Mother franker.....better now than during the season I guess....
- EnzoD

True Dat - don't win playoff games in October

If Murphy bombs then the Hawks are an 8 seed (at best). I have high hopes for the Keith-Murphy pair. Two guys whose playing styles can compliment each other and FINALLY a Left-Right shot setup. I love Hammer, but Murphy looks to be the crease clearing physical presence that can move the puck up the ice with a direct breakout pass. How many times did Hammer toss a backhand off the high glass because he was playing on his off side?

The forward group will be just fine, IMO. Kane, Saad, Toews, Anisimov, Hartman, and Schmaltz are all very talented players. Hartman and Schmaltz had better thane expected Rookie REGULAR seasons so I expect them to be at their same level of production, if not better. I love the Sharp and Wingels signings for depth with talent and a backbone.

The defense group.....just WAY too many question marks at this point to not be concerned.
- EnzoD

Yup, no cup parade happening anytime soon.

DET and Tomas Tatar have a four year deal

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 21, 2017

DET and Tomas Tatar have a four year deal

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 21, 2017

- DarthKane

Sorry, AAV is $5.3M

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 21, 2017

I think he is too slow. AA is already not a blazer. The reality is every game you might pick has a issue. Shmaltz needs a shooter and kane is a passer. sharp is old, Hartman is more of a grinder, Jurco is probably just not good enough not consistent. fortin needs to prove his a NHL player but does have the speed.

Also why is everybody down on Rutta? He was very good in the worlds. He is 26 and he is righty. 6-3 200 lbs

“He’s a steady defenseman with size, and he had strong finish of the season,” one NHL scout said. “He was very good in the playoffs and played his best at the Worlds.”

Another NHL scout said, “He looks like a late bloomer. He became a big player the last couple of years. He’s a big guy, a right-handed shot who can skate for a big guy. He sees the ice well. He’s pretty good on the power play in the Czech league at every level. He’s got a pretty good shot. I think he can play in the NHL depending on what team it is. I will say most teams will use him as a depth defenseman.”
- kmw4631

I have heard all the good stuff on Rutta. Has never played a game in North America. So to pencil him in as a regular on opening night—next to anyone but a seasoned veteran—seems foolish and unlikely.

Sorry, AAV is $5.3M

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 21, 2017

- DarthKane

Hossa Cap........

I think he is too slow. AA is already not a blazer. The reality is every game you might pick has a issue. Shmaltz needs a shooter and kane is a passer. sharp is old, Hartman is more of a grinder, Jurco is probably just not good enough not consistent. fortin needs to prove his a NHL player but does have the speed.

Also why is everybody down on Rutta? He was very good in the worlds. He is 26 and he is righty. 6-3 200 lbs

“He’s a steady defenseman with size, and he had strong finish of the season,” one NHL scout said. “He was very good in the playoffs and played his best at the Worlds.”

Another NHL scout said, “He looks like a late bloomer. He became a big player the last couple of years. He’s a big guy, a right-handed shot who can skate for a big guy. He sees the ice well. He’s pretty good on the power play in the Czech league at every level. He’s got a pretty good shot. I think he can play in the NHL depending on what team it is. I will say most teams will use him as a depth defenseman.”
- kmw4631

I don't get the Rutta hate either. Before the Hammer trade he was our number 4D. Everyone said he would be on D2 with TVR on D3 on the right side. Now not in lineup. Makes no sense.

I saw JJ said no way on the bottom pairing being forsling and Rutta. Forsling looked solid last year I thought. not great but not bad for his age. Rutta has size speed and is 26. I think he should be a very viable option for #3RD. My preference would to put kempny with Rutta and Seabs with Forsling. Seabs is not a 25 a min night player. we need to be 25-20-15. and not 25-23-12.
- kmw4631

I cant think of six better d-men on our roster, or in minors, than Keith, Connor, Seabs, Kempny, Forsling and Ruttu. So I am fine with that. Its easy to say you don't like the forsling/rutta tandem on the third dline...but then give us a better option rather than pointing out you dont like it. I am fine with it.

I cant think of six better d-men on our roster, or in minors, than Keith, Connor, Seabs, Kempny, Forsling and Ruttu. So I am fine with that. Its easy to say you don't like the forsling/rutta tandem on the third dline...but then give us a better option rather than pointing out you dont like it. I am fine with it.
- onehundredlevel

There are still some serviceable FA defensemen out there that could very well be brought in on a PTO and signed after Hossa is put on LTIR.

Franson, Oduya, Liles, etc. Not saying they are the answer, or that they won't get a contract before the season starts. I'm just saying there are some FA out there that could help the 'hawks.

I have heard all the good stuff on Rutta. Has never played a game in North America. So to pencil him in as a regular on opening night—next to anyone but a seasoned veteran—seems foolish and unlikely.
- John Jaeckel

Would the defensive pairings maybe start a game like this then?

Keith - Rutta
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Murphy

With Q tightening the bench to
Keith - Murphy
Kempny/Forsling - Seabrook

At the end of a tight game?

Sorry, AAV is $5.3M

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) July 21, 2017

- DarthKane

Wow they"re jammed up against the cap.

I cant think of six better d-men on our roster, or in minors, than Keith, Connor, Seabs, Kempny, Forsling and Ruttu. So I am fine with that. Its easy to say you don't like the forsling/rutta tandem on the third dline...but then give us a better option rather than pointing out you dont like it. I am fine with it.
- onehundredlevel

I think this is why we'll see Stan use most, if not all, of cap relief from Hossa on a d-man (hopefully not Franson).

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - TBD
Rozsival

Patrick Sharp on his rehab and being back in Chicago

https://twitter.com/BySco...status/888496280409952256

.@CSNChicago to carry LIVE #Blackhawks Convention Opening Ceremonies cvg this Friday beginning at 5p CT! Details --

(NOTE: CSN will also re-air the Convention’s opening ceremonies later in the evening at 11:00 PM.)

https://twitter.com/JeffN...status/887341540976340992

That's what I was thinking. They need more balance, and that 3rd line of Sharp/Schmaltz/Hartman would give them 3 scoring lines and a pretty decent checking 4th line. I'm one who think Kane makes everyone better.

Balance, balance, balance. Missing it the last few years.

Understand this requires a flyer at 2LW, but someone will step up, Q's blender may not give anyone long enough to prove himself though.
- vabeachbear

Count me in this crowd, at least to start. Hopefully Q will give a balanced look that has Sharp on the 3rd line for 10ish games but that requires a Jurco type to hold down the 2LW spot.

In fact I'd like to see Hartman start at 1RW with Saad and Toews and a 3rd line of Sharp-Schmaltz-Panink. If the balanced attack doesn't work go ahead and ride Sharp like a rented mule as the 2LW. ...... But start the season looking for balance.

Mother franker.....better now than during the season I guess....
- EnzoD

Yo Zo, glass half full. Gives Q more looks at other players and combinations until Wingels is back.

A piece on DeBrincat by The Hockey Writers. The DeBrincat stuff is run of the mill but some scoop on the cap and Q's history with younger players. http://www.thehockeynews....ot-exactly-and-here-s-why

Would the defensive pairings maybe start a game like this then?

Keith - Rutta
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Murphy

With Q tightening the bench to
Keith - Murphy
Kempny/Forsling - Seabrook

At the end of a tight game?
- Slofire94

That would put a righty-lefty combo on each pairing. Lotta responsibility on Murphy though.... Q is gonna have 2 maybe 3 Dmen he's never coached before. I'm sure he has ideas but until they hit the ice even he doesn't know.

I think this is why we'll see Stan use most, if not all, of cap relief from Hossa on a d-man (hopefully not Franson).

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - TBD
Rozsival
- DarthKane

Like who?

Patrick Sharp on his rehab and being back in Chicago


- walleyeb1

Some more from the presser today.

From Q: "Saw Sharpie in the gym the other day. He looked unbelievable... You could see the passion and enthusiasm of him returning."Q said Patrick Sharp likely will see time in both the top six and bottom six. Mentioned possibility of Sharp on Kane's line, but didn't rule out him playing with Toews, either.

From Sharp: "I had plenty of options that I was humbled by during the free agency week, but it was an easy decision to come home." Said he spoke with Brian Campbell about his experience before he decided to come back to Chicago.

"Had my best years playing for Coach Q, and wherever he puts me in the lineup is probably going to be best for me."

"I don't think I've ever been as motivated to get back to the level I can play at" after tough year last year.

2 minutes of highlights from prospect camp scrimmage:

Eric Lear‏Verified account @BHTVeric 2h2 hours ago
Only one scrimmage at this year's Prospect Camp. Here are the highlights.
https://twitter.com/BHTVe...status/888485452591767552

Other mentions from the presser:

Q thinks Schmaltz plays each forward position equally well. He's weighing whether to reunite Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, or seek "more balance" in the pairings. Said it's "not a bad thing" to have an influx of youth along the blue line. Said pairings, ice time will sort out in camp. And he mentioned Sikura and Hillman* among the prospects.

Bowman said he likes Murphy's leadership - said he's really a solid two-way defenseman with a lot of range to his game. Said when the team places Hossa on LTIR, they'll be evaluating how the team is performing before utilizing the cap space. Thought Sikura stood out among all the prospects this week. When asked about Toews: "Everyone needs to get better. I don’t know that Jonathan’s any different than anyone else."

*Hillman is interesting because I don't think he's been mentioned much at all, if any, by people covering the prospects. 21 year old D-man who shoots left, selected in the 3rd round in 2016 in his 2nd draft eligible year, out of University of Denver.

Mike Peluso and Bob McGill. And #3!

I remember when we brought in Enrico Ciconne, Jim Cummins...

- resqmed99

Peluso and magnusson were usually punching bags. Ciconne was a nut job fun to watch. And cummins was a gamer but never a top fighter.

My man, Where is Al, Curt Fraser and a couple of others in your " fight card" rankings? Showin your age there alittle?
- wonthecup10

Just turned 30. I don't think I've ever seen a curt fraser fight. And most of the secord fights I've seen he seems to be a hugger Ala Brashear or a early stortini.

.@CSNChicago to carry LIVE #Blackhawks Convention Opening Ceremonies cvg this Friday beginning at 5p CT! Details --

(NOTE: CSN will also re-air the Convention’s opening ceremonies later in the evening at 11:00 PM.)

https://twitter.com/JeffN...status/887341540976340992
- walleyeb1

Watching it - the musical selections seem a bit strange.