Man, you put a lot of time into this. I'm game! Let's have a little discussion. ***Not same order***

Saad - I agree overall. One minor tweek would be he just needs to drive to the net more. I see him trying to take the put by himself a lot for some reason. Drive hard to the net without the put and he'll get rewarded more often.

Panik - I fine with his play. He drives possession. Very physical. He fits the line...albeit...I don't think he's a great 1RW...just that he fits with Toews and Saad.

Debrincat - I'm actually mixed here. He is 100% an elite player. No doubt there. Although, I do feel like he does get a little help from linemates. With that said, I feel like that's just happenstance...if you're good, play with good players! Besides that, to your point he still gets points on the 3rd line. Just a smart player. HOWEVER, BEST TRADE EVER? that's TBD. I'd actually argue that Morin for Panik or Clendening for Forsling. Shaw's still in the NHL!

Keith - I think you're underselling him here. He plays opposite of Cody Franson! Sure Cody's smart on the PP, but he's even slower than Seabrook. It's just the Franson knows he's that slow so he adjusts accordingly. Seabrook still thinks he can beat people to the puck.

Ill play along as well

Hartmann - First things first he does not need more ice time. He is right where he belongs. He does well on the 3rd line. Scrappy player but don't expect a lot out of him on the score sheet. Lets remember of his 12 points 5 of them came in the 1st game against pittsburgh. Take that into consideration and he has 7 points in his last 24 games which is not as impressive as 12 in 25. His ice and role is very well done this year.

Panik - Everyone keeps complaining about panik as a 1 RW. Maybe lets think for a moment and say that Saad Toews Panik ISN'T line 1. They play big minutes but often against the other teams best opponents. this frees up Kane to play against the opposing teams 2nd line. I strongly consider the Schmaltz Amisinov Kane line to be line 1. I think people forget that the number with the line is exactly what it is its just a number.

Schmaltz - I think schmaltz has been the brightest star (Forsling is a close second) for the blackhawks this year. He is skating well and starting to build some serious chemistry with Kane. Schmaltz has an amazing hockey IQ and he looks and plays much better on the wing. Something I think Q has realized and maybe he shouldn't be called out for not playing centre but applauded for being such a strong winger.

Rutta and Forsling - I will do these both as one because they are similar. Both are great youngish d men. I think saying they are a top 4 is a bit of a stretch at this moment. Chicago biggest concern is defensive depth. Hopefully these two continue to develop and can become more consistent and play top 4 minutes.

Debrincat - This is the biggest surprise to me this season. I knew coming into the year he was a talented player with a lot of skill but never thought he'd transition so seamlessly into the NHL. There are moments when the 180lb Debrincat gets pushed around and hopefully with a couple off seasons of serious training that no longer happens. Great to see him develop but do not like the idea of him playing with Kane. I think having 2 smaller forwards on one line allows the other team to step up physicality and really shut down a line. We saw it with kane and panarin in playoffs and I hope we avoid that by keeping the two separated with some larger bodies out there to win battles.

One thing I would like to see chicago address
I want to see them add some form of depth on the back end. Maybe pick up a solid middle pairing d man so sea brook can be moved down the line up and Franson removed. Franson brings a lot to the PP but he is a bigger liability then sea brook is. Although they are both smart sea brook has more smarts when it comes to the game.

CM10 - Kane/Panarin being shutdown in the playoffs has 1 other very important reason (although I do 100% agree with you)...the Hawks only had 1 line that COULD score. So NASH just put their shutdown line on them and still played conservative when they're on the ice.

This is the NOT Chicago approach, but as far as the D depth...I just don't want Stan to give away the farm. Henri J and Chad Krys are playing pretty darn good in their respective leagues. 1 puck moving Dman and 1 stay and home Dman. I get the urgency right now, but just don't trade those two away.

Thanks for the replies guys. I respect both of your opinions. I think Panik needs to wake up regardless of the Toews line being a true #1 line or not. The more scoring lines the better. He is clearly capable of 20 goals, he just needs to find his game again.

I think DeBrincat can put up 25 goals this season, maybe more with Kane. Putting him on the 3rd line really supresses our offense.

I agree with you exo2769. They can't give away any of the prospects in the system to get a Dman. when I say D men depth Im just talking a 4, 5, 6 type guy with a little more speed to help against the faster teams. Seabrook is going to play... he is a leader of the team and they aren't going to healthy scratch him. Adding some speed so against a speedy team like nashville Franson can be sat for a speedier, matched skill type player. A rental player that can be obtained for a draft pick.

Panic does ned to get going. That whole line started off really hot and then they cooled down. They need to dominate down low like they can and play their game. They have been looking better lately but they still need to put the puck in the net.

NickC1988 I think if debrincat was to move up in the lineup Id rather see him play alongside toews and saad and panik down to the third line. I may be being a little too old school when i say this but I don't like having 2 small body players on a line you need some guys that can go bang in the corner. I wouldn't mind seeing a line combination of :

Saad - Toews - Debrincat
Schmaltz - Amisinov - Kane
Hartmann - Sharp - Panik
Hayden - Wingels - Bouma

Keith - Franson
Forsling - Rutta
Seabrook - Murphy