But the players needed it.

Flash back to 2008-09 and go back and watch some of those losses throughout the run.

I can single handely remember Game 2 where they lost in OT where Kane literally quit skating on a back check and it led to goal against Khabibulin.

The younger players need to see what big boy hockey is, so they realize being good in in the regular season doesn't hold a candle to being in good in the playoffs. From an effort, attention to detail stand point.

Trial and error. It has to happen. The more games this team plays, the more these kids learn and if they still make the same dumb ass plays heading into next year....then you start booting guys off the island.

NOT every single prospect is going to hit. You know it, I know it, and teh Hawks are a helluva lot smarter then us posters here.
- SteveRain

Hawks are 50/50 lottery team next year. Everyone will want Stan and JC fired but that's the truth. In that context, the kids getting this experience can wait and reap the higher draft "possibilities." That's simply where I think they are at as a team. Many of the young D men we are touting to take us to the next level have yet to play NHL hockey unless you count less than 5 games (Beudien, don't know how to spell his name I still mis spell Seabrook, and Carlsson experienced).

4th round pick, maybe 3rd if the retain some salary.
- DarthKane

And that's no red font.

How is a still-very-young player who has scored 28 and 40 goals in a season a luxury?

Seems to me you want to figure out how to get him back to 30-40, rather than give up on him for just an 18.
- StLBravesFan

With a stagnant cap at 6 mil a year he is a luxury. Unless he is going to bury you 40 a year consistently and make the PP better I am not sure the Hawks can keep him given the other needs they have. With the emergence of Kubalik, I think Dcat is expendable.

He is also a 1 dimensional offensive player. Goals or bust. He isn't going to drive offensive play or make those around him better.

The Hawks won cups b/c outside of Kane they had a bunch of 2-way top 6 forwards. Sure Sharp became more one dimensional as he aged but he was a better all around forward then Dcat will ever be.

At 6 mil I would take another Brandon Saad clone for the top 6.

No, on the likes of Colorado and Vegas Kubalik would be a 4th liner, possibly a 3rd liner if there were injuries.
- DarthKane

But far more importantly, as a member of the Toronto Maple Loafs there would already be a statue of Kubalik outside of Scotiabank Arena.

Does Scott Powers say where an .890 save percentage lands in rankings?

Crawford is one of the big dollar guys, is he not? Can he be called out?
- PatShart

Crawford is a warrior and one of my favourite Blackhawks, but he hasn't been consistent enough. Games 3 & 4 are back-to-back, if (more like when) the Hawks lose game 3 does JC come back with Subban in game 4?

I'm ok with bringing back Crawford for one more season, but Stan needs to address the long-term goaltending situation this off season. I don't think the long-term solution is within the organization currently.

No, on the likes of Colorado and Vegas Kubalik would be a 4th liner, possibly a 3rd liner if there were injuries.
- DarthKane

Part of his 30 goals is due to nobody knows him. Another part is he gets lots of ice time on a suck ass team. Not likely to do it next year where are DeBincat's 40 goals? Check the last place team in basketball, they have people with decent stats cause they play. Ladd was never a consistent 30 goal scorer was he? Ladd in his prime you wouldn't trade for both Kubalik and Dinky.

No, on the likes of Colorado and Vegas Kubalik would be a 4th liner, possibly a 3rd liner if there were injuries.
- DarthKane

He would not have been on the Hawks top line during any of the Cup years. Is he on Colorado's of Vegas' top line this year no.

Is he a top 6 forward in the NHL? Yes based on this season.

Crawford is a warrior and one of my favourite Blackhawks, but he hasn't been consistent enough. Games 3 & 4 are back-to-back, if (more like when) the Hawks lose game 3 does JC come back with Subban in game 4?

I'm ok with bringing back Crawford for one more season, but Stan needs to address the long-term goaltending situation this off season. I don't think the long-term solution is within the organization currently.
- DarthKane

I think you see how he looks in Game 3 and go from there. If the Hawks lose but he gives up 2 goals on 40 plus shots and looks like his old self prob give him the nod in Game 4, if he wants to start.

*NEW* blog up: https://bit.ly/30XNjwc

Down 0-2... but it's not all bad. Hawks will be successful this weekend if they to continue to push, roll 4 lines, and get a full 60-minute performance from Crawford.

Does Scott Powers say where an .890 save percentage lands in rankings?

Crawford is one of the big dollar guys, is he not? Can he be called out?
- PatShart

why don't you tweet him ans ask....he laid out the metrics of a very poor 4 year trend of the giving up way to many shots and leading the league in high danger chances against...given this you want to continue lay 0-2 at the feet of crawford...I don't care...