Not as much as the even greater Rusty Olesz.
- DarthKane

C'mon Darth, those 2 schlubs can't compare to incomparable Ville Pokka.

I hope we pick up someone like Chris Stewart. He'd look better them martinsen on the 4th line and would come cheap since he's still available. Also a very tough guy to back up hayden and manning to let them play there games.

What did Vinny say? All I saw was him thanking the Hogs and Hawks and saying that he couldn't think of a better place to begin his career.

I'm not trying to be combative with you, but all teams have guys that marinate for a while in the minors that come up. They also have guys that have an accelerated path. The players let you know when they are ready (not to mention there has to be a spot available for them on the roster and lineup.
- Chunk

Vinny said he was never given a role ,and when he was it changed day to day and period to period . Q blender is not a good environment for young players ,or any players for that matter .Q was making up line ups like he was pulling names from a hat last year . In Murphy case it was just a case of giving the Bowmans a big middle finger .Q ego has exploded since he was given his contract .

You have to assess each guy differently. Pittsburgh did not think Olli Maatta needed any seasoning and he was 19 when he became a full time player for the Penguins, and he's been a productive player ever since.

There are quite a few young players that have come in and been strong with little to no AHL time at all. Teravainen, DeBrincat, Schmaltz, Kruger, Saad, Shaw and many others all entered the NHL quickly. There are also others that took two or three seasons of development. Duncan Keith took awhile.

It also makes a difference if players are coming over from Europe and have played in a professional league. If they can handle the pace and physicality, can they handle the change in ice surface?

There are too many factors to make a blanket statement. When a player is ready for the NHL there is nothing more to gain from playing against AHL-level players.
- Hawks_49

Very overrated in my humble opinion.

He is also weak, and if played for the Hawks, would get killed here for how weak he is.

The number of eventual NHL players who a year in the A wouldn't help is limited to what you can count on two hands, maybe one.

I sort of understand this line of thinking, but I don't like it. Some sort of familiarity is great, but only if it is actually a player that will help the team. Don't force it.

Didn't we go down this road already with Kimmo for Teuvo, and keeping Roszi around for Kempny etc?
- Chunk

Also, Joker, guess that name is going to stick, played in the WHL, not sure he will be home sick and not be able to communicate well.

Bring him up for 8 or 9 games, send him to Rockford for a year. Ain't winning any cups again for a while.

Hinostroza was producing at about a 41 point pace last year (over 82 games). That would put him 5th in scoring last year ahead of guys like Saad etc. Once again Bowman gave a pretty good player away. This trade will be measured in part by what Bowman does to replace Hinostroza's production with the gained cap space plus partly on what Hinostroza produces this year which I believe will be pretty good for his new team and you can bet a lot of folks will be watching this 'trade' result closely.
- Savoy

Vinny became the new odd man out because Q did not trust him ,and used him incorrectly . As long as Q is making up line ups Stan has to work around him .This situations has to end soon and will I believe .

Very overrated in my humble opinion.

He is also weak, and if played for the Hawks, would get killed here for how weak he is.

The number of eventual NHL players who a year in the A wouldn't help is limited to what you can count on two hands, maybe one.
- vabeachbear

If I wanted to get technical I could list at least two dozen off the top of my head.

The big news today and Darth alluded to it earlier is that Chelios has just been named a Hawks ambassador and will be at the convention this weekend. We all know he just announced he was moving back to Chicago and leaving the Wings FO. There's your big story for McD for the convention. Wowsa...

Maybe he'll announce the return of Cheli's Chili down the street from the UC...

http://www.chicagotribune...elios-20180723-story.html

Moynihan and Kuffner looked the best and could have some offensive potential.

Not sure the plan with them but nice showings by those 2 specifically.
- Justin Lowe

Don’t know that much about Kufffner, but Moynihan is a gritty hard nose type of player that this team has been missing for years. He is also albeit to a lesser degree some level of scoring ability/threat. Wouldn’t mind seeing him in camp on a PTO!

So the convention splash is that Chelios is now an ambassador. Great news.

Still have some time for something to happen but really have to wonder if Stan is playing the waiting game on a Faulk/Pacioretty/Skinner etc. Have to wonder what the asking price is currently and who else is looking to add any of those guys.


Outside of that......zzzzzzzzzzzzz

The big news today and Darth alluded to it earlier is that Chelios has just been named a Hawks ambassador and will be at the convention this weekend. We all know he just announced he was moving back to Chicago and leaving the Wings FO. There's your big story for McD for the convention. Wowsa...

Maybe he'll announce the return of Cheli's Chili down the street from the UC...

http://www.chicagotribune...elios-20180723-story.html
- DK002

HAHA.....you know I bet he does. Play rec league with a few guys from Michigan and they mentioned he opened up 1 of those up there. That place was always decent before a game.

But I agree.....Chelios is the pomp/circus that McDonough will parade out. zzzzzzzzzzz

HAHA.....you know I bet he does. Play rec league with a few guys from Michigan and they mentioned he opened up 1 of those up there. That place was always decent before a game.

But I agree.....Chelios is the pomp/circus that McDonough will parade out. zzzzzzzzzzz
- SteveRain

Definitely saw this one coming. Hey look over here, never mind what’s going on over there!

I wonder what the over/under on the percentage of people booing Cheli is.

Definitely saw this one coming. Hey look over here, never mind what’s going on over there!
- walleyeb1

HA...exactly

I don't mind it as much. I think I've come around to accepting this slight downturn and would rather see younger guys play, see what you have, give them experience and hope in 2-3 years you can make 1 last run while some of your core is still young enough.

It's just hard for me to get overly excited watching a prospect dominate another one of our prospects in a camp when you truly don't know how good they all are. It's best to curb the "hype" until so.

I hope they contend, but I just can't see it with the current roster. Not unless so much goes right, they avoid injury, and other teams take a step back. I'd rather get a good pick in the draft, and seriously consider selling high on some guys who could help expedite the new wave of younger talent this team needs.

As many have said, it's time for this organization to pick a lane. The band aid approach doesn't work.....

Definitely saw this one coming. Hey look over here, never mind what’s going on over there!
- walleyeb1

Hey Rainman, Walleye...yup pay no attention to the man behind the curtain with cap space the great Oz (McD) has spoken. Unless Chelios is your replacement defenseman they still need help on the blue line...

I wonder what the over/under on the percentage of people booing Cheli is.
- 6628

I'd say 50/50

I didnt' boo him when they had his heritage night but many people around me did....However, not sure a lot of convention attendees will be booing as a lot of kids are there if memory serves correctly. I haven't been to one in 9 years.

Hey Rainman, Walleye...yup pay no attention to the main behind the curtain with cap space the great Oz (McD) has spoken. Unless Chelios is you're replacement defenseman they still need help on the blue line...
- DK002

HA...well played....

Very curious to see if this team has the stones to roll out Bowman and/or McDonough for a fan session where they can press him on somethings the puppet media doesnt'.

I think one of the reasons many are so hopeful about the prospects is the fact that the team as currently constructed is in such desperate need of holes to be filled to be a true contender again, any glimmer of hope that arises from these young players creates a tendency to wish things to be true sooner than they might be.

No question the crop of new players offers more hope than the past when good prospects were traded at the TDL for Cup runs, depleting the ranks, and not replacing them.

I am just happy that the emphasis is back on building the pipeline, and whatever happens happens. I just think I am being a bit more realistic with my personal expectations, and being willing to be more patient than some others are to anoint eighteen year old players not at the level of a McDavid or a Matthews as close to NHL ready. I mean what is the percentage of prospects drafted and signed that actually get an NHL career? One of four? One of six?

I just don't want to see a crap show on the UC ice for another year - unless they do it right and and tank all the way to draft high again next year. Another first round and out embarrassment is really nothing to get excited about.

I think one of the reasons many are so hopeful about the prospects is the fact that the team as currently constructed is in such desperate need of holes to be filled to be a true contender again, any glimmer of hope that arises from these young players creates a tendency to wish things to be true sooner than they might be.

No question the crop of new players offers more hope than the past when good prospects were traded at the TDL for Cup runs, depleting the ranks, and not replacing them.

I am just happy that the emphasis is back on building the pipeline, and whatever happens happens. I just think I am being a bit more realistic with my personal expectations, and being willing to be more patient than some others are to anoint eighteen year old players not at the level of a McDavid or a Matthews as close to NHL ready. I mean what is the percentage of prospects drafted and signed that actually get an NHL career? One of four? One of six?

I just don't want to see a crap show on the UC ice for another year - unless they do it right and and tank all the way to draft high again next year. Another first round and out embarrassment is really nothing to get excited about.
- Return of the Roar

Agreed....pick a lane and stick with it.

I think one of the reasons many are so hopeful about the prospects is the fact that the team as currently constructed is in such desperate need of holes to be filled to be a true contender again, any glimmer of hope that arises from these young players creates a tendency to wish things to be true sooner than they might be.

No question the crop of new players offers more hope than the past when good prospects were traded at the TDL for Cup runs, depleting the ranks, and not replacing them.

I am just happy that the emphasis is back on building the pipeline, and whatever happens happens. I just think I am being a bit more realistic with my personal expectations, and being willing to be more patient than some others are to anoint eighteen year old players not at the level of a McDavid or a Matthews as close to NHL ready. I mean what is the percentage of prospects drafted and signed that actually get an NHL career? One of four? One of six?

I just don't want to see a crap show on the UC ice for another year - unless they do it right and and tank all the way to draft high again next year. Another first round and out embarrassment is really nothing to get excited about.
- Return of the Roar

Not that I disagree with you, but I think most people are realizing not everyone is ready, but some players might be close.

Hillman is 22 and could be close to playing in the NHL. Doesn't mean he will be playing 25 minutes a night or anything, but he could get some games.

Jokiharju is only 19, but he seems to be on the right path to get a shot based on how he has played. If he is ready, it could be like Nick Leddy who got into 46 games with the Hawks at that age with limited minutes.

Some other guys like Ejdsell/ Sikura are 23 already and have played a decent amount of hockey, so they might be ready to play.

Hayden is 23 as well, got some NHL experience and up and down and might be ready to play more. Maybe some other guys never make it. I mean, we have similar guys like Fortin, Forsling, Louis, Raddysh, Snuggerud, Norell, Johnson, etc.... all similar age and some won't make the cut, but it wouldn't be unrealistic to expect a couple guys to have what it takes to contribute some NHL minutes. The proof will be in what these guys continue to show, but at least they have some guys who has shown well in prospect camp.

If I recall, wasn’t Chris Chelios working in the Detroit redwings front office under Ken Holland? , they just hired Stan Bowmans eventual replacement. At least Cheli will not turn his ass up When it comes to hard nosed ,good-sized players That played the game the way he did.. I for one am glad he is back in the organization. Under the garbage that we had to Endure back in the early 2000’s, I can’t blame him for going to a team with a winning culture . I know he had stated that he was not interested in any kind of assistant coach job. But it would be great if he would work with some of the D. Break them of the three stooges Joe “ not so hard, bit ch slap, stick check mentality “ At the coach and general manager have instilled.

Convention still not sold out.....no Seabrook or Saad in attendance.

Not that I disagree with you, but I think most people are realizing not everyone is ready, but some players might be close.

Hillman is 22 and could be close to playing in the NHL. Doesn't mean he will be playing 25 minutes a night or anything, but he could get some games.

Jokiharju is only 19, but he seems to be on the right path to get a shot based on how he has played. If he is ready, it could be like Nick Leddy who got into 46 games with the Hawks at that age with limited minutes.

Some other guys like Ejdsell/ Sikura are 23 already and have played a decent amount of hockey, so they might be ready to play.

Hayden is 23 as well, got some NHL experience and up and down and might be ready to play more. Maybe some other guys never make it. I mean, we have similar guys like Fortin, Forsling, Louis, Raddysh, Snuggerud, Norell, Johnson, etc.... all similar age and some won't make the cut, but it wouldn't be unrealistic to expect a couple guys to have what it takes to contribute some NHL minutes. The proof will be in what these guys continue to show, but at least they have some guys who has shown well in prospect camp.
- breadbag

Some Examples of guys Hawks brought in the NHL to varying degrees of success, but they played NHL minutes.

Keith - 2nd Round - Age 22
Seabrook - 1st Round - Age 20
Leddy - 1st Round - Age 19
Wisniewski - 5th Round - Age 21/22
Burish - 9th Round - Age 24
Kane - 1st Round - Age 19
Toews - 1st Round - Age 19
Byfluglien - 8th Round - Age 20-22 (He was up and down)
Brouwer - 7th Round - Age 23
Barker - 1st Round - Age 20
Bickell - 2nd Round - Age 24
Bolland - 2nd Round - Age 21
Hjalmarsson - 4th Round - Age 20-22
Kruger - 5th Round - Age 20-21
Shaw - 5th Round - Age 20
Saad - 2nd Round - Age 20
Teravinen - 1st Round - Age 20
Hartman - 1st Round - Age 22

The current prospect pool might not be as talented, but I think there could be some NHL players in the system who are in similar situations sitting around age 19-23 and could play minutes soon. The Hawks don't need to add a ton of superstar players, but if they could fill a couple more holes it will help.

Convention still not sold out.....no Seabrook or Saad in attendance.


- SteveRain

SAAD just got married, and Seabrook? On the couch eating five guys cheeseburger’s !
I am curious to find out exactly how many passes they sold ,That would be something if only 200 people were there for the opening ceremonies. They probably will be giving away some freebies to season-ticket holder’s just to get bodies To fill the room

SAAD just got married, and Seabrook? On the couch eating five guys cheeseburger’s !
I am curious to find out exactly how many passes they sold ,That would be something if only 200 people were there for the opening ceremonies. They probably will be giving away some freebies to season-ticket holder’s just to get bodies To fill the room
- wonthecup10

$95 for a 3 day pass.

Very curious to see the turnout. I also googled season ticket renewal rate and was unable to find any data. I know for certain it wasn't 100%......


Will be very curious to see how individual game tickets go, once they are on sale.

These are real tells for the organization....things that will hurt them financially and could lead to some changes.