Alright!
Toews can retire now, move back to Canada.
Perfect tie-in with ONNIT announced by Breakthru Beverage Corp in yesterday's Chicago Tribune:

Breakthru Beverage Group, the alcohol wholesale business co-led by Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, announced plans Monday to invest $9.2 million in CannTrust, a Canadian marijuana producer.

Breakthru has signed a letter of intent to become the exclusive distributor for CannTrust as recreational marijuana is set to become legal in Canada on Oct. 17. In doing so, Breakthru joins a growing number of major alcohol companies to recently invest in the global potential of the burgeoning marijuana industry. Giant beer companies such as Molson Coors — parent company of Chicago-based MillerCoors — and Constellation Brands, which bases its beer business in Chicago, are planning to develop and sell cannabis-infused drinks in Canada.

Go Johnny Go.
I can see it now -- Toews and Keith hitching their wagons to this latest announcement. Maybe they should do it now, ahead of the season.
- savvyone-1

HA

I'm just glad Pierre LeBrun saw the "motivation in the eyes" of Toews when he spoke to him last week. Great to hear. More talk, like last year. Until proven otherwise, I don't care if the Hawks want to roll out video after video of DeBrincat or Seabrook "training" or whatever else.....all that matters is results on the ice.

I do chuckle when I hear all about kane's defensive zone "deficiencies". For all those concerned, shouldn't we look to NOT having Toews on the ice in the offensive zone so he doesn't fall down and cost the team a scoring chance?

Good to hear about Crawford being seen.....all that matters is his personal health for him, his son, and his family.

Oh and in case you missed it.....the One goal mantra this year....means make the playoffs, which equates to mediocrity in my world since 16 teams make it league wide....but good spin by McDonough.

Maybe you should stop constantly whining and stfu?
- GPHawksfan

Well when both of those guys, IF, they play up to their potential...I gladly will.

Until then, I see 2 guys on the backside of their careers. And 19 has been bad now for a few years, and may be the easiest guy in the NHL to knock off his skates.

You don't believe, go back and watch videos of him easily falling down after barely being touched going after 50/50 pucks.....something royally off there.

I typically don't like to propose hypothetical trades, but with the recent announcement/disaster in Ottawa would a swap of Schmaltz for Duchene (I have no idea what other pieces would need to be involved) be of any interest?

Duchene seems to have the same skillset, but with better faceoff numbers (which is what we are all clamoring for):

typically between 55-65 points, decent defensively, and career 53% at the dot.
- Chunk

I wouldn't do that if I was Chicago. Schmaltz has basically already caught up with Duchene's level of performance. Schmaltz had 52 points last year and in Duchene's last 5 years he has average 54 points. Where is the gain? Yes, faceoffs for sure, but where else? Unless the Hawks could win on the salary cap (relief) I don't see a reason to make this trade. Nick is also 5 years younger (not that Duchene is old).

NHL network showing "17 second " game. I shall be living in the past for the next 2 hours.

Ahh, the past.

I typically don't like to propose hypothetical trades, but with the recent announcement/disaster in Ottawa would a swap of Schmaltz for Duchene (I have no idea what other pieces would need to be involved) be of any interest?

Duchene seems to have the same skillset, but with better faceoff numbers (which is what we are all clamoring for):

typically between 55-65 points, decent defensively, and career 53% at the dot.
- Chunk

I'm not trying to take away anything from Duchene but I wouldn't part with any of the Hawks prominent young players for him. Duchene didn't help Ottawa and Colorado was instantly better without him. I can't explain the reason for that but something is amiss. Plus the Hawks are giving up 5 years in this deal.

At this stage in their development that Hawks aren't a serious contender and Duchene wouldn't put them over the top. I'd be ok signing Duchene to a reasonable deal as a UFA, but I wouldn't part with any significant assets for him.

Sadly.

Though I was happier being a Bears fan this morning vs being a Lions fan.
- HawkintheD

Keep in mind we got beat by a future Hall of Famer, and great player, in Rodgers. During our cup run I imagine Nashville and other teams felt the same way when Toews, Kane, Hossa and Keith would take over games. Great players win games...bottom line. Phil Jackson did not win those titles...Jordan, Pippen, Grant, Rodman and Kukoc did.

Kruger Frolik Bolland
Sharp Handzus Hossa
Saad Shaw Stalberg
Bickell Toews Kane
Keith Leddy
Oduya Hjammer
Seabrook Rosaval
Crawford

Ahhh, memories.

I'm not trying to take away anything from Duchene but I wouldn't part with any of the Hawks prominent young players for him. Duchene didn't help Ottawa and Colorado was instantly better without him. I can't explain the reason for that but something is amiss. Plus the Hawks are giving up 5 years in this deal.

At this stage in their development that Hawks aren't a serious contender and Duchene wouldn't put them over the top. I'd be ok signing Duchene to a reasonable deal as a UFA, but I wouldn't part with any significant assets for him.
- DarthKane

I hear you. We just constantly see people saying "if only Schmaltz was better at faceoffs". Well... Duchene is and has consistently put up the solid points. No to mention, can he really command that much more than Schmaltz on his next contract?Maybe they can go after Stone. I just think with the availability of players in OTT, it would be nice to take advantage.

Well when both of those guys, IF, they play up to their potential...I gladly will.

Until then, I see 2 guys on the backside of their careers. And 19 has been bad now for a few years, and may be the easiest guy in the NHL to knock off his skates.

You don't believe, go back and watch videos of him easily falling down after barely being touched going after 50/50 pucks.....something royally off there.
- SteveRain

Absolutely 100% correct SR. Some people don't want to accept reality, but you do have to admire their optimism. We will find out soon.

Hawks cannot trade guys that are younger for guys older at this point. they are already have 5 older guys on the team with Long term deals. Cannot add any more. IMO. I know everybody is different but it seems to me most players peak is 27/28 that would be the case for most hawks. Hossa extended that as well as Keith but pretty clear teows and Seabs, AA, and to a less extent kane fall in that category. Duchene would be at his peak and declining Nick is not at his peak for 3 more years.

Did anybody see boquist play. Joki and Sikura looked good from what I gathered and beaudin and Kahn as well. you look at the 2 guys taken in front of boquist and they have all star potential. is he really any better of a propect then the guys taken at the end of the lottery? Dobson walstrom? ETC. I guess he has a good shot but the fact he is only a AVG skater for his size is concerning. sounds like a forsling to me? which is not a top pairing guy IMO.

Maybe you should stop constantly whining and stfu?
- GPHawksfan

He wouldn't be able to talk at all if he did that, though. And where would we be without his input?

Absolutely 100% correct SR. Some people don't want to accept reality, but you do have to admire their optimism. We will find out soon.
- Hawkytalk

There are also some people who try to find negativity in every single statement made about certain players. It's a two-way street that is quite entertaining even though it does get tiresome at times.

Kruger Frolik Bolland
Sharp Handzus Hossa
Saad Shaw Stalberg
Bickell Toews Kane
Keith Leddy
Oduya Hjammer
Seabrook Rosaval
Crawford

Ahhh, memories.
- hocktock

Hocks pp was 1 for 18 in the series.
Leddy sure didn't play many minutes this game.

Leddy

I hear you. We just constantly see people saying "if only Schmaltz was better at faceoffs". Well... Duchene is and has consistently put up the solid points. No to mention, can he really command that much more than Schmaltz on his next contract?Maybe they can go after Stone. I just think with the availability of players in OTT, it would be nice to take advantage.
- Chunk

Duchene is turning 28 in a few months and will be in for a raise. And yes, he'll demand more than Schmaltz because he'll be a UFA (or have the threat to become one) and that drives up prices. At some point, trading young guys just entering their prime for older guys getting close to 30 has to stop.

Also even Duchene started off not great with FOs - 44% his first season. Better than Schmaltz but it still took him a bit to get acclimated. I can name at least 10 centers off the top of my head that either took a few years to get up to 45-50% or have never done so but are considered great played. Patience is needed.

Kruger Frolik Bolland
Sharp Handzus Hossa
Saad Shaw Stalberg
Bickell Toews Kane
Keith Leddy
Oduya Hjammer
Seabrook Rosaval
Crawford

Ahhh, memories.
- hocktock

Any idea if Michal Rozsíval will be given the "one last shift" treatment?

Gotta love the people that get all salty and offended when the truth hurts. Sorry if it stings but the fact is 19, 7, and 2 are garbage now based on how much $$ they’re making. Toews and Seabrook specifically might literally go down as 2 of the worst 10 contracts handed out in NHL history.

Hawks cannot trade guys that are younger for guys older at this point. they are already have 5 older guys on the team with Long term deals. Cannot add any more. IMO. I know everybody is different but it seems to me most players peak is 27/28 that would be the case for most hawks. Hossa extended that as well as Keith but pretty clear teows and Seabs, AA, and to a less extent kane fall in that category. Duchene would be at his peak and declining Nick is not at his peak for 3 more years.

Did anybody see boquist play. Joki and Sikura looked good from what I gathered and beaudin and Kahn as well. you look at the 2 guys taken in front of boquist and they have all star potential. is he really any better of a propect then the guys taken at the end of the lottery? Dobson walstrom? ETC. I guess he has a good shot but the fact he is only a AVG skater for his size is concerning. sounds like a forsling to me? which is not a top pairing guy IMO.
- kmw4631

I saw Boqvist play the first game and he can skate. I see him as 1 year away. As for the rest of the defensemen play I do not see anyone in the top 6 that is why we got Manning. Next year we will see a couple of them on the big league team.

Gotta love the people that get all salty and offended when the truth hurts. Sorry if it stings but the fact is 19, 7, and 2 are garbage now based on how much $$ they’re making. Toews and Seabrook specifically might literally go down as 2 of the worst 10 contracts handed out in NHL history.
- SimpleJack

This is really getting old.

Blah, blah, blah.

Any idea if Michal Rozsíval will be given the "one last shift" treatment?
- Rota's Rooter

He's playing a great game this day.

Duchene is turning 28 in a few months and will be in for a raise. And yes, he'll demand more than Schmaltz because he'll be a UFA (or have the threat to become one) and that drives up prices. At some point, trading young guys just entering their prime for older guys getting close to 30 has to stop.

Also even Duchene started off not great with FOs - 44% his first season. Better than Schmaltz but it still took him a bit to get acclimated. I can name at least 10 centers off the top of my head that either took a few years to get up to 45-50% or have never done so but are considered great played. Patience is needed.
- L_B_R

For some reason I had it in my head that Schmaltz was going to be UFA. Forget all that I said. It makes much less sense now. Except for the Mark Stone part. That would be great.

Well when both of those guys, IF, they play up to their potential...I gladly will.

Until then, I see 2 guys on the backside of their careers. And 19 has been bad now for a few years, and may be the easiest guy in the NHL to knock off his skates.

You don't believe, go back and watch videos of him easily falling down after barely being touched going after 50/50 pucks.....something royally off there.
- SteveRain

I'm not disagreeing that both players have declined severely, i'm commenting on the broken record whining that he constantly writes over and over again.

Gotta love the people that get all salty and offended when the truth hurts. Sorry if it stings but the fact is 19, 7, and 2 are garbage now based on how much $$ they’re making. Toews and Seabrook specifically might literally go down as 2 of the worst 10 contracts handed out in NHL history.
- SimpleJack

You're really living up to your username aren't you?

Gotta love the people that get all salty and offended when the truth hurts. Sorry if it stings but the fact is 19, 7, and 2 are garbage now based on how much $$ they’re making. Toews and Seabrook specifically might literally go down as 2 of the worst 10 contracts handed out in NHL history.
- SimpleJack

Idk maybe contribute something else to the conversation and people wouldn't roll their eye at those people who say the same thing over and over and over again. Even the people that might agree think it's overboard and obsessive.

For some reason I had it in my head that Schmaltz was going to be UFA. Forget all that I said. It makes much less sense now. Except for the Mark Stone part. That would be great.
- Chunk

I'd love Mark Stone but I think he's a hard player to acquire and he's already at the over $7m cap hit mark, a UFA after this season, so he'll be expensive to sign.

@JoeSmithTB
BREAKING: Steve Yzerman told #TBLightning players in a meeting today he’s stepping aside as GM to be in advisory role, per source. BriseBois taking over as GM.

@FriedgeHNIC
There is word that Steve Yzerman is stepping down in TB, and Julien Brisebois will take over. More to come

This always seems like the first step to leaving a org.