On verge of missing playoffs again and haven't been beyond 1st round
since 2015.
- philco28

Very true. You can take any GM and criticize many little things, he missed on Rundblad true, he's made some bad trades true.

He's also made some great 1st round draft picks since 2010 he's drafted players who have contributed to the NHL. No 1st round pick in 2015 or 16 because he was going for the SC. In fact he's been going for a SC from 2009- 2017.

Part of the flaw in your criticism is the 1st and 2nd round picks that they had available were used mostly to continually fill the bottom 6 forwards through the Cup years

The Strome/Perlini trade may be the steal of the decade, i know it's early but...

Unfortunately Q was let go, mercy firing, bring in a young coach with a slightly different approach to the game or what he has to work with or both and like it or not they are playing better hockey based on wins and losses.

Last 2 drafts while everyone is drafting forwards the Hawks draft a bunch of dmen and Henri already looks like he belongs just needs more seasoning.

So finally after all these years Bowman has flexibility in the salary cap, has 10 years experience on the job and i imagine he's learned some valuable lessons along the way, and your so quick to get rid of him because he hasn't drafted one top 4 defenseman. Im glad Rocky has more patience than some Blackhawk fans.

I saw this as a 3-4 year project and i think he's doing a great job so far

With the great year Cat is having his next contract is going to be higher than projected at the beginning of the season. We can only speculate what AAV it will take to re-sign him - but are we getting to the point where Stan considers trading Cat before he has to tie up a big chunk of the cap to get Cat re-signed? I hope not.

His....
- Beaver-Warrior

Hers, actually.

With the great year Cat is having his next contract is going to be higher than projected at the beginning of the season. We can only speculate what AAV it will take to re-sign him - but are we getting to the point where Stan considers trading Cat before he has to tie up a big chunk of the cap to get Cat re-signed? I hope not.
- EbonyRaptor

If the Hawks want to acquire a legit, young top-4 defensemen then they’ll have to give up a quality forward. It could be DeBrincat. Anisimov, Kahun or Caggiula won’t get that type of return.

If the Hawks want to acquire a legit, young top-4 defensemen then they’ll have to give up a quality forward. It could be DeBrincat. Anisimov, Kahun or Caggiula won’t get that type of return.
- DarthKane

hawks are giving up a legit 22 year old 35-40 goal guy for a top 4 dman...as much as they need that...thats a nutzo price to pay...

hawks are giving up a legit 22 year old 35-40 goal guy for a top 4 dman...as much as they need that...thats a nutzo price to pay...
- bogiedoc

I agree with you, and Darth. Price will be huge, and I'd hesitate to pay it.

If the Hawks want to acquire a legit, young top-4 defensemen then they’ll have to give up a quality forward. It could be DeBrincat. Anisimov, Kahun or Caggiula won’t get that type of return.
- DarthKane

Ouch!

hawks are giving up a legit 22 year old 35-40 goal guy for a top 4 dman...as much as they need that...thats a nutzo price to pay...
- bogiedoc

I’m not saying I’d pay that price either. But if the Hawks trade for guy like Trouba it’s going to cost the team, there’s no way around that. Gus and a draft pick won’t get Trouba.

I’m not saying I’d pay that price either. But if the Hawks trade for guy like Trouba it’s going to cost the team, there’s no way around that. Gus and a draft pick won’t get Trouba.
- DarthKane

How about Saad and a pick?

If the Hawks want to acquire a legit, young top-4 defensemen then they’ll have to give up a quality forward. It could be DeBrincat. Anisimov, Kahun or Caggiula won’t get that type of return.
- DarthKane

No way on DeBrincat for just a top 4 dman. Part of a deal for a clear #1 or #2 , but if they traded him for a guy that isn't top pair then it's a bad deal.

How about Saad and a pick?
- mohel

I’m a big Saad fan but I’d have to say no, Saad’s stock isn’t that high right now.

With the great year Cat is having his next contract is going to be higher than projected at the beginning of the season. We can only speculate what AAV it will take to re-sign him - but are we getting to the point where Stan considers trading Cat before he has to tie up a big chunk of the cap to get Cat re-signed? I hope not.
- EbonyRaptor

Pasternak, Willy Nylander and.... Patrick Laine will be comps for DeBrincat's next deal.

I’m a big Saad fan but I’d have to say no, Saad’s stock isn’t that high right now.
- DarthKane

Patience is the best way to go. Since we won't be a cup contender for at least one more year why trade a valuable asset away for an asset. Makes no sense to me

If the Hawks want to acquire a legit, young top-4 defensemen then they’ll have to give up a quality forward. It could be DeBrincat. Anisimov, Kahun or Caggiula won’t get that type of return.
- DarthKane

It would take a package I qould think depending on the Dman.

Saad, Anisimov, Kahun - I coild see at forward
Gustafsson, Murphy - of significance on the backend

... then the most appeing piece would be one of the Hawks top defensive prospects in Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell or maybe Jokiharju.

Plus the chemistry Cat and Strome have that would be a very bad move for this org. If you trade anyone it would be Strome because i know Cat will still score goals without Strome.

Patience is the best way to go. Since we won't be a cup contender for at least one more year why trade a valuable asset away for an asset. Makes no sense to me
- BetweenTheDots

If that return is someone like Trouba... it would make sense to me to give up an asset or 2.

I think Joki is still considered an offensive d-man and has shown that since he went down to Rockford where he has 12 points in 15 games, which I believe is the most points scored by any Icehogs over that 15 game stretch. I think his primary focus was on the defensive side of the puck coming out of training camp with the Hawks and that is where his bread will be buttered in the NHL - a good defensive d-man with some offensive upside.
- EbonyRaptor

He said that very thing himself.

Pasternak, Willy Nylander and.... Patrick Laine will be comps for DeBrincat's next deal.
- Justin Lowe

Yup and then Storme if he keeps playing the way he has. This is why there will be no big FA signing this year despite the cap space available. I see maybe a middle of the road vetern D signing if can get on short term contract plus maybe a bottom six forward

Very true. You can take any GM and criticize many little things, he missed on Rundblad true, he's made some bad trades true.

He's also made some great 1st round draft picks since 2010 he's drafted players who have contributed to the NHL. No 1st round pick in 2015 or 16 because he was going for the SC. In fact he's been going for a SC from 2009- 2017.

Part of the flaw in your criticism is the 1st and 2nd round picks that they had available were used mostly to continually fill the bottom 6 forwards through the Cup years

The Strome/Perlini trade may be the steal of the decade, i know it's early but...

Unfortunately Q was let go, mercy firing, bring in a young coach with a slightly different approach to the game or what he has to work with or both and like it or not they are playing better hockey based on wins and losses.

Last 2 drafts while everyone is drafting forwards the Hawks draft a bunch of dmen and Henri already looks like he belongs just needs more seasoning.

So finally after all these years Bowman has flexibility in the salary cap, has 10 years experience on the job and i imagine he's learned some valuable lessons along the way, and your so quick to get rid of him because he hasn't drafted one top 4 defenseman. Im glad Rocky has more patience than some Blackhawk fans.

I saw this as a 3-4 year project and i think he's doing a great job so far
- BetweenTheDots

Good points especially on having years where the picks were late in rounds and drafting players that have made an impact in the NHL.

Fact remains Stanbean$ phucked this whole season up and wasted another year of Toews/Kane's prime by firing the 2nd winningest coach of all-time a handful of games into the season. Could have done it last off season if Q was such a burden to progress.

And here we are 4 years removed from the last Cup and likely to miss playoffs again. Our GM should be held accountable for his actions in the last several years.
Gets no pass from me because he's good with a calculator.

If this team performs poorly next season and hopefully they won't, but if they do, the hourglass on his tenure may sift dry.

Yup and then Storme if he keeps playing the way he has. This is why there will be no big FA signing this year despite the cap space available. I see maybe a middle of the road vetern D signing if can get on short term contract plus maybe a bottom six forward
- HamiltonHawk

I see Strome on a bridge deal first. But that's just me.

I see Strome on a bridge deal first. But that's just me.
- Justin Lowe

Would like to see Perlini get re-signed.

How long did it take Hammer to make the NHL from when he was drafted?
- paulr

Let’s see, he was drafted in 2005 and made the big club the 2009/10 season.

Good points especially on having years where the picks were late in rounds and drafting players that have made an impact in the NHL.

Fact remains Stanbean$ phucked this whole season up and wasted another year of Toews/Kane's prime by firing the 2nd winningest coach of all-time a handful of games into the season. Could have done it last off season if Q was such a burden to progress.

And here we are 4 years removed from the last Cup and likely to miss playoffs again. Our GM should be held accountable for his actions in the last several years.
Gets no pass from me because he's good with a calculator.

If this team performs poorly next season and hopefully they won't, but if they do, the hourglass on his tenure may sift dry.
- philco28

I don't disagree, as soon as Q was let go Bowman is under the microscope. What i admire about this org is they are methodical in what they do and they are doing it in the right order.

I give Bowman a pass on 2016 and 17 because he thought he was a piece or 2 away from the SC and because he gave up the 1st round picks it set the franchise back 2 years.

So my clock started on Bowman in 2018, because trading picks away and contending for a cup is different than drafting, nurturing and filling a ton of holes on the roster.

If he didn't sign Panarin we wouldn't of wasted those 2 years, but at the same time he's a great offensive machine against bad teams and it was a great get.

If that return is someone like Trouba... it would make sense to me to give up an asset or 2.
- Justin Lowe

We're not getting Trouba he will cost to much in salary and assets. I'll be shocked if we get a player of his age and quality on the back end.

I see Strome on a bridge deal first. But that's just me.
- Justin Lowe

If his contract is up next year and he still putting up a point a game it might be difficult getting him to sign bridge deal. Seems the trend is for the good young players to go right to longer term contracts . The contracts lasting right to free agency.