Justin Lowe: 12 Thoughts on 4 New Lines

Line 2 gets WAS top 2 Dmen, do 3 and 4 go after line 1 or 3?

Every "new line" looks good until you roll it out. Q has been toying with lines all year. No way to know how any of these combinations will work until we see it live. Still, should be interesting to see.

I wonder who will be playing LW on the Toews line? I think Hartman has more time on the left side than Hayden. This could be an interesting line and a tough line as long as Hartman doesn't take some of the stupid penalties he has taken lately.

I wonder who will be playing LW on the Toews line? I think Hartman has more time on the left side than Hayden. This could be an interesting line and a tough line as long as Hartman doesn't take some of the stupid penalties he has taken lately.
- FourOrr

I believe it's Hartman.

He's been a lot better lately in terms of his discipline, plus he also tends to draw a lot of penalties.

This is from The Athletic, "Overall, Hartman has been a more disciplined player in recent years. He took a total of 249 penalty minutes in 130 games with the IceHogs during the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons. Last season, he took 70 minutes in 76 games with the Blackhawks. After compiling 14 minutes in the first 12 games this season, he's taken just four minutes in the past 13 games."

Will be interesting to see if they can elevate their game against a quality opponent.

And the lines should be fun to watch.

They need the points, slowly slipping out of contention.

Or could it be Q is throwing darts at home and trying to see anything that may work consistently. Fact of the matter, this Hawks team is very average at best and are going to be hard-pressed to make the layoffs how it is currently constructed. Debbie Downer and Realistic Randy this morning folks. The greatest generation in Blackhawks hockey is dying a slow and painful death for this Hawks fan to watch!!

Some poster wishes have been granted with these line combos, Hayden up, Panik down, Hartman back on a wing. Why the he!! not?

I was at the game Sunday and there were too many passes read by LA, too many times trying for the perfect shot. Notice Toews' meaningless goal was just thrown at the net from the top of the face-off circle? Shoot the damn puck.

Good point.

I am going to the next level of review and criticism of review when it comes to Ruuta and Forsling.

We have some things we like and dislike about their game. Here is what counts most right now and going forward: why are THEY as opposed to SOMEONE ELSE used as much as they are?

There are aspect or parts of most defensemen style or game we could criticize because very few are good all around. Some are very good in several areas but not usually too successful dumping the forward on the ice and jostling for position. Defensemen have more confidence to stand up at the blueline when they have an all star veteran partner and forwards whom backcheck.

So let's appreciate Rutta and Forsling as representing puck movers and particularly Forsling quick reacting able to play at high speed. Those type dmen are called upon and hugely desired even if for various reasons some are used sparingly - BUT USED over others - in playoffs.

I will not predict whether a McAvoy, Matheson will advance or establish themselves sooner than our two. McAvoy debuted in the playoffs; Matheson i am not sure but he stepped right in. Those two were first rounders. The important thing irregardless of so called ceiling for each, is they receive playing time.

Players like M Reilly and Gardner are still playing a lot despite bad moments and not really rapid growth. In Chicago we have Samuelson as a tutor, a good tutor despite his own playing style was different. Oh if we get a Seabrook replacement i like to dream they incorporate some of their coach playing habits.

I am not actually criticizing the latest temarks on the board about Ruuta and Forsling. I am just stressing how we need to look at why they play in the proper context of fielding a capable lineup. Quickness and moving the puck, making good decisions especially in offensive moments is right up there in importance as having a solid, experienced veteran. Btw anyone know how Hamhuis looks this season for Dallas?

There are some very good offensive dmen who skate crazy good in our pipeline. Also Carlsson skates same, whom maybe is not as offensive but shows good defensively. There is going to be one or two of them eventually stepping into the lineup here. Unfortunatrly Kempny does not appear to be replacing Seabrook .

"6) Hawks are 0-2 since Anisimov shaved his moustache. "

The importance of this cannot be overstated.

Q is reaching for straws right now. Signs of someone on the hot seat.

No shuffling of lines will fix the underlying problem of the veteran players underperforming. Since none of us are in the locker room, none of us know why they are underperforming.

Until the veterans step up and lead nothing will change.

I do not mind having Schmaltz separated from Kane. He has been over-handling the puck looking for the perfect pass. Placing him with a player younger than himself and a banger on the other side may prompt him to actually shot the puck instead of losing it in the offensive zone.

I do not mind having Schmaltz separated from Kane. He has been over-handling the puck looking for the perfect pass. Placing him with a player younger than himself and a banger on the other side may prompt him to actually shot the puck instead of losing it in the offensive zone.
- 67hawks

I also don't mind him away from Kane if:

A) Saad goes on that line. Expect that line to be a force.

B) Schmaltz plays with elite speed through the middle like he was in pre-season.

C) Schmaltz clicks with Debrincat to give the Hawks some really nice balance throughout the lineup.

I also don't mind him away from Kane if:

A) Saad goes on that line. Expect that line to be a force.

B) Schmaltz plays with elite speed through the middle like he was in pre-season.

C) Schmaltz clicks with Debrincat to give the Hawks some really nice balance throughout the lineup.
- Justin Lowe

Would it be worth trying 38-8-88 again? That's not a punishment for Anisimov, but that line played well to start the season (albeit a small sample). 15 and 12 could work well together.

Kane should have shooters and net front presence Anybody that is a elite passer and puck handler Is to much duplication. I would have scratched sharp for the game he does not fit with wingels and panic. Put kero in the middle of that line. would be nice for sharp to have his back flare up and put him on LTIR for 10 games. Let him rest up and get Hino up. no idea why on all those back to backs he does not scratch Franson or Seabs and sharp for a game to rest them. we lose the games either way. Makes no sense to me at all. if someone one could explain please let me know. Kero

has 3 points in 8 games with 46% FO# and 44.1 corsi and 46% Fenwick with 56% D zone starts. last year 16 points in 47 games even better numbers with 60% zone starts. something makes not sense to me. 5 games ago I understand. today not at all.

Predictions-

Who will be the first player or line to be put in the blender tonight?

So Bowman is sitting on his hands and seeing how much he screwed up in the offseason and now has to figure out how fix the mess of a flawed team HE put together. 3 things the team needs at least 1 center but 2 would be ideal then wiggles can go to wing where he should be. Another solid d man could be depth but with playoff experience or a young d man that they can mold and bring along for the future a puck moving dman and the wonder twins need to take this team on their backs and lead them.

So Justin 2 questions:

How long does Bowman wait to pull the a trade right Hawks are on the outside and not trending in the right direction.

Say, hopefully not, the Hawks don't make the playoffs or go 1 and done again for 3 years straight. What is the likely hood the both Bowman and Q are let go and Wirtz and Mcdough clean house?

Keep up the good work!

I do not mind having Schmaltz separated from Kane. He has been over-handling the puck looking for the perfect pass. Placing him with a player younger than himself and a banger on the other side may prompt him to actually shot the puck instead of losing it in the offensive zone.
- 67hawks

I'd agree with that assessment. He was looking for Kane every time he had the puck on his blade.

Either way, they need guys to start finishing and the power play to be less atrocious. I think that fixes quite a bit of the problem and gets them some more wins.

They're driving quite a bit more play and looking, I think anyway, better as a unit in most ES situations. Take care of some of the little things and I think they start to get results.

They ought to take 7 or 8 points out of the next 4. Even 6 would be acceptable I suppose. Hopefully some of the guys get on a bit of a roll and they can give the Jets a good game in a weeks time.

I think they are still at least one center short and probably a right sided defensemen if Murphy isn't going to play there but they also have been playing better than W\L would indicate.

Would it be worth trying 38-8-88 again? That's not a punishment for Anisimov, but that line played well to start the season (albeit a small sample). 15 and 12 could work well together.
- DarthKane

I like the jump AA has had after being put with Kane. Plus he's winning a few more draws this year (48%) so I saw leave 'em.

I really like Saad with Kane as well. #88 has been struggling to find space. With #20, he gets a north-south guy who's harder on the puck than Schmaltz + is equal in speed.

So Bowman is sitting on his hands and seeing how much he screwed up in the offseason and now has to figure out how fix the mess of a flawed team HE put together. 3 things the team needs at least 1 center but 2 would be ideal then wiggles can go to wing where he should be. Another solid d man could be depth but with playoff experience or a young d man that they can mold and bring along for the future a puck moving dman and the wonder twins need to take this team on their backs and lead them.

So Justin 2 questions:

How long does Bowman wait to pull the a trade right Hawks are on the outside and not trending in the right direction.

Say, hopefully not, the Hawks don't make the playoffs or go 1 and done again for 3 years straight. What is the likely hood the both Bowman and Q are let go and Wirtz and Mcdough clean house?

Keep up the good work!
- Scott1977

Thanks Scott.

1) The pressure from McD above Bowman is always extremely palpable. The guy is hovering non-stop and has a say in a lot of decisions.

I think the deadline to make a move if they continue to slide would be January now. I'm saying that because they can only slide so much more in December (technically they are still in the thick of things) and they really need showcase that they are a bad team (to sell) or a great team capable of winning (to buy) ... right now, they are neither.


2) My prediction is if the Hawks miss on the playoffs or are a 1 and done that Quenneville is gone and the Bowman's keep their jobs.

I'm glad someone finally got to the roots of this teams issues. RIP AA's stache

Q is reaching for straws right now. Signs of someone on the hot seat.

No shuffling of lines will fix the underlying problem of the veteran players underperforming. Since none of us are in the locker room, none of us know why they are underperforming.

Until the veterans step up and lead nothing will change.
- Return of the Roar

Yes, yes and yes.

Thanks Scott.

1) The pressure from McD above Bowman is always extremely palpable. The guy is hovering non-stop and has a say in a lot of decisions.

I think the deadline to make a move if they continue to slide would be January now. I'm saying that because they can only slide so much more in December (technically they are still in the thick of things) and they really need showcase that they are a bad team (to sell) or a great team capable of winning (to buy) ... right now, they are neither.


2) My prediction is if the Hawks miss on the playoffs or are a 1 and done that Quenneville is gone and the Bowman's keep their jobs.
- Justin Lowe

Ok got the same feeling about bowmans but to bowmand done some good things but the bad has out wiegh the good. So if the hawks don't make the playoffs at all would the bowmans and q go and start fresh

I'm glad someone finally got to the roots of this teams issues. RIP AA's stache
- BlazinMike

Q should force everyone to grow a stache...it just makes sense.