I'll raise my hand as someone who is guilty of some long posts on a regular basis. Generally, I like to think it means the poster is proving detail to support their point and provide context. While we (as a group) have some drastically varying opinions on nearly any topic here, I appreciate the thought that goes into many of the posts. I'll take that over some online forums that are just littered with short blanket statements and trolling.
- breadbag

All;

I was joking, just thought it was funny when I logged on today to catch up the posts were exceptionally long.

No harm. I should've probably added the propoer emoji to make sure it was known I was joking.

Appreciate everyone's contribution, well most everyone's

Hawks did everything right - or Pens let them do everything right.

Saad had a hat trick - with all three goals probably a total of 15 feet from the net - just as an example.

Those may have been the last close-in goals going to the net for him all season - perhaps for the whole team.

(Yes, hyperbole, but....)
- StLBravesFan

Saad got 2 hat tricks out of his system early last year: one in pre-season and another in Game 1, all within a total of 15 feet of the net. Let's hope he spreads the love better this season. His career shooting % and goal averages may dictate that, hopefully.

All;

I was joking, just thought it was funny when I logged on today to catch up the posts were exceptionally long.

No harm. I should've probably added the propoer emoji to make sure it was known I was joking.

Appreciate everyone's contribution, well most everyone's
- vabeachbear

I'm guilty of long posts but didn't take any offense to your comment, Bear. Content, courtesy for others, and passion for our team are what matter most whether posts are one sentence, one long run-on sentence, novel length, or whatever.

If Keith was 28 years old maybe Toronto would do that trade, but I highly doubt that they do it one for one and extremely unlikely they add picks to it.
- GPHawksfan

If Keith was still 28 the Hawks would laugh hysterically and hang up the phone at such a minimal return as Nylander and a pick for him.

Recognize Nylander for what he is - a small forward with a scoring touch who the Leafs thought could play center but have concluded can't. And when the going gets really physical he disappears. And now as an RFA he's looking for $6-7M.

While the Buffalo Sabres organization has been quiet when it comes to Sam Reinhart’s contract situation, the club is working on a deal. GM Jason Botterill simply said there are no updates at this time. It is expected Buffalo might be considering a bridge deal and there is some buzz that he might be up for trade if the right deal is available.

While the Buffalo Sabres organization has been quiet when it comes to Sam Reinhart’s contract situation, the club is working on a deal. GM Jason Botterill simply said there are no updates at this time. It is expected Buffalo might be considering a bridge deal and there is some buzz that he might be up for trade if the right deal is available.
- walleyeb1

Is that right 40% at the dot?

Is that right 40% at the dot?
- BetweenTheDots

He really doesn’t or at least hasn’t been playing center, playing RW.

I'm guilty of long posts but didn't take any offense to your comment, Bear. Content, courtesy for others, and passion for our team are what matter most whether posts are one sentence, one long run-on sentence, novel length, or whatever.
- AEL_Fox

I agree. I wasn't offended either, just commenting about the value of some of the long posts. I try to cut my posts down most times, because it can be too easy to start writing an essay. There is just so much data and information available to us on the web now, we can go on and on and on...

The community of Hawks fans here is like a nice somewhat functional global family. Great to see how much most of us care about the team that we visit this place so often.

I agree. I wasn't offended either, just commenting about the value of some of the long posts. I try to cut my posts down most times, because it can be too easy to start writing an essay. There is just so much data and information available to us on the web now, we can go on and on and on...

The community of Hawks fans here is like a nice somewhat functional global family. Great to see how much most of us care about the team that we visit this place so often.
- breadbag

Great points, especially the geographical dispersion of where Hawks fans are. You could say that about a lot of fan bases but I do appreciate how Hawks Nation is so wide spread.

If Keith was still 28 the Hawks would laugh hysterically and hang up the phone at such a minimal return as Nylander and a pick for him.

Recognize Nylander for what he is - a small forward with a scoring touch who the Leafs thought could play center but have concluded can't. And when the going gets really physical he disappears. And now as an RFA he's looking for $6-7M.
- RickJ

Well when was the last time a 20 something 20 goal 60 point player traded for a 35 year old dman whose game has fallen off a cliff? I'm not saying Nylander is all that great but that trade likely won't happen.

If Keith was still 28 the Hawks would laugh hysterically and hang up the phone at such a minimal return as Nylander and a pick for him.

Recognize Nylander for what he is - a small forward with a scoring touch who the Leafs thought could play center but have concluded can't. And when the going gets really physical he disappears. And now as an RFA he's looking for $6-7M.
- RickJ

William Nylander? I dont think he's "small". He's like 6 foot 190. He's probably a lot bigger than Schmaltz.

https://blackhawkup.com/2...est-irrelevant-right-now/

Article from Blackhawkup today regarding the relevance of a Panarin return to the Hawks. This quote in particular stood out to me and is a main reason why Panarin would be a "nice to have" asset (make that "really really nice to have") but not a "must need" asset:

"That being said, it’s very obvious the Blackhawks need NHL-ready defensemen and some goaltending depth well before they need Panarin back in the fold. Put Panarin on the current roster and the Blackhawks are, what, a wild-card team that turns into an easy out for the Predators? That might be a kind analysis."

I would add center depth to the list of needs to fulfill first. If the Hawks are to pursue a top 6 LW, I would prefer it be of the physical power forward variety. The team already has an exciting goal scoring winger in DeBrincat and possibly another offensively talented winger in Sikura. Those two plus Schmaltz are fulfilling the offensively dynamic top 6 forward youth quotient.

I would trade Keith to Toronto for Nylander and their 2nd or 3rd pick. Babcock gets a defensemen he can trust and helps lock up that back end for a cup run, and the Hawks get another young, talented piece they build with. Put Nylander with Toews and Saad and move DeBrincat up with Schmaltz and Kane, put AA on line 3, and put Kruger on line 4.
- SteveRain

I'm on board with this. Of the (5) "old core" players - only Kane and Keith are viable trade assets. Toews and Seabrook are overpaid for their value and Crawford has health questions. I would prefer to hold on to Kane because he is still playing at an elite level and could potentially have another 5 very solid years. Keith with his very reasonable cap hit can still provide excellent top pairing defense to a team missing that piece to their puzzle. If Stan can get Nylander or another top young player for him I would be all for it.

William Nylander? I dont think he's "small". He's like 6 foot 190. He's probably a lot bigger than Schmaltz.
- tompo1015

Sometime's perception about players are always stuck in the past (good and bad, performance and physical). Nylander was 5'11" and 169 lbs at his combine so that's how he is in some people's minds still. He's now listed as 6'0" and 191 as of last season.

Now, his height might be fudged, but then most guys' are so he's pretty average in general in terms of height. Still a little lighter than norm (195-205) but not on the lightest end.

https://www.secondcityhoc...ke-johnson-matt-iacopelli

Second City Hockey started their annual "Top 25 prospects under 25" today with their honorable mentions. The Top 25 list will be gradually unveiled over the next few weeks.

Honorable mentions:
Joni Tuulola
Matt Iacopelli
Luke Johnson
Mathias From
Roope Laavainen
Nathan Noel
Luc Snuggerud

Saad was #1 on the list last year but he is now aged out.

I also read JJ's article over the weekend. Same old same old.

- SteveRain

I Never read JJ article....

Second City Hockey started their annual "Top 25 prospects under 25" today with their honorable mentions. The Top 25 list will be gradually unveiled over the next few weeks.

Honorable mentions:
Joni Tuulola
Matt Iacopelli
Luke Johnson
Mathias From
Roope Laavainen
Nathan Noel
Luc Snuggerud

Saad was #1 on the list last year but he is now aged out.
- AEL_Fox

Spoiler: Schmaltz and Debrincat will be #1-2 while Sikura, Jokiharju, Mitchel, and Boqvist will round out the top 6.

Spoiler: Schmaltz and Debrincat will be #1-2 while Sikura, Jokiharju, Mitchel, and Boqvist will round out the top 6.
- L_B_R

That sounds about right. I personally would round out the top 10 with Beaudin, Krys, Wise, and either Soderlund or Ejdsell.

That sounds about right. I personally would round out the top 10 with Beaudin, Krys, Wise, and Soderlund.
- AEL_Fox

Forsling would be in there for me, probably. I think most would have pretty similar top 8/10, give or take a player, and it's after that it'd be more jumbled.

I know wiz was saying he didn't care for it, but here is Powers top 25 for anyone interested. SCH's list probably won't be too far off this as they try to balance ceiling / potential vs what is already shown. They might have some of the guys who have played NHL a little higher but idk.

Sikura 23
Jokiharju 19
Boqvist 17
Mitchell 19
Forsling 22
Beaudin 6
Kayumov 20
Wise 18
Edjsell 23
Shalunov 25
Altybarmakyan 19
Krys 20
Hayden 23
Nordgren 18
Kahun 23
Carlsson 16
Kampf 23
Delia 24
Highmore 19
Dahlstrom 20
Toderlund 20
Hillman 22
Gilbert 23
Johnson 24
Fortin 21

Forsling would be in there for me, probably. I think most would have pretty similar top 8/10, give or take a player, and it's after that it'd be more jumbled.

I know wiz was saying he didn't care for it, but here is Powers top 25 for anyone interested. SCH's list probably won't be too far off this as they try to balance ceiling / potential vs what is already shown. They might have some of the guys who have played NHL a little higher but idk.

Sikura 23
Jokiharju 19
Boqvist 17
Mitchell 19
Forsling 22
Beaudin 6
Kayumov 20
Wise 18
Edjsell 23
Shalunov 25
Altybarmakyan 19
Krys 20
Hayden 23
Nordgren 18
Kahun 23
Carlsson 16
Kampf 23
Delia 24
Highmore 19
Dahlstrom 20
Toderlund 20
Hillman 22
Gilbert 23
Johnson 24
Fortin 21
- L_B_R

Thanks for sharing Powers top 25. I don't have an Athletic subscription so wasn't able to view the full list.

For whatever reason I always forget about Forsling. I'd have him in the top 10 still in my book.

You're right, though, that there's a general consensus on the top 6-8 but then it's a jumble after that where prospects from there to 25 could be a bunch of permutations.

Thanks for sharing Powers top 25. I don't have an Athletic subscription so wasn't able to view the full list.

For whatever reason I always forget about Forsling. I'd have him in the top 10 still in my book.

You're right, though, that there's a general consensus on the top 6-8 but then it's a jumble after that where prospects from there to 25 could be a bunch of permutations.
- AEL_Fox

I love 6 year old prospects...

This is good news, atta boy Stan!
- walleyeb1

Hopefully Stan, or the next guy, never leaves the position so bare after the #1 as was done last yr. Yes a good sign he has the Cossack on the back burner, Forsberg up, Lankinen at RKF and Delia as well with Peeters and this yrs pick in jrs.

Resembles an NHL organIzational pipeline.

To answer about TV of the "Gretsky" - Hlinka tourney in Red Deer:


- wiz1901

This link is working right now for the Hlinka game RUS v FIN. http://onhockey.tv/

Did you also see on the Athletic the "NHL Front Office Confidence Rankings" that had the Chicago Blackhawks and Stanley Bowman at 26th!! (behind Buffalo!!!)
- EnzoD

Tell you what I liked about the rankings. They had Hawk fans and NHL fans ranking each organIzation in categories, think there were 5. Hawk fans ranked the Hawks lower in 3 of 5 cats than did NHL fans.

Says Hawk fans as a whole are not homies and IMO they are damn tired of the current management group.

William Nylander? I dont think he's "small". He's like 6 foot 190. He's probably a lot bigger than Schmaltz.
- tompo1015

Nylander’s listed at 6’ and 188 while Schmaltz is 6’ 179, so yes Nylander is way bigger.