I hope everyone is remaining safe and healthy over there! I hope you're staying sane as well. I've been going crazy at times with the kids over here. We've resorted to painting rocks to pass the time.
Anyway, I wanted to mix it up with a mailbag edition.
Chunk: Thanks for the continuing articles. If nothing else, it is nice to get lost in someone else's discussion for a while.
Gloom and Doom Q:
In a worst-case scenario (for the league) where they are not able/allowed to finish this year, what are the ramifications to the cap and overall health of the league going into next year?
TC: I think it'll be a huge financial burden to the league if they do not finish out the year.
Also, life as we know it is going to be different for a while, so even if the NHL launches on time next year, will it be with fans? If so, will attendance struggle as people are still fearful to rush out to live sporting events?
Also, the growth of the sport could plateau a little. I just saw the NHL/NHLPA has postponed the 2020 international games that they had planned and I would be surprised if they happen at all.
Those games are meant to market the sport to areas of the world that need exposure or are seeing a big increase in interest for hockey.
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Roster Q:
If the cap stays stagnant or (gasp) drops a bit, who are the best bets to be roster casualties? Smith/Maatta come to mind, but would ADB creep into that mix due to salary?
TC: No, I don't think you see DeBrincat fall into that category. He's been battling his entire life and I suspect that the Hawks are betting on a bounceback from him.
In my brain, Smith is already gone – most likely the way of a buyout.
Maatta is an interesting one because I'm not a fan of infusing too much youth into the backend without some veteran presence. Keith and Seabrook are obvious leaders on the backend, but you take Maatta away, you're left with de Haan (if he can stay healthy) and possibly Slater Koekkoek (who's trying to figure it out himself).
I think Maatta could have some trade value if the Hawks have to move him. And by value I mean, as a mid-tier prospect or a late-round draft pick. Still, I don't think he's untradeable.
Other options? A Seabrook compliance buyout would be the easiest if the league goes down that route, however, it doesn't sound like they want too.
The Hawks – like many – will need to get creative and hopefully that doesn't mean trading Dylan Strome or Dominik Kubalik's rights away.
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Management/Coaching Q:
Do you think the uncertainty in the league (revenue, resuming play, etc) will alter any teams' (or more to the point the Hawks) philosophy regarding going for it now vs building for the future? Does the situation make the Hawks more or less willing to part with Colliton?
TC: Great question. I don't have an answer for that as I don't know how this will all play out.
Will it be more advantageous for teams because players will have to accept lower salaries/terms as teams pull back the amount they put towards their final cap number?
Will there be a compliance buyout that is agreed upon by the league that benefits a team like Toronto or St. Louis who are tight against the cap (this year and next) and have a chance to win it all with a couple of tweaks?
No idea about that. It'll be something to watch as everything unfolds.
In terms of your question about the Hawks and Colliton; I would have said decisions on teams' front offices and coaching would likely stay intact until life normalizes a bit, but then again, we say McDonough get the ax during this time, so I'm in the dark about that as well.
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HawkintheD: As far as questions, for me and I would guess for most is what do the Hawks do with the vacancy created by Rocky when he let go of McD?
Which direction do they go? What becomes of StanBo? For me, I'd like either a hockey ops guy to oversee all or a split with that guy tending to hockey matters and a business guy dealing with that and the marketing side.
None of the names that have ties to the Hawks really interest me. Second City offered up some outsider names and the one I was kind of intrigued by was the guy affiliated with the Canes. Will have to get his name, don't know it offhand.
TC: Looks like you're talking about Darren Yorke from the Hurricanes who is currently their Director of Personnel.
I don't know much about him, however, I'm with you; I would like to see a President of Business things (I wouldn't be opposed to that being an internal hire like Pete Hassen, who is currently the VP of Marketing) and a President of Hockey Ops.
The President of Hockey Ops has to(!) be an outside hire.
I don't think they can just promote Stan Bowman to that role and have Stan hire a GM.
I'm not sure who this new President should be but I hope this is the route that they go.
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STLBravesFan: Probably not an answerable question, but - if they come back and resume play in any form with no fans in the buildings...
How will that affect the quality of play and the quality of the TV viewing experience?
TC: If play resumes, the quality of play will resemble that of exhibition or early season hockey.
If the players are off the ice for 3-4 months, you can expect passes and shooting to be a little off, and the legs just not fully there yet with some guys.
In terms of the quality of TV viewing, I think it'll be weird with no fans but the quality of the broadcast will visually still be great. You'll have some announcers adapt quicker than others (as it will be weird for them not to play off the crowd).
Another thing is you'll hear a lot more of the players on the ice. I heard one analyst say (and I forget who it was) that their will have to be at least a 10-second delay to ensure all of the F-Bombs and other curse words are bleeped.
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LAHawk: How about if the Hawks have to downsize the front office, (due to no games to scout, significantly decreased revenues) who would be the first casualties?
TC: I saw Elbows15 comment below this question on the message board about the pro scouting staff and I think he's on to something.
The Hawks actually spend more than most teams on their scouting department (pro, amateur, European) so that area would likely be looked at.
Also, there are likely some bloated salaries in that front office based on the success of the last decade so I would expect to see guys like Jay Blunk, Al MacIsaac, and others gone.
Heck, I think those guys are on their way out regardless of the outcome.
Chunk: What was the most difficult part of writing your book?
TC: You know when you are working on something, but you fully don't know what you're doing so it takes double the time?
When I started this venture to write a book, I had no idea what to do, so I was trying to write everything to perfection.
It wasn't until I just forced myself to write almost every day that I was able to feel like I was getting something accomplished.
That, and when I signed on with my self-publishing company, TellWell, they helped guide me through the process with ease.
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Thanks, everyone for the questions!!
Stay safe and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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