I am thinking for his first game or two let Dach play 4C with Smith and Carpenter as wings. Would be able to limit his faceoffs especially in the DZone. Having the vets there will help with the adjustment, then after 1-2 games move Dach around.

That does start the line blender and maybe means Nylander and Perlini are out. Wouldn't want to change the third line right now.
- totem

Dach at 4C with Smith and Carpenter?

Plz tell me this is a joke...

Why in gods name would he play that role on that line with those wingers? Makes absolutely zero sense.

Not changing the 3rd line seems to be a common thought on this board and in the press I’ve read. However, the 3rd line point total after five games is Saad 2/1/3, Kampf 0/1/1, Kubalik 1/1/2 for a total of 3/3/6. They’re also a combined -5 for those who still look at +/-. Also, one of Saad’s goals was an empty netter, and... Kampf is barely over 40% at the dot.

While I acknowledge they’ve played some quality shifts shutting down opposing lines, it appears I’m in the minority in not viewing that line as untouchable. IMO, if JC determines Dach or anyone else can perhaps provide an offensive spark to the 3rd line, he shouldn’t hesitate to try them out. Ideally, Dach would eventually slot in at 3C and Kampf moves to 4C. Nylander is most likely the odd-man out if Dach is inserted into the line up, but he needs to earn a spot in the top 9 somewhere - or go to RFD to work it out. His game is not really suited for 4th-line play.
- Chief4Feathers

Good morning Chief, you are not alone on your assessment.
I would not abandon Nylander to Rockford, instead move nylander up to the 3rd line and kubalick up with strome and cat

Put drake with the 4th line and Shaw playing with toews and Kane.

Just from my observation Nylander is at his best when he is carrying the puck .

Drake playing alongside toews and Kane was the best option Chicago had last year due to depth.

Right now toews just scored his first goal and Kane hasn't been a factor or real threat like both where last year.


Puck possession is what the top 2 lines should be producing not this hitting and none and done shot attempts.

my speculative 2cents if and when dach plays:

1. JC will limit his TOI with a focus on O-zone starts
2. Most likely mixed in with 3rd-4th line
3. may give up a few shifts with top line guys
4. of course game situation and status may dictate

I don't see anyway he stays past his 9 game stint.

Why put that kind of pressure on him at 18 particularly post concussion. Place him in a position to succeed and not fail (look at Hughs ad kakko)

my speculative 2cents if and when dach plays:

1. JC will limit his TOI with a focus on O-zone starts
2. Most likely mixed in with 3rd-4th line
3. may give up a few shifts with top line guys
4. of course game situation and status may dictate

I don't see anyway he stays past his 9 game stint.

Why put that kind of pressure on him at 18 particularly post concussion. Place him in a position to succeed and not fail (look at Hughs ad kakko)
- bogiedoc

I certainly wouldn’t object to Dach spending this winter on the Canadian prairie, but I’m not sure you can say the Hughes and Kakko have failed - struggled thru 5 or 6 games to be sure, but not failed.

I certainly wouldn’t object to Dach spending this winter on the Canadian prairie, but I’m not sure you can say the Hughes and Kakko have failed - struggled thru 5 or 6 games to be sure, but not failed.
- StLBravesFan

If he’s not ready, then he’s not ready - and Saskatoon would be the best (and only) place for him.

Given the limited amount that I’ve seen Dach play this year - all I can tell is that he hasn’t looked out of place and showed some flashes of being something more than ordinary/average.

my speculative 2cents if and when dach plays:

1. JC will limit his TOI with a focus on O-zone starts
2. Most likely mixed in with 3rd-4th line
3. may give up a few shifts with top line guys
4. of course game situation and status may dictate

I don't see anyway he stays past his 9 game stint.

Why put that kind of pressure on him at 18 particularly post concussion. Place him in a position to succeed and not fail (look at Hughs ad kakko)
- bogiedoc

If they play him and he shows he can play the NHL game, I don’t see any reason that he should be sent down. If he is overwhelmed, send him down.

Good morning Chief, you are not alone on your assessment.
I would not abandon Nylander to Rockford, instead move nylander up to the 3rd line and kubalick up with strome and cat

Put drake with the 4th line and Shaw playing with toews and Kane.

Just from my observation Nylander is at his best when he is carrying the puck .

Drake playing alongside toews and Kane was the best option Chicago had last year due to depth.

Right now toews just scored his first goal and Kane hasn't been a factor or real threat like both where last year.


Puck possession is what the top 2 lines should be producing not this hitting and none and done shot attempts.
- Taylorst1

Drake is the last person that deserves a demotion. Shaw can go to the 4th line or the press box until he learns how to stay out of the box.

Drake is the last person that deserves a demotion. Shaw can go to the 4th line or the press box until he learns how to stay out of the box.
- Ogilthorpe2

8 years in the league - over 500 games - what he ain’t larned yet he ain’t gonna larn....

I watched a lot of the game last night and the same tonight. I agree on Gilbert - he didn't look very good these two games ... but he looks better than Krys who is awful.

The ice was terrible with the puck bouncing all game long. Fortin had a breakaway and the puck looked like a rubber ball ... now, being that it was Fortin it probably wouldn't have resulted in a goal anyway but he had no chance to do anything with it.

No Boqvist again tonight - missing 2 games because of a puck to the mouth seems a little odd. Hopefully it's not a concussion.

Beaudin plays a very nice steady game. Solid in the d-zone and makes good decisions in the o-zone. Not flashy but I like his chances to be a solid NHL d-man within a year or two.
- EbonyRaptor

Small sample of course, but I agree on Krys so far.
I did like the goalie, Tomkins is it? Big and athletic.

8 years in the league - over 500 games - what he ain’t larned yet he ain’t gonna larn....
- StLBravesFan

i agree...he is who he is...the stuff that him valuable and good for this team is the stuff that gets him in trouble...

BTW...wilson seems to have changed his spots over the last year...seems to be behaving himself and being a very good player

8 years in the league - over 500 games - what he ain’t larned yet he ain’t gonna larn....
- StLBravesFan

Why do you think Bowman re-acquired him? It certainly wasn't because he has Mario Lemieux skills. It likely was because he brings some testicles and some opponent annoying traits to an otherwise small, passive squad. Just ask Nick Foligno if Shaw irritates him.

Don't like penalties - best to watch non contact hockey at the local triple rinks on Sunday morning.

Dach time baby!! He is playing tonight!!

Dach time baby!! He is playing tonight!!
- ChicagoHope

Interesting to see where. If at wing on line1 Or 3C?

Don’t think putting him on the 4th line is the right move.

Interesting to see where. If at wing on line1 Or 3C?

Don’t think putting him on the 4th line is the right move.
- bhawks2241

Sounds like definitely wing...which one is the question, now

Wouldn't doubt it if it's the plan someone here put out with Kane double-shifting a few times for him, but playing him on 1st or 2nd line.

Kirby Dach plays tonight against the Caps. I think that is awesome to see what the kid brings, but against that team? Wilson especially! I hate that cheap shot, waste of space, mother (frank)er.

Kirby Dach plays tonight against the Caps. I think that is awesome to see what the kid brings, but against that team? Wilson especially! I hate that cheap shot, waste of space, mother (frank)er.
- I Am The Breadman

Agreed, but if Dach is going to be a big-time player in this leagues, guess what he is going to be targeted. Take the kids gloves off and let's see what Kirby can do. Tired of hearing that he might have been getting ran in the AHL so that is why they brought him up. The last thing the kid need is a "soft" label before he ever plays a NHL game. Then guys like Wilson will really come after him. Dach like all young players will learn to play through side-show BS, or he will never be the player people thought he would be.

Dach at 4C with Smith and Carpenter?

Plz tell me this is a joke...

Why in gods name would he play that role on that line with those wingers? Makes absolutely zero sense.
- SimpleJack

The objective is to get him into his first NHL game - what position/line he plays is not important. Do you really think the plan is to have him continue to be the 4th line center? C'mon !

Dach time baby!! He is playing tonight!!
- ChicagoHope

Dach in tonight

Kirby Dach plays tonight against the Caps. I think that is awesome to see what the kid brings, but against that team? Wilson especially! I hate that cheap shot, waste of space, mother (frank)er.
- I Am The Breadman

I would be more worried about Radko Gudas

I would be more worried about Radko Gudas
- LAHawk

Yeah, good call. He’s got that eastern-euro, Kaiser Soze, human shark vibe going.

Hey Foxy - what's the deal with Boqvist not playing again last night? Two games missed because he took a puck to the mouth seems a little fishy to me.

Meanwhile, Ian Mitchell with 4 goals and 3 helpers in his first 6 games this season at Denver U.

Hey Foxy - what's the deal with Boqvist not playing again last night? Two games missed because he took a puck to the mouth seems a little fishy to me.
- EbonyRaptor

It depends on how bad/hard the puck hit him. Until recently I had a pretty cavalier attitude toward players loosing teeth during a game. But... not too long ago I had a tooth knocked out of my mouth (ate a ratchet after a bolt broke) - and it messed my poop up. It’s not just the tooth - it’s all the gum and check torn up too. For about two weeks afterward I couldn’t eat right, couldn’t sleep right - it sucked.

I now empathize much more when I see someone eat a solid rubber disk going about 80 mph.

It depends on how bad/hard the puck hit him. Until recently I had a pretty cavalier attitude toward players loosing teeth during a game. But... not too long ago I had a tooth knocked out of my mouth (ate a ratchet after a bolt broke) - and it messed my poop up. It’s not just the tooth - it’s all the gum and check torn up too. For about two weeks afterward I couldn’t eat right, couldn’t sleep right - it sucked.

I now empathize much more when I see someone eat a solid rubber disk going about 80 mph.
- Chief4Feathers

My concern is that it's a concussion.