It must be an election year. Here come the Russians

2014 will always be the one that got away and would have ended any debate.
- rpeters01

That Damn Nick Leddy!

That Damn Nick Leddy!
- bjphawkfan

Get over it, it is what it is. 3 in 6 years is pretty (frank)ing awesome. That's how sports is a game of inches. I recall Oduyas shot going off a couple of skates and in to tie it up against Boston in 2013, then in double OT or triple overtime 2 shin pads and in to win game 1 against Boston. All a GM can do is get you to a position to win a cup, but you need skill and a little luck to be champs.

Get over it, it is what it is. 3 in 6 years is pretty (frank)ing awesome. That's how sports is a game of inches. I recall Oduyas shot going off a couple of skates and in to tie it up against Boston in 2013, then in double OT or triple overtime 2 shin pads and in to win game 1 against Boston. All a GM can do is get you to a position to win a cup, but you need skill and a little luck to be champs.
- BetweenTheDots

The only disappointment was 2012. We should have beat the Yotes. 2011, backing into the playoffs and pushing the Nucks to OT in game 7 after being down 3-0 was awesome. 2014 loss to LA hurt, a lot, but the winner would take the cup.

Exactly and there hasn't been one good argument for keeping him off the list.
- breadbag

I guess I would have to see the list of 21st Century Top 25, but my overwhelming Blackhawks bias aside, I still simply cannot imagine a 25 without Toews on it. Some players will be left off but Toews should not be one of them.
- 35Tony0

From the trainers, custodians, there won't be one human not agreeing that Jonathan Toews treated everyone well, and was one of the forces or the glue that riled the team from the bench, attacked the corners of the attack zone, and he could play!

And Hawk Martinez goal that gave the Kings the win & eliminated the Cup-bound Hawk team:Another part of the game that I love, when my team is eliminated and it just saddens me.
B/c that's lot's of investment, fan investment, and you want it to count but it hockey is the sport that can really be watchable.

Get over it, it is what it is. 3 in 6 years is pretty (frank)ing awesome. That's how sports is a game of inches. I recall Oduyas shot going off a couple of skates and in to tie it up against Boston in 2013, then in double OT or triple overtime 2 shin pads and in to win game 1 against Boston. All a GM can do is get you to a position to win a cup, but you need skill and a little luck to be champs.
- BetweenTheDots

2013 game 7 ot it goes off Lidstrom's shin guard.

CHI seems to be doing a proper rebuild and will be contenders again. Still think that's by far the best way to run an organization in the cap era for the long term. I'm very concerned PIT won't commit to a full rebuild again and that will leave them as an irrelevant nothing org. like many orgs. that try to avoid rebuilding.
- jfkst1

The difference is that Chicago's stars started to decline younger than that of Pittsburgh's. So, The Hawks have already suffered through the tough times. The Pens have been pushing for playoff spots even when they don't get in. As long as Sid and Letang are still playing at this level there's no reason to go full rebuild.

I feel like Toews fits in that top 8 over Lundquist. I would probably leave the top 5 in that order, bump Marty to 6, put Toews at 7, and Nate at 8. I LOVE MacKinnon, and I feel like he'll eventually surpass Toews due to longevity, but not quite yet. I do agree with Malkin at 9 also. After that it's a crap shoot to me. I guess Bergeron is fitting at 10?

Fair point, and you guys were fortunate that they found that hair line fracture in Crosby otherwise it would of been a rough decade not having your best player on the ice. In the end both teams won 3 cups, all the other stats are meaningless because in 10 to 20 years it will be the only thing they will be remembered for.
- BetweenTheDots

The only missing from today era is a Chicago/Pittsburgh final. The Pens were beat up, or just didn't have proper depth, from 2010-2015, the Hawks team started hitting a wall by 2015/16 because of age.

I would have liked to see both teams meet up at one point.

CHI seems to be doing a proper rebuild and will be contenders again. Still think that's by far the best way to run an organization in the cap era for the long term. I'm very concerned PIT won't commit to a full rebuild again and that will leave them as an irrelevant nothing org. like many orgs. that try to avoid rebuilding.
- jfkst1

I am very encouraged about how aggressive they are about this rebuild. I'm glad Danny agreed to KDs vision of what the Blackhawks org needed to do.

The only missing from today era is a Chicago/Pittsburgh final. The Pens were beat up, or just didn't have proper depth, from 2010-2015, the Hawks team started hitting a wall by 2015/16 because of age.

I would have liked to see both teams meet up at one point.
- cranktheradio

Yea that really would of been great to see and great for hockey.

Latest from Ben Pope:
https://x.com/BenPopeCST/...tatus/1820107553117757727

I disagree with the article simply because offense elite players are easier to get than top defense players, imho.

Latest from Ben Pope:
https://x.com/BenPopeCST/...tatus/1820107553117757727

I disagree with the article simply because offense elite players are easier to get than top defense players, imho.
- 35Tony0

The young whipper snapper Pope is now the expert on Edmonton's signing of stanBo, and that the hawks didn't take either Cayden Lindstrom or the Russian winger Demidov with that pick, or reach for winger Tij Iginla or Beckett Sennecke.
Ben heard Kyle's draft inervir=ew where he said he tried hard to draft Demidov (over Lindstrom for nextvyear's first and another 1st rounder).

I think Kyle knew he was loading up and UFAs and felt there was no way the trade could bite him except for Demidov failing.

We have all watched enough Stanley Cup ganes to know teams have many different ways they win, and it is tough to thnk each team with two outstanding forwards is the key. Playoffs are for many heroes at the forward position.

The difference is that Chicago's stars started to decline younger than that of Pittsburgh's. So, The Hawks have already suffered through the tough times. The Pens have been pushing for playoff spots even when they don't get in. As long as Sid and Letang are still playing at this level there's no reason to go full rebuild.
- cranktheradio

Youre not winning a cup with the current pens team. Whats the point?!

Ogie !

Tell us about your move, and life in general.
- wiz1901

My Move?

Life is good. The Hawks are on the rise.

And peak Toews still > peak Bergeron

And its still not close.

My Move?

Life is good. The Hawks are on the rise.

And peak Toews still > peak Bergeron

And its still not close.
- Ogilthorpe2

For that matter I don't have Thornton over Toews.

For that matter I don't have Thornton over Toews.
- rpeters01

Hell no.

Toews prime was markedly shorter than a lot of players, but for 3-4 years he was truly elite.

Latest from Ben Pope:
https://x.com/BenPopeCST/...tatus/1820107553117757727

I disagree with the article simply because offense elite players are easier to get than top defense players, imho.
- 35Tony0

I disagree with it more because the Hawks have crap tons of forward prospects, and a number of them could hit to become that second (or third or fourth) elite forward.

No one knows if Demidov is going to be that guy until he comes over and shows it. He could be Kucherov, and he could be Yakupov, or anywhere in between. These kids are 18-19 years old and still have to grow and mature their games. Let’s see what happens before saying X, Y, or Z will certainly be the reason they don’t become champs. 🤦🏻

Latest from Ben Pope:
https://x.com/BenPopeCST/...tatus/1820107553117757727

I disagree with the article simply because offense elite players are easier to get than top defense players, imho.
- 35Tony0

If Nazar falls somewhere between Point and Trocheck that would be pretty good. Moore is probably not going to suck.

And then you have Boisvert, Lardis, Kansternov, Hayes and Vanacker, Mustard, Spellacy plus all the other toolsy guys - two I think will be very good with one maybe at that top line level.

Plus they don't all need to be superstars. Vegas kinda does it by committee (which is weird to say with +40 goal scorer) with strength on the blue line and so did Florida.

I think with the potential dynamic on the blue line of Korchinski, Levshunov, Jones\Rinzel - they're not necessarily going to need as many creatives at forward just guys that can finish, scare the poop out of the other team with break out speed and who will go to the front of the net and they don't have any shortage of that.

Hell no.

Toews prime was markedly shorter than a lot of players, but for 3-4 years he was truly elite.
- Ogilthorpe2

I think it was more like 10. 20-30 he was dominant aside from a few concussions.

Youre not winning a cup with the current pens team. Whats the point?!
- LFS

Get in the playoffs and collect playoff monies

The young whipper snapper Pope is now the expert on Edmonton's signing of stanBo, and that the hawks didn't take either Cayden Lindstrom or the Russian winger Demidov with that pick, or reach for winger Tij Iginla or Beckett Sennecke.
Ben heard Kyle's draft inervir=ew where he said he tried hard to draft Demidov (over Lindstrom for nextvyear's first and another 1st rounder).

I think Kyle knew he was loading up and UFAs and felt there was no way the trade could bite him except for Demidov failing.

We have all watched enough Stanley Cup ganes to know teams have many different ways they win, and it is tough to thnk each team with two outstanding forwards is the key. Playoffs are for many heroes at the forward position.
- wiz1901

For sure.

Who woulda thunk that Marchassault would win a Conn Smythe and that Sam Reinhart would bang in 57 goals?

The Blues won with zero elite scoring forwards.

Get in the playoffs and collect playoff monies
- fattybeef

We werent talking about money.

Latest from Ben Pope:
https://x.com/BenPopeCST/...tatus/1820107553117757727

I disagree with the article simply because offense elite players are easier to get than top defense players, imho.
- 35Tony0

And I disagree with this cause Blackhawks probably will draft in top 5-7 next summer. Ottawa had 78 points last season and was seventh worst team in standings. Blackhawks need 26 points improvement which is a lot. They are lottery team and might get a high draft pick next year. Misa, Ryabkin, McQueen..they can have their elite forward prospect next summer too.

Comments from a FloHockey writer about Moore and Spellacy at the recent Summer Showcase.

Oliver Moore, C (CHI)

One of the fastest players on ice at any level, Moore’s speed is a weapon. He showed that multiple times, creating chances and causing problems for opposing players. Moore is going to be a big piece for Team USA, likely as their No. 2 center and on the penalty kill and perhaps second power play unit. Moore’s two-way ability provides a lot of value, but if he ever can improve his ability to finish the plays he can create, he really could become a star at the NHL level. His hands are still catching up to his feet, but there’s a lot to like about his overall game.

AJ Spellacy, RW (CHI)

Spellacy is clearly a tremendous athlete and an excellent skater. His speed was noticeable throughout the entire camp. He also brings some size and strength Team USA could use, but I don’t think he’s quite ready to be part of the team this year. He’ll be in the mix next year for sure. He’s another player where his brain and hands have to catch up to his feet so he can execute plays, but he brings a lot to the table due to his athletic toolkit. His best game of the event was against Canada, where he scored a goal and caused so much disruption. It was a positive week for him in the end.