So... you’re saying this team is close to putting it together?
- Chief4Feathers

If adding 4 Forwards a Goalie and Defensemen getting 2-3 years experience is close IDK?

i don't think vegas can afford him with maf...who know where he ends up...

if crow wants to come back...he will be back most likely a 2 year deal around 3-4 mi per
- bogiedoc

It won't be as high as $4 if 2 I'll bet at DraftKings on that.

Debrincats getting the next goal.
- Bhawks2585

In what year?

Solid game. MAF was on his game and Kane missed a wide open net.

Hawks really need two guys on the PP that can rip shots from the top.

Boqvist needs to put on strength. Pacioretty near the end of the 3rd just put his ass out and kept the puck along the boards. Boqvist look like a little kid trying to take the puck from him. He couldn’t move Patches.
- bhawks2241

The open net Kane missed the replay clearly showed he shot the puck while it was spinning off the ice like an end over end punted football and still barely missed. I don't think anyone else on the Hawks even gets a shot off although didn't Kubalik have one crazy mid air goal this year.

Keith, DeHaan, Maata, Murphy, KKKK, Seabrook for vets

Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Carlsson for upcoming kids

There is going to be plenty of player movement in the offseason due to the flat cap and teams need guys to expose for the expansion draft.

Maata has played prety well in these playoffs but he is expensive for a #5 so hard to move. I think he is probably 1 of 7 Dmen the Hawks keep next season.
- RickJ

I'm not convinced the Wirtz family is going to pony up for buyouts...

Yep 100%. Watching him play today it looks like he’s lost some confidence too. Added strength will help his explosiveness too.
- bhawks2241

He won't get that strength in one offseason either it's going to take until he's at least 22-23 which is still quite young.

I'm not convinced the Wirtz family is going to pony up for buyouts...
- rpeters01

Maybe not, but the Hawks will likely have to do something to free up cap space. If there’s no buyouts that means a trade. Maybe Maatta gets dealt, maybe Murphy or de Haan. But it could be Saad too.

Maybe not, but the Hawks will likely have to do something to free up cap space. If there’s no buyouts that means a trade. Maybe Maatta gets dealt, maybe Murphy or de Haan. But it could be Saad too.
- DarthKane

He's having a decent playoff so maybe there's a deal to be had. I doubt anyone's trading for Smith. Did Chiarelli land as a GM anywhere?

Interesting excerpt and reasonable perspective in the Athletic (Lazerus) this morning, which I think many of us have been saying here...

In 2020, there’s no hiding the Blackhawks’ flaws. They’re still porous defensively, they still lack any scoring punch beyond the top six, they’re still reeling from some poor roster management, and they’re still fighting the aging curve. So it’s a lot easier to look at this potential sweep in a more favorable light. This series isn’t near the bloodbath so many of us were expecting. Yes, the Knights are clearly the superior team, but the Blackhawks are hanging with them all the same. The 2017 sweep by Nashville was the death knell for the Blackhawks’ run of dominance. With some charitable thinking, this (eventual) loss could be the start of something promising.

Which leads me to something I mentioned on Twitter tonight — that there sure seem to be a lot of Blackhawks fans who hate the Blackhawks. Now, I have to preface this with the usual disclaimer that Twitter is not necessarily representative of the world at large; it amplifies the fringe on both sides of every argument. But I guess I just don’t understand the vitriol so many fans seem to be directing at this team during this series: the hate, the snark, the bizarre twist on schadenfreude in which they seem to be reveling in their own misery.

I mean, what did you expect? The Blackhawks were the 23rd-best team in the league this season. They had no business being in the playoffs. Of course they’re getting outplayed by a ridiculously deep, legitimate Stanley Cup contender such as Vegas.

Yet they won a super-fun, wild-and-woolly playoff series against the Oilers and got to give Kirby Dach and the rest of the youngest lineup in the tournament some unexpected and much-needed postseason experience. Think about the leap Dach made in Phase 3 and then in Edmonton. Think about the character the team is showing in managing to even hang with Vegas for much of this series. (If a couple of those 14 shots off the posts went in, it’d be a different series, regardless of what the metrics say.) Think about the rejuvenating, appetite-whetting effect that being back in a playoff atmosphere — even a weird, silent, sterile one in a giant television studio — can have on the older guys who are still chasing one more Cup. Think about all that and I don’t understand how you can be so miserable about it as a fan.

Maybe not, but the Hawks will likely have to do something to free up cap space. If there’s no buyouts that means a trade. Maybe Maatta gets dealt, maybe Murphy or de Haan. But it could be Saad too.
- DarthKane

Ouch, that would hurt. He’s their best winger outside of Kane.

He's having a decent playoff so maybe there's a deal to be had. I doubt anyone's trading for Smith. Did Chiarelli land as a GM anywhere?
- HawkintheD

“Hall for Larsson?... Really?... I did that?... Are you sure?... I don’t remember that?... Seguin?... I don’t remember anybody named Seguin?...”

“Hall for Larsson?... Really?... I did that?... Are you sure?... I don’t remember that?... Seguin?... I don’t remember anybody named Seguin?...”
- Chief4Feathers

I gave something more than a bag of pucks for Brandon Manning??? That's got to be red font, no?

Interesting excerpt and reasonable perspective in the Athletic (Lazerus) this morning, which I think many of us have been saying here...

In 2020, there’s no hiding the Blackhawks’ flaws. They’re still porous defensively, they still lack any scoring punch beyond the top six, they’re still reeling from some poor roster management, and they’re still fighting the aging curve. So it’s a lot easier to look at this potential sweep in a more favorable light. This series isn’t near the bloodbath so many of us were expecting. Yes, the Knights are clearly the superior team, but the Blackhawks are hanging with them all the same. The 2017 sweep by Nashville was the death knell for the Blackhawks’ run of dominance. With some charitable thinking, this (eventual) loss could be the start of something promising.

Which leads me to something I mentioned on Twitter tonight — that there sure seem to be a lot of Blackhawks fans who hate the Blackhawks. Now, I have to preface this with the usual disclaimer that Twitter is not necessarily representative of the world at large; it amplifies the fringe on both sides of every argument. But I guess I just don’t understand the vitriol so many fans seem to be directing at this team during this series: the hate, the snark, the bizarre twist on schadenfreude in which they seem to be reveling in their own misery.

I mean, what did you expect? The Blackhawks were the 23rd-best team in the league this season. They had no business being in the playoffs. Of course they’re getting outplayed by a ridiculously deep, legitimate Stanley Cup contender such as Vegas.

Yet they won a super-fun, wild-and-woolly playoff series against the Oilers and got to give Kirby Dach and the rest of the youngest lineup in the tournament some unexpected and much-needed postseason experience. Think about the leap Dach made in Phase 3 and then in Edmonton. Think about the character the team is showing in managing to even hang with Vegas for much of this series. (If a couple of those 14 shots off the posts went in, it’d be a different series, regardless of what the metrics say.) Think about the rejuvenating, appetite-whetting effect that being back in a playoff atmosphere — even a weird, silent, sterile one in a giant television studio — can have on the older guys who are still chasing one more Cup. Think about all that and I don’t understand how you can be so miserable about it as a fan.

- HawkintheD

Even though there are sill a number of players on the team still to be moved out, there's reason for optimism based on what they've shown in the last 2 weeks. The roster isn't stale - like that of Nashville, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Florida and even Washington.

Bowman needs to find a way to lose and improve on Smith and Carpenter for sure, and probably 2 of Cagguila, Shaw, Strome and even Saad and get the team a backup goaltender who can play.

Easier said than done but there is going to be plenty of player movement around the league before next season starts.

Even though there are sill a number of players on the team still to be moved out, there's reason for optimism based on what they've shown in the last 2 weeks. The roster isn't stale - like that of Nashville, Minnesota, Pittsburgh, Florida and even Washington.

Bowman needs to find a way to lose and improve on Smith and Carpenter for sure, and probably 2 of Cagguila, Shaw, Strome and even Saad and get the team a backup goaltender who can play.

Easier said than done but there is going to be plenty of player movement around the league before next season starts.
- RickJ

Given the stagnant cap and other economic issues facing the league, I don’t see much player movement in the offseason.

Not many teams have enough cap space to take on salary and give back prospects or picks - so what can you hope to get back for the 6 you mentioned? If you move them at all.

As for buyouts - I don’t think Rocky / Danny are going to want to spend money on dead contracts at this point.

I think player development - and better coaching - will be the main road to improve the for the next year or two.

It won't be as high as $4 if 2 I'll bet at DraftKings on that.
- rpeters01

I agree with you. Crawford is approaching retirement age and there are health concerns that come with age along with the fact he is one solid bonk on the head away from likely being on the shelf again. I could be wrong, but I am willing to bet his next contract will be in the 1-2 year and 2-3 million range. I think if he wants to keep playing he wants to play for Chicago even if he leaves some money on the table.

The most experienced team won...it was the first playoff experience for half of the Hawks roster . I think the effort was there for most of the Hawks but the Knights rolling out four lines and limiting the Hawks to very few high% shots and almost no rebounds made the Knights almost unbeatable. Kudos to the Hawks for their valiant effort. IMO the Hawks will make the playoffs next year if Debrincat returns to his old form and Nylander or Strome take the next step in becoming true productive 2nd liners.
- spanky

You know who the Knights remind me of right now, The Calgary Flames back in 03-04. A team that protected the middle of the ice and took away time and space so well. Kiprusoff often only had to deal with perimeter shots for the most part and as a result, not many 2nd chances or chances from in close.

Also to add to your comment on experience, we can't forget the Head Coach. The team went in a direction away from win now to development and this is experience for Jeremy Colliton who is still very young for an NHL coach. (At one point he was the youngest by 10 years)

#19 had an extremely tough night. Not only was there very little offence from him, he got pushed off the puck easily deep in the Vegas zone on their 2nd goal. He looked exhausted to me late in the 3rd.
- RickJ

19/2 were off last night. Unforced turnovers.

Hawks deserved better. Hope they win today as they don’t deserved to be swept. Been in every game. So all this hoopla about how great Vegas is? Not buying it.

Given the stagnant cap and other economic issues facing the league, I don’t see much player movement in the offseason.

Not many teams have enough cap space to take on salary and give back prospects or picks - so what can you hope to get back for the 6 you mentioned? If you move them at all.

As for buyouts - I don’t think Rocky / Danny are going to want to spend money on dead contracts at this point.

I think player development - and better coaching - will be the main road to improve the for the next year or two.
- StLBravesFan

Few gms have come out publicly stated changes are needed. Nashville and Pittsburgh. We don’t know what will happen. Dumping guys won’t happen but I’ll bet we do see a lot of change of scenery trades.

In 2017 Nashville dominated the hawks. That was an eye opener. This series has been a lot more even with a less talented hawks team.

Given the stagnant cap and other economic issues facing the league, I don’t see much player movement in the offseason.

Not many teams have enough cap space to take on salary and give back prospects or picks - so what can you hope to get back for the 6 you mentioned? If you move them at all.

As for buyouts - I don’t think Rocky / Danny are going to want to spend money on dead contracts at this point.

I think player development - and better coaching - will be the main road to improve the for the next year or two.
- StLBravesFan

I’d say you’re correct with the overall strategic compass heading. Problem is, while the Hawks have a decent prospect pool on the blueline, their forward prospects, particularly those that project into the top-six, is almost non-existent. Stan is going to have to make some shrewd decisions in dealing away some defensive assets to get forward prospects in return. And right now, his recent Jokiharju-for-Nylander move isn’t looking too good.

its hard to remake the roster every year. they did it last year and it was a pretty mixed bag. I hope shaw retires. maybe he does after next year. the 1st year of LTIR is easier then the second. if he does it after July 1st next season he is only owed 1.9 mil. you may be able to trade maata now which helps. our forwards need to be better on D. I think you keep SAAD and hope you can extend him 3-4 years. I would consider moving Strome or CAT. they are both so bad on D we have to many guys that are only good in the O zone. I think people will be shocked how little interest there will be in craw when the Off season hits. I would resign Subban on a 1 year deal. at $1. I would sign Cagg and KK to 3. year deals at around $4 mil total. if you need to bury them in the AHL it costs you $200K. we are not going to have any cap space for 3 years so we need cheap vets. smith I retain 50% and attempt to trade at the draft with a small sweetener. maybe take back a contract we can bury for free. we need more size we need more speed and we need people better on D.

I have been reading up on Cam Morrison 6-3 210 F from ND. 21 years old. he is a UFA. generally considered the best F has solid speed for a big guy and is a 2 way player. makes the smart play and plays more straight line then shifty. got better every year and is on the young side for 4 year UFA. a bottom 6 guy but has size grit and solid speed for a big guy. plays both PP and PK. we need more size in the bottom 6. did anybody else here the league AVG is 6-1 3/4 and 210 and Vegas has 2/3 there team larger we have 1/3. if we add the D from Wisc, the Swiss f/c get Mitchell and 3 year deal and sign cam M. that is about as much as Stan can do until the draft.

its hard to remake the roster every year. they did it last year and it was a pretty mixed bag. I hope shaw retires. maybe he does after next year. the 1st year of LTIR is easier then the second. if he does it after July 1st next season he is only owed 1.9 mil. you may be able to trade maata now which helps. our forwards need to be better on D. I think you keep SAAD and hope you can extend him 3-4 years. I would consider moving Strome or CAT. they are both so bad on D we have to many guys that are only good in the O zone. I think people will be shocked how little interest there will be in craw when the Off season hits. I would resign Subban on a 1 year deal. at $1. I would sign Cagg and KK to 3. year deals at around $4 mil total. if you need to bury them in the AHL it costs you $200K. we are not going to have any cap space for 3 years so we need cheap vets. smith I retain 50% and attempt to trade at the draft with a small sweetener. maybe take back a contract we can bury for free. we need more size we need more speed and we need people better on D.
- kmw4631

Good analysis. I agree with all you said

19/2 were off last night. Unforced turnovers.

Hawks deserved better. Hope they win today as they don’t deserved to be swept. Been in every game. So all this hoopla about how great Vegas is? Not buying it.
- SteveRain

I don’t know how great Vegas is - but 5x5, they are much better than Chicago. The numbers show it (look at NaturalStatrick, for instance) as does the eye test.

The Hawks have had no transition game against VGK - a problem that has existed since Colliton took over, IMO. Defensemen have trouble corralling the puck, and when they do, forwards aren’t in position to get outlet passes - and the team can’t get up-ice quickly to pressure in the offensive zone - they rely on long up-ice or cross-ice passes that seem to get picked off or disrupted more often than not. By the time they get the puck to the opponents blue line, the opponent defense is 5-deep back and ready and the Hawks can’t enter the ozone with speed and pressure.

Hawks could have had better - their “want to” kept them close in all three games - but didn’t deserve better

I don’t know how great Vegas is - but 5x5, they are much better than Chicago. The numbers show it (look at NaturalStatrick, for instance) as does the eye test.

The Hawks have had no transition game against VGK - a problem that has existed since Colliton took over, IMO. Defensemen have trouble corralling the puck, and when they do, forwards aren’t in position to get outlet passes - and the team can’t get up-ice quickly to pressure in the offensive zone - they rely on long up-ice or cross-ice passes that seem to get picked off or disrupted more often than not. By the time they get the puck to the opponents blue line, the opponent defense is 5-deep back and ready and the Hawks can’t enter the ozone with speed and pressure.

Hawks could have had better - their “want to” kept them close in all three games - but didn’t deserve better
- StLBravesFan

From NaturalStatrick, 5x5 - 3-game numbers - 157 minutes - BlackHawk percentages:

CF% - 43.25%
SF% - 39.57%
SC% - 41.04%

Of Chicago’s 125 SATs, only 55 got to the net - 44%. 50 were blocked, 20 missed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGXbuJbH8c4

some highlights. later on in the Video you see some open ice speed on Cam m