Esplen mentions Halischuck as an under-the-radar guy...like others here. I don't know much about him but I looked him up and seems to check some boxes.

Also, a cool video tribute to Luongo...

If and when that happens, please know that there is a very large difference between QStache and Q...arrgh. Thank you.
- QStache

You're the harrasser correct?

Do you feel that Khappy will be a downer in the locker-room as Talk radio seems to think?
- Maggie

Who on talk radio? Most of them in Chicago know absolutely nothing about hockey.

Absolutely not. Dude is a winner. Way too much angst around his signing.

Frolik was an integral part of an outstanding penalty kill. What was Stalberg's contribution?
- paulr

Like to the Blackhawks this season? More than double the offensive production of Frolik, which helps win games. A lot better plus minus. Frolik's an average penalty killer, maybe slightly above. He's shown no ability to affect shot distribution on the PK any better than one would expect. Toews, Hossa, and Hammer were the best 3 PKers this season. I know there's a myth that Stalberg can't score, but he scored 22 goals a season ago and 9 this year without any PP time. Frolik was deemed the 327th most valuable player in hockey, Stalberg the 158th. The year before Stalberg 140th Frolik like 570. Stalberg's better and more valuable.

I'll call you BW, just because I've been known to be a little hard on the Beav so that might be a little awkward to call you that.
- QStache

I've gotten a wee bit of shyt over time about that. No big deal.



The Beaver Warrior....

You're the harrasser correct?
- paulr

Nailed it.

If and when that happens, please know that there is a very large difference between QStache and Q...arrgh. Thank you.
- QStache

+1

Like to the Blackhawks this season? More than double the offensive production of Frolik, which helps win games. A lot better plus minus. Frolik's an average penalty killer, maybe slightly above. He's shown no ability to affect shot distribution on the PK any better than one would expect. Toews, Hossa, and Hammer were the best 3 PKers this season. I know there's a myth that Stalberg can't score, but he scored 22 goals a season ago and 9 this year without any PP time. Frolik was deemed the 327th most valuable player in hockey, Stalberg the 158th. The year before Stalberg 140th Frolik like 570. Stalberg's better and more valuable.
- rollpards19

I'd argue that an above average penalty killer, which Frolik most certainly proved himself is far more important then a guy who scores a handful of goals, is adequate defensively, and who is a giveaway machine. The Hawks had one of the best penalty kill ratios in the league, Froik and Kruger are a big reason why.

He's a clown....

National broadcasters always call for and expect coaches to "mix it up" when teams aren't producing...the years he points out...the Hawks weren't producing....You don't stay with the same thing OVER and OVER again when it isn't working...

Wonder if True Grit is on suicide watch or bought his #25 Predator jersey yet...I'll be shocked if he isn't bought out or traded before that deal is up...
- SteveRain

Unless you're talking about the Hawks anemic power play???

Unless you're talking about the Hawks anemic power play???
- nelli312

Unless you're talking about the Hawks anemic power play???
- nelli312

And that won't change because no way after Q's success this year will he let them fire Kampon(IMHO)

I'd argue that an above average penalty killer, which Frolik most certainly proved himself is far more important then a guy who scores a handful of goals, is adequate defensively, and who is a giveaway machine. The Hawks had one of the best penalty kill ratios in the league, Froik and Kruger are a big reason why.
- paulr

But they didn't prevent shots or goals at a lesser rate than anyone on the team. http://www.behindthenet.c...7+21+22+23+24+25+26+27+28
Toews, Hossa, Keith and Hammer, but most importantly Crawford, are the reasons why PK was special this year, not Fro and Krugs.

Two Cups is hard to argue about. Every coach would like an all star roster. You want to talk about knuckleheads, check out the guy in Pittsburgh. He had the hockey equiv to the Globe Trotters and see what that got him. For argument sake, I would LOVE to see what Q would do with that team.
- eburgio

EXACTLY! I mentioned that once before, if it took talent alone and a deep team, why didn't Bylsema stumble his way to a Cup? They were embarrassed by the same team that the Hawks beat?

Gotta trust in Scotty Bowman. He thinks Kruger is special, and looking at this year, Kruger is one of those that plays a lot bigger than he is and appears to have hockey IQ off the charts
- ikeane

Absolutely, as I said yesterday, the guy craps silver everywhere he goes.

I'd argue that an above average penalty killer, which Frolik most certainly proved himself is far more important then a guy who scores a handful of goals, is adequate defensively, and who is a giveaway machine. The Hawks had one of the best penalty kill ratios in the league, Froik and Kruger are a big reason why.
- paulr

To me, Frolik and Stalberg are both pretty similar. Both lack the scoring touch (Frolik, more so than Stalberg). Think if Stalberg could actually bury the chances he's been given. He could be a 30 goal scorer if so. Frolik is a little more intelligent and more responsible defensively.

It will be no easy task replacing either/both based off of the various elements both players brought to the table. I think that's our commond ground

You are right...I did misread it...

So 20 million, assuming 70 million cap, but you still have to sign Kruger, Shaw, Crawford, and Hammer....So that margin erodes very quickly...and then you will have to plug in a BUNCH of bargains to make it work...That's assuming you don't trade away or buy out a Hossa, Sharp, Seabrook....and if so, you have a logical replacement at a lower salary.

Don't see it...It's not doom and gloom, the numbers don't lie...and watching all these contracts pile up should alarm everyone.
- SteveRain

What makes you think they need or want to resign CROW? That isn't the Bowman way; CROW can resign for allot less IMO than what he can make in the FA world.

Of course; this all hinges on how that kid they signed does in the AHL this year. If that kid does well; bye bye CROW.. IMO.

Upon futhrer review, Halischuck is restricted. Hawks probably don't make an offer.

What makes you think they need or want to resign CROW? That isn't the Bowman way; CROW can resign for allot less IMO than what he can make in the FA world.

Of course; this all hinges on how that kid they signed does in the AHL this year. If that kid does well; bye bye CROW.. IMO.
- victorymc98

CROW?

To me, Frolik and Stalberg are both pretty similar. Both lack the scoring touch (Frolik, more so than Stalberg). Think if Stalberg could actually bury the chances he's been given. He could be a 30 goal scorer if so. Frolik is a little more intelligent and more responsible defensively.

It will be no easy task replacing either/both based off of the various elements both players brought to the table. I think that's our commond ground
- eburgio

Not so sure I agree with the assessment that they're similar, other than the lack of scoring touch. To me, Stalberg's speed can really be disruptive on the forecheck and in transition. Frolik is much better defensively, more effective on the cycle and plays at a high energy level all the time. Even in 2011-12 when he wasn't contributing much, I posted once that I could never fault him for his effort.

And Frolik's production the last two years went up in the post-season...Stalberg...not so much.

Not so sure I agree with the assessment that they're similar, other than the lack of scoring touch. To me, Stalberg's speed can really be disruptive on the forecheck and in transition. Frolik is much better defensively, more effective on the cycle and plays at a high energy level all the time. Even in 2011-12 when he wasn't contributing much, I posted once that I could never fault him for his effort.

And Frolik's production the last two years went up in the post-season...Stalberg...not so much.
- MartiniMan

To me, when you are considering a Frolik v. Stalberg comparison, you need to throw the numbers out the window. Because Stalberg, for his scoring numbers, really only gives you that. It would be like trying to compare Toews and Kane. Kane will always put up the sexier offensive numbers, but there should be no question that Toews is the better/more valuable player.

And, if you need some sort of "proof" that, to the Hawks, Frolik was the more valuable player, just look at the minutes played stats and know that Stalberg was benched for 4 games in the playoffs. That certainly wasn't the case with Frolik.

EDIT: Note the "you" was not directed at MartiniMan, but more the general "you."

And that won't change because no way after Q's success this year will he let them fire Kampon(IMHO)
- Maggie

Probably right! I'm curious what else Kompon brings to the table? There has to be "some" value there to the team, because there isn't much to be desired with his PP duties?

Last season, I recall we all wanted Kitchen's head, but this season I haven't heard much angst for him, probably because he's in charge of the Hawks PK?

As for Beav's earlier question about which player will surprise at prospects camp, my pick is Garrett Ross.

Not so sure I agree with the assessment that they're similar, other than the lack of scoring touch. To me, Stalberg's speed can really be disruptive on the forecheck and in transition. Frolik is much better defensively, more effective on the cycle and plays at a high energy level all the time. Even in 2011-12 when he wasn't contributing much, I posted once that I could never fault him for his effort.

And Frolik's production the last two years went up in the post-season...Stalberg...not so much.
- MartiniMan

Stalberg is more productive in terms of the stat sheet. That point cannot be argued. But Frolik is also good on the forecheck. And Stalberg does well with the cycle game (w/Bickell). Frolik is Stalberg-lite in a lot of areas (scoring, namely)

Upon futhrer review, Halischuck is restricted. Hawks probably don't make an offer.
- Kentxo

He's UFA, as seen here.

http://www.capgeek.com/predators/

Brunner looks like Viktor Stalberg 2.0

Lot of a speed, little finish.
- golfbard

Except that he led the wings in goals in the playoffs.

To me, when you are considering a Frolik v. Stalberg comparison, you need to throw the numbers out the window. Because Stalberg, for his scoring numbers, really only gives you that. It would be like trying to compare Toews and Kane. Kane will always put up the sexier offensive numbers, but there should be no question that Toews is the better/more valuable player.

And, if you need some sort of "proof" that, to the Hawks, Frolik was the more valuable player, just look at the minutes played stats and know that Stalberg was benched for 4 games in the playoffs. That certainly wasn't the case with Frolik.

EDIT: Note the "you" was not directed at MartiniMan, but more the general "you."
- QStache

If Stalberg does so much worse than Frolik at everything but scoring then why are his plus minus and possession numbers better? So if and when Stalberg gets top 6 and PP minutes next year under a good coach in Trotz, will he have all of a sudden become a better player, or will his role on the team change. No denying Q soured on Stals, but that doesn't mean he isn't a valuable player, and every metric points to him being more valuable than Frolik. When Kane has twice as many points as Toews let me know