Everyone knows Dach's injury is career ending.
- rpeters01

😂😂😂

I think I’m starting to like this guy

My point is that the current Hawks aren't close to the forward group of any of the teams you listed, in terms of the weight of high end talent. They seem to be developing good solid depth. Are they developing anyone who will successfully compete against the best players of the best teams in the league?
- mohel

Our problem wasn’t high end talent in last years bubble playoff. It was depth. Vegas crushed us with their ability to roll 4 lines. They had a great 3rd line. We didn’t.

But it wasn’t like we didn’t have a solid top 6(and that was WITHOUT DeBrincat playing well). Kubalik-Toews combo outplayed McDavids line over 5 games. Kane and Dach were extremely dangerous.

We needed a guy like Alex Tuch. Or a couple guys like that.

Toews is a question mark, and will be 35 two seasons from now. Dach looks like he will be good, but we don't know about top 5 or 10 in the league. Kubalik is a 3rd liner on a really good team. Cat is not as good as Sharp was. You need a stud or two. They have 1 or two all-star caliber guys right now. Where did you get six? Good Lord....
- mohel

Really? How many times did Sharp score 40? Point being I think Dinky can be ever bit as good as Sharp.

30 goal scorers are 3rd liners? How many times did Steeg, Ladd, Buff or Bickell do that?

I think you are underselling Kubalik. He is still developing at the NHL game. His improvements from last season are very noticeable.


People need to stop comparing in reality. Those were special teams.

Jesus Christ. If they lose 4 or 5 in a row you'll be back on the ledge as always. This team still lacks talent at forward. They work hard is the only difference from the last couple years
- GPHawksfan

I’d like to revisit how incredibly stupid this comment is:

“The only difference from last year is the work ethic”

...yeah....that’s it. Not the new goalie. Or the new and improved DeBrincat. Or never mind the fact that literally half the roster is different. It’s not like new faces such as Kurashev, Suter, Janmark, Hagel, Mitchell, Beaudin, etc are having ANYTHING to do with it...

Ya (frank)in moron

Our problem wasn’t high end talent in last years bubble playoff. It was depth. Vegas crushed us with their ability to roll 4 lines. They had a great 3rd line. We didn’t.

But it wasn’t like we didn’t have a solid top 6(and that was WITHOUT DeBrincat playing well). Kubalik-Toews combo outplayed McDavids line over 5 games. Kane and Dach were extremely dangerous.

We needed a guy like Alex Tuch. Or a couple guys like that.
- SimpleJack

We have guys that can score 8 goals. lol

Really? How many times did Sharp score 40? Point being I think Dinky can be ever bit as good as Sharp.

30 goal scorers are 3rd liners? How many times did Steeg, Ladd, Buff or Bickell do that?

I think you are underselling Kubalik. He is still developing at the NHL game. His improvements from last season are very noticeable.


People need to stop comparing in reality. Those were special teams.
- Elbows15

He’s criminally underrating Cat and Kubalik. If Kubalik is a 3rd liner I don’t even wanna know what his definition of a 1st liner is...

There was a question asked in yesterday's thread about signing Janmark. Beware the contract year is all I going to say. If his play attracts a 2nd RD pick, its cya for me.

We have guys that can score 8 goals. lol
- Elbows15

You’re absolutely correct. But we could use a guy that just scored 8 goals in the playoffs....on our 3rd line...

And put up 52 pts in 74 games just 2 seasons ago. He’s one of the best 3rd liners in the league easily.

He’s criminally underrating Cat and Kubalik. If Kubalik is a 3rd liner I don’t even wanna know what his definition of a 1st liner is...
- SimpleJack

Trying to compare any team to the boatload of talent on that 2010 team is a fool's errand. That team was stacked and still was iffy when you got to the 3rd D pairing. That forward group was unreal. Every guy in the top played as a 1st liner either for the Hawks or another team at some point.

Nick (frank)ing Boynton was on the ice for the Cup winner, FFS. lol

You’re absolutely correct. But we could use a guy that just scored 8 goals in the playoffs....on our 3rd line...

And put up 52 pts in 74 games just 2 seasons ago. He’s one of the best 3rd liners in the league easily.
- SimpleJack

I was kidding to an extent, SJ. If Tuch was on the Hawks last season he would have been in every trade proposal.

The quality of the Hawks prospects as of rn is in the middle 6. I think from the group they have currently a very solid group will emerge. Some are on the big club now and other are just getting their feet wet at the pro level.

Reichel wasn't the guy I wanted last season but I went back to watch some games of his and at 17-18 in a men's league, he was pretty impressive. He also showed well against his peers. I honestly think he Teuvo level potential.

I was kidding to an extent, SJ. If Tuch was on the Hawks last season he would have been in every trade proposal.

The quality of the Hawks prospects as of rn is in the middle 6. I think from the group they have currently a very solid group will emerge. Some are on the big club now and other are just getting their feet wet at the pro level.

Reichel wasn't the guy I wanted last season but I went back to watch some games of his and at 17-18 in a men's league, he was pretty impressive. He also showed well against his peers. I honestly think he Teuvo level potential.
- Elbows15

The Hawks are definitely loaded with middle 6 options that are young and still developing. And that’s a good thing. But I think Dach will be a true top line caliber talent. DeBrincat looks like he’s got 30-40 goal ability(again). Kubalik is a legit 2nd liner(40-50 pts). Then you’ve obviously got Kane who remains a world class elite player. Even without Toews I think we’re set as long as the younger guys keep improving. Glad to hear Reichel looks like he’s got top end potential too. Overall there’s enough stockpiled to the point that I’m not worried about our forwards anymore(top end talent or overall depth).

Really? How many times did Sharp score 40? Point being I think Dinky can be ever bit as good as Sharp.

30 goal scorers are 3rd liners? How many times did Steeg, Ladd, Buff or Bickell do that?

I think you are underselling Kubalik. He is still developing at the NHL game. His improvements from last season are very noticeable.


People need to stop comparing in reality. Those were special teams.
- Elbows15

You forget Sharp played center and wing, killed penalties early in his career led league in sh goals one year. 6' 200# full ice player, one of the fastest players in the league. Dinky isn't close to Sharp.

Really? How many times did Sharp score 40? Point being I think Dinky can be ever bit as good as Sharp.

30 goal scorers are 3rd liners? How many times did Steeg, Ladd, Buff or Bickell do that?

I think you are underselling Kubalik. He is still developing at the NHL game. His improvements from last season are very noticeable.


People need to stop comparing in reality. Those were special teams.
- Elbows15

For the record i think its a few years too early/soon to tell if say Hagel/Suter/Kurashev can/will become the next Versteeg/Bolland/Ladd. I think Cat is on a nice path towards becoming a Sharp-like top line winger. Kubalik isn't Hossa but he's still a legit top 6 winger that can come into the league his first time around and put up 30 goals(and then follow that up by putting up 5 pts in his first playoff game). Kane is still Kane. Toews showed us in last years post season that if he's healthy, he can still be Toews. And even if not, we have Dach...who's gonna be a stud. Strome and Nylander are 2 additional former top 10 overall picks that are still just 23 and 22 years old respectively.

What I'm not 100% sold on(or not clearly seeing in our foreseeable future) is a true top pairing defenseman(like Keith or Seabs) OR a true elite shutdown guy(like Hammer). Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell all have potential. It still has to be realized though. I'm still not convinced(whereas with Dach I've seen enough that tells me he's the real deal). Its getting close though. Hoping that by next season the trio will collectively have taken another step forward. Maybe Carlsson as well, or someone else bursts onto the scene. We're getting to the point where Keith can't be counted on as "the man" on the blueline anymore. He can certainly be a key piece. But he can't shoulder the load. Murphy and Keith are gonna be the vets I want complimenting the "new core" of defenseman in the coming years.

As for the goaltending IMO Lankinen has the ability to be every bit as good as Crawford. The talent is there. Lets see if he can keep it going. All signs pointing in the right direction.

You forget Sharp played center and wing, killed penalties early in his career led league in sh goals one year. 6' 200# full ice player, one of the fastest players in the league. Dinky isn't close to Sharp.
- rpeters01

As an overall player he's definitely close(if he keeps playing the way he is right now). I agree Sharp was slightly better for the reasons you mentioned. But its not like it isn't close.

WTH is going on in NJ and Buffalo? At what point do the games delayed just get cancelled?



Stamkos might be biggest name to hit the list yet (well, if you don't count Chicago's former star, John Hayden). Supposedly, TPA team had a Super Bowl party and he was put on protocol next day. He has that Timonen type blood clot history, so scary for him. Lindblom just survived bone cancer. Really hope they are OK.

Carpenter has been on the list for a couple of weeks now. Let's hope he is all good and back soon.

WTH is going on in NJ and Buffalo? At what point do the games delayed just get cancelled?



Stamkos might be biggest name to hit the list yet (well, if you don't count Chicago's former star, John Hayden). Supposedly, TPA team had a Super Bowl party and he was put on protocol next day. He has that Timonen type blood clot history, so scary for him. Lindblom just survived bone cancer. Really hope they are OK.

Carpenter has been on the list for a couple of weeks now. Let's hope he is all good and back soon.
- pdx2ord

Yeah that's scary stuff, especially for those with other existing conditions like you mentioned. TB has remained seemingly unstoppable without Stamkos(last seasons Cup run) and now Kucherov(this season). Lets see if they can keep it up without Kucherov AND Stamkos.

A little old time hockey going on in Bruins/Rangers game.

A little old time hockey going on in Bruins/Rangers game.
- Angotti

Yep been watching it. 3 or 4 fights so far late in the 2nd.

Reichel will be one. Not at Aho's level but I bet he is at TT's.
- Elbows15

Looking forward to seeing Reichel. Wonder if it'll be this season.

We have guys that can score 8 goals. lol
- Elbows15

We need a guy like Saad, oh wait. In all seriousness Dcat is a top six winger on just about any team. I’m impressed with Kubalik, not just with his shot, he’s bringing an all around game. If and when Dach and Toews come back for next year, we will still need more top end talent (with size) to be a top team again. I’d like to see enough talent on top six where we can have Kubalik, Kurashev, and Suter on the third line.

Looking forward to seeing Reichel. Wonder if it'll be this season.
- BetweenTheDots

Very unlikely, probably 22-23 season would be my guess. We need another nice pick this year, but Stan has done a crappy job at tanking, should have hired Burke and Hextall.

Imo, Hossa, Sharp, Prime Kane and Toews was three HoF guys and a guy (Sharp) who is better than all the current top six except Kane. My point has been for awhile that they need 2/3 top of the league players at forward. Right now they have one (88), and he's getting up there. To get another extended window, they don't have the firepower.

To your point, if you give me Hossa, young Kane and Toews, plus a guy as good as Sharp, a couple Kubalik types in the top six is fine. Right now they don't have that.

It's just my opinion, and if you disagree with it.....I'll still happily share a virtual glass of brown liquor with you later.
- mohel

Cheers!

We need a guy like Saad, oh wait. In all seriousness Dcat is a top six winger on just about any team. I’m impressed with Kubalik, not just with his shot, he’s bringing an all around game. If and when Dach and Toews come back for next year, we will still need more top end talent (with size) to be a top team again. I’d like to see enough talent on top six where we can have Kubalik, Kurashev, and Suter on the third line.
- Angotti

That would be nice but i think this could be a really good playoff team if Dach and Toews comeback and we actually had 4 over 20 minute dmen. To me the key is our young blue line, it'll be the difference between a bubble team and a cup team. We don't lose that game last night if we have the fantastic 4, prime ages of Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson and Oduya

That would be nice but i think this could be a really good playoff team if Dach and Toews comeback and we actually had 4 over 20 minute dmen. To me the key is our young blue line, it'll be the difference between a bubble team and a cup team. We don't lose that game last night if we have the fantastic 4, prime ages of Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson and Oduya
- BetweenTheDots

I was just discussing forwards, but yeah three of the defensemen that you mentioned won three cups and the fourth one won two cups.

We need a guy like Saad, oh wait. In all seriousness Dcat is a top six winger on just about any team. I’m impressed with Kubalik, not just with his shot, he’s bringing an all around game. If and when Dach and Toews come back for next year, we will still need more top end talent (with size) to be a top team again. I’d like to see enough talent on top six where we can have Kubalik, Kurashev, and Suter on the third line.
- Angotti

My apologies had a few beverages tonight, listening to 461 oceans boulevard album and didn't finish reading your post. Damn with the salary cap what it is, i imagine it would be really difficult financially to have that as your 3rd line in 2 to 3 years.