Is Chicago finally starting to crumble?

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Every year it seems like the Hawks are in a tight cap situation, and almost every year i seems like they are forced to deal depth guys, until now they have been able to replace anybody they lose with younger,better players.

weather it be Saad replacing Ladd, Panarin, replacing Saad, Hartman replacing Bickell and it has just gone on like that for years now.

However now that they have lost Hossa for the year and possibly forever I have to wonder how they are going to replace, him or even if they can.

do they have the assets to make a deal and bring in a skilled winger like Evander Kane? Maybe go for a vet like Justin Williams?

or have they finally lost a piece they can't replace?

is this the beginning of the end for Chicago?

Click to read more...

 

[Kamiccolo]

I mean, a decade of dominance, 3 cups, and then having to pay all their stars bloated salaries for their success will catch up to every team. Hell of a run, but they are past their prime for sure. However, they are still a consistent playoff team, and we all know it just takes a team going hot at the right time and they could easily win another with their experience and poise.

 

[Gordoff]

Cumble?

 

[Playmaker09]

The only reason they were able to be successful building around wingers was the insane depth they could afford thanks to the sweetheart deals of Kane, Keith and Toews. Now that two of those three are being paid appropriately and Seabrook's play has fallen off, they'll inevitably continue struggling with how they've allocated their cap space.

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Cumble?

it's 5 am and I haven't slept

 

[Shrimper]

As long as they have a core of Kane, Panarin, Toews and Crawford they will be fine to be a threat. Their depth is affected though

 

[DFAC]

all good things come to an end

but they've won 3 cups in a decade so whatever, im sure hawks fans aren't complaining

 

[sr edler]

do they have the assets to make a deal and bring in a skilled winger like Evander Kane?

That would be the final nail in the coffin.

 

[McNurse]

Everyone cumbles once in awhile, it's only natural

 

[Barry Amsterdam]

And that's the way the cookie crumbles

 

[solidmotion]

that's the way the cokie cumbles.

 

[tarheelhockey]

Losing TVR was the one that finally broke them.

 

[thedustman]

Thay say the cago cubbled

 

[SlapshotTheMovie]

I imagine the make the playoffs in 2018 but not in 2019. After that they will clean house (not Kane or Toews but most the rest of the core) and start getting competitive again. They just have a lot of people currently not earning their contracts and only 1 playing above it.

 

[chethejet]

Detroit for years drafted, developed and had a great in house talent flow that kept the team from heading south. Chicago simply put hasn't had a productive talent replacement flow the last number of years. Thus they have to continue to go outside and over pay or take risks on unknown players as to fit and play. Doesn't mean adding a Hossa or others is not the right thing, but cheap young elc talents that fit and can add to the mix offsets the high cost of having talent. Plus those AAV deals were made to acquire talent not develop talent.

 

[Bjornar Moxnes]

Everyone cumbles once in awhile, it's only natural

Depends on type of crumbling. With today's society with far more benevolence and technological advancements (Benevolence makes progress), if you were to compare it to a NHL sense, it's more of places having to retool a bit, rather than completely self destruct and rebuild.

 

[britdevil]

Cumblebatch is the best Sherlock, no doubt.

 

[Burke the Legend]

that's the way the cokie cumbles.

cmon man Nathan Beaulieu's already had a tough week he doesn't need you piling on.

 

[Oddbob]

it's 5 am and I haven't slept

Yeah, but strting?

 

[Crede777]

Didn't Chicago finish 1st in the Western Conference this past season?

Maybe if they start out poorly or drop 20 points in the standings then we can start asking this question.

 

[hagelin1381]

Not exactly a deep team, but their core is good enough to get them into the playoffs.. It'll be interesting to see when Keith starts declining hard though

 

[MetalheadPenguinsFan]

Crumbles*

 

[COHawk]

Can't wait til McDavid gets $14M, and Chicago is no longer everyone's favorite team to talk about regarding cap problems.

 

[tony d]

They still have a good team there. Kane, Toews, Keith, panarin are all good players still. That said I think they'll miss Hossa this year and take a step back this season.

 

[CanadianPensFan1]

I think crumble is a bit harsh.

They took a hit with the kane and toews contracts. Panarin turning into a monster didn't help cap wise either. Losing Hossa on the ice hurts but losing his cap hit is nice. Keith and Seabrook aren't getting any younger.

This catches up with every team. They had a ridiculously stupid run on top. But it has to end sometime.

It will happen to the pens as well. As did and Geno age, they will slow down. You can't beat the clock.