Let's call the Blackhawks situation "purgatory"

Let's call the Blackhawks situation "purgatory"
by voidoid (2022-06-08 21:35:14)

In reply to: Excellent comments and questions; and a little more clarity posted by CJC

since, after all, you got three Stanley Cups out of the Toews/Kane/Keith core.

After reflecting on this some more, the Oilers should just go all-in, right now, during the McDavid-Draisaitl window. They made the conference final, which isn't nothing. They *need* to somehow upgrade their goaltending, and with a slim UFA pool this is probably via trade. Package whatever draft picks and prospects you can to upgrade where you can for the next three seasons.

They've got 8 forward signed, with three RFAs, so they need a few more. Their cap situation is not particularly good, especially with Lucic, Neal and Sekera on the books for $4m+. Maybe get the Habs to eat some salary and take on Drouin (or some other misfit) and hope for a turnaround. Find a couple defensively competent grinders to help the PK.

I don't think they're hopeless. And they're not going to stumble into another McDavid/Draisaitl pair if they dismantle. Just mortgage the future and try to make it happen.

That puts the Wings somewhere in one of the circles of hell. *

It’s called “Detroit” *

I'll admit that that made me laugh. Hoping Yzerman can turn

them around. Admittedly have not followed as closely as I used to.

The Wings are doing fine

I like the new coach, the prospect pool is finally stacked, and the last of Holland’s stinkers are rolling off the books. This year we will be a fringe playoff contender and we’ll be in in 2023-24 and for a long time thereafter.