bouma and hayden have both been nothing special the last 15 or so games so I'm ok sitting hayden but when AA, is back I would sit both of them.

SAAD-T-HINO
HART-SCH-KANE
Sharp-AA-CAT
Wingels-Kampf-panik

From my un trained Eye that lineup would be putting our 12 best players on the ice plus kampf can win draws. I think its possible that hayden gets sent down for a bit.

bouma and hayden have both been nothing special the last 15 or so games so I'm ok sitting hayden but when AA, is back I would sit both of them.

SAAD-T-HINO
HART-SCH-KANE
Sharp-AA-CAT
Wingels-Kampf-panik

From my un trained Eye that lineup would be putting our 12 best players on the ice plus kampf can win draws. I think its possible that hayden gets sent down for a bit.
- kmw4631

What does Hayden need to work on?

Get ready for a decisive win, boys These Oilers have been downright embarrassing lately!
- MaximumBone

Have you ever seen the Blackhawks play a regular season game on home ice, on a Sunday afternoon? Now that's embarrassing. I think it's going to be a sh!t show this afternoon.

What does Hayden need to work on?
- jhawk59

He got lit up in that fight last game. He may be in concussion protocol? That's the only explanation I have as he definitely needs to play over Bouma. Hayden is a significantly better version of the same power forward/grinder type of player Lance is.

As management I would inform my core players, if you want a chance at a 4th cup, each one of you must put in the work in the off-season to be in the best cardio shape you've ever been in, no one on this club can take shifts or periods or games off. If they miss the playoffs hopefully this will motivate them in the off season to do just that.
- BetweenTheDots

Been there done that....... Remember ??
After the 2015 loss to St.Louis in round 1 game 7, the consensus from the Captain, the Coach and the CORE was that the team was exhausted from 2015, the Olympics, and not enough off-season time to rest and then work out to get ready for the season.

Sorry but the CORE has had plenty of time to rest their tired old bodies from too much hockey with 2 1st round exits and a horrific end to last year versus the Preds..... poor things !!!! They are not in shape to compete for 60 minutes a game, and who's to blame for that ? What's the excuse now ? I see a 39 year old Joe Thornton still performing at a high level. Why can't or won't our CORE ? They are 8 to ten years younger than JT.

I'm tired of hearing how hard it's been to stay "up" for the last 7 seasons from the same group of CORE players and COACH !!
It's time to move on from as many of the above as possible. There is plenty of young talent on this team that works hard and will improve with experience. They will compete every game. It's the CORE that does not.

Just think what could be if just 1 of the 2 "Super Stars" or any of the other CORE players were able to be moved ?

This team could add youth and speed...... somehow......with good management. That's what a great organization can do. But, apparently management appears too loyal to these once great players and will probably go the Detroit Red Wings mode of holding on to the old stars too long. I realize how hard it is to move players because of the cap, but it was our management that collectively agreed on these No trade exorbitant contracts.....therefore.....their mess and our frustrations mount.

It's been a GREAT 7 + years of CUP contention and it's been a helluva run. Sadly, this team is not that far off, especially with a goaltender in CC that has carried this team for years. But, without any movement on the current CORE players, this team will drift away and miss the playoffs. And........ I'm sure they'll place the blame on losing Crawford to injury as the main excuse.

I hope I'm completely wrong and somehow management finds a way to ignite a spark. We all know the Penguins did it, the LA Kings are highly competitive again now too, but the Red Wings have not. Which management is better ? That's questionable......... but it can be done.

Been there done that....... Remember ??
After the 2015 loss to St.Louis in round 1 game 7, the consensus from the Captain, the Coach and the CORE was that the team was exhausted from 2015, the Olympics, and not enough off-season time to rest and then work out to get ready for the season.

Sorry but the CORE has had plenty of time to rest their tired old bodies from too much hockey with 2 1st round exits and a horrific end to last year versus the Preds..... poor things !!!! They are not in shape to compete for 60 minutes a game, and who's to blame for that ? What's the excuse now ? I see a 39 year old Joe Thornton still performing at a high level. Why can't or won't our CORE ? They are 8 to ten years younger than JT.

I'm tired of hearing how hard it's been to stay "up" for the last 7 seasons from the same group of CORE players and COACH !!
It's time to move on from as many of the above as possible. There is plenty of young talent on this team that works hard and will improve with experience. They will compete every game. It's the CORE that does not.

Just think what could be if just 1 of the 2 "Super Stars" or any of the other CORE players were able to be moved ?

This team could add youth and speed...... somehow......with good management. That's what a great organization can do. But, apparently management appears too loyal to these once great players and will probably go the Detroit Red Wings mode of holding on to the old stars too long. I realize how hard it is to move players because of the cap, but it was our management that collectively agreed on these No trade exorbitant contracts.....therefore.....their mess and our frustrations mount.

It's been a GREAT 7 + years of CUP contention and it's been a helluva run. Sadly, this team is not that far off, especially with a goaltender in CC that has carried this team for years. But, without any movement on the current CORE players, this team will drift away and miss the playoffs. And........ I'm sure they'll place the blame on losing Crawford to injury as the main excuse.

I hope I'm completely wrong and somehow management finds a way to ignite a spark. We all know the Penguins did it, the LA Kings are highly competitive again now too, but the Red Wings have not. Which management is better ? That's questionable......... but it can be done.
- Hawkytalk

I believe the motivation that would come from not making the playoffs is entirely different than making the playoffs and being able to lie to yourself and say a bounce here or there this series would of been different. At least i hope so.

Not sure what would be worse...
The embarrassment of not making the playoffs or the embarrassment they suffered last year when they didn't even look like they deserved to be in the playoffs.

I really wonder how much they can reshuffle in the offseason. Are they really ready to trade Keith or Toews? I can't see it. Seabrook, maybe, but who will take on that contract? Kane and Crawford need to stay.

So who gets traded? AA? Young guys? Hockey trades?

Or maybe they try to add some pieces in free agency? It seems the more likely route. See what can be done with a couple more pieces, continued development of the youth, maybe a high draft pick, and some rejuvenation from some of the older guys. Then if the CBA gets reopened before the 2019-20 season, maybe some of the bigger contracts get bought out and there is more flexibility to rebuild the roster.
- matt_ahrens

Honestly I think Seabrook took the summer off and at his age it was a huge mistake and he's embarrassed by it. Even in his interview lots of reflection on how and where his game is at and how he's not happy about it.

It doesn't help either that you have people in this organization that stroke their egos instead of calling them out and saying, you just aren't the player you use to be. Buddy Ryan was a bit of a nut but he always drove his players by his method of holding them accountable

It's not the end of the world if the Hawks don't make the playoffs, what would really hurt us is if the front office has illusions this team is better than it actually is and makes some trades to just try to make the playoffs. Great year to reshuffle/tweek things for next season, since it sounds like the cap is going up for next year.
- BetweenTheDots

Have to believe management sees this, and any moves made between this season and the beginning of next season will be based more on the future than the present.

Maybe this is why we keep hearing that management likes the team they currently have--because they know that there are too many areas to fix to become a true playoff contender this year.

Have to believe management sees this, and any moves made between this season and the beginning of next season will be based more on the future than the present.

Maybe this is why we keep hearing that management likes the team they currently have--because they know that there are too many areas to fix to become a true playoff contender this year.
- RaleighHawk

I hope so, it was terrible to see Jim Hendry(Cubs GM)make this move over and over again, getting rental players at the end of their careers

What does Hayden need to work on?
- jhawk59

I would have sat bouma 1st, because hayden has a much higher celing. IE if he gets his game going he could be a very good 4th liner. bouma is never going to be more then borderline NHL player. that said, hayden needs to work on his hands, His skating and not taking penalties.

Great job Q....take one of the best fourth lines and change it around.

Not sure what would be worse...
The embarrassment of not making the playoffs or the embarrassment they suffered last year when they didn't even look like they deserved to be in the playoffs.
- Blackhawks4life

LA and Tampa both missed last season - who cares.

Not sure what would be worse...
The embarrassment of not making the playoffs or the embarrassment they suffered last year when they didn't even look like they deserved to be in the playoffs.
- Blackhawks4life

Late 1990's would be the worst, so hiccup in a wonderful 8 years, with a stagnant hard cap is realistic

LA and Tampa both missed last season - who cares.
- Colbyboy

Rocky.

What is it - $2MM revenue per play-off game?

I'm not saying I should panic, but if we lose to EDM in regulation today, a decision has to be made on if we are buyers or sellers.

Either pack it up and maximize assets by the TDL or make a move to improve the team while there is still plenty of time.

Not sure what would be worse...
The embarrassment of not making the playoffs or the embarrassment they suffered last year when they didn't even look like they deserved to be in the playoffs.
- Blackhawks4life

The last team to worry about their "playoff streak" in the salary cap era were the Detroit Red Wings. Kept being buyers at the TDL just to get in at a time they had no business trying to compete for a cup.

Look at them now, locked into bad contracts with mediocre players, older player contracts with lots of term left, no top tier prospects, almost no cap space to sign top FAs, and no true cornerstone youth players (larkin, mantha, svechnikov are good not great players, if they are the guys leading the team they will be bad to mediocre for a long time)

We do not want to be the Detroit Red Wings (despite that being the pinnacle about 10 years ago). It is very clear they rode the wave from the late 90s early 00s, but Holland has been a mess navigating the salary cap era once the HOFers aged out (Zetterberg/Lidstrom/Datsyuk/Rafalski/Hasek/Hull/Chelios/etc)

Honestly I think Seabrook took the summer off and at his age it was a huge mistake and he's embarrassed by it. Even in his interview lots of reflection on how and where his game is at and how he's not happy about it.

It doesn't help either that you have people in this organization that stroke their egos instead of calling them out and saying, you just aren't the player you use to be. Buddy Ryan was a bit of a nut but he always drove his players by his method of holding them accountable
- BetweenTheDots

ryan was a bit on the edge...he never referenced a player by name it was 50 did that or 99 did that...he was an SOB to play for

well sunday matinee games usually go poorly for the hawks..but hey have been home for a few days with a day of rest so maybe they are awake for the start..given recent performance that might be asking to much

edm is having one of those rough patches: can't score while their opp fills the net; 1-4-1 in their last 6; have not won in regulation in 3 weeks and got blitzed by the stars last night 5-1.

So everthing lines up for them to right the ship vs the hawks...

its a real bummer to see craw get bit with the injury bug again; another great season is now impacted by injury...

the only hawks worth wathing is kane and craw...

Sitting Hayden is an absolute joke!! He plays hard every shift and has a nasty edge to him. He helped turn that crappy first period last game around with a fight.

Joel is losing his mind

I am concerned what type style forwards are available where Chicago makes their first round selection.

We should strongly consider staying away from the smallish players who disdain physical confrontations. Unless there is an undeniably great scorer.....Even then.... this team needs more toughness, grit.....a power forward or tough nosed center with modest (just not lacking) offensive ability. I personally also crave a dman who is mibile and can check/has size. That woul d be due to the likelihood Seabrook will not be here much longer or is trending more and more to reduced TOI. But go first after the power forward or a tough nosed center with some offensive ability who is at least fair in the face off dot.

I just peruse wiz ratings at draftsite.com after the WJC and the junior league all star games.
- jhawk59

Brady Tkachuk

Sitting Hayden is an absolute joke!! He plays hard every shift and has a nasty edge to him. He helped turn that crappy first period last game around with a fight.

Joel is losing his mind
- scott.jackson

Sitting Hayden over Bouma isn’t good, sitting Murphy today is a worse decision.

This team reminds me a lot of the 2007/08 Blackhawks. 40-34-8. They showed some flashes, but they were horribly inconsistent and they could not close out games. They did not know how to win. After the Hawks got the lead in the 3rd period against Vegas they did not play like a veteran team that knew how to play with the lead. It was kind of surprising (shocking) to watch. But there are a lot of young players that need to figure that out. Maybe they will and maybe they won't.

Sitting Hayden over Bouma isn’t good, sitting Murphy today is a worse decision.
- DarthKane

Murphy's play fell off a cliff against Vegas after he got slew footed. I think he's out because he's hurt.

forsberg big saves again vs quality chances...

decent hawk pp...some chances and deflections with talbot being in the right place