It's not going to happen - so why don't you jump ship and go watch the Sox rebuild.

Seriously, your whining is waaaaay past old - and won't be missed!!!!
- dahawks8819

Right....they are a cup contender right now....The signing of Manning and Kunitz made it work.

Yeah, after not having won a playoff game since game 6 vs STL in 2016 they are just fine......my bad.

The Hawks do have a lot of promising defense prospects, too many for the AHL this season, so they're likely going to dip into that group when it comes to any future trades. They have a few forward prospects that are enticing as well but more throw-ins than what deals are built around. It's just a matter of finding the right partner.

I still hope they target Pageau from Ottawa if any deal with them goes down, but I'm guessing it'd more like be a Smith return (meh).
- L_B_R

I'd rather see kids play and see what you have. I recall Seabrook and Keith being shaky when they were younger when this team was god awful but the experience at the NHL level helped out.

Out of this list....

Panarin--no brainer
Emery--was key to 2013 run in regular season
Mayers--played a decent depth role in 2013
Carcillo---see Mayers
Richards--band aid on 2nd line center in 2015
Wingels--see Mayers/Carcillo for 2017-18
Brookbank--he was good vs STL in the playoffs one year
Rozsival--good veteran stable D man
Darling---like Emery served a purpose

So most of these guys were depth players outside of Panarin who Bowman had to deal to get Saad back due to financial constraints.

The rest were turds. I fear Kunitz will be more like Brunette.
- SteveRain

That's kind of the point of the list. Some people have lamented that the Chicago Blackhawks are no longer a free-agent destination where players go to win. The question, then, is when were they? Who have the 'Hawks signed recently that was a top-tier free-agent that picked Chicago over several other markets because of the opportunity to win? As you had mentioned, their needs (while identically stated), weren't as great.

Aside from Panarin, I would argue that there probably wasn't very much competition to sign any of the free agents in Chicago since Marian Hossa inked his deal 9 years ago. Also, I'm sure that the Blackhawks didn't know that Panarin would finish in the Top 10 in league scoring among forwards (twice). If they did, they probably would have made more rigorous conditions for obtaining his Schedule B Performance Bonus. Nice to have, but not expected...

It's not going to happen - so why don't you jump ship and go watch the Sox rebuild.

Seriously, your whining is waaaaay past old - and won't be missed!!!!
- dahawks8819

Hard to argue much with what SteveRain is saying.

I don't really take it as too negative, more, it is what it is.

The Hawks do have a lot of promising defense prospects, too many for the AHL this season, so they're likely going to dip into that group when it comes to any future trades. They have a few forward prospects that are enticing as well but more throw-ins than what deals are built around. It's just a matter of finding the right partner.

I still hope they target Pageau from Ottawa if any deal with them goes down, but I'm guessing it'd more like be a Smith return (meh).
- L_B_R

Curious if Seabs and/Crow would approve a trade to Ottawa.

That's kind of the point of the list. Some people have lamented that the Chicago Blackhawks are no longer a free-agent destination where players go to win. The question, then, is when were they? Who have the 'Hawks signed recently that was a top-tier free-agent that picked Chicago over several other markets because of the opportunity to win? As you had mentioned, their needs (while identically stated), weren't as great.

Aside from Panarin, I would argue that there probably wasn't very much competition to sign any of the free agents in Chicago since Marian Hossa inked his deal 9 years ago. Also, I'm sure that the Blackhawks didn't know that Panarin would finish in the Top 10 in league scoring among forwards (twice). If they did, they probably would have made more rigorous conditions for obtaining his Schedule B Performance Bonus. Nice to have, but not expected...
- tgentry1084

Agreed

Best UFA day was 7/1 when they got Madden and Hossa. Upgraded Havlat with Hossa, and then got the key depth PK center they needed in Madden.

The year prior wasn't bad either with Campbell and Huet. They had to overpay as they weren't on the horizon yet....

That's kind of the point of the list. Some people have lamented that the Chicago Blackhawks are no longer a free-agent destination where players go to win. The question, then, is when were they? Who have the 'Hawks signed recently that was a top-tier free-agent that picked Chicago over several other markets because of the opportunity to win? As you had mentioned, their needs (while identically stated), weren't as great.

Aside from Panarin, I would argue that there probably wasn't very much competition to sign any of the free agents in Chicago since Marian Hossa inked his deal 9 years ago. Also, I'm sure that the Blackhawks didn't know that Panarin would finish in the Top 10 in league scoring among forwards (twice). If they did, they probably would have made more rigorous conditions for obtaining his Schedule B Performance Bonus. Nice to have, but not expected...
- tgentry1084

And, again, in those 9 years since they signed Hossa they had how much free cap space to sign an impactful FA?????

Damn, every year they were dumping players and giving them away for nothing to try and get cap compliant.

They won three cups, they built those teams around a core that cost big bucks. I'm not sure what alternative universe some of you think they operate in?

Brandon Manning and Cam Ward suck but I like Kunitz for some cajones and a winning veteran voice in the locker room. Kunitz was very effective for Tampa last year physically and scoring goals in limited ice time.

Sorry Justin, the roster as you laid it out is once again Last Place in the Central. JACK HUGHES BABY!!!

Hard to argue much with what SteveRain is saying.

I don't really take it as too negative, more, it is what it is.
- vabeachbear

Thanks buddy. I hate that they aren't a contender any longer as of today, and just trying to be realistic as to how to get this turned around quickly.

I wonder if the leafs would deal Nylander to us for Keith. IMO, they are still weak on D even with all their offensive fire power.

Curious if Seabs and/Crow would approve a trade to Ottawa.
- Assman22

Why would either want to go to that poop show? It's also why I don't think Anisimov would be traded there - if he was smart and didn't want to be traded, he would put down on extremely high cap teams or those deep at center.

Out of this list....

Panarin--no brainer
Emery--was key to 2013 run in regular season
Mayers--played a decent depth role in 2013
Carcillo---see Mayers
Richards--band aid on 2nd line center in 2015
Wingels--see Mayers/Carcillo for 2017-18
Brookbank--he was good vs STL in the playoffs one year
Rozsival--good veteran stable D man
Darling---like Emery served a purpose

So most of these guys were depth players outside of Panarin who Bowman had to deal to get Saad back due to financial constraints.

The rest were turds. I fear Kunitz will be more like Brunette.
- SteveRain

Tbf depth was all that was needed under Bowman for years. The big signing by Tallon was Hossa during an era where they were able to manipulate the CBA to throw a ton of money at him. Tallon inherited most of his players, got to draft back-to-back in the top 3, and then built depth through trades (Sharp, Vertseeg, Ladd) and promotion from within (pretty much everyone lol). Bowman did the same except for getting to draft so high - definitely inherited the core and then mostly built depth through trades (Oduya, Leddy, Stalberg, Vermette, Desjardins) and through promotion from within the system (Saad, Shaw, Kruger, Teravainen).

They've always been a cap ceiling spending team.

Point is for me, lots of these UFA signings were complete busts.

Bowman is good at signing European players and some college UFAs but I'll have to pull up his trade record to see how he's faired there as well.
- SteveRain

I'm not really happy with many of the FA additions over the years. I guess my point was that you aren't going to get any really good ones unless you pay for it. They haven't really been in the position to pay for it for quite a while.

As far as the destination goes, Panarin and Kempny both chose Chicago when everyone else could all offer the same money, so they were a desired destination. They also recently got Kahun.

I'm not saying they are the best (certainly not anymore), but maybe I'm not really agreeing with the wording here (top free agent destination).

Isn't that what Toews is supposedly best at? Being the teams Captain and leader? Leading by example i.e. hard work and dedication? Keith and Seabrook too?

If the Hawks need to bring in Kunitz to set an example and provide leadership then I must be missing something. Toews to busy touring the historic wonders of the to stop by and provide leadership?
- bhawks2241

It's not just leadership - it's quite possibly veteran presence on the ice:

Look at JL's current possible lineup - only 5 true vets in the forward group from last year - Saad, Toews, Kane, Anisimov.

Lots of inexperienced youth there - maybe they're looking for more on-ice vets to run the show.

Thanks buddy. I hate that they aren't a contender any longer as of today, and just trying to be realistic as to how to get this turned around quickly.

I wonder if the leafs would deal Nylander to us for Keith. IMO, they are still weak on D even with all their offensive fire power.
- SteveRain

funny, thought the same thing when I heard they signed Tavares.

Don't care what anyone says, Leafs are not winning the cup with their D as currently constructed.

Keith still has a good contract. He is still good enough to be the guy to put them over the top.

I agree its over, and time to retool. Even if some of the youngsters come on strong, guys like Keith will be past their prime when they are ready. Maximize what you have when you have it.

Blow it up

This is a rebuild. Build around Kane......go to Keith and Toews with the understanding once you are out of the playoff picture you start working on a trade either mid season or at next year's draft. Send both out east if possible.

Realize your chances of trading Seabrook aren't good so hopefully he gets Hossa's rash here soon.

It's obvious either Bowman went after supposed targets "softly" or was denied straight up and all these "overpays" will continue as the market for 2nd-3rd tier players goes up with the cap going up as well.

Just an awful start and now I hope they just stink so we can get a lottery pick.
- SteveRain

It's not just leadership - it's quite possibly veteran presence on the ice:

Look at JL's current possible lineup - only 5 true vets in the forward group from last year - Saad, Toews, Kane, Anisimov.

Lots of inexperienced youth there - maybe they're looking for more on-ice vets to run the show.
- StLBravesFan

I think the whole 'leadership' stuff is just a spin on signing Kunitz. Reality is that they wanted a vet to play in a lower line role with the kids, just like last year with Sharp, but didn't want it for much money or term. Kunitz, like Sharp, was willing to go 1x1 because of his family connection to Chicago. That's it imo.

I just looked through most of the Hawks forward prospects of the last 5 drafts. It doesn't look very good.

Our best forward prospects that haven't played an NHL game yet are Wise, Barratt, Soderlund, and then a hodgepodge of other smaller euro wings and mid-round north american boys. (IMO)

I'm hoping for the best out of Stan's picks, but we have zero first round forwards since Nick Schmaltz in 2014.

Perhaps Wiz can shed some light on who to be hopeful for?

I don't know what teams have a surplus of forward prospects, but it seems we have an organizational logjam at D with so many guys being packed into Rockford. Perhaps this can help us attain a high quality forward prospect.

And, again, in those 9 years since they signed Hossa they had how much free cap space to sign an impactful FA?????

Damn, every year they were dumping players and giving them away for nothing to try and get cap compliant.

They won three cups, they built those teams around a core that cost big bucks. I'm not sure what alternative universe some of you think they operate in?
- vabeachbear

To confirm, are you arguing that the Blackhawks would have been a destination market for free-agent acquisitions if they had significant cap room to spend on said free agents?

All I am saying is that they never were. Whatever the reasoning behind it, there is no point in Stan Bowman's history when he was able to recruit top-tier talent via free agency. There are people in this world who believe that this is a new development since the Blackhawks' needle started to point in the other direction.

funny, thought the same thing when I heard they signed Tavares.

Don't care what anyone says, Leafs are not winning the cup with their D as currently constructed.

Keith still has a good contract. He is still good enough to be the guy to put them over the top.

I agree its over, and time to retool. Even if some of the youngsters come on strong, guys like Keith will be past their prime when they are ready. Maximize what you have when you have it.
- vabeachbear

Babcock LOVES keith and toews, and it Tavares would have gone elsewhere, probably could have dealt 19 up there.

Agreed. that was point. in 2-3 years 2/7 will be even older and slower, and who knows who will be in between the pipes. CC is getting old...…..

- EnzoD

BIG TIME

Isn't that what Toews is supposedly best at? Being the teams Captain and leader? Leading by example i.e. hard work and dedication? Keith and Seabrook too?

If the Hawks need to bring in Kunitz to set an example and provide leadership then I must be missing something. Toews to busy touring the historic wonders of the to stop by and provide leadership?
- bhawks2241

Absolutely with you on this one. Between captain “best leader in the game” and Kane and Seabs and Keith, why would they need to pay a penny for another veteran with leadership presence. That’s the only thing I thing the hawks have plenty of going into this year.

Kunitz, Ward and Manning are not particularly exciting but it’s a heck of a lot better than overpaying for someone and having an albatross of contract you can’t move I think. Would have liked them to sign Wingels again.
- Popsghostly

Agree

funny, thought the same thing when I heard they signed Tavares.

Don't care what anyone says, Leafs are not winning the cup with their D as currently constructed.

Keith still has a good contract. He is still good enough to be the guy to put them over the top.

I agree its over, and time to retool. Even if some of the youngsters come on strong, guys like Keith will be past their prime when they are ready. Maximize what you have when you have it.
- vabeachbear

I'd be fine with them moving parts of the core out (all except Kane, I just don't think you move out THAT kind of talent). They problem is, they all have large contracts and NMC's. Not saying it's impossible, but it s going to be very hard to move any of those contracts.

It's not going to happen - so why don't you jump ship and go watch the Sox rebuild.

Seriously, your whining is waaaaay past old - and won't be missed!!!!
- dahawks8819

Speak for your self, when you start bad mouthing guys like Steve Rain and Wiz it only
shows you know absolutely nothing about hockey. I suggest you leave the Buzz and go over to the rink where they might appreciate your BS

Absolutely with you on this one. Between captain “best leader in the game” and Kane and Seabs and Keith, why would they need to pay a penny for another veteran with leadership presence. That’s the only thing I thing the hawks have plenty of going into this year.
- Spec41971

Spin, justification. It's a dumb argument and I am glad folks are calling it out.