Not entirely true, had some horrible turnovers while handling the puck, and had a lot of trouble keeping the puck on his stick, I'm sure it's either a cold or allergies or maybe not enough fluids
- BetweenTheDots

Not to mention completely spacing out on the second Ottawa goal - losing track of Lajoie and letting him get to the inside and down the slot.

Some of you, man, smh.

There are a lot of Schmaltz fans on this board, and as such, get ready for “it was just one game”, the parade of fancy stats, and who his point production is comparable with to justify re-signing him.

At some point the eye test and in game context tell all the story one needs.

He and Saad are just a truckload of nothing right now, and if I were Kane, I would be disinterested at times too.

Change is coming - question is what it will be and if the FO has the character to know when it is time to cut bait on some of these guys rather than go all in on them.
- Return of the Roar

I'm a fan and hope he has better days ahead. Didn't really see the chemistry at all on that line last night and saw some of the same tendencies from last season, passing up shots and flying around, mostly on the perimeter.

That said, it is just one game.

I'm a fan and hope he has better days ahead. Didn't really see the chemistry at all on that line last night and saw some of the same tendencies from last season, passing up shots and flying around, mostly on the perimeter.

That said, it is just one game.
- HawkintheD

Kane needs to be the leader on that line and pull it together.

Kane needs to be the leader on that line and pull it together.
- StLBravesFan

If you cannot produce offensively at least with Kane on your line you are in sad shape.

Maybe put Saad on an energy line for a while and tell him to play with abandon.
Saad - Kampf - Hayden??

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

Nothing on that front. Way too early.

My guess is if the Hawks make a move it will be around Christmas time when they know more about what this team is... and what it isn't.
- Justin Lowe

Ok just wondering

Some of you, man, smh.


- L_B_R

what is smh?

We don to need to get rid of Schmaltz. But he does not need to create offense from the Center, he can create offense from the Wing. Kane does. Hossa did. Sharp did. Panarin did.

My ranking of our centers.
Toews
AA
Kampf
Kruger
Schmaltz
Highmore
Martinse
Johnson
- -Doh-

Wow think about this list. How bad it is. If Schmaltz flames out at C this team is really screwed, because after AA, who is like an average 3rd line center, the rest are fringe guys that probably don't belong in the NHL, or are replacement level players at the very best.

Before you start telling me how fast Kampf is and how good he is at faceoffs, remember the point of the game is to score more goals than the other team, and he doesn't help you do that. He has zero offense to his game.

This team better hope Jake Wise has a speedy path to the NHL.

If you cannot produce offensively at least with Kane on your line you are in sad shape.

Maybe put Saad on an energy line for a while and tell him to play with abandon.
Saad - Kampf - Hayden??

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

Blackhawks version of Mallrats:

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

Keith-Jokiharju
Manning-Seabrook
Gustafsson-Rutta/Davidson

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 5, 2018

With my (extremely) low expectations for this year, I'm going to try and avoid the obvious criticisms like Schmaltz, Gustafson, Saad, Rutta, Manning, Ward, the PP, the 4th line, ect.....



The biggest takeaways from last night....Toews and Jokiharju. Exceptional season debut's from both players. Love it!

what is smh?
- bogiedoc

Usually used when someone finds something so stupid, no words can do it justice. Sometimes it's modified to 'smfh' or 'smmfh' by those that prefer profanity in their internet acronyms. So there you have it. SMH = shake/shaking my head.

Wow think about this list. How bad it is. If Schmaltz flames out at C this team is really screwed, because after AA, who is like an average 3rd line center, the rest are fringe guys that probably don't belong in the NHL, or are replacement level players at the very best.

Before you start telling me how fast Kampf is and how good he is at faceoffs, remember the point of the game is to score more goals than the other team, and he doesn't help you do that. He has zero offense to his game.

This team better hope Jake Wise has a speedy path to the NHL.
- hereismike1

Scoring more goals than the other team is obvious but so is not giving up goals either. So to be fair, Kampf is quite useful in that regard.

While he won't be a 20/20 player on the 3rd line, he will provide some opportune goals and persistent forechecking. Ideally, I like him on the 4th line but lack of depth has him on line 3.

what is smh?
- bogiedoc

With my (extremely) low expectations for this year, I'm going to try and avoid the obvious criticisms like Schmaltz, Gustafson, Saad, Rutta, Manning, Ward, the PP, the 4th line, ect.....



The biggest takeaways from last night....Toews and Jokiharju. Exceptional season debut's from both players. Love it!
- EnzoD

They showcased themselves well for a future trade. Jokiharu makes for a nice sweetener to go with Toews's contract.

Interesting...tonight's Schedule is light, only 2 games Canes/Jackets and Sharks/Kings. The Sharks game ought to be a good one.

They showcased themselves well for a future trade. Jokiharu makes for a nice sweetener to go with Toews's contract.
- Dieselhead

to get TT back

Wow think about this list. How bad it is. If Schmaltz flames out at C this team is really screwed, because after AA, who is like an average 3rd line center, the rest are fringe guys that probably don't belong in the NHL, or are replacement level players at the very best.

Before you start telling me how fast Kampf is and how good he is at faceoffs, remember the point of the game is to score more goals than the other team, and he doesn't help you do that. He has zero offense to his game.

This team better hope Jake Wise has a speedy path to the NHL.
- hereismike1

A rebuild rather than a retool at this pace might be the best
path to take, but hey we have one goal

Wow think about this list. How bad it is. If Schmaltz flames out at C this team is really screwed, because after AA, who is like an average 3rd line center, the rest are fringe guys that probably don't belong in the NHL, or are replacement level players at the very best.

Before you start telling me how fast Kampf is and how good he is at faceoffs, remember the point of the game is to score more goals than the other team, and he doesn't help you do that. He has zero offense to his game.

This team better hope Jake Wise has a speedy path to the NHL.
- hereismike1

I am not going to tell you how bad the list is. It is evident. Kampf, Schmaltz, and Highmore are all 23 or younger. So they could get better, but at best they will be #2C or #3c. There is nothing much in college or juniors or Europe under Hawks control either. I think Toews is a #1c (but not in the top 10). AA a borderline #2C, or a good #3c. The rest right now are marginal NHL centers at best. Time will tell.

Smaltz - Great hair though
- Colbyboy

But NEVER a smile !!

I'm probably in the minority on this but I think Schmaltz and Saad will be fine on the balance of the whole season (and I don't mean to use the term "fine" in Q speak). Schmaltz will equal or eclipse his career highs. Saad should approach his career highs again.

Could they be much better? Of course. Schmaltz can always work on his faceoffs, shoot more, and take a hit to make a play. Will he? We'll see. The coaches and team leaders need to prove their worth to get the most out of him.

Something off with Saad but not sure what it is. He has the talent and track record. I have faith he'll have a solid season.

Some of you, man, smh.


- L_B_R

I bet some people feel the same way about you and your James Tanner way of evaluating hockey and continuously telling people they're wrong because they want players with size or play a power game.

I'm probably in the minority on this but I think Schmaltz and Saad will be fine on the balance of the whole season (and I don't mean to use the term "fine" in Q speak). Schmaltz will equal or eclipse her career highs. Saad should approach his career highs again.

Could they be much better? Of course. Schmaltz can always work on his faceoffs, shoot more, and take a hit to make a play. Will he? We'll see. The coaches and team leaders need to prove their worth to get the most out of him.

Something off with Saad but not sure what it is. He has the talent and track record. I have faith he'll have a solid season.
- AEL_Fox

Wow. Is that some sort of dig that because Schmaltz played a bit nutless last night you’ve changed his gender...or an innocent auto correct mistake?

I bet some people feel the same way about you and your James Tanner way of evaluating hockey and continuously telling people they're wrong because they want players with size or play a power game.
- GPHawksfan

It’s possible. Though I don’t think she’s the one who’s broken.

I'm probably in the minority on this but I think Schmaltz and Saad will be fine on the balance of the whole season (and I don't mean to use the term "fine" in Q speak). Schmaltz will equal or eclipse her career highs. Saad should approach his career highs again.

Could they be much better? Of course. Schmaltz can always work on his faceoffs, shoot more, and take a hit to make a play. Will he? We'll see. The coaches and team leaders need to prove their worth to get the most out of him.

Something off with Saad but not sure what it is. He has the talent and track record. I have faith he'll have a solid season.
- AEL_Fox

To me it seems like Saad is doing everything he can to just skate upright, the task of skating and doing anything else like chewing gum is to great a task for him.

Wow. Is that some sort of dig that because Schmaltz played a bit nutless last night you’ve changed his gender...or an innocent auto correct mistake?
- HawkintheD

Sorry for the typo! His career highs.