Chicago Blackhawks Morning Links- Just In The Nick Of Time

Good morning Chicago Blackhawks fans, We are only 6 games into the season, but it’s become a little bit obvious that the straw that stirs the Chicago Blackhawks offensive drink is Nick Schmaltz. The good news is that Joel Quenneville announced that he would be back in the lineup Wednesday night on Monday morning! 

The Chicago Blackhawks offense was so much fun to watch in the first two games, that it seems like that was just a mirage in the desert.  The Chicago Blackhawks scored 15 goals in the first two games, and in the last 4 they have failed to score more than 3 goals.

The one common denominator in all of this is Nick Schmaltz, and when he’s been on the ice nothing but good things have happened for the Chicago Blackhawks. Patrick Kane has only picked up 3 assists since Schmaltz left the lineup, and Ryan Hartman has looked even worse.  Hartman really struggled against the Predators after looking super in the first two games.

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Schmaltz brings something to the table that has been missing for a while which is pure speed with skill.  Brandon Saad has it too, but you need that on two different lines for the Hawks to be successful and own the puck like they want to every night.

The Penguins game was so much fun, but they aren’t going to score 10 goals every night, but they can do a better job with creating chances and shots better than they have without Schmaltz in the lineup.

It’s good to see that he’s back and healthy, let’s hope he can stay healthy for a long stretch now!

Here are some morning links to start your Tuesday morning. 

You can listen to Joel Quenneville on the radio this morning at 8:40 am (Blackhawks)

Eddie Olczyk intends on broadcasting between cancer treatments (Tribune)

This batch of Rockford Ice Hogs are a very offensive looking group (Faxes from Uncle Dale)

One would say that this group of Hawks are a work in progress (Hockey Buzz)

Is Auston Matthews ready to be the new face of the NHL (ESPN)

Out of obscurity the Nashville Predators are learning to live in the spotlight (Sporting News)

The St Louis Blues injuries are catching up to them very quickly (Bleedin Blue)

The Minnesota Wild are beat up too, having to make three call ups yesterday (Twin Cities)

Colorado Avalanche need Nathan MacKinnon to start scoring very soon (Mile High Sticking)

Next: What Are The Early Season Surprises For the Blackhawks

A very early version of the 2018 NHL Mock Draft (Puck Prose)