Really? What will he teach him, how to beat up women? The guy has been a failure in hockey, and in life.
- powerenforcer

Oh all good. That's what I thought you meant anyway.

Tyler,

Don't you think that the current situation with Corona, and everything being shut down, it makes it kind of hard to massive front office changes?
- vabeachbear

It could be playing a factor. I don't think we'll fully know until all of this ends. There will be loss revenue, re-forecasted budgets, etc.

I think Lankinen has a chance to be solid, and I wouldn’t write Subban off yet either. Goaltending is the least of this team’s worries.
- Ogilthorpe2

Fair enough, but I respectfully disagree. Goaltending is the Hawks biggest worry. Is Crawford is healthy the team is ok for a couple of years. But if he goes down they are screwed.

Sorokin has shown more at the KHL level than Lankinen has in the AHL and Subban in the NHL.

What would Tallon take for Spencer Knight? They have Bob committed for $10.5 for the next 7 years.
- LAHawk

I thought about him, but the price tab might be too high.

Fair enough, but I respectfully disagree. Goaltending is the Hawks biggest worry. Is Crawford is healthy the team is ok for a couple of years. But if he goes down they are screwed.

Sorokin has shown more at the KHL level than Lankinen has in the AHL and Subban in the NHL.
- DarthKane

Still can’t believe you targeted a goalie over your guy.

I have no idea what his value is, but it’s definitely not Dcat, Kubalik, and Strome. I would say a first and an A prospect, but who’s to say, maybe one of our goalie prospects steps up big time, you just never know. I would not overpay for a goalie prospect, ever. We are not winning the cup in 20/21, just keep building and adding forward/defense prospects through draft and shrewd trades.

I respectfully disagree Tyler. I, for one, am glad they aren't making any major changes to the front office. It's not like they can just suddenly be contenders just by adding guys in one offseason. I feel that most fans are just too impatient. They need time to build the team back up, it ain't going to happen overnight! And to Collitons defense, he was given a roster at the beginning of the year with so many rookies and new faces to the team, that it was going to take some time for them to gel, and I believe that they were starting to do just that in the second half of the season. So I think they took some big strides this year, even if their record doesn't show it, and am looking forward to them getting even better next year, through some of these players improving and having more experience. And there is still some tread left on Kane and Toews, and I bet Keith plays into his 40's, and will still be pretty effective.

Sorokin turns 25 in August. At that age isn't he eligible for a contract different from the standard ELC maxing out at 925K plus performance bonuses? If so maybe he wants bigger $$$. And wouldn't that be a risk given he hasn't yet played a NHL game?

It could be playing a factor. I don't think we'll fully know until all of this ends. There will be loss revenue, re-forecasted budgets, etc.
- Tyler Cameron

I really mean if you were to make wholesale changes, and you brought in new people who can't meet other than over the phone.

Players couldn't have time to really meet with the coach.

Just seems with any kind of shortened off season, inability to get together, wouldn't bode well for Front office and coaching wholesale changes.

Really, who? None of the kids in Rockford are NHL quality. Nalimov isn't anything special, Gravel as regressed big time, Basse is too far away from playing pro and his first year USHL numbers aren't great. I think goaltending is Hawks weakest position in the prospect pipeline.

I don't like losing Mitchell either, but the Hawks still have Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlsson, Vlasic and Krys (maybe Regula) as young solid/decent prospects. Plus, I question if Mitchell classifies as blue chip prospect, he's certainly not up there with the likes of Hughes and Makar.
- DarthKane

If Mitchell isn't a blue chip then why would the Islanders make that trade?

Mitchell, at this point, is a much better prospect then everyone listed except Boqvist. He has top 4 talent. You don't trade two top 4 D prospects in a one year span.

I am not sold on needing a high end goalie prospect.

Is Mitchell a stronger D prospect and does he have greater potential than the Isles top D prospects in Noah Dobson and Bode Wilde?

I respectfully disagree Tyler. I, for one, am glad they aren't making any major changes to the front office. It's not like they can just suddenly be contenders just by adding guys in one offseason. I feel that most fans are just too impatient. They need time to build the team back up, it ain't going to happen overnight! And to Collitons defense, he was given a roster at the beginning of the year with so many rookies and new faces to the team, that it was going to take some time for them to gel, and I believe that they were starting to do just that in the second half of the season. So I think they took some big strides this year, even if their record doesn't show it, and am looking forward to them getting even better next year, through some of these players improving and having more experience. And there is still some tread left on Kane and Toews, and I bet Keith plays into his 40's, and will still be pretty effective.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I welcome the other side of the conversation! Thanks putting your thoughts down.

I hear what you're saying, we will continue to aggree to disagree ( ) as I think the Hawks need a fresh set of eyes on this thing.

However, given the latest news that everyone is staying, I hope you are right and I am wrong!

Fair enough, but I respectfully disagree. Goaltending is the Hawks biggest worry. Is Crawford is healthy the team is ok for a couple of years. But if he goes down they are screwed.

Sorokin has shown more at the KHL level than Lankinen has in the AHL and Subban in the NHL.
- DarthKane

Doesn't mean that any of our guys can't develop into good/great goaltenders in the NHL. Bowman grabs one every draft, it seems like. Goaltenders are weird how & when they pan out. I'd rather hold onto Mitchell. Just because a guy is good in the KHL doesn't mean he'll be good in the NHL. Also, I'm leery of players leaving the KHL. We got a few who have yet to come over or have their contracts end.

I get your point & respect where you're coming from. Crow's health is a worry in the back of everyone's minds. I personally feel that Waite with all of the potential young goaltenders we have is too good to seek out help elsewhere. Let's see what we got at home first.

As I sit here with our whole state shut down, I am wondering, is keeping the ice ready to play an essential service? How are players going to get any skating in before the restart of the season? If they start the season in June lets say and go through July and August, it will be so hot in a lot of the areas of the country that even in normal times the ice sheet would be horrible. How could the NHLPA allow this with what I believe is an increased likelihood of a serious injury (players not in the best of skating shape, and a horrible ice surface)? Let alone the hockey would be like playing road hockey with a tennis ball.
- LAHawk

I’m not so sure either the NHL or NBA complete their 19-20 seasons. MLB has a shot. I don’t think the major sports will be able to play until July 1st, at the earliest.

Fair enough, but I respectfully disagree. Goaltending is the Hawks biggest worry. Is Crawford is healthy the team is ok for a couple of years. But if he goes down they are screwed.

Sorokin has shown more at the KHL level than Lankinen has in the AHL and Subban in the NHL.
- DarthKane

Have to side with DK on this one.

If I was able to see more of Lankinen or Delia at the NHL level, I might feel better about the position, however, if they go with Crawford with Delia/Lankinen/Subban next year, they are putting way too much risk in Crawford's health IMO.

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Have to side with DK on this one.

If I was able to see more of Lankinen or Delia at the NHL level, I might feel better about the position, however, if they go with Crawford with Delia/Lankinen/Subban next year, they are putting way too much risk in Crawford's health IMO.
- Tyler Cameron

What better way to build a defense and defensive system then for them not to have to rely on the goalie? The 2010 Blackhawk team showed me a team with a great defensive system can use average goalies and conversely Montreal showed me a team relying on a goalie to be their defensive system won't be successful. A great goalie is a nice to have, a great defense is a must have. I would prefer the Hawks don't pay through the nose for a goalie.

Doesn't mean that any of our guys can't develop into good/great goaltenders in the NHL. Bowman grabs one every draft, it seems like. Goaltenders are weird how & when they pan out. I'd rather hold onto Mitchell. Just because a guy is good in the KHL doesn't mean he'll be good in the NHL. Also, I'm leery of players leaving the KHL. We got a few who have yet to come over or have their contracts end.

I get your point & respect where you're coming from. Crow's health is a worry in the back of everyone's minds. I personally feel that Waite with all of the potential young goaltenders we have is too good to seek out help elsewhere. Let's see what we got at home first.
- I Am The Breadman

Agreed, but it's all about mitigating risk. Sorokin has excelled in the KHL, which is arguably the toughest league outside of the NHL. While no other current Blackhawk goalie prospect is performing well at the NHL or AHL level. Delia is doing OK in the A, but he's struggled with the big club.

The Hawks need to address their goaltending this off-season, they need a plan for the future. Hopefully that plan isn't signing one of the UFAs (i.e. Holtby) to a long term deal.

What better way to build a defense and defensive system then for them not to have to rely on the goalie? The 2010 Blackhawk team showed me a team with a great defensive system can use average goalies and conversely Montreal showed me a team relying on a goalie to be their defensive system won't be successful. A great goalie is a nice to have, a great defense is a must have. I would prefer the Hawks don't pay through the nose for a goalie.
- paulr

Usually less, but I viewed this trade as dealing from a position of strength to improve a weakness. The team still has Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlsson, Krys and Vlasic, maybe they grab another d-prospect with their 2020 first round pick (i.e. Drysdale).

Usually less, but I viewed this trade as dealing from a position of strength to improve a weakness. The team still has Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlsson, Krys and Vlasic, maybe they grab another d-prospect with their 2020 first round pick (i.e. Drysdale).
- DarthKane

I have no idea what Mitchell will be like? Is he projected to be a 3rd pairing guy or a guy similar to Duncan Keith? If he's projected to be a first pairing do it all defenseman in the mold of Duncan Keith then to me he is virtually untouchable. If he's projected to be "a guy" then he's tradable.

Agreed, but it's all about mitigating risk. Sorokin has excelled in the KHL, which is arguably the toughest league outside of the NHL. While no other current Blackhawk goalie prospect is performing well at the NHL or AHL level. Delia is doing OK in the A, but he's struggled with the big club.

The Hawks need to address their goaltending this off-season, they need a plan for the future. Hopefully that plan isn't signing one of the UFAs (i.e. Holtby) to a long term deal.
- DarthKane

In how many games? When he was bounced around in a jacked up season with Ward & several other tryouts for the net? I'm not writing him off. I definitely don't want a long term UFA either.

I'm with Paul on the defense scheme. I'm all for that being the strong suit of the team. I see your point on dealing from strength in this hypothetical situation. I think to say we deal from strength is over assuming what we have as defensemen in AHL or lower who haven't played.

We aren't going anywhere for a year or two, so I'm just buckled up for the ride. I like where we were for this season as far as young players being tossed into the NHL. I think it's a good thing, but it's a long road to go. More rookies the better, to see what we have.

I have no idea what Mitchell will be like? Is he projected to be a 3rd pairing guy or a guy similar to Duncan Keith? If he's projected to be a first pairing do it all defenseman in the mold of Duncan Keith then to me he is virtually untouchable. If he's projected to be "a guy" then he's tradable.
- paulr

What he is is a player coming out of college hockey, aka the 30 game a year league.

He may turn out to be a great pro over a period of time. More likely he is going to need time to adjust to going up against men who play hard every night. Rockford isn't a bad place to start. The AHL has always graduated many defenceman to the big time

Usually less, but I viewed this trade as dealing from a position of strength to improve a weakness. The team still has Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlsson, Krys and Vlasic, maybe they grab another d-prospect with their 2020 first round pick (i.e. Drysdale).
- DarthKane

I think the big question is WHEN this trade would be made.

What he is is a player coming out of college hockey, aka the 30 game a year league.

He may turn out to be a great pro over a period of time. More likely he is going to need time to adjust to going up against men who play hard every night. Rockford isn't a bad place to start. The AHL has always graduated many defenceman to the big time
- RickJ

But has Rockford?

Only Keith, of the non-rookies who played hear this season, spent appreciable time in the Hawk system, and that was at Norfolk 15 years ago. Well, Gus played 25 games in Screw Machine City, but we know how that turned out.

But has Rockford?

Only Keith, of the non-rookies who played hear this season, spent appreciable time in the Hawk system, and that was at Norfolk 15 years ago. Well, Gus played 25 games in Screw Machine City, but we know how that turned out.
- StLBravesFan

You are questioning the Hawks development system. I'm saying the AHL spawns many very good defenceman and that will continue.

BTW where did Buff and Hammer start their pro careers? And remember during the 2013 lockout Saad and Shaw and Leddy playing big minutes in the AHL.

The biggest issue currently is this NHL team has a General Manager who wants or needs a player he drafts in June playing in the NHL by October. That isn't development, it's rushing a kid to play against men in the best league in the world.