JL, great job on your coverage this season!

Right back at ya Justin! Even to the guys who can’t stand my posts, have a good summer:
With that being said, my wish list:
1) Trade up to draft Brady Tkachuk
2) Healthy Cory Crawford
3) sign a high end D man or tradefor 1.
4) address the long term D position thru the draft.
5)sign JVR for a top 6 role.
6) Start eating Jonathan!
7) Join. Planet Fitness Brent!

Pick for the cup, someone who hasn’t won it before!
- wonthecup10

On that note - 7 of the 16 teams in this year's tournament were not in the playoffs last year - meaning, of course, 7 of the 15 who are NOT in this year's tournment....

That's a lot of turnover over 12 months.

Same old crap for Bowman’s mouth during the exit interviews just now.

Regurgitates how their #1 focus is on continuing the youth development and locking in the younger players long term, and how short-term contracts will be the more preferred route this offseason.

If you’re commiting to the youth, COMMIT TO THE YOUTH and sell off your veterans and continue to rebuild the right way.

If you’re building on the fly, BUILD ON THE FLY and make acquisitions that would help IMMEDIATELY (i.e top-4 d-man).

Just pick a lane and stay in it. Nothing irritates me more than uncertainty and that’s exactly how Bowman sounds. No plan, no direction.

Seems like barring a miracle recovery by a Crawford (which is what they are probably banking on), this mess will continue next season until a concise plan is in place with new heads at the top.
- TommyHawk

Bowman probably wishes he could except that the contracts he handed out to them make them untradeable.

Good work Justin.

Looking forward to a new year and some hope.

Same old crap for Bowman’s mouth during the exit interviews just now.

Regurgitates how their #1 focus is on continuing the youth development and locking in the younger players long term, and how short-term contracts will be the more preferred route this offseason.

If you’re commiting to the youth, COMMIT TO THE YOUTH and sell off your veterans and continue to rebuild the right way.

If you’re building on the fly, BUILD ON THE FLY and make acquisitions that would help IMMEDIATELY (i.e top-4 d-man).

Just pick a lane and stay in it. Nothing irritates me more than uncertainty and that’s exactly how Bowman sounds. No plan, no direction.

Seems like barring a miracle recovery by a Crawford (which is what they are probably banking on), this mess will continue next season until a concise plan is in place with new heads at the top.
- TommyHawk

With all of the D-man acquisitions and signings, it seems like SB is trying to copy the Preds. The problem with that is the Preds built their D over a number of years and development. We seem to be trying to do it in about a year and a half with 19 yr olds.

On that note - 7 of the 16 teams in this year's tournament were not in the playoffs last year - meaning, of course, 7 of the 15 who are NOT in this year's tournment....

That's a lot of turnover over 12 months.
- StLBravesFan

There is such a fine line between winning and losing these days. An organization has to attend to the finest details to maximize on what they have. Having the right personnel to do that is imperative.

Bowman probably wishes he could except that the contracts he handed out to them make them untradeable.
- 67hawks

Take it for what you will, but I think it was Brian Hedger (?) that said a Seabrook-to-Columbus deal was almost consummated at the deadline this season. Whatever the ‘Hawks need to do to incentivize a deal to happen, clearly the possibility exists.

If Stan is serious about bringing this team back to relevancy and not just maintaining the status quo, he WILL take that next step to ensure that a deal isn’t “close” but finalized.

There ARE ways for this team to improve, regardless of how handicapped the teams are. Let’s not forget that the Kings and Pens were strapped for cap space at one point too with their commitments to big contracts, but they found a way to get back on track. Stan and Co. need to be able to as well.

Sitting back on their hands and acting as if they are incapable of doing anything and using that as an excuse once things go haywire again next season is simply unacceptable and will lead to immediate termination, and rightfully so.

Hopefully McD made it very clear to Stan that if this team isn’t back to contending next season, he’s out.

Enough of the country-club loyalty around here. Fans pay absurd money to NOT be rewarded with a worthwhile product. The Blackhawks are quickly falling back into irrelevancy within the Chicago sports world, and barring major changes, will continue to fall and McD knows this.

This NEEDS to be a homerun kind of offseason for Stan.

Bowman probably wishes he could except that the contracts he handed out to them make them untradeable.
- 67hawks

Personally, I don't like when teams cut too deep on the rebuild, because you want vets who can also teach those young guys all the things they've learned.

I don't think the core of the team is as far gone as people assume and building the supporting cast could get some more good seasons out of them.

Edit: I don't mean you can't make a trade or two, but I mean I wouldn't try to ship everyone. I've seen teams fail because they don't have the veteran leadership remaining to go with the young talent.

Take it for what you will, but I think it was Brian Hedger (?) that said a Seabrook-to-Columbus deal was almost consummated at the deadline this season. Whatever the ‘Hawks need to do to incentivize a deal to happen, clearly the possibility exists.

If Stan is serious about bringing this team back to relevancy and not just maintaining the status quo, he WILL take that next step to ensure that a deal isn’t “close” but finalized.

There ARE ways for this team to improve, regardless of how handicapped the teams are. Let’s not forget that the Kings and Pens were strapped for cap space at one point too with their commitments to big contracts, but they found a way to get back on track. Stan and Co. need to be able to as well.

Sitting back on their hands and acting as if they are incapable of doing anything and using that as an excuse once things go haywire again next season is simply unacceptable and will lead to immediate termination, and rightfully so.

Hopefully McD made it very clear to Stan that if this team isn’t back to contending next season, he’s out.

Enough of the country-club loyalty around here. Fans pay absurd money to NOT be rewarded with a worthwhile product. The Blackhawks are quickly falling back into irrelevancy within the Chicago sports world, and barring major changes, will continue to fall and McD knows this.

This NEEDS to be a homerun kind of offseason for Stan.
- TommyHawk

Doesn't hurt that Seabs found some of his game the last few weeks.

Is it all Blues/Cardinals down there? My in-laws are from about 45 minutes west of you, and there might get an AP report on Chicago teams in the papers.
- powerenforcer

I would guess it's mostly Cardinals and Cubs and now a paragraph or two in the Sunday version on the 'Hawks and Blues. 2010, 2013 and 2015 kinda forced them to bump it up and do some coverage.

hello justin

JL....are you to blame for the season/playoff miss??? First year doing this....and the season goes down the toilet.

Hmmm.

Same old crap for Bowman’s mouth during the exit interviews just now.



Just pick a lane and stay in it. Nothing irritates me more than uncertainty and that’s exactly how Bowman sounds. No plan, no direction.


- TommyHawk

This. And to do that you need a concise plan that is adhered to from the popcorn guy to Rocky and should be overseen by a guy with hockey knowledge and Rocky chose McD for that.

Stan gets Fleihman and Weise, gives up a 2nd and Denault for them and Q sits them.

Stan has to dump Sharp's money and has to move Johns to do that getting Daley in return. Q runs em out of town.

Stan and the whole organIzation is embarrassed by Nashville, puts together a pushback 4th line and Q rejects what was a solid line 30 games in.

As you say, pick a lane and stay in it but when has the combo of Stan and Q, overseen by the non-hockey Prez, done that? ......... I can only go by what my eyes have and do see not what comes out of StanBowPopsMcD's or Q's mouth. Devoid overwhelming talent the trio of McD, Stan and Q have done very little.

Simply said nothing will improve on the ice until management does and my eyes tell me I shouldn't be too optimistic with the trio of McD, Stan and Q as a team.

And Justin, welcome. Very much like a new and fresh perspective and you bring prepared thoughts. Always a good read.

Thank you Justin, it has been a pleasure.

I think a lot of us Hawk fans have been spoiled over the last 10 years (right from when Kane and Toews were drafted), and while we (most) are appreciative of this golden era the Hawks have enjoyed, some have come to "expect" it all the time.

I do not think the door is completely closed yet to another Cup, but there needs to be not only some personnel changes, but some fundamental changes to the style of game the Hawks play. First off, the powerplay needs to be revamped. Hawks also need to add some toughness and grit to their game, and I am not talking about just on the fourth line. An Evander Kane/Wayne Simmonds type, with the skill to go with the toughness. Speed...this line-up is too slow, period. Look at the Devils, and the style they play with their speed game.

The defence is not the greatest, I will admit. But, I do not think it is as bad as it looks either. Coach Q needs to set up his pairings, and leave them alone. Murphy was brought in as a younger, tougher replacement for Hammer...let the guy play on the second unit and give him some steady minutes. Personally, I would have Keith and Murphy together. They do need to add another quality d-man to the line-up, and they will have that chance through free agency and/or the draft.

Goaltending is another big issue, and I am not saying anything that is not already obvious to everyone. I hope Craw comes back, and performs close to his previous levels. But, they need a second goalie with experience, who can play for some long stretches if need be. They also need to start drafting some long-term prospects at this position...sorry, Berube and Forsberg are not NHL-level goalies at this point, and they may never be. I am still upset the Hawks took TT over Vasilevskiy.

Enjoy the summer. ANd...anyone but the Preds for the Cup!

JL....are you to blame for the season/playoff miss??? First year doing this....and the season goes down the toilet.

Hmmm.
- PatShart

Not Cool!

Thank you Justin, it has been a pleasure.

I think a lot of us Hawk fans have been spoiled over the last 10 years (right from when Kane and Toews were drafted), and while we (most) are appreciative of this golden era the Hawks have enjoyed, some have come to "expect" it all the time.

I do not think the door is completely closed yet to another Cup, but there needs to be not only some personnel changes, but some fundamental changes to the style of game the Hawks play. First off, the powerplay needs to be revamped. Hawks also need to add some toughness and grit to their game, and I am not talking about just on the fourth line. An Evander Kane/Wayne Simmonds type, with the skill to go with the toughness. Speed...this line-up is too slow, period. Look at the Devils, and the style they play with their speed game.

The defence is not the greatest, I will admit. But, I do not think it is as bad as it looks either. Coach Q needs to set up his pairings, and leave them alone. Murphy was brought in as a younger, tougher replacement for Hammer...let the guy play on the second unit and give him some steady minutes. Personally, I would have Keith and Murphy together. They do need to add another quality d-man to the line-up, and they will have that chance through free agency and/or the draft.

Goaltending is another big issue, and I am not saying anything that is not already obvious to everyone. I hope Craw comes back, and performs close to his previous levels. But, they need a second goalie with experience, who can play for some long stretches if need be. They also need to start drafting some long-term prospects at this position...sorry, Berube and Forsberg are not NHL-level goalies at this point, and they may never be. I am still upset the Hawks took TT over Vasilevskiy.

Enjoy the summer. ANd...anyone but the Preds or Pens for the Cup! :
- plyrs99

FTFY

Not Cool!
- riozzo

Haha...here we are, either blaming Q, Stan, Onnit...when all along, JL may be to blame.

Has no one looked into this?

Do you think the Hawks would ask Seabrook to waive his no trade clause for Seattle to take him in the expansion draft and would he Seabs accept it?

I think he'd make a great captain for that expansion team.

Do you think the Hawks would ask Seabrook to waive his no trade clause for Seattle to take him in the expansion draft and would he Seabs accept it?

I think he'd make a great captain for that expansion team.
- stan-ley-cups

Didn't the last expansion team have a productive season? just sayin....

Do you think the Hawks would ask Seabrook to waive his no trade clause for Seattle to take him in the expansion draft and would he Seabs accept it?

I think he'd make a great captain for that expansion team.
- stan-ley-cups

A couple of years away before a Seattle club becomes a reality. A potential renegotiated CBA prior to that. So unless traded, the Hawks will still roll out #7 on regular basis.

Do you think the Hawks would ask Seabrook to waive his no trade clause for Seattle to take him in the expansion draft and would he Seabs accept it?

I think he'd make a great captain for that expansion team.
- stan-ley-cups

Don't worry, Vegas still owes us 'future considerations'. I think we get to pick 2 of 3 players: Karlsson, Fleury, Marchessault. What a great deal Stan!

Don't worry, Vegas still owes us 'future considerations'. I think we get to pick 2 of 3 players: Karlsson, Fleury, Marchessault. What a great deal Stan!
- ObeseOprah

Negotiating rights to Vadim Shipachyov.

So, Lazerus has a barrage of interesting tweets:

Connor Murphy also will play for Team USA at Worlds. So Kane, DeBrincat and Murphy are going, and Schmaltz is considering it.

Jan Rutta on what the Blackhawks defensemen need to do next season: "Play better."

Duncan Keith will not play for Canada at Worlds.

Duncan Keith said Corey Crawford's injury "for sure" affected the way the Blackhawks defensemen played.

Brandon Saad won't play at Worlds. Wants to focus on his training, plus he's getting married in July.

Joel Quenneville said he'll be looking to "tighten up" the Blackhawks' systems and make sure they don't give up as much next season.

And finally a funny from Kane:
Patrick Kane joked that he let Alex DeBrincat win the team goals race. "I had to play with Sharpie the last couple of games, so I had to pass it to him all the time."

So, Lazerus has a barrage of interesting tweets:

Connor Murphy also will play for Team USA at Worlds. So Kane, DeBrincat and Murphy are going, and Schmaltz is considering it.

Jan Rutta on what the Blackhawks defensemen need to do next season: "Play better."

Duncan Keith will not play for Canada at Worlds.

Duncan Keith said Corey Crawford's injury "for sure" affected the way the Blackhawks defensemen played.

Brandon Saad won't play at Worlds. Wants to focus on his training, plus he's getting married in July.

Joel Quenneville said he'll be looking to "tighten up" the Blackhawks' systems and make sure they don't give up as much next season.

And finally a funny from Kane:
Patrick Kane joked that he let Alex DeBrincat win the team goals race. "I had to play with Sharpie the last couple of games, so I had to pass it to him all the time."
- Chunk

When Seattle comes on board in a couple of years they will probably be assigned to the Pacific division putting 9 teams there. Who do you think will move to the Central?

With Seattle there will be five teams in states and provinces bordering the Pacific. Doubt if they separate Calgary and Edmonton. That leaves Vegas or Phoenix as the likely candidate.