Justin Lowe: Possible Line Combinations: Bottom 6 Now, moving on to the 2nd edition of "Possible Line Combinations". Today, we examine the bottom 6.

There are so many options that could play out to start the year. And yes, it goes without saying that Coach Q will turn his blender up and we could have 20-something different combinations in October alone.

First!

First!
- RaleighHawk

A followed up to my suggestion:

Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura

Kahun and AA could be interchangeable depending on FO in each three specific zone; either way they can be a scoring line with the 200 ft game as an unknown

Kunitz-Kruger-Kampf

I would alter this by saying it's either Kruger or Kampf at center and throw Hayden in at RW. Chip N' Chase and pound and once they get possession cycle!

What are the odds that Q figures it doesn't matter anyway so he rests the blender after a month or so and lets certain combinations just play through all the ups and downs. I see him as a contrary to ordinary kind of guy just because no matter if it makes sense or not at the time. And everybody on the planet expects him to rev up the turbo blender.

Mark Lazerus leaving the Sun Times to join the Athletic.

https://www.robertfeder.c...-van-dyke-trial-air-cltv/

In the last blog there was a lot of criticism of Victor Ejdsell's skating. Is he any slower/worse then Amisinov?

I think the bottom 6 is going to be the x factor here. If one of those lil centers can step up and be a pest and just eat garbage draws (part of Kooga being there may be to help along Kamph and Kahun) and whatever line AA is on can bum slay then I think they will be an interesting team to watch.

Lotta questions on the blue line but if Jokiharju can have a similar impact that Nick Leddy had his first year, I think they will be better than most folks think, even if Crow isn't ready to go right away.

Should be an interesting group to watch. Q has more stuff to tinker with than he has the last two years.

Those 3rd lines scare me, in terms of how ineffective AA has been without top notch wingers. I really hope he steps up his game or that it was the injury that slowed him down, but when it wasn't Kane or Schmaltz with AA, there weren't a lot of positives IMO. Not saying it is impossible for them to have a good 3rd line with AA, but they didn't really find a good 3rd line combination that included him last year.

In the last blog there was a lot of criticism of Victor Ejdsell's skating. Is he any slower/worse then Amisinov?
- Rota's Rooter

I would like to see Ejdsell more in the NHL before I say who's quicker.

Anisimov isn't the slowest player in the league I can tell you that. He's got the ability to use his strength to push that big frame up the ice at reasonable speeds.

Heck, he kept up (for the most part) with Kane and Panarin to make a really effective line 2 years ago.

Those 3rd lines scare me, in terms of how ineffective AA has been without top notch wingers. I really hope he steps up his game or that it was the injury that slowed him down, but when it wasn't Kane or Schmaltz with AA, there weren't a lot of positives IMO. Not saying it is impossible for them to have a good 3rd line with AA, but they didn't really find a good 3rd line combination that included him last year.
- breadbag

Strange year last season for Anisimov - of his 20 goals, 11 were on the PP - only 8 at EV - he had more than 25% of the Hawks' 43 PP goals, almost twice as many as the next Hawk (AdB at 6).

But this had not been true of his career before last year - only 21 of 128 goals were on the PP. Perhaps your point about playing with more skilled (top-6 type) skaters at EV has good validity.

Strange year last season for Anisimov - of his 20 goals, 11 were on the PP - only 8 at EV - he had more than 25% of the Hawks' 43 PP goals, almost twice as many as the next Hawk (AdB at 6).

But this had not been true of his career before last year - only 21 of 128 goals were on the PP. Perhaps your point about playing with more skilled (top-6 type) skaters at EV has good validity.
- StLBravesFan

He reminds me of like a situational pitcher in baseball. Bring him in for the PP and situations where you can use him.

Since the Hawks have only 5 top-6 guys until someone (Sikura?) proves capable of joining the the top-6 on a permanent basis. Therefore, out of necessity, one of the guys in the list of bottom-6 possibilities will fill that role and be unavailable for the bottom-6. I'm going to assume that bottom-6 player who will play in the top-6 is Hayden.

Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura
Highmore-Kruger-Kampf

Justin some very incitefull blog! Id be surprised if Anisomov was centering a banger line , instead of utilizing his talent to create and 3rd line that can score and play solid defensively.

What's the odds on Chicago looking to acquire either Duchene or Stone if their tentative plan doesn't pan out?

I have more questions about edsel, and Hayden.



I like the option Kahuan, Anisomov, sikura
And Kunitz , Kruger with either Hayden or someone else who plays a stronger 2 way game and isn't afraid to hit and open up space. Hayden in my opinion is more wishful hoping.

First!
- RaleighHawk

Raleigh - be careful out there. Thoughts are with you guys out in Carolina.

You are certainly right about Anisimov keeping up with Kane and Panarin few years ago and even though he obviously was not the main guy on the line, he played a necessary role in front of the net. I think Anisimov-Kahun-Sikora could play a similar game as that line did. NOT SAYING that Kahun-Sikora are equal to Kane-Panarin ....
BUT ..... Kahun-Sikora do provide speed-vision and skill. Third line is pivotal line, as there must be some threat of scoring and this line might just give you the best option. Also is Kahun is better at the dot than Anisimov ... another option there.

Krueger-Kunitz-Kampf seem to be a good "relentless line" Having Kampf in the lineup also gives Q, yet another option at the dot.

FYI,

Blackhawks will host their annual Training Camp Festival at the United Center with a scrimmage beginning at 11 a.m. General admission tickets for Training Camp Festival are on sale now for just $5 at chicagoblackhawks.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.

Let's get the party started.

Justin Lowe: Possible Line Combinations: Bottom 6
Now, moving on to the 2nd edition of "Possible Line Combinations". Today, we examine the bottom 6.

There are so many options that could play out to start the year. And yes, it goes without saying that Coach Q will turn his blender up and we could have 20-something different combinations in October alone.
- Justin Lowe

Great write-up Justin.

With the top 6 we at least know who 5 of them will be. But the bottom 6 is more wide open. Anisimov and Kruger and likely the only sure-things. Sikura and Kahun will likely make the team but they're not a lock. If they make the team will one of them fill the void in the top 6? Will Kahun play wing or centre?

Will Kunitz be a maintstay on the 4th line or will he be the 13th forward?

Ideally for the third line I would like to see Kahun (c/lw) - Anisimov (c/lw) - Sikura. The only issue with that is the open spot in the top 6 needs to be be addressed.

On the 4th line I'd say Kruger and Kampf are there, and I'll put Johnson out there too with Kunitz as the 13th forward.

A followed up to my suggestion:

Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura

Kahun and AA could be interchangeable depending on FO in each three specific zone; either way they can be a scoring line with the 200 ft game as an unknown

Kunitz-Kruger-Kampf

I would alter this by saying it's either Kruger or Kampf at center and throw Hayden in at RW. Chip N' Chase and pound and once they get possession cycle!
- D2D

These look like the best options now before anyone steps up in camp. Obviously a lot will depend on who becomes the one spot that seems to be open on the top 6.

Raleigh - be careful out there. Thoughts are with you guys out in Carolina.
- powerenforcer

Thanks-appreciate it. Looking better for us as time goes on...

My concern with most of your third line projections is there is nobody on that line that is proven capable of winning a draw.

" Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura "

Sikura = small and unknown faceoff guy
Kahun = center in Germany but can he draw?
Anismov = a good center that can't win a draw is just okay

Given the third lines role as a typical checking line that provides some scoring, I think we're missing a faceoff guy.

Thanks-appreciate it. Looking better for us as time goes on...
- RaleighHawk

The storm has shifted more South huh?

My concern with most of your third line projections is there is nobody on that line that is proven capable of winning a draw.

" Kahun-Anisimov-Sikura "

Sikura = small and unknown faceoff guy
Kahun = center in Germany but can he draw?
Anismov = a good center that can't win a draw is just okay

Given the third lines role as a typical checking line that provides some scoring, I think we're missing a faceoff guy.
- Bjm84

No matter what Q does with the bottom 6 there will be questions. I'm still not sold on Kunitz beign more than the 13th forward. I don't see them putting Hayden or Ejdsell in a part-time role.

Kampf is a guy who could find himself on the 3rd line, he could help AA with face offs. Maybe Kahun is the skill element on the 4th line to start the season?

The storm has shifted more South huh?
- glennjpawlak22

So far

Was back in Chicago last weekend--maybe I should have waited until this weekend

Agree with others that the 6th forward in the top 6 may dictate who completes the bottom 6. Regardless, there are more options in the bottom 6 than the top 6 as Justin pointed out.

My guess is that Sikura or Hayden plays top 6. Let's say it's Hayden:

Kahun - Anisimov - Sikura
Kunitz - Kruger - Kampf
Highmore

If Sikura plays top 6:

Kahun - Anisimov - Hayden
Kunitz - Kruger - Kampf
Highmore

Have Kahun split faceoffs with Anisimov?

So far

Was back in Chicago last weekend--maybe I should have waited until this weekend
- RaleighHawk

Be safe!!! Looks like a lot of water/flooding potential