So I know Schmaltz is playing well at wing right now, but do you think a Fortin Schmaltz Sikura third line ever happens?
- SoftServe

I thought Johnson played his best game yesterday so I'm not quite so anxious to see him replaced as I was but ultimately Sikura would be a better piece on that line whenever he is ready to play at the NHL level. Sikura reminds me of Teuvo where he is not going to drive a line but he can kind of be the glue player that facilitates plays for his line mates and with two speed demons like Fortin and Schmaltz he will have more room to make those great vision precision passes.

@BoqvistAdam scores his first @OHLHockey goal!! Check it out below! @GoLondonKnights #Blackhawks

https://twitter.com/rnldl...tatus/1055993876161482752
- breadbag

OOH that was sweet. Kid is going to be special on the offensive side. Hunter needs to teach him the defensive side and how to maintain poise under pressure and once that happens he should be playing for the Hawks. He may need time with Rockford next season but hopefully he gets a taste for a few games after London's season is over and then he's ready after training camp next year.

Friedman says CBJ's Bob. has sent his list of teams he would accept a trade to.

Jordin Tootoo retires after 13 seasons.

Not sure how old either one of these is, but I haven't come across them yet.

Just watched the last 2 periods of Colorado/Ottawa. It was basically the MacKinnon, Rantenan and Landeskog show. Oh my those guys are good, and fast. I know it's heretical to say someone is a better player than McDavid, but MacKinnon just may be better at this stage of their careers, and if MacKinnon isn't as fast as McDavid, he's probably close enough for a photo finish.

So I know Schmaltz is playing well at wing right now, but do you think a Fortin Schmaltz Sikura third line ever happens?
- SoftServe

Not right now but say by the quarter pole, I could see a line of Schmaltz centering Fortin and Sikura. While I would eventually like to see Schmaltz back in the top 6 and Anisimov back at 3C, it would be exciting to see a line with 84-8-95. A line with 84-15-95 could be effective as well just in a different way with the distinct skill sets Schmaltz and Anisimov bring as pivots.

Be patient with Johnson. Kid has played 4 NHL games. He needs the game to slow down for him a bit. He's smart. Tough.

I really want to see a line of Kampf,Kruger and Johnson. Given a few games together they could become a vg shutodwn line.
- Elbows15

Yeah, a 4th line with Kruger centering Johnson and Kampf could eventually be a gritty shutdown line. That's relentlessness right there: wear down the opponent on the backcheck and forecheck while getting under their skin. Could be better than the Burish, Fraser, and Eager line from 2010.

Yes, but I doubt Toronto would.

I'm not a Murphy fan so losing his $3.8M (for the next 4 years) provides the cap space to give Nylander his $7M-$7.5M contract. He's probably not able to play center but then neither is Schmaltz in a top-6 role with the Hawks with Toews on one line and Kane on the other. Schmaltz may be able to play top-6 wing but we know Nylander has played top-6 wing very well. Move Kahun to 3C and either have Nylander play LW opposite Kane or RW on Toews line. At some point when Sikura comes up the 3rd line could be the same one that played together at the Traverse City tourney this summer.

Dcat-Toews-Nylander
Saad-Anisimov-Kane
Fortin-Kahun-Sikura

or

Saad-Toews-Dcat
Nylander-Anisimov-Kane
- EbonyRaptor

There should be no possibility that the Hawks trade for Nylander. He is a prima dona who hasn’t achieved anything and believes he is far more valuable than he is. On the Leafs he is not the player he is just a player. He is not worth anywhere near the money he is rumoured to be asking for. Even 7 or 7.5 is ridiculous. Messes salary structure. What do you give Schmaltz 10? Can we stop also trading Murphy? He is a player with talent, a fantastic attitude and a great contract.

Two very solid games in a row.

And, I know there are many factors to our great start. Toews back, young guys contributing....but....I can not tell you how much better I find watching the hawks play with Crawford back there. He makes such a difference to the whole team. Many say Crawford been overrated while on those Cup winning teams, I would say the opposite....Crawford doesn't get the credit he deserves because he was on those strong teams. Crawford is undeniably a top 5 goalie in the NHL. Fans of other teams really have no clue in this respect!!!
- hawk35

Right now it may be true that Crawford is the best goalie in the NHL. This doesn’t change the fact that it is also true that he has struggled at certain points of his career

Kessel. Debrincat's speed has improved but ole Phil is close to Nick schmaltz fast. He just doesn't look like he trying.
- GPHawksfan

I have always found Kessel funny. A Big Chub who can just fly - very fast. Have always wondered how truly great he could have been/could be if his training regimen wasn’t Cheese Burger Lifts.

I didn't know he caused that injury ...... wow. I understand the hatred. Was that his rookie season?
- I Am The Breadman

Yes happened rookie season. Opened the door for Panarin to get Calder that year. Also may have hit the flag button by accident. Buttons close together on a phone. Sorry. Never done before.

Justin - if I flagged I Am The Breadman it was by accident. I actually think he is a Righteous Dude!

Friedman says CBJ's Bob. has sent his list of teams he would accept a trade to.

Jordin Tootoo retires after 13 seasons.

Not sure how old either one of these is, but I haven't come across them yet.
- I Am The Breadman

I read Tootoo's book, I always knew a bit of his story but i have even more respect for him now that I know more. I'm happy we had him on the team, even it was for just a short time.

Justin - if I flagged I Am The Breadman it was by accident. I actually think he is a Righteous Dude!
- Z3Hawk

He's ok.....

Justin - if I flagged I Am The Breadman it was by accident. I actually think he is a Righteous Dude!
- Z3Hawk

Hahaha, thanks man (for the compliment, not the flag.)
I'm glad it's not just me, I think I've done that 4 times since I've been here. Stupid buttons are too close together. Especially on the phone.
You're a cool guy too.

I thought Panarin won that trophy the same year as CM's injury. That would have been a photo finish if he wasn't injured.

He's ok.....


- DarthKane

Thanks DK, you're ok too.
(Of course I mean Donkey Kong, because he quit throwing barrels at plumbers and changed his whole life around.) Jk, you too.

I've caught snippets of Tootoo's book, and it seemed really interesting, a good emotional read. He seemed like a great guy, great hawk, and I'm glad he played and fought for us.

I know this is improbable but Murphy for Athansious detroit needs young defense surprise they didn't draft any d man with their 2 first round draft picks we need a top six forward.
- Scott1977

One of the fastest guys in the league, and one of the dumbest.

@BoqvistAdam scores his first @OHLHockey goal!! Check it out below! @GoLondonKnights #Blackhawks

https://twitter.com/rnldl...tatus/1055993876161482752
- breadbag

Kid is a D man. What's he doing coming out of the offensive corner?

Yeah, a 4th line with Kruger centering Johnson and Kampf could eventually be a gritty shutdown line. That's relentlessness right there: wear down the opponent on the backcheck and forecheck while getting under their skin. Could be better than the Burish, Fraser, and Eager line from 2010.
- AEL_Fox

That would be huge. That 4th line in 2010 was a nightmare for the opposition. Hope you're right.

No, just no. Mitchell is definitely a no-go. I might be wrong but I think he is going to be a stud. I think he is going to be better than Jokesonyou. And I am really liking Jokiharju.
- Elbows15

Agree on Mitchell. I actually think he is the rookie next year, I think Boqvist plays in London or Rockford next year. He needs to get stronger.

Mitchell is real good. I would encourage all to watch his college games when you can.

You may have started something with the Jokesonyou.

The Hunter brothers in London will make this kid an NHL player. (And if Stanbo requests it, Dale will teach him plenty of his filthy on ice dirty tricks too).
- RickJ

For sure and you can bet that he will get plenty of TOI as the Hunter brothers have proven that they play their studs to death.

Justin - if I flagged I Am The Breadman it was by accident. I actually think he is a Righteous Dude!
- Z3Hawk

All good Z3.

That he is... its easy to accidentally hit that button.

Yeah, Kessel is deceptively fast. DeBrincat is quick but not a speed merchant. Schmaltz and Fortin are faster.
- AEL_Fox

Great comparisons on snipers, one proven and one that for sure it's on his way. Yes. I believe Kessel is the faster skater given his lower body (yes girth) and Debrincat is the quicker (spurts) and better skater overall. We all know Kessel can snipe especially on coming down the right wing as he uses a very low flex stick that creates a whip for his low hard and accurate shots. I truly believe Debrincat has a trickier shot because he has better in tight hands, meaning subtly change angles of shot quickly and using defender as screen; thus Debrincat's shot is harder to read off his blade. And yes it is accurate as well!

I know this is improbable but Murphy for Athansious detroit needs young defense surprise they didn't draft any d man with their 2 first round draft picks we need a top six forward.
- Scott1977

Hawks have that player in Fortin, though not as fast but still young and growing!

Agree on Mitchell. I actually think he is the rookie next year, I think Boqvist plays in London or Rockford next year. He needs to get stronger.

Mitchell is real good. I would encourage all to watch his college games when you can.

You may have started something with the Jokesonyou.
- vabeachbear

Mitchell or Beaudin are 2 that I have further along the curve than Boqvist... at this point. Things can change though over a season/offseason.

I mentioned this before but look at Jokiharju. Over last season and summer...he built up a lot of stretgth and physically the Hawks thought he looked more like a man vs. Boy.

I know for a fact, Ian Mitchell would LOVE to make this team next year and would be a dream come true to play with Duncan Keith on his right-side.

Mitchell is a small town kid from Alberta and really looks up to Keith in his career path and style.

A bunch of random thoughts based on catching up on the past few pages of comments:

1) Don't trade Mitchell. He has top 4 skill just like Jokiharju, Boqvist, and Beaudin.

2) I wouldn't trade for Athanasiou if we have Fortin. They're both speedy wingers who bring disruptive offense and can play middle 6.

3) May be in the minority with this but if it's between having Schmaltz and Nylander, I prefer to have Schmaltz. Both are 60 point players who can play top 6. Schmaltz is a good back checker who is only going to get better with experience. Always been good with takeaways. And as much debate there is about the fear of overpaying him, Schmaltz could be relatively more affordable than Nylander who I believe asked for $9 million.
- AEL_Fox

100% agreed on all three points Mr. Fox! Yes, Nylander might have an higher ceiling on the offensive end especially the finishing part. I see Schmaltz as the better 200 ft player and slightly better distributor and Nylander as the better finisher with slight better hands....one thing in common as both are very efficient and effortless skaters!