Perlini might be a middle 6 scoring guy but Strome could turn out to be a huge steal. Small sample size from him so far but everything points to him being amazing. Plus Debrincat playing with strome might spark them both. Will miss Schmaltzy a lot tho, that one definitely stings...

Strome needed a change of scenery, and Perlini is an effective 3rd liner. Hawks get some much needed depth, and I think we all know Debrincat Strome Kane is going to be a very hyped line.

Strome on the 2nd line? When has he proved he's a solid 2C? 3C sure, but 2C on a line with Kane and Cat?

Biggest thing holding Strome back is his skating. It may prohibit him from being a top 6 guy, but if that happens he could be a decent bottom 6 option

Skill players need to play with skill players. Schmaltz can't win a face off, and that pushed him to the wing. Strome is bigger and stronger. I can see that being a line all day long.

I’m not crazy.

Domi has benefited from leaving Arizona, I wouldn't be surprised if Strome broke out too. The talents there

Only time will tell, but I think Chicago won this one

That's exactly what I was thinking too. How does Strome keep up with Kane and Debrincat? Two of the better skaters in the league. I see Strome slotting in the 3rd line. But the Hawks also have Highmore impressing in the AHL at Center.

It's his skating though....how does Strome keep up the pace of Kane and Debrincat?

You better come up with something good before the season is over. Think hard about Manning. Your job is on the clock.

If Chicago can get Strome humming, then this could be the steal of the century, but right now it's looking like another L from Bowman. Way too soon to call this one.

How did Anisimov keep pace with Kane and Panarin? Same question if you think about it, he's a pretty poor skater as well.

Fair point.

However, as we all know Kane is exceptional and has made everyone he has played with better. Maybe if Strome plays with him he takes off

Yeah I agree that could happen. Wondering if they will put Perlini on the wing with Kane and Strome in the Center.

From what I have seen Perlini has the potential to be a perennial 20 goal man, I think the fit with Kane would be ideal

Skill players make people with them better.

Yeah, if those people know how to get to the dirty areas. Which Schmaltz did not.

Losing Schmaltz stings, but he couldn’t play center. Strome played on a line with DeBrincat in the juniors on the Erie Otters. They were electric even without McDavid. Add that with Kane and you’ve got a pretty good line. Now Strome will have to prove that he can skate well enough, but if he re-finds his chemistry with DeBrincat he’ll wining the second line role easily. Perlini will be a serviceable third line LW that can score decently well. I actually like this deal for Chicago over Arizona. It is pretty high risk, though.

I agree with your points and the biggest two concerns I had was Schmaltz was one of the best defensive forwards in the league ranking #3 last year in TA/GA percentage (little know fact). The other big concern as you mentioned, can Strome skate well enough to keep up with Kane and Debrincat?

They said the same thing about Filip Forsberg and look what happened to him. While Strome will never be a prolific skater, but he can adapt much like Tavares and Forsberg have. He just needs the right coaching/training