Realistically I don't see Stan taking a chance on any boarderline forwards, there are enough of those guys on the roster. I'd like to see the Hawks make a move to solidify the defense with Hossa's cap hit.
- DarthKane

My opinion is its been more of a forward issue than a d-men issue the last couple of seasons. The puck support, which is and was the hallmark, of the system employed by Pitt the last two season has been lacking for the Hawks.

Preds used it well last season also.

He did sign with Calgary for this season. At a 1.75M cap hit.
- TTtime

Ah ok. Good for them (not snarky)

I like Versteeg

Stafford would be a good option on a minimal 1 year deal, although I would guess he's looking for more than that.
- DarthKane

Another guy I was wrong on. Stafford has the skill, size and skating to be a legit top 6 guy. He finds ways to fail though. Often loses his compete and interest I guess.

In size and skill he and Schmaltz remind me of each other and both RHS.

My opinion is its been more of a forward issue than a d-men issue the last couple of seasons. The puck support, which is and was the hallmark, of the system employed by Pitt the last two season has been lacking for the Hawks.

Preds used it well last season also.
- TTtime

Isn't that a failure of coaching? Insisting on playing a game that your personnel can't execute consistently?

Schmaltz is the #1 question mark. If he makes progress... HEY! we have a team!

#2 is who even tries to fill Hossa's giant shoes.
- kinigitt

Like most clubs there are a lot of questions. I'm optimistic on Schmaltz no matter his role. Like you mention if he progresses that's a big step for this franchise both short and long term. I'm watching to see if Panik can do it again, until last season he never did it, and have to see Murphy too. Same with Forsling or any of the 3rd pairing. Then add is Saad the answer to Toews' funk.

Ideally I'd like to see a third line of Sharp - Schmaltz - Hartman. But the problem is that there is a hole in the top 6 on the left side and all of these three guys are candidates to fill that void. Other than these 3 I don't know who could play LW with Anisimov and Kane.
- DarthKane

Hopefully a camp surprise? But if not I feel reasonably assured one of the 3 you mention can fill that 2LW but of course that weakens what would be a solid to very good 3rd line and give the lineup sought after balance.

Isn't that a failure of coaching? Insisting on playing a game that your personnel can't execute consistently?
- kinigitt

Or just inexperience for a lot of players. Kinda hard to blame coaching when its a system that Q has had a ton of success using.

Another poster mentioned this the other day and its something I agree with. Hawks were playing well before they clinched their PO seeding. I think Q and the staff tried to keep the vets fresh for the PO. Once the PO started, they never seemed to emerge from slumber mode. Yeah, the Preds played their gameplan very well but throughout that whole series, a sense of urgency seemed to be missing. From everyone.

Like most clubs there are a lot of questions. I'm optimistic on Schmaltz no matter his role. Like you mention if he progresses that's a big step for this franchise both short and long term. I'm watching to see if Panik can do it again, until last season he never did it, and have to see Murphy too. Same with Forsling or any of the 3rd pairing. Then add is Saad the answer to Toews' funk.
- Mr Ricochet

Good points again. You're on a roll.

I think Panik has grown his game, even from the start of last season you can see him anticipating the play and making some pretty smart moves to keep pucks alive, eventually leading to SOG.

Murphy I have no idea about. Haven't watched him. Just read about him on these threads. Hjalmarsson was a favourite of mine. Don't see this as an upgrade in any way except for the accounting dept.

I like what I saw from Forsling. Raw talent. Poise on the attack. Low hard ACCURATE shot. If Q gives him some time and the forwards help him out I'm also optimistic about him, especially as a 3rd pairing/PP guy.

Saad is Saad. I take him over Panarin any day. But Toews's problems can only be solved by Toews. I don't buy that his lack of a serviceable LW caused his plunge. It contributes to his lack of assists, but him getting PUNKED by the preds was not his winger's fault.

Good points again. You're on a roll.

I think Panik has grown his game, even from the start of last season you can see him anticipating the play and making some pretty smart moves to keep pucks alive, eventually leading to SOG.

Murphy I have no idea about. Haven't watched him. Just read about him on these threads. Hjalmarsson was a favourite of mine. Don't see this as an upgrade in any way except for the accounting dept.

I like what I saw from Forsling. Raw talent. Poise on the attack. Low hard ACCURATE shot. If Q gives him some time and the forwards help him out I'm also optimistic about him, especially as a 3rd pairing/PP guy.

Saad is Saad. I take him over Panarin any day. But Toews's problems can only be solved by Toews. I don't buy that his lack of a serviceable LW caused his plunge. It contributes to his lack of assists, but him getting PUNKED by the preds was not his winger's fault.
- kinigitt

The only one who wouldn't take Saad over Panarin any day is the rest of the league including the Columbus GM who had to give up an additional player, a goalie in order to get Panarin and thanking his lucky stars he could obtain the second highest scoring left wing in the entire league. It's only here on this board that Saad is the best of that particular deal.

Right on, z. Sullivan simply plays the best players at that time in a place to succeed, with Malikin or Crosby. Hornqvist, Kunitz and Hagelin gave Sullivan all the predictability he would need but when they ain't playing at the top of their game down they go and up comes Rust, Sheary, Wilson or Guentzel. And when that doesn't work out they go and up comes who's playing well.

But you need depth to do that before the balls to do so. And I'd add the ability to tweak some style to your rosters strengths/weaknesses from your preferred way....... I don't have the knowledge to see per say but there is no way you lose a top 5 offensive Dman on earth in Letang and not tweak.

But I do have the vision to see 2 yrs ago that with a defense that was killing him with their outs Sullivan simply had his Dmen chip out to the neutral zone alley oop style to an area, have a forward engage that Dman immediately in a 50/50 battle, another forward coming fast to scoop up that 50/50 puck followed by F3 to make it an odd man advantage. All at warp speed..... If it fails you lose possession at the red or opposing blueline as opposed to losing possession in your own zone by a mangled out. Brilliant IMO. No it ain't a controlled exit but with the right players, fast and willing, you have a reasonable chance to attack with an odd man break and minimize in zone defensive turnovers.

I agree with every word you post that Sullivan is old school in that whomever is playing best slots up. But would add you need reasonable depth to do so and to further that have the coaching ability to tweak to your rosters strengths.
- Mr Ricochet

Depth can be an issue no doubt. If the cupboard is totally bare hard to move pieces. Sullivan works effectively with what is in his cupboard. He is a realist. He doesn't lament injuries, he carries on. He doesn't lament youth he carries on. He doesn't lament age he carries on. Q often juggles so many competing influences it is a wonder his head doesn't explode.

I'll throw one out there for the sake of it.

Saad-Toews-Panik

Hartman-AA-Kane (a guy who has shown he can finish/go to net [Hartman] and AA to help with net front presence and behind the net

Sharp-Schmaltz-3C/W (say a Josefson or Karlsson)

Kero-Dauphin-Wingels


Keith-Murph
Kempny-Seabrook
#5 D - Forsling/Rutta

The only one who wouldn't take Saad over Panarin any day is the rest of the league including the Columbus GM who had to give up an additional player, a goalie in order to get Panarin and thanking his lucky stars he could obtain the second highest scoring left wing in the entire league. It's only here on this board that Saad is the best of that particular deal.
- Savoy

When noted Hawk hater James Tanner doesn't agree with you it's just not this board.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=86018

The only one who wouldn't take Saad over Panarin any day is the rest of the league including the Columbus GM who had to give up an additional player, a goalie in order to get Panarin and thanking his lucky stars he could obtain the second highest scoring left wing in the entire league. It's only here on this board that Saad is the best of that particular deal.
- Savoy

The only one who wouldn't take Saad over Panarin any day is the rest of the league including the Columbus GM who had to give up an additional player, a goalie in order to get Panarin and thanking his lucky stars he could obtain the second highest scoring left wing in the entire league. It's only here on this board that Saad is the best of that particular deal.
- Savoy

How did Saad do in the playoffs this year?

How did Saad do in the playoffs this year?
- Savoy

Pretty well, actually - .6 PPG, about 60% CF, 66% SF, 61% SCF. That was pretty common for the CBJ in general, they were the better team outside of their goalie. If Bob hadn't let in beachballs all series, CBJ may have won.

Panarin and Saad are really similar when it comes their underlying numbers: Panarin has the edge in overall offense, Saad in 5v5 offensive + defensive impact. I personally like Panarin better as a player, but with the loss of Hossa, I understand that Saad fits the Hawks better. Idk it's kind of silly to put down Saad just because you personally liked Panarin better, just like it'd be silly for me to do it for the same reason.

Great blog, as usual, JJ. And this was comedy gold:

"Yes, Rozy. Like a malevolent cyborg/Jewel shopping cart, emerging battered, limping and frayed from truck crashes and a vat of molten steel, he maintains a vise-like grip on NHL life with the Hawks."

Seems like the Hawks (as presently constituted) will be a team of "if's" this year. IF Panik, Schmaltz, Hartman, etc. continue to develop; IF Toews and Keith are healthy and regain form; IF Murphy, Kempny, etc. can take the next step on D; IF Jurco can harness his talent; IF Forsberg can step up and do the job that Darling, Raanta and Emery have done before him ....

I believe it will all be a work-in-progress, and patience required. Let's see how they look come February (at the earliest) before deciding on their post-season prospects.

When noted Hawk hater James Tanner doesn't agree with you it's just not this board.

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=86018
- gramps

In the simplest term and most convenient definition: He is a @#$%&-+! idiot.

To give you an example (I am not lying either), he took to his "blog" to state, continuously, the Capitals were the best team in the league. This after yet another PO elimination. And not just that, the SCF winner is mostly lucky. The PO's are totally random. And the best measure of a teams' greatness, is the full RS. Seriously, you cannot make this up.

I sure hope the Bears are on the upswing...
- isu83boo

Can't be much worse.

Oh wait, McCaskey's and exec bean counter is still there.

Nevermind.

Go Pack go.

Yes, that's how much I hate the Bears.

That defense group is scary. And I mean scary for Q and Hawks fans, not opposing teams.

The only one who wouldn't take Saad over Panarin any day is the rest of the league including the Columbus GM who had to give up an additional player, a goalie in order to get Panarin and thanking his lucky stars he could obtain the second highest scoring left wing in the entire league. It's only here on this board that Saad is the best of that particular deal.
- Savoy

AP NEWS REPORT: All fourteen agencies of the US intelligence community have confirmed that HockeyBuzz has been the target of an electronic hacking campaign aimed at influencing the attitude and disposition of hockey fans who frequent the site. According to anonymous sources, the hackers are assumed to be of Russian origin and attempting to impact hockey fans' perspectives on Russian players in the NHL. While the personal identities of the hackers have yet to be discovered - one individual operating under the alias "Savoy" - appears to have launched a concerted attack on Blackhawks fans in attempting to exaggerate both the importance and impact of Russian player Artemi Panarin to his former Chicago team.

Just going to do my take on the top two lines at this point:


LW: Saad C: Toews RW: Schmaltz

LW: Panik C: Anisimov RW: Kane


I actually think Tootoo might get more playing time than most people are putting out there. 4th line, though, of course.

AP NEWS REPORT: All fourteen agencies of the US intelligence community have confirmed that HockeyBuzz has been the target of an electronic hacking campaign aimed at influencing the attitude and disposition of hockey fans who frequent the site. According to anonymous sources, the hackers are assumed to be of Russian origin and attempting to impact hockey fans' perspectives on Russian players in the NHL. While the personal identities of the hackers have yet to be discovered - one individual operating under the alias "Savoy" - appears to have launched a concerted attack on Blackhawks fans in attempting to exaggerate both the importance and impact of Russian player Artemi Panarin to his former Chicago team.
- Chief4Feathers

That has "The Onion" written all over it.

Nice job.

I think the Hawks are pretty much set, probably sign oduya for a year as #5.
Forwards look set too....my money is on Hayden to get 1st shot at 2LW

Just going to do my take on the top two lines at this point:


LW: Saad C: Toews RW: Schmaltz

LW: Panik C: Anisimov RW: Kane


I actually think Tootoo might get more playing time than most people are putting out there. 4th line, though, of course.
- steve-hist-sdc

Interesting lines Steve. I hadn't thought about this rotation. May have some merit and it keeps Schmaltz off Left Wing, where he is obviously not as strong.

Who centers L3? Kero?

Just going to do my take on the top two lines at this point:


LW: Saad C: Toews RW: Schmaltz

LW: Panik C: Anisimov RW: Kane


I actually think Tootoo might get more playing time than most people are putting out there. 4th line, though, of course.
- steve-hist-sdc

The problem is that Panik is also much less effective on the left side and did not pair well with Kane (when with Toews).