Location scorinchances were actually about even - 28-30 - but The defense was very leaky and not very protective:

VGK put 43 of 59 SATs on net - Hawks blocked only 4 shots.

Ray Farrero very complimentary toward Soderlund on the broadcast. He scored their only goal shorthanded.
- RickJ

What is his NHL projection? Guessing a better version of ex Blackhawk Stalberg.

So with the Hawks chances of making the playoffs at about 35%, it's time to look ahead to next years roster.

First, those that are UFA or RFA's:

Bouma- Gone
Hayden- Hopefully resign
Hartman & Vinny- Could resign both but maybe more likely for only 1, unless both can be resigned for 1.5 per or less
Sharp- Gone
Wingels- Likely gone
Franson- Gone
Rutta- Resign
Kempny- Gone

Current players under contract have cap around 61M. If it goes to about 79M, then they have about $18M to sign 2-3 defense and 5 upfront. Some of those will come from the pipeline, so those will be inexpensive.

So the harder part is who goes from the current signed roster?

Location scorinchances were actually about even - 28-30 - but The defense was very leaky and not very protective:

VGK put 43 of 59 SATs on net - Hawks blocked only 4 shots.
- StLBravesFan

And that's why you sit Kempny and Rutta, while playing Seabs.

Murphy played solid, on the last goal Seabs was doing a Subban
fly even though we didn't control the puck, Murphy probably thought
he was in position for any counter.

I see no structure either on offensive or defense, while Vegas seemed
to know exactly where everyone would be. Also we still have little grit.

Interesting game this evening.... Kudos to Vegas, Gallant really has them playing well. Their speed and forecheck were fantastic.

I'm sure folks will point to the Hawks having Glass in the net tonight...sure that first one shouldn't have gone it. But Vegas was faster to every loose puck and dominated in shots and everywhere else it seemed. But somehow the Hawks managed to take a 4-3 lead in the third. Remember when the Hawks would have a lead in third and couldn't lose. Well those days are long gone.

Some will point to Glass a backup's backup...Glass didn't have a chance on that last one for sure and he's played well...but what about Forsberg - Stan's big steal in the Panarin/Saad deal - which looks worse every day.

The Hawks really played hard tonight, they really gave it all they had...and yet they lost. A we've seen all season - the depth this team has had is no longer there. And that's on the hopefully soon to be walmart greeter not the coaching staff.

How did Seabrook look tonight...? How did Panik play...almost with a pulse for 2.9m per. For that matter how bout Murphy who coughed up the puck for the game winner? How does it bode for your team when you turn over half of your defensive corps on the fly?

Should the Hawks qualify for the postseason they'll be out quickly...with either the Preds St Louis or Vegas mercifully ending this season. But that looks like a pipedream. Speaking of which...Maybe McD finally gives up his man crush on Scotty and figures it out...but I doubt it.
- DK002

Hey DK, Happy New Year! This is gold! Yes, the Hawks did play really hard...starting at about the 15 minute mark of the first period.

Figured you'd find a way to pin it all on Bowman. I don't know, maybe you spied him before the game strolling out of the Hawk locker room with the bedtime story he just read the team neatly tucked under his arm.

Coming out as flat footed and tentative as they did last night playing a team on the second night of a back to back is all on Q AFAIC.

While they don't have an elite top 4 d group they've got better depth 1-6 than they've had the past few years and even when they won in '15. Unlike the Sharp and Leddy debacles you're always harping about, Stan sold high on Hammer and got back a good young cost controlled dman in Murphy.

I think this team has depth and the ability to roll 4 lines. I'll excuse last night's lineup with Hartman being out as that's the only way Bouma should be playing in place of Panik or Sharp and same with Franson vs Rutta or even Kempny.

I like the addition of Kampf (70% at the dor last night), another nice Euro find by the current Hawk scouting group. Hopefully Q doesn't send him back to RFD to keep Bouma in the lineup once AA comes back.

If they miss the playoffs, Q should be given the opportunity to resign and if they fire Stan so be it. At least you'll have something new to complain about in 5-6 years when all Bowman's poor contracts are up.

Maybe they'll even bring back the Builder and he can draft the '18, '19 and '20 versions of Cam, Barker, Jack Skille and Kyle Beach with the 3rd, 7th and 11th picks in the draft.

Rough game to watch start to finish... mostly because of that start.

The Knights are a quick team with a ton of energy. The Hawks know this but yet were still very overwhelmed.

Another 2 points down the drain.

What is his NHL projection? Guessing a better version of ex Blackhawk Stalberg.
- jhawk59

Why compare him to anybody, he's just a young player who showed very well all tournament against the best juniors in the world, and especially in games vs Canada and USA.

Rough game to watch start to finish... mostly because of that start.

The Knights are a quick team with a ton of energy. The Hawks know this but yet were still very overwhelmed.

Another 2 points down the drain.
- Justin Lowe

But then played well for most of the second - aggressive after the puck, always looking to go north instead of east-west, going to the net, hard forecheck for puck retrieval...

Then crapped it up again in the third - playing for the tie after Vegas tied it up - only 5 SOG 5x5 in the period.

Yes - another 2 points followin the Plumbers Helper.

Why compare him to anybody, he's just a young player who showed very well all tournament against the best juniors in the world, and especially in games vs Canada and USA.
- RickJ

Comparing him to Stahlberg is a joke. Different size, speed, and guts. But I did hear someone compare him to Arvidsson before I saw him play. Take that all day long and he did resemble. High motor, stuck his nose in, had a clue. If they don't rush him it looked to me he has the tools to be a keeper down the line.

But then played well for most of the second - aggressive after the puck, always looking to go north instead of east-west, going to the net, hard forecheck for puck retrieval...

Then crapped it up again in the third - playing for the tie after Vegas tied it up - only 5 SOG 5x5 in the period.

Yes - another 2 points followin the Plumbers Helper.
- StLBravesFan

Yep. Some really good things that happened for the Hawks throughout the game but going back to the theme of this blog were not consistent enough for 60 mins and the scary part was after all that "were in last place talk" last week, didn't look prepared to play at puck drop.

Thought they would have came out flying after 6 games on the road and finally getting home to play in front of their crowd.

We need a coaching change ,it's as simple as that . Coach Stubbornness' on the personnel on the 1st PP his pension for benching kids for 1 mistake lack of practice time not having team ready to play, his old school rain needs to come to a end . Not sure on Hartman last night ,heard before the game he was healthy scratch then after day to day . If he plays Sunday I would bet it was another head scratching bench by Q . This team has teased us with some very good hockey only to revert back to garbage play .I know consistency is tough with young players ,but Q has them looking over their should after every play .I truly believe this team has somewhat quit on this coach . Every coach has a shelf life ,I think Q expired Two years ago . Last in the Div. Two 1st RD. exit .It's time for a change .

Are some of you guys constructing rosters to compete in the Sunday morning elite league at Johnny’s icehouse? Or are you talking about the National Hockey League, you guys are hard on Lance Bouma, the kid is done nothing wrong, and no matter how much female doging goes on about this kid, he is staying in the lineup. I was at the game last night, and what I noticed yesterday that BLACKHAWKS had effort but too many of their skilled little teensy flies we’re just getting forearm shiver off the Puck, still need a big defensemen that could bring it On the offense, and still deliver the big hit, kind of like another Chris Chelios. Oesterle and Forsling can skate like the wind but they are two of the same kind of players , they do not play the body and just rely on the active stick checks, Vegas was skating whatever they wanted when they were in the BLACKHAWKS zone last night. I agree with an earlier poster, quit looking at these 5 foot 7 ,150 Pound defensemen and go up in the Western Canada and get some of those big old boys, I am sure there are a few that can skate well.Too much focus overseas on Europe as far as drafting.

Comparing him to Stahlberg is a joke. Different size, speed, and guts. But I did hear someone compare him to Arvidsson before I saw him play. Take that all day long and he did resemble. High motor, stuck his nose in, had a clue. If they don't rush him it looked to me he has the tools to be a keeper down the line.
- 6628

Agree completely. Ferraro's comment was that with his great speed and IQ Soderlund would be a natural on the PK for the Hawks - i.e. he could help them right now in that role.

Another smaller Swede who played very well was Oscar Steen who Boston got in the 6th round in 2016.

Euro scouts are critical to NHL teams in a cap world, gotta find those hidden gems in the draft to fill out bottom of the rosters.

We need a coaching change ,it's as simple as that . Coach Stubbornness' on the personnel on the 1st PP his pension for benching kids for 1 mistake lack of practice time not having team ready to play, his old school rain needs to come to a end . Not sure on Hartman last night ,heard before the game he was healthy scratch then after day to day . If he plays Sunday I would bet it was another head scratching bench by Q . This team has teased us with some very good hockey only to revert back to garbage play .I know consistency is tough with young players ,but Q has them looking over their should after every play .I truly believe this team has somewhat quit on this coach . Every coach has a shelf life ,I think Q expired Two years ago . Last in the Div. Two 1st RD. exit .It's time for a change .
- oldduffman

OK, this sounds just like some cub fans female doging about Joe Madden Even though they made the playoffs three years in a row and just won a World Series, put some names up? Who you looking at? Who’s out there and available? And the two current assistants behind the bench are not options, easy to criticize the coach from your couch talking into a smart phone, but this is the old adage be careful of what you ask for. Since Mike Keenan and Darryl Sutter are not options, repeating who you’re gonna get?
This just may be one of those transition years where they just barely missed the playoffs and their young players gain valuable experience, they will have some Cap room going forward over the summer and make some changes and I’m sure they will rebound next year. But in Rocky and McD’s mind,I think The coach is fine.

OK, this sounds just like some cub fans female doging about Joe Madden Even though they made the playoffs three years in a row and just won a World Series, put some names up? Who you looking at? Who’s out there and available? And the two current assistants behind the bench are not options, easy to criticize the coach from your couch talking into a smart phone, but this is the old adage be careful of what you ask for. Since Mike Keenan and Darryl Sutter are not options, repeating who you’re gonna get?
This just may be one of those transition years where they just barely missed the playoffs and their young players gain valuable experience, they will have some Campral going forward over the summer and make some changes and I’m sure they will rebound next year. But in Rocky and McD’s mind,I think The coach is fine.
- wonthecup10

Agree completely.

Q was a genius at MSG on Wednesday night and a bumbling moron last night. Of course, it has nothing to do with the players.

Same with Claude Julien, he's lost it completely. The Habs are championship quality, the coach is the problem.

Oh, lets go out and get Disco Dan Bylsma, he"ll fix everything Q can't.

Location scorinchances were actually about even - 28-30 - but The defense was very leaky and not very protective:

VGK put 43 of 59 SATs on net - Hawks blocked only 4 shots.
- StLBravesFan

yep their shot suppression has very poor this year...this is where the loss of fearless hammy comes in...the guy took shot after...hawks don't have anyone like that on their roster

Murph effed up on that pinch, but Seabrook was a joke tonight. Time to rebuild.
- kwolf68

Maybe if Quenneville would utilize an 8 dman rotation instead of 6, Seabrook and Keith would have something in their tanks once in a while. Sit them for rest will ya !! Their play is suffering constantly.

Quenneville is killing this team with his usual stubborness to play the wrong guys. The CORE is the problem. They have gotten older and slower and admittedly taken it easy to save themselves for playoff hockey. That is just plain deplorable !! Look at the difference since Hinestroza and Kampf have been given an opportunity. At least there's effort and intensity. Toews and Seabrook are constantly out of gas and obviously gliding way too often.

This team is going to miss the playoffs and I believe it's on all on Quenneville's
decision making on the over use of the CORE. Play the kids that hustle and allow them to learn. The 3 CUP era of Quenneville and the CORE was fantastic and we all loved it, but it's over.

Cmon Rocky and McD, own up to it a make some hard but obvious decisions.
It's time to rebuild, starting from the top.

Comparing him to Stahlberg is a joke. Different size, speed, and guts. But I did hear someone compare him to Arvidsson before I saw him play. Take that all day long and he did resemble. High motor, stuck his nose in, had a clue. If they don't rush him it looked to me he has the tools to be a keeper down the line.
- 6628

Difficult with many WJC to gauge their future outside of the very best. I just figure he is something better than Stahlberg, using speed and probably not first line status. Lot to like about him. We shall as how soon he pans out.

Rough game to watch start to finish... mostly because of that start.

The Knights are a quick team with a ton of energy. The Hawks know this but yet were still very overwhelmed.

Another 2 points down the drain.
- Justin Lowe

4-7-2 in their division: beat the wild 2x; have not beaten the preds or stars in regulation 0-6

add in the top teams from the west they are a combined 4-10-2

in all of those of 12 losses they hardly had the lead...if my lousy math is right they had leads in only 2 of those loses for a grand total of 7 minutes...that warms your heart..and 5 minutes was last nigt

they can't even get first goal against the better WC teams and when they do score the they get answered quickly...

OK, this sounds just like some cub fans female doging about Joe Madden Even though they made the playoffs three years in a row and just won a World Series, put some names up? Who you looking at? Who’s out there and available? And the two current assistants behind the bench are not options, easy to criticize the coach from your couch talking into a smart phone, but this is the old adage be careful of what you ask for. Since Mike Keenan and Darryl Sutter are not options, repeating who you’re gonna get?
This just may be one of those transition years where they just barely missed the playoffs and their young players gain valuable experience, they will have some Cap room going forward over the summer and make some changes and I’m sure they will rebound next year. But in Rocky and McD’s mind,I think The coach is fine.
- wonthecup10

Nope I have been beating this drum since the 1st RD exit against the Blues two years ago were Q Mismanaged his bench and by the time he got it right it was to late . lLast year know answer for the Preds NOT even a attempt to change up his game plan other then to insert a Dman who had been in the press box for 3 months .
There are plenty of coaches out there ,and I think K Dineen could be improvement as more of a teaching coach . But U want to look outside how about D Bylsma or B Hartley J Capuano for veteran coaches .I would not go that way personally .How about K MULLER OR A Oates or even D Tippett given some talent to work with . I would look to a younger coach to breath some life into the room and work with young players .. Like the guy coaching the Marlies Sheldon Keefe ,steal him away from Toronto could me a great move .. There are a world of options out there .Our coach has grown stale ,and his caveman moves don't work into day NHL . AL Secord and D Graham are not going to ride to the rescue anytime soon so don't hold your breath ..

Nope I have been beating this drum since the 1st RD exit against the Blues two years ago were Q Mismanaged his bench and by the time he got it right it was to late . lLast year know answer for the Preds NOT even a attempt to change up his game plan other then to insert a Dman who had been in the press box for 3 months .
There are plenty of coaches out there ,and I think K Dineen could be improvement as more of a teaching coach . But U want to look outside how about D Bylsma or B Hartley J Capuano for veteran coaches .I would not go that way personally .How about K MULLER OR A Oates or even D Tippett given some talent to work with . I would look to a younger coach to breath some life into the room and work with young players .. Like the guy coaching the Marlies Sheldon Keefe ,steal him away from Toronto could me a great move .. There are a world of options out there .Our coach has grown stale ,and his caveman moves don't work into day NHL . AL Secord and D Graham are not going to ride to the rescue anytime soon so don't hold your breath ..
- oldduffman

tippet is interesting...Q's buddy...

can't wait to hear from stanbow and mcd after this years post season presser say around april 10...

trade deadline will say alot what they think...

And that's why you sit Kempny and Rutta, while playing Seabs.

Murphy played solid, on the last goal Seabs was doing a Subban
fly even though we didn't control the puck, Murphy probably thought
he was in position for any counter.

I see no structure either on offensive or defense, while Vegas seemed
to know exactly where everyone would be. Also we still have little grit.
- gazza53

What game were you watching Murphy was bad very bad

some of you have commented the effort was there last night...i would agree even after the clown shoes first 10 minutes...vegas just owned them but i think the effort was there...

toews has has strapped it on the the last 4-5 games trying to push this team with 15 and 50 out...but it going to be to little to late...

honestly the math says no to the playoffs...

42 games left...it looks like they will need at 52-54 points and need a tie breaker....
that looks like a record 25-15-4...any of you ready jump on this scenario...

every game is "playoff" like now for half a season...

and they finish the season with 3 games vs the blues and jets; 2 on the road...

my advice to us dieheards...enjoy the good moments...and expect the bad; might live longer

tippet is interesting...Q's buddy...

can't wait to hear from stanbow and mcd after this years post season presser say around april 10...

trade deadline will say alot what they think...
- bogiedoc

Ya Q may give him a reference .I have not lost faith , the team played hard last night once they got going against a very tough team . Missing their Number 1 goalie 2nd line Center and Hartman (for some reason) they pushed Vegas to the edge . Did not get a lot of bounces and young players made mistakes .And the dreaded 1st game back after a road trip .Hope for a better result Sunday ..GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Actually sad to watch this team.

Las Vegas and expansion team, owning the NHL...without much star power...interesting.

NHL no longer respects, let alone fears blackhawks. A painful truth hawk fans are just beginning to realize.

Coach Q, most over rated coach last 10 years. Give the guy 15 Olympians and he is a genius...because you have...15 olympians.

Hawks struggle, with Star power. Team has no edge and clearly has lost mojo. Just like watching Penguins before Bylsma...and again before Sullivan.

Finding plugging vetrans and grinding games works less and less in NHL. Hawks clearly have defaulted to Q's Brunnette theorem. Give me old slow and predictable.

While it is natural to become frustrated with younger players cutting their teeth, Hawk fans, more than any, seem to discount and give a pass to the players getting a bulk of the ice time who are not getting it done. Leaders lead and make players better around them....From the optics test, does not seem to be working well here any longer.

Anyhow, Happy New Year to all. We will just keep watching the league get younger and faster...and watch Q stubbornly hold on to an era gone by....