It would only be bad if the Hawks didn't win the draft lottery.
- DarthKane

Yeah StanBo might as well ask for Eichel

What do you think the Hawks WILL do this season and what do you think they SHOULD do? Buyers, sellers, stand pat?
- EnzoD

I've struggled with this question personally and have posed the same to some of my contacts in-the-know and it's been a consistent theme - uncertainty.

This team has a gear they have yet to hit due to so many new/young faces, coupled with the core not performing to it's highest.

Therefore, the waiting game continues until they show what they are made of and break out of being a bubble team, then management can make a decision. Although, it's starting to sound like they won't wait too much longer.

My gut feeling is telling me that they will dial it up and find their stride but still remain in that 2nd tier of top teams. This would them to add a small piece by using the Hossa money, but nothing major unless they can show that they are for real (which doesn't appear to be the case this year).

Anything can happen though and this is the first time in the last few years that there is so much in the air and the path could lead them to Buyers, Sellers OR Stand Pat.

I've struggled with this question personally and have posed the same to some of my contacts in-the-know and it's been a consistent theme - uncertainty.

This team has a gear they have yet to hit due to so many new/young faces, coupled with the core not performing to it's highest.

Therefore, the waiting game continues until they show what they are made of and break out of being a bubble team, then management can make a decision. Although, it's starting to sound like they won't wait too much longer.

My gut feeling is telling me that they will dial it up and find their stride but still remain in that 2nd tier of top teams. This would them to add a small piece by using the Hossa money, but nothing major unless they can show that they are for real (which doesn't appear to be the case this year).

Anything can happen though and this is the first time in the last few years that there is so much in the air and the path could lead them to Buyers, Sellers OR Stand Pat.
- Justin Lowe

I agree, its not happening this year for our team barring something INSANE.

And if that's the verdict, how do things POSSIBLY get better moving forward with these same pieces? They don't IMO. The only way out of this from where we're at(average team with as you said maybe the potential to find another gear to bring us to the 2nd tier of top teams....but still not good enough for the Cup) is to make MAJOR changes ASAP. Just my opinion.

Toews, Kane, Seabrook, and Keith aren't going to get any better, and if we wait another season to try to build around these guys we might not EVER be able to get rid of them because they will have regressed to such an extreme point(Seabrook is just about already there IMO).

We need to make changes in the front office, and get a new head coach to jumpstart the new look team he will be taking over with a new and improved system/style of play(maybe even a PP that isn't utterly pathetic).

So, no matter how tricky it might be to find the right deals, move 19, 88, 7, 2, and probably others like Anisimov, Panik, Murphy, etc.....with the only goal being to pile up as many top draft picks and high end prospects as possible with those trades.

Tank the rest of this season and next season to add more top draft picks.

If this franchise gets young and talented FAST(like the White Sox just did for example)...and stops wasting time trying to sustain what is obviously a lost cause....I believe it has a great chance to bounce back rapidly and become a powerhouse. I believe the majority of fans will understand, and will see the goal of becoming great ASAP and winning more Cups ASAP instead of seeing it as "omg why are we trading our best players for draft picks!?!?".

- EnzoD

The rest of the league would claim it's fixed.

How about Colton Sceviour from Florida if the Panthers continue to struggle?
- breadbag

There's a guy named after Lee Majors character from the Fall Guy?

I've struggled with this question personally and have posed the same to some of my contacts in-the-know and it's been a consistent theme - uncertainty.

This team has a gear they have yet to hit due to so many new/young faces, coupled with the core not performing to it's highest.

Therefore, the waiting game continues until they show what they are made of and break out of being a bubble team, then management can make a decision. Although, it's starting to sound like they won't wait too much longer.

My gut feeling is telling me that they will dial it up and find their stride but still remain in that 2nd tier of top teams. This would them to add a small piece by using the Hossa money, but nothing major unless they can show that they are for real (which doesn't appear to be the case this year).

Anything can happen though and this is the first time in the last few years that there is so much in the air and the path could lead them to Buyers, Sellers OR Stand Pat.
- Justin Lowe

Do you think this team can play at least .500 hockey within the Central Division? If you don't, there's your answer because if they can't there is no way they will make the playoffs.

From what I've seen so far, a .400 clip is about optimum. They will be watching baseball right after April 15.

here we go again...who know what team shows up tonight...they are a model of meh inconsistency...craw needs a bounce back game

Do you think this team can play at least .500 hockey within the Central Division? If you don't, there's your answer because if they can't there is no way they will make the playoffs.

From what I've seen so far, a .400 clip is about optimum. They will be watching baseball right after April 15.
- RickJ

they need to put together a run vs the league and division at some point...i just don't think the ability to sustain it...i mean fro gawd sakes they have only won 5 of 18 in regulation...0-5 vs division teams in regulation only win was OT vs preds...

OMG....were on the PP right??
Awful

yet again NOT ready to play....breakaway, 3v1, and a grade A chance while shorthanded....

here we go again...who know what team shows up tonight...they are a model of meh inconsistency...craw needs a bounce back game
- bogiedoc

guess i got my answer....

here we go again...who know what team shows up tonight...they are a model of meh inconsistency...craw needs a bounce back game
- bogiedoc

Crawford already having his chance with a poope awful first :30 of that PP...

Bouma snuck into the lineup. Don't blame me.

Scratching Kero is not right. The guy has played well and even scored last game.

Bouma snuck into the lineup. Don't blame me.

Scratching Kero is not right. The guy has played well and even scored last game.
- Justin Lowe

and adb...with three goals gets pull around sharp and hartman

and adb...with three goals gets pull around sharp and hartman

- bogiedoc

Good job Q

- EnzoD

Surely PowerEnforcer would claim there's no way we would be allowed to win the lottery. The league being blatantly biased against us and all

That's a (frank)ing god awful high sticking penalty. NEVER EVER (frank)ING TOUCHED HIM!!!!

Bouma snuck into the lineup. Don't blame me.

Scratching Kero is not right. The guy has played well and even scored last game.
- Justin Lowe

Can I say “meh” to that?

I don’t see much of a win differential between the two.

Surely PowerEnforcer would claim there's no way we would be allowed to win the lottery. The league being blatantly biased against us and all
- AusHawk

You are a smart man.

Crawford already having his chance with a poope awful first :30 of that PP...
- MTounian

That's why I don't care if Franson has a good shot, but with him on point on the PP, the other team is likely going to get as many quality chances as the Hawks.

That's a (frank)ing god awful high sticking penalty. NEVER EVER (frank)ING TOUCHED HIM!!!!
- EnzoD

Starting already. Just like Seabs' penalty last game.

they need to put together a run vs the league and division at some point...i just don't think the ability to sustain it...i mean fro gawd sakes they have only won 5 of 18 in regulation...0-5 vs division teams in regulation only win was OT vs preds...
- bogiedoc

Give them credit: 6 regulation wins in 18 games.

Makes ya look attem a little differently, no?

Ugh.

Can I say “meh” to that?

I don’t see much of a win differential between the two.
- StLBravesFan

Keep can at least play center. Q has Hartman doing it rn like that's okay.

Of Schmaltz isn't going to center, then the Hawks need another one pronto. Checking line center preferably that Q will trust against at least mid level QOC.

I agree, its not happening this year for our team barring something INSANE.

And if that's the verdict, how do things POSSIBLY get better moving forward with these same pieces? They don't IMO. The only way out of this from where we're at(average team with as you said maybe the potential to find another gear to bring us to the 2nd tier of top teams....but still not good enough for the Cup) is to make MAJOR changes ASAP. Just my opinion.

Toews, Kane, Seabrook, and Keith aren't going to get any better, and if we wait another season to try to build around these guys we might not EVER be able to get rid of them because they will have regressed to such an extreme point(Seabrook is just about already there IMO).

We need to make changes in the front office, and get a new head coach to jumpstart the new look team he will be taking over with a new and improved system/style of play(maybe even a PP that isn't utterly pathetic).

So, no matter how tricky it might be to find the right deals, move 19, 88, 7, 2, and probably others like Anisimov, Panik, Murphy, etc.....with the only goal being to pile up as many top draft picks and high end prospects as possible with those trades.

Tank the rest of this season and next season to add more top draft picks.

If this franchise gets young and talented FAST(like the White Sox just did for example)...and stops wasting time trying to sustain what is obviously a lost cause....I believe it has a great chance to bounce back rapidly and become a powerhouse. I believe the majority of fans will understand, and will see the goal of becoming great ASAP and winning more Cups ASAP instead of seeing it as "omg why are we trading our best players for draft picks!?!?".
- SimpleJack

You are spot on my friend!