I'm just suggesting it in the case that Q could put Kruger-Hossa together, in that they could free Toews up to help more on the offensive end. Toews is solid defensively, no question, but they may need him to help take load off Kane's line. (assuming they would keep PAK as a unit) If the Hawks had two bottom 6 C that play responsible D and win draws, Toews doesn't have to wear himself out in the regular season. I'm not saying this is what they will do and strategies change throughout the course of a game depending on the score. The bottom 6 looks like they won't be providing much in the way of offense, so hopefully they can at least carry a lot of the defensive load. I don't think this Hawks roster will struggle preventing goals, but scoring seems like it will be a question mark. Toews has scoring talent that is hindered by him having to take so many defensive responsibilities.
- breadbag

That all makes sense. I agree, if we had solid centers on the 3rd and 4th line with defensively sound wingers to match, then it would take a lot of pressure off of Toews to be the guy to not only bring top-shelf offense but also be the shutdown center.

If your #1 center is also your shutdown center, that does reveal your team's lack of defensive depth. If your #1 line is seen as the shutdown line, then what's the job of lines 3 and 4? It's sure as not to score goals which is the 1st line's role. This isn't to say that the 1st line should slack on defense, and luckily Toews would never let that happen.

My point is there are plenty of examples of the impact Panarin can have. For example, look at each goal AA scored against the blues in the series. All three were the result of great play by Panarin without Kane.

April 17th, Panarin lost the draw, but chased it down into the corner, won a board battle and found AA all alone in front. Playing 4v4 it was just Panarin and AA up front.

April 21st, Panarin had possession of the puck and used his skating to break free of the defender to make the play on goal that AA managed to stuff home. The line at the time was Panarin - AA - TT

April 23rd - Panarin maintains possession along the boards and finds Hossa all alone in front with a great pass and AA managed to tap in the rebound.

The kid can make big plays with the puck and has shown he can have an impact on the game with his will and fight to win. I'm not trying to debate if he is more important than either CC or Seabrook, but there is evidence that this guy is more than just someone who benefited from playing with Kane. There are a lot of indications pointing in favor of him being an impact on any line.
- breadbag

72's a fine player, and he can maintain unGodly long possession on his own, but he is a lot better, and gets a lot more room to work when he has at least one scorer with him, if not Kane, then Hossa. A BIG part of his game is pinpoint passing across the ice to open shooters.

AA did yeoman work on that line winning pucks and being nasty around the net, but he is not what you call a great transition player, nor all that nifty a passer—I mean, he's ok.

You got a better lineup suggestion without AA playing center?
- SimpleJack

My post top of previous page, did it in response to JJs comments about AA moving up with 19 and 81

https://www.capfriendly.c...m/armchair-gm/team/181731

I was just wondering if anyone has heard any info on MeatMan (Fleischmann) . I know JJ mentioned him about a month ago, but I haven't heard or seen his name mentioned anywhere.

Hossa still back checks like the opposing player stole his wallet. And because Seabrook gets more ice time I agree about being concerned with him before Hossa.
- 6628

When Hossa has an injury he takes time off and heals...An issue with Seabrook is he plays all the time and practices as well. Needs to be kept off the ice at times.

72's a fine player, and he can maintain unGodly long possession on his own, but he is a lot better, and gets a lot more room to work when he has at least one scorer with him, if not Kane, then Hossa. A BIG part of his game is pinpoint passing across the ice to open shooters.

AA did yeoman work on that line winning pucks and being nasty around the net, but he is not what you call a great transition player, nor all that nifty a passer—I mean, he's ok.
- John Jaeckel

Scary that the only player on this team as it stand that has proven to have the same ability/willingness as Shaw (camping out in front of the opposing goalie) is AA. And he does it quite well. I know you mentioned AA at 1LW a while back, but the more I consider it the more I like it now. I just get scared about 2C...

All quiet on the Hudler front.....

Only seeing VAN and MTL with supposed interest.

Here is to hoping he is weighing two years with either of them against one in CHI.

And as several of us have mentioned how is this team better with the loss of now Shaw and TT after Saad last spring. Secondary scoring is evaporating. Outside of Shaw, Anisimov is the only guy that'll go to the front of the goal.
- DK002

Despite his size and ability to be knocked around like a rag doll, Kruger has the courage and guts to drive through high-traffic areas and park himself in the crease. Out of any forward, I would argue he's the only player who constantly plays until the whistle blows, even continue to drive to the net and be in/near the crease after the play is dead just to let the other team know he's there which often leads to a love tap or face wash by the other team. So many Hawks let up most of the time which is disappointing.

So if Anisimov were to ever play LW, the idea of having Kruger play 2C isn't a bad one to try given his capacity to play big by the net and given his under-rated passing ability. This would push Rasmussen or Desjardins (or even Lundberg) up to 3C with the other playing 4C.

In my opinion, and like I was calling for all last year until Q finally did it in the play-offs, you have to keep Kruger and Hossa together as the shut down line and spread out the offense. Unless no other major forward transactions occur, I believe these lines will accomplish both of these things.

Panarin Toews Hartman (will dig the puck out of the corners and defend his line)

Panik Anisimov Kane

Motte Kruger Hossa

Des Jardins Rasmussen Lundberg/TooToo

Balance, Grit, Defensive Responsibility ( Schmaltz is not quite there yet )

You got a better lineup suggestion without AA playing center?
- SimpleJack

Remember AA spent quite a few years when he broke playing both wings and snipeetsbof centre.

Michael Grosso ‏@RumorBreak 1m1 minute ago
WC 2016-2017:
1. CHI
2. STL
3. DAL
4. LAK
5. ANA
6. SJS
7. CGY
8. WPG
9. NSH
10. COL
11. MIN
12. EDM
13. ARI
14. VAN
- DarthKane

ZOINKS

Well....the hawks have provided us with amazing thrills and high level entertainment the last 7-8 years: 5 WC finals and 3 cups with a never say die attitude and performance. Certainly very thankful. The price has been paid for that success: big contracts to the "core; prospects and picks gone at the deadline and a stangnat cap forcing them to move leddy, saad, TT, shaw and most likely panerin or another "core" player. An aging Hossa seen as 3rd liner now. Toews has no playmates (sorry Richard Panik is not the answer). Now a bottom 6 that looks thoroughly offensively challnged.

not a eulogy but getting damn close...look when 5-6 teams are throwing royal parties for a 3rd round pick college free agent to whoo him...soemthing is really wrong with this league and how they have decided to do business. tells you how desperate the hawks are...
- bogiedoc

Indeed. there are very real reasons to worry about this sport at the big league level.

I think the Jagr and Hossa comparison is accurate. Both are insanely fit guys that love working out. The only difference is Jagr even being as slow as he is now is a better player in close than Hossa probably has better hands too(both play with very long sticks I believe so that's not really an issue).

I think Hossa's offensive game was built more on power and speed than Jagrs. When he was a scoring machine on the Thrasher and Ottawa even the Wings he scored so many goals off speed and power moves. He would just bull rush through opposing D. Jagr has really transitioned his game. Literally everytime I watch him play all he does is park his huge ass down low. No one can move him. Dude is still a load and a half.

Hossa's scoring diminish as he ages is due to the way he scored when he was younger. I imagine we may see him change up his game a bit to better adapt to his abilities. I don't think he has lost his hands at all I just think he is a quarter step slower than he used to be which equals less space for him.

Hossa is still a better skater than 95% of the NHL players and he is one of the smartest hockey players in the NHL. I think he changes up his offensive game and we see him bounce back with a 50-60 pt season. There are so many bigger issues with this team. Hossa's age should be at the bottom of the list or off the list completely. I'd be more worried about Seabrook as he ages than Hossa.
- bhawks2241

I agree with this whole post but have to point out Jagr is 5 years older than Hossa. I do think they are cut from the same cloth, freaks, but until Hossa is doing it at 41-42 we just can't say for sure.

I do think Jagr has always been more skilled than Hossa and Jagr has learned to change speeds and hit the corners now that his 100 MPH fast ball is gone. Hossa has yet to learn that.

There are only a handful of Al Secord's around the league, maybe less than that.
Look how many guys score at least 20 goals and can throw 200 hits in a season...

Funny thing is Hawks had 2 guys in that category-Ladd and Brouwer.

They also drafted Kyle Beach to be like Big Al and paid Bickell the motherload because he was going to be the power forward that haven't had in years.

You can wish but It is almost like asking for world peace.
- Al

Big Buff?

Hossa still back checks like the opposing player stole his wallet. And because Seabrook gets more ice time I agree about being concerned with him before Hossa.
- 6628

Just watching that is worth the price off admission.

John, I honestly don't see a solution if Hudler is not signed. The team, at least the forwards are worse off. However, the defense is much improved. I was just thinking hypothetically on the whole thing because I don't see an answer at all.
- 93Joe

Neither did the Pens. Then Daley fell into their lap, made a coaching move, and brought up 3 rookies two of which played top 6. You know the rest of the story.

There are no answers on August 22nd or November 19th. The scouts, front office and Q have to find answers as the season progresses. It ain't how good you are in August, November or March but how good you are in the Spring.

Now I found it.

I'll take Seabrook & CC over Panarin anytime.

There is no evidence to suggest Panarin is a stand alone impact player, but the evidence is there about them.

You wanna cause his lofty $$$$ expectations to come down to Earth?

Play him elsewhere.
and see if
in fact he is a generator without the gifts of the core.

(But we know you don't break up the best line in hockey last year, you don't trade AA or move Artemi to the third line...

there is a better chance kruger is the starting left wing, with Martin Lundberg hold down the PK and lower centre position.
or Lundberg on LEFT wing with Toews. (Yeah I know he plays mostly LhRW), or
Nick Schmaltz or McNeill or Motter...
- wiz1901

Me too, but salary wise that's not the conversation. I'm just very nervous about our forward depth. It's scary thin.

https://www.capfriendly.c...m/armchair-gm/team/181912

fourth line is a big one lol:

Martin Lundberg
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 205 lbs

Dennis Rasmussen
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 205 lbs

Panik
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 207 lbs

https://www.capfriendly.com/armchair-gm/team/181912

fourth line is a big one lol:

Martin Lundberg
Height: 6′ 0″
Weight: 205 lbs

Dennis Rasmussen
Height: 6′ 3″
Weight: 205 lbs

Panik
Height: 6′ 2″
Weight: 207 lbs
- walleyeb1

I doubt Panik will be on the 4th line, but if he is that means the team had 2-3 rookies step up in a big way.

Dineen leading the way for the Avs job?

Was told Kevin Dineen had 3 1/2-hour interview with #Avs. That update will be added to this story: https://t.co/PUZUNQw4gM @tfrei

— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) August 23, 2016

3.5hrs...thats one long ass time

Dineen leading the way for the Avs job?

Was told Kevin Dineen had 3 1/2-hour interview with #Avs. That update will be added to this story: https://t.co/PUZUNQw4gM @tfrei

— Mike Chambers (@MikeChambers) August 23, 2016

3.5hrs...thats one long ass time
- DDM-Coga

But...but.... He's our assistant coach!

But...but.... He's our assistant coach!
- 93Joe

you gave the avs permission to talk to him....which seems crazy to me for an in division team

you gave the avs permission to talk to him....which seems crazy to me for an in division team
- DDM-Coga

Just messing with ya bud. But yeah interesting that they did that. Maybe KD wants out and wants to be a head coach again.

Just messing with ya bud. But yeah interesting that they did that. Maybe KD wants out and wants to be a head coach again.
- 93Joe

I think its just good business practice, you don't want to be known as an organization who stops their staff from getting coaching opportunities.

Big Buff?
- Mr Ricochet

Maybe could have been but he never scored 20 and dished out 200 hits while playing only forward.