Smith's either on the Blackhawks or with another organization IMO due to his 1-way contract.

They've committed to him giving him that 2nd year as a 1-way so they must see him as ready to contribute. He had a solid year in Rockford as well, he just needs to stay healthy!
- TyCamScore

Smith's contract gives him a decent shot at making the team, but he's play has helped even more. Smith has played well in his NHL stints and played well in Rockford when healthy. Barring something out of left field (i.e. injury, total collapse, or being surpassed by another rookie) I fully expect Smith on the 4th line on opening night, and he deserves a shot.

Smith's either on the Blackhawks or with another organization IMO due to his 1-way contract.

They've committed to him giving him that 2nd year as a 1-way so they must see him as ready to contribute. He had a solid year in Rockford as well, he just needs to stay healthy!
- TyCamScore

Smith staying healthy is his biggest issue. Really, he seems to be a guy Q trusts. As far as I view it, Smith already has a roster spot. It's his to lose in camp. Provided Smith doesn't crap the bed in camp, or comes up injured, he has a spot in Chicago this coming season.

There's been lots of discussion on which Rockford prospects will make the team next year. There seems to be a consensus that Smith will make the team (likely on the 4th line) and Morin has a decent shot at the 3rd line vacancy.

Over the past 2 seasons it's been Jimmy Hayes who's been called up the most; 10 games last season and 31 in 2011/2012. Management must see something in this guy to keep giving him a chance over the likes of Smith, Morin, and Pirri.

Eli...you've provided your feedback on what's kept Hayes from sticking in Chicago (i.e. skating) but in your opinion what do you think Management sees in this kid? Is it simply his 6'6" frame or is there something else?
- DarthKane

With Hayes it's got to be a thought that he can develop into a true power forward, the way Bickell did after a few years of patience and frustration. However, I would rather sell that guy on a high than wait too long on his development. He just doesn't skate well enough, in my opinion. Not to say he can't be a useful player, either. But Bick's new 4yr contract precludes some of the need for power forwarding. Would much rather see Hayes go somewhere else. McNeil is a guy in the system that could fill a prospect void if Hayes traveled.

If Ivan Vishnevskiy hadn't of been in Rockford chirping in Makarov's ear about how he (Vishnevskiy) was never going to get his shot in North America, perhaps Makarov would have stayed more than one season in North America.
- EKolb13

Really eh? I thought Vishnevskiy was helping him because Makarov didn't speak a lick of english so his "pal" Ivan was translating for him.

Maybe Ivan should have focused on his own game! haha.

Eli...you've provided your feedback on what's kept Hayes from sticking in Chicago (i.e. skating) but in your opinion what do you think Management sees in this kid? Is it simply his 6'6" frame or is there something else?
- DarthKane

I would have to think that Hayes' size was the factor that had the Hawks intrigued. I think the reasoning behind why he has been called upon more than the other Icehogs is that Smith has been bitten by the injury bug, and that he probably is close to his development peak - to the point that he is not going to get any better than what he is now.

Calling upon Hayes leaves players like Morin and Pirri in Rockford to play valuable minutes in order to further their development.

That's just my take on things, for what its worth.

Smith staying healthy is his biggest issue. Really, he seems to be a guy Q trusts. As far as I view it, Smith already has a roster spot. It's his to lose in camp. Provided Smith doesn't crap the bed in camp, or comes up injured, he has a spot in Chicago this coming season.
- EKolb13

I like Smith. I've been a big advocate of Smith, but both Smith and Morin definitely provide issues given their lack of skating speed. Where do you slot them? In a perfect world, I think Smith is best on the 3rd line, but I don't know if his lack of speed really makes him an ideal candidate there.

Really eh? I thought Vishnevskiy was helping him because Makarov didn't speak a lick of english so his "pal" Ivan was translating for him.

Maybe Ivan should have focused on his own game! haha.
- TyCamScore

That's what Vishnevskiy was there for. To translate for Makarov and to help him adjust to North America, since Vishnevskiy had already spent something like 5 or 6 years here already.

Vishnevskiy was already in his third organization when he came to the Hawks, and had it in his head that he wasn't going to get a shot. What's Makarov supposed to think when he's spending a whole season with this bum and it's the only guy he can actually talk to?

That's what Vishnevskiy was there for. To translate for Makarov and to help him adjust to North America, since Vishnevskiy had already spent something like 5 or 6 years here already.

Vishnevskiy was already in his third organization when he came to the Hawks, and had it in his head that he wasn't going to get a shot. What's Makarov supposed to think when he's spending a whole season with this bum and it the only guy he can actually talk to?
- EKolb13

Totally makes sense.

It's too bad. When I saw Makarov in person, he looked pretty impressive. Very similar to Shalunov in his current game. Skates hard, hits hard and frequent and solid 2-way game.

I was hoping Rockford was the perfect path for him to hone his skills in NA.

I like Smith. I've been a big advocate of Smith, but both Smith and Morin definitely provide issues given their lack of skating speed. Where do you slot them? In a perfect world, I think Smith is best on the 3rd line, but I don't know if his lack of speed really makes him an ideal candidate there.
- QStache

I don't think you can slot both Smith and Morin on the same line. If fact, I really don't think you can slot Morin on a line with someone else that is notoriously slow skating, such as Handzus. I think a line of Saad - Shaw/Kruger - Morin would work alright. Place Morin on a line with a couple of guys who would be able to get back to the defensive zone quick enough to pitch in on the defense.

I think Smith would work just fine on the 4th line and on the PK.

I don't think you can slot both Smith and Morin on the same line. If fact, I really don't think you can slot Morin on a line with someone else that is notoriously slow skating, such as Handzus. I think a line of Saad - Shaw/Kruger - Morin would work alright. Place Morin on a line with a couple of guys who would be able to get back to the defensive zone quick enough to pitch in on the defense.

I think Smith would work just fine on the 4th line and on the PK.
- EKolb13

Goodness, no, I'm not advocating those two on the same line. I'm not sure I'm advocating both of them on the roster. I was only saying that both of them suffer from being slower skaters on a team that is built for speed.

Totally makes sense.

It's too bad. When I saw Makarov in person, he looked pretty impressive. Very similar to Shalunov in his current game. Skates hard, hits hard and frequent and solid 2-way game.

I was hoping Rockford was the perfect path for him to hone his skills in NA.
- TyCamScore

Is the English language something of an issue for Shalunov? If it is, perhaps that's the issue as to why Shalunov isn't here yet? I'm sure after the Makarov thing, perhaps the organization is a little gun shy about bringing over, or at least finding the right person to "show him the ropes" in North America.

I don't think you can slot both Smith and Morin on the same line. If fact, I really don't think you can slot Morin on a line with someone else that is notoriously slow skating, such as Handzus. I think a line of Saad - Shaw/Kruger - Morin would work alright. Place Morin on a line with a couple of guys who would be able to get back to the defensive zone quick enough to pitch in on the defense.

I think Smith would work just fine on the 4th line and on the PK.
- EKolb13

I think this is the most ideal.

The 4th line of Bollig-Handzus-Smith is not going to scare anyone, but very respectable. I think Bollig and Winchester will go back and forth in that spot on 4th LW.

Is the English language something of an issue for Shalunov? If it is, perhaps that's the issue as to why Shalunov isn't here yet? I'm sure after the Makarov thing, perhaps the organization is a little gun shy about bringing over, or at least finding the right person to "show him the ropes" in North America.
- EKolb13

I suppose if that's why they re-signed Khabibulin, he's likely to be a better role model than Vishnevskiy. As long as they don't go out for drinks. Too soon?

Hey JJ, I mentioned this in the last blog.

Thanks for everything you do and keep doing what you do. Your awesome blogs bring together the greatest sports fans in the world.
- robhawks

Thx rob!!!

Is the English language something of an issue for Shalunov? If it is, perhaps that's the issue as to why Shalunov isn't here yet? I'm sure after the Makarov thing, perhaps the organization is a little gun shy about bringing over, or at least finding the right person to "show him the ropes" in North America.
- EKolb13

Actually I think I heard where his English is OK and he is a nice kid.

Actually I think I heard where his English is OK and he is a nice kid.
- John Jaeckel

Good to know. That means that it wouldn't become another Vishnevskiy/Makarov situation.

I think this is the most ideal.

The 4th line of Bollig-Handzus-Smith is not going to scare anyone, but very respectable. I think Bollig and Winchester will go back and forth in that spot on 4th LW.
- TyCamScore

Why does the 4th line need to scare anyone? Last season our 4th line was mostly Bollig - Kruger - Frolik. That line would scare opponents even less yet they were very effective.

I'm expecting the opening night roster (forwards) to look like this:

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

I suppose if that's why they re-signed Khabibulin, he's likely to be a better role model than Vishnevskiy. As long as they don't go out for drinks. Too soon?
- Lash8

Yeah, Khabby as a role model. Just what every kid needs. He'll have him doing keg stands and shotgunning cans of beer in no time. Maybe he'll help him get his first DUI while he's at it.

Why does the 4th line need to scare anyone? Last season our 4th line was mostly Bollig - Kruger - Frolik. That line would scare opponents even less yet they were very effective.

I'm expecting the opening night roster (forwards) to look like this:

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Kruger - Hossa
Saad - Shaw - Morin
Bollig - Handzus - Smith
Winchester, Hayes
- DarthKane

Fixed.

I would have to think that Hayes' size was the factor that had the Hawks intrigued. I think the reasoning behind why he has been called upon more than the other Icehogs is that Smith has been bitten by the injury bug, and that he probably is close to his development peak - to the point that he is not going to get any better than what he is now.

Calling upon Hayes leaves players like Morin and Pirri in Rockford to play valuable minutes in order to further their development.

That's just my take on things, for what its worth.
- EKolb13

Thanks, I always appreciate your opinion when it comes to the kids in Rockford.

Do you think there's a chance Hayes could be the 13th forward over somebody like Winchester? I think we'll need somebody to play 4C occasionally so Handzus can rest and if Kruger is centering the 4th line there aren't many other options. Could Hayes be that guy who plays 25 - 30 games as the 4C? From everything I heard the Hayes at centre experiment didn't go too well, but without signing a UFA 4C type guy what other options are there?

On a side note, there are some UFAs out there that could play on the 4th line - Steckel, Smithson, Larose, Reasoner.

Why does the 4th line need to scare anyone? Last season our 4th line was mostly Bollig - Kruger - Frolik. That line would scare opponents even less yet they were very effective.

I'm expecting the opening night roster (forwards) to look like this:

Bickell - Toews - Kane
Sharp - Kruger - Hossa
Saad - Shaw - Morin
Bollig - Handzus - Smith
Winchester
- DarthKane

Oh I meant scare in terms of skill. I agree the days of a huge, crashing 4th line is going away. I think you need size and grit up and down the line up.

I'm with you on that lineup. That is if Pirri doesn't show them what he needs to in camp. I would prefer your roster but the way Stan speaks it may be:


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

Fixed.
- EKolb13

I think you see 13 fwds and 8 d regardless of the way camp shakes out. Q likes his versatility on D and with Kostka, Peckham and Stanton all on 2-way deals, it allows them to practice with the big club.

Kostka makes the most sense as the 8th guy because of the minutes he logged last year and his age (he doesn't need anymore development in the A, he is what he is). The other 2 could use the regular ice time.

Oh I meant scare in terms of skill. I agree the days of a huge, crashing 4th line is going away. I think you need size and grit up and down the line up.

I'm with you on that lineup. That is if Pirri doesn't show them what he needs to in camp. I would prefer your roster but the way Stan speaks it may be:


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

That's a lot of slow skaters on the 4th line.

Thanks, I always appreciate your opinion when it comes to the kids in Rockford.

Do you think there's a chance Hayes could be the 13th forward over somebody like Winchester? I think we'll need somebody to play 4C occasionally so Handzus can rest and if Kruger is centering the 4th line there aren't many other options. Could Hayes be that guy who plays 25 - 30 games as the 4C? From everything I heard the Hayes at centre experiment didn't go too well, but without signing a UFA 4C type guy what other options are there?

On a side note, there are some UFAs out there that could play on the 4th line - Steckel, Smithson, Larose, Reasoner.
- DarthKane

You've seen Hayes skate, right? Do you really want him to attempt playing a 200' two way game at center?



If the Hawks don't bring in another veteran forward as the 14th forward, what's the risk of carrying Hayes in the press box and having him play every 3rd game? I don't think it's really going to stunt his development. I'd be more concerned about doing that to some of the other kids in Rockford.

Yeah, Khabby as a role model. Just what every kid needs. He'll have him doing keg stands and shotgunning cans of beer in no time. Maybe he'll help him get his first DUI while he's at it.
- EKolb13

You haven't truly arrived in the NHL until you get your first DUI. At least that's what Mark Bell told me.