Justin Lowe: No Thanks, I'm Good
Everything is amazing in Blackhawks land; the Hawks won both games over the weekend extending their winning streak to 4 games! And, hey, look at that, the IceHogs have won 4 in a row as well.

The Blackhawks are just 5 points out the playoffs and it now looks like the postseason is in reach. As Bowman and McDonough said, all we have to do is get in and anything can happen.

Well, I think you know where I'm going with this but the above paragraph is a sarcastic and cynical one.

Thanks for the Monday morning blog TC!

I'm torn. Want my cake and eat it as well. Hoping the Hawks continue to win but the other bottom feeders and teams just ahead of them do as well.

I still can't see Stan selling futures just to get to the dance this season. I think you'll see Kruger and Kunitz go for some lower round picks with a surprise or two in there...Keith, AA? Been some rumblings on Hayden too, but I'd kind of like to see him get another shot next year.

Justin Lowe: No Thanks, I'm Good

Everything is amazing in Blackhawks land; the Hawks won both games over the weekend extending their winning streak to 4 games! And, hey, look at that, the IceHogs have won 4 in a row as well.

The Blackhawks are just 5 points out the playoffs and it now looks like the postseason is in reach. As Bowman and McDonough said, all we have to do is get in and anything can happen.

Well, I think you know where I'm going with this but the above paragraph is a sarcastic and cynical one.
- Justin Lowe

Good piece following a bland S.B.

Betting with those 1.whatever% of not making the playoffs? Yeah, me too. It's sad, because aside from defense (team defense also) I like this team and the future going forward. There's some players to get excited about. The leapfrogging and win streaking, just not this year.

Good for Rockford to switch it on. I know they've been banged up for a long time. I'm excited for whoever gets the call-up.

#keepkeith #seabrookstays

Looking ahead to next year, the it is unlikely that Kane, Toews, and maybe even DCat have as good of years as they are having now. In order to improve enough to be a legitimate playoff team that can get past round one, they have to become much deeper past their top 3-4, and obviously need to improve the back end. If CC is not around, that leaves a huge gap that no one knows yet if it can be filled. Still hoping for a top 3 draft pick, along with new faces from trades or free agency. They still need to shed some salary before the summer, like getting AA off the books.

Next season is more likely AHL assignment Seabrook.

If only a few games, as the sacrificial warrior just for a cup of coffee for a prosprct or two

I am much more concerned about the rules gorverning protected players for the expansion draft the following season. Does a NM clause force a team to protect, for example, Seabrook? This would be very enticing to pry a prospect away

Good blog and conversation starter as usual Ty!

If you haven’t listened to Roumeliotis and Slava (his last name illudes me at present) Hawks Talk podcast just posted this weekend, it’s a pretty good conversation about the Rock. They spent the bye week there and did a lot of in depth reporting on King and the prospects. They corroborate a lot of what I’m seeing here. Carlson has NHL level skills, but needs to improve his skating speed. Raddysh has chemistry with Strome and the Cat, having played with them 3 (Cat) - 4 (Strome) years with the Erie Otters. Odds are good we see both of them up with the big club as a check on where they are v NHL level competition.

Another podcast worth a listen is Zawaski and Naveau’s recent Madhouse podcast. They have the audio of Friedman on HNIC talking about Seabrook being asked about waiving his NTC and LeBrun talking about Keith to be asked the same.

Good piece following a bland S.B.

Betting with those 1.whatever% of not making the playoffs? Yeah, me too. It's sad, because aside from defense (team defense also) I like this team and the future going forward. There's some players to get excited about. The leapfrogging and win streaking, just not this year.

Good for Rockford to switch it on. I know they've been banged up for a long time. I'm excited for whoever gets the call-up.

#keepkeith #seabrookstays
- I Am The Breadman

Stan has made some good trades lately, even if he is kind of bland

Next season is morr likely AHL assignment Seabrook.

If only a few games, as the sactificisl wartior ejrnna cup of coffee is for a prosprct or two

I am much more concerned about the rules gorverning protected players for the expansion draft the following season. Does a NM clause force a team to protect, for example, Seabrook? This would be very enticing to pry a prospect away
- jhawk59

They wont do this to him.

Justin Lowe: No Thanks, I'm Good

Everything is amazing in Blackhawks land; the Hawks won both games over the weekend extending their winning streak to 4 games! And, hey, look at that, the IceHogs have won 4 in a row as well.

The Blackhawks are just 5 points out the playoffs and it now looks like the postseason is in reach. As Bowman and McDonough said, all we have to do is get in and anything can happen.

Well, I think you know where I'm going with this but the above paragraph is a sarcastic and cynical one.
- Justin Lowe

"As Bowman and McDonough said, all we have to do is get in and anything can happen." The most stupid statement in hockey. Sure the top 6 teams could all have devastating injuries, or they can just have bad luck or some other such nonsense. Anything can happen in the Superbowl because it's just one game. But the NHL playoffs where it takes 16 wins to hoist the cup it's very unlikey a mediocre team, which the Hawks are, can win it all. Now would I like to be proven wrong, of course but with a rookie goalie, a team who plays defense so poorly and with limited forward depth I can't see the Hawks winning more than a round. So long as Bowman doesn't mortgage the future by picking up TDL retreads I am actually quite happy the Hawks turned their season around and are playing with some competance and passion compare to the sad looking team we saw in the Fall.

They wont do this to him.
- vabeachbear

After reflecting upon that i believe they won't. But they are going to reach a point during a season where Seabrook is forced out. I do not think Seabrook wants to forfeit salary or term so how do you handle.the problem.

Press box and Seabrook is motivated to work out really hard in season just to gain an edge/become a tad better shape. I just do not know if he has to give in to Father time in one or two more seasons.

"As Bowman and McDonough said, all we have to do is get in and anything can happen." The most stupid statement in hockey. Sure the top 6 teams could all have devastating injuries, or they can just have bad luck or some other such nonsense. Anything can happen in the Superbowl because it's just one game. But the NHL playoffs where it takes 16 wins to hoist the cup it's very unlikey a mediocre team, which the Hawks are, can win it all. Now would I like to be proven wrong, of course but with a rookie goalie, a team who plays defense so poorly and with limited forward depth I can't see the Hawks winning more than a round. So long as Bowman doesn't mortgage the future by picking up TDL retreads I am actually quite happy the Hawks turned their season around and are playing with some competance and passion compare to the sad looking team we saw in the Fall.
- paulr

Same. Not expecting miracles and am hoping the same at the TDL for Stan. Other than cutting ties with some guys for some picks, unless it's a hockey trade, don't mortgage futures for short term fixes.

Could the defense be better? Sure, but overall, the games have been more interesting and the compete level better.

"As Bowman and McDonough said, all we have to do is get in and anything can happen." The most stupid statement in hockey. Sure the top 6 teams could all have devastating injuries, or they can just have bad luck or some other such nonsense. Anything can happen in the Superbowl because it's just one game. But the NHL playoffs where it takes 16 wins to hoist the cup it's very unlikey a mediocre team, which the Hawks are, can win it all. Now would I like to be proven wrong, of course but with a rookie goalie, a team who plays defense so poorly and with limited forward depth I can't see the Hawks winning more than a round. So long as Bowman doesn't mortgage the future by picking up TDL retreads I am actually quite happy the Hawks turned their season around and are playing with some competance and passion compare to the sad looking team we saw in the Fall.
- paulr

If they somehow do sneak in they will be playing a team at the top of the division. So disagree, no way they win a round.

Stan has made some good trades lately, even if he is kind of bland
- vabeachbear

I was actually talking about his dad.

Justin, you mentioned in your paragraoh 4) regarding Seabrook, that the Hawks may move him to the minors. Seabs has a full NMC (except for the last 2 years of his contract) so I believe he cannot be demoted to the minors.

If they somehow do sneak in they will be playing a team at the top of the division. So disagree, no way they win a round.
- 6628

I agree 100%, I was more addressing the notion a team can sneak in and anything can happen. I can see a team lucking out and winning one round but not more than that. And generally teams that do win a round do it with a goalie who stands on his head in the series and while Delia has played OK, I can't see him doing that.

Hi Justin. Love the read once again. But, I think you might have called this acticle "The Perfect Storm"

You see this every year. Teams that are wayyyyy back, make that nice late season run. End up just short, and screw up their draft position.

I saw this coming from about 3-4 weeks back. Hawks were in 30th and 31st. And since then are racking up a few points.

Now, I like the progress of a few of the Youngsters. Kane has been All-world, Toews has been his best in 3 years....a lot of positives.

And......you can't ask guys to go out and lose on purpose. Still, when draft day comes....and we are drafting 9th, 10 or 11th.....and we still missed the playoffs. Well, it does slow down the re-build. If, by some miracle we sneak in.....all is good. But, I see a nice finish.....ending 9th or 10th. And the worse of all scenerios plays out. Miss the playoffs and a crappy 1st round selection. Outside of the Kane and Toews drafts, we have had a boatload of those mid-round first rounders, and it lead us to years and years of futility. The Perfect Storm.....win enuf to raise the hopes, screw up a high pick.....and lose enuf to miss the dance. I saw this coming weeks ago, and it is playing out at this very moment.

Hopefully though, they shock the Heck outta me and squeak into 8th, and make it all worthwhile.

If they somehow do sneak in they will be playing a team at the top of the division. So disagree, no way they win a round.
- 6628

The LA Kings snuck in to the last playoff spot one year and took the Cup. So not likely but not impossible. The playoffs are a different kind of season as is the officiating during the playoffs.

The LA Kings snuck in to the last playoff spot one year and took the Cup. So not likely but not impossible. The playoffs are a different kind of season as is the officiating during the playoffs.
- 67hawks

The major difference is the new format. Having to likely go through Winny and Trashville is no easy task.

>>Would you trade Duncan Keith?<<

yes..i would listen to all offers

GM's responsibility is to to listen and evaluate all offers all the time

doesn't mean I should or I want to trade him...but I am listening...

if a great deal come along and keith is say's yes...He is moved..

not that complicated

The LA Kings snuck in to the last playoff spot one year and took the Cup. So not likely but not impossible. The playoffs are a different kind of season as is the officiating during the playoffs.
- 67hawks

You're right, but the Kings had the grit to hang in when the rules change over. WTF, we're both right.

don't be fooled by this positive blip of winning...they had a good 7-8 game run in between 8 game losing streaks...

scoring is only coming from the 3-4 guys and when that dry's up with no improvement in their defensive play they will hit another streak of period 6 of 8 or 8 of 10.

they have held a team to less than 3 goals 2x in the last 12 games. Keep that up and a losing streak is wright around the corner.

I would like them to keep Keith another year. Not so much for the mentorship, but I would like to see the younger players have to battle for a spot on the roster and for TOI. I do not want it just handed to them. If they do move him they need to get a 1st round pick and an "A" level near NHL ready prospect.

Seabs is going through a two year stretch very similar to Toews went through the previous two years. Everyone said Toews was toast, too old, too much wear and tear on his body, poor training regimen, crazy diet, back injury, effects from a concussion, lack of desire, did not like Q, etc... No one is saying that now. I know Seabs is older. But he never had that much speed. If he changed his offseason regimen I believe he can improve. There are 20 defensemen older that Seabs playing in the NHL. If nothing else, just asking Seabs to waive his NMC or reducing his minutes should be sending a message about what he needs to do in the off season.

The Hawks have 9 OT losses, and 7 more one goal losses. I am not sure how many more two goal losses they had which were really 1 goal losses until they gave up a late empty net goal. How many of those would have been wins if Crow was healthy. How many more of those would have been wins if they put this PP together in game 1 instead of game 35. How many more of those would have been wins if that had either a stud defender or a stud forward (which they will be able to afford next year).

The perfect scenario is the Hawks play better the rest of the year but not win many games and get a top 5 pick. They unload Kruger and Kunitz for late round picks. Crow comes back and plays well this year and next. They pay AA his bonus and then move him for a 4th round pick during the summer. They sign a stud RW, and a 3C. They change defensive schemes and bring in an assistant coach that specializes in developing D to implement it. (I think that was the plan with Ulfie that failed miserably). The young Dmen progress quickly. Next year a playoff team. The following year a cup contender.

You're right, but the Kings had the grit to hang in when the rules change over. WTF, we're both right.
- 6628

The Hawks will have lots of Cap space to pick up grit for the bottom lines without giving up their most valuable assets. Bring up Martenson who is getting a lot of ice time in Rockford, roll 4 lines, and go for it.

Justin, you mentioned in your paragraoh 4) regarding Seabrook, that the Hawks may move him to the minors. Seabs has a full NMC (except for the last 2 years of his contract) so I believe he cannot be demoted to the minors.
- boilermaker100

I believe you're right.

I think they will look at all options while still being respectful to #7.

The minors is not likely an option.

Next season is more likely AHL assignment Seabrook.

If only a few games, as the sacrificial warrior just for a cup of coffee for a prosprct or two

I am much more concerned about the rules gorverning protected players for the expansion draft the following season. Does a NM clause force a team to protect, for example, Seabrook? This would be very enticing to pry a prospect away
- jhawk59

Seabrook isn’t ever going to play another game in the AHL. More likely, a mysterious injury/skin condition forces him out of the line-up and on to LTIR. He’s not picking up and moving to Rockford.