Good point.

If Handzus isn't a 100% to start the season, they will limit his minutes.
- EKolb13

I think they'll limit his minutes even if he is 100%. He has a lot of miles on those tires. Even with being scratched often by San Jose before coming over, there were times last year that he looked spent.

every team who lost big player over injury pass from a good team to a regular one.. people say no excuse but u have to take injurie in consideration..

Chicago have good youngster to replace some injury to a short time.. and its not bad for development of your kid..

strong team !!!

I think they'll limit his minutes even if he is 100%. He has a lot of miles on those tires. Even with being scratched often by San Jose before coming over, there were times last year that he looked spent.
- NewToHockey

If and when Handzus is a 100%, I would guess he'll get regular minutes, bot on the 2nd and 4th lines. I could see him getting some time in the press box occasionally for rest.

I find the middle name fantastic and interesting.
- Beaver-WarriorSweater numbers don't mean anything to the players. Right.

It could be that or Seabs is a big Seinfeld fan.

Good counterpoint blog JJ. IMO Hammer is not a one year wonder. Always thought he is a solid D-man. It could be more a case of maturation and fulfilling his potential. He has been around so long that its easy to forget he is still relatively young as a Dman.

Just read the story regarding the Nashville predators and there attempt to limit hawk fans attending road games in Nashville. That is utmost sign of respect that another nhl franchise is going to try an stack the deck in there favor. All I can say is wow.

If and when Handzus is a 100%, I would guess he'll get regular minutes, bot on the 2nd and 4th lines. I could see him getting some time in the press box occasionally for rest.
- EKolb13

If I recall correctly Q said he would use Handzus more in the capacity they intended to when he as acquired - depth forward. That being said, we all know that Q loves to go to the guys he's most comfortable with (as do most coaches).

So I expect Handzus will get plenty of rest in the press box and play in key defensive situations on the 4th line. But when important games are close you'll see Handzus creep his way up the depth chart to the 2nd line. Also, unless somebody really grabs the reigns and takes control of the 2C duties I expect to see Handzus between Sharp and Hossa in the playoffs (health permitting).

Sorry to go off-topic here, but there's still a lot of quality free agents left that could really help this team. I know cap space is rather limited and most of the depth chart is set, but you can always add worthwhile depth. It'll be interesting to see what kinds of deals some of the players that sought bigger dollars (like Brunner) will get.

They have won 2 cups in my life .
I'm all good.



Of course I want them to win 3 more in a row but If they do t , oh well



I never thought they woild win one on West Madison St. Never.


Its so awesome to be a fan of this team

They have won 2 cups in my life .
I'm all good.
- mrpaulish

This is exactly how I feel too!

This is exactly how I feel too!
- MjulQvist

Yeah, why be satisfied with two cups? I want to see more.

Yeah, why be satisfied with two cups? I want to see more.
- EKolb13

With this "core", in this market - need several more very deep play-off runs, another cup or two.

They have won 2 cups in my life .
I'm all good.



Of course I want them to win 3 more in a row but If they do t , oh well



I never thought they woild win one on West Madison St. Never.


Its so awesome to be a fan of this team
- mrpaulish

Yeah, but one more Cup in the next couple of years and there is no disputing this is a Dynasty

Good counterpoint blog JJ. IMO Hammer is not a one year wonder. Always thought he is a solid D-man. It could be more a case of maturation and fulfilling his potential. He has been around so long that its easy to forget he is still relatively young as a Dman.
- Elbows15

I don't think so either and he can get better still.

It is so hard to win it all this day and age in the NHL with a hard salary cap. Doing it 2 times in the last 4 years is amazling. The Hawks are still relatively young at some key positions. How Hossa ages will be a key if they can win a couple more. He is such a huge part of how they play the game. Sharp by all means is not old, but he is also a guy that is over 30 now so two of the Hawks top snipers are getting a little older. I am sure the hope is that Teruvainen can be the Hawks next big star when he does arrive. Leadership will never be a question for this organization as long as 19 stays healthy. The Hawks are in good hands as long as 19 and 88 stay healthy. They have become the model NHL franchise, something I thought I would never say. So in my opinion winning a couple more Stanley Cup is entirely possible, but this day and age, it is going to be far from easy!!

I have not specifically heard the Saad at C talk recently but it wouldn't be the first time they've floated that out there for some reason I can't fathom. Shoot first player, 37% at the dot.

Until proven otherwise though, it is fairly apparent Q has zero confidence in Pirri.

The guy I would attach to the hip of Yannic Perreault between now and 10/1 is one Marcus Kruger. You get him closer to 50% on draws and you have yourself a very good NHL centerman, and maybe a solid 2C.

It is so hard to win it all this day and age in the NHL with a hard salary cap. Doing it 2 times in the last 4 years is amazling. The Hawks are still relatively young at some key positions. How Hossa ages will be a key if they can win a couple more. He is such a huge part of how they play the game. Sharp by all means is not old, but he is also a guy that is over 30 now so two of the Hawks top snipers are getting a little older. I am sure the hope is that Teruvainen can be the Hawks next big star when he does arrive. Leadership will never be a question for this organization as long as 19 stays healthy. The Hawks are in good hands as long as 19 and 88 stay healthy. They have become the model NHL franchise, something I thought I would never say. So in my opinion winning a couple more Stanley Cup is entirely possible, but this day and age, it is going to be far from easy!!
- ChicagoHope

He has all the tools. Just needs some time to mature physically. Agreed on Hossa.

This is a critical year for him. If he is relatively healthy and productive after the beating he took in the playoffs again last year, there is no reason to think he can't maintain it for few more years. The guy is a marvel of conditioning.

I think they'll limit his minutes even if he is 100%. He has a lot of miles on those tires. Even with being scratched often by San Jose before coming over, there were times last year that he looked spent.
- NewToHockey

Sure didn't on that one goal versus Boston!

Yeah, but one more Cup in the next couple of years and there is no disputing this is a Dynasty
- John Jaeckel

Don't say the D word too loud JJ....the anti-McDonough crowd.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQ0SI0R-DmM

Until proven otherwise though, it is fairly apparent Q has zero confidence in Pirri.

The guy I would attach to the hip of Yannic Perreault between now and 10/1 is one Marcus Kruger. You get him closer to 50% on draws and you have yourself a very good NHL centerman, and maybe a solid 2C.
- John Jaeckel

This.

If I recall correctly Q said he would use Handzus more in the capacity they intended to when he as acquired - depth forward. That being said, we all know that Q loves to go to the guys he's most comfortable with (as do most coaches).

So I expect Handzus will get plenty of rest in the press box and play in key defensive situations on the 4th line. But when important games are close you'll see Handzus creep his way up the depth chart to the 2nd line. Also, unless somebody really grabs the reigns and takes control of the 2C duties I expect to see Handzus between Sharp and Hossa in the playoffs (health permitting).
- DarthKane

Agreed, except that we've seen in the past that Q can be stubborn and ride with a player in a certain position that really doesn't belong there. If no one wins the #2 center job out of camp, I would expect Q to roll with Handzus, or a platoon with Handzus involved.

Agreed, except that we've seen in the past that Q can be stubborn and ride with a player in a certain position that really doesn't belong there. If no one wins the #2 center job out of camp, I would expect Q to roll with Handzus, or a platoon with Handzus involved.
- EKolb13

If Zeus is used early and often....we're PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHUCKED

If Zeus is used early and often....we're PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHUCKED
- philco28

Maybe. I don't see the harm in him lining up there every 2nd or 3rd game being used in a platoon situation. Personally, I'd love to see Kruger or a platoon of Kruger and Handzus to start the season.

Maybe. I don't see the harm in him lining up there every 2nd or 3rd game being used in a platoon situation. Personally, I'd love to see Kruger or a platoon of Kruger and Handzus to start the season.
- EKolb13

That could work...ideally i'd love to see Zeus FRESH come G1 of the playoffs and would love to see Krugman take the next step offensively this year.

That could work...ideally i'd love to see Zeus FRESH come G1 of the playoffs and would love to see Krugman take the next step offensively this year.
- philco28

Agreed.

I think Kruger would be a good fit between Sharp and Hossa. Kruger has always struck me as more of a playmaker (rather than a goal scorer), and him feeding the puck to those two would work out just fine, in my opinion. The FO % definitely has to improve, but the idea of Sharp sliding over and taking the crucial faceoffs for the time being isn't a bad idea.