7F: Toews, Kane, Panarin, Hoss, Anisimov, Kruger, ???

3D: Keith, Seabrook, Hammer

Exempt from expansion/expiring contracts:
Kempney, Campbell, Schmaltz etc

Swapping TVR/D depth for another F in which we can protect would be perfect.

(I believe Panarin is exempt as well, but even with having to protect him, we still have another spot for whichever F we trade for)
- Slofire94

Kruger has a NTC, not a NMC, so he doesn't have to be on the list.

We all know it will there will be a battle among some rookies for 2-3 spots on the roster this season. I think that battle could extend beyond training camp and into the season.

But what could be equally interesting is how the defense shakes out. Seabrook, Keith, Hjalmarsson, Campbell, TvR and Kempny should (fingers crossed) comprise the top 6 for most of the season with Rozsival as the 7D.

What will the team do with Svedberg and Gustafsson? Gus is waiver exempt but Svedberg is not. Not that losing Sevedberg is the end of the world but I doubt they want to risk losing an asset for nothing.

If you consider the possibility of losing TvR or Pokka in the expansion draft would you want to find a way to get Gustafsson some playing time this season to continue his development?

We all know it will there will be a battle among some rookies for 2-3 spots on the roster this season. I think that battle could extend beyond training camp and into the season.

But what could be equally interesting is how the defense shakes out. Seabrook, Keith, Hjalmarsson, Campbell, TvR and Kempny should (fingers crossed) comprise the top 6 for most of the season with Rozsival as the 7D.

What will the team do with Svedberg and Gustafsson? Gus is waiver exempt but Svedberg is not. Not that losing Sevedberg is the end of the world but I doubt they want to risk losing an asset for nothing.

If you consider the possibility of losing TvR or Pokka in the expansion draft would you want to find a way to get Gustafsson some playing time this season to continue his development?
- DarthKane

I hope it is not a merry-go-round of Rockford guys and Q picks a few young
guys and lets them go for 25-30 games. This team needs some continuity. Toews might lose his cookies if he has a new wing every 3 games.

I also go to bed praying I don't see 2-4 7-51 pairings.

I hope it is not a merry-go-round of Rockford guys and Q picks a few young
guys and lets them go for 25-30 games. This team needs some continuity. Toews might lose his cookies if he has a new wing every 3 games.

I also go to bed praying I don't see 2-4 7-51 pairings.
- bhawks2241

That is exactly what you will see.

I hope it is not a merry-go-round of Rockford guys and Q picks a few young
guys and lets them go for 25-30 games. This team needs some continuity. Toews might lose his cookies if he has a new wing every 3 games.

I also go to bed praying I don't see 2-4 7-51 pairings.
- bhawks2241

Were I Q, it would be

Panarin-Toews-Hossa
Panik-AA-Kane
Desi-Kruger-Schmaltz/committee
Motte-Lundberg/Rasmussen-Tootoo/committee

(I think spots 6-12 give a lot of potential looks for Q to send out situationally)

Keith-Seabrook
Hammer-Campbell
Kempny-TVR

And YES - roll with them for a good stretch, AND give the call ups from Rockford more than one game and seven minutes to make any evaluation.

I don't get the goaltender debate. If they can move Crow and TVR for salary and a top 9 player with some finish then they are going to be in excellent shape.

The D group is so freaking good that other teams are not going to be able to sustain a lot of pressure or get second chances. The goalie is going to be a moot point. If Crow is here for the duration he leads the league in a few categories.

If anything itll be more similar to watching the Kings. Lotta shots, lotta shot suppression, only one line that is really a huge massive threat but also one of the best 2 way centers in the game you gotta keep an eye on.

As long as nothing catastrophic happens to their veterans, they could certainly compete for first in the central and probably be very close to whomever is at the top for the West. Maybe not in the prettiest way but much better than last year.

Anyone watching the Czech/NA game. How has Kempny looked?

Checking the box score shows Czech is up 1-0 in the 3rd. Kempny has an assist on the only goal (pp goal) and he (again) has the highest TOI for the Czechs.

I don't get the goaltender debate. If they can move Crow and TVR for salary and a top 9 player with some finish then they are going to be in excellent shape.

The D group is so freaking good that other teams are not going to be able to sustain a lot of pressure or get second chances. The goalie is going to be a moot point. If Crow is here for the duration he leads the league in a few categories.

If anything itll be more similar to watching the Kings. Lotta shots, lotta shot suppression, only one line that is really a huge massive threat but also one of the best 2 way centers in the game you gotta keep an eye on.

As long as nothing catastrophic happens to their veterans, they could certainly compete for first in the central and probably be very close to whomever is at the top for the West. Maybe not in the prettiest way but much better than last year.
- fattybeef

By the time you pay the guys to replace Crawford, there isn't enough money left to get a top nine guy up front.

As for goalies, ask ANA how they feel about that after losing to us in the last cup run. Goaltending was THE factor in that series. Crawford ate up Andersen. And by ate up I mean when the saves HAD to be made, CC made them and Andersen did not.

If you have a two time winner with perennial Vezina candidacy, you keep them. ESPECIALLY in advance of an expansion year where losing your top five #1 relegates you to #32 on the NHL depth chart.

As for the defense, yes this year - very good corps. But we lose Campbell as he has a one year deal, Kempny will need to be resigned, and TVR will be exposed to the expansion draft.

I don't get the goaltender debate. If they can move Crow and TVR for salary and a top 9 player with some finish then they are going to be in excellent shape.

The D group is so freaking good that other teams are not going to be able to sustain a lot of pressure or get second chances. The goalie is going to be a moot point. If Crow is here for the duration he leads the league in a few categories.

If anything itll be more similar to watching the Kings. Lotta shots, lotta shot suppression, only one line that is really a huge massive threat but also one of the best 2 way centers in the game you gotta keep an eye on.

As long as nothing catastrophic happens to their veterans, they could certainly compete for first in the central and probably be very close to whomever is at the top for the West. Maybe not in the prettiest way but much better than last year.
- fattybeef

If that were true, Nashville would have a cup already.

Any updates on the health of Keith and Kruger?

Any updates on the health of Keith and Kruger?
- StLBravesFan

Per NBC Sports:

MARCUS KRUGER (UPPER BODY) WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN WEDNESDAY'S EXHIBITION GAME AGAINST TEAM EUROPE.

Kruger didn't complete Thursday's contest due to the ailment. Team Sweden coach Richard Gronborg does believe that Kruger will be fine for the start of the World Cup though.

Hi Savvy, Baun may not be anything more than just a minor leaguer but as you know he has pro hockey bloodlines. It wouldn't be a surprise if great uncle Bobby took the kid aside and told him a few things about the facts of life in the NHL. The old boy was a warrior in the 6 team NHL.

And if you recall, he played a few games at the end of the regular season 2 years ago and Q singled him out as somebody he liked the look of. There is a job open if he is good enough.
- RickJ

Hi Rick, nice post. As I said, for me Baun is/could be a dark horse. Bloodlines DO matter IMO -- they are certainly not a guarantee, but having a pro in the family like that makes a difference (why does this conversation bring me back to the 3 Stooges short?).

Baun has some wheels and is definitely not afraid to work the wall or go to the front of the net. He definitely did himself in with dumb penalties -- I think Q liked him but couldn't tolerate the mental gaffes. If he's wised up at all, I think he's got a shot at sticking and as you say, there is a job open if he is good enough. TWT, I am looking forward to the start of camp/preseason.

According to an article in the Hockey News (http://www.thehockeynews....oving-to-southern-ontario) NHL teams have a restricted home territory of:

Home territory with respect to any member, means each member club shall have exclusive territorial rights in the city in which it is located and within 50 miles of that city’s corporate limits.”

So it seems that Milwaukee is outside of that limit - although your other concerns about Milwaukee (Lloyd Petit and his connected wife aside) are correct, IMO.

Although somehow (and the article wasn't clear how or why) the league believes that other rules would allow the league to put a franchise in suburban Toronto.
- StLBravesFan

Although somehow (and the article wasn't clear how or why) the league believes that other rules would allow the league to put a franchise in suburban Toronto.


The thinking most likely is the demographics in the Toronto area would indicate there would be support for another club without a doubt. Then some sort of "royalty" fee would need to be worked out.

I wouldn't be a nickel a team could make it in Milwaukee.

I don't get the goaltender debate. If they can move Crow and TVR for salary and a top 9 player with some finish then they are going to be in excellent shape.

The D group is so freaking good that other teams are not going to be able to sustain a lot of pressure or get second chances. The goalie is going to be a moot point. If Crow is here for the duration he leads the league in a few categories.

If anything itll be more similar to watching the Kings. Lotta shots, lotta shot suppression, only one line that is really a huge massive threat but also one of the best 2 way centers in the game you gotta keep an eye on.

As long as nothing catastrophic happens to their veterans, they could certainly compete for first in the central and probably be very close to whomever is at the top for the West. Maybe not in the prettiest way but much better than last year.
- fattybeef

So you would trade Crawford for a 3rd liner that scores about 15 goals?
Also, your comparison with the Kings style of play is a reach for now.

The best Hawks defense rolls with possessing the puck. The Kings keep the puck also but the key to their defense isn't their offense it's their forecheck. I don't see the Hawks reshaping themselves in the same fashion, especially since they lost one of their best forecheckers in Shaw.

I couldn't agree more if you had a gun to my head
- 6628

Maddening isn't it! He must know something about lines....

So you would trade Crawford for a 3rd liner that scores about 15 goals?
Also, your comparison with the Kings style of play is a reach for now.

The best Hawks defense rolls with possessing the puck. The Kings keep the puck also but the key to their defense isn't their offense it's their forecheck. I don't see the Hawks reshaping themselves in the same fashion, especially since they lost one of their best forecheckers in Shaw.
- Al

Puck possession, speed, and stretch passes. Good to have mobile guys like Keith and Campbell who can wheel back too.

Puck possession, speed, and stretch passes. Good to have mobile guys like Keith and Campbell who can wheel back too.
- 93Joe

Don't buy all the Pierre stretch pass stuff...They can work in the 2nd period with the long change and should be used but...

Good exit passes from the dmen period is what creates the speed and stirs the drink for the offense.

The other thing is that Panarin is in RFA status, no need to rush to sign him. They still have leverage and they could still get a haul in a trade for him with RFA status a-la Saad if they decide it wont get done. Its not like he will be a pending UFA and they need to crap or get off the pot with a new contract real soon or risk letting him walk for nothing
- hawkeytalkman

If they sign him before the expansion draft, does he go from ineligible to be drafted by LV to eligible and therefore requiring the Blackhawks to use one of their protected list spots for him? I don't know.

Have any of you guys been watching the last couple of Canada games? Any objectivity or truth to these random Twitter comments from tonight?

Max Lerner ‏@MaxDallasLerner
Crosby looked unstoppable, Stamkos looked rusty and Toews may as well have been wearing an invisibility cloak

Dominic Bourque ‏@progarctica
To me, 2 guys have to be better if the #Canada want to win Gold. Toews and Stamkos this two are invisible in pre tournament. #WCH2016

Erik J Kowols ‏@Ekowols
This Canadian PP is absolutely terrifying. Crosby, Toews, Gioroux, Burns... they just don't shoot.

and there are many, many, many more of a similar vein.

Just your average fans posting, but was hoping to see #19 come back a'blazin'

Although somehow (and the article wasn't clear how or why) the league believes that other rules would allow the league to put a franchise in suburban Toronto.


The thinking most likely is the demographics in the Toronto area would indicate there would be support for another club without a doubt. Then some sort of "royalty" fee would need to be worked out.

I wouldn't be a nickel a team could make it in Milwaukee.
- Al

Doubt very much Bettman & Co. would challenge one of the league's big cash cows by getting into a legal battle over territorial rights within the GTA. And there isn't any amount in indemnity money that would satisfy the Leafs owners.

And no other NHL arena in the suburbs right now. Another team would get support but it would be like the Ducks or Devils - 2nd class citizens to the big guys.

Quebec City will get a team eventually and Seattle is somewhere the league wants to go.

Have any of you guys been watching the last couple of Canada games? Any objectivity or truth to these random Twitter comments from tonight?

Max Lerner ‏@MaxDallasLerner
Crosby looked unstoppable, Stamkos looked rusty and Toews may as well have been wearing an invisibility cloak

Dominic Bourque ‏@progarctica
To me, 2 guys have to be better if the #Canada want to win Gold. Toews and Stamkos this two are invisible in pre tournament. #WCH2016

Erik J Kowols ‏@Ekowols
This Canadian PP is absolutely terrifying. Crosby, Toews, Gioroux, Burns... they just don't shoot.

and there are many, many, many more of a similar vein.

Just your average fans posting, but was hoping to see #19 come back a'blazin'
- pdx2ord

Canada only has one line really clicking right now, but I wouldn't say Toews has been invisible. Stamkos certainly hasn't been able to finish on chances and Toews has sent him passes multiple times. Toews has been taking most of the defensive load at C and has won a ton of faceoffs so far. For faceoffs he was 54%, 74% and 60% in the three games so far.

Have any of you guys been watching the last couple of Canada games? Any objectivity or truth to these random Twitter comments from tonight?

Max Lerner ‏@MaxDallasLerner
Crosby looked unstoppable, Stamkos looked rusty and Toews may as well have been wearing an invisibility cloak

Dominic Bourque ‏@progarctica
To me, 2 guys have to be better if the #Canada want to win Gold. Toews and Stamkos this two are invisible in pre tournament. #WCH2016

Erik J Kowols ‏@Ekowols
This Canadian PP is absolutely terrifying. Crosby, Toews, Gioroux, Burns... they just don't shoot.

and there are many, many, many more of a similar vein.

Just your average fans posting, but was hoping to see #19 come back a'blazin'
- pdx2ord

These average fans are expecting a 9-0 whitewash every game. The Ruskies are pretty good and Bobo had to make 45 saves in a game where Canada was shorthanded 7 times. Panarin's line played pretty well, Anisimov got some action, Ovi and Malkin were good - they aren't a bunch of scrubs.

One guy very noticeable by his absence is Duncan Keith.

Canada only has one line really clicking right now, but I wouldn't say Toews has been invisible. Stamkos certainly hasn't been able to finish on chances and Toews has sent him passes multiple times. Toews has been taking most of the defensive load at C and has won a ton of faceoffs so far. For faceoffs he was 54%, 74% and 60% in the three games so far.

===

These average fans are expecting a 9-0 whitewash every game. The Ruskies are pretty good and Bobo had to make 45 saves in a game where Canada was shorthanded 7 times. Panarin's line played pretty well, Anisimov got some action, Ovi and Malkin were good - they aren't a bunch of scrubs.

One guy very noticeable by his absence is Duncan Keith.
- breadbag

Thanks! Good to hear. Wondered if it wasn't a bit overblown. I'd seen Toews' impressive face-off numbers, but hadn't seen any other observations of his play in general.

Apparently, Panarin left the ice after getting a puck to the face. Hopefully, nothing more than a few stitches required.

If they sign him before the expansion draft, does he go from ineligible to be drafted by LV to eligible and therefore requiring the Blackhawks to use one of their protected list spots for him? I don't know.
- matt_ahrens

Not if the Hawks tag him as one of the seven forwards they choose to protect and/or give him an NMC.

Hawks not bringing any PTOs in. Heard that in August from somebody in org. They are all in on the "give our kids a chance and see who wants it the most " narrative. Notice how they put out training camp roster super early ? Set in stone for awhile.

Don't fret though, Stan is going to spend the money he has under the cap, just not in September.

I for one am excited about training camp next week and seeing which young guys seize the opportunity.