That tractor really seems to be cruising along on that ice. Rather impressive.
- bhawks2241

I'm going to guess that they sped up the playback.

Agree on how you described Kahun. Get him with skilled linemates and he is a 0.50 PPG forward. I like his passing in general but he does need to improve on long range passes, especially cross ice. I like his motor and fearlessness, too.

If Kubalik can find similar success, that would be another key find. Some reports say he's gritty and physical which would be a plus. Didn't really see it in highlight videos that others have shared but most of the highlights were of his goals, not of his play in other situations.
- AEL_Fox

Hopefully Kabulik signs and he and Kahun have the same chemistry as Cat and Strome. I didn't know until recently that K and K played in the OHL together for a couple of seasons. Put Cody Eakin at center and you'll have a good 3rd line.

I’d be good with that!
- walleyeb1

Top six is first tier and even top eight produces best players. Please leave Stan with having to select a top forward in round one. Just the type we need but whom Bowman is loathe to choose so early. Would not be surprised if with early pick he opts for the top dman. Bowman says, he had size and physical edge our other prospects do not have

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I will be carving out a blog tonight right after I watch the Hawks skyrocket to #1 overall after they win the lottery.

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I will be carving out a blog tonight right after I watch the Hawks skyrocket to #1 overall after they win the lottery.
- Justin Lowe

If they get the number 1 overall pick i ll dance the jig

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I will be carving out a blog tonight right after I watch the Hawks skyrocket to #1 overall after they win the lottery.
- Justin Lowe

Odds on signing Kabulik, will he make the team in October and potential linemates?

Possible top 4D additions and potential pairings?

Who backs up Crow next year and if he is not resigned after next year or decides to retire who's the #1 goalie going forward? (Personally not sold on Delia yet,)

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I will be carving out a blog tonight right after I watch the Hawks skyrocket to #1 overall after they win the lottery.
- Justin Lowe

is tonight the Lottery?

ok, i thought it was next week - This is our SC Final Game 7!!!!

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I will be carving out a blog tonight right after I watch the Hawks skyrocket to #1 overall after they win the lottery.
- Justin Lowe

GET THOSE MAILBAG QUESTIONS IN!

I will be carving out a blog tonight right after I watch the Hawks skyrocket to #1 overall after they win the lottery.
- Justin Lowe

A few things that come to mind if you have room.

1) Would you look to extend Crawford past next season if he is willing to extend 2 years at 3.5M AAV. i.e. 2x7 Mil

2) If the Hawks trade Gus during the summer, what return do you see? Comparable trades in recent seasons?

3) Assuming JC is still the coach next season, what do you think will be the biggest adjustment we'll see on the ice?

4) Which 3 players currently on the team are most likely to be involved trades during the offseason.

5) Does Toews have more to give? He is 30 and had a solid season, but knowing the Hawks are on the outside looking in, what are the chances he finds a way to elevate his game further in the off-season. i.e. more of what helped him during the last off-season?

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I will be carving out a blog tonight right after I watch the Hawks skyrocket to #1 overall after they win the lottery.
- Justin Lowe

Do you think Perlini has more trade value now than when he came to the Hawks?
Personally, I would re-up him and keep him.

A few things that come to mind if you have room.

1) Would you look to extend Crawford past next season if he is willing to extend 2 years at 3.5M AAV. i.e. 2x7 Mil

2) If the Hawks trade Gus during the summer, what return do you see? Comparable trades in recent seasons?

3) Assuming JC is still the coach next season, what do you think will be the biggest adjustment we'll see on the ice?

4) Which 3 players currently on the team are most likely to be involved trades during the offseason.

5) Does Toews have more to give? He is 30 and had a solid season, but knowing the Hawks are on the outside looking in, what are the chances he finds a way to elevate his game further in the off-season. i.e. more of what helped him during the last off-season?
- breadbag

I will answer #5 - Toews can easily be the same or better player next season IF and ONLY IF the Team surrounding him is better. Less D Zone Draws, Fewer PK time, better D and more balanced squad. There, easy to identify, more difficult to implement - Get er done Stan -- and none of the above requires the Breadman

Do you think Perlini has more trade value now than when he came to the Hawks?
Personally, I would re-up him and keep him.
- 35Tony0

marginally more trade value - so re-up him

Just for fun - This was the goals/60 minutes of ice-time individually for the Hawks (Top 10 players) this season at 5v5.

Perlini 1.39
DeBrincat 1.29
Kane 1.1
Strome 0.94
Toews 0.93
Caggiula 0.84
Saad 0.76
Anisimov 0.75
Kahun 0.63
Kunitz 0.62


Chemistry and sample size play a part, but interesting to see some of the outliers who are probably higher on the list than anticipated. Perlini maybe scored enough to stick around and try to earn more opportunity. Some guys need to play better away from the puck, but maybe with the right mix, some guys could contribute more.
- breadbag

Bottom 10 xGF% 5v5, from Natural Stat Trick

Perlini 40.38
Strome 43.08
Anisimov 43.57
Dahlstrom 43.72
Forsling 43.73
Murphy 44.44
Seabrook 44.71
Kane 44.93
Caggiula 45.48
Keith 46.36

Odds on signing Kabulik, will he make the team in October and potential linemates?

Possible top 4D additions and potential pairings?

Who backs up Crow next year and if he is not resigned after next year or decides to retire who's the #1 goalie going forward? (Personally not sold on Delia yet,)
- boilermaker100

All reports seem to point to Kubalik signing after the World Championships. Bowman has even stated that they expect him to make the team out of camp.

kind of like when Kahun signed last season, IIRC.

A few things that come to mind if you have room.

1) Would you look to extend Crawford past next season if he is willing to extend 2 years at 3.5M AAV. i.e. 2x7 Mil

2) If the Hawks trade Gus during the summer, what return do you see? Comparable trades in recent seasons?

3) Assuming JC is still the coach next season, what do you think will be the biggest adjustment we'll see on the ice?

4) Which 3 players currently on the team are most likely to be involved trades during the offseason.

5) Does Toews have more to give? He is 30 and had a solid season, but knowing the Hawks are on the outside looking in, what are the chances he finds a way to elevate his game further in the off-season. i.e. more of what helped him during the last off-season?
- breadbag

Just to add to my #2 above, I'm not sure if there are many comparables to draw on. Two trades that come to mind were mid-season deals with guys who had a longer track record, but also less attractive cap hit. i.e. Yandle/Shattenkirk

I’d be good with that!
- walleyeb1

I'm hoping that it would happen. Probably not realistic but one can only hope.

I will answer #5 - Toews can easily be the same or better player next season IF and ONLY IF the Team surrounding him is better. Less D Zone Draws, Fewer PK time, better D and more balanced squad. There, easy to identify, more difficult to implement - Get er done Stan -- and none of the above requires the Breadman
- glennjpawlak22

It would be just fine if Toews replicates this past season as his new water level. Even a slight regression back to his 2010-15 version (give or take) is fine as long as the supporting cast is stronger as you stated.

I hour and 20 minutes before the Balls drop! 🤣

Bottom 10 xGF% 5v5, from Natural Stat Trick

Perlini 40.38
Strome 43.08
Anisimov 43.57
Dahlstrom 43.72
Forsling 43.73
Murphy 44.44
Seabrook 44.71
Kane 44.93
Caggiula 45.48
Keith 46.36
- scottak

No question when it comes to the xGF% that it can show is some of the other side of the coin and illustrates some of the reason guys like Perlini/Strome need to improve without the puck. Perlini, if he does improve with his awareness and defensive game, does he become a good top 9 guy. He scored 12 goals for us in 46 games with pretty much no PP time, which is more than a 20 goal pace. (he got 3 minutes total on the PP with the Hawks this year)

If he embraces the opportunity, maybe earns more playing time than his ten and a half minutes a game or even some PP time in the future, maybe he can be a 20-25 goal guy for the Hawks down the road. He is just going to turn 23 here this month, so just kind of hitting that age when guys usually start to figure out the NHL game. Kind of hoping they can sign him to a 2 year deal for something reasonable.

All reports seem to point to Kubalik signing after the World Championships. Bowman has even stated that they expect him to make the team out of camp.

kind of like when Kahun signed last season, IIRC.
- Elbows15

Thanks Elbows. That's good, a top 9 forward on an ELC but probably with maximum bonuses. Hopefully he and Kahun work together well.

Regarding World Championships, anyone know if they will be televised in the USA?

Just did a tankathon simulation. Hawks came up 3rd. Book it!

Got a new source I've never heard of who says the Hawks will pick 4th.

All reports seem to point to Kubalik signing after the World Championships. Bowman has even stated that they expect him to make the team out of camp.

kind of like when Kahun signed last season, IIRC.
- Elbows15

So what of player is kubalik?

So what of player is kubalik?
- Scott1977

He’s a hockey player, or so I’m told.

So what of player is kubalik?
- Scott1977

One guess based on articles and scouting reports which seem to vary a bit as a comparable is Panik, ideally the 2016-17 version that scored 22 goals and picked up 22 assists. A 20/20 winger who can play physical. Or he could end up being the mediocre version of Panik that left Chicago and still plays in Phoenix.

He likely will have an exit clause that allows him to return to Europe if he doesn't make the team so he could also very well be a never-was after a sub-par training camp.

Definitely a wild card but still excited to see what he could bring. However, I'm not more excited for him compared to forward prospects already in the fold like Kurashev or Entwistle. You never know who will be a dark horse candidate.