He's filler in Rockford - to help the youngsters along and to add some scoring punch. That's what Abbott was specifically brought in for.
- EKB13

Gotcha! Thanks.

Chevy is in a bad position but I totally understand that if you are losing a guy you are forcing to play on the left side in your second pairing, that you want a LD comparable.

Just not many teams with any possible LD return that is THAT comparable.
Isles trade on again trade off again
The don't want the Duck's Cam Fowler because he has flat lined more than Trouba's mistakes on the off side.
Does Chevy settle for a development deeman from their farm like Keaton Thompson or Shea Theodore and play MINUS Trouba?? Doubtful.
Danny DeKeyser probably better all around psoition but doesn't have Trouba's upside.


You think Oscar Klefbom is available?
You think that the hype around Dranell Nurse has placed him on untouchable status because he fighst and MIGHT be a solid second pair guy at some junketure?
You think Oilers want to send Adam Larsson packing to get Trouba? It would releive pressure off Larsson and squarely put it on Trouba. (anyway Larsson shoots right handed!)

I jsut dont see the allignment as an easy one....

I love Spencer Abbott. Good kid, and fun to watch on the attack and on the PP in the "A." He can be a scoring machine there, but he's too small and one-dimensional to play in the NHL.

He'll be a leader and scoring help in Rockford this season.
- EKB13

Thanks Eli! Should be a good one for you guys in Rockford then. Potential "C" material maybe?

Thanks Eli! Should be a good one for you guys in Rockford then. Potential "C" material maybe?
- TyCamScore

Doubtful. Jake Dowell will more than likely get that honor again. Labrie will get an A. Maybe Abbott will too.

Some interesting names taking part in the IceHogs training camp:

http://icehogs.com/news/icehogs/?article_id=5299

"The camp invitees include five forwards who are all under contract with Rockford’s ECHL affiliate, the Indy Fuel. Those players include: Anthony Beauregard, Tyler Currier, Matt Rupert, Cody Sharib and Marek Tvrdon. Other invitees include: forwards Phil Brewer, Tom Olczyk, Tyler Sikura and defenseman Travis Walsh."

Matt Rupert: former scoring stud for the London Knights

Marek Tvrdon: Big Slovak LW, formerly 4th round draft pick in 2011 by DET. I was intrigued by this guy when he was in the Red Wings system. He looks like a project still with inconsistency being his biggest issue. Here's a look at HF: http://www.hockeysfuture....m/prospects/marek_tvrdon/

Tom Olczyk: Eddie's son who's been at Penn Univ. for last 4 years.

Tyler Sikura: Hawks prospect Dylan Sikura's older bro.

Doubtful. Jake Dowell will more than likely get that honor again. Labrie will get an A. Maybe Abbott will too.
- EKB13

Love Jake Dowell, a great AHL "C" for the kids.

It's not really - $6m in 2015 is not the same as $6m in 2017 because they cap has gone up, however little. This is why contracts from years ago, like say Keith's, look great vs contracts being signed by lesser defenders.

That said, I'd personally prefer Saad, if just because the Hawks are lacking in the elements a player like Saad brings to the table vs Panarin.
- L_B_R

Yes! Exactly. Smaller % of the cap. Also based on how the cap growth would look at that point in time. I think I'd rather have Saad too.

If that is the number they are floating now, maybe they'd settle for something less like $5.5m annually.

Shaw is doing Shawlike things in Montreal. 30 penalty minutes in his first preseason game. They're going to love him.

Shaw is doing Shawlike things in Montreal. 30 penalty minutes in his first preseason game. They're going to love him.
- matt_ahrens

Yep

You can hear the crowd adulation in the background. And mid-fight, he's egging them on. . .oh, Shawzy, we're going to miss you.

https://vine.co/v/5rMaFBFAnF1

Yep

You can hear the crowd adulation in the background. And mid-fight, he's egging them on. . .oh, Shawzy, we're going to miss you.

https://vine.co/v/5rMaFBFAnF1
- pdx2ord

I can't wait until him and Marchand get a hold of each other.

Won't get that far...
- CanOCorn

bowman can not afford to let 72 have another monster year and let his price tag go up...so i think you are right...

I can't wait until him and Marchand get a hold of each other.


- EKB13

Good to see the Aussie kid Nathan Walker getting a look in....... mostly at Shawzers right fist....... but a look in none the less

Um. . .sounds like our favorite hockey Cyborg may finally be breaking down a bit.

Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc 43s44 seconds ago
Duncan Keith said he "absolutely'" will be able to play at his top level. "I played with many worse (injuries) last year."

ETA: Chris Kuc ‏@ChrisKuc 16s16 seconds ago
#Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Kitchen said team will try to cut down on Duncan Keith's minutes this season.
- pdx2ord

This is a really big deal for the long term success for the Hawks, and really the big benefit of Campbell and Kempny signings, and TVR moving down to the 3rd pair.

Should be able to keep Duncs and Seabs in the low 20s every night.

Marek Tvrdon: Big Slovak LW, formerly 4th round draft pick in 2011 by DET. I was intrigued by this guy when he was in the Red Wings system. He looks like a project still with inconsistency being his biggest issue.
- TyCamScore

Tvrdon was injured much of his draft year, but in his brief season, he showed he had a wicked wrister, good hands, and impressive strength to go along with his size.
The injuries are what have held him back; he has only played on full season since (with Grand Rapids in 2014-15).

Here's a look at HF:
- TyCamScore

Ty, you have to understand almost all of the team editors at HF basically just repeat the original scoutng analysis form their draft year and then write down their point totals and where they play after...I bet you won't see any mention of why he didn't play full seasons or why....

bowman can not afford to let 72 have another monster year and let his price tag go up...so i think you are right...
- bogiedoc

I think that Panarin is basically as good as he is going to get;I am not demeaning that, but this idea, he is gonna do so much better after one season and be unsignable....poppycock.

If that happens, he can tell his story walking too.
(through his translator)

http://www.wingingitinmot...te-marek-tvrdons-contract

there are some comments about his game from some Wing fans that watched him. sounds like a guy that needs to stay healthy, I hope he makes the Hogs. We need a few bigger wings in the system.

in regard to Pan I don't think he is going to put up more points then last year. But if you go for 75 2 years in a row 6 X 6 might be a little low. and even if its only a Million we already have 3-4 guys overpaid by that amount how many more can we have.

In reading Scott Powers (pretty hooked into what is going on with the Hawks) latest article...it looks like these could be the potential lines:

Schmaltz/Toews/Panik
Panarin/AA/Kane
Motte/Kruger/Hossa
Desi/Vinny/Tootoo-Hartman

Without getting too deep into it, the Hawks first line tonight will be Schmaltz/Vinny/Panik and that Vinny is a placeholder for Toews. Vinny also feels more comfortable at C so they want to try him there. Article says he could be the 3rd line center...but my guess is if Schmaltz, Motte and Vinny make the opening day roster, they won't want two of them on the same line.

No PTO's, no trades coming. We are going young on the forward lines for sure.

I think that Panarin is basically as good as he is going to get;I am not demeaning that, but this idea, he is gonna do so much better after one season and be unsignable....poppycock.

If that happens, he can tell his story walking too.
(through his translator)
- wiz1901

I think you are right. Personally, I think he is 90-95% of what he will ever be offensively. He already gets icetime on par with a 1LW in the NHL, so I don't see him playing much more minutes and increasing his productivity that way. Plus he already gets a huge amount of O-zone time and had the benefit of playing with Kane during what will likely be Kane's statistically best year of his career.

I think the Hawks will want Panarin to grow his game in a few other ways, because the offensive skill is there, but the complete package has a few things to work on.

In reading Scott Powers (pretty hooked into what is going on with the Hawks) latest article...it looks like these could be the potential lines:

Schmaltz/Toews/Panik
Panarin/AA/Kane
Motte/Kruger/Hossa
Desi/Vinny/Tootoo-Hartman

Without getting too deep into it, the Hawks first line tonight will be Schmaltz/Vinny/Panik and that Vinny is a placeholder for Toews. Vinny also feels more comfortable at C so they want to try him there. Article says he could be the 3rd line center...but my guess is if Schmaltz, Motte and Vinny make the opening day roster, they won't want two of them on the same line.

No PTO's, no trades coming. We are going young on the forward lines for sure.
- onehundredlevel

I bet Rasmussen will find a way to get on that 4th line.

I got permission for Capt Eo to make this announcement:

I am trying to fill a spot in a Yahoo Fantasy league with hawk fan from this board.

PM if you have interest, I will gladly call you with all the details...
Live draft, the GMs do make trade deals, and this is not cut throat play... a rookie won the thing last year...but if you commit, we don't want you to quit mid season and skew the stats that determine the winner...

PM me

Ty, you have to understand almost all of the team editors at HF basically just repeat the original scoutng analysis form their draft year and then write down their point totals and where they play after...I bet you won't see any mention of why he didn't play full seasons or why....
- wiz1901

Fair enough Wiz. Definitely nice to hear from people watching on a regular basis vs. relying on HF... was just too lazy to do more digging. ha.

I bet Rasmussen will find a way to get on that 4th line.
- breadbag

Agreed, I doubt Hino would Centre the 4th line.

I still think McNeill and Lundberg will get a look too.

In reading Scott Powers (pretty hooked into what is going on with the Hawks) latest article...it looks like these could be the potential lines:

Schmaltz/Toews/Panik
Panarin/AA/Kane
Motte/Kruger/Hossa
Desi/Vinny/Tootoo-Hartman

Without getting too deep into it, the Hawks first line tonight will be Schmaltz/Vinny/Panik and that Vinny is a placeholder for Toews. Vinny also feels more comfortable at C so they want to try him there. Article says he could be the 3rd line center...but my guess is if Schmaltz, Motte and Vinny make the opening day roster, they won't want two of them on the same line.

No PTO's, no trades coming. We are going young on the forward lines for sure.
- onehundredlevel

Keeping an eye on whether Schmaltz continues to be tried at LW will be a big indicator on ideal plan for the Hawks.

I can see something like this if it works out:

Panarin-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-AA-Kane
Desi-Kruger-Hossa
Lundberg-Moose-Tootoo/Hartman


I just don't know if you can leave Toews with Schmaltz and Panik. He needs a little more help. He and Panarin could be deadly together and Kane can run a line by himself.

I think you are right. Personally, I think he is 90-95% of what he will ever be offensively. He already gets icetime on par with a 1LW in the NHL, so I don't see him playing much more minutes and increasing his productivity that way. Plus he already gets a huge amount of O-zone time and had the benefit of playing with Kane during what will likely be Kane's statistically best year of his career.

I think the Hawks will want Panarin to grow his game in a few other ways, because the offensive skill is there, but the complete package has a few things to work on.
- breadbag

...and it's simply a matter of Panarin loving Chicago, his team, linemates, coaching and making a decision that works all around.

You can't expect the hawks to buy low b/c the kid has talent, but you also can't expect the hawks to break the bank to keep you.

As already mentioned, the drafted and home grown Saad was told it didn't work at those numbers, so you have to cast shadows b/c it is difficult for me to lift one over the other to elite player status.

Toews can be a plug n play guy, but Kaner just got better by virtue of the Malen'kaya Mosquito...

http://www.wingingitinmotown.com/2015/12/19/10626518/red-wings-terminate-marek-tvrdons-contract

there are some comments about his game from some Wing fans that watched him. sounds like a guy that needs to stay healthy, I hope he makes the Hogs. We need a few bigger wings in the system.

in regard to Pan I don't think he is going to put up more points then last year. But if you go for 75 2 years in a row 6 X 6 might be a little low. and even if its only a Million we already have 3-4 guys overpaid by that amount how many more can we have.
- kmw4631

There is a mitigating factor here:

He will be RFA after this season, not UFA.

A team would have to be willing to go more than $6MM, have the cap space to offer that amount, and have the draft picks (1st, 2nd, 3rd in 2018).

That might or might not limit the potential offers - I haven't looked at each possible suitor's situation.