Who sits when Soderburg joins the lineup? From what we have seen so far, I would think maybe its either Wallmark or Janmark? New team, new environment, but neither has really flashed much of anything yet.
- TheTrob

Janmark. Wallmark has at least been dangerous a few times. Janmark is where pucks go to die. Wallmark has also been more effective on the PK.

Carpenter can join them and leave Hagel and Highmore in the line-up.

I'm with you, but some here see him as a future #2 center on a Cup contender. Maybe they're right, but I don't think so.
- mohel

Probably not. If Toews' malady ends up being career ending as some have thought out loud here (hope not), then maybe he can hold the fort at 2C when Dach comes back.

For me, the Hawks have the luxury of time on their side and the question is can he become a 2C by the time they are contenders again. If not, sayonara Pastromi.

I'm with you, but some here see him as a future #2 center on a Cup contender. Maybe they're right, but I don't think so.
- mohel

I don't know about future #2 center on s contender, but I can definitely see him as a contributor on a cup team. Yeah, he's not a great skater, so what, the league is filled with guys who are not great skaters who contribute. He is 23 and has some skills that a whole bunch of others on the squad don't.

I love your optimism, Ryno. Good points and food for thought.
- Theo Fox

Not gonna quote his post but the whole Q didn't like young guys has been disproven many times. He wanted young guys that played his way. Dach would have definitely fit because of his defensive awareness.

Probably not. If Toews' malady ends up being career ending as some have thought out loud here (hope not), then maybe he can hold the fort at 2C when Dach comes back.

For me, the Hawks have the luxury of time on their side and the question is can he become a 2C by the time they are contenders again. If not, sayonara Pastromi.
- HawkintheD

The #2C isn't on this roster yet. He will be coming in one of the next two drafts.

I'm with you, but some here see him as a future #2 center on a Cup contender. Maybe they're right, but I don't think so.
- mohel

Again let's see where he's at once he gets 250 NHL games under him, this really seems like a very difficult thing to understand

To my eye as noticeable Barkov was game 1, the opposite for game 2, he looked meh.

Janmark. Wallmark has at least been dangerous a few times. Janmark is where pucks go to die. Wallmark has also been more effective on the PK.

Carpenter can join them and leave Hagel and Highmore in the line-up.

- Elbows15[/quote

I thought that would work too! Highmore & Hagel together! Great call !!

They're all puds. Replace them all with a talented high schooler or a small horn arrangement and call it a day.
- Chunk

Agree. I would love to hear the top tank rats chirping the fat kid with the tuba.

The #2C isn't on this roster yet. He will be coming in one of the next two drafts.
- Elbows15

Ideally Dach is the 2C, because that would mean the 1C is special.

Ideally Dach is the 2C, because that would mean the 1C is special.
- Ogilthorpe2

Pfft...3C.

Again let's see where he's at once he gets 250 NHL games under him, this really seems like a very difficult thing to understand
- BetweenTheDots

Barring injury, he will be at 220 at season's end. After 30 games next year, we'll have all the answers. Until then, no conclusions can be made.

I'm with you, but some here see him as a future #2 center on a Cup contender. Maybe they're right, but I don't think so.
- mohel

I understand you think he's going to suck, again i never said this, i said you have 2 years to really see what he is, let him play and let's see what we have after 250 NHL games. FWIW if they did this with Teuvo they would have another young top 6 forward. Your reading comprehension is brutal.

Ideally Dach is the 2C, because that would mean the 1C is special.
- Ogilthorpe2

you're special

you are

you're special

you are
- Elbows15

Duncan Keith the worst defenseman on the team? seems he has finally gone from being overrated to appropriately rated.

Duncan Keith the worst defenseman on the team? seems he has finally gone from being overrated to appropriately rated.
- Nmbr1

Seems you’ve gone from being kinda irritating to an being a complete knob.

Duncan Keith the worst defenseman on the team? seems he has finally gone from being overrated to appropriately rated.
- Nmbr1

Two time Norris winners are never overrated. While he’s not as productive as say 2015, he’s still a good #3-4 on a good team. Pro athletes are very competitive, and Keith is extra competitive, unfortunately playing on a bad team could affect this type of player from losing some of that edge. In my opinion, the best case scenario for both Keith and the Hawks is to move him to a contender. Although his cap hit is only $5M, in today’s NHL that is a big hit on a contending team, as most good teams are against the cap.

I understand you think he's going to suck, again i never said this, i said you have 2 years to really see what he is, let him play and let's see what we have after 250 NHL games. FWIW if they did this with Teuvo they would have another young top 6 forward. Your reading comprehension is brutal.
- BetweenTheDots

Such hostility. The post you quoted wasn't directed to you. Others have discussed Strome recently - not everything is a out you, eh? My position on Strome is pretty clear - I don't believe he is or will be a Top Six center on a serious playoff team, so I think he should be traded because he has some value. You'll note that I did not say he sucks. Anyway, I know I'm violating your 250 game rule. Oh well.

Two time Norris winners are never overrated. While he’s not as productive as say 2015, he’s still a good #3-4 on a good team. Pro athletes are very competitive, and Keith is extra competitive, unfortunately playing on a bad team could affect this type of player from losing some of that edge. In my opinion, the best case scenario for both Keith and the Hawks is to move him to a contender. Although his cap hit is only $5M, in today’s NHL that is a big hit on a contending team, as most good teams are against the cap.
- Angotti

Yep, Keith is going to the Hall of Fame. Nuff said, I think.

Probably not. If Toews' malady ends up being career ending as some have thought out loud here (hope not), then maybe he can hold the fort at 2C when Dach comes back.

For me, the Hawks have the luxury of time on their side and the question is can he become a 2C by the time they are contenders again. If not, sayonara Pastromi.
- HawkintheD

A useful Center for $3M is not an albatross I will keep him and play him on lower lines. I don't believe each line needs a certain Identity I believe each line needs the best players you can find.

Duncan Keith the worst defenseman on the team? seems he has finally gone from being overrated to appropriately rated.
- Nmbr1

Two things can be true at the same time.
1) Keith has been the Hawks #1 since 2008-09, a Norris winner, 3-time cup champ, and gold medal winner.
2) He also has not played well to start this year.

It is not controversial, nor a slight to Keith, to point it out, specifically when he holds himself to such a high standard.

The #2C isn't on this roster yet. He will be coming in one of the next two drafts.
- Elbows15

Correct.

Strome is holding a job as a #2 or #3:center ONLY on a team with the proper linemates who do the things he doesn't. In a game with much cycle, in a tight game when strong defense is being played, in a fast paced game against a team with a ton of speed: Strome hurts his team. Imagine playing the fast fast fast Phoenix. Playing Vegas who likes to cycle with big size forwards who hit. Try to slide by with Strome regular season. However Strome hurts more than helps in playoffs. Can we please see just what Barret provides in place of Strome

Correct.

Strome is holding a job as a #2 or #3:center ONLY on a team with the proper linemates who do the things he doesn't. In a game with much cycle, in a tight game when strong defense is being played, in a fast paced game against a team with a ton of speed: Strome hurts his team. Imagine playing the fast fast fast Phoenix. Playing Vegas who likes to cycle with big size forwards who hit. Try to slide by with Strome regular season. However Strome hurts more than helps in playoffs. Can we please see just what Barret provides in place of Strome
- jhawk59

Assume you will before the end of the year. Remember, I believe the Kurashev is actually a C and I believe I read that they see him as one down the road.

Don't get all the Strome stuff, he's fine for now, my god, they are going to win like 5 games, probably 10 next year, whats the big deal.

A useful Center for $3M is not an albatross I will keep him and play him on lower lines. I don't believe each line needs a certain Identity I believe each line needs the best players you can find.
- rpeters01

That's pretty much what I meant by luxury of time. If Strome can put a little meat/muscle on his giraffe frame and become a guy who is a bit tougher to play against and provide some scoring, even with the skating deficiencies...

To Elbow's point though, maybe they acquire another center in the next couple drafts that makes him expendable via trade.

I think he's looked ok this year and am hoping to see some growth in his game even with the weird offseason.