Toews of course is Huge. Even if he can only play limited minutes he automatically becomes the best defensive forward and best face off man.
- LAHawk

He's a "Designated FO?"

If the kids don't progress, and the lines keep playing disjointed (in my opinion), then yes they are problems.

As glowing as the report was on Toews, you (collective you, not you specifically) can't count him in as part of the team until he actually suits up.

I am not giving up on Dach at all. In fact I'm probably more bullish on him than 2/3 of this board. That said, he does have to show more in order to be considered a 1C. I'm fully aware he has yet to get any sort of training camp in, and he is coming off of a major injury... which is part of the reason why I am STILL bullish on him. But, if this current version is the top of his game, then he's a solid 2C.

If Lankinen is a Niemi type, then we have a problem. He played well behind a great defense. Lankinen has shown promise, but the league has adjusted to him. If he can figure it out, then great, solid goalie. I still like Subban too. I just can't say right now - with much confidence - that the Hawks have an answer in net.

Let me make one thing crystal clear. I am an idiot when it some to all of this. This is all just my best stab to logically parse what this current situation is, and how I believe they need to maneuver to get back to being a top team.

Keep contract lengths short, cut bait when you realize the player doesn't fit, and don't make any decisions based on emotion.
- Chunk

Ifs are not problems. Ifs in this case are because of development. The coaching staff did a good job this year. Great with development...average at adjustments. They exceeded my expectations. We all new the young players on this team would regress near the end of season because of the grind and physical play. What we didn't expect was how well they played after a rough start...without much of a training camp and against the Stanley Cup champions. The future is bright...JC impressed me this year. The question down the road will be ....is he the coach to turn young players into Stanley Cup champions...we don't know the answer...we will find out eventually.

1) More growth from the kids.
2) 1C.
3) Goalie.
4) More balanced lines - They have a LOT of middle/bottom 6 forwards, but the mix seems off to me. It's like they combos can't figure out how they want to play. You can't have one or two guys that commit to cycle and the other just kind of hangs out.
- Chunk

The Hawks answer for #3 next season - Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Hawks answer for #3 next season - Sergei Bobrovsky.
- DarthKane

Only if Florida covers part of the salary cap - No.
Bob has too much term. Which might be a good thing for Seattle so that they attain salary cap floor.

New blog! A recap of the Blackhawks loss to the Panthers despite Gaudette's first goal as a Hawk, Hinostroza's goal against his former team, and DeBrincat's late goal to force OT.

https://bit.ly/3u88zvp

Lankinen has to make that save. Disappointing after all the O zone time the Hawks had in OT.
- boilermaker100

The shooter had the time and sniped the top corner. Hats off. Begging for trouble letting a guy shoot from there.
Go get em next game.

Kubalik is not top 6, DeBrinkat is as a scorer only, Toews, who knows what he is? Dach is far from top 6 at the moment I do expect him to get there - in 2-3 years. that leaves Kane. Ask yourself, how many of those guys would bring a first round draft choice or a top 6 player back in trade?
- rpeters01

I have to disagree with the bolded. I see him as a 2nd liner that can slide up in a pinch or slide down if necessary. If I were the coach I would feel lucky if I had two guys who could one time a puck the way ADB on his off wing left side and KUB on his off wing right side do. The only way I can see Kubalik as a third liner is if the second line is the best second line in the league.