I sure hope the Bears are on the upswing...

Schmaltz was 30.9% at the dot last year, Anisimov 45.1% last year and 46% for his career.

30.9% < 45.1%
- HawkintheD

Anisimov has stunk his entire career at the dot, going on what 8 years now. Schmaltz has only stunk one year. Perhaps he, like Kruger, can improve. It's clear Anisimov can't or won't. Maybe Schmaltz won't either, but way too early on him still.

Hartman could be OK and he will handle some minor rough stuff too which Kane likes. I don't think he's really natural on the left. He's a lot like Shaw to me, they can spot him up and down and in various roles but he is probably best as a 3RW on a good team.
- John Jaeckel

Agreed. Two things that stood out to me about Hartman was as far as I can tell it's the first year at any level he showed discipline and he has some real skill/hands along with his gritty style. Thought we'd see high PIM guy, although he had 70, who would just grind. But he showed the ability to check his emotions enough that allowed him to be on the ice enough to show the skill to pot 19 as a rookie.

I can reasonably see him slotting on any of the top 3 lines.

Anisimov has stunk his entire career at the dot, going on what 8 years now. Schmaltz has only stunk one year. Perhaps he, like Kruger, can improve. It's clear Anisimov can't or won't. Maybe Schmaltz won't either, but way too early on him still.
- kwolf68

If, at some point, Anisimov weren't around, I could definitely see the Hawks plugging Schmaltz in there and letting him learn on the job—especially if they had more of a road-grader, big body LW to go get pucks on that line.

A poster here (TTTime) seems to know Schmaltz or someone close to him and claims he is working hard this offseason on strength too.

Speaking only for myself, I don't. But I also see it for what it is, today.

I think the "Play DeBrincat Now" crowd may be undervaluing the difficulty of jumping from junior to the NHL—and forgetting how, well, forgettable he was in camp a year ago.

Just like a lot of the same people were banging the Motte as top 6 LW Drum at this time last year, undervaluing the jump from college to NHL as well. No offense . . .

If/when Q sees enough of a game—over 200 feet—against men—he will get the job.

Racking up goals against 17 year olds, 95% of whom will never play in the NHL, is not enough by itself or even close to enough.
- John Jaeckel

True. But Motte never had elite skills, his success was always and mostly through compete. I'm just saying, don't judge Debrincat by what he didn't do in camp last year, a lot more growth occurs 18-19 years old than 28-29.

Thx Larsson. Much appreciated.
- John Jaeckel

No problem. IF you ever need me to set some of these ding dongs straight on your threads, shoot me a PM

If, at some point, Anisimov weren't around, I could definitely see the Hawks plugging Schmaltz in there and letting him learn on the job—especially if they had more of a road-grader, big body LW to go get pucks on that line.

A poster here (TTTime) seems to know Schmaltz or someone close to him and claims he is working hard this offseason on strength too.
- John Jaeckel

Absolutely. I think with Anisimov, Schmaltz should center Line 3...without him, Line 2. I really think he is a natural center. Yes, he was soft at times, poor in the faceoffs, but the dude was coming right out of college wet behind the ears. Got a bus pass to the rock and came back a much better player. It's clear he is working on his craft on some level. However, even if Anisimov were to be dealt and Schmaltz moved into L2-C, I argue the Hawks would still need another center, not only for L3, but for overall depth. Minus Anisimov the centers are 19, Schmaltz, Kero, Daulphin, and a couple hybrid players until you get down to prospective AHL players (L.Johnson). The center position is questionable WITH Anisimov, barren without him.

No problem. IF you ever need me to set some of these ding dongs straight on your threads, shoot me a PM
- Larsson_fan

Man, you should change your handle to McSorley Fan.

If, at some point, Anisimov weren't around, I could definitely see the Hawks plugging Schmaltz in there and letting him learn on the job—especially if they had more of a road-grader, big body LW to go get pucks on that line.

A poster here (TTTime) seems to know Schmaltz or someone close to him and claims he is working hard this offseason on strength too.
- John Jaeckel

Schmaltz doesn't have the build to support muscle. Take a look at his instagram, photos as recent as 5/30 show a guy with releatively small wrists and ankles, and dare I say, what looks like chicken legs. If he is getting stronger, I'm not seeing hypertrophy with it, and he's looking a little soft around the midsection.

Check it out and see for yourselves @nick_schmaltz

Man, you should change your handle to McSorley Fan.
- John Jaeckel

Well, JJ, as someone who has followed my long tenured career on HB as closely as you have, you should know that I will probably need a new handle sooner or later. I'll keep that name in mind,Bubba. If the Jabronis see McSorely_fan around, they should know whats in store for them.

Anisimov has stunk his entire career at the dot, going on what 8 years now. Schmaltz has only stunk one year. Perhaps he, like Kruger, can improve. It's clear Anisimov can't or won't. Maybe Schmaltz won't either, but way too early on him still.
- kwolf68

I think AA is what he is but to me, "stinks" at the dot would be sub 40% or say even sub 45%. He's career 46%...not bad not good but certainly not foul.

I do think Schmaltz has the ability to get better and seems to keep working on his game. With a bit of strength, faceoff prowess and confidence it will be interesting to see what he morhs into.

When they sent him down last year and basically told him to be more selfish with the puck, he took it to heart and wasn't so predictable when he came back from RFD.

With you Chunk (quotes aren't working yet, too early eh?!) on Jurco getting a crack at 2LW early on. Stan/scouts see something in this guy and I've said before, Jurco is a finesse player not a grinder. He's either going to make it in the top 6 at his natural position of LW or he won't make it at all. And if he doesn't, they can bump AA out there or move up Sharpie.

Jurco looks uncomfortable playing his off side too which brings me to my next point. I'm all for the Q blender shuffling guys up and down lines but stop playing them out of position unless completely necessary. Play guys, especially the young ones, at their natural position and give them a chance. Bringing them up and putting them out of position is suicide. With that being said, I like Hayden at Rockford playing top line mins and hope that's where he starts the year.
- Assman22

Good points. Not only Stan saw something in Jurco the whole hockey world did. 30 goal scorer in the CHL, over a point per game in the U-20 WJC, good size and can skate. Led to him being the 35th overall pick.

There are some guys that fit the profile that can only succeed in the top 6 but there are those like him like Berglund who doesn't and adjusts their game and ends up a useful bottom 6 guy. Gagner did that last year too. ...... We'll find out one way or the other on Jurco but a look at the 2nd line is a good place to start

I also agree that slotting a guy in a position he's not familiar with at the NHL level with little pro experience is tough to make work. Some can do it but most can't. 10-15 yrs ago you could let players marinate at the AHL level and switch em around to off wings or sides and develop them. But today you've got to make 1 or 2 of them work at the NHL level due to the cap.

If, at some point, Anisimov weren't around, I could definitely see the Hawks plugging Schmaltz in there and letting him learn on the job—especially if they had more of a road-grader, big body LW to go get pucks on that line.

A poster here (TTTime) seems to know Schmaltz or someone close to him and claims he is working hard this offseason on strength too.
- John Jaeckel

It will happen, Schmaltz to center, just a matter of when. He shows classic vision/hands/touch/pass first/(IQ?) skills a centerman has... And yes when that transition comes his linemates and the style they play will help determine how successful he is as a young player. ....... I like him paired with a Panik type.

Schmaltz doesn't have the build to support muscle. Take a look at his instagram, photos as recent as 5/30 show a guy with releatively small wrists and ankles, and dare I say, what looks like chicken legs. If he is getting stronger, I'm not seeing hypertrophy with it, and he's looking a little soft around the midsection.

Check it out and see for yourselves @nick_schmaltz
- Bjm84

Will do.

I know a guy with "skinny" wrists and ankles, and "chicken legs" who used to dead lift over 400 pounds and bench over 300—at age 40.

I know another guy like that, name is Saad.

Just saying.

Well, JJ, as someone who has followed my long tenured career on HB as closely as you have, you should know that I will probably need a new handle sooner or later. I'll keep that name in mind,Bubba. If the Jabronis see McSorely_fan around, they should know whats in store for them.
- Larsson_fan

LMAO

Will do.

I know a guy with "skinny" wrists and ankles, and "chicken legs" who used to dead lift over 400 pounds and bench over 300—at age 40.

I know another guy like that, name is Saad.

Just saying.
- John Jaeckel

Well, having looked at that one shot, ya gotta point there.


I would get that boy on a regimen of deads, squats and other power/explosive moves and a gallon of milk a day, haha

Schmaltz doesn't have the build to support muscle. Take a look at his instagram, photos as recent as 5/30 show a guy with releatively small wrists and ankles, and dare I say, what looks like chicken legs. If he is getting stronger, I'm not seeing hypertrophy with it, and he's looking a little soft around the midsection.

Check it out and see for yourselves @nick_schmaltz
- Bjm84

I agree to the extent that Schmaltz will rarely over power players and he projects that way. But to me eye he shows a dynamic burst that his natural skill and ability to play with leverage allows him to play stronger than his natural build would allow. I see that on his win a puck stick lift and come off the wall with his head up with burst. ... Kinda how a Mike Bossy played. Not as much strong as dynamic. Maybe a Stastny of the Blues.

If, at some point, Anisimov weren't around, I could definitely see the Hawks plugging Schmaltz in there and letting him learn on the job—especially if they had more of a road-grader, big body LW to go get pucks on that line.

A poster here (TTTime) seems to know Schmaltz or someone close to him and claims he is working hard this offseason on strength too.
- John Jaeckel

And as I think more about this a perfect LW for Schmaltz to cut his teeth at the NHL level playing center would be Hartnell. A Schmaltz/Hartnell pairing on the 3rd line would have been a solid chance for Schmaltz to succeed as he developed.

And as I think more about this a perfect LW for Schmaltz to cut his teeth at the NHL level playing center would be Hartnell. A Schmaltz/Hartnell pairing on the 3rd line would have been a solid chance for Schmaltz to succeed as he developed.
- Mr Ricochet

Guessing you mean Hartman???

Guessing you mean Hartman???
- hawk35

No, the missing link looking Scott Hartnell. Of every single player that became available this offseason Hartnell was the one I wanted most. He checked 283 boxes for the Hawks. ..... The next was bottom pairing Dman Christian Folin, a MN castoff.

Going off the board has won Sullivan the last two cups in the hard cap era. I'm a guy who has bought into there are no real lines as much as pairings of forwards and others come and go on their wing. I also like old school thinking of a player to win the puck, a player to dish the puck and a player to finish. But the new era is a speed game so that old school thinking applies less IMO, but like the idea of parings of forwards and fill around....... My lineup in October has an eye on April at wings but my constant is my top 4.

Saad-Toews
AA-Kane

Cap era, a reasonable top 4. Now I fill in to see what works, and doesn't.

Saad-Toews-Hartman........ Love Panik at 1RW but with a strong pairing of Saad and Toews I'll try Panik down the lineup for balance and use Hartman who finished SIXTH in league rookie scoring last year. ..... When this doesn't work Hartman down to the 3rd line paired with Sharp. Something tells me that combo will click v 3rd pairing Dmen. .... I also think Hartman is a fine fit with AA and Kane.

Jurco-AA-Kane. Hell Jurco may not even make this team but on paper he fits with this pairing due to his skating, size, pedigree and if anyone on this roster can carry a line Kane can. If he clicks even a little bit like Panik did I'll end up with 3 lines that can score.

Sharp-Schmaltz-Panik. IF I can pull Schmaltz and Panik from the top 6 to the 3rd line with a healthy wily Sharp I'm in business. Schmaltz never played more than 64 games at any level and his 64 were in the USHL. As a 20yr old with no pro experience the kid was up and down the lineup, down to Rockford and back, played many minutes vs 1st-2nd pairing Dmen and still was just short of .5 points per game. I think the kid will improve but don't think he's ready for the C slot at this level but if he is even close a wily finisher like Sharp and a nasty skilled Panik are prefect wingers. Classic puck winner, dish man, finisher line. This line doesn't see top pairings and skates 15ish minutes a game. Reasonable...... Doubt it will work but I'm taking a chance on 3 scoring lines out of the box with an eye to April.

I have an if on all 3 of my top lines but they are reasonable ifs. Hartman was 6th in rookie scoring and plays with a proven cup winning pair. Jurco has only shown skating and size but is with a pair in AA and Kane that were 2/3 of arguably the top line in the sport before AA got hurt, and Kane could carry me. Schmaltz did a lot in very difficult circumstances as a 20 yr old rookie with zero pro minutes last year. If he can play C next year the 3rd line is the spot to try it and with Panik and Sharp he has very good wingers who fit his shortcomings as a young player. I also have Sharp take as many draws as possible.

If, lotta ifs in this hard cap era for EVERY team, the above works reasonably enough I've gotten younger, bigger, faster and added more scoring depth, a 3rd line that can score. All 3 lines ain't gonna work I know that, too many ifs that work rarely happen, but one or two reasonably will and I'm closer to bigger, younger, faster, more balanced for April, have given players minutes to prove they can or can't fill a certain role and I now have enough data for StanBow to use the Hossa cap money to fill what need I can't in house. .......... In my mind I know I can always go back to a top 6 of Saad-Toews-Panik...Schmaltz-AA-Kane and be competitive but I'm giving a more balanced 3 line deep, younger, bigger, faster look a shot first.

4th line won't be a problem IMO and might be a strength depending on how many of the ifs in the top 9 work out. The pair down there starts with Wingels and Dauphin. I use Dauphin as one of the pair cuz he's more dynamic than Kero but to start Kero is on that line.

I'll fool with the defense, like doing monthly bills, until the very last minute.
- Mr Ricochet

^^^ Like all of this ^^^^.

Great insight Rico-- and I also believe its a 'hybrid' of old school and new flexibility to work within the cap and parity mandate of this NHL--

To me probably the biggest asset the Hawks had in the last several years and especially in the Cup years was the depth to mix & match / adapt to the series opponent in front of them-- what has hurt the Hawks the last two seasons was the erosion of that depth over the years to cap restrictions and lack of growth that was anticipated--

I am all for Bowman restocking the depth and hopefully some of the younger guys step up-- and develop into that needed depth to bring another Cup to Chicago--

Saad - Toews - Panik
Sharp - Anisimov - Kane
Jurco - Schmaltz - Hartman
Bouma - Dauphin - Wingels
Kero (swaps regularly with Bouma), Tootoo
LTIR: Hossa

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Oesterle
Rozsival

Crawford
Forsberg

Hawks still look 2-3 players away from being a decent contender.

Any chance they could get Jagr and Franson at a low cost? Maybe a million or 2 each???

That would help forward and defence depth a bit, then once the Hossa Cap $$$ is freed up they could really persue a 4-5 million LW to REALLY add to their top 6.

Thoughts???
- hawk35

If the bolded is your real concern, why would you bring up Jagr

Saad - Toews - Panik
Hartman - AA - Kane
Sharp - Schmaltz - Jurco
Bouma - Kero - Wingels

Tootoo

Keith - Rutta
Forsling - Seabrook
Kempny - Murphy

Rozsival

^^^ Like all of this ^^^^.

Great insight Rico-- and I also believe its a 'hybrid' of old school and new flexibility to work within the cap and parity mandate of this NHL--

To me probably the biggest asset the Hawks had in the last several years and especially in the Cup years was the depth to mix & match / adapt to the series opponent in front of them-- what has hurt the Hawks the last two seasons was the erosion of that depth over the years to cap restrictions and lack of growth that was anticipated--

I am all for Bowman restocking the depth and hopefully some of the younger guys step up-- and develop into that needed depth to bring another Cup to Chicago--
- jb3333

Sullivan is given credit for all kinds of insight and forward-thinking when his touchstone is as "old school" as it is possible to be. He coaches without a conscience. He rewards effort and productivity period. He does not see age, experience or size of contract. He has no misguided prejudice/loyalty in favour of any players. Nor does he have any misguided prejudice against any player. His analysis is true and is not over a number of games but is game to game and in-game and even shift to shift. Also no position is omitted - goalies are interchangeable. Changes are made to give the team a best chance to win. Period. End of Story.