I think this is why they were neither buyers nor sellers this TDL. They didn't want to weaken the roster more and reduced the chances of a playoff run with Kane and Toews and DeBrincat and Strome playing so well. Something important is happening with the team trying to make the playoffs. (I doubt they'll make it, but it'll be fun to watch.) And, they didn't want to trade any of the future for a short term rental because they can't add enough to go all the way. It makes sense.
- matt_ahrens

It makes sense also when you consider the players point of view. Even if Stan thinks his team only has a 10% chance to make the playoffs...what does it say to his guys if they are busting their balls trying to make it in and he sells off assets. It would have been a slap in the face to the guys who are playing well. They believe they can claw back into it and they don't want to crush that. Stan has been showing he isn't a chump lately and is executing on a plan.

Alright, everyone is all caught up in games played. Blackhawks are 5 points back with 4 teams to jump.

Additions: Crawford.

That doesnt seem like its going to get it done.

The Hawks will finish in 10th place and draft 8th , maybe ?

Meh
- mrpaulish

The Hawks are only 4 points from having the 4th worst record in the NHL. With 3 tough games now and a tough finish to our schedule I could see a better draft pick than the 8th pick.

Barry Trotz.
- Flying Puck

That would have been my pick, too. He got Ovechkin to buy in completely, something no other coach before him had done. And what he's done with this year's Isles, that furthers the case for him. How the Caps let him get away will be a case study, no doubt.

It makes sense also when you consider the players point of view. Even if Stan thinks his team only has a 10% chance to make the playoffs...what does it say to his guys if they are busting their balls trying to make it in and he sells off assets. It would have been a slap in the face to the guys who are playing well. They believe they can claw back into it and they don't want to crush that. Stan has been showing he isn't a chump lately and is executing on a plan.
- breadbag

exactly. it would have been the Blackhawks equivalent of a white flag trade.

exactly. it would have been the Blackhawks equivalent of a white flag trade.
- matt_ahrens

Don't kid yourself, for the right return, anyone on this roster sans Kane is a gonner.

The Hawks have 3 choices.

1. Trade anyone over 28, including Toews, Kane and Keith and get as much in return to begin a rebuild from the ground up. The only trades are for younger players and stay away from UFAs. If all goes well during the drafts a rebuild will take 2 or 3 years before the team is a playoff contender and another 2 or 3 years, again if all goes well, to be a cup contender. This way is how the Hawks were a dominant, if not the premier team in the NHL for a decade. The downside for the fans is we have to go through a very dry spell as the team is built.

2. Keep Toews, Kane and Keith, start adding proven guys by trading away all young assets and draft picks. The team will probably make the playoffs but it's unlikely they are anything more than a team capable of winning a round or two. The downside is the team is never a cup contender and when a rebuild is needed there are few assets requiring a longer rebuild.

3. (What is happening) Keep Toews, Kane and Keith, make strategic trades for younger players. Try to promote prospects to fill vacancies in the lineup, add a UFA or two and possibly make trades to bolster the lineup. The challenge in this case is while Kane and Toews are still productive and still legit top line forwards, there are no defensemen capable of playing as top pairing guys on a cup contender. Also other than Keith, no defenseman is capable of playing on anything but the third pairing. This option is unlikey to do anything other than make the Hawk playoff contenders and delay the inevitible rebuild with the young assets and draft picks intact.

I still think if the team wants to be a cup contender more quickly, a ground up rebuild is the best way to go. By the time the Mitchells, Boqvists, Jokis, etc are ready to contribute and provide the team with 1st and 2nd pairing defenders, assuming any of them prove to be NHL ready the current core will no longer be elite players. No matter what the Hawks do I can't see Toews or Kane lifting another cup while they're wearing the Indianhead. And while I as a Hawk fan am forever grateful for what all of these guys have done, I want to see the Hawks be contenders again before being loyal to any individual player.
- paulr

I do think that is the goal; to win another Cup with those to on the team, if not leading the way.

As you describe, there is a major talent gap between them (and maybe DeBrincat) and the rest of the organization. Sure, there are some guys I could see being on a Cup winning team, but they need better players, especially at the blue line, and before the prospects will be ready.

Stan needs to get creative. As was mentioned earlier, trades with teams up against the cap is one route. Another that isn't used much in the NHL is signing RFAs. I think they need to look at this as a possibility, there are some decent RFAs this summer. They'd probably come cheaper than UFAs.

I do think that is the goal; to win another Cup with those to on the team, if not leading the way.

As you describe, there is a major talent gap between them (and maybe DeBrincat) and the rest of the organization. Sure, there are some guys I could see being on a Cup winning team, but they need better players, especially at the blue line, and before the prospects will be ready.

Stan needs to get creative. As was mentioned earlier, trades with teams up against the cap is one route. Another that isn't used much in the NHL is signing RFAs. I think they need to look at this as a possibility, there are some decent RFAs this summer. They'd probably come cheaper than UFAs.
- matt_ahrens

Only way to sign RFA is through an offer sheet. Which rarely happens. Or trade for their rights. The notion of being cheaper than UFA is nebulous at best. The offer would have to be high enough to prevent the RFA current team from matching.

The Hawks are only 4 points from having the 4th worst record in the NHL. With 3 tough games now and a tough finish to our schedule I could see a better draft pick than the 8th pick.
- -Doh-

Like I said many times previously they are way closer to the bottom and they should sell anything they could.
STARTED to hear whispers that they didn't move AA because that would be "considered a concession" . If thats true thats (frank)ed up. The idea should have been to sell off everything they could and get the best 1st round pick possible. We'll see, hopefully they get lucky in the lottery and land a top 2 pick.

The Hawks have nine players with no movement or no-trade clauses. Four of them are gone after the season. This leaves Kane, Toews, Crawford (10 team trade list, one year left), Keith and Seabrook. Each of those guys won at least two Cups.

That's really handing 'em out like candy, eh?

And I'm the ignorant one, eh?
- mohel

No that is very much handing them out like candy. Especially when 4 of them are 8 or more years and Crow's 6.

[quote=scottak]Neutral on Stan. Some great trades this year. Some not so good previously. They’ve been well documented on the blog by others. He’s also the guy that signed Seabrook to his current contract, when almost all here said was too long/expensive. He’s also the guy that hands out NMCs like candy on Halloween.

JC is not a qualified NHL coach. 4 years with Tier 2 Mora and 1 in Rockford don’t cut itquote

I have to imagine that JC got the job because every time he did something, tinkered with something, and when asked had a reason why and probably in some cases management were/ are very impressed. Its not like he's walking into an organization that doesn't know hockey?

Experience is important but insight is the most important to coaching. To be able to see things and how they work in relationship to each other. Say whatever you like but since the all star break this team is playing better. Will it continue? Time will tell. But to say in an absolute manner he's not head coaching material is i don't have a pleasant word to put here.

Not really upset that Bowman didn't do anything yesterday. It didn't look like there was much out there. AA won't be moved until after his bonus in the summer.

The forward group - Stan made a couple of nice upgrades particularly with Strome. Whether the Hawks have enough offensive depth remains to be seen. I'm glad the kept Saad - he's at 21g now I believe and if anyone saw him layout on the backcheck on Sunday during the Stars game on that 2 on 1 nuf said.

Goalie - CC back for how long? We'll see. I could see them bringing Ward back next season after what we've seen happen to Corey this year. But I expect Crawford to finish out his deal...

the biggest concern remains the defense - which continues to be a fire drill. As several have pointed out UFAs? Not a lot to be excited about out there...and then you have the dreaded Seabrook deal which everyone continues to think will easily be taken off the books...no one is taking that deal. So do you wait for the kids to develop and get seasoning another 2 years out or so...or do you make some trades and try to upgrade this summer? But they can't bring the same defense back again like they did this season.

Should be interesting to see how it shakes out.

No that is very much handing them out like candy. Especially when 4 of them are 8 or more years and Crow's 6.
- tyweb69

agree. that's too much candy last few years. hands tied behind back

The Hawks are only 4 points from having the 4th worst record in the NHL. With 3 tough games now and a tough finish to our schedule I could see a better draft pick than the 8th pick.
- -Doh-

Well if they want the last playoff spot they are going to have to rattle off another 6-7 game winning streak

Wait. Wouldn't keeping all the sucky players help their chances of finishing at the bottom?

[quote=scottak]Neutral on Stan. Some great trades this year. Some not so good previously. They’ve been well documented on the blog by others. He’s also the guy that signed Seabrook to his current contract, when almost all here said was too long/expensive. He’s also the guy that hands out NMCs like candy on Halloween.

JC is not a qualified NHL coach. 4 years with Tier 2 Mora and 1 in Rockford don’t cut itquote

I have to imagine that JC got the job because every time he did something, tinkered with something, and when asked had a reason why and probably in some cases management were/ are very impressed. Its not like he's walking into an organization that doesn't know hockey?

Experience is important but insight is the most important to coaching. To be able to see things and how they work in relationship to each other. Say whatever you like but since the all star break this team is playing better. Will it continue? Time will tell. But to say in an absolute manner he's not head coaching material is i don't have a pleasant word to put here.
- BetweenTheDots

One obvious improvement under JC is the power play. He had the wherewithal to remove Keith from the first unit and put Gus there, and he went to the 1-3-1 formation. And it took a long enough time, but he did get players to buy into his way. Whether or not he is the guy that is going to get this train to the ultimate station in hockey remains to be seen, though.

No that is very much handing them out like candy. Especially when 4 of them are 8 or more years and Crow's 6.
- tyweb69

Really? How do the Hawks compare to other teams? Other than Seabrook, which of those guys wouldn't have received one were you the gm? Would you have paid any of them more money to not have a clause? Which of those players would you have let walk over issue?

If the answer includes "They wouldn't have asked for more money, or wouldn't have walked", please provide support for this belief.

No one did anything outside of grabbing who were seen as being out there door anyway. I feel like most of them were had on the cheap as well.

I still think they need a top tier defender and should overpay for said player.

Unless Crow is lights out i don't think they can make up those 5 points.

The NHL is a few good teams and a bunch of crap though so who knows. Id agree with the statement made the other day where if they come back with the same group of defenders they are going to have a bad time.

No that is very much handing them out like candy. Especially when 4 of them are 8 or more years and Crow's 6.
- tyweb69

I looked at several teams NMC / NTC contracts about a year ago - when the Hawks had 7 (IIRC) - to see if the Hawks really were handing them out like candy.

At the time - looking at Western Conference competitors - when the Hawks had 7, other teams had between 5 and 7.

And none of those teams had won a Cup.

Yeah - Hawks - after winning 3 Cups - were at the high end - but not by much.

Really? How do the Hawks compare to other teams? Other than Seabrook, which of those guys wouldn't have received one were you the gm? Would you have paid any of them more money to not have a clause? Which of those players would you have let walk over issue?

If the answer includes "They wouldn't have asked for more money, or wouldn't have walked", please provide support for this belief.
- mohel

Anisimov, Kunitz, Kruger & Ward

No one did anything outside of grabbing who were seen as being out there door anyway. I feel like most of them were had on the cheap as well.

I still think they need a top tier defender and should overpay for said player.

Unless Crow is lights out i don't think they can make up those 5 points.

The NHL is a few good teams and a bunch of crap though so who knows. Id agree with the statement made the other day where if they come back with the same group of defenders they are going to have a bad time.
- fattybeef

I don't think that is the plan. tho. Not to excuse the D-men but half of them have less than 150 games of NHL experience. Even Gustafsson only has 136.

Is it possible that Dahlstrom, Special K and Forsling can improve to prove capable of becoming one of the defenders they need?

If they can't get the forwards to be better defensively, I am not sure how much the defense improves even with changing/adding d-men

I do think that is the goal; to win another Cup with those to on the team, if not leading the way.

As you describe, there is a major talent gap between them (and maybe DeBrincat) and the rest of the organization. Sure, there are some guys I could see being on a Cup winning team, but they need better players, especially at the blue line, and before the prospects will be ready.

Stan needs to get creative. As was mentioned earlier, trades with teams up against the cap is one route. Another that isn't used much in the NHL is signing RFAs. I think they need to look at this as a possibility, there are some decent RFAs this summer. They'd probably come cheaper than UFAs.
- matt_ahrens

There are actually some posters who are more concerned with Kane or Toew's personal stats than if the team is a winner or not.

Like I said many times previously they are way closer to the bottom and they should sell anything they could.
STARTED to hear whispers that they didn't move AA because that would be "considered a concession" . If thats true thats (frank)ed up. The idea should have been to sell off everything they could and get the best 1st round pick possible. We'll see, hopefully they get lucky in the lottery and land a top 2 pick.
- mrpaulish

So who on this team is worth a first round pick? We couldn't trade Toews, Kane, Crawford, Kunitz, Keith, Seabrook and a few others with No Movement Clauses.
Should we have traded DeBrincat, Strome, Beaudin, Boqvist, Mitchell, Kurashev, Entwhistle, Hagel for a couple of first round picks? That would have set us back more time. The teams with all the "good" first round picks weren't looking to bring in talent, they were looking to get rid of talent to get get more picks of their own. The only playoff team with a high pick is Colorado and they got the worst team's pick. They have an opportunity to go to the playoffs this year and get Jack Hughes in the draft.

Anisimov, Kunitz, Kruger & Ward
- scottak

TBF, Kruger's didn't really hinder him being moved. His play did. He has been traded multiple times even with his NTC. Also was sent to the AHL a couple of times.

One obvious improvement under JC is the power play. He had the wherewithal to remove Keith from the first unit and put Gus there, and he went to the 1-3-1 formation. And it took a long enough time, but he did get players to buy into his way. Whether or not he is the guy that is going to get this train to the ultimate station in hockey remains to be seen, though.
- 333inthe3rd

The four things that make this powerplay better are, Keith was removed, Gus is the quarterback and he has a decent shot with a quick release from the point, Strome's netfront presense has allowed Toews to play out high in the slot and I think the biggest factor of all is ADB in the sniper role. And JC deserves the credit for putting the right players on the powerplay.

Only way to sign RFA is through an offer sheet. Which rarely happens. Or trade for their rights. The notion of being cheaper than UFA is nebulous at best. The offer would have to be high enough to prevent the RFA current team from matching.
- Elbows15

"cheaper" in the sense that RFAs aren't as far along in their careers and generally don't get as high of salary as UFAs. It's riskier because you're paying for upside. Yeah, it'd have to be strategic based on the other teams salary cap picture. But I don't think it should be dismissed because this team needs help.