Doubt that lineup gets the team into the top 3 in the Central.
- RaleighHawk

Depends on who the 2 D players are.

That lineup gets the team into the top 3 in the Draft.
- RaleighHawk

Fixed

That's gotta be the worst Dcore in the NHL come next season, another year added on to the regression of 2 and 7.
- SimpleJack

Although I wouldn't say they'd be the worst in the NHL, I would agree that the Hawks defense could be a lot better. We'll see how the TDL and off season play out.

Doubt that lineup gets the team into the top 3 in the Central.
- RaleighHawk

You may be right. Depends on a lot of factors:

1) Need a RW to play with Toews and Saad. Sikura, Hayden, and DeBrincat are options but could there be options not currently in the organization?

2) Determine who is best to complement Schmaltz and Kane.

3) Acquire a 3C, especially if Anisimov is traded. A 3C who can play well in all zones and be tough to play against are key characteristics. Good at faceoffs is a definite plus, too.

4) A defense corps where everyone is slotted properly and has a better balance of puck moving ability, point shooting to generate greasy goal opportunities (having forwards who can pounce on these pucks is needed, of course), push back especially in the slot, and commitment to defense first.

When and how did he rip Debrincat?
- Chunk

Outside of his questioning his skating and size (size is a legit concern), he questioned his attitude on more than one occasion, pretty direct. But there was zero evidence to it.

Outside of his questioning his skating and size (size is a legit concern), he questioned his attitude on more than one occasion, pretty direct. But there was zero evidence to it.
- kwolf68

That happens often here. It was somebody else who questioned Schmaltz's attitude/work ethic and said he would never make an impact at the NHL level.

That happens often here. It was somebody else who questioned Schmaltz's attitude/work ethic and said he would never make an impact at the NHL level.
- DarthKane

Yeah, but that one Instagram picture made him look super lazy and out of shape.

Yeah, but that one Instagram picture made him look super lazy and out of shape.
- JRoenick97

Literally all of his IG pictures show a skinny 15yr old physique from Schmaltz. It is amazing how effective he is in the NHL with the lack of muscle mass he possesses. This further's my theory that if he can add some strength, he has 1C PPG potential.

Literally all of his IG pictures show a skinny 15yr old physique from Schmaltz. It is amazing how effective he is in the NHL with the lack of muscle mass he possesses. This further's my theory that if he can add some strength, he has 1C PPG potential.
- EnzoD

Good as that spot is open.

You're right, odds of a third round pick amounting to anything are slim. But I'd rather have the pick than let Kempny walk for nothing.

Kempny was ok, but he's not really any better than anyone else on the roster. Hoepfully Stan starts selling off more spare parts.
- DarthKane

Go thru some 3rd rounder's Kaner. The ones that hit take a few yrs: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/index.html

Outside of his questioning his skating and size (size is a legit concern), he questioned his attitude on more than one occasion, pretty direct. But there was zero evidence to it.
- kwolf68

Sorry, must have missed the attitude comments. All I remember reading was him saying that the kid hadn’t done anything against NHL competition and that we should reserve any judgement so of proclamations about his pro prospects until he does. Remember reading in a recent article of JJ that 12 has surpassed anything that he thought for his rookie year, so at least he acknowledged it.

Literally all of his IG pictures show a skinny 15yr old physique from Schmaltz. It is amazing how effective he is in the NHL with the lack of muscle mass he possesses. This further's my theory that if he can add some strength, he has 1C PPG potential.
- EnzoD

His NHL combine stats showed he was top in agility and VO2Max I believe. He's a freak athletically.

His NHL combine stats showed he was top in agility and VO2Max I believe. He's a freak athletically.
- JRoenick97

Agreed. You can't teach that kind of skating ability. He has the highest upside of any player, including Debrincat IMO. He is nearly at a PPG pace playing 2nd line minutes in his first full pro season. This is a guy you build around and if he can just get a bit stronger and better at draws, you have the new 1C.

Agreed. You can't teach that kind of skating ability. He has the highest upside of any player, including Debrincat IMO. He is nearly at a PPG pace playing 2nd line minutes in his first full pro season. This is a guy you build around and if he can just get a bit stronger and better at draws, you have the new 1C.
- EnzoD

Absolutely. Schmaltz has raw ability and talent that nobody on that team has (anymore) outside of Kaner, and he's only 23.

Absolutely. Schmaltz has raw ability and talent that nobody on that team has (anymore) outside of Kaner, and he's only 23.
- JRoenick97

One of the silver linings surrounding this dark cloud of a year is that everybody should be even hungrier next year. Seeing these young guys take the next step will be a lot of fun for us 'Hawk fans.

One of the silver linings surrounding this dark cloud of a year is that everybody should be even hungrier next year. Seeing these young guys take the next step will be a lot of fun for us 'Hawk fans.
- 35Tony0

We said that when we lost in 7 to the Blues in 2016
We said that again last year when we got swept via Nashville
Now missing the playoffs will finally motivate us? hmmm

Go thru some 3rd rounder's Kaner. The ones that hit take a few yrs: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/draft/index.html
- Mr Ricochet

Yikes....great data....only a couple of 3rd rounders have really done anything at this point...good to know...

We said that when we lost in 7 to the Blues in 2016
We said that again last year when we got swept via Nashville
Now missing the playoffs will finally motivate us? hmmm
- Slofire94

Those weren't the kids then though. That was supposed to motivate the core. We have a lot more youth now.

We said that when we lost in 7 to the Blues in 2016
We said that again last year when we got swept via Nashville
Now missing the playoffs will finally motivate us? hmmm
- Slofire94

Born in 1960 here, that makes the 'Hawks 4 for 57 in my lifetime. I almost feel bad for Blues and Predators fans. They're all eating goose eggs.

PHL is looking for a netminder, how about Forsberg to PHL for a slew of picks? Helps with the suck for Tchuck mode...

Born in 1960 here, that makes the 'Hawks 4 for 57 in my lifetime. I almost feel bad for Blues and Predators fans. They're all eating goose eggs.
- 35Tony0

Ditto for me

Yikes....great data....only a couple of 3rd rounders have really done anything at this point...good to know...
- Beaks99

Yet, this board seems surprisingly optimistic about Sikura (6th round selection). Hinostroza, also a 6th round pick, has been a regular contributor in our lineup. Let's not forget about our favorite piece of sandpaper, Andrew Shaw. He was a 5th round pick.

Are the odds considerably lower? Sure, but third round players are hardly lottery tickets.

PHL is looking for a netminder, how about Forsberg to PHL for a slew of picks? Helps with the suck for Tchuck mode...
- riozzo

I can't see Forsberg getting much in return, Berube has more NHL experience and could be a better target. If Crawford comes back this season Chicago may have to deal Forsberg or Berube or risk losing one on waivers.

I can't see Forsberg getting much in return, Berube has more NHL experience and could be a better target. If Crawford comes back this season Chicago may have to deal Forsberg or Berube or risk losing one on waivers.
- DarthKane

I would surely move one or the other, multiple picks help to move other picks up in the draft... Picking guys that will help in three years means a lot of bad hockey

When and how did he rip Debrincat?
- Chunk

JJ ripped DeBrincat constantly. I know because I was in constant debate with him over DeBrincat. JJ basically said his Jr stats would not translate. I said that the stats certainly would - that DeBrincat had very special talent. That I had watched DeBrincat and he could stick-handle in a phone booth, always found the open ice, had incredible peripheral vision for passing, went to hard areas etc etc. Hawks very fortunate that DeBrincat fell to them. Lots of teams missed the boat as he should've been a First Rounder. Thank goodness he was viewed too small. JJ was completely wrong with respect to DeBrincat.