Unfortunately for Dylan, he just can't skate or play at the pace required for an NHL forward, specifically a center. A team can hide a plodder on their D for awhile and get some minutes out of him, up front it doesn't work. I believe Colliton has given up on #17. He knows there is nowhere to hide him against teams like Carolina, Tampa or Florida etc. Hawks may even buy him out to rid themselves of that contract.
- RickJ

It is not just his speed. He plays a finesse game and stops moving his feet far too often. He is also not strong on the puck.

Tall, high center of gravity, lack of strength, slow acceleration, slow feet, and soft on the puck is not a good mix.

JC and Bowman decide to protect Dach for precautionary reasons and sit him out and the coach still scratches another centerman - Strome. There is a message there - Dylan is Done.

Nobody is trading for Strome and his $3.5M contract unless Stan provides a significant sweetener, to a team like Seattle. His 1 year hockey future is in Rockford or Indy.
- RickJ

It’s sad. Here’s a guy with some hockey smarts, who passes well and who’s pretty creative but who seemingly hasn’t got an ounce of compete. How is it possible for a big guy to play smaller than ADB, lose most puck battles and get pushed off the puck so easily? Imagine Strome with ADB’s heart?

It is not just his speed. He plays a finesse game and stops moving his feet far too often. He is also not strong on the puck.

Tall, high center of gravity, lack of strength, slow acceleration, slow feet, and soft on the puck is not a good mix.
- bhawks2241

You guys are right for now, I've noticed Strome skating lower after he was given some games off. Trying to be more physical with little success but as i said before what's the rush? If he hasn't got the message and isn't on planning on doing serious training in the off season we will have plenty of other forwards in the mix.

Forbes Top-50 valued sports franchises list is out: no hockey teams on it.

Football=26, soccer=9, basketball=9, baseball=6.

Cowboys ($5.7 billion), Yankees, Knicks, Barcelona, Real Madrid are the top-5.

Bears at 18 - $3.53 billion.
Cubs at 22 - $3.36 billion.
Bulls tied at 23 - $3.3 billion

it was mnetioned that shalunov was open to signing with the hawks but since he will be 28 its not a ELC contract. Damir would be on a 1. year ELC. would you do 1.75 shalunov and get damir for 925? both would be 1 year deals. the only issue is if they both have good years they would be UFA's after. that seems reasonable. we paid smith 3mil janmark 2.2 dehaan 4.8. also getting rid of matta with retention was a bright move. he has not been good.

There was a rumoured trade before the season strome for tuch just put vegas on that list due to that rumoured trade now whether that gets revisited in offseason is anybody's guess most likely no.
- Scott1977

I'd wheel that trade in a heartbeat

You guys are right for now, I've noticed Strome skating lower after he was given some games off. Trying to be more physical with little success but as i said before what's the rush? If he hasn't got the message and isn't on planning on doing a serious training in the off season we will have plenty of other forwards in the mix.
- BetweenTheDots

Agree. We talk about speed a lot. But I think a high revving motor or high energy paired with some stamina is more important than flat out speed.

it was mnetioned that shalunov was open to signing with the hawks but since he will be 28 its not a ELC contract. Damir would be on a 1. year ELC. would you do 1.75 shalunov and get damir for 925? both would be 1 year deals. the only issue is if they both have good years they would be UFA's after. that seems reasonable. we paid smith 3mil janmark 2.2 dehaan 4.8. also getting rid of matta with retention was a bright move. he has not been good.
- kmw4631

Because these will be relatively small dollar deals cap hit is less important than term. Would they take 1 year deals? If they would sign for 1 year you could choose to not resign them if they are a bust. But if they are the real deal you would wish you had signed them for more term.

Damir is another small winger. 5’9” 170.

I would be ok with signing them, Nylander, Gaudette, Suter, Hagel, Borgstrum, Reichel. Create some camp competition. Let the chips fall where they may.

But after 24 Sharp was a horse. I believe he led the league in short handed goals when he was killing penalties early in his Hawks career? Played #2 Center on the 2010 team. Could win a board battle and beat any skater to the other end of the ice 200 feet away. When somebody talks about "Hossa Light" they are really talking about Sharp by about 1 inch and 10 pounds give or take 200 goals.
- rpeters01

Sharp was a hack

Sharp was a hack
- Ogilthorpe2

One helluva 2 way forward. Speed, edge and a clutch goal scorer.

In the 2nd round of the 2021 draft the Hawks have the opportunity to draft Dach and Stillman’s little brothers.

Not Vegas. They have been using very good prospects plus likely re-sign Janmark. Strome would not fit their style of play.

What is the odds another prospect recalled even for one game.......Thinking Slavin
- jhawk59

Can't be Slavin. His ELC doesn't kick in untl next season. He's on an AHL deal right now.

My guess would be Barratt or Altybarmakian if there is a forward to get a look-see.

Theo any idea when the playoffs start i m assuming the American based playoffs will start before the Canadian playoffs will start?
- Scott1977

Not sure, Scott. I found this article from yesterday that has some info, though.

https://dknation.draftkin...urnament-schedule-bracket

Scott, in yesterday's message board, you asked if I thought Dach should be tried at wing. Doesn't hurt to have that option in the back pocket but I would develop Dach as far as you can take him at center.

If the Hawks were deep at center presently, then that could reconfigure the thinking but they are not. As others pointed out, the fact that Strome gets benched when Dach gets shut down is telling.

Same with if the system had top 6 centers coming up which is a possibility with Reichel and Borgstrom but it's too early to tell what they have in store.

Sharp was a hack
- Ogilthorpe2

After seeing Cats commitment to defense the last 2 years, his ability to battle for pucks along boards and to win them especially against top dmen in the league and at 23 with 2 abbreviated seasons he's almost scored half the points, oops actually a third of what Sharp did in his career.... but still WTF

In the 2nd round of the 2021 draft the Hawks have the opportunity to draft Dach and Stillman’s little brothers.
- DarthKane

Bust brothers? I expect better from you.

One helluva 2 way forward. Speed, edge and a clutch goal scorer.
- z1990z

Look up overrated in the dictionary, and you’ll see a picture of Sharpie.

New blog! A look at the critical factors of communication that would make the Blackhawks systems more finely tuned.

Plus, a look at how the Wild's thumping of the IceHogs reveals a lot of what ails the parent club.

https://bit.ly/3uwZwEy

Look up overrated in the dictionary, and you’ll see a picture of Sharpie.
- Ogilthorpe2

You're jealous he's prettier than you.