Kuc and Powers with a quick wrap up on prospect camp. (the Zamboni and music drowned them out eventually).

https://twitter.com/BySco...tatus/1020357652843507713

Most interesting insight from Kuc - apparently, StanBo was turned down by a number of the FAs/agents to whom he was making overtures.

Hawks have an awesome culture, but no chance to win a Cup. We all knew it, but maybe that's why Stan isn't able to make an offseason splash.
- pdx2ord

Hey PDX...JJ had mentioned that Stan wasn't putting the bucks in his bids and was trying to sell players on being a Blackhawk at a cheaper cost...but the Hawks are not what they were a few seasons ago. Plus you just cleared some cap space recently wasn't there at the start of free agency.

You still need a left wing and a decent defenseman going into the season...especially if Corey can't go...he's apparently going to speak at the convention next weekend. Probably the Hawks 'big splash' for the convention...here's Corey. Don't think he's skated yet...should be interesting.

Hey PDX...JJ had mentioned that Stan wasn't putting the bucks in his bids and was trying to sell players on being a Blackhawk at a cheaper cost...but the Hawks are not what they were a few seasons ago. Plus you just cleared some cap space recently wasn't there at the start of free agency.

You still need a left wing and a decent defenseman going into the season...especially if Corey can't go...he's apparently going to speak at the convention next weekend. Probably the Hawks 'big splash' for the convention...here's Corey. Don't think he's skated yet...should be interesting.
- DK002

Pretty logical take DK.


Heresssssssss Corey. Thats the big splash.


(frank).

Each summer during training camp the Hawks have a prospect write a blog each day. This year it was Wise. In one of his blogs he wrote something interesting that points to team strategy (no commentary on my end, just something interesting to read):

"We talked about trying to find open areas or getting lost behind the defensemen when you don't have the puck and then taking advantage of the ice towards the middle to improve the angle of your shot when you have possession."

Wise signed on to commit to BU back when he was a high school freshman. He'll join Krys there who happened to be his roommate this week during camp. Apparently they enjoyed watching the Netflix series Narcos.

Its good that some of drafted players are making strides in the right way. So whats next for the big club.

In regards to the Trouba situation. "I think he's a solid 2nd pairing defenceman, but if they could pry a legit #2 centreman out of another team in a trade I'd be OK with that too." From a Jets fan in the comment section of the WinnipegFreePress. AA for Trouba 😃??

I’d do Nash in a heartbeat- great player - character individual- trade deadline chip

A book on the Wirtz family - sounds interesting:

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

I wonder the same thing WHY!!! Could Crawford not be ready and 100% or are the hawks shopping Crawford quietly to see what they can get. Therefore signing manson to a smaller deal. So my question is what teams could the hawks trade crow to and what would be the return? Now this is all speculation of course but have to make you think what if.
- Scott1977

Crawford is 100% and has been since late last season, but because his injury was self induced in a drunken haze (again) he’s in the doghouse big time, and he may have punched his ticket out of town.


...according to my sources

Crawford is 100% and has been since late last season, but because his injury was self induced in a drunken haze (again) he’s in the doghouse big time, and he may have punched his ticket out of town.


...according to my sources
- Ogilthorpe2

Do you in your opinion does he get traded and if so your best guess where?

Crawford is 100% and has been since late last season, but because his injury was self induced in a drunken haze (again) he’s in the doghouse big time, and he may have punched his ticket out of town.


...according to my sources
- Ogilthorpe2

If true - I'm not sure what to make of it from the Hawks perspective. Which is worse - your all star caliber player is suffering effects of concussion or has substance abuse issues? Did your source say he was in substance abuse program, and if yes, how did that not leak out?

If true - I'm not sure what to make of it from the Hawks perspective. Which is worse - your all star caliber player is suffering effects of concussion or has substance abuse issues? Did your source say he was in substance abuse program, and if yes, how did that not leak out?
- EbonyRaptor

No program I'm aware of. The story goes that he had a mishap away from the rink after having a few too many adult beverages, and that is how he became concussed. Since it’s the second such incident, the team is not very happy with him and some in The Orginization may be starting to lose faith in him as a teammate.

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.

No program I'm aware of. The story goes that he had a mishap away from the rink after having a few too many adult beverages, and that is how he became concussed. Since it’s the second such incident, the team is not very happy with him and some in The Orginization may be starting to lose faith in him as a teammate.
- Ogilthorpe2

Oh great - it's both concussion and substance abuse problem.

Oh great - it's both concussion and substance abuse problem.
- EbonyRaptor

(if true) wonderful, ehh

but I'm sure the Malkin direct hit didn't help the concussion symptoms at all...

It seems Stan really screwed this one up.

Tanner says Panik is 'massively' underrated. Get it right Stan!

https://www.hockeybuzz.co...vely-Underrated/243/94014
- scottak

I don't think he's as underrated defensively or as good defensively as Tanner says, but i do like Panik, liked what he did for this team when he joined the top 6, and thought he deserved a longer look.

I have absolutely no idea why, being a team that is up against the cap because of a top heavy roster that is massively overpaid(Toews, Seabs, etc), we would let go of a legit top 6 winger with size, speed, skill that was making only 2.8mil per. That's solid value. Thrown away(seeing as they didn't care to bring back Duclair and give him another look either...). So much for making the most of Jeremy Morin.

Another stupid trade by Bowman.

https://www.nbcsports.com...qvist-and-henri-jokiharju

If anyone is looking for a decent summary of prospect camp with a good collection of video clips of multiple players, check out CSN Chicago's article about the 12 takeaways from camp. Not 100% thorough but it does summarize fairly well the general consensus I got scouring twitter feeds and Blackhawk sites.

I don't think he's as underrated defensively or as good defensively as Tanner says, but i do like Panik, liked what he did for this team when he joined the top 6, and thought he deserved a longer look.

I have absolutely no idea why, being a team that is up against the cap because of a top heavy roster that is massively overpaid(Toews, Seabs, etc), we would let go of a legit top 6 winger with size, speed, skill that was making only 2.8mil per. That's solid value. Thrown away(seeing as they didn't care to bring back Duclair and give him another look either...). So much for making the most of Jeremy Morin.

Another stupid trade by Bowman.
- SimpleJack

Vik Stalberg 2.0.

Why don't Kane and Toews work out together?
- SoftServe

It would be nice but Toews spends most of his summers back home in Manitoba and Kane splits time in Chicago and Buffalo I believe.

As far as the deterioration of Toews, I think it is both literal and figurative. When he came in the league he was top notch for the first 5 or so years, matter of fact many experts touted him to be the best player in the league or at the very least, him and Crosby were 1A/1B. One of his strength was behind the net with and without the puck. With he would puck protect and make something out it, meaning great scoring opportunity and he rarely loses the a battle and puck. Now fast forward, he loses those same battles. Also he doesn't have the hands he use to have either as pucks sometimes explodes off his stick. Finally, it pains me to say this but his tenacity (his trademark) is NOT the same either. so with all this said, I think it is a combination of milage (father time) and injury especially after the Orpik hits. I don't remember which specific one but Toews has not been the same since.

As for Kane, he keeps improving year after year although last year I will pass judgement based on the team's. linemates, etc performance. Kaner is the better player and top 5 in the league!

https://www.the-rink.com/...awks-prospect-camp-day-5/

Below is a the Rink's summary of Friday's scrimmage. I just cut and paste their bullet points for you to see, and bolded a few notable observations they made. Three things stood out to me in particular:

(1) Fortin was a stand out at forward and I can see him pushing for a starting job at training camp this fall at least as a 3LW but possibly top 6 LW if Bowman doesn't acquire help at that position.

(2) Boqvist still needs work on playing smartly and soundly so his offensive flair doesn't create turnovers.

(3) both Jokiharju and Krys were used in all situations which shows confidence by coaches in their balance to play both sides of the ice.

The Rink's summary (verbatim):

Alexandre Fortin wrapped up his week as the clear cut best forward on the ice, exuding confidence and polish throughout the session.

As mentioned above, Ryan Kuffner had himself a nice scrimmage, scoring in the second period and then icing the win with one of the only two shootout goals.

Tim Soderlund was not nearly as noticeable as he was last summer, but he flies with the puck and is fearless. That said, the coaching staff had him playing right wing instead of center. He looked to have really nice chemistry with Mathias From, who also had a very solid camp.

Freddy Olofsson, Liam Coughlin and free agent Connor Moynihan had the best chances in the first period and it is no surprise that they were also three of the bigger players on the ice.

Speaking of bigger players, Josiah Slavin certainly didn’t look like a late round draft pick this week. He seemed to be everywhere.

We saw a lot of Adam Boqvist, but he was much more interested in the offensive side of the rink than his own. During a couple of plays, he insisted on making one too many fancy moves and turned the puck over both in his own zone and at the far blue line. To anyone with delusions of this kid playing for the Blackhawks at 17/18 years old, just reel your hopes back in right now. He did have a really nice assist on Olofsson’s goal in the second period.

Henri Jokiharju spent a good deal of time on the ice and continued to get a nice push, especially on the power play. The coaching staff was clearly comfortable with having him on the ice in all situations.

Similarly, Chad Krys was out on the ice in the same situations. His anticipation was very noticeable.

Beau Starrett was one of the few centers to stand out. His big frame and long strides allowed him to blow around defencemen on a couple of occasions.

Niklas Nordgren did not skate because of a lower body injury, Jacob Nilsson took an early flight back to Sweden, and Blake Hillman just sat out.

Jack Ramsey made his return to the ice and was awarded the camp trophy for his team’s win.

Free agent Kyle Maksimovich had a goal and was around the puck all day.

As far as the goalies go, Alexis Gravel and Mathew Robeson held the teams scoreless in the first period. Wouter Peeters had much more favorable results in his period of play than he was the previous four days, but was still unimpressive overall. Free agent from St. Francis Xavier University and USports Goaltender of the Year Chase Marchand (cousin of Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand) played the third period, the overtime and the shootout without allowing a single goal.

A book on the Wirtz family - sounds interesting:

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

Thanks for the link Sage...I'll probably pick this up looks like a good read. And Rick Kogan's article has a good bit of excerpts from the book.

As far as Crawford - who knows...Ogi mentions what I believe was the Rise Against concert where CC fell afterward and then was forced to face the press by the team. Unless Ogi is referring to an additional incident?

If you were to move Crawford what's the plan moving forward - with CC's deal up at the end of next season? And what would you get for him having been out so long. While Ward is certainly an upgrade from last season's mess, why didn't they go after someone like Hutton - 3 years at 2.75...? Or are they expecting Forsberg, Delia or one of the other kids to take over?

Right now the Hawks look like they're counting on Crawford to come back and be strong this season - which will clean up a lot of the back end. But that defense still needs a major upgrade (other than Manning) or whomever is in net is in for a tough season.

Oh great - it's both concussion and substance abuse problem.
- EbonyRaptor

Not necessarily...might just be a stupidity problem

Keith - Jokiharju
Trouba - Murphy
Hillman - Seabs
Manning

I don't think he's as underrated defensively or as good defensively as Tanner says, but i do like Panik, liked what he did for this team when he joined the top 6, and thought he deserved a longer look.

I have absolutely no idea why, being a team that is up against the cap because of a top heavy roster that is massively overpaid(Toews, Seabs, etc), we would let go of a legit top 6 winger with size, speed, skill that was making only 2.8mil per. That's solid value. Thrown away(seeing as they didn't care to bring back Duclair and give him another look either...). So much for making the most of Jeremy Morin.

Another stupid trade by Bowman.
- SimpleJack

Everyone said he was overpaid and rejoiced in that trade for the cap space

Keith - Jokiharju
Trouba - Murphy
Hillman - Seabs
Manning


- SoftServe

I can see him making the roster this year. Watched his camp videos. He looks smooth and calm. Will have to see what he looks like with a monster forecheck coming after him, but the skill is there.

Keith - Jokiharju
Trouba - Murphy
Hillman - Seabs
Manning


- SoftServe

Trouba would be awesome and he would definitely move up to the first pairing with Keith. Also they didn't bring in Manning to be a 7th D man as part of a rotation. Besides don't we have enough 7th d man from the left side already? LOL