Trading TT would be a mistake that this whole team would regret
- oldduffman

Yeah, its difficult for all of us to understand that he IS still in training.
The problem was after the big offensive plays we saw in the 2015 playoff, we expected more of the same, along with more body weight, strength and more anchor plus a pinch of toughness.
The noticeable change was in his excellent growth as a defensive player.

Teuvo Teravainen and Aretmi Panarin's future is unmistakably tied to the Salary Cap, which if the general managers are going to probably do their best to get raised in the next years so they CAN keep their rosters. (Remember, here in Chicago we have been bracing, adjusting subtracting for seasons while now the rest of the teams have now painted themselves into corners, and will solicit a league solution.)

But I agree TT gets time to advance on all those fronts, and if the growth isn't there he becomes the guy who departs while the other guy, paanrin, beocmes the guy who stays...

Oduya's value could never be higher that it was here. This was the perfect situation for him. Points don't matter when it comes to Oduya, though. He was part of the shutdown pair here. We all felt safe when he and Hammer were sent out to get it done. I don't see how he maxes his value in Dallas in that environment.
- 333inthe3rd

I guess the point I was making was not that I don't love Oduya ( I do) but he didn't win'em anything and I actually think he wouldn't a won us anything either...that wasn't where things fell apart.

Don´t know about that but trading him this summer doesn´t solve any cap problems Hawks are facing. And if they aren´t getting something good back he shouldn´t be throw in just to get rid of Bickell´s contract.
- MjulQvist

I do believe that will be were he will play ,maybe even this year .He is far more effective at his natural position ,and need creative players with him .

Been a slow day looking at who the HAWKS may be able to get in the draft ,no picks till the 3rd round , picking may be slim . But you never know might find a gem . Tyler Parsons may be available still ,championship caliber goalie who made clutch saves for London last year . Maybe Carsen Twarynski LW good size and energy out of the Calgay .. Like I said slow day .Have a good one HAWKS fans

What about a Crawford and TT for Neuvirth, Raffl and a Philly defensive prospect? Would be about $3.5 mil coming back to us. Add another Czech guy (Neuvirth) to help with Kempny. Probably a pipe-dream scenario.
- 93Joe

For Philly maybe.

Raffi is done, never reached a high water mark of any kind and Michal Neuvirth won a little more than half his games is 28 already and and will make a million more than Darling but he's no Crawford, and in a year,
as the Blackhawk starter, you think he will play for less than five or six the going rate for a nHL starting goaler?
You enter the post season without Crawford and TT.

And I am sure there will be enough guys to talk to Michal Kempny...

I am sorry to the family of Gordie Howe with his passing, and his lingering health and financial issues.
But…I have to say it.
I hate the guy.
I hated the guy throughout my childhood.
It started out because he was a Red Wing, and the older fellows that my parents allowed to chaperone their ten year old to the Chicago Stadium in the 1960 had a built-up contempt for him and the Wings since the earlier 1950’s.
Even a ten year old could see what he was and what he was capable of.
The man simply seemed bigger and more anchored than anybody else on their skates.
We loved our Blackhawks! They were this scratching and clawing team that suddenly received some much needed skill from a little Czech lad named Mikita, and this muscle-bound scorer Bobby Hull.
Like all teams of the era, the Blackhawks had their tough guy, Reg Fleming, and honestly, most guys from this era were tough, because they part of a NHL fraternity numbering a little over a hundred.
And as homers, we saw OUR guys as the best in the game’s scorers, tough guys and even intimidators.
But our reality was always brought earth when Gordie showed up.
I hated this guy.
No matter how tough we thought our players were, this Howe seemed to nonchalantly hurt us, sometimes even with goals.
As a fan viewing games live, I would wonder why certain hawks were suddenly planted on their backsides, or holding their faces…
It was because “blinky” (what we unaffectionately called him, to make fun of his facial tick) liked his space…whether it be on the wall in the front or behind either net.
If you were intrusive and tried checking or moving him, and it started to perturb him, he reacted…with his stick but mostly with the joints of his elbows.
He hurt our players, and was never apologetic or remorseful, as if space was his right.
Nowadays, we see the engagements in the ice’s battle areas, and it excites us as fans.
Gordie Howe seemed a cut above of all the successful crease players of today and an even larger grandmaster in his own era, despite the tough as nail defenders whose sticks were used like lumberjack axes at times.
Blinky was simply meaner, more balanced in his boots, and more committed to getting what had to be done, done.
And I hated it every time my team was the recipient.
And the fact everyone WAS intimidated by him, just made me hate him more.
I yelled it at him, for over a decade, and even after the game when he and his wing teammates had to make their way past gate 3 and a half to their bus, and fans were still allowed to linger there for autographs after the matches.
Maybe it lucky for me there WAS an audience there when I let him hear it.
I have let it all out, vented as a true hockey boy can.
Ok, Gordie, I don’t hate you anymore.
I did love hating you, though.
You made it easy.

I am sorry to the family of Gordie Howe with his passing, and his lingering health and financial issues.
But…I have to say it.
I hate the guy.
I hated the guy throughout my childhood.
It started out because he was a Red Wing, and the older fellows that my parents allowed to chaperone their ten year old to the Chicago Stadium in the 1960 had a built-up contempt for him and the Wings since the earlier 1950’s.
Even a ten year old could see what he was and what he was capable of.
The man simply seemed bigger and more anchored than anybody else on their skates.
We loved our Blackhawks! They were this scratching and clawing team that suddenly received some much needed skill from a little Czech lad named Mikita, and this muscle-bound scorer Bobby Hull.
Like all teams of the era, the Blackhawks had their tough guy, Reg Fleming, and honestly, most guys from this era were tough, because they part of a NHL fraternity numbering a little over a hundred.
And as homers, we saw OUR guys as the best in the game’s scorers, tough guys and even intimidators.
But our reality was always brought earth when Gordie showed up.
I hated this guy.
No matter how tough we thought our players were, this Howe seemed to nonchalantly hurt us, sometimes even with goals.
As a fan viewing games live, I would wonder why certain hawks were suddenly planted on their backsides, or holding their faces…
It was because “blinky” (what we unaffectionately called him, to make fun of his facial tick) liked his space…whether it be on the wall in the front or behind either net.
If you were intrusive and tried checking or moving him, and it started to perturb him, he reacted…with his stick but mostly with the joints of his elbows.
He hurt our players, and was never apologetic or remorseful, as if space was his right.
Nowadays, we see the engagements in the ice’s battle areas, and it excites us as fans.
Gordie Howe seemed a cut above of all the successful crease players of today and an even larger grandmaster in his own era, despite the tough as nail defenders whose sticks were used like lumberjack axes at times.
Blinky was simply meaner, more balanced in his boots, and more committed to getting what had to be done, done.
And I hated it every time my team was the recipient.
And the fact everyone WAS intimidated by him, just made me hate him more.
I yelled it at him, for over a decade, and even after the game when he and his wing teammates had to make their way past gate 3 and a half to their bus, and fans were still allowed to linger there for autographs after the matches.
Maybe it lucky for me there WAS an audience there when I let him hear it.
I have let it all out, vented as a true hockey boy can.
Ok, Gordie, I don’t hate you anymore.
I did love hating you, though.
You made it easy.
- wiz1901

Yes my condolences go out to the Howe family at this very sad time . I myself was never a big fan.

TT is the only tradeable asset on your list, as the others all require consent, and none will return equivalent talent in exchange.
- Return of the Roar

Maybe I'm wrong about this but if Blackhawks management went to either Crawford or Seabrook or Kane and said, "hey, sorry, but business is business and we can't afford you anymore and need to trade you," I think they would reluctantly agree to it. No one wants to be where they aren't wanted. I was just looking at it from the perspective of who other teams might want at their current price. Any of those guys could lift a contender to favorite status in the right circumstance.

Maybe I'm wrong about this but if Blackhawks management went to either Crawford or Seabrook or Kane and said, "hey, sorry, but business is business and we can't afford you anymore and need to trade you," I think they would reluctantly agree to it. No one wants to be where they aren't wanted. I was just looking at it from the perspective of who other teams might want at their current price. Any of those guys could lift a contender to favorite status in the right circumstance.
- matt_ahrens

If business is business....the NMC is equally binding. Just don't see it happening. Would be a monumental mistake to move any of the guys on NMCs. Not going to clear enough space to add to the team, let alone replace what gets lost.

I am sorry to the family of Gordie Howe with his passing, and his lingering health and financial issues.
But…I have to say it.
I hate the guy.
I hated the guy throughout my childhood.
It started out because he was a Red Wing, and the older fellows that my parents allowed to chaperone their ten year old to the Chicago Stadium in the 1960 had a built-up contempt for him and the Wings since the earlier 1950’s.
Even a ten year old could see what he was and what he was capable of.
The man simply seemed bigger and more anchored than anybody else on their skates.
We loved our Blackhawks! They were this scratching and clawing team that suddenly received some much needed skill from a little Czech lad named Mikita, and this muscle-bound scorer Bobby Hull.
Like all teams of the era, the Blackhawks had their tough guy, Reg Fleming, and honestly, most guys from this era were tough, because they part of a NHL fraternity numbering a little over a hundred.
And as homers, we saw OUR guys as the best in the game’s scorers, tough guys and even intimidators.
But our reality was always brought earth when Gordie showed up.
I hated this guy.
No matter how tough we thought our players were, this Howe seemed to nonchalantly hurt us, sometimes even with goals.
As a fan viewing games live, I would wonder why certain hawks were suddenly planted on their backsides, or holding their faces…
It was because “blinky” (what we unaffectionately called him, to make fun of his facial tick) liked his space…whether it be on the wall in the front or behind either net.
If you were intrusive and tried checking or moving him, and it started to perturb him, he reacted…with his stick but mostly with the joints of his elbows.
He hurt our players, and was never apologetic or remorseful, as if space was his right.
Nowadays, we see the engagements in the ice’s battle areas, and it excites us as fans.
Gordie Howe seemed a cut above of all the successful crease players of today and an even larger grandmaster in his own era, despite the tough as nail defenders whose sticks were used like lumberjack axes at times.
Blinky was simply meaner, more balanced in his boots, and more committed to getting what had to be done, done.
And I hated it every time my team was the recipient.
And the fact everyone WAS intimidated by him, just made me hate him more.
I yelled it at him, for over a decade, and even after the game when he and his wing teammates had to make their way past gate 3 and a half to their bus, and fans were still allowed to linger there for autographs after the matches.
Maybe it lucky for me there WAS an audience there when I let him hear it.
I have let it all out, vented as a true hockey boy can.
Ok, Gordie, I don’t hate you anymore.
I did love hating you, though.
You made it easy.
- wiz1901

Wiz, nail on the head with the bolded part. The man was gruesome and completely unapologetic. He could dish it out all night long and somehow nobody would see it. Elbow, stick, didn't matter. But he couldn't take a clean hit. Like you, I didn't care for him.

After standing on his head last game, Jones gives up a soft one on a Pens PP.

What the????

Enough with the give-a-ways SJ.

Fortunate to be down only 1

I am sorry to the family of Gordie Howe with his passing, and his lingering health and financial issues.
But…I have to say it.
I hate the guy.
I hated the guy throughout my childhood.
It started out because he was a Red Wing, and the older fellows that my parents allowed to chaperone their ten year old to the Chicago Stadium in the 1960 had a built-up contempt for him and the Wings since the earlier 1950’s.
Even a ten year old could see what he was and what he was capable of.
The man simply seemed bigger and more anchored than anybody else on their skates.
We loved our Blackhawks! They were this scratching and clawing team that suddenly received some much needed skill from a little Czech lad named Mikita, and this muscle-bound scorer Bobby Hull.
Like all teams of the era, the Blackhawks had their tough guy, Reg Fleming, and honestly, most guys from this era were tough, because they part of a NHL fraternity numbering a little over a hundred.
And as homers, we saw OUR guys as the best in the game’s scorers, tough guys and even intimidators.
But our reality was always brought earth when Gordie showed up.
I hated this guy.
No matter how tough we thought our players were, this Howe seemed to nonchalantly hurt us, sometimes even with goals.
As a fan viewing games live, I would wonder why certain hawks were suddenly planted on their backsides, or holding their faces…
It was because “blinky” (what we unaffectionately called him, to make fun of his facial tick) liked his space…whether it be on the wall in the front or behind either net.
If you were intrusive and tried checking or moving him, and it started to perturb him, he reacted…with his stick but mostly with the joints of his elbows.
He hurt our players, and was never apologetic or remorseful, as if space was his right.
Nowadays, we see the engagements in the ice’s battle areas, and it excites us as fans.
Gordie Howe seemed a cut above of all the successful crease players of today and an even larger grandmaster in his own era, despite the tough as nail defenders whose sticks were used like lumberjack axes at times.
Blinky was simply meaner, more balanced in his boots, and more committed to getting what had to be done, done.
And I hated it every time my team was the recipient.
And the fact everyone WAS intimidated by him, just made me hate him more.
I yelled it at him, for over a decade, and even after the game when he and his wing teammates had to make their way past gate 3 and a half to their bus, and fans were still allowed to linger there for autographs after the matches.
Maybe it lucky for me there WAS an audience there when I let him hear it.
I have let it all out, vented as a true hockey boy can.
Ok, Gordie, I don’t hate you anymore.
I did love hating you, though.
You made it easy.
- wiz1901

Thanks Wiz, you just brought back many memories for me. I spent my childhood in North Bay Ontario and for some reason I could get the Blackhawks games on the radio, I grew to hate Gordie and the Red Wings as well but always loved the great rivalry they had with our beloved Hawks. I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Howe a few different times over the past 30 years or so and came to realize what a great hockey player and even better person he was. Rip Mr. Hockey.

5 min. remain...SJ down 1...at home...

...and they're playing like they are the club protecting a lead.

5 min. remain...SJ down 1...at home...

...and they're playing like they are the club protecting a lead.
- ArlingtonRob

Trevor Daley made a good move in asking for a trade.

5 min. remain...SJ down 1...at home...

...and they're playing like they are the club protecting a lead.
- ArlingtonRob

No - Pens are - and are doing a terrific job of keeping the puck away from Murray.

So much for that...2015-16 in the books.

Pens were the better club, but SJ didn't play well.

Not as bad as the NBA final, but close.

Now let's get on with the important stuff...

...the off season.

No - Pens are - and are doing a terrific job of keeping the puck away from Murray.
- StLBravesFan

I'll rephrase that comment...

SJ "looking" like the club protecting the lead.

So much for that...2015-16 in the books.

Pens were the better club, but SJ didn't play well.

Not as bad as the NBA final, but close.

Now let's get on with the important stuff...

...the off season.
- ArlingtonRob

Don't know what the offseason will bring...

-Shaw needs a contract before next year
-Panarin needs a raise after next year
-Teravainen needs a raise after next year
-Bickell's contract has one year left
-Hossa has one more year where makes more than $1M a year
-Expansion draft in one year
-2nd expansion draft in two years?
-Stagnant cap

Wow. Corsby passed it first to Daley. Then to Pascal Dupuis

Pens Change coach and GM, bring in some of their young kids and win Stanley Cup.
Bowman and Q not on same page, Bowman trades away kids, Q don't play players who matter instead plays the Mashintors of the league, Bowman gets his ass handed to him in Sharp, Saad and now Ladd trade, don't look good for next season at all! Just killed me to see that little Pimp Crosby to hoist that Chalice again! Dammmmmm!

Off season officially on .


Lets Go Stan

Looked back at the NHL.com article where Rutherford was hired at the end of 2014 and Bylsma was fired. From the article:

Rutherford said the Penguins might not have a coach in place by the 2014 NHL Draft, which starts June 27, but will by the start of free agency.

"The coach is going to have to adjust to the style of players that we have," Rutherford said. "With the talent level of the Penguins, the Penguins can play whatever way you want. But certainly, with the teams that we ultimately have to compete with, we're going to have to have a coach that can make the proper adjustments during a game or during a certain period of time during the regular season or during a playoff series.

"Obviously the Penguins can go and they can score and they can score in bunches, but based on looking at the Penguins from a distance, because that's where I was, I don't think they could make the proper adjustments against certain teams."

(The bolded is my emphasis.)

Off season officially on .


Lets Go Stan
- mrpaulish

It sucks that the Blackhawks are no longer the reigning Stanley Cup Champions. But I'm glad the season is over so we can get on with the inevitable off season cap shedding.

Trevor Daley made a good move in asking for a trade.
- DMChi2010

Q had him down to skating 10 minutes a game, you blame him. Noticed Daley out on the ice right away then when he was handed the cup thought hope Hawk management, especially Q, stuck around for the ceremonies......

Helluva Finals. Pens were better by a bunch and deserved the series.

Looked back at the NHL.com article where Rutherford was hired at the end of 2014 and Bylsma was fired. From the article:

Rutherford said the Penguins might not have a coach in place by the 2014 NHL Draft, which starts June 27, but will by the start of free agency.

"The coach is going to have to adjust to the style of players that we have," Rutherford said. "With the talent level of the Penguins, the Penguins can play whatever way you want. But certainly, with the teams that we ultimately have to compete with, we're going to have to have a coach that can make the proper adjustments during a game or during a certain period of time during the regular season or during a playoff series.

"Obviously the Penguins can go and they can score and they can score in bunches, but based on looking at the Penguins from a distance, because that's where I was, I don't think they could make the proper adjustments against certain teams."

(The bolded is my emphasis.)
- DMChi2010

Hard cap world. Coaches and GM's are gonna earn their money now. Gonna have to cram some square pegs in round holes, devise systems around players you have to play with not the other way around, play rookies, guys taking up 30-50% of the cap have to play like it.