48 games or 82 games luck is needed...

Q knows this will be a long, long grind.
Bowman could add at the deadline and Handzus could slide down to the 4th line....Shaw would be my first choice to play with Hossa and Sharp for now.

Someone from Rockford could surprise and Q is well aware he will need duck tape and glue to hold Roszy and Handzus together and Mr. Hossa could be missing a lot of practices and maybe some games as well.
- Al

They thought it thru and knew that an 82 game schedule with a reduced salary cap was going to be way different from last year. So re-sign Rozy, Zus, grab Kostka cheap, gamble that Khabby can still play 25 NHL games and figure on a rotating group of about 5 up and down from Rockford.

And leave some money for the trade deadline. Some teams have less that $50K to spend against the cap in early October - risky in a long schedule.

I could go for that, but Shaw would be better on a wing,Sharp in the middle but that falls on deaf ears. as far as Rockford AL, nope, don't see it unless danault or mcneil get on the fast train. I think that kid Leblanc won't amount to anything either, there has got to be a reason he wasn't drafted, NHL scouts from 29 other teams can't be that dumb. JMO that kid isn't that big & he still looks slow.
- wonthecup10

LeBlanc I wouldn't write off yet and even so not much ventured....Remember Shaw was passed over in the Draft two times.

I don't like Handzus as a top six center...Shaw could be a better wing than center but that line would play at a better pace with him in the middle.

Handzus is here for a couple of reasons....The young guys might not be defensively responsible enough for Q. ....With Handzus Q. will give up offense for the comfort of defense.

That said you won't find anyone who takes the advance billing of anyone from Rockford with a bigger grain of salt than me.

As I wrote today starting a 21 year old rookie as PK man ahead of those who have played in the AHL for awhile tells me something....

And if I was Jimmy Hayes I wouldn't get too comfortable in the big city and Smith best not take any nights off as well.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Bottom line is these days $2.3 mill is too much for a 4th line player who recently became a PK specialist.

If we are still bemoaning his loss for long, there are bigger issues.

Like I wrote today Bowman used the cap space to keep the defense together and Frolik wasn't the biggest reason the PK was great last year.
- Al

you miss the point - a good fourth line that Q trusts - means they play more and means they play during crunch time. This makes all the other lines better, because fresher and not worn out by the last 10mins of the game.
Also at times, the 3rd and 4th line seems interchangeable, so actually the price was not out of whack. If you can have a fourth liine that is not a liability and suck up hard minutes, that is gold. Just ask Boston. Only if Kruger can win some face-offs that would be better. I am still hoping the 4th line gets better, but Q still has to trust them. In the 3rd period, Q even shifted Kruger to play with Saad and Shaw - and i thought smith was doing fine.

And they could have kept him (Frolik), give Bickel 500k less and/or Khabby less. But it is what it is.

Still don't see all the love for Kruger - but at 1.5 - he is fine. But this board loves him.

Fro had about 135 regular season games with the Hawks and scored like 10 goals so his price tag vs production was pretty heavy. The Hawks sort of got repaid in the end by his play in the playoffs last year. Otherwise, there was better places to spend money and Bowman headed down a different trail.
- RickJ

Funny, what was his job? Of course his numbers were down, he played a lot of games on the checking line and against the other teams top line. And he didn't get any pp time. Classic Ah, he did get a few chances to play on the top line but never lasted long.
From what i saw last year and then the previous two years, it would be nice to keep the team together if possible and Frolik was a big part of the Hawks success last year.

LeBlanc I wouldn't write off yet and even so not much ventured....Remember Shaw was passed over in the Draft two times.

I don't like Handzus as a top six center...Shaw could be a better wing than center but that line would play at a better pace with him in the middle.

Handzus is here for a couple of reasons....The young guys might not be defensively responsible enough for Q. ....With Handzus Q. will give up offense for the comfort of defense.

That said you won't find anyone who takes the advance billing of anyone from Rockford with a bigger grain of salt than me.

As I wrote today starting a 21 year old rookie as PK man ahead of those who have played in the AHL for awhile tells me something....

And if I was Jimmy Hayes I wouldn't get too comfortable in the big city and Smith best not take any nights off as well.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Al, I'm fine with Zues going up & down the lineup for now. he's a proven NHl'r on a team built to win now with a big bulls eye on their backs. I posted a couple pages ago, but all i am is a fan, if it we're me, Ben Smith (for now)& Brad Winchester would be in that line up way before Hayes & nordstrom. to me all the pre season does is make some of these guys look like stars when they are scrimmaging against each other. they quickly separate once the puck drops for the regular season.
agree with your last statement, those 2 along with Pirri & morin probably will be no where near this team come the playoffs.

Funny, what was his job? Of course his numbers were down, he played a lot of games on the checking line and against the other teams top line. And he didn't get any pp time. Classic Ah, he did get a few chances to play on the top line but never lasted long.
From what i saw last year and then the previous two years, it would be nice to keep the team together if possible and Frolik was a big part of the Hawks success last year.
- Topshelf2010

I got no problem at all with Frolik, this year's team would be better with him on the roster. But they needed to lop $6M off the cap for this season so him and Bolland became expendable as 2 players that would be UFA's after another season and lost for nothing in return. At least this way they got picks for soon to expire contracts.

And Frolik's offensive numbers weren't down - he really never delivered any.

you miss the point - a good fourth line that Q trusts - means they play more and means they play during crunch time. This makes all the other lines better, because fresher and not worn out by the last 10mins of the game.
Also at times, the 3rd and 4th line seems interchangeable, so actually the price was not out of whack. If you can have a fourth liine that is not a liability and suck up hard minutes, that is gold. Just ask Boston. Only if Kruger can win some face-offs that would be better. I am still hoping the 4th line gets better, but Q still has to trust them. In the 3rd period, Q even shifted Kruger to play with Saad and Shaw - and i thought smith was doing fine.

And they could have kept him (Frolik), give Bickel 500k less and/or Khabby less. But it is what it is.

Still don't see all the love for Kruger - but at 1.5 - he is fine. But this board loves him.
- Topshelf2010

I'm a fan of Frolik as much as anyone, if not more. But the writing was on the wall once it became clear he wouldn't be a top 6 forward here.

I don't believe that trading Frolik was about the 2013/2014 season, it was about after that. Although Frolik is an RFA there's no way he would have be re-signed. Trading Frolik after a solid playoff run and with one year left on his deal gets you more in return then waiting an extra year and being stuck in a contract negotiation (for the receiving team). Plus, guys like Smith, Nordstrom, Hayes and maybe Morin get to jump into the NHL one year soon, and these guys can be brought back cheaply next year if Stan wants.

On the topic of Morin, it looks like he's got off to a good start in Rockford. A hot start for Morin in the AHL and a cold start for Hayes or Smith could force Stan to make a swap.

you miss the point - a good fourth line that Q trusts - means they play more and means they play during crunch time. This makes all the other lines better, because fresher and not worn out by the last 10mins of the game.
Also at times, the 3rd and 4th line seems interchangeable, so actually the price was not out of whack. If you can have a fourth liine that is not a liability and suck up hard minutes, that is gold. Just ask Boston. Only if Kruger can win some face-offs that would be better. I am still hoping the 4th line gets better, but Q still has to trust them. In the 3rd period, Q even shifted Kruger to play with Saad and Shaw - and i thought smith was doing fine.

And they could have kept him (Frolik), give Bickel 500k less and/or Khabby less. But it is what it is.

Still don't see all the love for Kruger - but at 1.5 - he is fine. But this board loves him.
- Topshelf2010

You missed my point as I was specifically referencing the PK.

As far as a 4th line Frolik was a luxury item and sometimes you have to do without.
Given the choice I keep the entire defense and send Frolik bye bye.

On this team the 4th line will play but look back to last year....They didn't average 10 mins per game if you took out the PK time.

This club won last year because they had the best defense in the NHL and were able to rest the top pair by not playing them for every minute during the penalty kill.

I'm a fan of Frolik as much as anyone, if not more. But the writing was on the wall once it became clear he wouldn't be a top 6 forward here.

I don't believe that trading Frolik was about the 2013/2014 season, it was about after that. Although Frolik is an RFA there's no way he would have be re-signed. Trading Frolik after a solid playoff run and with one year left on his deal gets you more in return then waiting an extra year and being stuck in a contract negotiation (for the receiving team). Plus, guys like Smith, Nordstrom, Hayes and maybe Morin get to jump into the NHL one year soon, and these guys can be brought back cheaply next year if Stan wants.

On the topic of Morin, it looks like he's got off to a good start in Rockford. A hot start for Morin in the AHL and a cold start for Hayes or Smith could force Stan to make a swap.
- DarthKane

Trading Frolik after a solid playoff run and with one year left on his deal gets you more in return then waiting an extra year and being stuck in a contract negotiation (for the receiving team)

Exactly and there were 2 sell high candidates....Frolik and Oduya...Bowman kept the defense together and it is hard to argue with that thinking.

If Leddy has a big season odd man out next summer could very well be Oduya, NTC or not.

I'm a fan of Frolik as much as anyone, if not more. But the writing was on the wall once it became clear he wouldn't be a top 6 forward here.

I don't believe that trading Frolik was about the 2013/2014 season, it was about after that. Although Frolik is an RFA there's no way he would have be re-signed. Trading Frolik after a solid playoff run and with one year left on his deal gets you more in return then waiting an extra year and being stuck in a contract negotiation (for the receiving team). Plus, guys like Smith, Nordstrom, Hayes and maybe Morin get to jump into the NHL one year soon, and these guys can be brought back cheaply next year if Stan wants.


.
- DarthKane

I really think you are missing the issue with Morin - Q couldn't care less how many goals he scores in Rockfish. Its about whether can he use him on the 3rd/4th lines to play a specific role. And I'd bet Q's decided he can't and doesn't want him. And there is a No Vacancy sign for Morin on the top 2 lines.

You missed my point as I was specifically referencing the PK.

As far as a 4th line Frolik was a luxury item and sometimes you have to do without.
Given the choice I keep the entire defense and send Frolik bye bye.

On this team the 4th line will play but look back to last year....They didn't come close to averaging 10 mins per game if you took out the PK time.

This club won last year because they had the best defense in the NHL and were able to rest the top pair by not playing them for every minute during the penalty kill.
- Al

Or Stan could have brought back Frolik and let Bickell go. But after the season and post-season he had that would never happen. Like you said, for this team Frolik was a luxury, one Stan couldn't afford to keep.

By the end of the year most people will have forgotten about Frolik (not me though) and that's they way it should be.

I really think you are missing the issue with Morin - Q couldn't care less how many goals he scores in Rockfish. Its about whether can he use him on the 3rd/4th lines to play a specific role. And I'd bet Q's decided he can't and doesn't want him. And there is a No Vacancy sign for Morin on the top 2 lines.
- RickJ

The issue is whoever comes up has to be defensively responsible...Q isn't looking for offense unless there is an injury to a top gun.

That's how Shaw got here and to his credit why Saad stayed here as well.

I really think you are missing the issue with Morin - Q couldn't care less how many goals he scores in Rockfish. Its about whether can he use him on the 3rd/4th lines to play a specific role. And I'd bet Q's decided he can't and doesn't want him. And there is a No Vacancy sign for Morin on the top 2 lines.
- RickJ

I know there's a lot of speculation that Q doesn't want Morin on the team. But if both Hayes and Morin soil the sheets and Morin is tearing up the AHL I don't see Q ignoring that.

Or Stan could have brought back Frolik and let Bickell go. But after the season and post-season he had that would never happen. Like you said, for this team Frolik was a luxury, one Stan couldn't afford to keep.

By the end of the year most people will have forgotten about Frolik (not me though) and that's they way it should be.
- DarthKane

Yes and if Bickell turns out to be a bust Bowman still did the right thing.

Big men that can hit, score from in front of the net and play at the pace of elite players are in short supply.

Trading Frolik after a solid playoff run and with one year left on his deal gets you more in return then waiting an extra year and being stuck in a contract negotiation (for the receiving team)

Exactly and there were 2 sell high candidates....Frolik and Oduya...Bowman kept the defense together and it is hard to argue with that thinking.

If Leddy has a big season odd man out next summer could very well be Oduya, NTC or not.
- Al

If the choice was to keep either Frolik or Oduya them Stan made the right more. I'd argue that Oduya had a much bigger impact on the team and he's locked up for 2 more years. I agree that if Leddy steps up his game then Oduya becomes expendable, but I hope he sticks around for the duration of his contract.

yep! if teams try it again this year, I would just like the Hawks management to say enough is enough before someone gets hurt. we sign a guy who can play the game, has a ton of NHL experience and fits most check points of what could help the Hawks on the bottom 2 lines but yet, even after SB wanted Brad Winchester for 2 years they bury him in Rockford in favor of a guys like Hayes, who will be a bust, Nordstrom who probably needs a good weight gaining program & time in Rockford, and my feeling is Q don't care for smith ,pirri or morin either. Bollig & Winchester form a formidable duo who will keep teams in check when it comes to the Sh it! I was 1 that liked that signing the minute it happened .
- wonthecup10

How do tough guys on the fourth line protect guys on the first line? Do you have any concrete evidence of this? And as far as the Hawks got lucky talk, shove it. The best offensive and defensive team in their conference was "lucky" to win. Every team that wins has luck, its a major part of the game. The Bruins got lucky they won two games. You're incessant negativity and crusade for goons who can't play is like a gnat that everyone tries to swat away but can't. The Hawks win because they dominate puck possession and have players who win the 1 on 1 battles when it counts. Not because they have a horse shoe up their rear end

Funny, what was his job? Of course his numbers were down, he played a lot of games on the checking line and against the other teams top line. And he didn't get any pp time. Classic Ah, he did get a few chances to play on the top line but never lasted long.
From what i saw last year and then the previous two years, it would be nice to keep the team together if possible and Frolik was a big part of the Hawks success last year.
- Topshelf2010

Frolik plays against 4th liners, in no way is he counted on to check the oppositions top players, that job goes to Jonathan Toews. And calling Frolik a big part of the Hawks success is ludicrous. He was, at best, the 9th most important player on the team, and that's ignoring the regular season when he was an offensive blackhole. He's a guy. There's tons of guys out there for a lot less

If the choice was to keep either Frolik or Oduya them Stan made the right more. I'd argue that Oduya had a much bigger impact on the team and he's locked up for 2 more years. I agree that if Leddy steps up his game then Oduya becomes expendable, but I hope he sticks around for the duration of his contract.
- DarthKane

Top 4 D >>>>>>>>>> can't score 4th liner

How do tough guys on the fourth line protect guys on the first line? Do you have any concrete evidence of this? And as far as the Hawks got lucky talk, shove it. The best offensive and defensive team in their conference was "lucky" to win. Every team that wins has luck, its a major part of the game. The Bruins got lucky they won two games. You're incessant negativity and crusade for goons who can't play is like a gnat that everyone tries to swat away but can't. The Hawks win because they dominate puck possession and have players who win the 1 on 1 battles when it counts. Not because they have a horse shoe up their rear end
- rollpards19

After the Cup I got asked on XM how could the Hawks go through the two toughest teams to play against...LA and Boston. Both had big strong forwards and could forecheck and were physical.

I said it all comes down to not being afraid and no matter what anyone says about Kane and others they go to the tough areas almost always.

Couple that with smaller players like Shaw who play bigger than they are and the Hawks were able to survive and then some.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

Yes and if Bickell turns out to be a bust Bowman still did the right thing.

Big men that can hit, score from in front of the net and play at the pace of elite players are in short supply.
- Al

ya keepinig Bickel was a good move, but have signed him for a little less. But i also don't mind him getting paid too as he did play two seasons for 500k and was huge last year.

But i am not sure that his game is in front of the net - he will have to learn and it will take some time. Bickel's game (last season) kind of reminds of Sharp a little, kind of floating around on the perimeter looking for a shot and will go to the net if the puck is there. But he doesn't camp out. We will see how he does.

Top 4 D >>>>>>>>>> can't score 4th liner
- rollpards19

Oduya gets flack for serving up pizzas, but he has fit in very well in Chicago. Not only does he chip in with the odd wacky goal, but he's been solid defensively. He dove to block several quality chances in the playoffs, that's not something I expect to see Leddy do (although it would be nice).

After the Cup I got asked on XM how could the Hawks go through the two toughest teams to play against...LA and Boston. Both had big strong forwards and could forecheck and were physical.

I said it all comes down to not being afraid and no matter what anyone says about Kane and others they go to the tough areas almost always.

Couple that with smaller players like Shaw who play bigger than they are and the Hawks were able to survive and then some.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

In that vein of discussion, Dave Bolland will be missed. A guy that knows how to play when the stakes are biggest.

Frolik plays against 4th liners, in no way is he counted on to check the oppositions top players, that job goes to Jonathan Toews. And calling Frolik a big part of the Hawks success is ludicrous. He was, at best, the 9th most important player on the team, and that's ignoring the regular season when he was an offensive blackhole. He's a guy. There's tons of guys out there for a lot less
- rollpards19

Did you watch Hawk games the previous two seasons, the Hawks pk was horrendous, but with Frolik and Kruger sucking up minutes and the addition of Rozy - the pk was great. And Frolik and Kruger were on the ice lots of times against the oppostions best line especailly late in the season in the 3rd periond. Those are hard minutes. The fourth line playing minutes, keeps Toews and company better rested for crunch time.

How do tough guys on the fourth line protect guys on the first line? Do you have any concrete evidence of this? And as far as the Hawks got lucky talk, shove it. The best offensive and defensive team in their conference was "lucky" to win. Every team that wins has luck, its a major part of the game. The Bruins got lucky they won two games. You're incessant negativity and crusade for goons who can't play is like a gnat that everyone tries to swat away but can't. The Hawks win because they dominate puck possession and have players who win the 1 on 1 battles when it counts. Not because they have a horse shoe up their rear end
- rollpards19

I'm talking about a cat like milan lucic who could play, not some clubfoot like john scott. I'll never back off the need for the players being able to police their own. the recent poll was that 98% of the players asked said that fighting has a place in the game. you take it out and players will lose respect for each other. some of them do that now with their knee to knee hits, stick swinging and head shots. I was a big Al Secord fan and to this day still wear HIS #20 hawk jersey when I go to games. THAT is the type of tough guy I would like to see the Hawks aquire. someone who could play on a line with 19 & 88, not some ankle bender. it seems like the other teams have guys like that fall into their laps and we get these little sh its.
I talked to an NHL scout at a game last year about that very subject and he said "most GM's will favor a bigger guy with those attributes vs, a smaller guy. they just don't grow on trees where you can find 50 guys like Andrew Shaw( I am a Shaw fan) it is rare you find guys Like Lucic, Getzlaf, Ryan, Backes and a few others. example: see Evander Kane!

LeBlanc I wouldn't write off yet and even so not much ventured....Remember Shaw was passed over in the Draft two times.

I don't like Handzus as a top six center...Shaw could be a better wing than center but that line would play at a better pace with him in the middle.

Handzus is here for a couple of reasons....The young guys might not be defensively responsible enough for Q. ....With Handzus Q. will give up offense for the comfort of defense.

That said you won't find anyone who takes the advance billing of anyone from Rockford with a bigger grain of salt than me.

As I wrote today starting a 21 year old rookie as PK man ahead of those who have played in the AHL for awhile tells me something....

And if I was Jimmy Hayes I wouldn't get too comfortable in the big city and Smith best not take any nights off as well.

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

First off, Merry Christmas to Tampa last night.

Second, Shaw stuck not for his dime-a-dozen skills, but for his intangibles. Leblah ain't got em.

Third, as much as I hate Handzus on 2c, without him hitting Saad on the fly the Hawks might have lost game one. TT can't get here soon enough.

Lastly, if you're going to play Nordstrom, don't bench him after one game. No one can shine unless they've been committed to. Hopefully they can groom him for 4c and let Krugs slide over to 2c for the year.