Victor Stalberg.
- paulr

Viktor would have been a superstar if only Q knew what he was doing and could recognize talent.

Since Kubalik signed, does anyone see a Kubalik-Kampf-Kahun line? I think he played with those guys before. Maybe some chemistry is there. I know we had K lines this season, but I'd be interested in seeing a Czech checking line.
- I Am The Breadman

Yep. I can see Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik getting some time together at some point. Kahun and Kubalik played in the OHL together and internationally and Kubalik and Kampf have played internationally together as well.

Today's NHL is ruled by depth... imagine if this is the 4th line with maybe all of them getting extra icetime on special teams?

If Stan adds a forward or 2... the Hawks could look scary up front. Even without adding anyone with the Kubalik addition the Hawks have a lot to work with up front.

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Perlini
Sikura-Anisimov-Saad
Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik
Hayden

I think you see 1 or 2 fwds shipped out before the season starts but it's not a bad position to be in for the Hawks.

You have never ever seen a highlight package of either of them playing though.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnsOIh8_HWU&t=5s

Just take a look at this nice highlight package of Cozens by Andy Lehoux. Notice how many times he looses the puck to a defender. Can't beat his defender, gets the puck knocked off his stick. Andy says he's pass reception is average at best.

I don't listen to Andy's rating on the players because he give just about every 1st round pick either 4 or 5

I don't see much for hockey IQ when you pick up the puck skate forward as fast as you can and then loose the puck.
- manvanfan

Cozens plays a direct north south game, he attacks the middle of the ice where the defenders are. Dachs plays an indirect game looking for pockets of empty ice on the periphery. Dachs game is chess like while Cozens is a full back driving straight through the defensive line towards the end zone. Watching the playoffs I see both styles can be beneficial.

Here are some highlights of Cozens - I would say he has more than just speed going for him as do the commentators. One can cherry pick from any number of YouTube highlights - good and bad. I tend to trust professional scouts' opinions which can also vary considerably but there does seem to be some consensus that Cozens > Dach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXZrQ244wvU

Yep. I can see Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik getting some time together at some point. Kahun and Kubalik played in the OHL together and internationally and Kubalik and Kampf have played internationally together as well.

Today's NHL is ruled by depth... imagine if this is the 4th line with maybe all of them getting extra icetime on special teams?

If Stan adds a forward or 2... the Hawks could look scary up front. Even without adding anyone with the Kubalik addition the Hawks have a lot to work with up front.

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Perlini
Sikura-Anisimov-Saad
Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik
Hayden

I think you see 1 or 2 fwds shipped out before the season starts but it's not a bad position to be in for the Hawks.
- Tyler Cameron

That’s some decent depth, assuming Kubalik sticks. But I agree that a couple forwards will likely moved out to make room for upgrades defensively.

Viktor would have been a superstar if only Q knew what he was doing and could recognize talent.
- RickJ

Well we all know Q' s success was due ONLY because of the talent the Hawks had. Any poster on this site would have had the same, or probably more, success.

That’s some decent depth, assuming Kubalik sticks. But I agree that a couple forwards will likely moved out to make room for upgrades defensively.
- DarthKane

Are the ribs prepared and the smoker on yet?

Yep. I can see Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik getting some time together at some point. Kahun and Kubalik played in the OHL together and internationally and Kubalik and Kampf have played internationally together as well.

Today's NHL is ruled by depth... imagine if this is the 4th line with maybe all of them getting extra icetime on special teams?

If Stan adds a forward or 2... the Hawks could look scary up front. Even without adding anyone with the Kubalik addition the Hawks have a lot to work with up front.

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Perlini
Sikura-Anisimov-Saad
Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik
Hayden

I think you see 1 or 2 fwds shipped out before the season starts but it's not a bad position to be in for the Hawks.
- Tyler Cameron

Hayden is running out of racetrack with the Hawks, Colliton may give him one more chance but he better be very good at training camp.

I look for one rookie to surprise and make the team out of camp - one of Soderlund, Highmore, Entwistle or Kurashev.

Yep. I can see Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik getting some time together at some point. Kahun and Kubalik played in the OHL together and internationally and Kubalik and Kampf have played internationally together as well.

Today's NHL is ruled by depth... imagine if this is the 4th line with maybe all of them getting extra icetime on special teams?

If Stan adds a forward or 2... the Hawks could look scary up front. Even without adding anyone with the Kubalik addition the Hawks have a lot to work with up front.

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Perlini
Sikura-Anisimov-Saad
Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik
Hayden

I think you see 1 or 2 fwds shipped out before the season starts but it's not a bad position to be in for the Hawks.
- Tyler Cameron

I know that’s not necessarily THE lineup, just an example of what could be, but I like it. However, like a lot of people, I’m not sold on Perlini being top 6, or really any 6 for that matter.

When the Jets took Schiefele at the strong request of their head scout, the GM said to the scout "you just better be right about this."

There is much more than scoring statistics that go into a draft selection.
- RickJ

Scoring stats honestly mean very little to me. Personally, i'm pro selke type forwards that still have offensive upside abilities. Toews, Kopitar, Bergeron, Datsyuk. Those are the first types of players I notice in junior games. Unless it's a generational talent player like McDavid or Crosby that have skill sets that are off the charts in other areas.

Mark, I believe was consensus 13th pick I believe that year. 75 points in 66 games in his first season in junior is pretty damn good.

Skating, shooting, passing can all be improved after the fact but hockey IQ is something that just can't be taught.

Since Kubalik signed, does anyone see a Kubalik-Kampf-Kahun line? I think he played with those guys before. Maybe some chemistry is there. I know we had K lines this season, but I'd be interested in seeing a Czech checking line.
- I Am The Breadman

Did I miss something? When did Kubalik sign? There is nothing on the Hawks Web Page indicating he has signed and I thought he couldn't or wouldn't sign until after the Worlds is over.

Here are some highlights of Cozens - I would say he has more than just speed going for him as do the commentators. One can cherry pick from any number of YouTube highlights - good and bad. I tend to trust professional scouts' opinions which can also vary considerably but there does seem to be some consensus that Cozens > Dach.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXZrQ244wvU
- FourOrr

It's Craig Button.

I watched probably 4 minutes of the video and I think he probably shoot from outside of the face-off dot about 50 times and got the middle of the ice about 4 times.

Scoring stats honestly mean very little to me. Personally, i'm pro selke type forwards that still have offensive upside abilities. Toews, Kopitar, Bergeron, Datsyuk. Those are the first types of players I notice in junior games. Unless it's a generational talent player like McDavid or Crosby that have skill sets that are off the charts in other areas.

Mark, I believe was consensus 13th pick I believe that year. 75 points in 66 games in his first season in junior is pretty damn good.

Skating, shooting, passing can all be improved after the fact but hockey IQ is something that just can't be taught.
- manvanfan

Central Scouting had Schiefele ranked #16 for NA skaters in their final rating - immediately below such notables as Mark McNeill, Zack Phillips, Joe Morrow and Jamie Oleksiak.

It's Craig Button.

I watched probably 4 minutes of the video and I think he probably shoot from outside of the face-off dot about 50 times and got the middle of the ice about 4 times.
- manvanfan

Well you say, we will see....

Yep. I can see Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik getting some time together at some point. Kahun and Kubalik played in the OHL together and internationally and Kubalik and Kampf have played internationally together as well.

Today's NHL is ruled by depth... imagine if this is the 4th line with maybe all of them getting extra icetime on special teams?

If Stan adds a forward or 2... the Hawks could look scary up front. Even without adding anyone with the Kubalik addition the Hawks have a lot to work with up front.

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Perlini
Sikura-Anisimov-Saad
Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik
Hayden

I think you see 1 or 2 fwds shipped out before the season starts but it's not a bad position to be in for the Hawks.
- Tyler Cameron

Hey Justin, with the upfront depth you mention, does this play into Hawks drafting Bowen?

BTW, who is leading the tournament in Goal scoring? The CAT!!!!! dude can play!!!!

Yep. I can see Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik getting some time together at some point. Kahun and Kubalik played in the OHL together and internationally and Kubalik and Kampf have played internationally together as well.

Today's NHL is ruled by depth... imagine if this is the 4th line with maybe all of them getting extra icetime on special teams?

If Stan adds a forward or 2... the Hawks could look scary up front. Even without adding anyone with the Kubalik addition the Hawks have a lot to work with up front.

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Perlini
Sikura-Anisimov-Saad
Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik
Hayden

I think you see 1 or 2 fwds shipped out before the season starts but it's not a bad position to be in for the Hawks.
- Tyler Cameron

I think those three K guys would be the IDEAL fourth line.

I honestly think Drake projects best with the third line in lieu of Sikura, who I do not think is NHL material - yet?

That leaves two banger slots for line one and two open. Perlini is also IMO not top nine/NHL material - yet. Give the top two lines a consistent road grader with the bottom two lines as I suggest and perhaps the stronger forward situation tilts the ice away from the Hawk D zone to relieve pressure on the TBD solutions to the defense.

Still too many holes to contend next year, but on the right path if they can build a strong forecheck again. Finesse alone is not enough, and I have very little faith that Perlini, Sikura or any other players in the system have what it takes up front to fill the holes as “the right fit” for what the team needs.

Central Scouting had Schiefele ranked #16 for NA skaters in their final rating - immediately below such notables as Mark McNeill, Zack Phillips, Joe Morrow and Jamie Oleksiak.
- RickJ

Scouting is not an exact science that is for sure.

Well you say, we will see....
- FourOrr

Yes we will, see you in a 3-4 years when we know.

On a different topic, who likes Sharp on the National broadcasts....much better than the goofs they have been trotting out for years.

I know that’s not necessarily THE lineup, just an example of what could be, but I like it. However, like a lot of people, I’m not sold on Perlini being top 6, or really any 6 for that matter.
- Ogilthorpe2

I am with you. I would like to see Caggiula -Kampf - and a Tanev like player on the 4th line.

ADB - Strome - Kane as the 2nd line. If you play Kane on the top line your top 2 lines have defensive weaknesses. If you want to strengthen team defense you need one of the two top lines and one of your bottom two lines to be 200' lines.

I would be surprised if Hayden and AA are on the opening night roster. I am not anti-AA. I would not mind him centering the 3rd line with Kubalik and either Saad, Kahun, Sikura or Perlini.

In a way you are supporting my point and it is a good caution for Hawk fans who expect the #3 pick in the draft to make a significant contribution to the team next year.
Getzlaf drafted #19 took 4 years to score 50+ points in an NHL season
Scheifele drafted #7 took 5 years to score 50+ points in an NHL season
Johansen drafted #4 took 4 years to score 50+ points in an NHL season.

GM's all look both stupid for passing on good players with early picks and genius for finding gems in later rounds. That is the nature of their position.
- -Doh-

Fans who expect the #3 to make a significant contribution next year need to check their expectations. There is a chance that the #3 plays NHL hockey and there is a chance they get an impact player right away, but it is more likely that the pick will take 2-3 years at least to be considered a signification contributor. That is reality unless the Hawks get very lucky.

Take it from a Canucks fan who gets to watch Virtanen and Pettersson. Hockey IQ trumps being faster.
- manvanfan

Not taking anything away from your experience but my experience is that high hockey IQ and great skating trumps high hockey IQ and less than great skating.

I think Dach has a very good chance to be a very good NHL player but I prefer 2 or 3 other guys - that's all.

Fans who expect the #3 to make a significant contribution next year need to check their expectations. There is a chance that the #3 plays NHL hockey and there is a chance they get an impact player right away, but it is more likely that the pick will take 2-3 years at least to be considered a signification contributor. That is reality unless the Hawks get very lucky.
- breadbag

This. It should be the first post in every blog about the possible #3 pick.

Did I miss something? When did Kubalik sign? There is nothing on the Hawks Web Page indicating he has signed and I thought he couldn't or wouldn't sign until after the Worlds is over.
- FourOrr

https://www.secondcityhoc...n-contract-terms-nhl-2019

Yep. I can see Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik getting some time together at some point. Kahun and Kubalik played in the OHL together and internationally and Kubalik and Kampf have played internationally together as well.

Today's NHL is ruled by depth... imagine if this is the 4th line with maybe all of them getting extra icetime on special teams?

If Stan adds a forward or 2... the Hawks could look scary up front. Even without adding anyone with the Kubalik addition the Hawks have a lot to work with up front.

Caggiula-Toews-Kane
Debrincat-Strome-Perlini
Sikura-Anisimov-Saad
Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik
Hayden

I think you see 1 or 2 fwds shipped out before the season starts but it's not a bad position to be in for the Hawks.
- Tyler Cameron

Kahun-Kampf-Kubalik seems mis-matched to me. If Kampf is the 4C (and I think he has to be because he doesn't generate enough offense to be 3C), then he needs wingers to play a 4th line style and I don't think Kahun is that type of player. Maybe Kubalik is? Maybe a 4th line of Caggiula-Kampf-Kubalik?