In other news, Raffi Torres is threatening to hang'em up for good if he can't find an NHL job.

http://www.thescore.com/n...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

Yep....
One thing for sure is Hudler had choices.

Bowman on the other hand doesn't have many choices.....

A. Package up a couple of young guys he doesn't want to trade yet to get a proven winger.
B. Trade one of 2 guys off the roster like TVR or Kruger.
C. Hope someone values young players that haven't proven they can play in Chicago like McNeill or Polka etc.

"A" makes Bowman squirm as he probably likes Schmaltz and Motte.
"B" make his squirm and sweat as he is filling a hole by creating another.
"C" Well, this one would be more ideal but most unlikely.
- Al

D, maybe waits till trade deadline to pick up LW

E. maybe says F it and figures the extra cap space will give him more money to sign Panarin next year.

F maybe Panarin gets placed on line 1 and Kane does what he does for line 2, probably won't hit the century mark but is a point per game player without Panarin

I'm glad Hudler's not here, his play the past couple of years has gone down the tubes

In other news, Raffi Torres is threatening to hang'em up for good if he can't find an NHL job.

http://www.thescore.com/n...lvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
- EKB13

Everything he does is threatening to end a career. Usually not his though.

Interesting suggestion. I like Maroon.

Huge body, can get in front of the net or work below the goal line.

Frankly, I'd be happy if Bowman picked up anyone at this point. Where's Scott Gomez at these days?
- teh_HAWKZ

...or Radim Vrbata for that matter? I get going after Vesey, but letting everyone else slip away in the meantime? What exactly is left out there now who isn't an Icehog?

http://blackhawkup.com/20...ri-hudler-miss-not-fatal/

D, maybe waits till trade deadline to pick up LW

E. maybe says F it and figures the extra cap space will give him more money to sign Panarin next year.

F maybe Panarin gets placed on line 1 and Kane does what he does for line 2, probably won't hit the century mark but is a point per game player without Panarin

I'm glad Hudler's not here, his play the past couple of years has gone down the tubes
- BetweenTheDots

He's one season removed from 80 points and 32 goals.

Mark Lazerus has the second line intact. Has Schmaltz/Motte at LW with Toews and Panik on RW1. Third line of desi/kruger/hoss and 4th of probably vinny/moose/tootoo. Maybe hartman. Says its time to see what the kids can do instead of plugging in 30 somethings into lineup.

Mark Lazerus has the second line intact. Has Schmaltz/Motte at LW with Toews and Panik on RW1. Third line of desi/kruger/hoss and 4th of probably vinny/moose/tootoo. Maybe hartman. Says its time to see what the kids can do instead of plugging in 30 somethings into lineup.
- onehundredlevel

No way does Panik get 1RW over Hossa. That's next level stupid.

No way does Panik get 1RW over Hossa. That's next level stupid.
- JRoenick97

I think he is just going off what coach q said at convention that he liked hoss with kruger.

No way does Panik get 1RW over Hossa.
- JRoenick97

At this point, I have to agree. Just my $0.02, but I don't believe that the conversation of Hossa moving to the 3rd line should even be a conversation until another RW (outside of Kane) steps forward and can show that he can handle a top-6 role.

Mark Lazerus has the second line intact. Has Schmaltz/Motte at LW with Toews and Panik on RW1. Third line of desi/kruger/hoss and 4th of probably vinny/moose/tootoo. Maybe hartman. Says its time to see what the kids can do instead of plugging in 30 somethings into lineup.
- onehundredlevel

Dunno... they need another skilled guy somwhere in that top 6. L or RW.

I think he is just going off what coach q said at convention that he liked hoss with kruger.
- onehundredlevel

maybe he is tipping his hand - yeah, right, like he ever does that - for a second line of Panarin-Kruger-Hossa and a first line of AA-Toews-Kane?

maybe he is tipping his hand - yeah, right, like he ever does that - for a second line of Panarin-Kruger-Hossa and a first line of AA-Toews-Kane?
- matt_ahrens

That would make a little more sense to me. However, if Kruger is moving to the 2nd line, who becomes the shutdown center in the lower lines?

maybe he is tipping his hand - yeah, right, like he ever does that - for a second line of Panarin-Kruger-Hossa and a first line of AA-Toews-Kane?
- matt_ahrens

I might, MIGHT, believe:
Rookie/Panik-Toews-Kane
Panarin-AA-Hossa

He's one season removed from 80 points and 32 goals.
- JRoenick97

Hudler did have a good scoring year, but he's going to be 33 and don't feel he's ever given his best effort defensively, and if he floats in Chicago what's Q going to do, bench him. That's probably what factored in Vesey's decision, I know many disagree with me but imho Ruff is overrated.

That would make a little more sense to me. However, if Kruger is moving to the 2nd line, who becomes the shutdown center in the lower lines?
- EKB13

It moves the hole from 1LW to 3C, but that might be better for the team overall. I'd guess the bottom six centers would be two out of Desi or Moose or Lundberg. Or, maybe Schmaltz or Hinostroza or Motte or Carrick surprise and can hold down 3C.

I used to work out with a guy in Grand Rapids about 20 years ago who was a GREAT youth and later junior hockey player. He had a camp tryout with the Wings. Guy was built like a tank BTW. He said when he got there, he realized how physically hard pro hockey is and he didn't feel like he was up to it.

I think that is very telling. And why I am very hesitant to anoint any kid coming to the NHL from any level, except a pro league (AHL, KHL, SM-Liiga, SEL). And even then, there is an adjustment to the NHL that the kid may or may not make.

I believe it comes down to three basic things:

1) does the kid have some projectable NHL ability or attribute: a kid like Forsling who can skate and shoot, a kid like Svedberg who is 6'9" and seems to know how to use it, etc.

2) THEN, you have to look at character. How much does this kid want it, how hard is he willing to work, how humble is he? What is his family like? What has he overcome in other parts of his life? Because THOSE are the qualities that will elevate this kid (to some degree) past his other deficiencies—and allow him to be a useful, if not good NHL player.

3) Luck. Is he getting with the right coaches and trainers in the right systems, does he stay healthy, etc.

Fans seem to fall in love with scouting reports that assess skills, but don't shed much light if any on character, work ethic, expectations, family background. TT is a PRIME example. Off the charts skills, highly questionable physical commitment (to this point anyway).

Alex Kojevnikov who the Hawks drafted 15 years ago or so was an example of a kid who had ALL the tools, wheels, moves, freakish physique, could really shoot the puck. Then he got a bad concussion—and pfffffffffft. Luck.

Eric Daze. The hawks drafted this gangly kid in the 4th round when they were scouting his line mate in the Q, Alexandre Daigle, Daze could really skate and shoot. And then he worked to become a pretty damn good NHL player. Character, effort, willingness. Hard to scout. But not impossible.

So I get excited by the positive, humble attitude exhibited at times by a Tyler Motte or a Vinnie Hinostroza. But that is all that this point.
- John Jaeckel

Thanks for the detail. Hockey is pretty much the only sport I follow anymore (gave up on football this year). Being on the west coast sucks for keeping up with the Hawks (although tix to an Ducks-Hawks game are cheaper than the UC). I used to go to a few Rockford games a year to try and be familiar with the youngsters. That said, I only got a sense of who played well that game.

I'll keep reading here, and other linked friends to get better perspective. Keep up the great work.

Mark Lazerus has the second line intact. Has Schmaltz/Motte at LW with Toews and Panik on RW1. Third line of desi/kruger/hoss and 4th of probably vinny/moose/tootoo. Maybe hartman. Says its time to see what the kids can do instead of plugging in 30 somethings into lineup.
- onehundredlevel

I'm still hoping for one of Schmaltz/Hinostroza/Motte with Toews and Kane. One of Schmaltz/Hinostroza/Motte with Panarin and Anisimov. Panik-Kruger-Hossa 3rd line, Desi-Moose-Tootoo 4th line.

Another option would be putting one of Schmaltz/Hinostroza/Motte at RW with Toews and Panarin, and one of Schmaltz/Hinostroza/Motte at LW with Kane and Anisimov.

I might, MIGHT, believe:
Rookie/Panik-Toews-Kane
Panarin-AA-Hossa
- JRoenick97

I understand the rational behind keeping the 72/15/88 line together, but in the absence of Stan acquiring another forward moving Panarin to Toews line might help spread out the talent. I'm not suggesting this is the only way to go, just an idea to try at some point in time. I think it's a better idea than moving Hossa to the third line.

72 - 19 - 81
?? - 15 - 88
14 - 16 - ??
11 - 70 - 22

I am interested to see what Lundberg is going to bring to the team. From what it sounds like, he would be a good fit for a 4th Line center. If that is the case, maybe we could move our centers up a line and put AA on the left side with Toews and Hossa. The lines could look some thing like this:

AA/Toews/Hossa
Panarin/Kruger/Kane
Panik/Moose/Schmaltz
Dejardins/Lundberg/Tootoo
Mashinter & Hartman in the press box rotating in and out.

Not sure it that solve much of anything, but it might help create a couple of scoring lines. AA could definitely work the cycle with Tazer and Hoss.

I'm still hoping for one of Schmaltz/Hinostroza/Motte with Toews and Kane. One of Schmaltz/Hinostroza/Motte with Panarin and Anisimov. Panik-Kruger-Hossa 3rd line, Desi-Moose-Tootoo 4th line.

Another option would be putting one of Schmaltz/Hinostroza/Motte at LW with Toews and Panarin, and one of Schmaltz/Hinostroza/Motte at RW with Kane and Anisimov.
- SimpleJack

I think you have your RW and LW switched.

I am interested to see what Lundberg is going to bring to the team. From what it sounds like, he would be a good fit for a 4th Line center. If that is the case, maybe we could move our centers up a line and put AA on the left side with Toews and Hossa. The lines could look some thing like this:

AA/Toews/Hossa
Panarin/Kruger/Kane
Panik/Moose/Schmaltz
Dejardins/Lundberg/Tootoo
Mashinter & Hartman in the press box rotating in and out.

Not sure it that solve much of anything, but it might help create a couple of scoring lines. AA could definitely work the cycle with Tazer and Hoss.
- spudrock512

The problem is how do those 3 score? They all are best picking up loss change so they would basically skate the other team Tired and then get themselves Tired and give the puck up.

I would do:
Panik/Motte-Teows-Kane
Panarin-AA-Schmaltz/Panik
Des/Kruger/Hossa
Lundberg-Mosse-Tootoo-Motte-Hartman-Hino-Mcneal.

I am interested to see what Lundberg is going to bring to the team. From what it sounds like, he would be a good fit for a 4th Line center. If that is the case, maybe we could move our centers up a line and put AA on the left side with Toews and Hossa. The lines could look some thing like this:

AA/Toews/Hossa
Panarin/Kruger/Kane
Panik/Moose/Schmaltz
Dejardins/Lundberg/Tootoo
Mashinter & Hartman in the press box rotating in and out.

Not sure it that solve much of anything, but it might help create a couple of scoring lines. AA could definitely work the cycle with Tazer and Hoss.
- spudrock512

Kruger isnt 2C/top 6 material. That would be the worst center depth in the NHL. But I am also curious to see what Lundberg has to offer

I understand the rational behind keeping the 72/15/88 line together, but in the absence of Stan acquiring another forward moving Panarin to Toews line might help spread out the talent. I'm not suggesting this is the only way to go, just an idea to try at some point in time. I think it's a better idea than moving Hossa to the third line.

72 - 19 - 81
?? - 15 - 88
14 - 16 - ??
11 - 70 - 22
- DarthKane

In my example, i move Kane up to 1RW, so I didn't keep 72-15-88 together.

I am actually excited to see some youth in the lineup. There might be some growing pains but it will be worth it. As long as Dallas has that defense and goaltending I will not be that worried about them