Which is based on the premise that Brookbank and Rozsival have something left in the tank and are not the latest broken down has beens signed by StanBo...
- Beaver-Warrior

There's some debate how much Brookbank ever had in the tank.


Rozsival looked pretty good for Phoenix last year including in the series against the Hawks.

But let's face it, Rozsival is a 5-6 and Brookbank is a 6-7. So you have slots for 5 other defensemen: Keith, Seabrook and Oduya are three. I can't see the Hawks dealing Oduya right now.

That leaves Leddy, Hjalmarsson and Montador at 4-5. Someone is the odd man out.

Or Hossa in the summer of '14, IF his age seems to have caught up to him.
- hawks2010

I read beginning next year any one-way AHL contract in excess of $900K would start counting against the cap, so that would mean Olesz. NYR, for example, will likely have to buy out Wade Redden.

What's next?

They have $6.6MM in cap for this season to work with. Do they do anything with it? I predict Stanbow will try to shed salary/longer term deals this season, so the answer will likely be no. And since many other teams will be faced with the same problem, failure to act quickly here will mean nothing changes. I predict no quick action from this front office.

Same problem for this season, mediocre goaltending, no 2C, and a lack of physical players.

Next season is an even bigger problem - seven open roster spots with only $8MM in cap to work with. This problem is made worse if they sign anyone to big deals this season.

I say give the rooks some time with the big team this season and see who is worth keeping. A 48 game conference only regular season tarnishes a cup's value in my mind anyway. The only real hope for building a contender is backfilling costly vets with young entry level players.

What's next?

They have $6.6MM in cap for this season to work with. Do they do anything with it? I predict Stanbow will try to shed salary/longer term deals this season, so the answer will likely be no. And since many other teams will be faced with the same problem, failure to act quickly here will mean nothing changes. I predict no quick action from this front office.

Same problem for this season, mediocre goaltending, no 2C, and a lack of physical players.

Next season is an even bigger problem - seven open roster spots with only $8MM in cap to work with. This problem is made worse if they sign anyone to big deals this season.

I say give the rooks some time with the big team this season and see who is worth keeping. A 48 game conference only regular season tarnishes a cup's value in my mind anyway. The only real hope for building a contender is backfilling costly vets with young entry level players.
- Return of the Roar

They'll have a buyout to use, but all this points toward Hjalmarsson and/or Frolik being moved.

Bob McKenzie reporting that McNeill and Danault might get invited to Hawk training camp. But that feels like conjecture.

What's next?

They have $6.6MM in cap for this season to work with. Do they do anything with it? I predict Stanbow will try to shed salary/longer term deals this season, so the answer will likely be no. And since many other teams will be faced with the same problem, failure to act quickly here will mean nothing changes. I predict no quick action from this front office.

Same problem for this season, mediocre goaltending, no 2C, and a lack of physical players.

Next season is an even bigger problem - seven open roster spots with only $8MM in cap to work with. This problem is made worse if they sign anyone to big deals this season.

I say give the rooks some time with the big team this season and see who is worth keeping. A 48 game conference only regular season tarnishes a cup's value in my mind anyway. The only real hope for building a contender is backfilling costly vets with young entry level players.
- Return of the Roar

I doubt Stan will do anything to add salary, at lease beyond this season. With a couple buyouts we'll be ok next season as well. I think Monty is gone for sure as well as either Olesz or Frolik. If Olesz's contract counts towards the cap then he's gone, if not then Frolik. Smith is on a one way deal next season and he'd be just as effective (if not moreso) than Olesz or Frolik and for a fraction of the cost.

Hey Stan. Make a deal for Ben. Freaking. Bishop. If that is ALL you do, I'd be a really happy camper.

Ottawa is the optimum trade partner for the Hawks going forward. They need D (Hammer), they will need depth at lower line forwards (Frolik and a crop of others).

I doubt Stan will do anything to add salary, at lease beyond this season. With a couple buyouts we'll be ok next season as well. I think Monty is gone for sure as well as either Olesz or Frolik. If Olesz's contract counts towards the cap then he's gone, if not then Frolik. Smith is on a one way deal next season and he'd be just as effective (if not moreso) than Olesz or Frolik and for a fraction of the cost.
- DarthKane

Leddy and Kruger RFA next season and Stalberg a UFA as well. Makes those losses a bit of a wash.

Leddy and Kruger RFA next season and Stalberg a UFA as well. Makes those losses a bit of a wash.
- Return of the Roar

That was under the old CBA. I'm wondering if Stalberg will be an RFA under the new one.

They'll have a buyout to use, but all this points toward Hjalmarsson and/or Frolik being moved.
- John Jaeckel

When you connect the dots, it does point to a Dman or two on his way out. Especially after hearing about what Dylan Olson said to Phil last night..

What's next?

They have $6.6MM in cap for this season to work with. Do they do anything with it? I predict Stanbow will try to shed salary/longer term deals this season, so the answer will likely be no. And since many other teams will be faced with the same problem, failure to act quickly here will mean nothing changes. I predict no quick action from this front office.

Same problem for this season, mediocre goaltending, no 2C, and a lack of physical players.

Next season is an even bigger problem - seven open roster spots with only $8MM in cap to work with. This problem is made worse if they sign anyone to big deals this season.

I say give the rooks some time with the big team this season and see who is worth keeping. A 48 game conference only regular season tarnishes a cup's value in my mind anyway. The only real hope for building a contender is backfilling costly vets with young entry level players.
- Return of the Roar

I've thought long and hard about this too but I say take another run this year with the team as it's presently comprised. The younger guys will get their chance in years to come but I'd take my chances this year with the current team.

I also think we won't see as many young guys up this season like we did last season. FWIW I think aside from Kruger and Leddy (who were regular Hawks last year), the only current young guy who makes the opening night roster and plays is Shaw. Ben Smith is probably your 13th F and scratched. I don't think Bollig or Jimmy Hayes starts up with the Hawks.

I've thought long and hard about this too but I say take another run this year with the team as it's presently comprised. The younger guys will get their chance in years to come but I'd take my chances this year with the current team.

I also think we won't see as many young guys up this season like we did last season. FWIW I think aside from Kruger and Leddy (who were regular Hawks last year), the only current young guy who makes the opening night roster and plays is Shaw. Ben Smith is probably your 13th F and scratched. I don't think Bollig or Jimmy Hayes starts up with the Hawks.
- dan9189

I could see either Smith or Bollig easily being that 13th forward. If anything, I would bet there may be a revolving door for a handful of guys moving between Rockford and Chicago.

I could see either Smith or Bollig easily being that 13th forward. If anything, I would bet there may be a revolving door for a handful of guys moving between Rockford and Chicago.
- EKolb13

I'm not a Bollig guy at all but it might make sense that he's the 13/14th forward because he is what he is. Let the guys who will be playing meaningful minutes with the Hawks in future years stay in the A and develop their game.

I'm not a Bollig guy at all but it might make sense that he's the 13/14th forward because he is what he is. Let the guys who will be playing meaningful minutes with the Hawks in future years stay in the A and develop their game.
- dan9189

I am a Bollig supporter.

It makes sense to carry him as a 13th/14th guy because of what you say. He is what he is. At least he's more useful than John Scott.

I am a Bollig supporter.

It makes sense to carry him as a 13th/14th guy because of what you say. He is what he is. At least he's more useful than John Scott.
- EKolb13

Hi Eli

Happy Hockey day.

Setting the bar kind of low with the Scott comparison...the knob of tape on the end of a stick is more useful than John Scott.

Hi Eli

Happy Hockey day.

Setting the bar kind of low with the Scott comparison...the knob of tape on the end of a stick is more useful than John Scott.
- Ogilthorpe2

Hi Ogie!

I guess I am setting the bar kind of low. Would "just as good or better than Ben Eager" sound better?

Can teams buyout their own player and resign them immediately to a lower contract?

I hope the Hawks buyout Monty, and I don't know who else? Frolik? Crawford? Oduya the pizza man? Who else would be a candidate? Olesz?
- captainserious

Why would they buy out Oduya? They just signed him.

And did I see someone mention a Hossa buy out in a year?

Can we go back to talking about the lockout?

Hi Eli

Happy Hockey day.

Setting the bar kind of low with the Scott comparison...the knob of tape on the end of a stick is more useful than John Scott.
- Ogilthorpe2

Ogie - Isn't it time to talk about the impact of that Sharp contract with the cap coming down? j/k

Glad to have hockey back. Now just hoping the flyers travel to Chicago just once this season.

Not to the best of my knowledge..

My unofficial tally of who's been playing:

Kane
Frolik
Bickell
Leddy
Shaw
Kruger
Bollig
Smith
Hjalmarsson
Stalberg
Rozsival


And who hasn't:

Toews
Sharp
Seabrook
Keith
Oduya (played in a charity tournament in Thailand. Yes, Thailand)
Hossa
Montador
Bolland
Brookbank
Mayers
Carcillo
Crawford
Emery


This could be an opportunity for a kid like Hutton.
- John Jaeckel

I was not much of a fan during the last shortened season of 94-95, so I don't have to knowledge of how the quality of play was or if more injurys figured.

Those who have been playing and in game shape will have a huge advantage.
1.) Young prospects in AHL will put presure on those bottom 10 vets on each team who were not playing.
2.) Amensty buyouts looming suggest intense competition intra team for spots. Underperforming mid and big level contract guys will have alot of incentive to ramp it up an couple notches.
3.) Goalie play and team defense will probably be poor to underwhelming for a couple of weeks. Most of the starting goalies have not seen game type conditions. Expect high scroing games.
4.) Games should be super competitive. With a 48 game season...every game will like a playoff game and as I stated above many players will be playing for their NHL lives.
5.) I would think injurys and conditioning will play a big role with a compressed season. My guess they will be playing at least 3-4 games a week.

What's next?

They have $6.6MM in cap for this season to work with. Do they do anything with it? I predict Stanbow will try to shed salary/longer term deals this season, so the answer will likely be no. And since many other teams will be faced with the same problem, failure to act quickly here will mean nothing changes. I predict no quick action from this front office.

Same problem for this season, mediocre goaltending, no 2C, and a lack of physical players.

Next season is an even bigger problem - seven open roster spots with only $8MM in cap to work with. This problem is made worse if they sign anyone to big deals this season.

I say give the rooks some time with the big team this season and see who is worth keeping. A 48 game conference only regular season tarnishes a cup's value in my mind anyway. The only real hope for building a contender is backfilling costly vets with young entry level players.
- Return of the Roar

Without signing anyone not currently in the system, the Hawks are more physical than they have been the past two years. Carcillo and Shaw for a full year as well as potentially Smith and Bollig for a good part of the year will provide far more of a physical presence than Scott, Bickell, and the like.

I'm not a Bollig guy at all but it might make sense that he's the 13/14th forward because he is what he is. Let the guys who will be playing meaningful minutes with the Hawks in future years stay in the A and develop their game.
- dan9189

OK, Aside from the whole "meathead" narrative (put forth mostly by those who've never played any (or any meaningful) hockey—ie, with actual physical contact), what is the big problem with Bollig as a 4th liner/PK guy?

Please provide specifics.

Because here is the argument for why he should be:

1) he plays pretty good positional hockey, including defense
2) he hits people
3) he can really fire the puck
4) he is fearless and pretty effective as a fighter, while not hurting you 5 on 5
5) he is a pretty good PK guy
6) very positive and well-liked by teammates

Without signing anyone not currently in the system, the Hawks are more physical than they have been the past two years. Carcillo and Shaw for a full year as well as potentially Smith and Bollig for a good part of the year will provide far more of a physical presence than Scott, Bickell, and the like.
- NewToHockey

Carcillo, Shaw, Bollig, guys you can play up and down the lineup (well, at least Carcillo and Shaw) and in some special team situations. Add Mayers to them, and you have—for the first time since 2010—a group of Hawk forwards that can deliver hits on opposing d-men and provide some intimidation, as opposed to a soft, finesse club that got hit out of the building too many times in big games the last two seasons.

Rather off topic, but I'm not sure where else to ask this: does anyone know if Eberle, Hall, Schultz, etc. will be playing tonight against the Wolves? I've been looking forward to going to this game all year.

Rather off topic, but I'm not sure where else to ask this: does anyone know if Eberle, Hall, Schultz, etc. will be playing tonight against the Wolves? I've been looking forward to going to this game all year.
- dlkhockey24

I have no specific info on it but I would suspect so.

Rather off topic, but I'm not sure where else to ask this: does anyone know if Eberle, Hall, Schultz, etc. will be playing tonight against the Wolves? I've been looking forward to going to this game all year.
- dlkhockey24

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=412924

They are heading to Oklahoma!