Schmaltz needs to add muscle but just like you don’t want Kane or Cat taking hits, you don’t want your speedy skilled 6’1” 170lb stringbean getting smashed in the corner. Cat is 5’7 and almost 170lbs just for comparison.... #8 has top 6 skill and game breaking speed, he’s a useful player. His lack of physicality limits his effectiveness at center, but less so at wing. I like that Q is trying to balance the offense with him on line 3 (especially in a contract year).
- EnzoD

According to some on here Schmaltz lacks courage and is a coward because he avoids get blasted and rag dolled. He got hit hard several times last game but was out there on the 6 on 4 PK in the 3rd and won a board battle to clear the puck. He doesn’t shy away from contact in the D-zone. Really don’t see the need to personally attack the character of a 22 year old kid in his 2nd full season. Guess some posters do.

I agree his lack of strength hurts him at center but give him 2-3 years to put on muscle. I didn’t really started packing on muscle till I was 25-26 and I was a wrkout nut. Some guys just take longer to fully mature physically.

According to some on here Schmaltz lacks courage and is a coward because he avoids get blasted and rag dolled. He got hit hard several times last game but was out there on the 6 on 4 PK in the 3rd and won a board battle to clear the puck. He doesn’t shy away from contact in the D-zone. Really don’t see the need to personally attack the character of a 22 year old kid in his 2nd full season. Guess some posters do.

I agree his lack of strength hurts him at center but give him 2-3 years to put on muscle. I didn’t really started packing on muscle till I was 25-26 and I was a wrkout nut. Some guys just take longer to fully mature physically.
- bhawks2241

That and the fact that he can't win a face off to save his life

According to some on here Schmaltz lacks courage and is a coward because he avoids get blasted and rag dolled. He got hit hard several times last game but was out there on the 6 on 4 PK in the 3rd and won a board battle to clear the puck. He doesn’t shy away from contact in the D-zone. Really don’t see the need to personally attack the character of a 22 year old kid in his 2nd full season. Guess some posters do.

I agree his lack of strength hurts him at center but give him 2-3 years to put on muscle. I didn’t really started packing on muscle till I was 25-26 and I was a wrkout nut. Some guys just take longer to fully mature physically.
- bhawks2241

There seems to be a disconnect between what some posters are saying and how it is being interpreted. Nobody is saying they expect Schmaltz to play a big physical game. Nobody is saying he should constantly and intentionally take big hits to make plays. It makes complete sense, given his size, for him to try to avoid taking big hits. What posters like me are saying is there are times he surrenders the puck simply because there is an opposing player in the area a good distance away. As well there are times when he has the puck where he must attack a defender. As well there are times where he must attack a defender to get open.

I think he is still finding his way on the ice. Moving from Center to LW to RW doesn’t help. He has to learn strategies that will protect his body and head but will also let him more confidently move the puck when he feels pressure. He must also figure out that he has a duty to shoot the puck when open.

According to some on here Schmaltz lacks courage and is a coward because he avoids get blasted and rag dolled. He got hit hard several times last game but was out there on the 6 on 4 PK in the 3rd and won a board battle to clear the puck. He doesn’t shy away from contact in the D-zone. Really don’t see the need to personally attack the character of a 22 year old kid in his 2nd full season. Guess some posters do.

I agree his lack of strength hurts him at center but give him 2-3 years to put on muscle. I didn’t really started packing on muscle till I was 25-26 and I was a wrkout nut. Some guys just take longer to fully mature physically.
- bhawks2241

Yes, I hit myself in the head with a hammer daily just to prove to my boss, I'm worth it.

P.s. Where's L_B_R? We need some stats on Scmaltzer.

Go hocks

>>>Corey Crawford – what can you say about this guy? He's in the zone right now which is crazy to say after only playing 3 games in 10 months. His play has me thinking of how he stood on his head 2 years ago which saw the Hawks tops of the Western Conference. I'm not saying that's where they are heading, however, where Crow is in his game right now is extremely encouraging.<<

I don't know if anyone can appreciate what he has accomplished since coming back. No game action for almost 10 months. A painful slow recovery from head trauma...where he probably had many days wondering if he could ever play again let alone at that level. Just a month ago looking gased after taking softies from Waite by himself.

The physical, psychological, and emotional work he put in and then to compete at a top level is amazing and inspirational.
- bogiedoc

Remember when he was the guy getting bashed here

Yes, I hit myself in the head with a hammer daily just to prove to my boss, I'm worth it.

P.s. Where's L_B_R? We need some stats on Scmaltzer.

Go hocks
- hocktock

I've been wondering about your ps also, her presence is greatly missed.

Testing.
Did i get my weiner back?

Testing.
Did i get my weiner back?
- hocktock

Yes!

Go hocks.

Remember when he was the guy getting bashed here
- vabeachbear

#notelite

Yes!

Go hocks.
- hocktock

Holy Vienna!! Haha

There seems to be a disconnect between what some posters are saying and how it is being interpreted. Nobody is saying they expect Schmaltz to play a big physical game. Nobody is saying he should constantly and intentionally take big hits to make plays. It makes complete sense, given his size, for him to try to avoid taking big hits. What posters like me are saying is there are times he surrenders the puck simply because there is an opposing player in the area a good distance away. As well there are times when he has the puck where he must attack a defender. As well there are times where he must attack a defender to get open.

I think he is still finding his way on the ice. Moving from Center to LW to RW doesn’t help. He has to learn strategies that will protect his body and head but will also let him more confidently move the puck when he feels pressure. He must also figure out that he has a duty to shoot the puck when open.
- Z3Hawk

Hopefully in time he learns to anticipate and actually try to draw more than one of the opposing players in. And then realize that the more attention he can draw means the more open men to be able to feed. The position where the 2nd guy comes from is the open area and Schmaltz's linemates have to read that and get there to get the puck. Not many guys can go coast to coast to set up a play like they may have done before they got to the show. As he matures hopefully he can learn to manipulate the defenders and not just bail. And when (if) that happens then he's worth more than a bridge deal. At least in my opinion.

#notelite
- HawkintheD

I pm'ed you yesterday.

Great 5-2 win for the IceHogs yesterday.

The big guys showed up with Ejdsell (2x), Dylan Sikura, Highmore and Samuelsson all scoring.

Delia has been really good this year and gets another win.

Collition also mentioned that Forsling was excellent in his return.

Hopefully in time he learns to anticipate and actually try to draw more than one of the opposing players in. And then realize that the more attention he can draw means the more open men to be able to feed. The position where the 2nd guy comes from is the open area and Schmaltz's linemates have to read that and get there to get the puck. Not many guys can go coast to coast to set up a play like they may have done before they got to the show. As he matures hopefully he can learn to manipulate the defenders and not just bail. And when (if) that happens then he's worth more than a bridge deal. At least in my opinion.
- 6628

Schmaltz’s excellent skating and other positive attributes make him a clear keeper for me. However he does need to take the next step where he uses the whole ice and exposes opposing players, by drawing them out of position, creating ice for himself, and as you so correctly say his teammates. It may be that he will benefit from being away from Kane as he deferred too much.

Schmaltz’s excellent skating and other positive attributes make him a clear keeper for me. However he does need to take the next step where he uses the whole ice and exposes opposing players, by drawing them out of position, creating ice for himself, and as you so correctly say his teammates. It may be that he will benefit from being away from Kane as he deferred too much.
- Z3Hawk

Schmaltz has all the physical tools at this point except for weight and strength. If he can evolve into a Mathew Barzal type player the Hawks would be very happy. Lots of very good NHL forwards take 3 or 4 years to pay dividends. Reinhardt in Buffalo is an example of that.

Great 5-2 win for the IceHogs yesterday.

The big guys showed up with Ejdsell (2x), Dylan Sikura, Highmore and Samuelsson all scoring.

Delia has been really good this year and gets another win.

Collition also mentioned that Forsling was excellent in his return.
- Justin Lowe

How soon, do you think, until the next callup? I know I'm asking you to look in your crystal ball on injuries, losses, among other things ... just wondering if you had any thoughts.

Schmaltz’s excellent skating and other positive attributes make him a clear keeper for me. However he does need to take the next step where he uses the whole ice and exposes opposing players, by drawing them out of position, creating ice for himself, and as you so correctly say his teammates. It may be that he will benefit from being away from Kane as he deferred too much.
- Z3Hawk

I have been saying this all along but to no avail. Sure he has faults just like many of the elites but it just seems more magnified in the kind of fault it is...his manhood in a man's game. He is young and will adapt. All the naysayers talked about his lack of courage, ability to take hit to make a play whether it something as simple as maintaining possession or as a couple games back along the bench walls to make a play. However, they don't acknowledge the plays he makes whether its offensive or defensive. Also some have suggested that he was demoted to the 3rd line which I say hogwash. It was to help out the 3rd line and spread out the wealth and relieve some of the pressure from the top 2 lines and yes and I 100% agree with you so he can be the "man" of the 3rd line and not defer (I say over defer to Kane) but at least they will be on the 1st unit PP together.

In the end, we'll civility agree to disagree as this have been bantered about ad nauseam. Also do the Hawks really care what we think; I am not saying this with disrepect or snidely but more so top line. All that really matters is what the TEAM and PLAYERS think, like Kane.

Remember when he was the guy getting bashed here
- vabeachbear

I remember like it was yesterday...which it pretty much was.

Always someone tragically bad around here, that’s why they call this place the Board of Doom.

There seems to be a disconnect between what some posters are saying and how it is being interpreted. Nobody is saying they expect Schmaltz to play a big physical game. Nobody is saying he should constantly and intentionally take big hits to make plays. It makes complete sense, given his size, for him to try to avoid taking big hits. What posters like me are saying is there are times he surrenders the puck simply because there is an opposing player in the area a good distance away. As well there are times when he has the puck where he must attack a defender. As well there are times where he must attack a defender to get open.

I think he is still finding his way on the ice. Moving from Center to LW to RW doesn’t help. He has to learn strategies that will protect his body and head but will also let him more confidently move the puck when he feels pressure. He must also figure out that he has a duty to shoot the puck when open.
- Z3Hawk

I get what his flaws are. He avoids contact at times but I also see him win board battles in the D-zone often. A poster on here outright called him a coward and stated he lacked courage. I don't think there is any need for that or any reason.

Great 5-2 win for the IceHogs yesterday.

The big guys showed up with Ejdsell (2x), Dylan Sikura, Highmore and Samuelsson all scoring.

Delia has been really good this year and gets another win.

Collition also mentioned that Forsling was excellent in his return.
- Justin Lowe

I'm feeling good about the future of goaltending for the Hawks. Would be great if Ejdsell can get there. That shot he has would be an asset to the team. Kinda like Bickell(or maybe better) in the day when it comes to how good he shoots.

Hopefully in time he learns to anticipate and actually try to draw more than one of the opposing players in. And then realize that the more attention he can draw means the more open men to be able to feed. The position where the 2nd guy comes from is the open area and Schmaltz's linemates have to read that and get there to get the puck. Not many guys can go coast to coast to set up a play like they may have done before they got to the show. As he matures hopefully he can learn to manipulate the defenders and not just bail. And when (if) that happens then he's worth more than a bridge deal. At least in my opinion.
- 6628

Agree. I think he does lack some one on one moves when he is carrying the puck. He looks to bail out along the boards and pull up too often. Kane use to do that a lot too.

Hopefully Schmaltz can learn a few. Like that nifty change of pace Toews undressed Lindholm with (or Fowler cant remember which one).

Great 5-2 win for the IceHogs yesterday.

The big guys showed up with Ejdsell (2x), Dylan Sikura, Highmore and Samuelsson all scoring.

Delia has been really good this year and gets another win.

Collition also mentioned that Forsling was excellent in his return.
- Justin Lowe

Great to hear about Forsling's excellent return. His health and progression is key to Hawks making some move to help this team for this year and beyond. There are just to many defensemen in the system to keep them all, and moving a veteran will never happen. Murphy, Gus, and Forsling are young and have marketability now and with the youngsters coming, something hopefully happens to help out the top 6 or a bonified top 4 D. Just a thought.

Great to hear about Forsling's excellent return. His health and progression is key to Hawks making some move to help this team for this year and beyond. There are just to many defensemen in the system to keep them all, and moving a veteran will never happen. Murphy, Gus, and Forsling are young and have marketability now and with the youngsters coming, something hopefully happens to help out the top 6 or a bonified top 4 D. Just a thought.
- Hawkytalk

No doubt, when first reported, I think it was a wrist injury requiring surgery. Sometimes, it's a loooong time before the player is back to 100%.

Agree. I think he does lack some one on one moves when he is carrying the puck. He looks to bail out along the boards and pull up too often. Kane use to do that a lot too.

Hopefully Schmaltz can learn a few. Like that nifty change of pace Toews undressed Lindholm with (or Fowler cant remember which one).
- bhawks2241

I think he walked both of them

I think he walked both of them
- 6628

Toews has been playing so well. I mean he has put up some points, but I can think of 4-5 times this year where he made a play happen that lead to a goal where he didn't get an assist. Mostly creating turnovers or causing issues in front of the net.