EnzoD thinks Jordon Oesterle has warts but I guess I don't see them and the hawks staff KNOWS guys with offensive zone presence lead to scores, and they signed him, right, for that side of his game, knowing if he is exposed to waviers he might go bye-bye.

My point is that I am not about to discount the new Czech and these two above and think the other guys young and old are locks including Franson's heavy point shot.

I think that they are trying to ADD and fill those Rosy, TvR, and Soupy spots with DIFFERENT types of defenders, so they can go heavy against teams some nights, and go with a strong attack push others.

I just watched and came to the realization, there were more TRUE candidates than I was considering and that me or you narrowing the field like we knew who , well, the obvious choices were that it was more like competition than we thought.
- wiz1901

I just thought that Luc Snuggerud looked like a bigger, and equally as mobile defenseman last night before his injury. For a 21 year old recent college player, Snuggerud was very impressive last night. Does anyone know what his injury status is?? I also think that Rutta and Kempny are bigger and more defensively responsible that Osterle. I don't see Osterle as a bad player, I just think there are better options who should make the Top 6D over him.

Keith has been getting over knee surgery the last 2 seasons, which I am told it takes that long to fully recover. That is why I expect a bounce back year from not only him, but also Toews and Seabrook, as they have also been dealing with injuries the past 2 seasons. If all three of them return to form, this team is going to be lethal. I have some high optimism for this season. Funny how the most optimistic person in past seasons has become the most pessimistic in the last year...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

It's common sense to have nothing but optimism for such a great team, without question the leagues best team from 2010-2015. Now that I see the core declining and I see so many question marks on defense, it's also common sense and only natural to start having doubts. Nothing funny about it.

It's common sense to have nothing but optimism for such a great team, without question the leagues best team from 2010-2015. Now that I see the core declining and I see so many question marks on defense, it's also common sense and only natural to start having doubts. Nothing funny about it.
- SimpleJack

Is Keith the clear #1 Defenseman in the NHL like he was from 2010-2015? No. Is Keith still a Top 5 Dman in the NHL? Yes! I thought 2 was moving great last night and was a force every shift both with and without the puck. You are correct that the defense past 2+7 are a huge question mark, but I think there are enough NHL-ready options in Training Camp to fill out a Playoff-Caliber Defense. With big bodies Saad + Panik flying around on his wings, Toews SHOULD be a 70 point player again. If not, then 19 is the biggest concern regarding this franchise, not 2 or 7.

Powers wrote a great article analyzing ADBs shifts and asking scouts about what they've seen. and think. It's a good outlook:

One scout said after the game, “I'm not saying he'll be as good, but think Brett Hull. Not big, not blazing speed, but great offensive instincts, knowing how to get open for shots and having a lethal ability to find the back of the net. DeBrincat has that same set.”

“Honestly, if he manages to play with Kane all season, he can be a Calder favorite,” a scout said.

As one scout said after the game, “He's looking very good. That goal is a lot of what you'll see from him. He's going to find those soft spots in coverage in and around the slot and fire it.”

The scout said, “I think that goal yesterday happens no matter who's on the ice. Certainly will get tougher when it's all NHL'ers, but I think he's going to get that chance. … What I don't get is everyone assuming he needs time in Rockford. If he keeps showing he's not out of place here and is scoring goals, there's no reason for him to go there. I think he makes the team out of camp and is given a chance to stay until he proves otherwise, and that's how it should be.”

Powers wrote a great article analyzing ADBs shifts and asking scouts about what they've seen. and think. It's a good outlook:
- JRoenick97

I think the Brett Hull comparison is spot on. He actually does not look nearly as small as Gaudreau on the ice. He has some beef on that short frame, and you simply cannot teach the type of finishing ability/instincts that he has. I'd have to agree with the last scouting quote....keep him here until he proves otherwise.

I think the Brett Hull comparison is spot on. He actually does not look nearly as small as Gaudreau on the ice. He has some beef on that short frame, and you simply cannot teach the type of finishing ability/instincts that he has. I'd have to agree with the last scouting quote....keep him here until he proves otherwise.
- EnzoD

Give him the Saad treatment. Took Saad 30 games or so before he really clicked. If ADB can be Panarin-lite, that Saad trade is a yuge boom! Guy's a gamer no doubt. And furthermore, let Schmaltz center and leave him there for at least half the season. Don't bail on it and shift him to forward after a handful of games. I do wonder how that Kane line would fare against big D-men though.

I think the Brett Hull comparison is spot on. He actually does not look nearly as small as Gaudreau on the ice. He has some beef on that short frame, and you simply cannot teach the type of finishing ability/instincts that he has. I'd have to agree with the last scouting quote....keep him here until he proves otherwise.
- EnzoD

I will say, I think from watching him that Alex DeBrincat seems like he could use some more strength, but what I do like, is he can play with the dynamic and creative guys like Kane/Schmaltz very well. He keeps moving and finds those open scoring areas and Kane/Schmaltz were trying to find him. That to me is big. We've seen a lot of young guys with the deer in the headlights and they stop moving their feet and start looking around. Alex was moving and shifting like a goal scorer. Still not sure if he sticks, but he looks like he could be a real NHL player in the future at least.

It goes a bit unnoticed, but I think the Hawks might have some better luck drawing pentlies this year. If the leagues keeps this crackdown, the Kane,Schmaltz, and Saad types might be drawing more and more calls.

Give him the Saad treatment. Took Saad 30 games or so before he really clicked. If ADB can be Panarin-lite, that Saad trade is a yuge boom! Guy's a gamer no doubt. And furthermore, let Schmaltz center and leave him there for at least half the season. Don't bail on it and shift him to forward after a handful of games. I do wonder how that Kane line would fare against big D-men though.
- Assman22

I have a preference for young players with high potential getting their first pro experience in a lower league - in hockey that means Rockford - give him time there to get used to playing with and against some desperate pros in real game (not preseason) games. Have him learn how to get to his favorite position(s) as an Ice Hog.

But beyond that, I’m still concerned about a 12-8-88 line - who goes and gets the puck below the net? Who goes and sets screens at the net?

Maybe 12 and 8 learn that stuff over time - can three perimeter players succeed on one line - even if Kane is one of them?

I think the Brett Hull comparison is spot on. He actually does not look nearly as small as Gaudreau on the ice. He has some beef on that short frame, and you simply cannot teach the type of finishing ability/instincts that he has. I'd have to agree with the last scouting quote....keep him here until he proves otherwise.
- EnzoD

I'd like to think Dino

I have a preference for young players with high potential getting their first pro experience in a lower league - in hockey that means Rockford - give him time there to get used to playing with and against some desperate pros in real game (not preseason) games. Have him learn how to get to his favorite position(s) as an Ice Hog.

But beyond that, I’m still concerned about a 12-8-88 line - who goes and gets the puck below the net? Who goes and sets screens at the net?

Maybe 12 and 8 learn that stuff over time - can three perimeter players succeed on one line - even if Kane is one of them?
- StLBravesFan

Schmaltz has been noticeably better at getting pucks so far. ADB gets in that slot soft spot in front of the net, and Kane is Kane. That line doesn't necessarily need a screen in front with their ability to move the puck.

Schmaltz has been noticeably better at getting pucks so far. ADB gets in that slot soft spot in front of the net, and Kane is Kane. That line doesn't necessarily need a screen in front with their ability to move the puck.
- JRoenick97

Schmaltz has looked better against AHL competition - when real games start, AdB is going to get hit and muscled out of position every time he tries to get to the slot - yes, Kane is Kane but without an AA getting the puck down low and occupying the goalie....

Schmaltz has looked better against AHL competition - when real games start, AdB is going to get hit and muscled out of position every time he tries to get to the slot - yes, Kane is Kane but without an AA getting the puck down low and occupying the goalie....
- StLBravesFan

You can't hit guys who don't have the puck, and he moves in there while he's without it. You think junior guys don't sell out for big hits? It's the same argument against him that has always been there, yet he keeps putting up goals. Give him a shot until he doesn't, then there's always RockVegas.

You realize Kane played with guys like Richards and Handzus and Versteeg, etc and still put up points without them occupying the goalie. There are more ways to score than a big guy in front of the net.

I have a preference for young players with high potential getting their first pro experience in a lower league - in hockey that means Rockford - give him time there to get used to playing with and against some desperate pros in real game (not preseason) games. Have him learn how to get to his favorite position(s) as an Ice Hog.

But beyond that, I’m still concerned about a 12-8-88 line - who goes and gets the puck below the net? Who goes and sets screens at the net?

Maybe 12 and 8 learn that stuff over time - can three perimeter players succeed on one line - even if Kane is one of them?
- StLBravesFan

I've seen 8 win many puck battles and do some dirty work thus far in the preseason. Whether that is something that will be there against 100% NHL level players is another story. But, 8 has looked very strong on the puck, and 88 is an underrated player as far as 50/50 puck battles. Like Q said in his press conference last week, he expects them to have to puck and not be on the defensive too much.

I've seen 8 win many puck battles and do some dirty work thus far in the preseason. Whether that is something that will be there against 100% NHL level players is another story. But, 8 has looked very strong on the puck, and 88 is an underrated player as far as 50/50 puck battles. Like Q said in his press conference last week, he expects them to have to puck and not be on the defensive too much.
- EnzoD

ADB has also shown the ability to retrieve pucks and win 50/50 board battles. I agree with what others have said, as long as he continues to put up points whenever you put him in games, then he deserves to stay. He shows elite offensive instincts.

I have a preference for young players with high potential getting their first pro experience in a lower league - in hockey that means Rockford - give him time there to get used to playing with and against some desperate pros in real game (not preseason) games. Have him learn how to get to his favorite position(s) as an Ice Hog.

But beyond that, I’m still concerned about a 12-8-88 line - who goes and gets the puck below the net? Who goes and sets screens at the net?

Maybe 12 and 8 learn that stuff over time - can three perimeter players succeed on one line - even if Kane is one of them?
- StLBravesFan

I have similar concerns about who plays down-low and such, though it should be noted that Debrincat isn't really a perimeter player. I keep seeing people say that, but he's historically been the guy scoring from the slot or closer. He's not going to screen a goalie, but he drives east-west into the middle of the ice for a lot of his goals and cycles in for passing as well. Idk if that will hold completely true in the NHL but that's the way he's played at every level so far.

I'm skeptical DSK can all play together consistently for various reasons (I'd prefer Sharp or Hartman up there) but Idk if it's accurate to label them all perimeter guys.

I think the Brett Hull comparison is spot on. He actually does not look nearly as small as Gaudreau on the ice. He has some beef on that short frame, and you simply cannot teach the type of finishing ability/instincts that he has. I'd have to agree with the last scouting quote....keep him here until he proves otherwise.
- EnzoD

Enzo - do you think if ADB was 6'0" there would be little to NO discussions about Rockford, and he would be on the team Day 1.

Enzo - do you think if ADB was 6'0" there would be little to NO discussions about Rockford, and he would be on the team Day 1.
- glennjpawlak22

Yes, and we wouldn't have gotten him in the second round.

Enzo - do you think if ADB was 6'0" there would be little to NO discussions about Rockford, and he would be on the team Day 1.
- glennjpawlak22

Nope, but he also would have been a Top 15 Draft pick and not playing in a Blackhawks' jersey.

Nope, but he also would have been a Top 15 Draft pick and not playing in a Blackhawks' jersey.
- EnzoD

Good point!! i didnt consider that side either

I have similar concerns about who plays down-low and such, though it should be noted that Debrincat isn't really a perimeter player. I keep seeing people say that, but he's historically been the guy scoring from the slot or closer. He's not going to screen a goalie, but he drives east-west into the middle of the ice for a lot of his goals and cycles in for passing as well. Idk if that will hold completely true in the NHL but that's the way he's played at every level so far.

I'm skeptical DSK can all play together consistently for various reasons (I'd prefer Sharp or Hartman up there) but Idk if it's accurate to label them all perimeter guys.
- L_B_R

Semantics, then - I don’t know that AdB will be able to get to that slot or lower position in the Show without being “occupied” (if not muscled out of the position).

It’s too hard to beat a goalie who can see the puck - even if DSK moves the puck like the old Knicks - but we haven’t seen enough of anything yet to know one way or the other.

Is there any thought (if the consensus is that AdB belongs in Chicago immediately) to moving Saad with Schmaltz and Kane and putting AdB with Kane and Panik?

Semantics, then - I don’t know that AdB will be able to get to that slot or lower position in the Show without being “occupied” (if not muscled out of the position).

It’s too hard to beat a goalie who can see the puck - even if DSK moves the puck like the old Knicks - but we haven’t seen enough of anything yet to know one way or the other.

Is there any thought (if the consensus is that AdB belongs in Chicago immediately) to moving Saad with Schmaltz and Kane and putting AdB with Kane and Panik?
- StLBravesFan

As long as Q is the coach it's definitely possible that we see 12-19-14 at some point. Kane and Saad have always had good chemistry today so it might be worth trying.

ADB has also shown the ability to retrieve pucks and win 50/50 board battles. I agree with what others have said, as long as he continues to put up points whenever you put him in games, then he deserves to stay. He shows elite offensive instincts.
- TheTrob

If ADB can win 50/50 board battles and puts up a reasonable number of points....keep him on the roster. We should remember Kaner the first three years was all offense. He avoided the boards like a plague. His puck retrieval was dismal. Coach Q had Kaner " take some bench" many times because of his lack of hustle on defense.

Just gonna drop this into the thread...

Someone may have already linked to this Hossa screed, if so sorry for the redundancy.

http://www.barstoolsports...tch_id=439889271372411430

Just gonna drop this into the thread...

Someone may have already linked to this Hossa screed, if so sorry for the redundancy.

http://www.barstoolsports...tch_id=439889271372411430
- ArlingtonRob

lol (frank)ing crybaby

Really???????
- vabeachbear

Hey, at least he isn't posting lines.