Looking at the league its not in a stable place revenue wise for at least 3 years , so I do agree something has to give in order to restock prospects and obtain. Some high draft picks.

Keith and kane are probably the next shoes to drop after this season is my guess.
- Taylorst1

Unless it's because he doesn't have an agent, I'm not understanding why Strome hasn't signed whatever contract Stan has proposed? Nothing better is coming.

Looking at the league its not in a stable place revenue wise for at least 3 years , so I do agree something has to give in order to restock prospects and obtain. Some high draft picks.

Keith and kane are probably the next shoes to drop after this season is my guess.
- Taylorst1

Back to talking about getting rid of Kaner again...always my cue to leave. Have a joyful weekend everybody!

Theo i like your optimistic outlook. I'm not enamoured with this team and who is leading the ship.

We have 3 more years of being saddled with a aging core and there massive contracts in a scenario that the league is at a standstill regarding revenue.

I'd love to see more prospects in Rockford and for the organization to focus heavily on stockpiling young future assets in Rockford with a system that chicago will use .

Stan maybe its loyalty and the fact his dad is a scout for the team that allows him a football field of leeway.

I also think the timing and market isn't in rockys favor to either offer someone this huge challenge or qualified in there eyes.
THATS my take , its a opinion but I'm just trying to look at the big picture and understand all the obstacles chicago faces.
- Taylorst1

Hi Taylor. It sounds like you are just impatient for the Hawks to get back to relevance (which is understandable). Outside of Seabrook, the other large contracts on the team are all the best players, so they are not a detriment and the team is not necessarily "saddled" with them.

Rockford is stocked with any and all prospects that are eligible to be there. The FO has drafted and signed a number of players that are all expected to be plus, or at least valuable, players (Kalynuk, Entwistle, Mitchell, Suter, Barrett, Kurashev, etc). They would have a few more if some of their draftees weren't ready early.

I don't like a number of Stan's moves either. What I am optimistic about (probably more intrigued than anything else) is that Stan noted more than once that he will get to implement "his" vision for the team. That is probably a bit of a swipe at McD, but again, I'm more bullish on this team that I was before last year.

I hope so. It's either that or a lot longer wandering in the wilderness.
- EbonyRaptor

It will be interesting to see the plan unfold. Much depends on Rocky's tolerance for another financial hit if they get very bad (in an effort to get better picks) and attendance (once allowed again) suffers.

@ByScottPowers

Stan Bowman said he wants to see out his vision now, but he could possibly look into hiring a general manager underneath him in the future.
- Theo Fox

I bet that vision includes a young very good puck moving defense. Most if not each member is at minimum adequate puck mover and skates good to very well..The hope is that one day the blueline crew can be a puck possession team. To that end, the bottom two lines must be solid.. ost bottom line skaters have sing puck compete and skate well. A solid face off guy, a yapper, a kamikaze member, Entwhustle, and even Hagel and Kurashev might play some minutes in bottom line roles.

The bottom lines and the dmen needs a good goaltender and top six forwards because they together complement the top six forwards. Maybe everyone but Kane in top six need to play a cycle game as game strategy dictates. So the next couple of drafts is key. The 2021 draft could be a lottery choice.

Do well in two more drafts and Stan might be on threshold of seeing his vision play out.

Dach named captain of Team Canada for the WJC. Cozens and Byram with the A's.



Great job predicting that one, Tyler! Now, can you give me today's lottery numbers?
- Theo Fox

Congrats Dacher.

Some additional insight per Ben Pope:

Stan Bowman just now:

"The biggest change is going to be looking forward with how I operate internally. Hockey-wise, things will continue on as they've been. But part of leadership is to play an active role in the development of your staff."

Wants to guide people in new roles.
- Chunk

I'm a fan of that approach. It shows the willingness to teach others so they become independent yet aligned with the vision and goals of the organization. Plus, teaching to develop tends to be the opposite of micromanagement.

Theo i like your optimistic outlook. I'm not enamoured with this team and who is leading the ship.

We have 3 more years of being saddled with a aging core and there massive contracts in a scenario that the league is at a standstill regarding revenue.

I'd love to see more prospects in Rockford and for the organization to focus heavily on stockpiling young future assets in Rockford with a system that chicago will use .

Stan maybe its loyalty and the fact his dad is a scout for the team that allows him a football field of leeway.

I also think the timing and market isn't in rockys favor to either offer someone this huge challenge or qualified in there eyes.
THATS my take , its a opinion but I'm just trying to look at the big picture and understand all the obstacles chicago faces.
- Taylorst1

One thing to consider is that perhaps Bowman and others advocated for certain personnel moves but McDonough vetoed them, i.e. trading one or more of the core to recoup assets for the future.

Now that McDonough is gone, that plan can be realized now more fully in earnest. Just a hunch.

That is also true about the timing to hire a new GM today may not be in the cards financially. Many organizations (sports or otherwise) are in hiring freezes. The next best thing is to restructure by moving assets around internally.

Once league and team finances are more healthy, perhaps that's when Bowman hires a new GM. For now, I'm fine with him holding both the president and GM roles.

Rockford is stocked with any and all prospects that are eligible to be there. The FO has drafted and signed a number of players that are all expected to be plus, or at least valuable, players (Kalynuk, Entwistle, Mitchell, Suter, Barrett, Kurashev, etc). They would have a few more if some of their draftees weren't ready early.
- Chunk

This is accurate. All prospects are where they should be save for a few like Kayumov and Galvas who are better off playing pro in North Amerca versus Europe.

Rockford's roster is actually pretty stocked with prospects and actually overflowing. There's really no room to take on more.

This is accurate. All prospects are where they should be save for a few like Kayumov and Galvas who are better off playing pro in North Amerca versus Europe.

Rockford's roster is actually pretty stocked with prospects and actually overflowing. There's really no room to take on more.
- Theo Fox

Hopefully they remember how to skate when they can play in a real game again.

One thing to consider is that perhaps Bowman and others advocated for certain personnel moves but McDonough vetoed them, i.e. trading one or more of the core to recoup assets for the future.

Now that McDonough is gone, that plan can be realized now more fully in earnest. Just a hunch.

That is also true about the timing to hire a new GM today may not be in the cards financially. Many organizations (sports or otherwise) are in hiring freezes. The next best thing is to restructure by moving assets around internally.

Once league and team finances are more healthy, perhaps that's when Bowman hires a new GM. For now, I'm fine with him holding both the president and GM roles.
- Theo Fox

I think that if McD was still here, either Crow or Saad (maybe both) would still be here. This team may be a playoff bubble team with Crow, but it would take way longer to be truly competitive.

Agree. I thought Hossa in his Hawk's years was the greatest all around player they have ever had. 200' game, leadership in showing players what it means to get back, a ton of offensive skills, good speed, hockey IQ that was off the charts, played the boards, the corners and in front of the net, came up big in big games, great penalty killer, whoever he played with looked better.

Sorry. Although he only won one cup, Stan Mikita was the greatest all around Hawk.

Agree. I thought Hossa in his Hawk's years was the greatest all around player they have ever had. 200' game, leadership in showing players what it means to get back, a ton of offensive skills, good speed, hockey IQ that was off the charts, played the boards, the corners and in front of the net, came up big in big games, great penalty killer, whoever he played with looked better.

Sorry. Although he only won one cup, Stan Mikita was the greatest all around Hawk.
- LAHawk

Hull and Mikita will always be 1a and 1b. Babe Ruth and Lou Geherig.

Hull and Mikita will always be 1a and 1b. Babe Ruth and Lou Geherig.
- rpeters01

I should say “right on” to this, but that phrase alone would date me.

So I’ll just say - 3 Cups put Kane for sure in that picture, if not Toews - with Keith probably getting a lifetime Local Norris as best Hawk defenseman ever (with no apologies to Pierre Pilotte).

I should say “right on” to this, but that phrase alone would date me.

So I’ll just say - 3 Cups put Kane for sure in that picture, if not Toews - with Keith probably getting a lifetime Local Norris as best Hawk defenseman ever (with no apologies to Pierre Pilots).
- StLBravesFan

Was just responding to the statement of best all around Hawk ever. If the word ever was not included, and maybe used during the 3 cup era I would have no problem. Mikita went from having the most PIM’s in the league to winning the Lady Bing. Mikita killed penalties, led the League in scoring twice, was the best face off man in the league, even though weighed 165 pounds with I think 5 pound ankle protectors on each skate, never backed down from anyone.

Stan also was an innovator (curved stick and the Stan Mikita helmet), and won the Lester Patrick award.

Hossa was a great player, but he is no Stan Mikita.

@frank_seravalli

Tentative agreement between #NHL and #NHLPA (which requires approval) calls for training camps to open on Jan. 3 and regular season on Jan. 13.

The 7 teams who did not make 24-team playoff can open camp on Dec. 30.

All dates subject to change. Scheduling not finalized.

@frank_seravalli

#NHL/#NHLPA Agreement: 23-man roster with $81.5 million salary cap.

This includes creation of 4-6 man taxi squad. All 29 players (max) will travel and practice with NHL team. Taxi squad is paid full AHL salary. CBA has been expanded to include for more flexible emergency recalls

@frank_seravalli

#NHL/#NHLPA Agreement: Players have the option to opt-out for the upcoming season, if player or immediate family member is considered high-risk. (Believe it is without pay.)

Team would have option of tolling contract for the year.

@frank_seravalli

Tentative agreement between #NHL and #NHLPA (which requires approval) calls for training camps to open on Jan. 3 and regular season on Jan. 13.

The 7 teams who did not make 24-team playoff can open camp on Dec. 30.

All dates subject to change. Scheduling not finalized.

@frank_seravalli

#NHL/#NHLPA Agreement: 23-man roster with $81.5 million salary cap.

This includes creation of 4-6 man taxi squad. All 29 players (max) will travel and practice with NHL team. Taxi squad is paid full AHL salary. CBA has been expanded to include for more flexible emergency recalls
- Theo Fox

Any news about the Canada Division and Provincial issues?

What about cities like Chicago - which have quarantine rules on people coming in from other states (the NBA seems to have solved that problem, so I guess it’s not an issue - maybe testing their way out of it).

Glad they’ve reached agreement to start - hope it all works out for a good uninterrupted season.

Any news about the Canada Division and Provincial issues?

What about cities like Chicago - which have quarantine rules on people coming in from other states (the NBA seems to have solved that problem, so I guess it’s not an issue - maybe testing their way out of it).

Glad they’ve reached agreement to start - hope it all works out for a good uninterrupted season.
- StLBravesFan

@TheFourthPeriod

On the all-Canadian division: Told the 5 provinces (AB, BC, MB, ON, QC) are working together, to some extent, on parameters to allow the 7 CDN teams to play their games in home arenas. Per a source, right now 4 provinces are good with the plan; only 1 province has some objections

@CapFriendly

Will be curious to see what happens if “Taxi Squad” players spend the entire season with the club but never play a game.

20+ year old players need to least 1 pro game in order to earn a pro season. This is notable for players who are 1 year away from expansion draft eligibility.

@CapFriendly

Sounds like there may be limits on how long a team can keep a player on taxi squad without playing a game.

That will keep it interesting.

Was just responding to the statement of best all around Hawk ever. If the word ever was not included, and maybe used during the 3 cup era I would have no problem. Mikita went from having the most PIM’s in the league to winning the Lady Bing. Mikita killed penalties, led the League in scoring twice, was the best face off man in the league, even though weighed 165 pounds with I think 5 pound ankle protectors on each skate, never backed down from anyone.

Stan also was an innovator (curved stick and the Stan Mikita helmet), and won the Lester Patrick award.

Hossa was a great player, but he is no Stan Mikita.
- LAHawk

LA, not going to disagree, but two different players indeed. Mikita was a craftsman, great stick handler and great passer, Hossa was a sniper and strong as a bull, he could hang on to the puck for a complete shift, unbelievable determination, I’d take either one on my team any day of the week. Kane is another great player with a different style as well, one could argue that he’s the greatest Hawk of all time, and yes, Bobby Hull is in the conversation as well.

@FriedgeHNIC

Playoffs will be top four in each division -- each division produces a champion for the Stanley Cup Semifinal

@TheFourthPeriod

Pending sign-off from the provinces, the 4 NHL divisions this season will be:

Canadian: CGY, EDM, MTL, OTT, OTT, VAN, WPG
Atlantic: BOS, BUF, NJ, NYI, NYR, PHI, PIT, WAS
Central: CAR, CBJ, DET, CHI, DAL, FLA, NAS, TB
Pacific: ANA, AZ, COL, LA, MIN, SJ, STL, VGK

@TheFourthPeriod

If, however, the 7 Canadian teams are forced to play down south, the NHL will re-align again.

I'm told a temporary bubble in a Canadian market for the 7 teams is unlikely; players don't seem to be on board with any bubble scenario

I should say “right on” to this, but that phrase alone would date me.

So I’ll just say - 3 Cups put Kane for sure in that picture, if not Toews - with Keith probably getting a lifetime Local Norris as best Hawk defenseman ever (with no apologies to Pierre Pilotte).
- StLBravesFan

Hull was more Mickey Mantle anyway...

@TheFourthPeriod

Pending sign-off from the provinces, the 4 NHL divisions this season will be:

Canadian: CGY, EDM, MTL, OTT, OTT, VAN, WPG
Atlantic: BOS, BUF, NJ, NYI, NYR, PHI, PIT, WAS
Central: CAR, CBJ, DET, CHI, DAL, FLA, NAS, TB
Pacific: ANA, AZ, COL, LA, MIN, SJ, STL, VGK

@TheFourthPeriod

If, however, the 7 Canadian teams are forced to play down south, the NHL will re-align again.

I'm told a temporary bubble in a Canadian market for the 7 teams is unlikely; players don't seem to be on board with any bubble scenario
- Theo Fox

Lots of “those great 6:30 starts” - and no late games.

I’m sold.