Y'all are gonna love Wallmark.

One of those "Not great at anything but okay at everything and gives you a good effort every night" type guys.
- BINGO!

Not possible. Maximum posters on this blog that can like any one player, coach, gm, president, owner, trade, signing, or draft pick is 50%.

Just to note, 3rd lines are not often checking in the NHL anymore. The Hawks themselves haven't had a checking 3rd line since 2011. Kruger/Bolland for 2013-2015 were the checking line on 4th. The term bumslaying line was quite popular during the 2013 season because Bickell-Shaw-Stalberg faced the lowest QOC with high OZS.

There are teams that roll almost 2 checking lines in the bottom 6 which is practically what the Lightning and Stars both did. Vegas had a checking 3rd line but an energy 4th (lower QOC). Caps, Pens, and Blues before ran 3O-1D, though.
- L_B_R

Beat me to it and said it better. lol

It is reasonable to be fed up with Nylander. Often though talented young players are allowed extra "lives" - more than Morris the Cat - because they have offensive ability which the management wants badly to extract. The idea is eventually the player will begin to provide a better accounting of defensive responsibility and of becoming involved in plays all over the ice.

Not expecting a boards battle extraordinaire, but effort to break up, challenge, thwart the opponent with active stick, just getting in the way, being in proper position: in other words contributing and not invisible in defensive effort.

The mindset can be hard to change and the natural reaction not to automatically respond with a defensive effort. Benching, or encouragement coming from the head coach may work if the player gives in and begins making greater effort defensively. How a player is able to change his previously automatic reaction to not help defensively, Is a giant mental exercise - trying to be so focused. to change his ways.

I don't know if Nylander will come along farther in defensive effort after occasional flashes in a few games while skating as a Blackhawk.

Nylander on the Blackhawks could still work out OK. I favor the approach of remaining on a top line for a fair sample size, say 10-15 games as was just suggested on this blog by Hawk in the D. There must be positive signs of Nylander giving effort defensively In greater frequency if he is to continue playing on any line after this trial run. Pretty much a last chance opportunity. He will languish on sideline or play infrequently after this trial run. Time to shape up else ship out.

I just don't see Strome as a 3C. He's too slow to be in that checking role. Maybe another year of Dach at 3C because of his age and defensive abilities would help define both player's futures. Strome's for sure.
If he can't succeed at 2C with Kane then he shouldn't be signed, or signed and traded. Dach will grow into multiple roles advancing up to 1C eventually. His upside is just beginning.
- Hawkytalk

If your 4th line is a checking line the 3rd line can be a "meh" line. Look at the forwards under contract now. You could have Strome centering a couple of wings with decent speed and 200' games.

Your top two lines should be Dach with Kane at RW and Toews with Kubalik at RW. No way you want to give 2nd line minutes to Strome over Dach.

It is reasonable to be fed up with Nylander. Often though talented young players are allowed extra "lives" - more than Morris the Cat - because they have offensive ability which the management badly wants to extract. The idea is eventually the player will begin to provide a better accounting of defensive responsibility and of becoming involved in plays all over the ice.

Not expecting a boards battle extraordinaire, but effort to break up, challenge, thwart the opponent with active stick, just getting in the way, being in proper position: in other words contributing and not invisible in defensive effort.

The mindset can be hard to change and the natural reaction not to automatically respond with a defensive effort. Benching, or encouragement coming from the head coach may work if the player gives in and begins making greater effort defensively. How a player is able to change his previously automatic reaction to not help defensively, Is a giant mental exercise - trying to be so focused. to change his ways.

I don't know if Nylander will come along farther in defensive effort after occasional flashes in a few games while skating as a Blackhawk.

Nylander on the Blackhawks could still work out OK. I favor the approach of remaining on a top line for a fair sample size, say 10-15 games as was just suggested on this blog by Hawk in the D. There must be positive signs of Nylander giving effort defensively In greater frequency if he is to continue playing on any line after this trial run. Pretty much a last chance opportunity. He will languish on sideline or play infrequently after this trial run. Time to shape up else ship out.
- jhawk59

I could see the centers and RWs on the top two lines to be fairly fixed (Toews/Kubalik and Dach/Kane) with the LW's (ADB, Suter, Shaw, Nylander, Janmark) being moved up and down until they get something going. But I would like Colliton to settle on line combinations out of camp and let the young guys (Suter and Nylander) play maybe 10 games on those lines. Give them some time to settle in and get used to certain linemates. I really hate moving the young guys up and down the lineup playing with different linemates every other game. Veterans can do that. Young guys not so much.

Because they won so many games in Rockford?
- rpeters01

Rockford was short on skill. Plenty of 3/4 lines NHLers and goalies. Lots of turnover didn’t help. Whatever happened with Wedin btw? He back this season?

multiple reports of "Core" being unhappy with recent moves. Does Stan have the stones to trade Kane or Towes?

multiple reports of "Core" being unhappy with recent moves. Does Stan have the stones to trade Kane or Towes?
- SaskHawkFan

They can be unhappy who cares? It's not like they have to worry about being layedoff like most unhappy workers. They're players, not the GM.

THEO: perfect title for this segment, as the moves this offseason have certainly been funky. I thought the Hawks would make more spots available on defense for the young players ? Carlsonn and possbly Mitchell. Do think they might yet trade the injury prone Calvin DeHann for say an offensive forward ? Trade the 4 million salary of DeHann, for a 2 million forward with offensive upside ? Cap savings and opening possible spot for one of the young defensemen. If Nylander showed more upside, their might night be a need for another offensive forward.

multiple reports of "Core" being unhappy with recent moves. Does Stan have the stones to trade Kane or Towes?
- SaskHawkFan

IMHO - Knee jerk reaction by Toews. Stan/Rocky will talk this out with the core. They are big boys and understand this is a business. After a little time they will get over it. I would not be shocked to have one or more of the core make very different statements in interviews in the coming days/weeks ahead.

Also they have NMC's and contracts that would be very hard to unload in the current economic climate.

Just a little reminder regarding Nylander.
He is only 23 years old and I see his skill set very similar to Patrick Sharp. Good speed and great hands. Sharp did not become a 20 goal scorer until the 2006/2007 season when he was 26 years old.

What Nylander needs in my eyes is an infusion of Patrick Sharp's tenacity, work ethic, and heart.
If he's got it in him, we'll see similar results. Give it time.
- Hawkytalk

You could well be right and that would be a coup for the Hawks if true.

That said, there is no indication whatsoever that the tenacity clock is ticking for AN, if it even exists. None. Sharp didn't all of sudden jump into the tough areas - he did it before he came to Chicago. Nylander seems to be channeling his inner Pirri (I should be careful, he may be playing on his line this year) when he plays. Only interested on one end of the ice and disappears more frequently than not. He also doesn't seem to have a great feel for what is happening around him.

I really hope I'm wrong, but last season there was little to no indication that any light bulb was ready to go off from what he brought from Buffalo.

IMHO - Knee jerk reaction by Toews. Stan/Rocky will talk this out with the core. They are big boys and understand this is a business. After a little time they will get over it. I would not be shocked to have one or more of the core make very different statements in interviews in the coming days/weeks ahead.

Also they have NMC's and contracts that would be very hard to unload in the current economic climate.
- -Doh-

The "core" is 99.9% not tradable to any team they would agree to go to? "Hello Boston, I have Toews for Pasternak and a first - hello, hello?"

Stan did everything they could ask for last offseason and end result, technically missed the playoffs.

"The Core" hasn't been good enough to get us into the playoffs for 3 Franking years. Why would anyone care what they think?

Hey Theo, congrats on breaking the 1000 post barrier and another great blog this am as per usual.

I see Janmark and Wallmark supplanting some of the 4th line as things stand today.

While I like Kampf ok on the 4th line, if the two Marks are considered offensive desserts, Kampf and even more so Carpenter could be considered offensive black holes.

Nylander - Toews - Kubalik
DeBrincat - Dach - Kane
Suter - Strome - Shaw
Hagel - Wallmark - Janmark

I debated about flipping Nylander and Suter, but from what I've read about Suter, he may be a better fit on that third line. Hoping the light switch clicks permanently on for Nylander in the next few months is more than wishful thinking...but here's hoping.

He had his first fully healthy season last year and started to string some good games together with Strome and Kane before the playoffs started. When the games really started counting he became a non-factor again like a couple other young Hawks, but maybe he was starting to figure it out a bit before that. Fingers crossed. Or we could just flip him for a first at the TDL.
- HawkintheD

Thanks for the cheers on the 1,000 post blog over the weekend.

As for your projected lines, it's a good starting point.

The 1st and 2nd lines seem set with those 6 barring any more trades or signings.

The 3rd line and 4th line are more variable given the glut of bottom 6 forwards on the roster and in Rockford.

I'm still tinkering around with lines and pairs so I'll share notes in due course. There will be more player movement so the card deck will be different for us to mix and match from.

HawkintheD I like your lines , the fourth line looks interesting . I can't remember does Hagel have good speed?
Also agree about Nylander , throw him in there on the top two lines and keep him there for a good amount of games. Sink or swim , maybe the Hawks think he is ready for a top 6 role and could have been a factor in their decision to move Saad now.
- HamiltonHawk

On Hagel, yes, he has excellent north-south speed and is shifty so can move about the ice with agility.

On Nylander, I'm not sold on him yet being a top 6 winger but this season will be his last shot to prove his worth. IMO, a top 6 role is the spot to perform given his skillset, not the bottom 6.

If Bowman has the green light to tear things down and start fresh, I personally would trade Nylander for futures.

Rockford was short on skill. Plenty of 3/4 lines NHLers and goalies. Lots of turnover didn’t help. Whatever happened with Wedin btw? He back this season?
- Assman22

Wedin signed a 3yr deal in Sweden. He's out of the equation

Clearly this is a team being designed to fit Coliton's original plan...

..... pressure the puck everywhere, dump and retrieve, be tougher to play against.
- Bjm84

LBR may have advanced stats that may paint a different picture but Janmark and Wallmark are at least touted as forwards who have the giddyup to forecheck with speed and play a solid dump and chase style.

multiple reports of "Core" being unhappy with recent moves. Does Stan have the stones to trade Kane or Towes?
- SaskHawkFan

the only one that I think might be possible is Keith. he needs to compete this year and next. kane and teows have a little more time and make twice the money. Keith actualy real $$ is basically $2mil per year for 3 years would would be a good return for a middle pairing D. I thought SAAD woudl bring a good return and I was wrong with that. If you are going to rebuild you need to trade your older valuable assets for younger assets. Maybe nobody told stan that. 27 to 25 is not really old to young.

Hey Theo, congrats on breaking the 1000 post barrier and another great blog this am as per usual.

I see Janmark and Wallmark supplanting some of the 4th line as things stand today.

While I like Kampf ok on the 4th line, if the two Marks are considered offensive desserts, Kampf and even more so Carpenter could be considered offensive black holes.

Nylander - Toews - Kubalik
DeBrincat - Dach - Kane
Suter - Strome - Shaw
Hagel - Wallmark - Janmark

I debated about flipping Nylander and Suter, but from what I've read about Suter, he may be a better fit on that third line. Hoping the light switch clicks permanently on for Nylander in the next few months is more than wishful thinking...but here's hoping.

He had his first fully healthy season last year and started to string some good games together with Strome and Kane before the playoffs started. When the games really started counting he became a non-factor again like a couple other young Hawks, but maybe he was starting to figure it out a bit before that. Fingers crossed. Or we could just flip him for a first at the TDL.
- HawkintheD

I like Hagel and would have him further up ,don't know why he did not replace Nylander in the tournament . And Highmore needs to be in there he should have had PP time in the tournament who knows were Shaw will be health wise .

Unless the Power Play somehow finds its footing, the Hawks will more than likely struggle to score goals this coming season. They may be better on the blue line. Don't be surprised if Ian Mitchell beats out our lord and savior Boqvist as the third right handed defenseman.
- jrsamu

If the metric for who should make the cut for the Blackhawks blueline is defensive play, then I would agree that Mitchell should have the upper hand over Boqvist.

Will that actually play out? Depends on what metric Colliton and crew have in mind for making roster decisions.

IIRC, the call to bring up Boqvist earlier than projected was a McDonough PR move. Boqvist was clearly not ready.

Carlsson was the better choice if a rookie defender was to be called up last season.

the only one that I think might be possible is Keith. he needs to compete this year and next. kane and teows have a little more time and make twice the money. Keith actualy real $$ is basically $2mil per year for 3 years would would be a good return for a middle pairing D. I thought SAAD woudl bring a good return and I was wrong with that. If you are going to rebuild you need to trade your older valuable assets for younger assets. Maybe nobody told stan that. 27 to 25 is not really old to young.
- kmw4631

I think what Stan is telling us is our "valuable assets" aren't very valuable just as their record has shown - but I'm only guessing Stan didn't turn down better offers?

Another issue is, if we traded say Saad for the best pick available, who is going to play hockey for us next year?

I hate when GM's over stock a team with system players. Enevidably, the system does not hold up and your stuck with a team that does not fit the next system.
- riozzo

Your phrasing about "stocking a team with system players" is why I am thinking Colliton may be given the opportunity to chime in with players to pursue this offseason. Get players who can play his system with little to no growth curve.

Just a theory.

Just to note, 3rd lines are not often checking in the NHL anymore. The Hawks themselves haven't had a checking 3rd line since 2011. Kruger/Bolland for 2013-2015 were the checking line on 4th. The term bumslaying line was quite popular during the 2013 season because Bickell-Shaw-Stalberg faced the lowest QOC with high OZS.

There are teams that roll almost 2 checking lines in the bottom 6 which is practically what the Lightning and Stars both did. Vegas had a checking 3rd line but an energy 4th (lower QOC). Caps, Pens, and Blues before ran 3O-1D, though.
- L_B_R

I agree with you. So if Strome can't develop into a top 2C, his value is diminished because teams now succeed with bottom 6 checking lines, which is not his strength.
Either sign him to be your 2C or let him go, which means another bad trade by SB. That doesn't mean I would want Nick Schmaltz back though either. He signed for 6M I believe in AZ. Hindsight being 20-20 and not knowing at that time that Dach was in our luckiest draft dream, it would have been great to trade Schmaltz for a Dave Bolland type GREAT 3C.

I hope they do not compound the error and force feed Boqvist into the roster because he was Stan's first round draft choice. Learning defense in the NHL is not ideal for the confidence. If he shows it in Rockford, bring him up. Colliton must not be a Carlsson fan. There were plenty of reasons to give him more time in the playoffs.

Ah the rule of "s"'s with deserts and desserts. Damn. With the Swede connection, I'd go more with Lingonberry Crepes.
- HawkintheD

Yes, the Swedes do have multiple S's in their names on occasion.

Some may recall this story but Craig Anderson at one point early in his career spelled his name with two S's because he felt that he would get more notice from scouts.

Guessing his thought process was scouts would pay attention to a Swedish goalie prospect than a goalie prospect from the suburbs of Chicago.

When you look at historical records of NHL draft picks, Anderson's name is listed with two S's.

What has Nylander shown to prove he deserves to even be in the NHL, let alone garner top 6 minutes?

If the puck isn’t on his blade, he’s a ghost. If the puck is on his blade, he’s just as likely to turn it over as anything else.

Thought it was a bad acquisition at the time, and he’s done nothing since to change my mind. Complete waste of assets to get him, and a complete waste of a roster spot.
- Ogilthorpe2

I don't recall him doing a crossover while skating with the puck. He must think all he has to do is find some space and wait for a pass so he can shoot. No choice but to agree with you.