Ready to rock...
As in “rocking chair”?

This will sound blasphemous but if I were to strip the A from a current captain, I would take it from Keith.

Kane has earned the A with how he has matured, taken younger players under his wing, and role modeled commitment to off-season training.

Then I agree with those who argue that Seabrook would have the C if Toews wasn't the captain.

Toews deserves the A if Seabrook had the C but I am happy with Toews being Captain Serious.

Not saying Keith doesn't deserve a letter but if it were down to these 4, he would be 4th on my list.

And if Hossa was still playing, Keith would be 5th.
- AEL_Fox

So Kane deserves to have a letter because he had to learn to be mature and not be a piece of poop off the ice? You don't think it would be better for leaders of a team to be people that already knew how to do that?

So Kane deserves to have a letter because he had to learn to be mature and not be a piece of poop off the ice? You don't think it would be better for leaders of a team to be people that already knew how to do that?
- GPHawksfan

I suppose that's one way to look at it.

Another way would be that Kane has been the best player on the Hawks for the last several years, if not his entire career, and rightly or wrongly, Captain letters are generally handed out to the players who have the most impact on team success.

Seabs had 3 surgeries. We really do not know the extent of the surgeries. (major or minor clean up surgeries?). Doctors will tell you that expected recovery time is very individual and vary from person to person. Let's reserve speculation and see how ready or not ready Seabs is during the abbreviated training camp before putting him in or keeping him out of the top 6.

The same can also be said about DeHaan (surgery) and Boqvist (concussions).

We have some options K4, Carlsson, Beaudin, Seeler, Gilbert. And we have some good prospects beyond them. It was not too long ago when our D included Gus, Manning, Davidson, Dahlstrom, Forsling, Franson, Hillman etc...

I just hope Covid has minimal impact on the Hawks and the NHL and that we get to see some playoff hockey.

If we get knocked out in 3 games it helps our draft chances. If we win a couple of games or a series it gives a lot of the young guys playoff experience.

Going all in on this opinion/guess:

Seabs does not play regardless as he won't be in playing condition.

But, in the even he does play, to me that is his way in saying after all the surgeries and pain staking rehabs, this is my last shot and if he goes down, we have ourselves a new Hossa/Pronger situation on our hands.

Only difference is with the new cap setup for the next few years, he won't be moving off that roster anytime soon.

Considering Seabrook is not yet cleared for contact and that he has only just been back on skates, I think it is highly unlikely that he would be ready to go.

That being said, I'm guessing we will be seeing most of the major sports cancel whatever we have left of 2020. I think enough players will say that they don't feel it is safe enough to play that the leagues won't have a choice. Golf is struggling and the players there can, mostly, easily distance and there isn't much heavy breathing. Just my half cup of sunshine to start the day.

Ready to rock...
As in “rocking chair”?
- bruceflyers

W
E
A
K

S
A
U
C
E

Seabs had 3 surgeries. We really do not know the extent of the surgeries. (major or minor clean up surgeries?). Doctors will tell you that expected recovery time is very individual and vary from person to person. Let's reserve speculation and see how ready or not ready Seabs is during the abbreviated training camp before putting him in or keeping him out of the top 6.

The same can also be said about DeHaan (surgery) and Boqvist (concussions).

We have some options K4, Carlsson, Beaudin, Seeler, Gilbert. And we have some good prospects beyond them. It was not too long ago when our D included Gus, Manning, Davidson, Dahlstrom, Forsling, Franson, Hillman etc...

I just hope Covid has minimal impact on the Hawks and the NHL and that we get to see some playoff hockey.

If we get knocked out in 3 games it helps our draft chances. If we win a couple of games or a series it gives a lot of the young guys playoff experience.
- -Doh-

Not sure I have ever heard of a minor hip surgery let alone two. But, I do hope there is such a thing and that Seabs can come back strong whether it be this year or next. Its been painful watching his play deteriorate the last couple of years and he clearly was playing hurt for a long time. Some of the replays on TV have been a good reminder of the type of player he was and hopefully can be again.

Going all in on this opinion/guess:

Seabs does not play regardless as he won't be in playing condition.

But, in the even he does play, to me that is his way in saying after all the surgeries and pain staking rehabs, this is my last shot and if he goes down, we have ourselves a new Hossa/Pronger situation on our hands.

Only difference is with the new cap setup for the next few years, he won't be moving off that roster anytime soon.
- purepone

He has been rehabbing/strengthening his hips/legs since February. Probably slow for Feb and March, than picking up the pace in April, May, June. We are not sure how long he has been skating. My guess is that he has been skating for a couple of months. He could be in pretty good condition after rehabbing for 5 or 6 months with a couple months of skating.

I had hip replacement a few years ago in November. I was running in March and back to full speed by May. I was in my 50's at the time.

Not sure I have ever heard of a minor hip surgery let alone two. But, I do hope there is such a thing and that Seabs can come back strong whether it be this year or next. Its been painful watching his play deteriorate the last couple of years and he clearly was playing hurt for a long time. Some of the replays on TV have been a good reminder of the type of player he was and hopefully can be again.
- ChiTownHawkFan

I don't think it can be classified as "minor" but I think the optimism comes from the fact that it wasn't a "hip replacement".

So Kane deserves to have a letter because he had to learn to be mature and not be a piece of poop off the ice? You don't think it would be better for leaders of a team to be people that already knew how to do that?
- GPHawksfan

To answer your question, short answer is yes. I generally prefer captains to be mature beyond their years and be good role models regardless of their skill level.

I would have said heck no to Kane wearing an A during the first 2/3 or so of his career. IMO, it's the maturity over the past few years that have changed my mind on him as captain material.

So Kane deserves to have a letter because he had to learn to be mature and not be a piece of poop off the ice? You don't think it would be better for leaders of a team to be people that already knew how to do that?
- GPHawksfan

You could say the same thing about Stan Mikita people change.

Seabs had 3 surgeries. We really do not know the extent of the surgeries. (major or minor clean up surgeries?). Doctors will tell you that expected recovery time is very individual and vary from person to person. Let's reserve speculation and see how ready or not ready Seabs is during the abbreviated training camp before putting him in or keeping him out of the top 6.

The same can also be said about DeHaan (surgery) and Boqvist (concussions).

We have some options K4, Carlsson, Beaudin, Seeler, Gilbert. And we have some good prospects beyond them. It was not too long ago when our D included Gus, Manning, Davidson, Dahlstrom, Forsling, Franson, Hillman etc...

I just hope Covid has minimal impact on the Hawks and the NHL and that we get to see some playoff hockey.

If we get knocked out in 3 games it helps our draft chances. If we win a couple of games or a series it gives a lot of the young guys playoff experience.
- -Doh-

Hips are complicated. They could have shaved down bone, grafted bone, released some muscles. It is pretty amazing what they can do with shoulders now. Anyway, individual bone structure on range of motion and tolerance to repetitive motion is pretty interesting when you get down to it.

Its kind of a Yoga Berra thing to say but he will probably come back better or worse. Hopefully at a minimum his day to day is more comfortable and if he can get a few more good years of hockey then good for him.

I suppose that's one way to look at it.

Another way would be that Kane has been the best player on the Hawks for the last several years, if not his entire career, and rightly or wrongly, Captain letters are generally handed out to the players who have the most impact on team success.
- EbonyRaptor

Dirk Graham was the captain of the Hawks and by all accounts was a good enough captain but was far from the best player on the team. Kane is the best player but i don't see anything that says he's a good leader. Maybe he gives the new guys pointers, but news flash all the vets do that. Also i think he's a piece of poop no matter how good he is.

You could say the same thing about Stan Mikita people change.
- rpeters01

I wasn't alive when Stan Mikita played

I agree with you !! Seabs turning into the second coming of Rosival is realistic and would give the Hawks a reliable veteran presense, since we still don't know how the finished product will look on some of the kids. He could be even better version of Rosival ... we'll see. Slower at his age but smart, leader and still has an excellent shot from the point

You could say the same thing about Stan Mikita people change.
- rpeters01

Also, I didn't say he hasn't changed. I think it's stupid to take a letter from another player because Kane finally pulled his head out of his ass.

To answer your question, short answer is yes. I generally prefer captains to be mature beyond their years and be good role models regardless of their skill level.

I would have said heck no to Kane wearing an A during the first 2/3 or so of his career. IMO, it's the maturity over the past few years that have changed my mind on him as captain material.
- AEL_Fox

It also seems that Kane is always on the ice, has developed many (mentoring) relationships with younger players, and works with them.

I don’t know if he’s vocal enough in the room, but he seems to have the respect of the younger players.

I wasn't alive when Stan Mikita played
- GPHawksfan

You missed a great hockey player and a better person, #21 went from mega penalties to winning a couple of Lady Byng trophies. He totally changed his on ice attitude from his early years.

It also seems that Kane is always on the ice, has developed many (mentoring) relationships with younger players, and works with them.

I don’t know if he’s vocal enough in the room, but he seems to have the respect of the younger players.
- StLBravesFan

I would venture to say Kane is fairly vocal in the locker room and practices.

Whether the content of what he says is productive is another thing. But the fact that the younger mates respect and look up to him seems to affirm he is an asset than a liability.

And for better or worse, his body language and facial expressions speak volumes, too.

Whether Kane or Seabs wears a letter doesn't mean squat - each is a leader in their own way, and the letter doesn't sway that one bit either way to their teammates.

I'm sure there are several details and caveats to dig into here, but on its face, I would think this is a very good thing:

Per Ek: The sides are close to announcing a new CBA extension for the next 6 years which shows just how far the sides have grown.

uh oh, if there are playoffs, it might truly be the survival of the fittest.

https://thehill.com/blogs...-positive-for-coronavirus

uh oh, if there are playoffs, it might truly be the survival of the fittest.

https://thehill.com/blogs...-positive-for-coronavirus
- LAHawk

Oof, that comment section makes this place look like Santa's Village.

Whether Kane or Seabs wears a letter doesn't mean squat - each is a leader in their own way, and the letter doesn't sway that one bit either way to their teammates.
- mohel

This.

Plus, if the Hawks want they can have more than two alternate captains.