Personally, I think Hino works better playing second line and using his offensive skill and speed and to me doesn't fit well on the bottom 6. I don't think he has the grit for the bottom 6 and I he can play the high tempo with Schmaltz. I could be wrong, but that is my rational for slotting him where I did.
- breadbag

As long it is not the 4th line I don't think the number line means much. Look at Kane he was always on the 2nd line although it was better than the 1st (Tazer's) line. I think it comes down to who else you have on a certain line. If you have a skilled center with him then that would be their identify rather than a grind and/or so called checking line.

Like I showed in that comparables table, most of the players that got the roughly 6x6 deals have similar games played as Schmaltz. Again, it's about cost certainty vs risk of him pricing himself out of the Hawks range in a year. Saad waited to sign any deals and the Hawks were forced to trade him because it allowed him to be priced outside their range. Cant build a team for the future if they lose every young player they develop. Isn't that very thing one of the reasons people are angry at Bowman - giving away the future??

And that whole "not a team player" stuff is bs. Would you take less money than your value at your job? No. Schmaltz could suffer any number of injuries while on that lower end under market value bridge and then lose out on the possibility of making enough to set up his life / his family / etc. Yeah it would make it easier to build a team, but it's not better for the player. This is his career we're talking about jfc. Saad was absolutely right wanting the more secure deal and it was market value for him so he had a right to ask for it.

Almost every other GM go with the cost certainty, that's why this type of deal is extremely common and dates back to pre-Kane/Toews. And in almost every case in that comparable list, it has worked out for the team and player just fine.
- L_B_R

Here we go again LBR; you, me, and most others having to justify Schmaltzy's proposed new deal like we did to Murphy76! LOL!

I think it's pretty unfair to compare, like apple to oranges. In Kane #1 overall draft pick, Toews #3, Seabs #14ish not sure, and Duncs a steal due to some issues at MSU in the 2nd. So with the success of 3 Cups, 1st rounders were at either very low and/or traded for that final push. But you are probably right in that that "baby core" will never reached the same lofty heights as the original BUT very in hockey overall has.
- D2D

Not directed at you D2D, just speaking in general. This could just be me, but I think it's best to not compare the core who won 3 Cups to the baby core. Every team needs a core to build around or else the team will always be in flux at virtually every position save for a franchise player or two. That's not good for stability, team morale, and fan base as far as name recognition of who's on the team (more so for the casual fan than diehards).

So with that in mind, the Hawks do need to identify the next core as the current core ages and either retire as Hawks or somehow get traded as they near the end of their careers. Will the baby core be as good as the current core? Likely not. Definitely not identically elite but I don't think they will suck either to the point where the Hawks are perennial cellar dwellers or even bottom half of the league.

The pivotal factor at that point is who the corps of role players are to complement the core from bottom 6 grinders and checkers to 4-5-6 slotted blueliners to backup goalie. This corps may be more malleable than the core but it's relatively easier to surf the market for new role players than it is for new core players.

This also assumes a better managed salary cap, but that's another story altogether.

https://www.secondcityhoc...ld-junior-summer-showcase

Mitchell and Beaudin are Team Canada invites for the 2018 World Junior Summer Showcase in late July. Barratt and Ess are invites for Team USA. Mitchell and Beaudin have bright futures on the Hawks blueline if they develop well. Similarly, Barratt could be a future agitating grinder in the mold of Burish, Fraser, and even Shaw. Don't know much about Ess (defenseman).

Mitchell and Beaudin are Team Canada invites for the 2018 World Junior Summer Showcase in late July. Barratt and Ess are invites for Team USA. Mitchell and Beaudin have bright futures on the Hawks blueline if they develop well. Similarly, Barratt could be a future agitating grinder in the mold of Burish, Fraser, and even Shaw. Don't know much about Ess (defenseman).
- AEL_Fox

Ess was a 7th rounder in 2017 and goes to Wisconsin.

Ess was a 7th rounder in 2017 and goes to Wisconsin.
- L_B_R

Thanks! Knew he was in college but didn't know where.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought after last year's debacle head office said there would be accountability and changes were coming or at least it was inferred, right?

So far we have signed an old back up goalie, an aging third liner and some d guy who everybody says is horrible. All low end quality to very short terms, so zero impact.

No trades, no changes in coaching or GM.

Two first round embarrassing ousting followed by a last place finish and basically no change.

I don't get it???? Someone please explain.

Please don't tell me the core is going to have a bounce back year as that's clearly not the answer.

Hope someone in FO knows what their doing cause by action alone seems they are ok with the status quo....like I said I don't get it.

I wanna know where Rocky is in on all this. If I’m not mistaken his voice was heard when Dollar Bill passed and basically turned this franchise around.

Standing ovations at the UC.... games back on tv....

Where’s the accountability?

Don’t get me wrong... I applaud bowman for not handing out ridiculous contracts... premisably from his experience in the past.... but don’t tell me you can’t pull the trigger on a deal to improve or retool this team...... that is what is disheartening about bowman as a gm.... all his deals have been about a sweetener to another team or because he got bent over about unloading guys because of the cap....... tell me one deal outside of maybe oduya for a couple picks in my mind where he made a quality deal....

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought after last year's debacle head office said there would be accountability and changes were coming or at least it was inferred, right?

So far we have signed an old back up goalie, an aging third liner and some d guy who everybody says is horrible. All low end quality to very short terms, so zero impact.

No trades, no changes in coaching or GM.

Two first round embarrassing ousting followed by a last place finish and basically no change.

I don't get it???? Someone please explain.

Please don't tell me the core is going to have a bounce back year as that's clearly not the answer.

Hope someone in FO knows what their doing cause by action alone seems they are ok with the status quo....like I said I don't get it.
- Hawkster

Believe it or not EVERY championship team goes through this. I don't understand how so many people don't understand this.

If you bring in a new coach and gm do you really believe this team will be better? Maybe but i lean towards probably not.

Believe it or not Bowman could of made things so much worse if he were to reach for FA's, but he didn't thankfully. He signed a few free agents and everyone is pissed off.

Btw making the playoffs and losing to a better team is far from embarrassing. To me what's embarrassing is an owner like the Senators just worried about making the cap floor, believe me it could always be worse, i lived worse

I wanna know where Rocky is in on all this. If I’m not mistaken his voice was heard when Dollar Bill passed and basically turned this franchise around.

Standing ovations at the UC.... games back on tv....

Where’s the accountability?

Don’t get me wrong... I applaud bowman for not handing out ridiculous contracts... premisably from his experience in the past.... but don’t tell me you can’t pull the trigger on a deal to improve or retool this team...... that is what is disheartening about bowman as a gm.... all his deals have been about a sweetener to another team or because he got bent over about unloading guys because of the cap....... tell me one deal outside of maybe oduya for a couple picks in my mind where he made a quality deal....
- bigfly46

http://www.chicagotribune...0180129-photogallery.html

I wanna know where Rocky is in on all this. If I’m not mistaken his voice was heard when Dollar Bill passed and basically turned this franchise around.

Standing ovations at the UC.... games back on tv....

Where’s the accountability?

Don’t get me wrong... I applaud bowman for not handing out ridiculous contracts... premisably from his experience in the past.... but don’t tell me you can’t pull the trigger on a deal to improve or retool this team...... that is what is disheartening about bowman as a gm.... all his deals have been about a sweetener to another team or because he got bent over about unloading guys because of the cap....... tell me one deal outside of maybe oduya for a couple picks in my mind where he made a quality deal....
- bigfly46

What top 4 dman was on the market?

JT $11 mil make this team better, nope it strangles them even further

JVR for $7 mil, 2 years sure but not the years he got

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-stan-bowman-best-worst-trades-blackhawks-20180129-photogallery.html
- BlackhawkMike

I agree with the first 3 bad moves, but the last 2 were because of cap hell, really out of his control

Believe it or not EVERY championship team goes through this. I don't understand how so many people don't understand this.

If you bring in a new coach and gm do you really believe this team will be better? Maybe but i lean towards probably not.

Believe it or not Bowman could of made things so much worse if he were to reach for FA's, but he didn't thankfully. He signed a few free agents and everyone is pissed off.

Btw making the playoffs and losing to a better team is far from embarrassing. To me what's embarrassing is an owner like the Senators just worried about making the cap floor, believe me it could always be worse, i lived worse
- BetweenTheDots

Oh yes much worse I agree....i live in Ottawa and trust me I'm happy my team is the Hawks! Ottawa such a shiit show, bloody embarrassing!

Glad they did not overspend on some of those free agents, crazy money indeed.

Just thought they would of been able to move or or two core pieces and get picks or youth.

For sure...but there are better placeholders or guys they could have signed that wouldn't have interfered with their long term plans. Riley Nash would have been a solid addition, there were lots of better options in net (i.e. Lehner), on defense they already had enough guys like Manning.
- DarthKane

Assuming those options were available to the Hawks, I would agree. Nash got more term, though, and it could be that they want the decks cleared for next summer to ensure retaining Schmaltz.. As for Manning, D's are able to command a premium now. I don't like Rutta's deal, either. And Jack Johnson, I guess I was crazy to think he could be a bargain with only a year or two of term this summer.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/hockey/blackhawks/ct-stan-bowman-best-worst-trades-blackhawks-20180129-photogallery.html
- BlackhawkMike

I got that one.... you set me straight on that vermette came up big on a couple of occasions especially on the double or winner against the ducks...

Only had the room though because kane was on LTIR..... just saying we need a game changer to put us back in the driver’s seat... this team constructed now.... no dice

Besides faulk what other top 4 dman can the hawks pursue if bowman cannot get faulk. Next what center man realisticly can the hawks go after. Lindberg would be nice but i see him more as a winger could grant or letestu be signed rather grant bigger player plays with an edge . i think maybe sending AA to the islanders for couple of picks then use those picks to get a 3rd line center. Lowery from winnipeg pageau from ottawa bennett from Calgary etc..

Believe it or not EVERY championship team goes through this. I don't understand how so many people don't understand this.

If you bring in a new coach and gm do you really believe this team will be better? Maybe but i lean towards probably not.

Believe it or not Bowman could of made things so much worse if he were to reach for FA's, but he didn't thankfully. He signed a few free agents and everyone is pissed off.

Btw making the playoffs and losing to a better team is far from embarrassing. To me what's embarrassing is an owner like the Senators just worried about making the cap floor, believe me it could always be worse, i lived worse
- BetweenTheDots

Well Mario got sick and tired of watching what Ray Shero was doing and those 2 clowns he had for coaches - Bylsma and Johnson. And he took decisive action.

But Mario is a hockey guy who knew and understood what he was watching while he had 2 of the best players in the world.

It's the 4th of July
Love how most are on the "this team sucks" ledge
Whatever...
Pass judgement on opening night roster or does every naysayer gotta get in line for the "I told ya so!"
If some Here were in charge, we'd have leddy, Daley, johns as our top 3D.... Awesome!!! Talk about a guaranteed lottery pick.
Get a grip and realize NONE here know what is happening in background, even if Drew Carey says otherwise.... Ask drew how many rumors he got thru Bob's neighbor....
We can all have opinions, but it don't mean dink since we are fanatics.....even if some here have played check hockey....carry on

It's the 4th of July
Love how most are on the "this team sucks" ledge
Whatever...
Pass judgement on opening night roster or does every naysayer gotta get in line for the "I told ya so!"
If some Here were in charge, we'd have leddy, Daley, johns as our top 3D.... Awesome!!! Talk about a guaranteed lottery pick.
Get a grip and realize NONE here know what is happening in background, even if Drew Carey says otherwise.... Ask drew how many rumors he got thru Bob's neighbor....
We can all have opinions, but it don't mean dink since we are fanatics.....even if some here have played check hockey....carry on
- dpard

Agreed, armchair quarterbacking is what it is and nothing more regardless of your background.

Have fun with it and share opinions with other passionate Hawk fans like all of us on this blog.

Well Mario got sick and tired of watching what Ray Shero was doing and those 2 clowns he had for coaches - Bylsma and Johnson. And he took decisive action.

But Mario is a hockey guy who knew and understood what he was watching while he had 2 of the best players in the world.
- RickJ

I agree Rick but that leash was long 7 years he fired him after they won the SC? Bylsma was there for 5 years after as well. Sure there was a quick decision to fire the next coach but isn't that what Bowman did with Savard? So he did realize the guys he fired sucked, he did hire them in the first place, but I've also heard Crosby compliment how the Hawks defense engage in offense which is so effective, so in a way not really a coincidence they hired Sullivan. I don't know what the right answer is but sometimes change is worse than better for the sake of change.

I agree Rick but that leash was long 7 years he fired him after they won the SC? Bylsma was there for 5 years after as well. Sure there was a quick decision to fire the next coach but isn't that what Bowman did with Savard? So he did realize the guys he fired sucked, he did hire them in the first place, but I've also heard Crosby compliment how the Hawks defense engage in offense which is so effective, so in a way not really a coincidence they hired Sullivan. I don't know what the right answer is but sometimes change is worse than better for the sake of change.
- BetweenTheDots

Didn’t Tallon switch Savard out for Q in October, 2008?

Didn’t Tallon switch Savard out for Q in October, 2008?
- StLBravesFan

Yep

Yep
- walleyeb1

And two ******** just stold my truck

Didn’t Tallon switch Savard out for Q in October, 2008?
- StLBravesFan

July 31st 2008 Scotty Bowman is hired by the Blackhawks as a senior adviser

After 4 games Denis Savard is fired
October 16th 2008.

Yea Tallon did replace him wink wink

Relentless? Of all the years i watched Blackhawk hockey I thought the 2013 team never took a shift off.

I'm disappointed that things didn't work out perfectly for Bowman and Q. Honestly if it was easy to win a championship the Yankees would win every year, but it just isn't.

I'm glad i have the Cubs and the up and coming Bears to enjoy this year. HDTV has made watching hockey wonderful and i will continue to do so, but to get so upset about the current state of the Hawks does me no good. It's not a typical rebuild but that's really what it is. I say this calmly now but in the moment during the game my wife will remind me as she always does, you do know they can't hear you?
- BetweenTheDots

Ha! Those guys sucked! Often (always) lost the "hits" battle, didn't win fights...a bunch of skating ballerinas. Meh.