Why does everyone have baun penciled in. He didn't look bad but only played because he had a clause like carey the year before we're he had to play. I also hope we get Wilson in a trade. We know the top six my bottom six would be
Dejsardans - kruger - shaw
Mashinter/wilson someone tough besides nordstrom then danault- and what ever rookie plays the best baun Hartman McNeil or versteeg
- vandymeer23

I don't necessarily believe that anyone has Baun "penciled in." Rather, he's being "plugged in" to give a rough idea of where everyone is trying to gauge what fits under the cap.

As for Mashinter, I don't believe he's got enough to make the team over the likes of a Hartman, McNeill, Ross, or whatever prospect you want to plug in.

I don't necessarily believe that anyone has Baun "penciled in." Rather, he's being "plugged in" to give a rough idea of where everyone is trying to gauge what fits under the cap.

As for Mashinter, I don't believe he's got enough to make the team over the likes of a Hartman, McNeill, Ross, or whatever prospect you want to plug in.
- EKolb13

Really like Hartman. Would be a really nice hammer on the 3/4 lines.

Really like Hartman. Would be a really nice hammer on the 3/4 lines.
- z1990z

I do too. He'll be up in Chicago...someday soon. It's hard to say how a lot of pieces fit right now. I believe we all will have a little clearer picture after the draft next week.

Danault and Johns are the only two in Rockford I'd be willing to bet money on making the big club next season. After those two, it's kind of a crap shoot right now.

Look... I know nothing about Panarin, but I think it's tough to expect a guy coming over from the KHL to be able to slot into the top 6 right away, let alone top line. You're right, he did outscore Kovalchuck, by 1 goal. I'm just trying to pick people's brains to figure out why they think he can jump into this role right away. IMO, experience in the KHL doesn't translate over to enough experince to me. I'm excited for him though, another young guy who has this potential is great, given the cap hell we're falling into. Just don't want to get my hopes up.
- HawksHype

Don't have expectations, let him come in and earn whatever spot he lands in. TT was slow to earn a spot but there the kid is on the ice in the last minute of a cup clinching game.

On a Toews lead and Q coached team you can be sure nothing is given and everything is earned.

There is no doubt Penarin's skills add a lot to a team. He's very intriguing and has success against men is what a fan needs to know.

I do too. He'll be up in Chicago...someday soon. It's hard to say how a lot of pieces fit right now. I believe we all will have a little clearer picture after the draft next week.

Danault and Johns are the only two in Rockford I'd be willing to bet money on making the big club next season. After those two, it's kind of a crap shoot right now.
- EKolb13

So what is up with McNeil? Is he still hurt? Did his play fall off? Keep seeing these other guys coming up, but not him.

Don't have expectations, let him come in and earn whatever spot he lands in. TT was slow to earn a spot but there the kid is on the ice in the last minute of a cup clinching game.

On a Toews lead and Q coached team you can be sure nothing is given and everything is earned.

There is no doubt Penarin's skills add a lot to a team. He's very intriguing and has success against men is what a fan needs to know.
- Mr Ricochet

I don't necessarily believe that anyone has Baun "penciled in." Rather, he's being "plugged in" to give a rough idea of where everyone is trying to gauge what fits under the cap.

As for Mashinter, I don't believe he's got enough to make the team over the likes of a Hartman, McNeill, Ross, or whatever prospect you want to plug in.
- EKolb13

He had a good year in rockford and played some special teams I could see him as the 12th 13th forward. He would have made the team this year if he didn't get hurt then carcillo took his spot.

He had a good year in rockford and played some special teams I could see him as the 12th 13th forward. He would have made the team this year if he didn't get hurt then carcillo took his spot.
- vandymeer23

And Q talked about him alot at the end of the regular season.

So what is up with McNeil? Is he still hurt? Did his play fall off? Keep seeing these other guys coming up, but not him.
- z1990z

McNeill had a leg injury during the circus trip last Fall when everyone else from Rockford got a look. He was hot before the injury. He was hit and miss for a while after coming back.

During the AHL playoffs he sustained a bit of an injury and missed part of a game. I suspect that that might be a reason as to why he might have not been part of the black aces.

At any rate, he's going to have to fight for a roster spot like the rest of them in the system.

He had a good year in rockford and played some special teams I could see him as the 12th 13th forward. He would have made the team this year if he didn't get hurt then carcillo took his spot.
- vandymeer23

His skating and attention span are glaring problems. At least that's what I see from the stands in Rockford.

I don't see him as much more than organizational depth at this point. Especially with the likes of Hartman, McNeill, Baun, Ross, and a few others who are also in the mix.

Hell, he'll pay us to stay here. How about that?
- SimpleJack

I believe

Look... I know nothing about Panarin, but I think it's tough to expect a guy coming over from the KHL to be able to slot into the top 6 right away, let alone top line. You're right, he did outscore Kovalchuck, by 1 goal. I'm just trying to pick people's brains to figure out why they think he can jump into this role right away. IMO, experience in the KHL doesn't translate over to enough experince to me. I'm excited for him though, another young guy who has this potential is great, given the cap hell we're falling into. Just don't want to get my hopes up.
- HawksHype

There is no guarantee. However, Q recently said he is excited to see what Panarin and Baun can do. Another recent report said Barry Smith, Scotty's right-hand man, was the guy that got Panarin. Last but not least, reportedly Igor Larionov, as in one of the Russian Five that played for Scotty in Det, is Panarin's agent. The intel appears to be solid. BTW - Panarin had on more goal and six more assists than Kovie

So between what you and mrpaulish describe, it sounds a lot like a Saad-like player. Correct in that statement?
- HawksHype

Panarin strikes me as more of a Kucherov type player in terms of style. He can snipe.

I selected a few of the many points offered for a response...

-Why are Raffi Torres and Matt Cooke still allowed to play in the NHL? Who pays money to watch these scumbags play? And do people actually pay money to watch Corey Perry cross check Hossa in the kidneys? As long as the WWF crap (mind you, this crap is real, unlike the WWF) stays in the game at the expense of watching speed and skill, it's just not going to sell with as many people as they want.
-I don't envy the job of the officials on the ice. They are on the ice for all 60 minutes. The amount of real estate they have to cover is staggering.
-I agree that the desire to keep the penalties called somewhat even is a problem. A team that commits more penalties will take advantage of this arrangement, knowing they won't call everything. Think back to the 1994 Knicks and how they ran roughshod over opponents because they knew the refs wouldn't call every single infraction. It's the same thing here.
-Being from Phoenix originally, I can tell you that the biggest mistake the Coyotes made was setting up shop in Glendale. It is a logistical nightmare, as a lot of the wealth of the area is concentrated far, far away from there. It's one thing to go out there for eight Sundays a year to watch football, but it's entirely another thing to go out there for 41 regular season games on various nights of the week.
- 333inthe3rd

>The NHL needs to find the right balance between the physicality and clutch & grab of "football on skates" with the no-touch, no-hold style of All-Star games
>Al said it earlier: Flow is what makes and keeps the game exciting -- the creation of scoring chances and odd-man breaks brings people out of their seats
>Flow should be the #1 priority of the on-ice ref crew
>When Bettman went to the 2-ref system, the number of qualified refs did not instantly double (I believe the AHL is so short of qualified refs, some games this year had to be reffed by one ref)
>It wasn't that many years ago that Scotty Bowman and Chris Chelios both voiced concern about all the sagging of the defending team around their net -- eliminating the ability for the offensive team to create plays and keep the on-ice action exciting
>Nice intel on the Coyotes -- my point was that growth in amateur hockey playing does not guarantee NHL attendance growth -- but it sounds like the location was the killer in this case

Panarin strikes me as more of a Kucherov type player in terms of style. He can snipe.
- MartiniMan

Watching the WHC he looks like he has an edge to him. He isn't afraid to go to the money areas. We are going to have to hope it translate to the NHL game. I think it will eventually.

Sweet dreams boys .


Each day the picture shall get clearer .

No one has anyone pencilled in

What we have pencilled in is Entry Level Contract guys and about 4 or 5 them

Exciting and scary all at the same time

One more thing ....



Tom Wilson

Goalie pads are atupid huge. Their jerseys too. Thats the #1 thing that needs to be addressed is the goalie pad extreme size
- mrpaulish

As a goalie, shhhhhhhhh!

One more thing ....



Tom Wilson
- mrpaulish

Sharp is a winner though
- eagle50

While Kesler is a whiner

I don't see things as dire as others

Quite happy to see Sharp Bickel Vermette down the road.
Adult will be missed but his career is on the back 9
As I see it we need to replace a line with EL contracts and a couple of DMan
We have Panerin coming in
Maybe Riley from the NCAA

Toews Saad Hossa
TT Kane Richards
Panerin McNeil Baun
Kruger Shaw Desjardins

Hammer
Keith
Seabrook
Riley
TVR
John's

Crawford
Darling
Might be a better team than this year
- Colbyboy

That's a Jekyll hyde back line with three newbies having to eat real minutes.... a bit of a dangerous plan if you ask me.

A real question for everyone to answer.... Can Panarin actually jump into the top line, or even top 6? Is this a realistic expectation to have?
- HawksHype

Not a realistic expectation imho. A hope yes, but expectation - no way. The guy did nothing in the quarters on in the world championships, nothing. Very small sample sure but would temper my expectations as a fan. Fabbri doing nothing in the AHL playoffs this year after tearing up the final six regular season games (he joined late) did the same thing for me in tempering my expectations.

That's a Jekyll hyde back line with three newbies having to eat real minutes.... a bit of a dangerous plan if you ask me.
- stljam

Agree. Vet presence needed. No way they go in depending on three first year defenders. That's a recipe for fishing lots of pucks out of the back of your net.

So you guys had the Kane return date pool. How about a Panarin points pool? Wait, let me qualify - a Panarin NHL points pool?