But they are in the playoffs (or whatever this is). Why wouldn’t you want the team to perform as well as possible? So they can get an even lower chance than normal of moving up a few slots in the draft?
- Chunk

Let me clarify I would like to see the Hawks perform at high level like in years past. I would rather have this team in the playoffs by their merit as opposed to this gimmick or whatever the league is calling it. My preference is to have a top ten pick in the draft with the possibility of moving up. Imo i believe it help the rebuild process.

Could someone please clear up a little confusion regarding the lottery odds for me. If the Lottery is being held late June & the play in round starts mid July. Would the Hawks and the rest of the 'play in teams' know that a lottery pick is in play for the 'play in team'? For instance Ottawa, 'TBD' and Detroit have won the lottery. If that is the case and no play in teams win the lottery, as a fan it would be motivation to keep winning (odd to say).
- zm333

Yes they wil know if any of the slots move up 8-15 I think they call them A-I then they will have a second drawing for the 8 teams that lose in the play in round. what would be interesting is if 2 spots goto 8-15 (unlikely) and you see the teams with bad seeding like hawks and Montreal putting out odd lineups or goalies. who ever ends up with 8th spot would have 25% chance at either spot.

Let me clarify I would like to see the Hawks perform at high level like in years past. I would rather have this team in the playoffs by their merit as opposed to this gimmick or whatever the league is calling it. My preference is to have a top ten pick in the draft with the possibility of moving up. Imo i believe it help the rebuild process.
- BGKarras

I completely understand your stance. I just have a bit of a different perspective. My preference is that they try to take advantage of every chance they get (even this convoluted one). If it comes at the cost of draft position, I'll take that.

I'm not saying to sell off prospects or draft picks to go for it, but I'd like for them to give it their all and win as much as possible.

Could someone please clear up a little confusion regarding the lottery odds for me. If the Lottery is being held late June & the play in round starts mid July. Would the Hawks and the rest of the 'play in teams' know that a lottery pick is in play for the 'play in team'? For instance Ottawa, 'TBD' and Detroit have won the lottery. If that is the case and no play in teams win the lottery, as a fan it would be motivation to keep winning (odd to say).
- zm333

They should just really focus on next season by having one. No baseball, i mean if it took the NHL to come up with this plan for over 2 months they may actually lose the next season.

I completely understand your stance. I just have a bit of a different perspective. My preference is that they try to take advantage of every chance they get (even this convoluted one). If it comes at the cost of draft position, I'll take that.

I'm not saying to sell off prospects or draft picks to go for it, but I'd like for them to give it their all and win as much as possible.
- Chunk

Agreed.

Getting the current some playoff experience Is just as valuable as another high pick IMO.

Now if they get swept in the round of 16, then it probably wouldn’t have been worth it.

I completely understand your stance. I just have a bit of a different perspective. My preference is that they try to take advantage of every chance they get (even this convoluted one). If it comes at the cost of draft position, I'll take that.

I'm not saying to sell off prospects or draft picks to go for it, but I'd like for them to give it their all and win as much as possible.
- Chunk

I hear ya!
I said in the last blog that playing meaningful games especially with the younger players may help their games overall and be beneficial moving forward. At least we can have something to watch and get excited about. Then we can all moan and groan about the teams play. It definitely will change the conversations going on here lately.

Yes they wil know if any of the slots move up 8-15 I think they call them A-I then they will have a second drawing for the 8 teams that lose in the play in round. What would be interesting is if 2 spots goto 8-15 (unlikely) and you see the teams with bad seeding like hawks and Montreal putting out odd lineups or goalies. who ever ends up with 8th spot would have 25% chance at either spot.
- kmw4631

Unless Montreal wins the Pittsburgh series, the hawks select at 9 (not 8 Montreal slot)
if the lose, but...

if any or all of the June 26th lotto the three drawing balls didn't land in the hands of disparaged seven, THEN .... teams who lose in the play -in get them by way of a second drawing, only happening if the SEVEN don't win all three in the initial draft.

I think President Gary said that second drawing would be conducted as an equal weight, but in my mind, why wouldn't you mark the balls team 8 slot, team 14 slot, in the first drawing and just let the team that lands percentage wise in that slot get what they deserve...Because the way I hear-ed it after the play in losers LOSE, they all get an equal lotto ball chance at that unwon lotto ball slot or two lotto ball slots...right?

I see what you are saying if the odds skewed and any or all of those lotto ball wins fall out of the hands of the disparaged seven (it could happen, BUT...if I understand it, after the play-in ends the teams then all get an equal chance in the SECOND drawing THEN THE SLOTS are determine using the march 2020 season standing %s to determine the order after any lotto ball move ups in the 2nd drawing.)

Teams would purposefully LOSE the play-in to determine they select in 9-15?

They are NOT gonna know until afterward if they are the lucky move up team, even if it is known that the initial lotto drawing yield one two or three or NO winners...so even if all three lotto spots are available the NHL team organizations are gonna lay down and tank when it only gets them a chance between 8 teams TO drop...I DUNNO...

Agreed.

Getting the current some playoff experience Is just as valuable as another high pick IMO.

Now if they get swept in the round of 16, then it probably wouldn’t have been worth it.
- Ogilthorpe2

It would tell certain players suck. Strome and Debrinkat to name two.

I'm also curious if 1 player gets it, they have to test both teams every day, whoever else tests positive will have to sit, this entire playoff thing can end as quickly as it begins.

Agreed. Nylander will win the Conn Smythe.
- DarthKane

Nylander will get a participation award.

Agreed. Nylander will win the Conn Smythe.
- DarthKane

So....The Leafs end their drought Darth???

I'm also curious if 1 player gets it, they have to test both teams every day, whoever else tests positive will have to sit, this entire playoff thing can end as quickly as it begins.
- BetweenTheDots

I thought I remember Daly saying that they have a plan put together (not sure if it has been discussed or agreed to with the players) where they would not have to shut down if one, or even multiple, players test positive. I think it was quoted in one of Ek's posts.

Heck, I'd pay an additional fee on my subscription package to have the mics open. Available as an option. Gordie Howe once mentioned that those 'conversations' were the things he missed most, after retiring. Make it optional, and I'm plunking down the green.
- gabriel

Absolutely the best money you'll ever spend.

It would tell certain players suck. Strome and Debrinkat to name two.
- rpeters01

What don't you like about them? Neither are finished products at this point. ADB has shown that he can put up significant points in the NHL. Even if his goals were down this year, he still put up 45 points in 70 games this year. He certainly needs to improve defensively and exiting the zone, but there is a lot of talent there. Strome isn't everything you want out of a #2C (or a #3 overall pick for that matter), but he has put up points as well, and has improved defensively. They are 23, and 22 years old.

Agreed.

Getting the current some playoff experience Is just as valuable as another high pick IMO.

Now if they get swept in the round of 16, then it probably wouldn’t have been worth it.
- Ogilthorpe2

I will root for them as long as they are in. Unfortunately the odds of this team winning two playoff rounds are very small, so the best scenario for future success is for them to go five games with the Oil, get the young guys some playoff experience, and then move up in the draft. JMHO

What don't you like about them? Neither are finished products at this point. ADB has shown that he can put up significant points in the NHL. Even if his goals were down this year, he still put up 45 points in 70 games this year. He certainly needs to improve defensively and exiting the zone, but there is a lot of talent there. Strome isn't everything you want out of a #2C (or a #3 overall pick for that matter), but he has put up points as well, and has improved defensively. They are 23, and 22 years old.
- Chunk

I agree not the time to be down on these two .Both had some what down years . DBC maybe the sophomore slump came a year late ,or some jitters after the big new deal .Strome ankle injuries can be tricky .I can see both having bounce back years next year ,or maybe even in the Covis19 Cup .

Do it! Post a lineup!!!
- SimpleJack

YES! Lineups may just start uncontrollably bursting forth ... oh ... oh ... and with an eye toward youth and speed, here comes one now

Saad-Toews-Sikura
Nylander-Dach-Kane
Cat-Strome-Kubalik
Fortin-Highmore-Caggiula

Keith-Boqvist
deHaan-Murphy
Karlsson-Koekkoek

Crawford

There ya go - they either beat the Oil or end up in the draft lottery. What's not to like?

What don't you like about them? Neither are finished products at this point. ADB has shown that he can put up significant points in the NHL. Even if his goals were down this year, he still put up 45 points in 70 games this year. He certainly needs to improve defensively and exiting the zone, but there is a lot of talent there. Strome isn't everything you want out of a #2C (or a #3 overall pick for that matter), but he has put up points as well, and has improved defensively. They are 23, and 22 years old.
- Chunk

They strike me as players "on the other team" we were consistently beating in the playoffs during our glory years. I like Strome a lot, as a 3C, and I think Dinky is a one trick pony. Martin St. Louis put up tons of numbers, never won anything.

They strike me as players "on the other team" we were consistently beating in the playoffs during our glory years. I like Strome a lot, as a 3C, and I think Dinky is a one trick pony. Martin St. Louis put up tons of numbers, never won anything.
- rpeters01

Didn’t St Louis win a Cup in Tampa?

AdB may be a one-trick pony - and I generally don’t like one-trick ponies - but if he can put up 40 a season (and, yes, he did it only once so far - maybe not ever again), I’m ok with that.

They strike me as players "on the other team" we were consistently beating in the playoffs during our glory years. I like Strome a lot, as a 3C, and I think Dinky is a one trick pony. Martin St. Louis put up tons of numbers, never won anything.
- rpeters01

MSL won a cup in 04 with TB.

I get your critiques, but SC winners are filled with them. Kane is all offense. Campbell was an offensive d-man. Hammer was purely a defensive D-man. John Madden barely broke 40 pts twice in his career.

I'd prefer to let them build on the talents that they have.

I will root for them as long as they are in. Unfortunately the odds of this team winning two playoff rounds are very small, so the best scenario for future success is for them to go five games with the Oil, get the young guys some playoff experience, and then move up in the draft. JMHO
- Angotti

I’d be ok with that.

5 games with multiple trips to OT would be great.

Followed by another #3 pick.

401 for TC. Congrats. No sophomore slump for you

I'm torn. I'm so excited for hockey & will cheer like no other, but I'm so worried that this is a quick & unhealthy decision.

Now onto politics ... because there wasn't enough today, yesterday, or the day before ...
- I Am The Breadman

haha. Thanks Breadman.

Let me clarify I would like to see the Hawks perform at high level like in years past. I would rather have this team in the playoffs by their merit as opposed to this gimmick or whatever the league is calling it. My preference is to have a top ten pick in the draft with the possibility of moving up. Imo i believe it help the rebuild process.
- BGKarras

Love that they're in based on a gimmick. Hope they make the conference finals or even the cup finals. It would show what a gimmick the league is and highlight how diluted the talent pool really is. Or they spin it to show how exciting the league is and that "anything can happen in the playoffs" to drive some more excitement.

There is so much parity in the league that only the really horrid teams have no chance.

A dialed in Crow and Patrick Kane being fresh and triple shifted can get them through two rounds. Crazier things have happened.

MSL won a cup in 04 with TB.

I get your critiques, but SC winners are filled with them. Kane is all offense. Campbell was an offensive d-man. Hammer was purely a defensive D-man. John Madden barely broke 40 pts twice in his career.

I'd prefer to let them build on the talents that they have.
- Chunk

Kane will mix it up with anybody and often come away with the puck. He's not big, but he's bigger and tougher than small, heck he's tougher than Nylander unfortunately and I'm a Nylander guy, just wish he had some Highmore in him. Was afraid I was wrong about St. Louis he played so long. I just remember at the end of his career they were saying "win it for Martin." Strome reminds me of the lower line centers LA used to run over us in '14 and we need that. But on a good team he's not a 2C.

I’d be ok with that.

5 games with multiple trips to OT would be great.

Followed by another #3 pick.
- Ogilthorpe2

We are aligned on this one.