Va ncouver not looking any better than the Hawks
- LAHawk

That's what i was thinking

With the cap staying flat, what would be the expected return for Strome? Also, what would be the expected return for Dcat?
- Angotti

Probably decent. Strome won't cost much and you can technically plug him into an offensive center role. It's not like he hasn't produced. He just isn't all that strong of an overall player.

If you are trading ADB, you are likely getting back a similar contract. So, I've got no idea what a realistic return would be. If he can find some consistency to his game, I think he'll be a fan favorite. He was third on the Hawks (behind Toews and Kane) in primary assists 5v5 this year. He is becoming a more complete player.

Hey jhawk. That first statement is a lot of work. Especially considering the flat cap and the contracts that we have right now. I'm apparently much more bullish on ADB than many here. I know he had a down year, but having a true sniper on the team is essential in my eyes.

I while I don't see a decent replacement for him on the team (or system) right now, I don't see Strome on this team to start the year. If they can get him for the QO, fine, but, to me, he is just kind of there. I'm sure I'm selling him short, but his detriment is his skating, and his compete level.

Segue: does anyone know where Suter is expected to play? C or W?
- Chunk

When opposing teams are both deep with descrnt players whom compete, then the difference is the extraordinary talented players making a difference. The Blackhawks add better depth and replace slow and or slow guys with gritty physical checkers even with modest ability, then they aren't much weaker than Vegas.

Toews and Kane would shine brighter. And Dach is coming on in leaps. The kids the team hopes to churn out, however, look more likely to come in and with some experience both AHL and or NHL level, be the real deal. We cannot count on that but it is not unreasonable to see many of our kids will graduate to the NHL.

I like the way Beaudin improved; i believe Mitchell is close and Kalynuk probably will be a great add - not sure if he needs much AHL time. The whole thing with most of these kids, though, is reflected in how Boqvist looked in the playoffs. Weakness = Strength. And do not fast forward them to major minutes NHL. So it will be tricky breaking too many kids in the same season. Yet I really like the talent among the blueline corps once they get some experience and add some muscle/strength.

So let us look the season after expansion. Lots of AHL kids could battle for NHL duty. Several dmen expected to have made incremental steps in development. We COULD have a team comparable to Vegas
Or close. After all, Vegas has some good players but few elite.

To my sightline certain Vegas players stand out; notably I list Stone, Tuch, and Theodore as a force needing to harness. They stand out.

But we counter with Kane, Toews, Dach. If both teams are solid up and down the line up, the coaching and the elite difference makers make for an entertaining compelling series. We just have to give our best players the right players they can click with. And we must match Vegas physical game.

We aren't too much behind them if we improve our compete level and kids come along on defense. AHL kids added on bottom lines go a long ways to adding a better compete level. Still need more compete/physical performance out of top lines though.

But let us see just what we have after two more #1 selections the next two seasons. Maybe a forward from the 2020 draft steps in. And has Boqvist developed nicely. Give Kane some linmates please. We could be looking much better If Toews in particuar ramps up his game (still able to do so after two more seasons).

Hey jhawk. That first statement is a lot of work. Especially considering the flat cap and the contracts that we have right now. I'm apparently much more bullish on ADB than many here. I know he had a down year, but having a true sniper on the team is essential in my eyes.

I while I don't see a decent replacement for him on the team (or system) right now, I don't see Strome on this team to start the year. If they can get him for the QO, fine, but, to me, he is just kind of there. I'm sure I'm selling him short, but his detriment is his skating, and his compete level.

Segue: does anyone know where Suter is expected to play? C or W?
- Chunk

On DeBrincat, besides him and Kubalik, there are no more snipers in the organization or in the immediate system.

Sniper prospects would be Teply and Nordgren. Teply has the better potential yet still 2-3 years away. Nordgren is just getting healthy again but is 4-5 years from sniffing the NHL.

On Strome, I agree, there's no 2C prospect in the system.

Kurashev is closest but may be best suited as a 3C. Same with Wise, who like Nordgren, just got healthy again and many years away.

On Suter, my guess is he plays wing in the NHL but would be a prudent choice as a 3C option if Strome is a goner.

Imagine a healthy Shaw playing with Suter and Caggiula: now that's a gritty, skilled 3rd line.

I just read the write-up on Suter in the Athletic (July 28th). Really intriguing prospect. There is some concern about speed, but he's one of those "right place/right time" type players that makes life easy for others. Can score and distribute.

Unfortunately, he is smaller than Kubalik so that trope continues. It sounds like they (the Athletic) are planning on him playing wing. There were a couple of comments about him being able to drive a line, but we'll see. Most are expecting middle 6 type.

On DeBrincat, besides him and Kubalik, there are no more snipers in the organization or in the immediate system.

Sniper prospects would be Teply and Nordgren. Teply has the better potential yet still 2-3 years away. Nordgren is just getting healthy again but is 4-5 years from sniffing the NHL.

On Strome, I agree, there's no 2C prospect in the system.

Kurashev is closest but may be best suited as a 3C. Same with Wise, who like Nordgren, just got healthy again and many years away.

On Suter, my guess is he plays wing in the NHL but would be a prudent choice as a 3C option if Strome is a goner.

Imagine a healthy Shaw playing with Suter and Caggiula: now that's a gritty, skilled 3rd line.
- AEL_Fox

Do you think Kurashev is good enough to push for the team next season, or is he a year or two away?

Do you think Kurashev is good enough to push for the team next season, or is he a year or two away?
- Chunk

I would marinate Kurashev for one more year in the AHL, especially since he had an injury-shortened rookie year. Let him get more experience centering the Hogs top line.

This could then allow the Hawks to sign Strome to a 1-year "show me" deal at a cheap amount.

Even if they sign Strome to a 2-year bridge deal and he excels with Kurashev ready to come up next season, then Kurashev could slide over to wing to start his NHL career.

The fair argument, though, is even if Strome picks up his offense to last season's PPG pace, is that enough to be a 3C if his defense is still lacking? What is the exact measure for his success?

Then again, in time Dach could be 1C and Strome at 2C assuming Toews has a natural decline in offense to become more of defensive specialist at 3C.

I would marinate Kurashev for one more year in the AHL, especially since he had an injury-shortened rookie year. Let him get more experience centering the Hogs top line.

This could then allow the Hawks to sign Strome to a 1-year "show me" deal at a cheap amount.

Even if they sign Strome to a 2-year bridge deal and he excels with Kurashev ready to come up next season, then Kurashev could slide over to wing to start his NHL career.

The fair argument, though, is even if Strome picks up his offense to last season's PPG pace, is that enough to be a 3C if his defense is still lacking? What is the exact measure for his success?

Then again, in time Dach could be 1C and Strome at 2C assuming Toews has a natural decline in offense to become more of defensive specialist at 3C.
- AEL_Fox

Rumors of Toews demise are greatly exaggerated.

Hughes looking like Bovquist.

Hughes looking like Bovquist.
- LAHawk

Exactly. He wasn't looking too good on that pp. Kinda scared at times. Definitely outmuscled.

Exactly. He wasn't looking too good on that pp. Kinda scared at times. Definitely outmuscled.
- I Am The Breadman

Vegas is making Vancouver look worse than Chicago.

Vegas is making Vancouver look worse than Chicago.
- DarthKane

Impossible. Stan built the Hawks.

I'm looking forward to see how Vancouver handles Vegas. Van is young but I really like how Markstrom is playing.

My picks:

Colorado over Dallas
Vancouver over Vegas for the upset
Tampa over Boston
Philadelphia over New York
- EbonyRaptor

YEESH! I know it's only the first game, but I may need to use my mulligan on that one.

Rumors of Toews demise are greatly exaggerated.

- Chunk

Toews #1 center for many, many years to come. IMO. Captain Serious is a beast

Probably decent. Strome won't cost much and you can technically plug him into an offensive center role. It's not like he hasn't produced. He just isn't all that strong of an overall player.

If you are trading ADB, you are likely getting back a similar contract. So, I've got no idea what a realistic return would be. If he can find some consistency to his game, I think he'll be a fan favorite. He was third on the Hawks (behind Toews and Kane) in primary assists 5v5 this year. He is becoming a more complete player.
- Chunk

Yes DCat is a rockstar when fully healthy. I'm still going with the assumption that he damaged some tissue in his hand from doing something extra aggressive in his new summer training. With that injury a hand strength fluctuates rapidly. That's why sometimes he would shoot it hard so he would look ok, but his shot wasn't the same and he would miss the net badly at times.

Vegas is making Vancouver look worse than Chicago.
- DarthKane

I imagine Van wakes up for game 2, but that's about it.

As a hawks fan , it's very disappointing how this team went from winning multiple cups and being a contender year after year to a team that is light years away from any hope.


Stans presser along with Danny wirtz offering support for stan and JC all but ensures that 2020-2021 both are safe in their jobs. I think once Chicago finds and names it's new President we will see come next summer a dramatic change if this team isn't going in the right direction. Stan and JjC imo are a package deal now .


Last I heard next years season sounded like a 48 game season starting late January? Can anyone confirm if that's true ?
- Taylorst1

Except that is also what Rocky did with McD right?

The NHL isn't transitioning to this kind of defensemen. The opposite is true and is what Chicago has drafted to match that trend. The new wave of the elite NHL blueliners are led by Heiskanen, Makar, and Q Hughes.

While not at their level but hopefully a rung or two below on the ladder are Boqvist, Beaudin, and Mitchell. Or, give them a few more seasons to log the requisite miles, they could get to that level.
- AEL_Fox

Maybe my wording or statement was a bit hyperbolic but if you look across the nhl many teams have defenses that are more mobile and heavier to play against.

Boqvist as a example his size is small weight ect. I know he is young I get that but he was touted as a elite nhl defensemen, some compared him to Erik Karlsson.

What I'm more interested or excited to see is Regula, Vlasic those guys that are flying under the radar. While size isn't everything its important to note if that player is mobile and has a high i.q to the game it makes a big difference between playing against a guy that size and a smaller lighter weight guy like boqvist.


That's my point or concern

Holloway appears to be a good choice and I’d be happy if the Hawks draft him. While depending on who is available at #17 I would be leaning towards Connor Zary.

I like Wiz’s second round prediction for the Hawks - William Dufour.
- DarthKane

He was so good in Platoon

No Jan Rutta? Another Bowman fail
- LAHawk

I don't know, Rutta wasn't very good, but he did sign him to an inexpensive deal, then flip him for 4K and a 5th.

Except that is also what Rocky did with McD right?
- vabeachbear

Right now until they hire a new President, who can then decide what changes if any stan and jc are safe. The pandemic has made teams / the nhl rethink many of their future plans, flat cap , draft , playoffs , next season ect.


I heard but cant confirm that next years season would be similar to the 2012-13 season 48 games starting in January. If that's the case it would make sense from a timing standpoint to keep both jc and stan and let the new guy implement his own strategy while using that short window to determine stan and jc fate.

Maybe my wording or statement was a bit hyperbolic but if you look across the nhl many teams have defenses that are more mobile and heavier to play against.

Boqvist as a example his size is small weight ect. I know he is young I get that but he was touted as a elite nhl defensemen, some compared him to Erik Karlsson.

What I'm more interested or excited to see is Regula, Vlasic those guys that are flying under the radar. While size isn't everything its important to note if that player is mobile and has a high i.q to the game it makes a big difference between playing against a guy that size and a smaller lighter weight guy like boqvist.


That's my point or concern
- Taylorst1

I imagine you don't remember Karlssons 1st year in the league? Wasn't pretty

Right now until they hire a new President, who can then decide what changes if any stan and jc are safe. The pandemic has made teams / the nhl rethink many of their future plans, flat cap , draft , playoffs , next season ect.


I heard but cant confirm that next years season would be similar to the 2012-13 season 48 games starting in January. If that's the case it would make sense from a timing standpoint to keep both jc and stan and let the new guy implement his own strategy while using that short window to determine stan and jc fate.
- Taylorst1

Agree, thought it was going to be hectic when someone said full schedule next year, no all star week or week off.

Playoffs next year, players are going to be dragging.

I do think it would be advantageous for both NHL and NBA (thought I could give two poops about the NBA) to start their seasons later. No one cares except the extreme fans until NFL is over.

I imagine you don't remember Karlssons 1st year in the league? Wasn't pretty
- BetweenTheDots

I acknowledged boqvist age and maturity, I was pointing out that as of right now and maybe it has to do with the team bringing him up way to early.

Agree, thought it was going to be hectic when someone said full schedule next year, no all star week or week off.

Playoffs next year, players are going to be dragging.

I do think it would be advantageous for both NHL and NBA (thought I could give two poops about the NBA) to start their seasons later. No one cares except the extreme fans until NFL is over.
- vabeachbear

I agree. It seems more likely that the season will start depending upon how they figure out travel , schedule and if a vaccine which seems more likely to happen will start in january. Also September is next week and any likely timeframe would be October as a end date for the stanley cup, then free agency and the draft to conclude everything.

It's possible the nhl could play out a full season and just push everything further back , but then you have the expansion draft next summer.


The nba yeah I have no interest in basketball . Football I cant wait to see how that works out