Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 
Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: From IceHogs to Blackhawks: Who’s Next Up?
Author Message
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

May 7 @ 9:49 AM ET
Justin Lowe: From IceHogs to Blackhawks: Who’s Next Up?
Another impressive win by the IceHogs on Saturday has them at a 2-0 series lead on the Manitoba Moose.

It was a 4-1 win on Saturday with Colin Delia being the 1st star of the game.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

May 7 @ 9:52 AM ET
First, great info, none of those seems to be a top 2 / top 6
in my book.
Beaver-Warrior
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: in my great and unmatched wisdom
Joined: 07.28.2011

May 7 @ 9:59 AM ET

I'm half expecting a unknown Euro Free Agent or two will be added to mix before camp.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

May 7 @ 10:09 AM ET
Stanbo better do something big, from what I am watching I agree with those that think this may be a long drought
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

May 7 @ 10:18 AM ET
looks like a glass half filled blog...

watching teams like the jets and knights...the hawks are no where near in the compete picture with these teams...
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

May 7 @ 10:20 AM ET
the growth and play and dalia is very encouraging...maybe the hawks ditch forsberg and bring a veteran back-up..with dalia in reserve to take the next move...
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

May 7 @ 10:25 AM ET
heres to the jets taking care of business and send the preds home packing...with the hawks getting the 27th pick...

lets see if the jets have that "finish this off" mentality that the bolts and knights have demonstrated
35Tony0
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Springfield, IL
Joined: 05.10.2015

May 7 @ 10:32 AM ET
Championship teams do need guys like Martinsen and Hayden providing meaningful minutes when a team is able to roll four lines.
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

May 7 @ 10:42 AM ET
looks like a glass half filled blog...

watching teams like the jets and knights...the hawks are no where near in the compete picture with these teams...

- bogiedoc


I could see it going either way. As much as I would have liked to see Quenneville designated for reassignment or whatever, three Cups buys you time, but I’m not sure the coaching philsophy changes that quickly over a summer.

I would have liked to have seen a fresh set of eyes and ears behind the bench to go along with the different voice. You watch the Knights and they are relentless, never seem to take their foot of the gas or take too many periods off. I don’t recall anyone anywhere having them one series away from competing for a Cup before the season began.

We’ll see. Hoping Q changes things up or maybe with a year under their belts, some of the players have adapted to his system to a point he is comfortable keeping lines and d partners together for longer stretches than a game or two so they can develop some chemistry.
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

May 7 @ 10:54 AM ET
I could see it going either way. As much as I would have liked to see Quenneville designated for reassignment or whatever, three Cups buys you time, but I’m not sure the coaching philsophy changes that quickly over a summer.

I would have liked to have seen a fresh set of eyes and ears behind the bench to go along with the different voice. You watch the Knights and they are relentless, never seem to take their foot of the gas or take too many periods off. I don’t recall anyone anywhere having them one series away from competing for a Cup before the season began.

We’ll see. Hoping Q changes things up or maybe with a year under their belts, some of the players have adapted to his system to a point he is comfortable keeping lines and d partners together for longer stretches than a game or two so they can develop some chemistry.

- HawkintheD



Q has used that term "relentless" as the new mantra for next year....well exhibit A is the knights: they are playing with purpose and passion to do something no one thought possible.

Although the rules of their roster development was decidedly skewed to make them competitive right away.

This is not your 1960's and 70's expansion team...
Z3Hawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.04.2017

May 7 @ 11:32 AM ET
I’m sorry Doh but with respect your reading of this is incorrect. No other team above the floor would trade for the Hossa contract to further fill the Cap and certainly not to get to the ceiling. A team, already spending near the ceiling would presumably want that available Cap space for an actual player or actual players. There is absolutely no benefit to that team in doing that - none. There is only a benefit to a team that wishes to save actual money and reach the floor. The issue of assets then - the Hawks are not going to give away assets, of any value, to move the Hossa contract so whether a team has Cap space available or not, the Hawks are not going to give assets of any value. The LTIR system is a bit inconvenient and seems to have been written by squirrels but it is not rocket science for the teams involved with it. These teams simply deal with it.

This is not like the Datsyuk situation where there was no Cap relief possible for Detroit. The Hawks get Cap relief for the entirety of Hossa’s contract under the LTIR system. I am not saying that it is impossible for a trade, as you describe, to occur but the Hawks would give up very little or bury the contract in a bigger trade, as the moving of the Hossa contract would only be to gain convenience.

As an aside, NHL teams pretending that dealing with the Cap is incredibly difficult are full of it - it is the most basic accounting. Capologists - give me a break. I do more difficult balancing with my grocery budget.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

May 7 @ 11:38 AM ET
Justin Lowe: From IceHogs to Blackhawks: Who’s Next Up?

Another impressive win by the IceHogs on Saturday has them at a 2-0 series lead on the Manitoba Moose.

It was a 4-1 win on Saturday with Colin Delia being the 1st star of the game.

- Justin Lowe


It's funny that you mention Clendening, I was thinking about his situation too. He'll only be 26 next season and he's been stellar in his return to Rockford. He has 86 NHL games under his belt, that's at least something. By no means do I think Clendening will be penciled into the Hawks top 6 but I could see him being signed and starting the season in Rockford as an insurance policy.

Johnson's situation is interesting too, from everything I've read he's shown significant improvement over last season. Hopefully he gets a cup of coffee with the big club next season.
LaheysBRandy
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 04.28.2015

May 7 @ 11:38 AM ET
The biggest concern for me with this team, and in particular the core players is that they may just not have the drive to win anymore. Without that drive, there is no way that Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabs ever recapture glory. So a big question for me is how do you reignite that fire in someone that has had that level of success?

I think that one thing the Blackhawks have to try very hard to find is one or two vets that have been around the game, who are well respected across the league, still have some game, but have never hoisted the cup. I think that sort of player can really add some spark to a team, and I think the Blackhawks need a spark more than anything. Are there any players out there that you guys can think of who could fill such a role on the team and hopefully actually fill a need?
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

May 7 @ 11:47 AM ET
Agreed, this is something the Hawks need. We've grown accustomed to the Hawks taking the first 55 minutes off to then bust their butts trying to tie it up in the last 5 minutes.

If Q can get full compete out of the team that will help, but that also means not punishing guys for mistakes. The last three years have been a revolving door of young guys who play with one eye on Q because they know a couple mistakes equals bench/press box/bus to Rockford.

If they can solidify the lines early (bottom 6 ala 2013), that will really help.
2013 had this bottom 6:
Bickell-Stalberg-Shaw
Bolland-Kruger-Frolik

In today's NHL that bottom 6 would cost you over $12 million, so obviously we'd need a new version. Bickell, Shaw, Bolland, and Kruger were all drafted by the Hawks in middling rounds. Stalberg and Frolik were trades, with Frolik being the only one cracking a first round draft selection at #10.

If you can solidify some combination of Hayden, Hinostroza, Anisimov, Duclair, Sikura, and whoever else... great.
The main thing you need from a good bottom 6 is: strong possession play (start in your zone, end in their zone), and be a pain in the butt to play against. The 2013 bottom 6 was largely undersized, with only Bickell and Stalberg being average or taller height. Bolland, Kruger, Frolik, and Shaw were very hard to play against. I don't know if I see the 'rat' tendencies from Sikura or Duclair, but Hinostroza has the bug and Hayden can definitely mix things up.

This is why I'm not entirely opposed to getting a guy like Antoinne Roussel, despite how much I hate his guts. There are plenty of strong possession players out there, Stan just has to know which one to pick. A speedster like Torrey Mitchell would be nice, or a gamer like Riley Nash could help.
Hawkster
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Quebec , QC
Joined: 06.13.2008

May 7 @ 12:14 PM ET

Hope significant changes are coming - as they are needed.

Last year was a train wreck. Not fun to watch as a fan.

Let's see what Bowman and Company can do to turn this ship around.
oldduffman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.06.2013

May 7 @ 12:17 PM ET
We are just treading water with Q AT the helm .. His ego went through the roof after the big contract ,and it is now nothing but my way or the highway . If he sticks around the best we can hope for is another high pick ,and some more decent players leaving like Kempny and Hartman this year ..
oldduffman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.06.2013

May 7 @ 12:17 PM ET
We are just treading water with Q AT the helm .. His ego went through the roof after the big contract ,and it is now nothing but my way or the highway . If he sticks around the best we can hope for is another high pick ,and some more decent players leaving like Kempny and Hartman this year ..
MjulQvist
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 04.22.2012

May 7 @ 12:45 PM ET
Stanbo better do something big, from what I am watching I agree with those that think this may be a long drought
- riozzo


Be careful what you wish for..
z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

May 7 @ 12:52 PM ET
Championship teams do need guys like Martinsen and Hayden providing meaningful minutes when a team is able to roll four lines.
- 35Tony0



Yes they do... and they need to be turned loose to hammer opposing players. We are seeing the effect that Buff is having on the Preds.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

May 7 @ 12:55 PM ET
Be careful what you wish for..
- MjulQvist


do something to help the club or embrace I'm suck? I choose the former.
z1990z
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NW USA
Joined: 02.09.2012

May 7 @ 1:00 PM ET
do something to help the club or embrace I'm suck? I choose the former.
- riozzo



The team needs a radical shake up. We do have a good young nucleus developing, but the original core is done outside of 88 and maybe 2.
MjulQvist
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 04.22.2012

May 7 @ 1:21 PM ET
do something to help the club or embrace I'm suck? I choose the former.
- riozzo


Just like they did last summer and that didn´t help at all. I still believe that Toews, Saad, Keith and even Seabrook can play better than they did this season. And they are going to need that if they want to make the playoffs. It doesn´t matter who they sign or trade for if they can´t get help from those players.
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

May 7 @ 1:25 PM ET
Just like they did last summer and that didn´t help at all. I still believe that Toews, Saad, Keith and even Seabrook can play better than they did this season. And they are going to need that if they want to make the playoffs. It doesn´t matter who they sign or trade for if they can´t get help from those players.
- MjulQvist


Let's assume all four can play better.

Can each play as well as he did during the 2013-2015 run?

And if not (and except for Saad, I would say "not"), then who replaces those 2013-2015 players in the line-up (even if there is room for today's Toews, Keith and Seabrook on the Blackhawk ice)?
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

May 7 @ 1:32 PM ET
The biggest concern for me with this team, and in particular the core players is that they may just not have the drive to win anymore. Without that drive, there is no way that Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabs ever recapture glory. So a big question for me is how do you reignite that fire in someone that has had that level of success?

I think that one thing the Blackhawks have to try very hard to find is one or two vets that have been around the game, who are well respected across the league, still have some game, but have never hoisted the cup. I think that sort of player can really add some spark to a team, and I think the Blackhawks need a spark more than anything. Are there any players out there that you guys can think of who could fill such a role on the team and hopefully actually fill a need?

- LaheysBRandy

I am thinking something similar as well. Compete level and relentlessness can be coached (i.e. see Gallant and the Golden Knights) but there is something to be said about the hunger to win a championship. The Hawks have signed veterans who thirst for the Cup but they tended to be role players (i.e. Vermette, Timonen, Oduya, Handzus, Desjardins) or guys who already won a Cup earlier in their careers with other teams (i.e. Richards). One could argue that Oduya and Richards weren't role players, but they weren't the core either.

Adding a veteran who has never won the Cup and who is more than just a role player such as a top 6 forward or top 3 defender may be worth exploring to give the team a natural boost of competitive fire that may rub off on the aging core and especially on the youth as well. I know they are pipe dreams and pretty tough for the Hawks to pursue, but think veterans like Tavares or Carlsson/Karlsson.
Slofire94
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: CA
Joined: 01.17.2016

May 7 @ 1:34 PM ET
I am thinking something similar as well. Compete level and relentlessness can be coached (i.e. see Gallant and the Golden Knights) but there is something to be said about the hunger to win a championship. The Hawks have signed veterans who thirst for the Cup but they tended to be role players (i.e. Vermette, Timonen, Oduya, Handzus, Desjardins) or guys who already won a Cup earlier in their careers with other teams (i.e. Richards). One could argue that Oduya and Richards weren't role players, but they weren't the core either.

Adding a veteran who has never won the Cup and who is more than just a role player such as a top 6 forward or top 3 defender may be worth exploring to give the team a natural boost of competitive fire that may rub off on the aging core and especially on the youth as well. I know they are pipe dreams and pretty tough for the Hawks to pursue, but think veterans like Tavares or Carlsson/Karlsson.

- AEL_Fox


I think the Hossa contract would be a perfect part of an Erik Karlsson trade
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6  Next