The season is a week old and already the mail is piling up. Let’s open it:

Q: I know it's early, but what do you think of Brandon Saad's performance so far? He's been shuffled around multiple lines but seemed to hold up pretty well. Do you think he'll stick when Viktor Stalberg comes off injured reserve? -- Mark L., Chicago
A: He’s been fine, but I just don’t think this is his time yet. If this were, say, Edmonton, or another rebuilding team, I could see him staying, but I think he’ll go back pretty soon. The Hawks are pretty stacked at forward and, unless there are new injuries, he would really have to light it up to stay.

Q: Outside of what is shown on Blackhawks TV, what is the relationship Marian Hossa has with the team? I know in past years he had Tomas Kopecky as a sidekick. Who's he mentoring this year? -- Steve, Mt. Prospect
A: I’m not sure who he’s hanging out with these days. Usually, longer road trips sort of tell that story. I’ll have to ask him. He’s a guy everyone likes, but I’m not sure if he’s really close to a lot of guys in the way some of the younger players are.

Q: When Ben Smith, Daniel Carcillo and Viktor Stalberg come back, whose spots do they take? -- David, Libertyville
A: With the current roster plus those three guys the Hawks will have 25 players. I mentioned earlier I think Saad will go back to juniors, so they’ll have to move one more player. The obvious choice is Marcus Kruger, but if he plays well in the next little stretch maybe he gets to stay. They could send John Scott down or even Rostislav Olesz but I think the answer is unknown right now. It will play itself out or else the Hawks will have to make a tough call, but an injury is always around the corner so these decisions might be made for them.

Q: I was wondering what your take was on the Marian Hossa/Patrick Kane/Andrew Brunette line? I missed most of the games vs. the Stars due to work, but from what I saw it seemed that they controlled the puck well, which is a good thing. Thoughts? -- Dan, Colorado
A: I agree, they were pretty good. In fact Patrick Kane and Hossa were two of the better forwards all weekend. Production wasn’t there, but if they keep it up it’ll come. We’ll see if Carcillo joins them on the line. That could open up some things for the two skilled guys. Will be interesting, but so far Kane at center with Hossa on the same line has worked well enough.

Q: Can we see the time on attack/possession time stat in the box score? I would argue it's the most important stat (especially for the Hawks) along with shots and it is nowhere to be found. -- Kevin C., Chicago
A: They eliminated that stat a few years ago. I think it was too difficult to keep track of it. It used to be called “zone time” and would record how much time the puck spent in each of the three zones. It would be nice to see that stat regarding this Hawks team over the past few years. They would be dominant, I’m sure.

Q: If Saad is a healthy scratch for Thursday's game does it count against his nine games with the club? Or do the Hawks get a freebie and can delay deciding on whether or not he can handle the full season or sending him back to juniors? -- Curt, Chicago
A: It doesn’t count, so it would be what you called a “freebie.” He has to actually be on the bench for more than nine games to have his contract kick in for the year.

Q: What's your opinion on Olesz? Do you like what you've seen from him so far? Once the Blackhawks get back to full health, do you think he'll have a place in the lineup or will he be a spectator most nights? -- Cody, Toronto
A: I liked him in the middle of training camp when he was feeling less held back after his knee injury, but he dipped a little at the end. I think he can only play as a top-six forward and that’s going to be hard to crack on this team. He’s behind most of those guys, and with the Hawks’ roster issues when everyone is healthy it’s hard to know what his future is. He’s got some skills but nothing that stands out. The numbers might work against him.

Q: Why would the Hawks break camp choosing Brandon Pirri over Marcus Kruger, then change their mind after one game? Seems like they're jerking both of these kids around. -- Rich, way out in the sticks
A: They’re big boys, they’re paid to handle it. It’s not so much rating Pirri on one game, it’s the roles they are going to play. Pirri is better offensively but Kruger is sounder on defense and so a fourth-line role fits Kruger better. Nothing more than that. They might switch a few more times. It keeps them both on their toes while giving them NHL experience. I don’t have a problem with the move.

With the first two games already in the books, do you think that Joel Quenneville has figured out the right line combinations or are we going to see more changes in order to find the right fit for everyone? -- Eric Foster, St. Petersburg, Fla.
A: I think there will be more tinkering if for no other reason the Hawks were missing four regulars or semi-regulars on Friday night and three on Saturday. I also think he’s still finding the right combinations on the top two lines. Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp are set and so are Kane and Hossa right now. Both lines need that winger who they can find chemistry with. Brunette sounds like one guy but I’m not sure which line he fits better on. So nothing is set in stone yet.