At this pace, provided we don't completely collapse over the next 65, I see us (Columbus) at pace for the 10-15 pick.

Jones is playing well points-wise and he's slick with the puck. If he can keep that up for a season or two, makes me feel less bad for giving the Jackets Boquist, our 10-15th and Sillinger (although we did get Allen).
- Popsghostly

This team is picking Top 5.

Barkov will not need surgery. He's week-to-week. Panthers very relieved.
- mohel

He is lucky. That looked like a season ending torn ACL when it happened.

Frpm Freidman's 31 thoughts

20. There are some interviews from a few weeks ago I updated and wanted to include. The first was with interim Chicago GM Kyle Davidson. I was struck by Davidson’s confidence during his introductory media conference. Normally, interim hirings step gently, tiptoeing into the news cycle. Not Davidson, and I wondered if he believed he might permanently keep the job.

“Nothing I’ve been told is to that extent,” he replied. “I have been granted full autonomy, authority and confidence from Danny and Rocky (Wirtz). I do have the internal belief that I have what it takes to take over (during such a difficult time). That’s the approach I’ve taken personally. I’m going to do the job as if it is mine. If I didn’t, I’d be doing a disservice to our team and organization. I’m going to learn what needs to be learned, and in good time, do what needs to be acted upon. Trust your gut, trust your instincts, believe in yourself.” Have you always had that self-confidence? “Developing the experience to share my opinion and make my stances known happened over time. (When I arrived in) Nov. 2010, it was all about learning and finding my way. Where can I be most useful? You grow in confidence as you gain insight. There’s a point you feel you come into your own. But you don’t know how big a role you can play until time comes. I feel comfortable with where I’m at, that I can execute.”

21. Davidson did not want to discuss what changes we will see in the organization in the aftermath of the Kyle Beach investigation. “That’s something I will leave to ownership and that leadership group,” he answered. “Those changes will be rolled out in a formal setting; specific announcements of the steps being taken.” As for how he leads during this time, Davidson replied, “We are still processing what happened. It’s not something that goes away in days or weeks. You have to give people their space. But we are in the middle of a season, so other people in the organization are working on the fallout and repercussions -- while I will be dealing with the roster and what is going on on the ice.”

22. Okay, the roster. Dylan Strome scored his first goal of the season in the Blackhawks’ last game, a 2-1 victory over Arizona. He played five of 12 games under Jeremy Colliton, averaging 13:37. He’s played all three under Derek King, averaging 11:17 (a double-minor against the Coyotes kept him to 8:51 that game). In prior trade talks, they were looking for a prospect or a draft pick in exchange. At some point, there will have to be a Marc-Andre Fleury decision. “It’s hard to describe where anyone is, because we’ve given them a blank slate -- completely wiped away,” Davidson said. “Let Derek King find his way. It’s way too premature to draw conclusions with any one player. In the near term, and maybe over several months, too, I really want to evaluate on and off the ice. The future environment off-ice extremely is important to me, it’s integral to the success we eventually have. You don’t fully grasp what you have until you are there and get information. I have to figure out what I believe is the best from that knowledge.
- LAHawk

Impressive.

Now when is he trading or demoting Carpenter and Gustafsson?

Blackhawks lines in morning skate:

DeBrincat-Dach-Kane
Kubalik-Toews-Khaira
Borgstrom-Strome-Gaudette
Kurashev-Carpenter-Johnson
Hagel

de Haan-Seth Jones
McCabe-Murphy
Stillman-Gustafsson
Caleb Jones

I don’t see Hardman here.
- Chunk

Updates from Derek King:

Hardman feeling under the weather, not COVID related, they’ll see how he feels tonight.

Caleb Jones is a game-time decision.

Tyler Johnson is not with the team on this trip.

I would love to see the Blackhawks approach Kubs and offer him a contract now. 3yrs at $5 per? To much guys?
- BetweenTheDots

Yes they should trade him imo. He going to want more money based on previous years.

Updates from Derek King:

Hardman feeling under the weather, not COVID related, they’ll see how he feels tonight.

Caleb Jones is a game-time decision.

Tyler Johnson is not with the team on this trip.
- Chunk

What exactly is Johnsons injury?

With the inner turmoil still lingering, you have to wonder if anything the "G.M." wants too do must be run up the pole first.

One decision at a time, starting with the soon influx of healthier NHL candidates on defense.

I certainly think the the team needs more scoring, ands the many of the elevated candidates haven't provided hope that the are future regulars with all around games.

I am not sure Reese Johnson and Mike Hardman need seasoning. Not that they wouldn't be great additions in Rockford, they have to play in a high skilled environment that allows growth.

The Hawks have a glut of players on the parent club and that is the main determining factor in them letting Reichel percolate in the farm.
OH, I agree he can get the puck effectively into the zone, and make plays with it upon it's return to his stick, but they HAVE to sacrifice a subtraction to do so, and I bet Kyle Davidson doesn't have autonomy to do. Tuch besides hold the fort right now.
- wiz1901

No. Ownership has given Kyle Davidson full authority to make decisions. They stated this when he made the decision to fire colliton.

I would love to see the Blackhawks approach Kubs and offer him a contract now. 3yrs at $5 per? To much guys?
- BetweenTheDots

We don't even know the market for him yet. Why would you offer him $5M per when we haven't a clue as to what comparables are on the market. Im glad you're only an armchair GM and not the actual GM, we might not have a team. Lol

We don't even know the market for him yet. Why would you offer him $5M per when we haven't a clue as to what comparables are on the market. Im glad you're only an armchair GM and not the actual GM, we might not have a team. Lol
- Hawk4life

Truer words have never been spoken.

Of course, Coach Dots would be even worse. There would be two defensemen sitting in lawnchairs in the crease while three forwards stand at the offensive blue line waiting for a pass.

What exactly is Johnsons injury?
- TheTrob

Apparently still recovering from the neck injury.

Truer words have never been spoken.

Of course, Coach Dots would be even worse. There would be two defensemen sitting in lawnchairs in the crease while three forwards stand at the offensive blue line waiting for a pass.
- mohel

And that, my boyfriend, would be called structure in the house.

Khaira provides energy and board battle wins in a line with Toews. Toews need strong winger to do this because he is gased especially during third period.

Khaira provides energy and board battle wins in a line with Toews. Toews need strong winger to do this because he is gased especially during third period.

Khaira provides energy and board battle wins in a line with Toews. Toews need strong winger to do this because he is gased especially during third period.

Khaira provides energy and board battle wins in a line with Toews. Toews need strong winger to do this because he is gased especially during third period.

Khaira provides energy and board battle wins in a line with Toews. Toews need strong winger to do this because he is gased especially during third period.

What's your point?

What's your point?
- 6628

Doesn't matter how many times he says it, its incorrect. Khaira gets knocked off the puck easily for a big guy. Guy is the very definition of a plug.

Khaira provides energy and board battle wins in a line with Toews. Toews need strong winger to do this because he is gased especially during third period.
- shidler

Energy and zero offense on the second line doesn’t get you wins. The Blackhawks have the third most hits in the league and have four wins in 15 games. I remember when they were towards the bottom of the league in hits and were winning cups. I know that you didn’t mention hits, but I thought it was appropriate to mention here, as some people correlate energy with hits.

We don't even know the market for him yet. Why would you offer him $5M per when we haven't a clue as to what comparables are on the market. Im glad you're only an armchair GM and not the actual GM, we might not have a team. Lol
- Hawk4life

All i know is if i traded and paid 3 dmen over $100 million in contracts this season, and traded for MAF because the owner wanted me to, there's no way JC would of been my opening day head coach. There's no way i would of signed Gusto either.

I'll even back up, i would of never traded for Seth Jones and given up Boqvist and all those draft picks. Hard to be a worse gm than Bowman was in the past year, but hey I'm glad you and your friends are happy with all the moves Bowman made

All i know is if i traded and paid 3 dmen over $100 million in contracts this season, and traded for MAF because the owner wanted me to, there's no way JC would of been my opening day head coach. There's no way i would of signed Gusto either.

I'll even back up, i would of never traded for Seth Jones and given up Boqvist and all those draft picks. Hard to be a worse gm than Bowman was in the past year, but hey I'm glad you and your friends are happy with all the moves Bowman made
- BetweenTheDots

Spilt milk now. Can't take it back now, and the guy who did them is gone. I don't think there are many, if any, that are defending the total structure of the trade (or the deal they signed him to), but Jones himself has proven to be (at least in my eyes) a great addition. Not only because he is good, but because they don't have to wait for him to grow into being good.

If you've not seen Hossa's speech at the HHOF induction, worth a watch. Hawks get plenty of shoutouts and there's a nice little teaser nugget at the end of his thank yous to the team.

Impressive player, impressive man. https://www.tsn.ca/video/~2323158

So, the promotion of Crawford to Associate (co-) Coach and the hiring of his former assistant...

Given that and how King admitted he's letting Crawford coach the practices, and you see Crawford drawing up a lot of the plays during timeouts, is he really the coach? Wondering if the Hawks wouldn't name him as such, thereby inviting another PR backlash at this time.

Maybe it's just his insistence that he be given the bump because without it, he's not sticking around to train another new-to-the-NHL guy.

So, the promotion of Crawford to Associate (co-) Coach and the hiring of his former assistant...

Given that and how King admitted he's letting Crawford coach the practices, and you see Crawford drawing up a lot of the plays during timeouts, is he really the coach? Wondering if the Hawks wouldn't name him as such, thereby inviting another PR backlash at this time.

Maybe it's just his insistence that he be given the bump because without it, he's not sticking around to train another new-to-the-NHL guy.
- pdx2ord

There are a number of blotches on his resume, but the Crawford does know how to coach an NHL team.

But it is curious how he survived the JC & Brookbank firings and within 2 weeks was given what looks like a promotion. I don't think he was in any position to demand anything tho.

Notice any improvement with the blueline corps since he replaced Brookbank?

Should be an easy decision to keep Kubalik. Number 1 in Even Strength goals over the last 3 seasons. Moving on from him would be mistake unless he wants a huge contract. You'll probably pay more to replace him then what it will take to resign him.