Hawks Off Season Preview - Tazer19's Dynasty

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Hawks Off Season Preview

Posted on February 7, 2012 at 02:04 PM.

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George Cotugno
Blackhawks TV

The off season, a time usually reserved for parades and celebrations around this city, but not this year. For the second straight year the Hawks head into the remaining summer without Lord Stanley, and it hurts. �Of course it hurts, you want to win every game, win every series, every Cup, but it doesn�t always work out that way. We�ve been fortunate the past few years to win the Stanley Cup, but that doesn�t make it feel any better about not winning it,� GM Stan Bowman said. Bowman continued, �While we are all disappointed in the outcome, we are thrilled with what we learned from this season, and with what we have learned about our team. I feel like we are now in a position, personnel wise, and financially to head into next season as a serious contender.� The fact that Bowman hit on the financial aspect of the off season is important to pay attention to. Not only is the heart and soul of this team, Captain Jonathan Toews up, but nine other guys that played regular minutes last year are up as well. �We will do everything in our power to bring back every guy that we think should be here, Johnny (Toews), isn�t going anywhere, we will make sure he finishes his career as a Hawk, that�s what we both want,� Bowman said. When asked about the obstacles that might be in the way he was direct, �As I said we learned a lot about our team and the individuals on it last year, if players need to be shipped out of town, or sent back to Rockford to do so, then we will do it, we aren�t scared.�

Expectations Heading in the Draft

For the past few years it has been widely known that the Hawks want to secure a top goaltending prospect. Well, this year might finally give them their chance, as number one, two, and three in the final ISS rankings are goalies. Obviously the Hawks are not picking in the top 3 or top 5 for that matter so a move will have to be made in order to achieve that goal, and Bowman is ready. �It�s no secret that we want to move high up the board in the first round, I think there are some options, but that doesn�t mean a top pick will just be handed to us, something worth wile will be headed the other way.� In talking with various scouts we have learned that at least one team is not valuing their top 5 pick, and would prefer to get an established player in return, here are the options.

# 1 Pick � Philadelphia Flyers

# 2 Pick � San Jose Sharks

# 3 Pick � Vancouver Canucks

# 4 Pick � Calgary Flames

# 5 Pick � Florida Panthers

Well, if I would have named the three most likely teams to not trade with the Hawks, I would have said those top three. Not to mention the fact that all three teams are in need of a young goaltender for their system and future. I don�t think Bowman will just accept that, and I think he will pursue one of those picks, the more likely scenario however is dealing with Calgary or Florida, as both teams have been good trading partners in the past. Is it worth it for the Hawks to deal an established player for a pick outside the top three when it is very possible that the top three teams take all three goalies at the top? That remains to be seen, but Bowman has made it clear that goaltending is not the only thing to be gained in the draft. �The top three goalies are good, but the players in the top five are intriguing, we might take our chances on something other than a goalie, you just don�t know until it starts to play out.�

Off Season Goals