On game nights do they dress 8 D or normally 7??
- z1990z

They dress the 6 on the three pairings, which makes it a bit baffling why they would keep 8 - the only reason that makes (even a little) sense is that they want to make sure they keep Kostca, or a trade of Brookbank is a close-term possibility.

Even resting Rozsival occasionally means you would need only 7 defensemen - none of the other 5 defensemen require periodic press-box duty.

Tracey Myers ‏@TramyersCSN 2h ago

Hossa skated this morning prior to practice. Q hoping he practice tomorrow; he'll skate either way.
- Return of the Roar

Either way - good - has to skate both forwards and backwards.

Or are they looking at moving Brookbank? Makes no sense to keep 8 defencemen and eat up cap space we may need at the trade deadline.
- 67hawks

Maybe? Who do you see lining up to take Brookbank off Bowman's hands?

I will say this again. It seems to go right by the heads of most as I say it over and over, but here is the key. Stop thinking in terms of 1st line, 3rd line etc...think along the lines of building 4 balanced lines.

That is the secret formula. Again I reference Team USA world Junior championship and again will cite last years Hawks team. Swarm and overwhelm all opponents who have less speed and skill and grit on all their lines. Put the onus on the opposition to attempt to out play you at your game, when in reality they are over matched.

Having Speed, Skill, Grit, and two way play on all lines is the formula. So from my point of view, it is irrelevant and a waste of time to focus on 2nd line, 4th line. In reality, last year the Hawks had 2 third lines, and in reality you could have called the Shaw, Bick and STal line as a second line on most teams.

Balance Balance Balance. I would not be surprised to see Pirri and Handzuis rotated and or Shaw centering 3rd line and Kruger 4th.

Just my 2 cents, but guys have to think outside the box a bit.
- TrueGrit

Post of the year. Well done

Maybe? Who do you see lining up to take Brookbank off Bowman's hands?
- EKolb13

Vancouver...their 6th and 7th defensemen are terrible.

Some bottom feeder would take Brookbank so they can market that they have "Stanley Cup Champion Sheldon Brookbank" on their roster.

Maybe? Who do you see lining up to take Brookbank off Bowman's hands?
- EKolb13

Toronto if they can move Liles

Or are they looking at moving Brookbank? Makes no sense to keep 8 defencemen and eat up cap space we may need at the trade deadline.
- 67hawks

They could also send him down to Rockford, hoping he gets claimed, and if not, would only cost $350,000 towards the cap.

No, and it's because of the health issues that you wouldn't. Hossa can go on the LTIR if needed just like Philly did with Pronger.

Besides, he's too good to get rid of even factoring in his limited health.
- DarthKane

So if he retires early due to health he can stay on LTIR and not count against the cap?

Toronto if they can move Liles
- Return of the Roar

We'll see if Toronto can pull that off.

So if he retires early due to health he can stay on LTIR and not count against the cap?
- busmaster

Technically he wouldn't retire, he would just be one LTIR until his contract ran out.

They could also send him down to Rockford, hoping he gets claimed, and if not, would only cost $350,000 towards the cap.
- hawks2010

There's that too. However, I think if the organization intended to go that route, I think they would have done that already.

They could also send him down to Rockford, hoping he gets claimed, and if not, would only cost $350,000 towards the cap.
- hawks2010

I'd be surprised if they sent Brookbank to Rockford, I don't know if it's worth it for $350,000 in cap space. But I think he would be claimed if he was put on waivers.

I'd be surprised if they sent Brookbank to Rockford, I don't know if it's worth it for $350,000 in cap space. But I think he would be claimed if he was put on waivers.
- DarthKane

I believe its 900,000 in cap space DK. Howdy boys.

I believe its 900,000 in cap space DK. Howdy boys.
- Elbows15

I stand corrected, you can bury the league minimum plus $375,000, the rest is the cap hit.

I believe its 900,000 in cap space DK. Howdy boys.
- Elbows15

It's actually $925,000 [ (minimum salary) $550,000 + $375,000 ].

We'll see if Toronto can pull that off.
- EKolb13

I doubt they can at the moment.Liles still has 3 years left on his contract at a little under 4 for a cap hit.

It's actually $925,000
- EKolb13[ minimum salary + $375,000 ].

Yeah. I figured someone would correct it after i posted. I wasn't 100% sure of the amount.

I doubt they can at the moment.Liles still has 3 years left on his contract at a little under 4 for a cap hit.
- Elbows15

Toronto also used up both of their compliance buyouts over the summer too. Unless they can find an equally bad contract or player, I think they're stuck with Liles for a while.

Yeah. I figured someone would correct it after i posted. I wasn't 100% sure of the amount.
- Elbows15

Don't feel bad, I had to look it up the other night myself.

Don't feel bad, I had to look it up the other night myself.
- EKolb13

Oh, I am crushed, CRUSHED I tell ya.

Toronto also used up both of their compliance buyouts over the summer too. Unless they can find an equally bad contract or player, I think they're stuck with Liles for a while.
- EKolb13

I lurk the Leaf thread. Its GOLD. GOLD Jerry.

I lurk the Leaf thread. Its GOLD. GOLD Jerry.
- Elbows15

I might have to start lurking there after Esplen got his walkin' papers.

I might have to start lurking there after Esplen got his walkin' papers.
- EKolb13

Yeah , that thread is or was a case study in delusional behavior.

I lurk the Leaf thread. Its GOLD. GOLD Jerry.
- Elbows15

Shall we start a Lurker Anonymous chapter? I've been lurking over there for awhile now.

Shall we start a Lurker Anonymous chapter? I've been lurking over there for awhile now.
- Beaver-Warrior

Only if the Nucks fans start up a Troll Reform program.