I never went ballistic about StanBo.

I figured his job was tied to the owner and he was in so many ways conservative until the Panarin & Hammer moves sent Q out the door.

The draft the last couple days had me wishing at some point after Cup Three they hadn't started finding homes of some of the core. Of course that would have needed the team bosses to have had the core tied to short deals and so they were attractive trade chips to use at the 2015 draft.

I have to admit that the last couple days were exciting. We saw an aggressive approach due partially because they do not want to win next year.

Honestly whether you like the departures or not, they traded a second rounder prospect in the cat, who made himself into a genuine offensive threat with more overall game than any of us EVER expected and he was a second rounder at #39 and we were reward with his body of work and his value now.

You might look at Kirby Dach as a #3 overalll but honestly the hawks only had a 2.5% chance in that lottery and tried to got big and the reward was also a first rounder.

And I along with the masses figured Petr Marek wore out his welcome in Toronto, but honestly when they signed him, did any of you think he was going the key to a Cup there ?, especially with the $$ they paid him.

I expected Kyle Dubas to have to give something to find him a new team, but I didn't think the fact that Dubas is half my age that he would half as smart as me and would give up his first rounder. But they wanted it done before the UFA market opens with cash in hand to try and keep and fill that overpaid quartet of forwards.

I am just surprised and I never looked at the departures as anything but just as the aggressiveness to get the rebuild and tank started.

I won't be sitting here lighting candles or even mention the lottery sweepstakes next summer because there are seven really fine candidates that will take up slots 4 -10, and unless Putin brings back his territorial expansion troops I am not counting the Russian super star who some one will pluck later if teams don't want to wait. NOT just Bedard, Fanelli and Dalibor Dvorsky.

I am counting Connor Bedard, two big centres Adam Fantilli, and centre Dalibor Dvorsky, big Finn power RW Kasper Halttunen, big C-W American Charlie Stramel, and Canada's bevy of Centre -wings Calum Ritchie,Brayden Yager, C Zach Benson,C Riley Heidt,winger Colby Barlow, big Swedish wing Leo Carlsson and enough other very very good prospects that fill up the first round to the last pick, not the usual drop of in the 20's.

No disappointments becasue Arizona will also suck, because there is enough to acquire with out a lottery win or two back drops if teams below I=win the big two first spots.

Maybe it is a good thing we won't be looking for defenders now.

And Buffalo has TWO first rounders, theirs and Philly's I believe, so if Patty want to go home one of them is all we want ad one game later to retire as a Blackhawk.

The excitement will continue.

And for those that say who would do that? Please if KD says I'll pay you more money but my intention is to trade you to a playoff team, how many FA's say no especially if they are being offered half of what KD is willing to offer them.
- BetweenTheDots

And Wirtz say I am paying close to the cap for a team that draws 8000 people in the hopes of drafting guys with less than a 10% chance of making the NHL?


KD better keep his resume updated.

Would most likely have to retain on Kane and Toews if they want out.
- boilermaker100

Yep, probably. But if you can get a decent pick or player in return - that would be worthwhile.

Everybody likes Joe Thornton. Probably can still beat Strome in a race.
- RickJ

But can San Jose's Geekie beat either?

Gus?
- Dieselhead

Yep, probably. But if you can get a decent pick or player in return - that would be worthwhile.
- Chief4Feathers

A 3rd for Kane and 6th for Toews $4.75M retained each going by the Dinky deal.

And Wirtz say I am paying close to the cap for a team that draws 8000 people in the hopes of drafting guys with less than a 10% chance of making the NHL?


KD better keep his resume updated.
- Elbows15

If Wirtz was concerned about revenue he would of never allowed KD to trade DCat or Dach.

- rpeters01

You are going to love Korchinski then.

If Wirtz was concerned about revenue he would of never allowed KD to trade DCat or Dach.
- BetweenTheDots

Because he didn't want to pay either. He already has to pay Jones for the next 8 years .Also, if they trade Kane how are they suppose to up any FAs value?

Every team that doesn't make the playoffs is in the lottery. The Hawks were going to suck either way. Trading Dinky for pennies on the dollar isn't kick starting a rebuild. Its setting it further behind, imo.

Now, even if they get one of the top 3, they have no one to help them develop at the NHL level. Whatever.
- Elbows15

I realize all non playoff teams are lottery teams, wrong term I meant if the hawks bottom out they are guaranteed one of the big 3. Trading ADB all but guarantees the Hawks bottom out especially if Kane follows him out the door. I don’t disagree acquiring one of the big three doesn’t do much without a supporting cast, see Connor McDavid. However the team begins with a star player to build on.

I think the biggest mistake KD made at the draft was in the trade he made with Toronto. There is no reason to fully pick up a bad contract to gain 13 spots in the draft to draft a long shot. Toronto gained valuable cap space for basically nothing. KD should have asked for the moon and walked if he didn’t get it. Dubas made him look pretty foolish.

You are going to love Korchinski then.
- Elbows15

What is it you don’t like about Korchinski? Good skater, excellent passer, strong transitional stats, decent size but like most kids is weak defensively.

Because he didn't want to pay either. He already has to pay Jones for the next 8 years .Also, if they trade Kane how are they suppose to up any FAs value?
- Elbows15

Then he wouldn't of allowed the trade for the goalie.

Kind of arguing in circles tonight Elbows.

You are going to love Korchinski then.
- Elbows15

I am hoping out of the jumble of big defensemen we have in the system one is the next Seabrook. We really need that guy. A #1's wingman and force when on the ice keeps the other team honest, makes your team difficult to play against and is still a two-way player.

I realize all non playoff teams are lottery teams, wrong term I meant if the hawks bottom out they are guaranteed one of the big 3. Trading ADB all but guarantees the Hawks bottom out especially if Kane follows him out the door. I don’t disagree acquiring one of the big three doesn’t do much without a supporting cast, see Connor McDavid. However the team begins with a star player to build on.

I think the biggest mistake KD made at the draft was in the trade he made with Toronto. There is no reason to fully pick up a bad contract to gain 13 spots in the draft to draft a long shot. Toronto gained valuable cap space for basically nothing. KD should have asked for the moon and walked if he didn’t get it. Dubas made him look pretty foolish.
- paulr

The move was fine with Toronto since the Hawks needed a goalie. Giving one of the picks he got for Debrincat was the dumb part. A 3rd would have done it. It wasn't the long shot so much as there was a guy sitting there who has legit Top 5, in this draft, talent. That was the guy to take a shot at. He is a 17 year old kid. Maybe falling so far in the draft gives him the kick in the ass he needs. It is definitely a boom or bust pick. But so was the guy they took at 7.

Lambert is the player I am referring to a 25.

A 3rd for Kane and 6th for Toews $4.75M retained each going by the Dinky deal.

- rpeters01

Maybe? Kane should bring back a better return than Toews. I’d prefer they get something for the future in a trade than just having both leave next year for nothing.

Then he wouldn't of allowed the trade for the goalie.

Kind of arguing in circles tonight Elbows.
- BetweenTheDots

Hawks have only 1 goalie under contract. Try to follow along. Paying Mrazek 3.8 is far cry from the roughly they would have to pay Cat and Dach.

Hawks have only 1 goalie under contract. Try to follow along. Paying Mrazek 3.8 is far cry from the roughly they would have to pay Cat and Dach.
- Elbows15

By your own argument they could of paid Lanky probably $1 mil

This is a 2 year deal for almost $8 mill? So they are trying to cut money then spend money? Your logic doesn't make any sense.

What is it you don’t like about Korchinski? Good skater, excellent passer, strong transitional stats, decent size but like most kids is weak defensively.
- paulr

Other than there were several better choices in that spot? He isn't just weak defensively, he isn't smart defensively.

And Wirtz say I am paying close to the cap for a team that draws 8000 people in the hopes of drafting guys with less than a 10% chance of making the NHL?


KD better keep his resume updated.
- Elbows15

Danny Wirtz was on the stage for each of the Hawks’ picks Thursday night - all smiles with KD and the rest of the group. They are all in on this rebuild - KD is going to be here for awhile.

The Hawks spent almost $8 million dollars to move up in the 1st round of the draft, and then all of a sudden they are worried about revenue.

By your own argument they could of paid Lanky probably $1 mil

This is a 2 year deal for almost $8 mill? So they are trying to cut money then spend money? Your logic doesn't make any sense.
- BetweenTheDots

Lanky is a UFA and who is to say he will sign for that. A bum like husso just signed for close to 5

Danny Wirtz was on the stage for each of the Hawks’ picks Thursday night - all smiles with KD and the rest of the group. They are all in on this rebuild - KD is going to be here for awhile.
- Chief4Feathers

We will see. Every owner is all in at the start. Let see what he feels in 2 years when his STH drops below 5000

Lanky is a UFA and who is to say he will sign for that. A bum like husso just signed for close to 5
- Elbows15

They could easily bring up the 2 Rockford goalies so there's plan B.

Oh and btw they have 2 goalies under contract

Rocky showed me something when he agreed to bury Huet in Rockford. Don't think revenue is an issue especially since the cap is dead in the water

And really how much money has Rocky saved with guys at the end of their contracts.