Ha. I know.

The Ward thing is a little like Kunitz playing. Q is going to lean on those veterans.

Also, the Forsberg thing is a little more complicated. I've mentioned this before and Scott and Mark talked about it on the Athletic podcast this week - if Forsberg comes in and shines... his stock goes up and there is more of a possibility that he's claimed on waivers.

As it stands now, his value is low based on his mediocre season last year. If he doesn't play a game he should slip through waivers in a couple weeks when Crawford is slated to come back.
- Justin Lowe

Possible whatever he was hurt from is lingering?

CC is one hit to the head of having his career ended. Plus, he’s only signed through next year.

If he goes down this year, the season is done, nether Ward nor ‘Berg are backstopping the hawks to the playoffs.

If you sign Khudobin, you’re set for this year & next, and have a possible #1 past next season.

Anyone in the system now is, at best, a crap shoot.

The other option is to sign a big name FA after next year. CC will be 35 when his current contract ends. How many more good years will he have remaining then?
- scottak

While I think concussions should still be taken more seriously, plenty of players have had multiple big concussions and are still playing:

Toews
Ekblad
Crosby
Backes
Murray


Non-elite goalies are statistically a dime a dozen. The real question is how much of your cap space do you want tied up in a goalie that will not get you more wins than another goalie worth $1M a year?

Every player is one hit to the head from having their career end. So they should all play scared or not play at all now?
- GPHawksfan

That’s a specious argument.

If you’ve had a concussion, you are 3-6 times more likely to receive another. So CC is much more likely to lose more time than someone with no concussion history. So the Blackhawk backup goaltender is significantly more important.

And as I stated, he’ll turn 36 during the 20-21 season. So they better have their future #1 in the system, or be ready to acquire one.

https://my.clevelandclini...ts/1277_sports-concussion

The info on recurring concussions is under 'General Questions' near the end.

Haven't read through the board, so sorry if this was addressed, but:

When might we see Davidson on the blue line?

Finally, Somebody on here that thinks and just doesn't gripe. I agree totally and would put Anisimov on the first PP unit in front of the net. Then figure out who does it better, and leave him there. I also don't think the Hawks are going anywhere unless they find a checking line that can hold down the other team's top line. Toews will be worn out by December from having to do it, and every time they won the cup they had a dedicated checking line
- tim62b

Well we did have some stacked 3rd lines that would have been top 6 on most teams. I'm afraid those days are over.....

If you didn't read this article from John Dietz in the Daily Herald, check it out: https://www.dailyherald.c...with-solid-team-chemistry

I'm a huge chemistry guy. I believe it can be the "x factor" in sports and clearly a guy like Duncan Keith agree.

My favourite quote in this entire piece as it relates to this 2018-19 Hawks team is:

"It's already a different feel," Toews said. "We're already creating a different culture in this room as opposed to last year. Guys are excited.
- Justin Lowe

Great article, and stuff like this are those "intangibles" that Toews brings to the table. I think most of us can agree that Toews was visibly frustrated on the ice most of last year. Whining to officials and negative body language often. He led by example last year and it's great to see that he identified the toxic energy that consumed the team last year and made a conscious effort to remedy the situation. Leading by example, both on and off the ice is what made him widely recognized as one of the best leaders in sports during the Cup runs. 19 appears to have dialed it in again and I hope he continues.


Now if only someone could wake up Brandon Saad from his coma.....

Haven't read through the board, so sorry if this was addressed, but:

When might we see Davidson on the blue line?
- Hank3Henshaw

Hopefully tonight, but not sure with the Q-Rutta lovefest.

Off-topic, is your picture from "We can't dance" -Genesis?

Dreaming.

I don't think Stan has ever shown the ability to play the "long game"
- TheTrob

Actually I think Stan understands the long game more than anyone thinks. I think that is the reason for some of is "huh?" moves, it has to do with the long term rather than the short. It is hard for us to know what that long game is, since we don't have inside knowledge, so we question the moves he makes, as we don't understand the immediate impact, because it wasn't done for the immediate impact.

Hopefully tonight, but not sure with the Q-Rutta lovefest.

Off-topic, is your picture from "We can't dance" -Genesis?
- I Am The Breadman

Dang. Hoping he's in tonight. Want to see what he has.

Actually, that's a picture of Jerry Seinfeld. Genesis is a great band, though

Dang. Hoping he's in tonight. Want to see what he has.

Actually, that's a picture of Jerry Seinfeld. Genesis is a great band, though
- Hank3Henshaw

Yeah, I know, he had a good camp. Hoping we see him soon. He's been rotated in practice, so maybe tonight. I don't know.

I couldn't tell because my zoom-in sucks. Was just wondering. I agree. We had a Genesis discussion a few blogs ago.

With Ward, what is the possibility that the Hawks just release him and pay him his 3 million. Since the Hawks aren't hard up against the cap, this could be a possibility...

Yeah, I know, he had a good camp. Hoping we see him soon. He's been rotated in practice, so maybe tonight. I don't know.

I couldn't tell because my zoom-in sucks. Was just wondering. I agree. We had a Genesis discussion a few blogs ago.
- I Am The Breadman

When the Hawks signed him, I saw some Oiler fans in the comments who seemed to feel he's pretty solid, but kind of got dogged by EDM. So I'm curious to see how he is.

Some of my favorite Genesis songs are their weird ones like "Ballad of Big", "Snowbound" and "The Carpet Crawlers."

Actually I think Stan understands the long game more than anyone thinks. I think that is the reason for some of is "huh?" moves, it has to do with the long term rather than the short. It is hard for us to know what that long game is, since we don't have inside knowledge, so we question the moves he makes, as we don't understand the immediate impact, because it wasn't done for the immediate impact.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

If Stan truly understands the long game and expects us to be re-entering Cup contention after this year, who do you think he adds that puts them back in the mix?

Karlsson
Stone
Panarin
Bobrovsky
Duchene
Eberle
Skinner
Stralman
Simmonds
Donskoi
Brassard
Nyqvist

After these guys there are few difference makers. Just goes to show that you have to grow your own talent or make some great trades to markedly improve your team.

I think the D pipeline is decently stocked, one of the better D pipelines in the league. Our forward pipeline is pretty poor still: Kayumov, Wise, Shalunov, Altybarmakyan, Nordgren, and Soderlund are all mid-level prospects. All of them COULD make the NHL, but none of them are getting hyped by media other than the Blackhawks, and none of them are being touted as the next [insert good player] of the Blackhawks.

It's a side effect of not having any first round forward picks that aren't already playing for the team (Schmaltz).

Actually I think Stan understands the long game more than anyone thinks. I think that is the reason for some of is "huh?" moves, it has to do with the long term rather than the short. It is hard for us to know what that long game is, since we don't have inside knowledge, so we question the moves he makes, as we don't understand the immediate impact, because it wasn't done for the immediate impact.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I agree with this. He's also having to take into account a potential lockout in 2019. He's trying to look like he's going all in, but not sacrificing the teams cap depending on future agreements with the NHL/NHLPA. If cap goes up more, then he has that much more credit to play with.

If Stan truly understands the long game and expects us to be re-entering Cup contention after this year, who do you think he adds that puts them back in the mix?

Karlsson
Stone
Panarin
Bobrovsky
Duchene
Eberle
Skinner
Stralman
Simmonds
Donskoi
Brassard
Nyqvist

After these guys there are few difference makers. Just goes to show that you have to grow your own talent or make some great trades to markedly improve your team.

I think the D pipeline is decently stocked, one of the better D pipelines in the league. Our forward pipeline is pretty poor still: Kayumov, Wise, Shalunov, Altybarmakyan, Nordgren, and Soderlund are all mid-level prospects. All of them COULD make the NHL, but none of them are getting hyped by media other than the Blackhawks, and none of them are being touted as the next
- ObeseOprah[insert good player] of the Blackhawks.

It's a side effect of not having any first round forward picks that aren't already playing for the team (Schmaltz).

Anders Lee (6'3" 231lbs) or Brock Nelson (6'3" 212lbs) are the ideal power forwards with skill on my UFA wish list

If Stan truly understands the long game and expects us to be re-entering Cup contention after this year, who do you think he adds that puts them back in the mix?

Karlsson
Stone
Panarin
Bobrovsky
Duchene
Eberle
Skinner
Stralman
Simmonds
Donskoi
Brassard
Nyqvist

After these guys there are few difference makers. Just goes to show that you have to grow your own talent or make some great trades to markedly improve your team.

I think the D pipeline is decently stocked, one of the better D pipelines in the league. Our forward pipeline is pretty poor still: Kayumov, Wise, Shalunov, Altybarmakyan, Nordgren, and Soderlund are all mid-level prospects. All of them COULD make the NHL, but none of them are getting hyped by media other than the Blackhawks, and none of them are being touted as the next
- ObeseOprah[insert good player] of the Blackhawks.

It's a side effect of not having any first round forward picks that aren't already playing for the team (Schmaltz).

I would love Duchene and Panarin, so that's who I hope Stan targets. Not against Stone or Eberle.

Karlsson, I see TB. Bob I think resigns as well as Simmonds and Nyquist.

Just because players aren't hyped or are hyped doesn't set their future in stone. Joki is making a name for himself. Our d core is something to get excited about. Wasn't Wise just drafted, sorry he hasn't made headlines yet? Those guys haven't signed/played in Rockford yet. I'm not going to write guys off yet until I see some play.

Anders Lee (6'3" 231lbs) or Brock Nelson (6'3" 212lbs) are the ideal power forwards with skill on my UFA wish list
- EnzoD

Wouldn't mind those guys either.

Actually I think Stan understands the long game more than anyone thinks. I think that is the reason for some of is "huh?" moves, it has to do with the long term rather than the short. It is hard for us to know what that long game is, since we don't have inside knowledge, so we question the moves he makes, as we don't understand the immediate impact, because it wasn't done for the immediate impact.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I think imo is that the lack of moves were to the pending cba and possible lockout plus the seattle expansion. If not then bowman has a lot of questions that need to be answered, considering the hawks are short a top 6 forward and top 4 d man(although if joki continues plays like this then that hole would be filled). Need a shaw type players in the bottom 6 kunitz is not that so far rather seen bowman sign shore or lesteu. Time will tell all of us what the actual plan is, but to me there are to many cooks in the kitchen and bowman needs to take control and make the hard decision good or bad.

What is this centre that you speak of? I am American and only know things as center.

Kunitz is fine out there on the 3rd line, but why not use the guy on the PP. He was great on the PP with Crosby, and was good down low and in front of the net. At least put him on the 2cd unit.
- Boisy12

He is old....he needs the rest, even a short nap....

Anders Lee (6'3" 231lbs) or Brock Nelson (6'3" 212lbs) are the ideal power forwards with skill on my UFA wish list
- EnzoD

I like their size but I want to see how much play they can drive without Tavares or Barzal.

Wouldn't mind those guys either.
- I Am The Breadman

Lee had 40 goals last year so he's the ideal target. Nelson can play Center or Wing and both are UFA next summer.....

Just guessing that when this log jam of defensemen come back from IR, Davidson will be put on waivers to move to Rockford and the team will deal Rutta.

And prediction #2 - Rutta will follow Kempny in being a much better player out from under Q and the Hawks "system." Rutta looks a bit like a deer in the headlights this year for whatever reason.

So then you're talking: Joker - Keith, Gustafsson-Seabrook, Murphy-Forsling with Manning as the floater. I doubt there is a market for Murphy unless the team either eats salary or takes a bad contract back.

Lee had 40 goals last year so he's the ideal target. Nelson can play Center or Wing and both are UFA next summer.....
- EnzoD

Someone with Stan's phone number needs to tell him about these guys. I wonder how much each will sign for. I mean it's early in the season, and they could regress, but if they are to continue anywhere near previous performance without Tavares, it will be a big pay increase. I don't see the Islanders letting them go for free ... again.