yup, but small and slow's kind of a red flag .
- Kewl1

To call him slow? Really?

In his defense, Blowman is fighting an uphill battle.

Why?

Q -- because of his player "blankies" (love that term, really fits).

The thought of TVR returning makes me want to throw up in my mouth. No speed whatsoever and regardless of this, Q would pair him with Keith anyway so he would face a much higher QOC than capable of defending. I hope the last time we saw TVR turnstiled in a Blackhawk sweater is the LAST time.

Q is going to plug any/every "blankie" into spots where maybe he should be giving long unblendered looks at in various spots. Is Q going to continue to press-box Kempny, for example, and in his place insert the 3-wheel cart?

What about Sharp, coming off hip surgery -- is Q going to give him the Daley treatment and after a few practices, deem him not worthy? Highly doubt it.

Old habits die hard for Q.
And as much as I don't like a lot of what Stan has wrought, much has been brought on by what Q has or has not done with the talent he's been given.
- savvyone-1

Depends on how they start the season. If there is a losing streak early or they're in the 9 or 10 spot at thanksgiving then maybe something changes straight away.

I'm curious to see how long the leash is. October is going to be a tough month to start. Really only 3 mediocre teams. November is a bit lighter but a few back to backs straight away.

There was significant roster turnover again and coaching staff changes. I think a slow start ought to be expected but if it is tolerated or not is a different question.

If you think about it, they all look suspicious. All the players on it (LTIR) have huge cap #s. Expand your thinking, all of you.
- powerenforcer

And how it looks doesn't matter. As long as it's a real injury/medical condition then the rules are in place to be followed. Nothing else matters. You can argue that optics matter but really they don't. Take any LTIR situation to its extreme and it comes down to the already agreed upon CBA. The only legal question is if the injury is legit. If it is Bob's your uncle. I know some would say that the league can act with impunity for "the good of the game" if they wanted. Actually they can't. This is a very well defined rule. They have to follow the rules they already agreed to.

Hey, it worked for Panik...

I'd be more concerned about Murphy. Keith is still Keith and his mobility should help cover for him, but I don't think you want him playing that many minutes.
- BINGO!

That shipped sailed, he's going ot have to play minutes and a chunck of them.

He's now the #3

Bickell, my best wishes to him, was always inconsistent. I think Hayden will score more in close. If he taps out at 30-40 points then he's a bottom 6 forward. I think he has more upside than that, but I could be wrong too.
- kwolf68

If John Hayden makes the team and can take draws and play consistently at a third line level... if I am Q, I'm sticking his 6'3" frame in front of the net on the PP and telling him screen all day long. Give 19 a break from some of that abuse... even though he is very good at it.

Just to note, BOTH Alex D and the overshadowed Alex Fortin have talent. Marinate in the A and learn the game.

Depends on how they start the season. If there is a losing streak early or they're in the 9 or 10 spot at thanksgiving then maybe something changes straight away.

I'm curious to see how long the leash is. October is going to be a tough month to start. Really only 3 mediocre teams. November is a bit lighter but a few back to backs straight away.

There was significant roster turnover again and coaching staff changes. I think a slow start ought to be expected but if it is tolerated or not is a different question.
- fattybeef

There is significantly roster turnover on most teams. You can't really state the bolded until the teams actually get on the ice. See Dallas from last year.

Hypothetically, and maybe the more knowledgeable hockey minds here can provide some input... IF Doughty goes to Toronto, does that make a defenseman or two expendable and maybe the Hawks might be interested in any of them?

That shipped sailed, he's going ot have to play minutes and a chunck of them.

He's now the #3
- vabeachbear

I don't think we have reason to worry just yet about Murphy, let's see what he can do before we rush to judgement. Murphy actually did fairly well on a terrible Arizona team.

I don't expect Murphy to exactly replace Hjalmarsson, but over the past 2 seasons he trailed Hammer by 74 blocked shots but had about 321 more hits. Yes, hits are subjective but it illustrates that Murphy is a more physical defenseman. I know there are countless other stats that can be looked at and some are more favourable to Hjalmarsson. But let's wait and see how Murphy performs on a team that isn't complete garbage.

To call him slow? Really?
- kwolf68

slow-er

Not happening.

Hawks are at a crossroads. Not in full rebuild mode (yet). Not in all-in for the Cup mode either.

IMO, Bowman is trying to kick the can out a couple of years in terms of what was going to be a Cap-A-Geddon in the summer of 2019, AND hoping for a rebirth of the team with a much faster roster and playing style AND more bangers (like Wingels and Bouma).

I, for one am not looking at it in terms of the simple math, i.e., 'Hjalmarsson>>Murphy, "Saad=Panarin."

I think it's a lot more complex than that.

I think Bowman has tried to really change the complexion of the team and the playing style. Especially adding north-south speed. Time will tell if it works.
- John Jaeckel

Agree, JJ. More than one way to skin a cat and I like StanBows path. He still has an elite core on paper and on the ice if they play like it this team has a chance now and for a few more years. You can't have a tear down rebuild with this group, today.

And in losing Hammer and Panarin your GAR will be hit but you get back a younger pair that is cost controlled for more years. For where the Hawks are today I really like that move.

And 2-3 yrs out if a few of Schmaltz, Hartman, Forsling, Kempny, Carlsson, DeBrincat, Highmore, Fortin, Hayden, Hino, Knott, Dauphin, L Johnson, Jurco, Bondra, Jukiharro, Gilbert hit you add them to your aged core and Panik, Murphy, Saad.

In theory at least you've put together a plan that can reasonably compete for a cup every year for the next 5. I like it better than keeping the same core and losing one or both of Hammer and Panarin in two years for no return.

I don't think we have reason to worry just yet about Murphy, let's see what he can do before we rush to judgement. Murphy actually did fairly well on a terrible Arizona team.

I don't expect Murphy to exactly replace Hjalmarsson, but over the past 2 seasons he trailed Hammer by 74 blocked shots but had about 321 more hits. Yes, hits are subjective but it illustrates that Murphy is a more physical defenseman. I know there are countless other stats that can be looked at and some are more favourable to Hjalmarsson. But let's wait and see how Murphy performs on a team that isn't complete garbage.
- DarthKane

At this point if the puck doesn't stop on Murphy's stick every time. its a huge win.

slow-er
- Kewl1

Ridiculous, DeBrincat is a fine skater. Where are people coming up with the idea this kid can't skate? DeBrincat has very quick feet and damn strong on the puck for being a small guy, telling me he is playing with a very low center of gravity.

Show me some scouting report that questions his skating? I'd love to see them.

Bickell, my best wishes to him, was always inconsistent. I think Hayden will score more in close. If he taps out at 30-40 points then he's a bottom 6 forward. I think he has more upside than that, but I could be wrong too.
- kwolf68

Wolfy, the only thing we part ways on right now is I just don't have Hayden's ceiling where you do. Doesn't mean he won't be a 35ish point guy just that to my novice eye I don't have him that high. Man it ain't easy for really big guys to score in this league like a pure skill guy does. Geez look at a freak like Landeskog up and down and up and down.

From the small sample size I liked Hayden in tight spots on his skates he's just a little iffy in open ice. But those kinds with size, IQ and hands can score from 5 feet in. He has upside but assuming he has an NHL career I like his floor, think it's a smart 3 zone, stay out of the box, 250 hit, 20+ points game. That's a good NHL player.

Took the dog for a walk and something hit me. DeBrincat can obviously finish, great shot/release and skated with a freak in McDavid. I don't think he's gonna create his shot at the NHL level but Kaner, like McDavid, can create shots for DeBrincat. That combo might be a good fit at sometime.

The timing appears suspicious. But the injury and the fact that he's fought it for 2 years are not.
- John Jaeckel

it's kind of a classic what did they know and when did they know it. I can't imagine they could have prognosticated this far into the future when Hossa signed the deal that this situation would develop and eventually limit the amount of time he could play.

Watching him play over the years, I get the strong feeling that if he could play, he would. He really seems to love the game. That is, when his skin isn't on fire and he isn't putting the long term functioning of vital organs at risk.

I don't recall, but some owners/GMs are hoping they will in this case.
- John Jaeckel

Sounds like some owners aren't over the Blackhawks winning the 2015 cup yet.

it's kind of a classic what did they know and when did they know it. I can't imagine they could have prognosticated this far into the future when Hossa signed the deal that this situation would develop and eventually limit the amount of time he could play.

Watching him play over the years, I get the strong feeling that if he could play, he would. He really seems to love the game. That is, when his skin isn't on fire and he isn't putting the long term functioning of vital organs at risk.
- matt_ahrens

No, I don't think they did, though his contract was set up for him to go on LTIR at exactly this time.

Is it likely that they planned for him to have a legit medical condition at this point? Probably not. It's a huge coincidence in all likelihood. The optics, unfortunately, are bad.

If John Hayden makes the team and can take draws and play consistently at a third line level... if I am Q, I'm sticking his 6'3" frame in front of the net on the PP and telling him screen all day long. Give 19 a break from some of that abuse... even though he is very good at it.

Just to note, BOTH Alex D and the overshadowed Alex Fortin have talent. Marinate in the A and learn the game.
- 93Joe

I'd love to see Toews get a break from the PK. No tougher minutes than playing PK.

Wolfy, the only thing we part ways on right now is I just don't have Hayden's ceiling where you do. Doesn't mean he won't be a 35ish point guy just that to my novice eye I don't have him that high. Man it ain't easy for really big guys to score in this league like a pure skill guy does. Geez look at a freak like Landeskog up and down and up and down.

From the small sample size I liked Hayden in tight spots on his skates he's just a little iffy in open ice. But those kinds with size, IQ and hands can score from 5 feet in. He has upside but assuming he has an NHL career I like his floor, think it's a smart 3 zone, stay out of the box, 250 hit, 20+ points game. That's a good NHL player.

Took the dog for a walk and something hit me. DeBrincat can obviously finish, great shot/release and skated with a freak in McDavid. I don't think he's gonna create his shot at the NHL level but Kaner, like McDavid, can create shots for DeBrincat. That combo might be a good fit at sometime.
- Mr Ricochet

Yea that's the great thing about opinions, we can debate them all day, but won't know until we know. I like Hayden a lot. If he gives us what you call for that would be more than fine. I think he's some skating improvement away from being a serious player. Again, can he get better there? But the kid will goto the dirty areas with no worry. And god knows the Hawks need some of that.

In ADB, you will not only see a guy who can finish, his passing is also electric. I'm telling you there is A LOT of Patrick Kane in him. NO, not gonna say he's THAT good, but his skill and style is eerily familiar...what does ADB have?

Tremendous vision
Puck on a string puck control
Incredible passing ability
Can snipe
Smart and savvy enough to keep himself safe

all things Kane is known for. I poor man's Kane...

Defense and size are my questions with ADB. But he knows he's gotta play the entire ice to make it in the NHL.

TvR: Homecoming

Make it happen Stan!!!
- DarthKane

I'm on it

No, I don't think they did, though his contract was set up for him to go on LTIR at exactly this time.

Is it likely that they planned for him to have a legit medical condition at this point? Probably not. It's a huge coincidence in all likelihood. The optics, unfortunately, are bad.
- BINGO!

Only to fans of other teams. Looks fine to me. If the Leafs can make Lupul disappear off the face of the earth, teams can't complain too much.

Let alone the whole Pronger being traded all over the place and working in the NHL office.

when is the trading of prospects and draft picks for cap space going to stop? this is a league getting younger,cheaper,and faster. these assets are to valuable.we need young assets for sustained success.I know we spend to the cap, but we can't keep losing trades. all the other teams know this as well.

when is the trading of prospects and draft picks for cap space going to stop? this is a league getting younger,cheaper,and faster. these assets are to valuable.we need young assets for sustained success.I know we spend to the cap, but we can't keep losing trades. all the other teams know this as well.
- ger68

I'd love to see Toews get a break from the PK. No tougher minutes than playing PK.
- Mr Ricochet

I disagree with that.

He should be in his prime. Someone else was saying he shouldn't be in front of the net, it's too hard on him...now off the PK. If he's this bruised and battered to not play in those situations, they need to move him immediately

I disagree with that.

He should be in his prime. Someone else was saying he shouldn't be in front of the net, it's too hard on him...now off the PK. If he's this bruised and battered to not play in those situations, they need to move him immediately
- PatShart

Ok...................

I disagree with that.

He should be in his prime. Someone else was saying he shouldn't be in front of the net, it's too hard on him...now off the PK. If he's this bruised and battered to not play in those situations, they need to move him immediately
- PatShart

IMO, the only team that would trade for Toews at $10.5mil after his last two seasons would be Winnipeg bc he is the Hometown Hero. Toews for Schiefele + Trouba sounds about right.