That was the worst period of the tournament - SHEESH!

Game-1 Ejdsell is back. Fumbling the puck on his stick when the defender is closing in on him. Pretty much the whole team is out of sync. Wonder why Entwistle and Kurashev sit and Bondra and Boomhower are suited up. I would have though they've seen enough of Bondra to know he'll be lucky to make the Rockford team and Boomhower is a beer league guy ... but whatever.

That was the worst period of the tournament - SHEESH!

Game-1 Ejdsell is back. Fumbling the puck on his stick when the defender is closing in on him. Pretty much the whole team is out of sync. Wonder why Entwistle and Kurashev sit and Bondra and Boomhower are suited up. I would have though they've seen enough of Bondra to know he'll be lucky to make the Rockford team and Boomhower is a beer league guy ... but whatever.
- EbonyRaptor

They're just rotating them all. Bad game for the prospects, though some of that is in net. At least 3 of those goals should not have gone in but the others are on the team in front. I kind of feel bad for the defenders cause it seems a bit more on the forwards.

They're just rotating them all. Bad game for the prospects, though some of that is in net. At least 3 of those goals should not have gone in but the others are on the team in front. I kind of feel bad for the defenders cause it seems a bit more on the forwards.
- L_B_R

Seems like a familiar theme.

That was the worst period of the tournament - SHEESH!

Game-1 Ejdsell is back. Fumbling the puck on his stick when the defender is closing in on him. Pretty much the whole team is out of sync. Wonder why Entwistle and Kurashev sit and Bondra and Boomhower are suited up. I would have though they've seen enough of Bondra to know he'll be lucky to make the Rockford team and Boomhower is a beer league guy ... but whatever.
- EbonyRaptor

Kurashev is playing.

There are few things these types of tournaments provide the definitive assessment of a player but poor skating, poor puck handling and poor decision making are pretty easily seen over 3 or 4 games. There's a lot of that going on with the Hawks prospects.

I've been very high and outspoken on Fortin but he's showing he falls into the bad decision making category. Quite a few times over the first 3+ games he gets up a head of steam and attempts to carry it through a group of defenders only to lose the puck. It's one thing to try to split the defense every now and then but it's looking more and more like he does it because he doesn't know what else to do. He wants to use his great speed but he can't discern when it's the right play to go balls out and when it's the right play to try to keep possession by doing something else. He's got wheels and skills but the hockey IQ ... maybe not.

Kurashev is playing.
- Elbows15

Yep - I think it's Noel that's not playing.

They're just rotating them all. Bad game for the prospects, though some of that is in net. At least 3 of those goals should not have gone in but the others are on the team in front. I kind of feel bad for the defenders cause it seems a bit more on the forwards.
- L_B_R

A bit. The D-men have been sloppy with the puck. Gilbert needs to get cured of the habit of trying to make the risky play under pressure. He has done it a few times tonight,

There are few things these types of tournaments provide the definitive assessment of a player but poor skating, poor puck handling and poor decision making are pretty easily seen over 3 or 4 games. There's a lot of that going on with the Hawks prospects.

I've been very high and outspoken on Fortin but he's showing he falls into the bad decision making category. Quite a few times over the first 3+ games he gets up a head of steam and attempts to carry it through a group of defenders only to lose the puck. It's one thing to try to split the defense every now and then but it's looking more and more like he does it because he doesn't know what else to do. He wants to use his great speed but he can't discern when it's the right play to go balls out and when it's the right play to try to keep possession by doing something else. He's got wheels and skills but the hockey IQ ... maybe not.
- EbonyRaptor

Hard to judge in a tourney like this. I view more as a case of trying to do too much to make an impression. Especially after missing a lot of time last season.

Hard to judge in a tourney like this. I view more as a case of trying to do too much to make an impression. Especially after missing a lot of time last season.
- Elbows15

I hope you're right. Hopefully Fortin can stay healthy and get an opportunity in training camp and preseason.

https://thehockeynews.com...the-best-of-traverse-city

Chicago

Dylan Sikura: Just an awesome puckhandler. Led a ton of rushes thanks to his speed and you can tell the Northeastern University alum is ready to contribute at the NHL level. Given where the Blackhawks’ depth chart is right now, he should get that chance.

Adam Boqvist: Gets the rush going fast. Still working on battle results, but that will come with time as he gets bigger and stronger. Learning the North American game with OHL London will help, too. Very quick shot. Played on a great pairing with fellow 2018 first-rounder Nicolas Beaudin, giving off a Drew Doughty-Jake Muzzin vibe, since both can rush the puck.

Henri Jokiharju: Great escapability when he’s breaking the puck out of the zone. The 2017 first-rounder is another mobile blueliner who handles the puck and can run the point on the power play. Jokiharju will return to the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks this season.

Graham Knott: Continues to impress with his growth as a player. Wore the ‘C’ and was very involved in the play. Knott had a rough go in his first pro season with AHL Rockford, so hopefully he can build off this.

Dominik Kahun: Plays at a high pace and has a hard, quick shot. Kahun has been playing in Germany for the past few seasons after spending time in the OHL with Sudbury. Already 23, he’ll get a shot at the Hawks this fall.

Nicolas Beaudin: Very smart; disrupts the opposition by stepping up and taking away time and space. Handles the puck well and will be part of a very strong Drummondville team in the QMJHL this season.

Alexandre Fortin: Elusive, quick hands, drew two penalties on breakaways in the first two games. Tenacious player who almost made Chicago a couple years ago, Fortin will look to build off his first pro season with AHL Rockford, which didn’t feature a ton of offense.

Philipp Kurashev: Looked a lot more engaged away from the puck and even killed penalties. Engagement was one of the knocks on him in his draft year, but Traverse City coach Jeremy Colliton didn’t know that, so he sent the Quebec Remparts forward out and got rewarded for it.

Dennis Gilbert: Smooth skater and he hits hard. Got a couple penalties early, so he’ll have to learn how to walk the line, but the Notre Dame Fighting Irish alum will get a chance to do that with AHL Rockford this season.

I hope you're right. Hopefully Fortin can stay healthy and get an opportunity in training camp and preseason.
- EbonyRaptor

If Fortin has bad habits or big headedness - which nearly all skill players fresh from junior typically display, then he will get the message on his own or from Colliton.

Top offensive NHL rookies are said to "get it" or figure out how to play at this level usually part way through their freshman campaign. It is akin to a light bulb going off in their mind.

The players simply must play and learn through experience. However, I believe both Kane and Toews had Sharp help them understand the way things work how you play in the NHL. Sharp's influence may have been in other ways off ice as well. Many on the board are well versed on the historionics and might like to recall old days.

Anyway new openings beckon for new Blackhawks and I am sure one scenario Bowman would like to see evolve is when a prospect forces his way onto the roster by adapting quickly and showing great skill along with maturity.

It is a win win situation to develop as far as the defensemen whom are going to eventually hold the jobs here. It is a boost to see one of them gain experience now instead of two or more being real close at the same time (say even next season).

How a rookie is employed is interesting because Keith probably is still very good, still among the better skating dmen but he won't be so good that much longer. Which is why Jokiharju escapability gets my attention.

It would be fair to take the attitude of giving #2, #7 & 19 about 20 gp before we rush to judgment. Perhaps Seabrook is in a tad better shape?

Jokiharju and Carlson is my guess as to the best rookie "D" in camp. Matson should return for another collegiate season and there is no need to rush Hillman or Gilbert. Carlson bring a right hand dman may swing things in his favor?

Let's keep everything in perspective though.How might BOTH Q and Samuelson screw the development of a young player. Forsling knows a bit about that.

I was impressed by the skating ability and play of Knott in today’s game. Big body that looked smooth in his skating and plays with the puck. Wasn’t Knott drafted as a winger? He won some draws today....

I was impressed by the skating ability and play of Knott in today’s game. Big body that looked smooth in his skating and plays with the puck. Wasn’t Knott drafted as a winger? He won some draws today....
- EnzoD

That’s good to hear. Knott had a rough season last year, it would be nice to see him bounce bad with a solid campaign for the Hogs.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/article/prospect-need-to-know-the-best-of-traverse-city

Chicago

Dylan Sikura: Just an awesome puckhandler. Led a ton of rushes thanks to his speed and you can tell the Northeastern University alum is ready to contribute at the NHL level. Given where the Blackhawks’ depth chart is right now, he should get that chance.

Adam Boqvist: Gets the rush going fast. Still working on battle results, but that will come with time as he gets bigger and stronger. Learning the North American game with OHL London will help, too. Very quick shot. Played on a great pairing with fellow 2018 first-rounder Nicolas Beaudin, giving off a Drew Doughty-Jake Muzzin vibe, since both can rush the puck.

Henri Jokiharju: Great escapability when he’s breaking the puck out of the zone. The 2017 first-rounder is another mobile blueliner who handles the puck and can run the point on the power play. Jokiharju will return to the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks this season.

Graham Knott: Continues to impress with his growth as a player. Wore the ‘C’ and was very involved in the play. Knott had a rough go in his first pro season with AHL Rockford, so hopefully he can build off this.

Dominik Kahun: Plays at a high pace and has a hard, quick shot. Kahun has been playing in Germany for the past few seasons after spending time in the OHL with Sudbury. Already 23, he’ll get a shot at the Hawks this fall.

Nicolas Beaudin: Very smart; disrupts the opposition by stepping up and taking away time and space. Handles the puck well and will be part of a very strong Drummondville team in the QMJHL this season.

Alexandre Fortin: Elusive, quick hands, drew two penalties on breakaways in the first two games. Tenacious player who almost made Chicago a couple years ago, Fortin will look to build off his first pro season with AHL Rockford, which didn’t feature a ton of offense.

Philipp Kurashev: Looked a lot more engaged away from the puck and even killed penalties. Engagement was one of the knocks on him in his draft year, but Traverse City coach Jeremy Colliton didn’t know that, so he sent the Quebec Remparts forward out and got rewarded for it.

Dennis Gilbert: Smooth skater and he hits hard. Got a couple penalties early, so he’ll have to learn how to walk the line, but the Notre Dame Fighting Irish alum will get a chance to do that with AHL Rockford this season.
- gazza53

So according to this writer, Kahun makes the cut (to me mostly because of the blackmail run to Europe contract clause), and Sikura sufficiently impressed to be perceived as ready, but Jokiharju to the W, and rest TBD.

Looks like the empty slot on D is still very much up for grabs, and Murphy is #3 on the depth chart.

Sign one year vets and let these kids develop into more of what they can become. Baptism by fire is not a good strategy.

It will be a miracle if this team exceeds a .350 win pct by New Year’s.

#embracethetank

Wasn’t Knott drafted as a winger? He won some draws today....
- EnzoD

Yes, but he was moved to the middle during his 3rd or 4th year in OHL. If I remember correctly it was due to Blackhawks wishes, but I may be mistaken.

So according to this writer, Kahun makes the cut (to me mostly because of the blackmail run to Europe contract clause), and Sikura sufficiently impressed to be perceived as ready, but Jokiharju to the W, and rest TBD.

Looks like the empty slot on D is still very much up for grabs, and Murphy is #3 on the depth chart.

Sign one year vets and let these kids develop into more of what they can become. Baptism by fire is not a good strategy.

It will be a miracle if this team exceeds a .350 win pct by New Year’s.

#embracethetank
- Return of the Roar

Using your avatar but instead return of the roar, it is more like singing the blues.BTW St Louis Blues look to be slower, tougher. Does this mean a more formidable foe? Yes and no. Tougher to beat for some teams but speed kills. Blues are going to be an interesting team to watch in the playoffs.

There will be a different roar at the United Center. Emanating from the offices of McDonough and Rocky's accountants.

So according to this writer, Kahun makes the cut (to me mostly because of the blackmail run to Europe contract clause), and Sikura sufficiently impressed to be perceived as ready, but Jokiharju to the W, and rest TBD.

Looks like the empty slot on D is still very much up for grabs, and Murphy is #3 on the depth chart.

Sign one year vets and let these kids develop into more of what they can become. Baptism by fire is not a good strategy.

It will be a miracle if this team exceeds a .350 win pct by New Year’s.

#embracethetank
- Return of the Roar

Jokiharju is not going back to Portland. TheHockeyNews is mistaken - probably posted last year's report on him by mistake.

Jokiharju is not going back to Portland. TheHockeyNews is mistaken - probably posted last year's report on him by mistake.
- dahawks8819

Yeah I can't really take anything seriously after reading his take on Henri.

*NEW* blog up: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=94703

So according to this writer, Kahun makes the cut (to me mostly because of the blackmail run to Europe contract clause), and Sikura sufficiently impressed to be perceived as ready, but Jokiharju to the W, and rest TBD.

Looks like the empty slot on D is still very much up for grabs, and Murphy is #3 on the depth chart.

Sign one year vets and let these kids develop into more of what they can become. Baptism by fire is not a good strategy.

It will be a miracle if this team exceeds a .350 win pct by New Year’s.

#embracethetank
- Return of the Roar

If your scenario plays out, any of the core ask for
walking papers?

I think some of the kids will do quite well, but the PP
will be awful and Q will keep on being Q, no rhyme no
reason.