McLaughlin
My bad. Not sure why I gave the other name
- jhawk59

There's a chance we could be significantly better in 22/23 than this year, but not realistically challenge for a playoff spot.

The scandal, coaching change, (hopefully sophomore slumps), sell off and injuries really affected the team.

If Kubalik and Kurashev are still around (which is doubtful that both will be), I see rebound years. Kubalik scoring at least 20 goals and Kurashev getting 30 or maybe more points. Both are playing with little or no confidence. In any event, the Janmark type signings will do better than these two this year, giving some much-needed secondary scoring.

I truly feel Dach is in an all-around sophomore slump too, just like the Cat two years ago. He's shown he can play well as in his debut and Edmonton playoff series. Same with Stillman, who played well until the injury.

We will sign a decent, but not great goalie in the offseason that can keep us in the game better than Lankenin/Delia.

Lafferty, Raddish and Kachouk will play even better, being regular pieces instead of busriders.

I have to admit as much as he's a pylon, Murphy is a decent 4-5-6 that the team could use. McCabe hasn't been as bad recently, but his injuries will be better healed to make him another solid 4-5-6.

Regula, Vlasic, Mitchell will be ready to fill in and be improvements over Gus, C. Jones and deHaan.

S. Jones will get less ice time and play better. I think he's being overplayed for his level at this point. He's supposed to be a good offensive defenseman but not a Duncan Keith.

Finally, we'll get a new coach who will start with the team in the offseason and be able to make it completely his team from the start.

Note that if we don't win the lotto this year, either we will get a high second rounder or might be able to trade it with another pick for a lower first. There's always a chance we get a first rounder too if the Wild get far.

Who is McDonald?
- TheTrob

Toews
Strome
Dach
Reichel
Kurashev
Lafferty
R.Johnson

Who is he going to beat out? is he a defensive stalwart to play 4th line and kill penalties? Waste of a NHL contract to sign him IMO

Let's start this by saying that I have been a Hawks fan since 1969 and I will still be a Hawks fan on the day I die. That loyalty aside, I am so tired of 4 things...1) Why is it that almost every single time ANY Hawk player plays the puck behind our net (or rings it around the boards) the opposing team gets the puck? This also happens when the goalie plays the puck. 2) Why is it that when the opposing team does the exact same thing in their zone or our zone, they keep the puck, again including when their goalie plays the puck. 3) Why do "we" continue to play dump and chase when we don't have the speed or strength to retrieve the puck? 4) Why do "we" still pass the puck to a player who is completely "covered" and unable to receive the puck and why is it when the player is open the pass is almost always behind/too far in front of or in the skates of the receiving player? This is the NHL folks not midget hockey. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. No other word comes to mind other than dismal.

Let's start this by saying that I have been a Hawks fan since 1969 and I will still be a Hawks fan on the day I die. That loyalty aside, I am so tired of 4 things...1) Why is it that almost every single time ANY Hawk player plays the puck behind our net (or rings it around the boards) the opposing team gets the puck? This also happens when the goalie plays the puck. 2) Why is it that when the opposing team does the exact same thing in their zone or our zone, they keep the puck, again including when their goalie plays the puck. 3) Why do "we" continue to play dump and chase when we don't have the speed or strength to retrieve the puck? 4) Why do "we" still pass the puck to a player who is completely "covered" and unable to receive the puck and why is it when the player is open the pass is almost always behind/too far in front of or in the skates of the receiving player? This is the NHL folks not midget hockey. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. No other word comes to mind other than dismal.
- Chisoxhawk

You're just noticing these things? I've been talking about players who "drive possession" for three years.

Let's start this by saying that I have been a Hawks fan since 1969 and I will still be a Hawks fan on the day I die. That loyalty aside, I am so tired of 4 things...1) Why is it that almost every single time ANY Hawk player plays the puck behind our net (or rings it around the boards) the opposing team gets the puck? This also happens when the goalie plays the puck. 2) Why is it that when the opposing team does the exact same thing in their zone or our zone, they keep the puck, again including when their goalie plays the puck. 3) Why do "we" continue to play dump and chase when we don't have the speed or strength to retrieve the puck? 4) Why do "we" still pass the puck to a player who is completely "covered" and unable to receive the puck and why is it when the player is open the pass is almost always behind/too far in front of or in the skates of the receiving player? This is the NHL folks not midget hockey. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. No other word comes to mind other than dismal.
- Chisoxhawk

Because they are bad.

You're just noticing these things? I've been talking about players who "drive possession" for three years.
- rpeters01

Funny, how many years have people here complained that face-off issues were killing possession on the Hawks. CHI is at 19th in the league (49.2%) and that's with Dach having the worst year of his career (32.8%).

Turns out you actually have to know how to play hockey to have solid possession metrics. Who knew?

Right. Knowing our luck, we'd win the second pick, a more unknown than Wright and then get the number 1 overall next year, missing out on the second coming. Ouch
- Popsghostly

if they end up with a top 2 pick this year, and get that Slovakian kid Slapvoksy (spell) that's OK....Think they still would have Tampa's 1st next year and maybe they add to that this summer with some trades.......

Funny, how many years have people here complained that face-off issues were killing possession on the Hawks. CHI is at 19th in the league (49.2%) and that's with Dach having the worst year of his career (32.8%).

Turns out you actually have to know how to play hockey to have solid possession metrics. Who knew?
- Chunk

Exactly! Who cares about Kubalik scoring goals even when he does he sucks. Dinky and Kane are our shooters at least Kane can handle the puck. The rest need to be hockey players not one trick ponies.

Toews
Strome
Dach
Reichel
Kurashev
Lafferty
R.Johnson

Who is he going to beat out? is he a defensive stalwart to play 4th line and kill penalties? Waste of a NHL contract to sign him IMO
- LAHawk

Using logic
* Strome is here only until another center through trade/sign/ more likely a #1 draft choice replaces
* You have expectation Dach eventually is your #2 center. Reichel fits in on a top two lines. Kurashev will never be consistent and will move on just don't know how soon. Lafferty is bottom lines not a center and R Johnson should only be a spare or injury replacement.
* McLaughlin ideally is my hope to win out and actually be a strong contributor both ends of ice. He has skill, skating, smarts, plays defensively, will not be intimidated to battle through. He could mesh with hard workers too like Alty and Barret
* You very well may be correct at least initially he has a big challenge to receive plaYing time. Reiterate I hope he wins out. If you have R Johnson for his role as the less skilled player, then certainly McLaughlin is a reserve skill guy but will play both ends of ice. We do not have skill centers in the pipeline other than wing/center Reichel.

I think you see a 30ish goal player instead of a potential 40-50 goal player.

Patrick Kane is very very very good at hockey.

Certainly Dach hasn't shown that he has the vision or poise to be a competent set up man and Reichel should, ideally, start in the bottom six and work his way up the line up.

The whole point to keeping a Strome around is so the Dachs and Reichels and others can find their game with out having to be "the guy".

Same thing for Jones and a McCabe or Murphy. Someone has to skate minutes but throwing a younger player out for 20 mins a night isn't ideal. If their play is such that they deserve those minutes then that is great but not burying them (without babying them) is pretty important for some of these middling players or late bloomers to find their game.
- fattybeef

The problem lies that the so called players you list are likely the guys Davidson needs to trade to get some younger assets and/or picks in return. I don't see how you can keep 2 of 3....S Jones, McCabe, and Murphy. You need to trade at least 1, ideally 2....likely McCabe and Murphy and both have injury concerns (knee for McCabe, head for Murphy)...Seems Kane is publicly pining for a line of him Strome, and DeBrincat, so if he and 12 are part of Davidsons plan...then likely so will Strome.

So you are quickly running out of guys you can trade....who have value....or else you are relying on 1. hitting on almost of your picks and 2. signing some UFAs.....

I am in the camp of blow this thing sky high, and sign the veterans on 1-2 team friendly deals who then you can deal each deadline for a pick and player...said veterans can still babysit this team.....at this point they aren't on some heater since Fleury left proving they can be competitive...in fact it's the exact the opposite so does a journeyman D man really negatively impact this team vs keeping a McCabe and/or Murphy? I dont see how it matters. Could Johnson play top minutes and allow them to sell high on Strome?

Again...I don't covet Davidsons role...but I don't see LT building blocks here that we can start being picky about who stays vs who goes. I get the need to shelter younger kids minutes...but to me if you are going to suck, and they will, would I rather see Connelly and Johnson vs Strome and Kubalik? Absolutely I would.

if they end up with a top 2 pick this year, and get that Slovakian kid Slapvoksy (spell) that's OK....Think they still would have Tampa's 1st next year and maybe they add to that this summer with some trades.......
- SteveRain

Yeah all is not lost.

I wonder if we will buyout Johnson. He's looked pretty bad all year even before the surgery. However, I still think he needs time to first get established on a new team and then get his game back after a long absence. Maybe give him one more year before seeing about the buyout?

At the game last night, Gene mistakenly announced Tyler had scored his 10th of the season. 8 more goals would definitely have helped the secondary scoring this year.

Yeah all is not lost.

I wonder if we will buyout Johnson. He's looked pretty bad all year even before the surgery. However, I still think he needs time to first get established on a new team and then get his game back after a long absence. Maybe give him one more year before seeing about the buyout?

At the game last night, Gene mistakenly announced Tyler had scored his 10th of the season. 8 more goals would definitely have helped the secondary scoring this year.
- Popsghostly

Completely different sports but what Poles did for the Bears, Davidson needs to do for the Hawks....you can't half ass a rebuild. YOu need to be committed and stick to it.

THe main issue here is that they have a lot of crap hockey players. NHL level and Rockford level that Bowman and his hockey ops department saddled Davidson with. Was it by choice or was Bowman forced to add to the pile of horse $hit last summer by upper management? No clue, don't care.....but it 100% set them back.

I don't see the point rolling out the same group next year because it's 1. insanity and 2. hampers their rebuild.

Why roll out S Jones, McCabe, Murphy, Strome, DeBrincat, Toews, Kane....they already missed out trading Kubalik so now they are going to have either let him walk for nothing OR bring him back....who is left that people/Davidson IS willing to trade that has value? That another team is going to want? That's my issue.

S Jones likely has an unmovable contract so he's likely not moving.....the rest should be shopped and highly considered. They need young building blocks and only way to get those is through trades and/or picks.

i get Fatty's point of having place holders but you may win the battle and shelter younger kids from minutes but you are losing the war as you are narrowing who you are willing to trade and to me....IMO...this team has ZERO right to be picky about who comes knocking and who Davidson says "untouchable" to another Gm....

He's saddled with NMC for Kane and Toews....and a 7 team no list for McCabe...because nobody loved giving out NMCs and NTCs like Bowman. Everyone else Davidson can wheel and deal and not have to check in with agents.

SHould have clearer direction by mid-July, but if they are rolling back the same group of veterans....that to me is just lip service and this team is still NOT committed to a rebuild.

Let's start this by saying that I have been a Hawks fan since 1969 and I will still be a Hawks fan on the day I die. That loyalty aside, I am so tired of 4 things...1) Why is it that almost every single time ANY Hawk player plays the puck behind our net (or rings it around the boards) the opposing team gets the puck? This also happens when the goalie plays the puck. 2) Why is it that when the opposing team does the exact same thing in their zone or our zone, they keep the puck, again including when their goalie plays the puck. 3) Why do "we" continue to play dump and chase when we don't have the speed or strength to retrieve the puck? 4) Why do "we" still pass the puck to a player who is completely "covered" and unable to receive the puck and why is it when the player is open the pass is almost always behind/too far in front of or in the skates of the receiving player? This is the NHL folks not midget hockey. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome. No other word comes to mind other than dismal.
- Chisoxhawk

2 of my favorites is trying to force a pass through someones skates? Or cross ice pass through 2 to 3 defenders

Completely different sports but what Poles did for the Bears, Davidson needs to do for the Hawks....you can't half ass a rebuild. YOu need to be committed and stick to it.

THe main issue here is that they have a lot of crap hockey players. NHL level and Rockford level that Bowman and his hockey ops department saddled Davidson with. Was it by choice or was Bowman forced to add to the pile of horse $hit last summer by upper management? No clue, don't care.....but it 100% set them back.

I don't see the point rolling out the same group next year because it's 1. insanity and 2. hampers their rebuild.

Why roll out S Jones, McCabe, Murphy, Strome, DeBrincat, Toews, Kane....they already missed out trading Kubalik so now they are going to have either let him walk for nothing OR bring him back....who is left that people/Davidson IS willing to trade that has value? That another team is going to want? That's my issue.

S Jones likely has an unmovable contract so he's likely not moving.....the rest should be shopped and highly considered. They need young building blocks and only way to get those is through trades and/or picks.

i get Fatty's point of having place holders but you may win the battle and shelter younger kids from minutes but you are losing the war as you are narrowing who you are willing to trade and to me....IMO...this team has ZERO right to be picky about who comes knocking and who Davidson says "untouchable" to another Gm....

He's saddled with NMC for Kane and Toews....and a 7 team no list for McCabe...because nobody loved giving out NMCs and NTCs like Bowman. Everyone else Davidson can wheel and deal and not have to check in with agents.

SHould have clearer direction by mid-July, but if they are rolling back the same group of veterans....that to me is just lip service and this team is still NOT committed to a rebuild.
- SteveRain

As you mentioned, those NMC's direct a lot of this traffic. I would guess that KD has a discussion with Kane, Toews and Jones about how he expects to go about his business this offseason. If they are significantly opposed to the plan and timeline, I would guess they would be willing to waive.

At least KD has shown he is able to extract value from trade partners in this kind of situation (Fleury). I have nothing to justify this feeling, but I think regardless of the plan, Kane sticks around. with what he's said so far, I would think Toews basically has one foot out the door. I could easily be reading too much into the reports and quotes, but that's just my gut.

Open question:

Which defenseman is more desirable, Seider or Makar?

I'm likely in the minority, but I like Seider a little more. A bit more sound defensively, and quite a bit more nasty.

Who is McDonald?
- TheTrob

He is Dylan McLaughlin ice hogs centre.

I get it it is a beast to type on your phone and get things right for me too.

Open question:

Which defenseman is more desirable, Seider or Makar?

I'm likely in the minority, but I like Seider a little more. A bit more sound defensively, and quite a bit more nasty.
- Chunk

Seider is a all around rock that helps you in all ways, BUT as much as I always hold back on praising offensivemen, Makar is a tiny rocket of a beast with the best pins in the league, and has everything a true defender needs too.

He seems to have one franking speed: overdrive.

Eventually this may catch up on him.

But the hawks will have to get lucky enough to draft both in the next 6 years....

Open question:

Which defenseman is more desirable, Seider or Makar?

I'm likely in the minority, but I like Seider a little more. A bit more sound defensively, and quite a bit more nasty.
- Chunk

Can’t go wrong with either one, but I’ll take Makar, the kid can take over a game.

Seider is a all around rock that helps you in all ways, BUT as much as I always hold back on praising offensivemen, Makar is a tiny rocket of a beast with the best pins in the league, and has everything a true defender needs too.

He seems to have one franking speed: overdrive.

Eventually this may catch up on him.

But the hawks will have to get lucky enough to draft both in the next 6 years....
- wiz1901

Hey Wiz. Call me naïve, but I'm bullish on several of the recent draft picks and young prospects. Galvas and Regula have shown in small samples that they can play without panic. I believe Mitchell will get there and his ceiling will end up "Letang-ish".

They recently drafted some size that has skill and/or talent as well in Allan, Del Maestro, Crevier, Kaiser and Vlasic.

With all of those options (and I'm sure some ultimately will be traded), I see the Hawks coming away with at least three really good players. As much as I think Stan had some immense faults, he had accumulated several intriguing prospects at positions that were sorely lacking.

Now, the forward group...

Hey Wiz. Call me naïve, but I'm bullish on several of the recent draft picks and young prospects. Galvas and Regula have shown in small samples that they can play without panic. I believe Mitchell will get there and his ceiling will end up "Letang-ish".

They recently drafted some size that has skill and/or talent as well in Allan, Del Maestro, Crevier, Kaiser and Vlasic.

With all of those options (and I'm sure some ultimately will be traded), I see the Hawks coming away with at least three really good players. As much as I think Stan had some immense faults, he had accumulated several intriguing prospects at positions that were sorely lacking.

Now, the forward group...
- Chunk

I understand and agree to draft best player available. But OMG do we really need top six forwards, physical and especially can put puck in net. We need a #1 center. Great impetus to try to trade up to select a player you really like and hopefully it is a forward

1) Why is it that almost every single time ANY Hawk player plays the puck behind our net (or rings it around the boards) the opposing team gets the puck?

A: It is a sucker play that no one bites on even in beer league. (In fairness I wrote this without reading your question 2 :D) How do I know this? Let's just say I have found out that one the hard way, and *even* I don't try it... for exactly the same reasons that is showing now at a far, far, higher skill level -suffice to say, they oughta just stop that.

2) Why is it that when the opposing team does the exact same thing in their zone or our zone, they keep the puck, again including when their goalie plays the puck.

A: I don't know, maybe they need to do some basic forechecking.

3) Why do "we" continue to play dump and chase when we don't have the speed or strength to retrieve the puck?

A: Mostly because they don't have the speed or skill, or even puckhandling skills to get in the zone any other way. Dump and chase is usually the last resort.

4) Why do "we" still pass the puck to a player who is completely "covered" and unable to receive the puck and why is it when the player is open the pass is almost always behind/too far in front of or in the skates of the receiving player?

A: I'm taking this one as a rhetorical question. If not, I suppose it is because the breakout patterns are ineffective.


---Or go with what Chunk posted, it's a less wordy answer that is the same thing.

Don't get me wrong, not having a go - it was actually cathartic answering those

Completely different sports but what Poles did for the Bears, Davidson needs to do for the Hawks....you can't half ass a rebuild. YOu need to be committed and stick to it.

THe main issue here is that they have a lot of crap hockey players. NHL level and Rockford level that Bowman and his hockey ops department saddled Davidson with. Was it by choice or was Bowman forced to add to the pile of horse $hit last summer by upper management? No clue, don't care.....but it 100% set them back.

I don't see the point rolling out the same group next year because it's 1. insanity and 2. hampers their rebuild.

Why roll out S Jones, McCabe, Murphy, Strome, DeBrincat, Toews, Kane....they already missed out trading Kubalik so now they are going to have either let him walk for nothing OR bring him back....who is left that people/Davidson IS willing to trade that has value? That another team is going to want? That's my issue.

S Jones likely has an unmovable contract so he's likely not moving.....the rest should be shopped and highly considered. They need young building blocks and only way to get those is through trades and/or picks.

i get Fatty's point of having place holders but you may win the battle and shelter younger kids from minutes but you are losing the war as you are narrowing who you are willing to trade and to me....IMO...this team has ZERO right to be picky about who comes knocking and who Davidson says "untouchable" to another Gm....

He's saddled with NMC for Kane and Toews....and a 7 team no list for McCabe...because nobody loved giving out NMCs and NTCs like Bowman. Everyone else Davidson can wheel and deal and not have to check in with agents.

SHould have clearer direction by mid-July, but if they are rolling back the same group of veterans....that to me is just lip service and this team is still NOT committed to a rebuild.
- SteveRain

Poles made one major trade?

2 of my favorites is trying to force a pass through someones skates? Or cross ice pass through 2 to 3 defenders
- BetweenTheDots

Don’t forget the weak backhand pass in our own zone.

The problem lies that the so called players you list are likely the guys Davidson needs to trade to get some younger assets and/or picks in return. I don't see how you can keep 2 of 3....S Jones, McCabe, and Murphy. You need to trade at least 1, ideally 2....likely McCabe and Murphy and both have injury concerns (knee for McCabe, head for Murphy)...Seems Kane is publicly pining for a line of him Strome, and DeBrincat, so if he and 12 are part of Davidsons plan...then likely so will Strome.

So you are quickly running out of guys you can trade....who have value....or else you are relying on 1. hitting on almost of your picks and 2. signing some UFAs.....

I am in the camp of blow this thing sky high, and sign the veterans on 1-2 team friendly deals who then you can deal each deadline for a pick and player...said veterans can still babysit this team.....at this point they aren't on some heater since Fleury left proving they can be competitive...in fact it's the exact the opposite so does a journeyman D man really negatively impact this team vs keeping a McCabe and/or Murphy? I dont see how it matters. Could Johnson play top minutes and allow them to sell high on Strome?

Again...I don't covet Davidsons role...but I don't see LT building blocks here that we can start being picky about who stays vs who goes. I get the need to shelter younger kids minutes...but to me if you are going to suck, and they will, would I rather see Connelly and Johnson vs Strome and Kubalik? Absolutely I would.
- SteveRain

I don't think its prudent to trade everyone - but you are correct that they need to move at least one veteran out.

More than likely - as some have pointed out here - the grumpy old man who still owns the team is going to make some demands in terms of hanging on to marketable assets. I think Patrick Kane chasing records is their new marketing theme.

Even if they move the rights for Kubalik for a 3rd or 4th that still has value.

Regarding trading for Kane or Debrincat - few options. Buffalo, Anaheim, Detroit, Montreal and Seattle all have enough draft capital to make that work and should still be bad enough next year that they get a 8-16 pick.

Lamoriello is hot for over the hill veteran players. Maybe taking back any one of those 5 million contracts and a first and third for a year of Toews gets them excited.

The trade with Tampa was a no brainer. I think they'll run into issues when they have to make decisions this summer on actual pieces and deal with the possibility of losing some trades.

Becuase sometimes when you win, you really lose. And sometimes when you lose, you really win. And sometimes when you win or lose, you actually tie. And sometimes when you tie, you actually win or lose. Winning and losing is all one big organic globule from which one extracts what one needs.