Tyler Motte, Blackhawks Hammer Blues
A number of Blackhawks regulars returned to the lineup on Saturday night at the United Center, and the Blues brought their usual garbage to the event.
The end result was the Hawks finally getting on the scoreboard, and the Blues losing both the game and their cool.
Tyler Motte, who had looked really good in the first two games of the preseason but hadn’t found the back of the net, scored twice in the Hawks’ 4-0 shutout. His first goal was a good, dirty goal in front of the net to make the score 3-0 in the second period. The second was a short-handed goal late in the third period.
Artemi Panarin scored the first goal for Chicago, receiving a feed from Patrick Kane and making the deposit. We’ll come back to the concept of those two succeeding together in a moment…
Michal Kempny scored the Hawks’ second goal of the night through a lot of traffic. It looked like Nick Schmaltz or Ryan Hartman might have tipped the shot, but Kempny received credit for the goal.
Chicago exploded for three goals in the final eight minutes of the second period to blow the game open. Then, predictably, the Blues began taking liberties.
Joel Edmundson may owe the United Center penalty box a rent check after the game; Saturday was the first of the month. He was credited with 21 of the Blues’ 31 penalty minutes in the game. Edmundson’s night included called penalties for:
- cross-checking Artem Anisimov in the first period
- fighting Jordin Tootoo in the second period
- roughing Ryan Hartman in the third
- an additional misconduct penalty for punching Hartman while the two were being restrained by officials
Edmundson was far from alone in the goon department for St. Louis, but the Blackhawks weren’t without their faults. The biggest hit of the night came in the final two minutes when Niklas Hjalmarsson lit up Ty Rattie, whose head was down as he stared at the puck crossing the ice. Hjalmarsson lowered the boom on him and all hell broke loose.
Hjalmarsson received a match penalty for the hit.
Scott Darling was terrific again, stopping all 18 shots he faced for the shutout victory.
Gustav Forsling, Brian Campbell, Dennis Rasmussen and Patrick Kane were credited with assists in the game. Motte was named the game’s Number One Star.
A few other observations:
- Schmaltz looked pretty good on a line with Kane and Anisimov. He only put one shot on net but was credited with two takeaways.
- Hinostroza looked good again as well. He was credited with four shots on net in the win.
- Kempny finished tied with Kane for the team lead with five shots on net in the game. He also finished tied for the team lead with three hits (with Richard Panik).
- Forsling had an ordinary game; he wasn’t as noticeable as he had been earlier in the preseason. Maybe that’s because Seabrook, Hjalmarsson and Campbell were in the lineup? He did lead all Blackhawks in ice time at 22:33 and was complimented by coach Joel Quenneville earlier in the day.
- Brandon Mashinter still brings absolutely nothing to the table. He was invisible on Saturday night.
- Jordin Tootoo has done nothing except fight (twice).
Now back to the Kane-Panarin separation…
Earlier on Saturday when he spoke with the media, Quenneville once again made it clear that he intends on spreading out the offense this season. Which means Quenneville is going to get a good, long look at the two forwards being on different lines to open the year; specifically, Kane could move to a line with Jonathan Toews and the infamous “TBD left wing” player. Motte and Schmaltz are certainly throwing their names in the mix for that left wing spot with strong performances thus far in training camp.
But splitting up the reigning most valuable player and rookie of the year?
Both Panarin and Kane said all the right things after the game, but they still clearly love and prefer to play together. #Blackhawks
— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 2, 2016
Hartman had a better game. He brought his inner pest out. Edmundson could have easily gotten more pims. Hartman held Edmundson’s stick to the side of the blues net. When the puck came back the other way and Hartman chased he got 2 crosschecks from him. Then when they got to the boards Hartman got a good elbow. Sort of a slew foot without the foot.
One thing I noticed, and I know they haven’t worked on power play much and they’re also experimenting. But on the first pp unit they had Kane,Panarin,Anisimov with Campbell and Seabrook. On more than one occasion they were running a 2-1-2. Rather than having both defenseman on the points they moved Campbell down into the high slot.
If they wanted to, the Hawks could move some guys (Desjardins… Mashinter) and go with speed and skill and try to emulate that north America world cup team. Hartman Kruger Motte were buzzing. And that was before they got on the score sheet.
Good synopsis Tab.
Motte appears to be the real deal, Hinostroza flies around out there. Schmaltz much more cerebral game and very fluid. Hartman buzzes all over the place but it just does not seem to amount to much.
On the back end, Kempny looks fantastic. Quick, quick, quick in every zone.
I must say I love what Forsling brings as well. To me, he looks very very polished and totally unfazed by the competition.
Good problems to have going forward.
Forsling for Clendening looking like a pretty nice trade – Canuck fans must be real happy. Have been pleasantly surprised with how much speed Motte has in addition to such a solid all around game. So far he is the only lock to make the team of all the young guys.
All of the bullshit was the result of Edmundson’s obviously LATE hit. He’s a dickhead. Piss on him (and Brodziak, Reeves, Bortuzzo, Upshall, et al…)
And here I thought it was going to be harder to hate the Blues this year since Backes, Brouwer, and Ott are gone. Nice to know I don’t have to find a new least favorite team.
First of all – St. Louis didn’t have many of their big guns in the game tonight so that perspective needs to remembered in assessing the young Hawks play tonight. But some of the players looked pretty good which is better than the alternative.
Panarin-Toews-Panik
Schmaltz-Anisimov-Kane
Motte-Kruger-Hossa
Desjardins-Rasmussen-Hartman/Tootoo
Tab, disagree about Forsling last night. He had his head up all night, making crisp tape to tape passes, and looked very comfortable playing with Hammer.
Fun to see the kids playing with the grown-ups; finally on the scoreboard; even though Bluesers didn’t have their full complement of players, it was fun to see the Hawks beat them down!? First two preseason games were a yawn-fest…this was at least fun to watch. Hurry up real hawkey!
It’s an imposter.
I agree on Forsling. I actually saw more of yesterday’s game than others and totally agree about Forsling being impressive. I believe he has to make the team from what I have seen. He is very smooth on his skates plus what Brokerwayne just said.
Kempny looks good and will assimilate well with this team.
Pokka on the other hand does not impress me. He definitely has limitations in his skating. It seem he need 5-10 strides to get moving and just does not seem solid on his skates.
Soupy will fit well. As I have said previously, I am very confident with the defense core that should play on opening night. Having said that, Q will probably surprise many and play Sveddy.
Motte, Schmaltz, & Vinny are not lighting it up with scoring, however their speed is an asset that cannot be overlooked. You can’t teach speed. Give them time and the rest of their games will come. I am hoping that all three make the opening night roster and Q gives them the minutes that allows them to flourish rather than benching them after one mistake destroying their confidence. Kane’s mistake gave up a 2 on Darling last night. The rest of their game better come otherwise we will be suffering on offense this year. Regardless, the defense will carry this team this year.
We can only hope Svedberg does not make the team. To me he looks like #10 on the depth chart. I think Motte is a slam dunk to make it at this point. Solid 200 foot game and his two goals last night didn’t hurt his cause. Schmaltz and Hino also look comfortable in the Hawks system. As Booman said, Q may surprise us. We could see Mash, Moose and Tutu instead of the above three mentioned.
I think it will be almost impossible for Forsling to make the team unless there is a d-man is traded because there isn’t a slot available for him. With 4 slots taken by 2-4-7-51, and TvR and Kempny almost for sure having slots 5 & 6 wrapped up. So, that leaves only the #7 slot and even if Rozsival doesn’t make the team, it would mean that one of Kempny, TvR or Forsling would need to sit in the press box which is not good for young developing players. Unless TvR is traded I don’t see how Forsling makes the team, regardless how good he looks in the preseason.
What did I before, about Bowman. Forsling and Panik for Clendening and Morin. Thank you sir, may I have another.
Any way to convince Q to see Mashinter (and especially) Tootoo as what they are – useless?
The case for Forsling making the club without a trade… Give Keith some rest. Place him on LTIR to start the year or have the the roster slot and cap space available to play Forsling while Keith rests. Forsling plays his 9 and goes back to Sweden.
Or… Send Forsling back after pre-season. Plays entire year over there. After his season is complete he’s sent to Rockford. When playoff time comes, he can play if needed. Being careful not to go over 10 games played to not burn a year.
As long as the Blues are in the division and Corey Perry in the conference. Q wants a guy that can drop em.
So provided that player will drop them. What would you rather have. Mashinter or Tootoo on the team to fight. Or Toews in the dark room concussed after he decides to fight. My beef with Mashinter is his unwillingness to do his job….if he does his job when he plays every 6th game I have less of a problem with what he brings to the table. But when he doesn’t do his job and is still bad at hockey, I’d probably rather have the dude the Hawks traded for him. (I’d say the name, but apparently it’s taboo to mention around here.)
I agree Ernie, he will stay to do some regular season dirty work, and not be needed in the postseason.
For those who have seen him in person what kind of skater is Schmaltz? And I realize he isn’t a straight line skater, with blazing speed.
“As long as the Blues are in the division and Corey Perry in the conference. Q wants a guy that can drop em.” — I understand that is what Q believes. The problem is that neither Mashinter or Tootoo is a deterrent – I don’t see Reaves, Brodziak, Edmundson, Perry, or anybody really, shaking in their skates. The Hawks have two useless “skaters” taking up roster and cap space. Quenneville has won three Cups and is widely acknowledged as as among the very best, but he does have blind spots about personnel (remember Handzus? Rozsival?).
I completely agree With them being useless and not a deterrent. If they did that job well enough. I will gladly give them a pass when they’re on the ice. The problem is, they don’t. Which is why a guy like Toews felt the need to face off against Backes. If you want someone that can do that job get someone that can actually do that job and pay them league minimum for skating 12 games and averaging more pims than ice time.
This team has never been about that. So it really boggles the mind why they feel they need that one useless player.
Bollig,Scott,Carcillo,Mashinter,Eager
Never seen Schmaltz in person. And I’m not just saying this because of the number. He looks like Leddy. They’re both kinda bow legged. To me he looked a little lost, but that’s probably because of the position change.
re: Ernie’s “Place [Keith] on LTIR” – I don’t think they need to sit him for that long. If they carry Forsling to open the year to give Keith a breather. Remember, the Hawks didn’t put Hossa on LTIR in 2009 and he wasn’t ready until Thanksgiving.
True. But the cap wasn’t as tight in 09 to start the year. Not sure if they can fit Forsling in otherwise depending on who opens the season with the team. If Forsling starts the year he may as well play his 9. If it’s one or two what do you gain?
Ernie – at least Scott was a legitimate heavyweight and I believe because of his reputation he was a deterrent in some cases. But, you have to weigh wasting a roster spot on a guy who plays less than 8 minutes a game or having a (hopefully) solid 4th line that can be “rolled” (keeping the top guys less worn).
Agreed. Bollig and Eager were adequate as well. How often the heavyweights need to play is another debate altogether. Frankly they played too often. Although looking back a portion of Scott’s tenure saw the likes of Jassen Cullimore, Fernando Pisani, and Brendan Morrison. He still played his role. And was arguably the best at it. They traded Scott in 11/12. The same year Torres took out Hossa in the playoffs. If Scott is there does that happen? Probably.
The night we knock Mashinter he looks like one of the better players on the ice.
There are guys that are tough in this league that can still play hockey. Why can’t we get one or two of those guys. Oh yeah, we only want small guys between 170-180lbs. A guy like Lucic would be really nice. He can play hockey yet still kick the living hell out of someone. That beats wasting roster spots on guys like mash and tootoo that have limited hockey skill.
I am not quite sure about this deterrent discussion. Face off against the guy and ask him if he wants to dance? That’s b.s. That’s what Bollig always did. Was he a deterrent? I don’t think so. Scott would out right go after people. Even so, guys would just stay away from him. His presence as a deterrent was mocked by the opposing players by just ignoring him. How much did that deter anything?
(Booman – Stan paid for Lucic but got Bickell…?)
Scott as a deterrent – I (sort of) remember a game against Vancouver when (“pussy”) Bieksa waited until Scott was tossed out of a game and then started a fight with Stalberg. Honestly, I can’t quantify Scott as a deterrent, but maybe knowing he might get his ass kicked might make a limp dick like Edmundson not carelessly/blatantly late hit a rookie (25 lbs less his size)?
Ernie – “…How often the heavyweights need to play” — Mashinter appeared in 41 games last season – that’s not (wasted space) against StL and Corey Perry. As I said, Q has personnel “blind spots”, in my opinion. Of course I would prefer Toews not take it upon himself to fight anyone, but I see no value in Tootoo and Mashinter seems to be a guy with a little size, very little skill, and very little desire to fight (if needed).
(TOO BAD the 24 year old Al Secord isn’t on the 2016-17 Blackhawks…)