Lets put the whole "TANK" theory to bed. - NOT DIRECTED AT YOU...BUT THIS WHOLE CONCEPT

IT NEVER HAPPENS. HOW COULD ANY TEAM, OWNERS/COACHES, TELL/MANAGE PLAYERS TO LOSE AND EXPECT ANY OF THEM TO WANT TO PLAY FOR THEM. COACHES RESUMES ARE JUDGED BY WINS AND LOSES, NOT FIRST OVERALL PICKS!!

ONLY ON THIS BOARD CAN DIPpoop FANS RATIONALIZE THAT SOMEHOW DRAFTING A PLAYER IN THE TOP 5 TO BE THE EQUIVALENT OF ANYTHING WORTH WHILE. AND SOMEHOW IT WOULD BE BETTER THAN BEING IN THE PLAYOFFS TODAY. CIRCLE JERKS OVER TEENAGERS AND WHAT WILL BE 3 YEARS FROM NOW IS ASS BACKWARDS THINKING. THE ODDS OF WINNING A CUP FOR ANYONE ARE VERY SMALL....THERE IS NO NEED TO DISCOUNT OUR GROUP AND GO ON RECORD AS SAYING AS MUCH...ITS A FREAKIN GIVEN!!!

I am sorry boys loser topics like this and whining about calls makes us all look like p**ssy$

Just like Q, many will sit and wring their hands and complain until they are given a roster of 15 Olympians again. Talk about entitlement. Me, I like watching my teams work hard, compete, grow and evolve. I will take effort over results any day. The last 4 months of hockey are better than any the last few years.

I tell you, fans will/can always rip players from time to time, but the vitriol which some attack and characterize players, of whom we are supposed to be fans of, is way out of proportion and embarrassing.

As always...I have said too much....
- TrueGrit

I don’t think a team that “tanks” ever explicitly tells their players or even coaches to do so. They tell them by trading any and every player that is A) tradable and B) not part of the long term plan. Basically make the team as least competitive as possible. IMO except for maybe 1984 I really don’t think a team has been told to tank.

Now in the Hawks situation they really didn’t have much outside of maybe AA that fit points A & B above unless they were going to go full rebuild which is not the time to do so (88 & 19 still have some good years left).

Stan did a good job of retooling a bit this year and hopefully he can continue to do so and maybe this team becomes relevant again.

I don’t think a team that “tanks” ever explicitly tells their players or even coaches to do so. They tell them by trading any and every player that is A) tradable and B) not part of the long term plan. Basically make the team as least competitive as possible. IMO except for maybe 1984 I really don’t think a team has been told to tank.

Now in the Hawks situation they really didn’t have much outside of maybe AA that fit points A & B above unless they were going to go full rebuild which is not the time to do so (88 & 19 still have some good years left).

Stan did a good job of retooling a bit this year and hopefully he can continue to do so and maybe this team becomes relevant again.
- tyweb69

"I'll tank 'til your love comes down"

I don’t think a team that “tanks” ever explicitly tells their players or even coaches to do so. They tell them by trading any and every player that is A) tradable and B) not part of the long term plan. Basically make the team as least competitive as possible. IMO except for maybe 1984 I really don’t think a team has been told to tank.

Now in the Hawks situation they really didn’t have much outside of maybe AA that fit points A & B above unless they were going to go full rebuild which is not the time to do so (88 & 19 still have some good years left).

Stan did a good job of retooling a bit this year and hopefully he can continue to do so and maybe this team becomes relevant again.
- tyweb69

Well said.

When teams change their philsophy and move people as you say (see the Rangers), it is not a tank. It is not a race to the bottom. Yes, dealing pieces that are not part of future plans can net you more picks/prospects.

What I took issue with is the insanity believed by many posting that 1. teams/players/coaches will intentionally lose for 2. the objective of the possibility of a higher draft pick. Then debating the tactic.

"I'll tank 'til your love comes down"
- I Am The Breadman

Song 1 side 2 ?

Song 1 side 2 ?
- TrueGrit

Song 2

Song 2
- TrueGrit

I thought it came later on the album. Right after Hot for Tanker?

My bad, you're right. Joke still stands though.

Louis or Ejdsell?

Kruger I see coming back, but not in a hog sweater. I like Kampf more, but I see them on the 4th line together. Hope to be wrong, even though I like Kruger.
- I Am The Breadman

Ejdsell. Louis has some value for Rockford.

No to Kruger. He can go back home. And a huge no to Ward. People need to stop putting that notion out in the universe.

Ejdsell. Louis has some value for Rockford.

No to Kruger. He can go back home. And a huge no to Ward. People need to stop putting that notion out in the universe.
- Elbows15

But the Hartman trade ...

I don't want it to happen, I'm just not going to be surprised if it happens. I remember someone telling me keep my expectations low so the surprise is greater. You said that. I'm taking the core concept, but a negative feeling as a result that won't surprise.

Well said.

When teams change their philsophy and move people as you say (see the Rangers), it is not a tank. It is not a race to the bottom. Yes, dealing pieces that are not part of future plans can net you more picks/prospects.

What I took issue with is the insanity believed by many posting that 1. teams/players/coaches will intentionally lose for 2. the objective of the possibility of a higher draft pick. Then debating the tactic.
- TrueGrit

Teams tank. They do in the NBA. The Cubs and Sox both did or are doing it. Bufalo traded pretty much any goalie that could stop a puck in the McDavid draft to get the top pick.

Its also the reason that both the NBA and NHL changed their lottery systems to discourage teams from tanking. Of course they aren't going to come out a say it directly. Though, Both Epstein and Hahn pretty much did.

Do players and coaches purposely tank? No. They are human and can see what's happening. Be pretty hard to imagine it doesn't have a negative effect on their performance, tho.

Forwards:
UFAs Kruger and Kunitz - Gone
RFAs Sikura, Kampf, Perlini - Keep

D-Men:
RFAs Forsling/Koekkoek/Dahlstrom - Keep 2

Goalie: Ward - depends
- EbonyRaptor

I'd keep one, likely as the 7D. The challenge is that they've all had good stretches and not-so-good stretches, one hasn't separated themselves from the pack yet.

But the Hartman trade ...

I don't want it to happen, I'm just not going to be surprised if it happens. I remember someone telling me keep my expectations low so the surprise is greater. You said that. I'm taking the core concept, but a negative feeling as a result.
- I Am The Breadman

Beaudin will have to suffice in the Hartman trade.

I'd keep one, likely as the 7D. The challenge is that they've all had good stretches and not-so-good stretches, one hasn't separated themselves from the pack yet.
- DarthKane

Koekkoek can be launched, Forsling has the most upside and we have seen it. Dahlstrom has earned himself a further look. IMO.

I am also fine if none of them return.

Beaudin will have to suffice in the Hartman trade.
- Elbows15

I think he will. Didn't he get injured recently?

"I'll tank 'til your love comes down"
- I Am The Breadman

LOVED that album. Got the cassette in 4th grade and it pretty much never left the tape player until it wore out!

LOVED that album. Got the cassette in 4th grade and it pretty much never left the tape player until it wore out!
- tyweb69

Very nice! It's great. I think they have one of the best first albums of all time.

I'd like to know people's thoughts:

There are a lot of expiring contracts both on the hawks and hogs ... who stays and who can easily be replaced?
- I Am The Breadman

Kunitz and Kruger shouldn't return, this team needs more new blood.

Kampf can replace Kruger and then some. Hopefully the Hawks can lock up #64 for 2-3 years. The 4th line is Kampf's now, hopefully Stan can bolster that line with a UFA defensive forward (Tanev).

Given Crawford's questionable health and Delia's inconsistent play the Hawks will need a solid #3, but somebody who could be sent to Rockford. Maybe a Euro free-agent (Dominik Frodl, Adam Reideborn) and an NHL UFA (Nilsson, Kinkaid, Neuvirth).

But the Hartman trade ...

I don't want it to happen, I'm just not going to be surprised if it happens. I remember someone telling me keep my expectations low so the surprise is greater. You said that. I'm taking the core concept, but a negative feeling as a result that won't surprise.
- I Am The Breadman

Hartman is a 3rd/4th liner. The fact that we got a potential future Top 4 Dman in Beaudin makes it a good trade. I just read Ejdsell is likely going back to Sweden next year.

Any chance we could get Anthony Cirelli
- BetweenTheDots

He must play RD since they have long term deals with at least two LD and the Russian Sergasaev is a LD too. Therefore he has value to them as a RD - if he played LD then someone would be available. I bet Tampa really wants badly to keep all its defensemen

Kunitz and Kruger shouldn't return, this team needs more new blood.

Kampf can replace Kruger and then some. Hopefully the Hawks can lock up #64 for 2-3 years. The 4th line is Kampf's now, hopefully Stan can bolster that line with a UFA defensive forward (Tanev).

Given Crawford's questionable health and Delia's inconsistent play the Hawks will need a solid #3, but somebody who could be sent to Rockford. Maybe a Euro free-agent (Dominik Frodl, Adam Reideborn) and an NHL UFA (Nilsson, Kinkaid, Neuvirth).
- DarthKane

Tanev wouldn't be a bad addition. Would he do cheap?

With goalies, how many Euro free agents pan out first year? If that number is high sure, go for it. UFA names, not anyone jumping out at me. Unless our defensive play (team) increases a lot, those goalies will be left out to dry. "Same old song and dance."

Any chance we could get Anthony Cirelli
- BetweenTheDots

No, Tampa needs any player that is still on their ELC, another team with cap problems. They need to definitely find someone to take Callahan’s contract.

Disagree on Ward. Assuming that CC will be in top form next year, you have to use Forsberg and Delia as the backups. Forsberg has had a nice year and deserves another opportunity. Last year's team was a joke under Q and many of those horrific games he played in he had no help. Again, we have to hope for a NEW system of defending and a big improvement on the PK.

ALSO.....do they really want to tie up 3mil again on Ward ? Not me. Use that coin elsewhere.
- Hawkytalk

I guess what i was saying is i would want Ward over Howard.

Hartman is a 3rd/4th liner. The fact that we got a potential future Top 4 Dman in Beaudin makes it a good trade. I just read Ejdsell is likely going back to Sweden next year.
- EnzoD

The Hartman thing was a joke, should have specified. Bows picked up on it. I like Beaudin and the reports on him.

I hadn't heard that with Ejdsell, where did you read that at? I've been staying away from articles online. Too much school stuff.

Well said.

When teams change their philsophy and move people as you say (see the Rangers), it is not a tank. It is not a race to the bottom. Yes, dealing pieces that are not part of future plans can net you more picks/prospects.

What I took issue with is the insanity believed by many posting that 1. teams/players/coaches will intentionally lose for 2. the objective of the possibility of a higher draft pick. Then debating the tactic.
- TrueGrit

My earlier comments regarding tanking was not intended to debate the efficacy of tanking versus not tanking - it was to illustrate the shallowness of the suggestion to tank - in other words it's easy to suggest the Hawks tank but what in practical terms does that really mean. My hope was that those advocating for tanking would think a little deeper and realize it's a silly non-practical notion.

That's not to be conflated with a fan's hope that the team does poorly so they get a better draft pick which is wholly different then suggesting, even expecting, the team and players to put getting a higher draft pick above playing their best and playing to win.

Tanev wouldn't be a bad addition. Would he do cheap?

With goalies, how many Euro free agents pan out first year? If that number is high sure, go for it. UFA names, not anyone jumping out at me. Unless our defensive play (team) increases a lot, those goalies will be left out to dry. "Same old song and dance."
- I Am The Breadman

Speaking anecdotally, it seems like the Euro free agent goalies seems to work out better than the forwards, at least they stick in the NHL quicker.

Tanev likely won't be a top UFA target across the league but he fit's the Hawks needs. A solid depth forward who plays well on the PK. The Drake-Kampf-Tanev would be one of the better 4th lines the Hawks have had in while. I'm thinking $2-$2.5 million AAV for Tanev, maybe for 3 years (give or take a year).

The Canucks are spanking the Sens, 4-0 late in the 4th. Vancouver will be tied with Chicago but the Hawks have 2 games in hand.