Nice pickup there. If the window is closed the Bettman cap guess that proved to be way wrong just before Toews and Kane were signed was the beginning of the end. I'm don't think SB by himself is to blame for any of that.
- 6628

It's my understanding that the deductability of tickets to sporting events (including suites, etc.) has been dramatically curtailed, if not eliminated, in the wonderful new tax law that was passed last December.

I would certainly think that this would have an impact on suite and ticket sales, not only holding revenues down for the likes of Rocky and his counterparts, but also dampening any future cap increases.

I agree with you comment about the past over-estimates of the cap by those in the league office - but also in the individual team offices.

The clock won't start until the playoffs end in Mid-June.

What we should be hoping for between now and then is that they are doing a complete and thorough evaluation of what this team is, what this team has, what this team needs, and what this team can and should realistically become for next season and the couple of seasons after.

INCLUDING somehow getting a realistic handle on where the cap is likely to go.

Then that they develop a plan to get there.

Then the clock starts - comes the draft in June and free agency and action early on so that delay doesn't lock them out of doing what needs to be done.
- StLBravesFan

The clock started as soon as the season ended and bowman and Q were brought back a plan and evaluation shoulda already being discussed and have plans for every possible outcome of what the cap will be and identifying what players need to be looked at from within and on the outside. Also agree with you that's the pressure should be greater as the hawks management get closer to the draft and free agency. So I was looking on capfriendly and list of possible buyout players any of those players if they become available interest you? In your opinion what do think the hawks need in this offseason to get back to playoffs?

You know when people say any team has a chance once they make the playoffs, so not true. Kings like the Hawks all in for all those years have become one line teams with one really good defenseman.

The only teams that really have a shot are, Pens, Bolts, Preds, Peg, LVGK, on the fence with the Sharks
- BetweenTheDots

I think Bruins have a shot also. So, that means almost half of the playoff teams have a shot.

What Q or any other coach would have to install is an awareness and responsibility in the other 4 skaters to recognize when Orr (or Gus or Oesterle) leads or joins the attack that the last forward becomes the 2nd defender.

Also after Orr joined the attack he was very responsible not to linger or float in the offensive zone. He made his push and then very quickly reestablished his defensive position.
- -Doh-

Definitely agree with that discernment between an offensively-minded defenseman like Orr and offensively-minded defensemen like Gustafsson and Oesterle. 56 and 82 continue to drift and linger down in the offensive zone, often in and past the circles, then put the team in danger of odd-man breaks the other way.

Its a team game all 5 players need to be aware of what is happening and react accordingly.
- -Doh-

One would think this would rely on just simple counting as you're skating up ice toward the offensive zone. If you see 3 teammates already ahead of you, then hang back a bit and be aware of where your 4th teammate is. And if you see 4 teammates ahead of you, then stay no further than the offensive blueline. There shouldn't be anybody behind you except your goalie.

The clock won't start until the playoffs end in Mid-June.

What we should be hoping for between now and then is that they are doing a complete and thorough evaluation of what this team is, what this team has, what this team needs, and what this team can and should realistically become for next season and the couple of seasons after.

INCLUDING somehow getting a realistic handle on where the cap is likely to go.

Then that they develop a plan to get there.

Then the clock starts - comes the draft in June and free agency and action early on so that delay doesn't lock them out of doing what needs to be done.
- StLBravesFan

The clock starts on April 28th, the lottery. There's a decent chance we'll be picking in the top three. In any event, once we know our position, management needs to make sure we get a Saad, Seabrook or Kane and not a Barker, Olsen or McNeil.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com...post_id=18641257#18641257

^^^^Write ups for each of the top 12 prospects^^^^

Here are the draft rankings according to an aggregate of 6 sources (ISS Hockey, Marek, Hockeyprospect.com, Scott Wheeler, Dobber, McKenzie)
1. Rasmus Dahlin, D
2. Andrei Svechnikov, RW
3. Filip Zadina, LW
4. Brady Tkachuk, LW
5. Adam Boqvist, D
6. Oliver Wahlstrom, RW
7. Evan Bouchard, D
8. Quinton Hughes, D
9. Noah Dobson, D
10. Joe Veleno, C
11. Joel Farabee, LW
12. Barret Hayton, C

Was at the Columbus game last night. Panarin was by far the best player on the ice. Every time the puck was on his blade you got the feeling something amazing was going to happen and towards the end of the game he really clicked into another gear.

Very very special player. It is a shame he isn't in a Hawks sweater anymore.

The clock won't start until the playoffs end in Mid-June.

What we should be hoping for between now and then is that they are doing a complete and thorough evaluation of what this team is, what this team has, what this team needs, and what this team can and should realistically become for next season and the couple of seasons after.

INCLUDING somehow getting a realistic handle on where the cap is likely to go.

Then that they develop a plan to get there.

Then the clock starts - comes the draft in June and free agency and action early on so that delay doesn't lock them out of doing what needs to be done.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed on the clock thing, but Scott 1977 hit all the needs on the head.
Management needs to show they know what they're doing regardless of their CAP situation because they CREATED their cap situation. Now solve it by making some hard decisions on CORE pieces that haven't performed up to their pay level.

Sorry to say this but I would be in favor of moving one of the 2 big contracts depending on the return. GOOD management can figure out the No trade clauses if a player is no longer wanted on this team and sold on that premise....and dealt to a team that the player would agree on. If this organization is as top-notch as they all claim to be...... prove it by selling high now on these players that still would be in demand next year. Another year of mediocrity will mean a boat load of empty seats the following year and another year of decline in their performances and trade value. The question remains....... does this management team have the know-how to do it.

You know when people say any team has a chance once they make the playoffs, so not true. Kings like the Hawks all in for all those years have become one line teams with one really good defenseman.

The only teams that really have a shot are, Pens, Bolts, Preds, Peg, LVGK, on the fence with the Sharks
- BetweenTheDots

The Kings just played that series exactly like the Hawks did last year against Nashville. Totally out hustled and not in the same frame of intensity as VGK. It just goes to show what hard work is all about and following a solid system of aggressive fore checking and everybody back on defense. Great coaching job by Gallant, whether he can find a way to beat Nashville or not.

If the Kings stand pat with their Core again, I see them missing the playoffs next year like the Hawks just did. Way too many passengers there too.

I think Bruins have a shot also. So, that means almost half of the playoff teams have a shot.
- TheTrob

I just don't think the defense is disciplined enough, i watch LVGK and they are shi frickin methodical they remind me a lot of the Senators last year

The Kings just played that series exactly like the Hawks did last year against Nashville. Totally out hustled and not in the same frame of intensity as VGK. It just goes to show what hard work is all about and following a solid system of aggressive fore checking and everybody back on defense. Great coaching job by Gallant, whether he can find a way to beat Nashville or not.

If the Kings stand pat with their Core again, I see them missing the playoffs next year like the Hawks just did. Way too many passengers there too.
- Hawkytalk

The Kings, outside of Kopitar and Carter if he is healthy, are not a very good team.

Also, MAF Played out of his mind.

The Kings, outside of Kopitar and Carter if he is healthy, are not a very good team.

Also, MAF Played out of his mind.
- fattybeef

Yes he made some great saves but at the same time, no odd man breaks, only had to play half the ice, unless there was a turnover in their own zone which was very very very rare the Kings had to play 200 feet of hockey all series and the Knights generated some great scoring chances playing within their 200 foot game.

The Kings, outside of Kopitar and Carter if he is healthy, are not a very good team.

Also, MAF Played out of his mind.
- fattybeef

Wasn't he supposed to be "done" several times since his Cup heroics in 2009?

The Kings, outside of Kopitar and Carter if he is healthy, are not a very good team.

Also, MAF Played out of his mind.
- fattybeef

The Kings looked to be down and the referee was part way through the count for a knock out. Then Rob Blake came in and made a few changes. Somewhat surprisingly Brown and Kopitar reached new career scoring numbers. They added speed to the lineup. They dumped old school plodding along D Sutter and they had new life. But Toffolli has never put it all together for a big scoring year, and the defencemen looked better or actually just deeper and a bit improved. All that could not disguise their old identity as a slow outdated type team. They were ripe for a first round exit to the golf course (or the beach if applicable).

they should lock up Doughty. Forget about Karlssson. Draft a top skill fast forward.

Wasn't he supposed to be "done" several times since his Cup heroics in 2009?
- StLBravesFan

he was young then and obviouswly had talent. hE HAD TO PUT THE MENTAL PART OF GAME IN ORDER. hE DIDN'T HANDLE PLAYOFF PRESSURE WELL. hERe IS AN EXAMPLE OF A GOALTENDER WHO STEPPED Up. THREE CHEERS HE KEEPS HIS MORE CONSISTENT PLAY. hE Couldn"t be in a better situation, with the very talented Suppan pressing for playing time.

Agreed on the clock thing, but Scott 1977 hit all the needs on the head.
Management needs to show they know what they're doing regardless of their CAP situation because they CREATED their cap situation. Now solve it by making some hard decisions on CORE pieces that haven't performed up to their pay level.

Sorry to say this but I would be in favor of moving one of the 2 big contracts depending on the return. GOOD management can figure out the No trade clauses if a player is no longer wanted on this team and sold on that premise....and dealt to a team that the player would agree on. If this organization is as top-notch as they all claim to be...... prove it by selling high now on these players that still would be in demand next year. Another year of mediocrity will mean a boat load of empty seats the following year and another year of decline in their performances and trade value. The question remains....... does this management team have the know-how to do it.
- Hawkytalk

If what JL said is true in a previous blog that decisions are made by committee then no management does have what it takes to turn this around, to many hands in the cookie jar. McEgo needs to stay out of hockey operations and let bowman and his staff do their job. Is bowman the right guy for the job I say no his bad has outweighed the good. To many bad contracts trades misreading the league in certain situations bad drafting to many misses no goaltending depth in the system and bunch of unknowns in the system. Now not every draft pick is going to turn out to play in the nhl but there is no top end talent besides dcat and sikura(?)drafted in the last few years. no top 4 d man in the system there is potential in some of drafted d men but still unknown and no goaltending ready to take over for Crawford. So my question do the hawks continue retool on the fly or go for complete rebuild and entertain trading toews kane kieth seabrook and Crawford that to will be answered after next season. If I was bowman I would listen to anything and everything this offseason. For example say Toronto is ousted in the next couple games and they call about kieth and give a package deal of kapanen, martin to set the money and carrick or lijirgren for kieth and 3rd would you do it?

Definitely agree with that discernment between an offensively-minded defenseman like Orr and offensively-minded defensemen like Gustafsson and Oesterle. 56 and 82 continue to drift and linger down in the offensive zone, often in and past the circles, then put the team in danger of odd-man breaks the other way.

One would think this would rely on just simple counting as you're skating up ice toward the offensive zone. If you see 3 teammates already ahead of you, then hang back a bit and be aware of where your 4th teammate is. And if you see 4 teammates ahead of you, then stay no further than the offensive blueline. There shouldn't be anybody behind you except your goalie.
- AEL_Fox

Bobby Orr could pay shutdown defense just as well and probably better than any other player of that era. I saw Bobby Orr play in a Hawk uniform in a preseason game at the Stadium against Montreal. His knees were pretty much gone by then but his defensive play was nothing short of dazzling.

Bobby Orr could pay shutdown defense just as well and probably better than any other player of that era. I saw Bobby Orr play in a Hawk uniform in a preseason game at the Stadium against Montreal. His knees were pretty much gone by then but his defensive play was nothing short of dazzling.
- Savoy

I was able to see him in one of the few regular season games he played with the Hawks. He was on the bench most of the game but, they put him out on the PP. You could tell no opposing player would get near him when he had the puck as to not be the guy responsible for taking out a legend. Heck even with his bad knees he was better then half the players on the ice.

If what JL said is true in a previous blog that decisions are made by committee then no management does have what it takes to turn this around, to many hands in the cookie jar. McEgo needs to stay out of hockey operations and let bowman and his staff do their job. Is bowman the right guy for the job I say no his bad has outweighed the good. To many bad contracts trades misreading the league in certain situations bad drafting to many misses no goaltending depth in the system and bunch of unknowns in the system. Now not every draft pick is going to turn out to play in the nhl but there is no top end talent besides dcat and sikura(?)drafted in the last few years. no top 4 d man in the system there is potential in some of drafted d men but still unknown and no goaltending ready to take over for Crawford. So my question do the hawks continue retool on the fly or go for complete rebuild and entertain trading toews kane kieth seabrook and Crawford that to will be answered after next season. If I was bowman I would listen to anything and everything this offseason. For example say Toronto is ousted in the next couple games and they call about kieth and give a package deal of kapanen, martin to set the money and carrick or lijirgren for kieth and 3rd would you do it?
- Scott1977

I'd include Schmaltz as far as top end, also, you tend to have fewer of those guys in your system when you're picking later in the first (see Detroit Red Wings) and as far as top 4 D, they're not easy to replace.

Forsling could be one if he's able to play a full season like he did the first quarter of this past one.

Nope. It's baseball season.

Sat through the cold, breeze and mist at Wrigley on Saturday. Tempted to leave a few times but I see something in the Cubs I used to see, somewhat recently, in the 'Hawks: A desire to win.

Nope. It's baseball season.

Sat through the cold, breeze and mist at Wrigley on Saturday. Tempted to leave a few times but I see something in the Cubs I used to see, somewhat recently, in the 'Hawks: A desire to win.
- blackhawk24

i don't see that in the cubs lately honestly.

I'm sure they'll turn it around and wind up having a good season, but they don't seem to have that "it" factor this year, contrary to what the monumental hype train is telling everyone to believe.

I'd include Schmaltz as far as top end, also, you tend to have fewer of those guys in your system when you're picking later in the first (see Detroit Red Wings) and as far as top 4 D, they're not easy to replace.

Forsling could be one if he's able to play a full season like he did the first quarter of this past one.
- HawkintheD

Forgot about smaltz my bad as far picking late toffoli 2nd round hornqusit 7th round
sheary undrafted rust 3rd round Simmonds 2nd round reilly smith 3rd round pavelski 7th round just to name a few that playing in the playoffs good even great players can be found and drafted after the first round saad dcat kieth 2nd rounders it all comes down to scouting and developing.

i don't see that in the cubs lately honestly.

I'm sure they'll turn it around and wind up having a good season, but they don't seem to have that "it" factor this year, contrary to what the monumental hype train is telling everyone to believe.
- BlazinMike

I know it affects both teams, but it can't be conducive to good baseball to play in the weather that the Cubs (and most northern teams) have faced the first two weeks this season - as well as the disruptions caused by cancelled games.

Let's see how they look when (if?) the weather turns better....

Can anybody tell me approximately how many season ticket holder seats were not renewed for next season? Just curious .

Best player in the NHL
- BetweenTheDots

Panarin is and its not even close. Crosby, Malkin, Ovie, McDavid, Kane etc - as I said not even close.