I have no idea what Jokiharju did to lose his spot on the PP??
- EnzoD

I have no idea what Boqvist did?

Breadman, as a relative newcomer you should be aware that while there are Rules, they are broken ALL the time. How many conversations devolve into discussions about Music, Movies, other sports, politics, etc. etc. etc. All of these are "off-topic" yet tolerated to a certain extent.
- TheTrob

That's true, but music, movies and other sports, although inappropriate for this board are not "hot button" topics like politics and religion and are therefore more easily ignored. Yeah that's a nuance but it makes a difference in the passion of a response that exacerbates the situation. Nobody gets that fired up on someone else's opinion on musuc as they do on political and religious topics.

Trading partner with the Hawks for Forsberg??????? Budaj hasn't been playing so well in Ontario.
- DarthKane

Muzzin. What do we add?

Are there lineups, with Kane being out? Is he a last minute decision?
- I Am The Breadman

Practice lines had Martinsen skating in Kane's spot ... so hopefully that means Q expects Kane to play.

Practice lines had Martinsen skating in Kane's spot ... so hopefully that means Q expects Kane to play.
- EbonyRaptor

Kane is sick, game time decision.

I hate it when people post GIFs.... almost as much as I hate sarcasm.
- DarthKane

They're the worst.

Muzzin. What do we add?
- I Am The Breadman

Saw Mark Eason put this out a few days ago:

Teams are starting to call the Kings and are asking about Tanner Pearson (three years left at $3.75 million) and Tyler Toffoli (two years left at $4.6 million).

Teams have brought up defenseman Alec Martinez and a league executive expects calls will be made about Jake Muzzin as well.

Saw Mark Eason put this out a few days ago:

Teams are starting to call the Kings and are asking about Tanner Pearson (three years left at $3.75 million) and Tyler Toffoli (two years left at $4.6 million).

Teams have brought up defenseman Alec Martinez and a league executive expects calls will be made about Jake Muzzin as well.
- walleyeb1

Sign me up for Martinez or Muzzin.

Not sure about Pearson. Feel like the Hawks can get the same productivity from home-grown talent. I would consider Toffoli, though. Seems to have a similar game as Saad but more of a pure goal scorer.

Sign me up for Martinez or Muzzin.

Not sure about Pearson. Feel like the Hawks can get the same productivity from home-grown talent. I would consider Toffoli, though. Seems to have a similar game as Saad but more of a pure goal scorer.
- AEL_Fox

I like him as a player ... as far as the 14 playoffs go ... I don't like him.

I agree with your players, who you want and don't and why.

Trading partner with the Hawks for Forsberg??????? Budaj hasn't been playing so well in Ontario.
- DarthKane

Absolutely NOT....Budaj is 36 years old.
Not the direction this team needs to go.

I like him as a player ... as far as the 14 playoffs go ... I don't like him.

I agree with your players, who you want and don't and why.
- I Am The Breadman

Haha, yeah, like Martinez overall just not in 2014. He does have the cool distinction of having the GWG in the clinching game in both the Western Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals. That's something to be proud of.

Absolutely NOT....Budaj is 36 years old.
Not the direction this team needs to go.
- Hawkytalk

Don't think he meant Hawks target Budaj....but that Kings may value Forsberg over Budaj and thus we can swing a deal of Forsberg + something for a King D-man.

Don't think he meant Hawks target Budaj....but that Kings may value Forsberg over Budaj and thus we can swing a deal of Forsberg + something for a King D-man.
- hawk35

I would love to make a trade for a d man ... a good one. Kings have a couple I like, some shooters I like too.

I have to think, Budaj has been bad and Quick does get injured nearly every season, but this surgery is unexpected. Why didn't they just snatch Forsberg off waivers? Ott put Condon on waivers too, he's better than nothing. Kings could look into that.

It's not like Kings are pressed up against the contract limit. 44/50 (I think.) Plus Forsberg won't have to split with Delia, who's playing well. Come on Stan, trade and get us someone good. This could actually be a trade where we would be trading from excess for a necessity.

Don't think he meant Hawks target Budaj....but that Kings may value Forsberg over Budaj and thus we can swing a deal of Forsberg + something for a King D-man.
- hawk35

Exactly or potentially a bigger hockey trade. Budaj wouldn’t be a part of any deal.

Time to bury the hatchet ... and not in each other's back.
- EbonyRaptor

You want to make a change,
(not directed at anyone) then
GO VOTE, GO VOTE! It's your right to be heard.
Otherwise you get what you get, nuff said!

Hockey question.
How much cap room will the hawks have next year as it stands? With let say Kruger not coming back think they have a shot a going at some high profile FA?

Hockey question.
How much cap room will the hawks have next year as it stands? With let say Kruger not coming back think they have a shot a going at some high profile FA?
- Hawkster

That’s a rather complicated question, but the best place to look would be: https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/blackhawks

In my opinion free agency is generally not the best way to build a team.

It still stuns me that the Hawks, who have such top end talent are so abysmal on the PP. There just is no plan or common-sense in the make-up. It is always rumoured that although technically an Assistant Coach runs the PP that Q dictates. Whatever the truth is someone should be held accountable.
- Z3Hawk

Just before the season started Scotty Bowman was on Prime Time Sports. He was asked what the Hawks needed to do in order to get back to the playoffs.

Paraphrasing his answer - " I told Stan in the summer that the way the league is now, the PP is such a huge part of a team's offence. You have to improve it - what are you going to do? "

So far the answer is not much.

Great, like him over some of the others. Him and Bur would be good together.
- I Am The Breadman

I thought he was rather low_keyed when I saw him during this past season's playoffs.. I liked that....There are way too many over -hyper guys who make you think a sports event is the next coming of the Messiah.

If you missed Al with Boomer you can hear it here:

https://chirb.it/txAdPc

Just before the season started Scotty Bowman was on Prime Time Sports. He was asked what the Hawks needed to do in order to get back to the playoffs.

Paraphrasing his answer - " I told Stan in the summer that the way the league is now, the PP is such a huge part of a team's offence. You have to improve it - what are you going to do? "

So far the answer is not much.
- RickJ

Tells you something if anyone whether a hockey legend or not or whether it's today's NHL or the NHL of years past has to tell you that the PP is a huge part of a team's offense. Seems like a pretty obvious ingredient.

That’s a rather complicated question, but the best place to look would be: https://www.capfriendly.com/teams/blackhawks

In my opinion free agency is generally not the best way to build a team.
- walleyeb1

Totally agree. You can improve a team, a player or two who is essential, a definite improvement. You shouldn't over pay though or hand out long term, compare to some of the signings this summer. There are exceptions, but this summer, like most summers, are crazy times to snatch players that aren't worth the term and/or aav.

It is much better to build from within. It shows faith in your scouts, in your coaches (pro and ahl), everyone else who helps with the development, and most of all, the players. There was a rough patch where our draft picks were leery of signing with us. Mishandling of situations, etc. That is improving, and the young guys want to come here. That's great. It's even better to know we have players excited to play with idols in our vets. Gilbert-Keith for example.

Tells you something if anyone whether a hockey legend or not or whether it's today's NHL or the NHL of years past has to tell you that the PP is a huge part of a team's offense. Seems like a pretty obvious ingredient.
- AEL_Fox

The operative and most obvious part of the statement was 'what are you going to do about it'

The operative and most obvious part of the statement was 'what are you going to do about it'
- RickJ

Would be nice to be a fly on the wall during that interaction to see how Stan responded to his dad. Wonder if it's similar to Scotty asking Stan what he's going to do about every day matters, like what candy to buy for the neighborhood kids for Halloween tonight or what the family is doing for dinner this Thanksgiving.

Don't think he meant Hawks target Budaj....but that Kings may value Forsberg over Budaj and thus we can swing a deal of Forsberg + something for a King D-man.
- hawk35

Thanks for clarification. If they deal Forsberg they better be sure about their future #1. CC could be one headshot away from having to retire.