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Forums :: Blog World :: Tyler Cameron: Rounding out the Top 6
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Tyler Cameron
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Toronto, ON
Joined: 10.31.2017

Aug 12 @ 7:59 AM ET
Tyler Cameron: Rounding out the Top 6
From everything we've heard this offseason from Stan Bowman and Jeremy Colliton, it looks like the Hawks have 4 of their top 6 figured out.

Toews and Kane will start the season together; as will Strome and DeBrincat.

Who else figures in the top 6?
HawkintheD
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Sick Bay, MI
Joined: 02.22.2012

Aug 12 @ 8:04 AM ET
Great blog Ty! Ok kidding, haven’t read it yet but am sure it is.
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Aug 12 @ 8:47 AM ET
Tyler fantastic blog. The hawks this year do have a lot of depth and options.

I like the way you laid out and explained the various options.
I think the bottom 2 lines have to be settled before you can get a better idea of who would be better served on the wings of lines 1 and 2.

I'm also wondering if Chicago ends up signing Perlini and in training camp we don't see him elevate his game , what would Stan and Jeremy do?
Do they keep hoping he will find his game or trade and or send him down to Rockford?


In the past few years it seemed like guys where given a roster spot who never truly earned it. Maybe that was for lack of depth.

I'd really like to see a blog with the bottom 6 scenario?
hawk35
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: NF
Joined: 08.26.2009

Aug 12 @ 8:48 AM ET
I LOVE this blog Tyler, as the making of the Top 6 really sets up the 3rd line and in my opinion we haven't had this kind of competition for the 2 top 6 spots in years. We have 5-6 guys trying to secure the 2 spots. This makes for great competition and also helps throughout the season as we have to fill in for injuries, slumps, etc.

What I hope, and what I think will happen are two different scenerios.

1. I HOPE Nylander surprises and can grab the 1LW spot. If he could I think that solidifies our Top NINE incredibly well.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
D-Cat - Strome- Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Shaw

I like Nylander there, not because it makes the BEST 1st line, cuz I think Shaw there make the 1st line stronger.....BUT, I just love that 3rd line!!!!!
For Dach to stay with the club, he needs to play center...also he needs guys who can make him space and provide some protection for him. The 3rd line as listed, is a nightmare for most opponents to handle in my opinion.

But, as I said...I don't have a gut feeling we start that way. I think Nylander under-whelms....and we will begin:
Shaw-Towes-Kane
That is OK for the 1st and 2nd line....but I think the 3rd line suffer in that scenario. Good problem to have, too many bodies to fill too few spots.
Even our 4th line can be trouble for others when you have Perlini, Caggullia and company playing what can be some very heavy 4th line minutes.

Gonna be fun to see how it plays out.

Thanks for the great Blog Tyler!!!!!
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Aug 12 @ 9:00 AM ET
I LOVE this blog Tyler, as the making of the Top 6 really sets up the 3rd line and in my opinion we haven't had this kind of competition for the 2 top 6 spots in years. We have 5-6 guys trying to secure the 2 spots. This makes for great competition and also helps throughout the season as we have to fill in for injuries, slumps, etc.

What I hope, and what I think will happen are two different scenerios.

1. I HOPE Nylander surprises and can grab the 1LW spot. If he could I think that solidifies our Top NINE incredibly well.

Nylander-Toews-Kane
D-Cat - Strome- Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Shaw

I like Nylander there, not because it makes the BEST 1st line, cuz I think Shaw there make the 1st line stronger.....BUT, I just love that 3rd line!!!!!
For Dach to stay with the club, he needs to play center...also he needs guys who can make him space and provide some protection for him. The 3rd line as listed, is a nightmare for most opponents to handle in my opinion.

But, as I said...I don't have a gut feeling we start that way. I think Nylander under-whelms....and we will begin:
Shaw-Towes-Kane
That is OK for the 1st and 2nd line....but I think the 3rd line suffer in that scenario. Good problem to have, too many bodies to fill too few spots.
Even our 4th line can be trouble for others when you have Perlini, Caggullia and company playing what can be some very heavy 4th line minutes.

Gonna be fun to see how it plays out.

Thanks for the great Blog Tyler!!!!!

- hawk35




Well said. I had the same thoughts and line combination scenario.

That's why I believe lines 3 and 4 have to be settled first along with does Dach make the team or not?

And if so what is the best possible line combination to protect him, allow him to grow and develop while still being productive?


scottak
Location: I am serious. And don't call me Shirley!
Joined: 08.06.2010

Aug 12 @ 9:25 AM ET
Correct me if I'm mis-remembering, but didn't 19/88 have success with Bryan Bickell as their LW? Big, went into the corners to create havoc, planted his butt in front of the net, etc.

As you state, if JC puts a light weight (lavender sniffer?) on the left side, Toews is going to be doing all the grunt work, which makes him less effective. JT had his greatest success with two big strong fast wings (Saad/Hossa).

I like Caggiula with 19/88 and Shaw with Strome/Dcact. That leaves Saad free to skate L3 with Dach.
6628
Joined: 08.24.2009

Aug 12 @ 9:25 AM ET
Nice blog. I agree that Nylander is the wild card in the hand. Colliton has a game of 52 card pickup on his hands. Lots of decisions to be made and then reconsidered as time goes on. Really interesting.
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Aug 12 @ 9:26 AM ET
What's the defensive impact of these possibilities? When they last played, the Hawks were an awful defensive team. Are one of the top two lines gonna be expected to shut down the other team's best line? If so, how can a line with Kane and Nylander do that? Or a line with Strome and Cat?

The GA number will improve because the defensemen are better, and the goalie situation has improved. But it ain't gonna get a ton better if 40 minutes are played by a Top 6 with one or two guys who know the ice is 200 feet in length.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Aug 12 @ 9:46 AM ET
Line combinations can wait. The first question is who makes the roster?

Toews, Kane, Saad, Shaw, ADB, Strome, Caggiula are locks. That is 7.

I would have to think Smith will make the roster as the 13th forward because of his cap hit. He makes 8.

Kampf is a pretty good bet to make the team at 3C or 4C. That makes 9.

Nylander, Kubailk, Perlini, Dach and Sikura could be in the mix for top 9 roles.

Carpenter & Quenneville could be ok for bottom six roles.

Then there is always a dark horse that stands out in Traverse City, training camp or preseason games.

Finally I still believe Bowman will make one more move, maybe a surprisingly big move.

Should be interesting to see.
-Doh-
Location: VA
Joined: 10.05.2015

Aug 12 @ 9:56 AM ET
I do like a top line of ADB, Strome and Kane. They are basically all offense (and no D). But it allows you to have 3 other lines that play more of a 200' game.

Caggiula - Toews - Kubalik/Perlini/Sikura might be workable. (Toews offense numbers would drop off substantially.)

Saad - Dach - Shaw could be a pretty special 3rd line.

Smith - Kampf - Carpenter

Nylander is a wild card.
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Aug 12 @ 10:02 AM ET
You mention Bickell as some success story? Bickell had his 1 playoff season successful run that was his illustrious career wrapped up into those few moments.

Hossa played a different game he was more of a power forward who enjoyed playing down low while cycling due to his size and strength.

Kane isn't a aggressive type player to go into the corners , he has to control the game or have another partner who plays a similar game to be successful.

Toews is more of a corner , grinder net front player, toews won't wow you with his fancy skating , passing or unbelievable goals.

I wouldn't dismiss the possibility of Nylander earning a spot.

I'm just not sold on the notion you have to put a low skill grinder on the top wing to make it affective.

Beaver-Warrior
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: in my great and unmatched wisdom
Joined: 07.28.2011

Aug 12 @ 10:04 AM ET
Double shift Sikura on lines 1 & 2....problem solved.
SoftServe
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.19.2016

Aug 12 @ 10:10 AM ET
Nylander Toews Kane
Cat Strome Kubalik
Saad Dach Shaw
Caggiula Kampf Smith/Carpenter
Perlini
fattybeef
Joined: 05.04.2010

Aug 12 @ 10:12 AM ET
Doesn't matter who plays with Kane and Toews. Pretty sure Kane dumps 90-100 points either way.

Id expect Dach to make the team. Saad and Shaw on either side probably smooths that transition.

El Gato and Tiny bum slay and the 4th like should have enough competent players to take all the Dzone draws.

I think this will be a more interesting group to watch then the last two years. Also think Q would have done a lot with this line up compared to the hot garbage he started with last year.
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Aug 12 @ 10:15 AM ET
Minimizing the impact Bickell had is silly.
67hawks
Joined: 08.30.2012

Aug 12 @ 10:16 AM ET
Line combinations can wait. The first question is who makes the roster?

Toews, Kane, Saad, Shaw, ADB, Strome, Caggiula are locks. That is 7.

I would have to think Smith will make the roster as the 13th forward because of his cap hit. He makes 8.

Kampf is a pretty good bet to make the team at 3C or 4C. That makes 9.

Nylander, Kubailk, Perlini, Dach and Sikura could be in the mix for top 9 roles.

Carpenter & Quenneville could be ok for bottom six roles.

Then there is always a dark horse that stands out in Traverse City, training camp or preseason games.

Finally I still believe Bowman will make one more move, maybe a surprisingly big move.

Should be interesting to see.

- -Doh-


To me that dark horse is Kurashev who could really make things interesting. The ripple effect down the lines would yield 4 solid combinations.
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Aug 12 @ 10:21 AM ET
To me that dark horse is Kurashev who could really make things interesting. The ripple effect down the lines would yield 4 solid combinations.
- 67hawks


What's his stats or info? Is he a possible top 6 or middle grouping type player?
Taylorst1
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 07.09.2018

Aug 12 @ 10:24 AM ET
Minimizing the impact Bickell had is silly.
- mohel


It's not minimizing , it's called stating facts. Bickell only shining season was 2012-13 cup run. Before and after that he was just a big body bang and crash player who played 4th line with a occasional 3rd line.

jt19
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: LAINGSBURG, MI
Joined: 11.20.2008

Aug 12 @ 10:34 AM ET
Stanbo traded for some guys, so my guess is they play at the start:

Shaw - Toews - Kane
ADB - Strome - Nylander
Saad - Smith - Kubalik
Sikura/Caggula - Carpenter - Kampf
Quenneville

Dach to RFD
RaleighHawk
Joined: 03.29.2016

Aug 12 @ 10:35 AM ET
Where could Kurashev fit best if he surprises in camp?
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Aug 12 @ 10:37 AM ET
It's not minimizing , it's called stating facts. Bickell only shining season was 2012-13 cup run. Before and after that he was just a big body bang and crash player who played 4th line with a occasional 3rd line.
- Taylorst1


No, it's not stating facts. It's an opinion. And a silly one, imo.
RickJ
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burlington, ON
Joined: 01.12.2010

Aug 12 @ 10:37 AM ET
To me that dark horse is Kurashev who could really make things interesting. The ripple effect down the lines would yield 4 solid combinations.
- 67hawks

Agreed, I said months ago after watching him in the WJC and the World Chamioships that Kurashev would be an NHLer very soon after graduating from junior.

He may start in the minors but Collliton wont have unlimited patience in Ryan Carpenter, Quennville, Smith and other fringe 4th line talents Bowman has collected for him. Kurashev will get the call and waive goodbye to Rockford forever.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Aug 12 @ 10:45 AM ET
Stanbo traded for some guys, so my guess is they play at the start:

Shaw - Toews - Kane
ADB - Strome - Nylander
Saad - Smith - Kubalik
Sikura/Caggula - Carpenter - Kampf
Quenneville

Dach to RFD

- jt19



Dach can't go to Rockford, it's either the NHL or WHL.

Sikura - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Kubalik
Saad - Dach - Shaw
Smith - Kampf - Cagguila
Carpenter
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Aug 12 @ 10:46 AM ET
Agreed, I said months ago after watching him in the WJC and the World Chamioships that Kurashev would be an NHLer very soon after graduating from junior.

He may start in the minors but Collliton wont have unlimited patience in Ryan Carpenter, Quennville, Smith and other fringe 4th line talents Bowman has collected for him. Kurashev will get the call and waive goodbye to Rockford forever.

- RickJ


Hello, Rick. Does he look like a bottom six guy, or top six?
Savetheembers33
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Chicago, IL
Joined: 01.23.2017

Aug 12 @ 11:02 AM ET
Depth is cool to have
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