Nylander’s performance was disappointing as was Boqvist and Strome. Boqvist is at least a bit understandable. Hopefully they can learn from the experience.
- DarthKane

I hate to say it but Nylander has basically failed all season playing top 6. His best games were bottom 6 except I think the one two goal game he had? I honestly don't know which line he played on that game...

Watching this Stars team, with Heiskanen being such a good dman and Lindell just getting better every year, if my spidy senses are right about Boqvist and if we have just 2 more young dmen become above average dmen, this Blackhawks team really isnt that far away.
- BetweenTheDots

Other issue I see is that by the time D is getting into form, your stars are now really old or gone.

Its the problem with over drafting a position like D. You increase your odds of a great future, but you leave the cupboard bare up front.

They'll need to draft very well over the next few years up front to have a shot at getting back to contention, let alone where they used to be.

Others are right, just not tough enough for playoff hockey.

See what Bowman offered Cam Ward and he had not been hit in the head recently.
- rpeters01

Yes I get that ward was a bandaid . Chicago at that point had cap issues that by the following year would be relieved. I'm just saying with a flat cap , a aging goalie with prior head injuries and many holes to address , Chicagos best days with this group i.e core are behind them playing in Chicago.

Chicago has to decide imo whom will be their future starter and crawfords comments that he wants to play full time in the net as a deal breaker seems to me that instead of him helping groom whoever is the future net minder as bridge he is putting himself playing above what's best for the organization.

That's all I respect he wants to play but figuring out their goalie situation for the future seems like a big priority.

Yes I get that ward was a bandaid . Chicago at that point had cap issues that by the following year would be relieved. I'm just saying with a flat cap , a aging goalie with prior head injuries and many holes to address , Chicagos best days with this group i.e core are behind them playing in Chicago.

Chicago has to decide imo whom will be their future starter and crawfords comments that he wants to play full time in the net as a deal breaker seems to me that instead of him helping groom whoever is the future net minder as bridge he is putting himself playing above what's best for the organization.

That's all I respect he wants to play but figuring out their goalie situation for the future seems like a big priority.
- Taylorst1

If Crawford doesn’t”t sign, the starting goalie of the future definitely is currently not on the roster, and whoever they pick up in FA or a trade will be a bandaid also, as the Hawks cannot afford a NHL true starting goalie. If Stan can get Crawford for 2 yeats and $3.5million without a NTC, you got to take the risk IMO.

How many concussions do you think MAF has had over his career? I know it’s more than 2, and he is at $7 mil. For 2 more years.

If Crawford doesn’t”t sign, the starting goalie of the future definitely is currently not on the roster, and whoever they pick up in FA or a trade will be a bandaid also, as the Hawks cannot afford a NHL true starting goalie. If Stan can get Crawford for 2 yeats and $3.5million without a NTC, you got to take the risk IMO.

How many concussions do you think MAF has had over his career? I know it’s more than 2, and he is at $7 mil. For 2 more years.
- LAHawk

I would take that figure for Crawford. I don't think you get anyone better than Crawford for the same or less dollars. Two years to come up withCrawford's replacement. The player could be someone to step in while a prospect ripens at Rockford.

If Crawford doesn’t”t sign, the starting goalie of the future definitely is currently not on the roster, and whoever they pick up in FA or a trade will be a bandaid also, as the Hawks cannot afford a NHL true starting goalie. If Stan can get Crawford for 2 yeats and $3.5million without a NTC, you got to take the risk IMO.

How many concussions do you think MAF has had over his career? I know it’s more than 2, and he is at $7 mil. For 2 more years.
- LAHawk

The Athletic seems to agree with you too. Of the top 20 UFA’s available, they rank the skaters and then top 5 goalies. Crawford is at the top of the list, followed by Markstrom, Lehner, Khudobin and Holtby.

Also, nice to see a writer outside Chicago actually mention Crawford is under appreciated and feels he is and still can be a top goalie in the league.

If Crawford doesn’t”t sign, the starting goalie of the future definitely is currently not on the roster, and whoever they pick up in FA or a trade will be a bandaid also, as the Hawks cannot afford a NHL true starting goalie. If Stan can get Crawford for 2 yeats and $3.5million without a NTC, you got to take the risk IMO.

How many concussions do you think MAF has had over his career? I know it’s more than 2, and he is at $7 mil. For 2 more years.
- LAHawk

The difference between signing crawford and MAF is night and day when you compare where each team is . Chicago is on the downside vegas is a Stanley cup contender for at least the next foreseeable future.

While I don't disagree with you regarding Chicago's future netminder , who's fault is that for not addressing that issue .

I'm okay with a 1 year deal , my reasons are a flat cap, limited contracts that are moveable, a lackluster depth of talent in rockford and not enough skill in all areas of the team

New blog! Season review of centers.

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=107287

Another consideration is that if Mitchell was promised a spot, then he should have had been on the bubble roster for the postseason especially over Regula who is another RHD.
- Theo Fox

I believe he wasn’t eligible to play