He is a 22 year old who has put up 50+ points in the NHL. I think that is a chip teams would be interested in, especially struggling ones.
- nickmo2699

But that's not what you wrote- you stated as fact that other teams would have given up more proven players. Don't you think other teams watched his timid play and overall regression this year?

Just remember, they put him in the position to fail. He was not physically ready for the NHL - and still isn't. He could use some AHL time in AZ - or else he will most likely have the same problems there.
- dahawks8819

Your "source" told you this right?

He is a 22 year old who has put up 50+ points in the NHL. I think that is a chip teams would be interested in, especially struggling ones.
- nickmo2699

But your original post made it sound like you had specific examples of teams that showed interest and pieces that would go the other way.

That's not what I meant.

The family has two sons - kind of in the same boat - both up and down early in their pro careers.

The point is - when he and his agent go to negoitiate, they believe how he was mishandled should not be a punishment against his first real contract.

I absolutely agree with what you are saying - I don't think his parents or agent see it the same way.

And it's probably why he has been banished to the desert - where no one will care how he plays.
- dahawks8819

Gotcha.
For the guys who want to talk about Nick's lack of size, consider Shaw and Hjallmarrson (sp?). Shaw was short and skinny, and looking at Hammer's profile you could barely see him. Neither one has size on his side but they both have something that Schmaltz doesn't. Those two guys earn their paycheck and then some.


Gotcha.
For the guys who want to talk about Nick's lack of size, consider Shaw and Hjallmarrson (sp?). Shaw was short and skinny, and looking at Hammer's profile you could barely see him. Neither one has size on his side but they both have something that Schmaltz doesn't. Those two guys earn their paycheck and then some.

Gotcha.
For the guys who want to talk about Nick's lack of size, consider Shaw and Hjallmarrson (sp?). Shaw was short and skinny, and looking at Hammer's profile you could barely see him. Neither one has size on his side but they both have something that Schmaltz doesn't. Those two guys earn their paycheck and then some.


Gotcha.
For the guys who want to talk about Nick's lack of size, consider Shaw and Hjallmarrson (sp?). Shaw was short and skinny, and looking at Hammer's profile you could barely see him. Neither one has size on his side but they both have something that Schmaltz doesn't. Those two guys earn their paycheck and then some.
- 6628

Yep. Shaw has killer instincts and plays on an edge. Some guys have that and others don't. You can't teach compete and the will to do whatever it takes -regardless of what might happen to you - to go to the tough spots, get the puck, take/make a hit and go to the net.

Why does Strome make me think that this is Chad Kilger II? Same organization, same pick in the 1st Round, too eerie!! Willing to see how this plays out, hope a change of scenery is what gets the two former first round picks of the Yotes going. Teams usually don't get rid of 1st round picks this quickly, and that is one thing that does concern me a great deal. Yes, the Hawks dumped Schmaltz who was a 1st round pick as well, so who knows, guess I am just a little nervous on how this will work out for the Hawks.

Gotcha.
For the guys who want to talk about Nick's lack of size, consider Shaw and Hjallmarrson (sp?). Shaw was short and skinny, and looking at Hammer's profile you could barely see him. Neither one has size on his side but they both have something that Schmaltz doesn't. Those two guys earn their paycheck and then some.


Gotcha.
For the guys who want to talk about Nick's lack of size, consider Shaw and Hjallmarrson (sp?). Shaw was short and skinny, and looking at Hammer's profile you could barely see him. Neither one has size on his side but they both have something that Schmaltz doesn't. Those two guys earn their paycheck and then some.
- 6628

But Shaw and Hjalmarsson were built like men. Schmaltz puts the work in, but still looks like a 16 year old.

Schmaltz was not ready - and it showed. Against physical teams, he is a turtle - and has been since day 1 in the NHL.

Actually - yes.

But you wouldn't know about these things. You just keep sitting in mommies basement - yelling for the meatloaf!!!!


- dahawks8819

Actually she makes better spaghetti-o's. Say hi to your source for me. Does his name happen to be 'Bob'?

Why does Strome make me think that this is Chad Kilger II? Same organization, same pick in the 1st Round, too eerie!! Willing to see how this plays out, hope a change of scenery is what gets the two former first round picks of the Yotes going. Teams usually don't get rid of 1st round picks this quickly, and that is one thing that does concern me a great deal. Yes, the Hawks dumped Schmaltz who was a 1st round pick as well, so who knows, guess I am just a little nervous on how this will work out for the Hawks.
- ChicagoHope

Neither of the Strome brothers has managed to get his NHL career going. The toughest step for these guys is making the NHL. Strome was a great junior player where his size allowed him to do what he wanted, even though he wasn't particularly physical. In the NHL there are many as big as he is, more are stronger than he is and almost all are ultra competative. Let's hope he can lift whatever it is in his game that's held him back so far.

Promises were part of it. He wanted his NHL clock started earlier - and Bowman promised him it would - as long as he performed.

I also asked about his workouts since going pro. I was told he trains like any other player, his frame just didn't add a lot of bulk muscle yet. Some guys are like that - it all depends on metabolism and genetics. I used to weight train - I had no neck and was thick throughout my upper body. There were guys I knew that worked out harder than me, but it didn't show as much.

He may be a late bloomer, or maybe he will be a career 180 pound player - it's hard to say at 22. That's why he should have spent two years in the AHL. His body would have time to be ready for the NHL.

A guy like Saad was physically ready at 19 - Schmatz was not.

And from what I was told - they liked his skills and had a major shortage for play making centers. That's the main reason they rushed him. And hindsight being what it is, some in the front office regret doing so. They may have ruined what he could be.
- dahawks8819

Please. He “trains like any other player.” That must be why he looked like a 90lb weakling and was out of breath and the only one on a knee at Training Camp. A lack of Centre depth? - what team doesn’t? The Schmaltz family was upset that the Hawks “ruined what he could be.”? Sounds like a Soup Opera. Enough.

Gosh the Coyotes’ organization must be totally clueless - maybe it is the dry heat. Obviously, you have far more and better sources than them. No Wait - my NHL sources are saying that the Coyotes have far more and better sources than you. What’s that sources? There’s more? dahawks has no sources. Thank you sources.

Poor Little Nicky Schmaltz. So mis-treated by the Big Bad Blackhawks, who apparently forced him to be rich, lazy, uncaring and afraid of contact. His development wasn’t mishandled. He was sent to Rockford - Kane even tried to push him - he was given every chance. Schmaltz totally “made his own bed” and now he will sleep in it in the great dry heat of Arizona.

I would like to chime in on the Schmaltz debate.

Speaking to one of my Hawks sources, Schmaltz was thrown into the NHL fire way too soon. He needed at least two years of AHL seasoning - with a huge emphasis of building upper body strength to handle center responsibilities in the NHL. The fact that Q kept pulling him out of the middle spoke volumes on this point.

Their lack of top 6 centers made them rush him along - and overall hurting his development. And it is very possible the time he missed over the past two years will keep him permanently underdeveloped. This is time he can't make up in the NHL going forward.

And the opinion I got was this was not a Q blunder, or a Bowman blunder, but an organizational one - where both coach and upper management did not listen to their people below them. And this is not lost on the Schmaltz family - or their expectations for his next contract.
- dahawks8819

This rings very true. As they are doing with the 19 year old Fin. Cap issues, lack of depth, depleted prospect pipeline they forced fed #8 at the NHL level. Huge mistake to try to convert him to center. He does not have the physical make up or skill set for this position. They brought TT along slowly but gave him away to get rid of the last year of 29's contract.

But Shaw and Hjalmarsson were built like men. Schmaltz puts the work in, but still looks like a 16 year old.

Schmaltz was not ready - and it showed. Against physical teams, he is a turtle - and has been since day 1 in the NHL.
- dahawks8819

No question, agree totally. And he seems coddled. Any time parents stick their noses in at this level there's an issue. Politics is everywhere. Some guys who would kill to be in the show and might have been good enough never got a sniff. I'd say he's not ready physically or emotionally. This show thing is not a skills competition.

Neither of the Strome brothers has managed to get his NHL career going. The toughest step for these guys is making the NHL. Strome was a great junior player where his size allowed him to do what he wanted, even though he wasn't particularly physical. In the NHL there are many as big as he is, more are stronger than he is and almost all are ultra competative. Let's hope he can lift whatever it is in his game that's held him back so far.
- paulr

and you can bet stanbow and hawk brass are thinking the same way. They need this guy and this trade to work for them BIG TIME. They simply can't afford another bust out losing trade.

Actually she makes better spaghetti-o's. Say hi to your source for me. Does his name happen to be 'Bob'?
- paulr

Those are nasty...

Except you.

Losers like you can only trash talk those who do.

It really must suck to be you!!!!


- dahawks8819

Are your sources telling you of anything else coming via trades or a plan going forward to me this is a rebuild on the fly. Hawks are Trying to stay relevant and the same time get younger and deeper. I don't see this team making the playoffs this year but that might be a good thing get a high draft pick which would more talent and depth added to the team. Just my opinion and what I have observe this year and last previous years.

One of the points unspoken is determining how many of these young players are being given a disservice by short cutting development (though arguably pre-Colliton in Rockford, I'm not sure how much of that was happening) and becoming pawns in the team's effort to stay relevant, despite the pretty clear evidence that in the best case scenario this team rides a #50 complete return to his best form and drives that horse full speed to the playoffs.

This team can still make the playoffs, but it isn't going to happen without several players in the non-core dramatically raising their game. Nobody knew if the core could rebound - I'd say on balance they have. Now the rest have to raise their game on both ends of the ice. Not sure we have the horses, but I'm more optimistic after this deal. Two talented prospects is better than one.

Actually she makes better spaghetti-o's. Say hi to your source for me. Does his name happen to be 'Bob'?
- paulr

Served with an ice cold Orange Fanta?

Happy game day ladies and gents.

Blog coming out later today.

Practice should show us exactly what Colliton is thinking for the new guys.

Served with an ice cold Orange Fanta?
- Beaver-Warrior

Of course!

Of course!
- paulr

My sources tell me you're also partial to Chef B's mini ravioli's scratch made and fresh out of the can, and wash it all down with a Yoohoo. They also mentioned some stuff about Schmaltz but I felt this was more important.

Your wife is an Oil fan perhaps?
- Beaver-Warrior

She hates all hockey...haha.

Actually, the Coyotes have no clue what they are doing.

They think a change of scenery is going to magically transform him overnight into a three zone star.

And poor little Z3Hawk - always attacking what he doesn't know.

You always sound like a five year old with your little tantrums.

When this team struggles, it makes little Z3 mad - and that actually makes me laugh.

Now have mommy get you a bottle and a binkie - someone needs a nap.



- dahawks8819

Actually, the Coyotes have no clue what they are doing.

They think a change of scenery is going to magically transform him overnight into a three zone star.

And poor little Z3Hawk - always attacking what he doesn't know.

You always sound like a five year old with your little tantrums.

When this team struggles, it makes little Z3 mad - and that actually makes me laugh.

Now have mommy get you a bottle and a binkie - someone needs a nap.



- dahawks8819

Knew you’d give an answer just like this because as a person living a fantasy life you are totally predictable. Sorry to tell you but I am actually a Lawyer married to another Lawyer, so your immaturity assertions are like everything else you type - nonsense. Reading you is actually easier than reading a novel. Knew you’d also say the Coyotes were clueless. Priceless.

Hockey Insider Man please tell us all about how you became Hockey Insider Man and your little “sources.” We understand you can’t name them of course. However, you can give characteristics though. Are your “sources” humans or animals or inanimate objects? Or are they just voices that you hear?

Really? What would you expect Bowman to say right after making a trade with one of his favourite trade partners?
- Z3Hawk

Sorry to burst your bubble, but there are so many things he could say but he made it quite clear when asked directly about it. I'm not saying Schmaltz couldn't have played better but I don't buy for a minute that they wanted to lose him that badly. He didn't play well enough that the had to keep him. The team is struggling a lot right now and things need to change He is a developing young player with speed and they got a decent return. This was more about getting two guys with talent/potential for one.

Gotcha.
For the guys who want to talk about Nick's lack of size, consider Shaw and Hjalmarsson (sp?). Shaw was short and skinny, and looking at Hammer's profile you could barely see him. Neither one has size on his side but they both have something that Schmaltz doesn't. Those two guys earn their paycheck and then some.
- 6628

66, Hjalmarsson isn't a little guy, are you thinking of someone else?
Even when he came up, he was pretty well filled out and if IIRC, he's about 6'3". Met him early on (in the old Edge days), stood eye-to-eye (about my size) and would have guessed at the time he went about 200-210.