Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
1h
This'll be the Hawks opening roster on Weds:

F (14): Kane, DeBrincat, Johnson, Toews, Kubalik, Kurashev, Dach, Hagel, Borgstrom, Carpenter, Khaira, Entwistle, Gaudette, Strome

D (7): Seth Jones, Murphy, McCabe, de Haan, Stillman, Mitchell, Gustafsson

G (2): Fleury, Lankinen
- Chunk

If that’s the case, I’ll take my chances with Mitchell (whom I like by the way) vs Gus.

Just on the Hawks? Brouwer, Bolland, Keith, Byfuglien. More recently - Hagel, Kurashev.

Also, Yanni Gourde, Tyler Johnson, and numerous others. Players have to develop somewhere. It may be overseas, college, or the AHL. Not everyone can just be drafted and ready to come into the league. To say the AHL can't/doesn't develop talent is simply untrue.
- Chunk

Of course players can be developed in the AHL, there’s lots of proof as you point out. But many aren’t. Some AHL teams only purpose is to win to draw fans, so they add journeyman veterans and bypass the development process hoping prospects develop by osmosis. Some prospects are unable or unwilling to be developed. But if a team really wishes to develop prospects it can be done. It requires the right coaching staff and to commit to the development of certain prospects.

If that’s the case, I’ll take my chances with Mitchell (whom I like by the way) vs Gus.
- Angotti

Mitchell isn't fully ready, but I'd still play him over Gus. Gus is the only player I've ever seen who can break a game wide open, for the opposition. Same miscues over and over again. Probably is a great locker room guy, but so what?

Now the Hawks have two dmen that take crazy risks in a questionable defensive scheme being coached by subpar coaches. (Seth and Gus.) GREAT!!! An LD and RD that can pair up. Let the Chinese fire drill begin.

Now the Hawks have two dmen that take crazy risks in a questionable defensive scheme being coached by subpar coaches. (Seth and Gus.) GREAT!!! An LD and RD that can pair up. Let the Chinese fire drill begin.
- Ztra

Boy, if it's that terrifying, you should probably skip the first 10 games or so to make sure they can hang in the NHL...

Boy, if it's that terrifying, you should probably skip the first 10 games or so to make sure they can hang in the NHL...
- Chunk

Are you kidding. Who does not want to see a train wreck or car crash? I just hope that Seth and Gus (I know they won’t be on the same pair) are on the ice with the Toews line or the 4th line.

If Gustafsson dresses, it means the Hawks will either have to dress 7 d-men (which makes zero sense) or they will not be able to roll three defensive pairings, especially on the road.

Hopefully we see a lot of Mitchell and Gustafsson becomes a depth guy period.
- jrsamu

I am hoping we do not see much of either at the NHL level. Mitchell should play at Rockford for a while. Gus should be in the press box or in the AHL as soon C. Jones and/or Kalynuk gets healthy.

Are you kidding. Who does not want to see a train wreck or car crash? I just hope that Seth and Gus (I know they won’t be on the same pair) are on the ice with the Toews line or the 4th line.
- Ztra

Fair. I think they'll be a bit skittish to begin, and hit their stride to be one of the good teams. I'm buying for now. I think Toews makes a ton of difference.

New blog! A look at the Blackhawks final roster as the reality of the 2021-22 NHL regular season begins today.

Plus, thoughts on Erik Gustafsson, recall candidates, and the IceHogs starting lineup, depth, and goalie situation.

https://bit.ly/3p87AvV