this Hawks team during their cup years did one thing so so so very well, always have their stick on the ice, I've seen so many instances the puck is going by players and their sticks are in the air, over and over and over again
- BetweenTheDots

Krueger and Frolik were fantastic at keeping their sticks on the ice.

No shame, we fought hard and gained valuable experience for the future. Vegas is simply on another level. This was a mismatch since puck drop of game 1.

The blue line is the clear weakness, and until we get some youth to step in and transform that area of the roster we’re gonna continue to fall short of contention.

Lots of promising young forwards, but so far I haven’t seen much promise at all from the so-called future of our blue line.

REALLY hoping Mitchell exceeds expectations. And Beaudin. Also need Boqvist to learn from this disastrous playoff run and transform into a competent NHLer.
- SimpleJack

After Dach, who?

It takes a few years for dmen, i wouldn't write off Boqvist quite yet. Watching Keith his early years was not pretty, patience
- BetweenTheDots

Kid is 19, he's a boy against men, come back when he's 23 and then we will see...

The scores were competitive because of Crawford.

The overall play wasn’t.
- StLBravesFan

Up to game 4 there were plenty of soft goals.

Boqvist needs to start with the Hawks next season but on the third pair. Give him some time to gain confidence.
- DarthKane

For sure, he's not as advanced as Leddy was when he began with Chicago but there was so much quality depth ahead of him. Didn't he play with Roszival so by default he got to do a lot of puck skating?

All I'll say is Boqvist is much better at his age than Leddy was, hands down, yes he needs to gain strength, but it's not even close
- BetweenTheDots

That's funny I just made the exact same post and said the opposite of what you said. Leddy was ahead of Boqvist but played third pair and that's where Boqvist should be.

what to do with nylander...they have given him every opportunity to play and figure it out...

with a year left on his EC..stanbow keeps him and see if he finally turns into a prince...
- bogiedoc

I don't think he plays in the NHL by default next year and I've been one of his biggest supporters.

We had some young forwards too. Strome isnt great defensively, and Kubalik was probably overwhelmed.
- just69sayin

Playing against Vegas showed Kubalik is not a $4M AAV player. It's easier to get statistics on a bad team when you get a big chance to play. Unless your name is Nylander. Another way to look at it is what line would Kubalik be on a good team, our 2015 team even. Then how much is he worth?

Ok...I will answer you...NO STANBOW WILL NOT FIRE HIM...and he ain't going anywhere either
- bogiedoc

What exactly did he do so wrong in the playoffs anyway?

From Scott Power despite being out played big time: The Blackhawks were tied or within a goal in the 3rd period in every game of the series. That's to their credit.

On the flip side, there's a such a narrow path to long-term success playing as they did in the series. There remain many issues to address.

I’d keep maata over DeHaan. DeHaan can’t stay healthy and looked like horse $hit way too
Much. Disappointed how bad he was. Bigger guy and he played scared a ton. Only thing he could do was ring a dump in around from the red line.

Murphy IMO stepped up. He was great.
- SteveRain

Murphy was the real deal and he's a better player than Jammer at this time. Give Stan a bone.

After Dach, who?
- rpeters01

You honestly can’t think of any promising young forwards on our team other than Dach?

What exactly did he do so wrong in the playoffs anyway?
- rpeters01

Biggest beef I'm seeing out there on social media from beat writers and fans seems to be the almost 14 min of playing time given John Quenneville in an elimination game, especially the decision to have him out on the ice when were down a goal with 2:40 remaining.

Did find this comment funny in light of that:

@GoldyHawks
I’m not 100% what irony is but a Quenneville causing Colliton to be fired would probably fit the definition.

Krueger and Frolik were fantastic at keeping their sticks on the ice.
- rpeters01

Frolik!!!!

Couple observations:

That was Keith's worst game of the series, and maybe of the season. Absolutely terrible on the pinch at center ice that led to a goal, his gap and positioning away from players was not good at all. If this is a sign to come for the next few years, the Hawks are in trouble to expect him to remain a #1 defenseman.

Boqvist needs more AHL seasoning. You can see the flashes of skill, but in this entire series he was way too timid to use any of his tools. If he's not playing as an offensive defenseman, he's not providing much.

Toews looked worn down and tired in Game 3/4. Hopefully he can rest up, but again, not a good sign if that continues.

Overall Koekkoek and Maata had really nice playoffs. Koekkoek I would look to resign as depth again on the back end in case Mitchell and Boqvist aren't ready or with injuries. If you can find a trade partner for Maata fine, but I don't see any way out of buying him out otherwise.

Crow should and will be back next year. He struggled early, but that was to be expected with Covid and no practice. I think he'll be fine next year as long as he's healthy. Maybe they can get him to sign for 3-4 million AAV.

The Hawks aren't getting enough from their 3/4th line consistently and they aren't really wearing out other teams physically. This needs to be upgraded, maybe only keep 1 of Kampf and Carpenter, not both. Highmore was good (and is cheap). Nylander is a complete mismatch for the 3rd line, and isn't good enough currently to play in the top 6. That may become a bust of a trade.

Colliton was overmatched in both series. Lack of calling timeouts when he should have, not playing the right line combos, questionable decisions to play Q over Sykura, not play Carlsson more over Boqvist, leaving Boqvist-Keith paired which clearly wasn't working. He doesn't seem reactive enough to what's happening in the game and sticks with whatever he decided in pre-game for far too long. The Power play was also a series let down aside from Game 1 vs Edmonton, and that needs to be on him as well.

That's funny I just made the exact same post and said the opposite of what you said. Leddy was ahead of Boqvist but played third pair and that's where Boqvist should be.
- rpeters01

Agree about third pair, big difference between the 2 is, Boqvist has it between the ears of how to play defense he's just not strong enough, it took a while for Leddy, I'd say his 2nd 3rd year with the Isle where he actually figured things out in his own end. 7 years or so

You honestly can’t think of any promising young forwards on our team other than Dach?
- SimpleJack

That project to be a top-six player? Hmmm.... that’s a tough question.

Ha! You are a very angry and sad little man.every post from you is a personal attack on another poster. I’d bet you are a very lonely guy. Trolls on a hockey board. Pathetic. Boqvist is a poor skating finesse player and single handedly responsible for at least 5 goals against this week.

(frank) this website . A bunch of trolls are all that is left. When I joined this site there were dozens and dozens of people here to talk Hockey. Now there are 20 people who post and 16 of them are insufferable internet trolls. (frank) you all I’m out. (frank)ing losers get their kicks from juvenile trolling. Go (frank) yourselves trolls, you know who you are.
- EnzoD

Promises. Can't believe I fell asleep and missed another Edzo meltdown. This one didn't take much.

Could be wrong, but the way I remember it was when you started coming here some of the hockey posters would razz or troll you if you prefer for some of your your bi-polar hockey observations. Personally, I remember giving you poop for your constant whining about how the 2015 team was getting bounced in the first round. Still seems kind of deserved, but whatever.

Then I seem to recall Barney Fife was deputized and you being one of a handful of guys who'd troll the people you're likely calling trolls because you knew you could get away with it.

Seems we have a pot/kettle scenario here.

Oh well I digress...

Not disappointed with the series at all. Would have been great to win another game, but the better team won and and our young guys got a taste of playoff hockey.

Thought Murphy played a great game last night and Dach to me looks like a player you build around. Matta, like some have said could either be kept or has played himself into a situation where I think someone would want him vs being bought out.

I'd trade one of him or DeHaan.

Will be interesting to see decisions made in the offseason. I think Crow is back and as far as RFA's:

Kubalik likely gets between $3.5 - $4M. Strome isn't signing for under $2M like some have suggested but I could see somewhere between $2-$3M. He came to life when he and DeBrincat were paired up again, but if that's the only guy he can play with, I'm not sure he sticks around long term.

Wouldn't mind keeping Caggiula. I think a guy or two from RFD make the team along with Suter and could see some trades in the offseason.

Has it been determined where the Hawks pick?

Nice Series! Maybe use the offseason to address your nickname that is offensive to so many people.
- VopatsRash

Nice of you to chime in Hillrod...Now go back inside your trailer...

Nice of you to chime in Hillrod...Now go back inside your trailer...
- BGKarras

Don't know about you but you have to like that the Preds have slid backward since the year they were the bridesmaid.

Still have some good players but not sure they have a true 1C, maybe 2 good 2C's and them along with the dmen and Kyle Turris are all locked up long term for beaucoup bucks.

Promises. Can't believe I fell asleep and missed another Edzo meltdown. This one didn't take much.

Could be wrong, but the way I remember it was when you started coming here some of the hockey posters would razz or troll you if you prefer for some of your your bi-polar hockey observations. Personally, I remember giving you poop for your constant whining about how the 2015 team was getting bounced in the first round. Still seems kind of deserved, but whatever.

Then I seem to recall Barney Fife was deputized and you being one of a handful of guys who'd troll the people you're likely calling trolls because you knew you could get away with it.

Seems we have a pot/kettle scenario here.

Oh well I digress...

Not disappointed with the series at all. Would have been great to win another game, but the better team won and and our young guys got a taste of playoff hockey.

Thought Murphy played a great game last night and Dach to me looks like a player you build around. Matta, like some have said could either be kept or has played himself into a situation where I think someone would want him vs being bought out.

I'd trade one of him or DeHaan.

Will be interesting to see decisions made in the offseason. I think Crow is back and as far as RFA's:

Kubalik likely gets between $3.5 - $4M. Strome isn't signing for under $2M like some have suggested but I could see somewhere between $2-$3M. He came to life when he and DeBrincat were paired up again, but if that's the only guy he can play with, I'm not sure he sticks around long term.

Wouldn't mind keeping Caggiula. I think a guy or two from RFD make the team along with Suter and could see some trades in the offseason.

Has it been determined where the Hawks pick?
- HawkintheD

Kubalik: he certainly didn’t help himself in this tournament - only 2+1=3 in the 8 games after his first, only 1+1=2 in the 5 against Vegas. And - in the regular season - a nice 30 total - but 10 were in 8 games in January; in the last 20 games, he scored in 6 of them. If AdB’s 40 goals turns into a normal 30 (as I expect), then does Kubalik’s 30 become a normal 20? I don’t know - still lots to prove. I’d hope for one or two years at $3MM per.

I’m not disappointed in the tournament either - one series won, one lost, 4 games won, 5 games lost....I wouldn’t have expected more wins, especially, but I’d like to have seen less Vegas domination by VGK.

Colliton - I’d like to see a lot more growth - I’d like to see him look like he has a clue about changing what doesn’t work - transition game, too much open ice in front of Crawford, lines on ice (no more fourth line out there in a tied game with 10 left on an ozone draw, no more Kane and Toews sitting with a minute left in that same tied game, no more Quenneville in instead of someone who might be useful, no more panic line changes and Kane double shifting very early in games where the opponent score quickly in the first...).

Nice of you to chime in Hillrod...Now go back inside your trailer...
- BGKarras

Hillrod?

What the (frank) is a Hillrod?

Murphy was the real deal and he's a better player than Jammer at this time. Give Stan a bone.
- rpeters01

LOL. And since the trade the Hawks could have had #4 all those seasons, granted as worn down as #2 and #7. Disagree on the great job by Stan - if the Hawks had also received a 2nd player who panned out, it would make up for the fact that we've had to wait for Murphy for three years to turn into a decent defenseman. Bad deal then, bad deal now.

Kubalik: he certainly didn’t help himself in this tournament - only 2+1=3 in the 8 games after his first, only 1+1=2 in the 5 against Vegas. And - in the regular season - a nice 30 total - but 10 were in 8 games in January; in the last 20 games, he scored in 6 of them. If AdB’s 40 goals turns into a normal 30 (as I expect), then does Kubalik’s 30 become a normal 20? I don’t know - still lots to prove. I’d hope for one or two years at $3MM per.

I’m not disappointed in the tournament either - one series won, one lost, 4 games won, 5 games lost....I wouldn’t have expected more wins, especially, but I’d like to have seen less Vegas domination by VGK.

Colliton - I’d like to see a lot more growth - I’d like to see him look like he has a clue about changing what doesn’t work - transition game, too much open ice in front of Crawford, lines on ice (no more fourth line out there in a tied game with 10 left on an ozone draw, no more Kane and Toews sitting with a minute left in that same tied game, no more Quenneville in instead of someone who might be useful, no more panic line changes and Kane double shifting very early in games where the opponent score quickly in the first...).
- StLBravesFan

I'd like to see that as well. Not that Hagel would have been the deciding factor, but I certainly would have rather seen a player who potentially factors into the future vs Q's nephew who will likely be back at RFD next year.

Boqvist is not only small and weak, but also slow.
- EnzoD

#hottakes by Edzo.