Line Science

[ClydeLee]

As of right now, the Blackhawks have only offered Campbell a spot in the organization and not on the blueline. Also, what D advancements would a veteran be blocking at this point? If they can't play/beat out a veteran to be the #6 guy on a team, then might as well give them quality time in the AHL playing even, pp, pk, whatever until they are ready. Personally, I believe Pokka would get eaten alive at the NHL level and no one at the AHL level is (was) forcing the hand of the Blackhawks.

Forsling/Gustafson/Osterle/other as whoever besides Kepmny is going to have to be the LD.

Though that will lead to a 2011-2012 Nick Leddy like situation where it was good for development but not for the team as he still young played over 20 Minutes a night and was in the normal PK top 4 rotation but after the Oduya trade of 2012 deadline, Leddy to the teams benefit never Pked in 2013 and 2014, even as a top pair guy for the islanders he still rarely PKs, he's out a dozen behind other guys on average PK time.

So that might be Forslings situation this year or Kempnys. I know at least Gus mained PKing for Rockford last year doing everything as their best dman all year, better than Pokka according to pretty much all.

Though maybe Forsling has it to be a 2way guy and it shows, I know Q said he reminds him of young Hjalmarrson, who had more offense to his game in Sweden.

However this makes me dad we can't see some potential Forsling - Hjammer attempted pair if he grows a twoway game.

I guess Kempny did PK a bit last year but will have to more, still that extra LD is gonna be more important as of now there's no known quantities like Hammer or TVR with experience shifting to either side and playing PK on the off hand in a pinch

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[Raskolnikov]

Hayden/Schmaltz/Debritcat/Fortin sure do make this interesting.

I wonder with Smaltz if his best chance at top 6 in future isn't actually by winning 3C this year, and challenging/experimenting at times for 2C?

His speed and offensive skills proved an asset at times in top 6. AA is sorta questionable 2C/3C guy. Hartman/Hayden/Fortin/Debricat/Bondra will all be pushing at that 2LW slot. Someone raised a good point that Kane/Panik swap may be necessary to elevate Toews play. Hands down, Saad is the top LW.

Saad-Toews-Kane/Panik
Smaltz/Hartman/Hayden/Fortin/Debricat-AA/Smatlz-Kane/Panik
same as above-Kero/AA/Smaltz/Wingels-Sharp


So the primo slots really in contest are 2LW, 3LW, 3C. + minor tinkering we can promise will happen under Q to adjust for injuries and satisfy curisoties all season. Any trade room at all will be for back-up goalie, defense, or 2C/3C in the near future.

 

[anotheridiot]

I just see so much of Kruegers game in Kero. The Wingels deal added another rooster to the henhouse.

AA was a great 2 line center when he won faceoffs, that fell off last year and left Kane and Panarin chasing too much.

I also dont think Toews and AA were ever right last year, it just seems so wrong that the 10.5 million guys need 6 million dollar guys to produce. That is a 27 million dollar line that would force the bottom two lines to produce. But I also think that Q out thinks himself more than people blame him for at times too.

I dont know if Q will survive another year of an early exit, and this is a huge transition year.

 

[Ares]

I just see so much of Kruegers game in Kero. The Wingels deal added another rooster to the henhouse.

AA was a great 2 line center when he won faceoffs, that fell off last year and left Kane and Panarin chasing too much.

I also dont think Toews and AA were ever right last year, it just seems so wrong that the 10.5 million guys need 6 million dollar guys to produce. That is a 27 million dollar line that would force the bottom two lines to produce. But I also think that Q out thinks himself more than people blame him for at times too.

I dont know if Q will survive another year of an early exit, and this is a huge transition year.

I felt like Q made alot of boneheaded line changes last year.... games where we were struggling for puck possession in the offensive zone.... when we would finally get it over their blue line he would immediately go for a full change and leave guys 1 on 5.

I would agree he over thinks the game at times....

 

[ClydeLee]

So you want players playing over minute long shifts after being stuck in the dzone that while time? The entire league hadn't done that anymore since

I remember my friend Bret complaining about the Hawks doing that too much in 2015s playoffs especially vs Tampa. That's just how you stay in games. There's a way to still win those out chanced games and by not being silly which won the last cup with a drained Do core

And how can anyone think AA wasn't right the first half last year? He had a career year because he was on and hot the first couple months. Obviously he wasn't ready for the playoffs still after the bad Radulov hit.. he's never been better than the 46% range he's not good at faceoffs

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[Raskolnikov]

I think all bets are off with Panarin gone. Kane must now be re-slotted in the most valuable place to the team.

Things may indeed be so bad with Toews (but he wins faceoffs, plays defense, and can pass/finish) that you give him both Saad and Kaner. That is why the top 6 is Panik/Kane at RW, and leaves open a big competition at the other LW spot.

Those two options are very real, I think the AA to 3C is a year or so pre-mature, and to start the season solving those first two holes is the goal. Kero and Wingels aren't 2C type of players, only Smatlz would have an outside chance to win 2C, unless a crazy trade of AA + prospects for Duchene. Its just a pipe dream because if Smatlz was good enough it would make the third line look legit to have AA.

the 2LW loser and AA-Sharp.

2LW- Hartman, Smatlz, Hayden, Debricat, Fortin gotta think it comes out of that group. gotta hope the loser is ready to bolster the third line.

If 1 guy steps up on defense and one on offense this year we should be a playoff team.
If a third guy steps up I think we can be dangerous to anyone. If 4 or 5 guys step up we would be right back to laser freak show.

 

[ruprecht]

I think all bets are off with Panarin gone. Kane must now be re-slotted in the most valuable place to the team.

Things may indeed be so bad with Toews (but he wins faceoffs, plays defense, and can pass/finish) that you give him both Saad and Kaner. That is why the top 6 is Panik/Kane at RW, and leaves open a big competition at the other LW spot.

Those two options are very real, I think the AA to 3C is a year or so pre-mature, and to start the season solving those first two holes is the goal. Kero and Wingels aren't 2C type of players, only Smatlz would have an outside chance to win 2C, unless a crazy trade of AA + prospects for Duchene. Its just a pipe dream because if Smatlz was good enough it would make the third line look legit to have AA.

the 2LW loser and AA-Sharp.

2LW- Hartman, Smatlz, Hayden, Debricat, Fortin gotta think it comes out of that group. gotta hope the loser is ready to bolster the third line.

If 1 guy steps up on defense and one on offense this year we should be a playoff team.
If a third guy steps up I think we can be dangerous to anyone. If 4 or 5 guys step up we would be right back to laser freak show.

People forget about Debrincat, but he is almost ready. His production is no fluke and it's not like he's been playing in a beer league. Small guy but sturdy.

 

[HawkWriter]

People forget about Debrincat, but he is almost ready. His production is no fluke and it's not like he's been playing in a beer league. Small guy but sturdy.

Yes...however he is playing against boys and not men. The step from Junior hockey to AHL is pretty damn big...not even talking about how big of a jump it is from the AHL to the NHL. Tons of players have put up ridiculous numbers at the Junior level just to see it never happen at the NHL level. He definitely has skill but I wouldn't be rushing to say he is "almost ready". He will certainly get a look in camp and hopefully he can force the Blackhawks a little because they really need some ELC help.

 

[ClydeLee]

Bolland scored 130 points in the OHL his last year there, but he was probably an overager and never stayed healthy in the NHL and was good on this agitator role.

Denrincat isn't certainly almost ready. It's a unknown and last summer camp he wasn't at the top of his showing what he could do now, Fortin blew everyone away and has a chance to jump like that again.

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[anotheridiot]

Bolland scored 130 points in the OHL his last year there, but he was probably an overager and never stayed healthy in the NHL and was good on this agitator role.

Denrincat isn't certainly almost ready. It's a unknown and last summer camp he wasn't at the top of his showing what he could do now, Fortin blew everyone away and has a chance to jump like that again.

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The hawks were just afraid Fortin was too young, but we watched quite a few 19 year olds in the NHL last year be pretty good players. I think the bigger part of Panarin being moved is we know we cannot afford him, but he is also very immature. Looks like he is always looking to have fun. I remember that shot of him in the penalty box hopping to get out to get a breakaway chance. I dont see the hawks seeing that going away. He will mature and become a great scorer. So figuring a playful Panarin as a top player and a young Fortin was too big of a chance to be immature.

Alot of people forgot about Fortin already. I thought he deserved the shot last year, he should get it this year, but now look what is ahead of him. One more year of Sharp is one less year of Fortin. He only signed a three year deal.

 

[ClydeLee]

The only maturing Panarin needs to do is create his own scoring chance and not pass up a great shot play to force a pass to someone. As long as he doesn't make Atkinson or Wenneberg his new Kane he might do that.

Fortin couldn't go to the AHL most of last year to so if he slumped he was going nowhere I think, it gave a lot of other guys like Hino and Hayden time to come in.

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[Raskolnikov]

Or Smaltz could take off with Kane. Sharp is Fortins best friend. And Hayden/Hartman man a formidable 4th line that sacrifices nothing in hits while being far more talented and dangerous than most 4th lines, preserving the older players all year and leading to a 2018 Cup Run for the ages in front of a much younger/speedier defense.

Debricat takes the Ice Hogs to Calder Cup and super subs along with Hino all year.

 

[ruprecht]

Yes...however he is playing against boys and not men. The step from Junior hockey to AHL is pretty damn big...not even talking about how big of a jump it is from the AHL to the NHL. Tons of players have put up ridiculous numbers at the Junior level just to see it never happen at the NHL level. He definitely has skill but I wouldn't be rushing to say he is "almost ready". He will certainly get a look in camp and hopefully he can force the Blackhawks a little because they really need some ELC help.

Fair enough :shrug:

 

[Raskolnikov]

Yeah...with Debricat its a scary jump. The size/speed of the game will surely effect him, but how much?

He is fortunate to play in the current league/rules where his body is protected to a degree to the attrition of long brutal season, he will still have to prove himself in the playoff heat.

He does look sturdy, imo. Like with Shaw, being put together is a more important trait than height. But guys his size are exactly when you cringe at the Junior to NHL jump. I have more faith in Raata coming over from playing with men. Debricat is a pure wild card, but the way I like to see it is at the worst case scenario we have Hinostroza in that role of an offensive spark plug. If Debricat fails early and has to earn his dues at Rockford worst case scenario Hino is another year stronger with some competition behind him.

 

[Raskolnikov]

Saad80%/Smaltz15%/Hartman4%/Hayden.9%/>.1%Debricat,Fortin,Bondra,Hino,Sharp-Toews99.9%-Panik95%/Kane5%
Saad20%/Smaltz50%/Hartman25%/Hayden4%/Sharp.9%/>.1%Debricat, Bondra, Fortin, Hino-AA90%/Smaltz10%-Kane95%/Panik5%
Sharp90%-Kero65%/Smaltz25%/AA10%-Hartman60%

 

[Tater]

Saad80%/Smaltz15%/Hartman4%/Hayden.9%/>.1%Debricat,Fortin,Bondra,Hino,Sharp-Toews99.9%-Panik95%/Kane5%
Saad20%/Smaltz50%/Hartman25%/Hayden4%/Sharp.9%/>.1%Debricat, Bondra, Fortin, Hino-AA90%/Smaltz10%-Kane95%/Panik5%
Sharp90%-Kero65%/Smaltz25%/AA10%-Hartman60%

Please post in English.

 

[Spunky Porkstacker]

Please post in English.

I tried to use the Google translation but they're still trying to crack the "Rask Code"

:shrug: :cringe:

 

[The Hawk]

I just see so much of Kruegers game in Kero. The Wingels deal added another rooster to the henhouse.

AA was a great 2 line center when he won faceoffs, that fell off last year and left Kane and Panarin chasing too much.

I also dont think Toews and AA were ever right last year, it just seems so wrong that the 10.5 million guys need 6 million dollar guys to produce. That is a 27 million dollar line that would force the bottom two lines to produce. But I also think that Q out thinks himself more than people blame him for at times too.

I dont know if Q will survive another year of an early exit, and this is a huge transition year.

Q just has to figure out what he needs to do when the opposing team concentrates of stuffing at their blue line. That is how they got beat by Nashville. THe NHL is an adaptive league and the Hawks just got figured out.

That being said, they are really going to miss Panarin and Hossa and several players really need to step up from their play level last year, especially Toews.

 

[The Hawk]

I think all bets are off with Panarin gone. Kane must now be re-slotted in the most valuable place to the team.

Things may indeed be so bad with Toews (but he wins faceoffs, plays defense, and can pass/finish) that you give him both Saad and Kaner. That is why the top 6 is Panik/Kane at RW, and leaves open a big competition at the other LW spot.

Those two options are very real, I think the AA to 3C is a year or so pre-mature, and to start the season solving those first two holes is the goal. Kero and Wingels aren't 2C type of players, only Smatlz would have an outside chance to win 2C, unless a crazy trade of AA + prospects for Duchene. Its just a pipe dream because if Smatlz was good enough it would make the third line look legit to have AA.

the 2LW loser and AA-Sharp.

2LW- Hartman, Smatlz, Hayden, Debricat, Fortin gotta think it comes out of that group. gotta hope the loser is ready to bolster the third line.

If 1 guy steps up on defense and one on offense this year we should be a playoff team.
If a third guy steps up I think we can be dangerous to anyone. If 4 or 5 guys step up we would be right back to laser freak show.

Very good assessment. Some things have to fall into place but this should be an exciting season. They will struggle early but I trust Q and the remaining leadership of this team to get their shit together in the second half.

 

[The Hawk]

Yeah...with Debricat its a scary jump. The size/speed of the game will surely effect him, but how much?

He is fortunate to play in the current league/rules where his body is protected to a degree to the attrition of long brutal season, he will still have to prove himself in the playoff heat.

He does look sturdy, imo. Like with Shaw, being put together is a more important trait than height. But guys his size are exactly when you cringe at the Junior to NHL jump. I have more faith in Raata coming over from playing with men. Debricat is a pure wild card, but the way I like to see it is at the worst case scenario we have Hinostroza in that role of an offensive spark plug. If Debricat fails early and has to earn his dues at Rockford worst case scenario Hino is another year stronger with some competition behind him.

I wish we had Shaw back.