Be interesting to see what transpires between now and then. Crawford’s will be on the last year of his current contract next season.
- walleyeb1

I wonder if they are entertaining the idea of shutting him down for the rest of the year? Although concussion protocol is 3 or 4 days after a good heavy practice, if no symptoms reoccur he will be good to go.

True. Babcock is looking for more it sounds like.

The Leafs are last in the league in hits and he keeps reiterating that "playing heavy" style but Leafs don't quite have the personnel.
- Justin Lowe

If the Hawks are still gonna sell guys, I could see a Kruger and Hayden package helping them out a ton. Possibly one of our Defensemen depending on the return as well.

Possibly, but stats are indicating that the Hawks aren't even going to the tough areas enough. They are near the bottom (or might still be last) in penalties drawn.

The Hawks championship teams, while didn't need to hit a lot, still had hard-nosed players and drew a lot of penalties due to their fast pace and possession game.
- Justin Lowe

I think it's lack of talent as well, earlier this season the lower lines could not establish any kind of possession with the puck, or even make a clean pass out of the defensive zone.

As many shots as the Hawks have given up, last 20 games it seems like to me, the Hawks have tilted the ice, playing much more in the offensive and neutral zone. Which have probably led to more power plays but im just guessing.

I wonder if they are entertaining the idea of shutting him down for the rest of the year? Although concussion protocol is 3 or 4 days after a good heavy practice, if no symptoms reoccur he will be good to go.
- BetweenTheDots

Should shut him down for the rest of the year. Concussions appear to be easier to acquire after you’ve had a couple. Best thing for him is long, long rest. Come back in September and see what you’ve got.

I'm guessing you meant 'wouldn't give any of the above players a 3-5 year deal'.

I'd resign Forsberg, he's had a good year and isn't anywhere near a bust status just because Delia exists. Most goalies don't hit full-time NHL starter or backup duty until their late 20s. He has good numbers and could be a steal if we get him at a low rate.

I'd give Perlini more time, he has the raw tools we like but just needs to work on how he plays. Arizona made the mistake of giving up too soon on Strome, it's likely they did the same with Perlini as well. I'd give Dahlstrom and Kampf cheap extensions for decent term (3-4 years) and worst case scenario you package them in a trade if they fall off a cliff in play. Sikura we should extend but he looks like he needs more development. Our forward prospect group is rather thin so I'm not big on shipping any of them out.
- ObeseOprah

Yes, sorry, glaring typo! Thanks for catching that and for sharing your perspective. You make a good point about Forsberg and Perlini.

If resigned, I would opt for just a a one-year deal for Perlini on a "last chance to prove yourself" deal. A 2-year deal if they could make it a two-way contract but not sure if there are any stipulations that require now to be on a one-way.

I have this feeling that the Hawks are going to come out flying, but Rask will stand on his head and like the Pens game, the B's will have like a 2-0 lead after facing like a 37-16 shot disadvantage.
- Popsghostly

Gonna be a long time until the Blackhawks outshoot anyone that badly again.
This season, 5v5
1,397 shots for; 1,561 shots against
2,547 corsi for; 2,696 corsi against

Actually closer than I thought. Deficit of only 3 shots per game.

Should shut him down for the rest of the year. Concussions appear to be easier to acquire after you’ve had a couple. Best thing for him is long, long rest. Come back in September and see what you’ve got.
- Spec41971

100% agree. No reason for CC to play again this year. Stan should have placed him on LTIR.

Tonight will be the Bruins 3rd game in 4 days.

The Athletic projections have MIN getting the 2nd Western WC with 88 points.

The other question that needs to be asked is: Who do you put in place of Hayden? It does not seem realistic to move AA, Kruger, and others as some are proposing without replacements for them. Many are willing to give these players up for nothing so what do we gain by moving them? What message does send to Kane, Toews, and company if they become playoff fodder for some WC team as a result?
- 67hawks

Replacing Hayden and what he brings to the team in terms of physicality would be hard to do especially with his current contract and age. However it's doable it's just that he doesn't bring that type of play consistently and that is why he is and out of the lineup. I wish that he could just grab the opportunity provided and never give it back

100% agree. No reason for CC to play again this year. Stan should have placed him on LTIR.
- z1990z

Unfortunately it's up to CC, not the Hawks, if he passes all the concussion protocols then he's saying he's fine to play. I agree with you guys but it's out of the teams control

Replacing Hayden and what he brings to the team in terms of physicality would be hard to do especially with his current contract and age. However it's doable it's just that he doesn't bring that type of play consistently and that is why he is and out of the lineup. I wish that he could just grab the opportunity provided and never give it back
- BGKarras

he has played in 71% of the games and at just under 10 min TOI with 4 points and 18 PIM. I am sure he can be replaced.

The bigger issue is how Bowman wasn’t able to parlay Sharp into 2 first rounders.

#napping
- HawkintheD

Maybe you can explain that. Or maybe u r being sarcastic. Because Bowman choose to hold onto Sharp as long as he could. It is debatable if Sharp had one good year left. He was injured much of the time in Dallas. He probably would have kept Sharp even past his prime if nit for the salary cap.

Ironically one of thr players stolen by Dallas in that trade --Johns - has a career marred by injuries himself.

Yes Dahlstrom, Murphy, even Koekkoek have been a revelation. No the remainder of the blueline crew get walked or make far too many mistakes. Yes despite allowing so many shots this team has a 50/50 opportunity often with the new offensive firepower we have seen.

No not a good or likely playoff team if we cannot take advantage of Pasternack out injured.

The Bruins have a good team even minus him but a playoff desperate team like us has to win in these situations

Anyone know if Malkin had his hearing yet? Just wondering how light the penalty will be.

Any word how long Hillman out for?

Any Icehog dmen playing better since x-mas? Guessing maybe Gilbert. And is not Lakkinen ( Rockford rookie from Sweden) a descent NHL prospect?

Any word how long Hillman out for?

Any Icehog dmen playing better since x-mas? Guessing maybe Gilbert. And is not Lakkinen ( Rockford rookie from Sweden) a descent NHL prospect?

Anyone know if Malkin had his hearing yet? Just wondering how light the penalty will be.
- powerenforcer

No excuse for what he did. I wouldn't excuse the initial punch to the head that started the whole thing off a tie up.

I wonder if they are entertaining the idea of shutting him down for the rest of the year? Although concussion protocol is 3 or 4 days after a good heavy practice, if no symptoms reoccur he will be good to go.
- BetweenTheDots

It would be logical that Crow has his management team consulting with medical experts in this field. The Hawks are consulting with their medical experts and the medical experts of the NHL. No one has an interest in bringing him back to early. Crow is paid whether he plays or not. The Hawks have competent goal tending right now. With the pending threat of lawsuits there is no interest in the league or team rushing a player back after a concussion. There are no cap implications. They all will gather data and see how Crow feels about it and then make the best decision for Crow and the team long term.

Ok there could be one slight and very very remote cap implication. They could make one move and take on some salary to get very near the cap. Then they could put Crow on LTIR. Then they could make another move to go over the cap. But the chance of all of those things happening is ridiculously small.

Debrincat and Strome can't sign an extension until this summer. I wouldn't mind getting them locked up sooner rather than later to give the team a solid idea of how much cap they'll have available.

The 2020 offseason will see Crawford come off the books. Also up for UFA is Gus. The RFAs that year are Kahun, Hayden, Caggiula. The Crawford salary should pay for Debrincat, Hopefully Anisimov is gone by then and his salary can go towards Strome. Ward also comes off the books this offseason.

The Blackhawks aren’t going to make any moves between now and the TDL.

Gonna be a long time until the Blackhawks outshoot anyone that badly again.
This season, 5v5
1,397 shots for; 1,561 shots against
2,547 corsi for; 2,696 corsi against

Actually closer than I thought. Deficit of only 3 shots per game.
- scottak

It's horrid and high danger chances are very bad too.

Not a good team.

The Blackhawks aren’t going to make any moves between now and the TDL.
- walleyeb1

No excuse for what he did. I wouldn't excuse the initial punch to the head that started the whole thing off a tie up.
- nickmo2699

He just got a warning.

Debrincat and Strome can't sign an extension until this summer. I wouldn't mind getting them locked up sooner rather than later to give the team a solid idea of how much cap they'll have available.

The 2020 offseason will see Crawford come off the books. Also up for UFA is Gus. The RFAs that year are Kahun, Hayden, Caggiula. The Crawford salary should pay for Debrincat, Hopefully Anisimov is gone by then and his salary can go towards Strome. Ward also comes off the books this offseason.
- ObeseOprah

Debrincat is gonna get more than 6

It's horrid and high danger chances are very bad too.

Not a good team.
- fattybeef

But one with some hope for the future.

Good pieces brought in by Bowman - one through the draft (AdB), two through trade (Strome, Caggiula), a couple of undrafted free agents (Kahun, Delia), resurgence by Toews, some progress on defense (Murphy, Dahlstrom, Jokiharju, the kids still in junior or college)....

At least they are moving in the right direction.

AND playing late-season games that are exciting AND MEANINGFUL - win or lose, playoffs or lottery.

A good season on balance.