At the rate the productive taxpayers are fleeing the left-coast these loonies will build a wall to keep people in, not out... It's what they do.. Of course then leftists will get sudden amnesia and magically walls will be ok and promoted for "the greater good of society". I mean they cant have those that reluctantly financially support the state go fleeing to places like Texas or Colorado.. What is the left coast going to do when the majority are reliant on the state and the state has no more taxpayers to steal from?.... That's why "leftists" build walls, to keep the "assets" er educated and productive in... I mean they're not opposed to walls at all when they benefit from them. The Berlin wall is a fantastic example of that, of course kids these days know nothing about that because presently history is no longer considered part of proper education..

You see, walls are only bad when the purpose is to keep people in - they're fine to keep people out, but of course many get that idea backwards and believe walls are wrong to keep people out and good to keep people in.

Of course neither political party wants a solution to our immigration problems because immigration is meant to be a never-ending problem hence a never-ending talking point - a problem that politicians will make a priority while they pander to us on their campaign trail but will do nothing about if elected... But Trump isn't a politician so his priorities aren't to his political party and their best interest as an establishment, but the middle class US citizen. Trump has no allegiance to anyone except the republicans, democrats, libertarians and independents that voted for him - and that there is why the wall isn't going up as quickly as many of us would like.. If we had a wall and actually DID everything we could do about illegal immigration then this issue would no longer be an issue, but these establishment republicans and democrats want it to be an issue... I mean the fact it is a problem shows that our government isn't doing enough to solve it..... The truth is that Trump's ideas are really screwing up the establishments agenda and plans... You see, politicians are only supposed to PRETEND to have solutions to our problems, they're not supposed to actually fix those problems, and building a wall would be a solution to this problem hence no wall, and it's certainly not for a lack of effort -- its because establishment politicians are the enemy of the people... It's because they act in their own best interests as a collective establishment, not our best interests.. We're merely nothing more than useful idiots that vote, and are dooped into foot the bill for their lavish lifestyles - just a bunch of morons that keep them in power.. I mean that's how they view us "common folk"...

Of course it's funny when they say "Orange man lies, where's your wall?" as if obstructing the wall somehow makes Trump a liar, lol.. Yea where is that wall? oh right, Trump could cure cancer and the establishment would obstruct the cure (they probably would given big pharma owns them).. Trump wants 5.8 billion for a wall, for our own security and the establishment objects, then foolishly believe obstructing Trump like this is a good idea.. Of course these are the same people that said absolutely NOTHING when Obama loaded a military transport plane with 5 billion dollars in cash and shipped it off to Iran in the middle of the night -- right, nothing to see there folks, but spending that on a wall - Orange Man bad - infrastructure spending bad.... lol when in reality 5.8 billion is absolutely nothing... Trump may as well be asking for a dollar because that's closer to 5 billion than our annual budget is...
- Savard2Secord

Dumbest pile of political poop I've read in quite some time.

I'm giving credit, Seabs was an animal last night. That 5 on 3. Yes he's slow, yes his contract is bad ... I loved watching him play last night. He was doing a bunch of great things. I like him paired with Keith.
- I Am The Breadman

Agreed. 5 on 3 coverage requires ZONE defense. Play to what strengths your guys have and not to their weaknesses. Man to man D requires speed, and time in that system to play it properly.

I personally think man to man is too hard in the NHL. Players at that level are far too fast.

I like this post, too, particularly your 2nd paragraph. The draft is only one of several methods to rebuild a contender. Stock up on as many picks as you can, draft well in every round, and have a solid development system.

Finding the next elite player isn't relegated to the 1st round only. Look at DeBrincat, Gaudreau, Kucherov, Point, Panarin, Marchand, Aho, Stone, etc. Later rounds or not drafted at all. Yes, it would be awesome if the Hawks got a top 3-5 pick this year and say even in 2020 but not the end of the world if they don't.
- AEL_Fox

Yes you can find top talent outside the 1st, but guess who was in the 1st: McDavid, Eichel, Matthews, Laine, Draisaitl, Pastrnak, MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, Monahan, Forsberg, Vasilevsky, Landeskog, Rantanen, Scheifele, Hall, Seguin, Skinner, Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, OEL, Stamkos, Doughty, Pietrangelo, Karlsson, Carlson, Kane, Voracek, Coutoure, McDonagh, Pacioretty, Toews, Kessel, Giroux, Crosby, Price, Kopitar, Rask, Ovechkin, Malkin

You want elite talent outside the 1st? Strike absolute gold that most teams only hit once every 20 years.

You want elite talent otherwise? Draft high and in the 1st.

Amen.
- kwolf68

If Dahlstrom/Murphy can turn into the shutdown pair (similar to Hjarmelson/Oduya), then Keith and Seabrook settling in as a 3/4 and penalty kill (while being the second PP unit's back end) slots them much better than as a shutdown pair/1st PP unit's back end.

At the rate the productive taxpayers are fleeing the left-coast these loonies will build a wall to keep people in, not out... It's what they do.. Of course then leftists will get sudden amnesia and magically walls will be ok and promoted for "the greater good of society". I mean they cant have those that reluctantly financially support the state go fleeing to places like Texas or Colorado.. What is the left coast going to do when the majority are reliant on the state and the state has no more taxpayers to steal from?.... That's why "leftists" build walls, to keep the "assets" er educated and productive in... I mean they're not opposed to walls at all when they benefit from them. The Berlin wall is a fantastic example of that, of course kids these days know nothing about that because presently history is no longer considered part of proper education..

You see, walls are only bad when the purpose is to keep people in - they're fine to keep people out, but of course many get that idea backwards and believe walls are wrong to keep people out and good to keep people in.

Of course neither political party wants a solution to our immigration problems because immigration is meant to be a never-ending problem hence a never-ending talking point - a problem that politicians will make a priority while they pander to us on their campaign trail but will do nothing about if elected... But Trump isn't a politician so his priorities aren't to his political party and their best interest as an establishment, but the middle class US citizen. Trump has no allegiance to anyone except the republicans, democrats, libertarians and independents that voted for him - and that there is why the wall isn't going up as quickly as many of us would like.. If we had a wall and actually DID everything we could do about illegal immigration then this issue would no longer be an issue, but these establishment republicans and democrats want it to be an issue... I mean the fact it is a problem shows that our government isn't doing enough to solve it..... The truth is that Trump's ideas are really screwing up the establishments agenda and plans... You see, politicians are only supposed to PRETEND to have solutions to our problems, they're not supposed to actually fix those problems, and building a wall would be a solution to this problem hence no wall, and it's certainly not for a lack of effort -- its because establishment politicians are the enemy of the people... It's because they act in their own best interests as a collective establishment, not our best interests.. We're merely nothing more than useful idiots that vote, and are dooped into foot the bill for their lavish lifestyles - just a bunch of morons that keep them in power.. I mean that's how they view us "common folk"...

Of course it's funny when they say "Orange man lies, where's your wall?" as if obstructing the wall somehow makes Trump a liar, lol.. Yea where is that wall? oh right, Trump could cure cancer and the establishment would obstruct the cure (they probably would given big pharma owns them).. Trump wants 5.8 billion for a wall, for our own security and the establishment objects, then foolishly believe obstructing Trump like this is a good idea.. Of course these are the same people that said absolutely NOTHING when Obama loaded a military transport plane with 5 billion dollars in cash and shipped it off to Iran in the middle of the night -- right, nothing to see there folks, but spending that on a wall - Orange Man bad - infrastructure spending bad.... lol when in reality 5.8 billion is absolutely nothing... Trump may as well be asking for a dollar because that's closer to 5 billion than our annual budget is...
- Savard2Secord

STFU

If Dahlstrom/Murphy can turn into the shutdown pair (similar to Hjarmelson/Oduya), then Keith and Seabrook settling in as a 3/4 and penalty kill (while being the second PP unit's back end) slots them much better than as a shutdown pair/1st PP unit's back end.
- LAHawk

The Oduya/Hammer pair was awesome for sure. But recall the level Keith and Seabs were playing, note, it was exceedingly high. Not sure our boys got that anymore. Gonna have to figure something out. More depth is one answer, instead of Keith playing 31 minutes like he did in 2015.

The only way this team gets better and turns it around is by getting impact players like they did when drafting Kane, Toews etc. Other option is to spend a lot of money on high priced FA. Well the later is not really possible with money tied up in a few contracts, that and were a bottom feeder so not likely Chi is as an attractive destination it was a few years ago. That being said they need to tank and get a 1st or second, drafting 15 will not turn this team around. Winning a few games and just missing the playoffs changes nothing.

STFU
- BMWChiFan

LOL. There was so much stupidity in that post if you tried to unravel it your head would turn so fast it'd impact the jet stream.

McNeill, Danault, Clendening were all drafted by the Hawks before Saad, Shaw was a 5th rounder that year.
- LAHawk

Yes, good examples. That draft year, 1st round in particular, is also an example of how a late 1st rounder can turn out better than an earlier rounder. Danault went 26th while McNeill went 18th. Granted, McNeill wasn't a top 10 pick but 18th is still earlier than 26th. Regardless, Danault is easily in the top 10 of 1st rounders from 2011 who are impact NHLers today.

Same with the 2018 draft: Beaudin went 27th while Boqvist went 8th. Boqvist could end up being the best offensive talent of any Hawks prospect (forwards and D men) but Beaudin could end up being a better all around player in comparison. At least based on potential.

I'm sure he's fine with it. I'm not positive it's Mex, but the writing styles and posts are similar. Although, Mex's posts were more intelligent than those by Elbows....
- mohel

Made my day!

Well, that's a choice they made, that probably made the team worse.

And at the end of the 4 years, any of the drafted D, including Joki, would have made it to the NHL if they had shown the ability. and $4.5 isn't bad for a guy that would be on your 2nd pair.

The issue is, because of trades, & poor drafting and/or development, the Hawks pool of defenseman in the system sucked. That's what you use free agency to do, fill in your weak spots.
- scottak

Question is did DeHann want to come to the Hawks or stay in the east where there is less travel?

Well, that's a choice they made, that probably made the team worse.

And at the end of the 4 years, any of the drafted D, including Joki, would have made it to the NHL if they had shown the ability. and $4.5 isn't bad for a guy that would be on your 2nd pair.

The issue is, because of trades, & poor drafting and/or development, the Hawks pool of defenseman in the system sucked. That's what you use free agency to do, fill in your weak spots.
- scottak

They didn't have the cap space to sign him anyway, they still had Hossa on the books when DeHaan signed as a free agent

LOL. There was so much stupidity in that post if you tried to unravel it your head would turn so fast it'd impact the jet stream.
- kwolf68

At least the post was YUUUUGE

LOL. There was so much stupidity in that post if you tried to unravel it your head would turn so fast it'd impact the jet stream.
- kwolf68

You guys are right, we should go back to debating the merits of banning farting cows...

I think it was a good test given to Forsling last night. I might not be as gifted as others who "knew" right off the bat that he wouldn't have that great of a game. I like the rotating of defensemen to see what we have along with who excels/needs work with what. Give Forsling the task of playing against a tough team, sounds like a good challenge. I saw him engage in hits and take hits to make plays. He didn't do it every time, but I wouldn't classify him as a shy player.

To hang last night's game on him, knowing he would drown against the Bruins forecheck ... that's just ridiculous. Our pp had several opportunities to put the game out of reach early, or help get the game in reach. We took stupid penalties, how many high sticks? Gus got lucky after throwing an elbow. How many turnovers, just first period alone. Yes, that damn Forsling.

I'm giving credit, Seabs was an animal last night. That 5 on 3. Yes he's slow, yes his contract is bad ... I loved watching him play last night. He was doing a bunch of great things. I like him paired with Keith.
- I Am The Breadman

As to Forsling, this was watching him go over the past few games with no points, around -5 and taking 5 or so minor penalties resulting from him being caught out of place, beaten to the puck or simply out-muscled. No doubt Gus is liability but at least he mans the PP and scores, which might make up for his absolute lack of defense. I don't think it's a good idea to pair those two.

You guys are right, we should go back to debating the merits of banning farting cows...
- riozzo

And eating meat

And eating meat
- LAHawk

Wouldn't that by default create more farting cows?

Yes you can find top talent outside the 1st, but guess who was in the 1st: McDavid, Eichel, Matthews, Laine, Draisaitl, Pastrnak, MacKinnon, Barkov, Jones, Monahan, Forsberg, Vasilevsky, Landeskog, Rantanen, Scheifele, Hall, Seguin, Skinner, Tarasenko, Kuznetsov, Tavares, Hedman, Duchene, OEL, Stamkos, Doughty, Pietrangelo, Karlsson, Carlson, Kane, Voracek, Coutoure, McDonagh, Pacioretty, Toews, Kessel, Giroux, Crosby, Price, Kopitar, Rask, Ovechkin, Malkin

You want elite talent outside the 1st? Strike absolute gold that most teams only hit once every 20 years.

You want elite talent otherwise? Draft high and in the 1st.
- ObeseOprah

Not going to argue against your point as it is a sound one. We can find examples in every round as well as non-drafted players who have been bad, good, great, and elite. Probability is of course highest in the 1st round. Not going to deny history and statistics.

My general point is that there are more ways to rebuild a contender. Ideally, yes, I would love to have a high 1st rounder and even better multiple 1st rounders. Capitalize if that opportunity presents itself each year of the draft. But also capitalize on other methods to make the team better.

Wouldn't that by default create more farting cows?
- riozzo

Ha got me there

At the rate the productive taxpayers are fleeing the left-coast these loonies will build a wall to keep people in, not out... It's what they do.. Of course then leftists will get sudden amnesia and magically walls will be ok and promoted for "the greater good of society". I mean they cant have those that reluctantly financially support the state go fleeing to places like Texas or Colorado.. What is the left coast going to do when the majority are reliant on the state and the state has no more taxpayers to steal from?.... That's why "leftists" build walls, to keep the "assets" er educated and productive in... I mean they're not opposed to walls at all when they benefit from them. The Berlin wall is a fantastic example of that, of course kids these days know nothing about that because presently history is no longer considered part of proper education..

You see, walls are only bad when the purpose is to keep people in - they're fine to keep people out, but of course many get that idea backwards and believe walls are wrong to keep people out and good to keep people in.

Of course neither political party wants a solution to our immigration problems because immigration is meant to be a never-ending problem hence a never-ending talking point - a problem that politicians will make a priority while they pander to us on their campaign trail but will do nothing about if elected... But Trump isn't a politician so his priorities aren't to his political party and their best interest as an establishment, but the middle class US citizen. Trump has no allegiance to anyone except the republicans, democrats, libertarians and independents that voted for him - and that there is why the wall isn't going up as quickly as many of us would like.. If we had a wall and actually DID everything we could do about illegal immigration then this issue would no longer be an issue, but these establishment republicans and democrats want it to be an issue... I mean the fact it is a problem shows that our government isn't doing enough to solve it..... The truth is that Trump's ideas are really screwing up the establishments agenda and plans... You see, politicians are only supposed to PRETEND to have solutions to our problems, they're not supposed to actually fix those problems, and building a wall would be a solution to this problem hence no wall, and it's certainly not for a lack of effort -- its because establishment politicians are the enemy of the people... It's because they act in their own best interests as a collective establishment, not our best interests.. We're merely nothing more than useful idiots that vote, and are dooped into foot the bill for their lavish lifestyles - just a bunch of morons that keep them in power.. I mean that's how they view us "common folk"...

Of course it's funny when they say "Orange man lies, where's your wall?" as if obstructing the wall somehow makes Trump a liar, lol.. Yea where is that wall? oh right, Trump could cure cancer and the establishment would obstruct the cure (they probably would given big pharma owns them).. Trump wants 5.8 billion for a wall, for our own security and the establishment objects, then foolishly believe obstructing Trump like this is a good idea.. Of course these are the same people that said absolutely NOTHING when Obama loaded a military transport plane with 5 billion dollars in cash and shipped it off to Iran in the middle of the night -- right, nothing to see there folks, but spending that on a wall - Orange Man bad - infrastructure spending bad.... lol when in reality 5.8 billion is absolutely nothing... Trump may as well be asking for a dollar because that's closer to 5 billion than our annual budget is...
- Savard2Secord

Politics these days are pretty simple. Either you are a globalist or a nationalist.

It is perplexing watching many genuflect at the alter of globalism as some virtue. They love the idea of a bunch of "elites" sitting around eloquently waxing poetic in some coffee shop. Moving them around like pawns on a board. Waiting for a pat on the head as if their life has more noble meaning because they "care" more.

They find no irony that the pooptiest places to live (literally with SF) have had the same leadership philosophy in place for almost a century.

And the depth of intellect (lack of) is clearly on display, when, again ironically enough, some, who have risen to positions of power and success in this country respond to any intellectual challenge to their positions, with charges of racism etc... Here is a little clue, if your first and only argument is RACISM, etc... you have no argument.

How does such insanity get a foot hold on so many people? This board often is a microcosm of that psychosis. That is if everything is not perfect now, go nuclear and destroy everything. As if we are entitled to happiness or instant gratification.

I lived in South Chicago as a young person. My grandmother took every precaution to protect herself, her family and what little material possessions she had on this earth. That is her first obligation, just like it is the first obligation of the Federal Government to protect its citizens. There are no 100% fail safes, there are risks to living every day. Nothing will change that, but it does not stop you from taking common sense actions to minimize negative impacts of certain activities. Locking your door in your home or car is now a form of racism.

Before the ORange man took over, as many call him. We had a sham government cast from hollywood. Moron dems and douche Repubs stoking emotions trying to make us all think they care about what we care about. Meanwhile, their goal has been to appease us all, while behind the curtains the country has been sold out to global interest. AS a reward, they have been given a seat at the table and or some stake in the global world order.

Now we have someone in there who is not part of the script. A Nationalist. We do not have to argue or debate. IF you are all for surrendering sovereignty to global governance, you are free to make that decision. Many others are not. The fact that many average American do not understand that is what he represents, whether you agree or disagree, shows clearly a lack of any intellectual curiosity.

Ha got me there

- LAHawk

One in a row for me

Was going to say...

I am HawkintheMexicoHawk.

First of all that sounds a little dirty, but I also believe Mex revealed himself this afternoon as Savard2Secord...or it could be that Teton guy too...but most likely Elbows...

A western wall which will replace the Pacific Crest Trail to keep all the left coast types in their place is next.
- Beaver-Warrior

Not before I move back home, please

Ward's $3 mil is off the books too next season.......or are you thinking he will resign another 1 tr deal?
- powerenforcer

Not sure how you could go into next season with Crawford and just one proven backup. Quite the dilemma. Maybe if no one else wants him, Ward would agree to sign another one year deal MINUS the NMC. Doubtful, but I think counting on Crow for a full year is too risky.

And a new contender emerges.