Long overdue? Why? WTf did ever win as a Blackhawk? Nothing that mattered.
- Elbows15

By that measurement there are 3 hawks that shouldn't be up there. And he did have a lot of individual success even if the Hawks didn't win a cup while he was here.

When he was here in the 90s he was the heartbeat of that team and a lot of people's favorite. Unfortunately, those early 90s teams had the same bad luck as the San Jose Sharks when the Hawks and Kings and what was left of the Wings were rampaging the western conference.

Wasn't his fault he got traded away or that they just kind of gave up.

Best American born defender for sure, from Chicago, still loved in Chicago (my wife would see him at tavern all the time and one of the few celebrities\athletes she said seemed like a decent guy) - and I think most people when they think of Chelios think of him as a Hawk rather than a Redwing or Canadian though maybe those teams had more "success" when he was there.

Definitely deserved.

Isn't canonizing 98 waaaaaaay too premature ?? No one knows how this kids career develops. Too many variables, especially at such a young age. Very talented? Obviously. But lets see where he's at in 5-7 years. Frankly, all the Bedard hoopla since his draft day has been more than a bit much.
- BobP.

No. He is one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the league as an 18 year old with 4th liners and AHL players surrounding him.

He is going to win an awful lot of scoring titles once they surround him with some talent.

Kane tribute was meh. Lots of his best goals left out. No game winner in OT against the kings in WCF.

Remember that game so well. Back in my party days. Popped some good stuff before OT went to Justin’s on Southport after. Wild night.
- bhawks2241

That was peak game of thrones too so we were calling him the king slayer.

By that measurement there are 3 hawks that shouldn't be up there. And he did have a lot of individual success even if the Hawks didn't win a cup while he was here.

When he was here in the 90s he was the heartbeat of that team and a lot of people's favorite. Unfortunately, those early 90s teams had the same bad luck as the San Jose Sharks when the Hawks and Kings and what was left of the Wings were rampaging the western conference.

Wasn't his fault he got traded away or that they just kind of gave up.

Best American born defender for sure, from Chicago, still loved in Chicago (my wife would see him at tavern all the time and one of the few celebrities\athletes she said seemed like a decent guy) - and I think most people when they think of Chelios think of him as a Hawk rather than a Redwing or Canadian though maybe those teams had more "success" when he was there.

Definitely deserved.
- fattybeef

Well said.....

Why do you hate history and patience so much? Yzerman has been leading the team since April of 2019. This is his fifth year leading the team and they are just now battling for a wild card spot. It takes time to build up a farm system, get the crap players out and the good ones in. The top players his first year were:

Bertuzzi
a 53 pt Larkin
Filppula
Athanasiou
Abdelkader
Fabbri
Frans Nielsen
Glendining
Mantha

The following year the only notable change was Namestnikov in the forward ranks.

As far as the coach being a winner at a lot of levels, here is Lalonde's history:
https://www.hockeydb.com/...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=78967

I'm mot saying he's bad, but if you took the name away and looked at the results here, I'm not jumping off the couch and saying "we gotta get this guy!!" He had one good year in Green Bay, and I'd say an above average stint in the ECHL. Otherwise, he's an assistant. Were Haviland, Torchetti, Kompon, etc great NHL coaches because they were on the Hawks when they were good?
- Chunk

To your point Yzerman also didn't really start adding players through free agency til last season but for some, clinging to the narrative is more important than any facts that run counter to it.

No. He is one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the league as an 18 year old with 4th liners and AHL players surrounding him.

He is going to win an awful lot of scoring titles once they surround him with some talent.
- fattybeef

Skating with 91 and a streaky Kurashev isn't maximizing his talent? Who knew?

Again...rebuild....but the wonder kids had Sharp and Havlat already waiting when they got here....and even Robert Lang.

Bedard had Hall.....and Hall barely made it to November.

Skating with 91 and a streaky Kurashev isn't maximizing his talent? Who knew?

Again...rebuild....but the wonder kids had Sharp and Havlat already waiting when they got here....and even Robert Lang.

Bedard had Hall.....and Hall barely made it to November.
- SteveRain

KD is just playing 4D chess. He's surrounding the young kids with as little talent as possible so that he can keep the bridge contracts lower.

Last night was an incredible experience. I am 35 so I got to enjoy Chelios as a kid, but I don't remember a ton of his early 90s years with the Hawks because I was very young. His speech was incredible; I think the best part, and this is a sign of strong leadership, was that he used that platform to build up others. As the speech was progressing I started to wonder if he would give a shoutout to PK while he was sitting on the Wings bench. I had no idea that Keith, Seabs, Sharp, and Hossa were in the house; so when Chelios talked about the joy he felt in 2010, 13, and 15, watching the Hawks win those cups, as a former player and Chicago native, it was r nice to hear him speak on each player (especially Seabrook) and pay homage to all of them. After speaking on those four, you knew it was coming, but the way in which he used his moment to build up Patrick Kane as the eventual "Greatest American Born" player by the time he retired was special.

The game itself was really fun. I loved how the Hawks played. Patrick Kane's game-winner was awesome to see; if there was anybody who was going to beat them, it was him. What an ending. Loved Bedard's hit on Kane in the third period.

The Blackhawks do things the right way. Their first-period video tribute to Kane was outstanding. It has been a LONG time since I have heard the stadium that loud. The place was ROARING- I don't think I have ever seen a player get an ovation that electric.

Completely irrelevant... I hope Connor Bedard was paying attention last night to the crowd and the pop that Kane received in coming home. Bedard can own this city if he wants to. Last night was a playoff crowd. Better days are ahead.

Skating with 91 and a streaky Kurashev isn't maximizing his talent? Who knew?

Again...rebuild....but the wonder kids had Sharp and Havlat already waiting when they got here....and even Robert Lang.

Bedard had Hall.....and Hall barely made it to November.
- SteveRain

Thinking 91 is on that line now in an effort to maximize his trade value at the deadline. Like when they paired McCabe with Seth Jones last year.

I'm not defending Jones because he is definitely overpaid, and I'm not a fan o his overall play, but does anyone here remember how bad the D was when he was out? He's unfortunately still the most complete D on the team. As much as I love Vlasic's defensive game, he has no idea what to do when he passes the red line with the puck. Again, this isn't to say that Jones is great by any stretch, but he's the best currently on the team.

There was plenty of blame to go around yesterday for the loss. Brutal turnovers, Mrazek not sealing the side of the net on the second goal, Tinordi and Megna basically handing the puck to the wings every time they tried to make an outlet pass, and on and on... Did Bedard make mistakes in OT? Sure. Should that be used as some condemnation of what his career will be? That's a bit of a leap. Let's all remember that this team sucks. Expect more results like this than good ones.
- Chunk

Yes. His contract is a bit too high, but this game yesterday and the game before were prime examples of why the coach plays Jones all those minutes. He is by far the best defenseman on the team. I'm not a Jones guy, but it's a bit silly how much some fans have a stick up their you know what about him. He is signed here under the contract Bowman gave him, but jumping all over him for any mistake while turning a blind eye to the countless other mistakes. It's just a tired storyline.

First off, numbers should not be retired. Second he was good, not great, never won anything. It doesn't matter that he was from Chicago, his number if anything should be up in Detroit.

KD is just playing 4D chess. He's surrounding the young kids with as little talent as possible so that he can keep the bridge contracts lower.
- Chunk

Well played.

Thinking 91 is on that line now in an effort to maximize his trade value at the deadline. Like when they paired McCabe with Seth Jones last year.
- 333inthe3rd

Good point....for some reason I thought Blackwell was younger.....He would be a nice add for a team looking to round out their bottom 3-6. He has some sneaky good hands.

First off, numbers should not be retired. Second he was good, not great, never won anything. It doesn't matter that he was from Chicago, his number if anything should be up in Detroit.
- THen22

Now do Magnuson.......

Skating with 91 and a streaky Kurashev isn't maximizing his talent? Who knew?

Again...rebuild....but the wonder kids had Sharp and Havlat already waiting when they got here....and even Robert Lang.

Bedard had Hall.....and Hall barely made it to November.
- SteveRain

The timing of the rebuild is a lot different and the situation is too, so I don't know why you'd even make that comparison. We landed Bedard earlier in the rebuild before more of the pieces are in place.

I've defended Jones for too long because I thought that "at worst" he'd still be a serviceable #2/#3 defense-man for the Hawks for a long time even if his contract never matched expectations.

But now, I don't even know what I could be defending. He legitimately doesn't do anything well. He doesn't create offensive opportunities; he doesn't carry the mail into the offensive zone well; he doesn't show off any semblance of physical prowess at his 6'4" stature; and he doesn't appear to lead by example on the ice either (don't see him communicating; don't see him getting scrappy; don't see him giving the team energy boosts; etc.) He's just getting cardio in out there for 25 minutes a night.

Saying Jones has the worst contract in the league is no longer hyperbole - it's irrefutable.
- TommyHawk

The Huberdeau and Campbell ones are very bad. The Gallagher and Anderson ones in Montreal are really bad.

So I dunno about worst in the league. Probably top 5 and definitely top 10.

It was a dumb move by a desperate GM who doesn't have to face any consequences other than getting fired.

This is a really good look at Jones in depth at the time of the trade. The stuff he does poorly will only get worse as his athletic ability wanes with age.

https://www.broadstreetho...nald-flyers-blue-jackets/

If Phaneuf could get traded you'd think that Jones could as well though he has a full NMC which probably complicates things.

If you go with a more conservative view of when the Hawks will be good based on how things went with the Avalanche or Panthers - the Jones deal will be irrelevant by that time (6 -8 years) and maybe the buyout rules get changed before then.

If other guys come in and offer more and he's playing 8 minutes a night which would be hilarious maybe he just demands a trade and you can come off him that way.

Kinda feel like there are a lot of ways for this to play out over the next few years and none of them really impact their ability to have long term success.

Last night was first class celebration done the right way,and that fact that Chelios is a great public speaker, who organized his thought with love and carefulness made me stop hating him for leaving for Detroit after he had previously said he would never play there.
(My favorite part might have been Hossa, using his phone to film the Kane acknowledgement during the ceremony.)

I loved that Kaner's parents were there, and I wondered if that had something to do with Kane's post game promenade expressing love to his old team's fans.
After he scored in OT, he seemed to have some sticking it to them in his post goal reactions. (Anybody of lip reader.)
Was Toews there?

Yeah, I noticed…like he’s still pissed that he and Kane’s 10.5 mil loyalty to the teams and saying they knew nothing might have been to separate them from follow-up questions, to the fact they didn’t offer him som sweetheart former team star deal at too. Much money to stay and continue rehab around strings of games he does pay own..


Last night was first class celebration done the right way,and that fact that Chelios is a great public speaker, who organized his thought with love and carefulness made me stop hating him for leaving for Detroit after he had previously said he would never play there.
(My favorite part might have been Hossa, using his phone to film the Kane acknowledgement during the ceremony.)

Actually came here to comment after I read a fairly dumb draft article on The Athletic a few minutes ago, wher some write "compares Wheeler & Pronman's draft slottings.
What caught my ire was the placement of Michael Brandsegg-Nygård.
Being Nowegian doesn't excuse the fact he is simply not an elite prospect who is going to bring excellent vison and be a specail help to a team. His on ice vison is average, doesn't lead to extraordinarie looks, or much that most of the first wround forwards bring.
They both can personally love him from the views of footage and bought in, they are nallowed, b/c it is waht I have done too, placing Tij Iginla in the top ten of my seven round draft, but each and every he's on the ice, Tig uses his excellent vision to lead plays, bring his line a ton of energy and hustle and big time compete.
You know these guys have time correct their lists, maybe when they see I have him at slot #25, maybe that is lower than he is selected. but any team taking him in their 13-16 area is either conservatively looking for NHLer, no matter where he gets slotted over a dynamic guy. (Their fans are gonna be might disappointed he's not the first line type player many teams shoot for the fences .

Lots of my 7 round mock have profiles finished; just click on them, duds and report the spelling areas (in private message, lol!)

The Huberdeau and Campbell ones are very bad. The Gallagher and Anderson ones in Montreal are really bad.

So I dunno about worst in the league. Probably top 5 and definitely top 10.

It was a dumb move by a desperate GM who doesn't have to face any consequences other than getting fired.

This is a really good look at Jones in depth at the time of the trade. The stuff he does poorly will only get worse as his athletic ability wanes with age.

https://www.broadstreetho...nald-flyers-blue-jackets/

If Phaneuf could get traded you'd think that Jones could as well though he has a full NMC which probably complicates things.

If you go with a more conservative view of when the Hawks will be good based on how things went with the Avalanche or Panthers - the Jones deal will be irrelevant by that time (6 -8 years) and maybe the buyout rules get changed before then.

If other guys come in and offer more and he's playing 8 minutes a night which would be hilarious maybe he just demands a trade and you can come off him that way.

Kinda feel like there are a lot of ways for this to play out over the next few years and none of them really impact their ability to have long term success.
- fattybeef

We'll likely never know the whole truth but I still think that desperation to ice a more competitive team, a year after announcing a rebuild was at the behest of certain people above ole' Stanbo to keep attention off the approaching PR poopstorm.

Sadly there's a segment of fans who can't comprehend the rebuild, what it is, how long it ACTUALLY takes, and would 100% prefer a Whitesox approach where you aren't good enough to win, but aren't bad enough to add the necessary pieces needed. SO instead you get stuck in sports hell. Same with the bulls. THe reinsdorf way....

- SteveRain

The comment from the bulls execs was something to the effect of the stadium is full so we don't give a (frank).

The Sox are just awful though they attempted to do an actual rebuild. The problem was once they had a core of decent players they spent (frank) and all to supplement the line up appropriately.

Both orgs are in a similar spot as the Hawks before Bill Wirtz died.

I think the timeline on the rebuild is dependent on the draft. With the Wings they haven't gotten any top 3 picks which isn't helpful so it takes bit longer to find or develop talent.

The Hawks are in a different position where they could have a difference maker in Bedard and Celebrini straight away. Even if it's Eiserman - he is maybe a year away since I'm guessing he'll play that first year at BU but that is still a different level of talent so it should accelerate some things.

Instead of 8 or 9 years it can be more like 5 or 6 with the right additions. Especially since guys like K2 and Vlasic are already in the line up and getting significant minutes.

KD is just playing 4D chess. He's surrounding the young kids with as little talent as possible so that he can keep the bridge contracts lower.
- Chunk

Although I think the baptisms are more related to slotting early in the Draft this season, I have thought how that pitfalls will help keep the price of the youngster's re-ups from being crazy outrageous.
The younger defenseman influx Is a unique opportunity "by fire" to get real experience . Who knows? We might just see the first rounder Korchinski getting a little season NW of the city in Rockford, if his game and confidence need it next season, and it also would damper his agent's financial aspirations.

Th ebottom line is these kids all have agenst who know the $ part so, I don't expect Kyle "killing" by low balling them, b/c they know market.

The Huberdeau and Campbell ones are very bad. The Gallagher and Anderson ones in Montreal are really bad.

So I dunno about worst in the league. Probably top 5 and definitely top 10.

It was a dumb move by a desperate GM who doesn't have to face any consequences other than getting fired.

This is a really good look at Jones in depth at the time of the trade. The stuff he does poorly will only get worse as his athletic ability wanes with age.

https://www.broadstreetho...nald-flyers-blue-jackets/

If Phaneuf could get traded you'd think that Jones could as well though he has a full NMC which probably complicates things.

If you go with a more conservative view of when the Hawks will be good based on how things went with the Avalanche or Panthers - the Jones deal will be irrelevant by that time (6 -8 years) and maybe the buyout rules get changed before then.

If other guys come in and offer more and he's playing 8 minutes a night which would be hilarious maybe he just demands a trade and you can come off him that way.

Kinda feel like there are a lot of ways for this to play out over the next few years and none of them really impact their ability to have long term success.
- fattybeef

He certainly can be traded, and now more than ever I doubt that his NMC would be an impediment. If what he says publicly about losing wearing on players, I would think he'd be willing to waive for just about anywhere. It would all depend on how the trade/retention would be structured.

I 100% agree that Seth Jones (and his contract) is only a short term concern, and will not be when they are more competitive.

Skating with 91 and a streaky Kurashev isn't maximizing his talent? Who knew?

Again...rebuild....but the wonder kids had Sharp and Havlat already waiting when they got here....and even Robert Lang.

Bedard had Hall.....and Hall barely made it to November.
- SteveRain

It's really crazy how much of an impact he's having. Probably better than even people who were hyping him could have thought.

Injury updates
Hawks defenseman Nikita Zaitsev has been out since Jan. 16 due to what was described as a knee injury, but Richardson said doctors later discovered Zaitsev also had a bone fracture. He's therefore not expected until roughly mid-March, although he has progressed in his recovery to working out in the gym.

Forward Andreas Athanasiou, out since Nov. 9 with a groin injury, graduated out of a non-contact jersey into a regular jersey at practice Saturday. Richardson thought the idea of Athanasiou playing next weekend might be optimistic, but he's finally close.

Connor Murphy hasn't played since Jan. 13 due to what Richardson called "middle-body, soft-tissue stuff," and it doesn't sound like he has made much progress yet.

We'll likely never know the whole truth but I still think that desperation to ice a more competitive team, a year after announcing a rebuild was at the behest of certain people above ole' Stanbo to keep attention off the approaching PR poopstorm.
- HawkintheD

That is a very good point as well.

Good point....for some reason I thought Blackwell was younger.....He would be a nice add for a team looking to round out their bottom 3-6. He has some sneaky good hands.
- SteveRain

I would be surprised if Blackwell's not moved. He has surprised since returning, and he certainly looks hungry out there.

91 will be tougher to move with that cap hit.

90 also will be tougher to move, but I get the impression that if he is dealt, it will be a "for the player" trade, perhaps to Tampa. They would probably need a third team to broker for him and for 91.

I would guess Raddysh is the likeliest cheap cap hit to be moved after Blackwell. Otherwise, it's a matter of whether or not any fill a specific need for a contender.