Good take on the game and the Big Picture- Justin
I watched the entire game
Takeaways
- Team excited for the win off the bench to congratulate Toews on the OT winner , nice to see

- I’ve been saying for weeks the forward Group is improving with Toews- Saaad - Kane and Smaltz- Debrincat - Hinnie combos

- I think I would keep Anisimov over trading him
He’s slow but as a Third Line Center he fills a lot of roles- Second Power Play unit- Penalty kill - he’s a smart player

-If the draft brought Tachuck the Hawks would be
Tachuck- Smaltz-Toews-Anisimov- Kamph up the middle

- Murphy is gaining confidence with playing and I hope Q sticks with him



Needs:
-Power forward
-Grit Foward
-2 Legitimate Defencemen
-Goaltending Depth
-Seabs trade
-Power Play Coach
- Colbyboy

Next season I think the team builds out from the following:

Saad - Toews - RW
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Hinostroza - Anisimov - Hayden
LW - Kampf - Wingels

Keith - LD
LD - Seabrook
LD - Murphy

1RW could be Kane if the kid line continues to gel and grow next year. If a kid line is in the cards, RW could be either Hinostroza or Sikura if the latter signs and shows that he is not just all hype.

Hinostroza would slot well paired with Hayden and Anisimov on a 3rd line that has a combination of speed, grit, and offense. Anisimov is no speed merchant but I think he is no slug either. If a better 3C option is available and is affordable, then by all means pursue it. But Anisimov does bring a lot to the table, too.

Highmore playing 4th line with Kampf and Wingels (if he re-signs this summer) is possible but I prefer someone who plays a more heavy game like Bouma but with a little more talent.

On D, Murphy could be Keith's partner on the 1st pair but let's see what is available this summer and/or if any prospects really surprise. Same with filling out the 2 LDs on the 2nd and 3rd pairs.

Oesterle, Gustafsson, and Dahlstrom are likely to be in the mix but I prefer them to be at most 3rd pair blueliners or the 7th man.

Next season I think the team builds out from the following:

Saad - Toews - RW
DeBrincat - Schmaltz - Kane
Hinostroza - Anisimov - Hayden
LW - Kampf - Wingels

Keith - LD
LD - Seabrook
LD - Murphy

1RW could be Kane if the kid line continues to gel and grow next year. If a kid line is in the cards, RW could be either Hinostroza or Sikura if the latter signs and shows that he is not just all hype.

Hinostroza would slot well paired with Hayden and Anisimov on a 3rd line that has a combination of speed, grit, and offense. Anisimov is no speed merchant but I think he is no slug either. If a better 3C option is available and is affordable, then by all means pursue it. But Anisimov does bring a lot to the table, too.

Highmore playing 4th line with Kampf and Wingels (if he re-signs this summer) is possible but I prefer someone who plays a more heavy game like Bouma but with a little more talent.

On D, Murphy could be Keith's partner on the 1st pair but let's see what is available this summer and/or if any prospects really surprise. Same with filling out the 2 LDs on the 2nd and 3rd pairs.

Oesterle, Gustafsson, and Dahlstrom are likely to be in the mix but I prefer them to be at most 3rd pair blueliners or the 7th man.
- AEL_Fox

Those are an awful lot of spots to fill with $14 million in cap space at most to work with.

- Whiskey-Tango

Hahahahahaha that is a solid troll pic! Now is she closing the window? Or reopening it slightly?

Those are an awful lot of spots to fill with $14 million in cap space at most to work with.
- BINGO!

Maybe they fill one or two through free agency, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to save some cap space this year.

Gives some kind of an advantage in negotiating trades and such.

Maybe they fill one or two through free agency, wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to save some cap space this year.

Gives some kind of an advantage in negotiating trades and such.
- BlazinMike

I would recommend keeping as much space as possible next year and just throwing all the young guys you have into the fire. If they make it, awesome. If they don't, well, you'll have lots of space to make moves and find better kids.

Those are an awful lot of spots to fill with $14 million in cap space at most to work with.
- BINGO!

Yeah, I know. Not my job to fill out the roster. The Blackhawks pay me the zero bucks to be an armchair GM.

I would recommend keeping as much space as possible next year and just throwing all the young guys you have into the fire. If they make it, awesome. If they don't, well, you'll have lots of space to make moves and find better kids.
- BINGO!

Save for at least one experienced defenseman to help stabilize the blueline, I'm actually leaning towards what you are saying.

Save for at least one experienced defenseman to help stabilize the blueline, I'm actually leaning towards what you are saying.
- AEL_Fox

That makes sense. A Ron Hainsey type guy who can eat up a decent amount of minutes for cheap and won't hurt you.

The more Panarin produces the more you don't make any sense and the more marginalized you become.
- Savoy

It's hard to understand your love affair with Saad and Columbus's ex-THIRD STRING goalie. Neither has done squat for this team this year. Somehow the rest of us missed Saad's 100 point season you must be touting.
Is that fair? You have no trouble stupidly demeaning Panarin because he doesn't have a hundred point season so how about your love? The rest of us know who Kane prefers. The rest of us know Panarin's production was not replaced in the least and we went from first place to last because of a totally inept GM.

It is all doom and gloom. Colorado may have turned things around but they don't have the most inept GM in the history of the game coupled with a coach who hates young players and ruins they confidence by benching them for the smallest mistake. On top of that, the team has several holes that simple cannot be filled in 1-2 off-seasons.

1LW? - 1C? - Kane
2LW? - Schmaltz - 2RW?
Saad - Toews - Debrincat
4LW?- Anisimov - Hinostroza

1LD? - 1RD?
Keith - 2RD?
Murphy - 3RD?
Seabrook

Crawford (if healthy)
Back-up?

Wow a $27,000,000 dollar line did good out there!

My thoughts are that you need to learn to format sentences.

Also try not to post when you're high.
- BINGO!

Just woke up when wrote public education wish i was high

Wow a $27,000,000 dollar line did good out there!
- Boisy12

$27MM buys you a lot!!!

Just woke up when wrote public education wish i was high
- Scott1977

haha, solid response

Just woke up when wrote public education wish i was high
- Scott1977

Great write up.

As someone who has been hoping for Kane/Toews to get back together for a while, I'm glad Q has given it another shot. They are still the two best forwards on the team and a lot of offense is generated off their plays.

I know one is left-handed and one is right-handed, but is there much difference between Rutta and Dahlstrom (other than age/contract status)? I'm not sure either one has done enough to be on the team next year. Rutta might be walking UFA and Dahlstrom, I assume might find himself back in the AHL next year.

I'd like to see more of Highmore away from the boat anchors (Jurco/AA) but I'm not sure this guy is NHL ready yet. He seems responsible defensively at least.

That Schmaltz line is pretty good, but not gonna win many physical contests.

What worries me still is between the pipes. Berube played well, but I'm concerned about the length of time Crawford is out. I hope the team is just being cautious with him, because I can't see them being a playoff team with Forsberg, Berube, Glass...Good teams have real #1 goalies and I don't see it happening in the immediate future with those 3.

So you are drinking the kool-aid on Murphy. 2 good games wipes out all the trash he showed all year long? Over paid and over valued. Another great trade in Stan's history.
- [email protected]

So replace Murphy with what? Another defenceman who plays no touch hockey? We need more Murphy's, not less. I am embarrassed for this team when our players get mugged in their opponent's blue paint while opponent forwards have their way in our end.

He actually knows Wingels is no longer with the team as talks of re-signing him. EKane or Nash - nothing wrong with him saying he thinks either would be a good addition. OK for us to disagree. Just don’t attack a person’s et a writing.
- Z3Hawk

Thanks in writing i was stating if we can get a power forward like e.kane or nash who will become free agents in the offseason that's what the hawks need to play with smaltz and dcat. Sorry if i don't always articulate my thoughts to someone's liking. Bingo

It is all doom and gloom. Colorado may have turned things around but they don't have the most inept GM in the history of the game coupled with a coach who hates young players and ruins they confidence by benching them for the smallest mistake. On top of that, the team has several holes that simple cannot be filled in 1-2 off-seasons.

1LW? - 1C? - Kane
2LW? - Schmaltz - 2RW?
Saad - Toews - Debrincat
4LW?- Anisimov - Hinostroza

1LD? - 1RD?
Keith - 2RD?
Murphy - 3RD?
Seabrook

Crawford (if healthy)
Back-up?
- DarthKane

I thought the plan was (now that the core is invisible) the Hawks will start dressing extra players and putting more of them on the ice. Everyone will assume it is still 5 on 5.

It's hard to understand your love affair with Saad and Columbus's ex-THIRD STRING goalie. Neither has done squat for this team this year. Somehow the rest of us missed Saad's 100 point season you must be touting.
Is that fair? You have no trouble stupidly demeaning Panarin because he doesn't have a hundred point season so how about your love? The rest of us know who Kane prefers. The rest of us know Panarin's production was not replaced in the least and we went from first place to last because of a totally inept GM.
- Savoy

You have no idea what Kane really thinks. Rumour has it that Toews AND Kane made it clear to management that they wanted Saad back. Agreed that Saad isn’t a 100 point player - he has scored 30 goals though. I mentioned this in relation to Panarin as YOU push his offensive stats, as if 74 points wins the scoring title. Did you not see Saad chase, muscle and just take the puck away from Barrie on the key late Colorado PP last night? Panarin is allergic to opposing players. Also Saad’s disallowed goal last night. Way too much traffic for Panarin on that play.

You know the Hawks signed Panarin for $6M because it matched Saad and the trade had already been discussed? Management wanted Panarin and his terrible attitude gone. I’m sure you’ll now try to tell me he was loved by management. You know Toews despised him. We got Panarin for nothing - traded him for Saad and Forsberg. Works for me.

It matters.

He seems to think Tommy Wingels is still on the team, and that they can get Evander Kane or Rick Nash.
- BINGO!

Don't be petty....

I thought the plan was (now that the core is invisible) the Hawks will start dressing extra players and putting more of them on the ice. Everyone will assume it is still 5 on 5.
- breadbag

Good take on the game and the Big Picture- Justin
I watched the entire game
Takeaways
- Team excited for the win off the bench to congratulate Toews on the OT winner , nice to see

- I’ve been saying for weeks the forward Group is improving with Toews- Saaad - Kane and Smaltz- Debrincat - Hinnie combos

- I think I would keep Anisimov over trading him
He’s slow but as a Third Line Center he fills a lot of roles- Second Power Play unit- Penalty kill - he’s a smart player

-If the draft brought Tachuck the Hawks would be
Tachuck- Smaltz-Toews-Anisimov- Kamph up the middle

- Murphy is gaining confidence with playing and I hope Q sticks with him



Needs:
-Power forward
-Grit Foward
-2 Legitimate Defencemen
-Goaltending Depth
-Seabs trade
-Power Play Coach
- Colbyboy

This is crucial.

Don't be petty....
- BGKarras

I just watched Eric Staal rip his old team a new one.

Being petty is all I've got.

It is all doom and gloom. Colorado may have turned things around but they don't have the most inept GM in the history of the game coupled with a coach who hates young players and ruins they confidence by benching them for the smallest mistake. On top of that, the team has several holes that simply cannot be filled in 1-2 off-seasons.

1LW? - 1C? - Kane
2LW? - Schmaltz - 2RW?
Saad - Toews - Debrincat
4LW?- Anisimov - Hinostroza

1LD? - 1RD?
Keith - 2RD?
Murphy - 3RD?
Seabrook

Crawford (if healthy)
Back-up?
- DarthKane

Between Berube and Forsberg, I think I actually like our backup goaltender situation. Berube has yet to play 30 games in the NHL, and Forsberg hasn't cracked 40. Give the kids some time, they have some potential.

I still don't buy the Schmaltz-at-center charade, he has looked better recently though. I would love the addition of a top-6 center, but that is really a pipe dream at the moment.

Speaking of the world of make-believe though, Darth, your center chart is ridiculous. How are you going to sit Kampf? That line-up is as silly as someone thinking that Tavares is going to sign in Chicago.

(He will, btw)