It seems that this is the case.

I just don't think they have it in them to go for a "silent rebuild" (as JJ calls it), as McD and Co. are too proud and know that it could be detrimental to their bottom line (ticket sales, marketing, etc.).

Plus, if they are preparing to be bad again, then you're burning another from the core. you might as well look to deal a guy like Keith then.

Considering this is the team that Bowman has put on the ice, if they are a complete bust by Christmas, I would fire Bowman and convince Joel to move into a "special advisor" role (if he wants).

In the interim, you can move Al MacIsaac or Norm McIvor as GM and Kevin Dineen as your coach.
- Justin Lowe

What you write in the blog about the looming lockout a year from now makes sense as the planned inflection point. See what happens this year, if they catch lightening in a bottle maybe add some guys and make a run but I f it goes as anticipated, be sellers at the TDL and tank, make changes in the front office and coach. Once the CBA gets resettled, then get serious about being good again.

I am predicting that he returns November 1st.
- ChicagoHope

It's a head injury, with symptoms that have lasted until now. Not to try and cut anyone down, but any predictions on his availability are based on hope alone (unless you actually know or are working with hum).

Guys, thanks for shedding light on the Hog's roster. I'm really curious to see the development of the D in the system.
- breadbag

Carlsson - Dahlstrom
Gilbert - Raddysh
Snuggerud - Hillman

If this is a probable Hogs blueline, several of those pieces could be future Hawks defensemen whether as full-time starters or depth emergency call-ups. Add in the likes of Jokiharju, Boqvist, Forsling, Beaudin, Mitchell, and Krys, then there's lots to like and look forward to.

Not all will make it, of course, but that's the point. Strike out on a few of them is okay because there's still enough depth with either top-end talent or talent to be a solid support player.

Contrast that to top 6 forward depth where it's pretty much Sikura and Wise. Strike out with one or both and there's nothing left.

Carlsson - Dahlstrom
Gilbert - Raddysh
Snuggerud - Hillman

If this is a probable Hogs blueline, several of those pieces could be future Hawks defensemen whether as full-time starters or depth emergency call-ups. Add in the likes of Jokiharju, Boqvist, Forsling, Beaudin, Mitchell, and Krys, then there's lots to like and look forward to.

Not all will make it, of course, but that's the point. Strike out on a few of them is okay because there's still enough depth with either top-end talent or talent to be a solid support player.

Contrast that to top 6 forward depth where it's pretty much Sikura and Wise. Strike out with one or both and there's nothing left.
- AEL_Fox

i think its always better to have more D-depth than Top 6 depth....D depth is a more valuable potential trade chip.

Any coach who cares about their team would be upset when their GM punted two trades in a row. Hammer for Murphy is only trumped by Panarin for Saad. We lost both of those trades, badly. Murphy is a 5/6 Dman, and Saad is maybe half the player Panarin is. I think Q should've probably been cut loose after the sweep or last season. He's a phenomenal coach and getting 3 Cups in 6 years is a nearly impossible task, I can't believe someone on here honestly thinks he should have more, getting one cup has escaped plenty of teams in this league. Q is a great coach, but the mojo is gone and we need a new system that will hold everyone accountable and emphasize speed.
- ObeseOprah

I think Q made sure we lost that deal ,with the treatment of Murphy .Now the Saad deal seemed to make some sense on paper . Who would have thought Saad would fail so badly , maybe a change behind the bench could help Saad . And I would not be surprised if Stan makes a move for Panarin next year ...

I think Q made sure we lost that deal ,with the treatment of Murphy .Now the Saad deal seemed to make some sense on paper . Who would have thought Saad would fail so badly , maybe a change behind the bench could help Saad . And I would not be surprised if Stan makes a move for Panarin next year ...
- oldduffman

Can we shave enough contract to add Panarin?

Hammer was already starting to fall apart from years of wear, tear and being a human shield, so I don’t agree that the Hawks lost that trade.

Now if you’re suggesting the trade was Murphy for the memory of 2015 and before Hammer then yes the Hawks got wiped out in that deal.
- HawkintheD

Remember D... former Blackhawks never age while current Blackhawks rapidly decline and become old men at 28.

Can we shave enough contract to add Panarin?
- glennjpawlak22

Not likely. Maybe Panarin is willing to accept less but I suspect he'll want to maximize his earnings as this will be his last shot at a long term lucrative contract.

I would love to see Panarin return, but I hope he gets the most money possible elsewhere.

Can we shave enough contract to add Panarin?
- glennjpawlak22

I am no capoligist for sure . Seems like we are building from the back end ,maybe a defenseman is moved out to clear some space ,and the lack of spending his year . Still would be tight and depend on what the Panarin would want .Myself not a huge fan of Panarin ,but in the right situations he could help ..

Most of them are Stan’s , roll the dice, let me combed some independent league’s, and see if we could catch lightning in a bottle with any of these guys. Hopefully there’s a couple of these guys that will surprise a lot of people.

My question is what about some of the kids they drafted That are still in college what is thier estimated time of arrival?
- wonthecup10

Just a guess as to ETAs for college draftees. Sorry if I'm missing anyone. Note that there are no goalie prospects in college.

FORWARDS

Evan Barratt, Penn State
Sophomore
At least 1 more year in college then 1-2 years in Rockford
NHL projection: bottom 6 agitator with some offensive punch

Mikael Hakkarainen, Providence College
Freshman
At least 2 years in college then 1-2 years in Rockford
NHL projection: checking center

Josiah Slavin, Colorado College
Starts freshman year in 2019
At least 2 years in college then 1-2 years in Rockford
NHL projection: 3rd line winger

Jake Wise, Boston U
Freshman
1-2 years in college then 1-2 years in Rockford
NHL projection: top 6 center, likely 2nd line

DEFENSEMEN

Chad Krys, Boston U
Junior
Last year in college then 1-2 years in Rockford
NHL projection: offensive d-man with decent defense (4-5-6 spot)

Ian Mitchell, Denver
Sophomore
Last year in college then 1 year in Rockford
NHL projection: offensive d-man with solid defense (top 4)

Likely not going to be an impact prospect but you never know:

Joshua Ess, D (Wisconsin), sophomore
Parker Foo, F (Union College), sophomore
Jack Ramsey, F (Minnesota), senior
Ryan Shea, D (Northeastern), senior
Beau Starrett, F (Cornell), senior
Fredrik Olofsson, F (Nebraska Omaha), senior

EDIT: I added projections on what each prospect could be at the NHL level.

i think its always better to have more D-depth than Top 6 depth....D depth is a more valuable potential trade chip.
- glennjpawlak22

Agree. That's another advantage of such a deep blueline prospect pool. And this doesn't count the D you know the Hawks will pick in future drafts.

Hammer was already starting to fall apart from years of wear, tear and being a human shield, so I don’t agree that the Hawks lost that trade.

Now if you’re suggesting the trade was Murphy for the memory of 2015 and before Hammer then yes the Hawks got wiped out in that deal.
- HawkintheD

Hammer was falling apart? So what would you call Murphy, who is out 2 months minimum with back surgery?

Any coach who cares about their team would be upset when their GM punted two trades in a row. Hammer for Murphy is only trumped by Panarin for Saad. We lost both of those trades, badly. Murphy is a 5/6 Dman, and Saad is maybe half the player Panarin is. I think Q should've probably been cut loose after the sweep or last season. He's a phenomenal coach and getting 3 Cups in 6 years is a nearly impossible task, I can't believe someone on here honestly thinks he should have more, getting one cup has escaped plenty of teams in this league. Q is a great coach, but the mojo is gone and we need a new system that will hold everyone accountable and emphasize speed.
- ObeseOprah

Right there is the case against Q.

As usual, you are talking out of your behind. You were so not missed here during your time off.

Take the case of Alain Vigneault. Over a seven year period, he coached a talented Vancouver team. They had two of the best forwards on the planet - in their prime, a top three goalie, and and a very good defensive core. Those teams were probably more talented than the Hawks - and they have how many cups to show for it??

I also give you John Cooper in Tampa. While most on this site crown Yzerman as the greatest G.M. that ever lived - how many cups does Cooper sport?? Yep, the sound of crickets......

I keep telling people on this site - and I will tell you - be careful what you wish for.

Because five years after Quenneville is gone - most of you will be pining for the days he was here - and he will probably be winning somewhere else.
- dahawks8819

You guys are so flattering. Who won the office pool as to when I would post next? Paul had an extra monitor installed at the office and hired a kid to monitor the site.

I am not missed...that is fine...I do not really miss the echo chamber - ground hog day posts ad nauseum.

What did Q win before he got here? Richard...that is what he won.

For such smart dedicated fans, it is confounding the amount of people who do not realize that players win cups, not coaches.

The Cannucks were the Hawks of the mid eighties. Great team, they even got to a final, but were stuck behind the most talented team in hockey the Hawks. In the 80s the Hawks chased the Oilers. Your point means nothing.

Yeah but did Q ever play "Wayne" Pirri the way True Contrarian was certain Pirri should be played? The answer is no! Therefore True Contrarian is right and you are wrong. As True Contrarian rightly said in 2011, Q isn't a modern coach and should be fired. And please don't bore me with your alternate facts about the 2013 and 2015 cup wins. Those wins have no bearing on this discussion because the cup wins were not modern, therefore the 2013 and 2015 cup wins don't count.
- paulr

Living Rent Free in the heads of so many.

It was 2014 that I began questioning Q, if you want to get your facts straight.

Hawks have not won a playoff game in 2 and half years....but by all means keep glossing over it...they are no closer to winning one now than in spring of 2016,

I'm a big fan of Hillman, he has a different skill set than the other, more highly touted defensive prospects.
- DarthKane

Me too DK.

Looking forward to seeing him taking the next step under Colliton and Brookbank.

I think he spends time in Chicago this year.

You guys are so flattering. Who won the office pool as to when I would post next? Paul had an extra monitor installed at the office and hired a kid to monitor the site.

I am not missed...that is fine...I do not really miss the echo chamber - ground hog day posts ad nauseum.

What did Q win before he got here? Richard...that is what he won.

For such smart dedicated fans, it is confounding the amount of people who do not realize that players win cups, not coaches.

The Cannucks were the Hawks of the mid eighties. Great team, they even got to a final, but were stuck behind the most talented team in hockey the Hawks. In the 80s the Hawks chased the Oilers. Your point means nothing.
- TrueGrit

I don't care if the lab experiment offspring combining the DNA of Scottie Bowman, Vince Lombardi and Phil Jackson was coaching the 18/19 Chicago Blackhawks....they just don't have enough talent to win more than 50% of their games this year. Stanley Bowman, the maser architect of this roster, needs to be shown the door, yesterday.

Hammer was falling apart? So what would you call Murphy, who is out 2 months minimum with back surgery?
- EnzoD

Already fell apart

I think Q made sure we lost that deal ,with the treatment of Murphy .Now the Saad deal seemed to make some sense on paper . Who would have thought Saad would fail so badly , maybe a change behind the bench could help Saad . And I would not be surprised if Stan makes a move for Panarin next year ...
- oldduffman

Hopefully he builds off that last strong game against his old Cbj's. Him, Kane, and Schmaltz had some good chemistry. I see that line being good as we draw towards Ott.

I don't care if the lab experiment offspring combining the DNA of Scottie Bowman, Vince Lombardi and Phil Jackson was coaching the 18/19 Chicago Blackhawks....they just don't have enough talent to win more than 50% of their games this year. Stanley Bowman, the maser architect of this roster, needs to be shown the door, yesterday.
- EnzoD

Enzo, we should be (HOPEFULLY) above 50% after Thursday night - whats sad is that might be our high water mark of the season

Hammer was falling apart? So what would you call Murphy, who is out 2 months minimum with back surgery?
- EnzoD

To be fair, Hjalmarsson did miss half a season last year and his effectiveness wasn't impressive.

Enzo, we should be (HOPEFULLY) above 50% after Thursday night - whats sad is that might be our high water mark of the season
- glennjpawlak22

If the Hawks keep scoring 3+ goals per night, even if they average 4.5 Goals Against, it will be an entertaining year.

If the Hawks keep scoring 3+ goals per night, even if they average 4.5 Goals Against, it will be an entertaining year.
- EnzoD

this aint the high flying 80's anymore...but hell yes it would certainly be helluva show...

Can we shave enough contract to add Panarin?
- glennjpawlak22

The discussion concerning bringing Panarin back to Chicago is ludicrous. Hawks’ management did not want him and does not want him back. Figure it out - Bowman gives out No Movement and No Trade clauses like candy but didn’t give Panarin either. Traded him right after signing him to exact same money Saad making. Signed him to trade him. Management had long list of reasons for trading him. Panarin is selfish - ultimately cares only about himself and not his team. You are seeing that in Columbus. Columbus is apparently a nice place for elite players like Seth Jones but not Panarin.

Finally, let’s deal with the issue of Panarin’s chemistry with Kane. Hawks traded Panarin in spite of this. Management wanted him gone.

I don't care if the lab experiment offspring combining the DNA of Scottie Bowman, Vince Lombardi and Phil Jackson was coaching the 18/19 Chicago Blackhawks....they just don't have enough talent to win more than 50% of their games this year. Stanley Bowman, the maser architect of this roster, needs to be shown the door, yesterday.
- EnzoD

Look no further then are bottom 6. Slow and old. That isn't going to be a bottom 6 that is tough to play against or pesky or hard on the puck. There will be a lot of puck chasing when the bottom 2 lines are on the ice. Hayden Kruger and a forward with some wheels and fore-checking ability would be a nice 4th line. Our "3rd line" is atrocious.

Take away Kane and this team is the worst team in the NHL.