First question on Toews is whether he can play again.
- mohel

its a very valid concern given the unknown about his injury and it's been out for a bit. I saw a radio clip where pierre Mcguire mentioned it on a call in on X mas eve.....so there has been smoke for a bit....and of course no local guy had a clue about it.

I am not going to speculate or assume anyone here as a pulse as to what is or isn't happening with 19. Far past those days.

I've never done the review to see who says "they need to tank for the number 1" and cross-reference that against who is upset with how they are playing. It's not to point fingers or anything, but I just find it funny that people complain that people get upset about getting what they want because it is not gotten "how" they want.

I, along with everyone else, would like to see competence, and solid hockey. Well, competence and solid hockey wins more games. We have a mish-mosh of players on this team, one top-6ish center, with three not-so-appealing options in goal.

Yup... it's gonna suck for a while.

What I do find heartening is that a lot of the younger guys are showing up and playing quite well. Mitchell, Suter, ADB, Highmore, Kurashev, all look like they are putting in the effort and generally in the right place doing the right things. They all need to clean certain things up, but I'm happy with that aspect.
- Chunk

I agree and a guy like Kane who has some years left might see that light vs a guy like Keith who doesn't have as many years left.

Plus, lets all remember 1 of the key things that got Hossa here outside of Detroit prioritizing Franzen over him, was he could see the young talent here having played against it the season before with Detroit.

So if the hawks don't have ALL the holes filled but have a much more fluid cap situation....ie...younger guys on cheaper deals and room to extend the identifying pieces (see 88/19) than you could add a significant UFA piece. Bowman doesn't need ALL the pieces from draft/trades, and european signings.....

I am trying to be realistic in how many years I think it will take for them to be a playoff team again, legit, where it will be a constant push. Including this year....I think I am at 3-4 years.

I was very excited to see Dach....the Dach we saw precovid vs the Dach we saw in the summer was night and day. I am hopeful there will be another jump once he gets his wrist mended.
- SteveRain

I'm going to go with 5 years, simply because they will have to also find a coach that can get the entire team on the same page... which is not a trivial consideration.

I'm going to go with 5 years, simply because they will have to also find a coach that can get the entire team on the same page... which is not a trivial consideration.
- Chunk

It really worked well for the Bulls, night and day difference from last year to this year. They also brought in a new GM or vp of Ops to steer the org and he hired Donovan. One thing is clear the Hawks are very confused on the ice.

Hello, 66. Just watched the TV series Yellowstone. They had a phrase - "Cowboy Up".
- mohel

I watched it and heard that. I like the show.

its a very valid concern given the unknown about his injury and it's been out for a bit. I saw a radio clip where pierre Mcguire mentioned it on a call in on X mas eve.....so there has been smoke for a bit....and of course no local guy had a clue about it.

I am not going to speculate or assume anyone here as a pulse as to what is or isn't happening with 19. Far past those days.
- SteveRain

Has anyone heard any more about Toews' condition?

Has anyone heard any more about Toews' condition?
- tvetter

His doctor, Bowman, probably the other vets

I still think teams will trade at the deadline - the allure of Cup glory is strong.

I don't think all those guys will go, but some will, I hope. Also Murphy and Strome can be had in the off-season, before the draft.
- mohel

The problem this year will be the quarantine time after a trade. That will have to be taken into consideration

Has anyone heard any more about Toews' condition?
- tvetter

I just remember he had the Hawks team vote against restarting and he wanted the opt-out clause.

Sure, I am piece together, but think about it...would the hawks want his opt - out public?

This is one of your 3 Cup hall of framers and your want your fan love to stay with him.

Owen Power, D from Michigan. Who the red wings are getting.
- wingz4life

Funny thing about that...the German kid defenseman draft by wings is actually being given time...
so I suspect whichever team snags Owen Power or and of the three defenders AFTER him will be given years...

Now, there are a few forwards that look to get chances earlier.

I am not trying to circumvent team needs but, just saying, maybe both teams need a high end forward are well.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts

click on the player name and you can read the profile I wrote....

Funny thing about that...the German kid defenseman draft by wings is actually being given time...
so I suspect whichever team snags Owen Power or and of the three defenders AFTER him will be given years...

Now, there are a few forwards that look to get chances earlier.

I am not trying to circumvent team needs but, just saying, maybe both teams need a high end forward are well.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts

click on the player name and you can read the profile I wrote....
- wiz1901

Why do have Luke Hughes so low? One of the youngest player in the draft and in most rankings he´s consensus top 10 pick?

Owen Power, D from Michigan. Who the red wings are getting.
- wingz4life

You will take the fourth pick and like it

The problem is that Lehner makes them artificially better right now. There is only one reason to get him now - to be better right now. That gets them to mediocrity. That's the McD route. He got fired.

Lehner would move them up to a team that still misses the playoffs; at the cost of several spots in the draft order for every round. For what? So some impatient internet fans will feel better about today's team?
- mohel

The Minnesota Wild!

Why do have Luke Hughes so low? One of the youngest player in the draft and in most rankings he´s consensus top 10 pick?
- MjulQvist

And why is King's pick marked Forfeit?

And why is King's pick marked Forfeit?
- GPHawksfan

It should be Arizona's.

I dont disagree and why I respectfully debated those last year on this board who said it was the player's "right" to retire and play out their deals as they wish. Sure....for those who NTCs, and NMCs but Bowman got Campbell to waive and at some point some of these guys on the tail end of their careers will get fed up with the losing and want another shot at winning. I mean outside of 2007-08 Toews/Kane really dont' know losing, except for a random season here or there.

This is a on full rebuild.

Out of the 3, Kane gets you the most back....but I don't see any GM being able to navigate a 10.5 cap hit in season. That's likely an offseason move where they make that work.

I also think Keith, like you said, isn't what he was but he's still a lot better than most contenders have in their 4-6 slots and with his cap hit....he's an attractive piece to add.

Toews....I fear his deal will end up like Seabrook's. It's going to be tough to move and I love Johnny Toews like all of us do, but for his cap hit and what he gives on a nightly basis....that's a tough add. That's before you even look at his injury/illness history and I just don't see it.
- SteveRain

If Chicago were to retain some of Kane’s salary as well as take on a bad contract would a contending team be willing to part with a blue chip prospect(s) and a draft pick? Imagine Kane on Colorado on a line with MacKinnon? The Aves are stacked with prospects. Would improving their chances of a championship immeasurably, not just this year but the next three, make them consider moving one or two of Connor Timmons, Shane Bowers, Justin Barron, Alex Newhook, Martin Kaut or Bowen Byram?

Imagine Keith on Toronto’s blueline? Take a prospect and take Spezza off ther hands for Keith? Again to make it work retain some salary.

This all obviously would depend on Wirtz agreeing to lay our the money as salary compensation.

As for Toews, my fear his illness isn’t injury related that could force him to retire.

Why do have Luke Hughes so low? One of the youngest player in the draft and in most rankings he´s consensus top 10 pick?
- MjulQvist

In the draft rankings I’ve seen he’s all over the place. He’s number one in one ranking, numbers two, six and eighteen in others.

Funny thing about that...the German kid defenseman draft by wings is actually being given time...
so I suspect whichever team snags Owen Power or and of the three defenders AFTER him will be given years...

Now, there are a few forwards that look to get chances earlier.

I am not trying to circumvent team needs but, just saying, maybe both teams need a high end forward are well.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts

click on the player name and you can read the profile I wrote....
- wiz1901

All you need is a Goose the next year.....

I’d rather have Lehner. And I thought that was a reason Stan picked him up when he did, to have a high end NHL goalie in place to fall back on if he decided to move on from CC. They can afford the $5M CAP hit.

You build a team from the net out.
- scottak

A bad team

CC is a great example. First, the team was loaded, then they added him.

Last year's Bolts - great team built, then added the Russian.

Previous winners - excellent team built, added Binnington.

Not saying a solid goalie ain't important - and I was always a CC guy - but teams don't start with a goalie and then build around him. Canadians are still trying to build around Price, and The King got old waiting for the build.
- mohel

Zactly

Looking ahead to the future schedule. This Sunday Hawks and Wings on national TV NBC at 11:30 a.m.

Someone should notify NBC that it's 2021. This would have been a good game 8 to 11 years ago.

Also regarding home game anthems. Will we be treated to Cornielson singing to an empty arena?

Looking ahead to the future schedule. This Sunday Hawks and Wings on national TV NBC at 11:30 a.m.

Someone should notify NBC that it's 2021. This would have been a good game 8 to 11 years ago.

Also regarding home game anthems. Will we be treated to Cornielson singing to an empty arena?
- boilermaker100

the NBC braintrust thought this would be more interesting than the nfl conference championships

I'm really racking my brain here......but probably since MAF was a young kid on that younger Pittsburgh team that beat Detroit did we see a true elite goalie will a cup in the last decade.....Valshinevsky (spell) is arguable this past year....but in between....

Thomas, Billington, Crawford, Niemi, Quick, Murray, etc......all guys who showed up when the needed to but not your King Henrik's or Carey Price's of the world.

Think it;s been proven you can win with above average goaltending just as easily. However, you have no shot if your goaltending is made up of minor league calibre players....
- SteveRain

Crows numbers career wise and certainly in the playoffs are probably even or better than henrick and not far off from price.

Colliton tells the media today that his plan for goaltending is to split the duties as evenly as possible with Lankinen getting his opportunity soon.

Per Pro Hockey Rumors site.

If Chicago were to retain some of Kane’s salary as well as take on a bad contract would a contending team be willing to part with a blue chip prospect(s) and a draft pick? Imagine Kane on Colorado on a line with MacKinnon? The Aves are stacked with prospects. Would improving their chances of a championship immeasurably, not just this year but the next three, make them consider moving one or two of Connor Timmons, Shane Bowers, Justin Barron, Alex Newhook, Martin Kaut or Bowen Byram?

Imagine Keith on Toronto’s blueline? Take a prospect and take Spezza off ther hands for Keith? Again to make it work retain some salary.

This all obviously would depend on Wirtz agreeing to lay our the money as salary compensation.

As for Toews, my fear his illness isn’t injury related that could force him to retire.
- paulr

we have 2 contracts retained right now so I think we are at our limit. would have really like to not have the SAAD contract retained. Col is not up against the cap so Im not sure why we got strong armed. would really like to have one to help with trades during this year.

the reality is this is a 2 year full tank, this and next. with Dach and Nylander (I know people are down on him but he has one of the highest celings for young forwards) missing the year for development Teows probably not gettting back to a level from a few year ago after taking this year off and a flat cap and no goaltending. who could we trade this year to really help our team next year? Keith Murph Zadorv, dehan could bring back something but more then likely next year when we can retain or they are in a final year of there contract and after the EXP draft. this year we will compete for worst record and next year would be the year we actual sell any assets we can. 22-23 would be the year we might start being a young up and coming team.