Im not advocating for them to do or not do anything, just pointing out that they have a lot of options. I mean, where was Toews the first dozen of games or so? That could be replicated to last a whole season, especially intentionally
- squishy24

Do you think it is in the DNA of Kane and Toews that once they step on the ice, they would not give 100%?

Im not advocating for them to do or not do anything, just pointing out that they have a lot of options. I mean, where was Toews the first dozen of games or so? That could be replicated to last a whole season, especially intentionally
- squishy24

Some strange comments in this interview:
“hearing from a few teams, then Vegas comes from out of nowhere”!

https://www.nbcsports.com...ing-traded-blackhawks?amp
- walleyeb1

I think he had every intentions of sticking with the team going forward and he felt that the team felt the same way and then something changed. Whether that was the losing streak or what idk, but it's very interesting what he had to say about it.

Why doesn't Stan just be honest, we signed him to flip him at the TDL, and that is what we did.
- LAHawk

Honesty and transparency from a GM?! What is this nonsense!

Do you think it is in the DNA of Kane and Toews that once they step on the ice, they would not give 100%?
- LAHawk

do you think they actually give 100% every game?

do you think they actually give 100% every game?
- squishy24

They give 100% of what they have every game. Of course, there are bad days when they may not have as much in the tank, but I’d never question their desire to perform to their utmost.

They give 100% of what they have every game. Of course, there are bad days when they may not have as much in the tank, but I’d never question their desire to perform to their utmost.
- scottak

thank you for joining in. now read the previous posts of this conversation

Do you think it is in the DNA of Kane and Toews that once they step on the ice, they would not give 100%?
- LAHawk

I wouldn't read too much into Kane's comments. Not saying you did. Just using your comment to express my opinion.

I think you have to take these kind of comments with a barge of salt. They are dealing with the disappointment of the most recent game, the season, etc.

IMO, I think guys like Kane, Toews, Keith want to be a part of trying to get this team back to being contenders. Wearing the sweater means something to them

Wiz if you are out there. I see you have the Hawks selecting defenseman Jamie Drysdale with the 7th pick. How does he compare with last year's top D Bowen Byram?

https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2020/
- boilermaker100

If Holtz is there, that is the guy the Hawks should take in that scenario. The last thing the Hawks need is another smallish D-man.

Smith is a buyout candidate. I don't think they buyout Saad or Maatta.
- -Doh-

I would agree. I'm just pointing out that the cap crunch situation is not quite as dire as some might suggest, and what the worst case stuff might look like, should it ever come to that, God forbid.

Actually LaFrenierre is got lots of edginess and plays the sport for/with contact.

He is never going to be a burner but he is simply a advanced hockey smart player who can help anywhere in the line-up.

Here is my profile on him on DraftSite.com:
Off the charts hockey sense and imagination on offense starting with the 2018 World U-18s where he surprised his linemates with passes that could have been coming from a seasoned NHL pro. Fluid and fearless going inside the circles in the attack zone, where he steps out front to screen and set up for tip ins. Will be a solid attacking wing but might also find a home as a NHL centre with the way he easily makes his way inside. A smooth high speed heads up player who moves effortlessly through the attack zone with such good confidence and presence. Doesn't necessarily fit the category of a blazer as he uses his hands more than blades to elude checkers.There is no denying how quickly he lets the puck fly, and how decisive he is while possessing it. Will fire cutting towards the net, and always has his stick down looking for the puck. Strong and difficult to move and not adverse to giving as well as submitting. Although he must improve his first step, he still manages to keep churning when carrying in the high traffic areas. It is his all around hockey abilities that round him as a guy who will build chemistry quicky with good NHL players and improve the attasck of whichever team selects him early in the first.
- wiz1901

Is he seen as lock for the 1st selection the same as players in past drafts?

If Holtz is there, that is the guy the Hawks should take in that scenario. The last thing the Hawks need is another smallish D-man.
- Elbows15

What if I guarantee he is better than Byram?

Holtz, and all the forwards especially Marco Rossi, who has the instincts for defensive that lead to a good two way game, besides being a lights out scorer.

Is he seen as lock for the 1st selection the same as players in past drafts?
- walleyeb1

he is a lock, but the rest of the top 7 after him are really interesting, as are the players into the 20's...if looks like a strong draft when a team or two going to the playoffs is possibly getting a Connoir Zary,a Mavrik Bourque, Orin health Henrik Lapierre, after BEING in the payoffs?

Really. If we win the lottery and draft you are worried about LaLafreniere's 200' game. That is like winning the lottery and worrying about all the taxes you are going to have to pay on the millions of dollars.
- -Doh-

And - Lafreniere is a pretty good 200' player to boot. What he isn't is a great skater. He reminds me of Austin Matthews without the world class shot but maybe better at everything else but very similar in the way they both skate kinda not-slow and not-fast but always end up where they need to be to make a play including defensively. He would complement Dach who is very good defensively. The two of them could carry Kane who isn't bad on days he wants to play defense. The thing with Lafreniere is that he thinks the game so fast he would be an ideal line mate for Kane to play with. They would play off each other like he and Panarin used to do. Think of Dach starting the year in 2020/21, still as a 19 year old, but a year older than this year - maybe 10 pounds of muscle added - now up to almost 6'5" and 215 lbs. He is going to be a beast along the boards with his size/length, strength and soft hands. He will get the puck off the boards and to Kane and Lafreniere.

he is a lock, but the rest of the top 7 after him are really interesting, as are the players into the 20's...if looks like a strong draft when a team or two going to the playoffs is possibly getting a Connoir Zary,a Mavrik Bourque, Orin health Henrik Lapierre, after BEING in the payoffs?
- wiz1901

Seems like a short draft, only 14 of 30 position players over 6'

he is a lock, but the rest of the top 7 after him are really interesting, as are the players into the 20's...if looks like a strong draft when a team or two going to the playoffs is possibly getting a Connoir Zary,a Mavrik Bourque, Orin health Henrik Lapierre, after BEING in the payoffs?
- wiz1901

To the point that Stan should try to move up and get another 1st round pick in the 20s if possible?

Wiz if you are out there. I see you have the Hawks selecting defenseman Jamie Drysdale with the 7th pick. How does he compare with last year's top D Bowen Byram?
https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2020/
- boilermaker100

In last years class Bryam's head of heels point totals and the way he lead his Vancouver team offensively and that he was a tad bigger did much to elevate him to "holy" status even though only a few of us saw he wasn't playing his end or even reading attacks very well and that eventually was going to be a place where he needs vast improvement.
Drysdale isn't some new bloom; he has consistently shown improved been a solid player on the international circuit and there is no question that he can play attack inside of playing his position, where Bowen Byram kinda becomes a freestyle centre on many of his forays.
Drysdale has driven play, supported on attacks and quick minded ALWAYS. He is tremendous lateral cutter with this super strong low knee bend and is quickly deciding where the puck will go, so no matter what the dee does, he already knows his options and the fact he really is an excellent passer.
His speed is so obvious, like a young Duncan Keith, his back pedals, convergence to surprise opposing puck carriers and the aggressive way this kid defends all bode well to project him an excellent pro candidate who is more than a bottom pairing. His speed & feet enables him to do so much, and aggressive hold the line on his side and close, I don't think you wait more than. year on him being a pro defender, if he continues playing like the views of him I have seen. It is more than a set up carrier type player that we categorize many of these new age defenders...I think he will make the transition, even better than Hughes and Boqvist.
(Wow...did I just boast? This may come back and bite me in a couple...too late...I told you how I felt.)
and just for the record, I advent started matching player to team, just ranking the top seven rounds where/who TEAM Wiz would pick if I had pick #7, or #15 etc.
It just so happens I am confident Jaime Drysdale on't go as high as Bowen Byram but is better so I really feel he is the first dee and I couldn't drop him lower than slot 7 even NOW....not sure how the teams will see those top players but it is a cant miss top 8....

Seems like a short draft, only 14 of 30 position players over 6'
- riozzo

yeah it seems that way but many of those six footers will grow, and Kaner and Cat and Caufield have lighten concern if a kid is through growing.

If Holtz is there, that is the guy the Hawks should take in that scenario. The last thing the Hawks need is another smallish D-man.
- Elbows15

Holtz already has a feel for strong play without the puck, and I keep yo-yoing the two Swedish kid as to which is gonna be a better pro...I guess it becomes a question of which is a better pro for say the current Blackhawk team.
Holtz is without weaknesses in his game, because he is a shooter, first and foremost, kinda like Alex Nylander came out a shooter (with the idea he develops the whole game). He is lightning triggered, a really good passer, gets open, and he can dangle.

What if I guarantee he is better than Byram?

Holtz, and all the forwards especially Marco Rossi, who has the instincts for defensive that lead to a good two way game, besides being a lights out scorer.
- wiz1901

I wasn't that big on Byram so it doesn't mean much to me. I still take Holtz. Drysdale is still too small for me as a D-man. After the watching the Hawks get mauled below th goal line repeatedly the last couple of season, I am taking the two way guy that scored goals.

If we can unload Maatta and Smith.

1 Kane $10,500,000
2 Toews $10,500,000
3 Saad $6,000,000
4 Caggiula $1,750,000
5 Dach $925,000
6 Carp $1,000,000
7 Kubalik $2,500,000
8 Nylander $863,333
9 Strome $2,500,000
10 ADB $6,400,000
11 Highmore $853,416
12 ?????? ???????
13 Kampf $1,000,000
forwards $44,791,749

1 Keith $5,538,462
2 Murphy $3,850,000
3 Mitchell $925,000
4 Boqvist $894,167
5 Carlsson $792,500
6 Seabs $6,875,000
7 deHaan $4,550,000
dmen $23,425,129

1 Crow $5,000,000
2 ?????? ???????
goalies $5,000,000

total $73,216,878
new cap $83,000,000
cap space $9,783,122 for 1 forward and a backup goalie

Maybe my estimates for the RFA's and Crow are a little low. But even if you bump them up we should be ok.
- -Doh-

there is no way Crow is getting 5mil next year with his injury history age and Performance? he is 25th in the league in save %.

anyone cringe last night when Crow got rolled on the play (elbow to head) - thought he was for sure out for the season

yeah it seems that way but many of those six footers will grow, and Kaner and Cat and Caufield have lighten concern if a kid is through growing.
- wiz1901

I keep forgetting they are 18ish.

anyone cringe last night when Crow got rolled on the play (elbow to head) - thought he was for sure out for the season
- glennjpawlak22

I did and was aghast that the ref was looking right at the play and didn't have his hand up.

If Holtz is there, that is the guy the Hawks should take in that scenario. The last thing the Hawks need is another smallish D-man.
- Elbows15

Same impression I have after reviewing top ten or so prospects. The dreaming and each of our spin off as to what Bowman does with our lottery pick? First things first; what is the date of the lottery drawing anyway?