I think we are all going to get a stinker surprise here with the Hawks playing better due to a defensive scheme that suits the skill level of their players better and a fiery coach that will get more out of them.

A healed Murphy, better healed McCabe, Jones with less weight on his shoulders and possibly break through of any of Vlasic, Mitchell, Glavas or Regula with a different system may make a significant difference on the backend.

Without the Cat, scoring will be difficult but I think a Domi and Athanasiou will compete harder on a show-me-contract basis and produce more than Dach and Kubalik, given better secondary scoring.

That said, if no trades are made I think we'll be in the 10-12 pick at next year's draft. To ensure a better pick in 2023, the Hawks will have to trade as many of Kane, Toews and Murphy next season.

I think we are all going to get a stinker surprise here with the Hawks playing better due to a defensive scheme that suits the skill level of their players better and a fiery coach that will get more out of them.

A healed Murphy, better healed McCabe, Jones with less weight on his shoulders and possibly break through of any of Vlasic, Mitchell, Glavas or Regula with a different system may make a significant difference on the backend.

Without the Cat, scoring will be difficult but I think a Domi and Athanasiou will compete harder on a show-me-contract basis and produce more than Dach and Kubalik, given better secondary scoring.

That said, if no trades are made I think we'll be in the 10-12 pick at next year's draft. To ensure a better pick in 2023, the Hawks will have to trade as many of Kane, Toews and Murphy next season.
- Popsghostly

That's fine though, really.

I mean if you're doing a tank job like this, what you really want is a GM trying to sewer the team and the players/coaches busting their asses to try and prove him wrong. Helps build/maintain a strong culture and a "us against the world attitude" for when it's time to flip the switch and go shopping.

IF ANYONE THINKS THEY CAN REBUILD THIS TEAM THROUGH THE DRAFT ONLY 5 YEARS, THERE CRAZY, CONNOR MCDAVID WAS DRAFTED 7 YEARS AGO AFTER 3 FAILED ATTEMPTS AND GETTING # 1 PICK, AND THEY ARE STILL SHORT PIECES, IN COLORADO LANDESHOG , WAS DRAFTED 11 YEARS AGO , MACKINNON WAS DRAFT 9 YEARS AGO AND FINALLY MAKAR WAS DRAFTED 5 YEARS AGO, AND REMEMBER THE LOTTERY RULE CHANGE NOW YOU CAN ONLY GET SO MANY NUMBER 1 PICKS IN A TIME SPAM. THE HAWKS WILL BE LOOKING AT A 10 -12 YEAR REBUILD
- Ging72

Gee…..How soon did the Hawks win after drafting Toews and Kane. Hmmm…..

Gee…..How soon did the Hawks win after drafting Toews and Kane. Hmmm…..
- Ztra

A big advantage Chicago had over those other teams is when Kane and Toews were drafted there was already allot of good prospects in the Hawk’s system.

If Toews and Kane stay lifelong Blackhawks and can be key cogs in a new era of league dominance -- albeit in different roles than the first iteration -- then wouldn't it be something if they revived the franchise a second time?

Now that would be quite the way to put an exclamation mark on their storied careers, place an extra stamp on their passport to the Hall of Fame, and cement their legacies even more as two of the best Chicago athletes of all time.

What every fan hopes for but I suspect winning the Mega is better odds.

Thanks Theo -

I will state the obvious, if the Blackhawks win games this season where they outplay the opposition, then the rebuild is on a faster track than most are thinking. If we are focusing our sights on Bedard, then this season may be a disappointment.
#BeHappiwithFantilli
- powerenforcer

#tradeforgus

A big advantage Chicago had over those other teams is when Kane and Toews were drafted there was already allot of good prospects in the Hawk’s system.
- paulr

Maybe. But without Toews and Kane they are a middle of the pack team and those “good”prospects maybe are rushed, don’t develop as quickly, or have to be slotted higher in the lineup than their skill level justifies. Not saying we did not have the good prospects. But having superstars in the lineup helps good prospects a lot.

Fantilli would be a nice consolation prize, but Bedard looks to be a real difference maker.
- paulr

Does Bettman want to face the critics if Bedard ends up in Chicago after the Beach incident? Think of all the people who will b!tch and cry if the Blackhawks get the #1 pick. Although it would be a good thing for the league (Bedard drafted by Chicago) I don't trust Bettman to do the right thing. He has never been able to fix the Arizona franchise.

Maybe. But without Toews and Kane they are a middle of the pack team and those “good”prospects maybe are rushed, don’t develop as quickly, or have to be slotted higher in the lineup than their skill level justifies. Not saying we did not have the good prospects. But having superstars in the lineup helps good prospects a lot.
- Ztra

I agree but my point was more that Kane and Toews didn’t have to do everything themselves right away like McDavid and MacKinnon. They came on the team to make the likes of Keith, Seabrook, Bolland etc better.

Does Bettman want to face the critics if Bedard ends up in Chicago after the Beach incident? Think of all the people who will b!tch and cry if the Blackhawks get the #1 pick. Although it would be a good thing for the league (Bedard drafted by Chicago) I don't trust Bettman to do the right thing. He has never been able to fix the Arizona franchise.
- powerenforcer

What does Bettman have to do with Chicago getting or not getting Bedard?

Does Bettman want to face the critics if Bedard ends up in Chicago after the Beach incident? Think of all the people who will b!tch and cry if the Blackhawks get the #1 pick. Although it would be a good thing for the league (Bedard drafted by Chicago) I don't trust Bettman to do the right thing. He has never been able to fix the Arizona franchise.
- powerenforcer

The other way to look at it is Beach was 13 years ago and nothing has happened since:
#wgafaboutbeach.

The Hawks chances aren't great but we don't know what they will look like on the ice. Last offseason they got better on paper by filling gaps and ended up performing worse.
Drafting is great and needed in the NHL, but tanking isn't a sure thing when it comes to winning down the road. At the end of the day the players and coaches need to go out there and try to win, otherwise the culture in the locker room will never reach what it needs to be to go the distance.

They need the hunger, drive and determination. Plenty of teams have talent, good coaching, etc... but still can't do what it takes to win.

The Hawks leaders on the ice, Kane, Toews, Jones, etc.. need to bring the qualities day after day to help the younger players. The coaches need to reward it with ice time and opportunity so they are ready once they start to get fresh talent coming in.

If Toews and Kane stay lifelong Blackhawks and can be key cogs in a new era of league dominance -- albeit in different roles than the first iteration -- then wouldn't it be something if they revived the franchise a second time?

Now that would be quite the way to put an exclamation mark on their storied careers, place an extra stamp on their passport to the Hall of Fame, and cement their legacies even more as two of the best Chicago athletes of all time.

What every fan hopes for but I suspect winning the Mega is better odds.
- rpeters01

Well if that's the case and I had a choice between the Hawks returning to glory or me winning Mega?

Drinks on me!

The other way to look at it is Beach was 13 years ago and nothing has happened since:
#wgafaboutbeach.
- rpeters01

Or all attention is now on all the scandals regarding Hockey Canada

Does Bettman want to face the critics if Bedard ends up in Chicago after the Beach incident? Think of all the people who will b!tch and cry if the Blackhawks get the #1 pick. Although it would be a good thing for the league (Bedard drafted by Chicago) I don't trust Bettman to do the right thing. He has never been able to fix the Arizona franchise.
- powerenforcer

Other than winning Mega, I'm not sure I can think of anything that would bring me more joy.

The Hawks chances aren't great but we don't know what they will look like on the ice. Last offseason they got better on paper by filling gaps and ended up performing worse.
Drafting is great and needed in the NHL, but tanking isn't a sure thing when it comes to winning down the road. At the end of the day the players and coaches need to go out there and try to win, otherwise the culture in the locker room will never reach what it needs to be to go the distance.

They need the hunger, drive and determination. Plenty of teams have talent, good coaching, etc... but still can't do what it takes to win.

The Hawks leaders on the ice, Kane, Toews, Jones, etc.. need to bring the qualities day after day to help the younger players. The coaches need to reward it with ice time and opportunity so they are ready once they start to get fresh talent coming in.
- breadbag

One thing positive about last years team was they always gave the effort. I don't remember one game that I saw that the team just quit playing.

Does Bettman want to face the critics if Bedard ends up in Chicago after the Beach incident? Think of all the people who will b!tch and cry if the Blackhawks get the #1 pick. Although it would be a good thing for the league (Bedard drafted by Chicago) I don't trust Bettman to do the right thing. He has never been able to fix the Arizona franchise.
- powerenforcer

I believe Chicago has ranked at the top among NHL franchises in terms of value and probably popularity - especially with how many fans travel for games.

In the best interest of the NHL to make sure they are back on track sooner rather than later.

Well if that's the case and I had a choice between the Hawks returning to glory or me winning Mega?

Drinks on me!
- HawkintheD

Mo tells me you have alligator arms whenever it’s your turn to buy a round.

I think we are all going to get a stinker surprise here with the Hawks playing better due to a defensive scheme that suits the skill level of their players better and a fiery coach that will get more out of them.

A healed Murphy, better healed McCabe, Jones with less weight on his shoulders and possibly break through of any of Vlasic, Mitchell, Glavas or Regula with a different system may make a significant difference on the backend.

Without the Cat, scoring will be difficult but I think a Domi and Athanasiou will compete harder on a show-me-contract basis and produce more than Dach and Kubalik, given better secondary scoring.

That said, if no trades are made I think we'll be in the 10-12 pick at next year's draft. To ensure a better pick in 2023, the Hawks will have to trade as many of Kane, Toews and Murphy next season.
- Popsghostly

So you're saying the Hawks will lose 3-1 every night instead of 6-3 like last year. I'd say that's progress.

A big advantage Chicago had over those other teams is when Kane and Toews were drafted there was already allot of good prospects in the Hawk’s system.
- paulr

From more or less tanking

A big advantage Chicago had over those other teams is when Kane and Toews were drafted there was already allot of good prospects in the Hawk’s system.
- paulr

Indeed... but no one knew what the Hawks would do in that 6-7 year span beforehand. It's partially luck. Lot of lower picks developed into real contributors. Not like Keith or Seabrook were top picks (Seabs 14th I believe?). Hammer wasn't a top pick. Hawks don't win anything without Hossa, a FA signing.

It is about acquiring draft picks, developing talent, and then signing the right FAs, all while navigating the cap. "tanking" and gaining draft capital is only part of the equation.

Look at the Wings. Hitting homeruns with Dats and Zetterburg. Oilers are trash b/c they have meh goal tending and trash D.

Chara, Bergeron, Marchand, Krejci weren't first rounders. It is amazing what the Bruins did considering they lost Marc Savard to retirement and didn't load up with top draft picks year after year.

Mo tells me you have alligator arms whenever it’s your turn to buy a round.
- paulr

This true. Unless it is a round of baloney; he freely spreads stuff around....

Does Bettman want to face the critics if Bedard ends up in Chicago after the Beach incident? Think of all the people who will b!tch and cry if the Blackhawks get the #1 pick. Although it would be a good thing for the league (Bedard drafted by Chicago) I don't trust Bettman to do the right thing. He has never been able to fix the Arizona franchise.
- powerenforcer

What on earth are you talking about?

If anything I think he'd be thrilled to have a generational talent go to one of the leagues biggest markets for once.

This true. Unless it is a round of baloney; he freely spreads stuff around....
- mohel

I'm not sure and also a bit uncomfortable what you might be trying to say here.

David Pagnotta says the #Blackhawks are officially engaged in trade talks regarding forward Patrick Kane