As of now, the d-corps and goaltending are in good shape. However, the forward lines have only 6 spots spoken for:

??-19-81
72-15-88
??-16-??
??-??-??

I'm pretty sure one of those spots will be filled by Dejardins, but we'not sure where. Panik will probably get a lot of playing time, but will it be at 1LW or 4RW or maybe just about every open spot. I'm sure Tootoo and Mashinter will get some games to sate Q's neanderthal gene (or is it Toews' neanderthal gene?) but hopefully it's one or the other rather than both in the same game. Then there's all the "kids", both the one's already having had a few games in the NHL (Hinostroza, Hartman, Kero, to name a few) and the newbies (Schmaltz, Motte, McNeill, Lundberg).

Sheesh! There's a lot of work remaining to be done.
- EbonyRaptor

I would expect that Desjardins, Rasmussen and Tootoo would make up the 4th line. Panik will also likely be a third line winger. So that leaves 2 spots open on wing in the top 9.

My guess is that Schmaltz gets a real look but beyond that who knows who will fill those spots long term. There will be lots of opportunity for some kids to step up. But if Stan doesn't does a decent free agent (i.e. Hudler) then I wouldn't be surprised to see somebody like Fleischmann or Tanguay get a PTO.

Maybe a Svedberg for Reid Boucher style trade
- ikeane

Gustafsson for Dano

I would expect that Desjardins, Rasmussen and Tootoo would make up the 4th line. Panik will also likely be a third line winger. So that leaves 2 spots open on wing in the top 9.

My guess is that Schmaltz gets a real look but beyond that who knows who will fill those spots long term. There will be lots of opportunity for some kids to step up. But if Stan doesn't does a decent free agent (i.e. Hudler) then I wouldn't be surprised to see somebody like Fleischmann or Tanguay get a PTO.
- DarthKane

He's Done. Better off with Flash. Might be at the point where it's a trade or say (frank) it and play the young ones.

How would they add Yak? EDM needs D. Who on the Hawks roster that they would be willing to trade would EDM want/take in exchange? IMO getting Yak would add a hole on the backend and not fill the big gaping one on the front. Or am I missing something here? (It does happen a fair bit that I miss things - fortunately there are bigger hockey brains than mine on JJ's blog)
- Marlowe

Not that I would but TVR ?

Good job with the blog JJ.Hard not to have a little Homer sting after losing out. Could not agree more with your assessment on the talent in the pipe line.

Think I'm taking a 10 yr old to Hawthorne tonight for his first taste of what losing money feels like!!

No Al, I'm talking about exiting your own zone not about handling the puck in the attack zone. With solid to elite Dmen you can hopefully exit your zone with precision but with a group like PITT had Sullivan IMO devised a scheme for the less skilled or experienced Dmen to just chip to areas and have forwards "crash" that area to hopefully advance the puck "until" they could control it. If they can't control it at least it got out of their own zone and you instead turned it over 125-150 feet from your goalie with 5 men behind the puck. .....Kinda hit the reset button with less risk.

As far as the Hawk motion offense in the attack zone Coture mentions that in the link I provided as few posts up. This one: http://www.theplayerstrib...l-elite-defensemen-top-5/
- Mr Ricochet

I see the difference now...
Hopefully you will have some fun and make some dough.
The Pocono card is a nice one and they start at 5:30... Wrote about that today.

Not that I would but TVR ?
- mrpaulish

I would pass on Yakupov altogether. TvR is certainly worth more to the team that a former first overall bust.

I would pass on Yakupov altogether. TvR is certainly worth more to the team that a former first overall bust.
- DarthKane

I don't think they'd part with TVR for Yak either. Remember tho that they may lose TVR to the expansion draft next year so that can weigh on what you might be willing to take for TVR.

What about david jones as an ufa? Gritty, can score. Maybe skates third line?

Hino ,Motte, Schmaltz, too small already on a small team, figured Hudler would go to B C, Panik Blows as a top 6, here we go, the final descent into Ohare( no playoffs this year) , What nowStoshu? Check with your Captian today?How's he lookin at it, another sub 60 point season for him this year. Some out there still thinking the Hawk core a bunch of Youngin like 2010, nope this is 2016-17, these guys are 7 years older, I just hope this didn't come down to Kevin Hayes influence. ! Gall Dam It!!

What about david jones as an ufa? Gritty, can score. Maybe skates third line?
- ikeane

Could be worth a PTO. I'd rather give one of the young guys a chance, but Jones could be a bottom 6 insurance policy if none of them are ready.

Adding Yak would allow Hoss to drop to the third line and Kane to play with Toews. Who plays #1 LW though? Motte?
- ikeane

Yak <<< Hossa. No way.

Has anyone heard any more news about Alex Fortin?

Coach Q is reading some of these line combo's and laughing his arse off " maybe sayin, yeah, maybe in Rockford with some of these plug ins or the Sunday morning Elite league at Johnny's"! I would like a couple of Brandon Saad type player do overs again please. I thought this Vesey kid would be a good start. Bowman doesn't look for that, he drafts kids as tall as my 10 year old niece. Debrincat for starters.

Coach Q is reading some of these line combo's and laughing his arse off " maybe sayin, yeah, maybe in Rockford with some of these plug ins or the Sunday morning Elite league at Johnny's"! I would like a couple of Brandon Saad type player do overs again please. I thought this Vesey kid would be a good start. Bowman doesn't look for that, he drafts kids as tall as my 10 year old niece. Debrincat for starters.

Has anyone heard any more news about Alex Fortin?
- DarthKane

I've been trying to find out something from some of our guys on this blog. Wiz wrote something about him on one of these pages. I think they want to make sure prospect camp wasn't some flashy show and he is able to live up to his potential.

I've been trying to find out something from some of our guys on this blog. Wiz wrote something about him on one of these pages. I think they want to make sure prospect camp wasn't some flashy show and he is able to live up to his potential.
- 93Joe

From Scott Powers at TheAthletic.com
Blackhawks, Alexandre Fortin discussing potential contract
July 20, 2016
https://theathletic.com/1...lexandre-fortin-contract/
"Sauve said he expected to have further discussions with the Blackhawks prior to the rookie tournament in Traverse City. The tournament will be held from Sept. 16-20."

Sauve is Fortin's agent. So very likely no news about Fortin until mid September.

Once Schmaltz adds strength and matures as a player he will be a good one and better than Vesey. But right now, at this moment in time Vesey is a better and more mature player. That makes sense given their ages.

Coach Q is reading some of these line combo's and laughing his arse off " maybe sayin, yeah, maybe in Rockford with some of these plug ins or the Sunday morning Elite league at Johnny's"! I would like a couple of Brandon Saad type player do overs again please. I thought this Vesey kid would be a good start. Bowman doesn't look for that, he drafts kids as tall as my 10 year old niece. Debrincat for starters.
- wonthecup10

Way to generalize. The entire 2015 draft class was 6 foot or taller.

Thnaks for the writeup, JJ. I love that, "the propaganda machine turned to 11 on the 'youth movement,'". Reminds me of when McD was with the Cubs and Corey Patterson was supposed to be the ultimate 5 tool player.

If no Hudler, I have to wonder what would be next. I suppose a huge overpay on a deadline deal? I guess we just have to hope that of all the stuff they are going to throw up on the wall, something actually sticks. And get Panarin locked in next year. If he takes it up yet another level, he's getting Tarasenko money, and I hope they can make that fit.

Looks like he's heading to Vancouver, at least that's what I just heard. Never know until the deal is signed though
- John Jaeckel

News keeps getting better and better....sigh.
No signings, loss of Shaw, TT and Ladd hurts depth in a major way.
Could be a long year if were banking on unknown factors such as an unproven youth
movement, older Hossa and hoping Kane and Panarin have another MVP season.
Although D will be better it could be a very long year.

Hino ,Motte, Schmaltz, too small already on a small team, figured Hudler would go to B C, Panik Blows as a top 6, here we go, the final descent into Ohare( no playoffs this year) , What nowStoshu? Check with your Captian today?How's he lookin at it, another sub 60 point season for him this year. Some out there still thinking the Hawk core a bunch of Youngin like 2010, nope this is 2016-17, these guys are 7 years older, I just hope this didn't come down to Kevin Hayes influence. ! Gall Dam It!!
- wonthecup10

Schmaltz is 6'1" just like Vesey. 13 lbs lighter as of last year.

Here are the other Hobey Baker award winners signed by the NY Rangers:

Jason Strudwick
Matt Gilroy
Mike Mottau
Chris Drury
Jason Krug

Thnaks for the writeup, JJ. I love that, "the propaganda machine turned to 11 on the 'youth movement,'". Reminds me of when McD was with the Cubs and Corey Patterson was supposed to be the ultimate 5 tool player.

If no Hudler, I have to wonder what would be next. I suppose a huge overpay on a deadline deal? I guess we just have to hope that of all the stuff they are going to throw up on the wall, something actually sticks. And get Panarin locked in next year. If he takes it up yet another level, he's getting Tarasenko money, and I hope they can make that fit.
- 333inthe3rd

I don't see any way possible the hawks can keep Panarin if he has another good year and hits his bonuses again. His contract has 2.5 mil worth of bonuses. So 2.5 carries to this year and if he hits again, 2.5 mil to the following year. Assuming he puts up ~80 pts, he's looking at a minimum of 7 per year. Add the additional one year of bonuses at 2.5 and he costs 9.5 for one season and then 7 going forward. 30.5 mil for a season between Toews/Kane/Panarin would be tough to pull off. Add Crow, Hoss, Seabs, and Keith and you're 53+ for 7 players - that makes filling out a roster near impossible. The Hawks are like the Penguins after the 09 season, they're going to have to wait for Toews/Kane's contracts to become reasonable, instead of the two highest in the league. Hopefully some of the young guys can come in and fill in and help them win. The worst thing they can do is trade future assets for trade deadline players when their window is still open for years to come.

I honestly don't thnk the Oilers are giving up on Yakupov yet.

If you deal TvR b/c you are losing him to Las Vegas, count on losing the return also....