The only two things that is certain with Q and his lines are that Toews is 1C and Keith is 1D. Everything else he loves changing them up.

I do see Handzus in a more Rozival role this year. He doesnt need to play everygame and will get his share of healthy scratches to save on the wear and tear. When that happens I see Shawzer or Krugs dropping down on the 4th line. I also see Shaw or Saad taking Fro's spot on the PK

I'd like to take a look at Pirri in the 2C role eventually, but to start the season, I don't think you break up the magic that Sharp, Handzus, and Hossa had in the playoffs.

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Handzus - Hossa
Saad - Kruger - Shaw
Bollig - Pirri - Smith/Hayes/Morin

Forget about Carcillo. He doesn't have it anymore.
- compro

Am I the only person that isnt a Jimmy Hayes fan. Huge body, Eric Daze Physicality without the shot.

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Pirri/Danault - Hossa
Saad - Kruger - Shaw
Bollig - Handzus - Smith/Morin

If Zues needs a geriatric nap, smith can move to #4 center (he seems versitile to play any position). If Danault makes the team I would love to see him play with Hossa (one of the best 2 way players in the game). Danault seems to have an offensive skillset to go with his defensive mindset, mike a mini-Toews perhaps. Love the 1st and 3rd lines, am ok with the 4th line, but as in years past the lack of a #2 center makes me Meh about the #2 line, but with Hossa and Sharp on the wings, I think they can afford to put a rookie there

Handzus kills penalties, can fill in anywhere from line 2-4. Not sure what's so curious about that. He's also proven. not sure anyone should be doing backflips over any of these Rockford guys.

Carcillo could be dealt, they've been trying to.
- John Jaeckel

hello edmonton? Ditch Carbomb and see if Larose is panicking about a lack of a contract enough to come in for similar dollars on a 1 year deal. Larose is still my ideal replacement for Frolik and brings speed to the bottom 6

Handzus kills penalties, can fill in anywhere from line 2-4. Not sure what's so curious about that. He's also proven. not sure anyone should be doing backflips over any of these Rockford guys.

Carcillo could be dealt, they've been trying to.
- John Jaeckel

Handzus is also a year older, coming off one, possibly two surgeries, and while he had some stellar play in the playoffs last year ( His shorty with Saad is in my top 5 highlights of the year...) he spent a good portion of the time trailing the Hawks play. I like Handzus, I don't mind that he was resigned. But he's a part time player so it's ok to question if there was a better way to use the roster spot.

I'm not doing backflips, but the Rockford kids are by far the most interesting story going into training camp this fall.....

whoa, whoa, whoa....Saad replaces Stalberg? I thought Saad was going to replace Hossa. Did I miss something?

Thanks, eli

whoa, whoa, whoa....Saad replaces Stalberg? I thought Saad was going to replace Hossa. Did I miss something? (red font)
- eburgio

RED FONT

Thanks, eli
- eburgio

Anytime.

Am I the only person that isnt a Jimmy Hayes fan. Huge body, Eric Daze Physicality without the shot.

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Pirri/Danault - Hossa
Saad - Kruger - Shaw
Bollig - Handzus - Smith/Morin

If Zues needs a geriatric nap, smith can move to #4 center (he seems versitile to play any position). If Danault makes the team I would love to see him play with Hossa (one of the best 2 way players in the game). Danault seems to have an offensive skillset to go with his defensive mindset, mike a mini-Toews perhaps. Love the 1st and 3rd lines, am ok with the 4th line, but as in years past the lack of a #2 center makes me Meh about the #2 line, but with Hossa and Sharp on the wings, I think they can afford to put a rookie there
- ikeane

I guess I'll throw in my idea of what the lines should be:

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Kruger - Hossa
Saad - Shaw - Smith
Bollig - Handzus - Danault

Carcillo, Hayes

I guess I'll throw in my idea of what the lines should be:

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Kruger - Hossa
Saad - Shaw - Smith
Bollig - Handzus - Danault

Carcillo, Hayes
- EKolb13

I like those too, but might like danault on the 3rd line in place of Smith. Give it a couple of Q minutes and he will be on the 1st line with Toews... (red font)

The next question is a big one: who delivers the energy and penalty killing of Frolik?

I think Saad showed some pretty good penalty killing abilities when given the chance last year, has Frolik like speed, and would be a short-handed offensive threat. He gets my vote.

John Jaeckel: Here Come The 2013-14 Hawks
- John Jaeckel

I dunno, I think I would have just blown the team up this year and started fresh.

I guess I'll throw in my idea of what the lines should be:

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Kruger - Hossa
Saad - Shaw - Smith
Bollig - Handzus - Danault

Carcillo, Hayes
- EKolb13

Good morning Eli.

Not sure about Danault. I think if he makes the team it will be in a top 9 role (2C or 3C)...otherwise I like it.

Good morning Eli.

Not sure about Danault. I think if he makes the team it will be in a top 9 role (2C or 3C)...otherwise I like it.
- Ogilthorpe2

Good morning Ogie!

Heck, what do I know about who's going to end up on what line? Everyone is going to be spit-balling about this today.

Good morning Eli.

Not sure about Danault. I think if he makes the team it will be in a top 9 role (2C or 3C)...otherwise I like it.
- Ogilthorpe2

Are we perhaps rushing Danault a little - only 5 professional games played at the end of last season - even Saad had half season at Rockford because of the lock-out, I think.

Are we perhaps rushing Danault a little - only 5 professional games played at the end of last season - even Saad had half season at Rockford because of the lock-out, I think.
- StLBravesFan

If he makes the team out of camp, who says he can't learn on the fly skating on the bottom two lines?

The only two things that is certain with Q and his lines are that Toews is 1C and Keith is 1D. Everything else he loves changing them up.

I do see Handzus in a more Rozival role this year. He doesnt need to play everygame and will get his share of healthy scratches to save on the wear and tear. When that happens I see Shawzer or Krugs dropping down on the 4th line. I also see Shaw or Saad taking Fro's spot on the PK
- pistolkiwi

Thats true. None of it will be the same come game 4 or 5 of the regular season...unless they're 5-0 to start again and eve then there could be some changes

I think Saad showed some pretty good penalty killing abilities when given the chance last year, has Frolik like speed, and would be a short-handed offensive threat. He gets my vote.
- Ogilthorpe2

+1

New avatar, eh? I'll miss the visual of the old Ogi headshot when I travel, thinking to myself, "Is that guy manning the cockpit today?"

Great Write Up JJ! Hope everyone is enjoying the summer so far! Tough to say what I think about our front end. D looks solid and having a second year with the same personnel should be huge for the team and mostly CC.

Losing Stalberg, Fro and Bolland is a lot to lose in terms of depth and idk if these Rockford guys can be as good. Smith can play and has shown that but he is made of glass. Pirri, let's face it, if he was the answer he would have been in the lineup last year when Toews was hurt. Kruger isnt ready to play pivot YET. And Carcillo is better than Bollig so lets not get ridiculous here. This could be a fourth or fifth seed type of year.

If he makes the team out of camp, who says he can't learn on the fly skating on the bottom two lines?
- EKolb13

I guess I don't like rushing young players - the Starlin Castro syndrome - if he is a potential top-six player, it seems that he should be learning playing 20 minutes per game on a top- or second-line, not playing only 10 minutes (or less) per game bottom-6 in the NHL.

+1

New avatar, eh? I'll miss the visual of the old Ogi headshot when I travel, thinking to myself, "Is that guy manning the cockpit today?"
- MartiniMan

I also thought the same thing!

>JJ, well said
>Q is already on record saying that both Zeus and Rozy won't play every game
>That automatically opens up ice time for other players
>Hawks are in an ideal position to give young players a shot to be part of the 13-14 team
>Playing the game smart and "fast", consistent compete level, and being defensively responsible will decide who sticks
>Noticed some chatter about Morin late yesterday -- one area he really stands out is his shot -- it is upper-echelon, NHL-caliber right now -- question will be -- can he do the other things required to be a Blackhawk?
>Both Smith and Pirri will need to be much better defensively -- especially in their own zone -- to stick
>Danault has all the "intangibles" tilting in his favor -- but -- is he ready?

Am I the only person that isnt a Jimmy Hayes fan. Huge body, Eric Daze Physicality without the shot.

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Pirri/Danault - Hossa
Saad - Kruger - Shaw
Bollig - Handzus - Smith/Morin

If Zues needs a geriatric nap, smith can move to #4 center (he seems versitile to play any position). If Danault makes the team I would love to see him play with Hossa (one of the best 2 way players in the game). Danault seems to have an offensive skillset to go with his defensive mindset, mike a mini-Toews perhaps. Love the 1st and 3rd lines, am ok with the 4th line, but as in years past the lack of a #2 center makes me Meh about the #2 line, but with Hossa and Sharp on the wings, I think they can afford to put a rookie there
- ikeane

Zeus will need to be spotted wisely because it's one thing having something left for the playoffs after a 48 game season vs an 82 game game season.

I guess I don't like rushing young players - the Starlin Castro syndrome - if he is a potential top-six player, it seems that he should be learning playing 20 minutes per game on a top- or second-line, not playing only 10 minutes (or less) per game bottom-6 in the NHL.
- StLBravesFan

Huh? Castro has regressed, not because he was rushed, but because he's not been held accountable for all the mental vacations he takes. He's friggin lazy. Nobody said he was rushed when he led the majors in hits two years ago (2011).

If you wanted to use Felix Pie or Corey Patterson as your example, then I'd totally support that.

Huh? Castro has regressed, not because he was rushed, but because he's not been held accountable for all the mental vacations he takes. He's friggin lazy. Nobody said he was rushed when he led the majors in hits two years ago (2011).

If you wanted to use Felix Pie or Corey Patterson as your example, then I'd totally support that.
- eburgio

This.

Just no to Bollig. Good guy but terrible hockey player.

I want someone who can play more than 3-4 mins a game.