While I love his physicality and size, I agree that Gilbert's coverage is horrible. In Rockford games, he was not noticeably better than blueliners like Carlsson or Tuulola who also play a physical brand of defense with a nasty disposition on the side.

I'd even argue that Carlsson and Tuulola were the better D-men than Gilbert so not sure why neither of them haven't gotten a cup of coffee given this is Gilbert's 3rd tour of duty with the big club.

Even though he's not head-over-heels better than his D peers in Rockford, Gilbert still has potential and has a growth curve to get through in order to cement a regular NHL job.
- AEL_Fox

This could be tryout season for Icehog defenders. Give up on the year, shuttle the various defenders up and down. When they are up give them 10 to 20 games to indicate their readiness. Then, unless they stand out, shuttle the next candidate.

Maybe.

But I’d like to see someone with his potential - which does seem to be top-6 potential - with more than 50 games in The Show - and more than 21 years on this Earth - before making that determination.
- StLBravesFan

Agree. Look at the 50 posts about players the Hawks gave up on too early that are playing in the NHL for other teams.

I'm sure Keith and Seabrook 12-14 years ago made their share of mistakes as youngsters learning the trade. What's the old rule of thumb about the number of NHL games a young defenseman needs to play before becoming seasoned? 200? That's 2-1/2 seasons. Gilbert and the other prospect D- men have to start learning so they might as well get the experience this year.
- boilermaker100

Both were significantly better than Gilbert and their talent was pretty obvious. Gilbert is not very good.

Talk about ridiculous. This talk about if you were to trade Kane. Not really want to, just if you did.......please stop right there.

Don't even discuss it. Why...because you never should trade Kane. So now we are hurting a bit more since the team is bad again. You know darn well when you try to stay competitive, then a rebuild on the fly is going to be an arduous task

You will not get fair value in short, medium, or long term years by trading Kane. Almost all prospects have some flaws. You are not receiving two top of draft prospects so therefore not the very creme of the crop for Kane.

And Kane will continue to be the force that he is probably for a few more years. A self driven type to improve and produce is Kane's personal mantra ....so I see him as the current offensive threat into his mid to late 30 's

Don't fall for those published to sell headlines where The Athletic or someone else point to various scenario s which could happen. They design stories with prearranged layout....oh let's come up with 15 reasons for doing this fire Bowman or trade Kane and we will try to write something which supports our view. That is crap journalism. Trying to get a story some legít legs to stand on. I call.bs.
- jhawk59

Not about getting fair value its about stockpiling futures to get the next Partick Kane or Jonathan Toews or Duncan Keith and you typically need high round draft picks to do that.

I think that they get a good return moving Lehner and Crow as well. If some stupid GM wants Maatta and Gus trade them both too but I think you have a sit down with Toews, Kane, Keith and say the plan is in 2 or 3 years. If you want to wait cool if not we will do our best to get you somewhere else.

And with Seabrook you say the same thing except you're going to sit in the box more than skate on the ice and if you're not cool with that we will do our best to get you somewhere else.

The Hawks had a great run from 2010 to 2015. The last 4 years not so much. I think they tread water for the next 3 or 4 years. Marginal playoff team or miss the playoffs. Trade off players for future picks when possible. Poor finishes = lottery picks, build depth in the system. Let players like Dach, Boqvist, Beuadin, Mitchell, Lankinen, and newer draft picks, develop. in 2024 Dach is only 23. Beaudin & Boqvist 24. Lankinen 28. At that time the Toews and Kane contracts roll off. They are 34 years old. You and they can decide if they are to stay in Chicago for reasonable contracts. Then you have cap room to make some major changes. You might have a pretty decent team coming out of that.

So maybe 2016 to 2023 the Hawks are not that great (or bad). In the grand scheme of things that is not long. Look at Edmonton, the Islanders, the Leafs, the Canadians, etc. They have been bad much longer.

With Gravel in his 4th year in juniors, his next stop should be an ELC so one of Lankinen, Delia, or Tomkins will need to be moved or relegated to the ECHL to make room. While a goalie prospect can get reps as an ECHL starter, not sure how much they can really develop at that level which is why Tomkins seems to be on a better growth trajectory this year.

With the way the Rockford goalie trio have been playing, I'd trade Delia for a draft pick or two (late rounders are fine) and consider Lankinen as the backup to Crawford or Lehner starting next season. Rockford would then have Tomkins and Gravel as the backstops.
- AEL_Fox

Something that has to be considered regarding the goalies is the expansion draft in the summer of 21. Hawks have to expose a goalie who is signed for the 21-22 season, regardless of number of NHL games played.

Right now the only Hawk goalie fitting that bill is Delia. Say after the season the Hawks sign Crow or Lehner as their #1 and extend Lankinen for a couple of years.

Crow/Lehner would be protected but Delia and Lankinen would be exposed. Not saying Seattle will take Lankinen since there may be better goalies out there.

Both were significantly better than Gilbert and their talent was pretty obvious. Gilbert is not very good.
- fattybeef

I'm not projecting Gilbert as a future #1. Just saying it's going to take time for any D man a lot of time to learn the ropes whether his name is Gilbert, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Carlsson, etc.

Yes, some young players like Cale Makar and Charlie McAvoy have hit the ground running (hit the ice skating ?) and established themselves as very good defensemen right off the bat. But they are the exceptions IMO.

I'm not projecting Gilbert as a future #1. Just saying it's going to take time for any D man a lot of time to learn the ropes whether his name is Gilbert, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Carlsson, etc.

Yes, some young players like Cale Makar and Charlie McAvoy have hit the ground running (hit the ice skating ?) and established themselves as very good defensemen right off the bat. But they are the exceptions IMO.
- boilermaker100

It's becoming more common than it used to be, because preparation for these players is way better than it used to be, but generally speaking you're right that defensemen especially take a little longer to develop and adapt to the speed of the pro game.

Per Forbes magazine, Hawks 4th most valuable NHL franchise coming in at $1.085B which is an increase of 3% from last year's value of $1.05B.

NYR - $1.65B, TOR - $1.5B, MON - $1.34B are 1,2,3.

Per Forbes magazine, Hawks 4th most valuable NHL franchise coming in at $1.085B which is only an increase of 3% from last year's value of $1.05B.

NYR - $1.65B, TOR - $1.5B, MON - $1.34B are 1,2,3.
- boilermaker100

And the Hawks are only a fraction of Rocky's financial holdings. So those that think Rocky is going to make rash moves because his season ticket sales drop for a few years are mistaken. Rocky understands that businesses are cyclical and he takes a long term view. Same as Reisndorf and the McCaskey's. The did not earn their billions by making knee jerk reactions.

And the Hawks are only a fraction of Rocky's financial holdings. So those that think Rocky is going to make rash moves because his season ticket sales drop for a few years are mistaken. Rocky understands that businesses are cyclical and he takes a long term view. Same as Reisndorf and the McCaskey's. The did not earn their billions by making knee jerk reactions.
- -Doh-

Rocky uses the hawks for a few reasons, he sells his alcohol their, collects some money from being a owner, but his main purposes are he can use the value of the team to increase his shares and worth, while also write offs for any losses. Your right though this isn't his main source of income like some owners.

Rocky uses the hawks for a few reasons, he sells his alcohol their, collects some money from being a owner, but his main purposes are he can use the value of the team to increase his shares and worth, while also write offs for any losses. Your right though this isn't his main source of income like some owners.
- Taylorst1

What major sports team owner do you think relies on the revenue from their sports team as their main source of income?

While I love his physicality and size, I agree that Gilbert's coverage is horrible. In Rockford games, he was not noticeably better than blueliners like Carlsson or Tuulola who also play a physical brand of defense with a nasty disposition on the side.

I'd even argue that Carlsson and Tuulola were the better D-men than Gilbert so not sure why neither of them haven't gotten a cup of coffee given this is Gilbert's 3rd tour of duty with the big club.

Even though he's not head-over-heels better than his D peers in Rockford, Gilbert still has potential and has a growth curve to get through in order to cement a regular NHL job.
- AEL_Fox

How has Beaudin looked lately? I like Stan’s approach of pairing a young d-man with a saavy vet a la Hammer/Sopel. Would like to see Boq, Beaudin, and Mitchell all go that route if possible. Gilbert is keeping the seat warm but has a 3rd pairing ceiling in NHL imo.

What major sports team owner do you think relies on the revenue from their sports team as their main source of income?
- -Doh-

Not many , but their are a few , and those who have or do are either bankrupt or so cheap that these teams don't compete i.e paying players , always at or below the floor of the cap. Example was the coyotes that comes yo mind a group of investors

i personally cant wait for all of Canada to burn to the ground when Ovechkin breaks Gretzky's goal record. If he wants it, he can get there. Im pulling hard for the great 8, next to the Hawks they are my eastern conference team I pull for EVERY year.

Agreed...those guys you listed Im guessing continue to work on their games and get better.
- SteveRain

Your a moron.

Your a moron.
- 11Chaser11

I think so to.

Sorry I couldn't help it.

Someone brought up Perlini up there.

Ouch. Change of scenery didn't help him.

G A P +/- PIM PPG PPP SHG SHP GWG OTG S S%
0 1 1 -11 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 28

And the Hawks are only a fraction of Rocky's financial holdings. So those that think Rocky is going to make rash moves because his season ticket sales drop for a few years are mistaken. Rocky understands that businesses are cyclical and he takes a long term view. Same as Reisndorf and the McCaskey's. The did not earn their billions by making knee jerk reactions.
- -Doh-

Link to the article.

https://www.forbes.com/nh...uations/list/#tab:overall

Good point on the bolded. Note last year's income of $69M on revenue of $208M. So next year if say 3000 less season tickets sold at average price of ____ = lost revenue of ____. Someone who knows ticket prices can fill in the blanks. Reduced revenue due to parking, concessions, souvenirs needs to be factored in too. Whatever the total number is isn't going to effect Rocky's wallet

It's the value of the franchise that counts (which is going up), not year to year income.

Someone brought up Perlini up there.

Ouch. Change of scenery didn't help him.

G A P +/- PIM PPG PPP SHG SHP GWG OTG S S%
0 1 1 -11 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 28
- Popsghostly

And I was going to put him on my ex Blackhawk team.

Your a moron.
- 11Chaser11

i agree what a statement to make. hoping canada burns what a Richard thing to say

Link to the article.

https://www.forbes.com/nh...uations/list/#tab:overall

Good point on the bolded. Note last year's income of $69M on revenue of $208M. So next year if say 3000 less season tickets sold at average price of ____ = lost revenue of ____. Someone who knows ticket prices can fill in the blanks. Reduced revenue due to parking, concessions, souvenirs needs to be factored in too. Whatever the total number is isn't going to effect Rocky's wallet

It's the value of the franchise that counts (which is going up), not year to year income.
- boilermaker100

Great link and well put . It's the valuation that is the pinnacle to any and all of Rockys decisions.

However if Rocky finally decides that the long term outlook will be affected by today's on ice product than Stan gets fired

Your a moron.
- 11Chaser11

I heard via somebody who knows Lev Parnas and Rudy Gulliani that city workers in Brantford have been told to start preparing new signs for changing Wayne Gretzky Parkway and the Wayne Gretzky Sports Center to Ovechkin Road and Ovechkin Arena. Vladdy Putin enthusiastically approves and is sending cash and some computer hackers over to help with the project.

Edmonton must be getting ready too, aren't they? Breaking #99's record is just a matter of time.

How has Beaudin looked lately? I like Stan’s approach of pairing a young d-man with a saavy vet a la Hammer/Sopel. Would like to see Boq, Beaudin, and Mitchell all go that route if possible. Gilbert is keeping the seat warm but has a 3rd pairing ceiling in NHL imo.
- Assman22

Good approach however, the Hawks are quickly running out of savvy vets.

And the Hawks are only a fraction of Rocky's financial holdings. So those that think Rocky is going to make rash moves because his season ticket sales drop for a few years are mistaken. Rocky understands that businesses are cyclical and he takes a long term view. Same as Reisndorf and the McCaskey's. The did not earn their billions by making knee jerk reactions.
- -Doh-

This is correct.

I like that title GM Taylor lol. In 2011 Chicago was by far younger than 2015 , also Stan was very focused on retooling a young team that just won a Stanley cup and had all the ingredients to win another.

After 2105 Chicago was so taxed from 3 years of playoff hockey, a depleted farm team , a aging core , and new contracts that guaranteed 8 years .

Stan years prior re evaluated who his core was and moved out Sharpie, oduya .

Seabrook should have been let go to test free agency .
- Taylorst1

God help us all if the wind were to change direction.