This blog depressed me (as I wasn't clued into their next years problems). But it a very good article.

I needed a remembrance of the dynasty gone away and just as I was reading this blog, out comes CBSportsline article ranking the 10 Stanley Cup champions of the the decade now ending. I won't steal any of your enjoyment by saying where the 3 Hawks teams finished, but I'll just say it brought holiday cheer.

Article here: https://www.cbssports.com...-ovechkins-caps-and-more/
- DontKnowNutin

The cap problems are overblown.

Who knows for sure? Sounds suspicious to me. Dale is sick and out of the office the day the contracts were due. There was no backup in place and the person who had media connections isn’t implicated but his assistant is?

It would take the bubonic plague or death to keep me out of the office on an important day when I was responsible for something. Coincidence that Uncle dale was out of the office that day? Any project I do at work includes a number of backups and safeguards to prevent a single point of failure situation. The media leaked out that it was Bowman’s fault, how would the media knows who’s responsible for what? Who had connections with the media at the time?
- paulr

Would that be Shovel Face

hmmm...now its time to "hate" on lehner...

who will be the "hate" dejour tomorrow on this blog...

Belichek isn't emotional. Unlike Stanbo, he doesn't reward for past performance.
Also, Belichek knows how to evaluate talent. Again, unlike Stanbo.
Finally, Belichek alone runs his ship. He doesn't have to get a consensus in a McCommittee (McDonough, McIsaac, McIver) before making a move.
- BMWChiFan

hmmm i see your point but Tom Brady has gotten paid for past performance.

Stanbow is hardly alone. Thats typical of almost every contract...how do you get paid for future performance when it cannot be known.

i understand he moves on from players quickly...treats them as a commodity..you use me, i use you: we win and you make a few bucks then i find a younger replacement..

is their belichek like GM in the NHL?

Would that be Shovel Face
- TJYTJY

No. Dale, former color guy for the Hawks.

Now here's how a coach should give a post game interview after a lousy game.


https://youtu.be/dDY55Z4ClIM

I’m thankful this website I can’t post gifs or maybe I’m not that tech savvy....but I was about to post a dumpster fire gif watching last nights game.

Random thoughts thru out the night:

Wow, a penalty 10 seconds in....
Oh crap, we’re already down 2-0....wait, make that 3-0....
Can we trade draft capital for Barry Trotz?
When will I see Gustafson “lose an edge” on a 2 on 1 or do snow angels on the ice playing “defense”?
Will I see Gustafson on PK to play “defense”?
Wow, Hinostroza has 3 assists in the 1st period.
Can our coach show any kind of emotion at all....yell....at players or officials or someone....or call a timeout to rip the team? (vs Crawford or Lehner being the ones)

(This is just from 1st period)
If anyone has younger children and have seen the animation movie “Inside Out”; I turned straight Anger Emoji once score hit 5-1.

In my opinion, DeHaan and Lehner have both exceeded my expectations this year. DeHaan’s injury is devastating and basically puts a nail in the coffin this year. I feel bad for Lehner getting out of Buffalo and into this HOT GARBAGE.

Will Bowman be employed to finish the “rebuild” or does Rocky drop the hammer? What’s the over/under on if it will happen before or after Christmas?

I don’t know a 21pts in 28 games puts him on pace for 60+ points. Which is better than what Toews put up three out of the last four seasons.
- walleyeb1

You want to go by comparative point totals to justify a large new contract for Strome? I'd rather micro scrutinize his play on the ice over an entire season and decide who he really can or can't play head to head against at the center position. There will be a long list of guys he doesn't match up well with.

Besides, Dach will get slotted in the 2C spot next year until he proves he can't do the job.

I wouldn't pay Strome a dime over $4M per for 2 years. As a RFA he has few options other than to hold out.

hmmm i see your point but Tom Brady has gotten paid for past performance.

Stanbow is hardly alone. Thats typical of almost every contract...how do you get paid for future performance when it cannot be known.

i understand he moves on from players quickly...treats them as a commodity..you use me, i use you: we win and you make a few bucks then i find a younger replacement..

is their belichek like GM in the NHL?
- bogiedoc

I’ve brought up How Belichek handles players/contracts in the past. I’ve also advocated for shorter term (no more than 5 year) contracts for any player. There are two main items that knock down the Belichek comparison 1) their salary cap goes up about $10M per year. 2) there are no guarantees contracts in the NFL. Those are two enormous advantages.

hmmm i see your point but Tom Brady has gotten paid for past performance.

Stanbow is hardly alone. Thats typical of almost every contract...how do you get paid for future performance when it cannot be known.

i understand he moves on from players quickly...treats them as a commodity..you use me, i use you: we win and you make a few bucks then i find a younger replacement..

is their belichek like GM in the NHL?
- bogiedoc

No, Brady, who is still performing, has been paid for continuing performance.

Lou Lamoriello, Doug Armstrong and David Poile come to mind as being similar to Belichek.

We should hire Doug Wilson as next GM, he can consistently get us in playoffs, no need to win cups, that’s secondary. Then we hire Keenan to coach our young players that are now here, plus the ones on their way, he’s perfect for that scenario. Then we trade Kane for Oesterle, he can really skate. After that we trade Dcat for Reeves, we need more toughness on this team.
- Angotti

Didn't Keenan basically chase Willy out of town? Although after reading this ... ok, I appreciate where this is coming from ... nice work.

I’ve brought up How Belichek handles players/contracts in the past. I’ve also advocated for shorter term (no more than 5 year) contracts for any player. There are two main items that knock down the Belichek comparison 1) their salary cap goes up about $10M per year. 2) there are no guarantees contracts in the NFL. Those are two enormous advantages.
- Chunk

Nonetheless, Belichek has shown no hesitancy to move on from players he has had success with in the past, rather than overpay or overstay them.

I’ve brought up How Belichek handles players/contracts in the past. I’ve also advocated for shorter term (no more than 5 year) contracts for any player. There are two main items that knock down the Belichek comparison 1) their salary cap goes up about $10M per year. 2) there are no guarantees contracts in the NFL. Those are two enormous advantages.
- Chunk

yep..nfl contracts are front loaded with signing bonuses and no guarantee on term..
the nhl compensation system/hard cap is a lousy buisness model and the stupidity of the owners penalizing themselves for legitimate contracts before the 2012 lock out with recapture penalties...

Nonetheless, Belichek has shown no hesitancy to move on from players he has had success with in the past, rather than overpay or overstay them.
- BMWChiFan

I wasn’t saying that as an excuse. I prefer that mode of handling contracts. There is a trade off with name recognition and “building a brand” or face-of-the-franchise players, but I think you can remain competitive for much longer that way.

Shaw’s season is over and his career might be over too?

https://www.letsgohawks.n...ws-season-is-likely-over/

https://www.tvasports.ca/...1/la-fin-pour-andrew-shaw

hmmm...now its time to "hate" on lehner...

who will be the "hate" dejour tomorrow on this blog...
- bogiedoc

Maybe Dach. Not averaging 2 points a game. Total waste of a 3rd overall pick and another huge Blowman FAIL.

Shaw’s season is over and his career might be over too?

https://www.letsgohawks.n...ws-season-is-likely-over/

https://www.tvasports.ca/...1/la-fin-pour-andrew-shaw
- gifman

That would be a real shame. I have a signed picture of him from Game 6 against the Bruins with the blood running down his cheek.

That would be a real shame. I have a signed picture of him from Game 6 against the Bruins with the blood running down his cheek.
- mohel

yeah...many thought crawford was done and finished two years ago...we can only hope that shaw recovers and is cleared to come back at some point...

of course many other considerations come into play...does he want to risk further damage or is it time to say enough is enough...

Shaw’s season is over and his career might be over too?

https://www.letsgohawks.n...ws-season-is-likely-over/

https://www.tvasports.ca/...1/la-fin-pour-andrew-shaw
- gifman

here is story about shaw and concussions 2 years ago...he has to be seriously thinking its time..

https://www.habseyesonthe...oe-thornton-erik-karlsson

Shaw’s season is over and his career might be over too?

https://www.letsgohawks.n...ws-season-is-likely-over/

https://www.tvasports.ca/...1/la-fin-pour-andrew-shaw
- gifman

Very sad to hear that this could be it for Shaw. He does have a daughter now so you have to think that figures in his thinking about what's best for him long term.

Pulling for him to return to the lineup healthy in due time but can understand and appreciate if he decides to hang up the skates.

DeHaan + Shaw = $8.4MM in cap space if both are done for the season.

Can any real defensemen with expiring contracts be had to patch the gaping holes there?

Shaw’s season is over and his career might be over too?

https://www.letsgohawks.n...ws-season-is-likely-over/

https://www.tvasports.ca/...1/la-fin-pour-andrew-shaw
- gifman

https://www.letsgohawks.n...on-to-the-golden-knights/

On that same Letsgohawks website, there's an article referencing an Athletic piece about Vegas rumored to have interest in Gustafsson. The article states that the Hawks "will likely ask for a first round pick and maybe more."

If the Hawks can pull that off, sign the paperwork as fast as you can and don't wait for the ink to dry. Guessing Vegas and any other team would hang up the phone. Realistically, the Hawks could get either a draft pick or the "maybe more" part but not both.

Had this trade proposal been on the table this past off season, then it may have been possible.

Rockford Files:
Lost 5-2. Beaudin had a goal and #2 star. Entwhistle back after 2 games missing but Carlsson missed third straight must be injured or flu. Glad to see Soderlund in lineup regularly. Wedin like Sikura able to get points in AHL. Tomkins in net.

Tyler and the panel question is if hawks lose the next 3 games all against division opponents is bowman or J.C. fired? Hawks cannot at the end the year use injuries as an a excuse every team deals with significant injuries throughout the season and some are short term some are long term. Thoughts opinions?

Very sad to hear that this could be it for Shaw. He does have a daughter now so you have to think that figures in his thinking about what's best for him long term.

Pulling for him to return to the lineup healthy in due time but can understand and appreciate if he decides to hang up the skates.
- AEL_Fox

Yeah, he seems to love being a family man. Posts so many cute vids of his daughter. He and his wife have another child on the way now, too. Would not be shocked if he decided this was it, having talked at length about how hard he struggled during his last major concussion.