jj nice writeup

I think Saad replaces Frolic on the penalty kill

Woud Q do another Saad from last year and have Danault center the second line and learn how to play from Hossa?
I really like the upside for Danault and hope he surprise out of camp
If Im Pirri I am working out nonstop this offseason and come into camp in great shape with an added 10 pounds of muscle along with a mindset that I am the secnd line center

The Committed Indian ‏@RealFansProgram 2m
Lots of smoke for #GorillaSalad getting shipped to LA. If it happens, Stan continues to amaze. --McClure
- droe411

That would be something if Bowman could find a taker for Carcillo.

Somewhere between $550,000 and $10,000,000 per season.
- DarthKane

Look at you. Trying out this comedy stuff. Don't quit your day job.

I have a word for you...Olesz!
- DarthKane

I have a word for you...Olesz!
- DarthKane

im surprised at the lack of Olesz "action" shots with the caption "Did someone say my name", or whatever haha.

>>Both Smith and Pirri will need to be much better defensively -- especially in their own zone -- to stick
- SnapitUpstairs

I keep seeing on here that Smith needs to get better defensively. Upon what is everyone basing this? Yes, he blew a coverage in the Finals during a game where he was told so late he was playing that he didn't even get to warm up. However, he was first over the boards with Toews on the PK against the top PP unit in the league that year during the playoffs in 2011. I don't understand this defensive liability talk.

That would be something if Bowman could find a taker for Carcillo.
- EKolb13

I always like carcillo. I would hate to see him on a team like LA. I think he will be really motivated this year. I think we are going to be battling LA a lot over the next few years.

I keep seeing on here that Smith needs to get better defensively. Upon what is everyone basing this? Yes, he blew a coverage in the Finals during a game where he was told so late he was playing that he didn't even get to warm up. However, he was first over the boards with Toews on the PK against the top PP unit in the league that year during the playoffs in 2011. I don't understand this defensive liability talk.
- NewToHockey

Neither do I. Smith has been one of the better two-way players in Rockford. Whatever problems or flaws he's shown with Chicago I think will work themselves out in a very short span of time.

I always like carcillo. I would hate to see him on a team like LA. I think he will be really motivated this year. I think we are going to be battling LA a lot over the next few years.
- tomcat24

Shaw is just about as feisty as Carcillo. Shaw is also a better player than Carcillo too.

I find it funny that ME the guy who simply gets crazy when he sees fans typing up line combos (especially after a fanboy makes an imaginary trade where his team gets the plum for garbage) is about type up his first one since he was under 21:

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

I think the big difference between last season and the upcoming one is they will roll four lines with the personnel varying game by game, and even where they play.
You have both Kruger and Shaw and (Pirri for that matter) who can play the wing and centre. When Handzus rests Sharp can move there for faceoffs with Kruger lining up on LW....
Handzus CAN play a checking role or any pivot in the bottom nine.
I think you will see Bickell on the PP on the top line but also moved around, and back with Shaw were there was lots of chemistry.
During the season Sharp and Kane are also very pliable to double shift or play extra shifts lower in the lines. Remember Saad has played wings for years.
I see Handzus getting nights off
Remember Saad has played wings for years.
That there may be some advantage to playing that Rockford line or two-thirds of it together because of familiarity and see if they are up to doing the same for 200 feeds in the NHL.
You might see Morin Pirri and Shaw as the wing to get things going.
What gets lost in this playoff win is that you just got some young guys a heap of playoff savvy to spread to the new guys who are even a bit older than they are...it breeds strong team-first and compete in all.

It is very nice to already think that Danault may be ready to advance and be all he can be, but when asked to be "all that" after finishing up in the QMJHL playoffs he didn't dominate as a minor AHL pro…that tells me that the gruel of the NHL means he must be spending hours each day NOW in the weight room TO handle effective season long battling that the pro job requires.
I would be selling Danault short by saying he is a kid who isn't up for big challenges.
Now if you are talking Danault fills in as a winger in a tryout, I say, yeah, I just see the chances of handing him a major league centre spot without time on the farm is far-fetched. Danault has proven a really good winger in international competitions, so don't count out him as a recall during the injuries (real or imaginary) I think we will see some older hawks incurring.
I am less interested in the Hawks success next year as I am with the chances of seeing the prospects get some looks. (I have now seen three Cup wins and the one less than a month ago was really enough to make me happy…not getting greedy. If KIDS transform the team into another team willing to challenge in the post season, I will enjoy the growth and maturation without posts about they need this or that or they don't have this or that…)
I am more curious if I see Beach.
or when an injury hits if Stanton gets a call up and some tick.
Or if the Hawks may have a little more confidence in LeBlanc than JJ or I do.

I am going to bet they play it like they stated it…"we drafted and waited, and now WE HAVE to see the results in OUR minor leaguers…"
but when the deadline comes they will again look for a little fill in any areas they feel need shoring up, that the newbies didn't give them.

Faceoffs.
Big area of discussion here.
Imo, I think they guys they have there CAN improve there, and may be starting at that in September.
I never paid the NHL stats after games much mind, until the end there,and my neurotic self would play back different periods to try see the WINS and match the stats numbers with the visual.
The fact is it seems a win is when after the face-off, a TEAM gains possession, even if a microsecond later the pressure turns it over. I was very difficult to transfer the numbers watching the puck drops.

As JJ said the defense rests as it is…the best up-ice maybe the new game has ever seen.
But I think the additions that win jobs will be whichever ones get dirty in the battle areas and wall and get to pucks before the opposition.
I think the additions that win jobs will be whichever newbies play well in the five man defensive scheme, get to loose pucks but ALSO follow their checks and are back in middle zone and on the attack with consistency and regularity.

One thing is for certain:
Before we eat our Thanksgiving Turkey someone here will be asking for a Clendening call-up, others will have already found a newbie addition they want gone and won't stop with the barrage of rips towards him (them).

I keep seeing on here that Smith needs to get better defensively. Upon what is everyone basing this? Yes, he blew a coverage in the Finals during a game where he was told so late he was playing that he didn't even get to warm up.
- NewToHockey

If my opinion on this is worth anything:

I think he is a little slow in stop/start quickness when he is in the defensive zone, and THAT is more where you want a bit of improvement. In his trying to get "under control" to snag pucks and read, and vacant with the puck near him in his zone, he sort of slows. Sometiems it is being careful, others are times when you need that wall wing to truck up and feel confident that 95/100 he doesn't lose possession there...this team is built on that timely exit.
I have no issue with Smith in the attack zone. If he makes the team, I have no problem with him as a competent attacker, who does his best.
If you want you could take ANY NHL player and find plays where he blows a coverage.
Team game.
It is kinda how on so many of the other boards here you see fans trying to judge players on point totals.

Shaw is just about as feisty as Carcillo. Shaw is also a better player than Carcillo too.
- EKolb13

I have no problem trading Carcillo. All we will get is a 7th rounder in 2015. It will be nice to get his cap space. I know he isn't anyone to be afraid of playing, but I would not want to see him on LA for some reason

I find it funny that ME the guy who simply gets crazy when he sees fans typing up line combos (especially after a fanboy makes an imaginary trade where his team gets the plum for garbage) is about type up his first one since he was under 21:

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

I think the big difference between last season and the upcoming one is they will roll four lines with the personnel varying game by game, and even where they play.
You have both Kruger and Shaw and (Pirri for that matter) who can play the wing and centre. When Handzus rests Sharp can move there for faceoffs with Kruger lining up on LW....
Handzus CAN play a checking role or any pivot in the bottom nine.
I think you will see Bickell on the PP on the top line but also moved around, and back with Shaw were there was lots of chemistry.
During the season Sharp and Kane are also very pliable to double shift or play extra shifts lower in the lines. Remember Saad has played wings for years.
I see Handzus getting nights off
Remember Saad has played wings for years.
That there may be some advantage to playing that Rockford line or two-thirds of it together because of familiarity and see if they are up to doing the same for 200 feeds in the NHL.
You might see Morin Pirri and Shaw as the wing to get things going.
What gets lost in this playoff win is that you just got some young guys a heap of playoff savvy to spread to the new guys who are even a bit older than they are...it breeds strong team-first and compete in all.

It is very nice to already think that Danault may be ready to advance and be all he can be, but when asked to be "all that" after finishing up in the QMJHL playoffs he didn't dominate as a minor AHL pro…that tells me that the gruel of the NHL means he must be spending hours each day NOW in the weight room TO handle effective season long battling that the pro job requires.
I would be selling Danault short by saying he is a kid who isn't up for big challenges.
Now if you are talking Danault fills in as a winger in a tryout, I say, yeah, I just see the chances of handing him a major league centre spot without time on the farm is far-fetched. Danault has proven a really good winger in international competitions, so don't count out him as a recall during the injuries (real or imaginary) I think we will see some older hawks incurring.
I am less interested in the Hawks success next year as I am with the chances of seeing the prospects get some looks. (I have now seen three Cup wins and the one less than a month ago was really enough to make me happy…not getting greedy. If KIDS transform the team into another team willing to challenge in the post season, I will enjoy the growth and maturation without posts about they need this or that or they don't have this or that…)
I am more curious if I see Beach.
or when an injury hits if Stanton gets a call up and some tick.
Or if the Hawks may have a little more confidence in LeBlanc than JJ or I do.

I am going to bet they play it like they stated it…"we drafted and waited, and now WE HAVE to see the results in OUR minor leaguers…"
but when the deadline comes they will again look for a little fill in any areas they feel need shoring up, that the newbies didn't give them.

Faceoffs.
Big area of discussion here.
Imo, I think they guys they have there CAN improve there, and may be starting at that in September.
I never paid the NHL stats after games much mind, until the end there,and my neurotic self would play back different periods to try see the WINS and match the stats numbers with the visual.
The fact is it seems a win is when after the face-off, a TEAM gains possession, even if a microsecond later the pressure turns it over. I was very difficult to transfer the numbers watching the puck drops.

As JJ said the defense rests as it is…the best up-ice maybe the new game has ever seen.
But I think the additions that win jobs will be whichever ones get dirty in the battle areas and wall and get to pucks before the opposition.
I think the additions that win jobs will be whichever newbies play well in the five man defensive scheme, get to loose pucks but ALSO follow their checks and are back in middle zone and on the attack with consistency and regularity.

One thing is for certain:
Before we eat our Thanksgiving Turkey someone here will be asking for a Clendening call-up, others will have already found a newbie addition they want gone and won't stop with the barrage of rips towards him (them).
- wiz1901

I'm not sold on Hayes breaking camp with the big club...unless he got a visit from the Skating Fairy recently.

I'm not sold on Hayes breaking camp with the big club...unless he got a visit from the Skating Fairy recently.
- Ogilthorpe2

Agree. The only way I see that happening is if the Hawks are so keen on fixing the PP that they waste a roster spot on Hayes.

Agree. The only way I see that happening is if the Hawks are so keen on fixing the PP that they waste a roster spot on Hayes.
- QStache

One of the Hawks greatest assets is team speed. Smith + Morin + Hayes = big hit to overall team speed. I don't know if they can afford to add all 3, and right now I think Smith and Morin bring more to the table than Hayes does. Hopefully Bickell is the big body/net presence soloution to the PP problem...he better be at $4.0.

I find it funny that ME the guy who simply gets crazy when he sees fans typing up line combos (especially after a fanboy makes an imaginary trade where his team gets the plum for garbage) is about type up his first one since he was under 21:

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

I think the big difference between last season and the upcoming one is they will roll four lines with the personnel varying game by game, and even where they play.
You have both Kruger and Shaw and (Pirri for that matter) who can play the wing and centre. When Handzus rests Sharp can move there for faceoffs with Kruger lining up on LW....
Handzus CAN play a checking role or any pivot in the bottom nine.
I think you will see Bickell on the PP on the top line but also moved around, and back with Shaw were there was lots of chemistry.
During the season Sharp and Kane are also very pliable to double shift or play extra shifts lower in the lines. Remember Saad has played wings for years.
I see Handzus getting nights off
Remember Saad has played wings for years.
That there may be some advantage to playing that Rockford line or two-thirds of it together because of familiarity and see if they are up to doing the same for 200 feeds in the NHL.
You might see Morin Pirri and Shaw as the wing to get things going.
What gets lost in this playoff win is that you just got some young guys a heap of playoff savvy to spread to the new guys who are even a bit older than they are...it breeds strong team-first and compete in all.

It is very nice to already think that Danault may be ready to advance and be all he can be, but when asked to be "all that" after finishing up in the QMJHL playoffs he didn't dominate as a minor AHL pro…that tells me that the gruel of the NHL means he must be spending hours each day NOW in the weight room TO handle effective season long battling that the pro job requires.
I would be selling Danault short by saying he is a kid who isn't up for big challenges.
Now if you are talking Danault fills in as a winger in a tryout, I say, yeah, I just see the chances of handing him a major league centre spot without time on the farm is far-fetched. Danault has proven a really good winger in international competitions, so don't count out him as a recall during the injuries (real or imaginary) I think we will see some older hawks incurring.
I am less interested in the Hawks success next year as I am with the chances of seeing the prospects get some looks. (I have now seen three Cup wins and the one less than a month ago was really enough to make me happy…not getting greedy. If KIDS transform the team into another team willing to challenge in the post season, I will enjoy the growth and maturation without posts about they need this or that or they don't have this or that…)
I am more curious if I see Beach.
or when an injury hits if Stanton gets a call up and some tick.
Or if the Hawks may have a little more confidence in LeBlanc than JJ or I do.

I am going to bet they play it like they stated it…"we drafted and waited, and now WE HAVE to see the results in OUR minor leaguers…"
but when the deadline comes they will again look for a little fill in any areas they feel need shoring up, that the newbies didn't give them.

Faceoffs.
Big area of discussion here.
Imo, I think they guys they have there CAN improve there, and may be starting at that in September.
I never paid the NHL stats after games much mind, until the end there,and my neurotic self would play back different periods to try see the WINS and match the stats numbers with the visual.
The fact is it seems a win is when after the face-off, a TEAM gains possession, even if a microsecond later the pressure turns it over. I was very difficult to transfer the numbers watching the puck drops.

As JJ said the defense rests as it is…the best up-ice maybe the new game has ever seen.
But I think the additions that win jobs will be whichever ones get dirty in the battle areas and wall and get to pucks before the opposition.
I think the additions that win jobs will be whichever newbies play well in the five man defensive scheme, get to loose pucks but ALSO follow their checks and are back in middle zone and on the attack with consistency and regularity.

One thing is for certain:
Before we eat our Thanksgiving Turkey someone here will be asking for a Clendening call-up, others will have already found a newbie addition they want gone and won't stop with the barrage of rips towards him (them).
- wiz1901

C'mon, Wiz. You know we're going to deal Pirri for Sid and Sid will center the 4th line, making it the best 4th line in the league.

Could the hawks offer sheet B.Schenn or Coutouier next year?
- nickmo2699

Schenn IS a good player with plenty of upside.

and the other kid Sean Couturier may be slower but he is a Kopitar type.

But you have enetered inot the NO-NO of NHL GM team building. You heard Stan say homegrown?

Schenn makes 3,100,000 and is looking for more than Bickell made as a "UFA" based solely on promise and what he does next season.
Couturier makes less (1,375,000) but will also not ask for Kruger-like money.

That is the problem with trying to poach RFAs...plus the draft picks.

and so...did you fix the Hawks second line or didn't you?
and you now have a guy with a much to big of a contract IF he doesn't pan out.

So, NO

One of the Hawks greatest assets is team speed. Smith + Morin + Hayes = big hit to overall team speed. I don't know if they can afford to add all 3, and right now I think Smith and Morin bring more to the table than Hayes does. Hopefully Bickell is the big body/net presence soloution to the PP problem...he better be at $4.0.
- Ogilthorpe2

Of those three, if I had any say whatsoever, I'd only want to see Smith. Neither Morin nor Hayes do much for me in the skating department and neither has shown enough defensive-zone commitment to make me think they make sense in Chicago. Give me Pirri/Danault and Smith and call it a day.

One of the Hawks greatest assets is team speed. Smith + Morin + Hayes = big hit to overall team speed. I don't know if they can afford to add all 3, and right now I think Smith and Morin bring more to the table than Hayes does. Hopefully Bickell is the big body/net presence soloution to the PP problem...he better be at $4.0.
- Ogilthorpe2

I doubt they make any changes to the PP.

Hayes has shown only very brief signs of having any NHL talent. Morin has been more impressive, but I'm a little apprehensive about his lack of speed, although Zus contributes and is probably slower. I think Smith is a lock, especially with his one way contract, the other kids, Morin, Pirri, Hayes are fighting for maybe 1 spot, barring an injury. Stan sounds so gung ho on Pirri, not sure if that's real or bluster, but it's probably a two man race with Morin and Pirri for one roster spot.

I also think Carcillo has no trade value right now until he proves his leg strength and speed come back, which can't happen until he plays some exhibition games. If he looks as slow and finished as last year the Hawks will likely bury him in the AHL and just keep another kid.

Schenn IS a good player with plenty of upside.

and the other kid Sean Couturier may be slower but he is a Kopitar type.

But you have enetered inot the NO-NO of NHL GM team building. You heard Stan say homegrown?

Schenn makes 3,100,000 and is looking for more than Bickell made as a "UFA" based solely on promise and what he does next season.
Couturier makes less (1,375,000) but will also not ask for Kruger-like money.

That is the problem with trying to poach RFAs...plus the draft picks.

and so...did you fix the Hawks second line or didn't you?
and you now have a guy with a much to big of a contract IF he doesn't pan out.

So, NO
- wiz1901

And with Toews/Kane/Hammer needing new paper in a year, it doesn't make any sense to bring on another decent contract until those deals are signed.

I think our 2 C is going to be filled, productively or not, for the next 2-3 years (at least) by in house options. Hopefully Danualt is as good as advertised. Can't wait to see him in some exhibition games.

I keep seeing on here that Smith needs to get better defensively. Upon what is everyone basing this? Yes, he blew a coverage in the Finals during a game where he was told so late he was playing that he didn't even get to warm up. However, he was first over the boards with Toews on the PK against the top PP unit in the league that year during the playoffs in 2011. I don't understand this defensive liability talk.
- NewToHockey

>Wiz just gave you a detailed view on what Smith needs to do defensively
>His need to improve defensively has nothing to do with his 1 game appearance in the Finals
>It has to do with his need to think the game faster defensively, play bigger defensively, play with the same jam in the Dzone as the Ozone -- and yes, it's a problem many NHL players have
>Many on this board seem to only remember the fine, dirty goals he scored vs Van in the playoffs a few years ago
>But many forget the several game regular season stint Smith got after that in which he was clearly not NHL-ready on the D-side of the puck
>Seems like a good kid, hope he plays well, but I think it's premature to hand him a starting roster spot -- think the competition will be fierce

I'm not sold on Hayes breaking camp with the big club...unless he got a visit from the Skating Fairy recently.
- Ogilthorpe2

I need you to watch the power in his moving folks agree on the feet still need work...but to me he puts defenders on notice...I am not making that up. You need Shawn Thornto type pluggers at you bottom end, and if the skill comes....
I stand by that original premise that if hayes or whomever get to loose pucks but ALSO follow their checks and are back in middle zone and on the attack with consistency and regularity...they play.

I need you to watch the power in his moving folks agree on the feet still need work...but to me he puts defenders on notice...I am not making that up. You need Shawn Thornto type pluggers at you bottom end, and if the skill comes....
I stand by that original premise that if hayes or whomever get to loose pucks but ALSO follow their checks and are back in middle zone and on the attack with consistency and regularity...they play.
- wiz1901

Jamal Mayers said he wants to play another year....

I think he didn't get the notice that it's time to retire. Nice career, great team guy from everything we've ever heard.

Sure someone beat me to it, but it looks official: carcillo to La for conditional pick in 2015

Shaw is just about as feisty as Carcillo. Shaw is also a better player than Carcillo too.
- EKolb13

Carcillo to LA close to being done.............