When has he ever had contact hard enough for a concussion? I kid. Hopefully it is a minor issue that he overcomes quickly.
- mohel

Strome in concussion protocol likely means he will miss some games. I really would like to see Entwhistle get even 1-2 games so that he gets a taste and a better picture or feel for what he could work on in preparation once he returns to Rockford.

In a similar way I hope the same vein runs from Chicago briefly then to Rockford for Kalynuk .Now the present moment is a good opportunity to sit Beaudin 1-2 games and give Kalynuk a shot.

If you have any hope for Delia, then if possible he could exchange spots with Tomkins. I am lukewarm whether Delia should get the net again but he needs at least a few AHL games if playing again this season.

Strome in concussion protocol likely means he will miss some games. I really would like to see Entwhistle get even 1-2 games so that he gets a taste and a better picture or feel for what he could work on in preparation once he returns to Rockford.

In a similar way I hope the same vein runs from Chicago briefly then to Rockford for Kalynuk .Now the present moment is a good opportunity to sit Beaudin 1-2 games and give Kalynuk a shot.

If you have any hope for Delia, then if possible he could exchange spots with Tomkins. I am lukewarm whether Delia should get the net again but he wneed at least a few AHL games.
- jhawk59

Entwhistle is in Rockford, he played top line the Hog's last game.

You bring up great points. One thing I do wonder is how the pandemic will impact team finances in the short and long term. Could this create a new era of how contracts and salary caps are managed?

Short answer, yes. Long answer, not sure of the specifics of what those impacts are or will be.

Could those impacts benefit the teams or the players or both? Conversely, could it hurt either of them or both?
- Theo Fox

Agree all bets are off as long as there is a stagnant cap and likely a bit longer after that. If stadiums aren't full in '21-22, in other words very soon, I think the league will see teams filing for bankruptcy or being sold and moved.

Entwhistle is in Rockford, he played top line the Hog's last game.
- LAHawk

That doesn't mean he's an NHL caliber player.

That doesn't mean he's an NHL caliber player.
- rpeters01

Well sure, but the comment was originally about just getting him into a game to see what he is.

I think the Hawks are really missing 1-2 elite forwards that can carry the puck and maintain possession.

You have Kane and that is about it. Dach and Toews (hopefully) both can be that type of forward when healthy. I still think the Hawks need at least one more guy.

There is no one the Hawks (aside from Kane) that opposing D have to back off of for fear of getting burned to the outside or beat up the middle.

That also really isn't Kane's game either....

We were discussing trading Strome in the previous thread. Hold those thoughts, because he just got placed in concussion protocol.
- 333inthe3rd

The taxi squad is full. Nowhere else to go.

When has he ever had contact hard enough for a concussion? I kid. Hopefully it is a minor issue that he overcomes quickly.
- mohel

When I was googling for confirmation of the story, I saw that he had also been placed in concussion protocol in November of 2019.

Winning leads to a top-heavy team. 88 is probably going to be the greatest American-born hockey player and there's no way the team could trade him. I just say if you're going to overpay, make sure it's a superstar who checks every box (Offense, Defense, Leadership).

Also, I think this team should make some moves to make a run next year. Flip the one-year deals for picks (Soderberg, Janmark, etc.) and make a big splash for a young offensive player. If we can package Boquist and a 1st for a stud then go for it. Dach and Toews back plus the maturation of the rookies could make this team a force.

Winning leads to a top-heavy team. 88 is probably going to be the greatest American-born hockey player and there's no way the team could trade him. I just say if you're going to overpay, make sure it's a superstar who checks every box (Offense, Defense, Leadership).

Also, I think this team should make some moves to make a run next year. Flip the one-year deals for picks (Soderberg, Janmark, etc.) and make a big splash for a young offensive player. If we can package Boquist and a 1st for a stud then go for it. Dach and Toews back plus the maturation of the rookies could make this team a force.
- snakeyes0007

If the Hawks first is a lottery selection, they are not letting go of it. Bovquist and a mid round pick is not going to get you a "stud" young forward.

I think the Hawks are really missing 1-2 elite forwards that can carry the puck and maintain possession.

You have Kane and that is about it. Dach and Toews (hopefully) both can be that type of forward when healthy. I still think the Hawks need at least one more guy.

There is no one the Hawks (aside from Kane) that opposing D have to back off of for fear of getting burned to the outside or beat up the middle.

That also really isn't Kane's game either....
- bhawks2241

Hagel, but he doesn't have the hands or control (yet) to finish. He beats almost everyone.

If the Hawks first is a lottery selection, they are not letting go of it. Bovquist and a mid round pick is not going to get you a "stud" young forward.
- LAHawk

Maybe "Stud" is too ambiguous. I see they have a wealth of defensive players now, make a move for a good player to set us up for next year. Just throwing this out there but Brady Tkachuk is a RFA next year. Maybe trade for him or sign him to an offer sheet.

I think the Hawks are really missing 1-2 elite forwards that can carry the puck and maintain possession.

You have Kane and that is about it. Dach and Toews (hopefully) both can be that type of forward when healthy. I still think the Hawks need at least one more guy.

There is no one the Hawks (aside from Kane) that opposing D have to back off of for fear of getting burned to the outside or beat up the middle.

That also really isn't Kane's game either....
- bhawks2241

I wouldn't sell short on DeBrincat and Kubalik. They may not be elite but they are both getting better and stronger at forechecking, fending off defenders when they have the puck, and playing in traffic.

Kurashev and Suter are showing glimpses that they can play that way. Still a work in progress from them but neither are risk averse. Same with Reichel as an 18 year old in the German pro league. All three are resilient, too.

Hagel, but he doesn't have the hands or control (yet) to finish. He beats almost everyone.
- Chunk

If he makes NHL Soderlund but he is 4th line. Has scored some not devoid ability wise.
Causes you to consider what kind of forward they hope to draft.....if a forward with 2021 #1

Winning leads to a top-heavy team. 88 is probably going to be the greatest American-born hockey player and there's no way the team could trade him. I just say if you're going to overpay, make sure it's a superstar who checks every box (Offense, Defense, Leadership).

Also, I think this team should make some moves to make a run next year. Flip the one-year deals for picks (Soderberg, Janmark, etc.) and make a big splash for a young offensive player. If we can package Boquist and a 1st for a stud then go for it. Dach and Toews back plus the maturation of the rookies could make this team a force.
- snakeyes0007

Welcome, snakeyes! This seems to be your first post, so look forward to reading more of your thoughts.

I agree with what you shared about paying top players. Do what you can to pay (even overpay) for the truly elite players or superstars as the term you used.

Think long and hard, though, about overpaying good to great players who are not at that highest of stratospheres. The market will play a factor, of course.

Sorry, I should've been more clear about not overpaying top players. I didn't mean for that comment to be that they shouldn't be paid whatever the market dictates. That certainly will play a factor.

However, what happens if the Hawks ever have a core like Kane, Toews, Keith, Seabrook, Hossa, and Crawford again. Do you give them all huge contracts and get back to a top heavy salary structure again?

This is where I believe the new direction of the franchise will look for moderation, i.e. deciding who the true untouchables are and pay them as reasonably as possible while not shortchanging them, then think long and hard about the rest.

The rest could get traded to recoup new assets who can help the team. If these players are performing well, those returns could be valuable.

Do I think the Hawks mismanaged the salary cup from 2009-2015? As a fan who wanted to see championships, no, not really. But it still comes at a cost.

Is that cost just how pro sports work as far as championship cycles? Enjoy them if and when you can get them but also know there will be dark times in between?

Again, the new franchise direction is looking for more sustainable growth with both the salary cap and roster. I don't know how management will actually pull that off but that's on them to put their money where their mouth is.
- Theo Fox

Yes, you give them market contracts. If you try to trade a guy that good, you either make the team worse at that point by trading for futures, or you you take on the salary of another really good player back. If five of the current kids develop into really good players, you pay them or lose them via trade or free agency. Unless they take under market deals.

The best way to not have cap issues is to have few good players and don't win. Or draft and develop star and near-star level players on a consistent basis (better than any team does it). And this would have to be done while drafting low in each round and while trading picks at the TDL many years. That's the system that is in place.

Maybe I'm not understanding what sustainable growth actually means.

I wouldn't sell short on DeBrincat and Kubalik. They may not be elite but they are both getting better and stronger at forechecking, fending off defenders when they have the puck, and playing in traffic.

Kurashev and Suter are showing glimpses that they can play that way. Still a work in progress from them but neither are risk averse. Same with Reichel as an 18 year old in the German pro league. All three are resilient, too.
- Theo Fox

Dcat is better this year but he isn't an elite or near elite puck carrier. Neither is Kubalik (doesn't have the skating either).

I am talking about the elite or near elite guys that can flip the ice just by carrying the puck themselves. Some nights teams are just off with the passing. Need the type of forward that can take over on their own. Hawks only have 1 right now.

In the cup years Hawks had Kane, Toews, Hossa, Saad (to an extent), and Sharp (not the older slow version). When needed any of them could carry the puck in with speed. Guys that opposing D had to respect and fear getting burned/turnstiled by.

Maybe "Stud" is too ambiguous. I see they have a wealth of defensive players now, make a move for a good player to set us up for next year. Just throwing this out there but Brady Tkachuk is a RFA next year. Maybe trade for him or sign him to an offer sheet.
- snakeyes0007

Ottawa would match, see Aho-Carolina.

Plus i do not foresee any Hawks offer sheets, they are not giving up draft picks.

Yes, you give them market contracts. If you try to trade a guy that good, you either make the team worse at that point by trading for futures, or you you take on the salary of another really good player back. If five of the current kids develop into really good players, you pay them or lose them via trade or free agency. Unless they take under market deals.

The best way to not have cap issues is to have few good players and don't win. Or draft and develop star and near-star level players on a consistent basis (better than any team does it). And this would have to be done while drafting low in each round and while trading picks at the TDL many years. That's the system that is in place.

Maybe I'm not understanding what sustainable growth actually means.
- mohel

Thanks for the additional perspectives. All very good points.

I don't know what sustainable growth will actually look like either. Management desires it but it remains to be seen how that will actually play out in reality.

Dcat is better this year but he isn't an elite or near elite puck carrier. Neither is Kubalik (doesn't have the skating either).

I am talking about the elite or near elite guys that can flip the ice just by carrying the puck themselves. Some nights teams are just off with the passing. Need the type of forward that can take over on their own. Hawks only have 1 right now.

In the cup years Hawks had Kane, Toews, Hossa, Saad (to an extent), and Sharp (not the older slow version). When needed any of them could carry the puck in with speed. Guys that opposing D had to respect and fear getting burned/turnstiled by.
- bhawks2241

Thanks for clarifying what you meant. From that definition, yes, none of the young players can do that, at least not yet.

Could they in due time? Maybe. I think the skill set and compete level is there for each them in varying degrees.

It also helps that many of these young players who could play top 6 (or at least top 9) aren't perimeter players.

This is the part that terrifies me about Shaw. No idea if/when the symptoms can or will come back:

Colliton on Strome's concussion: "He got hit a few games ago. He didn't feel anything, symptoms-wise. We were checking on him and he felt good. But these symptoms are sometimes late-arriving and he hasn't felt as good the last little while."

This is one area where Colliton is an incredible asset. Having gone through this as a player, he can relate to wanting to get back as soon as possible, but also weighing the risks.

Thanks for the additional perspectives. All very good points.

I don't know what sustainable growth will actually look like either. Management desires it but it remains to be seen how that will actually play out in reality.
- Theo Fox

Hopefully, Stan has some really tough financial decisions to make in a few years - that would mean several of these kids have developed into very good players.

Thanks for clarifying what you meant. From that definition, yes, none of the young players can do that, at least not yet.

Could they in due time? Maybe. I think the skill set and compete level is there for each them in varying degrees.

It also helps that many of these young players who could play top 6 (or at least top 9) aren't perimeter players.
- Theo Fox

If they can do with the forward ranks that which has been done with the D, the Hawks will be set up quite well going forward. Ideally, you have an overabundance at all positions so you are always dealing from strength. It's not truly sustainable long term, as injury, cost, and timing (NHL readiness) are never set in stone, but definitely something to strive for.

When is the trade deadline for the nhl?

If they can do with the forward ranks that which has been done with the D, the Hawks will be set up quite well going forward. Ideally, you have an overabundance at all positions so you are always dealing from strength. It's not truly sustainable long term, as injury, cost, and timing (NHL readiness) are never set in stone, but definitely something to strive for.
- Chunk

And maybe take a gamble and get a couple young guys signed longer term on "cheaper" deals. Like that MacKinnon contract. Avs have him on the cheap for a few more years still.