Bring in a competent coach before selling all the team assets would be my vote
- PatShart

Wouldn't that be nice

I agree with you that Rocky has been laser focused on trying to rebuild the teams reputation, I also agree Rocky should ve applauded for the turn around and his contribution to making hockey exciting and getting more kids involved.

The problem Chicago has is a aging core locked in for 3 and 4 more years , a lack of young talent, no cap space to utilize to help retool Chicago in any meaningful way in order to not waste another year of toews and Kanes careers .

I remember when Chicago jettisoned all those guys and just like many other Chicago fans where deeply upset, because they where all still young and very close to making a serious run .
- Taylorst1

Not to project too much, but your problem is patience. You are upset that the Hawks are bad now (we all are). You say that there is a lack of young talent. Based on what exactly? Dach, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, ADB, Strome (to an extent), Kubalik (older, but a rookie), Nylander, Kurashev, not to mention a number of guys who project to be decent bottom 6 guys. These are all players who are either making their way in the NHL right now, or will be shortly. You know what young players do a lot of? They make mistakes. This team is playing a lot of young players right now (and they have the last three years).

Could better moves have been made in the past? Of course, that is the case for every team. You keep saying that they need to blow the whole thing up, while acknowledging (or maybe not) that they cannot move the core. I don't think many of us can follow your logic.

Not to project too much, but your problem is patience. You are upset that the Hawks are bad now (we all are). You say that there is a lack of young talent. Based on what exactly? Dach, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, ADB, Strome (to an extent), Kubalik (older, but a rookie), Nylander, Kurashev, not to mention a number of guys who project to be decent bottom 6 guys. These are all players who are either making their way in the NHL right now, or will be shortly. You know what young players do a lot of? They make mistakes. This team is playing a lot of young players right now (and they have the last three years).

Could better moves have been made in the past? Of course, that is the case for every team. You keep saying that they need to blow the whole thing up, while acknowledging (or maybe not) that they cannot move the core. I don't think many of us can follow your logic.
- Chunk

No matter what, the Hawks cannot have $11M tied up in goalies next season. Ideally, Lehner is back with the Hawks. If they don't think that will be the case, I pray they move him by Monday because I think he would fetch a nice return. If Lehner isn't back next year, hopefully they can keep 50 on a lower deal, and use money elsewhere.

As much as it can be doom and gloom with this team, the nice thing about this season is that a lot of young guys are getting quality playing time. That will eventually pay off; in the meantime, they need to figure out what pieces they can bring in to really bolster the depth this team needs to start winning regularly again.

No matter what, the Hawks cannot have $11M tied up in goalies next season. Ideally, Lehner is back with the Hawks. If they don't think that will be the case, I pray they move him by Monday because I think he would fetch a nice return. If Lehner isn't back next year, hopefully they can keep 50 on a lower deal, and use money elsewhere.

As much as it can be doom and gloom with this team, the nice thing about this season is that a lot of young guys are getting quality playing time. That will eventually pay off; in the meantime, they need to figure out what pieces they can bring in to really bolster the depth this team needs to start winning regularly again.
- frafra

I have absolutely nothing to back this up with, but I think one goalie gets traded, and the other goes to UFA at the end of the year. I think the Hawks are spending about $5-6M total on the goalie position next year.

No matter what, the Hawks cannot have $11M tied up in goalies next season. Ideally, Lehner is back with the Hawks. If they don't think that will be the case, I pray they move him by Monday because I think he would fetch a nice return. If Lehner isn't back next year, hopefully they can keep 50 on a lower deal, and use money elsewhere.

As much as it can be doom and gloom with this team, the nice thing about this season is that a lot of young guys are getting quality playing time. That will eventually pay off; in the meantime, they need to figure out what pieces they can bring in to really bolster the depth this team needs to start winning regularly again.
- frafra

I couldn't agree more on this point. I've been very happy with the improvements that Boqvist has shown playing with Keith. As soon as he gets the confidence to just "make the play" and not think about it, he will be very dangerous. He's so fluid and quick getting the puck/skating out of the zone. Obviously, still a lot of growth needed, but the early returns are very promising.

I have absolutely nothing to back this up with, but I think one goalie gets traded, and the other goes to UFA at the end of the year. I think the Hawks are spending about $5-6M total on the goalie position next year.
- Chunk

One would think that one of the Rockford goalies will be up as a backup next season. Again, in a perfect world, if Lehner isn't back, Crawford on a cheap deal would help the most. They need to start figuring out what their future goalie situation is going to look like as well. Lehner would be a great 5-6 year fix; Crawford, not so much.

if lehner wants to much to sign here early then I trade him. CC I trade either way assuming he waves to a few places. the market for lehner may be cheaper in the off season. CC might come back to CHI either way but no reason to sign him now.

Gus will move. the only other d guys to consider would be Maata (people over pay for d down the stretch and he makes a little more then he is worth) and Keith. I think the reality is the Seabrook contract means you have to at least consider moving him. can you have 12 mil tied up in aging d men? When you are not contenders.

forwards I guess the ones I don't trade are Kane, Teows, Dach, Kubalik, carpenter, ones I would be open to for the right return. Strome, nylander, Kanmpf Cat SAAD. but the only guy have a good year is SAAD so really those do not make much sense either.

right now the shaw trade hurts 2nd and 3rd for guy who probably should never play again. we really bought high.

Boston does, they can fit him in next year even with Backes salary, and definitely have the space in 2020-21
- LAHawk

Boston has only 15 roster players signed for next year for $63.4 mil, 4 RFA's 4 UFA's (one being Krug) and Backes $4.925 in dead cap hit. So they could trade for Saad, but they may need to make other moves this year and next.

Chicago can take on expiring contracts or even retain a fraction of the salary and still be ok next year cap wise.
- Taylorst1

OK. I misunderstood the original post. Thought you wanted to retain salary on Keith or Kane for a year, not take on incoming salary on UFA for the remainder of this year.

Mercy! That is a lot of youth on the second unit!!! Keith better be on his toes.

Blackhawks power play units:
1: Gustafsson, Kane, Kubalik, Toews and Saad
2: Boqvist, Keith, DeBrincat, Dach and Strome

LMAO. Even if he trades one of or boththe goalies, he still gets cap space. The argument is meaningless. Two high quality proven goalies, BOTH heading to UFA, one at least should be moved and I promise you someone will give up something at least halfway decent for either. Get something now for them AND STILL have the Cap space.

I wonder if this is the development of the coming Stanclub narrative after he does nothing at the TDL and still loses both to UFA, we can all celebrate how brilliantly Stan "added cap space", with nary a word about a potential prospect or pick that could be added to the mix.

If Stan buys he fails.
If he does nothing he fails.
If he does some solid, under the radar type moves (I am opposed to a total blow up of the roster), clears out a veteran or two (including a goalie), adds prospects/picks then I have more confidence in him leading the way.
- kwolf68

We will see if any quality goalies are moved at the TDL and what the return is. You might get back a half way decent return for Lehner, but it may also effect your chances of resigning him. So you need to weigh that.

Do you have a plan for the goalie position next year if you do not have either Crow or Lehner? What quality will that be? What will it cost? Unknowns.

You see it as black and white. I see alot of of grey area.

As soon as we trade Carpenter, we will be looking for another Carpenter, and you’re not going to find one for $1M, unless you are blown out of the water with an offer, he stays.
- Angotti

Agree. I hope.

If goaltending is 75% of hockey then this must be the worst forward and defensive group in the NHL. Lehner is a top 5 goal this year in saved goals and CC has played rock solid.

I'm guessing you'd agree that without these goalies we'd finish bottom 3 and get a top 3 this summer. Are we better off this way?
- catrisc

Without doubt, outside of the goaltending position the Hawks roster is mediocre at best, i.e. not of playoff making quality.

However, the draft order is determined by lottery. Finishing 29th overall doesn't guarantee 3rd overall pick.

Without doubt, outside of the goaltending position the Hawks roster is mediocre at best, i.e. not of playoff making quality.

However, the draft order is determined by lottery. Finishing 29th overall doesn't guarantee 3rd overall pick.
- RickJ

This cannot be stressed enough.

Without doubt, outside of the goaltending position the Hawks roster is mediocre at best, i.e. not of playoff making quality.

However, the draft order is determined by lottery. Finishing 29th overall doesn't guarantee 3rd overall pick.
- RickJ

This cannot be stressed enough.

His shelf life seems to be two years?
- rpeters01

Maybe 3 years.... which would coincide with the end of the Toews, Kane, Keith and Debrincat contracts.

This cannot be stressed enough.
- Chunk

It's been stressed twice...and I think that is enough

The Winnipeg Jets have acquired defenceman Dylan DeMelo from the Ottawa Senators for a 2020 third-round pick.

A 3rd round pick for a rental Dman with no goals and 10 assists in 49 games. My expectations are rising if we move Maatta or Gus.

The Winnipeg Jets have acquired defenceman Dylan DeMelo from the Ottawa Senators for a 2020 third-round pick.

A 3rd round pick for a rental Dman with no goals and 10 assists in 49 games. My expectations are rising if we move Maatta or Gus.
- -Doh-

I think Maatta more than Gus.

I can't think of any very valuable return for Gus - a guy had an outlier production year last season and has reverted to his mean production this season - plus has trouble playing defense.

It's been stressed twice...and I think that is enough
- PatShart

And yet there are still people who think tanking (as confounding a concept as it is) will be beneficial for the future of the team.

I think Maatta more than Gus.

I can't think of any very valuable return for Gus - a guy had an outlier production year last season and has reverted to his mean production this season - plus has trouble playing defense.
- StLBravesFan

Many on this board who were vehemently against trading Gus last off-season when his value was high...now they want to trade him, and still expect to get the same return as when he was “hot”.

Fickle fans.

The Winnipeg Jets have acquired defenceman Dylan DeMelo from the Ottawa Senators for a 2020 third-round pick.

A 3rd round pick for a rental Dman with no goals and 10 assists in 49 games. My expectations are rising if we move Maatta or Gus.
- -Doh-

Meanwhile.... back at Blackhawks headquarters:

C'mon down Gerard Gallant.
- Tyler Cameron

He is probably all but gift wrapped to Detroit.

He is probably all but gift wrapped to Detroit.
- LAHawk

Might be. But would you rather live in Chicago and coach Toews, Kane, Keith, Dach, Boqvist or live in Detroit and coach Larken, Abdelkader, Athanasiou, Green and Ericsson (if they are left after the TDL). Given two competitive offers, the Hawks are the better situation for the next 3 years.

Meanwhile.... back at Blackhawks headquarters:


- DarthKane

And a big supply of potato chips