To be honest... I'll take watching Peppa Pig over Caillou any day, at least there's that.
- DarthKane

We banned Caillou in our house. There's a study that says it makes kids "whiny" + it's one of the most annoying things you have watched in your life as an adult.

@ByScottPowers
6m6 minutes ago
More
Today's Blackhawks lines and pairings from the first practice:

Kunitz-Toews-DeBrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sikura-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Ejdsell-Johnson-Kampf

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Davidson
Manning-Jokiharju
Dahlstrom-Boqvist

@ByScottPowers
6m6 minutes ago
More
Today's Blackhawks lines and pairings from the first practice:

Kunitz-Toews-DeBrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sikura-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Ejdsell-Johnson-Kampf

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Davidson
Manning-Jokiharju
Dahlstrom-Boqvist
- Justin Lowe

Q and staff were on the same page as me with Ejdsell and Kahun. It looks like they've swamped.

Gustafsson-Davidson could be a 3rd pairing.

Joki getting a chance to play with Manning. This is a pairing I brought up a month or so ago. It could also be a solid combination.

Anyone making judgements about a teams' potential success or lack-thereof from the pre-season, much less a single pre-season game, is being silly. A couple of years ago, the Avs won all their pre-season games and then went on to have the worst season in modern hockey. Last season, the Caps lost all but one game in the pre-season but won the cup. Pre-season is not a good indicator of overall team compatibility or success long-term.

Instead, it is used as an evaluator of individual players, to assess if lines / pairings could work, and get players up to games speed while learning a team system.
- L_B_R

Yes, this. I remember the Hawks going 7-1 in preseason of 2006. They finished last in the division and 4 points out of last in the conference that season.

I think for anyone reading too much into the score or the shot totals or the PP...please remember this is the first preseason game, on the road with a mostly kid lineup. The coach is testing and experimenting with guys, not trying to win the game all that badly.

Just some comments I have about the points in the blog.

1) That third line (as it is now) has basically AA and two inexperienced (at the NHL level) guys. I'd keep expectations low for that unit IMO.

3) I really question what scoring punch that line would have, but bang on that they need production.

6) I'm not sure Noel has the skill Shaw had. Shaw just kinda got his goals and assists at a pretty consistent rate where ever he played. I hope Noel can catch a spark, but he has a long list of guys to stand out above.

7) I made a similar comment last night. Kruger looks like Kruger. I think that is a good thing, considering how dependable he is.

8) Kahun was pretty good, but also got out battled at times. I liked what Fortin brought for the most part and felt the same way about Kurashev. I had to go look at his age and remind myself how young he was, because he seems solid and strong for his age.

11) I'm warming to Jokiharju a bit more in terms of him getting a chance soon. I still worry about his age and inexperience, but maybe he is one of those exceptions to the rule and the Hawks got a steal in the 2017 draft.

12/13) I'm on the fence about Davidson. I mean, maybe if Manning wasn't already here, but signing him as well will push another young guy out. Maybe it will hinge on if Jokiharju is ready.

14) Boqvist looks good, but no surprise that he doesn't seem ready yet.

15) I am not sweating the goaltending in an opening road pre-season game. I think these goalies need a few games under their belt to get the timing down.

Just a few other observations I had. Samuelsson was interesting, but didn't seem to me that he had NHL level speed/skating, but the guy is big and solid.

Hillman kinda disappointed me in the game. He was caught out of position a few times and out of the D group last night, I'd rank him 6th in performance last night.

Just to change gear, the talk recently about top 6 LW and 3rd line makes me feel like we are in a time machine back to 2015-2016 where there was a revolving door at LW next to Toews. I mean, there are projected lineups all over, but not much consensus on who should hold that spot. Toews is gonna continue to drive puck possession and DeBrincat has the potential to lead the team in goals again, it would be great if they can nail down the right fit for their line. I'm want to root for Fortin to earn the job, and maybe see if he can net 20G-20A at the NHL level.
- breadbag

I expected Martinsen to be the odd man out, maybe it will be Ejdsell. Either way I hope Kampf makes the team, he's a better option for the bottom 6 than Martisen, Ejdsell or Hayden.

@ByScottPowers
6m6 minutes ago
More
Today's Blackhawks lines and pairings from the first practice:

Kunitz-Toews-DeBrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sikura-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Ejdsell-Johnson-Kampf

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Davidson
Manning-Jokiharju
Dahlstrom-Boqvist
- Justin Lowe

Thanks
Like the balance on D, Each pair has some size and speed
and I know it's early but 3rd line has more speed to it or it's giving Kahun an opportunity to play with some offensive players!

We banned Caillou in our house. There's a study that says it makes kids "whiny" + it's one of the most annoying things you have watched in your life as an adult.
- Justin Lowe

I've agreed with a lot you've said... but nothing more than this.

@ByScottPowers
6m6 minutes ago
More
Today's Blackhawks lines and pairings from the first practice:

Kunitz-Toews-DeBrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sikura-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Ejdsell-Johnson-Kampf

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Davidson
Manning-Jokiharju
Dahlstrom-Boqvist
- Justin Lowe

These likes are closer to what I would like to see. As I've said before I hope they find a spot for Kampf on the team because he deserves to be there.

I would argue the bigger need is to improve the backend before adding depth to the forwards, which is also needed. Adding a defenseman or Duchene or Stone may improve the team slightly but won't make it a contender. Trading away draft and prospect assets to make a slight improvement will hurt the team going forward with marginal immediate benefit. The Hawks have already moved too many "futures" in an attempt to keep their window of competitiveness open. It's time now to suck it up for a while, restock the prospect pool and start thinking about the future.
- paulr

I'd argue differently first toews and Kane aren't getting any younger and to justify paying both of them those salaries you have to put a team out their that has a legitimate chance to compete , otherwise if your going to drag thiis out it will go from a mini rebuild to tear the whole thing down and get nothing in return .


Next year your looking at a strong possibility of 3 to 4 young defenseman who would or will make this team,

Why not solidify a top 6 guy now and in the off season look to fix the goalie position, Crawford has 2 years left on his contract if he can even come back and play again.

Duchene or Stone will probably be in the 8 to 9 mill range next year . PANARIN won't happen he will get 10.5 to 13 million.

Trading anisomov and say forsling or Gustafson to vastly improve the top 6 makes this team better overall and closer in the rebuild.

typical preseason: home team dresses competitive lineup, away team brings the AHL team. not surprised in the outcome. Glad to see the notes from others on the kids.
- jt19

Bears mentioning that CBJ iced a team with 3,286 games of NHL experience and CHI had only 2,198 (including Ward at 668).

@ByScottPowers
6m6 minutes ago
More
Today's Blackhawks lines and pairings from the first practice:

Kunitz-Toews-DeBrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sikura-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Ejdsell-Johnson-Kampf

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Davidson
Manning-Jokiharju
Dahlstrom-Boqvist
- Justin Lowe

What the f-hey, I thought Q said he was leaning away from Kunitz on the top line. That mustachioed liar.

@ByScottPowers
6m6 minutes ago
More
Today's Blackhawks lines and pairings from the first practice:

Kunitz-Toews-DeBrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sikura-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Ejdsell-Johnson-Kampf

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Davidson
Manning-Jokiharju
Dahlstrom-Boqvist
- Justin Lowe

Sikura-Anisimov-Kahun = better.

Just ignore him. Don't let him get your "goat".

My youngest niece loves Peppa Pig (my kids are too old for that show), and I've watch more episodes than I care to admit.


- DarthKane

Bert and Ernie - are they or are they not...?

@ByScottPowers
6m6 minutes ago
More
Today's Blackhawks lines and pairings from the first practice:

Kunitz-Toews-DeBrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sikura-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Ejdsell-Johnson-Kampf

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Davidson
Manning-Jokiharju
Dahlstrom-Boqvist
- Justin Lowe

I would like to see Schmaltz teamed with young wingers. If we are to cure him of passitis, he cannot have veterans like Kane on his line. And if he is awarded a large pay increase, let his stats not be inflated by Kane.

Bert and Ernie - are they or are they not...?
- StLBravesFan

Does it matter?

I would like to see Schmaltz teamed with young wingers. If we are to cure him of passitis, he cannot have veterans like Kane on his line. And if he is awarded a large pay increase, let his stats not be inflated by Kane.
- 67hawks

Good luck on the passing. He is slowly getting better, his goal total last year improved by a lot. I still have a fear he would check his options and pass on a penalty shot.

@ByScottPowers
6m6 minutes ago
More
Today's Blackhawks lines and pairings from the first practice:

Kunitz-Toews-DeBrincat
Saad-Schmaltz-Kane
Sikura-Anisimov-Kahun
Hayden-Kruger-Martinsen
Ejdsell-Johnson-Kampf

Keith-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Davidson
Manning-Jokiharju
Dahlstrom-Boqvist
- Justin Lowe

Would like to see Kunitz and Sikura flip flopped. I don't get the Kunitz at 1LW thing.

Just ignore him. Don't let him get your "goat".
- EbonyRaptor

Ignore who?

Ignore who?
- Justin Lowe

I will guess Goalie-33

Anyone making judgements about a teams' potential success or lack-thereof from the pre-season, much less a single pre-season game, is being silly. A couple of years ago, the Avs won all their pre-season games and then went on to have the worst season in modern hockey. Last season, the Caps lost all but one game in the pre-season but won the cup. Pre-season is not a good indicator of overall team compatibility or success long-term.

Instead, it is used as an evaluator of individual players, to assess if lines / pairings could work, and get players up to games speed while learning a team system.
- L_B_R

Somebody tell Maple Loafs fans and writers. I saw a Sportsnet Headline last night something along the lines "Maple Leafs thinking Stanley Cup after Preseason Opener"

Good luck on the passing. He is slowly getting better, his goal total last year improved by a lot. I still have a fear he would check his options and pass on a penalty shot.
- I Am The Breadman

Now that is funny, Pass on a Penalty Shot!!!!

Ignore who?
- Justin Lowe

perfect!

What happened to Rutta?

Somebody tell Maple Loafs fans and writers. I saw a Sportsnet Headline last night something along the lines "Maple Leafs thinking Stanley Cup after Preseason Opener"
- EnzoD

Its silly season up in Toronto!!!!

Somebody tell Maple Loafs fans and writers. I saw a Sportsnet Headline last night something along the lines "Maple Leafs thinking Stanley Cup after Preseason Opener"
- EnzoD

Enzo, not only will the Leafs win all of their pre-season games they will go 82-0 in the regular season and sweep 16 straight playoff games which will end the NHL season by the end of May. Trust me, its going to happen.