I recall the post, and he definitely looked like a twig in that picture. Lets hope he is committed to the weight room.
- FeartheFeathers

Yeah, that was not a good look. Dylan Larkin was in the comments telling him "time to hit the gym" and he called his own body "chicken tender-y." So at least he's aware.

Fortin DID look bigger at prospect camp, he has put some mass on and look rough and ready. You can tell this kid has been working.

The claim is 20 pounds of muscle since last year. Caveat emptor. When I hear that, I think often there is some added "adiposity" involved. Just really hard to add more than say 10 pounds of sheer muscle in a year.

BUT, Fortin does look like he has been working hard.
- John Jaeckel

I heard a rumor somewhere (don't recall where, so not sure how much weight to give it) that Fortin's "minor surgery" was for a sports hernia. If so, it could be an issue, since recovery time always seems longer for that injury.

I heard a rumor somewhere (don't recall where, so not sure how much weight to give it) that Fortin's "minor surgery" was for a sports hernia. If so, it could be an issue, since recovery time always seems longer for that injury.
- Hank_Greenberg

I read that also.

"Most patients have significantly less pain after surgery and can return to normal activity, including sports, much sooner. Recovery time for laparoscopic hernia repair is less than one week versus 4-6 weeks for conventional hernia surgery."

Hopefully it was laparoscopic. They did say it was "minor."

Mike Fisher retired from the Perds. I actually liked the guy. One wonders if Nashville won't be quite as good with him and Neal missing.

Yep, and this is why I would not be surprised to see Hartman or Wingels given a chance to play with 15+88 as both are gritty guys that battle along the wall, lay the body on the forecheck, and are shoot-first players.
- EnzoD

I think you could be on to something. Ideally if someone not named Sharp or Saad is in that spot, that helps the balance.

I found Kane's comments interesting after the Panarin trade as he was looking forward to potential new line mates.


‘‘Who knows what’s going to happen?’’ Kane said. ‘‘I could have better chemistry with a guy like Schmaltz or better chemistry with someone like Hartman. And I know I played well with Sharp in the past, too. I’m looking forward to the season and the next challenge.’’


It sounded like he was trying to send a bit of a message as well to Q & Co. through the media that he was not happy about losing his buddy and here are the guys I'd like to play with.

Interesting he names #8 & #38 first before Sharpie.

Also, what do all 3 of these guys have in common? They are all RH shots. That's what #88 wants and that's what he'll get (sorry Jurco).

It sounded like he was trying to send a bit of a message as well to Q & Co. through the media that he was not happy about losing his buddy and here are the guys I'd like to play with.

Interesting he names #8 & #38 first before Sharpie.
- TyCamScore

I think it will be Schmaltz to start. Hartman was good on line 3 and is a RW by trade.

Wonder how that dork would explain the Toews '10 Conn Smythe.

As for that sweater, I didn't know they were available in a baby poop color.
- blackhawk24

2010 was the best hockey Jonathan Toews ever played and hit his peak early instead of in his late 20s like most players.

Having Kane on his right and Buff on his left was probably helpful as well.

I think it will be Schmaltz to start. Hartman was good on line 3 and is a RW by trade.
- JRoenick97

Will be interesting to see how the 3/4 centers take shape early on this season. To me, Kero plays stronger on the wing than center and I'd rather have Schmaltz get his seasoning at 3C and be left there for much of the first half rather than rotating guys in and out. Dolphin at 4C looks good on paper but lets see how he does in camp.

Hartzy plays better at RW and if they can find someone at 2LW so the third line is indeed 10/8/38, this could be a potent top 3 lines with a deep 4th line. I don't care for Schmaltz at 2LW, he's not a shoot-first player imo. Invest the time to let him grow at center. Let 2LW be up to guys like Hayden/Jurco/Wingels/Fortin for the time being and see what you have there

Can't listen to the last part of this without feeling like Kane confirmed there was a locker room dynamic/morale/chemistry issue last year and that was big part of the reason they lost.

http://www.csnchicago.com...camp-artemi-panarin-trade

Can't imagine bringing back Sharp/Saad will help with that b/c they could fall right back into the veteran's clique. Maybe the vets are all cognizant of the problem now and will make more of an effort to include. Imagine a little bit of the arrogance that might have come with 3 wins was knocked out of them by two 1st round exits.
- pdx2ord

They pushed the puck slowly up the ice and yielded the neutral zone and blue line uncontested. If not for Crawford and Darling playing excellent and Kane racking up points at the other end consistently it would have been a bear of a year.

Maybe more of an issue with bodies not being able to execute anything else. A lot of rookies in that line up. Also Keith was not able to take over games as he has in the past and Toews got rag dolled around more than you'd expect.

They had to do something drastic this year and finishing first in the division they probably couldn't get away with firing Q so they got rid of his lackey and moved some key pieces to "send a message."

It really isn't complicated what happened last year and is more so a product of the salary cap than anything else.

Let's put it another way
I see Toronto and Edmonton as closer to a Cup win then Chicago.

Don't get me wrong
It pains me to say it.

Reality Check-
Speed wins and so do Generational Players like McDavid and Matthews.
Uncle Lou is building a nice group in Toronto around the Rookie sensations.

Same can be said for Cherili in Edmonton.

Vegas Odds for 2018 Cup
1- Pittsburgh 9 to 1
2- Edmonton & Washington 10-1

Why do you say both regress?
- Colbyboy

Depends on how they officiate. A lot of the clutching and grabbing killed the Oilers last year. Plus their blue line sucks.

Corsby and Malkin are two of the strongest players on their skates so that bothers them less.

If Keith is healthy next spring then the Hawks will be in a good position to compete.

I'm not sold on Toronto this year, but Edmonton is a real possibility to come out of the West.
- John Jaeckel

I REALLY like Toronto, b/c all three of the youngsters up front fit nicely with the older guys and Nylander has huge upside, and the other two, well, their really all around high skilled packages that can do som many things.
I haven't quite fit the marleau addition.

The defense is a year older.

Goaler Andersson, well, is Andersson but I saw him play elevate his play and when he stay committed and not fighting the play, he is good enough.

Depends on how they officiate. A lot of the clutching and grabbing killed the Oilers last year. Plus their blue line sucks.

Corsby and Malkin are two of the strongest players on their skates so that bothers them less.

If Keith is healthy next spring then the Hawks will be in a good position to compete.
- fattybeef

Oilers blue line did not suck last year. They were actually pretty good. the year before though, not good.

I'm not sold on Toronto this year, but Edmonton is a real possibility to come out of the West.
- John Jaeckel

Looks like Tanner may be under consideration for a front office position.

Nice work Tanner. Teams are starting to pay good money for understanding stats like these. Keep it up, it could turn into something more!!!
- mochoson

Looks like Tanner may be under consideration for a front office position.






- tredbrta

but he would have to actually understand them and how to use them.

Looks like Tanner may be under consideration for a front office position.






- tredbrta

He's a legend in his own mind.

And about mathematically ignorant as anyone professing said knowledge, who I ever read.

Oilers blue line did not suck last year. They were actually pretty good. the year before though, not good.
- JRoenick97

They turned it around pretty well once they cleaned up the FO.

Fortin DID look bigger at prospect camp, he has put some mass on and look rough and ready. You can tell this kid has been working.

The claim is 20 pounds of muscle since last year. Caveat emptor. When I hear that, I think often there is some added "adiposity" involved. Just really hard to add more than say 10 pounds of sheer muscle in a year.

BUT, Fortin does look like he has been working hard.
- John Jaeckel

Here's the article from the tribune on Fortin. Found one of his comments about his weight gain kinda funny, "My mom says it's just natural", but actually she's really quite right.

The sweet spot for building muscle is approximately ages 15-25 when both the testosterone and the growth hormone levels are high.

http://www.chicagotribune...-0719-20170718-story.html

Brown had some great seasons with Maltais and Wiseman on the Wolves.
- AEL_Fox

Hi guys...I don't post all that often, but when I saw mention of AHL Superstar Rob Brown, I thought I'd share a story. I was at a Wolves game in the mid to late 90s...right at the beginning of the dark years for the Hawks franchise. I was with 2 of my buddies and my girlfriend. We were sitting on the glass right by one of the neutral-zone faceoff circles. My buddies and I had no love for Brown because of his sad-a** play while with the Hawks, so we spent the entire game heckling him any chance we got. At one point, there was a faceoff right in front of us, and as Brown skated over we started banging on the glass and telling him where the defensive zone was located. He looked at all three of us, and then looked at my girlfriend, smiled, winked at her, and turned his back on us to get ready for the faceoff. I remember wanting to break the glass to get at him at the time, but it makes for a great story now.

If Fortin is healthy . . .

And he plays like he did in camp last year . . .

He WILL be the starting 2LW. Book it.

All that said, as much as I like Fortin, it remains to be seen if he can duplicate that performance, or if it was just one of those great camps that someone seems to have every year.
- John Jaeckel

Sports Hernia surgery is a major injury and would significantly impact his physical and on-ice training all summer. For that reason, I don't expect him to make the team, but I'd be happy to be wrong.

[quote=TyCamScore]


Lazerous had an interesting line combination.....

http://chicago.suntimes.c...ok-like-on-opening-night/

Brandon Saad-Jonathan Toews-Richard Panik
Patrick Sharp-Nick Schmaltz-Patrick Kane
Ryan Hartman-Artem Anisimov-John Hayden
Vinnie Hinostroza-Tanner Kero-Tommy Wingels
Extras: Jordin Tootoo, Tomas Jurco, Lance Bouma

Congrats you have three cups. You guys are done and need to rebuild and gut roster. That is what happens when u win cups. Young players want to get overpaid. Toews is overrated. He will not break 60 points and he shouldn't make Canada roster ever again. Even if they go this year. To many dead weight contracts on team with Toews and seabrook. You cant sign any free agents anymore. Start to sell house now while players still have some value. Otherwise you will be bubble team for next five years before drop off.
- hanleyaj

In no sport can you win by building with free agents. The last team to do it was the Steinbrenner Yankees. You win by drafting well and developing your own players, then signing a couple free agents to fill in the gaps and provide veteran experience.

2010 was the best hockey Jonathan Toews ever played and hit his peak early instead of in his late 20s like most players.

Having Kane on his right and Buff on his left was probably helpful as well.
- fattybeef

2015 Jonathan Toews was awfully good. Like, EPICLY, good in the 2015 WCF.

Not sure I buy the "peaked early" theory.

Clearly, he seems to thrive with certain players around him, and it's interesting that you cite Kane and Byfuglien. I also recall Q loading up Toews with power wings in the 2009 WCF, and his chemistry with Hossa and Saad was pretty great for 2 1/2 seasons to the tune of 2 Cups when they were maybe the best line in hockey.

Conversely, doesn't seem to matter AS much who Kane plays with or what style but i will say he also does a lot better with at least one road grader on his line (Handzus, Byfuglien, Brouwer, Bickell, Anisimov).

With Saad back, and Panik seeming to thrive with Toews and vice versa, the pieces seem to be there for Toews to have a bounceback year. We'll see.

Here's the article from the tribune on Fortin. Found one of his comments about his weight gain kinda funny, "My mom says it's just natural", but actually she's really quite right.

The sweet spot for building muscle is approximately ages 15-25 when both the testosterone and the growth hormone levels are high.

http://www.chicagotribune...-0719-20170718-story.html
- walleyeb1

For the most part, yes

Interesting article on Darling. Sad to see him go but his days as a backup were always limited.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/...ling-makes-sense-1.821508

[quote=EnzoD]


Brandon Saad-Jonathan Toews-Richard Panik

book it

Patrick Sharp-Nick Schmaltz-Patrick Kane

If Sharp is the road grader/puck retriever, this line is in trouble, because the other two aren't. Not inconceivable, but I don't see the logic of swapping out AA for Schmaltz—unless you dealt AA for some nice return—at all)

Ryan Hartman-Artem Anisimov-John Hayden

Except Hartman is a natural right wing, Hayden more of a left wing and Anisimov should be with Kane.

Vinnie Hinostroza-Tanner Kero-Tommy Wingels

Meh, ok, whatever. They aren't paying Bouma $1 million per to be in the press box. At least not to start. If he goofs his way out of a job, different story. But . . . I also think, like it or not, they will give Jurco a long look. Finally, I would not rule Dauphin out of this equation, and he might be better suited to a lower line/PK role than Hinostroza. Just goes to show, Dauphin was drafted high second round, Hino was like a 5th or 6th rounder, both are still young players, but the "comfort of fmamliarity" logic takes over . . .

Extras: Jordin Tootoo, Tomas Jurco, Lance Bouma

Overall, I think Laz needs to go back to the "drawing board" after the first line.