And Hendrik Lundqvist is scheduled for open-heart surgery.

Don't you think thats really what is holding things up - the gulf between what the Hawks are willing to invest in Strome on a show us contract and what the player/agent thinks he should be paid based on now outdated comparables?

Both Bowman and Strome are caught between a rock and a hard place. Based on their evaluation of the player's on ice ability, my guess is if Bowman could move him and get decent value back in return he likely wouldn't hesitate. He and Colliton could care less about the chemistry with Dinky of yesteryear. And Strome can't get the money he wants because of Covid related financial issues and the flat cap. Same problem Barzal is having with Lamoriello and P.L. Dubois is having in Columbus. And both are much better players than Strome.

So what's fair?
- RickJ

Reiterate on two fronts. Nothing new here which has not already been said. Just want to stress the level of uncertainty. Especially for players like Strome whom probably needs to readjust his salary expectation more than Bowman does

The covid can't be seen as a much less of a threat despite vaccinations. New mutations will spread world wide. Perhaps a current vaccination keeps you safe from the new mutant covid but right now I am not thinking all mutant strains are going to be proteced by the vaccinations. The new strains are attaching to protein and cells more so than the other viruses. Is life ever going to return to that which was previous to covid. Who would bet on that - nobody

Now Strome has to accept that he is not a slam dunk offensive star. Now Strome needs to realize that as a #2 offensive center he has limitations. What will he do to make himself and correspondingly, his performance better. Maybe a new agent should discuss this openly with his client.

I would be willing to keep Strome, not protect him at The Expansion Draft, and see if Strome decides to become more involved in physical play. He surely is not going to improve his skating much. Correct. Meanwhile, we have three physical forwards whom could eventually take his spot in the lineup. Barret and the two collegiate kids. Take less money, Strome, and add a dimension to your game. It is the smart choice.

I would sign Strome for one year and let him show if he deserves an increase after that. Too much is at stake to throw money and term on someone you aren't sold upon.

Dietz tweeting that Dach is out for 4-5 months.

Apparently had successful surgery today.
- StLBravesFan

Yup, 4-5 months for Dach as most reports are saying. That's practically the same timeline as Nylander so count them both out for the regular season with *maybe* a return for a few games if rehab goes well.

If the Hawks make the playoffs, Dach would be back but Nylander would still be doubtful unless they keep advancing.

Yup, 4-5 months for Dach as most reports are saying. That's practically the same timeline as Nylander so count them both out for the regular season with *maybe* a return for a few games if rehab goes well.

If the Hawks make the playoffs, Dach would be back but Nylander would still be doubtful unless they keep advancing.
- Theo Fox

Wishing Dach a speedy recovery but damn that really sucks. I’d really like to see the Hawks give the youngsters a shot. This season will be tough enough, we might as well see what some of the kids can do.

Isn't Kubalik one dimensional? Isn't Debrincat? You guys are making arguments for an organization that pays 1 dimensional players well
- BetweenTheDots

Neither of those two do I ever see leading us back to the promised land. On several teams they're both bottom 6. In Stan's defense, Dinky doesn't see anything near that money if he had not signed pre Covid19. Not in Stan's defense is Dinky doesn't see anything near that money if Stan had seen his whole shi-y season.

Well we can still have Schmautz who statistically is the same as Strome, and is at $5.8mil. for the next 7 years (but he skates so purdy). And is always injured.

- LAHawk

He never saw a corner he couldn't float near.

I have not watched either play but if you look at stats he is not. walmark is 3 years younger had 12 G 13A +/- 0 and 50.9 fenwick in 12:47 ice time 50.3 FO

janmark was 6G 15A 14:37 ice time -5 and with 50.7% fenwick and 43.5% fO
- kmw4631

Watch them. Walmark is so slow. There is a reason he is on his third team. David runblad had excellent underlying numbers too. Did you think he was a good player?

Spit water all over the computer laughing at this.
- 6628

A little muscle could might maybe if go a long way with Strome. $2.5-3.0 would not be an albatross contract at any term.

Dietz tweeting that Dach is out for 4-5 months.

Apparently had successful surgery today.
- StLBravesFan

So does this mean Canada is going to cover any future earnings that Dach is going to lose out on probably because he's going to be a right or left wing going forward? probably not, but you know the kids always know better.

Reiterate on two fronts. Nothing new here which has not already been said. Just want to stress the level of uncertainty. Especially for players like Strome whom probably needs to readjust his salary expectation more than Bowman does

The covid can't be seen as a much less of a threat despite vaccinations. New mutations will spread world wide. Perhaps a current vaccination keeps you safe from the new mutant covid but right now I am not thinking all mutant strains are going to be proteced by the vaccinations. The new strains are attaching to protein and cells more so than the other viruses. Is life ever going to return to that which was previous to covid. Who would bet on that - nobody

Now Strome has to accept that he is not a slam dunk offensive star. Now Strome needs to realize that as a #2 offensive center he has limitations. What will he do to make himself and correspondingly, his performance better. Maybe a new agent should discuss this openly with his client.

I would be willing to keep Strome, not protect him at The Expansion Draft, and see if Strome decides to become more involved in physical play. He surely is not going to improve his skating much. Correct. Meanwhile, we have three physical forwards whom could eventually take his spot in the lineup. Barret and the two collegiate kids. Take less money, Strome, and add a dimension to your game. It is the smart choice.

I would sign Strome for one year and let him show if he deserves an increase after that. Too much is at stake to throw money and term on someone you aren't sold upon.
- jhawk59

I wouldn't be surprised if the Hawks and Strome are very far apart. Seems pretty clear they don't value him as much as I'm sure his agent wants them to pay.

Didn't he work out with the same trainer as Kane and ADB last year? Strome and ADB are best buds, I am sure he trains. More I think of it, I believe his ankle injury had much to do with his skating. Rereading his scouting report out of junior, yes he has a slow first step, but no scout had any concern about him keeping up in the NHL. Please point me to where there is any indication that Strome loafs, or slacks in his on or off ice work?

I have just come to the conclusion that Strome is the new Teuvo, and when he is traded and puts up 60 points consistently, the board will villify Stan for trading him.

Interesting to me that everyone talks about how the league is getting faster, and you need faster players, yet the last 2 Stanley Cup champions (St. Louis and Tampa Bay) are more grit than speed. didn't Tampa give up 2 first round picks to get Goodrow and Coleman for their size, not whether they can beat Kendall Coyne Schofield in a race? Dallas, the runner up last year had Perry, Pavelski, Benn, Radulov etc as forwards, not exactly Indy 500 worthy skaters.

Did Vegas outskate the Hawks or beat them into submission? You can argue both, but I would say beat the Hawks into submission as opposed to outskating them.

Defensive weaknesses or not, 60 point producers do not grow on trees. Due to unfortunate circumstances Strome is the Hawks #2 center. Depending on the severity of the injury, Dach's future might be as a right winger (which he was playing in the Canada Cup, and he played a good portion fo the season last year as.) Are you expecting Soderberg to be the #2 center next year? Or maybe Casey Middlestat, who has been a huge disappointment for Buffalo? 32 yo Michael Grabner skates like the wind, kills penalties and is a UFA. Maybe the Hawks should pick him up in their youth movement and give up on Strome?

Look at Mika Zibenejad. Took him 6 full years to find himself, now is a legit 30 goal 75 point player.
- LAHawk

Panarin and kubalik didn't do poop early in their careers either and couldn't even make an NHL team. All these people that want instant results should chill out. Especially since this team is rebuilding and isn't anywhere near a playoff or contending team.

I would argue Saad of 2015 is a strong contributor to the team. I also think you need as many guys like him as possible. Maybe not needed at this particular juncture of the Blackhawks development, but ultimately I'd stock up on them.
- Chunk

Saad is a strong fast skater who also kills penalties.

Don't you think thats really what is holding things up - the gulf between what the Hawks are willing to invest in Strome on a show us contract and what the player/agent thinks he should be paid based on now outdated comparables?

Both Bowman and Strome are caught between a rock and a hard place. Based on their evaluation of the player's on ice ability, my guess is if Bowman could move him and get decent value back in return he likely wouldn't hesitate. He and Colliton could care less about the chemistry with Dinky of yesteryear. And Strome can't get the money he wants because of Covid related financial issues and the flat cap. Same problem Barzal is having with Lamoriello and P.L. Dubois is having in Columbus. And both are much better players than Strome.

So what's fair?
- RickJ

I believe the hold up is Strome wants to be paid like Cat.

Barzal is awesome, Dubby is nice but Barzal is so talented.

If Bowman does move him i sure don't want him to make a deal like he did for AA and a never was.

Something is going on in the FO, maybe it's a LTIR thing and he is signed after day 1 of the season, who knows. I think it will get done and imho i think Strome just started learning when he came to Chicago so his first 2 seasons in Arizona were more damaging than helpful to him

If they get him under or at 3 i personally think it's a steal for the franchise

I watched some of the World Juniors games if that's what you're talking about but sorry I don't know what you're getting at.. Lol
- JetFuel

Not trying to be a jerk, but the Czech Republic shut out the Russians last night and their goalie wasn't flopping all over the place. He looked flippin great, composed, efficient, wasn't overplaying the puck. One game, small sample size for sure. But impressive as well.

A little muscle could might maybe if go a long way with Strome. $2.5-3.0 would not be an albatross contract at any term.
- rpeters01

I wasn't laughing about Strome. I just loved the guy's opening line.

Neither of those two do I ever see leading us back to the promised land. On several teams they're both bottom 6. In Stan's defense, Dinky doesn't see anything near that money if he had not signed pre Covid19. Not in Stan's defense is Dinky doesn't see anything near that money if Stan had seen his whole shi-y season.
- rpeters01

30 and 40 goal scorers are bottom-6?

Your “several teams” must be loaded.

I thought AdB - even with his goal reduction last season - was a much better 200 foot player and zone-entry player than he had been - not a Selke candidate by any means, but improving and improved.

Looking forward to seeing Kubalik’s development this season.

Yup, 4-5 months for Dach as most reports are saying. That's practically the same timeline as Nylander so count them both out for the regular season with *maybe* a return for a few games if rehab goes well.

If the Hawks make the playoffs, Dach would be back but Nylander would still be doubtful unless they keep advancing.
- Theo Fox

Well one thing we learned about this, Dach can't handle wearing the "C". I still say it was stupid for him to even be on that roster. What experience did he get?

I believe the hold up is Strome wants to be paid like Cat.

Barzal is awesome, Dubby is nice but Barzal is so talented.

If Bowman does move him i sure don't want him to make a deal like he did for AA and a never was.

Something is going on in the FO, maybe it's a LTIR thing and he is signed after day 1 of the season, who knows. I think it will get done and imho i think Strome just started learning when he came to Chicago so his first 2 seasons in Arizona were more damaging than helpful to him

If they get him under or at 3 i personally think it's a steal for the franchise
- BetweenTheDots

Cat doesn't get paid like Cat if he was trying to sign after the season.

30 and 40 goal scorers are bottom-6?

Your “several teams” must be loaded.

I thought AdB - even with his goal reduction last season - was a much better 200 foot player and zone-entry player than he had been - not a Selke candidate by any means, but improving and improved.

Looking forward to seeing Kubalik’s development this season.
- StLBravesFan

IMO it's the statistical phenomenon of playing on a bad team. "He who plays gets nice stats, but is still a loser."

Yes of course I mean a loaded team.

Why would Shaw want to play this season? He should just spend it on LTIR. I am sure the NHL front office would sign off on it

There is clearly a risk of retaining Strome because what if he doesn't ever pan out. That's what puts the "cautious" in the cautious optimism I have about him.

But now there's a risk that Dach could not be the same player he was on a trajectory to be if his injury is severe. Hopefully not the case but the risk is still there.

Worst case scenario: Strome is traded and Dach regresses so the Hawks have zero top 6 centers on the big club or in the system.

This is a reason why investing in a 1-2 year bridge deal may be worth it for the Hawks. Stretch him as far as he can go to see if he can consistently untap his potential. If not, trade him.
- Theo Fox

As vocal as I was about not signing Strome before, I've warmed to the idea of signing him (to a reasonable deal). At the end of the day, you need top 6 centers that can create or produce points, and it's better to keep the ones that already do that instead of hoping you can grow/acquire them.

IMO it's the statistical phenomenon of playing on a bad team. "He who plays gets nice stats, but is still a loser."

Yes of course I mean a loaded team.
- rpeters01

So, how does this work? A player is only proven as being good if they are on a good team? Mark Stone was the beneficiary of playing time when on OTT, but is a good player on LV? Anze Kopitar was good when the Kings were, but no longer?

IMO it's the statistical phenomenon of playing on a bad team. "He who plays gets nice stats, but is still a loser."

Yes of course I mean a loaded team.
- rpeters01

That’s a basketball meme; I don’t think that’s true in hockey: it’s too hard to score goals.

Bummer for Dach. He'll never be the same. Can anyone name a player who successfully recovered from a broken wrist? Stan shoulda taken Bowen or Cozens. Dope.

Bummer for Dach. He'll never be the same. Can anyone name a player who successfully recovered from a broken wrist? Stan shoulda taken Bowen or Cozens. Dope.
- mohel

This take... is not it.