I don't think anyone is getting too far ahead of themselves. The kid lead the tourny in goals, which was a positive for him. It was easy to see why he scored so many in the OHL. He also put 17 shots (most of any player) on net and a lot of them were dangerous. He was arguably the most dangerous shooter in that tournament. He has a lot to prove, but he did what he needed to do in those 4 games, the rest ... we'll see what happens.
- breadbag

Couple other things that were noticeable to me about Alex DeBrincat. He liked to sit at the red line along the boards and wait for the long pass. Also, while I'm not saying he is Patrick Kane, he seemed to have a similar tendency in terms of turning back against the grain, buying time and trying to hit the trailing dman with a pass.

Debrincat is not of slight build, even though he is very short. He is probably 170lbs which for 5'6" is actually pretty muscular. I watched the entire Championship game, and he simply creates offense whenever the puck is on his stick. He backs off defenders with his head up and on a swivel 100% of the time. You simply cannot teach the combination of puck skill, Hockey IQ/vision, and pure scoring ability that Debrincat has. He is a playmaker and a lethal finisher. BACKHAND baseball swing on a rebound for the GWG...that was impressive. The kid might need time to adjust to the pace and size of Pro-Hockey, but he has shown nothing to indicate he will not be able to adapt and excel. There have been hundreds of 6'2" guys with good hands and great skating ability who amounted to NOTHING in the NHL bc they didnt have that "IT" factor. Debrincat surely appears that have that special quality that makes him a damn effective goal scorer and offensive threat. My expectations for this season are tempered, but I think he will be on Kane's LW for years to come.
- EnzoD

That is some great praise. I hope you are correct.

Debrincat is not of slight build, even though he is very short. He is probably 170lbs which for 5'6" is actually pretty muscular. I watched the entire Championship game, and he simply creates offense whenever the puck is on his stick. He backs off defenders with his head up and on a swivel 100% of the time. You simply cannot teach the combination of puck skill, Hockey IQ/vision, and pure scoring ability that Debrincat has. He is a playmaker and a lethal finisher. BACKHAND baseball swing on a rebound for the GWG...that was impressive. The kid might need time to adjust to the pace and size of Pro-Hockey, but he has shown nothing to indicate he will not be able to adapt and excel. There have been hundreds of 6'2" guys with good hands and great skating ability who amounted to NOTHING in the NHL bc they didnt have that "IT" factor. Debrincat surely appears that have that special quality that makes him a damn effective goal scorer and offensive threat. My expectations for this season are tempered, but I think he will be on Kane's LW for years to come.
- EnzoD

I am normally one of the more positive posters and what I'm about to say isn't be joking around being sarcastic.

I am very happy to see Debrincat perform well so far and he has been impressive. But this is still against sub-NHL talent and he's yet to prove anything on the big stage. Debrincat has a trend of proving people wrong and succeeding where people thought he would fail and I really hope that continues. However, I am remaining guarded with my expectations for him. If #12 has a solid training camp against NHL talent and maybe shows signs for meshing with a forward or two on the Blackhawks roster then I'll start to get excited. For now I am still in a holding pattern, trying not to be too positive or negative.

of the 112 did that include goalies? What about guys on LTIR? it probably comes down to about 4 per team. we had Roz, JO, Keith, Campbell, corey Tootoo, hossa, We had 7. that's too many.
- kmw4631

I guess my point is that performance should matter more than age. Plenty of players were very productive after the age of 32. I do not think a player can be discounted out of hand or called washed up because they have been on the earth 32 yeas. Any NHL team would like to have 10 players over 32 years old of the quality of Hossa, Keith and Crawford on their roster. Campbell and Oduya were somewhat risky but low cost acquisitions, Tootoo was the extra forward, Rozi hardly played.

I guess my point is that performance should matter more than age. Plenty of players were very productive after the age of 32. I do not think a player can be discounted out of hand or called washed up because they have been on the earth 32 yeas. Any NHL team would like to have 10 players over 32 years old of the quality of Hossa, Keith and Crawford on their roster. Campbell and Oduya were somewhat risky but low cost acquisitions, Tootoo was the extra forward, Rozi hardly played.
- -Doh-

IMO, I think you are right and it is a bit of a case by case basis depending on how much of that players effectiveness in their role relies on those physical attributes that drop off, vs how much those players rely on smarts/IQ/Talent. The elite guys are typically elite and can go longer because they have those smarts/talent or intangibles, where the lower end guys rely more on the physical speed/strength that fade a bit more.

I guess my point is that performance should matter more than age. Plenty of players were very productive after the age of 32. I do not think a player can be discounted out of hand or called washed up because they have been on the earth 32 yeas. Any NHL team would like to have 10 players over 32 years old of the quality of Hossa, Keith and Crawford on their roster. Campbell and Oduya were somewhat risky but low cost acquisitions, Tootoo was the extra forward, Rozi hardly played.
- -Doh-

I agree at some level but, If you expect to many older guys to be as good as they were you the year before, you get a old tired team that gets run out of the building in the playoffs. Most will regress hossa with a bounce back year is Anomaly. Can Keith be better then last year (possibly he was not that good) but he will never be 2015 Keith again at 34. IMO.

This narrative of dump on the kids with sarcastic praise ,and childish names like wonder boy really is broken record . They won the West last year with a bunch of kids ,so they can't be that bad .Sure they were swept in the 1st RD ,and there is no way u can totally blame the young players . It was a combination of injured player stale coaching some tough breaks and a Preds team that were healthy and playing the best hockey of the year . Even after losing some of their top players the Preds beat some very tough Veteran teams on the way to the final .

They had better still be playing kids because that is the way this league is going ,there are more players under the age of 20 then over the age of 35 in this league . And bringing in old rehashed past their prime players will not fix what ales this team . Patience with young players is what's needed and if Q has not got it bring in Dineen to show them the way and let them play .

I am normally one of the more positive posters and what I'm about to say isn't be joking around being sarcastic.

I am very happy to see Debrincat perform well so far and he has been impressive. But this is still against sub-NHL talent and he's yet to prove anything on the big stage. Debrincat has a trend of proving people wrong and succeeding where people thought he would fail and I really hope that continues. However, I am remaining guarded with my expectations for him. If #12 has a solid training camp against NHL talent and maybe shows signs for meshing with a forward or two on the Blackhawks roster then I'll start to get excited. For now I am still in a holding pattern, trying not to be too positive or negative.
- DarthKane

Other players that have worn number 12 for the Hawks:

Gus Bodnar 1951-1954
Ed Litzenberger 1955-1961
Bob Hassard 1955
Gerry Melnyk 1962-1965
Aut Erickson 1963-1964
John Brenneman 1965
Pat Stapleton 1966-1973
Lynn Powis 1974
Ivan Boldirev 1975-1979
Tom Lysiak 1979-1986
Mike Stapleton 1987-1991
Duane Sutter 1989-1990
Paul Gillis 1991-1992
Brent Sutter 1992-1998
Derek Plante 2000
J.P. Dumont 2000
Kris King 2001
Tom Fitzgerald 2002
Scott Nichol 2004
Mikhail Yakubov 2006
Peter Bondra 2007
Matt Keith 2007
Rene Bourque 2008
Peter Regin 2014-2015
Tomas Fleischmann 2016

Other players that have worn number 12 for the Hawks:

Gus Bodnar 1951-1954
Ed Litzenberger 1955-1961
Bob Hassard 1955
Gerry Melnyk 1962-1965
Aut Erickson 1963-1964
John Brenneman 1965
Pat Stapleton 1966-1973
Lynn Powis 1974
Ivan Boldirev 1975-1979
Tom Lysiak 1979-1986
Mike Stapleton 1987-1991
Duane Sutter 1989-1990
Paul Gillis 1991-1992
Brent Sutter 1992-1998
Derek Plante 2000
J.P. Dumont 2000
Kris King 2001
Tom Fitzgerald 2002
Scott Nichol 2004
Mikhail Yakubov 2006
Peter Bondra 2007
Matt Keith 2007
Rene Bourque 2008
Peter Regin 2014-2015
Tomas Fleischmann 2016
- Rota's Rooter

I love it.

Go 12

Now that Hjammer is gone, who's gonna dress up as ABBA at the annual Hock Halloween party.

That's what I wanna know.

I am normally one of the more positive posters and what I'm about to say isn't be joking around being sarcastic.

I am very happy to see Debrincat perform well so far and he has been impressive. But this is still against sub-NHL talent and he's yet to prove anything on the big stage. Debrincat has a trend of proving people wrong and succeeding where people thought he would fail and I really hope that continues. However, I am remaining guarded with my expectations for him. If #12 has a solid training camp against NHL talent and maybe shows signs for meshing with a forward or two on the Blackhawks roster then I'll start to get excited. For now I am still in a holding pattern, trying not to be too positive or negative.
- DarthKane

All the kid can do is go out and play against the other team. He did not excel last year as an 18 year old in Training Camp, as has been reported here. However, all he does is create offense and score goals game after game in whatever league or contest he plays. At 19 years old, the Hawks do not need him to have an NHL impact this year. I am simply commenting on his sky-high upside as a playmaker on LW. That finishing talent is an "intangible". The ability to get open, and finish plays with the puck on his stick when given one or 2 opportunities is special. Whether he can adapt to the pace, physicality, and lack of time/space in the AHL/NHL is a question nobody can answer except for Alex Debrincat. Time will tell, but I am optimistic that ADB will be a Top 6 LW for the Hawks sooner rather than later.

This narrative of dump on the kids with sarcastic praise ,and childish names like wonder boy really is broken record . They won the West last year with a bunch of kids ,so they can't be that bad .Sure they were swept in the 1st RD ,and there is no way u can totally blame the young players . It was a combination of injured player stale coaching some tough breaks and a Preds team that were healthy and playing the best hockey of the year . Even after losing some of their top players the Preds beat some very tough Veteran teams on the way to the final .

They had better still be playing kids because that is the way this league is going ,there are more players under the age of 20 then over the age of 35 in this league . And bringing in old rehashed past their prime players will not fix what ales this team . Patience with young players is what's needed and if Q has not got it bring in Dineen to show them the way and let them play .
- oldduffman

Crawford and also Darling won the West for them... And also Patrick Kane

Why can't bouma and Wingels be those guys? they are younger and bigger and are 4th line players maybe Wingels can play some 3rd line. I would rather have a guy that can skate and hit instead of going out and start a fight. Fights in the NHL 80% are a joke. I know if it was me having tootoo start a fight with me for hitting kane is not a deterent. Having Murphy, SAAD, SEABS, Wingels, bouma, kempny Blow me up in the middle of the ice or smash me into the boards would be a much bigger concern.
- kmw4631

The games against the Blues may have a different tone, or perhaps the Blues will try to play the same way against us without Backes and now Reeves too. Meanwhile Bowman has made the Blackhawks a tougher opponent to play. I am especially curious how Toews and the boys respond if the opponent continues to maul Toews.

First look at Darling in all his new gear

Crawford and also Darling won the West for them... And also Patrick Kane
- fattybeef

Goaltending was terrific until Crawford had his appendectomy - after he came back, I think both he and Darling tailed off a little bit.

Just off the top of my head, on the forward side, skaters like Panik, Hartman and Schmaltz were each very good in the second half - as were Kane, Hossa, Panarin (during his bonus run) and Anisimov (after his injury).

First look at Darling in all his new gear


- BINGO!

It is telltale how different style and willingness to engage in physicsl battles when you compare/contrast two former Blackhawks who now toil somewhat in obscurity in Carolina.

While TT is blessed with good skill, Nordstrom is the ever ready bunny who can take a pounding and keep on ticking.

Interesting too how on SCORE app the Blackhawks I believe are tied at 12:1 Stanley Cup odds. The Hurricane are 66:1. This Carolina team keeps improving but really benefits if Skinner stays healthy. J Staahl remains capable force as #3 center especially if the top two lines are great. But oh TT is just not the force you wish he could become. He just continues to have an inversion to working very hard in the weight room and prefers to not engage physically often in on ice confrontation.

It is telltale how different style and willingness to engage in physicsl battles when you compare/contrast two former Blackhawks who now toil somewhat in obscurity in Carolina.

While TT is blessed with good skill, Nordstrom is the ever ready bunny who can take a pounding and keep on ticking.

Interesting too how on SCORE app the Blackhawks I believe are tied at 12:1 Stanley Cup odds. The Hurricane are 66:1. This Carolina team keeps improving but really benefits if Skinner stays healthy. J Staahl remains capable force as #3 center especially if the top two lines are great. But oh TT is just not the force you wish he could become. He just continues to have an inversion to working very hard in the weight room and prefers to not engage physically often in on ice confrontation.
- jhawk59

TT doesn't have to be a physical force, he just has to be a steady 40-50 point producer who plays middle 6 minutes.

J.Staal is a #2 C.

I hope Nordstrom never sees the ice again in Raleigh.

All the kid can do is go out and play against the other team. He did not excel last year as an 18 year old in Training Camp, as has been reported here. However, all he does is create offense and score goals game after game in whatever league or contest he plays. At 19 years old, the Hawks do not need him to have an NHL impact this year. I am simply commenting on his sky-high upside as a playmaker on LW. That finishing talent is an "intangible". The ability to get open, and finish plays with the puck on his stick when given one or 2 opportunities is special. Whether he can adapt to the pace, physicality, and lack of time/space in the AHL/NHL is a question nobody can answer except for Alex Debrincat. Time will tell, but I am optimistic that ADB will be a Top 6 LW for the Hawks sooner rather than later.
- EnzoD

His very good tournament showing was against top prospects - while not against NHL talent and skills, the competition was (I would guess) a step up from his previous junior experience.

He showed that he could continue to "dominate" while moving up a level in competition - not yet to NHL talent level, but still, progression.

Unless he does stuff starting Friday that I don't think he will do, I'd like to see him spend some pro time in Rockfish learning how to get his position in tighter traffic against bigger, faster bodies.

Crawford and also Darling won the West for them... And also Patrick Kane
- fattybeef

I agree. Good players win championships. Not young players and not old players, usually a blend. Pittsburgh had 6 players 32 or older in the playoffs, including a 40 year old, a 39 year old and a 37 year old. Nashville also had 6 players 32 or older. The 2015 Blackhawks 7 players 32 or older.

It is telltale how different style and willingness to engage in physicsl battles when you compare/contrast two former Blackhawks who now toil somewhat in obscurity in Carolina.

While TT is blessed with good skill, Nordstrom is the ever ready bunny who can take a pounding and keep on ticking.

Interesting too how on SCORE app the Blackhawks I believe are tied at 12:1 Stanley Cup odds. The Hurricane are 66:1. This Carolina team keeps improving but really benefits if Skinner stays healthy. J Staahl remains capable force as #3 center especially if the top two lines are great. But oh TT is just not the force you wish he could become. He just continues to have an inversion to working very hard in the weight room and prefers to not engage physically often in on ice confrontation.
- jhawk59

This hurts a bit, I think that darling is as good or better then Craw factoring in age, Darling is 3 years younger and would have stayed for $2 mil less then Craw. If Craw would have waved his LMNTC. I guess we will see after this year.

Goaltending was terrific until Crawford had his appendectomy - after he came back, I think both he and Darling tailed off a little bit.

Just off the top of my head, on the forward side, skaters like Panik, Hartman and Schmaltz were each very good in the second half - as were Kane, Hossa, Panarin (during his bonus run) and Anisimov (after his injury).
- StLBravesFan

You mean his Empty Net Goal run?

All the kid can do is go out and play against the other team. He did not excel last year as an 18 year old in Training Camp, as has been reported here. However, all he does is create offense and score goals game after game in whatever league or contest he plays. At 19 years old, the Hawks do not need him to have an NHL impact this year. I am simply commenting on his sky-high upside as a playmaker on LW. That finishing talent is an "intangible". The ability to get open, and finish plays with the puck on his stick when given one or 2 opportunities is special. Whether he can adapt to the pace, physicality, and lack of time/space in the AHL/NHL is a question nobody can answer except for Alex Debrincat. Time will tell, but I am optimistic that ADB will be a Top 6 LW for the Hawks sooner rather than later.
- EnzoD

And with this said....here is what I would do. I would start him at 2LW with Kane and AA right off the bat at camp and in games where Kane and AA play. See if there is anything there. If not, he goes to Rockford and Sharp becomes the 2LW. Why wait on that experiment until in to the season? Try him and see what he can do right off the bat.

And with this said....here is what I would do. I would start him at 2LW with Kane and AA right off the bat at camp and in games where Kane and AA play. See if there is anything there. If not, he goes to Rockford and Sharp becomes the 2LW. Why wait on that experiment until in to the season? Try him and see what he can do right off the bat.
- onehundredlevel

If he shows that he belongs in the Hawks Top 6 during Training Camp, then I agree completely. However, I would not want(nor expect) Q to annoint him the 2LW simply based on draft position and OHL/Prospect Tourney production. IF he earns a roster spot out of training camp, I think it bodes VERY well for his short-term NHL success. If he does not make the NHL Roster out of training camp, I don't think his long-term upside should be downgraded. The AHL time for Schmaltz seemed to do wonders for his confidence, so starting the season in Rockford would not be a bad thing for ADB.

TT doesn't have to be a physical force, he just has to be a steady 40-50 point producer who plays middle 6 minutes.

J.Staal is a #2 C.

I hope Nordstrom never sees the ice again in Raleigh.
- BINGO!

J Staal was terrific in my eyes when he usually was the #3 center for the Penguins. His size, his skill was such a nice blend and he was too good for whomever the opposition had on the ice. When Staal in that role and Kruger as a #4 center, times like this your team just outclasses and is plainly better.

I am disappointed that you disdain Nordstrom to such the degree. He willingly checked, skates well, was very attentive defensively and a smart forward. I thought he might be able to one day replace Kruger. Alas he just cannot or does not score. Not sure it is all on him, given his role. He is not bereft of offensive ability, from what you observed?

J Staal was terrific in my eyes when he usually was the #3 center for the Penguins. His size, his skill was such a nice blend and he was too good for whomever the opposition had on the ice. When Staal in that role and Kruger as a #4 center, times like this your team just outclasses and is plainly better.

I am disappointed that you disdain Nordstrom to such the degree. He willingly checked, skates well, was very attentive defensively and a smart forward. I thought he might be able to one day replace Kruger. Alas he just cannot or does not score. Not sure it is all on him, given his role. He is not bereft of offensive ability, from what you observed?
- jhawk59

Joakim is a smart defensive player who plays real hard. Unfortunately he just doesn't seem to follow the play well in the offensive zone. Seems like a good teammate, really good on the PK, but he just never seems to be in the right spot on the offensive side of the puck.