Don't forget, next season if we are through the horror period of COVID, if Tampa and Florida are a wash with Colorado and Winnipeg, we subtract Detroit and bring back the Blues without their Stanley Cup hangover. That is a pretty big wall to climb....
- jrsamu

Central division is always good. Best in my biased opinion.

. Agreed and in every cases the free agent signings added a missing piece to a team already built mainly through the draft. What I’m saying is you sign a free agent to complete a team, you don’t sign a free agent to build around.
- paulr

Don't disagree with that.

And yet team played well above expectations. No one, including you, never thought the team would play well enough to challenge for a playoff spot when the season began.
- paulr

They got points but still did not play well. With the parity in the league bad teams challenge for a playoff spot with good goaltending or by packing the box. Columbus is a good example of that. Not this year but most - even if they made the playoffs - they certainly weren't going to win a Cup.

I'm not knocking them as players, but the important part of your question "if you have a core of very good players" do we?do I like what we have & competed against strong teams, Covid is to blame, but how would we look against the league? Sadly, we play 7 teams, and I can't make a sound, complete judgment. I think we are more than one piece away & filling one hole expensively doesn't address all needs & could create more down the road.

We need more status updates as it could change us. Another year? I would love one of those players, but Matthew's "bridge deal" made him expensive as that ends. I feel like an expensive forward creates another Kane/Panarin set of seasons - outscore the opponent without much d help & Lank & Subban prove they aren't stellar dependable. They could be, but might not.
- I Am The Breadman

I'll answer that at the end of next season, when the question is ripe.

I'll answer that at the end of next season, when the question is ripe.
- mohel

Agreed.

Not sure how much better he can be. The roster itself is rather flawed, they defend poorly, have little organization and with out a burning hot power play and very good goaltending they don't win.

The team lacks a lot of competent hockey fundamentals. If the roster isn't garbage or the coaching isn't terrible its both being mediocre enough to tease the causal fan but ultimately disappoint.
- fattybeef

This
R Peeters
Also even young players can be told their responsibilities on break outs

I agree....I don't want to a ruin a teenage or young 20 yr old's confidence slotting him above his skis, so it's that tough balance between learning on the fly and being over protective.

Think Zadorov is the most frustrating for me. Really expected more.

DeHaan....counting down the days until I never have to watch him play again....he's just....well, he's not good.

Keith...sad tale as he's playing minutes his skill set likely won't allow anymore, so try very hard to remember what he was vs what we have now. A shell of a former great player.

One thing I do agree with Murphy on is in these larger games lots of guys look very timid and very nervous. Almost afraid to make a mistake, and when one guy does, it just snowballs. They rarely get a push on the ensuing faceoff after giving up a goal...in fact it almost seems like they get pinned back in their own end far more often than not.....
- SteveRain

Once they are out of it, be good to see them even out the D minutes. You're trying to develop youngsters right? Keith at 17 to 18 mins a night would be fine.

Best post of the month....
- jrsamu

I'm a little insulted, thought I had some good ones this month!

Apropos of what many have been alluding to here (regarding 5v5 scoring):

If you think Kirby Dach has been disappointing this season (1 goal, 4 assists in 12 games)...

...Consider he actually ranks 3rd on the Blackhawks — behind only Kane and DeBrincat — in even strength points per 60 minutes.

If his drafts are any indication, Bowman decided awhile ago to build from the blue line forward. He then signs Euros every year trying to give the team some offence up front.

None of it is working very well as they are totally devoid up the middle of the ice. Dach might be better slotted as a winger but they are going to have to use him at center because there are no candidates that I see that can fill his spot.

Stan better hope Borgstrom and Reichel can play the pivot at the NHL level.
- RickJ

A team with a strong defence is not a bad way to start to build a team. You’re right about center but now Bowman can concentrate on that. I’m sure he expected a few more years of Toews. I’ve seen a few posters suggest Dach will make a better winger. I think it’s far too early to make that decision after all at the end of this season he’s only played one full NHL season. But let’s say he becomes a winger then that’s going to have to be the Hawk’s biggest priority.

They got points but still did not play well. With the parity in the league bad teams challenge for a playoff spot with good goaltending or by packing the box. Columbus is a good example of that. Not this year but most - even if they made the playoffs - they certainly weren't going to win a Cup.
- fattybeef

They played well in some games, not so well in others. They won games they shouldn’t have and lost games when they should have won. I think they play way better than expected and I think most Hawk fans will agree.

They played well in some games, not so well in others. They won games they shouldn’t have and lost games when they should have won. I think they play way better than expected and I think most Hawk fans will agree.
- paulr

They got better than expected goalie play, and rode a red hot PP into contention. The PP has regressed rapidly back toward the mean, and the team is now struggling. No surprise really.

They played well in some games, not so well in others. They won games they shouldn’t have and lost games when they should have won. I think they play way better than expected and I think most Hawk fans will agree.
- paulr

And this: you draft the best player even if you crying need for a center. I saw where Wiz suggested someone may go after Raaty as a value pick. A year ago he was one of eight players considered possibly first overall.

And this: you draft the best player even if you crying need for a center. I saw where Wiz suggested someone may go after Raaty as a value pick. A year ago he was one of eight players considered possibly first overall.
- jhawk59

I’m still formulating my prediction for the Hawks 1st round pic, stay tuned.

I’m still formulating my prediction for the Hawks 1st round pic, stay tuned.
- DarthKane

Canadiens recall Caufield three games back. Why has he not been in lineup even once? I could guess a few reasons; if you know why don't you tell us. The lines will be interesting for sure

Apropos of what many have been alluding to here (regarding 5v5 scoring):

If you think Kirby Dach has been disappointing this season (1 goal, 4 assists in 12 games)...

...Consider he actually ranks 3rd on the Blackhawks — behind only Kane and DeBrincat — in even strength points per 60 minutes.
- Chunk

He’s a bust. The Hawks should have drafted Caufield, clearly.

He’s a bust. The Hawks should have drafted Caufield, clearly.
- DarthKane

With these two:
Dach: TALL tales
Caufield: SHORT BUT NOT ON TALENT

New blog! A preview to the Blackhawks must-win game versus the Predators in order to be eligible to pull even at 4th place by the end of the 3-game series.

Plus, an early look at Chicago's potential lists for the Seattle expansion draft.

https://bit.ly/3sL6h4d

This
R Peeters
Also even young players can be told their responsibilities on break outs
- jhawk59

Or they are young and experienced players know how to get them out of sync.