Probably the second best passer on the team, after Kane. Very good hands (see rebound/follow up goal on Rask—not many people in the world make that play) and good in space.

He is doing the job they ask of him. And like a lot of Swedes, plays it defense first by instinct—not for lack of ability.

The other thing is he is literally built like my 11 year old son from the waist up right now. When he matures physically, more of the game is going to come to him offensively. In fact, when he gets stronger he is going to be a BEAST along the wall, because he is very, very good there now on instinct and hands alone.
- John Jaeckel

I knew i would get a response JJ. You have been a huge Krugman supporter. Nothing wrong with that. But the board work and the flashes of skill here and there and the size, those scream bottom six. Kaner is the best passer on the team and Toews is second. Followed by Seabs. Kruger is a good player but it's a stretch at this point based on what we have seen that he is a top six guy.

Probably the second best passer on the team, after Kane. Very good hands (see rebound/follow up goal on Rask—not many people in the world make that play) and good in space.

He is doing the job they ask of him. And like a lot of Swedes, plays it defense first by instinct—not for lack of ability.

The other thing is he is literally built like my 11 year old son from the waist up right now. When he matures physically, more of the game is going to come to him offensively. In fact, when he gets stronger he is going to be a BEAST along the wall, because he is very, very good there now on instinct and hands alone.
- John Jaeckel

And he is not afraid to do so right now, so imagine what he will be like along the wall when he gets stronger.....we may be looking at a little Hossa!

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
- rollpards19

In the system the Hawks play, and the roles they were assigned in 12-13, Frolik was the more valuable of the two.
What that has to do with Kane or Toews is beyond me.

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

Q...arrgh baaaddd!!!

If Stalberg does so much worse than Frolik at everything but scoring then why are his plus minus and possession numbers better?
- rollpards19

you realize what a terrible argument that is considering frolik's biggest contribution was to our PK, which has almost zero effect on his +/-, right?

the fact that stalberg began boston and detroit series as a healthy scratch tells you all you need to know about his value to this team compared to frolik, who was on the ice in a lot of critical situations.

Except that he led the wings in goals in the playoffs.
- nickmo2699

3 goals and 4 points through 14 playoff games isn't exactly a reason to go out and dump 4mil+ on a guy that was invisible for a large portion of the season and has yet to prove himself.

it's all relative to cap hit and you can't pay everyone... we have invested a lot in our dmen and that means finding inexpensive talent to plug where you can for forwards. can't pay everyone top 6 money and you want to pay for future performance when you can... aka young, inexpensive, controllable assets like kruger, who are proven winners.

OK....so 16 million to sign 11 guys? Figure 14 million to sign 10 guys once Kruger signs....

So how do you fit the other 10 guys under14 million when potentially 3 WILL take up at least 10 million and probably a LOT more in Shaw...Crawford...and Hammer?

Maybe a newspaper guy should address this......AND...if that is the case...then what? Somebody with a BIG contract has to be getting moved....
- SteveRain

Right now they have 16 million under the cap, if as expected the cap goes up to 70 million they will be over 22 million....if they trade Oduya you will have close to 26 million...is this really what worries you?

Probably the second best passer on the team, after Kane. Very good hands (see rebound/follow up goal on Rask—not many people in the world make that play) and good in space.

He is doing the job they ask of him. And like a lot of Swedes, plays it defense first by instinct—not for lack of ability.

The other thing is he is literally built like my 11 year old son from the waist up right now. When he matures physically, more of the game is going to come to him offensively. In fact, when he gets stronger he is going to be a BEAST along the wall, because he is very, very good there now on instinct and hands alone.
- John Jaeckel

But maybe Krugs will always be built like an 11 year old boy. Some just have that body. The kid is 23 years old, he is what he is. How long does he get to develop into the 2nd line center everyone dreams of? I like that he does his job so well and is a great role player, but Andrew Shaw and his play and draft position is a pretty good comparison for what it's worth, I'd take another Shaw...

Right now they have 16 million under the cap, if as expected the cap goes up to 70 million they will be over 22 million....if they trade Oduya you will have close to 26 million...is this really what worries you?
- UnnamedSource

For Getzlaf?

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

If Frolik is an average penalty killer as you describe it....why then did Q put him and Kruger out there for two shifts during each kill...the only two on the team to do that. I think your assessment is off.

For Getzlaf?

- HawkintheD

Well now that Olesz is on Jersey maybe a move can be made......

Well now that Olesz is on Jersey maybe a move can be made......
- UnnamedSource

Maybe. That's a pretty big hole to fill though. Not sure if Getzlaf alone would cut it. Maybe we could get Lucic for Pirri and Ben Smith...

If Frolik is an average penalty killer as you describe it....why then did Q put him and Kruger out there for two shifts during each kill...the only two on the team to do that. I think your assessment is off.
- UnnamedSource

http://www.behindthenet.c...7+21+22+23+24+25+26+27+28
Because math

I think McNeill is being groomed as the #2 center of the future, but Kruger and Danualt make up 2/3 of a potentially outstanding future 3rd line with Shaw on the other wing IMO
- ikeane

Actually I've heard the opposite...look for him at wing in RFD as what I've heard.

you realize what a terrible argument that is considering frolik's biggest contribution was to our PK, which has almost zero effect on his +/-, right?

the fact that stalberg began boston and detroit series as a healthy scratch tells you all you need to know about his value to this team compared to frolik, who was on the ice in a lot of critical situations.
- Sconnie

So everyone dogs and moans about Q but now all of a sudden he is the sole barometer of a player's value. When Frolik is a FA next offseason in an increased cap year and he gets a 12 million dollar offer then we can talk

http://www.behindthenet.ca/nhl_statistics.php?ds=25&f1=2012_s&f2=4v5&f5=CHI&f7=20-&c=0+1+3+5+4+6+7+8+13+14+29+30+32+33+34+45+46+63+67+21+22+23+24+25+26+27+28
Because math
- rollpards19

This isn't the only way to judge an NHL player...you know that right?

Actually I've heard the opposite...look for him at wing in RFD as what I've heard.
- UnnamedSource

Hey US!


McNeil at wing is what you're hearing? Or Danault?

For what it's worth, the Blackhawks will have at least 6 (Hossa, Kane, Toews, Hjalmarsson, Keith & Seabrook) headed to Sochi this winter. And another few that might go.

Going to make it a long season for the core.

Actually I've heard the opposite...look for him at wing in RFD as what I've heard.
- UnnamedSource

Yeppers. He's taken Beach's place has the next PF in the pipeline.

This isn't the only way to judge an NHL player...you know that right?
- UnnamedSource

I do, but so far you're the only one thats even acknowledge that I posted it and I feel that it is incredibly relevant to the discussion. The eye test isn't the only way either.

Actually I've heard the opposite...look for him at wing in RFD as what I've heard.
- UnnamedSource

Thanks for the insight, like I said, I thought he may be groomed as the #2 center, it was opinion, not fact. Hard to follow every detail when I move so much..

Actually I've heard the opposite...look for him at wing in RFD as what I've heard.
- UnnamedSource

Heard that too... if he was wise, he'd push them to put him on LW as the Hawks are slim there right now. He's a right-handed shot so should work for him.

This isn't the only way to judge an NHL player...you know that right?
- UnnamedSource

The stat he's highlighting also has Sheldon Brookbank at the top of the pile.

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.
- nelli312

My pick is Maxim Shalunov.

So everyone dogs and moans about Q but now all of a sudden he is the sole barometer of a player's value. When Frolik is a FA next offseason in an increased cap year and he gets a 12 million dollar offer then we can talk
- rollpards19

You keep talking about what GMs offer players in the future. I am talking value to the Hawks last year and Frolik was far more valuable than Stalberg. Stalberg was basically the 20th man on the roster, Frolik had an important role on a penalty killing unit that was as big a part in the cup win as any other.