Ottawa seems to be very high on their newly acquired goaltender Filip Gustavsson. I wonder if this makes Mike Condon expendable to Ottawa? Condon didn't have the greatest season, but overall the Sens were poor. Maybe Condon could be the Hawks back-up next season?

Edit: Chicago's second first round pick and Hossa for Condon (50% retained) and a 2020 3rd.
- DarthKane

If Hossa's contract leaves Chicago, it does seem like a nice story for it to end up in Ottawa.

Hey Justin,

A couple of things you wrote today piqued my interest. I'm winding if it is just your conjecture of if this speculation is informed via your contacts/sources:

- Crawford not recovering fully and the Blackhawks acquiring a new #1 goaltender
- Another addition to the top six

I'd be sad if Crow can't make a full comeback and return to form for the Hawks next season. But I really do think some more firepower is needed on this team in the top six.

Justin,

What you point out in 2 is the most important part of the bigger problem. That is there is a void of leadership. Whether it be from coaches, the captain or vets...

What you are seeing on the ice...those concerns...are a result of the failure of leadership.

Perhaps its the country club atmosphere, entitlement...

I said it before. Pittsburg has endured cap hell, far more injuries and yet has never fallen off of the cliff. Sure a few 1st round losses, but they never lost it completely. This group has now lost it completely.

One hot ugly mess


- Hawkster

I have a Joakim Nordstrom you can have back for.... like.... nothing. Nothing at all. Future considerations.

Hey Justin,

A couple of things you wrote today piqued my interest. I'm winding if it is just your conjecture of if this speculation is informed via your contacts/sources:

- Crawford not recovering fully and the Blackhawks acquiring a new #1 goaltender
- Another addition to the top six

I'd be sad if Crow can't make a full comeback and return to form for the Hawks next season. But I really do think some more firepower is needed on this team in the top six.
- matt_ahrens

John Tavares come on down.....

I have a Joakim Nordstrom you can have back for.... like.... nothing. Nothing at all. Future considerations.
- BINGO!

Only if you take back Seabrook!!!
Done deal!!!!!

Ottawa seems to be very high on their newly acquired goaltender Filip Gustavsson. I wonder if this makes Mike Condon expendable to Ottawa? Condon didn't have the greatest season, but overall the Sens were poor. Maybe Condon could be the Hawks back-up next season?

Edit: Chicago's second first round pick and Hossa for Condon (50% retained) and a 2020 3rd.
- DarthKane

No. Not trading for a career backup with serious consistency issues at the expense of our second best pick. If they're willing to do it for some of Jurco/Ruuta/Duclair/whoever, then maybe.

Condon has had major issues this season. No chance are we surrendering the 26-31 pick for a crappy backup goalie.

I have a Joakim Nordstrom you can have back for.... like.... nothing. Nothing at all. Future considerations.
- BINGO!

I don't know. We still have the future considerations from Vegas in the Kruger deal that are working so well... (not that I'd want him back, but it's the principle behind it).

Poor effort = sucking = losing = tanking = PERHAPS setting back the development of the young players that are the future of the franchise.
- StLBravesFan

Maybe it's time to fold the franchise?

As painful as this season was there were some bright spots in the season. DeBrincat, Schmaltz and Hinostroza were all good news stories. If these guys can continue to develop while the other holes are being filled this team will be in good shape.

I don't know. We still have the future considerations from Vegas in the Kruger deal that are working so well... (not that I'd want him back, but it's the principle behind it).
- Chunk

Phil Di Giuseppe had more points last night than Joakim Nordstrom has managed in his last 50 games.

Valentin Zykov, in his 2nd game of the season, had as many goals last night as Nordstrom has scored in his last 69 games.

I don't know. We still have the future considerations from Vegas in the Kruger deal that are working so well... (not that I'd want him back, but it's the principle behind it).
- Chunk

I was going to mention this. Could it be a "Hossa is hired by ??????" type of thing?

You guys are down to lose those 2 games to us at the end of the year right? We can sneak into the playoffs and the Hawks can sneak into a top 3 pick
- Yeah Boyes

i would like to see the hawks ruin your season...but this team has not shown any ability to win a period let alone a game...

Justin,

What you point out in 2 is the most important part of the bigger problem. That is there is a void of leadership. Whether it be from coaches, the captain or vets...

What you are seeing on the ice...those concerns...are a result of the failure of leadership.

Perhaps its the country club atmosphere, entitlement...

I said it before. Pittsburg has endured cap hell, far more injuries and yet has never fallen off of the cliff. Sure a few 1st round losses, but they never lost it completely. This group has now lost it completely.
- TrueGrit

cap hell....no injuries yes..far more than the hawks..

won the cup with out their best dman letang..their goaltending was sensational

Hey Justin,

A couple of things you wrote today piqued my interest. I'm winding if it is just your conjecture of if this speculation is informed via your contacts/sources:

- Crawford not recovering fully and the Blackhawks acquiring a new #1 goaltender
- Another addition to the top six

I'd be sad if Crow can't make a full comeback and return to form for the Hawks next season. But I really do think some more firepower is needed on this team in the top six.
- matt_ahrens

this would be very bad hockey and cap wise...would have LTIR him and that contract and who do you get for a number #1

UFA's include bernier and hutchinson; not much else

And you know this because you are on the bench during games or on the ice during practice? Just another baseless claim.
- TheTrob

Well said, after all a great leader praises in public and criticizes in private...

this would be very bad hockey and cap wise...would have LTIR him and that contract and who do you get for a number #1

UFA's include bernier and hutchinson; not much else
- bogiedoc

Trade Kane for Miller.

Trade Kane for Miller.



- DarthKane

"2) I don’t care that the team is losing; I just want to see effort and some signs of chemistry as the Hawks close this season off. I’m a little concerned however that some of the younger players or guys that should be auditioning for next year look like they are as uninterested as some of the veterans on this team. There was one point I looked and Hayden, Hinostroza and Martinsen were just standing still in defensive zone, casually swing sticks like they were in a pick-up rec skate. I would like to see a strong effort from guys like that.

You said it yourself - effort and chemistry.

Since the Hawks have been effectively (if not mathematically) eliminated 15-20 games ago, it really looks like the team has been leaderless, in the room (which, of course, I don't see first hand, or even second hand) and on the ice.

Not only does it seem that that coaches are not being listened to - or they've given up and aren't even trying - but it seems that the skated leaders aren't taking charge on the ice. The ones that know how to win - and have won - should be taking charge of the young players and - even in losing efforts - drag them into learning how they should be playing the game. Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Kane, Sharp....

I'm hoping this has not been a wasted year for the first and second year players - I'm hoping the bad habits they've gotten into can be quickly overcome - I'm hoping that something good (other than a good draft pick) can come out of this mess.

Otherwise they'd all be better off in Rockfish, making the AHL playoffs and learning how to play winning hockey.
- StLBravesFan

Having looked specifically for that at the game I just attended and during the TV broadcasts, when it's shown, there are a few of those guys doing what you ask. Kane is definitely "coaching" on the bench and on the ice. Saw Toews get up a few times to move down the bench to sit with one of the younger guys to point out things he could/should be doing. Sharp is doing it constantly on the ice and on the bench. He's really working to mentor the new guys and you can tell they all really like him. I didn't see the D men doing it as much, but doesn't mean it wasn't happening.

So, all is not lost, but everyone is correct that the defeatism permeates.

He can start by having a Steak or two for dinner more often. Then hit the Gym with some serious weight lifting....
- BGKarras

He did mention in a recent interview that he was going to try and bulk up again this summer.

Having looked specifically for that at the game I just attended and during the TV broadcasts, when it's shown, there are a few of those guys doing what you ask. Kane is definitely "coaching" on the bench and on the ice. Saw Toews get up a few times to move down the bench to sit with one of the younger guys to point out things he could/should be doing. Sharp is doing it constantly on the ice and on the bench. He's really working to mentor the new guys and you can tell they all really like him. I didn't see the D men doing it as much, but doesn't mean it wasn't happening.

So, all is not lost, but everyone is correct that the defeatism permeates.
- pdx2ord

Would be nice to see the team get some of the ol' swagger back. That has been missing for a few years now.

I was going to mention this. Could it be a "Hossa is hired by ??????" type of thing?
- powerenforcer

Would require him to retire, no?

Unless he stays on LTIR and is hired by the league like Pronger, which apparently is okay for some reason.

Las is saying Victor E might make his debut tonight.

Phil Di Giuseppe had more points last night than Joakim Nordstrom has managed in his last 50 games.

Valentin Zykov, in his 2nd game of the season, had as many goals last night as Nordstrom has scored in his last 69 games.
- BINGO!

Come on, you're making these names up.

Would require him to retire, no?

Unless he stays on LTIR and is hired by the league like Pronger, which apparently is okay for some reason.
- BINGO!

It could be. The league should be lax a bit with some of these old contracts that existed before the current CBA. The whole situation with these contracts is a mess the NHL and NHLPA created.

1) Crappy rules that caused the GMs to hand them out
2) The league change the rules after the fact to punish teams for them.
3) The teams finding more creative ways to retire players.

It is like a vicious cycle all going back to the NHL and NHLPA leaving huge loopholes when forcing teams to work under a cap. To me, the retirement part of it should have been grandfathered into contracts that were signed before the rule change. They added rules to prevent any new contracts that would bend those rules. The compliance buyout wasn't really a good option either.

Like they did with Pronger, the league should let teams have some flexibility on the whole thing.

Come on, you're making these names up.
- Rota's Rooter