Don't feed the trolls.......
- mohel

One Toews blog & it all goes to hell ... well, worse than the usual female doging here.

Toews in no world whatsoever is a top 100 player of all time. Laughable how overrated the guy is
- TheKesselVessel

That ranking came out in 2017 or so I think. Looking back when that list came out that was the thinking. Malkin and Crosby had 1 cup between them at that time and a non-playoff appearance.

It really is the only way to go. The UFA path is the road to perdition. They have to find 2-3 great young players who have the drive you wrote about above. And draft and develop some good filler.
- mohel

Keith has a nasty will to compete it's what made him great and a winner, not simply small and fast. Without the nasty Boquist is just a guy we will find out what's in his gut.

One Toews blog & it all goes to hell ... well, worse than the usual female doging here.
- I Am The Breadman

Maybe Toews should have, you know, actually been worth his giant contract like Kane was?

I think it all comes down to chemistry and the "gelling" of the team, especially these days. There are so many new guys on this team, that to expect them to instantly have chemistry together and play all on the same page I think is asking a lot. I think these days, especially with the amount of change on this team, it takes longer than a season to develop this chemistry with each other. You have to look no further than Boston...a few years ago, they retooled, had a down year, but then kept most of those players together, and look at them now.

Watching the Hawks lately, this is what I see...a team that hasn't gelled yet. They are fumbling pucks and not holding on to passes, if it even gets to the right place, turning it over a ton, etc. This is why I do not want them to blow up the team or fire bowman or Colliton after this season, even if they miss the playoffs. If you do that, you definitely are not winning another cup with Toews and Kane in the next 5 -10 years. I think their doing exactly what they should be doing, and that is trying to win another cup with Toews and Kane on the team. The organization told us that they were going to retire as Hawks, so you try to win with them one more time. If it doesn't happen by the time those two contracts are up, then you do a full rebuild, where you can afford to take 5-10 years to build a contender again. You have to give management and this team time...most fans are way to impatient, in my opinion, though.

Just my 2 cents...

Its beat up Toews every year.i really thought this was a Hawks blog,but I guess I was wrong.

I may be bashing him now but 3 cups and one near miss in '14 kind of say yessss! You can put it on the board!
- rpeters01

I'll repost this it needs to be on the next page...

Maybe Toews should have, you know, actually been worth his giant contract like Kane was?
- Za Warudo

Points to how good Hossa was. Look at the team (Toews especially after we lost Hoss).

Don't feed the trolls.......
- mohel

THIS!!!

One Toews blog & it all goes to hell ... well, worse than the usual female doging here.
- I Am The Breadman

Yup, Tyler tossed gasoline onto a smoldering fire.

Anyhoo, Bs tonight, I have zero hope. I figure if the Hawks keep it close it will be RL in net standing tall.

Prediction is Boston 4-1 (empty netter) with a 47-19 SOG advantage.

Love all the offended Penguins fans and their complaints about some stupid top 100 list the NHL made that literally does not matter at all

Points to how good Hossa was. Look at the team (Toews especially after we lost Hoss).
- Popsghostly

Great player. Also great at convenient excuses.

Nothing going to happen in the next couple of days anyway, because all the mommies are on the trip to make sure their little Joeys play nice
And the coaches don’t pick on them,Kudos to Robin Lehner!!

With high picks, he drafted Dach and Bovquist. Even Seabrook was a first rounder that went #15. TT went 18th and Schmaultz was 20th. To be fair, in order to see if Stan can build, you need another high draft choice, and 3 more years (Kane was drafted in 2007, Hawks won the cup in 2010) before you say that Stan can’t build from the ground up.

I think it all comes down to chemistry and the "gelling" of the team, especially these days. There are so many new guys on this team, that to expect them to instantly have chemistry together and play all on the same page I think is asking a lot. I think these days, especially with the amount of change on this team, it takes longer than a season to develop this chemistry with each other. You have to look no further than Boston...a few years ago, they retooled, had a down year, but then kept most of those players together, and look at them now.

Watching the Hawks lately, this is what I see...a team that hasn't gelled yet. They are fumbling pucks and not holding on to passes, if it even gets to the right place, turning it over a ton, etc. This is why I do not want them to blow up the team or fire bowman or Colliton after this season, even if they miss the playoffs. If you do that, you definitely are not winning another cup with Toews and Kane in the next 5 -10 years. I think their doing exactly what they should be doing, and that is trying to win another cup with Toews and Kane on the team. The organization told us that they were going to retire as Hawks, so you try to win with them one more time. If it doesn't happen by the time those two contracts are up, then you do a full rebuild, where you can afford to take 5-10 years to build a contender again. You have to give management and this team time...most fans are way to impatient, in my opinion, though.

Just my 2 cents...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Each game there is noticeable issues and Bowman had to address them because they aren't going away. In fact the issues are particularly glaring some games.motr than others. Don't expect to commit larceny s la Sam Pollack as Montreal GM back in the day.

And we should know any meaningful help via free agency is a pipe dream. There is not cap space so there is little to no wiggle room to add a significant piece just for expenditure of some of Rocky's dollars

There is an earlier blog that questioned out farm system any better than other teams.

The remark which stood out was quite perceptive: it was all about using one of the glamorous top skill prospects (Boqvist) as an example.

Should Boqvist learn how to play defense - and it will take all of next year in AHL or longer to even become remotely descent in the craft - then THEN does he have some meaness and compete like D Keith has in his career. Taking a step up to be more than an offensive generator? Or perhaps valued as merely a better version of T Barrie.

Two three or more years yes we do have several attractive bottom line and bottom pair dmen. So we can hope to realize a better team....but not too much better unless Bowman drafts some star players

It is an excruciating time as a fan when yesterday's heroes are fading and the team is not performing as well defensively thanks in part to coaching. I do see some added toughness and speed skill in the prospect portfolio but whom might they replace

This season Bowman made some upgrades. Not enough by a far stretch. We are too slow in puck retrieval among dmen. Gus has maybe regressed. Forwards don't help the right way too and break outs is one example. Compounded all of this by other teams whom outskate us.

Loosing face offs is one thing but really behind 8 ball if ALSO too slow a team overall. It has been said skating speed is not everything in the overall value of a player. Well yeah but not if you have too many slow guys. Puck possession is important.

Obviously we need a return to form and that means offensive production by DeBrincat and Strome. Probably could transform into old self with emphasis on summer training. Then if you haven't drafted a point producing center in 2020 draft, heck I would give both Strome and the Cat for someone not so one dimensional as Strome is at center position

Oh yeah we must re-sign Lehner. Saad can be replaced by an Icehogs; Crawford is too expensive as the other goaltender; so what if we loose a dman in expansion (each team looses someone); the sooner other dmen prospects come in (after Mitchell) is going to be exciting. Long term I hope that we feature a puck control fast defense with each pair dynamic in ability to score and move the puck.

I think it all comes down to chemistry and the "gelling" of the team, especially these days. There are so many new guys on this team, that to expect them to instantly have chemistry together and play all on the same page I think is asking a lot. I think these days, especially with the amount of change on this team, it takes longer than a season to develop this chemistry with each other. You have to look no further than Boston...a few years ago, they retooled, had a down year, but then kept most of those players together, and look at them now.

Watching the Hawks lately, this is what I see...a team that hasn't gelled yet. They are fumbling pucks and not holding on to passes, if it even gets to the right place, turning it over a ton, etc. This is why I do not want them to blow up the team or fire bowman or Colliton after this season, even if they miss the playoffs. If you do that, you definitely are not winning another cup with Toews and Kane in the next 5 -10 years. I think their doing exactly what they should be doing, and that is trying to win another cup with Toews and Kane on the team. The organization told us that they were going to retire as Hawks, so you try to win with them one more time. If it doesn't happen by the time those two contracts are up, then you do a full rebuild, where you can afford to take 5-10 years to build a contender again. You have to give management and this team time...most fans are way to impatient, in my opinion, though.

Just my 2 cents...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Each game there is noticeable issues and Bowman had to address them because they aren't going away. In fact the issues are particularly glaring some games.motr than others. Don't expect to commit larceny s la Sam Pollack as Montreal GM back in the day.

And we should know any meaningful help via free agency is a pipe dream. There is not cap space so there is little to no wiggle room to add a significant piece just for expenditure of some of Rocky's dollars

There is an earlier blog that questioned out farm system any better than other teams.

The remark which stood out was quite perceptive: it was all about using one of the glamorous top skill prospects (Boqvist) as an example.

Should Boqvist learn how to play defense - and it will take all of next year in AHL or longer to even become remotely descent in the craft - then THEN does he have some meaness and compete like D Keith has in his career. Taking a step up to be more than an offensive generator? Or perhaps valued as merely a better version of T Barrie.

Two three or more years yes we do have several attractive bottom line and bottom pair dmen. So we can hope to realize a better team....but not too much better unless Bowman drafts some star players

It is an excruciating time as a fan when yesterday's heroes are fading and the team is not performing as well defensively thanks in part to coaching. I do see some added toughness and speed skill in the prospect portfolio but whom might they replace

This season Bowman made some upgrades. Not enough by a far stretch. We are too slow in puck retrieval among dmen. Gus has maybe regressed. Forwards don't help the right way too and break outs is one example. Compounded all of this by other teams whom outskate us.

Loosing face offs is one thing but really behind 8 ball if ALSO too slow a team overall. It has been said skating speed is not everything in the overall value of a player. Well yeah but not if you have too many slow guys. Puck possession is important.

Obviously we need a return to form and that means offensive production by DeBrincat and Strome. Probably could transform into old self with emphasis on summer training. Then if you haven't drafted a point producing center in 2020 draft, heck I would give both Strome and the Cat for someone not so one dimensional as Strome is at center position

Oh yeah we must re-sign Lehner. Saad can be replaced by an Icehogs; Crawford is too expensive as the other goaltender; so what if we loose a dman in expansion (each team looses someone); the sooner other dmen prospects come in (after Mitchell) is going to be exciting. Long term I hope that we feature a puck control fast defense with each pair dynamic in ability to score and move the puck.

I think it all comes down to chemistry and the "gelling" of the team, especially these days. There are so many new guys on this team, that to expect them to instantly have chemistry together and play all on the same page I think is asking a lot. I think these days, especially with the amount of change on this team, it takes longer than a season to develop this chemistry with each other. You have to look no further than Boston...a few years ago, they retooled, had a down year, but then kept most of those players together, and look at them now.

Watching the Hawks lately, this is what I see...a team that hasn't gelled yet. They are fumbling pucks and not holding on to passes, if it even gets to the right place, turning it over a ton, etc. This is why I do not want them to blow up the team or fire bowman or Colliton after this season, even if they miss the playoffs. If you do that, you definitely are not winning another cup with Toews and Kane in the next 5 -10 years. I think their doing exactly what they should be doing, and that is trying to win another cup with Toews and Kane on the team. The organization told us that they were going to retire as Hawks, so you try to win with them one more time. If it doesn't happen by the time those two contracts are up, then you do a full rebuild, where you can afford to take 5-10 years to build a contender again. You have to give management and this team time...most fans are way to impatient, in my opinion, though.

Just my 2 cents...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Each game there is noticeable issues and Bowman had to address them because they aren't going away. In fact the issues are particularly glaring some games.motr than others. Don't expect to commit larceny s la Sam Pollack as Montreal GM back in the day.

And we should know any meaningful help via free agency is a pipe dream. There is not cap space so there is little to no wiggle room to add a significant piece just for expenditure of some of Rocky's dollars

There is an earlier blog that questioned out farm system any better than other teams.

The remark which stood out was quite perceptive: it was all about using one of the glamorous top skill prospects (Boqvist) as an example.

Should Boqvist learn how to play defense - and it will take all of next year in AHL or longer to even become remotely descent in the craft - then THEN does he have some meaness and compete like D Keith has in his career. Taking a step up to be more than an offensive generator? Or perhaps valued as merely a better version of T Barrie.

Two three or more years yes we do have several attractive bottom line and bottom pair dmen. So we can hope to realize a better team....but not too much better unless Bowman drafts some star players

It is an excruciating time as a fan when yesterday's heroes are fading and the team is not performing as well defensively thanks in part to coaching. I do see some added toughness and speed skill in the prospect portfolio but whom might they replace

This season Bowman made some upgrades. Not enough by a far stretch. We are too slow in puck retrieval among dmen. Gus has maybe regressed. Forwards don't help the right way too and break outs is one example. Compounded all of this by other teams whom outskate us.

Loosing face offs is one thing but really behind 8 ball if ALSO too slow a team overall. It has been said skating speed is not everything in the overall value of a player. Well yeah but not if you have too many slow guys. Puck possession is important.

Obviously we need a return to form and that means offensive production by DeBrincat and Strome. Probably could transform into old self with emphasis on summer training. Then if you haven't drafted a point producing center in 2020 draft, heck I would give both Strome and the Cat for someone not so one dimensional as Strome is at center position

Oh yeah we must re-sign Lehner. Saad can be replaced by an Icehogs; Crawford is too expensive as the other goaltender; so what if we loose a dman in expansion (each team looses someone); the sooner other dmen prospects come in (after Mitchell) is going to be exciting. Long term I hope that we feature a puck control fast defense with each pair dynamic in ability to score and move the puck

Is Toews still better than Crosby?

How's the value on that 10.5 per?

Haven't heard anything on my end.

I would imagine things would have to get much worse to make a big move.

Last I heard, it may not happen (if it is going to happen at all) until the offseason.
- Tyler Cameron

Much worse? You mean being dead last in the Conference opposed to 2nd to last? Not a lot of room for “much worse” lol

#hottakes.

All about the moment!

Is Toews still better than Crosby?

How's the value on that 10.5 per?
- TheGame316

12 goals and 42 points over 82 games

Could be that Stan isn't a builder. Question, though....how could a GM replace 4 Hall of Fame players drafting at the bottom of each round for a decade, especially given that the UFA market is very unlikely to produce dynamic young players?

Going forward? I don't know if he can do it, but to suggest he can't because he hasn't done it to date is an improper analysis, imo.
- mohel

He’s had every opportunity to fill in the pieces around 19/88/2/7 and yet he continues to make a mess of things. Panarin and Teravainen are about as close to “replacing” Sharp and Hossa as you’re gonna get. Bowman inexplicably managed to get rid of both. AND lost Danault and Hinostroza....all for jack poop in return.

And if he would have handed out better contracts with fewer NMCs to Toews, Seabs, and Crawford he could have better rebuilt the blue line, also should have kept Kempny. Kempny should be our #2D, not Seabrook.

Can we please stop making excuses for the front office? These errors when added up are/were catastrophic. They’ve crippled the roster.

This is as clear cut of a reason to fire a GM as I’ve ever seen. And if not for the success in rebuilding after the first Cup run Bowman would already be long gone. IMO it’s ‘what have you done for me lately?’ ...that’s what matters. Can’t hold on to the past. It’s been 5 seasons of regression and poor decision making....time to make a change and fire the GM.

I think you see Toews hit the ir and have an operation if they still suck after the holidays. Other then an injury he shouldn't have fallen off this much unless he was never really that good

They could pick up points though. Good goalies and Kane getting hot again will get them some plus other teams will have off nights too. Maybe enough to save Stan his job but i think they're too bad on the blue line for that.

They could split the next dozen games and maybe no one gets fired. If they get spanked 3 out of the next 5 then maybe not. At least they are interesting.

Keith has a nasty will to compete it's what made him great and a winner, not simply small and fast. Without the nasty Boquist is just a guy we will find out what's in his gut.
- rpeters01

Boqvist is a completely different player. Much smoother skater and his technical skill with the puck is incredible. He'll be a fun player to watch and should be on the team now.

Keith was a good skater (though choppy stride) and outstanding at breaking up plays in the neutral zone or quickly moving a dump in behind him the other way. He drove them to a cup doing those things at a success rate and for a significant amount of ice time that is just stupid to try and fathom how it was possible. Hof player no doubt.

I don't think they are good players to compare.

Boqvist is a completely different player. Much smoother skater and his technical skill with the puck is incredible. He'll be a fun player to watch and should be on the team now.

Keith was a good skater (though choppy stride) and outstanding at breaking up plays in the neutral zone or quickly moving a dump in behind him the other way. He drove them to a cup doing those things at a success rate and for a significant amount of ice time that is just stupid to try and fathom how it was possible. Hof player no doubt.

I don't think they are good players to compare.
- fattybeef[/quote
Only that neither are stay at home, both are light and Boquist is expected to be #1 Dman. I see the unsigned guy from college being his Seabs partner if he ever signs?