I really like the idea of Toews at 3C.

I think he's earned it, not saying that's a good thing, but it is what it is. His play reflects that of a Cup caliber 3C, rather than 1C.

The Hawks will have to use the explosive powers of Kane to anchor their top line, with Schmaltz serving as the Center. Those 2 have obvious chemistry there is no denying. Is 8 a comparable 1C to most Cup contenders? Of course not. But then again, who thought William Karlsson was either? The idea is to spread out the depth. DeBrincat is CLEARLY a top 6 caliber talent IMO, put him with AA(they played together a bit last season) on the 2nd line and hope AA stays healthy and hungry in front of the net.

Hinostroza-Schmaltz-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Sikura
Saad-Toews-Hayden
Kunitz-Kampf-Kahun
Ejdsell

Keith - Murphy
Forsling - Rutta
Manning - Seabs
Gus

Crawford
Ward

Thats the best i can do

How good can this team be? Meh....its hard to honestly believe they'd stand a chance, but hey, crazier things have happened i suppose. If you looked at Vegas's roster before the season started last year....did anyone think they'd do what they did? I guess that's the best possible mind set to have right now if you're still hopeful this team can go on another run.
- SimpleJack

I'd sign Wingels and throw him in Kahun's spot.
Maybe flip Sikura and Hayden when the blender comes out?

I'd sign Wingels and throw him in Kahun's spot.
Maybe flip Sikura and Hayden when the blender comes out?
- Slofire94

Good idea on Wingles, i kinda forgot about him. And yeah I'm sure those wing spots on the top 3 lines can flip flop aside from the fact that I'd prefer to keep 88 and 8 together.

What you are looking for Enzo is a player or 2 on the roster who plays like Patric Hornqvist, Radek Faksa, Michael Ferland, Gabe Landeskog or even young versions of Scott Hartnell or Andrew Ladd. Some size and skill, bangs some bodies, plays abrasive and nasty every shift and goes to the paint in a hostile mood.

Last guy they had like that was Andrew Shaw - and what was he 5'9"? Dumbell Ryan Hartman didn't cut it. When he was hungry and appreciated the free breakfasts McD gave him, Richard Panik looked like he had the potential to deliver that type of game. And then he got the nice contract and got all confused and Stan had to trade him for that 'Canadian' stiff Anthony Duclair.

Don't think it's lost on Stan or Q that they need one or a couple of players like that. Come on down Brandon Saad, how about you trying to play that way. If you can't do it, we're down to past draftee Graham Knott, maybe he can.
- RickJ

You know me too well Rick. Exactly!! Chris Kunitz may be an old man by Pro Sports standards, but I appreciate the way he plays the game. I like the signing of Kunitz bc these young no-check league players on the Hawks will see this “old man” out there running people and getting dirty on the ice. Hopefully his attitude can be contagious.

Good idea on Wingles, i kinda forgot about him. And yeah I'm sure those wing spots on the top 3 lines can flip flop aside from the fact that I'd prefer to keep 88 and 8 together.
- SimpleJack

I thought they would have signed Wingels right away, but I wonder how he progressing from that injury he sustained in the playoffs. Maybe his recovery (or lack of it) is what is keeping from the signing from happening. :-(

What does the fact that I’m Canadian have to do with anything?

I agree that the team needs more size, but they shouldn’t shy away from talent of the player is small. DeBrincat is only one of many examples of smaller players finding success in the NHL.
- DarthKane

Guess somebody thinks that all Canadians are red arse knuckle draggers....

You're right. We're all winners.

Go Everyone.
- hocktock

this is one of the reasons I’m so glad you’re here! You never fail to make me laugh. Keep fighting the good and funny fight my friend!

And, Go Everyone!
(regardless of size)

The Hawks are not in a position to trade a player and not replace him in the lineup. Anisimov fills a center role (though arguably not a center). But what he does add is net presence, size to make that a challenge for goaltenders and some hands to score in close. There is not a solitary soul on the rest of the lineup that brings that.

Agree that there is nobody that replaced Shaw either. That is a spot that needs to be filled as well. I'm not seeing where the Hawks are drafting any of those kinds of players. Guys who are a seen and heard in the tough areas AND can play in the top 9.

What you are looking for Enzo is a player or 2 on the roster who plays like Patric Hornqvist, Radek Faksa, Michael Ferland, Gabe Landeskog or even young versions of Scott Hartnell or Andrew Ladd. Some size and skill, bangs some bodies, plays abrasive and nasty every shift and goes to the paint in a hostile mood.

Last guy they had like that was Andrew Shaw - and what was he 5'9"? Dumbell Ryan Hartman didn't cut it. When he was hungry and appreciated the free breakfasts McD gave him, Richard Panik looked like he had the potential to deliver that type of game. And then he got the nice contract and got all confused and Stan had to trade him for that 'Canadian' stiff Anthony Duclair.

Don't think it's lost on Stan or Q that they need one or a couple of players like that. Come on down Brandon Saad, how about you trying to play that way. If you can't do it, we're down to past draftee Graham Knott, maybe he can.
- RickJ

Dahlström - 6’4 231 didn’t stick
Martinsen - 6-3 229 didn’t stick
Franson - 6’5 224 - moved him to Rockford
Hayden - 6’3 223 - hopefully this year
Seabrook - 6’3 220 well, we know
Ejdsell - 6’5 214 - well, who knows
Murphy - 6’4 212 - Q wouldn’t play him
Bouma - 6’2 208 - we all hated him
Panik - 6’1 208 - gone
Saad - 6’1 206
Toews - 6’2 201
Wingels
Anisimov

Hawks on last year’s roster at various points. Add in Kunitz with some size, Manning....

Bowman hasn’t shied away from big boys - now, perhaps most of them can’t play the game (or weren’t given the chance) is another story.

I really like the idea of Toews at 3C.

I think he's earned it, not saying that's a good thing, but it is what it is. His play reflects that of a Cup caliber 3C, rather than 1C.

The Hawks will have to use the explosive powers of Kane to anchor their top line, with Schmaltz serving as the Center. Those 2 have obvious chemistry there is no denying. Is 8 a comparable 1C to most Cup contenders? Of course not. But then again, who thought William Karlsson was either? The idea is to spread out the depth. DeBrincat is CLEARLY a top 6 caliber talent IMO, put him with AA(they played together a bit last season) on the 2nd line and hope AA stays healthy and hungry in front of the net.

Hinostroza-Schmaltz-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Sikura
Saad-Toews-Hayden
Kunitz-Kampf-Kahun
Ejdsell

Keith - Murphy
Forsling - Rutta
Manning - Seabs
Gus

Crawford
Ward

Thats the best i can do

How good can this team be? Meh....its hard to honestly believe they'd stand a chance, but hey, crazier things have happened i suppose. If you looked at Vegas's roster before the season started last year....did anyone think they'd do what they did? I guess that's the best possible mind set to have right now if you're still hopeful this team can go on another run.
- SimpleJack

Can you really have a KKK line

this is one of the reasons I’m so glad you’re here! You never fail to make me laugh. Keep fighting the good and funny fight my friend!

And, Go Everyone!
(regardless of size)
- Marlowe

Does everyone gets a Participation Trophy?

Does everyone gets a Participation Trophy?
- savvyone-1

Nope. And they don’t get sprinkles either. Hock is a value add!

EDIT: Size alone isn’t a value add. Neither is speed without finish.

Guess somebody thinks that all Canadians are red arse knuckle draggers....
- Beaver-Warrior

Not really, Love Canadian people! Beautiful country, good salt of the earth people! Which is why I prefer the Hawks to scour Western Canada for those big old hardnose Canadian hockey players like the Sutters per say.Enough of the small euro Smurf and, don’t hit me, type players.Or the Illinois born “feel-good story “kids. That our public relations department and marketing seems to try to target.

Dahlström - 6’4 231 didn’t stick
Martinsen - 6-3 229 didn’t stick
Franson - 6’5 224 - moved him to Rockford
Hayden - 6’3 223 - hopefully this year
Seabrook - 6’3 220 well, we know
Ejdsell - 6’5 214 - well, who knows
Murphy - 6’4 212 - Q wouldn’t play him
Bouma - 6’2 208 - we all hated him
Panik - 6’1 208 - gone
Saad - 6’1 206
Toews - 6’2 201
Wingels
Anisimov

Hawks on last year’s roster at various points. Add in Kunitz with some size, Manning....

Bowman hasn’t shied away from big boys - now, perhaps most of them can’t play the game (or weren’t given the chance) is another story.
- StLBravesFan

Still would like to know what Lance Bouma did so wrong as a fourth line grinder? Dahlstrom and Edjsell, ......soft as putty!

Does everyone gets a Participation Trophy?
- savvyone-1

Except Babcock. He gets a trophy for being the best. The best Babcock ever.

Go Babcock. (Sarcasm)

I really like the idea of Toews at 3C.

I think he's earned it, not saying that's a good thing, but it is what it is. His play reflects that of a Cup caliber 3C, rather than 1C.

The Hawks will have to use the explosive powers of Kane to anchor their top line, with Schmaltz serving as the Center. Those 2 have obvious chemistry there is no denying. Is 8 a comparable 1C to most Cup contenders? Of course not. But then again, who thought William Karlsson was either? The idea is to spread out the depth. DeBrincat is CLEARLY a top 6 caliber talent IMO, put him with AA(they played together a bit last season) on the 2nd line and hope AA stays healthy and hungry in front of the net.

Hinostroza-Schmaltz-Kane
DeBrincat-Anisimov-Sikura
Saad-Toews-Hayden
Kunitz-Kampf-Kahun
Ejdsell

Keith - Murphy
Forsling - Rutta
Manning - Seabs
Gus

Crawford
Ward

Thats the best i can do

How good can this team be? Meh....its hard to honestly believe they'd stand a chance, but hey, crazier things have happened i suppose. If you looked at Vegas's roster before the season started last year....did anyone think they'd do what they did? I guess that's the best possible mind set to have right now if you're still hopeful this team can go on another run.
- SimpleJack

I put up a similar line up inferring Toews' best slot might not be 1C...

Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
DeBrincat-Toews-Hayden
Kunitz-AA-Sikura
Ejdsell-Kampf-Hino
Kahun

I put up a similar line up inferring Toews' best slot might not be 1C...

Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
DeBrincat-Toews-Hayden
Kunitz-AA-Sikura
Ejdsell-Kampf-Hino
Kahun
- gnosox1986

What happened to this supposed trade of AA?

I put up a similar line up inferring Toews' best slot might not be 1C...

Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
DeBrincat-Toews-Hayden
Kunitz-AA-Sikura
Ejdsell-Kampf-Hino
Kahun
- gnosox1986

Imho the issue isn't the forwards, it's the overwhelmed defensemen/out of position defenseman. IF they can fix/ replace/ magically get better, this team would be playoff bound with CC between the pipes.

Still would like to know what Lance Bouma did so wrong as a fourth line grinder? Dahlstrom and Edjsell, ......soft as putty!
- wonthecup10

Dahlstrom’s a dman so not sure why he’s part of your comp but other than a few hits what did Bouma provide? Idk if Kunitz can score 13 again and in a 4th line role no less but what else did Bouma give you that makes him so missed?

I wouldn’t mind Wingels back. I think he’s a better player.

Imho the issue isn't the forwards, it's the overwhelmed defensemen/out of position defenseman. IF they can fix/ replace/ magically get better, this team would be playoff bound with CC between the pipes.
- BetweenTheDots

Not necessarily the fwds from an offensive perspective but the overwhelmed defense is in part due to lack of forward support.

Imho the issue isn't the forwards, it's the overwhelmed defensemen/out of position defenseman. IF they can fix/ replace/ magically get better, this team would be playoff bound with CC between the pipes.
- BetweenTheDots

IMO, that's what Vegas showed us. Team defense. Everyone getting back. Playing on the right side of the puck. Collapsing down to protect the house and keep the opponent on the perimeter.

We call this, the Babcock. (Sarcasm)

Not necessarily the fwds from an offensive perspective but the overwhelmed defense is in part due to lack of forward support.
- HawkintheD

I like Dots post, but I think yours takes it one step further. To take another step, a player knowing where to be and when has to do with systems. That's coaching, and even Q lovers should be able to see it.

I like Dots post, but I think yours takes it one step further. To take another step, a player knowing where to be and when has to do with systems. That's coaching, and even Q lovers should be able to see it.
- 6628

With a lot of younger guys on the team, it’s possible that is part of the game they get better at this year whether because of them, Q, the assistants, whatever; but for many it’s part of the game they need to develop.

With a lot of younger guys on the team, it’s possible that is part of the game they get better at this year whether because of them, Q, the assistants, whatever; but for many it’s part of the game they need to develop.
- HawkintheD

No question. Especially since they don't have the F U talent anymore.

Not necessarily the fwds from an offensive perspective but the overwhelmed defense is in part due to lack of forward support.
- HawkintheD

I agree and disagree, way way way to many odd man breaks given up by ill timed pinches and just being too far up ice.

It will help if the forwards don't turn over the puck at either blue line

Stan on the Score right now, sounds really iffy, trying to sell the additions are a positive, but he doesn't sound like he believes it.

Something weird to the interview, he's sounds like a guy with a gun to his head