I'm not sure why so many discount the 100 point pace for half a season after all the changes in the first half. If they can build a shutdown line and add a 2nd pairing guy, I think they can be pretty good next season. Assuming health, of course.
- mohel

Exactly. Those are the top priorities, IMO.

That and making sure to manage the cap well for the short and long term, especially with the pending extensions for DeBrincat and Strome.

This summer’s RFAs won’t break the bank. Very modest increases for each who do get resigned.

Any upgrades to the top 9 should be explored but as lower priority compared to the above.

If they revert to the mean with the PK next year, that is worth 5 wins.

Not sure what so many believe separates them and Winnepeg, nashville and St. Louis?

I mean seriously. Both Win and Nas under performed. Will barely reach 100 points.
- TrueGrit

Haven't been impressed with WPG and NSH the 2nd half of the season. I think STL and COL will be the leaders of the pack in the Central next year.

Also have to wonder if 12, 19, 88 will have repeat year scoring wise next year. Even if they improve the PK next year and give up less goals what's to say the offensive output will be the same. Not trying to be a pessimist but you can't assume anything.

Haven't been impressed with WPG and NSH the 2nd half of the season. I think STL and COL will be the leaders of the pack in the Central next year.

Also have to wonder if 12, 19, 88 will have repeat year scoring wise next year. Even if they improve the PK next year and give up less goals what's to say the offensive output will be the same. Not trying to be a pessimist but you can't assume anything.
- boilermaker100

Just an early guess but think DeBrincat will progress another step. Teasing the 50 goal mark but won’t break it until 2020-21.

Kane and Toews may regress but not majorly with Kane in the 90s and Toews in the 70s.

This is getting complicated. So separated and never divorced?
- boilermaker100

Getting divorced when I met her.

Just an early guess but think DeBrincat will progress another step. Teasing the 50 goal mark but won’t break it until 2020-21.

Kane and Toews May regress but not majorly with Kane in the 90s and Toews in the 70s.
- AEL_Fox

If the young players can improve their off-puck, 200 foot games, I’d be happy with DeBrincat settling in at 30s-70s, and Strome and Saad at 20s-50s, Kahun at 20-40s....Add those to your numbers for Kane and Toews....

The key is to make sure that 12/17/24 develop into 3-zone skaters. That would go a long way toward making the likes of Murphy, Dahlstrom, Gustafsson, Jokiharju (not to mention Keith and Seabrook) look better as defenders.

"Is it dead?"
- I Am The Breadman

"clean up the cat!"

If the young players can improve their off-puck, 200 foot games, I’d be happy with DeBrincat settling in at 30s-70s, and Strome and Saad at 20s-50s, Kahun at 20-40s....Add those to your numbers for Kane and Toews....

The key is to make sure that 12/17/24 develop into 3-zone skaters. That would go a long way toward making the likes of Murphy, Dahlstrom, Gustafsson, Jokiharju (not to mention Keith and Seabrook) look better as defenders.
- StLBravesFan

Always good to have that point spread in case of injuries or form slumps. Secondary scoring is a key

Watch, if we end up picking at our current spot Stan will not be able to resist picking Cole Caufield.

"clean up the cat!"
- AusHawk

Hahahaha!!

"I can't believe that just (frank)ing happened." It's not a top quality movie by any standard, but it's a decent movie. Dafoe and Connolly are 2 of my favorite actors.

If the young players can improve their off-puck, 200 foot games, I’d be happy with DeBrincat settling in at 30s-70s, and Strome and Saad at 20s-50s, Kahun at 20-40s....Add those to your numbers for Kane and Toews....

The key is to make sure that 12/17/24 develop into 3-zone skaters. That would go a long way toward making the likes of Murphy, Dahlstrom, Gustafsson, Jokiharju (not to mention Keith and Seabrook) look better as defenders.
- StLBravesFan

Agree. Combining your thoughts with those of Aussie, any regression by Kane and Toews would actually be a good thing if that meant every else in the top 9 was pulling their weight offensively.

The difficulty is can they be contributors on the score sheet without sacrificing defense. As you pointed out, getting the youngsters to be effective in all zones is critical to improve the team defense.

Trade Proposal:

Hawks end up picking 9th so say Vegas comes to the hawks wanting the 9th overall pick because they have to unload players. Vegas offers Miller/Mcnabb/ or Shimt eakin and carrier and their first probably in the range of 20 to 23 just guessing would the hawks do that trade. The trade fills holes that are needed plus it would also depends who is still on the board at 9 and who would be worth drafting between 20-23. Thoughts just for discussion sake. Or different players or teams involved in this hypothetical.

Trade Proposal:

Hawks end up picking 9th so say Vegas comes to the hawks wanting the 9th overall pick because they have to unload players. Vegas offers Miller/Mcnabb/ or Shimt eakin and carrier and their first probably in the range of 20 to 23 just guessing would the hawks do that trade. The trade fills holes that are needed plus it would also depends who is still on the board at 9 and who would be worth drafting between 20-23. Thoughts just for discussion sake. Or different players or teams involved in this hypothetical.
- Scott1977

Not bad, but I highly doubt Vegas gives us all that. I also don't know if I like the idea of trading a top ten pick.

It really doesn't matter though, since we're going to have a top 3 pick after the lottery.

from the first 3 cub games we see the cubs are using mimicking the hawks: score alot and get scored upon alot....now losing 10-8

from the first 3 cub games we see the cubs are using mimicking the hawks: score alot and get scored upon alot....now losing 10-8
- bogiedoc

Difference is - the Cubs should have a good defense and good starting pitching.

The bullpen is another story.

Not bad, but I highly doubt Vegas gives us all that. I also don't know if I like the idea of trading a top ten pick.

It really doesn't matter though, since we're going to have a top 3 pick after the lottery.
- tvetter

Ok just throwing it out there but vegas will have to shed some contracts. Like your optimism that would be great. If bettman is smart he make sure Chicago rangers L.A. detroit philly are in the top five those are major markets and need to be in the playoffs and generating revenue for league because Edmonton buffalo Vancouver are probably not going generate a whole lot of revenue. Getting top 5 pick is good start at getting back to playoffs for all those teams. Just my opinion.

Difference is - the Cubs should have a good defense and good starting pitching.

The bullpen is another story.
- StLBravesFan

Their bullpen sucks. And there are a lot of miles on that starting pitching.

Yeaster. Howard was 5th Rd pick himself. You cn find serviceable RBs in the middle rounds. One that fits better with Nagy's offense. Howard's numbers were going in the wrong direction. His YPC has fallen from above 5 to 3.7 last season.

I trust Pace. He has taken a team that had nothing to being one of youngest and most talented in the league.

Course people will say it should have happened quicker but I don't think they realize how very little he inherited when he took over.

Yeaster. Howard was 5th Rd pick himself. You cn find serviceable RBs in the middle rounds. One that fits better with Nagy's offense. Howard's numbers were going in the wrong direction. His YPC has fallen from above 5 to 3.7 last season.

I trust Pace. He has taken a team that had nothing to being one of youngest and most talented in the league.

Course people will say it should have happened quicker but I don't think they realize how very little he inherited when he took over.
- Elbows15

I forgot what round Howard was drafted in.

I know help can be found in later rounds. I do trust Pace, a lot. We became relevant quickly.

I agree with you and Big D in saying he's no longer a fit in the offense. He's still a young player, and wish him the best in Philly.

Difference is - the Cubs should have a good defense and good starting pitching.

The bullpen is another story.
- StLBravesFan

if the first 3 games are foreshadowing of this year...its going to be record season for runs both ways...yeesh...

cubs scored 27 runs in 3 games and lost 2 giving up 19 in the last 2 games and losing it in the 8th and 9th...

porky's hapless wild team spit the bit tonight vs the yotes getting shutout...

stars should clinch with their next win...and it looks like it leaves the aves and yotes for the booby prize WC2...

and aves have a game in hand...adv Aves...

Wtf is going on with the Sharks

On the way to their 8th loss in 9 games

They have 9 SOG through 2 periods against the Flames. Losing 4-1

Wtf is going on with the Sharks

On the way to their 8th loss in 9 games

They have 9 SOG through 2 periods against the Flames. Losing 4-1
- SimpleJack

Maybe age? Limping to the line. Vegas gets them, right?

Maybe age? Limping to the line. Vegas gets them, right?
- mohel

I believe so

And I just realized Pavelski isn’t playing. Not sure how long he’s been out.

Hogs lose again this weekend 5-2 to the Wolves. Krys with assists on both goals (3 assists in 3 games). Hillman returned to the lineup and led the team with 5 shots on goal.

Also, Olofsson was released from his amateur tryout.

Hogs lose again this weekend 5-2 to the Wolves. Krys with assists on both goals (3 assists in 3 games). Hillman returned to the lineup and led the team with 5 shots on goal.

Also, Olofsson was released from his amateur tryout.
- AEL_Fox

Not good for the hogs, but good for those individuals.

So what does the bolded part mean? Not with the team? Can still sign an elc?