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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Fast Friday: 5 Thoughts
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tvetter
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burkesville, KY
Joined: 12.16.2015

Jul 8 @ 2:44 PM ET
Completely agreed. Barring any miracles happening (i.e. Karlsson or Faulk acquisition) this team will be another top 10 (or even top 5) draft pick team. Not that I'm hating.. Just think it will be another 2 years of what we saw last year and some players taking some huge steps forward before this team smells the playoffs again. I'm looking forward to watching it grow.
- Hossa1881

May work out. A top 5 pick that could possibly play next year along with Boqvist, Jokiharu. You could have 3 star caliber players all starting next year.
Hossa1881
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 07.01.2011

Jul 8 @ 2:53 PM ET
May work out. A top 5 pick that could possibly play next year along with Boqvist, Jokiharu. You could have 3 star caliber players all starting next year.
- tvetter


Exactly, obviously it would be awesome to see them in the playoffs next season but this team really needs to accumulate some elite prospects. Jokiharu and possibly a top 5 draft pick (center?) could start but isn't Boqvist closer to three years from NHL ready?
35Tony0
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Springfield, IL
Joined: 05.10.2015

Jul 8 @ 3:05 PM ET
Couple more cup runs ?


This team as is not even a playoff team and if they get in can they even win one series ?

The Jets
The Wild
The Preds
The Avalanche
And maybe even the Stars are much better rosters than the Blackhawks right now. Getting into the playoffs will be very hard for this Blackhawks team.

- mrpaulish


I do not disagree this team as of season end is not a playoff team. It is a position they earned.
However, I do envision growth from the young'uns and also a guy like Keith being on a Cup contending 'Hawk team where he is no longer a top 4 d-man. An older Toews playing a bottom 6 Kruger-esque shutdown center role as well.
mrpaulish
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Itasca, IL
Joined: 01.18.2010

Jul 8 @ 3:30 PM ET
I do not disagree this team as of season end is not a playoff team. It is a position they earned.
However, I do envision growth from the young'uns and also a guy like Keith being on a Cup contending 'Hawk team where he is no longer a top 4 d-man. An older Toews playing a bottom 6 Kruger-esque shutdown center role as well.

- 35Tony0


Thats hard to swallow. a 10.5 m 3rd line center ? PUKE.

Toews has a responsibility to get his body back in shape. Actual time in the gym and stop with this electric muscle stimulation BS.

HamiltonHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.13.2015

Jul 8 @ 3:59 PM ET
Couple more cup runs ?


This team as is not even a playoff team and if they get in can they even win one series ?

The Jets
The Wild
The Preds
The Avalanche
And maybe even the Stars are much better rosters than the Blackhawks right now. Getting into the playoffs will be very hard for this Blackhawks team.

- mrpaulish

I would add the Blues to that list as well
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Jul 8 @ 4:19 PM ET
Always thought he would look great between Kane and Saad. Oh wellz
- mrpaulish


I'm not saying the guy isn't really good and probably would have been a great 2C on that line...just glad the Hawks won their Cups without any of the aforementioned Nucks on board.

That really was a great rivalry while it lasted.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Jul 8 @ 4:47 PM ET
Yup

Alllllllll this. Don't let the few naive homers that remain here stop you from speaking the truth. This teams front office has been abysmal and made some unbelievably bad decisions, including letting go of Panarin.

- SimpleJack

You should read/listen to the interview with Panarin's agent because it's pretty obvious now that the Hawks got the same message that Panarin/his agent are telling the Jackets now: there is a strong possibility that Panarin isn't/wasn't going to sign long-term and to look at trade options.

Quote: We’re not holding out for more money... It’s about, does he want to spend the next eight years here? That’s the only thing at stake right now. If it was a two-year deal we probably would have done it. But it isn’t a two-year deal. It’s gonna have to be an extended, seven- or eight-year deal put in place... There’s never been a disagreement or an argument. We’ve been truthful and honest. I told (Panarin) of the risk (being traded now), but he said it was a good time to let the team know so that they can plan ahead.

The Hawks were probably given the same message hence why the only deal they could get with Panarin was a 2-year one. His agent makes it very clear that he loves the team and coach (just like in Chicago), so it really is about him being able to control his location. Maybe the cities, Columbus or Chicago, do not have the Russian community he is hoping for? It seems to be from reports that's really important to him.

So knowing this, which is smarter? Hoping that Panarin ultimately decided to resign or trading him before he can walk for nothing? I guess they could have waited another season but so many people complain about Bowman waiting too long, it seems hypocritical to call him out on acting quick for once. Columbus is probably going to trade Panarin too.

Panarin is a special player, and outside of a few people, everyone acknowledges that. But what you're missing is that people can think Panarin's amazing/was the best player in the deal and still think it was the right move given the circumstances without being "homers". Hell, all this stuff with the Jackets right now should be highlighting it was the right move to trade him. You can argue the return wasn't the best (though a top 6 power forward with a .64 PPG before last season and a young backup that recently won a Calder Cup seems like a decent return to me on paper) but the actual need to trade him was likely pretty real.

(frank), I wish the Hawks still had Panarin, but they wouldn't have been any better off in terms of playoff wins with him on the team (as he didn't top off a better Jackets' team to their first series win either) and they'd be in the same situation now on trading him so what does it even matter anymore??
tvetter
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burkesville, KY
Joined: 12.16.2015

Jul 8 @ 4:53 PM ET
Exactly, obviously it would be awesome to see them in the playoffs next season but this team really needs to accumulate some elite prospects. Jokiharu and possibly a top 5 draft pick (center?) could start but isn't Boqvist closer to three years from NHL ready?
- Hossa1881

I thought LBR posted something to the effect that there were others similar to Boqvist that projected 2 to 3 years out, but played in their second year. Maybe even Karlsson.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Jul 8 @ 5:21 PM ET
Win or lose (or shootout), the Hawks record next season will be settled on the ice. They might suck, they might be mediocre, they might be pretty good.

It is up to the players and the coaches and they know what they need to do.

We could all sit here all day and complain about trades that didn't work out, but it won't change the upcoming season one bit. Just enjoy the ride and see if they can pull together a good year. We just watched an expansion team play in the final and lose to the team that always chokes in the playoffs...
35Tony0
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Springfield, IL
Joined: 05.10.2015

Jul 8 @ 5:22 PM ET
Thats hard to swallow. a 10.5 m 3rd line center ? PUKE.

Toews has a responsibility to get his body back in shape. Actual time in the gym and stop with this electric muscle stimulation BS.

- mrpaulish

2 more years down the road, he is a 3 time Cup winning team captain who is playing 3rd line shutdown because the new Top 6 has pushed him there.
Overpaid? Sure, but Cups 4, 5 and 6 for Toews would make me personally fine with it!
BMWChiFan
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: St Louis, MO
Joined: 04.12.2016

Jul 8 @ 6:05 PM ET
Looks like Maroon is going to sign in St. Louis.

They have been making moves this offaeason. Still don't love their Allen/Johnson duo in net... but will be hard to play against this year.

- Justin Lowe

Thank goodness for the Hawks and the rest of the Central that the Blues have Jake Allen as their #1 goalie. Weak minded when it counts -- he'll never win it all.
eagle50
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: ON
Joined: 07.13.2012

Jul 8 @ 6:09 PM ET
2 more years down the road, he is a 3 time Cup winning team captain who is playing 3rd line shutdown because the new Top 6 has pushed him there.
Overpaid? Sure, but Cups 4, 5 and 6 for Toews would make me personally fine with it!

- 35Tony0

Not usually enough optimism here,works for me.
blackhawk24
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Lake in the Hills, IL
Joined: 06.06.2009

Jul 8 @ 6:38 PM ET
2 more years down the road, he is a 3 time Cup winning team captain who is playing 3rd line shutdown because the new Top 6 has pushed him there.
Overpaid? Sure, but Cups 4, 5 and 6 for Toews would make me personally fine with it!

- 35Tony0

Would like to see a 1C and 2C who would push him there, not to mention a 9-figure cap (highly unlikely) which would afford the opportunity of a $10.5M 3C.
vandymeer23
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IA
Joined: 10.11.2014

Jul 8 @ 7:23 PM ET
Ha. Nice.

But wouldn't it be great to have that Canucks/Hawks rivalry back in full force again?

- Justin Lowe

Are there any rivalries in the nhl anymore?Watching games you dont see much hate just guys going through the motions once the game gets out of hand.
vandymeer23
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IA
Joined: 10.11.2014

Jul 8 @ 7:24 PM ET


come on already....

- bogiedoc

This has been a incredibly slow off season with trades and signings.
oldduffman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.06.2013

Jul 8 @ 7:56 PM ET
I think Letestu and Rick Nash would be nice cheap 1 year deal for the HAWKS right about now . Or after the season starts with Nash .
If the core rebounded somewhat , and those two plus the HAWKS recent pick ups gelled you could have a very interesting team of veteran winners playing for 1 more chance at the cup . Stir in some youthful energy ,and A few breaks . And bingo you have a miracle on ice . Q just may be interested again if the old guy are around ..
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Jul 8 @ 8:00 PM ET
I think Letestu and Rick Nash would be nice cheap 1 year deal for the HAWKS right about now . Or after the season starts with Nash .
If the core rebounded somewhat , and those two plus the HAWKS recent pick ups gelled you could have a very interesting team of veteran winners playing for 1 more chance at the cup . Stir in some youthful energy ,and A few breaks . And bingo you have a miracle on ice . Q just may be interested again if the old guy are around ..

- oldduffman


The Hawks need a centre, I’d go with Grant, Letestu or even Wingels again.
Tatoo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Montreal, QC
Joined: 12.17.2016

Jul 8 @ 8:04 PM ET
Do you recall what Bowman said at the tail end of the season about there won't be that many changes over the summer.Well to date there hasn't been.For someone who's job is on the line,he is sure taking a chance that this squad will rebound.Lets hope that he is right.GOHAWKSGO
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Jul 8 @ 8:27 PM ET
Do you recall what Bowman said at the tail end of the season about there won't be that many changes over the summer.Well to date there hasn't been.For someone who's job is on the line,he is sure taking a chance that this squad will rebound.Lets hope that he is right.GOHAWKSGO
- Tatoo


Or has Stan (and Scotty) convinced Rocky and McD that some kind of rebuild is necessary - and that there is enough in the house to be playoff-spot competitive this season - throwing the job insecurity on to Q?

I would think Q is gone before Stan.
jhawk159
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheaton, IL
Joined: 10.13.2009

Jul 8 @ 8:30 PM ET
Ha. Nice.

But wouldn't it be great to have that Canucks/Hawks rivalry back in full force again?

- Justin Lowe


This board and their board were up for grabs during the years the rivalry was in full swing. Talk about Coc violations.....


Assman22
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: San Francisco, CA
Joined: 04.13.2012

Jul 8 @ 8:44 PM ET
Thats hard to swallow. Actual time in the gym and stop with this electric muscle stimulation BS.
- mrpaulish

That’s what she said
mrpaulish
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Itasca, IL
Joined: 01.18.2010

Jul 8 @ 9:00 PM ET
2 more years down the road, he is a 3 time Cup winning team captain who is playing 3rd line shutdown because the new Top 6 has pushed him there.
Overpaid? Sure, but Cups 4, 5 and 6 for Toews would make me personally fine with it!

- 35Tony0



You all have to stop talking about more cups. Break it down more simple that that. Can this roster win a playoff series ? Not just get in the tournament but match up and beat anyone of last years playoff teams 4/7. The answer to that is no. The Blackhawks are just as bad on D now as they were last April. Up front they are more slow.
This has to be a silent rebuild. Shed some salary and get more high picks in the next 2 drafts come back and compete , maybe in 2020 while Kane and Saad are still good and maybe some of the new D prospects are who we hope they are.
oldduffman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.06.2013

Jul 8 @ 9:43 PM ET
The Hawks need a centre, I’d go with Grant, Letestu or even Wingels again.
- DarthKane

Ya I thought Wingels would be back by now , like his game last year . Think Letestu may be better at the dot ,and could be a bit of a mentor . Is Riley Nash signed ?? .He would or could be nice signing , might get him for 3 mil 4 years
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Jul 8 @ 10:12 PM ET
Ya I thought Wingels would be back by now , like his game last year . Think Letestu may be better at the dot ,and could be a bit of a mentor . Is Riley Nash signed ?? .He would or could be nice signing , might get him for 3 mil 4 years
- oldduffman



He signed with Columbus, 3 years @ $2.75 million per.

I think Derek Grant could be a decent option on a 1 or 2 year deal.
Spec41971
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Rolling meadows, IL
Joined: 03.04.2017

Jul 8 @ 10:14 PM ET
After thinking long and hard about the Blackhawks and the last 15 months for this organization, I think I am willing to give the front office a chance to redeem themselves. I agree with almost all posters here who think that StanBo has been fleeced time and time again in a lot of his deals. I think it goes both ways with the roster. Ultimately, he inherited a goldmine of talent. He had to make a lot of very difficult decisions over the last decade. He had some great deals, he had some awful deals- it's the gamble you take with the salary cap and remaining competitive. The Hawks have never been in a position to focus on getting younger and replenishing their entire system. While the immediate future of this team can be frustrating and a bit unsettling, I am excited to see what happens with this group down the road. I like that they have drafted defenseman in the first round the last two years, and have a plan with what they want to do.

I am not thrilled about the free agent signings, but I can also applaud SB for not going more than a year with Kunitz and Ward. Everything I have read about them is they are great locker room guys, so that could have a lasting impact on the youth in the lineup.

One final thing that gives me hope...as the salary cap rises each year, a lot of contracts will be coming off the books. No matter how it is done, Hossa, Crawford, and Anisimov will eventually be gone, and that will open up quite a bit of money to go out and spend elsewhere.

This sounds crazy...but what the Hawks are doing now reminds me of what the Yankees did the last four years. Retooled, drafted well, made some great trades, and are once again absolutely loaded. Hopefully the Hawks can have the same fate.

- frafra


As frustrating as this free agent period has gone, i’d Rather see the hawks do nothing than do something just for the sake of appearances. Don’t think there was anything they could do — meaning nothing was going to turn them into a contender —that wouldn’t hurt them going forward. Then only thing I see them possibly doing is getting a lower six forward/center from buffalo for Hossa’s contract. Think they need that off the books to let them have better use of the cap room for a multi-year signing next off season.
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