Thanks for the share. Great vid!

The kid has been an underdog(cat) his whole career... he's got an amazing attitude because of it.
- Justin Lowe

anyone know of a similar video of Schmaltz summer training regime?

Wow looks like last year’s Cat turned into a Lion, encouraging:

https://twitter.com/nhlbl.../1037008084323848197?s=21
- walleyeb1

I'm calling it now - 40 goals.

I'm calling it now - 40 goals.
- EbonyRaptor

40 goals, 40 games....

anyone know of a similar video of Schmaltz summer training regime?
- glennjpawlak22

Ya I have one but he is so skinny that you can't quite make him out. red font.

Wow - Connor/Laine/Wheeler....

6'1"/6'5"/6'5" respectively.

Do the Hawks even have any random three guys that could match up with that line??? Shows how far behind the curve they are now.

As for Schmaltz at center...if he can't win faceoffs, and is most effective when he can motor through the neutral zone, yet lacks overall strength....how exactly is he a lock as a center? I am guessing most guys with good hands and speed would play a better game if no one touched them.
- Return of the Roar

Are talking physicality or just brute strength? Because with Kyle Connor, you get neither; one thing you do get is an elite skate with great edges for tight turns and stop and starts and that can flat out score. I have seen him both at Youngstown (USHL) and at UM do these things consistently. Laine is not physical but strong on the puck. So now you are left with Wheeler who can play it any style you want!

I'm willing to bet Kampf makes Kruger a healthy scratch. Bigger, stronger, faster, and more offensive skill. Would rather have Martinsen/Kunitz/Hayden on line 4 wing for physicality than Kruger. The Kruger excitement is overstated. He was a 4C at his peak, and better suited in Sweden/AHL these days IMO
- EnzoD

100% agreed that Kampf is a better version of today's Kruger! In limited games last year, i thought he looked good and more importantly real cognizant and hockey-sense of 200 ft game just like Q likes.

Breaking:

Jeff Glass just announced on our podcast (@BoscoPodcast) that he's signed a PTO with the Calgary Flames.

Saad - Toews - Sikura
ADB - AA - Kane
Kunitz - Schmaltz - Hayden
Kahun - Kruger - Kampf
Martinsen

Dark horses - Ejdsell, Johnson, Highmore, Fortin

I still think there is a possibility AA is moved before the opener and/or the Hawks acquire/sign another top 6 forward.

My lines:

Saad towes kane
Dcat smaltz hayden
Kahun AA sikrua
Kuninz kruger martinsin/kampf

Keith murphy
Gus Seabrook
Manning Rutta

Ward
Forsberg

One last thing hawks should pursue seguin in the offseason instead of panrin.

My lines:

Saad towes kane
Dcat smaltz hayden
Kahun AA sikrua
Kuninz kruger martinsin/kampf

Keith murphy
Gus Seabrook
Manning Rutta

Ward
Forsberg

One last thing hawks should pursue seguin in the offseason instead of panrin.
- Scott1977

Neither one of those guys will be available by then imo. Panarin will get traded to one of the teams he wants to sign with (NY, Tampa) and Seguin will sign an extension in Dallas (he loves it there).

I still wanna see Toews at 3C to spread out the depth so we have at least a halfway decent looking bottom 6:

Hayden-Schmatlz-Kane
Sikura-Anisimov-DeBrincat
Saad-Toews-Kunitz
Ejdsell-Kruger-Kampf

Neither one of those guys will be available by then imo. Panarin will get traded to one of the teams he wants to sign with (NY, Tampa) and Seguin will sign an extension in Dallas (he loves it there).
- L_B_R

Wishful thinking

Saad Toews Sikura
Cat Schmaltz Kane
Kahun AA Hayden
Kunitz Kruger Kampf

Saad Toews Sikura
Cat Schmaltz Kane
Kahun AA Hayden
Kunitz Kruger Kampf



- SoftServe

Who is doing the heavy lifting on the 2nd line , that line would play on the perimeter not between the dots and down below. Just saying

I'm calling it now - 40 goals.
- EbonyRaptor

I agree, DeBrincat will spend some time in Rockford.

Neither one of those guys will be available by then imo. Panarin will get traded to one of the teams he wants to sign with (NY, Tampa) and Seguin will sign an extension in Dallas (he loves it there).
- L_B_R

The Hawks will build from within, it’s there only real option. They don’t have the assets to make a major trade and the top notch free agents will likely re-sign with their team’s. If Chicago has a banner year then maybe they become a choice deistination, but there are so many other good teams in good cities that it won’t be easy to attract new talent. The past outcome would be to find (and retain) Panarin 2.0.

Who is doing the heavy lifting on the 2nd line , that line would play on the perimeter not between the dots and down below. Just saying
- Scott1977

Or the first line for that matter.

Soft as chinchilla fur......

Saad Toews Sikura
Cat Schmaltz Kane
Kahun AA Hayden
Kunitz Kruger Kampf



- SoftServe

In Powers’ article today he referenced Q’s want of a Saad-Schmaltz-Kane line. I think there could be some logic to that thinking.

That leaves Debrincat with Toews and ???. Sikura may have the talent and will likely get a shot but will he last?

Anisimov seems destined to centre line three, at least to start the season. I would guess that two of Kahun, Sikura, Hayden and Kampf will be AA’s wingers. Ideally Kahun and Sikura would make sense, but that leaves a hole on Toews’ line.

Kruger and Kampf will most likely be the mainstays on the 4th line with Kunitz subbing in as the 13th forward. There’s still a vacancy on the wing here too.

It should be an interesting season, there are several openings and a lot of young talent that will get a chance either to start the season or at some point along the way.

In Powers’ article today he referenced Q’s want of a Saad-Schmaltz-Kane line. I think there could be some logic to that thinking.

That leaves Debrincat with Toews and ???. Sikura may have the talent and will likely get a shot but will he last?

Anisimov seems destined to centre line three, at least to start the season. I would guess that two of Kahun, Sikura, Hayden and Kampf will be AA’s wingers. Ideally Kahun and Sikura would make sense, but that leaves a hole on Toews’ line.

Kruger and Kampf will most likely be the mainstays on the 4th line with Kunitz subbing in as the 13th forward. There’s still a vacancy on the wing here too.

It should be an interesting season, there are several openings and a lot of young talent that will get a chance either to start the season or at some point along the way.
- DarthKane

As you referenced with Q thinking about doing this, having a line with Kane paired up with Saad and Schmaltz is my starting point for projecting potential forward lines.

Not aimed at you Darth, but I know the criticism of the Toews line is that is it too small and not physical enough to generate offense if he has two diminutive wingers in DeBrincat and Sikura. I would counter with the fact that the vaunted Lightning forward lineup boasts a similar top 6 line with Palat, Point, and Johnson. I think a line with Toews, DeBrincat, and Sikura could surprise as you have 3 gifted forwards giving the industrious Toews a playmaker in Sikura and a triggerman in DeBrincat.

The pivotal factor, IMHO, is the 3rd line. Like you said, I agree that Anisimov is destined to be on that line as center but possibly as LW. Kahun plays pivot, too, and is reportedly better on faceoffs, is sound defensively, is quick, and is a playmaker. Put another industrious, agile, and solid two-way player on the other wing, and that has the makings of an effective 3rd line. Candidates: Kampf, Highmore. Long shots: Fortin, Edjsell.

The 4th line is anchored by Kunitz and Kruger. Kunitz is reliable, physical, and opportunistic offensively. Kruger is a defensive whiz and a pest. Hayden could complement them nicely with his size, physicality, and relentlessness. Kampf and Highmore could be options, too.

DeBrincat - Toews - Sikura
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Anisimov - Kahun - Kampf
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden
Highmore

Who is doing the heavy lifting on the 2nd line , that line would play on the perimeter not between the dots and down below. Just saying
- Scott1977

Didn't you just watch the video above of Dcat's summer

In Powers’ article today he referenced Q’s want of a Saad-Schmaltz-Kane line. I think there could be some logic to that thinking.

That leaves Debrincat with Toews and ???. Sikura may have the talent and will likely get a shot but will he last?

Anisimov seems destined to centre line three, at least to start the season. I would guess that two of Kahun, Sikura, Hayden and Kampf will be AA’s wingers. Ideally Kahun and Sikura would make sense, but that leaves a hole on Toews’ line.

Kruger and Kampf will most likely be the mainstays on the 4th line with Kunitz subbing in as the 13th forward. There’s still a vacancy on the wing here too.

It should be an interesting season, there are several openings and a lot of young talent that will get a chance either to start the season or at some point along the way.
- DarthKane

Back to the excuse that he doesn't have linemates????

Wow, I guess this is called paying the price for success, this is really lame when we are talking about projected lineups regarding players that would be nothing more than minor league depth on up-and-coming teams. maybe I am wrong, but all of these players Justin just profiled there’s nothing there to really get excited about.
Do not see the next Toews, Kane,Seabrook or Kieth or Crawford in any of these players whatsoever.
I can’t wait to see the response out of Rocky and John McDonough Come the 1st of November If anybody for one minute thinks that by then this team will be about 500, if this indeed is the projected lineup, pour me a big glass of raspberry. That’ll be my flavor to drink.

Wow, I guess this is called paying the price for success, this is really lame when we are talking about projected lineups regarding players that would be nothing more than minor league depth on up-and-coming teams. maybe I am wrong, but all of these players Justin just profiled there’s nothing there to really get excited about.
Do not see the next Toews, Kane,Seabrook or Kieth or Crawford in any of these players whatsoever.
I can’t wait to see the response out of Rocky and John McDonough Come the 1st of November If anybody for one minute thinks that by then this team will be about 500, if this indeed is the projected lineup, pour me a big glass of raspberry. That’ll be my flavor to drink.
- wonthecup10

Come on Cup. First, why pony up any money for season tix if you think the on ice product is this bad?

Maybe they are horrible, but at least wait 5, 10, hell, even one game before shoveling the dirt over them.

Also, can we put to rest this notion about not seeing the next 2, 19 and 88 in the depth chart. It’s not like those players grow on trees and you’re typically not finding them in the middle to backend of the first round which until this last draft was where the Hawks were slotted.

Pretty sure the Pens don’t have the next Sid and Geno stashed in Wilkes Barre or the Caps are ready to go with their next Ovi in the system.

Wow, I guess this is called paying the price for success, this is really lame when we are talking about projected lineups regarding players that would be nothing more than minor league depth on up-and-coming teams. maybe I am wrong, but all of these players Justin just profiled there’s nothing there to really get excited about.
Do not see the next Toews, Kane,Seabrook or Kieth or Crawford in any of these players whatsoever.
I can’t wait to see the response out of Rocky and John McDonough Come the 1st of November If anybody for one minute thinks that by then this team will be about 500, if this indeed is the projected lineup, pour me a big glass of raspberry. That’ll be my flavor to drink.
- wonthecup10

You are setting yourself up for disappointment if you want to see the next Toews, Kane, Seabrook, or Keith out of the group of youngsters. It could happen that one guy breaks out in a big way, but consider how the Hawks got Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith in the first place. They sat near the bottom of the standings for multiple seasons while rebuilding the team with picks (many higher than they have had recently) and prospects. Prospects of that caliber are gonna be few and far between unless the continue to linger near the bottom and trade away assets for more picks. It is a numbers game and the Hawks haven't been in this current rebuild very long yet.

Back to the excuse that he doesn't have linemates????
- vabeachbear

Nope, just saying that only 2/3s of the Toews line is accounted for (i.e. Toews and DeBrincat) if Sikura and Kahun play on the third line, there was no mention of Toews' performance. Nice try though.