2019 1st, Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell, Jokiharju and DeBrincat for Simmons. #grit
- DarthKane

Yeah, like this one...though the Hawks may need to add Strome.

Yeah, like this one...though the Hawks may need to add Strome.
- HawkintheD

Still worth it.

You crazy kids!

I know a high pick would be nice, but isn’t there something to be said about not letting a culture of losing take root? There’s a lot of young players already with the big club that have never experienced the NHL postseason. Even if they manage to somehow squeak in and get bounced in one round, I’m not so sure it’s the worst possible outcome.
- Ogilthorpe2

Tanking would solve worrying about a winning culture, then the Hawks could be like Edmonton, have the best player in the world and be in contention for high draft picks every season.

Yeah, like this one...though the Hawks may need to add Strome.
- HawkintheD

Still need to add a sweetener

Still need to add a sweetener
- paulr

Splenda?

I know a high pick would be nice, but isn’t there something to be said about not letting a culture of losing take root? There’s a lot of young players already with the big club that have never experienced the NHL postseason. Even if they manage to somehow squeak in and get bounced in one round, I’m not so sure it’s the worst possible outcome.
- Ogilthorpe2

Well said Ogi. Look at it this way, sometimes a weird bounce or deflection can change a series. IT is better for an organization to be in the dance every year than to be a bottom dweller for a season. The moves Stan made this season,especially Strome for NS, could be looked at as getting a high drat pick this season. I hope the team continues to play well and get to the dance.

Ogi makes an excellent point.

I know a high pick would be nice, but isn’t there something to be said about not letting a culture of losing take root? There’s a lot of young players already with the big club that have never experienced the NHL postseason. Even if they manage to somehow squeak in and get bounced in one round, I’m not so sure it’s the worst possible outcome.
- Ogilthorpe2

Honestly i thought another year under Qs system the Hawks would of been better this year. Unfortunately they were awful, i believe if a coach doesn't grow the league eventually leaves them behind.

Like JC or not, this team is more competitive now that the power play is clicking, which is probably the best PP I've ever seen by a Blackhawks team. Is it Gusto, addition of Strome, JC as coach or all the above.

I never root for the team to lose, is it best for them in the long run, probably, but the team is definitely entertaining again. Just don't give up young players or high draft picks for a rental player.

I know a high pick would be nice, but isn’t there something to be said about not letting a culture of losing take root? There’s a lot of young players already with the big club that have never experienced the NHL postseason. Even if they manage to somehow squeak in and get bounced in one round, I’m not so sure it’s the worst possible outcome.
- Ogilthorpe2

You damn straight!!!!
Well said Ogi I agree with you 100%

LOL

Hawks will probably eek their way towards the middle of the pack, just miss the playoffs, forfeit their chance at drafting top 3, and gain absolutely nothing in the long term.

We’d be much better off losing and drafting as high as possible. There’s much more to gain(thinking long term, next season and beyond) by tanking than there is winning meaningless games that will inevitably leave us in no mans land(aka not good enough to win, not bad enough to acquire the high-end caliber young talent needed to complete a rebuild).
- SimpleJack

You have to keep in mind the reason certain teams draft at the bottom year after year is because they don't know what they're doing. The Hawks have a clue, when everyone is drafting forwards the Hawks draft 2 dmen in the 1st round.

By the way 2015 and 16 the Hawks didn't have a 1st round draft pick and they still ended up with Debrincat?

I know a high pick would be nice, but isn’t there something to be said about not letting a culture of losing take root? There’s a lot of young players already with the big club that have never experienced the NHL postseason. Even if they manage to somehow squeak in and get bounced in one round, I’m not so sure it’s the worst possible outcome.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agree a high pick would be nice, but also agree with winning. Its hard for me to root for them to lose, and have enjoyed the last few weeks.

And I'm still not convinced Hughes is the second coming. Just seems a bit weak to me, and not convinced he won't get rag dolled against the big boys.

Agree a high pick would be nice, but also agree with winning. Its hard for me to root for them to lose, and have enjoyed the last few weeks.

And I'm still not convinced Hughes is the second coming. Just seems a bit weak to me, and not convinced he won't get rag dolled against the big boys.
- vabeachbear

It depends, does he have McDavid speed?

It depends, does he have McDavid speed?
- BetweenTheDots

I'd bet money that he ends up a right winger in the NHL. He's a speedy little bugger and shifty as hell. I read that he may not even be nhl ready next season either. Awesome player to get but not franchise saving

Agree a high pick would be nice, but also agree with winning. Its hard for me to root for them to lose, and have enjoyed the last few weeks.

And I'm still not convinced Hughes is the second coming. Just seems a bit weak to me, and not convinced he won't get rag dolled against the big boys.
- vabeachbear

The true value in a top 3 pick is the potential for an immediate impact with the big club. While you always like the idea of being able to draft a potential 1C, this team’s most immediate need is defense. There’s not a top tier defenseman projected to go top 3 is there? And even if you tank there’s no guarantee of a top 3 pick.

I’m inclined to think the best outcome for this team is to get the kids a taste of the playoffs this season, then trade your mid-level 1st and maybe another pick or prospect for some immediate more established blue line help to compliment the up and coming D-men already in the system.

I'd bet money that he ends up a right winger in the NHL. He's a speedy little bugger and shifty as hell. I read that he may not even be nhl ready next season either. Awesome player to get but not franchise saving
- GPHawksfan

Those franchise saving players are rare, even McDavid as great as he is stuck with the lack of talent around him

The true value in a top 3 pick is the potential for an immediate impact with the big club. While you always like the idea of being able to draft a potential 1C, this team’s most immediate need is defense. There’s not a top tier defenseman projected to go top 3 is there? And even if you tank there’s no guarantee of a top 3 pick.

I’m inclined to think the best outcome for this team is to get the kids a taste of the playoffs this season, then trade your mid-level 1st and maybe another pick or prospect for some immediate more established blue line help to compliment the up and coming D-men already in the system.
- Ogilthorpe2

As they keep winning (Its still going to be hard to get in) was thinking if thisnas well. Get ADB and Delia a taste of a series. Would be fun to see.

Which D man would you like to see targeted with the Blackhawks 2019 1st round pick?

Why would you include your own young defenseman with top pairing potential? Buying low is great but not when you throw in a player they should be trying to build around.

Your first suggestion also resembles some of the trades people were proposing for Duchene last year.
- HawkintheD

Just throwing a possible trade scenario out there i would assume phily would want young d man back. More than likely provorov does not get traded

Honestly i thought another year under Qs system the Hawks would of been better this year. Unfortunately they were awful, i believe if a coach doesn't grow the league eventually leaves them behind.

Like JC or not, this team is more competitive now that the power play is clicking, which is probably the best PP I've ever seen by a Blackhawks team. Is it Gusto, addition of Strome, JC as coach or all the above.

I never root for the team to lose, is it best for them in the long run, probably, but the team is definitely entertaining again. Just don't give up young players or high draft picks for a rental player.
- BetweenTheDots

I like JC and I really like this PP
I also like the roster additions made since Q was removed: Strome, Murphy (off IR), Dalstrom, Caggiula.
It feels like they turned a corner this year. What isn’t clear is if they can add the pieces needed to contend again without a high draft pick. On the other hand, winning might make Chicago more attractive to free agents

Dale Weise is back in Montreal.

Dale Weise is back in Montreal.
- I Am The Breadman

Q loved Weise

I'd bet money that he ends up a right winger in the NHL. He's a speedy little bugger and shifty as hell. I read that he may not even be nhl ready next season either. Awesome player to get but not franchise saving
- GPHawksfan

He kinda reminds me of Gaudreau.

Q loved Weise
- scott.jackson

And the other bum.

And the other bum.
- I Am The Breadman

6 games for the western bubble teams today. Would love to see an 0 and 6 in regulation.

However, for the fun of it, what ends up being the outcome today/tonight?

I say 1-4-1, there are some loseable games for the bubble teams.

The true value in a top 3 pick is the potential for an immediate impact with the big club. While you always like the idea of being able to draft a potential 1C, this team’s most immediate need is defense. There’s not a top tier defenseman projected to go top 3 is there? And even if you tank there’s no guarantee of a top 3 pick.

I’m inclined to think the best outcome for this team is to get the kids a taste of the playoffs this season, then trade your mid-level 1st and maybe another pick or prospect for some immediate more established blue line help to compliment the up and coming D-men already in the system.
- Ogilthorpe2

This!!!

Also, it's hard to attract a FA to help this team if the team sucks.