Justin Lowe: Blackhawks Deadline Day – Live Thread, Rumours and Analysis
The Blackhawks didn’t have the best weekend, did they?

They had two YYUUUGE games vs. Central foes – Colorado and Dallas – and failed to come out with a single point.

First

Temper expectations. I’d be shocked if anything other than minor depth move is made.

I just have to wonder if the thinking changed at all after losing both these games.

I have this strange feeling that Saad will go to the Islanders for something like ho-sang and Dal Colle. Supposedly Carolina is desperate 4 a goalie and Center. I don't think it would happen but AA and Ward for Foegle and one of their d-men like Fleury would be a dream return. I think that is unlikely though

Unfortunately, this is playing out EXACTLY as I feared 3-4 weeks ago when the winning streak began.

I said then that the worse case scenerio is Hawks make a run, fall short....do NOT get a Top 5 dradft pick....AND also do NOT secure a playoff spot.

And here we are, stuck right in no-man's land.

I don't know if we can still manage a free-fall to get down far enough to get a Top 5. But at this point, the further we slide, the better. NOT SAYING lose on purpose. No players should do that. But as an organization the fact is, the lower in the standings we fall, the better liklihood of drafting a difference-maker.

I like the direction of the team. No quick fixes please Stan. Just trade to shed salary or add to the talent pool, and hope we get as good a pick as possible in the draft.

Temper expectations. I’d be shocked if anything other than minor depth move is made.
- kwolf68

Same. I'd be good with no news. Locally, saw Nyquist was traded to the Sharks. Thought the Wings would get more for him (2nd and a 3rd). I mean Hartman got the Hawks a 1st last year, and Vic of course.

Makes me think if they did try to trade anyone off the current roster for picks, the return wouldn't be much...like at best AA gets you a 2nd.

Would rather just play the hand we have and look to upgrade a few positions in the offseason.

Unfortunately, this is playing out EXACTLY as I feared 3-4 weeks ago when the winning streak began.

I said then that the worse case scenerio is Hawks make a run, fall short....do NOT get a Top 5 dradft pick....AND also do NOT secure a playoff spot.

And here we are, stuck right in no-man's land.

I don't know if we can still manage a free-fall to get down far enough to get a Top 5. But at this point, the further we slide, the better. NOT SAYING lose on purpose. No players should do that. But as an organization the fact is, the lower in the standings we fall, the better liklihood of drafting a difference-maker.

I like the direction of the team. No quick fixes please Stan. Just trade to shed salary or add to the talent pool, and hope we get as good a pick as possible in the draft.
- hawk35

So you don’t think that the young players gained nothing from the experience (even - or maybe especially - the experience of losin) pressure must-win games at the highest level?

So you don’t think that the young players gained nothing from the experience (even - or maybe especially - the experience of losin) pressure must-win games at the highest level?
- StLBravesFan

Sure they have learned. But, I would still take a Top 3 or 5 pick over a 11th pick as a trade off to that learning. It is only Strome, D-cat and a couple others that may benefit from such a run. The veteran core already know the thrill of victory and agony of defeat. The run was nice. But, a top-flight young draft pick to add to this group would sure have been sweet going into next year and beyond. Would have filled one of those Top 6 spots. We have 4 now...Toews, Kane, D-cat, Strome. Need 2 more. A Jack Hughes or similar sure woulda sped up the re-tooling process!!!

Yea, sucks. Was hoping for a 2 win weekend to make today more interesting. Its probably for the best though. Sell off everything they can go into 7/1 with cash and see what happens.

Better draft position too

The Hawks are actually closer to next to last in the West than a playoff spot. Unless a Strome or even Drake type trade comes up, I'd just assume Stan hang loose today. Of course, expecting or even wanting a quiet TDL day means Bowman will make 2 major deals.

Unfortunately, this is playing out EXACTLY as I feared 3-4 weeks ago when the winning streak began.

I said then that the worse case scenerio is Hawks make a run, fall short....do NOT get a Top 5 dradft pick....AND also do NOT secure a playoff spot.

And here we are, stuck right in no-man's land.

I can see the Hawks dropping back down. 11 of their remaining 19 games are on the road. 3 of the their last 8 home games are against playoff teams. Plus, they play Colorado and Arizona twice each, who are still in the hunt. They are 7th worse now, and I could see them falling behind Vancouver, Edmonton, and Anaheim.

We saw where the Hawks really were over the weekend against better competition...and despite the rah rah of McD this is not a playoff team.

They're several pieces away from getting back in the mix - starting with the defense.
What do you do here with both 2 and 7 refusing to waive. 7's deal in particular is a killer. Hawks now seem to be open to move possibly one or some of their young drafted dmen...Gus great at running the PP, but lost in his own end at times. Could sell high on him, but they won't.

Goalie's also a question mark...? Ward has been decent, but Delia needs a lot more seasoning. And where are they at with CC? Of course fixing the defense will certainly help the netminders.

AA still a decent depth piece, but with the NMC won't get moved until after his bonus...although you'd love to see the Canes take him and Ward in a trade...

Yeah, if McD had just said the team was gonna suck, I wouldn't have got my hopes up! Darn.

the hawks had their run and then gave up 20 goals in 4 games (3 at home) and were blessed with 4 points...and find themselves 5 ts out and probably more by the time they play again on wed.

with 19 games left and 3 pt game season upon us they need to go on another 10 -12 game point streak to have a chance....not happening with this ghost of a defense and average goaltending where they are constantly chasing games

they make to many mistakes for their high octane scoring to bail them out game after game; the pp looks due for a bit of a cooling off

6 minutes of 3rd period pp and got nothing when needed although the stars netminder had alot to say about that...

didn't expect any moves of significance and most likely the 3 pm deadline comes with the hawks doing nothing which is fine...

Please no on Wennberg. $4.9M can be better spent on July 1 with no loss of assets.

And these boards do not need another whipping boy.

we won't tank but I'm sure some of the intensity will be gone after those two losses. I don't expect much in trades today. let CC rest for last year of his contract next year. I don't expect a major trade but a little voice tells me Keith has a manageable contract. An interesting day ahead. there will be a few surprises even if it is not the Blackhawks

We saw where the Hawks really were over the weekend against better competition...and despite the rah rah of McD this is not a playoff team.

They're several pieces away from getting back in the mix - starting with the defense.
What do you do here with both 2 and 7 refusing to waive. 7's deal in particular is a killer. Hawks now seem to be open to move possibly one or some of their young drafted dmen...Gus great at running the PP, but lost in his own end at times. Could sell high on him, but they won't.

Goalie's also a question mark...? Ward has been decent, but Delia needs a lot more seasoning. And where are they at with CC? Of course fixing the defense will certainly help the netminders.

AA still a decent depth piece, but with the NMC won't get moved until after his bonus...although you'd love to see the Canes take him and Ward in a trade...
- DK002

i don't know DK the stars and aves are also pretenders: stars are getting great goal thending this year that is saving their ass; varlomov and khudoben won those games

the hawks offense had alot of great chances and got stoned where as the hawk d and their goalies poop the ice again...

question: do you really want to bring crawford to face 40 shots a night...

you back expect him to have a .930 save % which this team needs; he is not in game shape to play every night...

sorry i don't play him

Jets lost Josh Morrisey to a shoulder injury last night. 3 of their 6 Dmen now out. Maybe Chevaldayoff will get desperate enough to like one of our defenceman.

What a killer weekend. Hawks lose Colorado , Arizona , Dallas winning. Lots to like with this team but it shows alot of work /improvement to do. Hopefully Stan dosn't make any silly moves which I don't think he will. Hawks really don't have much to offer trade wise. Hopefully can add another young guy.
Well it was a fun three weeks. Playoffs would have been nice.

Yeah, if McD had just said the team was gonna suck, I wouldn't have got my hopes up! Darn.
- mohel

Right?

#McMeddler

Jets lost Josh Morrisey to a shoulder injury last night. 3 of their 6 Dmen now out. Maybe Chevaldayoff will get desperate enough to like one of our defenceman.
- RickJ

I have a ton of resoect for Brian Lawton
- says Laine maybe in play

BTW - Lawton would make a great GM

What a killer weekend. Hawks lose Colorado , Arizona , Dallas winning. Lots to like with this team but it shows alot of work /improvement to do. Hopefully Stan dosn't make any silly moves which I don't think he will. Hawks really don't have much to offer trade wise. Hopefully can add another young guy.
Well it was a fun three weeks. Playoffs would have been nice.
- HamiltonHawk

Team wasnt good enough, was never good enough ... from the blueline back.

Yeah, if McD had just said the team was gonna suck, I wouldn't have got my hopes up! Darn.
- mohel

OK, enough of your BS. It’s not black and white as you make it.

At the Q firing presser, he could have made a reasonable statement. Something like:

We’re not where we want to be. But this organization is going to do everything it can to improve the team. We think a coaching change is the way to go.

See, that a reasonable statement, that acknowledges the situation, rather than making a statement that’s clearly ridiculous.