I wanted to be fancy and say something along the line of Crawford::fly like an eagle.insteadvibwull simly broach the subject which I figured could and ostensible bly Tema ns rather high probability: Crawford dies, indeed, fly from the couple as he gets traded at the trade deadline.

Why would you trade the guy you need to help keep the team in readiable contention most games? And keep fans in the stands?

You never want to be hung ho to trade too players, rrn with Corey's issues. But tralitu is that the team is beginning to transition y a younger squad and Corey has value. You could practically guess hceoykdcteturn, triumphantly I that he performs well .Then Stan dusts off scenarios he had outlined months ago and has conversation with his scouts about yhghise draft class ahead evrn 76hree years.

You figure Nashville needs a proven warrior whom will not choke in net? Even Einnipegmay like the assurance from a solid punch in net. The Crawford contract has not much time left. The contract can be have away for some extra practice pucks if salary cap is an issue next summer for a Blackhawks trade partner

The message is always clear for contenders: just win now, baby.

Baby step, indeed, to he something of value NOW for CC. You can hypothesize we would be left with but a fair presence in net. So what move your chips at trade deadlne. I am just saying, Crawford gone should not take us by surprise.
- jhawk59

My guess would be both Corey and Kaner ask for trade by
the deadline or the trio of McD,SB,Q are gone by then

There is a reasonable justification for the Panarin-Saad trade, but looking at Murphy's play and cap hit vs Hammer's play and Cap Hit....it makes absolutley no sense. Last night Hammer looked like the guy who was a key piece in 3 Cups and 4 Conference Final runs. He makes $4.1mil this year, and only $5mil for 2 years after this season vs #3.5mil for Murphy who is a 3rd pair dman. It's not like Hammer was a bad locker room presence either. The guy epitomized the "warrior" mentality and true teammate of laying his body in front of every shot, every game. I don't understand the move, especially since they shouldve been trying to win NOW.
- EnzoD

Dude, we had to sweeten the deal to get Dauphin. I'm with you on the premise though. No real savings overall. Ultimately, this is why strong drafting is so important. That way when Nik's contract is up you can determine if you can afford it, or you now have a spot for one of you up and comers.

Dude, we had to sweeten the deal to get Dauphin. I'm with you on the premise though. No real savings overall. Ultimately, this is why strong drafting is so important. That way when Nik's contract is up you can determine if you can afford it, or you now have a spot for one of you up and comers.
- Chunk

Almost no savings and a HUGE drop in quality of player.....

There is a reasonable justification for the Panarin-Saad trade, but looking at Murphy's play and cap hit vs Hammer's play and Cap Hit....it makes absolutley no sense. Last night Hammer looked like the guy who was a key piece in 3 Cups and 4 Conference Final runs. He makes $4.1mil this year, and only $5mil for 2 years after this season vs #3.5mil for Murphy who is a 3rd pair dman. It's not like Hammer was a bad locker room presence either. The guy epitomized the "warrior" mentality and true teammate of laying his body in front of every shot, every game. I don't understand the move, especially since they shouldve been trying to win NOW.
- EnzoD

Also, they wanted to get younger, so they got rid of the youngest of the core d. He was just the easiest to move. A list of 10 teams in-hand, over completely waiving. Everybody wants a hammer on their team. I never wanted to lose any of the 3 but que sera sera.

My problem is that I want Murph to be hammer. The best shutdown in the league, I'm biased. I'm unfair to Murph with those standards. I like Murph, but when it comes to filling shoes, he just can't, because he's a completely different player. I'm always going to want hammer because he's a warrior and great man, but I won't say I'm disappointed with Murph.

Last night: Saad's line looked very good the first period, a little above average the rest. The Kane line had good chances but just couldn't finish. The Toews line looked good again, and the Kunitz/AA line looked pretty crappy.

Gustafsson still looks good, love what he does in the offensive zone. Manning actually looked serviceable. Rutta should probably be the odd man out for whatever defenseman is up next.


Here are all of Boqvist's shifts from a game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auumEXZVRUo&t=710s

Pretty cool that someone put this together, I took it from the hawks subreddit, which most of you probably know about.

Hartman 6 1 3 4
Duclair 6 2 2 4
Vinnie 6 2 1 3

AA 6 1 1 2
Kunitz 6 0 1 1
Hayden 4 1 0 1

Whether or not it's McD hamstringing Stan
or Stan being a complete moron and Q being
Q their is dysfunction wherever you look.

Fortin might not be the answer but last year
Cat went 13 games with one goal before becoming
what he is, has he made a turnover as bad as what
Kunitz did nope, but he's to blame, he's a 21 year
old undrafted rookie playing with one of the best of
all time he just might need some time to get used
to things, and if they thought him good enough to
play the second line why not try him on the 3rd line
with Arty and Hayden/Kampf he's got something no
one else has on this team outside of Kahun..

Instant gratification ain't coming with this team or
it's rookies especially with Q as coach, sorry but not

There is a reasonable justification for the Panarin-Saad trade, but looking at Murphy's play and cap hit vs Hammer's play and Cap Hit....it makes absolutley no sense. Last night Hammer looked like the guy who was a key piece in 3 Cups and 4 Conference Final runs. He makes $4.1mil this year, and only $5mil for 2 years after this season vs #3.5mil for Murphy who is a 3rd pair dman. It's not like Hammer was a bad locker room presence either. The guy epitomized the "warrior" mentality and true teammate of laying his body in front of every shot, every game. I don't understand the move, especially since they shouldve been trying to win NOW.
- EnzoD

Enzo don't get me started on Stan the sham Bowman. Hammer trade looks worse than ever right now. But after that horrid Seabrook contract Stan had do something for the sake of change not necessarily for the betterment of the team.

How bout Stan's other key FA acquisitions this offseason - who led to 3 goals for the Yotes - you know the Yotes who didn't have even strength goal until last night - Kunitz and Manning are brutal. Check me if I'm wrong, but I believe Manning has been on the ice for half of the even strength goals the Hawks have surrendered. And the Panarin trade yikes. But you know ole Stan was worried about cost certainty instead of quality of the team. The defense continues to look just awful and we didn't Crawford back in net to tell us that.

Meanwhile Q's PP continues to stink. Time to speed dial Adam Oates and bring him on as an Asst. coach.

Lot of empty seats in the lower bowl last night. I'm sure McD noticed. Can't wait to see the numbers for the game at Notre Dame. Yikes.

Oooooooooo, this is interesting

Scott Powers‏Verified account @ByScottPowers · 2m2 minutes ago

Blackhawks practice lineup
DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Kunitz-Kampf-Saad
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Fortin out of top 4

Keith-Jokiharju
Gustafsson-Seabrook
Davidson-Rutta
Manning-Forsling

Edit:
Scott Powers‏Verified account @ByScottPowers · 1m1 minute ago

Fortin is rotating with Martinsen on the fourth line
- Chunk

Kunitz is done. Hayden or Fortin should be on line 3.

Enzo don't get me started on Stan the sham Bowman. Hammer trade looks worse than ever right now. But after that horrid Seabrook contract Stan had do something for the sake of change not necessarily for the betterment of the team.

How bout Stan's other key FA acquisitions this offseason - who led to 3 goals for the Yotes - you know the Yotes who didn't have even strength goal until last night - Kunitz and Manning are brutal. Check me if I'm wrong, but I believe Manning has been on the ice for half of the even strength goals the Hawks have surrendered. And the Panarin trade yikes. But you know ole Stan was worried about cost certainty instead of quality of the team. The defense continues to look just awful and we didn't Crawford back in net to tell us that.

Meanwhile Q's PP continues to stink. Time to speed dial Adam Oates and bring him on as an Asst. coach.

Lot of empty seats in the lower bowl last night. I'm sure McD noticed. Can't wait to see the numbers for the game at Notre Dame. Yikes.
- DK002

Tell him to lay off the asparagus.

Enzo don't get me started on Stan the sham Bowman. Hammer trade looks worse than ever right now. But after that horrid Seabrook contract Stan had do something for the sake of change not necessarily for the betterment of the team.

How bout Stan's other key FA acquisitions this offseason - who led to 3 goals for the Yotes - you know the Yotes who didn't have even strength goal until last night - Kunitz and Manning are brutal. Check me if I'm wrong, but I believe Manning has been on the ice for half of the even strength goals the Hawks have surrendered. And the Panarin trade yikes. But you know ole Stan was worried about cost certainty instead of quality of the team. The defense continues to look just awful and we didn't Crawford back in net to tell us that.

Meanwhile Q's PP continues to stink. Time to speed dial Adam Oates and bring him on as an Asst. coach.

Lot of empty seats in the lower bowl last night. I'm sure McD noticed. Can't wait to see the numbers for the game at Notre Dame. Yikes.
- DK002

And now Fortin is not in top four lines but Kunitz remains. It's like they will force feed us Kunitz and Manning all year just to validate them signing them...when there are far better options. And the three goalies on the roster thing....how stupid is that. Either play Forsberg or put him in minors. And if another team claims him, so what...he is our third string goalie. Is he really the goalie of the future for Hawks? I doubt Crawford or Ward are here past their current contracts, but is Forsberg really the answer?

And if your NUCLEAR OPTION doesn't work, and it won't, then what will you propose? For the Hawks, or any team, to have success there must bebalance. Six forwards cannot carry the team when the other six cannot score or prevent the other team from scoring and when the defense is so young and it's best prospects a year or two away.

The Hawks biggest issues are, lack of depth, that was their strength from 2009-2015. And the age of the core who all grew old together. Rick made a valid point about the Senior Bowman always getting the right veteran, Scotty also knew when, and was not afraid of, moving older core players. In hindsight, Stan may have made a mistake with the contract to Toews and, as much as I loved him for what he did, he definitely screwed up with Seabrook's contract.

If Toews has a big year and makes his contract viable again we know he probably cannot live up to it for the duration of the term. Kane will probably always score but he alone cannot carry the team. Keith is still a good defenseman who would help a contender. Crawford, if healthy, may still be good enough to help a team. There are too many holes on the Hawk roster for them to contend, so getting a Duchene or Panarin sounds like a great idea but the defense is so suspect will it really make a difference other than a few spots in the standings and maybe a better powerplay?

Is it time for the Hawks to part with the core and try to get young players, prospects and draft picks to try to kickstart the rebuild? This is the dilemma facing Bowman.
- paulr

No...Stay the course...there is optimism for a contending team in 2-3 years. Blowing it up now will make it more like a decade.

My guess would be both Corey and Kaner ask for trade by
the deadline or the trio of McD,SB,Q are gone by then
- gazza53

The former may precipitate the latter of the request is made directly to Wirtz.

Enzo don't get me started on Stan the sham Bowman. Hammer trade looks worse than ever right now. But after that horrid Seabrook contract Stan had do something for the sake of change not necessarily for the betterment of the team.

How bout Stan's other key FA acquisitions this offseason - who led to 3 goals for the Yotes - you know the Yotes who didn't have even strength goal until last night - Kunitz and Manning are brutal. Check me if I'm wrong, but I believe Manning has been on the ice for half of the even strength goals the Hawks have surrendered. And the Panarin trade yikes. But you know ole Stan was worried about cost certainty instead of quality of the team. The defense continues to look just awful and we didn't Crawford back in net to tell us that.

Meanwhile Q's PP continues to stink. Time to speed dial Adam Oates and bring him on as an Asst. coach.

Lot of empty seats in the lower bowl last night. I'm sure McD noticed. Can't wait to see the numbers for the game at Notre Dame. Yikes.
- DK002

There is still a heavy advertising push locally re: available tickets for that game.

The former may precipitate the latter of the request is made directly to Wirtz.
- pdx2ord

Kane will never ask for a trade... he wants to remain a hawk his entire career. He wants to break franchise records.

Kane will never ask for a trade... he wants to remain a hawk his entire career. He wants to break franchise records.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Probably, but his face last night was that of a very unhappy camper. The reason(s), only he knows. Was only one game, but reminded me of many games last year. Kid seems to Love winning more than getting individual accolades. And the chances of his getting the latter may be on hold for a bit with the current team.

ETA: he can break US born player records on any team.

Probably, but his face last night was that of a very unhappy camper. The reason(s), only he knows. Was only one game, but reminded me of many games last year. Kid seems to Love winning more than getting individual accolades. And the chances of his getting the latter may be on hold for a bit with the current team.

ETA: he can break US born player records on any team.
- pdx2ord

Except, the way Mathews has been playing, the record(s) may only stand for a couple of years if that.

And of course he cares about winning. I'm not saying all he wants is the personal accolades, but getting traded, even to a contender doesn't guarantee a cup. Look how many contending teams that have been such for the past decade have no cups to show for it. He is not going to ask for a trade, because he knows his best chance at winning a cup again is with the Hawks.

Except, the way Mathews has been playing, the record(s) may only stand for a couple of years if that.

And of course he cares about winning. I'm not saying all he wants is the personal accolades, but getting traded, even to a contender doesn't guarantee a cup. Look how many contending teams that have been such for the past decade have no cups to show for it. He is not going to ask for a trade, because he knows his best chance at winning a cup again is with the Hawks.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

FWIW I think you are right on al counts.

Schmaltz and Teravainen. Were they identical twins separated at birth? (actually Teuvo is a little over a year older). They both avoid contact. The next board battle they win will be their first. Would rather pass than shoot. Can't win a draw. Have defensive skills of positioning and pickpocketing, mainly in the center ice area. Float in the defensive zone far from the net or corners. At times looks awesome and makes great plays, but that is rare. Both are RFA's after this year, and are likely to get grossly overpaid.

In my opinion they are 3rd line wingers/centers that could play some 2nd line wing minutes from time to time. Will plateau at about 60 points per year, IF they stay healthy (which they should because they quickly skate away from any opposing player that comes near them).

Anyone who gives either of them $5mil for 5 years will regret it.

Is Sikura their triplet?
- -Doh-

60 points is a first line player on most teams.

I just knew when I came on the board today, most of the posts were going to be about the sky falling, the team sucks, start the rebuild, etc.

It was one loss to a pretty defensively sound team with a hot goalie. Add in the fact that they hadn't scored a regular strength goal, and it was the perfect recipe for a Hawks loss. I even predicted that it was going to be a loss.

One loss doesn't define this team, just like one win doesn't. Lets give it a little more time...

FWIW I think you are right on al counts.
- pdx2ord

Thanks. I know you weren't the one that originally advocated for him asking for a trade, but it just irks me when people suggest that the hawks should entertain trading our best players away. Do they really think that is going to create a contending team??


And, yes, Kane, Toews, Keith, and Crawford are still our best players, and still elite level.

There is a reasonable justification for the Panarin-Saad trade, but looking at Murphy's play and cap hit vs Hammer's play and Cap Hit....it makes absolutley no sense. Last night Hammer looked like the guy who was a key piece in 3 Cups and 4 Conference Final runs. He makes $4.1mil this year, and only $5mil for 2 years after this season vs #3.5mil for Murphy who is a 3rd pair dman. It's not like Hammer was a bad locker room presence either. The guy epitomized the "warrior" mentality and true teammate of laying his body in front of every shot, every game. I don't understand the move, especially since they shouldve been trying to win NOW.
- EnzoD

Getting fleeced was part of Stan's master plan to draft Boquist.

Oooooooooo, this is interesting

Scott Powers‏Verified account @ByScottPowers · 2m2 minutes ago

Blackhawks practice lineup
DeBrincat-Toews-Kahun
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Kunitz-Kampf-Saad
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Fortin out of top 4

Keith-Jokiharju
Gustafsson-Seabrook
Davidson-Rutta
Manning-Forsling

Edit:
Scott Powers‏Verified account @ByScottPowers · 1m1 minute ago

Fortin is rotating with Martinsen on the fourth line
- Chunk

I like the top two lines a lot more. It may not be too long and the 3rd line could be Sikura, Kampf and Saad, with a 4th line of Martinsen, Kruger and Fortin with Kunitz in and out of the lineup.

When Forsling and Murphy are back the D will be a "little" better. Look for a defender or two to be moved soon (for next to nothing).

Crow and Ward are OK.

It will still be tough to make the playoffs. If they are out of it by the TDL I would look for AA and others to be moved.

I will be shocked if Fortin plays 20 games in the NHL this season.

Yes he is fast.

He does nothing to help you win hockey games though, which is kind of the point. Honestly, I think I'm better off with Kunitz or Martinsen out there than Fortin and all his speed.

Maybe Fortin should show he can score at a 20 goal pace in the AHL before we anoint him a role in our top 9 forwards. Because if his hands and head are so bad he can't pot ten goals at the NHL level, he has no business being on the club.

It's actually embarrassing how much we are hoping to be able to count on him because our depth is so bad. Hino is not a great player by any stretch but he is Gordie Howe next to Fortin.

I just knew when I came on the board today, most of the posts were going to be about the sky falling, the team sucks, start the rebuild, etc.

It was one loss to a pretty defensively sound team with a hot goalie. Add in the fact that they hadn't scored a regular strength goal, and it was the perfect recipe for a Hawks loss. I even predicted that it was going to be a loss.

One loss doesn't define this team, just like one win doesn't. Lets give it a little more time...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

It's not that they lost, it's how they lost, similarly to last year's non engaging losses.

And as a reporter, i would be getting sick and tired of the rehearsed response of, yeah we need to simplify things, get pucks on net, traffic in front of goalie, less psssing and more shooting? I would then say then why the (frank) aren't any of you doing it?

Hartman 6 1 3 4
Duclair 6 2 2 4
Vinnie 6 2 1 3

AA 6 1 1 2
Kunitz 6 0 1 1
Hayden 4 1 0 1

Whether or not it's McD hamstringing Stan
or Stan being a complete moron and Q being
Q their is dysfunction wherever you look.

Fortin might not be the answer but last year
Cat went 13 games with one goal before becoming
what he is, has he made a turnover as bad as what
Kunitz did nope, but he's to blame, he's a 21 year
old undrafted rookie playing with one of the best of
all time he just might need some time to get used
to things, and if they thought him good enough to
play the second line why not try him on the 3rd line
with Arty and Hayden/Kampf he's got something no
one else has on this team outside of Kahun..

Instant gratification ain't coming with this team or
it's rookies especially with Q as coach, sorry but not



- gazza53

The potential benefits of the Hartman trade won't be realized until Beaudin makes the team (or not). This deal still has the potential to work out well, just like when (fan favourite) Andrew Shaw was dealt for picks and one turned into DeBrincat.

Nobody was mourning the loss of Duclair and there wasn't a made rush from the other GMs to sign him either.

Hinostroza's stats look good because of his strong game last night. He had 1 assist in his first 5 games.

That being said...

AA needs to pick up his game and probably will. 20-20 is realistic.

Kunitz needs to be the 13th forward.

I'm all for giving Hayden a shot, but he's never really impressed me. He had a solid camp but he hasn't impressed since.