If he lives up to his potential, Entwistle will be a much needed player in many regards and I'd venture to say a fan favorite. As many have pointed out and is easy to see visually, he has great size that is lacking in our forwards outside of Hayden.

Also, scouting reports on Entwistle describe him as a team-first player who will do all of the little things to help the team win and make his linemates better while not caring about his personal stats (i.e. goals, assists, points).

Plus he can play all 3 forward positions yet his strongest position is center. A center with big size and big compete level? Sign me up.
- AEL_Fox

I'm on board too, if he the Hawks let him develop at his own pace I think this kid will turn out to be a steal.. I think he's 6'4 200 lbs so he's a huge kid and he has good hands and a good shot, and from the clips I've seen he likes to park his big body in front of the net (where he belongs) because trying to move a guy his size is like trying to move a bulldozer. So I really like this kids potential, and apparently he models his game after Jonathan Toews - which is a plus..

I mean Entwistle justifies moving Vinny IMO, because Entwistle has way more potential than Hinostroza, the upside of Hinostroza now is that he's NHL ready, while Entwistle is perhaps 2 years away, but there is zero doubt in my mind Entwistle will be the better player... Given his size and versatility the kid has potential to do some damage in the NHL, and he could turnout to be a star player.

So yea I think this trade has potential to be a real steal for the Hawks, and Bowman has accumulated several decent prospects over the past 6 months, so I have been impressed with him in that aspect.. Ejdsell, Wise, Nordgren, Entwistle -- these are kids that could play a significant role down the line, so I really like Bowman's vision for the future of this team.

Now, if Bowman can find a 2nd line left wing and a top 4 defenseman before October I will be a happy camper, and if Bowman does - this team will be a playoff lock.

I actually have an idea for Seabrook.

We know he wants to stay with the Hawks, and there is no way he would waive his NMC, however perhaps the Hawks could send him to a team like Carolina or a team at or below the salary cap lower limit - that team in turn buys Seabrook out and the Hawks resign him to a more reasonable deal?

I mean it's possible, and it is a creative way to deal with Seabrook's contract - however I wonder what the cost would be for a team to do that? a first round pick? would a first round pick justify such a thing if the Hawks re-signed Seabrook to a 2.5 million dollar deal?

Either way Seabrook is an issue, I mean look at all the young defensive studs that will be coming up in the next few years - Boqvist, Beaudin, Jokiharju, Mitchell & Carlsson all have top-4 and/or top-2 potential, of course the Hawks will still have Keith, Seabrook, Murphy, Gustafsson, Forsling etc..... So that blue line is going to be very crowded in the next couple of years.... So Seabrook is going to have to be moved at some point just to make room for one of the kids.... I mean the Hawks can't justify paying $6.875 million for a #5-6 defenseman.... Seabrook's contract does drop to 5 million in 20-21 which would be about time these kids would be ready to jump into the NHL, and Seabrook may be an easier sell at that point with only 3 years on his contract...

Indeed, Seabrook's contract is albatross, but what was Bowman supposed to do? let Seabrook walk after he anchored a defense that won the Hawks 3 Cups? I mean not signing him just couldn't be justified.. He is/was worth the $6.875 salary at the time he signed the deal, however the term is just ridiculous - Bowman should have given him 4 years max (realistically 3 years) so I don't know what Bowman was thinking... To be honest I think Bowman is a little bit too liberal when it comes to handing out contracts. I understand Bowman wants to be as classy as possible and he wants the Blackhawks to be known as a player friendly organization that looks out for their players, but Bowman overdid it with Seabrook.... Now Bowman is going to have to figure out what to do with him because he's going to be redundant shortly.

Ideally Seabrook should just retire in 2 years when he's 35 however there is no way he's just going to retire when there's $15.5 million on the table, and like I said previously - it's a long-shot that he'll waive his NMC, (however his NMC becomes a limited NTC in 2022-23) However perhaps he would waive his NMC to be bought out by another team if Bowman agreed to re-sign him for something like $2.5 million... The real question is would the NHL allow such shenanigans? lol... You can bet in that scenario there will be a lot of people crying "cap circumvention"...

So yea, Bowman is going to have to figure out what to do with Seabrook, preferably sooner rather than later, and if he's traded the Hawks are going to have to toss in a sweetener..... To be honest Seabrook would be an excellent fit in Edmonton, Seabrook is everything the Oilers need... Maybe Seabrook for Lucic? perhaps the Hawks toss in a little something to get the Oilers to retain a bit of that salary, perhaps 2 million?
- Savard2Secord

You didn't just think of this, this literally just happened with Brooks Orpik

If the Hawks did this, there would be some sort of retroactive recapture penalty applied, just like the Hossa contract (ex post facto Constitution scholars and Hawks fans!!!!). The Caps doing it is apparently OK even though it is a blatant circumvention of the cap.
- KMFDMLight

I don't see how or why there would be a recapture penalty... Players get bought out all the time.. I know the Hawks cant buy him out and then resign him, besides buying Seabrook out would be basically impossible for the Hawks because the cap hit would be the following:

$3,708,333
$6,708,333
$3,708,333
$6,708,333
$5,208,333
$833,333
$833,333
$833,333
$833,333
$833,333

Obviously since the Hawks spend to the cap's upper limit, a Seabrook buyout would be pretty much redundant given his actual cap hit, however a team that hovers around the cap floor could easily and would take the cap hit for the right price.

So if Seabrook wants to say in Chicago, maybe he would move his NMC, if he was bought out by another team and if Bowman agreed to resign him to a 2 per deal..

I mean for all intents and purposes it's just a buyout so I don't see how the Hawks could be hit with a recapture penalty.

That's not necessarily it. While McDonough wants to be kept in the loop, he is the first one to admit when it comes to player personnel decisions, that's not his bag.

The indecision comes more from McIsaac vs. Bowman, and Bowman vs. the scouting department. There are varying ideas about how each wants this team constructed - and who will actually fit in the coaching scheme.

And before any of you start about this being a Quenneville issue, just stop. He coached them to three Cups, and it wasn't just the talent on the ice. He is considered to be one of the best in game adjusting coaches in the league - he sees trends in a game - both from his team and the other - and tries to shake things up when needed.

When they were winning the Cups with him doing this, most of you weren't complaining. Now that they are not winning, you complain about him.

You can't have it both ways.
- dahawks8819

And I've seen the opposite of exactly this for 20 years. Especially with Sutter and Laviolette, but others as well. I get sick of watching 2 opposing players waiting for the hawk player about to receive a pass. And yet nothing changes except the line combinations. Leave the lines alone and tweak the system. For the 1,000th time.

I don't see how or why there would be a recapture penalty... Players get bought out all the time.. I know the Hawks cant buy him out and then resign him, besides buying Seabrook out would be basically impossible for the Hawks because the cap hit would be the following:

$3,708,333
$6,708,333
$3,708,333
$6,708,333
$5,208,333
$833,333
$833,333
$833,333
$833,333
$833,333

Obviously since the Hawks spend to the cap's upper limit, a Seabrook buyout would be pretty much redundant given his actual cap hit, however a team that hovers around the cap floor could easily and would take the cap hit for the right price.

So if Seabrook wants to say in Chicago, maybe he would move his NMC, if he was bought out by another team and if Bowman agreed to resign him to a 2 per deal..

I mean for all intents and purposes it's just a buyout so I don't see how the Hawks could be hit with a recapture penalty.
- Savard2Secord

The recapture penalty doesn’t apply to any contracts signed under the new CBA. The potential penalty was introduced only for a select number of previously approved contracts where the league felt the clubs tried to circumvent the cap rules - Keith, Hossa, Luongo, Weber.

Wouldn't Rick Nash be a good signing to start the season- if Hawks go south they move him at the deadline

Wouldn't Rick Nash be a good signing to start the season- if Hawks go south they move him at the deadline
- Colbyboy

I heard Iginla is available.

I was told a few months ago that this would happen. And not because of attitude issues, but because his back was finally starting to feel better - and he could now train for a full summer, instead of rehabbing for only part of it.
- dahawks8819

Backs take time to heal. It'd be great if Seabrook and Toews could bounce back to 2015 productivity levels.

I don't see how or why there would be a recapture penalty... Players get bought out all the time.. I know the Hawks cant buy him out and then resign him, besides buying Seabrook out would be basically impossible for the Hawks because the cap hit would be the following:

$3,708,333
$6,708,333
$3,708,333
$6,708,333
$5,208,333
$833,333
$833,333
$833,333
$833,333
$833,333

Obviously since the Hawks spend to the cap's upper limit, a Seabrook buyout would be pretty much redundant given his actual cap hit, however a team that hovers around the cap floor could easily and would take the cap hit for the right price.

So if Seabrook wants to say in Chicago, maybe he would move his NMC, if he was bought out by another team and if Bowman agreed to resign him to a 2 per deal..

I mean for all intents and purposes it's just a buyout so I don't see how the Hawks could be hit with a recapture penalty.
- Savard2Secord

My point was the league would have a problem with it if the Hawks did it. They were not happy the Hawks traded Hossa's contract yet had no problem with Pronger, Datsyuk,Clarkson, Horton, Bolland etc.

I am being a bit facetious here with the recapture, but what Washington did is circumventing the cap. If the Hawks did it with Seabrook it would not surprise me of some sort of sanction after the fact. Obviously not a recapture but that rule came into play after Hossa and the other deals were signed, which wasn't right.

I am just saying nothing would shock me.

And I've seen the opposite of exactly this for 20 years. Especially with Sutter and Laviolette, but others as well. I get sick of watching 2 opposing players waiting for the hawk player about to receive a pass. And yet nothing changes except the line combinations. Leave the lines alone and tweak the system. For the 1,000th time.
- 6628

The problem against Sutter and Laviolette is they over clog the middle of the ice - to the detriment of their own team - to keep scoring down.

And when this system is implemented, there is not much Quenneville can do in game to change - other than dump and chase. And the Hawks are not a dump and chase team.

- Scott1977

Thanks for the info on Mcdonough, so who has last say in the matters McIsaac or Bowman? IMO it should be Bowman. As for Quennville he not the best coach at teaching young players or working with them but I agree one the in game adjuster and finger on the pulse of the team and when to push the right buttons at the right time. We as fans do not always understand why but his methods got the blackhawks and Chicago 3 cups. Would I be wrong to say if the season does not get out good start and the hawks by Thanksgiving are not in playoff spot that Coach Q would let go? Then if that would to happen who replaces him?

Bowman has say on player matters 99 times out of 100. But in the cases of Panarin, Crawford and Kane (if he didn't get his act together) - if they don't tow the company line, McDonough will step in and voice his displeasure - and then it goes up to Rocky.

As for Quenneville, there are currently 6 million reasons why they probably won't fire him until the end of the year - and even then - I have heard if they wanted to go in another direction - it would most likely be a mutual decision. Hawks management thinks very highly of him - they are not going to do anything to embarrass him or diminish what he means to the franchise.

[quote=dahawks8819]
Ok that's why the Blackhawks are a class organization even with their flaws. Thanks again for the insight and info puts things in perspective.

I heard Iginla is available.
- tyweb69

Iginla officially retired today (not sure if you're just kidding around, though).

Iginla officially retired today (not sure if you're just kidding around, though).
- AEL_Fox

Everything posted here is pure fact and 100% represents the posters true opinion.
We do not tolerate a sense of humor or red font!!!

Iginla officially retired today (not sure if you're just kidding around, though).
- AEL_Fox

Yep kidding around, heard about it today. Hell of a player. I remember when he got called up by Calgary during their series with the Hawks in 96. That Nieuwendyk:Iginla trade ended up being great for both teams.

The problem against Sutter and Laviolette is they over clog the middle of the ice - to the detriment of their own team - to keep scoring down.

And when this system is implemented, there is not much Quenneville can do in game to change - other than dump and chase. And the Hawks are not a dump and chase team.
- dahawks8819

This isn't mean to be a smart alecky comment but just want to offer a different perspective. If another team is clogging up the neutral zone or playing a trap system forcing you to dump and chase, wouldn't the in-game adjustment be to dump and chase even if that's not your forte? I could be naive but any hockey player should know how to dump and chase.

IMHO, if you don't make that adjustment to adapt to how you're being defended, then it's an over reliance and almost stubbornness or even arrogance that your system will eventually pay dividends. That's fine during an 82-game regular season but not so much in a playoff series, particularly if you're down in the series and especially if you're at the brink of elimination.

This isn't to say that the Hawks should always employ a dump and chase system. It's always about adjustments to the other team. That's why coaches study endless tape to scout the other team's strategies, strengths, weaknesses, etc. Balance your own strengths with also adjusting to the team you are playing next and make adjustments during the game if certain strategies you started with aren't working. I believe you made this argument about Q being great at this so I definitely agree with you in that regard.

Yep kidding around, heard about it today. Hell of a player. I remember when he got called up by Calgary during their series with the Hawks in 96. That Nieuwendyk:Iginla trade ended up being great for both teams.
- tyweb69

I figured you were kidding around. He's a sure fire HOFer in my book.

The problem against Sutter and Laviolette is they over clog the middle of the ice - to the detriment of their own team - to keep scoring down.

And when this system is implemented, there is not much Quenneville can do in game to change - other than dump and chase. And the Hawks are not a dump and chase team.
- dahawks8819

So when the other team figures out what the hawks are going to do before they do it then the coach just has his guys just keep running into the same wall over and over? Because that's all they can do? I've seen it in St Louis, Colorado, and Chicago. The only time it wasn't so apparent was when the hawks were the class of the league by a mile. You seem to have a clue, what would you suggest in that situation?

Backs take time to heal. It'd be great if Seabrook and Toews could bounce back to 2015 productivity levels.
- matt_ahrens

Yes! And if CC comes back strong, Hawks can at least talk about making and contending in the playoffs. If nothing else, this would be important as a marketing boost to energize what appears to be an increasingly disinterested fan base.

So when the other team figures out what the hawks are going to do before they do it then the coach just has his guys just keep running into the same wall over and over? Because that's all they can do? I've seen it in St Louis, Colorado, and Chicago. The only time it wasn't so apparent was when the hawks were the class of the league by a mile. You seem to have a clue, what would you suggest in that situation?
- 6628

The problem the Hawks have had is when an opposing team goes all in to the overplay in the neutral zone, the only choice you have is to dump and chase - which can be effective if you play a "heavy" game, and even in the Cup winning years, the Hawks never played a "heavy" style.

The way they offset it was to be good on the power play - and took advantage of the other teams mistakes. That hasn't been the case in the last 4-5 years.

https://www.facebook.com/...videos/10155543394507466/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REAqCB9vfbU

Nice try, Artemi

The problem the Hawks have had is when an opposing team goes all in to the overplay in the neutral zone, the only choice you have is to dump and chase - which can be effective if you play a "heavy" game, and even in the Cup winning years, the Hawks never played a "heavy" style.

The way they offset it was to be good on the power play - and took advantage of the other teams mistakes. That hasn't been the case in the last 4-5 years.
- dahawks8819

You throw the lingo around pretty well and sound like a company guy. But it doesn't change the fact that the a lot of other teams know what the hawks are going to do. And I see no evidence of a plan B. Of course the PP helps as I've said on this blog for years because it's been iffy for years. I'd like to hear your version fo a plan B if you have one. And if you do, send it along to the coaching staff so I don't feel like a sucker having paid even more this year to be a season reservation holder. Spin it any way you want, but if they get bent over this coming year without showing evidence of said plan B then I'm done. They don't have to win, I'm not a bandwagon guy as I go back to the 61 Cup. But they have to look as though they have more of a clue when the going gets tough.

The problem the Hawks have had is when an opposing team goes all in to the overplay in the neutral zone, the only choice you have is to dump and chase - which can be effective if you play a "heavy" game, and even in the Cup winning years, the Hawks never played a "heavy" style.

The way they offset it was to be good on the power play - and took advantage of the other teams mistakes. That hasn't been the case in the last 4-5 years.
- dahawks8819

This is all a bunch of hogwash

Its not that complicated

We used to be extremely talented, the most talented team top to bottom in the NHL from 2009/10-2014/15. And thus we dominated.

Now, after gradually losing talent and regressing over the past 3-4 years due to poor front office decision making, we simply aren't that good(on paper or on the ice). It has nothing to do with dumping and chasing, playing "heavy", what style of play we're coached up to deploy, what in game adjustments we make or how good the special teams are(I'm pretty sure one of our 3 Cup runs we had the worst PP in the league statistically). And the WORST part is we aren't bad enough to fully rebuild either.

We're stuck in no mans land trying to eek out one more Cup with an overpaid core of has beens. Not gonna happen. No matter how perfectly we're coached up to play whatever system Q deploys.

What was Bowman supposed to do? both are the faces of the franchise, how could Bowman offer 10.5 to Kane and then 7.5 to Toews? what type of message does that send to Toews? that he means less to the organization despite being "Captain Serious"?... Is Toews overpaid? yes, a little but offering Toews & Kane twin contracts was the fair and right thing to do. If I was Toews and the Hawks offered Kane 10.5 and me 7.5 I would feel slighted.. Also remember that Toews & Kane share the same agent...

Remember, hockey is a team sport and points aren't the only thing that matters. Toews is still a defensive beast and one of the better defensive forwards in the game, so what he does maybe doesn't show up on the score sheet like Kane, however he contributes in ways that can't be statistically measured... Intangibles matter.

I mean even at 10.5 you can bet many teams would love to have him, because he's 3x Cup champion, a proven winner and a proven leader... A guy like Toews only comes around once in 5 or 10 years..
- Savard2Secord

No it was the other way around people thought we were overpaying Kane. He wasn’t worth the $$$ as Toews!

What was Bowman supposed to do? both are the faces of the franchise, how could Bowman offer 10.5 to Kane and then 7.5 to Toews? what type of message does that send to Toews? that he means less to the organization despite being "Captain Serious"?... Is Toews overpaid? yes, a little but offering Toews & Kane twin contracts was the fair and right thing to do. If I was Toews and the Hawks offered Kane 10.5 and me 7.5 I would feel slighted.. Also remember that Toews & Kane share the same agent...

Remember, hockey is a team sport and points aren't the only thing that matters. Toews is still a defensive beast and one of the better defensive forwards in the game, so what he does maybe doesn't show up on the score sheet like Kane, however he contributes in ways that can't be statistically measured... Intangibles matter.

I mean even at 10.5 you can bet many teams would love to have him, because he's 3x Cup champion, a proven winner and a proven leader... A guy like Toews only comes around once in 5 or 10 years..
- Savard2Secord

He wrongly assumed the Cap would be much higher than it ended up being. No matter how you slice it, that's his fault. Or someone in the front office that gave him the wrong info/projections. You can't hand out 21mil to 2 players without knowing for ONE HUNDRED PERCENT certain where the Cap is going to be. Instead he took a guess, guessed wrong, and it (frank)ed us royally.