Thank you, Theo.
I listened to an interview with Gaudette on the Blackhawks website. He said he's gained 20 lbs. this offseason. Sounds like he's overcome his physical malady.
Him and all the newcomers have me looking forward to the upcoming season.
- 35Tony0

Same. Just inquired about season tickets. Let’s Go!!!!

Have heard that somewhere about the first rounder. While I wasn't happy about that part of the trade, I'm hopeful Jones can regain his form from a couple years ago.

Much like Toews who people were writing off at 28 or whatever age it was his production dipped for a couple seasons, I think Jones still has some good to great hockey in him.

I would take that comp as far as Nylander goes.
- HawkintheD

If you google hawks 1st round picks and start at toews and get to current day….you’ll feel better. Regardless of what the mob says 1sts aren’t any more of a lock to be a bonafide building piece under the bowman regime than a 2nd or lower. He either trades them for a cup run (100% in favor of that) makes cute picks that are way too early or just flat out misses. It’s early on dach and reichel but outside of them since 2007….the only 2 1sts here are the wonder twins.

All for building through the draft but it’s not like hawks are some draft gurus. That part of calling out bowman to me is 100% warranted then him realizing all his young d men may never sniff 1st pairing material so he goes outside the organization to acquire one.

Outside of that the workout nugget was gold. Forgot about that and I myself love to hit the iron. Lol

Fair points. Despite the board narrative that Stan has no plan, I'm sure he knows what he's going to do if Johnny can't play.
- mohel

100% and he Has to tow the line so he’s not putting the onus on toews if toews has a relapse or set back with his disease. Possible but hopefully not probable.

Fact toews was optimistic makes me optimistic. See what happens.

Now….back to waiting for me glass Calvin dehaan and cement shoes strome to be dealt.

Good morning.

Maybe I was drunk during the bubble, likely so, but I thought Kane dach debrincat looked good together. Dach was far better than 4-5 months since we last saw him in March. I’m hopeful he can show that form and progress vs last years injury riddled season.

If he doesn’t well….everyone bemoaning the lost of that pick for Jones can add dach to the list of recent misses. I am dach fan. I think he can park his ass in front of the net and create room for Kane and pick up garbage goals off debrincat rebounds and set screens

Strome…..he’s so damn slow that he’s usually half a zone away entering or leaving to play center. Like the older guy trying to hang on and play under 30 men’s league. No chance. Doesn’t finish enough for me to warrant top 6 minutes. Think he exerted whatever he had left to get this contract and I’ll be shocked if he’s still in the league in 3-5 years.

Toews…..I go by the player and what he says. Fact toews came out and made that little montage tells me he feels as good as he can and bowman is doing to cya maybe until toews is done or retired. I just don’t want cya in strome. Toews may be the new hossa where he’ll miss a random game and have numerous “‘maintenance” days off.
- SteveRain

About Strome, I am trying to say don't give him away yet, till you know Toews status, you can always give him away later.

About Strome, I am trying to say don't give him away yet, till you know Toews status, you can always give him away later.
- LAHawk

Strome to Buffalo, Seattle, or Minnesota for 2rd pick.

Strome to Buffalo, Seattle, or Minnesota for 2rd pick.
- CSKA1981

Perhaps Buffalo is dumb enough to do that.

I've been reading Penguins blogs, comment boards, etc. and for some reason, they think they have some kind of leverage or power over the Hawks in the MAF situation lol Thinking they can fleece the Hawks and get them to take back Tristan Jarry or some other atrocious contract because the Hawks would 'have to accept it'. Do they realize that the Hawks are the ones in control? They can tell Fleury to report and do not have to trade him, if he doesn't report/retire, then hello 7m cap space
- Hossa1881

I have read some of that garbage from Pens fans. They think they can do all of the above with no retention on the part of the Hawks so in essence Jarry becomes a $10M goalie for the Hawks. Hawk fans have a tendency to down value their players whereas some fan bases are totally delusional when it comes to determining the value of their players.

I am ready this morning for all the arrows to sling my way:

IMO you need to keep Strome until you have a good idea what the availability of Toews is like. Stan in his presser wasn't optimisitc that just because he started skating, that he will be able to play NHL hockey this year.

Speaking of overly optimistic, what indications are there that Dach is a #1 center, let alone a #2? Injury or no, he had his lunch handed to him playing in that role last year.. His chemistry with Kane is zero, Dach loves to carry the puck, and if you play him with Kane and ADB, they don't allow you to play with 3 pucks, because ADB likes to lug the puck also. Then you have the fact that Dach is right handed, and his passes to Kane will mostly be backhanded, that is why Kane likes to play with left handed center iceman (only right handed center that worked for a few games was during the playoffs when they threw Kane/Shaw/Saad together).

I have no advanced stat or metrics to back any of this up, except for my 55 years of watching and 30 years of playing hockey (when there was no face shields, an external mouthguard, and Northland sticks). In addition I probably took too many shots to the head
- LAHawk

No arrows. I agree on Strome. I actually am okay with him on the team. More so if Toews is not 100%.

I think Dach can be on a strong line with Adb & Kane. They showed signs of it in the bubble. My knock on Dach is carrying the puck, trying to slip past defenders. He gets stripped & loses the puck every time. That is a trend that needs to stop. Other than that, I like where he is heading.

Would like to see Nylander resigned on a Show Me 1 year deal. Earn your next contract for around the same deal Gaudette got you little spoiled female dog!
- Assman22

Ummm ... sure ...

Fair points. Despite the board narrative that Stan has no plan, I'm sure he knows what he's going to do if Johnny can't play.
- mohel

Is it possible that Stan traded Seabrook's LTIRetirement knowing that he has a Toews' one upcoming to replace it?

On the subject of player health, I have this uneasy feeling about reliving our Shaw/ DeHaan experiences with the McCabe (knee) and Khaira (recent concussions) signings.

Perhaps Buffalo is dumb enough to do that.
- mohel

They are short on centers and no one wants to play there. So overpaying or trading is their only option.

They are short on centers and no one wants to play there. So overpaying or trading is their only option.
- CSKA1981

Maybe Saad will sign there, I don't see anywhere else he is going to get what he wants to get paid.

Thank you, Theo.
I listened to an interview with Gaudette on the Blackhawks website. He said he's gained 20 lbs. this offseason. Sounds like he's overcome his physical malady.
Him and all the newcomers have me looking forward to the upcoming season.
- 35Tony0

I'm looking forward to seeing what Gaudette can do if he's healthy. 2 seasons ago he played well in Vancouver, but he'll still need to earn his spot on the roster.

Like others have said, I don't think Stan is done. I think de Haan has value since he's an experienced d-man on an expiring contract. He won't return much, maybe a 4th and 5th pick, but it's something. Ideally Connolly goes too, but I don't see that happening. I would expect Strome would be the odd-man out within the forward group.

Maybe Saad will sign there, I don't see anywhere else he is going to get what he wants to get paid.
- LAHawk

LA or NJ may. I don't think Buffalo needs Saad, they are starting rebuilding. He is more of a complimentary piece for a contender or a team on a rise.

I'm looking forward to seeing what Gaudette can do if he's healthy. 2 seasons ago he played well in Vancouver, but he'll still need to earn his spot on the roster.

Like others have said, I don't think Stan is done. I think de Haan has value since he's an experienced d-man on an expiring contract. He won't return much, maybe a 4th and 5th pick, but it's something. Ideally Connolly goes too, but I don't see that happening. I would expect Strome would be the odd-man out within the forward group.
- DarthKane

Catch 22: if DeHaan is healthy, he is valuable to the Hawks. If he is not, no one will trade for him. I would keep him. Think of it as a late season acquisition. He would help stabilize 3rd pair and help mentor rookies.

LA or NJ may. I don't think Buffalo needs Saad, they are starting rebuilding. He is more of a complimentary piece for a contender or a team on a rise.
- CSKA1981

LA after signing Danault and Anthanasou yesterday can't afford Saad unless they jettison someone else from the roster.

Catch 22: if DeHaan is healthy, he is valuable to the Hawks. If he is not, no one will trade for him. I would keep him. Think of it as a late season acquisition. He would help stabilize 3rd pair and help mentor rookies.
- CSKA1981

For sure, de Haan has value. But if the Hawks plan to make more moves they'll need to free up cap space and he's an easy target.

Without de Haan the Hawks still have Jones, McCabe and Murphy as the veterans. Stillman is a tweener in that regarding but he's a few steps ahead of the young guys. C Jones will likely get a shot, but I see him as a #7D. I think Kalynuk deserves to play and he can now be eased into the lineup playing 3rd pairing and PP2 minutes.

At this point, Strome has to be gone, right? You've now got Dach and Johnson who are clearly ahead of him, Kurashev, plays a better overall game with speed and hustle, toews if he comes back, and another high end lottery ticket in Borgstrom (and an outside shot of Riechel, but like may have alluded, I think he at least starts at wing).

Strome needs to play top six to be effective ("better" linemates and theoretically a more offensive role). I can't see him beating out Dach, Johnson, Toews (if he plays) and possibly even Kurashev. Borgstrom is a complete unknown at this point, but he is an offensive generator as well.
- Chunk

Assuming Toews or Dach plays center. Some here have the opinion that Dach may be better on the wing.

Toews moving to the wing similar to Giroux could be helpful in terms of keeping him fresher and getting less beat up.

Theo, great piece. It is obvious the Hawks want even more leadership and character with the additions being made. This will help with development of the younger players, and also maximize the final chances of Nylander/Strome dedicating themselves in a manner that takes advantage of their natural skill.

But what do you make of the purge of almost all Euro players from the roster? I think only Kubalik, Kurashev, and Lankinen remain.

I am ready this morning for all the arrows to sling my way:

IMO you need to keep Strome until you have a good idea what the availability of Toews is like. Stan in his presser wasn't optimisitc that just because he started skating, that he will be able to play NHL hockey this year.

Speaking of overly optimistic, what indications are there that Dach is a #1 center, let alone a #2? Injury or no, he had his lunch handed to him playing in that role last year.. His chemistry with Kane is zero, Dach loves to carry the puck, and if you play him with Kane and ADB, they don't allow you to play with 3 pucks, because ADB likes to lug the puck also. Then you have the fact that Dach is right handed, and his passes to Kane will mostly be backhanded, that is why Kane likes to play with left handed center iceman (only right handed center that worked for a few games was during the playoffs when they threw Kane/Shaw/Saad together).

I have no advanced stat or metrics to back any of this up, except for my 55 years of watching and 30 years of playing hockey (when there was no face shields, an external mouthguard, and Northland sticks). In addition I probably took too many shots to the head
- LAHawk

I would agree with all that.

If arrows are slung anywhere they should be towards the vitals of an elk in September.

Can't have too many centers. I don't think Strome is a bad player, unfortunate to pick up the ankle injury as well as the concussion last year. Either way, many options are better than limited options even if none of them are super sexy.

Great write up Theo.

I'm excited about seeing the many new faces we acquired in the lineup this year but think we'll have the same results if the D and forwards let the opposition get as many high danger chances as in the previous years.

Theo, great piece. It is obvious the Hawks want even more leadership and character with the additions being made. This will help with development of the younger players, and also maximize the final chances of Nylander/Strome dedicating themselves in a manner that takes advantage of their natural skill.

But what do you make of the purge of almost all Euro players from the roster? I think only Kubalik, Kurashev, and Lankinen remain.
- gmurban

On your last point, I did wonder if a) there are any important euro players to sign & b) if they would come here. Is that a burned bridge? We still should focus on signing Hagel, I don't care about Nylander one way or the other. I still suspect moves will be made.

On your last point, I did wonder if a) there are any important euro players to sign & b) if they would come here. Is that a burned bridge? We still should focus on signing Hagel, I don't care about Nylander one way or the other. I still suspect moves will be made.
- I Am The Breadman

With all the latest moves I’m guessing there won’t be as much patience with Nylander. If he doesn’t begin the season strongly it might not be long for him in Chicago. I’m hoping he can live up to his potential for the sake of the team. Additional scoring would be a nice thing.

On your last point, I did wonder if a) there are any important euro players to sign & b) if they would come here. Is that a burned bridge? We still should focus on signing Hagel, I don't care about Nylander one way or the other. I still suspect moves will be made.
- I Am The Breadman

Hi, Bread. I think the opposite of the bolded. The Hawks didn't try to play hardball with Suter; they didn't value him as highly as he saw his own value, and they made him a UFA to allow him to get the best deal for himself. If I'm a Euro FA, I like that.

I am ready this morning for all the arrows to sling my way:

IMO you need to keep Strome until you have a good idea what the availability of Toews is like. Stan in his presser wasn't optimisitc that just because he started skating, that he will be able to play NHL hockey this year.

Speaking of overly optimistic, what indications are there that Dach is a #1 center, let alone a #2? Injury or no, he had his lunch handed to him playing in that role last year.. His chemistry with Kane is zero, Dach loves to carry the puck, and if you play him with Kane and ADB, they don't allow you to play with 3 pucks, because ADB likes to lug the puck also. Then you have the fact that Dach is right handed, and his passes to Kane will mostly be backhanded, that is why Kane likes to play with left handed center iceman (only right handed center that worked for a few games was during the playoffs when they threw Kane/Shaw/Saad together).

I have no advanced stat or metrics to back any of this up, except for my 55 years of watching and 30 years of playing hockey (when there was no face shields, an external mouthguard, and Northland sticks). In addition I probably took too many shots to the head
- LAHawk

Hey LA. My previous comment wasn't an argument against keeping him, but more reading the tea leaves. Looking at the type of players they've brought in, and the current roster overall, I didn't think that the Hawks would like to keep him around. If Toews is out, and Strome gets another chance, it will likely be his last (in Hawk sweater). He needs to show something more than he has. At the same time, JC needs to put him in a position to succeed. Playing him at wing does nothing for him or the Hawks at this point.