2014-2015 STANLEY CUP CHAMPION CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

[Brian707]

Depth isn't a problem for the Hawks. They are the envy of the league in terms of having young guys who can easily fill 3rd and 4th line and at least 3rd pairing rolls (Johns, for example, projects higher). They are a bit thin at wing, but centers can (and have - Mark McNeil) be converted. The list is very long, but you can start with this as a primer:

 

 

TEAM BREAKDOWN:

Strengths: Teuvo Teravainen has developed well since he was drafted 18th overall in 2012, becoming the best offensive prospect for Chicago since Patrick Kane. The depth at center behind him includes talented prospects at the pro level and longer-term projects making their mark in the NCAA. The team's defensive stable is similarly built with prospects Adam Clendening, Stephen Johns, and Klas Dahlbeck set to anchor the AHL team at the pro level next season, giving the defenders in college and Sweden all the time they need to develop.

 

Weaknesses: Teravainen excluded, the ultimate upside of top forward prospects like Mark McNeill, Phillip Danault, and Ryan Hartman remains unclear. The signing of Antti Raanta as a free agent proved to be a wise move, but the pecking order behind him amongst the goaltending prospects is murky.

 

Top 5 Prospects: 1. Teuvo Teravainen, C; 2. Adam Clendening, D; 3. Phillip Danault, C; 4. Mark McNeill, C; 5. Stephen Johns, D.

 

Key Additions: David Rundblad, D (trade-PHX), Philippe Lefebvre (trade-FLA), Matt Carey (free agent), Trevor van Riemsdyk (free agent).

 

Key Losses: Brandon Saad (graduation), Brandon Pirri (trade-FLA), Jimmy Hayes (trade-FLA), Dylan Olsen (trade-FLA) Kyle Beach (trade-NYR).

 

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/team-rankings

 

The bigger question facing the Hawks is whether there are any true first / second line and first pairing players there. When Hossa goes he will probably be backfilled by a FA, as he essentially replaced Havlat. The bigger question is Sharp and whether Saad steps into that role or Teuvo is so good at C that Saad doesn't have to score that much.

 

The Hawks should be fine for a very long time. Stan drafts well (though he's not setting the world on fire at goalie or wing) and he's generally done a nice job in making trades that yield good results (including Versteeg, by the way). The brewing problem is Q's reliance on veterans and seeming unwillingness to let young guys get the minutes they need to develop (TVR, Morin, Leddy (when he was here), Rundbland, etc.). We'll see.

 

 

Other than TT, they don't have much top end talent. 2016 and 2017 might look a bit like 2011 and 2012, due to the cap problem next year, that's assuming it goes up 5 million. It might go up more but this year its increase was less than expected. Hawks will lose Oduyla, Sharp, and maybe even Seabrook. Will the drop off be that great?

[Brian707]

Their depth will be gone. LOL :roll:

 

If only they had one of the deepest and highest-rated farm systems in the game. Then maybe they'd be in position to replenish that depth...

 

 

Is this where you show me that the Rockford Ice Hogs are in first place? Besides what was the main reason they lost the series vs LA last spring? LA was much deeper.

 

Their farm system is very good, but it will not be enough to overcome the losses next summer. They should win 2 or 3 more Cups by the time Kane and Toews retire, but don't count on 2016 or 2017

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Is this where you show me that the Rockford Ice Hogs are in first place?

 

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/team-rankings/

 

 

Besides what was the main reason they lost the series vs LA last spring? LA was much deeper.

 

That's one helluva hot take.

 

The reason they lost the series vs. LA is because a puck bounced one way and not the other in Game 7 in OT between the two best teams in the league. Anyone trying to draw deeper lessons than that should go get a job on sports radio or Bleacher Report or something.

[Guest]

nah, this is/was our last season with the super duper stacked team. there was no reason to reSW a core star yet while they were still able to get under the cap.

It's a stretch to call him a star. And he was the only guy to trade and potentially get back a haul.

Not a star? that's ludicrous.

But is he elite?

 

he's noy elite but he's definitely a valuable piece for us and anyone else.

[Guest]

Is this where you show me that the Rockford Ice Hogs are in first place?

 

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/team-rankings/

 

 

Besides what was the main reason they lost the series vs LA last spring? LA was much deeper.

 

That's one helluva hot take.

 

The reason they lost the series vs. LA is because a puck bounced one way and not the other in Game 7 in OT between the two best teams in the league. Anyone trying to draw deeper lessons than that should go get a job on sports radio or Bleacher Report or something.

 

yeah, pretty much exactly. the hawks and kings were very evenly matched and it became a coin flip.

[Brian707]

 

 

The reason they lost the series vs. LA is because a puck bounced one way and not the other in Game 7 in OT between the two best teams in the league. Anyone trying to draw deeper lessons than that should go get a job on sports radio or Bleacher Report or something.

 

 

Did you watch the series? I think not. Yes they lost on a bad bounce, but they essentially played that series with 3 lines and 5 defensemen. Did you see LA? They had Mike Richards on the 4th line.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Brian707

[Hairyducked Idiot]

 

 

The reason they lost the series vs. LA is because a puck bounced one way and not the other in Game 7 in OT between the two best teams in the league. Anyone trying to draw deeper lessons than that should go get a job on sports radio or Bleacher Report or something.

 

 

Did you watch the series? I think not. Yes they lost on a bad bounce, but they essentially played that series with 3 lines and 5 defensemen. Did you see LA? They had Mike Richards on the 4th line. Stick to baseball

 

Wow. They must have lost like 4-1 then with that kind of a disadvantage. I can't remember because I didn't watch the series, of course.

[Brian707]

 

 

The reason they lost the series vs. LA is because a puck bounced one way and not the other in Game 7 in OT between the two best teams in the league. Anyone trying to draw deeper lessons than that should go get a job on sports radio or Bleacher Report or something.

 

 

Did you watch the series? I think not. Yes they lost on a bad bounce, but they essentially played that series with 3 lines and 5 defensemen. Did you see LA? They had Mike Richards on the 4th line. Stick to baseball

 

Wow. They must have lost like 4-1 then with that kind of a disadvantage. I can't remember because I didn't watch the series, of course.

 

 

Well I was interviewing for sports talk radio of course. They almost did lose 4-1, game 5 went to double OT.

Edited November 6, 2014 by Brian707

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If we could take a super-deep team like LA to OT in game 7 with our lack of depth, maybe depth doesn't matter as much as meatballs think it does.

[Brian707]

If we could take a super-deep team like LA to OT in game 7 with our lack of depth, maybe depth doesn't matter as much as meatballs think it does.

 

 

Lack of depth LAST year. Meatball? I'm the furthest from it.

 

Did you see the Minnesota series? The Hawks talent overcame it, but it only took them so far. You are blinded by the fact that the Hawks fought their way back to game 7 OT in the WCF, and lost on a fluke goal. It doesn't change the fact that their depth is what put them in that hole to begin with.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

If we could take a super-deep team like LA to OT in game 7 with our lack of depth, maybe depth doesn't matter as much as meatballs think it does.

 

 

Lack of depth LAST year. Meatball? I'm the furthest from it.

 

Did you see the Minnesota series? The Hawks talent overcame it, but it only took them so far. You are blinded by the fact that the Hawks fought their way back to game 7 OT in the WCF

 

And you're blinded by the fact that a puck deflected in during OT of game 7. Winners win, losers lose, etc.

 

If you're writing off 2016 and 2017 because of some doofy cap spreadsheet, then yes, you're meatballing pretty hard.

[Brian707]

If we could take a super-deep team like LA to OT in game 7 with our lack of depth, maybe depth doesn't matter as much as meatballs think it does.

 

 

Lack of depth LAST year. Meatball? I'm the furthest from it.

 

Did you see the Minnesota series? The Hawks talent overcame it, but it only took them so far. You are blinded by the fact that the Hawks fought their way back to game 7 OT in the WCF

 

And you're blinded by the fact that a puck deflected in during OT of game 7. Winners win, losers lose, etc.

 

If you're writing off 2016 and 2017 because of some doofy cap spreadsheet, then yes, you're meatballing pretty hard.

 

 

Yes the puck deflected in game 7, but obviously you don't realize the Hawks were very fortunate to get that far.

 

I think you better just stick to baseball and look up definition of meatball. As for 2016 and 2017 they wont be as strong as the are right now that is obvious. Unless you think a 38 year old Hossa is somehow better than a 35 year old Hossa.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

I think you better just stick to baseball and look up definition of meatball. As for 2016 and 2017 they wont be as strong as the are right now that is obvious. Unless you think a 38 year old Hossa is somehow better than a 35 year old Hossa.

 

You can state that as confident as you want, but you don't know it.

 

This team is made up of quite a few young players who still have plenty of upside left. How they develop will determine a lot of what happens in those years.

[RynoRules]

Depth isn't a problem for the Hawks. They are the envy of the league in terms of having young guys who can easily fill 3rd and 4th line and at least 3rd pairing rolls (Johns, for example, projects higher). They are a bit thin at wing, but centers can (and have - Mark McNeil) be converted. The list is very long, but you can start with this as a primer:

 

 

TEAM BREAKDOWN:

Strengths: Teuvo Teravainen has developed well since he was drafted 18th overall in 2012, becoming the best offensive prospect for Chicago since Patrick Kane. The depth at center behind him includes talented prospects at the pro level and longer-term projects making their mark in the NCAA. The team's defensive stable is similarly built with prospects Adam Clendening, Stephen Johns, and Klas Dahlbeck set to anchor the AHL team at the pro level next season, giving the defenders in college and Sweden all the time they need to develop.

 

Weaknesses: Teravainen excluded, the ultimate upside of top forward prospects like Mark McNeill, Phillip Danault, and Ryan Hartman remains unclear. The signing of Antti Raanta as a free agent proved to be a wise move, but the pecking order behind him amongst the goaltending prospects is murky.

 

Top 5 Prospects: 1. Teuvo Teravainen, C; 2. Adam Clendening, D; 3. Phillip Danault, C; 4. Mark McNeill, C; 5. Stephen Johns, D.

 

Key Additions: David Rundblad, D (trade-PHX), Philippe Lefebvre (trade-FLA), Matt Carey (free agent), Trevor van Riemsdyk (free agent).

 

Key Losses: Brandon Saad (graduation), Brandon Pirri (trade-FLA), Jimmy Hayes (trade-FLA), Dylan Olsen (trade-FLA) Kyle Beach (trade-NYR).

 

http://www.hockeysfuture.com/team-rankings

 

The bigger question facing the Hawks is whether there are any true first / second line and first pairing players there. When Hossa goes he will probably be backfilled by a FA, as he essentially replaced Havlat. The bigger question is Sharp and whether Saad steps into that role or Teuvo is so good at C that Saad doesn't have to score that much.

 

The Hawks should be fine for a very long time. Stan drafts well (though he's not setting the world on fire at goalie or wing) and he's generally done a nice job in making trades that yield good results (including Versteeg, by the way). The brewing problem is Q's reliance on veterans and seeming unwillingness to let young guys get the minutes they need to develop (TVR, Morin, Leddy (when he was here), Rundbland, etc.). We'll see.

 

 

Other than TT, they don't have much top end talent. 2016 and 2017 might look a bit like 2011 and 2012, due to the cap problem next year, that's assuming it goes up 5 million. It might go up more but this year its increase was less than expected. Hawks will lose Oduyla, Sharp, and maybe even Seabrook. Will the drop off be that great?

 

In addition to TT, they have top end talent at the blue line. Johns, Clendening, and the kid they drafted this year all have ceilings on the 1st or 2nd pairing. McNeil could be a Bickell-like player. The rest are probably 3rd and 4th liners and 2nd-3rd pairing guys.

 

So do they have a bunch of sure-fire Kane and Toews types running around at Rockford or in the Juniors? No, but how many teams do? You don't win as much as this team does and wind up drafting those types. You love LA a lot, but you forget that much of their current lineup was not homegrown, especially down the middle (Richards, Carter, Stoll; Williams and Gaborik on the outside, as examples). Once LA turned the corner and started winning they weren't in a position to draft high enough to get the Doughty's of the world so they made trades and built depth through the draft (Toffoli, King, Pearson, etc.).

 

When you win a lot you build quality depth through the draft (the Hawks have done this without question) and now and then make trades that bring solid or better pro contributors (Versteeg and Oduya) and hit home runs or one or two prospects every year or two (Saad, TT, etc.). The idea is that your core is already there and working. In the Hawks case the core probably consists of Toews, Kane, Keith, Hossa, and arguably Seabrook and Sharp, only one of whom is anywhere near the end of his run.

[Guest]

even if the kings were deeper, that doesn't mean they were better. the hawks are way more loaded on their top 6.

 

i have no evidence whatsoever to support this, but i still think they were mentally/psychically gassed last season and that's the only reason LA won.

[biittner77]

It also depends on what constitutes a "serious cup run". Does that mean actually winning or does it mean making it to the WCF or better? It may very well take 2 years to overcome the impending loss of Sharp and Oduya. On the other hand, TVR is way ahead of where we thought the "young defenseman they we knew would make the team" could expect to be. Rundblad seems to be improving too. The Hawks will miss Sharp offensively but the Hawks don't lack for other players that can score. Defensively, Sharp isn't the two way player he used to be. It won't by any means be easy, but they can replace him. If they do trade Sharp, they ought to get someone very useful in return. They already have a lot of options on the blue line.

 

If they don't make a "serious cup run" it will be because other teams have gotten better in a capped league.

[RynoRules]

I really think this comes down to whether Q will let young guys get minutes. Don't be surprised if he unexpectedly departs after next season.

[Guest]

It's weird to say the Hawks were "fortunate" to get to Game 7 and pretend like the Kings weren't either, seeing as it was their third consecutive Game 7.

 

There's always a hell of a lot of luck and fortune in the playoffs in any sport.

[Brian707]

It's weird to say the Hawks were "fortunate" to get to Game 7 and pretend like the Kings weren't either, seeing as it was their third consecutive Game 7.

.

 

 

Right, but its also lazy to see why the Hawks lost that series. Its much more than just blaming it on an unlucky bounce(to me that is a real meatball stance)

 

Anyway

 

Joel Quenneville confirms after practice that Patrick Sharp will miss 3-4 weeks

[jersey cubs fan]

It's weird to say the Hawks were "fortunate" to get to Game 7 and pretend like the Kings weren't either, seeing as it was their third consecutive Game 7.

.

 

 

Right, but its also lazy to see why the Hawks lost that series. Its much more than just blaming it on an unlucky bounce(to me that is a real meatball stance)

 

Meatball would be something like, "they didn't want it enough."

[Hairyducked Idiot]

It's weird to say the Hawks were "fortunate" to get to Game 7 and pretend like the Kings weren't either, seeing as it was their third consecutive Game 7.

.

 

 

Right, but its also lazy to see why the Hawks lost that series. Its much more than just blaming it on an unlucky bounce(to me that is a real meatball stance)

 

Anyway

 

Joel Quenneville confirms after practice that Patrick Sharp will miss 3-4 weeks

 

There's always got to be *reasons*. That's how you end up with people who hate Cutler and love Ryan Theriot.

[WrigleyField 22]

If you're writing off 2016 and 2017 because of some doofy cap spreadsheet, then yes, you're meatballing pretty hard.

Meatballs definitely don't know how to use spreadsheets or learn cap intricacies.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Brian707]

It's weird to say the Hawks were "fortunate" to get to Game 7 and pretend like the Kings weren't either, seeing as it was their third consecutive Game 7.

.

 

 

Right, but its also lazy to see why the Hawks lost that series. Its much more than just blaming it on an unlucky bounce(to me that is a real meatball stance)

 

Anyway

 

Joel Quenneville confirms after practice that Patrick Sharp will miss 3-4 weeks

 

There's always got to be *reasons*. That's how you end up with people who hate Cutler and love Ryan Theriot.

 

 

Right, or substitute Theriot for McGowan(as the meatball callers on B&B called him)

[Brian707]

I really think this comes down to whether Q will let young guys get minutes. Don't be surprised if he unexpectedly departs after next season.

 

 

This is definitely a possibility, Stan and Joel don't always seem to be on the same page.

[jersey cubs fan]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/stop-apologizing-for-that-terrible-marc-andre-fleury-contract--trending-topics-145347324.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

 

Puck Daddy criticizes Marc Andre Fleury contract, and then some others.

 

...there are worse goalie contracts out there.

 

This isn't really an argument. You shouldn't be in a race to see who has the worst contract. If you stand accused of two counts of grand theft auto, saying, “Yes, your honor, but other people have stolen way more cars than that,” is likewise not a very good defense.

 

Just because Jonathan Quick and Corey Crawford are hilariously overpaid doesn't mean you have to jump off that bridge too.