The mother of all strikes is coming after this next season. Changes will come to cap as a result.

Dangle Panarin. He is the best potential return for the money. See what you get.

Even if only for picks, clearing that space could prove enticing for two UFAs looking for a cup - a la Brad Richards - Jumbo Joe and Marleau may take cheap one year deals to have one last stab at the cup.

Marleau is your elusive 1LW, and Joe is a solid depth center at worst who wins faceoffs.

One last swing for the fences before the deck gets shuffled after a long and protracted strike.

An idea anyway.....

Vague comment this AM leads me to believe a NMC guy (or more than one) WILL be approached about waiving. That, in and of itself, would be fairly bold because it kinda cant be "undone" or taken back once asked. Stay tuned. I did definitely hear the Hawks are gonna explore some things.
- John Jaeckel

Toews, Seabrook, and Crawford to MONTREAL.......
for Danault, Shaw, Gallagher, and Price !!!
Kruger, Hartman, and Schmaltz for Duchene and Tyson Barry
Sign Boyle.
DONE !!

Hawks Need more Speed, Size and Skill. I know I state the obvious.


Comparing Pittsburgh to any team including Chicago is simple.

1. World Class Goaltending from both their 1 and 1A
2. Best second line centre on the Planet- Malkin
3. Best player in the World-Crosby
4. Rutherford-Bowman (Do the Math)

The price on Cup success is obvious but more specifically.

Toews and Kane took the Market price and the Cap disaster followed. That's on them.
The Seabrook signing is on SB & for me was the worst. Paying him more than Keith and then the long term signing was RIDICULOUS. Stuck with a declining, slow to begin with Seabrook is a killer. As much as I love the guy it's true.
Maybe the Leafs will take him straight up for Kadri?

All this and losing Saad has sealed our fate. Hawks became easier to play against and proof of that - were 30th last year in hits.


Hawks lost a playoff round, however First in the West &110 points is nothing to completely dismiss. They also were knocked out in the first round in 2011,2012,&2016 ...it happens.

Not a time to panic but to retool. We need a Second Line Center, Need Kruger to disappear and AA to be the third line centre. The guy played hurt against the Preds. Hawks need to get bigger and tougher because more of the Nashville series awaits them Oct 8th.

Everyone in the League looks to get Bigger and Faster. Easier said than down.

Ok fng, doing well so far. Now tell everyone where Sullivan came from.
- 6628

Not sure it was Sullivan - maybe coincidental occurrences - but what happen to Pittsburgh was Crosby.

After a poor (for him) 28 goals in 77 games in 2014/15, and only 6 goals in the first 32 games in 2015/16, the Kid (shortly after Sullivan became coach last season) went on a tear he hadn't yet come off if: 30 goals in 48 games to end last year, and 44 goals in 75 games this year - and one Cup, likely (?) 2.

Sullivan? New team scheme? Free of injury/concussion issues?

The mother of all strikes is coming after this next season. Changes will come to cap as a result.

Dangle Panarin. He is the best potential return for the money. See what you get.

Even if only for picks, clearing that space could prove enticing for two UFAs looking for a cup - a la Brad Richards - Jumbo Joe and Marleau may take cheap one year deals to have one last stab at the cup.

Marleau is your elusive 1LW, and Joe is a solid depth center at worst who wins faceoffs.

One last swing for the fences before the deck gets shuffled after a long and protracted strike.

An idea anyway.....
- Return of the Roar

Who's going on strike? Not the NHLPA, I don't think - neither they nor the league can pull out of the CBA until after the 2020/21 season

Hawks Need more Speed, Size and Skill. I know I state the obvious.


Comparing Pittsburgh to any team including Chicago is simple.

1. World Class Goaltending from both their 1 and 1A
2. Best second line centre on the Planet- Malkin
3. Best player in the World-Crosby
4. Rutherford-Bowman (Do the Math)

The price on Cup success is obvious but more specifically.

Toews and Kane took the Market price and the Cap disaster followed. That's on them.
The Seabrook signing is on SB AND for me was the worst. Paying him more than Keith and then the long term signing was RIDICULOUS. Stuck with a declining, slow to begin with Seabrook is a killer. As much as I love the guy it's true.
Maybe the Leafs will take him straight up for Kadri?

All this and losing Saad has sealed our fate. Hawks became easier to play against and were 30th last year in hits.


Hawks lost a playoff round. They did the same in 2011,2012,2014,&2016 Not a time to panic but to retool. We need a Second Line Center, Need Kruger to disappear and AA to be the third line centre. Guy played hurt against the Preds. Hawks need to get bigger and tougher because more of the Nashville series awaits them Oct 8th.

Everyone in the League looks to get Bigger and Faster. Easier said than down.


- Colbyboy

The difference between the Crosby-Malkin cap hits and the Kane-Toews cap hits is something like $2-2.5MM. If you believe that a $2MM player would make the difference and have averted the "disaster," then sure, we can keep beating that horse. Now, if you want to talk production per dollar of the big two on both teams instead, that's a different argument.

The difference between the Crosby-Malkin cap hits and the Kane-Toews cap hits is something like $2-2.5MM. If you believe that a $2MM player would make the difference and have averted the "disaster," then sure, we can keep beating that horse. Now, if you want to talk production per dollar of the big two on both teams instead, that's a different argument.
- pdx2ord

When comparing Crosby - Malkin my point is simple.
Toews - Anisimov-Kruger- xxxxx doesn't get it done.

Best 1-2 Centre Combo in Hockey playing 40 plus minutes, on both the 1-2 Power Plays and Penalty Kill.

As for the Dollars - When you ride the Cap to its Max "Every dollar counts". Both Toews and Kane will retire Hawks and I am happy about that. Not beating a dead horse.
Its the Seabrook-Kruger deals amongst others I detest.

I think Toronto is the trading partner the Blackhawks should be talking with. They're a team that should be looking for some veteran leadership and have $8m in buried contracts coming off the books next season.

Not sure it was Sullivan - maybe coincidental occurrences - but what happen to Pittsburgh was Crosby.

After a poor (for him) 28 goals in 77 games in 2014/15, and only 6 goals in the first 32 games in 2015/16, the Kid (shortly after Sullivan became coach last season) went on a tear he hadn't yet come off if: 30 goals in 48 games to end last year, and 44 goals in 75 games this year - and one Cup, likely (?) 2.

Sullivan? New team scheme? Free of injury/concussion issues?
- StLBravesFan

Good morning STL, your note of a coincidence it certainly correct. But Crosby was already there. The new variable was Sullivan so to me that suggests he's most responsible. But something I didn't consider is perhaps just getting out from under the thumb of an authority figure that Sid may not have had faith in lifted a lot of weight off his shoulders and that was all it took. Crunch all that and it seems you might be a bit more accurate than I am.

Would love to have a guy like Brouwer back. Can place anywhere in the top 9 and will always be around the blue paint. The size and nasty is a bonus also.
- 93Joe

Hawks need to get younger and cheaper, not older and more expensive. The role you described is perfect for a guy like John Hayden.

All this and losing Saad has sealed our fate. Hawks became easier to play against and proof of that - were 30th last year in hits.

- Colbyboy

The Hawks were 30th in hits in 2013 and 2015, too.

Who's going on strike? Not the NHLPA, I don't think - neither they nor the league can pull out of the CBA until after the 2020/21 season
- StLBravesFan

NHLPA can choose to opt out of the CBA on Sept 19, 2019.

With the way the cap and roster situation is, do you really see the players NOT opting out?

Opening salvo was when the NHL offered to allow the players to play in the 2018 Olympics IF the players agreed to extend the current CBA for nine more years, and the NHLPA not only rejected it, but further said the current CBA needs to be re-examined.

Hawks Need more Speed, Size and Skill. I know I state the obvious.


Comparing Pittsburgh to any team including Chicago is simple.

1. World Class Goaltending from both their 1 and 1A
2. Best second line centre on the Planet- Malkin
3. Best player in the World-Crosby
4. Rutherford-Bowman (Do the Math)

The price on Cup success is obvious but more specifically.

Toews and Kane took the Market price and the Cap disaster followed. That's on them.
The Seabrook signing is on SB & for me was the worst. Paying him more than Keith and then the long term signing was RIDICULOUS. Stuck with a declining, slow to begin with Seabrook is a killer. As much as I love the guy it's true.
Maybe the Leafs will take him straight up for Kadri?

All this and losing Saad has sealed our fate. Hawks became easier to play against and proof of that - were 30th last year in hits.


Hawks lost a playoff round, however First in the West &110 points is nothing to completely dismiss. They also were knocked out in the first round in 2011,2012,&2016 ...it happens.

Not a time to panic but to retool. We need a Second Line Center, Need Kruger to disappear and AA to be the third line centre. The guy played hurt against the Preds. Hawks need to get bigger and tougher because more of the Nashville series awaits them Oct 8th.

Everyone in the League looks to get Bigger and Faster. Easier said than down.


- Colbyboy

after BTB cup appearances in 2008-09; they had their problems too.

2010: loss R2
2011: loss R1
2012: loss R1
2013: loss R3 to bruins 4-0 with crosby got dogged and assaulted the whole series
2014: loss R2
2015: loss R1

with crosby, malkin, kunitz, MAF, and letang

A lot of people seem to hate Stan, and maybe with good reason, but hindsight is always 20/20. As far as contracts are concerned, there really are only 3 that I would never have done when he did them: Seabrook, AA and Kruger. You can complain about Rundblad, but he clears waivers, and gets buried in the Rock for $100,000. signing him did not cost us Oduya. You can talk about the wonder twins, but if you look at the cap projections, plus their level of play at the time, I don't think too many people complained at the time. Bickell? Coming of a great (possibly CS worthy 2013 playoff showing $16M over 4 years wasn't outlandish. Panarin and Crawford are worth every penny, IMHO. Aside from the three I mentioned, I think if Stan did not sign them, another team would have for the same money, or more. To me, Seabs is the killer. I don't think any other team would have offered him $7M AAV at 31. I think Stan could have signed those three players for $4M less, and that would give him some leverage to actually make a hockey trade and/or sign some higher potential vets instead of those well past their prime.

The Hawks were 30th in hits in 2013 and 2015, too.


- RollingPuck

folks keep bring this up....hitting has not been how the hawks play; nor is it a ticket to playoff success...

Apples to oranges. While the Pens up until last year were underachieving with their Core, the Hawks hung two more banners.

The Hawks have come to perhaps a similar crossroads.
- HawkintheD

Except the hawks think they have a coach and core to keep. They dont. Time to rebuild or we'll be sitting here next year wondering why the core is slower and a shadow of themselves

Kane has shown that he can carry the 2nd line with a center that can win faceoffs and an unknown left wing (Richards and Versteeg).

What's stopping us from trading Panarin? The hawks could get a massive return like a promising prospect + pick. Or the hawks could go a pure hockey trade like Panarin + ?? for Duchene.

NHLPA can choose to opt out of the CBA on Sept 19, 2019.

With the way the cap and roster situation is, do you really see the players NOT opting out?

Opening salvo was when the NHL offered to allow the players to play in the 2018 Olympics IF the players agreed to extend the current CBA for nine more years, and the NHLPA not only rejected it, but further said the current CBA needs to be re-examined.
- Return of the Roar

Don't the owners have the same option?? Can't remember, but i believe it's within 1 wk of the date mentioned here. Can't recall if it's a wk before or the wk following.

Hawks need to get younger and cheaper, not older and more expensive. The role you described is perfect for a guy like John Hayden.
- RollingPuck

You're correct sir. Keep in mind, experience goes a long way also.

I think Toronto is the trading partner the Blackhawks should be talking with. They're a team that should be looking for some veteran leadership and have $8m in buried contracts coming off the books next season.
- walleyeb1

You really want the inept Stan Bowman to make a deal with the schrewd hockey minds in Toronto?

Stan would walk in looking to get TvR for Seabrook but walk out with Matt Martin for Artemi Panarin.

NHLPA can choose to opt out of the CBA on Sept 19, 2019.

With the way the cap and roster situation is, do you really see the players NOT opting out?

Opening salvo was when the NHL offered to allow the players to play in the 2018 Olympics IF the players agreed to extend the current CBA for nine more years, and the NHLPA not only rejected it, but further said the current CBA needs to be re-examined.
- Return of the Roar

correct and the league can opt out on the 20th. odd but in the CBA

Stan had the chance to do some of those and DID NOT - not sure how your hatred for Stan makes a point.
- riozzo

I do not know why you need to get personal and talk about my hatred which you obviously know nothing about.
I have nothing against him and wish him good luck but starting with 2013 I was horrified by his moves started with his signing of Bickell and then downhll from there. I was a fan from 1992 and to me he was rushing this team quickly back to the mediocrity on the 15 years after 1992 run to SC. Lasting damage is done by his moves and it may take another 15 years for this team to get back to contention. Nothing to do with my 'hatred'.

Right on the money here , Rutherford is the best GM in the league. Hawks are in bad poistion because they paid too much for past performances and giving out contracts that were way to long
.Now I know that helped win some cups (Hossa, Keith) but once the rules changed they should have stopped with the long term NMC . I think were store for a few years of what we have had the last couple but with more mediocre regular seasons. Just don'tsee how we can improve because the contracts I believe can't be moved. Trading Hammer $4 million really won't do much because who replaces him . Same AA, Breadman ect.
- HamiltonHawk

Jimmy R has 2 cups in his career, StanB has 2 to 3 depending on which Talon fan your speaking with. so how is Jim the best in the league again? Didn't Dean Lombardo win 2?

After cups its all subjective

folks keep bring this up....hitting has not been how the hawks play; nor is it a ticket to playoff success...
- bogiedoc

Agreed but big strong players that can routinely win board battles do.

Agreed but big strong players that can routinely win board battles do.
- walleyeb1

IMHO it all depends how the refs are calling the playoff's hitting can routinely create more penalties if called.