No one wants Rozy to play at this point. The ONLY reason Rozy was signed is because it was the easiest and cheapest way to meet the expansion requirements.
- TTtime

Hmmm, same logic as last year. Yet he was around, and he played some. It's not like, as diminished as he is now, he's that much worse than he was last year, because that was pretty much immobile and running on fumes then.

If he's hurt, or not at "full" capacity, he can't play, that is not disputable.

And I don't dispute the waiver draft avoidance logic either, except why were he and Tootoo signed and not others? Why? Because if they ended up having to keep them, they're guys Q doesn't hate having in some role.

It's rarely completely black and white or a simple explanation. As much as we want to put everything in a simple sound byte.

Roz was the slowest NHL skater that I have ever witnessed in the last 6 years years, granted I might not notice other teams players but he was the slowest hawks I have seen since 2009, He makes mashinter look like mash lightening. If he signs I will hold judgement till he skates a few games on his speed. I'm not saying he is great but he is better then roz at this point and right now he would be competing with Rutta, Forsling, pokka, Jordan O for spots 5,6.7, I would not say 3 of that 4 would be a strong 5-7. I think Pokka is a AHL player, Forsling is OK but could really get stronger and Faster, Ruuta I'm the highest on of the group but needs to adjust to NHL and Smaller rink, and Jordan O is a borderline NHL player on a bad D team.
- kmw4631

I still say Q will lean strongly toward what's between the guys ears as opposed to speed, shot, etc., on defense. Lots of evidence over the years to support that. Rozy being Exhibit 1A.

To everyone's eye, he's been "done" since May 2015, yet here were are 2+ years later wondering what the hell he's doing here. See the paragraph immediately above.

Yeah, the highly popularized expansion draft argument is somewhat applicable and valid, but there were 1000 Jeff Glass type guys out there who could have been signed as well, in place of Rozy and Tootoo.

That theory gets deflated when you ask why Rozy was still around in 15-16 and 16-17.

My opinion is it is equal parts expansion draft fodder, assisting Michal Kempny's development and acclimation (a worthwhile investment based on his raw ability), and who knows, although Rutta was "officially" pursued and signed later, they may have had their eye on him and some other Czech league guys as well.

Also because, by golly, if you have to have a 7th defenseman (and you do), Qiwas going to take a slow, wobbly Rozy over a slightly less slow, but not nearly as cagy Ville Pokka.

The byways of recent NHL history are littered with "the next great Hawk defenseman" who Bowman sent elsewhere for this or that, or who haven't had the total ability to get out of Rockford (Olsen, Dahlbeck and Pokka come to mind but there are probably others)—and maybe Q's stubbornness comes in too.

Now there are some starting to wonder how good Stephen Johns will ever really be, and the same may apply to Gustav Forsling before too long. Up to them. Both have NHL skill.

Roz was the slowest NHL skater that I have ever witnessed in the last 6 years years, granted I might not notice other teams players but he was the slowest hawks I have seen since 2009, He makes mashinter look like mash lightening. If he signs I will hold judgement till he skates a few games on his speed. I'm not saying he is great but he is better then roz at this point and right now he would be competing with Rutta, Forsling, pokka, Jordan O for spots 5,6.7, I would not say 3 of that 4 would be a strong 5-7. I think Pokka is a AHL player, Forsling is OK but could really get stronger and Faster, Ruuta I'm the highest on of the group but needs to adjust to NHL and Smaller rink, and Jordan O is a borderline NHL player on a bad D team.
- kmw4631

Not sold on Fransen ,would stick with the devil u know in Rozival .And hope we don't need him .Kemmpny forsling Ruuta need to play .Leaving Kemmny in the press box for 1/2 the year was a joke . I believe if the HAWKS get off to a slow start ,or Joel get's his back up about playing certain players he may be offered a job upstairs

I find it interesting the HAWKS have 3 Assit coaches . Think Dineen could be a better teaching coach ,something Q dose not have time for ..

Roz was the slowest NHL skater that I have ever witnessed in the last 6 years years, granted I might not notice other teams players but he was the slowest hawks I have seen since 2009, He makes mashinter look like mash lightening. If he signs I will hold judgement till he skates a few games on his speed. I'm not saying he is great but he is better then roz at this point and right now he would be competing with Rutta, Forsling, pokka, Jordan O for spots 5,6.7, I would not say 3 of that 4 would be a strong 5-7. I think Pokka is a AHL player, Forsling is OK but could really get stronger and Faster, Ruuta I'm the highest on of the group but needs to adjust to NHL and Smaller rink, and Jordan O is a borderline NHL player on a bad D team.
- kmw4631

Michal Handzus would like a word with you

Sorry to disrupt the procedings, but I just want to put out there a get well wish for Olczyk. Like him or don't on the air, he's a class individual. And he's a bit young for such a challenge. Best of luck to Eddie O.

I'm happy for Chevy but a little shocked Maurice was re-signed (but happy for him too).

#NHLJets agree to terms with General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff on a multi-year contract extension.

READ >> https://t.co/skLQfhak4W pic.twitter.com/Yia7uwtMbF

— #RiseTogether (@NHLJets) September 7, 2017

#NHLJets agree to terms with Head Coach Paul Maurice on a multi-year contract extension.

READ >> https://t.co/U53HTAWCed pic.twitter.com/dH4h0ZM1dZ

— #RiseTogether (@NHLJets) September 7, 2017

Michal Handzus would like a word with you
- BlazinMike

See also...Brendan Morrison, Rob Scuderi, Kimmo Timonen.

Sorry to disrupt the procedings, but I just want to put out there a get well wish for Olczyk. Like him or don't on the air, he's a class individual. And he's a bit young for such a challenge. Best of luck to Eddie O.
- 6628

Totally agree. You hate to see someone having to go through that battle and wish him all the best.

See also...Brendan Morrison, Rob Scuderi, Kimmo Timonen.
- breadbag

John The Human Pylon Scott

See also...Brendan Morrison, Rob Scuderi, Kimmo Timonen.
- breadbag

Kimo was faster granted he was 50 and 175 LBS so he was slow and also was not big enough to take contact (I felt bad everytime he was taken to the boards) Scud's I just never really saw play. I think he played 3-4 games. Handzus was slow But I still think he was faster, Generally forwads are faster then D in most cases as a whole. IMO. IE a burtally slow forward is faster then a brutally slow D.

in regard to Roz and Tootoo and the EXP draft:

i) One defenseman who is a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

ii) Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

they were some what limited on who they could resign and Expose the Goalie rule was he just had to under contract.

Tell me who else they could have extended that could have fulfilled the D requirement? of the Forwards the only other one was Des. so they had the option of Des or Tootoo (picked Tootoo, Something happened that Des feel out of favor)

John The Human Pylon Scott
- Ogilthorpe2

I forgot about him. that one would be close. But the one consistent with all the guys mentioned is none of them should have ever been playing!

I forgot about him. that one would be close. But the one consistent with all the guys mentioned is none of them should have ever been playing!
- kmw4631

At least Scott has a role and he filled it well. Nobody really wanted to mess with the Hawks when he was on the ice. I remember Kevin Westgarth finding out the hard way.

Kimo was faster granted he was 50 and 175 LBS so he was slow and also was not big enough to take contact (I felt bad everytime he was taken to the boards) Scud's I just never really saw play. I think he played 3-4 games. Handzus was slow But I still think he was faster, Generally forwads are faster then D in most cases as a whole. IMO. IE a burtally slow forward is faster then a brutally slow D.

in regard to Roz and Tootoo and the EXP draft:

i) One defenseman who is a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

ii) Two forwards who are a) under contract in 2017-18 and b) played in 40 or more NHL games the prior season OR played in 70 or more NHL games in the prior two seasons.

they were some what limited on who they could resign and Expose the Goalie rule was he just had to under contract.

Tell me who else they could have extended that could have fulfilled the D requirement? of the Forwards the only other one was Des. so they had the option of Des or Tootoo (picked Tootoo, Something happened that Des feel out of favor)
- kmw4631

Desjardins played himself out I think. Last season there wasn't much to like in his game and even back in training camp, the guy didn't even stand out playing next to prospects who are not NHL ready. It is too bad, because even thought limited, he did well in faceoffs last season. During his time in Chicago he took 175 draws and was 53.7% and really only Toews was better. Small sample size, but better than guys like TT, Schmaltz, Hartman, Hinostroza, etc...

I'm happy for Chevy but a little shocked Maurice was re-signed (but happy for him too).

#NHLJets agree to terms with General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff on a multi-year contract extension.

READ >> https://t.co/skLQfhak4W pic.twitter.com/Yia7uwtMbF

— #RiseTogether (@NHLJets) September 7, 2017

#NHLJets agree to terms with Head Coach Paul Maurice on a multi-year contract extension.

READ >> https://t.co/U53HTAWCed pic.twitter.com/dH4h0ZM1dZ

— #RiseTogether (@NHLJets) September 7, 2017

- DarthKane

Maurice has a way of ingratiating himself to hockey people. He's an incredibly smart guy, he just also happens to be a pretty mediocre coach. Well spoken, lots of personality, he just doesn't seem to be able to inspire belief like guys like Q or Laviolette can, pushing players to be better than they thought they were.

@DhaliwalSports

Been told UFA Cody Franson is down to Edmonton or Chicago. Vancouver never called.

I finally got around to getting my copy of the Hockey News fantasy pool guide. Here are their predictions for the Blackhawks:

Kane, 93
Saad, 62
Toews, 60
Keith, 50
Schmaltz, 48
Seabrook, 42
Anisimov, 40
Hartman, 36
Panik, 36
Kero, 24
DeBrincat, 22
Murphy, 19
Rutta, 18
Wingels, 15
Hinostroza, 14
Hayden, 14
Kempny, 10
Bouma, 9
Forsling, 8
Rozsival, 7
Crawford, 34 wins, 2.41, .920, 3 SO
Forsberg, not projected

Notable ex-Hawks:

Panarin, 58
Byfuglien, 53
Teravainen, 48
K. Hayes, 48
Ladd, 46
Leddy, 45
Frolik, 43
Brouwer, 38
Versteeg, 37
Danault, 31
Shaw, 28
Weise, 22
Nordstrom, 21
Hjalmarsson, 19
Dano, 19
Kruger, 18
T. van Riemsdyk, 16
Clendening, 16
Johns, 12
Rasmussen, 12
Dahlbeck, 6
Darling, 31 wins, 2.31, .920, 5 SO

Notable players the Hawks have had interest in:

J. van Riemsdyk, 60
Dadonov, 57
Galchenyuk, 54
Duchene, 54
Palat, 51
Shipachyov, 47
Tatar, 46
E. Kane, 45
Hanzal, 40
Athanasiou, 38
Boedker, 36
Vesey, 36

Motte was not projected but is in the Blue Jackets top 10 prospects.

The Hockey News top 10 prospects for the Hawks with projected season for when they crack the lineup:

1. DeBrincat, '17-18
2. Krys, '19-20
3. Forsling, '17-18
4. Jokiharju, '20-21
5. Hayden, '18-19
6. Forsberg, '17-18
7. Carlsson, '20-21
8. Bondra, '19-20
9. Sikura, '19-20
10. Dauphin, '18-19

For all the team's top 2017 draft picks, they predict who the draftee might project to be in the best case scenario. For Jokiharju, they project him to be like Jared Spurgeon. A notable projection is the Ducks top draft pick Maxime Comtois who they project to be like Saad.

Michal Handzus would like a word with you
- BlazinMike

Brent Sopel also says hi

The Hockey News top 10 prospects for the Hawks with projected season for when they crack the lineup:

1. DeBrincat, '17-18
2. Krys, '19-20
3. Forsling, '17-18
4. Jokiharju, '20-21
5. Hayden, '18-19
6. Forsberg, '17-18
7. Carlsson, '20-21
8. Bondra, '19-20
9. Sikura, '19-20
10. Dauphin, '18-19

For all the team's top 2017 draft picks, they predict who the draftee might project to be in the best case scenario. For Jokiharju, they project him to be like Jared Spurgeon. A notable projection is the Ducks top draft pick Maxime Comtois who they project to be like Saad.
- AEL_Fox

Dauphin at 10?

@DhaliwalSports

Been told UFA Cody Franson is down to Edmonton or Chicago. Vancouver never called.
- JRoenick97

Fugg it bring him aboard for the min like Rozy

I finally got around to getting my copy of the Hockey News fantasy pool guide. Here are their predictions for the Blackhawks:

Kane, 93
Saad, 62
Toews, 60
Keith, 50
Schmaltz, 48
Seabrook, 42
Anisimov, 40
Hartman, 36
Panik, 36
Kero, 24
DeBrincat, 22
Murphy, 19
Rutta, 18
Wingels, 15
Hinostroza, 14
Hayden, 14
Kempny, 10
Bouma, 9
Forsling, 8
Rozsival, 7
Crawford, 34 wins, 2.41, .920, 3 SO
Forsberg, not projected

Notable ex-Hawks:

Panarin, 58
Byfuglien, 53
Teravainen, 48
K. Hayes, 48
Ladd, 46
Leddy, 45
Frolik, 43
Brouwer, 38
Versteeg, 37
Danault, 31
Shaw, 28
Weise, 22
Nordstrom, 21
Hjalmarsson, 19
Dano, 19
Kruger, 18
T. van Riemsdyk, 16
Clendening, 16
Johns, 12
Rasmussen, 12
Dahlbeck, 6
Darling, 31 wins, 2.31, .920, 5 SO

Notable players the Hawks have had interest in:

J. van Riemsdyk, 60
Dadonov, 57
Galchenyuk, 54
Duchene, 54
Palat, 51
Shipachyov, 47
Tatar, 46
E. Kane, 45
Hanzal, 40
Athanasiou, 38
Boedker, 36
Vesey, 36

Motte was not projected but is in the Blue Jackets top 10 prospects.
- AEL_Fox

I would be happy with these... Though I doubt Dahlbeck plays enough games to get 6 points.

I would be happy with these... Though I doubt Dahlbeck plays enough games to get 6 points.
- BINGO!

Are those point projections? Kruger at 18? Seems high to me. Maybe just because I'm remembering his low goal scoring ability, i dont know his actual stats though from the last couple years

Michal Handzus would like a word with you
- BlazinMike

LOL, after he gets done blazing past Andrew Brunette.

The Hockey News top 10 prospects for the Hawks with projected season for when they crack the lineup:

1. DeBrincat, '17-18
2. Krys, '19-20
3. Forsling, '17-18
4. Jokiharju, '20-21
5. Hayden, '18-19
6. Forsberg, '17-18
7. Carlsson, '20-21
8. Bondra, '19-20
9. Sikura, '19-20
10. Dauphin, '18-19

For all the team's top 2017 draft picks, they predict who the draftee might project to be in the best case scenario. For Jokiharju, they project him to be like Jared Spurgeon. A notable projection is the Ducks top draft pick Maxime Comtois who they project to be like Saad.
- AEL_Fox

I hate these lists. Go back and look at one from 5 years ago. Ummmm, no, didn't turn out that way.

Are those point projections? Kruger at 18? Seems high to me. Maybe just because I'm remembering his low goal scoring ability, i dont know his actual stats though from the last couple years
- BlazinMike

He's averaged .26 points per game, so about 21 or 22 points per season.

18 seems acceptable in a 4th line role.