Good points and perspective.

Another possibility alludes to something Justin reported earlier about the Hawks making a big splash this off season in terms of player movement, i.e. Bowman being rumored to pursue some of the top free agents this summer and also being creative with other deals. If that's all true, then as others suggest, finding ways to increase available cap space such as moving Hossa, Anisimov, and/or Murphy may pave the way to pursue someone like Carlsson, Tavares, or van Riemsdyk. Maybe even Karlsson as you suggested.

Hopefully any trades don't involve the #8 pick unless it is to move up in the draft or to land a marquee player. Prefer the former over the latter since it's rare for the Hawks to pick in the top 10 whether in the top 3 or currently at 8.
- AEL_Fox

Yes I would not surprised to see the Hawks Pursue some of the bigger free agents. It would be great to bring in a high end talent through free agency, but the big problem with free agency is the players have all of the negotiating leverage so there’s no chance of getting a good contract. Although in a trade you lose assets, you could end up with a much better contract situation, which the Blackhawks have to be very concerned about.

For that reason, I could see the Blackhawks trying to bring in a big name via trade vs free agency, and if they are in win now mode, then I think the 8 pick is on the block.

Having said that, I’m not sure the Blackhawks are in win now mode. Their trades last summer certainly suggest that winning in 2018 wasn’t the number 1 priority, as they moved arguably better players for contractual certainty and to get younger.

Hawks are not trading the 8th pick. Tkachuk would still be a top ten pick with a different last name, the scouts from 15 different agencies aren't in a some grand nepotism conspiracy. The Hawks aren't in 'win now' mode as much as they are in retool mode, ala Boston.

The keys to getting back into are: build from within, make shrewd free agent pickups if any, hit homeruns at the draft (McAvoy, Pastrnak).


Another key note of Boston's retool, they traded away key guys to load up on picks (Lucic, Hamilton, Boychuk), they let bigger names walk (Eriksson), and bought out dead weight (Seidenberg, Hayes). Their kids took over this year (Byork, McAvoy, Heinen, Gryzlyk, Carlo, etc.).

The difference between the Hawks kids and Boston's kids will be seen next season and the season after. We're still only one year into 'restocking the cupboard'. There will likely be another year of pain. Hopefully after next year we're fully getting into Sikura, Jokiharju, Duclair, Forsling, the #8 pick, and the Nashville pick. This will also likely mean a new coach.

Disagree on Tkachuk, Look at brother, and Hall of Fame daddy. The apple never falls too far from the tree man. Never really looked at it the way you are. Not a bad way, I’m just not too much into minor leagues. I was a Q fan, and still am, but now the element of doubt is starting to creep in when I see what some of these younger coaches are doing.
- wonthecup10

Notwithstanding his Brother and Father he has not shown high end skill - can teach certain things but can’t teach skill.

To your first point, I think this year's success of the Hogs is somewhat analogous to the success of the Golden Knights: the right coach and investment of the entire team in systems that work no matter the talent level of the roster. I agree, the Hogs success isn't a bunch of smoke and mirrors which bodes well for player development for the big club in years to come.

I would also argue that if Kane wasn't playing for Team USA in the world championships, Murphy would be wearing the C again with Larkin getting one A and another teammate getting the other A.
- AEL_Fox

No doubt that if Kane not there Murphy again Captain. Q and Ulf thankfully without votes. It actually really bothers me they are back.

And now for something completely different tied to Justins blog. Anyone else want to see the NHL go back to White sweaters as home gear for a few seasons?

And now for something completely different tied to Justins blog. Anyone else want to see the NHL go back to White sweaters as home gear for a few seasons?
- riozzo

No as the present home uniforms of Vegas and Nashvile are even uglier than the road ones

And now for something completely different tied to Justins blog. Anyone else want to see the NHL go back to White sweaters as home gear for a few seasons?
- riozzo

I do. I think it would be nice to have every team come into someone else's building and bring their full colors with them.......except for maybe nashville, which should be required to wear their current traveling whites everywhere..

HAWKS best move would be to move Keith at the draft .Send him to Flo or TO get their 1st and some prospects .Flo makes the most sense with Dale there and the tax situation for Keith ,also the pick would be better . And hopefully Coach Q up would have another melt down and storm out ,and never come back ..!!

Guys, it's 'brain trust'.

Also, Michal Kempny isn't winning the cup this year, because the Lightning are the most stacked team since the 2013 Hawks.
Look at their lineup: https://www.dailyfaceoff....ghtning/line-combinations

They took the three best dmen from their series against NYR 3 years ago (Stralman, Girardi, McDonagh), and have loads of forward depth.

Capitals might still be missing Backstrom, and they won't be able to handle the onslaught of Tampa.

Kempny is also UFA after this, and he's going to want a lot more than $900,000. I'm glad we made the trade because he was absolutely walking after being benched most of his career here. 3rd round pick isn't an awful return.
- ObeseOprah

Mega Lightning Dittos

No doubt that if Kane not there Murphy again Captain. Q and Ulf thankfully without votes. It actually really bothers me they are back.
- Z3Hawk

Yeah, I would have given Murphy the C and the A's to Dylan Larkin, Johnny Gaudreau, and Alec Martinez.

And now for something completely different tied to Justins blog. Anyone else want to see the NHL go back to White sweaters as home gear for a few seasons?
- riozzo

For those that follow Icethetics (the blog about hockey logos and uniforms), it was reported a few weeks ago that the NHL is re-introducing 3rd jerseys next season after taking a year off due to the switch from Reebok to Adidas. Seeing more alternate jerseys should add some variety.

I do hope that in the 2019 Winter Classic against the Bruins (@ Notre Dame), the Hawks have a more creative jersey design. The ones they've had lately in these outdoor games have been uninspiring duds. I'm sure the league and the team still made lots of money off of them.

Yeah, I would have given Murphy the C and the A's to Dylan Larkin, Johnny Gaudreau, and Alec Martinez.
- AEL_Fox

So are we back on the Murphy train again? Can he be a top 4 d man next year? Because tbh, I've always liked him.

Hope the Jets aren't careless with the puck tonight. Feel as if they get down early, Preds will shut down the neutral zone and the Jets will really struggle to score

So are we back on the Murphy train again? Can he be a top 4 d man next year? Because tbh, I've always liked him.
- SoftServe

I've always liked him, too, and think he didn't get a fair shake this past season. He'll likely never be like Seabrook or even Hjalrmarsson in their prime but can still be a solid shutdown defender. Which pair he is on depends on who his partner is, IMHO.

The more I think about it, the more I feel like the Blackhawks are going to seriously consider using the number 8 pick as a trade chip. If management feels like the best available players at that spot are 2-3 years away from cracking the lineup and maybe 4-5 years away from being a very good NHL player, and if they feel that Keith, Seabrook, and Toews can still be major pieces on a cup winning team for the next couple of years, then I think they seriously consider moving the 8 pick to bring in a legit player such as Karlsson.

If it’s me at the helm and I have the option to trade the 8 pick for some solid immediate NHL help like Karlsson, I think I might pull the trigger. I know this is a short sighted point of view, but at the end of the day, the Blackhawks aren’t likely to have a nucleus of players with this talent level and winning pedigree for a very long time, and although they have had a couple of down years, i would roll the dice and try to bring in some immediate NHL help.


It will be very interesting to see what the Blackhawks do this summer, because they really are at a fork in the road. Their actions will definitely give us a good idea of whether they are truly trying to win another cup with this core, or whether they are rebuilding for a few years down the line when some of their young players are really coming in to their own and Kane/Toews are ein the twilight of their career.
- LaheysBRandy

I like your thinking out of the box...but the last thing the hawks need is to sign a guy like him at age 27 for 9 mildo plus for 7 years...and give up an 8th pick to do it.

NO WAY...you want to trade that pick to get a guy is his early 20's with cost control who can play and maybe another player who fit in...

The Rockford area is certainly buzzing about this team. I have heard/seen a lot of commercials. Hockey has always had a pretty strong presence in Rockford. The local high school hockey club has won numerous state titles. The reaction around town is that Colliton is an exciting upcoming coach. He really seems to connect and has a knack for teaching the game. He very well might be the Hawks future coach, but probably needs a few more years in the AHL and or as an assistant in the NHL. I will not be at the game, but will be watching on TV (in the Rockford market all games are on TV). The arena is not huge, but games are always a good time and if you have kids they will love it. Go Hogs.
- brendan2578

The Rockford Icemen are dogpoop. They have more people trynout for them than the Chargers and Flames(Bruins) combined. Then hide in the “Combined” division. They never win tournaments when any Metro North or Cathloic league team is there.

Anyways Go Hogs.

Hope the Jets aren't careless with the puck tonight. Feel as if they get down early, Preds will shut down the neutral zone and the Jets will really struggle to score
- BetweenTheDots

Dammit i thought the game was on tonight

Just managed to tune in. Hogs and Moose 0-0 after the first. Go Hogs!

Just managed to tune in. Hogs and Moose 0-0 after the first. Go Hogs!
- AusHawk

After De Leo put the moose up 1-0, a PPG to Sikura (can they teach the hawks??) and another goal to Ejdsell has the hogs up 2-1 with 12 to go in the 2nd.

And now for something completely different tied to Justins blog. Anyone else want to see the NHL go back to White sweaters as home gear for a few seasons?
- riozzo

Yes

Yes
- DarthKane

- AusHawk

I was waiting for the Monty Python tie in

2-1 'Hogs heading into the 3rd!

Ejdsell and Sikura with the goals.

2-1 'Hogs heading into the 3rd!

Ejdsell and Sikura with the goals.
- Justin Lowe

now 3-1. Pelletier from Anthony Louis

I was waiting for the Monty Python tie in
- riozzo