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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: My 3 Wishes
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67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Mar 15 @ 1:55 PM ET
Lets not lose sight that even if they do draft Tkachuk, he is still in school and could hold out and go the whole FA route like Hayes. Because they draft him is no guarantee that they can sign him.
- TheTrob


This may also be a good reason for teams drafting ahead of us to avoid him thus increasing the chances that he falls to us. There are some NHL cities that may not appeal to a player and if he can use his option to exercise his UFA rights, that team loses him. A second round compensatory pick hardly replaces a top 5 overall.
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Mar 15 @ 2:01 PM ET
Please check your Math. $27 increasing 10% per year for 20 years would be more than $150. I think 6.5% per year is more accurate. And during that time you saw 3 cup winning teams, President Trophies winners, Western Conference winners,. Now after a down year (and perhaps some rough years ahead) you are not renewing. I am perfectly fine with that. I respect that.

However if you look at the Bulls, they have been miserable off and on for several years and there attendance is still very good.

My guess is that some Blackhawk ticket holders will give up their seats and others will pick them up for the chance to see another 3 cup winners in the next 20 years.

- -Doh-

I wonder what the corporate - ordeinary folks split is for both the Bulls and the Hawks.
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Mar 15 @ 2:07 PM ET
In a big surprise LeBrun acknowledged the rumors that have been floating the Chicago Blackgawks in the past few weeks, and they are truly shocking indeed.

"Who knows by the way with all the speculation out of Chicago what ends up happening with Joel Quenneville."

https://www.tsn.ca/video/...ure-in-washington~1346709
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Mar 15 @ 2:07 PM ET
Sorry Z3, but it is you that must be watching a different game than everyone else. Seabrook has never been a great skater, but has made up for it by being positionally sound and being an excellent passer. His play has declined considerably in the last 2-3 years, and yes, some of it can be attributed to having to baby-sit youngsters, but not all of it. Seabrook regularly gets beat wide, and no longer wins any races to loose pucks. The most concerning thing about his play however is that while once an excellent passer, that seems to have been completely lost. I have seen more icings, passes behind people, in front of people, or made to seemingly no-body from Seabrook this year. That is a sign that he is slowing, as he no longer has the time or space to make a good pass. His ridiculous sliding on his belly to break up plays is also a result of him being beat and behind plays and making a last ditch effort to break things up.

I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt for one more season that maybe he is hurt, maybe he came in out of shape, maybe he has some personal issues affecting his game.....whatever, but the eye test thru the whole season says he has been poor more often than good, and only so much blame can be placed on his playing partner. A lot of the mistakes he makes are NOT because he is covering for someone else.

- TheTrob


Until this year Keith was seen as a brilliant D-Man. Now he receives many disparaging comments including that he is slower, his passing is off, players are beating him going around him, he isn’t winning puck races or puck battles and he doesn’t have the same aggression. Keith received NONE of these comments last year. The only difference between Keith this year and Keith last year is he has babysat this year. Keith didn’t suddenly one day at midnight forget how to play. Same Keith just no protective Hammer. Can’t just play with instinct. Guys on TV refer to it as “can’t just play on his toes”. Keith has to constantly worry about his partner. Exactly the same for Seabrook.

There are micro-seasons within seasons. When Seabrook and Gus play together with consistency and Gus isn’t playing offensively reckless suddenly Seabrook’s play is just fine. Hmmm how is that possible? Give Keith and Seabrook partners that don’t play recklessly and they are both still great D-Men. Don’t forget that somehow Seabrook babysitting on a struggling team is PLUS 2 which is miraculous especially considering Keith is MINUS 19.
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Mar 15 @ 2:26 PM ET
While I was an early adopter about being hard on Seabrook. I have to give him some credit for playing a bit better as the season progressed. A few thoughts/questions I have about him.

1) Is he having issues adjusting to the d system changes? Some of the style changes might be hard for him.
2) Is he still dealing with a messed up back? I don't think he ever fully recovered from the 2015/16 playoffs.
3) Can he adjust his passing to what more and more of the league is doing? Not exactly dump and chase, but more and more teams are using less direct passes and more passing where they forward can skate to an area and pick it up. Teams have adjusted and take away too many of those long stretch passes. Seabrook had a lot of turnovers early in the year, but I think he has reeled it in a bit.
4) Can the Hawks afford to have Seabrook if he isn't in the top 4? I think he can play in the second pair (I think his days of being a shutdown D are 3 years gone) but if he struggles they can't pay a guy that much to play 3rd pair IMO.

I kinda see the Hawks D usage kinda like this.

First Pair - plays against the other team's top line and needs to be solid defensively. Generally used with whichever forward group is shutting down the opposing team's top line and is gonna play the hard minutes.

Second Pair - gets put out for Ozone draws (essentially with whatever line Kane is on) for whatever group Q is riding for offense.

3rd Pair - well rounded by not flashy guys that fill the gap.

For me, I'd love to see the Hawks find someone that fits really well with Keith in that top pair. Keith still plays the big minutes and has struggled with some boneheaded plays by his partners this season. He hasn't had his best year either, but man he could use a good partner.

I think ideally they need Seabrook to be a big part of pair 2. He has a big shot and can add offense when he jumps in. Gus is another guy that seems to play well in that more offensive role.

Man, I really want to see what the D will end up being next season. I think there will be some kind of trade or two.

- breadbag


Seabrook’s contract obviously makes him very difficult to trade. I have always liked Seabrook but thought Bowman was insane giving Seabrook his last contract. So likely we are dealing with Seabrook as a member of this team moving forward.

Ulf’s Reckless Aggression D System has been a freakin’ mess. No D-Man has benefitted - totally messed up every single D-Man including Forsling now in Rockford and Kempny now in Washington. Also Keith. Also Seabrook. Not only are they covering inexperienced or struggling partners but those very partners are being instructed to be reckless. When a team gives up CONSTANT odd-man breaks this is a huge sign the D System is garbage.

Common-sense must still apply and Ulf simply doesn’t have any. I think his common-sense may have been knocked out of him when Domi knocked him out cold for being the dirtiest, most cowardly NHL player in history.

I can guarantee you that when Keith and Seabrook sit down this summer at a nice Kelowna bar they will talk about what an absolute clown show this season has been.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Mar 15 @ 2:34 PM ET
Seabrook’s contract obviously makes him very difficult to trade. I have always liked Seabrook but thought Bowman was insane giving Seabrook his last contract. So likely we are dealing with Seabrook as a member of this team moving forward.

Ulf’s Reckless Aggression D System has been a freakin’ mess. No D-Man has benefitted - totally messed up every single D-Man including Forsling now in Rockford and Kempny now in Washington. Also Keith. Also Seabrook. Not only are they covering inexperienced or struggling partners but those very partners are being instructed to be reckless. When a team gives up CONSTANT odd-man breaks this is a huge sign the D System is garbage.

Common-sense must still apply and Ulf simply doesn’t have any. I think his common-sense may have been knocked out of him when Domi knocked him out cold for being the dirtiest, most cowardly NHL player in history.

I can guarantee you that when Keith and Seabrook sit down this summer at a nice Kelowna bar they will talk about what an absolute clown show this season has been.

- Z3Hawk


Ulf's system has only seemed to work when he has a massive amount of talent. The Rangers during their deep runs had: McD, Girardi (pre-wheels falling off), Staal, Strahlman, Boyle, and various combinations of Yandle, Del Zotto, Klein, Moore. They had arguably the most stacked D of any team.

Something tells me that Ulf is not that good of a coach, and that Q brought him in because they played together. Is Jaime Kompon up for a contract any time soon?
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Mar 15 @ 2:45 PM ET
Ulf's system has only seemed to work when he has a massive amount of talent. The Rangers during their deep runs had: McD, Girardi (pre-wheels falling off), Staal, Strahlman, Boyle, and various combinations of Yandle, Del Zotto, Klein, Moore. They had arguably the most stacked D of any team.

Something tells me that Ulf is not that good of a coach, and that Q brought him in because they played together. Is Jaime Kompon up for a contract any time soon?

- ObeseOprah



If Q manages to stay all assistants must come from places other than Hartford...
TheTrob
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Oak Park, IL
Joined: 04.14.2010

Mar 15 @ 2:52 PM ET
As a former season ticket owner I do not think that is accurate. But if it was that would be a 16% annual increase.
- -Doh-


You want to see stubs and the invoice for next season? Trust me, its accurate. Maybe its from the year before to start, even still its a ticket that has tripled in price over 10 or 11 years.
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Mar 15 @ 2:52 PM ET
I see some valid points in both your and z3Hawk explanation. While Seabrook has been babysitting and he would become better without that concern, there is no doubt his skating has slipped. It was his skating - not best form - which i always found an issue. Even though wiz has told me in past years that i make too much ado about his skating, the eye test does ptove something is causing him to skate slower. We can debate if skating is the only issue for blown coverage. But i agree to let him see if he can come to camp next fall and be better. I tend to say, nope. But we are not told exactly why he skates worse. We have to give him the benefit of doubt and see how he performs next fall. If i were another GM there is too much unknown to trade for him. Look i really respect z3hawk and he has good points. But i feel it is PRIMARILY a skating issue. Wait and see next fall as there is not another viable alternative.
- jhawk59


Regarding the skating issue the personnel decisions and the Reckless Aggression D System have destroyed Keith, maybe even more than Seabrook (Keith -19, Seabrook +2) and Keith still skates very well. With Seabrook speed has never really been his forte but if he has had a nagging injury or needs to build additional core or leg or back strength he seems to be a player who cares and will put in the work.
pdx2ord
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Portland, OR
Joined: 09.02.2015

Mar 15 @ 3:35 PM ET
[quote=Z3Hawk]

So, just curious. . .why does Keith get excuses and a pass because he is (really for the first time) playing with lesser talents and having to babysit, when everyone seems to want Toews and Seabs kicked to the curb when the same could be said for them?

Look at the difference in Toews when he's been with Saad and Kane rather than Saad and a 4th liner or any other cast of characters.

Yeah, I think Toews has some concerning trends and visible issues, but it is striking that most on here will defend Keith without question while the same percentage want to string up Toews. Is it the money?
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Mar 15 @ 3:53 PM ET
[quote=pdx2ord]

That's a fair point. My best defense would be that Keith still seems to have much of his abilities, but is making boneheaded or careless plays. Keith's seems more attitude/effort than ability, which is much easier to correct.

Toews definitely has visible issues, he went from a top flight threat to someone who mishandles the puck or easily turns it over. His neutral zone positioning/pressure and d-zone play are still great, but him and the puck look like same side magnets this year.

Seabrook has lost a step, and gets burned at least once a game on a footrace to the goalie. In previous years he'd be back for a two on one and do his sliding poke-check thing, now he's just getting flat out beaten. I chalk some of this up to Ulf and a lot to his terrible partners. He also seems to be 'off' like Keith, so there is some room for improvement. But Seabrook has lost some of his raw abilities I believe.
Sn1362
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 07.10.2014

Mar 15 @ 3:56 PM ET
Was rather partial to Roma’s on Cicero Avenue just south of Montrose.
- Spec41971[/quote

How about Jay's Beef
TJYTJY
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.23.2017

Mar 15 @ 4:25 PM ET
You want to see stubs and the invoice for next season? Trust me, its accurate. Maybe its from the year before to start, even still its a ticket that has tripled in price over 10 or 11 years.
- TheTrob



The Trob is right. The 100 level have exploded over the last couple years and resale values in the last month have tumbled. I just got off the phone with my season ticket rep. She was wondering why I was not renewing. I gave her my reasons and that was it.

We will see how deep that season ticket waiting list is now.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Mar 15 @ 4:34 PM ET
The Trob is right. The 100 level have exploded over the last couple years and resale values in the last month have tumbled. I just got off the phone with my season ticket rep. She was wondering why I was not renewing. I gave her my reasons and that was it.

We will see how deep that season ticket waiting list is now.

- TJYTJY

I was at 10,000 last seasons, hoping they don't call my number this season
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Mar 15 @ 5:11 PM ET
[quote=pdx2ord]

Cause Keith only makes 5 and change per year and you can stick that on a second pairing with out a whole lot of guilt, where he would still be quite useful and Seabrook has been crap for pretty much the last two years in a row with out a degenerative knee condition as an excuse. Just a bunch of burritos.

Keith - still usable player though maybe more situationally at this point
Seabrook - not so much
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Mar 15 @ 5:23 PM ET
Ulf's system has only seemed to work when he has a massive amount of talent. The Rangers during their deep runs had: McD, Girardi (pre-wheels falling off), Staal, Strahlman, Boyle, and various combinations of Yandle, Del Zotto, Klein, Moore. They had arguably the most stacked D of any team.

Something tells me that Ulf is not that good of a coach, and that Q brought him in because they played together. Is Jaime Kompon up for a contract any time soon?

- ObeseOprah


I agree. If you look at the years before Ulf's started coaching the Rangers, the Rangers were consistently in the top 5 in goals against and Lundquist was playing about 70 games per year. So I would be careful in giving Ulf too much credit for the Rangers defensive success while he was there.
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Mar 15 @ 5:25 PM ET
[quote=pdx2ord]

Keith has always had special status when it has come to criticism but it is changing. Until recently if Keith made a give-away the TV team wouldn’t name him outright. Is changing. Applies to fans too. Same thing happened with Toews - Toews started getting more direct criticism over time.
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

Mar 15 @ 5:44 PM ET
Wishes
1) Murphy - Agree
2) Hayden - I just want him to play regular minutes on a regular consistent line with the same center and same winger with offensive talent. I also want to see him onthe PP.
3) Sikura - Agree
4) Ejsdell - I hope his team loses in the first round of the playoffs and comes here over to play a few games before the season is over.

Other unrelated comment - I like the way Sharp has played and contributed this year. Still has decent speed and a good shot. Has not been hampered by injuries. Has not had that many points because he has been put through the Q blender 50 times this year with different linemates every night and sometimes playing on his off wing. He always plays with energy, enthusiasm and physicality. Makes a lot of heady plays. Plays a 200' game (almost all of the time). I have to believe younger players could learn a lot by watching him. I would not mind them resigning him. Shooters/snipers are hard to come by. (Kane/Debrincat/???) You could argue he is taking ice time from the younger forwards. But the alternate argument would be that he is allowing some of the "not ready for prime time players" to get some valuable time at the Rock.

- -Doh-


Doh - my feeling too - I’d like Sharpie to come back. I think he has been productive and hard-working. Shouldn’t have to finish his career inside the clown car that this season has been.
35Tony0
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Springfield, IL
Joined: 05.10.2015

Mar 15 @ 5:52 PM ET
Doh - my feeling too - I’d like Sharpie to come back. I think he has been productive and hard-working. Shouldn’t have to finish his career inside the clown car that this season has been.
- Z3Hawk

Agreed, he could definitely fill a elder statesman/mentor role. If he wants to play another year, I hope the Blackhawks have him.
pdx2ord
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Portland, OR
Joined: 09.02.2015

Mar 15 @ 7:05 PM ET
Former Hawks beat writer (and current Sox beat writer) at the Tribune, Chris Kuc, laid off in the wave of terminations at the paper today. Enjoyed his stuff.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Mar 15 @ 7:22 PM ET
Hard to get "excited" about tonight's game vs. the Jets, but looking forward to seeing that 2nd line of Debrincat-Schmaltz-Hayden hopefully build some more chemistry and keeping an eye on the D to see if they can tighten it up in their own end.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Mar 15 @ 7:30 PM ET
Doh - my feeling too - I’d like Sharpie to come back. I think he has been productive and hard-working. Shouldn’t have to finish his career inside the clown car that this season has been.
- Z3Hawk


I love Sharpie.. I really do. I even have one of his jerseys... but there's not a lot of room up front and I'd like to see the 12-13th forward be a grittier player and preferably a centre.

If they bring back the exact same team, there's not much rationale for them to get 30+ more points next year other than... "those young guys will get better and the core will be back to normal".

That's why I find it hard to believe there won't be more changes than Stan was leading us all to believe. If he is still in charge and makes limited moves and the team fails again... that's an automatic dismissal IMO.

EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Mar 15 @ 7:50 PM ET
I love Sharpie.. I really do. I even have one of his jerseys... but there's not a lot of room up front and I'd like to see the 12-13th forward be a grittier player and preferably a centre.

If they bring back the exact same team, there's not much rationale for them to get 30+ more points next year other than... "those young guys will get better and the core will be back to normal".

That's why I find it hard to believe there won't be more changes than Stan was leading us all to believe. If he is still in charge and makes limited moves and the team fails again... that's an automatic dismissal IMO.

- Justin Lowe


If the Hawks make Toews and Seabs the new coaches, does their cap hit come off the books??

It's possible McDonagh and Stan agreed on a rebuild for the next 2-3 years and they will bring back a similar lineup with youth and AHL/Euro fill-ins to once again try for a Top 5 pick and let their high end prospects get NHL experience. I'm excited to see if Forsling and Jokiharju can grab NHL spots next year. Seeing the progression of Schmaltz, Debrincat and Vinny over the 17/18 season has been the lone bright spot for this club IMO.
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

Mar 15 @ 8:12 PM ET
not often you see that...1st shot = goal...

now they will probably lose 5-1
hocktock
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Over by dere.
Joined: 07.15.2015

Mar 15 @ 8:14 PM ET
This is really great for the g s me of hockey.

Respect the refs.
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