Sharp gets shot with Toews and Hossa

Just a thought . . . what about moving Campbell to forward during 4-on-4 time in overtime or during regulation with coincidental penalties?

TKK cap hit today = about 8.0 mil

After signing = 18, means cap hit next year goes up 10 million

We have committed next year with the TKK signing = 52.5 mil, once again ESPN is just plain dumb and this is the type of journalism that screams print whatever to get them to click the site for ad money saying we are maxed out with 8 guys to sign for next year.

That leaves 8 or so million to spread out to Madden (if he plays), Hammer, Burish, Eager, Ladd (likely gone, but a RFA), Fraiser

Madden = 2.0
Eager = 1.0
Hammer = 3.0
Burish = .7
Fraiser = .7
Ladd is gonna get more money than we can afford more than likely....Beach, Aliu may fill that spot,etc

This list equals 7.4 added to 52.5 = 59.9........Please correct me if I missed something or someone

The other team jams up the neutral zone and/or stacks the blue line and the Hawks don't play dump, chase and bang.

Some of us remember the Scooter Line and the MPH line. Both lines had great centers, a sniper, and a power forward. What's the big mystery? Brevard got it right by suggesting a power forward on each line. The combinations don't really matter unless some great chemistry evolves. Heck, I remember Kyle Calder in the role of power forward with Amonte and Zhamnov, and that even worked.

The Panthers have come up with an interesting way to motivate their goalie to not allow goals.

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

This will learn 'em

....The "two RW line" is a bit more perplexing as at times it looks like guys are being far to overly generous with the puck, when maybe they should force pressure to them before passing.
Also is it me, or are Hossa and Kane always too close to each other no matter if they are both lump on the right of floating to the left boards?
It took until the third tonight for Q to try some on the fly and juggled Sharp in for Hossa,"...

Well, it looks like the odd man out becomes Kane.

I think you will see all three of them on the PP and Toews back with Kane at times, and unless you have a centre to win face-off so the pointmen can get the puck to Kane to work his magic, you are sort of looking at every lost face off as time when Buff and the smaller guys hustle back to play defense?

I just don't see the centre position weakest link as an advantgeous use with Kane.
I hope Kris Versteeg can prove me wrong as I don't want that Madden line broken up.

Here's your experienced goaltender, at least he's on a tryout after being signed by ROCKFORD just like J Cullimore was signed by Rockford. I heard Cullimore was signed to help the young group on the blueline at Rockford. One wonders if there was any ideas put into the head of Mark Bernard, the Icehogs GM, to sign these two players. Let them help Rockford and see if they might be a back up plan for us, Scotty? Ooops, I mean Stan Bowman.

I also heard that the organization wanted to see Richads move up and play in the AHL. He received his chance the past week or so, and posted good stat's. And prior to Richards, Fallon had been tabbed to start a few games. Don't know if Crawford is sick, has a minor injury, or if there was a deliberate plan to let the younger netminders get some games in. But now you also have these veteran at Rockford.... maybe Tim can sort these moves out...after a while, say by New Year's day (if we hear that Cullimore and Cloutier performed well). Too bad JR can't return and help us out; I bet he'd do it on the cheap. But that's the sentamentalist in me speaking. At least JR wouldn't be so past his prime as Chellios is. Have to wonder if Chellios will get an invite somewhere for really cheap after the trade deadline. If for no other reason than to help the team's defensemen as a player/mentor. But Chellios would never accept that since he wants to still play, not be a mentor! My biggest concern is that Detroit gets Lehntinen from Atl -- returns from back inj, is dealt because Pavelac has played so well, and Hedberg is a better back up than "star" material like Lehntinen. Detroit can't pretend Osgod is a lock to play well again in playoffs. They have a kid in Howard as back up. Their GM< Holland, has a record of going with veterans at trade deadline. Whatever happened to dept: injured Fernandez once thought to be a good gaolie. Now Rassk has emerged as a solid goalie of future in Boston. Of course Thomas is the darn good incumbent.

Maybe we all would like to say with the Christmas season upon us, let's put thoughts of trades on the back burner until after New Year's day. The players obviously don't need rumors flying about, anyway. But there is one thought that comes to mind -- no, not a trade proposal -- just an idea about what to consider in terms of how you structure a trade. I mention this because it has not really come up yet, at least not as specific as I will forecast.

If we have to loose say a top forward and or a defenseman, obviously teams will think hardest when the players we offer make more money, eg Sharp makes more than Versteeg, and Barker is paid more than Sopel. Since Sharp adjusts well to any line -- not that Versteeg can't -- it is just an idea here that maybe Versteeg or another making less coin (Bufuglien) would be of greater interest. When you stop and look over the advancement of the career so far of Versteeg, Bufuglien, and Barker, each is positioned now to make that next step. Don't think other teams will not think about that -- as in, do we like this player's ability enough, to trade for him now while he may not have shown his full potential?

Of course we sort of expect that there is a real possibility that we have to accept less than those players are worth in any exchange. Regardles when the trade occurs, be that next week, near the trade deadline or even later than that. I cannot ascertain what the odds are when a trade goes down, and if we receive less than a player is worth. But if Bowman must make a move, and if we can't get the sort of straight up value (even in a scenario where we move two for one) -- I say look at obtaining the sort of skill player prospects that match what you may loose in a trade. Or loose later on if, for instance, a Campbell is moved.

I would give one example because this is a team I know something about their prospects, and this team is weak presently in quality and depth among their forward ranks. So no, not a proposal, just an example...Nashville...has a couple of good, young defensemen prospects ....one is Blum, presently first year pro at Milwaukee. Here is a player that maybe fits into our defense as an offensive "type." Of course, since the blueline corps is the Predators strength (or do you say their goaltender duo is their biggest strength?), perhaps thePred's want to carefully consider long term whom they will sign and project as their blueline of the future. Enter into this equation whom they can sign and for how much. So yeah, it's a complicated picture for each team when trades are discussed. But long term, I believe post people realize that teams will need and already are, building their core top players and hoping to ink them to contracts which keep them on their own rosters. Is Blum the sort whom couold develop into that sort? Don't know, and I'm only suggesting him as an example because he was a #1 and is the ofensive sort. Not saying he does everything a Campbel does. But he is a good skating d-man, which I think has to be a necessity for as many players as possible on your roster.

It's a bonus when a Brouwer type comes along and can stick, because he isn't the best skater. I'm now all for Brouwer having spot in the lineup, although I doubt he will ever become a regular top six forward. He will play more as he produces in various aspects of the sort of "game" he can bring. But long term we know size and speed usually wins out. One of these years a player with ability much better than Fraser, will knock Fraser out of a job. For now Fraser has the smarts and reactionary time is superior, and he is ok at face offs. He atually has been the agitator type that we miss with Burrish out. But long term the opposing team in road games has last call on ice match up at face offs.

That is when we normally hope at least the size and speed issue won't be to our disadvantage. Have to wonder, if we don't acquire another center, is this Kreuger able to slide in fairly soon? Is Bolland's back going to be a forever concern? We sort of expect that the best we could expect from Dowell and even Brophy is to replace a Fraser type as a defensive forward. Beyond that, a Pirri, for instance, likely needs to develop at least two years at the collegiate level. So center is maybe another position where you could look at acquiring a prospect.

Lastly, perhaps you agree that it is wise to always aim to be strongest on defense and at center -- up the middle -- as they say this is true no matter what sport. Well, we might as well admit we will be hard pressed to just watch and see how Huet does, as well as Niemi and the two kids who have played very well at Rockford (no, not Crawford, but Fallon and Richards). Think about that, perhaps chew on that thought a while, when you see a very talented and deep penguins next week. J Staahl a top two way NHL center is their #3 center; on defense Goligowski has been making strides forward this year (presently inj). Gonchar, Letang and Gologowski make their offense scary good. They have a nice blend, with toughness in Orpik and McKee and a descent player in Eaton, too. BTW Cr Adams is making a living on a bottom line with penguins.

Q obviously isn't comfortable with Kane and Toews on the same line as he splits them up as soon as possible whenever they stumble back together. Putting Sharp there is fine with me. As CHF says, Sharp is a great player for ANY line as well as special teams. He's definitely the kind of guy all winning teams have around. He really showed me a lot in the playoffs last year when Q moved him down to the 4th line. Even though his scoring was sure to drop you never heard any griping and if anything he became a big nuisance for the other team in that role. There aren't many players that can so easily change roles on the fly and still help the team at such a high level.

I like the idea of spliting them up. The Hawks need more than one line going. Why make it easy for other teams by putting all that firepower on one line?

Hossa is back for only 3 games thus far and it'll take another 20 to find the combo's that jel the best.

Kane on the right side and Sharp on the left side of different lines can only help them out.

Separating Hossa and Kane. Not sure Sharpie is the right guy on that top line, but he should be fine for now.