"Today @ 10:30 AM ET
It is funny how fans thought Toews and Ovi were better then crosby. Now you cant give them away with their contracts. I always knew toews was the must overrated player in NHL history. "

Nope... that would still be the guy who scored 40 on Mario Lemiuex's wing... gets signed as a UFA by the Wings, and no one ever hears of again...

Toews is (was?) a Great player but most of his Awards are team awards. Certainly not in the top 100 of all time and certainly not worth 10 million plus. Not sure if he is in the top 100 of current NHLers, can think of 3-4 players I would want before him on most NHL rosters. I think most Blackhawk fans know this deep down. Hell Howdy Doody schooled him in the first round last year.

- VopatsRash

News flash... it is a team game. Ordinarily I charge for help like that... must be feeling generous today...

I predict the Hawks will be fighting for a playoff spot all year...

Crawford will need to play WAY better than he played after his appendectomy. Darling was the superior goalie for much of last season. Offense should not be a problem.
- EnzoD

I agree, I think we will witness downfall due to goaltending. Darling was what, 19-5-5 last season? His backup will probably cost them at least 10 points in standings, as the team who traded him to us did not believe in his prospects (while we know Darling probably starter goalie for Carolina).
Adding to big Darling loss, Crawford appears to me to be on a decline. His last year was not the best, and he might be trending in wrong direction after 2 very strong years prior to that. One more drunken fall off the stairs and forget playoff spot. Being on the wrong side on 30 also could spell trouble given the trend and his overall hot and cold performance in the net.
Watching what goaltending did to talented Stars team, prior to Bishop acquisition, makes me feel Seabrook/3rd pairing issues are secondary to potential troubles in the net for next few years.

Toews is (was?) a Great player but most of his Awards are team awards. Certainly not in the top 100 of all time and certainly not worth 10 million plus. Not sure if he is in the top 100 of current NHLers, can think of 3-4 players I would want before him on most NHL rosters. I think most Blackhawk fans know this deep down. Hell Howdy Doody schooled him in the first round last year.

- VopatsRash

must still be choking on all that mustard kool-ad...
among active player toews is

31: goals 272; kane at 26 with 285
42: assists 350; kane at 19 with 467
33: total points 622; kane at 19 with 752
16: ppg .88; kane at 5 with 1.06

I agree, I think we will witness downfall due to goaltending. Darling was what, 19-5-5 last season? His backup will probably cost them at least 10 points in standings, as the team who traded him to us did not believe in his prospects (while we know Darling probably starter goalie for Carolina).
Adding to big Darling loss, Crawford appears to me to be on a decline. His last year was not the best, and he might be trending in wrong direction after 2 very strong years prior to that. One more drunken fall off the stairs and forget playoff spot. Being on the wrong side on 30 also could spell trouble given the trend and his overall hot and cold performance in the net.
Watching what goaltending did to talented Stars team, prior to Bishop acquisition, makes me feel Seabrook/3rd pairing issues are secondary to potential troubles in the net for next few years.
- vshun

on the decline? as enzoD pointed out he was not up to his standards after the appendectomy; prior to that he did not have 2 strong years but 4.5!!
goalies can have some of their best years after age 30...

must still be choking on all that mustard kool-ad...
among active player toews is

31: goals 272; kane at 26 with 285
42: assists 350; kane at 19 with 467
33: total points 622; kane at 19 with 752
16: ppg .88; kane at 5 with 1.06
- bogiedoc

Wonder how that dork would explain the Toews '10 Conn Smythe.

As for that sweater, I didn't know they were available in a baby poop color.

must still be choking on all that mustard kool-ad...
among active player toews is

31: goals 272; kane at 26 with 285
42: assists 350; kane at 19 with 467
33: total points 622; kane at 19 with 752
16: ppg .88; kane at 5 with 1.06
- bogiedoc

But... But... But...
Surely Howdy Doody is at #1 for all those meaningless stats.

I don't think the bolded above can be emphasized enough, DK. Even at this late stage of his career, Hoss played an elite 200-foot game -- that simply cannot be easily replaced.

In any event, if Toews and Keith cannot regain form, the Hawks are not going far, regardless of the roster changes ....
- Hank_Greenberg

Hey Hank, hope you're well...

watching some of the tape from 2010 this evening...that team could have easily been a dynasty team if not for said cap...but alas.

As you mentioned after I did...I don't know how you replace this guy. How many game winners did Hossa have last season? I want to say 7? And still 25 goals or so and just a frickin' demon on the defensive end.

I'm not seeing the depth needed to get where this team wants to go...does what's left of the core have another run in them? And are we looking at #2 and #7 playing ridiculous minutes? Bowman's had a nice run here with the core that was given him...but should have come away with at least one more Cup. He's done what he could with the cards dealt this summer and made some really solid moves(despite the killer deals for the wonder twins and the nmc's), but is it going to be enough?

The Preds are still young and hungry as the Hawks were after losing to the Wings in the spring of 09. Whether they can take another step remains to be seen. God help us if the Pens win their third in a row...I'm still pissed about 92.

One can only wonder had Bowman gotten us the center depth we needed in 14 (Kings) and the 4D needed in 16 (Blues) where this franchise would be...

The Power in the NHL has shifted-

Wings likely finish last and miss again in the East. Montreal, despite their 10 million a year goalie miss the playoffs and Bergevin exits right.California Teams no longer dominate the Pacific. Calgary & Edmonton do with Anaheim hanging on to 3rd. Out in the First round.

Pittsburgh contend again if Crosby and Malkin stay healthy and are motivated,
New Kids on the Block
Edmonton and Toronto....Oh Canada

Hawks,Blues,Preds, Stars and Wild don't win a Cup anytime soon but will be respectable chasing 100 points every season.

The difference between this group. Hawks have their Cups and the rest don't.

Toronto - Edmonton Cup Final. Oil in 7

The Power in the NHL has shifted-

Wings likely finish last and miss again in the East. Montreal, despite their 10 million a year goalie miss the playoffs and Bergevin exits right.California Teams no longer dominate the Pacific. Calgary & Edmonton do with Anaheim hanging on to 3rd. Out in the First round.

Pittsburgh contend again if Crosby and Malkin stay healthy and are motivated,
New Kids on the Block
Edmonton and Toronto....Oh Canada

Hawks,Blues,Preds, Stars and Wild don't win a Cup anytime soon but will be respectable chasing 100 points every season.

The difference between this group. Hawks have their Cups and the rest don't.

Toronto - Edmonton Cup Final. Oil in 7
- Colbyboy

Toronto - Edmonton Cup Final? Just a thought - try mixing in some non-alcoholic beverages. In 2017-18 Toronto and Edmonton regress.

Can't listen to the last part of this without feeling like Kane confirmed there was a locker room dynamic/morale/chemistry issue last year and that was big part of the reason they lost.

http://www.csnchicago.com...camp-artemi-panarin-trade

Can't imagine bringing back Sharp/Saad will help with that b/c they could fall right back into the veteran's clique. Maybe the vets are all cognizant of the problem now and will make more of an effort to include. Imagine a little bit of the arrogance that might have come with 3 wins was knocked out of them by two 1st round exits.

Can't listen to the last part of this without feeling like Kane confirmed there was a locker room dynamic/morale/chemistry issue last year and that was big part of the reason they lost.

http://www.csnchicago.com...camp-artemi-panarin-trade

Can't imagine bringing back Sharp/Saad will help with that b/c they could fall right back into the veteran's clique. Maybe the vets are all cognizant of the problem now and will make more of an effort to include. Imagine a little bit of the arrogance that might have come with 3 wins was knocked out of them by two 1st round exits.
- pdx2ord

After listening to what you are referring to, I could see Kane's statement one of two ways: he's either talking about (A) a rift amongst the players because of age, experience, or what have you (i.e. I deserve more playing time than you because I'm older or I'm younger and much faster than you so I deserve more playing time), or (B) a rift between the coaches and players with the coaches favoring certain types of players over others. Either way, a rift of any sort needs to be mended this summer so they can enter training camp and the new season as a unified team.

John Jaeckel: The What Ifs, Part 2
- John Jaeckel

While very impressed that you put that all together and wrote it with such elegence, honestly, about 4 points in it became pretty hard to read.

Not that it was written poorly, but I find this time of the year, I don't want to think about such things.

Thanks for that

I have a sneaking feeling that if Fortin is healthy, and plays like he did last preseason, he will be your starting 2LW along side AA and Kane. I think he played a preseason game last year with Kane and was actually pretty good in that game.

I like the thought of him there early and see what he can do. It moves Sharp to 3LW where he probably belongs.

I think Debrincat plays another year in minors...which is okay too.
- onehundredlevel

If Fortin is healthy . . .

And he plays like he did in camp last year . . .

He WILL be the starting 2LW. Book it.

All that said, as much as I like Fortin, it remains to be seen if he can duplicate that performance, or if it was just one of those great camps that someone seems to have every year.

While very impressed that you put that all together and wrote it with such elegence, honestly, about 4 points in it became pretty hard to read.

Not that it was written poorly, but I find this time of the year, I don't want to think about such things.

Thanks for that
- vabeachbear

Ha, thanks Bear. It's been said and I believe great writing is all about content—and style.

Great content should sometimes make both the reader and the writer a little uncomfortable.

"Today @ 10:30 AM ET
It is funny how fans thought Toews and Ovi were better then crosby. Now you cant give them away with their contracts. I always knew toews was the must overrated player in NHL history. "

Nope... that would still be the guy who scored 40 on Mario Lemiuex's wing... gets signed as a UFA by the Wings, and no one ever hears of again...
- steve-hist-sdc

Ehhhh . . . Rob Brown?

Ehhhh . . . Rob Brown?
- John Jaeckel

Most memorable moment by Rob Brown as a Hawk getting TKO'd by Sylvain Lefebvre.

Toronto - Edmonton Cup Final? Just a thought - try mixing in some non-alcoholic beverages. In 2017-18 Toronto and Edmonton regress.
- Z3Hawk

Let's put it another way
I see Toronto and Edmonton as closer to a Cup win then Chicago.

Don't get me wrong
It pains me to say it.

Reality Check-
Speed wins and so do Generational Players like McDavid and Matthews.
Uncle Lou is building a nice group in Toronto around the Rookie sensations.

Same can be said for Cherili in Edmonton.

Vegas Odds for 2018 Cup
1- Pittsburgh 9 to 1
2- Edmonton & Washington 10-1

Why do you say both regress?

http://www.csnchicago.com...et-better-protecting-puck

Does he look bigger? I wonder how much he has put on?

If Fortin is healthy . . .

And he plays like he did in camp last year . . .

He WILL be the starting 2LW. Book it.

All that said, as much as I like Fortin, it remains to be seen if he can duplicate that performance, or if it was just one of those great camps that someone seems to have every year.
- John Jaeckel

LOVE Fortin's speed !!! He may not be as elusive as Panarin but has to be faster. And you still have net front ability in big bodied Anisimov That would be great

http://www.csnchicago.com/video/schmaltz-i-can-get-better-protecting-puck

Does he look bigger? I wonder how much he has put on?
- FeartheFeathers

There was an instagram link floating around here to a photo of him with his girl in May.

A skinny kid like that can't put on much muscle in 60 days, and he looked pretty anemic in that pic.

I DID wonder if that pic might have been from LAST May, but I don't think so. And IF SO, it's a little cause for concern because then you wonder how serious this kid really IS about training versus just talking about it.

DUNNO.

LOVE Fortin's speed !!! He may not be as elusive as Panarin but has to be faster. And you still have net front ability in big bodied Anisimov That would be great
- chuckdahammer

Fortin DID look bigger at prospect camp, he has put some mass on and look rough and ready. You can tell this kid has been working.

The claim is 20 pounds of muscle since last year. Caveat emptor. When I hear that, I think often there is some added "adiposity" involved. Just really hard to add more than say 10 pounds of sheer muscle in a year.

BUT, Fortin does look like he has been working hard.

Let's put it another way
I see Toronto and Edmonton as closer to a Cup win then Chicago.

Don't get me wrong
It pains me to say it.

Reality Check-
Speed wins and so do Generational Players like McDavid and Matthews.
Uncle Lou is building a nice group in Toronto around the Rookie sensations.

Same can be said for Cherili in Edmonton.

Vegas Odds for 2018 Cup
1- Pittsburgh 9 to 1
2- Edmonton & Washington 10-1

Why do you say both regress?
- Colbyboy

I'm not sold on Toronto this year, but Edmonton is a real possibility to come out of the West.

There was an instagram link floating around here to a photo of him with his girl in May.

A skinny kid like that can't put on much muscle in 60 days, and he looked pretty anemic in that pic.

I DID wonder if that pic might have been from LAST May, but I don't think so. And IF SO, it's a little cause for concern because then you wonder how serious this kid really IS about training versus just talking about it.

DUNNO.
- John Jaeckel

I recall the post, and he definitely looked like a twig in that picture. Lets hope he is committed to the weight room.

Ehhhh . . . Rob Brown?
- John Jaeckel

Brown had some great seasons with Maltais and Wiseman on the Wolves.