They are a better team than we are.
- kwolf68

But they have Zero Cups!

Some of that has to be entered into the context of the situation............

Oh and, they didn't make the playoffs either

But they have Zero Cups!

Some of that has to be entered into the context of the situation............

Oh and, they didn't make the playoffs either
- vabeachbear

on the surface, their changes (Bozak, Perron, O'Reilly) look like a strong improvement to fix that. Same mentality, 38 year old Kunitz, 34 year old Ward, and #6/7 dman Manning does not seem to scream a return to the playoffs.

Hope Stan can make some good hockey trades to fix this

Berglund and Sobotka are bottom liners....Thompson is meh and the 1st round pick wil be later. And St.Louis balances salary to boot. It's a good deal for St.Louis, and potentially Buffalo...won't know that piece until later.
- kwolf68

If Stan made this trade he'd be getting hammered here.

Myself, think it probably a good hockey trade for both.

Blows kind of have to go for it a bit. As I have mentioned, they've never won a Cup.........................

Yea I get that. I looked it up....we'll see. I don't trust Bowman at all so this one is on me.
- kwolf68

Do you really think that Bowman makes this decision in a vacuum?

Do you really think that Bowman makes this decision in a vacuum?
- vabeachbear

I really am perplexed by Bowman this off-season. His job supposedly on the line and he drafts swinging for the fences and for totally long term growth players, does worse than nothing at FA and seemingly has zero sense of urgency.

Hawks aren't admitting to a rebuild, but I think they are there. They set it up with a quote from Rocky that basically said if the team starts slow then big change is coming - "all good things come to an end" (or something close to that). Are they setting it up so the fans push for a rebuild and then market that?

on the surface, their changes (Bozak, Perron, O'Reilly) look like a strong improvement to fix that. Same mentality, 38 year old Kunitz, 34 year old Ward, and #6/7 dman Manning does not seem to scream a return to the playoffs.

Hope Stan can make some good hockey trades to fix this
- ikeane

No it doesn't.

I think they are in rebuild, and just haven't told anyone yet.

I said after the 3rd cup, I was content, and could like through a rebuild. Once you win 3 cups (again, blows have never won one), going back to a scenario where you kind of live in the middle, barely make the playoffs and are never a contender for a cup, it just doesn't cut it.

Don't want them to trade away future picks, don't want them to overpay for very average players and get back into cap hell.

Would the second line be much better with ROR - Yes
Would they win the cup - NO
Would they be back in cap hell - Yes
Would they have future picks to rebuild - NO
Would they have had to give away top prospects - Yes

That isn't a realistic trade for the Hawks. Imagine if Schmaltz and or Dcat was included, the female doging that would be going on today.

That ROR trade, I wonder how badly the Sabres wanted to deal him. It seemed like an overpay when they signed him in the first place, also.
- 333inthe3rd

There are $7.5 million reasons that Buffalo wanted ROR to be moved. Unfortuately for them, they are not a better team as a result of the trade.

No it doesn't.

I think they are in rebuild, and just haven't told anyone yet.

I said after the 3rd cup, I was content, and could like through a rebuild. Once you win 3 cups (again, blows have never won one), going back to a scenario where you kind of live in the middle, barely make the playoffs and are never a contender for a cup, it just doesn't cut it.

Don't want them to trade away future picks, don't want them to overpay for very average players and get back into cap hell.

Would the second line be much better with ROR - Yes
Would they win the cup - NO
Would they be back in cap hell - Yes
Would they have future picks to rebuild - NO
Would they have had to give away top prospects - Yes

That isn't a realistic trade for the Hawks. Imagine if Schmaltz and or Dcat was included, the female doging that would be going on today.
- vabeachbear

Agree with all this. Winning Cups buys time, especially 3 of them. Like it or not it does.

Any resurgence depends on the Core rebounding and Kane being Kane. The latter is likely but I’m not sure about the first part. Hopefully they rebound but If they do stumble and aren’t competitive again, maybe they look at dealing some of the remaining Core and acknowledge more of a rebuild than retool.

No it doesn't.

I think they are in rebuild, and just haven't told anyone yet.

I said after the 3rd cup, I was content, and could like through a rebuild. Once you win 3 cups (again, blows have never won one), going back to a scenario where you kind of live in the middle, barely make the playoffs and are never a contender for a cup, it just doesn't cut it.

Don't want them to trade away future picks, don't want them to overpay for very average players and get back into cap hell.

Would the second line be much better with ROR - Yes
Would they win the cup - NO
Would they be back in cap hell - Yes
Would they have future picks to rebuild - NO
Would they have had to give away top prospects - Yes

That isn't a realistic trade for the Hawks. Imagine if Schmaltz and or Dcat was included, the female doging that would be going on today.
- vabeachbear

Nice post, Agarn.

No it doesn't.

I think they are in rebuild, and just haven't told anyone yet.

I said after the 3rd cup, I was content, and could like through a rebuild. Once you win 3 cups (again, blows have never won one), going back to a scenario where you kind of live in the middle, barely make the playoffs and are never a contender for a cup, it just doesn't cut it.

Don't want them to trade away future picks, don't want them to overpay for very average players and get back into cap hell.

Would the second line be much better with ROR - Yes
Would they win the cup - NO
Would they be back in cap hell - Yes
Would they have future picks to rebuild - NO
Would they have had to give away top prospects - Yes

That isn't a realistic trade for the Hawks. Imagine if Schmaltz and or Dcat was included, the female doging that would be going on today.
- vabeachbear

Agree. On all accounts. Said same above. I think they are in stealth rebuild (without a full blow up - yet) mode. Rocky’s quotes to Crains earlier this summer (for me) sort of sealed it. If the Hawks come out of the gates poorly, it gives the team cover / carte blanche to go further with a rebuild. Like VABear, I don’t want them to limp along in Redwings mode (barely making the playoffs and out early).

No it doesn't.

I think they are in rebuild, and just haven't told anyone yet.

I said after the 3rd cup, I was content, and could like through a rebuild. Once you win 3 cups (again, blows have never won one), going back to a scenario where you kind of live in the middle, barely make the playoffs and are never a contender for a cup, it just doesn't cut it.

Don't want them to trade away future picks, don't want them to overpay for very average players and get back into cap hell.

Would the second line be much better with ROR - Yes
Would they win the cup - NO
Would they be back in cap hell - Yes
Would they have future picks to rebuild - NO
Would they have had to give away top prospects - Yes

That isn't a realistic trade for the Hawks. Imagine if Schmaltz and or Dcat was included, the female doging that would be going on today.
- vabeachbear

Spot on VA!!!

*Unpopular Opinion Alert*- I like the moves from yesterday.

Kunitz is a good Vet. Ward is one year insurance for CC. *2nd unpopular opinion* Sometimes throwing a young goalie to the wolves doesnt work. I rather pay Ward for 1 year and ruin Delia early.

Manning is ok for a "cheap" D-man. Maybe he can log some solid minutes. (Sure we have a slew of guys who can, but adding competition on a 2year deal is hardly risky).

If Stan is done, then was it enough? No probably not.

If he has a trade up his sleeve, well then I think this was a pretty good start.

Im willing to see where the rest of the off season goes before i light the torch. But let's just say "I know where my pitchfork is", in case we dont see more

Good take on yesterday from Chris Block: http://thethirdmanin.com/...ackhawks-fish-for-scraps/

Per Bobby Mac just now - think CAL may regret this later...
CGY and James Neal were working late into the night on a five year deal. Assuming it got done — it was headed in that direction but nothing official as of yet — it will be an AAV of around $5.75M.

Still a head scratcher why Buffalo clearly wanted to trade O'Reilly. And why not better NHL value in return? Did they really value the draft picks almost covet them ....because they took two third line guys not up to par in St Louis..... they took useful players as salary retention so Blues can pay ROR. I sense Buffalo did not want to keep ROR....again I say "why."
- jhawk59

https://www.wkbw.com/spor...says-he-lost-love-of-game

"We're stuck in this mindset in being okay with losing," O'Reilly said. "It's sad, I feel throughout the year I've lost the love of the game multiple times."

He was wearing an A while he was in Buffalo, not the best talk to be hearing from one of your locker room leaders. They have a young core that I'm sure they are hoping that will grow in to something really good soon, and they probably didn't want that mentality of giving up when things arn't going your way in the locker room.

I'm gonna start positive and say Ward is an upgrade over Forsberg if they need someone to play 10 or 12 in a row. The other two signings are basically garbage. The Kunitz deal is just to fill a roster hole until a kid is ready. Manning has thrown up some big penalty numbers in the past, so I guess he will be the enforcer on this team.

I'm hoping Bowman has some trades in the works. Get rid of the Hossa contract and/or Anisimov. There are some deals to be made out there.

The reality of this team is with a healthy Crow, they are a wild card team. I'm not going to shoot any higher than that.

Per Bobby Mac just now - think CAL may regret this later...
CGY and James Neal were working late into the night on a five year deal. Assuming it got done — it was headed in that direction but nothing official as of yet — it will be an AAV of around $5.75M.
- Marlowe

File this into the teams that have not won in a long time doing crazy poop.


Did de Haan sign yet?

If the Hawks move the Hossa contract they will be in a good spot.

A lot of new faces on here preaching doom and gloom. The folks who’ve been debating this since March will still be here in two weeks.
Outside help has not been expected this offseason, except for a backup goalie.

We are retooling from within. The growth of Schmaltz, Debrincat, and our other young players are what will either make or break this season. Crawford playing more than 28 games will be big.

Anyone expecting James Neal or John Carlson to come in and save the day with another giant contract for a player exiting his prime is in fantasy land.

Maybe Stan is working on something involving some of our surplus of d prospects. I for one would like to acquire at least one forward prospect since that part of the pipeline doesn’t have any elite talent.

Agree. On all accounts. Said same above. I think they are in stealth rebuild (without a full blow up - yet) mode. Rocky’s quotes to Crains earlier this summer (for me) sort of sealed it. If the Hawks come out of the gates poorly, it gives the team cover / carte blanche to go further with a rebuild. Like VABear, I don’t want them to limp along in Redwings mode (barely making the playoffs and out early).
- Marlowe

Actually, I think the Hawks are a bit ahead of that curve. It took the Wings 10 years from the last time they won a Cup to miss the playoffs and get a top 10 pick in the draft.

They also just brought Mike Green back at $5.3M for 2 years. Makes the Rutta and Gus signings pale in comparison.

A lot of new faces on here preaching doom and gloom. The folks who’ve been debating this since March will still be here in two weeks.
Outside help has not been expected this offseason, except for a backup goalie.

We are retooling from within. The growth of Schmaltz, Debrincat, and our other young players are what will either make or break this season. Crawford playing more than 28 games will be big.

Anyone expecting James Neal or John Carlson to come in and save the day with another giant contract for a player exiting his prime is in fantasy land.

Maybe Stan is working on something involving some of our surplus of d prospects. I for one would like to acquire at least one forward prospect since that part of the pipeline doesn’t have any elite talent.
- ObeseOprah

This really is the hope. Move the Hossa $. Properly extend the current players that we know should be here; Schmaltz, DbC , make a couple of solid trades using some of the extra D men and AA.

I just hope the on ice product is more entertaining and competitive somehow this year.

I hate the power play. Hopefully whatever is going on with Crawford is over. No Crawford No succuesss.

I'm gonna start positive and say Ward is an upgrade over Forsberg if they need someone to play 10 or 12 in a row. The other two signings are basically garbage. The Kunitz deal is just to fill a roster hole until a kid is ready. Manning has thrown up some big penalty numbers in the past, so I guess he will be the enforcer on this team.

I'm hoping Bowman has some trades in the works. Get rid of the Hossa contract and/or Anisimov. There are some deals to be made out there.

The reality of this team is with a healthy Crow, they are a wild card team. I'm not going to shoot any higher than that.
- biskit67

Hardly. In 65 games he had 56 PIM last year with 4 fighting majors.

And from what I've read, you're not getting a Dave Manson your getting more of a Cam Russell. A guy who is willing to drop them but, will probably get pummeled in the process.

I believe players must be at least 19 or 20 year old to play AHL. He plays in Sweden for two years. Then see how his development looks. This much seems obvious. But also Bowman has to read into any equation how the kid's body fares playing against men at age 20. I wouldn't expect to hear he is chisled man - child as Saad has been described.
- jhawk59

Boqvist signed a pro contact in Sweden for this coming yr. If a player is signed as a pro overseas he can't get out of it unless he's on the NHL roster. That's the reason he can't play in the NHL. IIRC it's a 1 yr deal so he can play AHL in 2019/2020.

Actually, I think the Hawks are a bit ahead of that curve. It took the Wings 10 years from the last time they won a Cup to miss the playoffs and get a top 10 pick in the draft.

They also just brought Mike Green back at $5.3M for 2 years. Makes the Rutta and Gus signings pale in comparison.
- HawkintheD

I do wonder if this why Scotty has been to many different teams. It seems once a team's run is over he'd move on, my gut tells me he disagreed in the direction the organization was taking and voiced his opinion....

Boqvist is NOT ready at all. The AHL game will eat him up. If they rush him they are fools. Thought Bowman was following the Detroit model, let the kids marinate and be overly ready.
- kwolf68

Reading the Philly writer for The Athletic do the yr end evaluation on Manning it was mentioned he beat out Haag and they sent Sanheim down even though Sanheim's fancy numbers were better than Manning's they wanted the 22 yr old, 22, to get more AHL time and not risk him being overwhelmed at the NHL level.

They sent out Manning to take the Crosby's or Malkin's so Sanheim didn't have to.

Philly knows a thing or two about developing Dmen particularly the timing of the development. ....... Yea man, move slowly with the smallish riverboat gambling Boqvist. He was way overmatched vs men in 15 games last yr, he was 17 mind you, in Sveden.

How would everyone feel about a trade like this with the Islanders...

We trade Anisimov, Murphy, Louis, and maybe Forsberg

Islanders trade Eberle (1yr-$6mil left on his contract) and Casey Cizikas.

Leaving the lines to be something like this...

Saad-Toews-Eberle
Cat-Schmaltz-Kane
Ejsdell-Cizikas-Sikura
Kunitz-Kampf-Hinostroza

Keith-Joker?
Gus-Seabs
Manning-Rutta

Just spitballin here, but I know the Isles are in a world of hurt since losing Tavares, plus they still carry some bad contracts. (Clutterbuck, Ladd, Boychuk) Giving us Eberle would relieve some of their cap issues and give another option to throw inside Q's blender in the top-9. Cizikas was 53% on faceoffs last year and could provide a reliable 3C/Late Game Faceoff Specialist that would take some burden off Toews.

Feel free to disagree.

I am not current on the rules. Playing age rules should not be misused, however, for the vulnerable position of a dman. Confidence and experience are so very important. It takes years of repetition just to retrieve and smartly make right decision what to do, where to go with puck movement. In a moment make a play or make bad play and deal with the repercussion of a prime scoring opportunity against his team

Anyway for cripes sake let the kid finish high school. Sounds like he has overcome yet still has issues learning in the classroom.
WOULD playing for Chicago Steel be sensible? How soon?
- jhawk59

I know I already addressed this, and it's from Powers I got the info, that Boqvist will play a full yr pro in Sveden next yr. And the minimum age for the AHL is 18.

If he were drafted out of the Mighty USHL he'd be moving on to the NCAA next season, out of Major Junior would stay there next yr too and out of Europe like most he'd play a yr of pro, or even jrs, then come over to the AHL.