Now that the Training Camp is quickly approaching I am going to write a 2-part blog with my predictions as to who will be on the roster for Opening Night. There are factors that have to be considered when trying to determine who will be able to crack the lineup or remain with the Hawks. My analysis will not only be based on my own estimations, but will include other likely events and situations that will be involved in the final lineup determination. I will cover my predictions for the defense today to be followed later on with the offense for the 2007-2008 campaign.


I will begin with the most important position on the defense and on the team as a whole the goalkeepers. I believe that the Hawks have one of the better tandems with Khabibulin and Lalime in all of the NHL. Should either be compared to Brodeur or Loungo or Kiprusoff..no, but together they should be a quality combination as to not hurt the Hawks chances for a winning campaign. I believe it is time for fans and the media to stop holding Khabby 6.75 million-dollar contract over his head. He is over paid but that is not his fault, and there always seems to be the Tampa Bay affect following him around. The Lightning GM has always tried to justify his decision to not resign Khabibulin after their Cup conquest. In reality he really he had no choice. Just how many 6-7 million dollar players can 1 team have, so I discount his comments about Nik’s drive etc. He has always put out the effort on and off the ice here. If anything his biggest shortcoming is trying to do too much, and I believe that will change a bit in the coming season. Maybe if he plays well enough the Hawks could deal him at this years Trade Deadline; most likely he will be a Hawk at least till the 09 Trade Deadline date.

I don't buy into the common thinking that Khabibulin has to return to his Stanley Cup form for the Hawks to have any chance at a winning season. In reality his 1st year here was sub par, but last year his performance in general was very good. His play dipped right after the Holiday's and so went any chance the Hawks had for redeeming their season. I believe Khabby has to be used differently at this point in his career, as he is now 34 years old. If he is played less, maybe for 50 games or so this year, I believe his overall performance will be better than last year. He also needs to have a season without injury as that has also plagued him in the last 2 years. The comparison to his Tampa Bay days should stop now, as this is a completely different situation. It is very difficult to play goalie on a team with an inexperienced defense, not to mention a poor offense and the worse Power Play in the League. Considering all that was just mentioned, Khabby’s performance last season was better then average.

Lalime played well in most of his starts last year, and should be better this year. He was coming off a serious injury and responded well in almost every outing. The Hawks may have their future goalie in Corey Crawford, I say may have. Trying to predict when and if a young goalie prospect will be ready for the NHL is not close to a science. Lalime will be here all year unless the Hawks feel Crawford has really progressed, in that case maybe he will be in Chicago for the 2nd half of this year. If that were to happen then Lalime could be dealt at the Deadline or before because he is on a 1 year contract. In my opinion Crawford will stay in Rockford unless there is an injury to the top pair in Chicago, and Lalime will probably finish out the season as a Hawk. It doesn’t make much sense to bring Crawford up now as long as Khabibulin is here. The youngster needs to play to progress and in Rockford he will get a full workload. The Hawks have many back-to-back games and Lalime will see a good amount of work as long as he does his part. The Hawks have more salary committed at the goalkeeping position then should be, and that will most likely remain the case for now. The focus should be in getting a solid performance throughout the season from both veteran net minders and using them both effectively. Savard will use them more wisely and if injuries can be avoided they both should be better then last year.

The biggest concern for many in this upcoming season is the Hawk defenders, and it is hard to argue with that thinking. The Hawks did add some NHL proven forwards, but have only brought in 1 veteran dman while trading 2 others this past summer. So the net effect could be an even younger Hawk defense than last year. That could spell trouble unless many of the young guys play older then their age. It is my optimistic view that Keith and Seabrook have played enough minutes already to have more experience then most 22 or 23-year-old NHL defensemen. They need to perform more consistently as they will be given a lot of minutes once again. I think that pair along with Wisniewski will be counted on heavily.

Lets take a look at the defenders with special consideration to the economics, including their salary plus contract term. Those 2 factors are discounted by many fans but are an integral part of the ultimate evaluation and decision-making process.


Duncan Keith

He is signed through 09-10 season and will make 1.4 million this year. He is probably one of the most athletic defenseman in hockey and also has incredible stamina. He really is an amazing player as his body structure is similar to 160 lb. High School wrestler. He is slightly built but still very strong on his skates. If he can become an offensive threat his career could soar. He is not a bone crusher crease clearer but plays with strong fundamental positioning which allows him to compete well against bigger players. He often uses his hands rather then his shoulders and body to slow down the opposition and because of his quickness and skating ability he is able to be very effective in most games. He will be a main part of the Hawks defense for the next few years.

Brent Seabrook

He has the size and strength to be the physical force the Hawks desperately need on the Blue Line. He played the last part of the year with a mean streak and has also assumed more of a leadership role on the team. He possess a fine shot from the point but as with Keith needs to be more effective in generating offensive points. I could see him being a future Captain as he handles himself well with the media also. He needs to bring a more physical game to the ice every game and has the tools to do just that. His contract is up at the end of the '08 season, and he will become a RFA. The Hawks will probably make him a generous long-term offer and retain his services. If Management does change their opinion as to his potential he could be dealt this sesaon. If the Hawks wanted they could easily trade Seabrook before the season is over, as many teams are in love with his potential. I would think that he is most likely to remain a Hawk well into the future. I think there is a very good chance of him signing a long-term deal to stay in Chicago during the upcoming season, unless his play falters.

James Wisniewski

He is the last part of the defensive trifecta who is most likely to get a lot of ice time. He is signed for only this season and if he can stay injury free he could be a Hawk for many years to come. He was very impressive last year and was given a lot of playing time. Although he is not huge he is strong and tough and can be a solid player in the NHL. The only real uncertainty concerning him is that he has had serious injuries to both knees, if he can avoid any more health issues the Hawks would be wise to sign him to long term contract also.


I believe Keith, Seabrook and Wisniewski stand above all other Hawk defenders, after those 3 things are sketchier. The real question for now is if any of them will become solid #1 or #2 NHL defenders. They are not there yet but Keith is 23, Seabrook only 22 and both are full of potential, as time will tell just how good they will become. Wisniewski at 23 has not had the NHL experience nor does he get the same media attention as Keith or Seabrook. In reality his play last year, although limited by not making the Club out of Camp and shortened because of injury, was very consistent, maybe the best of the three. He needs to stay healthy and also has to be a crease clearer as the Hawk defenders all need to be more physical.

Jim Vandermeer

He needs to bring the physicality of a couple of seasons ago with him this year. He is a team leader and is well liked by the Organization. He is now 27 and is a former Calder Cup Champion, and is coming off a serious injury also. All reports indicate he is 100% ready for the season opener, and he will be in a battle for ice time. Vandermeer can be a solid 4/5 defensemen for the Hawks, but he needs to go back to his old ways. He has to be able to hit and hit often, and also drop his gloves when need be. It is decision time for his career with Chicago, at 27 youth can’t be as much of a reason for inconsistent play. He can provide the toughness that is needed desperately, and that could be the reason he will stick around. If he doesn’t have a good camp or he plays the same as he did last season he could be playing elsewhere by year-end. I think he can also help settle things down on the Blue Line as he is older then most. I am hopeful that he can play the brand of hockey needed so that he is successful and can stay in Chicago. If not he will be traded before year-end most likely, as he is a UFA in 08-09.

Andrei Zyuzin

He is a former #2 overall pick in the 1996 Draft chosen by the Sharks. His play throughout his career has been spotty, and he hasn’t come close to living up to his high Draft status. He is now 29 and could be close to the cross roads of his NHL career as his contract runs through this season only. Unless injured or traded he will be with the Hawks on Opening Night. He is making 1.4 million and the Hawks most likely wouldn’t want to take the chance of him not clearing waivers to get nothing in return. He could be a 4/5 guy or be in the Press Box on most nights. If others out perform him in camp Tallon could use him as part of trade package although I am not sure what his value would be around the NHL.


Cam Barker

He is big and strong and has had an impressive amateur career. What he hasn’t done yet is to be very impressive in the NHL. He suffered an ankle injury in the 05-06 season and then missed all of last year’s Camp due to a determined break in the same foot. He never really got his game together judging by his stats in Rockford but was still brought up to the Hawks around midyear. He didn’t impress me with his play except for a few games and seemed to not be confident most of the time. He is only 21 and may have still suffered from the ankle injury and missing Training Camp. The Hawks view him as a physical force with offensive ability. He will be given a big chance to make the team in Camp, although I am of the belief that he may be headed to Rockford to start the year once again. There is no need to rush him if he is not ready, and if he can’t get significant ice time in Chicago it would better for his development to stay in the AHL at least for part of the year. His immediate destiny will also be determined by the play of others, so I don’t consider him a lock to make the Opening Night roster, but he very well could be here in October.

Jim Fahey

He was signed as s Free agent this summer. He was drafted in 1998 and has played in less then 100 NHL games. He will be used as insurance and he will be in Rockford to start the year.

Dustin Byfuglien

This guy is quite athletic for someone who is 6’3” and listed at 246 lbs. There was a time when that would have been his weight without both feet firmly on the scale. He has worked hard on physical conditioning and is just the total physical package the Hawks need. He is big, strong, skates well and has a big shot from the point. That is all the good news. Now for the not so good, he has been mistake prone and a defensive liability in most games. He also didn’t look very sharp in Prospect Camp when I watched him. He could have a huge upside if he can stop the defensive mistakes, but that is a lot to ask of some 22 year olds. He will be given a big shot to make the Club, but he won’t make the lineup as a #7 defensemen. It makes little sense to me to keep the younger players up unless they can get enough ice time to benefit from the experience. So unless he has a great Camp and grades out as 1 of the top 6 defenders he could be in Rockford for Opening night.

Danny Richmond

He has a giant heart, has good vision and also skates well. I believe he would benefit from more AHL experience. He has signed a 1-year contract and could be used in a trade if the Hawks like the others better. He is also a defensive liability in many games and just needs to gain more experience. He could be an NHL defenseman but it may not be with the Hawks as he could get caught in a numbers game.

Magnus Johansson

He is now 34 years old and will either be in Chicago on Opening night or back in Sweden, I believe. He is highly regarded by Tallon and will be given a big chance to make the squad, and if he doesn’t I can’t seeing him spending much time in Rockford at his age. I have no opinion of his ability because I have not watched him in international play. I think that the Hawks would not sign a defenseman who hasn’t played in the NHL and is well into his 30’s unless they thought he would make the team. I think Johansson will be in Chicago come October, the only question will be how much will he play. Maybe he will be a very pleasant surprise and be a top 4 defender, or possibly he could be #7, time will tell.

Niklas Hjalmarsson

This player is only 20 years old and is 6’3” and 196lbs. He chose to play here this season after impressing the Coaching Staff in Prospect Camp. They are overjoyed that he has chosen to come to the States for this year and they feel he has NHL talent. He has gotten high marks from Rick Dudley who said he could play on the Big Club as early as this coming season. He will most likely start the year in Rockford but I wouldn’t bet that he would finish there.

Out of the 11 players reviewed only Keith, Seabrook, and Wisniewski are the only certainties to be in the Hawk lineup for Opening Night. Due to contract considerations Vandermeer, Syuzin will be here unless traded. Johansson I feel will most likely make the Club so that covers 6 spots. It will be a battle for that 7th slot, and realistically the younger guys won’t stay here and sit in the Press Box.

So Keith, Seabrook,Wisniewski, Vandermeer, Johansson will be here in my estimation to start the season. Zyuzin will also be here as the #7 defensemen and then it is up for grabs. I think the final spot could go to Byfuglien but that is mostly dependent upon Barker’s ankle. If Barker is 100% healthy he will probably start the year in Chicago and Buff will go back to the AHL to sharpen his defensive skills.


Who ever does make the team will have their work cut out for them, as everyone needs to step up and be better. The Hawks need to make the opposition reluctant to go into the corners and stand in the crease. Physicality is paramount, as too much space has been given to opponents. I can’t remember a winning Hawk team that was not also physically tough.

The Hawks were in the middle of the pack for GAA before Kukkonen was traded and Vandermeer and Wisniewski went down with season ending injuries. Would they have finished in the middle of the pack if those players were still able to perform? Realistically the air went out of the balloon here before most had their Christmas Trees down. So I would say that the defense with them here would not have been ranked between 14 and 16 in the League by season end. The rigor of a long season would have worked against this young group and their play as a unit would have suffered by year-end anyway. Too many shots against and constant pressure can take its toll.

I am happy to hear that Savard wants to play a puck possession type of system. That is exactly what I would try to do for a number of reasons. The caveat is always that the players have to be able to perform in the way the Coach preaches. To play a Detroit like possession game everyone has to be on the same page, and there can be no passengers; everyone has to fulfill their responsibilities. This will be very to tough to achieve with so many new players, and so many youngsters. It is the right direction as that will result in much better defense. When the Hawks control the puck the other team can’t score. It should also lead to less shots against and more offensive chances to score. Conceptually that is what needs to happen and can lead to a much improved team defensive performance.

In truth the Hawks need to determine who is their top 2 defensive pairing, and then need to find someone who can hit the net from the Point on the PP. Keith had 31 points leading the defensemen in scoring, that total has to improve. He actually was the only defensive player with close to 30 points and that has to improve also. I believe the NHL proven forwards that the Hawks acquired will help Savard to find the right combinations that can take some of the pressure off Khabibulin and the entire defense. I say this often, players have to be put in a position to succeed. The group of defensive players that I have highlighted all has to be evaluated properly so that they can play in the right situations to maximize their abilities.

As always when referring to the 07-08 Hawks there are many questions that have to be answered. One can think optimistically and presume everyone will improve; realistically it is still a question as to who will be given the right opportunity to succeed. Ultimately the improvement will happen only if the players and coaches are capable.

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