Dach isn't making the team beyond a 9 game tryout is my best estimate. Why would they pick up Smith, plus already signed Kampf and Carpenter? As shown here, you have 3 centers playing the 4th line...not happening.

I think that 4th line actually makes a lot of sense. They're all versatile guys that can take face-offs, I don't mind it too much if they can play a shutdown role well. Dach is a wild card, but Shaw is good 3C insurance if need be. Saarela and Kurashev may get a chance as a 3C at some point. The hawks have tons of options in the bottom 6, but not too many in the top 6.

DACH and or NYLANDER both will get a shot to make the top six . I can see Dach getting a shot on the JT left wing on the first line with KANE at rw . And Nylander will get a shot at 2nd line RW . Having three centers on the fourth line does not matter just makes the line more versatile

That's not happening. A line of Cat - Strome - Nylander would be incredible soft and the Hawks defense would get killed. You have to have a 2 way player or at least someone that gets back in our own zone, that's why Shaw makes a lot of sense on the 2nd line or Saad.

Dach is not playing winger. With the moves the Hawks have made, it is pretty clear he isn't playing much this year beyond 9 games if that. He would have to put together one hell of a camp to crack the lineup and if he does, it will be at center. Dach has average speed in the juniors, in the NHL that is below average...not exactly first line material.

All these moves for guys that can play the C are not because the Hawks anticipate Dach playing. Furthermore, the Hawks are really high on Kampf so pretty sure he's going to see the 3C this season.

I'm not sure Kampf sees 3C, I personally think he can handle it, but I think they're going to use the first 10-15 games of the year to see who can stick. Similar to what they did with Fortin last season.

The comments from Bowman and Coach C suggest they are high on Kampf. Either Smith or Kampf gets the 3C job. Dach plays a couple games maybe and then bumped down to the juniors.

You say Cat - Strome - Nylander isn’t going to be a thing because it’s “too soft”, but look at who they played with last year. Colliton had them playing almost exclusively with either Kahun or Perlini, two guys that are nowhere near good at defending. What they want on that line is speed and playmaking ability, and if the defense is lacking, so be it. I’m not saying the solution is Nylander, but I don’t think a guy like Shaw would be able to keep up with those two.

Strome isn't exactly the fastest in the world, but I like the idea of saad on their line a lot. They need someone to shield debrincat's height and strome's lack of speed and he would be great, but I also have a sneaking suspicion that Toews is going to play with saad and shaw, and Kane might be thrown with debrincat and strome.

I think it's an ideal situation if he does make it because none of the hawks centers fit that 3C unless you throw shaw there.

Shaw isn't slow. Kahun was also one of the better two way players next to Toews and Saad.