Q tips: A few observations for Quenneville to digest

New Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville does not come off as someone who needs a lot of help. Check out his resume. This guy certainly knows what he's doing.

But just in case, there are a few lingering questions in Coach Q's mind about the roster he has inherited, I would be only happy to help with a few observations that he can take or leave.

Defense

Duncan Keith: This is your best defenseman who you can play more than 30 minutes a night and never worry about him skipping a beat.

Brent Sopel: Mostly dependable as long as his minutes don't get crazy. Oh, yeah, and you have him for two more years.

Jordan Hendry: He just doesn't look like the solid player of a year ago, perhaps because of the serious head injury he suffered late last season in Rockford.

Brent Seabrook: Shoot. The. Puck.

Matt Walker: You might want to check with the GM for answers on this one.

Aaron Johnson: Usually there's a reason why a guy spends so much time in the minors, but he appears to be a useful defenseman.

Cam Barker: That's right, he's not here. Why is that again?

James Wisniewski: Out until December with a knee injury, but he'll no doubt be the life of next week's Halloween party.

Brian Campbell: Signed for the next eight years. Here's hoping you'll be around as long as him.

Center

Patrick Sharp: All the girls love him, but more importantly, he needs to go back to wing as soon as possible.

Jonathan Toews: Put him on the ice as often as possible and he'll handle the rest. You had Joe Sakic, right? Years from now you can say you had Jonathan Toews, too.

Dave Bolland: Not a top-six guy, but on a good team he can be a contributor.

Colin Fraser: A guy who knows his role on the fourth line.

Wing

Adam Burish: Plays hard and with energy; he can be a little nuts on the ice. You need guys like this.

Jack Skille: A good skating grinder, but it's OK to expect more from the seventh pick in the draft.

Andrew Ladd: You're on your own here. Is he a skill guy or a third-line plugger? You tell us.

Martin Havlat: Sometimes you have to live with a guy's defensive shortcomings if he can do things offensively others can't. I'm just saying.

Craig Adams: Not to be confused with Kevyn Adams, who was promised a contract by the GM then didn't get it.

Kris Versteeg: This kid has some pluck you might like to go with decent skill. Keep playing him.

Dustin Byfuglien: A big guy who doesn't play all that big and seems reluctant to use his booming shot. This could be one of your biggest projects.

Ben Eager: A wide body with the potential to add a physical presence, if you can get him to do it every night.

Patrick Kane: Dazzling skill with superstar potential, but sometimes he forgets the meaning of being a two-way player.

Goaltender

Nikolai Khabibulin: For a coach who has a history of being hard on his goalies, get ready for a few sleepless nights due to some of the soft goals you're going to see.

Cristobal Huet: He needs to play a lot. You get the feeling this "healthy situation" with Khabibulin is weighing on his mind.