The Blackhawks Rinkcast – Episode 37 – Schmaltz Ya Later

Schmaltz is a good player. That is undeniable. But he didnt do what they wanted him to do at the position they needed him to play. Strome did everything against Vegas that they wanted Schmaltz to do. Win faceoffs, get into battles, make the pass, score the greasy goal. Schmaltz liked to skate around and dangle. That got them exactly jack squat. If Strome does what he did against Vegas between 12 and 88, he should produce at least as much as Schmaltz did. Nobody on the Hawks ever gets to the net. Strome was like a magnet to the front of the net. His pass on his assist was beautiful.

I think everyone wants out of Arizona. That seems like a dysfunctional organization.

Strome looked like he was the happiest guy in the building too, he looked SUPER happy sitting on the bench with Top Cat. At least there is emotion in the guy, unlike Schmaltz.

If Debrincat and Strome have instant chemistry, that cant hurt.

Here is a positive thought: Brandon Manning is a pretty bad NHL player. He isnt great at anything besides hitting and fighting and occasionally he has a heavy shot that can get through. Every other part of his game blows though. BUT…as bad as he was under Q he has been noticeably less bad under JC. He hasnt been the explosion of baby shit he was at the beginning of the year. Maybe because he is playing less, maybe because he changed partners. I dunno. But he has been at least just a vanilla, boring ass 6/7 D since and not a total abomination. So there’s that! The entire team defense is the issue now. Nobody can cover anyone, nobody seems to know what their assignments are, everyone is still chasing the puck like a pack of 6 year olds playing soccer for the first time, or a bunch of puppies chasing a toddler. Thats on the coaching. Whatever JC is trying to do, he should stop. The man to man defense looks TERRIBLE. It makes no sense to me to play that way in the NHL