Probably going to take 5-6 years. I would have to understand the "buyout" dollar structure before I went for more than 5 years.
- rpeters01

Same. I like Lankinen quite s bit and never bedn a fan of deals over 4 years for goalies

Grudges held between villains never sell tickets or add to TV viewing numbers for any sport.

Every player in hockey has a plan as to how he or she will play the game. That is until he or she gets punched in the face. (I believe that comes from the great philosopher Craig Berube coach of the current Stanley Cup champions).
- RickJ

You can't have rivalries and intensity without fights? Should probably tell that to the three sports that are FAR more popular than hockey. And where the rare fights that occur result in ejection and typically suspension.

St. Louis won the Cup after they went away from douchebaggery to hard, cleaner hockey.

Same. I like Lankinen quite s bit and never bedn a fan of deals over 4 years for goalies
- Assman22

Bobrovsky is a typical example of why you do not hand out insane contracts for goalies. His stats are horrible this season for a goalie playing on a decent team. Canadiens are stuck with Price for a long time on his Cap eating deal and they are headed nowhere as a team. If someone is willing to overpay for Lehner, I would take my chances on the young goalies in our system. They may not look like NHL starters at this time but most NHL starters were the same early in their careers.

Bobrovsky is a typical example of why you do not hand out insane contracts for goalies. His stats are horrible this season for a goalie playing on a decent team. Canadiens are stuck with Price for a long time on his Cap eating deal and they are headed nowhere as a team. If someone is willing to overpay for Lehner, I would take my chances on the young goalies in our system. They may not look like NHL starters at this time but most NHL starters were the same early in their careers.
- 67hawks

Luongo and Quick didn't work out too well either. Every once in a while you hear they went too long with Lundquist.

WTC - make sure you don't watch any highlights today of what went on last night between Mathew Tkachuk and Zach Kassian.

Tkachuk taking runs all over the ice at Kassian and Kassian punching Tkachuk in the head 10 times.

It's barbaric and will offend so many people on here. Just don't watch any of it, its not hockey. The NHL game needs more ballerinas like Nylander not these 2 brutes.

Bettman needs to step in and suspend these them forever. He knows there is no entertanment value to what they were doing. Just don't watch, it will hurt your eyes.
- RickJ

RJ i really appreciate your input and POV...but this is a straw man and false dichotomy to drive your sarcasm...

NHL hockey is not a choice between barbarism or balerina's on ice. that is not my POV and argument....and you know it.

I don't agree with any your post...it's just you being a rhetorical tough guy full of condescension..

Rick’s no Darth but pretty sure with this one. Let me try!

I’m going to go with sarcasm mixed in with the ridiculous hyperbole.

You can only have it one way you know. While I don’t mind the occasional dust up, if you don’t advocate for a guy that can ride shot gun and blast away at another player’s melon with his fists, it clearly means you don’t like the physical side of hockey.

Clearly such a position means you don’t like a team that can dish out a good clean check, play physical along the boards, take a hit to make a play, etc.

May need some work...
- HawkintheD

It’s a ridiculous way of framing an argument. It’s called ‘reductio ad absurdum’. In this case, making it appear that there are only 2 alternatives, either never having physical play or fights, or having physical play and fights continuously.

It a silly form of argument usually used by people struggling to defend their point of view.

You can't have rivalries and intensity without fights? Should probably tell that to the three sports that are FAR more popular than hockey. And where the rare fights that occur result in ejection and typically suspension.

St. Louis won the Cup after they went away from douchebaggery to hard, cleaner hockey.
- mohel

If the two of them really wanted to ‘hash out’ their differences, they could take off the Protective equipment, skates, helmets and face shields, go out in the parking lot, and beat the crap out of each other.

That I’d pay to watch.

A hockey fight with guys wearing helmets and face shields, while trying to stay balanced on ice, seems a little ‘lavender snifferish’ to me.

They drafted their next number 1, in Dach. Strome will be 23 in March and will be a good 2C for the Hawks. We complained forever about the Hawks lack of depth down the middle and now we want to get rid of it.

Strome looked better on his skates and in his own zone to me this year. Still learning and was going to likely be 60 pt player who appeared to be gaining confidence in the offensive zone as well.

If I had to guess, the Hawks see Dach as their likely 1C in 2 seasons. If Toews can still play the way he has been toward the end of his deal that would be a nice 1-3. People want a tear down but no one is taking on Toews' cap hit...not with 3 more seasons left anyway.
- HawkintheD

Definitely agree with this perspective. Upon drafting Dach in June, the Hawks amped up their potential for a solid top 3 down the middle.

While it's still too early to tell, I do like the trajectory so far with how Dach and Strome are progressing. Toews isn't substantially degrading despite the slow start and is in fact still an impact player.

By the end of Toews' career, he could be an oustanding 3C with Dach and Strome holding the top 6 center spots.

As for the 4C role, Kampf does a decent job today yet there are options in the pipeline like Hakkarainen, Barratt, and even Kurashev with the latter two having middle 6 skill so one could eventually replace Toews.

Blackhawk playoff probability at 13%.
Projected at 85 points.

#Playoffs
#Playoffs?
#Get’ErDoneJC

It’s amazing that there is no fighting in the Premier League, or the NFL.
Those are the 2 most popular sports leagues in the world.

PL & NFL have a lot to learn from the NHL.

Blackhawk playoff probability at 13%.
Projected at 85 points.

#Playoffs
#Playoffs?
#Get’ErDoneJC
- scottak

The Hawks aren’t making the playoffs. They just need to build upon the changes they’ve made and play the young guys as much as possible. Hopefully the likes of Seabrook, de Haan and Shaw can get fully healthy again too.

John Q back down to Rockford.
- Angotti

While I like Quenneville, he wasn't making an impact on the Hawks so good for him to be sent down to develop more.

Lately the Hogs have been dressing career minor league forwards -- even having D-man Youds as a forward -- rather than prospects with potential in Soderlund and Hakkarainen.

Instead of a combination of Youds, Watson, Noel, Winquist, and Thompson, have Quenneville, Soderlund, and Hakkarainen playing. Watson, Noel, and Thompson can go back to Indy while Youds and Winquist can be released.

McLaughlin is the only Indy call-up who makes an impact. Doubt he ever makes it to the NHL but I like his compete level, speed, and skill to contribute to Hogs team depth.

I know this will fly in the face of the popular narrative that Stan sux and must be replaced, and while I don't particularly care one way or the other if he is replaced, I think that narrative is often too myopic to be meaningful. Stan isn't the singular worst GM in the history of the NHL - he's only cast in that role by angry Hawks message board posters.

Go back a few years and look at the teams that were on top of the Western Conference and you'll find the Hawks along with the Kings, Sharks, Ducks and Nucks. Only the Nucks have started emerging from their rebuild period after being pretty bad for a few years. The Hawks, Kings and Ducks have been in the down period for a few years with the Sharks seemingly just entering their down phase now.

I would argue the Hawks have better young talent on the rise than the Kings, Sharks and Ducks and may be better positioned to break back into contender status sooner than those teams. Winning and losing is cyclical. The better GMs pull their teams out of the death spiral sooner than other GMs. Let's see what happens over the next couple years.

While I like Quenneville, he wasn't making an impact on the Hawks so good for him to be sent down to develop more.

Lately the Hogs have been dressing career minor league forwards -- even having D-man Youds as a forward -- rather than prospects with potential in Soderlund and Hakkarainen.

Instead of a combination of Youds, Watson, Noel, Winquist, and Thompson, have Quenneville, Soderlund, and Hakkarainen playing. Watson, Noel, and Thompson can go back to Indy while Youds and Winquist can be released.

McLaughlin is the only Indy call-up who makes an impact. Doubt he ever makes it to the NHL but I like his compete level, speed, and skill to contribute to Hogs team depth.
- AEL_Fox

AEL, thanks for the update on Hogs. Wonder if Strome is ready, or are they bringing somebody else up?

While I like Quenneville, he wasn't making an impact on the Hawks so good for him to be sent down to develop more.

Lately the Hogs have been dressing career minor league forwards -- even having D-man Youds as a forward -- rather than prospects with potential in Soderlund and Hakkarainen.

Instead of a combination of Youds, Watson, Noel, Winquist, and Thompson, have Quenneville, Soderlund, and Hakkarainen playing. Watson, Noel, and Thompson can go back to Indy while Youds and Winquist can be released.

McLaughlin is the only Indy call-up who makes an impact. Doubt he ever makes it to the NHL but I like his compete level, speed, and skill to contribute to Hogs team depth.
- AEL_Fox

That's criminal, it shouldn't be happening, does this organIzation have a clue?

Gilbert sits while Gus plays, Sikura who I don't like should be playing before
Smith touches the ice.

Again I ask does the organization have a clue

I know this will fly in the face of the popular narrative that Stan sux and must be replaced, and while I don't particularly care one way or the other if he is replaced, I think that narrative is often too myopic to be meaningful. Stan isn't the singular worst GM in the history of the NHL - he's only cast in that role by angry Hawks message board posters.

Go back a few years and look at the teams that were on top of the Western Conference and you'll find the Hawks along with the Kings, Sharks, Ducks and Nucks. Only the Nucks have started emerging from their rebuild period after being pretty bad for a few years. The Hawks, Kings and Ducks have been in the down period for a few years with the Sharks seemingly just entering their down phase now.

I would argue the Hawks have better young talent on the rise than the Kings, Sharks and Ducks and may be better positioned to break back into contender status sooner than those teams. Winning and losing is cyclical. The better GMs pull their teams out of the death spiral sooner than other GMs. Let's see what happens over the next couple years.
- EbonyRaptor

Exactly, I would argue the same. The Hawks will rise before the aforementioned teams on your post. If Stan plays the right cards, this TDL should help with adding more young talent.

Exactly, I would argue the same. The Hawks will rise before the aforementioned teams on your post. If Stan plays the right cards, this TDL should help with adding more young talent.
- Angotti

Word. Some nice TDL chips to flip. Prefer prospects over picks

AEL, thanks for the update on Hogs. Wonder if Strome is ready, or are they bringing somebody else up?
- Angotti

If Strome is still on the shelf, it would be good to recall a forward to be the 13th reserve. With Caggiula healthy again and Sikura able to take Quenneville's spot, there needs to be an extra forward.

Wedin or Fortin would have been next in line, IMO, but both are injured. That leaves Nilsson who played a few NHL games last year.

Or give a cup of coffee to some of the higher potential forwards who are not yet ready but wouldn't hurt to give a few game trial. Kurashev would have been the best option but he is also injured. So now we're looking at either Hagel or Entwistle.

I know this will fly in the face of the popular narrative that Stan sux and must be replaced, and while I don't particularly care one way or the other if he is replaced, I think that narrative is often too myopic to be meaningful. Stan isn't the singular worst GM in the history of the NHL - he's only cast in that role by angry Hawks message board posters.

Go back a few years and look at the teams that were on top of the Western Conference and you'll find the Hawks along with the Kings, Sharks, Ducks and Nucks. Only the Nucks have started emerging from their rebuild period after being pretty bad for a few years. The Hawks, Kings and Ducks have been in the down period for a few years with the Sharks seemingly just entering their down phase now.

I would argue the Hawks have better young talent on the rise than the Kings, Sharks and Ducks and may be better positioned to break back into contender status sooner than those teams. Winning and losing is cyclical. The better GMs pull their teams out of the death spiral sooner than other GMs. Let's see what happens over the next couple years.
- EbonyRaptor

I'd add the Wings to your teams listed above. I think they prolonged their rebuild by continuing to make the playoffs through about the 2017 season...something like that.

If Strome is still on the shelf, it would be good to recall a forward to be the 13th reserve. With Caggiula healthy again and Sikura able to take Quenneville's spot, there needs to be an extra forward.

Wedin or Fortin would have been next in line, IMO, but both are injured. That leaves Nilsson who played a few NHL games last year.

Or give a cup of coffee to some of the higher potential forwards who are not yet ready but wouldn't hurt to give a few game trial. Kurashev would have been the best option but he is also injured. So now we're looking at either Hagel or Entwistle.
- AEL_Fox

That's criminal, it shouldn't be happening, does this organIzation have a clue?

Gilbert sits while Gus plays, Sikura who I don't like should be playing before
Smith touches the ice.

Again I ask does the organization have a clue

- gazza53

The Hogs coaching staff did the same thing with the blueline a few weeks ago by dressing career minor leaguers who can't defend worth a darn over prospects with potential, even going with 7 D-men.

The frustrating thing was they didn't even have to make those roster choices due to injuries forcing the issue for many of those games.

It's reasons like this that make me wonder if Derek King is the right head coach to develop the prospects. Good assistant to Colliton, though, when JC was the head coach of the Hogs.

The Hogs coaching staff did the same thing with the blueline a few weeks ago by dressing career minor leaguers who can't defend worth a darn over prospects with potential, even going with 7 D-men.

The frustrating thing was they didn't even have to make those roster choices due to injuries forcing the issue for many of those games.

It's reasons like this that make me wonder if Derek King is the right head coach to develop the prospects. Good assistant to Colliton, though, when JC was the head coach of the Hogs.
- AEL_Fox

Who controls King - the owner(s) of the Ice Hogs - or the Blackhawks?

If the latter - it seems they wouldn’t want career minor leaguers playing over the development of potential future Hawks. If the former - sounds like a bad working relationship with Chicago.

I understand potential conflicts between the owners and the major league affiliate - how does that resolve in favor of player development?

WTC - make sure you don't watch any highlights today of what went on last night between Mathew Tkachuk and Zach Kassian.

Tkachuk taking runs all over the ice at Kassian and Kassian punching Tkachuk in the head 10 times.

It's barbaric and will offend so many people on here. Just don't watch any of it, its not hockey. The NHL game needs more ballerinas like Nylander not these 2 brutes.

Bettman needs to step in and suspend these them forever. He knows there is no entertanment value to what they were doing. Just don't watch, it will hurt your eyes.
- RickJ

Loved it tkachuk got what was coming to him. Run around like an uncaged dog hitting anything that moves more often than not going to piss someone off. That's hockey speed skill physicality and completeness. Not adocating bringing back goons but fighting is part of the game and will always be.

It’s amazing that there is no fighting in the Premier League, or the NFL.
Those are the 2 most popular sports leagues in the world.

PL & NFL have a lot to learn from the NHL.
- scottak

Lol really

Who controls King - the owner(s) of the Ice Hogs - or the Blackhawks?

If the latter - it seems they wouldn’t want career minor leaguers playing over the development of potential future Hawks. If the former - sounds like a bad working relationship with Chicago.

I understand potential conflicts between the owners and the major league affiliate - how does that resolve in favor of player development?
- StLBravesFan

These are questions that I would like answers to as well. We need to develop the young guys in Rockford, and I’m a little concerned as this is not the first time that it has been mentioned, that maybe King is not the right coach for that role.