Can somebody tell me who are the top 5 candidates to be picked in the 2020 Draft ? I have a good feeling the Hawks will snatch one of the candidates.
- spanky

Alexis Lafreniere (LW) and Quentin Byfield (C) are the top two N.A. prospects and Alexander Hollz (RW) and Lucas Raymond (RW) are the top two Euro prospects. After those 4 there are about a dozen guys who could end up in the top-5.

100% on this. Unless the Hawks feel they need a total tear down (which I do not believe) RL should be resigned.
- kwolf68

This is a bad team. They currently stand last in their division and 2nd to the bottom of the entire conference, better by 1 point than the bottom dwelling Kings (granted they have a game in hand on LA.) They have 2 more points than the rebuilding, cash strapped Ottawa Senators, again with a couple of games in hand. It's looking like they will miss the playoffs for a third straight year and need heroic goaltending on a nightly basis to compete.

I think a compelling argument can be made to tear it down as there really isn't enough elite, difference making talent around which to build anymore. How does the GM (insert name here) go about the task with those bad legacy contracts on the books for the next 3-4 years? Stan seems way too in love with his own players, current and former, to make those decisions...

Can somebody tell me who are the top 5 candidates to be picked in the 2020 Draft ? I have a good feeling the Hawks will snatch one of the candidates.
- spanky

Use the Google machine....

2020 NHL draft prospects

He's 21 or 22.
- mohel

It's not fair to ask him to be the better player against top 6 competition. He does just fine learning the NHL against bottom 6 for now. Our real top 6 players are the problem.

This is a bad team. They currently stand last in their division and 2nd to the bottom of the entire conference, better by 1 point than the bottom dwelling Kings (granted they have a game in hand on LA.) They have 2 more points than the rebuilding, cash strapped Ottawa Senators, again with a couple of games in hand. It's looking like they will miss the playoffs for a third straight year and need heroic goaltending on a nightly basis to compete.

I think a compelling argument can be made to tear it down as there really isn't enough elite, difference making talent around which to build anymore. How does the GM (insert name here) go about the task with those bad legacy contracts on the books for the next 3-4 years? Stan seems way too in love with his own players, current and former, to make those decisions...
- Davewn

We don't know if Stan's hands are tied with the over the hill core?

It's not fair to ask him to be the better player against top 6 competition. He does just fine learning the NHL against bottom 6 for now. Our real top 6 players are the problem.
- rpeters01

Yep.

Stan has turned over the roster significantly over the past couple season without much improvement. I like most of the most Stan’s moves from last off season but they haven’t had the desired impact.

The coach has changed and the results haven’t been there yet, although JC hasn’t had much time to work with a decent roster.

The next significant change would likely be the GM. I’m not saying I agree or disagree, I just think it’s the most likely outcome.
- DarthKane

They brought in a coach for young players, but they have older players, that doesn't work. Maybe Stan expected to bring in younger players and something changed along the way?

This is a bad team. They currently stand last in their division and 2nd to the bottom of the entire conference, better by 1 point than the bottom dwelling Kings (granted they have a game in hand on LA.) They have 2 more points than the rebuilding, cash strapped Ottawa Senators, again with a couple of games in hand. It's looking like they will miss the playoffs for a third straight year and need heroic goaltending on a nightly basis to compete.



I think a compelling argument can be made to tear it down as there really isn't enough elite, difference making talent around which to build anymore. How does the GM (insert name here) go about the task with those bad legacy contracts on the books for the next 3-4 years? Stan seems way too in love with his own players, current and former, to make those decisions...
- Davewn

Insert Mark Hunter - give him full control & a 5 year deal he can’t turn down

Best analogy for last night’s game was a Bantam team playing a Midget Triple A team

When playing a team that’s bigger & faster players know it - you can see it on Toews face - the blank stare says it all.

The Hawks will win some games and make the fans feel better and then they'll lose some games and remind us how we feel after being skated out of the rink against the Avs the last couple games. The point is they are an average team at best and most likely when all is said and done a below average team. My fear, as a Hawks fan, is Stan and McD do something to try to salvage this season. They have to proceed from the perspective that this season is lost and the focus must be on trying to make moves that will help the team be better next season - not this season.

The first move I hope they make is to trade Lehner. He is the perfect asset to move in that he is playing at a very high level, is reasonably prices ($5M) and is UFA after this season. They should be able to get a nice return to help the rebuild.

The most obvious TDL trade is Gustafsson but he is not playing at a high level so I doubt they can get much for him. At this point I'd take a 2nd round draft pick for him.



There aren't many players that other teams would want and that we would be willing to part with. Maybe Saad, Shaw, Carpenter, Smith, deHaan, Maatta, Murphy - if you can get a taker on any of them the trade should be made.

Please Stan/McD - do not try to fix this season. I beseech you.
- EbonyRaptor

Any team would jump on Keith.

Insert Mark Hunter - give him full control & a 5 year deal he can’t turn down

Best analogy for last night’s game was a Bantam team playing a Midget Triple A team

When playing a team that’s bigger & faster players know it - you can see it on Toews face - the blank stare says it all.
- Colbyboy

This is how the 2010-2013 rosters made other teams feel.

Any team would jump on Keith.
- RaleighHawk

For the right return anyone is tradable. I doubt many, if any, teams would be willing to pay a significant price for Keith. My preference would be to keep Keith for the duration of his contract.

If the Hawks aren’t close to playoff team by the deadline I think there are a few players that could find themselves wearing a different jersey. I’m not advocating dealing these players, I just think it’s possible.

- Gustafsson
- Saad
- Maatta
- The Drake
- Kubalik
- Smith (if Stan can find any takers)
- Koekkoek
- Crawford (if the Hawks don’t plan on bringing him back and his waives his NMC)
- Lehner (only if he makes it clear he won’t return next season)

Insert Mark Hunter - give him full control & a 5 year deal he can’t turn down

Best analogy for last night’s game was a Bantam team playing a Midget Triple A team

When playing a team that’s bigger & faster players know it - you can see it on Toews face - the blank stare says it all.
- Colbyboy

He was tired from all his complaining. Any other player gets benched for going palms up and complaining instead of busting his ass back on the back check. I see it from Toews far too often. Loses a battle down low in the o-zone and instead of getting back he complains to the ref. Kind of important in the defensive scheme that the center gets back.

I think Nylander will be fine, this is his first year in the NHL and he’s on a rebuilding team. We shouldn’t expect Kane 2.0. Some fans (not you) need to get past the fact that he was traded for Jokiharju, that wasn’t his fault. The move was risky, but if (big of) Boqvist and Mitchell work out then it’s a fair trade in the long term.
- DarthKane

One point I come back to always with young players like Nylander whom do not naturally want to backcheck, is the high reward system which appears to work at least for a few games. The coaching decisions do take the entire team situation into consideration and it is not necessarily hands down that Nylander had to be top priority when your schematic lineup is developed even game - to - game. But we have seen Nylander a backchecking maven. He can succeed in this league.

Just how JC goes about lineup modifications, though, is tricky when Toews, DeBrincat and Strome are not worth much.

They too do not play defense well and or get pushed around. Those players need to at least be strong in their own style of play or idealy be replaced by players who provide effort and speed

Because even when everyone is on top of their game we are not able to match up with speed teams.

Nylander as a backchecking maven, Kubalik playing well and Rockford call ups is what I want to see.

DeBrincat and Strome need to gain their form back. A summer work out regimen might be part of that transformation change back to old self. Or trade both straight up for a center with skill and descent in face offs.

Insert Mark Hunter - give him full control & a 5 year deal he can’t turn down

Best analogy for last night’s game was a Bantam team playing a Midget Triple A team

When playing a team that’s bigger & faster players know it - you can see it on Toews face - the blank stare says it all.
- Colbyboy

With everyone going on with hockey coaches recently I’d want the Hawks to do some extra due diligence before hiring an old school guy like Hunter. I’m not suggesting Hunter has done anything, just that the Hawks can’t be too careful.

With everyone going on with hockey coaches recently I’d want the Hawks to do some extra due diligence before hiring an old school guy like Hunter. I’m not suggesting Hunter has done anything, just that the Hawks can’t be too careful.
- DarthKane

Good point.

On side note it will be interesting if Bergevin makes any significant player moves. Wonder what centers Caufield might team up with even next seasom

Today is the last day for unsigned RFAs to sign and play this season. Edmonton’s Puljujarvi is the most popular, but Dallas d-man Julius Honka is an interesting option. Stan has the assets to acquire Honka and the blue line has the need.
- DarthKane

Too late. Honka and a 2nd to NJ for Mike McLeod and a 3rd

Alexis Lafreniere (LW) and Quentin Byfield (C) are the top two N.A. prospects and Alexander Hollz (RW) and Lucas Raymond (RW) are the top two Euro prospects. After those 4 there are about a dozen guys who could end up in the top-5.
- EbonyRaptor

[url] https://thehockeywriters.com/prospect-profile-an-early-look-at-quinton-byfield/

“ Eric Lindros.

That has been the tagline to describe Quinton Byfield recently. While this comparison may be a bit exaggerated and unfair, it does display how high many believe his ceiling can be. His physical appearance alone is very intriguing. There are not many strong skating 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, 17-year-old centers in the hockey world, let alone those that possess the amount of sheer skill he does.”

And now the recent coaching backlash is hitting a current member of the Hawks staff.

Sean Avery says Marc Crawford kicked him once after Avery messed up and a puck hit Crawford in the head, resulting in 6 stitches.
- DarthKane

If I had coached him, I would have kicked him as well...

IMHO, you have to throw the fancy stats out for the two games against Colorado.
Our boys were so very outmatched the Avalanche just looked to be picking their spots.
(not super impressed with their cheap chit, though. They're a better team than that. That guy Shaw fought Friday and DeBrincat fought yesterday SHOULD have been fought)

[quote=Angotti]If I had coached him, I would have kicked him as well.
Avery drove Crawford so mad that he kicked him is what I gain. Probably deserved it. Avery is not all there. Upstsirs in.his head I mean.

Still doesn't mean kicking him is ok. Somewhat understandable Question how bad hard did he kick him. If it was a minor brush then I would be ok just with an.apology and admission that it was wrong.

Too late. Honka and a 2nd to NJ for Mike McLeod and a 3rd
- ikeane

Devils had this on their twitter. It has been taken down so guessing the deal fell apart

15 games in December - if it’s a disaster I can’t see the GM & his coach seeing the new year in Chicago. 🤦‍♂️

ok...sean avery = a jagbag's jagbag...

i think we should fire every gm, coach and player who utterred something offensive...happens every game...

no more NHL...
- bogiedoc

Good post Bogie,
Enough with the Me too wussy poop,Agreed the most offensive word ever should never be used, by anybody, I don’t care what color you are. Moving forward all this other chickenpoop bullpoop is getting way out of line. Ones feelings are hurt because his coach kick them in the ass. And I hope the NHL PA and the owners get together and say OK let’s talk about this and come to an agreement. But this is still professional hockey, sometimes emotions get in the way and they all have to be adults about it. Otherwise don’t play the sport growing up, don’t watch it on TV, don’t follow it. Going to repeat it one last time Gary Bettman has already did enough to do sissy this game up. Joy the night! And God dammit let’s right the ship and see if we can salvage this season

For the right return anyone is tradable. I doubt many, if any, teams would be willing to pay a significant price for Keith. My preference would be to keep Keith for the duration of his contract.

If the Hawks aren’t close to playoff team by the deadline I think there are a few players that could find themselves wearing a different jersey. I’m not advocating dealing these players, I just think it’s possible.

- Gustafsson
- Saad
- Maatta
- The Drake
- Kubalik
- Smith (if Stan can find any takers)
- Koekkoek
- Crawford (if the Hawks don’t plan on bringing him back and his waives his NMC)
- Lehner (only if he makes it clear he won’t return next season)
- DarthKane

Agree with your list. I would rather keep Keith--was just saying that he would bring back value. The goalie's are interesting...

15 games in December - if it’s a disaster I can’t see the GM & his coach seeing the new year in Chicago. 🤦‍♂️
- Colbyboy

How about if the plan is be good again in 2 years?