So i'm guessing if Stan is really done then we can expect no playoffs and another high draft pick?
- MichaeLionheart

And for all of you clamoring for a tear down and rebuild - it's simply not going to happen in the next 2-3 years.

While the window may be closing, Hawk management is committed to this core for the time being.

Kane, Toews, Seabrook, Keith and most likely Crawford - at least until his contract is up - are the faces of the rebirth of this organization - and people like Rocky Wirtz are VERY loyal to those that helped to bring this franchise out of the obscurity. And that's from the mouth of a Wirtz family member not named Rocky.

These players I named are considered family - their numbers - along with Hossa's - will be going up in the rafters - and Hawk management is content on letting them ride it out in Chicago.

And for all of you clamoring for a tear down and rebuild - it's simply not going to happen in the next 2-3 years.

While the window may be closing, Hawk management is committed to this core for the time being.

Kane, Toews, Seabrook, Keith and most likely Crawford - at least until his contract is up - are the faces of the rebirth of this organization - and people like Rocky Wirtz are VERY loyal to those that helped to bring this franchise out of the obscurity. And that's from the mouth of a Wirtz family member not named Rocky.

These players I named are considered family - their numbers - along with Hossa's - will be going up in the rafters - and Hawk management is content on letting them ride it out in Chicago.
- dahawks8819

I've used the word "rebuild" inappropriately because I never intended to imply the trading away the primary core players - Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook and Crawford (well, maybe Seabrook but never any of the other guys).

My hope is those core players will still be here and playing at a high level in 2020/21 and 2021/22 when Schmaltz and DeBrincat are hitting their prime and Sikura has proven to be a top-6 winger and found his niche and 2 or 3 or 4 of the young d-men have grabbed prominent roles in the lineup. AND, Stan has augmented that organic growth with some astute free agent pick ups.

With those achievable objectives set for 2020/21 or 2021/22, I am OK with changing the objective of doing whatever it takes to win "now" which is what I have advocated the past many years, to one of let's see how things are going by the TDL before deciding to spend any future assets for 2018/19 success.

I think we've already established we have different opinions on Trouba - my assessment of Trouba is a 2nd pairing (at best) who isn't elite offensively or defensively and can often times a little out of control. He plays defense well enough to be a 2nd pairing guy and brings a physical element that is a definite plus when he isn't playing over the line or out of control.

DeBrincat scored 28 goals as a 19 year old munshkin rookie when he spent most shifts not playing with Kane or on the PP. If he isn't a top-6 30+ goal scorer for the next 10 years I would be very surprised. Therefore I wouldn't trade DeBrincat straight up for Trouba. As for Krys/Boqvist - Boqvist's ceiling makes him an untouchable so let's erase him from the proposal.

Krys and a 2020 first for Trouba - I'm good with that but I doubt Winnipeg would be.

I would say maybe Jokiharju and a pick for Trouba because most likely Joki ends up a 2nd pairing guy once Boqvist takes over 1st pairing RD - BUT - the problem with that is if Trouba is going to get $7M it impacts the Hawks salary cap structure to give Schmaltz his due next summer and DeBrincat the summer after that.

Here's my bottom line - I prefer using 2018/19 as a rebuilding/retooling/take assessment of what we have year with the objective of being legit contenders by 2020/21 or 21/22. I'm not suggesting to tank - just don't do anything this summer that could hurt us in the future. If things go better then expected and we have a shot by the TDL - then fine, change plans and try to help the 2018/19 team at the TDL.
- EbonyRaptor

Good points, imo I need to see more from debrincat and smaltz before giving them big contracts. Trouba is a top 3 dman and is only going to get better as he plays more. This is all for discussion in the end bowman should at least call and see what it would it take, if too much then hang up the phone. At some point though hawks are going to have get some physical, stay at home, big d men to offset the smaller puck moving skilled d men we have in the hawks system.

Good points, imo I need to see more from debrincat and smaltz before giving them big contracts. Trouba is a top 3 dman and is only going to get better as he plays more. This is all for discussion in the end bowman should at least call and see what it would it take, if too much then hang up the phone. At some point though hawks are going to have get some physical, stay at home, big d men to offset the smaller puck moving skilled d men we have in the hawks system.
- Scott1977

I don't get it. Won't Trouba become and UFA if he doesn't sign with the Jets today and the Hawks can try and sign him - not trade for him?

Big bounce back year coming for Toews. Big mistake to give away Hinostroza will make mgt look really stupid yet again.
- Savoy

Yeah, hmm, ok, right.....good luck with that.

I don't get it. Won't Trouba become and UFA if he doesn't sign with the Jets today and the Hawks can try and sign him - not trade for him?
- SoftServe

Think you are right, isn't that what happened with Niemi and SJ? His arbitration was more than Hawks could pay because of cap, so he became a FA and SJ signed him?

I don't get it. Won't Trouba become and UFA if he doesn't sign with the Jets today and the Hawks can try and sign him - not trade for him?
- SoftServe

If it does get to arbitration and if the arbiter decides for Trouba's $7M - then probably what happens is Winnipeg signs him for 1-year at $7M rather than letting him walk as UFA. Then they get to do it again next season. My bet would be on the arbiter deciding on the Jet's $5.5M, especially with Dumba just signing a $6M deal and Dumba put up much better offensive numbers.

And for all of you clamoring for a tear down and rebuild - it's simply not going to happen in the next 2-3 years.

While the window may be closing, Hawk management is committed to this core for the time being.

Kane, Toews, Seabrook, Keith and most likely Crawford - at least until his contract is up - are the faces of the rebirth of this organization - and people like Rocky Wirtz are VERY loyal to those that helped to bring this franchise out of the obscurity. And that's from the mouth of a Wirtz family member not named Rocky.

These players I named are considered family - their numbers - along with Hossa's - will be going up in the rafters - and Hawk management is content on letting them ride it out in Chicago.
- dahawks8819

Something has to be said about LOYALTY especially is today's "dog eat dog" and "what have you done for me lately" world. While it is highly commendable and admirable, it does leave the Hawks in a bind, where the window for success it very small. So I guess we will just have to ride it out and hope the 'baby Hawks" can make it a somewhat seamless transition, acknowledging that Kaner, Tazer, Keith, and Crow were in the top 5 even top 3 at their respective positions back in the Cup days, and with Seabs, maybe top 10.

If it does get to arbitration and if the arbiter decides for Trouba's $7M - then probably what happens is Winnipeg signs him for 1-year at $7M rather than letting him walk as UFA. Then they get to do it again next season. My bet would be on the arbiter deciding on the Jet's $5.5M, especially with Dumba just signing a $6M deal and Dumba put up much better offensive numbers.
- EbonyRaptor

Although we respectfully disagree on Trouba's current status and potential, we do agree that Trouba's contract will land in the 6 mil range. As far as Dumba having better numbers, numbers are numbers and it's great for pay day but Trouba rarely saw PP time as a right handed D behind both Big Buff and Myers on those lethal PP units. I believe if given the those same opportunities Trouba would have produced if not surpassed Dumba's numbers. Dumba played a lot with Suter on the PP unit.

A book on the Wirtz family - sounds interesting:

http://www.chicagotribune...sidewalks-0722-story.html
- StLBravesFan

Thanks, Sage!! This looks fun. As described it sounds like it will read like a novel.... Help me out:

Wirtz, that's German?

Did you know of the word hagiography and what it meant before this article? I learned a new word.

The Captain spotted post practicing at Rocky's Ice House (MB Arena) yesterday. Wonder if he was using the same skills coach Kane was today.


- pdx2ord

An aside to your Kane's skills coach comment he was hired by USHL Chicago Steel to be the teams' skills coach. Steel owner, Larry Robbins worth 2.4 billion according to Forbes, hired Kaner's, Matthews', Tavares' skills coach, Darryl Belfry. https://www.chicagosteelh...ckeyteam.com/belfryhockey

Big time hockey hockey fans.

Artur Kayumov willing to come over to North America next season...

Artur Kayumov willing to come over to North America next season...
- SoftServe

Some reading....https://theathletic.com/2...-breakdown-artur-kayumov/

Artur Kayumov willing to come over to North America next season...
- SoftServe

That would be great if Kayumov crossed the pond next year. Both he and Shalunov are under contract in the KHL that expires at the end of the 2019-20 season so that would be tricky for how Kayumov ends his contract a year early.

The more highly rated Altybarmakyan is not slated to come over to North America until 2021-22. Not sure if that's due to contractual obligations or just out of personal decision to develop longer in Russia first (or maybe a mix of both).

From the reports I've read, Altybarmakyan projects to be a top-6 scoring winger. Likely not as electrifying as Panarin but excellent in his own right. Kayumov is an offensive talent but is also defensively responsible projecting to be a middle-6 winger. And Shalunov is a huge center who is good on draws. A future Anisimov upgrade?

Since the draft, the Rink had articles about the 2018 draft picks and included who they projected a comparable for each player:

Josiah Slavin > Josh Archibald
Alexis Gravel > Devan Dubnyk
Mikkael Hakkarainen > Frans Nielsen
Philipp Kurashev > Evgeni Kuznetsov
Niklas Nordgren > Alex DeBrincat
Jake Wise > Travis Konecny
Nicolas Beaudin > nobody listed
Adam Boqvist > Erik Karlsson

It is doubtful Kurashev gets close to Kuznetsov's level due to his lack of consistency. If he ever makes it, Kurashev may end up just being a middle-6 forward who is a decent two-way player.

While Nordgren has a great scorer's mentality and skill, his skating is sub-par. Not that DeBrincat is an elite skater but his skating is significantly better than Nordgren's. Nordgren won't make it to even being considered a projectable NHL player if his skating does not improve dramatically. Strength, too, as a small forward.

My educated guess on a comparable for Beaudin might be Ivan Provorov with the Flyers. Beaudin could prove to be stronger defensively, especially since he is keyed in on getting stronger without the puck and stronger physically. I'd be fine if Beaudin was less offensively prolific as Provorov at the expense of being a reliable defender who can play in all situations.

The Rink also wrote about the top 10 unsigned prospects (in reverse order from 10 to 1):

Wouter Peeters
Jakub Galvas
Evan Barratt
Artur Kayumov
Ivan Nalimov
Chad Krys
Maxim Shalunov
Tim Soderlund
Andrei Altybarmakyan
Ian Mitchell

Artur Kayumov willing to come over to North America next season...
- SoftServe

It's going in my next blog... but I heard a couple days ago that after how the Blackhawks offseason has transpired, Stan was looking into further convincing Max Shalunov to come over this year.

Yes, we know that Shalunov is under contract still but their has been precedence in brealing those KHL deals off.

Would be the perfect time for Max. He is definitely an NHL talent after finishing top 20 in his league in scoring.

It would really help balance the Hawks top 9 out.

Big bounce back year coming for Toews. Big mistake to give away Hinostroza will make mgt look really stupid yet again.
- Savoy

Agree on Hino sentiment, but this is the price to pay for assuming a certain cap growth.

An aside to your Kane's skills coach comment he was hired by USHL Chicago Steel to be the teams' skills coach. Steel owner, Larry Robbins worth 2.4 billion according to Forbes, hired Kaner's, Matthews', Tavares' skills coach, Darryl Belfry. https://www.chicagosteelh...ckeyteam.com/belfryhockey

Big time hockey hockey fans.
- Mr Ricochet

Interesting! They were able to steal him fro the Marlies, then.

He's probably maxed out on players wanting his services, but wish Kaner would throw a few of his own sessions this summer Toews' way.

It's going in my next blog... but I heard a couple days ago that after how the Blackhawks offseason has transpired, Stan was looking into further convincing Max Shalunov to come over this year.

Yes, we know that Shalunov is under contract still but their has been precedence in brealing those KHL deals off.

Would be the perfect time for Max. He is definitely an NHL talent after finishing top 20 in his league in scoring.

It would really help balance the Hawks top 9 out.
- Justin Lowe

Justin do you hear anything about the Hawk's monitoring the Trouba situation/prepared to jump in, if the two sides can't agree on something?

It's going in my next blog... but I heard a couple days ago that after how the Blackhawks offseason has transpired, Stan was looking into further convincing Max Shalunov to come over this year.

Yes, we know that Shalunov is under contract still but their has been precedence in brealing those KHL deals off.

Would be the perfect time for Max. He is definitely an NHL talent after finishing top 20 in his league in scoring.

It would really help balance the Hawks top 9 out.
- Justin Lowe

If Shalunov could end his KHL contract early and cross over, he could potentially be the upgrade over Anisimov that the team needs that would make it easier to trade 15 for help elsewhere without having to create another hole at 2C/3C. They're both the same height at 6'4" but Shalunov is 215 while Anisimov is 195.

Also in comparison, Shalunov is a stronger and more agile skater which makes him a more potent weapon on special teams. Both play PP and PK, but Shalunov is a plus skater with size who is also a plus shooter making him a threat with a man up or a man down.

As far as faceoffs, I was getting Shalunov mixed up with Hakkarainen who the Hawks drafted this year. Hakkarainen is great at faceoffs and a solid two-way player, possibly a future 3C. Not sure actually what Shalunov's faceoff ability is like but I imagine he can't be any worse than Anisimov.

Agree on Hino sentiment, but this is the price to pay for assuming a certain cap growth.
- blackhawk24

IMHO, Hinostroza was a "nice to have" player but not a "must have" player. There are prospects in the system who do the same as him and possibly better like Soderlund, From, or even Barratt. Not a huge loss in the long term. In the short term, European free agents like Kahun and Nilsson could potentially take Hinostroza's spot for the next few years.

If Shalunov could end his KHL contract early and cross over, he could potentially be the upgrade over Anisimov that the team needs that would make it easier to trade 15 for help elsewhere without having to create another hole at 2C/3C. They're both the same height at 6'4" but Shalunov is 215 while Anisimov is 195.

Also in comparison, Shalunov is a stronger and more agile skater which makes him a more potent weapon on special teams. Both play PP and PK, but Shalunov is a plus skater with size who is also a plus shooter making him a threat with a man up or a man down.

As far as faceoffs, I was getting Shalunov mixed up with Hakkarainen who the Hawks drafted this year. Hakkarainen is great at faceoffs and a solid two-way player, possibly a future 3C. Not sure actually what Shalunov's faceoff ability is like but I imagine he can't be any worse than Anisimov.
- AEL_Fox

You put out some great stuff! In previous posts, you prospect/NHL comparisons and the one that struck me the most was the Shalunov/Kunetszov. If he turns out be Kuneyszov Light, it would be an awesome coup because I think the world of Kunetszov and see him as one of the best skaters in NHL. And we have already about the staunch comparison of Boqvist/Karlson which would be other to turn heads and get us excited about!

It's going in my next blog... but I heard a couple days ago that after how the Blackhawks offseason has transpired, Stan was looking into further convincing Max Shalunov to come over this year.

Yes, we know that Shalunov is under contract still but their has been precedence in brealing those KHL deals off.

Would be the perfect time for Max. He is definitely an NHL talent after finishing top 20 in his league in scoring.

It would really help balance the Hawks top 9 out.
- Justin Lowe

That would be pretty nice. Shalunov's already played N.A. hockey so his transition to the NHL should be easier. He's been playing center in the KHL so I would think he may be the replacement for Anisimov which would allow Stan to use Anisimov in a trade for a d-men. Keeping fingers crossed.

You put out some great stuff! In previous posts, you prospect/NHL comparisons and the one that struck me the most was the Shalunov/Kunetszov. If he turns out be Kuneyszov Light, it would be an awesome coup because I think the world of Kunetszov and see him as one of the best skaters in NHL. And we have already about the staunch comparison of Boqvist/Karlson which would be other to turn heads and get us excited about!
- D2D

I think Shalunov skates well for a big guy - certainly better than Anisimov - but I don't think he is in the same class as Kuznetsov. But he doesn't have to be. He just has to skate well enough to be an effective center in the NHL and I think he does.

You put out some great stuff! In previous posts, you prospect/NHL comparisons and the one that struck me the most was the Shalunov/Kunetszov. If he turns out be Kuneyszov Light, it would be an awesome coup because I think the world of Kunetszov and see him as one of the best skaters in NHL. And we have already about the staunch comparison of Boqvist/Karlson which would be other to turn heads and get us excited about!
- D2D

The other comparison was Beaudin/Provorov. Having watched Provorov progressed back in the USHL with the Rough Riders to now is amazing. While he still has to clean up his D zone work and turnover rate, he definitely is a first pairing Dman, if not now then soon. The one thing about Provorov is his skating ability and hands to go along with it; he makes things look so effortlessly and efficient! So if Beaudin can emulate that it would be thus another coup.