So Gaudette and Strome on the outside looking in. Sure it could be better, but considering our roster, I’m okay with these lines.
- Angotti

The roster is set up nicely for injury insurance. Even our AHL club, if needed, will supply better call up talent than in the past.

I agree, it's good to have actual players fighting for playing time, a player decides to take a shift off, they can watch from the press box the next game
- BetweenTheDots

I can see it being a battle between Kurashev, Borgstrom, Strome and Gaudette fighting to stay in the lineup.

It will be interesting to see who can put up the most points of those four?

And here's to hoping deHaan can stay injury free until the trade dead line and we can get some value for him.

And here's to hoping deHaan can stay injury free until the trade dead line and we can get some value for him.
- BetweenTheDots

So if he stays healthy everybody on here can crap all over his play and then expect a bonanza for him at the trade deadline. Makes sense to me.

I got a suggestion - pair him with Gustaffson all season and he take on the look of Larry Robinson or Denis Potvin and every GM in the league will empty their prospect pool to grab him for the playoff run.

And here's to hoping deHaan can stay injury free until the trade dead line and we can get some value for him.
- BetweenTheDots

If de Haan is still healthy and worth any return in a trade, I would think he would be of more value to the Hawks. It would mean he is playing solid D (which I've heard is a major concern for this team).

The roster is set up nicely for injury insurance. Even our AHL club, if needed, will supply better call up talent than in the past.
- 67hawks

I was going to say the same. Although the D is still really green and preferably should have more development time, there are a number of forwards that can be called that aren't "one-trick-ponies".

And here's to hoping deHaan can stay injury free until the trade dead line and we can get some value for him.
- BetweenTheDots

There’s a good chance de Haan gets injured and a team can never have too many d-men. My guess, that’s why Stan signed Gus, the Hawks will roll with 8 defensemen.

The roster is set up nicely for injury insurance. Even our AHL club, if needed, will supply better call up talent than in the past.
- 67hawks

Hardman and R. Johnson are both waiver exempt and look pretty close to battle for a spot on the fourth line. Plus you have Attybarmakyan and Barratt as well.

If Nylander can round out his game he and Reichel could help out on one of the scoring lines as call ups.

Same for defense, lots of options!

There’s a good chance de Haan gets injured and a team can never have too many d-men. My guess, that’s why Stan signed Gus, the Hawks will roll with 8 defensemen.
- DarthKane

Yah definately could be an insurance policy, especially with getting injuries to three young defense during training camp, deHaan and his history of injury problems, plus McCabe coming off of knee surgery. Better safe.
I saw Travis Harmonic was waved and wondered if he might have been a good pickup? Solid gritty RH defensemen able to play 20 minutes per night. His $3 million salary and inability to cross the boarder would have been a hinderance for the 8 games being played in Canada. But a really good defensive player.

Yah definately could be an insurance policy, especially with getting injuries to three young defense during training camp, deHaan and his history of injury problems, plus McCabe coming off of knee surgery. Better safe.
I saw Travis Harmonic was waved and wondered if he might have been a good pickup? Solid gritty RH defensemen able to play 20 minutes per night. His $3 million salary and inability to cross the boarder would have been a hinderance for the 8 games being played in Canada. But a really good defensive player.
- SchwiftyHawk

FYI. Hamonic was a no-show in Canucks camp:

Hamonic was the standout in the group, because he is not struggling to make the team.

The top-four defenceman has not shown up to Canucks training camp and his absence is related to the league’s vaccination protocol. Players may be unvaccinated but are subject to restrictions that would make it impractical to play in all arenas. If unable to play due to local arena restrictions, the player can be suspended without pay.

Edit: and if I bothered to actually read the rest of your post... Sorry bout that.

Not to be a jerk and stir the pot but I saw Cole Sillinger was on Columbus' opening night roster. I'm assuming he will only stay for less than the 10 games so as to not burn off a year of his contract.

From the NHL website:
Cole Sillinger, F, Columbus Blue Jackets: Sillinger (6-0, 197) is the first 18-year-old to make the Blue Jackets roster since Jarmo Kekalainen took over as general manager Feb. 13, 2013. Sillinger had two assists and 10 shots on goal in five preseason games and could start the season centering a line with Boone Jenner and Max Domi. The No. 12 pick of the 2021 draft, Sillinger led Sioux Falls of the United States Hockey League in goals (24), points (46), points per game (1.48) and shots on goal (113) in 31 games and was named USHL rookie of the year. His father, Mike Sillinger, played 1,049 NHL games.

Yah definately could be an insurance policy, especially with getting injuries to three young defense during training camp, deHaan and his history of injury problems, plus McCabe coming off of knee surgery. Better safe.
I saw Travis Harmonic was waved and wondered if he might have been a good pickup? Solid gritty RH defensemen able to play 20 minutes per night. His $3 million salary and inability to cross the boarder would have been a hinderance for the 8 games being played in Canada. But a really good defensive player.
- SchwiftyHawk

I think there’s something going on with Hamonic (not COVID), maybe a family situation. I’m not sure how much he’d play this year. But as far as the one-ice product goes, Hamonic > Gus.

So if he stays healthy everybody on here can crap all over his play and then expect a bonanza for him at the trade deadline. Makes sense to me.

I got a suggestion - pair him with Gustaffson all season and he take on the look of Larry Robinson or Denis Potvin and every GM in the league will empty their prospect pool to grab him for the playoff run.
- RickJ

The Diamond Man!

Not to be a jerk and stir the pot but I saw Cole Sillinger was on Columbus' opening night roster. I'm assuming he will only stay for less than the 10 games so as to not burn off a year of his contract.

From the NHL website:
Cole Sillinger, F, Columbus Blue Jackets: Sillinger (6-0, 197) is the first 18-year-old to make the Blue Jackets roster since Jarmo Kekalainen took over as general manager Feb. 13, 2013. Sillinger had two assists and 10 shots on goal in five preseason games and could start the season centering a line with Boone Jenner and Max Domi. The No. 12 pick of the 2021 draft, Sillinger led Sioux Falls of the United States Hockey League in goals (24), points (46), points per game (1.48) and shots on goal (113) in 31 games and was named USHL rookie of the year. His father, Mike Sillinger, played 1,049 NHL games.
- SchwiftyHawk

I don’t think any of us are surprised by this.

If de Haan is still healthy and worth any return in a trade, I would think he would be of more value to the Hawks. It would mean he is playing solid D (which I've heard is a major concern for this team).
- Chunk

Hopefully a gm will recognize that deHaan will be defending closer to the blue line instead of by the goalie and actually think he could do more good playing as a defenseman

So if he stays healthy everybody on here can crap all over his play and then expect a bonanza for him at the trade deadline. Makes sense to me.

I got a suggestion - pair him with Gustaffson all season and he take on the look of Larry Robinson or Denis Potvin and every GM in the league will empty their prospect pool to grab him for the playoff run.
- RickJ

According to JC everyone can be a defenseman and everyone can be a forward.

FYI. Hamonic was a no-show in Canucks camp:

Hamonic was the standout in the group, because he is not struggling to make the team.

The top-four defenceman has not shown up to Canucks training camp and his absence is related to the league’s vaccination protocol. Players may be unvaccinated but are subject to restrictions that would make it impractical to play in all arenas. If unable to play due to local arena restrictions, the player can be suspended without pay.

Edit: and if I bothered to actually read the rest of your post... Sorry bout that.
- Chunk

Oh no problem, yah he wasn't at camp. His daughter went through some medical problems, neurological in nature I think, may possibly has something to do with his vaccine status, but I don't know enough to really comment.

Its unfortunate, I just really like his playing style and being a RH defenseman is playoff gold.

According to JC everyone can be a defenseman and everyone can be a forward.
- BetweenTheDots

I should probably leave this response up to one of the wittier posters but by that definition does Dimitri Osipov have a chance? <-- red font

According to JC everyone can be a defenseman and everyone can be a forward.
- BetweenTheDots

Where the heck did this come from?

I don’t think any of us are surprised by this.
- DarthKane

Unfortunately Aatu Raty was loaned to Karpat (back in Finland). So close, you could have gone 2 for 2.

Where the heck did this come from?
- Chunk

Considering Blackhawk defenders follow their guy out to the blue line, and Blackhawk defenders activate constantly in the ozone, other than the pk what's the point of even having defenseman on this roster?

@ByScottPowers

Matej Chalupa is on unconditional waivers for the Blackhawks.

Unfortunately Aatu Raty was loaned to Karpat (back in Finland). So close, you could have gone 2 for 2.
- SchwiftyHawk

Caufield returned to college after being drafted. Raty will still be a better pick than Allan.

Been talk he’s on his way to Ottawa. If he goes, or stays, it’ll be interesting to see if he continues playing with a little more jam or if he just reverts to his old dainty game.
- paulr

I would rather see them get the disgruntled Rangers first rounder, Vitali Kravtsov, who wants a trade b/c he didn't make their roster.

Sure you get get something in picks, but I still like this physical player and he is worth the price of Dylan Strome, 24, than a pick.

Kravtsov will be 22 around Christmas.

Not saying I refuse a first rounder from Rangers, but I am not sure what Dylan Strome gets you in draft pick return.

I don’t think any of us are surprised by this.
- DarthKane

Columbus does not have many high quality forwards so making their NHL roster is not a very high standard.