I'm not sure about the new goal song as we don't score goals anyway.
But "Loser" (Beck) would be an appropriate one

I'm not sure about the new goal song as we don't score goals anyway.
But "Loser" (Beck) would be an appropriate one
- MDGHawk

Appropriate ... Why don't you kill me .....

You win cups with depth. That's what the Hawks dont have. That's what's missing.

Agree that Schmaltz needs to be with Toews and ADB. I really like Kahun but to expect him to be a big contributor on line 1 as a rookie is senseless. Get him acclimated on the 3rd line in a checking role for now, and push the chips in and strengthen that Toews line. This team can't survive without 2 top scoring lines.
- Hawkytalk

Kane has had a great start to the season. However, as unfathomable as it may seem he could actually have a boatload more points if he had been given a sniper/finisher to play with. The Hawks need to figure out and quickly that Kane fuels the team. Toews has slowed down a lot - 1 point in 6 games. Fell down in OT with nobody around - hope he is not already showing signs of fatigue or nagging/chronic injury.

Let Saad play his off-wing - better angles and access to the net. Hopefully increase his shooting percentage. To do so need to play him as Toews RW. Kahun is just not generating scoring chances. Has only 1 goal but it is the lack of goal scoring chances that is concerning. Make Schmaltz Toews LW playing his off-wing. Schmaltz may excell with Toews as he defers way too much when he plays with Kane. Doesn’t carry the puck as much and crazily over-passes.

Once and for all take Cat and make him Kane’s LW right shot for snapshots and one-timers. Leave him there. Can leave Arty as Kane’s Centre for now.

On the PP must stop trying to have balance. Other teams do not do this. Stack the first unit. Kane must have Cat as a PP option. Always - 100% of the time. Splitting them is lunacy. Toews must also play with Kane. Presence and option down low. Also Toews seems like the Hawks’ only chance to win a PP draw. So many times the Hawks have PPs of actually 1:40 as they lose the opening draw so often. Put Seabs and his big right-handed shot on the first PP. Then put Saad or Arty down low.

Still leaves lots of pieces to put together a 2nd unit.

You win cups with depth. That's what the Hawks dont have. That's what's missing.
- nickmo2699

Im just happy that Ive been entertained so far this year. Last season was so damn boring. Awful hockey with awful results last year. If Crawford stays healthy should be a "fun" year. Plus the Blackhawks do have cash to add. So we'll see.

You win cups with depth. That's what the Hawks dont have. That's what's missing.
- nickmo2699

Agree but depth supports a solid core of players and Chicago no longer have as strong a core as they had when additional depth helped make them a perennial contender.

I'm not sure about the new goal song as we don't score goals anyway.
But "Loser" (Beck) would be an appropriate one
- MDGHawk

You’re assuming the Blackhawks will score again... highly unlikely.

Sometimes the saying goes that it is a good headache to have. "It" is the fact that so many dmen were identified then drafted AND most of them have the pedigree to play in the AHL, perhaps NHL one day. Moreover, some have to beat out fellow prospects for a certain niche or spot on the Chicago defense. Be that it means one or many more seasons of playing before they seriously challenge for a spot.

One example could conceivably be, Snuggerud or Krys as the offensive part on a third pair. Ah, but what if Dahlstrom settled in to this spot. He would provide probably better defense but not as dynamic as the other two.

Makes you kind of guessing as to whether one or more prospects could be traded.

Darn it ........a hearache for me to try to make sense out of this Apparently Stan Bo wanted to upgrade the defense before the offense?
- jhawk59

That is because Keith and Seabrook are on the decline...Stan needed to address the defense first. I think the next draft they take more forwards, maybe a center with the first pick.

Agree but depth supports a solid core of players and Chicago no longer have as strong a core as they had when additional depth helped make them a perennial contender.
- paulr

Stan looks after the depth first - he likes the idea of operating with 20 Dmen in the organization. Now he is working on having 8 or 9 goalies.

What’s missing?

A legit 2C

A legit 3C

2-3 wingers to play in the top 9 and provide scoring

A legit top pairing defenseman

A legit 3rd defensive pairing

A good power play

A good PK

Other than that we’re in good shape
- SimpleJack

Not that bad. Maybe another center but AA has proven to be more than capable. Kamf and Johnson haven't been egregiously bad.

Saad scoring at a higher rate would be helpful but both him and Schmaltz will start finishing eventually.

A team that can't run a successful power play with the best offensive player (Kane) in the league is kind of a problem.

The third pairing is abhorrent but should get better in the next few weeks.

Compared to the rest of the league they aren't in terrible shape. Fixing the shots against at evens should be the priority. I think they are generating enough going the other way. Compared to the rest of the league they're at least in the middle and on a good day a little bit better, especially if guys coming back from injury help on the back end.

Kane has had a great start to the season. However, as unfathomable as it may seem he could actually have a boatload more points if he had been given a sniper/finisher to play with. The Hawks need to figure out and quickly that Kane fuels the team. Toews has slowed down a lot - 1 point in 6 games. Fell down in OT with nobody around - hope he is not already showing signs of fatigue or nagging/chronic injury.

Let Saad play his off-wing - better angles and access to the net. Hopefully increase his shooting percentage. To do so need to play him as Toews RW. Kahun is just not generating scoring chances. Has only 1 goal but it is the lack of goal scoring chances that is concerning. Make Schmaltz Toews LW playing his off-wing. Schmaltz may excell with Toews as he defers way too much when he plays with Kane. Doesn’t carry the puck as much and crazily over-passes.

Once and for all take Cat and make him Kane’s LW right shot for snapshots and one-timers. Leave him there. Can leave Arty as Kane’s Centre for now.

On the PP must stop trying to have balance. Other teams do not do this. Stack the first unit. Kane must have Cat as a PP option. Always - 100% of the time. Splitting them is lunacy. Toews must also play with Kane. Presence and option down low. Also Toews seems like the Hawks’ only chance to win a PP draw. So many times the Hawks have PPs of actually 1:40 as they lose the opening draw so often. Put Seabs and his big right-handed shot on the first PP. Then put Saad or Arty down low.

Still leaves lots of pieces to put together a 2nd unit.
- Z3Hawk

I'd leave Saad where he is until he starts banging in some more goals. Playing with Patrick Kane and not having to do anything with the puck on his blade is the best way to get him back on track.

Im just happy that Ive been entertained so far this year. Last season was so damn boring. Awful hockey with awful results last year. If Crawford stays healthy should be a "fun" year. Plus the Blackhawks do have cash to add. So we'll see.
- mrpaulish

Speaking of this, what do they really have available to spend? With the Cat and Schmaltz up after this year, they will need to reup. So adding a piece that can help this year and for at least the next 2-3 will be hard to find.

Honestly, Schmaltz is not playing well enough at this point to merit 5 mill a year. I wouldnt feel comfortable giving him 4 million honestly. Do you start some preliminary discussions and see where he wants to be? Then if it is unrealistic, package him to get a solid piece back?

Stan looks after the depth first - he likes the idea of operating with 20 Dmen in the organization. Now he is working on having 8 or 9 goalies.
- RickJ

It worked for Vegas I guess? Lots of depth with no real stars who outworked every team on a game by game basis. Not sustainable and I don't think ever done before, and proobably won't be again. That or every planet aligned for Vegas last season .... maybe Stan can work with NASA to align the planets?

Spreading talent out on 3 lines on this team is not really working. Load 2 solid lines and hope the bottom 6 can tread water until we can get a better option.

Saad Toews Shmaltz
Cat Anisimov Kane
Fortin Kahun Kampf
Kunitz Kruger Johnson/Hayden

Mix and match the bottom 6, maybe Sikura helps there eventually. At least this way the top 6 will have better balance on each line. A playmaker, a shooter and a net guy.

That is because Keith and Seabrook are on the decline...Stan needed to address the defense first. I think the next draft they take more forwards, maybe a center with the first pick.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I'd hate for Stan to take the best available player regardless of position.

Thanks CT.

Davidson could be waived to head down to join 236 other defencemen in RFD, but I think the "issue" that Stan is trying to solve is ensuring he's not messing up with the growth of all of the defencemen in the AHL as well.

If guys like Gilbert Snuggerud and Tulola are only playing once ever few games, then you have an issue.

Gilbert might as well stayed in NCAA.

I have a future blog coming up with the pros and cons to the Hawks drafting over the last few years.

Spoiler alert: the cons are there are TOO MANY DEFENCEMEN!
- Justin Lowe

Read my mind!!
Gilbert is perfect example of not playing so we don't know what we have in some of these D men
Thank you !!
Could you later in year an analysis or ranking on the RFD defensemen?

What's missing, Nylander.

On my way to Toronto and Montreal for work this week, will see if i can get something done

Sorry Stan, can't wait around forever.

What's missing, Nylander.

On my way to Toronto and Montreal for work this week, will see if i can get something done

Sorry Stan, can't wait around forever.
- vabeachbear

Scouts from most of the teams in the league were at the Toronto - Calgary game last night.

4 teams had 2 scouts in attendance - Chicago was one of them.

Scouts from most of the teams in the league were at the Toronto - Calgary game last night.

4 teams had 2 scouts in attendance - Chicago was one of them.
- RickJ

Frolik?

Frolik?
- powerenforcer

Thats an interesting name. Don't think he is getting much playing time in Calgary right now.

Kane has had a great start to the season. However, as unfathomable as it may seem he could actually have a boatload more points if he had been given a sniper/finisher to play with. The Hawks need to figure out and quickly that Kane fuels the team. Toews has slowed down a lot - 1 point in 6 games. Fell down in OT with nobody around - hope he is not already showing signs of fatigue or nagging/chronic injury.

Let Saad play his off-wing - better angles and access to the net. Hopefully increase his shooting percentage. To do so need to play him as Toews RW. Kahun is just not generating scoring chances. Has only 1 goal but it is the lack of goal scoring chances that is concerning. Make Schmaltz Toews LW playing his off-wing. Schmaltz may excell with Toews as he defers way too much when he plays with Kane. Doesn’t carry the puck as much and crazily over-passes.

Once and for all take Cat and make him Kane’s LW right shot for snapshots and one-timers. Leave him there. Can leave Arty as Kane’s Centre for now.

On the PP must stop trying to have balance. Other teams do not do this. Stack the first unit. Kane must have Cat as a PP option. Always - 100% of the time. Splitting them is lunacy. Toews must also play with Kane. Presence and option down low. Also Toews seems like the Hawks’ only chance to win a PP draw. So many times the Hawks have PPs of actually 1:40 as they lose the opening draw so often. Put Seabs and his big right-handed shot on the first PP. Then put Saad or Arty down low.

Still leaves lots of pieces to put together a 2nd unit.
- Z3Hawk

Total agreement from me. Spot on especially with loading up the 1st PP unit..... just get Duncan Keith OFF the 1st unit PLEASE !!! Q is back to using him in that "rover" role where he slips down low for scoring chances. WTH is he thinking. Keith is the WORST shooter on the team and belongs on the 2nd unit at the point IF AT ALL.

Headshaking coaching decisions on the worst special teams in the NHL. ( for the talent that we have)

Scouts from most of the teams in the league were at the Toronto - Calgary game last night.

4 teams had 2 scouts in attendance - Chicago was one of them.
- RickJ

He'd be the second best forward on the team.

What’s missing?

A legit 2C

A legit 3C

2-3 wingers to play in the top 9 and provide scoring

A legit top pairing defenseman

A legit 3rd defensive pairing

A good power play

A good PK

Other than that we’re in good shape
- SimpleJack

other than arte bing your legit 2C in 2016 and 2017...this post applies for the last 3 years...

You win cups with depth. That's what the Hawks dont have. That's what's missing.
- nickmo2699

Yep and certain guys were paid like they were the only reason they won those cups. For sure, guys like 88, 19, 7 were integral parts of those teams and certainly deserved larger salaries than the 3rd liners, but the relationship between actual on ice value and off ice perceived value was out of whack and it's why the Hawks have the team they have. Signing some of those guys was also PR, the Hawks marketing machine has tied the franchise to several faces. I would have been completely fine trading any single player(s) if their contract demands meant the sustainability of the Hawks success was compromised. That option was likely never considered from Blackhawks, Inc. Thus guys were signed to outrageous salaries, complete with these ridiculous NTCs. Max Salary + Leverage is ridiculous. If Bowman was going to give max salary then he needed to hold a couple of cards (in the form of NTC/NMC) in case he had to actually manage the team out of cap hell. It's like Bowman went to buy a car with a sticker of 20K and negotiated the removal of a car stereo and didn't get a price reduction. When you give up something, you should get something, something I guess Bowman never learned.

I kknow it will never happen, but boy this would look good as a top six:

ADB/Toews/Stone
Kahun/Duchene/Kane

Lose 8 and 20 and this could happen

Keep AA as the 3C and Kruger as the 4C. Still leaves four forward spots the rookies can compete for instead of asking them all to be NHLers when we all know they all can't do it.

Remember - at best - a 20-25% chance any draft pick becomes an NHL player.