Best Case Scenario:

No one is injured in the preseason and we go into regular season with a full squad ready to bring the Stanley Cup to Chicago.

The current team will be fighting to get back into the playoffs - no doubt.

But if all goes well - and that’s a big if - I think the high-end talent we have is certainly as good as we’ve ever had. The key will be having the bottom six step up big time, and the defense being shored up.
- TommyHawk

Disagree. I think if injuries are few and far between, this team is a contender. Tough division but the two Eastern divisions are too. Go Hawks!

Nothing guaranteed this season. Hawks improved, but will be a dog fight in the West this season. Would be great to make the playoffs so the younger guys get a taste of the post season intensity.

I suspect they'll win the Cup. Or they won't. One of those. Either way, I'll be watching.

I suspect they'll win the Cup. Or they won't. One of those. Either way, I'll be watching.
- mohel

It could be like Schrodinger's cat if you don't watch...then they both win and don't win.

I suspect they'll win the Cup. Or they won't. One of those. Either way, I'll be watching.
- mohel

You sound like someone: A Breaking EK post -

Sch's top 25 under 25.
25. Barratt
24. Lankinen

I said from a talent on paper perspective. And for as good as that 2012-2013 team was, it was a sum of all parts team. Phenomenal chemistry, defense, hard-work.
- TommyHawk

Come on be serious... This team on paper is Rockford compared to those teams.

Any good prognosticators out there on this board? Anyone sensing a work stoppage in the fall? Although both sides are insisting that initial interactions have been productive, sometimes the worst is saved for last. Given past negotiation failures, I'll be sweating this thing out, again. At this point, nothing would surprise me.

Thanks Tyler for the post this morning. One thing that hit me as I read your piece was the "hall of fame" coach Q. I think it was easy for Chicago fans to think this as the team was winning 3 Stanley Cups under him, but we also have to see that he wasn't ever considered a HOF coach while in StL or Col. Now, if he was great success in Fla, could it be that Tallon has made him a HOF coach?
- powerenforcer

Umm, the 2nd winningest coach of all time will be in the HOF anyway you can rationalize it.

Any good prognosticators out there on this board? Anyone sensing a work stoppage in the fall? Although both sides are insisting that initial interactions have been productive, sometimes the worst is saved for last. Given past negotiation failures, I'll be sweating this thing out, again. At this point, nothing would surprise me.
- gabriel

I think it would be next fall, not this fall.

Either side could opt out this September, in which case the CBA would expire in September, 2020.

Any good prognosticators out there on this board? Anyone sensing a work stoppage in the fall? Although both sides are insisting that initial interactions have been productive, sometimes the worst is saved for last. Given past negotiation failures, I'll be sweating this thing out, again. At this point, nothing would surprise me.
- gabriel

Not knowing much about the CBA or the negotiations associated with it, I am hard pressed to give many specifics. That said, I would think that with a new TV deal coming up and expansion coming in the next couple years, there is a drive on both sides to keep the ball rolling. having a work stoppage right before a TV deal is not going to help anyone - least of all the players. I just hope the owners don't get too stubborn about the whole thing and try to ram down some over-reaching terms.

Not knowing much about the CBA or the negotiations associated with it, I am hard pressed to give many specifics. That said, I would think that with a new TV deal coming up and expansion coming in the next couple years, there is a drive on both sides to keep the ball rolling. having a work stoppage right before a TV deal is not going to help anyone - least of all the players. I just hope the owners don't get too stubborn about the whole thing and try to ram down some over-reaching terms.
- Chunk

Never trust anything led by Gary Betteman.

I think it would be next fall, not this fall.

Either side could opt out this September, in which case the CBA would expire in September, 2020.
- StLBravesFan

If ownership opts out on Sept 1 of this year, or NHLPA takes a walk on the 15th, it doesn't/can't impact this year? Attempting to sift through some of the legalese, can at times be yawn inducing. If none of it can impact this season, I'll have fretted for nothing. Wouldn't be the first time. Any further clarifications on your end, would be welcomed.

If ownership opts out on Sept 1 of this year, or NHLPA takes a walk on the 15th, it doesn't/can't impact this year? Attempting to sift through some of the legalese, can at times be yawn inducing. If none of it can impact this season, I'll have fretted for nothing. Wouldn't be the first time. Any further clarifications on your end, would be welcomed.

- gabriel

Right, the opt out is this year but they'd still have the season to play out and the crunch would be to get a new deal before the next season.

Any good prognosticators out there on this board? Anyone sensing a work stoppage in the fall? Although both sides are insisting that initial interactions have been productive, sometimes the worst is saved for last. Given past negotiation failures, I'll be sweating this thing out, again. At this point, nothing would surprise me.
- gabriel

I think with Seattle joining the NHL that an agreement will be met.

You sound like someone: A Breaking EK post -

- glennjpawlak22

It's a big limb I'm out on!

Congrats to Brandon and Alyssa on the birth of their first baby boy!

Baby Saad and new parents are all doing great. #BlackhawksBabies pic.twitter.com/eV4N5glQpz

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 9, 2019

Right, the opt out is this year but they'd still have the season to play out and the crunch would be to get a new deal before the next season.
- breadbag

Phew! Wiping off the beads of sweat from my brow. Appreciate that update for certain.

I think with Seattle joining the NHL that an agreement will be met.
- BlackhawkMike

New revenue streams should certainly help ease the situation. Hope ownership group can help out with the escrow issues the players are currently enduring. When the day arrives to come to a final greement, it will probably be a battle royale. Agree with an earlier poster who questioned Bettman's ability to be flexible. Will say no more, as this stuff is way above both my head and pay-grade. Your post raises hope. Thanks.

Never trust anything led by Gary Betteman.
- rpeters01

Well yeah. In other news, water is wet...

The current team will be fighting to get back into the playoffs - no doubt.

But if all goes well - and that’s a big if - I think the high-end talent we have is certainly as good as we’ve ever had. The key will be having the bottom six step up big time, and the defense being shored up.
- TommyHawk

Nah.

2010 most talented team in the cap era it is arguable. Probably not going to see another team like that again.

This year they will be ok, maybe pretty good but not at that level lol.

I think we have to be cautiously optimistic about Lehner.

We signed him after he had a career year but he played for one of the best defensive coaches in front of a team that really bought in to playing defense. He has had his share of mediocre seasons with less defensively strong teams in front of him.

I don't know what JC has up his sleeve but so far the Hawks have played a bit of a run and gun style with him as the coach, so I wouldn't expect another 0.930% -2.13 GAA. This is not a knock on Lehner just that it is probably more likely his performance will be closer to his career average. That might be fine with the make up the Hawks team and Lehner's expected role as 1B.
- breadbag

Career numbers about the same as crow but no cups. The guy is huge, good even on garbage teams and will be decidedly better then what they've had post Crow brain pain. .918 is very good lol.

Get excited about that one.

Congrats to Brandon and Alyssa on the birth of their first baby boy!

Baby Saad and new parents are all doing great. #BlackhawksBabies pic.twitter.com/eV4N5glQpz

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 9, 2019

- DarthKane

Congrats of course. But his stomach looks about the same as mine. And I'm not the slightest bit in game shape.

Never trust anything led by Gary Betteman.
- rpeters01

Get off my grass.