NUTZ my super wildcard finals dream went poof with the aves and stars not co-operating...

so now your finals winner will be from among: canes, bruins, sharks, blues...

with the way rask is playing...i shall go with the bruins...

Why is everyone so intent on splitting up Kane and Toews? They both just had career seasons playing together. Kane with ADB and Strome was a nightmare last year.
- GPHawksfan

Individual scoring numbers are nice, but the idea is to make the playoffs and have a chance to win the cup. The stats do not say that Kane, ADB, and Strome line was a nightmare. If they want to make the playoffs and contend for the cup they need to improve team defense. If Toews and Saad play with a high level 200' RW that is a solid offensive and defensive line. Add a very good checking line with Kamp, Caggiulla and a veteran fast, physical, gritty, 200' RW and your team defense is looking much better.

Sorry, I know it looks like I am a chicken to say...More and more I like the USA kids, love the potential of taking a BIG man and still want all the stuff I read on Bowen Byram to be true and he is Bobby Orr.

As a Hawk fan, I don't think I will be disappointed in any of those forwards long term so I take comfort in the fact that I want one, but...

I just feel there is far more chance of the defender at #3 slot being not what was advertised, and if I am correct, and he is not, well I just dunno when the hawks will be isgo such a great position to get such a high skilled forward.
- wiz1901

Thanks if it was me in that position i take cozens or turcotte. Or take bryam trade boqvist for 5th or 6th overall pick and draft a center if possible

Three of the four teams left play a hard physical style.

The game has not changed. Especially where it counts the most - during the playoffs.

Blues and Sharks will go seven and beat each other up, while the Bruins will make it a short series, setting them up to be better rested against the tired survivor from the West.
- Return of the Roar

Well sure, except for the '13 and '15 Hawks. Oh and then there were the '16 and '17 Penguins...not sure anyone would characterize them as playing an overly hard, physical style.

I wouldn't mind seeing some more grit/redass up and down the lineup, but as with most things, seems there is more than one way to skin a cat.

Well sure, except for the '13 and '15 Hawks. Oh and then there were the '16 and '17 Penguins...not sure anyone would characterize them as playing an overly hard, physical style.

I wouldn't mind seeing some more grit/redass up and down the lineup, but as with most things, seems there is more than one way to skin a cat.
- HawkintheD

What, there's exceptions? Wtf?

Saad is not a gritty player. His strength is north south speed and pursuit. He also backchecks well. Drake plays tough but hes got hands too. It would be nice to get a true banger to play with them. Saad did his best offensive numbers playing with Drake.

AA....if they cant get draft picks back for him to create cap space, they should keep him, and yes, maybe he best slots at 3C with Saad and Drake until his deal is up. I dont know if AA can play top six minutes at the level he can play a more sandpapery game at.

Younger D development - maybe, but they are ALL lightweights. Joki is the best of the bunch, and hes more of a puck mover. They need puck separators - a guy or two who can win board battles and clear the crease. I see absolutely zero D prospects in the system that fit that description.

Team needs to get tougher - not goon tougher - just harder to play against on the boards, in the NZ, and around the net.
- Return of the Roar

This, absolutely. Hossa wasn’t a goon, but he was big, strong & fast, could throw a check when needed, was one of the best grinding fore-checkers I’ve ever seen, was great in puck battles along the boards, and a world class back-checker. He made the team better without scoring. I’d like to see the Hawks drafting more guys in the Hossa archetype

Well sure, except for the '13 and '15 Hawks. Oh and then there were the '16 and '17 Penguins...not sure anyone would characterize them as playing an overly hard, physical style.

I wouldn't mind seeing some more grit/redass up and down the lineup, but as with most things, seems there is more than one way to skin a cat.
- HawkintheD

There is a narrative! Follow it!

This, absolutely. Hossa wasn’t a goon, but he was big, strong & fast, could throw a check when needed, was one of the best grinding fore-checkers I’ve ever seen, was great in puck battles along the boards, and a world class back-checker. He made the team better without scoring. I’d like to see the Hawks drafting more guys in the Hossa archetype
- scottak

There were so many Hawk players you could say that about. Ogi touched on it and summerized it perfectly. A team of players who can play any style of game and play through the rough stuff consistantly. Hossa was one guy but so was Hammer, Keith, Seabrook Toews, Kane, Versteeg, Sharp, Oduya ect. etc. etc.. A team that wasn't tough was the 2019 Tampa Lightning who were big yet ultra soft and had no stomach to play though hits and rough play.

A yteam who initiates hittting and physical play woulf be nice but I'd happily accept a similar team as the 2009-16 Blackhawks who showed toughness doesn't mean physical.

Well sure, except for the '13 and '15 Hawks. Oh and then there were the '16 and '17 Penguins...not sure anyone would characterize them as playing an overly hard, physical style.

I wouldn't mind seeing some more grit/redass up and down the lineup, but as with most things, seems there is more than one way to skin a cat.
- HawkintheD

But that’s a false narrative about the Hawk teams. Look at who was on the roster in 2013.

Toews, Hossa, Saad, Bickell, Seabrook, Shaw, Bolland, Kruger, Hjalmarsson, Carcillo, Mayers, Brookbank.

All tough, gritty, physical players. Not goons. Various levels of skill to go with that toughness. The current Hawk roster is lacking in these types of players. Heck, just adding Shaw & Hjalmarsson back onto the current roster would make the Hawks much tougher to play against.

But that’s a false narrative about the Hawk teams. Look at who was on the roster in 2013.

Toews, Hossa, Saad, Bickell, Seabrook, Shaw, Bolland, Kruger, Hjalmarsson, Carcillo, Mayers, Brookbank.

All tough, gritty, physical players. Not goons. Various levels of skill to go with that toughness. The current Hawk roster is lacking in these types of players. Heck, just adding Shaw & Hjalmarsson back onto the current roster would make the Hawks much tougher to play against.
- scottak

D is saying what you're saying. There is different types of tough. The meatheads see tough only as hitting everything in sight and beating people up four or five times a game. The Hawks of those years really didn't do much hitting or fighting but could play through rough play without fear. There are a number hawk players who can still do that, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Kane, ADB, Strome, Saad, Murphy. Yes I too would like to see more players who are tougher but I alspo want them to have some skill.

There were so many Hawk players you could say that about. Ogi touched on it and summerized it perfectly. A team of players who can play any style of game and play through the rough stuff consistantly. Hossa was one guy but so was Hammer, Keith, Seabrook Toews, Kane, Versteeg, Sharp, Oduya ect. etc. etc.. A team that wasn't tough was the 2019 Tampa Lightning who were big yet ultra soft and had no stomach to play though hits and rough play.

A yteam who initiates hittting and physical play woulf be nice but I'd happily accept a similar team as the 2009-16 Blackhawks who showed toughness doesn't mean physical.
- paulr

D is saying what you're saying. There is different types of tough. The meatheads see tough only as hitting everything in sight and beating people up four or five times a game. The Hawks of those years really didn't do much hitting or fighting but could play through rough play without fear. There are a number hawk players who can still do that, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Kane, ADB, Strome, Saad, Murphy. Yes I too would like to see more players who are tougher but I alspo want them to have some skill.
- paulr

Individual scoring numbers are nice, but the idea is to make the playoffs and have a chance to win the cup. The stats do not say that Kane, ADB, and Strome line was a nightmare. If they want to make the playoffs and contend for the cup they need to improve team defense. If Toews and Saad play with a high level 200' RW that is a solid offensive and defensive line. Add a very good checking line with Kamp, Caggiulla and a veteran fast, physical, gritty, 200' RW and your team defense is looking much better.
- -Doh-

Kane was a nightmare with the kids in their own end. You think that is gonna work on the playoffs if they make it? Good luck with that.

NUTZ my super wildcard finals dream went poof with the aves and stars not co-operating...

so now your finals winner will be from among: canes, bruins, sharks, blues...

with the way rask is playing...i shall go with the bruins...


- bogiedoc

I know how you feel, I always root for the underdog. The SJ-Stl series, I hate Stl more, but I hope they both find a way to lose. I'm pulling for the Canes to win it all.

Well sure, except for the '13 and '15 Hawks. Oh and then there were the '16 and '17 Penguins...not sure anyone would characterize them as playing an overly hard, physical style.

I wouldn't mind seeing some more grit/redass up and down the lineup, but as with most things, seems there is more than one way to skin a cat.
- HawkintheD

DeBrincat for Lucic!

DeBrincat for Lucic!
- DarthKane

LOOOOOOCH! Hey Bread welcome back.

LOOOOOOCH! Hey Bread welcome back.
- paulr

Thanks. Me three on this trade proposal.

@ep_transfers

Confirmed: Victor Ejdsell (F) | Rockford IceHogs -> Färjestad BK | eliteprospects.com/t.php?id=383197 #SHL

@ep_transfers

Confirmed: Victor Ejdsell (F) | Rockford IceHogs -> Färjestad BK | eliteprospects.com/t.php?id=383197 #SHL
- DarthKane

Stupid Blowman didn't get a number one defenseman back.

Would you bring this guy back as a UFA? say 2x2?

https://www.bardown.com/r...of-his-backhand-1.1302300
- LAHawk

NUTZ my super wildcard finals dream went poof with the aves and stars not co-operating...

so now your finals winner will be from among: canes, bruins, sharks, blues...

with the way rask is playing...i shall go with the bruins...


- bogiedoc

Cheering for in this order
Canes by a large marge(in)- (laughs like pee wee herman)

then if i have to:
Sharks - because of Pavelski and Logan
Bruins - Because it's not the Blues even though they have a-holes Backes and Marchand.
Blues - I hope they lose. (but aren't as douchebaggy as they once were as indicated by someone already) Even though I probably like their players more than Boston's, I just can't cheer for a team in that city.


Looking forward to some more good hockey.

Stupid Blowman didn't get a number one defenseman back.
- paulr

Another Bowman fail!

Seriously though, even if Edjsell is a complete bust (which seems likely) the trade is still a good one, or at least has the strong possibility of being one. The Hawks still netted Beaudin and Kuraschev out of that trade. I still think, in all seriousness, Beaudin will be a better all-round defenseman that Boqvist.

Cheering for in this order
Canes by a large marge(in)- (laughs like pee wee herman)

then if i have to:
Sharks - because of Pavelski and Logan
Bruins - Because it's not the Blues even though they have a-holes Backes and Marchand.
Blues - I hope they lose. (but aren't as douchebaggy as they once were as indicated by someone already) Even though I probably like their players more than Boston's, I just can't cheer for a team in that city.


Looking forward to some more good hockey.
- stan-ley-cups

A Carolina/St Louis Final would be the ultimate underdog story. I'd be ok with this as long as Carolina wins.

My preferred Final would be Carolina and San Jose, after that Boston and San Jose.

NUTZ my super wildcard finals dream went poof with the aves and stars not co-operating...

so now your finals winner will be from among: canes, bruins, sharks, blues...

with the way rask is playing...i shall go with the bruins...


- bogiedoc

FRANK the Blows, Sharks, and especially the Bruins...

I'm going with the Canes!!!

Another Bowman fail!

Seriously though, even if Edjsell is a complete bust (which seems likely) the trade is still a good one, or at least has the strong possibility of being one. The Hawks still netted Beaudin and Kuraschev out of that trade. I still think, in all seriousness, Beaudin will be a better all-round defenseman that Boqvist.
- DarthKane

But but Ryan Hartman had GRIT, Stan hates grit. (I think Stan hates stupid penalties and stupid play more, Nashville gave up on him in a year too.)