I'm trying to be realistic. I know the Hawks aren't the power house they use to be, but I don't believe their window is closed either.

I think Stan is looking to keep the window open as long as possible. I'm thinking he's planning on having a down season or two and reload on the fly. It's a very difficult task and more often than not is doesn't work. But that doesn't mean it can't or won't work for Stan.

One thing (among others) that is really exciting to watch over the next couple seasons is the development of their young defensemen. Not all the d-men will make it but if 3-4 of Jokiharju, Boqvist, Mitchell, Hillman, Beaudin, or Krys make that drastically changes the future of the team. Plus there are a couple other d-men that have an outside chance to become regular contributors - Carlsson, Forsling, Gilbert, Snuggerud and Raddysh3 I know we all tend over over-hype the Blackhawks prospects but it's been a long long time since the team has been this deep in d-men prospects.
- DarthKane

The great thing about the D prospect depth is that the Hawks don't need to put all their eggs in the Boqvist basket or the Jokiharju basket. If one or both flop, they're not SOL with a bone dry prospect pool.

I'd still be happy with Mitchell, Krys, and Beaudin hitting as future starters who can carry the mail and quarterback the PP.

Then complement these guys with defensive minded partners like Hillman, Gilbert, and Carlsson.

Not to mention there's Forsling as well who could emerge as the best of them all or end up being expendable.

If Cam Ward is your starting goaltender for more than 30 games this year you're in trouble.

Not exactly an intimidating lineup is it?

I think Crawford goes on LTIR day one. It's going to be Ward and the Rockford Shuffle for the #2 goalie.
- Return of the Roar

If Crawford is out for a long stretch or all year, Ward will be the starter with Forsberg as the backup and earning that type of experience in a more appropriate way versus the trial by fire starting role last year.

Delia and Lankinen should be the tandem in Rockford. Keep things stable amongst these three young goalies so they get appropriate playing time in the right environment for long term growth.

Avoid the shuttle if at all possible as it breeds inconsistency and can rattle confidence.

I'm trying to be realistic. I know the Hawks aren't the power house they use to be, but I don't believe their window is closed either.

I think Stan is looking to keep the window open as long as possible. I'm thinking he's planning on having a down season or two and reload on the fly. It's a very difficult task and more often than not is doesn't work. But that doesn't mean it can't or won't work for Stan.

One thing (among others) that is really exciting to watch over the next couple seasons is the development of their young defensemen. Not all the d-men will make it but if 3-4 of Jokiharju, Boqvist, Mitchell, Hillman, Beaudin, or Krys make that drastically changes the future of the team. Plus there are a couple other d-men that have an outside chance to become regular contributors - Carlsson, Forsling, Gilbert, Snuggerud and Raddysh3 I know we all tend over over-hype the Blackhawks prospects but it's been a long long time since the team has been this deep in d-men prospects.
- DarthKane

Isn't it possible the "top teams" could experience injuries, fall off from certain players, bad goaltending? I'm not pinning my hawk season hopes on those things, but it's possible.
I just don't see the Hawks being Arizona/Edmonton bad....I know they don't have leddy on the top pairing, but that's why I have hope for this season.
Willing to see how it goes before going all Drew Carey and pointing out how they suck, even in cup winning years

Saad-Anisomov-Patrica

Lets see 88 cry after about 5-7 games with Saad

But yet 19 never cries when he gets stuck with Saad or Richard Panik for 2 years

Carry on Patrica luvers

Some guys just need more experience fighting to improve a couple guys off the top of my head ryan malone and George parros were horrible fighters but developed respectable reputations. Then you got your Burish and colin frasers of the world who only know how to be punching bags. Time will tell.

Isn't Sioux, Pawnee for enemy? So from that tack it makes sense to change the name.
- Beaver-Warrior

I believe it means snake. They were bullies of the midwest along with the cheyenne. The Sioux got the glory crow got the land and the Cheyenne did the fighting.

Saad-Anisomov-Patrica

Lets see 88 cry after about 5-7 games with Saad

But yet 19 never cries when he gets stuck with Saad or Richard Panik for 2 years

Carry on Patrica luvers
- Goalie-33

You are the biggest idiot on this site - don't ever change

The great thing about the D prospect depth is that the Hawks don't need to put all their eggs in the Boqvist basket or the Jokiharju basket. If one or both flop, they're not SOL with a bone dry prospect pool.

I'd still be happy with Mitchell, Krys, and Beaudin hitting as future starters who can carry the mail and quarterback the PP.

Then complement these guys with defensive minded partners like Hillman, Gilbert, and Carlsson.

Not to mention there's Forsling as well who could emerge as the best of them all or end up being expendable.
- AEL_Fox

I do concur with your thoughts
AND
Let's just say that L Johnson could replace a Kreuger yet we know this is LJ not the famous crosstown basketball giant , MJ, with close letters abbreviation in his name!

You are the biggest idiot on this site - don't ever change


- dahawks8819

Just don't reply instead of posting this dahawks.

Thanks!

Khalil Mack is a Bear, wow.

The great thing about the D prospect depth is that the Hawks don't need to put all their eggs in the Boqvist basket or the Jokiharju basket. If one or both flop, they're not SOL with a bone dry prospect pool.

I'd still be happy with Mitchell, Krys, and Beaudin hitting as future starters who can carry the mail and quarterback the PP.

Then complement these guys with defensive minded partners like Hillman, Gilbert, and Carlsson.

Not to mention there's Forsling as well who could emerge as the best of them all or end up being expendable.
- AEL_Fox

and maybe use one to move another asset out while getting a return of not just a salary dump

It would seem that alot of people here are dimissing Kruger when they pencil in their lineup.Marcus will most likely play a huge part in the bottom 6 and I expect a bounce back in his play if he is fully recovered.

Khalil Mack is a Bear, wow.
- SoftServe

It will be interesting to see what we gave up (rumor is at least 2 first rounders), and how much he signs for starting next year.

It would seem that alot of people here are dimissing Kruger when they pencil in their lineup.Marcus will most likely play a huge part in the bottom 6 and I expect a bounce back in his play if he is fully recovered.
- eagle50

I do too, as long as he doesn't come back too soon from his sports hernia surgery.

and maybe use one to move another asset out while getting a return of not just a salary dump
- fattybeef

Exactly. With a deep prospect pool at defense and knowing not all of them will make it or at least won't have a spot due to a numbers game even if they are viable NHLers, some of them can be flipped to stock the prospect pipeline at other positions like forward and goal. Or include them as part of larger deals to acquire NHL-ready players who can fill immediate needs in the lineup.

It would seem that alot of people here are dimissing Kruger when they pencil in their lineup.Marcus will most likely play a huge part in the bottom 6 and I expect a bounce back in his play if he is fully recovered.
- eagle50

I am figuring in Kruger as the 4C and prime penalty killer as well as be the faceoff man in pressure situations especially in the D zone. If he's fully healthy, it should be expected that he will be an effective player for Q even spot duty at 3C if needed.

It would seem that alot of people here are dimissing Kruger when they pencil in their lineup.Marcus will most likely play a huge part in the bottom 6 and I expect a bounce back in his play if he is fully recovered.
- eagle50

I haven't seen too much from the masses that have Kruger anywhere but the 4th line centre.

He should start there and we already know Q will be leaning on him for defensive faceoff responsibilities.

If he's not up to that skill set anymore... by November/December I think you see Kampf take over that spot (where he played a lot of his 40-something games).

I am figuring in Kruger as the 4C and prime penalty killer as well as be the faceoff man in pressure situations especially in the D zone. If he's fully healthy, it should be expected that he will be an effective player for Q even spot duty at 3C if needed.
- AEL_Fox

Sounds like he had surgery in April so I would expect him to be totally healthy.

I haven't seen too much from the masses that have Kruger anywhere but the 4th line centre.

He should start there and we already know Q will be leaning on him for defensive faceoff responsibilities.

If he's not up to that skill set anymore... by November/December I think you see Kampf take over that spot (where he played a lot of his 40-something games).
- Justin Lowe

I was referring to the lineups that have been presented that don't even include Kruger.Last year of his contract and if healthy not to mention a return to his original team should combine to give us one motivated Kruger.

I was referring to the lineups that have been presented that don't even include Kruger.Last year of his contract and if healthy not to mention a return to his original team should combine to give us one motivated Kruger.
- eagle50

I get what you were saying as I've also seen some lineup projections with him as the 13th forward. Q loves Kruger, so unless he's injured, he will be in the lineup and in trusted situations.

I haven't seen too much from the masses that have Kruger anywhere but the 4th line centre.

He should start there and we already know Q will be leaning on him for defensive faceoff responsibilities.

If he's not up to that skill set anymore... by November/December I think you see Kampf take over that spot (where he played a lot of his 40-something games).
- Justin Lowe

Maybe Kruger will alleviate some of Toews defensive responsibility

Maybe Kruger will alleviate some of Toews defensive responsibility
- Slofire94

I think that was a primary reason Kruger was brought back to take more D zone draws to lessen that load off of Toews. If a 3C can be solidified to do the same, that will help even more to lighten that same load off of Schmaltz as well.

That's not to say Toews and Schmaltz will never take D zone draws, but any help to decrease the number they take per game and have them focus more on O zone starts, then that increases the opportunities for more scoring chances with the type of talent in the top 6.

Maybe Kruger will alleviate some of Toews defensive responsibility
- Slofire94

Toews is one of the best in the league at faceoffs, so I think he'll still take the big, late in the game, defensive zone faceoffs, but he should be better because he won't have to do so much earlier.

Maybe Kruger will alleviate some of Toews defensive responsibility
- Slofire94

I’m excited to have Kruger back, assuming he’s healthy for this reason and an improved PK. Kruger’s cap hit might be a tad high but that’s really not a problem anymore. Kruger brings an eliment to team that was missing last year. Johnson may be air apparent to Kruger but I might be more ideal to have them both (again, assuming Kruger’s healthy). Just blue-skying here, but wouldn’t it be nice for a Kruger-Johnson combo to perform like the Kruger-Frolik combo.