Was kinda hoping to see Kempny/Rutta and no Forsling
- Assman22

I'm actually interested in that Kempny Murphy dynamic. Also happy to see 7-2 back together.

Was kinda hoping to see Kempny/Rutta and no Forsling
- Assman22

I'm wondering if we may eventually see Rutta get a shot with Keith. Seabrook pair with Kempny and maybe Murphy 3rd pair with Forsling or Oesterle.

I'd take Franson over Polak any day of the week.
- breadbag

Absolutely. Franson can hold on to the puck. Franson improves his teams possession on the ice. Polak makes it worse. He's never had a positive impact on possession. Franson has never had a negative impact.

I'm wondering if we may eventually see Rutta get a shot with Keith. Seabrook pair with Kempny and maybe Murphy 3rd pair with Forsling or Oesterle.
- breadbag

I think Rutta and keith are too similar in style to pair together, but it has only been a few games.

Agree on the bolded, Rainman. Patience and an eye on the big picture (not the specialty of this Board!!) will be required as this team goes through some growing pains to answer those questions. I figure 20 games in, we should have a better idea of where they're at.
- Hank_Greenberg

100% agreed.

By that time it gives Q and company, as well as hockey ops, good luck at younger players in a larger sample size. Not only with the puck, but as importantly, without it.

Just glad meaningful hockey is back, and that should negate some what ifs, etc

I'm actually interested in that Kempny Murphy dynamic. Also happy to see 7-2 back together.
- JRoenick97

Yeah it could end up working out. Rather Forsling was in Rockford getting full minutes but we'll see what happens

CapFriendly outline of what we will likely do.



Minor Correction: Replacing Gustav Forsling (waiver exempt) with Jordan Oesterle (no longer waiver exempt) on defense in our point No.2

Almost every pre season pundit has Hawks missing the playoffs
- Hope the Boys prove them wrong

Almost every pre season pundit has Hawks missing the playoffs
- Hope the Boys prove them wrong
- Colbyboy

First in the Central to missing in one season eh? Hot take.

I'm glad the season is starting. Always exciting even if the team sucks this year or not.

I think it is a tad bit early to draw too many conclusions on faceoffs for individual players as the refs were cracking down and as JJ mentioned, the competition was a mixed bag. I do like that the Hawks as a team were doing better than usual in that dept, but the proof will be in how they do starting Oct 5th. Players like Schmaltz, Kero, Hinostroza should hopefully show some improvement, just based on maturity.

One thing I'd add, any C (be it AA, Schmaltz, or anyone) will have a tough assignment winning faceoffs if flanked by Alex DeBrincat and Patrick Kane. (I know those lines may have changed already) Those guys just won't win as many 50-50 pucks based on size and strength. Plus any line with Kane will draw the tougher defensive C (who typically do well at the dot). Not predicting how anyone would do in that spot, but I think it is a spot where good faceoff #s can be harder to come by.

Almost every pre season pundit has Hawks missing the playoffs
- Hope the Boys prove them wrong
- Colbyboy

I haven't seen that anywhere.....

Re: Post with link had Toews talking about his transition to speed game.

Not surprising conconsidering the pounding he has taken over the years

I find this ironic, though, with the shift to a different style the team is to play.

The Blackhawks need the old version and is a better team than even the wildest result from his desire to play a new style. But the old Toews perhaps cannot take a beating and keep on ticking as good as ever like the Ever ready bunny/ battery

JJ will have a discourse for sure and soon if this actually is 100% true.

Moderator: what do think will be the impact on the team if, indeed, your CAPTAIN changes the way he plays MCDonogh; it is all about winning, one goal, baby. You can ask Stan or Joel if you are looking to break that down

@DhaliwalSports
Hearing Cody Franson deal in Chicago is 1 year and 1 million dollars.


If accurate, this is a good amount - easy to bury, easy to trade, no risk.

Almost every pre season pundit has Hawks missing the playoffs
- Hope the Boys prove them wrong
- Colbyboy

Which pundits are these? That doesn't line up with much of what I've seen personally.

Most of what I've seen typically predicts the Hawks finishing anywhere from 1st to 3rd in the central. In some cases I've seen prediction that the top 4 teams in the West will be Edmonton, Anaheim, Chicago and Dallas.

They are getting decent odds in the betting world and are sitting in good spot in many early power rankings. #4 on TSN's season opening list for example.

@DhaliwalSports
Hearing Cody Franson deal in Chicago is 1 year and 1 million dollars.


If accurate, this is a good amount - easy to bury, easy to trade, no risk.
- L_B_R

That's honestly cheaper than I thought it would be. I thought he'd get a Campbell deal.

Re: Post with link had Toews talking about his transition to speed game.

Not surprising conconsidering the pounding he has taken over the years

I find this ironic, though, with the shift to a different style the team is to play.

The Blackhawks need the old version and is a better team than even the wildest result from his desire to play a new style. But the old Toews perhaps cannot take a beating and keep on ticking as good as ever like the Ever ready bunny/ battery

JJ will have a discourse for sure and soon if this actually is 100% true.

Moderator: what do think will be the impact on the team if, indeed, your CAPTAIN changes the way he plays MCDonogh; it is all about winning, one goal, baby. You can ask Stan or Joel if you are looking to break that down
- jhawk59

He does want to also keep his strength in the corners and on the puck too, but just not his big, plodding style and more offensive creativity.

I haven't seen that anywhere.....
- SteveRain

Preseason polls and predictions are just an indication and cannot be taken seriously. No one knows if a rookie will shine or a trade is made.

Let's look at Chicago. What about Toews. Ruuta. How good will they be. Is DeBrincat going to be helping the offense? Schmautz better? Oh, how could the team improve now that Stan can spend more

Two more sleeps!

Congrats JJ on being correct on Hossa ,that was a real scoop . I am happy with the moves the HAWKS made over the summer ,said Panarin and Hammer would be the two most likely to be moved along with Crow . Two out of three ,still believe Crow will be moved before the end of his contract , may depend on Forsberg plays . This team was good enough to win the west last year ,and are again . If teams play the HAWKS in the manner they did last year in the playoffs, clogging up the middle. And Q has no adjustment's in his hall of fame coaching bag, expect a shocker

@DhaliwalSports
Hearing Cody Franson deal in Chicago is 1 year and 1 million dollars.


If accurate, this is a good amount - easy to bury, easy to trade, no risk.
- L_B_R

I wonder how the negotiations sound for these types of deals. Does the player come in the room with excitement of possibly getting more than a 1for1 type deal then feel let down after getting the offer?

Or does he go in knowing full well whats coming and both sides just kinda go, "hey, 1for1 right?" then sign and shake hands.

I wonder

@DhaliwalSports
Hearing Cody Franson deal in Chicago is 1 year and 1 million dollars.


If accurate, this is a good amount - easy to bury, easy to trade, no risk.
- L_B_R

Wow that would be great, I hope it's confirmed. Not that I like Franson-- I don't. I'd prefer seeing Oesterle Ruuta or Forsling get the ice time. But as a #6 or better yet #7 Dman he's ok.

Canucks acquire Pouliot from Penguins

...in exchange for Andrey Pedan & 2018 4th round pick

I'm actually interested in that Kempny Murphy dynamic. Also happy to see 7-2 back together.
- JRoenick97

They complement each other. But do not be surprised if Keith and Ruuta are the best defensemen in their pairings. Kempny comes along nicely and who could have known last spring these top two pairs.

I really want to see Snuggerud with a defend push mate because having two type of dman each pair is ideal. Even when we still do not have that dynamic offensive Karlsson type. Snuggerud good (emphasis good) offensive game but needs to learn defense better in Rockford. Third pair future could be Snuggerud not Franson.

That which is foreseeable.

Wow that would be great, I hope it's confirmed. Not that I like Franson-- I don't. I'd prefer seeing Oesterle Ruuta or Forsling get the ice time. But as a #6 or better yet #7 Dman he's ok.
- tompo1015

I imagine it's him and Rutta that would revolve RD and Oesterle and Forsling swapping as LD

@DhaliwalSports
Hearing Cody Franson deal in Chicago is 1 year and 1 million dollars.


If accurate, this is a good amount - easy to bury, easy to trade, no risk.
- L_B_R

Rozsival 2.0. Done and done.