I generally agree with your position. But a couple things. First is that this would be after next season. If the development of the Utes stalls, maybe you don't do it. Second is that the Hawks will likely be a donut team - lots of good support players in need of a really good player. The 1st season of his next deal will be Barkov's age 27 season. He can be a great player for six years and be a foundation piece.

Note to Dots....I just disagreed with another poster without using homophobic or class based insults!
- mohel

This. The Hawks have no one near Barkov's talent in their system. I doubt if the Hawks will be a Cup contender in 22-23, but with him on board for that year and 6 more, and if the young forwards and D continue to develop, the Hawks will be closer to contender status with him than without him.

Good article in the Athletic by Lazerus discussing the Zadorov dilemma facing Stan. It basically says that Z's 5 on 5 stats are good and he has potential. He does make bone headed plays that more often than not wind up in the back of the net, makes poor exit passes and is indecisive. He's also not as physical as Stan hoped. So what does Stan do? QO him, extend him for longer term, expose him to Seattle, trade him?

We'll find out this off season I guess.

That is a longer answer than I can respond here. But my belief is everyone has a right to own a gun until they prove they cannot own it. Yes simple answer.
- powerenforcer

And if they prove they cannot own it?

Do you think the hawks yute movement will be better in two or three years? Because in two years Barkov is available. In three a younger Austen Matthews is a UFA.
- paulr

I don't know on the time frame. Right now they have some good players, but none (perhaps Dach?) who look near the top echelon of the league. Barkov and Matthews are, and they're in their prime.

Hockey is dangerous, too. Alcohol, too. Many things.
- mohel

My IT dept will let me go to alcohol sites, just warns me and tells me its tracking it

They'll now know I like good bourbon

I thought I noticed fans in Detroit last night. How many are allowed?
- mohel

750. I will be at the game tomorrow.

That is a longer answer than I can respond here. But my belief is everyone has a right to own a gun until they prove they cannot own it. Yes simple answer.
- powerenforcer

At least according to the constitution, though I don't think we are using that any longer.

Ok I'm done.

I don't know on the time frame. Right now they have some good players, but none (perhaps Dach?) who look near the top echelon of the league. Barkov and Matthews are, and they're in their prime.
- mohel

Hossa was the absolute perfect signing. He came onto a team that appeared to be strong offensively, defensively, in top end talent and with a crazy amount of depth. Hossa came onto the team as a valuable part not as the main part along wit a hope and a prayer. Right now the Hawks are not strong defensively, they may be. They do have some good offensive players. They have, in my opinion outside of Kane and maybe ADB no top end talent. And they lack depth.

My IT dept will let me go to alcohol sites, just warns me and tells me its tracking it

They'll now know I like good bourbon
- vabeachbear

Throw off their algorithms; buy some stuff from a craft store like Michaels or Joanne.

Maybe Stan knew more about Toews' situation than us when he took on the Connelly contract for beyond this year. But if Toews is good to go next year, then Connelly can be Zack Smith'ed with a bad back.
I was hoping that Connelly would be revitalized by his trade to a new team. But for 2 periods last night I thought he was not dressed because I never noticed him until the 3rd.
- 67hawks

You probably didn't notice him because Foley kept calling him Campbell. He also kept calling Stillman Mitchell since he has a 1 in his number. Even though one shoots left and one right. Foley really had an issue when Mitchell passed it to the real Mitchell and you could see the 51 clear as day but he had already said Mitchell passes to......crickets. What a beauty.

750. I will be at the game tomorrow.
- Iago

Thanks. Enjoy.

You probably didn't notice him because Foley kept calling him Campbell. He also kept calling Stillman Mitchell since he has a 1 in his number. Even though one shoots left and one right. Foley really had an issue when Mitchell passed it to the real Mitchell and you could see the 51 clear as day but he had already said Mitchell passes to......crickets. What a beauty.
- Black Raven

I don't think they're broadcasting from the arena, but off a monitor in the studio. No excuse, though, in mistaking lefties from righties.

And if they prove they cannot own it?
- paulr

Where are you going with this?

But. Is it worth signing a star player to a huge multi year contract when there isn’t a strong supporting cast and depth in place? Even with Barkov the hawks aren’t close to being a contender. The defense is pretty raw and Kieth at 37 still the top defenseman isbt really promising. The forward group has some talent but lack depth.
- paulr

Some here think this is a playoff team and JC's "system" is the problem. Just for the record I think one reason you're seeing so many stretch passes is the kid D-men just want to get the puck out.

Where are you going with this?
- powerenforcer

Just curious what you think.

Some here think this is a playoff team and JC's "system" is the problem. Just for the record I think one reason you're seeing so many stretch passes is the kid D-men just want to get the puck out.
- rpeters01

There is playoff team and contender. This team is barely a playoff team. I think the reason for so many stretch passes is because the forwards tend to forget to leave the zone as a unit and basically leaving the defense on their own.

750. I will be at the game tomorrow.
- Iago

Ontario will be shutdown hard for the next five to six weeks. The hospitalizations are are at the highest levels since the pandemic began. It also sounds like for the first time there will be penalties of harsh fines and imprisonment.

There is playoff team and contender. This team is barely a playoff team. I think the reason for so many stretch passes is because the forwards tend to forget to leave the zone as a unit and basically leaving the defense on their own.
- paulr

Going to go out on a limb and guess the forwards aren't being coached to play that way. Coaches can only coach, they can't play.

Ontario will be shutdown hard for the next five to six weeks. The hospitalizations are are at the highest levels since the pandemic began. It also sounds like for the first time there will be penalties of harsh fines and imprisonment.
- paulr

Wonder if the league will create a Canadian playoff bubble for the playoffs.

There is playoff team and contender. This team is barely a playoff team. I think the reason for so many stretch passes is because the forwards tend to forget to leave the zone as a unit and basically leaving the defense on their own.
- paulr

So why can't Colliton get the forwards to be in position as they are instructed but do not do? How is it so many forwards get away with not being in position or helping defensively? LA Hawk cited an example of Kane, Kurashev and another forward in same shift barely moving and out of position for 45 seconds.

Wonder if the league will create a Canadian playoff bubble for the playoffs.
- boilermaker100

Really no other good choice.

Going to go out on a limb and guess the forwards aren't being coached to play that way. Coaches can only coach, they can't play.
- rpeters01

Careful on the limb cuz you may fall off. The easy solution is to fire a coach, GM, goalie etc.. The harder solution is to try to identify the problem. This season the team has played way above expectations. No one thought they would be in the hunt for a playoff spot. A team playing above their own talent level and above expectations goes to the coach wouldn’t you think? Now also consider this team started out very young and inexperienced. This past week saw two veterans, brought in for their experience, moved out making the team even younger.

As far as the forwards blowing the zone and hanging the defensemen out to dry I go back to coaching 101. When a younger inexperienced player is in trouble they forget their training and what’s been practiced and try to overcompensate. I don’t really place the blame on anyone right now, it’s a learning curve. I think it’s best to let this young team continue to learn and grow before trying to find someone to blame.

Wonder if the league will create a Canadian playoff bubble for the playoffs.
- boilermaker100

Last year the US was in a mess and Canada had better control of the pandemic. The solution was to create the bubble up here. This year it’s reversed. Canada is in a mess and most of the US is not. I would think the playoff bubble would work better in the US this year.

Last year the US was in a mess and Canada had better control of the pandemic. The solution was to create the bubble up here. This year it’s reversed. Canada is in a mess and most of the US is not. I would think the playoff bubble would work better in the US this year.
- paulr

Has either "controlled" the pandemic?

Has either "controlled" the pandemic?
- mohel

Controlled no, but right now the US has better control over it.