What rock have you been hiding under? You know his good moves don’t count for anything...only the suspect ones.

#stanblowman
#ridinghisfatherscoattails
#dalethebuilder
- Ogilthorpe2

I must of been “safe at home”. Too long

Speaking of what ifs, here are a few classic what if moments to think back nostalgically on:

Byfuglien hit on Pronger
https://youtu.be/ugEjgz0hFow

Bolland shortie versus the Canucks
https://youtu.be/UA66X2jM0fs

What if the Hawks hadn't claimed Nick Seeler off waivers?

What if Stan hadn’t let Niemi go to the Sharks after 2010?

What if Stan hadn’t let Niemi go to the Sharks after 2010?
- StLBravesFan

And let Harmalsson go instead?

Not saying you specifically, but when I was banging the “trade Gus now” drum last off-season, the vast majority of people here said I was crazy. Seems like there is now a lot of revisionist history happening on this board.
- Ogilthorpe2

Impossible - Blasphemer!

Regarding any talk of trading Mitchell (Darth proposed it in the last blog), I would think he has zero trade value. Isn't he untethered from Hawks this summer, basically a free agent? I believe he's completed his college time and is free from his draft status and can sign anywhere (ala Kevin Hayes, and others). If that is correct, then his only connection to Hawks is the goodwill they've built up by the way they have treated him for the last several years. If they traded him, he has no goodwill with the acquiring team, and why would he not simply open himself up to other teams and decide where he wants to go...including back to the Blackhawks. And if you say the Hawks would sign him 1st, then trade him, how would that work for their future in a situation like this, they would have ruined any credibility they have with these college draftees, and nobody would trust them. It seems to me that Mitchell is the one young D that can't be put into a trade hypothetical to cull the herd.
- Cmonalready

You must be new around here

What if Stan hadn’t let Lalonde go overseas?
#theonethatgotaway

Not saying you specifically, but when I was banging the “trade Gus now” drum last off-season, the vast majority of people here said I was crazy. Seems like there is now a lot of revisionist history happening on this board.
- Ogilthorpe2

No offense taken Ogi. As much as I tried to like Gus I couldn't. He had his moments albeit more bad than good. He was Charmin soft between the ears.

What if Tommy Ivan never made the Esposito / Hodge trade...?
- StLBravesFan

And they kept Bobby Hull later on probably 10 straight cup wins or more!

Not saying you specifically, but when I was banging the “trade Gus now” drum last off-season, the vast majority of people here said I was crazy. Seems like there is now a lot of revisionist history happening on this board.
- Ogilthorpe2

Without doubt the "vast majority" were saying to hold out we would not get enough for him last summer he needs to prove again last year was no fluke and then we will name our price at the TDL.

PS. You can put me on the record for this past year I said trade Dinky (over Saad). I will own it if he's a 30-40 goal scorer next season assuming there is a next season.

Not saying you specifically, but when I was banging the “trade Gus now” drum last off-season, the vast majority of people here said I was crazy. Seems like there is now a lot of revisionist history happening on this board.
- Ogilthorpe2

I was one also said to trade gust at the draft bur it did not happen. I think it was a miss opportunity by bowman to get either draft capital or a young solid prospect. Even some of my friends who i talk hockey with said i was nuts with that idea.

What if Bowman wasn’t the GM and the Kubalik for a fifth was never made?,
- LAHawk

Its all hindsight plus who is to say a different gm also unearths a player like kubalik and has success with that player.

Without doubt the "vast majority" were saying to hold out we would not get enough for him last summer he needs to prove again last year was no fluke and then we will name our price at the TDL.

PS. You can put me on the record for this past year I said trade Dinky (over Saad). I will own it if he's a 30-40 goal scorer next season assuming there is a next season.
- rpeters01

More like “why would you trade Gus? 60 point defenseman don’t grow on trees. Who would run the PP if you traded him?”

Hey gang,

I will be doing another Blackhawks Armchair GMing edition on Friday.

Please PM me your CapFriendly roster so I can select this week's lucky winner for me to evaluate.

Hope everyone is healthy and safe out there!!

More like “why would you trade Gus? 60 point defenseman don’t grow on trees. Who would run the PP if you traded him?”
- Ogilthorpe2

I'm not sure the majority wanted to keep him, maybe a few guys like 'True Grit' thought that he was the future of NHL defensemen.

FWIW, I've wanted him gone since his G7 turnover that led to the Blues goal that beat the Hawks in R1.

And let Harmalsson go instead?
- LAHawk

Yes.

No Crawford (possibly), no Hjalmarsson....

I'm not sure the majority wanted to keep him, maybe a few guys like 'True Grit' thought that he was the future of NHL defensemen.

FWIW, I've wanted him gone since his G7 turnover that led to the Blues goal that beat the Hawks in R1.
- scottak

I don’t remember if I wanted to keep him last summer or not - sometimes short term memory goes, sometimes long term memory goes....

I wonder if those who wanted to keep him understood what an outlier last season was in terms of goals, assists, PP quarterbacking, etc.

Hi Guys, everyone still having fun?

My wife and I are planning a trip to the local fast food drive thru for probably tomorrow or the next day. I'll send post cards.

In the meantime - enjoy the time away from space invasions ... I know I am.

Hi Guys, everyone still having fun?

My wife and I are planning a trip to the local fast food drive thru for probably tomorrow or the next day. I'll send post cards.

In the meantime - enjoy the time away from space invasions ... I know I am.

- EbonyRaptor

Steak on a Kaiser for me

Its all hindsight plus who is to say a different gm also unearths a player like kubalik and has success with that player.
- Scott1977

So maybe stop your whining about everything you deem a mistake then if you can't give some credit too?

So maybe stop your whining about everything you deem a mistake then if you can't give some credit too?
- GPHawksfan

I have given bowman credit before he has drafted well and imo i thought this past offseason was good. The bad has outweighed the good. Just think its time for a fresh set of eyes at the gm position for the blackhawks.

https://www.secondcityhoc...to-find-players-stats-nhl

Just for fun, Second City Hockey is hosting a challenge to field the best Blackhawks team during the 2010-2020 decade.

I don't particularly care for their guidelines as it requires too much thinking, looking up advanced stats, etc. and is just rather restrictive for something recreational.

Here's my initial stab at an all-decade lineup:

Saad - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Shaw - Sharp - Bickell
Bolland - Kruger - Frolik
Ladd, Versteeg

Keith - Seabrook
Oduya - Hjalmarsson
Campbell - Byfuglien
Brookbank, Rozsival

Crawford
Darling

Honorable mentions:
DeBrincat, Murphy, Emery

Flame away!

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2020/3/23/21190813/all-2010s-decade-chicago-blackhawks-lineup-tool-challenge-how-to-find-players-stats-nhl

Just for fun, Second City Hockey is hosting a challenge to field the best Blackhawks team during the 2010-2020 decade.

I don't particularly care for their guidelines as it requires too much thinking, looking up advanced stats, etc. and is just rather restrictive for something recreational.

Here's my initial stab at an all-decade lineup:

Saad - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Shaw - Sharp - Bickell
Bolland - Kruger - Frolik
Ladd, Versteeg

Keith - Seabrook
Oduya - Hjalmarsson
Campbell - Byfuglien
Brookbank, Rozsival

Crawford
Darling

Honorable mentions:
DeBrincat, Murphy, Emery

Flame away!
- AEL_Fox

Nice list, and fun exercise. The only change I would make is to switch Brad Richards for Anisimov.

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2020/3/23/21190813/all-2010s-decade-chicago-blackhawks-lineup-tool-challenge-how-to-find-players-stats-nhl

Just for fun, Second City Hockey is hosting a challenge to field the best Blackhawks team during the 2010-2020 decade.

I don't particularly care for their guidelines as it requires too much thinking, looking up advanced stats, etc. and is just rather restrictive for something recreational.

Here's my initial stab at an all-decade lineup:

Saad - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Shaw - Sharp - Bickell
Bolland - Kruger - Frolik
Ladd, Versteeg

Keith - Seabrook
Oduya - Hjalmarsson
Campbell - Byfuglien
Brookbank, Rozsival

Crawford
Darling

Honorable mentions:
DeBrincat, Murphy, Emery

Flame away!
- AEL_Fox

I’d move Niemi in instead of Darling - the main goalie in the first Cup vs. one that was critical - but in only one series - in the third.

Strange that of all of the defensemen in the decade, the only two logical choices for the third pairing played only in one season - the first. They couldn’t find any others in the next 10 seasons (maybe Leddy).