I'm a Gus fan. he did well in his first few NHL games, but kind of fell apart after that. A lot of that is at the feet of the Q/Kitchen defensive system of pass and posses, rather than carry the puck, then pass. Gus is excellent carrying the puck out, like Leddy was. I wouldn't be super shocked if Gus gets a decent shot in Ulfie's new system, but the blue line is crowded this training camp.
- JRoenick97

He may be better off in Rockford with Colliton and crew for awhile anyway. Maybe they can get him turned around in the right direction.

He may be better off in Rockford with Colliton and crew for awhile anyway. Maybe they can get him turned around in the right direction.
- walleyeb1

He did pretty well in RFD last season. He just needs to recover better from bad games and be used a little differently in the NHL. Hopefully Ulf can work that out.

He did pretty well in RFD last season. He just needs to recover better from bad games and be used a little differently in the NHL. Hopefully Ulf can work that out.
- JRoenick97

Let's say we make the playoffs. Gus is the quick puck mover that all teams value particularly in playoffs. Look at Ottawa and Boston last year: used raw rookies no experience. Why? I know the player on Ottawa is the puck mover style. Or look at Uncle Dale whom two playoffs back brought in a collegiate and he is now one of their best.

I do not predict great success for Gus, but certainly he can be a depth regular season and playoffs. That he can make great stretch passes might even result in a winning goal.

Beside Gus, I am anxious to hear reports on Ruuta. He could be a sleeper. If a player is good enough, then they eventually find their way here. I like Forsling, but if he is a tad green his contractual terms may force us to retain him and others bide time in Rockford.

So you are saying his value to the team on ice does not relate or makes no difference if someone else with more ability was in his stead? Sure makes sense on paper. But the locker room is better with Tootoo around. Solution: an extra player. He is a good soldier who won't put up a storm of protest. Long season. Injuries. We could do well to retain a veteran like him. Rather him than Roxy
I understand Rozy has certain aspect, his reads etc al which JJ has mentioned. But NOW missing so long with ankle and concussion issues to deal with.....i suppose he plays and we see if gramma skates better.
- jhawk59

Absolutely no evidence of this. Pure speculation. If he was not "retained" he absolutely wouldn't be missed except someone loses a fishing buddy. If this guy take a spot over Hayden for example, then skill, size and impact have no role in determining who plays on this team.

Absolutely no evidence of this. Pure speculation. If he was not "retained" he absolutely wouldn't be missed except someone loses a fishing buddy. If this guy take a spot over Hayden for example, then skill, size and impact have no role in determining who plays on this team.
- kwolf68

There's no evidence either way, however Keith and Seabrook helped recruit Tootoo. If those guys want him on the team that must say something about Tootoo's character and what he brings to the team.

http://www.chicagotribune...-0716-20160715-story.html

There's no evidence either way, however Keith and Seabrook helped recruit Tootoo. If those guys want him on the team that must say something about Tootoo's character and what he brings to the team.

http://www.chicagotribune...-0716-20160715-story.html
- DarthKane

Michael Jordan for several years wanted an over-the-hill Walter Davis on the Bulls.

There's no evidence either way, however Keith and Seabrook helped recruit Tootoo. If those guys want him on the team that must say something about Tootoo's character and what he brings to the team.

http://www.chicagotribune...-0716-20160715-story.html
- DarthKane

Henceforth I feel it is in the team's best interest to retain him as an extra player. Although I agree with kwolf68 whose ascertain that a younger, similar player is a better on ice, it is difficult to know precisely whether there is a beneficial nature to the spirit and happiness of teammates who like him as a friend and good veteran example to younger guys. This veteran presence comment has been attributed as best I recall to Seabrook.

Just keep in mind, the salary cap and Rozy sticking around may be factors in whether Bowman keeps Tootoo. LTIR is reportedly in Rozy's future. I will guess that because of the Hossa and possibly Rozy LTIR, Tootoo fits into budget.

Rozy, on the other hand, would not pass a physical now. Whether he has anything left may be a situation which gets literally played out early spring.

I do not believe Rozy has enough left after brutal ankle and concussion setback for an older player. I wouldn't mind Hayden in Rockford for a while. Someone better than Tootoo should emerge. Who that is and when.....time will tell. We still wait to see how the Jurco situation turns btw.

Lotta drinking the Kool-Aid on the young guys, don't think for one minute Stan is not at the high stakes poker table, with a couple of GM's, the window is now, Q is the coach, he is not taking 5 to 8 rookies on the team, I'll stand my ground on this one, someone is getting traded once they figure out what to do with the extra cash come game two of the season! Can't figure out when it will happen but you could almost make book that all of these guys that everybody's dreaming about becoming the next Martin St. Louis ,which may happen but it may not be wearing the Indianhead!

Michael Jordan for several years wanted an over-the-hill Walter Davis on the Bulls.
- StLBravesFan

Maybe the Bulls would of gotten past Detroit sooner if they did get him.

Lotta drinking the Kool-Aid on the young guys, don't think for one minute Stan is not at the high stakes poker table, with a couple of GM's, the window is now, Q is the coach, he is not taking 5 to 8 rookies on the team, I'll stand my ground on this one, someone is getting traded once they figure out what to do with the extra cash come game two of the season! Can't figure out when it will happen but you could almost make book that all of these guys that everybody's dreaming about becoming the next Martin St. Louis ,which may happen but it may not be wearing the Indianhead!
- wonthecup10

I'd wager that rookies play a smaller role this season than last and the previous few.

Hawks used 9 rookies in 2014/15
11 in 2015/16
7 last year in 2016/17

Stan went out and got more guys that have a bit of experience. Especially if Franson signs, there won't be too much room for a lot of rookies, so I wouldn't worry about it.

Henceforth I feel it is in the team's best interest to retain him as an extra player. Although I agree with kwolf68 whose ascertain that a younger, similar player is a better on ice, it is difficult to know precisely whether there is a beneficial nature to the spirit and happiness of teammates who like him as a friend and good veteran example to younger guys. This veteran presence comment has been attributed as best I recall to Seabrook.

Just keep in mind, the salary cap and Rozy sticking around may be factors in whether Bowman keeps Tootoo. LTIR is reportedly in Rozy's future. I will guess that because of the Hossa and possibly Rozy LTIR, Tootoo fits into budget.

Rozy, on the other hand, would not pass a physical now. Whether he has anything left may be a situation which gets literally played out early spring.

I do not believe Rozy has enough left after brutal ankle and concussion setback for an older player. I wouldn't mind Hayden in Rockford for a while. Someone better than Tootoo should emerge. Who that is and when.....time will tell. We still wait to see how the Jurco situation turns btw.
- jhawk59

Neither ones contract is high enough to matter both can be sent down and both make sense to keep as mentors to our younger players.

I also believe even if there sent down the hawk said would pay them if they reported or not

Lotta drinking the Kool-Aid on the young guys, don't think for one minute Stan is not at the high stakes poker table, with a couple of GM's, the window is now, Q is the coach, he is not taking 5 to 8 rookies on the team, I'll stand my ground on this one, someone is getting traded once they figure out what to do with the extra cash come game two of the season! Can't figure out when it will happen but you could almost make book that all of these guys that everybody's dreaming about becoming the next Martin St. Louis ,which may happen but it may not be wearing the Indianhead!
- wonthecup10

I don't think anyone was suggesting there could be 5-8 rookies on the team. From all accounts people are talking about 1 or maybe 2 rookies making the team. People have been talking about the prospects because the prospect tournament just finished and that's all there is to talk about until the real training camp begins.

I don't think there is too much kool aid drinking going on, people were impressed with Debrincat's performance and happy to see a couple other guys emerge (i.e. Snuggerud) but nobody is saying they are the next Kane and Keith.

You could be right that a trade is in the works, but I don't think that's any different than any other season. Stan is always looking for ways to make the team better, that's his job.

I just don't see the point of having guys like that around. If what you're doing isn't getting the puck on your team's stick, what you're doing probably isn't worth anything.
- BINGO!

It's why your a canes fan. I would quit watching hockey a couple years ago if I had to watch your team. Those who played hockey or any physical sport know the importance of having someone to watch your back and help fight your battles. I hate the new new nhl fans.

I don't think anyone was suggesting there could be 5-8 rookies on the team. From all accounts people are talking about 1 or maybe 2 rookies making the team. People have been talking about the prospects because the prospect tournament just finished and that's all there is to talk about until the real training camp begins.

I don't think there is too much kool aid drinking going on, people were impressed with Debrincat's performance and happy to see a couple other guys emerge (i.e. Snuggerud) but nobody is saying they are the next Kane and Keith.

You could be right that a trade is in the works, but I don't think that's any different than any other season. Stan is always looking for ways to make the team better, that's his job.
- DarthKane

I would keep an eye on the kid from Edmonton he could be a Dark-horse , A lot of good reviews about him,

It's why your a canes fan. I would quit watching hockey a couple years ago if I had to watch your team. Those who played hockey or any physical sport know the importance of having someone to watch your back and help fight your battles. I hate the new new nhl fans.
- vandymeer23

Well as a huge fan of the old-school type gun slinger that can play and contribute while riding shotgun, and there were plenty of those guys around, I got a think RonFrancis being an old-school type player will go out and find of that element if he feels he needs it, I think Carolina is going to be fun to watch, by the way any update on Brett Gallant, or was that just someone throwing crap against the wall just to see if it sticks. I would like to see that kid wind up in Rockford

I still say this:

Sharp-Toews-Hartman
DeBrincat-AA-Kane
Saad-Schmaltz-Panik
Wingles-Kero/Dauphin-Hinostroza/Jurco

I would keep an eye on the kid from Edmonton he could be a Dark-horse , A lot of good reviews about him,
- wonthecup10

Who?

Who?
- DarthKane

Osterle I think his name is.

With all these roster predictions, keep in mind that Rozsival is 39 and now has concussion issues.
Also Franson "chose" Chicago over other teams who offered him a contract. Nobody in their right mind is going to do that unless there is contract waiting for him in Chicago.

I still can't get over how bad the new hawk jersey's look.. *sigh* went from having the best jersey in all of sports to one of the worst lol
- MichaeLionheart

I agree with you 100%

I agree - it is that stupid collar -- I think it is fixable, but needs a different approach than what they went with.
- steve-hist-sdc

The sleeve and interrupted stripes looks schmaltzy too

I just don't see the point of having guys like that around. If what you're doing isn't getting the puck on your team's stick, what you're doing probably isn't worth anything.
- BINGO!

He does that too, to a degree, works hard, and gives quality 4th line minutes when dressed.


As an aside- I agree - collar on the red sweater - looks like a pilgrim collar. Otoh, when it comes to obvious sports fails -my favorite (and only time I will ever refer to soccer) -was the Kansas City Wizards who initially went with what their marketing guys thought was a really cool name... the wiz ...

Osterle I think his name is.
- wonthecup10

I agree with that, he could certainly sneak into a spot on this defensemen.

There's no evidence either way, however Keith and Seabrook helped recruit Tootoo. If those guys want him on the team that must say something about Tootoo's character and what he brings to the team.

http://www.chicagotribune...-0716-20160715-story.html
- DarthKane

And many, far better, players were jettisoned in the past that no doubt certain players loved to play with. To bend over backward for Tutu makes no sense. If he moves on the world will keep turning and 2 and 7 will have good years. I find it mildly amusing that 2 maybe had his worst year ever with Tutu in camp. I am sure the injury excuse will be peddled, but Tutu is nothing anymore. At one time he could agitate and chip in on offense. If he's that important to team morale (though i doubt it) let him do something else other than taking a spot from a better, more deserving player.

I agree with that, he could certainly sneak into a spot on this defensemen.
- DarthKane

I've seen Osterle's name mentioned...my take on him is two fold

-It's bad that he couldn't crack the Oil lineup at D
-It's good that he fell out of favor with the Oil (see Shultz, Justin)