I can see what you like in E.Kane but IMO the Hawks know they have to concentrate on doing something to fix that defence group first - if a real good Dman becomes available that's where they would spend whatever resources they have. Who that might be, I have no clue.

Buffalo will hold onto Kane and wait for the best deal they can get before the deadline, which might not be as much as expected considering his personal resume.

Guys like Max Pacioretty or Rick Nash are more up the Blackhawk's alley.
- RickJ

Scoring wingers are always interesting, but the Hawks are weakest down the middle considering they only have 2 center Q trusts against anyone of merit. Come playoff time esp, Toews/Anisimov are going to tire out quick if there is no relief option for them against other top lines, even if for just a handful of minutes.

And man, y'all really love to go for the big name / highly highly unlikely to ever happen guys in your armchair GM situations. If it took two 2nds and Danault to get Weise/Flash then what do you expect Montreal to want for MaxPac?

Flash, Flash, hundred yard dash.


- AEL_Fox

LOL... Rash probably looks like him!

I would rather see physicality throughout the lineup not just on the fourth line. We need to retain players like Panik and Hartman (and even add more) to be an effective playoff team.
Last year Panik was the only Hawk who could hurt an opposing player with his hits. This year the aforementioned 4th line and Murphy have added to this dimension. We were just too soft the last 2 years.
- 67hawks

Hey 67 don't get me wrong I'd like a more physical presence up and down the lineup as opposed to the stick check ballet. But I think Hartman would be best served on the wing as opposed to a center role. No question that Murphy has brought a physical presence - I'd like to see Kempny draw in more as well as he also takes the body.

The other thing that drives me nuts is when the Hawks do nothing when one of their own gets hammered. We saw it with Hossa a couple years back and you can look at the gutless play by Malkin on Crawford last week. Now sure you want to be disciplined and not take a bad penalty, but the lack of response gives other teams the green light.

This will be interesting, hello Western Conference foes, hopefully its jyst a coincidence/timing?

If they continue to play fast/quick in both directions, responsible with the puck and get position in front of the net they should at least get 7 out of 10. 17 out of 28 points by Christmas

Scoring wingers are always interesting, but the Hawks are weakest down the middle considering they only have 2 center Q trusts against anyone of merit. Come playoff time esp, Toews/Anisimov are going to tire out quick if there is no relief option for them against other top lines, even if for just a handful of minutes.

And man, y'all really love to go for the big name / highly highly unlikely to ever happen guys in your armchair GM situations. If it took two 2nds and Danault to get Weise/Flash then what do you expect Montreal to want for MaxPac?
- L_B_R

Finding a center that would fit is about the same as acquiring a Top 4 defenceman - not many available that would fit under the cap or don't cost too much in assets. The Hawks have a few players down in Rockford that will get a shot before they make a trade for a player who might be only marginally better.

Wingers are likely cheaper to acquire, especially those with excessive salaries.

I don't expect the Hawks to chase Max P, I just said they would prefer a player like him over E.Kane (reputationally). By the trade deadline Marc Bergevin will likely be on his death bed as G.M., who knows what he'd be asking in return.

Finding a center that would fit is about the same as acquiring a Top 4 defenceman - not many available that would fit under the cap or don't cost too much in assets. The Hawks have a few players down in Rockford that will get a shot before they make a trade for a player who might be only marginally better.

Wingers are likely cheaper to acquire, especially those with excessive salaries.

I don't expect the Hawks to chase Max P, I just said they would prefer a player like him over E.Kane (reputationally). By the trade deadline Marc Bergevin will likely be on his death bed as G.M., who knows what he'd be asking in return.
- RickJ

I wasn't necessarily saying they needed to trade for a checking center, just that center is their biggest weakness currently. They should address the lack of trustworthy centers before looking at wings imo. I'd love to see if Highmore or Kampf could potentially be that checking line center, personally.

Though I don't think a decent checking 3C would cost that much in assets and certainly not as much as a top 4D. Look what the Pens paid to get Sheahan (+ a 5th) , who they were using as a checking center before Malkin went down - 3rd and a meh b6 winger (moved mostly to free the roster spot).

Finding a center that would fit is about the same as acquiring a Top 4 defenceman - not many available that would fit under the cap or don't cost too much in assets. The Hawks have a few players down in Rockford that will get a shot before they make a trade for a player who might be only marginally better.

Wingers are likely cheaper to acquire, especially those with excessive salaries.

I don't expect the Hawks to chase Max P, I just said they would prefer a player like him over E.Kane (reputationally). By the trade deadline Marc Bergevin will likely be on his death bed as G.M., who knows what he'd be asking in return.
- RickJ

A conditional offer of employment in the Blackhawks' Front Office when he get's canned.

Can we talk about this? I didn't think this was an ongoing problem, that they had to get cap compliant every summer. I would guess if that's true he will be traded this winter or next summer to a cap floor team. $1m salary for $5m of cap hit is a positive. I just hope it doesnt t hawks too much.

Do they really have to include him on opening day roster next year and be cap compliant?
- Cmonalready

I think they can start the season with him on LTIR.

This is from capfriendly:

Can LTIR be used in the off-season?
Yes, LTIR can be used in the off-season while the 10% off-season cushion is active. LTIR in the off-season is calculated using the basic equation outlined above, which permits a team to exceed the off-season salary cap. To use off-season LTIR the team must provide doctors proof that the player in question will continue to be injured at the beginning of the regular season for 10 NHL games and 24 calendar days.

At the start of the season the teams LTIR relief & ACSL is recalculated when the 10% cushion is removed.

I wasn't necessarily saying they needed to trade for a checking center, just that center is their biggest weakness currently. They should address the lack of trustworthy centers before looking at wings imo. I'd love to see if Highmore or Kampf could potentially be that checking line center, personally.

Though I don't think a decent checking 3C would cost that much in assets and certainly not as much as a top 4D. Look what the Pens paid to get Sheahan (+ a 5th) , who they were using as a checking center before Malkin went down - 3rd and a meh b6 winger (moved mostly to free the roster spot).
- L_B_R

The team has been winning so the urgency to fill at center isn't acute - just yet. And the other issue is the waiver wire - sending Kero down means subject to waiver claim and they probably don't want to lose him.

But I fully expect to see one or more of Vinnie, Kampf, Dauphin or Highmore sooner than later. The schedule has been very relaxed lately, now they are headed into a very busy stretch and injuries can happen.

(Or if you like Brooks Laich, he's available for free. I didn't see him play for LAK this year but clearly they think he's all done. In another era those are the type of players Scotty Bowman used to love to pick up for depth, minor role playing 6-10 minutes a night).

Cross check, slash, another cross check, and no call, Toews completely abused on that power play alone, that's what I hate about the NHL

Sharp - ugh - no points in 17 games!

Yes, 17 games

7 penalties should of already been called against the Ducks

foley: wes mcauley the best ref in the nhl...wow...tells you alot of the rest of 'em..

he was a joke in the playoffs last year

Oh my fakking god did Sharpie just score a goal????

Shut me up!

Off the Schneid.

Steaky time for 10......hope

7 penalties should of already been called against the Ducks
- BetweenTheDots

How many should have been called against the Hawks?

It evens out.

Hayden has a lot of jump in his game. Q should give him a period with Saad and Toews.

How many should have been called against the Hawks?

It evens out.
- StLBravesFan

Maybe, but sure would like to see the Hawks completely abuse Perry down low, but no Franson watches Perry take a couple shots without a cross check

Nice play by the kids

I'm for it, put Cat on line 1 and Panik on line 3, Panik Woof

Steaky time for 10......hope
- eagle50

good for sharpie...huge fan...lets hope he can get on one his scoring streaks...of course those were 4-5 years ago

hawks and 3 goal leads ====

That wasnt a high stick it was barely over 12s head. :

Nice period by the boys, buzzing around the net, got away with one bad line change, good speed in both directions. Who's slower Seabrook or Franson?