[quote=spanky]

Third Star of the game.. Flower/Post

Hawks look infinitely better under the new coach which isn’t a surprise.

Seth Jones looks pretty damn good so far.

Liked what I saw from Slavin.

Gonna have to get more production and just better overall play from Toews and Dach(top 2 centers).

Just keep steadily improving and see what happens. Glad that the team is trending in the right direction.

Well...all that research costs a lot of money
- pdx2ord

I assumed the name Breadman implied he had money?

Hawks look infinitely better under the new coach which isn’t a surprise.

Seth Jones looks pretty damn good so far.

Liked what I saw from Slavin.

Gonna have to get more production and just better overall play from Toews and Dach(top 2 centers).

Just keep steadily improving and see what happens. Glad that the team is trending in the right direction.
- SimpleJack

Seconded.

Still not NEAR enough talent to compete long term. Only Kane, Cat, Kub and Hagel can put pucks in net.

Hated the trade gave up way too (frank)ing much, but Jones has been very good.

Slavin may have a future in the NHL, but he's not a first line winger, lets not get ahead of ourselves on him. I am sure Jesus will be on his shoulder, but ultimately elite talent wins out.

The team is still a long ways away in my view. The Hawks have not sustained elite level production like the Capitals, Pens and Bolts have over the last 12 years. THe Hawks got 3 Cups though, but right now the program needs more talent.

This all said, they are WAY more fun to watch than whatever Coliton was doing with them.

You think I'd be selling high? Kane is the greatest American hockey player in the history of the sport, he has plenty of years left of elite level hockey. He is an instant Hall of Famer the moment he is eligible.

A couple of lotto ticket low firsts and 3 "prospects' who have never proven poop in the NHL is more than fair.
- kwolf68

Kane would challenge for scoring title if he had a top center and then, too, the dmen at minimum one or two is better than our current group

Seconded.

Still not NEAR enough talent to compete long term. Only Kane, Cat, Kub and Hagel can put pucks in net.

Hated the trade gave up way too (frank)ing much, but Jones has been very good.

Slavin may have a future in the NHL, but he's not a first line winger, lets not get ahead of ourselves on him. I am sure Jesus will be on his shoulder, but ultimately elite talent wins out.

The team is still a long ways away in my view. The Hawks have not sustained elite level production like the Capitals, Pens and Bolts have over the last 12 years. THe Hawks got 3 Cups though, but right now the program needs more talent.

This all said, they are WAY more fun to watch that whatever Coliton was doing with them.
- kwolf68

Don't disagree necessarily but like I said to Fatty yesterday, none of those teams had to pay for multiple Cup wins along the way. The Pens did later and maybe the Bolts will now but to me it's a bit apples and oranges when you look at titles won and timelines.

Kane would challenge for scoring title if he had a top center and then, too, the dmen at minimum one or two is better than our current group
- jhawk59

IDK since Crawford took over the defense they have looked infinitely better than they were under JC. Like tonight, missing DeHaan, Murphy for most of the game, Stillman, they only gave up 28 shots.

Don't disagree necessarily but like I said to Fatty yesterday, none of those teams had to pay for multiple Cup wins along the way. The Pens did later and maybe the Bolts will now but to me it's a bit apples and oranges when you look at titles won and timelines.
- HawkintheD

Playing for multiple Cups? Of course they played for multiple Cups. They just got knocked out in the playoffs.

The Hawks were not managed even close to competently for long term like the Bolts, Pens and Caps were and when the leftover talent started to age there was no one left. Yes, the Hawks got 3 Cups, the last one 6 years ago and since then they've pretty much been garbage. SIX years. I applaud what this team is trying to do, but lets face it this still a lotto team.

Hawks look infinitely better under the new coach which isn’t a surprise.

Seth Jones looks pretty damn good so far.

Liked what I saw from Slavin.

Gonna have to get more production and just better overall play from Toews and Dach(top 2 centers).

Just keep steadily improving and see what happens. Glad that the team is trending in the right direction.
- SimpleJack

I am not quite sure what’s going on with Kubalik ..he looks scared and very timid. He whiffed on a great scoring chance and had a bad brain cramp in not getting the puck out of the zone with thirty seconds to go. He is starting to glide..his confidence is shot right now..probably thinking to much of his agent’s bad decision of not signing his new contract last year. I hope he comes around because we need his old scoring capabilities.

Doing well, Professor. Congrats in advance on your outstanding accomplishment.

I always wondered if the Professor liked Mary Ann or Ginger better?
- mohel

AH, you embellish too much, but thank you.

I'd say Ginger. Or Mystique, to switch to another professor.

I assumed the name Breadman implied he had money?
- paulr

Let me stop you right there

IDK since Crawford took over the defense they have looked infinitely better than they were under JC. Like tonight, missing DeHaan, Murphy for most of the game, Stillman, they only gave up 28 shots.
- LAHawk

Not sure if anyone else heard the Blackhawks Talk interview with McCabe, but it was quite clear he views Crawford as his primary coach. Had I not known King exists, I might have assumed Crawford ran the show (which he seemingly does with the D men).

https://twitter.com/NHLBl.../1466606036207427584?s=20

https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks/status/1466606036207427584?s=20


- pdx2ord

Haha great poop

Playing for multiple Cups? Of course they played for multiple Cups. They just got knocked out in the playoffs.

The Hawks were not managed even close to competently for long term like the Bolts, Pens and Caps were and when the leftover talent started to age there was no one left. Yes, the Hawks got 3 Cups, the last one 6 years ago and since then they've pretty much been garbage. SIX years. I applaud what this team is trying to do, but lets face it this still a lotto team.
- kwolf68

Um no. They won multiple Cups and had to pay for it. Name the other team that won two or three Cups and then had contracts to major cogs come up. There isn't.

Also, while the Hawks didn't necessarily have an exit plan, let's be honest...did you see the Core collectively falling off the table when they did?

It's apples and oranges. Not saying it doesn't suck but to say it's the same as some of these other teams isn't entirely accurate.

Um no. They won multiple Cups and had to pay for it. Name the other team that won two or three Cups and then had contracts to major cogs come up. There isn't.

Also, while the Hawks didn't necessarily have an exit plan, let's be honest...did you see the Core collectively falling off the table when they did?

It's apples and oranges. Not saying it doesn't suck but to say it's the same as some of these other teams isn't entirely accurate.
- HawkintheD

It's over and done. It's time for pretty much a full rebuild (trouble is we have no valuable assets other than Kane), there is almost no talent left here. YES, there are some quality assets that can be future guys, but this franchise is in the doldrums right now. Tonight was fun tough because my older son is a Caps fan.

To answer you the Penguins. They got 3, and of course they won 1 Cup because idiot Bowman gave them Daley + cap relief for a civil war veteran, but otherwise they've done amazingly without ever having much of a "farm".

It's over and done. It's time for pretty much a full rebuild (trouble is we have no valuable assets other than Kane), there is almost no talent left here. YES, there are some quality assets that can be future guys, but this franchise is in the doldrums right now. Tonight was fun tough because my older son is a Caps fan.
- kwolf68

Exactly! No issue there and glad you could stick it to your son.

Um no. They won multiple Cups and had to pay for it. Name the other team that won two or three Cups and then had contracts to major cogs come up. There isn't.

Also, while the Hawks didn't necessarily have an exit plan, let's be honest...did you see the Core collectively falling off the table when they did?

It's apples and oranges. Not saying it doesn't suck but to say it's the same as some of these other teams isn't entirely accurate.
- HawkintheD

Crosby Malkin deals kicked in after their first Cup and while cap hit is $1.8M less for Crosby and $1M less for Malkin than the wonder twins, does one or two players for $3.8M give you that much greater chance to win?

Yeah, I know you specifically called out teams who had won 2-3, but it's not that different considering they got (at the time) highest dollars and still went on to win 2 more Cups.

BTW I thought front-loaded contracts like Crosby's were illegal now.

What should be really fun is watching teams like Toronto and EDM who paid top dollar prior to winning ANY Cups try to consistently compete with their top-heavy cap structure.

Exactly! No issue there and glad you could stick it to your son.
- HawkintheD

i can't. He's not responding to texts. LOL

Crosby Malkin deals kicked in after their first Cup and while cap hit is $1.8M less for Crosby and $1M less for Malkin than the wonder twins, does one or two players for $3.8M give you that much greater chance to win?

Yeah, I know you specifically called out teams who had won 2-3, but it's not that different considering they got (at the time) highest dollars and still went on to win 2 more Cups.

BTW I thought front-loaded contracts like theirs were illegal now.

What should be really fun is watching teams like Toronto and EDM who paid top dollar prior to winning ANY Cups try to consistently compete with their top-heavy cap structure.
- pdx2ord

To answer you and Wolfie. It's still different and yes $3.8M Cap Space gives you a bit more flexibility to sign another player that can help impact the overall team dynamic.

When the team wins multiple Cups I think you have to acknowledge the contracts ratchet up to a greater degree.

Kane would challenge for scoring title if he had a top center and then, too, the dmen at minimum one or two is better than our current group
- jhawk59

Kaner right now reminds me of Hossa’s last three years in the league. Hossa in the first 2 years with the Hawks had no problems scoring 30 plus goals. However, once he turned 30 he just couldn’t get the goals that were automatic for him a couple years before. I guess father times slows you down offensively…..defensively he still had it at 35. IMO, Kaner is now facing the same problem….can’t make the shots that use to be automatic. Kane use to have the mindset…shoot first. Now he is looking to pass to the Cat to shoot. Bottom line, Kane will not be able to challenge for the scoring title again even if he had a quality center and winger , time is not on his side at age 32. However, he still is a amazing offensive player to watch even after 15 years in the league.

To answer you and Wolfie. It's still different and yes $3.8M Cap Space gives you a bit more flexibility to sign another player that can help impact the overall team dynamic.

When the team wins multiple Cups I think you have to acknowledge the contracts ratchet up to a greater degree.
- HawkintheD

I am too smashed for serious talk.

My son is doing well, he was doing Sars Jumps tonight (he's in the Navy) and didn't get to see his beloved Caps go down the toilet. LOL

To answer you and Wolfie. It's still different and yes $3.8M Cap Space gives you a bit more flexibility to sign another player that can help impact the overall team dynamic.

When the team wins multiple Cups I think you have to acknowledge the contracts ratchet up to a greater degree.
- HawkintheD

Oh I definitely agree that the more Cups, the more upward pressure on contract dollars.

Oh I definitely agree that the more Cups, the more upward pressure on contract dollars.
- pdx2ord

In the end, whatever the rationale, Bowman left the Hawks bereft of talent a full 6 years after their last serious run. There are a few good pieces, but mostly this is a program that's not going to be a Cup contender anytime soon. I love the work ethic of the kids, but lets get real, they are literally 8 or 9 players from being in the conversation.

Only good that came from the Beach scandal is getting rid of Bowman. I just worry the next guy won't be much better.

IDK since Crawford took over the defense they have looked infinitely better than they were under JC. Like tonight, missing DeHaan, Murphy for most of the game, Stillman, they only gave up 28 shots.
- LAHawk

No denying the defense has looked much better since King took the reigns. To my point I will explain further:

We know Gus is not going to be here long. Murphy is frustrating; he can be good sometimes, makes blunders other times. I do not like his skating. DeHahn retires. S Jones it is too often all or nothing. C Jones to be determined.Kalynuk may turn-out just average but offers skating offensively he can move puck, set up. Stillman I love his old school but he has some knocks. Overall Stillman is a keeper. McCabe not S Jones is our best. S Jones is our focus and really both him and McCabe are valuable in different ways.

I just want to say one thing in the on going conversation on this board about the S Jones trade. While we gave up too much, please accept the fact that we needed a new face to lead or co -lead the defence. Boqvist was too brittle and unreliable. I love Boqvist talent and if Columbus drafts right, overall they may get more good players out of this trade. However, we didn't do badly, especially if Allen works out. We needed a big frame guy like S Jones but i wish he would be mean more than he has shown. And to win in playoffs we need Jones not Boqvist. Jones can play against big size guys, Boqvist Not so much

Going forward hoping that Mitchell works out. I am sort of down on other dman prospects in Rockford but excited about the non pro guys future. Edit: I like Galvas to be a steady third pair