There's a point of agreement between us - I think the CHL is tougher competition than the USHL and the teams the USNDTP play.
- EbonyRaptor

Yes I do believe that is true .I though you were a Byram supporter .I have been Cozens but have been leaning a little more towards Byram and Dach over the past weeks .. It a tough call ,it be great to see the rangers go off script and leave special K for us .I don't see that happening ..

For as dynamic as Hall is - he misses too much time to be relied upon. Aside from the 2012/13 lockout season - here are the games he played in the other 8 seasons: 65, 61, 75, 53, 82, 72, 76, 33. And, he'll want more than his current $6M AAV.

Pass.
- EbonyRaptor

Another reason to pass is that he is a rather one dimensional for what he is likely about to get paid. He is offensive winger and that is it.

I don't like the rest of his game. I think he is overrated as a leader and to me he doesn't bring you the complete package in terms of all 3 zones.

Woah. Dave is legit, so interesting to see him reporting that.

It's about to get real messy in Winnipeg.

Laine and Trouba with 7+ RFAs and 7+ UFAs to deal with.

Good luck, Chevy!
- Tyler Cameron

Not a big surprise, the Jets time to win was this season and last.

And they just can't pay a kid like Laine way more than what they have Scheiffle locked up for. He is probably looking for $9-10M long term just based on goals scored since he came into the league. Trouba will be traded and the Jets get something good in return.

For as dynamic as Hall is - he misses too much time to be relied upon. Aside from the 2012/13 lockout season - here are the games he played in the other 8 seasons: 65, 61, 75, 53, 82, 72, 76, 33. And, he'll want more than his current $6M AAV.

Pass.
- EbonyRaptor

Fair argument to make (injuries).

However, Hall as a player is the only free agent, perhaps in quite some time (since at least Hossa) that you can justify opening up the vault of the safe for. Free agents like him that impact the game the way he does are rarely ever available.

Guys usually hit free agency for a reason - unless they’re the ones with the leverage. Hall is a player the Devils under no circumstance can afford to lose, especially with their influx of young forwards.

Yes I do believe that is true .I though you were a Byram supporter .I have been Cozens but have been leaning a little more towards Byram and Dach over the past weeks .. It a tough call ,it be great to see the rangers go off script and leave special K for us .I don't see that happening ..
- oldduffman

Byram is my 1st choice. Turcotte is my 2nd choice. After that I would throw Cozens, Dach and Zegras names in a hat and pick one.

Not a big surprise, the Jets time to win was this season and last.

And they just can't pay a kid like Laine way more than what they have Scheiffle locked up for. He is probably looking for $9-10M long term just based on goals scored since he came into the league. Trouba will be traded and the Jets get something good in return.
- RickJ

The Jets will not win with Paul Maurice coaching. The lack of discipline and any kind of defensive structure falls on him and in his career these have always been his two shortcomings. The best chance of Winnipeg winning this season were when the Jets had a chance mid season to make a coaching move, canning Maurice and trying to entice Quenneville, who eventually found himself a retirement gig in Florida.

Byram is my 1st choice. Turcotte is my 2nd choice. After that I would throw Cozens, Dach and Zegras names in a hat and pick one.
- EbonyRaptor

If Byram is a legit top pairing guy that's who I want the Hawks to get as well, but only if the Hawks' scouting staff have him projected to be the third best player available or tied as the third best player available.

I haven't really paid all that much attention to Laine (aside from hearing that he can normally score a lot of goals). Is he just a bigger version of DeBrincat? I know last year was down for him, but does he have a decent defensive game? I don't see the Hawks going after him, but just curious about the player.
- Chunk

He had 30+ goals again but the issue is the consistent effort. I dont know about the work ethic, but the TSN guys harped on his lack of compete level all year. The guy has a better shot than the cat. See the game from last year where he absolutely snipes Glass from two steps inside the blue line with a wrist shot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhqgcQPA1gw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-xscz4QJ-s

Anyone see this?

Blackhawks May Have Already Revealed Their Pick In 2019 NHL Draft

https://blackhawkup.com/2...aled-pick-2019-nhl-draft/

Anyone see this?

Blackhawks May Have Already Revealed Their Pick In 2019 NHL Draft

https://blackhawkup.com/2...aled-pick-2019-nhl-draft/
- glennjpawlak22

There's a good article on Turcotte in TheAthletic (for all you subscribers)

https://theathletic.com/9...r-the-radar-top-prospect/

I thought this Marketing Guru narrative was behind us with little to no evidence to support it?

Did it occur to you that Bowman wants to succeed more than you do?? His job is to make the playoffs next season, to ensure he has a solid group of prospects for the next few seasons and to balance his salary cap, all at the same time.

Going all in for next year is a huge gamble because injuries and unforeseen situations can derail the season leaving the Hawks even worse long term. Slow, deliberate and steady are the only ways to go when building a team. Draft the player they see as having the most upside, not the biggest or the most ready. Bring prospects into the lineup when they are ready to play in the NHL. Don't get into cap hell signing UFAs as stop gap solutions. Yes, next season is important but not as important as the next 5 seasons.
- paulr

I never said to go "All In" for next year !! A good to GREAT management team that includes a HUGE scouting staff that we're told is second to none, is supposed to be able to do both.
They can get this team to be serious contenders next year and also build for the next 5. That is how GREAT organizations build stability (Patriots). You have to build around your superstars who are earning huge dollars that they have undoubtedly earned.

2 missed years of playoff revenues from this team has to be driving Rocky crazy, especially with 3 or 4 HOF players still producing at a high rate.

I'll say it again and again.....
If this management staff is as GREAT as they tout themselves to be, my expectations are for them to be a serious playoff team next year, AND, for several years to come. Isn't that what our expectations should be ?
That's what mine are if they want me as a STH to continue to shell out THOUSANDS of dollars every year.

He was injured this past season but I'm not aware that he had injuries other seasons. I may be wrong but as far as I know the only injury was the one this past season and if that is true that would hardly be considered injury prone.

There are various prospect analysts giving different assessments on the same player - my understanding of Turcotte based on as many analyses as I could find, as well as the eyeball test from seeing him play, informs me that he projects to be a Patrice Bergeron type center - which is certainly 1st line and 200' center.
- EbonyRaptor

I may be wrong, but didn't Turcotte have a hip injury in the past? Question for the group. Can teams have prospective draftees take physicals to determine their overall health and condition of past injuries? If Turcotte going to be the guy it
would be good to know if the injury is chronic or fully healed.

I haven't really paid all that much attention to Laine (aside from hearing that he can normally score a lot of goals). Is he just a bigger version of DeBrincat? I know last year was down for him, but does he have a decent defensive game? I don't see the Hawks going after him, but just curious about the player.
- Chunk

30 + goal scorer with no interest in playing defensively.

I may be wrong, but didn't Turcotte have a hip injury in the past? Question for the group. Can teams have prospective draftees take physicals to determine their overall health and condition of past injuries? If Turcotte going to be the guy it
would be good to know if the injury is chronic or fully healed.
- boilermaker100

I'm sure these guys have physicals done. If there are injury concerns, that research should be done already. (Lets hope) Whoever the Hawks draft at #3, it has to be a 200 ft guy. If this team cant play better in its own zone, it will be a 3 year drought come April. The more I watch on Turcotte, the more I like him, but as we have learned with drafts. Expect the unexpected.

I never said to go "All In" for next year !! A good to GREAT management team that includes a HUGE scouting staff that we're told is second to none, is supposed to be able to do both.
They can get this team to be serious contenders next year and also build for the next 5. That is how GREAT organizations build stability (Patriots). You have to build around your superstars who are earning huge dollars that they have undoubtedly earned.

2 missed years of playoff revenues from this team has to be driving Rocky crazy, especially with 3 or 4 HOF players still producing at a high rate.

I'll say it again and again.....
If this management staff is as GREAT as they tout themselves to be, my expectations are for them to be a serious playoff team next year, AND, for several years to come. Isn't that what our expectations should be ?
That's what mine are if they want me as a STH to continue to shell out THOUSANDS of dollars every year.
- Hawkytalk

Failure next year is NOT an option in my book. Not with the current hand they're holding.

This current situation with all the assets they hold is directly in the hands of one Stan Bowman. He will get the accolades if he's successful and he will be fired if he fails.

Of course he wants to be successful.....
The question is, does he have the talent to make the correct decisions to win now and build for sustained success. Remember, we were all told several years ago that he was a "Brilliant " Capologist.
So far......not so much.

I never said to go "All In" for next year !! A good to GREAT management team that includes a HUGE scouting staff that we're told is second to none, is supposed to be able to do both.
They can get this team to be serious contenders next year and also build for the next 5. That is how GREAT organizations build stability (Patriots). You have to build around your superstars who are earning huge dollars that they have undoubtedly earned.

2 missed years of playoff revenues from this team has to be driving Rocky crazy, especially with 3 or 4 HOF players still producing at a high rate.

I'll say it again and again.....
If this management staff is as GREAT as they tout themselves to be, my expectations are for them to be a serious playoff team next year, AND, for several years to come. Isn't that what our expectations should be ?
That's what mine are if they want me as a STH to continue to shell out THOUSANDS of dollars every year.
- Hawkytalk

Please provide a link where thsi Management group tout themselves as being great.

And to answer your question ,yes it's up to individuals who purchase tickets if the product is worth their hard earned dollars. But I think part of being a fan isn't to be there only when they win but when they are rebuilding.

And to ask a question how do you propose Hawk Management suddenly go from non playoff team to "serious playoff team" (which I assume you mean a contender) in one season? They have far too many holes in the lineup to fix in a single season. They need a solid backup goalie. They need two top pairing defensemen and a depth defenseman. They need two or three depth forwards. That's six players two or three who would probably need to be veterans. Without resorting to ridiculous trade proposals and unrealistic expectations from rookies, do you really think this is possible?

The Jets will not win with Paul Maurice coaching. The lack of discipline and any kind of defensive structure falls on him and in his career these have always been his two shortcomings. The best chance of Winnipeg winning this season were when the Jets had a chance mid season to make a coaching move, canning Maurice and trying to entice Quenneville, who eventually found himself a retirement gig in Florida.
- paulr

Can't disagree with your assessment of Maurice. But some of it falls on the players too. One of them being Buff.

Can't disagree with your assessment of Maurice. But some of it falls on the players too. One of them being Buff.
- RickJ

Since Winnipeg has so many free agents ufa and rfa i would target Lowery maybe forsling hayden and 4th for lowery and 3rd or someone else. Doubt chevy gets them all signed.

Please provide a link where thsi Management group tout themselves as being great.

And to answer your question ,yes it's up to individuals who purchase tickets if the product is worth their hard earned dollars. But I think part of being a fan isn't to be there only when they win but when they are rebuilding.

And to ask a question how do you propose Hawk Management suddenly go from non playoff team to "serious playoff team" (which I assume you mean a contender) in one season? They have far too many holes in the lineup to fix in a single season. They need a solid backup goalie. They need two top pairing defensemen and a depth defenseman. They need two or three depth forwards. That's six players two or three who would probably need to be veterans. Without resorting to ridiculous trade proposals and unrealistic expectations from rookies, do you really think this is possible?
- paulr

Im sure there isn't a link touting themselves as being great, but I;m sure after being told how great they were from 2008-09 to 2016-17 the premise does still ring true. Can anyone prove it? Probably not.

if the Cubs/Sox make the playoffs hockey falls into the shadows until that's complete. IF The Bears keep getting better the Hawks will be at best the 2nd fiddle from post baseball until the Bears are eliminated. The hard core Bulls fan or Hawks fan wont flop allegiances but the fickle fan will.....hawks are lucky the Bulls are just a flat out a disaster.

I gave up my tickets.....the ROI wasn't worth it anymore for me personally.

As far as your last point.....no, no it's not LIKELY to happen. They wont' be a legit cup contender next year. Still have the entire summer here to go but they need a LOT of help, and that's why I cautioned the love over not even half the season sample size when the hawks went on a "run", It didn't matter as the Hawks didn't make the playoffs, and honestly......that's the goal. It should be yearly. To be a playoff team. How deep of a playoff team you'll be will cycle in and out based on injuries, replacing proven assets, etc.....but flat out missing the playoffs......that shouldn't be tolerable.

So by mid April if the Hawks aren't playing in the tournament, then this organization needs to take a LONG hard look at hockey ops regardless of what NHL royalty last name a person has and make the changes.

The fans didn't come up with the 1 goal marketing campaign, with 1 goal being a championship, the Hawks did....so its fair to demand playoffs and if not, question when a pattern develops and why the organization doesnt' step in to break it......

I would rather have Caufield then Laine .Think he would have more passion for the game .
- oldduffman

Totally agree....I see a ton of "no compete" in Laine and would love to somehow get Caulfield in a second 1st rounder.

Since Winnipeg has so many free agents ufa and rfa i would target Lowery maybe forsling hayden and 4th for lowery and 3rd or someone else. Doubt chevy gets them all signed.
- Scott1977

Chevy wouldn't take that pile of garbage you are offering for a big physical center like Lowery. 29 other teams would pony up much more than that.

Please provide a link where thsi Management group tout themselves as being great.

And to answer your question ,yes it's up to individuals who purchase tickets if the product is worth their hard earned dollars. But I think part of being a fan isn't to be there only when they win but when they are rebuilding.

And to ask a question how do you propose Hawk Management suddenly go from non playoff team to "serious playoff team" (which I assume you mean a contender) in one season? They have far too many holes in the lineup to fix in a single season. They need a solid backup goalie. They need two top pairing defensemen and a depth defenseman. They need two or three depth forwards. That's six players two or three who would probably need to be veterans. Without resorting to ridiculous trade proposals and unrealistic expectations from rookies, do you really think this is possible?
- paulr

Link ??
You're not serious I hope. Listen to any of John McD's interviews in the past few years and he continually boasts on how GREAT of a staff they have.
It's time to prove it this summer. They've had plenty of time to do their homework with 2 failed seasons gone awry.

I feel that we'll know immediately after their very first move and the explanations that follow it.

I would take a "non competing" 21yr old who has 110g in 237 career games.

Draft Byram and sign Panarin

Chevy wouldn't take that pile of garbage you are offering for a big physical center like Lowery. 29 other teams would pony up much more than that.
- RickJ

Just a suggestion just calm down