The Scott trade was a perfect example of a GM making sure his coach couldn't write a player into the lineup.

Scott in many ways was the worse player I have watched in a Hawks uniform.
- Al

I'm old. Enrico Cicconne.

Seems to me like an error in judgement to waive tiko and not use him as a trade chip. Especially to AZ. You had to know they would want their pick back.
- hocktock


The way I hear it, he possibly was a "trade chip." Just doing a favor for AZ to set that other trade up. We'll see.

I just dont get that. Why would the "favor" not be trading him for a 7th round draft choice? If AZ wanted Tik, why take the remote chance someone else claims him? Just doesnt make sense to me to slip a player to another team through waivers, versus taking back a meaningless pick to make the deal a sure thing.

I remember Enrico Ciccone knocking some guy out with one punch while in a Hawk sweater.

Also Probert's KO of Scott Parker in '96 was a thing of beauty. Classic Probie bout, with a typical end.
- John Jaeckel

Ha JJ I am laughing out loud! I hadn't read this before I posted the last comment. My son, who is a freak, wears a Sopel jersey to Hawks games... the only person in the crowd who does, of course, and he wears #39 on his squirt team. Maybe the hawks could unload Scuderi for him!

It's interesting because they're both probably best at RW in the NHL, but the comparison kinda ends there.

Dano is more of a scorer, TT more of a setup guy.

Dano is physically strong, pretty fearless, can really fire the puck and has some nifty hands and ability to recognize but really a scorer first. I will RARELY question the coaching/development staff but I really don't get why they are investing so Much time in getting him to move to LW. I mean, obviously, there is an organizational deficit there and the opposite flank is overloaded (81, 88, 86). Because Dano is very natural and effective coming off the right wing.

TT is all flair and creativity but he can also fire the puck too.

I would not trade either for a rental. If a package involving either brought back a slightly older more proven player the Hawks could lock up for a few years, then you have to look at it. And in light of the Cup window, probably do it.
- John Jaeckel

The primary message I am trying to convey with both my post last night and this morning is that the Stanley Cup Championship window is open RIGHT NOW! Like STLBraves just said, in 3 years TT could be a very good player. Right now, he is a phantom on the ice more often than he impacts the game. As such, if TT gets you JVR, Huberdeau, Rask, or Boedkker (with an extension) StanBo has got to pull the trigger. Win while you can, and worry about 2018 later. With the Euro/NCAA UFA market, replenishing NHL-ready prospects can be done. Some here may disagree, but I am a strong advocate for an All-In mentality for this season. Hossa still has several years left but will he be a Top 40 player in 2 years? Probably not. Will Keith be a Top 5 Dman in 2 years? TWT but these players are already showing signs of slowing down and you have got to commit to fielding a complete roster to give these Future HOFers a chance for the first repeat in almost 20 years! 7 All-Stars and a bunch of kids/Men's Leaguers (Rosi +Scuderi) is NOT going to get it done. You can't afford to waste a season with this Core group, IMO.

Seems to me like an error in judgement to waive tiko and not use him as a trade chip. Especially to AZ. You had to know they would want their pick back.
- hocktock


The way I hear it, he possibly was a "trade chip." Just doing a favor for AZ to set that other trade up. We'll see.

I just dont get that. Why would the "favor" not be trading him for a 7th round draft choice? If AZ wanted Tik, why take the remote chance someone else claims him? Just doesnt make sense to me to slip a player to another team through waivers, versus taking back a meaningless pick to make the deal a sure thing.
- Cmonalready

May have had to do with contract space. I had the same question. Was told there was some back-story. Same source as Vermette deal last spring. Guy is legit and close to the story.

The primary message I am trying to convey with both my post last night and this morning is that the Stanley Cup Championship window is open RIGHT NOW! Like STLBraves just said, in 3 years TT could be a very good player. Right now, he is a phantom on the ice more often than he impacts the game. As such, if TT gets you JVR, Huberdeau, Rask, or Boedkker (with an extension) StanBo has got to pull the trigger. Win while you can, and worry about 2018 later. With the Euro/NCAA UFA market, replenishing NHL-ready prospects can be done. Some here may disagree, but I am a strong advocate for an All-In mentality for this season. Hossa still has several years left but will he be a Top 40 player in 2 years? Probably not. Will Keith be a Top 5 Dman in 2 years? TWT but these players are already showing signs of slowing down and you have got to commit to fielding a complete roster to give these Future HOFers a chance for the first repeat in almost 20 years! 7 All-Stars and a bunch of kids/Men's Leaguers (Rosi +Scuderi) is NOT going to get it done. You can't afford to waste a season with this Core group, IMO.
- EnzoD

You're preaching to the choir, bud.

The primary message I am trying to convey with both my post last night and this morning is that the Stanley Cup Championship window is open RIGHT NOW! Like STLBraves just said, in 3 years TT could be a very good player. Right now, he is a phantom on the ice more often than he impacts the game. As such, if TT gets you JVR, Huberdeau, Rask, or Boedkker (with an extension) StanBo has got to pull the trigger. Win while you can, and worry about 2018 later. With the Euro/NCAA UFA market, replenishing NHL-ready prospects can be done. Some here may disagree, but I am a strong advocate for an All-In mentality for this season. Hossa still has several years left but will he be a Top 40 player in 2 years? Probably not. Will Keith be a Top 5 Dman in 2 years? TWT but these players are already showing signs of slowing down and you have got to commit to fielding a complete roster to give these Future HOFers a chance for the first repeat in almost 20 years! 7 All-Stars and a bunch of kids/Men's Leaguers (Rosi +Scuderi) is NOT going to get it done. You can't afford to waste a season with this Core group, IMO.
- EnzoD

A (frank)ing Men

I'm old. Enrico Cicconne.
- DirkGraham

Darrin Kimble. Slow, skated on his ankles.

3 Cups in the Salary Cap era is amazing.

However they will need a 4th to be considered geeration IMO .

The Kings core is 1 cup away from tying this Hawks group. If the Hawks go all out and win another one this year then that puts them up 2 on the Kings while aging the Kings core another year , adding even more prestige to the Hawks becoming even more atractive to UFAs and Euro and NCAA FAs . Draft picks be dammed.

3 Cups in the Salary Cap era is amazing.

However they will need a 4th to be considered geeration IMO .

The Kings core is 1 cup away from tying this Hawks group. If the Hawks go all out and win another one this year then that puts them up 2 on the Kings while aging the Kings core another year , adding even more prestige to the Hawks becoming even more atractive to UFAs and Euro and NCAA FAs . Draft picks be dammed.
- mrpaulish

Frank the Kings! I think Carter is injured now too...they cant afford to lose him

I think it's time to ask this question:

Setting aside whether you choose to believe that the Hawks are shopping for a top 6 LW . . . they're trying Shaw out for a third time this season at 1LW, after TT's second tour of duty ended, after Garbutt was there once, and Dano was there twice.

And whether you agree that the Hawks KNOW what is and isn't working, can anyone dispute that the team (at least) considers 1LW a serious hole?

And probably a more acute problem than the defense?
- John Jaeckel

I think that is passively aggressively telling someone they want the roster "fixed."

With the super pak line cooled off I'd toss Kane with Toews (GASP!) and drop Hossa with the Russians. Or put whomever is getting the LW tryout with Kane and AA I guess.

You know, make some other kind of meaningful adjustment because its about that time. And go from there.

Once another line becomes dangerous Kane can go back to making mediocre players look halfway decent. And 1 "LW" becomes superflous. This team did well enough without a 2RW and 2C for basically all of last year to win a Cup. Being short one top 6 forward rather than two is a win.

More young guys, less veterans. Either way if they can't defend well enough to have someone cheat up the ice or move forward with their feet then when the game gets "hard" in the spring these problems will creep up again. Unless the plan is to just out score everyone and hope Crow plays out of his mind (like 2010 edit: and Neimi did have to win one series even though him and Leighton had a contest to see who would lose the Cup sooner in the final). In which case get a 1LW and give up on some of the defending.

You're preaching to the choir, bud.
- John Jaeckel

Looking forward to the Yotes preview tonight. Thanks for all you do JJ! Great to have a place to talk Blackhawks' hockey at work Most of my office "loves the fights" It's like talking hockey with children

It would be hard to debate otherwise but unless they can shed salary it will be more like a Bodker type player, in that price range, who can play in a few spots.

Hawks couldn't sign Saad for anything close to $5 mill unless Bickell was dealt for a bag of pucks and salary was shed in the Sharp trade which also didn't happen. So unless I'm missing something they are in a similar situation.

Unless Bickell goes it's hard to imagine a scenario for more than a rental being acquired as a legit top six forward.

Hawks had picks to give up last year and a couple of young players that were highly thought of by others.

If they are going to make a big splash now they will need to include Danault and or Dano++, it will be interesting to see how creative Bowman can get and if he would entertain trading TT.....If all of the above is correct there could be a bigger deal for a rental, anything more would require Bickell to be gone so the math works.

TT is the only player on the roster others would covet that could be feasibly dealt...The other bottom six players except for Shaw won't get much in return.
- Al

If Saad signs then you have Saad, Toews, Hossa, Panarin, AA, Kane and no room in the top six for TT and he becomes expendable.

It's interesting because they're both probably best at RW in the NHL, but the comparison kinda ends there.

Dano is more of a scorer, TT more of a setup guy.

Dano is physically strong, pretty fearless, can really fire the puck and has some nifty hands and ability to recognize but really a scorer first. I will RARELY question the coaching/development staff but I really don't get why they are investing so Much time in getting him to move to LW. I mean, obviously, there is an organizational deficit there and the opposite flank is overloaded (81, 88, 86). Because Dano is very natural and effective coming off the right wing.

TT is all flair and creativity but he can also fire the puck too.

I would not trade either for a rental. If a package involving either brought back a slightly older more proven player the Hawks could lock up for a few years, then you have to look at it. And in light of the Cup window, probably do it.
- John Jaeckel

TT is allergic to contact, Dano is not. On a team that does not have a lot of high-end scorers who are willing to play physical, why move Dano when you already have 2 other TT type players on this team(Kane, Panarin)?

TT is allergic to contact, Dano is not. On a team that does not have a lot of high-end scorers who are willing to play physical, why move Dano when you already have 2 other TT type players on this team(Kane, Panarin)?
- Bjm84

Plus I think the Hawks could get more for TT than Dani right now .

His problem is what to do when he has no space/time to make a play - don't know that he can learn that in the "A" - may need to learn in the NHL.


- StLBravesFan

The thing that caught my eye and I really liked about TT, besides the obvious skill/dynamic explosiveness that he showed at the WJC a few years back, was that last year when he ran out of room he pushed the thing forward. Meaning if he was going to lose possession all 5 of his guys would be behind the puck....... Not so this year and it's a problem and makes me think the kid is scrambled in his head, confused.


A fun read here written by Evegni Kuznetsov about growing up playing in Russia. Might explain Panarin's play/style, and TT to a lesser extent. http://www.theplayerstrib...v-capitals-russia-hockey/


In my team in KHL, if you dump the puck, coach might put you on bench and you never go out and play hockey again. It’s true.

My first 10 games in NHL, I don’t understand why guys keep dumping puck. I’m looking at coach like, Is he going to say something? And he’s like, happy about it.

Even Ovi. I see him dump it. I’m looking at him like, What?!

Now I totally understand why we do this. But at first, I’m so confused. In the NHL, the space is so tight that you can’t think you’re special.

Some people here in America don’t like Russian style. They say it’s boring, all you do is skate. Nobody fight. Blah, blah, blah. But I like to see when team possess the puck for two minutes and then wait for guy to shoot in the open net. Here, some fans always yelling “Shoot it! Shoot it!” when you cross blue line. But watch how much Chicago holds onto the puck in the playoffs. They don’t have many Russians, but they play the Russian style.

TT is allergic to contact, Dano is not. On a team that does not have a lot of high-end scorers who are willing to play physical, why move Dano when you already have 2 other TT type players on this team(Kane, Panarin)?
- Bjm84

Panarin initiates a lot of contact and so does Kane (especially this year). Neither are front of the net type players though. More run and gun transition as opposed to grind it out down low yes but kind of tough to compare adults to kids.

Panarin actually uses his body to initiate contact, knock a guy off balance and use that to create space. Toews used to know how to do that move as well. And I will again reach back to the clutching, grabbing and interfering that has been ruining the game this past year probably having a negative impact on both of them.

Anyway, I'd rather watch Kane and Panarin do incredible things than a couple of guys grind it out in the corners. TT is fun to watch when he is on and unfortunately isn't when he is off.

TT needs to figure out how to be a pro which I think is the biggest issue. If this was Daytoit he would still be in Rockford or sent back down by now. Which may indicate they are more vested in Dano at this point.

Another option is dropping Hossa to the third line RW and giving Dano a shot at 1RW with Toews. The accomplishes a few things in that it 1) Places Dano at a more natural position to develop and contribute 2) Reduces Hossa's minutes for a deep run 3) Put Hossa into a "secondary" scoring and primary defensive role where his game is now better suited.

Id rather have Scott over these players from the last 15 years when I routinely followed the hawks on either d or wing
Alex Karpotsev , Mike Peulso, Gary Valk, Deron Quint, Mikahel Yaukpov, Erik Nikalus, Thomas Fitzgearld Peter White, Pavel Vorbiev, Todd Simpson, Tony Salmelien, Michael Holmqvist, Craig Mcdonald, Nikita Aleexva, Carl Corazinni, Colin Fraser, Adam Burish, Kevyn Adams, Craig Adams, Karl Stewart, Andrew Ebbet, Fernado Pisani. We've had some pretty bad talent in the lineup and even though Scott doesn't always enforce like he's suppose to he is more useful then the players above.
As for just enforcers I'd put them in this order since I've followed the hawks in terms of playing there role.
1. Ryan Vandenbussche (fearless, great skater would thrive in todays nhl as a 4th liner)
2. Bob Probert (On the down swing of his career)
3. Jim Vandermeer (Absolute animal until his last year with the hawks helped out a young Seabrook and Keith)
4. Reed Low (Knew his role only lasted half a season)
5. David Koci (Always count on him to show up not the best fighter, most memorable debut ever against the yotes)
6. John Scott (When he felt like it could be effective enforcing would have been great in the 90s.)
7. Ben Eager (Spot picker and took some dumb penalties)
8. Shawn Thorton (Didn't get much of a chance but was always good)
9. Brandon Bollig (Average at best)
10. Daniel Carcillo (Washed up by the time he got to the hawks)
The rest I guess you could call enforcers or guys who relied on fighting Adam Burish and Colin Fraser were punching bags. Travis Moen only player a year as did Scottie Nicohl, and Matthew Barnaby. John Aitkens had one great season but not long enough resume. Aaron Downey was muh.
What would any of your guys list be? I've watched some older video and Stu Grimson was fun to watch. Behn Wilson was tough as nails as was Peluso and Cam Russell even though they had there share of losses. And we all know even though he was willing the late Keith Magnuson was a brutal fighter.
- vandymeer23

Not me...

If Saad signs then you have Saad, Toews, Hossa, Panarin, AA, Kane and no room in the top six for TT and he becomes expendable.
- fattybeef

Math doesn't work unless Bickell goes and nothing is retained or Sharp the same...

Look at the net cap effect of the Sharp trade...Basically it cost the Hawks Oduya by not being able to pay him an extra $400k.

Bowman was in a corner without wiggle room....But IF then you are correct. Big difference in TT's salary and Sharp.

Math doesn't work unless Bickell goes and nothing is retained or Sharp the same...

Look at the net cap effect of the Sharp trade...Basically it cost the Hawks Oduya by not being able to pay him an extra $400k.

Bowman was in a corner without wiggle room....But IF then you are correct. Big difference in TT's salary and Sharp.
- Al

Correct, you are in the realm of straight up salary dump. Which should have been possible for Sharp and maybe Bickell with the right asset.

Correct, you are in the realm of straight up salary dump. Which should have been possible for Sharp and maybe Bickell with the right asset.
- fattybeef

Don't know for sure but like I said at the time...In a situation where you are in a vulnerable position in trading you get rid of your worst position first and eat those losses. Either Bickell or Sharp needed to go without much if any salary coming back.

If that happens I think Oduya is still here for sure...I still don't think Saad would be here but there would have been a far better chance.

I'm old. Enrico Cicconne.
- DirkGraham

Still would rather watch him than Scott...Great hair.

Looking forward to the Yotes preview tonight. Thanks for all you do JJ! Great to have a place to talk Blackhawks' hockey at work Most of my office "loves the fights" It's like talking hockey with children
- EnzoD

Definitely agree, it's so nice to come here and talk actual hockey. People in my office are either kings fans, bandwagon kings fans, or women who want to talk about which players are the most attractive.