The signs were obvious when Kampf was a rookie that he had the chops for being a good forward. No, he’s never going to be lighting up the scoreboard but I SAW a player that emulated Dave Bolland. Not in the pest sense, but in the fact that you saw a young player who has a veteran-like presence who just plays hard, makes smart plays, and is sound defensively. He’s making JC look good in betting on him to center the third line, and hopefully he can continue his strong play.
- TommyHawk

Agree. While Kampf is not a 'rat' there are similarities. In fact, wasn't Saad on our Line 3 w/ Bolly in 2013?

In 2010 I thought Bolland deserved the MVP for the playoffs, not only did he score at nearly a PPG clip, but his defensive wizardry was brilliant. He (and his mates) shut down every single line he played against (Thronton's line, Carters line).

Bolland is one of the greatest defensive centers I've ever seen. Kampf has a ways to go before getting there, but he is looking like a nice replacement for that skill.

The signs were obvious when Kampf was a rookie that he had the chops for being a good forward. No, he’s never going to be lighting up the scoreboard but I SAW a player that emulated Dave Bolland. Not in the pest sense, but in the fact that you saw a young player who has a veteran-like presence who just plays hard, makes smart plays, and is sound defensively. He’s making JC look good in betting on him to center the third line, and hopefully he can continue his strong play.
- TommyHawk

Kampf does not get enough credit for his skating ability. This is largely why he is effective against a speedy McDavid. Saad and Kabulik are no slouches either.

Loved the Shaw hit. Even aside from that, I haven't seen the Hawks look that physical in a long long time.

3 stars to our puck management. I have not seen this team get the puck in deep from the offensive blueline that consistently in probably 2-3 years. That is how you control a team like Edmonton and guys like McDavid, as it limits his time with the puck on his stick, and eliminates a lot their high speed transition game.

I thought Murphy was very strong against the Oil. Definitely looked like a top 4 defenseman.
- LAHawk

Murphy as well as Maatta and de Haan have really helped to stabilize the blueline. They are capable veterans who know how to defend.

None are top 2-3 material but smart fundamentals and physical play make the sum greater than the parts which includes an upgrade in play by Keith and Seabrook.

I'd like to see Kubalik on a line with a playmaker who can get him the puck in prime scoring spots.

That 3rd line looks good but Kubalik doesn't have a guy who can get him the puck. He can drift it. Maybe Dach is that guy eventually.
- bhawks2241

Also on the 2nd PP unit they need to set him up on the right side like they did Panarin and ADB on the left side. Whoever is at the left point and left wing on the 2nd PP unit needs to look for him and pass it to the right spot for his one timer. When they breakdown the tape it will be evident.

In the future I also could see Kubalik being the PP QB at the point. He has great vision, a great shot and is very clever handling the puck. Also has great speed to get back and can play physical.

Murphy as well as Maatta and de Haan have really helped to stabilize the blueline. They are capable veterans who know how to defend.

None are top 2-3 material but smart fundamentals and physical play make the sum greater than the parts which includes an upgrade in play by Keith and Seabrook.
- AEL_Fox

Seabrook and Maata have meshed well together. Did you notice who was on the ice with Keith when Edmonton pulled the goalie? Seabrook,

Seabrook and Maata have meshed well together. Did you notice who was on the ice with Keith when Edmonton pulled the goalie? Seabrook,
- LAHawk

Yea, Seabs has had a solid start to the year. Really happy for him.

I watched the game on the Canadian Sportsnet channel and learned something I did not know before. They had the camera on Kane's parents and noted that they drive up for every game (something like an 8 hour drive) because the senior Patrick Kane does not like to fly.

As far as Nylander and his aversion to contact, is it any worse than when Schmautz was here? Lets give him more than 3 games before we make conclusions.

No, he sucks. Trade him for Cap Space.

Yeah cause we'll call up an AHL player who will fix everything.

I'd like to see Kubalik on a line with a playmaker who can get him the puck in prime scoring spots.

That 3rd line looks good but Kubalik doesn't have a guy who can get him the puck. He can drift it. Maybe Dach is that guy eventually.
- bhawks2241

Good post. I posted something similar earlier. Was reading back and saw that I missed your post the first time.

No, he sucks. Trade him for Cap Space.

Yeah cause we'll call up an AHL player who will fix everything.
- rpeters01

Did you notice the sarcasm in the post you quoted?

Didn't get to catch the game last night but I saw the highlights and I'm very happy to hear by all accounts that they played better last night all around.

Especially the Defense. I think the pairings are set up MUCH better with Keith having a reliable partner to his side in Murphy rather than having to look over his shoulder every few seconds to make sure Gus isn't wandering around like a forward. Is it a perfect pairing? Not necessarily, I think we would all agree that would be a very solid second pairing on a Playoff team but if it's effective then let it rid. From all accounts Gus looked much better last night. Who woulda thought having him played sheltered minutes would be beneficial for himself and the team

Awesome to see new life in Saad. I think he's beginning to find his place once again in Chicago and play his role instead of trying to do too much and becoming inefficient. Dunno what his long term future is with the team, but for now I will gladly take a revitalized Saad driving our 3rd line with Kubalik. I still REALLY wanna see how Kirby Dach could do on that line with them. I know it would be ideal for him to play the wing rather than having all of the responsibilities the center takes, but I still think that can be a VERY effective line especially with how Saad and Kubs have played together this far.

Also, shout out to Alex Nylander for responding to being taken out of the lineup and moving down to the 4th line by scoring a goal. Kid might have a good head on his shoulders and the high motor that made him a top pick in Buffalo. Will be interesting to see where he slots in going forward and if he'll continue to respond.

The signs were obvious when Kampf was a rookie that he had the chops for being a good forward. No, he’s never going to be lighting up the scoreboard but I SAW a player that emulated Dave Bolland. Not in the pest sense, but in the fact that you saw a young player who has a veteran-like presence who just plays hard, makes smart plays, and is sound defensively. He’s making JC look good in betting on him to center the third line, and hopefully he can continue his strong play.
- TommyHawk

This 100%. I never understood the Kampf hate from people. He is a VERY solid bottom six forward that does the little things that helps teams win.

This 100%. I never understood the Kampf hate from people. He is a VERY solid bottom six forward that does the little things that helps teams win.
- Savetheembers33

I think that hate has dried up. Of course, the first game he has a -1 people will be out with their pitchforks again. Very happy David is part of our team.

Obviously last night was a great effort win, but it’s undeniable how deep this team is when it’s clicking on all cylinders.

Our top two lines struggled for much of the night, but thanks to guys like Shaw, Caggiula, and Smith playing like the pests we know they’re capable of being/the sandpaper this team needs; Saad and Kubalik dominating opposition; and finally having de Haan, Murphy, and Maatta healthy and playing “solid” hockey really patches things up on the backend (with two great goalies).

I surprisingly really liked Nylander driving the fourth line, and think he might be better suited in a role that emphasizes him rather than having him play off of Kane/Toews.

It would be outlandish to make proclamations about this team after one good win, but if Kane/Toews get going like they did last season, and with the amount of depth this team finally seems to have, there’s nothing to suggest this team shouldn’t be playing hockey deep into the spring.
- TommyHawk

Absolutely loved that as well. I find it funny there were a TON of people who were not a fan of adding Smith or Shaw in addition to Caggiula but love it when the team has some fight back. These are they type of guys you need on your team to win especially in the Playoffs. Loved Stan adding each of those guys to a lineup that looked as strong as a wet Aldi papertowel over the past few years

I'm a big Shaw fan, while he does have his down-side I think this positves outweigh any negatives he brings the team.

Nylander will just need to do some on-the-job learning. I know the NHL isn't a developmental league, but Nylander needs to play in the NHL to show if he can fit in or not.
- DarthKane

Everyone looks at Nylander through a microscope because of the trade. Geez, he's a $900k player, not $9M. Tevo never saw a section of ice he couldn't float on either and everyone is crying he's gone.

As far as Nylander and his aversion to contact, is it any worse than when Schmautz was here? Lets give him more than 3 games before we make conclusions.
- LAHawk

I thought he embraced contact last night more than he has all season, hopefully he continues this.

As far as Nylander and his aversion to contact, is it any worse than when Schmautz was here? Lets give him more than 3 games before we make conclusions.
- LAHawk

I think all players + this team should get 20 games to show progress. It has gotten better every game so far, would love to see the Hawks get a little momentum going, but you are right, 3 games is a poor tryout for a talented kid.

I think that hate has dried up. Of course, the first game he has a -1 people will be out with their pitchforks again. Very happy David is part of our team.
- kwolf68

Ohh of course. Definitely the case with Saad now that he's playing well. Same even goes for Seabrook. Haven't seen the hatred that people have had from him now that he has a competent partner for the first time in a long time.

Hawks win last night. Today the sky is blue and full of rainbows and sunshine. Hawks lose on Friday and/or Sunday and the Hawks will be done for and never be able to be a good team as long as *insert player(s)* or JC is around.

Don't see Dach making the team this year after last night. Think JC wants Kamph's line to be a shutdown line that can help provide a little offense as well. Would love to see Dach there, but hard to argue with what Kamph, Saad, and Kubalik did last night in going head to head against McDavid. Dach if ready, would give the Hawks some amazing depth, but where does he play? You are not going to have him play the 4th line all season and get 7-9 minutes a game. Does he play wing if he sticks, because I really think the Hawks really like what they have in that 3rd line. Kirby makes it next year is what I predict, I don't see JC budging from Kamph as the 3C for the 2019-2020 Blackhawks.

Crow was outstanding. .94 save % vs closer to or under .90 kind of makes a difference.

JC decided to coach this game and match lines. Kamf, Saad and the new guy had their way with the McDavid line which has been on fire all year. Keith didnt suck which was cool.

Still a lot of sloppy play and not having a play maker with Toews and Debrincat is probably going to mean not a lot of goals from them.

Nylander, for the goal, also crapped 3 away in the D zone that led to quality chances for the Oilers and it was fortunate the McDavid one was pulled back and that he couldn't avoid Crow.

Good chance to get to .500 Friday. Hopefully this is something to build on and not just an off night for the Oilers.
- fattybeef

For $10.5M the Captain needs to be a playmaker or he will end up "Captain Buyout."

Note to Breadman on optimism and pessimism...

All of us tend toward one or the other at least a tiny bit. This applies to posters here as well. Each thinks they are the realists in the crowd. That's okay.

The trouble starts when one gets far enough to either side so as to begin to lose objectivity. Imo there are just a few posters here like that. They appear to know a lit about the game, but I discount their posts because of my perception that they lack objectivity.

Because I am an optimist by nature, I'd like to call out a couple posters who in my eyes have credibility when they are negative. Fatty, Wolfie, and Tommyhawk have today posted balanced stuff that stands apart from the always negative posters. At least to me.

I'd like to see Kubalik on a line with a playmaker who can get him the puck in prime scoring spots.

That 3rd line looks good but Kubalik doesn't have a guy who can get him the puck. He can drift it. Maybe Dach is that guy eventually.
- bhawks2241

It is a long season and injuries happen. You do not have to be a line blender coach like Q .....sooner or later Colliton is bound to try different combo"s. Your idea has
Kubalik who merits consideration to be put in such a spot. No idea whether it is sooner or later. I also expect that Wedin gets a look. So line changes are going to happen.

Did you notice the sarcasm in the post you quoted?
- mohel

I was being sarcastic too.