I am excited for Rockford this year as well. I was playing around with their team the other day and, while they will be young, they should be exciting to watch.
- Tyler Cameron

It's looking like Boqvist will play at the Rock this season?

Too many consonants.
- mohel

Consonants are fine - just not enough vowels.

And that's what the Hawk's are paying Shaw right?
- SoftServe

Less

And that's what the Hawk's are paying Shaw right?
- SoftServe

Shaw is at 3.9M.

Don't even start that narrative.

Honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if DeBrincat and Strome wait until next year to sign their deals.

DeBrincat can bet on himself again to score 30+ goals. He scores that many goals in 3 years... that's a big deal.

Strome on the other hand, I think the Hawks will want to be sure he can replicate what he did in his time in Chicago before they toss him a bunch of money.

The thing is... Strome and the Cat are loving being together... the Hawks love that they love being together and at the end of the day... it will all get sorted out.
- Tyler Cameron

Strome is working out in Chicago which is a very good sign. The Hawks probably gave him a seasons end report card with a list of areas he needed to improve.

And the other thing he probably has noted is that his brother has bounced around to numerous NHL teams and wants to avoid that. Play well and play where you are happy.

Tyler thanks for the recap. I think the season predictions for the Hawks will be all over the map, but it should be a fun one. I think the biggest difference here is Stan saw guys in the system who were going to have issues getting enough playing time under JC and he moved them. Forsling, Forsberg, Hayden, Joki, Kahun. He isn't done yet, but it will be interesting to see what happens as Stan often does what we don't expect.

One thing I noticed looking at just the current roster (not counting call ups) is that only 4 players are under 6 feet on the team. Kane, DeBrincat, Shaw Caggiula. Two skilled guys who's job it is to put up offense and 2 guys who play bigger than their size.

On D, we have Gus as the shortest guy at 6 feet and the smaller Dmen are all around 195lbs. The Hawks might not have a lot of nasty, but they shouldn't have an issue lacking size in the lineup.

Less
- BINGO!

Great deal for Carolina. Dzingel is better served as forward but nice to have a winger that can slot in at C in a pinch. Money dried up on Dzingel and had to settle for a two year deal at much less AAV than what he originally wanted.

It's looking like Boqvist will play at the Rock this season?
- SoftServe

Correct. Sign Mitchell next week and along with Beaudin, the Hogs could have a stout defense in front of Delia/Lankinen.

Seven of the first eight at home.

Good start is critical.
- StLBravesFan

And every point will be critical especially against the Western teams. Can't blow late leads and give a team a point by going into OT. Conversely, have to play hard at the end of a game to break a tie or tie the game. If in OT or the shootout, have to come up with a win. Can't take any games off or take any opponents lightly.

Strome is working out in Chicago which is a very good sign. The Hawks probably gave him a seasons end report card with a list of areas he needed to improve.

And the other thing he probably has noted is that his brother has bounced around to numerous NHL teams and wants to avoid that. Play well and play where you are happy.
- RickJ

Toews is too. He started the summer at his cottage in Winnipeg and now is back training with the boys!

Shaw is at 3.9M.
- boilermaker100

Shaw doesn't disappear in the playoffs.

Correct. Sign Mitchell next week and along with Beaudin, the Hogs could have a stout defense in front of Delia/Lankinen.
- Assman22

I think Mitchell committed to Denver for the season?

Toews is too. He started the summer at his cottage in Winnipeg and now is back training with the boys!
- nickmo2699

Saw that.

Actually there is quite a list of guys doing that.

I think Mitchell committed to Denver for the season?
- paulr

Traded Joki to entice Mitchell to sign. Meeting Stan next week to discuss.

Saw that.

Actually there is quite a list of guys doing that.
- RickJ

Not only do the guys motivate each other in training but it's a good way to build team chemistry especially for the newer faces. Looking forward to the season.

Traded Joki to entice Mitchell to sign. Meeting Stan next week to discuss.
- Assman22

Really?

I think Mitchell committed to Denver for the season?
- paulr

I believe so, but I think we've seen players who have apparently "committed" to college teams still make the jump to the NHL if the team wants them bad enough. I don't think it is ironclad. My guess is Mitchell will play college hockey until the end of the year and then maybe join the Hogs/Hawks depending on his play and the state of the Hawks D at the time.

It's looking like Boqvist will play at the Rock this season?
- SoftServe

Yep. That was my guess and Powers is hearing that.

Makes sense considering he started to dominate the OHL (offensively anyway).

Get him playing against men and gauge his process from an arm's length away in Rockford.

Yep. That was my guess and Powers is hearing that.

Makes sense considering he started to dominate the OHL (offensively anyway).

Get him playing against men and gauge his process from an arm's length away in Rockford.
- Tyler Cameron

My concern is when the playoffs came and when Guelph pushed back against London, Boqvist was suddenly very unnoticable. Yes he dominated the regular season but ...

I believe so, but I think we've seen players who have apparently "committed" to college teams still make the jump to the NHL if the team wants them bad enough. I don't think it is ironclad. My guess is Mitchell will play college hockey until the end of the year and then maybe join the Hogs/Hawks depending on his play and the state of the Hawks D at the time.
- breadbag

Keith-Gus-Maattaa-deHaan-Murphy-Seabrook.

Where does he fit in as an everyday player?

Don’t want him rotating between 6and 7 - and he’s indicated (I think) that he’s not looking for time in Rockford (hasn’t he said he wants to make an immediate impact, hasn’t he?).

He’s going to be the captain on a good college team coming off the Frozen Four.

I’d think he’d be play in Denver through his tournament.

The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of HockeyBuzz ?
- boilermaker100

Does that make Taylor Dr. Jekyll? Would have to right?

Shaw doesn't disappear in the playoffs.
- LAHawk

Neither did Ferland until he did.

Neither did Ferland until he did.
- BINGO!

Would have to look but did Ferland have any documented success in the playoffs to begin with?

Shaw was definitely a noticeable part of two Cup teams.

Keith-Gus-Maattaa-deHaan-Murphy-Seabrook.

Where does he fit in as an everyday player?

Don’t want him rotating between 6and 7 - and he’s indicated (I think) that he’s not looking for time in Rockford (hasn’t he said he wants to make an immediate impact, hasn’t he?).

He’s going to be the captain on a good college team coming off the Frozen Four.

I’d think he’d be play in Denver through his tournament.
- StLBravesFan

I don't know when his college season will end exactly, but I'm just saying there could be a chance for him to be a late season addition to the Hawks in some circumstances, maybe due to injury or trades. The trades could be likely if the Hawks are looking like they might miss the playoffs and they decide to move a Dman or two at the TDL. Maybe his college season will run too long, but I thought we've seen some college players come over at the tail end a few times.

Correct. Sign Mitchell next week and along with Beaudin, the Hogs could have a stout defense in front of Delia/Lankinen.
- Assman22

Boqvist is rumored to be Rockford bound while my guess is Mitchell stays at Denver to captain his college team to another extended NCAA tournament run. Bowman will be speaking with him about his future while he's at training camp next week but that seems more coincidence of timing rather than setting aside a formal meeting to sway Mitchell to forgo his junior year.

For a Hogs blueline with Boqvist presumedly on board and assuming Dahlstrom is sent down (through waivers first) while Koekkoek remains on the Hawks as the 7th man (also assuming de Haan is 100% to start the season):

Dahlstrom - Boqvist
Gilbert - Carlsson
Beaduin - Krys
Tuulola

Osipov on a shuttle between Indy and Rockford if Dahlstrom needs to stay in Chicago due to any injuries to the Hawks blueline.