As Hawks Wrap Up Prospects Camp...

As the Hawks wrap up Prospects Camp for 2013, there were some things that have happened that give us fans a clue on the line-ups for the 2013--14 season, as well as those that are most likely invited to Camp in September.

Today, Marcus Kruger got signed to a 2 year deal, (still searching and cannot find the terms of the deal).

So, here is what we know.


Centermen: Jonathan Toews, Michal Handzus, Marcus Kruger (1 empty spot)

Forwards: Bickell, Carcillo, Hossa, Kane, Saad, Sharp, Shaw (2 empty spots)

Defensemen: Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Leddy, Oduya, Rozsival, Brookbank ( 0 spots)

Goalies: Crawford, Khabibulin (0 spots)

3 positions available. (Bollig,...is NOT guaranteed a spot. He has a two way contract).


Available Centers in the Hawks System:

Brandon Pirri: I will be absolutely SHOCKED if he doesn't make the team. He is a fantastic player and
                       deserves this opportunity. Lead the entire AHL in points last year. What else can the guy do?

Mark McNeill: Can also play wing. Big guy with size (6'1", 211lbs)

Phillip Danault: I think most people were really impressed with Phillip Danault  and I think his stock
 shot up. If he makes the team, then Kruger gets moved to wing, not vice versa.  Danault  may be ready for the jump. Let's see.                

Others but serious long-shots: (Hinostroza, LeBlanc, Ross, Teravainen, Hartman)

Available Wingers in the Hawks System:

Jimmy Hayes: He's already been given a taste of the club. 6'6", 221lbs...big boy, has nice hands. I                      feel that when he was up with the club, that he wasn't as aggressive around the net as he
should be. He isn't as "soft" as Bickell was (when I used to get mad about Bick's game),
 but, I really expect him at that size to crash the net a LOT MORE.

Ben Smith:     Smitty's a good player. Is he the best player at wing? I think there are a few other options
 that will get the Hawks fans a bit more excited, but he is a solid two way player. Cannot
 complain if the Hawks go this way and bring Smitty up.

Jeremy Morin: Of course he's my personal favorite. I love his grit, his ability to find the net. He's my
 choice to make it up.

Brandon Bollig: He is simply the muscle around the net. What makes him appealing is the fact that he
can be a healthy scratch and it won't affect his play much. IF he makes the team, he's only a 23rd man on the roster. Skill set is low.

Others but serious long shots: (Beach (still unsigned), Broadhurst, Calnan, Hayden, K. Hayes, Motte)

Defensemen that are ready for the call up:
Adam Clendening: He's the only one in my opinion ready for the call up. He's a future star!

Ryan Stanton: Hawks like him a lot also.

Others but serious long-shots: (Olsen, LaLonde, Johns, Jardine, Holl, Dahlbeck, Gotovets)

Goalies: None will make it this season.

Mac Carruth and Antti Raanta are the only two that are ready to make the professional ranks. Both will vie for the Icehogs,...however, I believe Raanta earns that spot first.  Antti Raanta is the one to take Nikolai's spot on the team in 2014.