Seabrook is definitely massively overpaid, but....if Maatta and Seabrook stick as the 5-6 pairing....there are precious few teams with anything close to as good a 3rd pairing. We have to put the salary aside when looking at the construction of this lineup. Yes. 7 million for a 3rd pairing D-man is excessive....but we have bargains in super-cheap 40 goal scorers (D-cat) an 2nd line centers (strome). Instead of salary, if we focus on the depth and flexibility of this line-up...I think we should be somewhat encouraged. Heck...I say HUGELY encouraged compared to what we iced the last two years!!! Kudos to Stan. A nice collection of some very interchangable parts that could be quite effective.
- hawk35

Matta can't keep going shinpads from the point if paired with Seabrook cuz Seabrook can't catch an opposing forward with a step head start. Has to get the puck through or at least past the 1st defender. But if he can then I don't mind the pairing at all.

I think its been a few years since Marleau has played center. I agree about Stan making moves. Minor deals, tho. Clear out some of the logjam on defense and clear the way for guys they believe have upside.

Special K, Dahlstrom and Perlini can all be launched for whatever picks they can get, imo.
- Elbows15

I'm thinking Fortin and Quenville can be launched as well. What the hell happened to Fortin? Leg injury of some sort? He's not the same guy who was here in camp a couple years ago.

Here we go again... points are all that matter in a 4th line Center

#Can’tfixstupid
- Ogilthorpe2

No doubt hey. Give me back a Marcus Kruger type 4th line center again any day of the week. Sure he put up 12 points a year but man the memory of him in 2015 against the Ducks is pretty sweet.

Every coach has his blind spot and it appears Kampf is JC's:

https://chicago.suntimes....n-saad-faceoffs-defensive

He seems set on him at 3rd line C which will likely have a dampening effect on his line mates' production. Let's hope, if that proves true, one of the assistants can talk some sense into Colliton. After Saad finally started to come back to life last year, would hate to see him backslide after working hard over the summer.

I think its been a few years since Marleau has played center. I agree about Stan making moves. Minor deals, tho. Clear out some of the logjam on defense and clear the way for guys they believe have upside.

Special K, Dahlstrom and Perlini can all be launched for whatever picks they can get, imo.
- Elbows15

Dahlstrom would probably do well as the experienced veteran on Rockford's kid defence corps. He is the example of making smart plays and keeping it simple for AHL.

Someone pointed out that Koekkoek could stick as a 6th or extra NHL based perhaps on potential if you compare his game to Dahlstron.

Colliton has a lot of power to determine whether a Dahlstrom or Koekkoek can hit their stride if he chooses to play them regularly. That is what they need although there is no guarantee either would turn out much better than what we have witnessed.

I personally prefer to see Koekkoek since he 1). Logicly has more upside (went what #12 overall by Tampa) 2).has shown occassional nasty side to lay a big hit as compared to Dahlstrom whom doesn't use his big frame effectively in physicsl board work often enough

We can take the attitude that Boqvist benefits from more TOI and therefore development in Rockford. In turn Koekkoeck or Dahlstrom gets more NHL opportunity. Yet irregular suiting up in NHL may not help their possible ability to attain a better level of performance.

Of course the implentation and team succees under Colliton's system would mean even a bottom pair or extra dman experiences somewhat more consistency in playing good defense. Well forwards need to give adequate support too

It is a tough road to hoe for any 6th or spare dman on most if not all teams. Yeah sure maybe by age 28 a veteran professional player might become a contributor with a well rounded consistent game. But that is not where either Koekkoek or Dahlstrom stand presently.

You can keep this nugget tucked away though: Bowman chooses to keep one of them around so as to have veterans available for NHL expansion choice. Stan knows too that teams always need depth on defense. The kids may be alright on defense as they filter in but during that process Bowman may keep a Koekkoeck, a Dahlstrom even Tuulola around.

However I do not include Carlsson nor Gilbert solely as extra depth. Carlsson could become a desceent NHL dman. Gilbert has a niche he could fulfill with his style of play.

Personally I'd prefer if Dach goes "running" back to Saskatoon. Another season in junior is best for most 18 year olds and after suffering a concussion against men in only his first game maybe he's not physically ready even if many parts of his game are. Many prospects have had their careers ruined by coming to the NHL before they were fully ready, be it physically or with enough skill to compete at that level
- paulr

Yeah I'm fine either way it works out - here or Saskatoon for him. He's running out of time to earn a spot here though so it might just be what we're all hoping for - Kampf playing 3C.

I'll say this about Colliton's love for Kampf - Colliton seems like a bright guy so if he wants to hitch his wagon to Kampf maybe he knows Kampf has more than meets the casual eye and he expects him to show it this season. I would be happy to be wrong about Kampf.

I get the excitement over a #3 overall pick, but penciling Dach into the 3C role without him showing anything against NHL (even preseason NHL) competition is foolish. Unless he is back in the next day or so, I’m pretty sure he’s going back to Junior.

Re:Kampf, Colliton has stated numerous times that the roster and lineup is going to be very fluid depending of who that are playing and what he is seeing. I wouldn’t get too fired up over where (we think) he isn’t playing. Not to mention, if 3C is your biggest concern, you are in a pretty good spot.

Seabrook is definitely massively overpaid, but....if Maatta and Seabrook stick as the 5-6 pairing....there are precious few teams with anything close to as good a 3rd pairing. We have to put the salary aside when looking at the construction of this lineup. Yes. 7 million for a 3rd pairing D-man is excessive....but we have bargains in super-cheap 40 goal scorers (D-cat) an 2nd line centers (strome). Instead of salary, if we focus on the depth and flexibility of this line-up...I think we should be somewhat encouraged. Heck...I say HUGELY encouraged compared to what we iced the last two years!!! Kudos to Stan. A nice collection of some very interchangable parts that could be quite effective.
- hawk35

Good luck with that

Blackhawks insider podcast this week has Burish interviewing Kane. I'm still listening, but Burish said he talked to a lot of the guys after JC took over and they were "confused" about what was expected, what JC was trying to do, etc.

https://twitter.com/NHLBl.../1174850495191617538?s=20

Skewed or accurate?

Theres isnt anything Kampf does that makes his line or the team better

I'm not a Sikura fan either. But when linemates (when he played with Toews and Kane specifically) create time and room for Sikura, he at least has the ability to get the puck to someone in a scoring position.

I've seen Kampf take a dive instead of scoring an EN goal (vs MINN last year, when the hawks gave up a SHG and then lost in OT). He was caught and stripped from behind vs BOS in the outdoor game. Last night vs AHL players he had a step on the D to get to the net and he slows down to try to pass the puck.

He has no compete and would rather dive and just go thru the motions...which is why he belongs not even in the AHL but the swedish league (which may be why JC loves him)

He doesnt make the Hawks better defensively. Which top line C can you put him against to neutralize? Bolland...Kruger...had that ability because they would compete like MFers. That's what you want in the bottom 6. Bring something to the table...but he brings nothing.
- PatShart

https://twitter.com/NBCSB.../1174851275525120005?s=09

Sounds like JC thinks he can be greater than

https://twitter.com/NBCSBlackhawks/status/1174851275525120005?s=09

Sounds like JC thinks he can be greater than
- BetweenTheDots

Imo JC has been given a pass only because he took over a team last year in mid season with a mediocre lineup.

JC needs to prove he is nhl worthy of coaching a team. Regarding kampf IMO he is way overrated and if anything is more depth than a every day player.

Saad and Kubalick deserve a stronger 2 way center who is more offensively gifted.

If JC hangs his career on kampf and the results of him playing as a 3c don't produce , then maybe JC shouldn't be coaching IMO in the nhl.

Kampf hasn't shown that he can play with gifted offensive players and be a c9ntributing factor.

Defensively his face off percentage isn't above 50% and what top line can he truly shut down?

If Dach truly isn't ready yet , Stan should look to unload murphy and Perlini for a center .

Holm and boqvist both have earned spots IMO.

Murphy , koekkoek and dalstrom belong in Rockford.

You could pair boqvist with either Keith or DE HAAN.

Imo JC has been given a pass only because he took over a team last year in mid season with a mediocre lineup.

JC needs to prove he is nhl worthy of coaching a team. Regarding kampf IMO he is way overrated and if anything is more depth than a every day player.

Saad and Kubalick deserve a stronger 2 way center who is more offensively gifted.

If JC hangs his career on kampf and the results of him playing as a 3c don't produce , then maybe JC shouldn't be coaching IMO in the nhl.

Kampf hasn't shown that he can play with gifted offensive players and be a c9ntributing factor.

Defensively his face off percentage isn't above 50% and what top line can he truly shut down?

If Dach truly isn't ready yet , Stan should look to unload murphy and Perlini for a center .

Holm and boqvist both have earned spots IMO.

Murphy , koekkoek and dalstrom belong in Rockford.

You could pair boqvist with either Keith or DE HAAN.
- Taylorst1

Still poopting on Kampf, well that's just great! Keep up the good work! Start that day off right!

Still poopting on Kampf, well that's just great! Keep up the good work! Start that day off right!
- I Am The Breadman

I missed out. Is they're still time to pile on?

I missed out. Is they're still time to pile on?
- HawkintheD

Of course! It's poopting on whipping boys, the more the merrier! Or whatever emotion you would like to classify the BOD under.

Put this in the equation - the Hawks have enough cap space to trade Smith for Asimov straight up.

Put this in the equation - the Hawks have enough cap space to trade Smith for Asimov straight up.
- mohel

You wouldn't be talking about science fiction writer, Isaac, now would you, Mo?

Imo JC has been given a pass only because he took over a team last year in mid season with a mediocre lineup.

JC needs to prove he is nhl worthy of coaching a team. Regarding kampf IMO he is way overrated and if anything is more depth than a every day player.

Saad and Kubalick deserve a stronger 2 way center who is more offensively gifted.

If JC hangs his career on kampf and the results of him playing as a 3c don't produce , then maybe JC shouldn't be coaching IMO in the nhl.

Kampf hasn't shown that he can play with gifted offensive players and be a c9ntributing factor.

Defensively his face off percentage isn't above 50% and what top line can he truly shut down?

If Dach truly isn't ready yet , Stan should look to unload murphy and Perlini for a center .

Holm and boqvist both have earned spots IMO.

Murphy , koekkoek and dalstrom belong in Rockford.

You could pair boqvist with either Keith or DE HAAN.
- Taylorst1

You’re (you are) funny.

Put this in the equation - the Hawks have enough cap space to trade Smith for Asimov straight up.
- mohel

Put this in the equation - the Hawks have enough cap space to trade Smith for Asimov straight up.
- mohel

I still do not get the rationale for that deal. We saved only $1M in Cap for the same term and created a hole in our lineup which AA would have filled nicely.

I still do not get the rationale for that deal. We saved only $1M in Cap for the same term and created a hole in our lineup which AA would have filled nicely.
- 67hawks

He can’t win face offs, so he sucks. Did you not get that memo?

He can’t win face offs, so he sucks. Did you not get that memo?
- Ogilthorpe2

He is also slow and plays soft, at least that is what I kept reading on the board the past 2 years, must of made a hell of a transformation since being traded.

You’re (you are) funny.
- Ogilthorpe2

Your right.

I still do not get the rationale for that deal. We saved only $1M in Cap for the same term and created a hole in our lineup which AA would have filled nicely.
- 67hawks

It's possible that when Chicago selected Dach they realized all along Dach was ahead of the curve and more so ready to actually make the team. Just from his play recently in the tournament, etc Dach looked fantastic.

Kampf was probably the backup plan that Chicago didn't think it would come down to.


I just read a recent article on Dylan cozens and it appears Chicago was correct targeting Dach. Reports mention cozen needs more time to develop and he is trying to hard and struggling.

SMITH/Anismov trade . Anismov really didn't have high value let's be upfront on that, sure he was maybe a safe option to keep, however IMO I think he over stayed his welcome with no real results.

SMITH was probably the best Stan could get and still save some money.

I do think Dach will get his chance even if its 9 games to at least prove//earn a fulltime spot.