Good point, CH.

Plus, he's a good for the powerplay. We need that.

Sounds like it would just be AHLers like McNeill and a defenseman, that's how down Edmonton is on Yakupov. You know what, go for it if that's the case. He'll give you more than any of our fourth-line bums will.

I still want Mike Richards on this team eventually.

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I don't understand why this rumor surfaced all of a sudden if they haven't spoken in a little bit about it. And I've read on another board, they've talking to inside guys with the Hawks that it was close.

Maybe Edmonton wanted a little better return and leaked it to drum up other interest.

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If they are willing to give McNeil and Pokka, that is probably a decent return.

sved and pokka recalled?

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Showcasing, I can only hope, though with Svedberg, what is there to showcase? He can't play.

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Ya I'm not exactly sure how you showcase a guy you just put on waivers. Shouldn't that kind of tell you no one wants him?

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Maybe Q wants to rest a bunch of guys and just needs a couple bodies to put up with the Blues' bullshit.

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Yakupov to the Blues. Dammit.

Fucking cocksuckers. Can't wait for all that Jordin Tootoo action.

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I blame Zawaski.

Schmaltz, Motte, Forsling, and Hinostroza make the team. Mashinter cut, THANK FUCK. Fortin got sent back to Rouyn-Noranda. I don't even remember where in Quebec that is. I think it's one of those back-of-beyond mining/logging towns up north where more people speak Cree than French. Or maybe that's Val d'Or. Fuck, I don't know and neither do you.

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Saw an article today and they have all the defensive pairings mixed up. Keith-TVR camper and frisking then seabrooke at the botttom.

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Elections have consequences.

I hope to god someone slashes Tootoo in the knee, and he is out for the year, and another claims Mash.

Hartmann?

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That's my purse! I don't know you!

Could be a temporary alignment with Hjalmarsson out for the first game, but Quenneville has been loath to pair Keith with Seabrook as of late, and the thought of any two of Kempny/Forsling/van Riemsdyk on the third pairing could easily give Q the howling fantods.

It's Forsling, not Frisking.


Oh I guess he's there too. Meh, whatever, hopes ain't high.

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autocorrect

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Elections have consequences.

So I guess opening night would be

Panik - Toews - Motte
Panarin - Anisimov - Kane
Schmaltz - Kruger - Hartman
Hinostroza - Rasmussen - Tootoo

Keith - van Riemsdyk
Campbell - Forsling
Kempny - Seabrook

Crawford (Darling)

I still have some trepidation about those forwards. It would have been so cool to get Yakupov on the first line.

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Is there a timetable for Hossa?

Oh, is he healthy? Probably slot him in on the first line at least to begin the year; they won't demote him to checking-line duty right away.

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Idk. I think he got hurt in the world cup? He isn't in the line up and...he's old.

I was hoping he would take the LTIL, but he came out last week or the week before and said he has a few years left.

I hope to god, Schmaltz isnt wasted on the checking line.

I agree with several others that there's a concern on scoring. I still argue the 2 biggest problems last year were:
1) defense - No #4 with Oduya gone
2) Mediocre season from the #19

This team is defensively much better. If we can see #19 come back to form, I like our chances. I'm still mostly scared of Nashville.

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Me too.

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Elections have consequences.

Those were my concerns.

I think not only is the top 4 solidified, but #5 and #6 or even #7 will be a lot better.

I think El Capitan will be better.

I hope Schmaltz gets a shot on line 1 with Toews. Haven't seen any pre-season, but from the few times I saw him in college he's a helluva player with top six passing and vision.

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The lines for the past two days:

Panik-Toews-Hossa
Panarin-Anisimov-Kane
Motte-Kruger-Hartman
Hinostroza-Schmaltz-Tootoo

The top two you could see coming from a mile away, even if they threatened to break up the "2nd" line.

I'd swap Tootoo and Motte and then swap 3rd and 4th lines. Make your more traditional Hawks version of a 4th line and then have a line that while lacks experience has offensive skill and creativity.

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Mashinter and McNeil cleared waivers. Off to Ice Hog land for thee.

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Elections have consequences.