In my warped world, I feel to understand both sides of an argument you need to be educated. I watch both sides of the political spectrum and same holds true for writers. It took me until lunch time to go read his piece on Wirtz and it was what I figured it would be. Just another egotistical writer who gets his clicks and subscriptions and I get I play into it.

It truly puzzles me how people can read his writing and forced agenda and think that's right. I am not a Wirtz defender by any stretch. I just feel what the Hawks did and the changes, settlement that all came out of it was maximized on their end. outside of getting in doc browns delorian what else do people want? Does Lazerus or Thompson take any accountability for baiting an owner into a public meltdown?

Social media should be a PHD level pysch/socio course in college. The amount of perfect people walking around is alarming.

I only go by what I see, experienced and heard from people I trust......Rocky saved our team. He brought us into current day in more ways than it' fair to count and if it got him standing ovations and what not early on at games behind the west goal....so be it. From what I recall he was in print/radio/tv 1/100th the time McDonough was. So in my world....Wirtz really didn't seek the attention or glad handling the same way and to have people just constantly dance on his grave because they read hit piece after hit piece from pieces of human trash like Lazerus.....yeah, I have a beef.
- SteveRain

Idk about that. I agree with most of what you said and am definitely not a fan of Laz or his writing style.

They asked the questions and Rocky reacted to them. The questions were pretty straightforward and Danny was actually prepared to give an answer in terms of what had been done since the investigation and findings.

Sadly, Rocky decided to answer the question and what he said was pretty obviously the wrong thing to say.

That said, I agree with what others have posted. Rocky Wirtz brought the Hawks back to respectability and they became a model for how to run a franchise after years of operating like a minor league team and pretty much the laughingstock of not just the NHL but pretty much any major sport.

No one's perfect and even what Lazerus wrote, I don't think he was wrong. While he spent too much time dwelling on the negative, I agree with the assertion that people aren't so black and white...lotsa grey and complexity.

Aho extends 8 years with the Canes. So much for that potential UFA.

https://twitter.com/Canes...tatus/1684201919613476865
- MartiniMan

I don't think the hawks are in the market for a big name along the way.

I think that what will happen, along the line, is OTHER young players, maybe some from this past draft class will be players they will be looking to trade for if their development is slowed.

So if say Otto Stenberg flat lines from developing quickly for the Blues and they are really interested in trading for a first rounder, you make a deal that is mutually acceptable as the hawks wait to see if their prospect comes around and we take the bonus pick and send it to them.
I didn't necessarily mean trading with Blues or even directly about Stenberg, just that kind of idea.

And I don't think they will be looking for an "Aho type." I bet they will look for Zach Hymen type players, or a not completely developed Dylan Holloway, et.all.

Of course when /if they get close to looking like a true contender, then maybe then is when you make your big Hossa/Brad Richard/John Madden/ Handzus acquisition, not really this early.

I just hope Danny stays in power.........Peter is lurking.

- SteveRain

You think? Never really heard what happened with the last transfer of power but it sounded like it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Peter would be running the Hawks...and then he wasn't.

From what I know of that turned out to be a good thing. Obvs don't know any of these people but from things I read at the time, if Peter had taken the helm from $Bill, it sounds like it would've been business as usual.

I think they actually handled that respectfully. Instead of dragging it out and inflicting more pain on the parties involved, they had the chance to do the right thing the next time and i think they did.
- BetweenTheDots

Yes
Agree on the rebound they handled it well

You think? Never really heard what happened with the last transfer of power but it sounded like it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Peter would be running the Hawks...and then he wasn't.

From what I know of that turned out to be a good thing. Obvs don't know any of these people but from things I read at the time, if Peter had taken the helm from $Bill, it sounds like it would've been business as usual.
- HawkintheD

I just re-read Peter’s farewell letter on NHL.com. It sounds like he was convinced to give the team a fresh start, with Rocky at the helm despite Peter’s previous long involvement. Now his brother is gone, and Danny holds the head title. Peter is likely still a trustee on Bill’s estate, or he took a slightly larger portion of the estate in exchange for relinquishing control to Rocky.

Most billionaires have ironclad estate plans, so Rocky’s likely spells out who gets what. I expect little tumult between Peter, Danny, and the other relatives. And as someone who works in financial planning, let this be a lesson to all of you: you need a living will, living trust, and durable powers of attorney if you want your heirs to avoid the nightmare of probate court. Work with an attorney to iron out all possibilities, and just maybe your kids won’t resent each other. If you don’t… it’s almost a guarantee they will.

I'm not surprised Carolina was able to keep him. Aho was the 2024 UFA I was hoping KD could target. I don't think Matthews is leaving Toronto and from (at least) a cap perspective I don't see Matthews being a fit here.

For the right price and term Nylander could be a good add, he might be the odd man out in Toronto.

KD may be better served to wait until 2025 to add a major piece via free agency. Both Draisaital and Rantenen (the better choice) could be available. Chychrun will also be available on defense, and could be worth keeping an eye on.
- DarthKane

This will be a huge topic of conversation down the road. When is it time to all out try to win and then when to sign that big missing piece(s) free agent(s)? ...... From what I can see around the league with rebuilding squads not sure that any GM can say definitively today, in 3yrs, 4yrs or 5yrs it will be time.......


As far as the Hawks are concerned I guess we'll have to see how much, and if, a Moore, Ludwinski, Nazar, Kaiser, Del Mastro, Vlasic, Lardis, Misiak, Gajun, Commesso and on and on has developed. Are Kurashev/Raddysh legit NHLers? Is Riechel a legit top 6 guy?

I think BUF and DET faced those questions last yr. Seems DET went in 1/2 way signing free agents, and more this yr, and BUF decided not to sign any FA. OTT went for it trading for Dcat. None made the playoffs.

Think NJ went from 65-70 pts to 113 this yr without adding to start the season and added Meir at the TDL and won a rd in the playoffs.

The timing is important maybe even crucial.

IIRC OTT was after Chychrun for 3 yrs and finally nabbed him. Gonna take a biiiig offer to beat OTT's unless he wants out.

Gonna be great fun for the fan the day KD and Crew decides this is the yr, or TDL, we put the needle on the record.

You think? Never really heard what happened with the last transfer of power but it sounded like it was pretty much a foregone conclusion that Peter would be running the Hawks...and then he wasn't.

From what I know of that turned out to be a good thing. Obvs don't know any of these people but from things I read at the time, if Peter had taken the helm from $Bill, it sounds like it would've been business as usual.
- HawkintheD

I just had heard through a friend who is pretty high up at breakthru that it could lead to a power struggle if Rocky were to ever pass early. He told me this month's ago. I am sure it's hearsay speculation but had to pass it along.

I just re-read Peter’s farewell letter on NHL.com. It sounds like he was convinced to give the team a fresh start, with Rocky at the helm despite Peter’s previous long involvement. Now his brother is gone, and Danny holds the head title. Peter is likely still a trustee on Bill’s estate, or he took a slightly larger portion of the estate in exchange for relinquishing control to Rocky.

Most billionaires have ironclad estate plans, so Rocky’s likely spells out who gets what. I expect little tumult between Peter, Danny, and the other relatives. And as someone who works in financial planning, let this be a lesson to all of you: you need a living will, living trust, and durable powers of attorney if you want your heirs to avoid the nightmare of probate court. Work with an attorney to iron out all possibilities, and just maybe your kids won’t resent each other. If you don’t… it’s almost a guarantee they will.
- ObeseOprah

Yeah I did exactly what you said given my profession as I travel a TON for work. Great suggestion.

Vaxxed & boosted

Sad

This will be a huge topic of conversation down the road. When is it time to all out try to win and then when to sign that big missing piece(s) free agent(s)? ...... From what I can see around the league with rebuilding squads not sure that any GM can say definitively today, in 3yrs, 4yrs or 5yrs it will be time.......


As far as the Hawks are concerned I guess we'll have to see how much, and if, a Moore, Ludwinski, Nazar, Kaiser, Del Mastro, Vlasic, Lardis, Misiak, Gajun, Commesso and on and on has developed. Are Kurashev/Raddysh legit NHLers? Is Riechel a legit top 6 guy?

I think BUF and DET faced those questions last yr. Seems DET went in 1/2 way signing free agents, and more this yr, and BUF decided not to sign any FA. OTT went for it trading for Dcat. None made the playoffs.

Think NJ went from 65-70 pts to 113 this yr without adding to start the season and added Meir at the TDL and won a rd in the playoffs.

The timing is important maybe even crucial.

IIRC OTT was after Chychrun for 3 yrs and finally nabbed him. Gonna take a biiiig offer to beat OTT's unless he wants out.

Gonna be great fun for the fan the day KD and Crew decides this is the yr, or TDL, we put the needle on the record.
- Mr Ricochet

absolutely....still think it's way early on in the rebuild......but it's going to be fun to watch these kids develop and figure out who are keepers and who may have lower celings and are hopefully sold off to maximize return and fill holes that aren't solved internally.

Cap going up big also will help teams retain UFAs. Saw Aho signed today. 8x9.75

This will be a huge topic of conversation down the road. When is it time to all out try to win and then when to sign that big missing piece(s) free agent(s)? ...... From what I can see around the league with rebuilding squads not sure that any GM can say definitively today, in 3yrs, 4yrs or 5yrs it will be time.......


As far as the Hawks are concerned I guess we'll have to see how much, and if, a Moore, Ludwinski, Nazar, Kaiser, Del Mastro, Vlasic, Lardis, Misiak, Gajun, Commesso and on and on has developed. Are Kurashev/Raddysh legit NHLers? Is Riechel a legit top 6 guy?

I think BUF and DET faced those questions last yr. Seems DET went in 1/2 way signing free agents, and more this yr, and BUF decided not to sign any FA. OTT went for it trading for Dcat. None made the playoffs.

Think NJ went from 65-70 pts to 113 this yr without adding to start the season and added Meir at the TDL and won a rd in the playoffs.

The timing is important maybe even crucial.

IIRC OTT was after Chychrun for 3 yrs and finally nabbed him. Gonna take a biiiig offer to beat OTT's unless he wants out.

Gonna be great fun for the fan the day KD and Crew decides this is the yr, or TDL, we put the needle on the record.
- Mr Ricochet

So 2023/24 - development year
2024/25 - development year / flirting with a playoff spot(like Buffalo this year)
2025/26 - playoffs - start looking for a FA during offseason or trade deadline of 2027
2026/27 - playoffs/Stanley Cup contention

Just trying to figure out if their timeline will be like NJ,Buffalo or Detroit ?

I just re-read Peter’s farewell letter on NHL.com. It sounds like he was convinced to give the team a fresh start, with Rocky at the helm despite Peter’s previous long involvement. Now his brother is gone, and Danny holds the head title. Peter is likely still a trustee on Bill’s estate, or he took a slightly larger portion of the estate in exchange for relinquishing control to Rocky.

Most billionaires have ironclad estate plans, so Rocky’s likely spells out who gets what. I expect little tumult between Peter, Danny, and the other relatives. And as someone who works in financial planning, let this be a lesson to all of you: you need a living will, living trust, and durable powers of attorney if you want your heirs to avoid the nightmare of probate court. Work with an attorney to iron out all possibilities, and just maybe your kids won’t resent each other. If you don’t… it’s almost a guarantee they will.
- ObeseOprah

Yep yep yep, or at least make them beneficiaries on all of your accounts, so at least the investment and bank accounts go straight to them.

In my warped world, I feel to understand both sides of an argument you need to be educated. I watch both sides of the political spectrum and same holds true for writers. It took me until lunch time to go read his piece on Wirtz and it was what I figured it would be. Just another egotistical writer who gets his clicks and subscriptions and I get I play into it.

It truly puzzles me how people can read his writing and forced agenda and think that's right. I am not a Wirtz defender by any stretch. I just feel what the Hawks did and the changes, settlement that all came out of it was maximized on their end. outside of getting in doc browns delorian what else do people want? Does Lazerus or Thompson take any accountability for baiting an owner into a public meltdown?

Social media should be a PHD level pysch/socio course in college. The amount of perfect people walking around is alarming.

I only go by what I see, experienced and heard from people I trust......Rocky saved our team. He brought us into current day in more ways than it' fair to count and if it got him standing ovations and what not early on at games behind the west goal....so be it. From what I recall he was in print/radio/tv 1/100th the time McDonough was. So in my world....Wirtz really didn't seek the attention or glad handling the same way and to have people just constantly dance on his grave because they read hit piece after hit piece from pieces of human trash like Lazerus.....yeah, I have a beef.
- SteveRain

I agree it’s imperative to understand both sides of any given issue, sports, politics or whatever. But I think I have to weed out the bad reporters or journalists because they aren’t providing true and insightful news. I haven’t watched or listened to Don Cherry for over twenty years because he was full of poop and because he worked at being devisive. Same for a Toronto sports writer, Steve Simmons, who made up poop, like Phil Kessel eating hot dogs every day. If I lived in Chicago sounds like I’d avoid Lazarus like the plague.

So 2023/24 - development year
2024/25 - development year / flirting with a playoff spot(like Buffalo this year)
2025/26 - playoffs - start looking for a FA during offseason or trade deadline of 2027
2026/27 - playoffs/Stanley Cup contention

Just trying to figure out if their timeline will be like NJ,Buffalo or Detroit ?
- captainserious

Love this time line....I think it's fair and reasonable but again....not a guarantee. Just feel some can handle a rebuild better than others in terms of patience........

I agree it’s imperative to understand both sides of any given issue, sports, politics or whatever. But I think I have to weed out the bad reporters or journalists because they aren’t providing true and insightful news. I haven’t watched or listened to Don Cherry for over twenty years because he was full of poop and because he worked at being devisive. Same for a Toronto sports writer, Steve Simmons, who made up poop, like Phil Kessel eating hot dogs every day. If I lived in Chicago sounds like I’d avoid Lazarus like the plague.
- paulr

Don Cherry...rock'em sock'em hockey videos.....with his dog blue. Used to love watching those VHS tapes.

That's fair and a great suggestion. See if I can go a bit without mentioning his name any longer.

BTW what the hell is burning up in your neck of the woods? Seems like every other week we are under an air quality alert due to smoke.........

Who the heck is Rocky Wurtz?
- ObeseOprah

I think another way OO can put it -- please try buying a different vowel? - Either that or your key board/pad is tracking to the left for your vowel keystrokes Jayhawker.

Idk about that. I agree with most of what you said and am definitely not a fan of Laz or his writing style.

They asked the questions and Rocky reacted to them. The questions were pretty straightforward and Danny was actually prepared to give an answer in terms of what had been done since the investigation and findings.

Sadly, Rocky decided to answer the question and what he said was pretty obviously the wrong thing to say.

That said, I agree with what others have posted. Rocky Wirtz brought the Hawks back to respectability and they became a model for how to run a franchise after years of operating like a minor league team and pretty much the laughingstock of not just the NHL but pretty much any major sport.

No one's perfect and even what Lazerus wrote, I don't think he was wrong. While he spent too much time dwelling on the negative, I agree with the assertion that people aren't so black and white...lotsa grey and complexity.
- HawkintheD

I started watching "succession" recently.....thru season 2. I am sure Rocky would have loved to take that whole interaction back but just felt it was fair to ask if there should be any accountability by the media for peppering him? Was it right time and right place or is it the old "never was going to be a right time/place" so they just went for it? unsure.

I can't imagine being part of that whole awful situation on either side. Beach's or uppermanagement for the Hawks, IF they truly didn't know.......

Onward.......

I started watching "succession" recently.....thru season 2. I am sure Rocky would have loved to take that whole interaction back but just felt it was fair to ask if there should be any accountability by the media for peppering him? Was it right time and right place or is it the old "never was going to be a right time/place" so they just went for it? unsure.

I can't imagine being part of that whole awful situation on either side. Beach's or uppermanagement for the Hawks, IF they truly didn't know.......

Onward.......
- SteveRain

How you liking Succession? There is not one character on that show with any truly redeeming qualities...and I love it!

How you liking Succession? There is not one character on that show with any truly redeeming qualities...and I love it!
- HawkintheD

1st season dragged a bit for me and then it finally hit its sweet spot. Enjoyed season 2. Thought Holly Hunter was fantastic. Just wondering how many bombs the Roy family can evade before the house of cards comes tumbling down....I couldn't imagine being left on that season 2 cliffhanger (Kendall pivoting off the cruise line blame) during covid.

Excited for season 3 and 4.

Don Cherry...rock'em sock'em hockey videos.....with his dog blue. Used to love watching those VHS tapes.

That's fair and a great suggestion. See if I can go a bit without mentioning his name any longer.

BTW what the hell is burning up in your neck of the woods? Seems like every other week we are under an air quality alert due to smoke.........
- SteveRain

Apparently like you guys Canadians didn’t clean up the forests properly?? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Seriously though it’s a world wide problem, the U.S, Italy, Greece it’s everywhere. We have some of the most forested areas and once a fire gets started it’s very difficult to control.

Apparently like you guys Canadians didn’t clean up the forests properly?? 🤷🏻‍♂️

Seriously though it’s a world wide problem, the U.S, Italy, Greece it’s everywhere. We have some of the most forested areas and once a fire gets started it’s very difficult to control.
- paulr

yeah been very bad down here since around mid-late June. Don't realize it until dusk when you can see the fog .Eerie.

Like any other corporation, the Wirtz organization Hawks would have a succession plan in place. Is Danny the golden boy of the corporation? Maybe he moves up to Chairman and one of his siblings takes over as team CEO? I would imagine they want the executives of one the crown jewels of the empire (along with the liquor business) to be family members.

I also found this letter from Peter Wirtz from 2007 stating his resignation of positions with the Blackhawks and the United Center. This was after Rocky wrested control of the team from him. At that time he said he will continue to own and operate Bismarck Enterprises.

https://www.nhl.com/black...from-peter-wirtz/c-476177

So, to me Peter being removed from the Hockey business for 16 years is unlikely to come back as Rocky's replacement. I guess he could always stage a palace coup though and get back in control.

Don Cherry...rock'em sock'em hockey videos.....with his dog blue. Used to love watching those VHS tapes.

That's fair and a great suggestion. See if I can go a bit without mentioning his name any longer.

BTW what the hell is burning up in your neck of the woods? Seems like every other week we are under an air quality alert due to smoke.........
- SteveRain

I liked those old Rock em Sock em videos too. He narrated what was on the tape. Once Cherry started treading into subjects where he voiced his opinion on subjects he had no knowledge, hockey strategy, politics, social issues etc.. he just proved himself to be that ignorant uncle who makes an ass of himself at a family dinner.

I liked those old Rock em Sock em videos too. He narrated what was on the tape. Once Cherry started treading into subjects where he voiced his opinion on subjects he had no knowledge, hockey strategy, politics, social issues etc.. he just proved himself to be that ignorant uncle who makes an ass of himself at a family dinner.
- paulr

great comp

I think it was #4 or #5 and I can still here him "My buddy Frank Pieterangelo wasn't happy here"

So 2023/24 - development year
2024/25 - development year / flirting with a playoff spot(like Buffalo this year)
2025/26 - playoffs - start looking for a FA during offseason or trade deadline of 2027
2026/27 - playoffs/Stanley Cup contention

Just trying to figure out if their timeline will be like NJ,Buffalo or Detroit ?
- captainserious

Yours is a realistic timeline

I see the emphasis to draft & develop good skaters who are compete type forwards and I just feel PERHAPS a later add to the roster - a playoff capable roster - could be a forward who has size and can deliver bone jarring hits. More likely on a third and fourth line but ideally one on L1 or L2 and one on L3 or L4.

Then I notice the toughness coming if some of these dmen prospects matriculate to NHL roster

There is a question if a bone rattling checker is available through draft/trade/free agent or if KD is content to have just another good skating compete guy. Clearly the skating compete is favored and the hard checking forward with size is a bonus?