I

Saad - Toews - Schmaltz
DeBrincat - Anisimov - Kane


- AEL_Fox

This lineup works best for me. Those pining for Dcat-Schmaltz-Kane, are not thinking how such a small line will get hammered defensively. You definitely need at least one big body on Kane's line, to stand in front of the net. If not AA, maybe Edjsell(or someone else) can fill that role, eventually.

Edit: This also gives Toews & Saad the playmaker they need.

This lineup works best for me. Those pining for Dcat-Schmaltz-Kane, are not thinking how such a small line will get hammered defensively. You definitely need at least one big body on Kane's line, to stand in front of the net. If not AA, maybe Edjsell(or someone else) can fill that role, eventually.

Edit: This also gives Toews & Saad the playmaker they need.
- Acur81

Many possibilities in the top 6/9 that will need to be figured out based on who is ready and can play where.

This lineup works best for me. Those pining for Dcat-Schmaltz-Kane, are not thinking how such a small line will get hammered defensively. You definitely need at least one big body on Kane's line, to stand in front of the net. If not AA, maybe Edjsell(or someone else) can fill that role, eventually.

Edit: This also gives Toews & Saad the playmaker they need.
- Acur81

Agree that it would be beneficial for Kane's line to have a big linemate who can create net front presence and take enough attention away from 88 so he can wheel and deal. DeBrincat would be the trigger man yet he also has playmaking skills, too. Not at the level of Kane or Schmaltz, but he's no one trick pony either.

Not necessarily advocating for any of them, but if any rumors hold true, then Nash or Pacioretty could possibly be that big body to play with Kane which would allow Schmaltz to stay as Kane's center. That would move DeBrincat elsewhere, possibly to play with Toews and Saad.

Hawks should be dismantling and get top prospects for their core, but instead they will ride into the sunset then suck for 20 yrs like last time. And hope they land another Toews Kane duo in the draft.

Watching that Video you really get the sense that Mark Kelley is running the show not Bowman.
- TheTrob

I have no problem with him running the show during the draft.

I have no problem with him running the show during the draft.
- Revco38

It would be very interesting to see Bowman's draftee list versus Kelley's draftee list especially given the rumor that Bowman is not often on the same wavelength as the scouting department.

Looking at what we have, I would like to sign Nash.

Saad/Toews/ADB
Nash/Schmaltz/ Kane
Fortin/AA/Kampf (capfriendly has him as C/RW)
Kunitz/ Kruger/Hayden
Kahun

Keith/Jokiharju
Murphy/ Seabs
Manning/Rutta
Gus

Crawford
Ward

I worry about losing Forsberg to waivers. I think he has potential. He actually reminds me of Crawford when he first came up.

ETA: https://www.capfriendly.c...m/armchair-gm/team/816270

Based on what you've seen to date, would you sign Schmaltz at 5yr/$6m per? Not saying I wouldn't, but I would have to think hard about it for sure.
- John Jaeckel

Without a doubt as in no-brainer, as I know we have crossed this bridge before! Based on enormous progression within the last two years, Schmaltzy will even get bigger as his ceiling is pretty high given his, age, skating ability, speed, 200 ft game, etc. Keep the homegrown (actually Madison area but youth hockey here and commuted) kids and take care of them if they are deserving of which Nicky is.

There is potential for some serious issues at LW this season. Saad at 1LW and Kunitz at 4LW are good bets, but there is a big cap with the middle 2 LWs.

The team is hoping that Kahun and Ejdsell can will those voids, but it's a risk. I believe (for no particular reason) that Kahun can fill the 3LW slot but I'm not sure about Ejdsell yet. I'm not saying he can't fill the role, but he's just not a lock.

I think the Hawks need to make another move to land a middle 6 winger. Somebody with a reasonable contract that expires in the next 1-2 seasons. Sam Gagner (not because of the Kane connection) and Jean-Gabriel Pagueau are two guys that come to mind. Both guys have cap hits of around $3.1 million for the next two years, that shouldn't interfere with re-signing Schmaltz and DeBrincat. Both Vancouver and Ottawa are clubs that would be looking for prospects so the Hawks wouldn't have to part with a significant asset.

Gagner and Pageau are not superstars, but they're solid, cost-effective depth forwards that can help fill a temporary void. Just to be clear, I'm suggesting Stan go after one of these guys, not both.
- DarthKane

I would go after these guys in this order:
Nash LW on Kaner's line
Pageau 3c (assuming AA is gone, if not) one will play wing
Gagner Not lived up to expectations out of London with Kaner and bounced around

Convention is tomorrow right ?



Damn.

Saad toews dcat
Nash/smaltz AA kane
Kahun letestu/colborn hayden
Kunitz kruger Martinsin/schroder
Wingles if hawks sign him if healthy
Keith ?
Murphy Seabrook
Manning rutta
Gus

Crawford
Ward

Nash, letestu, colborne wingles are pto or free agent signing when all the rfa's are signed and the dust settles and where teams are as far as the cap implications. Maybe make a trade with a team right up against the cap and get a player we need. Question to whomever might have more info on this subject than I would, any colleage free agents worth pursuing?

As long as they have Brandon Manning, they will win nothing.
- jmatchett383

Ouch.

Saad toews dcat
Nash/smaltz AA kane
Kahun letestu/colborn hayden
Kunitz kruger Martinsin/schroder
Wingles if hawks sign him if healthy
Keith ?
Murphy Seabrook
Manning rutta
Gus

Crawford
Ward

Nash, letestu, colborne wingles are pto or free agent signing when all the rfa's are signed and the dust settles and where teams are as far as the cap implications. Maybe make a trade with a team right up against the cap and get a player we need. Question to whomever might have more info on this subject than I would, any colleage free agents worth pursuing?
- Scott1977

Lots of extra pieces. Doubt they could sign all of them. I say focus on Nash.

Lots of extra pieces. Doubt they could sign all of them. I say focus on Nash.
- tvetter

I m not saying hawks will sign all they were just possible options.

Looking at what we have, I would like to sign Nash.

Saad/Toews/ADB
Nash/Schmaltz/ Kane
Fortin/AA/Kampf (capfriendly has him as C/RW)
Kunitz/ Kruger/Hayden
Kahun

Keith/Jokiharju
Murphy/ Seabs
Manning/Rutta
Gus

Crawford
Ward

I worry about losing Forsberg to waivers. I think he has potential. He actually reminds me of Crawford when he first came up.

ETA: https://www.capfriendly.c...m/armchair-gm/team/816270
- tvetter

I like this lineup...in fact, I like it a lot. And i find it realistic outside of maybe Jokiharju as our 1RD. I like Fortin and think he could stick. Nash is possible on the one year deal. And I totally forgot Murphy played some left side defense last year. Good job.

Schmaltz played a lot of those minutes with a guy named Kane. Something to consider.
- John Jaeckel

And Landeskog played with a couple guys named Dusquene and Mackinnion!

I like this lineup...in fact, I like it a lot. And i find it realistic outside of maybe Jokiharju as our 1RD. I like Fortin and think he could stick. Nash is possible on the one year deal. And I totally forgot Murphy played some left side defense last year. Good job.
- onehundredlevel

Where's Sikura?

Where's Sikura?
- SoftServe

In Rockford. Where he belongs for at least the first half of the season.

I think we are going to see a lot of Hayden in the top 6, or at least he will get a shot.
- hpk90

Not sold on Hayden on top 6 although he would create some space for either of those two lines and establish net presence. I do no think his skating is good enough yet, also hands are average, and more importantly ability to hold the puck and make plays definitely is not there. However it's ironic that when I saw him at Yale he buried pucks from the high slot from a little guy named Joe Snively, kind of like Kane.

I believe Toews and Saad need a playmaking linemate, too, and the best options outside of Kane (aka the "nuclear" option) are Schmaltz and Sikura. If Schmaltz is almost defaulted to be with Kane, then that leaves Sikura. Lot of pressure on a youngster with only 5 NHL games under his belt, but he is the only top 6 forward prospect closest to making the team. My gut is he earns a spot out of camp this fall. Where he plays remains to be seen, but 1RW with Toews and Saad is worth considering.
- AEL_Fox

I am buying on Sikura; he has the decision-making, hands, and patience to make plays. I have touted him in many previous posts.

I think JJ’s been away from HB for too long...his timing seems to be a bit off. By my calculations his yearly regurgitation of his dysfunctional front office narrative (known in some circles as the “McD the Meddler” diatribe) wasn’t due for another couple of weeks. Usually doesn’t tap into that tired topic until the first week or two in August. July was usually more about working out and puke buckets.

Looking at what we have, I would like to sign Nash.

Saad/Toews/ADB
Nash/Schmaltz/ Kane
Fortin/AA/Kampf (capfriendly has him as C/RW)
Kunitz/ Kruger/Hayden
Kahun

Keith/Jokiharju
Murphy/ Seabs
Manning/Rutta
Gus

Crawford
Ward

I worry about losing Forsberg to waivers. I think he has potential. He actually reminds me of Crawford when he first came up.

ETA: https://www.capfriendly.c...m/armchair-gm/team/816270
- tvetter

I like the lineup, makes me wonder why we didn't draft Wahlstrom instead
of Boquist since for the first time everyone here is in agreement of the need
for a top six forward.

The Habs apparently really wanted Beaudin. Beaudin AA for Patches and Danault?

The Habs apparently really wanted Beaudin. Beaudin AA for Patches and Danault?
- SoftServe

He's "home" - he's not coming back

(reposting from a previous thread from another contributor)

But AA + Beaudin (late 2018 1st) for Patches and a pick/B level prospect seems reasonable.

Flip Patches at the deadline for a better pick/prospect and you've essentially dumped AA's contract for free

He's "home" - he's not coming back

(reposting from a previous thread from another contributor)
- Slofire94

But....

Saad Toews Cat
Patches Schmaltz Kane
Nash Danault Sikura
Kunitz Kruger Hayden 😂

Haha sorry I'm always making lineups, I'm living on cloud 9 and just really want one to stick/something to happen!