Those faulting Stanbo for failing to pick a lane and stay with it aren't considering: 1) Keith suddenly wanting to leave, making the 1D slot and $5M+ cap space available to significantly upgrade to Seth; 2) the Hawks had the opportunity to see their young Dmen perform and found them lacking and/or needing further development; 3) the Hawks lack of size/grit/compete compared to Cup contenders was apparent, particularly when going head-to-head with TB, Fla and Canes; 4) the pandemic has changed fans' viewing habits, and the Wirtzes don't want to go back to the bad old days, so no time for long range rebuilds. I'm a huge Stanbo critic, but he's done a good job of changing the entire tenor of the franchise almost overnight. Furthermore, the Fleury signing was a brilliant no-risk move, in that the Hawks either get last year's Vezina winner in goal, or flip him to Pitt and retain some money in exchange for assets. IMO that is good use of cap space.
- BMWChiFan

I think the suddenly moves also are related to the fact the tickets have gone slow for them; New faces especiallytop names helps sell ti kets because it moves are about winning nifty waiting....

Those faulting Stanbo for failing to pick a lane and stay with it aren't considering: 1) Keith suddenly wanting to leave, making the 1D slot and $5M+ cap space available to significantly upgrade to Seth; 2) the Hawks had the opportunity to see their young Dmen perform and found them lacking and/or needing further development; 3) the Hawks lack of size/grit/compete compared to Cup contenders was apparent, particularly when going head-to-head with TB, Fla and Canes; 4) the pandemic has changed fans' viewing habits, and the Wirtzes don't want to go back to the bad old days, so no time for long range rebuilds. I'm a huge Stanbo critic, but he's done a good job of changing the entire tenor of the franchise almost overnight. Furthermore, the Fleury signing was a brilliant no-risk move, in that the Hawks either get last year's Vezina winner in goal, or flip him to Pitt and retain some money in exchange for assets. IMO that is good use of cap space.
- BMWChiFan

I think the suddenly moves also are related to the fact the tickets have gone slow for them; New faces especiallytop names helps sell ti kets because it moves are about winning nifty waiting....

Dzaaamm... Cubs front office cleaned house....

And Gilles Marotte and Jack Norris, who I saw stop a penalty shot by Mike "Shakey" Walton (unfortunately that was the only thing he stopped).
- LAHawk

Mike Walton, a blast from the past! When I was a kid I went to his summer hockey camp in Toronto. The first few years I went he was one of the instructors. After a few years he’d show up Monday morning to welcome players to camp and Friday afternoon to see them off and try to get them to come back later in the summer.

Most of the camp instructors were OHL players. When I was 8 or 9 one of the instructors said I reminded him of Maple Leaf Jim McKenny. I thought that was really cool until I told my dad and he told me it wasn’t a compliment. I used to stick handle with no plan and wound up stickhandling myself into trouble.

Stole Versteeg from them

And there was another deal that i refuse to discuss.
- Elbows15

Pit Martin and Gilles Marrotte for who?

Mike Walton, a blast from the past! When I was a kid I went to his summer hockey camp in Toronto. The first few years I went he was one of the instructors. After a few years he’d show up Monday morning to welcome players to camp and Friday afternoon to see them off and try to get them to come back later in the summer.

Most of the camp instructors were OHL players. When I was 8 or 9 one of the instructors said I reminded him of Maple Leaf Jim McKenny. I thought that was really cool until I told my dad and he told me it wasn’t a compliment. I used to stick handle with no plan and wound up stickhandling myself into trouble.
- paulr

I went to the Harris/Keon hockey school in Toronto one year and St. Catherines the next, the year Keon jumped to the WHA. I broke my collerbone, and waited 3 hours in the St. Catherines hospital waiting for a Dr. to set my collarbone. Keith McCreary drove me to the hospital.

That was my understanding was Marotte and Norris never amounted to much of anything where it was essentially a 3 for 1 trade and in retrospective reality, Hodge for Martin straight up might've been somewhat fair, Wirtz's ire towards Espo and urgency to deal him really (frank)ed up the deal (fleecing).
- HawkintheD

Marrotte was a "protector" for Bobby and Stan although Bobby was a pretty good fighter for his size.

Marrotte was a "protector" for Bobby and Stan although Bobby was a pretty good fighter for his size.
- rpeters01

In those days Hull wasn’t small. John Ferguson who pulverized Hull and was one of the tougguys in that era was under 6 tall.

Do you remember seeing Hull lifting hay bales looking like A body builder? I’ve seen photos of Gordie Howe fishing with no shirt. He was an absolute beast.

In those days Hull wasn’t small. John Ferguson who pulverized Hull and was one of the tougguys in that era was under 6 tall.

Do you remember seeing Hull lifting hay bales looking like A body builder? I’ve seen photos of Gordie Howe fishing with no shirt. He was an absolute beast.
- paulr

I know the Hull photo was the cover of Time magazine. Jim Norris, owner of the Red Wings and fight promoter wanted to have Gordie box as a heavyweight.

I went to the Harris/Keon hockey school in Toronto one year and St. Catherines the next, the year Keon jumped to the WHA. I broke my collerbone, and waited 3 hours in the St. Catherines hospital waiting for a Dr. to set my collarbone. Keith McCreary drove me to the hospital.
- LAHawk

The three major hockey schools in the area were Harris/Keon, Bobby Orr and Walton’s. Years later we found the best was one in Etobicoke run by someone no one heard of, Roger Neilson.

Did you live in Ontario?

In those days Hull wasn’t small. John Ferguson who pulverized Hull and was one of the tougguys in that era was under 6 tall.

Do you remember seeing Hull lifting hay bales looking like A body builder? I’ve seen photos of Gordie Howe fishing with no shirt. He was an absolute beast.
- paulr

I say there's another shoe to drop here. Could it be Trevor Story?
- Indianhead

Already got our guy in Hernandez and can pick up his option for next year too now that Madrigal is gone. Or go find another FA. Middle infielders without power are replaceable and Kimbrel is an elite player that helps us win now and next season as well(he’s also got an option for a 2nd year that we’ll definitely pick up).

Sox bullpen is absolutely ridiculous. Cease will also be part of the pen in the post season.

Just saw this come across at Barstool...
https://www.barstoolsport...to-the-chicago-blackhawks

The three major hockey schools in the area were Harris/Keon, Bobby Orr and Walton’s. Years later we found the best was one in Etobicoke run by someone no one heard of, Roger Neilson.

Did you live in Ontario?
- paulr

No, Chicago, me and a couple of buds would go a couple of weeks in summer to hockey school. Was going to go to Bowling Green, Ron Mason was the coach before he took the Michigan job, but decided no when I visited the campus. Mason also had a hockey school in London, Ontario where I was a counselor one summer. Learned to drink and smoke that summer, nothing else to do in London at that time.

- vabeachbear

Trust me I thought twice about posting that in case someone like you would carve me.

No, Chicago, me and a couple of buds would go a couple of weeks in summer to hockey school. Was going to go to Bowling Green, Ron Mason was the coach before he took the Michigan job, but decided no when I visited the campus. Mason also had a hockey school in London, Ontario where I was a counselor one summer. Learned to drink and smoke that summer, nothing else to do in London at that time.
- LAHawk

In the late 70s my team used to go to tournaments in Boston, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. If we were the only Canadian team we’d always leave with the championship trophy. If there were other Canadian teams that would be the final. Cut to 20 years later. Every year for the last 30 years, except this year, I go down to the local six plex arena each January to see the boys international tournament. Lots of age groups represented by not only Canada and the US but teams from Europe as well. Times sure have changed. The American teams are usually amongst the strongest.

In the late 70s my team used to go to tournaments in Boston, Michigan, Illinois and Minnesota. If we were the only Canadian team we’d always leave with the championship trophy. If there were other Canadian teams that would be the final. Cut to 20 years later. Every year for the last 30 years, except this year, I go down to the local six plex arena each January to see the boys international tournament. Lots of age groups represented by not only Canada and the US but teams from Europe as well. Times sure have changed. The American teams are usually amongst the strongest.
- paulr

There was quite a difference in those days, the only rink in the Chicago area at first was Rainbo (which wasn't full size), until the suburban park districts started putting up rinks.

Just saw this come across at Barstool...
https://www.barstoolsport...to-the-chicago-blackhawks
- Champstache

Let's hope it's not a Crawford to NJ style report to camp

There was quite a difference in those days, the only rink in the Chicago area at first was Rainbo (which wasn't full size), until the suburban park districts started putting up rinks.
- LAHawk

I think hockey really exploded in popularity in the US with the 1980 dream team. You guys had had a whole other nation cheering you on. Watching that tournament was like watching the 1972 Summit series. Once Canada was eliminated I was glued to my 19 inch Sony cheering the US on against them terrible Soviets.

Just saw this come across at Barstool...
https://www.barstoolsport...to-the-chicago-blackhawks
- Champstache

I certainly hope that is correct. I just think it allows everyone to take a breath and grow into their positions (and actually earn them instead of being thrust into the position).

For the record, I thought Kalynuk was ready last year. I I also don't think Boqvist was rushed. I don't think he would have gained all that much, if anything, spending more time in the AHL with the game he has.

I still really like Kurashev, I just don't quite know where he stands in his development. He works really well on the boards, and has good hands, but he seems to skate himself out of good chances a bit.

Trust me I thought twice about posting that in case someone like you would carve me.
- paulr

Tough one to post these days with the scandal stuff. Of course it's a joke, but someone might just get bent.

There was quite a difference in those days, the only rink in the Chicago area at first was Rainbo (which wasn't full size), until the suburban park districts started putting up rinks.
- LAHawk

I played at McFetridge rink on California and Irving (across from Horner park) was a goalie until I kept going through growth spurts and could no longer afford the pads (played other sports at Neighborhood Boys Club at Revere- my dad worked there for a few years in the early 80's). Revere uses to have an outdoor ice we would practice on. so uneven and patchy (was pretty much just a big frozen puddle).

I think hockey really exploded in popularity in the US with the 1980 dream team. You guys had had a whole other nation cheering you on. Watching that tournament was like watching the 1972 Summit series. Once Canada was eliminated I was glued to my 19 inch Sony cheering the US on against them terrible Soviets.
- paulr

Out here in LA hockey was for those that came from Canada and colder US clients, until 1993 when Gretzky was traded here, now there are rinks everywhere, and the caliber is as good as anywhere in the country.

I played at McFetridge rink on California and Irving (across from Horner park) was a goalie until I kept going through growth spurts and could no longer afford the pads (played other sports at Neighborhood Boys Club at Revere- my dad worked there for a few years in the early 80's). Revere uses to have an outdoor ice we would practice on. so uneven and patchy (was pretty much just a big frozen puddle).
- Revco38

I remember watching my dad play in a rink that was set up in the basement of a bowling alley in Willow Springs, IL. Right near I55 and Willow Springs Road. The ceiling was lower than the Michael Kirby's rink along the tracks in River Forest. It burned down in the 1960's.

Cat 5’7, TJ 5’8, Kane 5’10 (not accurate, he’s 5’8-5’9 max) Teams would run these guys thru the glass.
- Assman22

They havent so far