I have appreciated the input, the effort to put forth interesting content in the dog days of summertime when hockey seemingly takes a back seat in our lives. But now - as rookies camp and their tournament is rapidly approaching, I am looking for fresh content

To the extent observations and questions will permit - or as best we can determine from observation of the prospects - I am hoping to get an idea how some prospects appear capable to improve and succeed at the next level which most likely is at the AHL level

So for example, is Lardis willing to work and does he understand how much effort is required to play both sides of the puck? Has he added enough strength to at least hold his own and not be rag dolled? I try to envision the possibilities of NHL scoring forward for him as well as Hayes, the Russian kid too.

The upcoming season is very important for all prospects development including those presently at the collegiate level. After next season.there is going to be a lot of prospects knocking at the door for NHL development. Imagine that we will begin seeing signs of a real second offensive line and accommodate Bedard. No longer an island until himself. We do expect that Bedard should crack the 50 goal and 100 point threshold but he will need an input of young talent to get there

The rookies Tournament just gives us an inkling how some of the prospects need to work and develop. Incremental steps in development - they are getting closer and we can begin to conjure up their impact eventually

What is forgotten was the Hawks were ahead of the curve in signing Hossa and Keith to those legacy contracts (that got outlawed as part of the 2013 lockout). What would their AAV been if they signed 7 or 8 year contracts? If the league had that rule in effect, interesting to see what Hawks would of been jettisoned (or would they have let Kane and Toews walk instead of paying them fair value at the time.

If Keith would of signed an 8 year contract instead of a 13 in 2010, would he have been paid $7 million instead of $5.5? Hossa signed a 12 year contract the year prior.. Would he have gotten $7 million instead of $5.3mil.? Would the Hawks even be able to entertain signing Hossa? How would that have affected the rosters for all 3 cups? Or would Toews and Kane take 2 mil. less a year to keep the band together (which I doubt).
- LAHawk

"Timing is everything."
You can go further back to the No cap era. The Gretzky Oilers teams. No way they could have kept all those players together.

Who said Hjalmarsson's number won't be retired?

They don't win any of the three cups without him, and the physical abuse he took in his time here, whatever they paid him, it wasn't enough!!!!
- dahawks8819

Seth Jones is wearing his number now. I doubt they issue it if they had that in mind. But they did have a change of heart on Chelios, so I suppose anything is possible.

Seth Jones is wearing his number now. I doubt they issue it if they had that in mind. But they did have a change of heart on Chelios, so I suppose anything is possible.
- 333inthe3rd

Keith Brown wore #4 longer than Hjarmalsson did.

Keith Brown wore #4 longer than Hjarmalsson did.
- LAHawk

Doug Zmolek is forever #4 for the Blackhawks.

No way #10 deserves it
- LFS

I agree with you, but in my opinion, he was on the cusp.

And from a P.R. standpoint, he was liked by the female fan base, so I could see them doing it to appease them.

I've had this debate with my family - do you honestly believe that Keith Magnuson's #3 belongs up in the rafters? He never won a Stanley Cup, a Norris trophy, and you could probably count on one hand the number of fights he won in his career, sooooo.... really???

I agree with you, but in my opinion, he was on the cusp.

And from a P.R. standpoint, he was liked by the female fan base, so I could see them doing it to appease them.

I've had this debate with my family - do you honestly believe that Keith Magnuson's #3 belongs up in the rafters? He never won a Stanley Cup, a Norris trophy, and you could probably count on one hand the number of fights he won in his career, sooooo.... really???
- dahawks8819

The #3 rafter decision was a joke.

I agree with you, but in my opinion, he was on the cusp.

And from a P.R. standpoint, he was liked by the female fan base, so I could see them doing it to appease them.

I've had this debate with my family - do you honestly believe that Keith Magnuson's #3 belongs up in the rafters? He never won a Stanley Cup, a Norris trophy, and you could probably count on one hand the number of fights he won in his career, sooooo.... really???
- dahawks8819

Yeah, I have to agree Maggie and Dennis are not in the rafters but still will be in our hearts.

Jhawk59, your concerns about the farmhands is unresolvable with opinions...each guy who is drafted and really wants to play works to get more muscle, and therefore, both skating and arm / trunk strength.
If you are a Gm you better sign your draftees from CHL leagues, like they did Vanacher and Nick Lardis.
You want both to being able to help the scoring, but one is a gifted guy and the other young vanacker shows an ability to win awy pucks and set up things by working both ways.
the scorers are ALWAYS given more leeway and patience but the folks seeing Rockford in the next half decade are gonna be treated to good lines, good combinations on them and pelnty of support around each advancing improvong farmhand. no matter their name.

I agree with you, but in my opinion, he was on the cusp.

And from a P.R. standpoint, he was liked by the female fan base, so I could see them doing it to appease them.

I've had this debate with my family - do you honestly believe that Keith Magnuson's #3 belongs up in the rafters? He never won a Stanley Cup, a Norris trophy, and you could probably count on one hand the number of fights he won in his career, sooooo.... really???
- dahawks8819

Maggy as an add-on up there was basically because whatever anyone says, Pierre Pilote definitely did deserve to have his number retired. They just so happened to have worn the same number. Of course the thing is - all teams need so many numbers in order to function - so to me it was stupid to retire Hossa's- I loved Hoss as a player- but, numbers ... sure -he was a key part of that period- but ... well look Steve Larmer was a hell of a winger, for a lot longer period of time. Never missed a game, and was a point per game player (until he really wanted to move on -and I am reasonably certain that was all about the direction the team had taken). He was one of the few guys, I think, that actually didn't mind playing for Keenan (and league-wide, those were relatively rare to find).

Chelios? I dunno - maybe, I don't care that he wanted to go to the Red Wings - he was the heart and soul of those 90's teams- and coming in wehn they shipped out avvy - that wasn't going to ever be the easiest act to follow (neverminding they played different positions) - so... well.. I dunno ... not the point though really - it feels like they are putting up numbers to the rafters like candy now -- and 10 and 4?

Seriously, I was taking that discussion as sarcasm. Interesting that either some are really good at continuing and adding to a group sarcasm narrative, or -or ... some might be serious.... Um, ... ok ... well, I don't know - neither of them deserve to be up there ahead of Larmer.

Ring of Honor? Yeh probably do that- otherwise it will just get to be the retired number version of Nashville raising a banner for losing a SCF. At that point it becomes a self-parody.

I am a big proponent of the ring of honor. So many more players could be recognized. Charlie Gardner, The Bentley Brothers, Larmer, Maki, Nesterinko, Vasco, Jarret and that is just some of the names. Let's not forget JR.

I am a big proponent of the ring of honor. So many more players could be recognized. Charlie Gardner, The Bentley Brothers, Larmer, Maki, Nesterinko, Vasco, Jarret and that is just some of the names. Let's not forget JR.
- bjphawkfan

Whitey Stapleton, Dennis Hull, Cliff Koral, Bill White. It's a long list.

Whitey Stapleton, Dennis Hull, Cliff Koral, Bill White. It's a long list.
- rpeters01

Damn near enough for it to be a double ring.
Blackhawks fans know this.
Jim Pappin
Pit Martin
Cliff Korrol
Al Secord, JR (still what I think of when I hear the term power forward).
All played some damn good hockey for us.

Damn near enough for it to be a double ring.
Blackhawks fans know this.
Jim Pappin
Pit Martin
Cliff Korrol
Al Secord, JR (still what I think of when I hear the term power forward).
All played some damn good hockey for us.
- 35Tony0

Phil Esposito, Dominik Hasek...um Nevermind.

Damn near enough for it to be a double ring.
Blackhawks fans know this.
Jim Pappin
Pit Martin
Cliff Korrol
Al Secord, JR (still what I think of when I hear the term power forward).
All played some damn good hockey for us.
- 35Tony0

Am I the only one who thinks Steve Smith! deserves to be in the ring of honor as well?

Am I the only one who thinks Steve Smith! deserves to be in the ring of honor as well?
- captainserious

For Calgary maybe

For Calgary maybe
- LAHawk

It looks like you can watch all the Rockford iceDogs games home & and away for under $100... AHLTV


Also about a dozen blogs back someone said they brought back a wine from Italy...what was it?

It looks like you can watch all the Rockford iceDogs games home & and away for under $100... AHLTV


Also about a dozen blogs back someone said they brought back a wine from Italy...what was it?
- wiz1901

It was an Italian wine. When I was younger we called it Dago Red!

Agreed on all of those guys - would go Willy and Bob Murray as well.

And add 72 there as well ... (meaning Tonelli) ...

Titans 17 Bears 3 going into the second half. If I wasn't so lazy, the tv would be turned off. For the season.

Titans 17 Bears 3 going into the second half. If I wasn't so lazy, the tv would be turned off. For the season.
- 35Tony0

Good thing you're lazy. D win and Caleb has one under his belt. Kind of surprised they weren't running more early...oh well, a bit ugly but a win's a win.

Good thing you're lazy. D win and Caleb has one under his belt. Kind of surprised they weren't running more early...oh well, a bit ugly but a win's a win.
- HawkintheD

Give Caleb time. He is not going to be Tom Brady in his first game. Titans have a great defense.

Give Caleb time. He is not going to be Tom Brady in his first game. Titans have a great defense.
- bjphawkfan

Also Bears defense is improved and actually is pretty good. The Bears defense made big plays and the long field goal have to be pretty regularly made by winning teams
Late edit: I don’t think their defense is great, just pretty good. Big difference between elite among best in league and just pretty good.

Also Bears defense is improved and actually is pretty good. The Bears defense made big plays and the long field goal have to be pretty regularly made by winning teams
Late edit: I don’t think their defense is great, just pretty good. Big difference between elite among best in league and just pretty good.
- jhawk59

I would be really worried if he did what Levis did with the lead. He didn't, didn't have any critical mistakes in a tight game, and really was the difference between winning and losing.