"Well, that escalated quickly."
- 35Tony0

A 3-15 start with seemingly no progress is arguably not quick escalation

Here is a couple questions for the panel:

If the hawks have the same kind of year next year like they did this year what happens does Wirtz finally get off his throne and steps in and cleans house from McEgo down or is it status quo again?

Say they do have another bad season and miss the playoffs again do the hawks and whoever is in charge at that time really start to consider to trade kieth kane toews and seabrook?

One more question what are the main things that absolutely have to happen for the hawks to get back in the playoffs and contend?

I am amazed at watching Vegas play. A total team commitment to getting after it. Rigid/hard hitting scheme with a heavy forecheck. Shows you how checked out the Hawks were this year. And it shows just how FAR AWAY we are from being competitive.
- z1990z

I agree watching playoff hockey has made me realize just how apathetic the Blackhawks seemed this season. At the same time, I’m not sure that the Blackhawks are that far off. It seems they have a more talented team than the Knights, but they just had no competitive desire. If the Blackhawks can get some of that fire back, then maybe they can compete.

A 3-15 start with seemingly no progress is arguably not quick escalation
- Z3Hawk

Hate to ssy it but if Bowman does not address the correct needs and Kane is injured, we will be in danger of 3-15 next season

It's not so much Bowman makes the best or bettet moves; he just needs to make a move on the right direction which helps us compete. The better move: he is averse to bringing in but the fewest physical players. Maybe he thinks Samuelson kid and Martinsrn plus Hayden gets it done next season.

Here is a couple questions for the panel:

If the hawks have the same kind of year next year like they did this year what happens does Wirtz finally get off his throne and steps in and cleans house from McEgo down or is it status quo again?

Say they do have another bad season and miss the playoffs again do the hawks and whoever is in charge at that time really start to consider to trade kieth kane toews and seabrook?

One more question what are the main things that absolutely have to happen for the hawks to get back in the playoffs and contend?
- Scott1977

McDonough is not going anywhere. He is a proven marketing money maker. The coach and or GM goes. McDonough will demand a clear view how to fix the mess, which may not be what Bowman has in mind. The blame game will fall with a thud. Bowman needs to make no mistakes. He must bring in some push back. He trades down his first and then you do not have any impact players coming along. Others coming aboard next two years, yes, but not impact like early #1 should bring.

Bowman painted himself into a corner, especially if he trades down the early first just to get a veteran dman.

You know that sooner or later Seabrook and Toews are going to bring less capability. I would be astonished to be wrong on Toews; just know that he is not going to approach the same style and results as in his good seasons. The team is not going anywhere with Toews here. The only exception is if his role becomes minimal. Too often he shies away from contact. He is too expensive but he isn't going to force a decision on himself as long as his performance does not worsen. Difficult to say how he does better: may become a paradox if he cannot elevate his game.

Keith stays until someone else is as good and could replace him as the top dman. Hard to see a youngster elevate his game that soon. Keith probably hangs on despite attitude and even if his play slips a bit more.

McDonough is not going anywhere. He is a proven marketing money maker. The coach and or GM goes. McDonough will demand a clear view how to fix the mess, which may not be what Bowman has in mind. The blame game will fall with a thud. Bowman needs to make no mistakes. He must bring in some push back. He trades down his first and then you do not have any impact players coming along. Others coming aboard next two years, yes, but not impact like early #1 should bring.

Bowman painted himself into a corner, especially if he trades down the early first just to get a veteran dman.

You know that sooner or later Seabrook and Toews are going to bring less capability. I would be astonished to be wrong on Toews; just know that he is not going to approach the same style and results as in his good seasons. The team is not going anywhere with Toews here. The only exception is if his role becomes minimal. Too often he shies away from contact. He is too expensive but he isn't going to force a decision on himself as long as his performance does not worsen. Difficult to say how he does better: may become a paradox if he cannot elevate his game.

Keith stays until someone else is as good and could replace him as the top dman. Hard to see a youngster elevate his game that soon. Keith probably hangs on despite attitude and even if his play slips a bit more.
- jhawk59

If I'm the 'Hawks, I do not trade down in the 1st Round unless an NHL player comes back along with a lower pick in Round 1. I could even also give up an existing NHL contract to do this (bottom 6 forward or non top 4 defenseman). But what comes back must be an NHL player + a lower pick in Round 1.

Are you saying Kane won three cups all by himself? Or that just because a guy was part of a team that won three cups that somehow makes every player on that team even guys who played two games all year and got their name on the cup or any player at all on a cup winner better than every other player in the league who didn't win one? That's the logic behind what you are saying, that any player who was on a cup winner is way better than any player who wasn't. Dig yourself. Panarin was better than Kane this year and exposed Kane. Live with it. Anybody should have seen this coming. Bowman either failed to know this or just didn't care or most likely was told to shake up the team and of course he traded the guys who were easiest to trade because of no ntc with little or no concern for what would come back to the Hawks. Then the goalie went down with no backup plan. Etc etc. All mgt failures. It is no surprise this demoralized team finished in last place.
- Savoy

Live with the fact your man crush hasn’t won anything and wasn’t good enough to be drafted and make it to the nhl as quickly as Kane. Kane didn’t win 3cups by himself but was a huge part Panarin is at this point a very good offensive player. Why wasn’t the Demi-god panarin able to carry the hawks the two seasons he was here????????

Nashville’s Ryan Hartman suspended one game for an illegal check to the head on Colorado’s Carl Soderberg.

I agree watching playoff hockey has made me realize just how apathetic the Blackhawks seemed this season. At the same time, I’m not sure that the Blackhawks are that far off. It seems they have a more talented team than the Knights, but they just had no competitive desire. If the Blackhawks can get some of that fire back, then maybe they can compete.
- LaheysBRandy

If it doesn't come back (from coaches on down) after a humiliating sweep last year, the Pens tying them in SC wins for the era, and this year, it's never coming back. At that point, you look at changing out the leadership at all levels. And, yes, I'm referring specifically to the Core whose attitudes and effort were more obvious and likely more contagious.

McDonough is not going anywhere. He is a proven marketing money maker. The coach and or GM goes. McDonough will demand a clear view how to fix the mess, which may not be what Bowman has in mind. The blame game will fall with a thud. Bowman needs to make no mistakes. He must bring in some push back. He trades down his first and then you do not have any impact players coming along. Others coming aboard next two years, yes, but not impact like early #1 should bring.

Bowman painted himself into a corner, especially if he trades down the early first just to get a veteran dman.

You know that sooner or later Seabrook and Toews are going to bring less capability. I would be astonished to be wrong on Toews; just know that he is not going to approach the same style and results as in his good seasons. The team is not going anywhere with Toews here. The only exception is if his role becomes minimal. Too often he shies away from contact. He is too expensive but he isn't going to force a decision on himself as long as his performance does not worsen. Difficult to say how he does better: may become a paradox if he cannot elevate his game.

Keith stays until someone else is as good and could replace him as the top dman. Hard to see a youngster elevate his game that soon. Keith probably hangs on despite attitude and even if his play slips a bit more.
- jhawk59

As has been said on here many times, "nothing sells like winning." Given that, no matter how savvy a marketer McD is, if he was involved in or drove the decisions (NMCs, term, etc.) on some of the contracts making it harder to do that now, if I'm Rocky, he's gone.

As has been said on here many times, "nothing sells like winning." Given that, no matter how savvy a marketer McD is, if he was involved in or drove the decisions (NMCs, term, etc.) on some of the contracts making it harder to do that now, if I'm Rocky, he's gone.
- pdx2ord

But seriously, I’m not going anywhere.

If I'm the 'Hawks, I do not trade down in the 1st Round unless an NHL player comes back along with a lower pick in Round 1. I could even also give up an existing NHL contract to do this (bottom 6 forward or non top 4 defenseman). But what comes back must be an NHL player + a lower pick in Round 1.
- 35Tony0

In absolute total agreement.

it doesn't make sense right now to theorize what might occur with the options Bowman has. There are too many variables, so after the draft order is revealed then we can become imaginative. The cool point about this draft choice is that unlike usual instances where fan board proposals never turn out, there is a real possibility an idea expressed here does indeed transpire. Or closely resemble the possible trade/parameters. The big" I don't know" surrounding the choice is what we can just mull over now. Consider:

* what influence does the CBA contract expiration after next season have upon the early first choice

This may be the last good choice, this early pick. The next draft may find us with another early choice but is there going to be a type player we want to choose in that slot. Would we be forced to take the best talented player when we have definite weak areas...because this 2018 draft we have two needs and there is a power forward or other type forward and a few defensemen.. if there is a work stoppage highly anticipated, do you choose the more ready prospect whom you cannot pluck away mid season from his team, or choose the player with a higher ceiling but is farther away from NHL.

* what if Bowman really likes a certain prospect.

Does he settle for just any veteran dman to be acquired later (after the draft) because there is free agent frenzy July 1. So maybe Bowman moves up or stays in the same slot. The cost to move up is presently seen as extremly high/forget about the top four. Unless Karlsson and Doughty enter the equatiion and that is not us in that situation

Whatever happens, it is a real downer for fans who dream of an impact player from a top selection. WHICH PLAYER DO WE GET? IT IS EXCITING AND NERVE RACKING. Some live for the NBA or NFL Draft. Many more in Chicago will identify with that than the NHL DRAFT. BTW wiz is really into the NFL draft, although he doesn't rate and review football.

* If a dman is Bowman's selection, then how might this dman or certain other previously drafted dmen by us impact the tenure of one D Keith.

Young dmen do not become your best dman right away. Keith may relinquish some special team duty future years but it is difficult to move him until someone else could realisticly replace his veteran know how and match up against the very best. Everyone falls into a slot after Keith;everyone bumped up a slot with Keith injured or traded...is a recipe for a big defensive problem. Keith performance is all about what he can do and the role he fulfills. His performance erodes not too likely much farther for another year. Even if it does regress Keith is still far and away the best CAPABLE dman (emphasis on capable/Do not be silly and suggest he be traded).

In absolute total agreement.

it doesn't make sense right now to theorize what might occur with the options Bowman has. There are too many variables, so after the draft order is revealed then we can become imaginative. The cool point about this draft choice is that unlike usual instances where fan board proposals never turn out, there is a real possibility an idea expressed here does indeed transpire. Or closely resemble the possible trade/parameters. The big" I don't know" surrounding the choice is what we can just mull over now. Consider:

* what influence does the CBA contract expiration after next season have upon the early first choice

This may be the last good choice, this early pick. The next draft may find us with another early choice but is there going to be a type player we want to choose in that slot. Would we be forced to take the best talented player when we have definite weak areas...because this 2018 draft we have two needs and there is a power forward or other type forward and a few defensemen.. if there is a work stoppage highly anticipated, do you choose the more ready prospect whom you cannot pluck away mid season from his team, or choose the player with a higher ceiling but is farther away from NHL.

* what if Bowman really likes a certain prospect.

Does he settle for just any veteran dman to be acquired later (after the draft) because there is free agent frenzy July 1. So maybe Bowman moves up or stays in the same slot. The cost to move up is presently seen as extremly high/forget about the top four. Unless Karlsson and Doughty enter the equatiion and that is not us in that situation

Whatever happens, it is a real downer for fans who dream of an impact player from a top selection. WHICH PLAYER DO WE GET? IT IS EXCITING AND NERVE RACKING. Some live for the NBA or NFL Draft. Many more in Chicago will identify with that than the NHL DRAFT. BTW wiz is really into the NFL draft, although he doesn't rate and review football.

* If a dman is Bowman's selection, then how might this dman or certain other previously drafted dmen by us impact the tenure of one D Keith.

Young dmen do not become your best dman right away. Keith may relinquish some special team duty future years but it is difficult to move him until someone else could realisticly replace his veteran know how and match up against the very best. Everyone falls into a slot after Keith;everyone bumped up a slot with Keith injured or traded...is a recipe for a big defensive problem. Keith performance is all about what he can do and the role he fulfills. His performance erodes not too likely much farther for another year. Even if it does regress Keith is still far and away the best CAPABLE dman (emphasis on capable/Do not be silly and suggest he be traded).
- jhawk59

How would you define this year's defense then? Passable?
LOL
We need:
Keith
xxx (either Keith complement, or 2nd pair anchor)
everyone else slotted properly...

But seriously, I’m not going anywhere.
- John McDonough

Cubs won it all only after you left. . .just sayin'

How would you define this year's defense then? Passable?
LOL
We need:
Keith
xxx (either Keith complement, or 2nd pair anchor)
everyone else slotted properly...
- Slofire94

Agree with your assessment of what the blueline needs in order to be stronger next season. I would go further and say that an experienced D-man (not counting Seabrook) who plays solid defense needs to anchor each pair. Then once you have those anchors, put Seabrook with Keith or another LD anchor and two of Murphy, Forsling, Gustafsson, Oesterle, or Jokiharju (assuming he signs and impresses in camp which is a big ask) to round out the pairings.

Just as an idea, based on others' suggestions of UFAs to pursue:

Keith - Murphy
de Haan - Seabrook
Moore - Forsling/Gustafsson/Oesterle
7th: Forsling/Gustafsson/Oesterle

This would allow the likes of Jokiharju, Hillman, Gilbert, etc. to take their time developing the right way in Rockford under Colliton and his staff.

As has been said on here many times, "nothing sells like winning." Given that, no matter how savvy a marketer McD is, if he was involved in or drove the decisions (NMCs, term, etc.) on some of the contracts making it harder to do that now, if I'm Rocky, he's gone.
- pdx2ord

This ……….X 100

If next year is more of the same, and i greatly fear it will be, i clean house from top to bottom if i'm Rocky Wirtz…………….no one would be exempt

The Blue Jackets are trailing, 2-0 tonight, after an epic double OT loss where goaltending was strong for both teams.

Shall the Bread Man cometh to thy rescue? What is his next great feat, maybe a Denis Savard spin o rama?

What spin do you put on this game?

Can you get past or is it a pass by the not marvelous Orlov and Orpik

PANARIN just piling up the points tonight! Oh I’m sorry I was watching a replay of Game 1 by mistake.

The Blue Jackets are trailing, 2-0 tonight, after an epic double OT loss where goaltending was strong for both teams.

Shall the Bread Man cometh to thy rescue? What is his next great feat, maybe a Denis Savard spin o rama?

What spin do you put on this game?

Can you get past or is it a pass by the not marvelous Orlov and Orpik
- jhawk59

No but Marchand almost did, beautiful move

Wingels one good solid hockey player

Holtby looks sooooooo much better than goober

The Hawks D is going to be just fine. Keith is a Rover. Needs to play with a veteran who will protect him and whose actions will be predictable. Ulf’s Reckless Offence Defence was a disaster for much of the season. Keith and Seabrook were both babysitting D-Men who had no idea how to safely pinch. The team actually played more of a D first Defence as the season went on. Gus, Forsling, Rutta, Oesterle all have no value unless they figure out that their number 1 responsibility is goal prevention. The Hawks gave up simply a mind-numbing number of odd-man breaks this year. If Q was to stay I still wanted Ulf to go.

And there is the Panarin i know 4 or 5 turnovers at the blue line tonight and the last one at his own blue line

Well the Great PANARIN finally touches the puck right before a goal - oops - wrong team.

Eller, Jones and Werenski would be really nice additions to the Blackhawks

These aggressive defenses may work during the regular season, but even the Bruins coach had enough.