Agreed, "nice stats do not a winner make."
- rpeters01

When you have 9 guys like the Blues do, kind of does

But let's get rid of him and spawn 2 more better than him.

Agreed, "nice stats do not a winner make."
- rpeters01

And what does that make Kubalik that some want to keep because he might go back to his unsustainable shooting percentage his rookie year?

I also think, I'm one of these, fans trust Rocky way more then his dad.

I'll still go to games went to a few last year.
- BetweenTheDots

That's how I define being tolerant. It's easy to say on a blog like this, but a real fan need to once in a while put their money where their mouth is even if things aren't perfect. Not a season thing, but a few games for sure so long as there seems to be a plan and even the slightest progress is being made. Buying stuff from their sponsors and making it known is another way to make an effort to help them hang in there. I wish the hawks well, but they have a long way to go. I've seen them up and down for 60+ years now so all this is nothing new.

Didn't really affect Rangers or Kings attendance after the announced rebuilds. Maybe it is me because hockey is my favorite sport, I will go, first because TV does not do the game justice, and I can root for my team, but also marvel at the talent from the opposition.
- LAHawk

It is NY and LA where higher costs are a thing. But overall well said.

It is NY and LA where higher costs are a thing. But overall well said.
- 6628

True but a fan is a fan. The Bulls lowest attendance during all the lean years was still 90% capacity, and most years 95-96%.

True but a fan is a fan. The Bulls lowest attendance during all the lean years was still 90% capacity, and most years 95-96%.
- LAHawk

Agree.

Also we can complain or point out Rocky’s failings. But he is a shrewd businessman with incredible wealth. He is not going to panic because the Blackhawks suck for a few years and attendance is down. He understands the business cycle and will take some losses if necessary. That is not to say that he won’t keep the pressure on.

And what does that make Kubalik that some want to keep because he might go back to his unsustainable shooting percentage his rookie year?
- LAHawk

He's not a guy I want. To put it another way, if I had $4M+ I wouldn't spend it on Kubalik.

Nice blog but multiple firsts and prospects for Kane? I was hoping for more clarity on that. One year of him? When he can limit his destinations to one or even a handful of teams?

Round 2: Which series is everyone looking fwd to...Im really interested to see how Colorado fairs against St Louis. that looks to be a really good one. Battle of Alberta s/b really good also - for lots of reasons.

As much as i really liked Hagel, i understand why KD made the trade, Bolts made an offer they couldn't say no to.

This talk about only getting a 2nd for Strome is funny. Hasn't hit his prime yet, and he's still RFA. I remember when some claimed he wouldn't even be picked up on waivers, hahaha
- BetweenTheDots

Well...there was a time when getting a third was maybe the best you could get, and I think getting that or a second now may not be the best route.

Next year is a pretty big year for Strome whether he's a Hawk or not. Can he consistently put up pts and will he continue to play a better overall game?

Afa a Cat trade goes, kind of hard to call it crazy when there isn't an offer on the table.

True but a fan is a fan. The Bulls lowest attendance during all the lean years was still 90% capacity, and most years 95-96%.
- LAHawk

Basketball is also very much a major sport while hockey is not anywhere near that level.

Additionally it is very much a Bears town so while football is in season - the other sports don't really matter regardless of how bad they are.

Take Mrazek off of Toronto's hands in exchange for pick and prospect. Tampa palat most likely nor being resigned and have Seabrook's contract on ltri to play with in whatever way they want. But like the idea of Vegas trade. Edmonton is another cap strap team and they want resign Evander Kane. Take barrie or ceci for Holloway and a pick.

Basketball is also very much a major sport while hockey is not anywhere near that level.
- fattybeef

A huge chunk of that was north shore money, but he still makes a good point no matter what.

Basketball is also very much a major sport while hockey is not anywhere near that level.

Additionally it is very much a Bears town so while football is in season - the other sports don't really matter regardless of how bad they are.
- fattybeef

Average ticket price to a Bulls game is $225, to a Hawks game is $150, major sport or no, it does take a financial commitment to go.

interesting the davidson said the coach would probably not be in place until some time in July. it just feels like nobody is safe from a trade stand point. IE how do you hire someone right now and tell them you have no idea outside of s Jones who will be on next years roster (with NHL EXP) and no idea who your goalie is. kind of makes sense that he wait until the roster takes some shape after buyouts, draft and UFA.

Nice blog but multiple firsts and prospects for Kane? I was hoping for more clarity on that. One year of him? When he can limit his destinations to one or even a handful of teams?
- ChrisMS

Still a 100 point player on a good team - sooo probably. Maybe one of the firsts has some conditions around it but that would be the going rate.

He should probably get about what Jones did except that one of the 1sts would be swapped with a 5th or 6th rather than first. (2 firsts + very good prospect + midround pick for salary retained (that could be conditional 2nd) OR mid-round pick for taking on bad contract).

Certainly not value for value but I would expect the best they could do. Giroux got a first a third and a top prospect so you'd think that Kane would have a bit more value.

Still a 100 point player on a good team - sooo probably. Maybe one of the firsts has some conditions around it but that would be the going rate.

He should probably get about what Jones did except that one of the 1sts would be swapped with a 5th or 6th rather than first. (2 firsts + very good prospect + midround pick for salary retained (that could be conditional 2nd) OR mid-round pick for taking on bad contract).

Certainly not value for value but I would expect the best they could do. Giroux got a first a third and a top prospect so you'd think that Kane would have a bit more value.
- fattybeef

If Kane does move, I would also look at the Kings. They need scoring, are looking at Frosberg as a FA. Brisson is the same agent for Kane and Kopitar and is best buds with Robitaille. Plus, they have a plethora of prospects in their system. Brandt Clarke the defenseman being one of them that I would target.

Average ticket price to a Bulls game is $225, to a Hawks game is $150, major sport or no, it does take a financial commitment to go.
- LAHawk

That's part of my point. A basketball game is an event regardless of if the Bulls are good or bad. People watch the sport because they like it and\or someone marketable is in town that is fun to watch live. The NBA and Bulls sell value even if the team is bad.

Hockey is poorly marketed and star players do not have the draw that they do with the NBA.

If the NHL got its poop together and started promoting fast paced high skill hockey and players like Zegras or Matthews (seems like a natural heel) who have personality you would see less attendance dips in major markets, bigger TV deals and major endorsements - not some cheezy regional auto commercial.

Having more people like Bucci who are excited about the sport and Kaplan who is an outstanding journalist and even the crew they have at TNT seems half way decent, would do a lot to help sell the sport.

But since the NHL is a defunct organization that is allowing one of their professional teams to play in a gosh darn college facility - there isn't the same perceived value in going to a hockey game for the casual fan and justifiably so.

Well...there was a time when getting a third was maybe the best you could get, and I think getting that or a second now may not be the best route.

Next year is a pretty big year for Strome whether he's a Hawk or not. Can he consistently put up pts and will he continue to play a better overall game?

Afa a Cat trade goes, kind of hard to call it crazy when there isn't an offer on the table.
- HawkintheD

Some of those who want to keep Strome right now will be barking like hyenas if Strome starts off slow - "any moron could see that selling high on Strome was the play after the year he had".

Some of those who want to keep Strome right now will be barking like hyenas if Strome starts off slow - "any moron could see that selling high on Strome was the play after the year he had".
- mohel

Selling high probably means abandonment at this stage

Some of those who want to keep Strome right now will be barking like hyenas if Strome starts off slow - "any moron could see that selling high on Strome was the play after the year he had".
- mohel

If he starts slow (and remains slow) and the Blackhawks win the lottery, I think many fans will be thanking JD for signing him. But if he plays to his potential, then the chances of getting Bedard decrease.

That's part of my point. A basketball game is an event regardless of if the Bulls are good or bad. People watch the sport because they like it and\or someone marketable is in town that is fun to watch live. The NBA and Bulls sell value even if the team is bad.

Hockey is poorly marketed and star players do not have the draw that they do with the NBA.

If the NHL got its poop together and started promoting fast paced high skill hockey and players like Zegras or Matthews (seems like a natural heel) who have personality you would see less attendance dips in major markets, bigger TV deals and major endorsements - not some cheezy regional auto commercial.

Having more people like Bucci who are excited about the sport and Kaplan who is an outstanding journalist and even the crew they have at TNT seems half way decent, would do a lot to help sell the sport.

But since the NHL is a defunct organization that is allowing one of their professional teams to play in a gosh darn college facility - there isn't the same perceived value in going to a hockey game for the casual fan and justifiably so.
- fattybeef

That only happens if the Yotes can be in a new arena in Tempe in ~3 years. Something that's far, far from a guarantee at this point.

If he starts slow (and remains slow) and the Blackhawks win the lottery, I think many fans will be thanking KD for signing him. But if he plays to his potential, then the chances of getting Bedard decrease.

Fixed initial post

That only happens if the Yotes can be in a new arena in Tempe in ~3 years. Something that's far, far from a guarantee at this point.
- BINGO!

actually just saw a report that estimates that construction of the new Arena where it is will impact the airport in Phoenix to the tune of $21.5 million per year and limit their capacity, causing a negative impact of $264 million per year to the Phoenix economy in general over the course of construction.

Saw story rumored today that Hawks were talking about trading rights to Dominick Kubalik to Anaheim, with possible exchange of Sam Colangelo of the Chicago Steel. Colangelo sounds like a Taylor Raddish type of player ... similar in size with offensive instinct and shot