A few training camp observations

I say, bring back Sonnino, the Christian. Always some good laughs.

What Ye about Havlat? Anyone following his Twitter comments? Here's hoping he has some great years ahead. Everyone knocks him when he's down, but he's a hero when he scores.

How come we didn't try for Heatley? Inquiring minds want to know.

What's Dale up to? Working in the Liquor Department, with Pullford? God help us, with Scotty Jr, running the show now.

Kopecky is a good player who could have proven himself more if not for some serious injuries and a lot of depth in Detroit the past few years. Kopecky is not one of our top players, but he isn't anywhere near a marginal player...he'll impact in a positive way, because he is steady, strong, and has some skill. I liken him a lot to the value of a Ben Eager, who has skill and can skate well, yet is never going to be a number one line player(Kopecky is strong/but I don't know if he is he as good a skater as Eager?). Throughout the season line juggling occurs; this is when a player who has various strong aspects to his game will mix and match well even on a top line. This is how having a deep, skilled roster where each line is tough and competes -- this is our strength. This is also how a call up, say Skille or Aliu could fit right in.

On the back end...Johnson is likely capable of playing tough enough, and Hendry could be solid on a third pair. But I'd like some muscle on the third pair, because Hjalmarsson should be the glue/steady guy on that pair and I see Hendry's strengths are too much similar to Hjalmarsson's. Ultimately probably should try to add a tough -nosed veteran who can cover fro Campbell.

TimS. Yes, this team is not a few years away. But they must have top goaltending in the playoffs. This team could be better on paper, even better on ice despite possibly fewer points this season YET in playoffs a top goalie can tip the scales --- eg. Luongo, even a fresh Kiprusoff. Calgary, by the way, is loaded and is run by a master bench boss who will get more out of his team -- which is ironic, because everyone would have thought Iron Mike should have that result. With Bouwmeester added to the defense and lesson learned about wearing out your top horses before the playoffs, I expect D Sutter and B Sutter will have this team much better prepared mentally as well as talent-wise once the playoffs begin. In SanJose, no excuses this time: Heatley and Thorton are difference makers at critical times. Or are they? Like Calgary, this team has not gone as far as projected. Although Dallas may be slipping in some ways -- maybe even in goal -- they have plenty of young talent rising. They have a formidable offense, although Modano and, possibly, Lehntinen are no longer the top guys. But who wouldn't love to go to battle with Riberio, Morrow, Ott, and J Neal (Neal: think near clone of Ryan/Ducks). Have to see some young defensemen continue to improve, Richards and Ericsson(quick: how many goals did he have last year/around 35?) have big years. Have to wonder a topsy turvy season from Turco. Yes, if wondering, Zubov is gone -- presumably in Russia ? where former penguin Gonchar will also continue playing.

Well it is probably correct LA KINGS is an up and coming team to watch -- they've made all the right moves, although their goaltending has to prove itself. The defensemen still will rely upon top young studs, which may be ok during regular season given the team surrounding them is a good fit. They would be the choice to sneak into playoffs, and Dallas to miss out again. Obviously Columbus is going to be tough. Mason has to stand tall again and it may be too much to expect all that young talent to mesh the way Hitchcock prefers. But there is enough talent even if, say a Filatov, is not ready to produce at both ends of the ice like Hitchcock demands. Tell you what, Voracek and Brassard is the real deal -- I expect this team can outmuscle Chicago if they play it that way. Their achillies heel --- beside youth and Hitchcock's demanding style being difficult to embrace for top offensive guys -- is on the blueline where they lack o a general who moves the puck well and directs/gives confidance to the rest of the players on the back end. This is a team that would do well if they could afford to sign a Gonchar or a Zubov say near the trade deadline. Funny, that is one way how Chicago could also push ahead (although I'd rather see a tough guy d-man come aboard)... that and really strong goaltending.

So there you go, I spelled out some of the competition that makes it difficult for Chicago to get too far ahead of their much higher ego and confidance level than a year ago at this time. This is not to say that we can't beat those teams, just that it is going to be tough. Don't expect to receive two playoff opponents so banged up, that at times their coach plays a defensive not to loose schematic approach. Oh, by the way, I agree St Louis is a better version this year and, too, they have Andy Murray behind the bench. E Johnson could really bolster a top three/four on blueline which could be one of the league's best. But up front and in goal they might need just a tad more. Is Tkacuk going to hold up for an entire season? For sure the healthy return of Kariya looms large. Their goaltending, not bad, but isn't good enough for playoffs. Ponder this, however: Is their goaltending duo better than Chicago's? And as for our Ohio area posters...how do you say Columbus will fare this year in the playoffs? Bdm34 poster look forward to more post from you this season.

"Dustin Byfuglien looks to be in the best shape of his career."

I still think this is because of him getting invited to the Olympic camp. Getting the chance to represent your country is great motivation to get in shape and get to the top of your game.

Tim,

Was wondering if there was a revised/updated timeline for Hossa's injury? Is he in town or back in Europe doing his rehab?

Does Skille look like he could contribute on the lower lines (ie defense)?

Also, what are you hearing specifically on Bolland's back? Thx

going to become chip shots at others?
If so, I am gone.
I liked the fact that we discussed things her, disagreed, but can to understanding here w/o the cheap shots.

The Hawks are going to have a very good year and the future is bright, but the team taking the ice on October 2nd is more or less the same team that got destroyed by Detroit in the play-offs last year. Even without Hossa, Detroit still has 3 of the top ten players in the league with Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Zetterberg. The Hawks can't claim they have even one of the top ten.

The Hawks have added some great role players in Madden and Kopckey but they still lost their best all around player in Havlat and effectively replaced him with 50% of a Martin Hossa for the 2009-10 season.

Last year the Hawks had two solid NHL goalies playing every single game in Huet and Bulin. Even if Huet can replace Bulin as our #1 goalie (huge question mark) you have a lesser player than last year playing in about 25% of your games as your #2.

The Hawks made the play-offs last year by winning just 6 more games than the #8 seed Anaheim. If Huet melts down and/or Hossa doesn't come back 100% it is not out of the question that they go down to the wire struggling for the last play-off spot.

"It's only scrimmages, but Tomas Kopecky is a better player than I thought. He is big and skilled. He's got a good chance to play a larger role with the Hawks after being overshadowed in Detroit."

I'm sure Kopecky will be a nice addition, but this tidbit shows that we are still a few years away from even having a shot at beating Detroit in a 7 game series. A player they let walk is suddenly one of our better forwards.