Reached by phone about an hour after Seabrook spoke, Friedman said: "I am very, very uncomfortable with being on the other side of Brent Seabrook on this. But I understand, at least once this season there was a conversation between team, player and agent about his future in Chicago. That's all I can really say. At some point this season, it happened."
- walleyeb1

Seabrook doesn't owe it to anyone to confirm or deny what was reported. I hate that people take the rumors that get floated out as black and white that it either is 120% true or completely false.

It's very easy to see how both Seabrook and Friedman are right. And I don't get why people can see that.

Bowman has a sit down conversation with Seabrook, Keith, Crawford, etc. (all separately) with their agents to talk about their future as a player and the teams long term future (AS ANY GM SHOULD, especially on a team struggling). He explains to them the teams long term plans and all he asks is what their plan is and what they would like to do going forward. Guarantee every single one of them says, "I wanna be a Chicago Blackhawk, play out my contract, and retire as a Hawk." etc. Bowman said player and agent have a good time and talk about the past decade end of story.

Some time goes by and someone who works with the Hawks says something to Friedman or someone he knows that, "Hey Stan went and had dinner with player X (Seabrook this week, Keith last week) and they talked about the teams long term future and he asked him to waive his No Trade Clause!", so he reports that the team asked him to waive his no trade clause as they're looking towards the future. Player refutes the report because he was never actually asked to waive his NTC and Friedman stands by it because he knows it came from a reputable source that he would not have reported if he did not trust.

Boom. End of story.

Conversation were had whether people wanna believe it or not. Stan would be a complete incompetent GM (I know some people would argue this off the bat) to NOT talk to his best (and highest) paid players to find out what they wanna do going forward (since he gave out NTC to them like they were buy one get one free coupons) so he can figure out his plan going forward. Doesn't mean he specially said, "Player X, I need for you or are you willing to waive your NTC because we wanna clear cap space since you're no longer useful to use." Give me a break guys.

Well said.
They are not cup contenders at all.
What they are is a team in transition.
Sooner they realize the quicker the rebuild will take.
Hanging on to vets like Seabs, CC. Keith and others even though they are not producing as they should is honourable but may not be the best business decision. Not saying they can move the contracts but they should try and try hard! Floating in between sucks for everyone.
- Hawkster

Totally agree on them not being cup contenders. They are the second worst team in the West despite a four game losing streak. They are behind the likes of dumpster-fire-Edmonton, 'how haven't they fired Carlyle?' Anaheim, and League Dumping Ground Arizona.

Let this be the last year the Hawks draft in the top five until Toews and Kane are on their last legs. Let the top-5 pick become the fresh talent we need. Have him, Strome, and Debrincat form a solid second battery behind Saad, Toews, and Kane. Toss in the hopeful development of guys like Kurashev, Barrat, and Kahun, Kampf.

Hopefully next year one or two of Boqvist, Mitchell, and Beaudin make the team. These would be the talent injections that the Hawks need to re-enter the fray.

Toss in a free agent or two, and the retool is in good shape. Now is not the time to be a bubble team.

Totally agree on them not being cup contenders. They are the second worst team in the West despite a four game losing streak. They are behind the likes of dumpster-fire-Edmonton, 'how haven't they fired Carlyle?' Anaheim, and League Dumping Ground Arizona.

Let this be the last year the Hawks draft in the top five until Toews and Kane are on their last legs. Let the top-5 pick become the fresh talent we need. Have him, Strome, and Debrincat form a solid second battery behind Saad, Toews, and Kane. Toss in the hopeful development of guys like Kurashev, Barrat, and Kahun, Kampf.

Hopefully next year one or two of Boqvist, Mitchell, and Beaudin make the team. These would be the talent injections that the Hawks need to re-enter the fray.

Toss in a free agent or two, and the retool is in good shape. Now is not the time to be a bubble team.
- ObeseOprah

THIS. This is what I've been wanting to happen with the Hawks all year. Build chemistry, develop talent, allow guys to find their roles on the team, while finishing in the bottom 5 to get a high draft pick that can hopefully help next year if not the year after. Then continue to let the prospects develop to get a few guys (Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Kurashev, Barratt, Entwhistle, etc.) to possible be infused in the lineup in the next year or two to go along with the core we have and go for one more Cup with the team. We'll see if that happens or not

EDIT: The fact that the Hawks are that close to a Playoff spot but that close to last place just goes to show you how NO ONE wants to be one of the lame duck Wild Card teams fed to the wolves in Calgary or San Jose or Winnipeg or Nashville in the 1st Rd of the Playoffs. It's really sad how bad Anaheim, Edmonton, even Arizona with all their injuries, or Vancouver with barely any talent all around are still in the Playoff picture at this point.

Yeah adding a 80+ point player to create a complete matchup nightmare up front is a dumb idea. The salary cap is continuing to climb and who exactly is out there that is a top pairing dman that we can add? Karlsson? He is a little better in his own end then Gus. You want to throw 9 mil at him?!?!

Panarin was an example btw.
- nickmo2699

I understand that Panarin is an example in this discussion. If he does not sign a new deal with anyone during the season, then there is potential bidding for him.

I do not see how any shrewd businessman commits any money until it is known how and when Seabriok and or Keith come off the books. And what about Crawford.

The other teams may wow Panarin sufficiently. Particularly appealing might be living in South Florida and not Long Island. Lamoriello ia a shrewd GM so you really think he goes after Panarin without having a verg s0trong offer to retain Panarin. Loosing Tavarez then Panarin......ouch.

Somebody has the Bread, will get the Bread but better careful not to get toasted in the long run.

Drake has a hat-trick tonight

Drake has a hat-trick tonight
- SoftServe

With Manning a healthy scratch

I have to disagree with you, when my kids played youth basketball, they had them play man to man, because it was easier to teach - just follow the player with the same colored wrist band. Now, if yo mean physically harder, then I agree with that comment, you have to be in much better pphysical shape to be able to skate with someone. But in terms of technique, man 2 man is much easier.
- powerenforcer

No way. Zone is much easier and effective in literally every goal/basket oriented sport. Teaching a system because its easier is pretty horrid coaching.

Chasing guys around in a man to man is frustrating, exhausting and ineffective. You can play a high pressure zone to force turnovers the group just needs to pick their moments well.

THIS. This is what I've been wanting to happen with the Hawks all year. Build chemistry, develop talent, allow guys to find their roles on the team, while finishing in the bottom 5 to get a high draft pick that can hopefully help next year if not the year after. Then continue to let the prospects develop to get a few guys (Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Kurashev, Barratt, Entwhistle, etc.) to possible be infused in the lineup in the next year or two to go along with the core we have and go for one more Cup with the team. We'll see if that happens or not

EDIT: The fact that the Hawks are that close to a Playoff spot but that close to last place just goes to show you how NO ONE wants to be one of the lame duck Wild Card teams fed to the wolves in Calgary or San Jose or Winnipeg or Nashville in the 1st Rd of the Playoffs. It's really sad how bad Anaheim, Edmonton, even Arizona with all their injuries, or Vancouver with barely any talent all around are still in the Playoff picture at this point.
- Savetheembers33

My fear is that the illusion of being a playoff team will feed the mantra that the FO has been doing the right thing all along. Which sadly they haven't. They have built a not very fast, not very physical, and pretty defenseless squad.

The hubris that is attached to the belief that this is a playoff team of half AHL forever guys being coached in a poor system having some success playing some pretty equally lame teams for the next few weeks is just mind boggling to me.

Just keep dressing Kunitz, sending Joki down to Rockford, and stick with that stellar man to man defense and the lottery pick will be a reality before the spring thaw arrives.

I guarantee you that McD already has the spin script ready to go.

Give it time, it's still not pretty but it took players a year or years to learn zone defense. They do have some really bad games defensively which are decreasing. Last 20 games 3.55 GA per game, 1st 18 games with JC 3.77 GA.
- BetweenTheDots

They were a better 5v5 team under Q. The only reason they aren't at the bottom of the table is a really good power play and timely goaltending.

No way. Zone is much easier and effective in literally every goal/basket oriented sport. Teaching a system because its easier is pretty horrid coaching.

Chasing guys around in a man to man is frustrating, exhausting and ineffective. You can play a high pressure zone to force turnovers the group just needs to pick their moments well.
- fattybeef

I'd love to hear of ONE poster here who has EVER played man-to-man in hockey?? Hockey defensive zone coverage was always pretty standard....wingers cover their points, defenseman cover their side of the ice while always having one of them guarding the blue paint, and center pressures the puck all over the ice.......given Seabrook's inability to skate with an ECHL forward, man-to-man is simply putting him in a position to fail.

No way. Zone is much easier and effective in literally every goal/basket oriented sport. Teaching a system because its easier is pretty horrid coaching.

Chasing guys around in a man to man is frustrating, exhausting and ineffective. You can play a high pressure zone to force turnovers the group just needs to pick their moments well.
- fattybeef

Man coverage was used alot prior to the 04-05 lockout. With the elimination of clutch/grab hockey, man coverage lost its effectiveness. The way the game has evolved and the speed these guys have, trying to play man is a waste of energy on a 30-40 second shift. Play an aggressive zone, especially on the points. The opposing team can ice dance all it wants. You come into my zone... I've got you.

They were a better 5v5 team under Q. The only reason they aren't at the bottom of the table is a really good power play and timely goaltending.
- fattybeef

Yes. The actual Corsi possession numbers are worse under JC, and the SOG against and high danger SOG against are still close to the worst, if no the worst in the NHL.

I'd love to hear of ONE poster here who has EVER played man-to-man in hockey?? Hockey defensive zone coverage was always pretty standard....wingers cover their points, defenseman cover their side of the ice while always having one of them guarding the blue paint, and center pressures the puck all over the ice.......given Seabrook's inability to skate with an ECHL forward, man-to-man is simply putting him in a position to fail.
- EnzoD

Yeah I honestly can't think of how a man system is supposed to work when an opposing forward swings out to the point. Is the Dman really supposed to chase him to the blue line? Is the man system only for our defending forwards?

Seems to me that every other team has the D men in their zone which stretches from the back boards to the dot and slot, with them usually collapsing in towards the goalpost when things get tight.

I'm all for unconventional thinking and new techniques, maybe Colliton should give both systems a try to see what works best with our current group.

My fear is that the illusion of being a playoff team will feed the mantra that the FO has been doing the right thing all along. Which sadly they haven't. They have built a not very fast, not very physical, and pretty defenseless squad.

The hubris that is attached to the belief that this is a playoff team of half AHL forever guys being coached in a poor system having some success playing some pretty equally lame teams for the next few weeks is just mind boggling to me.

Just keep dressing Kunitz, sending Joki down to Rockford, and stick with that stellar man to man defense and the lottery pick will be a reality before the spring thaw arrives.

I guarantee you that McD already has the spin script ready to go.
- Return of the Roar

That is my fear as well and I truly believe this is where the team is heading. McD, Stan, Rocky, and Co. will come out and say, "See! Firing Q was the right move! We have a Playoff caliber team and JC is bringing out the best of them and helping them build chemistry to get back to where we need to be!"

Which in part is true, because the team is playing better as the build chemistry (and learn the new system better), but the fact that they're in a spot to make the Playoff, to me, as more to do with the teams in front of them pretty much all playing bad hockey at the same time while the Hawks have found a bit of success now that they have an actual PP. No one wants to be a lame duck Wild Card team anymore. Being a 7th or 8th seed wasn't so bad a few years back because as we've seen and know anything can happen once you get in, but with the league having 3 or 4 powerhouse teams (rotating as they cap the cap crunch) no one wants to have to deal with facing them and getting bounced in the first round when you have a meh team. It's better to be on the outside with a Top 10 pick then stuck in the middle aka no mans land aka the Chicago Bulls living grounds

Matthews 5/58m and change

My fear is that the illusion of being a playoff team will feed the mantra that the FO has been doing the right thing all along. Which sadly they haven't. They have built a not very fast, not very physical, and pretty defenseless squad.

The hubris that is attached to the belief that this is a playoff team of half AHL forever guys being coached in a poor system having some success playing some pretty equally lame teams for the next few weeks is just mind boggling to me.

Just keep dressing Kunitz, sending Joki down to Rockford, and stick with that stellar man to man defense and the lottery pick will be a reality before the spring thaw arrives.

I guarantee you that McD already has the spin script ready to go.
- Return of the Roar

I will breathe a huge sigh of relief when Keith is traded to Vancouver for their 1st round pick and to take Sam Gagner off their hands. Then we'll know that McD isn't going to swoop in and screw the pooch.

They were a better 5v5 team under Q. The only reason they aren't at the bottom of the table is a really good power play and timely goaltending.
- fattybeef

Hey Fatty, Q was the beneficiary of timmely goaltending. But he never could light up the PP as Cilliton seems to have done. All Q had to do was get the PP going and couldn't do it.

Matthews 5/58m and change
- Abadseed

welcome to Cap Hell they have 7.5M plus the cap increase to sign 1/3 of a roster for next season.

welcome to Cap Hell they have 7.5M plus the cap increase to sign 1/3 of a roster for next season.
- riozzo

I would expect to see Nylander moved and soon. Or Kadri. But that Nylander contract? Geezus.. Maybe he needs a change of scenery but he has done zilch since signing it.

welcome to Cap Hell they have 7.5M plus the cap increase to sign 1/3 of a roster for next season.
- riozzo

Stan needs to take advantage of that situation.

Matthews 5/58m and change
- Abadseed

So they have $30M tied up in Tavares, Matthews and Nylander. Marleau and Kadri add up to around $11M so if they can keep Marner down around $9M they will have $50M tied up in 6 players. Good luck with that.

Matthews 5/58m and change
- Abadseed

Marner will want that kind of money as well, I think he is the best Leaf. Three guys making $11M each? OUCH!! The Leafs had better win something to show for it.

welcome to Cap Hell they have 7.5M plus the cap increase to sign 1/3 of a roster for next season.
- riozzo

Offer sheet Kapanen this offseason, TOR is bent over like we used to be and no one is going to want to help them just like the Hawks a few years ago. Not sure anyone will gamble on Nylander with how he's played thus far this season and that contract is ridiculous for a 60 pt player. Saad is on pace to be 50+ pts this season and everyone thinks (and I agree) he has an overpaid contract at $6 mil per.

I would expect to see Nylander moved and soon. Or Kadri. But that Nylander contract? Geezus.. Maybe he needs a change of scenery but he has done zilch since signing it.
- z1990z

Nylander is playing better lately. He has 1 goal and 5 assists in his last 5 games after scoring only 1 goal and 2 assists in his first 19 games. Just shows what holding out and missing training camp and not playing competitive games will do.

Offer sheet Kapanen this offseason, TOR is bent over like we used to be and no one is going to want to help them just like the Hawks a few years ago. Not sure anyone will gamble on Nylander with how he's played thus far this season and that contract is ridiculous for a 60 pt player. Saad is on pace to be 50+ pts this season and everyone thinks (and I agree) he has an overpaid contract at $6 mil per.
- Assman22

Offer sheet Marner. He is the Leafs best player. And if the Leafs should match they are mired in cap hell.