Theo Fox: Limp Biscuit A perspective on how the Blackhawks should rebuild by learning from Connor McDavid and the Oilers getting eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Foist! Gonna be a hot summer!

Thanks Theo - Technically, I would not call Edmonton's last years defeat a playoff defeat, it was more a play-in game. Maybe McDavid can join Poile and be the greatest to never have one anything together.
Which fanbase would you rather be in, Chicago's or Edmonton's? Chicago has nowhere but up to go, Edmonton is who they are, they have the "best" player, and a top coach, but still cannot get to the next level.

Thanks Theo! PE, the difference between McDavid and Poile is that one is actually great, while the other gets a participation trophy.

Theo, On behalf of all the older male posters on the board please refrain from using the word 'limp" in future blog titles.

I know people are not on board with hamilton as a UFA 8 mil X 7 years. contract would end about 35. the last 3 playoff games all 1 goal games (2 losses) he is +- of zero each game and 22 shots on goal. 7, 7, 8 If we could get Seattle to take dehaan if we expose Strome would you do it. My first choice would be win the lottery and take Powers. but if we end up at 11 it feels like the best options would be either forwards or goalies (assuming we are high on Drew and arvid) either a forward or a 3-4 spot trade down. Also would you trade for drouin if habs retained? sounds like his time there is done. he has high end skill and speed but has not been very engaged the last couple years and has never been very good on D.

I know people are not on board with hamilton as a UFA 8 mil X 7 years. contract would end about 35. the last 3 playoff games all 1 goal games (2 losses) he is +- of zero each game and 22 shots on goal. 7, 7, 8 If we could get Seattle to take dehaan if we expose Strome would you do it. My first choice would be win the lottery and take Powers. but if we end up at 11 it feels like the best options would be either forwards or goalies (assuming we are high on Drew and arvid) either a forward or a 3-4 spot trade down. Also would you trade for drouin if habs retained? sounds like his time there is done. he has high end skill and speed but has not been very engaged the last couple years and has never been very good on D.

kmw

No, I would not do it, Hawks need a top 4 SHUTDOWN defenseman, who can play on the PK, basically a "Seabrook" to partner with "Keith", not another puck mover to partner with our other puck movers. You would want a "De Haan" type to play with Hamilton, if you get rid of De Haan, you have no one on the left side for at least the next 2 years that can be that.

No on Drouin. He has basically the same stats as Strome and at 2 years at $5.5 mil vs Strome 1 year at $3 mil, I would rather have Strome

I know people are not on board with hamilton as a UFA 8 mil X 7 years. contract would end about 35. the last 3 playoff games all 1 goal games (2 losses) he is +- of zero each game and 22 shots on goal. 7, 7, 8 If we could get Seattle to take dehaan if we expose Strome would you do it. My first choice would be win the lottery and take Powers. but if we end up at 11 it feels like the best options would be either forwards or goalies (assuming we are high on Drew and arvid) either a forward or a 3-4 spot trade down. Also would you trade for drouin if habs retained? sounds like his time there is done. he has high end skill and speed but has not been very engaged the last couple years and has never been very good on D.
- kmw4631

If you could get Hamilton on a 2-3 year contract I might consider it, but even then, I don't think he is what this team needs. The Hawks have plenty of potential puck movers (yes, they have to grow into it, but that is the majority of the "type" the Hawks have). The Hawks need more D-men that are rock solid defensively. Ones that can shut down plays.

Drouin? Why is he on leave from the team. If it is because he has some problem with the team, then I'd want to know every detail about that so it is not repeated. If it is some family issue or mystery illness, I just hope he gets through it alright. I can only imagine having to go through something horrible, and be in the media spotlight.

I know people are not on board with hamilton as a UFA 8 mil X 7 years. contract would end about 35. the last 3 playoff games all 1 goal games (2 losses) he is +- of zero each game and 22 shots on goal. 7, 7, 8 If we could get Seattle to take dehaan if we expose Strome would you do it. My first choice would be win the lottery and take Powers. but if we end up at 11 it feels like the best options would be either forwards or goalies (assuming we are high on Drew and arvid) either a forward or a 3-4 spot trade down. Also would you trade for drouin if habs retained? sounds like his time there is done. he has high end skill and speed but has not been very engaged the last couple years and has never been very good on D.

kmw

No, I would not do it, Hawks need a top 4 SHUTDOWN defenseman, who can play on the PK, basically a "Seabrook" to partner with "Keith", not another puck mover to partner with our other puck movers. You would want a "De Haan" type to play with Hamilton, if you get rid of De Haan, you have no one on the left side for at least the next 2 years that can be that.

No on Drouin. He has basically the same stats as Strome and at 2 years at $5.5 mil vs Strome 1 year at $3 mil, I would rather have Strome
- LAHawk

with droiun 50% retained he woudl be the same as strome. that was my thought. we just need more talent on the back end. who of our puck movers more then a 2nd paring top end. At least hamilton would be a top pairing puck mover/opff DEF men. Any left D that we put with him would make them the best pair we have. either Keith, kalynuk, ZAD, stillman. none of them are slavin I know but rolling out the same guy as last year does not seem to make much sense either. our best D is Murph but what would he be on the good playoff teams? #4? people just do not trade #3 or better D very often. your options are drafting or overpaying. Lambos is the best d we probably have a shot at in the draft.

with droiun 50% retained he woudl be the same as strome. that was my thought. we just need more talent on the back end. who of our puck movers more then a 2nd paring top end. At least hamilton would be a top pairing puck mover/opff DEF men. Any left D that we put with him would make them the best pair we have. either Keith, kalynuk, ZAD, stillman. none of them are slavin I know but rolling out the same guy as last year does not seem to make much sense either. our best D is Murph but what would he be on the good playoff teams? #4? people just do not trade #3 or better D very often. your options are drafting or overpaying. Lambos is the best d we probably have a shot at in the draft.
- kmw4631

No one knows yet. I would say stop expecting instant results from 19-22 yr old players. Let these guys develop. Don't expect the Hawks to get good overnight. It rarely happens.

with droiun 50% retained he woudl be the same as strome. that was my thought. we just need more talent on the back end. who of our puck movers more then a 2nd paring top end. At least hamilton would be a top pairing puck mover/opff DEF men. Any left D that we put with him would make them the best pair we have. either Keith, kalynuk, ZAD, stillman. none of them are slavin I know but rolling out the same guy as last year does not seem to make much sense either. our best D is Murph but what would he be on the good playoff teams? #4? people just do not trade #3 or better D very often. your options are drafting or overpaying. Lambos is the best d we probably have a shot at in the draft.
- kmw4631

As much as i was talking poop about an offer sheet to Makar or signing Hamilton, deep down i know this has to happen organically. Keep collecting draft picks, invest heavily in research and development, and keep bringing bodies.

The good news is, if you can call it good news, our blue line sucks so it gives us a window of finding really good forwards and not making the playoffs too keep collecting draft compensation or unhappy players drafted by other org's that are throw ins like the kid from the Panthers

The FO just needs to stay the course and be patient

Don't want to pull a Toronto and in the middle of the build sign Tavares because he wants to play in Toronto for premium money

with droiun 50% retained he woudl be the same as strome. that was my thought. we just need more talent on the back end. who of our puck movers more then a 2nd paring top end. At least hamilton would be a top pairing puck mover/opff DEF men. Any left D that we put with him would make them the best pair we have. either Keith, kalynuk, ZAD, stillman. none of them are slavin I know but rolling out the same guy as last year does not seem to make much sense either. our best D is Murph but what would he be on the good playoff teams? #4? people just do not trade #3 or better D very often. your options are drafting or overpaying. Lambos is the best d we probably have a shot at in the draft.
- kmw4631

If Hamilton does not sign with Carolina, it will be his 4th team in 10 years. Also, Hamiltion is right handed, unless you trade Murphy, then Bovquist becomes third pairing and Mitchell is in the A. Kind of a step back from the rebuild, and you still have a weak left side D. Hopefully if the Hawks shore up the D, it is on the left side. I can live with Murphy, Bovquist, Mitchell/Kalnyuk on the right side for now.

There are some enticing UFA's in 2022 also if the Hawks are ready, Klingberg, Adam Fox, Parayko, Seth Jones

If Hamilton does not sign with Carolina, it will be his 4th team in 10 years. Also, Hamiltion is right handed, unless you trade Murphy, then Bovquist becomes third pairing and Mitchell is in the A. Kind of a step back from the rebuild, and you still have a weak left side D. Hopefully if the Hawks shore up the D, it is on the left side. I can live with Murphy, Bovquist, Mitchell/Kalnyuk on the right side for now.

There are some enticing UFA's in 2022 also if the Hawks are ready, Klingberg, Adam Fox, Parayko, Seth Jones
- LAHawk

They all play RD?
I think when it's all said and done, they'll probably have to sign a big time LD

They all play RD?
I think when it's all said and done, they'll probably have to sign a big time LD
- BetweenTheDots

Just mentioned RD because Hamilton is a RD. You will have Morgan Reilly, Hampus Lindholm as LD.

Foist! Gonna be a hot summer!
- HenryHockey

Do they not teach counting or spelling in the U.P.?

If Toews is finished the hawks need to trade Kane for high picks. Also trade Keith if hes willing.

Thanks Theo - Technically, I would not call Edmonton's last years defeat a playoff defeat, it was more a play-in game. Maybe McDavid can join Poile and be the greatest to never have one anything together.
Which fanbase would you rather be in, Chicago's or Edmonton's? Chicago has nowhere but up to go, Edmonton is who they are, they have the "best" player, and a top coach, but still cannot get to the next level.
- powerenforcer

Not sure I'd call Tippett a top coach anymore. His deployment in that series was abysmal.

It's like he designated roles for lines even if the guys on those lines weren't suited to play those roles.

If Toews is finished the hawks need to trade Kane for high picks. Also trade Keith if hes willing.
- LFS

If Toews is finished you need Kane more than ever. And they played without Toews last year, not like they are going into a new year not knowing what it is like with him gone. They probably will have their own high draft picks next couple of years. And Kane would need to be willing to move also.

Not sure I'd call Tippett a top coach anymore. His deployment in that series was abysmal.

It's like he designated roles for lines even if the guys on those lines weren't suited to play those roles.
- BINGO!

Roles in that series:
McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse - On the ice

Everyone else: On the bench.

If Toews is finished the hawks need to trade Kane for high picks. Also trade Keith if hes willing.
- LFS

Please explain.

As much as i was talking poop about an offer sheet to Makar or signing Hamilton, deep down i know this has to happen organically. Keep collecting draft picks, invest heavily in research and development, and keep bringing bodies.

The good news is, if you can call it good news, our blue line sucks so it gives us a window of finding really good forwards and not making the playoffs too keep collecting draft compensation or unhappy players drafted by other org's that are throw ins like the kid from the Panthers

The FO just needs to stay the course and be patient

Don't want to pull a Toronto and in the middle of the build sign Tavares because he wants to play in Toronto for premium money
- BetweenTheDots

Dots! You're killing me! Is it instant gratification or having patience?

(In my best Pat Foley voice) He's all over the place!

No one knows yet. I would say stop expecting instant results from 19-22 yr old players. Let these guys develop. Don't expect the Hawks to get good overnight. It rarely happens.
- Chunk

Only the superstars are good fast. The others take time to get experience and grow their bodies. Our young guys are nowhere close to what they will be at 25. That said, there's no guarantee once they become more experienced and stronger they will be good but at least they have a "fighting" chance instead of getting their asses kicked every night.

Not sure I'd call Tippett a top coach anymore. His deployment in that series was abysmal.

It's like he designated roles for lines even if the guys on those lines weren't suited to play those roles.
- BINGO!

Heard any news or have any thoughts on Carolina extending Hamilton?

Roles in that series:
McDavid, Draisaitl, Nurse - On the ice

Everyone else: On the bench.
- Chunk

I mean, yes, but in OT in game 2 he put his 3rd line out there for a d zone draw against WPG's Stastny line because.... I have no idea? I don't know if he just assumed his 3rd line was a checking unit even though it had Kahun and a rookie C on it or what but...