In my defense, I've been calling for the Hawks to sign Shore for over a month. I think, ideally, AA is on the third line with Sikura on RW for Toews/ Saad. I just don't think Sikura (or Kahun) are ready for top 6. I think a one year contract for Shore would give the Hawks flexibility.
- tvetter

It’s realistically possible that not Sikura and Kahun are not NHL ready this season. I personally believe they will be but I acknowledge it’s not a lock.

The Hawks are putting their hopes in a lot of youngsters - Sikura, Kahun, Ejdsell, Hayden, Jokiharju, Kampf and Forsling (when healthy) and that’s 100% the right move at this stage of the Hawks overall development. However, odds are that not all these kids can contribute right away, Stan will need a plan B. I don’t think Shore is the answer, but I get where you’re coming from. I think they can fill the bottom 6 with vets and young AHL talent. I’d rather give a kid like Johnson a shot at the NHL than sign Shore. Nothing against Shore, he’s a fine player, I just think the Hawks immediate attention needs to be on their own young forwards.

Troy Brouwer to the Panthers on a 1 year deal for $850K.

Tallon says he'll add depth and help develop the young players.

Troy Brouwer to the Panthers on a 1 year deal for $850K.

Tallon says he'll add depth and help develop the young players.
- boilermaker100

Stan fails again....

Possible, but I think Anisimov will be on the third line. Not that AA is a start but he will help bring some balance. Ideally both Kahun and Sikura both make the team and contribute offensively, one on the third line and one on the first. But putting your hopes in two rookies like that is risky business.
- DarthKane

At least they are both more developed rookies, as they are both in their early twenties instead of 18 or 19. Makes it more possible for them to contribute right away.

It’s realistically possible that not Sikura and Kahun are not NHL ready this season. I personally believe they will be but I acknowledge it’s not a lock.

The Hawks are putting their hopes in a lot of youngsters - Sikura, Kahun, Ejdsell, Hayden, Jokiharju, Kampf and Forsling (when healthy) and that’s 100% the right move at this stage of the Hawks overall development. However, odds are that not all these kids can contribute right away, Stan will need a plan B. I don’t think Shore is the answer, but I get where you’re coming from. I think they can fill the bottom 6 with vets and young AHL talent. I’d rather give a kid like Johnson a shot at the NHL than sign Shore. Nothing against Shore, he’s a fine player, I just think the Hawks immediate attention needs to be on their own young forwards.
- DarthKane

I think the Hawks are doing the right thing. Not going out and getting a bunch of vets that won't put this team over the top. Instead they are developing their young players. Cup contenders in 2020-2021.

Stan fails again....
- DarthKane

Stan Stans again. Hawks really need a GM....wonder if Craig Button or Garth Snow are available.

I think the Hawks are doing the right thing. Not going out and getting a bunch of vets that won't put this team over the top. Instead they are developing their young players. Cup contenders in 2020-2021.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Let's just hope the younger players are actually ready. There's one thing to play them when their ripe and ready for NHL action, and another to play them out of necessity.

Also, in 2020-21 - Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook and Crawford are all another 2-3 years older which doesn't bode well for how this team will look.

I have a blog coming up before the season begins about this and analyzing just how good these younger players are.

History tells us that with the Hawks picking so high for so long (if at all after dealing a lot of picks to go on Cup runs) should have the Hawks hurting with up-and-coming prospects.

Until recently, NHL farm system rankings had the Hawks near the bottom of the league (which makes sense based on the above explanation).

It has been the selections of Boqvist, Jokiharju, etc that have shot them up the rankings.

Time will tell and I'm quite interested on how this team looks, and plays, when the puck drops in October.

I think a few of Stan, MCD, Q, of Scotty are delusional. Everybody is picking us last in the DIV and this is with the idea that Craw might come back, and 3 to last in the west. He needs to blow this up and move what ever he can this year. probably at the trade deadline. there is second problem that if we are not going to contend for 3-4 years even Kane will be over paid. Boquist by most account is probably the farthest away from the NHL of any of the top 12-13 picks. Maybe he has a higher ceiling then guys behind him but probably not any of the guys taken above him. The holes on this team are not small. We have 1 top line player. that is short 2. We have no top line D IMO. We have no goalie and Below AVG backups. We have 3 immovable contracts. what does he see that thinks this team can bounce back? With Craw the 1st 1/3 of the season we were7/9 seed and he was playing great. after Crow went down we got .787 pts per game which is 64.5 which would have been the 2nd worse record in the league. Even if you have slight bounce back years from Teows, keith, SAAD and Seabs that would probably add 10 pts so that would be us the same as last year.

I think a few of Stan, MCD, Q, of Scotty are delusional. Everybody is picking us last in the DIV and this is with the idea that Craw might come back, and 3 to last in the west. He needs to blow this up and move what ever he can this year. probably at the trade deadline. there is second problem that if we are not going to contend for 3-4 years even Kane will be over paid. Boquist by most account is probably the farthest away from the NHL of any of the top 12-13 picks. Maybe he has a higher ceiling then guys behind him but probably not any of the guys taken above him. The holes on this team are not small. We have 1 top line player. that is short 2. We have no top line D IMO. We have no goalie and Below AVG backups. We have 3 immovable contracts. what does he see that thinks this team can bounce back? With Craw the 1st 1/3 of the season we were7/9 seed and he was playing great. after Crow went down we got .787 pts per game which is 64.5 which would have been the 2nd worse record in the league. Even if you have slight bounce back years from Teows, keith, SAAD and Seabs that would probably add 10 pts so that would be us the same as last year.
- kmw4631

I get what you are saying, but what is the team supposed to say? "We know we have a bunch of probable Hall of Famers that have won three Cups in 6 years, but they all suck now, except for Kaner, so hey everyone, shops open for business and screw this year!"

No, they can't say that. What they are saying in public may be completely different to what they are saying behind closed doors. Or not. We don't know and they way the Blackhawks and really most of hockey works, we will never truly know. But, as I've said before on this board, the 'hawks front office is not only fighting contracts and injuries and fall off in play, etc., but also history. There's years of history of Dollar Bill selling off prized and loved commodities. I believe this was part of the reason for these big contracts and for the NTC and NMCs. Proof to fans, players and the rest of the league that this isn't your (Rocky's) father's Blackhawks.

I could be completely mistaken, but that's my feeling.

It’s realistically possible that not Sikura and Kahun are not NHL ready this season. I personally believe they will be but I acknowledge it’s not a lock.

The Hawks are putting their hopes in a lot of youngsters - Sikura, Kahun, Ejdsell, Hayden, Jokiharju, Kampf and Forsling (when healthy) and that’s 100% the right move at this stage of the Hawks overall development. However, odds are that not all these kids can contribute right away, Stan will need a plan B. I don’t think Shore is the answer, but I get where you’re coming from. I think they can fill the bottom 6 with vets and young AHL talent. I’d rather give a kid like Johnson a shot at the NHL than sign Shore. Nothing against Shore, he’s a fine player, I just think the Hawks immediate attention needs to be on their own young forwards.
- DarthKane

I think you are correct. The question is if kids are not fully ready, some can get some seasoning in Rockford, while others will have to learn on the fly with the big club because of the need of bodies to fill out the line up. Can't send all the kids down ..... who will fill some of the slots in the line up

I think you are correct. The question is if kids are not fully ready, some can get some seasoning in Rockford, while others will have to learn on the fly with the big club because of the need of bodies to fill out the line up. Can't send all the kids down ..... who will fill some of the slots in the line up
- chuckdahammer

IIRC, I believe Kahun has a clause in his contract that lets him return to Europe if he doesn't make the team. Not sure if the contract allows for him to go to Rockford. He could be a good sport and accept the AHL assignment but he could also pack his bags to head back home.

IIRC, I believe Kahun has a clause in his contract that lets him return to Europe if he doesn't make the team. Not sure if the contract allows for him to go to Rockford. He could be a good sport and accept the AHL assignment but he could also pack his bags to head back home.
- AEL_Fox

You are correct. Kahun has a European Assignment clause that he can opt to use if he does not make the Hawks.

Considering the amount of bonuses (2.8M+ per year) that the Hawks worked into his contract, I would say they are betting on him to make the team.

Spoiler alert to a future blog: I think he does as well.

He's 23-years old, can play C or W, plays a speedy (Hawks need more of that) and offensive game.

Oh, he also put up 0.70 points in the OHL (Sudbury Wolves) as a 17-18 year old so he's already been exposed to the North American ice.

He's got a lot working in his favour.

Intrigued by him and excited to see him hit the ice.

Patrica 822 GP = +59

Toews 791 GP = +193

88 = Cherry Picker who Panarin had to carry
Hope Patrica plays ALL YEAR with Saad
STAY HOT
- Goalie-33

Did Kane not sign your hat or something? This is crazy. Well done skewing the stats to make it look like Toews is the superior player. Far from it. Why don't you go to goals, assists, points, playoff points, etc.

And btw if this were 2009 you'd have a point with Kane's lack of defense. however, Kane has improved all areas of his game year after year.....and what has Toews done?

I'd love to hear this.....

No word on my end Scott.

I heard they were kicking tires on Brouwer. Maybe they only were interested in bringing him back on a PTO vs. Dale's 1-year contract.

There may be a couple PTO invites (they've done that the last few years) but I think the current roster might be what we see in October.
- Justin Lowe

And as constructed this team is not good enough to compete for a playoff spot which makes the Kunitz signing puzzling to me. That's a 2004 Hawks signing right there....an old,washed up veteran, with a name people recognize and think can still contribute. Yet we have seen Campbell and Sharp both fail at this...….so to think it will be any different is crazy.

My only hope will be to see media hound the living hell out of Q daily about Crawford if he's not skating at preseason camp. Sadly for Q, Bowman will be hiding when those questions go down.

Don't say the R word...……(rebuild)……...

You are correct. Kahun has a European Assignment clause that he can opt to use if he does not make the Hawks.

Considering the amount of bonuses (2.8M+ per year) that the Hawks worked into his contract, I would say they are betting on him to make the team.

Spoiler alert to a future blog: I think he does as well.

He's 23-years old, can play C or W, plays a speedy (Hawks need more of that) and offensive game.

Oh, he also put up 0.70 points in the OHL (Sudbury Wolves) as a 17-18 year old so he's already been exposed to the North American ice.

He's got a lot working in his favour.

Intrigued by him and excited to see him hit the ice.
- Justin Lowe

Cool, thanks for the intel. Definitely lots to like about both Kahun and Sikura.

I know there's the innate fear of them being duds and end up being the next Tony Salmelainen and next Drew LeBlanc, but there's a lot of factors working in their favor that dictate otherwise.

If anything, you have a few energy forwards for the 3rd line but I see more upside for at least Sikura (top 6). Kahun could also be top 6 but I do like him as a playmaking two-way center.

I get what you are saying, but what is the team supposed to say? "We know we have a bunch of probable Hall of Famers that have won three Cups in 6 years, but they all suck now, except for Kaner, so hey everyone, shops open for business and screw this year!"

No, they can't say that. What they are saying in public may be completely different to what they are saying behind closed doors. Or not. We don't know and they way the Blackhawks and really most of hockey works, we will never truly know. But, as I've said before on this board, the 'hawks front office is not only fighting contracts and injuries and fall off in play, etc., but also history. There's years of history of Dollar Bill selling off prized and loved commodities. I believe this was part of the reason for these big contracts and for the NTC and NMCs. Proof to fans, players and the rest of the league that this isn't your (Rocky's) father's Blackhawks.

I could be completely mistaken, but that's my feeling.
- CanOCorn

I think this mostly correct.


From my seat, he (rocky) had only one place to go but up when he took over. The Hawks under WWW was by far the worst run franchise of any of the major 4 sports teams. Hell, you'd be hard to find a team in European soccer league run worst then the Hawks. He has done some good things, reconnected older generational fans with their childhood heroes, and I respect that.


McDonough, while an ego maniac, may be the best marketer Chicago has known for any sports team. Can't argue that. However, with that comes the crowded room with too many chiefs and not enough Indians and that is an issue.


Any gm or hockey person will tell us (fans) know that the Toews deal will be hard to trade baring a bounce back from 19 (sorry Goalie 33) but the Kane/Hossa/Keith deals were worth their weight in gold. This last seabrook deal has been awful and the need to trade away young budding stars because of cap constrictions is alarming.....and while Saad had a bad year, will he ever be a top 10 player in the league? Because I firmly believe panarin is that.

now that the arrow is pointing down for the short term, lets see how Wirtz reacts when his team isn't front page, the discretionary dollars are being spent elsewhere....this IMO is his first true test of that adversity.

Toews isn't that bad. Not 10.5 million dollars good but still a legit #1 center in the league. He'll be somewhere around 30/30 this year which is fine for what he brings.

Saad is a top line player. Maybe 1b if you're going to stretch but aside from last years aberration 50 points is a top line player.

Keith is still a number one defender. You pair him with anyone not named Jordan Osterle and he will be fine. I think hes +50 points this year.

Debrincat cant hit a sophomore slump and if they get 30/30 out of Schmaltz they won't be terrible.

I'd say around 90ish points this year. That can either be slogging it out for the 8th seed or a handful of points out of a playoff spot. I think this year is going to be kind of screwy and the bottom feeders wont be as horrific as they have been and you'll see a tighter grouping between with the bottom 3 seeds and 3 teams just below the cut off.

And as constructed this team is not good enough to compete for a playoff spot which makes the Kunitz signing puzzling to me. That's a 2004 Hawks signing right there....an old,washed up veteran, with a name people recognize and think can still contribute. Yet we have seen Campbell and Sharp both fail at this...….so to think it will be any different is crazy.

My only hope will be to see media hound the living hell out of Q daily about Crawford if he's not skating at preseason camp. Sadly for Q, Bowman will be hiding when those questions go down.

Don't say the R word...……(rebuild)……...
- SteveRain

Can't remember where it was, but someone on the team (might have been a coach) said about Kunitz, "he brings cup winning experience". I think we can all admit, that is not something this team lack.

I know they can't do it for obvious reasons, but for them to say anything other than "we signed him so it looked like we actually tried to improve the team, but struck out on the guys we wanted" is BS.

This is also why I didn't understand the interest in Brouwer. If you are going to sign a free agent, sign ones that actually do something better than what you have on the team. I don't see anything that Brouwer can do (right now) that Hayden, Martinsen, or Kunitz can't.

Did Kane not sign your hat or something? This is crazy. Well done skewing the stats to make it look like Toews is the superior player. Far from it. Why don't you go to goals, assists, points, playoff points, etc.

And btw if this were 2009 you'd have a point with Kane's lack of defense. however, Kane has improved all areas of his game year after year.....and what has Toews done?

I'd love to hear this.....
- SteveRain

Not slept with G33's mom?

I think you are correct. The question is if kids are not fully ready, some can get some seasoning in Rockford, while others will have to learn on the fly with the big club because of the need of bodies to fill out the line up. Can't send all the kids down ..... who will fill some of the slots in the line up
- chuckdahammer

That's what I'm worried about. I think the Hawks' prospects are much better than they were a few years ago. We've had some pretty good drafts considering where we were picking (our top forward prospect was a 6th round pick IIRC), but it might be nice to be able to send Sikura or Kahun to Colliton if they need to without bringing up a player who shouldn't be in the NHL. That's the only reason I don't mind the Kunitz signing, and why I think it may help them to sign one more forward.

Let's just hope the younger players are actually ready. There's one thing to play them when their ripe and ready for NHL action, and another to play them out of necessity.

Also, in 2020-21 - Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook and Crawford are all another 2-3 years older which doesn't bode well for how this team will look.

I have a blog coming up before the season begins about this and analyzing just how good these younger players are.

History tells us that with the Hawks picking so high for so long (if at all after dealing a lot of picks to go on Cup runs) should have the Hawks hurting with up-and-coming prospects.
- Justin Lowe

I think that is why they will go into training camp as is, see what they have in these youngsters, and if they don't have enough to fill out the roster (they want to send a number of young players to Rockford), then they will sign a vet or two to be a place holder this year. They probably will invite a couple of vets to camp on a PTO for this reason.

Brandon Davidson being brought into Chicago on a PTO.

There's our first one ladies and gentlemen.

Brandon Davidson being brought into Chicago on a PTO.

There's our first one ladies and gentlemen.
- Justin Lowe

Another left-handed D? Have you heard any other names being floated out there (specifically forwards)?

Brandon Davidson being brought into Chicago on a PTO.

There's our first one ladies and gentlemen.
- Justin Lowe

Makes sense. If Jokiharju and Hillman don’t make the team out of camp they only have 6 NHL d-men.

Another left-handed D? Have you heard any other names being floated out there (specifically forwards)?
- tvetter

LHD, correct. He's a depth guy but big (6'2 / 217 lbs) and relatively mobile for that size.

I know the Hawks liked him a few years back when he was in Edmonton.

According to Jim Matheson (out of Edmonton), Davidson has a 1-year / 1-way contract offer on the table if the Hawks like him. I guess that was more reassurance than most PTO offers he got because he received 10 of them.