With Manchild and Panik on the wings, Toews may take less of a beating during the season and be ready for the post season. The last few years he was cross-checked to death in the crease. Not sure how anyone's back could withstand that...
- riozzo

2 things really stood out to me for the 1 game.........

1. Panik just threw that guy aside at the blue line on Saad's 1st goal. That was the most impressive thing individually I saw. Hate to say it, but the Kane crazy passes have become the norm......

2. 12 played with some snarl...........Have to give credit where it's due, and he didn't look out of place.

And what the hell was up with Foley in his crusade to embarrass Niemi? Reminded me of his ripping of AA during the last game vs Nashville in the spring. Speaking of which if I were AA I wouldn't speak to mouth piece Foley.

God willing the Hawks will replace the "shout out" KING of Chicago.

Does that make us all the Sweathogs?
- Kentxo

YEP...PRETTY MUCH!!!

I don't agree with the defense not being "tested" so to say. I think they played exactly how Bowman and Q wants them to play. That is getting the puck up the ice quickly and pushing the pace, and then pinching to try to keep the puck in the O-zone for as long and as much as possible. That is exactly the type of defenseman that Bowman went and acquired this offseason. I think they played very good last night. If they continue to be good at playing this way, they shouldn't get "tested" all that much...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

All good and fair points. It did seem like an "alternative approach" to the defensive game. Maybe Ulf's plan? Pens are as good a team in the NHL as anyone. Guess we will really find out how the bottom 3 defense plays when a hard-hitting forechecking team comes around (e.g. Nashville, LA).

Kaner = Superman. For any mortal player, you'd take those two no-look passes, and the roof shot backhand from impossible angle and show it as a season's worth of great stick highlights. For Kaner, simply game 1.

Agreed that the defense wasn't all that tested last night. It was great to see 2 and 7 back together. Thought Mike Kempny had a solid outing. Hartman was both a beneficiary and a driver in my opinion. I say a driver because he was around the net and, not only him, but him and Schmaltz played a solid two way game.

Great to see Saad and Sharpie play up to tempo. Murphy had a couple of good hits in the D zone... also good to see.



Jackets are rolling with 4 rookies if I am not mistaken?? Dubois, Carlsson, Milano and somebody else. Also, no Jenner, which is going to sting.
- 93Joe

Jackets are oozing with speed, size, skill, lots of youth. A lot of youth under Torts, really (believe It!)

Two of the soon to be best defensemen in the game: Werenski and S Jones. Just how good is another dman,R Murray, now injury free this 24 yr was #2 overall his draft year

Would you want Dubinsky on your TEAM? Bjorkstrand, Wenneberg, just signed J Anderson, two other first round forwards are in their line up.

This game feels like when all the best kids in the area show up for gym basketball and it is an all star track meet....river hockey, rat hockey with the star college kids home on break.....get the idea

What to expect. From the kids or from a Torts coached team....how does he reel them all in.

Can Chicago win through experience and NHL knowledge.? I dk. We have youth but not like them.

Oh btw Bobrovski is darn good, sometimes really good in net Youth is served this game. Columbus plays second game against us in back to back contests.

Hawks get CBJ on the 2nd of Back To Back, so while the schedule is daunting it does balance out that way. Expect the Jackets to come hard and fast. Pens look like they are totally hungover. They were not very good against St.Louis in their home opener and only drew a point because of a late 5v3 penalty because of a dumb play by St.L player. In short, right now the Pens are NOT A GOOD team. That's not to say they are not capable of being a good team talentwise, but they stink right now. Their defense is clown shoes level stuff.

The Hawks took advantage and rolled them. The lines look incredible and in Hawks fashion they played over the idiocy of players like Reeves. No need to have a meaningless fight with that lunkhead. It was SO STUPID, because none of our guys were running anyone. Thought they got that fool to 'protect' Crosby, and not to turn the NHL into a joke show. Hawks were rolling lower line players on the PowerPlay, playing safe most of that game and Pens were a colossal embarrassment last night, from their lackluster play to their lack of composure at the end. Did NOT like the knee on Kero and Geno's hit on Panik was ?, but Richard did turn at the last minute, but I think Geno had time to lesson the hit. Could have been a bad one.

Since this was such a lopsided game I think there is still a lot to learn about the Hawks, but those first two lines are going to be a handful for teams to deal with. I didn't see special chemistry with AA/Sharp/ADB but don't think they played any together in preseason so I think that will eventually come and I think it's going to be a great line.

The fourth line worries me after Hayden. Hayden was a beast all night, 4 shots, 5 hits, constantly in front of the net, mixing it up. But Kero was a mixed bag...very poor in the circles and didn't drive a lot of possession. Bouma had a couple hits and blocks, but offensively he's useless. I think Bouma can be a serviceable defensive/PK forward, but he and Kero are really not strong possession players. I have hope for Kero, because he showed me something last year, so I'll see how he goes. I'd like to get Wingels or Dauphin in the mix somehow. Hayden needs players that can control the puck.

Defense is TBD, but my initial instincts are not changed yet...I LOVE Kemp's game this year. He's taking the body, making plays, showing more poise and confidence. Ruuta also passed the test in his first game. VERY happy with them. Gus is gonna be good, but he's still raw, I wonder how a team with more push back will do for him. Murphy I thought was not very good until the third period...he seemed to get better as the game went on and had a couple nice checks. I am still very low in confidence with #5, but his game did get better so I'll hang my hat on that. I want to stay with this defensive lineup and give those guys a chance to grow and jell.

Not mentioned at all in the blog.

Only mention (almost in passing) in two or three of the posts here.

With all of f the gushing about Saad’s return, and Schmaltz, Hartman, Hayden, Panik....

What about by far the best player on the ice last nite - with a spectacular goal, several games outrageous passes leading to goals, five points, and completely controlling the ice whenever he had the puck - playing with two completely new line mates (one whom he wasn’t even combined with in preseason games)?

Only one game, but Kane may be reaching a new level of the game this year.
- StLBravesFan

Kane and Hartman with Schmaltz playing like he did looks lethal. Those guys are going to rack up points like crazy.

All good and fair points. It did seem like an "alternative approach" to the defensive game. Maybe Ulf's plan? Pens are as good a team in the NHL as anyone. Guess we will really find out how the bottom 3 defense plays when a hard-hitting forechecking team comes around (e.g. Nashville, LA).
- 93Joe

I think in the last decade, that has been the hawks defensive approach, but the last two seasons they didn't have the defensemen that could actually execute that approach anymore, which coincides with the decline in puck possession. Now that they have the guys to execute it correctly, I expect their puck possession to be a lot better this year, back to where it was between 2010 and 2015. I don't think they will spend a whole lot of time in the defensive zone this year.

I'm trying to temper my enthusiasm given the Pens' obvious hangover but wow! I thought Schmaltz looked explosive, Panik was a monster, and Debrincat didn't have that "deer in the headlights" look that many mini 19 yr olds would have had. DBC has the skill, my questions for him were whether he had the toughness...perhaps he does. Hayden also looked solid. I'd like to get a look at Wingels on the 4th line but Bouma wasn't awful. As for the D, we'll see, but hopefully Ruuta and the other youngsters, especially Kempny looked pretty good.
- Kentxo

I noticed that also, and I am a huge critic of his. He lined up next to Reaves after Reaves was going at Hayden and Reaves wouldn't even give him a look. I like it. Not a lot of skill, but he didn't make any mistakes and stood up for Hayden.

Kaner = Superman. For any mortal player, you'd take those two no-look passes, and the roof shot backhand from impossible angle and show it as a season's worth of great stick highlights. For Kaner, simply game 1.
- Cmonalready

Kane is unreal. He has the ice hockey vision of Gale Sayers, seemingly having eyes in the back of his head. And a shoutout to Kaner, who was immature in the early days, getting into some trouble...the dude has grown up and instead of messing around in the off season he's working to get better and better. If a letter opens up, 88 should get it. I would have never said that in the past, but the dude has earned it and proven himself. He has the potential to score 100 points this year.

Toews and Crosby basically cancelled each other out last night.
- JRoenick97

Works for me. Might even be a good win for us.

I noticed that also, and I am a huge critic of his. He lined up next to Reaves after Reaves was going at Hayden and Reaves wouldn't even give him a look. I like it. Not a lot of skill, but he didn't make any mistakes and stood up for Hayden.
- JRoenick97

Reeves is a tool bag, but he is NOT scared of Lance Bouma rest assured. I didn't see anyone 'standing up' for anyone because it just wasn't necessary. Reeves was running around acting like a buffoon in a 10-1 game and the Hawks simply ignored him...to me that was 100x better than having some worthless fight with him. Finally he got himself a red carpet to the showers, along with Fat Phil. The Hawks played that lunk PERFECTLY.

I think in the last decade, that has been the hawks defensive approach, but the last two seasons they didn't have the defensemen that could actually execute that approach anymore, which coincides with the decline in puck possession. Now that they have the guys to execute it correctly, I expect their puck possession to be a lot better this year, back to where it was between 2010 and 2015. I don't think they will spend a whole lot of time in the defensive zone this year.
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Yep, I think the same also. It is nice that there are guys like Murph, Kempny, Rutta who can skate pretty well and move the puck.

Hawks get CBJ on the 2nd of Back To Back, so while the schedule is daunting it does balance out that way. Expect the Jackets to come hard and fast. Pens look like they are totally hungover. They were not very good against St.Louis in their home opener and only drew a point because of a late 5v3 penalty because of a dumb play by St.L player. In short, right now the Pens are NOT A GOOD team. That's not to say they are not capable of being a good team talentwise, but they stink right now. Their defense is clown shoes level stuff.

The Hawks took advantage and rolled them. The lines look incredible and in Hawks fashion they played over the idiocy of players like Reeves. No need to have a meaningless fight with that lunkhead. It was SO STUPID, because none of our guys were running anyone. Thought they got that fool to 'protect' Crosby, and not to turn the NHL into a joke show. Hawks were rolling lower line players on the PowerPlay, playing safe most of that game and Pens were a colossal embarrassment last night, from their lackluster play to their lack of composure at the end. Did NOT like the knee on Kero and Geno's hit on Panik was ?, but Richard did turn at the last minute, but I think Geno had time to lesson the hit. Could have been a bad one.

Since this was such a lopsided game I think there is still a lot to learn about the Hawks, but those first two lines are going to be a handful for teams to deal with. I didn't see special chemistry with AA/Sharp/ADB but don't think they played any together in preseason so I think that will eventually come and I think it's going to be a great line.

The fourth line worries me after Hayden. Hayden was a beast all night, 4 shots, 5 hits, constantly in front of the net, mixing it up. But Kero was a mixed bag...very poor in the circles and didn't drive a lot of possession. Bouma had a couple hits and blocks, but offensively he's useless. I think Bouma can be a serviceable defensive/PK forward, but he and Kero are really not strong possession players. I have hope for Kero, because he showed me something last year, so I'll see how he goes. I'd like to get Wingels or Dauphin in the mix somehow. Hayden needs players that can control the puck.

Defense is TBD, but my initial instincts are not changed yet...I LOVE Kemp's game this year. He's taking the body, making plays, showing more poise and confidence. Ruuta also passed the test in his first game. VERY happy with them. Gus is gonna be good, but he's still raw, I wonder how a team with more push back will do for him. Murphy I thought was not very good until the third period...he seemed to get better as the game went on and had a couple nice checks. I am still very low in confidence with #5, but his game did get better so I'll hang my hat on that. I want to stay with this defensive lineup and give those guys a chance to grow and jell.
- kwolf68

Pens defense looked gassed. It is great to see Letang back (not a fan but for a guy who has had health problems and on the LTIR a good deal, it is good to see him playing again). Olli Matta was a mess yesterday.

Pens defense looked gassed. It is great to see Letang back (not a fan but for a guy who has had health problems and on the LTIR a good deal, it is good to see him playing again). Olli Matta was a mess yesterday.
- 93Joe

LOL I know it. Matta was actually pretty good against St.Louis Wed, but he looked like an ECHL player last night. I am also rooting for Kris Letang. I like the player to be honest. He has taken some nasty shots in his career and has also had these other weird health problems. He's fun to watch.

The Pens looked like they had been on a 3 day bender to be honest. I still think this game is an aberration (for both teams). The Pens are clearly not that bad and no way the Hawks are "that good". At least I don't think.

Man, can you imagine a fourth line of Hayden/Kero/Hossa? I still have thoughts of Hossa being able to play at some point. Maybe not this year...but maybe next year. I doubt it happens...but man, would that be a great way to roll four lines.

Kane is unreal. He has the ice hockey vision of Gale Sayers, seemingly having eyes in the back of his head. And a shoutout to Kaner, who was immature in the early days, getting into some trouble...the dude has grown up and instead of messing around in the off season he's working to get better and better. If a letter opens up, 88 should get it. I would have never said that in the past, but the dude has earned it and proven himself. He has the potential to score 100 points this year.
- kwolf68

Agreed. Kane is a beast, and is one of few guys who routinely works at his game to get BETTER every year.

You know what else was hilarious to me outside of idiot Reeves? How about that awful turnover by Pierre McGuire's lover Sidney Crosby in the 1st? Between the legs drop pass............to...........nobody. Goof.

McDavid is the best player in the NHL.

Man, can you imagine a fourth line of Hayden/Kero/Hossa? I still have thoughts of Hossa being able to play at some point. Maybe not this year...but maybe next year. I doubt it happens...but man, would that be a great way to roll four lines.
- onehundredlevel

And you wouldn't be cap compliant.

I was a huge fan of Hossa, but he isn't playing again.

Agreed. Kane is a beast, and is one of few guys who routinely works at his game to get BETTER every year.

You know what else was hilarious to me outside of idiot Reeves? How about that awful turnover by Pierre McGuire's lover Sidney Crosby in the 1st? Between the legs drop pass............to...........nobody. Goof.

McDavid is the best player in the NHL.
- SteveRain

Pens had a few of those passes to nowhere last night. One of the worst performances I've seen in many a year. Unfortunately (or fortunately) I got the local Pittsburgh station. They were homering it up early on whining about calls (as is typical of them), but by the end of the first they just had to start calling it straight and was admitting their beloved Pens were getting skated out of the building. Lots of compliments for the Hawks from the Pens network...what else can you do? Say that team kicking our ass really isn't that good?

Agreed. Kane is a beast, and is one of few guys who routinely works at his game to get BETTER every year.

You know what else was hilarious to me outside of idiot Reeves? How about that awful turnover by Pierre McGuire's lover Sidney Crosby in the 1st? Between the legs drop pass............to...........nobody. Goof.

McDavid is the best player in the NHL.
- SteveRain

Connor is just a lethal player. Size, speed, IQ... He is going to be fun to watch again this year. Better than Sid yet..? Eh, respectfully, I am not too sure but he is getting there.... no doubt he is well on his way however.

And you wouldn't be cap compliant.

I was a huge fan of Hossa, but he isn't playing again.
- SteveRain

Yep. Gotta put this one to bed kids. Hoss is a warrior a legend, but hes made his statement. Next stop for him will be the Hall of Fame, but his career is over. He retires with 3 Cups, riches and a beautiful family. Now is the time to hang em up, but I despise the way he went out...on LTIR...but nothing you can do. Hoss deserved a last skate.

Kane is unreal. He has the ice hockey vision of Gale Sayers, seemingly having eyes in the back of his head. And a shoutout to Kaner, who was immature in the early days, getting into some trouble...the dude has grown up and instead of messing around in the off season he's working to get better and better. If a letter opens up, 88 should get it. I would have never said that in the past, but the dude has earned it and proven himself. He has the potential to score 100 points this year.
- kwolf68

Scary part is Schmaltz caught Kane off guard with a couple slick passes. Schmaltz looks like he can be that 2C that, with his speed and ability to carry the puck, can create open ice for Kane to function in. That is a scary thought.

Hartman reminds me of a poorman's Sharp. Sharp came up with the Flyers he was a edgy player with nice speed and a nice shot. Hartman can skate and can drift the puck a bit too. People forget Sharp had a similar edge to his game when he was younger. Not saying he will become Sharp but their games are a bit similar to me.

IF Hartman is consistently burying his chances on that line good luck to opposing D.

That was one of the most exciting regular season Hawk games I remember in a long, long time. Gone was last years slow perimeter game. The Hawks were swarming to the net all night long; that's net front presence boys. When's the last time you saw it to that degree. I'd honestly have to say it was 2010. They were skating like the wind and the opposing defense did not have plenty of time to set up against the slow perimeter set up of the last coupe years. The transition game got them several goals. Wow! What a game. How many games did it take last year's Hawks to score 10 even strength goals. The power play still looks lame, but then again, the 0-6 is skewed. The Hawks were easing off the pedal late in the game when they had some of those powerplays. Very exciting. The speed, size, and skill were noticeable. Were the Hawks that good? Hell yes they were. Yes, the Penguins played the night before, but come on, it is the 2nd game of the season. That's a lame excuse and might be accurate with a 4-1 or 5-1 blow out, but this was a 10-1 spanking.

The first line was swarming. Saad was super pumped for his first game back and he was a beast. I hope he can keep that up. If you remember, he used to disappear for several games and then reappear. That being said, I triple down on my pleasure with bring him back over Panarin as he is a much more complete player. Panik showed that last season was no fluke and he looks even stronger on the puck than last year. What a steal for Morin. I realize the positives some of you pointed out about Toews' game, but being +4 when your teams scores 10 goals is no special feat. When your line scores 4 goals, just be accident I believe you'd get more than one assist. I believe people are being generous about the game Toews' played. It was a great set up on Saad, but I'm still concerned about Johnny's play.

The second line was very impressive. What can you say about Kane. He makes everyone look good and plays amazingly regardless of his line mates. Sorry Artemi, but Kane never needed you. I don't know what happened with Schmaltz, but he is a different player than we saw all of last year. His preseason and game last night were lights out. He never showed that speed flying around the ice with abandon at any time last year. Compliments to him and whatever juiced up his confidence level. I have never been impressed with him, but he has now made me overly impressed by all of his play in the preseason and last night. Hartman was a beneficiary, but was still a force last night.

I believe that is one solid third line. I think AA is suited very well for that line, but I'm not sure you want to pay a 3rd line center that kind of money. We have not cap issue now so he's a fine piece for the puzzle on that line. Sharpie's goal was a replay of days gone by when he'd turn the burners on and score a goal like that. I was impressed with the Cat. In one NHL game, he has more hits than Tevo T has had in 3-4 seasons. He appears to be positionally sound and he has skill. Our third and 4th lines of the last couple years had guys that could skate or hit, but did not have the skill level to put the puck in the net. This line definitely has that and is a threat to score and make differences in games to add W's to our record.

The fourth line was okay primarily because Hayden was noticeable. He has a nose for the net and appears to have skill to score. He created opportunities last night. That's why I see him floating up and down the line up this season. Kero was okay, but I didn't look at his statline.

The d looked alright, but our offense last night was the best defense. They did look good on transition. I loved #4 just like all of you, but I was tired of him shuffling the puck up the boards all the time. Most of the time those turned into turnovers. He was a warrior for us and was instrumental in three cups, but I think he will be missed less than most think. We still gave up 29 shots. Considering the score, I still think that is a lot. Crow had a good game. He played better than some here are giving him credit for..."he was not tested" comments.

Great entertaining game. It was one game, but it sure gives you optimism that we are in store for a lot of exciting games this season.

Scary part is Schmaltz caught Kane off guard with a couple slick passes. Schmaltz looks like he can be that 2C that, with his speed and ability to carry the puck, can create open ice for Kane to function in. That is a scary thought.

Hartman reminds me of a poorman's Sharp. Sharp came up with the Flyers he was a edgy player with nice speed and a nice shot. Hartman can skate and can drift the puck a bit too. People forget Sharp had a similar edge to his game when he was younger. Not saying he will become Sharp but their games are a bit similar to me.

IF Hartman is consistently burying his chances on that line good luck to opposing D.
- bhawks2241

Schmaltz's speed is exactly why Q has him with Kane and I agree Hartman can be a different version of Sharp, maybe not quite as fast, but a little nastier (though he's still fast and Sharp as you point out was edgy)....That line is dynamic, you can already tell it. I think moving 8 to the Kane center and AA to line 3 is Q's best move so far.... AA is a nice player, useful, but I have said it for 3 years now, he is a THIRD LINE center on a top team. And AA played a solid, no-nonsense game last night, won draws, played 200 feet...I'd like more from that line in terms of offensive pushback, but that's a byproduct of developing chemistry. Once AA,Sharp and Cat get used to each other that's gonna be a very good line too.

FAST and ENGAGED - They played with incredible pace plus they banged the body a lot!! This team could be very entertaining to watch this season. I absolutely love our top 9 forwards, we do have a lot of depth again. As for the "D", it might be a work in progress, but I think blue line has more noticeable speed as well. The Toews line is going to wear people down, they are big and strong. Really liking Schmaltz, he was absolutely flying, Kane is just so dynamite with the puck, and Hartman might be the perfect type of winger for 8 and 88. Anisimov's line was dangerous as well. If Debrincat continues to play well, don't see too many 3rd lines in the NHL that talented. Very encouraging start, love to see the boys play with passion and fire!!