The blogs and “the twitters… are abuzz with Blackhawk roster scenarios. One thing that’s plainly evident is no jobs are just being handed out this year—or inherited by default by unready rookies because that’s all the Hawks could afford (like last year).
I’m far from sold on how good this team can be this year, but I do believe that there was a backside benefit to Stan Bowman’s high profile (and highly criticized) deals of Artemi Panarin and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Bowman was able to do a little free agent business this summer.
Nothing too expensive, just value deals on role players. One of those, Patrick Sharp, now looks to be the second line left wing opposite Patrick Kane. I had my doubts about Sharp’s health coming in this year, but he looks pretty good, at least through camp and exhibitions.
Which leads me to say this:
I’m not sure at all how the gray areas of the Hawk roster will work out. Lots of players have made their case, including Alex DeBrincat, who some seem to feel has made an iron clad, open and shut case, and should, or will, be on the team in ten days. I’m just sayin’ . . .
He hasn’t made that rock solid case. He’s scored a few goals, 2 actually, unless you count a waved off goal where Richard Panik had the goalie pinned to the ice.
He’s shown a nice nose for open seams and an uncanny quick shot that he can place for goals.
He’s also shown he can be effortlessly pushed off pucks by fringe NHL and minor league defensemen and seems pretty lost in his own end and playing defense.
My bet there is ADB “makes the team… for opening night—and gets sent down to Rockford not long after. He’ll be back. And more importantly, when he is, he’ll be 100% ready for real NHL hockey. I’m just sayin’ . . .
I don’t see Joel Quenneville carrying Gustav Forsling, Jordan Oesterle, Michal Kempny and Jan Rutta as his 4-7 on opening night.
Not enough size, and more importantly, not nearly enough experience.
I know, I know, “dat Franssssson’s a BUM, play da kidz,… etc. And yes, Rutta has had his moments as has Oesterle. But they’ve had their moments in exhibition games against a real mixed bag of mostly non-NHL talent.
I also think if Cody Franson was just another PTO (like John Mitchell, Drew Miller and Mark Stuart), he’d be gone by now (like, well, Mitchell, Miller and Stuart). Personally, I think Franson could even get cut and then signed after the Hawks gain cap relief from Marian Hossa going on LTIR. Something like that.
Point is, I think Franson is around for his experience and size and a decent depth option for a right handed point shot on the power play. And will be around.
Maybe not. But it feels that way, anyway. I’m just sayin’ . . .
I think John Hayden has made the team, as have Lance Bouma and Jordin Tootoo. The last two, again, will draw cries of foul, but they fill roles on a Joel Quenneville coached team.
I’m just sayin’ . . .
If Tomas “6 Weeks… Jurco is still around in ten days, it makes him David Rundblad 2.0: Bowman’s latest headscratcher reclamation project foisted on Quenneville and staff.
I’m just sayin’ . . .
I thought Tommy Wingels was a nice depth add for this team, but he hasn’t really shown that yet. It would seem right now he could be a cut.
All I have for now.
JJ