Does anyone believe that buyouts could take place in Chicago? T be a playoff as they were in the past you need four lines rolling.

To take a break from lamenting the state of the Blackhawks.

Any chance they can free up $ to go sign Torey Krug for the blue line?

The Athletic reporting he might not be resigned, and would cost $7-8M as a FA.
- scottak

Doubt it but would not mine him on our team.

Then why sign Lehner to fill a G spot for 5mil if you are on a rebuild while letting a 26yr old you just traded a rather big player for?

I am NOT arguing for Forsberg...but doesnt make sense if rebuilding is the goal/plan, IMO
- PatShart

Ha! you thought they used sense in making these decisions.

My take: Stan is trying to do both at the same time. It obviously is failing, but that is what he is trying to do. Stay competitive enough to make the PO's and rebuild at the same time.

They were clear from the start that they expected Dach to make the team and pushed Boqvist up over guys that appeared to have performed better than he did. Again, my take is worth less than $0.02, but it is what it is...

Ha! you thought they used sense in making these decisions.

My take: Stan is trying to do both at the same time. It obviously is failing, but that is what he is trying to do. Stay competitive enough to make the PO's and rebuild at the same time.

They were clear from the start that they expected Dach to make the team and pushed Boqvist up over guys that appeared to have performed better than he did. Again, my take is worth less than $0.02, but it is what it is...
- Chunk

Yes, and the reason Stan still has a job is that is the path chosen by Rocky and McD.

Mood?

Doubt it but would not mine him on our team.
- Scott1977

Not at that cap hit.

Yes. Let the kids play. I have been saying this this camp.

Mood?
- Elbows15

Generally OK, but prone to occasional sadness. You?

Yes. Let the kids play. I have been saying this this camp.
- Elbows15

Well, Carlsson back in and it looks like they are keeping Smith out.

Not at that cap hit.
- Elbows15

Allocate that money potentially on krug to other areas of need. 3rd center oh wait stome but is not playing that position regularly a power forward besides saad with an edge and physicality to his game resign strome kubalik Crawford and Caggulia or at least 3 of those 4. Backup goalie seen subban play not good.
Get healthy dehann Seabrook. Buyout smith or matta or both. And finally for the rest of the season put dach with kane and saad.

Generally OK, but prone to occasional sadness. You?
- Chunk

Peachy.

Allocate that money potentially on krug to other areas of need. 3rd center oh wait stome but is not playing that position regularly a power forward besides saad with an edge and physicality to his game resign strome kubalik Crawford and Caggulia or at least 3 of those 4. Backup goalie seen subban play not good.
Get healthy dehann Seabrook. Buyout smith or matta or both. And finally for the rest of the season put dach with kane and saad.
- Scott1977

I am not even sure about re-signing Strome. It definitely isn't going to be more than 3-3.5/AAV for me. On 2 year deal. I still need to see more. Can he be effective given the limitations of his foot speed? I don't doubt his work ethic. Maybe he needs a different skating coach. He has good hands and decent vision.

That skating, tho. It is a huge concern in a league getting faster and quicker every season.

Well, Carlsson back in and it looks like they are keeping Smith out.
- Chunk

Smith shouldn't see the ice the rest of the season. Course, I didn't think he should have seen the ice at all.

" Top 6 – Which leads me to the top 6. Start to figure out who you have heading into next year and stop playing Ryan Carpenter at 2C. I like the guy and think he's a hell of a bottom 6 guy, but just play your best in the top 6. I mentioned on Twitter last night that Kirby Dach is the C that Patrick Kane has been dying to play with for years – big (will get bigger), right-hand shot and plays a solid two-way game (already at just 19-years-old). With the Toews line set, start playing #77 and #88 together and build that chemistry NOW. Then you have some momentum heading into the off-season (for hockey ops to know that they have) and next season for the players. "

I think this probably should have been categorised as Top 9, in that if Strome plays Center (and he definitely SHOULD BE, Colliton) ... and he plays with 12 (which he should be - as it worked) ... and Strome is named Toews or Dach - then that means find them a winger. Can Highmore cut it on the 3rd line? I think it probably ought to be able to,,, and I know the Drake and Saader fit in the top 6 - not to mention if you wanted to slot in Nylander to get that look (if it works or not -it matters more for what to do with the guy) ...

What have you got? Well ... 19, 91, 20, 92, 77, 88, 12, 17, and maybe
+ ??? Ok those are 9 guys that can probably do this -- and it is not simply chucking out numbers (with the possible exception of 36) --- and if that didn't work - I didn't see any reason that 95 did not work out when he was up here apart from - well, Colliton.

To me it just beggars belief that if you have 3 lines (and some teams don't have that luxury -not talking numbers - talking positions) - to not use it ...???

... of course I forgot 8 in that ... so you don't even need Highmore in that group ... so tell me again why there aren't 3 lines and Stome is playing at wing... for what reason?

As a big market team the organization iS going to ALWAYS spend sorta close to the top of the Cap.

Even after the championships and three summers of no playoffs, there is a need to spend to bring in new (maybe "known") players, because they want the ticket holders, the day of game fans and the "watchers" to feel the THEY are making progress to be better and on the return.

Lehner was offered two years only, and you can bet that was because of Seattle and I am betting there was no no-trade clause attached.

He is looking to test the market and maybe that is the result of the Blackhawks not wanting to talk long term ... but it is silly to think he isn't looking for an even bigger slice than the one he "settled" on when he arrived.

Bowman added Insurance and his dollar investment got him a late second rounder.

WAS Lehner viewed as too vocal?
I dunno what they think about his "transparency."

It seems pretty clear that after it is determined where they select in June, that their goal is still the same.

Allow their young coach to play the players they have handed him, and he really doesn't get a say on the short term needs, just that they are closely watching how his staff and he develops the youngsters he has been given with his coaching and their systems.

I refuse to take a stand on J C ... because this is less about his short term results (because even though they tried hard to acquire summer replacement player that filled needs, UFAs and trades for the most are not blockbusting franchise face lifts)
and more about if this young coach can grow a team.

I think that they finally seem to fly to the puck, and match well against any competition, but this is more about growing quality skilled replacements and managing the Cup winning fading stars as they meld with the influx of youth.

I don't have any doubts that they would jump at the chance to acquire a quality defender or scoring forward, but until some team gifts them more established talent or theatre able to convince NHL player they are in the mix IF they come here, you simply have to continue the route the way the Red Wings have, and it is full of setbacks if things fall through, even if you draft Dylan Larkin.

This is gonna be a road only the truest of fans will travel w/o whining, so pack up and see if you can try and enjoy it as it is, not as it was....

GTFO with the "truest of fans" comment

There are a couple of Twitter posts about Lehner's comments about his time in CHI. I get why he is upset/frustrated, and I have no problem with him feeling that way. He did everything he could to earn a longer term contract with the team and if they were in a better spot, I would be a lot more willing to giving him a 3yr pact.

This team is in the middle of nowhere right now. Throwing money and term at him would not give them the benefit they need (unless he would be willing to sign for $3-4M per year).

I hope he is able to sign a decent deal for himself somewhere (CAR/TOR?). I just think the Hawks made the right choice moving on.

There are a couple of Twitter posts about Lehner's comments about his time in CHI. I get why he is upset/frustrated, and I have no problem with him feeling that way. He did everything he could to earn a longer term contract with the team and if they were in a better spot, I would be a lot more willing to giving him a 3yr pact.

This team is in the middle of nowhere right now. Throwing money and term at him would not give them the benefit they need (unless he would be willing to sign for $3-4M per year).

I hope he is able to sign a decent deal for himself somewhere (CAR/TOR?). I just think the Hawks made the right choice moving on.
- Chunk

He loses a little credibility saying he would take a shorter deal by Carolina refusing to take a chance on giving up a #1 for 20 games.

How does a GM (Stan) keep his job missing the playoffs for three consecutive years and loosing in the first round two years prior? I just can't apprehend how McD and Rocky keep allowing the Bowman's to continue to run the Hawk franchise into the ground! Did Epstein have anything to do with this?

How does a GM (Stan) keep his job missing the playoffs for three consecutive years and loosing in the first round two years prior? I just can't apprehend how McD and Rocky keep allowing the Bowman's to continue to run the Hawk franchise into the ground! Did Epstein have anything to do with this?
- spanky

Do a little back reading if you're interested in the topic. No need to do so if your post was rhetorical or a tantrum.

*is one of the truest fans*

Do a little back reading if you're interested in the topic. No need to do so if your post was rhetorical or a tantrum.
- mohel

He wouldn't understand anyway

How does a GM (Stan) keep his job missing the playoffs for three consecutive years and loosing in the first round two years prior? I just can't apprehend how McD and Rocky keep allowing the Bowman's to continue to run the Hawk franchise into the ground! Did Epstein have anything to do with this?
- spanky

HAHAHAH nothing is off the table.

He wouldn't understand anyway
- GPHawksfan

Never know. He might apprehend the clue.