Maybe I am completely incorrect and it is just greedy me who besides wanting to see the USA 2019 prospects Rich Robert Mastrosimone, Arthur Kaliyev, Tyler Paquette, Luke Toporowski, Nicholas Robertson and goalie Dustin Wolf, I want to see the other top kids win the other teams.


- wiz1901

Mastrosimone (Meastro) is on your radar? Steel made a deal for Josh Groll from Omaha a month back and Meastro's father himself (flys to every single game from NJ) told me Groll is a Mastrosimone clone, a Mastro 2.0. Steel are gonna be fun this yr.

Reading about 1,000 word posts, I've got 3,000 words on The Meastro. Kid is an absolute joy for a fan of the sport. Watched his tryout for the Steel as a 16 yr old last yr. Kid was taking 30-40 second shifts and moving players around in game a few shifts in during his tryout with 16-20 yr olds on the ice.

I knew after the 30 second shifts in a tryout I liked the kid but when he started moving guys into position as a 16 yr old in a tryout he was My Guy!......... The Meastro is skating 1st line wing on the Hlinka squad.

A Boston U commit as a 15/16 yr old.

https://blackhawkup.com/2018/08/06/chicago-blackhawks-artemi-panarins-interest-irrelevant-right-now/

Article from Blackhawkup today regarding the relevance of a Panarin return to the Hawks. This quote in particular stood out to me and is a main reason why Panarin would be a "nice to have" asset (make that "really really nice to have") but not a "must need" asset:

"That being said, it’s very obvious the Blackhawks need NHL-ready defensemen and some goaltending depth well before they need Panarin back in the fold. Put Panarin on the current roster and the Blackhawks are, what, a wild-card team that turns into an easy out for the Predators? That might be a kind analysis."

I would add center depth to the list of needs to fulfill first. If the Hawks are to pursue a top 6 LW, I would prefer it be of the physical power forward variety. The team already has an exciting goal scoring winger in DeBrincat and possibly another offensively talented winger in Sikura. Those two plus Schmaltz are fulfilling the offensively dynamic top 6 forward youth quotient.
- AEL_Fox

This!! A Panarin would be wonderful but without a 100% Crow, bounce backs from 3 of the core, bounce back from Saad, a legit 3C and a couple legit top 4 Dmen the club is pissin in the wind as far as deep into the playoffs.

Hawks have a wonderful pipeline of Dmen, seemingly solid 2nd liners in Dcat and Schmaltz, a top 10 on earth in Kaner, a very nice 26 yr old power player in Saad but after that they are full of question marks throughout the organIzation.

This Panarin thing is interesting no doubt. If he wants to be a Hawk at 8 millish is it time to pull the trigger on that kind of cap hit at this juncture of the "retool/rebuild"? If Crow comes back healthy at some point this yr do they go after Panarin?

Nylander’s listed at 6’ and 188 while Schmaltz is 6’ 179, so yes Nylander is way bigger.
- HawkintheD

I think Schmaltz is 179 pounds after an extra large double stuffed pizza.

20/19/88 SHOULD be their top line.

Yes, it will expose 8 for his true talents if he has to play with players not wearing 88 on their back. ADB/Schmaltz/? then....

And yes, not likely 8 produces those numbers without 88, and contract negotiations become much easier for Bowman. I just don't see a repeat of last year's numbers without 88.
- Return of the Roar[/quote



I will respectfully have to differ from your stance! Kaner is all world and he can score and put up points like nobody; thus making other players better or least get more points. However, Kaner's scoring title was when he had a Robin (Batman) and that was the Breadman. The two years they were together they were both scoring machines. That said, Schmaltzy is no Breadman but he has proven (albeit one year) a great chemistry and bond with Kaner which is only going to get better. So those point totals will increase each other's output from last year.

I do not think 88/19 are as dominant together as they were when they came in the league together. The reason why I say this now is that their offensive style is more defined and deliniated with Kaner way better offensively. As I have said, Toews is not the same player (not due to age/mileage) so that's my other reason. When they were together on a line last year on EV they did not dominate, matter of fact, they lacked chemistry when Kaner possessed the puck. Even on the PP, with Toews down low and Kaner on the right half boards, they looked out of sync.

[quote=Return of the Roar]20/19/88 SHOULD be their top line.

Yes, it will expose 8 for his true talents if he has to play with players not wearing 88 on their back. ADB/Schmaltz/? then....

And yes, not likely 8 produces those numbers without 88, and contract negotiations become much easier for Bowman. I just don't see a repeat of last year's numbers without 88.
- D2D[/quote



I will respectfully have to differ from your stance! Kaner is all world and he can score and put up points like nobody; thus making other players better or least get more points. However, Kaner's scoring title was when he had a Robin (Batman) and that was the Breadman. The two years they were together they were both scoring machines. That said, Schmaltzy is no Breadman but he has proven (albeit one year) a great chemistry and bond with Kaner which is only going to get better. So those point totals will increase each other's output from last year.

I do not think 88/19 are as dominant together as they were when they came in the league together. The reason why I say this now is that their offensive style is more defined and deliniated with Kaner way better offensively. As I have said, Toews is not the same player (not due to age/mileage) so that's my other reason. When they were together on a line last year on EV they did not dominate, matter of fact, they lacked chemistry when Kaner possessed the puck. Even on the PP, with Toews down low and Kaner on the right half boards, they looked out of sync.

I’ll defer to LBR + BreadBag, but I’m willing to bet 19’s scoring numbers increased significantly playing with Kane the end of last year. Also, with Schmaltz in a contract year, I’d rather see him prove he can be a 60+ point guy without the best US born player in NHL History on his line before handing him $6mil +

NHL farm system rankings: Best, worst prospect pipelines for 2018-19, from 1 to 31 http://www.sportingnews.c...tn8fb6mqnial16bxvtds5dacu

While I certainly devote as much time as you in taking in these games, I share a lot of the same comments of about each player and here are some additional takes:

Boqvist will be fine as I think he is two full years away, more due to his body needing to fill out than his actual play. There is no doubt about his offensive talents and instincts so who you pair him with better be a solid stay-at-home D man

Mitchell might be a year away, possibly depending on how DU and the Hawks are doing, could be with the Hawks after his DU season sometime in March. First pass are are tape to tape and hard; he prefers to let the puck do the work. Being smallish, might have to pair him with a big lefty D, maybe Hillman his old DU teammate. I don't remember if they were paired together or not but they should be somewhat accustomed to each other.

Entwistle...I am not so sure about compared to most here. He just looked like he was too lanky where his body is not on the same page as his hockey brain. But he certainly has the frame to fill out, maybe a younger Hayden, left-handed. I'll admit this is all in limited viewing but I do like his prospects.

Beaudin...I did not see much to say one way or the other outside to say that he looked smallish out there. But I am bullish on him

Finally, shame on the NHL.com for not having Brady T in the top 10 performers in this tourney. From what I saw in the Canada vs US, Brady T was man among boys however you wanted to play the game, finesse or physical...he has both. He was by far the best player on the ice!
- D2D

The problem with the bigger kids like Entwistle is that some need to get accustomed to their frame because they grow so fast and so quick, so kids with size like that often look goofy or "slow" in their movements... You can tell they know what they want to do with the puck, it's just that their brains and bodies are on different levels, lol..

IMO, I think Entwistle is going to be a good one.. He's defiantly going to need a few years to develop but I think he has potential to be a force in front of the net, given his size he would be an ideal power-forward, but like all prospects he's going to need to work.

Boqvist from an offensive perspective is already NHL ready, he has the whole package he just needs to put some weight on and work on his D, but the skills he lacks are skills that can be learned - he has the talent based intangibles - the natural talent.... Also, remember this kid was one of the youngest in this draft, yet he went 8th overall to the Hawks, that's pretty impressive within itself, because a lot of the other defenseman taken in the draft have a year on him -- and at that age and level a year of development matters. So I'm looking forward to watching him develop over the next couple of years.. It was a good move by Stan to get him signed and bring him to London so the kid can get used to playing on North American ice. Not only that but London is a great team so that type of culture will further assist in his development.... My guess is that Boqvist is more like 2 years away from the NHL than 3, I mean his defense obviously needs work, he knows that and I'm sure he will work hard in that area.. I will say this much - It will be interesting to see if Bowman made the right choice by picking Boqvist over Bouchard, Wahlstrom or Dobson.. IMO, he will be better than Bouchard but Dobson is a good one too.

I think Schmaltz is 179 pounds after an extra large double stuffed pizza.
- tompo1015

Just like Nylander's 188 after a double stacked smoked meet sammich with a super sized order of poutine and extra gravy.

https://blackhawkup.com/2018/08/06/chicago-blackhawks-artemi-panarins-interest-irrelevant-right-now/

Article from Blackhawkup today regarding the relevance of a Panarin return to the Hawks. This quote in particular stood out to me and is a main reason why Panarin would be a "nice to have" asset (make that "really really nice to have") but not a "must need" asset:

"That being said, it’s very obvious the Blackhawks need NHL-ready defensemen and some goaltending depth well before they need Panarin back in the fold. Put Panarin on the current roster and the Blackhawks are, what, a wild-card team that turns into an easy out for the Predators? That might be a kind analysis."

I would add center depth to the list of needs to fulfill first. If the Hawks are to pursue a top 6 LW, I would prefer it be of the physical power forward variety. The team already has an exciting goal scoring winger in DeBrincat and possibly another offensively talented winger in Sikura. Those two plus Schmaltz are fulfilling the offensively dynamic top 6 forward youth quotient.
- AEL_Fox

What the Hawk need now and what the Hawks need in the future are two totally different ideas... The Hawks have the makings of a very dynamic defense, the problem it they're not NHL ready...

The Hawks DO NEED a 2nd line left wing now and in the future, so signing (not trading for) Panarin makes too much sense next summer.... Panarin want's to return, I want him to return and I believe Bowman had every intention of re-signing him as a UFA when he traded him and I'm sure Panarin was aware of that... Given the fact that Panarin will only be 27 next summer, a 7-year deal makes lots of sense, not only that but really locks up the Hawks top 6 long-term... The Hawks will have more than enough cap space to get Panarin signed and Schmaltz locked up long-term or at least on a bridge deal. DeBrincat becomes an RFA in 2020 and the Hawks will have the cap space to lock him up long-term as well, that's when Crow's contract expires...

Bowman could do it, however it would be ideal to move Anisimov... I mean it would be nice if Bowman could work a deal around Anisimov + for Patches, considering Patches is a pending UFA which is perfect. Hawks lose AA's contract, use Patches for a year then sign Panarin and the Hawks are set at forward for the next half decade..

As far as the defense, we all know it's coming..

The only real long-term issue the Hawks have is goaltending, Bowman's going to have to figure that out. Hopefully there is a surprise in the system like Deila, Nailonov or that kid Bowman just signed - them or even Forsberg.

I’ll defer to LBR + BreadBag, but I’m willing to bet 19’s scoring numbers increased significantly playing with Kane the end of last year. Also, with Schmaltz in a contract year, I’d rather see him prove he can be a 60+ point guy without the best US born player in NHL History on his line before handing him $6mil +
- EnzoD

They did. Though Schmaltz actually has the highest impact on Toews' production in the last 3 seasons but his sample size with Toews in 2017 was longer than Toews-Kane last year. Just in general, Toews numbers increase when a playmaker is on his line and his other wing is a shot volume player. It's good to note, though, that Kane's (or Schmaltz's) addition didn't pad Toews' number just directly, but that Toews-Saad/Panik also connected more without Kane/Schmaltz involved - playmakers tend to draw attention/coverage and allow other linemates to work together more.

I don't think Toews needs an elite playmaker to be productive as a rule, but if a shooter is one of his wings (Saad, Panik, Sharp, Debrincat), then the other wing needs to be able to help with setup more. After all, we've seen where Toews-Kane have not worked together when the other player isn't the right fit, so it's really all about line balance. Saad-Toews-Kane should (and has) worked well but something like Debrincat-Toews-Kane theoretically should work, if Q wanted to let Saad add size to a Schmaltz line. If Sikura can translate his passing ability at NCAA to the NHL, he could be a good option on one of those lines as well.

It's not the only way a line with Toews will work, but it's what has historically has.

They did. Though Schmaltz actually has the highest impact on Toews' production in the last 3 seasons but his sample size with Toews in 2017 was longer than Toews-Kane last year. Just in general, Toews numbers increase when a playmaker is on his line and his other wing is a shot volume player. It's good to note, though, that Kane's (or Schmaltz's) addition didn't pad Toews' number just directly, but that Toews-Saad/Panik also connected more without Kane/Schmaltz involved - playmakers tend to draw attention/coverage and allow other linemates to work together more.

I don't think Toews needs an elite playmaker to be productive as a rule, but if a shooter is one of his wings (Saad, Panik, Sharp, Debrincat), then the other wing needs to be able to help with setup more. After all, we've seen where Toews-Kane have not worked together when the other player isn't the right fit, so it's really all about line balance. Saad-Toews-Kane should (and has) worked well but something like Debrincat-Toews-Kane theoretically should work, if Q wanted to let Saad add size to a Schmaltz line. If Sikura can translate his passing ability at NCAA to the NHL, he could be a good option on one of those lines as well.

It's not the only way a line with Toews will work, but it's what has historically has.
- L_B_R

It would be great if Hayden could stick on line 2 with Debrincat + Schmaltz for some forechecking abs net front presence. Hopefully he’s been working on his skating.

Saad-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Schmaltz-Hayden
Kahun/Sikura-Anisimov-Kunitz
Martinsen-Kruger-Kampf/??

It would be great if Hayden could stick on line 2 with Debrincat + Schmaltz for some forechecking abs net front presence. Hopefully he’s been working on his skating.

Saad-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Schmaltz-Hayden
Kahun/Sikura-Anisimov-Kunitz
Martinsen-Kruger-Kampf/??
- EnzoD

I’m not yet sold on Hayden as a top 6 forward. My guess is that either Sikura or Kahun (more likely Sikura) gets a shot in the top 6 to start the season.

It would be great if Hayden could stick on line 2 with Debrincat + Schmaltz for some forechecking abs net front presence. Hopefully he’s been working on his skating.

Saad-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Schmaltz-Hayden
Kahun/Sikura-Anisimov-Kunitz
Martinsen-Kruger-Kampf/??
- EnzoD

Good lord...

Worst forward depth in the NHL, or at least close to it.

That 2nd line is meh

Bottom 6 looks atrocious

But hey....at least our defense is in good shape.....oh wait....

Make a splash signing at some point along the way to help out on the wing in the top 6....and MAYBE we can become average(that's right, just average) at forward:

New signing-Schmaltz-Kane
Debrincat-Anisimov-Sikura
Saad-Toews-Kunitz
the Kruger line

Just like Nylander's 188 after a double stacked smoked meet sammich with a super sized order of poutine and extra gravy.
- HawkintheD

This comment came through at my lunch time......... damn I was hungry after reading that. Sadly, nobody down here understands proper Poutine.

Just like Nylander's 188 after a double stacked smoked meet sammich with a super sized order of poutine and extra gravy.
- HawkintheD

Was thinking the same thing.

Only the Hawks lie about measurements................

Shakes head --- mate, mate, maaaaate.... I see as a cultural ambassador to Australia I have failed miserably .... being a Chicago board, it is far better to be talking about Chicago Dawgs, Deep Dish Pizza (technically there is no other types), and Italian Beefs, maybe even Gyros (close to souvlakis).


I think you do trade (if it is decided to go that route), because otherwise you have a potential surplus of wingers -it gets a little silly (in general - not here necessarily) reading about needing to re-sign RFAs ... the point is basically about the depth chart - you don't need 3 top 6 wingers that play on the same wing -relying on future depth. Plus you got the money now for this year --- why wouldn't you? (Ok- asking price -is the reason... but it isn't about team finances).

If you do, do Panarin - it has to be part of the rebuild -as I doubt he comes without an NMC ... and I mean, you know fair enough ... if a guy doesn't want to play long term in a city once, I doubt he'd be prepared to risk being moved from some place that he might really want to be.

And- I am pretty sure he would be- in the sense of - what winger wouldn't want to? The entire 'wants to be the man somewhere .... ' I mean yes, ok -but I mean have another winger maybe with more than half the number of points of the guy -I think one can only carry a team so far --- even Gretzky had Kurri, after all.

Shakes head --- mate, mate, maaaaate.... I see as a cultural ambassador to Australia I have failed miserably .... being a Chicago board, it is far better to be talking about Chicago Dawgs, Deep Dish Pizza (technically there is no other types), and Italian Beefs, maybe even Gyros (close to souvlakis).


I think you do trade (if it is decided to go that route), because otherwise you have a potential surplus of wingers -it gets a little silly (in general - not here necessarily) reading about needing to re-sign RFAs ... the point is basically about the depth chart - you don't need 3 top 6 wingers that play on the same wing -relying on future depth. Plus you got the money now for this year --- why wouldn't you? (Ok- asking price -is the reason... but it isn't about team finances).

If you do, do Panarin - it has to be part of the rebuild -as I doubt he comes without an NMC ... and I mean, you know fair enough ... if a guy doesn't want to play long term in a city once, I doubt he'd be prepared to risk being moved from some place that he might really want to be.

And- I am pretty sure he would be- in the sense of - what winger wouldn't want to? The entire 'wants to be the man somewhere .... ' I mean yes, ok -but I mean have another winger maybe with more than half the number of points of the guy -I think one can only carry a team so far --- even Gretzky had Kurri, after all.
- steve-hist-sdc

Those are some good points, question is what do you do, you give Columbus a boatload of prospects for Panerin’s rights? But of course you have to have some kind of commitment that he will sign long-term. Or do you just roll with it and try to sign him next summer and get into the bidding war with other teams, but what do you do for this year. Obviously there were players thrust into rolls last year that they weren’t ready for. Do you sign a couple of free agents to short term deals? People talked about Troy Brower , but after reading Todd Cordell‘s piece on him, maybe the Blackhawk management sees the same thing that was stated in the article. And they stay away. Rick Nash, what does he want to do? Is there been a list of any invites to camp and PTOs, and with what happen with Cody Franson last year and a couple others, regarding the coach, I doubt if any of those players want to risk that happening to them and getting shipped To the minor leagues. Lot of questions to be answered. But what we know about Rocky Wirtz and John McDonough is they just will not sit still and settle for another garbage season. I’m not saying there will be firing’s,but I am sure they are telling their hockey people , “You better do what you Gotta do to at least make the playoffs “, with the price of Blackhawk tickets and the bottom line dollar, I am sure that they do not want to take the Cubs or White Sox approach at stinking it up for years to rebuild, hockey is a different animal and we saw last time how fast the United Center could go down to 3000 fans a game. That is just not in Rocky’s vocabulary.

https://www.isportsweb.co...r-the-chicago-blackhawks/

Currently, the Blackhawks have five goalies. Corey Crawford, who is not going to be going anywhere, anytime soon, but is getting older and may be willing to make way for a younger up and coming goalie. Cam Ward, was just recently signed, but will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and seems to be just a one-year backup goalie. There is also Anton Forsberg and Colin Delia, who are both restricted free agents after this year. There is also another young goalie, Kevin Lankinen, who is signed through 2020. Lankinen has the best chance to become the future goalie at the current state of the roster. There is also prospects, Wouter Peeters and Alexis Gravel, that are in the system that could end up with a spot at some point. This seems like a logjam but three guys will probably be gone next year in Ward, Forsberg, and Delia. This gives Nalimov a spot as a backup in his first season. If he impresses I think Nalimov could end up the starter at some point. There is also the chance he ends up the next Antti Raanta or Antti Niemi, where he starts and plays well enough to get picked up by another team and play for them.

Nalimov may have a long road ahead of him for the next year or so, but if he continues this level of play in the KHL and comes over next year and plays well backing up Crawford, we could see him being our starter of the future come 2020. It will be an interesting story to watch unfold.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.co...hat-If-Signings/253/94242

https://www.isportsweb.com/2018/08/06/is-ivan-nalimov-the-goalie-of-the-future-for-the-chicago-blackhawks/

Currently, the Blackhawks have five goalies. Corey Crawford, who is not going to be going anywhere, anytime soon, but is getting older and may be willing to make way for a younger up and coming goalie. Cam Ward, was just recently signed, but will be an unrestricted free agent after this season and seems to be just a one-year backup goalie. There is also Anton Forsberg and Colin Delia, who are both restricted free agents after this year. There is also another young goalie, Kevin Lankinen, who is signed through 2020. Lankinen has the best chance to become the future goalie at the current state of the roster. There is also prospects, Wouter Peeters and Alexis Gravel, that are in the system that could end up with a spot at some point. This seems like a logjam but three guys will probably be gone next year in Ward, Forsberg, and Delia. This gives Nalimov a spot as a backup in his first season. If he impresses I think Nalimov could end up the starter at some point. There is also the chance he ends up the next Antti Raanta or Antti Niemi, where he starts and plays well enough to get picked up by another team and play for them.

Nalimov may have a long road ahead of him for the next year or so, but if he continues this level of play in the KHL and comes over next year and plays well backing up Crawford, we could see him being our starter of the future come 2020. It will be an interesting story to watch unfold.
- Mr Ricochet

I believe this a good problem to have given the uncertainty of the goalie situation. As they say the cream always rises to the top and I hope it plays itself out here, without any "funny" business (mgt) or team discord (Q vs Waite). Mr. Ricochet, I am deferring to you as far as the prospect coming up based on your thorough research. As usual, I only go by my pure optics and thoughts based on that, without any research, call it laziness. That said, there is no doubt the Hawks are in a transition year, starting with the goalies (Ward should be one year and out, nothing against him)