We will all know a lot more by Dec. 31st.

If this club doesn't make hay in December with so many home games they could be vulnerable.

Last year at this time I was saying the same....I pointed out about a mediocre goal differential back then and it is the same way now...+3

That's a very important stat that indicates team strength as much or more than anything else.

But the important factor is they are coming off a Cup run and are older as John mentioned. You can see some of that age show on the big 3 when they are out there on a long shift in OT.

Teams have all gotten bigger and faster.....And unless the young guys contribute in a big way it will be difficult.

Where I sit the Hawks have a better record than they have played up until now...
Although the red flag is up I will give them a few more weeks.
- Al

Your eyes are not deceiving you. This team is going to be in overdrive for the balance of the season just to make the playoffs in the Central Division.

They don't score much 5 on 5, their road record isn't great and they have a losing record so far within the Division. If injuries occur, look out.

But every few starts they surprise, like the game in St.Louis. That's why they can't be written off prematurely, its a long season.

True... but they need the cap space Daley or Bickell would open up and then Bowman would have something to work with.
- Al

Daley should go now.....he's not a PP guy and he seems bullheaded to change. I liked that swede kid they brought up not Frankenstein, the other one. He looks like a keeper.

Play him, save the $$, and see if you can dump bickell to maybe Edmonton with a pck/prospect and you might be able to take back a little money AND get a decent player. Edmonton seems to be the honey well the Hawks should be fishing at. Tons of talent just hasn't panned out. That could be your Ladd/Frolik type win.

They can fix this relatively quickly......

72,15,19,81,88,65,16......you hold on to within reason. Meaning 16 stays in his 4th line slot and is paid accordingly. 65 is too versatile like Versteeg to deal regardless of his penalties.

You need 56/86 to hit. 86 to be a top 6 player and 56 to be an energy top 9 player.

On D....2/4/7 good to go. 57 continues to make progress and you need 2 more. Preferably 1 with wheels that isn't a moron, and another veteran to help mentor new prospects on the 3rd pair.

I would deal Bickell and sweeten it with whatever pick/prospect (within reason) to get it done...find a team with a player who fits Qs system and hope to find a Ladd or Frolik type reward.

Play Darling a lot to see what he can do and if he can show he can be a #1, then plan B is if you have to spend to expedite the rebuild you deal 50 at the draft.......
- SteveRain

I have nothing to add but wanted to say that the bolded made me quite a bit

I would do both....but Daley is probably more realistic without Bowman doing a RTS on Bickell OR giving up a high pick or prospect.

Next question for those who follow the hogs.....are there guys down there that can come up and fill roles or are these guys still years away?

I mean is Mashinter getting such a long look to prove he's NOT Kyle beach who he was traded for? Because I don'ts see why he continues to play....
- SteveRain

There is a couple of ways at looking at that the Hogs situation...Maybe they are mostly only good AHL players but the next point shouldn't be dismissed......

While Q has been here only 1 player has come up from Rockford and played effectively in only 1 role....Bollig. They haven't called up forwards to play 5 minutes a night or young dmen to play 6-8 mins on the 3rd pair.

The Mashinter stuff is typical just like Scott....At some point he will disappear but for now it is the way they want it to be.

Your eyes are not deceiving you. This team is going to be in overdrive for the balance of the season just to make the playoffs in the Central Division.

They don't score much 5 on 5, their road record isn't great and they have a losing record so far within the Division. If injuries occur, look out.

But every few starts they surprise, like the game in St.Louis. That's why they can't be written off prematurely, its a long season.
- RickJ

You know the answer as to why..........their depth.

Cant get the matchups on the road
Can't get the matchups 5 on 5

It's all relative. Teams shut down 88/72/15, you shut down the Hawks.

I have nothing to add but wanted to say that the bolded made me quite a bit
- maria_wyeth

Thanks....do what I can.........

Your eyes are not deceiving you. This team is going to be in overdrive for the balance of the season just to make the playoffs in the Central Division.

They don't score much 5 on 5, their road record isn't great and they have a losing record so far within the Division. If injuries occur, look out.

But every few starts they surprise, like the game in St.Louis. That's why they can't be written off prematurely, its a long season.
- RickJ

Exactly and at the end of November the records in 2014 and 2015 were very similar.

Daley should go now.....he's not a PP guy and he seems bullheaded to change. I liked that swede kid they brought up not Frankenstein, the other one. He looks like a keeper.

Play him, save the $$, and see if you can dump bickell to maybe Edmonton with a pck/prospect and you might be able to take back a little money AND get a decent player. Edmonton seems to be the honey well the Hawks should be fishing at. Tons of talent just hasn't panned out. That could be your Ladd/Frolik type win.
- SteveRain

I think you have stumbled upon it - a Mashinter for Luke Gazdic trade.

There is a couple of ways at looking at that the Hogs situation...Maybe they are mostly only good AHL players but the next point shouldn't be dismissed......

While Q has been here only 1 player has come up from Rockford and played effectively in only 1 role....Bollig. They haven't called up forwards to play 5 minutes a night or young dmen to play 6-8 mins on the 3rd pair.

The Mashinter stuff is typical just like Scott....At some point he will disappear but for now it is the way they want it to be.
- Al

I get what you are saying........Shaw can play numerous roles. Bolig was brought up for 1 reason and that reason alone.

Just curious because if they don't have anything below worth a damn, very hard to pry away a shoulda been from a team without giving up something valuable from your NHL roster.

I think you have stumbled upon it - a Mashinter for Luke Gazdic trade.
- RickJ

I was thinking a little bigger then that........

I'll say this....I just went back and reviewed all of Bowman's trades since he took over.

the biggest thing to keep an eye for is what the Hawks do best at times.....trade a prospect of theirs who has run it's course and trade it in for a better version. Ruutu for Ladd, Skille for Frolik, Jimmy Hayes/Dylan Olsen for Versteeg . Oduya for 2 draft picks, etc.

Those are the sort of trades that quickly rebuild a team AND save you money.

Now maybe he has 1 already done with Anisimov and Dano for Saad. Lets hope so.

I don't see it with Daley and Garbutt for Sharp. SO I am writing that one off.

The question is, can the Hawks scouts find a guy in an organization that they feel they can plug into their crazy metric system and make it a "win" for Bowman without giving up the bank? That's how I see Bowman fixing this, because baring a miracle, and yes it is the Christmas season, to wish upon a Bickell star leads no where........
- SteveRain

If Stan does believe that some deals could get them out of the West then I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Dano or TT moved for a legit LW and/or Daly gone for space and a vet D man added with some of those excess forward prospects (Danault included) and picks.

If not, they need to really be hard after amateur free agents again.... Jimmy Vesey is a LW.... If he doesn't sign with the Preds make a run at him.

I get what you are saying........Shaw can play numerous roles. Bolig was brought up for 1 reason and that reason alone.

Just curious because if they don't have anything below worth a damn, very hard to pry away a shoulda been from a team without giving up something valuable from your NHL roster.
- SteveRain

They have 3 or 4 interesting kids.

I was thinking a little bigger then that........
- SteveRain

Anybody worth having on the Oilpans is either grossly overpaid and therefore not cap compliant for the Hawks or would be unavailable without giving up way too much.

So you have what you have—a "bubblicious" team with one great scoring line and daily rearrangement of the deck chairs on the other three.

JJ nice write up

I don't think they are a bubble team, do I think they have come back to the competition in the league, ABSOLUTELY, but about a 3rd of a season in and sitting in the middle of the playoff pack, Keith back for only 10 games. To me this team is more 2011-12

I guess I'm more optimistic with this team a little disappointed in all the penalties they are committing but happy for the most part with the defense they are playing. We'll see where they're at come around the trade deadline

Anybody worth having on the Oilpans is either grossly overpaid and therefore not cap compliant for the Hawks or would be unavailable without giving up way too much.
- RickJ

This. Ference - no. Fayne - no. Nikitin - GOD no.

They have 3 or 4 interesting kids.
- Al

The Hawks prospect ranking has dropped from top 10 to the middle of the pack but most outsiders still see depth in the pool. We see a lot of kids not making the big club and it clouds things.

Pronman had the Hawks at 16....

*16. Chicago Blackhawks

Previous ranking: 14

The Chicago system remains very deep, and though they graduated a big name in Teuvo Teravainen, the signing of Artemi Panarin nearly brought the same amount of talent into the organization. I have not loved the Blackhawks' recent draft classes, but their current farm team has a lot of talent, and there are numerous prospects who can step in and play soon, if not right away.

BTW, quite an accomplishment IMO - keeping some prospect depth while winning 3 Cups. Pronman's bottom 4 were the Rags, Pens, Wild and Kings.

JJ that was your best blog this year. Bravo!

This. Ference - no. Fayne - no. Nikitin - GOD no.


- tredbrta

You know pretty much the end of the world is near if the Hawks bit on any of those 3 stiffs.

The Oil are going to eventually trade Nugent Hopkins almost for sure, probably Eberle and maybe even Taylor Hall. But they need a very good Dman back in return to help Nurse develop so I see no fit with the Blackhawks.

The Hawks prospect ranking has dropped from top 10 to the middle of the pack but most outsiders still see depth in the pool. We see a lot of kids not making the big club and it clouds things.

Pronman had the Hawks at 16....



BTW, quite an accomplishment IMO - keeping some prospect depth while winning 3 Cups. Pronman's bottom 4 were the Rags, Pens, Wild and Kings.
- tredbrta

His record on the Hawks hasn't been all that hot over the last 5 years.

Fact is the pipeline from Rockford was overstated for the most part...The best additions in the last 4 years didn't play there for long or at all.

You know pretty much the end of the world is near if the Hawks bit on any of those 3 stiffs.

The Oil are going to eventually trade Nugent Hopkins almost for sure, probably Eberle and maybe even Taylor Hall. But they need a very good Dman back in return to help Nurse develop so I see no fit with the Blackhawks.
- RickJ

The fit for them is with one team besides the Hamonic possibility...That's the Ducks who have a bevy of younger dman and some on the way. They won't be able to pay them all and the best guy is the youngest Lindholm. So either Gabby goes first or they make a deal to get more scoring depth and the Oil could be the team....But maybe not until the summer.

JJ that was your best blog this year. Bravo!
- Cup-Bearer

Agree. Very well written, but I hope your hunch is incorrect as far as the Front Office's view of the season. I think if StanBo sits on his hands at the TDL, this team is destined to be the Bruins post 2013. Also, Stan certainly signed the right KHL UFA...

http://thehockeywriters.c...on-unconditional-waivers/

His record on the Hawks hasn't been all that hot over the last 5 years.

Fact is the pipeline from Rockford was overstated for the most part...The best additions in the last 4 years didn't play there for long or at all.
- Al

I guess one could make the point that the Hawks farm system did produce some NHL players for other teams - guys like Pirri, Hayes, Dahlbeck, Ben Smith who just weren't good enough at the time to stick with the Hawks after they skimmed off Saad, Shaw, and Kruger.

Agree. Very well written, but I hope your hunch is incorrect as far as the Front Office's view of the season. I think if StanBo sits on his hands at the TDL, this team is destined to be the Bruins post 2013. Also, Stan certainly signed the right KHL UFA...

http://thehockeywriters.c...on-unconditional-waivers/
- EnzoD

#PanarinReplacement

You know pretty much the end of the world is near if the Hawks bit on any of those 3 stiffs.

The Oil are going to eventually trade Nugent Hopkins almost for sure, probably Eberle and maybe even Taylor Hall. But they need a very good Dman back in return to help Nurse develop so I see no fit with the Blackhawks.
- RickJ

I don't see it either. I see a LW possibility with potential rentals from the obvious teams (Jets, Sharks).... No D fit with the Oilers but maybe someone east like Carolina or Ottawa. I still think Hainsey might eat mins here well but Daley has to go first.

His record on the Hawks hasn't been all that hot over the last 5 years.

Fact is the pipeline from Rockford was overstated for the most part...The best additions in the last 4 years didn't play there for long or at all.
- Al

As I've said before - without those free agent signings like Raanta, Gus, TVR, Kero, Baun, and obviously Panarin there would be a serious issue.