Time To Step Up For Hawks Fraser, Brouwer

With the Chicago Blackhawks recent pick-up of Andrew Ebbett off waivers the roster spots of Colin Fraser and Troy Brouwer may be getting cloudy. Marian Hossa is expected back from shoulder surgery sometime around Thanksgiving and will move up to one of the top two lines and Ben Eager will eventually be cleared to play from concussion symptoms. This will cause some forwards to change positions moving around from the right or left side and possibly to center.

Currently Fraser (-4), Brouwer(-2) and Tomas Kopecky(-4) are the Blackhawk's only forwards with a negative on-ice rating. Kopecky was brought here for his experience and, unless he really bombs, isn't going to lose a roster spot. Fraser has only made the score sheet once with an assist against Nashville where he played his most minutes of the season. Brouwer has a goal and assist in his 8 games while playing with the 3rd line and having averaged more ice time than Fraser.

Brouwer has a bigger body and a willingness to use it, making some nice hits and taking on Jerome Iginla in the Calgary game. He also has posted better numbers in his limited NHL time and in the AHL than Fraser.

The unknown here is Ebbett. He is a solid player posting good numbers in splitting time with the Iowa Chops (AHL) and Anaheim last year, but couldn't crack the line up with the Ducks, who are loaded at forward. The Hawks know exactly what they have in Fraser and Brouwer who came up through the system. Aquiring Ebbett gives the Hawks another talented, young forward just in case they loose Kane or Toews when their contracts come up.

Unless Fraser really turns things up a notch look for Ebbett or Kopecky to center the 4th line when Hossa returns with Fraser going to Rockford to work on his game. That will give Brouwer time to pick up some momentum and confidence before Eager returns and the Hawks are faced with another tough decision.