Hinostroza, Fortin Highlight Blackhawks Prospect Camp
Last week, the Blackhawks hosted their annual prospect camp. There were a lot of interesting notes that came away from all three rosters at the camp. As a reminder, here are the three teams:
At the 2016 Blackhawks Convention over the weekend, both GM Stan Bowman and coach Joel Quenneville were asked to assess the week’s prospect camp. Both had predictably positive things to say, but five names were consistently mentioned by both: Tyler Motte, Nick Schmaltz, Vince Hinostroza, Ryan Hartman and Tanner Kero.
Of those five, three – Hartman, Hinostroza and Kero – appeared in NHL games last season. Motte (Michigan) and Schmaltz (North Dakota) were finishing their college careers; Motte appeared in limited AHL action with the IceHogs down the stretch, while Schmaltz didn’t sign until later in the summer.
All five will have a shot at making the NHL roster this fall, and Hinostroza was specifically identified by both Bowman and Quenneville has having had a strong week at camp.
One of the players who exploded onto the scene was forward Alex Fortin, who was on Team B. Fortin, 19, had 19 goals and 24 assists in 54 games with Rouyn-Noranda in the QMJHL last season. He got everyone’s attention last week, scoring five goals in three scrimmages. Fortin’s performance earned him a note in the Sun-Times and a nice feature by Scott Powers at The Athletic, who noted the potential for an entry-level contract for Fortin after being passed in two NHL Drafts.
While he wasn’t invited to the prospect camp, Mark McNeill received a one-year, two-way contract from the Blackhawks on Friday. McNeill, 23, scored 25 goals in 64 games with Rockford last year.
Two of the Hawks’ picks from the 2013 NHL Draft are headed back to college for a senior year. John Hayden will return to Yale and Anthony Louis will go back for another season at Miami (OH).
Defenseman Michal Kempny was invited to prospect camp, and met with the media.
Hopefully Fortin inks a deal, certainly a feel good story for the week!
That top-shelf backhander by Iacopelli was one hell of a shot. That takes either blind luck or great skill. Motte looked great out there. Hinostroza seemed to slow down now and again, but he was a strong presence in front of their crease.
The Hawks will need these kids to step up this year, I feel Hinostroza will be the one that makes the jump first. Liked what the kid did last year in a brief stint. He’s fast, aggressive and can find the net. This year might surprise people in a good way, not all doom and gloom. And by the way it says a lot that Keith and Seabrook were leading the move to get TooToo.
I liked Iacopelli when he was drafted. He really came out of nowhere and was drafted a 20 yr old. His numbers took a hit the next year in Muskegon. 37 points in 56 games and -16 . As a 21 yr old freshman he had 7 points and was -19. A former undrafted teammate of his in Muskegon led western Michigan in scoring with 25 in 36 and was -9. Iacopelli has size and the ability to find the net. But with his age i dont know.
Ernie, as you pretty much pointed out. Important year for Iocopelli.
Western Michigan is a pro hockey factory if you will. I was reading that only a handful of kids, recruited by Coach Andy Murray have NOT gone on to play pro.
Murray loves size and has his team’s play a real grinding and banging, responsible 2 way game.
Iacopelli- My take – watched him closely at scrimmage Friday…
That Backhand shot was the MOST wicked shot (Radke’s wrister #2) of scrimmage…
Didn’t see much in terms of skating from Iacopelli… got stuck/hemmed in his own zone a couple of times… looks pretty strong… But- just a guess here… not the smartest guy… but does seem to have heavy shot… but don’t see this guy in the future do to lack of IQ and skating– imo
In contrast- From, Radke- seemed to “get open”/puck found them a lot– so either:
-they have better IQ/instincts
-their line mates were better
-Skate better (From is a noticeably good/quick skater)
Same can be said for Fortin… who reminds me of combo of Frolik/Danault…
seemed to always forecheck at the right time/angle to disrupt plays…
Motte- is a “Glue guy”… “Coaches dream” guy… Watched him closely at WC… gained more and more ice time (crucial times)… cuz coaches “trusted” him…
like a Frolik… nothing great- but most things – well
Wall- going off of Motte’s ice time at the WC…didnt Hinostroza’s ice time go down?
Ernie-Hino’s ice time- did seem to go down…
imo- Hino- improved/adjusted a great deal during his stint in Rock… 1st few times I saw him… he was kind of – ehh! and last few games in Rock… was by far the best offensive catalyst guy out there… so let’s just hope Hino is a guy who learns to adjust
In few games with Hawks last year– I really liked the Pace the kid plays with… never translated into much though… but to me was “noticeable”… does he need to play with bigger/physical guys??? or Elite skilled guys???
I guess- he is a bit of a “tweener”… not really suited to “checking role”… NOT really top 6 (88,81,72 talent)… better skill than most bottom 6 guys…
I remember the same thing said about Hinostroza now was said about Hartman the year before in Rockford. Both started slow and finished strong in their professional debuts.
For me Hartman- has gone the other way ( I hope I am wrong on him)… like him better at WJC and 2 years ago at Rock Vs. last year at Rock…
Unlike Hino- Hartman does not have the “Top 6 skills/hands/skating quickness”
My only conclusion was Danault carried/drove much of the play in Rock the 1st AHL year… which made Hartman more effective for me???
For me- Liked Hartman earlier… less now…
and McNeill — hated earlier… like him a little more now…
The fact that I find my self wavering/flipping on them… suggests- that neither will get a Long look with the Hawks- due to lack of consistency?
Hartman did look great w/ Hino/Hayden versus the “Boys” at camp
So looks like the hope is schmaltz and hinostroza can be toews wingers and kruger has hossa and panik or motte with kane line intact and find a 4th line that works out of the all the options remaining on roster
@ Seat 24
I found it interesting that Dunks & Seabs really pushed for Tootoo to be added to the team. Still a curious move though. Anyone have any thoughts on Kempny after seeing him live? I hadnt seen him since i was only able to watch on Sunday before he arrived.
This is refreshing news.
I’m getting over the playoff blues (pun intended) and getting a little excited about next season.
Today I am in our local mall – I live in a college town in central MO – and I notice the back wall of the pro sports paraphernalia store – On The Ball Sports – is covered in Blackhawk Jerseys – Kane and Toews mostly.
I had to check it out and found that BH stuff is a big seller since many Chicago area young adults come here for college. In fact they stock a lot of Bears and Cubs stuff too – right here in the middle of Blues/Cardinals/Royals/Chiefs country.
I have a couple of Kane jerseys and a Hossa autograph jersey, but I see a nice BH logo sweatshirt and the manager gives me a nice discount.
The heat index is 102 here but I swear I feel a cool breeze out of the north.
@ SSHM: I think the fact that they spent money to bring back Rozsival is a clear indicator that Kempny will have every opportunity (and then a couple more) to be on the ice Opening Night. He’s a solid defenseman who will make the bottom pair a lot better this year. Rozy was brought back to help w/ the language barrier.
Has Hinostroza done enough to get a look as a potential 3C in preseason? I could deal w/ him there – he has more offensive upside than Kruger.
I still like the idea of Motte-Toews-Hossa to open the season, leaving the 72-15-88 line in place. Hinostroza on a third line w/ a mix of Kero, Panik, Schmaltz, Hartman with Desjardins & Kruger locked into 4th line/PK duty
5 rookie forwards seems like a bit of a stretch Tab. I really hope it does not boil down to that.
Your line combo did not include Tootoo for some reason.
If 2 of the kids make it i will be happy ,.,.the other lads will get a sniff but ,.,.,Pretty sure the opening roster will lack some of those baby faced boys.
SSHM- Re: Kempny… Early in 2nd Period of scrimmage… Kempny- was “surprised” by Hartman flying down the Right wing… I was a little surprised too – never seen Hartman move that fast… Kempny adjusted… and was skating backwards very quickly… and still Hartman almost blew by him…
the rest of the scrimmage Kemp was good… I remember a couple of times when he just overpowered some kids as they crossed the Blue line… he walled them off… and pretty much erased them.
Re: Tootoo… I haven’t seen him much… so nothing to offer on “scouting”…
but watched a Youtube interview of Him (about 8 minutes) TooToo talked about a book he wrote… and growing up in a F’d up part of the world with alcoholic parents…. Brother committed suicide… really gained some respect for him…
Seems like a guy that would Kill for you (in a good way)… TooToo is built like a brick shit-house!!!
I can see why Duncs/Seabs want this guy on their side… then I of course watched some Youtube of TooToo standing up for team-mates as well as himself….
Again- Lot’s of respect for the guy…. didn’t always win… but he won’t back down… On a sidenote– never seen Duncs as a “friendly guy”… which is perfectly fine… I have always seen him as a little depressed/reserved…. perhaps Duncs knows how/what this kid has gone thru and “feels/shares” some of those Demons… Total random thought… but I have Gained respect for Duncs/Tootoo from this little interview… kinda want to read his book!
Personally I think Hossa’s is going to play a huge roll on the shaping of this roster. Q was on record talking about Hossa and Kruger having great chemistry and being an excellent D pair of forwards in the STL series. If Hossa plays down on the 3rd line I could see Schmaltz playing with Toews or Motte playing up there. Not sure I see Hartman or Hino playing there. Realistically I think 3 guys make the big club out of this group. I am not sure the Hawks see Schmaltz as a Center.
(Locked and loaded)
Toews
Kane
Anisimov
Panarin
Hossa
Kruger
Bubble guys
Desi, Panik (most likely on the team) Dennis Rasmussen and Mashinter, Tootoo
A few times over the past year I have posted that Luc Snuggerud looks taller & bigger in person than what his bio said. I was pretty sure he had grown since his freshman to sophomore season at Omaha.
Today the U-N-O Mavericks came out with their roster and Snuggerud is now listed as 6’1, 190 lbs. That’s much more accurate and very encouraging !
With all the buzz about the openings for the young guys no one is talking about Kero. He played something like 17 games with the Hawks last year and showed a solid game. He also seems like the type of kid who is working night and day in the off- season for his chance. I wouldn’t sell him short.
Southsidehawksman you are way off on Panik and don’t feel he is a bubble player at all. I think he is nowhere near his ceiling and I expect him to be playing on the top 3 lines and maybe even on line 1 with Toews. He had a knack for finding the net with a 15.4 shooting percentage and could have easily double or tripled his goal production of 6 goals if he had been given more minutes.
re: Hawkhead – I don’t think 5 rookie forwards make the roster. I think there are 5 in the mix for a roster spot. Significant difference.
re: Panik on the top line – good Lord please stop. The guy had a nice stretch last year, but if he’s on the Hawks’ top line they’re on the outside looking in come April. The Hawks have MUCH better options internally than Panik. That being said, Panik is a nice player who absolutely has a role in the bottom six. But let’s not jump to the conclusion that he’s become a central piece after Toronto traded him for Jeremy Morin less than 12 months ago…
re: Kero – had a nice training camp. I think he & Hinostroza jumped to the front of the line for the NHL roster this fall. I also think Motte is a really good, smart player. The question is how/when/where Hartman fits in and how long it takes for Schmaltz to jump into the mix.
re: Craig’s comment about Snuggerud – the Hawks had him listed at 6-0 and 187 lbs (as was reflected on out breakdown of Team C before camp opened).
@ MS
Hawks leadership is still very high on Kero dispite his limited mention here and other media. He does alot of things well but nothing great imo.
As for Panik Im pretty sure he makes the team but his contract and salary makes him expendable. He make less money on his contract this yr then last yr,..follow the money!
Tab What’ happening with Fortin? Wouldn’t a signing be expected?
Also: Haven’t heard any thing about Fleschman is expected to tryout did h in overseas?
Good read https://blackhawkup.com/2016/07/18/chicago-blackhawks-top-10-prospects-after-camp/amp/3/
Forgot to ask about Dahlstrom, Forsling, and some of the other Scandinavian D-men.
This team probably has enough #13 forwards that they didnt feel the need to call Fleischmann.
Was a good read hawkman. Maybe try schmaltz between kane and pinarin and anisimov with toews and hossa. Krueger with tootoo and desijardins be a good shutdown line and hinostrova panik kero hartman or anybody else who can step up on the other line. Lots of options
Schmaltz probably a better bet to get a look at a wing than center, and I don’t think I’m alone in hoping Tootoo either a) doesn’t make the NHL roster here or B) forces Mashinter out of a job. Carrying both of them is a waste of a roster spot in Chicago.
They had Troy Murray on Sirius a bit ago. He had mentioned Schmaltz as a possibility to play next to Toews… I agree with Tab and hope it’s an either or with Mashinter/Tootoo and not an and. Tootoo is probably better all around than Mashinter.