Yeah - let's just win the draft lottery, take Kakko and call it a day.
- EbonyRaptor

You spelled Hughes wrong.

I don't think its ever been the plan to bring the same team back next season.
- Elbows15

What can I say, I'm a disturbing guy.

There we go ... now we're talking.

If the Hawks go 0-8 in the remaining games AND EDM/VAN get at least 1 point, ANA at least 3 points, BUF/NYR at least 4 points - the Hawks will be in the 5th spot which means they have the 5th best chance to get the #1 pick. The plan is falling into place perfectly.
- EbonyRaptor

I prefer my plan of going 4-4, just missing the playoffs, and win the lottery anyway.

I don't think its ever been the plan to bring the same team back next season.
- Elbows15

I agree and am looking forward to the off season to see what additions and subtractions Stan makes.

I prefer my plan of going 4-4, just missing the playoffs, and win the lottery anyway.
- tvetter

Oh, you know they are going to win the next 3 games. Its the script of the season. They come back, get close, hopes are raised and then dashed at the last moment.

Winning the lottery sounds like a good plan, though. What or who do we need to sacrifice to make it happen?

You spelled Hughes wrong.
- Elbows15

Read on one if the draft sites that Kakko had overtaken Hughes as the no. 1 pick.

Read on one if the draft sites that Kakko had overtaken Hughes as the no. 1 pick.
- boilermaker100

Yeah, there are a couple out there. Its the time effect. Hughes has been touted for so long that people start looking for reasons to not take him. Add in the new flavor effect and here we are. It sort of happened with Matthews and Laine. Leafs took Matthews and it will always be the right pick. IMESHO, Hughes will be the right pick.

Not to be a pessimist, but what are the chances of all or most of the above occurring next year?

Career years possible again for 88. 19, 12?
Another mostly above average year for Saad?
Another relatively injury free year?

Not to mention 2 and 7 will be another year older and I think you got what you got defensively with Gus, Forsling, Dahlstrom and Koekkoek.

Team needs a lot of changes, both in personnel and defensive mindset, if they want to make the playoffs next year.
- boilermaker100

the hawks don't need those type of numbers next year; they need get their heads out of their assess defensively, stop the careless undisciplined unforced errors, get a younger and skilled top 4 dman, figure out how to screen goalies

with the forwards they got they can score and i expect strome and perline to be a combined 120 pt guys...if perlini is not trade bait...

There we go ... now we're talking.

If the Hawks go 0-8 in the remaining games AND EDM/VAN get at least 1 point, ANA at least 3 points, BUF/NYR at least 4 points - the Hawks will be in the 5th spot which means they have the 5th best chance to get the #1 pick. The plan is falling into place perfectly.
- EbonyRaptor

they would finish the season with 10 strt losses...that happens all hell will break lose from top to bottom...not sure this is a good thing

the hawks don't need those type of numbers next year; they need get their heads out of their assess defensively, stop the careless undisciplined unforced errors, get a younger and skilled top 4 dman, figure out how to screen goalies

with the forwards they got they can score and i expect strome and perline to be a combined 120 pt guys...if perlini is not trade bait...
- bogiedoc

That said and considering Collitin's post game remarks about net front presence etc al, interesting if anyone plays differently, a lineup change, even a roster move with AHL?

He is actually "not sure" about net front presence and why they do only occasionally? I can help Jeremy out with the answer - far too many small forwards who don't like dealing with big nasty defenceman like Erik Johnson and Zadorov.

Jeremy what you have is a forward group that is mainly too small and a defence group that isn't very mean. So teams take advantage because the Hawks are so easy to play against. And then you have forwards who prefer tic tac toe and making pretty passing plays like Saad.
- RickJ

Been harping on this most of the season, our forwards have made things much harder for our Dmen all season in numerous ways.

Andrew Shaw with a career high 40 points with the Habs this season. Not much to write home about but for his sake and Danault's I hope Montreal makes the playoffs and squeezes out CBJ for the last spot even though they'll be steamrolled by TB.

they would finish the season with 10 strt losses...that happens all hell will break lose from top to bottom...not sure this is a good thing
- bogiedoc

It's all about "The Tank" man. C'mon, get with the program.

You spelled Hughes wrong.
- Elbows15

I'm sure Colorado would happily give up Ottawa's pick for ... say ... Hayden and our 7th round pick - then we nab both Hughes and Kakko.

But seriously, if I were given the decision to make I'm not sure which one I would take. Hughes is such a dynamic player but at his size can he do it in the NHL? Will he be the next Patrick Kane? Kakko seems like the safer pick versus Hughes more of a boom/bust guy.

I'm sure Colorado would happily give up Ottawa's pick for ... say ... Hayden and our 7th round pick - then we nab both Hughes and Kakko.

But seriously, if I were given the decision to make I'm not sure which one I would take. Hughes is such a dynamic player but at his size can he do it in the NHL? Will he be the next Patrick Kane? Kakko seems like the safer pick versus Hughes more of a boom/bust guy.
- EbonyRaptor

Wingers are a dime a dozen. First overall picks are for C’s and D’s...although Kane worked out pretty well.

Wingers are a dime a dozen. First overall picks are for C’s and D’s...although Kane worked out pretty well.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hughes will end up an winger in the NHL anyway

Hughes will end up an winger in the NHL anyway
- GPHawksfan

Not saying it couldn’t happen, but he’ll get a long look at C in the NHL. If he’s playing good enough as a C to be in the running to be 1st overall, it’d be silly not to start him out there.

Hawks had a season just good enough to NOT get into the top 5 picks and just bad enough to not make the playoffs. Superb.

Not saying it couldn’t happen, but he’ll get a long look at C in the NHL. If he’s playing good enough as a C to be in the running to be 1st overall, it’d be silly not to start him out there.
- Ogilthorpe2

He's another lavender sniffer. Let's go with a bone crusher.

Hawks had a season just good enough to NOT get into the top 5 picks and just bad enough to not make the playoffs. Superb.
- kwolf68

What's up, Wolfie? You haven't been around these parts for some time.

What's up, Wolfie? You haven't been around these parts for some time.
- I Am The Breadman

his absence will be missed.

Hawks had a season just good enough to NOT get into the top 5 picks and just bad enough to not make the playoffs. Superb.
- kwolf68

Of the 6 teams in the WC2 race, only Colorado seems to want it enough to actually win some games.

The Avs have won 5 straight. Impressive, with their injuries.

Arizona is losing its 6th in a row as I type. Minnesota has lost 6 of 8.

We know about Chicago.

Vancouver has actually won 4 of 6 - Edmonton has los 5 of 8.

Of the 6 teams in the WC2 race, only Colorado seems to want it enough to actually win some games.

The Avs have won 5 straight. Impressive, with their injuries.

Arizona is losing its 6th in a row as I type. Minnesota has lost 6 of 8.

We know about Chicago.

Vancouver has actually won 4 of 6 - Edmonton has los 5 of 8.
- StLBravesFan

Yes we kow the Hawks are out of it yet again .

Yes we kow the Hawks are out of it yet again .
- GlennL

Love the Hawks, but don't know how they will fix this with all the long term salaries.

Well Coyotes lose ,so that good .Arizona PK is hotter then the HAWKS PP Gezz . Vinny had a good game . Time for the HAWKS to take advantage ..