The longer the Hawks are in their own zone the worse it gets. The guys are gassed after 30 secs b/c the system has them constantly chasing the puck.

As far as people discussing Dach in the NHL/JRs. He has continued to develop as the year progresses. Not sure what he would have accomplished going back to JRs. He has never been a big time goal scorer. He needs to learn how to use his big frame playing against men. You can already see he has started to adjust. He is taking less big hits, bracing himself for contact and playing through it, and also laying some hits now (reverse ones too).
- bhawks2241

Agreed. Dach just turned 19 and he’s playing like a grown-ass man. I got 99 problems with this Hawks team - but Dach ain’t one of ‘em.

Depending on what happens with the other d-men and the contract Gus takes I'm open to the possibility of him staying. If the re-signs the same agreement, term and dollar while the likes of Maatta, Koekkoek, and Seeler are all dealt or buried in Rockford it's ok to keep Gus for the bottom pairing or 4th d-man.
- DarthKane

I am too. Just not sure how the logjam of defensemen sorts itself out. Maybe patience is a virtue.

DISAGREE. Strome has the capability to be a 2nd line center. However, he currently lacks the defensive prowess to play those top minutes. Just like Nylander, he seems disinterested when he doesn't have the puck.

Look how effective Dach is in front of the net. Dach is an 18 boy, Strome is a 22 man with a full body. He lacks the WILL to get to the greasy areas plain and simple.

If I'm Bowman, I'm not signing Strome unless it is cheap. (under 2m per year).

I've yet to see improvements from last year. He's just as slow on his feet as he was last year.
- catrisc

That's not fair. He was doing well in front of the net on the power play and finishes well in close. He is also usually in front of the next since that's where he's scored a majority of his goals. Either tips or picking up garbage.

.65 ppg is pretty much 2C play.

Probably the upside of a Jason Spezza type but wont score 90 points ever. Its a game where you need goals and hes a fine complimentary piece.

I don't think comparing the two players is useful but there's certainly a way to use Toews, Dach and Strome in a way that makes it very difficult for other teams to handle.

A definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Let's move on from Gus and try something different.
- boilermaker100

I'm not expecting different results. $1.2 million (ish) for Gus (as-is) is a reasonable deal.

It was the key question heading into this season - can the Hawks improve upon a league-worst defensive effort? On paper they had Keith, Murphy, Maatta, De Haan, and Seabrook as their top five - and I thought this was enough to rise them up to “average.”. While the injuries have had an impact, especially De Haan, system-wise we still see too many deficiencies and breakdowns - and that’s on the coaching staff.

I’ll admit - I bought into the offseason moves and “full training camp” hope - that this was a team capable of making the playoffs as a wildcard. I know this is a flawed roster - but I still have a sense of underachievement as this season has progressed.
- Chief4Feathers

The team D started the season looking pretty bad. Then it looked better or looked like it was getting better. But now it is like watching a train wreck. You can blame injuries a little. But the blame needs to be shared by GM, Coach, forwards, and Dmen. I would like to see a new coach and a D of Keith, deHaan, Boqvist, Murphy, Mitchell, Seabs, K4 next year. We have not seen Mitchell yet, but he has to be as good defensively as Gus is now. Throw Mitchell into the mix like we did Boqvist this year. He might be a mess next year, but I would think he can figure things out playing with a basically veteran defensive group. Mitchell is 21. So really he has more experience than Boqvist.

Hey guys! Fun fact you may find amusing in a gallows humor kind of way - stopped by to talk to my ticket rep last night. She told me that season ticket renewals are going out next week. Looked at her and wryly said “you’re timing there is epic!” She responded with the idea they are toying with of having Bowman call season ticket holders and I wanted to just lose it right there and then. Instead I just told her that while some might view it as a good thing, others wouldn’t. Sigh. So out of touch. I told her that we would rather have a clear strategy to get back to contention. Going to tell her today (when not at a table surrounded by a bunch of fans in a loud UC hallway) About what a lack of confidence there is that Bowman is the guy to to get it done.

What are they thinking with having Bowman call ticket holders? That’s probably not good for Bowman or the person getting the call.
- Marlowe

WOW - nothing like that idea to tell you how out-of-touch they are with the temperament of the fanbase. Sounds like they have convinced themselves it's not JC (based on Bowman's comments re: his coaching) nor the GM, but instead the players' will.

The team D started the season looking pretty bad. Then it looked better or looked like it was getting better. But now it is like watching a train wreck. You can blame injuries a little. But the blame needs to be shared by GM, Coach, forwards, and Dmen. I would like to see a new coach and a D of Keith, deHaan, Boqvist, Murphy, Mitchell, Seabs, K4 next year. We have not seen Mitchell yet, but he has to be as good defensively as Gus is now. Throw Mitchell into the mix like we did Boqvist this year. He might be a mess next year, but I would think he can figure things out playing with a basically veteran defensive group. Mitchell is 21. So really he has more experience than Boqvist.
- -Doh-

Sounds very reasonable expectation. Expectations which are reasonable often are detailed by the GM, but not always.

Here is what I believe Bowman wants to see happen long term: his prized dmen prospects re-shape the blueline corps. Obviously you cannot throw each kid into an NHL role as fast trackers; too much inexperienced from the group to succeed

AEL_FOX has commented on a timeline for the kids. I like your prognosis, though DeHahn staying healthy is not likely.

I'm not expecting different results. $1.2 million (ish) for Gus (as-is) is a reasonable deal.
- DarthKane

If he signs in Sweden that's 12M Krona.

That's not fair. He was doing well in front of the net on the power play and finishes well in close. He is also usually in front of the next since that's where he's scored a majority of his goals. Either tips or picking up garbage.

.65 ppg is pretty much 2C play.

Probably the upside of a Jason Spezza type but wont score 90 points ever. Its a game where you need goals and hes a fine complimentary piece.

I don't think comparing the two players is useful but there's certainly a way to use Toews, Dach and Strome in a way that makes it very difficult for other teams to handle.
- fattybeef

He’s slow as time. Problem is strome doesn’t have a slot as 2c on this team. Not unless they get rid of toews or dach. Those are you 1/2 punch.

So strome is either at 3c or at wing. Given his painfully slow skating I think wing is where he ends up.

Agreed. Dach just turned 19 and he’s playing like a grown-ass man. I got 99 problems with this Hawks team - but Dach ain’t one of ‘em.
- Chief4Feathers

Dach with another 20 lbs of muscle as he grows and works out will be a beast.

Look at the improvement Kane made when he grew and added muscle.

If he signs in Sweden that's 12M Krona.
- boilermaker100

No Kronavirus in Sweden I hope. Too soon?

Dach with another 20 lbs of muscle as he grows and works out will be a beast.

Look at the improvement Kane made when he grew and added muscle.
- SteveRain

I just hope it doesn't affect his hands like it did for Dcat. Core core core and then more core

No Kronavirus in Sweden I hope. Too soon?
- Assman22

He’s slow as time. Problem is strome doesn’t have a slot as 2c on this team. Not unless they get rid of toews or dach. Those are you 1/2 punch.

So strome is either at 3c or at wing. Given his painfully slow skating I think wing is where he ends up.
- SteveRain

Have a scenario like Edmonton where they have McDavid, Leon and NJH causing match up problems while the fourth line eats the dungeon shifts.

3 scoring lines and one d zone flip the ice and change line.

But can Dach even grow a beard?


- Rota's Rooter

Phil Esposito works for me but I think Dach is faster.

No Kronavirus in Sweden I hope. Too soon?
- Assman22

If the virus won't kill you in Sweden the taxes will. 57% tax rate on income over 675,000 Krona.

If you are in the Chicago area….Canlan has a fantastic men's league program. Well organized, mostly clean, and multiple skill levels......had to throttle done due to some lower body injuries and work commitments.

Believe they also opened up a facility up north now...…

There is also a decent mens league tournament at the edge run by the AHAI.....
- SteveRain

Woah weird...I live like five minutes from that place...lol

The real standings
_____ GP PTS PTS/G
Av's . 59 75 1.271 1st Cen
Blues . 60 76 1.267 2nd Cen (tie)
Stars . 60 76 1.267 2nd Cen (tie)
Oilers . 60 71 1.183 1st Pac
Canucks. 60 70 1.167 2nd Pac
Knights . 61 70 1.148 3rd Pac
Flames . 61 68 1.115 WC
Preds . 59 65 1.102 WC
Jets . 61 67 1.098
Yotes . 63 68 1.079
Wild . 59 63 1.068
Hawks . 60 60 1.000
Sharks . 59 56 0.949
Ducks . 60 55 0.917
Kings . 60 47 0.783

Sell Smart Stan

Currently lottery position
1 Wings 62 34 0.548
2 Kings 60 47 0.783
3 Sens 60 53 0.883
4 Devils 59 54 0.915
5 Ducks 60 55 0.917
6 Sharks 59 56 0.949
7 Hawks 60 60 1.000
8 Canad. 62 62 1.000
9 Sabres 60 62 1.033
10 Wild 59 63 1.068
11 Yotes 63 68 1.079
12 Jets 61 67 1.098
13 Rangers 59 66 1.119
14 Panthers 60 70 1.167
15 Canucks 60 70 1.167

Go Sharks!!!
- -Doh-

It's incredible how all 3 California teams + the Hawks went from dominating for ~8 years.... And now they're all bottom feeders of the conference.

Strome - allocated correctly - would be fine

Hes not a 3rd or 4th line winger. If the plan is to continue to play him there, then they should move him by monday. Zero point in paying him more while reducing his effectiveness

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

Man I could say so much on this but I will refrain. Good post.

Have a scenario like Edmonton where they have McDavid, Leon and NJH causing match up problems while the fourth line eats the dungeon shifts.

3 scoring lines and one d zone flip the ice and change line.
- fattybeef

I agree. Just a matter of fitting all the cap hits under the puzzle.

Carpenter at 4c and being able to float up and down is a nice variable as well.

Hawks do nothing at the Deadline...

Bowman, "I really like our team and still feel we can be a Playoff team."

*sits ten points out of a Playoff spot*

If the virus won't kill you in Sweden the taxes will. 57% tax rate on income over 675,000 Krona.
- boilermaker100

Most Swedes are very happy with the tax rate. And if they aren't they have the freedom to move elsewhere.

Hawks do nothing at the Deadline...

Bowman, "I really like our team and still feel we can be a Playoff team."

*sits ten points out of a Playoff spot*


- Savetheembers33

That statement right there tells everything wrong with hawks. They are in denial and incapable of making the hard decisions. Bowman mcego and company all need to go. Until that happens this what the hawks are going to be the bulls. In hockey limbo with no direction or concept of what to do.

Here's a link to Bowman's trade history as shown on capfriendly.

https://www.capfriendly.c.../trades/staff/stan-bowman

From what I've seen he rarely trades players that he has acquired in a trade. The only ones fitting that description are Anisimov and Sharp (due to cap constraints) and Daley who wasn't a fit in Q's system and wanted out. I'm not including worthless pieces like Perlini and Forsberg. Almost all of his trades involved drafted players or FA signings... Joki, Schmaltz, Forsling, Hayden, Kahun, Manning, Rutta, Panarin, Hossa/Hino (LTIR salary dump), Hartman, the 1st Saad trade, Bickell/Teovu (salary dump), etc.

So moving Strome and Maatta doesn't fit his MO. Maybe I'm wrong on this, Just wanted to throw it out there.