So let us say he shows a lot of skill and not too inconsistent or too many turnovers in the preseason. Then once the regular season begins Dahlbeck proves to be the more consistent, steady extra dman. Dahlbeck may even become a regular on the third pair. Now if Rundblad refuses a minor league assignment - which he has done or has threatened to do when on a previous team - where does this leave both Chicago and Runblad? Does Bowman force Q's hand? Does Bowman reluctantly release him? Salary cap hit?

At some point either Rundblad has to be left alone and plays some games, or Bowman has to make a tough decision.

It is worth noting that Rundblad has been referenced as the exact type of powerplay quarterback a team needs. Meaning a real smooth, skilled, natural player. Compared to Keith as far as the pp, well Keith may be thought of as a good, albeit not exactly a natural pp guy who gets the job done but has some issues. Yep, but Keith has a good all around game. Runblad has a long way to go. No way now to know if he is ready to handle the challenge.
- jhawk59

The model has been one more responsible D and one more offensive minded D in each pairing. I don't remember enough of the few games that Rundblad played last year, but who was his partner?

It would seem that pairing him with Leddy would result in both D being more offensively minded. Neither of them is going to morph in to Hammer any time soon. I would think both would be better served with a Dahlbeck/Roszival/Brookbank type partner. Possibly carry 8 D and rotate both sides of the equation?

Al, when is the convention?
- Maggie

This is barely a hockey question. Let's keep it to mock lineups and farcical trade scenarios so we can read the same thing posted hundreds of different ways.

Al, when is the convention?
- Maggie

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Blackhawks+convention+2014#

A man of principals. Hail Q!
- Canardhawk

Hey - he's one of ours - how many principals can he have?

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Blackhawks+convention+2014#
- DrunkenMidget

Killin me.

This is barely a hockey question. Let's keep it to mock lineups and farcical trade scenarios so we can read the same thing posted hundreds of different ways.
- HawkintheD

leddy + sharp for the perfect 2C AND cap space

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Blackhawks+convention+2014#
- DrunkenMidget

That was awesome

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Blackhawks+convention+2014#
- DrunkenMidget

Hey - he's one of ours - how many principals can he have?
- StLBravesFan

You make a great point.

This is barely a hockey question. Let's keep it to mock lineups and farcical trade scenarios so we can read the same thing posted hundreds of different ways.
- HawkintheD

I thought the same......

When will the roster be announced for prospect camp...

FreeArgh!

I thought the same......

When will the roster be announced for prospect camp...

FreeArgh!
- UnnamedSource

I think your post covered everything.

That was awesome
- BlazinMike

Convention starts Friday, July 18.

I thought the same......

When will the roster be announced for prospect camp...

FreeArgh!
- UnnamedSource

Tomorrow.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Blackhawks+convention+2014#
- DrunkenMidget

No way. You did not just direct him to the Google Machine.

What position will the rights to Kevin Hayes play?

FreeQArrrrgh!

This is barely a hockey question. Let's keep it to mock lineups and farcical trade scenarios so we can read the same thing posted hundreds of different ways.
- HawkintheD

Has the Frans Nielsen ship sailed? Who's the trade target of the week?

Their just trying to piss off Buttons.
- Canardhawk

I have accepted the face he will be a hawk. I will just take a drink every time he adjust his helmet during a play.

Bleacher Report just sent out their preseason rankings after the first week of free agency.
Summary:
1) Boston (due primarily to the fact that they play in the East)
2) Chicago (upgrade of Richards over Handzus)
3) LA (resigning Gaborik)
4) Pittsburgh (GM/Coach changes)
5) St. Louis (Stastny)
6) Tampa Bay
7) Anaheim
8) Dallas
9) San Jose
10) NYR
12) Minnesota
17) Colorado
- bwarner929

Nice piece, it touched on the major moves. Glad to see the Hawks over the rest of the West. I guess the most difficult thing to judge are the up in comers.

I have accepted the face he will be a hawk. I will just take a drink every time he adjust his helmet during a play.
- Elbows15

You might never see a 3rd period.

Obviously the players and coaches/coaching systems determine the strength of a team and the teams determine the strength of the conference.

From my point of view, there wasnt enough of the Western conference players moved to the east in order to bring the East up to how good the West has been.

Below is a list of players who moved from the Western conference to the eastern, bolded players are supposed to have more of an impact ("on paper" as they say)

Tim kennedy
Mike Santorelli
Zak Stortini
Andrew Gordon
John Scott (east to west, makes west worse)
Matt Hunwick
Steven Kampfer
Taylor Chorney
Willie Mitchell
Jon Landry
Joey Mcdonald
Marty HAvlat
Stephane Robidas
Brad Malone
Mike Cammalleri
Cody McCormick
Tomas Greiss
Chris Mueller
Dan Boyle
Al Montoya

I could have missed some, but either way, that list of names doesnt exactly shift the power to the East in my opinion. However, as i noted, John Scott is back in the west now which takes away some points.

To your point about teams kind of trending to the middle, i would totally agree, but again its just on paper right now. Who knows which rookies or 2nd year guys are gonna have huge impacts on their teams this season.
- BlazinMike

Indeed, I think they lost more talent. Poor JS, nice enough guy tho.

Bleacher Report just sent out their preseason rankings after the first week of free agency.
Summary:
1) Boston (due primarily to the fact that they play in the East)
2) Chicago (upgrade of Richards over Handzus)
3) LA (resigning Gaborik)
4) Pittsburgh (GM/Coach changes)
5) St. Louis (Stastny)
6) Tampa Bay
7) Anaheim
8) Dallas
9) San Jose
10) NYR
12) Minnesota
17) Colorado
- bwarner929

Tampa and Dallas ahead of SJ is pretty funny. Pittsburgh subtracting a 40 goal scorer and getting better is pretty funny too.

Has the Frans Nielsen ship sailed? Who's the trade target of the week?
- DrunkenMidget

Getzlaf has always been a popular one here. We could go back to that but I say move forward.

Leedy and Versteeg for PK Subban

Getzlaf has always been a popular one here. We could go back to that but I say move forward.

Leedy and Versteeg for PK Subban + Galchenyuk
- HawkintheD

Fixed

was watching a replay of the NYR vs NYI stadium series game last night and i thought Richards looked out of shape...he still had solid short area quickness and passing ability but he was absolutely gassed after one rush or one length of the ice...if he can get himself into better shape he could be very effective on the 2nd line with big time upgrades on his wings....i love the signing but i hope he still has something left in the tank...

Has the Frans Nielsen ship sailed? Who's the trade target of the week?
- DrunkenMidget

I think Evander Kane would get the discussion rolling.