Uneventful first day of camp
It was a mostly ho-hum first day of training camp for the Blackhawks.
Dave Bolland didn’t participate in the scrimmages because of a lower body injury that coach Joel Quenneville said would keep him off the ice for the next few days.
The scrimmages were played at a high tempo but were a little ragged. Nobody stood out. There were a few scraps between guys with big numbers looking to make an impression, which happens during every training camp scrimmage.
Quenneville and GM Stan Bowman tried to convince everyone there are jobs to be won even though the roster is all but set outside of the backup goalie competition between Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi.
Who is going to crack these four lines, assuming everyone stays healthy?
Patrick Sharp-Johnny Toews-Patrick Kane
Kris Versteeg-Dave Bolland-Dustin Byfuglien
Andrew Ladd-John Madden-Tomas Kopecky
Ben Eager-Adam Burish-Troy Brouwer
Spare: Colin Fraser
Is Kyle Beach or Jack Skille going to sneak into this top 13? Don’t see it as of right now. Remember, Beach can’t go to Rockford with junior eligibility remaining, so it’s either the Hawks or back to juniors for him.
The top five on defense is set: Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Brian Campbell, Cam Barker and Niklas Hjalmarsson. That leaves Brent Sopel, Aaron Johnson and Jordan Hendry fighting for two spots.
Shawn Lalonde is a long, long, long shot. Free agent Richard Petiot might have at least a chance. Petiot played 11 games for Tampa Bay last season.
I'm looking all over the web for practice times for today (Monday 9/14). Anyone have any idea when they will be @ Johnny's practicing.
I didn't realize how much toughness we lost getting rid of Wisnewski and Walker. Other than Seabrook, we don't have anyone that would keep anyone from working hard in the corners. No intimidation factor at all right now.
I miss Matt Walker already
Two preseasons ago Kyle Beach had yet to be drafted.
As for San Jose, I'm much more curious to see how they get by themselves first before I'd worry about any other team getting by them.
Kyle Beach has a better chance of hitting the lotto than he does of making the Hawks this year. Lalonde is a super longshot right now.
Skille has to be the guy if there is an injury in the bottom two lines, because if there's an injury in the top two lines then you move Versteeg, Buff, Kopecky or Brouwer up.
I think Sopel has to make the team because he is the closest thing to Matt Walker we have and maybe a little smarter with the puck. I wouldn't rule out Petiot either, he has some talent.
first two paragraph about Beach and Lalonde chances.
Oh, the Cap and Kane Keith Toews new contracts AFTER this year are when you see the chances of these guys making the squad (barring major injuries ahead on the depth charts) when others will HAVE to be sent packing and their rookie Cap numbers will be convenient.
I am much more curious how this club gets by San Jose this spring.
This Hawk line-up was set by their convention.
They knew they needed Fraser signed to fill the roster spot while Hossa was injured and despite the advance decrees of "Beach ALMOST made the team (two seasons ago).." says more about hype and lack of depth the club from two preseasons ago had.
I thought this off-season would never end. Drop the puck!