Two things ADB related:

1) After the year he had last year, it is great to see him producing again, and also doing a portion of it away from Strome.

2) Theo's comment about Kubalik needing to get his scoring up reminded me of ADB last year. Kubalik mentioned before the season that he wanted to become a better overall player. I think this year will be his DeBrincat '19-20 season where his point total is down a bit, but his overall game grows immensely. This can only be a good thing.
- Chunk

Nice comparison between DeBrincat and Kubalik. I could see this sophomore year for Kubalik being like DeBrincat's prior season as you described, then Kubalik's 3rd year is when he puts it all together being a goal scoring machine AND well rounded.

I know that if Murphy isn't traded before The Expansion Draft, I protect Murphy instead of Strome. Murphy may still be traded later. We can find a better center than Strome even if it means waiting on someone perhaps not yet drated. For time being i will agree that Strome has been better this season. Strome remains not really desired in my book. I am partial to players who offer up something besides a general skill level. Skating, quick think and react at speed, can carry puck, shut down artist, good boards game .....something.

If you have size but don't use it to your advantage in this game of hockey, then you need to be really good. Strome is pedestrian. Just IMHO.
- jhawk59

I would be very surprised if the Hawks protected Strome for the draft unless they felt they were desperately short of centerman or wanted to expose others like Shaw, DeHaan, Murphy or even Seabs if he elected to waive his NMC.

Strome got very lucky with his contract because in early January Bowman was showing no urgency to sign him and then Dach got hurt and Toews announced his situation and he was forced into a deal.

How Strome can lose almost every puck battle baffles me. He needs to spend a summers working with Gary Roberts to get some lower body strength that would help with his ability to battle for the puck, not get knocked off stride so easily and perhaps even help with his speed, especially his first three strides.
- paulr

You know who he needs to work out with Chief (to borrow one from Mo).

You know who he needs to work out with Chief (to borrow one from Mo).
- HawkintheD

If we’re borrowing from Mo, whatever you say sizzle chest.

I would be very surprised if the Hawks protected Strome for the draft unless they felt they were desperately short of centerman or wanted to expose others like Shaw, DeHaan, Murphy or even Seabs if he elected to waive his NMC.

Strome got very lucky with his contract because in early January Bowman was showing no urgency to sign him and then Dach got hurt and Toews announced his situation and he was forced into a deal.
- RickJ

Geez, no matter what you think of Strome he gets protected before Shaw and deHaan although if they go with 7/3 deHaan doesn't apply.

Agree, if they do decide to trade Strome, it wouldn't be until the offseason or more so into next season.

The one downside to waiting is what if Strome regresses as this season goes along. His trade value woud plummet.

Yet, I do like the strides he's been making. His PPG needs to improve, though. He's at 0.50 but needs to be 0.67 give or take.
- Theo Fox

I get what you are saying here, but I don't think it is that big of a deal. One would obviously like to maximize return in any trade, but Strome is still young and his cap hit is extremely beneficial if you wanted to move him in the offseason.

They would obviously have to resign some of these guys, but Kruashev, Suter, Wallmark, Kampf, and Soderberg all offer depth at the C position and some could ultimately be more effective overall. Add Dach and (hopefully) Toews, and you have tons of center depth with a number of guys that can also play wing.

If we’re borrowing from Mo, whatever you say sizzle chest.
- paulr

Don't make me come down there looking for you, tough guy!

Agree, if they do decide to trade Strome, it wouldn't be until the offseason or more so into next season.

The one downside to waiting is what if Strome regresses as this season goes along. His trade value woud plummet.

Yet, I do like the strides he's been making. His PPG needs to improve, though. He's at 0.50 but needs to be 0.67 give or take.
- Theo Fox

If that comes to pass, can you remind the class when they call for Stan's head for waiting too long to trade him?

I get what you are saying here, but I don't think it is that big of a deal. One would obviously like to maximize return in any trade, but Strome is still young and his cap hit is extremely beneficial if you wanted to move him in the offseason.

They would obviously have to resign some of these guys, but Kruashev, Suter, Wallmark, Kampf, and Soderberg all offer depth at the C position and some could ultimately be more effective overall. Add Dach and (hopefully) Toews, and you have tons of center depth with a number of guys that can also play wing.
- Chunk

I do not recall in the past a comparison made betwen the Strome brothers. Obviously Dylan has scored more. His brother keeps dressing and contributes points on a fairly consistent basis. I haven't heard that he isn't long for the NYR. Isn't he very comparable to Dylan?

If that comes to pass, can you remind the class when they call for Stan's head for waiting too long to trade him?
- mohel

Why? Hindsight is always 20/20. Whatever he gets back will be "not enough", or "he should have kept him", etc.

The Hawks were flying high for 7-8 years. They hit the inevitable wall. Stan has been trying to build up the team's prospects and talent with the resources they have left and we are seeing a glimmer of what they could turn into. Ideally, they keep progressing along these lines. There is the distinct possibility that they also regress or flatten out and become the MN Wild.

I few things that I believe to be true:
1) No two seasons are alike and what worked one year won't necessarily work the next.
2) There are always injuries. Always.
3) There are multiple ways to build Cup winners.

Enjoy the ride!

Why? Hindsight is always 20/20. Whatever he gets back will be "not enough", or "he should have kept him", etc.

The Hawks were flying high for 7-8 years. They hit the inevitable wall. Stan has been trying to build up the team's prospects and talent with the resources they have left and we are seeing a glimmer of what they could turn into. Ideally, they keep progressing along these lines. There is the distinct possibility that they also regress or flatten out and become the MN Wild.

I few things that I believe to be true:
1) No two seasons are alike and what worked one year won't necessarily work the next.
2) There are always injuries. Always.
3) There are multiple ways to build Cup winners.

Enjoy the ride!
- Chunk

I am enjoying the ride.

I'll add one to your list....

4) An excellent way to increase your odds of building a winner is to maximize assets.

Why? Hindsight is always 20/20. Whatever he gets back will be "not enough", or "he should have kept him", etc.

The Hawks were flying high for 7-8 years. They hit the inevitable wall. Stan has been trying to build up the team's prospects and talent with the resources they have left and we are seeing a glimmer of what they could turn into. Ideally, they keep progressing along these lines. There is the distinct possibility that they also regress or flatten out and become the MN Wild.

I few things that I believe to be true:
1) No two seasons are alike and what worked one year won't necessarily work the next.
2) There are always injuries. Always.
3) There are multiple ways to build Cup winners.

Enjoy the ride!
- Chunk

Good one. This board is not capable of joy.

Good one. This board is not capable of joy.
- Ogilthorpe2

There's joy in doom! (Chunk doesn't practice this form of mental gymnastics).

Good one. This board is not capable of joy.
- Ogilthorpe2

Sure it is! We’ll just rename it to the BOJ, no irony whatsoever.

Why? Hindsight is always 20/20. Whatever he gets back will be "not enough", or "he should have kept him", etc.

The Hawks were flying high for 7-8 years. They hit the inevitable wall. Stan has been trying to build up the team's prospects and talent with the resources they have left and we are seeing a glimmer of what they could turn into. Ideally, they keep progressing along these lines. There is the distinct possibility that they also regress or flatten out and become the MN Wild.

I few things that I believe to be true:
1) No two seasons are alike and what worked one year won't necessarily work the next.
2) There are always injuries. Always.
3) There are multiple ways to build Cup winners.

Enjoy the ride!
- Chunk

4) There is a handful of prospects whom could impact similarly next season - ok, probably not as much - should injuries be a major loss. However with some fortunate health many of the current bumper crop of rookies should return and become even better. With Dach and Toews full.recovery date uncertain, next season could actually not be a lot different.

Two players lost to expansion
Afterwards how much different is the team the first half of the season

Laakinen being steady, not bad, would be a key.

There's joy in doom! (Chunk doesn't practice this form of mental gymnastics).
- mohel

How dare you assume what the voices are telling me!!

4) There is a handful of prospects whom could impact similarly next season - ok, probably not as much - should injuries be a major loss. However with some fortunate health many of the current bumper crop of rookies should return and become even better. With Dach and Toews full.recovery date uncertain, next season could actually not be a lot different.

Two players lost to expansion
Afterwards how much different is the team the first half of the season

Laakinen being steady, not bad, would be a key.
- jhawk59

Each team only loses one player to expansion.

4) There is a handful of prospects whom could impact similarly next season - ok, probably not as much - should injuries be a major loss. However with some fortunate health many of the current bumper crop of rookies should return and become even better. With Dach and Toews full.recovery date uncertain, next season could actually not be a lot different.

Two players lost to expansion
Afterwards how much different is the team the first half of the season

Laakinen being steady, not bad, would be a key.
- jhawk59

How would the Hawks lose two players to expansion? The good news for the Hawks is that they have enough solid prospects right now that they don't have enough spots for them all to audition at the same time. That is saying something considering they are dressing somewhere around 6-8 rookies per game and Toews, Dach, and Nylander (who I don't think deserves top 6 time right now but gets it anyway) are all out.

It is also good news that some of these rookies are playing well enough to make some of the short contact guys redundant.

4) There is a handful of prospects whom could impact similarly next season - ok, probably not as much - should injuries be a major loss. However with some fortunate health many of the current bumper crop of rookies should return and become even better. With Dach and Toews full.recovery date uncertain, next season could actually not be a lot different.

Two players lost to expansion
Afterwards how much different is the team the first half of the season

Laakinen being steady, not bad, would be a key.
- jhawk59

Did they change the rules. Only thought each team can lose 1 player?

Each team only loses one player to expansion.
- GPHawksfan

Beat me too it, getting slow in my old age

All kinds of ideas and special attention to this 2021 draft is expected from Mark Kelly and Bowman. They go after the best player? They want a certain style NHL ready or near ready top 15 tier dman? Um....btw that Swedish goaltender is in the mix? Or do they like our current goaltender prospects enough and will not pass on a center or dman
- jhawk59

On goalies in the 2021 draft, I would pass on using a 1st round pick on one. Even before this season began and Lankinen took the bull by the horns, never been a fan of using 1st rounder on a goalie as there are other ways to obtain one.

Lankinen and Delia are free agent signees. Subban was acquired in a trade. Commesso is a 2nd rounder. Basse is 6th rounder. Tomkins a 7th rounder.

There should be other intirguing goalies in later rounds this coming draft and future ones. Plus the Hawks are in the mix for Swedish goalie Arvid Soderblom who seems to be a hot commodity.

Lankinen + Subban could be a good duo for the next few years then evolve to Lankinen + Commesso with Commesso eventually taking over as starter by 2026 or 2027. Theoretically, of course.

Paul, you know there are plenty of hockey guys around Toronto that know the real deal with lots of pro players. Tons of them like Roberts, Shanahan, Nieuwendyk etc. Hell, Tocchet is a Toronto guy and even he didn't want Strome after seeing him in action for a few games.

What's the first thing McDavid does after the season ends - he is in working with Roberts. Ever hear anybody mention something like that about Strome?
- RickJ

I thought once Strome got to Chicago in the off season he started training with Kane and Cats guy?

Btw what do you have against dogs and dog pictures? Hahaha

Rather see that than an alcohol incident

I thought once Strome got to Chicago in the off season he started training with Kane and Cats guy?

Btw what do you have against dogs and dog pictures? Hahaha

Rather see that than an alcohol incident
- BetweenTheDots

Well if he did 2 guys passed and the 3rd one did not.

The solution with Strome is to trade him to Nashville for a couple of buckets of fried chicken so he can play with all of the overachievers on the Preds. His dog would be happy too in the warmer weather.

Why? Hindsight is always 20/20. Whatever he gets back will be "not enough", or "he should have kept him", etc.

The Hawks were flying high for 7-8 years. They hit the inevitable wall. Stan has been trying to build up the team's prospects and talent with the resources they have left and we are seeing a glimmer of what they could turn into. Ideally, they keep progressing along these lines. There is the distinct possibility that they also regress or flatten out and become the MN Wild.

I few things that I believe to be true:
1) No two seasons are alike and what worked one year won't necessarily work the next.
2) There are always injuries. Always.
3) There are multiple ways to build Cup winners.

Enjoy the ride!
- Chunk

Lanky is playing great and making this year a lot of fun. He's started 11 games in 25 days? 12 in 27 days if he starts tonight? I'm glad JC let him start the game after that tough loss.

Well if he did 2 guys passed and the 3rd one did not.

The solution with Strome is to trade him to Nashville for a couple of buckets of fried chicken so he can play with all of the overachievers on the Preds. His dog would be happy too in the warmer weather.
- RickJ

I see you're a man of extreme patience and tolerance, i might of been wrong about the contract amount, but i dont see them leaving him unprotected and probably not trading him. Fried chicken sounds really good and dogs love snow and the cooler weather so....