Justin Lowe: Long-Term Gains
I'm not going to do a cliché "what I'm thankful for" blog today. That is because I've already done a cliché "what I'm thankful for" blog for Canadian Thanksgiving in October.

I am going to stick with the positive and "thankful" theme though; I want to take a different take on how this season could be extremely beneficial for the Blackhawks organization, even if they end up in the bottom 10 teams in the league.

Solid read, Justin. Thanks very much!
Agree with most, except I would include the thought that Forsling has played his last AHL minutes and will be in the show from here on out. But maybe not necessarily with the 'Hawks.

I'm of the mind that unless the team has a realistic chance of contending for the cup then everything and anything has to be done to get back in that position. If this team makes the playoff they have no realistic chance of winning anything more than a round. If playoff revenues are the driver then we have a long road to see the glory years return.

I'd like to see Bowman take offers on everyone and try to get back as much back in young roster players, blue chip prospects and draft picks. And during the time the Hawks were taken advantage of, now is the hawks to reciprocate. This includes taking on bad contracts from contending teams to ease their cap burden and get back as much "futures" as possible. Crawford, Keith and Kane, assuming they agree to waive their NMC's, should bring back some solid returns.

None of the core on this roster will be around when the Hawks contend again, I think it's time to rebuild and use the assets where possible for that rebuild.

Agreed. Remodel may very well turn to rebuild. Interesting thought on Schmaultz, he is not showing anything for a player on the eve of signing a long term contract ; even on the top two lines.

Agree but o you want bowman making those trades his track record is not so good. So Justin this question or question directed for you to answer:

If the hawks are clearly out of the playoff picture and no way to get back in it and are looking at another top 10 pick does Bowman get fired ( I think he should but that is IMO)?

What trades can the hawks make to improve the team? Its clear schmaltz will not be the 2nd line center of the future so what the hawks do trade him and what would the return be to they try and trade for Nylander, trouba, or Pesce etc...?

Are the hawks waiting for Murphy to come back to see how the d looks even though that would be 9 defense man something has to give?

Not sure salvaging this year is possible. No idea what Toronto is asking for Nylander but they should be knocking on that door.

I think the oilers are dumb enough to take Seabrook and if you send schmaltz and a high pick or maybe Mitchell or Sikura if they want a forward that way for Ryan Nugent Hopkins then that at least frees up the right side and clears some dead weight. Schmaltz can get 60 assists and three goals playing with mc jesus and RNH can center Kane and everyone wins.

Then send AA to Columbus for a 2019 second and a 2020 third that turns into a first if Columbus makes the second round of playoffs in 2019.

Now you can give Dcat a nice bridge deal with no worries throw money at mark stone or give Karlsson a max deal if he's unsigned still. They could for serious reload.

It's another throw away year anyway. They won't do well over the next few weeks and making up points is near impossible with the loser point.

Id say best case is 4-2-4 over the next 10 but it could go 2-6-2. You get the guys you think have something time this year and you throw money around next summer to try and get Kane and Toews one last shot. A lottery pick to flip or hold may not be the worst outcome either.

I'm of the mind that unless the team has a realistic chance of contending for the cup then everything and anything has to be done to get back in that position. If this team makes the playoff they have no realistic chance of winning anything more than a round. If playoff revenues are the driver then we have a long road to see the glory years return.

I'd like to see Bowman take offers on everyone and try to get back as much back in young roster players, blue chip prospects and draft picks. And during the time the Hawks were taken advantage of, now is the hawks to reciprocate. This includes taking on bad contracts from contending teams to ease their cap burden and get back as much "futures" as possible. Crawford, Keith and Kane, assuming they agree to waive their NMC's, should bring back some solid returns.

None of the core on this roster will be around when the Hawks contend again, I think it's time to rebuild and use the assets where possible for that rebuild.
- paulr

The Hawks will have a ton of cap space at the TDL. They can use it in 2 ways:
1 If it looks like they are playoff bound, pick several expiring contracts without dipping into their top 3 picks
2 And if the Hawks are out at the TDL. Take on big dead expiring cap hits for assets to give other teams cap room to make other deals to load up.

Shrewd organizations can forestall complete collapse. They do it by being proactive, trading players a year too early instead of a year too late. We'll see how that works out, but the conductor inspires zero confidence. I liked the Capitals game a lot, other than the result. Despite the loss I hope it can be something to build on.

Not sure salvaging this year is possible. No idea what Toronto is asking for Nylander but they should be knocking on that door.

I think the oilers are dumb enough to take Seabrook and if you send schmaltz and a high pick or maybe Mitchell or Sikura if they want a forward that way for Ryan Nugent Hopkins then that at least frees up the right side and clears some dead weight. Schmaltz can get 60 assists and three goals playing with mc jesus and RNH can center Kane and everyone wins.

Then send AA to Columbus for a 2019 second and a 2020 third that turns into a first if Columbus makes the second round of playoffs in 2019.

Now you can give Dcat a nice bridge deal with no worries throw money at mark stone or give Karlsson a max deal if he's unsigned still. They could for serious reload.

It's another throw away year anyway. They won't do well over the next few weeks and making up points is near impossible with the loser point.

Id say best case is 4-2-4 over the next 10 but it could go 2-6-2. You get the guys you think have something time this year and you throw money around next summer to try and get Kane and Toews one last shot. A lottery pick to flip or hold may not be the worst outcome either.
- fattybeef

If it were only so easy!

Adam Boqvist with real strong game yesterday. 2+1 and was named first star. I´d say Boqvist is two years away from being NHL ready. Maybe he´ll join IceHogs next season but I don´t think he should be playing for Blackhawks next year. Ian Mitchell is probably closest one to make the team next fall. Don´t know that much about Beaudin though.

>>Corey Crawford is Back too! – do you know how damn hard it is to find a no. 1 goalie that you can count on night-in-and-night-out if you don't have one? Just ask Philadelphia Flyers, St. Louis Blues and/or the Dallas Stars (pre-Bishop).<<

Cory Crawford's return and play at an elite level after a 10 month off ice battle with vertigo and concussion is remarkable. His play is the difference between them being a "bubble" team and and 29th - 31st in the league.

Yes they improved a notch or two defensively but they had no where else to go but up..

They don't have the ability to sustain a long point streak and even if they do they are more than capable of giving it all back. Two 8 game losing streaks over the last 60 games tells you all you need to know about this team.

Adam Boqvist with real strong game yesterday. 2+1 and was named first star. I´d say Boqvist is two years away from being NHL ready. Maybe he´ll join IceHogs next season but I don´t think he should be playing for Blackhawks next year. Ian Mitchell is probably closest one to make the team next fall. Don´t know that much about Beaudin though.
- MjulQvist

Boqvist scored a real fluke last night. He flipped at shot at the goalie, it boucned of his chest, rebounded out hit his own defenceman and bounced into the net

Boqvist scored a real fluke last night. He flipped at shot at the goalie, it boucned of his chest, rebounded out hit his own defenceman and bounced into the net
- paulr

I know that. Other one was nice onetimer slapshot from the point and that pass was a thing of beauty..

I know that. Other one was nice onetimer slapshot from the point and that pass was a thing of beauty..
- MjulQvist

I saw him earlier on in the season, he was playing a real high risk game and was often leading the rush neglecting his defensive duties. I see he is picking his spots better and is playing positionally sound defensively. He wins some puck battles using smarts, quickness and good positioning. He is on the best team to learn to play a pro game. I'm interested to watch his progression and am looking forward to seeing him in the World Junior Championships at the end of the month.

Justin Lowe: Long-Term Gains

I'm not going to do a cliché "what I'm thankful for" blog today. That is because I've already done a cliché "what I'm thankful for" blog for Canadian Thanksgiving in October.

I am going to stick with the positive and "thankful" theme though; I want to take a different take on how this season could be extremely beneficial for the Blackhawks organization, even if they end up in the bottom 10 teams in the league.
- Justin Lowe

Great piece, JL. Very reflective and festive.

Crow and Toews jump to the top of the list for me. In different ways, I thought they were both done. Keith and Seabs have lost their steps, but the fact that they were hawks sweaters is good enough for me. Kane ... is Kane, he does Kane things.

Rockford is/has been losing, right? Pto's and other things haven't been helping with the injury bug. Highmore ..... That's a tough spot because I want the kids developing, and I also want the kids up here helping us ... which is the better route to go? Recall or Rockford? Either way they both might just be throw-away seasons.

I'm excited for goalie prospects, but they are question marks.

I want trades made, but I am afraid of Bowman making them because we don't stand in a position of authority. Like at the tdl as sellers, oddly, we had authority. The Hossa contract, even though it cost a useful player in Hino, we had authority. If it's in-season, I don't see fair trades heading our way. So that leads into Schmaltz. I don't want him traded. If there is some ridiculous game changing trade that can't be passed up, like if he gets a first and a great or up and coming player, I'll say make the trade. If that isn't the return, leave him with us.

I would add Saad to the “he’s back” list. He’s arguably been the best forward the past few games scoring 7 goals in the past 12 games which broke him out of his slump.

I would add Saad to the “he’s back” list. He’s arguably been the best forward the past few games scoring 7 goals in the past 12 games which broke him out of his slump.
- AEL_Fox

He's creating chances for himself on a great line.
I think that 19 and 88 should be broken up and Adb in the top 6.

Boqvist scored a real fluke last night. He flipped at shot at the goalie, it boucned of his chest, rebounded out hit his own defenceman and bounced into the net
- paulr

You spoiled the party.

Not sure salvaging this year is possible. No idea what Toronto is asking for Nylander but they should be knocking on that door.

I think the oilers are dumb enough to take Seabrook and if you send schmaltz and a high pick or maybe Mitchell or Sikura if they want a forward that way for Ryan Nugent Hopkins then that at least frees up the right side and clears some dead weight. Schmaltz can get 60 assists and three goals playing with mc jesus and RNH can center Kane and everyone wins.

Then send AA to Columbus for a 2019 second and a 2020 third that turns into a first if Columbus makes the second round of playoffs in 2019.

Now you can give Dcat a nice bridge deal with no worries throw money at mark stone or give Karlsson a max deal if he's unsigned still. They could for serious reload.

It's another throw away year anyway. They won't do well over the next few weeks and making up points is near impossible with the loser point.

Id say best case is 4-2-4 over the next 10 but it could go 2-6-2. You get the guys you think have something time this year and you throw money around next summer to try and get Kane and Toews one last shot. A lottery pick to flip or hold may not be the worst outcome either.
- fattybeef

.

Why possibly would you want RNH?

Now you can give Dcat a nice bridge deal with no worries throw money at mark stone or give Karlsson a max deal if he's unsigned still. They could for serious reload.
- fattybeef

I assume you meant William Karlsson in Vegas since he's only on a one-year deal, but maybe you meant Erik Karlsson who I don't think has signed a multi-year deal in San Jose?

Adam Boqvist with real strong game yesterday. 2+1 and was named first star. I´d say Boqvist is two years away from being NHL ready. Maybe he´ll join IceHogs next season but I don´t think he should be playing for Blackhawks next year. Ian Mitchell is probably closest one to make the team next fall. Don´t know that much about Beaudin though.
- MjulQvist

My best guess as to when the next 3 D prospects make the Hawks lineup:

Scenario 1:
Boqvist next year, Beaudin in 2020-21, and Mitchell in 2021-22. Boqvist almost made the team out of camp this year, despite needing to shore up on his defense. Toss up between when Beaudin and Mitchell arrive. Beaudin is younger so his timeline may be a bit longer but his development curve may be shorter.

Scenario 2:
Boqvist next year, Mitchell in 2020-21, and Beaudin in 2021-22. Just flip-flopping Beaudin and Mitchell. See comments above.

Scenario 3:
Boqvist in 2020-21 then both Beaudin and Mitchell in 2021-22. Nobody next year so as to bring them each along at the right pace. Carlsson and Hillman make the Hawks next season along with Forsling having staying power. Some of Gustafsson, Rutta, Manning, and Murphy get traded to make space and get rid of liabilities.

So.... Jokiharju is a healthy scratch tonight. Q keeps hating young players.

Seriously though, this is a stupid move.

If hawks are out of the playoff picture by beginning of the year i would seriously call phily about Crawford to phily for prospects and pics. Phily needs goaltending desperately. Who on phily should the hawks look at if this scenario would happen?

If hawks are out of the playoff picture by beginning of the year i would seriously call phily about Crawford to phily for prospects and pics. Phily needs goaltending desperately. Who on phily should the hawks look at if this scenario would happen?
- Scott1977

WC Fields didn’t like Philly - and it was his home town.

Why would Crawford agree to go there (and he would have to, I think)?

(Actually, I quite like Philadelphia.)

So.... Jokiharju is a healthy scratch tonight. Q keeps hating young players.

Seriously though, this is a stupid move.
- DarthKane

Agreed. Was coming here to say this, but you beat me to it.