My guess is that Stan and Q wait for a while (6 weeks???) to see what some of the young kids can do. If a move is made I would guess it's on defense, not forward. If Debrincat cannot cut the mustard I would expect to see Hinostroza recalled before a trade is made (for a forward).
- DarthKane

That makes a lot of sense. It may be shorter than 6 weeks because the Hawks play a lot of really good teams in the first month which should serve as a pretty good measuring stick of the young talent.

Idk but I like those lines. Random side note did Toews drop some serious weight? He is listed on NHL.com as being 201lbs. I could have sworn he used to be listed between 210-215lbs in years past.
- bhawks2241

Yeah. I posted an article about him wanting to get his speed and agility back while keeping leg strength. Looks like he shed some pounds.

That is too many 8s on one line....Kinda like when Bouma was with Kero and Wingels, and everyone's number ends in 7.
- breadbag

I'm having a "Kill Bill" flashback...

I'm having a "Kill Bill" flashback...
- riozzo

Idk but I like those lines. Random side note did Toews drop some serious weight? He is listed on NHL.com as being 201lbs. I could have sworn he used to be listed between 210-215lbs in years past.
- bhawks2241

Get that man a cheeseburger, STAT!

Yeah. I posted an article about him wanting to get his speed and agility back while keeping leg strength. Looks like he shed some pounds.
- JRoenick97

I saw that. He was already in phenomenal shape so the only way to lose that much weight is to shed muscle somewhere highly doubt he had any body fat to lose.... coming from someone who is a big time fitness person 10lbs is a lot and it will affect your overall strength. Increasing fast twitch speed at his age is also difficult. Sure less weight will help but there is not going to be a lot of noticeable gains by the time your 29/30 especially when you are already an elite athlete in elite physical shape. Its not like Toews does not spend part of his summer partaking in olympic lifts and various plyometric workouts. Sure he spends time working on his skating each summer too.

Just my 2 cents anyway. By no means any kind of professional.

[quote=DK002]

Lets see 88 stick handle out of that

If anyone seriously thinks a top six that includes Schmaltz and ADB, and Forsling on D is somehow a good thing.......

First twenty games this team will be 7-13 at best.

The smartest lineup to start with is to have Sharp/AA/Kane as the second line and make the bottom six out of the best of the spare parts.

D should be Keith/Seabrook, Kempny/Murphy, and Ruuta/Franson

Then pray that CC has the fortitude to weather the storm.

If Vegas is looking to unload another defenseman, I would have three Targets on their team if I were Stan. Jason Garrison would look really good on the second pairing. Pricey but on an expiring contract. Brayden McNabb would be another Target, or nate Schmidt. The question becomes who heads the other way?

Lets see 88 stick handle out of that
- bhawks2241

Just for Fun!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REAqCB9vfbU

If Vegas is looking to unload another defenseman, I would have three Targets on their team if I were Stan. Jason Garrison would look really good on the second pairing. Pricey but on an expiring contract. Brayden McNabb would be another Target, or nate Schmidt. The question becomes who heads the other way?
- ikeane

I would think Fortin, Knott, Hino, Kero would be primary guys to dangle.

Of the players you listed, I would try to pry Nate Schimdt away.

Just for Fun!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REAqCB9vfbU
- spudrock512

as impressive as his stick handling is, he never kicks a puck either! Amazing.

If Vegas is looking to unload another defenseman, I would have three Targets on their team if I were Stan. Jason Garrison would look really good on the second pairing. Pricey but on an expiring contract. Brayden McNabb would be another Target, or nate Schmidt. The question becomes who heads the other way?
- ikeane

Chicago would have about $3 million in cap space available ($2.4 million current plus one less dman from the current roster). Garrison is a possibility, the Hawks had inteterst in him before, but Vegas would have to retain salary. Miller would be a decent option, but Vegas may not be willing to part with him.

Now capfriendly.com has it as $2,441,667 remaining???
- walleyeb1

That is a similar number to what we discussed on Shoutcast—after those players were recalled.

If anyone seriously thinks a top six that includes Schmaltz and ADB, and Forsling on D is somehow a good thing.......

First twenty games this team will be 7-13 at best.

The smartest lineup to start with is to have Sharp/AA/Kane as the second line and make the bottom six out of the best of the spare parts.

D should be Keith/Seabrook, Kempny/Murphy, and Ruuta/Franson

Then pray that CC has the fortitude to weather the storm.
- Return of the Roar

Could have said the same thing last year about all the rookies. We were fine. D is a bigger question this season, but it's not like they lit anything on fire last year.

That is a similar number to what we discussed on Shoutcast—after those players were recalled.
- John Jaeckel

About half way through listening, I plan to finish listening this afternoon. Great stuff so far, it's a stitch.

That makes a lot of sense. It may be shorter than 6 weeks because the Hawks play a lot of really good teams in the first month which should serve as a pretty good measuring stick of the young talent.
- hankscorpio

People on this site are going to freak if (when) the Hawks start slow because of many new (and maybe weak/inexperienced) dmen and a tough schedule. I do not think Bowman will panic or have a knee jerk reaction to losses. He takes a longer term view. The D may get better as the season progresses. He has a little cap space to work with at the TDL if he needs to add a rental 3/4 Dman or 2LW. His goal will be getting into the playoffs with a team trending up.

Bickell's emotional retirement!

https://twitter.com/nhlbl...status/915629757168943105

Could have said the same thing last year about all the rookies. We were fine. D is a bigger question this season, but it's not like they lit anything on fire last year.
- JRoenick97

Agree.

D is a huge question mark on the defensive side. Some of that weakness from the Dmen could be offset by their offensive skills. I like the more aggressive style Ulfie seems to be instituting on the D and PK.

I think the forwards 1 through 13 are better than last year. So a little more scoring from the forwards should also offset some of the D's weaknesses.

Other than the Canucks and Vegas the West is going to be a battle. There are going to be 5 pretty good Western Conference teams that do not make the playoffs.

People on this site are going to freak if (when) the Hawks start slow because of many new (and maybe weak/inexperienced) dmen and a tough schedule. I do not think Bowman will panic or have a knee jerk reaction to losses. He takes a longer term view. The D may get better as the season progresses. He has a little cap space to work with at the TDL if he needs to add a rental 3/4 Dman or 2LW. His goal will be getting into the playoffs with a team trending up.
- -Doh-

I think it will be interesting to watch them grow and fight for wins. Maybe it will keep them from coasting at the end of the year.

Too be honest, not even 100% sure how good Merrill is.

I know he has some experience with 200+ NHL games, where he was playing in a top 4 role in NJ (albeit on some bad teams) and early days played some good hockey for Univ. of Michigan to get himself drafted in the 2nd round.

He and Murphy will know each other from some US National teams, so there is some familiarity there.

Who knows though... just spittballin' over here. ha.


Hockey Futures says this about him, "Merrill is a solid two-way defender with outstanding poise and hockey smarts. He skates well, shows no fear in rushing the puck up the ice and can quarterback a power play with his great distribution skills and shot. Since he has not played a full season of hockey since his freshman campaign at Michigan, he is still a little raw. Still, he has risen to the occasion and makes his team better whenever he’s on the ice."
- TyCamScore

I believe that Merrill is solid and NJ is not foolish enough to trade him. Would you be willing to give a player of equal ability. Ok, now since Merrill plays the more valued position, the cost to acquire him goes up. Young proven defensemen are so valued! Is Merrill a capable first pair defenseman? I dk. Someone who watches a lot of NHL might have an idea. I know Wiz could answer that immediately. He knows the strength and weaknesses based in part from studying pre draft film. He can see how far Merrill has come.

Wonder what Sakic thinks about Merrill.

Late add: whomever suggests trades, I caution involving draft picks. Our core is older. We have traded some first round selections in advance of the draft. I am guessing that Bowman wants to have an opportunity to draft a top prospect, to add top prospects to the portfolio. Maybe he could draft a TT type but with more willingness to engage in physical contact.

I believe that Merrill is solid and NJ is not foolish enough to trade him. Would you be willing to give a player of equal ability. Ok, now since Merrill plays the more valued position, the cost to acquire him goes up. Young proven defensemen are so valued! Is Merrill a capable first pair defenseman? I dk. Someone who watches a lot of NHL might have an idea. I know Wiz could answer that immediately. He knows the strength and weaknesses based in part from studying pre draft film. He can see how far Merrill has come.

Wonder what Sakic thinks about Merrill.

Late add: whomever suggests trades, I caution involving draft picks. Our core is older. We have traded some first round selections in advance of the draft. I am guessing that Bowman wants to have an opportunity to draft a top prospect, to add top prospects to the portfolio. Maybe he could draft a TT type but with more willingness to engage in physical contact.
- jhawk59

Agree. If Bowman trades a 1st round pick it means two things.
1) The player he is getting back will elevate the Hawks to the point where next year's 1st round pick will be late in the 1st round (and therefore not that much better than a high 2nd round pick.)
2) The player he is getting stays at least 2/3 years and is young enough to play at a high level during that time.

People on this site are going to freak if (when) the Hawks start slow because of many new (and maybe weak/inexperienced) dmen and a tough schedule. I do not think Bowman will panic or have a knee jerk reaction to losses. He takes a longer term view. The D may get better as the season progresses. He has a little cap space to work with at the TDL if he needs to add a rental 3/4 Dman or 2LW. His goal will be getting into the playoffs with a team trending up.
- -Doh-

Very good analysis.

How soon until Bowman feels confidant with the Ruuta and Kempny. I guess Murphy is a season long project. It ultimately he will become better, make right plays, no bone head decisions. Samuelson is a good influence and teacher.

Toews more speed in his game, DeBrincat a force is some game, no Hossa. Hartman and Panik might contribute more points and the bottom lines are better

How well does this team handle the Pred's playoff checking and clogging. But perhaps most of all is, Toews and Keith bounce back. The top two lines not just Kane line, needs to be productive

Idk but I like those lines. Random side note did Toews drop some serious weight? He is listed on NHL.com as being 201lbs. I could have sworn he used to be listed between 210-215lbs in years past.
- bhawks2241

Looking at past rosters on hockey-reference, he's always been listed at 6'2" / 201 lbs.

I think 210-215 lbs. would be a lot for someone with his frame - not overly stocky.

https://www.hockeyfeed.co...s-on-international-flight

Snow is in the forecast all year round for Jiri Hudler
- EnzoD

"Have you any idea of the street value of this mountain is?"