Even though hossa played with toews and saad most of the year, I still like saad-Toews-kane. Also, I really like playoff bolland and expect him to come back and have a great playoffs, but I would keep Zus with stals and Bickell. So: Saad-Toews-Kane, Sharp-Kruger-hossa, Bick-zus-Stal, and Frolik-Bolland-shaw

Well I'm hardly "JJ or Al" but I'll take a swing at your questions.

First off, Bollig won't be sent down likely and will be a black ace type along with several from Rockford. I'm thinking Montador, Ben Smith, Olsen, Morin, Hayes, Pirri has a slim chance, maybe Olesz and Stanton. Bollig is up there on that list if he's not already on the roster due to health concerns.

Jesus and the Cap'n will stick together. No reason to break em up. If Bolland is injured one of Zus, Kruger or Shaw could center that 3rd line. If everyone is healthy:

20-19-81
10/67/13/16-10/16-88
29-36-25
65/13-26-67/16
22 52

2-7
27-4
32-8
17

50/30

The second line looks like a jumbled mess because it would depend whether Sharp slots in at LW or C as that changes the lines quite a bit. If he's at center I'd take one of Frolik, Carcillo and potentially Kruger at that LW spot.

If he goes to LW, Kruger is my first choice to center that second line. Then Carcillo either gets bumped to the fourth line or scratched. Mayers, Bollig and Brookbank are shoo-ins for the pressbox with the other "black aces."

Hope that makes some sense anyway.
- prd797

My take is Bolland goes back to the 3rd line center and Sharp plays 2nd line center, but Q. has options.

If everyone is healthy Shaw/Kruger will stay in the lineup but be used as 3rd/4th line players most likely as wingers.

Handzus stays in and centers the 4th line.

All three mentioned will be part of the PK I would think...

I think Carcillo and Bollig will have a tough time finding ice time.

Hawks Clinch and Should Aim for Presidents' Trophy::http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih

I know. It's perplexing to think that the toughness the Hawks need for the playoffs will be on the outside looking in.
- robhawks

Tough to give up Fro's PK time, but if Q wants more red ass, maybe Fro sits and either Bollig or Carbomb gets some starts? I can't see anyone else sitting if healthy.

Sadd Toews Hossa
Sharp Krugman Kane
Stalberg Bolland Bickell
Shaw Hanzdus Frolik
Carcillo Bollig
- Ogilthorpe2

That is one dinky 2nd line...
Playoff hockey- I could definitely see Zeus playing 2nd C spot. Would be nice to win some draws in our zone with Kane on the ice. Not to mention his size.

Tough to give up Fro's PK time, but if Q wants more red ass, maybe Fro sits and either Bollig or Carbomb gets some starts? I can't see anyone else sitting if healthy.
- Ogilthorpe2

Man Ogi, you read my mind or something????

Even though hossa played with toews and saad most of the year, I still like saad-Toews-kane. Also, I really like playoff bolland and expect him to come back and have a great playoffs, but I would keep Zus with stals and Bickell. So: Saad-Toews-Kane, Sharp-Kruger-hossa, Bick-zus-Stal, and Frolik-Bolland-shaw
- tomcat24

I wish Q would have given Bolland some 2C shifts with Hossa. Bolland's best flashes of offensive potential the last 2 years came while playing with Hossa. They seemed to have some good chemistry. Unfortunately, it appears that train has sailed.

I wish Q would have given Bolland some 2C shifts with Hossa. Bolland's best flashes of offensive potential the last 2 years came while playing with Hossa. They seemed to have some good chemistry. Unfortunately, it appears that train has sailed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Likely will never happen again, like you said. Not if Q has his way in that regard anyway.

Also,

Harvey is there for every game...

Hawks Clinch and Should Aim for Presidents' Trophy::http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih
- Al

So I must ask: WTF? Why would they not use him? Is the guy who filled in McDonough's kin folk?

I don't think the Secord or Hossa comparisons are accurate..And quite frankly I don't like them...But...I give the kid props for coming into the NHL and not crappin his pants...he did have a slow start, but he has been pretty good for the last month and a half, and credit to Q and the coaching staff for keeping him on the top line when he wasn't producing, obviously the winning streak also had something to do with that too...What I like about him, is his game has evolved from the beginning of the season, for a while there he was a black hole whenever he got the puck, now he knows how to keep a cycle going and has made quite a few nice passes
- captainserious

+1 on evolution of his game

That is AWESOME. Thanks for the link.

Update: ESPN ran a nice story on that with more video and the full story of his health battle.

http://espn.go.com/colleg...ing-game-college-football
- Hemingways

Really cool ESPN look too...thanks for that link

My take is Boland goes back to the 3rd line center and Sharp plays 2nd line center, but Q. has options.

If everyone is healthy Shaw/Kruger will stay in the lineup but be used as 3rd/4th line players most likely as wingers.

Handzus stays in and centers the 4th line.

All three mentioned will be part of the PK I would think...

I think Carcillo and Bollig will have a tough time finding ice time.

Hawks Clinch and Should Aim for Presidents' Trophy::http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih
- Al

13/10/88 should be TRIED at some point

My take is Boland goes back to the 3rd line center and Sharp plays 2nd line center, but Q. has options.

If everyone is healthy Shaw/Kruger will stay in the lineup but be used as 3rd/4th line players most likely as wingers.

Handzus stays in and centers the 4th line.

All three mentioned will be part of the PK I would think...

I think Carcillo and Bollig will have a tough time finding ice time.

Hawks Clinch and Should Aim for Presidents' Trophy::http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih
- Al

I think Q meant it when he said a week or 2 ago that the team needs more out of Bolland. I also think he knows Bolland couldn't hack a gruelling post season with as many as 28 games.

Also think one of Carcillo or Bollig stays in the lineup every night during the playoffs. Call it "protection" against rude behaviour by guys like Joe Thornton, Shane Doan, Kevin Bieksa, Jordan Tootoo, Barrett Jackman etc.

I wish Q would have given Bolland some 2C shifts with Hossa. Bolland's best flashes of offensive potential the last 2 years came while playing with Hossa. They seemed to have some good chemistry. Unfortunately, it appears that train has sailed.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yeah bolland and hossa did have chemistry in the past. What I like best about this years team, like the Cup team, it seems you can play anyone on any line and not miss a beat. Well that would be the ideal situation. Not sure if this team is there, yet. But close

Adam Clendening
I saw this on twitter from NHL Young Guns Daily:
@YoungGunsDaily: PROSPECT 37: A. Clendening, D. #Hawks – PP Quarterback skates extremely well & makes dazzling plays, Joins the rush, Several bad turnovers…

I was wondering if anyone thinks he has a shot at making the hawks lineup next season? I saw some highlights and he looks like he could become an elite offensive defenseman...

So I must ask: WTF? Why would they not use him? Is the guy who filled in McDonough's kin folk?
- Baaaaaaannerman!

Gene Honda does the game PA.

Hawks Clinch and Should Aim for Presidents' Trophy::http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih

I think Q meant it when he said a week or 2 ago that the team needs more out of Bolland. I also think he knows Bolland couldn't hack a gruelling post season with as many as 28 games.

Also think one of Carcillo or Bollig stays in the lineup every night during the playoffs. Call it "protection" against rude behaviour by guys like Joe Thornton, Shane Doan, Kevin Bieksa, Jordan Tootoo, Barrett Jackman etc.
- RickJ

I would be surprsed if either plays half the time...


Hawks Clinch and Should Aim for Presidents' Trophy::http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih

Adam Clendening
I saw this on twitter from NHL Young Guns Daily:
@YoungGunsDaily: PROSPECT 37: A. Clendening, D. #Hawks – PP Quarterback skates extremely well & makes dazzling plays, Joins the rush, Several bad turnovers…

I was wondering if anyone thinks he has a shot at making the hawks lineup next season? I saw some highlights and he looks like he could become an elite offensive defenseman...
- panthers92

I think he has the stuff to make the big league. He doesn't skate nearly as fast as Leddy, but he's a little more physical then Leddy. He's also a righty shot and doesn't look out of place at the point with that shot.

As to Clendening making the team next season, I have my doubts about that. It all depends on how quick he develops versus how fast the organization wants to move him along. My guess is he spends another season in the AHL. As to being an "elite talent" or not, that is still up in the air.

Adam Clendening
I saw this on twitter from NHL Young Guns Daily:
@YoungGunsDaily: PROSPECT 37: A. Clendening, D. #Hawks – PP Quarterback skates extremely well & makes dazzling plays, Joins the rush, Several bad turnovers…

I was wondering if anyone thinks he has a shot at making the hawks lineup next season? I saw some highlights and he looks like he could become an elite offensive defenseman...
- panthers92

Maybe not next year, but I think he's definitely on the right track.

Gene Honda does the game PA.

Hawks Clinch and Should Aim for Presidents' Trophy::http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih
- Al

I know. I meant yesterday when Honda was out. They used to have Harvey fill in but I don't remember him filling in the last couple of years. Yesterday it was neither Gene Honda nor Harvey Wittenberg. That's why I asked. Thanks.

That is one dinky 2nd line...
Playoff hockey- I could definitely see Zeus playing 2nd C spot. Would be nice to win some draws in our zone with Kane on the ice. Not to mention his size.
- ilinkhawk

Read my mind, and don't think he and Hossa don't have a fairly high comfort level together. So something like:

20-19-88
10-26-81
29-36-25
67-16-65

This.

If Stalberg pulls his annual playoff choke then he can swap spots with Shaw or Frolik.
- DarthKane

He has an annual play off choke?

PROPS to the University of Nebraska for THIS

http://www.break.com/inde...-in-nebraska-game-2431144
- philco28

Go Big Red!

He has an annual play off choke?
- UnnamedSource

Indeed he does. 13 games in the past 2 playoffs with 1 goal scored. I certainly hope he does better this season, but that past couple years haven't been that good.

I know. I meant yesterday when Honda was out. They used to have Harvey fill in but I don't remember him filling in the last couple of years. Yesterday it was neither Gene Honda nor Harvey Wittenberg. That's why I asked. Thanks.
- Baaaaaaannerman!

Whe Honda has been out Harvey deosn't take over...Maybe only a couple times in the last 2-3 years.

He is the press box announcer.

They have used different guys to fill in...The current fill in I haven't heard before this season.

Hawks Clinch and Should Aim for Presidents' Trophy::http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih

Read my mind, and don't think he and Hossa don't have a fairly high comfort level together. So something like:

20-19-88
10-26-81
29-36-25
67-16-65
- John Jaeckel

I think Stalberg/Shaw/Kruger get a 2nd line shot before Handzus.

When Q. starts to use #10 in practice at center he has a plan in mind.

As odd as it is Shap doesn't play much center during the year but then finds his way there in the playoffs.

Hawks Clinch and Should Aim for Presidents' Trophy::http://bit.ly/Y8e9Ih