Blackhawk Convention: Who’s Stan Bowman’s Mystery Date?

  

 

Dating myself (no pun intended), I grew up longer ago than I am willing to admit anymore, and had two older sisters who played this board game called Mystery Date.

In it, a date would show up at the door (for the girl playing), one would be a Dreamboat carrying a gift, another might be an unkempt “Dud.” You get the idea, and I certainly lived up to the Dud standards over the years. But I digress, this is a hockey blog.

The Blackhawks may roll out their own Mystery Date at next weekend’s Fan Convention. Rumors are flying, reported here and elsewhere, of various trade discussions ranging from Max Pacioretty to Jeff Skinner or Justin Faulk.

And it’s a fairly widely held belief that Team President John McDonough’s marketing mind loves nothing more than a big splash, any time of the year, but especially right now, before the Hawks’ Annual Summer Love-In.

So who will it be? Or who will it not be? And imagine the pressure Stan Bowman must be under right now to get something done, especially coming on the heels of a debatably popular/unpopular trade with Arizona late last week. A trade that cleared a fair amount of cap space, only raising the chatter and expectations of a subsequent deal (or deals)?

Myself, I heard that the deal had intensified the Hawks’ pursuit of Montreal winger Pacioretty. I also heard that an earlier report by Jay Zawaski that had the Hawks in discussion with UFA defenseman Luca Sbisa was accurate. Though certainly there’s a big gulf in terms of splash value between a Pacioretty and a Sbisa.

So, JJ, you might ask, what’s the point to all this, beside trotting out an old board game meme?

Not much, except to say that for some reason, the Hawks have been linked to just about every reasonable quality left wing on the planet since May, most recently even Artemi Panarin. But I have some serious doubts about that.

I also heard the rumors linking Brandon Saad to Carolina for Faulk were just that. Rumors. And “no way” was it happening. Which suggests (at least) this intense interest in left wings would not be as a backfill for Saad.

So, bigger picture, this all seems to say the Hawks likely have Alex DeBrincat slated for the “other” right wing slot in the top 6, with Saad and possibly Skinner or Pacioretty on the other side. And that could be a fairly potent top two lines.

Doesn’t fix last year’s porous defense. Though a healthy Marcus Kruger could quietly help there.

Doesn’t magically bring Corey Crawford back to health.

Still the fan in me wants to believe, hope, light a candle in church, that Bowman has an ace or two yet up his sleeve. And the week ahead could be interesting indeed.

And so I’ll turn it over to all of you. Please comment on the thread below as to who you think, if anyone, Bowman will have as his Mystery Date at the Convention next weekend?

Just Cam Ward, Chris Kunitz and Kruger? Perhaps some duds TBD, including say the remains of Jaromir Jagr, Dan Hamhuis, Francois Beauchemin or Thomas Vanek (they’re available)?

Or someone else? And what will that someone else cost the Hawks?

What then what does the Hawk lineup look like?

I await your thoughts. Follow @jaeckel

 

 

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Center Ice Forums Blackhawk Convention: Who’s Stan Bowman’s Mystery Date?

Viewing 13 posts - 1 through 13 (of 13 total)
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  • #8033
    John Jaeckel
    Participant

      Dating myself (no pun intended), I grew up longer ago than I am willing to admit anymore, and had two older sisters who played this board game
    [To continue reading full article, click here: Blackhawk Convention: Who’s Stan Bowman’s Mystery Date?]

    #8035
    Ken Silverman
    Participant

    Great work this summer.  What ever became of the rumors with the Hawk and Tampa Bay

    #8036
    John Jaeckel
    Participant

    [quote quote=8035]Great work this summer. What ever became of the rumors with the Hawk and Tampa Bay

    [/quote]

     

    Remind me, Ken. What were the specifics? There’s been a lot of stuff this summer.

    #8037
    Montanabhawksfan
    Participant

    I like the thought of a trade for Faulk, that addresses a need for us.  I also like the thought of somehow picking up Skinner and Faulk but the asking price will be too high for my blood so probably nobody.

    #8041
    Tim M.
    Participant

    There had been a few rumors/thoughts/prayers? that if Tampa got Karlsson  the Hawks might be able to get Stralman in a trade

    #8042
    Chico Maki
    Participant

    I think the Hawks still need a center who can win face offs.  I’m not sold on Kruger.  If he can come in and be 75% of what he was–that’s great.  He’ll help on D-zone draws and on the PK.  But, I’m not counting on him.   I’d like to see Bowman find a solid center who can skate and win draws.

    I don’t see any real upgrade on the blue line. Manning, unless I’m wrong, is 3rd pair guy. Faulk would be great–but at what cost?  I’m not willing to move Saad for Faulk.

    If there’s NOT a “big” trade before the convention, it’s pretty clear the rebuild is on.

    #8044
    Alan Parsons
    Participant

    Kruger > Kampf

    Nobody ever had a problem with how MK played in Chicago except that he wasnt worth 3plus million per year to do his job.  He has one year left, and he can be traded before the deadline if need be.  They are not in cap hell at the moment, so I think its at least neutral to perhaps positive if he plays his defensive C role well and wins some draws.  Put Martinson and Kunitz on his wings and that is a pretty physical line that can take some good competition.  If they can get the 4th line out there against top competition, that brings the team back to how they played a lot in the cup years.  But they still need defenders that dont blow chunks thru the neutral zone and in the corners.

     

    #8046
    Under Qs moustache
    Participant

    [quote quote=8044]Kruger > Kampf Nobody ever had a problem with how MK played in Chicago except that he wasnt worth 3plus million per year to do his job. He has one year left, and he can be traded before the deadline if need be. They are not in cap hell at the moment, so I think its at least neutral to perhaps positive if he plays his defensive C role well and wins some draws. Put Martinson and Kunitz on his wings and that is a pretty physical line that can take some good competition. If they can get the 4th line out there against top competition, that brings the team back to how they played a lot in the cup years. But they still need defenders that dont blow chunks thru the neutral zone and in the corners.

    [/quote]I like the Martinsen /Kunitz 3rd or 4th line option with Krueger. Add Hayden for some speed over Kunitz and this is the shut down line. Not going to see alot of scoring, but if they can keep the top 2 lines of the opponent off the sheet anything they contribute offensively is a bonus. Kamph returns with a host of options for 4th line. Some speed, forcing offensive zone face offs, or drawing penalties with a hint of offense balances out the bottom 6. Add a top 4 or 4/5 guy and the Hawks buy some time til the kids can contribute consistently. Playoffs!? (Dick Vermiel voice) we’ll see.

    #8047
    DK002
    Participant

    Hey John,  glad to see you back…

    I would think they’ll try to get something done.  You know what a showman PT Barnum – McD is.

    still need a major upgrade on the defense and that left wing.  The question is what are you going to give up to get.  Manning seems like another cap waste by Stan based on all of the comments by Flyers posters on HB.

    Pass on Skinner – Patches deal is up at the end of next season the question is who’s going the other way?  Do you move AA and weaken an already average center group.  Sure Kruger helps…how much remains to be seen.

    Faulk is another interesting one as well and he’d certainly improve the PP (But so would hiring Adam Oates to coach it).  Meanwhile I keep hearing Faulk’s defense isn’t what the Hawks need.

    Should be an interesting week ahead.

    #8049
    CTBLACKHAWKFAN
    Participant

    Any one have a opinion what would it take to get Max P?  AA? I just hope we don’t trade a 1 or 2 next season . we are rebuilding I’m my opinion, I think another step back before we take 2 steps forward. ( I just hope 2 or 3 of these young D pan out)

    Thanks JJ

    #8055
    Alan Parsons
    Participant

    They want a fortune for Patches.  And Patches is going to want a fortune to re-sign anywhere.  He wants Tavares money.

    #8062
    SufferinHawksFan
    Participant

    [quote quote=8055]They want a fortune for Patches. And Patches is going to want a fortune to re-sign anywhere. He wants Tavares money.

    [/quote]

    He needs to put down the pipe if he wants Tavares money.  When Max’s season ended last year Tavares had 13 more goals and has consistently scored more throughout his career as well as earning kudos for his leadership on a BAD team.  I’d stay away from Max or Skinner, unless they come at a bargain price, which I don’t see happening.  Trading a Schmaltz for either one gives minimal improvement (if any) next year while sacrificing the future.

     

    Try to get Faulk and hope for the best from the forwards next season.

    #8149
    DK002
    Participant

    JJ hoping for new article…Meantime – I think we all saw CC yesterday and its clear the kid isn’t ready to go and who knows when/if he will be anytime soon.  He just did not look right – folks have debated at length what’s going on with him.

    Some interesting comments on Kaplan’s Sports talk live yesterday

    Mgt. has been touting all summer that Crawford was fine and ready to go and guess what he’s not.

    Pat Boyle mentioned that Crawford had been off on his own rehabbing away from the team and that he was in touch with league doctors – not the Hawks staff.  A tad bit odd don’t you think.

    Meantime Ward is your starter right now.  Can he shoulder the load…? He’s not going to play 60 games.  So Forsberg is your backup…buckle up especially if the only defenseman added is Manning another #5-6.  A couple of these kids will need to break through on the back end this season.

     

     

     

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