Former #Blackhawks defenseman Cody Franson likely to sign with KHL’s Avangard Omsk, per report https://t.co/XCPfd0Dsb9 pic.twitter.com/O90F0qiAMK

— Stosh City Hockey (@2ndCityHockey) September 5, 2018

- DarthKane

How much more would a Franson help some or all of the young defensemen if he remained at Rockford. Colliton is given much credit with helping young players develop in a winning season. There are too many prospects in camp to be reassigned to Rockford. We can guestimate who makes the team, who plays again in Sweden, but starting very soon with Traverse City we have a case to build upon for many prospects progress or lack thereof vis- a -vis making the opening nhl roster.

One grey area has to be how each of the prospects is coached or taught during camp. What will be the affect or effect coming from both Q and Samuelson?

Lots of pressure to win enough and keep the fans continuing through turnstiles. What about this relentless attitude Q has come up with.

So many variables come into play as they impact what prospects on defense alone makes the team. I do believe that the forewards need to provide better support and there needs to be modification in Samuelson system.

Perhaps someone with a keen eye and knowledge about various systems has opinion whom makes the team. Personally I am very curious how the slightly older, more experienced Tuulola and Carlsson fare. Might Davidson initially steal a spot - only one spot - for a rookie on the blueline?

I’m with you on the rebuild - we all are!

Your like a Dog with a bone on Nash

You sign Nash because if he plays well you move him at the deadline for assets to help this rebuild

Same goes for Kunitz- Seabrook - Crawford & Ward
There’s more than one way to establish the rebuild my friend.

Either way Hawks miss the playoffs
- Colbyboy

You just named a bunch of players with NMC so moving them at the TDL would be difficult to impossible. Kunitz and Ward requested NMCs specifically because they didn't want to be moving around. As for Seabrook, it's still really uncommon for players to waive a NMC before the final two years of the contracts - Nash is the only one to do it, pretty sure.

Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Debrincat-Toews-Hayden
AA-Kampf-Sikura
Kahun-Kruger-Kunitz
- walleyeb1

I like Hayden on Toews' line with DeBrincat. Some hustle and muscle.
I like Kampf with AA so he (Kampf) can take the faceoffs. I'd probably rather have him with Kruger for style of play but AA needs someone to take critical face-offs for him
I'm curious to see if Kahun makes the opening roster. I see his name thrown around so much it seems like a lot of people are assuming it. It'd be a good development.
Who is your 13th forward?

You aren’t going to get the next Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith - or Hossa - that was a once in a generation team - four probable HOFers, another couple of multiple-season all stars - that kind of talent is not likely to be put together again in any city.

How many HOF players on Washington - one? Pittsburgh - probably one....

What we need to look for are not future HOF players, but skaters / goalies who can be legitimate top-6/top-four players - good enough to roll four lines and three pairings night after night - and the coaching staff that can turn them into Cup contenders, the front office that can fill in around the edges.
- StLBravesFan

I beg to differ with you. LA can certainly match that talent (possible HOFers) Kopitar Doughty Quick Carter and some say Brown (not so sure)

I like Hayden on Toews' line with DeBrincat. Some hustle and muscle.
I like Kampf with AA so he (Kampf) can take the faceoffs. I'd probably rather have him with Kruger for style of play but AA needs someone to take critical face-offs for him
I'm curious to see if Kahun makes the opening roster. I see his name thrown around so much it seems like a lot of people are assuming it. It'd be a good development.
Who is your 13th forward?
- matt_ahrens

I’d probably go with Highmore, but a bit conflicted. I don’t want to see him sitting out as a scratch, so that part bothers me.

Nope, just saying that only 2/3s of the Toews line is accounted for (i.e. Toews and DeBrincat) if Sikura and Kahun play on the third line, there was no mention of Toews' performance. Nice try though.
- DarthKane

Not you directly, just overall

RIP Ab McDonald.

Rick Nash works
- Colbyboy

The question of whether it would be good for the Hawks to sign Nash is irrelevant if Nash doesn't want to sign with the Hawks - and why would he? If he decides to gamble with his brains being scrambled for one more kick at the can - why would he choose a team with very little chance of making the playoffs, let alone playing in the SCF?

The question of whether it would be good for the Hawks to sign Nash is irrelevant if Nash doesn't want to sign with the Hawks - and why would he? If he decides to gamble with his brains being scrambled for one more kick at the can - why would he choose a team with very little chance of making the playoffs, let alone playing in the SCF?
- EbonyRaptor

Very well written!!!

Lottery team this season for sure.

Probably the best thing too - provided that (1) misplaced hubris about "division rivalry" suddenly motivates guys to play hard enough at the end doesn't reappear to screw them out of four slots in the draft again, and (2) the pick that is made is not wasted on another smurf with concussion issues.

An earlier poster said it best when he remarked that it is truly disappointing to think that we are discussing who among the marginal/not ready/too young crowd will fill out the big boy roster.

So...#embracethetank, and let's get some consecutive lottery picks. It won't be long before the FO partners with Wendy's to bring back $7 ticket giveaways. Just SOOOO happy I'm not a season ticket holder.

I beg to differ with you. LA can certainly match that talent (possible HOFers) Kopitar Doughty Quick Carter and some say Brown (not so sure)
- KINGS67

Brown? HOF? C'MON!

I would also strongly question Carter as a potential HOF'er. Carter has 672 points in 904 games and Patrick Sharp has 628 in 939 games. Fairly close - would you consider Sharp a HOF'er? I wouldn't.

Kopitar, Doughty and Quick all have a pretty good shot at the HOF.

Brown? HOF? C'MON!

I would also strongly question Carter as a potential HOF'er. Carter has 672 points in 904 games and Patrick Sharp has 628 in 939 games. Fairly close - would you consider Sharp a HOF'er? I wouldn't.

Kopitar, Doughty and Quick all have a pretty good shot at the HOF.
- EbonyRaptor

Agree on with you on Brown, but Carter was definitely there before he hurt his foot. Kind of never the same since then, but he was a beast prior to that injury.

Biggest weakness the last 3 years has been gap control through the neutral zone as a product of disorganized \ uncommitted \ lackluster \ scared forcheck and being unable to pick up loose pucks in their own zone and successfully and quickly transition the other way.

You'd hope some of the smaller, heady players that they have picked up can use their quickness and smarts to their advantage to create more turnovers and drive the puck the other direction.

If they can do that at a rate 70% as efficient as the 2010 team the goaltending won't matter.
- fattybeef

Good analysis of a team weakness that needs to be addressed so that the Hawks are more competitive game in and game out. I would also add improvement in puck support and each player on the ice knowing what they need to do not only in the immediate moment but in possible scenarios if X were to happen or Y were to happen. Make smart, simple fundamental plays as well.

You just named a bunch of players with NMC so moving them at the TDL would be difficult to impossible. Kunitz and Ward requested NMCs specifically because they didn't want to be moving around. As for Seabrook, it's still really uncommon for players to waive a NMC before the final two years of the contracts - Nash is the only one to do it, pretty sure.
- L_B_R

I know it gets criticized that Ward got a NMC but I think it was a smart move on his part given the odd goalie situation the Hawks are in with a questionable Crawford. There was that rumor that the Hawks were kicking the tires on Mason (who knows, possibly other UFA goalies) AFTER the Ward signing. If I were Ward, I would want job security even if just for his current one-year deal so I know that I'm not so easily expendable.

This is just pure conjecture on my part, but Ward may have also coveted job security more so for his family than for him as a pro athlete given that his son has a hearing impairment and may need specialized care. It would suck to be traded within a season and have to disrupt any ongoing treatment, especially in a city like Chicago with great healthcare options.

Even if that conjecture is far from the truth, there are other reasons why player's request NMCs and some of those reasons may be legitimate for them and even fully endorsed by their teammates but not by fans, armchair GMs, etc.

Brown? HOF? C'MON!

I would also strongly question Carter as a potential HOF'er. Carter has 672 points in 904 games and Patrick Sharp has 628 in 939 games. Fairly close - would you consider Sharp a HOF'er? I wouldn't.

Kopitar, Doughty and Quick all have a pretty good shot at the HOF.
- EbonyRaptor

Was going to say the same thing. No way on Brown.

Like you said with Sharp, I wouldn't consider him a HOF'er and same with Carter. Points may not tell the whole story but how many guys make it who average .6-.7ppg?

This is just pure conjecture on my part, but Ward may have also coveted job security more so for his family than for him as a pro athlete given that his son has a hearing impairment and may need specialized care. It would suck to be traded within a season and have to disrupt any ongoing treatment, especially in a city like Chicago with great healthcare options.
- AEL_Fox

Having a brother with similar issues since birth, I can assure you that the University of Chicago staff offer outstanding services for hearing impairment, and yes, interruption of care is a huge issue with that population of patients.

Having a brother with similar issues since birth, I can assure you that the University of Chicago staff offer outstanding services for hearing impairment, and yes, interruption of care is a huge issue with that population of patients.
- Return of the Roar

Thanks for chiming in on your personal experience. Hope your brother has been taken care of well in his lifetime so far. Sounds like he has with your endorsement of the University of Chicago.

The Raleigh-Durham area has great healthcare resources as well so I imagine this may have been a high priority for the Ward family as they sought free agency destinations after being with the Canes his entire career.

Some of you have likely seen this before but here's a 2 year old Players Tribune article by Ward about his son.

https://www.theplayerstri...d-cochlear-implants-story

Look who is visiting Chicago. Let the speculation fly.



I’d guess he is simply in town to visit his good friends but maybe Stan asked him to stop by.

No he doesn't.
- DarthKane

For a team gunning for the 1st overall it does.

You aren’t going to get the next Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith - or Hossa - that was a once in a generation team - four probable HOFers, another couple of multiple-season all stars - that kind of talent is not likely to be put together again in any city.

How many HOF players on Washington - one? Pittsburgh - probably one....

What we need to look for are not future HOF players, but skaters / goalies who can be legitimate top-6/top-four players - good enough to roll four lines and three pairings night after night - and the coaching staff that can turn them into Cup contenders, the front office that can fill in around the edges.
- StLBravesFan

Agree totally with what everybody has said, I guess I was one of those fans maybe just maybe, Stan Bowman would have followed suit with Ryan Pace, Rick Hahn And Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer ,When he had a chance to strike while the iron was hot, and had to go to the first round picks this last draft, that pony them up and offer them to one of the top three or four teams to move the draft to get one of those big power forwards. Possibly would be the next generation of player, instead and I will repeat myself he sticks with drafting these little Smurfs that he could stick on the end of this pencil in the lineup on his desk and talk to them nightly. When he had a chance to strike while the iron was hot, and had to go to the first round picks this last draft, that pony them up and offer them to one of the top three or four teams to move the draft to get one of those big power forwards. Possibly would be the next generation of player, instead and I will repeat myself he sticks with drafting these little Smurfs that he could stick on the end of this pencil and line up on his desk and talk to them nightly. I know I am sarcastic There,But we were so close to getting the next generation of power forward. And Nick schmaltz is not it












Goddamn F’n I phone, you guys get the jist

For a team gunning for the 1st overall it does.
- Beaver-Warrior

No he doesn't.

You are setting yourself up for disappointment if you want to see the next Toews, Kane, Seabrook, or Keith out of the group of youngsters. It could happen that one guy breaks out in a big way, but consider how the Hawks got Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith in the first place. They sat near the bottom of the standings for multiple seasons while rebuilding the team with picks (many higher than they have had recently) and prospects. Prospects of that caliber are gonna be few and far between unless the continue to linger near the bottom and trade away assets for more picks. It is a numbers game and the Hawks haven't been in this current rebuild very long yet.
- breadbag

Few and far in between. Yep of course they had Panarin and threw him away for nothing like the morons they are. Few and far in between indeed.

Few and far in between. Yep of course they had Panarin and threw him away for nothing like the morons they are. Few and far in between indeed.
- Savoy

IMO bowman and kelly are drafting high ceiling type of player and not hockey players if get what i m saying.

Few and far in between. Yep of course they had Panarin and threw him away for nothing like the morons they are. Few and far in between indeed.
- Savoy

I wonder what Pan wanted on a Long tern deal back 1.5 years ago? My guess is 8 year 55- 60 ml. it would look like a steal today. That was stans error.

IMO bowman and kelly are drafting high ceiling type of player and not hockey players if get what i m saying.
- Scott1977

So how many guys do you have to draft before you get a Panarin? 200? 300? Some teams never get one. Draft picks are only draft picks, they are not NHLers. We have documented plenty of NHL first round failures around here.