I don't understand the logic of not wanting to win the lottery. I've seen it a couple times on these boards. Any chance you have to land a top 2 pick, you welcome it with open arms and hope your GM doesn't reach for Dach. I've heard this draft class is weaker, but I only trust the "experts" so far and can guarantee the draft generates a few elite players as it does every year.
- Hawkeynation

Think most of it is not wanting to give CBJ a better pick. The Hawks have had such bad luck this year (mostly made by themselves) that even if they ended up in the #1 or #2 slot this year pre-lottery, I'm sure they'd get bumped down to #3 or #4 after the ball drops.

That said, after thinking about it, in an unknown year, a high 2nd rounder could net a decent player, so perhaps not is all lost if we yield CBJ the 3rd, 4th or 5th pick.

Do you think the S. Jones trade is the reason why this team is one of the worst in the league? I keep hearing it is coaching and systems. In no way is it a lack of talent.
- LAHawk

Nope, all of Stan’s work under whatever circumstances he worked under has led to the team’s state.

Just pointing out that this is one of Stan’s last gifts to us fans.

I thought Crawford a co-coach, associate coach whatever has run the defense since JC got canned. I don't think King has one iota of input into the defense.
- LAHawk

I think King is more the guy they put on TV since they certainly can't have a former abuser as the official head coach.

Crawford probably runs most of it.

Think most of it is not wanting to give CBJ a better pick. The Hawks have had such bad luck this year (mostly made by themselves) that even if they ended up in the #1 or #2 slot this year pre-lottery, I'm sure they'd get bumped down to #3 or #4 after the ball drops.

That said, after thinking about it, in an unknown year, a high 2nd rounder could net a decent player, so perhaps not is all lost if we yield CBJ the 3rd, 4th or 5th pick.
- Popsghostly

I dunno. Slafkovsky and Wright look like pretty solid picks. Even in a "deep" draft year, not sure there are better odds at getting an excellent NHL player then either of those guys.

I dunno. Slafkovsky and Wright look like pretty solid picks. Even in a "deep" draft year, not sure there are better odds at getting an excellent NHL player then either of those guys.
- fattybeef

Agreed on Slafkovsky...he stood out on the ice a lot more than some highly drafted NHL prospects, and others in the Olympics. Men amongst boys.

https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/1989/03/28/march-27-1989-wagon-wheel/44565948007/

As a kid, we used to take vacation weekends there.
- LAHawk

The semi-pro Rockton Cardinals had a bunch of absolute beauties throughout their history. Fans throwing beer on players, players spitting on fans, and then everybody together in the bar after the game. Insane. Slap shot before slap shot was filmed. Great f'n time.

Pick your cliche: fecal matter against a wall, deck chairs on that Titanic, crap in one hand and hope in the other, etc:


Joe Brand
@Joe_Brand1
·
29m
Some experimental #Blackhawks lines:

Kurashev - Toews/TJohnson - Kane
Reichel - Strome - DeBrincat
Raddysh - Dach - Lafferty
Kubalik - RJohnson - Entwistle

Sucks that they are so disjointed that they are reduced to trying this to get a win, but the year will be over soon.

Doesn't this just tell the entire story:

Charlie Roumeliotis
@CRoumeliotis
·
15h
FINAL: Stars 6, #Blackhawks 4

Shot attempts: 60-58 CHI
Shots on goal: 39-30 CHI
5-on-5 scoring chances: 26-21 CHI
5-on-5 high danger chances: 12-4 DAL

Pick your cliche: fecal matter against a wall, deck chairs on that Titanic, crap in one hand and hope in the other, etc:


Joe Brand
@Joe_Brand1
·
29m
Some experimental #Blackhawks lines:

Kurashev - Toews/TJohnson - Kane
Reichel - Strome - DeBrincat
Raddysh - Dach - Lafferty
Kubalik - RJohnson - Entwistle

Sucks that they are so disjointed that they are reduced to trying this to get a win, but the year will be over soon.
- Chunk

That's kind of the part I don't get.

Why not let some of the guys just get some chemistry together instead of continuing with the chaos.

That's kind of the part I don't get.

Why not let some of the guys just get some chemistry together instead of continuing with the chaos.
- fattybeef

Agree, 5 x 5 the Strome (erie otters) line was by far the best

When the Erie Otters line of Alex DeBrincat, Taylor Raddysh and Dylan Strome were on the ice at even strength, the Blackhawks led in shot attempts (10-5), shots on goal (4-1) and scoring chances (6-1) through two periods. They didn't need much time to rekindle that chemistry.

Interesting that it appears Strome can be good away from Kane also

Agree, 5 x 5 the Strome (erie otters) line was by far the best

When the Erie Otters line of Alex DeBrincat, Taylor Raddysh and Dylan Strome were on the ice at even strength, the Blackhawks led in shot attempts (10-5), shots on goal (4-1) and scoring chances (6-1) through two periods. They didn't need much time to rekindle that chemistry.

Interesting that it appears Strome can be good away from Kane also
- LAHawk

Yeah, talent has always been there but hasn't really put it together except for stretches. Though he has had some ankle injuries since coming over to the hawks.

I figure at this point - you just pay him, probably overpay so that you don't have to put in a NMC, for two years and if someone makes an offer you can't refuse maybe you take it or just keep him around because someone needs to score goals.

At least its not like oh fudge we have this guy at this point though I suppose that's always subject to change.

Yeah, talent has always been there but hasn't really put it together except for stretches. Though he has had some ankle injuries since coming over to the hawks.

I figure at this point - you just pay him, probably overpay so that you don't have to put in a NMC, for two years and if someone makes an offer you can't refuse maybe you take it or just keep him around because someone needs to score goals.

At least its not like oh fudge we have this guy at this point though I suppose that's always subject to change.
- fattybeef

And what do they do with the other RFA with arb. rights Kubalik. Do you give him the one year at $4 mil. or cut bait. You aren't getting anything for him in the off-season if you couldn't at the trade deadline. If anything his play has regressed since then.

Cut bait, 8 no longer has a role. At 4 mil it just seems to be rewarding whatever he's become and sets a bad precedent.

I don't understand the logic of not wanting to win the lottery. I've seen it a couple times on these boards. Any chance you have to land a top 2 pick, you welcome it with open arms and hope your GM doesn't reach for Dach. I've heard this draft class is weaker, but I only trust the "experts" so far and can guarantee the draft generates a few elite players as it does every year.
- Hawkeynation

I am all for winning the lottery. But given a choice I would like winning the lottery next year more than winning the lottery this year.

Pick your cliche: fecal matter against a wall, deck chairs on that Titanic, crap in one hand and hope in the other, etc:


Joe Brand
@Joe_Brand1
·
29m
Some experimental #Blackhawks lines:

Kurashev - Toews/TJohnson - Kane
Reichel - Strome - DeBrincat
Raddysh - Dach - Lafferty
Kubalik - RJohnson - Entwistle

Sucks that they are so disjointed that they are reduced to trying this to get a win, but the year will be over soon.
- Chunk

Amateur hour.

Amateur hour.
- Ztra

In all seriousness, what else should they do?

I don't really even want Reichel playing in this nonsense. Outside of the speed of the game and getting a sense of where he currently stacks up (which he already knows) what is he going to gain playing with the Hawks instead of the Hogs?

In all seriousness, what else should they do?

I don't really even want Reichel playing in this nonsense. Outside of the speed of the game and getting a sense of where he currently stacks up (which he already knows) what is he going to gain playing with the Hawks instead of the Hogs?
- Chunk

The kid fits right in.... he's played seven games now; and the ice hole has zero farging points, and is already a -4. Dylan Sikura II.

He's already been broken.....

In all seriousness, what else should they do?

I don't really even want Reichel playing in this nonsense. Outside of the speed of the game and getting a sense of where he currently stacks up (which he already knows) what is he going to gain playing with the Hawks instead of the Hogs?
- Chunk

Keep Reichel in Rockford.
Pick lines and pairings and leave them alone for the duration.
Play Lankinen unless there are back to backs.
Don’t overplay Seth, Debrincat, Kane, Toews, T. Johnson.

So I’ve been out of pocket the last few days, but here’s my recap from the comments.
Reichel is a bust
Mitchell is not one of our top ten prospects
Lanks gives up too many high danger chances.

Keep Reichel in Rockford.
Pick lines and pairings and leave them alone for the duration.
Play Lankinen unless there are back to backs.
Don’t overplay Seth, Debrincat, Kane, Toews, T. Johnson.
- Ztra

Reading the last SunTimes article, it sounds like they are going to keep Kurashev with Toews and Kane for a bit.

With ten more games, it's not like they are going to see some great gelling of the lines, but maybe they can see of certain players can carve out a niche.

Reading the last SunTimes article, it sounds like they are going to keep Kurashev with Toews and Kane for a bit.

With ten more games, it's not like they are going to see some great gelling of the lines, but maybe they can see of certain players can carve out a niche.
- Chunk

Or lunch their ticket out of town.

Or lunch their ticket out of town.
- LAHawk

Come on LA. Get yourself an ice cream cone. It's not that bad. It's just hockey. You've been railing for about a month and a half now. It'll get better eventually.

Come on LA. Get yourself an ice cream cone. It's not that bad. It's just hockey. You've been railing for about a month and a half now. It'll get better eventually.
- Chunk

Oh I know, change the coach, play a zone defense, Stanley Cup finals here we come

Come on LA. Get yourself an ice cream cone. It's not that bad. It's just hockey. You've been railing for about a month and a half now. It'll get better eventually.
- Chunk

To funny surprised they aren't worried about his BP?

https://www.rrstar.com/story/news/1989/03/28/march-27-1989-wagon-wheel/44565948007/

As a kid, we used to take vacation weekends there.
- LAHawk

Wagon Wheel was more of a figure skating rink than hockey. Olympian Janet Lynn came out of there. I don’t remember the Cardinals. I skated there, but my recollection was it was during the summer.