Saad-Toews-Panik - ok - if you’re happy with Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane (and I think most of us are) - then where do you put DeBrincat?

As I said on the last blog, he’s a scorer - he needs to be a focus of a scoring line - he needs shat attempts - only one against Pittsburgh (a miss) playing mostly with Sharp and Hartman. That’s not taking advantage of his skills.

Even if you’re ok with turning him into a play-maker, with two guys who can’t score on his line, he’s not going to produce in any sense like he should.
- StLBravesFan

Counterpoint (and with all due respect, Sage):

When, exactly, did he start producing? When they "assigned" him to the third line, even though Q has actually used him in a variety of situations with Top 6 guys in the games—where he's produced.

Personal opinion, he's benefited from less expectation, not squeezing the sap out of his stick, overthinking where and when to be when playing with all-world guys, and just playing.

Who cares what line he's listed on in rushes?

I think the top 2 lines are really about as good as they're gonna get (for now anyway). Meh, you could swap DeBrincat out for Schmaltz but a lot of good things come on that line from Schmaltz' speed/ability to get behind defenses and his setup ability.

Yep.

This is why the Patriots have had such continued success. The minute a player looks like he may be on the decline they get rid of him for someone on the rise. Players need to be treated as people on an individual basis but when it comes to the team itself they are nothing but assets that you must get the most out of, whether that is as a player on your team or used to acquire returns from other teams before those returns turn to nothing.
- BINGO!

And this is why you must be wise extending a guy like McD too much authority in the FO. Not enough team sports success smarts, and maybe too much nostalgia/marketing/imagery smarts for what is good for the organ I zation.

Seabrook has guts, determination and leadership - yet is bashed daily. Is that ok? Or do you tell those posters to "do us a favor" as well?

Bickell was bashed daily...were you banishing those people as well?

I didn't know I was on the Pittsburgh board "all the time " either. Interesting. Maybe I do like Pittsburgh and don't know it. I'll look into that.

And yes, I am a fan of fair weather more so than the unfair weather
- PatShart

Funny, and I have not heard this specifically from a trusted source (though someone said it to me this summer), what if it turns out Seabrook has some kind of degenerative condition, not necessarily MS like Bickell, but something? I heard it was a knee thing over the summer then someone else I trust told me no, that wasn't the case. Dunno. But yeah, I think Seabrook has become a bit of a whipping boy, though clearly he has scuffled a lot this year. Some nights, he's fine, but people still pile on.

Counterpoint (and with all due respect, Sage):

When, exactly, did he start producing? When they "assigned" him to the third line, even though Q has actually used him in a variety of situations with Top 6 guys in the games—where he's produced.

Personal opinion, he's benefited from less expectation, not squeezing the sap out of his stick, overthinking where and when to be when playing with all-world guys, and just playing.

Who cares what line he's listed on in rushes?

I think the top 2 lines are really about as good as they're gonna get (for now anyway). Meh, you could swap DeBrincat out for Schmaltz but a lot of good things come on that line from Schmaltz' speed/ability to get behind defenses and his setup ability.
- John Jaeckel

Exactly JJ.

How many NHL forwards probably make the argument that their true game can only shine if they play with the top line.

Funny, and I have not heard this specifically from a trusted source (though someone said it to me this summer), what if it turns out Seabrook has some kind of degenerative condition, not necessarily MS like Bickell, but something? I heard it was a knee thing over the summer then someone else I trust told me no, that wasn't the case. Dunno. But yeah, I think Seabrook has become a bit of a whipping boy, though clearly he has scuffled a lot this year. Some nights, he's fine, but people still pile on.
- John Jaeckel

Seabrook will always have a special place in my heart for blistering David Backes into another dimension

Well did not see the Pit game glad to here Toews had a good game ,as well as Crow . There will always be nay Sayers about Toews all they see are the numbers PTS and dollars .. He does so much more for the team . GO HAWKS !!!

There are more Hawk defensemen than just Murphy that meet the acclimation criteria you set forth that seem to be adjusting far better.

Maybe the musical chairs exercise on D that has been going on all year is just a series of auditions to see who stays. At this point do you honestly see Murphy in the lineup with nothing more than a very light pencil-in?? How much more rope do you give the guy?

At the end of the day, accept the Hammer for Murphy deal for what its real intention was - long-term salary relief. Stan is going to have to pay some of these other guys when their ELC's expire.
- Return of the Roar

Murphy is signed for 4 more years and has shown improvement over the past few games. They are going to play the guy they have for 4 years who has upper end potential to let him adjust over Oesterle and Kempny. Kempny doesn't do it for Q for whatever reason, but he's also a FA at the end of the year. Oesterle is a nice 7d with future potential too, but is young and also not a top 4 prospect.

Funny, and I have not heard this specifically from a trusted source (though someone said it to me this summer), what if it turns out Seabrook has some kind of degenerative condition, not necessarily MS like Bickell, but something? I heard it was a knee thing over the summer then someone else I trust told me no, that wasn't the case. Dunno. But yeah, I think Seabrook has become a bit of a whipping boy, though clearly he has scuffled a lot this year. Some nights, he's fine, but people still pile on.
- John Jaeckel

The issue is money, nothing more nothing less.
Expectations and opinions of fans, writers etc. will be influenced on money.
Do you complain if your $10 steak is so so, probably not but if you paid $100 for that same steak guess what it better be damn good all day long!
Stupid analogy perhaps but makes my point. The day Toews, Seabs signed those big and long ass contracts expectations changed, it's just human nature and yeah it may seem harsh at times but it's the reality of big money sports.

The issue is money, nothing more nothing less.
Expectations and opinions of fans, writers etc. will be influenced on money.
Do you complain if your $10 steak is so so, probably not but if you paid $100 for that same steak guess what it better be damn good all day long!
Stupid analogy perhaps but makes my point. The day Toews, Seabs signed those big and long ass contracts expectations changed, it's just human nature and yeah it may seem harsh at times but it's the reality of big money sports.
- Hawkster

You don't blame the steak for the price it is though, you blame the restaurant for making it that much.

Murphy is signed for 4 more years and has shown improvement over the past few games. They are going to play the guy they have for 4 years who has upper end potential to let him adjust over Oesterle and Kempny. Kempny doesn't do it for Q for whatever reason, but he's also a FA at the end of the year. Oesterle is a nice 7d with future potential too, but is young and also not a top 4 prospect.
- JRoenick97

Hey, I am pulling for the guy to turn it around. But the contract reality is that Hammer is due to get paid an undetermined amount in a year versus $150K less per year locked in for the next four.

Hopefully Ulfie can find some answers for Murphy. Sure would like to see a big young dude like him become much more than he is today.

The issue is money, nothing more nothing less.
Expectations and opinions of fans, writers etc. will be influenced on money.
Do you complain if your $10 steak is so so, probably not but if you paid $100 for that same steak guess what it better be damn good all day long!
Stupid analogy perhaps but makes my point. The day Toews, Seabs signed those big and long ass contracts expectations changed, it's just human nature and yeah it may seem harsh at times but it's the reality of big money sports.
- Hawkster

I also hate the argument that we paid them this contract based on what they did for us in the past. These arent bonuses and retroactive contracts.

These are deals based on the expectation of play moving forward. Great, Toews and Kane won us three cups and they deserved getting that money, but they are still expected to earn that money over the life of the deal. Not just mail it in for the next 8 years and cash paychecks

If they weren't planning on being $10+ mil players, they should have never asked for that much. If you want to be paid like the top players in the league, well, then you better perform like top players in the league or else all criticism is just

I also hate the argument that we paid them this contract based on what they did for us in the past. These arent bonuses and retroactive contracts.

These are deals based on the expectation of play moving forward. Great, Toews and Kane won us three cups and they deserved getting that money, but they are still expected to earn that money over the life of the deal. Not just mail it in for the next 8 years and cash paychecks

If they weren't planning on being $10+ mil players, they should have never asked for that much. If you want to be paid like the top players in the league, well, then you better perform like top players in the league or else all criticism is just
- Stan_Bowman

If I were a betting man, I would suggest the numbers on those deals were not necessarily demanded/asked for. More likely than not, it was just as much about a certain Chicago sports executive making a PR splash as anything else.

Seabrook will always have a special place in my heart for blistering David Backes into another dimension
- Stan_Bowman

You may be stuck with him, regardless, Stan.

The issue is money, nothing more nothing less.
Expectations and opinions of fans, writers etc. will be influenced on money.
Do you complain if your $10 steak is so so, probably not but if you paid $100 for that same steak guess what it better be damn good all day long!
Stupid analogy perhaps but makes my point. The day Toews, Seabs signed those big and long ass contracts expectations changed, it's just human nature and yeah it may seem harsh at times but it's the reality of big money sports.
- Hawkster

We talked about this on the RinkCast last night.

Fans focus in on what the guy makes, and the expectations are set there—which is basically fair.

However, sure, if you could bury Seabrook's contract somewhere, or even trade it (although you'd almost for sure get someone else's bad contract back), you still have to come up with a better replacement.

I know it's easy to say anyone would be better. But be careful what you wish for.

So, even wth Hossa's LTIR cap space, the Hawks are still going to have give something up as a trade asset in order to get something back. And they don't have a lot "of value" right now they can afford to part with.

Counterpoint (and with all due respect, Sage):

When, exactly, did he start producing? When they "assigned" him to the third line, even though Q has actually used him in a variety of situations with Top 6 guys in the games—where he's produced.

Personal opinion, he's benefited from less expectation, not squeezing the sap out of his stick, overthinking where and when to be when playing with all-world guys, and just playing.

Who cares what line he's listed on in rushes?

I think the top 2 lines are really about as good as they're gonna get (for now anyway). Meh, you could swap DeBrincat out for Schmaltz but a lot of good things come on that line from Schmaltz' speed/ability to get behind defenses and his setup ability.
- John Jaeckel

That would be resin. Just sayin.

We talked about this on the RinkCast last night.

Fans focus in on what the guy makes, and the expectations are set there—which is basically fair.

However, sure, if you could bury Seabrook's contract somewhere, or even trade it (although you'd almost for sure get someone else's bad contract back), you still have to come up with a better replacement.

I know it's easy to say anyone would be better. But be careful what you wish for.

So, even wth Hossa's LTIR cap space, the Hawks are still going to have give something up as a trade asset in order to get something back. And they don't have a lot "of value" right now they can afford to part with.
- John Jaeckel

And you're probably correct.
Will be interesting to see how it will all play out.
Regardless of the outcome it's been a wild ride and would never give up the excitement I had as a fan watching my team win the cup...it was glorious.
Sad to see it all declining but it's part of life and sports is no different.

Funny, and I have not heard this specifically from a trusted source (though someone said it to me this summer), what if it turns out Seabrook has some kind of degenerative condition, not necessarily MS like Bickell, but something? I heard it was a knee thing over the summer then someone else I trust told me no, that wasn't the case. Dunno. But yeah, I think Seabrook has become a bit of a whipping boy, though clearly he has scuffled a lot this year. Some nights, he's fine, but people still pile on.
- John Jaeckel

He was been pretty decent the last two games and overall he wasn't bad most this season, it was just the 1 or 2 mistakes per game for a while that were glaring.

What I liked about Seabrook vs the Pens was that he took his man out of the play with physical play more often. I think that is what younger Seabrook usually did more of and what he has gotten away from. I think he is focusing on not taking a penalty when someone tries to go wide on him when he should be just focusing on taking his man off the puck before he can get a step around him.

Counterpoint (and with all due respect, Sage):

When, exactly, did he start producing? When they "assigned" him to the third line, even though Q has actually used him in a variety of situations with Top 6 guys in the games—where he's produced.

Personal opinion, he's benefited from less expectation, not squeezing the sap out of his stick, overthinking where and when to be when playing with all-world guys, and just playing.

Who cares what line he's listed on in rushes?

I think the top 2 lines are really about as good as they're gonna get (for now anyway). Meh, you could swap DeBrincat out for Schmaltz but a lot of good things come on that line from Schmaltz' speed/ability to get behind defenses and his setup ability.
- John Jaeckel

To your point about producing with top6 skaters:

He has 5 goals with an opposing goalie on the ice, with the following assisters:

Sharp (his first goal, in game 4)
Toews-Panik
Kane-Kero
Schmaltz
Panik-Keith

All with a top-6 skater, except the first.

IMO, he has one of the quickest and most accurate shots on the team; thru 20 games, he only has 35 SOG (1.5 per game, 7.4 per 60) - yes, lower expectations for a teenage first year pro - but I’d like to see more shots from/for him.

Counterpoint (and with all due respect, Sage):

When, exactly, did he start producing? When they "assigned" him to the third line, even though Q has actually used him in a variety of situations with Top 6 guys in the games—where he's produced.

Personal opinion, he's benefited from less expectation, not squeezing the sap out of his stick, overthinking where and when to be when playing with all-world guys, and just playing.

Who cares what line he's listed on in rushes?

I think the top 2 lines are really about as good as they're gonna get (for now anyway). Meh, you could swap DeBrincat out for Schmaltz but a lot of good things come on that line from Schmaltz' speed/ability to get behind defenses and his setup ability.
- John Jaeckel

Glad the Hawks didn't send ADB to Rockford, as you and especially your know-nothing Gatekeeper partner repeatedly demanded. His 20-games of playing with and against real NHL'ers is what has speeded his development.

Glad the Hawks didn't send ADB to Rockford, as you and especially your know-nothing Gatekeeper partner repeatedly demanded. His 20-games of playing with and against real NHL'ers is what has speeded his development.
- BMWChiFan

Ahhh, go easy on Gatekeeper, LOL. A lot of people were running out of patience until he got a little hot and the lights seemed to come on. He still makes some mistakes, too. But I like that he seems to be "just playing" now, and he is better for it.

He was been pretty decent the last two games and overall he wasn't bad most this season, it was just the 1 or 2 mistakes per game for a while that were glaring.

What I liked about Seabrook vs the Pens was that he took his man out of the play with physical play more often. I think that is what younger Seabrook usually did more of and what he has gotten away from. I think he is focusing on not taking a penalty when someone tries to go wide on him when he should be just focusing on taking his man off the puck before he can get a step around him.
- breadbag

Totally agreed, last couple of games have been pretty solid for him. Murphy too actually.

That would be resin. Just sayin.
- 6628

Old school analogy. LOL.

Totally agreed, last couple of games have been pretty solid for him. Murphy too actually.
- John Jaeckel

Removing Seabs form the PP looks to be like a great move.

http://www.chicagobusines...ccb-breakingnews-20171120

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20171120/NEWS07/171129987/wirtz-family-in-deal-to-form-12-billion-liquor-distributor#utm_medium=email&utm_source=ccb-breakingnews&utm_campaign=ccb-breakingnews-20171120
- glennjpawlak22

Does this mean Bob Pulford gets a corner office now?