If Bowman signs any one of those guys I hope they sink below the Avalanche and stay there for 10 years or until he gets fired.
- RickJ

So you're saying you don't like those options?

I'm going to wait until the lineup is unveiled Oct 1

All this speculation is giving me a head ache

I'm going to wait until the lineup is unveiled Oct 1

All this speculation is giving me a head ache
- Colbyboy

Wait until after game 1, after Hossa is LTIR - see if anything changes then.

Wait until after game 1, after Hossa is LTIR - see if anything changes then.
- StLBravesFan

Any chance we can wait 20 games to see how The "kids" look? Or should we condemn today?
If the Hawks finish 1st in division, look back at this year will occur before 1st playoff game, and if they finish lower, narrative will be they suck.....willing to give odds on this....in a non gambling kinda way

Thanks for all the updates jj

Wait until after game 1, after Hossa is LTIR - see if anything changes then.
- StLBravesFan

Not sure of the exact rule but I believe each team must submit their roster by 5:00pm the day before the season opener. At least that's what it was last year. Then all heck breaks loose.

It'll be interesting to see who the fall guy is when this team misses the playoffs.

It'll be interesting to see who the fall guy is when this team misses the playoffs.
- Newgod77

WHEN this team misses the playoffs?

Wrong forum, pal. Please return to dwelling under the bridge you came from.

It'll be interesting to see who the fall guy is when this team misses the playoffs.
- Newgod77

Alright you've had your 17 seconds now scoot.

Alright you've had your 17 seconds now scoot.
- walleyeb1

Boom.

It'll be interesting to see who the fall guy is when this team misses the playoffs.
- Newgod77

Any chance we can wait 20 games to see how The "kids" look? Or should we condemn today?
If the Hawks finish 1st in division, look back at this year will occur before 1st playoff game, and if they finish lower, narrative will be they suck.....willing to give odds on this....in a non gambling kinda way
- dpard

It took 4 painful games in April to show how ready the kids were. Oh and that team lost Hjallmarsson and Hossa. The kids better be ready or it will be a tall task to beat Nashville in a 7 game series next Spring.

It took 4 painful games in April to show how ready the kids were. Oh and that team lost Hjallmarsson and Hossa. The kids better be ready or it will be a tall task to beat Nashville in a 7 game series next Spring.
- EnzoD

By no means was it the young guys fault the Hawks were swept, that's squarely on the shoulders of the vets.

It'll be interesting to see who the fall guy is when this team misses the playoffs.
- Newgod77

A Bruins fan? Talking trash to Hawks fans?

By no means was it the young guys fault the Hawks were swept, that's squarely on the shoulders of the vets.
- DarthKane

Well, young guys like Hartman and Schmaltz were key players during the RS run that led them to 1st place in the West. Those two were MIA all series. Losing Hammer and Hossa is a huge loss, even if Murphy has talent. If the Hawks can add a 4D or Top 6 Wing with Hossa's LTIR cap space, I'd feel much better about this team. Until then, frequent healthy scratch Kempny is the 4D with some combination of Forsling/Campbell/Ruttaa/Rosival as the 3rd pair....that's a whole lot of question marks.

- riozzo

I miss Shawzie's ... passion for the game

Well, young guys like Hartman and Schmaltz were key players during the RS run that led them to 1st place in the West. Those two were MIA all series. Losing Hammer and Hossa is a huge loss, even if Murphy has talent. If the Hawks can add a 4D or Top 6 Wing with Hossa's LTIR cap space, I'd feel much better about this team. Until then, frequent healthy scratch Kempny is the 4D with some combination of Forsling/Campbell/Ruttaa/Rosival as the 3rd pair....that's a whole lot of question marks.
- EnzoD

Just like Anisimov was playing on one leg, pretty sure Hartman had a bum wing which probably limited his effectiveness vs the Preds. Q showing no confidence in Schmaltz after that game 1 gaffe (which wasn't really all on 8) probably didn't help.

I do think both of them having been through it (the playoffs once) wiil this year though obviously it remains to be seen.

Well, young guys like Hartman and Schmaltz were key players during the RS run that led them to 1st place in the West. Those two were MIA all series. Losing Hammer and Hossa is a huge loss, even if Murphy has talent. If the Hawks can add a 4D or Top 6 Wing with Hossa's LTIR cap space, I'd feel much better about this team. Until then, frequent healthy scratch Kempny is the 4D with some combination of Forsling/Campbell/Ruttaa/Rosival as the 3rd pair....that's a whole lot of question marks.
- EnzoD

Hartman was hurt but I don't think there are any excuses for Schmaltz. But the hope playoff success shouldn't need based off no two rookies. I FULl expect both guys to be better next season and form 2/3 of a solid 3rd line.

Losing Hjalmarsson sucks but I think the Hawks will fill that void with Murphy and a more experienced (and better) Kempny. The bottom d-pairing will be interesting, I hope Forsling can emerge as an NHL regular, if not him then maybe Rutta or Oesterle.

Hossa is a loss you just can't replace, but there's not much that can be done. Maybe Stan completes an in-season deal for a winger, but even then whomever Stan acquires won't provide did.

My point is this team will be different than years past and hard to compare until we've seen them play for a while.

I think Bowman should've been fired after failing to give Q 6 NHL defense man in 2016, but I digress. So you are content rolling with Schmaltz, Sharp, Hartman or Panik skating Top 6 minutes this year? As well as Murphy-Kempny and....???....??? as the bottom 4 defense??
- EnzoD

Yes definitely if the only other option is signing a 45 year old forward instead. Compared to having Jagr I'd welcome Vanek, and I hate Vanek's lazy ass game with a passion.

Yes definitely if the only other option is signing a 45 year old forward instead. Compared to having Jagr I'd welcome Vanek, and I hate Vanek's lazy ass game with a passion.
- RickJ

No more projects or guys who are on their last legs. We have Jurco, Sharp and Roszival to fill those roles.

With the addition and Bouma and Wingels there isn't too much room for a young guy to step up. But whatever opportunity is left I would rather give it to a young guy than Jagr or Iginla.

Maybe Rasmussen did not want to come back to the Hawks. Maybe he wanted a change of scenery and Bowman was classy enough to let him go without bringing it to the media.

I will take Bowman at his word that it is most likely that Hossa will go on LTIR after the season starts. With most teams near or above the floor there are probably not too many options to move him before then. If a suitor did become available in the right deal I am sure Stan would pull the trigger.

I am not sure if this is a Cup roster, playoff roster or a roster that misses the playoffs. But I am looking forward to camp. With the young guys fighting for a roster spot, the physical players we have brought in, the speed we have brought in and with Ulfie working with the defense and PK it could be very entertaining.

I still think their could be a name player coming in on a PTO contract that will be released at the end of camp and signed on day 2. Campbell, Oduya, Doan, or someone else. Or there could be a deal that is agreed upon (Vanek), but not announced until day 2 when the Hawks have more cap space. Another option is to wait and see how the team develops and hold that cap space for the TDL if the Hawks are looking like contenders.

I liked a lot of what I saw from Hartman, Schmaltz, Kempny, Forsling, and Hayden last year. There could be serious improvements this year.

I am interested in seeing Rutta, Murphy, Dauphin, Fortin, Bouma, Wingels, Debrincat, Highmore, Knott, and Forsberg.

I may be in the minority but I think Anisimov can and will improve at the dot.

I would bet that there will be at least one pleasant surprise. I will put my dollar on Bouma, he seems to be the whipping boy on this blog so far.

Had a dream Hossa's contract went to New Jersey!

Gotta stop reading the blog before bed!

Alright you've had your 17 seconds now scoot.
- walleyeb1

Smoked em with that shot

Had a dream Hossa's contract went to New Jersey!

Gotta stop reading the blog before bed!
- resqmed99

but what if it happens? you could make some serious money selling people your prognostications!