Yes and it cost us the 2014 cup to LA. Their center play rolling four lines was noticeably better they were fantastic at taking it up the gut to the net and hacking away
- rpeters01

Correct that they did not have great center depth during 2014. I think it is a great stretch to say that the Hawks lost that series to LA because of center depth when they went to overtime in Game 7 and LA won off of a deflection off of Leddy...

Here's what will change things:

They will make a big trade of the old core,opening enough space to grab a big UFA, to add to the next two early draft picks.

Only a re-tool is going to replace the amount of chance and improvement of the youngsters they have here and in the system.

And at this point, I am not willing to project anyone as Kane / Toews / Keith replacement pieces. Dach (and I love the kid) is a really good NHL prospect just as Mitchell and Boqvist are already.

That doesn't guarantee the growth/maturation/health of any of them that places them on any path except decent NHL players.
- wiz1901

Kane is the only possible "old core" trade for cap to sign a big free agent who would only be replacing Kane in the immediacy.

There is speed, then there are players with speed. anyone remember Jack Skille?
- powerenforcer

Veektor Stallburg aka Viktor Stahlberg.

Correct that they did not have great center depth during 2014. I think it is a great stretch to say that the Hawks lost that series to LA because of center depth when they went to overtime in Game 7 and LA won off of a deflection off of Leddy...
- Chunk

Game 7 should have never gone to OT we had it won and LA took it back.

I'd rather have Strome at 2 yr for 3 mil than what Schmaltz got from AZ though
- vabeachbear

Wait till Shaw takes out Schmaltz's other knee.

Nice post and agree. I'll tell you one trade that is looking better by the game is trading Hartman and getting Ejdsell (who cares) and the pick they took Kurashev with. Hopefully he keeps progressing and is here when they are good again.
- HawkintheD

Didn't they get two picks? One became Beaudin and rje other Kurashev?

I'm in the "let's see what we have in Strome" camp and have guarded optimism that he can make it as a 2C. However, his skating does need work as well as his defense.

I recall a video during the pandemic hiatus where the Blackhawks official website showed Strome walking his dog while he was on rollerblades. I cringed at even how bad he looked on wheels.

Granted, he wasn't playing hockey but you can still tell a lot about someone's skating by the way they look when idling on skates or moving slowly. Strome just looked unbalanced and awkward.
- Theo Fox

Thanks for all the blogs Theo, 2am est seems to be your update time. I'm for keeping Strome at $3m think he's a bargain. For what it's worth haven't seen many 6'3" rollerbladers.

Am I really aiming to win a Cup? Neither.

Otherwise, Strome, because of the contract.

Who would you like @ $3M for 2 years?
- mohel

There's no law 3C or 3rd line is defensive if our 3rd line scores goals who cares about defense? Toews and Hossa were a shut down line but I forget, Toews is our 3C.

Game 7 should have never gone to OT we had it won and LA took it back.
- rpeters01

Right, but you cannot simply attribute that to center depth. There were a number of things that went wrong there.

There's no law 3C or 3rd line is defensive if our 3rd line scores goals who cares about defense? Toews and Hossa were a shut down line but I forget, Toews is our 3C.
- rpeters01

I just hope Toews plays again. We will see what he is if/when he returns. I think the Strome discussion has begun to go in circles.

Didn't they get two picks? One became Beaudin and rje other Kurashev?
- GPHawksfan

Wow, that's a pretty good trade for Stan.

If correct, I'm sure you'll get banned for posting it here.

I just hope Toews plays again. We will see what he is if/when he returns. I think the Strome discussion has begun to go in circles.
- mohel

We are making the same arguments about Strome for a year now kind of draining we need a moratorium. I saw a new argument today, Highmore vs. Hagel of which neither will matter more than "Ben Smith" if and when we're good again.

Wow, that's a pretty good trade for Stan.

If correct, I'm sure you'll get banned for posting it here.
- vabeachbear

Impossible turn in your company ID badge.

Yes Kurashev has looked good .Another trade Stan won is the Regula for Houdini or whatever his name was . they have won that one by default .
Stan has a solid batting avg. in trades and FA signings is he capable of doing the heavy lifting that will need to be done here over the next two or three years well we will see cause I don't believe he going anywhere
- oldduffman

He was Houdini alright, he was good at disappearing.

Didn't they get two picks? One became Beaudin and rje other Kurashev?
- GPHawksfan

To Nashville - Hartman, 2018 5th round (Spencer Stastney, D)

To Chicago - Ejdsell, 2018 1st round (Beaudin -27 overall), 4th round (Kurashev - 120 overall)

To Nashville - Hartman, 2018 5th round (Spencer Stastney, D)

To Chicago - Ejdsell, 2018 1st round (Beaudin -27 overall), 4th round (Kurashev - 120 overall)
- Snakebit12

WTF was Poile thinking.


He's lucky that Ejdsall didn't work out.

WTF was Poile thinking.


He's lucky that Ejdsall didn't work out.
- vabeachbear

He was going for it, Hartman was going to take them over the top. Don’t you know, he’s the best GM out there...

He was going for it, Hartman was going to take them over the top. Don’t you know, he’s the best GM out there...
- Angotti

He's actually had a pretty decent track record as a GM but it just goes to show guys with all the experience in the world also make.bad trades. I'm not really a fan of Bowman's trades but his drafting and euro scouting seems to be alright.

The Schmaltz/Strome trade was one where each team decided their guy was not going to be a long term player for them. The each hoped the other was wrong about the guy they were obtaining. So far? Meh for both. But it is telling that AZ - who was really struggling at the time gave up a big center recently drafted #3 for a decent wing who doesn't like contact in a contact sport.
- mohel

If you look carefully at this season's Arizona roster, then you will see a whole lot of speed. But also more toughness than you might at first not notice. Granted you have to think hard, maybe research a tad to figure out just whom some of their playears are, their background and style for example. Upon closer examination particularly interesting is, how this team fares in terms of compete and W-L record for the season. And whether they could be a jauggernut in playoffs.

Last season the Coyotes were a noticeably fast team. This season i believe they wratched this up even more. Their defense has a high amount of good skating puck moving ability. Just don't be fooled by their lack of star power among forwards. Garland, Kessel, Schmaltz, Keller mix with some never reach potential forwards like Dvorak and Fischer. THE BLACKHAWKS ARE SIMILARLY TRENDING TO BE THIS SORT OF TEAM should our prospects come along. Although Bowman needs ti add more speed with the next two first round choices. The Coyotes differentiate however in their net presence....better than us having Kemper and Raanta.

He's actually had a pretty decent track record as a GM but it just goes to show guys with all the experience in the world also make.bad trades. I'm not really a fan of Bowman's trades but his drafting and euro scouting seems to be alright.
- GPHawksfan

About 40 years as a GM and zero cups, longevity now gets you into HOF.

Watching Islanders vs. Devils, man Barzal is good.

Looks like Dubois is playing his way out of Columbus, sitting on the bench

About 40 years as a GM and zero cups, longevity now gets you into HOF.
- Angotti

The (recently) late Don Sutton.

Dubois wants to play for a big market team, hmmmm

Dubois wants to play for a big market team, hmmmm
- BetweenTheDots

He wants to play in Montreal