Kane will catch Mikita is he plays his whole career with the Hawks. He is a guy who may play until he is 40.

Murphy has been absolutely terrific. He has been so good he is making Gus competent defensively.

Bowman's plan shouldn't change because of their recent streak. Everyone keeps thinking about points but the number of teams in front of them is a bigger issue.

For people wanting to sign Lard Ass to 7.5 or more, who are you prepared to lose? Hawks are at ~70M with 13 players for next season with no NHl goalies signed. Signing him for 7.5 leave ~6M for 8 players.

Kubalik. Caggiula, Kampf and Special K are all RFA with arbitration rights. Strome is a RFA.

As ir stands they needs to lose at least 3 salaries. Plus, most likely won't sign at least one or two of the RFAs

Also, I think some GM will offer Lard Ass more than 7.5M
- Elbows15

you are correct on all points...stanbow has to pull an inside straight to get lehner and manage those other contracts with out losing somebody(s): two candidates are shaw and smith. Its possible shaw never plays again.

Very likely just the standard “scouts are at every game”.
- Chunk

Especially when the teams are playing tomorrow night.

Scouting Q?
- powerenforcer

Will be very interesting to watch the teams play - one coached by a guy who knows the strengths and weaknesses of some of the key players in and out and can exploit them and the other full of players very familiar with the system used by the opposing coach.

2 Blackhawks scouts at the MIN FLA game
- DarthKane

We do play FL tomorrow, so could be advance scouts, but you just never know. Stan’s trades do come from nowhere.
I see Tvetter already mentioned this above.

I can’t see the Hawks matching Lehner’s salary and term demands, they can’t afford it. If this is the case, which is very likely considering the cap and 2020/21 committed salaries, then they must get something for him at TDL. Stan cannot make the mistake of keeping him just to try and sneak into the playoffs, he needs to focus on the big picture.
- Angotti

I get that argument, but goaltending is the most important position. If the Hawks aren't willing to pay $7-$7.5 million for the best UFA goalie on the market what should be there plan? Lehner's stats have been stellar this year. 15-7-4 with a .924 save %, with this defense?

This list of remaining UFA goalies doesn't inspire hope:

- Holtby: is Lehner isn't worth $7 million then Holtby certainly isn't
- Crawford: I'd love to have him back, as a back-up
- Anderson: No thanks
- Howard: Nope
- Markstrom: he could be a good choice, but will likely command $6 million
- Greiss: decent, but not a #1
- Talbot: not a #1

You could make the argument to trade for a goalie, but that could be an even bigger question mark. Schneider? Jones? Reimer?

Hoffman???
- hawk35

It’s not like there were 24 of them.

Gilbert and Hagel recalled back to Chicago

Gilbert and Hagel recalled back to Chicago
- gifman

Well deserved, they really made the most of their time in their recent Rockford stint.

Just wondering.what Kane's point per game rating in regular season.

And what it might be if he had a more free wheeling slick center instead of Toews. Not much difference. Probably. Maybe Kane's points per game average has dropped in the years following the last Cup.

Was at the Panthers @ Wings game this past Saturday. I know Huberdeau is having his best NHL season and he looked decent, but no surprise, Barkov was the best fwd on the ice. He had a few chances and scored on a nice deflection on the PP.

Vatrano was another who stood out to me along with Trocheck and Hoffman. When you add in Dadonov, Connolly and Acciari, they have a pretty nice group of fwds.

Should be a good matchup tonite with 2 of the 3 hottest teams in the league facing each other. Both are riding 5 game win streaks along with CBJ. Hopefully the Hawks can make it 6 and then go on the break and heal up. Sounds like they'll have Strome back in the lineup just after the All Star break.

Was at the Panthers @ Wings game this past Saturday. I know Huberdeau is having his best NHL season and he looked decent, but no surprise, Barkov was the best fwd on the ice. He had a few chances and scored on a nice deflection on the PP.

Vatrano was another who stood out to me along with Trocheck and Hoffman. When you add in Dadonov, Connolly and Acciari, they have a pretty nice group of fwds.

Should be a good matchup tonite with 2 of the 3 hottest teams in the league facing each other. Both are riding 5 game win streaks along with CBJ. Hopefully the Hawks can make it 6 and then go on the break and heal up. Sounds like they'll have Strome back in the lineup just after the All Star break.
- HawkintheD

Agree with you as I see that nice collection of forwards.

And I still say that their dmen is their Achilles heel.

Added a top goaltender but even if this is an upgrade over Luongo, it is still the defense which is average as a group.

Without looking at GF and GA, seems they score and get scored on. I wondered if Trochek or Huberdeau and Barkiv would break out big. Even if they did, even with Q - a proven coach, I just suggest that Tallon needs to improve the blueline crew. Ekblad is good. Yandle purely offensive. Matheson never has become really good. Would appreciate anyone take on this team's ability to go farther in playoffs - what do they need.

I happened to be thinking about P Kane's point per game average as he was in the need with his magnificent achievement of 1000 points. So on wiz's draftsite I was just causually looking at a top offensive forward or power forward as the sort of player to draft. But how many of these style of players and how far down will Chicago draft. Alright it is very early to even imagine if the Blackhawks finish with a lottery pick.

Personally I like a while lot trying to add future core players primarily through the draft. You have to wonder how many opportunities will there be for Bowman to draft a player whom is a lottery pick.

So I just hope that if Lehner is traded (and I would choose no), please see if we could get a first 2020 so that Bowman could consider trading two first for a really early first. This is where you get difference makers. Yeah try for a #2 for Gus. Latest seems to be that there could be a prospect and a bad contract deal involving whomever we trade. For cripes sake just go for the best or better prospects ....early first round choices

I would be very surprised if we could draft the Holtz kid. Rated #7 to Blackhawks in wiz latest mock draft. That was us at #7 before last few victories


Holtz looks closest to being a productive scorer like Kane.

I get that argument, but goaltending is the most important position. If the Hawks aren't willing to pay $7-$7.5 million for the best UFA goalie on the market what should be there plan? Lehner's stats have been stellar this year. 15-7-4 with a .924 save %, with this defense?

This list of remaining UFA goalies doesn't inspire hope:

- Holtby: is Lehner isn't worth $7 million then Holtby certainly isn't
- Crawford: I'd love to have him back, as a back-up
- Anderson: No thanks
- Howard: Nope
- Markstrom: he could be a good choice, but will likely command $6 million
- Greiss: decent, but not a #1
- Talbot: not a #1

You could make the argument to trade for a goalie, but that could be an even bigger question mark. Schneider? Jones? Reimer?
- DarthKane

100% agree - going forward this team needs a true #1 so Lehner requires term & $$. He’s earned it.

Move Crawford at the deadline.
CC is one collision away from concussion & retirement.

Thus organization can no longer afford loyalty contracts handed out based on the Cup years.

Was at the Panthers @ Wings game this past Saturday. I know Huberdeau is having his best NHL season and he looked decent, but no surprise, Barkov was the best fwd on the ice. He had a few chances and scored on a nice deflection on the PP.

Vatrano was another who stood out to me along with Trocheck and Hoffman. When you add in Dadonov, Connolly and Acciari, they have a pretty nice group of fwds.

Should be a good matchup tonite with 2 of the 3 hottest teams in the league facing each other. Both are riding 5 game win streaks along with CBJ. Hopefully the Hawks can make it 6 and then go on the break and heal up. Sounds like they'll have Strome back in the lineup just after the All Star break.
- HawkintheD

Barkov is one of my favourite non-Hawks, the kid is under appreciated

Today is Dach's birthday. Given his new age and lack of production I think it's time for the Hawks to move on from him and get younger.

100% agree - going forward this team needs a true #1 so Lehner requires term & $$. He’s earned it.

Move Crawford at the deadline.
CC is one collision away from concussion & retirement.

Thus organization can no longer afford loyalty contracts handed out based on the Cup years.
- Colbyboy

I agree and will add a couple thoughts which I am confidant you will agree is a prudent coarse of action for Bowman.

Saad has a limited no trade or some clause which kicks in this summer. Now is when his value is highest. It next season when each team is figuring whom to trade, whom to protect etc al. We can hope that one or a combination of Hagel and Entwhistle could replace Saad. So now you have one less forward to protect from expansion. And potentially gained salary cap room. Use it to pay Lehner. The renumeration for Saad - don't know- won't bring a #1 2020. I do not know right now what to ask for Saad. I am however liking draft choices. The objective is to try to get a bit of an overpay by a team needing Saad

Today is Dach's birthday. Given his new age and lack of production I think it's time for the Hawks to move on from him and get younger.
- DarthKane

Dach, the rights to Mitchell, Boqvist and our 2020 1st for Dutch!

Was at the Panthers @ Wings game this past Saturday. I know Huberdeau is having his best NHL season and he looked decent, but no surprise, Barkov was the best fwd on the ice. He had a few chances and scored on a nice deflection on the PP.

Vatrano was another who stood out to me along with Trocheck and Hoffman. When you add in Dadonov, Connolly and Acciari, they have a pretty nice group of fwds.

Should be a good matchup tonite with 2 of the 3 hottest teams in the league facing each other. Both are riding 5 game win streaks along with CBJ. Hopefully the Hawks can make it 6 and then go on the break and heal up. Sounds like they'll have Strome back in the lineup just after the All Star break.
- HawkintheD

Speaking of Dylan Strome,This is just a thought, I read somewhere recently that his brother may be a trade ship, with that be something that Stan Bowman could be interested in?
If Bowman is going to do anything, hopefully he sticks with getting people that will be here past this year. I am with a lot of the rest, I don’t want no old guys and having to give up young assets just for a two month run.
There was an article somewhere about possibly trading Corey Crawford to Florida just for this year the straighten out Bob, One of the kids mentioned possibly coming back this way would be Owen Tippit, I think how legit that would be? Or is that just a reporter playing let’s make a trade with hockey cards sitting on the front porch, but if there is any validity to that I think I would have to talk to Cory if I was Stan Bowman depending on what happens with Lehner, Because I can’t see them giving Greg Luzinski lite A five or six year deal at 7+ million dollars a year without some clause in there about staying in shape.
As much as I appreciate with what Lehner is doing this year, I am leery about that kind of money in term for him. And if his agent turns it down then re-sign Crawford on the cheap for a couple of years and either draft and develop a goalie or trade for a young goalie. That’s where I’m at with it. If I can get a kid like Owen Tippett damn right I look at doing that.

Speaking of Dylan Strome,This is just a thought, I read somewhere recently that his brother may be a trade ship, with that be something that Stan Bowman could be interested in?
If Bowman is going to do anything, hopefully he sticks with getting people that will be here past this year. I am with a lot of the rest, I don’t want no old guys and having to give up young assets just for a two month run.
There was an article somewhere about possibly trading Corey Crawford to Florida just for this year the straighten out Bob, One of the kids mentioned possibly coming back this way would be Owen Tippit, I think how legit that would be? Or is that just a reporter playing let’s make a trade with hockey cards sitting on the front porch, but if there is any validity to that I think I would have to talk to Cory if I was Stan Bowman depending on what happens with Lehner, Because I can’t see them giving Greg Luzinski lite A five or six year deal at 7+ million dollars a year without some clause in there about staying in shape.
As much as I appreciate with what Lehner is doing this year, I am leery about that kind of money in term for him. And if his agent turns it down then re-sign Crawford on the cheap for a couple of years and either draft and develop a goalie or trade for a young goalie. That’s where I’m at with it. If I can get a kid like Owen Tippett damn right I look at doing that.
- wonthecup10

Well played!

I agree and will add a couple thoughts which I am confidant you will agree is a prudent coarse of action for Bowman.

Saad has a limited no trade or some clause which kicks in this summer. Now is when his value is highest. It next season when each team is figuring whom to trade, whom to protect etc al. We can hope that one or a combination of Hagel and Entwhistle could replace Saad. So now you have one less forward to protect from expansion. And potentially gained salary cap room. Use it to pay Lehner. The renumeration for Saad - don't know- won't bring a #1 2020. I do not know right now what to ask for Saad. I am however liking draft choices. The objective is to try to get a bit of an I eroay by a team needing Saad
- jhawk59

What would Saad bring then? The remainder of this season, plus next year left on his deal... I don't know how that wouldn't bring back a #1 draft pick. If the Hawks are in the race by the deadline, I have a hard time believing they will move Saad. Just my opinion.

Dach, the rights to Mitchell, Boqvist and our 2020 1st for Dutch!
- HawkintheD

Seems fair, although Stan may need to throw in DeBrincat at 50% retained, and swap out Dutch for Turris.

What would Saad bring then? The remainder of this season, plus next year left on his deal... I don't know how that wouldn't bring back a #1 draft pick. If the Hawks are in the race by the deadline, I have a hard time believing they will move Saad. Just my opinion.
- frafra

Saad could net a first round pick for sure, especially with another season left on his contract.

I agree, I hope they don’t trade Saad. But he could be moved for cap reasons, especially if they feel the club cannot re-sign him when he becomes a UFA.

Speaking of Dylan Strome,This is just a thought, I read somewhere recently that his brother may be a trade ship, with that be something that Stan Bowman could be interested in?
If Bowman is going to do anything, hopefully he sticks with getting people that will be here past this year. I am with a lot of the rest, I don’t want no old guys and having to give up young assets just for a two month run.
There was an article somewhere about possibly trading Corey Crawford to Florida just for this year the straighten out Bob, One of the kids mentioned possibly coming back this way would be Owen Tippit, I think how legit that would be? Or is that just a reporter playing let’s make a trade with hockey cards sitting on the front porch, but if there is any validity to that I think I would have to talk to Cory if I was Stan Bowman depending on what happens with Lehner, Because I can’t see them giving Greg Luzinski lite A five or six year deal at 7+ million dollars a year without some clause in there about staying in shape.
As much as I appreciate with what Lehner is doing this year, I am leery about that kind of money in term for him. And if his agent turns it down then re-sign Crawford on the cheap for a couple of years and either draft and develop a goalie or trade for a young goalie. That’s where I’m at with it. If I can get a kid like Owen Tippett damn right I look at doing that.
- wonthecup10

Which Strome brother?

Should be a fun atmosphere tonight. Q is back and you know the Hawks will roll out the red carpet for him (which they should), and Kane is coming off point # 1,000. Also, big game to boot for both teams. The Panther and Hawks have both won five in a row. Panthers won a hard-fought game yesterday against the Wild. Bob was in net for them, wonder if the Hawks see their backup goalie. Doubting it, as I think Q will give himself every chance to win this game. Would love to go into the All-Star break on a six game winning streak, however I expect the Cats to be playing this game as hard as they have played all year in order to get Q a win in his return to Chicago.

Which Strome brother?
- DarthKane

Bob.