I asked this question in previous blog us strome a equal better or worse skater than AA. Justin do predict more coming because there is a long jam at defense when Murphy comes back and are the hawks looking for?
- Scott1977

If you're asking me I don't know. But I'm just as curious as to these new guys as anyone else. I don't have the advantage of being there every night anymore so it might take time for me to have an opinion. But at some point I'll sound off.

Schmaltz also shot 17.8% last year, which is likely not sustainable.
- scottak

His shooting % might be a testament to Kane's ability to set the table.

Perlini might not be even top 6 here but he is pretty fast. Strome and Perlini doesn´t need to get them into playoffs. Hawks was not a playoff team before the trade and it´s not that after either. Hopefully Colliton puts Strome with Kane and see if there could be some chemistry between them..

This is pure gamble from Stan and he might hit a home run with this trade. But there is also a possibility that this was a move that sent him packing after all.
- MjulQvist

Perlini and Saad two fast power forwards to compliment Toews, if they go that route!

Haha you're a character.
- SoftServe

And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling SoftServe. Haha

If anyone is excited that we got a 3rd overall pick remember that we drafted Barker 3rd and traded him for a Johnson and lower Leddy, as a steal from Minny. I don't know much about either player we got in return but wanted to throw that out.

As to Schmaltz, his lack of battle in the corners, constant losing draws, bailing out and passing up prime shooting opportunities got to me. The skill set was there however and he would pull off jaw-dropping moves at times. That said, I'm all for a big center that can win face-offs and a big physical winger with more skill than Martinsen if that's what we have gotten. The face-offs is big plus.

Ron Hextall fired by the Flyers. Not the coach.
- RickJ

Gee, the GM fired but the coach is retained. Original thinking by Philly management.

Clearly the Hockey Operations Dept. Saw Schmaltz in a different light than you do. They had seen enough and weren't prepared to wait any longer.
- RickJ

You have some inside information how they evaluated him as a player? Please share it.

I'm just saying I don't think he was as awful as people liked to make him out to be. He had some issue, but he wasn't bad for a young player. This was just his 3rd season pro after he came to the Hawks right out of college. Maybe if the team could have let him play in the AHL a full season, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but they needed him playing because we lack skill up front. Maybe they could have just played him at wing once it was clear he couldn't win faceoffs, things would be different too, but his role and position was inconsistent. Things are changing with the team and it seems we'll have to see how it shakes out.

You have some inside information how they evaluated him as a player? Please share it.

I'm just saying I don't think he was as awful as people liked to make him out to be. He had some issue, but he wasn't bad for a young player. This was just his 3rd season pro after he came to the Hawks right out of college. Maybe if the team could have let him play in the AHL a full season, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but they needed him playing because we lack skill up front. Maybe they could have just played him at wing once it was clear he couldn't win faceoffs, things would be different too, but his role and position was inconsistent. Things are changing with the team and it seems we'll have to see how it shakes out.
- breadbag

He didn't say he had inside information. Rick implied, based on their actions, the front office had waited long enough on Schmaltz.

You have some inside information how they evaluated him as a player? Please share it.

I'm just saying I don't think he was as awful as people liked to make him out to be. He had some issue, but he wasn't bad for a young player. This was just his 3rd season pro after he came to the Hawks right out of college. Maybe if the team could have let him play in the AHL a full season, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but they needed him playing because we lack skill up front. Maybe they could have just played him at wing once it was clear he couldn't win faceoffs, things would be different too, but his role and position was inconsistent. Things are changing with the team and it seems we'll have to see how it shakes out.
- breadbag

I don't think Hockey Ops made this decision quickly and This wasn't a Stan Bowman only decision. They weren't happy with the way #8 plays the game and decided to move on the Arizona opportunity. If he becomes a star and a leader in Phoenix so be it, it wasn't going to happen in Chicago or in the time frame required to keep McD and Rocky happy.

I wanna see Schmaltz score a few goals in the next few games, so everyone who currently likes the trade can roast Stan for being impatient and trading a budding superstar for two stiffs (who perhaps didn't trow a hat trick on the board in the 1st game).

He didn't say he had inside information. Rick implied, based on their actions, the front office had waited long enough on Schmaltz.
- paulr

Oh I know what he meant, but it is all just speculation unless you can back it up. I'm just saying that in my opinion it was more likely that Schmaltz's agent wanted a deal the Hawks didn't want to hand out. More than Schmaltz is so bad we have to lose him, which is how some posters are painting him. I don't know what Hockey Operations think of him really, but folks go overboard with the criticism around here. Nit picking everything about a young player because they have a few flaws in their game.

We gave up 1 good young player for 2 good young players, just the one we gave up has shown more of his potential (so far) than the 2 we got. I hope it works out.

You have some inside information how they evaluated him as a player? Please share it.

I'm just saying I don't think he was as awful as people liked to make him out to be. He had some issue, but he wasn't bad for a young player. This was just his 3rd season pro after he came to the Hawks right out of college. Maybe if the team could have let him play in the AHL a full season, we wouldn't be having this conversation, but they needed him playing because we lack skill up front. Maybe they could have just played him at wing once it was clear he couldn't win faceoffs, things would be different too, but his role and position was inconsistent. Things are changing with the team and it seems we'll have to see how it shakes out.
- breadbag

I was a big Schmaltz supporter but I like the trade. I don't see him as a top 6 center. He is a pass first wing.

He has elite speed and good hands but I didn't see any improvement this year. If he wanted a big contract the Hawks were correct in moving him.

I don't agree with the Schmaltz bashing or that he was responsible for what was wrong with the Hawks but I also don't agree with those saying he has elite talent. The only elite talent he has is his skating and his lack of physicality reduces that.

I don't agree the Hawks got any slower Perlini will fill in nicely and bring high end speed with size. People need to remember how crappy of an organization the Yotes are. Have they developed anyone in the last 10 years? Outside of OEL?

I wanna see Schmaltz score a few goals in the next few games, so everyone who currently likes the trade can roast Stan for being impatient and trading a budding superstar for two stiffs (who perhaps didn't trow a hat trick on the board in the 1st game).
- mohel

I like the trade. 8 drove me nutz with his timid play on the ice. He had skill, but he would yank that ejection handle when contact was coming his way. We also avoid his 6x6 contract that he would no doubt demand. We get back a big C who is good at the dot and Saad like power winger who has shown he can score. Perlini has good stats outside of this year and I write that off as the Yotes are awful. We now have better C depth and a big/fast winger with hands to help out.

Face it. This year is done. Lets start fixing this roster. Moving 8 was a start. Now time to make moves for D help.

my guess this is the first of many post thanksgiving playoff elimination roster changes...

they are done and they know it...

1. Murphy comes back: cya manning rutta or both
2. Possible cap space dman upgrade is coming
3. cya kunitz...not a fit fit and cant play any more
4. also looking for a reshuffling of the rck bottom 6 deck; some of the following are going cya: fortin, johnson. skirua, hayden..i think they like kahun and kampf but kahun has falling off either of those could be included also...

this team will not look the same by march...

I don't think Hockey Ops made this decision quickly and This wasn't a Stan Bowman only decision. They weren't happy with the way #8 plays the game and decided to move on the Arizona opportunity. If he becomes a star and a leader in Phoenix so be it, it wasn't going to happen in Chicago or in the time frame required to keep McD and Rocky happy.
- RickJ

That may be, but I'm just saying the contract status could be a major factor. Plus possibly they just really like Strome and Perlini who were available and knew they had to give up a good young player to get two guys with potential. I just don't buy that Schmaltz is as much of a problem as he is perceived by some. Sometimes you trade guys who are decent because you like the return. Kinda like Hinostroza, while I didn't care for him much, I think the Hawks did like him, but they were willing to ship him out to get a deal done. Schmaltz may not be necessarily thought poorly of by Hockey Operations, but obviously they didn't consider him "untouchable" either. I hope it works out well for both teams.

22, same amount of points as Toews last year, ELC, fast, lead team in takeaways, still developing...

Yes I’d say that’s quality. He’s everyone’s whipping boy now that Saad has improved. Now we’ll see who the pack mentality moves onto now that scapegoat #2 is gone.
- ObeseOprah

We as fans can only read tea leaves. Is this trade more a retooling or rebuilding? If in the next stretch the Hawks go 4-6-3 does StanBow make another move? If so does he move a core player?

Didn’t Perlini have 17 goals last year?
- HawkintheD

He did, he's also on pace for 7 this year.

Saad Toews Perlini
Cat Strome Kane
Kahun AA Sikura
Kampf Kruger Hayden
- SoftServe

Thing that worries me about Dcat-Strome-Kane is who is going to win a puck? Might see Saad and Perlini split up as LW on each of the top two lines due to size, speed and puck retrieval.

I don't think Hockey Ops made this decision quickly and This wasn't a Stan Bowman only decision. They weren't happy with the way #8 plays the game and decided to move on the Arizona opportunity. If he becomes a star and a leader in Phoenix so be it, it wasn't going to happen in Chicago or in the time frame required to keep McD and Rocky happy.
- RickJ

My guess is that the new coach saw the same things the old coach did. Schmaltz is chicken sh*t.

Strome and Anisimov at centre seems pretty slow for today's game. Not sure if true but read Strome is a soft player.
I think overall it's a decent gamble by Bowman either way not a playoff team team this year.
Does anyone know the new Hawks contract situation?

I'm excited to see the new players going for the Hawks. I have to wonder if this is a make more changes to keep his job going thing for Bowman. I will admit Schmaltz isn't without some issues and if enough fans are frustrated it makes sense to get a fresh start with some new young guys.

Strome and Anisimov at centre seems pretty slow for today's game. Not sure if true but read Strome is a soft player.
I think overall it's a decent gamble by Bowman either way not a playoff team team this year.
Does anyone know the new Hawks contract situation?
- HamiltonHawk

I was wondering if maybe AA is next. I mean, if they move him for someone else, then that issue of having two guys from the same mold is not an issue possibly. I wish we could see "the plan" sometimes.

If anyone is excited that we got a 3rd overall pick remember that we drafted Barker 3rd and traded him for a Johnson and lower Leddy, as a steal from Minny. I don't know much about either player we got in return but wanted to throw that
- Popsghostly

Not sure what Barker has to do with anything...but ok

What number was Toews picked, anyway?

Oh I know what he meant, but it is all just speculation unless you can back it up. I'm just saying that in my opinion it was more likely that Schmaltz's agent wanted a deal the Hawks didn't want to hand out. More than Schmaltz is so bad we have to lose him, which is how some posters are painting him. I don't know what Hockey Operations think of him really, but folks go overboard with the criticism around here. Nit picking everything about a young player because they have a few flaws in their game.

We gave up 1 good young player for 2 good young players, just the one we gave up has shown more of his potential (so far) than the 2 we got. I hope it works out.
- breadbag

Like that they made this move now rather than sitting on it.

Schmaltz is a good player with a lot of potential. Obviously he wasn't helping out a lot with the secondary scoring. Him being a top center was a gamble. Strome being a top center is as well but with a heck of a lot higher ceiling.

Really dont mind the trade. Like i mentioned before i think you see AA and Rutta or Manning move to get Kampf settled in that 3rd line center role and hope there's enough to build on for next year.

We will find out against vegas cause they're kind of fast but i think the poor skating is exaggerated. Maybe he isn't making decisions at the NHL level yet or dynamic enough to carry a line and shred teams like Matthews, McDavid or Eichel but with the right group and his ability to score at every level so far but the NHL Id expect this to be a positive change for him.

One of the better risks they've taken. At least they didn't move schmaltz for andrew ladd or some crap like that.

Schmaltz would be a helluva player if he had heart or guts or courage or whatever you want to call it, but, he doesn't. Will he someday? Maybe/maybe not. Not sorry to see him go.
- EbonyRaptor

No. Being afraid of physicality, and lack of aggressiveness, are inherent personality traits that don't change. They will forever limit Schmaltz from: 1) going to the places where you score, 2) shooting more and 3) winning face-offs.