Excellent post, US. Some young players don't make it under Q. Plenty do. Q does have his favorites among the kids - he likes the ones that are good.
- mohel

...and play a more rounded game in all zones. Nice thing about those 4 (Krugs, Bollig, Smith, Shaw) is none of them mind getting their nose dirty; in different ways, taking/making a hit, working along the boards, going to the front of the net.

Hopefully a hockey game breaks out

- philco28

I'll be heckling the Rosemont Mutts, that's for sure.

IceHogs specialty sweater to be worn on the 30th.


- EKolb13

Maybe you'll win a LeBlanc jersey and can turn it around online for a couple $1000

Hopefully a hockey game breaks out

- philco28

http://www.cbssports.com/...attack-opponent-in-tunnel

There's video of Bobby Shea evading security to take another shot at Ty Rattie in the tunnel.

Maybe you'll win a LeBlanc jersey and can turn it around online for a couple $1000
- HawkintheD

No. Those will be up for a silent auction during the game. Some idiot will spend a grand or more bidding on that.

No. Those will be up for a silent auction during the game. Some idiot will spend a grand or more bidding on that.


- EKolb13

They are quite desirable.

...and play a more rounded game in all zones. Nice thing about those 4 (Krugs, Bollig, Smith, Shaw) is none of them mind getting their nose dirty; in different ways, taking/making a hit, working along the boards, going to the front of the net.
- HawkintheD

As I have said more than once-Every young player(forward) who has thrived here under Q. can play on more than one line.

Bollig was the one exception but it is probably true of him too now.

Today's article....

Not a 60 min. effort but good enough to outlast Canes 3-2. Leddy and TT facts-On The Blackhawks:Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1lZvuA0

On Twitter@AlCimaglia

They are quite desirable.
- HawkintheD

I guess. Some of those specialty sweaters fetch big stoopit money.

As I have said more than once-Every young player(forward) who has thrived here under Q. can play on more than one line.

Bollig was the one exception but it is probably true of him too now.

Today's article....

Not a 60 min. effort but good enough to outlast Canes 3-2. Leddy and TT facts-On The Blackhawks:Fox Chicago:http://bit.ly/1lZvuA0

On Twitter@AlCimaglia
- Al

Nice write up Al. Do you think Regin fits into the team's plans at all next year? I could see him coming back at 3 or 4C. If Smith continues his upward arc he could be the answer at 2C.

Nice write up Al. Do you think Regin fits into the team's plans at all next year? I could see him coming back at 3 or 4C. If Smith continues his upward arc he could be the answer at 2C.
- HawkintheD

Not sure about Smith long term at 2C, though he's been really good lately. As much as Elbows won't want to hear it, I could see Regin anchoring the 4th line next year.

19, 86, 16, 12 down the middle. If TT pans out next year at 2C, of course...big IF.

Not sure about Smith long term at 2C, though he's been really good lately. As much as Elbows won't want to hear it, I could see Regin anchoring the 4th line next year.

19, 86, 16, 12 down the middle. If TT pans out next year at 2C, of course...big IF.
- Ogilthorpe2

Regin has looked more comfortable the last few games. Decent pick up for peanuts

Regin has looked more comfortable the last few games. Decent pick up for peanuts
- mrpaulish

He could also be an affordable player to retain for next season, too.

Not sure about Smith long term at 2C, though he's been really good lately. As much as Elbows won't want to hear it, I could see Regin anchoring the 4th line next year.

19, 86, 16, 12 down the middle. If TT pans out next year at 2C, of course...big IF.
- Ogilthorpe2

Me neither and it's a small sample size but I think he complements Kane's game pretty well and could be that guy doing the dirty work along the boards and in front of the net. Or as you said if TT pans out at 2C; either way nice problem to have.

Not sure about Smith long term at 2C, though he's been really good lately. As much as Elbows won't want to hear it, I could see Regin anchoring the 4th line next year.

19, 86, 16, 12 down the middle. If TT pans out next year at 2C, of course...big IF.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yes - big IF - but IF NOT - is there anyone at Rockford who could possibly take over 2C next year - or 3C or 4C? McNeil, Danault, Nordstrom, Mills?

Any possibility?

Me neither and it's a small sample size but I think he complements Kane's game pretty well and could be that guy doing the dirty work along the boards and in front of the net. Or as you said if TT pans out at 2C; either way nice problem to have.
- HawkintheD

Not a "nice problem" yet - neither has proven 2C ready-for-next-year yet.

IceHogs specialty sweater to be worn on the 30th.


- EKolb13

What the phuck is that thing?! That's one of the worst jerseys I've ever seen!

He could also be an affordable player to retain for next season, too.
- EKolb13

did Smith play much at center in Rockford?..just saw he is 50% at the dot....

Not a "nice problem" yet - neither has proven 2C ready-for-next-year yet.
- StLBravesFan

Good chance we do not have a 2 C next year,more like a 3A,B and C at centre is likely.

Yes - big IF - but IF NOT - is there anyone at Rockford who could possibly take over 2C next year - or 3C or 4C? McNeil, Danault, Nordstrom, Mills?

Any possibility?
- StLBravesFan

I doubt it. Out of the group you list, McNeill might be the only one that looks like someone who could pass for a 2nd line player. He's still probably another season away, at least - unless he makes some big improvement over the summer coming nto camp. Same with Danault, but he looks more like a bottom 6 player, and could be a very good one at that - like Bolland. Nordstrom is what he is, and probably the one out of that group who's closest to helping out now. Then there is Mills, who's organizational filler. He can spot from time to time in an NHL line-up, but he's more of a minor league player - and a good leader & soldier who can help the kids along.

did Smith play much at center in Rockford?..just saw he is 50% at the dot....
- Glenman12

He was used primarily on the wing in Rockford.

That was like THE car when I was in High School. That, and the Monte Carlo SS.
- Ogilthorpe2

The monte carlo ss was one of my favorites

What the phuck is that thing?! That's one of the worst jerseys I've ever seen!
- prd797

A lot is made about the chances given and lack thereof to young players in the Hawk system. Many of us have a different point of view as to why certain players don't succeed under Q. However when you watch Bollig and Smith work hard, remain consistent, and play like they don't want to let go of their spot on the ice the answer is and will always be right in front of us.

Bollig & Smith, like Krugman and Shaw in the past get better every game. Smith, whom I thought was a bridge player like Morin & Pirri may have found a permanent spot on this year for the next few years. He will be cheap, works hard, and is versatile. Bollig, who I thought was a one dimensional player had also worked hard to strengthen his game and become a consistent asset to the team when he is on the ice.

I see a similar work ethic with a player like Nordstrom...who I think will grow into a more permanent spot on the roster next year.....

It's not so much being a Q guy as a few have stated but more being a guy Q trusts on the ice......and as shown he gives young players who work hard a fair chance.
- UnnamedSource

I have been thinking the same way regarding Nordstrom. It is just a matter of Nordstrom knowing his responsibilities really well and perhaps he is stronger physically next season. Nordstrom is seen as reliable, smart, skates well, can contribute in some ways offensively but I have no idea how well he might do in face offs. Career = could be a long time #4 center. If Kreuger line becomes the third line then Nordstrom line would be the fourth...but just whom would be on each line? Kreuger has success with his fourth line guys; can you envision Nordstrom inherits them and Kreuger has Shaw and Saad? Well, it can be also said that Q will try juggling his lines as is his normal method of operation so expect Norstrom and Kreuger to be interchangeable once in a while.

As far as the newbie TT and Carey TOI this season, as well as gp, Q emphasis on winning leads me to believe neither gets more than a few games in. Their TOI will be managed carefully just like last night regarding Runblad and Morin. With playoff seeding determined I could however imagine Q would loosen the reigns a bit. The whole thing here about those two, is that Bowman wants them to see and learn, specifically to understand and have a plan what they need to work on. The more they are involved in a game and the less they are spectators on the bench, all the better insofar as their development..

Morin is probably at the point where he should be given a real shot to play regularly in the remaining games. He is your depth. He is your scorer depth guy, too, should Kane have any setback. Runblad, on the other hand, needs to be involved, not just thrown out for a few shifts then relegated to the bench. No young dman prospers in that way of usage. Again Q needs to accept that this young dman is a depth guy and the playoffs being a war on ice is a frickin marathon. So Runblad being a dman necessarily is involved a lot in the flow of play and cannot be ignored. Let him do the things he is comfortable with, his strengths, and give him a few shifts against the top players. He needs that experience now even if it is a small sample.

Hossa can play LW.

My bad on smith .


Still omfg
- mrpaulish

The Hawks scrapped the idea of a Kane/Toews/Hossa line because both players were uncomfortable playing on the left side and kept getting in each other's way on the right side back in 2011.

Shout out to Phil and Elbows, saw your replies to my last past of the evening.

OK, I'm not Rollie, but did this bit of stats investigation this am

Keith - overall 5G, 50A, 55 points total
PP 3G, 17A, 20 points total
5 on 5 2G, 33A, 35 points total

Seabrook - overall 6G, 32A 38 points total
PP 3G, 6A 9 points total
5 on 5 3G, 26A 29 points total

Leddy - overall 7G, 22A 29 points total
PP 4G, 6A 10 points total
5 on 5 3G, 16A 19 points total

IMO, the disparity of Keith's #'s are due to the incredible amount of TOI he gets on the PP compared to Leddy and Seabrook. Yet in spite of their limited TOI on PP, Seabrook and Leddy are clearly making the most of their chances.

Also, if anyone is clearly a leader it is Seabrook. Just look at his 5 on 5 #'s -- and almost every night he does not get the TOI that Keith does.

OK, talk amongst yourselves.
- savvyone-1

This could be the start of a beautiful friendship Savvy.