yep. Big Hartman fan here.
- Hank3Henshaw

+2...very pleased how Ryan has looked early on. He, Motte and Forsling have been very nice additions. Schmaltz and Kempny have not impressed me as much, but it takes time to acclimate and there is little doubt both Schmaltz and Kempny have the talent, they just need to find their groove.

First Loser!

- Crushers68

Your parents must be so proud.

Not sure if Schmaltz is best suited to anchor a solid checking line, but like Bolland before, if he can take the puck and skate with it, that'd be great.

Moose has been more valuable than I gave him credit for. He has some real grit.

Now if Desi can come back and we can staple Tootoo to the bench, that would help too.

Does anyone know the PK units today?
- busmaster

Not sure why the hate for tootoo unlike mash he knows when to respond to a hit and the other team knows it's coming.it been said countless times that the top Hawks want a player like him on the ice and his salary is cheap.

what happened to kempny?
- sandbag

Hopefully nothing. With TvR injured and Forsling not quite ready to play tonight according to Q - Kempny is one of the 6 d-men healthy and ready to play tonight.

Not sure why the hate for tootoo unlike mash he knows when to respond to a hit and the other team knows it's coming.it been said countless times that the top Hawks want a player like him on the ice and his salary is cheap.
- Abadseed

Tootoo was a joy to watch the last few years. He puts his ass on the line for all of his teammates and can really throw some punches. Def a good goon to have on a 4th line. He can also chip in offensively a bit.

Tootoo was a joy to watch the last few years. He puts his ass on the line for all of his teammates and can really throw some punches. Def a good goon to have on a 4th line. He can also chip in offensively a bit.
- SnipeDevil6

He's been exponentially more effective as the Hawks enforcer compared to Brandon Mashinter. Pleasant surprise as an actual hockey player too.

+2...very pleased how Ryan has looked early on. He, Motte and Forsling have been very nice additions. Schmaltz and Kempny have not impressed me as much, but it takes time to acclimate and there is little doubt both Schmaltz and Kempny have the talent, they just need to find their groove.
- kwolf68

Kempny is probably never going to any flashy moments like Forsling will - he's a quietly smart stay-at-home defender. Steady is the word that comes to mind. He and Seabrook have been the best pair over the first little bit, though Campbell was the best defender the last two games.

Schmaltz needs a little more time getting more minutes. I'd rather he go the route of TT - some time in the AHL and a call up late in the season if needed. Motte is ideally suited for the 3rd line (his numbers show that he's over his head and not helping much on the top line despite some goals) and has worked particularly well with Kruger. Panik has been a surprise in how much he maintains possession and the positive impact he has on pretty much everyone. Rasmussen has been the other forward that should stick (great impact stats-wise) and I'd like to see him at center a bit more.

Probably not. However, I don't see Tootoo starting 82 games this season.
- EKB13

I also think Tootoo is the least of their worries right now. That 4th line has actually been solid for the most part and 22 has been sticking up for teammates without hesitation. Not sure what more people want out of him.

Also, it's kept Mash out of the lineup.

I also think Tootoo is the least of their worries right now. That 4th line has actually been solid for the most part and 22 has been sticking up for teammates without hesitation. Not sure what more people want out of him.

Also, it's kept Mash out of the lineup.
- TyCamScore

Pound for pound he is probably the toughest guy in the NHL. He isn't very big but he sure fights like he is. He is like an angry little badger.

Hopefully nothing. With TvR injured and Forsling not quite ready to play tonight according to Q - Kempny is one of the 6 d-men healthy and ready to play tonight.
- EbonyRaptor

Thanks Boss.

Different day and same story. The Hawks could use a 1LW and a 3C to fill out the roster, but will have to make do with what they have right now.

I also think Tootoo is the least of their worries right now. That 4th line has actually been solid for the most part and 22 has been sticking up for teammates without hesitation. Not sure what more people want out of him.

Also, it's kept Mash out of the lineup.
- TyCamScore

True that.

The one guy I've been impressed with (so far) in Rockford is Lundberg. The kid can skate, hit, and isn't afraid of much.

However, I haven't seen him line-up at center yet.

I agree with the positive impression on Hartman. Also what was our biggest concern with him ? Discipline and stupid penalties? Has he taken a single penalty yet? Not 100% sure but I know he hasn't taken any stupid penalties. He is strong on his skates and I like what he brings as a bottom 6 player. I'd say he's a keeper at this point, especially if he can continue to keep his head on straight and prove everyone wrong that thought his discipline or lack thereof was going to be an issue.

Motte seems to still be overthinking things a little bit. I like his overall game but I don't feel he's ready to be skating on the top line yet. You could tell he looked nervous playing with Toews and as someone else said even got in the way a few times. But that's a given with a guy his age playing in his first NHL games. You can tell he is thinking and processing a lot between shifts and seems to listen when the other guys are in his ear on the bench or when he makes a mistake. I think he's worth keeping around because he's only going to get better as he gets more comfortable and yeah we need guys like him willing to make plays in front of the net.

Forsling looks great, really really high end talent there. Obviously he is still acclimating to the speed/physicality but his puck handling/skating are top notch and he looks ready for a long NHL career. This guy has a really promising future.

Kempny I was really impressed with early on, he has a bit of an edge and seemed to be moving the puck really well. However, he has had some pretty scary moments turning the puck over and making some poor decisions in his own zone more recently. I can't remember specifically which game it was but he set up one of the other teams forwards in the Hawks own zone trying to pass through the middle of the ice and more often than not that type of play ends up in the back of your own net. I think he is overthinking things a little bit and you can see that in his decision making at times he is hesitating before he moves the puck and it results in bad things happening. More time and a higher comfort level will work wonders for him but he has the tools to be more than a competent enough defenseman in the NHL.

Schmaltz I was more critical of right off the bat, he looked slow and not in good enough shape to keep up with the pack. He has had some strong moments during games where I was impressed with his poise and playmaking ability he has completed some very nice passes but his overall game is lacking, especially defensively. I think he needs to work on his conditioning more because I don't think we have yet or will see a complete game from him anytime soon.

Also....... Panik is a hot mess out there like 75% of the time. Great speed and physicality, he's causing chaos out there in the offensive zone. Problem is his brain doesn't seem to process the play as quickly as his feet can move, so at times he looks like he is confusing himself and his teammates and his puck control leaves a lot to be desired. Great nose for the net though and he does have a nice shot. I am a little concerned he's going to confuse the hell out of Kane tonight. I'd rather have him playing with Hossa and Anisimov as that line would be a nightmare to contain.

Rasmussen I really like, plays a simple two way game. Doesn't try to do anything fancy and doesn't often make mistakes. Stability that we need on the fourth line.

Also I know everyone is hoping Desi comes in and replaces Tootoo which on paper makes a ton of sense and I have to agree but I really haven't had any issue with anything Tootoo has done out there. Also him sticking up for Kane and making someone pay a price for taking liberties with any of our star players is something that has been sorely lacking on this team for a long time, that was a very welcome breath of fresh and I'm sure he earned a lot of respect from Q doing that as well.

Let's hope the experiment trends in a positive way tonight. I find it a little more exciting to watch these guys play this season, yes there is a lot of guys learning on the job and at times it looks like a Chinese fire drill but it takes time to become comfortable and gel and we have been spoiled for many seasons now. I am enjoying this.

True that.

The one guy I've been impressed with (so far) in Rockford is Lundberg. The kid can skate, hit, and isn't afraid of much.

However, I haven't seen him line-up at center yet.
- EKB13

Great to hear. I was waiting on your RFD update Eli!

I thought Lundberg would be a lock for the Hawks roster.

I don't think it'll be long to see him up. He was on Sweden's PK in the WC. Hawks PK is terrible and could use the help. 1+1.

Like that "lightning" line

He's been exponentially more effective as the Hawks enforcer compared to Brandon Mashinter. Pleasant surprise as an actual hockey player too.
- EnzoD

I like Tootoo a lot. I think he's a great fit here. It's been said by others, but his physicality is nice and his sense of when to throw down and when not to is also good.

He also has pretty good vision and has some nice passing. He has a nice little snapshot, too

Tootoo for Prez

GO CUBS !! Sorry, just had to say it.

GO CUBS !! Sorry, just had to say it.
- BobP.

Will probably be the lowest rated televised Hawks game in the past 8 years tonight.

Will probably be the lowest rated televised Hawks game in the past 8 years tonight.
- pdx2ord

Cubs TV ratings for the World Series were lower than the White Sox in 2005...just sayin

True that.

The one guy I've been impressed with (so far) in Rockford is Lundberg. The kid can skate, hit, and isn't afraid of much.

However, I haven't seen him line-up at center yet.
- EKB13

it was unfortunate that he didn't show much in training camp. Hopefully, he'll adjust to the North American game, and get up to the big club sometime this season.

It's not how you start it's how you finish. The PK needs to improve no doubt so as the season grows old I expect it to get better. 3-3-1 with the youth that the Hawks have had to integrate into the lineup is probably just about right. We know it's a marathon and not a sprint so relax and understand that peaks and valley's are going to happen early.

Teemu Pulkkinen Waived...

Any reason to think maybe he could get claimed and then move Schmaltz to Rockford for seasoning? I think it would save the Hawks like 100K with schmaltz contract a little higher than Pulk's...

GO CUBS !! Sorry, just had to say it.
- BobP.

If they win, I hope it will finally be an end to the long-suffering organization narrative everyone loves.

Eric Lear ‏@BHTVeric 26s27 seconds ago
#Blackhawks lines: Panik-Toews-Kane, Panarin-Anisimov-Hossa, Motte-Kruger-Hartman, Rasmussen-Schmaltz-Tootoo.
- DarthKane

I like those lines a lot

Teemu Pulkkinen Waived...

Any reason to think maybe he could get claimed and then move Schmaltz to Rockford for seasoning? I think it would save the Hawks like 100K with schmaltz contract a little higher than Pulk's...
- gnosox1986

Concerned with him getting waived so quickly that his NHL career is in jeopardy. Didn't see him play much but doesn't sound like he has what it takes to stick.