Dexter too.
- HawkintheD

Haha Haha

In every sport i believe you draft best player available, period
- BetweenTheDots

Doesn't always work though. The oilers drafted the consensus number one pick 3 times in a row and only Hall became a star. Dropping in a draft to fill a need and acquiring something else extra has its benefits too

And we had great success but now is different.
How to rebuild? How to replace to veterans that make big$ while not offending the fans now that the core or the face of the franchise is gone. Its a tricky dance that will have to be played out sooner than later. How does the FO get under those contracts if lets say another egg is laid next year? Its not like those contracts expire after next year so I would be interested on how you smart bloggers would handle the situation?
- Hawkster

I don't know of what smart bloggersyou speak of😁

1st If Hossa doesn't come back i would shop his contract, would love if we could get Nik back and a prospect for Hossa's contract.

So now we have two top 4 dmen, maybe Forsling will be ready to take the next step

Toews and Seabrook if things don't change, wait till next CBA and if 2compliance buy outs are permitted then for sure Seabrook

This has to be built in mind with the new core blooming

Doesn't always work though. The oilers drafted the consensus number one pick 3 times in a row and only Hall became a star. Dropping in a draft to fill a need and acquiring something else extra has its benefits too
- GPHawksfan

Yes but that's why scouts get paidto see through all the media marketing

Doesn't always work though. The oilers drafted the consensus number one pick 3 times in a row and only Hall became a star. Dropping in a draft to fill a need and acquiring something else extra has its benefits too
- GPHawksfan

For example the media has Barkley being drafted by the Giants? Is that what they honestly think or are they trying to scare the Browns into believing he won't be there at the 4th pick so the Giants can draft the best rookie QB on the board.

I also remember so much chatter about Kane being too small to play in the NHL and with the 1st pick Tallon drafted him anyway didn't buy into all the media reports out there

Any chance Hossa try to make a comeback? I think he would be foolish too.
- TJYTJY

Probably not happening. I think Stan Bowman recently said there was no improvement in Hossa's condition.

Trade proposal:

Connor Murphy, AA, plus more
For
Ryan O’Reilly, plus more

ROR might be annoyed if Eichel gets the C. Buffalo is a tire fire and needs D (Murphy)
ROR would also shore up our C depth and give Q another option for face offs
Plus it’s east to West, so less fan base backlash than trading within the division

Trade proposal:

Connor Murphy, AA, plus more
For
Ryan O’Reilly, plus more

ROR might be annoyed if Eichel gets the C. Buffalo is a tire fire and needs D (Murphy)
ROR would also shore up our C depth and give Q another option for face offs
Plus it’s east to West, so less fan base backlash than trading within the division
- Slofire94

Can't see why Buffalo would do this, but trading out AA for O'Reilly would be a great improvement.

Can't see why Buffalo would do this, but trading out AA for O'Reilly would be a great improvement.
- kwolf68

the "plus more" part from our end.
original proposal is just to make the cap work

the "plus more" part from our end.
original proposal is just to make the cap work
- Slofire94

Well I am all for it personally.

Hawks sign Dennis Gilbert. While none are earth shattering, I do like Hillman, Gilbert and in time Mitchell as D prospects getting closer. With Jokiharu showing probably the most upside, things are shaping up at least depth-wise with our Defensive group.

I still don't think the complexion of the team at current promises to be at all in play for any deep runs anytime soon, BUT if 5 or 6 things break right then yes they could make a run, but those 5 or 6 things (health of Crow, finding top 4 D man, center depth and the recent poor play of Toews, Saad, Keith and Seabrook) could put the Hawks back on the map, or just more sinking into the abyss....when you have a "core" of Crow, Toews, Kane, Seabs, Saad and Keith and only 1 (Kane) is performing as they normally do (admit Crow's issue is health) it's not a shock to see the team suck so bad....

the question is will those guys rebound? Will some of them? Will none of them? If ALL rebound then look out. My guess is Crow and Keith will be back next year...we'll have to see about the rest.

No takers, eh...figures. What would life be without the ability to cry about every misstep the organization's made that's cheated us all out of 4, 5...maybe 9 Cups as opposed to a measly 3.

Ah, the Golden Era. Was fun for some of us while it lasted.
- HawkintheD

I am assuming some of your modest vitriol is directed at me because I raised the possibility that the hawks could potentially be playing for cup number 9 if they had been able to keep the 2009-2010 team together. No where in that post do I cast any blame on hawks management....I accept the reality of the hard cap that broke the team up and necessitated moves that haven’t been always successful.

I’d rather come to board and see hundreds of posts from a rather large core of posters who are very passionate about the team then come here and find 6 posts in a 48-hous period painting a rosy but unrealistic picture of the hawks.

Are many of these posts negative and redundant? Sure they are. Just like about any conversation you have with passionate fans who have feasted at the fandom equivalent of playoff hockey nirvana and are now scavenging at the trough of regular season despair.

You don’t like posts by people such as enzodand his themes? Fine, don’t read them. Are his and others ideas sometimes stupid or baseless? Some are, just like anyone who posts. I don’t agree with everything I read: some of it is overboard and not well throughout. But I respect everyone’s right to post their thoughts and opinions.

The only thing I tire of are the people who feel the need to personally attack the poster because you don’t like their views. There’s no need nor place for that here

Sorry for any misspellings. Sitting on a veranda down at champaign today visiting my daughter and am on a sunny patio while wife and daughter are investigation the”Mom’s Day” craft fair booths.

I am assuming some of your modest vitriol is directed at me because I raised the possibility that the hawks could potentially be playing for cup number 9 if they had been able to keep the 2009-2010 team together. No where in that post do I cast any blame on hawks management....I accept the reality of the hard cap that broke the team up and necessitated moves that haven’t been always successful.

I’d rather come to board and see hundreds of posts from a rather large core of posters who are very passionate about the team then come here and find 6 posts in a 48-hous period painting a rosy but unrealistic picture of the hawks.

Are many of these posts negative and redundant? Sure they are. Just like about any conversation you have with passionate fans who have feasted at the fandom equivalent of playoff hockey nirvana and are now scavenging at the trough of regular season despair.

You don’t like posts by people such as enzodand his themes? Fine, don’t read them. Are his and others ideas sometimes stupid or baseless? Some are, just like anyone who posts. I don’t agree with everything I read: some of it is overboard and not well throughout. But I respect everyone’s right to post their thoughts and opinions.

The only thing I tire of are the people who feel the need to personally attack the poster because you don’t like their views. There’s no need nor place for that here

Sorry for any misspellings. Sitting on a veranda down at champaign today visiting my daughter and am on a sunny patio while wife and daughter are investigation the”Mom’s Day” craft fair booths.
- Spec41971

Also, as we look back on the '09-'10 team....if only we were able to keep them together, the physicality and grittiness they had may have resulted in thousands less cross-checks along Toews' lower back and he might be much healthier these days...

Trade proposal:

Connor Murphy, AA, plus more
For
Ryan O’Reilly, plus more

ROR might be annoyed if Eichel gets the C. Buffalo is a tire fire and needs D (Murphy)
ROR would also shore up our C depth and give Q another option for face offs
Plus it’s east to West, so less fan base backlash than trading within the division
- Slofire94

Add Nashville's 1st and who replaces Murphy as much as he was criticized for is play he is a decent d man who good upside and potential. Hawks need a bold trade to turn things around.

Also, as we look back on the '09-'10 team....if only we were able to keep them together, the physicality and grittiness they had may have resulted in thousands less cross-checks along Toews' lower back and he might be much healthier these days...
- 35Tony0

Excellent point!

I am assuming some of your modest vitriol is directed at me because I raised the possibility that the hawks could potentially be playing for cup number 9 if they had been able to keep the 2009-2010 team together. No where in that post do I cast any blame on hawks management....I accept the reality of the hard cap that broke the team up and necessitated moves that haven’t been always successful.

I’d rather come to board and see hundreds of posts from a rather large core of posters who are very passionate about the team then come here and find 6 posts in a 48-hous period painting a rosy but unrealistic picture of the hawks.

Are many of these posts negative and redundant? Sure they are. Just like about any conversation you have with passionate fans who have feasted at the fandom equivalent of playoff hockey nirvana and are now scavenging at the trough of regular season despair.

You don’t like posts by people such as enzodand his themes? Fine, don’t read them. Are his and others ideas sometimes stupid or baseless? Some are, just like anyone who posts. I don’t agree with everything I read: some of it is overboard and not well throughout. But I respect everyone’s right to post their thoughts and opinions.

The only thing I tire of are the people who feel the need to personally attack the poster because you don’t like their views. There’s no need nor place for that here

Sorry for any misspellings. Sitting on a veranda down at champaign today visiting my daughter and am on a sunny patio while wife and daughter are investigation the”Mom’s Day” craft fair booths.
- Spec41971

LOL! Actually, I don't recall reading your post and mine wasn't directed at you at all. Also, not sure you mean me but I haven't attacked anyone...ok maybe Truegrit but not recently, and honestly who would blame me for that...probably not even him.

You're right, I don't have to read his or others posts I may not agree with. Like you mention there's a lot of redundancy and many things aren't well thought out.

Well here's a thought. Instead of beating a tired and played out one to death and posting the same thing over and over and over try something different.

Just a thought.

To piggyback on Wolf's thought, the likelihood of all three Core players bouncing back next season is improbable, but possible. Watching Kopitar, Brown and Chara this season gives me some hope.

I agree that Keith bounces back and I think if Seab's works out and comes to camp in shape he could be better than he was for much of the season too. I hope Toews figures something out to get his mojo back.

I agree that Keith bounces back and I think if Seab's works out and comes to camp in shape he could be better than he was for much of the season too. I hope Toews figures something out to get his mojo back.
- HawkintheD

Seabs, even during the Cup years, was not (and never was before) very fast -- but he moved OK for a big man. The problem I see is twofold: he's slowed down even more and Father Time has got his number (meaning him being in shape will help but only so much) and (2), his head hasn't caught up with his reduced speed.

IOW, he's still thinking the game as if he had whatever little speed he had during the 3 CUP years in spite of being considerably slower and unable to do things he once did. It's pretty apparent that if Seabrook had that level of speed from 2010, 2013-15, he'd have been fine this year, regardless of the "babysitting" he did.

Seabs is a very smart player but his head hasn't accepted the fact he can't get to pucks as quickly or make plays he once did. Still don't like his contract, that's on Blowman. Put Seabrook in the right situation and he's still top 4. I happen to believe Q has failed both Keith and Seabrook in this regard as well. Same scheme but players older and slower plus a whole bunch of new/young guys that are having trouble figuring it out.

I am assuming some of your modest vitriol is directed at me because I raised the possibility that the hawks could potentially be playing for cup number 9 if they had been able to keep the 2009-2010 team together. No where in that post do I cast any blame on hawks management....I accept the reality of the hard cap that broke the team up and necessitated moves that haven’t been always successful.

I’d rather come to board and see hundreds of posts from a rather large core of posters who are very passionate about the team then come here and find 6 posts in a 48-hous period painting a rosy but unrealistic picture of the hawks.

Are many of these posts negative and redundant? Sure they are. Just like about any conversation you have with passionate fans who have feasted at the fandom equivalent of playoff hockey nirvana and are now scavenging at the trough of regular season despair.

You don’t like posts by people such as enzodand his themes? Fine, don’t read them. Are his and others ideas sometimes stupid or baseless? Some are, just like anyone who posts. I don’t agree with everything I read: some of it is overboard and not well throughout. But I respect everyone’s right to post their thoughts and opinions.

The only thing I tire of are the people who feel the need to personally attack the poster because you don’t like their views. There’s no need nor place for that here

Sorry for any misspellings. Sitting on a veranda down at champaign today visiting my daughter and am on a sunny patio while wife and daughter are investigation the”Mom’s Day” craft fair booths.
- Spec41971

Also, other than Olduffman and Simplejack before his spirit was broken, I don't see anyone posting rosy and unrealistic thoughts on the Hawks...and as far as that goes, this is the team we root for, so what's wrong with a little misguided optimism?

Everyone experiences everything differently and it's their right to express it, but if you want to talk about vitriol, I'll never understand the amount of it expressed toward a team, coach and GM that won three Cups in the Cap era, after the team went 0 for 49...40 of those I was witness to.

Also, crap...NSH just scored again.

Hoping those scouting reports about Tim Soderlund having a bit of Victor Arvidsson in him pan out.

Seabs, even during the Cup years, was not (and never was before) very fast -- but he moved OK for a big man. The problem I see is twofold: he's slowed down even more and Father Time has got his number (meaning him being in shape will help but only so much) and (2), his head hasn't caught up with his reduced speed.

IOW, he's still thinking the game as if he had whatever little speed he had during the 3 CUP years in spite of being considerably slower and unable to do things he once did. It's pretty apparent that if Seabrook had that level of speed from 2010, 2013-15, he'd have been fine this year, regardless of the "babysitting" he did.

Seabs is a very smart player but his head hasn't accepted the fact he can't get to pucks as quickly or make plays he once did. Still don't like his contract, that's on Blowman. Put Seabrook in the right situation and he's still top 4. I happen to believe Q has failed both Keith and Seabrook in this regard as well. Same scheme but players older and slower plus a whole bunch of new/young guys that are having trouble figuring it out.
- savvyone-1

Never hated the dollar amount on the contract as much as the term...just didn't see Seab's falling off a cliff in the second year of it and obviously neither did Bowman.

If Crow comes back and picks up where he left off that will help a lot of things, but I would think Q and crew could devise or revise their system to cut down on the odd man breaks. Even if Crawford comes back in the same form, FFS, help the guy out a little.

Never hated the dollar amount on the contract as much as the term...just didn't see Seab's falling off a cliff in the second year of it and obviously neither did Bowman.

If Crow comes back and picks up where he left off that will help a lot of things, but I would think Q and crew could devise or revise their system to cut down on the odd man breaks. Even if Crawford comes back in the same form, FFS, help the guy out a little.
- HawkintheD

Blowman screwed the pooch on all aspects of Seabrook's deal -- High AAV, too long term AND a NMC to boot. That's been his problem all along, he can't seem to swing a deal.

All one has to do is look at the deal he gave Ruuta. My god, what has that guy done to deserve $2.25M? Can't recall who said it (ROAR maybe?) but whoever said Blowman has a d-man blind spot is really spot-on there.

Blowman screwed the pooch on all aspects of Seabrook's deal -- High AAV, too long term AND a NMC to boot. That's been his problem all along, he can't seem to swing a deal.

All one has to do is look at the deal he gave Ruuta. My god, what has that guy done to deserve $2.25M? Can't recall who said it (ROAR maybe?) but whoever said Blowman has a d-man blind spot is really spot-on there.
- savvyone-1

The guy won three Cups so it's not like all of that came out of left field. I agree on Rutta and it begs the question if Stan was on holiday in Amsterdam before he made that deal, or Seattle or Denver...

It's not like Stan's never hits on dmen (he traded for your avatar after all) and for a few years all they really needed were a 3rd pair after their top 4.

With 2 and 7 getting older the needs greater. I think he's got one in Forsling and reports on some of the guys in the piepline appear to be good. Other than Forsling it's an outside shot any can help next season.

The guy won three Cups so it's not like all of that came out of left field. I agree on Rutta and it begs the question if Stan was on holiday in Amsterdam before he made that deal, or Seattle or Denver...

It's not like Stan's never hits on dmen (he traded for your avatar after all) and for a few years all they really needed were a 3rd pair after their top 4.

With 2 and 7 getting older the needs greater. I think he's got one in Forsling and reports on some of the guys in the piepline appear to be good. Other than Forsling it's an outside shot any can help next season.
- HawkintheD

Maybe he's got an Rx here for medical maryjane? Who's to say. Yes, he did sign my boy but then thought he needed to sign the dinosaur AKA Michal Rozsival. In my view, it was that contract in particular that cost Stan and that was because of Q. I know all about the +/- from this past season (but if you watched those games as I did, if you thought Forsberg/Glass/Berube were bad, they'd have nothing on the Halak/Greiss duo) -- however, speaking of G dumpster fires . . . and a team where literally none of the F's backchecked. I'd say that +/- was about equal to Keith's for this past season. Both pathetic and in great part due to the team around them.

In any event, I, like you am hopeful but don't think any of the D so far are going to be able to step up for 2018/19. Only hope is they get some F help, Toews returns to 2015 and prior form and Seabrook realizes he's not that young. Not much we can do about Q, he's gonna Q regardless of whatever is swirling around him.

Add Nashville's 1st and who replaces Murphy as much as he was criticized for is play he is a decent d man who good upside and potential. Hawks need a bold trade to turn things around.
- Scott1977

Dahlin!

We're winning the draft lottery, right Darth?

Modified, we'll keep Murphy...
AA, Duclair, Osterle and/or Rutta, plus more
For
Ryan O’Reilly, plus a little more

Maybe he's got an Rx here for medical maryjane? Who's to say. Yes, he did sign my boy but then thought he needed to sign the dinosaur AKA Michal Rozsival. In my view, it was that contract in particular that cost Stan and that was because of Q. I know all about the +/- from this past season (but if you watched those games as I did, if you thought Forsberg/Glass/Berube were bad, they'd have nothing on the Halak/Greiss duo) -- however, speaking of G dumpster fires . . . and a team where literally none of the F's backchecked. I'd say that +/- was about equal to Keith's for this past season. Both pathetic and in great part due to the team around them.

In any event, I, like you am hopeful but don't think any of the D so far are going to be able to step up for 2018/19. Only hope is they get some F help, Toews returns to 2015 and prior form and Seabrook realizes he's not that young. Not much we can do about Q, he's gonna Q regardless of whatever is swirling around him.
- savvyone-1

Nice hustle and empty netter by Hartman.

LOL! Actually, I don't recall reading your post and mine wasn't directed at you at all. Also, not sure you mean me but I haven't attacked anyone...ok maybe Truegrit but not recently, and honestly who would blame me for that...probably not even him.

You're right, I don't have to read his or others posts I may not agree with. Like you mention there's a lot of redundancy and many things aren't well thought out.

Well here's a thought. Instead of beating a tired and played out one to death and posting the same thing over and over and over try something different.

Just a thought.

To piggyback on Wolf's thought, the likelihood of all three Core players bouncing back next season is improbable, but possible. Watching Kopitar, Brown and Chara this season gives me some hope.

I agree that Keith bounces back and I think if Seab's works out and comes to camp in shape he could be better than he was for much of the season too. I hope Toews figures something out to get his mojo back.
- HawkintheD

I did think your post was partially directed at me because I did make a reference a few posts earlier than yours about the hawks possibly going for 10 in a row if they had been able to keep the 2010 team together
I am not bothered by your comment, however, because I believe anything anyone posts here is open to challenge or agreement

I view the forum as today’s water cooler, similar to how people use to get together face-to-face and throw out their ideas and agree with or challenge them. Seen it my whole life, as have probably each and everyone who posts here. For me it was around the lunch table in high school, game room or bar in college, mess hall or barrack”s day room in the army (or a bar), anywhere at work or now in the golf club house bar after a round. At any of those places you found new and interesting ideas, some well thought out and articulated and others jumbled and incoherently expressed. Also hear the same old tired things from time to time. It is human nature that we latch on to some ideas and express them to excess.

I like the new ideas you threw out. That’s the kind of dialogue that should encourage support or challenges.

Keep them coming. And I whole-heartedly agree with one of your earlier comments that we have lived through the golden age of Chicago hockey. I hope there is another....and soon

LOL! Actually, I don't recall reading your post and mine wasn't directed at you at all. Also, not sure you mean me but I haven't attacked anyone...ok maybe Truegrit but not recently, and honestly who would blame me for that...probably not even him.

You're right, I don't have to read his or others posts I may not agree with. Like you mention there's a lot of redundancy and many things aren't well thought out.

Well here's a thought. Instead of beating a tired and played out one to death and posting the same thing over and over and over try something different.

Just a thought.

To piggyback on Wolf's thought, the likelihood of all three Core players bouncing back next season is improbable, but possible. Watching Kopitar, Brown and Chara this season gives me some hope.

I agree that Keith bounces back and I think if Seab's works out and comes to camp in shape he could be better than he was for much of the season too. I hope Toews figures something out to get his mojo back.
- HawkintheD

I agree that Keith is the most likely to come back. Seabs needs to lose some weight and get conditioned better. I am more worried about Toews. As much as it is easy to say “go eat some steaks and burgers,” I think there is something physiologically wrong with him. I can’t see how hard a obit diet contributed to his falling often and his perceived inability to handle pucks like he used to. He clearly — to my untrained eyes — is a lesser skater than he used to be. I think the mind is willing but the body can’t keep up. And I take this shot at his decline recognizing he was one of the best players I’ve seen in Chicago across any sport. He was fundamental to the hawks winning 3 times. And my respect for him is undeniable.