Let me clarify. Toews and Seabrook were great hockey players and better leaders but neither were superstars.
- paulr

There was a time when I thought that Seabrook was more important to the team than Keith, in my opinion Seabrook was underrated throughout the league.

that's fair.....but they likely will need another polished top 6 player who can be a 200 ft beast and play in all situations.
- SteveRain

Totally agree. One more, two if Toews doesn't return.

Same! Hats off to Seabs! Pit Martin was one of my faves as a kid and Chelios was great when he was here but definitely definitely (Seabs) my all time fave #7 and along with Keith, fave dman.

Cheers!!!
- HawkintheD

Doug Lecuyer didn't do it for you?

Seabrook headed to the HOF?
- Tee56

As much as I'd like to see it, probably not. The HOVG (Hall Of Very Good) for sure.

Count me in the minority on this - the worst mistake the team could make is to make a rash move to add a temporary asset this year. They are playing great hockey to watch and are working their assess off. Still, even with Toews and Dach this team isn't all that much different from last year, and neither Toews or Dach is playing this season.

They can weaponize the cap space IF the Wirtz family wants to spend that extra cash (i.e. absorbing a horrible contract) with a pandemic still around. Not sure if insurance covers them for Seabrook, but if it does, that would help.

The difference between 2006-2007 and now is that team had way more prospects in the pipeline that looked to be more than 4th liners. We are two or three top 9 forwards and probably two top 4 defensemen away from being a real Cup contender. As is probably half the NHL. Maybe those guys are on the roster now, but I have my doubts.

The warrior element is missing from this team, and I'm not talking about fighters. Until that is addressed, bide your time and count this year as experience with the longer term as the priority.
- jrsamu

Just my outsider's take, but I agree about the "warrior element". Looking back on that 2015 Final against the Lightning, that Hawks roster could punish the poop out of opponents. That 2015 roster had a lot more size and sandpaper on it. Those Hawks could kill you with skill or brute force. This current roster is a lot more lacking in that department.

On the flip-side, the 2015 Bolts roster was fairly soft compared to now. The Bolts have more grit than they did then.

As much as I'd like to see it, probably not. The HOVG (Hall Of Very Good) for sure.
- Rota's Rooter

If Larry Murphy and Doug Wilson are in the hall of fame, Seabrook is qualified for the hall of fame.

If Larry Murphy and Doug Wilson are in the hall of fame, Seabrook is qualified for the hall of fame.
- LAHawk

Good point. But, then we're all still waiting on Steve Larmer to get the call.

Huge amount of payroll on IR or LTIR - Seabs, Shaw, Smith and Toews.

Does Bowman get permission to spend to acquire a player that helps the team try to make the playoffs?
- RickJ

Not if it costs any young prospects or picks.

No to 10 and 30, that’s my opinion.
- Angotti

no way 27 deserves to be retired. while a good player in his time here what did he do to warrent his number being retired? no cups. no individual awards. a fan favorite for sure but not worthy of hanging from the rafters imo.

Oh alternate captain, my alternate captain. A key cog in 3 cups & a mentor to the young hawks. Rest up & heal up, Seabs, you earned it. Always a champion in my book.

I love all the players as you do but there has to be some additional criteria for retiring numbers. I think entry into the Hall of Fame being one. Winning a top personal trophy another. Retiring good player’s number diminishes the honour for great players. Two of my favourite players were Seabrook and Toews but both were very good, neither was great.

As much as it hurts to say, the Leafs have a tradition I’d like to see the Hawk’s adopt. Honoring the beloved players with their jersey in the rafters and retiring the numbers of only the great players.
- paulr

Well Paul, as we both know the greatest tradition maintained by the Maple Leafs is LOSING - every year since 1967.

But thanks to Brendan Shanaban they now have 11 retired numbers which cover 17 players.

So for me retiring the numbers of winners like Keon, Horton, Red Kelly and some of the real old timers like Conacher and Teeder Kennedy is fine. But George Armstrong, Wendel Clark and a few others - thats a little too much for me.

And I want the single digit and low double digit numbers kept in hockey. If they all get retired, new players get only football lineman numbers.

bobby Hull wore #7 one year, before Phil Esposito wore it.
- LAHawk

True...slighlty before my time. Why do think Martin was one of my favorite players? Started playing hockey and following it when I was like maybe 6. That trade had already happened so blissfully I never knew of Esposito as a Hawk.

What could have been.

Well wishes to Seabs.

Not if it costs any young prospects or picks.
- Chunk

My reference was spending dollars not young player assets. They aren't moving developing kids or choice draft picks for NHL'ers with big contracts

Doug Lecuyer didn't do it for you?

- Rota's Rooter

Was he as good as Everett Sanipass?

Oh alternate captain, my alternate captain. A key cog in 3 cups & a mentor to the young hawks. Rest up & heal up, Seabs, you earned it. Always a champion in my book.
- I Am The Breadman

Love how you crow barred in a literary reference and how you used "book". Hope you're good Bread!

Love how you crow barred in a literary reference and how you used "book". Hope you're good Bread!
- HawkintheD

Nothing gets past you!

I'm just fine. Hope all is well with you & the Mrs.

I think someone mentioned this the other day, but apparently it's official:

Goalie Ivan Nalimov just signed an AHL contract with the IceHogs.

Hawks' 2014 draft pick who'd been playing in Russia ever since. IceHogs desperately needed a goalie and this will give Nalimov a chance to show if he can move up to the NHL in future seasons.

For those that were mentioning it earlier:

https://twitter.com/MarkL...tatus/1367856829229903872

Count me in the minority on this - the worst mistake the team could make is to make a rash move to add a temporary asset this year. They are playing great hockey to watch and are working their assess off. Still, even with Toews and Dach this team isn't all that much different from last year, and neither Toews or Dach is playing this season.

They can weaponize the cap space IF the Wirtz family wants to spend that extra cash (i.e. absorbing a horrible contract) with a pandemic still around. Not sure if insurance covers them for Seabrook, but if it does, that would help.

The difference between 2006-2007 and now is that team had way more prospects in the pipeline that looked to be more than 4th liners. We are two or three top 9 forwards and probably two top 4 defensemen away from being a real Cup contender. As is probably half the NHL. Maybe those guys are on the roster now, but I have my doubts.

The warrior element is missing from this team, and I'm not talking about fighters. Until that is addressed, bide your time and count this year as experience with the longer term as the priority.
- jrsamu

Ehhhh, they still cant defend. I don't think any one has advocated a trade to add players for a playoff run but moving some players for futures or assets sure makes sense.

6 players away is still a lot of players.

The elements missing are talent and not allowing a crap ton of shots every night.

Was he as good as Everett Sanipass?
- HawkintheD

Look at the size of those gloves. Of course he was good.

Not as good as Kenny Yaremchuk's one season of wearing #7 but, good.

I think someone mentioned this the other day, but apparently it's official:

Goalie Ivan Nalimov just signed an AHL contract with the IceHogs.

Hawks' 2014 draft pick who'd been playing in Russia ever since. IceHogs desperately needed a goalie and this will give Nalimov a chance to show if he can move up to the NHL in future seasons.
- Chunk

I wonder how he'll adjust to the smaller N.A. ice surface?

Just my outsider's take, but I agree about the "warrior element". Looking back on that 2015 Final against the Lightning, that Hawks roster could punish the poop out of opponents. That 2015 roster had a lot more size and sandpaper on it. Those Hawks could kill you with skill or brute force. This current roster is a lot more lacking in that department.

On the flip-side, the 2015 Bolts roster was fairly soft compared to now. The Bolts have more grit than they did then.
- GalacticStone

Ughhhhh other than Bickell and Seabrook what size and sandpaper are you referring to?

Kane, Toews and especially Keith that year were better at carrying the team and coming through when it mattered than Stamkos, Hedman and Kucherov were.

Crawford was also lights out after his kerfuffle in the first round.

The Hawks had winners in their prime with a solid veteran supporting cast and the bolts were still figuring it out. Not much more than that.

My reference was spending dollars not young player assets. They aren't moving developing kids or choice draft picks for NHL'ers with big contracts
- RickJ

If it's for a player with multiple years on their contract why not?
2 first rounds and Boquist for Jack Eichel. Let's open that championship window back up.

Haven't seen how much money comes off the books with Seabrook retiring, That absolutely has to be a priority for Chicago. I would even entertain a trade of Patrick Kane as well, The Hawks could buyout Keith this summer too.