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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Blackhawks Begin – Opening Night vs. Sens
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wonthecup10
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 02.05.2008

Oct 4 @ 11:16 AM ET
Is Dominik Kahun projected to be Panerin like? What potentially are they expecting out of this player?
I Am The Breadman
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Richton Park, IL
Joined: 09.16.2018

Oct 4 @ 11:19 AM ET
Can not understand how Hayden is a healthy scratch on this team. Would love to see him on one wing opposite Martinsen centered by Kruger or Johnson on that fourth line. Constant complaints about grit and size, yet Q sits the one young guy that brings those attributes with some speed.
- ChiTownHawkFan


But for some reason we can't talk about Q not liking kids ... it shows its ugly face again before the season officially started.
jhawk159
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheaton, IL
Joined: 10.13.2009

Oct 4 @ 11:20 AM ET
Hayden needs to play. If he can’t beat out Martinsen he should be playing regularly in Rockford.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Oct 4 @ 11:24 AM ET
Luke Johnson is already 24 and has spent two seasons in Rockford - there is no way you can apply "rushed" to that guy. He is also now 5 years removed from his draft and is one of the oldest legit prospects in the system (only Iacopelli is older by a few months), so it's do or die for Johnson at this point.

Interesting, Gus was the defender getting the most praise from the pre-season, including defensively. Rutta didn't play much but Q liked him from last season so.

- L_B_R

Did not realize Johnson was 24 ok makes sense now thanks. Not a fan of gus although would not be oppose if they made him a winger.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Oct 4 @ 11:30 AM ET
Glad hockey is back. Two things I'll add about the forward group.

1) Let the lines settle, they never stay the same from opening night. Some guys will rise and fall still. If they get some momentum I could see guys like Hayden, Johnson and Kampf get into that 10+ goal range with 13-14 minutes of icetime a night. Maybe not all of them, but possible for 1 or 2 of them to get some secondary scoring going. There will probably be some call ups and probably at least 1 guy who will earn his way up from the AHL.

Here is my wild guess. Feel free to pick it apart.

AA - probably gonna land between ~12-18 goals. He does get PP time still. (on the second unit currently)
Kunitz is probably going to land somewhere between 8-13 goals. I think we'll see him redirecting the occasional point shot in or tapping in the odd garbage around the net. He has that skill better than most guys on the Hawks team.
Kampf was on pace for about 8 last year. Could get 8-12 if he see some more minutes and opportunity. It really comes down to what he does with his opportunity, but he played pretty well in preseason.
Hayden had 4 last year, but the 4th line he played on was pretty meh at both ends of the rink. I think he could score more if he gets some chance as a screen in front, like he did later in the year, he was a screen on two goals in his brief call up.
Kruger probably gonna get about 5-8 goals depending on playing time, he does have some passing skill that we've seen him display in the past.
Martinsen probably ~5 goals plus or minus a few depending on playing time and puck luck.
Johnson is tough to gauge, probably less than 10 goals, but he does seem to have a bit of smarts to find the soft areas at times, so maybe he can score a few if someone gets him the puck. Hard to call until he plays real games.


2) The Hawks have 7 D and 2 on the shelf. There is a really good chance that they will move someone in season since they added Davidson. Not saying they will land a big fish, but they have some cap space (maybe someone on an expiring deal) and bottom 6 depth is not as difficult to trade for. (compared to top 6 or Dmen) They have the 9 guys on the roster, but also some assets in the AHL which they won't have spots for, especially if Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Krys, Hillman, Gilbert and the like continue to inch closer. Maybe a guy like Snuggrud, Raddysh, etc would be part of a package to get a bit more 3rd line depth. I think the team is going to see how it plays out to start before making any move, but two driving forces could be what Forsling looks like when he gets back playing and will Jokiharju really stick.
breadbag
Location: Edmonton, AB
Joined: 11.30.2015

Oct 4 @ 11:31 AM ET
Is Dominik Kahun projected to be Panerin like? What potentially are they expecting out of this player?
- wonthecup10


In just my humble opinion, I don't think he has anywhere near the skill of Panarin. That is an unfair comparison in my books.
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Oct 4 @ 11:31 AM ET
Did not realize Johnson was 24 ok makes sense now thanks. Not a fan of gus although would not be oppose if they made him a winger.
- Scott1977


Last year was one of Gus’ longest NHL stints so I’m not ready to write him off yet.
riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Oct 4 @ 11:32 AM ET
Agreed.


- DarthKane

riozzo
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Cornwallis Island
Joined: 06.17.2014

Oct 4 @ 11:42 AM ET
Looks like Scott Foster may be needed tonight.
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Oct 4 @ 11:45 AM ET
Thursday Night Hockey is mirroring Thursday Night Football tonight - a toilet bowl game between what may be two of the worst teams in the league.

If the Hawks win...so what? They prove on game one they can beat one of the worst teams in the league.

If the Hawks lose....look out, because this will be the beginning of a very long season.

If anyone watched the Caps/Bruins game last night, I would just say call me when the Hawks think they can hang with the Caps. Years away.....

#embracethetank
ObeseOprah
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 01.17.2014

Oct 4 @ 12:03 PM ET
Thursday Night Hockey is mirroring Thursday Night Football tonight - a toilet bowl game between what may be two of the worst teams in the league.

If the Hawks win...so what? They prove on game one they can beat one of the worst teams in the league.

If the Hawks lose....look out, because this will be the beginning of a very long season.

If anyone watched the Caps/Bruins game last night, I would just say call me when the Hawks think they can hang with the Caps. Years away.....

#embracethetank

- Return of the Roar


I watched the Hawks get outplayed by Ottawa exactly a week ago (SAD, Failing United Center), it looked pretty bad.

However, there are some variables this season that could make them a more competitive team (Kahun, Gustafsson, Jokiharju). And 90% of this season hinges on Crawford.

If they look crappy after Crawford comes back, I will personally load up the Panzer and take names on the clipboard as we all climb aboard.
ger68
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: palatine, IL
Joined: 02.19.2012

Oct 4 @ 12:07 PM ET
Why isn't Hayden in the lineup? There is no reason Kunitz should be in instead of Hayden.
MjulQvist
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 04.22.2012

Oct 4 @ 12:08 PM ET
In just my humble opinion, I don't think he has anywhere near the skill of Panarin. That is an unfair comparison in my books.
- breadbag


Sir, I think you are spot on with this one
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Oct 4 @ 12:13 PM ET
Thursday Night Hockey is mirroring Thursday Night Football tonight - a toilet bowl game between what may be two of the worst teams in the league.

If the Hawks win...so what? They prove on game one they can beat one of the worst teams in the league.

If the Hawks lose....look out, because this will be the beginning of a very long season.

If anyone watched the Caps/Bruins game last night, I would just say call me when the Hawks think they can hang with the Caps. Years away.....

#embracethetank

- Return of the Roar


LOL! So let's not read anything into it if they beat a bad team but let's punt on the season if they lose one to a bad team...well ok then.

Said it yestarday and will say the same. Like last season's Pens game you can draw the exact same conclusions from one game (none); and can't extrapolate an entire season from one game. Go ahead if you'd like but talk about an overreaction.

Also, yes traditionally Thursday night football often features two bad teams but not sure how you can throw last Thursday's game into that hat (MN vs LA). Actually the only one to feature two of the dregs so far was week 3 (CLE vs NYJ).
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Oct 4 @ 12:14 PM ET
Is Dominik Kahun projected to be Panerin like? What potentially are they expecting out of this player?
- wonthecup10


Don't you know every prospect the Hawks have projects as (fill in blank of former or current star) 2.0?
Return of the Roar
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Solidly grounded in reality, IL
Joined: 07.27.2009

Oct 4 @ 12:17 PM ET
LOL! So let's not read anything into it if they beat a bad team but let's punt on the season if they lose one to a bad team...well ok then.

Said it yestarday and will say the same. Like last season's Pens game you can draw the exact same conclusions from one game (none); and can't extrapolate an entire season from one game. Go ahead if you'd like but talk about an overreaction.

Also, yes traditionally Thursday night football often features two bad teams but not sure how you can throw last Thursday's game into that hat (MN vs LA). Actually the only one to feature two of the dregs so far was week 3 (CLE vs NYJ).

- HawkintheD


This year's Hawk team is at best a .400 WPCT, and I say that is the best scenario for them. They need chances at transformational draft picks. Not going to happen if they are a perpetual one and out team.

IMHO there is absolutely zero transformational talent to be found anywhere in their pipeline.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Oct 4 @ 12:29 PM ET
Why isn't Hayden in the lineup? There is no reason Kunitz should be in instead of Hayden.
- ger68


Kunitz and his 4 Cups disagree. ha.

Honestly though, you are going to see Kunitz in the lineup for a while. Maybe near the end of the year or if someone pushes him out and they start winning his playing time we'll decrease, but it is what it it. And Q is who he is.
Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Oct 4 @ 12:37 PM ET
Hopefully this isn't foreshadowing for the entire season... Anton Forsberg hurt in practice.

Colin Delia being recalled and rushed to Ottawa.
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Oct 4 @ 12:42 PM ET
This year's Hawk team is at best a .400 WPCT, and I say that is the best scenario for them. They need chances at transformational draft picks. Not going to happen if they are a perpetual one and out team.

IMHO there is absolutely zero transformational talent to be found anywhere in their pipeline.

- Return of the Roar


Did you know Keith was going to turn into what he became? Seabs? They just drafted 4 dmen (3 RD/ 1 LD) in the top two rounds. I don't know what they'll become and neither do you. Early returns looked pretty good so I'm not sure how you can say with such assuredness they have nothing in the pipeline that has potential to be transformational.
EnzoD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Denver, CO
Joined: 02.19.2014

Oct 4 @ 12:43 PM ET
Sikura, as I predicted all summer, is 165lbs soaking wet and no Johnny Hockey or Patrick Kane. Was not suprised he did not make the team, even as many of you had him locked into a Top 6 forward spot.


So Joel puts his 30yr old center with more mileage than most 36yr old centers with two players both under 170lbs so he has NOBODY to help him win board battles, establish net front presence, and do the "dirty work"
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Oct 4 @ 12:48 PM ET
Did you know Keith was going to turn into what he became? Seabs? They just drafted 4 dmen (3 RD/ 1 LD) in the top two rounds. I don't know what they'll become and neither do you. Early returns looked pretty good so I'm not sure how you can say with such assuredness they have nothing in the pipeline that has potential to be transformational.
- HawkintheD


Boqvist is probably going to be a player
gazza53
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 09.15.2017

Oct 4 @ 12:49 PM ET
Even if Crawford returns to elite status I don't see this Hawks team doing much. Joki should be in Rockford for a couple months refining his game so should Johnson, rushing players that are not ready. I get the argument what could they learn in Rockford and they need the nhl experience to grow and see what they have. The bottom six is going to struggle to score which puts more pressure on the top six just like last year. The defense in preseason did not look very good especially gus and rutta who both cannot defend very well in their own zone, but they had to be signed right away, a waste of 3 million dollars imo. Kunitz is taking the place of Hayden who had a really good camp. So is hayden the next player Q runs out of town. With all this being said unless bowman makes some moves this team will finish in the bottom 5 of the league. Hopefully I am wrong and the kids make big strides and have a resurgence of the core players.


Agree, I wish them well but, if, if, if, if, ain't gonna cut
it in this NHL
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Oct 4 @ 12:56 PM ET
Hopefully this isn't foreshadowing for the entire season... Anton Forsberg hurt in practice.

Colin Delia being recalled and rushed to Ottawa.

- Justin Lowe

Thanks for the update, Justin. Timing sucks but injuries are inevitable. Let's hope injury replacements take the bull by the horns and make it tough to send them back down to the A once the injured recovers.
bhawks2241
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 09.17.2013

Oct 4 @ 12:57 PM ET
Kunitz and his 4 Cups disagree. ha.

Honestly though, you are going to see Kunitz in the lineup for a while. Maybe near the end of the year or if someone pushes him out and they start winning his playing time we'll decrease, but it is what it it. And Q is who he is.

- Justin Lowe



Q is who he is... that is the problem. A player like Hayden is someone the Hawks need to develop into a middle 6 guy if they want a quick turn around. He is the only young player/prospect who plays a physical heavy game and has a bit of skill.

He shouldn't be riding the pine in the NHL. He either needs to play every night in the NHL or be playing in Rockford. By playing I don't mean 6-8 mins of ice time on the 4th line either.

Why Kunitz or Martinesen are in there instead of Hayden is beyond me. Do either players give the Hawks a legitimate chance to be better or win more games? No. So play Hayden and lets see if he can develop into power forward type middle 6 guy which is exactly what the Hawks need (among other things).
RickJ
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burlington, ON
Joined: 01.12.2010

Oct 4 @ 1:03 PM ET
Q is who he is... that is the problem. A player like Hayden is someone the Hawks need to develop into a middle 6 guy if they want a quick turn around. He is the only young player/prospect who plays a physical heavy game and has a bit of skill.

He shouldn't be riding the pine in the NHL. He either needs to play every night in the NHL or be playing in Rockford. By playing I don't mean 6-8 mins of ice time on the 4th line either.

Why Kunitz or Martinesen are in there instead of Hayden is beyond me. Do either players give the Hawks a legitimate chance to be better or win more games? No. So play Hayden and lets see if he can develop into power forward type middle 6 guy which is exactly what the Hawks need (among other things).

- bhawks2241

Its no big deal, they have 3 games in 4 nights. A 39 year old won't dress for all of those games so he gets the opening game with a 'weak' opponent. Hayden probably gets the weekend games against tougher teams.
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