D.ickinson is such a natural 3C I don't think it makes sense for the team to play him up when there's more offensive talent in the top-six now. That Blackwell - D.ickinson - Anderson line looked pretty good last year. Wonder if swaping Mikheyev for Blackwell on that third line makes it even better.

How about something like:

Hall - Bedard - Kurashev
Teravainen - Athanasiou - Bertuzzi
Mikheyev - D.ickinson - Anderson
Foligno - Donato - Maroon/Smith
Maroon/Smith

I'm banking on Kurashev picking up where he left off. He had 24 points in the first 43 games of the year (pre all star break) and finished strong by picking up 30 points in the 32 games after. I think there's another gear to his game still and think it gets unlocked with Bedard stepping his game up in year 2 and Hall staying healthy.

Let Reichel and Nazar form a connection in Rockford that could be built upon in the second half of the season once some of the veterans get moved.
- TommyHawk

Reichel never makes it to Rockford if you try sending him down. I bet he ends up with the sharks as first waiver claim.

Can't imagine Kurashev being on Bedards wing when TT, Mikheyev and Bertuzzi are all much better hockey players.
- fattybeef

If you want to test the Kurashev and Reichel you need to play them in the top 6. Mix and match how you like. Hall, Bedard, TT, Bertuzzi, Kurashev, Reichel, Mikheyev may be your best suited for top 6. D!ckinson is a good 3C. Nazar might be best served starting in Rockford.

If you want to test the Kurashev and Reichel you need to play them in the top 6. Mix and match how you like. Hall, Bedard, TT, Bertuzzi, Kurashev, Reichel, Mikheyev may be your best suited for top 6. D!ckinson is a good 3C. Nazar might be best served starting in Rockford.
- Ztra

Kinda goes against the whole players have to earn it thing people here keep banging the drum about.

He is a career 0.911 Sv% 2.64 GAA and has been pretty solid 3 of the last 4 seasons he has played.

He played 23 games with the Jets last year, 2.00 GAA and 0.927%. He has been a career backup type but I dunno if they paid him 3.3 million (nearly as much as Mrazek) to only play 1 out of every 4 or 5 games. I think they will rotate in net and see who is playing well.
- breadbag

And, in theory having a 60/40 or 55/35 game split it will keep both goalies, 31 and 32 yrs old, healthy. .... Really like this signing.

I assumed KD wasn't gonna put his squad thru another season of Soderblom it was just a matter of who he'd sign as the backup. Brossoit is a sold choice. ...... And, as mentioned when both goalie's 2 yr contacts end a 24 yr old Commesso will have been properly developed.

Can't imagine Kurashev being on Bedards wing when TT, Mikheyev and Bertuzzi are all much better hockey players.
- fattybeef

How is Mikheyev a better player? Kurashev just cleared 50 points in his age 24 season. Mikheyev has barely hit 30 and is going to be entering his age-30 season. The other two I'll agree on. TT and Bertuzzi were brought in as top-six additions to help the offense, not just Bedard-specific.

I think they'll all end up playing together at some point as the lineup blender is always on, but again, I do think at the onset it makes sense to pair Bedard-Kurashev together to see if they can build upon last year.

No real room for Reichel, is he trade bait? I just cannot see him playing the 3rd line when Richardinson always draws the other teams’ best lines.

Nazar has a lot more swagger and confidence. He's also played on the smaller ice his whole career.

One guy I definitely wouldn't worry about.
- fattybeef

I'm just not taking any chances putting 20 yr old Nazar in the 2C slot. Winger, fine but not center.

And, I do concede Nazar is not fragile like Reichel seems to have shown himself to be but there is no reason to risk his development. ...... If the Hawks see him for sure as a centerman send him down to get those important pro minutes but from what I saw he's be just fine playing wing next yr in the NHL.

Again, I do not know I could have missed Nazar's difference making IQ coming up but the kid just made plays in all 3 zones, every shift. I do think he'd fit well as an NHL center but not as a 20 yr old.

Reichel never makes it to Rockford if you try sending him down. I bet he ends up with the sharks as first waiver claim.
- LAHawk

Is it confirmed that he'd have to pass through waivers first? Is he out of options?

Is it confirmed that he'd have to pass through waivers first? Is he out of options?
- TommyHawk

yes

No real room for Reichel, is he trade bait? I just cannot see him playing the 3rd line when Richardinson always draws the other teams’ best lines.
- ChicagoHope

He's absolutely trade bait. He was abysmal as a center, and isn't an NHL-player if he isn't playing in the top-six.

Think he's an early change of scenery candidate if he's not looking like a roster lock come the fall.

I'm just not taking any chances putting 20 yr old Nazar in the 2C slot. Winger, fine but not center.

And, I do concede Nazar is not fragile like Reichel seems to have shown himself to be but there is no reason to risk his development. ...... If the Hawks see him for sure as a centerman send him down to get those important pro minutes but from what I saw he's be just fine playing wing next yr in the NHL.

Again, I do not know I could have missed Nazar's difference making IQ coming up but the kid just made plays in all 3 zones, every shift. I do think he'd fit well as an NHL center but not as a 20 yr old.
- Mr Ricochet

Agreed Rico.

There's no hurry. Let him marinate as a C in Rockford. If it looks like he'll be making the move over to wing at the next level, 2C becomes the highest priority for the organization heading into next offseason.

Bertuzzi Bedard Kurashev
Hall Reichel TT
Mikheyev D!ckinson AA
Foligno Donato Smith
Maroon Anderson
- Ztra

Swap Nazar for Reichel, and Anderson for Smith. I trade Reichel, just don’t see where he fits.

Agreed Rico.

There's no hurry. Let him marinate as a C in Rockford. If it looks like he'll be making the move over to wing at the next level, 2C becomes the highest priority for the organization heading into next offseason.
- TommyHawk

Before his fate is decided, let's see how he does in the preseason.

If i were KD i believe AA and Reichel have some chemistry, so i would have AA play center.

Swap Nazar for Reichel, and Anderson for Smith. I trade Reichel, just don’t see where he fits.
- ChicagoHope

Many thought the same of Kurashev until last year, the only forward who had any chemistry with Bedard. Let's just let him play and get some more games under his belt as a wing.

Before his fate is decided, let's see how he does in the preseason.

If i were KD i believe AA and Reichel have some chemistry, so i would have AA play center.
- BetweenTheDots

Bedard Hall Bertuzzi
AA Reichel Kurashev

Bedard Hall Bertuzzi
AA Reichel Kurashev
- LAHawk

Where is Teravainen?

Where is Teravainen?
- ChicagoHope

With Richardinson and Foligno as your shutdown line

Where is Teravainen?
- ChicagoHope

With Nazar and Ilya

With Richardinson and Foligno as your shutdown line
- LAHawk

I'm thinking Slaggert would be with those 2.

I'm thinking Slaggert would be with those 2.
- BetweenTheDots

After today’s moves, I unfortunately don’t see Slaggert or Nazar starting in Chicago.

Kind of.

Didn't like Leshunov over Demidov, on the FA think the Bertuzzi and TT are good signings, but the other guys are just meh.

Guess they are 1 yr deals but it just seems like you just signed 3 Corey Perrys to play on the 4th line.

Totally the opposite of how you want to play (fast).

I should add, I thought he could do no wrong prior to 4 days ago

- vabeachbear

VAbear, I think as time goes by you'll love the Levshunov pick even if Demidov pops for 100 NHL pts. Simply said Lev has most every single trait and NHL scout/GM wants in a defensive prospect and plays a premium position.

A word on the 4th line as written here. My first impression of Foligno as a Hawk was how much life he had left in his legs. He moved nicely and freely. Donato, IIRC, was only behind Anderson in fancy stats. Both Foligno and Danato are solid IQ players and those kinds play faster than their speed would indicate, and IMO both are of average NHL speed anyway.

For me, a lot to like from those two on a 4th line. They will take enough minutes that provides depth in that other lines are not taxed physically with too many minutes.

I'm thinking Slaggert would be with those 2.
- BetweenTheDots

So who gets waived at the start of the year that Nazer and Slaggert are on the opening night roster?

Or are you planning on someone being on opening night IR?

Bedard Hall Bertuzzi
AA Reichel Kurashev
- LAHawk

Bertuzzi Bedard TT
Hall AA Reichel
Kurashev D!ckinson Mikheyev
Donato Smith Foligno

Maybe?

I read another article about Holland coming to Chicago. Two articles, two different writers. Could be the young Mr. Wirtz does not want to be as hands on as his dad.
- bjphawkfan

And been debunked by the team's mouthpiece Laz. 3 days ago. The word bizarre was mentioned.

So who gets waived at the start of the year that Nazer and Slaggert are on the opening night roster?

Or are you planning on someone being on opening night IR?
- LAHawk

Hall is a good bet. He gets hurt getting dressed.