What kind of stuff does he need to work on there
- just69sayin

Nothing, I guess - he's going to be an all-star center at age 19, coming into his first season in the pros.

I'm now convinced that - like duClair and Strome and Perlini and Drouin and many others - he's ready to make the move directly from juniors to the Show.

Nothing, I guess - he's going to be an all-star center at age 19, coming into his first season in the pros.

I'm now convinced that - like duClair and Strome and Perlini and Drouin and many others - he's ready to make the move directly from juniors to the Show.
- StLBravesFan

He gets the 9 game tryout and either shows he's ready for the NHL, or he goes back to Junior.

Clearly Dach was taken primarily for his size and skill, but another contributing factor was the likelihood that he could play at NHL level Day 1.

Caggulia-Toews-Kane
ADB-Strome-Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Shaw
Smith-Kampf-Carpenter

Reserves: Quenneville, Sikura

Keith-Gusty
DeHaan-Murphy
Maatta-Seabrook

Reserve: Koekkoek

If nothing else this lineup appears to have more grit and compete than the last couple of years. It will be nice to have a team that is difficult to play against again.

But does Dach have the strength right now?

How much of his success down low has been because he is just bigger than the other 17-18-19 year olds he has gone up against?

Size is one thing - good to have it - but it also takes strength the get to, take, and hold a position in the Show.

Let's see what happens when he goes up against experienced, skilled players the same size (or bigger) in the NHL.
- StLBravesFan

That's why i say let's see. Preferably you want strength and talent, but if he has more talent than guys who he's going up against that are stronger who wins, i think talent trumps strength so long as he's heavier on his feet than Perlini

My biggest fear is Strome turns into "year two Richard Panik."
- rpeters01

I hope so then we can sign him to a team friendly contract.

Nothing, I guess - he's going to be an all-star center at age 19, coming into his first season in the pros.

I'm now convinced that - like duClair and Strome and Perlini and Drouin and many others - he's ready to make the move directly from juniors to the Show.
- StLBravesFan

Not too mention Dahlin, Svechnikov, Kotkaniemi, Tkachuk, Mathews, Laine, Marner, Eichel, etc..

Fair and balanced reporting. Some are ready and some are not.

Clearly Dach was taken primarily for his size and skill, but another contributing factor was the likelihood that he could play at NHL level Day 1.

Caggulia-Toews-Kane
ADB-Strome-Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Shaw
Smith-Kampf-Carpenter

Reserves: Quenneville, Sikura

Keith-Gusty
DeHaan-Murphy
Maatta-Seabrook

Reserve: Koekkoek

If nothing else this lineup appears to have more grit and compete than the last couple of years. It will be nice to have a team that is difficult to play against again.
- ChiTownHawkFan

one way or another Dach is in starting lineup, whether he sticks or not
is the only question, my guess is that he sticks

Kubalik-19-88
ADB-Strome-Dach
20-Kurashev-65
Smith-Carpenter-Cagg's/Q/Kampf

Keith-Gusty
DeHaan-Murphy
Maatta-Seabrook

Reserve: Koekkoek

Dach/Kubalik might be changed but like you say a much
better lineup than last years, D still seems suspect to me though

Not too mention Dahlin, Svechnikov, Kotkaniemi, Tkachuk, Mathews, Laine, Marner, Eichel, etc..

Fair and balanced reporting. Some are ready and some are not.
- -Doh-

Not too mention Dahlin, Svechnikov, Kotkaniemi, Tkachuk, Mathews, Laine, Marner, Eichel, etc..

Fair and balanced reporting. Some are ready and some are not.
- -Doh-

Yes - there are some - a very few - who are ready at 18 or 19 - with no pro experience - to start in the NHL. Add AdB to your list.

I wonder how many of those you mentioned are the complete players they could have been with some minor league experience on their resumes. Would deBrincat be a better 200 foot player with some Rockford time? I don't know - maybe, maybe not.

I'm looking at hoping they make sure they do what's best for both Dach and the franchise - long term - when they make the final decision on where he plays this season. He may be the best option at 3C this fall - BUT STILL be best-served long term by spending another season in Saskatoon.

The Hawks probably (almost certainly) will not be competing for a Cup this coming season; no need to rush young players up - no need for short-term fixes that don't lead to long-term success.

What kind of stuff does he need to work on there
- just69sayin

Lavender disposal

Nothing, I guess - he's going to be an all-star center at age 19, coming into his first season in the pros.

I'm now convinced that - like duClair and Strome and Perlini and Drouin and many others - he's ready to make the move directly from juniors to the Show.
- StLBravesFan

Obviously if he could go to Rockford that would be preferred. I just question the ability to grow in 4th year in that league.

Yes - there are some - a very few - who are ready at 18 or 19 - with no pro experience - to start in the NHL. Add AdB to your list.

I wonder how many of those you mentioned are the complete players they could have been with some minor league experience on their resumes. Would deBrincat be a better 200 foot player with some Rockford time? I don't know - maybe, maybe not.

I'm looking at hoping they make sure they do what's best for both Dach and the franchise - long term - when they make the final decision on where he plays this season. He may be the best option at 3C this fall - BUT STILL be best-served long term by spending another season in Saskatoon.

The Hawks probably (almost certainly) will not be competing for a Cup this coming season; no need to rush young players up - no need for short-term fixes that don't lead to long-term success.
- StLBravesFan

Ye of little faith

Obviously if he could go to Rockford that would be preferred. I just question the ability to grow in 4th year in that league.
- vabeachbear

This I agree with - and said so several messages ago.

Fighting
- DarthKane

No such thing in the W.

I hope so then we can sign him to a team friendly contract.
- BetweenTheDots

Except that we end the year with 82 points.

I don't think any Hawks fan is suggesting that Dach should be "rushed" into the NHL, meaning before is ready to handle the physical and mental grind. However, if he shows he is ready - then he shouldn't be sent back to Saskatoon just because that's standard operating procedure for most 18 years old kids. He will either show he's ready or he'll show he isn't - simple enough.

We won 3 cups with a supposed 2c hole. Every team has holes. If Toews, Kane, Saad, Debrinkat, Strome, Shaw, and the rebuilt defense don't show up, 3c won't matter.
- rpeters01

Yeah, but it is a hole that was self inflicted. There was no need to do it.

Ye of little faith
- vabeachbear

Exactly...how much depth does a team need to make a serious run. Hawks seem to have it. See how Boqvist is looking come late season. Mitchell will be done at Denver and headed over... This off season has been fun...the season should be awesome.

Nothing, I guess - he's going to be an all-star center at age 19, coming into his first season in the pros.

I'm now convinced that - like duClair and Strome and Perlini and Drouin and many others - he's ready to make the move directly from juniors to the Show.
- StLBravesFan

Now you're talking!

Exactly...how much depth does a team need to make a serious run. Hawks seem to have it. See how Boqvist is looking come late season. Mitchell will be done at Denver and headed over... This off season has been fun...the season should be awesome.
- just69sayin

They should be a better team, but problem is they play in what is arguably the best division in hockey, and even if they are significantly better than last year, that is no guarantee that it will be enough to even get into the playoffs. Nashville and Winnipeg might be coming back to the pack a bit, but Dallas and Colorado both got better too.

They should be a better team, but problem is they play in what is arguably the best division in hockey, and even if they are significantly better than last year, that is no guarantee that it will be enough to even get into the playoffs. Nashville and Winnipeg might be coming back to the pack a bit, but Dallas and Colorado both got better too.
- Ogilthorpe2

By the same token, there is no guarantee that the other teams in the division will be as good as they were last year. There are numerous regressions and ascensions every year. You never know what adding or subtracting certain players can do to a team. Let alone injuries and additional trades.

That's the thing about the NHL these days is that it is so volatile. LA, Pitt, Chi, etc. all have been up and came back down in recent years. There wasn't a single #1 seed that made it to the second round last year. the SC winner was, at an advanced point of the year, in last place.

Obviously, we can discuss and debate the moves made (or not made), but let's enjoy the ride a bit.

By the same token, there is no guarantee that the other teams in the division will be as good as they were last year. There are numerous regressions and ascensions every year. You never know what adding or subtracting certain players can do to a team. Let alone injuries and additional trades.

That's the thing about the NHL these days is that it is so volatile. LA, Pitt, Chi, etc. all have been up and came back down in recent years. There wasn't a single #1 seed that made it to the second round last year. the SC winner was, at an advanced point of the year, in last place.

Obviously, we can discuss and debate the moves made (or not made), but let's enjoy the ride a bit.
- Chunk

Most playoff level teams not leading their division are one major injury (to a star player) away from missing the playoffs.

Clearly Dach was taken primarily for his size and skill, but another contributing factor was the likelihood that he could play at NHL level Day 1.

Caggulia-Toews-Kane
ADB-Strome-Kubalik
Saad-Dach-Shaw
Smith-Kampf-Carpenter

Reserves: Quenneville, Sikura

Keith-Gusty
DeHaan-Murphy
Maatta-Seabrook

Reserve: Koekkoek

If nothing else this lineup appears to have more grit and compete than the last couple of years. It will be nice to have a team that is difficult to play against again.
- ChiTownHawkFan

110% agree that this is likely our lineup at full health. If de Haan misses time to start the year than Maatta gets bumped up and they'll swap Koekkoek and Dahlstrom UNLESS PLOT TWIST they decide to give Boqvist a shot with him out to get a taste of the league until de Haan's healthy and then either they send him down OR he really impresses and they swap out Gus.

My latest draft:


- walleyeb1

Is Toews, Kane, Saad the highest salary line in the league?

They should be a better team, but problem is they play in what is arguably the best division in hockey, and even if they are significantly better than last year, that is no guarantee that it will be enough to even get into the playoffs. Nashville and Winnipeg might be coming back to the pack a bit, but Dallas and Colorado both got better too.
- Ogilthorpe2

Their division is going to be a cage match. Cannot give points away this year.