Well isn’t that what KD is doing? Not signing good players to market rate contracts, but paying a few vets to bloated contracts to get to the cap floor?
- LAHawk

Right, but I was thinking more down the road than right now. Maybe I wasn't clear.

It's what he's done. I know you're resigned to your opinion that it's the same playbook this offseason. I don't see him signing the exact same players this season but we'll see.

He's signed guys he thinks will be good mentors for the younger players. I don't see him going for broke but I could see a few smart signings for middle 6 (offense intended) players to fill out the lineup.
- HawkintheD

I hope you are right. Don’t you think KD is going to have to overpay to convince that type of player to come play for the Hawks?

I hope you are right. Don’t you think KD is going to have to overpay to convince that type of player to come play for the Hawks?
- LAHawk

I would think to some extent. To qualify smart, I think you and some others have pointed out he could overpay some decent players on the short term or maybe offer term to bring the dollar amount down. Idk...

I would think to some extent. To qualify smart, I think you and some others have pointed out he could overpay some decent players on the short term or maybe offer term to bring the dollar amount down. Idk...
- HawkintheD

What I would like to see is the Hawks sign Nazar, put Bedard Nazar Hall on a line like they did with Toews and Kane when they were rookies, and say have fun.

It's what he's done. I know you're resigned to your opinion that it's the same playbook this offseason. I don't see him signing the exact same players this season but we'll see.

He's signed guys he thinks will be good mentors for the younger players. I don't see him going for broke but I could see a few smart signings for middle 6 (offense intended) players to fill out the lineup.
- HawkintheD

There are no "middle six" forwards!!!!

There are only top six, and bottom six. If you can't see the difference, your team will be at the bottom of the standings every year.

Marian Hossa at times for the Blackhawks played on the second and third lines, did that make him a "middle six" forward??

Can we please just stop with this. This team has one top six forward, and maybe two third line forwards. The rest are a bunch of fourth liners, without the ability to put a pass on a teammates stick from ten feet away.

Did Del Mastro play well?

Did Del Mastro play well?
- jhawk59

Read I think that LR thought he did all right -- however that was probably on NBC Sports - and probably referenced off of a post game press conference blurb that is probably on the Hawk's site -for his exact words and context. I think (semi meaningless) but he was a +0 on a 5-0 loss and a lot of guys (F and D alike) were not. And I think he played over 18 mins- which was like 4th out of the 6 - so he wasn't being sheltered looks like. Thought I read he was paired up with Murphy but might be wrong as I didn't bother to watch.

Only saw the last 2 shifts of DelMastro's first NHL game. Anyone have some thoughts on the kid tonight? Skating, poise, positioning, grit, effort, he handle the pace of the NHL, anything in the Ozone?

Only saw the last 2 shifts of DelMastro's first NHL game. Anyone have some thoughts on the kid tonight? Skating, poise, positioning, grit, effort, he handle the pace of the NHL, anything in the Ozone?
- Mr Ricochet

The two players assigned to Rockford did not suit up tonight. They probably are so new they need some instruction and to get their professional equipment/jersey. But Rockford plays again Saturday

Kaiser and Teply scored and Stauber had a shutout tonight

You seem angry. You should teach the Blackhawks a lesson by logging out of HB and never coming back. That’ll learn them.
- paulr

Canadians obviously relish torture. You dont know half of what you pretend to know about hockey.

The team is just checked out right now.
- breadbag

Boy you sound angry. Paulr the canadian would advise you to log out and never come back, and he knows everything.

Only saw the last 2 shifts of DelMastro's first NHL game. Anyone have some thoughts on the kid tonight? Skating, poise, positioning, grit, effort, he handle the pace of the NHL, anything in the Ozone?
- Mr Ricochet

I was at the game and tried to pay more attention to him. He made some smart plays, ringed the puck around at good times. He’s big, when he engaged near the boards he had good physicality. Thought his skating was smooth. Usually when a kid first comes up they’re looking to not make mistakes, and he did that well. I’m hopeful because of his pedigree on Canada at the WJC.

Only saw the last 2 shifts of DelMastro's first NHL game. Anyone have some thoughts on the kid tonight? Skating, poise, positioning, grit, effort, he handle the pace of the NHL, anything in the Ozone?

Rated best payer on the ice. KK played like it was his first NHL game.


- Mr Ricochet[/https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GLA3p4RW4AARuc0?format=jpg&name=medium

Honestly hard to evaluate when for the third game in a row it is quite obvious the Hawks have packed it in for the season.

I was at the game and tried to pay more attention to him. He made some smart plays, ringed the puck around at good times. He’s big, when he engaged near the boards he had good physicality. Thought his skating was smooth. Usually when a kid first comes up they’re looking to not make mistakes, and he did that well. I’m hopeful because of his pedigree on Canada at the WJC.
- ObeseOprah

Thank you, OO........ Listening in the car thru 2 periods Murray said he liked what he saw of DelMastro, that they hadn't called his name much which means he hasn't made any mistakes.

Sounds like a good start for the kid. It'll be huge if he hits cuz he has very good size bedsides the fact he's a legit NHLer.

I was at the game and tried to pay more attention to him. He made some smart plays, ringed the puck around at good times. He’s big, when he engaged near the boards he had good physicality. Thought his skating was smooth. Usually when a kid first comes up they’re looking to not make mistakes, and he did that well. I’m hopeful because of his pedigree on Canada at the WJC.
- ObeseOprah

Checked Bamford after posting and he gave DelMastro the 1st star. Nice fancies thru 2 periods. https://www.bleachernatio...hree-stars-key-takeaways/

As these kids keep coming up and look at least ok in this stage of their development in the NHL it's really gonna create competition between multiple players for single roster spots. ... That's good.

Honestly hard to evaluate when for the third game in a row it is quite obvious the Hawks have packed it in for the season.
- LAHawk

They really have checked out. I'd have to give LR an A for keeping this team interested thru 75ish games with this roster. It's gotta get better next yr; and I think it will, just a matter of how. .... Brutal to watch but I don't wanna miss screen time seeing Bedard, Reichel, Vlasic and KK. .... Still breaking away between periods and with maybe 5:00 to go to watch the wonderful Memorial Cup playoffs.

There are no "middle six" forwards!!!!

There are only top six, and bottom six. If you can't see the difference, your team will be at the bottom of the standings every year.

Marian Hossa at times for the Blackhawks played on the second and third lines, did that make him a "middle six" forward??

Can we please just stop with this. This team has one top six forward, and maybe two third line forwards. The rest are a bunch of fourth liners, without the ability to put a pass on a teammates stick from ten feet away.


- dahawks8819

Yes there are. No and no. Andrew Shaw was a bottom 6 forward on a good team but where did he play at times on a good team?

Same with Philip Kurashev on this team though based on his play there's an argument to be made that he could play top 6 on a good team. You could also make the argument that on a really good team he provides depth on the 3rd line and maybe has chemistry with a player on that line. He is a middle 6 player who can slide up and down depending on the situation.

Due to salary cap constraints, show me all the good teams that have actual top 6 players filling out their top 6 night in and night out. Charlie Coyle was pretty much the definition of a 3rd line center on a good team. Where is he playing for the current Bruin team after Bergeron and Krecji retired?

Even when the Hawks were winning Cups they didn't have 6 top 6 fwds falling-out their top 2 lines. In 2015 the Hawks 3rd line were all middle 6 players: Sharp, TT and Vermette. Were they true top 6 players? Maybe. Were they true bottom 6 players? Depends, even though that's where they were playing.

Andrew Ladd played 3rd line on the Hawks but when he went to the Jets, it's hard to argue he wasn't a top 6 player.

Sorry you're not a fan of the terminology but embrace some grey and color outside the lines on occasion. Not everything in life can be categorized so easily or fits neatly into a box.

Checked Bamford after posting and he gave DelMastro the 1st star. Nice fancies thru 2 periods. https://www.bleachernatio...hree-stars-key-takeaways/

As these kids keep coming up and look at least ok in this stage of their development in the NHL it's really gonna create competition between multiple players for single roster spots. ... That's good.
- Mr Ricochet

Competition yes but significant depth in D talent not so much.

So Jones, Vlasic and KK & probably Murphy return next season. Zaitsev, Tinordi and Megna are out the door.

That leaves Kaiser, Del Mastro, Phillips (RFA), Crevier (RFA) and Roos (RFA). Only Nolan Allan hasn't been called up for a couple games. Nothing more in the system.

So will be very interesting to see what the GM does in the draft and with available free agents.

Canadians obviously relish torture. You dont know half of what you pretend to know about hockey.
- LFS

Half is a tad light. I'd go with 75%

Half is a tad light. I'd go with 75%
- mohel

You’re both wrong I don’t know a thing about hockey, I’ve never played and I’ve never actually watched a game,I just make poop up as I go.

You’re both wrong I don’t know a thing about hockey, I’ve never played and I’ve never actually watched a game,I just make poop up as I go.
- paulr

I just figured you were a mouthpiece for Bob.

You’re both wrong I don’t know a thing about hockey, I’ve never played and I’ve never actually watched a game,I just make poop up as I go.
- paulr

I always wondered if you and JJ were the same guy....

I always wondered if you and JJ were the same guy....
- mohel

I always wondered if you and JJ were the same guy....
- mohel

Have you ever seen us together?

Have you ever seen us together?
- paulr

Gross.....