Alright, time to actually dig into the Blackhawks roster and lines. It isn't nearly as pretty as years past, but I think this is still a playoff team. It would take some miracles form Hartman, Schmaltz, and DeBrincat to win the cup.
Saad-Toews-Panik. The top line is pretty much set. I don't think the Blackhawks brought Saad back for anything other than pair him with Toews. It is a lot to ask Panik to play on the top line again, but there isn't any real choice without consolidating talent too much. I do expect there to be times where the Q-Stache employs the nuclear option and puts Kane on this line.
DeBrincat-Schmaltz-Kane. I think you have to roll the dice with DeBrincat playing on a line with Kane. He has the most potential to recreate what happened with Panarin, not that I expect anything Panarin-like from DeBrincat. You also have a big question of the center. Ansimov is definitely better, but Schmaltz has the greater potential. I like the idea of pairing Kane with the two young players and seeing what happens. It is pretty concerning to see this many young players in the top 6. What will concern me is if we end up with a Sharp-Ansimov-Kane line
Sharp-Ansimov-Hartman. Love Sharp back on the team on the 3rd line, hate it if he ends up playing on the top 2 lines
4th line. Who the fuck knows at this point. Depth is a serious problem
I'm not going to get into the defense, too depressing right now.
Saad-Toews-Panik. The top line is pretty much set. I don't think the Blackhawks brought Saad back for anything other than pair him with Toews. It is a lot to ask Panik to play on the top line again, but there isn't any real choice without consolidating talent too much. I do expect there to be times where the Q-Stache employs the nuclear option and puts Kane on this line.
DeBrincat-Schmaltz-Kane. I think you have to roll the dice with DeBrincat playing on a line with Kane. He has the most potential to recreate what happened with Panarin, not that I expect anything Panarin-like from DeBrincat. You also have a big question of the center. Ansimov is definitely better, but Schmaltz has the greater potential. I like the idea of pairing Kane with the two young players and seeing what happens. It is pretty concerning to see this many young players in the top 6. What will concern me is if we end up with a Sharp-Ansimov-Kane line
Sharp-Ansimov-Hartman. Love Sharp back on the team on the 3rd line, hate it if he ends up playing on the top 2 lines
4th line. Who the fuck knows at this point. Depth is a serious problem
I'm not going to get into the defense, too depressing right now.
Comment