My pick as a surprise player that will have an impact this season (I’m guessing a mid season call up) that will stick and never go back down is Jacob Nilsson.
- walleyeb1

Yep - he's in my radar too. He could be this year's Kampf.

He will head to Rockford to be reunited with his old coach Colliton but could be a solid depth guy throughout the year.

I believe Hayden is on 1 way contract so he be with the big club, might be wrong.
- Scott1977

Correct. Hayden will be a regular all year with the Blackhawks.

Any forwards mention that you heard of that the hawks be looking to bring in on a PTO. Hopefully a center!!!
- Scott1977

Have not heard names, Scott.

Nick Shore is my vote to at least take a look at though.

I believe Hayden is on 1 way contract so he be with the big club, might be wrong.
- Scott1977

One-way contract just mean a player is paid the same in the AHL as they are in the NHL. Hayden is past the waiver-exemption period as well, though, but he still technically can go to the AHL if they waive him. His pay is just the same regardless.

Have not heard names, Scott.

Nick Shore is my vote to at least take a look at though.
- Justin Lowe

Ok thanks shore would be nice also young 25 i believe so be part of the youth movement.

Have not heard names, Scott.

Nick Shore is my vote to at least take a look at though.
- Justin Lowe

It's kind of weird that Shore can't seem to stick in the NHL, he's better than some other 4th line centers out there and maybe some 3Cs (it's hard to really determine the latter since he hasn't played consistently enough). He's good in transition, his passing is around 3rd line level, but he had a tendency to be with other players who couldn't score so his shot assists, while good, didn't result in anything. He needs to learn to shoot more, but he generates scoring chances at a high rate and is solid defensively. I think he'd probably put up more points if he was on wing, but still.

Some comparison:

I'm thinking similarly with who will make the team and who will be amongst the first call ups as the season rolls along. Putting aside the blueline and in net, as the roster stands today, there are 5 openings at forward:

DeBrincat - Toews - RW
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
LW - Anisimov - RW
Kunitz - Kruger - RW
13th forward

Like you, I think Sikura and Kahun make the team as forwards. IMHO, frontrunners to be in the mix for the other 3 spots would be Hayden, Edjsell, Nilsson, Kampf, Highmore, and Johnson. Possibly Fortin and Martinsen.

Initial guess at a starting lineup if no more trades or signings and all spots need to be filled by youngsters:

DeBrincat - Toews - Sikura
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Kahun- Anisimov - Kampf
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden
Martinsen or Nilsson

Yeah, not the best on paper and likely not on the ice either but you never know.
- AEL_Fox

Assuming you are correct - AdB, Schmaltz, Sikura, Kahun, three others from your list - that’s a lot of inexperienced forwards (half of the total forward list) who still need development playing for coaches in Chicago that I’m not convinced are very good at player development.

And then you have the blue liners....

Also, one thing to note is the current lack of right-handed shots up front.

Why that's important is that Patrick Kane performs best when at least 1x righty is on his line. Also provides more options throughout the lineup.

Right now, the only projected righties are Schmaltz, Debrincat and Hayden.

The Hawks had 4 more last year with Sharp, Hartman, Hinostroza and Wingels. That is a big drop and limits Coach Q ability to mix and match (which some people are here will be happy about, ha).

What I'm suggesting is that keep an eye out for right-handed PTO vs. Lefties in the coming weeks. That includes:

Stewart
Chiasson (wouldn't mind seeing him)
Brouwer
Shore
Stafford
Ward

...Something to watch.

Also, one thing to note is the current lack of right-handed shots up front.

Why that's important is that Patrick Kane performs best when at least 1x righty is on his line. Also provides more options throughout the lineup.

Right now, the only projected righties are Schmaltz, Debrincat and Hayden.

The Hawks had 4 more last year with Sharp, Hartman, Hinostroza and Wingels. That is a big drop and limits Coach Q ability to mix and match (which some people are here will be happy about, ha).

What I'm suggesting is that keep an eye out for right-handed PTO vs. Lefties in the coming weeks. That includes:

Stewart
Chiasson (wouldn't mind seeing him)
Brouwer
Shore
Stafford
Ward

...Something to watch.

- Justin Lowe

At first I agreed with Chiasson, but it is concerning that he cannot seem to stick with a team.

At first I agreed with Chiasson, but it is concerning that he cannot seem to stick with a team.
- DarthKane

Interesting read on him:

https://www.japersrink.co...on-capitals-season-review

Any forwards mention that you heard of that the hawks be looking to bring in on a PTO. Hopefully a center!!!
- Scott1977

Tomas Jurco

At first I agreed with Chiasson, but it is concerning that he cannot seem to stick with a team.
- DarthKane

Same with Shore. He bounced around a bit last year.

Unfortunately, beggers can't be choosers and the Hawks, if they are looking to add at this point in the calendar might have to take a risk on a guy (would be a very low risk financially).

Tomas Jurco
- DarthKane

Ha. I would say he's Europe bound.

Guy has a lot of skills for the YouTube... but could never put it together in-game.

Tomas Jurco
- DarthKane

Matt Stajan

Predicting PTOs - https://thehockeywriters....rofessional-tryouts-2018/

Chicago - Enstrom & Seidenberg

As long as he'd be in the bottom pair or 7th d-man I wouldn't mind Enstrom. He's clearly not the player he once was but he could still have some value.


Darth's PTO Predictions - Jason Garrison, Logan Shaw and Drew Stafford. None of them make the team.

Ha. I would say he's Europe bound.

Guy has a lot of skills for the YouTube... but could never put it together in-game.
- Justin Lowe

It's kind of weird that Shore can't seem to stick in the NHL, he's better than some other 4th line centers out there and maybe some 3Cs (it's hard to really determine the latter since he hasn't played consistently enough). He's good in transition, his passing is around 3rd line level, but he had a tendency to be with other players who couldn't score so his shot assists, while good, didn't result in anything. He needs to learn to shoot more, but he generates scoring chances at a high rate and is solid defensively. I think he'd probably put up more points if he was on wing, but still.

Some comparison:


- L_B_R

Nice breakdown LBR.

It's odd because Kings seemed to use him in a valuable role for a few years.

It was just last year he bounced around a bit. Surprised no one scooped him up.

Predicting PTOs - https://thehockeywriters....rofessional-tryouts-2018/

Chicago - Enstrom & Seidenberg

As long as he'd be in the bottom pair or 7th d-man I wouldn't mind Enstrom. He's clearly not the player he once was but he could still have some value.


Darth's PTO Predictions - Jason Garrison, Logan Shaw and Drew Stafford. None of them make the team.
- DarthKane

Enstrom - I can see that as a Stan move. Might be worth a look in training camp.

Enstrom - I can see that as a Stan move. Might be worth a look in training camp.
- Justin Lowe

Enstrom would be a textbook StanBo smurf addition.

Enstrom would be a textbook StanBo smurf addition.
- EnzoD

Consider Enstrom a Blackhawk.

Justin, this may be a spoiler for your next blog or two, but I have a feeling that Hillman will make the team as well. Like I do about Jokiharju making the team out of camp, I have mixed feelings about Hillman doing the same thinking that he should at least start the year in Rockford then be a call up later once he gets more pro experience at the AHL level. However, another stated in the last blog that Hillman may be this year's TVR (i.e. a prospect who Q loves and will want him in the lineup) and I kinda agree with that perspective.

Like the idea of Hillman as part of the initial 7 if no veteran is signed. An older prospect and mostly stay-at-home dman; should be steady. Would need to play more than a typical #7.

Hoping that Jokiharju can go to ROC for a little while. He could come up for a few games to play top 4 and learn what he needs to work on and then go back (similar to the Schmaltz path from a couple of years ago). By the trade deadline he would be ready to become a regular, and one of the vets could be moved for a pick or prospect.

Like the idea of Hillman as part of the initial 7 if no veteran is signed. An older prospect and mostly stay-at-home dman; should be steady. Would need to play more than a typical #7.

Hoping that Jokiharju can go to ROC for a little while. He could come up for a few games to play top 4 and learn what he needs to work on and then go back (similar to the Schmaltz path from a couple of years ago). By the trade deadline he would be ready to become a regular, and one of the vets could be moved for a pick or prospect.
- totem

I can see what you described as a possible path for Hillman.

Sikura, too, although of all the prospects, I think he has the most potential to make the team and stick. He's 23, played all 4 years in college getting better each season, so he's not underbaked (undersized, yes, but so is DeBrincat). In his brief debut, Sikura showed he can skate with the pros, contribute, and not be a liability.

Like Hillman, I can see Sikura being a Q favorite as well.

Same with Shore. He bounced around a bit last year.

Unfortunately, beggers can't be choosers and the Hawks, if they are looking to add at this point in the calendar might have to take a risk on a guy (would be a very low risk financially).
- Justin Lowe

I don't understand why they would try to bring Shore in on a PTO instead of just signing him. At this point, I can't see Shore getting more than $1M AAV, and that can be buried in Rockford. You'd have to think he would sign a contract in a heartbeat over a PTO.

Enstrom - I can see that as a Stan move. Might be worth a look in training camp.
- Justin Lowe

As long as Enstrom or any other potential signee can eat minutes, play consistent defense, and not be a liability, then I'm all for it. Any offense is gravy so it doesn't matter anymore that Enstrom's best offensive days are behind him.

Like the idea of Hillman as part of the initial 7 if no veteran is signed. An older prospect and mostly stay-at-home dman; should be steady. Would need to play more than a typical #7.

Hoping that Jokiharju can go to ROC for a little while. He could come up for a few games to play top 4 and learn what he needs to work on and then go back (similar to the Schmaltz path from a couple of years ago). By the trade deadline he would be ready to become a regular, and one of the vets could be moved for a pick or prospect.
- totem

Hillman is different than the other d-men in the Hawks pipeline that are getting all the attention (Boqvist, Jokiharju, Mitchell, Krys). Like you said, he’s more of a stay-at-home type of defenseman. I liked what we saw from him during his cup of coffee with the Hawks at the end of the season. I don’t think both Hillman and Jokiharju start the season on the Hawks, but they should end it together.

Of all the rookies that could make the team this year I’m most looking forward to seeing Sikura and Hillman.