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.
- Taylorst1

Definitely agree. Anisimov can play a key role on a 3rd line like that.

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.
- chuckdahammer

Good post.

I like to see Kempf Kruger and Johnson on the 4th line

It seems to me, the Hawks have a LOT of bottom six-type players to pick from.

The problem is, they lack top 6 talent.

Professional Tryout
Jack Skille (RW) | OTT #Sens

It seems to me, the Hawks have a LOT of bottom six-type players to pick from.

The problem is, they lack top 6 talent.
- tompo1015

They have three Top 6 talent (19, 88, 20)

Two other half of Top 6 includes Schmaltz and The Cat - lets see how their seasons progress - I think both will have good seasons and get to the next level.

This team is 100% dependent on D and Goalie -- not much there now to be excited about, but prospect pipe looks really promising

tickets available for #Blackhawks home opener vs Leafs on October 7

They have three Top 6 talent (19, 88, 20)

Two other half of Top 6 includes Schmaltz and The Cat - lets see how their seasons progress - I think both will have good seasons and get to the next level.

This team is 100% dependent on D and Goalie -- not much there now to be excited about, but prospect pipe looks really promising
- glennjpawlak22

That sums it up pretty well.

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

PP1 Debrincat, AA, Kane, Schmaltz, Gustafsson
PP2 Saad, Toews, Ejdsell, Hayden, Keith

tickets available for #Blackhawks home opener vs Leafs on October 7


- walleyeb1

These are after market tickets. So not indicative of unsold tickets.

They have three Top 6 talent (19, 88, 20)

Two other half of Top 6 includes Schmaltz and The Cat - lets see how their seasons progress - I think both will have good seasons and get to the next level.

This team is 100% dependent on D and Goalie -- not much there now to be excited about, but prospect pipe looks really promising
- glennjpawlak22

I think this team will score enough. The success of most teams is heavily dependent on their goaltender and team defense. Even from 2010 to 2015 the Hawks relied heavily on D and goal tending.

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

PP1 Debrincat, AA, Kane, Schmaltz, Gustafsson
PP2 Saad, Toews, Ejdsell, Hayden, Keith
- -Doh-

I'm leaning towards a forward lineup like you have laid out except replacing Ejdsell with Highmore. Don't think Ejdsell is ready, especially compared to Highmore, Kampf, and say even Johnson.

I feel that Kahun and Anisimov are the anchors for line 3 while Kunitz and Kruger are the anchors for line 4. The RW on each line may rotate amongst Hayden, Kampf, and Highmore. Sikura, too, if Hayden is the lottery winner for the 6th top 6 spot.

I'm not averse to Martinsen and could see him making the team ahead of Highmore so that Highmore can develop a little more in Rockford. Martinsen is what he is at this point and doesn't need AHL seasoning so he's either a 4th liner/13th forward role player on the Hawks or a veteran leader on the Hogs.

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.
- chuckdahammer

Also, Kahun-AA-Sikura would be able to go against bottom pair dmen. This line could be great.

I think this team will score enough. The success of most teams is heavily dependent on their goaltender and team defense. Even from 2010 to 2015 the Hawks relied heavily on D and goal tending.
- -Doh-

Since the team is not substantially different up front from last year's squad, interesting to note:

1. Last year the Hawks scored 228 goals = 2.78 per game
2. WITH CC in for 29 games, team GAA was 3.07

So, no Crawford, no #6 for the top six, no changes to who those five are, and even more rookies on the squad on both ends, what makes you feel like they will score more goals, let alone prevent more?

If that team GAA goes up, which it will without CC for sure, the Hawks would have to score almost four goals a game on average, which is 328.

100 more than last year.

Even if they get 50 more, where does that come from? I'm just not seeing it.

Since the team is not substantially different up front from last year's squad, interesting to note:

1. Last year the Hawks scored 228 goals = 2.78 per game
2. WITH CC in for 29 games, team GAA was 3.07

So, no Crawford, no #6 for the top six, no changes to who those five are, and even more rookies on the squad on both ends, what makes you feel like they will score more goals, let alone prevent more?

If that team GAA goes up, which it will without CC for sure, the Hawks would have to score almost four goals a game on average, which is 328.

100 more than last year.

Even if they get 50 more, where does that come from? I'm just not seeing it.
- Return of the Roar

They had some bad numbers from goalies last year:

Forsberg - 35 games, 2.97 GAPG
Glass - 15 games, 3.36 GAPG
Berube - 13 games, 3.78 GAPG

One would think (maybe hope more than think) that Forsberg would be better than he was in his first full season here, that Ward will be better than over 3 GAPG (even if not at Crawford's 2.27 level), that the defense would be better this year from both defensemen and forwards....

Since the team is not substantially different up front from last year's squad, interesting to note:

1. Last year the Hawks scored 228 goals = 2.78 per game
2. WITH CC in for 29 games, team GAA was 3.07

So, no Crawford, no #6 for the top six, no changes to who those five are, and even more rookies on the squad on both ends, what makes you feel like they will score more goals, let alone prevent more?

If that team GAA goes up, which it will without CC for sure, the Hawks would have to score almost four goals a game on average, which is 328.

100 more than last year.

Even if they get 50 more, where does that come from? I'm just not seeing it.
- Return of the Roar

You are comparing GAA for 29 games versus goals scored for the year. That is a false comparison. Using just the 29 games for both would be comparing apples and apples. After 29 games 87 goals for 81 goals against 1 point out of playoff spot. I agree that the Hawks definitely need to shore up their team defense and goaltending. They probably need a little more offense too. Another year of experience might make a big difference in the play of Forsberg, the your or inexperienced Dmen, and the young forwards. Some of the bottom 6 we are talking about this year may provide more offense the some of the bottom six last year. Look at last years bottom 6. It was pretty awful.

I am not saying this Hawk team is loaded. But I would like to see a little more before saying this team cannot contend for a playoff spot.

You are comparing GAA for 29 games versus goals scored for the year. That is a false comparison. Using just the 29 games for both would be comparing apples and apples. After 29 games 87 goals for 81 goals against 1 point out of playoff spot. I agree that the Hawks definitely need to shore up their team defense and goaltending. They probably need a little more offense too. Another year of experience might make a big difference in the play of Forsberg, the your or inexperienced Dmen, and the young forwards. Some of the bottom 6 we are talking about this year may provide more offense the some of the bottom six last year. Look at last years bottom 6. It was pretty awful.

I am not saying this Hawk team is loaded. But I would like to see a little more before saying this team cannot contend for a playoff spot.
- -Doh-

No I am not. What I meant was that the full year GAA was 3.07 INCLUDING CC's pretty stellar 29 games he played.

Kane is going to have to play 28 minutes a game.

These are after market tickets. So not indicative of unsold tickets.
- -Doh-

Those are the regular first market tickets, but that map makes it look like there is a lot left which there isn't lol. There are about 170 seated tickets left (which included singles and handicap) and that is less than 1% pf seats tickets total.

If anyone is concerned, this is absolutely normal for the UC (and every popular team). It'll be a sell-out even if they don't technically sell those 170 seats because they've sold-out their standing room only tickets which is about 2,700. I'm sure some of you have done standing room before, but they will let them go down to unoccupied seats in the 300 level, which is were 95% of the seats are left. At least, I def did the one time I did standing room at the UC.

Those are the regular first market tickets, but that map makes it look like there is a lot left which there isn't lol. There are about 170 seated tickets left (which included singles and handicap) and that is less than 1% pf seats tickets total.

If anyone is concerned, this is absolutely normal for the UC (and every popular team). It'll be a sell-out even if they don't technically sell those 170 seats because they've sold-out their standing room only tickets which is about 2,700. I'm sure some of you have done standing room before, but they will let them go down to unoccupied seats in the 300 level, which is were 95% of the seats are left. At least, I def did the one time I did standing room at the UC.
- L_B_R

Original six teams will always be a big draw

Those are the regular first market tickets, but that map makes it look like there is a lot left which there isn't lol. There are about 170 seated tickets left (which included singles and handicap) and that is less than 1% pf seats tickets total.

If anyone is concerned, this is absolutely normal for the UC (and every popular team). It'll be a sell-out even if they don't technically sell those 170 seats because they've sold-out their standing room only tickets which is about 2,700. I'm sure some of you have done standing room before, but they will let them go down to unoccupied seats in the 300 level, which is were 95% of the seats are left. At least, I def did the one time I did standing room at the UC.
- L_B_R

The issue isn't demand for first-market tickets - which, I assume, with the waiting list, will all be sold, as you say, so that the sell-outs for now will continue.

The issue that they should be looking at (and I'm sure they are) is the secondary market - if that falls off (and I've read that it has been falling off), then season ticket holders will have a harder time unloading their unwanted tickets (and will do so at a lower price).

This would have an effect on future first-market season ticket sales - more ticket holders would be unwilling to re-subscribe if there isn't a good market for unwanted tickets.

They had some bad numbers from goalies last year:

Forsberg - 35 games, 2.97 GAPG
Glass - 15 games, 3.36 GAPG
Berube - 13 games, 3.78 GAPG

One would think (maybe hope more than think) that Forsberg would be better than he was in his first full season here, that Ward will be better than over 3 GAPG (even if not at Crawford's 2.27 level), that the defense would be better this year from both defensemen and forwards....
- StLBravesFan

One big factor that isn't captured in looking at goals for and goals against average is when the goals happen based on situation/score. The Hawks had a lot of games last year (especially in the second half) where they quit playing and the score was run up on them.

Scoring the first goal and better protecting the lead could significantly boost the offense, because the opposing team will take more chances and give more opportunity in counter attack. I recall that the Hawks were struggling at protecting the lead last year and as a result, they didn't get to take advantage to build on the lead. I really believe the focus and results will come with them locking down the defensive side and getting more consistent goaltending.

They have three Top 6 talent (19, 88, 20)

Two other half of Top 6 includes Schmaltz and The Cat - lets see how their seasons progress - I think both will have good seasons and get to the next level.

This team is 100% dependent on D and Goalie -- not much there now to be excited about, but prospect pipe looks really promising
- glennjpawlak22

They could use one more solid top 6 guy.

IF - big if - they come out of the gate strong and are looking like a playoff team heading into Christmas, I could see them trying to add someone midseason (and possibly some veteran D help.)

But if they are a bottom dweller, look for them to move some of their higher paid assets like AA.

https://theathletic.com/5...ering-the-2018-19-season/

The Athletic has 3 Blackhawks in the top 100 NHL prospects list: Boqvist at 25, Sikura at 69, and Jokiharji at 86. Wise was listed as an honorable mention.

Blackhawks set to honor Mikita with a 21 patch on uniforms and the same patch design painted behind each net at the United Center.