Everyone knows those were all Dale's guys.

#stanbumman
- HawkintheD

Its not like anyone will be able to compete with the powerhouse Dale built in Florida anyway.

Your opinion is respected. However Stan doesn't have 2 or 3 years left to change the dynamics of this team around from thr nhl level to the ahl depth. Getting rolled in 4 games then making a huge change with personnel only to follow up the following season with missing the playoffs and having a failed offseason in free agency , then 1 month into the season a hall of fame coach who brought this team 3 cups gets AXED and to Ben in dead last while missing the playoffs again doesnt allow stan the opportunity .
- Taylorst1

I respect your position on this too. All I would say is that if they keep building a team with concentration for next season , they might be putting the wrong pieces together and hurt the long-term success. If you are always chasing next year, you might miss the opportunity to build something really special down the road.

It’s a difficult situation because games don’t want to pay Nhl prices for all ahl product. I in complete agreement with you on this. Personally could live with a losing season again as long as they are competing and entertaining. They won’t win much of anything next year with this team plus upgrades.

Hey team - FYI ... my blog today will be delayed. My basement flooded and dealing with the clean up.

Just wanted to keep you all posted.
- Justin Lowe

Turn off the heat and open the windows....you could have an indoor rink!

For fun, pick one F and one D prospect (not yet Pro in Rockford or Hawks) who would be your pick to make the club next year or get a long look.

I'm going to choose Beaudin and Kurashev who are both playing in QMJHL. I think both guys end up being steals and get ahead of the curve.

For fun, pick one F and one D prospect (not yet Pro in Rockford or Hawks) who would be your pick to make the club next year or get a long look.

I'm going to choose Beaudin and Kurashev who are both playing in QMJHL. I think both guys end up being steals and get ahead of the curve.
- breadbag

I hope you're wrong. If the team starts promoting guys to the NHL without them developing in Rockford the team will be bringing up partially developed players who will be likely to fail in the NHL.

A co-worker came in this morning and was excitedly showing a picture of her sister at a boarding area at O’hare on Wednesday morning standing and talking with mr Toews. Seems she was on the same flight he was down to Cabo. So mr Toews should come back tanned and relaxed after the break. Here’s hoping for a strong second half.

For fun, pick one F and one D prospect (not yet Pro in Rockford or Hawks) who would be your pick to make the club next year or get a long look.

I'm going to choose Beaudin and Kurashev who are both playing in QMJHL. I think both guys end up being steals and get ahead of the curve.
- breadbag

Great question. Yes, for funsies, my picks would be the same actually: Beaudin and Kurashev. Close between Beaudin and Mitchell.

Dark horses: Krys and Entwistle or Barratt.

Have a feeling that Boqvist will be the one on D, though.

I hope you're wrong. If the team starts promoting guys to the NHL without them developing in Rockford the team will be bringing up partially developed players who will be likely to fail in the NHL.
- paulr

While I am kinda meh on the A as a development league, they do need to understand what being a pro entails. Maybe I would feel differently if Derek King wasn't the coach in Rockford. The A does allow them better access to professional training staffs.

Boqvist is still so young I wouldn't mind him spending another year with the Knights.

While I am kinda meh on the A as a development league, they do need to understand what being a pro entails. Maybe I would feel differently if Derek King wasn't the coach in Rockford. The A does allow them better access to professional training staffs.

Boqvist is still so young I wouldn't mind him spending another year with the Knights.
- Elbows15

I think the biggest advantages of the A are playing against men and that the youngs guys don't sit in the pressbox if they're healthy.

I agree on Boqvist, he looks good in some situations but he has a way to go before he's ready to play in Chicago. But he also should in twpo years start in Rockford as well.

For fun, pick one F and one D prospect (not yet Pro in Rockford or Hawks) who would be your pick to make the club next year or get a long look.

I'm going to choose Beaudin and Kurashev who are both playing in QMJHL. I think both guys end up being steals and get ahead of the curve.
- breadbag

I would agree with your picks, but just to be different, here are my players.

F: I really don't see any prospects that stand out, except the recently acquired Kubalik. I don't think Stan would trade a draft pick for a player like this without the hopes of an immediate impact (meaning next year). With a bunch of guys as FA's in the offseason, maybe he's hoping Kubalik can fill in some minutes right away and show some potential.
Other F I considered: Barratt & Entwistle

D: Mitchell. D is tough because you have the obvious guys in Rockford and of course Boqvist. I think they find a way to get Mitchell in.

For fun, pick one F and one D prospect (not yet Pro in Rockford or Hawks) who would be your pick to make the club next year or get a long look.

I'm going to choose Beaudin and Kurashev who are both playing in QMJHL. I think both guys end up being steals and get ahead of the curve.
- breadbag

Barratt & Boqvist

I think the biggest advantages of the A are playing against men and that the youngs guys don't sit in the pressbox if they're healthy.

I agree on Boqvist, he looks good in some situations but he has a way to go before he's ready to play in Chicago. But he also should in twpo years start in Rockford as well.
- paulr

That is kinda the problem with King. He has been trotting out McArdle and Campbell as his top pair.

You do understand why the trade had to be made, right?
- paulr

Stan made that deal because he thought cost control for 2 more years was somehow better. In reality if he was managing the cap and future outlook of the cap he would have realized in 2 years he could afford another deal.

But now we can have both

If Panarin signs in Chicago. The Columbus trade was Panarin, Saad, Forsberg and a 5th round pick for Tyler Motte and a 6th round pick? lol
- SoftServe

Lmao Thats one way to look at it . I still think saads days are numbered . Maybe just maybe we end up with panarin and stone this summer

Great question. Yes, for funsies, my picks would be the same actually: Beaudin and Kurashev. Close between Beaudin and Mitchell.

Dark horses: Krys and Entwistle or Barratt.

Have a feeling that Boqvist will be the one on D, though.
- AEL_Fox

Actually, I revise my prediction for D: Mitchell over Beaudin.

Thinking back on reports I've read over the past few weeks, Mitchell is notably stronger at managing his gaps and forcing puck carriers to the outside where as Beaudin is giving way too much room for puck carriers to skate. Not sure if that's a difference in coaching strategies by their respective teams.

I do recall interviews during and after last summer's prospect camp where Beaudin did say one of the things he wants to work on this year is playing a more engaged style of defense, i.e. playing the body more, so at least he's conscious of what to work on.

Also, Mitchell had a strong showing for Team Canada at the WJC while also earning the A on his jersey. Beaudin didn't make the team, but to be fair, one possible reason for being cut is that the specific role he could have played was filled by another player and the coaching staff didn't need two of the same type of D man.

Hey team - FYI ... my blog today will be delayed. My basement flooded and dealing with the clean up.

Just wanted to keep you all posted.
- Justin Lowe

Tyler don't worry take care of your basement and hope everything works out well for you. But appreciate the update

Stan made that deal because he thought cost control for 2 more years was somehow better. In reality if he was managing the cap and future outlook of the cap he would have realized in 2 years he could afford another deal.
- Taylorst1

LMFO, that's a good one.....

LOL! How is that a lot of trades? That's barely even a third of the roster. Let me know when Stan gets serious and hits double digits in the deadline deal department.
- HawkintheD

lmao I concur

LMFO, that's a good one.....
- mohel

I forgot to add he was being a cheap ass because panarin took him to the cleaners in bonuses

... Better late than never today... *NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=97363

Have fun with those fake trade proposals.

Did Saad steal your girlfriend? Why the constant Saad hate?
- The1Trob

Damn you guessed it correctly lol. For a guy who has size , skill and speed . He is MIA 80 percent of the time. He has played on every line and still no consistency