I guess Mayers isn't ready to hang'em up yet.

http://www.chicagotribune...-20130716,0,5971489.story

I wouldn't mind having the guy on a two way deal, stashed away in Rockford and recalled & along for the ride in the playoffs.

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

OK, I will add Patterson and Pie - and probably 50 others going back since I've been a Cubs fan - but one of the things Castro should have learned in the minors (in addition to getting upwards of 1,500 ABs, so that his swing could have been simplified in a development atmospher) could have been how to be a professional.

In addition to perfecting his on-ice skills, that's what I would hope Rockford could do for Danault.

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

You could say that last years team had 1 1C, a platoon at 2C, and 2 3Cs. Not having a fulltime 2C is a bad problem to have, but the platoon was a good solution to a bad problem to have. Can't argue with the results. But, I feel like with the above configuriation you go to having 1 1C, 2 3cs, and 1 4C. Sorry, I am eating Alphabet soup for lunch. Anyway, I like keeping Kruger at 3C and continuing to platoon 2C, even though I'd rather have a fulltime 2C. This team permits that solution because of depth, and I think you get more out of it having Kruger and Shaw as 3c a and b.

I guess Mayers isn't ready to hang'em up yet.

http://www.chicagotribune...-20130716,0,5971489.story

I wouldn't mind having the guy on a two way deal, stashed away in Rockford and recalled & along for the ride in the playoffs.
- EKolb13

Player Coach? Is Dent still looking for new assistants?

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

Another issue is tinkering with his plate discipline. He is a contact hitter. That is it.

+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

Back by popular demand....

Hope everyone is enjoying our short summer until puck drop...

as far as 2C it continues to be the black hole, but somehow they've still managed to win 2 cups.

The kids will see a lot of playing time to give the key guys some rest.
Wonder if they make a move for a 2C at the deadline if the right situation presents itself...or Pirri Dan...etc will make a move.

Bolland and Frolik will be the two to replace. Bolland's a key guy and a 2 time cup winner. I know he was hurt this season, but still made a lot of key plays in the playoffs...Frolik reinvented himself into a top notch PK guy which also was partly a move made by Q. I'm sure Q will take a couple of the kids and see who can get it done.

Definitely would rather see Ben Smith get time over Carbomb. Hayes has shown he has good hands but needs to use his big body and hit people. Like what Morin has shown...when the kid first came up a lot of fancy stick work especially coming out of his own end. But you can see with his pms up at the rock he's changed his game a bit.

Right now we're 8 days out from the start of Bears Camp...which should get us to hockey season.

Back by popular demand....
- Ogilthorpe2

Have to admit Ogi I also like thought of that 'avatar' flying the plane as well...

+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

THIS!

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

In a way I'd like to see Pirri make the team as the 2C, but I think the role is Kruger's to lose.

Eli...I'm sure you've been asked this before, but what are your thoughts on Morin making the team? I keep hearing he's a slow skater, but I've also read he's been solid on the PK. I think that Smith should be the first IceHog to make the team, but would you really rank Morin behind Danault and Hayes (as far as making the roster next season)?

Back by popular demand....
- Ogilthorpe2

YAY

I guess Mayers isn't ready to hang'em up yet.

http://www.chicagotribune...-20130716,0,5971489.story

I wouldn't mind having the guy on a two way deal, stashed away in Rockford and recalled & along for the ride in the playoffs.
- EKolb13

I'd like Stan to sign a veteran forward to platoon on the 4th line with Handzus, but I think he time in Chicago has come to an end.

OK, I will add Patterson and Pie - and probably 50 others going back since I've been a Cubs fan - but one of the things Castro should have learned in the minors (in addition to getting upwards of 1,500 ABs, so that his swing could have been simplified in a development atmospher) could have been how to be a professional.

In addition to perfecting his on-ice skills, that's what I would hope Rockford could do for Danault.
- StLBravesFan

Can't argue that he could learn to be more accountable, but how much of that is on him spending time in Iowa vs the coaching staff? Star players always get the star treatment. I don't think it's as simple as spending more time in Iowa.

What needs to happen is the next time he has 3 brain farts in a game, they yank his a$$ and tell him why he's sitting.

ADD: This situation isn't all that dissimilar to Patrick Kane. I think we all agreed that he had some growing up to do. Some just take longer than others, but you can't doubt the potential is there. What do they do with it is up to the player most times!

Back by popular demand....
- Ogilthorpe2

Thanks Ogi - The world is back in it's proper order now!

Back by popular demand....
- Ogilthorpe2

Don't ever do that again!

EVER

Another issue is tinkering with his plate discipline. He is a contact hitter. That is it.
- faustus1500

I think a lot of Castro's problems are that they are trying to get him to generate more power. He was and always is going to be a contact hitter, his OBP and OPS will be directly dictated by his average. They are trying to count on him to be a run producer instead of a guy who gets on and scores runs. That is the issue when your team completely sucks offensively. When he is playing second base after Baez or some other SS comes up he will be looked at in a different light.

when is the fan convention? A week from friday? Guess winning the Cup and having it there will be a splash enough for John McD. It will be interesting to see what prospects will be there opening night. Smith will definitely be part of it. I think you will see a lot of Pirri and Danault, too.

Hello, I've been following this site for well over a year and what finally got me to register wasn't the Stanley Cup but rather... the Jerky Boys references.


The people love it. The people love it.

A few points:

(1) I think Saad replaces either Hossa or (more likely) Frolik on the PK.

(2) Without any doubt in my mind, I think you will see Handzus and Rozy saved for the playoffs. What that probably means is Zus plays 4th line minutes, perhaps as the 4th line center or possibly as the second line C on fewer shifts.

(3) Because of the Zus question, I expect that the Hawks will have 5 centers on the roster and will continue to have Shaw center the 3rd line. I expect the 2C role to be handled by committee, probably with all of the other 4 centers (Kruger, Pirri, Shaw, and Zus) handling those roles/minutes from time to time.

(4) It will be very curious to see how Q handles minutes with Toews, Sharp, Hossa, Zus, and Rozy. All have either had serious injuries in the last few years (causing them to miss significant time) or are overcoming fairly well known (or unknown, but suspected) injuries this year. If Q can get away with those guys skating at or around 18 minutes per night, while still developing greater depth, I think the team will be well-positioned for another deep Cup run. If Toews, Sharp, and Hossa are averaging 18 or more on the season, I think we are going to be really banged up come PO time.

Hello, I've been following this site for well over a year and what finally got me to register wasn't the Stanley Cup but rather... the Jerky Boys references.


The people love it. The people love it.
- RomanF

Welcome Sizzle Chest.

Would CHI call up Pirri or Morin or somebody from Rockford to take up Stalberg's spot on the 3rd line?

just trade Hjalmarsson to EDM for Gagner. 2C solved

just trade Hjalmarsson to EDM for Gagner. 2C solved
- TheNugeIsHuge

Thankyoubutno.

Would CHI call up Pirri or Morin or somebody from Rockford to take up Stalberg's spot on the 3rd line?
- TheNugeIsHuge

My money is on Smith to take Stalberg's spot on the 3rd line, leaving us with Saad - Shaw - Smith (gotta keep the S's together).

My money is on Smith to take Stalberg's spot on the 3rd line, leaving us with Saad - Shaw - Smith (gotta keep the S's together).


- DarthKane

we used to have a million B's, Bolland, Bell, Berti, Bickell, Balan, Barkunov. and a million more I am forgetting right now. At least the S's are good players aside from a few of our B's. I agree about your 3rd line. Think they can be pretty dangerous, too.