Sorry if I missed this in my daily readings and news scouring but did Kubalik really ask to be traded?
- Theo Fox

I'm sorry. I thought I had heard or read it somewhere. Last thing I want to do is manufacture rumors out of whole cloth.

Your question was unrelated to the statement by pdx, which was that someone working for Stan is presumed unqualified. Not a debate about which GM is the best of the past 20 years.

So, do you think working for Stan and the Hawks is a disqualifier?
- mohel

I posted I like Davidson and want him in the organIzation, just not as a decision maker on the hockey ops side.

As far as pdx I find her to have a sharp mind, always read her thoughts, read what she posted and saw Paul respond. My response was to him and little to nothing in regards to her post.

I'm sorry. I thought I had heard or read it somewhere. Last thing I want to do is manufacture rumors out of whole cloth.
- 333inthe3rd

No worries! As much as I would like to be, I’m not that comprehensive with all that’s out there in the hockey universe.

I will say, though, that I’m warming up more and more to the notion of trading Kubalik for a high pick. His scoring drought isn’t helping matters, however.

If he can pick up his scoring, I’d dangle him in a deal to a contender at the TDL to gain favorable futures.

Make that future, singular.

The aim of a debate isn’t victory but progress. I listen and agree or disagree with people’s points. But more importantly I can be swayed. Your point about the USHL intrigued me and informed me of something I didn’t know and yet you continued to argue the point repeatedly even though I fully conceded it. Maybe both of us need to slow down and understand what the other means. Sure I can make smart ass replies, as you can. I didn’t win the debate I merely pointed out that the Hawks hung on longer to win an additional championship. I’m sure you can agree to that.
- paulr

No matter where I read anyone who defends StanBo from 2016 to 2021 I feel they are defending the indefensible and simply don't reply, this time I did. And I feel your comparison to LA today and their cup yrs and the Hawks 3rd cup is an extension of that quite frankly.

Now if you were to ask me would you swap the Hawks' and King's players in each organIzation today for that 3rd cup I'd see that as genuine and a damn tough question.

I guess it depends on your definition. I would say about five years, as it takes quite a bit of time (in most cases) for a prospect to prove he is "of note".

ADB
Dach
Reichel
Joki
Boqvist
Kurashev

I think all would be recognized as "of note".
- Chunk

Guess it does, Chunk.

No worries! As much as I would like to be, I’m not that comprehensive with all that’s out there in the hockey universe.

I will say, though, that I’m warming up more and more to the notion of trading Kubalik for a high pick. His scoring drought isn’t helping matters, however.

If he can pick up his scoring, I’d dangle him in a deal to a contender at the TDL to gain favorable futures.

Make that future, singular.
- Theo Fox

Agreed...seems to have started in similar place as DBC as a skilled scorer, but their paths have diverged. Kubalik appears (for now) to be more of a one-trick pony whereas DBC has invested a lot of time in developing a more complete game on both sides of the puck.

Kurashev reassigned to Rockford. Slavin called up.

Gotcha and I cannot argue, other than seeing some very late bloomers (or maybe it's maturers) like Ryan Hartman and Teuvo out there.

And, damn, I forgot the boomerang players strategy in my list of questionable tactics above.
- pdx2ord

I’m not jumping on that Hartman bandwagon. He is in his 4th team and while he has had a decent start to this season I’m not convinced it’s anything other than a statistical blip (like his 19 goal season or Gus’ 60pt season). When he completes a full season and follows it up I’ll believe it.

Agreed...seems to have started in similar place as DBC as a skilled scorer, but their paths have diverged. Kubalik appears (for now) to be more of a one-trick pony whereas DBC has invested a lot of time in developing a more complete game on both sides of the puck.
- pdx2ord

While I think there’s still time for Kubalik to be a goal scorer with a well rounded game, a question to answer is whether what he can become is worth the long-term investment or worth trading now to minimize risk and maximize return.

That balance is tough to gauge, though.

I’m not jumping on that Hartman bandwagon. He is in his 4th team and while he has had a decent start to this season I’m not convinced it’s anything other than a statistical blip (like his 19 goal season or Gus’ 60pt season). When he completes a full season and follows it up I’ll believe it.
- TheTrob

Yeah, he's not one I thought was a mistake to trade. Glad he's having some success with MN.

For his sake, hope he can actually sustain it.

Um, that was the point. The Blackhawks have virtually no chance of making the playoffs, if you look at the numbers objectively.

The remainder season should be all about setting up next season, and the future.

As many have previously noted, they have only 14 players signed for next season.

The Wirtz family needs to find a new Director of Hockey OPS PDQ, and start evaluating the Blackhawk and Ice Hog rosters.
- scottak

They had no chance of making the playoffs before this season even started.

Yeah, he's not one I thought was a mistake to trade. Glad he's having some success with MN.

For his sake, hope he can actually sustain it.
- pdx2ord

I hope so. He is a good kid. Maturity has helped him use his talents. He always had the ability. Just needed consistent ice time and belief from an organization.

I’m not jumping on that Hartman bandwagon. He is in his 4th team and while he has had a decent start to this season I’m not convinced it’s anything other than a statistical blip (like his 19 goal season or Gus’ 60pt season). When he completes a full season and follows it up I’ll believe it.
- TheTrob

I agree to an extent but he did play well for them last season and was probably their best forward during the PO.

While I think there’s still time for Kubalik to be a goal scorer with a well rounded game, a question to answer is whether what he can become is worth the long-term investment or worth trading now to minimize risk and maximize return.

That balance is tough to gauge, though.
- Theo Fox

Cat's offensive numbers took a decent size dip when he was consciously trying to expand his overall game. Maybe Kubalik is going through a similar process. But, he is quite a bit older and Cat's progression has nothing to do with him. So, I am ok with him going. The larger question is the organizational direction. Are they going back to the rebuild, or are they staying with the more recent plan of going for it? What they do with Kubalik may be a huge clue as to their path.

Rutherford? Pittsburgh has had more of their draft choices make the NHL than any other team.
- LAHawk

He also never had to sign his 2 best players. That helps.

Is Davidson the guy or not the guy. Really hard to tell at this point. He has no hockey background except for his time with the Hawks, working his way up. I’m not saying that playing or coaching experience is paramount to being a successful GM, but without a hockey background what do you base decisions on? You better have faith that your talent evaluators are solid and then are
Listening to the coaching and development staff.

Cat's offensive numbers took a decent size dip when he was consciously trying to expand his overall game. Maybe Kubalik is going through a similar process. But, he is quite a bit older and Cat's progression has nothing to do with him. So, I am ok with him going. The larger question is the organizational direction. Are they going back to the rebuild, or are they staying with the more recent plan of going for it? What they do with Kubalik may be a huge clue as to their path.
- mohel

Its called a slump. Every player in the league has them. He is going to have to shoot his way out of it.

Though, most fans want to trade every player in a slump.

Its called a slump. Every player in the league has them. He is going to have to shoot his way out of it.

Though, most fans want to trade every player in a slump.
- Elbows15

Do you see his overall game as improving?

FOH with the "honey"
- pdx2ord

I'm guessing the F doesn't stand for "funny"?

Do you see his overall game as improving?
- mohel

Yes, but I am also on board with trading anyone from this team.

I do like the way they have played the last couple of games. At the very least, they don't look completely overmatched. There have finally made some tweaks. There is a bit more of a forechecking presence. Still too many guys trying to make plays they don't the the talent to accomplish said play. 33% of your forward group has no chance of scoring so its put more pressure on the other guys.

I'm guessing the F doesn't stand for "funny"?
- mohel

And I’m guessing the “H” in FOH doesn’t stand for homophobe.

Kurashev reassigned to Rockford. Slavin called up.
- Theo Fox

via GIPHY

Kurashev reassigned to Rockford. Slavin called up.
- Theo Fox

Yea it's best for Kurashev he wasn't doing much but that could be said for a lot of the players might help in the long run in his development.

Debrusk requests trade


Ryan Rishaug
@TSNRyanRishaug
Spoke with Rick Valette today, agent for Jake DeBrusk, he confirmed he asked for a trade over the weekend. It's felt a change of scenery moving forward would be beneficial. Debrusk will remain with the team while the Bruins try and facilitate the request
- ikeane

DeBrusk for Kubalik.

While I think there’s still time for Kubalik to be a goal scorer with a well rounded game, a question to answer is whether what he can become is worth the long-term investment or worth trading now to minimize risk and maximize return.

That balance is tough to gauge, though.
- Theo Fox

One other question Theo would be his next contract and what his agent and him be looking for. The agent will spin it in a way the last two seasons he put quality goal scoring numbers and is just snake bitten or scoring drought he come out of it etc. Imo I do not see him in the long term plans of the Hawks he is average skater and basically one trick pony. He showed signs last year with improving on both sides of the puck this year has regressed. If hawks could get a 2nd and and solid prospect for then do it. But that could be a stretch.