I can't say I have any inside information, but Seabrook's reaction to the press after the decision was made certainly suggests that everyone was not on the same page. It doesn't matter if not playing was his decision or not - that was the right decision to make. Not taking him with the team makes no sense, unless JC didn't want him there with the team even if he wasn't playing. If the team did offer to take him (playing or not), why would he react the way he did? If I'm misreading the tea leaves, I'll stand corrected.
- jrsamu

Was he mostly referring to the upcoming tournament, or to next season (which presumably begins in about 5 months)?

I got the feeling the decision was mostly his on Edmonton, but that wanted the team to know that he expected to be back - and contributing - during 2020-21.

I’m guessing that if he weren’t going to play, he wouldn’t want to be in a bubble for “x” weeks, isolated from family and the world.

So what they're saying is Seeler is better than Seabrook. I don't see that if Seabs had a leg amputated. Regula on the team is trying to make the Schmaltz trade look good?
- rpeters01

This!


I think Seabs went there to gauge his improvements after the surgeries and now he can concentrate on being ready for the 2020-21 season.

Did sound like he wanted to be there as a room leader?

Or is he better served to continue the rehab at home?

I guess I am confused by the "agreed exclusion" he and the team agreed upon.

The athletic article that the quote comes from says that it was Seabrooks decision or at least he was on board not to travel to Edmonton.

The quote in TCs article I believe is discussing Seabrooks thoughts prior to his surgeries when he was being scratched.
- LaheysBRandy

I think you are correct...it was like those more angry Seabrook thoughts that were added under the articles announcement of the present decision seemed to put the current decision with the parties at odds but I think it was mutual...

It could have been a mutual decision (and I'll say again, completely the right decision for everyone) that he not play and not travel to Edmonton.

We'll see what the tea leaves read come the start of '20-'21 with the Hawks having now more defensemen that spots to play them.

If all was unicorns and rainbows, I'm not sure why Seabrook would have felt the need to send the message about '20-'21.

I think we got him from Detroit for Perlini.
- I Am The Breadman

Yes! So really for Schmaltz.

*smacks head* totally forgot about that.
- I Am The Breadman

It doesn't matter, Stan still lost that trade by a wide margin.

It doesn't matter, Stan still lost that trade by a wide margin.
- DarthKane

Stan should have seen Covid19 coming and not signed Dinky like he didn't sign Lehner and Strome.

I can't say I have any inside information, but Seabrook's reaction to the press after the decision was made certainly suggests that everyone was not on the same page. It doesn't matter if not playing was his decision or not - that was the right decision to make. Not taking him with the team makes no sense, unless JC didn't want him there with the team even if he wasn't playing. If the team did offer to take him (playing or not), why would he react the way he did? If I'm misreading the tea leaves, I'll stand corrected.
- jrsamu

Or equally plausible, if not more plausible, would be that Seabrook decided that since he wasn't ready to play he put the team first and didn't want to use a roster spot, and/or he didn't want to be sequestered in the bubble away from his family.

The other point regarding his comments - you may be conflating his feelings that he believes he can still play with his decision to not go to Edmonton. They are two separate things. He knows he has an albatross contract but he is determined to do all he can to get back to being a great player, even if that isn't with the Hawks. I don't think that's necessarily a knock on the Hawks more than it is his intentions to be a viable player again.

So half the Marlin's baseball team is out and counting after 3 games and they are going to play football?

What happens when they can't field a team including their taxi squad?

Full classes in Florida schools, try finding teachers to teach... It's in court now. I suspect blue flu if the teachers lose but once it gets to a federal judge they won't.

Or equally plausible, if not more plausible, would be that Seabrook decided that since he wasn't ready to play he put the team first and didn't want to use a roster spot, and/or he didn't want to be sequestered in the bubble away from his family.

The other point regarding his comments - you may be conflating his feelings that he believes he can still play with his decision to not go to Edmonton. They are two separate things. He knows he has an albatross contract but he is determined to do all he can to get back to being a great player, even if that isn't with the Hawks. I don't think that's necessarily a knock on the Hawks more than it is his intentions to be a viable player again.
- EbonyRaptor

Could be true. Hopefully it is. And hopefully the surgeries bring #7 back closer (hell I'd take 50% of the way) to what he was before he the injuries piled up. That would give the Hawks a good problem.

The Seabrook quote sounded a lot like what he said pre-surgery.

My money (hope) is that Seabrook is still a Blackhawk after JC is long gone.

Theo, what are your thoughts on Entwhistle getting the spot over Johnson? That was the biggest surprise to me.
- Chunk

The Hawks need more sandpaper in the playoffs, and guys who will do the dirty work in the dirty areas. Entwistle fits that bill better than Johnson IMO. Not sure he'll see the ice, but I'm rooting for him to make this team down the road.

It will be interesting to see if the the officials call these playoff games closer than they have in past playoffs given the long layoff.

So half the Marlin's baseball team is out and counting after 3 games and they are going to play football?

What happens when they can't field a team including their taxi squad?

Full classes in Florida schools, try finding teachers to teach... It's in court now. I suspect blue flu if the teachers lose but once it gets to a federal judge they won't.
- rpeters01

Marlins haven't left Phildelphia yet and are still at a hotel there. Their home opener in Miami against Baltimore tonight is postponed. Also postponed is the Yankee game in Philly. Guess they figure the visiting team areas (locker rooms, dugout, bull pen) may be contaminated.

- scottak

I'm a big fan of Entwhistle as well. I just thought that Johnson had just as good of a camp and has more overall experience.

The Hawks need more sandpaper in the playoffs, and guys who will do the dirty work in the dirty areas. Entwistle fits that bill better than Johnson IMO. Not sure he'll see the ice, but I'm rooting for him to make this team down the road.

It will be interesting to see if the the officials call these playoff games closer than they have in past playoffs given the long layoff.
- jrsamu

I am very interested as to how the Oilers will pound on the hawks by way of Zack Kassian, Jujhar Khaira, and even James Neal & Alex Chiasson.

I think the sport as transcended past immediate response, but you have to expect the 'hawks to return fire to stay in the series....

4K is a lefty but plays the right side with Maatta on the left. Maybe 4K is better playing his off side than Carlsson is ?
- EbonyRaptor

Perhaps. Not sure if Carlsson is better than Koekkoek on the opposite side but many think Carlsson is flat out better than Koekkoek so there's that.

Carlsson played the opposite side quite a bit in Rockford. So did Krys and even Beaudin, hopefully as a way to train them to be ready to do so if needed.

Of the three, Carlsson is strongest but could be due to having done it longer.

Marlins haven't left Phildelphia yet and are still at a hotel there. Their home opener in Miami against Baltimore tonight is postponed. Also postponed is the Yankee game in Philly. Guess they figure the visiting team areas (locker rooms, dugout, bull pen) may be contaminated.
- boilermaker100

If a significant number of Yankee's actually get it the season will be over almost before it started.

NHL conducted over 4200 covid tests from July 18-25 on 800 players with zero positives. Players and staff will be tested daily within the bubbles.

I am very interested as to how the Oilers will pound on the hawks by way of Zack Kassian, Jujhar Khaira, and even James Neal & Alex Chiasson.

I think the sport as transcended past immediate response, but you have to expect the 'hawks to return fire to stay in the series....
- wiz1901

I know many think "response" is overrated and maybe even irrelevant, but the Hawks have virtually nobody to fill that role even if they need it. Caggiula is the closest they have.

The Hawks need more sandpaper in the playoffs, and guys who will do the dirty work in the dirty areas. Entwistle fits that bill better than Johnson IMO. Not sure he'll see the ice, but I'm rooting for him to make this team down the road.

It will be interesting to see if the the officials call these playoff games closer than they have in past playoffs given the long layoff.
- jrsamu

Entwistle and Johnson bring different games to the ice but can be effective in their own way. Between them, though, Entwistle is more valuable.

On Entwistle, he is a beast in 50/50 battles and can dominate the boards. Other teams try to push him around as a rookie but he's tough to beat. Defensively sound. He has more offensive skill than Johnson, IMO, and is one you want to play when the game is on the line.

On Johnson, think Adam Burish. Agitates, runs his mouth, supports his mates. Johnson is also good defensively, can take draws, and may chip in opportune goals but will be known more for being a thorn in the other team's side.

I'm not sure why Seabrook would have felt the need to send the message about '20-'21.
- jrsamu

Because the playoff roster was announced and Seabrook wasn't on it, so it's the perfect time to explain why as well as highlight he won't be sitting around, but rather is laser focused on getting better right now, for next season. Seems like a statement a leader would make right now, in the current situation.

Because the playoff roster was announced and Seabrook wasn't on it, so it's the perfect time to explain why as well as highlight he won't be sitting around, but rather is laser focused on getting better right now, for next season. Seems like a statement a leader would make right now, in the current situation.
- DontKnowNutin

That would be a great response.

Seabrook should not play under any circumstances - healing after three surgeries should be the priority. deHaan shouldn't dress either IMO - two major shoulder surgeries in two years? Just not very smart.

And addressing the comment that Seabrook "needs to look the mirror," the organization has a responsibility to see the change in the play and work with the player to make the right decision. It was obvious to everyone that Seabrook wasn't Seabrook on a regular basis. Where was the medical staff the last three years?

The mishandling predates JC as coach, but JC hasn't shown me much in how this was handled. To not take him as one of the roster spots is a slap in the face, even if there is no intention to play him for a single game.
- jrsamu

Oh, I totally agree with the idea that the responsibility for seeing and doing what is possible to fix injuries lies with both parties, particularly with the team doctors. I said Seabs should look in the mirror a bit because his bitterness and anger about the benching decision is clear even months later. Was simply saying that if he is so upset, he should look at the part his not admitting(?) or not pushing for help (?) on the physical issues played in the decline of his abilities.

We'll of course never know how this all was handled or went down the past 15 years.

Yes! So really for Schmaltz.
- rpeters01

I would like to see Strome stay. I like him a lot, he's just on the slower side. I'd sign him cheap & short though.