They have cap issues bringing Connolly back.
- -Doh-

From what I understand they could do it with some gymnastics. I was more asking about the quality fo player vs what is playing every night.

IMO NHL ice time is a most valuable commodity and it's finite. Only x amount of it making it extremely valuable. That said where are the Hawks? Are they giving that ice time to Borgstrom/R Johnson/Kurashev/Hardman/Stillman/Slavin, maybe even a Gaudette, types for 20 game stretches to see if and how they fit in long term plans or are they giving that ice time to Carpenter/Khaira/T Johnson types to put the best available lineup out to win games today?

Same question as we had with the last regime. Are they in win now mode, rebuild on the fly or a tear down rebuild or like they've been for 5 yrs, straddling the fence wasting yrs?

I understand they wanna take it slow and evaluate before they hire a GM and coach but are they wasting valuable NHL ice time doing so? Sutter took over a Flames squad in season last yr knowing they weren't gonna win but he had 50ish(?) games to evaluate the roster, got rid of players that didn't fit, got ones that did and hit the ground runnin this yr.

That doesn't make sense to the Hawks? Or going by the warm reception the hockey world has given interim GM Davidson and coach King they will take the path of least resistance, and cheapest, and they feel they have their evaluators for next yrs team in place? .......... Said this after Davidson made his debut answering questions and then given full reign to do as he wishes with the roster we have the next GM in place.

If I'm right what are they, Davidson the GM, doing with NHL ice time now and what does it say about will they be in rebuild or win now mode next yr? ........... I'd at least love to see Borgstrom to get a real 25 game stretch at 3C to see what's there.
- Mr Ricochet

Well Ricco, you have an interesting dynamic, Hawks hire some advanced analytics guys for the front office, the new interim head coach says he really only uses an analytic he defines as plus (player makes the proper play). minus (he does not) and eye test. My guess Crawford is the same way. Looks like the paddles in the row boat are going different directions. Interesting that Davidson was in charge of the Kubalik, Hagel, and Strome contracts. Also was involved in the scouting department.

He said in his interview with NBCSN that he has no clue what direction the Hawks are going in (not comforting), and he is going to take his time to decide what road they are going down.

What value are Khaira and Carpenter adding? We know what they are as players. Johnson is getting at most 4 shifts a period. What exactly do you want to see from him?


"here you go, kid. make something happen after sitting here for 10 minutes"
- Elbows15

Not much value at all tbh, but I’ve seen Johnson take stupid penalties (I know he’s not alone) and he continues to give up the puck at the blue line, that’s one of my pet peeves. I want to see them give Borgtrom and Gaudette an opportunity to play third line minutes, 10-15 games, determine if they’re worth keeping or not. From what I’ve seen of R Johnson, he looks like a fourth liner in the AHL.

Well Ricco, you have an interesting dynamic, Hawks hire some advanced analytics guys for the front office, the new interim head coach says he really only uses an analytic he defines as plus (player makes the proper play). minus (he does not) and eye test. My guess Crawford is the same way. Looks like the paddles in the row boat are going different directions. Interesting that Davidson was in charge of the Kubalik, Hagel, and Strome contracts. Also was involved in the scouting department.

He said in his interview with NBCSN that he has no clue what direction the Hawks are going in (not comforting), and he is going to take his time to decide what road they are going down.
- LAHawk

The guy was shoved in charge of a flailing team with little to no current direction. This season is most likely a development year at best (at least with the way they are currently playing). I would hope that he takes some time to assess what they actually have, then decide the best course of action. Not to mention, everyone has an interim tag on them right now.

What is the expectation right now? Mine is that they are going to take the rest of the year to see what are the actual valuable pieces on this team (players, coaches and FO). I wouldn't get too concerned about how the analytics staff and the coaches get along just yet.

From what I understand they could do it with some gymnastics. I was more asking about the quality fo player vs what is playing every night.
- Chunk

They are already absorbing most (2.375 million) of his cap hit by burying him in the minors. If they bring him up, the cap goes up by 1.125 million, but they will have to send someone else down. So, the cap will only increase by ~200,000

With Tyler Johnson on LTIR, they have more then enough cap space.

Not sure if this is of interest to you, BK, but I watch all my NHL games here: http://onhockey.tv/index....place=sawlive&channel=tvh
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks Rico!

The guy was shoved in charge of a flailing team with little to no current direction. This season is most likely a development year at best (at least with the way they are currently playing). I would hope that he takes some time to assess what they actually have, then decide the best course of action. Not to mention, everyone has an interim tag on them right now.

What is the expectation right now? Mine is that they are going to take the rest of the year to see what are the actual valuable pieces on this team (players, coaches and FO). I wouldn't get too concerned about how the analytics staff and the coaches get along just yet.
- Chunk

Yes he did and with some luck and a calm demeanor Davidson has done as well as anyone could have hoped for. A worldwide scandal that gutted management and a team that had hit rock bottom. Can't think of a worse scenario for even a seasoned manager and this 32 yr old has stopped the bleeding in 2 weeks, hired a coach that calmed things down followed by a 4 game win streak.

But that was then, that was last week, what now? 32 yr old vets trying to get the club wins or take a look at some players for meaningful stretches to see what they can or can't provide for next yr and beyond? ...... And who makes that call? And who evaluates? TDL sell offs? And who's making those moves? And who oversees those moves?

From a fans perspective, one who's looking 5 yrs ahead there are as many, probably more, questions today as a month ago.

The guy was shoved in charge of a flailing team with little to no current direction. This season is most likely a development year at best (at least with the way they are currently playing). I would hope that he takes some time to assess what they actually have, then decide the best course of action. Not to mention, everyone has an interim tag on them right now.

What is the expectation right now? Mine is that they are going to take the rest of the year to see what are the actual valuable pieces on this team (players, coaches and FO). I wouldn't get too concerned about how the analytics staff and the coaches get along just yet.
- Chunk

If it takes the rest of the year to determine who the valuable pieces are then the Wirtzs really do have a problem because nobody in management (whoever remains) is
sharing reality with them.

The core is Dach, Debrincat and Jones. Plus 2 guys left from the glory days who can still contribute as they play out the remainder of their expensive contracts. None of the rest of the current NHL roster matters much.

On the farm, there is Reichel and a couple of fairly young Dmen they should be working hard to develop into NHL players next year and beyond.

Thats it in my view. And as necessary hire the best scouting staff available and draft well. The Stan Bowman era is over.

Thanks Rico!
- BGKarras

Hate to use this kinda language and words but sometimes I really can't stand these bastards. I gotta have 3-4 subscriptions and take 10 minutes to find where the hell I can watch my club play hockey?

Enjoy your one stop to watch the Hawks, the NHL, KHL the Finns or the Svedes, maybe some USHL or Major Junior, and each day/game you do you beat those bastards.

Been using on hockey tv for a few yrs now with zero issues. I use streamers sportsrp and snights, again with no issues. Both streamer's feed is like a DVR. Tune into the Hawks an hour late and you can start at game opening puck drop but understand the feed ends not long after the end of the game....... I'm settling in for that NYR v TOR clash. TB v Philly looks interesting as does EDM @ WPG and if I can stay up late enough see what FIRST place ANA has for Carolina.

If it takes the rest of the year to determine who the valuable pieces are then the Wirtzs really do have a problem because nobody in management (whoever remains) is
sharing reality with them.

The core is Dach, Debrincat and Jones. Plus 2 guys left from the glory days who can still contribute as they play out the remainder of their expensive contracts. None of the rest of the current NHL roster matters much.

On the farm, there is Reichel and a couple of fairly young Dmen they should be working hard to develop into NHL players next year and beyond.

Thats it in my view. And as necessary hire the best scouting staff available and draft well. The Stan Bowman era is over.
- RickJ

You have control of the franchise, Rick, or anyone that cares to share a thought. What do you do starting tomorrow.

Hate to use this kinda language and words but sometimes I really can't stand these bastards. I gotta have 3-4 subscriptions and take 10 minutes to find where the hell I can watch my club play hockey?

Enjoy your one stop to watch the Hawks, the NHL, KHL the Finns or the Svedes, maybe some USHL or Major Junior, and each day/game you do you beat those bastards.

Been using on hockey tv for a few yrs now with zero issues. I use streamers sportsrp and snights, again with no issues. Both streamer's feed is like a DVR. Tune into the Hawks an hour late and you can start at game opening puck drop but understand the feed ends not long after the end of the game....... I'm settling in for that NYR v TOR clash. TB v Philly looks interesting as does EDM @ WPG and if I can stay up late enough see what FIRST place ANA has for Carolina.
- Mr Ricochet

Some real good games tonite. That Winnipeg team is good, the Oil has big problems beating them.

Yes he did and with some luck and a calm demeanor Davidson has done as well as anyone could have hoped for. A worldwide scandal that gutted management and a team that had hit rock bottom. Can't think of a worse scenario for even a seasoned manager and this 32 yr old has stopped the bleeding in 2 weeks, hired a coach that calmed things down followed by a 4 game win streak.

But that was then, that was last week, what now? 32 yr old vets trying to get the club wins or take a look at some players for meaningful stretches to see what they can or can't provide for next yr and beyond? ...... And who makes that call? And who evaluates? TDL sell offs? And who's making those moves? And who oversees those moves?

From a fans perspective, one who's looking 5 yrs ahead there are as many, probably more, questions today as a month ago.
- Mr Ricochet

The 32 year old vets on the team are the best players (or at least the best center). It's not like they have a ton of talent busting through to get on the NHL ice.

Yes, I would like to see (and think we will) Borgstrom, Entwistle, Kurashev, etc. get more ice time. When Hagel and T. Johnson come back, I think they absolutely send Hardman and R. Johnson down for more ice time. If there is a young guy that is busting out and forcing them to put him on the NHL ice, there are plenty of guys they can sit and still keep the best players on the ice. I think they are going to try to get as many wins and build as much confidence as possible.

KD has said that he will act as though he does not have the interim tag (and he apparently has the autonomy to do so). I don't think you can say after two weeks he needs to make any drastic moves. I guess I'm not sure what you want to see him do?

You have control of the franchise, Rick, or anyone that cares to share a thought. What do you do starting tomorrow.
- Mr Ricochet

I need to pull the cork on an expensive bottle of red and think before responding.

Well Ricco, you have an interesting dynamic, Hawks hire some advanced analytics guys for the front office, the new interim head coach says he really only uses an analytic he defines as plus (player makes the proper play). minus (he does not) and eye test. My guess Crawford is the same way. Looks like the paddles in the row boat are going different directions. Interesting that Davidson was in charge of the Kubalik, Hagel, and Strome contracts. Also was involved in the scouting department.

He said in his interview with NBCSN that he has no clue what direction the Hawks are going in (not comforting), and he is going to take his time to decide what road they are going down.
- LAHawk

Or putting it another way you have a riddle. Excellent analogy of the paddles in the boat going in different directions. And as info leaks out, and as most of us suspected, it's been this very same way the last 5 yrs at least.

Your move, you run the franchise. What's your first move to untangle this 5 yr unsolvable conundrum?

If it takes the rest of the year to determine who the valuable pieces are then the Wirtzs really do have a problem because nobody in management (whoever remains) is
sharing reality with them.

The core is Dach, Debrincat and Jones. Plus 2 guys left from the glory days who can still contribute as they play out the remainder of their expensive contracts. None of the rest of the current NHL roster matters much.

On the farm, there is Reichel and a couple of fairly young Dmen they should be working hard to develop into NHL players next year and beyond.

Thats it in my view. And as necessary hire the best scouting staff available and draft well. The Stan Bowman era is over.
- RickJ

There is a difference between the "core" (I hate that concept) and a valuable piece. IMO, Dach doesn't deserve being anointed anything yet. He's good, but the needs to continue to grow into something much better - whatever that ends up being.

A guy like Hagel isn't a "core" guy, but absolutely a type of player you need to be successful. If you see marked growth in guys like Borgstrom, Kurashev, Stillman, C. Jones, that's needed information since they won't be able to just sign or trade for that depth talent.

I need to pull the cork on an expensive bottle of red and think before responding.
- RickJ

A bottle of Mad Dog 20/20 might be a better choice for this application!....... Me? I get myself the best hockey man money can buy today, give him a 5 yr contract, he's my prez of hockey ops, he evaluates the whole damn thing down to the Zamboni driver in Indy and at yrs end he comes to me with his findings, evaluations and a 5 yr plan.

I push all my chips into the middle of the table, tell him he has job security to carry out his plan, let him make all the hockey personnel moves and I give him all the resources to carry out his 5 yr plan.

Or putting it another way you have a riddle. Excellent analogy of the paddles in the boat going in different directions. And as info leaks out, and as most of us suspected, it's been this very same way the last 5 yrs at least.

Your move, you run the franchise. What's your first move to untangle this 5 yr unsolvable conundrum?
- Mr Ricochet

First move, get an experienced front office guy not associated in any way with the team. Task #2, bring in a new head scout, to evaluate the scouting staff from top to bottom, and to re-evaluate the players already in the system. Task #3 try to clear the decks by the TDL of any moveable piece. Get back draft choices and cap space. Don't retain any salary on anyone beyond this year. At end of year sit with Toews and Kane and have them decide if they want to stay in Chicago or not. Take the C from Toews and give it to Kane (if he wants to stay) or ADB. Been plenty of Captains that became former captains and still played with the same team, Dustin Brown, Joe Thornton are 2 that come to mind the fastest.

The 32 year old vets on the team are the best players (or at least the best center). It's not like they have a ton of talent busting through to get on the NHL ice.

Yes, I would like to see (and think we will) Borgstrom, Entwistle, Kurashev, etc. get more ice time. When Hagel and T. Johnson come back, I think they absolutely send Hardman and R. Johnson down for more ice time. If there is a young guy that is busting out and forcing them to put him on the NHL ice, there are plenty of guys they can sit and still keep the best players on the ice. I think they are going to try to get as many wins and build as much confidence as possible.

KD has said that he will act as though he does not have the interim tag (and he apparently has the autonomy to do so). I don't think you can say after two weeks he needs to make any drastic moves. I guess I'm not sure what you want to see him do?
- Chunk

I want Davidson, or any shot caller, to formulate and then carry out an organIzational plan....... As I posted before I do not care what the plan is as long as there is a plan, everyone in the organIzation is bought into the plan and it's executed.

My immediate concern is the franchise will lose a yr as they "search" for someone to formulate and execute a plan.

First move, get an experienced front office guy not associated in any way with the team. Task #2, bring in a new head scout, to evaluate the scouting staff from top to bottom, and to re-evaluate the players already in the system. Task #3 try to clear the decks by the TDL of any moveable piece. Get back draft choices and cap space. Don't retain any salary on anyone beyond this year. At end of year sit with Toews and Kane and have them decide if they want to stay in Chicago or not. Take the C from Toews and give it to Kane (if he wants to stay) or ADB. Been plenty of Captains that became former captains and still played with the same team, Dustin Brown, Joe Thornton are 2 that come to mind the fastest.
- LAHawk

I'm in!! Maybe not on taking the C from Johnny but I love the plan. Experienced new eyes at the top to evaluate, formulate an organIzational plan then make all the hires needed to carry out the organIzational plan.

Step 1 though is identify and hire the guy at the top of the hockey ops pyramid. Until that's done you have paddles in the boat going in different directions.

I want Davidson, or any shot caller, to formulate and then carry out an organIzational plan....... As I posted before I do not care what the plan is as long as there is a plan, everyone in the organIzation is bought into the plan and it's executed.

My immediate concern is the franchise will lose a yr as they "search" for someone to formulate and execute a plan.
- Mr Ricochet

Well this happened mid-season, so I would guess that your immediate concern comes to fruition as this year will likely be a wash. I do think they will make moves at the TDL depending on their position, but I would doubt that you will see any major/bold moves this year. Just my read on it.

Keeping the Fsith

Darth Kane ="C Caufield recalled. He hasn't even scored or stepped on the ice, yet he is expected to be a scoring star

Billy Joel does a song, Keeping the Faith

The only prospect for us might be in Caufield stratosphere, is Reichel.

A segway now: do you have faith in the
Colliton system (King tweeked version).

Don't confuse better performance by the players and the team's performance since Colliton departed as mutually exclusive events. No sir, the potential to win, to execute plays was sort of dormant. King just stirred the drink.....er....the team.

There is another development coming to like, as to witness Toews and Kubalik scoring again

So Murphy and McCabe aren't horrible. Well I remain not a big Murphy fan. However, I like a lof things Stillman brings

Next steps for a better team is an upgrade with role players up from Rockford. That is a mini step toward team improvement

Better is.....We should expect that Dach and (please) Mitchell find their groove. And I will concur that there is going to be an opportunity for an underrated solid dman to step in as there is always injuries.

No, not Kalynuk. I do agree with Wiz who told me that Kakynuk is the more ready of the prospects and he could be good, not great. The steady guy could just be Galvas.....as seen in preseason and as Theo has suggested. Beaudin, Phillips, Rogula need time and their add is thought to be a bonus, not currently an expectation

What would be a huge add, however, is if a top center joins up. Probably acquired through the draft. Maybe Nylander or Borgstrom stick around. And can be productive. Long term probably only one of them and Reichel. Other new forwards will be from the Rockford stable and or the forward currently playing at Notre Dame

But again I suggest not only Dach and Mitchell step up, but we need to draft a center. When that happens. ...2023 or sooner if we can move up a few spots in the draft. Is there a center available...guess I have to peruse draftsite.com for an inkling

I need to pull the cork on an expensive bottle of red and think before responding.
- RickJ

On my way over!

There is a difference between the "core" (I hate that concept) and a valuable piece. IMO, Dach doesn't deserve being anointed anything yet. He's good, but the needs to continue to grow into something much better - whatever that ends up being.

A guy like Hagel isn't a "core" guy, but absolutely a type of player you need to be successful. If you see marked growth in guys like Borgstrom, Kurashev, Stillman, C. Jones, that's needed information since they won't be able to just sign or trade for that depth talent.
- Chunk

OK so you have a wait and see on Dach, fine. Even though he is the best they have
in youth up front. He's learning without would have been the proper preparation with time in the AHL. Thansk for that Stan.

But all you seem to be doing here is dancing around the edge of recognizing what reality is, which is this team doesn't have much young talent and needs to be reconstructed, almost totally. Into a promising young team, with size. I said the Hawks have 5 players that matter, 2 of whom are playing out the string. They might stick around beyond next year, maybe not. If those 5 or 6 guys you mention are significant contributing pieces looking ahead 2-3 years, fine great. But I have my doubts about any of them.

Hagel - I like the way he plays, but far from untouchable. Can he get the Hawks a return from a contender like Tampa paid for Goodrow or Barclay at the trade deadline? If so, do it.

Kurashev - I want to see him slotted at center for awhile. Is there something there going forward?

Borgstrom is 23 already, back from Finland. Not much ice time under the new coach. Why? Probably should be in Rockford.

C.Jones, Stillman - spare parts only on a winning team, so who cares. Trade pieces to accrue decent draft picks.

Goaltending - nothing much there long term.

Dach, Reichel, Debrincat, S.Jones, Kane, Toews to start the overhaul. They will win some games but its what Davidson (or whoever) does with the rest of the roster. Not an easy job. Can't have any sacred cows.

Per CapFriendly, Tyler Johnson has been activated. So with TJ and C Jones back, who sits tomorrow? I’m hoping for R Johnson and Gus, but they’ll probably sit Borgstrom and Stillman.

When healthy.
ADB Dach Kane
Hagel Toews Kubalik
Johnson Borgstrum Kurashev
Khaira Carpenter Hardman
Gaudette rotating in

DeHaan Jones
McCabe Murphy
Jones Stillman
Gus rotating in

Fleury
Lankinen rotating in

Not terrible.
- Ztra

I'd really like to Toews and Dach switched. Dach might progress more offensively playing with Hagel and Kubilik where he'd have the puck more and learn to create better without having Kane the primary puck controller. As for Toews, he's not creating much and playing with Kane might get him more chances to score ?? IDK....just a thought to try and get more scoring chances out of the top 6.