How about Strome to the Sabres for Dominic Kahun, or Strome to the Rangers so he can unite with his brother for Buchnavich.
- LAHawk

With Suter in the fold and assuming he lives up to scouting reports, I'd rather have Suter over Kahun (not that they're mutually exclusive).

I would consider Strome for Buchnevich, though.

Even if Strome is retained and Nylander is on the outs, I could see Buchnevich being a good replacement for Nylander.

Then again, Suter has center experience so maybe he is a candidate to play 3C, then flank him with Kahun (traded for Strome) and Buchnevich (traded for Nylander).

I think either the Avs or Knights would beat us rather easily in no more than 5 games.
- SimpleJack

I believe since we are playing EDM (who had the most points among qualifying teams) it has us playing the 4th seed in R1.

This leaves us with Stars or Blues.

I believe since we are playing EDM (who had the most points among qualifying teams) it has us playing the 4th seed in R1.

This leaves us with Stars or Blues.
- RedRevenge

Oh ok that makes sense. Definitely prefer the Stars if that’s the case.

Personally i wouldn't give up on him, definitely agree on a favorable contract for the team. Hopefully over time he becomes a defensively better player.
- BetweenTheDots

My preference is to keep developing Strome but ideally on a one-year "show me" deal but wouldn't be upset if it maxed out at two years. Then the question is dollar amount which the cap will constrain.

Again, this would allow time for Kurashev to over marinate in the AHL. Even if Strome finally reaches potential in that time and Kurashev is ready for the big time, then just slide Kurashev over to wing.

I realize this is second nature to many of you and you see and understand the decisions being made by the coaches during the game. Me? I don't catch most of them or, when I do, understand why they are being done beyond the obvious things like "Toews has been successful stopping McDavid, so it makes sense to have him out there with 97."

Powers had Colliton walk him through his thinking on the matchups once the changes favored the Hawks:

https://theathletic.com/1...luenced-a-game-3-victory/

I believe since we are playing EDM (who had the most points among qualifying teams) it has us playing the 4th seed in R1.

This leaves us with Stars or Blues.
- RedRevenge

Afraid that is not correct. The format re-seeds after each round, with the highest seed playing the lowest seed, and so forth. Based on today's standings, we would play Colorado

https://www.sportingnews....dzcg2txunsnt1tjj2cy1w2wpn

Lol, He's been playing hockey a week, almost literally, and just got over a sickness that can do some pretty goofy stuff to your body.

All things considered he's made some huge saves and done pretty pretty pretty well.
- fattybeef

Yeah that excuse isn't going to work well.. Crawfords numbers and game this season has been a problem. Lehner outplayed crawford with the same defenseman, Chicago imo is in the playoffs not because crawfords stellar play helped chicago secure more wins this season , that award goes to leher.


Also each teams goalie has the same advantage or disadvantage as Crawford, its who gets focused and rises above and plays great.

I can’t chear against the Hawks but there’s not enough gas in the tank to get by the big teams in round 2 so I’d love to be in with a chance at #1.

Another Dach in the fold would fast forward the retool.

I believe since we are playing EDM (who had the most points among qualifying teams) it has us playing the 4th seed in R1.

This leaves us with Stars or Blues.
- RedRevenge

It’s my understanding that the will re-seed after every round - meanin the Hawks would draw the top seed - VGK or Avs.

Yeah that excuse isn't going to work well.. Crawfords numbers and game this season has been a problem. Lehner outplayed crawford with the same defenseman, Chicago imo is in the playoffs not because crawfords stellar play helped chicago secure more wins this season , that award goes to leher.


Also each teams goalie has the same advantage or disadvantage as Crawford, its who gets focused and rises above and plays great.
- Taylorst1

Take a look at the overall numbers for both - AND look at the numbers for Crawford’s last 20 games. I posted those here last week.

I think you’ll find that for the last two months of the season, he was outstanding behind an improving but still suspect defense - and certainly was better than Lehner over that stretch at least.

Look here: https://www.hockey-refere.../c/crawfco01/gamelog/2020

Take a look at the overall numbers for both - AND look at the numbers for Crawford’s last 20 games. I posted those here last week.

I think you’ll find that for the last two months of the season, he was outstanding behind an improving but still suspect defense - and certainly was better than Lehner over that stretch at least.

Look here: https://www.hockey-refere.../c/crawfco01/gamelog/2020
- StLBravesFan

Darn facts! Not sure how you could be watching the entire season and not recognize Crawford was not only playing well but outplaying Lehner in the second half of the season.

Darn facts! Not sure how you could be watching the entire season and not recognize Crawford was not only playing well but outplaying Lehner in the second half of the season.
- HawkintheD

Or the other fact that Stan did try and sign him, but he priced himself out of Chicago.

Afraid that is not correct. The format re-seeds after each round, with the highest seed playing the lowest seed, and so forth. Based on today's standings, we would play Colorado

https://www.sportingnews....dzcg2txunsnt1tjj2cy1w2wpn
- Revco38

THATS CORRECT...most likely aves or knights....UGH

The Oilers have made Kubalik look slow the last two games. Saad is breaking away better.
- rpeters01

He is slow.

Agree, Strome is not a 3C unless he somehow improves his defense significantly and leverages his offensive skills, vision, and IQ more to offset his lack of foot speed.

Otherwise, it would be worth exploring other options. Kurashev has great potential with his solid 3-zone play, skating ability, compete level, and capacity to contribute around a 0.50 PPG pace.

Down the line, Wise could be an option if he continues to develop at BU then marinate a bit in the AHL. His skillset is similar to Kurashev's but injuries have derailed his trajectory.

The draft is another area. This is where I wouldn't discount Lundell at the 9th spot or later (if he's still available). By most accounts, he seems NHL ready and projected to be at least a solid 3C with a 2C ceiling.

Either way, if Strome is not extended, his replacement should be a middle 6 center so that over time Dach goes up to 1C and Toews down to 3C. Even if Toews ends his career as a 2C, then that's just a big plus. The replacement plays either 2C or 3C.
- AEL_Fox

If the Hawks win this play in and then lose the next round or even win it, does their draft position change?

Or the other fact that Stan did try and sign him, but he priced himself out of Chicago.
- LAHawk

And that Lehner’s play seemed to go downhill after negotiations broke off.

Nothing too much more enjoyable in sports than watching another Maple Leaf meltdown. Do you have any photos of Mike Babcock laughing with a ' I told ya so look on his face?'
- RickJ

Omigosh, and the Cap has got them handcuffed too.

and as Babcock is no longer "instilling" his throws through old fashion vitriol, Torts is showing his anger can spike Dubois to high levels of excellence.

If the Hawks win this play in and then lose the next round or even win it, does their draft position change?
- GPHawksfan

If they win the play in they would select #16 or there abouts...

The play-in and hopefully extended playoffs is going to contribute significantly to Strome's next contract. He is not providing much value. Someone else suggested it but could see a one-year "show me" deal being an option.

That buys time for a center prospect like Kurashev to marinate for one more year and/or see if any gem pivots are selected in the draft. Lundell would be perfect as a middle 6 center.

Nylander has at least one more season to improve to prove his worth or else cut bait with him when he hits free agency. Not sure what he would garner in a trade.

Agree, DeBrincat needs to be deployed as and put in situations where he is a sniper. I disagree that he plays small, though, as he is willing to engage physically.
- AEL_Fox

I think Strome is an interesting case. He is probably a 3C. But what is a 3rd line. It can be an energy line. Strome is too slow. It can be a shut down line. I don't think so. It can have a faceoff specialist or Pk specialist. Nope. The only real value Strome has is that he can slide into the 2C if one of your two top centers are hurt. If I were Bowman I would treat him like a 3C and offer him a 1 year "show me" deal or a two year at a low cap hit.

Big mistake if Stanbo signs him for term and anything more than $2M for a year or 2. Kurashev will be a better player sooner than later.
- RickJ

I gonna remember this one...

Someone else's idea of sending Strome in a trade for another unachieving first rounder doesn't account for the fact that after they continue playing, they all reach that time when they are "entitled" to considered for the bigger dollar deals, so even if you find a taker, ala the Coyote-Schmaltz type deal, you still get to that negotiation sooner than that younger player is a lock as a kid who clearly is reaching his upside...

Me?

I just want the next game to start.

I really have no idea which Blackhawk team shows up, or what Olilers team shows up.

I know that an early hawk goal puts that elimination idea in the Oiler's heads, but these guys have been playing their entire lives and I really doubt they get shaken until late in the contest.

The one thing watching all these series has showed me, is these hockey boys are pretty cool and the fact that teams are coming back on each other tells me this Hawk-Oiler still is up for grabs.

We are talking about trading partners for Strome. I am ok with signing him if he will agree to a fair deal (short term/ low dollars).

I think the most interesting team this off season will be Ottawa. They have a ton of cap space and draft picks. Also a crazy owner. Every team in the league will be calling them to see if they can dump salaries.

It will also be interesting to see if there is a market for Maatta. What would the return be for a Maatta/Sikura package to Ottawa with no salary retained? Could you get one of their four 2nd round picks? Or one of their two 3rd round picks? Less? More?

Yeah that excuse isn't going to work well.. Crawfords numbers and game this season has been a problem. Lehner outplayed crawford with the same defenseman, Chicago imo is in the playoffs not because crawfords stellar play helped chicago secure more wins this season , that award goes to leher.


Also each teams goalie has the same advantage or disadvantage as Crawford, its who gets focused and rises above and plays great.
- Taylorst1

Taylor, You are not basing this off of anything more than your own bias. Keith himself admitted that through the first 25 games of the year, the team was quite bad and had no business being in most of their games. Crawford has an equal save percentage and better GAA behind the same team. Lehner also received almost a full goal per game better goal support than Crow this year.

I’m not even knocking Lehner here. I thought he was a great pickup (sorry Elbows), but he did not supply some big advantage over Crow. He was an insurance policy, no more no less, and we ended up getting some nice assets for him.

Afraid that is not correct. The format re-seeds after each round, with the highest seed playing the lowest seed, and so forth. Based on today's standings, we would play Colorado

https://www.sportingnews....dzcg2txunsnt1tjj2cy1w2wpn
- Revco38

Always want the Hawks to win ....but I really don't like our chance against Colorado . Have to wonder if it's worth losing out at a chance at first over all. Besides if Pitt or Edmonton win the lottery I think I will throw up.

A lot has to do with signing him, but big skilled guys like him are needed and he can play for me anytime and on the wing too, if the contract is right...
- wiz1901

Thank you Bill for injecting some clear thinking on the topic of Strome. I think too often players get judged by perceived shortcomings to the exclusion of things they do well. I agree he is a plus player even with his skating being below average for the NHL.