Rough loss tonight. Honestly, 7 points and 4 teams to leap frog is possible but appears unlikely with the way this team is going right now.

I want these guys to win but I also want these guys to get a top 5-7 pick.... can't have it both ways... which way are you leaning?
- Justin Lowe

I'm leaning towards a top 5 pick and let the veterans know that this team is looking to rebuild around Kane, Schmaltz, Debrincat, Duclair, Keith, Murphy and Crawford. Maybe Toews and Seabrook will wave their NMCs when they see that a deep playoff run isn't in the forecast for a couple of years. But then again, it looks like those two guys would love to be playing gold every April for the next 6 years.

#SuckforTkachuck

Interesting that now we have all of the game time and post game chatter by the main Hawks play-by-play guys, commentators, and media related to the "what has happened to them?" core, when in the past you could get nary a negative word from them lest they lose their position or access.

Methinks Mr. PR et al are starting the process of softening the fanbase up for the trade of a very popular core player.
- pdx2ord

not Q: according to him they have "been fine"....

you bet: 19, 20, 2, 7 = 30 goals and 82 points in 53 games; with some really uninspiring play most of the season...

Kane is the one player that absolutely cannot be moved under any circumstance. He is the TRUE face of the franchise, and it would be a BIGGER marketing disaster (IMO) to move him than it would be to move Toews (who most fans by now realize has been a shell of his former self). On top of that, Kane's style of play will allow him to play another decade in this league. He's still right in the sweet spot of his career. He's got multiple "elite" years left in him. The 'Hawks - if rebuilt properly - will be contending again sooner rather than later, and he'll be the veteran this team will depend on (which is also when he'll get the C on his sweater).

But the concept is right. Liquidation sale. Everything else can go. The new core this team must focus on building around - Kane, 'Cat, Schmaltz. Crawford only gets moved in a vast overpay. Funny how he's missed ~20 starts and he's still statistically among the best goalies in the league. He's a proven winner, and a team like Vegas would make a lot of sense. But again, unless we get a haul, we keep him. He's an elite goalie, and a sure-fire top-5 at the least. He's got multiple good years left ahead of him.

Accumulate draft picks, stock-pile the system with centers and defense-men, trade the dead weight, and within two years this team could be back in the swing of things.

The last thing this team needs is to follow the Detroit model of being "just good enough", only to completely collapse once the vets you depended on for so long (Dats, Zett, Lidstrom, etc.) are no longer able to do their jobs/retire, and your farm system doesn't have much to show for it.
- TommyHawk

So your saying that because he hangs out out at the Red line or Blue line waiting for others guys to play defense & go in the corners to get him the puck that he is untradeable?

He likely will play awhile because he does nothing but wait for the 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 break out at center ice, so yes he will play a few more years more than rest of core

He is lazy & cherry picks every game
Does not play had every shift
Is always the last Hawks player to leave the O zone
And his 5 on 5 play has been a joke

Agree the Core is bad & but the excuses for 88 islaughable & people who do not scout hockey games

He is a huge part of the 3 Cups but will also bring what this team needs to start the rebuild

The division & Conference is going to be tough for the nest few yaers & then the return goes down

So 88 is NOT untradeable

CC is going to be 34 next year & now has concussion problems so see if he will waive his NTC to a team of his liking & get what you can

Keep only the under 25 guys it is time to retool

So your saying that because he hangs out out at the Red line or Blue line waiting for others guys to play defense & go in the corners to get him the puck that he is untradeable?

He likely will play awhile because he does nothing but wait for the 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 break out at center ice, so yes he will play a few more years more than rest of core

He is lazy & cherry picks every game
Does not play had every shift
Is always the last Hawks player to leave the O zone
And his 5 on 5 play has been a joke

Agree the Core is bad & but the excuses for 88 islaughable & people who do not scout hockey games

He is a huge part of the 3 Cups but will also bring what this team needs to start the rebuild

The division & Conference is going to be tough for the nest few yaers & then the return goes down

So 88 is NOT untradeable

CC is going to be 34 next year & now has concussion problems so see if he will waive his NTC to a team of his liking & get what you can

Keep only the under 25 guys it is time to retool
- Goalie-33

Yet 88 is still on pace for another 80+ point season playing with a revolving door on his line. His talent is immense and among the extreme few in the entire league. No, I don't trade a player like him, who continues to be the only player that seemingly has an impact on the ice. We get it, you don't like Kane.

The coaches are stubborn. The system is a mess. We have a better chance of scoring on the PK than we do PP, and the veterans have absolutely zero urgency.

Offer Q a front office position (wouldn't be a good look for 'Hawks Marketing to fire him outright)(and send Dineen packing while you're at it).

Bring in a fresh voice with new ideas to implement and build the core and continue the youth movement.

Crow has his pending injury concerns, but when he's on the ice he's among the best in the league, and for that reason alone he shouldn't be dealt. Especially because he's capable of softening the blow of the influx of young d-men that will arrive and will be learning on the job/making mistakes.

Every other veteran - better start finishing if you want to stay here.

Yet 88 is still on pace for another 80+ point season playing with a revolving door on his line. His talent is immense and among the extreme few in the entire league. No, I don't trade a player like him, who continues to be the only player that seemingly has an impact on the ice. We get it, you don't like Kane.

The coaches are stubborn. The system is a mess. We have a better chance of scoring on the PK than we do PP, and the veterans have absolutely zero urgency.

Offer Q a front office position (wouldn't be a good look for 'Hawks Marketing to fire him outright)(and send Dineen packing while you're at it).

Bring in a fresh voice with new ideas to implement and build the core and continue the youth movement.

Crow has his pending injury concerns, but when he's on the ice he's among the best in the league, and for that reason alone he shouldn't be dealt. Especially because he's capable of softening the blow of the influx of young d-men that will arrive and will be learning on the job/making mistakes.

Every other veteran - better start finishing if you want to stay here.
- TommyHawk

Kane has played with 8 & 15 majority of games
Every player has played with multiple line mates this year so again STOP the 88 EXCUSES

On what basis - he's done f$ck all out there for months now. Hits nobody, doesn't go to the front of the net, can't score. Kills some penalties that's about it.
- RickJ

IMO, I just think that at some point you have to given him a shot again (not sure when exactly) because he won't produce much on the 4th line.

It will depend when the coaches see what they want from him, sure, but he isn't going to turn into something he is not. He is not a grinder who will toss a ton of hits. That has never been his game. He had a couple decent shifts in the first game against Calgary the other day, and obviously you want to see more, but results will be questionable playing with Hartman/Sharp/Wingels/Bouma.

With no PP time and only 4th line shifts, if he works hard, he will need to get back into the top 6, but don't expect much on the score sheet.

Rough loss tonight. Honestly, 7 points and 4 teams to leap frog is possible but appears unlikely with the way this team is going right now.

I want these guys to win but I also want these guys to get a top 5-7 pick.... can't have it both ways... which way are you leaning?
- Justin Lowe

At this point I’ll go with the top 5-7 pick. Saad, Toews, Keith, Anisimov and Seabrook are having dismal seasons. They need to get away from hockey and regroup. The young guys need the experience, let them continue to lead the way this season. Call up Hayden and Forsling then sign Sikura when the time is right. Trade away Bouma, Wingels and Rutta (maybe Kempny too).

I'm leaning towards a top 5 pick and let the veterans know that this team is looking to rebuild around Kane, Schmaltz, Debrincat, Duclair, Keith, Murphy and Crawford. Maybe Toews and Seabrook will wave their NMCs when they see that a deep playoff run isn't in the forecast for a couple of years. But then again, it looks like those two guys would love to be playing gold every April for the next 6 years.

#SuckforTkachuck
- Dieselhead

I wouldn't be so quick to say rebuild includes Duclair. He has ability, separation speed but he has to PROVE that he has hockey smarts, effort and no prima donna.

So your saying that because he hangs out out at the Red line or Blue line waiting for others guys to play defense & go in the corners to get him the puck that he is untradeable?

He likely will play awhile because he does nothing but wait for the 2 on 1 or 3 on 1 break out at center ice, so yes he will play a few more years more than rest of core

He is lazy & cherry picks every game
Does not play had every shift
Is always the last Hawks player to leave the O zone
And his 5 on 5 play has been a joke

Agree the Core is bad & but the excuses for 88 islaughable & people who do not scout hockey games

He is a huge part of the 3 Cups but will also bring what this team needs to start the rebuild

The division & Conference is going to be tough for the nest few yaers & then the return goes down

So 88 is NOT untradeable

CC is going to be 34 next year & now has concussion problems so see if he will waive his NTC to a team of his liking & get what you can

Keep only the under 25 guys it is time to retool
- Goalie-33

Contrary to what Cubs and now White Sox are attempting to do, a TOTAL rebuild is not prudent or necessary. The baseball teams did not do a TOTAL rebuild anyway. Fans need to identify and know there is at least a couple of stud players. You cannot gut the team and hope new stars emerge ftom the trading of your top player.

I would try very hard to surround Kane with scorers snd some big beefy forwards who will protect him. You can always import lots of AHL players, a surprise junior or collegiate, euro player too will keep the team hungry for opportunity to play. Anytime you trade the best player you risk loosing out on the trade. You are hoping something of less value emerges and normally all you get is diminishing returns.

Just draft well, develop players and bite the bullet for two years. Other blueprints pale by comparison.

Fans wil stop going if you trade Kane. You just have to accept that the team will be bad. Bowman brought bad times upon the team with too many poor decisions. Queeneville just exasperates the situation with his coaching. I am not totally averse to Bowman's remaining but it is time for Q to wander to other pastures.

What were the words to that Paul Simon song

Just slip out the back, Seabs,
Make a new plan, Stan,
You Don't need to discuss much
(Because Dineen already continues undermine ),
Don't need to be coy, Joel,
Just hop on the bus, Joel
.....set yourself free, Johnny Toews

Could we retitle the song,

Late add: thought of a song to attach to the stigma of loosing/, which honors a recently deceased: Free Falling by Tom Petty

Always tough to lose ,but getting use to it . The love for Kane on here and hate for Toews is bit over done . .Coach Q also is paid huge dollars for a coach . He and his ego have IMHO been the greatest detriment to this team in the last year and a half . It now appears Stan , and more so the FO will not have the guts to kick him to the curb this season . So my hope is they go off the cliff and take the DIVE FOR FIVE . go hawks !!

Always tough to lose ,but getting use to it . The love for Kane on here and hate for Toews is bit over done . .Coach Q also is paid huge dollars for a coach . He and his ego have IMHO been the greatest detriment to this team in the last year and a half . It now appears Stan , and more so the FO will not have the guts to kick him to the curb this season . So my hope is they go off the cliff and take the DIVE FOR FIVE . go hawks !!
- oldduffman

No goals for Toews in 11 games.

Can’t even say he’s making his linemates better: two assists in those games.

His FO percentage is good....

Rough loss tonight. Honestly, 7 points and 4 teams to leap frog is possible but appears unlikely with the way this team is going right now.

I want these guys to win but I also want these guys to get a top 5-7 pick.... can't have it both ways... which way are you leaning?
- Justin Lowe

I'm in the same boat but definitely leaning toward wanting them getting a higher pick. So far this group has done a good job identifying NHL players in the first round without the benefit of a pick before number 16, so I'd like to see what they could get with something in the top 10.

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

Tankathon currently has the Hawks at 11th overall with chances of 10.7% for a top 3 pick and a 3.3% chance of 1st overall in the 2018 draft.

Go team.

I'm leaning towards a top 5 pick and let the veterans know that this team is looking to rebuild around Kane, Schmaltz, Debrincat, Duclair, Keith, Murphy and Crawford. Maybe Toews and Seabrook will wave their NMCs when they see that a deep playoff run isn't in the forecast for a couple of years. But then again, it looks like those two guys would love to be playing gold every April for the next 6 years.

#SuckforTkachuck
- Dieselhead

Maybe, but I'm not sure what you'd get for either. Seabrook isn't going anywhere without a similarly bad contract likely coming back and I think the same could possibly be said of Toews.

If you're rebuilding, the assets that would bring the Hawks back something of use would be 2, 50 and 88...and of those I'd probably keep 50 if he comes back healthy.

I wouldn't trade 88 just to trade him but if someone offered haul for him you'd at least have to listen...same with Keith.

More stupidity coaching by pulling the goalie with over 2 minutes left. Q has done this all year. You only need to create the all-out sense of urgency with under a minute to go.
- Hawkytalk

Yeah I don't get this either but a lot of teams seem to pull goalies early now. Understand if you are down by more then one but when trailing but one its seems way too desperate. Does anyone know if there is a stat showing teams have a better chance of tying up a game the earlier they pull their goalie.
Anyway didn't think they had much of a chance for the playoffs for awhile but last night was definitely the nail in the coffin

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

Tankathon currently has the Hawks at 11th overall with chances of 10.7% for a top 3 pick and a 3.3% chance of 1st overall in the 2018 draft.

Go team.
- Rota's Rooter

But if Chicago changed it's name to Edmonton the odds go up to 99.99%.

http://www.tankathon.com/nhl

Tankathon currently has the Hawks at 11th overall with chances of 10.7% for a top 3 pick and a 3.3% chance of 1st overall in the 2018 draft.

Go team.
- Rota's Rooter

Long way to go to get to the bottom but hey over the last few years we seen a lot of teams tanking, maybe it's time Hawks start having some players sit out with" injuries" Cat , Kane , Schmaltz, Keith.
Hmmm sad don't think anyone else missing games would help them tank. Maybe Tony 0 can start the rest of the year in net .

But if Chicago changed it's name to Edmonton the odds go up to 99.99%.
- powerenforcer

Long way to go to get to the bottom but hey over the last few years we seen a lot of teams tanking, maybe it's time Hawks start having some players sit out with" injuries" Cat , Kane , Schmaltz, Keith.
Hmmm sad don't think anyone else missing games would help them tank. Maybe Tony 0 can start the rest of the year in net .
- HamiltonHawk

The Rangers have already given up on the season. Hawks might as well try to increase their chances.

I wouldn't be so quick to say rebuild includes Duclair. He has ability, separation speed but he has to PROVE that he has hockey smarts, effort and no prima donna.
- jhawk59

That is what I'm waiting to see. It might help if left on the same line for a while to acclimate, but what are the odds of that happening. So far I've seen size and speed, but no evidence of IQ and without it all the tools he does have are a waste most of the time.

chicago needs to win 20 of 29 remaining games to sniff a playoff spot. they haven't won more than 2 in a row at any time this season. #NotHappening

That is what I'm waiting to see. It might help if left on the same line for a while to acclimate, but what are the odds of that happening. So far I've seen size and speed, but no evidence of IQ and without it all the tools he does have are a waste most of the time.
- 6628

Maybe we could fuse him and Debrincat together to make one Super player.

*NEW* Blog up fam: http://www.hockeybuzz.com...Justin-Lowe/136/253/90826

That is what I'm waiting to see. It might help if left on the same line for a while to acclimate, but what are the odds of that happening. So far I've seen size and speed, but no evidence of IQ and without it all the tools he does have are a waste most of the time.
- 6628

Hasn’t he been with Toews and AdB most games since he came here? I don’t think Q is going to mess with that line much - AdB, Schmaltz and Hinostroza are the only scorers on the team.

Duclair’s main problem (my eyes say) is that he needs to make quicker decisions with the puck - pass or shoot - stop trying to make the extra toe-drag move, stop dribbling into trouble.