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

I know, unfortunately taking out Frolik, Stalberg and to a lesser degree Bolland and putting in Smith, Morin and potentially LeBlanc, Hayes and/or Pirri you're not going to win that speed category back.

You kind of run out of room to put these slower guys considering the top line wingers are pretty set.

I know, unfortunately taking out Frolik, Stalberg and to a lesser degree Bolland and putting in Smith, Morin and potentially LeBlanc, Hayes and/or Pirri you're not going to win that speed category back.

You kind of run out of room to put these slower guys considering the top line wingers are pretty set.
- TyCamScore

I know I got a lot of flack for suggesting this before but I think Mason Raymond could be a good option on a cheap short term deal to replace Frolik. They are similar players (Frolik is better of course) and Raymond could replace some of the speed we lost this summer.

I know I got a lot of flack for suggesting this before but I think Mason Raymond could be a good option on a cheap short term deal to replace Frolik. They are similar players (Frolik is better of course) and Raymond could replace some of the speed we lost this summer.
- DarthKane

Not a bad idea at all. I just think it's a numbers game now. I think management wants to see what they have in some of these guys.

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

No Pirri?

I'm skeptical of him myself, but I think he'll be given every chance to sink or swim with the big club. Kruger may be 2C by mid-season (or earlier), but as much as I'd like to see him get that shot, I doubt he breaks camp as the 2C.

I know I got a lot of flack for suggesting this before but I think Mason Raymond could be a good option on a cheap short term deal to replace Frolik. They are similar players (Frolik is better of course) and Raymond could replace some of the speed we lost this summer.
- DarthKane

1 year, $1 million. Done.

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

Ben Smith is still a huge question mark for me. His defensive lapses are especially troublesome. I certainly wouldn't put his name in ink on any lineup card.

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

If Morin is that bad a skater, how can he fit on your 3rd line, which is supposed to be primarily a checking line - seems to me you can't say he's ok if he has to have guys who can cover for him defensively, not on a third line.

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?
- EKolb13

Why would either one of those guys want to play in Rockford on an AHL salary riding the buses when they can play in the KHL for more $ and likely tax free?

Why would either one of those guys want to play in Rockford on an AHL salary riding the buses when they can play in the KHL for more $ and likely tax free?
- RickJ

Thx rob!!!
- John Jaeckel

No problem man.

Why would either one of those guys want to play in Rockford on an AHL salary riding the buses when they can play in the KHL for more $ and likely tax free?
- RickJ

Russian airplanes.

- Ogilthorpe2

The one on the far left looks like an IceHog cheerleader from the 80s that just wont let her dream go

I don't think he's tied to the KHL as much as we think, he's only had a couple spot appearances. He's played more with his junior team (Belie Medvedi) where he's performed well. Maybe he's ready for that jump to the NA surface.

Yep - being here for those as well as coming over to be a part of the Subway Super Series shows a lot of promise.

Hey - I'm weary of Russian prospects as well. Igor Makarov broke my heart, I thought he was going to be a gem. This could very well be a steal of a player in Shalunov with all signs pointing to him wanting to be Chicago.
- TyCamScore

It is nice that the Hawks are such a powerhouse now. I had really high hopes for makarov, too. And vorobiev, yakubov, nabokov, and radulov, as well. Maybe the fact we were so bad played a role in it. Plus the Hawks brass played a big role in screwing them up, too

The one on the far left looks like an IceHog cheerleader from the 80s that just wont let her dream go
- FourFeathers773

This isn't art. This is sex. Get your butt in gear for the love of Pete!

1 year, $1 million. Done.
- Ogilthorpe2

That would be a fair price and term. I'm sure he'd perform well enough to drive up his value and getting a bigger contract elsewhere the following year. Some of Raymond's best hockey was played when he was on Vancouver's 3rd line and PK.

JJ just wanted to chime on the last blog...really enjoy your stuff and corresponding on this blog...

Meanwhile did anyone catch this yet...The Blows are now jumping on the Preds - blackout bandwagon...stay classy St. Louis.

http://www.csnchicago.com...-red-jerseys-out-st-louis

JJ just wanted to chime on the last blog...really enjoy your stuff and corresponding on this blog...

Meanwhile did anyone catch this yet...The Blows are now jumping on the Preds - blackout bandwagon...stay classy St. Louis.

http://www.csnchicago.com...-red-jerseys-out-st-louis
- DK002

Blusers

Pathetic.

The one on the far left looks like an IceHog cheerleader from the 80s that just wont let her dream go
- FourFeathers773

Jerk. That's my wife.

JJ just wanted to chime on the last blog...really enjoy your stuff and corresponding on this blog...

Meanwhile did anyone catch this yet...The Blows are now jumping on the Preds - blackout bandwagon...stay classy St. Louis.

http://www.csnchicago.com...-red-jerseys-out-st-louis
- DK002

I wonder if they do this for Detroit fans, too. They have to lead the league in Detroit fans in other team's buildings. Or maybe they used to until now

Last year the maple Leaf broadcast all the minor leafs had.
I talked with Adam K. with the hawks on why they weren't streamming them and he said it came to to some legalities, or they would be.

If you you happen to have the right feed on your canadian sat or cable, you may see all the games, too.

Last year's games (or two yrs ago??) left a bad taste in my mouth.

Danualt, Saad, and a few of the Icehogs wwnt up against the Jake Gardiner led leafs who pinned their ears back in the first couple minutes with tons of big hits and pastes, and they never seemed to gte untrack afte that.

Winger Danault did show excellent straight line jump go to the net well, and set up guys, but all in all it was like they were ducks in a arcade shooting gallery. I was so pissed, I wanted to be there and envoke harshness on a leaf fan in retailaition for my embarrassment. (I have grown up since..not likely!)

It would be a great help if all the Hawk beloved fans north of the border could keep us updated with channels cable and sat companies and feeds so we can get a glimpse.

I think Teravainen is your second line centre in the future.
He looks pretty comfortable moving in and out from there...with and without the biscuit.

All of you help me with this one:

So many times you see see NHL teams signing their Euro picks from previous years to three year deals like Teuvo Teravainen's when the parent clubs KNOWS the guy is committed elsewhere in the first year, so does the deal begin when he finally comes over?
Does the first year just get chucked and there is no payout?
Is this a formality to have the guys name on paper to hold his rights, or does this amoubt to a two year deal ?

According to capgeek.com Teravainen's deal is for $925,000 per season.

http://www.capgeek.com/player/2572

This is a good deal, Tomas Hertal was drafted just 1 spot ahead of TT and his deal was for $1.35 million per season.

Last year the maple Leaf broadcast all the minor leafs had.
I talked with Adam K. with the hawks on why they weren't streamming them and he said it came to to some legalities, or they would be.

If you you happen to have the right feed on your canadian sat or cable, you may see all the games, too.

Last year's games (or two yrs ago??) left a bad taste in my mouth.

Danualt, Saad, and a few of the Icehogs wwnt up against the Jake Gardiner led leafs who pinned their ears back in the first couple minutes with tons of big hits and pastes, and they never seemed to gte untrack afte that.

Winger Danault did show excellent straight line jump go to the net well, and set up guys, but all in all it was like they were ducks in a arcade shooting gallery. I was so pissed, I wanted to be there and envoke harshness on a leaf fan in retailaition for my embarrassment. (I have grown up since..not likely!)

It would be a great help if all the Hawk beloved fans north of the border could keep us updated with channels cable and sat companies and feeds so we can get a glimpse.

I think Teravainen is your second line centre in the future.
He looks pretty comfortable moving in and out from there...with and without the biscuit.

All of you help me with this one:

So many times you see see NHL teams signing their Euro picks from previous years to three year deals like Teuvo Teravainen's when the parent clubs KNOWS the guy is committed elsewhere in the first year, so does the deal begin when he finally comes over?
Does the first year just get chucked and there is no payout?
Is this a formality to have the guys name on paper to hold his rights, or does this amoubt to a two year deal ?
- wiz1901

My guess is that it does start now. And the reason they do this is to get TT his bonus now and possibly use TT at the end of the season and towards the playoffs. After his season ends. Similar to Marcus Kruger from a few years back. Obviously different players, but same strategy.

My guess is that it does start now. And the reason they do this is to get TT his bonus now and possibly use TT at the end of the season and towards the playoffs. After his season ends. Similar to Marcus Kruger from a few years back. Obviously different players, but same strategy.
- TrueGrit

The deal starts now but if TT plays 10 or fewer games his contract slides 1 year and then starts in 2014/2015. It would be good if TT's contract slide a year, it would expire the same time as Bickell and Sharp, so if needed, extra cap space could be had by letting one of them walk.

This is similar to Kruger, but he played more than 10 games so there was no slide.

The ceiling on Teravainen seems to keep going higher and higher. The Hawks prospect depth is getting better and better.

The great situation Chicago is in now, is that they can let younger guys like Teravainen, McNeil, and Danault develop at a good pace and not rush them. At the same time they can let older prospects like Pirri and Morin cut their teeth with the big team in small doses, as unlike other teams, they should be in a position NOT to be stressing over a playoff spot. At least that SHOULD be the case.

A great job done by the organization in developing young talent while their CORE is still in their prime. Remember, Toews and Kane are only 25 or 26 and still young and improving themselves!!!

Glorious time to be a Hawk fan. (and I am old enough to remember when Pit Martin was our top scorer...so ABOUT TIME!!!)
- hawk35

Cheers to that!

Not that I'm advocating going back to those days but I'm old enough to remember that too and I liked Pit Martin; I mean I was like eight or something but just saying.

Why would either one of those guys want to play in Rockford on an AHL salary riding the buses when they can play in the KHL for more $ and likely tax free?
- RickJ

Apparently, this was what Vishnevskiy was thinking.