Do NOT forget Hayden shined at camp 2 years ago, but stayed at Yale, got his degree and came back. No question he is a big boy and people concerned the Hawks play like it's no check league, well that won't be a problem with Hayden patrolling the ice.
- kwolf68

Here's what I'd REALLY like to see...

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

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Ruuta/Franson

Craw
Forsberg

Again, not what I'd expect, but it's just line combos that really entice me. Speed and skill on all four lines.

Here's what I'd REALLY like to see...

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

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Ruuta/Franson

Craw
Forsberg

Again, not what I'd expect, but it's just line combos that really entice me. Speed and skill on all four lines.
- TommyHawk

I feel like there's not enough puck to go around on that line.

Here's what I'd REALLY like to see...

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

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Ruuta/Franson

Craw
Forsberg

Again, not what I'd expect, but it's just line combos that really entice me. Speed and skill on all four lines.
- TommyHawk

I would like that lineup. Would be dangerous top to bottom.

Looks like Jurco is the early favorite to be this sites Lead Whipping Boy this year. But it is still early. Others still have a chance. If he sticks with the big club and has a decent year than we have to admit "nobody knows nothing" on this site.
- -Doh-

With Rozsifossil® out Jurco is the early placeholder until Bouma achieves Mashinter velocity

Just a guess, but this is a guy by end of year, a lot of Hawk fans are going to like for what he does up and down the ice.
- John Jaeckel

I'm on the record early as JH being my 2LW, mostly because I think a. Kaner carries most linemates to a good year, and b. really liked that 3L of Sharp/Schmaltz/Hartman.

Although I'll admit, I'm liking swapping Schmaltz and AA a little bit. AA a better defender at this point, and that would be a good defensive 3L that could also score.

I'm all about balance and as much speed as possible. If JH can keep up with Schmaltz and Kane, that could be a great line with two very young guys.

Mine, close to THawks with a few slight changes. I think the Hawks got Dauphin for a reason in that trade.......

Saad - Toews - Panik
Hayden - Schmaltz - Kane
Sharp - AA - Hartman
Jurco/Kero - Dauphin - Wingels

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Franson/Rutta

Craw
Forsberg

I like that there is a lot of competition for only a few roles. At the end of the day I just want to best players to emerge and take their spots. If that's Bouma, great. If that's Hayden, wonderful. But I'm sure we can all agree that we just want the best Blackhawks roster.
- DarthKane

^^^^^^^

My guess is that Kero could be Dauphin's biggest competition. There are a handful of guys that may not make the team but could be an early call-up if somebody gets injured or plays terrible (cough, cough, JURCO, cough, cough).


- DarthKane

Yeah, it seems like Kero and Dauphin will compete for the same job, or TOI if both make it.

I liked Dauphin in the WJs. Hard to get off the puck and has a bit of a scoring flair. Relentless motor.
- JRoenick97

And SPEED.

But agreed JR, as usual you nailed it, the thing that has jumped out to me when I've seen him play is the compete level and he's like Kruger in that he wins more puck battles than a guy with his slender build should.

In fact, you may have given me an idea for my next several blogs, LOL

Here's what I'd REALLY like to see...

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

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Ruuta/Franson

Craw
Forsberg

Again, not what I'd expect, but it's just line combos that really entice me. Speed and skill on all four lines.
- TommyHawk

I applaud the creativity. But this line would be HIGHLY disappointing.

Why? because while it might do OK in EA Sports NHL 17, in the real NHL they will do all their business 45 feet or more from the net, lots of cutesie perimeter crap, no road graders, no one to go into the hard areas and pick up slop or win pucks or screen the goalie. It's always possible to be surprised, but my guess is this line would be a major disappointment for the above reasons.

I feel like Jurco's issue is mostly mental. He had a good rookie year and looked like a rising star, then Babcock left and he went to poop under Blashil.
- JRoenick97

I think there has been a significant injury issue there for a long time, his back, not the same player he was a couple of years ago.

Question is whether it's degenerative or he has just lost something he will never regain or if he is now fully healed and will soon regain the willingness to really push himself and do things physically he may have held back from last year.

I think it's part mental and part effort. He has tremendous hockey skill, Top 6 ability in my view, but effort is ? at times. And he hasn't done jack squat in several years. The talent is for sure there, but he's close to bust at this point and he will have to show something to break camp as a Blackhawk....because other kids are coming up who have more desire than he apparently has.
- kwolf68

Lingering back issue, fear of re-injury, not completely physically or mentally comfortable. Sound familiar?

See Toews, J, Daze, E., Bolland, D., Ruutu, T., Gilmour, D, etc. . . . ad infinitum

Quesiton is, is it a career limiter or ender, or something he will ultimately bounce back from? Some guys do, some don't. It's all about physiology, severity, age, weight, numerous factors.

GENERALLY SPEAKING a back issue goes back to lumbar/cervical disk/bone damage or degradation that is from overuse/stress and is not "going away" ever, but it can in some cases be managed through therapy and rest. Or surgery.

I think the argument can be made that Kane can produce without AA. Kane scored just fine before AA (point per game or better 5 of 6 seasons before AA came to Chicago) and the 2nd line did pretty well when AA was on the shelf for the better part of 14 games last season. Kane had 16 points, Breadman had 13 and Schmaltz who was the C most of that time had 9. Kane's possession numbers go up when away from AA and AA's numbers dropped when he wasn't playing with either Kane or Panarin. (some of that is situational and deployment)

The Hawks are in greater need of filling some defensive holes at forward, so why not use AA more in that role and keep Kane where he belongs on the offensive side of the ice. Plus without Panarin, we don't know what the dynamic of that 2nd line would be like.
- breadbag

Sure, but tell me when he has produced WITHOUT a large, physical player on his line with him?

I don't remember when. The only time I can think of was when he played with Toews and Sharp. But in those days both Toews and Sharp played bigger than their size and even today, stylistically, Toews is more of a pure power player than anything else.

Otherwise, Bickell, Brouwer, Byfuglien, AA, Shaw, Saad, even Carcillo are all guys who have played with Kane, and I'm probably leaving someone else of this ilk out.

Coaches make lines in order to win games. Kane without a road grader type guy, or someone who plays more that style AT MINIMUM, quickly becomes a perimeter player and MUCH less effective. Give him someone to go get pucks, screen goalies, create space, different story.

While I hate losing Panarin, and I expect him to do well in Columbus, I think this trade will be a net plus for the Hawks when you look at what Saad brings to the table AND getting a (hopefully) decent back-up goalie.

https://www.secondcityhoc...ks-nhl-training-camp-2017

Lingering back issue, fear of re-injury, not completely physically or mentally comfortable. Sound familiar?

See Toews, J, Daze, E., Bolland, D., Ruutu, T., Gilmour, D, etc. . . . ad infinitum

Quesiton is, is it a career limiter or ender, or something he will ultimately bounce back from? Some guys do, some don't. It's all about physiology, severity, age, weight, numerous factors.

GENERALLY SPEAKING a back issue goes back to lumbar/cervical disk/bone damage or degradation that is from overuse/stress and is not "going away" ever, but it can in some cases be managed through therapy and rest. Or surgery.
- John Jaeckel

No argument JJ, but I was highly not impressed with him last year though he came to the league with very impressive credentials. Perhaps Detroit knew he was on his way down and was thus willing to move him. Detroit is not in position to give away good, young players. Though they did. I'd be shocked, albeit pleasantly surprised, if Jurco has any type of career in Chicago. For 3-4 years now he has been awful and honestly he's not in any of my own lineup projections. It would be beyond lucky for him to "find it" or "get healthy" this year. Though I would not complain, because his skill is elite level.

Sure, but tell me when he has produced WITHOUT a large, physical player on his line with him?


Excellent point JJ Balancing the lines, not only in production sense, but finding players to compliment the lead players on that line. Think everyone agrees Kane is the lead player on that line ...... question is who BEST compliments his play, so that the line, as a unit, can be more successful. Hawks have good blend of size and speed this year. Many more options to play alongside Kane, than in years past. Remember we endured the Handzus-Brad Richards-Versteeg years, playing with Kane. Several options here, have to find out what works best









I don't remember when. The only time I can think of was when he played with Toews and Sharp. But in those days both Toews and Sharp played bigger than their size and even today, stylistically, Toews is more of a pure power player than anything else.

Otherwise, Bickell, Brouwer, Byfuglien, AA, Shaw, Saad, even Carcillo are all guys who have played with Kane, and I'm probably leaving someone else of this ilk out.

Coaches make lines in order to win games. Kane without a road grader type guy, or someone who plays more that style AT MINIMUM, quickly becomes a perimeter player and MUCH less effective. Give him someone to go get pucks, screen goalies, create space, different story.
- John Jaeckel

Lingering back issue, fear of re-injury, not completely physically or mentally comfortable. Sound familiar?

See Toews, J, Daze, E., Bolland, D., Ruutu, T., Gilmour, D, etc. . . . ad infinitum

Quesiton is, is it a career limiter or ender, or something he will ultimately bounce back from? Some guys do, some don't. It's all about physiology, severity, age, weight, numerous factors.

GENERALLY SPEAKING a back issue goes back to lumbar/cervical disk/bone damage or degradation that is from overuse/stress and is not "going away" ever, but it can in some cases be managed through therapy and rest. Or surgery.
- John Jaeckel

Finally on this board the suspected but never confirmed diagnosis on Toews' health/playoffs injury. I have no clue what the odds are on game to game and season long inhibition. This is akin to going on the boat to gamble; I have little knowledge so I do not partake. Others who know about the back and training and or healthful treatment can chime in.

Was going to cap friendly to look at a lineup, and something caught me that I hadn't noticed before.

Bouma signed a 1 yr deal for $1 million, Wingels singed a 1 yr deal for 750K.

Does this seem odd to anyone else?

I'm on the record early as JH being my 2LW, mostly because I think a. Kaner carries most linemates to a good year, and b. really liked that 3L of Sharp/Schmaltz/Hartman.

Although I'll admit, I'm liking swapping Schmaltz and AA a little bit. AA a better defender at this point, and that would be a good defensive 3L that could also score.

I'm all about balance and as much speed as possible. If JH can keep up with Schmaltz and Kane, that could be a great line with two very young guys.

Mine, close to THawks with a few slight changes. I think the Hawks got Dauphin for a reason in that trade.......

Saad - Toews - Panik
Hayden - Schmaltz - Kane
Sharp - AA - Hartman
Jurco/Kero - Dauphin - Wingels

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Forsling - Franson/Rutta

Craw
Forsberg
- vabeachbear

I'm curious to see how frequently Sharp takes FOs when on the same line as AA. It'd be good to skate them together for that reason.

@MarkLazerus
Hartman-Anisimov-Hayden could be gangbusters, IMO.

@ByScottPowers
Hinostroza again making plays early in the scrimmage.

Hayden and Hinostroza really stating their case in camp. I like it. Both were really noticeable yesterday; much improved in certain areas and showing lots of compete.

If Hayden and Schmaltz take that next step Hawks forward contingent looks pretty good.

@MarkLazerus
Hartman-Anisimov-Hayden could be gangbusters, IMO.

@ByScottPowers
Hinostroza again making plays early in the scrimmage.

Hayden and Hinostroza really stating their case in camp. I like it. Both were really noticeable yesterday; much improved in certain areas and showing lots of compete.
- AEL_Fox

Could we be looking at

Toews Panik Saad
Schmaltz Kane Hinostrosa
AA Hayden Hartman
Sharp DB Wingels

Dauphin/ Kero

Could we be looking at

Toews Panik Saad
Schmaltz Kane Hinostrosa
AA Hayden Hartman
Sharp DB Wingels

Dauphin/ Kero
- Colbyboy

Kane will need some meat on his line. Got to have that guy who can forecheck and work the hard areas. Its a fast skilled line, but has no grind. Fast/pretty is fine in the regular season. Come playoff time?? Whole different beast all together.

@MarkLazerus
Hartman-Anisimov-Hayden could be gangbusters, IMO.

@ByScottPowers
Hinostroza again making plays early in the scrimmage.

Hayden and Hinostroza really stating their case in camp. I like it. Both were really noticeable yesterday; much improved in certain areas and showing lots of compete.
- AEL_Fox

I like that 38-15-40 line.

Kane will need some meat on his line. Got to have that guy who can forecheck and work the hard areas. Its a fast skilled line, but has no grind. Fast/pretty is fine in the regular season. Come playoff time?? Whole different beast all together.
- z1990z

I'd see Sharp on that line. Either:

Saad-Toews-Panik
Sharp-Schmaltz-Kane

or

Sharp-Toews-Panik
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane