>>I heard that Chicago was not entirely impressed with him on and off the ice and the team was even warned before they got him. So, that tells me that this always had a potential to be a straight-up Richard Panik salary dump.<<

no question: knock on him is lack of hockey smarts and allergic to board battles...

yep...we saw that....

he is done... with torts i give him to december if he makes the team

I wonder if Duclair might have turned out any differently if not for the injury at the hands of scumbag Marchand.
- 333inthe3rd

no...he did nothing up to that point...

Is CC still not healthy?
- z1990z

sure as hell would be nice to hear he is skating and ready to begin training...poop camp is in 2 months...

Toews and Seabs for McDavid with EDM retaining 75% of McDavid’s Cap hit.

If Stan can pull that off, I might come around on his GM’ing skills. (Red Font)
- HawkintheD

>>I heard that Chicago was not entirely impressed with him on and off the ice and the team was even warned before they got him. So, that tells me that this always had a potential to be a straight-up Richard Panik salary dump.<<

no question: knock on him is lack of hockey smarts and allergic to board battles...

yep...we saw that....

he is done... with torts i give him to december if he makes the team
- bogiedoc

22 and almost done.

Too bad he couldn't spend some time in the AHL directly out of Quebec - his hockey development was ruined by going directly to the Rags and then the poop show in Phoenix. Too soon in the Show.

Let's not do the same with Boqvist, Jokiharju, etc.

- bogiedoc

Dang you bogie - Make it stop!

Don't know think they were thrilled with the hockey IQ. Don't know how much would have changed and to be honest, would rather see what they have in a Kahun or other prospect at this point.
- Justin Lowe

they got Panik contract off the books for 2018/2019 - one goal

Does the NHL have retractable waivers. For example could they put Forsberg on waivers and if someone tries to claim him they can pull him off waivers or trade him.
- -Doh-

Not sure if they do or not, but what would be the point of it? To identify a few trading partners?

Justin Lowe: Fast Friday: 5 Thoughts
I thought, surely by now, I would be able to pump out a juicy "Blackhawks have acquired amazing Player X" by now. But alas, we sit here on July 6th with little news to report.

However, here are 5 quick thoughts on the Hawks and happenings around the league.
- Justin Lowe

Great blog JL.

This is certainly an awkward, if not painful, time to be a Blackhawks fan. The roster still has some great talent on it be they're nearing the end of the window (I don't believe it's closed yet). Since the playoff series against Nashville the have have been a disaster, with the exception of games 1 & 2 of the 2017/2018 season.

What shouldn't be lost in all this is that Stan has replenished the prospect pipeline that was diminished from so may Cup runs (i.e. paying for rentals) and salary cap dumps. Certainly they all won't develop into NHLers but there are some strong candidates:

- Boqvist
- Jokiharju
- Mitchell
- Beaudin
- Edjsell (I still think there's a good future for this kid)
- Soderlund
- Sikura

There is an even bigger group of prospects that are less likely to make the NHL but if 1-2 do they could be solid contributors:

- Altybarmakyan
- Kahun
- Hillman
- Raddysh
- Gilbert
- Carlsson
- Kayumov
- Wise
- Highmore
- Mordgren

I don't expect all or even most of these guys to make the NHL, but the prospect pool is deeper than it's been in a long time. Sadly we just need to be patient while some of this talent develops and that could mean one more painful season.

For me the issue with the Hawks is the lack of transparency. Are they rebuilding or going for another run? Both are totally acceptable, what I don't like is the middle ground where the team hesitates to choose one path. I witness the Canucks slow decline after 2011, they lived in that middle ground for years and their team sucks and many of their fans have checked out. They started to win fans back with they finally acknowledged they were in rebuild mode, but a lot of damage was done by that point.

I'm not expecting any major deals to save the season. I don't think the Hawks want to give up the assets required to land a big name (i.e. Boqvist, Jokiharju, Sikura). But Stan could surprise us, he certainly did last year with the Saad and Murphy trades.

>>I heard that Chicago was not entirely impressed with him on and off the ice and the team was even warned before they got him. So, that tells me that this always had a potential to be a straight-up Richard Panik salary dump.<<

no question: knock on him is lack of hockey smarts and allergic to board battles...

yep...we saw that....

he is done... with torts i give him to december if he makes the team
- bogiedoc

I'll forgive losing board battles but no effort on the back check is unacceptable when you have as much speed as Duclair. A cadaver on skates....no heart! Vinny is a smurf but busts his backside to get back into a play. Not this goofball....

I'll forgive losing board battles but no effort on the back check is unacceptable when you have as much speed as Duclair. A cadaver on skates....no heart! Vinny is a smurf but busts his backside to get back into a play. Not this goofball....
- phantasmo

Thissssssssss

Great blog JL.

For me the issue with the Hawks is the lack of transparency. Are they rebuilding or going for another run? Both are totally acceptable
- DarthKane

DK, I'm totally with you on this. I watched a lot of bad Hawks hockey growing up, and their run from '09 to '15 was hockey heaven for me. I still count myself (and us) very lucky to have enjoyed such a successful run.

BUT, when Stanbo and co keep us in the dark with things like CC's health and the direction of the team it fosters questions and makes fans feel like they are spitballing.

Regardless of what happens I will continue to be a fan of hockey and the Blackhawks, but just give us something! You might lose some casual fans if the tank is on, but they'll be right back when/if you turn it around.

Just my two cents.

DK, I'm totally with you on this. I watched a lot of bad Hawks hockey growing up, and their run from '09 to '15 was hockey heaven for me. I still count myself (and us) very lucky to have enjoyed such a successful run.

BUT, when Stanbo and co keep us in the dark with things like CC's health and the direction of the team it fosters questions and makes fans feel like they are spitballing.

Regardless of what happens I will continue to be a fan of hockey and the Blackhawks, but just give us something! You might lose some casual fans if the tank is on, but they'll be right back when/if y

ou turn it around.

Just my two cents.
- Q-stache

Crawford must have some sort of serious problem. Otherwise we'd know exactly when he will be back on the ice. I wouldnt count on him to start the season.

They will never say "rebuilding" As others have stated the cost for SEASON TICKETS IN INSANE. MENTAL. Not really even worth the business write off at this point. SO they can't tell anyone officially they are rebuilding.

22 and almost done.

Too bad he couldn't spend some time in the AHL directly out of Quebec - his hockey development was ruined by going directly to the Rags and then the poop show in Phoenix. Too soon in the Show.

Let's not do the same with Boqvist, Jokiharju, etc.
- StLBravesFan

He's not done, he will bounce around the fringes and will always be given a shot because of his skating ability and "potential". Think...Jack Skille. All the talent in the world, but never able to put it together. The thought of his potential and his age will keep him around for someone.

1st... Somebody wake Stan up!
- z1990z

Actually let him sleep I say!

Crawford must have some sort of serious problem. Otherwise we'd know exactly when he will be back on the ice. I wouldnt count on him to start the season.
- mrpaulish

I totally respect CC's right to privacy in this regard. My wanting to know is just the meathead fan in me.

I have no idea how Schefter still has a job at ESPN after he snuck in to the ER and took pictures of Jason Pierre Paul's medical chart after his July 4th accident.

Crawford must have some sort of serious problem. Otherwise we'd know exactly when he will be back on the ice. I wouldnt count on him to start the season.

They will never say "rebuilding" As others have stated the cost for SEASON TICKETS IN INSANE. MENTAL. Not really even worth the business write off at this point. SO they can't tell anyone officially they are rebuilding.
- mrpaulish

I'm not so worried about the communication for Crawford's situation. If Crawford is having major health issues of some kind I don't think the team is obligated to release that information

In the short-term publicly proclaiming a rebuild might cost a few fans. But living in that middle ground will cost a lot more in the long run. In the Hawks can successfully rebuild on-the-fly then great, but it's not easy to do. Teams can still market a rebuild, they can market young players and a return to the 2010-2015 era.

DK, I'm totally with you on this. I watched a lot of bad Hawks hockey growing up, and their run from '09 to '15 was hockey heaven for me. I still count myself (and us) very lucky to have enjoyed such a successful run.

BUT, when Stanbo and co keep us in the dark with things like CC's health and the direction of the team it fosters questions and makes fans feel like they are spitballing.

Regardless of what happens I will continue to be a fan of hockey and the Blackhawks, but just give us something! You might lose some casual fans if the tank is on, but they'll be right back when/if you turn it around.

Just my two cents.
- Q-stache

They are damned if they do/damned if they don't. If they come out and say no CC or Rebuild people (season ticket holders) will bail. If they keep quiet and say nothing, people get pissed and will bail. The 7K fans that came to the games even in the darkest times will continue to come, the casual fans and bandwagoners are the ones they need to pump up the profits.

After 13 NHL seasons, @aburr14's playing career has come to an end. Burrows says goodbye to the game here: https://t.co/pFMBB5BcGJ pic.twitter.com/lPolW1Ng7l

— NHLPA (@NHLPA) July 6, 2018

They are damned if they do/damned if they don't. If they come out and say no CC or Rebuild people (season ticket holders) will bail. If they keep quiet and say nothing, people get pissed and will bail. The 7K fans that came to the games even in the darkest times will continue to come, the casual fans and bandwagoners are the ones they need to pump up the profits.
- TheTrob

In that case being honest and open is the best way to go. In the long run the team will build more faith and loyalty among the fan base versus trying to pull one over on them (which most people are smart enough to see through).

Don't know think they were thrilled with the hockey IQ. Don't know how much would have changed and to be honest, would rather see what they have in a Kahun or other prospect at this point.
- Justin Lowe

That could be. I hadn't been duly impressed up to that point, either. I just wondered if he could have done something if given more of a chance, even if I was less than optimistic before he was injured. Maybe I'm more bothered by the NHL's lack of seriousness in addressing scumbags like Marchand. Thanks to you and bogiedoc for the response.

they got Panik contract off the books for 2018/2019 - one goal
- glennjpawlak22

That won Stan the trade right there.

How much $hit is going to hit the fan when CC is put on LTIR also? How loud are the owners going to cry then?

In past posts, there was this notion that the league was quietly talking about not trading the Hossa contract. IF that is the case, wouldn't the Players Union want to open that up to the media's attention, and rip the league a new one? Wouldn't that go against the CBA? IS Bettman really that stupid?
- powerenforcer

With CC it would be quite legitimate considering he sat out the second half of the season. As well, other teams have started the season with more than one player on LTIR in the past.

Toews and Seabs for McDavid with EDM retaining 75% of McDavid’s Cap hit.

If Stan can pull that off, I might come around on his GM’ing skills. (Red Font)
- HawkintheD

Even then though, I'm sure those will piss and moan about McDavid's NMC or something

In that case being honest and open is the best way to go. In the long run the team will build more faith and loyalty among the fan base versus trying to pull one over on them (which most people are smart enough to see through).
- DarthKane

I agree Darth, however based on the "average" fan that fills the UC these days, they don't have any idea if someone is trying to pull one over on them. Very little knowledge about who is who or what anyones talent level is. They could probably name you Kane, Toews and maybe Keith and Seabrook, but forget about anyone else. Unfortunately, the un-educated fan (in any sport) is where they are making their money. McD has turned it into an art form, first with the Cubs and now with the Hawks. Sell the park, the experience, the history, etc. winning helps obviously but it is not essential