Also larger ice sheet, which is probably the biggest adjustment (to smaller) coming to NA, that plus greater speed of players.
- John Jaeckel

Yes, how well he adjusts to both of those things is paramount to his success.

Yes, how well he adjusts to both of those things is paramount to his success.
- JRoenick97

Tons of question with Rutta. Honestly can't see him making much of an impact this year...seems to me he'd need a period of transition at least, for all the reasons JJ said, among others.

Kempny at least has a few miles on the N.A. ice cart. I think he'll make a jump this year. At least I hope...

Pokka has to pass through waivers and he's making the NHL minimum. From a cap/business perspective he's in the best position to make the team.

But the same was said for McNeill last year and that didn't turn out. But I think there is a real opportunity for Pokka to make the team if he has a good camp. That being said, if I was a betting man I wouldn't bet on him making the team (but I hope I am wrong).
- DarthKane

Actually that'd makes me think the opposite, I don't think they'd want to bring him up unless they were sure he was going to stick. Rutta, Forsling, and Gustafsson wouldn't need to clear waivers to be sent back down.

Tons of question with Rutta. Honestly can't see him making much of an impact this year...seems to me he'd need a period of transition at least, for all the reasons JJ said, among others.

Kempny at least has a few miles on the N.A. ice cart. I think he'll make a jump this year. At least I hope...
- kwolf68

Being on a one year ELC like Kempny was, I can see him getting a handful of NHL games though.

Oh I don't disagree that 51 and 27 were finished, though I think Oduya may have something left in the tank. Still, the blue line has a plethora of questions. There isn't one player that has no question attached to him. The Hawks could be very good or they could be awful in my view. Right now I don't know

-Will Keith rebound? At times he looked disengaged
-Will Seabrook's slide be as quick as some predict (I don't predict)
-Murphy? Cost controlled or not can this guy play a Top 4 role on a top team?
-Kempny. Tons of potential, but was a hot mess at times last year. How much will he progress?
-Rosy. Didn't he serve in the Mexican-American war?
-Forsling? Potential, but is he ready for all 200 feet of play at a high level
-Rutta? Who knows
-Pokka, fill in blank with any other kid is a huge wildcard...more questions not unlike ANY OTHER team

Is there potential there? Yes....but it could also bomb in a majestic way too.
- kwolf68

he didn't engage until this...G4 and down 1-0 in the 3rd...a bit late
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xao59U3DAk4

with hossa out and a dman crew trying to figure things outs...expect once again and probably worse for craw to face alot of rubber...hawks will be in the top 3 in shots allowed

I'm kinda hoping Pokka makes the club. I can't wait to hear what intro song Frank P. uses for him.
- Rota's Rooter

When he makes a bone headed play or gets into Q's doghouse ???? The same one they play at polish weddings during the " march" directed at the groom! ....." The Dupa Yoshu Stevie"! Polka!!

he didn't engage until this...G4 and down 1-0 in the 3rd...a bit late
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xao59U3DAk4

with hossa out and a dman crew trying to figure things outs...expect once again and probably worse for craw to face alot of rubber...hawks will be in the top 3 in shots allowed
- bogiedoc

I will never not watch that highlight.

he didn't engage until this...G4 and down 1-0 in the 3rd...a bit late
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xao59U3DAk4

with hossa out and a dman crew trying to figure things outs...expect once again and probably worse for craw to face alot of rubber...hawks will be in the top 3 in shots allowed
- bogiedoc

doc-Yep, I even brought this up. For about 10 minutes in game 4 Keith was the best player in the world. After Nash got another goal he was finished. I really didn't see a player "playing hurt" at all, I saw a player who just wasn't willing to engage anymore...his pride took over in the third period and he was Duncan Keith again, but it was quickly vanquished and the season was over. THAT Duncan Keith must return or the Hawks are toast anyway. Has he lost his heart for it? To battle so hard consistently. Duncs was never a big guy and has taken his fair share over the years. I fear he, as much as Seabrook, is wearing down. Again, that is just what I felt/saw last year...I am probably completely wrong, but it was odd he'd play 10 minutes of Duncan Keith hockey, but no more?

http://chicago.suntimes.c...on-left-on-the-table/amp/

Good insight on what the team thought of Hossa. Also sounds like not a lot more movement until after the season opener.


"As for the business side of Hossa’s absence, the Hawks will wait until after the season starts to put him on long-term injured reserve, so they can maximize their salary-cap flexibility. It might allow them to make a big signing or trade early in the season because they’re pretty much closed for business now."

‘‘What personnel moves we’ll make [will] probably be dictated by where we’re at when we get to October, how the team is playing, what areas are strong, what areas we want to try to add to,’’ general manager Stan Bowman said. ‘‘I wouldn’t say we have an exact plan that we’re just going to execute.’’

After Hossa goes on LTIR, can Stan replace him with a player with term, or does it have to be an expiring contract?
- tvetter

Probably expiring, because Hossa's condition sounds like it could be based on yearly evaluation.

http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/jonathan-toews-on-marian-hossa-hes-got-a-ton-left-on-the-table/amp/

Good insight on what the team thought of Hossa. Also sounds like not a lot more movement until after the season opener.


"As for the business side of Hossa’s absence, the Hawks will wait until after the season starts to put him on long-term injured reserve, so they can maximize their salary-cap flexibility. It might allow them to make a big signing or trade early in the season because they’re pretty much closed for business now."

‘‘What personnel moves we’ll make
- JRoenick97[will] probably be dictated by where we’re at when we get to October, how the team is playing, what areas are strong, what areas we want to try to add to,’’ general manager Stan Bowman said. ‘‘I wouldn’t say we have an exact plan that we’re just going to execute.’’

Super!!! I never ever bought that Hossa + top prospect + good pick for a "depth" player and 2 months of cap relief (something the Hawks can do on Day 2 anyway). Yea, a bit more convenient to do it now, but surely not worth further depleting an already suspect farm system by moving a current spec and futures. Bowman already moved a solid player in TT for no other reason than someone eating salary, glad he appears to have closed that road off for future needs.

doc-Yep, I even brought this up. For about 10 minutes in game 4 Keith was the best player in the world. After Nash got another goal he was finished. I really didn't see a player "playing hurt" at all, I saw a player who just wasn't willing to engage anymore...his pride took over in the third period and he was Duncan Keith again, but it was quickly vanquished and the season was over. THAT Duncan Keith must return or the Hawks are toast anyway. Has he lost his heart for it? To battle so hard consistently. Duncs was never a big guy and has taken his fair share over the years. I fear he, as much as Seabrook, is wearing down. Again, that is just what I felt/saw last year...I am probably completely wrong, but it was odd he'd play 10 minutes of Duncan Keith hockey, but no more?
- kwolf68

Keith was still the best Hawks Dman and there is no question his knee injury affected him. The "hunger" and desire to win of the whole team goes through cycles. Every one of the core have had stretches in recent seasons where they aren't laying it all on the line. I don't think it will be an issue as much this year. There will come a time soon where the Hawks will need a legitimate replacement to Keith, but I don't think that is the case yet.

1) The team has a fire light under its ass right now after the ending to last season.
2) The Hawks open the season in Pittsburgh during Pittsburghs first home game (banner raising), which I'm sure is not going to sit well with the team. I expect it to spur them a bit.

I think the Hawks hit their high in terms of desire to win during the lockout shortened season. I don't think there was a team that was working as hard to be ready that year (and it showed as the Hawks came out of the gate in mid-season. form and dominated the league) I'd love to see the Hawks get back to that level of commitment, but with the core having won multiple times, I don't know if that will ever be the case again.

When he makes a bone headed play or gets into Q's doghouse ???? The same one they play at polish weddings during the " march" directed at the groom! ....." The Dupa Yoshu Stevie"! Polka!!
- wonthecup10

I really need to learn how to use red font.

IMO Pokka hasn't had a sniff of an NHL game in 3 years. If he hasn't even been an emergency call-up by now I doubt anything dramatic will change this year. He's destined to be a career AHL or Euro player.

Keith was still the best Hawks Dman and there is no question his knee injury affected him. The "hunger" and desire to win of the whole team goes through cycles. Every one of the core have had stretches in recent seasons where they aren't laying it all on the line. I don't think it will be an issue as much this year. There will come a time soon where the Hawks will need a legitimate replacement to Keith, but I don't think that is the case yet.

1) The team has a fire light under its ass right now after the ending to last season.
2) The Hawks open the season in Pittsburgh during Pittsburghs first home game (banner raising), which I'm sure is not going to sit well with the team. I expect it to spur them a bit.

I think the Hawks hit their high in terms of desire to win during the lockout shortened season. I don't think there was a team that was working as hard to be ready that year (and it showed as the Hawks came out of the gate in mid-season. form and dominated the league) I'd love to see the Hawks get back to that level of commitment, but with the core having won multiple times, I don't know if that will ever be the case again.
- breadbag

You make a lot of good points, but I simply refuse to peddle the injury excuse. Much as I love Dunc and Toews (back injury excuse anyone)....there is absolutely no way to "prove" said injury is impacting the player, or even if said injury actually exists. I simply can't operate under a sector of conjecture. Now, for Anisimov's injury, much as I am not a big fan of his, I GET that injury. And his poor play can certainly be attributed to his return from what (at the time) looked like a really terrible injury.

My problem also with Keith is why was he SO GOOD in these short spurts during last year? It seemed he simply didn't have the consistent fire.

that is NOT to say my postulate that he has "lost it" is accurate. In fact, I don't even postulate that I just offer it as an alternative viewpoint. And I think Keith's downfall will be short term. Keith (like Seabrook) is a warrior and all great players have periods of lulls in their career. But superstars like 2 and 7 will NOT fade out that quickly...in fact it will be a gracious fall from grace (sorta like Nik Lidstrom) where when they retire you'll still think, "I think he can still play"...it won't be "my god he sucks...retire now"

You make a lot of good points, but I simply refuse to peddle the injury excuse. Much as I love Dunc and Toews (back injury excuse anyone)....there is absolutely no way to "prove" said injury is impacting the player, or even if said injury actually exists. I simply can't operate under a sector of conjecture. Now, for Anisimov's injury, much as I am not a big fan of his, I GET that injury. And his poor play can certainly be attributed to his return from what (at the time) looked like a really terrible injury.

My problem also with Keith is why was he SO GOOD in these short spurts during last year? It seemed he simply didn't have the consistent fire.

that is NOT to say my postulate that he has "lost it" is accurate. In fact, I don't even postulate that I just offer it as an alternative viewpoint. And I think Keith's downfall will be short term. Keith (like Seabrook) is a warrior and all great players have periods of lulls in their career. But superstars like 2 and 7 will NOT fade out that quickly...in fact it will be a gracious fall from grace (sorta like Nik Lidstrom) where when they retire you'll still think, "I think he can still play"...it won't be "my god he sucks...retire now"
- kwolf68

I can agree on Toews injury speculation. I thinkit got blamed a lot when it was not really the issue. Keith, however, had legit knee surgery and that can take clsoe to a year to fully rehabilitate. It's not odd for him to have felt good for a few games, then not for a few. I expect he'll be more consistent this season.

You make a lot of good points, but I simply refuse to peddle the injury excuse. Much as I love Dunc and Toews (back injury excuse anyone)....there is absolutely no way to "prove" said injury is impacting the player, or even if said injury actually exists. I simply can't operate under a sector of conjecture. Now, for Anisimov's injury, much as I am not a big fan of his, I GET that injury. And his poor play can certainly be attributed to his return from what (at the time) looked like a really terrible injury.

My problem also with Keith is why was he SO GOOD in these short spurts during last year? It seemed he simply didn't have the consistent fire.

that is NOT to say my postulate that he has "lost it" is accurate. In fact, I don't even postulate that I just offer it as an alternative viewpoint. And I think Keith's downfall will be short term. Keith (like Seabrook) is a warrior and all great players have periods of lulls in their career. But superstars like 2 and 7 will NOT fade out that quickly...in fact it will be a gracious fall from grace (sorta like Nik Lidstrom) where when they retire you'll still think, "I think he can still play"...it won't be "my god he sucks...retire now"
- kwolf68

Keith had a knee surgery, not sure when it was, late last summer, there was concern whether he'd be ready to start the season. In that connective tissue takes up to two years to properly heal, it is likely that he was not 100% most or all of last year. A conclusion safely drawn from facts.

As for Toews, I was told by a team source he suffered a back injury in the WCH (also late summer) and did not begin feeling "himself" again until midseason (when he seemed to have some more "Toews of old" jump). You may write that off as conjecture. I trust the source.

Having dealt with a bad back for a couple of decades, and this is mostly conjecture, I can see how it might seriously affect his play. A lot of people talked about him falling down a lot in the corners/in traffic. Well, if you have a neuromuscular injury to your core, that would be an expected result.

I can agree on Toews injury speculation. I thinkit got blamed a lot when it was not really the issue. Keith, however, had legit knee surgery and that can take clsoe to a year to fully rehabilitate. It's not odd for him to have felt good for a few games, then not for a few. I expect he'll be more consistent this season.
- JRoenick97

Maybe, we'll see. The guy is a brilliant player so I am not overly worried about a year or two of ho hum play. My questions (and many others) still revolve around the depth of this team.

Checking my new avatar. From my Hocks toaster.

Hock toast.
- hocktock

Sorry Hock but I thought it was a close up of a mole. Glad you don't have a skin condition, but you do have a toaster!

Keith had a knee surgery, not sure when it was, late last summer, there was concern whether he'd be ready to start the season. In that connective tissue takes up to two years to properly heal, it is likely that he was not 100% most or all of last year. A conclusion safely drawn from facts.

As for Toews, I was told by a team source he suffered a back injury in the WCH (also late summer) and did not begin feeling "himself" again until midseason (when he seemed to have some more "Toews of old" jump). You may write that off as conjecture. I trust the source.

Having dealt with a bad back for a couple of decades, and this is mostly conjecture, I can see how it might seriously affect his play. A lot of people talked about him falling down a lot in the corners/in traffic. Well, if you have a neuromuscular injury to your core, that would be an expected result.
- John Jaeckel

Fair enough. I trust we won't be arguing about the presence of these ghosts this coming year. Unfortunately, we'll probably be debating poor D play, lack of someone winning a faceoff or no left wing with 88 and 15.

I can agree on Toews injury speculation. I thinkit got blamed a lot when it was not really the issue. Keith, however, had legit knee surgery and that can take clsoe to a year to fully rehabilitate. It's not odd for him to have felt good for a few games, then not for a few. I expect he'll be more consistent this season.
- JRoenick97

Recent reports (minimal) on social media that Toews was in Cleveland (Cleveland Clinic?) just before the convention dealing with a knee issue. I did happen to see a fan pic of him with a substantial brace earlier in the summer. The pic out of Cleveland made it look like arthroscopic type bandages or just one of those below-knee bands. Who knows?

Good news is that he seemed to be motoring around just fine at the convention. Hopefully means it was minor and not chronic.

I really need to learn how to use red font.

IMO Pokka hasn't had a sniff of an NHL game in 3 years. If he hasn't even been an emergency call-up by now I doubt anything dramatic will change this year. He's destined to be a career AHL or Euro player.
- Rota's Rooter

I totally agree, another swing and a miss take it or leave it deal,same with Gusstefsson, same with Svedberg ect.

So on another note, is it a done deal, no more moves till day 2of the season? By then E Kane and Duchene will have new homes and Bowman will be standing by the conveyer belts at waste management sifting thru the left over garbage with a stick.

I don't get how some are "excited" or ok with handing the keys over to Ruuta or Kempny and writing off Pokka

While I hope any one or all pan out, Pokka just turned 23yrs old. And while admittingly I haven't seen him play extensively, he's played the last 3yrs on NHL ice and had 105pts in 220gms - not bad offensive numbers. He also played as a 21yr old Finland team that won the silver at the WC's.

I'd be as curious to see how he may do as much as the other two.

Last year was Kempny's first taste ever of NA hockey, as well as the travel and playing more than 50gms a year. It will be the same with Rutta.

The KHL plays 60gms and the EHL plays only 52 in 8months. The NHL plays 82gms in 6 months - not to mention the smaller rink size, bigger players and speed.


I guess the point is not to write off Pokka as a bust at just turning 23 and anointing Kempny or Rutta as regulars.

Actually the guy who may get the best look is Oesterle out of the newcomers

Recent reports (minimal) on social media that Toews was in Cleveland (Cleveland Clinic?) just before the convention dealing with a knee issue. I did happen to see a fan pic of him with a substantial brace earlier in the summer. The pic out of Cleveland made it look like arthroscopic type bandages or just one of those below-knee bands. Who knows?

Good news is that he seemed to be motoring around just fine at the convention. Hopefully means it was minor and not chronic.
- pdx2ord

Oh wow. I didn't know Toews even had a knee issue. I thought it was a back.

I don't get how some are "excited" or ok with handing the keys over to Ruuta or Kempny and writing off Pokka

While I hope any one or all pan out, Pokka just turned 23yrs old. And while admittingly I haven't seen him play extensively, he's played the last 3yrs on NHL ice and had 105pts in 220gms - not bad offensive numbers. He also played as a 21yr old Finland team that won the silver at the WC's.

I'd be as curious to see how he may do as much as the other two.

Last year was Kempny's first taste ever of NA hockey, as well as the travel and playing more than 50gms a year. It will be the same with Rutta.

The KHL plays 60gms and the EHL plays only 52 in 8months. The NHL plays 82gms in 6 months - not to mention the smaller rink size, bigger players and speed.


I guess the point is not to write off Pokka as a bust at just turning 23 and anointing Kempny or Rutta as regulars.

Actually the guy who may get the best look is Oesterle out of the newcomers
- PatShart

I think Kempny will be an NHL regular, he adjusted well to the North American game and I expect he'll play a full season. He's shown enough to deserve a shot.

I'm not sold on Rutta either, my fingers are crossed but I have no expectations.

I agree about Oesterle, he could be the wild card and make the team.

I don't get how some are "excited" or ok with handing the keys over to Ruuta or Kempny and writing off Pokka

While I hope any one or all pan out, Pokka just turned 23yrs old. And while admittingly I haven't seen him play extensively, he's played the last 3yrs on NHL ice and had 105pts in 220gms - not bad offensive numbers. He also played as a 21yr old Finland team that won the silver at the WC's.

I'd be as curious to see how he may do as much as the other two.

Last year was Kempny's first taste ever of NA hockey, as well as the travel and playing more than 50gms a year. It will be the same with Rutta.

The KHL plays 60gms and the EHL plays only 52 in 8months. The NHL plays 82gms in 6 months - not to mention the smaller rink size, bigger players and speed.


I guess the point is not to write off Pokka as a bust at just turning 23 and anointing Kempny or Rutta as regulars.

Actually the guy who may get the best look is Oesterle out of the newcomers
- PatShart

Oesterle has a legit shot at 5/6D