If Keith is 6'6 ish I'll eat your shorts
- 6628

You didn't see the 1 in there.

Winter is finally here!!!

I believe Bowman undertook this plan with the full endorsement of his superiors. No question.
- John Jaeckel

JJ - what are your thoughts about the championship window? The Hjalmarsson move to me was a tacit acknowledgement it is closed.

Winter is finally here!!!
- SimpleJack

Easy there Jack....

They wanted to get younger, faster, more cost controlled and a heck of a lot less talented.

JJ, how come you haven't reported the changes of coaches as part of "THE PLAN"? I think the change in Rock will be huge - and even though Kitch is Q's pal, he became ineffective.
Sometimes gaining coaching skill adds to the player skill.

No need to give out grades to any team yet, yet alone the Blackhawks.

Even it lists Keith as 6.0 or 6.1 I think realistically he is 5.11
But yes he is a choppy skater .. not the same creature as Lidstrom or Neidermeyer
If Keith's knee is healthy and Toews' can find his form for another few years I think it's more than possible for one more deep run with maybe a 4th cup in this or the next couple of years.

Winter is finally here!!!
- SimpleJack

I canceled HOBO. The expense not worth it for one show. I'll catch it on Netflix later.

They wanted to get younger, faster, more cost controlled and a heck of a lot less talented.
- Savoy

And they wanted a winner on LW on one of the top two lines versus a regular season bonus chaser

JJ - what are your thoughts about the championship window? The Hjalmarsson move to me was a tacit acknowledgement it is closed.
- Lysiak

My point is, as long as Keith, Toews and Kane are healthy and in their "primes," it all depends on the supporting cast.

FWIW, the team has not decided the window is closed. Because I BELIEVE, when they do come to that decision, you will see 1 or more of those guys dealt for futures.

They wanted to get younger, faster, more cost controlled and a heck of a lot less talented.
- Savoy

Oh FFS . . .

OK, by now, we know that's what you think. And I'm sure when they get off to a rough start, you'll be doing a daily victory dance here. Can't wait.

But Bowman is clearly playing a long game here. Too bad you can't see that.

That's not to say his strategy will work long term, but you are completely missing the point.

JJ, how come you haven't reported the changes of coaches as part of "THE PLAN"? I think the change in Rock will be huge - and even though Kitch is Q's pal, he became ineffective.
Sometimes gaining coaching skill adds to the player skill.

No need to give out grades to any team yet, yet alone the Blackhawks.
- powerenforcer

Great points. They are making a serious investment in talent development in Rockford, and that's also why, in addition to the depth they added at the NHL level, I think the "youth movement" is over as we knew it (for now). The "kids" are going to get developed in Rockford, as they should.

"Within striking distance" - yeah, that's the work of the summer & early season. If they are, he can hopefully make a move or two that put them over the edge like he did in 2015 and couldn't quite do in 2016.

The roster has changed. Lots of questions to be answered. But also a lot more time before the season starts - or until the 2nd day of the season. I'd love to see Stan get a better top 6 LW, improve D depth, and improve C depth. And then be close enough at the TDL to get that last piece that brings another Cup.

You could make the agrument #19's offenisve stats will better reflect a 2nd line center than a first, but that isn't a reason to be too down. In some ways that was what Toews was except he always could defend and play in every situation.

What I would be more concerned with is his ability to cover the top line center on an opposing team. Because that probably is too much to ask of Anisimov.
- Al

It would be a weak argument to make imo. Toews PPG was 15th amount centers who played at least 30 games last season. Some of the guys above him are really offensively deployed 1C-B (Malkin, Carter) or did not play primarily as centers (Pavelski, Draisaitl). Not to mention Toews underlying numbers are definitively top line. He also had the same PPG as in 2014-15, so who knows what he could have done if he'd not had back issues / now that he has Saad back. Either way, someone can correctly say that Toews has not been the top 10 center like he was in the past, but the argument that Toews has dropped to a 2C level is really premature.

Honestly, I think people's perception of a 1C's point production is skewed, esp since the lower range has been around .70/71 PPG for years, including a couple of years before the lockout.

It would be a weak argument to make imo. Toews PPG was 15th amount centers who played at least 30 games last season. Some of the guys above him are really offensively deployed 1C-B (Malkin, Carter) or did not play primarily as centers (Pavelski, Draisaitl). Not to mention Toews underlying numbers are definitively top line. He also had the same PPG as in 2014-15, so who knows what he could have done if he'd not had back issues / now that he has Saad back. Either way, someone can correctly say that Toews has not been the top 10 center like he was in the past, but the argument that Toews has dropped to a 2C level is really premature.

Honestly, I think people's perception of a 1C's point production is skewed, esp since the lower range has been around .70/71 PPG for years, including a couple of years before the lockout.
- L_B_R

All great points. The only thing that will constantly come up is that he is paid like a 1 PPG player (in addition to everything else he brings). Which is not something to be dismissed, but I think it is harped on a bit much.

It would be a weak argument to make imo. Toews PPG was 15th amount centers who played at least 30 games last season. Some of the guys above him are really offensively deployed 1C-B (Malkin, Carter) or did not play primarily as centers (Pavelski, Draisaitl). Not to mention Toews underlying numbers are definitively top line. He also had the same PPG as in 2014-15, so who knows what he could have done if he'd not had back issues / now that he has Saad back. Either way, someone can correctly say that Toews has not been the top 10 center like he was in the past, but the argument that Toews has dropped to a 2C level is really premature.

Honestly, I think people's perception of a 1C's point production is skewed, esp since the lower range has been around .70/71 PPG for years, including a couple of years before the lockout.
- L_B_R

Heck he hasn't been a top 20 at least in the one narrow category of points.

JJ maybe you answer this with the possible sale of the Hurricanes is that maybe the reason why the trade of hossa contract has not been done. Also do you think if hossa's contract is not traded by 10/1 could there be already a verbal or handshake deal with buffalo for evander kane. What would it take to trade Hossa's contract to the canes, something like a 1st 2019 forsling and hossa's contract for say tvr and a pick/prospect coming back, would that be type of trade the 2 teams would do. One more thing what would be trade for evander kane? Thoughts?

All great points. The only thing that will constantly come up is that he is paid like a 1 PPG player (in addition to everything else he brings). Which is not something to be dismissed, but I think it is harped on a bit much.
- Chunk

Yep, and that's pretty much what I meant by he's not been the top 10 center like he was at one point, so I totally get the debates about whether his PPG and play merits his contract. Overdone, but not baseless.

Heck he hasn't been a top 20 at least in the one narrow category of points.
- walleyeb1

I'm confused by this sentence, sorry.

They wanted to get younger, faster, more cost controlled and a heck of a lot less talented.
- Savoy

Saad has two cups, plays two ways, PP, PK, will be more cost controlled, and suits the Hawks style of game when playing with Toews.


Hawks did good here man. I hope you come to see it eventually.

This is an opinion not based on any whispers or hands on knowledge.

He's only 22 and Sweden has become a popular destination for developing dmen and he stays home. Also, will make probably more money and most likely get more ice time. Plus the Hawks keep close tabs on what goes on overseas and Rockford isn't the end all be all place to learn and develop. This is especially so for a position that could take more time.

The way the AHL schedule plays out there isn't a lot of time to put in extra work on the ice and get hands on inistruction. He's probably better off and if/when he comes back to the US he could be a lot closer to being an NHL player than an AHL player.
- Al

Thanks Al.

Think you might be thinking about Carl Dahlstrom the Dman, I'm talking about John, he's just 20, plays wing and put up really good numbers this past season at Medicine Hat.

At only 20, assume he could have stayed in Medicine Hat.

Didn't seem all that strange that he may want to go back to Sweden, just thought it would be better if he was playing against men in the SEL.

Maybe he's not good enough, but did put up pretty good numbers in the WHL.

Saad has two cups, plays two ways, PP, PK, will be more cost Wcontrolled, and suits the Hawks style of game when playing with Toews.


Hawks did good here man. I hope you come to see it eventually.
- 93Joe

Agree! But also think it was a good hockey trade where both sides did well and got what they needed. So if/when Panarin does well with CBJ that doesn't mean the Hawks made a bad trade any more than Saad playing well here means it was a bad deal for the Jackets.

Toews isn't an offense only guy, but still over the last 3 seasons, he put up 1C numbers. Some guys outscore him but he plays a better 2 way game that most other C.

Add in the fact that he has been playing with some wingers who couldn't finish. (i.e. Hossa had a hard time finishing from 2014-16) He found his stride in the second half and was pretty much a point per game player in 2017. That was playing with a rookie (Schmaltz/Hayden/Hartman) on one wing and a journeyman (Panik) who has typically been suited to the bottom 6.

Keith has been dealing with a knee injury, but is still legit 1D while not firing on all cylinders. Elite status for them is completely subjective, but there are still many elite aspects to their game, even in down years. I'm not worried about either one.

Probably the biggest concern I have....what happens if CC gets hurt? Not a lot of proven NHL talent behind him in the depth chart. I think the Hawks have enough depth/talented skaters but they could slip fast if the goalie situation becomes a question mark. CC/Darling as a combo were solid and Darling was a top 5 backup G in the NHL last season.

I'm hearing Campbell is retiring?

I'm hearing Campbell is retiring?
- MichaeLionheart

According to Barstool Chief, yes.

@BarstoolChief
Hearing that Brian Campbell will officially retire this week. He will have some type of role in the organization. Hell of a career for Soup