Also, in case you missed it yesterday. I was told the following:


UPDATE: I just heard the Hawks are entertaining bringing Troy Brouwer back on a 1-year deal.

Also, Stan is re-engaging on some trade talks so it's possible he goes that route or brings Brouwer back on at least a PTO.
- Justin Lowe

Any idea what those trade talks would be about and what teams.

If the return of Brouwer plays out, the initial thought is for him to play bottom 6. But would he be seen as an option to play top 6 with Toews? I'm not advocating for that by any means since I'd rather see DeBrincat, Sikura, and/or Kahun to have that chance but it's not out of the realm of possibility that Brouwer is RW on Toews' line.

If bottom 6, I would imagine Brouwer and Hayden are the RWs on lines 3 and 4 (interchangeably).

However, if top 6, maybe something like:

DeBrincat - Toews - Brouwer
Saad - Schmaltz - Kane
Anisimov - Kahun - Sikura
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden

Don't really like that as there's no playmaker on the 1st line (not to mention who knows what's left in Brouwer's tank), even if you swap DeBrincat and Saad in the top 6 RW slots. Toews would thrive more if he has a shooter and a playmaker.
- AEL_Fox

Brouwer isn't a top 6 player anymore, not really, which is why he was playing 4th line for the Flames this past year.

But mostly I hate that because that top line has Toews once again doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to playmaking. I keep repeating it, but one of the biggest issues for Toews/Panik and Toews/Saad in recent years is that the pairs were not getting the quality of shot assists. This is a quantifiable fact - their shot assist rates coming to them and quality were the lowest of Toews career the last two seasons until Schmaltz/Kane were added (and Hinostroza to a certain degree). If Saad and Toews are going to do well imo they need to be with better quality playmakers.

If Brouwer has to be in the top 6, I'd say he'd go with Kane, who is used to playing with b6 guys on the 2nd line. Brouwer could fill more of the Anisimov role of standing in front of the net and receiving the puck and not worry about his declining skills. That would then mean someone like Sikura to the top line because Saad-Toews-Debrincat is still a bit shooter heavy to me but would be more balanced than a black-hole of passing ability in Brouwer being up there (his assist totals were inflated by secondary assists).

Brouwer isn't a top 6 player anymore, not really, which is why he was playing 4th line for the Flames this past year.

But mostly I hate that because that top line has Toews once again doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to playmaking. I keep repeating it, but one of the biggest issues for Toews/Panik and Toews/Saad in recent years is that the pairs were not getting the quality of shot assists. This is a quantifiable fact - their shot assist rates coming to them and quality were the lowest of Toews career the last two seasons until Schmaltz/Kane were added (and Hinostroza to a certain degree). If Saad and Toews are going to do well imo they need to be with better quality playmakers.

If Brouwer has to be in the top 6, I'd say he'd go with Kane, who is used to playing with b6 guys on the 2nd line. Brouwer could fill more of the Anisimov role of standing in front of the net and receiving the puck and not worry about his declining skills. That would then mean someone like Sikura to the top line because Saad-Toews-Debrincat is still a bit shooter heavy to me but would be more balanced than a black-hole of passing ability in Brouwer being up there (his assist totals were inflated by secondary assists).
- L_B_R

Couldn't agree more with everything you just shared. You have a knack of bringing quantifiable perspectives to the table to illustrate this and that which I appreciate.

A line of Toews, Brouwer, and either Saad or DeBrincat is too shooter heavy as you said. I believe you've also pointed out in the past that Toews may be more productive offensively if he has a shooter and a playmaker. I endorse that and think having DeBrincat (shooter) and Sikura (playmaker) flanking Toews is worth considering.

Brower is a tough call. The whole Calgary team under performed last year which is why they traded out Hamilton. Brower was part of that and needs to prove he is still an NHL talent. A chip on his shoulder plus familiarity with Qs system gives him some value, plus he's big. Size is lacking on this roster. Is he fast enough to keep up? In a defined role he'd contribute for the first half of the year, but later he'd be a press box regular and maybe be in Rockford for the rest of the year. I think he's worth a PTO.
Hillman doesn't have much to prove in Rockford, so with a good camp he makes the team and Murphy goes. Maybe for a center or a pick and a prospect. Too bad as Hammer was a better player. Stanbo gambled and lost on that deal.
Hopefully Forsberg and Ward can hold the fort while Cory recovers.
With a little luck a late season surge, after Q decides who he wants to run with, will edge the Hawks into a last spot.
Surprises are possible but Nashville and Winnipeg are the teams to beat and both are in the Hawks division. It's never easy to make the playoffs, and the Hawks will need some help to get there.

Brower is a tough call. The whole Calgary team under performed last year which is why they traded out Hamilton. Brower was part of that and needs to prove he is still an NHL talent. A chip on his shoulder plus familiarity with Qs system gives him some value, plus he's big. Size is lacking on this roster. Is he fast enough to keep up? In a defined role he'd contribute for the first half of the year, but later he'd be a press box regular and maybe be in Rockford for the rest of the year. I think he's worth a PTO.
Hillman doesn't have much to prove in Rockford, so with a good camp he makes the team and Murphy goes. Maybe for a center or a pick and a prospect. Too bad as Hammer was a better player. Stanbo gambled and lost on that deal.
Hopefully Forsberg and Ward can hold the fort while Cory recovers.
With a little luck a late season surge, after Q decides who he wants to run with, will edge the Hawks into a last spot.
Surprises are possible but Nashville and Winnipeg are the teams to beat and both are in the Hawks division. It's never easy to make the playoffs, and the Hawks will need some help to get there.
- weakglovehand

I still don't really see the benefit of bringing Brouwer back. He's basically Bouma from last year.

I still don't really see the benefit of bringing Brouwer back. He's basically Bouma from last year.
- Chunk

There’s really no comparison between Bouma and Brouwer:

Brouwer isn't a top 6 player anymore, not really, which is why he was playing 4th line for the Flames this past year.

But mostly I hate that because that top line has Toews once again doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to playmaking. I keep repeating it, but one of the biggest issues for Toews/Panik and Toews/Saad in recent years is that the pairs were not getting the quality of shot assists. This is a quantifiable fact - their shot assist rates coming to them and quality were the lowest of Toews career the last two seasons until Schmaltz/Kane were added (and Hinostroza to a certain degree). If Saad and Toews are going to do well imo they need to be with better quality playmakers.

If Brouwer has to be in the top 6, I'd say he'd go with Kane, who is used to playing with b6 guys on the 2nd line. Brouwer could fill more of the Anisimov role of standing in front of the net and receiving the puck and not worry about his declining skills. That would then mean someone like Sikura to the top line because Saad-Toews-Debrincat is still a bit shooter heavy to me but would be more balanced than a black-hole of passing ability in Brouwer being up there (his assist totals were inflated by secondary assists).
- L_B_R

Saad Toews Schmaltz
Pacioretty AA Kane
Cat Kahun Sikura
Kunitz Kruger Hayden

Saad Crosby Toews

DCat McDavid Kane

Make it happen Stan!

Interesting stuff:

The virtual reality software that allows these potential NHL officials to be part of the game without stepping on the ice comes from a company called Strivr, which started four years ago with quarterbacks and has expanded to work with teams in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball, in addition to contracting with two NHL teams: the Washington Capitals and Chicago Blackhawks. And now it is hoping to bring its "power to make practice perfect" mantra to officiating in the NHL.

Saad Crosby Toews

DCat McDavid Kane

Make it happen Stan!
- riozzo

I thought it was Malkin coming over from the Pens.

There’s really no comparison between Bouma and Brouwer:



- walleyeb1

Over the course of their careers, no, but right now there is. Brouwer hasn't played well in two years. What would he provide that Hayden or Martinsen couldn't? I may be totally off on this, but in seeing him play he is slower, and a lot worse than he used to be.

Saad Toews Schmaltz
Pacioretty AA Kane
Cat Kahun Sikura
Kunitz Kruger Hayden
- SoftServe

Acquiring Pacioretty makes sense because he has only 1-year on his contract at a reasonable $4.5M ... but I'd be very surprised if that trade happens because I'm pretty sure Montreal can get more for him than (I hope) Stan is will to give up. But, if somehow Pacioretty ended up on the Hawks and none of the starters were traded to get him, I would prefer this lineup:

Saad-Toews-DCat
Pacioretty-Schmaltz-Kane
Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura
Kunitz-Kruger-Hayden

Over the course of their careers, no, but right now there is. Brouwer hasn't played well in two years. What would he provide that Hayden or Martinsen couldn't? I may be totally off on this, but in seeing him play he is slower, and a lot worse than he used to be.
- Chunk

Acquiring Pacioretty makes sense because he has only 1-year on his contract at a reasonable $4.5M ... but I'd be very surprised if that trade happens because I'm pretty sure Montreal can get more for him than (I hope) Stan is will to give up. But, if somehow Pacioretty ended up on the Hawks and none of the starters were traded to get him, I would prefer this lineup:

Saad-Toews-DCat
Pacioretty-Schmaltz-Kane
Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura
Kunitz-Kruger-Hayden
- EbonyRaptor

I just wanted to give Saad and Toews a playmaker on their line

Pass on brower rathet martinsin younger and might have bit more upside. Hawks need another center top 6 forward and top 4 d man. Don't see hawks getting top 6 and top 4 d man but maybe nick shore might be a suitable center that might help.

Pass on brower rathet martinsin younger and might have bit more upside. Hawks need another center top 6 forward and top 4 d man. Don't see hawks getting top 6 and top 4 d man but maybe nick shore might be a suitable center that might help.
- Scott1977

Yup, I'm no fan of bringing in Brouwer. I just don't see the benefit. We don't need any more guys that are "just good enough to play". Since we don't have the cap room to bring in established players, we might as well use what we have and figure out how best to get them to play together.

I would really like an emphasis on team defense again.

I thought it was Malkin coming over from the Pens.
- Beaver-Warrior

Thank you! Think the Pens would take Kruger and Gus for him?

.

If Saad and Toews are going to do well imo they need to be with better quality playmakers.

- L_B_R

Excuse me??

TWO GUYS making a combined $16.5MM/yr (20.75% of the team cap) can't perform without a playmaker on their line??

You know, there was a day when they both of them were THEIR OWN playmakers. Is it truly too much to ask for them to be that again?

Used to be these guys picked up whomever was on their line.

Time to stop making excuses for these chumps and ask that they earn the money or get off the train.

I just wanted to give Saad and Toews a playmaker on their line
- SoftServe

Yes, a playmaker on each of the first 3 lines would be ideal. If Pacioretty were to be had and not at a steep price as far as assets going back to Montreal, here's a possible forward lineup to consider:

Saad - Toews - Sikura
Pacioretty - Schmaltz - Kane
Anisimov - Kahun - DeBrincat
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden

Schmaltz and Sikura are playmakers. So is Kahun given his high hockey IQ, hockey sense, and vision. His solid 2-way play and faceoff % above 50% may make him a viable 3C option to allow Anisimov to slide over to wing. Then every playmaker needs a triggerman so DeBrincat on the 3rd line would serve that role while also spreading out the offense so it's not stacked on 1 or 2 lines.

Stan needs to be shown the door

Charelli then Bowman 2 worst GM's in NHL

Seabrook-Manning might be worst pairing in NHL this year

Last place looks like a lock

Yes, a playmaker on each of the first 3 lines would be ideal. If Pacioretty were to be had and not at a steep price as far as assets going back to Montreal, here's a possible forward lineup to consider:

Saad - Toews - Sikura
Pacioretty - Schmaltz - Kane
Anisimov - Kahun - DeBrincat
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden

Schmaltz and Sikura are playmakers. So is Kahun given his high hockey IQ, hockey sense, and vision. His solid 2-way play and faceoff % above 50% may make him a viable 3C option to allow Anisimov to slide over to wing. Then every playmaker needs a triggerman so DeBrincat on the 3rd line would serve that role while also spreading out the offense so it's not stacked on 1 or 2 lines.
- AEL_Fox

You touch on the root cause of the problem with the offense - there is not balance of speed, skill, IQ and grit. At all.

Yes, a playmaker on each of the first 3 lines would be ideal. If Pacioretty were to be had and not at a steep price as far as assets going back to Montreal, here's a possible forward lineup to consider:

Saad - Toews - Sikura
Pacioretty - Schmaltz - Kane
Anisimov - Kahun - DeBrincat
Kunitz - Kruger - Hayden

Schmaltz and Sikura are playmakers. So is Kahun given his high hockey IQ, hockey sense, and vision. His solid 2-way play and faceoff % above 50% may make him a viable 3C option to allow Anisimov to slide over to wing. Then every playmaker needs a triggerman so DeBrincat on the 3rd line would serve that role while also spreading out the offense so it's not stacked on 1 or 2 lines.
- AEL_Fox

NO NO NO let Patricia play a FULL YEAR with Saad on his line

Then lets hear the cry babies of why his production is down AGAIN this year

Panarin carried lil 88

Excuse me??

TWO GUYS making a combined $16.5MM/yr (20.75% of the team cap) can't perform without a playmaker on their line??

You know, there was a day when they both of them were THEIR OWN playmakers. Is it truly too much to ask for them to be that again?

Used to be these guys picked up whomever was on their line.

Time to stop making excuses for these chumps and ask that they earn the money or get off the train.
- Return of the Roar

Blasphemy!


Spot on Roar!

Excuse me??

TWO GUYS making a combined $16.5MM/yr (20.75% of the team cap) can't perform without a playmaker on their line??

You know, there was a day when they both of them were THEIR OWN playmakers. Is it truly too much to ask for them to be that again?

Used to be these guys picked up whomever was on their line.

Time to stop making excuses for these chumps and ask that they earn the money or get off the train.
- Return of the Roar

There was a day when I was young and good looking and thin and could get any girl I wanted....

Ok, no, there wasn’t such a day - but there could have been.

Use me for what I can do now.

Don’t make me get off the train.

Excuse me??

TWO GUYS making a combined $16.5MM/yr (20.75% of the team cap) can't perform without a playmaker on their line??

You know, there was a day when they both of them were THEIR OWN playmakers. Is it truly too much to ask for them to be that again?

Used to be these guys picked up whomever was on their line.

Time to stop making excuses for these chumps and ask that they earn the money or get off the train.
- Return of the Roar

That's reducing the argument to a single line isn't it? I didn't take the comment as they can't do anything without a playmaker, but more that line would play up to its best potential with a playmaker on it.

I agree with your sentiment that those two guys need to pull their weight (contracts), but there was more to the argument than that.