The Hawks are again the best team in the NHL top to bottom on paper.

They again have the most balanced blue line in hockey.

They clearly have capable goaltending.

Detroit got better but is in the other division and that could be an amazing Stanley Cup... Can you imagine that one... Wow.

Vancouver --- Will be an even bigger sh!t show this year
San Jose --- Same team and a year older
LA --- Same team, out a capable back up with a guy who has had major back surgery and an old decrepit blue line
STL --- Said it last year, beyond overrated then, still overrated and not good enough now
Anaheim --- Lost one of their top players and still have no depth
Colorado still has no D though they should be entertaining on and off the ice.

Really no one in the West has gotten significantly better, most of the top teams have/will regress more than the Hawks and I cannot think of a compelling reason --- aside from "Cup hangover" --- as to why the Hawks wont be in the finals again.
- fattybeef

JJ- Reading Garth's blog about UFAs not getting love and remaining UFAs having to try out or sit out, do you think Grabovski, and a couple of role players get an invite to training camp on a tryout basis?

Not sure if it was posted but:

@TPSportsMgmt

"Adam Henry of the Lethbridge Hurricanes invited to Chicago Black Hawks Rookie Camp and Tournament"

Those teams would be Deep as hell and I guess you can say stacked as far as talent around the league, but how many future Hall-of-Famers would the Hawks have with that team? I get the previous points about salary cap limitations, but just curious. I know it is still early in a lot of people's careers to even think about it. I think we can agree Toews has a good chance and Hossa. What about Kane and Keith? Maybe even Buff if he could have stayed up front with that 2010 team intact
- tomcat24

I kind of believe dynasties make Hall of Fame careers more than HOF players make dynasties. You keep the 10 team together like the Wings and Oilers and you might see a Buff or Ladd make it.

Would Esa Tikkanen or Glen Anderson have made it playing for the Blues or Leafs?

Does anyone know if the Olympic hockey will be played on Olympic size rinks this year?
I know the last Olympics was not played on Olympic size rinks and I think olymic size rinks results in less hitting and therefor less wear on the hawks players participating

JJ this is a really interesting blog nice job

Lastly with the added maturity of Kane I am expecting even more from him this year plus he now finally has someone on his line to protect him and Toews in Bickell
- molly2522

Yes, it will.

JJ- Reading Garth's blog about UFAs not getting love and remaining UFAs having to try out or sit out, do you think Grabovski, and a couple of role players get an invite to training camp on a tryout basis?
- ikeane

Grabovski will sign somewhere. Wish he would take a cut to showcase himself for a year with the Hawks. I wonder if his post buyout rant and locker room reputation is keeping him unsigned?

I'd love his speed on the Hawks as Frolik and Stals brought that element and it will not be replaced by Pirri, Smith or Morin.

I really doubt he is the locker room cancer some say and doubt any attitude would overcome the leadership the Hawks have on the roster now. Emery was supposedly a problem child before coming to the Hawks as well.

Doubt it will happen but it would be nice. Some of these UFAs like Hainsey and Grabs should bite the bullet for a year and look at big bucks when the cap jumps next year.

I kind of believe dynasties make Hall of Fame careers more than HOF players make dynasties. You keep the 10 team together like the Wings and Oilers and you might see a Buff or Ladd make it.

Would Esa Tikkanen or Glen Anderson have made it playing for the Blues or Leafs?
- tredbrta

You have a good point. Also stats make up a huge part of getting in. Definitely helped playing with Gretz and Messier.

JJ- Reading Garth's blog about UFAs not getting love and remaining UFAs having to try out or sit out, do you think Grabovski, and a couple of role players get an invite to training camp on a tryout basis?
- ikeane

Almost 100 percent sure that Grabovski signed with KHL last week. Which I expect most to do rather than try out or sit out. Or go the Lalonde route

Almost 100 percent sure that Grabovski signed with KHL last week. Which I expect most to do rather than try out or sit out. Or go the Lalonde route
- vabeachbear

I haven't seen or heard anything pertaining to Grabovski officially signing in the KHL. There have been rumors, but nothing official as of yet.

God Dam, JJ, lots of kool aid flowing here., not a drastic re stock from last season, but the ARE some holes to fill. I doubt they'll be a re peat this season, 82, not 48 to be played, basically a 60 day rest ahead of a 10 month grind!
and you're counting on guys like hayes, smith, pirri & morin to get us to the promised land? my dark horse is Morin, only because of his size & the type of game he plays. he could be a suprise like Saad was last season.
I'll be keeping a close eye on when Brandon Pirri starts making his public appearances at the Local Ace Hardware stores & Denny's restaurants back in Rockford once SB sees for himself that this kid is only an AHL player.
JMO , you need a big thick phuck like 1 of the Staal's ideally to fill that #2 center. I say it will be done by committee, (Handzus, Winchester,Kruger ect....) until either Mcneil or Danault are ready.

God Dam, JJ, lots of kool aid flowing here., not a drastic re stock from last season, but the ARE some holes to fill. I doubt they'll be a re peat this season, 82, not 48 to be played, basically a 60 day rest ahead of a 10 month grind!
and you're counting on guys like hayes, smith, pirri & morin to get us to the promised land? my dark horse is Morin, only because of his size & the type of game he plays. he could be a suprise like Saad was last season.
I'll be keeping a close eye on when Brandon Pirri starts making his public appearances at the Local Ace Hardware stores & Denny's restaurants back in Rockford once SB sees for himself that this kid is only an AHL player.
JMO , you need a big thick phuck like 1 of the Staal's ideally to fill that #2 center. I say it will be done by committee, (Handzus, Winchester,Kruger ect....) until either Mcneil or Danault are ready.
- wonthecup10

Winchester??? If we see Winchester anywhere near the top 6 you know we're in deep, deeeeep trouble.

You say we need somebody who is "thick" and that Pirri is not that, but two of the guys you mentioned are about the same size (Kruger and Danault).

I think the 2C role will realistically come down to Pirri, Saad or Kruger (with LBlanc as the dark horse).

Winchester??? If we see Winchester anywhere near the top 6 you know we're in deep, deeeeep trouble.

You say we need somebody who is "thick" and that Pirri is not that, but two of the guys you mentioned are about the same size (Kruger and Danault).

I think the 2C role will realistically come down to Pirri, Saad or Kruger (with LBlanc as the dark horse).
- DarthKane

winchester/handzus are stop gap very very temporary measures, do we not have at least 1 dam center coming up that is at least 6'2 215 or so?
not to encouraging to reas about the Hayes's boys chances to amount to anything either according to French's blog. I hope I am totally wrong about Pirri. I don't follow it as closes as most when it comes to prospects. I mostly follow them once they arrive with the big club. that is where I send my $$$ for season tix every year! not interested too much in 2-3 years down the road. kind of like "show me now". I guess this run in the last 5 years has spoiled me. season tix since 72-73 so we've sat thru alot of bull sh at also. I think cup in 15 or 16, this year a step back year.
Here it comes : CC wil bolt for big money, Roberto Luongo will get bought out next year & sign here & win a cup to stick it to the Canucks & Gillis!

I haven't seen or heard anything pertaining to Grabovski officially signing in the KHL. There have been rumors, but nothing official as of yet.
- EKolb13

Looks like you are right. I swear I heard on NHL radio last week an announcement of him signing with a KHL team. It must have been a rumor. Sorry bout that.

winchester/handzus are stop gap very very temporary measures, do we not have at least 1 dam center coming up that is at least 6'2 215 or so?
not to encouraging to reas about the Hayes's boys chances to amount to anything either according to French's blog. I hope I am totally wrong about Pirri. I don't follow it as closes as most when it comes to prospects. I mostly follow them once they arrive with the big club. that is where I send my $$$ for season tix every year! not interested too much in 2-3 years down the road. kind of like "show me now". I guess this run in the last 5 years has spoiled me. season tix since 72-73 so we've sat thru alot of bull sh at also. I think cup in 15 or 16, this year a step back year.
Here it comes : CC wil bolt for big money, Roberto Luongo will get bought out next year & sign here & win a cup to stick it to the Canucks & Gillis!
- wonthecup10

Winchester is a 13th forward/4th line guy at best. He's not an option for the #2 center spot at all. That's not going to happen. Put that idea to rest. I could see Q leaning on Handzus to slot into the #2 center position for a length of time.

Also, Luongo isn't getting bought out. That isn't happening either. If Vancouver's ownership were going to eat that contract, they would have kept Schneider and bought out Luongo this summer. It looks like the ship has sailed on that idea, and Luongo will be a Canuck for the long haul.

Because I don't like being called delusional for posing a plausible what if argument. That's why.

Why not take a shot when you really legitmately have one to take?

- John Jaeckel

i like that response, awesome.

Actually a good list.

Let's all bear in mind, Crawford doesn't have to be great behind this defense. Just consistent. To me, the key is Khabibulin, how healthy he is and how regularly he can play. The 1A/1B system was good for both Emery AND Crawford last year. Not unlike the rotation in Montreal that helped Huet so much from 2003-2006. Less pressure, more rest. Also agree on Brouwer. His 48 game goal total projected out to 32 for an 82 game season. That's a huge year for him. He wil get his usual 20 goals/200 hits this year regardless.
- John Jaeckel

every bit of rest everyone can get this year is going to be huge.

winchester/handzus are stop gap very very temporary measures, do we not have at least 1 dam center coming up that is at least 6'2 215 or so?
not to encouraging to reas about the Hayes's boys chances to amount to anything either according to French's blog. I hope I am totally wrong about Pirri. I don't follow it as closes as most when it comes to prospects. I mostly follow them once they arrive with the big club. that is where I send my $$$ for season tix every year! not interested too much in 2-3 years down the road. kind of like "show me now". I guess this run in the last 5 years has spoiled me. season tix since 72-73 so we've sat thru alot of bull sh at also. I think cup in 15 or 16, this year a step back year.
Here it comes : CC wil bolt for big money, Roberto Luongo will get bought out next year & sign here & win a cup to stick it to the Canucks & Gillis!
- wonthecup10

- Beaver-Warrior

- EKolb13

With the Q at the helm it's almost pointless to worry about the makeup of the lines. He who starts the game at 2C may not even finish the 1st period at 2C...

With the Q at the helm it's almost pointless to worry about the makeup of the lines. He who starts the game at 2C may not even finish the 1st period at 2C...
- Beaver-Warrior

It's probably a good thing they won't let him switched dressed players with healthy scratches during games.

With the Q at the helm it's almost pointless to worry about the makeup of the lines. He who starts the game at 2C may not even finish the 1st period at 2C...
- Beaver-Warrior

Indeed.

I willing to bet whoever starts the season as the 2nd line center certainly will not finish the season there.

What's the point in comparing teams from the 80s to teams from today? The game has completely changed and the definitions for everything has changed. It's a pointless argument and it seems like you're just trying to take away from the Blackhawks accomplishments in 2013 and potential for 2013/2014.

The Blackhawks were the better team in 2013, but I don't take away anything from the Bruins, they were great too. If you want to argue that the Blackhawks aren't as good as some people are saying that's fine, but saying things like "the team isn't stacked like teams from the 80s" or blaming injuries then you don't make yourself look good and your argument is weak.
- DarthKane

Sorry, but I think you mean that his argument is Week.

Sorry, but I think you mean that his argument is Week.
- AusBlackhawks

JJ- Reading Garth's blog about UFAs not getting love and remaining UFAs having to try out or sit out, do you think Grabovski, and a couple of role players get an invite to training camp on a tryout basis?
- ikeane

No, I mean would the Hawks invite him? Sure, I guess, but he is going to get a fair amount of $ somewhere and more than the Hawks can afford. So it's all moot.

I just started watching the final game AGAIN!

Every time I take back a bit more of the reality of the series...all the warriors, big plays, and closeness of this game and the entire series.
loved how from the first shift on, Shaw managed to disrupt, looking for victims under the guise of the puck.
And how simply every one on the hawks played like this may be the last game / time the ever might get there and just kept going hard.

injuries are a great part of repeating and all the little bounces too.

I think they can repeat, but so many factors are in play the biggest being there are plenty of good teams and EVERY GAME next season will be against teams looking to beat the champs.

I hope the Crawford at 5.3 mil long term works out.
I think Jimmy Howard is an excellent contract to hold up as comparable and the least a NHL starter takes without feeling insulted or wanting to move on.

After that I sew the defender Hammer up, and look to the farm to supply the depth and expect the vets to play at the same levels of excellence all around....