https://theathletic.com/526560/2018/09/15/5-takeaways-from-the-blackhawks-first-scrimmage/ 1. Corey Crawford did not skate Saturday after getting on the ice Friday, but he is expected to work with goalie coach Jimmy Waite on the ice again on Sunday, according to a source. The Blackhawks are going to take it slow with him. 2. Henri Jokiharju will make mistakes. He made a few Saturday as he tried to do too much with the puck at times. He’ll learn. What’s important in Joel Quenneville’s eyes now is everything around those mistakes. “I like Henri on the backend,” Quenneville said. “I thought he had a really strong game, got better and better every shift. I think he felt more comfortable when he had the puck back there. And I like his play recognition, in overtime made a nice play going to the net. So, that was a good sign.” “I think the thing with him is he’s competitive,” Quenneville added. “He’s feisty in some ways, and he’s got a lot of different attributes to his game. But offensively, he likes to go. Defensively, I’m sure there’s room to get better. But I like the fact he’s willing to try things, do things. I think that learning curve can be corrected quickly and be respectful for what’s around you because it’s a pretty good league and there’s going to be great players you’re going to be out there against. Early in the day here too in the camp, I like his start.” Jokiharju didn’t look out of place alongside Duncan Keith in the scrimmage. Playing with Finland’s national team and with some veteran NHL defensemen probably helped. Jokiharju was aggressive. At times, that worked and he helped create chances. Other times, it didn’t. He had a few turnovers that were avoidable if he hadn’t held onto the puck as long as he did. Quenneville is confident that’s correctable. “I think when you think about an offensive defenseman the risk management is probably the best way to describe it, knowing that, hey, it’s not just one way,” Quenneville said. “If the risk doesn’t outweigh what you’re creating, it’s not a good balance. Young guys, you don’t mind them trying things. I think with him defensively I thought he was pretty adequate. He’s playing with Duncs, and he certainly helped him in a lot of ways. “I still think that he’s quick to loose pucks, he comes out of it in tight areas and there’s a direct play to be made from it, and that’s a great way to avoid forechecking and getting out of your zone. And then figuring out how you want to play and reads, that’s the thing he’s definitely going to improve upon. I thought he had a decent gap. But I like the fact he wants the puck in some areas where some defensemen don’t want it.” 3. From an individual standpoint, Kane was probably the most impressive player on Saturday. He used a change in speed to create separation to score an early goal, and his late one was a blast from distance to beat Lankinen. Dylan Sikura was also notable. He also scored two goals — capitalizing with a one-timer off a pass from Victor Ejdsell late in the third period, and scoring from the right edge of the left circle in 3-on-3 play. Sikura has especially looked like he’s getting more comfortable holding on to the puck longer. That was notable in Traverse City and again early in camp. “I thought Dylan had a nice game,” Quenneville said. “I thought he had some good pace to his game, looked a little quicker than we’ve seen. I think one of the things with him is his effectiveness with the puck, and play recognition is a strength.” The line of Ejdsell, Artem Anisimov and Sikura has Quenneville certainly thinking there’s potential there. “And Victor, I thought he had a good third period,” Quenneville said. “As the game progressed, he got going there. I think with him I think with his assets which is shooting and with the puck is a strength and having more pace to his game can complement him. I think Arty there … I’m thinking down the road, who knows on a line. Certainly they’re all pretty effective with the puck.” 4. Marcus Kruger’s arrival probably wasn’t welcomed by David Kampf, but there may be a way for both players to exist in the Blackhawks’ lineup. Kampf, who was often the team’s fourth-line center last season, could win a spot on the wing. “We’ll see on that,” Quenneville said. “David’s an option. We’ll see him on the wing, see how he handles that as well. Helping us out in that area could give us a little more depth there and then thinking about the evaluation as we go along. No pun intended, we’ll see how Kampf does in camp.” Kampf stood out a few times Saturday in the offensive zone, and he scored at the net off a pass from Dominik Kahun in the third period. 5. Some other quick thoughts from the scrimmage: — Kahun began to show off some of his skill and vision. He was able to create some room in tight places and use that to find open teammates. He may excel more if he’s given a chance with top-6 players. He was on a line with Kampf and Luke Johnson on Saturday. — Jordan Schroeder will likely put up a lot of points for the Rockford IceHogs this season. Schroeder scored a goal Saturday and just missed on another opportunity. At 27, Schroeder isn’t really a prospect, but he has skill and should be able to help the IceHogs at center. — Schmaltz made some eye-opening passes in the scrimmage. His vision is really something. Brandon Saad was the recipient of a few of the passes and just missed scoring on a couple. — Quenneville mentioned he liked the possession the Chris Kunitz-Jonathan Toews-Alex DeBrincat line created in the game. DeBrincat had a few quality chances that he couldn’t finish. Toews set up Kunitz for a great look in the third period, but Collin Delia made a nice glove save. It’ll be interesting to see if that line works. One league source said Sunday, “Kunitz is crafty, very smart. I think he’ll surprise.” — Erik Gustafsson picked up where he left off last season and continued to be aggressive in the offensive zone. He scored a goal from the high slot off a pass from Anthony Louis and helped create a number of other chances. — Phillip Kurashev will be one to watch in junior the next few years. He flashed some skill in Traverse City and is showing it again in camp. He set up a goal after creating a breakaway, drew the game’s lone penalty and had a few other scoring chances. — Goalie Alexis Gravel, another 2018 draft pick, has shown promising early signs. He made a few highlight-reel saves Saturday and didn’t allow a goal in his period of work. He robbed Marcus Kruger of a chance.
https://theathletic.com/532242/2018/09/18/5-thoughts-after-5-days-of-blackhawks-training-camp/ 1. Corey Crawford worked with goalie coach Jimmy Waite before Blackhawks practice again on Tuesday. It was the fourth time in five days he’s been on the ice. One consideration the Blackhawks might make is giving Crawford a conditioning stint with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL once he’s ready to take that step. However, a source said Tuesday the possibility hasn’t come up in conversation just yet. “We need to see him in practice first,” the source said. 2. Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was hoping Chris Kunitz would click with Jonathan Toews and Alex DeBrincat on the top line, but he might already be moving away from that idea. That line hasn’t exactly been dominant in the few scrimmages so far. It’s still early and the line will probably get at least one preseason game, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Quenneville went another route based on what he said Monday. “I like the player, I like Kuns a lot,” Quenneville said. “I think he’s got a lot of great ingredients. He’s a great pro, got some quickness, he finds the way to go to the front of the net directly. I just think that (we’re) happy to have him, watching him playing out here, watching him working. We’ll find a way to play him. If he plays on that line or not, we’ll see. Certainly, we’re going to appreciate what he brings to our team.” 3. The chemistry between Patrick Kane and Nick Schmaltz is undeniable. They play in a similar way, and they have come to understand where each other is on the ice. Now, their goal is to figure out how to bring Brandon Saad, their other linemate, into the mix. Saad is a different player in that he creates mostly going directly to the net. “I think we’re working on that right now, right?” Kane said after practice on Tuesday. “If you watch certain practices or games, it seems like myself and Schmaltzy are always buzzing around the zone, trying to like create space that way. We’ve talked to Saader at certain times about how he can open or what we think he can do when we’re doing that type of stuff. “I think a lot of it he’ll be at the front of the net a little bit, but even when we’re down low, he can get in on the action too where he’s got speed, enough skill to start roaming around the zone making plays too. We obviously got to make sure one of us is in or at or around the middle of the ice or at the net. It’s kind of a work in progress, but we have a little time here. We’ll talk about it a little every day and try to build on it every day too.” As of now, the third line would likely be Victor Ejdsell – Artem Anisimov – Dylan Sikura, and the fourth line would be John Hayden – Marcus Kruger – Andreas Martinsen. Both those lines will play in the Blackhawks’ preseason opener on Tuesday. Dominik Kahun could potentially be a 13th forward. Again, all of this could change at any time. 4. Quenneville appears to like the idea of reuniting Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook as a pairing. They’ve practiced the past few days together. Keith and Seabrook, of course, are in favor of this, as well. They’ve played most of their careers together and are close friends off the ice. “To me, Brent’s always a guy positionally he knows where to be,” Keith said after practice on Monday. “He always makes a great first pass. His passes are flat, which makes a big difference when you’re trying to handle the puck. It’s on the tape, and it makes everyone’s game that much easier. He’s always helped my game out. I know he’s put a lot of work into the offseason and feels good. We’re all doing all we can to turn it around.” The duo has played less and less together in recent years. Keith played mostly with Jordan Oesterle last season, and Seabrook spent a lot of time with Connor Murphy. Keith and Seabrook played 362:04 of 5-on-5 ice time together last season, according to NaturalStatTrick.com. They had a 48.88 Corsi percentage and were on the ice for 11 goals for and 19 goals against. 5. The question is if Keith and Seabrook are a pairing, where does that leave Henri Jokiharju? The notable pairings during Monday’s scrimmage were Keith-Seabrook, Brandon Manning-Jan Rutta, Erik Gustafsson-Carl Dahlstrom and Blake Hillman-Jokiharju. Keith and Seabrook would be the top pairing. Manning and Rutta appear to be shaping up as Quenneville’s shutdown pairing. Throughout camp so far, Quenneville has had Gustafsson and Dahlstrom together as the likely third pairing. Dahlstrom is a left-handed shot playing on his right side. Quenneville could consider Gustafsson and Jokiharju as the third pairing and deploy them in offensive situations. Gustafsson is the most offensive of the Blackhawks’ defensemen, and Jokiharju has a high offensive upside as well. Gustafsson and Seabrook ended last season playing together, so that is something Quenneville could turn to again this season. Gustafsson said at the World Championship how much he enjoyed playing with Seabrook. Quenneville will know more after some preseason games, but Jokiharju looks like he belongs in the NHL so far. One source mentioned Jokiharju as one of the players who has stood out in camp. By the way, Anton Forsberg, John Hayden and Andreas Martinsen were also mentioned by the source. Dahlstrom might be ready for that jump as well. He made his NHL debut last season and played in 11 NHL games. This will be his third pro season in North America. The Blackhawks will likely keep seven defensemen in the NHL this season. Jokiharju, who is 19, and Dahlstrom, who is 23, probably aren’t candidates for the seventh defenseman because the Blackhawks won’t want them sitting. Brandon Davidson, who is on a PTO, could still best fit that need. Of course, all of this could become further complicated when Connor Murphy and Gustav Forsling are available again. Both are expected back in November.
What is the word on boqvist? Good camp? Healthy? Did he gain some weight? Thanks, not sure if I am drafting him for my lifetime pool over zadina . Want as much feedback as possible
He showed really well and has a really advanced offensive game. Needs to work on his D and add weight, he's just not physically ready yet and got sent back to London.
I took him, zadina is good but the ceiling of boqvist was too hard to pass. He is really young for his draft year too
To be fair, Brandon Manning is dogshit. We'll see how he does when Murphy comes back, they were a solid pairing last year.
The Defense is garbage. Obviously Crow helps. But maybe the Power Play is going to start showing life
Baby steps. Scoring on the PP is better than Ofer. Dineen has no business on an NHL bench. He won a Gold Medal in Womens Hockey....and his special teams plays have been atrocious since coming to Chicago.
Cam was excellent in that game. Dominate the game and yet so many stupid penalties flip the game. Glad we get the OT win
Crawford was solid tonight. Our defense was terrible. They really need to make some tough choices soon if there gonna want to compete this season.
Here’s a little fun fact... Last season the Blackhawks sent Brent Seabrook and Duncan Keith our together on the power play for 63 minutes. (That would be like 31 straight continuous power plays) In those 63 minutes: CHI goals: 1 Opponents goals: 2 We still haven’t learned anything from last season
Manning is already in the press box. Kunitz is garbage and I don't think putting him in the press box is a tough decision.
If its not a hard choice why is he not there... you addressed the two easiest choices of the ones i listed. They need to fire Dineen, our power play has been god awful since he's been hired. He refuses to make changes to the way we play (put a skater behind the net or remove dreadful guys like Seabrook on the unit) and its laughable that I honestly would rather not go on the PP Did you watch Seabrook get embarrassed and was out skate by players who aren't know for being speedsters last night? Sorry I'm just pissed that we saw these same issues all last season. And nothing to this point has been addressed in anyway to improve or change it.
Thats because its not an easy fix. The Hawks don't have a lot of cap room, so they have to shop at Goodwill with guys like Kunitz and Manning. I agree about the power play, its been bad for a long time. Keith is the one that shouldn't be on the power play.