That package would likely bring back somewhere near $11M in salary commitments for players other teams don't want.

Cro is the only one in the group who returns either a decent player or an attractive draft pick late first round or a couple of picks in round 2. And that is if he is playing well and is amenable to a trade. Carolina and Colorado are 2 teams that would real benefit and have assets to give. Maybe's are Calgary, Winnipeg, Toronto, Pittsburgh and even Nashville.
- RickJ

You could well be right. But if that team had an interest in signing Crow (and maybe Gus) to an extension they could send us expiring contracts plus a sweetener.

Lol playoffs. This team gives up way too many shots. They're getting by on good goaltending and Patrick Kane on pace for another +100 point season.

They'll hit a scoring lull and it'll be the end of the world again.
- fattybeef

LMAO.

Fans always seem to forget that in the NHL the real hard nuts nasty playing starts in January and gets even more competitive in the last 25 games with playoff spots and positioning on the line.

Put this up in the last blog, seemed appropriate to post it again based on the topic. Glad you’re feeling better Tyler, good to have you back.

Ben Pope:

Per Hockey Reference, the Blackhawks have played the NHL's most difficult schedule so far.

But that'll soon even out. After tomorrow's game against 21-19 Vancouver, they have 6 straight games against sub-(real)-.500 teams, including 3 really bad teams (DET, ANA, OTT).

LMAO.

Fans always seem to forget that in the NHL the real hard nuts nasty playing starts in January and gets even more competitive in the last 25 games with playoff spots and positioning on the line.
- RickJ

So how do you explain the Blackhawks record last January & February. I have to think that this year's skaters are as good as last year and the goaltending is better than last year.

Put this up in the last blog, seemed appropriate to post it again based on the topic. Glad you’re feeling better Tyler, good to have you back.

Ben Pope:

Per Hockey Reference, the Blackhawks have played the NHL's most difficult schedule so far.

But that'll soon even out. After tomorrow's game against 21-19 Vancouver, they have 6 straight games against sub-(real)-.500 teams, including 3 really bad teams (DET, ANA, OTT).
- walleyeb1

I feel like this team could move some vets out (looking at you here Smith/Gus) and still possibly make the playoffs. Been done several times before by other clubs. Still need to ditch JC the Puppet.

So how do you explain the Blackhawks record last January & February. I have to think that this year's skaters are as good as last year and the goaltending is better than last year.
- -Doh-

I do not miss the Ward/Delia tandem one bit lmao

So how do you explain the Blackhawks record last January & February. I have to think that this year's skaters are as good as last year and the goaltending is better than last year.
- -Doh-

Valid points.

So how do you explain the Blackhawks record last January & February. I have to think that this year's skaters are as good as last year and the goaltending is better than last year.
- -Doh-

Last January and February was an outlier where their power play was on fire. They still sucked at everything else.

Aside from Boqvist and Keith when he cares and Murphy i guess cause he moves ok, skating on the blueline is terrible. Keith and Murphy are the only two reliable NHL defenders on the blue line which is kind of a problem.

36 shots against per game is terrible.

And their coach is a smug bozo who plays a nonsensical tag system that looks about as organized as 8 year olds skating around in a pack.

Wonder what the Panthers would give up for Crow, they have played their $10mil. dollar goalie 31 out of the 39 games they have played. (BTW, the Panthers have given up 2 more goals against in 2 less games played than the Hawks).

We would have to take some salary back as the Panthers have zero cap space. Tallon has the team set up to win now (and Q as coach), and are right now out of a playoff position.

I don't see a trade fit that would be good for the Hawks, their expiring contracts are Davidov, Hoffman, and Pysik ($
2.7 mil. not enough take back to open up for Crow's salary. Nobody else looks enticing (that Florida would give up) with a multiple year contract that I would take back in a trade.

Reinforcements - You are spot on. Any deal Bowman makes needs to be benefit the Hawks in future years. If it helps them this year also that is fine. But add young prospects and picks, not lose them in a trade.

Gus - Needs a change of scenery.
Crow - It would not surprise me to see him moved also.
I wonder what a Gus, Smith, Crow package would bring back? If you got one decent pick or one decent prospect or a good player on an expiring contract that could help you make the playoffs this year with other trade fodder I would pull the trigger. That would also free up cap space this season.

It would not surprise me to see Crow moved. Then they shuttle Lankinen and Delia. Give Lehner the majority of starts. No use to bring them up and then only play one game every two weeks. Bring them up play a game or two then send them back down to get more starts and bring up the other one.

Dach, Boqvist, Nylander, Sikura, Gilbert need to be in the lineup on a regular basis with the occasional off night in the press box, but not held out for more than a game or two at a time.

It would not surprise me to see Lehner extended. I would try to have his contract end at the same time as Toews, Kane, Keith, and ADB (Summer of 23).

Play to win every game on the ice with the core and many rookies. Winning can also be very important to the young guys. So would playoff experience. But if you are clearly out of it in February cut back the minutes on the vets, cut back the games played by Lehner, play the kids and dive for a draft pick.
- -Doh-

Who has $10M+ for Gus Smith Crow and who would want them Hawks would have to throw in a sweetener.

Last January and February was an outlier where their power play was on fire. They still sucked at everything else.

Aside from Boqvist and Keith when he cares and Murphy i guess cause he moves ok, skating on the blueline is terrible. Keith and Murphy are the only two reliable NHL defenders on the blue line which is kind of a problem.

36 shots against per game is terrible.

And their coach is a smug bozo who plays a nonsensical tag system that looks about as organized as 8 year olds skating around in a pack.
- fattybeef

Last year the PP was on fire. But the PK sucked. This year the PP sucks and the PK is very good. So overall a push.
The defense is no worse than last year.
SOG is not very different from last year.
Coach is same as last year (like him or hate him)

Who else is excited for the return of Marc Crawford? Based on how the vets speak highly of him, it will be interesting team dynamic moving forward...

Wonder what the Panthers would give up for Crow, they have played their $10mil. dollar goalie 31 out of the 39 games they have played. (BTW, the Panthers have given up 2 more goals against in 2 less games played than the Hawks).

We would have to take some salary back as the Panthers have zero cap space. Tallon has the team set up to win now (and Q as coach), and are right now out of a playoff position.

I don't see a trade fit that would be good for the Hawks, their expiring contracts are Davidov, Hoffman, and Pysik ($
2.7 mil. not enough take back to open up for Crow's salary. Nobody else looks enticing (that Florida would give up) with a multiple year contract that I would take back in a trade.
- LAHawk

I do not see the Panthers as a good match. They need defensemen.

Who else is excited for the return of Marc Crawford? Based on how the vets speak highly of him, it will be interesting team dynamic moving forward...
- catrisc

What was the Hawks record before Crawford was suspended, and what has it been since. Looks like the team did not collapse with him missing. Yes, the team seems to like him, but I highly doubt they are looking to replace JC with him.

I do not see the Panthers as a good match. They need defensemen.
- -Doh-

A Gus and Q reunion?

What was the Hawks record before Crawford was suspended, and what has it been since. Looks like the team did not collapse with him missing. Yes, the team seems to like him, but I highly doubt they are looking to replace JC with him.
- LAHawk

He was working on team scouting and special teams. That's the area I was thinking he would help to improve. The PP has been really bad...

Last January and February was an outlier where their power play was on fire. They still sucked at everything else.

Aside from Boqvist and Keith when he cares and Murphy i guess cause he moves ok, skating on the blueline is terrible. Keith and Murphy are the only two reliable NHL defenders on the blue line which is kind of a problem.

36 shots against per game is terrible.

And their coach is a smug bozo who plays a nonsensical tag system that looks about as organized as 8 year olds skating around in a pack.
- fattybeef

All valid, but good PK > good PP and their PK has gotten better.

Also, not that I’m counting on them making the playoffs but it’s not like so-so teams never make the playoffs. Pretty much happens every year.

Contending is a different story and they aren’t ready for that, but making the playoffs isn’t completely out of the realm...though I still think it might be better if they are out by the deadline and can leverage some guys into more picks and good prospects.

Who has $10M+ for Gus Smith Crow and who would want them Hawks would have to throw in a sweetener.
- rpeters01

Valid points. This is my take.
1) If they are looking for a goalie with two rings that they can use in their playoff drive Crow has some value. They can also test drive him to see if the want to resign him.
2) They may feel that Gus needs a change of scenery, acknowledging that he is a defensive liability, but has potential to spark an offense or PK. Not a 60pt player, but maybe 40 on the right team.
3) Smith's cap hit is twice what it should be, but he could be useful in a playoff run on a 3rd or 4th line.
4) Plenty of teams have $5 mil + in cap space and they have $5 mil in expiring contracts to send back. Also the Hawks can eat some salary in the right deal.

A Gus and Q reunion?
- LAHawk

Calling Gus a defenseman is a stretch.

We are in the same pinch as last year. Not BAD enough for a Top 3 pick (unless lucky in the lottery again) and not good enough for the playoffs.

All we can really hope, is Stan plays it smart. All trades are with an eye to the future. Picks, prospects, young hopefuls in exchange for ANY of our guys that make sense.

Let the young guys play, DO NOT encourage tanking, it builds the wrong culture.

PLAY like you want the playoff and win the Cup. MANAGE like this year is over and we are building for the next 1-5 years.

And enjoy the ride. It will be a daily twist and turn of playoff hopeful and lottery bum. Embrace it....it is what we are.

All valid, but good PK > good PP and their PK has gotten better.

Also, not that I’m counting on them making the playoffs but it’s not like so-so teams never make the playoffs. Pretty much happens every year.

Contending is a different story and they aren’t ready for that, but making the playoffs isn’t completely out of the realm...though I still think it might be better if they are out by the deadline and can leverage some guys into more picks and good prospects.
- HawkintheD

100% agree.
Meaningful games down the stretch and playoff experience (if only one round) has value to the younger players.
If you make the playoffs you can still get a pretty good player with a draft pick in the middle of the 1st round.

We are in the same pinch as last year. Not BAD enough for a Top 3 pick (unless lucky in the lottery again) and not good enough for the playoffs.

All we can really hope, is Stan plays it smart. All trades are with an eye to the future. Picks, prospects, young hopefuls in exchange for ANY of our guys that make sense.

Let the young guys play, DO NOT encourage tanking, it builds the wrong culture.

PLAY like you want the playoff and win the Cup. MANAGE like this year is over and we are building for the next 1-5 years.

And enjoy the ride. It will be a daily twist and turn of playoff hopeful and lottery bum. Embrace it....it is what we are.
- hawk35

Spot on! Well said.

Valid points. This is my take.
1) If they are looking for a goalie with two rings that they can use in their playoff drive Crow has some value. They can also test drive him to see if the want to resign him.
2) They may feel that Gus needs a change of scenery, acknowledging that he is a defensive liability, but has potential to spark an offense or PK. Not a 60pt player, but maybe 40 on the right team.
3) Smith's cap hit is twice what it should be, but he could be useful in a playoff run on a 3rd or 4th line.
4) Plenty of teams have $5 mil + in cap space and they have $5 mil in expiring contracts to send back. Also the Hawks can eat some salary in the right deal.
- -Doh-

Crawford and Gustafsson are expiring contracts too. You really think some team is gonna give up some big sweeteners to take on their expiring contracts when the hawks are sending exactly that the other way?

100% agree.
Meaningful games down the stretch and playoff experience (if only one round) has value to the younger players.
If you make the playoffs you can still get a pretty good player with a draft pick in the middle of the 1st round.
- -Doh-

Especially this year with how deep the talent pool is.

I hate the word rebuild ,everyone says go that route ,but how many work out . Go for the playoffs till the math says different , TDL your still alive buy ,sell if your out easy . Catch fire down the stretch hot goalie puck bounces who knows what can happen .Prospect picks are all a gamble .can find a top player in the middle of the draft as easy as the top . Sign FA from oversees ,always some surprise . Big game tonight hope the HAWKS come out flying ,win big 5 to 1 maybe ..GO HAWKS !!!!!