@TramyersNBCS
Hey all. Since it’s out there… I will be leaving NBC Sports Chicago late next week to become a regional writer for the NHL. And to clarify, I will be based in Chicago for the new gig, too.
- JRoenick97

Getting kicked upstairs. Good riddance. Get good ear muffs cuz their language isn't any better up there.

If the Hawks were bad enough to miss the playoffs, Breadman wasn't gonna a difference. Q didn't trust Panarin on the defensive side of the puck (I don't think you can blame him) and that is a big reason why he is gone. That trade also helped the Hawks add depth at G, which was a big hole with the departure of Darling and potential area of disaster if Crawford is hurt.
- breadbag

Do you think this team is anywhere close to winning a Stanley Cup right now, or will be in the next 2 years?

Doesn't matter if you don't make it to April.

Panarin has as many points in the playoffs the last two years as Toews does, and only one fewer than Kane. I dunno, maybe the "Doesn't show up" argument is the same bullpoop that made TT expendable? You know, the one that routinely bites idiot GM's like Peter Chiarelli in the ass?
- BINGO!

Having TT would be nice, but he was ultimately expendable in terms of what he brings to the ice. Unless he has become a tough to play against C, that wins draws and hounds the puck. That is what the Hawks could really use more of. It sucks that they had to move him the way they did, but he wasn't someone they couldn't afford to lose.

Having TT would be nice, but he was ultimately expendable in terms of what he brings to the ice. Unless he has become a tough to play against C, that wins draws and hounds the puck. That is what the Hawks could really use more of. It sucks that they had to move him the way they did, but he wasn't someone they couldn't afford to lose.
- breadbag

Or you could just keep your most skilled players and run teams out of the building instead of trying to grind them down.

The only defense that matters is the one that results in you having the puck. He's been pretty good at that.

Do you think this team is anywhere close to winning a Stanley Cup right now, or will be in the next 2 years?
- BINGO!

A lot can change still this season and the next, but that is always the question. Are they the favorite at this point (no) but do they have a core that can win in the playoffs, yes. Conditions would have to be right for them to pull it off. The team that wins the whole thing is pretty much always the team that gets hot at the right time and gets the bounces. The Hawks are a team you can't write off because of what they have been able to accomplish, but they do have work to do if they want to get to the top again.

Or you could just keep your most skilled players and run teams out of the building instead of trying to grind them down.

The only defense that matters is the one that results in you having the puck. He's been pretty good at that.
- BINGO!

I'm not saying he is a bad guy to have, but the Hawks weren't/aren't lacking in what he brings to the ice. I like TT, but he isn't what they need at the moment. The team with the most skill doesn't always win come playoff time and defense is usually more important.

A lot can change still this season and the next, but that is always the question. Are they the favorite at this point (no) but do they have a core that can win in the playoffs, yes. Conditions would have to be right for them to pull it off. The team that wins the whole thing is pretty much always the team that gets hot at the right time and gets the bounces. The Hawks are a team you can't write off because of what they have been able to accomplish, but they do have work to do if they want to get to the top again.
- breadbag

That core is getting older with each passing year.

They were victimized by NAS last season because the D was so slow. Barring Crow standing on his head, I don't see a situation where they beat NAS, STL, or WPG in a 7 game series this season, let alone next.

A lot can change still this season and the next, but that is always the question. Are they the favorite at this point (no) but do they have a core that can win in the playoffs, yes. Conditions would have to be right for them to pull it off. The team that wins the whole thing is pretty much always the team that gets hot at the right time and gets the bounces. The Hawks are a team you can't write off because of what they have been able to accomplish, but they do have work to do if they want to get to the top again.
- breadbag

That's exactly right. For this team it would mean:
- Kane, Toews, Saad, and Crawford play at high levels.
- aging guys find some extra energy reserve and regain some lost form: Seabrook, Sharp, Keith, (and Toews to some extent)
- young & inexperienced guys mature quickly and play with playoff level intensity: ADB, Schmaltz, Hartman, Forsling, Rutta, Murphy, Kempny, Kero, Hayden, etc.
- other guys play their best: Saad, Panik, AA, Franson, Wingles, Bouma, etc.
- Adding a piece or two or three: center depth, d-men, etc.

Not impossible. But kinda unlikely.

I'm not saying he is a bad guy to have, but the Hawks weren't/aren't lacking in what he brings to the ice. I like TT, but he isn't what they need at the moment. The team with the most skill doesn't always win come playoff time and defense is usually more important.
- breadbag

You don't think that

TT - Toews - DBC
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Schmaltz - Hartman - Panik
Sharp - Wingels - Hayden

looks better than your current line-up? Because it costs you less than $3 million more than your current roster.

That said Forwards aren't really the issue. It's the D depth, and the lack of it.

Agreed on Seabs, but the Hype around big contracts coming out and the cap rising significantly was running rampant when Toews and Kane signed. Then the Canadian dollar died. I'll give Stan a 50% pass on those. Though I really thought they'd sign for 9-9.5 each.
- JRoenick97

And $9-9.5 is about what they’ve been getting on the contract (forgetting the front-loading) because of the approximately 17% giveback every year to true salaries down to 50% of actual HRR.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t also come off of the cap hit n

You don't think that

TT - Toews - DBC
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Schmaltz - Hartman - Panik
Sharp - Wingels - Hayden

looks better than your current line-up? Because it costs you less than $3 million more than your current roster.

That said Forwards aren't really the issue. It's the D depth, and the lack of it.
- BINGO!

No, that first line is not, in any away, better than what we have now. Toews line is shutdown and scoring line, and TT and ADB are not those guys. Sure, 3m more would be great, but its not a better lineup.

You don't think that

TT - Toews - DBC
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Schmaltz - Hartman - Panik
Sharp - Wingels - Hayden

looks better than your current line-up? Because it costs you less than $3 million more than your current roster.

That said Forwards aren't really the issue. It's the D depth, and the lack of it.
- BINGO!

That lineup would not do well come playoff time. Sure, there would be skill, but they'd get pushed around so much. That top 6 doesn't have one physical winger that can actually battle a top Dman. Panarin - AA - Kane didn't work come playoff time because they couldn't get space to operate and couldn't battle it out physically to manufacture anything. Putting Toews with DeBrincat and TT would not really be any better either.

Plus they'd still need a 3C, because Hartman isn't it.

Q gets a pass from me on this Bear.

Why you say?
Well, other than Q being stubborn (if a guy PROVES he cannot play his off-side, don't make him play that side -- like he did with TVR all too often. TVR was crap on the left side but OK on the right).

In Murphy's case, I think he's actually played better on that off-side. That's not a huge surprise to me, Murphy is what, 6'4"? Gotta have 35/36/37" sleeve length which equates to long arms.

I've posted this before --my preference playing D is playing the off-side. Mainly because, if you can skate good enough and are able to transition skating forward to backward solidly, playing your off-side allows you to keep your body closer to the center of the ice surface and force more plays to the boards.

RH shot - top hand on stick is left hand. Murphy is able to cover a heck of a lot more ice with playing the off side while keeping his big body in the center of the ice. If you are trying to cover as much ice as possible, you have much great control (top hand controls stick) with top hand closer to boards instead of top hand near center of ice surface. Hopefully that makes some sense.

While Murphy isn't a "great" skater nor fast -- he does have good mobility and I think this is why we're seeing better play from him on that side.

Also -- just because you play the off-side doesn't mean you have to "Hjalmarsson" everything out of the zone. I never understood why Nik did that -- turned his back to center ice and almost everything moved out on his backhand. There is no reason he couldn't have turned his body and used the forehand -- you don't see Murphy doing the same thing as Nik.
- savvyone-1

Cant' debate that, great answer. I for one don't get all the grief over Murphy, let him learn. Young guys and especially dmen, develop slower. Murphy if he was a hawks pick, or most other teams, would have gotten some time in the minors. This rushing guys up, then when they aren't Gretzky or Lidstrom, are busts is crazy, patience grasshoppers.

Crazy board here, talking about dumping Murphy and he's a bust, the same way everyone wanted to dump TT because he was weak and wouldn't work at it. Now a year and a half later, earlier posts female doging because Stan moved TT

You don't think that

TT - Toews - DBC
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Schmaltz - Hartman - Panik
Sharp - Wingels - Hayden

looks better than your current line-up? Because it costs you less than $3 million more than your current roster.

That said Forwards aren't really the issue. It's the D depth, and the lack of it.
- BINGO!

Keith-Murphy-Seabrook-Forsling-Rutta-Franson-Kempny - let’s see how they can progress - limit Seabrook’s minutes (and responsibilities?) and this just may be a quality 7-man unit.

I’m concerned about the forwards - and the lack of scoring the past 18 games (recent 3-game production notwithstanding) - other than Anisimov and DeBrincat - the core has been rather silent since the first two games (including getting no goals out of Keith and Seabrook). What did Powers say - one goal 5x5 out of 20-19-14 in 16 or 18 games? Not much more from Kane, Schmaltz (your othe top-6) or Sharp, Hartman, anyone on line 4.

Yeah, offense starts with defense - but forwards are a big part of defense. 25% of the season done - as a group, can’t give them a good grade.

Hinestroza the missing piece? Ok....

No, that first line is not, in any away, better than what we have now. Toews line is shutdown and scoring line, and TT and ADB are not those guys. Sure, 3m more would be great, but its not a better lineup.
- JRoenick97

I'm gonna go ahead and disagree there.

Aho-J.Staal-TT has worked really well as a shutdown line too.

I dunno, I take the extra points any day over having Saad in the lineup.

I'm gonna go ahead and disagree there.

Aho-J.Staal-TT has worked really well as a shutdown line too.

I dunno, I take the extra points any day over having Saad in the lineup.
- BINGO!

Without Hossa, Saad is our best all around player on the ice. His high Danger shots are leading the team and he's a force at both ends. We had 2 years of Panarin racking up goals and points with Kane and it didn't get us much in the post season. Saad is poised to break through with his shot rates.

Keith-Murphy-Seabrook-Forsling-Rutta-Franson-Kempny - let’s see how they can progress - limit Seabrook’s minutes (and responsibilities?) and this just may be a quality 7-man unit.

I’m concerned about the forwards - and the lack of scoring the past 18 games (recent 3-game production notwithstanding) - other than Anisimov and DeBrincat - the core has been rather silent since the first two games (including getting no goals out of Keith and Seabrook). What did Powers say - one goal 5x5 out of 20-19-14 in 16 or 18 games? Not much more from Kane, Schmaltz (your othe top-6) or Sharp, Hartman, anyone on line 4.

Yeah, offense starts with defense - but forwards are a big part of defense. 25% of the season done - as a group, can’t give them a good grade.

Hinestroza the missing piece? Ok....
- StLBravesFan

I'm surprised Hinostroza isn't up already.

He already played 49 games with the big club last year and is a PPG in the AHL right now... It's not like playing him in the NHL is going to hurt his development at this point. See what he can do. He looked real good at times last year.

You don't think that

TT - Toews - DBC
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Schmaltz - Hartman - Panik
Sharp - Wingels - Hayden

looks better than your current line-up? Because it costs you less than $3 million more than your current roster.

That said Forwards aren't really the issue. It's the D depth, and the lack of it.
- BINGO!

I was with you until i saw Hartman as 3C and the 4th line. wingels and Sharp are disappointing me so far.

But yeah the D group needs to be way better then it has been.

I'm gonna go ahead and disagree there.

Aho-J.Staal-TT has worked really well as a shutdown line too.

I dunno, I take the extra points any day over having Saad in the lineup.
- BINGO!

You can say Kane/Panarin racked up a lot of points together... butSaad/Toews have two cups together. It is easy to come here and say Panarin is a more effective player than Saad because he scores more points during the year. Come playoff time, cross ice one timers don't work. Brandon Saad has more value because of his ability to play a deep possession game and park in front of the net. Two things the Hawks desperately will need come playoff time. We haven't even mentioned his defensive abilities either yet.

Hawks still have 62 games left to figure this out. If anybody thinks StanBo won't be active when it comes to making moves to get this team right, you're crazy. I will also gladly place a bet right now that the Blackhawks will be a playoff team come April. This team has a LOT of new faces and they are still trying to figure out what works for them. We have started to see as their blue line has stabilized, so has their team.

One last Panrain/Saad comment...Saad is locked up for three more years after this. Panarin would surely get a raise after next season and the Hawks probably can't afford him. In the long run, this team is better off with Saad IMO. Just happy Panarin's bonus money comes off the books after this season.

Keith-Murphy-Seabrook-Forsling-Rutta-Franson-Kempny - let’s see how they can progress - limit Seabrook’s minutes (and responsibilities?) and this just may be a quality 7-man unit.

I’m concerned about the forwards - and the lack of scoring the past 18 games (recent 3-game production notwithstanding) - other than Anisimov and DeBrincat - the core has been rather silent since the first two games (including getting no goals out of Keith and Seabrook). What did Powers say - one goal 5x5 out of 20-19-14 in 16 or 18 games? Not much more from Kane, Schmaltz (your othe top-6) or Sharp, Hartman, anyone on line 4.

Yeah, offense starts with defense - but forwards are a big part of defense. 25% of the season done - as a group, can’t give them a good grade.

Hinestroza the missing piece? Ok....
- StLBravesFan

I think for Toews/Kane/Panik/Saad and even Sharp, the chances will start to find the back of the net. It isn't like they aren't getting shots on goal.

After the first 2 games of the year, the top 5v5 shooters for the Hawks are Kane, Toews, Saad, Keith, Sharp, Panik with 199 shots and 7 goals among them. I can't see those guys shooting 3.5% as a group much longer. Most of those guys usually shoot in the 8.5 - 12% range at 5v5 and I think they will start to beat a few goalies.

You don't think that

TT - Toews - DBC
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Schmaltz - Hartman - Panik
Sharp - Wingels - Hayden

looks better than your current line-up? Because it costs you less than $3 million more than your current roster.

That said Forwards aren't really the issue. It's the D depth, and the lack of it.
- BINGO!

I'd rather go:

Saad - Toews - TT
DBC- AA - Kane
Sharp - Schmaltz - Panik
Hartman - Wingles - Hayden

I think for Toews/Kane/Panik/Saad and even Sharp, the chances will start to find the back of the net. It isn't like they aren't getting shots on goal.

After the first 2 games of the year, the top 5v5 shooters for the Hawks are Kane, Toews, Saad, Keith, Sharp, Panik with 199 shots and 7 goals among them. I can't see those guys shooting 3.5% as a group much longer. Most of those guys usually shoot in the 8.5 - 12% range at 5v5 and I think they will start to beat a few goalies.
- breadbag

I will more or less agree with you IF:

We keep seeing the net front presence - and rushing the net, defensemen engaging in the o-zone - that we’ve seen recently.

A big “IF” (IMO) with this team.

If they go back to skating large circles and keeping the puck at (and shooting from) the half-wall and blue line with no traffic in front of the goalie....

I will more or less agree with you IF:

We keep seeing the net front presence - and rushing the net, defensemen engaging in the o-zone - that we’ve seen recently.

A big “IF” (IMO) with this team.

If they go back to skating large circles and keeping the puck at (and shooting from) the half-wall and blue line with no traffic in front of the goalie....
- StLBravesFan

I agree, they need to keep up the trend thy have been.
The Blackhawks are 10th in the NHL in Corsi after 20 games; They were 27th in the NHL after 10 games

I'd rather go:

Saad - Toews - TT
DBC- AA - Kane
Sharp - Schmaltz - Panik
Hartman - Wingles - Hayden
- matt_ahrens

If we're fantasizing then why not

Saad - Toews - TT
Panarin- AA - Kane
DBC - Schmaltz - Panik
Hartman - Wingles - Hayden

I will more or less agree with you IF:

We keep seeing the net front presence - and rushing the net, defensemen engaging in the o-zone - that we’ve seen recently.

A big “IF” (IMO) with this team.

If they go back to skating large circles and keeping the puck at (and shooting from) the half-wall and blue line with no traffic in front of the goalie....
- StLBravesFan

To me, this is where the coaches earn their money, helping the team make adjustments. I think these guys have been around the block and know what they need to do. Traffic or not, some guys have just been snake bitten on some clear chances.