I agree that the Bears are their principle holding. But the revenue they have received from the Bears over the last 100 years have made them incredibly wealthy. Their day to day living is not reliant on the Bears making a profit. Their decisions are not based upon what they need to do to make a profit this year, next year or for several years.

Papa Bear threw nickels around like they were sewer covers. When he died he still had the first dollar he ever earned. I am guessing he invested well (besides the Bears). I am pretty sure his heirs are not relying on a check from the Bears each week for their day to day living expenses.
- -Doh-

Or as Catholics say "He still had his first Communion money."

I agree that the Bears are their principle holding. But the revenue they have received from the Bears over the last 100 years have made them incredibly wealthy. Their day to day living is not reliant on the Bears making a profit. Their decisions are not based upon what they need to do to make a profit this year, next year or for several years.

Papa Bear threw nickels around like they were sewer covers. When he died he still had the first dollar he ever earned. I am guessing he invested well (besides the Bears). I am pretty sure his heirs are not relying on a check from the Bears each week for their day to day living expenses.
- -Doh-

With the money they get from the TV contracts, the Bears and the rest of teams in the NFL are making a profit before they sell one ticket.

Since they show the Hawks with only 5 Championships, I wonder which one they're discounting - probably one of the ones that Stan had a hand in.

If an owner is not looking to sell the team, year-to-year income (and, more importantly to a privately owned operation) year-to-year cash flow is the driving factor.

Don't forget, Rocky has partners in the Hawks - family members, however many - and in the building.
- StLBravesFan

I really do not think Rocky or minority owners in the Hawks are relying on cash flow from the Hawks to cover their day to day living expenses. As a rule majority and minority owners are incredibly wealthy people. Of course some of them have had to sell their teams because of failures in their other businesses (Pocklington for example).

I agree that the Bears are their principle holding. But the revenue they have received from the Bears over the last 100 years have made them incredibly wealthy. Their day to day living is not reliant on the Bears making a profit. Their decisions are not based upon what they need to do to make a profit this year, next year or for several years.

Papa Bear threw nickels around like they were sewer covers. When he died he still had the first dollar he ever earned. I am guessing he invested well (besides the Bears). I am pretty sure his heirs are not relying on a check from the Bears each week for their day to day living expenses.
- -Doh-

Except aren’tt there dozens of cousins, nieces, nephews that the Bears support - some of whom may be looking to cash out?

Or has that issue been dealt with?

Or as Catholics say "He still had his first Communion money."
- boilermaker100

I was going to say exactly that. But it may not be as universally known.

I really do not think Rocky or minority owners in the Hawks are relying on cash flow from the Hawks to cover their day to day living expenses. As a rule majority and minority owners are incredibly wealthy people. Of course some of them have had to sell their teams because of failures in their other businesses (Pocklington for example).
- -Doh-

I didn’t say they were.

Wirtz business cash flow pays for a lot of projects, businesses, charitable situations, etc. that would family members want to get involved in.

Cash flow is important to owners of private corporations, no matter how much wealth is in their private assets.

There are over 25 family members working in the Lake Forest office.
- rpeters01

Pretty sure family members compensation counts the same as non-family member compensation. Each NFL team receives $250+ million from the NFL in just national revenue. This does not count locally generated revenue. So I think they can afford the 25 family members on the payroll.

Saad has been their best forward all year...
- fattybeef

That's part of the problem

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

Yes, that is quite true about D-men needing more time develop in the NHL so practicing patience with any of them -- Gilbert, Boqvist, others -- is key.

I just hope that Gilbert isn't the only Rockford defender getting an audition and a chance to develop in the NHL over some of his Hog teammates who I believe could provide a similar package of physicality, mean streak, and defense-first mentality.

Pretty sure family members compensation counts the same as non-family member compensation. Each NFL team receives $250+ million from the NFL in just national revenue. This does not count locally generated revenue. So I think they can afford the 25 family members on the payroll.
- -Doh-

I bet some of them are getting paid big money for little work, as a means of distributing earnings.

That's part of the problem
- 6628

Yep, at this point in his career you're a good team if Saad is your 8th or 9th best forward.

I didn’t say they were.

Wirtz business cash flow pays for a lot of projects, businesses, charitable situations, etc. that would family members want to get involved in.

Cash flow is important to owners of private corporations, no matter how much wealth is in their private assets.
- StLBravesFan

I think we can agree. Wealthy people are wealthy because they make wise investments and watch their cash flow and ROI closely. But with the huge revenue streams they have, day to day decisions are able to be made with short term, medium term and long term goals in mind because they are not solely reliant on weekly profits for their day to day existence.

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.
- -Doh-

That makes sense. Tuulola and McCoshen are RFAs at season's end so getting a few games in at the NHL level would help in knowing whether to renew them or cut them loose this summer. Maybe management already has that decision made.

Like Gilbert, Carlsson is an RFA at the end of next season so there's still time for Carlsson to get a trial run. As long as Gilbert shows steady improvement with his D coverage, that's fine if he gets an extended look right now.

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.
- boilermaker100

Thanks for the reminder about the expansion draft. I always forget about that factor.

I bet some of them are getting paid big money for little work, as a means of distributing earnings.
- mohel

For sure some are free loaders or are not pulling their weight. Pretty true in all large family businesses. But $250 mil annually can absorb the slackers. I don't think the freeloaders and slackers are each making millions.

Yes, that is quite true about D-men needing more time develop in the NHL so practicing patience with any of them -- Gilbert, Boqvist, others -- is key.

I just hope that Gilbert isn't the only Rockford defender getting an audition and a chance to develop in the NHL over some of his Hog teammates who I believe could provide a similar package of physicality, mean streak, and defense-first mentality.
- AEL_Fox

The idea of Kane going to Buffalo is fascinating in a lot of ways but lets also recall the largest elephant in the room......kane's history off the ice in Buffalo. I don't think, and I could be 100% wrong, he goes back there in the summer any longer or if he does its' for a very short while. There are a LOT of challenges of playing in your home town and I think if we all compiled a list....there have been more athletes who have imploded then succeeded playing in their home towns.

I would say kane is a top 10 talent in the game, possibly a top 5....the off ice revenue who be appealing to any team and that factor is also why the Hawks wouldn't trade him.

Remember, when McDonough 1st got hired..what did he do?

He reached out to the previous generational talents and welcomed them back to the Hawks family....I was at the game where Hull, Esposito, Mikita were rolled out in the white convertible against the Sharks and "the pop" in the building rivaled anything during the glory years. They also lost that game to San Jose as Rene Borque batted one in with his glove......

To me this organization is at a crossroads. I think we can all agree that 2 of the 5 core guys can still be elite players on a team IF healthy in 50/88. 2/19 can be above average, and only 2's deal is truly a steal, and 19's deal looks worse and worse with each passing day.....and 7...is a shell of his former self.

They are far too damn slow right now to compete and have too many guys who are regressing at an alarming rate......and any minute they want to send 56 packing works for me. As much as I defended his offensive upside last year, when that doesn't happen....his defensive awareness is a complete joke.
- SteveRain

All this talk of trading Kane is a moot point. The Hawks fanbase is pretty fickle as we all know, you trade Kane and you will probably lose 1/4 of it (for anyone who started watching in 07' or later). Plus he's a perennial 80+ point scorer and by far our best forward, no...just no.

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

Beaudin as well as Krys are on the slow and steady development path. No need to rush them and they have shown gradual growth in their first pro season. Both should be ready by the 2021-22 season with potential cups of coffee next year.

If banging on all cylinders, Beaudin has the potential to be a top pair defender but would also be a solid option anchoring the 2nd pair. He and Mitchell have the potential to be excellent in all zones and tilt the ice consistently like Keith in his prime.

Krys likely tops out as the anchor to the 3rd pair with capacity to play up if needed. He would also be an option to play point on the 2nd PP unit.

Yes, that is quite true about D-men needing more time develop in the NHL so practicing patience with any of them -- Gilbert, Boqvist, others -- is key.

I just hope that Gilbert isn't the only Rockford defender getting an audition and a chance to develop in the NHL over some of his Hog teammates who I believe could provide a similar package of physicality, mean streak, and defense-first mentality.
- AEL_Fox

Give it a little bit of time - once the Hawks' brass admit to themselves just before Christmas that the season is over, the ball will get rolling quickly and commence with ridding themselves of the Swedish sieve #56.

Give it a little bit of time - once the Hawks' brass admit to themselves just before Christmas that the season is over, the ball will get rolling quickly and commence with ridding themselves of the Swedish sieve #56.
- RickJ

I believe the Hawks can get a cheaper one at Ikea in the kitchen section.

Give it a little bit of time - once the Hawks' brass admit to themselves just before Christmas that the season is over, the ball will get rolling quickly and commence with ridding themselves of the Swedish sieve #56.
- RickJ

I was hoping he would have improved his defense this season while continuing his offensive production but I swear his defense has become worse. I really hope the Hawks let him go.

Give it a little bit of time - once the Hawks' brass admit to themselves just before Christmas that the season is over, the ball will get rolling quickly and commence with ridding themselves of the Swedish sieve #56.
- RickJ

Goalies are sieves.
Defensemen are pylons.
Gus is a Swedish pylon with a low hockey IQ and non-existent compete level.

I was hoping he would have improved his defense this season while continuing his offensive production but I swear his defense has become worse. I really hope the Hawks let him go.
- paulr

Just shows how little offensive points mean with a player who really can't play the game at an NHL level. Bowman should have known he couldn't duplicate a 60 point season and traded him somewhere. But that makes the supposition that another team would have wanted him, which I doubt were many. Gus is just another David Rundblad is all.

Goalies are sieves.
Defensemen are pylons.
Gus is a Swedish pylon with a low hockey IQ and non-existent compete level.
- scottak

Being at the game in person is a relevation of just how horsepoop 56 is in his own zone. You describe it best. I'd have to believe that the Tom Selleck True Grit poster who defends him every time has not seen him in person much if at all.

He has to say yes while he's still worth $10m otherwise it doesn't matter.
- rpeters01

Of course, we all know that.