What number will he wear? 95 is taken and 85 is retired.
- DarthKane

Who's 85? Was that your number, Darth??? :D

Well in Steve’s world KFC (frank)s up everything and the Hawks will suck eternally. Drafting Bedard was wrong, Nazar wrong, Arty wrong, Rinzel wrong,, etc….

It’s as if Dollar Bill never died and is still running the ship.
- HawkintheD

So.... basically ... Pulford-ian Zeitgeist.

Who's 85? Was that your number, Darth??? :D
- SC116

Darth is a one man fan club of The Great One, Rusty Olesz…good ole’ #85.

Darth is a one man fan club of The Great One, Rusty Olesz…good ole’ #85.
- HawkintheD

Ah yeh, right - I actually forgot that guy existed, but for some reason I remembered Tomas Jurco... and holy crap, wikipedia lists his playing status as present tense -which was shocking (even if in the KHL).

Ah yeh, right - I actually forgot that guy existed, but for some reason I remembered Tomas Jurco... and holy crap, wikipedia lists his playing status as present tense -which was shocking (even if in the KHL).
- SC116

Outside of Darth, I think most people have. Pretty sure he’s a big Jurco fan too.

I’m hoping for Spence. Great skater, good hands, plays hard anywhere on the ice and he’s a (frank)ing nuisance.
- paulr

#3 pick gotta be an 80 point guy even if he's a defenseman.

Outside of Darth, I think most people have. Pretty sure he’s a big Jurco fan too.
- HawkintheD

Petr Regin and Jokim Nordstrom my favorite players of all time.

Petr Regin and Jokim Nordstrom my favorite players of all time.
- rpeters01

Easy pal. That’s Elbows' guy.

Shock to no one, Brodie clears and will be bought out.

We have Phil Russel days until KD surprises you guys by going off the board. I’ll have my popcorn ready.

I’m on the record saying I didn’t want Chicago to pursue Marner. My only reason is he can’t take his game to the next level when the playoffs come. Apparently he’s looking for a four year deal so he can cash in again at 32. Kinda shows what the only thing he cares about is. Considering it’s likely the Hawks can compete for a playoff spot but aren’t likely to be cup contenders, offer him a four year deal and give him the $14M per he’s seeking. However do not under any circumstances offer a full NMC. Give him a partial one but at the end of the day the Hawks have to be able to move him before he walks like he’s doing with the Leafs.
- paulr

Eh. I don't think its just Marner. Will the cap going up why would guys sign max deals when they can bet on themselves and the economics of the league improving. Matthews did it. I bet McDavid will do it, and then does that make McDavid a money chasing guy OR a guy not wanting to hook his wagon to a team who refuses to improve D and/or goaltending....like say the leafs?

I don't think you have anything to worry about. I don't think the Hawks will get Marner unless they throw some ungoldly AAV at him as they will need to overpay vs the kings or Knights who are in better position to win now.

Burvakovsky (spell) I don't care either way for. Improvement over Leino but at 5.5 it's a move to get closer to the cap floor and just hope the ROI is somewhat positive where he doesn't become a cancer and you have to deal him off (see idiot Perry).

Hawks still need to add another legit PROVEN top 3 player to skate with Bedard so hopefully Davidson is exploring all options....trades, offer sheets, UFAs as he has the draft capital now and next year, and the cap space to get something done. Not saying you go offer Marner 18 million, but if you look at the roster as the season ended.....Nazar and Bedard are the only legit top 6 players.....you could argue Teuvo or Donato or Bertuzzi but they are likely best suited for a top 9 role.

I would love to see Misa fall to them, but the more I read about this Swedish kid I think either would be a great add.

Shock to no one, Brodie clears and will be bought out.
- Chunk

Hahahaha.....he has PTO written all over him.

I saw Bowman is looking at Lukas Reichel.....wonder what that return would be.

Hope you're doing well.

I think you’re right. If you look at moves he’s made none strike me as anything you’d characterize as desperate. Everything he talks about is building through the draft and making trades or signing players when the time’s right.
- HawkintheD

I think it's a matter of not "winning now" as much as it's improving YOY. Like can they reach 80 pts next year? Does the young kids start to play with more consistency and show they are "getting it"? Do we have more of a 2006-07 season where you can see the young pieces falling in to place?

I would agree, I don't think he has a mandate of playoffs or bust, but finishing bottom 3 overall again starts to brew a mental blockade in that room and all things aside.....not sure the "veterans" in that room really know what they are doing....The Murphys, Folignos, Richardinsons, etc......would really like to see some of these young kids take leadership roles so Davidson can launch 2 of the 3 above. Need these young guys to develop their own identity and get some swagger going.....vs listening to cliche machines of a veteran group who since they have been here all they have done is lost. Not entirely on them.....but what skins does a Murphy Foligno or Richardinson have on the wall for a young guy to buy in? 2 of the 3 would $hit themselves in a playoff series with their limited experience.

I think it's a matter of not "winning now" as much as it's improving YOY. Like can they reach 80 pts next year? Does the young kids start to play with more consistency and show they are "getting it"? Do we have more of a 2006-07 season where you can see the young pieces falling in to place?

I would agree, I don't think he has a mandate of playoffs or bust, but finishing bottom 3 overall again starts to brew a mental blockade in that room and all things aside.....not sure the "veterans" in that room really know what they are doing....The Murphys, Folignos, Richardinsons, etc......would really like to see some of these young kids take leadership roles so Davidson can launch 2 of the 3 above. Need these young guys to develop their own identity and get some swagger going.....vs listening to cliche machines of a veteran group who since they have been here all they have done is lost. Not entirely on them.....but what skins does a Murphy Foligno or Richardinson have on the wall for a young guy to buy in? 2 of the 3 would $hit themselves in a playoff series with their limited experience.
- SteveRain

We’ll see right (in terms of whatever strides they can make)? I get it, they weren’t playing for anything at the end of the season but that team they were icing at the end looked better suited to compete night in and out during a full season.

Would be great if they can pull off another trade, but I think getting full years from Nazar, Rinzel, Knight, Slaggert, possibly Arty and no Brodie, Seth, Maroon, Mrazek, etc. already sets them up to have a better season.

I think it's a matter of not "winning now" as much as it's improving YOY. Like can they reach 80 pts next year? Does the young kids start to play with more consistency and show they are "getting it"? Do we have more of a 2006-07 season where you can see the young pieces falling in to place?

I would agree, I don't think he has a mandate of playoffs or bust, but finishing bottom 3 overall again starts to brew a mental blockade in that room and all things aside.....not sure the "veterans" in that room really know what they are doing....The Murphys, Folignos, Richardinsons, etc......would really like to see some of these young kids take leadership roles so Davidson can launch 2 of the 3 above. Need these young guys to develop their own identity and get some swagger going.....vs listening to cliche machines of a veteran group who since they have been here all they have done is lost. Not entirely on them.....but what skins does a Murphy Foligno or Richardinson have on the wall for a young guy to buy in? 2 of the 3 would $hit themselves in a playoff series with their limited experience.
- SteveRain

You are right, they aren't in "win now" mode, just continue the process and get better year over year. They got better year over year last season. A big jump in goal differential and in giving bigger minutes to younger "up and coming" players. It's a non-linear process and the young players will be ready for leadership when they are ready. There isn't a specific timeline, but it will come down to the culture and dynamic of the room. It's less about who is on the team or wearing a letter and more about who speaks up. Things that we don't see and things that we don't have perspective on to judge right or wrong because we aren't in the room.

The front office/coaches are the ones that need to worry about that part and fans just need to enjoy the ride. We hear tidbits and tiny pieces which people draw conclusions and make assumptions on, but in general people usually only hear the part they want to hear and ignore the parts the go against their narrative.

The best part of this whole rebuild to me, continues to be that Kyle Davidson sticks to his guns and is doing more or less exactly what he said he'd do. The Hawks picked a path and they aren't doing what the previous regime seemed prone to do, which is change directions way too much. We are getting into the fun part where we get to find out just how good the young guys can be. Who will exceed expectations? Who will fall flat? Who will surprise everyone. There will be some of all of it I'm sure.

We’ll see right (in terms of whatever strides they can make)? I get it, they weren’t playing for anything at the end of the season but that team they were icing at the end looked better suited to compete night in and out during a full season.

Would be great if they can pull off another trade, but I think getting full years from Nazar, Rinzel, Knight, Slaggert, possibly Arty and no Brodie, Seth, Maroon, Mrazek, etc. already sets them up to have a better season.
- HawkintheD

I think a lot of the team's finish in the standings next season will come down to Knight and whomever backs him up. (Soderblom??)

I like Knight and he seems to be a very good battler and have very strong reactionary game. In his 15 games he essentially matched Soderblom's stats for the season in terms of SV% and GAA. I like his display of confidence and attitude that seemed to come from him and this is a real good chance for him to really make a name for himself at the NHL level outside of the shadow of a guy like Bob.

I think if he can play slightly more consistent and the team in front can clean up their game, it could go a long way to moving the needle and maybe we see the teams GAA get closers to 3 instead of 3.5.

You are right, they aren't in "win now" mode, just continue the process and get better year over year. They got better year over year last season. A big jump in goal differential and in giving bigger minutes to younger "up and coming" players. It's a non-linear process and the young players will be ready for leadership when they are ready. There isn't a specific timeline, but it will come down to the culture and dynamic of the room. It's less about who is on the team or wearing a letter and more about who speaks up. Things that we don't see and things that we don't have perspective on to judge right or wrong because we aren't in the room.

The front office/coaches are the ones that need to worry about that part and fans just need to enjoy the ride. We hear tidbits and tiny pieces which people draw conclusions and make assumptions on, but in general people usually only hear the part they want to hear and ignore the parts the go against their narrative.

The best part of this whole rebuild to me, continues to be that Kyle Davidson sticks to his guns and is doing more or less exactly what he said he'd do. The Hawks picked a path and they aren't doing what the previous regime seemed prone to do, which is change directions way too much. We are getting into the fun part where we get to find out just how good the young guys can be. Who will exceed expectations? Who will fall flat? Who will surprise everyone. There will be some of all of it I'm sure.
- breadbag

Great post. But you’re asking us to be patient.

Who do you see/hope will exceed expectations? Who do you see not living up to expectations?

Great post. But you’re asking us to be patient.

Who do you see/hope will exceed expectations? Who do you see not living up to expectations?
- paulr

Well, it's tough to guess and all I have to go on is my gut feeling. I probably won't get it right. I think partially harder to assume what will happen too with the new coaches and not knowing who they will give preference too.

I think Aiden Thompson might find his way onto the team before the end of next season because I think his playmaking will be evident in the AHL next season.

I think if he plays with some skilled guys in camp/preseason, maybe Lardis makes the choice to send him down difficult. I.e. I think while he might not have a complete game, he might have enough of a nose for the net to make the GM consider keeping him around. I know it's not all about scoring goals, but making the NHL is a lot easier if you can finish chances and coaches can give young guys rope. (within reason)

If I had to choose guys who I think might not take the next step. Savoie, Ludwinski, Hayes, and Felcman are probably guys I don't have confidence in. Probably not the highest expectations for any of them at this point though.

I think Nazar might have a 25G-35A - 60 point season because I think he will find his way on PP1 pretty much all year.

I also have to admin I was wrong last summer. I thought Brodie would hang on and be able to hold onto a 5-6-7 role with the Hawks last year and into this season. He wasn't too bad at the start of the year, but he didn't seem to fit well under the Sorensen interim era and the younger guys pushed him out of the lineup. Right now, these 1-2 year deal aren't too bad, because the buyout is low risk. Even Burakovsky, if he struggles too hard this year they can easily buy him out.

Well, it's tough to guess and all I have to go on is my gut feeling. I probably won't get it right. I think partially harder to assume what will happen too with the new coaches and not knowing who they will give preference too.

I think Aiden Thompson might find his way onto the team before the end of next season because I think his playmaking will be evident in the AHL next season.

I think if he plays with some skilled guys in camp/preseason, maybe Lardis makes the choice to send him down difficult. I.e. I think while he might not have a complete game, he might have enough of a nose for the net to make the GM consider keeping him around. I know it's not all about scoring goals, but making the NHL is a lot easier if you can finish chances and coaches can give young guys rope. (within reason)

If I had to choose guys who I think might not take the next step. Savoie, Ludwinski, Hayes, and Felcman are probably guys I don't have confidence in. Probably not the highest expectations for any of them at this point though.

I think Nazar might have a 25G-35A - 60 point season because I think he will find his way on PP1 pretty much all year.
- breadbag

I think/hope Ludwinski finds his game in the next year or two. Great skating two way forward with some skill who will mix it up. A very smart player but will probably max out as a bottom six energy defensive forward. I think Savoie will earn a position coming out of camp. I’m really not sure what to expect from Lardis? Can his game of finding open ice with his exceptional shot work in the NHL. Can he work on his defensive game enough so he’s not a liability on the Hawks?

You are right, they aren't in "win now" mode, just continue the process and get better year over year. They got better year over year last season. A big jump in goal differential and in giving bigger minutes to younger "up and coming" players. It's a non-linear process and the young players will be ready for leadership when they are ready. There isn't a specific timeline, but it will come down to the culture and dynamic of the room. It's less about who is on the team or wearing a letter and more about who speaks up. Things that we don't see and things that we don't have perspective on to judge right or wrong because we aren't in the room.

The front office/coaches are the ones that need to worry about that part and fans just need to enjoy the ride. We hear tidbits and tiny pieces which people draw conclusions and make assumptions on, but in general people usually only hear the part they want to hear and ignore the parts the go against their narrative.

The best part of this whole rebuild to me, continues to be that Kyle Davidson sticks to his guns and is doing more or less exactly what he said he'd do. The Hawks picked a path and they aren't doing what the previous regime seemed prone to do, which is change directions way too much. We are getting into the fun part where we get to find out just how good the young guys can be. Who will exceed expectations? Who will fall flat? Who will surprise everyone. There will be some of all of it I'm sure.
- breadbag

I do appreciate this as a fan, not only that but he's making it clear i am going to draft as many prospects as i can at the top end of the draft not the bottom end.

If it's true about Marner wanting a 4 year contract, i would give him the max and i would give most of it up front in bonus money, the only stipulation no NM or NT clause.

Easy pal. That’s Elbows' guy.
- HawkintheD

No idea wtf you just tried to say
- Assman22

I do:
I think it's in play but would have to be an offer Hawks could not pass up.

Serious question, how’s Marchment different than Bertuzzi? They seem like the same player. While I’ve seen him play a few times, I never really focused on Marchment all that much, so maybe I’m off base here, so how is he different?
- Angotti

Marchment was expendable because they needed him to be an actual factor in their playoff and didn't earn his salary. Bertuzzi area workplace is more defined b/c he succeeds (NOT IN OUR LAST SEASON!) in front and is good in most phases as the screen, score of tip ins, quick to shoot the loose pucks he finds.

Marchment is not to Bertuzzi's toolbox down there.

A YouTube podcaster Graviteh has the Flyers exchanging Tyson Foerster or Owen Tippet and the Flyers first #6 for Chicago’s #3. Both Foerster and Tippet are big wingers who have great shots. Tippet is a very good skater with good speed and great edges. Foerster isn’t as good a skater but plays more physically.

According to this Graviteh the Hawks don’t have any interest in Hagens or Martone.
- paulr

This dummy wants to go from a you tube live outrage when the Hawk's won Bedard that Bettman fixed the draft to now being a Hawk insider?

This trade perfect eludes to his next you tube: Are the Islanders trading the Blackhawks for slot# 6 to take James Hagens?

Not choosing YouTube podcaster Graviteh thoughts are vest ignored.