For anyone who cares to play, any predictions on breakout player, comeback player, and unsung hero? My guesses:

Breakout player: Kubalik

He plays a really solid 2-way game with consistent compete level. Strong shooter who is willing to drive the net and play in close. I also love his commitment to defense as well as his humbleness to improve with whatever the coaches need from him.

Comeback player: Saad

Having his good pal Shaw will pay some dividends, and even more if they're linemates which would bump Kubalik in to the top 6 say with Strome and DeBrincat. Saad is poised for a 25-30 goal season and 50-60 points, IMO, but who his center is will be a factor. Not going to happen if Kampf is his long-term center. Dach possibly. Sikura would be worth considering if Dach isn't ready.

Unsung hero: Carpenter (F), Maatta (D)

Both should help stabilize the PK. Carpenter will add an experienced checking forward on the 4th line with Caggiula, Smith, and eventually Kampf. Maatta may prove to not only give Seabrook the veteran partner he needs to get #7 back on track but also an overall reliable D pair to go along with Murphy and de Haan.
- AEL_Fox

Breakout players - Gilbert - Solid, especially after Gus trade & Dach 40pts in 70 games centering Saad and Kubalik on the 3rd line
Comeback player - Seabs (healthy and playing with an experienced NHL partner)
Unsung hero - Caggiula - plays up and down the lineup and PK

does today count againt Dach 9 games even if he is not playing?
- glennjpawlak22

No.

So deHaan is out with a groin injury, NOT his shoulder recovery.

I guess that’s good, if the growing injury isn’t serious.

Agree about Kubalik IF he gets matched up with a playmaker like Kane or Strome. Crawford is my comeback. If healthy, of course.

The unsung hero isn't on the roster, IMO. Maybe Gibby if we are using the criteria of being on the roster today.

I have vacillated a few times about this team and have come to the conclusion I have no idea about this team.
- Elbows15

Go with 'they stink' because they do.

This from Zach Leach over at the prohockeyrumors.com site regarding 2019-2020 NCAA players to watch.


F Evan Barratt, Penn State University (CHI): One of the best players at the college level last season, Barratt took a major leap forward in his development. The third-round prospect had a quiet freshman year but exploded for 43 points in just 32 games as a sophomore, among the top five per-game scorers in the NCAA. Barratt’s ability to think the game is matched only by his ability to act on those thoughts. A great play-maker with an eye for creating scoring opportunities, Barratt doesn’t need to be the fastest or strongest player on the ice to make a difference. He seems ready to test his hockey sense at the pro level already and almost certainly will be signing with the Blackhawks after this season. Penn State can enjoy one last season with their star center.

D Ian Mitchell, University of Denver (CHI): Chicago nearly convinced Mitchell to leave school early this summer, but he’ll return to the Pioneers for one last season. A smart, two-way defenseman, Mitchell plays a largely mistake-free game. He contributes on offense, but rarely at the cost of defensive liability and uses his skating to get up and down the ice with ease. He pairs a good shot with a strong outlet pass to both start and finish offensively. A modern-day NHL defenseman in many ways, Mitchell truly plays the position well and will be a regular at the top level in no time.

Oh, I just meant for this season.
- Elbows15

Ahh fair enough

Flyers 9 Hawks 1.

Dinky scores first and the Flyers go off for 9 unanswered. Crawford lets in 6 and Lehner the final 3.

The ledge gets crowded early but space opens often as posters jump with every ensuing Hawk shift and Gus giveaway.

Saarela scores first for the Ice Piggies!

I know I’m beating a dead horse at this point but Kampf should NOT be 3rd line center. It’s really not that hard to piece together these lines properly, yet for some reason they remain slightly off. Should be this:

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Kubalik
Saad-Shaw-Nylander
Smith-Kampf-Carpenter

I like Caggiula with 19 and 88 more than Nylander because of the toughness and net front presence. That also opens up a spot on the 4th line for Kampf. Shaw back at 3C with Saad and Nylander gives you MUCH more offensive upside for that 3rd line which is going to have to produce.

Hopefully JC eventually gets it right.

I know I’m beating a dead horse at this point but Kampf should NOT be 3rd line center. It’s really not that hard to piece together these lines properly, yet for some reason they remain slightly off. Should be this:

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Strome-Kubalik
Saad-Shaw-Nylander
Smith-Kampf-Carpenter

I like Caggiula with 19 and 88 more than Nylander because of the toughness and net front presence. That also opens up a spot on the 4th line for Kampf. Shaw back at 3C with Saad and Nylander gives you MUCH more offensive upside for that 3rd line which is going to have to produce.

Hopefully JC eventually gets it right.
- SimpleJack

He may (JC). I don’t see the lineup as penciled in lasting the whole season and see Kampf eventually at 4C, whether that means Dach earned his shot, someone gets called up or a trade for a 3C happens.

Your lineup looks pretty good though.

I have so many mixed thoughts on the outlook for this game and this season. But I'll predict that today is a somewhat high scoring, pond-hockey-with-pace type of game . . . which likely slightly favors the Hawks.

anyone have a streaming opportunity? The jackarses at Xfinity will not let me watch outside of my home network.

He may (JC). I don’t see the lineup as penciled in lasting the whole season and see Kampf eventually at 4C, whether that means Dach earned his shot, someone gets called up or a trade for a 3C happens.

Your lineup looks pretty good though.
- HawkintheD

From what has been said since the middle of the summer, I wouldn't expect the same lineup from game to game. They will try to match up differently to each opponent (or at least that is what they said...).

anyone have a streaming opportunity? The jackarses at Xfinity will not let me watch outside of my home network.
- riozzo

Google "reddit nhl streams" and find the links for the game

Personal projected lineup for the Hogs opener tonight (I'm sure King will do something a little different):

Versteeg - Highmore - Saarela
Hagel - Kurashev - D Sikura
Soderlund - Nilsson - Wedin
Entwistle - Johnson - T Sikura
Fortin/Hakkarainen

Carlsson - Boqvist
Tuulola - Holm
Beaudin - Krys
Ramsey

Delia
Lankinen

Fortin, IMO, should be demoted to Indy like Knott and Noel were earlier. McLaughlin, Moutrey, and Lankinen should start in Indy, too. Honestly, I'd rather have McLaughlin over Fortin as the Hogs extra forward.

Ramsey stays until Gilbert gets sent to Rockford once Murphy and de Haan return to the Hawks lineup, unless the Hogs keep 8 defensemen on their roster.
- AEL_Fox

Isn't Delia with big club in Prague?

I can understand a word but this guy is awful

An NHL size rink....

Google "reddit nhl streams" and find the links for the game
- gmurban

Thanks, nothing there that is helpful today I guess I am SOL

Is it just me, or is the ice just crap?

Love the fact that we are still using the push em back entry on the power play I'm glad we still are incorporating it.

dumb arse pushem back PP entry!!!!

Thanks, nothing there that is helpful today I guess I am SOL
- riozzo

try clicking on "comments"

Google "reddit nhl streams" and find the links for the game
- gmurban

http://bilasport.net/game...ago-blackhawks-19193.html

wtf gilbert

poopty Gilbert turnover.

wtf gilbert
- gmurban

turnover and whiff by craw...ugh...

poopty Gilbert turnover.
- I Am The Breadman

and almost another by GUS