With the Lightning singing Gourde long term I wonder if there is a chance to poach a Centre from them? Paquette? Cirelli? Point?
- hawkitect

Timely question as the Hockey News had this article today on their website:

https://thehockeynews.com...int-into-william-nylander

At the Owen Sound and London game tonight. Boqvist isn't in the lineup.

Did you mean to say put Schmaltz on LW? Right now you have Toews with 2 RWs.
- AEL_Fox

Yes LW off-wing for Schmaltz - thanks AEL.

At the Owen Sound and London game tonight. Boqvist isn't in the lineup.
- scott.jackson

Keeping him out with the injury?

Yes LW off-wing for Schmaltz - thanks AEL.
- Z3Hawk

Assumed that was the case and I'm sure others did as well.

I wouldn't mind what you suggested as a top 6 as each line has a shooter, center who creates space, and playmaker:

Schmaltz - Toews - Saad
DeBrincat - Anisimov - Kane

It can be argued that Saad isn't a shooter, especially compared to DeBrincat, but he is a scorer who can get to prime scoring areas around the net.

Keeping him out with the injury?
- I Am The Breadman

I would assume so. He didn't play last night either

I would assume so. He didn't play last night either
- scott.jackson

Oh ok, and I guess it helps Bouchard is down there too.
I hope they are just taking their time with him, being careful, and that the injury isn't too serious. I know SCH said it wasn't a concussion, but I still help it's not a bad head injury.

I would assume so. He didn't play last night either
- scott.jackson

Hmmm. . .sounds like that not-a-concussion may have been one after all? If so, that's bad news.

ETA More bad news

ChrisBlock
@ChrisBlock

#Blackhawks prospect Luc Snuggerud was temporarily knocked out and eventually stretchered off the ice tonight in Rockford after a Mike Liambas check drove Snuggerud's head into the top of the dasher boards. Snuggerud missed 2 months with the #IceHogs due to concussion last year.

Hmmm. . .sounds like that not-a-concussion may have been one after all? If so, that's bad news.

ETA More bad news

ChrisBlock
@ChrisBlock

#Blackhawks prospect Luc Snuggerud was temporarily knocked out and eventually stretchered off the ice tonight in Rockford after a Mike Liambas check drove Snuggerud's head into the top of the dasher boards. Snuggerud missed 2 months with the #IceHogs due to concussion last year.
- pdx2ord

Damn. That is really bad to hear. I haven't seen the injuries, but do they look like intent to injure or is it purely accidental? Two head shots relatively close to one another, and that's not good. I also know that after a concussion, you're more prone to get another. Just not good to keep reading about our boys.

So you trade a superstar with two years left on his contract making only 6 million a year for a third string goalie and an underperforming forward with 3 years left on his contract making 6 million a year who by the way mgt with their room temperature I Q refused to pay the first time around and you happily gain almost one year of 'cost certainty'. This could only make sense and be a really good deal for Chicago on this particular message board and other teams wishes for the Blackhawks and nowhere else in our solar system except perhaps a few opium dens at peak business times in China.
- Savoy
- Savoy

That's pretty funny...for the pure fiction that it is. I hope Little Arty doesn't crash on whatever lonely mountain road you live on like James Caan did in Stephen King's novel.

That's pretty funny...for the pure fiction that it is. I hope Little Arty doesn't crash on whatever lonely mountain road you live on like James Caan did in Stephen King's novel.
- HawkintheD

"I'll fix you!"

That's pretty funny...for the pure fiction that it is. I hope Little Arty doesn't crash on whatever lonely mountain road you live on like James Caan did in Stephen King's novel.
- HawkintheD

I was going to post the gif of Kathy Bates smashing James Caan's ankle with a sledgehammer but it's pretty gruesome.

this team needs 2 pts BIG time tonight...do we get one of their better games tonight...so far we have had about 3 or 4 those...or does the bad continue...

2 favorite teams many like to mock on this board have and would skate circles around the hawks. Arizona and Montreal (even Vancouver) have adopted "modern hockey", ironically, the very same style Q fell into and has done everything in his power to counter.

And Hawk fans do not want a coaching change, no matter how obvious it is needed. Mostly for Costanza type reasons...SPITE, they are affraid that a guy who had minimal playoff success prior to coaching the hawks, will somehow prove how much of a difference maker he was? Really. We can't can him because, supposedly teams would line up to hire him?

Jeez...Q, keep sitting Schmaltz...smart move. Lets hope he plays more like Kruger...So sad to watch this team sink so fast into mediocrity.

Hmmm. . .sounds like that not-a-concussion may have been one after all? If so, that's bad news.

ETA More bad news

ChrisBlock
@ChrisBlock

#Blackhawks prospect Luc Snuggerud was temporarily knocked out and eventually stretchered off the ice tonight in Rockford after a Mike Liambas check drove Snuggerud's head into the top of the dasher boards. Snuggerud missed 2 months with the #IceHogs due to concussion last year.
- pdx2ord

Tough string of injuries for this kid. Unfortunately, might define him and his chances of taking his career to the next level.

2 favorite teams many like to mock on this board have and would skate circles around the hawks. Arizona and Montreal (even Vancouver) have adopted "modern hockey", ironically, the very same style Q fell into and has done everything in his power to counter.

And Hawk fans do not want a coaching change, no matter how obvious it is needed. Mostly for Costanza type reasons...SPITE, they are affraid that a guy who had minimal playoff success prior to coaching the hawks, will somehow prove how much of a difference maker he was? Really. We can't can him because, supposedly teams would line up to hire him?

Jeez...Q, keep sitting Schmaltz...smart move. Lets hope he plays more like Kruger...So sad to watch this team sink so fast into mediocrity.
- TrueGrit

Pretty much spot on. Saad looked a lot better the other night on the other wing when Kane was out. A lot better. Q is just going to do Q even if it doesn’t work. It’s almost insanity at this point. Keith and Seabs on the first PP unit. Q should be fired for that alone.

2 favorite teams many like to mock on this board have and would skate circles around the hawks. Arizona and Montreal (even Vancouver) have adopted "modern hockey", ironically, the very same style Q fell into and has done everything in his power to counter.

And Hawk fans do not want a coaching change, no matter how obvious it is needed. Mostly for Costanza type reasons...SPITE, they are affraid that a guy who had minimal playoff success prior to coaching the hawks, will somehow prove how much of a difference maker he was? Really. We can't can him because, supposedly teams would line up to hire him?

Jeez...Q, keep sitting Schmaltz...smart move. Lets hope he plays more like Kruger...So sad to watch this team sink so fast into mediocrity.
- TrueGrit

I still maintain that it was a mistake not to clean house (Coaches and Front Office) after last year’s embarrassing last place finish.

Pretty much spot on. Saad looked a lot better the other night on the other wing when Kane was out. A lot better. Q is just going to do Q even if it doesn’t work. It’s almost insanity at this point. Keith and Seabs on the first PP unit. Q should be fired for that alone.
- bhawks2241

It might not be that simple, but I am watching Danualt skate again and wondering why he could not have stayed and do what Kruger does, plus create some offense?

Maybe Q is working on trading for Troy brouwer? There has to be a few more retreads out there that will help the club achieve former glory.

I still maintain that it was a mistake not to clean house (Coaches and Front Office) after last year’s embarrassing last place finish.
- EnzoD

I know I beat the horse a lot on the Q thing, but man, I watch a lot of hockey and there are so many good fast young clubs. Q wants 2 or 3 skaters to fit the Kunitz mold. Saying with a mustached emoji, "reliable". Love Kunitz and his game, but serves no purpose in the game.

Fortin has to skate each game, like Schmaltz. IF this team is to grow and evolve and be relevant, these guys will be part of it. It will not happen without them that is for sure.

Hawks pregame. Things that stuck out to me. Sharpie said Schmaltz will rebound from the scratch, he will be fired up, and is well liked in the locker room. Said he's a great kid. Called him a future mvp. Burr added that being scratched leaves you feeling embarrassed and ashamed, and want to stick it to your coach. He expects fire as well. We shall see.

Burr also added that when Q sends a message, and plays a player again, he puts that player in the best position to succeed. When Saad was white-shirted, he was put on a like with Kane. Same with Schmaltz, he's not on the third line, he's with Kane.

There was a poll, will Schmaltz respond well to this scratch. It started in the high 90s that said no ... okay, how many of you here voted??? It eneed 52 % said yes.

New Blackhawks lines:
DeBrincat-Toews-Saad
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Kunitz-Kampf-Kahun
Fortin-Kruger-Martinsen

Looks like Jan Rutta is back in, and Brandon Davidson is back out.
- walleyeb1

Well this should fix everything ,now we are set for the Cup drive .

Rinne extended. 2 years, 5 mil aav.

Who the heck dressed Sharpie?

I know I beat the horse a lot on the Q thing, but man, I watch a lot of hockey and there are so many good fast young clubs. Q wants 2 or 3 skaters to fit the Kunitz mold. Saying with a mustached emoji, "reliable". Love Kunitz and his game, but serves no purpose in the game.

Fortin has to skate each game, like Schmaltz. IF this team is to grow and evolve and be relevant, these guys will be part of it. It will not happen without them that is for sure.
- TrueGrit

You just can’t have useless skaters on the ice. Kunitz is a waste of space and so is Martinsen. They bring nothing. Too slow to matter. You can bring a heavy game if you can’t keep up. Kampf and Kruger are also repetitive. No offense solid D.

You can’t have 3-4 forwards who serve no real purpose and bring nothing to the ice. Teams are fast. 4th lines are fast. Q wants a gritty D type line all 3 guys need to be able to skate. Rather see Highmore and Sikura up. There play can’t make the team any worse. Maybe they bring a spark.

Who the heck dressed Sharpie?
- walleyeb1

Hahahaha, I thought the same thing!!
Can't Stevie K be sick, I'm tired of him?!