Rick in Burlington Canada,

I always find your comments relevant and spot on. So your last post about Bowman's draft record got me thinking about a couple of things

It has been said that Bowmannseeks everyone's opinion. I know that their head scout has a bug influence though. He has been there forever. However during Tallon GM reign Tallon did what he wanted and obviously made a few mistakes with #1 picks. Beech and Skille stand out. Under Mike Smith other first round mistakes: a couple Russians come to mind.

I don't think Bowman has done poorly at the draft table. Later picks in round one. Both Teravainen and Boqvist were not bad selections.

Sure you can argue against Boqvist at #8 overall and it was a gamble. But oh my coming out of junior, having played under Hunter and elite skill...fast forward a few years later. I don't recall wiz saying it was a bad pick at that time. Don't know how you viewed the selection back then.

Durability has been an issue. I think if he can stay healthy, he could be a very good second or third pair.

He has history as big time clutch scorer too (from junior days). His physical growth through weights had produced this season a player whom does not mind the bump and grind. I would love to have him despite his durability. He just cannot be your savior first pair which maybe some hoped for when he was choosen

Dach seemed to mean eventual replacement for Toews. That might still occur. He needs to grow, to mature. Certainly a disappointment to date however I am sure each NHL team would be glad to have him and be patient. Better coaching and mising time with the wrist injury have been setbacks IMHO

I believe that their head scout and Bowman had good ideas drafting. They wanted the tough dman Montreal took (we wound up taking Reichel). I believe they tried to select Askarov, too. So they knew Crawford needed to be replaced. They also knew that Dach was a big forward with a checking and physical game predicted to carry over into NHL

So Kelly and Bowman had good ideas. In last few years I see good later round picks too. The prospect stable is as good as it has ever been

Where they have not been able to address is to draft a #1 center and a big tough mobile dman. Bowman sacrificed a #1 to address that dman need when he made the S Jones trade

As wiz has said, the defence sorely needed a bug strong leader even if he isn't a strong #1 pair calibre. They needed a big guy who can knock down the other team's big guys, yet is mobile. That is Jones and was not Boqvist. As well, we drafted Allen out of that trade. He appears to be a good selection

So if we grade Bowman overall drafting, I would say it is not so bad. You cannot always find what you need with your top first round choice. It is an altogether different story grading him overall as GM. I believe he did what Wirtz wanted, keep seats filled, be competitive and gradually do rebuild. He has been successful if you look at it that way. Winning three Cups eventually there is a price to pay. Let us be thankful he kept core intact and retooled. How many GM woukd have kept core intact and added right pieces to win 2nd & 3rd Cups?

Bowman sought to delay the inevitable fall from grace. Most teams cannot sustain and have some hard times. I know that Pittsburgh has carried on well, but Detroit has not.

WE Do KNOW THAT KANE HAS A FEW MORE GOOD YEARS. WE DO KNOW WE HAVE SOME ASSETS WE COULD MOVE AND THE BEST WAY TO GET A CENTER AT REASONABLE COST, IS THROUGH.THE DRAFT. I JUST HAVE SOME DOUBT WE CAN GET A HIGH ENOUGH PICK I N '22 & '23 DRAFT (IF A CENTER IS AVAILABLE WHEN WE CHOOSE) IS HOW FAR AWAY FROM.POSSIBLE TOP LINE NHL DUTY.

It is a tough road to hoe bringing Chicago back to playoff calibre. Especially since Bowman tried to be competitive. Injuries and health issues happen to each team, so we cannot bemoan that the end has come or will soon for Crawford, Seabrook, and Toews. Keith as well. Heck Hjalmarsson + Bolland gone too

Yes, the Blackhawks will be sellers. There's an article in the Athletic Chicago today stating that Davidson is not married at all to any of Bowman's reclamation projects.

The Nylander trade is one example of that. Strome to a certain extent but he was on the block before Bowman departed.
- Theo Fox

Borgstrom is an interesting case. While he hasn't been overly impressive he's played well when he's played. The Hawks took on Connolly's contract to get Borgstrom (and Stillman). If the deal was right I'd trade Borgstrom, but I wouldn't look o move him.

The more I think about it:
IF Kane agrees to trade and IF the 'Hawks want trade him, it should be done as soon as possible. And it would have to be to a team already a Cup contender or one that becomes a contender with him added.
'Hawks max retain salary and likely a third team max retains salary.
'Hawks get back, because this is a HECK of a deal for the team Kane goes to:
A 2022 First, a 2023 First and a high end prospect and a current + roster player with some years of team control remaining.
Why as soon as possible? I think Kane is now as healthy as he will be for the rest of his career. And the team he goes to gets two playoff runs.

The more I think about it:
IF Kane agrees to trade and IF the 'Hawks want trade him, it should be done as soon as possible. And it would have to be to a team already a Cup contender or one that becomes a contender with him added.
'Hawks max retain salary and likely a third team max retains salary.
'Hawks get back, because this is a HECK of a deal for the team Kane goes to:
A 2022 First, a 2023 First and a high end prospect and a current + roster player with some years of team control remaining.
Why as soon as possible? I think Kane is now as healthy as he will be for the rest of his career. And the team he goes to gets two playoff runs.
- 35Tony0

I like the idea of getting a haul for Kane (as much as I hate to say it) but the issue is a good team will have a low first round pick. I agree letting Kane chose his direction is is appropriate.

Evander Kane on unconditional waivers.

The more I think about it:
IF Kane agrees to trade and IF the 'Hawks want trade him, it should be done as soon as possible. And it would have to be to a team already a Cup contender or one that becomes a contender with him added.
'Hawks max retain salary and likely a third team max retains salary.
'Hawks get back, because this is a HECK of a deal for the team Kane goes to:
A 2022 First, a 2023 First and a high end prospect and a current + roster player with some years of team control remaining.
Why as soon as possible? I think Kane is now as healthy as he will be for the rest of his career. And the team he goes to gets two playoff runs.
- 35Tony0

Ok say the Rangers as the obvious team what would the return in your opinion?

I like the idea of getting a haul for Kane (as much as I hate to say it) but the issue is a good team will have a low first round pick. I agree letting Kane chose his direction is is appropriate.
- 6628

I wonder, if a three team deal, part of 'Hawks return could be a first rounder higher up in the round. 'Hawks have a LOT of NHL rostered talent who could be included in the deal and should consider giving up some of that, as well. Also, one or both of the first rounders from the team getting Kane could be dated for after Kane's current deal ends.

Evander Kane on unconditional waivers.
- scottak

Haha....that's funny. Can you see the press just tear into a shattered organization like the Blackhawks (Beach sitch) if they claimed him ? Now that would take some serious guts !!

Ok say the Rangers as the obvious team what would the return in your opinion?
- Scott1977

Don't really follow them to know, but, at a glance, the rostered guy plus the high end prospect combined salaries likely need to be in the $5 million range to make it work for the Rangers.
Do you follow the Rangers much? All I know is Panarin is a heckuva player.

I like the idea of getting a haul for Kane (as much as I hate to say it) but the issue is a good team will have a low first round pick. I agree letting Kane chose his direction is is appropriate.
- 6628

Doesn't matter at this point stockpile as much picks and prospects as possible. Other than the rangers what other teams could be a fit for kane?

Haha....that's funny. Can you see the press just tear into a shattered organization like the Blackhawks (Beach sitch) if they claimed him ? Now that would take some serious guts !!
- Hawkytalk

Why not no different when they signed Probert. If you can explore that option. He's definitely someone to look at.

First off. I’m from St. Louis. I hate your team. Rivalry runs deep, since 87 or so


- BluesDroogie

What type of a 'deep' rivalry only started in 1987? I don't 'hate' your team, but at the time I was last there -in the Checkerdome, I think the retired numbers were like the Plagers or something ... while the Hawks had Mikita, and Hull ... that pretty much says everything about relativity. It was hard to 'hate' a team with that sort of pedigree.

Personally I managed to overlook that when it came to the No Stars, but not the Blews. (Thanking a t-shirt place up in 80's Thunder Bay for those names).

NHLPA to file a grievance on Kane’s behalf. Apparently he flew home to Vancouver while on COVID protocol.

Don't really follow them to know, but, at a glance, the rostered guy plus the high end prospect combined salaries likely need to be in the $5 million range to make it work for the Rangers.
Do you follow the Rangers much? All I know is Panarin is a heckuva player.
- 35Tony0

I watch them a lot Larry brooks laid out a proposal of trade for Kane to NY but thought it was low ball trade imo. If it happens ottaman has to be included.
So maybe 2022 or 2023 1st lundquist or zacary Jones ottaman kakko barron for Kane retained half this season and next borgstrom dehann and 2nd. Other parts could added or subtracted but base of the trade is Kane half retained this season and next ottaman lundquist kakko and 1st.

I like the idea of getting a haul for Kane (as much as I hate to say it) but the issue is a good team will have a low first round pick. I agree letting Kane chose his direction is is appropriate.
- 6628

Low pick in 2022 better than no pick, I guess

Pretty clear just from a glance at this photo the relative physicality in the game then and now...dude is wearing glasses!

https://twitter.com/NHLhi.../1479966807469531143?s=20

And can't say seeing Roenick upended breaks my heart

https://twitter.com/NHLhi.../1479964513835393026?s=20

After the Humbolt Bronco tragedy, where 16 people were killed on the team bus after a horrific crash, people all over Canada and the US left hockey sticks at their front door with the porch light on. Today in the town I live 40 miles east of Toronto, I’ve seen dozens of homes with the front porch light on and a hockey stick propped up against the wall in tribute to Teddy Balkind, the young high school kid who lost his life during a hockey game in Connecticut. Pretty amazing memorial for the young man.

After the Humbolt Bronco tragedy, where 16 people were killed on the team bus after a horrific crash, people all over Canada and the US left hockey sticks at their front door with the porch light on. Today in the town I live 40 miles east of Toronto, I’ve seen dozens of homes with the front porch light on and a hockey stick propped up against the wall in tribute to Teddy Balkind, the young high school kid who lost his life during a hockey game in Connecticut. Pretty amazing memorial for the young man.
- paulr

I never took my stick down.

Colorado needs a goalie too, they’re not winning anything with Darcy Kuemper. Hosting TOR & COL had the 1st 7 shots. Toronto scored on their 1st shot, 3 in the 1st and Darcy got pulled. TOR up 4-1 with 4 minutes left in the 2nd.

Colorado needs a goalie too, they’re not winning anything with Darcy Kuemper. Hosting TOR & COL had the 1st 7 shots. Toronto scored on their 1st shot, 3 in the 1st and Darcy got pulled. TOR up 4-1 with 4 minutes left in the 2nd.
- scottak

Maybe Sackitch learns his lesson this season!

I never took my stick down.
- 6628

https://twitter.com/NHLBl.../1479986055386443782?s=20

For all its issues, and there are many, hockey players and the people around the game are by-and-large very good, kind-hearted people

Maybe Sackitch learns his lesson this season!
- powerenforcer

Well Colorado has come back to forge the score, 4-4 with about five minutes remaining in period three.

Kemper is rated as a pretty good goaltender. Not among the very best, but good. So Colorado hasn't matched up well vs Toronto? We'll see if it continues. Haven't looked at scoresheet but us Marner playing/civid protocol

Well Colorado has come back to forge the score, 4-4 with about five minutes remaining in period three.

Kemper is rated as a pretty good goaltender. Not among the very best, but good. So Colorado hasn't matched up well vs Toronto? We'll see if it continues. Haven't looked at scoresheet but us Marner playing/civid protocol
- jhawk59

No Marner isn’t in the lineup, COVID.

Not a sentence I expected to read

@_phil_thompson

Former Blackhawk Mattias Janmark has had the hot hand lately for the Golden Knights. He has racked up 5 goals in the last 5 games.

No Marner isn’t in the lineup, COVID.
- paulr

Thanks Paul.
Colorado won OT the other D Toews scored
Box score has 50-27 SOG Colorado

A Boqvist two assists vs his brother & NJ Devils FYI