Justin Lowe: Final Weekend Thoughts
The Hawks gave their fans a show last night for the final home game of the 2018-19 season.

A 6-1 win was exactly what the Chicago fans deserved after such an up-and-down season by their beloved Blackhawks. You could tell the players wanted to get that “W” for them.

Here are some more thoughts surrounding this game, as well as, general Hawks stuff.

Let's keep nether region beards out of the convo in this thread ... shall we.

Let's keep nether region beards out of the convo in this thread ... shall we.
- EbonyRaptor

Tyler, good summary on this last day of the season for the Blackhawks.

I would tend to agree that Ward is likely resigned for the reason you stated, i.e. if the Hawks don't think Crawford's health may not allow him to put in a full season in 2019-20. Bowman should still see what veteran options are available on the market but not sure how many if any will want to sign a 1 year deal.

Maybe a goalie like Kinkaid or Johnson as an option instead of Ward? Or possibly consider goalies like them even if Crawford is healthy enough but the team wants more AHL time for Delia and Forsberg.

Hawks cannot bring kruger back next season he was not all that effective this year plus kampf should his replacement. Just my observation.

Re: possibility of Kruger coming back. I wouldn't mind him coming back on a cheap contract of, say, $1m. A long off season can help guys recover from longer term aches and pains - wrist surgeries too - but will he ever get back his mojo at the dot? If not, it's probably time to move on. As always, the question is whether or not the team could get someone better for cheaper.

Hawks cannot bring kruger back next season he was not all that effective this year plus kampf should his replacement. Just my observation.
- Scott1977

Maybe Kruger ends up in Phili playing for Coach Q

Let's keep nether region beards out of the convo in this thread ... shall we.
- EbonyRaptor

I agree, however I can see what will happen in this thread. There will be serious hockey talk until one poster make a comment that will lead to the Preds "mustard" colour uniforms and then the discussion will segway to hotdogs, hamburgs, pizza then to fish tacos and then someone will post a photo of the dreaded bearded Blues "babe" and the discussion will take a turn .....

I agree, however I can see what will happen in this thread. There will be serious hockey talk until one poster make a comment that will lead to the Preds "mustard" colour uniforms and then the discussion will segway to hotdogs, hamburgs, pizza then to fish tacos and then someone will post a photo of the dreaded bearded Blues "babe" and the discussion will take a turn .....
- paulr

Or we could stick to hockey and have it REALLY get out of hand.

I hope King and the assistants did a good development job if they couldn’t make the AHL playoffs - any thoughts (I have no idea)?

Re: possibility of Kruger coming back. I wouldn't mind him coming back on a cheap contract of, say, $1m. A long off season can help guys recover from longer term aches and pains - wrist surgeries too - but will he ever get back his mojo at the dot? If not, it's probably time to move on. As always, the question is whether or not the team could get someone better for cheaper.
- matt_ahrens

Well you can't get someone much cheaper than the 1M that you would want Kruger to sign for. I would rather have someone better than cheaper since the Hawks have some cap space. Anybody ever hear of Cody Eakin?

Here's a link to King's comments after the game between the Hogs and Texas last night. He comments on Kurashev, but he doesn't seem like he is doing much more than giving the guys experience. I didn't get a sense that he was teaching them or developing the team, but it could just be this particular Q&A session.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hQeSM4HM_RQ

I agree, however I can see what will happen in this thread. There will be serious hockey talk until one poster make a comment that will lead to the Preds "mustard" colour uniforms and then the discussion will segway to hotdogs, hamburgs, pizza then to fish tacos and then someone will post a photo of the dreaded bearded Blues "babe" and the discussion will take a turn .....
- paulr

The cycle of life.

Let's keep nether region beards out of the convo in this thread ... shall we.
- EbonyRaptor

So you're saying we should wait til bikini season to discuss?

So you're saying we should wait til bikini season to discuss?
- dpard

Hardwood season

Well you can't get someone much cheaper than the 1M that you would want Kruger to sign for. I would rather have someone better than cheaper since the Hawks have some cap space. Anybody ever hear of Cody Eakin?
- boilermaker100

I like Cody Eakin. $3.85m cap hit is a lot. Blackhawks need to get some of their guys signed and see who they can move (AA?) then figure out what they can afford.

I like Cody Eakin. $3.85m cap hit is a lot. Blackhawks need to get some of their guys signed and see who they can move (AA?) then figure out what they can afford.
- matt_ahrens

AA is the price, more or less, for third line centers as the cap continues to go up. 3.85 will look good.

Well ... there goes the honoring ceremony.

Yay, Perlini!

Perlini past Pecker Rinne, after sustained pressure in our zone. Nice push back. 1-0.

Yay, Perlini!
- Googlyeyes

Foley just had to say he was scoreless in 8 games, and that got him fired up ...

Foley just had to say he was scoreless in 8 games, and that got him fired up ...
- I Am The Breadman

I know, take that, Pat!

Ward is on!

I know, take that, Pat!
- Googlyeyes

Hahahaha!! It was the good broadcaster jinx.

Hahahaha!! It was the good broadcaster jinx.
- I Am The Breadman

And then he mixed up his African-Canadians.