I would rather take my chances with a rookie than sign Barbara. Not a fan.
- DarthKane

Everyone's penciling Vesey into the #1 line when the consensus seems to be the Hawks have no chance of getting him. Even if they do, talent on one level does not automatically translate to talent on another, so this guy remains an UNPROVEN NHL player, and dangerous territory for a team that needs scoring to contend.

I wanted Vrbata LAST year. I've always been a fan of his play. Not that physical but a hard, hard out for goalies--I know about you doubters, but in 2012 he potted 35 goals. In this league, that's elite scoring. This is a guy who CAN score, not 'let's see how he'll do' score. If he has anything left and can be had for cheap, sign him

Scott Powers ‏@ByScottPowers 3h3 hours ago
The #Blackhawks & Alexandre Fortin have been discussing a possible contract after his play at prospect camp

Scott Powers ‏@ByScottPowers 3h3 hours ago
The #Blackhawks & Alexandre Fortin have been discussing a possible contract after his play at prospect camp
- DarthKane

1LW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edit: That is an intriguing guy to watch develop in Rockford.

David Pagnotta @TheFourthPeriod
Brad Richards announces retirement. twitter.com/NHLPA/status/7…
NHLPA @NHLPA
.@BRichards_1991 retires from @NHL after 15 seasons: ply.rs/ug0B302rxPz

Mirtle


Brad Richards announces his retirement at 36 years old. He sits 101st in career NHL points with 932.

Mirtle


Brad Richards announces his retirement at 36 years old. He sits 101st in career NHL points with 932.

Mirtle


Brad Richards announces his retirement at 36 years old. He sits 101st in career NHL points with 932.
- mrpaulish

I'll take Patrik Elias for $500 Alex....

Agreed that Tootoo is best suited as a 4th line; strong compete level to be a starter or at least a regular platoon player but not enough skill to be on the 3rd line.

Q did mention that he would like to see Hossa and Kruger together but not necessarily right away. One interpretation of this statement is how you and Ricochet have projected the lines with the veterans playing top 6 to start the year so that the rookies can get experience first. Then partway through the year, say by December, Q moves Hossa to play with Kruger and bump one or both rookies to play with Toews. For example:

START WITH
Panik - Toews - Hossa
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Lundberg - Kruger - Motte/Schmaltz
Desjardins - Rasmussen - Tootoo

PROGRESS TO
Panik - Toews - Schmaltz
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Motte - Kruger - Hossa
Desjardins - Rasmussen/Lundberg - Tootoo/Lundberg

or

Motte - Toews - Schmaltz
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Panik - Kruger - Hossa
Desjardins - Rasmussen/Lundberg - Tootoo/Lundberg

That 2nd option spreads out the veterans and offense, but also assumes Motte and Schmaltz can keep up with NHL speed, play consistently on both sides of the ice, and help Toews drive possession through a strong cycle game. A lot to ask of Motte and Schmaltz, I know, and way too much trust in rookies. I'm guardedly optimistic while also willing to admit that having rookies on the top line may be absurd.
- AEL_Fox

The bold is absolutely the truth. This was what we were missing across most line in the series vs STL. Due to their defensive, always men back, strategy, there were very few odd-man chances or rushes in the series. Sadly the few we had weren't able to be capitalized on (cough, posts, cough). We really needed a better grinding offense and we just didn't have it going

I can see Panik having some Saad-like attributes, with speed to drive the D back and open up ice for passes to Toews/Hossa. That's what was so great with Saad was he could burn you outside, so the defenseman had to respect that, but he was so great playing the left side and pulling up inside the zone quick, leaving tons of time and space to find the other two. Bickell's success with the top line was all about the cycle and maintaining possession.

Definitely in agreement on the lines strategy, I think Q sticks with what he finished last year with, so he has some time to see what he's got with the new kids.

Above all else, please remember the team WILL NOT BE STARTING 3 ROOKIES AT ANY POINT THIS YEAR ON DEFENSE! Thank god, because whether admitted or not, you know other players were not overly confident playing with the 2nd/3rd pairings at any point and did not play their same games because of it. Hedged to the D-zone more than I have ever seen. Should be a fun year with a solid 6 on D!

Mirtle


Brad Richards announces his retirement at 36 years old. He sits 101st in career NHL points with 932.
- mrpaulish

Richards had a great career and I'm glad he got to spending some time with the Blackhawks and win a Cup with us.

The bold is absolutely the truth. This was what we were missing across most line in the series vs STL. Due to their defensive, always men back, strategy, there were very few odd-man chances or rushes in the series. Sadly the few we had weren't able to be capitalized on (cough, posts, cough). We really needed a better grinding offense and we just didn't have it going

I can see Panik having some Saad-like attributes, with speed to drive the D back and open up ice for passes to Toews/Hossa. That's what was so great with Saad was he could burn you outside, so the defenseman had to respect that, but he was so great playing the left side and pulling up inside the zone quick, leaving tons of time and space to find the other two. Bickell's success with the top line was all about the cycle and maintaining possession.

Definitely in agreement on the lines strategy, I think Q sticks with what he finished last year with, so he has some time to see what he's got with the new kids.

Above all else, please remember the team WILL NOT BE STARTING 3 ROOKIES AT ANY POINT THIS YEAR ON DEFENSE! Thank god, because whether admitted or not, you know other players were not overly confident playing with the 2nd/3rd pairings at any point and did not play their same games because of it. Hedged to the D-zone more than I have ever seen. Should be a fun year with a solid 6 on D!
- gringointoronto

Problem with the Panik Toews Hossa line is they will have issues getting the puck in the net. Sure they can hold possession and cycle but as one of your top lines they kind of need to score regularly. Hossa is not the goal scorer he once was and Panik's hand are meh. I really think that line would better off with a finisher on it.

Problem with the Panik Toews Hossa line is they will have issues getting the puck in the net. Sure they can hold possession and cycle but as one of your top lines they kind of need to score regularly. Hossa is not the goal scorer he once was and Panik's hand are meh. I really think that line would better off with a finisher on it.
- bhawks2241

Panik Toews Vrbata
Panarin Anisimov Kane
Desi Kruger Hossa
Mash Moose Tootoo

solved

Problem with the Panik Toews Hossa line is they will have issues getting the puck in the net. Sure they can hold possession and cycle but as one of your top lines they kind of need to score regularly. Hossa is not the goal scorer he once was and Panik's hand are meh. I really think that line would better off with a finisher on it.
- bhawks2241

Good point about needing a finisher on the top line. In the case of Panik, I do wonder how much of it is having hands of stone versus having the skills just lacking the confidence and experience.

I remember thinking that Brouwer and Saad during their first full season had horrible finishing capacity. Now, as we all know, Brouwer is a perennial 20-goal scorer and coveted secondary power forward and Saad is a prized top scoring winger. So maybe Panik follows a similar path of progress? Not saying he'll jump to 25-30 goals this year, but maybe 15-20 is a good place to start and grow from there.

Panik Toews Vrbata
Panarin Anisimov Kane
Desi Kruger Hossa
Mash Moose Tootoo

solved
- Kewl1

That Toews line would make me depressed.

That Toews line would make me depressed.
- Dabearshawks

As would the 4th line that would have zero foot speed exiting the zone. It would be like bringing back the Clydesdales....except they would be the Broken Down Eeyore line.

Panik Toews Vrbata
Panarin Anisimov Kane
Desi Kruger Hossa
Mash Moose Tootoo

solved
- Kewl1

I'll take Patrik Elias for $500 Alex....
- Kewl1

Elias is either playing for NJD or retiring. His agent has already stated that

That Toews line would make me depressed.
- Dabearshawks

saad and depressed.....

Elias is either playing for NJD or retiring. His agent has already stated that
- hawkeytalkman

great player from the glory days of Brodeur and Co.
loved watching that team.......

We should be optimistic about this team and how it is shaping up defensively. Realistically, it is usually defense and ability to win tight 1 goal games that matters most when you hit the playoffs. The Hawks can add some scoring at TDL if the need arises but this team should be able to win close games. The forwards maybe have lost a bit of scoring, but the offense from the blueline should be near the top in the NHL.

Not taking possible injuries into account

Keith is probably good for 45-50 points
Seabrook probably 35-45 points
Campbell probably in the 25-25 point range.
Hjalmarsson about 20-25 points a year.
TVR/Kempny/Rozy - probably in the 10-15 point range depending on icetime/game played.

I do think Hossa is likely to bounce back to around (20G - 30A) 50 points.
Toews likely ~60-65 points.

Why, because I think they will have an easier time getting out of their own end and spend less time in their own end. I think Campbell will help the Hawks get up the ice with the puck. I also think that the Hawks will drive more offensive zone time by staying out of their end more this season.

Also, if Kruger bounces back to his old self, Toews is free for more offensive time rather than having to take as much D time. Toews has great skill, but leaning on him defensively takes a toll on his offensive production. Last season he had fewer Ozone starts. If the Hawks can have a SOLID defensive 3rd and 4th line that are trusted to play D, then Toews line can have some fun on the other end of the rink.

As would the 4th line that would have zero foot speed exiting the zone. It would be like bringing back the Clydesdales....except they would be the Broken Down Eeyore line.
- phantasmo

I could be wrong, but I thought Tootoo was a pretty decent skater for a "role player".

Good point about needing a finisher on the top line. In the case of Panik, I do wonder how much of it is having hands of stone versus having the skills just lacking the confidence and experience.

I remember thinking that Brouwer and Saad during their first full season had horrible finishing capacity. Now, as we all know, Brouwer is a perennial 20-goal scorer and coveted secondary power forward and Saad is a prized top scoring winger. So maybe Panik follows a similar path of progress? Not saying he'll jump to 25-30 goals this year, but maybe 15-20 is a good place to start and grow from there.
- AEL_Fox

Elite Prospects wrote he has great puck-handling ability and hands.

See:
http://www.eliteprospects...m/player.php?player=11849

I know the whole top line was overly down last year, but Hossa had a terrible year on SHT% (6.8% vs 11.4%+) compared to every other year and said himself the puck just wasn't going in for him. He was still a 0.5 PPG last year, but definitely an outlier vs 0.75 PPG career for the most part. The man is one year removed from back to back 60+ point seasons and did miss a good 20 games last year.

Seems very similar to a couple of Sharp's off-years when he was sub 7% SHT%... he did bounce back with Dallas back up to about 9% and put up 55 points (following 43 the year before).

Speaking of Sharpy, thoughts on him being a UFA next summer for a 3rd line LW role at a discounted rate?????

Me thinks Mr. DeBrinkcat is the Toews RW in waiting down the line at this point, but will take some more time for him to develop and get to that point.

I have to think that with Hudler not signed yet that he has something in the back pocket with the Hawks. I also think that Stan is gonna go hard after Vesey and if that fails we will see Hudler inked. Just a guess..

We should be optimistic about this team and how it is shaping up defensively. Realistically, it is usually defense and ability to win tight 1 goal games that matters most when you hit the playoffs. The Hawks can add some scoring at TDL if the need arises but this team should be able to win close games. The forwards maybe have lost a bit of scoring, but the offense from the blueline should be near the top in the NHL.

Not taking possible injuries into account

Keith is probably good for 45-50 points
Seabrook probably 35-45 points
Campbell probably in the 25-25 point range.
Hjalmarsson about 20-25 points a year.
TVR/Kempny/Rozy - probably in the 10-15 point range depending on icetime/game played.

I do think Hossa is likely to bounce back to around (20G - 30A) 50 points.
Toews likely ~60-65 points.

Why, because I think they will have an easier time getting out of their own end and spend less time in their own end. I think Campbell will help the Hawks get up the ice with the puck. I also think that the Hawks will drive more offensive zone time by staying out of their end more this season.

Also, if Kruger bounces back to his old self, Toews is free for more offensive time rather than having to take as much D time. Toews has great skill, but leaning on him defensively takes a toll on his offensive production. Last season he had fewer Ozone starts. If the Hawks can have a SOLID defensive 3rd and 4th line that are trusted to play D, then Toews line can have some fun on the other end of the rink.
- breadbag

I would not say the forwards have lost some scoring. You lost Shaw TT and Laad. That is your depth scoring from last years team. A team that struggled to score 5 on 5. I agree the D should be improved especially offensively. Campbell was never that great in his own end and we don't know how good Kempny will be in his own end. So I would not go as far as to say our D, defensively, has greatly improved. I think we will see more offense from the backend.

There are a lot of question marks at forward. Specifically, if guys can consistently produce offense at the NHL level and whether Kruger can tap into his offensive upside. You have no one in your bottom 6 or 1LW that has scored 30 pts in the NHL before. We can't rely on our D to keep it to 1 goal games and then also fill in the offensive void too.

I'm all for the optimism about our improved D but the lack of forward depth scares me. A lot.

I have to think that with Hudler not signed yet that he has something in the back pocket with the Hawks. I also think that Stan is gonna go hard after Vesey and if that fails we will see Hudler inked. Just a guess..
- z1990z

I got my months mixed up and was thinking he was available July 15th but we have to wait another month! I hope they can sign Panarin and Darling to extensions this month.