6-2 not 6-1

Go Leafs Go

Let’s address the last point first. You make somewhat of a strawman argument suggesting the Hawks will again be a destination team for free agents. When weren’t they? When was the last time Chicago had the cap room to even try to sign a free agent? And what free agent didn’t sign with Chicago because of the team philosophy?

What do free agents look for? You say team philosophy. I say money and if it is a winning team, in that order. Chicago will be a destination for free agents if they have cap room and if the team is winning, not because of philosophy or who coaches the team. Again can you point to an article or a link that says a player didn’t sign due to the team philosophy?

Hopefully when the Hawks dip into free agency it will only be done to fill holes in the lineup, like they did with Hossa. And this summer isn’t the time to sign a big name free agent who is likely to be almost as old as Kane and Toews and command a similar contract. If you look past the last two games, the Hawks do have glaring holes in the lineup. The defense is brutal. Their best defensemen are still Duncan Keith and Seabrook and neither are close to what they were 4 years ago. Gus is great offensively but he isn’t good in his own end. Murphy is OK and beyond that there is nothing in the current lineup. Yes they do have some good looking prospects on the way.

Now look at the forwards. Kane, Toews, ADB, Strome and Saad are a solid group. Kahun, Caggulia look pretty good, and Perlini is playing better the last four or five games. So let’s assume Perlini’s play of late isn’t an anomaly, the Hawks have 8 forwards.

So right now the Hawks need to find 4 forwards, at least 3 defensemen and a secondary goalie to backup and become Crawford’s replacement. They are not ready to open the vault and sign a 27 plus year old to a huge contract.
- paulr

There are only 2 things free agents in any sport want, as many total dollars as possible, and as long a term as possible. I’ll add NBA guys also tend to go to warm weather cities.

Harper went to Philly because they offered the most money and longest term. Not because he agreed with the team’s ‘philosophy’. If a FA signs with the Hawks, it’s because Stan offered the most money and/or term. And maybe a NMC thrown in.

WTF. is it dissertation day and no one told me?

There are only 2 things free agents in any sport want, as many total dollars as possible, and as long a term as possible. I’ll add NBA guys also tend to go to warm weather cities.

Harper went to Philly because they offered the most money and longest term. Not because he agreed with the team’s ‘philosophy’. If a FA signs with the Hawks, it’s because Stan offered the most money and/or term. And maybe a NMC thrown in.
- scottak

Harper also went to Philly because over the contract he keeps $40 million more in state taxes than if he went to the Dodgers for the same amount because of state taxes.

So just saw this and found it incredibly worrisome:

Since 2017-18

The Cat- 65 Goals, 55 Assists, 120 pts

AM34- 65-39-124

How does the Cat not ask for 10 million? Also, how would we afford Panarin again?

The Leafs still have plenty of speed. You being the big Kane fan should be interested in watching Mitch Marner who has many of Kane's attributes, especially his vision and playmaking ability. Marner is a good stickhandler but not as good as Kane. The one area Marner is better is defensively.
- paulr

He is better in being consistent with his defensive effort. Kane is fine defensively. When he puts in the effort to do it.

So just saw this and found it incredibly worrisome:

Since 2017-18

The Cat- 65 Goals, 55 Assists, 120 pts

AM34- 65-39-124

How does the Cat not ask for 10 million? Also, how would we afford Panarin again?
- nickmo2699

Dinky wants 10M and its time to move him.

So just saw this and found it incredibly worrisome:

Since 2017-18

The Cat- 65 Goals, 55 Assists, 120 pts

AM34- 65-39-124

How does the Cat not ask for 10 million? Also, how would we afford Panarin again?
- nickmo2699

If ADB scores 40 to 50 next season, Strome will get the majority of the asists then he comes up for a big raise as well. Another reason why signing free agents has to be done strategically once most of the lineup is in place.

Kasperi Kapanen is concussed and will not play tonight. His speed would've caused fits for the Hawks dmen.

I find it very bizarre that everyone on the live broadcast clearly heard Morgan Reilly yell, "(frank)ing F*gott!. Yet, after a "investigation", nobody on the ice heard a thing.
- EnzoD

You don't want me to chime in, do you?

You don't want me to chime in, do you?
- powerenforcer

I can for you! Bettman likes Toronto and hates the Hawks so he lets Toronto off with everything and the Hawks off with nothing. Is that about right?

Going to be an interesting summer with a plethora of UFA's and RFA's, and a lot of teams already in cap hell. Looks like to me a strike or a lockout is almost a certainty, either the salary cap rules have to change or contracts get restructured and buyout rules change. Or else there is no middle class in the NHL anymore (gee sound familiar), as teams will have the stars on big contracts and the rest will be filled by ELC's

Q: Have the Hawks figured it out?
Short Answer: No
Long Answer: Hell no

In the previous 26 games (arbitrarily going back to 1/1/2019), they have let in an average of 4 goals per game. In the previous ten games, they let in an average of 4.5 goals per game. The last time that they finished a game with only letting one goal in was on 12/21/2018 (I was at that game and it was great fun!). Their last shutout was on 11/14/2018. This defense on this team is terrible and all should be held accountable, especially Bowman and his pet, Colliton.

Before folks begin to get excited about this team and where they may be headed, I ask this very simple question:

Could this team beat any of the top six teams in the West in a seven-game series?

Here is the answer: Hell no

The last time they beat one of the top six in the West was 12/18/2018 and the only team that they have had success against that is currently in the top six is St. Louis when they accumulated three wins prior to Thanksgiving. The only other team in the top six in the West that they have a win against is Nashville when they won on 12/18/2018. Do not kid yourself, this is a bad hockey team that is piling up points against other bad hockey teams. Pointing to success against Dallas or Minnesota or Arizona is a fool's errand. It is like being the tallest midget. The wild card teams from the West will be golfing after the first week of the playoffs.

Do I want to see this team win? Yes, and I will continue to cheer for them. However, I am a realist and see through the smokescreen that this team is putting up. Their offense is masking a huge problem that Bowman created. I applaud the Stromme and Caggiula deals but, Bowman should not be allowed anywhere near contract negotiations as he has completely hamstrung his ability to remake this team.

This team needs a massive overhaul on defense (preaching to the choir) and the bottom six is pretty terrible as well. Dylan Sikura is not an NHL player, let's get that straight and is nowhere near the type of player anyone expected. He looks lost and quite honestly, in over his head. At best he may be an AHL lifer. I want to see more out of Perlini and like Kampe, but the rest (looking at you Saad) need to step up their game or find new homes if this team is going to be a contender in the West.
- MileHighHawks

vs those top 6 WC teams here is abysmal truth: 4-10-3 with only 2 regulation wins in 17 games; 73 GA in regulation = 4.3 GA/gm; gave up 3 or more 15x; gave up 4 or more 10x...

bad teams have short streaks of good; and long streaks of bad..

the hawks current streak of good probably won't survive these 2 games in canada...

nobody should be fooled (well maybe management) that this team is UFA away from competing with the current WC top 6 teams

vs those top 6 WC teams here is abysmal truth: 4-10-3 with only 2 regulation wins in 17 games; 73 GA in regulation = 4.3 GA/gm; gave up 3 or more 15x; gave up 4 or more 10x...

bad teams have short streaks of good; and long streaks of bad..

the hawks current streak of good probably won't survive these 2 games in canada...

nobody should be fooled (well maybe management) that this team is UFA away from competing with the current WC top 6 teams
- bogiedoc

But on the flip side those teams most likely won't be able to keep all their FA or even RFA because of salary cap restraints. The Hawks won't have to get rid of anyone plus this team becomes instantly better if they sign or trade for a top 4 defenseman.

If Joker takes the next step now all of a sudden you have 4 competent dmen and what if they trade for Kapanen and Marleau?

Honestly Hawks are in great position to improve their team for now.

vs those top 6 WC teams here is abysmal truth: 4-10-3 with only 2 regulation wins in 17 games; 73 GA in regulation = 4.3 GA/gm; gave up 3 or more 15x; gave up 4 or more 10x...

bad teams have short streaks of good; and long streaks of bad..

the hawks current streak of good probably won't survive these 2 games in canada...

nobody should be fooled (well maybe management) that this team is UFA away from competing with the current WC top 6 teams
- bogiedoc

Teams that rank 22nd of 31 in total points are nowhere near a good team. Hell, they’re 6 ordinal positions from being ‘average’, and they need to be slightly north of average to even have a shot at making the playoffs, this or any other year.

But on the flip side those teams most likely won't be able to keep all their FA or even RFA because of salary cap restraints. The Hawks won't have to get rid of anyone plus this team becomes instantly better if they sign or trade for a top 4 defenseman.

If Joker takes the next step now all of a sudden you have 4 competent dmen and what if they trade for Kapanen and Marleau?

Honestly Hawks are in great position to improve their team for now.
- BetweenTheDots

i agree...its nice to see other team have to dump players and salary's and players due to the horsepoop NHL business model...

however...what ufa dman looks like a good fit as a top 4...i didn't see any...

You don't want me to chime in, do you?
- powerenforcer

The NHL is saying that their investigation showed that Reilly didn't make the comment - not that the comment wan't made. It seems that someone probably made the comment, but they can't figure out who.

i agree...its nice to see other team have to dump players and salary's and players due to the horsepoop NHL business model...

however...what ufa dman looks like a good fit as a top 4...i didn't see any...
- bogiedoc

I think it comes via trade. who comes? who goes? I have not a
clue

There are only 2 things free agents in any sport want, as many total dollars as possible, and as long a term as possible. I’ll add NBA guys also tend to go to warm weather cities.

Harper went to Philly because they offered the most money and longest term. Not because he agreed with the team’s ‘philosophy’. If a FA signs with the Hawks, it’s because Stan offered the most money and/or term. And maybe a NMC thrown in.
- scottak

Exception - John Tavares

Now look at the forwards. Kane, Toews, ADB, Strome and Saad are a solid group. Kahun, Caggulia look pretty good, and Perlini is playing better the last four or five games. So let’s assume Perlini’s play of late isn’t an anomaly, the Hawks have 8 forwards.

So right now the Hawks need to find 4 forwards, at least 3 defensemen and a secondary goalie to backup and become Crawford’s replacement. They are not ready to open the vault and sign a 27 plus year old to a huge contract.
- paulr

I would add Kampf to the list of forwards that are almost assured of having a spot in the lineup next season - especially since it seems Colliton has a bromance going with Kampf.

If Stan can sign Kubalik - there may be a clause similar to the one Kahun had where he would have an out to return to Europe if he doesn't make the Hawks - so if he's as good or better than Kahun - He would make the forward total 10.

6-2 not 6-1

Go Leafs Go
- Garnie

Hope Sparks and Delia start. That might lead to a 12-11 final score in a shootout.

I would add Kampf to the list of forwards that are almost assured of having a spot in the lineup next season - especially since it seems Colliton has a bromance going with Kampf.

If Stan can sign Kubalik - there may be a clause similar to the one Kahun had where he would have an out to return to Europe if he doesn't make the Hawks - so if he's as good or better than Kahun - He would make the forward total 10.
- EbonyRaptor

I think they bring Kruger back, at around $1.5, if someone offers him more, good for him.

The NHL is saying that their investigation showed that Reilly didn't make the comment - not that the comment wan't made. It seems that someone probably made the comment, but they can't figure out who.
- StLBravesFan

So, if that is the case, then IT IS OK for someone to say that, especially on the ice? Is that what the NHL is saying? Please, you know that the only reason is that there is vested interest in Toronto being successful right now. They cannot jeopardize bad press in Toronto.

I think they bring Kruger back, at around $1.5, if someone offers him more, good for him.
- LAHawk

Well I guess you can bring him back just to be nice. But he is simply a utility forward worth no more than $1M per which nobody else is going to pay. Time to move on unless they want him as a mentor to a young Swede or 2.

i agree...its nice to see other team have to dump players and salary's and players due to the horsepoop NHL business model...

however...what ufa dman looks like a good fit as a top 4...i didn't see any...
- bogiedoc

Rutta😁

Well I guess you can bring him back just to be nice. But he is simply a utility forward worth no more than $1M per which nobody else is going to pay. Time to move on unless they want him as a mentor to a young Swede or 2.
- RickJ

Jay Beagle who has 3 goals and 6 assists this year, never had more than 13 goals and is 4 years older I would say is a comp. to Kruger signed for 4 X $3mil. in free agency last year.