Actually I like sending Hino out with Hartman and Kane. Lots of tempo and push up the ice. Little bit of snarl too.
- John Jaeckel

This would be ideal. I thought Hinostroza had earned a starting role on the 4th line, and he would be the perfect fit to replace the speed that we get from Schmaltz on that 2nd line.

I think with the way the top line has ripped it up, Kane should start to see some more favorable matchups and get some space. Teams are sitting on him and there isn't a deterrent on the off side or creative presence up the middle to draw guys away. Schmaltz's speed and creativity open up space. AA going to the net and Hartman doing Hartman things aren't enough to scare most teams.

If Saad keeps having a monster year, there is less of a hurry to get Kane going and they can address that at a later time.
- fattybeef

He had better starting using that to avoid getting lit up, or he is going to be spending a lot of time chatting up the effervescent Tracey Myers in the press box....

When it comes to Blackhawk hockey, Cuisinart starts with a "Q"!
- resqmed99

Quisinart - that works!

I know Schmaltz was skating this morning but has he been cleared for contact?

Do you think most of the media news on ABC/NBC/CBS/FOX are true my friend?
- spanky

I remember when we used to read the National Enquirer & the Sun for our fake news...

He had better starting using that to avoid getting lit up, or he is going to be spending a lot of time chatting up the effervescent Tracey Myers in the press box....
- Sundevil

It would have been great if Jack Johnson didn't commit interference to nail guys too. From his recent injury, he didn't even touch the puck and he got plowed/sandwiched.

Here's hoping the Blackhawks acquit themselves better against the Wild this year than they did last year. I certainly think they will.

Here's hoping the Blackhawks acquit themselves better against the Wild this year than they did last year. I certainly think they will.
- 35Tony0

The Hawks won 3 out of the 4 games against the Wild last year (and the loss was one-goal where the Hawks were the better team tbh). You're thinking about the 2015-16 season.

Good question, I'm not sure that I have an answer. I don't follow the wild closely enough.

Not always, most coaches throw their best defensively out against the other team's most dynamic player/line. For most of the Toews/Kane era, thats been wherever 88 has been playing (sorry Toews).
Maybe that changes this year with Toews getting Saad back and Panik's affinity for "banging top opposing defense men"

But if I were coaching the opposing team, I'd try to stop 88 with my top defense pairing and throw my best shutdown center out against the Toews line.
- Slofire94

I'd probably do the same if I was a coach.

The Hawks won 3 out of the 4 games against the Wild last year (and the loss was one-goal where the Hawks were the better team tbh). You're thinking about the 2015-16 season.
- L_B_R

The loss last year stung I believe. If I recall Kane scored twice and the Hawks were up by two, then gave up 3 goals to drop it 3-2, right?

He had better starting using that to avoid getting lit up, or he is going to be spending a lot of time chatting up the effervescent Tracey Myers in the press box....
- Sundevil

And we could see them chatting unzoomed with the camera being 100 yards away.

Watching the post game presser with Q, he was asked about Franson, he said his typical he was fine, but his body language said oh my god he was awful, he couldn't even look at the camera or the reporter, basically looked down, up and around, so i have a feeling we ain't gonna be seeing much of him going forward.

Don't care how bad Forsling and Kempny do, they need the minutes playing against elite forwards. I believe Q hurt Kempnys growth by limiting his playing time last year.

As far as 88 goes, they do this every year, try to get Kane the puck immediately. Whoever the other forwards are, they have to hold on to the puck, and carry the play and pass it to the open player, what a concept

Watching the post game presser with Q, he was asked about Franson, he said his typical he was fine, but his body language said oh my god he was awful, he couldn't even look at the camera or the reporter, basically looked down, up and around, so i have a feeling we ain't gonna be seeing much of him going forward.

Don't care how bad Forsling and Kempny do, they need the minutes playing against elite forwards. I believe Q hurt Kempnys growth by limiting his playing time last year.
- BetweenTheDots

Totally agree. Add Rutta to that list of new/young defensemen who need to just get the experience trial by fire now so they learn and are much improved by the spring.

Who are the 3 players pictured with the headline for ESPN's weekly NHL Power Rankings?

Auston Matthews, Alex Ovechkin, and......wait for it......ALEX DEBRINCAT BABY!!!! #believethehype #Calderfavorite
- SimpleJack

Must be very slim pickings so far for Calder favorites...ADB has been fine but Calder trophy worthy? No way....certainly this rookie NHL class is not even close to the past couple of years....No dominate player as of yet....

Actually I like sending Hino out with Hartman and Kane. Lots of tempo and push up the ice. Little bit of snarl too.
- John Jaeckel

THIS is exactly what I was thinking, JJ!

After watching the Hawks live in Toronto and Montreal this week, it was apparent that they were missing that wave of speed that those 2 teams were hitting CHI with every other shift (I think you all noticed that from your couch too).

Hinostroza is not perfect, but if all it takes is the great Nick Schmaltz to throw this team into a unbalanced mess, than injecting MORE speed is needed ASAP or this could be a long season.

Hino has that and I think his play in the pre-season warrants some playing time to see if he can use those wheels to keep the Hawks counter these younger teams.

Totally agree. Add Rutta to that list of new/young defensemen who need to just get the experience trial by fire now so they learn and are much improved by the spring.
- AEL_Fox

He looks like he's picking up the small ice rather quickly. I also like our toughness on the puck, all but Franson, Franson is soft like Rundblad

He had better starting using that to avoid getting lit up, or he is going to be spending a lot of time chatting up the effervescent Tracey Myers in the press box....
- Sundevil

I mean, the two shots were when the puck was gone and he should have been free so I don't know what he can do about that. I'd rather see him get drilled attacking the middle of the ice then trying to avoid it.

Habs put Streit on waivers, they'll be on the hook for his entire salary when he retires.

Another nail in Bergevin's coffin

- DarthKane

Habs put Streit on waivers, they'll be on the hook for his entire salary when he retires.

Another nail in Bergevin's coffin
- Hawkjet

meh. They have 8M in space.

The loss last year stung I believe. If I recall Kane scored twice and the Hawks were up by two, then gave up 3 goals to drop it 3-2, right?
- breadbag

I just remember being annoyed because the first Wild goal was on a PP after a Wild player (Koivu, I think) was tripped by his own player but they called it on a Hawk.

meh. They have 8M in space.
- TTtime

And it's only $700k.

meh. They have 8M in space.
- TTtime

Doesn't matter, if it (frank)s the habs in any way, I will revel in it

- TTtime