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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: What Have We Learned After Two Preseason Games?
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Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Sep 21 @ 9:04 AM ET
Justin Lowe: What Have We Learned After Two Preseason Games? We are two preseason games in for the Chicago Blackhawks and I'm as focused on the 0-2 record more than I am with the details of the roster.

What have we learned so far?

Well, I think the biggest thing that I've "learned" is that there are more questions still than answers with this team.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Sep 21 @ 9:12 AM ET
Great write-up JL.

Agree on Kampf, I think he’s earned a place on the Hawks. My guess is that he’ll end up starting on the 4th line or 13th forward but he’ll get more playing time as the season progresses. Kampf could move up to the third line, but that will depend on how Kahun and Sikura pan out. Can one of them play well enough to jump up to Toews’ line? Or does the Kahun-AA-Sikura combo work well enough to leave it alone? As you said, lots of questions.
BetweenTheDots
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 06.13.2015

Sep 21 @ 9:21 AM ET
This team banking on Mutphy playing top 4 minutes, that would of been a mess. Manning, yikes for a team that preaches speed both Murphy and Manning DO NOT have the foot speed to play in the NHL. They are turnstiles in their own end.
gazza53
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 09.15.2017

Sep 21 @ 9:23 AM ET
Howz about
AA-19-12
20-8-88
Kahun/Fortin-Kampf-Sikura
Hayden-Freddie-Kunitz



I liked Lankie, thought he showed with some work
he could be our next Corey.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Sep 21 @ 9:29 AM ET
Howz about
AA-19-12
20-8-88
Kahun/Fortin-Kampf-Sikura
Hayden-Freddie-Kunitz



I liked Lankie, thought he showed with some work
he could be our next Corey.

- gazza53


The next Crawford? You mean a $3 million goalie getting paid $6 million??? Are you sure you want that?

Not a bad idea about AA on the left side with Toews and Kampf at 3C.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Sep 21 @ 9:31 AM ET
Boqvist and Jokiharu both have slideable contracts. Why would we either spoil their confidence by placing them into a situation like this and then bring them a year closer to their 2nd contracts? Our albatross contracts need to expire before we can afford the next wave of talent.
I am predicting a loss tonight BTW. There are a lot of guys looking to fill spots on this Sens team -they will be more motivated than our group.
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Sep 21 @ 9:32 AM ET
Great piece, Justin.

I liked Kampf and I thought Johnson did well also. I wonder if they could get paired together on a line, or if they would end up on a line with Anisimov and Kruger to kind of help with the centre depth. Kahun could take some face offs as well? How was he at the dot the first game?

I like Boqvist a lot, but I don't see him making/staying on the team. I don't want him there now. There was a lot of people who complained about Forsberg, saying Q screwed him up by rushing him into a position that he wasn't ready to take the reins on ... kind of sounds familiar with Boq and Joki, but somehow are expecting good results with this situation when it didn't end well the first time. Some complained about the goal Forsberg let in last night. Sure they are different positions, but the comparison is there to be made. Baptism by fire is not the way to go. Q doesn't have a good history with young talent, and I don't see that trend changing this year for him.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Sep 21 @ 9:52 AM ET
What we have learned from two preseason games is that people still overreact (good and bad) to how the team plays with an incomplete roster and lines/pairings that are not set.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Sep 21 @ 9:57 AM ET
Great piece, Justin.

I liked Kampf and I thought Johnson did well also. I wonder if they could get paired together on a line, or if they would end up on a line with Anisimov and Kruger to kind of help with the centre depth. Kahun could take some face offs as well? How was he at the dot the first game?

I like Boqvist a lot, but I don't see him making/staying on the team. I don't want him there now. There was a lot of people who complained about Forsberg, saying Q screwed him up by rushing him into a position that he wasn't ready to take the reins on ... kind of sounds familiar with Boq and Joki, but somehow are expecting good results with this situation when it didn't end well the first time. Some complained about the goal Forsberg let in last night. Sure they are different positions, but the comparison is there to be made. Baptism by fire is not the way to go. Q doesn't have a good history with young talent, and I don't see that trend changing this year for him.

- I Am The Breadman


Hey Breadman. Can you elaborate on you last point about Q and young talent? That has been repeated quite a few times and I don’t believe it is fair nor accurate.

Are there young players that have drowned playing under Q, yes. That being said, I would challenge you to find one that turned out to be worth much after he was sent packing (because of Q, not the salary cap).
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Sep 21 @ 10:08 AM ET
Hey Breadman. Can you elaborate on you last point about Q and young talent? That has been repeated quite a few times and I don’t believe it is fair nor accurate.

Are there young players that have drowned playing under Q, yes. That being said, I would challenge you to find one that turned out to be worth much after he was sent packing (because of Q, not the salary cap).

- Chunk


I don't know much about his history as a coach for other teams, but I knew he was let go because he wasn't good at helping kids develop, it was make a mistake and you are in the doghouse. Scratching doesn't always send the right message. That is harder for young kids. Sending Schmaltz to Rockford hasn't helped his faceoffs, but he grew in certain areas.

He isn't too good with Murphy, wasn't good with Kempney, he didn't like Daley, these two went on to win Stanley Cups. And he hated Morin and Regin, Morin gave us Panik. I'm sure there are more and I might get flack on some of these names, that's fine. Oh, Hartman and Hinostroza also, but time will tell on these two. I don't know if that answered your question. These guys were thrown around or weren't getting playing time, you don't develop or learn systems in the pressbox.
TommyHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 05.23.2013

Sep 21 @ 10:17 AM ET
Hey Breadman. Can you elaborate on you last point about Q and young talent? That has been repeated quite a few times and I don’t believe it is fair nor accurate.

Are there young players that have drowned playing under Q, yes. That being said, I would challenge you to find one that turned out to be worth much after he was sent packing (because of Q, not the salary cap).

- Chunk

That’s the thing. No other organization would just give up a young player for no reason even when struggling. Yes the Hawks were constrained by the cap, but young players had to be thrown in as complimentary trade pieces to entice other organizations to take on the Hawks dirty laundry, and Q has to have a say in which players he’s comfortable with letting go of. I don’t believe the notion that Stan is calling all the shots without consultation. So you can’t simply say “after he was sent packing but because of Q and not cap space”.

- TT is now a 60+ point player and only turned 24 a week ago.
- Leddy still has his problems defensively but is still likely the best d-man on the Isles roster.
- Philip Danault has been a great addition to the Canadiens
- Stephen Johns wasn’t even given a chance to play for Q and is now a steady stay-at-home for the Stars
- Trevor Daley played an integral role in the Pens winning it all last year
- Same goes for Michal Kempny

Who’s to say that those players would not have developed under Q with more opportunity/time, but for the moment, since becoming coach of the Hawks, no other d-man has come up in the system and developed internally outside of Hammer since Q came aboard (which is rare in today’s game considering how good 2, 7, Hammer, and Oduya were for the team).
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Sep 21 @ 10:21 AM ET
That’s the thing. No other organization would just give up a young player for no reason even when struggling. Yes the Hawks were constrained by the cap, but young players had to be thrown in as complimentary trade pieces to entice other organizations to take on the Hawks dirty laundry, and Q has to have a say in which players he’s comfortable with letting go of. I don’t believe the notion that Stan is calling all the shots without consultation. So you can’t simply say “after he was sent packing but because of Q and not cap space”.

- TT is now a 60+ point player and only turned 24 a week ago.
- Leddy still has his problems defensively but is still likely the best d-man on the Isles roster.
- Philip Danault has been a great addition to the Canadiens
- Stephen Johns wasn’t even given a chance to play for Q and is now a steady stay-at-home for the Stars
- Trevor Daley played an integral role in the Pens winning it all last year
- Same goes for Michal Kempny

Who’s to say that those players would not have developed under Q with more opportunity/time, but for the moment, since becoming coach of the Hawks, no other d-man has come up in the system and developed internally outside of Hammer since Q came aboard (which is rare in today’s game considering how good 2, 7, Hammer, and Oduya were for the team).

- TommyHawk


Some of that is on Q, I think - but a lot needs to be on the Hawks' development system before the young players GET to the Show.
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Sep 21 @ 10:22 AM ET
Great review Justin and well said more questions than answers and it's obviously their is a glaring need for a legitimate top 6 guy who can produce immediately.


I think 2 players who stood out and showed a bite to their game where kampf and boyquist.

Kunitz, Hayden , edsel sikura Kahuan are not top 6 guys , however they are nice young complementary players.


My prediction is boyquist, Johki will make the team and I think they will play well enough that either rutta or murphy will be traded .


Kampf showed a lot of skill and great decision making last night.

If the hawks decide to make a trade for a top 6 , who would be the player most likely in their sights ?
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Sep 21 @ 10:23 AM ET
That’s the thing. No other organization would just give up a young player for no reason even when struggling. Yes the Hawks were constrained by the cap, but young players had to be thrown in as complimentary trade pieces to entice other organizations to take on the Hawks dirty laundry, and Q has to have a say in which players he’s comfortable with letting go of. I don’t believe the notion that Stan is calling all the shots without consultation. So you can’t simply say “after he was sent packing but because of Q and not cap space”.

- TT is now a 60+ point player and only turned 24 a week ago.
- Leddy still has his problems defensively but is still likely the best d-man on the Isles roster.
- Philip Danault has been a great addition to the Canadiens
- Stephen Johns wasn’t even given a chance to play for Q and is now a steady stay-at-home for the Stars
- Trevor Daley played an integral role in the Pens winning it all last year
- Same goes for Michal Kempny

Who’s to say that those players would not have developed under Q with more opportunity/time, but for the moment, since becoming coach of the Hawks, no other d-man has come up in the system and developed internally outside of Hammer since Q came aboard (which is rare in today’s game considering how good 2, 7, Hammer, and Oduya were for the team).

- TommyHawk


Thanks for the additional players and info. I feel the big problem with Q is that he played defense. He is much tougher and more critical there. His track record isn't good with forwards, but d is tough.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Sep 21 @ 10:24 AM ET
Boqvist and Jokiharu both have slideable contracts. Why would we either spoil their confidence by placing them into a situation like this and then bring them a year closer to their 2nd contracts? Our albatross contracts need to expire before we can afford the next wave of talent.
I am predicting a loss tonight BTW. There are a lot of guys looking to fill spots on this Sens team -they will be more motivated than our group.

- 67hawks

Depends on the cap rise rate but likely mathematically incorrect. Again, cap share is more important to focus on because as the cap rises, the cap hits of the large contract take up a smaller and smaller share. It's the Pens situation - it took them a few years to be able to afford the right players around their stars again (Toews/Kane are already at the same cap share as Crosby/Malkin were in 2016). And since ELC and second RFA contracts are fairly stagnant, helping keep those shares down, the Hawks should be fine fine cap-wise.

Now, that could def change if they go out and get a big UFA or something, but that's more hypothetical. Cap shares decreasing over time is not.
Stan_Bowman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.27.2017

Sep 21 @ 10:27 AM ET
I'd kill for Mark stone
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Sep 21 @ 10:27 AM ET
I don't know much about his history as a coach for other teams, but I knew he was let go because he wasn't good at helping kids develop, it was make a mistake and you are in the doghouse. Scratching doesn't always send the right message. That is harder for young kids. Sending Schmaltz to Rockford hasn't helped his faceoffs, but he grew in certain areas.

He isn't too good with Murphy, wasn't good with Kempney, he didn't like Daley, these two went on to win Stanley Cups. And he hated Morin and Regin, Morin gave us Panik. I'm sure there are more and I might get flack on some of these names, that's fine. Oh, Hartman and Hinostroza also, but time will tell on these two. I don't know if that answered your question. These guys were thrown around or weren't getting playing time, you don't develop or learn systems in the pressbox.

- I Am The Breadman

Kempny was 26/27, Regin was 28, and Daley was 32 - none of those quality as kid, surely.

Edit to add: Morin, Pirri, McNeill, J.Hayes are the kinds of names you're looking for, though all of them have proven to be either career AHL/euro league guys or replacement level at best. And for every kid like that, there are those like: Hjammer, Shaw, Saad, Kruger, TVR, etc etc. Q prefers certain vets, that's for sure (it's the thing I dislike most about him), but he's not anti-kid by any means and he can develop them, but it's a two-way street in that the kid has to be good or willing to learn.

I do agree that scratching, benching, and demoting doesn't always work with players - some need a different approach.
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Sep 21 @ 10:30 AM ET
Your definition of kid is odd. Kempny was 26/27, Regin was 28, and Daley was 32 - none of those quality as kid.
- L_B_R


Kempney was a rookie to American ice, Panarin won rookie of the year at that age. Regin I actually thought was younger. The first sentence is a God awful loophole, I recognize that.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Sep 21 @ 10:35 AM ET
Kempney was a rookie to American ice, Panarin won rookie of the year at that age. Regin I actually thought was younger. The first sentence is a God awful loophole, I recognize that.
- I Am The Breadman

Panarin is 26 right now, so he obvs did not win the Calder at that age. Panarin was 23 when he signed with the Hawks, turned 24 during that first season.
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Sep 21 @ 10:37 AM ET
Panarin is 26 right now, so he obvs did not win the Calder at that age. Panarin was 23 when he signed with the Hawks, turned 24 during that first season.
- L_B_R


I surrender to you. I wave the white flag. Your quick with the facts. Respect.
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

Sep 21 @ 10:38 AM ET
>>>Well, I think the biggest thing that I've "learned" is that there are more questions still than answers with this team.<<<

no question about that...

been a top 6 short and top 4 short for the last 3 years...not changing..

you win 3 cups have an aging expensive core...trade away prospects, capped and say good bye to the likes of sharp hossa and tt etc..and not many high end forward prospects well you that is where ya end up
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Sep 21 @ 10:39 AM ET
But he wasn't wondering - he doesn't say they don't have chemistry already just that he hopes they can build something special. He doesn't say anything that implies he doesn't already work well with Schmaltz. In fact, it's the opposite really - when asked about Saad, Kane unprompted says he "can really be a good fit for the way me and Schmaltzy play."

And again, Kane literally hand picked Schmaltz to be his center last season.

- L_B_R


Yeah...I'm just not sure.
L_B_R
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.23.2014

Sep 21 @ 10:40 AM ET
I surrender to you. I wave the white flag. Your quick with the facts. Respect.
- I Am The Breadman
I had originally edited to add this above but I'll say it here instead:

That sentence wasn't a loophole, it's just inaccurate. You could say that Q is not good with new players or does a bad job of integrating new guys in his system. That's not a kids thing, that's a every player Q doesn't like thing. I don't think that's necessarily fair either (though he does favor certain guys over others for baffling reasons), but it's more in-line with what you seem to actually mean.
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Sep 21 @ 10:41 AM ET
I had originally edited to add this above but I'll say it here instead:

That sentence wasn't a loophole, it's just inaccurate. You could say that Q is not good with new players or does a bad job of integrating new guys in his system. That's not a kids thing, that's a every player Q doesn't like thing. I don't think that's necessarily fair either (though he does favor certain guys over others for baffling reasons), but it's more in-line with what you seem to actually mean.

- L_B_R


Yeah, I read it. You know me so well.
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Sep 21 @ 10:45 AM ET
Lankinen (spelling) was flying out of the net a few times last night, he looked ok otherwise but needs a lot of work.

Kampf looked pretty good creating a lot of offense. I don't think he should be above the fourth line unless he can actually finish a chance or set up a real goal.

Onto the hot topic, Boqvist. Keeping him up would likely be a mistake beyond a 9-game tryout. I'm super pumped for him, and loved the moves I saw last night. I love that Q seems thrilled with him, it's a welcome relief from the usual treatment a young defenseman gets.

Now is probably not the time to pull an Edmonton and assume that a couple good preseason games means our shiny new object is totally ready for 82 games of getting ragdolled and exposed.

Also, this site has so many obtrusive ads that I can't see what I'm typing in this box. Shame on Eklund for whoring this out so badly.
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