https://www.facebook.com/...videos/10155207783652466/

The next time I see Toews make anything close to a move like this will be the first time since 2015. That's #27 on the year for Kopitar. Bergeron is having an MVP type season for Boston, too. Toews, Bergeron and Kopitar were the best 2-way Centers in the NHL for years. Why is it that Toews is the only one who isn't anymore? That's the 10.5 million dollar question. Until that question is answered or resolved, this team will be a playoff bubble team at best.
- EnzoD

Amen.

Yeah. It really is like looking into a mirror with this particular hawks team compared to the kings the past couple of years. I’ve never seen 2 teams look so identical and have had almost identical out comes just a year or so apart. Meaning the first round knock out then missing the playoffs. Although hawks aren’t out mathematically it’s looking like them missing the playoffs.

But damn this draft is good coming up. Kings got LUCKY with Vilardi falling to them and I think the hawks will get picks close to the 5th. More like 6-9 IMO.

Like some of you guys have already stated “missing the playoffs isnt such a bad thing” it really isn’t. Let the guys rest, go get a UFA, and have a good draft.

They’ll be back in next year. Too much talent
- KINGS67

On defense? Not even close. On defense we have like bottom 5 in the league level talent(currently in the NHL or in our system, all combined).

So add that to a rapidly declining 1C, poor center depth(again in the NHL and in our pipeline), average skill and speed throughout....nothing special on the wings other than Kane(who's gonna decline very soon)....lots of bad contracts....

I just don't see the "talent" argument anymore, when for so many years i would have agreed with you. I think we've finally regressed to such an extent that our talent isn't playoff worthy....let alone the coach/system. Just my opinion. Gotta completely rebuild.

Players have all turned over. So he's starting "fresh" in a way.

How much more can Q teach Toews/Kane/Keith/Seabs and even Saad? Brinks/Schmaltz doing well as they're new. I think an issue with Murphy is Q expects him to be like Hjalms was. A coach can only take a player so far. I think Q is reaching his limit with a lot of the team right now.
- HawksHype

You know what also irritates me about this Q argument is, besides Toews Kane Seabrook Keith and Crawford oh yeah and Saad who has Q coached longer than 3 years on this team?

If Q lost the core than honestly what the hell is wrong with the core, tired of winning Stanley Cups, or is it to hard now?

It's called TALENT. the next wave of kids, who have to learn Q's system

And I don't know about anybody else here but if I was called up to the Blackhawks and playing for a coach who has 3 rings, I would try to be a sponge because I know as an athlete sure I wanted to be personally successful but more than anything else I wanted to win.

I think LA's comparison is a good one, things they have in common, played a ton of hockey from 2010 to 2017. Had to trade, let go, reshuffle on the fly for the last 8 years. With Q here next year this team will be better than this year since they will have a longer off season and the core getting slapped with reality that they have to work harder in the off season.

In reality its the fans who have grown tired of coach Q, I don't buy the team has.

Just take a good look at the Blues, maybe the Hawks can hire him as an assistant coach so he can take over for Q?

On defense? Not even close. On defense we have like bottom 5 in the league level talent(currently in the NHL or in our system, all combined).

So add that to a rapidly declining 1C, poor center depth(again in the NHL and in our pipeline), average skill and speed throughout....nothing special on the wings other than Kane(who's gonna decline very soon)....lots of bad contracts....

I just don't see the "talent" argument anymore, when for so many years i would have agreed with you. I think we've finally regressed to such an extent that our talent isn't playoff worthy....let alone the coach/system. Just my opinion. Gotta completely rebuild.
- SimpleJack

Have you seem LA's defense, yikes and trading for Phaneuf yuck yuck yuck but hey new GM good job

The issue with Hartman is we really do not have any prospects that project top 6. Hayden, HINO, Duke, Sikura, Cat really are not top 6 guys on really good teams. SAAD, NICK, KANE and TEOWS are really it. We also don't have any d that propject top pairing. We have to get 1 of those with our 1st pick and get lucky with Nashs IMO. I think Hart is going to be a good 3rd liner but is he going to be better then HINO or DUKE? It hurt that NASH came back and won!

NY Rangers at Vancouver, and HABS ISL 3pt game would be nice DET, BUF, in action as well.
- kmw4631

I beg to differ on the Debrincat not being a top 6. I bet this kid puts up close to 40 goals next year if he is playing consistently on the top two lines. He would also fetch a good top 4 defenseman this summer without a problem, but I wouldn't trade him.

I really enjoyed watching him play for 3 years in the OHL and his transition into the NHL has been exceptionally well and he will only get better.

He has done really well for himself since being an undrafted junior walk on for the Erie Otters. I bet if you asked McDavid what he thinks of him, he would love to have him playing left wing in Edmonton just like his last year in the OHL.

I beg to differ on the Debrincat not being a top 6. I bet this kid puts up close to 40 goals next year if he is playing consistently on the top two lines. He would also fetch a good top 4 defenseman this summer without a problem, but I wouldn't trade him.

I really enjoyed watching him play for 3 years in the OHL and his transition into the NHL has been exceptionally well and he will only get better.

He has done really well for himself since being an undrafted junior walk on for the Erie Otters. I bet if you asked McDavid what he thinks of him, he would love to have him playing left wing in Edmonton just like his last year in the OHL.
- scott.jackson

Imagine if he trains like Panarin and puts on 10 to 20 pounds next year? I like the kid and above all else his hockey acumen is the complete opposite of Hartman

You're kinda in the minority on this one. I think most fans are realizing that Coach Q is part of the problem as well, and would rather flip him or Bowman than flip over the entire roster.
- Murph76

The Blackhawks only have three problems: the GM, the Coach, and the players; everything else seems fine.

The roster HAS been turning over A LOT since the last Cup and in the last year but I'd guess the familiar names are going to stay for at least another year. The contracts of 7 and 19 are unmovable. 50 is coming back from an injury, so he's probably unmovable. 2 is probably moveable but to move him means to tank, and I don't think they'll do that, not yet anyway. 88 could bring some return, but likely a downgrade and loss in marketing power, he's staying. 20 should bounce back, don't want to sell low on him, he'll probably be back. 10 will probably retire. 15 could be moved. But all in all, not a lot of flipping potential between now and the start of next year.

That leaves the rest of the roster; a bunch of young guys with varying degrees of upside potential, most of whom have some risk. Who to keep? Who to flip? Those are the big questions.

Best case scenario: 19 has a bounce back year next year and he joins 2 and 88 as the gatekeepers of the organization until the next generation emerges. Maybe that next gen includes Schmaltz, DeBrincat, etc. Maybe it includes some new guys.

I'd still like to see them at least try to "re-tool" for next season and somehow add some guys who are NHL level talent, but there isn't a lot of cap flexibility. Maybe after next season if the CBA gets reopened and compliance buyouts become a thing again they can dump 7's contract. If 19 doesn't come around, they may need a disposition strategy for his contract too, that would be a sad day and I hope it never comes.

In reality its the fans who have grown tired of coach Q, I don't buy the team has.

Just take a good look at the Blues, maybe the Hawks can hire him as an assistant coach so he can take over for Q?
- BetweenTheDots

Respectfully, REALLY..you don't think there is a disconnect on this team. It is not just losing, it is how they lose that tells me there is a problem. Motivation etc....that is on the Coach.

That is one mans opinion.

So whats up with Dylan Sikura? When is the earliest he can sign with the Hawks?

Respectfully, REALLY..you don't think there is a disconnect on this team. It is not just losing, it is how they lose that tells me there is a problem. Motivation etc....that is on the Coach.

That is one mans opinion.
- TrueGrit

No, I don't think half the team is NHL ready. Which leads into players themselves not being consistent. Some night's they play great other nights bad and other nights good enough to win if a NHL goalie was in net.

I guess it's just me but I see a lot of guys playing there assess off, unfortunately to many end up out of position and hurt the team, which I tribute to lack of experience.

I understand though we agree to disagree

So whats up with Dylan Sikura? When is the earliest he can sign with the Hawks?
- SoftServe

Whenever his season ends at Northeastern. However, considering they're a top-10 program in the country, there's a fairly good shot that his team makes a run in the tournament. If his team ends up in the Final Four (which goes from April 5-7), then he won't be able to play for the 'Hawks this season. So best case scenario is his team gets knocked out in the 1st round (March 23-24th) so he could maybe get ~5 games in before the season ends.

Both Buffalo and Montreal picked up two points tonight.

#SuckForTkachuk

Both Buffalo and Montreal picked up two points tonight.

#SuckForTkachuk
- Dieselhead

Pulling for Detroit now. Behind 1 goal after 2 periods.

Both Buffalo and Montreal picked up two points tonight.

#SuckForTkachuk
- Dieselhead

#Allin4Dahlin (Mama needs a top pairing Dman!)
Need a 3 point game for NYR v VAN

So whats up with Dylan Sikura? When is the earliest he can sign with the Hawks?
- SoftServe

Probably won't, he'll talk to his college buddy's, some other players , his agent will do some research and find out how F'd up the command structure is here and elect to go FA.
The season will be over so he will be able to think things with a clear mind and no rush. What Bowman said the other day about talking to mommy and daddy, throw that right out the window,he'll have an agent to steer him in the right direction as soon as his college season is over.

Carter Hutton, wasn't he Hawk property ??.....another bonehead move by Bowman, but PR the hell out of a house league goalie who probably cost the team some points in the last month.

Probably won't, he'll talk to his college buddy's, some other players , his agent will do some research and find out how F'd up the command structure is here and elect to go FA.
The season will be over so he will be able to think things with a clear mind and no rush. What Bowman said the other day about talking to mommy and daddy, throw that right out the window,he'll have an agent to steer him in the right direction as soon as his college season is over.
- wonthecup10

But what about all the endorsement dollars in Chi-town? Maybe Bob Rohrman can hook him up with a Chevy Cruze

Whenever his season ends at Northeastern. However, considering they're a top-10 program in the country, there's a fairly good shot that his team makes a run in the tournament. If his team ends up in the Final Four (which goes from April 5-7), then he won't be able to play for the 'Hawks this season. So best case scenario is his team gets knocked out in the 1st round (March 23-24th) so he could maybe get ~5 games in before the season ends.
- TommyHawk

I think best case scenario is Sikura doesn't play for the Hawks this year. If he plays this year, he burns a year off his ELC. I think he signs no matter what. His situation is completely different than that of Hayes, Vesey and Butcher. Hayes was upset with the Hawks. Vesey was upset with Nashville. Butcher was upset with Colorado. By all accounts, Sikura has a great relationship with the Hawks brass. When he signs (hopefully after our season is over), I'd rather get two full years on his ELC than have him play a couple games in a year that doesn't matter.

Probably won't, he'll talk to his college buddy's, some other players , his agent will do some research and find out how F'd up the command structure is here and elect to go FA.
The season will be over so he will be able to think things with a clear mind and no rush. What Bowman said the other day about talking to mommy and daddy, throw that right out the window,he'll have an agent to steer him in the right direction as soon as his college season is over.
- wonthecup10

I thought the reason Kevin Hayes and Vesey and some other college FAs didn't choose the Blackhawks was because of the competition for playing time. Less of that now.

I thought the reason Kevin Hayes and Vesey and some other college FAs didn't choose the Blackhawks was because of the competition for playing time. Less of that now.
- matt_ahrens

Ah yes, the great Jimmy Vesey. He of the 45 pts in 140 career games. I still get a kick out of how irritated people were that we didn’t land him. End of the day, a lot of factors go into a prospect succeeding or failing. It would be really nice to get the entire organization on the same page going forward.

I thought the reason Kevin Hayes and Vesey and some other college FAs didn't choose the Blackhawks was because of the competition for playing time. Less of that now.
- matt_ahrens

I believe you're both correct, at least for Hayes. For Hayes, he was adamant about getting a guaranteed starting job and he was supposedly bitter about the Hawks not retaining his brother who has done very little for every team he's played for in the NHL save for one decent year with the Panthers where he almost scored 20 goals.

Vesey also supposedly wanted a guaranteed starting job but not sure if he had bitter relations with the Predators or just wanted to test the market. Butcher may have been in the same boat as Vesey with the Avalanche.

Hayes may have also played a role in Vesey not favoring the Hawks in the end since they're friends from childhood or played youth hockey together or something like that.

Agree, Sikura is in a different situation: high chance to get a role on the Hawks and has good relations with the team. At least that what Bowman says.

Ah yes, the great Jimmy Vesey. He of the 45 pts in 140 career games. I still get a kick out of how irritated people were that we didn’t land him. End of the day, a lot of factors go into a prospect succeeding or failing. It would be really nice to get the entire organization on the same page going forward.
- Chunk

Vesey is a poser, but Kevin Hayes would have been helpful down the middle.

I think best case scenario is Sikura doesn't play for the Hawks this year. If he plays this year, he burns a year off his ELC. I think he signs no matter what. His situation is completely different than that of Hayes, Vesey and Butcher. Hayes was upset with the Hawks. Vesey was upset with Nashville. Butcher was upset with Colorado. By all accounts, Sikura has a great relationship with the Hawks brass. When he signs (hopefully after our season is over), I'd rather get two full years on his ELC than have him play a couple games in a year that doesn't matter.
- tvetter

I completely agree in the sense that he's going to re-sign. I think it's inevitable compared to past cases.

But I was just referencing the best case in regards to the fans that were hoping to see him at some point this season.

Of course, it makes much more sense to not have him play at all this season.

I thought the reason Kevin Hayes and Vesey and some other college FAs didn't choose the Blackhawks was because of the competition for playing time. Less of that now.
- matt_ahrens

Kevin Hayes didn't exaclty have a ringing endorsement from his brother... Jimmy.

Huge factor in that decision.