My point really is I think we are much farther than two players away from contending for the SC. MUCH MUCH farther than two players away.
- rpeters01

And in other news water is wet.

I don't disagree at all. They certainly need more "excitement" in the forward ranks. We are all going to have to be patient with the D-men. We have so many prospects with little to no experience. I'm kind of hoping that they Hawks just say screw it and trade de Haan and/or Murphy. Let Keith and Seabrook be the vets and fill in the kids around them.

I think Stan is going to continue to pluck EU players to fill in holes in the roster. He can also trade some of the glut of D prospects to improve the forward lines (ideally with better prospects than Nylander).

My point really is I think we are much farther than two players away from contending for the SC. MUCH MUCH farther than two players away.
- rpeters01

I agree but just like 2013, it will be a sprint (shortened season). There will be no lets figure out where we are at the 20 game mark and adjust. If the Hawks can somehow sprint out of the gate, they could make the playoffs. I don't see that happening though, going to be too many new faces, and I do not think the goaltending will be strong enough to "steal" games.

Barstool Chief, who has broken Hawks news in the past, posted a cryptic tweet saying that there will be major Hawks news that will be shared this week.

Not sure what it is, but I’ve got an inkling that it has to do with the vacant presidency.
- TommyHawk

????

Didn’t VGK make a good run with a bunch of 2/3/4 defensemen and middle-6 forwards coming out of the expansion draft?

They had 4 blue-liners with 20-22 minutes ATOI (over 60 games each).

If you have basically all defensemen at 2/3/4 level, with forwards who consistently are responsible in the dzone - being in position to help the defensemen quickly transition the puck out - which is what Vegas had....
- StLBravesFan

St Louis.

My point really is I think we are much farther than two players away from contending for the SC. MUCH MUCH farther than two players away.
- rpeters01

Except the rest of the league is kind of in the same boat and pretty meh overall. Dallas rode competent goaltending and a defender playing out of his mind pretty far in the playoffs. I wouldn't say they have a "cup contending" team looking at their sheet of paper.

The NHL is really dependent on hitting the young player lottery at the right time because it isn't structured for any type of sustained success.

Didn’t VGK make a good run with a bunch of 2/3/4 defensemen and middle-6 forwards coming out of the expansion draft?

They had 4 blue-liners with 20-22 minutes ATOI (over 60 games each).

If you have basically all defensemen at 2/3/4 level, with forwards who consistently are responsible in the dzone - being in position to help the defensemen quickly transition the puck out - which is what Vegas had....
- StLBravesFan

I think you are absolutely right ! Vegas may have three of the most balanced pairs of defensemen in the league. I do like when the Hawks, had their "BIG THREE" but they had hell of a time, if you recall, getting past the Ducks and then the Lightning to win the cup. We were estastic to get TVR back for some of the final games .... think about that If you can go six deep - YES

Except the rest of the league is kind of in the same boat and pretty meh overall. Dallas rode competent goaltending and a defender playing out of his mind pretty far in the playoffs. I wouldn't say they have a "cup contending" team looking at their sheet of paper.

The NHL is really dependent on hitting the young player lottery at the right time because it isn't structured for any type of sustained success.
- fattybeef

Not as long as they go from ELC's to max contracts. Some GM is going to have to have the balls to risk forcing bridge contracts if they want to build anything remotely sustainable.

Not as long as they go from ELC's to max contracts. Some GM is going to have to have the balls to risk forcing bridge contracts if they want to build anything remotely sustainable.
- rpeters01

Europeans and college FAs - older, ready for the Show quicker - maybe going through the traditional junior draft isn’t the best way now.

Great Blog Theo. Any form of 4-6 "top 4" D-men would be a good problem to have. I hope people understand, Boqvist is still too young to really know what we have just because he played significant NHL minutes last year. It was a learning experience for him but much more a placeholder for the team.

St Louis.
- fattybeef

Pietrangelo is not a 2/3/4 defenseman. They also had high end players (like Tank) on the front end. I'll go with having the best players on the ice in a given matchup.

My point really is I think we are much farther than two players away from contending for the SC. MUCH MUCH farther than two players away.
- rpeters01

Teams cycle the puck and play physical brand, contesting pucks everywhere. The Blackhawks have not been buying into playing that way - far too many players won't. See Las Vegas series as an example. DeBrincat and Strome represent two forwards whom don't contribute much if they aren't putting up points. If those two would cycle and play a physical style, our comoete level would increase.

And in other news water is wet.

I don't disagree at all. They certainly need more "excitement" in the forward ranks. We are all going to have to be patient with the D-men. We have so many prospects with little to no experience. I'm kind of hoping that they Hawks just say screw it and trade de Haan and/or Murphy. Let Keith and Seabrook be the vets and fill in the kids around them.

I think Stan is going to continue to pluck EU players to fill in holes in the roster. He can also trade some of the glut of D prospects to improve the forward lines (ideally with better prospects than Nylander).
- Chunk

At least we have defensive prospects, more than we can say about forward prospects. I agree, this is where Stan needs to decide which defensive prospects to keep and which ones to trade for up front help. Let’s hope that he and his scouts make the right call, specially with Dmen currently having more value than forwards, or so it seems.

Great Blog Theo. Any form of 4-6 "top 4" D-men would be a good problem to have. I hope people understand, Boqvist is still too young to really know what we have just because he played significant NHL minutes last year. It was a learning experience for him but much more a placeholder for the team.
- rpeters01

Thanks, rpeters.

Not only was Boqvist still too young but he was promoted way too early from Rockford. He would've been best served playing in the AHL for a full season first.

He wasn't lights out with the Hogs as he was playing the same conservative style to hone his defensive game which was a smart move.

Also, he barely showed off his electrifying offense in the minors so I don't see why it made sense to promote him to play that same conservative style in the NHL.

It's not out of the question for him to start this coming season in Rockford but imagine he will be one of the Hawks starters.

Barstool Chief, who has broken Hawks news in the past, posted a cryptic tweet saying that there will be major Hawks news that will be shared this week.

Not sure what it is, but I’ve got an inkling that it has to do with the vacant presidency.
- TommyHawk

Coincidence that Doc retired today, and this news tomorrow??

Methinks that's a big Coincidence

(even though Rava from Seinfeld would tell you there are no big ones, just coincidences)

Jay Z just tweeted that blackhawks could be making an announcement about the Organizational direction soon. in a later he says he expects Stan to be part of things one way or another.

I think the rangers announced they were going to rebuild 2 -3 years ago. and made ever player that would not be in there prime when it would be happening avlaible in trade. one issue is we can only retain on 1 more contract. as aFYI kane and teows are only owed 5.25 mil per year over the next 3 years on AVG. there AAV is double that. Keith is owed about 40% of his AAv over the next 3 years. you can only retain on 3 contracts right now they have 2 SAAD and MATTA.

Thanks, rpeters.

Not only was Boqvist still too young but he was promoted way too early from Rockford. He would've been best served playing in the AHL for a full season first.

He wasn't lights out with the Hogs as he was playing the same conservative style to hone his defensive game which was a smart move.

Also, he barely showed off his electrifying offense in the minors so I don't see why it made sense to promote him to play that same conservative style in the NHL.

It's not out of the question for him to start this coming season in Rockford but imagine he will be one of the Hawks starters.
- Theo Fox

The only silver lining to having Boqvist play in the NHL last year was that he now understands the size and speed of the game at the highest level (and even got some "playoff" experience). I wish the Carlsson got that time. He seems really polished with and without the puck. I was really impressed with his decision making in the offensive zone when choosing when to get aggressive. I saw a number of times when he would attack the area between the dots and get off a hard accurate shot.

Jay Z just tweeted that blackhawks could be making an announcement about the Organizational direction soon. in a later he says he expects Stan to be part of things one way or another.
- kmw4631

Ha! I thought you actually meant Jay Z (the rapper, not Zawaski).

Maybe Stan finished all of his discussions with the core...

Jay Z just tweeted that blackhawks could be making an announcement about the Organizational direction soon. in a later he says he expects Stan to be part of things one way or another.
- kmw4631

STAN IS GETTING FIRED!!!!

Theo Fox: 3D Viewing
New blog! The importance of the Big 3 on NHL bluelines and who the next Big 3 could be for the Blackhawks.
- Theo Fox

Thoughts on Regula being an NHLer?

Ha! I thought you actually meant Jay Z (the rapper, not Zawaski).

Maybe Stan finished all of his discussions with the core...
- Chunk

Hockey is for everyone.

Thoughts on Regula being an NHLer?
- Assman22

I saw him play at the Sting games and he was very good . I am No scout but I like what I saw ..

Coincidence that Doc retired today, and this news tomorrow??

Methinks that's a big Coincidence

(even though Rava from Seinfeld would tell you there are no big ones, just coincidences)
- vabeachbear

Nice Seinfeld reference:

The only silver lining to having Boqvist play in the NHL last year was that he now understands the size and speed of the game at the highest level (and even got some "playoff" experience). I wish the Carlsson got that time. He seems really polished with and without the puck. I was really impressed with his decision making in the offensive zone when choosing when to get aggressive. I saw a number of times when he would attack the area between the dots and get off a hard accurate shot.
- Chunk

Same here. Carlsson deserved the call up over Boqvist. Althoug he has a learning curve to get through, he generally has good thought processes and is willing to not only take a hit to make a play but also play aggressively at both ends.

Thoughts on Regula being an NHLer?
- Assman22

From what I know about him and the iimited footage I've seen, Regula has a similar game as Kalynuk. Skates reasonably well, possesses offensive instincts, and tends to be responsible in his own end.

Regula may be a notch below, though, as far as Kalynuk possibly playing top 3-4 while he is 4-6.

Both are also effective on the PP but for different reasons.

Regula played the bumper role well in the OHL and could be tried there at the pro level although dominating against teens is easier than against grown men.

Kalynuk supposedly has a knack for making the right choice of shot and pass from the point and isn't one to just fire away at will. He's smart and adapts to the situation.

Krys is similar in how he passes, i.e. knows how to vary his passing speed, strength, location, and even spin on the puck. I would rate Krys as a possible candidate for 3rd pair if he can relish in that role rather than strive to be Boqvist-like.