Or do you go full rebuild, trade him to Pittsburgh for Nick Bjugstead (1 year left at $4.1 mil) and Pitt. #1 (15th pick I believe). You can then buy out Bjugstead, which only costs you $600K next year and $1.750 the year after?
- LAHawk

I see where you are going, but I'm not sure Pitt is in a position to do this. Their cap situation is not good. They have 15 players signed 20-21 for just over $68M without any goaltender signed (both Jarry and Murray RFA's). They aren't really in a position to take on extra money.

I think that's a legit question. I was higher on Strome last year...but then we got Dach, who I think is going to really good in a couple years.

Like you I'm not really sure where he fits anymore, a little like AA before he was traded. That said, I'd rather have Anisimov as my 3C than Strome.

You mentioned Smith and Matta. I can't see anyone trading for Smith unless equally bad money comes back. Someone might trade for Matta. If not they can both be bought out fairly reasonably to make Cap Space.
- HawkintheD

I know he's already had five games, but I'm interested to see if Strome can muster something out of this playoff series. You can tell he knows where to go with the puck, he just has issues getting his body to catch up to his head. If he could turn into a Handzus type player it would be great (yes, I know he would have to learn how to play defense first )

How about Dinky to Montreal for Domi and maybe get back that #2 pick we gave them for Shaw?
- LAHawk

Haven't seen him play a ton but, Yes.

I know he's already had five games, but I'm interested to see if Strome can muster something out of this playoff series. You can tell he knows where to go with the puck, he just has issues getting his body to catch up to his head. If he could turn into a Handzus type player it would be great (yes, I know he would have to learn how to play defense first )
- Chunk

That's my hope is if they do keep him that he could turn into a positionally sound player who can contribute on offense.

I don't really question the compete level so much as his strength. He can't seem to knock anyone off the puck much if he does get his body on them and conversely he's too easily knocked off the puck.

I see where you are going, but I'm not sure Pitt is in a position to do this. Their cap situation is not good. They have 15 players signed 20-21 for just over $68M without any goaltender signed (both Jarry and Murray RFA's). They aren't really in a position to take on extra money.
- Chunk

Just knowing Rutherford said changes will be made, based on part history I think he didn't mean just the assistant coaches. I think he is going to try and move several pieces,, Zucker, Johnson, Hornquist. They think their window is open another couple of years with Letang, Crosby and Malkin.

Just knowing Rutherford said changes will be made, based on part history I think he didn't mean just the assistant coaches. I think he is going to try and move several pieces,, Zucker, Johnson, Hornquist. They think their window is open another couple of years with Letang, Crosby and Malkin.
- LAHawk

So do we.

So do we.
- Chunk

We do?

We do?

- LAHawk

ALL FOR ONE!

We do?

- LAHawk

We did. Hopefully with some of the recent draft picks like Dach and the defenseman we can be back in the thick of things in a year.

I know technically this would have been another non-playoff year but hopefully it does aid in their development.

Pretty low probability that the Hawks can beat Vegas 4 out of 5 games, which makes this essentially a must win game. Hawks played a bit timid, hit 2 posts, and did not get good goal-tending.


Shake up the lines, play with more urgency, and a bounce-back game from Crawford...Hawks win 5-3 with the 5th an empty netter!

Where's Ogi??
- Chunk

man i hope he is still flying...been through ohare 2x the last month...never seen it so empty during the day...no line for anything including TSA

Pretty low probability that the Hawks can beat Vegas 4 out of 5 games, which makes this essentially a must win game. Hawks played a bit timid, hit 2 posts, and did not get good goal-tending.


Shake up the lines, play with more urgency, and a bounce-back game from Crawford...Hawks win 5-3 with the 5th an empty netter!
- EnzoD

i am so confident...

Pretty low probability that the Hawks can beat Vegas 4 out of 5 games, which makes this essentially a must win game. Hawks played a bit timid, hit 2 posts, and did not get good goal-tending.


Shake up the lines, play with more urgency, and a bounce-back game from Crawford...Hawks win 5-3 with the 5th an empty netter!
- EnzoD

Its a low probability that the Hawks win 1 game.

i am so confident...

- bogiedoc

Nah I think they win at least one game....

Now that the HAWKS have skated their way out of the top 15 they could look at grabbing a guy like Jake Neighbours he plays with some edge . In the up coming draft .
- oldduffman

Yeah I didn't mention him in my grouping, only because he is. tad under six foot.
He is in my first round, but not many other draft prognosticators.

https://www.draftsite.com...er/jake-neighbours/32360/

Here's how I would roll the forwards with the pieces available:

Saad-Toews-Kubalik
Nylander-Strome-Kane
Caggiula-Dach-Debrincat
Highmore-Kampf-Carpenter

No, it is not perfect, but this maximizes what is available right now.

First line has been producing, so do not mess with what is working.

Second line . . . 92 either needs to be scratched, or playing top six . . . he is not a guy who is going to make others better; he needs line mates who can elevate his game . . . this line has had good chemistry at times and should be given some time.

The cat needs to move back to the right side. Caggiula and Dach could open up a lot of space for Alex.

Fourth line, meh. The staff needs to play whoever will commit to the hard minutes . . . PK, blocking shots, key faceoffs . . .
- gmurban

Kane and Nylander are both puck carriers. To get them both doing it and Nylander not deferring to Kane is the trick and would make them much more dangerous.

I’m going to go with “Who is Vandymeer23” Alex?

Either that or Wonthecup10. Speaking of, where might he be? Miss some of his epic rants. Maybe over at the-rink commiserating with a few others about how Rocky didn’t go far enough with just launching McD. Get rid of Stan and rehire Dale or some other guy whose miscues can be overlooked because he laced them up.
- HawkintheD

No you got it Vandymeer! that is the hawk fan I was speaking of...thanks!

I loved the Sunday afternoon game in 2011 when Scott beat the piss out of Reaves. Great day. You could see the bench loving every minute of it.

Reaves does his job VERY good. Destroyed Keith Tuesday night.
- SteveRain

I am glad your back too, Rainy!

All of the line juggling options show the Hawks are not a deep team offensively. It is easy to put 2 players onto 3 lines-- Toews/Kubalik, Dach/Kane, Strome/DCat, but after that, only Saad fills in a top 9 line. Anyone else would be considered a good addition to a 4th line for a team that is a deep, true contender, including Vegas, the Avs, Tampa, Boston, etc.
- RaleighHawk

Yup we're just not talented enough. I'm tired of people saying we're in good shape for the future get rid of Saad when every forward in Rockford is bottom six.

Not his best....but like 19/88/2 you know this guy will rebound. The history and track record prove it.


Most important thing is how to get 12 going.

I am probably in the minority here, but I don't think KK has looked that awful. Maybe my expectations of him are miniscule that I don't expect much? Goes for a large portion of the defense.

Still think they can extend this series to 6 games. Just need EVERYONE to raise their compete and if 17 is floating around send his @ss home. NOt to the hotel, but home. He is by far the most polarizing player I have seen in a long time.
- SteveRain

Nope, Nylander and Sikura still have him beat now that Gus is gone...

I watched a little of the Van/StL game last night and I observed a couple things. First, a glorious moment when Brouwer felled Roussel with a stick to his sack as they lined up for a faceoff. It was fun to see Roussel writhing on the ice. Way to go Troy. The other thing was the typical Roussel dirty weasel antics of cheap shots. Is there some rule in Vancouver that mandates the team must have at least one pud on the roster? That franchise has had a continuum of Roussel type players over the past 10-15 years.
- EbonyRaptor

I was watching I was shocked by the non call.
Not sure if it occurred before the puck dropp3d, but when has that nullified penalties being called?

I think the way Roussel weasel ass dropped like he been shot in the nuts might has made an it a embellishment call plus a low sticking penalty on Brouwer.

It is worth watching because I really think Troy put full muscle into the "lift/slap."

took a quick look at the roster and cap status:

seabs back, need two goalies, cags RFA, KK RFA, does shaw come back and adb's 6 mil kcking in...not alot left to improve or sign strome to more than 3 mi.
- bogiedoc

Strome will get $2, KK $750K. Stan can offer anything he wants nobody is going to out bid him for those two.

How about Dinky to Montreal for Domi and maybe get back that #2 pick we gave them for Shaw?
- LAHawk

Well Domi will need a new deal. Will he be willing to play some wing because he wasn't top six playing time IF he truly is disp[leased at the present situation.
With his coach hospitalized, maybe his lot will change under "new management?"

The other thing is when in Arizona and his first year in Montreal I think he played hungry aggressive and even overly aggressive.
Then when he was elevated in the has lineup, he silenced the aggression and played like a skilled offensive player. (It killed my fantasy pick of him, because he no longer was blocking shots, taking pims, or even getting close up and froggy with the opponents anymore.)

So, maybe the demotion is to bring back the father's son from the years before.

Its a low probability that the Hawks win 1 game.
- DarthKane

I resemble that remark.

Pretty low probability that the Hawks can beat Vegas 4 out of 5 games, which makes this essentially a must win game. Hawks played a bit timid, hit 2 posts, and did not get good goal-tending.


Shake up the lines, play with more urgency, and a bounce-back game from Crawford...Hawks win 5-3 with the 5th an empty netter!
- EnzoD

The hawks really don’t have the depth to handle a team like Vegas who have four deep lines and a strong defense. The last game the hawks tried to defend all game, maybe a huge surprise may be to make this a track meet and open the game wide up. It may be the best tonic for ADB and Kane to get dangerous?