Confirmed with Link: Hawks acquire Handzus

[IU Hawks fan]

Good thing you're not in charge.

Kruger has been absolutely everything you want out of a 4C this year. Sure, his FO% isn't great, but he brings a lot to the table, and that's why Handzus is here...not to be a 4C but to take bottom 6 draws! Not having Kruger in the playoff lineup is beyond ridiculous.

 

[ColdSteel2]

Yeah, that was pretty out there. He's been good for us all year.

 

[BobbyJet]

I'm one of Frolik's biggest supporters, but if he didn't play a couple games on the 1st line, I don't think anyone would take Kruger out in favor of Fro.
Handzus was quite good last night, given what the likely low expectations from this board were of him heading into the game. He wasn't painfully slow, had at least one good hit that I can remember, and was dominant on draws.

Definitely wouldn't mind seeing these lines once Sharp gets back:

Saad - Toews - Hossa
Sharp - Bolland - Kane
Bickell - Handsuz - Stalberg
Shaw - Kruger - Frolik

And, if Sharp goes back to centre:

Stalberg - Toews - Kane
Saad - Sharp - Hossa
Bickell - Bolland - Handsuz
Shaw - Kruger - Frolik

In the playoffs, I certainly would dress Frolik ahead of Kruger.

I liked Handzus' game as well and if last night was a typical sample, it should be Kruger who is the odd man out. Adding Morin could do wonders, imo. I like the line-up proposed by Americandream but I would add Mayers, hence something along these lines:

Saad - Toews - Hossa
Morin - Sharp - Kane
Stalberg - Bolland - Bickell
Shaw - Handzus - Frolik/Mayers/Carcillo

 

[ColdSteel2]

No Kruger? What's the issue and what makes him better than Fro?

 

[deytookerjaabs]

I think the Kruger argument is moot. He has been great and no one is knocking his game. Him as the C with Handzus as the faceoff winger would be fine too. Our second line is the one that needs retooling in order to be a bona fide threat.

 

[BobbyJet]

No Kruger? What's the issue and what makes him better than Fro?

In a nutshell .... Playoff hockey!

Frolik can play it and has proven so, Kruger can't. He's too weak, still.

 

[HockeySauce]

In a nutshell .... Playoff hockey!

Frolik can play it and has proven so, Kruger can't. He's too weak, still.

 

[ColdSteel2]

In a nutshell .... Playoff hockey!

Frolik can play it and has proven so, Kruger can't. He's too weak, still.

I agree with the importance, but we're in first. Go down 2-0 or 2-1, make the switch, no question, provided Kruger or someone else isn't delivering. Gotta start with with what got you there the most though.

 

[BobbyJet]

/\ There's still lots of hockey to be played.

I keep Frolik in the line-up, in the PO's, to PK and because he has proven in the past he can turn up his game in the post season ... but a smallish 4th line is no way to win in a gruelling playoff series. As a 4th liner Kruger would be outweighed by at least 30 lbs, often more, by ops 4th liners. That said, I'd be shocked if Q sat him immediately but after being rag dolled in a few games that thought process may change. This is assuming that Handzus can play like he showed last night, and the team is healthy.

 

[ColdSteel2]

Yeah, let's see how we wrap up, I'll have to keep an extra eye on the two to see what you are seeing but I will look hard.

 

[LandofLincoln*]

Do you honestly think Bollig will be a regular once we are 100% healthy??

He should be because out of the grit guys he has played the best. I don't see him being a regular this season. Q seems to favor veteran players and Mayers and Carcillo will both be on the playoff roster and Bollig will not be.

Bowman may not have Mayers on his playoff roster, but Q will request that he stays on...

I hope Stan, Scotty and the senior advisors overrule Q's bias. Q is a good coach, but I would rather Bowman make decisions concerning the roster.

 

[Bubba88]

hey look, bobby finds a way to bash Krüger

 

[BobbyJet]

hey look, bobby finds a way to bash Krüger

Not a bash. I want to field the best team possible. Simple as that. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, Kruger (at this stage in his career) is a tweener.

 

[H a w k s*]

Short of an another injury to the top six. Morin won't be a in the playoff lineup over Frolik and Kruger.

 

[Sevanston]

Not a bash. I want to field the best team possible. Simple as that. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, Kruger (at this stage in his career) is a tweener.

Kruger has been great all season. He's earned his right to play.

 

[BobbyJet]

Kruger has been great all season. He's earned his right to play.

Great!

 

[Blackhawkswincup]

Great!

36 GP with 3 goals + 8 assists for 11 pts in 13:45 TOI (2:25 SH TOI) per game

Among all NHL forwards Kruger is currently 12th in NHL in total SH minutes

I would say he has been great in role he has been given as has Frolik

4th line Energy/PK specialist's are what you get from Fro/Kruger at this point

 

[Bubba88]

and they are good at their job and created some chemistry.