People on this thread aren't understanding the 2017 NHL and parity. It has not been like this ever.
4 points separate 8 teams in the East

Hawks need 100 points / and reset for the playoffs

Every team has holes and looks tired some nights, has up and down goal tending, special teams, face offs on and on and on

It's the dog days of the season
It's a grind

It will all look better April 1
- Colbyboy

Yep, and four teams within three points of a wild card spot in the West.

People on this thread aren't understanding the 2017 NHL and parity. It has not been like this ever.
4 points separate 8 teams in the East

Hawks need 100 points / and reset for the playoffs

Every team has holes and looks tired some nights, has up and down goal tending, special teams, face offs on and on and on

It's the dog days of the season
It's a grind

It will all look better April 1
- Colbyboy

Lets hear it for the optimists!!!

Kool-aid all day baby! Drink it up! I'm right here with ya

People on this thread aren't understanding the 2017 NHL and parity. It has not been like this ever.
4 points separate 8 teams in the East

Hawks need 100 points / and reset for the playoffs

Every team has holes and looks tired some nights, has up and down goal tending, special teams, face offs on and on and on

It's the dog days of the season
It's a grind

It will all look better April 1
- Colbyboy

100% on the parity. Never have so many teams been so close to the cap and many more teams have been having to make tough cap decisions. The standings just seem to get tighter top to bottom.

Yep, and four teams within three points of a wild card spot in the West.
- walleyeb1

But that's the case every year.

I totally get and agree with the salary cap causing a race to the middle. All that said, the "logic" that that means no one else could be appreciably better than the Hawks is flawed. Doesn't pass the eye test.

The Hawks are a team with 5-6 elite players (more than most teams, or maybe ALL teams) have, but they have pretty weak depth overall and are missing an important complementary piece (top 6 LW) for a team that would otherwise challenge for a Cup.

THAT'S the problem. A team like Washington with one elite player but a lot of good complementatry players and great depth is likely better built for a deep playoff run. Or even Pittsburgh with 2-3 elite players, but bigger, older more proven depth.

The cap is what it is, Stanley and the FO over-committed on big salaries (Kane, Toews, Seabrook to name three). Cut each of those salaries by a million bucks and you have that elusive 2nd line LW (in all likelihood), or a couple of jay Beagle/Tom Wilson types.

But that's the case every year.

I totally get and agree with the salary cap causing a race to the middle. All that said, the "logic" that that means no one else could be appreciably better than the Hawks is flawed. Doesn't pass the eye test.

The Hawks are a team with 5-6 elite players (more than most teams, or maybe ALL teams) have, but they have pretty weak depth overall and are missing an important complementary piece (top 6 LW) for a team that would otherwise challenge for a Cup.

THAT'S the problem. A team like Washington with one elite player but a lot of good complementatry players and great depth is likely better built for a deep playoff run. Or even Pittsburgh with 2-3 elite players, but bigger, older more proven depth.

The cap is what it is, Stanley and the FO over-committed on big salaries (Kane, Toews, Seabrook to name three). Cut each of those salaries by a million bucks and you have that elusive 2nd line LW (in all likelihood), or a couple of jay Beagle/Tom Wilson types.
- John Jaeckel

And all that said, stuff is brewing. The Hawks may be working on something bigger for this deadline than the previous two. All on that for now.

But that's the case every year.

I totally get and agree with the salary cap causing a race to the middle. All that said, the "logic" that that means no one else could be appreciably better than the Hawks is flawed. Doesn't pass the eye test.

The Hawks are a team with 5-6 elite players (more than most teams, or maybe ALL teams) have, but they have pretty weak depth overall and are missing an important complementary piece (top 6 LW) for a team that would otherwise challenge for a Cup.

THAT'S the problem. A team like Washington with one elite player but a lot of good complementatry players and great depth is likely better built for a deep playoff run. Or even Pittsburgh with 2-3 elite players, but bigger, older more proven depth.

The cap is what it is, Stanley and the FO over-committed on big salaries (Kane, Toews, Seabrook to name three). Cut each of those salaries by a million bucks and you have that elusive 2nd line LW (in all likelihood), or a couple of jay Beagle/Tom Wilson types.
- John Jaeckel

No love for Backstrom and Holtby?

No love for Backstrom and Holtby?
- kinigitt

Holtby is sort of elite, yeah. I don't put Backstrom there quite but nice player for sure. But yeah, they have a great roster, even if RickJ hates their coach.

And all that said, stuff is brewing. The Hawks may be working on something bigger for this deadline than the previous two. All on that for now.
- John Jaeckel

bigger than the previous two would be impressive considering a lot has been done the last two seasons. i will be looking forward to reading about what you are hearing when you eventually blog it. thanks for all the good reads and updates.

But that's the case every year.

I totally get and agree with the salary cap causing a race to the middle. All that said, the "logic" that that means no one else could be appreciably better than the Hawks is flawed. Doesn't pass the eye test.

The Hawks are a team with 5-6 elite players (more than most teams, or maybe ALL teams) have, but they have pretty weak depth overall and are missing an important complementary piece (top 6 LW) for a team that would otherwise challenge for a Cup.

THAT'S the problem. A team like Washington with one elite player but a lot of good complementatry players and great depth is likely better built for a deep playoff run. Or even Pittsburgh with 2-3 elite players, but bigger, older more proven depth.

The cap is what it is, Stanley and the FO over-committed on big salaries (Kane, Toews, Seabrook to name three). Cut each of those salaries by a million bucks and you have that elusive 2nd line LW (in all likelihood), or a couple of jay Beagle/Tom Wilson types.
- John Jaeckel

Totally agree JJ. I'm sure they were thinking the Cap would increase, or at least that's what they'll claim, whatever. The fact that they have over paid on these contracts has put them in cap hell year after year. Something needs to be done that creates more cap space and gets the team in a younger and faster future.
Nobody wants to trade Crawford, Seabrook, Kruger, Keith or any of the core right now, but if they don't, they'll be looking at getting less value in the summer and beyond. Many posters have questioned that move saying that their value isn't very good right now ? Imagine what it will be if they're one and done again this year, and a year older and slower next year ? Sooner or later they're going to have to realize this and make some tough decisions on players that we've all loved for all these years. Hopefully, they have a plan !

Holtby is sort of elite, yeah. I don't put Backstrom there quite but nice player for sure. But yeah, they have a great roster, even if RickJ hates their coach.
- John Jaeckel

I can't recall the last time I said anything bad about Barry "No Neck, Lets have 5 Guys Skating Backwards in the Neutral Zone Wen We Get a 1-0 Lead) Trotz.

And when he finally wins something meaningful I will be congratulatory toward him. It could be this year, they have a good team.

And all that said, stuff is brewing. The Hawks may be working on something bigger for this deadline than the previous two. All on that for now.
- John Jaeckel

Can't wait to hear the details you are hearing......

bigger than the previous two would be impressive considering a lot has been done the last two seasons. i will be looking forward to reading about what you are hearing when you eventually blog it. thanks for all the good reads and updates.
- frafra

No worries, thanks.

Stay tuned.

And all that said, stuff is brewing. The Hawks may be working on something bigger for this deadline than the previous two. All on that for now.
- John Jaeckel

Makes sense. If they go with what they have, early exit this year with a cap casualty or two this offseason plus a sweetener. Reality may be a reload or shakeup with an eye on the future and the cap.

People on this thread aren't understanding the 2017 NHL and parity. It has not been like this ever.
4 points separate 8 teams in the East

Hawks need 100 points / and reset for the playoffs

Every team has holes and looks tired some nights, has up and down goal tending, special teams, face offs on and on and on

It's the dog days of the season
It's a grind

It will all look better April 1
- Colbyboy

You're far more optimistic than I am. The only thing keeping them in the running is a weak WC. Pitt and Wash are in another class this season.

But that's the case every year.

I totally get and agree with the salary cap causing a race to the middle. All that said, the "logic" that that means no one else could be appreciably better than the Hawks is flawed. Doesn't pass the eye test.

The Hawks are a team with 5-6 elite players (more than most teams, or maybe ALL teams) have, but they have pretty weak depth overall and are missing an important complementary piece (top 6 LW) for a team that would otherwise challenge for a Cup.

THAT'S the problem. A team like Washington with one elite player but a lot of good complementatry players and great depth is likely better built for a deep playoff run. Or even Pittsburgh with 2-3 elite players, but bigger, older more proven depth.

The cap is what it is, Stanley and the FO over-committed on big salaries (Kane, Toews, Seabrook to name three). Cut each of those salaries by a million bucks and you have that elusive 2nd line LW (in all likelihood), or a couple of jay Beagle/Tom Wilson types.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed, but if you look at it, you have guys like Keith, Hammer and Hossa all who I believe are underpaid, so in reality, everything is equal. A few overpays and a few underpays. Even Steven!

Totally agree JJ. I'm sure they were thinking the Cap would increase, or at least that's what they'll claim, whatever. The fact that they have over paid on these contracts has put them in cap hell year after year. Something needs to be done that creates more cap space and gets the team in a younger and faster future.
Nobody wants to trade Crawford, Seabrook, Kruger, Keith or any of the core right now, but if they don't, they'll be looking at getting less value in the summer and beyond. Many posters have questioned that move saying that their value isn't very good right now ? Imagine what it will be if they're one and done again this year, and a year older and slower next year ? Sooner or later they're going to have to realize this and make some tough decisions on players that we've all loved for all these years. Hopefully, they have a plan !
- Hawkytalk

Someone with a big $$ contract will need to be moved. This team needs to get younger and faster.
It's better to trade a guy a year too early...than a year too late.

You're far more optimistic than I am. The only thing keeping them in the running is a weak WC. Pitt and Wash are in another class this season.
- howiehandles

The western conference finalist will likely be facing a beat up opponent from the competitive east -a reversal of the situation during our cup runs.

Agreed, but if you look at it, you have guys like Keith, Hammer and Hossa all who I believe are underpaid, so in reality, everything is equal. A few overpays and a few underpays. Even Steven!
- stan-ley-cups

Agree /Think the HAWKS have done a fine job at managing the cap ,so much so the NHL started changing the rules .

And I still believe the HAWKS will be quiet at the TDL ,like they were all summer .Something very cheap may fall in their lap like Campbell did .But If JJ is right I hope it's Landeskog he would check all the boxes now and in the future .I go all in on this kid ,his value may never be lower .And he still will not be cheap ..

And all that said, stuff is brewing. The Hawks may be working on something bigger for this deadline than the previous two. All on that for now.
- John Jaeckel

Nikita Tryamkin?

I think this is a better hawks team than last years, by quite a bit. Still not anywhere near 2013 though.

Aside from cleanly losing that draw, I like what I've seen from Toews the past two games. I have long said on here that he had to be playing hurt, and that could be what he was dealing with recently. I think the next part of it is the fear of reinjury once healthy. Hopefully he is past all that now.

Nikita Tryamkin?
- DarthKane

Well, he's definitely "bigger".

Blackhawks lines
Hartman-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Schmaltz-Kruger-Hossa
Desjardins-Kero-Hinostroza

Blackhawks lines
Hartman-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Schmaltz-Kruger-Hossa
Desjardins-Kero-Hinostroza
- jt19

I like the skill on the 3rd line.

Blackhawks lines
Hartman-Toews-Panik
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Schmaltz-Kruger-Hossa
Desjardins-Kero-Hinostroza
- jt19

Nice... but I would have kept Kero on the 3rd line and Kruger on the 4th. I like the Hartman/Toews/Panik line....that seems to be a great combo.

Hopefully Desjardins is in only because Rasmussen is still under the weather.