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The Unusual Suspects

August 24, 2016, 9:15 PM ET [809 Comments]
John Jaeckel
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT







I get an an email or PM about once a week or so from a reader who claims to have talked with a friend within the Hawks organization.

I usually take them with a grain of salt—unless they make a lot of sense. As the one I got today did.

As the Hawk blogosphere goes round and round projecting Tyler Motte and Nick Schmaltz as Steve Larmer and Stan Mikita 2.0 this year, my informant told me today that the Hawks are taking a more cautious and, in some ways, a lot more intelligent approach.

What he basically said was this: the Hawks are done pursuing options outside the organization—for now—they will go to camp with what they have (although you may see some veteran PTOs). They want to see what they have in their young forwards—especially a couple not named Schmaltz, Motte, or Hinostroza.

23 year old C/W Mark McNeill and soon to be 22 year old RW Ryan Hartman.

I mention their ages because so many have cited the Penguins "youth movement" last year as proof the same can bring success to Chicago. But when you go and look at the players the Pens did it with, they were all 23-24, with multiple AHL seasons. Like McNeill. Like Hartman.

The scouting on McNeill is he is probably a lower line center at the NHL level, or a wing who can flop in and take draws, very strong in the dot. He can also go win pucks in the corners and shoot the biscuit with a heavy shot. He is willing to drop the gloves in defense of a teammate, though not what you'd call a heavyweight by a far stretch. He had 48 points (25/23) in 64 games at Rockford last year after similar numbers the prior year.

Downsides? Kind of average skating and sometimes you'd like to see more physicality from his good-sized NHL frame.

So where does he slot? Hard to say. An NHL comparable for McNeill might be another WHL product who played up and down the Hawk lineup for a few years: Troy Brouwer. McNeill is not quite as thick or physical as Brouwer, but is a better defender.

But in terms of a "prospect" forward who is ready to fill a regular role in Chicago, he is probably the likeliest candidate in terms of experience, physical maturity, and ability (combined).

Hartman is going to be Andrew Shaw Lite. And will drive the coaches nuts with his D-U-M penalties. But he is tough as nails to play against and has that Dan Carcillo-like ability to draw the attention of the opponent's agitators away from his star teammates and onto himself.

These are qualities that, like it or not, the Hawk coaching staff likes having in the lineup.

That, my friends, is the answer to that oft-asked question: Mashinter? WTF? (and before that Bollig, Carcillo, Scott, etc)

But if that "physical, agitating presence" can also play? That's the brass ring.

The Hawks like Motte's potential, but it seems they would like him to marinate in the A for a bit longer. Schmaltz will also get strong consideration for what would be a third line role.

But watch the "Unusual Suspects" as far the rookies likely to matriculate. And with good reason.

More as I hear it.



JJ
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