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.
- 93Joe

To me it's closed. How much better can Crosby get? Not sure he can.

How much better can McDavid get? He's still improving.

Kane is also lethal but just doesn't have the jets McDavid has, but his vision and back hand is beyond filthy.

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

I think I saw Reeve ask Hayden if he wanted to go and Hayden said, "no way, man." Smart kid. No reason to fight with a huge lead.

Anyone have a clip of the Kero injury? Was it a cheap shot by Crosby?

This team has always been dangerous when intercepting sloppy passes in the neutral zone and going the other way, but last night they really took it to the next level. Curious to see how they play against a more disciplined team who employs a trap and they don't have as many transition chances. Having to dump and chase has always been an issue for this team. That will be the test I am most interested in seeing them pass.

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.
- kwolf68

Kane compared Schmaltz speed up the middle to McDavid in the post game last night. Kane clearly likes the kid.

To me it's closed. How much better can Crosby get? Not sure he can.

How much better can McDavid get? He's still improving.

Kane is also lethal but just doesn't have the jets McDavid has, but his vision and back hand is beyond filthy.
- SteveRain

McDavid is on his way to being the best player and I will concede he arguably is. Crosby, however, like many, struggled with two way play. Crosby is pretty good on both sides of the puck now and I think McDavid is still learning the defensive area of the game. Awesome (frank)ing player tho.

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

Good comparison IMO. I would even argue a "poor man's Marchand."

Good comparison IMO. I would even argue a "poor man's Marchand."
- 93Joe

I wouldn't say poor mans in either of those statements. He had 19 goals as a rookie.

I wouldn't say poor mans in either of those statements. He had 19 goals as a rookie.
- JRoenick97

Without a substantial amount of PP time also.

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.
- kwolf68

I did not know Schmaltz dad runs a power skating facility. Explains a lot about Schmaltz skating. Effortless explosive skating. I've always thought Kane plays best at high speed. He was amazing with Panarin and AA but most of that was extended zone pressure. They weren't often attacking off the rush.

What I liked most is Schmaltz carrying the puck in with speed. What do you do on D? Collapse on Schmaltz or shadow Kane?

Need to remind myself it is only 1 game though!

I wouldn't say poor mans in either of those statements. He had 19 goals as a rookie.
- JRoenick97

Comparing him to finished product 30 goal scoring Sharp. First couple of years on the Hawks Sharp very very similar.

Comparing him to finished product 30 goal scoring Sharp. First couple of years on the Hawks Sharp very very similar.
- bhawks2241

Yeah, so a younger Sharp or Marchand is what I'd say. Poor mans implies he's not as good of a player, which he very well could be. It's just semantics at this point I guess.

Kane compared Schmaltz speed up the middle to McDavid in the post game last night. Kane clearly likes the kid.
- JRoenick97

Schmaltz isn't that fast, but certainly we saw Schmaltz blitz the D and drive around more than once. If he can solidify that 2C slot all year, the Hawks are suddenly a deep team in the middle. Toews -> Schmaltz -> AA -> Kero. Personally, I think Kero is better defensively than he gets credit for and if AA and Kero focus on the D side more and let Toews/Schmaltz handle more of the Ozone, I'm liking the way the team looks.

Not crazy - we’re fans.
- StLBravesFan

We are not fans, we are fanatics - People filled with excessive and single-minded zeal, especially for an extreme religious causes, political causes, or the Blackhawks.

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

Hartman doesn't have the hands Sharp does. And I don't think he can fight as well despite his edge. But I can see the comparison.

Hartman doesn't have the hands Sharp does. And I don't think he can fight as well despite his edge. But I can see the comparison.
- 6628

His hands are still very capable. And frankly I don't give a crap whether he can fight or not. Can he play hockey? I know I know that is blasphemy for Vandermeer23.

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

And to think some were worried about Kanes production without the bread man on his line

5'7" Alex DeBrincat tosses 6'1" Ian Cole. Oh my...
- hockey nut 28

Cole is listed at 6'1" 220lbs...I like it.

I do believe my heart stopped for a couple seconds when Schmaltz left...this Tweet makes me feel a tad better.

Mark Lazerus‏Verified account @MarkLazerus 4m4 minutes ago
Nick Schmaltz is here for Blackhawks practice. Tanner Kero is not.

The one thing I loved last night was that there were guys sitting in front of the goalie almost every time they were in the offensive zone (although oddly less so on the PP). Hayden and Panik owe this month's rent in the paint they were there so long. Here to hoping this mindset continues through the year.

He was great and like I said pretty good on the left side, but I think he's more a beneficiary than a driver
- John Jaeckel

Totally agree JJ. Hey can you find out if the Hawks have ANY interest in Andreas Athanasiou from Detroit ? He's just sitting out there waiting on a modest contract of 2 to 3 mil. He's a 23 year old kid that is among the fastest skaters in the NHL with HUGE upside for the future. Adding another CORE speed guy to this team with size could put us over the top and really solidify the next few years of contention. We have the depth to make a move and the money to it happen.

Totally agree JJ. Hey can you find out if the Hawks have ANY interest in Andreas Athanasiou from Detroit ? He's just sitting out there waiting on a modest contract of 2 to 3 mil. He's a 23 year old kid that is among the fastest skaters in the NHL with HUGE upside for the future. Adding another CORE speed guy to this team with size could put us over the top and really solidify the next few years of contention. We have the depth to make a move and the money to it happen.
- Hawkytalk

They kind of have a glut of forwards right now. I mean, Hinostroza is sitting in Rockford and plays a very similar game to him.

If Schmaltz has any kind of sprain/strain, even grade 1, you sit him this weekend and let him get back to 100%. #8 is now a KEY cog at 2C and was as much a factor in Line 2's dominance as 88 was. Another key takeaway was that Jan Rutta played more minutes last night than any other defenseman not named Duncan. For his first NHL game, that should tell us all a lot about his ability and what Q/Ulf think of him.

His hands are still very capable. And frankly I don't give a crap whether he can fight or not. Can he play hockey? I know I know that is blasphemy for Vandermeer23.
- kwolf68

If he's going to stir the pot the way he likes to he better be able to handle what comes of it. I can't stand a spot picking chickenpoop. Just sayin, the way he plays he's going to have to dance once in a while. And can he play? You and I could score 20 playing with Kane. But he certainly shows upside. I love when local kids make the show. Like Saad for you.

If Schmaltz has any kind of sprain/strain, even grade 1, you sit him this weekend and let him get back to 100%. #8 is now a KEY cog at 2C and was as much a factor in Line 2's dominance as 88 was. Another key takeaway was that Jan Rutta played more minutes last night than any other defenseman not named Duncan. For his first NHL game, that should tell us all a lot about his ability and what Q/Ulf think of him.
- EnzoD

Schmaltz is already practicing. Kero is not.