Maybe but their D-men were not good.
- Elbows15

Possibly, or like Tampa, the offense hid the poor D and poor defensive game?

Chiasson had a decent year but I wouldn’t sign him. He’d be on on a 1 year dead south of $1 million, but I wouldn’t want him to take away the playing time from any of the prospects. I’d rather be patient with Perlini and/or Sikura.
- DarthKane

I would certainly give those two the benefit of the doubt at this point, also, if signing Chiasson meant losing either of them or keeping Sikura in Rockford. I hadn't yet though about whether or not there was room for such a signing. Chiasson is already 27, so there is probably less potential upside to be realized.

Still want Manson
Wanted the Hawks ( along with wiz and others) to TRADE UP and draft BRADY Tkachuk, never said anything about Matthew,
- wonthecup10

Oops, sorry.
The old man was the real deal. The jury is still out on the kids in my opinion. I want to see them back up some of their bullpoop.

Looks good. Unlikely but good. How did you acquire Tuch and Mcnabb?
- GPHawksfan

They are the future considerations from the Kruger trade.

Oops, sorry.
The old man was the real deal. The jury is still out on the kids in my opinion. I want to see them back up some of their bullpoop.
- 6628

Jury out on them?

Matthew is 21. He's had seasons of 13, 24 (in 68gms) and 34g (77pts) so far and plays a heavy game

Brady just had 22g on that horrible OTT team as a 19yr old.

Both are going to.have long NHL careers while being a pain in everyone's azz. They're real, and spectacular

Jury out on them?

Matthew is 21. He's had seasons of 13, 24 (in 68gms) and 34g (77pts) so far and plays a heavy game

Brady just had 22g on that horrible OTT team as a 19yr old.

Both are going to.have long NHL careers while being a pain in everyone's azz. They're real, and spectacular
- PatShart

Matthews plays a heavy game? What Matthews are you talking about? The one who hits no one and is careful about going into the corners? He's a very good point producer and is a star in the making and he has played with more assertiveness against Boston compared to last playoffs when he was nowhere to be found. Mitch Marner is the star of the Leafs, he's far more physical, he's much superior defensively and he's 3 or 4 inches shorter and 30 to 40 lbs lighter.

Matthews plays a heavy game? What Matthews are you talking about? The one who hits no one and is careful about going into the corners? He's a very good point producer and is a star in the making and he has played with more assertiveness against Boston compared to last playoffs when he was nowhere to be found. Mitch Marner is the star of the Leafs, he's far more physical, he's much superior defensively and he's 3 or 4 inches shorter and 30 to 40 to 30 lbs lighter.
- paulr

I believe he was referring to Matthew Tkachuk.

I believe he was referring to Matthew Tkachuk.
- tyweb69

It would help if I read more carefully huh?

If Chicago was able to get Eakin and Tanev, I would like to see if they could get Kapanen from the Leafs, even if it was by an offer sheet. Cagguila/Tanev with Eakin and Kapanen would be a hellacious third line

If Chicago was able to get Eakin and Tanev, I would like to see if they could get Kapanen from the Leafs, even if it was by an offer sheet. Cagguila/Tanev with Eakin and Kapanen would be a hellacious third line
- ikeane

The weakest part of the Blackhawks is defense, why would you put all the team's cap resources into building the offense, which isn't already too bad, without addressing the weakest area of need?

From about New Year's on the Jets were a .500 team or maybe even below that. And they blew first place in the division in the last 2 week's which meant having to play the Blues. They will show Maurice the door for those and reasons you mention.

And Chevy gave him Stastny last year and got him Hayes this year at the cost of 1st round picks. See ya around Mr. Maurice.
- RickJ

Bet he wishes Q was still available.

Bet he wishes Q was still available.
- HamiltonHawk

Q was not going to Winterpeg no matter what .He got his dream Job in Florida . Now time for some Golf with Dale ,and going to watch the pony run .Q lost his fire for the job once the big contract kick in ,and it appeared some heavy lifting was involved . I still believe Keith may be headed there in the near future .Just a hunch tax law are better for him ,and Q may need another for the foursome

The weakest part of the Blackhawks is defense, why would you put all the team's cap resources into building the offense, which isn't already too bad, without addressing the weakest area of need?
- paulr

I agree, we have a young forward group who i believe can learn and even get better at defense.

Just because we have cap space doesn't mean we have to spend it. Looking at the 2020 Defensive FA many of their contracts expire when they turn 30.

Bowman is going to have a difficult task building up our blue line.

The weakest part of the Blackhawks is defense, why would you put all the team's cap resources into building the offense, which isn't already too bad, without addressing the weakest area of need?
- paulr

The offense’s weakness is defense, how many forwards do we have that really go all in on playing like it all begins with defense?

It would help if I read more carefully huh?
- paulr

He didn’t use a “U” in Matthew so it probably confused U.

Defense was suppose to be the Jets strong suit. Their D-men were lost the whole series.
- Elbows15

How many games did Buff miss after Jan 1st? Something wasn't right with Buff physically the 2nd half of the season.

The offense’s weakness is defense, how many forwards do we have that really go all in on playing like it all begins with defense?
- walleyeb1

We have a few guys, Saad being one of them, who a number of people seem to want to launch.

How many games did Buff miss after Jan 1st? Something wasn't right with Buff physically the 2nd half of the season.
- Beaver-Warrior

Don’t know about Buff specifically, think he was their leading playoff scorer, but Little was quoted in the Athletic as saying there was a different feel within the room entering the playoffs this year.

To paraphrase, he essentially said the team was suffering a bit from a crisis of conficence and that it was tough to get that back once playoff hockey started.

I could see that but makes you appreciate the Hawk run all the more...me anyway.

In ‘15 they didn’t look very good headed in but were able to flip the mythical switch.

We have a few guys, Saad being one of them, who a number of people seem to want to launch.
- HawkintheD

There in lies the problem a few is not enough, if you only have a few forwards playing with a defense first mentality, it makes things much harder for your Dmen than it should be.

We have a few guys, Saad being one of them, who a number of people seem to want to launch.
- HawkintheD

That, plus his 2 Cup runs are very valuable, imho.

We have a few guys, Saad being one of them, who a number of people seem to want to launch.
- HawkintheD

Trade 'em all! If a Saad trade makes the Hawks a better team why not?

There in lies the problem a few is not enough, if you only have a few forwards playing with a defense first mentality, it makes things much harder for your Dmen than it should be.
- walleyeb1

I agree. And while I’m not opposed to adding one or two forwards that are good in that role, I think a training camp and some younger players potentially developing that aspect of the game (Strome, Dinky, Perlini in particulate) could help as well.

We have another in Sikura who I don’t think (not saying you) should so quickly be parted ways with, as has been suggested.

How many games did Buff miss after Jan 1st? Something wasn't right with Buff physically the 2nd half of the season.
- Beaver-Warrior

Buff Was one of the factors that showed how poorly Maurice controlled the discipline of this team. Buff's defensive play ranges from good to non existant and he's forver losing his cool at the wrong time.

He didn’t use a “U” in Matthew so it probably confused U.
- HawkintheD

Listen Pallie ......

Trade 'em all! If a Saad trade makes the Hawks a better team why not?
- Beaver-Warrior

I’m for any trade that makes the team better and there have been some of those scenarios floated here. I’ve seen a lot more that have him leaving because he isn’t worth his cap hit...maybe/maybe not.