23 year old Brandon Hagel. 24 year old Alex DeBrincat. 21 year old Kirby Dach. When you think about a rebuild, what ages we talking here? I mean, we’re dumping older guys right? Why on earth would you possibly do another rebuild by getting rid of your youngest, brightest current stars? I’m trying to wrap my head around this…
It started with Hagel earlier in the year; I liked him. Did the Hawks get a good return for him? Maybe. But to see the Blackhawks move both DeBrincat and Dach on NHL draft night… just kind of shocked right now, although seeing everything I’ve seen in Chicago sports over the years, why should anything surprise me at this point?
Brinksy cat was a 40 goal scorer; I honestly thought he’d be one of the faces of the franchise, as the “old guard” Toews and Kane slowly ride off into the sunset. I know, I know… Kane is still playing at a high level, but kind of thinking Toews’ retirement tour should be coming any year now; blasphemy to talk about the captain like that… blasphemy I say. But back to Alex; wow… The Hawks got 3 picks for him, but only 1 first rounder. I think the consensus out there is that we got the short end of that deal… again. Why does it feel like Chicago teams are always getting a dime back on their dollar in these trades? If the haul was leaning our way, I’d feel a little bit better about saying goodbye to our favorite players. I know every trade can’t be Feldman for Arrieta and Strop, but give me something for God’s sake. At 24 years old, already with that kind of offensive prowess, Brinksy’s entire future is still ahead of him… and the Hawks made a choice tonight to NOT be a part of that. Why do I have the feeling that we will be watching Alex in a bunch of All-Star games from here on out?
Then there was Kirby; bringing me back to the whole Rizzo, Baez, Bryant thing. If there was another guy that would surely be the face of the Blackhawks going forward, it would be Kirby Dach. I really, really liked him. If there was one guy whose ceiling I thought was higher than anyone’s, it was Dach. I know, he was disappointing last year; he had been hurt before that. But for God’s sake, he’s 21 fricking years old! With that frame of his, and his puck handling ability, you’re going to tell me this kid isn’t going to be something in a few years, or sooner for that matter?
I guess the new Blackhawks GM is an action junkie; I can get behind that, but… were these really the right moves to make? I don’t know any of these guys we drafted; I guess we did get younger, but seriously… 3 guys on the right side of 25 who were solid players, and none of them will be on the ice next year in a Hawks’ sweater? Like I said, still trying to wrap my head around this. Do we have to give Davidson the benefit of the doubt? I guess, but damn… talk about ballsy. I’m thinking of another word though… stupidity. I hope I’m wrong.
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