Buffalo hangs up the phone immediately.
- BINGO!

Yeah. Cause they don't have the cap space.

I echo the earlier poster or maybe it was the blogger who praised Crawford for visibly getting upset. they were dominated for large portions of the game and their team speed is truly lacking.

The IQ of DeBrincat is shocking as literally 12 seconds after Eddie O warned us about Vegas short handed, here is Alex turning it over at the blue line and I truly wish somebody could tell what the hell 56 was doing on that 2 on 1? He didn't take away the pass, he didnt' get down, he basically half @ssed it allowing an easy tap in...…

THis team is a damn dumpster fire in their own end.....See Toews not skating hard to get back on goal 4? Complaining with palms up over being tossed at the dot, and I used to rip Crosby for always whining....I truly think 19 may be the BIGGEST whiner in the NHL today.

Blow it up. Please....enough of this Sox/Bulls patchwork retooling on the fly. Its not working. The core is breaking down daily, and 12 looks lost almost every shift he's out there.

I didn't check to see if 50 ripped this team but I will say when Lehner does it's warranted and Im glad he's not putting lip stick on a pig. Play the kids....deal off the veterans who aren't on board to rebuild like Doughty and Kopitar are out in LA.

Enough of this crap....their damn special teams are a colossal failure and JC couldn't coach a mite team let alone a professional team. He has NOT adapted to what he has on his roster.
- SteveRain

The Sox did blow it up... And it seems like they are trying to throw some money around and give their kids a chance to have success. Better then the bozos on 540 and the Cubs running their best player out of town.

I mean...you can move Toews to WINN. But you'd be taking back Bryan Little and Perrault

To BUFF...I agree. That would be difficult. Would have to take back probably Sobotka (on LTIR), Bogosian but still probably not enough when it comes to $$. There would be lots of garbage coming back....but if I were CHI I wouldn't move Kane there unless I got both them back (Dahlin & Cozens)
- PatShart

I completely agree with your point . If any core players are to be moved it will take a new GM with no emotional ties to these players
To come in and have those honest conversations with toews and Kane that Chicago is going in a different direction.

Yes because they are people to build around. We don’t want to have to start from absolute scratch. Carpenter is great 4th line PK guy and cheap. Kubliak has untapped potential.
- gifman

Sure. Teams usually are built around a dime a dozen 4th line PK guys. Plus a potential middle 6 guy.

Oh...I know they aren't firing. The hiring of him is the smug, smarter then you based on our hidden top secret analytics we swear by...……

Believe they are still paying Q, so they can't pay both......or else Rocky will have Crain's on speed dial to cry about losing more money.
- SteveRain

If they were using the maths (and their eyes for that matter) they wouldn't be using this system.

If the coach plays Kubilak 9min a game...why keep him? And not a knock to JC, but if he clearly, in his mind, is a 9min a game guy - move him

Trade Saad too. They Haekd aren't going to be good for a loooong time if they go the fire sale route. He will be a good catch for those wanting Taylor Hall but not wanting to pay the price.

Not sure I agree with the Lehner is a "good locker room guy" but still not sure the point in keeping him when they could get a first or second round pick for him. What is the point in keeping him when they'll be tanking for several years?

Same with Murphy and Maata. Zero point in keeping either/both of them when again, both are under contract and can get a decent return for teams wanting D depth

Seabrook isnt moveable. Toews, probably the same. Not many teams will want his 10mil nor can afford it and not sure he'd waive it. Maybe to WIN bit they'd have to probably take back Bryan Little and Perrault at best. Maybe a pick. Might as well keep him
- PatShart

Maata if he has a recurrence, which I hope isn’t the case, will have to retire.

Seabrook could be movable if you add a sweetener like Gilbert and Sikura. But I agree if we move the rest of the salary we would just buy him out.

I think the one aspect you may not be appreciating is, the returns we get back from the trades, could make a turn around that much quicker. Kane would get you a really nice haul. Crawford will net you at least a top prospect. Keith too. There is a lot of possibilities, if done right.

Well..........we have had our season tickets since 1962 when I was just a kid and going to the Stadium for a Christmas Night Game was my favorite gift from SANTA.

I guess it's all about the almighty dollar now. Season Tickets for center ice Mez were $3.75 apiece back then, now in 100 level center ice aisle seats are nearing 300.00 a seat. Yes............ we almost decided to give them up back in 1980 when my dad passed away, but when we drafted Denis Savard, we decided to keep them. We have been close to giving them up several times since but when we moved to the UC in 1994, our seats started at $60.00 and the team had several bad years. Prices didn't go up to $75.00 per after the team started to WIN.

Bottom line is thank GOD we decided to keep them through the rough times and totally LOVED the years of Stanley Cup playoffs and WINS in those many GREAT years of the rebuild.

Now, because of the salary cap, it's near impossible to maintain that level of competancy, especially since SB has mismanaged the dollars so poorly. His desparation moves over the past few years and since their hands are pretty much tied due to the contracts of 19, 88, 7 and others, my hope for seeing more playoff runs and possible Stanley Cups are gone IMO.

It's a sad state to hear JC claim that this team needs to do this and that to be competitive and I don't think it's going to change until this core is gone. I really agreed that it was time for Q to go and honestly thought that the nucleus was good enough to COMPETE for a few more years. Obviously I was wrong.

Changes have to start all the way on top before I'd consider re-upping for next season. AGAIN........... I surely hope that Mr. Rocky Wirtz has a plan in place or he's not the businessman that I think he is.
- Hawkytalk

As long as they keep "selling out" the on ice product is irrelevant.

If the Hawks offered up Kane to Buffalo, but insist on getting both Dahlin and Cozens in the deal....which side says "no"? Would that be enticing to either side?
- PatShart

Buffalo for sure says no. That is a silly proposition.

PAGING ROCKY

Does Rocky even care what is happening to this team? If he did he would realize that a bunch of new eyes are needed to fix this mess. That goes from McD to the GM to the coach. Complete overhaul is necessary.

But does anyone think that will ever happen.

Maata if he has a recurrence, which I hope isn’t the case, will have to retire.

Seabrook could be movable if you add a sweetener like Gilbert and Sikura. But I agree if we move the rest of the salary we would just buy him out.

I think the one aspect you may not be appreciating is, the returns we get back from the trades, could make a turn around that much quicker. Kane would get you a really nice haul. Crawford will net you at least a top prospect. Keith too. There is a lot of possibilities, if done right.
- gifman

No he won't. LTIR

Maata if he has a recurrence, which I hope isn’t the case, will have to retire.

Seabrook could be movable if you add a sweetener like Gilbert and Sikura. But I agree if we move the rest of the salary we would just buy him out.

I think the one aspect you may not be appreciating is, the returns we get back from the trades, could make a turn around that much quicker. Kane would get you a really nice haul. Crawford will net you at least a top prospect. Keith too. There is a lot of possibilities, if done right.
- gifman

Kane isn't going to get you a great haul. Any team he would waive to go to is going to be a contender. You are going to have to take back a couple of poop contracts in order to move Kane. You will a decent prospect and maybe a couple of late 1st round picks at best.

Goalies rarely return a top prospect. Especially one on an expiring contract. Keith will get a meh prospect plus maybe a couple of picks at best. Probably have to take a poop contract on Keith, too. Mainly because he still has some term on his contract and is 36.

Buffalo for sure says no. That is a silly proposition.
- fattybeef

Because after Eichel and Skinner...BUFF has exactly what up front?

And they have quite a bit if D they've been looking to move to get F help

If NJ wants 4 players for Hall - including 2 NHL ready players and 2 prospects...and he's a UFA/going to cost more than Kane, why would Kane getting 2 top prospects be silly?

Whose the moron who hired the coach, held onto Gus, traded a good young defender for a headcase, signed Seabrook until the end of time and assembled the slowest d core in a game that is only getting faster?
- fattybeef

Uncle Dale?

Kane isn't going to get you a great haul. Any team he would waive to go to is going to be a contender. You are going to have to take back a couple of poop contracts in order to move Kane. You will a decent prospect and maybe a couple of late 1st round picks at best.

Goalies rarely return a top prospect. Especially one on an expiring contract. Keith will get a meh prospect plus maybe a couple of picks at best. Probably have to take a poop contract on Keith, too. Mainly because he still has some term on his contract and is 36.
- Elbows15

Agree with you on goalies in an expiring contract (see Ben Bishop trade). May get a 1st for Lehner but I doubt for Crawford

Yes, they'd take back crap contracts for Kane, but should be able to get an A+ NHL ready prospect...along with another and or 1st's

Keith, as a Dman, while you hate him...would easily get a 1st and prospect. Keith's term and $$ arent bad at all for a top 4 Dman of his skill

Agree with you on goalies in an expiring contract (see Ben Bishop trade). May get a 1st for Lehner but I doubt for Crawford

Yes, they'd take back crap contracts for Kane, but should be able to get an A+ NHL ready prospect...along with another and or 1st's

Keith, as a Dman, while you hate him...would easily get a 1st and prospect. Keith's term and $$ arent bad at all for a top 4 Dman of his skill
- PatShart

Wrong guy.

Keith still has 3 more years. At his age, that hurts his value. Again, I highly doubt guys like Kane and Keith are waiving their NMCs for anything less than a contender. So that 1st is nice, it will most likely be in the 20's.

Wrong guy.

Keith still has 3 more years. At his age, that hurts his value. Again, I highly doubt guys like Kane and Keith are waiving their NMCs for anything less than a contender. So that 1st is nice, it will most likely be in the 20's.
- Elbows15

They also don't really need cap space for the young stars - if any become such - for 2/3 years.

Wrong guy.

Keith still has 3 more years. At his age, that hurts his value. Again, I highly doubt guys like Kane and Keith are waiving their NMCs for anything less than a contender. So that 1st is nice, it will most likely be in the 20's.
- Elbows15

Yeah, but you get 2 or 3 firsts...even later in the round gives you currency to move up

And I agree, neither are waiving if asked. It would take them requesting (and then the GM making a good trade/getting a haul)

Yeah, but you get 2 or 3 firsts...even later in the round gives you currency to move up

And I agree, neither are waiving if asked. It would take them requesting (and then the GM making a good trade/getting a haul)
- PatShart

I don't see either guy asking for a trade. For different reasons, I think being Blackhawks means a lot to both of them.

They also don't really need cap space for the young stars - if any become such - for 2/3 years.
- mohel

Given the crap contracts they would have to take on, I rather watch Kane and Keith for the next 3 seasons than guys like Okposo/Turris types.

I completely agree with your point . If any core players are to be moved it will take a new GM with no emotional ties to these players
To come in and have those honest conversations with toews and Kane that Chicago is going in a different direction.
- Taylorst1

Why does this have anything to do with it? Would the players be more likely to waive their NMC if someone else asked them? Stan is PART of the reason that they are currently in this situation. Wouldn't the high dollar guys partially blame him for putting them in this position and thus be more likely to waive out of town (especially if they don't agree with the direction of the team?

If said new GM came in and provided a "better" plan for getting back to contention, what is the impetus for the vets to waive? The team has treated all of them very well, and they all have said they love the city.

What honest conversation are you talking about? "Hey guys, we suck and really need to get out from underneath your contracts. Could you please waive the NMC we gave you so that we can trade you anywhere regardless of how competitive the other team is to maximize the return? Thanks."

I thi k if Keith was a UFA at years end, he would easily get a 3yr 16mil dollar deal

Hell, Kovalchuk after sitting out of the NHL for so long got more. Backes is getting 6mil at the same age (although he signed it at 33 I think)

When this team misses the playoffs, again, this spring it will be very interesting to see how the owner and president act. They are losing valuable playoff revenue and trying to stay relevant in the band wagon fan world competing with the other teams in town for those people's dollars.

I had tickets for a decade and could easily absorb the same price increases you speak of sitting in the 300 level row 1. As time goes by you begin to question the financial commitment and time commitment to drive down to the UC, park, get food, have a few adult beverages, and then watch the on ice product.

What will be interesting to see is the no shows start to accelerate. Seats may be sold but if the season ticket won't/can't go and can't find a buyer or somebody to go those set off alarms. Look up the picture from the last bulls game....reminds me of a Kings-hawks game I went to in 99....the 300 level was sparsely full, and the following year I got an email to sit in the 100 level where they used to sit the armed forces alumnus who they would show in the 2nd or 3rd period....for free.

All good things come to an end and the rapidly fall from grace this team has had sucks. However, I do get why the Hawks have done the retool on the fly as they have niche sport where if they aren't THE thing in town, they will quickly be forgotten.

The right move is to completely and commit to a true rebuild but for that to happen they need an organization mind set all in and prepared to lose LOTS of money.....

This remainder of the season and upcoming summer should be fascinating from a stand point of how they approach this.....this will be year 3 in a row without the playoffs......
- SteveRain

Totally agree SR....Well said.

From reading the last couple of blogs ( am actually in Vegas now on vacation), some have brought up the question but I have not seen a serious answer. Who replaces Stan? Vegas and Seattle hired McPhee and Francis, neither had stellar records previously as GM’s although won cups as players.

I have heard Hextall ( my choice), McIsaac, Chelios. I would like Tony Granato as coach.

I echo the earlier poster or maybe it was the blogger who praised Crawford for visibly getting upset. they were dominated for large portions of the game and their team speed is truly lacking.

The IQ of DeBrincat is shocking as literally 12 seconds after Eddie O warned us about Vegas short handed, here is Alex turning it over at the blue line and I truly wish somebody could tell what the hell 56 was doing on that 2 on 1? He didn't take away the pass, he didnt' get down, he basically half @ssed it allowing an easy tap in...…

THis team is a damn dumpster fire in their own end.....See Toews not skating hard to get back on goal 4? Complaining with palms up over being tossed at the dot, and I used to rip Crosby for always whining....I truly think 19 may be the BIGGEST whiner in the NHL today.

Blow it up. Please....enough of this Sox/Bulls patchwork retooling on the fly. Its not working. The core is breaking down daily, and 12 looks lost almost every shift he's out there.

I didn't check to see if 50 ripped this team but I will say when Lehner does it's warranted and Im glad he's not putting lip stick on a pig. Play the kids....deal off the veterans who aren't on board to rebuild like Doughty and Kopitar are out in LA.

Enough of this crap....their damn special teams are a colossal failure and JC couldn't coach a mite team let alone a professional team. He has NOT adapted to what he has on his roster.
- SteveRain

you are right Steve, With Toews and Seabs chewing up 20 percent of the cap, we are screwed. it forced us to give up Teevo, in hindsight Arizona got the best player in the Strome trade. Hate to compare but with McKinnon taking 6.1 Mil to 2023, that team is set and he has set a home team discount for their other rising stars. Watch out, they are about to be a modern dynasty

I thi k if Keith was a UFA at years end, he would easily get a 3yr 16mil dollar deal

Hell, Kovalchuk after sitting out of the NHL for so long got more. Backes is getting 6mil at the same age (although he signed it at 33 I think)
- PatShart

And IF I had some ham and some eggs in the fridge , I'd have ham and eggs for breakfast tomorrow.