2019/20 Roster and Camp Battles

[Raskolnikov]

Pretty much. Any team worth a squirt of piss is going to leverage the assets it has to win and if one team, like the 'hawks, doesn't do any retaliation (scoreboard, physical, or otherwise), The other will take complete advantage. Guys like Gorilla Salad are useful as long as they don't instigate. But, if there's word from above not to, then what use are they? Granted, it's not like Shaw is useless out there and you have to balance the usefulness of a player with how much they'd set back the team if put in the box/suspended, but if the coaching/brass end up muzzling Shaw even if a star is ran, it's not bringing the team's full range of talent to bear, and it's a shitty way to run a hockey team.

On paper the 'hawks got some sandpaper, which is good. But considering the fact that the past few seasons anyone who showed any pack mentality was quickly reined in has me worried. Shaw, Smith, etc. might be preemptively muzzled by someone higher up on them on the corporate (but not evolutionary) ladder.

I assumed that muzzle order had been lifted when Jewels took on big Buff?!

Its a new day...Jewels stood up to the biggest man in the NHL. Shaw is back. Dach is here or 12 months away. Entwhistle is ready to put a shoulder in whoever we tell him to if we want. Smith is here. Kampf is a year older and a year harder.

Maata will help, and Seabs got the memo to fight for his career...so maybe he pushes somebody back too and figures out exactly what his body might be good for in todays game and start doing it.

If anything we still lean a little on the small side, but I think the balance is better and should be a little better in 12 months again too.
The Lightning to me are the greatest example of mixing in flavors of big powerful men and skill guys...but the Bruins do it too.

 

[anotheridiot]

Kampf might be harder, but I dont think he is *** porn hard or ever will be. I though Smith and Carpenter were both signed to be centers here, so there will be adjustment for any of them. Its either give the betteran the center spot and let Dach play forward or I think Dach is headed to OHL land.

 

[LordKOTL]

I assumed that muzzle order had been lifted when Jewels took on big Buff?!

Its a new day...Jewels stood up to the biggest man in the NHL. Shaw is back. Dach is here or 12 months away. Entwhistle is ready to put a shoulder in whoever we tell him to if we want. Smith is here. Kampf is a year older and a year harder.

Maata will help, and Seabs got the memo to fight for his career...so maybe he pushes somebody back too and figures out exactly what his body might be good for in todays game and start doing it.

If anything we still lean a little on the small side, but I think the balance is better and should be a little better in 12 months again too.
The Lightning to me are the greatest example of mixing in flavors of big powerful men and skill guys...but the Bruins do it too.

Did he stand up to anyone else since? No. Same happened to Debrincat. Same happened to Panarin. Did the muzzle order get lifted, or was that his 1 get-out-of-jail-free card? We don't know--and that's the problem.

Right now the onus is on the team to prove it's not SSDP (same shit different players), and on-paper that can't be proved--only on the ice.

I'll reserve my judgement for when a goalie is ran--or another player by my money is on goalie. If it's the same shit 3 years running? It's proof the Aura of Pussification™ still exists and either Stan is the root, or failed to root out the root of the problem. If not, *then* I'll say the muzzle order has been lifted.

 

[MassHavoc]

Just got more crowded

Blackhawks add Swedish defenseman Philip Holm on a 1-year deal

The Blackhawks agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday with Swedish defenseman Philip Holm, who has one game of NHL experience and spent last season in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League. Holm, 27,…

www.chicagotribune.com

 

[LordKOTL]

Just got more crowded

Blackhawks add Swedish defenseman Philip Holm on a 1-year deal

The Blackhawks agreed to a one-year deal Tuesday with Swedish defenseman Philip Holm, who has one game of NHL experience and spent last season in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League. Holm, 27,…

www.chicagotribune.com

On one hand, I like the fact that Stan is trying to keep every option open on the backend.

On the other hand, I'm hoping that we don't get into another 2012-esque logjam where someone like O'donnell is effectively blocking someone better.

 

[MassHavoc]

On one hand, I like the fact that Stan is trying to keep every option open on the backend.

On the other hand, I'm hoping that we don't get into another 2012-esque logjam where someone like O'donnell is effectively blocking someone better.

I'm more worried about not settling on any of them because we have so many options and constantly playing musical chairs to find the best but always thinking maybe the other guy was just a little better so we should swap.

 

[LordKOTL]

I'm more worried about not settling on any of them because we have so many options and constantly playing musical chairs to find the best but always thinking maybe the other guy was just a little better so we should swap.

Excellent point. But in the same vein if that does happen it hasten's Stan's departure.

 

[MassHavoc]

Excellent point. But in the same vein if that does happen it hasten's Stan's departure.

Not sure if I want to wait.

 

[Raskolnikov]

As complicated as below is...its probably a realistic look at the choices the Blackhawks have pruned down some from the OP, given the level of the players involved factored in...I just don't see Nylander or some other options breaking into this groups territory until later in the year. Numbers indicate my current ranking at that position.

(2. Saad/1.Jewels3.Saarela4.Kubalik)-Toews-(1.Kane/3.Kubalik/4.Dach/2.Shaw)

Cat-Strome-(2.Kane/1.Kubalik/3.Shaw/5.Dach/4.Saarela6. dark horse...smith for faceoffs/net)

Saad/Jewels-(2.Dach/1.Kampf3.Kurashev)-(2.Smith/1.Shaw)

(2.Entwhistle/1.Carp/3.Sikura4.Jewels)-(1.Kampf/2.Carp)-(1.Smith/2.Shaw/3.Sikura/4.Kubalik)


If you are confused by Smiths presence he plays RW best and win's face-offs, so they may use him to help Dach or Strome or Kampf if necessary at times, imo. Slotting him there is probably more of a line spin expect him to be there sometimes, than a starting role thing. just FYI...expect him to really compliment Kane in that way, as the counter line spinner...if Kane jumps into an offensive rush, this guy can jump into a defensive rush and win a face-off. It should work out really well.

I am VERY high on Kubalik...he might have a top shot on the team in certain situations. Saarela is reported to finish well also. So we added some finishers(Nylander/Shaw included) as well as faceoff winners and some muscle/size is finally emerging in the system.

SHOULD BE A GREAT YEAR WITH THESE TWO GOALIES!!

 

[LordKOTL]

Not sure if I want to wait.

Does anybody? Stan & Q should have been out the summer of 2018. At this point IMHO there are 2 options: Stan finds a way to win (if not win it all become a serious contender again) and keeps his job: Fans are happy. Or, he screws the pooch and is hopefully canned: Fans are happy.

...
SHOULD BE A GREAT YEAR WITH THESE TWO GOALIES!!

"Should" being operative. IMHO the team D is still a major question mark and we got Crawford's durability in doubt, and Lehner simply hasn't seen as much rubber as the 'hawks porous D lets by. I think the O is set up as best as it can be and honestly, Lehner and Crawford I think shore up the net--but the 'hawks didn't wholly address D from FWDs, they still didn't get a top-pairing D-man, Keith and Seabrook are getting yet older and a lot is hanging on deHaan and Maata being at least as-advertised in the backend.

On paper, the team should be in the playoff hunt and possibly getting past round 1. In reality? Who knows as yet. With the team as-assembled things could still go pear-shaped...and @MassHavoc does have a good point about having so many options positions are just musical chairs--if no one sticks it could be detrimental.

Call it cautious optimism on my part.

 

[MassHavoc]

Does anybody? Stan & Q should have been out the summer of 2018. At this point IMHO there are 2 options: Stan finds a way to win (if not win it all become a serious contender again) and keeps his job: Fans are happy. Or, he screws the pooch and is hopefully canned: Fans are happy.

"Should" being operative. IMHO the team D is still a major question mark and we got Crawford's durability in doubt, and Lehner simply hasn't seen as much rubber as the 'hawks porous D lets by. I think the O is set up as best as it can be and honestly, Lehner and Crawford I think shore up the net--but the 'hawks didn't wholly address D from FWDs, they still didn't get a top-pairing D-man, Keith and Seabrook are getting yet older and a lot is hanging on deHaan and Maata being at least as-advertised in the backend.

On paper, the team should be in the playoff hunt and possibly getting past round 1. In reality? Who knows as yet. With the team as-assembled things could still go pear-shaped...and @MassHavoc does have a good point about having so many options positions are just musical chairs--if no one sticks it could be detrimental.

Call it cautious optimism on my part.

I think McDick is going to try to keep Stan on as long as humanly possible because he's the perfect insulation and scapegoat between the fans and him. This guy has 0 hockey background and is all flash and marketing, I wouldn't trust him to make a competent replacement hire. He got lucky with Bowman because he made a flashy hire of the heir apperent. And even then you can see how after everything that was built for him wore off, he was only able to keep it together for so long and hasn't continued to rebuild and capitalize on 3 SCs. With the talent and success we've had, there should be 0 doubt going into any season that we'll be in the playoffs and here we all are dicking around worrying about if we even have any competent D men.

 

[anotheridiot]

read a few stories suggesting Gus is going to be traded soon. I guess they see if any other D man can show any offense on the power play.

 

[Raskolnikov]

read a few stories suggesting Gus is going to be traded soon. I guess they see if any other D man can show any offense on the power play.

Bovqist is an offensive Norse god.

You'll be saying, "Byram who?" in no time. Especially when you see the latter slow motion meandering around traffic and getting taken out of his skates.

I was promoting Gus 2-3 years before he emerged, as I liked his aggressive offense and willing sacrifice, kind of frenetic kinetic chaos but he didn't stick until he learned to keep one eye on Kane and shuffle board all action to 88. hahaha

Bovqist will be an offensive upgrade by the end of the year if he isn't already. Talent levels of the two are not equal. I wish Gus the best and have enjoyed watching him grow. One of the few guys that always got better and kept at it despite multiple send downs. Happy for him and I hope he gets paid something decent, lands in a spot he can see 50 points again. What a season he had.

We can train someone else to pass to "the good one."

 

[Raskolnikov]

Apparently Kuba is a LW... I just saw him scoring alot of goals from the right. I'd make him the front runner for the 1LW spot then, which makes the Stan vision easier to see.

Dach is the biggest question mark now. maybe Saarela, if either can actually make the squad. Not sure Carpenter is a shoe-in anymore, his spot might be a two-way deal. I almost hope they just let Perlini walk with or without Dach. Investing more than 1.5 or more than 1 year would seem foolish.

Without Dach
Kubalik-Toews-Kane (Kuba is a the right finisher for Kane, has good size to support Toews)

Cat-Strome-Perlini/Saarela/Shaw (I would think Perlini faces a tough competition to hold that even if he is here)

Saad-Kampf-Shaw

Jewels-Carp-Smith

With Dach
Kubalik-Toews-Kane

Cat-Strome-Perlini/Saarela/Shaw

(Shaw/Jewels)-Dach-Smith (Smith is required to win face-offs for Dach, turning this into an energy/grind line)

Saad-Kampf-(Shaw/Jewels)

13. Carp

My Favorite
Kubalik-Toews-Kane

Cat-Strome-Perlini

Saad-Dach-Smith

Jewels-Kampf-Shaw

13. Carp

I think that last one gives some clarity and lets the youts start in Rockford and prove themselves as a team. Should have 4 line production, and a somewhat hilarious but very dangerous 4th line.

Would be my dream to see Saad-Dach-Smith roll in pre-season, I'd like to see if they can get it done and if Smith hinders them or leads to possession and net front trouble. Saad gives it some speed/teeth, and they should also be able to forecheck. Dach is capable of handling a solid entry load.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Kubalik-Toews-Dach

Cat-Strome-Kane

Saad-Kampf-Shaw

Jewels-Carp-Smith

Would probably also be farely effective.

Lots of ways to skin this now that they have some more face-off power and the versatility of Jewels/Shaw/Saad/Smith/Kane up and down the lines however they want.

Probably match-up dependent, and adaptive.

Saarela/Nylander/Kurashev/Sikura are all capable of working themselves into the conversaion with some luck and effort.

Kubalik would look just as nice on the third line, we will have to see exactly what we have there but the team plan seems to be he is already pre-selected to start the year in the top 13. His scoring ability will be valuable anywhere and if he is willing enough to forecheck could earn that 1LW slot. Jewels/Shaw are going to succeed wherever you put them.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Jewels-Toews-Kane

Cat-Strome-Perlini

Kubalik-Kampf-Shaw (I believe Kubalik and Kampf have some international experience together? so also possible? wrong?)

Saad-Smith-Dach


I'm just demonstrating that I haven't seen this type of impressive depth on the third and fourth lines since Hossa retired. Depends on how you view Kubalik, but you'll be with me on that soon enough.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Rockford and Traverse City Prospect Tourney September 6th minus Versteeg

Sikura-Kurashev-Nylander

Q-Entwhistle-Saarela

Soderland-Hagel-Versteeg

Sikura2-Krys-Saarela2 And forgive me for others I left off.

Lahtenen...KK, Dahlstrom, Beudin,

These guys are going to light the AHL up.

And I might add you get to see them play with Dach/Vlasic and some others in the Traverse City Prospect Tourney starting on September 6th-10 before camp gets going.

 

[LordKOTL]

read a few stories suggesting Gus is going to be traded soon. I guess they see if any other D man can show any offense on the power play.

Kinda sucks for the PP--especially if the 1st unit has to run with Keith again who is as useless as a ****-flavored lollipop on the PP. Even the biggest cynical bastard, like myself, has to appreciate what the kid did for the PP.

But on the other hand Gus was a 13th FWD on the 2nd worst defense last year--which is a luxury the D can't really afford even after bolstering their G-pair--ergo if they can bring in a d-man with a high fraction of his O but better D it would be a net move up in my opinion.

I still think/thought that Gus would get a shot to at least prove he improved behind the blueline this year...but who knows. I still think the best time to dish Gus off is either at the TDL if we're out of it or at the draft.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Kinda sucks for the PP--especially if the 1st unit has to run with Keith again who is as useless as a ****-flavored lollipop on the PP. Even the biggest cynical bastard, like myself, has to appreciate what the kid did for the PP.

But on the other hand Gus was a 13th FWD on the 2nd worst defense last year--which is a luxury the D can't really afford even after bolstering their G-pair--ergo if they can bring in a d-man with a high fraction of his O but better D it would be a net move up in my opinion.

I still think/thought that Gus would get a shot to at least prove he improved behind the blueline this year...but who knows. I still think the best time to dish Gus off is either at the TDL if we're out of it or at the draft.

They might wait until Bovquist takes that spot from Gus, with Keith and running the PP. I think he's ready for it right now, he is an offensive savant. His defense is the problem, Gus is a lot more physical and sturdy than Bovker.

But offensively...Bovqer is a freak show. Absolute fucking freak show. Doudy and Burns are something else, because they are men you would like to fight next to in the crusades also, but Gus he can replace 75-90% as a rookie while providing at least a dozen jaw dropping holy shits. Worried about his frame holding up to an NHL season...yes. Worried about his strength on defense...yes. Worried about concussions...yes. Worried about the power play...nope! Freak show Lordy! Freak show!

 

[Raskolnikov]

The other thing to consider, is that in 9 months Barrett/Mitchell should arrive from Denver U and Penn St.

Unfortunately DU is projected to make the Frozen Four again, limiting his playoff eligibility for us. But Barrett could be another winger late stretch.

If they could trade Seabrook they would, and not sure why they got Maata...and then ALSO traded for De Haan...except I will tell you this...I think it was Carolina who contacted the Blackhawks.

I say that because they needed a goalie bad, and for whatever reason contacted the Blackhawks about Forseberg. They probably started with "Saarela for Forsberg offer"...and I am just speculating..because Saarela asked for a trade, but Goalie value being what it is, Stan balked and said De Haan...

and then they looked at what young D-men the Hawks could give back in that case...and a swap of Forsling for De Haan, and Saarela for change of scenery, and we have no need of Forsberg...boom...

the deal was too good for the Hawks to pass up is what I think happened, and then the numbers got really really tight and then Bovqist started lighting up the rinks and looking undeniably ready now.

So now

1. Keith
2. Gus
3. De Haan
4. Bovqist
5. Murphy
6. Beudin
7. KK
8. Maata (Mitchell is about here and similar, as a defensive defenseman guy)
9. Seabrook
10. Dahlstrom

Would be my current rankings.

So what the frack do you do? Gus had 60 points and 30 of them were easy passes to Kane that @Bigfoot youngest could make...

I think he is the logical choice...if you can't ship Seabrook out with like a Barrett, 2nd rounder, Saarela type deal.

I think KK is underrated also and could step up this year, whereas Maata could be another Seabrook.
Within 14 months I want Gus/Maata/Seabrook out and Bovquist, Beudin, Mitchell in.

But of course LordKtl is right as usual, in that case the special teams, PK and PP become the big question.