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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Time to Unify the Room
Author Message
Slofire94
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: CA
Joined: 01.17.2016

Apr 12 @ 4:32 PM ET
I agree 100%! Once they get more depth he will be Scott Fosters teammate and carrying a briefcase five days a week! He would not make at least 25 other NHL rosters. He is in Illinois feel good story that shows some hustle.
- wonthecup10


Scott Foster played with the Bowman legend, Connor Murphy. Mr. Captain 'Murica himself
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Apr 12 @ 4:34 PM ET
I'm not (to varying degrees) against guys like Neal, TvR or Kane, but I don't know if Stan will lock-up anyone for 4 years. Maybe Kane because he's younger but I would expect Stan to look for a 2 year deal.

I think Jannik Hansen could be a reasonable (yet good) signing. He was a solid bottom 6 forward in Vancouver and played with lots of energy. For some reason he just didn't fit in with San Jose.

Hamhuis hasn't been good for a long time, hard pass on him.

- DarthKane


Good point. The Hawks can probably sign one forward or defender to a $6mil per year contract. But with the cap increasing all the teams will have money to spend. But many of the teams do not have $48mil (including Hossa) already tied up in long term (and somewhat ugly) contracts. The other teams may offer the same money, but longer term contracts than the Hawks will offer. The same can be said to NMC and NTC. Other teams may be more willing to give them to a Taveres, Neal, E. Kane, JVR, Carlsson since the Hawks are already holding 7 contracts with them.

The Hawks may need to bargain shop with a Perron, Cole, Khubodin this time around.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Apr 12 @ 4:41 PM ET
Hey Scott - I think there are going to be a few changes (even though Bowman claims that there are not).

It's hard to put a lineup together, however, I will have a breakdown in an upcoming blog to who I would keep and who I would say buy bye to.

Off the top of my head, the 100% (or close to) group includes:

Toews
Kane
Saad
Debrincat
Schmaltz
Hinostroza
Hayden
Anisimov
Sikura

Keith
Seabrook
Murphy
Gustafsson
Rutta
Oesterle

Crawford



Forward: I think you have guys like Kampf, Duclair and maybe Martinsen fighting for either a contract or to make this team. I think we see a couple guys brought in with some speed, experience and one being a proven faceoff centre.

Defence: I wouldn't be surprised if Gustafsson, Rutta, Oesterle or Forsling were moved to upgrade their backend. Regardless, I think only 2 of these guys are here in the Fall. They will be adding 1 or 2 defenders in the offseason IMO. They may only start by adding 1 and then seeing if Jokiharju is ready to step in.

Goaltending: I would say it's 50/50 that Forsberg or Berube return as the backup. Obviously it didn't go well for them and if Crawford were to go down again, they won't want to go through that revolving door again. Maybe look for them to get creative by going off the board and grabbing someone like Ben Scrivens who has been playing overseas and give Forsberg a push in training camp. Forsberg has some skill, but mentally, 2017-18 was a rough season.

- Justin Lowe


Unless Sikura looks wins the job outright in camp I would not mind them letting him start in Rockford.
I hope Oesterle is not a lock. If they bring in a FA defender or if Forsling, Jokiharju or Hillman perform well in camp I hope Oesterle is in Rockford, traded, or on LW.
I like Forsberg. But I would rather see a more seasoned #2c goalie until we are sure Crow is 100%. It might be good for Forsberg to start in Rockford.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 12 @ 5:21 PM ET
Sorry but the excuses for Toews' play are laughable fan-boy bias. WATCH HIM ON THE ICE. He is slow, has no hands, no creativity, and just NOT an impact player. Yes he stocked up on some meaningless points the last 15 games of the year playing with Kane when the Hawks were already eliminated from playoff contention, but it does not negate the fact that he has been FAR from the guy we all knew and loved from 2008-2015. When is the last time he beat a defenseman 1v1? When is the last time he drove the net with speed and power? When is the last time he was a bull on the puck and dominated possession in the O-zone? Even his defensive play has slipped. Whether it is mental or physical or both, Toews was a complete bust and his Cap Hit vs On-Ice Production are a major reason the Hawks are getting a lottery pick this year. It appears more and more likely that Marian Hossa was the best player on that line from 2013-2015, and it wasn't even close. Toews needs to improve his agility, top end speed, puck handling, shooting, and strength to even get CLOSE to being a $10.5mil player. The Jonathan Toews of 17/18 is a $5-$6mil player, and that's an opinion shared by objective analysts like Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuiere. TAKE OFF THE ROSE COLORED GLASSES and watch 19 this year on a shift to shift basis. SO many turnovers, so little explosion, so little high end play. Sad!
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 12 @ 5:25 PM ET
Sorry but the excuses for Toews' play are laughable fan-boy bias. WATCH HIM ON THE ICE. He is slow, has no hands, no creativity, and just NOT an impact player. Yes he stocked up on some meaningless points the last 15 games of the year playing with Kane when the Hawks were already eliminated from playoff contention, but it does not negate the fact that he has been FAR from the guy we all knew and loved from 2008-2015. When is the last time he beat a defenseman 1v1? When is the last time he drove the net with speed and power? When is the last time he was a bull on the puck and dominated possession in the O-zone? Even his defensive play has slipped. Whether it is mental or physical or both, Toews was a complete bust and his Cap Hit vs On-Ice Production are a major reason the Hawks are getting a lottery pick this year. It appears more and more likely that Marian Hossa was the best player on that line from 2013-2015, and it wasn't even close. Toews needs to improve his agility, top end speed, puck handling, shooting, and strength to even get CLOSE to being a $10.5mil player. The Jonathan Toews of 17/18 is a $5-$6mil player, and that's an opinion shared by objective analysts like Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuiere. TAKE OFF THE ROSE COLORED GLASSES and watch 19 this year on a shift to shift basis. SO many turnovers, so little explosion, so little high end play. Sad!
- EnzoD


Your point is well taken however, I would never confuse Milbury for objective.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 12 @ 5:36 PM ET
Your point is well taken however, I would never confuse Milbury for objective.
- riozzo


Mike Milbury has played/assessed NHL hockey for decades and unlike most people in NBC Sports Chicago or Hawks beat writers, his is not afraid to say what he thinks. Mike Milbury said plainly, "this is not the Jonathan Toews we know" about his play this year. Points aside, it's shift-to-shift impact and play that has me very concerned about the status of The Captain moving forward. Please watch #1 Centers like Schiefele, Crosby, Malkin, Backstrom, Matthews, Bergeron, Getzlaf, Stamkos, ect play hockey this Spring. Watch the speed, skill, strength, and shift-to-shift impact they have for their teams and tell me that Jonathan Toews is "playing fine". Malarkey! Eric Staal is also WAY more of an impact player this year than Toews and he got his knee completely blown out. He is also 3 years older than 19.
GPHawksfan
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: AB
Joined: 01.26.2018

Apr 12 @ 5:39 PM ET
Sorry but the excuses for Toews' play are laughable fan-boy bias. WATCH HIM ON THE ICE. He is slow, has no hands, no creativity, and just NOT an impact player. Yes he stocked up on some meaningless points the last 15 games of the year playing with Kane when the Hawks were already eliminated from playoff contention, but it does not negate the fact that he has been FAR from the guy we all knew and loved from 2008-2015. When is the last time he beat a defenseman 1v1? When is the last time he drove the net with speed and power? When is the last time he was a bull on the puck and dominated possession in the O-zone? Even his defensive play has slipped. Whether it is mental or physical or both, Toews was a complete bust and his Cap Hit vs On-Ice Production are a major reason the Hawks are getting a lottery pick this year. It appears more and more likely that Marian Hossa was the best player on that line from 2013-2015, and it wasn't even close. Toews needs to improve his agility, top end speed, puck handling, shooting, and strength to even get CLOSE to being a $10.5mil player. The Jonathan Toews of 17/18 is a $5-$6mil player, and that's an opinion shared by objective analysts like Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuiere. TAKE OFF THE ROSE COLORED GLASSES and watch 19 this year on a shift to shift basis. SO many turnovers, so little explosion, so little high end play. Sad!
- EnzoD

Captain Know-it-all, god you're dense
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Apr 12 @ 5:41 PM ET
Sorry but the excuses for Toews' play are laughable fan-boy bias. WATCH HIM ON THE ICE. He is slow, has no hands, no creativity, and just NOT an impact player. Yes he stocked up on some meaningless points the last 15 games of the year playing with Kane when the Hawks were already eliminated from playoff contention, but it does not negate the fact that he has been FAR from the guy we all knew and loved from 2008-2015. When is the last time he beat a defenseman 1v1? When is the last time he drove the net with speed and power? When is the last time he was a bull on the puck and dominated possession in the O-zone? Even his defensive play has slipped. Whether it is mental or physical or both, Toews was a complete bust and his Cap Hit vs On-Ice Production are a major reason the Hawks are getting a lottery pick this year. It appears more and more likely that Marian Hossa was the best player on that line from 2013-2015, and it wasn't even close. Toews needs to improve his agility, top end speed, puck handling, shooting, and strength to even get CLOSE to being a $10.5mil player. The Jonathan Toews of 17/18 is a $5-$6mil player, and that's an opinion shared by objective analysts like Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuiere. TAKE OFF THE ROSE COLORED GLASSES and watch 19 this year on a shift to shift basis. SO many turnovers, so little explosion, so little high end play. Sad!
- EnzoD



Man you managed to get a 'Hawks are getting a lottery pick' even into a totally sane argument, bravo. You Kane avatars have got me believing.

Milbury will tell it like it is, but he's also one of the worst GMs in league history and generally has lost touch with how the game works. I think Pierre is probably top 5 in hockey knowledge for today's NHL, his podcasts are really enlightening once you see past the 'hurr durr Pierre is a wiener' jokes.

Totally agree on Toews, he's not the same guy. The hands are stone, the puck control is gone. It's pretty sad, but even sadder when you realize how long we have this cap hit.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 12 @ 5:53 PM ET
Captain Know-it-all, god you're dense
- GPHawksfan


Ya you bring a lot to the conversation....

EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Apr 12 @ 5:55 PM ET
Man you managed to get a 'Hawks are getting a lottery pick' even into a totally sane argument, bravo. You Kane avatars have got me believing.

Milbury will tell it like it is, but he's also one of the worst GMs in league history and generally has lost touch with how the game works. I think Pierre is probably top 5 in hockey knowledge for today's NHL, his podcasts are really enlightening once you see past the 'hurr durr Pierre is a wiener' jokes.

Totally agree on Toews, he's not the same guy. The hands are stone, the puck control is gone. It's pretty sad, but even sadder when you realize how long we have this cap hit.

- ObeseOprah


Unfortunately, running the Tankathon lottery simulator, it appears more likely the Hawks pick 8-10 as a team or teams may jump them in the 1-3 lottery sweeps. Who do you take at 8-10 if the draft goes by the pre-draft rankings?
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 12 @ 6:28 PM ET
Calvin De Haan is 6'1"187lbs so definitely not a crease clearer, but bigger than Oesterle, Gustafson and Forsling.....
- EnzoD

Yes, i was wondering how his game has evolved from his junior draft when he was a good skating offensive dman.

Just how would he land in Chicago, anyway. Our second #1 and exchange our highest #1 for their #1 about mid round or a couple picks earlier spot. That is a terrible way to miss out on a future core player in a strong top ten draft because Stan let his defense deteriorate. He had to foresee that his defrnse would decline; that is his job to determine what is possible to probable happening for the team's players output level in the following year.

So you screwed yourself out of a core piece by 1) thinking Murphy would be better. He will not be a whole lot better, but could be effective as third pair muscle,and; 2) not either accepting or belief that Keith and Seabrook would decline.

Point two is just plainly bad on Stan. Maybe he thought they would be better, #2 & #7 long have been good but honestly he gambled they would not decline this much? Someone should ask him just that!

Now although it is really hard to suport right now, i think he has drafted well and stockpiled some promising dmen Most of them are offensive minded and will have a hole in their game: read = weak part of game which is a problem once they reach NHL. Some of these prospects may have an elite skill level in certain respect - like Kyrs - but are at least two years away.

Bowman did right to play the guys he had who were on cusp of NHL ....they being puck mover type will extract a mid round draft choice eventually. But they remain on the cusp of nhl employment if there was already a good or above average crew on the blueline.

This is all too deep for McDonough...who believes that Stan and Joel will figure it out. I just see offenive signs that some of these draft dmen possess which probably go a step beyond what Forsling and Jokiharju provide. Or we have an opportunity to add a top end forward with top skill, some with size grit and better physical players than our current top six cast.

Martinsen and Ssmuelson kid arrive. Nicecadds but neither is a top line player, right!

Just screw up on something else Stan maybe Q and McDonough may notice. He will make a descent draft choice, a descent trade but we will flounder barely better than last season....and no elite prospect joining the line up. Enough to make me want to upchuck over his plan for improvement.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Apr 12 @ 6:31 PM ET
Unfortunately, running the Tankathon lottery simulator, it appears more likely the Hawks pick 8-10 as a team or teams may jump them in the 1-3 lottery sweeps. Who do you take at 8-10 if the draft goes by the pre-draft rankings?
- EnzoD


All depends who is there for me: veleno dobson hughes in that order and with the second 1st round pick I would take if they are still there: McIssac Mcleod Noel Woo in that order
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 12 @ 6:37 PM ET
All depends who is there for me: veleno dobson hughes in that order and with the second 1st round pick I would take if they are still there: McIssac Mcleod Noel Woo in that order
- Scott1977

If they draft Woo and he scores a goal, have McDonough borrow some old Ronnie Woo Woo celebratory chants?

He shoots, he scores. Woo woo woo woo. Did Foley just throw up or what?
GPHawksfan
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: AB
Joined: 01.26.2018

Apr 12 @ 6:42 PM ET
Ya you bring a lot to the conversation....


- EnzoD

What do you bring? Constant female doging and know it all proclamations. Big contribution.
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Apr 12 @ 6:45 PM ET
Unfortunately, running the Tankathon lottery simulator, it appears more likely the Hawks pick 8-10 as a team or teams may jump them in the 1-3 lottery sweeps. Who do you take at 8-10 if the draft goes by the pre-draft rankings?
- EnzoD



Noah Dobson
Hawkster
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Quebec , QC
Joined: 06.13.2008

Apr 12 @ 6:45 PM ET
Sorry but the excuses for Toews' play are laughable fan-boy bias. WATCH HIM ON THE ICE. He is slow, has no hands, no creativity, and just NOT an impact player. Yes he stocked up on some meaningless points the last 15 games of the year playing with Kane when the Hawks were already eliminated from playoff contention, but it does not negate the fact that he has been FAR from the guy we all knew and loved from 2008-2015. When is the last time he beat a defenseman 1v1? When is the last time he drove the net with speed and power? When is the last time he was a bull on the puck and dominated possession in the O-zone? Even his defensive play has slipped. Whether it is mental or physical or both, Toews was a complete bust and his Cap Hit vs On-Ice Production are a major reason the Hawks are getting a lottery pick this year. It appears more and more likely that Marian Hossa was the best player on that line from 2013-2015, and it wasn't even close. Toews needs to improve his agility, top end speed, puck handling, shooting, and strength to even get CLOSE to being a $10.5mil player. The Jonathan Toews of 17/18 is a $5-$6mil player, and that's an opinion shared by objective analysts like Mike Milbury and Pierre McGuiere. TAKE OFF THE ROSE COLORED GLASSES and watch 19 this year on a shift to shift basis. SO many turnovers, so little explosion, so little high end play. Sad!
- EnzoD


Bang on as usual Enzo!

I will not call you a broken record as you are stating the truth.

Pom pom waivers aside the reality is certain contracts vs output is hampering this team from moving forward. How to move from these I'm not sure but a good GM finds a way to get them off a books even if it means getting nothing in return. You mean to tell me not one team would take the amazing JT? Even if we have to take a 5-6 mill contract back were still ahead, changes the culture and gives you 5 mill extra to play with....same for Seabs. Who knows, if you save like I said plus the Hossa contract and lets say we can somehow get rid of Seabs as well as a top pick this year there would be hope.

Other option is finishing in last place for a few years and getting top picks. Not sure the FO would be in favour seeing all those empty seats. We can harp and discuss all we want on how what line mate can make Toews better or how having Hayden up or is Hino the next core guy? blah blah blah reality is the team is a lame duck right now with too much money being spent on players not producing.

If that's how the team wants to approach the situation then yes the team will flounder and we will get top picks and someday it will turn around, unfortunately in the process Kane's good years will be wasted and that's a shame. The team needs that extra money to make a change in order to refresh this team. Would be nice if some would stop saying that these contracts are not the issue, cause they are...

mic drop


TJYTJY
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.23.2017

Apr 12 @ 7:12 PM ET
Mike Milbury has played/assessed NHL hockey for decades and unlike most people in NBC Sports Chicago or Hawks beat writers, his is not afraid to say what he thinks. Mike Milbury said plainly, "this is not the Jonathan Toews we know" about his play this year. Points aside, it's shift-to-shift impact and play that has me very concerned about the status of The Captain moving forward. Please watch #1 Centers like Schiefele, Crosby, Malkin, Backstrom, Matthews, Bergeron, Getzlaf, Stamkos, ect play hockey this Spring. Watch the speed, skill, strength, and shift-to-shift impact they have for their teams and tell me that Jonathan Toews is "playing fine". Malarkey! Eric Staal is also WAY more of an impact player this year than Toews and he got his knee completely blown out. He is also 3 years older than 19.
- EnzoD



Unfortunately the marketing guy calling the shots would never let the GM trade the so called face of the franchise. Even if it made the team better
matt_ahrens
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: San Carlos, CA
Joined: 06.30.2014

Apr 12 @ 7:15 PM ET
Hey Scott - I think there are going to be a few changes (even though Bowman claims that there are not).

It's hard to put a lineup together, however, I will have a breakdown in an upcoming blog to who I would keep and who I would say buy bye to.

Off the top of my head, the 100% (or close to) group includes:

Toews
Kane
Saad
Debrincat
Schmaltz
Hinostroza
Hayden
Anisimov
Sikura

Keith
Seabrook
Murphy
Gustafsson
Rutta
Oesterle

Crawford



Forward: I think you have guys like Kampf, Duclair and maybe Martinsen fighting for either a contract or to make this team. I think we see a couple guys brought in with some speed, experience and one being a proven faceoff centre.

Defence: I wouldn't be surprised if Gustafsson, Rutta, Oesterle or Forsling were moved to upgrade their backend. Regardless, I think only 2 of these guys are here in the Fall. They will be adding 1 or 2 defenders in the offseason IMO. They may only start by adding 1 and then seeing if Jokiharju is ready to step in.

Goaltending: I would say it's 50/50 that Forsberg or Berube return as the backup. Obviously it didn't go well for them and if Crawford were to go down again, they won't want to go through that revolving door again. Maybe look for them to get creative by going off the board and grabbing someone like Ben Scrivens who has been playing overseas and give Forsberg a push in training camp. Forsberg has some skill, but mentally, 2017-18 was a rough season.

- Justin Lowe


FWIW, my list:

Definitely keep:
Kane
Crawford
Toews
Keith
Seabrook
DeBrincat (my thinking on him has moved a lot. I think he has the "it" factor championship teams need.)

Probably keep (but willing to move in the right deal):
Schmaltz
Saad
Sikura
Forsling

Keeping is fine, but if you can upgrade, even better
AA
Hayden
Hino
Murphy
Rutta
Gustafsson
Oesterle
Forsberg or Buerbe or Delia
Duclair
Hillman
Martinsen
Kampf
Edjsell

Dump:
Jurco

Wish list:
- RD to play with Keith who has more speed than Seabrook
- 2nd pair LD
- Possibly another top 4 D
- Center upgrades for 2nd and 3rd line
- Top six RW or LW or both
- Veteran or two to anchor 4th line, possibly a C and/or enforcer type
- and the obligatory, the core-4 playing better, the young guys all developing, AA and Schmaltz figuring out how to win face-offs if they stay and keep playing center.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Apr 12 @ 7:34 PM ET
FWIW, my list:

Definitely keep:
Kane
Crawford
Toews
Keith
Seabrook
DeBrincat (my thinking on him has moved a lot. I think he has the "it" factor championship teams need.)

Probably keep (but willing to move in the right deal):
Schmaltz
Saad
Sikura
Forsling

Keeping is fine, but if you can upgrade, even better
AA
Hayden
Hino
Murphy
Rutta
Gustafsson
Oesterle
Forsberg or Buerbe or Delia
Duclair
Hillman
Martinsen
Kampf
Edjsell

Dump:
Jurco

Wish list:
- RD to play with Keith who has more speed than Seabrook
- 2nd pair LD
- Possibly another top 4 D
- Center upgrades for 2nd and 3rd line
- Top six RW or LW or both
- Veteran or two to anchor 4th line, possibly a C and/or enforcer type
- and the obligatory, the core-4 playing better, the young guys all developing, AA and Schmaltz figuring out how to win face-offs if they stay and keep playing center.

- matt_ahrens

Any names come to mind with all additions you want and i agree that is what the hawks need
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 12 @ 7:35 PM ET
Mike Milbury has played/assessed NHL hockey for decades and unlike most people in NBC Sports Chicago or Hawks beat writers, his is not afraid to say what he thinks. Mike Milbury said plainly, "this is not the Jonathan Toews we know" about his play this year. Points aside, it's shift-to-shift impact and play that has me very concerned about the status of The Captain moving forward. Please watch #1 Centers like Schiefele, Crosby, Malkin, Backstrom, Matthews, Bergeron, Getzlaf, Stamkos, ect play hockey this Spring. Watch the speed, skill, strength, and shift-to-shift impact they have for their teams and tell me that Jonathan Toews is "playing fine". Malarkey! Eric Staal is also WAY more of an impact player this year than Toews and he got his knee completely blown out. He is also 3 years older than 19.
- EnzoD


Even if Toews were to try to be a hybrid or ANY VERSION HE TRIES TO BE, he either is not interested or is afraid to be the sort of center he once was. Synonamous with what you refer to as some of the playoff centers performanve BTW. Too much wear and tear to certain body parts, like his back or concussion liklihood goes up if he returns to the old Toews form

Is this what he and the team management and probably teamattes, as well, are not saying. I would think so. It is why if his play regresses enough after next year he os going to force a very difficult decision upon Bowman. That woul be a buyout if no complianc
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Apr 12 @ 7:39 PM ET
Unfortunately the marketing guy calling the shots would never let the GM trade the so called face of the franchise. Even if it made the team better
- TJYTJY


Where I will agree with Enzo is the face of the franchise needs a face lift...
walleyeb1
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Petersburg, IL
Joined: 09.25.2014

Apr 12 @ 7:53 PM ET
Where I will agree with Enzo is the face of the franchise needs a face lift...
- riozzo


Don’t much care about his face, but the ability to speak coherently sure would be nice.
matt_ahrens
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: San Carlos, CA
Joined: 06.30.2014

Apr 12 @ 8:00 PM ET
Any names come to mind with all additions you want and i agree that is what the hawks need
- Scott1977


This is probably a dissenting opinion, but I'm still not sure what the long-term forecasts are for this team so if I were Stan, I'd be hesitant to make long-term commitments for anyone coming in to the team unless they were under 25 with an already proven track record. But, I might be willing to rent a veteran or two for the year like Max Pacioretty and/or Wayne Simmonds. A top six something like:

Saad - Toews - Kane
Pac - Schmaltz - Simmonds

In general, I'm thinking more trade than free agent because a free agent will likely eat up more cap space than the Blackhawks can afford right now, unless they are lower tier players. John Tavares, JVR, and EKane, are all on the right side of 30 but would be too expensive.

On D, I like the Justin Faulk idea, or another of NC's young Dmen.
John Moore has been discussed in the past. That could work in a good, not great way, depending on the price tag.

Ideally, a youngish forward and a youngish defensemen and a couple of rentals is how I'd go.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Apr 12 @ 8:17 PM ET
This is probably a dissenting opinion, but I'm still not sure what the long-term forecasts are for this team so if I were Stan, I'd be hesitant to make long-term commitments for anyone coming in to the team unless they were under 25 with an already proven track record. But, I might be willing to rent a veteran or two for the year like Max Pacioretty and/or Wayne Simmonds. A top six something like:

Saad - Toews - Kane
Pac - Schmaltz - Simmonds

In general, I'm thinking more trade than free agent because a free agent will likely eat up more cap space than the Blackhawks can afford right now, unless they are lower tier players. John Tavares, JVR, and EKane, are all on the right side of 30 but would be too expensive.

On D, I like the Justin Faulk idea, or another of NC's young Dmen.
John Moore has been discussed in the past. That could work in a good, not great way, depending on the price tag.

Ideally, a youngish forward and a youngish defensemen and a couple of rentals is how I'd go.

- matt_ahrens

See that hawks need to be harder to play against just an idea some kind trade for matt martin say jurco for martin. Fourth line martin Martinsin hayden also sign wingles and manning and there is toughest i would love simmonds wonder what it would it take to get him
GPHawksfan
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: AB
Joined: 01.26.2018

Apr 12 @ 8:40 PM ET
This is probably a dissenting opinion, but I'm still not sure what the long-term forecasts are for this team so if I were Stan, I'd be hesitant to make long-term commitments for anyone coming in to the team unless they were under 25 with an already proven track record. But, I might be willing to rent a veteran or two for the year like Max Pacioretty and/or Wayne Simmonds. A top six something like:

Saad - Toews - Kane
Pac - Schmaltz - Simmonds

In general, I'm thinking more trade than free agent because a free agent will likely eat up more cap space than the Blackhawks can afford right now, unless they are lower tier players. John Tavares, JVR, and EKane, are all on the right side of 30 but would be too expensive.

On D, I like the Justin Faulk idea, or another of NC's young Dmen.
John Moore has been discussed in the past. That could work in a good, not great way, depending on the price tag.

Ideally, a youngish forward and a youngish defensemen and a couple of rentals is how I'd go.

- matt_ahrens

Cappy thing about Pac and Simmonds is they are both 30 years old too
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