Let's face facts, when Delia came out to start the third, that gave the officials every excuse to let Toronto back in the game. I do not know what the refs were watching, but when Marner didn't get up off of Delia, a penalty should have been called. In fact the last 3 miutes or so (when Tor pulled the goalie), there were about 3 or 4 times GI should have been called. Props to Delia for holding on and preserving the "W".
- powerenforcer

And the Hawks should have cleared the puck and moved the puck north and Delia should have frozen the puck once or twice and perhaps they could (should?) have scored into the empty net when they had the puck once or twice in the Toronto zone....

And maybe there were some holds and slashes that the Hawks got away with.

And maybe the dislodged net should have been a penalty shot.

They made their own problems and barely overcome them. The stripes didn’t almost cost them the game.

Unless Sikura lights the world on fire in these last 12 games, and maybe not even then, Sikura isn't going to have the trade value to get back much of anything the Hawks need. Even packaging him as a throw in isn't going to raise the value for the trade partner all that much. If he establishes himself as a good top-9 winger next season - then other teams would value getting him in a trade but he's not there yet.
- EbonyRaptor

Agreed, that is why I am spit balling ideas. The UFA crop of defensemen does nothing for me except for Karlsson and the Hawks are not getting him. Going to have to come via a trade. Don't want to lose Saad to get a Top 4 D-Man because it hurts overall depth, but maybe that's what it's going to take. Rockford has nothing in terms of forwards that can help this team. Highmore is not the answer either. Lots of questions right now, that is why the summer should be one of the most interesting ones in years for this organization.

I think a legit top pair guy is impossible to get this summer. A 3/4:guy could happen, but to get a young one that would really help is likely to cost Saad. What's your opinion on that? I'd consider it, but then there's a hole in the front.
- mohel

As long as Saad plays more Hossa-like on a consistent basis, they can't trade him.

Adding depth D guys below the top pair may still be of value, especially if it means guys who are still AHL types aren't in the lineup anymore, and are solid 15-18 minute guys who know how to clear the zone and the crease.

But not worth moving Saad to get a 3/4 guy.

Let's face facts, when Delia came out to start the third, that gave the officials every excuse to let Toronto back in the game. I do not know what the refs were watching, but when Marner didn't get up off of Delia, a penalty should have been called. In fact the last 3 miutes or so (when Tor pulled the goalie), there were about 3 or 4 times GI should have been called. Props to Delia for holding on and preserving the "W".
- powerenforcer

How and why did it give the officials that excuse?

Listen, some friends, who are in the flat earth society asked me to join them on a trek this weekend looking for the edge of the earth, would you like to join us? No one in the group, except meyself, has been vaccinated.

Unless Sikura lights the world on fire in these last 12 games, and maybe not even then, Sikura isn't going to have the trade value to get back much of anything the Hawks need. Even packaging him as a throw in isn't going to raise the value for the trade partner all that much. If he establishes himself as a good top-9 winger next season - then other teams would value getting him in a trade but he's not there yet.
- EbonyRaptor

Except for scoring (which is a pretty big “except” for a top-9 skater), I think Sikura has been playing well - gets to pucks, hangs in the battle, keeps the puck, makes good decisions....

Other scouts can see that - and that he looks like he could have a good quick shot.

Agreed, that is why I am spit balling ideas. The UFA crop of defensemen does nothing for me except for Karlsson and the Hawks are not getting him. Going to have to come via a trade. Don't want to lose Saad to get a Top 4 D-Man because it hurts overall depth, but maybe that's what it's going to take. Rockford has nothing in terms of forwards that can help this team. Highmore is not the answer either. Lots of questions right now, that is why the summer should be one of the most interesting ones in years for this organization.
- ChicagoHope

Maybe a couple middle six UFA forwards, and then trade Saad for a 3/4 defenseman?

Well that explains why my loafers always feel a little lighter after leaving a game.
- EbonyRaptor

Oh yeah

And lavender.
- EbonyRaptor

Beans and rice..washed down with a freshly brew kombucha. Is it on the UC menu yet?

O and go back to the Rosebud name..

Beans and rice..washed down with a freshly brew kombucha. Is it on the UC menu yet?

O and go back to the Rosebud name..
- Beaver-Warrior

Too many beans will require some more lavender.

Justin Lowe: Hawks Know Who They Are and Who They Aren't

The Hawks aren't the best team in the league: Fact.

The Hawks have 3 x 30+ goal scorers and have no problem putting the puck in the net: Fact.

If the Hawks miss the playoffs for the 2nd straight year or if by miracle, they win every game down the stretch and get in, this team is starting to know what they are.
- Justin Lowe

I honestly don't think the roster is going to look the same, it's not the same from last year Justin.

You can't make a trade if it hurts the club, or if it costs to much. Patience is required by the FO, and they are doing a great job.

I believe somehow someway the top 4 dman or 2nd 3rd line player will come via a salary cap dump player from a cash strapped team.

If the forwards can play better defense consistently there's no reason the Hawks can't be in a playoff race next year and then around the trade deadline they could possibly trade draft picks for a top 4 dman who they could resign

Many different avenues this team can go, but most importantly it all has to be done with precision and with future salary cap ramifications

To me the challenge in acquiring a top four D guy (or UFA bottom six guys for that matter) next year will be the money.

If SB (1) leaves room to pay ADB and Strome, (2) only comes back with their RFAs at the minimum qualifying offer and (3) makes no other changes beyond launching the dead weight UFAs, they are only going to have about $2-4MM to spend in pure cash for any new acquisitions.

So who can/should/would agree to be moved to make up for the difference or can be traded for equal cap value next season?

Does AA get you a top 4 D guy?....likely not.

Will/can Keith or Seabrook be moved?....likely not.

Do they move any of the productive pieces like 19/88/20/12/17?....likely not

Honestly I don't see any room to move much, or get much in return without creating an equal to greater hole elsewhere. So it boils down to player development, and from what the reports seem to be alluding to is that their best prospects are at least another year away from getting a taste, let alone a roster spot, and a guy like Boqvist might actually not be the D guy they wanted, but rather, a forward.

The status quo is not sustainable either as the defense and the roster are still very much in flux. Unless they are still going to run the team as a quasi-developmental roster (seems to me that is what Rockford is for but....)

Again - why not go for the high draft pick and get a much higher chance of signing an NHL ready guy?

Another consideration is protecting who they need/want/have to keep in the upcoming expansion draft - don't want to sign guys they need who they have to then expose to selection.

Eight years of basically zero player development has delayed healthy regrowth of the roster. Even the recent crop of acquisitions, while undeniably better than past years, are primarily defensemen who are basically the same guy - puck moving, non-physical, very raw, and thus unknown potential at this point.

I am just not seeing the flexibility others do when I do just the basic math. At the end of the day, if ADB and Strome are keepers, they are looking at what...$13-17MM in cap between them, so where is the room for FAs?
- Return of the Roar

I'll be honest. I suck at math. But unless I'm missing something, Strome and AdB's deals wouldn't take effect until 20-21 when the Cap commitment is $48M.

It's definitely possible they get that kind of money, but, I'm thinking $13M's more realistic than the higher end of your scale.

Either way, I'm not for them spending it all on one big fish but I think it certainly leaves room to sign a few mid range FA's.

I would love Chiarot from Winnipeg.
- Boisy12

Well we couldn't pair him with Seabrook, that would be the slowest pair in the league.

I think a legit top pair guy is impossible to get this summer. A 3/4:guy could happen, but to get a young one that would really help is likely to cost Saad. What's your opinion on that? I'd consider it, but then there's a hole in the front.
- mohel

Good morning, Mo - hope you’re well on this cold, dreary day....

Saad - size, speed, power - gets to the net with the puck and without - plays a good 200 foot game - generally makes good decisions (maybe not flying the zone on Keith’s attempted clear late against Toronto, but still...).

I think they need to make sure his replacement is on board before moving him out. I’m not sure they have an abundance of skaters like him.

Let's face facts, when Delia came out to start the third, that gave the officials every excuse to let Toronto back in the game. I do not know what the refs were watching, but when Marner didn't get up off of Delia, a penalty should have been called. In fact the last 3 miutes or so (when Tor pulled the goalie), there were about 3 or 4 times GI should have been called. Props to Delia for holding on and preserving the "W".
- powerenforcer

But, but, but … if you listen to the Toronto media and fan base, Delia should have been called for pushing the net back (which seemed to move too easily on what looked like a regular goalie to post move). And, and, and … the league should consider more aggressive rule enforcement and possibly a coach's challenge.

Beans and rice..washed down with a freshly brew kombucha. Is it on the UC menu yet?

O and go back to the Rosebud name..
- Beaver-Warrior

And relocate the team to where you are?

How and why did it give the officials that excuse?

Listen, some friends, who are in the flat earth society asked me to join them on a trek this weekend looking for the edge of the earth, would you like to join us? No one in the group, except meyself, has been vaccinated.
- paulr

So what time and where? 😁

I think Sikura gets moved this summer. I do not know where he fits in honestly. Maybe Anisimov, Sikura, + for a defenseman? Spit balling ideas. Trading Saad in my opinion hurts the depth of the top 6. Don't know if Perlini is a legit top 6, I am hoping a light went off for him and he is starting to get it. As for the bottom 6, I think we are starting to see some real possibilities that can help this team by providing very solid depth. I think #91, #64, and #24 are real nice bottom six depth players. I would like to see the Hawks look to add a 3rd line center, because I think a third line of the new center with #91 and #24 would be a very nice line. Kamph in my opinion would provide this team with an excellent 4th line center that can help kill penalties. A Brock Nelson type and a nice shutdown defenseman would be on my wish list for this organization this summer.
- ChicagoHope

I would much rather let Sikura grow into his boy body, you can almost see through him he's so skinny

I'll be honest. I suck at math. But unless I'm missing something, Strome and AdB's deals wouldn't take effect until 20-21 when the Cap commitment is $48M.

It's definitely possible they get that kind of money, but, I'm thinking $13M's more realistic than the higher end of your scale.

Either way, I'm not for them spending it all on one big fish but I think it certainly leaves room to sign a few mid range FA's.
- HawkintheD

Its $48MM with CC off the books. Go with Delia as your #1 and yes, you have more room. Jury is still out on him, and even if he rises to the occasion, his deal is over in 21-22, leaving them with the need to sign a #1 goalie at a #1 salary hit. That will be at least what CC makes now.

Much has been written, both here and elsewhere, about the Blackhawk's offensive and defensive prowess. But, if you want to win the Stanley Cup, is offensive or defensive excellence more important? Here's a look at the last 10 Cup winners.

---------------GF---------GA
18WSH----9th.259---15th.239
17PIT------1st.282---17th.234
16PIT------3rd.245---6th.203
15CHI-----16th.229---1st.189
14LAK-----25th.206---1st.174
13CHI------2nd.155---1st.102 *48 game season
12LAK-----29th.194---2nd.179
11BOS------8th.246---3rd.195
10CHI ------3rd.271---5th.209
09PIT ------5th.264---18th.239

-The best defensive team won the Cup 3 times, the best offensive team only once
-Teams in the defensive top 6 have won 7 of the last 10 SC
-Only twice (both PIT) has a team in the in the bottom half of the defensive rankings have won SC
-Teams in the top 5 in both rankings are dominant (CHI 10 & 13)
-2 average(ish) defensive teams have won the last 2 Cups. Is it a trend, or are they outliers?

So, does Stan double down on offense and try to emulate the 09 & 17 Penguins? Or does he try to move some offensive pieces for better defense?

As long as Saad plays more Hossa-like on a consistent basis, they can't trade him.

Adding depth D guys below the top pair may still be of value, especially if it means guys who are still AHL types aren't in the lineup anymore, and are solid 15-18 minute guys who know how to clear the zone and the crease.

But not worth moving Saad to get a 3/4 guy.
- Return of the Roar

With the direction salaries are moving now Saad could be a bargain by the time his current contract ends and getting a Saad type back into the lineup could be costly.

With the direction salaries are moving now Saad could be a bargain by the time his current contract ends and getting a Saad type back into the lineup could be costly.
- 67hawks

Exactly.

But also remember, the knock on Saad has been consistency since he got paid in Columbus.

That said I'll remain optimistic that he will trend more consistently and 100% agree with you that much like CC, the salary becomes a deal over time.

Its $48MM with CC off the books. Go with Delia as your #1 and yes, you have more room. Jury is still out on him, and even if he rises to the occasion, his deal is over in 21-22, leaving them with the need to sign a #1 goalie at a #1 salary hit. That will be at least what CC makes now.
- Return of the Roar

I am pulling for Delia because if he pans out at that low salary, it gives us a lot of Cap leverage to fill out the rest of the lineup.

I am pulling for Delia because if he pans out at that low salary, it gives us a lot of Cap leverage to fill out the rest of the lineup.
- 67hawks

For one year....

If he is money and a keeper, he will demand #1 money for his re-up.

I would much rather let Sikura grow into his boy body, you can almost see through him he's so skinny
- BetweenTheDots

I was all for moving Sikura a couple of weeks ago and was wondering about his worth to the team. But after the last 2 games, I am not that sure anymore. His skills have become more evident when playing with the top 6 and like Perlini, I think that he just needs to pop a couple to boost his confidence.

For one year....

If he is money and a keeper, he will demand #1 money for his re-up.
- Return of the Roar

Delia was just extended for 3 years at that low Cap hit and that is what intrigues me.