Just reading this now.
Nothing of this Hawk team resembles the Bruins. Our superstars are total greed hogs. They sucked every $ they could to profit themselves personally at the expense of future franchise success. There was absolutely no home town discount here and the management / ownership were more than happy to throw wheel barrel loads of cash at them without any negotiations.The only players other teams would be willing to trade for are the players that should not be traded. Let Stan give Kane and Boqvist away for some top picks that will be years away from anything other than to be traded in a couple of years for something else that again fails miserably. No, the Hawks have effectively played themselves out of the Jack Hughes sweepstakes. They may be playing way over their collective heads right now but it's too late - go for it. And if they make it and sneak out a first round win then great! And if they get humiliated in the first round then so be it - humility can be a wonderful thing to learn from as well.
Stay the course. Tweak along the way. Take what you get.
Tonight's game against the Devils is almost a breaking point. Since we have already played more games than most other teams we are chasing, a loss here is one more foot in the grave. I would say the only real trade dumps could be AA and #7. But Seabrook's salary will scare any intelligent management team away - just one more example.

TL;DR the posts since yesterday.

So, have we figured out who Mexico Hawk is now?

TL;DR the posts since yesterday.

So, have we figured out who Mexico Hawk is now?
- MNHawk

We are all Mexico Hawk

Stan could/should trade all 4 of those players (Kruger, AA, Hayden, and Forsling) and it wouldn't make that big of a difference in their current state.

Those 4 are not gonna "Make or Break" the Hawks as far as pushing for a playoff spot.

Trade them for picks or assets and they may still be able to make a run for a spot. If they don't make it, they still get some pieces to build with.

Justin is factual.
- paulr

He also treats posters with respect. That is a refreshing change. [/img]

Who gives a crap what Anson Carter has to say.
- 11Chaser11

Because his analysis was spot on.

I brought this up awhile ago when I read an article about it, I wonder if the Hawks would seriously consider playing Boqvist at forward to speed up his development and get into the Hawks lineup sooner rather than later. Especially with the need for Defensive minded D help, he doesn't really fit that mold, but as an offensive weapon holy crap that kid has some serious puck handling skills and scoring ability that could translate well at forward. How he would handle the physicality of that idk especially with his concussion history.

Just food for thought while we have some down town in the news...

Because his analysis was spot on.
- LAHawk

Agree with LAHawk here. Holding on too long caused these 3 to take turns coughing up the puck after getting hit or make bad passes.

He also treats posters with respect. That is a refreshing change.
- mohel[/img]

I had no idea so many people weren't big fans of JJ. I think they both bring different positives to the group. I do feel JJ has more sources and rumor updates while JL just reports what he hears from JJ.

That's not a knock JL, you have done a fantastic job with your insights and team outlook!

The league will want Edmonton to draft #1 so there can be Hughes brother rivalry between the Oilers and Canucks.
- DarthKane

I may be one of the few who believe that things like this actually do happen in the leagues, but I would NOT be surprised at all if Bettman threw Edmonton a bone for having Chiarelli completely mismanage having the best player in the league and put them in legit cap hell (they can't even call up one of "better" Defensemen cuz of how bad he mismanaged their cap; thanks again for taking Manning!!). Give McJesus the high end talent that they so desperately need (and on the cheap since their cap sucks right now) and like you said gives a built in family rivalry for two Canadian hockey teams. That's gotta be an NHL wet dream right there

I had no idea so many people weren't big fans of JJ. I think they both bring different positives to the group. I do feel JJ has more sources and rumor updates while JL just reports what he hears from JJ.

That's not a kock JL, you have done a fantastic job with your insights and team outlook!
- nickmo2699

JJ's "sources" were greatly exaggerated.

From a 4th period article suggesting the PREDS have made Tolvanen available.

LOL one of these things is not like the other....

The Predators have expressed interest in the likes of Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Artemi Panarin, Ottawa Senators stars Mark Stone and Matt Duchene, and New York Rangers forward Kevin Hayes, among others.
- mrpaulish

Haha

If they're going for Panarin or Stone it makes sense to put him out there. Duche or Hayes I wouldn't do it if I were the GM...but as a Hawks fan lets pray to god he gets desperate and makes a dumb trade like that

I had no idea so many people weren't big fans of JJ. I think they both bring different positives to the group. I do feel JJ has more sources and rumor updates while JL just reports what he hears from JJ.

That's not a kock JL, you have done a fantastic job with your insights and team outlook!
- nickmo2699

Big fan of JL, JJ and Al. Different styles but all three know their stuff and help me get through the workday. Wish Al posted here more but follow him on Twitter.

JJ's "sources" were greatly exaggerated.
- mohel

JJ's "sources" were made up.

Good idea that’s one subject I never get involved with On these boards, I’m moving off of Tom Wilson and On to Josh Manson, Washington isn’t dealing Wilson, and Manson would look really good on the backend for the Hawks , While having shades of daddy, he can also play in today’s game.
- wonthecup10

I wouldn't be so sure of that. I though the same that you did as well because of as much as people think he's a douchebag (and he does play like one a lot of the time) Washington is going to be facing a major cap crunch this offseason and needs to lock up some their young talent while filling out the rest of the roster AND preparing for Backstrom and Holtby hitting Free Agency the following season. Trading Wilson and his 5.1M cap hit (possibly along with Burakovsky, separate deal) could go a long way in helping them round out the team.

I've said for awhile, Tom is the kind of guy you love if he's on your team but absolutely hate if he's not. I would love to get a LEGIT power forward who has skill and scoring touch on this team, but with his tendency to make boneheaded plays that gets him suspended to go along with his cap hit makes me leary about making a move for him. That's just me personally. But damn he would be awesome Toews and Kane or DCat and Strome for our top 6.

Always been a fan of Manson and would love to get him, but idk if we'd match up with the Ducks to make a deal with. I think that they would be willing to discuss him in a deal but it all depends on what they're looking to get in return besides maybe cap relief so likely high end prospect and/or top draft pick

This game is so fast it's not easy to see a team tanking, you don't have be Einstein to know that the smallest level of lower team intensity and you lose. it sure has not been the hawks since JC took over, it sure applies to the oilers most of the year. and Ducks of late

JJ's "sources" were made up.
- paulr

His "sources" on DeBrincat missed the boat. There was some pretty negative stuff put out there about ADB. I was pretty sure it was crap then having watched him in Erie a few times, now we got the proof.

His "sources" on DeBrincat missed the boat. There was some pretty negative stuff put out there about ADB. I was pretty sure it was crap then having watched him in Erie a few times, now we got the proof.
- kwolf68

Yeah I remember the narrative around here was that ADB was never going to make it because he was too small and would crumble under pressure.

It was obvious to me that DeBrincat had enough skill to make it when he produced better without McDavid than he did with him.

His "sources" on DeBrincat missed the boat. There was some pretty negative stuff put out there about ADB. I was pretty sure it was crap then having watched him in Erie a few times, now we got the proof.
- kwolf68

In all fairness, JJ was not the only one who was down on Alex's game translating to the NHL due to his size. That's the reason he went in the 2nd Rd. As a very small forward who scored at a ridiculous clip in the OHL, we've seen guys similar or even who were bigger in size than Cat that tore it up and couldn't translate it to the NHL. No one doubted his scoring ability, BUT no one knew if he could find a way to translate his game to the NHL AND he had the heart and desire as a Martin St. Louis, Theo Fleury, etc. had as small forwards to get dirty at times, not be afraid to do it, and find a way to get into areas to make plays happen. Cat has done that and has exceeded even our expectations tremendously since being called up last year

His "sources" on DeBrincat missed the boat. There was some pretty negative stuff put out there about ADB. I was pretty sure it was crap then having watched him in Erie a few times, now we got the proof.
- kwolf68

Apparently it was the same sources that 30 other teams use too since he was drafted in the second round, so I am not gunna count that against him.

Yeah I remember the narrative around here was that ADB was never going to make it because he was too small and would crumble under pressure.

It was obvious to me that DeBrincat had enough skill to make it when he produced better without McDavid than he did with him.
- Hawks_49

Hawks_49. I am TOTALLY fine if you have "doubts" about ADB being able to make it because of his size. What I didn't like was the attacks on the kid's character. There was more than a little bit of insinuation that Alex was lazy, a bad teammate and lacked consistent effort. I watched the kid play games and really focused on him and saw NONE of that. I also didn't see where his size was a problem either. Because he has such amazing instincts on where to be, how to get there I just had a sense, "this kid I think can make it". YES, playing in the OHL is not the same as the NHL, but the eye test told me we got something. Now, I could't imagine he'd be on pace for 40 goals his second year in, but color me as not being surprised. One thing Alex DeBrincat was put on this earth for was to put pucks behind goalies.

He is literally one of my favorite players, only Brent Seabrook and John Hayden (snicker) do I like better.

Apparently it was the same sources that 30 other teams use too since he was drafted in the second round, so I am not gunna count that against him.
- nickmo2699

Nope. He dropped because of size questions. Period. JJ questioned his character, created "sources" to advance his narrative and ADB has been nothing but the truth since getting to Chicago, rendering JJ's musings about Alex as huge fails.

The system is just 1 of a myriad of problems. #1 & 2 are on JC. # 3, 4 & 5 are on Stan. And lets not forget, Q did not have access to either Murphy or Dahlstrom during his tenure at the beginning of the season. So, comparing the D under Q & JC is comparing apples & oranges.

1. I’d start by playing zone defensively.

2. Next, I’d play my best players. Something like

Keith . Jokiharju
Dahlstrom . Murphy
Koekkoek. Gustafsson
Seabrook in the press box, subbing in against the more physical opponents, such as Boston

3. Then I’d trade Forsling for any draft pick(s) I could get.

4. This offseason, I would sign a top 4, in order to bridge to when some of the drafted D are ready to take the next step. I'd rather put my resources into signing a defenseman than a forward. Defense wins championships.

5. I wouldn’t bring any of the current draftees to the NHL until they show that they are ready by having prolonged success in the AHL.

6. My goal is to be a contender as early as 20-21
- scottak

I get where you are coming from, but I have different views on some of your points.

1) I don't consider last year's d-corp any worse than this year's. They were a disaster last year, so I'm not so sure switching back to zone would be all that much better.

2) From everything that has been said and the moves they have made (both on and off the ice), it looks like they aren't (or at least weren't) expecting to be able to get into the playoffs this year. If they do, great, but they are not doing things for that sole purpose. Joki being sent down, the rotating D and splitting the goalie time equally, etc.).

We can definitely agree that Seabrook's contract is brutal.

Ultimately, their upcoming moves are not entirely in their control, so they will have to do what they can with what they have. We can say all day that they should just pressbox Seabrook, but it isn't always that easy.

Nope. He dropped because of size questions. Period. JJ questioned his character, created "sources" to advance his narrative and ADB has been nothing but the truth since getting to Chicago, rendering JJ's musings about Alex as huge fails.
- kwolf68

Exactly what happened, Wolfie. Good memory. [/img]

Michael Bunting (Yotes) on waivers, Frk clears