Blackhawks Opening Night Lineup Set
The Hawks made a number of roster moves on Monday to set the roster for the start of the 2016-17 season. Andrew Desjardins will miss 4-6 weeks, Alexandre Fortin will spend another year in the QMJHL, and both Brandon Mashinter and Mark McNeill are on waivers.
So what does the lineup look like for Wednesday night’s opener against St. Louis?
Here are the lines from practice, with a few familiar names put back together:
Richard Panik – Jonathan Toews – Marian Hossa
Artemi Panarin – Artem Anisimov – Patrick Kane
Tyler Motte – Marcus Kruger – Ryan Hartman
Vince Hinostroza – Nick Schmaltz – Jordin Tootoo
The defensive pairs skated at practice were:
Duncan Keith – Trevor van Riemsdyk
Gustav Forsling – Brian Campbell
Brent Seabrook – Michal Kempny
TvR skated with Keith on Monday with Niklas Hjalmarsson suspended, but expectations should be for the Hawks’ top pair to be back together for the second game of the regular season.
Dennis Rasmussen and Michal Rozsival are still on the Blackhawks’ active roster, putting the team at the maximum 23 players including goaltenders Corey Crawford and Scott Darling.
So, who sits when Hammer comes back after Wednesday? And Desi being out gives Schmaltz a good long shot. He needs to practice draws against Toews and Kruger.
Not excited about that top line, but its nice to see so many prospects make the cut (for now). Did not anticipate motte, hartman, hinostroza, and schmaltz to all make opening night. Really hope forsling gets to stick somehow with hammer back. That third line will be fun to watch. A lot more speed in this lineup than we are used to.
Why the F*** is Tootoo in the lineup? He is an Absolute ZERO! Why is he even on the team? For as good as the HAWKS are; for as good as management and coaching have been, their actions are incomprehensible at times. Yeah, Q and Stan have 3 Cups….. but Tootoo?? Come On!
Complain all you want about Tootoo being on the roster but he’s better than Mashinter and with Q you get one of them so at least it’s the better of the two.
What will be interesting is who goes out of the lineup when Rasmussen gets a chance to play.
Only 2 days away! It seemed like the 12th of October would never get here. I’m excited about seeing all the rookies get a shot. Hopefully I’ll just as excited after Game#1.
A bit off topic, and not meant to be at all negative as I am a huge Stan fan, but just an interesting anecdote I thought of and wanted to share…
Of the Hawks current top 11 D (8 on the roster plus Pokka, Svedberg and Gustafsson), only 3 (Keith, Seabs, asnd Hammer) were drafted by the Hawks, with Hammer in 2005 being the most recent.
Anyway, I’m psyched to see how this lineup does on Wednesday!
Mixed reactions. I have been saying for awhile this will be a transition year. We can thank the salary cap for that. The Toews line is, to me, very worrisome. Hossa should be a third line option at this point, but we don’t have that luxury. And Panik on a top line speaks volumes in a negative way. I like Schmaltz, but I saw very little in the preseason to suggest he is ready for the NHL. The third and fourth lines, as currently constructed, are scary to contemplate. There WILL BE growing pains with Motte, Schmaltz, Hinostraza and Hartman. I just hope we have enough otherwise to weather the learning curve pains.
I have complete faith in Bowman and Quenneville. But making the playoffs this season cannot be assumed. It’s going to take work to get there.
Not a single game played, and so many things that can happen…and people are worried already!?
I am happy to see all the young speed for opening night. With all those rooks, I could live with Tootoo, at least for now. To say the least, I am very surprised with the number of rookies in the line up. The bottom line is that the regular season has not been exciting the last several years because the Hawks have just coasted going through the motions just to make the playoffs. Then they started playing in the real season. If all the rookies are the line up, it will be more of a challenge and more of an exciting season to watch because the playoffs won’t be a given. That is a good think for the all fans especially the season ticket holders. Let’s hope that speed reminds us of 2010 when this team was exciting from the beginning of the season to the hoisting of the cup at the end of the season. Even if they don’t win the cup and some of the youngsters play well showing promise, that would be a successful season in my mind. However, we are blessed with Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabs, Hoss, Hjalmorsson, & Crawford who will be pushing these rooks toward a cup.
Go Hawks!!!
Count me in also Booman as being suprised by all the rookies. The blender will probably be on overdrive at the beginning of the season. This group of rookies has the potential to score more points then the guys they are replacing. Hopefully the scoring will more than offset the mistakes. I hope they get a good long look. The ones that stick will gain excellent experience and be an asset by playoff time. This is a very exciting lineup.
Long season ahead i’m sure lines and psrsonnel will lots of different looks
Hawks1961,
I am holding my breath because we are all accustomed to Q’s short leash on young players. I hope he realizes this year that they are probably his best hope for success and that he does not use the bench splinters the way he has in the past. His horses can’t carry the load like they have in the past.
I’d really
like to c Motte with Tazor , can score , defensive , lots of speed. go kids
Biskit it looks like TVR will sit and be 7th Defense man. Michal Rozsival is translator for Michal Kempny and 8th Defenseman. Rozsival might not last the whole season on the roster.
Dennis Rasmussen will be rotating in for bottom 6 at Center and wing.
I like this lineup better than last seasons – Not sure getting about Jordin Tootoo – Hopes he proves me wrong.
Went to watch practice today… couple things I noticed…
TooToo is a lot faster/better skater than Mash- shot was ok too… just catching passes (like Bickell – seemed to be a little trick for him.
Panik- scored a lot of goals – fwiw- in 3 on 2 and 2 on 0 type drills- he might surprise this year;
As did Moose
Worked on PP 1st and 2nd units-
Used the 1-3-1 set up… w/ Forsling on point and Soupy on LW- 19 and 81 switched off in the “Middle”- neither looked comfortable in the middle!!!
Other unit had Seabs at Point and Keith in Middle… Keith did nice job setting “picks” on the D to open up shooting lanes– wonder if the Refs will call that in Season..
I luv the 1-3-1 set up… BUT- none of the Hawks look comfortable in that Middle spot yet!!!
3 on 2 drill- Kempny impressed me a few times standing up and almost killing Kane one time at Blue line- In middle of the check he kinda stopped- and realized it was 88/and practice… I am sure 6 and Forsling will get burned some learning NHL- but I liked them both- Kempny is Physical and fast.
Red ( lines 1 and 2) and Black (lines 3, 4) had shootout to close practice…
Crow was torched 9 goals versus 12 shooters… AA missed the net and TvR lost the puck – so no shot. So really 9 out of 10 shooters scored… Crow was very deflated!!!
Darling let up 2 0r 3 versus the Black… and TooToo was one of them with a great move (didn’t know he had that in him)
Lastly— HOSSA did not take one shot in the “5 hole”- which everyone knows is his go to shot… 81 is making a real effort to go wrister under the Bar!!!
Thanks for the update Wall. Panik has some serious speed and plays a physical game but last year he had problems finishing. In fact he looked clumsy around the net, poor hands. Sure would be a big plus if he demonstrates some finishing ability this year.
I still like Desi and Ras. I think they would provide 2/3 of a tough fourth line. Put either Hino or Tootoo on the right depending on how it plays out.
I also like Motte starting on the third line (and seriously is Q really going to play him top 6 to start). Motte, Kruger, and (a hopefully smarter) Hartmann have the speed and scrapiness to make themselves tough to play against. If Motte plays well he will get looks in the top 6 and could well finish the year there.
As much as I ve beat the anti-Mashinter drum, I would rather see McNeil or him instead of Tootoo. There are reasons why Bollig, Mashinter and Tootoo are cut by teams, yet Q sees a top 12 forward perpetual need for them. The vast majority of the fan base cant stand any of these players — for good reason we have a kee eye for who can play and who cant, especially in a fast-paced league it has become.
Six rookies, particularly 4 forwards in the top 12, two of them having to play w Tootoo, and Panik & Kruger who have zero finishing touch around the net? Q has exhibited little to no patience w established veterans like Vermette, Versteeg & Weise & Fleischman last yr; wait until all of this unfolds. Bench shots during games of him and press conferences post games will be highly entertaining.
I love Q, wouldnt have won the 3 cups w out him, but he has issues, and this is his main one. He cant help himself. He needs to stay the course and let these young guys get over the hump. Desjardins picked a good time to get hurt, he will look much better to Q after a month of impatience w the young forwards.
Generally agree w 1961’s comments.
Keen eye.
Wall, in a pre-season game they were running a 2-1-2, or at least that’s what it looked like. Kind of second guessing. They had Seabrook and Forsling on the ice alternating but the other 4 were Campbell Anisimov Kane and Panarin. With Panarin playing the other point. They had Kane playing low with Anisimov opposite and Campbell playing the 1. It was weird seeing a d-man in that spot. It happened on at least 3 occasions.
If you remember last year they had Panarin and Kane both playing below the red line. It worked on a few occasions but they kind of abandoned it.
Panik still has problems finishing. He completely whiffed on 2 shots and 1 pass to a wide open teammate for what would have been gimme goals to a higher skilled player…all in the same game. I’m kinda curious why Q doesn’t like playing Kane and Toews together. Why is Hossa either a 1 or 3? I do like the 3rd line. Not crazy about Schmaltz getting 4th line minutes. Tootoo may just be in for that St Louis game. If at all possible Panik should be a 4th line banger. Cuz that’s what he is.
I’ll take Quenneville and the front office’s keen eyes over iceman’s. His keen eye would have Jeremy Morin in the lineup.
Ernie, I am sure they will be working on their “standard 2-1-2 PP” today in practice.
I personally prefer the 1-3-1… But will admit the ONLY guy who ever looked good theer in Hawk’s Uniform– was oddly enough Steve Montador???
The Schmaltz at 4th C… imo- he did not look ready for NHL in last game…
luv his vision/passing… but… might actually work skating with 2 bottom line guys- who have + speed… as long as they just Push the puck ahead… and Q can match them up versus weak/slower players. BUT- will be ugly when they get caught in D zone versus stronger/bigger players… I guess that is where the D comes in… BIG question for me- What D pair does he skate with weak 4th line???
Big pair- Kempny/Seabs
Fast pair- Forsling/Campbell
They really could have been running a 1-3-1 and guys were sliding. Campbell was in the high slot
I stand by my comments re Morin, he was the centerpiece of the Atlanta fire/cap sale 2010. His issue is in his head, same w Pirri except he has thicker skin. Bowman has an eye for talent, he acquired him 2x.
Q s tactics are purely hazing driven — doesnt matter if player is rookie or veteran — the difference is veteran players like Vermette know how to handle it. Q needs to treat the rookie forward quartet w some tender loving care, they are the current (NOW) complimentary players that will define the Hawks’ season.
Tootoo’s offensive skillset is just that — offensive. To mention his name in the same breath or sentence as Shaw is absurd. Consider the source.
A pleasant day to all.
So the answer(s) to my previous question of why break up Kane and Panarin are mute. I do love the “breaking them up because of the bonuses” rationalization. I’m sure the Hawks are going to sacrifice goals and wins to save on bonus payouts. If that were the case, they would have a hard time convincing future FA to sign. You don’t break up the most productive line that resulted in the Hart and Calder trophies. You figure out a way to get the other lines to produce.
One half of the $22 Million twosome produced last year. I know Captain Serious is above criticism, but tied for 51st with 58 points is now unacceptable when you are eating up that chunk of the cap.
XYZ’er: Are you related to Mr. Rufus or on the same pharmaceuticals?
I’ll be curious to see how Q rolls out the defense after the 1st game. I’m also curious if Goose Forsling will get some PP time on the second unit. I wonder if TVR and Kempny split games. Hopefully the extra bodies on the blue line give the older vets some rest over the regular season.
Iceman, no I am not related to anyone here. I do think your ice melted a long time ago though. Say hello to your brother Jeremy, what # organization is he on now, I count six or is it seven. Yeah all those GM’s are wrong and yo’re right, that’s it.
Training camp and preseason gave a look at who they wanted to make the team now the next month will give some real insight into who stays and who doesn t and what lines and pairings may be
We are rounding into a team ready for expansion draft. Core players to protect, nothing too juicy out there to get taken.
“Tootoo…is here to fill the Carcillo type role of being a deterrent factor when opponents feel they want to get chippy with Toews, Kane, Panarin and Hossa on the ice.” — deterrent to WHO? I guess you believe guys like Reaves and Brodziak are shaking in fear that Tootoo might severely injure their fists with his face? As long as the coach must have him, I hope that he “is tough to play against” without taking many stupid penalties.
Gravy- 72/AA/88 great , fun to watch… but the “break up” does have some merit…
If the Bonus is met/paid… it just guarantees – that Hawks will have less Cap space then the competition… and therefore- fielding lesser paid/or unproven players the following year…
Yes- hart/calder were won… yet that didn’t win a PO series… and (paying more in Bonuses) will only make “finding other lines/players to produce” harder with less monies to “finance” those guys
And Buy the way… I think Q did kind of break up that line late in PO’s – when things weren’t working… so there is that
Nothing like the excitement of the start of the Blackhawks season:
A Kane no look pass.
Big hit by Seabrook.
Panarin one timer.
The Captain’s intense look.
Rufus (Punxsutawney Phil) Firefly crawls out from under his rock and proclaims “The Hawks won’t win the Cup!
Players reaching bonuses guarantees squat. The Blackhawks aren’t tweaking lines due to concerns about paying bonuses. Like all teams, they deal with the salary cap that’s presented to them. It is what it is.
Wall – You know what else makes less cap space?… Paying two guys 30% of it. You know what a reason for keeping FA’s from signing with the Hawks?…Getting screwed on bonuses. The Hawks don’t want that reputation.
I love 19 & 88, but they made a choice to get paid over winning. I know they have earned it and probably could have found more elsewhere. We are lucky to have them both here, but until that 30% is reduced by a raised cap down the road, I don’t see the Hawks winning a Cup.
Hindsight is always 20/20. Nobody predicted the canadian dollar to suddenly drop 20%. The deals were signed in July 2014. The Canadian dollar was .95 to the American dollar…it had just started its decline. And I mean just started. It fluctuates. But nobody saw it bottoming out at what .65 to USD.
In 2012 the 6 Canadian clubs accounted for roughly 33% of all nhl revenue. Last year the league had a total revenue of 3.98 billion. They lost out on roughly 450 million in revenue…which coincidentally(????) is roughly the same amount Foley paid. Now, Foley’s money doesnt go to salary cap. Half of the mythical missing money goes to cap. 225m/30 teams and you get 7.5m per team towards cap.
This is assuming the NHLPA invokes the escalator agreement. 73mx30 teams x2 would give a league revenue of 4.38 billion which isnt true. And that’s why players have 20% of their check withheld for escrow.
anyone out there like Emerson Etam?
24 yrs old. 3rd team. Waived so they can sign Jack Skille.
Pass.
Cambell, ‘Training camp and preseason gave a look at who they wanted to make the team now the next month will give some real insight into who stays and who doesn t and what lines and pairings may be.’
This is right. We should not go by anything (enjoy and relax) in the first 5 or so games as teams are getting up to speed (even though 2 points count). I look to the stretch between games 10-20 for Q/Coaches to make the adjustments to lines/pairs for us to go on a good run. We do it every yr., even on transition yrs we won the Stanley Cup on.
For first so many games it doesn’t really matter whos on what line or how many ‘rookies’ are on the line. 4 and 11 will be back. Its smarter to start with lines guys are familiar with. Then tweak as we go. What going to be really fun is seeing the younger guys mesh with the established players (once they get moar comfortable) and watching them make beauty plays together. Then hopping guys around the lines for different looks.
In the interests of accuracy, I went back to check my initial post of last night (TUES 10/10) before 11pm during the Cubs game. As I thought, my post (nor Tab’s blog) had no reference in any form or fashion to Morin by name or otherwise. Inexplicably, Morin’s name was raised by the astute “post-er”. This isn’t anything new to this blog — last year Tab blogged about something nothing to do w/ Morin; 1961, myself and one or two others commented re: it, and low and behold, Mr. Rufus came out firing cheap shots against us, and immediately threw Morin’s name into the ring. Deja vu.
On a more troublesome current note, Mashinter cleared waivers today and was sent to Rockford. This allows for him to recalled upon Q’s desire. Speaking of, one would think Q was at a funeral parlor/wake for Mashinter yesterday upon hearing Q’s comments after practice, lamenting how tough it was to cut him. Let’s set the over/under for November 15 for Mashinter’s return, this might be generous, but it’s highly likely that Q will have had enough hissy fits over the rookie forward quartet to warrant Mashinter’s return. We will hear about Mashinter’s “reliability” and “predictability.” Meanwhile, useful players will be sent to the minors or passed over for Mashinter (on a related note, Bollig also cleared waivers today).
Lastly, since the topic of NHL GMs was raised earlier today, let the record reflect that all 29 of them (wisely I may add) passed on claiming Mashinter — @ minimum salary no less) — without a blink. For good reason. He has little to no use at the NHL level from a player’s standpoint.
Next time someone wants to make bald allegations, check your facts please. And I thank you.
Blame Wayne iceman. Let the record show, I was a Morin fan.
Not sure why the negativity for Mr. Too Too-he is what he is, and will serve the role he has, pretty well–and I can assure you that even the ‘bigs’ in the league don’t particularly want to scrape with him-he’s fearless and unpredictable.
Love live JMorin-
If Tootoo plays 82 his career avergage says he should put up about 20 points. He usually is in the 55-60 games played range so 15 points for a guy that can skate,hit,scrap. I don’t want too many guys like him on the roster but having one is more than acceptable. Considering the slugs that came before him…yeah hell be fine.
Regarding fighting. Nobody needs to be afraid of another guy anymore. That’s not really the purpose of fighting. It’s more tactical. By fighting you’ve removed a guy for at least 5 minutes that is more or less trying to harm your better players. If Reaves or Gudas or someone else is in the box when 88,19,72etc are on the ice I’ll consider that a win.
However a punch in the head is still a punch in the head and even the thickest skulled punks may think twice (unless they’re concussed… looking at you Wideman) about that borderline “finishing his check” moment. Which by definition is it not interference anyway? Rhetorical. I know how it goes
Ernie, “Regarding fighting. Nobody needs to be afraid of another guy anymore…It’s more tactical. By fighting you’ve removed a guy for at least 5 minutes that is more or less trying to harm your better players.” — that smells like bullshit. Is that really what it’s come to? I don’t believe it, but not so long ago if you carried a guy like John Scott, opponents were afraid – they might actually get their nose broken (or worse). If what you say is true, “It’s wrestling shit…” (- Ned Braden)
Tootoo – “…that borderline “finishing his check” moment.” >>> “…Reaves or Gudas or someone else is in the box” — the damage is already done despite the “deterrent”. And, usually the fighting penalties even out. I don’t see much of an advantage, really, compared to another a 12th forward with NHL skill. But, we’ll see…
Ernie, that’s about right. 5 goals for any 4th line min. guy is good. 0/1/2 is not as good.
The point of my initial and last posts was about Q and how he will handle — based upon his history — the rookie forward quartet when left w his favored options like Mashinter & Tootoo.
Have a pleasant day last three letters of alphabet ?…..
Can’t we all get along?
^ Bleeding Heart Ernie. Just do what daddy tells you to do and everything will be fine.
Wow! Jeremy Morin should be flattered!
I’m excited to see what happens. Ya gotta start somewhere. That’s a pretty good looking D to me once #4 is in the mix. I’ll go out on a limb and say the second line is set. Which young kid is going to bump up to the first?
It was the first game of season it is to early to start salting the ice on any player or anyone in the blackhawks organization .
I been a blackhawks fan my whole life and I have seen rookies become stars , give them ice time under couch Q and when get that and get sometime with the veteran players like Seabook , Hossa , Toews , Kain ect.
I know that will be champions again this year we have great leaders and staff that have won the Stanley Cup not once but 3 times and players also .
We will raise another banner this season .
The Blackhawks are just getting started with team we have this year we’ve been here before and become Stanley Cup Champions and we will do it again .
Wow, looks like Hawkeye drank a little too much on a Wednesday night.