There isn’t much else that KD could have done to set this team up for a top pick. Outside of playing a bunch of rookies which is 180 degrees from what they want to do. If Richardson gets this collection to play competitive hockey and they end up 7th or whatever, at least you know you have a damned good coach.
- Chunk

He could have rehired JC!

Just want to mention some interesting AHL tidbits. The players could become NHL recalled, so maybe they won't be sort of tidbits newsworthiness later this hockey season.

Remember reportedly Bowman tried to move up to tenth (whatever it was) to draft Askarov, the lefty glove Russian netminder. He is playing for Milwaukee and remains doubtless a great talent. As an aside, the laceless goalie states appear to be creeping in to use. Maybe 6628 has heard players who have made the adaptation this season

So I listed some names on a Rockford files post..There were a couple names not mentioned. Barret is still plugging away and yes your favorite scorer NOT Sikura looks to score 30 plus AHL goals
again.

Down 1-0 as third period unwinds in a Sunday matinee in Moose Jaw or wherever it is in Saskatoon Canada. Heck, might as well say they are playing in Flin Flon. Like, where? It is where Bobby Ckarke toiled. Not sure exactly where in Canada that is

UPDATE
down 3-0 only five minutes remains in period three
Both teams low twenty range SOG through period two. Really.
And.....apparently the Wolves affiliate this season is Edmonton

Al Cimiglia was the first I saw to say last yr that any reasonably competent NHL coaching will make any Hawk roster loads better than under Colliton. In fact he was screaming it he was so disgusted with JC being made coach.

And we are seeing that under LR with in fact a much less talented roster although one might argue this group "fits" better. Like some I'm worried LR may drag this group to enough success that sabotages chances of securing a top 3 pick.

But like Feldman use to say I never saw a jockey carry a horse over the finish line. Indeed, there a few rosters less talented than the Hawks' and that's before KD cannibalizes it as the season moves along. So there is hope.

On that note yes SJ stinks and their goalie was really bad yesterday. Despite that they out fancied the Hawks pretty good in fact which is good to see. Check out the Corsi and shots for percentages of the lines. .... TJ-Johnny-Raddyish a 29 CF. Kurashev-Dikson-Lafferty a 33 CF. https://frozenpool.dobber...3&game_type=R&game_num=38
- Mr Ricochet

With an inferior roster all the way around, only took 3 games to win a game. Last year it took 10, most concerning if you're looking to tank. It's refreshing to see a zone defense and, i think Rick was saying something about bigger dmen being much more effective especially for playoff teams, not saying we are but it's nice to see guys who can handle themselves at the blue line and in front of the net.

With an inferior roster all the way around, only took 3 games to win a game. Last year it took 10, most concerning if you're looking to tank. It's refreshing to see a zone defense and, i think Rick was saying something about bigger dmen being much more effective especially for playoff teams, not saying we are but it's nice to see guys who can handle themselves at the blue line and in front of the net.
- BetweenTheDots

I wouldn’t be surprised if “basic defensive competence” yields about the same kind of (or maybe slightly better) results as last year. Obviously it would be great to get Fantilli/Bedard/Michkov, but if the Hawks end up in the 6-10 range but the players are actually playing a cohesive game, I’m not going to be all that upset.

I wouldn’t be surprised if “basic defensive competence” yields about the same kind of (or maybe slightly better) results as last year. Obviously it would be great to get Fantilli/Bedard/Michkov, but if the Hawks end up in the 6-10 range but the players are actually playing a cohesive game, I’m not going to be all that upset.
- Chunk

This topic should be made into a poll question on Blackhawks hockeybuzz. There could be a write up for this column which spells out the choices plus Zach' opinion

Then, a poll.....if this coukd be done.....the tally would be interesting.

He could have rehired JC!
- mohel

Now that’s cruel, kicking a guy like JC when he’s down. He just needed a full training camp to install his ‘system’

This topic should be made into a poll question on Blackhawks hockeybuzz. There could be a write up for this column which spells out the choices plus Zach' opinion

Then, a poll.....if this coukd be done.....the tally would be interesting.
- jhawk59

One win against a team that is as bad as the Hawks, and we are already talking about the Hawks not getting a top 3 pick? Talk about the cart before the horse. Lets wait until 15-20 games before the BOD feels this team will overperform. Of course a loss Friday against Detroit and the BOD will be back to its usual gloom and doom.

One win against a team that is as bad as the Hawks, and we are already talking about the Hawks not getting a top 3 pick? Talk about the cart before the horse. Lets wait until 15-20 games before the BOD feels this team will overperform. Of course a loss Friday against Detroit and the BOD will be back to its usual gloom and doom.
- LAHawk

I resemble these remarks.

When's the parade?

When's the parade?
- 6628

Not a fan of the tank for any team, including the Hawks. There are a lot of good players in this draft, and the Hawks certainly don't have the horses even in the best of circumstances (short of major injuries to the rest of the division - a lot of them) they will not make the playoffs, especially once they start selling.

I would rather the team be competitive and rebound from the Colliton coaching years (and effectively that includes all of last year since they really did not change the system).

If #19 and #88 elect to play elsewhere, the better for them that they are playing at a high level.

Of course it is way too early to conclude anything about this team. Other than they are very weak in high-end skill players.

Hawks have a rather favourable schedule the first half of the season. 26 of first 42 games at home with only one more back-to-back scheduled in that time. Longest road trips are 3 games which occur four times during that span. (One already concluded.) If the Hawks find their mojo in front of the home crowd, they might as others have said, play themselves out of a top 3 spot. Then again, they might not.

I wouldn’t be surprised if “basic defensive competence” yields about the same kind of (or maybe slightly better) results as last year. Obviously it would be great to get Fantilli/Bedard/Michkov, but if the Hawks end up in the 6-10 range but the players are actually playing a cohesive game, I’m not going to be all that upset.
- Chunk

I agree with you Chunk, although as nice as the win was the other night I'll be surprised to see them win 25+ games this year.

If they do end up picking 5-10th that's fine too, but i just don't see the Laffertys of the Blackhawks having many 2 goal nights or even 1 goal.

One win against a team that is as bad as the Hawks, and we are already talking about the Hawks not getting a top 3 pick? Talk about the cart before the horse. Lets wait until 15-20 games before the BOD feels this team will overperform. Of course a loss Friday against Detroit and the BOD will be back to its usual gloom and doom.
- LAHawk

All I’m saying is that basic competent defense will get you farther than a few goal scorers on a crap team. I don’t see them winning many games, but there are more than a couple poop teams this year. Not to mention, hockey is more determined by luck than any other sport.

Hawks have a rather favourable schedule the first half of the season. 26 of first 42 games at home with only one back-to-back scheduled in that time. Longest road trips are 3 games which occur four times during that span. (One already concluded.) If the Hawks find their mojo in front of the home crowd, they might as others have said, play themselves out of a top 3 spot. Then again, they might not.
- boilermaker100

I just see a good 10 game stretch for this team is 4-6, 5-5. Realistically 3-7, 2-8 is what i see. We'll see

Excerpt from a Pierre Lebrun Athletic article drawing parallels between last year's Giroux trade and the Kane situation here. A lot of quotes from Brisson who represents both players.

The Patrick Kane trade watch really will be like none other this season.

A year ago, all eyes were on Claude Giroux as the league’s most prominent potential trade bait. It more or less went down to the wire, a Saturday trade coming before the Monday trade deadline as the native of Hearst, Ontario, waived his no-trade clause for a move from the Flyers to the Panthers.

As this season moves toward its March 3 trade deadline, Kane will be in a situation with many parallels.

For one, Kane has a 100 percent no-move, as Giroux did.

Second, Kane has the same agent as Giroux, Pat Brisson of CAA Sports.

And finally, there’s the fact that Kane, like Giroux, would be leaving the only NHL club he’s ever played for — if in fact he ultimately decides he wants to be moved.

“It’s very similar, yes,” Brisson told The Athletic this past weekend. “The respect that both players have for each organization. Claude will have his number in the rafters in Philly one day, I do believe, and obviously Patrick as well in Chicago. Both players are very respected on those teams. Claude at the beginning of last season wanted to see how things were going to go with the Flyers. We realized pretty soon, by November, that if he wanted a chance at trying to win a Cup last season, he would have to make a decision. And he picked Florida. The Panthers were one of the most attractive teams at the trade deadline.”

Similarly, Kane begins this season with the Blackhawks wanting to see how things play out. Once the losses start piling up, which seems inevitable with the direction the team has taken, Brisson and Kane will have to huddle up.

“It’s a very similar approach that we had with Claude,” Brisson said. “We’ll see how things go in Chicago. We’ll see how Patrick feels. We’ll probably explore things at the appropriate time later this season.

“I don’t want to put too much of a timeline on it. But it’s clear the Hawks won’t push him to make a decision one way or another.”

The part that I think people underestimate is the idea of leaving the only team you’ve played for — the emotional toll that Kane might be in for this season as he gets closer to that decision and all the white noise that surrounds it.

“Yeah, it was very emotional,” Giroux told me in June, reflecting on last season and everything that played out. “I mean, I’m getting traded from Philly, and been there for a long time, trying to fit in with the Panthers. Emotionally I feel like I didn’t really have time to kind of realize what was happening because everything was happening so quick.”

That’s why there might be mutual interest — from Kane and a team potentially acquiring him — to get a deal done earlier than the Panthers and Flyers did last season. It’d leave more time for adjustment, both emotionally and from a practical point of view on the ice.

Now, to be fair, there were circumstances that led to the Giroux trade needing to wait, including the fact he got to play his 1,000th career game in a Flyers uniform right before the move.

The current plan in place for Kane and the Blackhawks is for Brisson and GM Kyle Davidson to circle back to each other sometime in December or January and take stock of where each is at. As a practical matter, Davidson and Brisson are in regular dialogue already, given that the agent represents seven players on the Hawks roster.

A key element in the conversations that have already taken place is that the Blackhawks have assured the Kane camp, as Brisson noted above, that they will not in any way pressure the player toward a trade or waiving his no-move — that if a trade happens, it’s going to be on Kane’s terms and timeline. That’s out of respect for everything Kane has meant to the franchise.

So once again, all roads go through Brisson, who has been involved in a fair share of these trade scenarios over the years — not just with Giroux, but getting Jack Eichel out of Buffalo, getting Pierre-Luc Dubois and Seth Jones out of Columbus, getting Matt Duchene out of Colorado and others.

And it might be double duty for Brisson on the Blackhawks, because of course Kane’s fellow legacy teammate Jonathan Toews is also a pending UFA. There is no guarantee that Toews will want to move, though, and then it will depend on the kind of interest that’s out there given Toews’ declining performance the last few years. Worth noting that our Blackhawks columnist Mark Lazerus noted the Hawks captain looked terrific in the team’s opener.

Excerpt from a Pierre Lebrun Athletic article drawing parallels between last year's Giroux trade and the Kane situation here. A lot of quotes from Brisson who represents both players.

The Patrick Kane trade watch really will be like none other this season.

A year ago, all eyes were on Claude Giroux as the league’s most prominent potential trade bait. It more or less went down to the wire, a Saturday trade coming before the Monday trade deadline as the native of Hearst, Ontario, waived his no-trade clause for a move from the Flyers to the Panthers.

As this season moves toward its March 3 trade deadline, Kane will be in a situation with many parallels.

For one, Kane has a 100 percent no-move, as Giroux did.

Second, Kane has the same agent as Giroux, Pat Brisson of CAA Sports.

And finally, there’s the fact that Kane, like Giroux, would be leaving the only NHL club he’s ever played for — if in fact he ultimately decides he wants to be moved.

“It’s very similar, yes,” Brisson told The Athletic this past weekend. “The respect that both players have for each organization. Claude will have his number in the rafters in Philly one day, I do believe, and obviously Patrick as well in Chicago. Both players are very respected on those teams. Claude at the beginning of last season wanted to see how things were going to go with the Flyers. We realized pretty soon, by November, that if he wanted a chance at trying to win a Cup last season, he would have to make a decision. And he picked Florida. The Panthers were one of the most attractive teams at the trade deadline.”

Similarly, Kane begins this season with the Blackhawks wanting to see how things play out. Once the losses start piling up, which seems inevitable with the direction the team has taken, Brisson and Kane will have to huddle up.

“It’s a very similar approach that we had with Claude,” Brisson said. “We’ll see how things go in Chicago. We’ll see how Patrick feels. We’ll probably explore things at the appropriate time later this season.

“I don’t want to put too much of a timeline on it. But it’s clear the Hawks won’t push him to make a decision one way or another.”

The part that I think people underestimate is the idea of leaving the only team you’ve played for — the emotional toll that Kane might be in for this season as he gets closer to that decision and all the white noise that surrounds it.

“Yeah, it was very emotional,” Giroux told me in June, reflecting on last season and everything that played out. “I mean, I’m getting traded from Philly, and been there for a long time, trying to fit in with the Panthers. Emotionally I feel like I didn’t really have time to kind of realize what was happening because everything was happening so quick.”

That’s why there might be mutual interest — from Kane and a team potentially acquiring him — to get a deal done earlier than the Panthers and Flyers did last season. It’d leave more time for adjustment, both emotionally and from a practical point of view on the ice.

Now, to be fair, there were circumstances that led to the Giroux trade needing to wait, including the fact he got to play his 1,000th career game in a Flyers uniform right before the move.

The current plan in place for Kane and the Blackhawks is for Brisson and GM Kyle Davidson to circle back to each other sometime in December or January and take stock of where each is at. As a practical matter, Davidson and Brisson are in regular dialogue already, given that the agent represents seven players on the Hawks roster.

A key element in the conversations that have already taken place is that the Blackhawks have assured the Kane camp, as Brisson noted above, that they will not in any way pressure the player toward a trade or waiving his no-move — that if a trade happens, it’s going to be on Kane’s terms and timeline. That’s out of respect for everything Kane has meant to the franchise.

So once again, all roads go through Brisson, who has been involved in a fair share of these trade scenarios over the years — not just with Giroux, but getting Jack Eichel out of Buffalo, getting Pierre-Luc Dubois and Seth Jones out of Columbus, getting Matt Duchene out of Colorado and others.

And it might be double duty for Brisson on the Blackhawks, because of course Kane’s fellow legacy teammate Jonathan Toews is also a pending UFA. There is no guarantee that Toews will want to move, though, and then it will depend on the kind of interest that’s out there given Toews’ declining performance the last few years. Worth noting that our Blackhawks columnist Mark Lazerus noted the Hawks captain looked terrific in the team’s opener.
- boilermaker100

There is one difference. Kane and Toews have 3 cups, Giroux is still chasing his first.

There is one difference. Kane and Toews have 3 cups, Giroux is still chasing his first.
- LAHawk

True. I have always felt that Kane and Toews may want to extend and finish their careers here rather than chase a 4th Cup. Personal feelings about their dedication to the franchise, familiarity with the city, family life, etc. will play into their decisions.

True. I have always felt that Kane and Toews may want to extend and finish their careers here rather than chase a 4th Cup. Personal feelings about their dedication to the franchise, familiarity with the city, family life, etc. will play into their decisions.
- boilermaker100

If handled properly and both 19 & 88 play well the Hawks have 2 excellent trade chips to assist with their rebuild. Simple solution - both players accept a trade to strong Cup contenders at the deadline in return for assets in draft picks and good young prospects. Hawks eat some of their salaries to help the acquiring teams. And promise both of guys new contracts to re-sign and continue their careers in Chicago next season.

Sounds simple to me. Toews to Colorado or Edmonton; Kane to Carolina or NYR.

True. I have always felt that Kane and Toews may want to extend and finish their careers here rather than chase a 4th Cup. Personal feelings about their dedication to the franchise, familiarity with the city, family life, etc. will play into their decisions.
- boilermaker100

That could be right, particularly if they believe the franchise is finally headed in the right direction. If last year was their final year on their contracts, they would have been more likely to agree to be dealt.

If handled properly and both 19 & 88 play well the Hawks have 2 excellent trade chips to assist with their rebuild. Simple solution - both players accept a trade to strong Cup contenders at the deadline in return for assets in draft picks and good young prospects. Hawks eat some of their salaries to help the acquiring teams. And promise both of guys new contracts to re-sign and continue their careers in Chicago next season.

Sounds simple to me. Toews to Colorado or Edmonton; Kane to Carolina or NYR.
- RickJ

That would certainly reduce their trade value.

That idea we trade Kane reap the rewards of the tae and then Kaner simply coming home next year AFTER the experience in a UFA year.
Because to their success in Chicago Both Toews and Kane never had tithing twice about that big deal when they might have been UFAs.

this summer, Kane would be basically holding the options cards in his hands.
Granted, we don't think greedy sob, but you never know what free agency will have him thinking.

Honestly, did anybody think Johnny Hockey was signing in Columbus???

So, I cannot see his frustration this season as fitting with a grand return some months later.
Does he get the playoff fever brought down this spring, or does he feel frustrated again to get traded again by the hawks in Christmastime 2023 again!????

If handled properly and both 19 & 88 play well the Hawks have 2 excellent trade chips to assist with their rebuild. Simple solution - both players accept a trade to strong Cup contenders at the deadline in return for assets in draft picks and good young prospects. Hawks eat some of their salaries to help the acquiring teams. And promise both of guys new contracts to re-sign and continue their careers in Chicago next season.

Sounds simple to me. Toews to Colorado or Edmonton; Kane to Carolina or NYR.
- RickJ

This sounds good but I'm guessing you cannot promise contracts for next year (tampering) but could say "if you reach free agency, be sure to take our calls".

I think with Kane, assuming he is traded and then reaches free agency, Kyle should try to sign him back for one year and overpay a bit on salary to get him. So maybe $10.5m, 1 year, NMC. Then re-run the scenario from this year, and get a return for him next year at the deadline (if he wants to go to a contender). Maybe do the same thing in 2024-25 also.

Kane would be back home in Chicago for 2023-24 with a nice salary, and control whether he goes to a contender at the deadline.

That would certainly reduce their trade value.
- rpeters01

Any deal needs to have a clause that if JT or PK resign with the new team there is more compensation contingent upon that

Any deal needs to have a clause that if JT or PK resign with the new team there is more compensation contingent upon that
- 6628

After the DeBrincat experience, I think we are badly over estimating what Kane could bring. Furthermore, we don't even know what kind of year he's going to be having.

After the DeBrincat experience, I think we are badly over estimating what Kane could bring. Furthermore, we don't even know what kind of year he's going to be having.
- rpeters01

Well by definition, you aren't going to get close to a #7 pick because the trade will be with a Stanley cup contender, which means #26 or above.