If he starts slow (and remains slow) and the Blackhawks win the lottery, I think many fans will be thanking JD for signing him. But if he plays to his potential, then the chances of getting Bedard decrease.
- powerenforcer

You have that right. Bedard or bust!

If he starts slow (and remains slow) and the Blackhawks win the lottery, I think many fans will be thanking KD for signing him. But if he plays to his potential, then the chances of getting Bedard decrease.

Fixed initial post
- powerenforcer

Well, I don't see Strome moving the needle much in either direction.

Hawks retool/rebuild continues into about year 4 now. The direction they will go here will tell a lot about how deep they want to tear things apart. Trading x, y or z for picks or prospect doesn't just fix the issues and it's only a part of the pie. The best thing the Hawks can do is try to improve the quality of their drafting and development of prospects. Lately, that department has been lagging behind and really the bright spots have only been the euro imports who have had modest success.

Moving Kane is a gamble they may or may not take, but if he stays they need to find a head coach that doesn't ride him as much. The hawks need depth and trying to ride Kane helps his assist totals but doesn't help the team win. They need depth.

Anyone should be on the block for the right price, but need to think hard about moving a guy like Debrincat, who is arguably the most important piece up front for Chicago.

The time has come that the Hawks may have seen their last playoff games with the old core. Sharp, Hossa, Hjalmarsson, Crawford, Seabrook, Keith, Kane, Toews, etc.. Only the last two are left and 88 and 19 might only see postseason play if they move on. I think that has to factor into their choices to remain in Chicago or to move on. If they want out, retain salary, move them and get as much back as you can.

If Kane does move, I would also look at the Kings. They need scoring, are looking at Frosberg as a FA. Brisson is the same agent for Kane and Kopitar and is best buds with Robitaille. Plus, they have a plethora of prospects in their system. Brandt Clarke the defenseman being one of them that I would target.
- LAHawk

With his dad still driving to his games I’d be there east if he leaves

Well, I don't see Strome moving the needle much in either direction.
- mohel

You don’t think so? He scored 22 goals and the Hawks had the least regulation wins in the league.

Nice blog but multiple firsts and prospects for Kane? I was hoping for more clarity on that. One year of him? When he can limit his destinations to one or even a handful of teams?
- ChrisMS

Thanks for reading the blog!

To answer your question, I failed to clarify that any Kane trade would be ideal to be a trade with the understanding or agreement that he would also sign an extension with his new team so that he's not just a rental.

In the rental scenario, a team would balk at multiple 1st and blue chip prospects for just a few months of Kane's services.

You don’t think so? He scored 22 goals and the Hawks had the least regulation wins in the league.
- Angotti

I'm just sayin'......

With his dad still driving to his games I’d be there east if he leaves
- Abadseed

I bet his Dad could get used to LA winters

Hawks retool/rebuild continues into about year 4 now. The direction they will go here will tell a lot about how deep they want to tear things apart. Trading x, y or z for picks or prospect doesn't just fix the issues and it's only a part of the pie. The best thing the Hawks can do is try to improve the quality of their drafting and development of prospects. Lately, that department has been lagging behind and really the bright spots have only been the euro imports who have had modest success.

Moving Kane is a gamble they may or may not take, but if he stays they need to find a head coach that doesn't ride him as much. The hawks need depth and trying to ride Kane helps his assist totals but doesn't help the team win. They need depth.

Anyone should be on the block for the right price, but need to think hard about moving a guy like Debrincat, who is arguably the most important piece up front for Chicago.

The time has come that the Hawks may have seen their last playoff games with the old core. Sharp, Hossa, Hjalmarsson, Crawford, Seabrook, Keith, Kane, Toews, etc.. Only the last two are left and 88 and 19 might only see postseason play if they move on. I think that has to factor into their choices to remain in Chicago or to move on. If they want out, retain salary, move them and get as much back as you can.
- breadbag

They haven't been that bad at identifying, drafting or developing. They've been bad at keeping those players.

That is also their fault, but they've been about as good as any other team in acquiring young players.

I bet his Dad could get used to LA winters
- LAHawk

Well if he hasn’t moved to Chicago after all these years I don’t see him up to moving all the way to LA

I bet his Dad could get used to LA winters
- LAHawk

Well if he hasn’t moved to Chicago after all these years I don’t see him up to moving all the way to LA

Average ticket price to a Bulls game is $225, to a Hawks game is $150, major sport or no, it does take a financial commitment to go.
- LAHawk

I just want to add, maybe it's been a while for some, they have cleaned up west Madison Street, it's not like it was pre 2000. So i can see a similar thing that happened in wrigley, regentrification, bars, pre covid i used to go to west end grill, catch a free shuttle to the game, catch it back to the restaurant. There was free parking around the restaurant. Unfortunately they are closed now but i sure do hope it's temporary.

If he starts slow (and remains slow) and the Blackhawks win the lottery, I think many fans will be thanking JD for signing him. But if he plays to his potential, then the chances of getting Bedard decrease.
- powerenforcer

It's Toews everyone has to worry about. Missed 2 years ago, came back last year played okay, but if he feels great, able to train like he does, he can carry a line.

S Jones and Vlasic looked really good together granted for a short stint

What if Regula and McCabe just play better together

Than that leaves Murphy and Stillman? That's a really really nice 3rd pairing.

Strome might bust but I'd rather he bust here than watching him on another team like Teuvo.

I know i have my rose colored glasses on but if they get off to a great start then a top 5 pick is off the table for sure

It's Toews everyone has to worry about. Missed 2 years ago, came back last year played okay, but if he feels great, able to train like he does, he can carry a line.

S Jones and Vlasic looked really good together granted for a short stint

What if Regula and McCabe just play better together

Than that leaves Murphy and Stillman? That's a really really nice 3rd pairing.

Strome might bust but I'd rather he bust here than watching him on another team like Teuvo.

I know i have my rose colored glasses on but if they get off to a great start then a top 5 pick is off the table for sure
- BetweenTheDots

For all those tank-o-philes, I was always curious about this so I did a little research:

Last place, first pick frequency
Since the 2005 lockout, there have been 15 NHL drafts. 12 different teams have finished last overall, with the Sabres (twice) and the Oilers (three times) being the only teams with multiple last place finishes.

The first overall pick has gone to 11 different teams, with the Devils (twice) and the Oilers (four times) being the only teams with multiple first overall selections.

Out of these 15 drafts, the last place team has retained the first overall selection in fewer than half the drafts. Just seven times has this occurred, the other eight drafts have seen a different team select first overall.

Breaking it down further, the team in second last has drafted first overall three times, third last twice, fifth last twice, and 14th last once.

Hawks didn't offer Duclair a contract when he became a free agent - another Bowman screw up

Nice to see him lighting it up in Florida

Hawks didn't offer Duclair a contract when he became a free agent - another Bowman screw up

Nice to see him lighting it up in Florida
- Colbyboy

Credit to Duclair for improving himself but the fact is when he was in Chicago he was terrible.

Credit to Duclair for improving himself but the fact is when he was in Chicago he was terrible.
- paulr

He did nothing in Hawk uniform to suggest he should be Re-signed.

I just want to add, maybe it's been a while for some, they have cleaned up west Madison Street, it's not like it was pre 2000. So i can see a similar thing that happened in wrigley, regentrification, bars, pre covid i used to go to west end grill, catch a free shuttle to the game, catch it back to the restaurant. There was free parking around the restaurant. Unfortunately they are closed now but i sure do hope it's temporary.
- BetweenTheDots

West End done for good. Ranalli's pizza going in there.

Man Ekblad schooled by Kucherov

West End done for good. Ranalli's pizza going in there.
- 6628

Nice, I'll keep that in mind next season, thanks

Credit to Duclair for improving himself but the fact is when he was in Chicago he was terrible.
- paulr

he was crap in CBJ the year after as well.

Man Ekblad schooled by Kucherov
- BetweenTheDots

Ya think Ekblad has lost a step?

Man Ekblad schooled by Kucherov
- BetweenTheDots

Every defenseman gets schooled at one time or another, there are quite a few skilled forwards in the league. Some defensemen get schooled more often than others, see Gus.

https://twitter.com/cafin...&t=9SIhjCGuiI5v9zr_ctpNxg

Alef Ha-Shalom

https://twitter.com/cafinus/status/1526030019423870976?s=21&t=9SIhjCGuiI5v9zr_ctpNxg

Alef Ha-Shalom
- Ogilthorpe2

Wow, what a guy. Thanks for the link.