Chicago Blackhawks Morning Links- Schmaltz Joining Team USA

Good morning Chicago Blackhawks fans! The Chicago Blackhawks will now have two members of their roster on Team USA this spring as it was announced that Nick Schmaltz will be joining Trevor van Riemsdyk on the squad. 

I’m not going to lie, I’m still kind of disappointed that Patrick Kane isn’t on Team USA that would have been must see TV for me during the tournament.

That being said, I think its’ good that Nick Schmaltz is going to get some more playing time which he seemed to need after his confidence got shook some during the playoffs.

After playing really good after being called up from Rockford, he seemed to be the spark plug that gave life to the top line with Jonathan Toews and Richard Panik.  When the Hawks were playing their best hockey it was because Schmaltz was playing really well himself.

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I almost think the injury to Artem Anisimov hurt Schmaltz as much as it hurt #15.  Joel Quenneville started moving him around on lines including centering Patrick Kane which he did do quite well, but the top line never had the chemistry back after Q started breaking up the lines because of Anisimov’s  injury.

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Hopefully Team USA will get Schmaltz his confidence back for the 2017-2018 season.  Here are some morning links to kick off your Friday morning.

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