Were Debrincat's two giveaways in his own end early on, one of which led to a goal, enough to warrant starting the season in Rockford, or were they considered errors that are easily overcome as training camp goes on? Q has been less forgiving for defensive miscues, it seems. What's the thinking out there on this?
- 333inthe3rd

Start him with sweetheart shifts and have Saad skate 22 mins a night.

tracey myers post:
lines, assuming who's going to boston
saad-kamp-hartman
bouma-hino-jurco
ADB-Kero-Hayden
Wingels-Dauphin-22

- jt19

These lines don't make sense. Hayden RW? Jurco is better on LW than RW but whatever I guess. Should flip ADB and Bouma. Flip Hayden and Wingels. Nice to see the 4 young centers in the same game and glad they moved Dolphin back to center.

These lines don't make sense. Hayden RW? Jurco is better on LW than RW but whatever I guess. Should flip ADB and Bouma. Flip Hayden and Wingels. Nice to see the 4 young centers in the same game and glad they moved Dolphin back to center.
- Assman22

It's pre-season. Q jsut seeing what happens.

I like your top 3 lines but not to sure about your fourth line.
- jhawk159

I agree not sure how Bouma was inserted-

Saad Towes Panik
Hayden Smaltz Kane
Hartman AA Sharp
xxxxx Kero Hinistrosa

As much as we like to imagine what lines and pairings will work best, we all know that Q rarely stays with a set line or pairing for very long, which will only drive us nuts even more. But it's still fun to sit in the armchair sometimes and try to figure it all out. Which is why we're here.

As for Tootoo, he's staying, regardless of how many nights he suits up. He might be on the roster ahead of better players, but those players probably can't/won't do what Q wants out of Tootoo. We can argue the value of such a role in this day and age, but that's how Q rolls.

As much as we like to imagine what lines and pairings will work best, we all know that Q rarely stays with a set line or pairing for very long, which will only drive us nuts even more. But it's still fun to sit in the armchair sometimes and try to figure it all out. Which is why we're here.

As for Tootoo, he's staying, regardless of how many nights he suits up. He might be on the roster ahead of better players, but those players probably can't/won't do what Q wants out of Tootoo. We can argue the value of such a role in this day and age, but that's how Q rolls.
- 333inthe3rd

Hayden can the be the guy who throws the body and mitts, if needed. He manhandled a very large dude in the first period vs CBJ. Tootoo touched the puck about 6 times in his last game and turned it over 4 of those times. Hayden or Bouma can fill that role and actually play a little bit of hockey.

Regardless of what the opening night Defense pairings are, it appears that the Hawks will be SIGNIFICANTLY bigger and more physical on defense this season.

-Seabrook 6'3' 230lbs
-Murphy 6'4" 225lbs
-Rutta 6'3" 205lbs
-Kempny 6'2" 215lbs
-Franson 6'5" 225lbs
-Svedberg??? 6'9" 235lbs

That is some serious size on the blue-line to go with the quickness/mobility of 1LD Keith and Forsling or Osterle at 3LD. If the D-Core is being instructed to be more physical at the point of attack with Ulf leading the group, the Hawks should FINALLY be a team where physical punishment will be inflicted on Forwards who try to get net presence. One of the biggest gripes of the way the Hawks have defended the last several years has been the country-club experience for opposing forwards in front of Crawford. Hopefully these big boys start clearing the crease with force.

Regardless of what the opening night Defense pairings are, it appears that the Hawks will be SIGNIFICANTLY bigger and more physical on defense this season.

-Seabrook 6'3' 230lbs
-Murphy 6'4" 225lbs
-Rutta 6'3" 205lbs
-Kempny 6'2" 215lbs
-Franson 6'5" 225lbs
-Svedberg??? 6'9" 235lbs

That is some serious size on the blue-line to go with the quickness/mobility of 1LD Keith and Forsling or Osterle at 3LD. If the D-Core is being instructed to be more physical at the point of attack with Ulf leading the group, the Hawks should FINALLY be a team where physical punishment will be inflicted on Forwards who try to get net presence. One of the biggest gripes of the way the Hawks have defended the last several years has been the country-club experience for opposing forwards in front of Crawford. Hopefully these big boys start clearing the crease with force.
- EnzoD

All we need now is Radko Gudas the nastiest Czech of all.

Gudas, Kempny, Rutta with Rosy as assistant D coach and interpreter.

All we need now is Radko Gudas the nastiest Czech of all.

Gudas, Kempny, Rutta with Rosy as assistant D coach and interpreter.
- RickJ

This. Also trade Bouma for THE Tom Wilson

This. Also trade Bouma for THE Tom Wilson
- Assman22

I 2nd,3rd,4th,all the way to one millionth endorse that move!!

All we need now is Radko Gudas the nastiest Czech of all.

Gudas, Kempny, Rutta with Rosy as assistant D coach and interpreter.
- RickJ

LOL I'm never 100% sure if you are being serious, but there are worse 3rd pair options than Gudas

Hey JJ, thoughts on Oesterle as #6? Seems he would get taken if sent down through waivers.
- BlackhawkDown

he's def in the mix

he's def in the mix
- John Jaeckel

i think oesterle and ruuta have looked every bit the part of a 5-6 so far. with gus and pokka still here (though not sure after they go thru waivers), franson can probably be released.

Regardless of what the opening night Defense pairings are, it appears that the Hawks will be SIGNIFICANTLY bigger and more physical on defense this season.

-Seabrook 6'3' 230lbs
-Murphy 6'4" 225lbs
-Rutta 6'3" 205lbs
-Kempny 6'2" 215lbs
-Franson 6'5" 225lbs
-Svedberg??? 6'9" 235lbs

That is some serious size on the blue-line to go with the quickness/mobility of 1LD Keith and Forsling or Osterle at 3LD. If the D-Core is being instructed to be more physical at the point of attack with Ulf leading the group, the Hawks should FINALLY be a team where physical punishment will be inflicted on Forwards who try to get net presence. One of the biggest gripes of the way the Hawks have defended the last several years has been the country-club experience for opposing forwards in front of Crawford. Hopefully these big boys start clearing the crease with force.
- EnzoD

A lot of these numbers are not accurate, Kempny is more like a 6'0 at 195lb guy, solid but not a bruiser. Rutta is skinner than 205, he's more 195-200 like Anismov type build.

LOL I'm never 100% sure if you are being serious, but there are worse 3rd pair options than Gudas
- EnzoD

Not being serious, Radko is a hair away from a 20 game suspension based on his rap sheet. And he makes to much money. But he is a nasty sort on the ice.

I 2nd,3rd,4th,all the way to one millionth endorse that move!!
- wonthecup10

Here's my plan for Wilson. Whatever email Bouma's agent sent Stan that convinced him Bouma is worth $1 mil, copy/paste that sumfemale dog and send it over to the Caps GM. Saves Caps $1 mil and Bouma can play the PK! Sell it Stan

A lot of these numbers are not accurate, Kempny is more like a 6'0 at 195lb guy, solid but not a bruiser. Rutta is skinner than 205, he's more 195-200 like Anismov type build.
- Bjm84

Hockey DB has Kempny at 6' 195lbs which is surprising bc he looks pretty big on the ice. I had that number in my head from last year I swear someone here posted he was 6'2" 215lbs. Hockey DB has Rutta at 6'2" 211lbs and Pat Foley is historically very inaccurate in his height/weight calls on the air. Either way, Rutta and Kempny do not play a finesse defense style and are significantly more physical than Campbell or Oduya.

Granted losing Hjalmarsson was a huge loss in the defensive end and on the PK. Oduya and TVR were ok but not that great of a loss on the defensive end. Campbell was lacking a little on the defensive end. On the offensive end those 4 only combined for 227 games and 52 points.

How are people calculating/weighing the loss on the defensive end versus the potential gain on the offensive side. I would think offensive contributions from Rutta, Murphy, Oesterle, Franson and increased offense from Kempny and Forsling should be much greater than the defensive corp last year.

Not too mention this years team should be bigger, more physical, faster, younger.

I am seeing a net zero situation. Last year better D. This year better O. But overall I am ok with it, especially if Ulfie can develop the D skills of the young guys.

So IF Franson signs for less than $2MM, who are the face-off/PK guys out there that the Hawks might be interested in trading for for under $3MM? Any thoughts?

So IF Franson signs for less than $2MM, who are the face-off/PK guys out there that the Hawks might be interested in trading for for under $3MM? Any thoughts?
- Kentxo

Anyone know how Kampf did face off wise the other night when he centered 20 and 14?

These lines don't make sense. Hayden RW? Jurco is better on LW than RW but whatever I guess. Should flip ADB and Bouma. Flip Hayden and Wingels. Nice to see the 4 young centers in the same game and glad they moved Dolphin back to center.
- Assman22

I'm pretty sure Hayden played mostly RW in college along with center. LW may be where he ends up in the NHL, but it'll be an adjustment.

Anyone know how Kampf did face off wise the other night when he centered 20 and 14?
- z1990z

8/7, 53.3%

8/7, 53.3%
- Rota's Rooter

Man, I like Kampf as 4C. He's looked solid as hell. I like Kero too, but I am not sure where him, Kampf, and Dauphin can co-exist.

Man, I like Kampf as 4C. He's looked solid as hell. I like Kero too, but I am not sure where him, Kampf, and Dauphin can co-exist.
- JRoenick97

Yes, I think he will be a solid guy. I can see him at this point taking a C spot away from Kero.

Man, I like Kampf as 4C. He's looked solid as hell. I like Kero too, but I am not sure where him, Kampf, and Dauphin can co-exist.
- JRoenick97

Dauphin has been at the wing hasnt he? Maybe that is the plan for him.

Dauphin Kampf Wingles for a 4th line? All 3 can take draws.