I get what you are saying here, but outside of the Sedins, how many players have really played with the same line mates the majority of their career. The cap basically makes this impossible.

It's not like Kane has been paired up with bums his whole career either.

Regarding Nylander, Kane actually has some good things to say about him according to a recent article in the Athletic:

Colliton had time to think and assess his lines between his team’s last game March 11 and when they returned for training camp recently. He had liked what he had seen from Nylander, Strome and Kane down the stretch. He knew Kane liked playing with Nylander. From a pure skill standpoint, Nylander is probably the closest to Kane than any other player on the Blackhawks’ roster. There are also benefits to Nylander being a right-handed shot across from the left-handed Kane. Strome’s game complements their abilities, too. The question Colliton had to consider was whether the line could play hard enough away from the puck and then win pucks back. In games like the Blues one in March, you could see how that could be an issue.

Kane raved about Nylander after a recent practice.

“I think he’s got all the talent in the world,” Kane said. “He’s a great skater. He’s got all the puck skills. He’s got a good shot. I think sometimes you look at a guy like that, he hasn’t really played that much as far as minutes, like being able to play a top-six role consistently, so when he was in the spot at the end of the season, before the break, we were really starting to develop chemistry. Our line was coming on. We had a few good games in a row. But I think he can do a lot of good things with the puck. He can hang on to it. He can create space for him.”
There is a learning curve to playing with Kane. As one league scout said, “Nylander has to figure out how to play with Kane. It’s not him adapting to Kane, but realizing Kane will adapt to him. The issue some players have with Kane is they try to play outside of their strengths and start attempting to do things they normally wouldn’t do because they’re playing with him. Keep it simple. Do what you do best and Kane will figure you out. He can play so many different ways now. The smartest thing to do is give Kane the puck and find space. He’ll find you.”
- Chunk

Yeah, wasn't thinking so much stay with same line mates his whole career, but be paired with at least one who is complementary and equivalent (or as close to it as possible) to his skill level - both physically and how he thinks the game (the elusive chemistry). Guess it feels like other teams have given their stars like Crosby and Ovi and McKinnon and others that benefit/boost. Definitely would have to research to check my thinking.

Thank you for the article excerpt, especially the quote from the scout - good point. I religiously read The Athletic, but somehow missed this one. Glad to know Kane does feel a bit more confident in Nylander than we seem to be.

I m getting little ahead looking to the offseason but considering a lot of teams will not have much cap space what moves could be made and who gets traded. I m assuming also smith gets bought out and kubalik gets resigned at 3 to 4 million per year and dcat contract goes into effect it looks like strome will be the odd man out. Buffalo needs a 2nd line center. So what other teams need a 2nd line center?

I m getting little ahead looking to the offseason but considering a lot of teams will not have much cap space what moves could be made and who gets traded. I m assuming also smith gets bought out and kubalik gets resigned at 3 to 4 million per year and dcat contract goes into effect it looks like strome will be the odd man out. Buffalo needs a 2nd line center. So what other teams need a 2nd line center?
- Scott1977

I think Maatta is the odd man out. He’s an easy buyout target, but he could be traded too. The Hawks could retain around the same amount as the buyout, but it would be for 2 years instead of 4.

According to Freud there are no accidents. It was an intentional aggressive act.



Unless it wasn't.
- mohel

Freud was a hack.

You just validated my point that chicago is bowing to the cancel culture. And like I said we live in a free country hate speech is also excepted as the us supreme court has upheld. You may agree with things or not but you have a choice to not buy something or listen but my point goes back to where does it end ? Nobody here can say after a headband is banned it stops , remember your dealing with fringe people that if given a pinch will keep coming. Until people speak up and say cancel the cancel culture.

That's my point. You and I may disagree on ethics but something that has been around for more years than. You and i have been alive with nobody screaming to ban it , now people have become infected with a marxist move.


To those who think this shouldn't be talked about , the hawks made that choice i thought this board was a opportunity to discuss things even if its political to some regarding rocky's banning decision?
- Taylorst1

I'm still wondering why i have to wear my shirt in the restaurant, i mean wtf is up with that. Or bring my own booze anywhere i go, like a concert or sporting event. Goddamn communists

Freud was a hack.
- Elbows15

All the nut jobs say so.

It would be interesting to see what would happen to both Kane and Toews if they had played together their whole career.
- mohel

I don't think it would have resulted in many more points for either, if any at all. The reason being is they would have had to go against top pairings more consistently than they have throughout their career. Other teams have good players, too.

Splitting them was always the best move. While they both have had their share of facing top pairs, being apart allowed both to get some bum slaying time.

All the nut jobs say so.
- mohel

iFreud was a nut job.

I'm still wondering why i have to wear my shirt in the restaurant, i mean wtf is up with that. Or bring my own booze anywhere i go, like a concert or sporting event. Goddamn communists
- BetweenTheDots

I sometimes forego the shirt in the restaurant, but I do keep on my c-cup bra.....

Nylander blows. Send him to Seattle.
- Ogilthorpe2

Is there anything in this world that you like?

If you win you lose. This is not a real cup, it's a "Covid19 Holiday Tournament."
- rpeters01

It's a real cup to the league. That's what matters....

Your opinion is irrelevant because the winning team will be etched onto the cup in history.

I sometimes forego the shirt in the restaurant, but I do keep on my c-cup bra.....
- mohel

Hahaha oh so that was you

I don't think it would have resulted in many more points for either, if any at all. The reason being is they would have had to go against top pairings more consistently than they have throughout their career. Other teams have good players, too.

Splitting them was always the best move. While they both have had their share of facing top pairs, being apart allowed both to get some bum slaying time.
- Elbows15

Although it pains me to say so, I think you are right.

Kane is miscast as a me-first guy sometimes. I think he's about winning.

Is there anything in this world that you like?
- SimpleJack

Every single thing he cooks.

Is there anything in this world that you like?
- SimpleJack

His wife and his own cooking.

I think Maatta is the odd man out. He’s an easy buyout target, but he could be traded too. The Hawks could retain around the same amount as the buyout, but it would be for 2 years instead of 4.
- DarthKane

So basically we’ll be returning just about the exact same roster only minus Maatta, Smith, and Saad? Is it a guarantee that one of Saad/Strome has to be moved in order to make everyone fit under the cap?

Hahaha oh so that was you
- BetweenTheDots

Only if there was hair sticking out of the cups.

Although it pains me to say so, I think you are right.

Kane is miscast as a me-first guy sometimes. I think he's about winning.
- mohel

Kane getting upset is much ado about nothing to me. It was a good scoring opportunity and he probably had something to say to Nylander but so what. I take it more of a kick in the ass type of thing.

It's a real cup to the league. That's what matters....

Your opinion is irrelevant because the winning team will be etched onto the cup in history.
- RedRevenge

IMO it’s even more prestigious than a normal Cup would be. An extra round of playoffs, the lack of home ice advantage, the randomness of the whole thing, etc make it even more difficult than it normally would be. Anyone trying to downplay the eventual champion or saying they deserve an asterisk isn’t thinking clearly. This tournament will no doubt produce a worthy champ.

His wife and his own cooking.
- Elbows15

LOL nice 👍

Kane getting upset is much ado about nothing to me. It was a good scoring opportunity and he probably had something to say to Nylander but so what. I take it more of a kick in the ass type of thing.
- Elbows15

He is a highly competitive mofo, even among other highly competitive mofos. He knows "pissed", but doesn't know "quit" or "sulk", imo.

Is there anything in this world that you like?
- SimpleJack

Yes.

So basically we’ll be returning just about the exact same roster only minus Maatta, Smith, and Saad? Is it a guarantee that one of Saad/Strome has to be moved in order to make everyone fit under the cap?
- SimpleJack

Not necessarily, there are several ways to ice a cap compliant team.

I think the defence will look significantly different next season, the Hawks will give their young guns a chance. My guess is that 2 of Maatta, de Haan and Murphy are moved.

Not necessarily, there are several ways to ice a cap compliant team.

I think the defence will look significantly different next season, the Hawks will give their young guns a chance. My guess is that 2 of Maatta, de Haan and Murphy are moved.
- DarthKane

With dehann injury history most likely Murphy and matta are traded and smith is bought out. Maybe Murphy to toronto for johsson and matta moved cap relief or value for value trade as money team needs d help hawks get forward help.

It's a real cup to the league. That's what matters....

Your opinion is irrelevant because the winning team will be etched onto the cup in history.
- RedRevenge

Just cheapening the Cup a little more . This sham tournament in hub city with no fans 5 months after the season ended .!!! with it Pee Wee format is just another Bettman gimmick to go with the rest of the stunts he introduced to hockey over the years . Bettman and his creepy owners sell out the integrity of the NHL every chance they get for a few dollars and a rating point .