I think you overestimate McD's influence in hockey decisions.
- -Doh-

C'mon, you know better. Q didn't like young guys, Stan does nothing without consulting Scotty and McD makes all the Hockey decisions.........get on board with the usual rhetoric..............oh yeah, according to Powerenforcer it doesn't matter because its all a big conspiracy anyway.....

There are exceptions both ways. For every ADB, Aho, Barzal, etc. who have been drafted lower and excelled, there are high picks who have done nothing, ala Yakupov, Puljujarvi even Strome who was the #3 pick and was dealt for the #20 pick.

Yes, generally speaking, drafting in the top 5 should ensure you a decent player and one who will reach the NHL quicker than those drafted later but it is not assured.

If you can make the playoffs, you do so. Recent history has the Kings and Preds as the 8th seed both getting to the Cup, one winning, one losing.
- TheTrob

Hmmm. That Kings team was very deep and very good. Lots of players in their prime. Some injury problems during the season. Not comparable at all to hawks.

That Preds team had all their top 4 in their prime, best players in their prime and 2 of the 10 best defenders in the league one of who you could argue is the best (Thats Subban in case that needed clarification).

Neither comparable to this Hawks team. That has two over the hill defenders one decent guy a few pieces, Patrick Kane, D Cat, Toews a few dudes and junk.

They don't have the players on the blueline or the forward depth to do anything in the playoffs except get embarrassed again.

Colliton needs to play Anisimov on line 3 with Saad and Kahun. Let this team as constructed play out the rest of the season and see what happens.

Fact of the matter is that there is not "one" way to build a team.

We can argue about how good Toronto is perceived, but would they be near as good if they didn't spend in FA to get Tavares?

For all the talent they have, both Buffalo and Colorado are outside the playoffs right now.

Nashville has a really good team and does not have many top 5 picks on the roster.

You also claim that these teams actually decided to tank. How was that accomplished? The Leafs were BAD when Lou showed up. They had some good drafts and made good signings to get where they are now.

A lot of good teams have a few top 5 picks and a lot of bad teams have a few top 5 picks.

Someone still needs to explain how a team actually tanks.
- Chunk

Maybe you haven't been paying attention the last couple years, teams have quite obviously tanked. Here's an article on one instance: https://thehockeywriters....ffalo-sabres-tank-roster/

Maybe you haven't been paying attention the last couple years, teams have quite obviously tanked. Here's an article on one instance: https://thehockeywriters....ffalo-sabres-tank-roster/
- ObeseOprah

Tanking right now only makes sense if they want to wait to be competitive again. That isn't the model the Hawks FO have been pushing. You need to let it go.

So on a different topic, the Leafs will be in cap hell next year after signing Matthews at 11.6M AAV. If the cap goes up 3.5M they'll have 11 million in cap space to sign 8-9 players including Marner. Let's say $10M for him leaving 1M left.

Who do the Leafs move and, if Stan could swing a deal with Dubas who would you like to see on the Hawks?
- boilermaker100

A slight correction. They would have 16.5M. Horton would be moved to LTIR. He isn't currently. Still a tough task. They also have to sign Kapanen.

A slight correction. They would have 16.5M. Horton would be moved to LTIR. He isn't currently. Still a tough task. They also have to sign Kapanen.
- Elbows15

According to Leafs' fans Kasperi Kapanen is signing for $1mil for 8 years and PPG Marner signing for $3mil

Colliton needs to play Anisimov on line 3 with Saad and Kahun. Let this team as constructed play out the rest of the season and see what happens.
- EnzoD

Then who plays with Dinky and #17? BTW. Kahun, who a few on here want to trade, now has 6 points in his last 8 games. You know, just maybe, it takes time for most rookies, to adjust to the NHL.

Then who plays with Dinky and #17? BTW. Kahun, who a few on here want to trade, now has 6 points in his last 8 games. You know, just maybe, it takes time for most rookies, to adjust to the NHL.
- Elbows15

Sorry, meant Kampf

Colliton needs to play Anisimov on line 3 with Saad and Kahun. Let this team as constructed play out the rest of the season and see what happens.
- EnzoD

No trade him for whatever you can get and move on.

According to Leafs' fans Kasperi Kapanen is signing for $1mil for 8 years and PPG Marner signing for $3mil
- EnzoD

They don't think they have cap problems. They think if they get through next season, everything will okay,

Take a look at CapFriendly. Even if Marner gets 9M, it leaves them about ~25M pending cap increaes the next two seasons. Which sounds okay. The problem? They would only have 9 players signed.

Is CC done for the year? Why not LTIR him. Take that space and eat a bad expiring contract from another team for a decent pick.
- z1990z

Besides the fact he’s been skating and we don’t really know if he is coming back or not, that’s not how LTIR works.

You want to be as close to the cap as possible when you assign a player to LTIR. Stan moved Hossa’s contract because it’s a pain in the butt dealing with these LTIR situations.

Hmmm. That Kings team was very deep and very good. Lots of players in their prime. Some injury problems during the season. Not comparable at all to hawks.

That Preds team had all their top 4 in their prime, best players in their prime and 2 of the 10 best defenders in the league one of who you could argue is the best (Thats Subban in case that needed clarification).

Neither comparable to this Hawks team. That has two over the hill defenders one decent guy a few pieces, Patrick Kane, D Cat, Toews a few dudes and junk.

They don't have the players on the blueline or the forward depth to do anything in the playoffs except get embarrassed again.
- fattybeef

To add to your post, in 2012 the Kings led the league in corsi, suffered through the early growing pains of two young forwards (Not a developmental league!
), and had an elite goalie. The Hawks, while fun to watch, have none of these and will not sniff the cup.

But, in the meantime, I will enjoy the ride and the fun, competitive hockey while it's here.

Colliton needs to play Anisimov on line 3 with Saad and Kahun. Let this team as constructed play out the rest of the season and see what happens.
- EnzoD

So, just wondering, but will all this positive energy coming from the team and its recent, winning ways, does this change the TDL focus for Stan? If theres a chance at the playoffs, do the Hawks all of a sudden not want to trade Anisimov or Gus or anyone else in fear of disrupting the current chemistry? What would the message be to the core if there was even a minor sale? The core was probably already ticked after kicking their long time coach to the curb, but if Stan were to torpedo their current efforts at making the playoffs, how much more pissed would they be?

Sorry, meant Kampf
- EnzoD

Personally don't want Kampf moving to wing. I want him to stay at center. AA would definitely provide more offense with Saad. Which is fine by me cause Kampf has all the makings of being a vg shutdown center.

Too bad Perlini is "injured". Maybe Sikura or Johnson gets called up in a couple of weeks to play the wing on the 3rd line.

Personally don't want Kampf moving to wing. I want him to stay at center. AA would definitely provide more offense with Saad. Which is fine by me cause Kampf has all the makings of being a vg shutdown center.

Too bad Perlini is "injured". Maybe Sikura or Johnson gets called up in a couple of weeks to play the wing on the 3rd line.
- Elbows15

That's fine, put the big Rusky on the wing where he has played before and is probably more effective now given his lack of mobility. He would provide more offense than Krugs, even though 16 has been playing very well.

So, just wondering, but will all this positive energy coming from the team and its recent, winning ways, does this change the TDL focus for Stan? If theres a chance at the playoffs, do the Hawks all of a sudden not want to trade Anisimov or Gus or anyone else in fear of disrupting the current chemistry? What would the message be to the core if there was even a minor sale? The core was probably already ticked after kicking their long time coach to the curb, but if Stan were to torpedo their current efforts at making the playoffs, how much more pissed would they be?
- CamRusselsJock

I don't think it changes anything for Bowman. If there is a trade that makes the team better, not only for this season but after this season, those are the type of trades Bowman is looking to make. IMO.

More important than the moronic Tank chants and dreams...(my goodness I hope those of you Tankers are not part of anyone's support group) is living in the present moment and those opportunities. I will never understand this backward psychology.

This mental path of least resistance approach is a loser approach.

Target a top pairing defense men and sign them. The right guy. Some and I will argue, believe the signing of Brian Campbell was as important to the cup run as any move. Pick up 20 minutes of top 4 d capacity and how much better are we right NOW!

While the masses fawn all over the pre pubescent prospects and the 5 to 10 year window of hope, I will settle back here in the real world and focus and accept the challenges before us today. And enjoy them.

Tanking right now only makes sense if they want to wait to be competitive again. That isn't the model the Hawks FO have been pushing. You need to let it go.
- breadbag

I've been advocating for a Retool since the Hawks started sucking. Get the most picks/prospects you can out of the two down years and go back to contending. How do we get the most out of the second year of our retool? By getting the best pick possible.

The Bruins made great picks during their retool with Pastrnak and McAvoy, I hope the Hawks can make equally as valuable picks wherever they end up for this draft. I just don't want to fall into the Red Wings/Wild model of 'hey let's make the playoffs and anything can happen' when we clearly can't beat a good team in a playoff round.

More important than the moronic Tank chants and dreams...(my goodness I hope those of you Tankers are not part of anyone's support group) is living in the present moment and those opportunities. I will never understand this backward psychology.

This mental path of least resistance approach is a loser approach.

Target a top pairing defense men and sign them. The right guy. Some and I will argue, believe the signing of Brian Campbell was as important to the cup run as any move. Pick up 20 minutes of top 4 d capacity and how much better are we right NOW!

While the masses fawn all over the pre pubescent prospects and the 5 to 10 year window of hope, I will settle back here in the real world and focus and accept the challenges before us today. And enjoy them.
- TrueGrit

Hello Tyler Myers! Murphy, Myers, Dahlstrom and Seabrook and you actually have 4 guys who can protect the crease and complement the small puck movers in Keith, Joki and eventually boquist, mitchell, beaduin!

Besides the fact he’s been skating and we don’t really know if he is coming back or not, that’s not how LTIR works.

You want to be as close to the cap as possible when you assign a player to LTIR. Stan moved Hossa’s contract because it’s a pain in the butt dealing with these LTIR situations.
- walleyeb1

I'm still not clear on all the rules on LTIR. In one case (like Hossa), the players Cap hit is included in the team being Cap compliant until after the season starts, after which the player can be moved to LTIR and the player's Cap hit is not included in the day to day Cap total. This, in effect, means the team can not use the Cap space required for the LTIR player during the offseason.

However, I think I've read where a player can be put on LTIR before the season starts meaning his Cap hit is not included on Cap compliancy to start the season, thereby allowing the team to use that Cap space during the offseason.

Please explain.

To add to your post, in 2012 the Kings led the league in corsi, suffered through the early growing pains of two young forwards (Not a developmental league!
), and had an elite goalie. The Hawks, while fun to watch, have none of these and will not sniff the cup.

But, in the meantime, I will enjoy the ride and the fun, competitive hockey while it's here.
- tazer_and_diet

Exactly, and the year the Hawks were embarrassed by the Predators, look at the Predators season and trajectory. They committed to developing players early on, knowing they fit their system, and after a few months of struggles, they put it together and arrived.

Those boasting of no development in NHL are on Crack. The same people yelling that are the ones crying because their teen crush Joki is back in the A. The irony is confounding.

We need to stop talking about tanking. Tanking is not a thing in the NHL. It might be with the fans, but no one in any organization will think that way. Being sellers at the TDL does not mean tanking. Being buyers at the TDL does not mean playoff push.
- HawksHype

Exactly, what player is going to tank? First of all most of them are competitive and dont want to lose. Second, who wants their replacements being drafted?

More important than the moronic Tank chants and dreams...(my goodness I hope those of you Tankers are not part of anyone's support group) is living in the present moment and those opportunities. I will never understand this backward psychology.

This mental path of least resistance approach is a loser approach.

Target a top pairing defense men and sign them. The right guy. Some and I will argue, believe the signing of Brian Campbell was as important to the cup run as any move. Pick up 20 minutes of top 4 d capacity and how much better are we right NOW!

While the masses fawn all over the pre pubescent prospects and the 5 to 10 year window of hope, I will settle back here in the real world and focus and accept the challenges before us today. And enjoy them.
- TrueGrit

Your plan works great if we're playing NHL19 and there's no salary cap. There is one 'Top Pairing Defense' available this offseason: Karlsson. He'll cost somewhere around $10M.

The next best defensemen available are:
Myers, Stralman, Gardiner, Coburn, and a whole bunch of guys who were top 4 guys five years ago but are over 33 now.

Gandalf is not coming over that hill to save us as a UFA. He's coming via a top draft pick. HughesGandalfPhotoshop.jpg

Hmmm. That Kings team was very deep and very good. Lots of players in their prime. Some injury problems during the season. Not comparable at all to hawks.

That Preds team had all their top 4 in their prime, best players in their prime and 2 of the 10 best defenders in the league one of who you could argue is the best (Thats Subban in case that needed clarification).

Neither comparable to this Hawks team. That has two over the hill defenders one decent guy a few pieces, Patrick Kane, D Cat, Toews a few dudes and junk.

They don't have the players on the blueline or the forward depth to do anything in the playoffs except get embarrassed again.
- fattybeef

Not really. Under-performed and fired their coach in mid-December, hired Daryl Sutter a week later. They were 10th in the conference with a month to go and had to win on the last day of the season to get into the playoffs. They had a very young defense in Doughty, Martinez and Voynov who were all 24 or under. They were shutoput a league leading 10 times that season. Trading for Jeff Carter jump started their offense at the end of the season, but the main reason for them winning was an incredibly hot Jonathan Quick.

One interesting side note, they were the first team since the 2003-4 Calgary Flames to beat the 1st, 2nd and 3rd seeds to advance to the cup, the Flames were also coached by Sutter.