http://nhlnumbers.com/overview.php?team=CHI&season=0910

Newest rumors floating address the Hawks looking to trade for a big and physical stay @ home blueliner

DT supposedly isn't opposed to moving rostered players

I'm was on the Blackhawks bandwagon last year but this year, I'm calling a back seat.

Jesus, this team looks so amazing right now.

I like the Blackhawks. Caps vs. Blackhawks in the SCF.

Toews is becoming one of my favourite young players.

Keith and Seabrook are going to be great too.

% chance they move Campbell's contract by next year?

obviously much of this (lines) will depend on how the rest of the offseason plays out, but I'm intrigued by line possibilities with Hossa

the Ladd Bolland Havlat line was by far the Hawks best line last year, so it seems pretty natural to swap out Havlat for Hossa

on the other hand, stacking the top line with Hossa/Kane/Toews would be pretty sweet too, and from there the 2nd line would probably be Sharp/Bolland/Ladd

I also hope Madden centers Buff's line, obv Madden is a different player than Pahlsson, but once Buff was paired with Pahlsson his game changed pretty quickly (I think Canucks fans, and to a lesser degree, Flames fans can agree with that)

I <3 the Hawks, and I <3 their chances this year. This is going to be an amazing season to watch, that's for sure.

Blasphemy!

We're going no where fast....


Versteeg just signed. Bolland too.

Um, cap_spacemuch?

We're clearly going to move some people before next year. The question is...who is/are the most expendable and who would be guys that other teams would be willing to trade for?

pretty much

Buff/Sopel one time?

are you referring to next year as 2010-11 or 2009-10? the hawks are fine for this coming season.

yes, I meant 2010/2011. I'm not as read as some of you guys are on this stuff, but I DO know the basics...

okay just making sure.

fwiw i think the blackhawks are going to get rid of patrick sharp, dustin byfuglien, and they may try to get rid of brian campbell but i cannot see anyone taking him on besides dallas or perhaps toronto. depends how campbell plays this year.

That would completely screw up the "you have to lose one before you win one" cliche.

yea, the Hawks are fine for the cap this year, I find it interesting though that Tallon has remained adamant that everything is okay with regards to cap space and keeping the core together

he's said this explicitly in a number of interviews/press conferences of late, so we'll see what happens I guess

with Versteeg signed here is what I think would be the best line combos

Sharp/Toews/Versteeg
Hossa/Bolland/Kane
Ladd/Madden/Byfuglien
Eager/Burish/Kopecky

Brouwer

Keith/Seabrook
Soup/Hammy
Barker/Hendry/Johnson

Hendry/Johnson

Huet

Game on! That should be the thread title

He also denied cap problems last year even when he was trying to ship Khabi to Russia, Barker started the year in Rockford to get under the cap and than shipped Lang out for nothing.

IMO

Sharp Toews Hossa
Kane Bolland Ladd
Brouwer Madden Versteeg
Buff Kopecky Burrish

Eager Frasier

Keith Seabs
Campbell Hjjarrrmlllssssoonnn
Barker Hendry

Johnson

Huet
Crawford

Can't say why, but since the Hossa signing I've really liked the idea of a Sharp Toews Hossa line. Ladd and Bolland with Kane gives you 2 guys who will crash the net and get dirty and will make up for his terrible D. 3rd line has 3 solid defenders and can match up with top lines. Buff on the 4th line brings some offense and Eager can play when they need a heavyweight on the ice.

D pairings are a lot easier.

I think all line combos will get use at some point, I just feel with Hossa and Sharp both being snipers you may want to spread it out a bit, and I feel if they stacked the lines they'd throw out Kane/Toews/Hossa

I like Kane with Hossa b/c Kane is probably the best playmaker the Hawks have and Hossa is def. the Hawks best sniper/scorer

I also prefer Eager on the 4th line with Brouwer being forward #13

Hawks-Flames Game 1 on NHL Network right now. Game 2 is on tomorrow night.

I like Brouwer in the lineup for what he can do at both ends of the ice. I can see Eager playing a fair amount especially if his offense continues to approve.

Burrish could be the odd man out when you figure Bolland, Madden, Versteeg & Kopecky should see a good amount of PK time. Than you have Brouwer, Toews & Sharp who can also kill penalties.

Barker just tied it at 1. First home goal in a decade. I remember drinking heavily and going nuts at the UC right about now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clhOnZRrmXc

Wow, no action on here about the Tallon firing yet....What do you guys think?

Writing was on the wall as soon as the elder Bowman was hired that the younger Bowman would be GM sooner rather than later.

On name alone, you have to like Stan's chances of being a successful GM. And who are we kidding, Scotty's probably been running the show for the past year.

Tallon was great at drafting, I liked him in the booth and have heard nothing but good things from people that have meet him. He does however have a pretty poor record of overpaying for free agents that don't pan out and managing the cap.