What many forget is that the Hawks have to hit the cap floor. That's a lot of money that has to be made up....so unlike the prelockout days when the Wirtz's could roll out a steaming pile of poop.....they can't anymore. They trade Toews and Kane and say McCabe, you have Tyler Johnson, Jones, Mzarek, and Murphy only making north of 3.8

What are they going to do? Overpay guys and ruin the UFA market? They will need some large contracts unless they trade for it and get picks to help cap hell teams out.

Might see that at the deadline.
- SteveRain

Their four highest paid forwards have a combined cap hit of $27 mill. Guessing we see more of the helping out cap hell teams before the draft, as opposed to the deadline, unless teams have to move somebody to rent somebody else.

I don't expect big long term deals this summer. They have to stay nimble as this rebuild ramps up. They extract someone like Mantha from the Caps, who probably won't be sellers next year. Contract expires next season, and they get a draft pick or two included in the deal. Caps then have money freed up. And then the Hawks might even be able to deal him at the deadline if he has any kind of uptick and stays healthy.

What many forget is that the Hawks have to hit the cap floor. That's a lot of money that has to be made up....so unlike the prelockout days when the Wirtz's could roll out a steaming pile of poop.....they can't anymore. They trade Toews and Kane and say McCabe, you have Tyler Johnson, Jones, Mzarek, and Murphy only making north of 3.8

What are they going to do? Overpay guys and ruin the UFA market? They will need some large contracts unless they trade for it and get picks to help cap hell teams out.

Might see that at the deadline.
- SteveRain

Sign DeBrincat to 8x$12.

What many forget is that the Hawks have to hit the cap floor. That's a lot of money that has to be made up....so unlike the prelockout days when the Wirtz's could roll out a steaming pile of poop.....they can't anymore. They trade Toews and Kane and say McCabe, you have Tyler Johnson, Jones, Mzarek, and Murphy only making north of 3.8

What are they going to do? Overpay guys and ruin the UFA market? They will need some large contracts unless they trade for it and get picks to help cap hell teams out.

Might see that at the deadline.
- SteveRain

Hawks can sign D. Strome and P. Suterfor $4 mil. Each. Probably get back Kubalik for a bag of pucks too for $2.5m. Exhale

Blackhawks played a really nice game last night, what was with the Flames taking cheap shots on Stauber? Flames looked like they had pianos on their backs, what a slow team

How the (frank) is a rookie goalie 2-0 with this team?

Their four highest paid forwards have a combined cap hit of $27 mill. Guessing we see more of the helping out cap hell teams before the draft, as opposed to the deadline, unless teams have to move somebody to rent somebody else.

I don't expect big long term deals this summer. They have to stay nimble as this rebuild ramps up. They extract someone like Mantha from the Caps, who probably won't be sellers next year. Contract expires next season, and they get a draft pick or two included in the deal. Caps then have money freed up. And then the Hawks might even be able to deal him at the deadline if he has any kind of uptick and stays healthy.
- 333inthe3rd

yeah I need to dive into some team's cap scenarios to see if any team needs to move out money to keep X player...that's where Hawks will 100% have leverage. Like to see them to continue to stockpile picks. Drafting kids is tough so as many as they can helps the chances that a few stick.

Blackhawks played a really nice game last night, what was with the Flames taking cheap shots on Stauber? Flames looked like they had pianos on their backs, what a slow team

How the (frank) is a rookie goalie 2-0 with this team?
- BetweenTheDots

I wasn't even aware of the kid and had to look him up. Signed in March of 2022.

https://www.capfriendly.c...ned%20a%202,23%2C%202022.

I dunno maybe this KD guy kinda knows what he's doing.

Sign DeBrincat to 8x$12.
- rpeters01

Wonder if Detroit will make a run at him if he doesn't extend in Ottawa?

Hawks can sign D. Strome and P. Suterfor $4 mil. Each. Probably get back Kubalik for a bag of pucks too for $2.5m. Exhale
- LAHawk

Had to throw Strome on there didn't you?

Blackhawks played a really nice game last night, what was with the Flames taking cheap shots on Stauber? Flames looked like they had pianos on their backs, what a slow team

How the (frank) is a rookie goalie 2-0 with this team?
- BetweenTheDots

They play hard and most disciplined for this coaching staff. Likely out gunned each game but don't see a TON of loafing on plays and not as many gimmee prime chances as we have in the past.

Blackhawks played a really nice game last night, what was with the Flames taking cheap shots on Stauber? Flames looked like they had pianos on their backs, what a slow team

How the (frank) is a rookie goalie 2-0 with this team?
- BetweenTheDots

He loves flying in those charter jets and staying in 5 star hotels.

I wasn't even aware of the kid and had to look him up. Signed in March of 2022.

https://www.capfriendly.c...ned%20a%202,23%2C%202022.

I dunno maybe this KD guy kinda knows what he's doing.
- Rota's Rooter

I remember when his dad was a backup goalie with the Kings.

They play hard and most disciplined for this coaching staff. Likely out gunned each game but don't see a TON of loafing on plays and not as many gimmee prime chances as we have in the past.
- SteveRain

I used to tell kids teams that there's three ways a game can go. You can win, lose, or get beaten. There's a big difference between losing and getting beat. Losing is when you beat yourselves. A coaching staff with a losing hand can still make a positive difference. So far I think LR and his guys are doing their jobs as the hawks don't quit. Everyone needs to have a lot of patience for a few years.

I used to tell kids teams that there's three ways a game can go. You can win, lose, or get beaten. There's a big difference between losing and getting beat. Losing is when you beat yourselves. A coaching staff with a losing hand can still make a positive difference. So far I think LR and his guys are doing their jobs as the hawks don't quit. Everyone needs to have a lot of patience for a few years.
- 6628

I agree. Just wondering what everyone thinks of Derek King. I know there were some that were not happy he was retained. I'm wondering if part of the team's issues the last few years (especially when King was HC) was that the team quit on Stan.

I wasn't even aware of the kid and had to look him up. Signed in March of 2022.

https://www.capfriendly.c...ned%20a%202,23%2C%202022.

I dunno maybe this KD guy kinda knows what he's doing.
- Rota's Rooter

Isn't Robb Stauber his father? He was a backup goalie with the Kings in the mid-90s, and later coached college hockey at one of the MN schools.

Lets put it this way......if this were 1986 or whatever and say.....some guy hit Gretzky like that, do we think Semenko is dropping them? I bet he is. Why? You protect your star players. Do I agree with it? Eh....not really. Clean hit is a clean hit, but you also want your star, offensive creators to have room out there to set up shop and not worried about getting blasted.

And how many on this board would have called out Domi had he done nothing? LIkely the same who blasted Buff back in 09 or 10 when he refused to protect a teammate, and then the next game beat the hell out of somebody.
- SteveRain

If a player gets absolutely lined up and blasted without the puck, then sure, maybe a fight could be justified. I still say it doesn't do a damn thing to deter behavior.

If Domi went about his job and got the puck back after that “hit” on Kane, no one would have said a single word. That was not an egregious check.

Blackhawks played a really nice game last night, what was with the Flames taking cheap shots on Stauber? Flames looked like they had pianos on their backs, what a slow team

How the (frank) is a rookie goalie 2-0 with this team?
- BetweenTheDots

Was wondering the same thing last night

I didn't see it either. I could argue that fighting used to have a purpose in the sport (although I'm not sure if I could make a convincing argument). Anymore the fights are so staged and contrived that there really is no point. Look at Domi's BS fight. He jumped a guy who put a clean hit on Kane (and it even looked like he help up a bit). What the hell did Domi's fight do? Made him look like a putz and got him a misconduct.

I'm willing to hear an argument that fighting has a purpose in todays game, but you (not you specifically) are going to have to be damn convincing.
- Chunk

Don't think fighting will ever be outlawed, and it shouldn't IMO, but no doubt fighting is way down because a lineup just can't carry a purpose player and be properly competitive. Gotta be able to skate a shift first and fight second.... The sport has evolved organically more so than rules changes.

Fighting still gets folks on the edge of their seats or on their feet. Listen to the voices of the announcers on the call of that MN v PHI game and the crowd when two heavies went then the 2nd then the 3rd straight fight.

Count me as a guy who sees great value in a Tom Wilson type. Maybe not as much a Reaves but a Wilson for sure.

While not on purpose, would be hard to get the players to do it, but it kind of may be working out that way.

Is this the year when the Chicago teams finally get real lucky in their tanks?

Bears sure got Lovie, I mean lucky, lets keep that rolling.

Starting to think that both Toews and Kane could resign in the offseason after TDL trades if Hawks were to get lucky and get Bedard. I used to think that was crazy talk. Figured once they were gone, they'd be gone. I really get the feeling neither really wants to leave.

I know Bettman won't let them get Bedard, but maybe he'll screw that up also
- vabeachbear

Ya not on purpose but it is a nice time to be getting hot and some players playing well. Last night the Calgary or SN play by play guys could not stop talking about Blackwell
I figure Kane Toews Murphy McCabe are the big ticket guys, BUT ! guys like Richardinson and Lafferty Domi could improve thier return with this little hot streak .
It's a real crap shoot but dead last has to be the goal , come on guys you come this far .

Trade szn musings:

Toews and Kane stay put.

McCabe (50% retained) to TOR for 1st.

Domi (50% retained) to CAR for 1st.

Murphy and 3rd to OTT for Tyler Boucher, Zaitsev and 1st.

Athanasiou to MIN for 4th and 2024 3rd.

Blackhawks played a really nice game last night, what was with the Flames taking cheap shots on Stauber? Flames looked like they had pianos on their backs, what a slow team

How the (frank) is a rookie goalie 2-0 with this team?
- BetweenTheDots

The league doesn't have a book on him yet. Give it a week, and Stauber is going to be Cristobal Huet 2.0

I agree. Just wondering what everyone thinks of Derek King. I know there were some that were not happy he was retained. I'm wondering if part of the team's issues the last few years (especially when King was HC) was that the team quit on Stan.
- powerenforcer

KD tied King’s hands telling him to not change the systems. Plus Crawford was co-coach and in charge of the defense. King was a placeholder last year, was not the head coach.

The league doesn't have a book on him yet. Give it a week, and Stauber is going to be Cristobal Huet 2.0
- Dieselhead

You mean like Colin Delia?

Maybe Mathews' teamatte outscores him this season. Mathews has around 25 goals and earlier has missed games with Injury. Today announcement he will be out minimum three weeks. Meanwhile Nylander got his 27th tonight and game only half played

Talk about a mutt and Jeff show: I looked it up and it was a long running very popular story about two mismatched tinhorns circa 1907

Tonight mutt and Jeff as far as their size if Vlasic is paired with Galvas. Opening lineup had Phillips with Regula. Rockford up against Askarov. Clendening and Crevier are the other dmen tonight.

The league doesn't have a book on him yet. Give it a week, and Stauber is going to be Cristobal Huet 2.0
- Dieselhead

Fair point, at the same time they had the Hawks pinned in their own end for long stretches. Probably a lot of puck luck but none the less, 2-0