Have to think Quenneville is going to keep Kane working with Debrincat this year. The kid can snipe.

I believe he’ll play Cat with Toews and Saad, and give Edjsell a shot along side Kane and Schmaltz.

If he does, that isn't going to last long. Edjsell won't be able to keep up with 8&88 for more than about 3 seconds. It'll be like Zus centering Kane all over again...

You know better than I do, but it seems surprising that any coach wouldn’t give a player like Debrincat the best possible chance to score 40 goals. And that’s most likely working with Kane.

Hinostroza would’ve been a great fit with Saad and Toews...

It’s a fair point, but I think that could work out nicely for them. If not, the 3rd line with Sikura is great.

Absolutely right about Hinostroza. And you’re right that he has a good shot to score 40 with Kane, but Toews and Saad are no slouches on good years. Toews needs to get it together, and Saad will bounce back. Debrincat could easily get 35-40 with them too IMO. Then you have another guy get 25-30 with Kane. Spread it out a little. However, I don’t know better than you, were both just fans. Haha.

Per your comments, I swapped Cat and Kane.

Didn't Q say something about playing 20 with 88, and then kind of leave it at that? Makes me think the front office hasn't abandoned the idea of finding another LW, just waiting for the prices to drop or the Karlsson balloon to pop...

Don't think Jokiharju makes the opening night roster?

Wasn't sure how advanced he was yet.

Not sure on the 20 and 88. Haven’t heard anything.

It's because a line of Cat, Schmaltz and Kane is too small, there is no size to the line. They will get killed in board battles and checking. Cat was able to produce well with Toews and Saad because both of them have size and allow Cat to get in the open with his speed. The Hawks desperately need a LW for Schmaltz and Kane; I would argue this is the biggest need on the team with all the young defensive prospects coming up. Edjsell is not the answer as he is too slow and serves better as a 3rd or 4th liner. I would be surprised to see Anisimov moving to LW on the 2nd line.

Well he probably does now, with Forsling out until minimum November for wrist surgery...

Yes, Q said they'd like to try a line of Saad-Schmaltz-Kane and that Debrincat with Toews could be a possibility. Pretty sure he said this in response to someone asking if Debrincat-Kane was an option lol.