Hawks inability to protect leads has worried me all season. 2 years ago they'd go up and the game would be over....now it always seems like they are barely hanging on if not losing outright.
This franchise is at the point that the regular season doesn't really matter... They are a franchise about winning cups. I do agree it was a good regular season. but going out round 1 in this fashion is just sour
This was the first series that the Hawks old guys looked old and the young guys looked young. I think Q bears a lot of responsibility for this too and not just because TVR played the 2nd most minutes last night. Despite the Preds sitting back, the Hawks kept trying that stretch pass out of the zone and the Preds were waiting on it. It either left the forward isolated where he lost possession of the puck, or the pass didn't connect resulting in an icing. This resulted in two things, #1, the Preds got the puck and were able to then do their own stretch pass by passing the forward that was disposed and the two forwards that were coming up to support or they got a draw in the Hawks defensive zone where they were eating the Hawks up. I hope Bowman looks to move Panarin for a young no doubter defenseman because that blue line is starting to look awfully old.
This is a series where we missed Shaw. Couple of horrific breaks in both games 3 and 4. But can't lose two at home that's the bottom line of the series. We looked slow on the ice. Its been a long time since I could say that about a Hawks team.
The path to keeping things on the rails is Toews resurgiance (more likely), finding a good deal for Seabrook (not likely), and Debrincat, Schmaltz, and Forsling all hitting big (maybe). Even then we are fighting Father Time with Keith (2 more years elite?)and Hossa (maybe one more year). I think the likelihood of all that happening is pretty thin. But it could happen. I see a Wild level contender over the next few years before it falls apart. Don't really mind, got 3.
Having said that, if Bowman and Barry Smith are still studs: Sell Seabrook for nothing, sell Crawford for little, lose Kruger to Vegas, and go get the Russian studs Shipachyov, Dadonov, Gusev. Have lost touch with there contract situations but they've all been rumored to have flirted with the NHL recently. The path to elite is through free assets like they did with Panarin.
Team control doesn't matter if you are losing your franchise or out of a job as a GM. They need gamebreakers and their D corp is pretty great without Hanifin. The rumor is "Hanifin for a young game breaking forward". Pick nits but that's a deal you have to listen to at least.
Just bullshitting here. Trade Crawford, resign Darling, get Dadonov or Shipachyov, lose Kruger, dump Seabrook, sign Radulov, trade Panarin for Hanifin. It's all ridiculous but Stan seems like he's not fucking around and he's pulled shit out of his ass before.
Ya Carolina has a deep defensive corp, they need scorers. Plus the way players are handling RFA status anymore, Hanifin is going to get a big payday in a few years.
Just saw Seabrook has a full NMC until 2022. Jesus Christ. I think you have to trade Anisimov and Crawford then and lose Kruger. Make Kane do it with Panarin with downgraded center. Debrincat Toews Panik Panarin Schmaltz Kane Hartman whoever Hossa Keith-Hjalmarsson Forsling- FA (Shattenkirk? or Anisimov trade piece) Seabrook TVR Kempny Darling None of it really matters if Toews is gonna be shitty.
Limited. I don't think the FO have liked Crawford for awhile but he keeps winning. I've heard he's kinda fucked up off the ice beyond just the concert injury that's public.
Blackhawks, Leafs in mix for Swedish defenseman Calle Rosen by David Alter and Scott Powers, Yesterday One of the hottest European free agents could find an NHL home sometime soon. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks are among the front-runners to land Calle Rosen, a 23-year-old Swedish defenseman, The Athletic has learned. Rosen, who is 6-foot and 180 pounds, has spent his entire career in Sweden. He’s played for the Vaxjo Lakers in the SHL the past two seasons and has emerged as one of of league’s premier defensemen. He had six goals, 13 assists and averaged 18:44 of ice time in 41 games this season. Whichever team lands Rosén would sign him to a two-year, entry-level contract, according to the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement. Rosen, a left-handed shot, flew under the radar earlier in his career and went undrafted in the NHL. He played the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons in Sweden’s second division before getting an opportunity in the SHL. Klas Ostman, who coached Rosen earlier in his career, remarked Wednesday on how far Rosen had come in a short time. “He’s had great development the last two seasons,” said Ostman, who is now an assistant coach for Linkoping in the SHL. “He’s a good skater, likes to join the rush. He has a great shot. He’s an explosive player. He’s tall and thin and needs to improve his defense and get stronger. He’s also a great person.” Scouts have taken notice of Rosen’s two-way defensive play. He also has the puck a lot. Uffe Bodin, editor-in-chief of Swedish hockey publication Hockeysverige, has spent a considerable amount of time watching Rosen with the Lakers. “He’s dependable on both ends of the ice. A modern-era Corsi darling at the SHL level,” Bodin said. With advanced stats continuing to becoming increasingly common in evaluation talent, it’s easy to see why Rosen’s stock has been rising. “He would be a lock for the World Hockey Championships for Sweden, but they will have several NHLers, so he’s pretty much out,” Bodin said. Rosen’s agent representing him in North America, Kurt Overhardt of KO Sports, declined to comment Wednesday, but added Rosen was “close” to making a decision. For the Blackhawks, Rosen could help fill a need for younger defensemen. The Blackhawks have a number of left-handed defensemen in their organization, but none of them have emerged to be everyday NHL players outside of veterans Duncan Keith and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Gustav Forsling, 20, and Michal Kempny, 26, both left-handed shots, did play a number of games last season as first-year NHL players. The Blackhawks do have a track record of drafting and signing Swedish defensemen. They had 10 Swedish defensemen in the organization this season. For the Maple Leafs, Rosen could help the Leafs defense, which is in dire need of depth. Rosen’s reputation for being a player with the puck would fit in nicely under coach Mike Babcock. Although the Leafs’ biggest needed is on the right side, Babcock showed during the playoffs he could be open to having left-handed shooters skate on the right side. With right-handed defensemen Nikita Zaitsev, and later Roman Polak injured for a portion of the playoffs , Morgan Rielly shifted to the right side in the Leafs’ first-round exit against the Washington Capitals. Should the Leafs land Rosen and he makes the jump to the roster, he’d be the first Swedish defenseman to play in an NHL game for the organization since Viktor Loov, who played four regular season games with Toronto during the 2015-16 season. Loov was traded by the Leafs on Feb. 18 in exchange for forward Sergey Kalinin.
A six-point plan to fixing the Chicago Blackhawks for the future by Scott Powers, Yesterday Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman began his offseason of changes by firing assistant coach Mike Kitchen and AHL coach Ted Dent on consecutive days. The first move felt like a statement more than anything. Kitchen and Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville are close. They had played and coached together throughout their careers. Kitchen was at Quenneville’s side for the last six seasons. Kitchen had a role on the team, especially with the defensemen and the penalty kill, but a new assistant coach doesn’t feel like the type of change that will be bring different results for the Blackhawks. What actual changes would Bowman have to make to alter the Blackhawks’ fate next season and for many seasons to come? Let’s take a look. *** Get younger defensively The Blackhawks have become an older and older defenseman group by the season. When the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, their main defensemen were Niklas Hjalmarsson at 23 years old, Dustin Byfuglien at 25, Brent Seabrook at 25, Duncan Keith at 26, Brian Campbell at 31 and Brent Sopel at 33. When the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2013, Nick Leddy was 22, Hjalmarsson 26, Seabrook 28, Keith 29, Johnny Oduya 31 and Michal Rozsival 34. When the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2015, Trevor van Riemsdyk was 23, Hjalmarsson 28, Seabrook 30, Keith 31, Oduya 33 and Rozsival 36. The Blackhawks attempted to win the Stanley Cup with an even older defenseman group this season. By the completion of this season, Gustav Forsling will be 21, van Riemsdyk 25, Michal Kempny 26, Hjalmarsson 30, Seabrook 32, Keith 33, Oduya 35, Campbell 38 and Rozsival 38. Forsling and Rozsival didn’t appear in a playoff game and Kempny played in one game. The Blackhawks looked and played like an older group in the first round. Gustav Forsling played in 38 games for the Blackhawks this season. (Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports) So how do they get younger? That’s complicated. The Blackhawks don’t have a lot of freedom to make moves. Keith and Seabrook aren’t likely going anywhere because of full no-movement clauses. Hjalmarsson has a partial no-trade clause, so he’s one of the few players Bowman could consider dealing. The only problem with that is Hjalmarsson has still been one of the Blackhawks’ most consistent defensemen. The Blackhawks can open up Campbell and Oduya’s spots. Both are unrestricted free agents. Oduya’s return to the Blackhawks wasn’t what he or the organization had hoped it would be. He’s not expected to re-sign. Campbell played well at times this season and still has something left in the tank. The Blackhawks may just decide to go a different direction considering they’re locked into a lot of other contracts. Kempny and Forsling could fill Campbell and Oduya’s roles. Kempny showed potential in his first NHL season, but fell out of favor with Kitchen and Quenneville. Kempny is a restricted free agent. He and his agent have said they’ve already started discussing a new deal, but they’ll want some reassurances he’ll be an every-game player next season. Forsling is signed for next season. He’ll be expected to take a step forward, but the Blackhawks also have to decide whether he’s capable of being an every-game player next season or might need some time in the AHL. He would help the Blackhawks get younger. Van Riemsdyk’s future with the Blackhawks is unknown. He has a year left on his contract, but he’s the player most likely to be taken in the expansion draft. Rozsival, who will be 39 in September, is already re-signed for next season. He played in just 22 games. The Blackhawks could look to Rockford for young defensemen. Luc Snuggerud, a 21-year-old left-handed shot, and Carl Dahlstrom, a 22-year-old left-handed shot, are two of the Blackhawks’ most promising defensemen in the AHL. Both were drafted by the Blackhawks, and the Blackhawks haven’t turned to a defenseman draft pick to play in the NHL in some time. Hjalmarsson is the last Blackhawks defenseman draft pick to see a full season in the NHL with the organization. He was drafted in 2005. The Blackhawks have signed or traded for defensemen to play in the NHL in recent years. Ville Pokka, 23, is also still an option for the Blackhawks. He’s been passed over in recent years despite playing a key role in the AHL. He could fill a right-handed defenseman spot if given an opportunity. The Blackhawks are still in the mix for some younger free agent defensemen. They’re pursuing Calle Rosen, a 23-year-old left-handed shot who played in the SHL this past season, and Neal Pionk, a 21-year-old right-handed shot who played at Minnesota Duluth. According to a league source, Pionk has the potential to play in the NHL next season. *** Bridge the gap better The Blackhawks were in a strange position this season where they were really experienced and really inexperienced at the same time. For every Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith on the roster, they also had a Ryan Hartman and Kempny. The mixture didn’t prove to be effective in the end. What the Blackhawks could have used this season is more of those players somewhere in the middle of the experience spectrum. The problem is the Blackhawks moved a lot of those players in recent years. The Blackhawks have made some significant roster decisions the last few seasons which were focused on the present rather than the future. The Blackhawks are now paying that price. The Blackhawks have missed Brandon Saad the last two seasons. (Aaron Doster/USA Today Sports) No move has impacted the Blackhawks more than trading Brandon Saad two seasons ago. He’s arguably the best player the Blackhawks have drafted since Patrick Kane in 2007. The Blackhawks flinched when it came to his contract negotiations and dealt him to the Columbus Blue Jackets for basically Artem Anisimov, who has fit in well but doesn’t have Saad’s upside. Saad is still only 24 years old and likely would have kept Jonathan Toews’ production consistent these past two seasons. The Blackhawks have yet to find a top line left winger in Saad’s absence. Could you imagine the Blackhawks with Saad and Artemi Panarin? It wasn’t one or the other. Panarin actually signed with the Blackhawks in April 2015 while it appeared Saad would be returning. Even with trading Saad, the Blackhawks had some up-and-coming players who could have filled some of the void this season. Teuvo Teravainen and Philip Danault, both solid two-way players, could have been exactly what the Blackhawks needed this season. The 22-year-old Teravainen, a Blackhawks 2012 first-round pick, had a cap hit of just $894,167 this season, but was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes because the Blackhawks needed to get rid of Bryan Bickell’s contract last offseason. Teravainen had 15 goals, 27 assists and a 55.15 Corsi percentage this season. The 24-year-old Danault, a Blackhawks 2011 first-round pick, was dealt to the Montreal Canadiens at the trade deadline last season for Dale Weise and Tomas Fleischmann. Danault re-signed with the Canadiens prior to this season and had a $912,500 cap hit this year. He had 13 goals, 27 assists and a 55.75 Corsi percentage this season. Andrew Shaw is another player who would have helped bridge the gap. He’s still just 25 years old. He was dealt due to a cap crunch as well. Nick Leddy would also fit that category. Stephen Johns, a Blackhawks 2010 second-round pick, had some ups and down with the Dallas Stars this season, but that whole team had issues. Johns may have fit in well with the Blackhawks this season. The Blackhawks will likely have similar decisions ahead as Hartman, Nick Schmaltz and others get closer to their second contracts. It’ll be in the Blackhawks’ best interest to figure out ways to keep them and not repeat what happened. *** Find puck-possession players Bowman was asked how the Blackhawks get back to being a puck-possession team after the season. He deflected the question. “It’s probably a question for Joel more than me,” Bowman said. “That’s a coaching, tactical thing. But there’s no doubt we need to be better. Where we are today is not good enough. And we have to improve.” Whether the Blackhawks are a puck-possession team is arguably more based on roster than tactics. Their roster has changed significantly the last two seasons, and their Corsi percentage dropped significantly with those changes. From 2008-2015, the Blackhawks averaged a 54.4 Corsi percentage. They were at 50.4 this season and 50.1 two seasons ago. They’ve gone from an elite team in that category to average. In the 2014-15 season, the Blackhawks had three players who played 30-plus regular-season games who possessed a Corsi percentage worse than 50 percent. There were 13 players who fit that category this season and only two of those players – Hjalmarsson and Marian Hossa — were part of the 2015 team. Artem Anisimov’s possession numbers haven’t been great with the Blackhawks. (Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports) Most of the players who struggled with possession this season were younger players. They included Tyler Motte (43.15 Corsi percentage), Vinnie Hinostroza (47.10), Tanner Kero (47.11), Dennis Rasmussen (48.61), Forsling (47.78) and Schmaltz (49.70). Some of that can be expected. There were plenty of veterans too. Hossa (49.07) and Hjalmarsson (49.71) were off from where they were in the past. Richard Panik produced goals, but he had a 49.40 Corsi percentage. Fourth line forwards Jordin Tootoo (48.84) and Andrew Desjardins (49.74) didn’t contribute to possession. Campbell (49.05) didn’t provide the impact he was expected to have this season. Artem Anisimov’s possession numbers — 50.0 percentage last season and 49.48 this season – haven’t been impressive alongside Panarin and Patrick Kane. Having the younger players improve would benefit the Blackhawks, but they also need to find the complimentary pieces. Tootoo wasn’t known as a possession player when he was signed. Anisimov might not be the best fit on the second line. The top line’s possession numbers are an issue too. The Blackhawks have access to their sort of analytics and even more, but don’t always seem to follow their advice. *** Go into the season with a definitive top line The Blackhawks have entered the last two seasons not knowing exactly who would play alongside Toews on the top line. Toews played 150 minutes or more with seven different forwards this season. There were five last season. He played with just three that much in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons and just two players in the 2012-13 season. That recent inconsistency has affected Toews. He’s gone from having a 55.9 Corsi percentage in the 2014-15 season to a 51.1 in 2015-16 and 51.7 this season. He also had his two worst 5-on-5 goal-scoring seasons the past two seasons. One option for next season is sticking with the line of Schmaltz, Toews and Panik. It had some success, especially in February, this season. Toews scored 10 of his 11 goals in 5-on-5 play with Panik on the ice. They did just have a 50.7 Corsi percentage together. Toews had a 52.3 Corsi percentage while playing with Schmaltz. Schmaltz may be better suited again as a center in the future. Toews has put the blame on himself for his numbers this season, but he’s a player who can use support. When he played with Saad and Hossa, Toews made them better and they made him better. It would be in the Blackhawks’ interest to find him consistent linemates again. *** Actually roll four lines again The last two seasons, the Blackhawks have lacked the forward depth they’ve had in the past. Where you can see that most is in Quenneville’s utilization of the fourth line. The last two seasons Quenneville has used his 12th forward less than any of his previous seven seasons. Of the forwards who played at least half the season with the Blackhawks under Quenneville, Tootoo averaged the least amount of ice time at 6:44 this season and Brandon Mashinter’s 7:29 last season was the second least. Rasmussen’s 9:09 ice time last season ranks fifth, and Desjardins’ 9:24 ice time this season ranks seventh. Jordin Tootoo averaged 6:14 of ice time this season. (Mike DiNovo/USA TODAY Sports) Quenneville has had only 10 players in his nine seasons with the Blackhawks average fewer than 10 minutes, and four of them have come in the last two seasons. Quenneville felt he was getting so little from his 12th forward in the playoffs he decided to play seven defensemen instead in Game 4 against the Nashville Predators. As much as Quenneville may like to play Kane 25 minutes in games like that, the Blackhawks are still better off having four lines that consistently play. The Blackhawks have won in the past because they’ve had a fourth line that can play significant minutes and play top competition. There was the Desjardins-Kruger-Shaw line in 2015, the Dave Bolland-Kruger-Michael Frolik line in 2013 and the Ben Eager-John Madden-Troy Brouwer line in 2010. The Blackhawks may have a difficult time duplicating those level of lines with their cap crunch, but they need to figure out a fourth line they can trust throughout a season. That wasn’t there this season. *** Plan better financially The Blackhawks are looking at a cap overage of about $3.6 million after this season. They had an overage of $3.09 million last season. On the one hand, it’s the price of doing business. Yes, the Blackhawks have to include bonuses in contracts to persuade players like Panarin and Campbell to sign. On the other hand, there are ways of preparing for those bonuses to have less financial impact. The Blackhawks could have banked money throughout this season in preparation for those overages if they hadn’t kept a full roster of 23 players most of the season. After the trade deadline, they even drained their cap space further. By sending a player or two down to the AHL throughout the season, the Blackhawks could have saved about $1 million or so. That may not seem a lot, but that would surely come in handy for a team like the Blackhawks who are often right up against the cap.