I think that's the plan.

It's a great position to be in. Look at Carolina, Anaheim and Nashville as examples of loading up on a plethora of defenceman and then having options to move them.

Especially with having a strong pipeline of RHD at that.
- Justin Lowe

Next off season i would like the hawks to make a big push Tyler Seguin his contract probably in 10 million but he would your 1st line center towes 2nd line center plus kruger rutta money comes off the books plus the hossa money its a pipedream Dallas would be fools not to extend him but maybe he wants to a big market. He is young to so it fit in with the rebuild.

Also, the Hawks have invited a guy named Shaw Boomhower to camp:

https://www.eliteprospect...yer/268365/shaw-boomhower

What a hockey handle that is.

Funny thing is he's from Belleville, Ontario... the hometown as Andrew Shaw.
- Justin Lowe

This is him correct?

Also, the Hawks have invited a guy named Shaw Boomhower to camp:

https://www.eliteprospect...yer/268365/shaw-boomhower

What a hockey handle that is.

Funny thing is he's from Belleville, Ontario... the hometown as Andrew Shaw.
- Justin Lowe

About the same size too. 5'11/185ish

To me, Highmore kind of gets lumped together with Kampf and possibly Kahun, as they are more bottom-6 guys that can play center and wing who have enough speed/skill to be spot started in top-6 roles if necessary. I doubt there's room on the roster for all three of them because they're kind of redundant. Maybe two of them make the team but I would be surprised if all three of them are on the team at the same time unless it's due to injury replacement.
- EbonyRaptor

Great way to put the situation: Highmore, Kampf, and Kahun are redundant so having all of them in the lineup is not an ideal scenario and should play out only if injuries to other starters mount up. I would consider Kero (Canuck now) as part of the redundant prospect depth for bottom 6 forwards. Johnson to an extent as well.

I do like all 3 of Highmore, Kampf, and Kahun, though, given their relentless play, endless motors, and two-way acumen so having options is never a bad thing. Q does like such players and has a tendency to give them playing time. Although far from strong or dominant, but a decent 3rd line could be had with 1-2 of these 3 plus Anisimov.

DeBrincat - Toews - Sikura
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Anisimov - Kahun - Highmore (Kampf)
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden

I have a feeling Kampf is gonna be a staple of the bottom 6 and PK. He could end up playing some wing, but he could center a line and do well. If he ends up playing C and Kruger does as well, it would probably help the Hawks have solid 2 way play down the middle.
- breadbag

I agree. I think Kampf is going to play a valuable role this year.

I have a feeling Kampf is gonna be a staple of the bottom 6 and PK. He could end up playing some wing, but he could center a line and do well. If he ends up playing C and Kruger does as well, it would probably help the Hawks have solid 2 way play down the middle.
- breadbag

Kampf and Kahun are strong on the dot so they have a leg up on earning a bottom 6 center role along with Kruger. Then if Kruger is only on the Hawks for one year, that opens up a spot for Kampf, Kahun, Highmore, and Johnson to compete for 3C and 4C spots next year.

Of course, Anisimov is in the mix as well assuming he's still on the team a year from now.

I'm excited about the Traverse City tourney, especially after seeing the roster. On the defensive side the best d-prospects we have are going with the exception of the NCAA guys. If you add Mitchell to that group it very well could be the Hawks d-corps in a few years - pretty exciting.

Beaudin-Boqvist
Carlsson-Jokiharju
Hillman-Mitchell
Gilbert-Ryczek

I'm stoked to see how the forwards do too. The group isn't "star-studded" like the d-group is but in the big picture it doesn't have to be because the Hawks have young stars already on the roster with Schmaltz, DeBrincat and Saad. We just need a handful of the guys on the Traverse City roster to pan out and there is enough potential on the roster for that to be more probable than pipe dream. Obviously the main forwards with legit chances to make the Hawks roster are Sikura, Kahun and Ejdsell so we need them to play well, especially Sikura.

The one guy who I hope really has a good tourney and it propels him into having a good season in Rockford is Fortin. His speed and skill would be a fantastic addition to the Hawks if his brain and confidence get to where they need to be.

Also very excited to see what Entwistle, Noel and Maksimovich can do.

Only 9 more days until the tourney starts. WOOT!

Kampf and Kahun are strong on the dot so they have a leg up on earning a bottom 6 center role along with Kruger. Then if Kruger is only on the Hawks for one year, that opens up a spot for Kampf, Kahun, Highmore, and Johnson to compete for 3C and 4C spots next year.

Of course, Anisimov is in the mix as well assuming he's still on the team a year from now.
- AEL_Fox

I'm harder on AA than most, but I hope he really has a better season up and down the ice. For moving him, I think it is highly possible depending on how the Hawks are looking. I think the easiest time to move him might end up being next summer after July 1st.

1) He won't have NTC anymore
2) He gets a 2 million dollar signing bonus next year, but after that he only owed a total of 5 million dollars. A team could pay him pretty much half price for those final two seasons.

I agree. I think Kampf is going to play a valuable role this year.
- Justin Lowe

He's clearly been hitting the gym in the offseason.. guy looks like a brick sh*thouse!

Let's hope it translates on the ice.

I agree. I think Kampf is going to play a valuable role this year.
- Justin Lowe

Can't remember if it was shared here (I was on vacation the last couple weeks out in the GTA) but I remember seeing from his instagram that Kampf was looking in shape and ready to go for camp. I hope it translates to his play on the ice.

He's clearly been hitting the gym in the offseason.. guy looks like a brick sh*thouse!

Let's hope it translates on the ice.
- Q-stache

I'd say he's been hitting the gym for the last 10 years. You don't get like that in an offseason. ha.

For those who haven't seen Kampf's ... uhh... physique and training videos... check out his twitter feed: https://www.instagram.com/kampfdavid/

His girlfriend is a crossfit athlete and they are both very into fitness.

He was a nice surprise last year and thinking he could play a valuable role next year as well.

I'd say he's been hitting the gym for the last 10 years. You don't get like that in an offseason. ha.

For those who haven't seen Kampf's ... uhh... physique and training videos... check out his twitter feed: https://www.instagram.com/kampfdavid/

His girlfriend is a crossfit athlete and they are both very into fitness.

He was a nice surprise last year and thinking he could play a valuable role next year as well.
- Justin Lowe

Yeah, I follow Kampf on Instagram and that guy is C-U-T. We're talking stacked like Brind'amour and Chelios. Panik was pretty cut, too, but more lean.

I'm harder on AA than most, but I hope he really has a better season up and down the ice. For moving him, I think it is highly possible depending on how the Hawks are looking. I think the easiest time to move him might end up being next summer after July 1st.

1) He won't have NTC anymore
2) He gets a 2 million dollar signing bonus next year, but after that he only owed a total of 5 million dollars. A team could pay him pretty much half price for those final two seasons.
- breadbag

I like Anisimov. He provides valuable assets to the team if slotted properly and on a line where he can complement his linemates (and vice versa). I don't think he'll live out his entire contract as a Hawk but I won't be upset if he does.

I'd say he's been hitting the gym for the last 10 years. You don't get like that in an offseason. ha.

For those who haven't seen Kampf's ... uhh... physique and training videos... check out his twitter feed: https://www.instagram.com/kampfdavid/

His girlfriend is a crossfit athlete and they are both very into fitness.

He was a nice surprise last year and thinking he could play a valuable role next year as well.
- Justin Lowe

keep 19 away from Kampf when discussing off season training techniques/regimes

Also, the Hawks have invited a guy named Shaw Boomhower to camp:

https://www.eliteprospect...yer/268365/shaw-boomhower

What a hockey handle that is.

Funny thing is he's from Belleville, Ontario... the hometown as Andrew Shaw.
- Justin Lowe

#FeartheFish

I'm excited about the Traverse City tourney, especially after seeing the roster. On the defensive side the best d-prospects we have are going with the exception of the NCAA guys. If you add Mitchell to that group it very well could be the Hawks d-corps in a few years - pretty exciting.

Beaudin-Boqvist
Carlsson-Jokiharju
Hillman-Mitchell
Gilbert-Ryczek

I'm stoked to see how the forwards do too. The group isn't "star-studded" like the d-group is but in the big picture it doesn't have to be because the Hawks have young stars already on the roster with Schmaltz, DeBrincat and Saad. We just need a handful of the guys on the Traverse City roster to pan out and there is enough potential on the roster for that to be more probable than pipe dream. Obviously the main forwards with legit chances to make the Hawks roster are Sikura, Kahun and Ejdsell so we need them to play well, especially Sikura.

The one guy who I hope really has a good tourney and it propels him into having a good season in Rockford is Fortin. His speed and skill would be a fantastic addition to the Hawks if his brain and confidence get to where they need to be.

Also very excited to see what Entwistle, Noel and Maksimovich can do.

Only 9 more days until the tourney starts. WOOT!
- EbonyRaptor

They're certainly going to be tested by some pretty high end forwards. I'm very curious to see what Svechnikov and Necas can do at this tournament. Along with the Very Large Boys Gauthier and Roy

keep 19 away from Kampf when discussing off season training techniques/regimes
- glennjpawlak22

I thought crossfit was considered not good for hockey players? I'm not super well-versed in this subject but I remember it was a hot topic a few of years ago.

I thought crossfit was considered not good for hockey players? I'm not super well-versed in this subject but I remember it was a hot topic a few of years ago.
- L_B_R

Not sure if you saw a few articles about some hockey leagues, particularly the OHL, putting restrictions on players talking about Fortnite in their social media. I think the NHLPA is doing so to an extent, too.

Not sure if you saw a few articles about some hockey leagues, particularly the OHL, putting restrictions on players talking about Fortnite in their social media. I think the NHLPA is doing so to an extent, too.
- AEL_Fox

Yeah, it's a bit dumb because they'll just play a different video game lol. Whenever you see behind the scenes stuff with players, they almost all universally play video games, especially as group bonding. The Hawks players in 2013 talked about how the road game tournaments were huge for them. And like Laine and Matthews are two of the biggest Fortnite nerds and they seem to be doing pretty well.

They may need to counsel some guys on better time management or put in punishment for those that come to practice tired or whatever, but banning a single game isn't going to do poop.

Will Zetterberg and the Wings get the same criticism as the Hawks/Hossa did when Hossa was LTIR'd after his pay took a dive following his last season of play?

I am guessing not.

Yeah, it's a bit dumb because they'll just play a different video game lol. Whenever you see behind the scenes stuff with players, they almost all universally play video games, especially as group bonding. The Hawks players in 2013 talked about how the road game tournaments were huge for them. And like Laine and Matthews are two of the biggest Fortnite nerds and they seem to be doing pretty well.

They may need to counsel some guys on better time management or put in punishment for those that come to practice tired or whatever, but banning a single game isn't going to do poop.
- L_B_R

I agree. Banning a specific thing won't do much because something new will come along. It's better to focus on time management and professional development starting with prospects and rookies. I believe some teams do this and maybe even the league to an extent, especially with advice on money management and living basics like finding a home and even grocery shopping, cooking, etc.

Didn’t realize that many teams were looking at him! Brandon Davidson had ten different professional tryout options including one with the Edmonton Oilers, but according to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal will sign and attend Chicago Blackhawks training camp. Matheson reports that there is a one-year one-way contract offer waiting for Davidson with the Blackhawks if they “like what they see” in camp.

Small correction JL...Highmore signed March 2017.

I'd expect to see Highmore play in Chicago sometime this season, but not to start. I wouldn't be surprised if he got the call over guys like Ejdsell and Fortin.
- DarthKane

I think highmore is a career minor leaguer. He can be a scorer in the a but not the NHL. Fortin had a mediocre year in the a last year ejdsell had a good playoff but didn't show anything up here except he's slow. I would give Luke Johnson a look before these three.

The #blackhawks prospect tournament roster finally announced.

Check it here: https://nhl.bamcontent.co...8666/binary-file/file.pdf
- Justin Lowe

Very small and light on the back end. Goalies will have to play like hextall and Smith. Moynihan and entwistle bring some nasty at forward.

Didn’t realize that many teams were looking at him! Brandon Davidson had ten different professional tryout options including one with the Edmonton Oilers, but according to Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal will sign and attend Chicago Blackhawks training camp. Matheson reports that there is a one-year one-way contract offer waiting for Davidson with the Blackhawks if they “like what they see” in camp.
- walleyeb1

I think the "if they like what they see" part is misleading. I think if Hillman and/or Jokiharju have outstanding camps then Davidson won't be signed. If they decided Hillman and Jokiharju's development is better served by spending time in Rockford then he'll be signed. I highly doubt Davidson will take jobs from Hillman, Jokiharju, Rutta and Gustafsson.