Future of the NHL is Edmonton, Toronto and Pittsburgh

Not sure how the Hawks figure out how to compete with the size , youth and speed of this league going forward.
- Colbyboy

No trap teams here. If true Hawks will remain competitive as is.

I love Hossa, but I mean seriously, how is he 'one of the best RW's of all time'? Did Kurri, Bossy, Richard, and Howe just never exist all of a sudden?

TBH, I think Steve Larmer is up there too by comparison.

Leafs have almost nothing at defense. It's amazing they did so well. Reilly is great. Hunwick and Gardiner are ok (although Gardiner can be a trainwreck at times), but they don't have the talent at D to do anything yet. They need 2 capable D-men, probably someone who can play on their 1st and 2nd pair.
- kwolf68

very well said!

Saad & Danualt would be a start to a great line. Oh wait Bowman got AA & NOTHING in return for them.

Well maybe the 3rd rd pick we use this year will be a stud? Oh wait Bowman traded that pick for Tomas Jurco!

Maybe somebody will take Kruger? Oh wait he's making $3mill per year for 4th line C that kills PK's & can't win draws playing 12-13 mins a game.

Maybe somebody will take Seabrook? Oh wait he just got a "7" year deal before the season from Bowman.

Maybe we can land Duchense? Oh wait Bowman would not trade Hartman for him.

Maybe Bowman can bring back Scudderi or Rungblad.

Timonen for 2nd rd pick? Played 4-5 mins a game.

Maybe this is the year Tevo breaks out? Oh wait we had to get rid of him because Bowman gave Bickell a STUPID contract for 4 years.

Does it ever end?

Hopefully Rocky & McD wake up & get this BUM out of town. Daddy was a great coach but kid is a horrible GM.

So it doesn't look like Q or Stan will be packing their stuff just yet.

Trade Panarin for center or D help.

Deep thoughts...

It's not easy to win the cup. That fact should make the three we won sweeter.

Our "core " is made of human people. Human people get hurt, and have emotions.

Our "core " lost the games, we, the fans didn't. I'm sure they feel worse than we.

How comes I always hear things like, the wings have made it to the playoffs 25 straight years. Is that an accomplishment worthy of praise? I never thought so but, if it is, we made it too.

I'm glad I'm a Chicago fan cause the indianhead is the coolest looking sweater EVER!

.....

So it doesn't look like Q or Stan will be packing their stuff just yet.

Trade Panarin for center or D help.
- kinigitt

I am totally fine looking at moving Panarin, but what he'd return, while probably significant, would likely be nothing more than prospects. Why would someone trade us a Top 6 center for him? That's equal value moreless. If you move Panarin it's to retool the pipeline and open up some salary. Not sure I see an avenue here for Bowman to take, but I think they will make some difficult decisions this year.

Saad & Danualt would be a start to a great line. Oh wait Bowman got AA & NOTHING in return for them.

Well maybe the 3rd rd pick we use this year will be a stud? Oh wait Bowman traded that pick for Tomas Jurco!

Maybe somebody will take Kruger? Oh wait he's making $3mill per year for 4th line C that kills PK's & can't win draws playing 12-13 mins a game.

Maybe somebody will take Seabrook? Oh wait he just got a "7" year deal before the season from Bowman.

Maybe we can land Duchense? Oh wait Bowman would not trade Hartman for him.

Maybe Bowman can bring back Scudderi or Rungblad.

Timonen for 2nd rd pick? Played 4-5 mins a game.

Maybe this is the year Tevo breaks out? Oh wait we had to get rid of him because Bowman gave Bickell a STUPID contract for 4 years.

Does it ever end?

Hopefully Rocky & McD wake up & get this BUM out of town. Daddy was a great coach but kid is a horrible GM.
- Goalie-33

Luke, let it go

I love Hossa, but I mean seriously, how is he 'one of the best RW's of all time'? Did Kurri, Bossy, Richard, and Howe just never exist all of a sudden?

TBH, I think Steve Larmer is up there too by comparison.
- steve-hist-sdc

One of the best means plural there are several in the team photo, Slotting Hossa after your list he could be 6th best off all time, I'd say that's one of the best.

Is Walter Payton one of the best, sure, after Jim Brown, Emmit Smith. Its all relative.

One of the best means plural there are several in the team photo, Slotting Hossa after your list he could be 6th best off all time, I'd say that's one of the best.

Is Walter Payton one of the best, sure, after Jim Brown, Emmit Smith. Its all relative.
- riozzo

Walter Payton is not behind Emmitt Smith. Smith played behind the best offensive line in football, had a great passing game to take the pressure off teams stacking the run....Payton didn't play behind a single pro bowler until he was in his 10th year and for 90% of his career no passing game. Payton is the greatest running back ever, although a good case can be made for Jim Brown.

Walter Payton is not behind Emmitt Smith. Smith played behind the best offensive line in football, had a great passing game to take the pressure off teams stacking the run....Payton didn't play behind a single pro bowler until he was in his 10th year and for 90% of his career no passing game. Payton is the greatest running back ever, although a good case can be made for Jim Brown.
- kwolf68

I'll make a case for Barry Sanders too. Totally agree on Emmitt. Different types of backs but like Payton, the yards he gained were pretty much all Barry.

The great thing about the posts here are that they are well thought out and there are no rash decisions to "trade Toews for cap space" or "trade Toews at all costs" type of posts.

Personally, I think Toews will bounce back with a monster year next season.

I would keep Toews, Kane and Keith unless a team is willing to throw an absolute stupid return Stan's way. I would prefer to keep Crawford too, but the cap situation may dictate otherwise.

The guys that could easily be on the block are Panarin, Hjalmarsson and Seabrook. But if Stan is going to trade a defenseman he'll need a good plan to replace them.

Walter Payton is not behind Emmitt Smith. Smith played behind the best offensive line in football, had a great passing game to take the pressure off teams stacking the run....Payton didn't play behind a single pro bowler until he was in his 10th year and for 90% of his career no passing game. Payton is the greatest running back ever, although a good case can be made for Jim Brown.
- kwolf68

Objectively, Payton is second to Smith, Brown is 10.
Subjectivle Brown, Payton, Sanders, Smith

Objectively, Payton is second to Smith, Brown is 10.
Subjectivle Brown, Payton, Sanders, Smith
- riozzo

Bronco Nagurski.

The great thing about the posts here are that they are well thought out and there are no rash decisions to "trade Toews for cap space" or "trade Toews at all costs' type of posts.

Personally, I think Toews will bounce back with a monster year next season.

I would keep Toews, Kane and Keith unless a team is willing to throw an absolute stupid return Stan's way. I would prefer to keep Crawford too, but the cap situation may dictate otherwise.

The guys that could easily be on the block are Panarin, Hjalmarsson and Seabrook. But if Stan is going to trade a defenseman he'll need a good plan to replace them.
- DarthKane

I was thinking if the Hawks do trade Panarin, a young dman should be their target. Obviously, it depends what people are offering but agree about your comment on Toews, Kane and Keith. It usually never hurts to listen.

Bronco Nagurski.
- StLBravesFan

More importantly, is Toews still one of the top 100? Top 200? Top 500??

I was thinking if the Hawks do trade Panarin, a young dman should be their target. Obviously, it depends what people are offering but agree about your comment on Toews, Kane and Keith. It usually never hurts to listen.
- HawkintheD

That could make sense...maybe a Johansen/Jones type of deal.

Public Service Announcement: I am using this trade as an example, I am in no way comparing Panarin to Johansen or Jones to the type of d-man Chicago would get in return.

More importantly, is Toews still one of the top 100? Top 200? Top 500??
- riozzo

Certainly top 200.

As a center.

In football.

As a center in hockey, let's hope the last two seasons HAVE had an effect on him, that he does what he needs to do to take care of his back (if that's a problem) and his concussion issues (if that's a problem) AND his training and lifestyle issues (if those are problems) and that he gets back to being a top-5 center in the league.

The great thing about the posts here are that they are well thought out and there are no rash decisions to "trade Toews for cap space" or "trade Toews at all costs" type of posts.

Personally, I think Toews will bounce back with a monster year next season.

I would keep Toews, Kane and Keith unless a team is willing to throw an absolute stupid return Stan's way. I would prefer to keep Crawford too, but the cap situation may dictate otherwise.

The guys that could easily be on the block are Panarin, Hjalmarsson and Seabrook. But if Stan is going to trade a defenseman he'll need a good plan to replace them.
- DarthKane

I've read that it's possible the Habs may look to deal Price. Hypothetically- what type of return could we get for a package of Crow (I would assume he'd waive) and Panarin and even bigger add AA - from them? And I'm not saying Shaw. Just a crazy thought.

Still have not absorbed the fact that we got swept. Geezus..
Was out having a beer last night and the TV had on the Preds/Hawks series highlights. Could hardly finish my beer.

I'll make a case for Barry Sanders too. Totally agree on Emmitt. Different types of backs but like Payton, the yards he gained were pretty much all Barry.
- HawkintheD

Sanders was talented and exciting, but not as good as Payton either, at least not as an all around player. Barry lost too many yards too often. Sometimes it's good to just punch it in there and get 3 yards. Barry was also useless on the goalline. Barry also had Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover blocking for him, it's a myth he had no one blocking for him. Walter had LITERALLY NO ONE blocking for him. Noah Jackson was a solid pro, but that's about it.

And then having Perriman and Herman Moore as your receivers? Yea, Detroit had crummy QB play, but the Bears had Brian Bashnagel and Golden Richards as receivers...Vince Evans, Mike Phipps and Bob Avellini at QB.

Payton had virtually NO advantages and still did what he did. Truly amazing football player.

Yes, by the time 84 rolled around the Bears had built up the Bruise Brothers offensive line (that was a nasty offensive line), had added some outside speed and found a franchise QB (when healthy), but by then Walter had been in the game 10 years.

Payton = Greatest Ever.

Objectively, Payton is second to Smith, Brown is 10.
Subjectivle Brown, Payton, Sanders, Smith
- riozzo

Career rushing yards is but one objective measure. There are others like yards per carry and all purpose yards. Some might even suggest yards gained before first contact, which would likely work against Smith.

Sanders was talented and exciting, but not as good as Payton either, at least not as an all around player. Barry lost too many yards too often. Sometimes it's good to just punch it in there and get 3 yards. Barry was also useless on the goalline. Barry also had Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover blocking for him, it's a myth he had no one blocking for him. Walter had LITERALLY NO ONE blocking for him. Noah Jackson was a solid pro, but that's about it.

And then having Perriman and Herman Moore as your receivers? Yea, Detroit had crummy QB play, but the Bears had Brian Bashnagel and Golden Richards as receivers...Vince Evans, Mike Phipps and Bob Avellini at QB.

Payton had virtually NO advantages and still did what he did. Truly amazing football player.

Yes, by the time 84 rolled around the Bears had built up the Blues Brothers offensive line, had added some outside speed and found a franchise QB (when healthy), but by then Walter had been in the game 10 years.

Payton = Greatest Ever.
- kwolf68

Without a doubt 34 is the greatest. Interesting stat.. his playoff numbers were below average.

I've read that it's possible the Habs may look to deal Price. Hypothetically- what type of return could we get for a package of Crow (I would assume he'd waive) and Panarin and even bigger add AA - from them? And I'm not saying Shaw. Just a crazy thought.
- dciz99

I've thought about a potential Crawford + for Price + trade too. It doesn't help the cap situation next season but it could help after that. There's a lot of variables too. What to the Hawks do for goaltending after next season? If they re-sign Price then what's the point of the trade? Can Darling be kept about for one year on a cheap deal before cashing in with a big deal in Chicago? It's an idea worth exploring, but not simple by any means.

If the Hawks are going to lose Darling I think the best option would be for Vegas to sign him during the week (?) the have exclusive rights to talk to other team's UFAs. The team would lose Darling as they would have, but he counts as an expansion pick for the Hawks and TvR is safe.

Objectively, Payton is second to Smith, Brown is 10.
Subjectivle Brown, Payton, Sanders, Smith
- riozzo

Silly. Based on numbers alone Michael Pittman, Natrone Means, Sammy Windnor are BETTER than Gale Sayers.

Is that objective?