Now that the Blackhawks’ season is over:

What is the scheduling and chronological plan for next season? I’m remember a December start to the season, and a full schedule - is that still the plan?

And - in each team’s location, without fans to start?

Looking forward to getting back to some semblance of normal by September (for camps) and October (for the start of the new season)?

I don't see any team putting up 5M-7M for Crawford if he was to hit the open market.

Maaaaayybbbbe someone goes 5M for 1 year like Lehner last year.

I think Crawford stays in Chicago to get that extra year (or two).

Here's a thought, maybe the Hawks do 3 years at 3M per giving Crow 9M in guaranteed $$ vs. a 2 year 4M per.

Gives #50 an extra million and a little retirement fund for he and his family.

Also helps the Hawks get that AAV down to help them this year and next.
- Tyler Cameron

I would be curious to hear what you might come accross if you poke around...your sources or contacts....exactly how is low or no fan attendance going to affect each NHL team hockey operations NEXT SEASON. Specificly how is the fan attendance revenue replaced. Insurance money enter the realm of possible recourse? I do not believe each NHL team owns a very nice pay out on their hockey broadcast. Such as the local FOX or SportsChannel or whatever affiliation. That being said, how can teams aggressively pursue free agents and trades. In light of the coming expansion draft is another subject which comes into play. I can see if a team looses a player to free agency, then they might rrplace that dollar commitment with their own free agent sign.

I just see a very messy situation for teams to steer through. What is your take on it all? BTW can minor league hockey field teams and have a season?

Now that the Blackhawks’ season is over:

What is the scheduling and chronological plan for next season? I’m remember a December start to the season, and a full schedule - is that still the plan?

And - in each team’s location, without fans to start?

Looking forward to getting back to some semblance of normal by September (for camps) and October (for the start of the new season)?
- StLBravesFan

Came across this regarding some key upcoming dates. Doesn't answer all your questions but I thought I read a full season probably with no all star break or the extra week off. Figure that will save a couple of weeks there plus other time saved by playing more B2B's. Cup finals probably end in late July instead of June.

Those Canadian covid related travel restrictions still in place? That will have to be addressed.

https://www.nbcsports.com...son-draft-and-free-agency

Now that the Blackhawks’ season is over:

What is the scheduling and chronological plan for next season? I’m remember a December start to the season, and a full schedule - is that still the plan?

And - in each team’s location, without fans to start?

Looking forward to getting back to some semblance of normal by September (for camps) and October (for the start of the new season)?
- StLBravesFan

Nothing official I have seen. Draft and FA a week after the cup final..mid october. Camps I think a couple of weeks later in Nov. Dec start...full season?

Nothing official I have seen. Draft and FA a week after the cup final..mid october. Camps I think a couple of weeks later in Nov. Dec start...full season?
- bogiedoc

Google "NHL 2020-2021 season"

Many articles published in July when the league first announced the return to play schedule.

Dec 1 start not set in stone. Still a lot of "what ifs" to be addressed.

I don’t think the Hawks situation is as bad as it feels. Work needs to be done, but its not that bad.
- DarthKane

More speed and physicality meaning having forecheck that creates havoc in offensive zone like Vegas did to us. Winning board battles going to dirty areas and paying the price. Imo that is what's missing.

More speed and physicality meaning having forecheck that creates havoc in offensive zone like Vegas did to us. Winning board battles going to dirty areas and paying the price. Imo that is what's missing.
- Scott1977

Then strome and nylander for a couple do not need to be on this team December 1

More speed and physicality meaning having forecheck that creates havoc in offensive zone like Vegas did to us. Winning board battles going to dirty areas and paying the price. Imo that is what's missing.
- Scott1977

Then strome and nylander for a couple do not need to be on this team December 1

More speed and physicality meaning having forecheck that creates havoc in offensive zone like Vegas did to us. Winning board battles going to dirty areas and paying the price. Imo that is what's missing.
- Scott1977

Then strome and nylander for a couple do not need to be on this team December 1

More speed and physicality meaning having forecheck that creates havoc in offensive zone like Vegas did to us. Winning board battles going to dirty areas and paying the price. Imo that is what's missing.
- Scott1977

Sounds like they need to upgrade Forwards to me.

Then strome and nylander for a couple do not need to be on this team December 1
- bigfly46

It's easier to name who is strong on the puck: Toews, Kane, Saad, Dach...then there's and there's and there's... Nevermind.

Sounds like they need to upgrade Forwards to me.
- rpeters01

Not saying evey player needs to be a physical force but good balance of speed physicality skill/talent character and heart.

More speed and physicality meaning having forecheck that creates havoc in offensive zone like Vegas did to us. Winning board battles going to dirty areas and paying the price. Imo that is what's missing.
- Scott1977

This

Not saying evey player needs to be a physical force but good balance of speed physicality skill/talent character and heart.
- Scott1977

Absolutely necessary to win more - and make the plsyoffs for real.

Hope these playoffs really helped the team. Show Stan what we need and get the youngsters some experience. Hope the bad taste of losing sticks with them. Speaking of bad taste, StL's got some bad taste as they bow out ungracefully. Is the Binnington miracle era over? Looks like they're back to their typical playoff series. The pixie dust has worn off....

Now we need to make that #17 a good pick and get this team back to consistently earning a playoff spot.

Absolutely necessary to win more - and make the plsyoffs for real.
- jhawk59

Imo since the last cup win a lot of those qualities on the hawks have gone away need find those attributes if they want to become stanley cup contenders again.

More speed and physicality meaning having forecheck that creates havoc in offensive zone like Vegas did to us. Winning board battles going to dirty areas and paying the price. Imo that is what's missing.
- Scott1977

This also occurs with aging of boys to men. Bowman taught me this from 2011 to 2013. Frolik, Bickell, Stalberg, Kruger, Saad just a few examples

Not saying evey player needs to be a physical force but good balance of speed physicality skill/talent character and heart.
- Scott1977

Kubalik and Dinky only check some of those boxes which is why I say they're really not top 6.

Pius Suter was arguably the best unattached Euro player.

If you listen to the Siamese twins at the Athletic they think he is a middle six scorer.

I believe he has got of little in close compete and snarl that they don't know about.
Not saying Shawzie level, but think about retiring Shawzie, you have little kids at home...
- wiz1901

Hi Bill, I realize it's an apples/oranges comparison because Suter is 5 or 6 years older than the guys in the 2020 draft, but if Suter were to be in the 2020 draft, at his current age - would he be a 1st rounder, and if yes, top half or bottom half of the 1st round?

Tyler nice way to put a bow on the season. Most people who mentioned they don't see much movement are correct . Today their was a well written wrap up including comments from stan himself. He acknowledges that not much will change in his comments.


I don't see stan buying out anyone if anything I see maatta getting moved to a team with cap space and in need of a cheap steady defenseman.

I believe shaw retires due to his concussions or gets placed on LTIR worst case. Crawford either seeks out a team that is a contender or retired imo.

With Seabrook coming back , I don't see much of a option on the backend in bringing up any of their future prospects, slater gets a cheap 1 year deal .


Who would you take at 17 in the draft ?

This also occurs with aging of boys to men. Bowman taught me this from 2011 to 2013. Frolik, Bickell, Stalberg, Kruger, Saad just a few examples
- BetweenTheDots

Yep good examples of what the hawks need.

Kubalik and Dinky only check some of those boxes which is why I say they're really not top 6.
- rpeters01

Kubalik is not dcat second line player but needs a roadgrator on the right side. Kubalik is 3rd line rw and very cautious how much hawks pay him disappear for most of the playoffs. 2 years at 3 million per year no more.

Yep good examples of what the hawks need.
- Scott1977

It's also an example of these same players being 2 years younger in 2011 or 1 year younger and being outplayed by Canucks and Yotes. Those players got better with age and experience, if you squint enough there is talent on this roster just needs to mature

At 17th, my preference has lately been Zary, Lapierre, and Bourque as middle 6 center options with 2C potential. Each have excellent compete levels, defensively strong, and offense skill. Of course, each has their own drawbacks.

However, I am slowly warming up to Holloway, especially if I see descriptions like this (pulled from Powers' latest article in the Athletic; the quote is from a scout, not from Powers himself):

"He’s an unreal kid. He’s very humble and coachable. He has a big compete level. For Blackhawks fans, I’d compare him to being a powerful skater like Marian Hossa and smart like Jonathan Toews. His finish is getting better and will improve with maturity and confidence. He’s a great team player."

https://theathletic.com/2...source=emp_shared_article

It's also an example of these same players being 2 years younger in 2011 or 1 year younger and being outplayed by Canucks and Yotes. Those players got better with age and experience, if you squint enough there is talent on this roster just needs to mature
- BetweenTheDots

I'm optimistic. Not that he wasn't already this year, but I think Kubalik is going to be a very nice surprise for the Hawks. The unfortunate part of the Hawks is that they have so many guys that are still so green and need to mature quickly.

I'm actually happy that ADB struggled this year. I think it will give him a better idea of what teams did to take him out of the game and what he needs to do to beat it. He seemed to play much better in the last two playoff games. Hopefully he takes that and runs. I really like that he doesn't back down and will run into opponents.