To tank I guess we should void the Schmautz, Manning and Rutta trades cause the return made us a better hockey team.

I am Mexico Hawk.
- Beaver-Warrior

I am Mexico Hawk.

You just depressed me Tyler, damm those were very home team friendly contracts their core signed. I'm an optimist, but we are screwed for four or five years.

Play your best.
Make hockey trades that make sense for the future (the next two seasons).
If you make the playoffs fine. If you miss the playoffs fine.
Once you know you are going to be out of the playoffs either send kids down to play in the playoffs for Rockford, or bring kids up to give them a taste of the NHL and see how they stack up.
- -Doh-

Yes, generally, I agree with this approach. Win or lose with who you have now while tinkering around the edges in season waiting for the off season to make more significant transactions.

The team is gelling, having fun, and fighting for each other. My guess is they want to win with and for each other, not for a few NHLers (i.e. trade and free agency targets) currently on other teams so for all we know they're not itching for management for monumental trades to amp up the team for a playoff berth.

And agree that the fate of the Hawks will determine how they manage their assets on the Hogs. Also depends on whether the Hogs are in a playoff push themselves.

Anyone catch the US-Canada women's game last night? I dont know if it was because I have watched only NHL Hockey from the start of the season, but man was it sluggish....

I am Mexico Hawk.
- StLBravesFan

I am Mexico Hawk.

Wait wait wait....Minnesota. I am Minnesota Hawk. Not Mexico.

I am Mexico Hawk.

Wait wait wait....Minnesota. I am Minnesota Hawk. Not Mexico.
- MNHawk

Ha ha I am LAHawk!!!!

I am Mexico Hawk.

Wait wait wait....Minnesota. I am Minnesota Hawk. Not Mexico.
- MNHawk

I am RaleighHawk--I think...

I am Mexico Hawk.
- StLBravesFan

How about StL Hawk?

You just depressed me Tyler, damm those were very home team friendly contracts their core signed. I'm an optimist, but we are screwed for four or five years.
- holyJumpin_NL

. Meaning the Bruins

Individual players aside, the data prove conclusively that the higher you draft, the more likely those players are NHL ready, or at least the less time it takes to get them there.

Understand that if they were in the bottom four teams last year they had a lottery shot at anyone 1-4. Any of those guys last year, and likely most years, will have a shorter learning curve.

In fact, Boqvist's trajectory actually proves that out. He SHOULD have at least another year in juniors or a year in Rockford before they try to elevate him. That means its year three before he sees NHL ice.

Whereas ALL FOUR of the top four picks last year are playing full time in the NHL and producing.
- Return of the Roar

You've called it foolish pride in the past, but players are not going to intentionally play like crap, so how would you tank? As someone already posted, we have virtually no bottom 6, 1.5 top 4 D, a rookie and a has been in net, etc. What else would you do to improve our draft odds?

Q: Are You Sure You Want the Blackhawks to Make the Playoffs?

A: Yes, always. As a fan, I always want to Blackhawks to be a playoff team. The alternative is a bottom dwelling team, the sky is falling, etc. The message board are made that much more unbearable when the team is crap, you are stuck watching loss after loss. The past run of 7 wins was fun, competitive hockey. So of course, I want to see the Hawks make the playoffs, even if a first round sweep is the outcome. That, I think, is the nature of being a fan.

Now, if you want to talk about the direction of the "rebuild," then that brings up another discussion. As of right now, the Hawks won't be drafting in the top 3, or even top 5. Regardless of how bad we all may think they are, they are not a bottom 5 team. They are more likely a bottom 8-12 team. Right in the middle of last place and last in. Agreed, that drafting in the top 10 is better than drafting in the mid teens. But if we are hoping to move up only a few spots, whats the point? I don't think anyone there is going to change the face of the franchise in the next 2-3 years. I think showing some competitiveness the last half of the season could be enticing to some FA's out there, could open the door to potentially make some meaningful trades. There is not a set way in rebuilding a team, it can come from different avenues.

Getting to the playoffs could be a huge stepping stone for this team. Vets with experience looking to taste success again, young guys who you want to build around getting a shot. Carry that over to the next season could be more impactful for a team than a #8-10 pick.

Long post, but I'm a fan, not management. I have no control over what is done on the ice. The thought of players tanking is the dumbest concept I've ever heard. A flash of 7 wins and then a bad loss... enjoy the roller coaster. Root for the team to win and succeed, and don't be locked into thinking success is achieved only one way.
- HawksHype

Overall, great perspective. Agree with pretty much all of it.

On the first bolded part, a competitive team that is having fun and that believes in each other whether they win or lose can definitely contribute to attracting free agents this summer and beyond. It's one thing to get the sales pitch from the GM and brass but it's another to get it from their peers.

Like what you said about there is more than one way to build a contender. The draft is one way and that counts all picks and all rounds. Other ways are free agency, trades, PTOs, and your own farm system. Putting all eggs in the #1 draft pick isn't wise. A good franchise will have one plan centered on the scenario that they have a top 3-5 pick and multiple other plans based on a variety of scenarios that could also play out. Gotta let the chips fall first to see which plan to enact.

On the second bolded part, win or lose, a competitive playoff push and performance in the actual playoffs (if they qualify) can go a long way for the youngsters to get that taste and make them hungry moving forward. It's also a plus to have veterans as mentors, and of course leaders, who have won multiple cups and that includes Ward and Kunitz.

Kampf to IR

Kampf to IR
- Savetheembers33

Poop! I know some have been hard on him but I like what he brings in our bottom six!

Poop! I know some have been hard on him but I like what he brings in our bottom six!
- nickmo2699

I think just paperwork. Opens up a roster spot. Maybe they think CC will be cleared soon?

I am Mexico Hawk.

Wait wait wait....Minnesota. I am Minnesota Hawk. Not Mexico.
- MNHawk

And I, Obese Oprah, am Black Hawk

How about StL Hawk?
- boilermaker100

They moved to Atlanta YEARS ago.

And I, Obese Oprah, am Black Hawk
- ObeseOprah

and I am Michigan Hawk

and I am Michigan Hawk
- jt19

I am Toronto Hawk

Well, i had to get back before the wall went up.

Not to blast Colliton - as you say, only 30 games in the Show, only one previous season coaching pros in North America - maybe he'll make it, maybe he won't....

But if the defensemen on the squad are as limited as you say - and the forwards don't provide much defensive help - why is he using a defensive system (man to man) that I would think requires some pretty good skills and hockey sense from all five skaters on the ice?
- StLBravesFan

That is, exactly, my point. If he came in and put in a defensive system that hid some of the D weakness, I’d be impressed, but his system doesn’t fit these players. And running 2 soft chicken sh*t defenseman out on the same pair is just plain stupid.

I am defrosted Hawk here in Florida

Should we fire him now and hire Coach Q???
- BlackhawkMike

I’d be happy with an NHL assistant.

How about StL Hawk?
- boilermaker100

...or Maryland (Glenview transplant) Hawk?

That is, exactly, my point. If he came in and put in a defensive system that hid some of the D weakness, I’d be impressed, but his system doesn’t fit these players. And running 2 soft chicken sh*t defenseman out on the same pair is just plain stupid.
- scottak

So the old system didn't fit these players and the new systems doesn't fit these players... at what point do you admit that the players are the issue and maybe no system is going to fit all these players?

Keith and Joki were really good to start the year. Then they tailed off and ultimately were not paired anymore. Murphy was rough last year under Q (granted we don't know how long he was injured), but he is doing very well under JC. Seabrook is what he is. Gus has always been brutal in his own zone (but now he is scoring) and the rest are basically rookies.

What is your solution?