i'm with you...somehow nashville and stanley cup have no business in the same sentence...

but the preds got robbed tonight and they are just amazing at the comebacks they produce..
- bogiedoc

I respect the Preds ,they made bold moves .Big trades ,not salary dumps ,and have drafted really well over the years ,They had injury problems this year ,then got healthy and came on like gang busters . They have shown loyalty to players and coaches almost to a fault .I think they are a model franchise . They lost a couple very tight series to the HAWKS over the years ,were we caught some nice breaks .

I agree those officials should not do another game the rest of the year . BS calls in the 1st magnified by make up calls in the 2nd .Just complete garbage by the ref's
- oldduffman

By the time they get to the finals the NHL uses the best referees on payroll, correct?

These playoffs have exhibited the worst officiating I've ever seen. The amount of cross checking and slashing that the refs are allowing is ridiculous, but then all of a sudden they'll call something that they've let slide for 2 games. Kessel gets slashed on his left hand, but throws up his right hand crying like a female dog and gets the call. All of these guys know that if they jerk their head back if a stick is above the logo, they'll probably get a high stick call, it's almost as bad as soccer. And that offside replay today, WTF?

So basically we're saying Toews is the drag on this team. Kane can lift the play of those on his line Toews isn't capable of doing this and his play actually drops off! If that's the case we're in deep trouble.
- walleyeb1

That's not what we are saying. This is what most people on this site have been missing for the past two years.

John has been dead on right about what ails "playoff Blackhawks". When they are legitimately competing for the cup, Toews line dominates with possession, shot attempts, quality shot attempts, and puts a choke hold on the other teams first/second line. Kane's line acts as a compliment to this - they are usually possession dominant, high quality scoring chances, average defensively. But after 20 minutes a night of the first line doing what they do, it wears on the opposing team, so the other lines have an easier time of it - especially against opposing defensive units. When Toews was paired with Sharp/Hossa, then Saad/Hossa, every team's first pairing spent their time and energy trying to catch this line. The Hawks second and third lines drew the lower pairings - and usually feasted on them. This is what made them so difficult to play against.

But over the past two years, without a TRUE first line LW, the other teams top lines and defensive pairings could focus on Kane and Panarin - and against playoff teams - neutralize them. And seeing that they were playing against an incomplete first line of Toews/band-aid/Hossa or Panik, not worry about that line dominating anyone.

The entire flow of the playoff version of the Hawks has been off since Sharp delcined, and Saad left - and there has been no true replacement for that position. And since that time, we have seen first round exits in both seasons without it.

So the point is - FIX the first line - make that line a dominant line with what I outlined above, the second line will be just fine without Anisimov and Panarin - assuming they find a replacement for 2C that is better at the face-off dot and helps drive possession with Kane. That is not difficult to find - the Hawks will be offering quality NHL forward(s) to find this piece. Someone like Duchene or Rask would be that piece - and fit in nicely here. Now add a 2LW with above average speed, some size and wins board battles to help maintain zone pressure - and your top six are back to being a beast to play against. All of this can be done without mortgaging the future.

And lets face it - this current core has a window of 2-3 years to actually compete for the cup - after that - it really won't matter about which prospect is left - they will be an aging team fighting just to make it past the second round. But at that point, if we have 4 or 5 cups to look back on, this pill will be a lot easier to swallow - doesn't everyone here agree on this???

Sometimes people get way too far ahead of themselves with the prospects who haven't played NHL hockey, but I think that is on both sides of the coin. Some folks are slotting them into the top 6 and others are writing off them off already. Way too early to say where they will end up.

Personally, I think it more likely that a rookie from this last season or two steps into a bigger role rather than someone from junior hockey coming in and making an impact.

Maybe Rasmussen at age 26 is ready to elevate his game further. Forsling maybe is ready to play a full 82 game season in a Hawks sweater (on the 3rd pair) or maybe a Hartman/Schmaltz/Hayden will be able to play along #19 and fit really well.

Maybe Motte can stick with the team and be a bit harder to play against. Or maybe Pokka will get some NHL games.

The Hawks don't have any sure fire NHL prospects, but there is talent still in the organization.
- breadbag

Well said. Maybe Hinostroza. Kero should take a step forward. Look forward to what Hayden looks like being with the Hawks from Day 1 this year.

The refs and rinne gave this game to the pens. That offsides was a horrible call along with the Crosby interference and the hornqvist penalty. Glad the nhl is struggling compared to the three top leagues. Seem people like fighting more then they thought.

And also I hope for the love of god that the preds win. The league wants them to win so them and the hawks are tied three a piece and they can talk more about the golden boy Cindy Crosby

That's not what we are saying. This is what most people on this site have been missing for the past two years.

John has been dead on right about what ails "playoff Blackhawks". When they are legitimately competing for the cup, Toews line dominates with possession, shot attempts, quality shot attempts, and puts a choke hold on the other teams first/second line. Kane's line acts as a compliment to this - they are usually possession dominant, high quality scoring chances, average defensively. But after 20 minutes a night of the first line doing what they do, it wears on the opposing team, so the other lines have an easier time of it - especially against opposing defensive units. When Toews was paired with Sharp/Hossa, then Saad/Hossa, every team's first pairing spent their time and energy trying to catch this line. The Hawks second and third lines drew the lower pairings - and usually feasted on them. This is what made them so difficult to play against.

But over the past two years, without a TRUE first line LW, the other teams top lines and defensive pairings could focus on Kane and Panarin - and against playoff teams - neutralize them. And seeing that they were playing against an incomplete first line of Toews/band-aid/Hossa or Panik, not worry about that line dominating anyone.

The entire flow of the playoff version of the Hawks has been off since Sharp delcined, and Saad left - and there has been no true replacement for that position. And since that time, we have seen first round exits in both seasons without it.

So the point is - FIX the first line - make that line a dominant line with what I outlined above, the second line will be just fine without Anisimov and Panarin - assuming they find a replacement for 2C that is better at the face-off dot and helps drive possession with Kane. That is not difficult to find - the Hawks will be offering quality NHL forward(s) to find this piece. Someone like Duchene or Rask would be that piece - and fit in nicely here. Now add a 2LW with above average speed, some size and wins board battles to help maintain zone pressure - and your top six are back to being a beast to play against. All of this can be done without mortgaging the future.

And lets face it - this current core has a window of 2-3 years to actually compete for the cup - after that - it really won't matter about which prospect is left - they will be an aging team fighting just to make it past the second round. But at that point, if we have 4 or 5 cups to look back on, this pill will be a lot easier to swallow - doesn't everyone here agree on this???
- dahawks8819

If you think this core has enough desire and ambition to win another Cup given the increased level of play throughout the league AND the mileage on the core players, then keep dreaming because I suspect the odds are not in their favor of a betting fan. Rather, i suggest making the game and both personal and team success a fun, challenging endeavor by changing some members of the core. Even altering the players who line up is along side core players is worth changing. The team needs a new dynamic. The team needs more toughness, better coaching, and the defense has to become deeper. A defense that features a powerplay qb, a strong up ice carrying dman....something similar to the all top four compete and can handle itself (like Nashville). There is much work to do in order
to be good enough to advance far in the playoffs.

And also I hope for the love of god that the preds win. The league wants them to win so them and the hawks are tied three a piece and they can talk more about the golden boy Cindy Crosby
- vandymeer23

If the league wanted to act on a preference, they would have asked NBC what it wanted - and we would have had two Pittsburgh-Chicago finals in a row.

Or better - Chicago-NY or Chicago-Montreal.

The Blackhawks are the only team in the West with any kind of National (US) following - the only team that help NBC's ratings nationally.

Does anyone (besides, say, PE) really think that Bettman conspired to have Chicago out in round one 4 times in the last 7 years?

If the hawks had a lost a finals game the way the preds did...oh my oh my...this blog would go...with about 2000 posts



1. A gawd awful reversal of an offsides

2. James Neal idiot cross check after a phantom int results in 5 on 3

3. Mr golden glove Rinne can't get Malkins shot which he sees the entire distance

3. Crosby blantantly interferes on that 5 on 3...but the red armbands must have been gazing at some blonde in the stands...no call and then GOAL.

4. 2 goals sandwiched between 37 plus minutes of 0 SOG's; the first a deflect off a pred and the 2nd from a guy who was almost a healthy scratch

5. To lose giving up only 12 shots while scroing 3 goals...

If the league wanted to act on a preference, they would have asked NBC what it wanted - and we would have had two Pittsburgh-Chicago finals in a row.

Or better - Chicago-NY or Chicago-Montreal.

Does anyone (besides, say, PE) really think that Bettman conspired to have Chicago out in round one 4 times in the last 7 years?
- StLBravesFan

I respect the Preds ,they made bold moves .Big trades ,not salary dumps ,and have drafted really well over the years ,They had injury problems this year ,then got healthy and came on like gang busters . They have shown loyalty to players and coaches almost to a fault .I think they are a model franchise . They lost a couple very tight series to the HAWKS over the years ,were we caught some nice breaks .
- oldduffman

they have not needed to salary dump

the only player left from the 09-10 team is rinne...model franchise in what way...

one trip past round 2 in 9 tries with 6 1st round cya's

Ok then help me understand what exactly I was supposed to learn.

I haven't seen anything from Hawks' brass guaranteeing him a position next year, just like there was never anything from them setting the bar or expecatation too high on Teravainen.

So other than a bunch of people tweeting about Teravainen being awesome or "Teuvo Time" or whatever people were tweeting about him and now apparently Debrincat, what's the big deal?
- HawkintheD

Point by point, since you've "seized" on this as something really worth arguing.

As I have said many times, it was NOT the organization that overhyped Teravainen in the summer of 2014, it was fans and blogs that did.

You surely remember that?

Where in this blog did I say the organization was overhyping DeBrincat? No, I said some fans and blogs are.

And they quite possibly are.

I don't get into ripping other bloggers by name here or on Twitter. Not worth the keystrokes, and I don't care what they say, except when they play into or create a narrative that provides cover for the front office avoiding making hard decisions.

Specifically . . .

Do I think, if Bowman can't get some NHL business done this summer, he may revert back to hyping the prospects? Yeah, I do. Because he's done it before.

And, if I had the time, I could go back and find the quotes from last summer when he was all over Forsling, Norell and Press (and other summers when he's had pre-arranged "sitdowns" with a specific beat reporter—and the prospect love did flow).

Does it mean Bowman is a bad guy or bad at his job? Or that DeBrincat sucks and will never be good. No, it does not.

But it is also possible to take an adult, nuanced point of view on the state of the Hawks, the way "spin" works, and where the summer might go.

I don't get what you are so riled up about. Or are you just "fanning" something up here—arguing against a straw man? Dunno. Don't care.

I'm not a Sid fan...but can respect what the Pens are doing...and doing without Letang. Also, they earned their spot in playoffs with a really strong regular season. The Preds regular season barely got them in the playoffs. It's like they coasted all year and snuck in. I don't want a "wild card" team to win the cup...especially the one team that annually attempts to keep Hawk fans out of their stadium. Go Pens.
- onehundredlevel

Agreed. Except I think the Preds kinda came together during the season and they were playing GREAT hockey down the stretch.

Say what you want about Pitts, but when you have a guy playing a lot of fourth line minutes (Geuntzel) with 10 post season goals, you can only be amazed at the level of forward depth that team has.

Their defense seems merely adequate, but certainly good enough to now be 3 wins from a 2nd straight Cup.

Say what you want about Pitts, but when you have a guy playing a lot of fourth line minutes (Geuntzel) with 10 post season goals, you can only be amazed at the level of forward depth that team has.

Their defense seems merely adequate, but certainly good enough to now be 3 wins from a 2nd straight Cup.
- kwolf68

Yup. And Crosby is re-litigating the case, convincingly, that he's the best player in the world.

The refs and rinne gave this game to the pens. That offsides was a horrible call along with the Crosby interference and the hornqvist penalty. Glad the nhl is struggling compared to the three top leagues. Seem people like fighting more then they thought.
- vandymeer23

As bad as we may feel about the reversal, it was correct within the rules.

Can someone please explain the extreme passion to break-up what at worst has been the second best line IN THE ENTIRE LEAGUE during the past two seasons?

I mean, this year I have the 72 15 88 line ranked 9th in the NHL in goals scored and last year I think they were 1st.

If it ain't broke don't fix it! Let's not overreact to an early exit to what very well may be the Stanley Cup Champs.

If you wanna play both sides of the coin and move big contracts for the future while still seriously competing for the cup let's look at moving 81 and/or 7.
- Snatch Wanchuk

The last two seasons have been the least entertaining hockey they've played in 9 years and fizzling out in the playoffs twice is kind of bad related to the standard they've established.

Personally, if I'm going to the UC to have an easy $170-225 night about town then the product on the ice better entertain the hell out of me and that really hasn't been the case. I know I'm not the only person who feels that way or gets bored or irritated watching a meh product at that price point.

Even watching on TV is a chore and listening to it has been worse. I think I've watched a combined 60 games between last year and this year simply because they don't play entertaining hockey unless Kane has the puck on his blade.

I'm sure the business side is full aware that the product has been inferior and losing out on additional playoff revenue doesn't justify the boring hockey.

Say what you want about Pitts, but when you have a guy playing a lot of fourth line minutes (Geuntzel) with 10 post season goals, you can only be amazed at the level of forward depth that team has.

Their defense seems merely adequate, but certainly good enough to now be 3 wins from a 2nd straight Cup.
- kwolf68

Good post. Rolling 4 lines with speed, forwards and defense playing as a cohesive unit.

The last two seasons have been the least entertaining hockey they've played in 9 years and fizzling out in the playoffs twice is kind of bad related to the standard they've established.

Personally, if I'm going to the UC to have an easy $170-225 night about town then the product on the ice better entertain the hell out of me and that really hasn't been the case. I know I'm not the only person who feels that way or gets bored or irritated watching a meh product at that price point.

Even watching on TV is a chore and listening to it has been worse. I think I've watched a combined 60 games between last year and this year simply because they don't play entertaining hockey unless Kane has the puck on his blade.

I'm sure the business side is full aware that the product has been inferior and losing out on additional playoff revenue doesn't justify the boring hockey.
- fattybeef

you hit the mark, the last two years the entertainment level has been less than stellar. the Hawks use to win the 1 goal games, not sure if the Hawks are slipping or other teams getting better. But one major observation, some of the more successful teams really get their defensemen involved in the offense and not just point shots. Usually the Hawks defense only get involved late in the game when the Hawks are down.

Some of the best watching was the 2008-9 and 9-10 team and actually the 2014-5 team was not bad either. the 2014-5 team, every game was a nail biter, but the Hawks won the one goal games.

The last two seasons have been the least entertaining hockey they've played in 9 years and fizzling out in the playoffs twice is kind of bad related to the standard they've established.

Personally, if I'm going to the UC to have an easy $170-225 night about town then the product on the ice better entertain the hell out of me and that really hasn't been the case. I know I'm not the only person who feels that way or gets bored or irritated watching a meh product at that price point.

Even watching on TV is a chore and listening to it has been worse. I think I've watched a combined 60 games between last year and this year simply because they don't play entertaining hockey unless Kane has the puck on his blade.

I'm sure the business side is full aware that the product has been inferior and losing out on additional playoff revenue doesn't justify the boring hockey.
- fattybeef

hard to play entertaining hockey when you are rotating 9-10 meh NHL rookie talent and 3rd and 4th line guys to play LW with 19, when your goalies have to face a barage of shot and high quality chances game after game, when your 33 year old dmen is playing in a fog and lost a step with a bum knee, and trying to aclimate 6-7 rookies with an aging HOF core

The last two seasons have been the least entertaining hockey they've played in 9 years and fizzling out in the playoffs twice is kind of bad related to the standard they've established.

Personally, if I'm going to the UC to have an easy $170-225 night about town then the product on the ice better entertain the hell out of me and that really hasn't been the case. I know I'm not the only person who feels that way or gets bored or irritated watching a meh product at that price point.

Even watching on TV is a chore and listening to it has been worse. I think I've watched a combined 60 games between last year and this year simply because they don't play entertaining hockey unless Kane has the puck on his blade.

I'm sure the business side is full aware that the product has been inferior and losing out on additional playoff revenue doesn't justify the boring hockey.
- fattybeef

Pretty much "it." In a nutshell. They are, and have been, increasingly aware of it.

And it's like anything else—political campaigns, consumer product marketing, you name it—great promotion will quickly destroy an inferior product.

That's not to say the Hawks are inferior—but have they been inferior the last couple of years to what the fanbase has not only come to expect, but to what they've been told ("One goal") to expect? The answer is yes.

And at some point, addressing the earlier discussion about hyping prospects, when the offseason narrative gets repeated, but the results have been "meh," you're going to begin to see brand loyalty crumble quickly. There will always be SOME diehard true believers in the infallibility of this front office. At least some. But the broader results in terms of ticket resale demand, merchandise sales, sponsorship, and more subtle, back-end brand metrics have had the Hawks sending out questionnaires to STH's this last year about their perceptions of the direction of the franchise.

That's not coincidence, just like when Bowman schedules a sitdown with a beat reporter to get his "message" out there it's not a coincidence or a whim either.

That's why—pressure from the business side—I think you will either see change on the ice next season, or in the front office not too long after.

you hit the mark, the last two years the entertainment level has been less than stellar. the Hawks use to win the 1 goal games, not sure if the Hawks are slipping or other teams getting better. But one major observation, some of the more successful teams really get their defensemen involved in the offense and not just point shots. Usually the Hawks defense only get involved late in the game when the Hawks are down.

Some of the best watching was the 2008-9 and 9-10 team and actually the 2014-5 team was not bad either. the 2014-5 team, every game was a nail biter, but the Hawks won the one goal games.
- Topshelf2010

The 2013 team really stormed out of the gate in that strike-shortened season. Showed major quick strike ability. Injuries then slowed them down, but they showed moxie and got the job done.

Pretty much "it." In a nutshell. They are, and have been, increasingly aware of it.

And it's like anything else—political campaigns, consumer product marketing, you name it—great promotion will quickly destroy an inferior product.

That's not to say the Hawks are inferior—but have they been inferior the last couple of years to what the fanbase has not only come to expect, but to what they've been told ("One goal") to expect? The answer is yes.

And at some point, addressing the earlier discussion about hyping prospects, when the offseason narrative gets repeated, but the results have been "meh," you're going to begin to see brand loyalty crumble quickly. There will always be SOME diehard true believers in the infallibility of this front office. At least some. But the broader results in terms of ticket resale demand, merchandise sales, sponsorship, and more subtle, back-end brand metrics have had the Hawks sending out questionnaires to STH's this last year about their perceptions of the direction of the franchise.

That's not coincidence, just like when Bowman schedules a sitdown with a beat reporter to get his "message" out there it's not a coincidence or a whim either.

That's why—pressure from the business side—I think you will either see change on the ice next season, or in the front office not too long after.
- John Jaeckel

I'd be OK with a change in both areas. Theo Epstein provided this quote in his op-ed article in the Boston Globe when he departed Boston:

“Bill Walsh said that after 10 years in any position that’s stressful, it’s probably best to seek a new landscape and different challenges,” Epstein said, referring to the Hall of Fame football coach who guided the San Francisco 49ers to three Super Bowl titles in 10 seasons. “I’ve had it in the back of my mind that there might be a transition coming.”

I do believe there is logic and wisdom in the 10 year cycle.

UGh.....

Kempny signing does nothing for me. I get he gets qualified but what justifies a 200K raise for a guy who was a sub standard top 6 d man, with tons of potential, blah, blah, blah is mind numbing.

Cap expected to land somewhere between 73 and 77 million. NHLPA at best wont' put through the entire 5% escalator as they didn't last year, so I would expect something just shy of 75 million which means the Hawks are almost 3 million OVER the cap before they are expected to "get better".

So while this team may have many new faces next fall, the question will be are they better, stagnant, or even worse off then the team that ended with a resounding THUD in April?

Rumors are rampant Bowman will have to part with a pick or prospect to get somebody to take kruger IF Las Vegas won't select him. Can't say I'm surprised. For his money, production, and injury history.....he's damaged goods.

So you have to dump Kruger+prospect/pick to get close to cap compliant. From there you will have to trade a 4+ million salary to give yourself some wiggle room to improve this team with a 2nd or 3rd tier player(s). To make a gigantic move in bringing back a legit 1st tier player with a large AAV, you will have to move a significant piece.....

Again, I think people hoping for some sort of Duchene miracle need to curb that enthusiasm quickly.....Hawks dont' have the room and would need to make MULTIPLE moves to free up that money and you are just stealing from peter to feed paul at that point.

hard to play entertaining hockey when you are rotating 9-10 meh NHL rookie talent and 3rd and 4th line guys to play LW with 19, when your goalies have to face a barage of shot and high quality chances game after game, when your 33 year old dmen is playing in a fog and lost a step with a bum knee, and trying to aclimate 6-7 rookies with an aging HOF core
- bogiedoc

I only get to a few games anymore but this season two of the games I attended I was extremely impressed with a couple of kids. At the Pens game here I kept asking the guys I was with " who is that 59 guy, that kid's awsome". Turns out I guess he is. And in Nashville I couldn't believe what a pain in the ass Arvidsson is. He's everywhere. Turns out he's not so bad either.
And while Hartman surprised me with his progress, the hawks don't seem to have the game breaking type of rookies. Although the first time I saw Kero at the UC I said I thought he has a clue and will stick somewhere. We'll see. Love to be right about him too.