still seeing posts about crow needing to be better...blah blah

how bad were they out played and it took a superman perf to get 1 win...
these are blow out "no chance" numbers

Shot attempts: 305-202
Shots on goal: 158-96
Scoring chances: 151-88
High-danger chances: 62-32
Goals: 13-8

there maybe only 1-2 other goalies in the league that could pull off what crow did with one of the weakest defensive teams vs offensive machine like the knights and keep his team in it. The hawks were viable in the third period of every game...

damn it knights avg 30 scoring chances/gm and 11 high danger chances/gme...that's absurd I think the league avg is half those numbers...

as far as the rest of tournament...

I see vegas and aves in WC finals; flyers vs bolts in EC finals...

Agree with this, Kubalik is really a north-south player. His speed and skating were better than I expected.

This Blackhawks team needs some lines that can cycle and wear a team out. I think if they could pry one of Copp or Lowry out of Winnepeg, thats a big start.

I think with the Rags having the first pick, they're going to need to open up a winger spot. I'd approach them about a guy like Brendan Leimuex.
- Bjm84

Not sure what his Cap hit is but he was a guy I would have liked them to try and get going into last offseason.

Agree with what Dots said too. There's more than one way to skin a cat. Some size in the bottom 6 would be great but if you have some guys that can cycle and play a heavier game without actually being heavy, who cares. Just need to be able to win puck battles and keep throwing it on net.

Again, Hagel is another guy I liked in the ONE game I saw. Not even really a sample size but he seems to play that kind of game and have some skill.

Hi, Bread. I enjoyed the games. It was bonus hockey, so what's not to like? The rebuild continues, and these games gave the FO extra info on a bunch of guys. More changes are coming. Will Stan and JC be back? I suspect they will, but we'll know for sure soon.

Hope you're well, and continuing to fend off the single moms.
- mohel

Trying to make me have a meltdown that is worse than Enzo's? Honestly, I might miss reading "blow me troll." Might ...

I think both guys will be back as well. If Bowman is in a higher up position, that is what I'm unsure of. I thought the play of the guys was shakey from everyone. Crow gives you the best chance to win, but that doesn't mean a soft goal won't find the back of the net. Rookies looked like rookies, for better or worse. Vets looked like vets, for better or worse. Tough offseason as far as who stays & who doesn't. Trades will be tricky & some people might not be bought out as some think.

Trying to make me have a meltdown that is worse than Enzo's? Honestly, I might miss reading "blow me troll." Might ...

I think both guys will be back as well. If Bowman is in a higher up position, that is what I'm unsure of. I thought the play of the guys was shakey from everyone. Crow gives you the best chance to win, but that doesn't mean a soft goal won't find the back of the net. Rookies looked like rookies, for better or worse. Vets looked like vets, for better or worse. Tough offseason as far as who stays & who doesn't. Trades will be tricky & some people might not be bought out as some think.
- I Am The Breadman

Funny how the guy calling out trolls is the first guy that goes to other team’s boards after Hawks beat them, seriously?

Murphy was playing 3rd pairing for a crappy Phoenix team, and he was grossly overpaid for what he was producing. Bring him in for $2 million a year for a couple of years and then I agree, great deal. The Hawks received little cap relief and traded their best defensive defenseman for an overpaid prospect who was also hurt quite a bit his first two years...without the playoff wear and tear.
- jrsamu

Sorry, Hammer was really exposed in that Nashville series as to how worn down he had gotten. Constantly burned by Nashville's speed, and resorted to one handed swipes to try and get the puck out of the zone. He also has played less than half the games in 2 out of the 3 seasons with Arizona. Hammer was not going to be a difference maker with the Hawks, he is still a good defenseman with the right partner and the right team.

I gave my thoughts on goalies. now I will go with D.

I don't think there are any D on this team that is untouchable if you win the trade. off course that is different for each guy.

Keith (LD) was a solid 2nd pairing guy for the playoffs and probably our best defender. He did not have a good game yesterday. at least 2 of the wide open nets he was a little out of position. he is signed 3 more years cap hit of 5.5 but only paid 6.25mil total so for a team on a budget which most teams are going to lose money the next 2 years probably, maybe you find someone who trades you a $5-$6 mil d man that has a front loaded contract compared to back loaded. IE he is cheap. so that would help his value.

Murphy RD, dehaan (LD) maata (LD) there all signed for 2 more years at 3.9, 4.5 and $4. there contracts are not really front loaded or back loaded. they all had the moments of good and bad Im just not convinced they are 2nd pairing guys. I feel like dehaan and murphy are #5's on good teams and maata # 6. murphy and maata are to slow. Dehaan does nothing particularly well. IE he is just AVG on everything. I would like us to move one of these guys and it would be all based on return. Murp would bring the most, maata probably the least but he was solid in the playoffs. I think of the 3 I would keep dehaan based on return. all 3 have injury history.

Koek I think is a solid #6/7 and is a RFA I would bring him back on 2-3 year deal once the RFA see that what they would have been paid in FEB is now down 25-35%. IE 2-3 year deal at 1.25m

Boquist (RD)the thing that worries me the most is I did not see the elite hands or shot which was what his calling card was. he is not big and does not look like a frame that can add much strength. its pretty clear he is just a avg skater when you factor in size. He needs to put on as much strength as he can this off season as well as the next couple. hopefully he can get his OFF confidence back. I do not see any scenario he is not back next year.

Carlson (LD) Mitchell (RD) Kaylnik (LD) Beaudin (LD) I feel like all 4 will compete for 2 spots on the roster next year. I cant really say who might be the best or worst of the 4 for next year. if trading any of these guys happens it will be the guys that EXP draft exempt. if seabs waves we might be able to move beaudin for a guy that is not exempt but the better player at this point. with only 3 spots most teams are in trouble.

Seabs (RD) seems a little miffed with the front office. Hopefully he is putting in a keith like summer of massive endurance, weight and more then anything else stretching.
im not optimistic. the really only opt to trade him would be in 2 years after his $4 mil signing bounus is paid. or maybe he retires. he is only owed 5.5 mil his last 2 years. I hope he does us a solid and waves for the EXP draft if he does that I will never say a never bad thing about him. I do think there is a possibility they give a compliance buyout after next season before or after the EXP draft. this off season is going to be ugly for guys needing new contracts and next will probably be worse. you might have 40-50 pts RFA guys getting $1.5 Mil compared to $4-$5 before.

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.
- HawkintheD

I actually like the fact that they still haven't won anything and probably won't for the foreseeable future. But I have to admit watching the raising of the Participation Banner is must see television. the whole raising of actually winning the Stanly Cup Banner is well meh...

Hillrod?

What the (frank) is a Hillrod?
- StLBravesFan

Vofart….

https://www.urbandictiona...m/define.php?term=hillrod
- Beaver-Warrior

Depends on what the FO goal is. Do they need to make the playoffs? If so, they're not going with never beens. If Stan has the okay to do a rebuild that takes time, maybe your scenario plays out.
- mohel

I think they will bring a vet in assuming they do not trade for someone. I just think they should let the UFA goalie market shake out. there are quite a few Vet goalies out there and nobody has or wants to spend money.

my guess is you will see alot of hockey trades. UFA class is weak. most teams have salary cap or budget issues.

Is it to early to move Boquist? Before his value ranks even more?

Also, when does FA start? Did they ever give a date estimate?

Keith played like a 37 year old defense man with too many minutes played. NBCSN national showed him on the bench late in the third, looked like he was about to or was throwing up, and just looked gassed. First time ever that I have seen Keith show even a remote sense of being tired. I think the days of playing Keith 25+ minutes a game should be over. He played great in the Edmonton series, but I think the combination of the constant pounding he took from the Knights along with all the minutes he played in the 2 series really caught up with him.

Funny how the guy calling out trolls is the first guy that goes to other team’s boards after Hawks beat them, seriously?
- Angotti

As D said, pot & kettle.

As D said, pot & kettle.
- I Am The Breadman

A classic example of projection.

Reflecting on this series, 1 thing i miss is the 3rd and 4th lines ability to cycle the puck and just keep offensive zone pressure just like the Knights did to us last night. We used to be that team that would just wear teams out. All this talk about size is a bit overstated, what we don't have is a combination of 3 forwards who can just keep possession and cycle. It's a young team, with the blue line blooming and young forwards and with Bowman's ability to see and understand this, i believe is just a matter of time and experience
- BetweenTheDots

Yep. We don't have the energy and effectiveness from those lower lines. I miss things like Kruger, who was scrappy and battled with pretty much everything. I think he was knocked down almost every shift he took, but he fought for the puck while he was on the ice.

Kid is 19, he's a boy against men, come back when he's 23 and then we will see...
- rpeters01

I was just thinking the same thing. Boqvist isn't ready yes, but if he was 3-4 years into his NHL career it would be a different story for him.

I gave my thoughts on goalies. now I will go with D.

I don't think there are any D on this team that is untouchable if you win the trade. off course that is different for each guy.

Keith (LD) was a solid 2nd pairing guy for the playoffs and probably our best defender. He did not have a good game yesterday. at least 2 of the wide open nets he was a little out of position. he is signed 3 more years cap hit of 5.5 but only paid 6.25mil total so for a team on a budget which most teams are going to lose money the next 2 years probably, maybe you find someone who trades you a $5-$6 mil d man that has a front loaded contract compared to back loaded. IE he is cheap. so that would help his value.

Murphy RD, dehaan (LD) maata (LD) there all signed for 2 more years at 3.9, 4.5 and $4. there contracts are not really front loaded or back loaded. they all had the moments of good and bad Im just not convinced they are 2nd pairing guys. I feel like dehaan and murphy are #5's on good teams and maata # 6. murphy and maata are to slow. Dehaan does nothing particularly well. IE he is just AVG on everything. I would like us to move one of these guys and it would be all based on return. Murp would bring the most, maata probably the least but he was solid in the playoffs. I think of the 3 I would keep dehaan based on return. all 3 have injury history.

Koek I think is a solid #6/7 and is a RFA I would bring him back on 2-3 year deal once the RFA see that what they would have been paid in FEB is now down 25-35%. IE 2-3 year deal at 1.25m

Boquist (RD)the thing that worries me the most is I did not see the elite hands or shot which was what his calling card was. he is not big and does not look like a frame that can add much strength. its pretty clear he is just a avg skater when you factor in size. He needs to put on as much strength as he can this off season as well as the next couple. hopefully he can get his OFF confidence back. I do not see any scenario he is not back next year.

Carlson (LD) Mitchell (RD) Kaylnik (LD) Beaudin (LD) I feel like all 4 will compete for 2 spots on the roster next year. I cant really say who might be the best or worst of the 4 for next year. if trading any of these guys happens it will be the guys that EXP draft exempt. if seabs waves we might be able to move beaudin for a guy that is not exempt but the better player at this point. with only 3 spots most teams are in trouble.

Seabs (RD) seems a little miffed with the front office. Hopefully he is putting in a keith like summer of massive endurance, weight and more then anything else stretching.
im not optimistic. the really only opt to trade him would be in 2 years after his $4 mil signing bounus is paid. or maybe he retires. he is only owed 5.5 mil his last 2 years. I hope he does us a solid and waves for the EXP draft if he does that I will never say a never bad thing about him. I do think there is a possibility they give a compliance buyout after next season before or after the EXP draft. this off season is going to be ugly for guys needing new contracts and next will probably be worse. you might have 40-50 pts RFA guys getting $1.5 Mil compared to $4-$5 before.
- kmw4631

I know Boqvist is young but man do I agree his skating doesn't look special at all. He wasn't hyped as a burner but plus speed and really good edge work and mobility, etc. I haven't seen much of that.

Maybe he is just overthinking and it his slowing his game down? The few times he has carried the puck he has been tracked down by a back checker or simply lost the puck as soon as he comes in contact.

Something is off b/c when you watch he highlights in Jr he is dynamic and moves extremely well.

I think patience is required though. Just last year he said he thought he was 3-4 years away from being NHL ready. He is going to have to learn how to maneuver in much tighter spaces.

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

I don't count DeBrincat and Kubalik they're 23, 24 on to their second contracts now. And they're 3rd line to be honest. What do we have, NHL promising top 6 on ELC's?
We have Dach. Then there's Dach. And Dach.

Through the 2 playoff series, the Blackhawks had 1 line that played well consistently, Toews - Saad - Kubalik. They were very good against the Oilers, and were the closest line to decent against the Golden Knights.

Why, in holy hell, would #FireColliton take Saad off that line, and replace him with an AHLer for the 2nd elimination game?

There's no fixing stupid. Collition is the Jim Boylen of the Blackhawks. He's in way over his head.

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.
- jrsamu

Murphy has been fine the whole time. It's been a good trade. Murphy has taken a ton of the tough assignments on D since we got him.

His pair often the one put against the other teams top line. A major part of the PK. Our most physical Dman on the back end. Doesn't take many penalties (in fact draws as many as he takes). He isn't prone to giveaways.

Basically he is a workhorse on the backend who can chip in a bit offensively for under 4 million per season. Solid 2nd pair guy.

I was just thinking the same thing. Boqvist isn't ready yes, but if he was 3-4 years into his NHL career it would be a different story for him.
- breadbag

You don't see college football players come out early. The ones that do were red shirted. They lift weights everyday and did in highschool as well. Their bodies simply don't mature before 22 and then they still continue to grow in the pros.

Through the 2 playoff series, the Blackhawks had 1 line that played well consistently, Toews - Saad - Kubalik. They were very good against the Oilers, and were the closest line to decent against the Golden Knights.

Why, in holy hell, would #FireColliton take Saad off that line, and replace him with an AHLer for the 2nd elimination game?

There's no fixing stupid. Collition is the Jim Boylen of the Blackhawks. He's in way over his head.
- scottak

My guess would be an effort to have two lines contributing? But, I know you're not gonna see anything positive about him, so.....

Through the 2 playoff series, the Blackhawks had 1 line that played well consistently, Toews - Saad - Kubalik. They were very good against the Oilers, and were the closest line to decent against the Golden Knights.

Why, in holy hell, would #FireColliton take Saad off that line, and replace him with an AHLer for the 2nd elimination game?

There's no fixing stupid. Collition is the Jim Boylen of the Blackhawks. He's in way over his head.
- scottak

I disagree. Toews/Saad/Kubalik did not have a good series against Vegas. In fact the Strome, Saad, ADB line was very effective. You think Sikura or Hagel would of been better choices? I personally think not, but I will admit I would of tried Hagel just to see what you had. Or move Cagiulla up with Toews and Kubalik? I thought Dach, Kane, Cagiulla had some chemistry also. Hawks have a shortage of forward depth that was exposed against Vegas. Why the Knights were a #1 seed and the Hawks a #12. I bet Joel Quenville would of made the same decision.

Murphy has been fine the whole time. It's been a good trade. Murphy has taken a ton of the tough assignments on D since we got him.

His pair often the one put against the other teams top line. A major part of the PK. Our most physical Dman on the back end. Doesn't take many penalties (in fact draws as many as he takes). He isn't prone to giveaways.

Basically he is a workhorse on the backend who can chip in a bit offensively for under 4 million per season. Solid 2nd pair guy.
- breadbag

I think his biggest issue is he was traded for the ghost of one of the Core guys. Just think what the D would look like with three of their best all well on the downside of their careers.