Gust to pitt for1st and simon
- Scott1977

Pittsburgh does not have a very strong prospect pipeline. Their best prospect is Jordy Bellerive, who was signed as an undrafted free agent. They are too thin for the Hawks to deal with.

That's exactly what was being discussed numb nuts. The (frank)ing compliance buy outs were part of the new CBA. (frank) you're a moron
- GPHawksfan

GP, I gotta ask....are you and Z3Hawk related?

The rest of the quote says

"...without Tretiak though...."
- mrpaulish

LOL,

But in all seriousness, while the majority of folks here bash what we are not, the opponents have a clear respect for what this team is doing and what they are capable of.

And as I pointed out a month ago, do not think for a minute that the Cup pixie dust presence of Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook (Hopefully soon CC) does not weigh on the psyche of other teams.

Just need a win today. (Hopefully wild loss)

It dropped after the lockout mainly due to the change in the HRR split.
- Elbows15

Which is why that CBA included compliance buyouts.

Won’t happen again in the next CBA -players won’t accept a lower percentage of HRR so the cap won’t decrease.

Saw that. I was more saying they should be moving him and sell high. At his salary through next season, its not the worse thing if he ends staying, though.
- Elbows15

I’ve bashed Gustafsson pretty hard on these boards this season - all the while wearing my fictitious #56 jersey, but honestly, he’s a part of why the Hawks powerplay has emerged from the depths - and in turn, why this team even has a remote chance at a wildcard slot. While his defensive positioning and IQ flatline more often than we’d care for, his contract $/term is cap-friendly - so I would hope to see the Hawks hold on to him unless some team offers an overpay in return.

(I can’t believe I just wrote this...)

Dang WGN again, glad they’re dropping WGN next season.

And when did the salary cap ever drop? During the strike season? I believe it ws a shorter season and teams were pro rated to higher term than the actual cap. So you don't see any coincidence in the NHL not making money and the CBA being negotiated.
- BetweenTheDots

Cap was essentially $70M in 2012-13, and $64M the next season after the new CBA went into effect. Without compliance buyouts some teams would have had a very hard time getting down there.

Dang WGN again, glad they’re dropping WGN next season.
- walleyeb1

Good for you but bad for me as I have WGN in my cable plan. Wish it wasn't happening.

This includes the make Gus a forward derivative topic as well.
- TrueGrit

You better ask him how he feels sbout being a forward. You might expect he cherry picks .and avoids contact if.as a forward.
You wonder how often and how long he goes along with limited playing time..

That's exactly what was being discussed numb nuts. The (frank)ing compliance buy outs were part of the new CBA. (frank) you're a moron
- GPHawksfan

And you're certain the same thing won't happen again because you said so? I speak of the same thing, i know reading is a skill set I can see why we have difficulty, why is an opposing view such a threat to you? There are no guarantees in economics and you act like you exactly know what the economic state of the NHL is and will be.

LOL,

But in all seriousness, while the majority of folks here bash what we are not, the opponents have a clear respect for what this team is doing and what they are capable of.

And as I pointed out a month ago, do not think for a minute that the Cup pixie dust presence of Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook (Hopefully soon CC) does not weigh on the psyche of other teams.

Just need a win today. (Hopefully wild loss)
- TrueGrit

Cap was essentially $70M in 2012-13, and $64M the next season after the new CBA went into effect. Without compliance buyouts some teams would have had a very hard time getting down there.
- mohel

Actually it was 60 million with a prorated hit of 70

The year before it was 64
The year after it was 64

Technically the cap never went down

By buying , I simply mean adding. I have a hard time believing they stand pat at this point. Kind of like regarding the guys for getting this close after he made an unpopular coaching change.

Not saying they will get silly and sell a 1st rounder for a rental but I think they will add to give them the best chance to make the playoffs.

Kanes best year plus Crawford coming back plus getting DeBrincat , Strome and others some playoff experience probably viewed as really v valuable
- mrpaulish

You have a hard time believing they stand pat. I believe Bowman has nothing of value or interest. Because what that entails is surrendering the pieces he wants to keep..And is what he could get much bettet than players manning those jobs right now? Good enough to cause oddsmakers to say we are a legit playoff contender?

No trades of consequence ....that is how i see it. Crawfird healthy all year was the trumo card to play

I’ve bashed Gustafsson pretty hard on these boards this season - all the while wearing my fictitious #56 jersey, but honestly, he’s a part of why the Hawks powerplay has emerged from the depths - and in turn, why this team even has a remote chance at a wildcard slot. While his defensive positioning and IQ flatline more often than we’d care for, his contract $/term is cap-friendly - so I would hope to see the Hawks hold on to him unless some team offers an overpay in return.

(I can’t believe I just wrote this...)
- Chief4Feathers

I bet some folks come around to the same conclusion yet others are just hard headed and limited to understand or get it

Hawks 6-4, Kane with 3 points.

Hawks 6-4, Kane with 3 points.
- EnzoD

boom !!!

John Dietz
@johndietzdh

Dallas coach Jim Montgomery on the Blackhawks:

"Watching the tape of them there's four lines playing. It's almost like they're playing like the Russians of the '80s."
- pdx2ord

If the Hawks could go back in time and revive Boris Mikhailov as their 3C they would breeze into the playoffs. He was a no good Commie with various hygiene and odor issues but man could he play. Espo wanted to kill him.

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Kahun
Saad-Anisimov-Sikura
Kunitz-Kruger-Hayden

Keith-Seabrook
Koekkoek-Gustafsson
Forsling-Murphy

Ward
Delia

*Perlini and Dahlstrom are the scratches.

The best way to learn is from mistakes, and K and D are both young in regards to NHL games played. I was skeptical about K but he's not bad just raw. I understand expecting the best but it really is unrealistic with a young team.

It doesn't help that Seabrook is out as well, can't believe im saying that but after watching this team without him it's true.

1st goal on breakaway 5 hole, last goal on breakaway off the crossbar, off the leg and in? It's not the goalie it's the lapses in defense and turnovers.

So you criticize Q now JC?
- BetweenTheDots

I openly admit that I was critical of Q and thought it was time for a coaching change. One of my main concerns was the Hawks were playing a reckless defensive game. Q was allowing Samuelsson to run an offensive defensive system which had the D-Men out of position constantly. Whether you agreed with all of Q’s moves or not, one thing that you could depend upon with Q earlier, was that the Hawks would be tough to score against. If there was a bad defensive game it was a guarantee that the team would tighten up a lot with a shut-out or an one goal game. Samuelsson changed all of this.

That I wanted Q to leave did not mean I wanted that move at any cost or that I thought he could be replaced by just anyone. This was especially true for a team that had 5 players on it with numerous Cup wins and Gold Medals. Q’s replacement simply had to be someone with gravitas.

Colliton was the last person that should have been hired. Not only did he not have the gravitas to be a Head Coach in the NHL, he didn’t even have a resume to be named Rockford’s Head Coach. There was no other NHL or AHL team that had any interest in him. The fact that I believed it was time to replace Q does not prevent me from being critcal of his replacement when such replacement does not even have the resume to be an AHL Head Coach.

Colliton was placed on Bowman’s radar by one Swedish Scout - one. There was no huge buzz about a young genius Coach before he was just handed Rockford. Teams were not fighting to hire him. There was one Swedish guy. Colliton coached in the Tier 2 league of Sweden - Tier 2 - where by his own admission Colliton has said you worried about whether your team would even exist week to week. He did not coach in the top Swedish Elite league and not the KHL. Also he had very poor results in 3 of his 4 seasons in the Tier 2 league of Sweden. Consequently, when he was hired in Rockford he was not qualified. When he was hired in Chicago he was even less qualified. Kane has stated the players thought the same - there is no way this has changed.

The Hawks are a total mess under Colliton. The Hawks never have even one good defensive game. His D “system” seems to be to strive for having every D-Man out of position all the time. As a fan it is impossible to envision a game where the Hawks get a shut-out or give up just one goal or even 2 goals - or give up 18 shots or 20 shots or even 25 shots. Colliton’s D “system” gives up scores of shots against and chances against. It is actually ludicrous.

Also dislike his favouring of certain players that has nothing at all to do with performance. His recent treatment of Jokiharju has me really worried. Point to a player, who started the year paired with Keith, and say we are shipping you out as you have lost confidence, when your treatment of him is the very reason for that. Insane. Immature.

So yes I was entitled to criticize Q AND am entitled to criticize Colliton.

HAWKS win 4 to 2 today ..GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

15 MINUTES UNTIL PUCK DROP

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Kahun
Saad-Anisimov-Sikura
Kunitz-Kruger-Hayden

Keith-Seabrook
Koekkoek-Gustafsson
Forsling-Murphy

Ward
Delia

*Perlini and Dahlstrom are the scratches.
- mrpaulish

Perlini can't even outplay the corpse of Kunitz.

I’ve bashed Gustafsson pretty hard on these boards this season - all the while wearing my fictitious #56 jersey, but honestly, he’s a part of why the Hawks powerplay has emerged from the depths - and in turn, why this team even has a remote chance at a wildcard slot. While his defensive positioning and IQ flatline more often than we’d care for, his contract $/term is cap-friendly - so I would hope to see the Hawks hold on to him unless some team offers an overpay in return.

(I can’t believe I just wrote this...)
- Chief4Feathers

I know it is all the rave to comment on a players hockey IQ from the 2nd and 3rd balcony, but this is getting over the top.

If you want to question EG's defensive determination etc.. no argument there. But to question a players IQ, who clearly is on a higher offensive plane than any defensemen in Chicago going back a number of years actually proves the inverse.

Like Leddy, Gus not only creates many seamless passes out of his zone, but creates as many transition opportunities as the leagues elite. This all occurs because he intuitively sees and anticipates things most fans can not. Even while we are afforded the luxury of watching it from above. He does it real times, reacting instantaneous.

It is his hockey IQ, very high, that creates and maintains possession and scoring chances. The goal Strome scored was because Gus intentionally shot the puck wide, last game on pp.

His IQ is why the organization believes Gus can be as good/great as he wants. It is just a matter of commitment in his own zone. The work holds him back. Talent, which you can not teach, holds back most.

I know it is all the rave to comment on a players hockey IQ from the 2nd and 3rd balcony, but this is getting over the top.

If you want to question EG's defensive determination etc.. no argument there. But to question a players IQ, who clearly is on a higher offensive plane than any defensemen in Chicago going back a number of years actually proves the inverse.

Like Leddy, Gus not only creates many seamless passes out of his zone, but creates as many transition opportunities as the leagues elite. This all occurs because he intuitively sees and anticipates things most fans can not. Even while we are afforded the luxury of watching it from above. He does it real times, reacting instantaneous.

It is his hockey IQ, very high, that creates and maintains possession and scoring chances. The goal Strome scored was because Gus intentionally shot the puck wide, last game on pp.

His IQ is why the organization believes Gus can be as good/great as he wants. It is just a matter of commitment in his own zone. The work holds him back. Talent, which you can not teach, holds back most.
- TrueGrit

Why the return for him has to be very good. Why he sometimes should be limited to third pair but also why he sometimes is desirable playing on a top pair.

Why the return for him has to be very good. Why he sometimes should be limited to third pair but also why he sometimes is desirable playing on a top pair.
- jhawk59

For Gods sake he is not going anywhere.