i feel better:

Nick Schmaltz to play right side for first time in NHL career

Eight games into the season and Schmaltz has spent time at both center and left wing. Now he'll get a look on the right side with Alexandre Fortin on the left and David Kampf centering the third line.

Part of the reason for Schmaltz’s move to the right side was because Quenneville said they like Fortin on the left. It's not unfamiliar territory for Schmaltz, but could take some time getting used to.

"I played a little while back, not sure when," Schmaltz said "Just a little bit different. Catching pucks on your forehand now instead of your backhand. It's not a huge adjustment, just play with speed and compete hard and hopefully the skill on our line will take over."
- glennjpawlak22

Great comment from Schmaltz, thanks for posting. I'm so excited to see what that line can bring tonight.

could schmaltz and one of our lessor D get us back a young, potential top 4 D?
- glennjpawlak22

Young and proven would be better than potential.

They have plenty of potential in the line up. Lots that project to 1b or strong second pairing types like: Henri, Bovqist and Mitchell. Hillman can maybe be a solid second pairing steadying type player.

Plenty of youth and talent on the blueline. Not a lot of NHL impact players today though Henri is playing quite well all things considered.

They need finished product at this point not more guys to work in.

Young and proven would be better than potential.

They have plenty of potential in the line up. Lots that project to 1b or strong second pairing types like: Henri, Bovqist and Mitchell. Hillman can maybe be a solid second pairing steadying type player.

Plenty of youth and talent on the blueline. Not a lot of NHL impact players today though Henri is playing quite well all things considered.

They need finished product at this point not more guys to work in.
- fattybeef

I don't agree...if I am right, and they are using last year, this year, and even next year to rebuild their depth while finding a couple of difference makers (debrincat, joker), then they don't want finished products, they want guys they can mold into what they need, which is exactly what they are doing. This and next year isn't about winning the cup, or even coming close...

I don't agree...if I am right, and they are using last year, this year, and even next year to rebuild their depth while finding a couple of difference makers (debrincat, joker), then they don't want finished products, they want guys they can mold into what they need, which is exactly what they are doing. This and next year isn't about winning the cup, or even coming close...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

2021, parade on June 12th. Just practicing.

The new line combos are not about promotion or demotion as much as they are about a recognition that the bottom nine couldn't score, and hoping beyond hope that shuffling the four forwards who can finish can give some pop to each of the lines.

Still lipstick on a pig. Not enough quality depth on the roster.

2021, parade on June 12th. Just practicing.
- I Am The Breadman

@ChrisBlock

Luke Johnson played pretty well over the weekend in Tucson. Played center & was double-shifted a lot on Saturday when the #IceHogs went with 7-D as Highmore sat out with minor injury he's been playing with and Victor Ejdsell being scratched in Rockford's 6th game of the season.

I don't agree...if I am right, and they are using last year, this year, and even next year to rebuild their depth while finding a couple of difference makers (debrincat, joker), then they don't want finished products, they want guys they can mold into what they need, which is exactly what they are doing. This and next year isn't about winning the cup, or even coming close...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Nah, they need to win now (which they wont) - so at least look to make a run next year. Keith and Seabs are still kind of useful and they need to do something before they are dead weight, especially with how pedestrian Seabrook looked after that back to back. Crow is only signed for another year I think and hes 33 so the clock is ticking on him and do they really want to resign a 34 year old with concussion history who doesn't walk the company line.

Also, Kane and Toews are 30 and thinking they will still be able to produce at a top level 3 years from now is not a given. You'd like to think Kane can have a similar career to Martin St Louis but Toews plays a pretty hard game and age will catch up for him sooner than later - or hell take another whack to the head and end up like Crow.

Stanbo's hobby is collecting 3rd pairing Dmen. He has about 15 of them now.
- RickJ

Heh, are they though? The only 3rd pairing Dman I see is Seabrook and maybe Gus. The rest, aside from Keith and Joki, are like 4th pairing, if there was such a thing.

Sounds like somebody knows how to run the power play. The IceHogs scored five power-play goals during their two-game series with the Roadrunners and have now scored at least one PPG in each of their last five games (Oct. 6 at CLE)...Rockford currently shares fourth among all AHL teams with eight total power-play goals this year.

https://twitter.com/goice.../1053879548427698176?s=21

I think its a demotion because Saad got a promotion. I agree with having play makers on each line, Schmaltz ended up with 3rd line detail. Odd, he played a good game, but 8, 20, and 88 don't equal success when together.
But 8, 64, and 84 definitely has me intrigued. It sounds and reads good on paper, but how will it look when it hits the ice?
- I Am The Breadman

The thing that I like about all of our lines now is that they all have at least one player who has a track record of going to and standing in front of the net.

I think if Fortin can calm himself down enough to receive some of these "hotter" passes from Schmaltz, he can be a very significant player. Now, to this point he has not shown that, but he's only bee here for a few games. I think having Kampf on that line is very helpful.

I'm just hoping to see some solid team D. Forwards support the D, D find the clean exit and don't panic, and if there is Duck within 5 feet of Crow, put your hip into him.

@ChrisBlock

Luke Johnson played pretty well over the weekend in Tucson. Played center & was double-shifted a lot on Saturday when the #IceHogs went with 7-D as Highmore sat out with minor injury he's been playing with and Victor Ejdsell being scratched in Rockford's 6th game of the season.
- walleyeb1

Yeesh, Ejdsell getting scratched is not a good sign.

I felt that Murphy was getting better last year as the season went on. So maybe he just needs time to acclimate? I guess we will find out when he gets back...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

Thought he looked good on Team USA as well. That was on the larger ice surface, you would think that would be a bigger problem for him

The new line combos are not about promotion or demotion as much as they are about a recognition that the bottom nine couldn't score, and hoping beyond hope that shuffling the four forwards who can finish can give some pop to each of the lines.

Still lipstick on a pig. Not enough quality depth on the roster.
- Return of the Roar

Nah, they need to win now (which they wont) - so at least look to make a run next year. Keith and Seabs are still kind of useful and they need to do something before they are dead weight, especially with how pedestrian Seabrook looked after that back to back. Crow is only signed for another year I think and hes 33 so the clock is ticking on him and do they really want to resign a 34 year old with concussion history who doesn't walk the company line.

Also, Kane and Toews are 30 and thinking they will still be able to produce at a top level 3 years from now is not a given. You'd like to think Kane can have a similar career to Martin St Louis but Toews plays a pretty hard game and age will catch up for him sooner than later - or hell take another whack to the head and end up like Crow.
- fattybeef

I think that Seabrook probably will be gone in a couple of years (compliance buy out??). Keith will still be useful, but this is why they stockpiled defensemen prospects the past couple of years, they are looing for that next wave there.

I am betting that both Toews and Kane will still be difference makers in even 3 years time.

You got me on Crawford. I think they may sign him again, unless they really feel one of these younger goal tenders are ready at that point. Goaltenders seem to be able to play longer than other players, so I think he is still going to be going strong into his late thirties, unless he gets a major concussion again.

Q will be gone before Stan ,as it should be ..Terrible PP for years ..weak PK insane personnel decisions . Team not ready to start games over and over .All due to coach Q country club atmosphere and nonexistent practice schedule ..
- oldduffman

4 time cup winner getting fired over a mediocre gm. Who constructs the team the gm coach can only do what is given to him. IMO both should be let go or move into different positions within the organization if the hawks miss the playoffs again. Bowman should relieve of his duties before Coach Q

- EnzoD

You are enfuego today with gifs and pics, haha.

The new line combos are not about promotion or demotion as much as they are about a recognition that the bottom nine couldn't score, and hoping beyond hope that shuffling the four forwards who can finish can give some pop to each of the lines.

Still lipstick on a pig. Not enough quality depth on the roster.
- Return of the Roar

Bottom 6 has been slowly producing, tonight's changes (I really hope) increase in production. I like Schmaltz and Fortin together, but Schmaltz isn't a bottom 6 guy.

The thing that I like about all of our lines now is that they all have at least one player who has a track record of going to and standing in front of the net.

I think if Fortin can calm himself down enough to receive some of these "hotter" passes from Schmaltz, he can be a very significant player. Now, to this point he has not shown that, but he's only bee here for a few games. I think having Kampf on that line is very helpful.

I'm just hoping to see some solid team D. Forwards support the D, D find the clean exit and don't panic, and if there is Duck within 5 feet of Crow, put your hip into him.
- Chunk

I get the feeling that Gibson is going to stand on his head tonight. Same can be said for Crow haha.

You are enfuego today with gifs and pics, haha.
- I Am The Breadman

LOL trying to keep it light today.

Sounds like somebody knows how to run the power play. The IceHogs scored five power-play goals during their two-game series with the Roadrunners and have now scored at least one PPG in each of their last five games (Oct. 6 at CLE)...Rockford currently shares fourth among all AHL teams with eight total power-play goals this year.

https://twitter.com/goice.../1053879548427698176?s=21
- walleyeb1

Jeremy C behind the Hawks bench next year.

If the would trade smaltz and forsling for a top 4 young d man what teams and who would make the most sense and what would the trade look like. Now personally not saying hawks should trade smaltz or forsling but what if for discussion sake?

Sounds like somebody knows how to run the power play. The IceHogs scored five power-play goals during their two-game series with the Roadrunners and have now scored at least one PPG in each of their last five games (Oct. 6 at CLE)...Rockford currently shares fourth among all AHL teams with eight total power-play goals this year.

https://twitter.com/goice.../1053879548427698176?s=21
- walleyeb1

Saw that and was going to comment about that in a blog this week.

I get the feeling that Gibson is going to stand on his head tonight. Same can be said for Crow haha.
- I Am The Breadman

Gibson's been standing on his head for the better part of 2 years now.

When he's healthy, he's real... real good.

I don't agree...if I am right, and they are using last year, this year, and even next year to rebuild their depth while finding a couple of difference makers (debrincat, joker), then they don't want finished products, they want guys they can mold into what they need, which is exactly what they are doing. This and next year isn't about winning the cup, or even coming close...
- ToewsdNKanefusd

I think it's a mix of what you and fattybeef are both saying: the team does need finished products (or at least young players who are close to being "finished" and can complete the maturation better in the NHL than the minors or overseas).

The molding of prospects into what the team actually needs happens from the day they are drafted or acquired. Invite them to prospect camp for direct observation and coaching while also supplementing with player personnel in communication with them year round to give them advice on what to work on.

Example: Schmaltz and Sikura were asked to work on certain things in the NCAA and they both did so which increased their stock as prospects, especially Sikura who easily could have been a footnote as that kid who was drafted in the late rounds but didn't amount to anything.

Another example: Beaudin is being asked to get stronger physically and away from the puck (there were articles this summer where he articulated his own proactiveness to want to do this even if coaches aren't telling him that). Boqvist has gotten similar feedback.

So once the prospects have ripened, they have done so with an eye towards what the Hawks need them to be on top of their talent that got them drafted or acquired in the first place.