Too many Zamuners in this lineup this year. Misa wasn't on the roster, Martone was a healthy scratch most of the tourney. Questionable adds to the roster over other much better options.

Canada did have long stretches of dominance in their games but lacked the finish they needed.
- wizardofi

Well there you go, guess I didn't follow Team Canada's roster construction even a little bit cuz I did not know Misa wasn't on the roster! That is crazy. And, I didn't know Martone had been a scratch until Gord mentioned it.

The world wanted to see Schaefer and Martone and got little of them. A kinda strange WJC as far as prospects playing themselves up the draft lists.

But right now as it stands I think a case can be made for any team left standing to win the Gold, which is good for the fan.

Poking around Second City Hockey Melton wrote a piece comparing the Hawk's rebuild to some cup winners. Not a bad read, it was written in October. https://www.secondcityhoc...ate-timeline-projections/

Aaaannnddd I wonder what prompted that reaction???

Could it be he specifically tried to assemble an NHL roster that was better than last year's, committed money and term to several players, and the end product is worse than last year's train wreck???

As I commented on here about a month ago, his seat has warmed considerably this year, specifically because there is a serious question about KFC's ability to assemble a competent NHL roster. But I was laughed at and ridiculed for this.

He has drafted and built a decent prospect pool, but the actual NHL roster is driving fans away, and the current ownership is getting impatient. The coach was the first head to fall, and there is room for more to fall.....
- dahawks8819

Aaaaannnnnddddd you know all this how?

Friedman says on 32 Thoughts that the Hawks could be interested in Vancouver's JT Miller. Miller for Jones. Who say no? (besides Vancouver).

This doesn't necessarily mean much but the kid in goal for CZE is the 6ft 7in Hrabal. Kid has shown well, again, in the WJC and was taken 2 picks after the Hawks took Gajan.

Augustine, the US goalie who won Gold last yr, was taken 7ish spots after Hrabal.

Hawks took Gajun, an overager at the time, before either of these kids and after staying one more yr in the USHL and putting up an .883 SPG he's scuffling along as a 20 yr old freshman at UMD with a 5-7 and an .882 SPG.

I've pretty much been ok with any draft picks of KD and Crew's but the Gajan one over Hrabal, and probably Augustine too, the Hawk's brass will sorely regret....... We all know you don't know what the hell with goalies and Gajan may end up the real deal. He's certainly athletic enough for the Bigs but the early returns ain't good.
- Mr Ricochet

Was a terrible draft pick then and it's just as bad if not worse now. Gajan was #3-4 on most experts goalie rankings and Hrabal was #1 across the board but Kyle liked that he stoned Bedard in a tournament so he picked his goofy ass.

Was a terrible draft pick then and it's just as bad if not worse now. Gajan was #3-4 on most experts goalie rankings and Hrabal was #1 across the board but Kyle liked that he stoned Bedard in a tournament so he picked his goofy ass.
- Assman22

It's a little too early to determine this. I recall many on this board going crazy when we drafted Allan at the end of the 1st round that he was a 3rd round pick, and Bowman said watching him play at the world juniors or one of those things, he was to good to pass on.

Similar story with Gajan, besides as Wiz said you really don't know what you have until 24ish years old. I recall Soda being really bad last year. Let's let the story write itself.

Was a terrible draft pick then and it's just as bad if not worse now. Gajan was #3-4 on most experts goalie rankings and Hrabal was #1 across the board but Kyle liked that he stoned Bedard in a tournament so he picked his goofy ass.
- Assman22

I wouldn't get too worked up about it. Goalies are so odd in their development. UMD isn't really a great team outside of a couple players, so Gajan doesn't have a lot of help. If missing out on Hrabal or Augustine kills the Hawks, then there are much bigger problems. It's probably another 2-3 years before any of them get notable time in the NHL. Commesso could also turn out to be a "good enough" goaltender.

Was a terrible draft pick then and it's just as bad if not worse now. Gajan was #3-4 on most experts goalie rankings and Hrabal was #1 across the board but Kyle liked that he stoned Bedard in a tournament so he picked his goofy ass.
- Assman22

This place gets the Board Of Doom moniker for a reason. As Dots said it didn’t appear Allen was going to amount to much. Three years ago many fans had written Vlasic off. And just last season fans were ready to launch Rinzel to the closest galaxy. Just relax!

Friedman says on 32 Thoughts that the Hawks could be interested in Vancouver's JT Miller. Miller for Jones. Who say no? (besides Vancouver).
- boilermaker100

It might be a good change of scenery for both players and open up space for our young D.

I believe we save 1.5 and term is the same. However ages and position-wise, we might be suffering more down the road with Miller. D-men seem to produce better at later years than forwards.

I'd still do it if it doesn't cost us too much.

The National Hockey League (NHL) Winter Classic outdoor game, played on New Year’s Eve, drew its lowest viewership on record.

Confirmed:
An average of 920,000 viewers tuned in for St Louis Blues’ win over the Chicago Blackhawks on TNT and truTV
Viewership dropped by 16 per cent on the previous year (1.1 million)
The game’s audience peaked at 1.2 million

Arvid Soderblom starts for the Blackhawks against the Canadiens tonight.

Bertuzzi-Bedard-Mikheyev
Hall-Richardinson-Foligno
Dach-Nazar-Teravainen
Maroon-Donato-Smith

Kaiser-Jones
Vlasic-Crevier
Allan-Brodie

Murphy nursing a groin injury.

It's a little too early to determine this. I recall many on this board going crazy when we drafted Allan at the end of the 1st round that he was a 3rd round pick, and Bowman said watching him play at the world juniors or one of those things, he was to good to pass on.

Similar story with Gajan, besides as Wiz said you really don't know what you have until 24ish years old. I recall Soda being really bad last year. Let's let the story write itself.
- BetweenTheDots

Soda was a great goalie prospect out of Sweden we were all excited about back then and did fairly well in the AHL his first two seasons, had a rough first full season (at age 24 btw lol) in NHL thrusted into a bullpoop scenario, and has played well in his secondary role this season.

It might be a good change of scenery for both players and open up space for our young D.

I believe we save 1.5 and term is the same. However ages and position-wise, we might be suffering more down the road with Miller. D-men seem to produce better at later years than forwards.

I'd still do it if it doesn't cost us too much.
- Popsghostly

I'd go as high as Jones and TOR 1st to land Miller (if he would agree to the trade). I don't like his age all that much, but he is certainly better than pretty much all of our other forwards.

The National Hockey League (NHL) Winter Classic outdoor game, played on New Year’s Eve, drew its lowest viewership on record.

Confirmed:
An average of 920,000 viewers tuned in for St Louis Blues’ win over the Chicago Blackhawks on TNT and truTV
Viewership dropped by 16 per cent on the previous year (1.1 million)
The game’s audience peaked at 1.2 million
- LAHawk

Yeah, welcome to the NHL not knowing how to showcase a big game. 12 other games on that day, and putting a team that everyone knew was not going to be a PO team and another question mark on the ice...

Yeah, welcome to the NHL not knowing how to showcase a big game. 12 other games on that day, and putting a team that everyone knew was not going to be a PO team and another question mark on the ice...
- Chunk

The league didn't choose the game because of the Blackhawks. They chose it due to Bedard.

The league didn't choose the game because of the Blackhawks. They chose it due to Bedard.
- boilermaker100

Dp you think pressure is on KD to find Bedard some help?

I'd go as high as Jones and TOR 1st to land Miller (if he would agree to the trade). I don't like his age all that much, but he is certainly better than pretty much all of our other forwards.
- Chunk

Trading with Vancouver is the gift that keeps on giving! I'd love to see them include with Jones VAN's 2027 2nd rd they sent over along with Mikheyev in exchange for Miller

This place gets the Board Of Doom moniker for a reason. As Dots said it didn’t appear Allen was going to amount to much. Three years ago many fans had written Vlasic off. And just last season fans were ready to launch Rinzel to the closest galaxy. Just relax!
- paulr

I think the biggest issue with the Hawks from the beginning of the year was KD's overcorrection on "depth". Signing Martinez was a good move (despite the missed games). There is no excuse for signing Brodie (especially to an extra year). Signing one of Maroon or Smith was fine. Not both. This way you have room to sprinkle in a bunch of kids and not overtax them.

I'm not saying at all that this would result in a better record, but it certainly would lean more on getting kids experience and beginning the transition to building the team back up. It seems like KD was more concerned about showing a standings improvement and not really moving to the next step.

Reminiscent of the offseason when Stan went out and picked up Jones, Fleury, McCabe, Khaira, T. Johnson after a season where they tested out a bunch of kids (Mitchell, Beaudoin, Kurashev, Boqvist, Kirby, Gaudette, Kalynuk, Highmore, etc). I know these kids weren't all that good, but to shift immediately away from that rebuild attempt and sign a bunch of vets just kicked the can down the road. People would have a much stronger stomach for this performance if there were more up and coming kids on the roster... I think.

The league didn't choose the game because of the Blackhawks. They chose it due to Bedard.
- boilermaker100

And that was a stupid decision. There is plenty of star power on really good teams. You don't highlight two below average teams on your marquee regular season event on a day where you have 12 other games going on. It's just stupid.

Dp you think pressure is on KD to find Bedard some help?
- LAHawk

Well if the Friedman comment is accurate about JT Miller, yes, KD is looking for help. Miller is a center though, so does Bedard move to wing?

I mentioned this yesterday semi in jest, but what if Bedard is pissed off enough to want out? KD will jump through all kinds of hoops to get him some help.

Dp you think pressure is on KD to find Bedard some help?
- LAHawk

I mean, technically he did. Hall coming back is not insignificant. Adding TT and Bertuzzi are solid adds (especially at the numbers they got). They just don't have a guy currently that can really jive with him. To expect him at 19 to carry his entire line while there is literally no other threatening line on the roster is the problem.

If you are asking if there is pressure for KD to get him more or "real" help, I think the temperature is at least building towards that.

I mean, technically he did. Hall coming back is not insignificant. Adding TT and Bertuzzi are solid adds (especially at the numbers they got). They just don't have a guy currently that can really jive with him. To expect him at 19 to carry his entire line while there is literally no other threatening line on the roster is the problem.

If you are asking if there is pressure for KD to get him more or "real" help, I think the temperature is at least building towards that.
- Chunk

Unfortunately as KD said himself, it was very hard to get talent during the season. We're here now KD and the current Blackhawks have to take their medicine for the rest of the season. The good news most likely a top 4 pick, one year less on Seth Jones contract and 1 year closer to the kids filtering the system.

I do agree with the Kakko thing and wonder if maybe the Rangers didn't want to do business with the Blackhawks?

I mean, technically he did. Hall coming back is not insignificant. Adding TT and Bertuzzi are solid adds (especially at the numbers they got). They just don't have a guy currently that can really jive with him. To expect him at 19 to carry his entire line while there is literally no other threatening line on the roster is the problem.

If you are asking if there is pressure for KD to get him more or "real" help, I think the temperature is at least building towards that.
- Chunk

You mean like Grier signed Toffoli to play with Celebrini?

Well if the Friedman comment is accurate about JT Miller, yes, KD is looking for help. Miller is a center though, so does Bedard move to wing?

I mentioned this yesterday semi in jest, but what if Bedard is pissed off enough to want out? KD will jump through all kinds of hoops to get him some help.
- boilermaker100

I think this gets blown out of proportion a lot. Without arbitration rights, I don't think he has a lot of leverage to push his way out from the Hawks. They basically own him. Ultimately, maybe, but I don't think that is something to worry about for a while.

For all the CBA guys out there, are they allowed to negotiate an extension with him yet, or do they have to wait until next year?

You mean like Grier signed Toffoli to play with Celebrini?
- LAHawk

I wonder if Yzerman be willing to trade Cat to us? Toronto's first and some other stuff, i think Bedard and Cat would make a very nice pairing