Have said before, I don’t think you’re going to know the plan. It’s not like the Cubs where they could afford some level of transparency where the casual fans show regardless.
- HawkintheD

Agreed....its how they are run and why very rarely do you hear stuff about this team that comes true months or even weeks ahead of time......They are exceptional at controlling the information in and out of their building and that's fine.

And I agree.....the whole premise of the idea of trading some of these guys is the hope of them being able to contend again is done. I was optimistic heading into this year as I thought Bowman did a good job of stabilizing the back end, and adding some nice depth....but its not happening.

So sell while you still can get some value for some of these guys. it sucks, but its the right move to get them back in the long term race to win more championships and not fawn over the past.

Do I realistically think it'll happen? No....but its fun to speculate and talk about.

Nah, not a chance in hindsight - and part of the trade to Columbus, was trading away the circus during a final season separation process - which was only barely less ridiculous than the ESPN LeBron James, taking talents to South Beach fake reality show treatment.
- SC116

Agreed.....Bowman played Panarin's agent well and maximized the return, and I never bought in to Panarin returning here....sure he loves Kane, but after his agent was played you knew it wasn't happening EVEN if the Hawks could of, they couldn't, made it happen.

BTW....nba ratings are tanking....what a shame......

Truthfully, for me....it was the Nashville series when Johansen dominated Toews and keith.

That was a beat down for this team. Blame it on tread on the tires, etc, and you could and I wouldn't argue it.....but they were exposed and btw that Hawks team was 1st in the conference that year.....

That was the beginning of the "window" slamming shut.....and now it's just a matter of how the organization goes about replacing all these guys.
- SteveRain

Tha twas Lavvy's 3rd kick at the can. He lost to them in Philly for the cup finals, lost once to the hawks in Nashville, and the last time he finally opened the trap door and had the team that was on the upswing being younger and faster. The only thing good about that series was the hit on Arvidsson by Keith.

Tha twas Lavvy's 3rd kick at the can. He lost to them in Philly for the cup finals, lost once to the hawks in Nashville, and the last time he finally opened the trap door and had the team that was on the upswing being younger and faster. The only thing good about that series was the hit on Arvidsson by Keith.
- 6628

Great point......hopefully you're still poolside in Vegas.

The other thing about that series was Foley blasting AA and Panarin without being provoked....tainted the fan base....and then at the draft....Panarin is jettisoned. Makes you wonder...

Chicago doesn't win without hossa was my point, I did clearly say while toews was a part of winning 3 cups , without hossa Chicago doesn't win solely with toews and Kane.
- Taylorst1

Remove ANY of the following and the team doesn't win - Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Crow (13 & 15), Hammer, Seabrook. There are more.

It takes a village.

Great point......hopefully you're still poolside in Vegas.

The other thing about that series was Foley blasting AA and Panarin without being provoked....tainted the fan base....and then at the draft....Panarin is jettisoned. Makes you wonder...
- SteveRain

They probably won't bother giving Toews that treatment due to his contract. Nor should they under any circumstance due to his history here. But agree, that was then and this is now.

I don't sleep much in Vegas so a couple days is ok with me. But I highly recommend experiencing the whole game vibe while there. Not sure I could put up with it full time, but once or twice a year is a riot. The camera during one of the timeouts had Crawford on the big screen standing in his crease and all of a sudden they superimpose a black cat (frank)ing with him. I was still laughing when on the next shift Vegas scored a goal. It is a really good time.

As we commiserate over the current sad state of the team, I found this on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td13zKyA1Z8

22:58 minutes of every goal scored by the Hawks during the 2015 Cup run.

Makes you feel better. Remember- Canucks, Preds, Jets and Sharks never got this and will have/had to deal with cap Hell like we are.

Let's beat the Yotes' tonight!

They probably won't bother giving Toews that treatment due to his contract. Nor should they under any circumstance due to his history here. But agree, that was then and this is now.

I don't sleep much in Vegas so a couple days is ok with me. But I highly recommend experiencing the whole game vibe while there. Not sure I could put up with it full time, but once or twice a year is a riot. The camera during one of the timeouts had Crawford on the big screen standing in his crease and all of a sudden they superimpose a black cat (frank)ing with him. I was still laughing when on the next shift Vegas scored a goal. It is a really good time.
- 6628

good call....I had a buddy who moved out to Vegas. I make it appointment tv to watch the pregame introductions when they have home playoff games....its' insane.

A game out there is on my bucket list.

Remove ANY of the following and the team doesn't win - Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Crow (13 & 15), Hammer, Seabrook. There are more.

It takes a village.
- mohel

Yes it does Bolland comes to mind also . Hossa was great and respect everything he brings . Toews was always their leader during their runs
EK as the HAWKS being aggressive at the deadline ,has he lost his mide or has Stan . If it Stan he needs to be taken out now .

As we commiserate over the current sad state of the team, I found this on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Td13zKyA1Z8

22:58 minutes of every goal scored by the Hawks during the 2015 Cup run.

Makes you feel better. Remember- Canucks, Preds, Jets and Sharks never got this and will have/had to deal with cap Hell like we are.

Let's beat the Yotes' tonight!
- Popsghostly

I needed this thank you....I should probably fire up 1 of my championship dvds...maybe the 2010 one to celebrate the 10 year anniversary this season.

Does anyone really think Panarin would still be here if that trade weren’t made?
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes, about 3/4 of the board.

Yes, about 3/4 of the board.
- Angotti

Panarin was in for the money.....He can care less who he plays for, as long as it is the highest bidder.

Panarin was in for the money.....He can care less who he plays for, as long as it is the highest bidder.
- powerenforcer

Not exactly I think. Columbus and Isles offered him more I believe but he went to the Rangers.

http://www.prohockeyrumor...osian-requests-trade.html

Bogosian wants out of Buffalo. Maybe they want Zach Smith 😂

Does anyone really think Panarin would still be here if that trade weren’t made?
- Ogilthorpe2

If you believe that you believe Seabs could be traded for the full boat.

Toews numbers have been on the decline since 2015, last year was more of a aberration and I'd safely say his numbers were inflated because he was playing alongside Kane who was on a terror.

If you look now he has been mia again. But I see your point
- Taylorst1

you are right Taylor. Kane still elevates other players, Toews has not for awhile, he started to decline at about 28. it's why independent observers have ranked him not elite for a number of years

but to your point George is very involved and while this isn't a bears board.....they gravely missed on Trubisky, they missed on kevin white, they missed on Leonard Floyd.....they have a LOT of 1st round pick busts that you can't miss on.....think back to all the crap the Hawks selected in round 1 that didn't enable them to be good.....

Sure pace has hit on 2nd and 3rd and 4th round picks but he also picked Adam Shaheen...….

I think the most successful owners hire the smartest people in their industries to run day to day and you as said owner are alerted but you delegate......I have zero evidence to back it up but I would venture to guess Wirtz delegates and that's why the Hawks have been so successful...…

Jerry Jones is the PRIME example of a how an owner SHOULD NOT function.....
- SteveRain

Most scouts had Trubisky and White exactly how they were drafted and I wouldn't call Floyd a bust.

I agree with the other posters argument. Kane has never had a true top 6 center or winger to play with for 95% of his career and has always produced and been a clutch player while elevating his linemates.

That year he broke 100points he had panarin and a revitalized arty.
Toews had Sharpie and hossa .

While toews was a part of the 3 cups it's hard to see Chicago winning 3 cups without hossa and toews only.
- Taylorst1

Handzus was top 6 in 1978.

Maybe? Shaw? Bolland? Sharp? an aging Richards? Handzus?

They dont' win a cup without 2,7,19,81,88....they have proven they could win with Niemi and Crawford. Although Crawford has become a staple.

Toews has never been the primary focus of another teams checking plan, made guys around him better, anchored a PP....
- SteveRain

Toews was a monster game 7 against Anaheim in 2015 and that was the last time.

Hes being paid ELITE money....show me ELITE production. Show me who he has made better?

How many different players has Kane played with and Kane's production hasn't slowed down......do you think maybe the front office targeted Saad hoping he could help rejuvenate Toews? knowing Kane can skate with anyone and make them a threat? Probably.

For all the advanced stats.....Toews plays on the PK and that has been a train wreck.....15th in Selke voting is nothing to brag about.

Ive seen posts say he's hurt....or this or that......I own a Toews sweater but I just see a guy who is declining. it sucks. It really does, but when his deal is up should be paid same as Kane again? NOt a chance in hell.
- SteveRain

A real hockey fan acknowledges the inevitable decline in any player and separates it from salary (except on this site of course). Its life; not everybody lives to the same age or can perform at peak efficiency for the same length of time. Take a look at Mario Lemieux's numbers in his last couple of NHL seasons - even the greatest decline and it can be rapid. Remember when the Swedish coach at the 2002 Olympics said Mario was skating like an old tractor?

Toews isn't the player he once was - that's what 1000+ games of hard hockey and injuries does to a player. If you want to sh$t on him go ahead, but appreciation for his accomplishments is probably the better option.

"To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high" (WW1 1915) and eventually adopted by the Montreal Canadiens.

So who's the next guy the Blackhawks need to grab the torch from #19?

A real hockey fan acknowledges the inevitable decline in any player and separates it from salary (except on this site of course). Its life; not everybody lives to the same age or can perform at peak efficiency for the same length of time. Take a look at Mario Lemieux's numbers in his last couple of NHL seasons - even the greatest decline and it can be rapid. Remember when the Swedish coach at the 2002 Olympics said Mario was skating like an old tractor?

Toews isn't the player he once was - that's what 1000+ games of hard hockey and injuries does to a player. If you want to sh$t on him go ahead, but appreciation for his accomplishments is probably the better option.

"To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high" (WW1 1915) and eventually adopted by the Montreal Canadiens.

So who's the next guy the Blackhawks need to grab the torch from #19?
- RickJ

Well said Rick. Thanks for bringing some sanity to this board.

A real hockey fan acknowledges the inevitable decline in any player and separates it from salary (except on this site of course). Its life; not everybody lives to the same age or can perform at peak efficiency for the same length of time. Take a look at Mario Lemieux's numbers in his last couple of NHL seasons - even the greatest decline and it can be rapid. Remember when the Swedish coach at the 2002 Olympics said Mario was skating like an old tractor?

Toews isn't the player he once was - that's what 1000+ games of hard hockey and injuries does to a player. If you want to sh$t on him go ahead, but appreciation for his accomplishments is probably the better option.

"To you from failing hands we throw the torch, be yours to hold it high" (WW1 1915) and eventually adopted by the Montreal Canadiens.

So who's the next guy the Blackhawks need to grab the torch from #19?
- RickJ

Well said Rick. Don't know who the next torch bearer will be. Big skates to fill. Not only Toews, but Kane, Keith. Seabrook, Hossa. Might be another generation before finding a quintet like that.

http://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2019/12/zach-bogosian-requests-trade.html

Bogosian wants out of Buffalo. Maybe they want Zach Smith 😂
- ikeane

This is a good trade when you think about it.

Good start tonight.....

another fine start and their off to races...the coyotes...

holy poop what a pass and finish on the second goal...two hawk defenders get split