You are risking a verbal assault from Sir Enzo.
- RickJ

Poor baby will have to take his Thumb out of his mouth and detach himself from mommy first. Not too sure why it upsets him so much? He was the one who wrote one of his thousands of lineup cards with Dach lined up at number one and Toews at number three.

That sounds like stuff that is pretty fixable. Who was he traded for again?
- mohel

Pretty fixable for a good coach maybe. Don't know if you heard Palie but JC is a bum

Another great Blog
• Agree on Crow. I like the goaltending situation. I also like Lankinen more than Delia as #3 in the depth chart.
• Agree on Maatta and Holm. If DeHaan is healthy the D could be Seabs, Keith, DeHaan, Maatta, Murphy, Holm, & Gus. (Maybe Boqvist, Gilbert, Koekkoek, or Dahlstrom if DeHaan is not ready to go in game 1.)
• Open forward slots are shrinking. Looks likely Toews, Kane, ADB, Saad, Strome, Shaw, Nylander, Kubalik, Smith (because of his contract), and Caggiula make the roster. That leaves 3 spots open. Kampf? Wedin? Perlini? Sikura? Carpenter? Highmore? Saarela?

Certainly the Hawks have nice contingent of younger minor pro players who are going to with work challenge for roster spots.
It is really hopefully to see the hockey IQ, quickness (and some with speed), good hands and over-all determination of the guys I am watching in these games. They are making plays and even though the road for many isn't an easy one, this is a matter of numbers: if a FEW stick with it and make the jump in various NHL roles, the team ling term is served.

You know I read that cross-over article in the Athletic too, but I didn't see it as some large flaw but the even the new skating NHL is filled with players who get the job done skating differently. I did spend time watch watching Nylander prior to his selection by Buffalo. This is what I wrote back then and it is still up on the site if you wish to read the entire thing:
My opinion was based on his awkward skating stride and lack of speed. He had high-end offensive instincts, exceptionally soft hands and puck handling skills, but just didn’t display the wheels to complete the portrait. He must have committed to improving his feet and has clearly shown he can generate the attack and make teammates better.

I never though it was more than a matter of the quick diagnostic hockey head working while he continues moving, not this idea of generating more speed. I looked at the powers videos and they, imo, were very typical of much of the hockey footage I see there that they se to establish a point, but to me there footage is lightweight evidence. (Now most of the NFL footage and analysis, imo, is much much batter to establish their points.

I just don't think the point is Nylander's fortunes are tied to one area of improvement; NHL players aren't tentaive, or floating w/o awareness of what they think might develop to take advantage off...and thenHL is SO much faster on most simple plays than other leagues, it is a matter ALL youngsters getting their instincts tuned to the new standard pitchfork.

(Not trying start a debate, but I think this is an example)
The idea is to improve after gettging the exposure.

In my opinion, last night, I saw Dylan Sikura without looking...he wasn't waiting to see the Red Sea to open and part, he had urgency in his actions and positioning and even after his year on the big club, it seemed a notch above.

THAT is what the newbies need with regularity, because I don't think the parent club is gonna have the luxury of playing them long term for it to slowly germinate into their MHL game.

“Solidifies a dynamic 3rd line with Saad and Kampf”

I’m sorry but any 3rd line with Kampf playing C isn’t “dynamic”

Can Nylander play center? Seems to have the playmaking ability. Nylander-Saad-Kubalik appears to be a nice third line.

A ton of tough choices in the crowded bottom 6. On D Boqvist has flare but still doesn't look ready this year.

I thought Nylander was looking pretty good, but felt like maybe he needs to develop a bit more chemistry with 19/88. Those two read each other well and can really cycle but Nylander while skilled was looking not entirely on the same page. A few shifts I'd noticed him being a bit out of sync and it resulting in the play dying. I think if he plays like he belongs with them and learns to read what they are doing a bit more, he has the skill and tools to be that guy on their wing.

“Solidifies a dynamic 3rd line with Saad and Kampf”

I’m sorry but any 3rd line with Kampf playing C isn’t “dynamic”
- SimpleJack

Kampf will probably slide down when they try Dach on line 3.

Kampf will probably slide down when they try Dach on line 3.
- breadbag

I really don't understand why people are so tough on Kampf. The guy is a solid bottom 6 player that is good defensively and has some offensive upside. Not every player is meant to put the puck in the net. That 3rd line could cause some problems for the opposition playing against their weaker D pairings. I would like to see Saad, Dach, Kub

Poor baby will have to take his Thumb out of his mouth and detach himself from mommy first. Not too sure why it upsets him so much? He was the one who wrote one of his thousands of lineup cards with Dach lined up at number one and Toews at number three.
- paulr

I’m normally not one to get into things like this, but I distinctly remember Enzo stating that lineup was three years into the future. That’s likely why he takes such offense to it. There is a decent chance that Dach can attain that level within that timeframe.

I get what you're saying, but watch him yourself, he may not be as good defensively as he is offensively, but he's actually not bad. I know it's not saying much but he's better defensively then Gusto
- BetweenTheDots

Another reason is that it is not all that simple to move from Defense to offense. There are different responsibilities and reads to make depending on where you are. Gus was asked about this at the end of last year and he said that he would struggle mightily in making that switch.

Kampf will probably slide down when they try Dach on line 3.
- breadbag

They may or they let Highmore take 4C to start with Dach heading back to Canada to get his poop together.
My question is where are they gonna put Perlini if Nylander takes 1LW and Shaw takes 2RW with Saad/Kubalik flanking L3?

Biggest take away from last night was, this organization finally has some really good depth again. The competition for jobs is gonna be tough. i like it

They may or they let Highmore take 4C to start with Dach heading back to Canada to get his poop together.
My question is where are they gonna put Perlini if Nylander takes 1LW and Shaw takes 2RW with Saad/Kubalik flanking L3?
- Assman22

Press box most nights. Another team toward the TDL.

God it feels good to have Blackhawks hockey back!

Last night was a fun game and it was good to see guys perform well. As I stated yesterday, you see the defense improvement with more of the starters playing. I hope they can continue to build off of that.

I think we're looking at an opening night lineup of...

Nylander-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Caggiula-Smith-Carpenter

2 of: Highmore, Wedin, Sikura, Perlini (mostly because they don't wanna lose him for nothing)

Keith-Gus
de Haan-Murphy
Maatta-Seabrook

One of: Holm, Dahlstrom, Koekkoek

Crow
Robin

I'm still iffy if Holm makes the team or not outta camp. I think we'd all agree (if not Boqvist or Beaudin) Holm deserves to step into the lineup if an injury happens with how well he's played. Dahlstrom and Koekkoek look like they cannot be counted on for long stretches of time. One would be fine as the 7th D-Man if you want to have Holm get regular playing time in Rockford, but if someone goes down he's likely gonna be Holm who gets the call and gets the playing time over either of them.

Overall, that's a pretty solid team going into the year. With Rockford stacked with plenty of talent. Not ready to say this team is gonna BE a Playoff team come spring, but it looks like they could fight for a spot

Seems as the Hawks are in a good but tricky situation. They MUST start out the year better than the past two seasons, They have weatlth of depth at several positions ... need to look at many new faces and integrate them into their system. Very difficult to to in six preseason games, plus DeHann and Dach are injured, so we won't see them. Some players can hit their stride, once they have more games under their belt too ... it's just the way it is. Hope they have good start to the season, but be patient ... the best should come once all these new faces develope some chemistry with team mates. Best bet to start the season is to try and stay strong defensively as a team. If the opposition is not scoring much, Hawks should have enough offense to get through this period.

God it feels good to have Blackhawks hockey back!

Last night was a fun game and it was good to see guys perform well. As I stated yesterday, you see the defense improvement with more of the starters playing. I hope they can continue to build off of that.

I think we're looking at an opening night lineup of...

Nylander-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Caggiula-Smith-Carpenter

2 of: Highmore, Wedin, Sikura, Perlini (mostly because they don't wanna lose him for nothing)

Keith-Gus
de Haan-Murphy
Maatta-Seabrook

One of: Holm, Dahlstrom, Koekkoek

Crow
Robin

I'm still iffy if Holm makes the team or not outta camp. I think we'd all agree (if not Boqvist or Beaudin) Holm deserves to step into the lineup if an injury happens with how well he's played. Dahlstrom and Koekkoek look like they cannot be counted on for long stretches of time. One would be fine as the 7th D-Man if you want to have Holm get regular playing time in Rockford, but if someone goes down he's likely gonna be Holm who gets the call and gets the playing time over either of them.

Overall, that's a pretty solid team going into the year. With Rockford stacked with plenty of talent. Not ready to say this team is gonna BE a Playoff team come spring, but it looks like they could fight for a spot
- Savetheembers33

A reasonable and balanced take. You have no place here with that crap....

God it feels good to have Blackhawks hockey back!

Last night was a fun game and it was good to see guys perform well. As I stated yesterday, you see the defense improvement with more of the starters playing. I hope they can continue to build off of that.

I think we're looking at an opening night lineup of...

Nylander-Toews-Kane
Cat-Strome-Shaw
Saad-Kampf-Kubalik
Caggiula-Smith-Carpenter

2 of: Highmore, Wedin, Sikura, Perlini (mostly because they don't wanna lose him for nothing)

Keith-Gus
de Haan-Murphy
Maatta-Seabrook

One of: Holm, Dahlstrom, Koekkoek

Crow
Robin

I'm still iffy if Holm makes the team or not outta camp. I think we'd all agree (if not Boqvist or Beaudin) Holm deserves to step into the lineup if an injury happens with how well he's played. Dahlstrom and Koekkoek look like they cannot be counted on for long stretches of time. One would be fine as the 7th D-Man if you want to have Holm get regular playing time in Rockford, but if someone goes down he's likely gonna be Holm who gets the call and gets the playing time over either of them.

Overall, that's a pretty solid team going into the year. With Rockford stacked with plenty of talent. Not ready to say this team is gonna BE a Playoff team come spring, but it looks like they could fight for a spot
- Savetheembers33

You should add Hagel into the 2. of. the guy works his tail off and has some offensive talent.

I really don't understand why people are so tough on Kampf. The guy is a solid bottom 6 player that is good defensively and has some offensive upside. Not every player is meant to put the puck in the net. That 3rd line could cause some problems for the opposition playing against their weaker D pairings. I would like to see Saad, Dach, Kub
- Boisy12

I'm one who is not high at all on Kampf being overslotted. If he or even Highmore are slotted above the 4th line, that signals to me lack of depth to fill out the bottom 6. Let them thrive on the 4th line than just be okay on the 3rd.

We all have different definitions or standards for what the 3rd line should be. IMO, the 3rd line should have all forwards not only committed to a 200 foot game but also the capacity to put up around 0.50 PPG.

Kampf and Highmore can deliver the former but very hard pressed to come close to the latter. Saad, Shaw, Dach, Kubalik, and even Sikura (I know many will disagree) are capable of both.

You should add Hagel into the 2. of. the guy works his tail off and has some offensive talent.
- LAHawk

I agree with you about adding Hagel to the list of possible new candidates to start the season with the Hawks. He is tough as nails on the boards and doesn't mind going for the garbage goals in front of the net.

I noticed D Sikura's brother in the lineup last night. He is behind many - includung his brother- forr an nhl roster spot. However perhaps he coukd be a useful bottom line over achiever for another team. Possibly evrn an expansion team
- jhawk59

That would be a good trick since his brother probably won't get an NHL roster spot and he's behind him. I love stirring the Sikura love/hate because either way the last guy on the team doesn't really matter.

Kampf will probably slide down when they try Dach on line 3.
- breadbag

Also, 11 million dollars ought to be a pretty good third pairing lol.

I think they give Dach at least 5 games to see what's there. They have to see how he plays in the NHL with how big and athletic he is now.

Price Adam comes up after they flip one or both of Murphy and Gus.
- fattybeef

Will be interesting to see the stronger pair, Sebs Maata or Murphy + whomever ?

I thought Nylander was running into Toews and Kane a bit in the offensive zone and was it me or does he look, I don't want to say lazy but he's just kind of floating out there. Small sample but just an outside observation. Kind of frustrating because you can see at times he has the look of potentially a really good player.
- ClaudeFather

Kane has made a pretty good career out of floating...

That would be a good trick since his brother probably won't get an NHL roster spot and he's behind him. I love stirring the Sikura love/hate because either way the last guy on the team doesn't really matter.
- rpeters01

They really do in a 7 game series