Congratulations! You guys are the 2011-12 Los Angeles Kings. Go sign Dustin Penner and get ready to win yourselves another Cup.

Well we have 17 seconds---- and the Cubs have 10th inning GM 7 WS--
- jb3333

And that rain delay was exactly 17 minutes long. Hmmm...

On a side note. Alex DeBrincat has scored 6 goals in his last 3 games (2 goals each game) to bring his current total to 44. He's got 48 helpers and is a +47 to boot and leads the OHL in scoring by 10 pts.

He now has 19 games to score 6 goals and become the first OHL player to get 50 goals in 3 consecutive seasons since Dale McCourt completed the feat in the 1976-77 season.

Hockey Prospectus had DeBrincat ranked as the 13th best prospect in the 2016 draft despite being only 5'7" tall. Clearly, it was his lack of size that had him fall to the Hawks at the 39th overall pick in the 2nd round.

Here's what HP had to say about him leading up to last year's draft:

"Has a burst of speed, which is necessary at his size. Can be eaten up in his own zone. He is quick and plays in dirty areas, but I question his ability to keep up with less room in the pros. Not the height that bothers me but the slight frame. His skating and agility instantly puts him amongst the best skaters in the NHL. He has an incredible release and great accuracy when shooting. He will be one of the smallest players in the league. Don’t be fooled. He is not hindered by his small stature. He has good balance and leg strength and when combined with his agility allows him to be successful against larger players."

Certainly the GMs that passed on him can know more than HP does, but the Hawks might, MIGHT, have gotten a steal here.

If only he played left wing...

Let me ask do any of the listed clubs have a top 4 of Kane, Panarin, Hossa, Toews? Do they have a top 3 of Keith, Seabs, Hammer? A two time cup winning goalie? Some have as good a, b or c but IMO not across the board.

Some of the above have injuries and some choose to use a top 6 Hossa type on the 3rd line for balance but it still remains every team has guys who don't belong in the top 6 or defensive top 4.
- Mr Ricochet

Ehh...Penguins have quite the collection: Crosby, Malkin (that's THE best 1-2 center duo in the league), Kessel and Sheary (who currently has same amount of goals as Kane but for about 6% of the cost)

The defense has Letang (who may not be the best but definitely a top 5-10), Dumoulin (though injuries has been hard on him this season) as well as Schultz who is having a killer season.

Between the pipes we have the duo of Murray and Fleury which has certainly got the job done.

Also, penguins are the reigning champions so it's not like blackhawks are the premier team for the moment. They WERE the franchise 1-2 years ago, but has slipped since then and many teams have catched up and are now in better position for the new way of playing

Respectfully, I don't understand how so many who follow so closely don't acknowledge the cap and what it's done to EVERY single team. EVERY team has holes and they all try and plug them within the vice grip of the cap.

The Hawks need a top 6 LW. Respectfully, not a revelation. But let me ask do these teams who are in the playoff hunt have holes in their top 6? Are they worse off in their top 6 than the Hawks? Players in the top 6:

ANA: Cogliano

CAL: Tkachuk, Brouwer, Frolik

DAL: Eakin, Rousell, Ritchie

FLA: Jokinen, R. Smith

LA: Pearson, Brown, Gaborik

MIN: Zucker, Neiderreiter, Tuch

MTL: Byron, Dennault, Desharnais

NSH: Arvidsson, Watson, C. Smith

OTT: Ryan, C. Smith, Dzingel

PITT: Cullen, Guentzel, Rust

STL: Perron, Lehtara

TB: Killorn, Namestikov, Point

WSH: Lewis


Let me ask do any of the listed clubs have a top 4 of Kane, Panarin, Hossa, Toews? Do they have a top 3 of Keith, Seabs, Hammer? A two time cup winning goalie? Some have as good a, b or c but IMO not across the board.

Some of the above have injuries and some choose to use a top 6 Hossa type on the 3rd line for balance but it still remains every team has guys who don't belong in the top 6 or defensive top 4.

My point(s) today is the same as it was when the season started. Due to the cap it's not how much better a team gets it's how much less worse due to losses cuz of the cap. Every team has holes. Every team will have to fill holes with rookies who are not ready. Every team will try to fit square pegs in round holes.

Do the Hawks need a top 6 LW? Of course they do. Are they the only ones with holes? Absolutely not. Should the Hawks fill as many holes as they can without gutting the system? IMO yes but don't gut the thing. Make the team better with improvement of your own players, make the team better with a bonafide vet 3rd liner, make the team better with a legit #4 Dman, make the team better with a 2LW, but realize before you gut that every team has holes.
- Mr Ricochet

Agreed 100%. Not sure a couple of teams have as many holes right now as the Hawks do and that's the point. Or should be.

Johhny Oduya. You heard it here first.
- onehundredlevel

That would be interesting . . . but why?

On a side note. Alex DeBrincat has scored 6 goals in his last 3 games (2 goals each game) to bring his current total to 44. He's got 48 helpers and is a +47 to boot and leads the OHL in scoring by 10 pts.

He now has 19 games to score 6 goals and become the first OHL player to get 50 goals in 3 consecutive seasons since Dale McCourt completed the feat in the 1976-77 season.

Hockey Prospectus had DeBrincat ranked as the 13th best prospect in the 2016 draft despite being only 5'7" tall. Clearly, it was his lack of size that had him fall to the Hawks at the 39th overall pick in the 2nd round.

Here's what HP had to say about him leading up to last year's draft:

"Has a burst of speed, which is necessary at his size. Can be eaten up in his own zone. He is quick and plays in dirty areas, but I question his ability to keep up with less room in the pros. Not the height that bothers me but the slight frame. His skating and agility instantly puts him amongst the best skaters in the NHL. He has an incredible release and great accuracy when shooting. He will be one of the smallest players in the league. Don’t be fooled. He is not hindered by his small stature. He has good balance and leg strength and when combined with his agility allows him to be successful against larger players."

Certainly the GMs that passed on him can know more than HP does, but the Hawks might, MIGHT, have gotten a steal here.

If only he played left wing...
- 4_in_7

Maybe a steal. But even if he was 6'7" he's not jumping from junior and making an impact in the NHL playoffs this year.

His junior numbers are crazy good, but a lot of "guys" rack u0 big junior numbers and some never even sniff the NHL. Gotta wait and see on him.

Ehh...Penguins have quite the collection: Crosby, Malkin (that's THE best 1-2 center duo in the league), Kessel and Sheary (who currently has same amount of goals as Kane but for about 6% of the cost)

The defense has Letang (who may not be the best but definitely a top 5-10), Dumoulin (though injuries has been hard on him this season) as well as Schultz who is having a killer season.

Between the pipes we have the duo of Murray and Fleury which has certainly got the job done.

Also, penguins are the reigning champions so it's not like blackhawks are the premier team for the moment. They WERE the franchise 1-2 years ago, but has slipped since then and many teams have catched up and are now in better position for the new way of playing
- Mikewatchman

Please elaborate.

Otherwise, points taken.

I think the Hawks have more holes right now than the Pens. They plug 1-2 of them at the deadline (and they may), and "new way of playing" (whatever that means) or no, they are right there with Pitt and Wash and and anyone else.

Taking nothing from Crosby and Malkin, but they are not the only elite players in the game. Letang is not the best defenseman in the game either. Probably not top 5.

Fleury and Murray? There are better out there.

So, back off a bit there.

You deserve some pride for two rings and the one last year, but a repeat is VERY hard to do in today's NHL.

And the Hawks body of work since 2009 kinda speaks for itself: 3 rings, 5 conference finals.

[quote=the_dough_boy]
I agree. Chia has his strengths. It cap management isn't one of them.

Saad had 31 goals and 22 assists last season for a bad Jackets squad. I think they miss him just as much. Saad should have been one of our core guys for years.

Right now he's got 17 goals and 21 helpers. Anisimov been a nice piece, but he's by no means Saad. Huge mistake by Stan should have made it work. Couple of bad moves there...no Bickell buyout and then not moving Sharp at the draft for picks cost us.
- DK002

Got Patrick Kane 100 points and provides someone who speaks Russian and has been in the states long enough to know his away around. Kind of important piece for Panarin who came over speaking not a whole lot of English.

Also provides another center with upside. Otherwise, you'd have Toews and Kruger right now as the only two proven NHL commodities at center and that would suck. Plus, you know, the whole dollars thing.

I'd venture to say that it was a pretty even deal considering the circumstances.

Also, having certain information now makes it pretty easy to look back and say what an idiot but its tough to fault most of the moves they have made and with last years aggressiveness it seems like they understand that they cant sit on their hands because the windows is Duncan Keith's knee.

They need to win another one over the next 2 or 3 years and can't afford to wait for some of the kids to develop. Then they can start blowing things up and acquiring assets for a rebuild, which hopefully they can pull off better than Detroit.

Well we have 17 seconds---- and the Cubs have 10th inning GM 7 WS--
- jb3333

You forgot the most important one...

You forgot the most important one...


- fattybeef

Fatty with the upper decker. Nice

You forgot the most important one...


- fattybeef

Got Patrick Kane 100 points and provides someone who speaks Russian and has been in the states long enough to know his away around. Kind of important piece for Panarin who came over speaking not a whole lot of English.

Also provides another center with upside. Otherwise, you'd have Toews and Kruger right now as the only two proven NHL commodities at center and that would suck. Plus, you know, the whole dollars thing.

I'd venture to say that it was a pretty even deal considering the circumstances.

Also, having certain information now makes it pretty easy to look back and say what an idiot but its tough to fault most of the moves they have made and with last years aggressiveness it seems like they understand that they cant sit on their hands because the windows is Duncan Keith's knee.

They need to win another one over the next 2 or 3 years and can't afford to wait for some of the kids to develop. Then they can start blowing things up and acquiring assets for a rebuild, which hopefully they can pull off better than Detroit.
- fattybeef

Bowman made the best of a tough situation. All things considered, a win for both clubs, and it shouldn't have been for the Hawks.

Get over him. He's gone. But seriously, you must have sxpected this and more when Kane and Toews signed those ridiculous 10.5m contracts, no?
- Larsson_fan

For sure. I don't think a single person would deny the impact of those through the roof deals. A good deal of us thought he was going to sign here again, but poop happens. Business is business. Kane and Toews helped turn around a franchise and showed it by winning 3 cups. So, as much as those contracts hamstring this team with certain possible acquisitions, they earned it.

One thing about the Saad trade is that we created one hole and filled another. 1LW gone and 2C filled. So it kind of evens out. Thing is, Toews has been in a slump and looking for a winger hasn't worked out so far, aside from last spring with Ladd. But if the captain goes to the GM and asks for a certain player, and considering the salary cap, I don't really know what he expects Bowman to do. I am somewhat optimistic that he can pull a pretty good winger like Tatar. But if what Ek reports is true, "Muzzin and a top prospect for Duchene?" Dutch is going to be a LA King.

You forgot the most important one...


- fattybeef

That one was sweet

That would be interesting . . . but why?
- John Jaeckel

I just get the feeling Q is uneasy with rolling Forsling or Kempny come playoff time. Oduya gives us 6 solid d-men. I like Hanzal too...that would be a nice get. I'm thinking Duchene and Sharp are above our price range. I don't know...next three weeks will be interesting.

I know TVR and Kruger are expansion eligible. Is Hartman also available for Vegas to pick? Is there anything we can do to make sure Hartman is not available? Outside of trading him?

I just get the feeling Q is uneasy with rolling Forsling or Kempny come playoff time. Oduya gives us 6 solid d-men. I like Hanzal too...that would be a nice get. I'm thinking Duchene and Sharp are above our price range. I don't know...next three weeks will be interesting.

I know TVR and Kruger are expansion eligible. Is Hartman also available for Vegas to pick? Is there anything we can do to make sure Hartman is not available? Outside of trading him?
- onehundredlevel

I hope we dont trade Forsling. Guy has skills. Just needs some time to develop. His skating reminds of Keith when he was younger. Same with Kempny.

Please elaborate.

Otherwise, points taken.

I think the Hawks have more holes right now than the Pens. They plug 1-2 of them at the deadline (and they may), and "new way of playing" (whatever that means) or no, they are right there with Pitt and Wash and and anyone else.

Taking nothing from Crosby and Malkin, but they are not the only elite players in the game. Letang is not the best defenseman in the game either. Probably not top 5.

Fleury and Murray? There are better out there.

So, back off a bit there.

You deserve some pride for two rings and the one last year, but a repeat is VERY hard to do in today's NHL.

And the Hawks body of work since 2009 kinda speaks for itself: 3 rings, 5 conference finals.
- John Jaeckel

My point is that Mr Ricochet's post is not really the truth. He implies that the blackhawks would be superior to almost every team in the league, which is not true. Both Penguins and Capitals for example are in better shape currently for a play-off run.

All respect to blackhawks for their incredible feat the last 6 years (especially the 3 cups) but they are currently not as good as they have been. nothing strange about it. every team goes through cycles. Edmonton, one of the most successful franchises ever. still, its not like they have been great for the last 10 years. red wings: 25 straight play-off appearances, this year their streak looks to have to to an end. doesn't mean they're a poor team but every team goes through phases and so do blackhawks too. the assumption that they're THE template for how to construct a team is not as true at the moment.

Crosby and Malkin aren't the only elite players in the game, there are a bunch of more players, but Crosby has been the best in the game for many many years. Nobody has been as consistent as him. I didn't say letang is the best, i said he's a top 5. unfortunately injuries has been very hard on him. He's still great though. While Keith might be better, there's no way you can argue Seabrook is better than letang.

My point is that as of last season chicago is not the same team. between 10-15 they were outstanding, like the detroit red wings was is the 90's, a modern dynasty. but because of their success they have also lost many great players

Please elaborate.

Otherwise, points taken.

I think the Hawks have more holes right now than the Pens. They plug 1-2 of them at the deadline (and they may), and "new way of playing" (whatever that means) or no, they are right there with Pitt and Wash and and anyone else.

Taking nothing from Crosby and Malkin, but they are not the only elite players in the game. Letang is not the best defenseman in the game either. Probably not top 5.

Fleury and Murray? There are better out there.

So, back off a bit there.

You deserve some pride for two rings and the one last year, but a repeat is VERY hard to do in today's NHL.

And the Hawks body of work since 2009 kinda speaks for itself: 3 rings, 5 conference finals.
- John Jaeckel

Problem is that the Pitt and Wash and anyone else will have made TDL acquisitions themselves so our relative positions will not have changed.

I just get the feeling Q is uneasy with rolling Forsling or Kempny come playoff time. Oduya gives us 6 solid d-men. I like Hanzal too...that would be a nice get. I'm thinking Duchene and Sharp are above our price range. I don't know...next three weeks will be interesting.

I know TVR and Kruger are expansion eligible. Is Hartman also available for Vegas to pick? Is there anything we can do to make sure Hartman is not available? Outside of trading him?
- onehundredlevel

He is adapting pretty well and is their best and most consistent rookie so far. Looks like he will be a good third liner, possibly a middle six guy, a guy who can slide up to the second. The Hawks should (at least I hope) keep him.

My point is that Mr Ricochet's post is not really the truth. He implies that the blackhawks would be superior to almost every team in the league, which is not true. Both Penguins and Capitals for example are in better shape currently for a play-off run.

All respect to blackhawks for their incredible feat the last 6 years (especially the 3 cups) but they are currently not as good as they have been. nothing strange about it. every team goes through cycles. Edmonton, one of the most successful franchises ever. still, its not like they have been great for the last 10 years. red wings: 25 straight play-off appearances, this year their streak looks to have to to an end. doesn't mean they're a poor team but every team goes through phases and so do blackhawks too. the assumption that they're THE template for how to construct a team is not as true at the moment.

Crosby and Malkin aren't the only elite players in the game, there are a bunch of more players, but Crosby has been the best in the game for many many years. Nobody has been as consistent as him. I didn't say letang is the best, i said he's a top 5. unfortunately injuries has been very hard on him. He's still great though. While Keith might be better, there's no way you can argue Seabrook is better than letang.

My point is that as of last season chicago is not the same team. between 10-15 they were outstanding, like the detroit red wings was is the 90's, a modern dynasty. but because of their success they have also lost many great players
- Mikewatchman

Best way to look at the entire league is to treat every year differently and realize that there are no teams anymore that can be considered dynasties or even prohibitive favourites win a Cup. The structure of the schedule and playoffs within the division look after that.

The Caps and the Penguins are probably the 2 best teams in the league right now, but one of them is going away early in the playoffs - unfortunate that fans will never have the chance to see those 2 teams in a Final, if they are in fact the 2 best. So that opens it up to teams like the Hawks, Sharks, Ducks, Oilers or whoever comes out of the West - they may not be anywhere near the best team in the league after 82 games but one of them could be lucky enough to grab a Cup as the last team standing and be able to win vs a beaten up survivor of the East.

Maybe Bowman was being coy with his wording "I don't see us making a trade at the deadline" because he's got a deal worked out with Shalunov to join the Hawks in a month when he's done his KHL season.

... what a sly guy.

A frustrated GM said that they are only two sellers right now. In the next few weeks that should change.
- walleyeb1

Yes

Maybe Bowman was being coy with his wording "I don't see us making a trade at the deadline" because he's got a deal worked out with Shalunov to join the Hawks in a month when he's done his KHL season.

... what a sly guy.
- TyCamScore

I think counting on Shalunov to come over this Spring and have an actual impact as far as this year in some way is a pretty long bet.