Still think everyone is going to be surprised about one guy not mentioned in this blog. Someone who plays the way Q likes.

TVR got killed here a lot for being just what he was, a 5 or really a solid 6Dman, whom Q had confidence in and trusted.

I remember last preseason how everyone was enamored with Forsling, and how he surprised most and was ready the big time. He regressed a little I guess, or more likely showed himself to be who he was at this point in his development.

I can't help but feel that someone like Robin Press or Ville Pokka is going to surprised people this camp like Forsling did last year.

D is a big problem going into camp, need 3 guys to step up, better if there are 6 or 7 trying to fill those 3 slots than 3.
- vabeachbear

I agree on Pokka ,think he has been brought along the right way for a D .

Regarding the plethora of BLACKHAWKS defense prospects, do we have anything remotely that looks like Josh Manson ? With his and his daddy's attributes that he brings to the table? Would've loved to have seen Anaheim leave him unprotected, and Bowman work on a deal with Las Vegas to acquire this kid! I believe our defense is about a soft is a pile of buttermilk pancakes and a kid like this would help greatly! Just got done watching the St. Patrick's Day massacre, and if it is one guy that would call someone out to center ice just like his daddy did after enough of the crap of running BLACKHAWKS forwards, Josh Manson would be the guy! I believe he is is tough or tougher than his dad was, and he can play as well as his dad!

I see Schmaltz being a key piece, with Panarin and Hossa gone.

In three offseason moves:

ADDED

Murphy
Saad
Dauphin

SUBTRACTED

Hjalmarsson
TVR
Kruger
Panarin

There is a valid argument—based on past production, on better Blackhawk teams and worse teams elsewhere—that the players acquired are not as "good" individually as those traded.

But, a few things remain undeniable: the players the Hawks got back are younger, bigger and faster (straight line speed) across the board.

I believe this was Bowman's intent—all else aside—and I believe the Hawks plan to play a faster style vertically up the ice, which I believe the coaching staff had input and agreement on.
- John Jaeckel

It's interesting to watch roster changes year over year. The trades are one part of it and people tend to focus on whether an individual trade was a win or a loss. But managing a roster/organization is about managing the portfolio of players. Hossa is gone too. We don't know yet exactly who will be fallout out the roster. And what matters is how well they play in the first 1/2 to 2/3 of the season and who they add for a playoff run. Sometimes you take a step back in order to improve a year or two or more in the future. I like what Stan has done so far because it seemed like the roster was stuck and now it seems like there are more possibilities. Still need to add some pieces though.

Hayden not a potential top six, JJ? (Not this year, but in the future) Or just another big wing making us lust for Al Secord?

I see Schmaltz being a key piece, with Panarin and Hossa gone.
- kinigitt

Hopefully as a key piece....... in a trade for either a top 6 winger or a top 3 D man!

Hopefully as a key piece....... in a trade for either a top 6 winger or a top 3 D man!
- wonthecup10

That could also be his fate. Either way, he needs to take that next step to help the team (elevate his trade value or solidify his place in the top six)

Hayden not a potential top six, JJ? (Not this year, but in the future) Or just another big wing making us lust for Al Secord?
- jimnhlnut

Sign me up as number 1 for that!

That could also be his fate. Either way, he needs to take that next step to help the team (elevate his trade value or solidify his place in the top six)
- kinigitt

:

:
- wonthecup10

Still living in the good old day's ,when we could never win the cup Eh

Regarding the plethora of BLACKHAWKS defense prospects, do we have anything remotely that looks like Josh Manson ? With his and his daddy's attributes that he brings to the table? Would've loved to have seen Anaheim leave him unprotected, and Bowman work on a deal with Las Vegas to acquire this kid! I believe our defense is about a soft is a pile of buttermilk pancakes and a kid like this would help greatly! Just got done watching the St. Patrick's Day massacre, and if it is one guy that would call someone out to center ice just like his daddy did after enough of the crap of running BLACKHAWKS forwards, Josh Manson would be the guy! I believe he is is tough or tougher than his dad was, and he can play as well as his dad!
- wonthecup10

Indeed we do. Connor Murphy. Similar size, style, point production, has a family history in the game.

Hayden not a potential top six, JJ? (Not this year, but in the future) Or just another big wing making us lust for Al Secord?
- jimnhlnut

In my need to have a well balanced 4 lines, Hayden needs to step up and be 2LW.

Hopefully as a key piece....... in a trade for either a top 6 winger or a top 3 D man!
- wonthecup10

Why do you want to trade the only top 6 potential guy right now in the system

Why do you want to trade the only top 6 potential guy right now in the system
- vabeachbear

Because he's not like Saad/Hossa and an absolute beast everywhere on the ice...

Because he's not like Saad/Hossa and an absolute beast everywhere on the ice...
- Chunk

There were time last year when he was on the ice with Kane and Panarin that I thought, that's the speed the team used to have. By the end of this year, don't be surprised to see him at 2C.

One partial year in the bigs, coming off leading his team to a national championship, in a year where he dedicated himself to getting more responsible and playing D, and because he doesn't put up McDavid numbers and someone picked up on a picture of his chicken legs, everyone here are experts and he doesn't work at his craft and he needs to be traded.

Glad you guys aren't the GM. Some won't be happy until everyone with talent to build on is traded

There were time last year when he was on the ice with Kane and Panarin that I thought, that's the speed the team used to have. By the end of this year, don't be surprised to see him at 2C.

One partial year in the bigs, coming off leading his team to a national championship, in a year where he dedicated himself to getting more responsible and playing D, and because he doesn't put up McDavid numbers and someone picked up on a picture of his chicken legs, everyone here are experts and he doesn't work at his craft and he needs to be traded.

Glad you guys aren't the GM. Some won't be happy until everyone with talent to build on is traded
- vabeachbear

My biggest concern with Schmaltz last year was that he seemed to pass up a decent amount of prime shot attempts to try and pass (not the first and won't be the last young player to do so). I know they are different types of players, but if you look at Marchand, his numbers started really going up when he started taking more shots (or a least he got more shots on net). Before the last two years (his highest career point totals and points per game), the highest number of shots he had was 180. The last two years 250 and 226.

I'm not one f the meatheads who just yells SHOOT all the time, but if you find yourself in a prime area and have the chance, put that puppy on net.

Hopefully as a key piece....... in a trade for either a top 6 winger or a top 3 D man!
- wonthecup10

Totally disagree. Youth and Speed here. Give him a chance to develop please.

Totally disagree. Youth and Speed here. Give him a chance to develop please.
- Hawkytalk

If Schmaltz+ gets the Hawks a young Dman like Trouba...YES PLEASE!

If Schmaltz+ gets the Hawks a young Dman like Trouba...YES PLEASE!
- EnzoD

Enzo stay on the Trouba narrative. I like it very much

Enzo has been spot on for months. Hawks biggest need is a number 4 defenseman. I'm all for giving Kempny a shot. But at the 25 game mark we should know if he is trending well in that direction or is merely a 3rd pairing guy.

No on Jon Merrill by the way.

If Schmaltz+ gets the Hawks a young Dman like Trouba...YES PLEASE!
- EnzoD

I 2nd,3rd, and 4th THAT move, big time, Little Nicky,plus??, gets you Trouba? Absolutely!!!

I also keep thinking a lot of people are going to be surprised by Dauphin—not as a scorer, but as the "replacement" for what Kruger did. His role, if he has one in the NHL this year (and that's not engraved in stone), is more clear.
- John Jaeckel

The Hockey News season yearbook arrived today, and they of course are far from experts, but they has Dauphin as making the roster in a year, and Alex Debrincat this season.

If Schmaltz+ gets the Hawks a young Dman like Trouba...YES PLEASE!
- EnzoD

They cannot afford Trouba's next contract.

No on Jon Merrill by the way.
- Omahawk

I agree; anyone who thinks he deserves another couple years of chances, remember he already has a minus 41 in all his nHL seasons.
Sure his cap hit is like 1.2 for only one more season and then he arbitration eligible if he does pan out.
I have too many pictures in my mind of forwards going right around him.

I 2nd,3rd, and 4th THAT move, big time, Little Nicky,plus??, gets you Trouba? Absolutely!!!
- wonthecup10

yeah, now pay him.

Oh you want to subtract Seabrook to pay him?

Then you ended up losing Schmaltz and Seabrook and the hawks are better?