Q did not turn in to an idiot, but he is not getting what he could out of this team. And Las Vegas is not doing it on talent....they are doing it on effort and coaching
- Spec41971

Say it loud and clear. Amen. That's right. That's the shape of things.

Why Chicago misses playoffs. Could try matching a Forsling type with a partner who will take the body. Really hurts if you are completely no physical. Duncan Keith a joke for years on pp. Well there are more offensive great skaters defensemen in the system. Hopefully more physical than Forsling and Ruuta. But the guys I want to see are not so much the AHL prospects at this position.. it is going to get worse before the team can start to improve. Bowman must bring in a couple of large size forwards who will take the body. Not only 4th line guys. If he does not, IMHO the team will loose more, look even worse, and Bowman the yes organizational man might get fired. Another year of this hockey without seeing through to end of the tunnel, and Q will quit or be fired

But do not say Bowman and Q failed. They won a lot
But the price for winning catches up to a team
Chicago has bern trying to tread water since they beat Tampa for The Cup. Unfortunately because 1) not all of Bowman moves were good; and 2) Q stubbornly in the past has not been willing to break in kids to the lineup.....now as a result the team is spiralling nearly out of control. They will not pull themselves up out of a control...in a quagmire? It really hurts when Toews, in particular is not the same player today. Because the team needs that sort of player.

Sergeant Joe Friday from Dragnet used to say, just the facts, ma'am. Those are the facts my fellow diehard Blackhawk brothers.The truth hurts. How can you see it ant other way
- jhawk59

Pretty much agree, along with physical comes heart and team, when was the last
time you saw anyone on this team except for the 4th line come to anyone's defense
Schmaltz get's plastered nothing, Toews get's beaten up nothing, Kane get's manhandled nothing...so yes they need size, heart, grit and skill.

Bowman hasn't drafted size in like forever, one might think with every 4th round
pick, pick a goalie as we don't have any goalie remotely in the pipeline until this
year.

Q burnt out the core with his reluctance to let kids make mistakes and for a rebuilding team isn't the right coach , IMO.

decisions were made top down and we really have never heard how the dynamics
of the big 3 Mcd, SB, Q really is, doubt we will until one writes a book.

If Shanahan can put together the Leafs, why not Sharp for the Hawks, again IMO
he is knowledgeable as to what it takes to win. At the minimum he's one guy I
would bring to the FO to train, see if he's a fit for the job.

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate JC's birthday, and Happy Holidays to those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and others!

Which NHL Teams Have Prospects at The World Juniors? https://thehockeywriters....unior-breakdown-nhl-team/

Merry Christmas to all who celebrate JC's birthday, and Happy Holidays to those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and others!
- AEL_Fox

As always Mr Fox, well said!

As always Mr Fox, well said!
- Mr Ricochet

Everyone celebrate festively yet safely. Look forward to this board lighting up again no matter how good or bad or meh our team is doing.

Which NHL Teams Have Prospects at The World Juniors? https://thehockeywriters....unior-breakdown-nhl-team/
- Mr Ricochet

Thanks for the list

Which NHL Teams Have Prospects at The World Juniors? https://thehockeywriters....unior-breakdown-nhl-team/
- Mr Ricochet

Yes, thanks for the list. Of the 5 prospects playing in the WJC, looking forward to Jokiharju and Soderlund the most. Both were above average in prospects camp in July and may end up being amongst the top hopefuls to make the team in the future.

Jokiharju projects to be a 2nd pair defender who can carry the mail. The Hockey News consider his comparable to be Jared Spurgeon. Knowing that the likelihood of the Hawks drafting a bona fide #1 or #2 defensemen is slim to none, so I'd take a Spurgeon-like blueliner any day. Not flashy but solid.

As for Soderlund, his tenacity on the puck, stability on his skates, finishing ability, and fearlessness despite his size reminds me of Viktor Arvidsson. Kind of reminds me of the early scouting reports on Marko Dano, too.

Don't know much about Galvas as well as the two Russians Kayumov and Altybarmakyan. When was the last time the Hawks had a Russian draft pick who not only made the team but had staying power to be an everyday player? Definitely not the likes of Babchuk, Vorobiev, Radulov, Yakubov, Makarov, or Kojevnikov. Ouch.

Pretty much agree, along with physical comes heart and team, when was the last time you saw anyone on this team except for the 4th line come to anyone's defense Schmaltz get's plastered nothing, Toews get's beaten up nothing, Kane get's manhandled nothing...so yes they need size, heart, grit and skill.

Bowman hasn't drafted size in like forever, one might think with every 4th round pick, pick a goalie as we don't have any goalie remotely in the pipeline until this year.
- gazza53

Agree with that first part. It also bothers me when someone on the team gets beat up but none of his teammates rarely come to stick up for them. Like you said, not much outside the 4th line. Murphy pushes back and thumps a lot of guys, too, which is a welcome sight.

For your second part, I think the Hawks have drafted size but the prospects they have don't seem to be developing into what the team needs: everyday players who can contribute as either power forwards who can play top 6 or bangers/grinders who can play bottom 6 or blueliners who can play strong D and play physical. None of the following prospects jump off the page as someone who is a sure fire NHLer to fill one of these roles:

FORWARDS
Bondra (6'5" 217)
Iacopelli (6'2" 207)
Knott (6'3" 191)
Olofsson (6'2" 197)
Ramsay (6'3" 185)
Starrett (6'5" 212)

DEFENSEMEN
Dahlstrom (6'4" 231)
Gilbert (6'2" 199)
Laavainen (6'2" 200)
Soderberg (6'4" 205)
Svedberg (6'8" 238)
Tuulola (6'3" 180)

Who knows? Maybe 1-2 of these guys will develop well but no slam dunks for future everyday players who will make a difference like a Saad or Hayden or Hjalmarsson. Colliton has his work cut of for him but I do like his resume and what he has done so far with the Hogs.

Yes, thanks for the list. Of the 5 prospects playing in the WJC, looking forward to Jokiharju and Soderlund the most. Both were above average in prospects camp in July and may end up being amongst the top hopefuls to make the team in the future.

Jokiharju projects to be a 2nd pair defender who can carry the mail. The Hockey News consider his comparable to be Jared Spurgeon. Knowing that the likelihood of the Hawks drafting a bona fide #1 or #2 defensemen is slim to none, so I'd take a Spurgeon-like blueliner any day. Not flashy but solid.

As for Soderlund, his tenacity on the puck, stability on his skates, finishing ability, and fearlessness despite his size reminds me of Viktor Arvidsson. Kind of reminds me of the early scouting reports on Marko Dano, too.

Don't know much about Galvas as well as the two Russians Kayumov and Altybarmakyan. When was the last time the Hawks had a Russian draft pick who not only made the team but had staying power to be an everyday player? Definitely not the likes of Babchuk, Vorobiev, Radulov, Yakubov, Makarov, or Kojevnikov. Ouch.
- AEL_Fox

Missed the comparison of Joki to Spurgeon. Indeed a Spurgeon like Dman would fit nicely. ...... IIRC a couple days ago on the Twitter I saw Joki was skating as the 7th Dman in practice. Like all Hawk fans I'll be watching for him.

I did see the WJC Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI this yr and Soderland was a blast to watch. Very good take on Soderland, Mr Fox. A true speed merchant that was disruptive and his motor never quit. Hawk fans will love his energy and speed. IMO this scouting report on him is right on. Notice this will be his 3rd time representing Sweden in a WJC. Says much about his abilities. http://www.eliteprospects.../player.php?player=188028

The WJC starts today. Huge game right off the bat with FIN v CAN and RUS v Czech. Craig Button has CAN v FIN in the Gold Medal Game IIRC. Looks like there may be streams for those needing that: https://www.reddit.com/r/.../?st=jbnkpulz&sh=b8675807

Dec. 26:

Czech Republic-Russia 12 p.m. (TSN)
Belarus-Sweden 2 p.m. (TSN GO)
Canada-Finland 4 p.m. (TSN)
Denmark-USA 8 p.m. (TSN)

I think Justin has it right. Justin hypothesized Toews has a back condition that is not bad enough for surgery but he is not the same player because if it. There may also be concussion concern because he has had many. JRoenick blog comment goes one step farther..His observation is Q uses Toews to play like he used to, at least sometimes. Toews himself has not been in good situations to play his new speed game. Toews is in transition and so is the team when counting on some newer young kids. Add it all up and you have to say it is going to be tough to make playoffs
- jhawk59

Toews suffered a back injury in last year's WCH (99.9% sure, based on the source), played through it early on last season, started to feel better and went on a brief tear, the "Toews of Old" for a while, then sort of petered out.

I don't know if the back issues go back further. But it appears to me that there is a lingering issue—and I would agree, it would seem to be something that is best not addressed surgically (for now).

A serious back injury that can't be/preferentially isn't addressed surgically MIGHT also force a change in weight training protocols. Depends on the severity and location, it might force a guy to avoid dead-lifting or at least heavy deadlifting (for example)

Toews suffered a back injury in last year's WCH (99.9% sure, based on the source), played through it early on last season, started to feel better and went on a brief tear, the "Toews of Old" for a while, then sort of petered out.

I don't know if the back issues go back further. But it appears to me that there is a lingering issue—and I would agree, it would seem to be something that is best not addressed surgically (for now).

A serious back injury that can't be/preferentially isn't addressed surgically MIGHT also force a change in weight training protocols. Depends on the severity and location, it might force a guy to avoid dead-lifting or at least heavy deadlifting (for example)
- John Jaeckel

So we all should understand that the new Toews is most likely doing the best he can to still play the game. He probably does have issues, limitations. He may be shy in physical battles anywhere on the ice due to the numerous concussions. We do not know if he had even minor concussions which previous to the new protocol he played through. Perhaps someone knows if a player nowadays could have minority symptoms of a concussion yet sneak through the protocol testing. After all, players back in the old days - even after the six team NHL - played with concussions

I suppose we could be mad or upset with a string of GM's whom did not get and may not have believed the lineup needed more support because Toews too often was the lone wolf among big TOI players who battled hard in physical ice battles and as a result endured countless whacks and such.

So I admit I was a bit offended when Toews started playing soft. I imagined all kinds of reasons for that performance, culminated by the fact lately where Bowman dud not believe or put enough heavies in the lineup

It was only going to be a matter if time before Toews succumbed to back issues and possiby concussiin worries. But he had to play and you find out the impact on him when he plays. You cannot sit him out; you just suffer the consequences if they appear with your team's player.

What it comes to is this: his salary, his cap hit make him very unreadable. It is likely that BOTH Bowman and McDonough prefer to let him try his best and remain a Blackhawk. Management is not ignorant; they know new core players will have to replace current core players.

The only sensible solution is to draft well. Nowadays you need at least one or two big size guys who can play in a top six or top nine irregardless if they are big point producers or merely so-so. They need to skate at least average and have descent skill. Bowman cannot just have fourth line guys like that

Saad may just need to be put in a position where he can excel. The right linemates. I hope that is what he needs.

Here is what hurts badly: with transition to younger players a continuing plan, there already is young players being exposed because they do not have the correct pairing. Such as Forsling and Ruuta. The league keeps going with fast mobile dmen but you still need to balance that. Forsling and Ruuta still will have issues, but teams are willing to look past their negative because they favor the player's positive impact.

If you think the fast and puck movers is overly stressed, just look at dmen added and used in playoffs. How rookies step in and play because they can skate the puck.

We have more of these dmen in the system but as far as I know there are no J Toews old model in the system.

The opportunity cost and the theory of diminishing returns. Two theories whuch played out with the Blackhawks

I f you were to look at hashtags, look for Bowman, Toews, and less significance hashtags previous Chicago GM, Seabrook, Sharp.

Hockey is a rough sport. Like football, careers can end prematurely due to injury.

GM's play their best players. Some may endure injuries more than others. Bowman believed in just enough toughness and be accountable in the very end - playoffs. As a result he inherited a team then reshapoed two teams. Three Cups. The opportunity was there for the taking. The cost is now beat up, worried players in Toews, Seabrook, Sharp

Diminishing return from those players not just because they are older- Toews is not that old - but wear and tear.

Toews is not ever going yo be as valuable. Seabrook maybe hangs on two years then maybe could be bought out.Sharp us nearest the end.

But no one else probably is going to reel off three Cups
It takes time to rebuild. Especially when you were trying to tread water after last Cup. When they miss playoffs this season, it will be ok with McDonough to rebuild

In fact, I would not be surprised to see a major trade or free agent sign to go along with lots of cheap young talent in the lineup. Then McDonough can publicize at least a couple players. Maybe adopt the old White Sox mantra. Something along the line of "The Kids Can Play" or "The Kids Are Good."

Toews suffered a back injury in last year's WCH (99.9% sure, based on the source), played through it early on last season, started to feel better and went on a brief tear, the "Toews of Old" for a while, then sort of petered out.

I don't know if the back issues go back further. But it appears to me that there is a lingering issue—and I would agree, it would seem to be something that is best not addressed surgically (for now).

A serious back injury that can't be/preferentially isn't addressed surgically MIGHT also force a change in weight training protocols. Depends on the severity and location, it might force a guy to avoid dead-lifting or at least heavy deadlifting (for example)
- John Jaeckel

Interesting and I think most kind of new Toews has been playing through something . Maybe now people can quit with the Toews has lost his desire just wants his paycheck garbage .For anyone to doubt Toews courage determination desire to win is just plain stupid . He has proven over and over what he can do . His contract is refection of what he accomplished ,and was given in good faith .Nobody can see the future .
I hope Mr Toews regains his health and continues to have a long successful career. If he can't and needs to step away that will be a shame for all true hockey fans ,as he is a one of a kind hockey player and true leader . And HAWKS fans will always owe him a depth of gratitude for what he has brought this franchise ..
I still believe Toews will get through this .He showed signs last year .His strength and will to win is unmatched if anyone can do it it would be Johnny Toews ...

Agree with that first part. It also bothers me when someone on the team gets beat up but none of his teammates rarely come to stick up for them. Like you said, not much outside the 4th line. Murphy pushes back and thumps a lot of guys, too, which is a welcome sight.

For your second part, I think the Hawks have drafted size but the prospects they have don't seem to be developing into what the team needs: everyday players who can contribute as either power forwards who can play top 6 or bangers/grinders who can play bottom 6 or blueliners who can play strong D and play physical. None of the following prospects jump off the page as someone who is a sure fire NHLer to fill one of these roles:

FORWARDS
Bondra (6'5" 217)
Iacopelli (6'2" 207)
Knott (6'3" 191)
Olofsson (6'2" 197)
Ramsay (6'3" 185)
Starrett (6'5" 212)

DEFENSEMEN
Dahlstrom (6'4" 231)
Gilbert (6'2" 199)
Laavainen (6'2" 200)
Soderberg (6'4" 205)
Svedberg (6'8" 238)
Tuulola (6'3" 180)

Who knows? Maybe 1-2 of these guys will develop well but no slam dunks for future everyday players who will make a difference like a Saad or Hayden or Hjalmarsson. Colliton has his work cut of for him but I do like his resume and what he has done so far with the Hogs.
- AEL_Fox

Only time will tell, on the O side only Iacopelli (6'2" 207) seems to be doing well
Knott and Bondra who were supposedly in the pipeline meh from what I've read,
sometimes it only takes one shot for the light to go off.

On the d side supposedly Dahlstrom is developing nicely and maybe Soderberg
again only from what I've read here and there, they are all still pretty much youngsters and maybe Colliton takes them to the next level as this years Hogs
seem to miles ahead of last years and that's without a fairly good goalie that
projects to big team.

If we do become sellers at the tdl I hope we sell the vet's not the youngsters
at any level unless it's for comparable coming back

Interesting and I think most kind of new Toews has been playing through something . Maybe now people can quit with the Toews has lost his desire just wants his paycheck garbage .For anyone to doubt Toews courage determination desire to win is just plain stupid . He has proven over and over what he can do . His contract is refection of what he accomplished ,and was given in good faith .Nobody can see the future .
I hope Mr Toews regains his health and continues to have a long successful career. If he can't and needs to step away that will be a shame for all true hockey fans ,as he is a one of a kind hockey player and true leader . And HAWKS fans will always owe him a depth of gratitude for what he has brought this franchise ..
I still believe Toews will get through this .He showed signs last year .His strength and will to win is unmatched if anyone can do it it would be Johnny Toews ...
- oldduffman

Regardless of how great he's been or what he's brought to this organisation his contract and physical deterioration has been weighing this team down for a while and will be for years to come.

Hope you're cherishing those happy days as we wont be sniffing any cups as long as JT and his 10.5 mil contract are still attached to this team. That's not being ungrateful but the harsh reality.

We can hope for a miraculous turnaround (not likely) or an early retirement or LTIR so this team can rebuild and get this contract off the books.

Not sure how they move forward with the JT issue in order to be elite again?

Toews suffered a back injury in last year's WCH (99.9% sure, based on the source), played through it early on last season, started to feel better and went on a brief tear, the "Toews of Old" for a while, then sort of petered out.

I don't know if the back issues go back further. But it appears to me that there is a lingering issue—and I would agree, it would seem to be something that is best not addressed surgically (for now).

A serious back injury that can't be/preferentially isn't addressed surgically MIGHT also force a change in weight training protocols. Depends on the severity and location, it might force a guy to avoid dead-lifting or at least heavy deadlifting (for example)
- John Jaeckel

If this is all true, then its really a shame. It also makes sense why Dallas keeps cross checking every game seems like every shift. I guess we'll have to wait for the buyout. So sad

So we all should understand that the new Toews is most likely doing the best he can to still play the game. He probably does have issues, limitations. He may be shy in physical battles anywhere on the ice due to the numerous concussions. We do not know if he had even minor concussions which previous to the new protocol he played through. Perhaps someone knows if a player nowadays could have minority symptoms of a concussion yet sneak through the protocol testing. After all, players back in the old days - even after the six team NHL - played with concussions

I suppose we could be mad or upset with a string of GM's whom did not get and may not have believed the lineup needed more support because Toews too often was the lone wolf among big TOI players who battled hard in physical ice battles and as a result endured countless whacks and such.

So I admit I was a bit offended when Toews started playing soft. I imagined all kinds of reasons for that performance, culminated by the fact lately where Bowman dud not believe or put enough heavies in the lineup

It was only going to be a matter if time before Toews succumbed to back issues and possiby concussiin worries. But he had to play and you find out the impact on him when he plays. You cannot sit him out; you just suffer the consequences if they appear with your team's player.

What it comes to is this: his salary, his cap hit make him very unreadable. It is likely that BOTH Bowman and McDonough prefer to let him try his best and remain a Blackhawk. Management is not ignorant; they know new core players will have to replace current core players.

The only sensible solution is to draft well. Nowadays you need at least one or two big size guys who can play in a top six or top nine irregardless if they are big point producers or merely so-so. They need to skate at least average and have descent skill. Bowman cannot just have fourth line guys like that

Saad may just need to be put in a position where he can excel. The right linemates. I hope that is what he needs.

Here is what hurts badly: with transition to younger players a continuing plan, there already is young players being exposed because they do not have the correct pairing. Such as Forsling and Ruuta. The league keeps going with fast mobile dmen but you still need to balance that. Forsling and Ruuta still will have issues, but teams are willing to look past their negative because they favor the player's positive impact.

If you think the fast and puck movers is overly stressed, just look at dmen added and used in playoffs. How rookies step in and play because they can skate the puck.

We have more of these dmen in the system but as far as I know there are no J Toews old model in the system.
- jhawk59

We do know he’s had concussions, how many and how bad is the unknown:

https://www.cbssports.com...he-suffered-a-concussion/

Toews suffered a back injury in last year's WCH (99.9% sure, based on the source), played through it early on last season, started to feel better and went on a brief tear, the "Toews of Old" for a while, then sort of petered out.

I don't know if the back issues go back further. But it appears to me that there is a lingering issue—and I would agree, it would seem to be something that is best not addressed surgically (for now).

A serious back injury that can't be/preferentially isn't addressed surgically MIGHT also force a change in weight training protocols. Depends on the severity and location, it might force a guy to avoid dead-lifting or at least heavy deadlifting (for example)
- John Jaeckel

Thanks for confirming, JJ!

So, best case scenario: his back heals, he regains leg strength, he gets back to playing like he did for the solid six weeks in Jan-Feb 2017 only all of the time going forward, and he avoids another major injury.

If I were in the front office, I'd go that route. I'd assume improvements, when they come, will be pretty noticeable. I'd also assume we'd notice by midway through next season. You aren't going to get a lot for him now anyway so take the time to figure out the roster going forward, see what you have. If the rumors are true that the cap is rising significantly more this off season than in previous years, that could give Stan some flexibility.

Thanks for confirming, JJ!

So, best case scenario: his back heals, he regains leg strength, he gets back to playing like he did for the solid six weeks in Jan-Feb 2017 only all of the time going forward, and he avoids another major injury.

If I were in the front office, I'd go that route. I'd assume improvements, when they come, will be pretty noticeable. I'd also assume we'd notice by midway through next season. You aren't going to get a lot for him now anyway so take the time to figure out the roster going forward, see what you have. If the rumors are true that the cap is rising significantly more this off season than in previous years, that could give Stan some flexibility.
- matt_ahrens

I do not know if anyone can document players with back issues whom have overcome or played as well as previous to the develooment of a bad back. I hope that i am wrong but i would bet against Toews regaining his previous form. When teams each game crosscheck violently I do not think an off season of rest can mean full recovery. Even if fully recovered how soon until a vicious cross check next season brings him dowm

I do not know if anyone can document players with back issues whom have overcome or played as well as previous to the develooment if a bad back. I hope that i am wrong but i would bet against Toews regaining his previous form. When teams each game crosscheck violently I do not think an off season of rest can mean full recovery. Even if fully recovered how soon until a vicious cross check next season brings him dowm
- jhawk59

Does Super Mario count?

Regardless of how great he's been or what he's brought to this organisation his contract and physical deterioration has been weighing this team down for a while and will be for years to come.

Hope you're cherishing those happy days as we wont be sniffing any cups as long as JT and his 10.5 mil contract are still attached to this team. That's not being ungrateful but the harsh reality.

We can hope for a miraculous turnaround (not likely) or an early retirement or LTIR so this team can rebuild and get this contract off the books.

Not sure how they move forward with the JT issue in order to be elite again?
- Hawkster

Oh I will cherish those memory ,as that is life and nothing last forever . Been a HAWKS fan for 50 plus years and know this has been the best time Ever to be a HAWKS fan . I also believe that now we have a owner who care about the fans ,the organization will be working hard for more success ..GO HAWKS !!!!!!

Holy cow. A top draft choice, #1 2017 Jokiharju, D, Finland is not overage after all
he has a goal.vs Canada in opening games today. He is the point producing smooth defenceman, lightweight I dk how he stacks up in physicality but probably needs to get stronger.

I want to know is he a puck carrier. I am sure the rest if his game, offensively, in him material.

There are about six Blackhawks all playing non Canada, non USA teams. Someone else can track them. One player, a Russian with a very long last name, had an assist on one if the furt two Russian goals

Holy cow. A top draft choice, #1 2017 Jokiharju, D, Finland is not overage after all
he has a goal.vs Canada in opening games today. He is the point producing smooth defenceman, lightweight I dk how he stacks up in physicality but probably needs to get stronger.

I want to know is he a puck carrier. I am sure the rest if his game, offensively, in him material.

There are about six Blackhawks all playing non Canada, non USA teams. Someone else can track them. One player, a Russian with a very long last name, had an assist on one if the furt two Russian goals
- jhawk59

My brain hurt reading your post and trying to understand it

Holy cow. A top draft choice, #1 2017 Jokiharju, D, Finland is not overage after all
he has a goal.vs Canada in opening games today. He is the point producing smooth defenceman, lightweight I dk how he stacks up in physicality but probably needs to get stronger.

I want to know is he a puck carrier. I am sure the rest if his game, offensively, in him material.

There are about six Blackhawks all playing non Canada, non USA teams. Someone else can track them. One player, a Russian with a very long last name, had an assist on one if the furt two Russian goals
- jhawk59

I couldn't watch any of the games, so not sure about each prospect's overall games, but according to box scores:

Jokiharju (1 G), Finland
Soderlund (0 P), Sweden
Galvas (1 A), Czech Republic
Kayumov (1 G, 1 A), Russia
Altybarmakyan (1 A), Russia