Preds get Boyle for a second.
- SoftServe

Real smart pick up for them for the Playoff run. He's a guy I wanted the Hawks to get a few years back as our 3/4C and PK guy. He should help out the Preds with their push. Still think they need to add a Top 6 scoring forward to the roster if they really wanna take their team to the next level

Saw that!

I remember Versteeg used to be the locler room DJ... wonder who has the honours these days.
- Justin Lowe

Its been a nice run of late team buying Into JC system looking more like a team playing with confidence. Lets not kid ourselves this is NOT A PLAYOFF TEAM still too many holes. If it was me I would listen on everyone as far as trade talk. If a gm calls bowman and wants to give a 1st and good prospect for gust I would do it as good as he as been on the offensive side of the puck just as bad on defensive side has he improved slightly. Hawks need to be sellers for the future of the hawks going forward. Hawks still need a top 4 stable d man top 6 forward 2-3 physical forwards with speed and scoring ability 1-2 centers and figure the Crawford situation out. So my hope is that Bowman and company does not look at this recent success and start thinking they are a playoff team and become buyers. Need to look at the big picture going forward, build a team that can compete for another 10-12 years and possible cup winners. It starts with being sellers from today until the TDL.

Funny seeing all the Connor Murphy love with how much everyone either didn't like him from Day 1 of the trade or wanted to trade him as soon as he had surgery over the summer...this is why you can't judge a guy based on a small sample size. Did we not learn from all the Toews bashing? Lets cool the Saad bashing while we're at it and just let him do his thing...

Interesting win from the Hawks last night. Oilers are not a very good team, in that bubble range that the Hawks appear to be in now as well, but it was good to see the team go down after taking the lead and giving up two PP goals in a row only to fight back and score 4 goals in 3 minutes. Especially considering Hayden was the one to spark it and most of the goals were from our "secondary" scores (not Kane or Toews). While the team didn't look great at times, and the Oilers are who we know they are, they seem to continue to be playing better and better each week that they get more time together and a better understanding of JC's system and what he wants from each player.

Idk where I stand with this team right now. I like seeing them win and play well, but I absolutely do NOT want to see them get a Wild Card spot and end up getting railroaded by Winnipeg or Nashville in the 1st Rd. I don't wanna see them fight for it and end up being just short and end up in no man's land of the 8-15 range of the Draft and have to draft a project player that won't be able to help for a few years. It's a tough place for this team to be in right now.

At least 8 of the next 12 games look like winnable games for the team and crazy as it seems, that'd be enough to put them smack dab in the middle of the Playoff picture. I hope that Stan is smart, and doesn't make a stupid trade. If they just don't find any offers for the guys we think will be traded to be appealing to them then maybe that's the best that they just stand pat and build chemistry. Idk it's gonna be a weird next couple of weeks watching them play
- Savetheembers33

I'm in a different boat than you. I prefer that my team plays as well as they possibly can. If that means they are just shy of the playoffs or get bounced in Rd1, so be it.

I've never been one to put that much stock into getting the top of the draft. I'd much rather they just make better overall moves.

Jumped the Ducks yesterday. Can get within one point of the Canucks tonight. There is a possibility, they could be tied with other teams 1 point out of the playoffs if everything plays out in their favor today.
- biskit67

Play the Canucks Thursday night at the UC. Biggest game of the year? If they win, they jump another team, move closer to a playoff slot and maintain their momentum

I must admit I was pessimistic about this team earlier this season, but they have definitely gelled. I hope the secondary scoring continues to take some of the burden off Kanes and Toews.

The rest of the schedule for February: VAN, DET, @BOS, NJD, CBJ, OTT, @DET, COL, DAL, trading deadline, @ANA.

Many winnable games if the Hawks continue to play this way.

Real smart pick up for them for the Playoff run. He's a guy I wanted the Hawks to get a few years back as our 3/4C and PK guy. He should help out the Preds with their push. Still think they need to add a Top 6 scoring forward to the roster if they really wanna take their team to the next level
- Savetheembers33

Seems like another deal that has set a pretty high asking price.

88 is just dominant out there and a pleasure to watch. That stick lift goal was just awesome effort. I like when they mentioned he is a shark who smells blood in the water to get more points!

Its been a nice run of late team buying Into JC system looking more like a team playing with confidence. Lets not kid ourselves this is NOT A PLAYOFF TEAM still too many holes. If it was me I would listen on everyone as far as trade talk. If a gm calls bowman and wants to give a 1st and good prospect for gust I would do it as good as he as been on the offensive side of the puck just as bad on defensive side has he improved slightly. Hawks need to be sellers for the future of the hawks going forward. Hawks still need a top 4 stable d man top 6 forward 2-3 physical forwards with speed and scoring ability 1-2 centers and figure the Crawford situation out. So my hope is that Bowman and company does not look at this recent success and start thinking they are a playoff team and become buyers. Need to look at the big picture going forward, build a team that can compete for another 10-12 years and possible cup winners. It starts with being sellers from today until the TDL.
- Scott1977

Teams with plenty of holes in their roster make the playoffs. Montreal, Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Minnesota and Vancouver are currently in playoff positions. Check out their rosters.

The Hawks can add a stud dman or stud forward in FA if they move AA. If they do not move AA they can add either a stud forward or stud dman (but not both).

I'm in a different boat than you. I prefer that my team plays as well as they possibly can. If that means they are just shy of the playoffs or get bounced in Rd1, so be it.

I've never been one to put that much stock into getting the top of the draft. I'd much rather they just make better overall moves.
- Chunk

I totally get where you're coming from and I do agree with you to some degree. My concern with doing that however, is that you end up like Detroit did just trying to get to the Playoffs to do it and getting bounced early every year.

I don't put much stock into getting in the Playoffs just to do it either. Not saying that being at the top of the draft is the end all be all, but for this team right now, we need more top high end talent that can come in like next year and play a significant Top 9 role on this team to help with our teams depth which is why a high end pick this year would be extremely helpful. Our Defense needs to get better as well, which it seems as though it is, if we want to be a legit Playoff team again.

That's why I said it's a weird place to be in right now. I want to see this team succeed first and foremost. Long term. Not just one year of here or there or just get in the picture, but have a legit shot at being a Playoff team every year and have a chance to win series. We're not gonna get back to the ELITE level we had the past decade, but if we can get this team to that level of being a competitive Playoff team I would be extremely happy with that. This is all we all want. We all have our ideas of what we think would be the best way to get there, but none of us really know

Not sure if anyone saw this, but thought it was pretty cool to note:

Jason Lieser
@JasonLieser
Feisty visiting locker room at Rogers Place. Hawks have the music blaring. Heard a lot of clapping and yelling too.


Nice to see this team is definitely beginning to buy in and believe (and have fun).
- TommyHawk

Ha. Wonder if they plan to build one of those victory party club rooms at the UC like the Cubs and Bears have at Wrigley and Soldier Fields.

Ha. Wonder if they plan to build one of those victory party club rooms at the UC like the Cubs and Bears have at Wrigley and Soldier Fields.
- boilermaker100

Club dub lives!!!!!!!

Hawks need another elite talent at forward. The best chance of that is a top 5 draft pick.
They are not legitimate cup contenders, let's be realistic about what sets us up best long-term.

If I offered you a first round exit and a 16th overall pick or missing the playoffs and getting a 4th overall pick, which would you take?

Hawks need another elite talent at forward. The best chance of that is a top 5 draft pick.
They are not legitimate cup contenders, let's be realistic about what sets us up best long-term.

If I offered you a first round exit and a 16th overall pick or missing the playoffs and getting a 4th overall pick, which would you take?
- ObeseOprah

That's tough! I understand the importance of the future but watching the Hawks in the playoffs always gets me amped!

I totally get where you're coming from and I do agree with you to some degree. My concern with doing that however, is that you end up like Detroit did just trying to get to the Playoffs to do it and getting bounced early every year.

I don't put much stock into getting in the Playoffs just to do it either. Not saying that being at the top of the draft is the end all be all, but for this team right now, we need more top high end talent that can come in like next year and play a significant Top 9 role on this team to help with our teams depth which is why a high end pick this year would be extremely helpful. Our Defense needs to get better as well, which it seems as though it is, if we want to be a legit Playoff team again.

That's why I said it's a weird place to be in right now. I want to see this team succeed first and foremost. Long term. Not just one year of here or there or just get in the picture, but have a legit shot at being a Playoff team every year and have a chance to win series. We're not gonna get back to the ELITE level we had the past decade, but if we can get this team to that level of being a competitive Playoff team I would be extremely happy with that. This is all we all want. We all have our ideas of what we think would be the best way to get there, but none of us really know
- Savetheembers33

You can look at Detroit as the poster child for middle of the road playoff contender but not cup challenger mediocrity. But that was based on many questionable trades, draft picks, signings and Babcock moving on. You can look at other teams like Boston, Pittsburgh, LA that had cup winners/contenders, then a few mediocre years and then a rise back to cup contender status without a lot of high draft picks. You can also see teams like Toronto and Edmonton that had plenty of high draft picks and still had plenty of awful years.

Hawks need another elite talent at forward. The best chance of that is a top 5 draft pick.
They are not legitimate cup contenders, let's be realistic about what sets us up best long-term.

If I offered you a first round exit and a 16th overall pick or missing the playoffs and getting a 4th overall pick, which would you take?
- ObeseOprah

You can get a young elite forward through FA or trade. It does not have to be a top draft pick. Look at recent drafts and see how many top 10 picks have been underwhelming.

How beneficial was making the 2009 playoffs to the 2010 Hawks.

Hawks play CO 3 more times and StL one more time. Even if the Hawks do not make the playoffs they could have a say in who does make the playoffs. I would not mind knocking the Blows out of the playoffs by beating them in the UC on April 3rd.

Playoffs?! Don't talk about playoffs! Are you kidding me? Playoffs?! I'm just hoping we can win a game, another game! (Jim Mora - Indianapolis Colts)
- -Doh-

Exactly why the Hawks fell from #4 to #8 in the draft. False pride. They would have Tkachuk today were it not for their desire to stick to STL last year.

Water seeks its own level, and after the scrub swing is over they will come back down to earth.

In a cap controlled league there is no honor in overacheivement.

Interesting listening to NHL Radio this morning, they were talking about how many good young "second tier" RFA's there are this year (i.e. Kapanin), that if you offer $4 million a year, it "only" costs you a second round draft choice, and that they feel a lot of offer sheets are going to go to these players, especially on cap strapped teams that won't be able to match.

Q isnt here anymore. When will the crying or false narrative end that he "ruined young players"?

IT IS NOT A DEVELOPMENTAL LEAGUE. THEY DO NOT GET PARTICIPATION TROPHIES. SORRY YOU WERE WIRED TO BELIEVE THAT BUT COACHES ARE THERE TO WIN AND WIN ALONE. PLAYERS AT THAT LEVEL WANT TO WIN EVERY GAME NOT TANK.
- PatShart

They do in Nashville

Hawks need another elite talent at forward. The best chance of that is a top 5 draft pick.
They are not legitimate cup contenders, let's be realistic about what sets us up best long-term.

If I offered you a first round exit and a 16th overall pick or missing the playoffs and getting a 4th overall pick, which would you take?
- ObeseOprah

Elite in what sense? Defensively? Sniper? 200ft-type? Playmaker?

Which draft year? How long will it take said draftee to make it to the bigs? By the time that player is ready, who on the current team will have degraded to the point that they have t be replaced as well?

I get what you are saying, but I would much rather that they simply play as well and as hard as they possibly can and let the pieces fall where they may.

The players aren't going to tank for the team to draft someone to take their place. The coaches are not going to coach to lose. I guess you can make the case that the FO can trade guys, or demote players to try and affect the outcome, but that is a bit far fetched in my eyes.

Be smarter with your contracts. Trade/sign players that fit what you are trying to do and get everyone on the same page.

Teams with plenty of holes in their roster make the playoffs. Montreal, Boston, Columbus, Dallas, Minnesota and Vancouver are currently in playoff positions. Check out their rosters.

The Hawks can add a stud dman or stud forward in FA if they move AA. If they do not move AA they can add either a stud forward or stud dman (but not both).
- -Doh-

With the right trades and signings this could be a quick turnaround there are foundation pieces already in place just need to fill some holes and we will see what happens.

Exactly why the Hawks fell from #4 to #8 in the draft. False pride. They would have Tkachuk today were it not for their desire to stick to STL last year.

Water seeks its own level, and after the scrub swing is over they will come back down to earth.

In a cap controlled league there is no honor in overacheivement.
- Return of the Roar

Second this, the idiotic winning at the end of the year cost them a couple spots. We could've had Zadina.

Are we going to miss out on one of the five top forwards because we like sniffing the playoff bubble?

Exactly why the Hawks fell from #4 to #8 in the draft. False pride. They would have Tkachuk today were it not for their desire to stick to STL last year.

Water seeks its own level, and after the scrub swing is over they will come back down to earth.

In a cap controlled league there is no honor in overacheivement.
- Return of the Roar

So is your contention that they should have tanked the game? Not show up? Forfeit? Play the whole game without a goalie? Instead of Tkachuk, they have Boquist. Who is to say that Boquist will not be the better overall player?

You can get a young elite forward through FA or trade. It does not have to be a top draft pick. Look at recent drafts and see how many top 10 picks have been underwhelming.

How beneficial was making the 2009 playoffs to the 2010 Hawks.
- -Doh-

Name one young elite forward who has reached UFA? Oh wait, that's right nobody is a UFA until they're 27 or older because of RFA rules.

Mark Stone and Matt Duchene are both approaching the end of their prime. Are we going to overpay and overterm them instead of getting a top draft pick?

Panarin is genuinely elite, but he's going to command $10M+.

The next year has Taylor Hall, who will be 28. Besides him there's not much at UFA.

The next year has Landeskog and Gallagher, but no elite under 30 guys.

What team is going to trade the Hawks an elite forward? Winners are build through the draft. You can try to be the Rangers and buy your talent, but you won't win jack.

the fact that RFA compensation was set when the salary cap was nearly 15 mil less is intest IE My guess is guys like kapan don't sign a offer sheet. they just get traded to a team for a better return then the offer sheet. IE hawks give up a 2nd and forsling or sikura.

Murphy played well the back end of last year and made Seabrook look halfway decent at times. Had a nice summer. Then his back went oops.

Little to do with the Coach. Murphy, by the numbers, was more effective last season then Hammer was his past two with the Hawks.

This isn't anything new...

So is your contention that they should have tanked the game? Not show up? Forfeit? Play the whole game without a goalie? Instead of Tkachuk, they have Boquist. Who is to say that Boquist will not be the better overall player?
- Chunk

Boqvist has yet to play games against men. Jury very much out on him and all of the other D prospects.

They have no power forwards anywhere in their system to fill the real holes in the lineup. If you have 19/88, 12/17 and 20/91 across three lines (a pretty strong group to build around), and fill those spots with a little nasty.....then they have a group that can keep the puck in the zone and tilt the ice back to the opponents' zones most nights. That reverses the SOG situation and the pressure is relieved from the D.

Do that, make the fourth line out of the best of the Rockford guys, and somehow find at least one more D guy in the Hedman mold... now you are talking.

It is about time to market - to benefit from whatever 19/88 have left in the tank, they need to focus on prospects that can play NHL hockey today - not in two/three years.