As does Sikura.
- scottak

Caligula is skating today.

Caligula is skating today.
- Elbows15

He'd be a welcome addition right now.

Kane back with Toews!!


- EnzoD

You mean...Toews and Kane get to skate with the all world Dylan Sikura. Hopefully 19 & 88 dont hinder his amazing play

You mean...Toews and Kane get to skate with the all world Dylan Sikura. Hopefully 19 & 88 dont hinder his amazing play
- PatShart

Still hung over from St. Patty's Day?

Well, 8 more points for AZ gets them to 86. Hawks go 6-4 in their last 10, they get to 86. But it's not that easy, with 3 point games likely.

Here's a sunnier way to look at, on the off chance you'd like to.... Hawks win the game in hand and beat AZ in regulation and they're tied. Just have to out-play them in the rest of the games.
- mohel

I fail to see what is sunny from the team's long term perspective in playing themselves out of a high percentage draft pick, and either (a) making the playoffs just to get blown out - which they will, or (b) missing the playoffs AND blowing a good draft pick.

Not one scenario other than tanking for a high pick is in the long term best interests of the team's rebuild.

The pursuit of making the playoffs this season is an exercise in futility, serving only those whose public proclamations that they are who they aren't are seen through.

I understand the perspective of those who differ in their outlook, but a team with only 50% of the roster being actual NHL proven commodities SHOULDN'T be in the playoffs. It is a disservice to its fans and denies/rewards mediocrity and the work that needs to be done to change course.

Caligula is skating today.
- Elbows15

not practicing. but was on the ice.

I fail to see what is sunny from the team's long term perspective in playing themselves out of a high percentage draft pick, and either (a) making the playoffs just to get blown out - which they will, or (b) missing the playoffs AND blowing a good draft pick.

Not one scenario other than tanking for a high pick is in the long term best interests of the team's rebuild.

The pursuit of making the playoffs this season is an exercise in futility, serving only those whose public proclamations that they are who they aren't are seen through.

I understand the perspective of those who differ in their outlook, but a team with only 50% of the roster being actual NHL proven commodities SHOULDN'T be in the playoffs. It is a disservice to its fans and denies/rewards mediocrity and the work that needs to be done to change course.
- Return of the Roar

If Bowman made some dumb trades moving young players, prospects or draft picks for washed up veterans to make the playoffs I'd agree with you. But nothing bad can come of the team playing as well as they have the last few months. I agree that the team has a number of holes in it and probably won't do much if or when they make the playoffs, but as a Hawk fan I want to see effort and passion in the players and smart decisions by the General Manager and I think we are seeing that.

I like the idea of keeping 19 and 88 split up. Saad, Toews, Sikura was working very well. This spreads out the depth more with the Strome line becoming a “3rd” line, and any line with Kane on it is still dangerous. Drake can replace Kunitz and play with Kampf and Kruger when he’s healthy.

I fail to see what is sunny from the team's long term perspective in playing themselves out of a high percentage draft pick, and either (a) making the playoffs just to get blown out - which they will, or (b) missing the playoffs AND blowing a good draft pick.

Not one scenario other than tanking for a high pick is in the long term best interests of the team's rebuild.

The pursuit of making the playoffs this season is an exercise in futility, serving only those whose public proclamations that they are who they aren't are seen through.

I understand the perspective of those who differ in their outlook, but a team with only 50% of the roster being actual NHL proven commodities SHOULDN'T be in the playoffs. It is a disservice to its fans and denies/rewards mediocrity and the work that needs to be done to change course.
- Return of the Roar

-Emergence of a 40 goal scorer in 20 year old Debrincat
-Emergence of a 70 point 2nd line Center in 21 yr old Strome
-Rebirth of Toews as a PPG #1 C
-Patrick Kane MVP candidate with 100+ points
-Murphy improving and showing he can be a 4D
-Saad getting back to being a 25 goal 200ft forward
-Caggiulla as the new Shaw type
-Jokiharju with Top Pair potential as soon as next season
-Crawford returning healthy and back to top form the last 2 weeks
-Eric Gustafson emerging as a Top notch offensive dman



Tell me how the Hawks being Ottawa bad is "better for their long term interests"??? Being #1 Lottery Odds bad means you have literally NOBODY good, no core, no starting point...complete trash.


The Hawks have a nice mix of young emerging high end talent, Elite Vets in Toews and Kane, and some nice depth/role players in Murphy/Saad/Gustafson who are still in their prime playing years. They are in a much better position for long term success than Ottawa, Detroit, or New Jersey....especially in a draft year when there is no McDavid or Matthews type of player.

As does Sikura.
- scottak

I don't believe Sikura has stone hands ,he just needs to get one and he will get going . He not going to be a sniper like DBC ,but a decent top 9 player .

And dont forget Duncan Keith!!! He knows how to creep (or sometimes downright JUMP) right over that line!
- hawk35

DK won't instigate but will retaliate Dr. Jekyll (not jackell) style when he feels someone viciously or dangerously wanted to hurt him, like a slew-foot, hit to the head or trying to take out his knees. Then he goes ape poop on the guy and gets punished for it.

He'd be a welcome addition right now.
- mohel

Pretty amazing that a guy who doesn't score, really isn't a passer really isn't a top line players is lauded while the kid who makes quality plays on both ends is poop on, huh?

That is not to take anything away from what theDrake has contributed.

Course, for some, if its mentioned you like a player it means you have them ticketed for the HoF

-Emergence of a 40 goal scorer in 20 year old Debrincat
-Emergence of a 70 point 2nd line Center in 21 yr old Strome
-Rebirth of Toews as a PPG #1 C
-Patrick Kane MVP candidate with 100+ points
-Murphy improving and showing he can be a 4D
-Saad getting back to being a 25 goal 200ft forward
-Caggiulla as the new Shaw type
-Jokiharju with Top Pair potential as soon as next season
-Crawford returning healthy and back to top form the last 2 weeks
-Eric Gustafson emerging as a Top notch offensive dman



Tell me how the Hawks being Ottawa bad is "better for their long term interests"??? Being #1 Lottery Odds bad means you have literally NOBODY good, no core, no starting point...complete trash.


The Hawks have a nice mix of young emerging high end talent, Elite Vets in Toews and Kane, and some nice depth/role players in Murphy/Saad/Gustafson who are still in their prime playing years. They are in a much better position for long term success than Ottawa, Detroit, or New Jersey....especially in a draft year when there is no McDavid or Matthews type of player.
- EnzoD

You can have all those assets you mentioned and still “tank” without actually being Ottawa bad. And the higher the draft pick the better chance to add yet another asset. Doesn’t hurt the team at all. The truth is any team that gives up the most goals in the league isn’t winning a championship, even if they make the playoffs. So there’s nothing to gain. I understand the idea behind wanting to tank.

-Emergence of a 40 goal scorer in 20 year old Debrincat
-Emergence of a 70 point 2nd line Center in 21 yr old Strome
-Rebirth of Toews as a PPG #1 C
-Patrick Kane MVP candidate with 100+ points
-Murphy improving and showing he can be a 4D
-Saad getting back to being a 25 goal 200ft forward
-Caggiulla as the new Shaw type
-Jokiharju with Top Pair potential as soon as next season
-Crawford returning healthy and back to top form the last 2 weeks
-Eric Gustafson emerging as a Top notch offensive dman



Tell me how the Hawks being Ottawa bad is "better for their long term interests"??? Being #1 Lottery Odds bad means you have literally NOBODY good, no core, no starting point...complete trash.


The Hawks have a nice mix of young emerging high end talent, Elite Vets in Toews and Kane, and some nice depth/role players in Murphy/Saad/Gustafson who are still in their prime playing years. They are in a much better position for long term success than Ottawa, Detroit, or New Jersey....especially in a draft year when there is no McDavid or Matthews type of player.
- EnzoD

All great points .If you finish dead last 18% chance is not that great ,and seems every year of late someone jumps significant spots . Play hard good things will happen ..

I fail to see what is sunny from the team's long term perspective in playing themselves out of a high percentage draft pick, and either (a) making the playoffs just to get blown out - which they will, or (b) missing the playoffs AND blowing a good draft pick.

Not one scenario other than tanking for a high pick is in the long term best interests of the team's rebuild.

The pursuit of making the playoffs this season is an exercise in futility, serving only those whose public proclamations that they are who they aren't are seen through.

I understand the perspective of those who differ in their outlook, but a team with only 50% of the roster being actual NHL proven commodities SHOULDN'T be in the playoffs. It is a disservice to its fans and denies/rewards mediocrity and the work that needs to be done to change course.
- Return of the Roar

To start - how does a team go about tanking? I doubt you're suggesting that the players intentionally try to lose, and I would think you would acknowledge that the GM and/or coach intentionally sabotaging the lineup in order to lose games is not conducive to building a winning culture. So - what would you suggest be done to tank our way to a better draft pick? Practically speaking - what?

Second, there is something positive to be taken from this playoff push and that is having young players like DCat, Strome, Kahun and others experience what it's like to play high intensity playoff-like games at the NHL level. Even if they don't make the playoffs - these games down the stretch where every point matters is not without value to the players that have never gone through this experience before.

You can have all those assets you mentioned and still “tank” without actually being Ottawa bad. And the higher the draft pick the better chance to add yet another asset. Doesn’t hurt the team at all. The truth is any team that gives up the most goals in the league isn’t winning a championship, even if they make the playoffs. So there’s nothing to gain. I understand the idea behind wanting to tank.
- SimpleJack

I'm still waiting to see what a "tank plan" consists of. Being facetious to prove my point - should the Hawks bench Toews, Kane and Keith and replace them with 3 guys from Rockford?

-Emergence of a 40 goal scorer in 20 year old Debrincat
-Emergence of a 70 point 2nd line Center in 21 yr old Strome
-Rebirth of Toews as a PPG #1 C
-Patrick Kane MVP candidate with 100+ points
-Murphy improving and showing he can be a 4D
-Saad getting back to being a 25 goal 200ft forward
-Caggiulla as the new Shaw type
-Jokiharju with Top Pair potential as soon as next season
-Crawford returning healthy and back to top form the last 2 weeks
-Eric Gustafson emerging as a Top notch offensive dman



Tell me how the Hawks being Ottawa bad is "better for their long term interests"??? Being #1 Lottery Odds bad means you have literally NOBODY good, no core, no starting point...complete trash.


The Hawks have a nice mix of young emerging high end talent, Elite Vets in Toews and Kane, and some nice depth/role players in Murphy/Saad/Gustafson who are still in their prime playing years. They are in a much better position for long term success than Ottawa, Detroit, or New Jersey....especially in a draft year when there is no McDavid or Matthews type of player.
- EnzoD

Totally agree, and I may add - A 4th line C replacement in Kampf, Kahun getting more comfortable as the season goes along and a definite top 9 forward, and the best group of prospects in the system since the beginning of the cup runs. AND CAP SPACE.

Totally agree, and I may add - A 4th line C replacement in Kampf, Kahun getting more comfortable as the season goes along and a definite top 9 forward, and the best group of prospects in the system since the beginning of the cup runs. AND CAP SPACE.
- LAHawk

Careful ... we may have to start handing out Pollyanna awards around here pretty soon.

To start - how does a team go about tanking? I doubt you're suggesting that the players intentionally try to lose, and I would think you would acknowledge that the GM and/or coach intentionally sabotaging the lineup in order to lose games is not conducive to building a winning culture. So - what would you suggest be done to tank our way to a better draft pick? Practically speaking - what?

Second, there is something positive to be taken from this playoff push and that is having young players like DCat, Strome, Kahun and others experience what it's like to play high intensity playoff-like games at the NHL level. Even if they don't make the playoffs - these games down the stretch where every point matters is not without value to the players that have never gone through this experience before.
- EbonyRaptor

On top of all that, the NHL is not Baseball or Basketball. Would someone please explain the last team that tanked, drafted high and turned into a playoff contender?

BUF - 6 top 10 picks in last 9 drafts
EDM - 9 top 10 picks in last 10 drafts including 4- 1's and 6 top 4 picks
FLA - 5 top 10 picks in last 9 drafts
CAR - 5 top 10 picks in last 8 drafts
VAN - 5 top 10 in last 6 drafts

Which of these teams is a Juggernaut based on drafting high (multiple times). 1 of them MAY make the playoffs.

-Emergence of a 40 goal scorer in 20 year old Debrincat
-Emergence of a 70 point 2nd line Center in 21 yr old Strome
-Rebirth of Toews as a PPG #1 C
-Patrick Kane MVP candidate with 100+ points
-Murphy improving and showing he can be a 4D
-Saad getting back to being a 25 goal 200ft forward
-Caggiulla as the new Shaw type
-Jokiharju with Top Pair potential as soon as next season
-Crawford returning healthy and back to top form the last 2 weeks
-Eric Gustafson emerging as a Top notch offensive dman



Tell me how the Hawks being Ottawa bad is "better for their long term interests"??? Being #1 Lottery Odds bad means you have literally NOBODY good, no core, no starting point...complete trash.


The Hawks have a nice mix of young emerging high end talent, Elite Vets in Toews and Kane, and some nice depth/role players in Murphy/Saad/Gustafson who are still in their prime playing years. They are in a much better position for long term success than Ottawa, Detroit, or New Jersey....especially in a draft year when there is no McDavid or Matthews type of player.
- EnzoD

Agreed! Very nice, E-man. Take the rest of the day off, haha.

Careful ... we may have to start handing out Pollyanna awards around here pretty soon.
- EbonyRaptor

But we still have an AHL defense, there is my buzzkill

I like the idea of keeping 19 and 88 split up. Saad, Toews, Sikura was working very well. This spreads out the depth more with the Strome line becoming a “3rd” line, and any line with Kane on it is still dangerous. Drake can replace Kunitz and play with Kampf and Kruger when he’s healthy.
- SimpleJack

From the perspective of rolling 3 lines that can score and a 4th line that can grind, check, and agitate, I like what you are saying. If Kane is to play away from Toews, say with Anisimov and Kahun, I would prefer an upgrade of one of them to a natural goal scorer (thinking more so for next season, of course).

Kane + Anisimov + natural goal scorer can be killer, like the line they formed with Panarin for 2 prior years. Kahun is a good forward and isn't a bad option to play with Kane but I feel the team could get more out of Kane's playmaking with a sniper. Not saying it needs to be Panarin either.

Another option is keeping Kane with Kahun but upgrade Anisimov to a scoring center. Think it's harder, though, to find a center than a winger.

Pretty amazing that a guy who doesn't score, really isn't a passer really isn't a top line players is lauded while the kid who makes quality plays on both ends is poop on, huh?

That is not to take anything away from what theDrake has contributed.

Course, for some, if its mentioned you like a player it means you have them ticketed for the HoF
- Elbows15

Amen to that.

Playoffs or not, they are playing really good hockey now and still have a slim chance to make the sweet 16. The in-season moves Stan made this year saved his job and the path to the team's success again seems to be just a few defensive tweeks away.

These are their playoffs now.
Let's hope they can put together a nice run in the last 10 games and see what happens. Everyone is 0-0 after that.....

Poll 1: Who is and who isn't renewing season tickets?
Poll 2: What percentage do you think will not?