Chicago Blackhawks

[Daydream Nation]

Has Lars Johansson seen any action, and does he have any shot at the back up gig?

Great insight on Hawks stuff, I've rep'ed where I could.

Thanks for the rep.

Johannson got in half the game on Friday and looked good giving up 1 goal ini 18 or so shots. Darling has looked very good and I think he is locked in as the backup. But Crawford usually misses a few games every season.

[rangerfan2430]

His vision and playmaking is very good. With looking at the rest of the guys vying for spots, Schmaltz seems to be the favorite for a top 6 role. Motte looked good last night too and Panik has been solid. I think those are your wingers in the top 9 with Schmaltz playing with either Kane or Toews.

Where do you think Schmaltz will play? On the left side or the right side?

[VincentVega]

His vision and playmaking is very good. With looking at the rest of the guys vying for spots, Schmaltz seems to be the favorite for a top 6 role. Motte looked good last night too and Panik has been solid. I think those are your wingers in the top 9 with Schmaltz playing with either Kane or Toews.

Great, thanks. Schmaltz with Kane would be nice.

[rangerfan2430]

Great, thanks. Schmaltz with Kane would be nice.

Schmaltz is a righty though right? Would they put him on the left wing on Kane's line

[Daydream Nation]

Schmaltz is a righty though right? Would they put him on the left wing on Kane's line

That's where he started last night with Anisimov and Kane.

[rangerfan2430]

That's where he started last night with Anisimov and Kane.

Sounds like a great spot for him. Kane-Anisimov-Schmaltz line sounds great

[Daydream Nation]

Sounds like a great spot for him. Kane-Anisimov-Schmaltz line sounds great

True and I think Toews, Panarin, Schmaltz would work well too. That would give Panarin 2 playmakers. The problem with putting Panik with Toews and Panarin is that he doesn't have the hands to finish and he's not much of playmaker. Panik would fit nicely with Kruger and Hossa. I see the Hawks getting a top 6 winger rental later this season.

[rangerfan2430]

True and I think Toews, Panarin, Schmaltz would work well too. That would give Panarin 2 playmakers. The problem with putting Panik with Toews and Panarin is that he doesn't have the hands to finish and he's not much of playmaker. Panik would fit nicely with Kruger and Hossa. I see the Hawks getting a top 6 winger rental later this season.

Agree about Panik. Doesn't finish well enough and would be best suited for the third line. A third line of Hossa, Kruger and Panik would be great and Panarin being with Toews would really help balance the scoring

[finminer]

With what little I saw in the one exhibition, I'd agree with (4) and (6). Should have grabbed him in a couple of drafts. Not sure we've seen everything Pokka has yet but good insight.

[Daydream Nation]

Pokka sent to the AHL. The Hawks must of really not liked what they saw if they sent him down this early.

[Deuces6]

So how long is Coach Q going to let this experiment of splitting up Patty and Arty go on for. I know its only one game, but from what i have seen and read of the last game, it didnt seem to pan out too well. This kinda seems like a flawed philosophy to get your other lines generating more scoring by breaking up without a doubt the most dynamic and prolific scoring duo this franchise has ever seen. Am i wrong in thinking this?

[Daydream Nation]

So how long is Coach Q going to let this experiment of splitting up Patty and Arty go on for. I know its only one game, but from what i have seen and read of the last game, it didnt seem to pan out too well. This kinda seems like a flawed philosophy to get your other lines generating more scoring by breaking up without a doubt the most dynamic and prolific scoring duo this franchise has ever seen. Am i wrong in thinking this?

Kane and Panarin played together in the first game.

The rationale behind splitting up Kane and Panarin is to spread out the offense so a team does cannot put it's best dmen against Kane and Panarin. With Kane and Panarin together, the Hawks are a 1-line team. Hossa has very little left and Toews cannot carry a line unlike Kane. So you put Panarin with Toews and Kane with Anisimov and either Motte or Schmaltz to give yourself 2 scoring lines.

[dooley89]

Haven't been able to catch a game yet.
Fill me in, what's going on?

[Savvy1982]

Haven't been able to catch a game yet.
Fill me in, what's going on?

Toews fought James Neal for no desperately well-explained reason.

[Daydream Nation]

The first 4 games of the season prove exactly why they need to split up the Anisimov, Kane, Panarin line. Sure, they had 11 pts or whatever against the lowly Flyers but that is exactly what they do- bumslay! Against the Preds and Blues, the line was completely held in check. Plus, Toews playing with some combination of Motte/Panik/Hossa is getting very little done. The Hawks are a 1-line team. Entertaining to watch against the lesser teams though.

On a side note, Seabrook has looked very good through 4 games. He has been paired with Kempy who has been very solid. Campbell and Forsling have been getting very sheltered minutes as the 3rd pairing.