Typical fans, "we want your guy so take our crap and give him to us!"
- rpeters01

Isn't that what we did with Buffalo

Mitchell most likely. I like Barratt a lot except his skating. I watched a few Penn State games on Big Ten Network in 2019. He looked like he was skating in mud sometimes.

Almost like Jeremy Morin (ok not THAT bad). A lot of moving parts and effort but doesn't seem to get anywhere very fast.

I remember Morin just being gassed after 30 second shifts because his stride was so bad.
- bhawks2241

You get more than half way through the alphabet spelling the Alty Russian guy. We will learn how to spell his name should he get to the NHL Let us hope he is as long on talent as spelling his name.

The past hockey season began with Dach and Boqvist.skating in the Traverse City Tournament then ended with them skating in the playoffs. Looks like several newbies could take to NHL ponds but i dk about playoffs

ESPN ranked the top 15 rookies in this year's playoffs. They had K.Dach as #6 overall (with D. Kubalik as #8).

They did put D-men C.Makar and Q. Hughes as #1 and #2....

Article here if interested (sorry T.Fox for leading others away from your fine writing here): https://www.espn.com/nhl/...p-10-stanley-cup-playoffs.
- DontKnowNutin

It's worth noting that Dach (drafted in 2019) is the youngest player on that list by at least 1 year. Q.Hughes in next youngest (2018), and then Makar and Texier (2017).

Not sure if this is exactly new news but NHL aiming for an 82-game season for 2020-21 with a start date of December 1.

Not sure if this is exactly new news but NHL aiming for an 82-game season for 20202-1 with a start date of December 1.
- Theo Fox

With no coronavirus interruptions - a compressed schedule - could get it done by the middle of July. That runs pretty close to the 2021-22 season, if they want that to start on time.

And perhaps scheduling issues for teams in dual-sport building - presumably the NBA would be lookin at a similar setup.

Not sure if this is exactly new news but NHL aiming for an 82-game season for 20202-1 with a start date of December 1.
- Theo Fox

Would there be the one week off per team and no all star game. I would question how much money is made off all star game brouhaha with covid still lurking. I would vote to pass on everything involving all star festivities. I believe a one week break re-charges engine of tired players. But of course there is no hockey bubble and teams cannot play doubleheader like baseball if any games are canceled due to covid developments.

Completing an 82 game schedule just apoears to be rather an impractical objective. Folly on the NHL don't we all agree.

With no coronavirus interruptions - a compressed schedule - could get it done by the middle of July. That runs pretty close to the 2021-22 season, if they want that to start on time.

And perhaps scheduling issues for teams in dual-sport building - presumably the NBA would be lookin at a similar setup.
- StLBravesFan

I think they should look into making this a permanent change. Starting the season in December means that the NHL's only competition during the playoffs is regular season baseball. If you're looking to grow the sport, highlighting the best part of the best sport against weak competition could really help win over more fans.

Great write up Theo. I think you hit it on the head with Strome's skill set not fitting in the lineup at center, especially at 3C/4C. Which makes him odd man out with Toews @1C, and Dach @ 2C.

If the Hawks give up on further developing 17 and part ways, do you think Stan tries to find a 3C via free agency or relies on Shaw to be healthy?

Great write up Theo. I think you hit it on the head with Strome's skill set not fitting in the lineup at center, especially at 3C/4C. Which makes him odd man out with Toews @1C, and Dach @ 2C.

If the Hawks give up on further developing 17 and part ways, do you think Stan tries to find a 3C via free agency or relies on Shaw to be healthy?
- King Agler

My only argument is, and I'm not saying Strome will develop into a top 6 center, in 3 years where is Toews going to be? Toews is at the 32 year old threshold, he's not getting any younger and based on some studies most players at 32 and up their play begins to diminish.

Not sure if this is exactly new news but NHL aiming for an 82-game season for 2020-21 with a start date of December 1.
- Theo Fox

They should lower their aim by about 20 games IMO.

Great write up Theo. I think you hit it on the head with Strome's skill set not fitting in the lineup at center, especially at 3C/4C. Which makes him odd man out with Toews @1C, and Dach @ 2C.

If the Hawks give up on further developing 17 and part ways, do you think Stan tries to find a 3C via free agency or relies on Shaw to be healthy?
- King Agler

Thanks, King!

To answer your question, I would wager that Bowman acquires a 3C whether via trade or free agency.

Even if Shaw returns healthy, he's best off at wing. A 3rd line with Shaw, Suter, and an effective 3C would be killer.

They should lower their aim by about 20 games IMO.
- Ogilthorpe2

I would have to agree.

tvetter may be on to something that perhaps the NHL is recalibrating the schedule to start later in the fall and end into the summer.

Just a hunch based on no info to back that up but could be plausible if they are aiming for an 82-game calendar AND not compacting the schedule with 4 even 5 games per week. Thats AHL crazy.

Andrew Ladd is playing in his first game since March and in his first playoff game since 2016 when the Hawks reacquired him at the TDL.

Wow Toews doesn't take the hit to make a play, Bolts tie it up

I think they should look into making this a permanent change. Starting the season in December means that the NHL's only competition during the playoffs is regular season baseball. If you're looking to grow the sport, highlighting the best part of the best sport against weak competition could really help win over more fans.
- tvetter

How about a compromise between your proposed Dec 1 start and the past early Oct start and begin the season on Nov 1. One thing I look forward to each season are the Canadians celebrating Nov 11, their Remembrance Day, all month long with poppies being worn on coaches, announcers, etc.

Thanks, King!

To answer your question, I would wager that Bowman acquires a 3C whether via trade or free agency.

Even if Shaw returns healthy, he's best off at wing. A 3rd line with Shaw, Suter, and an effective 3C would be killer.
- Theo Fox

Until Shaw gets reconcussed

After game 1vs Boston i have to admit Kucherov has really embraced contact and is actually dishing it out and willing to get his hands dirty, good for him, they are going to be hard to beat.

Until Shaw gets reconcussed
- boilermaker100

If he plays again

Wow Toews doesn't take the hit to make a play, Bolts tie it up
- BetweenTheDots

That’s one area where the three recent Hawk cup winners excelled. They had a lot of guys willing to take the hit to make the play. That, not running around making big hits, is true Hockey toughness...IMO.

I thought espn didn't do hockey
- BetweenTheDots

Outside of Butchie they don't.

That’s one area where the three recent Hawk cup winners excelled. They had a lot of guys willing to take the hit to make the play. That, not running around making big hits, is true Hockey toughness...IMO.
- Ogilthorpe2

Blasphemy!!!

My only argument is, and I'm not saying Strome will develop into a top 6 center, in 3 years where is Toews going to be? Toews is at the 32 year old threshold, he's not getting any younger and based on some studies most players at 32 and up their play begins to diminish.
- BetweenTheDots

Dots, that is a great point and valid concern. I may be overly optimistic here. Although, Toews has had good point production the last couple years. My hope/gut feeling is that ìn the near future he won't stray too far from his most recent performance.

Dots, that is a great point and valid concern. I may be overly optimistic here. Although, Toews has had good point production the last couple years. My hope/gut feeling is that ìn the near future he won't stray too far from his most recent performance.
- King Agler

This is just a hypothetical scenario assuming the Hawks are (were) hoping to invest in Dach and Strome as the eventual 1C and 2C then have Toews move down the depth chart to 3C once he does start winding down his career.

That may not happen for many years but it buys time for Dach and Strome to develop. Same with other center prospects in the system.

This current interim period is the conundrum because is it better to have Dach continue developing in the 3C spot or has he sped up his timeline to take on the 2C role?

This chain reaction is good for Dach but bad for Strome as he would be relegated to 3C, i.e. a role he is not equipped to take on.

Toews may not "degrade" to 3C for another 3+ years. Is that too long to have Strome as 3C, especially if he shows little improvement.

This is just a hypothetical scenario assuming the Hawks are (were) hoping to invest in Dach and Strome as the eventual 1C and 2C then have Toews move down the depth chart to 3C once he does start winding down his career.

That may not happen for many years but it buys time for Dach and Strome to develop. Same with other center prospects in the system.

This current interim period is the conundrum because is it better to have Dach continue developing in the 3C spot or has he sped up his timeline to take on the 2C role?

This chain reaction is good for Dach but bad for Strome as he would be relegated to 3C, i.e. a role he is not equipped to take on.

Toews may not "degrade" to 3C for another 3+ years. Is that too long to have Strome as 3C, especially if he shows little improvement.
- Theo Fox

Assuming they draft Byfield, this is where the Kings could be in an enviable position.

Like Toews, Kopitar may get bumped down to 3C as he nears the end of his career. By that time, the hope would be for Byfield and Turcotte to be 1C and 2C.

During that interim waiting for Kopitar to age, Turcotte would be perfect as a 3C with his solid defense, endless motor, and compete level.

If Strome was more like Turcotte, then there'd be more excitement to have Strome as 3C. Alas, he is not.