It looks like the Hawks will go into the 2020/21 season with roughly the same roster they have right now. Obviously there are unknowns with possibly new players added, the re-signings of Strome, Kubalik, Caggiula, the playing status of Seabrook, deHaan, Shaw, and the (slim) possibility to get someone in the draft that will play next season.

But with all that blowing in the wind - the team will be by and large part the team we have right now - we will still be counting on the veteran players to play to their abilities and the young players to have taken another half step or whole step forward in their development and consistency. In other words we're banking on a tweak or two and the kids getting better. I don't have a problem with this approach because what other option do they have ... really?

But, it begs the question - will it be enough? If everything comes up roses for the Hawks between now and drop of puck on the 2020/21 season - will the Hawks lineup be good enough to compete for the Cup next season? Looking at the lineup on paper doesn't inspire much hope but what isn't seen yet is the improvement of the young guys and how well Mitchell will play.

I'm optimistic.
- EbonyRaptor

No reason not to be optimistic. I believe the more young kids get a look, the sooner they bump a veteran out of a job. The youngsters need to compete well. I think this energized the team enough insofar as a few more victories and some peek and valleys, perhaps, with the performance of most if the kids.

I see more entries into bottom lines but also there hopefully will be a veteran or two on defense shipped out. Yet not too many departures less the team does not have enough available for expansion draft.

Imo if hockey is not playing by may 1st then the rest of the regular season of 10 to 12 games left will not be played. Then various playoff scenarios will be in play.
- Scott1977

The governor's of various states will have the most to say when sports returns not the leagues themselves.

The governor's of various states will have the most to say when sports returns not the leagues themselves.
- rpeters01

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. With this pandemic in our midst and looming over America, the governor's step up as they should. You can be thankful for that. You can rejoice that when we have tough times, we step up and always better as a community to handle it.

But like the great assist artist (guard) Magic Johnson - whose passes almost seemed to have handles - we have to handle it together. Teamwork. There is no other way. Better to rejoice in our troubles, it makes us stronger. Life will always have its challenges. Hockey is secondary now but I have confidance we will get through it. We will be different as people having gone through the Corona.

The Blackhawks too will be different, albeit perhaps not a whole lot.

I think I detect (if you read between the lines) Rocky is admitting that this is a gradual rebuild not altogether on the fly. He is saying in essence also that as a businessman he does not want to put a really bad product on the ice. Which happens in complete teardowns.

So like the Corona we just have to be patient. I know some fans do not place much trust in Bowman and Colliton. Yet Bowman has been drafting well the last few years and some of that is proof as the players in the system and graduating to NHL are a deeper set quantity and quality than ever.

Perhaps Colliton will get the heave ho eventually but it is not so bad that he will be here a while longer

Let's hope someone has the balls though to change the powerplay mentality.. please! Escuchi in Spanish.

Well the Corona will subside eventually and there is good reason to expect an innoculation. I wish I could be as hopeful about that dreadful powerplay mentality

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. With this pandemic in our midst and looming over America, the governor's step up as they should. You can be thankful for that. You can rejoice that when we have tough times, we step up and always better as a community to handle it.

But like the great assist artist (guard) Magic Johnson - whose passes almost seemed to have handles - we have to handle it together. Teamwork. There is no other way. Better to rejoice in our troubles, it makes us stronger. Life will always have its challenges. Hockey is secondary now but I have confidance we will get through it. We will be different as people having gone through the Corona.

The Blackhawks too will be different, albeit perhaps not a whole lot.

I think I detect (if you read between the lines) Rocky is admitting that this is a gradual rebuild not altogether on the fly. He is saying in essence also that as a businessman he does not want to put a really bad product on the ice. Which happens in complete teardowns.

So like the Corona we just have to be patient. I know some fans do not place much trust in Bowman and Colliton. Yet Bowman has been drafting well the last few years and some of that is proof as the players in the system and graduating to NHL are a deeper set quantity and quality than ever.

Perhaps Colliton will get the heave ho eventually but it is not so bad that he will be here a while longer

Let's hope someone has the balls though to change the powerplay mentality.. please! Escuchi in Spanish.

Well the Corona will subside eventually and there is good reason to expect an innoculation. I wish I could be as hopeful about that dreadful powerplay mentality
- jhawk59

Well said and I shudder at the thought of choosing which is worse, Corona or Hawks power play, both are killers.

Any one else watching the replay of Game 5 of Round 1 of 2010? Kane, Toews and Keith still playing and looking good 10 years later. Similarly, Rinne playing then and still without a cup.

Any one else watching the replay of Game 5 of Round 1 of 2010? Kane, Toews and Keith still playing and looking good 10 years later. Similarly, Rinne playing then and still without a cup.
- Popsghostly

Bickel - in only his 2nd playoff game - looking like he would be a good future productive player.

Bickel - in only his 2nd playoff game - looking like he would be a good future productive player.
- StLBravesFan

Was living in Japan for all 3 cups so it’s great to watch these games on a TV and not at 10:30am in the morning. A few of the afternoon games I missed because they would be at like 2am my time then.

Bickel - in only his 2nd playoff game - looking like he would be a good future productive player.
- StLBravesFan

That 2010 team is by far my favorite team that won the Cup. Not that I didn't like the other two teams.

That 2010 team is by far my favorite team that won the Cup. Not that I didn't like the other two teams.
- BGKarras

2010 was probably my favorite team but 2013 was the best run for me and that team's a close 2nd.

Beating the Wings and the Bruins and the way they beat them both was pretty awesome.

2015 was great because I think a lot of people wrote them off (many here) because they weren't a de facto favorite.

2010 was probably my favorite team but 2013 was the best run for me and that team's a close 2nd.

Beating the Wings and the Bruins and the way they beat them both was pretty awesome.

2015 was great because I think a lot of people wrote them off (many here) because they weren't a de facto favorite.
- HawkintheD

No, seriously? Come on...

2010 was probably my favorite team but 2013 was the best run for me and that team's a close 2nd.

Beating the Wings and the Bruins and the way they beat them both was pretty awesome.

2015 was great because I think a lot of people wrote them off (many here) because they weren't a de facto favorite.
- HawkintheD

Yes that was

- Ogilthorpe2

Ogi, we’ve all got places to go, people to see, things to do....

Ogi, we’ve all got places to go, people to see, things to do....
- StLBravesFan

Yeah, like take me for example - just a little bit ago I got back from taking a trip to the kitchen and earlier today I went to a couple other places with the bathroom being one of them. Haven't really seen any people today though ... other than possibly catching a brief glimpse of that woman that lives in the house with me.

Yeah, like take me for example - just a little bit ago I got back from taking a trip to the kitchen and earlier today I went to a couple other places with the bathroom being one of them. Haven't really seen any people today though ... other than possibly catching a brief glimpse of that woman that lives in the house with me.
- EbonyRaptor

Have you introduced yourself to her, yet?

Yeah, like take me for example - just a little bit ago I got back from taking a trip to the kitchen and earlier today I went to a couple other places with the bathroom being one of them. Haven't really seen any people today though ... other than possibly catching a brief glimpse of that woman that lives in the house with me.
- EbonyRaptor

Yeah, like take me for example - just a little bit ago I got back from taking a trip to the kitchen and earlier today I went to a couple other places with the bathroom being one of them. Haven't really seen any people today though ... other than possibly catching a brief glimpse of that woman that lives in the house with me.
- EbonyRaptor

But no conjugal relations.

Can’t be too careful....

- Ogilthorpe2

Ogi, hello

Have you introduced yourself to her, yet?
- pdx2ord

He's too shy. He doesn't want to seem desperate.

Ogi, hello
- Elbows15

‘sup Nester?

‘sup Nester?
- Ogilthorpe2

not much. how are you and the mrs. doing?

Some big name players who may never play another game in the NHL. Seabs and Ladd included:

https://theathletic.com/1...st-game/?source=twittered

What a way to go out for those who hang them up.
- pdx2ord

I feel sorrier for all the eight-grate kids and high school or college seniors that looked forward to their graduation ceremonies and will probably end up having that taken from them.

For Sean’s, this might be a blessing. If he still has the desire, a year off to rehab might be good for him.

Overall, the situation sucks for so many. Putting aside the medical and financial aspects, and looking at it purely from a sports/entertainment perspective, I don’t think we see hockey or basketball until the fall, at the earliest. Baseball might get in half a season but with restrictions on crowd sizes.

I wish this wasn’t happening to anybody at any level of society or any geographical location. But it’s pretty clear our world has already changes for the unforseeable short-term future.

Have you introduced yourself to her, yet?
- pdx2ord

No, right now she cooks and leaves me alone so I don't want to change anything.

not much. how are you and the mrs. doing?
- Elbows15

So far, so good. Flying around in empty airplanes, to deserted airports...trying not breathe or touch anything.

So far, so good. Flying around in empty airplanes, to deserted airports...trying not breathe or touch anything.
- Ogilthorpe2

I know how you feel. Working at an empty airport (ORD) During Spring Break. Be safe