Dach probably isn’t making the team. I doubt Shaw plays center. I’d say it’s probably Smith, but I don’t know Kampf very well. Carpenter shouldn’t play higher than the 4th line.

I respect your posts and think that you do a nice job seeing things as a 3rd party. With that said how did jesperi do? As a MTL fan, do you regret it? Honest question. No sarcasm. I feel like Dach is the answer because the hawks can protect him...AND...he's looked REALLY good in camp.

I don't think Dach is ready this season, so probably Shaw?? I don't like Shaw at centre, but Kampf and Carpenter are closer to 4th liners. Smith is a good 4C, and he can play 3rd line, but that's really not ideal unless he's going to have some quality linemates to carry him.

Is Drake Caggiula an Option? I might give him a look.

I honestly hope Smith bounces back with the Hawks. He had a few good years with Ottawa and fit that third line center role really nice. But if he struggles or looks overwhelmed in camp and the preseason, Dach could very well make it. He's had a great development camp (not totally surprising, but still) and Bowman really believes in him.

Your guess is as good as anyone's so I appreciate the feedback

Smith could be playing with Shaw and Saad if he's the 3C, so I don't know if that's a concern. Dach could make it (see my response to the other guy), it's not totally out of the question. Shaw is personally my choice, but I have no idea how they're planning on deploying him, he really could play anywhere

Maybe Saarela? I'm an optimist and a biased Finn, but he's been developing quite well.

I don't think Dach makes team and if that's the case I don't think Saarela makes it.

I'd love to see him on this roster in October, but given that we have so many options that are already proven NHLers, he probably starts in Rockford. They were pretty bad last season too, so he could probably help them out, at least to start

It'll either be Smith or Shaw. Dach misses the team. Kampf and Carpenter are 4th liners

Dach hasn't played against adult professionals, but Saarela was great last year in AHL. I think they're in different parts of their respective careers.

Yeah that's the likely scenario.

My biggest concern with Smith is that he's never consistently played centre higher than the 4th line. When he would play up higher in the lineup, it was almost exclusively as a Left Winger. When he played above the 4th line, he was nearly always Pageau's LW. He did start last season as Mark Stone's center, but that was more precautionary until they figured out what they had with Tierney and White. Once those two had been put through their paces, was moved over to the wing for a good chunk of the season, then back to 4C after Tom Pyatt was moved.

It could definitely work, I'm just a little sceptical.

Logically Smith makes the most sense, Hawks lost their best PK center in Kruger and Smith fills that role well.

If that's the case, he'll likely play on the wing. David Kampf is our 4C, although his faceoff percentage was down last year. I wasn't familiar with how Smith was deployed, so that's helpful. Maybe they'll get platooned or something, I have no idea lol

Maybe you line Smith up as 3C, but you have both him and Shaw take draws on their strong side? Or Have Shaw take offensive zone faceoffs, and have Smith in the DZone? Something like that could work.

Dach being ready is definitely best case scenario.

I have a dark horse in Kurashev. Played 3C in the WC for Switzerland and did really well. But it would shock me if he makes the team. Dach is tempting but i wanna se him in a top role. I would guess Smith with Shaw and Saad on the wings. A grinder line that would frustrate and do well.

you could bring in a guy like brassard short money 1 year deal

I dont have a horse in this race, but I do want to mention Kotkaniemi excelled in SM-Liiga playing pro hockey against men. Dach (arguably) underperformed against his peers. There's no need to rush Dach, especially given that Boqvist probably gets a year in the AHL. Having more time with those ELCs makes managing the DeBrincat and Strome extensions a lot easier.