinced he is still hurt/recovering form the knee (or possibly something else).

A compromised Keith means the Hawks' SYSTEM is compromised. When the hawks are at the ir best, they get through center ice fairly quickly and often with lethal quickness and Keith has a lot to do with that. When he's 100%. I will not buy the "Keith is in decline" narrative until I see another season like this. Just like with Hossa last year.

2) LW

When the Hawks had Saad and Sharp, they had 2 fast LWs who could finish the stretch pass play. Now they really only have 1. The stretch play forces defenses to give a lot of ground and also is one of the best ways to counteract a jammed up neutral zone, or a team that forechecks hard and deep. The Hawks are seeing a lot of those two things this year, too. Aren't they?

3) Way too many new, young faces

A system by it's very nature relies on familiarity, repetition and recognition. Q is forced most nights by roster turnover and injury to experiment and change on the fly. VERY hard, if not impossible, to play smoothly and instinctively in a SYSTEM under those circumstances.

I just look more so at the stats between 50 and 33 and they are very similar. I think 33, like 50 back in 2010-11 can be THE guy. He's big, athletic and has shown ability to win big games (see playoffs vs nash when CC was lost).

System wise, I don't know what the hell they are doing this year but puck possession seems off, but I think I attribute that more to 19/2 being way off their games.

Bowman has a tough next few weeks. Lots of factors at stake....mcegos quest to pick as often as possible at the UC during the draft, cap problems in 2017-18, and expansion draft...........
- SteveRain

Is that something that is known, or is that something that we as fans are talking about? I have heard the phrase "Make a big splash at the draft", but I don't think that means many picks. A huge trade will accomplish that.

I don't think 33=50, but 33 has some qualities (size, altheticism at his size, demeanor, performance under immense pressure) that suggest he could be the Hawks' #1. Bookmark that thought for late June . . .

System-wise, to me, the BIG things are as follows:

1) Keith

Watch him closely. He lacks explosion and he does not react quickly/smoothly in short areas. Not like . . . Keith. I am convinced he is still hurt/recovering form the knee (or possibly something else).

- John Jaeckel

He hasn't looked fast at all this season. Legit knee injuries can take over a year to be 100%

Is that something that is known, or is that something that we as fans are talking about? I have heard the phrase "Make a big splash at the draft", but I don't think that means many picks. A huge trade will accomplish that.
- powerenforcer

They have a LOT of picks at the draft and we here that they dont' want to trade 1st round due to draft being in Chicago.

You could be right, but I see it more as drafting as much as possible. Unless the trade is an absolute win can you imagine the fan reaction inside the UC if 50 were traded fro a pick? Some would get it, but most would be upset.