A few years back, I was at a gas station in the Burr Ridge area and saw Stan filling up next to me.

I didn't want to be that guy, but I decided to go up to him anyway--would probably never have the chance again.

I walked over to him and introduced myself. He was as nice as everyone has ever said. Our convo lasted maybe three minutes. We talked about the Hawks (who were knocked out of the playoffs at the time) and how we both agreed that a little more grit was needed (yes, a HOF player also felt the Hawks lacked toughness at the time ) and how he was hopeful they'd turn it around next season.

We told each other to have a good day and "Go Hawks!"

I called my dad immediately. It was a good day.
- Hank3Henshaw

Good story... I also saw him in Home Depot on 75th & ~Lemont. He put all his light bulbs awkwardly in one arm to shake my hand. No one in the whole place knew who he was... then I snuck a picture of him standing in checkout, but it was on my flip phone and now long gone... what a tough Slovak.

I think this is an appropriate time to share a story that helpsed my love for the game grow.

So nowadays, I attempt to watch Junior players and prognosticate on their futures as NHL prospects, but in the1963, I was a kid who was still learning the one game he loved.(not a tyro since I had already spend several seasons in a Stadium seat for close to full seasons.

A hardware store on Milwaukee Ave. near Damen and North Avenues advertised that Stan Mikita would be signing autographs there all day.

My father dropped me off, and unlike the other Blackhawk fans, I didn’t get my autograph and leave.
I stayed. I wanted more. There were long periods were there were NO fans…remember, Blackhawk hockey in the sixties just started to usher in and the inner city a Polish neighborhood in Wicker Park probably wasn’t on the bandwagon yet.
Stan used those no-fan periods to sneak out back and take a few puffs on a cigarette.
Me, I had a plan. I wanted to pick his brain and learn more.
I asked about things as banal as …”why on the break outs, does the carrier stand behind the netting before committing to the left or right outlet to his teammates? And why idd team empty a fourth forward at the point?, and do you guys weave but stay in positionally straight lines? (Stan’s anger: “that ’s my area when we lose the puck on the attack and I have to try and slow their response.”

He knew I wasn’t some Canadian born kid, who was pllayting his way up through the midget to junior ranks, just some Chicago kid, whose experiences playing were local and outside park related, spawned by the NHL Blackhawks team resurgence from the sixth position in a six team league.

I didn’t go away. And Stan didn’t go away with this his answers in this public appearance that probably earned him a few hundred dollars, if that.welcoming effort at this

Sure, I was already hooked on the game as the only sport that truly interested me. But Stan’s welcoming effort ate this appearance helped solidify my love for the game, because the man was a larger than life ambassador while still playing.

Later on I met Juda, a relative by marriage who sat a section over from me, and saw Stan when he left the building via gate 3 and a half as he spend that extra hour signing my programs and everyone else’s.

He was more than a distant original six icon to me…he was everything I loved about the game I loved.
- wiz1901

I did meet Dale Talon at white eagle as a kid when he was the golf pro and he was a beauty. My brother approached him in or around 1992-93 during a Sunday matinee vs STL where he and Foley sat in the balcony.....it was a great game but there was Dale with his mini TV watching golf......classic.

I bring this up only because Dale once compared Dave Bolland to stan Mikita when he was drafted and I never let that slip. I can't stand the hard-ons people get for quickly comparing a player to a past player. It's not fair to the current player and it's disrespectful to a proven player. This mindsight also balloons a player into fan's minds as some crown jewel.....I mean look over time how many fans here have lost their mind over the trading of young assets.

Marko Dano? Really!!!! Is he even relevant?

Danault has made a nice path but he's not a can't miss player.
Teuvo is a borderline top 6 player...….

You joke, but given his track record, it's very likely that Stan will likely give Schmaltz $6.5-$7mil (even though I'd take Larkin over Schmaltz) bc its Stan Bowman and that's just what he does.
- EnzoD

Oh and now the games begin. Now that Larkin is done Schmaltz agent has a comp and we'll see how this progresses.

Good story... I also saw him in Home Depot on 75th & ~Lemont. He put all his light bulbs awkwardly in one arm to shake my hand. No one in the whole place knew who he was... then I snuck a picture of him standing in checkout, but it was on my flip phone and now long gone... what a tough Slovak.
- RedFeather

It's amazing to me how many hockey players go unnoticed.

I loved reading the Verdi article and hve enjoyed reading the interactions people had here on this blog with him. You can just tell what a great human being he was.

Oh and now the games begin. Now that Larkin is done Schmaltz agent has a comp and we'll see how this progresses.
- SteveRain

Another 30 goals (or close) this year by Debrincat, and he will be in the $6mil range too.....

Another 30 goals (or close) this year by Debrincat, and he will be in the $6mil range too.....
- EnzoD

Good point...….

BTW last blog where I mentioned trading AA for cap space and people responding with having to fill that hle…..

Well, how does anyone think they get Pacioretty or Faulk? What holes do they create adding them?

With impending sizeable raises to 12 and 8, and 8 being your 2nd line center, can you afford to pay 15 for a 3rd line role vs what he could fetch you in late February in regards to a future asset?

Oh and now the games begin. Now that Larkin is done Schmaltz agent has a comp and we'll see how this progresses.
- SteveRain

They have the same agent too.

"Based on the sentiment of most posters here."

Why is everyone missing that line.

It's my impression, based on folks's posts, that unless he hocks win the cup all the players suck. Therefore, based on the fact that there were only 6 teams in the leauge and Stan won the cup once times, he must suck. 21 years at least.

Is a sarcasm funny when you have to explain it? No.

Getting a doughnut now.
- hocktock

Interestingly enough, I understood you as soon as I read it.

Another 30 goals (or close) this year by Debrincat, and he will be in the $6mil range too.....
- EnzoD

And that would be a good "problem" to have!

You joke, but given his track record, it's very likely that Stan will likely give Schmaltz $6.5-$7mil (even though I'd take Larkin over Schmaltz) bc its Stan Bowman and that's just what he does.
- EnzoD

Stan, while he certainly will have say, is a little bit behind the 8 ball with the agent.

If you are Schmaltz's agent, why would you take much less than Larkin just signed for?

Was wondering if you saw Or maybe you were the one to post it,a post on a prior blog how many BLACKHAWKS willing to “go “, I laughed when I looked at the list When I saw a couple of those names on there. I don’t think I even want guys fighting, I just want some good solid checks and some answer backs and some sandpaper hockey for a change and if a fight happened so be it
- wonthecup10

I posted something about this in the last blog:

Hawks willing to hit consistently:
Kunitz
Hayden
Martinsen
Murphy
Manning
Seabrook

Hawks willing to fight:
Hayden
Martinsen
Murphy
Manning
Seabrook

https://blackhawkup.com/2...mula-the-blackhawks-need/

Timely article today by Blackhawkup about needing to add more grit. Not the best written article but the main premise is understood.

Follow-up to that post:

Yeah, I was hesitant to put Seabrook on either list but relative to the rest of the team, he at least has a track record in those areas (albeit a declining track record).

Tough week for those of you who grew up watching Mikita and his passing.

I was brought into hockey because my parents were passionate fans. Their first date was a hockey game. When I was 5 the Bears were becoming a super contender, the Bulls were about to draft Jordan, and the Cubs had just completed their epic melt down vs the Padres. Becoming a Hawks fan was tough....only getting to see half the games because of the utter stupidity that was Bill Wirtz. IT was, and still is, a very small knit fan base no matter how badly McDonough wants to exploit and market the brand across main stream channels (see a tent at Lolapoolza) or what you have.

My dad had met Mikita and Hull at a hardware store signing by his house and always told us how genuine hockey players were.

Learning about Hull I respected his game but despised him as a person and still do. You won't see articles like you have on Mikita be written about Hull. however that night in 2008 vs San Jose when Stan, Hull, and Tony O drove out in their white convertible was amazing to see the older generation of fans, my parents included, having their heroes welcomed back after a generation of Wirtz's ruined and almost downright killed the Blackhawk franchise. Each game no matter how ridiculous it got it was always great to see Mikita and Hull shown on the Jumbo Tron but I always noted that NOT every time Stan would be there, but you would be sure Hull be...seeking the attention.

It's great Stan was a helluva hockey player, but it's better that he was a such an amazing person off the ice that he touched so many and helped build a generation and future generation of loyal Hawks fans. For that I am grateful.
- SteveRain

NASA reported last week that the ball Jack Clark hit for the Padres against the Cubs in the playoffs landed in the Pacific.

NASA reported last week that the ball Jack Clark hit for the Padres against the Cubs in the playoffs landed in the Pacific.
- 6628

LMAO

Well done.

I'm sure it was a rough week for you and would love to hear any stories you had on Mikita. When the UC scoreboard would find him during a timeout in the box in the 2008-09 season, just like when they would find Wirtz in his seats in the 100 level, Mikita almost looked embarrassed to the ovation the crowd gave him.

Hull, on the other hand, loved every minute of it. Sure Stan did as well, but after a few times he was always in the back part of the box or trying to stay clear. Not sure if that was intentional but it always resonated with me.

That game against Sj when Borque scored to tie it only to be over-ruled as they deemed it went off his hand even though it was on his stick, showed the franchise and fan base had made peace.

LMAO

Well done.

I'm sure it was a rough week for you and would love to hear any stories you had on Mikita. When the UC scoreboard would find him during a timeout in the box in the 2008-09 season, just like when they would find Wirtz in his seats in the 100 level, Mikita almost looked embarrassed to the ovation the crowd gave him.

Hull, on the other hand, loved every minute of it. Sure Stan did as well, but after a few times he was always in the back part of the box or trying to stay clear. Not sure if that was intentional but it always resonated with me.

That game against Sj when Borque scored to tie it only to be over-ruled as they deemed it went off his hand even though it was on his stick, showed the franchise and fan base had made peace.
- SteveRain

Your take is accurate. Bobby was always the front man, but Stan was a pretty good instigator and put him up to some stuff that was pretty funny.

Why would Schmaltz get more than Bo Horvat or Dylan Larkin?
- MjulQvist

More than Horvat is possible - Schmaltz produced at a higher rate than him on their ELC contracts which is one of the biggest factors in contracts. Like yes, Schmaltz got to play more consistently with a higher quality of teammate in Kane but that also says that the team's confidence in him is high / he can keep up with an elite talent.

If Schmaltz signs this summer, they could potentially get him in the $5.5m-6.1m range (Drouin - Larkin range). However, if Schmaltz waits until next summer and just maintains his PPG rate from last season (so no major improvement), his closest comparable moves up to Scheifele/Monahan range as more of a base. If he improves... well, it could (frank) some poop up cap-wise.

So while it's definitely not unreasonable for fans to want to wait to see if Schmaltz can produce consistently for another season (I'm not opposed to this personally either), there is some risk to waiting - he could price himself into a range of $6.5m+. Sign him now, he maybe gets a lower cap hit but it's not definitive that he's worth the money; sign him later gives more proof of quality but could increase his cap hit.

There are risks and concerns for both routes. Glad I'm not the one making the decision.

NASA reported last week that the ball Jack Clark hit for the Padres against the Cubs in the playoffs landed in the Pacific.
- 6628

Jack Clark?

I'm in favor of re-signing Schwartz now to hopefully get him for less than he could get next summer. It's a gamble either way so I say gamble that he has an even better season so signing him now will be a good deal for the Hawks.

Another 30 goals (or close) this year by Debrincat, and he will be in the $6mil range too.....
- EnzoD

And maybe all of this (Schmaltz and AdB) is the reason for the lack of expensive FA movement by Stan.

And maybe all of this (Schmaltz and AdB) is the reason for the lack of expensive FA movement by Stan.
- StLBravesFan

100% agreed and why they also will not pursue a Pacioretty or Faulk UNLESS a guy like Schmaltz's agent is trying to pull a Saad...…..

And maybe all of this (Schmaltz and AdB) is the reason for the lack of expensive FA movement by Stan.
- StLBravesFan

Then why ship out Vinny for Kruger this year and not wait another year? What happened to "we need to become younger and faster" motto from a year ago, how does any move this year correlate with that.

On the other hand, do not think this FO has any logic or consistency from year 2013 onward, so I feel I will need multi year (8+ years) patience till all these contracts work out and team becomes competitive.

Jack Clark?
- JPBurke27

Padre that hit the tater to put the cap on the comeback. Looked like a 5 wood leaving the plate. Sox fans still chuckle, can't help it. I think I have his name right, but who cares. He (frank)ing smoked it.

Then why ship out Vinny for Kruger this year and not wait another year? What happened to "we need to become younger and faster" motto from a year ago, how does any move this year correlate with that.

On the other hand, do not think this FO has any logic or consistency from year 2013 onward, so I feel I will need multi year (8+ years) patience till all these contracts work out and team becomes competitive.
- vshun

While Kruger is 4 (but ONLY 4) years older than Hinostroza, he’s a proven value in areas the Hawks need - he can win d-zone FOs, a PK specialist, a very good defensive center (all assuming he’s cured from whatever has ailed him the past couple of years - wrist?)

And signed for only one year at a decent cap hit. He won’t affect their ability to resign Schmaltz and AdB.

Then why ship out Vinny for Kruger this year and not wait another year? What happened to "we need to become younger and faster" motto from a year ago, how does any move this year correlate with that.

On the other hand, do not think this FO has any logic or consistency from year 2013 onward, so I feel I will need multi year (8+ years) patience till all these contracts work out and team becomes competitive.
- vshun

Yes, nevermind they actually won Cups in 2013 and 2015 so I can see how all that could be frustrating.

There is implied sarcasm in pretty much every comment Darth has ever made.
- breadbag