Quite the battle in the eastern conference who gets into the playoffs
- LAHawk

Yeah, I’ve been keeping an eye on that. The Pens have risen from the dead to take the last wildcard spot, however they have four teams on their arse. I watched the third period of the Pens/Bolts game, that was a wild one.

Yeah, I’ve been keeping an eye on that. The Pens have risen from the dead to take the last wildcard spot, however they have four teams on their arse. I watched the third period of the Pens/Bolts game, that was a wild one.
- Angotti

I believe I am probably going to be proven correct but others who watch a whole lot of hockey may feel otherwise:

• Penguins will miss playoffs
• Lardis will not burn a year off his entry contract by suiting up for Blackhawks. This kid may make the NHL eventually but he is too frail and needs to learn how to play at pro level particularly defensive responsibilities

I believe I am probably going to be proven correct but others who watch a whole lot of hockey may feel otherwise:

• Penguins will miss playoffs
• Lardis will not burn a year off his entry contract by suiting up for Blackhawks. This kid may make the NHL eventually but he is too frail and needs to learn how to play at pro level particularly defensive responsibilities
- jhawk59

The odds that we may have already drafted a scorer, someone who scores goals due to talent not really due to brawn….well there are at least three possibilities ….see how they progress as they age out of junior level and turn pro….aforementioned Lardis, Hayes, and the Russian Kantserov

Well they targeted Oettenger with that pick, what did the Hawks end up with?
- LAHawk

The undersized defenseman named Henri Jokiharju and a Russian who never made it, Andrei Altybarmakyan (probably a consolation pick after Geekie & MacKenzie Entwistle were gone in the early third rd. )

What made matters worst was the draft ws in our House!
Many teams have made deal, trades to move up, but we MOVE back!

And Joel has so angry the new look was a team w/o Hammer and Panarin...

The undersized defenseman named Henri Jokiharju and a Russian who never made it, Andrei Altybarmakyan (probably a consolation pick after Geekie & MacKenzie Entwistle were gone in the early third rd. )

What made matters worst was the draft ws in our House!
Many teams have made deal, trades to move up, but we MOVE back!

And Joel has so angry the new look was a team w/o Hammer and Panarin...
- wiz1901

Wiz, how would Dobson look on this team with Vlasic, they would have a first pair on D for ten years. Instead they drafted Boqvist and moved him for Jones.

Wiz, how would Dobson look on this team with Vlasic, they would have a first pair on D for ten years. Instead they drafted Boqvist and moved him for Jones.
- Angotti

Was just looking at a re-draft of the top 10 picks from 2018 in Bleacher Report.

According to them Dobson would've been gone at 5 and the Hawks take Sharangovich at 8.

1) BUF - Quinn Hughes (original pick Rasmussen Dhalin)
2) CAR - Brady Tkachuk (Andrei Svechnikov)
3) MTL - Rasmus Dahlia (Jesperi Kotkaniemi)
4) OTT - Svechnikov (Tkachuk)
5) AZ - Noah Dobson (Barrett Hayton)
6) DET - Evan Bouchard (Filip Zadina)
7) VAN - K'Andre Miller (Q Hughes)
8) CHI - Yegor Sharangovich (Adam Boqvist)
9) NYR - Joel Farabee - (Vitali Kravtsov)
10) EDM - Philipp Kurashev - (Bouchard)

In reality though, Dobson was there when the Hawks picked and that would've been great and hopefully never had the ripple effect that saw Stan outbid himself and overpay Jones.

Sharangovich (5th round) and Kurashev (4th round)are the biggest movers up in this re-draft.

Wiz, how would Dobson look on this team with Vlasic, they would have a first pair on D for ten years. Instead they drafted Boqvist and moved him for Jones.
- Angotti

Yeah, I think most of the NHL teams knew the selection would be one where you took this kid from a Prince Edward Island-born kid, who needed time, might turn out be big draft win.
And the Dahlin/ Quinn Hughes /Boqvist/ Bouchard all could really skate and had that strength to contend with pro attackers to some extent, where he really needed more time for muscle and top pair exposure in junior.

Those others were closer to ready and were pushed to be pros earlier.
(I guess. that is the why job offerings in the original six league saw defenders not "rounded" not even playing until 26-27.)

So many more player options today has o do with more NHL jobs for those early picks where the time line for that Chicago team that took Boqvist needed some one sooner rather than "finally developed."

That is why the scouts are going to earn their wages in trying o figure out just where you pick a Zayne Parekh, Carter Yakemchuk, Anton Silayev...and if the rest of the best, Artyom Levshunov, Sam Richardinson, Zeev Buium are the options more attractive.
Who fits what your team is looking to add to their present group of players & prospects that gives the organization another maybe different skill set/options to the ones already

That's great. What exactly has it got them?
- HawkintheD

That statement is really silly for sports. There's 32 teams. Only one can win. There are going to be usually a half dozen very good teams that have a shot and another few that out kick their coverage because of the parity in the league.

The Hawks of the late 80s and early 90s were a great team and a lot of fun to watch. Pretty much every year they had a "chance" to win and a group of interesting characters. Does them not winning a cup make them irrelevant?

Dallas has been in the playoffs 4 out of the last 5 years, including a cup and conference final. They've done a great job finding value in late first and second round picks and Joe Pavelski is apparently an immortal.

That is certainly something to be admired more than an org that scorches the earth and loses on purpose. Also a great example of why the Jones contract doesn't (frank)ing matter.

Even Tampa Bay didn't go to the extent that Chicago did where they had 22 total picks over a two year period and losing on purpose. The Penguins were pretty poopty on purpose but also the most picks they had in a year was 12 and that was when there were 9 rounds and the year after they had Crosby they were in the playoffs. Stamkos was in the playoffs his second or third year.

Buffalo has certainly been an inept organization. Probably should have been able to build a team around Reinhart and Eichel. Ottawa the same. Arguably the glue guy in Vancouver they got from Tampa but lots of supplemental pieces there.

The Hawks have 13 first and second round picks over the next 3 drafts and threw 21 darts (not including Bedard the last 2 years). There should be enough accumulated talent to fill in spots as they go but at this stage they need to strengthen the roster and get some of these guys in a playoff hunt so when the others come along there is a winning culture not a moral victory one.

The time for losing and picking in the top 5 should be done after this year and the focus should change to building a team, getting competitive and finding value in the quantity they have or getting a guy they really want.

Wiz, how would Dobson look on this team with Vlasic, they would have a first pair on D for ten years. Instead they drafted Boqvist and moved him for Jones.
- Angotti

I get what you're saying but I'm a believer if you alter history we most likely don't end up with Connor Bedard.

I get what you're saying but I'm a believer if you alter history we most likely don't end up with Connor Bedard.
- BetweenTheDots

Well, if you’re going to go that route, if they took Dobson a whole other sequence of events would have happened and they might not have needed Bedard.

Well, if you’re going to go that route, if they took Dobson a whole other sequence of events would have happened and they might not have needed Bedard.
- Chunk

Sure but i guess we'll never know. Hahaha

That statement is really silly for sports. There's 32 teams. Only one can win. There are going to be usually a half dozen very good teams that have a shot and another few that out kick their coverage because of the parity in the league.

The Hawks of the late 80s and early 90s were a great team and a lot of fun to watch. Pretty much every year they had a "chance" to win and a group of interesting characters. Does them not winning a cup make them irrelevant?

Dallas has been in the playoffs 4 out of the last 5 years, including a cup and conference final. They've done a great job finding value in late first and second round picks and Joe Pavelski is apparently an immortal.

That is certainly something to be admired more than an org that scorches the earth and loses on purpose. Also a great example of why the Jones contract doesn't (frank)ing matter.

Even Tampa Bay didn't go to the extent that Chicago did where they had 22 total picks over a two year period and losing on purpose. The Penguins were pretty poopty on purpose but also the most picks they had in a year was 12 and that was when there were 9 rounds and the year after they had Crosby they were in the playoffs. Stamkos was in the playoffs his second or third year.

Buffalo has certainly been an inept organization. Probably should have been able to build a team around Reinhart and Eichel. Ottawa the same. Arguably the glue guy in Vancouver they got from Tampa but lots of supplemental pieces there.

The Hawks have 13 first and second round picks over the next 3 drafts and threw 21 darts (not including Bedard the last 2 years). There should be enough accumulated talent to fill in spots as they go but at this stage they need to strengthen the roster and get some of these guys in a playoff hunt so when the others come along there is a winning culture not a moral victory one.

The time for losing and picking in the top 5 should be done after this year and the focus should change to building a team, getting competitive and finding value in the quantity they have or getting a guy they really want.
- fattybeef

Do they make "To be admired" Banners? Is that where everybody gets a trophy?

Was just looking at a re-draft of the top 10 picks from 2018 in Bleacher Report.

According to them Dobson would've been gone at 5 and the Hawks take Sharangovich at 8.

1) BUF - Quinn Hughes (original pick Rasmussen Dhalin)
2) CAR - Brady Tkachuk (Andrei Svechnikov)
3) MTL - Rasmus Dahlia (Jesperi Kotkaniemi)
4) OTT - Svechnikov (Tkachuk)
5) AZ - Noah Dobson (Barrett Hayton)
6) DET - Evan Bouchard (Filip Zadina)
7) VAN - K'Andre Miller (Q Hughes)
8) CHI - Yegor Sharangovich (Adam Boqvist)
9) NYR - Joel Farabee - (Vitali Kravtsov)
10) EDM - Philipp Kurashev - (Bouchard)

In reality though, Dobson was there when the Hawks picked and that would've been great and hopefully never had the ripple effect that saw Stan outbid himself and overpay Jones.

Sharangovich (5th round) and Kurashev (4th round)are the biggest movers up in this re-draft.
- HawkintheD

I expected them to take Dobson or Walstrom, really wanted Wahlstrom. He wasn't even dressed against the Hawks. Good thing I'm not a scout.

Well, if you’re going to go that route, if they took Dobson a whole other sequence of events would have happened and they might not have needed Bedard.
- Chunk

Maybe Dobson would have been sent to CBJ as part of the Jones deal.

That statement is really silly for sports. There's 32 teams. Only one can win. There are going to be usually a half dozen very good teams that have a shot and another few that out kick their coverage because of the parity in the league.

The Hawks of the late 80s and early 90s were a great team and a lot of fun to watch. Pretty much every year they had a "chance" to win and a group of interesting characters. Does them not winning a cup make them irrelevant?

Dallas has been in the playoffs 4 out of the last 5 years, including a cup and conference final. They've done a great job finding value in late first and second round picks and Joe Pavelski is apparently an immortal.

That is certainly something to be admired more than an org that scorches the earth and loses on purpose. Also a great example of why the Jones contract doesn't (frank)ing matter.

Even Tampa Bay didn't go to the extent that Chicago did where they had 22 total picks over a two year period and losing on purpose. The Penguins were pretty poopty on purpose but also the most picks they had in a year was 12 and that was when there were 9 rounds and the year after they had Crosby they were in the playoffs. Stamkos was in the playoffs his second or third year.

Buffalo has certainly been an inept organization. Probably should have been able to build a team around Reinhart and Eichel. Ottawa the same. Arguably the glue guy in Vancouver they got from Tampa but lots of supplemental pieces there.

The Hawks have 13 first and second round picks over the next 3 drafts and threw 21 darts (not including Bedard the last 2 years). There should be enough accumulated talent to fill in spots as they go but at this stage they need to strengthen the roster and get some of these guys in a playoff hunt so when the others come along there is a winning culture not a moral victory one.

The time for losing and picking in the top 5 should be done after this year and the focus should change to building a team, getting competitive and finding value in the quantity they have or getting a guy they really want.
- fattybeef

Eh…not really silly if you look at the context. I thought LA was espousing one type of rebuild over the one Davidson is presiding over.

Not saying those teams of the 80’s or 90’s are irrelevant or one way is better than another.

Yes I’d like my team competitive but I’d also rather be say, the Blackhawks of the last 20 years than the Stars, Preds or pretty much any other team you want to throw in there.

The Bolts look to have a little more tread on the tire but I think they’ll be paying the piper at some point.

They have a pretty big core too and will be interesting to see if they move on from some or pony up.

Do they make "To be admired" Banners? Is that where everybody gets a trophy?
- BetweenTheDots

So when does Bowman get his statue?

Eh…not really silly if you look at the context. I thought LA was espousing one type of rebuild over the one Davidson is presiding over.

Not saying those teams of the 80’s or 90’s are irrelevant or one way is better than another.

Yes I’d like my team competitive but I’d also rather be say, the Blackhawks of the last 20 years than the Stars, Preds or pretty much any other team you want to throw in there.

The Bolts look to have a little more tread on the tire but I think they’ll be paying the piper at some point.

They have a pretty big core too and will be interesting to see if they move on from some or pony up.
- HawkintheD

I don't know how this will play out in the playoffs but the years they won the cup they were top 10 in defensive goals against, last year 16th this year 21st, the Russian was hurt but i think his 900 save percentage has more to do with the defense in front of him now.

So when does Bowman get his statue?
- LAHawk

What's your obsession with him?

So when does Bowman get his statue?
- LAHawk

The worst GM in Hawk history according to some when you read in these here parts, yet his name's on 3 Cups.

Statues are overrated and never seem to stand the test of time. At the end of the day we all end up just being human.

I know you're at least partially joking to grind dots gears but the banners are good enough AFAIC. No more statues...unless of course Bedard spearheads a 6peat or something crazy.

I don't know how this will play out in the playoffs but the years they won the cup they were top 10 in defensive goals against, last year 16th this year 21st, the Russian was hurt but i think his 900 save percentage has more to do with the defense in front of him now.
- BetweenTheDots

Not as deep in the Cup years for sure. Hedman turns 34 at the end of this year and I think his contract runs out after next season.

Do they resign him or learn from Stan's mistake of signing Seabrook. Not really apples to apples but still a lesson to be learned.

The worst GM in Hawk history according to some when you read in these here parts, yet his name's on 3 Cups.

Statues are overrated and never seem to stand the test of time. At the end of the day we all end up just being human.

I know you're at least partially joking to grind dots gears but the banners are good enough AFAIC. No more statues...unless of course Bedard spearheads a 6peat or something crazy.
- HawkintheD

He obviously was the worst GM in NHL history, never mind Blackhawk history. Tell me exactly what he did?

And statues are overrated, I went to Florence Italy and saw a disgusting nude statue of some dude. If a statue isn’t pornographic then it’s pointless.

Do they make "To be admired" Banners? Is that where everybody gets a trophy?
- BetweenTheDots

Only one out of 32 teams can win. The goal should be to put together a competitive team that is in the mix and hope they are healthy enough and enough of the 3rd or 4th line players are punching over their weight to make the difference.

Expecting a cup just because they have a great team doesn't work. The great Hawks team of the early 60s only won one. The great teams in the late 80s and early 90s won zero.

Expectations need to be realistic.

The worst GM in Hawk history according to some when you read in these here parts, yet his name's on 3 Cups.

Statues are overrated and never seem to stand the test of time. At the end of the day we all end up just being human.

I know you're at least partially joking to grind dots gears but the banners are good enough AFAIC. No more statues...unless of course Bedard spearheads a 6peat or something crazy.
- HawkintheD

Definite gear grinding. In reality, Smith never got the. Refit he deserved, he drafted Keith, Seabrook, Crawford, Byfuglyn amount others

That statement is really silly for sports. There's 32 teams. Only one can win. There are going to be usually a half dozen very good teams that have a shot and another few that out kick their coverage because of the parity in the league.

The Hawks of the late 80s and early 90s were a great team and a lot of fun to watch. Pretty much every year they had a "chance" to win and a group of interesting characters. Does them not winning a cup make them irrelevant?

Dallas has been in the playoffs 4 out of the last 5 years, including a cup and conference final. They've done a great job finding value in late first and second round picks and Joe Pavelski is apparently an immortal.

That is certainly something to be admired more than an org that scorches the earth and loses on purpose. Also a great example of why the Jones contract doesn't (frank)ing matter.

Even Tampa Bay didn't go to the extent that Chicago did where they had 22 total picks over a two year period and losing on purpose. The Penguins were pretty poopty on purpose but also the most picks they had in a year was 12 and that was when there were 9 rounds and the year after they had Crosby they were in the playoffs. Stamkos was in the playoffs his second or third year.

Buffalo has certainly been an inept organization. Probably should have been able to build a team around Reinhart and Eichel. Ottawa the same. Arguably the glue guy in Vancouver they got from Tampa but lots of supplemental pieces there.

The Hawks have 13 first and second round picks over the next 3 drafts and threw 21 darts (not including Bedard the last 2 years). There should be enough accumulated talent to fill in spots as they go but at this stage they need to strengthen the roster and get some of these guys in a playoff hunt so when the others come along there is a winning culture not a moral victory one.

The time for losing and picking in the top 5 should be done after this year and the focus should change to building a team, getting competitive and finding value in the quantity they have or getting a guy they really want.
- fattybeef

Yes, yes it does. History only remembers the winners.

I would bet the players who lose would agree more than not. Winning is all that matters, second place is for losers

Only one out of 32 teams can win. The goal should be to put together a competitive team that is in the mix and hope they are healthy enough and enough of the 3rd or 4th line players are punching over their weight to make the difference.

Expecting a cup just because they have a great team doesn't work. The great Hawks team of the early 60s only won one. The great teams in the late 80s and early 90s won zero.

Expectations need to be realistic.
- fattybeef

If the expectation isn't to win a cup, and not winning it, creates massive disappointment, you are in the wrong business.

Winning, is all that matters.