I think the change is they shipped out Crawford (didn't resign but same difference) and Saad.

Those are big pieces leaving and it forces the front office to come out and state the rebuild is on.
- bhawks2241

if a top 10 (i agree aging) goalie is not in there plans and a 28 year old forward then why would a 37 year old D man? I know they have NMC but guys move with those all the time. just not on the Blackhawks.

I actually had a whole weekend of indisgestion and frequent trips to the restroom. Double entendre for this blog's title. Is that fair?
- Theo Fox

That'll work.

Imo hawks have said they are not trading the core players. Ok they have most value so is this a full rebuild or half rebuild? Plus the core hold all the cards with their nmt clauses. So who left to trade to get something of significant value? And if any of the core does go and ask to be traded that possibly diminishes there value because the other gm's would know. Keith to me would be the only one i think that would leave to chase a cup, Seabrook's contract is immovable and hawks need towes and kane get fans in the seats.

I guess calling it a youth movement and trying to stock pile draft picks and young players while keeping your core aging 3 makes no sense what so ever. I guess I did not think he was that dumb. So yes I do not agree. I just cant think who would think that is the best approach. Im not saying dump them all. kane and teows would be hard with the flat cap. but you have to open to it.
- kmw4631

Pretty sure the organization would be but they said they aren't approaching them to ask them to waive their NMC's. There's a difference.

I don't know that anyone thinks that's the best approach, but it's not like they've got endless possibilities when it comes to trading any of the remaining C4...or 3 to your point. Seabrook's definitely not going anywhere and my guess is 19 and 88 aren't either.

Agreed. I still think that of the core left, Toews and Kane will remain loyal and be lifelong Blackhawks. If any of the core ask out, my money is on Keith and Seabrook.
- Theo Fox

None of them will ask out. Keith is a weird duck but I get a sense of loyalty from him. I believe they all want to be a part of trying to turn this around.

Seabrook is the only one but only because his pride pushes him to feel he can still play. Maybe he can after the surgeries. Won't know until we see.

if a top 10 (i agree aging) goalie is not in there plans and a 28 year old forward then why would a 37 year old D man? I know they have NMC but guys move with those all the time. just not on the Blackhawks.
- kmw4631

Could be because the 37 year old D-man is still the best one on the team.

I think the change is they shipped out Crawford (didn't resign but same difference) and Saad.

Those are big pieces leaving and it forces the front office to come out and state the rebuild is on.
- bhawks2241

Well just listen those interviews where Stan explained why they traded Saad and let Corey go. It's not the first time they ship out big pieces. I recommend Zawaski's podcast. That was good one. Not that I agree on everything that Stan said but I believe he was sincere.

He explained also that he would't call it rebuild or at least he sees it differently what people usually think of it.

Well just listen those interviews where Stan explained why they traded Saad and let Corey go. It's not the first time they ship out big pieces. I recommend Zawaski's podcast. That was good one. Not that I agree on everything that Stan said but I believe he was sincere.

He explained also that he would't call it rebuild or at least he sees it differently what people usually think of it.
- MjulQvist

I think we also have to remember the years the Dollar Bill shipped out Belfour, Roenick, Amonte, Chelios, etc. They alienated a good chunk of their base. Rocky won those alienated fans back...if it were me, I would be hesitant to go that route again. Whether that is rational or not, it's gotta be swimming in the back of the Wirtz family's shared existence.

Imo hawks have said they are not trading the core players. Ok they have most value so is this a full rebuild or half rebuild? Plus the core hold all the cards with their nmt clauses. So who left to trade to get something of significant value? And if any of the core does go and ask to be traded that possibly diminishes there value because the other gm's would know. Keith to me would be the only one i think that would leave to chase a cup, Seabrook's contract is immovable and hawks need towes and kane get fans in the seats.
- Scott1977

Keith is the one that makes the most sense to go if a core player was to be traded. His actual salary is very low, and his cap hit is very reasonable as well. If he wants to chase a cup, then management needs to make it happen. I’m not sure what the return would be, but he would definitely help a contender out. Maybe he returns a good forward prospect. A guy like Keith elevates his play when games are more meaningful.

I think we also have to remember the years the Dollar Bill shipped out Belfour, Roenick, Amonte, Chelios, etc. They alienated a good chunk of their base. Rocky won those alienated fans back...if it were me, I would be hesitant to go that route again. Whether that is rational or not, it's gotta be swimming in the back of the Wirtz family's shared existence.
- CanOCorn

Totally different circumstances though.

Keith is the one that makes the most sense to go if a core player was to be traded. His actual salary is very low, and his cap hit is very reasonable as well. If he wants to chase a cup, then management needs to make it happen. I’m not sure what the return would be, but he would definitely help a contender out. Maybe he returns a good forward prospect. A guy like Keith elevates his play when games are more meaningful.
- Angotti

Agreed, but unless he asks for a trade, or someone wants to overpay for him, there’s not much point...because as Elbows said, he’s still the best D-man on the roster.

I see a wide range of possible outcomes for our team next season.

Wouldn’t be surprised if we continued the improvement we saw in the bubble, continue to develop the youth and take another step toward contention, perhaps as far as the WCF.

Wouldn’t be surprised if we remained a .500ish level team that either just barely misses or barely makes the playoffs

And finally I also wouldn’t be surprised if we look like complete garbage and wind up with a very high draft pick.

I’m gonna be optimistic and say we steadily improve, and make some noise come playoff time. Definitely possible. Figured what the hell, why not have some hope?

Now having said that, once the season gets going if we look like ass you can be sure I won’t hesitate to flip my opinion rather rapidly 😂

I see a wide range of possible outcomes for our team next season.

Wouldn’t be surprised if we continued the improvement we saw in the bubble, continue to develop the youth and take another step toward contention, perhaps as far as the WCF.

Wouldn’t be surprised if we remained a .500ish level team that either just barely misses or barely makes the playoffs

And finally I also wouldn’t be surprised if we look like complete garbage and wind up with a very high draft pick.

I’m gonna be optimistic and say we steadily improve, and make some noise come playoff time. Definitely possible. Figured what the hell, why not have some hope?

Now having said that, once the season gets going if we look like ass you can be sure I won’t hesitate to flip my opinion rather rapidly 😂
- SimpleJack

anything can happen your right. The season could be like a pendulum swing back and fourth and season goes on. The key strome dcat to have bounce back year. Nylander boqvist continue to take the steps in their development. The defense and goaltending will ultimately decide where the hawks end up in league standings.

anything can happen your right. The season could be like a pendulum swing back and fourth and season goes on. The key strome dcat to have bounce back year. Nylander boqvist continue to take the steps in their development. The defense and goaltending will ultimately decide where the hawks end up in league standings.
- Scott1977

Nylander continuing to take developmental steps would indicate that he has in fact taken steps already...

...I don’t see it.

Nylander is a waste of a roster spot.

Nylander continuing to take developmental steps would indicate that he has in fact taken steps already...

...I don’t see it.

Nylander is a waste of a roster spot.
- Ogilthorpe2

Have to say this his season to show he belongs in the Nhl or not. If doesn't happen this season most likely its not going happen. So Nylander. Its up him to he wants it or not.

Where's Elbows today? He loves these trade proposal blogs and has been all over Stan dumping the Core.

I kid...actually the guy I'm surprised hasn't shown up is Scott1977. This is his thing. I thought his posts would be all over this blog. Someone better check on him.
- HawkintheD

Guys tend to get tired after...

Buffalo Sabers posters should be thankful for all the attention they are getting. Because this is all their going to get for the rest of the season.

Nylander continuing to take developmental steps would indicate that he has in fact taken steps already...

...I don’t see it.

Nylander is a waste of a roster spot.
- Ogilthorpe2

He’s not....in Rockford.

Theo, would you consider a blog looking at the teams that are in cap hell, and how the Hawks might be able to "help" them? There are several teams that are already over the cap, and many more that are up against it with players still left to sign. You have a good grasp on prospects, so I would be interested to see if you think we could snag one or two top prospects in exchange for glorious cap space.

He’s not....in Rockford.
- DarthKane

Still a waste, even in Rockford. Takes a roster spot away from a genuine prospect.

Theo, would you consider a blog looking at the teams that are in cap hell, and how the Hawks might be able to "help" them? There are several teams that are already over the cap, and many more that are up against it with players still left to sign. You have a good grasp on prospects, so I would be interested to see if you think we could snag one or two top prospects in exchange for glorious cap space.
- tvetter

I'll take that topic in consideration, just need to space it out from this blog. It's definitely an exercise worth exploring as the reality of it could play out in due course over the next year.

Theo, you're taking a beating and I won't pile on, but I will use the word you used - loony. There's a lot of loony in your proposals.

I had proposed a Chi/Buf trade a couple days ago (here or maybe another site?) which had Kane going to Buffalo and Okposo and Cozens coming back being the main pieces - with the proviso that additional details would need to be worked out. Okposo has a $6M cap hit for 3 more years and would essentially be in lieu of the Hawks retaining any of Kane's salary - so it would be a net $4.5M added to Buffalo's cap and subtracted from the Hawks cap. Cozens would essentially be the 1st round draft pick and he is already 2 years closer to the NHL than a 2021 pick would be. Plus he hasn't used any of his ELC years yet so he still has 3 or 4 years left depending if he slides again or not.

That would mean there is still one salary retention left for the Hawks to use to trade Toews where they could maximize the return by retaining 50%.
- EbonyRaptor

I like where your head is at here but we need more than cozens and a salary buffer to move kane imo. Trying to be impartial and realistic, cozens plus an unprotected 1st then salary considerations makes me feel ok with it. Maybe another pick like a 3rd or 4th. Again, I think you're on the right track here, good post

Imo hawks have said they are not trading the core players. Ok they have most value so is this a full rebuild or half rebuild? Plus the core hold all the cards with their nmt clauses. So who left to trade to get something of significant value? And if any of the core does go and ask to be traded that possibly diminishes there value because the other gm's would know. Keith to me would be the only one i think that would leave to chase a cup, Seabrook's contract is immovable and hawks need towes and kane get fans in the seats.
- Scott1977

This is where mgmt isn't being completely open. Have they already asked any of the core to waive yet? All these interviews and no one has asked this? Are they going to ask them to waive? Again, anyone? No one asked this? Do they plan to trade any of the core? They don't owe us this info cuz its delicate with players involved but my God until we know this the rebuild talk is pointless. Every team wants to integrate younger players in so that tells us nothing. Unless they move players with value no rebuild is happening

New blog! Part one of a Trick-or-Treat special highlighting things that scare me (tricks) about the upcoming season for the Blackhawks.

Part two out later this week highlighting what excites me (treats) about 2020-21.

https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=108084

Pretty sure the organization would be but they said they aren't approaching them to ask them to waive their NMC's. There's a difference.

I don't know that anyone thinks that's the best approach, but it's not like they've got endless possibilities when it comes to trading any of the remaining C4...or 3 to your point. Seabrook's definitely not going anywhere and my guess is 19 and 88 aren't either.
- HawkintheD

Your attendance is based partially on the attraction on the ice. Minus a familiar face or any star power, you tell me how many less fans want to go see a bunch of prospects gey hammered.

The young guys need to see how a veteranbdeaks with adversity. How a veteran makes adjustments. How a veteran prepares, How he leads. Toews and Kane set the tone. Seabrook is the one dedicated to overcoming injuries, and one whom adapts.