Dunno, I don't see him ever scoring more than 15-20 goals in the NHL. Just don't think he's anything special above the waist.

Never know, I guess.
- John Jaeckel

15-20 is probably his ceiling. He just has some hands, sometimes.

BREAKING: The #NJDevils announce Travis Zajac will miss 4-6 months after undergoing successful surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle

I keep reading (Hockey News et. al.) and hearing (NHL TV) that Vegas will need to deal from their glut of remaining defensemen.

Hearing anything about anything happening between the Hawks and Golden Knights? And, any Knight D-man you'd be interested in the Hawks acquiring?

BREAKING: The #NJDevils announce Travis Zajac will miss 4-6 months after undergoing successful surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle
- jt19

That's a big loss for them.

I just don't think Vinny has remotely that level of talent. He can skate and he is a fireplug, but the "Vinny as the next Marty St. Louis" narrative has never taken hold in my household.

i think a nice upside for Vinny would be sort of Kris Draper/Darren Helm. Always have. But even that is not where he is now.
- John Jaeckel

I like the Darren Helm comparison. Most of his goals will come from stretch passes, or disrupting on the forecheck or odd man rushes. I just do not see him setting up in the offensive zone, possessing the puck, skating through, or hovering around or standing in front of the net and getting a lot of high quality chances. Also I see him skating on the 3rd or 4th line most of the time and getting maybe 7 to 12 minutes per night, none on the PP. The Hawks would be thrilled if he was a high speed, high energy, 3rd or 4th line player that scored 10 goals and 15 assists with a zero +/-.

JJ if you want chime in these would be my lines:

saad towes panic maybe repeat of when hossa was on that line

sharp AA kane hopefully sharp a place holder until tdl get top 6 lw (evander kane)

wingles smaltz Hartman speed size skill lot to like about that line

bouma daupin jurco/tooto could be surprisingly really solid line

extra forwards kero hino mabe hayden but maybe some time in Rockford to help his skating

kieth murphy kieth will make murphy better
merril from vegas seabrook if it is merril solid 2nd pairing d
kempney rutta/ osteral / rosie /pto d man(franson/polka) an on going puzzle throughout the year Q will have his blender going high speed with this d paring

Crawford solid
Forsberg could emerge as the next darling or not seen him play lots of upside and with jimmy waite could take a lot of strides forward

Read an article that Oesterle can play both LD and RD as well.

I think that versatility is a big reason he was signed so quickly.

I think you make a great point. Anisimov could make a good 3rd line center ... just wish he was better at faceoofs .... maybe he will improve. Hinostroza and Hartman have been working out this off season with Kane, so hopefully that will payoff.
- chuckdahammer

I think that's why he remains the #2 center, not sure Q trusts Scmaltz enough defensively to be a #2 center at this point, I sure don't.

I think that's why he remains the #2 center, not sure Q trusts Scmaltz enough defensively to be a #2 center at this point, I sure don't.
- walleyeb1

Imagine what Kesler and Getzlaf would do to Schmaltz in a 7 game series....UGLY

Have Kempny and Ruuta been paired together on any of the Czech teams? If so, how effective were they?
- tvetter

No they haven't.

I do recall Rutta is a fairly big guy...with a good point shot and don't recall if he has any Rutta has any edge as it os difficult to tell in international tourneys

I predict a 4D that isnt currently on the roster. Either coming from Vegas, or froa Hossa LTIR move Stan has had in his hip pocket most of the summer. That's my prediction, and I'm sticking to it!

I like the Darren Helm comparison. Most of his goals will come from stretch passes, or disrupting on the forecheck or odd man rushes. I just do not see him setting up in the offensive zone, possessing the puck, skating through, or hovering around or standing in front of the net and getting a lot of high quality chances. Also I see him skating on the 3rd or 4th line most of the time and getting maybe 7 to 12 minutes per night, none on the PP. The Hawks would be thrilled if he was a high speed, high energy, 3rd or 4th line player that scored 10 goals and 15 assists with a zero +/-.
- -Doh-

I think the jury is still out if Hinostroza is an NHL caliber player. I think mostly because he needs to improve his 200 foot game and play away from the puck at the NHL level. I hope he takes the next step, but he could go in a trade much like Motte.

Eh, not a whole lot to blend, aside from getting Sharp Toews and Kane all on the same line and really getting the band back together again.

They're still pretty thin up and down the line up. If they can tread water to start and then either pick up a piece or some of the guys just take a step then that'll be good.

Could be a long season. Could be a fun season. Could be entertaining either way.

Dunno, I don't see him ever scoring more than 15-20 goals in the NHL. Just don't think he's anything special above the waist.

Never know, I guess.
- John Jaeckel

John, no shot at you buddy, but you are kidding about that lineup? That looks more like the Rockford ice hogs lineup then anything that will get the Chicago Blackhawks into the playoffs next year, one bad injury, and they are a lotto draft pick team if they stay put, the defense is terrible and yet they don't want to even try to talk to any of these to high-end college players

John, no shot at you buddy, but you are kidding about that lineup? That looks more like the Rockford ice hogs lineup then anything that will get the Chicago Blackhawks into the playoffs next year, one bad injury, and they are a lotto draft pick team if they stay put, the defense is terrible and yet they don't want to even try to talk to any of these to high-end college players
- wonthecup10

high-end college players? you do realize Butcher is under 6 feet and slow? The other guy is basically a Tanner Kero type, only worse?

I think the jury is still out if Hinostroza is an NHL caliber player. I think mostly because he needs to improve his 200 foot game and play away from the puck at the NHL level. I hope he takes the next step, but he could go in a trade much like Motte.
- breadbag

I agree, but a trait that can't be taught is pure speed. Hinostroza's got it. When a coach builds a line that's one of the considerations. And in the right coaching hands and forechecking system that speed can be utilitized and be a nightmare for the opposition. I'd have to get something immediately needed to include him in a trade just yet.
I hear Anthony somebody is another prospect that's similar to Hinistroza. I'd keep the higher hockey IQ and wheel the other in a trade.

high-end college players? you do realize Butcher is under 6 feet and slow? The other guy is basically a Tanner Kero type, only worse?
- TTtime

I don't follow it there close did not know that, looks like the coaches just going to play 52 card pickup with more than half of that roster and just see who sticks

I like the looks of the HAWKS roster for the coming year ,and with some cap relief they will be in fine shape to make a move or two . The two players I expected to get traded did ,I was lobbying for them to go together to catch one big fish . What Stan did was even better ,Murphy will be a great addition and getting Saad back was great .Think it was great AA did not get moved also ,expect all the kids to take another step forward .And the HAWKS will be a force once again ..GO HAWKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kane is going to have to play on 2 lines.

Kane is going to have to play on 2 lines.
- Newgod77

Bet that it took you 17 seconds to think of something that witty.

Kane is going to have to play on 2 lines.
- Newgod77

and super star savior
McAvoy's gonna have to lay on two defensive pairings...

Bet that it took you 17 seconds to think of something that witty.
- TTtime

Q has double shifted Kane tons the last few years since he's become a really dynamic player (especially when training or when Q not seeing what he likes). Its not out of the realm of possibility.

Some of the Hawks fans on here get wayyyyy to defensive much to easily. This is not your safe space.

Q has double shifted Kane tons the last few years since he's become a really dynamic player (especially when training or when Q not seeing what he likes). Its not out of the realm of possibility.

Some of the Hawks fans on here get wayyyyy to defensive much to easily. This is not your safe space.
- Felon454

Thanks tip.

I'd like to see ...

Saad - Toews - Hartman
Sharp - Anisimov - Kane
Jurco - Schmaltz - Panik
Hayden - Kero - Wingels

Keith - Murphy
Kempny - Seabrook
Oesterle - Rutta

Crawford
Forsberg

Read an article that Oesterle can play both LD and RD as well.

I think that versatility is a big reason he was signed so quickly.
- TyCamScore

I think he can make for a decent third pairing d-man. He just needs a chance. I think he's got a great chance of securing a third pairing position in training camp. I really don't think Q likes Forsling very much. Especially with how scared he plays in his own zone. I expect him to be packaged in a deal at some point this season.