I still like my idea of spreading out the skill/goal scoring to create 3 solid scoring lines, a great 3rd line and very dangerous+extremely fast bottom 6 overall(something we haven't had in a while).

Sharp-Toews-Hartman
Fortin/Hayden-Anisimov-Kane
Saad-Schmaltz-Panik
Wingles-Kero/Dauphin-Hinostroza

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

This is a good point. I am SICK and TIRED of seeing guys play out of position, on the wrong side, etc. Get the players in the spot they are BETTER at, even if that means they play "down" a line. IOW, I'd rather have Schmaltz center or play RW on Line 3, than play Left Wing on Line 2. This also applies to defense!!!

I still like my idea of spreading out the skill/goal scoring to create 3 solid scoring lines, a great 3rd line and very dangerous+extremely fast bottom 6 overall(something we haven't had in a while).

Sharp-Toews-Hartman
Fortin/Hayden-Anisimov-Kane
Saad-Schmaltz-Panik
Wingles-Kero/Dauphin-Hinostroza
- SimpleJack

Don't forget Ryan Dzingel as 2LW when we trade for him.

Don't forget Ryan Dzingel as 2LW when we trade for him.
- 93Joe

Trading for RFAs is always a risky venture, who knows what type of contract he wants.

I know it's a very long shot, but I would love to see Fortin emerge as a top 9 LW.

Just wondering why John Hayden is left off this list. He played very well for a guy just out of college and stepping into the pro game. He has size, physicality and some finishing touch. I am not saying he is a top 6 guy but I think he brings some pop to the line-up. He was not a liability in his own end of the ice either. I would like to see him given a chance somewhere.

Saad-Toews-Panik
Hayden-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp-Schmaltz-Hartman
Wingels-Dauphin-Jurco

I think the 4th line you have the most freedom with and options using Kero, Tootoo,Bouma in and out as needed also.

Keith-Murphy
Kempny-Seabrook
Forsling-Rutta

Crawford
Forsberg

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.
- Hank_Greenberg

They won the cup with Timmonen and rundblad playing D. You only need four or five d men as long as you have forwards who can skate 200 feet have speed and shut the other team down. Plus centers who can win draws instead of chasing the puck. Puck possession is key since you're not getting as tired chasing the puck. Pitt won the cup without their best D-man. Forward depth trumps d depth. Win draws and possess the puck. Hence saad for panarin since he plays 200 feet better.

I suspect they will practice more as they are now younger and more inexperienced minus the "pseudo" vet or two getting some time off when deemed necessary.

Anybody be oppose to bringing back desi if he healthy fro 800k to play center on the 4th line good at faceoffs knows the system. Maybe bring 2 or 3 d man in on pto wiedman Schultz polka etc.. for training camp and see. If the can get polka and wiedman bottom paring and rutta,unknown, as a 7th d not bad, but this all hinges on what the nhl decides on hossa LTRI status which at this point is a joke if was pitt it would been decided within hours. Thoughts anyone

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

- Larsson_fan

Larsson fan, curious your thoughts on the Larsson for Hall trade?

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

Personal preference of mine. Panarin is a fantastic player without a doubt. I liked his play before he signed his new contract. He became very predictable, lost a good deal of "dynamism" to my eye. Best of luck to him, hope he does well in Columbus. Didn't like how easy he was to box out, and he began to rely on Kane too much (though he looked dominant with Hossa and Anisimov)

I like Saad better. Creates something out of nothing in tight-checking games, he's a burner on the PK, and he has great instincts on the PP. More affordable for the hawks. Win win.

Just wondering why John Hayden is left off this list. He played very well for a guy just out of college and stepping into the pro game. He has size, physicality and some finishing touch. I am not saying he is a top 6 guy but I think he brings some pop to the line-up. He was not a liability in his own end of the ice either. I would like to see him given a chance somewhere.

Saad-Toews-Panik
Hayden-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp-Schmaltz-Hartman
Wingels-Dauphin-Jurco

I think the 4th line you have the most freedom with and options using Kero, Tootoo,Bouma in and out as needed also.

Keith-Murphy
Kempny-Seabrook
Forsling-Rutta

Crawford
Forsberg
- blaars60

I'm with you on Hayden. 2 yrs playing center at the NTDP, 4 years playing center for Yale. Lotta IQ, definitely has the size and he showed plenty of compete. These are the kinds you need busting the door down as a 13th forward or on the farm developing and awaiting their chance. ..... Hopefully he has such a good camp Q can't leave him off the roster.

Anybody be oppose to bringing back desi if he healthy fro 800k to play center on the 4th line good at faceoffs knows the system. Maybe bring 2 or 3 d man in on pto wiedman Schultz polka etc.. for training camp and see. If the can get polka and wiedman bottom paring and rutta,unknown, as a 7th d not bad, but this all hinges on what the nhl decides on hossa LTRI status which at this point is a joke if was pitt it would been decided within hours. Thoughts anyone
- Scott1977

I think adding Wingels and Dauphin to the bottom 6 was the writing on the wall for Desi.

Personal preference of mine. Panarin is a fantastic player without a doubt. I liked his play before he signed his new contract. He became very predictable, lost a good deal of "dynamism" to my eye. Best of luck to him, hope he does well in Columbus. Didn't like how easy he was to box out, and he began to rely on Kane too much (though he looked dominant with Hossa and Anisimov)

I like Saad better. Creates something out of nothing in tight-checking games, he's a burner on the PK, and he has great instincts on the PP. More affordable for the hawks. Win win.
- kinigitt

Two excellent players that play a different style. This is an old time trade IMO where it helps both clubs on the ice and the Hawks off of it as well with Saad cost controlled for two years longer than Panarin. ...... CLB needs a skilled finisher and are flush with size and grit. CHI needs some push back, size, speed, youth and cost certainty.

Just wondering why John Hayden is left off this list. He played very well for a guy just out of college and stepping into the pro game. He has size, physicality and some finishing touch. I am not saying he is a top 6 guy but I think he brings some pop to the line-up. He was not a liability in his own end of the ice either. I would like to see him given a chance somewhere.

Saad-Toews-Panik
Hayden-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp-Schmaltz-Hartman
Wingels-Dauphin-Jurco

I think the 4th line you have the most freedom with and options using Kero, Tootoo,Bouma in and out as needed also.

Keith-Murphy
Kempny-Seabrook
Forsling-Rutta

Crawford
Forsberg
- blaars60

Small sample size, if he makes it great. But on the other hand, I wouldn't mind seeing him develop for awhile in Rockford under Colliton.

True. But Motte never had elite skills, his success was always and mostly through compete. I'm just saying, don't judge Debrincat by what he didn't do in camp last year, a lot more growth occurs 18-19 years old than 28-29.
- Bjm84

84, I think until Debrincat shows enough in his zone he won't get serious consideration from Q. Even if his freakish junior numbers carry over moderately to the NHL until he figures out his zone Q ain't having it.

I see this kid as a possibility after 2-3 years on the farm.

Larsson fan, curious your thoughts on the Larsson for Hall trade?
- Mr Ricochet

Hated it at first because I thought value wise it was a total rip off. But as the season went on it was evident that we needed to sacrifice some of our high powered offence to improve the overall team.
We lost the trade, but Larsson played well enough on the top pair to push Sekeras down to the 2nd, and allowed Nurse and Benning to play a more relaxed role, which was good for them and the team as a whole.
The other thing that makes the trade palatable is the fact we weren't hurting up front with McDavid, Draisaitl, Maroon, Eberle, etc...

At the end of the day, Hall is still > Larsson but the team is better, so who gives a poop, really?

Hated it at first because I thought value wise it was a total rip off. But as the season went on it was evident that we needed to sacrifice some of our high powered offence to improve the overall team.
We lost the trade, but Larsson played well enough on the top pair to push Sekeras down to the 2nd, and allowed Nurse and Benning to play a more relaxed role, which was good for them and the team as a whole.
The other thing that makes the trade palatable is the fact we weren't hurting up front with McDavid, Draisaitl, Maroon, Eberle, etc...

At the end of the day, Hall is still > Larsson but the team is better, so who gives a poop, really?
- Larsson_fan

Yep, the team is better. JJ often makes the point of who can be replaced in the system and Hall was reasonably replaced in system plus they added Lucic. Speaking of Lucic and Hall that's kinda how Panarin and Saad are looked at. Saad brings something the Hawks didn't have just as Lucic brought something Hall didn't to the Oilers but all very good players.

And as you go on to mention Larsson allowed a domino effect where Oiler Dmen get slotted more to where they belong making the unit a much better one. ....... Indeed the object of any roster move is to make the whole team better but at the same time you want to maximize your assets when trading them.

Only made a handful of Hawk games last year but was sure to see the Oilers when they rolled through. Had to see McDavid's speed/burst live. Q sent Toews out every time McDavid was out and Toews brutalized him at the dot. Kid rarely had possession and don't think he got a shot. Due to Toews at the dot I never saw the kid hit 3rd gear with the puck.

I know the fancy stats have some believe faceoffs don't matter, or matter little, but I can tell you on this night the most dangerous player on earth was neutralized due to never having possession. Toews schooled the youngster on that night.

Trading for RFAs is always a risky venture, who knows what type of contract he wants.

I know it's a very long shot, but I would love to see Fortin emerge as a top 9 LW.
- DarthKane

Valid for sure. Trading for his rights pretty much. But Fortin looked natural when he was skating on the left. Would love for him to emerge and play 2LW (long shot but we will see. poop, even 3LW with PP time would be great.

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

Savoy have you figured out where Panarin has chosen to live in Columbus so you can camp outside? Give it a rest. Panarin is uni-dimensional and doesn't care about winning in North America. Saad the far superior player all around. StanBo fleeced Columbus. I predict that Panarin struggles his butt off this season.

I'm with you on Hayden. 2 yrs playing center at the NTDP, 4 years playing center for Yale. Lotta IQ, definitely has the size and he showed plenty of compete. These are the kinds you need busting the door down as a 13th forward or on the farm developing and awaiting their chance. ..... Hopefully he has such a good camp Q can't leave him off the roster.
- Mr Ricochet

I thought Hayden played wing almost exclusively at Yale? I know Hedger has mentioned it on his podcast, and says it in passing about his senior year here: http://chicago.suntimes.c...awks-pass-on-free-agency/

My issue with Hayden was his skating. Can his hockey IQ make up for his lack of speed when the NHL game is all about that? Maybe in a lower line, offensive role where he can work on his skating.

Trading for RFAs is always a risky venture, who knows what type of contract he wants.

I know it's a very long shot, but I would love to see Fortin emerge as a top 9 LW.
- DarthKane

Shouldn't be, any GM worth his salt will find out what salary and term the RFA is looking for and whether it fits within the teams parameters before he pulls the trigger on the trade.

Best shooter in the league? Our own Patrick Kane by quite a bit:



http://www.tsn.ca/who-is-...-shooting-talent-1.798054

Yep, the team is better. JJ often makes the point of who can be replaced in the system and Hall was reasonably replaced in system plus they added Lucic. Speaking of Lucic and Hall that's kinda how Panarin and Saad are looked at. Saad brings something the Hawks didn't have just as Lucic brought something Hall didn't to the Oilers but all very good players.

And as you go on to mention Larsson allowed a domino effect where Oiler Dmen get slotted more to where they belong making the unit a much better one. ....... Indeed the object of any roster move is to make the whole team better but at the same time you want to maximize your assets when trading them.

Only made a handful of Hawk games last year but was sure to see the Oilers when they rolled through. Had to see McDavid's speed/burst live. Q sent Toews out every time McDavid was out and Toews brutalized him at the dot. Kid rarely had possession and don't think he got a shot. Due to Toews at the dot I never saw the kid hit 3rd gear with the puck.

I know the fancy stats have some believe faceoffs don't matter, or matter little, but I can tell you on this night the most dangerous player on earth was neutralized due to never having possession. Toews schooled the youngster on that night.
- Mr Ricochet

He's certainly not invincible. I enjoyed this exchange. Thanks.

Best shooter in the league? Our own Patrick Kane by quite a bit:




- pdx2ord

Shout out to Sharp still being top 15 in volume shooters over the last 3 years.

Baertschi is one of DK's crushes.

Just wondering why John Hayden is left off this list. He played very well for a guy just out of college and stepping into the pro game. He has size, physicality and some finishing touch. I am not saying he is a top 6 guy but I think he brings some pop to the line-up. He was not a liability in his own end of the ice either. I would like to see him given a chance somewhere.

Saad-Toews-Panik
Hayden-Anisimov-Kane
Sharp-Schmaltz-Hartman
Wingels-Dauphin-Jurco

I think the 4th line you have the most freedom with and options using Kero, Tootoo,Bouma in and out as needed also.

Keith-Murphy
Kempny-Seabrook
Forsling-Rutta

Crawford
Forsberg
- blaars60

Love Hayden
Don't understand why Moose wasn't signed and Tootoo is still here

How come they call the team VGK, (Vegas Golden Knights) ? I thought the city was called LasVegas. That's like saying the Angeles Kings or the York Rangers. Yea, I know who cares?

I cares. Dagnabbit.