I don't think the Hawks blow up is full blown blow up. First of all, other than Kane and Debrincat, trade value of most Hawks right now is down. They would get less for them than when they were playing well. I've seen in few articles, that KD does not want to rush prospects. Wants them to be fully ready for the NHL. We will not see numerous kids thrown to the wolves, and that's the right way to do it. If they were to trade all that salary, they still need to reach the cap floor and the worst scenario is to be like the Coyotes, and fill your roster with under achieving, over paid veterans, just to reach the cap floor. I believe the tearing up process, was the front office and scouting department that surround KD. He wants to have things around him a certain way to function properly.

And you just perfectly brought up the YING to the YANG of this argument. You are 100% correct but I think the biggest difference between a Boston, Washington, Pittsburgh was that those organizations brought in a fresh set of eyes at GM and coach and really kept their core to a minimum....where as Bowman had a core 2-3 times as a big and that's likely why they fell off a cliff........

I am with you on the tearing down the scouting staff....that had to happen given what we have seen come through here lately in regards to NHL ready talent. Did Q and Bowman mess some of those kids up and give up them early ? 100%.

I just dont' know how much longer you can keep on going identifying a core group of 4-8 guys and think it's going to change?

There is no easy answer here.....that much is certain....I would love for kane to retire as a Hawk....I don't think my kids will see athletes in any sport stay with 1 team and be dominant players...it's all business now at the player and owner level more so then ever before. I appreciate what 19 did for this team and fan base but to me....why keep him? 12....I just dont' know...is he product of Kane or is he THAT good by himself like say...panarin?
- SteveRain

Because it is largely his decision. If he wants to just ride out this year and see what happens, that's completely his choice.

If I had to wager, I would say he is going to stay with the team to start the year. If they are in the same position at the TDL as this year, I can see him asking out. There is a chance that he asks out before next season starts, but I'm guessing he stays to begin.

ADB might not be quite as effective without Kane, but it's not like he's going to turn into Kurashev. He'll still pot a ton of goals. You can see the improvements he's made in how/where he takes his shots, and putting himself in position to take high quality shots.

IMO....your keys to playoff success.

1. A 2nd pairing that can hold it's own vs a team's 1st line. Figure when you go on the road home team will get the last change and likely avoid your top pairing..so if these guys can tread water, likely higher chance to steal road games come playoff time.

2. A very good 3rd line....Again, if an opposing team has 2 very good D pairs, that 3rd pair can feast...Think it was you or somebody else pointed out those 3rd lines when the Hawks were rolling along in the cup years.

3. 4th line that can play and isn't a liability. Same with the last pairing of D men...believe it was was 2013 or 2014 when Q would chain Leddy to the bench in the 3rd periods and roll 5 d men.......

4. PK....Believe Hawks won at least 1 if not multiple cups with a crap PP in the playoffs but the PK was usually top notch.

I think point 2 and 4 is why Hagel was so coveted at the deadline. Checks both of those boxes.

For the Hawks rebuild, they really need a lot of help...so to LAs point yesterday about Kane's possible market being limited re Giroux and why I was saying to trade Debrincat, because he doesn't have any leverage....he can't dictate a thing so that would be a true piece, young, who they could get a sizeable return for. IF they chose to deal him.......Think it comes down to a fan if you want to the play the long game vs the short game.

I am perfectly OK blowing this up and almost starting from scratch and building it back up for sustained success....Keeping 12/19/88 may get you to be a fringe playoff team sooner, but you aren't going to get higher picks, you really don't have prospects you can deal to recoup there....but what does this team look like in say 3-4 years once Kane and Toews are done and you maybe were a 8th seed 2 of those years? Likely in the same spot today and with as many holes.
- SteveRain

It makes no sense to trade Dinky. There's no guarantee you get two future assets back.

Although Boston is in a hole against Carolina, they have been relevant for how many years? And how many of those years did they have top draft picks? Pasternick was a very late first, Marchand a 3rd, Bergeron a second. They had 3 first round draft choices in a row one year, and only DeBrusk made it, although he is Boston's answer to Strome.

The highest draft pick that Boston picked that is still on this years roster is McIlvoy at 14th.

Taylor Hall of course was acquired in a trade. Coyle was another late first rounder drafted by San Jose.

They did pick Seguin 2nd overall, but he lasted how long before they shipped him to Dallas?

I an excieted that KD has torn the scouting department to the studs. That is how you rebuild. Yes you try and garner as many kicks at it that you can.

BTW ADB was a second rounder, in order to replace a 40 goal forward, and the I think 3rd highest goal scorer in the league the last few years, you better hit on those first rounders you want. You could end up with Neil Yakapov also. How does that help the rebulid?
- LAHawk

Is that Nail's lesser talented younger brother?

I wonder if Davidov of the Knights has Chicago on his NTL.. Hopefully not. Vegas tried to give him away to Anaheim for nothing because of their cap problems, Would anyone do Davidov (one year left at $5 mil), Brisson (Knights do not have a first this year), and give em lets say the rights to sign Kubalik?

I wonder if Davidov of the Knights has Chicago on his NTL.. Hopefully not. Vegas tried to give him away to Anaheim for nothing because of their cap problems, Would anyone do Davidov (one year left at $5 mil), Brisson (Knights do not have a first this year), and give em lets say the rights to sign Kubalik?
- LAHawk

Yes, absolutely.

It makes no sense to trade Dinky. There's no guarantee you get two future assets back.
- rpeters01

There's also no guarantee that any of the draft picks you get back will ever be as good as he is. You don't flip elite goal scorers for draft picks, because they are really hard to find. Trading DeBrincat makes the rebuild longer rather than shorter.

An elite scoring bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush. Especially one that's markedly improved his defensive play.

Is that Nail's lesser talented younger brother?
- Chunk

You are thinking of Tack!

You are thinking of Tack!
- powerenforcer

Affectionately known by his friends as 'thumb.'
Third cousin to the Tacks family - who are on the outs with Duncan Keith from failing to get his custom skates to him timely per Pat Foley (shout out to Rain Man!).

I am more than curious if a quick Bruin exit might lead to a head coaching change where the Hawks former first round ball hockey expert returns as their head coach?
Bruce Cassidy is finishing his 5th season there, and that might be when the consensus is to change things as we float down below the middle in the standings...

I am pretty sure Hedman has never been very fast...and if you go back to the glory days I am sure you can find clips of Keith being outskated to pucks to a point a I vividly recall Foley crying about his skates being the wrong model/size at the end of 2010 season.

Hedman is arguably the best defensemen in the league. And he looked pretty damn good last night.
- SteveRain

Hedman is the best 2-way defenseman in the league. Guys like Makar and Josi are great offensive talents, but average in their own end.

Hedman is the best 2-way defenseman in the league. Guys like Makar and Josi are great offensive talents, but average in their own end.
- TheTrob

Which in my mind is far more valuable.

Which in my mind is far more valuable.
- Chunk

I would agree.

For years I have been saying the Norris should go to the best 2-way Defenseman. Put some more weight back on actually being able to play defense. Create an "Orr Trophy" and give it to the top scoring D-man.

Affectionately known by his friends as 'thumb.'
Third cousin to the Tacks family - who are on the outs with Duncan Keith from failing to get his custom skates to him timely per Pat Foley (shout out to Rain Man!).

- savvyone-1

Good to see you out today! Hope you are good my man!

I would agree.

For years I have been saying the Norris should go to the best 2-way Defenseman. Put some more weight back on actually being able to play defense. Create an "Orr Trophy" and give it to the top scoring D-man.
- TheTrob

Great suggestion.....

Or Holtby.
- LAHawk

MAF, $5 x 3.

MAF, $5 x 3.
- rpeters01

MAFU! Especially not at that number.

Here is an idea worthy of consideration. Curious if you agree. But please review my thoughts on the scenarios and then determine if this is sensible if your position was K Davidson, the Blackhawks GM.

Trade S Jones and our # 1 2023
For
The top choice, or second overall in 2023 (guarantee to select Bedard).

A rebuild necessitates establishing a number one line and a first line center. His many drafts with an early first round pick do we go through before we find a first line center avsilabke in our slot. And if you must go with best player available, might not even draft a center.. With Bedard and Reichel we would gave two centers, or a center and wing on first line. Teply would make a case for the other wing. You hope that Dach as line two center becomes pretty much the player he was projected to become (ceiling) when drafted

On defense Stillman needs to be employed, especially with Jones size and muscle gone. Plenty of size but the toughness is not enough nasty enough, perhaps, with Vlasic and Regula.

Galvas and Mitchell are regulars. Murphy has been moved and perhaps the veteran McCabe remains. Kalynuk is a depth dman.

Crevier, Allen, DelMaestro and Kaiser consist an attractive group of prospects marinating in Rockford. Phillips....if he improves and uses his size in a more physical approach defending, I might give him some NHL games then peddle him in a two for one deal. Maybe looking for a forward with size and toughness for second line? Ideally Strome and Phillips for ?

I am willing to use whomever Davidson has as the veteran goaltender, and wait on Soderblom/Comesso. Maybe one more AHL campaign for Soderblom and one season AHL after Comesso turns pro.

I really like the idea of role players employed on lines three and four. Barret and Slavin have enough ability to slide up as fill in on a top lines, but essentially are tough to play against on on bottom two lines.

Entwhistle and the Notre Dame kid skate bottom lines as well. R Johnson is the quintessential spare forward. Would be especially encouraging if McLaughlin and Busdeker find a job too. The bottom two lines could outplay their opponent, and their grit + compete level is a recipe which would work well.

Not forgetting Alty,; however, he is somewhat puzzling. Why the heck did he sit out over Osipov in the Icehogs playoff opener. Alty and Barret would be a real pain to play against - we could use that.

Team USA is screwed.
- mohel

Lot of guys turned them down.

That would be an awful trade for the Hawks.

Here is an idea worthy of consideration. Curious if you agree. But please review my thoughts on the scenarios and then determine if this is sensible if your position was K Davidson, the Blackhawks GM.

Trade S Jones and our # 1 2023
For
The top choice, or second overall in 2023 (guarantee to select Bedard).

A rebuild necessitates establishing a number one line and a first line center. His many drafts with an early first round pick do we go through before we find a first line center avsilabke in our slot. And if you must go with best player available, might not even draft a center.. With Bedard and Reichel we would gave two centers, or a center and wing on first line. Teply would make a case for the other wing. You hope that Dach as line two center becomes pretty much the player he was projected to become (ceiling) when drafted

On defense Stillman needs to be employed, especially with Jones size and muscle gone. Plenty of size but the toughness is not enough nasty enough, perhaps, with Vlasic and Regula.

Galvas and Mitchell are regulars. Murphy has been moved and perhaps the veteran McCabe remains. Kalynuk is a depth dman.

Crevier, Allen, DelMaestro and Kaiser consist an attractive group of prospects marinating in Rockford. Phillips....if he improves and uses his size in a more physical approach defending, I might give him some NHL games then peddle him in a two for one deal. Maybe looking for a forward with size and toughness for second line? Ideally Strome and Phillips for ?

I am willing to use whomever Davidson has as the veteran goaltender, and wait on Soderblom/Comesso. Maybe one more AHL campaign for Soderblom and one season AHL after Comesso turns pro.

I really like the idea of role players employed on lines three and four. Barret and Slavin have enough ability to slide up as fill in on a top lines, but essentially are tough to play against on on bottom two lines.

Entwhistle and the Notre Dame kid skate bottom lines as well. R Johnson is the quintessential spare forward. Would be especially encouraging if McLaughlin and Busdeker find a job too. The bottom two lines could outplay their opponent, and their grit + compete level is a recipe which would work well.

Not forgetting Alty,; however, he is somewhat puzzling. Why the heck did he sit out over Osipov in the Icehogs playoff opener. Alty and Barret would be a real pain to play against - we could use that.
- jhawk59

Hey jhawk. I personally see two issues with your proposal. First, you are once again, giving up more assets than you are getting back. The Hawks need more players, not less.

Second, you are putting a crap ton of faith in several players that either have never set foot on NHL ice, or only have very limited experience as such. I think at best, 1/3 of the prospects are going to make a dent in the NHL. Even fewer will be impact players.

I'm only giving up a big package of picks/players if I am getting back a player that has at least shown they can play at a high level in the NHL. Otherwise, I'm taking the slow road regardless of how long it takes.

Hey jhawk. I personally see two issues with your proposal. First, you are once again, giving up more assets than you are getting back. The Hawks need more players, not less.

Second, you are putting a crap ton of faith in several players that either have never set foot on NHL ice, or only have very limited experience as such. I think at best, 1/3 of the prospects are going to make a dent in the NHL. Even fewer will be impact players.

I'm only giving up a big package of picks/players if I am getting back a player that has at least shown they can play at a high level in the NHL. Otherwise, I'm taking the slow road regardless of how long it takes.
- Chunk

Both Mclaughlin and Busdeker are on AHL contracts for a reason. All teams in the A have guys like them.

I'm really impressed with K'Andre Miller. He plays so calm and there are very few wasted movements. Just plays a smart defensive game.

MAF, $5 x 3.
- rpeters01

He said he wants one more year.

That would be an awful trade for the Hawks.
- Elbows15

Giving up too much. I asked fir feedback. Ecsyze I sort if thought it was too steep a pri e. I really want and we really need a enter. Ut .y idea. Ifht me the board happy only in .o ING Jones. I don't see how we draft a top center.....maybe Davidson will surprise with some transaction