Strome and DCat have a familiarity and demonstrable chemistry. In his infinite wisdom, JC keeps separating them. Let them play together. I works every time they are paired.

#CollitonStillSucks
- scottak

The days of them playing for the Erie Otters was the last time those 2 stiffs had chemistry. Playing them together and the ref will be fishing the puck out of Cro's net multiple times per game.

Strome is a minor leaguer and ADB no longer even gets near the opposition net where 'snipers' are supposed to do their work. I would press box both of them.

The days of them playing for the Erie Otters was the last time those 2 stiffs had chemistry. Playing them together and the ref will be fishing the puck out of Cro's net multiple times per game.

Strome is a minor leaguer and ADB no longer even gets near the opposition net where 'snipers' are supposed to do their work. I would press box both of them.
- RickJ

Trade em to the Leafs

I've got a different take on it. In all likelihood, Boqvist is starting for them next year. He needs to know what the environment is like and what kind of commitment needs to taken in order to get himself ready for that.

From the Hawks perspective, I don't think you can look at this like it's some kind of development camp. The vets especially are going to do everything that they can to win by any means possible. What sucks for them is that the FO wasn't in position to help them out at the TDL (although many may say that trading Gus is addition by subtraction). They are in the playoffs. Regardless of the odds, you have to do everything that you can to win as many games as possible. Winning will be the positive experience. Losing provides the drive to improve so that you don't have that feeling anymore.
- Chunk

I didn't mean Boqvist should be benched - I was responding to other posts stating he should be benched because he's not playing well. My point was the decision to bench or not bench Boqvist should be what is best for Boqvist's development - not what gives the Hawks the best chance to win a game. That should be determined by the coaches who know him better than us on a hockey message board - each individual player handles adversity differently and as long as getting manhandled and looking timid isn't going to set him back then I say let him continue to play.

And yes, I suppose that can be thought of as a development camp, but no, it isn't throwing in the towel - it's still trying to win the game AND get our young players closer to being a contributor to winning the Cup at some point down the road.

I really think the Hawks biggest issue last night was pick retrieval. The knights will clog up the neutral zone which has always been the Hawks crypto nite.

I think JC needs to find a lineup that has a better mix of puck retrieves and puck handlers. The Blackhawks desperately need to be able to gain possession of the puck in the ozone through forechecking. This is where a few of the lines have been lacking.

Particularly, I think Kane needs to be with two puck retrievers. I would love to see:

Kane, Toews, Saad or Kane, Dach, Saad

Then another line based on kubalik Toews or kubalik Dach, with another skill player, so maybe

Kubalik Toews Nylander

Then try DeBrincat and Strome together with cags, and leave the 4th line.

I think top priority for next game is getting good for checking players on each line to try to get the puck in the o zone, once they have the puck they aren’t bad.
- LaheysBRandy

Pretty much yes! Kane played with Saad against Tampa in '15 I believe?

Kubalik Toews Cagguila
Saad Dach Kane
Dinky Strome Nylander
Highmore Kampf Carpenter

Trade em to the Leafs
- paulr

Dinky's contract is untradable and it hasn't even started... A new world record for Stan.

I’ve see enough of Strome. He doesn’t deserve to be on the ice. I could care less if he ever plays for the Hawks again. Major shake up needed. Here’s what I’d like to see:

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Dach-Nylander
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Highmore-Carpenter-Sikura
- SimpleJack

I really like those. Maybe flip Saad and Nylander? I know that Kampf line was a beast at the start of the season though.

My thought is Saad and Dach can create enough space for Dcat to get his head out his backside and score some goals. Or at least open up the ice so he can get to prime scoring areas.

Nylander can feed some pucks to Kubalik and can carry the puck in for that line. He loves to pull up and look for options in the ozone.

I really like those. Maybe flip Saad and Nylander? I know that Kampf line was a beast at the start of the season though.

My thought is Saad and Dach can create enough space for Dcat to get his head out his backside and score some goals. Or at least open up the ice so he can get to prime scoring areas.

Nylander can feed some pucks to Kubalik and can carry the puck in for that line. He loves to pull up and look for options in the ozone.
- bhawks2241

Agreed with that flip. Putting Dinky and Nylander with Dach will make Dach switch to golf.

Agreed with that flip. Putting Dinky and Nylander with Dach will make Dach switch to golf.
- rpeters01

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Dach-Saad
Nylander-Kampf-Kubalik
Highmore-Carpenter-Sikura

Those look solid. No line is weak defensively either....Kampf will dig out pucks and go to the net for that 3rd line.

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Dach-Saad
Nylander-Kampf-Kubalik
Highmore-Carpenter-Sikura

Those look solid. No line is weak defensively either....Kampf will dig out pucks and go to the net for that 3rd line.
- bhawks2241

I don't think Sikura is an NHL player but neither are 4-5 other guys we're playing on offense and defense...

I don't think Sikura is an NHL player but neither are 4-5 other guys we're playing on offense and defense...
- rpeters01

Agree but he can skate and play some smart defensive hockey. He’s kind of a tweener. He probably will have a few decent NHL seasons somewhere.

Agree but he can skate and play some smart defensive hockey. He’s kind of a tweener. He probably will have a few decent NHL seasons somewhere.
- bhawks2241

I miss the "old" Sharp and Hossa.

The days of them playing for the Erie Otters was the last time those 2 stiffs had chemistry. Playing them together and the ref will be fishing the puck out of Cro's net multiple times per game.

Strome is a minor leaguer and ADB no longer even gets near the opposition net where 'snipers' are supposed to do their work. I would press box both of them.
- RickJ

Even in his first two seasons, he didn’t go to the net.

His sniping often came from the slot on quick, accurate wristers on the move, or from Ovie’s office on the PP. Best shot on the team - or at least up there with Kane.

The slot is where he’s not getting to this season - and the quick, accurate writer seems to have been replaced by a less-well-placed slap shot.

I miss the "old" Sharp and Hossa.
- rpeters01

2010 sharp and playoff sharp. Speed plus shot and some snarl. Plus a little swagger.

Brought a lot more than Dcat does.

Pretty much yes! Kane played with Saad against Tampa in '15 I believe?

Kubalik Toews Cagguila
Saad Dach Kane
Dinky Strome Nylander
Highmore Kampf Carpenter
- rpeters01

Kane Saad Shaw in 14 made up one of the most electric lines in recent memory against the kings, maybe some of that magic can be recaptured

I don't think Sikura is an NHL player but neither are 4-5 other guys we're playing on offense and defense...
- rpeters01

For the 10 millionth time Sikura did not play badly in the NHL. He couldn't score. But he probably wii score some goals if he gets a regular turn. You see how he plays, what he can do in the AHL. He can be a good #3 line player whom maybe can hold up occasionally if moved to a #2 line. He makes good plays, can skate ok, is smart and willing to stick his nose in among bigger larger players. He probably won't stay healthy/injury free. We will just have to wait a couple of years and see how he fares/where he plays

Caggula-Toews-Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Kane
DCat-Strome-Sikura (though i want to scratch strome too)
Hagel-Carpenter-Highmore

Keith-Murphy
DeHaan-Carlsson
Matta-k4

Caggula-Toews-Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Kane
DCat-Strome-Sikura (though i want to scratch strome too)
Hagel-Carpenter-Highmore

Keith-Murphy
DeHaan-Carlsson
Matta-k4
- jt19

So you are going to keep Strome in with his bad play, and bench Nylander, who except for one turnover that was really a suicide pass has played well? And you are going to break up our best defensive pair because?

I can’t wait for Reeves to hit the 155 pound Sikura, probably launch him right out of the bubble.

Caggulia-Toews-Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Highmore
Carpenter-Kampf-Nylander


- PatShart

I am all for these combos except Nylander. I don't think he's been as bad as many have said, but regardless for a skill player it's still not enough. And if you have him on the 4th line as a shutdown line, then just don't play him. Keep Highmore there because he doesn't provide enough offense to play on the 3rd with Cat/Strome, and go with someone with more offensive touch that is a balanced player: Hagel or Sikura.

Caggula-Toews-Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Kane
DCat-Strome-Sikura (though i want to scratch strome too)
Hagel-Carpenter-Highmore

Keith-Murphy
DeHaan-Carlsson
Matta-k4
- jt19

Zero chance Kampf gets scratched after his shorty. Plus other than Toews he was the only other center around 50% at the dot, and kills penalties. He will not be sitting.

I don't think Sikura is an NHL player but neither are 4-5 other guys we're playing on offense and defense...
- rpeters01

Can he play goalie?

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
DeBrincat-Dach-Saad
Nylander-Kampf-Kubalik
Highmore-Carpenter-Sikura

Those look solid. No line is weak defensively either....Kampf will dig out pucks and go to the net for that 3rd line.
- bhawks2241

Sikura - Dach - Saad
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Carpenter - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Kampf - Highmore

Keith - Murphy
De Haan - Koekkoek
Maatta - Carlsson

Subban
Crawford

Can he play goalie?
- DarthKane

Reeves would launch him into the net with the puck.

Can he play goalie?
- DarthKane

I have the feeling Subban would mess his pants if he has to play against his old team?

Sikura - Dach - Saad
DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Carpenter - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Kampf - Highmore

Keith - Murphy
De Haan - Koekkoek
Maatta - Carlsson

Subban
Crawford
- DarthKane

Has DeBrincat and Kane ever worked?

I have the feeling Subban would mess his pants if he has to play against his old team?
- rpeters01

Subban replacing Crawford then the Hawks eliminating Lehner and the Knights would be an amazing goalie story.