Now sporting a stellar 3.72 GA per game for the season, I can see how everyone should be excited about a Blackhawk playoff berth. The only experience these guys will get in the playoffs is that they don't belong in the hunt yet, and a non-existent/ineffective defensive scheme gets rewarded for playing that way.

Think about this for a minute...They just gave up seven goals to the worst team in the league....

I still think water will seek its own level, and with seven games against other toilet bowl contenders the Avs, Stars and the Canucks, and single games against the cream of the West the Sharks, Jets and the Preds, the story will be told soon enough.

McD's desire to prove himself right about being a playoff team should result in both missing the playoffs and blowing a chance at a top three pick.

Again - they make more money focusing on dumping salary than getting 65% of the gate and merch/food/booze sales for two home games in round one.
- Return of the Roar

Who gives a poop about a top three pick? It's far from a guarantee that pick is an NHL player anyway. I know that it's a higher likelihood of it but it's not a guarantee. It's a weak draft by all accounts anyway. Gems are usually found lower in weak drafts. Look at Kucherov. Nugent Hopkins and Landeskog went 1 and 2 in his draft.

What exactly has McDonagh done to "prove himself right about being a playoff team"?? Bowman made some good LONG TERM hockey trades in acquiring Strome and Caggiulla who are both signed for 2 years on team friendly contracts. It turns out the Hawks are not one of the 5 worst teams in the NHL, are playing extremely high scoring and entertaining hockey every night, and are ONE POINT from 8th in the West and playoff birth. Will they win in the first round? HIGHLY unlikely. What exactly would you have done differently? You'd rather watch the Hawks play as they did in November-December just to draft a MAYBE impact player in this draft that lacks a McDavid/Matthews type talent??


I don't understand the people who are still on the tank train. IF, the Hawks start losing in bunches and they are close to top overall pick in March, I may get back onboard the tank train. But, as it stands today, they are a playoff bubble team in the very weak Western Conference. And all the teams at the top of the conference are serial chokers when it comes to the playoffs, so anything can happen, even if it is a prayer.
- EnzoD

McD hasn't proven anything yet, and may very well not. My point about him is that the ONLY thing on his mind is not being proven wrong about his claim.

I agree that some good hockey deals were made that have improved the team. Nowhere near enough though to cover for the still too numerous gaping holes from which there is not enough developed talent in the pipeline yet, or enough cap space to obtain meaningful free agents given what the salary targets seem to be for impact players. Half of their "cap space" will get eaten up just to keep ADB and Strome....

Watching hockey like last night is NOT entertaining for me. In fact, a game like last night only reinforces my convictions. A team that averages giving up almost four goals a game does not belong in the playoffs.

Sorry - anything cannot happen for this year's team. The numbers have and will continue to prove it out. They need to care about and play good defense to get to the next level. There is absolutely NO evidence that the team is improving in any way in that department.

McD hasn't proven anything yet, and may very well not. My point about him is that the ONLY thing on his mind is not being proven wrong about his claim.

I agree that some good hockey deals were made that have improved the team. Nowhere near enough though to cover for the still too numerous gaping holes from which there is not enough developed talent in the pipeline yet, or enough cap space to obtain meaningful free agents given what the salary targets seem to be for impact players. Half of their "cap space" will get eaten up just to keep ADB and Strome....

Watching hockey like last night is NOT entertaining for me. In fact, a game like last night only reinforces my convictions. A team that averages giving up almost four goals a game does not belong in the playoffs.

Sorry - anything cannot happen for this year's team. The numbers have and will continue to prove it out. They need to care about and play good defense to get to the next level. There is absolutely NO evidence that the team is improving in any way in that department.
- Return of the Roar

But you're a goalie, right? That would explain why a 15 goal game is not entertaining to you.


EDIT: I implore you to watch Vancouver, AZ, Colorado and tell me that the Hawks are not a more talented team?? Minnesota might be able to grind out some wins but they have even less talent offensively than VAN and COL. Hawks are the 8th best team in the West based purely on their offensive firepower. They get Crow back, SLIGHTLY improve defensively with the return of Joki....I like their chances at the 8 seed.

Who gives a poop about a top three pick? It's far from a guarantee that pick is an NHL player anyway. I know that it's a higher likelihood of it but it's not a guarantee. It's a weak draft by all accounts anyway. Gems are usually found lower in weak drafts. Look at Kucherov. Nugent Hopkins and Landeskog went 1 and 2 in his draft.
- GPHawksfan

Top thee picks are ELCs for three years - something the Hawks desperately need.

Hard to argue how good a guy like Kakko would look on this team at $925K for three years.

But you're a goalie, right? That would explain why a 15 goal game is not entertaining to you.
- EnzoD

I prefer watching a 200 foot team play both sides of the puck well. Show me one team who made a run in this era that gave up goals like this team does.

Top thee picks are ELCs for three years - something the Hawks desperately need.

Hard to argue how good a guy like Kakko would look on this team at $925K for three years.
- Return of the Roar

Debrincat wasn't a first round pick and is on a 3 year elc. What are you talking about?

Top thee picks are ELCs for three years - something the Hawks desperately need.

Hard to argue how good a guy like Kakko would look on this team at $925K for three years.
- Return of the Roar

So will the 1st round pick they get at #5-16.......

Top thee picks are ELCs for three years - something the Hawks desperately need.

Hard to argue how good a guy like Kakko would look on this team at $925K for three years.
- Return of the Roar

Draft position has Richard all to do with the years on their ELC. It has to do with the age that they sign them.

So will the 1st round pick they get at #5-16.......
- EnzoD

Time to market odds if they want another run with 19/88. What good is a lower pick if its three years before they see the NHL?

The data say a top 5 first rounder is the best draft target. Period.

The data say this team as is stands now is an 0-4 cannon fodder playoff team.

Draft position has Richard all to do with the years on their ELC. It has to do with the age that they sign them.
- GPHawksfan

But it has everything to do with odds to make an impact sooner and being a better player during that ELC period.

Question for the more “fundamental”-centric fans of the board:

How difficult is it to convert from F-D or D-F? In sports like baseball and football, you see it relatively frequently. Within this modern era of analytics, teams seemingly find competitive advantages by tailoring to players’ skill sets.

It seems to me like Gus is playing a rover role that would NOT be permitted in Q’s system. We all know of his defensive shortcomings, and at 26 he’s not going to significantly improve in his end of the ice, but we all see just how valuable a piece he is offensively and how integral a role he plays on the [revamped] PP that has led to this season’s turnaround.

If the team wanted to convert Gus to F in the traditional way, how difficult of an adjustment would it be? Would assume it’s easier than transitioning to defense, but at the same time, I like the concept of the Hawks potentially transcending hockey by introducing a new “hybrid” role for a player that truly has free reign on the ice to take advantage of his skill set, as long as they figure out a way to mask any defensive deficiencies.

But you're a goalie, right? That would explain why a 15 goal game is not entertaining to you.


EDIT: I implore you to watch Vancouver, AZ, Colorado and tell me that the Hawks are not a more talented team?? Minnesota might be able to grind out some wins but they have even less talent offensively than VAN and COL. Hawks are the 8th best team in the West based purely on their offensive firepower. They get Crow back, SLIGHTLY improve defensively with the return of Joki....I like their chances at the 8 seed.
- EnzoD

The Hawks are better than the Canucks, they will be in the short term and long term. Vancouver has been playing over their heads and they're starting to crash back to reality. The only thing that's saved them is Markstrom, he's been solid. With Edler out, Tanev is really the only NHL calibre d-man they have. Seabrook would be their #1.

But it has everything to do with odds to make an impact sooner and being a better player during that ELC period.
- Return of the Roar

What's the rush? The already drafted dmen aren't all going to hit and won't be ready next season anyway. Toews and Kane aren't physical players so who says they can't be productive for 5 more years?

What's the rush? The already drafted dmen aren't all going to hit and won't be ready next season anyway. Toews and Kane aren't physical players so who says they can't be productive for 5 more years?
- GPHawksfan

You going to tell the fans to wait five years? If they are going to wait that long then they need to be figuring out who the next 19/88 will come from.

My guess is....DRAFTING HIGH

But you're a goalie, right? That would explain why a 15 goal game is not entertaining to you.


EDIT: I implore you to watch Vancouver, AZ, Colorado and tell me that the Hawks are not a more talented team?? Minnesota might be able to grind out some wins but they have even less talent offensively than VAN and COL. Hawks are the 8th best team in the West based purely on their offensive firepower. They get Crow back, SLIGHTLY improve defensively with the return of Joki....I like their chances at the 8 seed.
- EnzoD

Why would we compare the Hawks to poor teams and not the best teams? The Hawks being better than Colorado, AZ and Vancouver means nothing.

"It is better to aim high and miss than to aim low and hit"

Why would we compare the Hawks to poor teams and not the best teams? The Hawks being better than Colorado, AZ and Vancouver means nothing.

"It is better to aim high and miss than to aim low and hit"
- paulr

Because the Hawks are a poor team. Last I checked they are in LAST place in their division.

Why would we compare the Hawks to poor teams and not the best teams? The Hawks being better than Colorado, AZ and Vancouver means nothing.

"It is better to aim high and miss than to aim low and hit"
- paulr

Actually, it means that they can make the playoffs.....

things are goinf well, why would the hawk want Douche-ne ?

Actually, it means that they can make the playoffs.....
- EnzoD

OK I see your point. I was thinking long term. If they get into the playoffs without making any dumb moves like trading futures I'm all for it. Any moves have to be similar to what they have already done, picking up young guys with potential for older player or players with no future in the organization.

Well said- Talented player that will prove to be a Ghost in the playoffs
I don’t see the Hawks revisiting this file.

Defence, Grit & Penalty killing is lacking in Chicago -
Coaching & management see it nightly.
- Colbyboy

Except he is almost a PPG player in the playoffs......he doesn't shy away from contact either. Don't understand the Panarin bashing.

My goal for the remainder of this season is to see Kane get 50 goals, maybe break Gretzky's consecutive games with an assist record, see Cat hit 40 goals and Toews set a new personal points high. Oh...and Crow pull a Price and sit the remainder of the season. Let him get back to full (as possible) capacity. We don't need him facing 40+ shots a game for 15+ games.

things are goinf well, why would the hawk want Douche-ne ?
- Xizord

I don't think the Hawks have any interest in Duchene...now Chicago boy Dzingel on the other hand.....sign me up!

I don't think the Hawks have any interest in Duchene...now Chicago boy Dzingel on the other hand.....sign me up!
- EnzoD

Because who doesn't want to hear "pride of Wheaton stand out Ryan Dzingle" every game!


(I'd prefer Stone!)

I don't think the Hawks have any interest in Duchene...now Chicago boy Dzingel on the other hand.....sign me up!
- EnzoD

Did he play last night?

Because who doesn't want to hear "pride of Wheaton stand out Ryan Dzingle" every game!


(I'd prefer Stone!)
- resqmed99

Dzingel will cost 1/2 as much against the Cap, and is younger.