Mayers is full of poop. That poop gets old in a locker room real quick. You can do that once, maybe twice before it starts to cause some friction.

Mayers would be the 1st guy to get in his face.

in the room is fine. Putting it out there constantly? Nah.
- Elbows15

I could see that. I've liked Lehner more than you (low bar) but on a night where his play was far from stellar, he shouldn't be calling out anybody.

Jeremy - they weren't ready to play? In the NHL, player game preparation is a big part of a coaching staff's job. As is winning some games on home ice after a couple of days off, which is also reflecting poorly on you. Your team reflects no urgency.
- RickJ

A lot of passing the buck and not owning up to responsibility by Colliton and Lehner based on their post game comments. I've been neutral on Colliton over the time he's been here, but his comment tonight shows absolutely no leadership on his part.

I got your point earlier, but there are more than a few differences between how the present and former blogger teed up a rumor...no?

Ty named the guy whether you found the "source" credible or not. If JJ was such a good guy, the least he could have done is credited Paulr when he was running with Paul's made up trade up rumors.
- HawkintheD

The source isn't credible.....100% fact.

its no different.....we all have read the rumors the last 2+ weeks. I posted the summary of a Lebrun rumor saying the Hawks were engaging Lehner on contract talks. WE all have read the reports all over from credible journalists that Hawks and Lehner arent' close and may revisit....so this guy, who I personally know, says on twitter he's "hearing Hawks and Lehner aren't close" and somebody uses it as a source?

The same website who supposedly went on a podcast this summer and said Hawks would target a legit #1 goalie? Is that fact or fiction? From what I have read Lehner's agent engaged the Hawks....and again....some of this is common sense.....why wouldn't a team trying to get to the playoffs, who has an injury riddled goalie (concussions) and has tried a veteran back up (turco) or younger kids and watched both implode in front of them? Some of it isn't hard to make it believable.....what IS the difference is actually breaking something with a GUY.

I stopped listening to the score, but Zawaski broke the Saad trade in 2015 well before anyone. Anywhere.

To your point, the only thing John would ever do to stroke egos would say THIS or read this guy's.....when he engaged...….did he bully some guys on here? 100%. DId he have some guys booted for asinine reasons? 100%. Did he play a lot of us? 100% which truly pisses me off still.

I should post some of the DMs I received saying how they were going after Suter because Bob Suter had some connection to the Hawks. Was NEVER a possibility.

I don't agree with outing him in some dateline sting with feeding him false crap, but I get it. The ego had to be checked, and he apparently didn't qualify anyone....but how do you on a site like this? How does anyone really thing anyone here IS anything? I have personally met a few guys from this site and the old Dailyherald blog. 1 guy is 100% legit as an ex NHL off ice official. 1 guy was a AP reporter who was in the locker room for the Hawks and Bulls and around the UC a LOT of time....and had actual stories about the preMcDonough days with Bowman and Tallon relying on the Bulls cap guy to help them out. DO I 100% believe him? Sure....I don't see why anyone would make up crazy crap like that. I heard those stories back in 2008 BTW before Talon was booted. I personally met and exchanged numerous emails with Tim S from the DH before he passed. I checked some of Johns rumors at those times off him....like when Seabrook was going to Washington in 2011 for Brooks laich…...

THis site ultimately became and still is at times, a Richard swinging contest at who can one up the next guy.....and the race to break something or out scooping legit people.

What is should be is place to discuss the team, and have civilized debates and gain perspective that may be 180 from your own (not you per se, but the general your).

Mayers is full of poop. That poop gets old in a locker room real quick. You can do that once, maybe twice before it starts to cause some friction.

Mayers would be the 1st guy to get in his face.

in the room is fine. Putting it out there constantly? Nah.
- Elbows15

WEll said.

Always being a media whore won't fly well.....and not owning it yourself is even worse.

When your goalie owns a bad game its' a helluva lot easier to play for him then a guy who wants the spot light when he plays well BUT also blames everyone and anyone but himself when he plays like dog poop.

Tonight Lehner should have owned it. Crawford has done it in the past.

Lehner needs to go. The stiche is old.

The only way McD can stop the max exit of season tkt holders for next season is to terminate Stan and the whole coaching staff . If McD decides to only fire the coaches...the United Center will empty out and McD will be gone a year later just like when he was with the Cubs.

In my opinion The first thing that should be on Rocky's mind right now is to hire a experienced person who will be VP of Hockey Operation for the Hawks.... and only that individual will pick his coach and GM. McD should have no input except sell tickets.

Toews/Dach/Carpenter/Kampf I can live with

Bringing back Danault does nothing for me. THey aren't READY to win NOW....so adding him does what exactly?
- SteveRain

Agree

Jeremy - they weren't ready to play? In the NHL, player game preparation is a big part of a coaching staff's job. As is winning some games on home ice after a couple of days off, which is also reflecting poorly on you. Your team reflects no urgency.
- RickJ

How many games have they been rolled in the 1st period and more importantly look at their home record....it's pathetic.

At some point the players need to be professional, but I truly have to wonder how many of these guys have a major LACK of respect for this coach.

Especially the older guard...…

I have to think they need to strongly look at moving on from him this summer, but I am not going to hold my breath.

IF he can't get them ready for games in February, how is he going to out wit the upper echelon coaches SHOULD this team EVER make the playoffs with him at the helm?

The only way McD can stop the max exit of season tkt holders for next season is to terminate Stan and the whole coaching staff . If McD decides to only fire the coaches...the United Center will empty out and McD will be gone a year later just like when he was with the Cubs.

In my opinion The first thing that should be on Rocky's mind right now is to hire a experienced person who will be VP of Hockey Operation for the Hawks.... and only that individual will pick his coach and GM. McD should have no input except sell tickets.
- spanky

They are running out of reasons to keep tickets. Tickets are expensive....concessions are expensive. Getting there is a nightmare. Its an expensive outing and if the product sucks....makes it harder. The no shows will escalate here very quick....and I think you'll start to see the TV crews start eliminating the shots where they show the far out shot of a packed stadium.

I don't know who they could hire for a VP of operations and honestly it's probably too soon to see if Stan's picks will pay off.

I think they need a fresh outlook but I don't see it realistically happening. I think Bowman at the earliest won't be fired until early 2021...assuming 2020-21 starts to mirror 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20.....and that is assuming the internal plan isn't going as well. Meaning whatever the ownership/McDonough want vs the on ice product results......and I have a feeling we will NEVER know what the expectation truly is.

One thing the Hawks seem to find is goalies.

Not in the few they drafted...Alex Gravel shouldn't be signed to a pro contract.

and not sure the f=fuys in the farm can hold this rangers Russian kid's jock either...


Kubalik is a keeper.
- Elbows15

agreed but no over pay there either...

The source isn't credible.....100% fact.

its no different.....we all have read the rumors the last 2+ weeks. I posted the summary of a Lebrun rumor saying the Hawks were engaging Lehner on contract talks. WE all have read the reports all over from credible journalists that Hawks and Lehner arent' close and may revisit....so this guy, who I personally know, says on twitter he's "hearing Hawks and Lehner aren't close" and somebody uses it as a source?

The same website who supposedly went on a podcast this summer and said Hawks would target a legit #1 goalie? Is that fact or fiction? From what I have read Lehner's agent engaged the Hawks....and again....some of this is common sense.....why wouldn't a team trying to get to the playoffs, who has an injury riddled goalie (concussions) and has tried a veteran back up (turco) or younger kids and watched both implode in front of them? Some of it isn't hard to make it believable.....what IS the difference is actually breaking something with a GUY.

I stopped listening to the score, but Zawaski broke the Saad trade in 2015 well before anyone. Anywhere.

To your point, the only thing John would ever do to stroke egos would say THIS or read this guy's.....when he engaged...….did he bully some guys on here? 100%. DId he have some guys booted for asinine reasons? 100%. Did he play a lot of us? 100% which truly pisses me off still.

I should post some of the DMs I received saying how they were going after Suter because Bob Suter had some connection to the Hawks. Was NEVER a possibility.

I don't agree with outing him in some dateline sting with feeding him false crap, but I get it. The ego had to be checked, and he apparently didn't qualify anyone....but how do you on a site like this? How does anyone really thing anyone here IS anything? I have personally met a few guys from this site and the old Dailyherald blog. 1 guy is 100% legit as an ex NHL off ice official. 1 guy was a AP reporter who was in the locker room for the Hawks and Bulls and around the UC a LOT of time....and had actual stories about the preMcDonough days with Bowman and Tallon relying on the Bulls cap guy to help them out. DO I 100% believe him? Sure....I don't see why anyone would make up crazy crap like that. I heard those stories back in 2008 BTW before Talon was booted. I personally met and exchanged numerous emails with Tim S from the DH before he passed. I checked some of Johns rumors at those times off him....like when Seabrook was going to Washington in 2011 for Brooks laich…...

THis site ultimately became and still is at times, a Richard swinging contest at who can one up the next guy.....and the race to break something or out scooping legit people.

What is should be is place to discuss the team, and have civilized debates and gain perspective that may be 180 from your own (not you per se, but the general your).
- SteveRain

I am glad I read through to this one.

A lot is correct here.

Thanks

I could see that. I've liked Lehner more than you (low bar) but on a night where his play was far from stellar, he shouldn't be calling out anybody.
- HawkintheD

All he truly had to say was "WE came out flat....I didn't help us by not playing up to the level I need to this time of year. I let in some goals I would like to have back"

Simple. accountable, and it's cliché....but it holds water.

Let a veteran like Kane or Keith or Toews go off on everyone else. They have earned it. He has NOT

Kubalik is doing this year what ADB did last year..... finding open areas in the offensive zone and setting up for a shot. I think ADB is trying hard. He is moving and going into some tough areas. But his strength is standing still and shooting. He is not great shooting on the move.
- -Doh-

Finding seams and getting behind the defense to prime scoring areas is Kubalik's forte and was readily noticeable in tape from his years playing pro in Europe and in tournaments.

Glad he brought that knack to the NHL and didn't lose it because of new systems. It's his calling card that will net him a nice contract renewal and cement his spot in the top 6 for years to come.

I am glad I read through to this one.

A lot is correct here.

Thanks
- wiz1901

Thank you...I always enjoy and still do your in depth prospect breakdown. The only thing I get is when I can watch a few junior games over the holidays and it's harder with kids.....and then read the main stream reports.

You were right on some guys back in the day Tallon drafted who were busts....Beach for 1.

I just hope this draft is a strong one, Hawks draft a building block that can be relied upon for the next decade in another cup contender run, and that Bowman acquires solid prospects and picks to expedite the process.

There is no sure thing in hockey like there is in baseball....the cubs, royals, astros all tanked and won titles. The Sox tanked....and will most likely win at least 1 title.....the tanking in the NHL is no gimmee….and trying to navigate it only deepens the rabbit hole further.

Hawks pre lockout and post lockout when Tallon signed all those heavy bodies and the NHL went from trapping to speed.....he was caught with his pants down.

I remember going to a game with brother vs Detroit when they had Smolinski, and I think Brown from SJ and maybe Barnaby they were up 2-0 and Detroit flipped the switch and you could see the speed difference. I knew then they were even further away then they were prior to the lockout.

I was at more 1-0 losses in the 2000s pre lockout where every damn 1 they had the animal house clip of Belushi screaming about germans bombing pearl harbor.....thank god for beer.

I share that same sentiment.

I don't see Mitchell as an NHL all-star, but I see him being one of those guys that has more value to his organization than to other teams around the league.

A perennially safe top-4 d-man. Can't wait to have him here.
- TommyHawk

Great perspective. While not every prospect can be a blue chipper, they can still be NHL regulars who are impact players.

If I could add an alternate perspective, I see Beaudin in the mold that you just described: cerebral, steady, consistent, effective in all zones. Top 4 material.

Putting aside Boqvist as an electrifying talent who is showing that he does care about improving his defense, Mitchell, IMO, has the most potential to be similar to Keith as an all-around defender who can consistently flip the ice, defend well, carry the mail, and generate offense.

For those who recollect things differently, feel free to share, but I recall Keith not having a whole lot of fanfare coming out of his draft year and during his time in the minors. IIRC, the other Keith in the system (Matt the winger) at the time had higher stock than Duncan.

Even during his first few seasons, Keith wasn't heralded as a primo D-man until his 4th season, gaining some notice in his 3rd season, before winning the Norris in his 5th season.

Mitchell has more hype around him as a fellow 2nd rounder and offers a similar package as his idol Keith. Will Mitchell ever reach Keith's status?

Lofty but I think he has the best chance of all the D prospects to at least getting close to it.

Boston wants Saad. It is costing them their Finnish D prospect, Urho Vaakanainen, to start the conversation.
- Elbows15

I thought of him first but don't think boston include that's why i added zbroil.

Regarding possible trades, the only guys to trade and get a decent draft pick are Gus and Lehner. And after the Rangers game, their value has certainly not gone up. First, does anyone want Lehner ? If so, is it the Av's or Edmonton or Carolina? A 2nd or 3rd rounder is best scenario. Cant let him walk for zero return. If Devils and Kings can stockpile picks, what are Hawks waiting for ? Wow this is depressing. We all want Hawks to show some improvement and we were hoping for that, but it's over. Kaput. No point in trading someone like Carpenter or Caggs for a 4th or 5th rounder, makes no sense. Saad will bring good return, I dont want that to happen, but with zillions tied up with 'go get me the puck' Kane, and Toews not at his peak anymore, what else is Bowman supposed to do ?

This is painfully true. I’m not really disappointed as I was under the impression that they were a fringe PO team this year. It just would be nice if they could start to show a bit more consistent (good) play.
- Chunk

They were a fringe PO team with deHann, Seebrook and Shaw playing well.

All he truly had to say was "WE came out flat....I didn't help us by not playing up to the level I need to this time of year. I let in some goals I would like to have back"

Simple. accountable, and it's cliché....but it holds water.

Let a veteran like Kane or Keith or Toews go off on everyone else. They have earned it. He has NOT
- SteveRain

Could this be one of the reasons why the Isles weren't too interested in locking him in long term?

I thought of him first but don't think boston include that's why i added zbroil.
- Scott1977

Then Boston doesn't get him.

Aleksi Saarela scored for the Panthers tonight while Ian McCoshen has done nothing for the Hawks. Another Bowman fail.

If the Blackhawks are aiming to draft a center in the 1st round this coming draft and assuming they're not lucky enough to get a top 3 pick to take Quinton Byfield, I would strongly consider Connor Zary over Marco Rossi and Anton Lundell.

Rossi and Lundell have "nice to have" skills but I think Zary could deliver on "need to have" skills that could fulfill a top 6 center role: solid 3-zone play, strong skating, playmaking and finishing abilities, and faceoff prowess. He also has a great work ethic and compete level.

Assuming the Hawks retain Strome long term, Zary could facilitate a move of Strome to a top 6 winger then consider future center depth of Toews, Dach, Zary, and Carpenter with Kurashev and Wise as possible bottom 6 pivots once Toews retires and Carpenter moves on.

https://www.draftsite.com...player/connor-zary/32456/

Aleksi Saarela scored for the Panthers tonight while Ian McCoshen has done nothing for the Hawks. Another Bowman fail.
- DarthKane

Although McCoshen brings good leadership and experience to the Hogs blueline, I can see him seeking a new organization as a pending RFA to try and make it to the NHL.

Doubt McCoshen gets that shot with the Blackhawks with Mitchell hopefully in the fold next season and both Seabrook and de Haan set to return then as well.

Before the Seeler waiver claim, I was hoping McCoshen would get a shot this season. I can't see him being any worse than Gustafsson defensively and at least on par with Seeler and not that much of a downgrade from Koekkoek.

Although McCoshen brings good leadership and experience to the Hogs blueline, I can see him seeking a new organization as a pending RFA to try and make it to the NHL.

Doubt McCoshen gets that shot with the Blackhawks with Mitchell hopefully in the fold next season and both Seabrook and de Haan set to return then as well.

Before the Seeler waiver claim, I was hoping McCoshen would get a shot this season. I can't see him being any worse than Gustafsson defensively and at least on par with Seeler and not that much of a downgrade from Koekkoek.
- AEL_Fox

I thought he had a nice little run where he looked good during the team's little run, but he's been no gouda of late.

If anyone offers a draft pick for him Stan should take it.

The source isn't credible.....100% fact.

its no different.....we all have read the rumors the last 2+ weeks. I posted the summary of a Lebrun rumor saying the Hawks were engaging Lehner on contract talks. WE all have read the reports all over from credible journalists that Hawks and Lehner arent' close and may revisit....so this guy, who I personally know, says on twitter he's "hearing Hawks and Lehner aren't close" and somebody uses it as a source?

The same website who supposedly went on a podcast this summer and said Hawks would target a legit #1 goalie? Is that fact or fiction? From what I have read Lehner's agent engaged the Hawks....and again....some of this is common sense.....why wouldn't a team trying to get to the playoffs, who has an injury riddled goalie (concussions) and has tried a veteran back up (turco) or younger kids and watched both implode in front of them? Some of it isn't hard to make it believable.....what IS the difference is actually breaking something with a GUY.

I stopped listening to the score, but Zawaski broke the Saad trade in 2015 well before anyone. Anywhere.

To your point, the only thing John would ever do to stroke egos would say THIS or read this guy's.....when he engaged...….did he bully some guys on here? 100%. DId he have some guys booted for asinine reasons? 100%. Did he play a lot of us? 100% which truly pisses me off still.

I should post some of the DMs I received saying how they were going after Suter because Bob Suter had some connection to the Hawks. Was NEVER a possibility.

I don't agree with outing him in some dateline sting with feeding him false crap, but I get it. The ego had to be checked, and he apparently didn't qualify anyone....but how do you on a site like this? How does anyone really thing anyone here IS anything? I have personally met a few guys from this site and the old Dailyherald blog. 1 guy is 100% legit as an ex NHL off ice official. 1 guy was a AP reporter who was in the locker room for the Hawks and Bulls and around the UC a LOT of time....and had actual stories about the preMcDonough days with Bowman and Tallon relying on the Bulls cap guy to help them out. DO I 100% believe him? Sure....I don't see why anyone would make up crazy crap like that. I heard those stories back in 2008 BTW before Talon was booted. I personally met and exchanged numerous emails with Tim S from the DH before he passed. I checked some of Johns rumors at those times off him....like when Seabrook was going to Washington in 2011 for Brooks laich…...

THis site ultimately became and still is at times, a Richard swinging contest at who can one up the next guy.....and the race to break something or out scooping legit people.

What is should be is place to discuss the team, and have civilized debates and gain perspective that may be 180 from your own (not you per se, but the general your).
- SteveRain

Casually mentioning what some guy said and citing him as the source vs getting a PM from a regular on this site who claimed his only credentials were that he was "Bob's neighbour" (I Canandianized it for Paulie) and then dedicating a whole blog to the "rumour" itself.

Idk, still seems pretty different to me.

At the root of it, sure, I suppose it's the same thing and when I mentioned "differences" in my original post I tied it to just rumors. I meant to expand on that but it was late, I was tired...oh well.

It's pretty rare for Tyler to actually even comment on this stuff which has been a breath of fresh air. He's typically provided more commentary and analysis/perspective on what we're all watching.

Will be interesting to see how much activity actually occurs at this deadline and hoping Stan's a participant.

Just whatever that ankle injury was...

I’d put him 3C. Kampf and Carpenter on the 4th together. I still consider Strome a C. The reason that I asked the question is that Danault is help is pretty high regard around here. I was trying to see what people thought about Strome’s potential bs Danault’s current level (which I figure is about his ceiling).
- Chunk

Strome is a 50pt 2C who isn't going to break a game but reads it well and has very nice hands. Dach and Toews are 1a/b and you send Strome out to bum slay and things are looking good at one side of the ice. Kamf becomes Kruger 2.0 and that position looks good.

The dude will probably settle for 7ish million over two years maybe 10 over 3. Plus he's demonstrated he'll work really hard in the off-season to improve which should get a bunch of people here off.