Sure you could. FFS, pick a new team already.
- Elbows15

Khoudobin
Moore
Sustr
Roussel
Maroon
Brodziak

Try to work a deal with OTT for Hossa’s deal, a way to get Pageau - we have 4000 D guys now, AA, Duclair....good low to low-mid contracts just right for OTT’s wheelhouse.

And you could get all of these guys with the cap you have to work with on short term deals. Gives you time to see if the vaunted core can mount self-respect again, and if they dont - blow it all up. No added long term contracts and a new CBA around the corner.

The JVR/Tavares/Faulk (and not much else beyond them) approach is not a solution. It adds to the problem. No more albatross contracts.

One thing is for sure - these adds would definitely make this team a lot harder to play against, and give them the sack they lost in the last three years while gving the newbies time to bake in Rockford.

Yeah, Nordgren looks extremely young with a baby face and a happy-go-lucky "I'm just here to play some rat hockey" face. Refreshing to see that youthful energy.



Sikura also looked like a baby when he was drafted in 2014. Back then I remember thinking this 5'7" 145 lb kid is going to have a steep uphill climb to get even close to the NHL and look at him now. Back then I also remember thinking I liked what I read in his scouting reports and thought he could be a diamond in the rough if he had proper coaching and a strong support system around him. So we never know who will reach their potential and who will truly surprise when their maturation date arrives.


- AEL_Fox

I’m betting he puts it all together.

D hope you're well sir - as well as the family. You misunderstood I wasn't thrilled with the draft but the reality is we won't know where these kids are at for a couple of years at least...but you have to wonder how those concussions for Stan's prized pick come in to play down the line.

In regard to the trainwreck - I was referring to Bowman's stellar draft day moves last year. Where he traded his second leading scorer and his one defensive defensemen left out of town...(Saad came back (he should have never left in the first place) but Stan's mishandling of the summer of 15 continues to shine through...) And I do love a good accountant especially one that can make a save. But one hopes Bowman actually gets a bonafide NHL backup this season. Of course he still may need a starter - we really don't know.

Meantime the Hawks are pimping this story through the local nbcsports outlet:

https://www.nbcsports.com...g-free-agent-john-tavares

But all serious kidding aside - Tavares isn't coming here...let's be realistic. The Hawks have multiple holes to fill with what cap space they have - and they still need suitor for Hossa's cap hit....good luck. Is Bowman going to be able to hit it out of the park in free agency multiple times? I'm certainly hoping so...but don't see it happening hoping for the best...we'll see how it plays out.
- DK002

Hope you and the family are well as well.

I'll admit I was surprised by the Boqvist pick, but by a number of accounts the Hawks reportedly had a really good draft. I didn't catch where Wiz graded it but according to Pronman's take they were one of 6 teams rating a B+ or better.

As you say, time will tell, just like it will with last year's deals. I think Saad very likely bounces back this year making that deal more palatable.

Also, Forsberg is actually a backup goalie and was more than fine in that role. He had to assume a starter role and was ok at times not so much others but if he continues to work with Waite, I think he'll be ok. If they want to get someone to compete with him I'm fine with that.

I also think Murphy will be fine and that keeping Hammer and Panarin last year wouldn't have meant a trip to the playoffs...so agree to disagree.

FA hasn't even happened yet so at least give Stan a chance to (frank) it up and add it your growing list of poopty summers.

Kidding aside, yes, we shall see.

So who realistically can they bring in to help the team this year. On the assumption that Crawford is back.

Not much out there in the free agent center ranks to bolster that area. Maybe Vermette, though he and Q didn't always see eye to eye.


Probably priority one on any adds will be "helps the special teams."

So who realistically can they bring in to help the team this year. On the assumption that Crawford is back.

Not much out there in the free agent center ranks to bolster that area. Maybe Vermette, though he and Q didn't always see eye to eye.


Probably priority one on any adds will be "helps the special teams."
- jrsamu

Jay Beagle would be nice one to have. Good in faceoffs and works his butt off.

It is June 23. The rest of the summer exists to make moves with the team. Everyone just sit down, put on a funny movie, get a soda and chill.
- Z3Hawk

I recommend My Cousin Vinny or Office Space

The first 4 players the Hawks took at 8, 27, 69 and 74 are easy to argue are great picks where the talent is clearly higher than the number. Kelley has always struck me as intelligent and knowledgeable and it is reflected in these picks.
- Z3Hawk

I think they did really well, in the respect that they landed
A) a dynamic push attacker who is projected an equal of an NHL impact forward in terms of vision, attack skill, scoring ability & fast thinking-wise.
2) A second attacking defender already goodbon his zone with 3 junior seasons and a steady improvement projecting him as a second smart set up attack whose upside is as high as a second pairing. That is a good thing. (The word was the reason for record amounts of defensemen being taken, was that this class is going to be exempt in the Seattle expansion with teams setting themselves up with pieces to replace the possible dee-men lost.
3) Jake Wise can develop into an Nhler who plays above the 3rd line centre tag I gave him (When I write my evaluations I try to go the opposite of so many of the guys who do it, who throw projections around like these are more than junior players.
4) Nordgren is a fearless fiesta battler and attacker who projects to a top six role, BUT, a lot has to do with gaining strength and adding more quickness.
5) Phillipp the c/w is a guy who can think and play fast, but he is gonna have to really improve his all around 200 foot game and his toughness. Meowwwe!

They added both centre depth and dee-man depth, and at this point, that is all you get as an indication of nhl results, and I too like the draft.

Came back into this post to add this : I noticed the hawks put up a ton of video footage and interviews- I loved the video they took in the room weeks ago where the scouts make their case at each rung of the draft list and the discussion Boqvist. AND the prospect post-interviews...Nordgren beaming about Kane, calling himself a goal scorer, and saying just as I did above that more lower body makes his feet faster...and Jake Wise SO happy to be a hawk,”had a feeling was hoping”- and the talk about the last two guys- last year, almost there entire draft was so very different than mine and so many were so divergent I was feeling left out in the cold, out of what I thought was kinda my element;I never saw so many of their selections it was like I failed with the draft in my home city.
This year not so - I not only liked the selection was so comfortable with my knowing their background

Love what Calgary obtained yesterday-with Hanifin seems - Hamilton is a locker room issue

Free Agency is usually a huge overpay
Any thoughts on Hawks Targets in FA?

Love what Calgary obtained yesterday-with Hanifin seems - Hamilton is a locker room issue

Free Agency is usually a huge overpay
Any thoughts on Hawks Targets in FA?
- Colbyboy

Trade AA and Hossa's contract plus a young D (including Forsling) for Pageau. Sign JVR and DeHaan.

That should leave them plenty of money to add at the TDL, and to sign their FAs next year.

No one in the draft when the Hawks selected was ever going to help the Hawks next year, so unless they traded up (which by reports they did want to do), it wasn't ever going to happen that way. There are only 3-4 players at most every draft that make the transition immediately and then only 1-2 of those have a real impact. Some of the ones that do play only do so because their team is desperate. Honestly, if you went in thinking they'd get an immediate impact player, then your expectations were skewed.

Realistically, any immediate for next season was always going to only come via trade or FA.

And no offense, but I don't think 90% of the posters here could handle the angst that happens with a full rebuild. Idk even know if I could - I have no idea. Go ask a Oilers or Leafs or Canes or Sabres or Yotes fan if they've enjoyed their rebuilds - cause most of them have gone through iterations of several as rebuilds are extremely painstaking.
- L_B_R

Because the Cubs did it, fans are spoiled and think its a given. You have to get lucky.

Hell, the Hawks got lucky on theirs, Toews easily could've been taken, luck of the draw to get Kane could've went to Philly or Ottawa. You could've easily ended up with Kessel and Turris, and I don't think you'd have 3 cups now.

Yeah, Nordgren looks extremely young with a baby face and a happy-go-lucky "I'm just here to play some rat hockey" face. Refreshing to see that youthful energy.



Sikura also looked like a baby when he was drafted in 2014. Back then I remember thinking this 5'7" 145 lb kid is going to have a steep uphill climb to get even close to the NHL and look at him now. Back then I also remember thinking I liked what I read in his scouting reports and thought he could be a diamond in the rough if he had proper coaching and a strong support system around him. So we never know who will reach their potential and who will truly surprise when their maturation date arrives.


- AEL_Fox

Funny, I remember being here after he was drafted. I'm never one to female dog about size of a player when they draft them, as I totally understand the difference between a 17 year old and a 22 and older player.

That day, I did pile on Stan though thinking the same, 145 lbs, really. I think about that, and now I never complain to much about it.

All of this is a bit crazy though, realistically, any team is going to get a max of what, 2 players on average a year that make it? Doesn't make sense to stress out about all of them.

Because the Cubs did it, fans are spoiled and think its a given. You have to get lucky.

Hell, the Hawks got lucky on theirs, Toews easily could've been taken, luck of the draw to get Kane could've went to Philly or Ottawa. You could've easily ended up with Kessel and Turris, and I don't think you'd have 3 cups now.
- vabeachbear

Lucky - or get Epstein and Hoyer. They did it twice.

It’s not easy - it’s not quick - even if you get lucky - how many overall #1 picks has Edmonton had recently with one (I think) playoff appearance to show for it?

You need luck and the right hockey and business ops in the front office to succeed.

Do / will the Hawks have both going forward?

Because the Cubs did it, fans are spoiled and think its a given. You have to get lucky.

Hell, the Hawks got lucky on theirs, Toews easily could've been taken by the two teams picking before the Hawks, luck of the draw to get Kane could've went to Philly or Ottawa. You could've easily ended up with Kessel or Staal and Turris or JVR, and I don't think you'd have 3 cups now.
- vabeachbear

Lucky - or get Epstein and Hoyer. They did it twice.

It’s not easy - it’s not quick - even if you get lucky - how many overall #1 picks has Edmonton had recently with one (I think) playoff appearance to show for it?

You need luck and the right hockey and business ops in the front office to succeed.

Do / will the Hawks have both going forward?
- StLBravesFan

I think both Epstein and Hoyer would admit they got a bit lucky, here, as it happened faster than they expected.

And now for a second year, you have to ask yourself if they are really that good, or did they just get lucky one post season.

Getting swept in Cincy after finally getting back to first place isn't when championship teams do. I understand its still a bit early, but something just isn't right with this team since they won.

You would say if they didn't get Chapman, they wouldn't have won the world series, and you'd probably be right, but the one thing that hasn't been an issue over the last season and a half, is the closer.

They hit but very few of them timely hit.

I think both Epstein and Hoyer would admit they got a bit lucky, here, as it happened faster than they expected.

And now for a second year, you have to ask yourself if they are really that good, or did they just get lucky one post season.

Getting swept in Cincy after finally getting back to first place isn't when championship teams do. I understand its still a bit early, but something just isn't right with this team since they won.

You would say if they didn't get Chapman, they wouldn't have won the world series, and you'd probably be right, but the one thing that hasn't been an issue over the last season and a half, is the closer.

They hit but very few of them timely hit.
- vabeachbear

I got to see 3 Hawks Cup victories. A Sox and now a Cubs series winner. Just want to see the Bears win it one more time. I was 14 when they won it in 85. Want to see one more title for them.

Traveling so don’t expect more: could Saad be on the move to Carolina?

I think both Epstein and Hoyer would admit they got a bit lucky, here, as it happened faster than they expected.

And now for a second year, you have to ask yourself if they are really that good, or did they just get lucky one post season.

Getting swept in Cincy after finally getting back to first place isn't when championship teams do. I understand its still a bit early, but something just isn't right with this team since they won.

You would say if they didn't get Chapman, they wouldn't have won the world series, and you'd probably be right, but the one thing that hasn't been an issue over the last season and a half, is the closer.

- vabeachbear

I get the sense, unfortunately, that this Cubs team will experience the same fate as the '85 Bears. One and done. Hope i'm wrong, but I just can't shake that sense for some reason.

So who realistically can they bring in to help the team this year. On the assumption that Crawford is back.

Not much out there in the free agent center ranks to bolster that area. Maybe Vermette, though he and Q didn't always see eye to eye.


Probably priority one on any adds will be "helps the special teams."
- jrsamu

Obviously the big fish is JVR,Goalie Hutton/Bernier, Center, Roussell ,, Maybe a trade for a defenseman and then try to sign another one. And then a big foot in some of these guys asses that under performed last year.

I mentioned full re-build 2 blog entries ago, and unfortunately it would require PR suicide and losing part of your base. It also means a few losing seasons, and given some recent questionable decisions by current management may be better handled by new leadership, but that is another discussion.

look at your assets-Kane, Toews, Keith, etc figure out who has sufficient value to bring back a prop return. Given performance, contract and skill set that would be Kane and Keith. For Keith, look at who “loses out” on Karlsson and focus on them. For Kane whom do you think is 1 player away of the Cup, and approach them. In both cases look at acquiring younger players with upside and prospects/picks. If the Islanders lose Tavares, approach them and see if they would trade their recent draft picks and 1-2 players off their roster. Are there other teams who think they are 1 superstar away (Florida? Boston? Flyers?).

Again, the fan base would riot, but Kane, and to a much lesser extent Keith, pretty much are your only assets which would bring back true value. But once Kane is traded, it signals a fire sale and all other assets diminish in value.
- Revco38

This is not what successful businesses -- and the Hawks are first and foremost a business -- do. Moreover, trading away fan favorites and starting over does not insure ultimate success: example Edmonton. Instead, I suggest a new coach if the team starts out poorly. Jeremy Colliton, Come on down!

Traveling so don’t expect more: could Saad be on the move to Carolina?
- wiz1901

Depends on the return. If Stan can get the same type of return Calgary got for Hamilton it might be worth it.

Darren Dreger

@DarrenDreger

Expect the Detroit Red Wings to place defenceman Xavier Ouellet on waivers for buyout

Worth a claim?

Depends on the return. If Stan can get the same type of return Calgary got for Hamilton it might be worth it.
- DarthKane

if they could get a package of rask and faulk for saad, hard to turn down

Darren Dreger

@DarrenDreger

Expect the Detroit Red Wings to place defenceman Xavier Ouellet on waivers for buyout

Worth a claim?
- ikeane

I’d pass, the Hawks need to aim higher than that.

Traveling so don’t expect more: could Saad be on the move to Carolina?
- wiz1901

No if trade Saad create another whole to fill unless hawks are getting what Calgary got young LW/RW and top 4 dman for him. Hawks need to move hossa's contract before next sunday. Be nice to move AA contract also, what ever team takes on hossa's contract it will be dead money for 3 years so what floor teams are out there to his contract. Ottawa might be the only team since they are in turmoil.

Phily be a team to watch if hawks think about trading saad. Hagg Sanhiem Morin Konecky!!!!! Here is a question to the panel would trade Debricant for a top 4 dman or second line center with size grit and good on faceoffs and if so what teams and who?

I think both Epstein and Hoyer would admit they got a bit lucky, here, as it happened faster than they expected.

And now for a second year, you have to ask yourself if they are really that good, or did they just get lucky one post season.

Getting swept in Cincy after finally getting back to first place isn't when championship teams do. I understand its still a bit early, but something just isn't right with this team since they won.

You would say if they didn't get Chapman, they wouldn't have won the world series, and you'd probably be right, but the one thing that hasn't been an issue over the last season and a half, is the closer.

They hit but very few of them timely hit.
- vabeachbear

Good enuf to win a championship and get to the LCS the next year - and in a playoff position now (Wild Card, but still....) even after losing to the Reds.