Yeah but remember watching younger Sharp and thinking his problem was inability to finish. He had flashes of skill but just couldn't put things completely together when we first got him. Same with Vrbata. Sharp played with intensity.

Nylander loses puck battles, doesn't go to the net, seemingly floats and has points because being put on Kane's line.

Toews - too busy avoiding contact and doing PR promos for fashion in the NHL.

Guy is done.

Top 6 players who negotiate salaries such as Kane and Toews did should not expect to play with top 6 players. That is the reality in the NHL Cap world. They need to learn how to play with the Nylanders, Sikuras, and Quenvilles because the talent they were surrounded by when they were paid $6M is just not going to be there.
- 67hawks

Really? So you are saying that every team does not have 6 top 6 players or top 6 potential players. That does not sound right.
Top 6 players - Toews, Kane, Saad, ADB, Strome, Kubalik.
Players with potential top 6 skills. - Dach, Nylander, Sikura (maybe a long shot)

Yeah but remember watching younger Sharp and thinking his problem was inability to finish. He had flashes of skill but just couldn't put things completely together when we first got him. Same with Vrbata. Sharp played with intensity.

Nylander loses puck battles, doesn't go to the net, seemingly floats and has points because being put on Kane's line.
- Popsghostly

Sharp's age 21 season he played 3 games with no points. Age 22 season was 41 games with seven points. Age 23 season was 72 games, 31 points. Age 24 season was 80 games, 35 points. Age 25 season was 80 games with 62 points.

Not saying Nylander will be Sharp, but wetting the bed because a 21 year old is not producing is risky.

The only point I have an issue with is the "Kubalik makes Saad expendable" one. I may be simplifying what Ty said here, but You need more guys like these two, not less. Saad's best assets are strength and speed. Kubalik is similar, but to me seems like he is closer to how Sharp played (speed, really good/hard/accurate shot, can find the holes in the D and will occasionally lay a good hit).

My biggest issue with this team is that way too often, they look completely confused and end up standing around watching the puck. It's like our forwards totally forgot how to help defend.

Hossa maybe be one of the best Hawks all time. Saying Kubalik is as good as Hossa is ridiculous. Comparing Kubalik to Hossa is not ridiculous.

You can compare Gus to Josi and that is not saying Gus is as good as Josi.

Definition of "Compare" - measure the similarity or dissimilarity between.

Here is the comparisons between Hossa and Kubalik:
1) wicked shot
2) high hockey IQ
3) plays a 200' game
4) finds open spaces in the offensive zone
5) can cycle the puck
6) willing to play physical in both ends of the ice and can win board battles
7) strong on his skates
8) soft hands
9) can stick handle very well

If Hossa was a "10" in all of these areas maybe Kubalike is a "7"+/- depending on the area. That is a comparison.

Side note. Kubalik has the 2nd most goals on the Hawks playing only 13 minutes per night, with virtually no power play time, and for most of the season playing on the 3rd line with such offensive stalwarts as Kampf, Smith, and the likes.

If he played 18 minutes per night with Toews and Saad and got some PP time he probably would have closer to 20 goals and 40 points roughly 1/2 way through the season. Not bad for someone adjusting to the NHL.
- -Doh-

I hate when people take the comparison talk too seriously. Especially when you're talking about a very good player like Hossa. No one is saying that he IS or is GOING TO BE Hossa. What people are saying is that his game looks very similar to his and that he could become a Hossa-like player.

Hell ask any expert and they'll tell you that Hossa was a hell of a goal scorer the first half of his career, but it wasn't until the second half of his career with the Hawks that he truly became the dominate 200ft game player he was.

Dominik Kubalik is 24 years old in his first year in the NHL and you are already seeing bits and pieces of his game in all aspects. Whether he can take that to the next level in the next few years will be completely up to him, but lets see what he can do and hope that he can at least become a Hossa-lite player

Sharp's age 21 season he played 3 games with no points. Age 22 season was 41 games with seven points. Age 23 season was 72 games, 31 points. Age 24 season was 80 games, 35 points. Age 25 season was 80 games with 62 points.

Not saying Nylander will be Sharp, but wetting the bed because a 21 year old is not producing is risky.
- mohel

This is what I've been saying for a minute here

I'm starting to sound like a broken record here in that, Dylan Sikura is an AHL lifer. The kid just doesn't have it. He's weak, pulls up for checks, doesn't go to dirty areas, and where's this so called great shot? I don't get the love for him. Never did.

Injuries aside, this team just isn't good. It's unfortunate, but it's the facts. Anyone who ever thought this was a playoff team from the start is kidding themselves.

The only point I have an issue with is the "Kubalik makes Saad expendable" one. I may be simplifying what Ty said here, but You need more guys like these two, not less. Saad's best assets are strength and speed. Kubalik is similar, but to me seems like he is closer to how Sharp played (speed, really good/hard/accurate shot, can find the holes in the D and will occasionally lay a good hit).

My biggest issue with this team is that way too often, they look completely confused and end up standing around watching the puck. It's like our forwards totally forgot how to help defend.
- Chunk

The issue is that by the time he's a FA at the end of next year he will be 28 and wanting another long term contract making more than he already is. So we're talking 7-8M for 5 or so years and that might be something that the team doesn't want to do if they feel a rebuild is imminent.

I've been a big fan of Saad since his rookie year and don't wanna see him go, but if a team like Boston is willing to offer a 1st and two good prospects that could help out soon here with the team it's something you need to at least consider.

Question for everyone--If this team had no injuries, is it a possible playoff team? The answer makes a difference as to possible trades, movement, etc.

At the beginning of the year I thought the Hawks were a bubble team. When they got hot and got closer to a playoff position, I was hoping they could get over the hump, then reality and injuries set in, which the hawks do not have the depth to overcome.
Thus I do not get upset when they lose, just trying to understand and enjoy the process and (hopefully) progress.

Play the kids, damn, why are is the kid playing, he makes kid mistakes. The kid is ready for the NHL, the kid will never amount to anything but a possible top 9 on an AHL roster. Why isn't the coach loading up the first line, we need to outscore the opposition (i thought that was the goal of the game, never mind even if you play the top line 23 minutes a game, you would need to close your eyes the remaining 37). We can't keep giving up all these shots on goal, we are playing better defensively but we are not scoring, we are scoring but our defense sucks. Our third pairing gets horsed in advanced stats playing a no better than AHL defenseman, but we need to have the defenseman out there because of grit fights, etc. etc. etc.

Lets review the 3 goals in the first period.

first, josi beats Kane (who needs to be out there 60 minutes because we need goals), shoots a backhander that was going wide, but it hits Arvedsson in the leg and go's in.

second, Keith turns the puck over in the defensive zone, right in the slot.

third, a rookie Quenville doesn't get the puck out past the defensive blue line even though he is only 2 feet inside the blueline.

These aren't defensive system or schematic prolbems, they are mistakes (2 by veterans) that do happen to every team and every player. the good teams capitalize (like Nashville did) or are able to recover defensively, the bad teams don't.

I don't see if you play Toews, Kubalk, Kane togehter how you would stomach the remainder of the game. This isn't Boston with one ibg scoring line with a stronger defense, and a better remaining forward group than the Hawks have (expecially with the current injuries the Hawks have).

Is Bowman the GM to lead the rebuild, is JC the right coach? I don't know, what I do know is that I am trying to be dispassionate about the outcome and focusing on the improvements to players and team play, especially after the last 2 games proved that the Hawks are not a playoff team.

I also think StanBo know that also, otherwise he would of made a trade by now, like he did last year before the trade deadline to shore up the club, especially when he announced DaHaan and Seabrook were out for the year, and it was clear Shaw would be out a significant amount of time.

The Kings and Ducks are going through the same process. I watch as many Kings and Ducks games as I do Blackhawks. I see the same mistakes frustrations watching them as watching the Hawks. The Kings are trying implementing man on man coverage also, with I would argue less success than the Hawks have.

As far as not starting games on time, here is Gerard Gallant (who is considered a GOOD coach) on last nights game being down 4-0 at home in the first period to the Kings.

Gallant, on the recent first period struggles:
No contact, soft, all the above. That’s three games in a row. We have to correct it sooner or later

BUT i will say, the day I do not see Gus wearing a Blackhawk uniform, will make my watching this rebuild process pan out even more enjoyable.

Sorry for the rant that probably reads like Friedman's 31 thoughts (without his sources). The bottom line to me is what i said in the last blog - the hawks just do not have enough horses.

The only point I have an issue with is the "Kubalik makes Saad expendable" one. I may be simplifying what Ty said here, but You need more guys like these two, not less. Saad's best assets are strength and speed. Kubalik is similar, but to me seems like he is closer to how Sharp played (speed, really good/hard/accurate shot, can find the holes in the D and will occasionally lay a good hit).

My biggest issue with this team is that way too often, they look completely confused and end up standing around watching the puck. It's like our forwards totally forgot how to help defend.
- Chunk

I blame that on the coach who is in way over his head. They need to can him like the Preds did with their coach to save the season.

I hate when people take the comparison talk too seriously. Especially when you're talking about a very good player like Hossa. No one is saying that he IS or is GOING TO BE Hossa. What people are saying is that his game looks very similar to his and that he could become a Hossa-like player.

Hell ask any expert and they'll tell you that Hossa was a hell of a goal scorer the first half of his career, but it wasn't until the second half of his career with the Hawks that he truly became the dominate 200ft game player he was.

Dominik Kubalik is 24 years old in his first year in the NHL and you are already seeing bits and pieces of his game in all aspects. Whether he can take that to the next level in the next few years will be completely up to him, but lets see what he can do and hope that he can at least become a Hossa-lite player
- Savetheembers33

Well said.

Question for everyone--If this team had no injuries, is it a possible playoff team? The answer makes a difference as to possible trades, movement, etc.
- RaleighHawk

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we would all have a merry Christmas.

Every team has injuries. But if deHaan, Shaw, Caggiula, Seabrook are healthy all year I believe this team is much better and realistically in the playoff hunt.

I'm starting to sound like a broken record here in that, Dylan Sikura is an AHL lifer. The kid just doesn't have it. He's weak, pulls up for checks, doesn't go to dirty areas, and where's this so called great shot? I don't get the love for him. Never did.

Injuries aside, this team just isn't good. It's unfortunate, but it's the facts. Anyone who ever thought this was a playoff team from the start is kidding themselves.
- thepld

He and Highmore are close to the same guy. They both try really hard, but lose the puck quite easily in the NHL. If you saw him in the AHL, you would see the shot that everyone talks about. When he has a bit more time to set it up it actually is quite good.

I will debate your point that he doesn't go to the corners. He does often, he just is not strong enough to get the puck. He is really good at backchecking.

Likely the only reason that he IS in the NHL is because of the number of injuries on this team.

Boqvist keeps the puck low when he shoots into traffic. It is very nice to watch. This team is exactly what they are...a bad team. They play a few good games, a few bad games, show flashes of being dominant, show flashes of being horrific. The realization that they need/should rebuild is obvious; my concern is who leads that rebuild? I think this organization needs a fresh start at GM. Then go from there. At times, I find myself wishing the Hawks would fire Colliton, but look at the mess he walked into. The teams bigger contracts aren't what they once were, they have a lot of middle of the pack players, and do not have a lot of young, promising depth to look forward to.

One thing that is encouraging is that a lot of young players on their current roster are getting playing time. Are mistakes happening? Yes. Are these mistakes costing them a chance to win the Stanley Cup? No. This years deadline could be franchise changing if they approach it with the correct mindset. Love Saad, but move him. He is a great player and an even better one on a serious Stanley Cup contender. He will get a return. From there, start moving anything that helps you clear cap space and brings back draft picks/prospects.

Still stunned that they traded Jokiharju. I do not understand the logic that has been floated around from Blackhawk sources that the Hawks were concerned with how hard it was for him to just stay float. Think about that and then think about how terrible their blue line is. I would much rather have Jokiharju playing and learning right now, with the hope that he eventually becomes a legit blue liner, than Nylander. Terrible trade IMO.

Question for everyone--If this team had no injuries, is it a possible playoff team? The answer makes a difference as to possible trades, movement, etc.
- RaleighHawk

Perhaps; close call, imo.

But is that the goal? Being a Cup contender was fun; I think everything should be viewed thru the filter of whether it helps the Hawks return to that status, imo.

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we would all have a merry Christmas.

Every team has injuries. But if deHaan, Shaw, Caggiula, Seabrook are healthy all year I believe this team is much better and realistically in the playoff hunt.
- -Doh-

I know that you qualified this with "I believe", but I think they are in exactly the same place with all of those guys healthy. My biggest concern the rest of the way is that the rookies don't start to develop some bad habits because they aren't in the hunt.

Perhaps; close call, imo.

But is that the goal? Being a Cup contender was fun; I think everything should be viewed thru the filter of whether it helps the Hawks return to that status, imo.
- mohel

realistically - hawks need another top 3 pick this summer to have a chance at replicating the last decade. They got a fortunate bounce with Toews and Kane two years in a row.

You need star talent to build around.

Question for everyone--If this team had no injuries, is it a possible playoff team? The answer makes a difference as to possible trades, movement, etc.
- RaleighHawk

No they are playing no better or worse than when those guys were healthy.

Boqvist keeps the puck low when he shoots into traffic. It is very nice to watch. This team is exactly what they are...a bad team. They play a few good games, a few bad games, show flashes of being dominant, show flashes of being horrific. The realization that they need/should rebuild is obvious; my concern is who leads that rebuild? I think this organization needs a fresh start at GM. Then go from there. At times, I find myself wishing the Hawks would fire Colliton, but look at the mess he walked into. The teams bigger contracts aren't what they once were, they have a lot of middle of the pack players, and do not have a lot of young, promising depth to look forward to.

One thing that is encouraging is that a lot of young players on their current roster are getting playing time. Are mistakes happening? Yes. Are these mistakes costing them a chance to win the Stanley Cup? No. This years deadline could be franchise changing if they approach it with the correct mindset. Love Saad, but move him. He is a great player and an even better one on a serious Stanley Cup contender. He will get a return. From there, start moving anything that helps you clear cap space and brings back draft picks/prospects.

Still stunned that they traded Jokiharju. I do not understand the logic that has been floated around from Blackhawk sources that the Hawks were concerned with how hard it was for him to just stay float. Think about that and then think about how terrible their blue line is. I would much rather have Jokiharju playing and learning right now, with the hope that he eventually becomes a legit blue liner, than Nylander. Terrible trade IMO.
- frafra

If I had to handicap it right now, I think Stan gets through next year. That will rid e JC through the end of his contract and they can dump them both at the same time. I believe Stan has two years left on his current contract, so they let him finish hanging himself on the last year of JC's contract and start fresh.

The main concern there is Stan's propensity for trading guys that he drafted in the 1st round, but who knows. Maybe they pull out another top 5 pick.

No they are playing no better or worse than when those guys were healthy.
- kwolf68

Kind of what I was thinking, and hoping management is thinking the same.

I can just imagine this scenario on this board....

Stan trades Nylander at the TDL for a bag of pucks.
Nylander develops into a 20 goal scorer in a couple years.
Stan absolutely roasted here for giving up too early on a 21 year old kid that he traded Joker to get.

Conjecture is so much fun when trying to make a point about how poor little Stan is so mis-understood by the fanatical Hawks fan base.

Kind of what I was thinking, and hoping management is thinking the same.
- RaleighHawk

I doubt it. They will spin the injuries as the main reason "one goal" was not achieved. Blackhawks, Inc. is good at marketing and spin.

No they are playing no better or worse than when those guys were healthy.
- kwolf68

Maybe. But Kubalik, Boqvist, Dach, have come a long way since the beginning of the year, before those guys were injured. So if the young guys developed and the veterans stayed healthy I think it would have made a difference.

This is not a horrible roster.
Saad, Toews Kubalik
ADB Strome Kane
Dach Kampf Shaw
Caggiula Carp Highmore
Nylander, Sikura, Smith Quenneville

Keith Boqvist
deHaan, Murphy
Maata, Seabs
K4, Gus

Lehner
Crow