Justin Lowe: Nick Schmaltz Out, Strome and Perlini In
About 3 weeks ago, I had a Nick Schmaltz article I was working on which broke down his time in Chicago to date and where he might fit into the future.

I parked it because the Joel Quenneville news came down.

Then, I thought it would be a good time this week to re-look at that blog and release it this week. Then, last night's trade happened.

Nick Schmaltz has been sent to Arizona for Dylan Strome and Brendan Perlini.

1st

Great trade on paper for everything you listed (Schmaltz next contract, Strome's FO %, Perlini's size and shot next to Toews).

Does it save the season or turn the corner? TBD... still have lots of ?'s about defense and this didnt fix that.

But on paper, you have to feel good about the end result of this deal.

An absolute fleecing by Bowman

An absolute fleecing by Bowman
- AxlRose91

in reality...NO...its hard to believe coyote management is that out to lunch and that stanbow could pull one over on anybody...

what is intriguing he got 2 busts for the price of one...

this is just a rearrangement of chairs on two titanics...

I agree with the Strome/Perlini placement in the lines but think they’ll bring them along slowly at first. IIRC Perlini prefers LW where Saad also prefers so that’ll be something to watch. Worst case, this trade is as Bogie stated a 2 for 1. I think Strome could be much improved centering Kane/Cat than the bums in Zona but only time will tell.

This one will come back to haunt us. I have never liked quantity for quality deals.
I have never been a Bowman basher but I have less faith in him today.

At least Q is not around anymore to sabotage this deal.

This one will come back to haunt us. I have never liked quantity for quality deals.
I have never been a Bowman basher but I have less faith in him today.

At least Q is not around anymore to sabotage this deal.
- 67hawks

Schmaltz was quality?

Just wondering - Do you think that Schmaltz "failed" due to Q's countryclub mentality? Maybe he didn't work hard because Q did not push him? Maybe TT fell into this also?

22, same amount of points as Toews last year, ELC, fast, lead team in takeaways, still developing...

Yes I’d say that’s quality. He’s everyone’s whipping boy now that Saad has improved. Now we’ll see who the pack mentality moves onto now that scapegoat #2 is gone.

I agree with the Strome/Perlini placement in the lines but think they’ll bring them along slowly at first. IIRC Perlini prefers LW where Saad also prefers so that’ll be something to watch. Worst case, this trade is as Bogie stated a 2 for 1. I think Strome could be much improved centering Kane/Cat than the bums in Zona but only time will tell.
- Assman22

I don’t think they have the luxury of bringing them along slowly. Who else in the forward group is actually producing?

I was a bit on the fence with Schmaltz, but after repeatedly showing his shortcomings, I’m not heartbroken on this move. From their descriptions, I would think this could be looked at as replacements for Schmaltz and one of Martinsen/Hayden.

22, same amount of points as Toews last year, ELC, fast, lead team in takeaways, still developing...

Yes I’d say that’s quality. He’s everyone’s whipping boy now that Saad has improved. Now we’ll see who the pack mentality moves onto now that scapegoat #2 is gone.
- ObeseOprah

Had some qualities is what youre saying. Even Rundblad had qualities. Schmaltz wants $6 mil per and wasnt going to get that here so he was moved for two other guys with qualities. Sorry youre upset with the trade Oprah but keep promotiing your Cauliflower pizza to take your mind off of it

I agree with the Strome/Perlini placement in the lines but think they’ll bring them along slowly at first. IIRC Perlini prefers LW where Saad also prefers so that’ll be something to watch. Worst case, this trade is as Bogie stated a 2 for 1. I think Strome could be much improved centering Kane/Cat than the bums in Zona but only time will tell.
- Assman22

If these two guys develop in to decent and productive top 9 players then yes this is a monumental trade...but stanbow likes to play the odds and he got 2...if only 1 works out..the hawks win this deal. But smaltz could also put it together and become a nice regular 50 pt producer but the odds are against it...

I don’t think they have the luxury of bringing them along slowly. Who else in the forward group is actually producing?

I was a bit on the fence with Schmaltz, but after repeatedly showing his shortcomings, I’m not heartbroken on this move. From their descriptions, I would think this could be looked at as replacements for Schmaltz and one of Martinsen/Hayden.
- Chunk

More so for Perlini starting on 3rd line instead of 1st. Strome could probably slide in with Cat/Kane right away now that I think about it.

Well I enjoyed watching 8s defensive game improve this year his offense didn’t due to his unwillingness to shoot. I believe the hawks got better as the 2 players brought in give us better depth. SOme people must be mistaking 8s value with that of 88

If all three reach their maximum potential Schmaltz, with his speed and stickhandling ability will be the best of the bunch.

The two things about Schmaltz's game that concerned me was he played scared and his questionable hockey sense. Could the hockey sense be tied to his timid game? Can he one day overcome his timidness? If he does he has a chance to be an impact player and prove Bowman made a bad trade.

Strome isn't the most fleet of foot but neither are Thornton and Getzlaf (no I am not saying Strome will be as good) and both of them have been and still are not only productive but they impact the game. I still think there is room in the league for guys like this provided they make up for their lack of speed with smarts. Strome was a very good Junior player but sometimes a player can't take the next steps to be an NHL player. As a second line center with the wingers the Hawks have Strome may do very well in Chicago.

I don't know much about Perlini but he has some size and he has great wheels.

I think this was a good trade for the Hawks, it gives them two tries to make up for Schmaltz and if both stick with the Hawks it means more depth, some size and hopefully some two way grit that the team could use.

Saad Toews Perlini
Cat Strome Kane
Kahun AA Sikura
Kampf Kruger Hayden

in reality...NO...its hard to believe coyote management is that out to lunch and that stanbow could pull one over on anybody...

what is intriguing he got 2 busts for the price of one...

this is just a rearrangement of chairs on two titanics...
- bogiedoc

I have no idea how this will work out, obviously - both players of the return have size, one at least has some speed, one has scored some in the NHL, the other showed scoring punch last season in the "A"....

Too soon (all are 22, I think) to call ANY of the three "busts" - we give up so easily when players can't come directly into the Show and perform as experienced vets.

Schmaltz was quality?
- Assman22

Schmaltz has elite skills. When he puts it all together there will be a lot of Bowman bashing.

The fact that Stan traded schmaltz before he was talked into a 6x6 contract with a full nmc is a win

This one will come back to haunt us. I have never liked quantity for quality deals.
I have never been a Bowman basher but I have less faith in him today.

At least Q is not around anymore to sabotage this deal.
- 67hawks

How possibly is Schmaltz the “quality”?

Schmaltz would be a helluva player if he had heart or guts or courage or whatever you want to call it, but, he doesn't. Will he someday? Maybe/maybe not. Not sorry to see him go.

22, same amount of points as Toews last year, ELC, fast, lead team in takeaways, still developing...

Yes I’d say that’s quality. He’s everyone’s whipping boy now that Saad has improved. Now we’ll see who the pack mentality moves onto now that scapegoat #2 is gone.
- ObeseOprah

Exactly what I was thinking. Who do we drive out next and then fawn over when he finds success when another team?
I was frustrated with Schmaltz often too but recognized that he had elite skills and was very young. We needed to give him more time.

Had some qualities is what youre saying. Even Rundblad had qualities. Schmaltz wants $6 mil per and wasnt going to get that here so he was moved for two other guys with qualities. Sorry youre upset with the trade Oprah but keep promotiing your Cauliflower pizza to take your mind off of it
- Assman22

Stan has moved several players who (apparently) wanted (or WOULD have wanted, had they stayed) large cap-hit contracts - preferring cost-controlled returns - which haven't exactly worked out for the most part.

But anyways - don't good "business people" negotiate instead of just giving up?

Would there have been a way for someone who knew how to work with players / agents / families to come to terms on mutually beneficial deals?

I know there are cap implications to all contracts - but this harkens back to the $Bill days - don't work it out, dump the player.

Schmaltz has elite skills. When he puts it all together there will be a lot of Bowman bashing.
- 67hawks

This very could be true.

It sounded like the Hawks weren't sold on Schmaltz long term and that meant paying him for a 52 point season last year because so far, he hasnt done much this season.

I will be very curious as to how he does for the rest of the year and how his next contract looks.