We don't want this roster again next season that's the problem.
- vandymeer23

There has to be some changes if only Bowman had to appease McDonough changes are for the betterment
I would be curious if we could see a late season line: Kane, Sikura, Hayden

But Hayden is not the next Secord.

Isn't this how contracts work?
- HawksHype

Typically, and it almost always turns out poorly for the organization long term. This is not the case for McDavid, Eichel and Matthews.

How so when his stats are on par with Buoma or Wingels and he is a bigger (and seemingly tougher) 4th line forward? Actually, he had more hits than either of the aforementioned last season.
Wingels:125
Buoma: 127
Martinsen: 173
- Murph76

Can he stop the other team from scoring? I'm not even gona ask about his offensive numbers because if he was able to put up anything respectable at his size, he wouldn't be in the AHL.

If he was any good defensively, he'd probly have a spot on someones NHL roster.

"eh, we lost the game last night, but the (other team name) is sure gonna feel it tomorrow!".

I like big hits and tough players just as much as anyone, but saying Martinsen will make a difference on this team is absurd.

Typically, and it almost always turns out poorly for the organization long term. This is not the case for McDavid, Eichel and Matthews.
- EnzoD

Yeah, they got/will get their huge contracts right after their ELCs without winning anything.

Can he stop the other team from scoring? I'm not even gona ask about his offensive numbers because if he was able to put up anything respectable at his size, he wouldn't be in the AHL.

If he was any good defensively, he'd probly have a spot on someones NHL roster.

"eh, we lost the game last night, but the (other team name) is sure gonna feel it tomorrow!".

I like big hits and tough players just as much as anyone, but saying Martinsen will make a difference on this team is absurd.
- BlazinMike

Like the difference that Wingels or Buoma are making? Please, Martinsen can't do any worse. Mike, I think you and I just have to agree to disagree on pretty much everything and call it a day

Like the difference that Wingels or Buoma are making? Please, Martinsen can't do any worse. Mike, I think you and I just have to agree to disagree on pretty much everything and call it a day
- Murph76

Possible, it could just be one of those days haha.

Wingels isn't a bad hockey player though. Bouma is terrible, and i really think Martinsen would make everybody forget all about Seabrook's issues (in a very negative way) this season if he was in the lineup.

But, yeah, Ill stop now.

Hoping some fans on this board have time to watch B Hillman in rookies camp. To see how well.he moves. I know that players are not in the best shape always in summer camp. This is an intriguing prospect. Do we really know that he is a top end, but nonetheless pretty good. It's about his skating. Just like it Seabrook it is most about his skating. Work out warrior this summer
Maybe enough better skater insofar as the rest of his game is easier for him. No rushing decisions and plays. Harder to skate around him. From just a tad better conditioning? Hillman should take note. Proper training.

Can he stop the other team from scoring? I'm not even gona ask about his offensive numbers because if he was able to put up anything respectable at his size, he wouldn't be in the AHL.

If he was any good defensively, he'd probly have a spot on someones NHL roster.

"eh, we lost the game last night, but the (other team name) is sure gonna feel it tomorrow!".

I like big hits and tough players just as much as anyone, but saying Martinsen will make a difference on this team is absurd.
- BlazinMike

His skating? What is it. Justin has seen or heard about his performance. Let's see if he weighs in. Martinsen could help, but as a role player? Occasional fill in when you want rough and tough on any line?

Does the team really need a tough guy who can fight? We don't need another Mashinter playing 5 minutes per night.
- DarthKane

if rather have one and kane get a extra shift then jurco

We don't want this roster again next season that's the problem.
- vandymeer23

LOL post of the day!

They have the same agent, they should have both been offered 9 which would still have been a 2.5 million dollar raise and made them amongst the highest paid players in the league. They got their 10.5 mil and are now surrounded by a lot of rookies and scrubs because of it. Don't get me wrong, Kane is earning that contract.
- Murph76

Their agent was trying to get them closer to 12 or 12.5 million if I recall correctly.

IMO Kane isn't worth 10.5 either. They guy is great at what he does but he doesn't play in all situations, kill penalties and is still average at best defensively.

I mean, let's look at the comparable deals.

Anze Kopitar - 10 Million - Does everything at both ends of the rink
Alex Ovechkin - 9.54 Million - Doesn't have big defensive responsibilities but the guy is the best goal scorer of this generation, by far.
Evgeni Malkin - 9.5 Million - Comparable to Kane, but plays the more difficult position in the middle.
Jamie Benn 9.5 Million - plays in all situations
Crosby 8.7 Million - More offensively talented, plays in the middle and for less.

Kane should probably be in that 9 million range, but Kane/Toews got it done in the playoffs and that got them paid. Neither guy had much luck against St Louis two years ago (both guys had huge chances in that series) and neither one did much against Nashville last year. Combined in those last 11 playoff games, they duo has 3 goals. 2 for Kane and 1 for Toews. That isn't worth 10.5 million and both have to be better int he post season. (if they make it.)

Possible, it could just be one of those days haha.

Wingels isn't a bad hockey player though. Bouma is terrible, and i really think Martinsen would make everybody forget all about Seabrook's issues (in a very negative way) this season if he was in the lineup.

But, yeah, Ill stop now.
- BlazinMike

Especially if Martinsen was being paid $6.8M for the next 6 years!

The thing with Toews is that there is nobody here WANTS to trade Toews. We all just want him to be the guy we all knew and loved from 2008-2015. It is an objective fact that he is NOT that guy and has not been for 2+ seasons now. When 88+19 and even 7 signed those deals, everyone (Bowman included) knew there would be a regression and at one point in those deals, they would not be performing up to the Cap Hit standards. With both 19 + 7, that time has come several years too soon. BreadBag has commented on 19's point totals, which appparently are only slightly off his career pace. Stats don't lie, so fair point. However, it is not just the point totals, but the impact on the ice shift in and shift out. Toews was a guy who dominated the puck, created plays, all while winning 60% of his faceoffs and playing tough defense. With a few exceptions once or twice a month, Toews is NOT a dominant player, but just an above average one. Mike Milbury sees it, Keith Jones sees it, and the guys at NBC are FINALLY calling out 19 for not being the same guy he was when the Hawks were a great team. Toews cannot just rack up points with empty nets and against bottom dwellers, he needs to be dominant against the Central and West, which he has been far from. If the Hawks want any chance of sniffing the playoffs and another cup in the next decade, then they have to #MakeToewsGreatAgain
- EnzoD

Absolutely!
And he may never get to that place again.
But I have to believe that he can be better than this.

Yeah, they got/will get their huge contracts right after their ELCs without winning anything.
- JRoenick97

Again, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought hockey was a team game? 12 forwards, 6 D and a goalie are what leads to winning. Two players did not win those cups. I agree that all 3 of those guys are also going to be overpaid if the cap does not significantly rise. But, from an individual performance/production standpoint, all three have significantly outperformed Kane and Toews at the time their contracts were given out (Kane obviously has gone to the next level since that deal was signed which is why he's the best Hawk of this generation and GOAT USA born player when it's all said and done IMO).

The idea that the "branding" of 19+88 made them worth such an outrageous cap hit, when Hossa, Sharp, Saad, Shaw, Oduya, Hjallmarsson, Keith, Seabrook, Crawford, ect were all KEY players in those Cup wins is silly, IMO. The reality is that those cap hits have resulted in the losses of key players (Saad before and now Panarin), and if the same result happens in EDM, BUF + TOR, then they won't win a single cup. At the same time, all three of those guys are barely 21, and will be earning that big money through their prime player years, not after their peak production has passed.

So, ultimately, the Hawks have the 3 Cups which is the greatest 10 years of Blackhawks hockey ever. However, there will always be that "What If?" with this era of Hawks hockey. What could have been had Bowman done a better job of locking down 19+88 for $8mil? If the Cap goes up, all these contracts become managable, and we can finally talk about something else. Until then, 19's lack of production relative to his cap hit is a very key reason why the Hawks are last in the division and likely to miss the playoffs for the first time in a decade. His lack of individual impact, coupled with the loss of a talent like Panarin (or Saad previously) to compensate for his cap # is the reality of the situation.

What doess this board think about having a tough guy who can fight on a wing UNTIL Stan brings in more power forward or grit and sandpaper players. Maybe on the cheap. Does Martinsen qualify? Justin can you provide enlightenment about Martinsen. Btw is Raddysh a good prospect. That a radish in a salad spelled differently!
- jhawk59

martinsen is not a tough guy. He s like bouma he will hit but doesn't stand up for teammates or fight to bring energy. Rockford is really soft you would have to look outside the organization. Two guys I would look at Emerson Clark of San Jose barracuddas is like pj stock with skill. Or Dylan Mcclrath from grand rapids who is a dman who can play wing. For Rockford Woody Hudson a echl all star would fill the void of a physical winger way better then Tommy olcyk or alex wideman.

Time to bring back Mashinter😁
- BetweenTheDots

mash has like 1 fight this year but a higher point total. He thinks he's a scorer now.

Again, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought hockey was a team game? 12 forwards, 6 D and a goalie are what leads to winning. Two players did not win those cups. I agree that all 3 of those guys are also going to be overpaid if the cap does not significantly rise. But, from an individual performance/production standpoint, all three have significantly outperformed Kane and Toews at the time their contracts were given out (Kane obviously has gone to the next level since that deal was signed which is why he's the best Hawk of this generation and GOAT USA born player when it's all said and done IMO). The idea that the "branding" of 19+88 made them worth such an outrageous cap hit, when Hossa, Sharp, Saad, Shaw, Oduya, Hjallmarsson, Keith, Seabrook, Crawford, ect were all KEY players in those Cup wins is silly, IMO.
- EnzoD

I would say you are right, but I think the difference is the Kane/Toews made the big plays a lot in the Hawks playoff seasons. From 09-15 both with 100+ points in the playoffs and each with 10 GWG.

I would say you are right, but I think the difference is the Kane/Toews made the big plays a lot in the Hawks playoff seasons. From 09-15 both with 100+ points in the playoffs and each with 10 GWG.
- breadbag

Remember when the Hawks were to cheap to pay their best players, I do.

Hayden will be back up eventually, especially if he keeps playing like this. Right now playing top 6 minutes in all scenarios is the best thing for Hayden, he'll be a better forward when he returns to Chicago. I would expect to see Hayden play a significant role on the team next year, maybe on the 3rd line.
- DarthKane

Definitely! Hayden has the size and has displayed the attitude to be the power forward we all the think the Hawks need. Plus he has shown puck protection/possession skills and a sneaky shot, enough to move up and down the lineup. Only questions: Does he have the speed to forecheck effectively? Will Q (or new coach) allow/encourage him to be aggressive?

I Agree as it results in Kane double shifting. While the expected output is great, it never materialize and he is worn down by the 3rd...
- riozzo

I think it's overrated rolling 4 lines. Every player complains about not getting enough ice time. Giving your 3rd line or 2nd a couple more shifts or doubling kane for a couple shifts isn't a big deal until the playoffs.

19 and 7 will be bought out if the spiral of play will continue

martinsen is not a tough guy. He s like bouma he will hit but doesn't stand up for teammates or fight to bring energy. Rockford is really soft you would have to look outside the organization. Two guys I would look at Emerson Clark of San Jose barracuddas is like pj stock with skill. Or Dylan Mcclrath from grand rapids who is a dman who can play wing. For Rockford Woody Hudson a echl all star would fill the void of a physical winger way better then Tommy olcyk or alex wideman.
- vandymeer23

MccIrath i believe was a surprise #1 NYR with questionable upside playing defense but a feared fighter with reputation in junior. I'll go with what you say on everything else because I don't know about them. Probably Bowman makes some attempt to be tougher next season. Hayden could be a significant part of he plays third line. Sikura a Crosby 2.0. Really. Ok he was as a collegiate? Now i am more curious to ser him after your remark. But you play off sarcasm too, Darth. Crosby has endured concussions. He is a whiner, also a winner in his own way.

I sure hope Rocky had more patience and discipline than the posters on this blog.

His skating? What is it. Justin has seen or heard about his performance. Let's see if he weighs in. Martinsen could help, but as a role player? Occasional fill in when you want rough and tough on any line?
- jhawk59

Just what we need -- another John Scott.

@johndietzdh
Are Blackhawks still 100 percent sure Crawford will come back this season? Quenneville: “We’re optimistic that’s the definitely case.”