Looks like one favorite option may be off the table

Elliotte Friedman‏@FriedgeHNIC
Word on three-way: Duchene to OTT, Turris to NASH and not exactly sure on COL. Ekholm’s name came up, but no certainty he was in final deal
- pdx2ord

Turris would have been nice

The over-arching problem has been fewer and fewer "core" players left, some of whom are past their primes, sucking up more and more cap space, leaving less space for mid-range players (in salary and ability), and an over-reliance on aging vets and journeymen and players on their ELCs making up the rest of the roster.
- matt_ahrens

Too many top line players do not work hard ofen enough, and too many core guys make mistakes too. I question if Q's system is proper for today's game, but those who can see all at the games know when any player is not putting in as full effort on the back check.

Looks like one favorite option may be off the table

Elliotte Friedman‏@FriedgeHNIC
Word on three-way: Duchene to OTT, Turris to NASH and not exactly sure on COL. Ekholm’s name came up, but no certainty he was in final deal
- pdx2ord

And, now, contradictory information

Darren Dreger
@DarrenDreger
It's believed Ott/Col/Nash were in discussions on 3 way trade involving Matt Duchene going to Sens. Talks have ended. No deal.

Looks like one favorite option may be off the table

Elliotte Friedman‏@FriedgeHNIC
Word on three-way: Duchene to OTT, Turris to NASH and not exactly sure on COL. Ekholm’s name came up, but no certainty he was in final deal
- pdx2ord

Deal is dead.

Ottawa has been a dark horse to land Duchene during the season.

The rationale for trading Turris is because he's a UFA next year.

He makes $3.5M now but is rumored to be asking for $7M+ on a long-term deal.

So if OTT can land Duchene for $6M for the next two years, they keep their budget team in check.

Too many top line players do not work hard ofen enough, and too many core guys make mistakes too. I question if Q's system is proper for today's game, but those who can see all at the games know when any player is not putting in as full effort on the back check.
- jhawk59

the favoritism is too much to work with a top-heavy roster.

Works great on a small team that intimitately knows their role and never shirks their duty.

Different with a gang of millionaires that have put distance between their hard-working junior careers and their current top-floor penthouses.

Fact: the hardest working hawks these days aren't the "core". Hardest working man in hockey (Toews) has become the guy that people make excuses for.

If you want to contest that, bring on the evidence. Shift by shift, who moves their feet the most? Who makes a dumb play and lets someone else clean it up? Who moans to the media about their line-mates? Who gets a goofy fake tan and starts pushing supplements?

Nah. The ugly nature of stardom has taken over that "winning culture" and the rubes that buy it will be the last to know.

I take it that we get Crawford against the Wild tomorrow night?Division opponent vs. Montreal angle!!!!!!!
- eagle50

The way Forsberg played in his last game (albeit the team in front of him didn't help) and with Crawford pitching a shutout in his last game, I think the Hawks may go with Crawford in both weekend games. They don't play again until Thursday so maybe Forsberg goes then. Throughout November they play 3 games and only 2 during Thanksgiving week so seems like a good way to work in both goalies to get ample reps and rest.

Is Toews remain a legitimate #1 center?
Does he remain as #1 as long as you have a point producing #2 center? For us that means Schmaultz needs to be consistently good. For all the AA naysayers, do not discount that he is an capable fill in whom is productive with Kane- when there is an injured or concussed other center.

- jhawk59

Have to agree with the bolded part. Anisimov is start to heat up and show why he's a versatile warrior for the Hawks. He's not going to put up huge numbers, even if playing with Kane, but he can hold down the fort by playing smart and steady, opening up space for playmakers to dance, and screening goalies. I don't think he's the long-term 2C anymore, but still capable of playing 2C when needed.

Have to agree with the bolded part. Anisimov is start to heat up and show why he's a versatile warrior for the Hawks. He's not going to put up huge numbers, even if playing with Kane, but he can hold down the fort by playing smart and steady, opening up space for playmakers to dance, and screening goalies. I don't think he's the long-term 2C anymore, but still capable of playing 2C when needed.
- AEL_Fox

Who else can stand in front of a goalie, stay on their skates, and deftly swat in loose pucks?

Panik? He seems to have developed an allergy to that role lately.

The best marketing is winning. The rest is easy.

It would have been hard for a second grader to fail at marketing well during the Hawks’ Cup run times.

True talent is marketing well during less fruitful times. Like now.
- Return of the Roar

The Hawks had some pretty lame marketing slogans back in the dark ages prior to the resurgence. One year the slogan was "Live from Chicago!" I believe that was back when the "core" was Arnason, Bell, Calder, Daze, Ruutu, and Thibault.

The Hawks had some pretty lame marketing slogans back in the dark ages prior to the resurgence. One year the slogan was "Live from Chicago!" I believe that was back when the "core" was Arnason, Bell, Calder, Daze, Ruutu, and Thibault.
- AEL_Fox

Ouch.

Who else can stand in front of a goalie, stay on their skates, and deftly swat in loose pucks?

Panik? He seems to have developed an allergy to that role lately.
- kinigitt

Panik has the skill set, but like a lot of guys, just needs to apply it consistently. Saad is great at it. Hayden maybe?

I think in time DeBrincat may be able to do this not because he's a huge net front presence that is tough for the other team to clear (he's clearly not) but because he's shifty enough to pop in and out into prime scoring areas from in close and get a shot off with his quick release.

Panik has the skill set, but like a lot of guys, just needs to apply it consistently. Saad is great at it. Hayden maybe?

I think in time DeBrincat may be able to do this not because he's a huge net front presence that is tough for the other team to clear (he's clearly not) but because he's shifty enough to pop in and out into prime scoring areas from in close and get a shot off with his quick release.
- AEL_Fox

Agreed.

Saad is great at it, but he's spread thin as it is.

Hayden could be a gem. Although I can't honestly remember seeing him in front of a goalie. He's usually scrumming it out all over the ice.

Debrincat is a pleasant surprise most nights. Tenacious. He'd get mutilated in the traditional "screen the goalie" role, more so than Shaw. And Shaw was an unsung hero at deflections.

How many blatant illegal cross-checks, elbows, etc. go uncalled in front of opposing net-minders? Outside the paint even?

Debrincat would get minced.

Agreed.

Saad is great at it, but he's spread thin as it is.

Hayden could be a gem. Although I can't honestly remember seeing him in front of a goalie. He's usually scrumming it out all over the ice.

Debrincat is a pleasant surprise most nights. Tenacious. He'd get mutilated in the traditional "screen the goalie" role, more so than Shaw. And Shaw was an unsung hero at deflections.

How many blatant illegal cross-checks, elbows, etc. go uncalled in front of opposing net-minders? Outside the paint even?

Debrincat would get minced.
- kinigitt

Yeah, definitely agree that DeBrincat would get mauled and have a short career if he parked his keister in the crease like Shaw did as a Hawk or like Anisimov does now. DeBrincat would need to make himself a moving target by popping in and out of scoring areas in close.

I still think Daley is, and was a steaming pile. Leddy was a luxury they couldn’t afford, and Wise is just meh. If those are the 3 biggest personnel blunders this team makes, id say they’re doing just fine.
- Ogilthorpe2

I have to disagree...and while Q's message has gotten stale and it may be time for a new bench coach there's no question Bowman's moves have put this team on a downward trajectory. These three moves don't seem like much but when taken in context well - pathetic.

Let's look at Leddy first. Instead of moving Leddy for picks at the draft Stan waited all summer and then got that stud Ville Polka from the Isle. Unfortunately Bowman did the same thing the next summer in 2015 or as I like to call it Stan's summer of suck tour.

Daley should have never been here. Bowman could have moved Sharp for picks at the draft instead he and McD got greedy and held out also costing them Johns and Oduya who ended up in Dallas thanks to Stan taking back Jim Nill's crap. The lack of cap relief from Sharp going and not buying out Bickell when they should have (another bad signing) - cost them Saad or Oduya.

If you're referring to Dale Weise (Wise) well another horrid trade by Bowman giving away a good young center for hot garbage from Montreal. But the problem was deeper than that Bowman knew he needed a #4Dman since June of that year and his first move was to resign David Rundblad - who's primary job in the playoffs was to turn the puck over in his own zone every chance he got and watch it end up in the back of the net(see the Anaheim Ducks). We saw how the Blues series worked out with the lack of defensive depth.

We haven't even mentioned the overpaid deals and the nmcs which have handcuffed Stan with an aging veteran core that has certainly effected his ability to reshape the roster. But I can't see Stan going anywhere because McD has a man crush on his daddy. So while it may be time for a fresh voice on the bench, there's no question that the GM has this team where it is as well.

Welcome aboard!

I have to disagree...and while Q's message has gotten stale and it may be time for a new bench coach there's no question Bowman's moves have put this team on a downward trajectory. These three moves don't seem like much but when taken in context well - pathetic.

Let's look at Leddy first. Instead of moving Leddy for picks at the draft Stan waited all summer and then got that stud Ville Polka from the Isle. Unfortunately Bowman did the same thing the next summer in 2015 or as I like to call it Stan's summer of suck tour.

Daley should have never been here. Bowman could have moved Sharp for picks at the draft instead he and McD got greedy and held out also costing them Johns and Oduya who ended up in Dallas thanks to Stan taking back Jim Nill's crap. The lack of cap relief from Sharp going and not buying out Bickell when they should have (another bad signing) - cost them Saad or Oduya.

If you're referring to Dale Weise (Wise) well another horrid trade by Bowman giving away a good young center for hot garbage from Montreal. But the problem was deeper than that Bowman knew he needed a #4Dman since June of that year and his first move was to resign David Rundblad - who's primary job in the playoffs was to turn the puck over in his own zone every chance he got and watch it end up in the back of the net(see the Anaheim Ducks). We saw how the Blues series worked out with the lack of defensive depth.

We haven't even mentioned the overpaid deals and the nmcs which have handcuffed Stan with an aging veteran core that has certainly effected his ability to reshape the roster. But I can't see Stan going anywhere because McD has a man crush on his daddy. So while it may be time for a fresh voice on the bench, there's no question that the GM has this team where it is as well.
- DK002

Hey DK. I see while targeting you're favorite whipping boy you've provided some context but left out quite a bit as well.

On the Leddy trade, is it possible Stan didn't deal him at the deadline because Oduya returning from his leg injury for the start of the 2014-15 season wasn't a slam dunk? If you remember, Oduya didn't look right for most of that season and it was with only about 20 games left where he regained the form that made the Hawk D so formidable 1-4. Yes I agree so far Pokka's been underwhelming as far as a return. The Hawks were never going to win that trade as team's knew Stan had to shed a salary yet again.

On Sharp: Dealing him for picks was nothing more than a rumor I read here. Why do you comment on it like it's fact? Is it possible, sure. But I've never read anywhere other than here that Stan had picks from Dallas on the table and refused them and AFAIC, until a rumor comes to fruition, it's exactly that, heresay. Daley might have worked out as a 3rd pairing guy here but didn't fit Q's system so they traded him. I blame Stan more for trading for a guy Q wasn't going to play so it seems those two weren't on the same page.

As far as Bickell? An Overpay, yes, but I never saw the writing on the wall anywhere that his game was eventually going to deteriorate before he reached 30 because he would someday in the future be diagnosed with MS.

Rundblad, yeah I wish he hadn't been resigned. The Hawks were reportedly rumored to be looking at trying to get Hamhuis but it didn't happen. so if you're going to include the Sharp for draft picks rumor as a fact you have to include this one as well. Hamhuis didn't waive to come here and top 4 dmen don't grow on trees. Stan got Ladd that year for Marko Dano which looked like a great move but in the end it didn't get them a Cup.

I'll give you the Danault trade. Didn't like it then and don't now.

Overpays? Largely the result of winning but who are the overpays? Toews? Sure, see "price of winning" but to me he's looked good this year. Seabs? Same thing and I never had an issue with the $$$ more the term. AA? He's averaged .5 PPG wherever he's played and that's the price for a 2C. He's starting to look right again and I think as a 3C provides good center depth on this team.

They are still only a dozen games into the season and I'm not exactly sure where they are yet, but my outlook isn't as dismal. Time will tell.

New blog is up

Welcome Justin, you do have big shoes to fill, haha JJ was one of my top three bloggers and I wish him all the best.