Here’s a wild baseless accusation that has no evidence to support it, let me know what you guys think:

When Seabrook was signing his new deal, he was demanding that type of contract and likely would have received it on the open market.

The hockey guys all thought maybe it’s best to just move on from Seabs if those were his demands. The marketing guys lead by McDonough think they gotta keep seabs and pressure the team to meet the demands he was making.

Fast forward to coronavirus. The organizations have all already received notification that they are getting two compliance buyouts for the upcoming season among whatever else has to be done to get the teams under the cap.

At this point seabs is cooked, and the organization basically has no option but to buy him out for the good of the team. It’s the worst contract in the NHL. Rocky is rich, but that buyout will be $20m+, nobody likes to swallow sending $20m down the pooper. This leads to tension between Rocky and McD eventually leading to Rocky blowing a gasket and sending McD packing with no plans.

What does everyone think? Still curious why McD was fired when just a month before rocky said no chance.
- LaheysBRandy

Not Powerenforcer out there, but I've said multiple times about money being first. A 20 sheet check up the ass isn't what it's all about. Not a bad guess.

Here’s a wild baseless accusation that has no evidence to support it, let me know what you guys think:

When Seabrook was signing his new deal, he was demanding that type of contract and likely would have received it on the open market.

The hockey guys all thought maybe it’s best to just move on from Seabs if those were his demands. The marketing guys lead by McDonough think they gotta keep seabs and pressure the team to meet the demands he was making.

Fast forward to coronavirus. The organizations have all already received notification that they are getting two compliance buyouts for the upcoming season among whatever else has to be done to get the teams under the cap.

At this point seabs is cooked, and the organization basically has no option but to buy him out for the good of the team. It’s the worst contract in the NHL. Rocky is rich, but that buyout will be $20m+, nobody likes to swallow sending $20m down the pooper. This leads to tension between Rocky and McD eventually leading to Rocky blowing a gasket and sending McD packing with no plans.

What does everyone think? Still curious why McD was fired when just a month before rocky said no chance.
- LaheysBRandy

Not Powerenforcer out there, but I've said multiple times about money being first. A 20 sheet check up the ass isn't what it's all about. Not a bad guess.

With all that offense and all the whiz kids coming up on defense the future looks bright. Big ifs are can all these kids reach their ceiling and can hopefully stay injury free.
- boilermaker100

Yes, we have something to look forward to, much brighter future than a lot of other teams.

A big part of my time is battling my opinion so today I wanted to rewatch to see if Connor Zary was worthy of a slot or two jump, so I watched the entire Bronze medal game between USA and Canada in the world Junior U017…
Beside Zary I got me more hawk defenseman Vlasic , Dylan Holloway and Schneider a little Drysdale…You tend to forget and I want to assure you the showing was nothing but flattering for Vlasic’s future. From the start he closes and makes contact with the puck carriers and was more than average physically and quick to the guys he knocked down, made the sharp crisp outlets and middle zone passes to breaking entry attacker teammate.
Holloway again assured me that he should be selected before Zary. He is so engaged physically, made the right passes, and just keeps the pistons taking him everywhere.
#6 Drysdale and #2 Schneider looks solid but weren’t extra ordinarily noticeable just positionally solid.

Just a peak into how little real work I do, just work I like doing…

Calder had a decent 4 year stretch and then he met the cliff.
- Elbows15

I was never guy who was interested in getting close and chatting with a current player to say I had, but it was when I saw him up close that I realized the game was quickly finding more and more places for "tiny" guys.

With all that offense and all the whiz kids coming up on defense the future looks bright. Big ifs are can all these kids reach their ceiling and can hopefully stay injury free.
- boilermaker100

I was thinking the same thing after I typed that post. Of course, everything relies on the F and D youth hitting potential but that's the same hope that all teams have.

A primary question mark remains to be in net. Some prospects to work with but are any of them starter material?

Using baseball as an analogy, we would love to have a #1 starting pitcher in the pipeline but what if their ceiling is as a #5?

Essentially are we grooming a bunch of backup and 3rd string goalies or will one rise to the top as a strong reliable starter?

Here’s a wild baseless accusation that has no evidence to support it, let me know what you guys think:

When Seabrook was signing his new deal, he was demanding that type of contract and likely would have received it on the open market.

The hockey guys all thought maybe it’s best to just move on from Seabs if those were his demands. The marketing guys lead by McDonough think they gotta keep seabs and pressure the team to meet the demands he was making.

Fast forward to coronavirus. The organizations have all already received notification that they are getting two compliance buyouts for the upcoming season among whatever else has to be done to get the teams under the cap.

At this point seabs is cooked, and the organization basically has no option but to buy him out for the good of the team. It’s the worst contract in the NHL. Rocky is rich, but that buyout will be $20m+, nobody likes to swallow sending $20m down the pooper. This leads to tension between Rocky and McD eventually leading to Rocky blowing a gasket and sending McD packing with no plans.

What does everyone think? Still curious why McD was fired when just a month before rocky said no chance.
- LaheysBRandy

I think there won't be compliance buyouts and the rest of that is the work of drugs or alcohol?

The more I read and see on Teply the more I picture his comparable being Daze. While not as tall, still a lanky frame for a finesse goal-scoring winger who may want you desiring more from the physicality department given his size.

Like Daze, though. I could see Teply still giving an honest effort, being at least average defensively and contributing 25-30 goals a year if he hits potential. Perhaps the occasional 35 goal outburst.

Teply also thrived last year playing on a line with an elite playmaker in Krebs scoring 39 points in 30 games as linemates.

Say Teply eventually makes the team within a few years: consider 35-40 goal scorers in Kane, DeBrincat, and Kubalik, then Teply potting 25-30. This doesn't even count 15-20 goal scorers in Toews, Saad, Dach, Strome, and Nylander.

Not all will be on the team down the line but goal scoring shouldn't be an issue, theoretically (and hopefully).
- AEL_Fox

That's an extremely optimistic outlook, there will be at least a couple disappointments.

A big part of my time is battling my opinion so today I wanted to rewatch to see if Connor Zary was worthy of a slot or two jump, so I watched the entire Bronze medal game between USA and Canada in the world Junior U017…
Beside Zary I got me more hawk defenseman Vlasic , Dylan Holloway and Schneider a little Drysdale…You tend to forget and I want to assure you the showing was nothing but flattering for Vlasic’s future. From the start he closes and makes contact with the puck carriers and was more than average physically and quick to the guys he knocked down, made the sharp crisp outlets and middle zone passes to breaking entry attacker teammate.
Holloway again assured me that he should be selected before Zary. He is so engaged physically, made the right passes, and just keeps the pistons taking him everywhere.
#6 Drysdale and #2 Schneider looks solid but weren’t extra ordinarily noticeable just positionally solid.

Just a peak into how little real work I do, just work I like doing…



I was never guy who was interested in getting close and chatting with a current player to say I had, but it was when I saw him up close that I realized the game was quickly finding more and more places for "tiny" guys.
- wiz1901

Great insights, Wiz.

On the D prospects in the system and draft-eligible ones this summer, it's great to see the likes of Vlasic, Drysdale, and Schneider locking it down defensively in high-stakes games.

No matter their skill set offensively, this is much preferred over a blueliner who may be a ghost or even a liability on defense if they are stifled on the attack and can't wheel and deal like they can on their junior or NCAA teams.

That's an extremely optimistic outlook, there will be at least a couple disappointments.
- rpeters01

Of course. There always are! Let's hope other teams have bigger disappointments.

I was thinking the same thing after I typed that post. Of course, everything relies on the F and D youth hitting potential but that's the same hope that all teams have.

A primary question mark remains to be in net. Some prospects to work with but are any of them starter material?

Using baseball as an analogy, we would love to have a #1 starting pitcher in the pipeline but what if their ceiling is as a #5?

Essentially are we grooming a bunch of backup and 3rd string goalies or will one rise to the top as a strong reliable starter?
- AEL_Fox

A better baseball analogy would be to closers.

Like closers - if they fail, the game is lost, no matter how well the rest play.

Like closers, goalies play well for a period of time - then the slider flattens out and they begin to open the 9th walking the first batter.

So - is the pipeline filled with closers - or 7th / 8th inning guys who can’t handle the pressure of having to get the last 3 outs...?

Like you alluded to, he wasn't great at anything.


He was great at coming out of the corner with the puck. Didn't seem to matter what the odds were, he was great at it. His nickname wound up being Grease cuz he was so slick in the corners.
- 6628

I remember his teammates referring to him as the Chairman of the Boards for that same reason.

One of the first things I noticed about Toews at the rookie camp back in 07(?) when I was watching it at the Edge was how good he was in the corners with the puck. And my first thought then was, wow he looks a lot like Kyle Calder in the corners. Obviously Toews was and is a far greater overall player, but the similarity of the board work always stuck with me.

I really liked Calder as a player because he definitely gave it 100%. It's a real shame he just couldn't sustain any success after the Hawks and it's sad to see a guy who scored 15-20 goals in the NHL having to basically fade away in the ECHL at the end. But that's sports for you.

On a side note, I thought the trade of him to Philly for Handzus was an absolute steal at the time. One can only wonder how much better Handzus would have been in his first stint with the Hawks if he didn't blow out his ACL in like the 5th game of that next season with Havlat. They were lighting it up the first few games together. That's what then forced the Hawks to sign Robert Lang to fill in that 2nd line center spot as the Cup team started to take shape.

I remember his teammates referring to him as the Chairman of the Boards for that same reason.
- creighton30

Chairman of the boards was Doug Jarrett

A better baseball analogy would be to closers.

Like closers - if they fail, the game is lost, no matter how well the rest play.

Like closers, goalies play well for a period of time - then the slider flattens out and they begin to open the 9th walking the first batter.

So - is the pipeline filled with closers - or 7th / 8th inning guys who can’t handle the pressure of having to get the last 3 outs...?
- StLBravesFan

I like your relief pitcher analogy much better. It's more descriptive.

Boqvist has a pic on his Insta stories with a filled Hawks gear bag and the caption "BACK" - wonder if he just means on ice or if they are calling the players back to Chicago? I'd find the latter hard to believe with all the restrictions still active. But maybe the 24 team playoff is closer to reality than we know.

https://www.instagram.com/adamboqvistt/

Boqvist has a pic on his Insta stories with a filled Hawks gear bag and the caption "BACK" - wonder if he just means on ice or if they are calling the players back to Chicago? I'd find the latter hard to believe with all the restrictions still active. But maybe the 24 team playoff is closer to reality than we know.

https://www.instagram.com/adamboqvistt/
- pdx2ord

You know, for me, even if the Hawks end up getting their asses kicked in a 12 team playoff for the Western Conference, I can't help but get excited to just watch any hockey, even if it isn't live.

TC,

As always great stuff! Love the flashbacks especially this one!

OK, I'll take the bait and hopefully contribute something meaningful. I haven't seen anyone else mention this...

This was the era when you could buy an $8 student nosebleed ticket and sneak up to the glass without any trouble. In fact I think it was encouraged. I was one of 3,000 in the new barn with 20,000 seats. We went to about 25 games each season during these years. Yes, the ABC line had the force killing it on the ice. Calder lots of fight especially in the corners with people on his back. Plenty of energy. Detroit used to make us wipe their a**es chasing them up and down the ice. I've never seen a team(s) like them move in tandem with such efficiency.

Those were the days!

TC,

As always great stuff! Love the flashbacks especially this one!

OK, I'll take the bait and hopefully contribute something meaningful. I haven't seen anyone else mention this...

This was the era when you could buy an $8 student nosebleed ticket and sneak up to the glass without any trouble. In fact I think it was encouraged. I was one of 3,000 in the new barn with 20,000 seats. We went to about 25 games each season during these years. Yes, the ABC line had the force killing it on the ice. Calder lots of fight especially in the corners with people on his back. Plenty of energy. Detroit used to make us wipe their a**es chasing them up and down the ice. I've never seen a team(s) like them move in tandem with such efficiency.

Those were the days!
- Drgonzo399

Duck Fetroit

Some of you likely read this already in various Blackhawks news sites but in the recent interview with former GM Mike Smith, it was discussed how his predecessor Bob Pulford almost traded Keith (along with 3 other players) in 2004 to the Flyers to bring back both Roenick and Amonte.

The 2004-05 lockout put a nix on those plans. Hindsight is always 20/20 but thank goodness.

The article is in the Athletic (PDX shared it earlier). I don't subscribe so don't know if it was mentioned who the 3 other players were.

Duck Fetroit
- Ogilthorpe2

Fluck Detoit!

There wasn't much better than slapping around some of their fans who almost outnumbered us!

Some of you likely read this already in various Blackhawks news sites but in the recent interview with former GM Mike Smith, it was discussed how his predecessor Bob Pulford almost traded Keith (along with 3 other players) in 2004 to the Flyers to bring back both Roenick and Amonte.

The 2004-05 lockout put a nix on those plans. Hindsight is always 20/20 but thank goodness.

The article is in the Athletic (PDX shared it earlier). I don't subscribe so don't know if it was mentioned who the 3 other players were.
- AEL_Fox

OMG! This hurts my eyes just reading this! This is when Keith was coming into his under under Yawney in Norfolk. You knew he had potential and speed and stick skills to improve upon!

Fluck Detoit!

There wasn't much better than slapping around some of their fans who almost outnumbered us!
- Drgonzo399

I remember those days too. After one OT loss to Detoilet, one of their fans was giving us some poop and I responded with “congratulations, you just barely beat the worst team in the league”. The look on his face was priceless. Like he couldn’t fathom someone actually admitting that their team sucked. He had no response.

OMG! This hurts my eyes just reading this! This is when Keith was coming into his under under Yawney in Norfolk. You knew he had potential and speed and stick skills to improve upon!
- Drgonzo399

Hey, Gonzo! How are you doing? You & the family staying safe?

I remember those days too. After one OT loss to Detoilet, one of their fans was giving us some poop and I responded with “congratulations, you just barely beat the worst team in the league”. The look on his face was priceless. Like he couldn’t fathom someone actually admitting that their team sucked. He had no response.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes sir! They spent all that money and travel and barely had competitive hockey!

Remember the Hawks nest? What was it, section 315? Lots of mating calls back then with no hawkettes there to respond.

Hey, Gonzo! How are you doing? You & the family staying safe?
- I Am The Breadman

Hey BMan!

All safe and sound here. How about you and yours?

Are you teaching under these programs and making me do all your work. For me it's like teachers x 3 every day?!!?!