I have a gut feeling that Bowman has at least one more free agent signing up his sleeve. Not a big fish but someone like Frolik, Soderberg, Granlund, or Haula.

Yet, the team still needs to shed a few forwards as there's around 17 of them for 13-14 spots. And this is before factoring in prospects like Hagel or any others in Rockford.

@FriedgeHNIC

I'm not sure it's possible; the odds are against it -- but four NHL teams are looking into the possibility of playing their home games outdoors. Can't fault anyone for considering their options.

There is no reason Strome could not become a competent cycle player he has the size and you don't need blazing speed.
- rpeters01

Same could be said for Nylander. If both could learn to be more assertive (in any area of the ice) that would be a huge boon for the Hawks. I'm hoping, as others have said, that the Marks and Zadorov bring a higher compete level to more of the lines. It can only help.

@FriedgeHNIC

I'm not sure it's possible; the odds are against it -- but four NHL teams are looking into the possibility of playing their home games outdoors. Can't fault anyone for considering their options.
- Theo Fox

Hmmm - Miami, Tampa, Phoenix, and Anaheim? I know these guys supposedly grew up playing pond hockey on the frozen tundras of Canada, Russia, Scandinavia, etc. - but are they really going to enjoy so many games in frozen weather now if those aren’t the four franchises?

And - in addition to very possibly having postponements because of COVID-19 issues, they’re going to be looking at postponements for rain, too much sun, etc.

Oh, well - good to see thinking out of the box at a time when it’s really needed....

I read that the NHLPA is digging in on xmas. They don't want to be away from family at that time with all the cross-border quarantine required.

Bottom line is players probably won't travel to their team sites until 12/26 or 12/27 at the earliest. 14 day quarantine and then camp opens.

Probably looking at end of January 2021 to start a 48 game season at best.
- Rota's Rooter

Not terrible - maybe some fans in the stands for the playoffs, cross-border quarantine ended by the tournament, hand out the Cup before the Olympics (making NBC happy)....

@NHLBlackhawks

Congrats to #Blackhawks' own Paul Goodman for being named the @NSCA's Pro Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year!

I have a gut feeling that Bowman has at least one more free agent signing up his sleeve. Not a big fish but someone like Frolik, Soderberg, Granlund, or Haula.

Yet, the team still needs to shed a few forwards as there's around 17 of them for 13-14 spots. And this is before factoring in prospects like Hagel or any others in Rockford.
- Theo Fox

What makes you think he will bring in another forward? Considering the glut of rostered players right now (at every position), unless they offload one or two for picks/prospects, it would seem counter-productive to bring in yet another body, no?

Hmmm - Miami, Tampa, Phoenix, and Anaheim? I know these guys supposedly grew up playing pond hockey on the frozen tundras of Canada, Russia, Scandinavia, etc. - but are they really going to enjoy so many games in frozen weather now if those aren’t the four franchises?

And - in addition to very possibly having postponements because of COVID-19 issues, they’re going to be looking at postponements for rain, too much sun, etc.

Oh, well - good to see thinking out of the box at a time when it’s really needed....
- StLBravesFan

In CA the night games would be fine as long as there isn't any rain (which there rarely ever is). It gets down to the low-mid 40s at night here, and it's dry.

Not terrible - maybe some fans in the stands for the playoffs, cross-border quarantine ended by the tournament, hand out the Cup before the Olympics (making NBC happy)....
- StLBravesFan

No, not at all.

And I really can't blame the players for looking out for themselves and to a certain degree the owners who are all probably bleeding red in the accounting ledger.

From a more selfish perspective, I hope they come up with a plan soon since I'm beginning to lose it a little bit and I need some sort of pro hockey distraction.

What makes you think he will bring in another forward? Considering the glut of rostered players right now (at every position), unless they offload one or two for picks/prospects, it would seem counter-productive to bring in yet another body, no?
- Chunk

Nothing substantiated as far as rumors, just an odd spidey sense that Colliton is not done remaking the roster to his liking and wants more players like Janmark and Wallmark.

It does seem counter productive as you pointed out and I would advocate against adding. Make do with what is in the fold unless a trade(s) happen, i.e. Strome.

No, not at all.

And I really can't blame the players for looking out for themselves and to a certain degree the owners who are all probably bleeding red in the accounting ledger.

From a more selfish perspective, I hope they come up with a plan soon since I'm beginning to lose it a little bit and I need some sort of pro hockey distraction.
- Rota's Rooter

I hope so, and I’m sure most of our wives as well, that is for those that are still married. Back to Strome, I’m not a big fan of his, but in being fair to him, he did have an ankle injury that bothered him most of the year.

I believe Favre was claimed off waivers, he was 4th as a rookie on some team's depth chart but Wolf knew that GM and they had discussed Favre.
- rpeters01

Unbelievable

I believe Favre was claimed off waivers, he was 4th as a rookie on some team's depth chart but Wolf knew that GM and they had discussed Favre.
- rpeters01

From the Wikis on the Interwebs:
Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round with the 33rd overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft.[16] On July 19, 1991, Favre agreed to a three-year, US$1.4 million contract with a reported signing bonus of $350,000.[17] Atlanta head coach Jerry Glanville did not approve of the drafting of Favre, saying it would take a plane crash for him to put Favre into the game.[18] Favre's first pass in an NFL regular season game resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown in a game against the Washington Redskins.[19][20] He only attempted four passes in his career at Atlanta, was intercepted twice, and completed none of them. Favre took one other snap, which resulted in a sack for an eleven-yard loss.[21]

Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
On February 11, 1992, Green Bay Packers general manager Ron Wolf traded a first round pick (19th overall, which would be used for running back Tony Smith) to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Favre. Wolf, while an assistant to the general manager of the New York Jets, had intended to take Favre in the 1991 NFL Draft, but Favre was taken by the Falcons on the previous pick.[18][20]

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and other sources, during the physical after the trade, Favre was diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the hip, the same degenerative condition that ended running back Bo Jackson's football career, and doctors recommended his physical be failed, which would nullify the trade. Wolf overruled them.[20][22]

Favre played 16 seasons in Green Bay. During his time with the Packers, Favre was the first and only NFL player to win three consecutive AP MVP awards.[23] He helped the Packers appear in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XXXI and losing Super Bowl XXXII. Favre started every Packers game from September 20, 1992 to January 20, 2008,[24] a streak of 253 games. The record would continue after he left the Packers, reaching 297 games in the regular season. This remains the all-time record for consecutive starts in the NFL.[25]

Nothing substantiated as far as rumors, just an odd spidey sense that Colliton is not done remaking the roster to his liking and wants more players like Janmark and Wallmark.

It does seem counter productive as you pointed out and I would advocate against adding. Make do with what is in the fold unless a trade(s) happen, i.e. Strome.
- Theo Fox

Same could be said for Nylander. If both could learn to be more assertive (in any area of the ice) that would be a huge boon for the Hawks. I'm hoping, as others have said, that the Marks and Zadorov bring a higher compete level to more of the lines. It can only help.
- Chunk

Nylander needs to add a few more tricks to his pony.

From the Wikis on the Interwebs:
Atlanta Falcons (1991)
Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round with the 33rd overall pick in the 1991 NFL Draft.
- Rota's Rooter[16] On July 19, 1991, Favre agreed to a three-year, US$1.4 million contract with a reported signing bonus of $350,000.[17] Atlanta head coach Jerry Glanville did not approve of the drafting of Favre, saying it would take a plane crash for him to put Favre into the game.[18] Favre's first pass in an NFL regular season game resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown in a game against the Washington Redskins.[19][20] He only attempted four passes in his career at Atlanta, was intercepted twice, and completed none of them. Favre took one other snap, which resulted in a sack for an eleven-yard loss.[21]

Green Bay Packers (1992–2007)
On February 11, 1992, Green Bay Packers general manager Ron Wolf traded a first round pick (19th overall, which would be used for running back Tony Smith) to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for Favre. Wolf, while an assistant to the general manager of the New York Jets, had intended to take Favre in the 1991 NFL Draft, but Favre was taken by the Falcons on the previous pick.[18][20]

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel and other sources, during the physical after the trade, Favre was diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the hip, the same degenerative condition that ended running back Bo Jackson's football career, and doctors recommended his physical be failed, which would nullify the trade. Wolf overruled them.[20][22]

Favre played 16 seasons in Green Bay. During his time with the Packers, Favre was the first and only NFL player to win three consecutive AP MVP awards.[23] He helped the Packers appear in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XXXI and losing Super Bowl XXXII. Favre started every Packers game from September 20, 1992 to January 20, 2008,[24] a streak of 253 games. The record would continue after he left the Packers, reaching 297 games in the regular season. This remains the all-time record for consecutive starts in the NFL.[25]

Imagine how many games he would have played with a good hip.

Working hard might make a team more competitive, but talent wins out. I'd rather have the most talented team than one who works hardest.

The 2019-10 Hawks could work harder than every other team ever assembled, and they'd never beat '19-'20 Tampa Bay, or Las Vegas, or a dozen other current NHL teams, in a 7 game series.

And Colliton would lose if he was coaching the 2010 Blackhawks. He's a proven loser throughout his 7 year coaching career.

Nylander needs to add a few more tricks to his pony.
- rpeters01

From my perspective, he has really good hands, above average speed, size, and decent IQ. He is lacking in aggression/assertiveness, and willingness to fight for position or the puck.

What is your take?

From my perspective, he has really good hands, above average speed, size, and decent IQ. He is lacking in aggression/assertiveness, and willingness to fight for position or the puck.

What is your take?
- Chunk

The way he plays you would think Willie kicked his ass every time they played together as kids? His IQ, I'm not sure? So tentative like he was afraid to make a mistake. So unassertive it's maddening! If he played more like Highmore he'd be 10 times better while making mistakes. Somewhere in his brain it has not clicked...

The way he plays you would think Willie kicked his ass every time they played together as kids? His IQ, I'm not sure? So tentative like he was afraid to make a mistake. So unassertive it's maddening! If he played more like Highmore he'd be 10 times better while making mistakes. Somewhere in his brain it has not clicked...
- rpeters01

Yeah, that's about what I said. I guess I misunderstood when you said he needs a few more tricks in his bag.

Edit: sorry, "a few more tricks to his pony."

Nothing substantiated as far as rumors, just an odd spidey sense that Colliton is not done remaking the roster to his liking and wants more players like Janmark and Wallmark.

It does seem counter productive as you pointed out and I would advocate against adding. Make do with what is in the fold unless a trade(s) happen, i.e. Strome.
- Theo Fox

Could they move Strome and bring in Soderberg or Granlund on a cheap Covid one year deal to to center the 3rd line. That would give them some more energy, experience, grit on the 3rd line. It would also give the younger centers a year to progress and earn the spot. It would move Strome that they might feel does not have a long term future with the Hawks.

Working hard might make a team more competitive, but talent wins out. I'd rather have the most talented team than one who works hardest.

The 2019-10 Hawks could work harder than every other team ever assembled, and they'd never beat '19-'20 Tampa Bay, or Las Vegas, or a dozen other current NHL teams, in a 7 game series.

And Colliton would lose if he was coaching the 2010 Blackhawks. He's a proven loser throughout his 7 year coaching career.
- scottak

Oh, would ya? Talented teams that don't play hard lose in round 1.

Oh, would ya? Talented teams that don't play hard lose in round 1.
- mohel

Relax, the Leafs are fine.

Yeah, that's about what I said. I guess I misunderstood when you said he needs a few more tricks in his bag.

Edit: sorry, "a few more tricks to his pony."
- Chunk

He's got "wait for it" mode nailed. If he could add "go get it" and "attack" he might be something. I saw him early in the year in Raleigh when they looked at their worst losing 4-0 and he was one of their better players on the ice along with Saad. Everyone else was terrible.

Working hard might make a team more competitive, but talent wins out. I'd rather have the most talented team than one who works hardest.

The 2019-10 Hawks could work harder than every other team ever assembled, and they'd never beat '19-'20 Tampa Bay, or Las Vegas, or a dozen other current NHL teams, in a 7 game series.

And Colliton would lose if he was coaching the 2010 Blackhawks. He's a proven loser throughout his 7 year coaching career.
- scottak

In general, yes, you would like the most talented team. Unfortunately, when you look at it practically, that is not exactly realistic. The most talented players tend to be paid the most. With the tight cap that the NHL uses, you need aa variety of player types. The more of those players that work hard and compete everywhere, the better chance you have to be competitive.