Interesting set of line combinations, as a guestimate for the opening line up.

https://www.nhltraderumor...o-blackhawks-opening.html

Alex DeBrincat - Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane

Dominik Kubalik - Tyler Johnson - Dylan Strome

Philipp Kurashev - Kirby Dach - Alex Nylander

Brandon Hagel - Jujhar Khaira - Ryan Carpenter

Adam Gaudette

Brett Connolly

Henrik Borgstrom

Curious for the boards thoughts and comments?
- SchwiftyHawk

Happy to see you posting

I'll give Theo a break from spamming him with all of my questions.

Thought I'd see what the board thought of NHLtraderumors projected opening night lines.

Interesting set of line combinations, as a guestimate for the opening line up.

https://www.nhltraderumor...o-blackhawks-opening.html

Alex DeBrincat - Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane

Dominik Kubalik - Tyler Johnson - Dylan Strome

Philipp Kurashev - Kirby Dach - Alex Nylander

Brandon Hagel - Jujhar Khaira - Ryan Carpenter

Adam Gaudette

Brett Connolly

Henrik Borgstrom

Curious for the boards thoughts and comments?
- SchwiftyHawk

I think if Strome, Nylander, and Carpenter are all on the opening night roster, it’s going to be a long season.

Interesting set of line combinations, as a guestimate for the opening line up.

https://www.nhltraderumor...o-blackhawks-opening.html

Alex DeBrincat - Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane

Dominik Kubalik - Tyler Johnson - Dylan Strome

Philipp Kurashev - Kirby Dach - Alex Nylander

Brandon Hagel - Jujhar Khaira - Ryan Carpenter

Adam Gaudette

Brett Connolly

Henrik Borgstrom

Curious for the boards thoughts and comments?
- SchwiftyHawk

via GIPHY

Those lines won't last more than 1 period.

Those lines won't last more than 1 period.

Agreed, I would worry teams would just load up and just try to smoother the first line and then just try to bump players off the puck (RW of second and third line) and we'd end up seeing a lot of odd man rushes by the opposing teams.

I did like how NHLtraderumor tried to provide a volume shooter for Strome to work with (other than DeBrincat).

Interesting set of line combinations, as a guestimate for the opening line up.

https://www.nhltraderumor...o-blackhawks-opening.html

Alex DeBrincat - Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane

Dominik Kubalik - Tyler Johnson - Dylan Strome

Philipp Kurashev - Kirby Dach - Alex Nylander

Brandon Hagel - Jujhar Khaira - Ryan Carpenter

Adam Gaudette

Brett Connolly

Henrik Borgstrom

Curious for the boards thoughts and comments?
- SchwiftyHawk

The more comments (from players) that I read, the more I think that it will be Johnson between Kane and ADB. Kane sounds like he wants to play with a fast, playmaking center and has noted that Johnson fits that bill. I would bet the top line looks something like Hagel-Toews-Kubalik as long as everyone is healthy and ready to play.

It will be interesting to see how the preseason shakes out.

Interesting set of line combinations, as a guestimate for the opening line up.

https://www.nhltraderumor...o-blackhawks-opening.html

Alex DeBrincat - Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane

Dominik Kubalik - Tyler Johnson - Dylan Strome

Philipp Kurashev - Kirby Dach - Alex Nylander

Brandon Hagel - Jujhar Khaira - Ryan Carpenter

Adam Gaudette

Brett Connolly

Henrik Borgstrom

Curious for the boards thoughts and comments?
- SchwiftyHawk

Don't want Hagel on the fourth line.

Don't want Carpenter in Chicago (Rockford would be great).

Don't mind the second line, but think Kubalik should be Toews' permanent RW.

I'm all for Strome as a winger. I just don't think he can be a truly effective NHL center with his lack of speed and compete. And yes, I know that he didn't do well as a winger last year, but I would still like to see him go through a training camp to see if he could adjust.

If going with Strome on the wing, what about Strome-Toews-Kubalik?

I think if Strome, Nylander, and Carpenter are all on the opening night roster, it’s going to be a long season.
- Ogilthorpe2

Carpenter will be there. JC loves him.

Tyler basically saying yea we knew the Hawks were skilled but soft last year.

https://twitter.com/_phil.../1442549497544863746?s=01

The more comments (from players) that I read, the more I think that it will be Johnson between Kane and ADB. Kane sounds like he wants to play with a fast, playmaking center and has noted that Johnson fits that bill. I would bet the top line looks something like Hagel-Toews-Kubalik as long as everyone is healthy and ready to play.

It will be interesting to see how the preseason shakes out.
- Chunk

That line is going to get manhandled in their own zone, tho. They will need to score in transition, a lot. Cuz they aren't going to be able to cycle the puck in the O-zone. Guys may play bigger but eventually the opponent's size will nullify that lien combo.

Tyler basically saying yea we knew the Hawks were skilled but soft last year.

https://twitter.com/_phil.../1442549497544863746?s=01
- BetweenTheDots

Let's look for the 5'6 guy for it. He can barely see over the podium. lol

And you don’t think teams will clue in and stop a defenseman carrying the puck? Carrying the puck out is a nice option on occasion but the only way to consistently clear the zone is to have the forwards supporting the defensemen and get themselves open for short passes out of the zone. If the opposition decides to send three forecheckers in deep to close the passing lanes that’s when you go for the Hail Mary pass to trap the forecheckers.
- paulr

Of course they clue in, that's the point. It's about keeping them honest and not relying on one tactic. The puck support and short passes have their place, but the Hawks have bungled that a lot too. The pass isn't always there and forcing it often results in those turnovers/broken plays at the Hawks blueline. Having some D who can skate and relieve the pressure is important.

Don't want Hagel on the fourth line.

Don't want Carpenter in Chicago (Rockford would be great).

Don't mind the second line, but think Kubalik should be Toews' permanent RW.

I'm all for Strome as a winger. I just don't think he can be a truly effective NHL center with his lack of speed and compete. And yes, I know that he didn't do well as a winger last year, but I would still like to see him go through a training camp to see if he could adjust.

If going with Strome on the wing, what about Strome-Toews-Kubalik?
- tvetter

Would be really nice if Hagel has that Shaw like ability to bounce around the lines to inject some energy yet still put up 20 goals.

I like your suggestion for a Strome Toews Kubalik line. I hope we get to see it in the Pre-season and see if it clicks and they have some chemistry.

There was an article from Second City on the Top 25 under 25 and Strome was at Number 3. It presented some interesting analytics and reasons why Strome did not have the best season last year.

Check it out, maybe if placed in the right circumstance he could offer some value to Chicago either as a player or increase his trade value.

https://www.secondcityhoc...strome-3-analysis-outlook

Maybe, maybe not, however I do like his game and can’t wait to hear “Who are You” at the UC when he’s finally ready.
- Angotti

Or "Boris the Spider"...

That line is going to get manhandled in their own zone, tho. They will need to score in transition, a lot. Cuz they aren't going to be able to cycle the puck in the O-zone. Guys may play bigger but eventually the opponent's size will nullify that lien combo.
- Elbows15

That would theoretically be true for any combination if it started with ADB and Kane. Kane has never been on a line that cycled. He's done fine without it. ADB has greatly improved his overall game, and Johnson was playing a more defensive/checking role last year, so it's not like it's foreign to him.

Is it an ideal line? Probably not, but I don't think it would be as dreadful as you think.

Of course they clue in, that's the point. It's about keeping them honest and not relying on one tactic. The puck support and short passes have their place, but the Hawks have bungled that a lot too. The pass isn't always there and forcing it often results in those turnovers/broken plays at the Hawks blueline. Having some D who can skate and relieve the pressure is important.
- breadbag

I agree with that, having more than one method of moving the puck out. I thought you were suggesting the Hawks main strategy of moving the puck out was by carrying it out. But the main, most effective way for any team to get the puck out of the zone is by passing it out.

Colliton also raved about Entwistle.

"The skating...he's really improved. It's been a huge step forward year-to-year. He looks more and more like a man and like he can really put his stamp on things."
- Chunk

#Carpenterwaived

That would theoretically be true for any combination if it started with ADB and Kane. Kane has never been on a line that cycled. He's done fine without it. ADB has greatly improved his overall game, and Johnson was playing a more defensive/checking role last year, so it's not like it's foreign to him.

Is it an ideal line? Probably not, but I don't think it would be as dreadful as you think.
- Chunk

I’d like to see a ADB/Toews/Kubalik line and find another right handed shot to play with Dach and Kane. If Nylander would get his head out of his butt, that would do it, but can’t count on that scenario at this time. Hagel/Kurashev/Johnson should be a decent 3rd line. TBH, I can see Stan pulling the trigger to get Kane a right shot LW, quantity for quality trades are hard to pull off, but that would be the ticket.

Let's look for the 5'6 guy for it. He can barely see over the podium. lol
- Elbows15

The least they could have done was provided him with a couple phone books to stand on. #ASF

The least they could have done was provided him with a couple phone books to stand on. #ASF
- DarthKane

They should have taken a page from Shane, I believe that they used boxes for Alan Ladd to stand on at the bar as he was only 5’7”.

I think if Strome, Nylander, and Carpenter are all on the opening night roster, it’s going to be a long season.
- Ogilthorpe2

The thought of those three makes my head hurt.

New blog! A summary of Day 4 of Blackhawks training camp including thoughts on the power play plus a lesson of the day.

https://bit.ly/39XYkBL