Brooks is a clown. Do I think Bowman made a call? Of course he did. Its his job. Anyone giving up a bunch of assets for Eichel will regret it.
- Elbows15

He is but he's more credible then the goof who runs this site.....(E5)

I am not saying I want Eichel, I am in the camp of the rebuild where it's accumulated through draft, smart trades, and at the end....a top UFA signing to plug a hole you have that isn't solved by assets in the organization.

Of course he should be calling on everyone and anyone. I wouldn't be shocked when we Kevyn Adams told him the price, Bowman moved on.....

Last year a large percentage on this board wanted to send DeBrincat packing because he couldn't produce....few of us realized he had HORRIBLE luck and lost confidence. Gave him a pass and this year.....hes' back to what this team needs.

Dach....now he's the whipping boy because he and the organization agreed for him to play in the WJC, broke his wrist in a freak way, likely rushed back....and never felt right. The kid we saw in the bubble in Edmonton is hopefully where he starts next year and gets better as he puts on size, strength and gains more confidence.

I think the Hawks are closer then many want to admit to being a playoff team. From there, they need to gain experience, make KEY decisions on younger guys who either they sell high on and replace OR ride out and that is likely a LOT of the back end D men.

Somebody else mentioned it, but the amount of games this team gave away because turds like Zadorov or Mr glass, aka DeHaan, or an aging Keith jacked up cost them a chance to get railroaded by Tampa or Carolina but the experience that comes with it.....would be invaluable. I worry about 27 handling constant poundings and learning how to spin away from taking those hits AND not forcing passes that lead to turnovers. 27 looked like a child vs men vs Vegas last summer.....so while I hope he progresses, I am very leery of him until I see him play in a high pressure, playoff setting again....playing against Nashville in November and doing well is one thing, playing against a cup contender where every guy is finishing checks and going balls out is a whole different game.....Same holds true for a lot of the younger D men, so I am NOT just picking on 27.

Do you think Stan starts early for next summer’s internal free agents? I would like to see both Murph & Kubs signed to 4-5 year deals. No rush on any of the restricted guys.
- zm333

Anything more than $1.5M AAV is a drastic overpay.

Exactly. It hasn't even been taken care of yet. He will probably miss most, if not all, of next season. Plus, adding his contract puts the Hawks right back into cap hell with no depth. And no assets to find any.
- Elbows15

Isn't that the major source of beef between him and his agent and Buffalo? Team docs said no surgery and Eichel's camp is pushing hard for it?

edmonton might be a good landing spot for strome, They have a extra Forward spot for the EXP draft, he is very close with MCD and they would like to shed some salary. How about Strome and Subban for a hollaway and koskien? he is signed 1 year at 4.5. another option is Strome for and Subban for bouchard and koskien. We would end up pretty heavy on the R/D prospect pools with mitchell, Bouchard, boquist and regula all RD. this would also allow us to put Gaudette on the reserved list. the also have ryan Mcloed (C) and SAmurkov (LD) who might be good fits with the hawks. both 6-2 and 200-205.

Do you think Stan starts early for next summer’s internal free agents? I would like to see both Murph & Kubs signed to 4-5 year deals. No rush on any of the restricted guys.
- zm333

KUB is a RFA after next year and both cannot extend until the new league year starts, Murph I would want to do a 3-4 year at most he is already slow skater and has injury history.

Yes, no doubt, bu we need to add the right assets. Stan needs to be patient and add young talented forwards that are defensively responsible. While Laine has more talent than most of the Hawk forwards, his skill set will not help you win a championship, so there’s no sense in giving up assets for him. Give Kubalik a top six center and you will see similar production to Laine while playing all three zones, something that Laine doesn’t bring to the table. There will be better options for the Hawks, you’ll see.
- Angotti

I think Kubalik tops out as a slightly better version of Saad. He plays all three zones, scores goals, is willing to go to the dirty areas (although he currently is not quite as adept at getting the puck), but he is also adding a playmaking aspect to his game. I'm very happy with that.

I think Laine would be out of place (again) on the Hawks. I'd prefer that the Hawks purge a few of the "just guys" crowd (Hino, Kampf, Carpenter, etc.) and give more time to guys that are developing (Hardman, Entwistle, maybe Gaudette).

He is but he's more credible then the goof who runs this site.....(E5)

I am not saying I want Eichel, I am in the camp of the rebuild where it's accumulated through draft, smart trades, and at the end....a top UFA signing to plug a hole you have that isn't solved by assets in the organization.

Of course he should be calling on everyone and anyone. I wouldn't be shocked when we Kevyn Adams told him the price, Bowman moved on.....

Last year a large percentage on this board wanted to send DeBrincat packing because he couldn't produce....few of us realized he had HORRIBLE luck and lost confidence. Gave him a pass and this year.....hes' back to what this team needs.

Dach....now he's the whipping boy because he and the organization agreed for him to play in the WJC, broke his wrist in a freak way, likely rushed back....and never felt right. The kid we saw in the bubble in Edmonton is hopefully where he starts next year and gets better as he puts on size, strength and gains more confidence.

I think the Hawks are closer then many want to admit to being a playoff team. From there, they need to gain experience, make KEY decisions on younger guys who either they sell high on and replace OR ride out and that is likely a LOT of the back end D men.

Somebody else mentioned it, but the amount of games this team gave away because turds like Zadorov or Mr glass, aka DeHaan, or an aging Keith jacked up cost them a chance to get railroaded by Tampa or Carolina but the experience that comes with it.....would be invaluable. I worry about 27 handling constant poundings and learning how to spin away from taking those hits AND not forcing passes that lead to turnovers. 27 looked like a child vs men vs Vegas last summer.....so while I hope he progresses, I am very leery of him until I see him play in a high pressure, playoff setting again....playing against Nashville in November and doing well is one thing, playing against a cup contender where every guy is finishing checks and going balls out is a whole different game.....Same holds true for a lot of the younger D men, so I am NOT just picking on 27.
- SteveRain

If you think me saying Dach would be a better top 6 right winger than a top 6 center (my Blake Wheeler, or more recent Alex Tuch comparison's) then yes I am guilty of him being my "whipping boy".

How can the Hawks be much closer than people think to a playoff spot when your analysis of the defense has only one guy (Murphy) who is NHL average? The rest are below or unproven?

Isn't that the major source of beef between him and his agent and Buffalo? Team docs said no surgery and Eichel's camp is pushing hard for it?
- SteveRain

From what I have read, it is more the type of surgery that is the contention. Treatment isn't going to work for long on a herniated disc. Eichel wants a radical, for a professional athlete, disc replacement surgery and the doc want the more traditional fusion, I think.

If you think me saying Dach would be a better top 6 right winger than a top 6 center (my Blake Wheeler, or more recent Alex Tuch comparison's) then yes I am guilty of him being my "whipping boy".

How can the Hawks be much closer than people think to a playoff spot when your analysis of the defense has only one guy (Murphy) who is NHL average? The rest are below or unproven?
- LAHawk

playoff contender vs cup contender are 2 major differences.

Can they make the playoffs with a lineup of......

DeBrincat-Dach-Kane
Reichel-Toews-Kubalik
Hagel-Suter-Kurashev
gaudette-Kampf-Carpenter
Borgstrom

Murphy-Kalynuk
Keith-Boqvist
Stillman-Mitchell
Beaudin

Lankien/Subban

I think they could....if some guys continue to take the right steps and progress. They would need a lot to go right but I don't think they'll be a lottery team. Yes, there D is mainly unproven.....I don't see how you can guys like Kalynuk, Boqvist, Stillman, Mitchell, Beaudin are anything but unproven.

I have the Hawks dealing Zadorov, DeHaan being bought out OR taken by Seattle, and Hawks dealing Strome IF Toews is back......that is the key there for me. If Toews isn't back and they likely don't acquire another top 6 player, then....NO, I don't think they can make the playoffs.

From what I have read, it is more the type of surgery that is the contention. Treatment isn't going to work for long on a herniated disc. Eichel wants a radical, for a professional athlete, disc replacement surgery and the doc want the more traditional fusion, I think.
- Elbows15

Necks, backs, hips.....always scary. Knees, not so much anymore as they seem to have the ACL/MCL/PCL/Meniscus thing down to a T.

I haven't read up a lot on Eichel but if his production slipped could be likely caused by some nerve issues coming down from his neck into his back/lower body throwing him off.

playoff contender vs cup contender are 2 major differences.

Can they make the playoffs with a lineup of......

DeBrincat-Dach-Kane
Reichel-Toews-Kubalik
Hagel-Suter-Kurashev
gaudette-Kampf-Carpenter
Borgstrom

Murphy-Kalynuk
Keith-Boqvist
Stillman-Mitchell
Beaudin

Lankien/Subban

I think they could....if some guys continue to take the right steps and progress. They would need a lot to go right but I don't think they'll be a lottery team. Yes, there D is mainly unproven.....I don't see how you can guys like Kalynuk, Boqvist, Stillman, Mitchell, Beaudin are anything but unproven.

I have the Hawks dealing Zadorov, DeHaan being bought out OR taken by Seattle, and Hawks dealing Strome IF Toews is back......that is the key there for me. If Toews isn't back and they likely don't acquire another top 6 player, then....NO, I don't think they can make the playoffs.
- SteveRain

St Louis
Colorado Dallas
Nashville
Winnipeg
Minnesota Chicago

Standings finish in 19-20. As currently constructed, I see the Hawks at the bottom again next year There is no Detroit or Columbus to feast on in the Central next year.

No but if both sides are happy, and they mutually agree to a contract that they think is fair for both parties why not.

Considering he played on a line without Kane, or top 6 center and was 2nd on the Hawks with even strength goals. And he's about to hit his prime
- BetweenTheDots

Probably could have gotten ADB for less had he not signed two weeks before Covid19.

He is but he's more credible then the goof who runs this site.....(E5)

I am not saying I want Eichel, I am in the camp of the rebuild where it's accumulated through draft, smart trades, and at the end....a top UFA signing to plug a hole you have that isn't solved by assets in the organization.

Of course he should be calling on everyone and anyone. I wouldn't be shocked when we Kevyn Adams told him the price, Bowman moved on.....

Last year a large percentage on this board wanted to send DeBrincat packing because he couldn't produce....few of us realized he had HORRIBLE luck and lost confidence. Gave him a pass and this year.....hes' back to what this team needs.

Dach....now he's the whipping boy because he and the organization agreed for him to play in the WJC, broke his wrist in a freak way, likely rushed back....and never felt right. The kid we saw in the bubble in Edmonton is hopefully where he starts next year and gets better as he puts on size, strength and gains more confidence.

I think the Hawks are closer then many want to admit to being a playoff team. From there, they need to gain experience, make KEY decisions on younger guys who either they sell high on and replace OR ride out and that is likely a LOT of the back end D men.

Somebody else mentioned it, but the amount of games this team gave away because turds like Zadorov or Mr glass, aka DeHaan, or an aging Keith jacked up cost them a chance to get railroaded by Tampa or Carolina but the experience that comes with it.....would be invaluable. I worry about 27 handling constant poundings and learning how to spin away from taking those hits AND not forcing passes that lead to turnovers. 27 looked like a child vs men vs Vegas last summer.....so while I hope he progresses, I am very leery of him until I see him play in a high pressure, playoff setting again....playing against Nashville in November and doing well is one thing, playing against a cup contender where every guy is finishing checks and going balls out is a whole different game.....Same holds true for a lot of the younger D men, so I am NOT just picking on 27.
- SteveRain

As a general rule I would stay away from $10m players. Throw in his neck is "iffy" and I think it's a no brainer, especially for a fellow ND grad.

Necks, backs, hips.....always scary. Knees, not so much anymore as they seem to have the ACL/MCL/PCL/Meniscus thing down to a T.

I haven't read up a lot on Eichel but if his production slipped could be likely caused by some nerve issues coming down from his neck into his back/lower body throwing him off.
- SteveRain

He played hurt most of the season and had a miserable shooting % which accounts for any slip he may have had, The neck issue came later in the season. He had other nagging things bothering coming out of training camp.

A healthy Eichel is a different animal than the player we are discussing right now. Healthy, he is at worst one of the 15 best players out there. There are some hints of attitude problems but I take those with a barge of salt. He has been through 3 GMs and 4 coaches and I think frustration is at the heart of whatever attitude problems exist.

St Louis
Colorado Dallas
Nashville
Winnipeg
Minnesota Chicago

Standings finish in 19-20. As currently constructed, I see the Hawks at the bottom again next year There is no Detroit or Columbus to feast on in the Central next year.
- LAHawk

Colorado games will be a nightmare. LIkely STL as well.

I think Dallas is WAY overrated. Nashville rode Saros into a playoff spot, as they were going to be sellers at the deadline until he got red hot. Winnipeg and Minnesota.....eh....don't do much for me. Think you can put Colorado and STL as steps above and then throw the rest of the 4 teams in a hat....whoever stays healthy likely finishes ahead of the others.

My previous post...I am trusting that dreger's intel on Toews is accurate.

St Louis
Colorado Dallas
Nashville
Winnipeg
Minnesota Chicago

Standings finish in 19-20. As currently constructed, I see the Hawks at the bottom again next year There is no Detroit or Columbus to feast on in the Central next year.
- LAHawk

I think you will be surprised at how bad both the Blues and Stars are next season. I also think the Wild got some lightning in a bottle and rode a hot goalie to this season.

Winnipeg still sucks defensively and they don't have much firepower after Sheifele, Connor and Ehler. Wheeler is about to fade quickly.

St Louis
Colorado Dallas
Nashville
Winnipeg
Minnesota Chicago

Standings finish in 19-20. As currently constructed, I see the Hawks at the bottom again next year There is no Detroit or Columbus to feast on in the Central next year.
- LAHawk

Something tells me Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell and Kalynuk will not all be part of the Chicago system next season. Boqvist will be difficult to move with a broken wrist, a year too soon to move Mitchell. Beaudin and Kalynuk have given other teams a hint of what they might be as NHL players I'd put money on one of them being moved.

Colorado games will be a nightmare. LIkely STL as well.

I think Dallas is WAY overrated. Nashville rode Saros into a playoff spot, as they were going to be sellers at the deadline until he got red hot. Winnipeg and Minnesota.....eh....don't do much for me. Think you can put Colorado and STL as steps above and then throw the rest of the 4 teams in a hat....whoever stays healthy likely finishes ahead of the others.

My previous post...I am trusting that dreger's intel on Toews is accurate.
- SteveRain

The Blues barely made the playoffs in a 4 team division. Age will catch up to them and their best players can't stay healthy anyway. Tarasenko is a shell of himself these days.

St Louis
Colorado Dallas
Nashville
Winnipeg
Minnesota Chicago

Standings finish in 19-20. As currently constructed, I see the Hawks at the bottom again next year There is no Detroit or Columbus to feast on in the Central next year.
- LAHawk

Sure there is.... Chicago

Is this list in order? If so, I'm curious as to why you have St. Louis so high. They are two years removed from the Cup and have done almost nothing since. Barely made the playoffs this year (since the rest of their division sucked) and really didn't come close to putting up a fight against COL.

Sure there is.... Chicago

Is this list in order? If so, I'm curious as to why you have St. Louis so high. They are two years removed from the Cup and have done almost nothing since. Barely made the playoffs this year (since the rest of their division sucked) and really didn't come close to putting up a fight against COL.
- Chunk

Forget hating St. Louis I want to beat the Preds, especially in Nashville.

The Blues barely made the playoffs in a 4 team division. Age will catch up to them and their best players can't stay healthy anyway. Tarasenko is a shell of himself these days.
- Elbows15

From what work associates tell me it was more so there goaltending that failed them. Paid Binnington a LOT and he was OK and the backup was brutal.

Armstrong is an aggressive GM so it will be interesting to see how he pivots this year.

I do agree with you on Dallas, Minnesota, and Winnipeg. I also am NOT high on Nashville. Think they got VERY lucky at the end to make the playoffs.

Colorado games will be a nightmare. LIkely STL as well.

I think Dallas is WAY overrated. Nashville rode Saros into a playoff spot, as they were going to be sellers at the deadline until he got red hot. Winnipeg and Minnesota.....eh....don't do much for me. Think you can put Colorado and STL as steps above and then throw the rest of the 4 teams in a hat....whoever stays healthy likely finishes ahead of the others.

My previous post...I am trusting that dreger's intel on Toews is accurate.
- SteveRain

Blues are about to implode IMO

I think you will be surprised at how bad both the Blues and Stars are next season. I also think the Wild got some lightning in a bottle and rode a hot goalie to this season.

Winnipeg still sucks defensively and they don't have much firepower after Sheifele, Connor and Ehler. Wheeler is about to fade quickly.
- Elbows15

Agreed, beat me to it.

He played hurt most of the season and had a miserable shooting % which accounts for any slip he may have had, The neck issue came later in the season. He had other nagging things bothering coming out of training camp.

A healthy Eichel is a different animal than the player we are discussing right now. Healthy, he is at worst one of the 15 best players out there. There are some hints of attitude problems but I take those with a barge of salt. He has been through 3 GMs and 4 coaches and I think frustration is at the heart of whatever attitude problems exist.
- Elbows15

He ran one coach out of town. Not a very good one but still...
He likes to air his grievances to the media too. He's a cancer.

Something tells me Boqvist, Beaudin, Mitchell and Kalynuk will not all be part of the Chicago system next season. Boqvist will be difficult to move with a broken wrist, a year too soon to move Mitchell. Beaudin and Kalynuk have given other teams a hint of what they might be as NHL players I'd put money on one of them being moved.
- rpeters01

It would not surprise me at all if the Hawks traded one or two of the guys you mentioned. I think Kalynuk is the best player of the bunch right now (and my pick to be the best going forward as well). If Boqvist can get back to what he was in the middle of the season, and keep progressing, he will leapfrog everyone quickly. Boqvist, Beaudin and Mitchell are all kind of the same (type of) player, so it will come down to which side they play and who they think actually is the best. We've seen that they aren't all that shy to trade away 1st rounders.