IIRC, the Blackhawks employ a sports psychologist to help players with the mental side of playing and maybe even the tough balance between being a pro athlete and a human being who has baggage away from the rink.
- AEL_Fox

Makes sense. And that's the stuff Joe Average Fan doesn't know anything about.

Good stuff.

Your Pokémon gif ... woof! Leave predicting to professionals.
- I Am The Breadman

It was a blushing gif ya goof. Picked especially for your wet behind the ear's ass.

Agreed. They moved to the two referee system because there is so much going on. I can accept that calls can get missed — it is a very fast and fluid game. What I don’t like is the apparent inconsistency on the calls from game to game or even within a game given the situation. I don’t agree with the philosophy that the refs don’t want to interfere with the game — failing to make the right calls is interfering with the game.
- Spec41971

Relatively easy to do when they have one of the top markets in the league, expanding team revenues, while have controlled expenses due to the salary cap.
- StLBravesFan

Hello, Sage.

They ate a contract or two that they didn't need to, and by all accounts gives the players everything they could want. Several years they spent over their cap hit. It is not easy, imo, to go from really good to 3 Cups in 6 years. Dollar Bill said so himself. It is pretty clear their corporate strategy is to try to win the Cup.

Any news on Evan Barratt, his stock seems to have fallen since the WJC.
- LAHawk

He also missed some time with an injury the last 2 weeks or so of the season. I don't think his stock has fallen among the Hawks' staff. I think they are going to sit down with him and see what he wants to do. His season just ended on Saturday. The Hawks usually give the kids some time after that happens before meeting with them.

I wouldn't be surprised if he went back to PSU for his junior season. Wouldn't be a setback for him. He will most likely wear a letter next season. May feel he has some unfinished business at PSU.

Relatively easy to do when they have one of the top markets in the league, expanding team revenues, while have controlled expenses due to the salary cap.
- StLBravesFan

Spill. What did the Wirtz family do to you?

FWIW, Entwistle earned defensive forward of the year in the OHL western conference.

Anything is possible but I would also prefer he play at least a full season in Rockford first, if not two seasons. Same for Barratt if he leaves the NCAA. It is exciting, though, to wonder who the dark horses will be in camp.
- AEL_Fox

for a change there seems to be actual dark horses
unlike the near past. Entwhistle is my dark horse
for sure.

Barratt seems to have fallen from the heavens, wonder
if he's been injured, or just back down to earth?

Hello, Sage.

They ate a contract or two that they didn't need to, and by all accounts gives the players everything they could want. Several years they spent over their cap hit. It is not easy, imo, to go from really good to 3 Cups in 6 years. Dollar Bill said so himself. It is pretty clear their corporate strategy is to try to win the Cup.
- mohel

Dollar Bill also said winning Cups cost too much money. He was content to be a PO team to rake in the cash on those tickets.

His major issues are being pushed off puck and his defense. He has worked hard to improve. AEL_FoX is on top of his improvement. He is a great puck carrier but wiz told me he has to be careful not to get picked because he thinks he is so good at it. Yes a speed guy. Hiw good a distributor and the rest of his offensive game- I cannot say i know for sure ...someone else can answer. I concur with AEL_FOX that he looks like he might be a future third pair guy. Most likely a season in Rockford. There he will show us whether he can advance.
- jhawk59

On the bolded part, I have observed and read the same thing about Krys. If he can be humble and aware, it will help him play within his means and not think he's an elite puck-moving defenseman. I'd much rather he be a solid 3rd pair defender who can log minutes, play smart, and be dependable in all zones.

Same goes for Carlsson and any other D prospect where offensive dynamism isn't his calling card for the NHL.

He also missed some time with an injury the last 2 weeks or so of the season. I don't think his stock has fallen among the Hawks' staff. I think they are going to sit down with him and see what he wants to do. His season just ended on Saturday. The Hawks usually give the kids some time after that happens before meeting with them.

I wouldn't be surprised if he went back to PSU for his junior season. Wouldn't be a setback for him. He will most likely wear a letter next season. May feel he has some unfinished business at PSU.
- Elbows15

I heard on NHL radio that Buffalo will take on salary for a #1 pick, would Buffalo do AA, our #1 for Roustalainen?

for a change there seems to be actual dark horses
unlike the near past. Entwhistle is my dark horse
for sure.

Barratt seems to have fallen from the heavens, wonder
if he's been injured, or just back down to earth?
- gazza53

Where has anyone seen that Barratt has fallen out of favor with the Hawks organization? I mean other than some opinions of message board?

I mentioned he missed most of the last month of his season with an injury. I don't know for sure but it looked like he was injured at the WJC and played through it.

Seabrook did spend the summer with Goodman...via cell phone.

All kidding aside, similar to paulr's post, it's a player's decision to work out wherever he wants. However, I would think that regardless of location, the team can still help players set up and manage their workouts. Possibly even demand certain elements be part of their routines.

One other factor as far as Toews vs. Seabrook's workouts is that Toews has no kids while Seabrook has 3. Spending all of his summer in Chicago away from his family after an NHL season of constant travel may not be something he or his wife want.
- AEL_Fox

Agree completely on the family issues. It is a long season. Were I Seabs, though, I would try to find a way to do something along these lines so things don't get ugly near the end of the deal. But I understand if he doesn't.

Hello, Sage.

They ate a contract or two that they didn't need to, and by all accounts gives the players everything they could want. Several years they spent over their cap hit. It is not easy, imo, to go from really good to 3 Cups in 6 years. Dollar Bill said so himself. It is pretty clear their corporate strategy is to try to win the Cup.
- mohel

I have no problem with the Wirtz organization since the old man died (alef ha-shalom, I guess) - or with McD as running the business side of the Company.

I also guess (but only guess - no sources, no inside knowledge) that his supposed interference with the on-ice product is very much exaggerated. Anyone who expects that the business side won't take an interest in the hockey decisions - and have more or less of an influence - is not recognizing the realities of billion dollar industries.

I just put my 2 cents worth into recognizing that it's easy to appear to be less interested in the money side when the money keeps rolling in. They probably are spending more than the cap every year on players because of the front loaded contracts, buyouts, etc. Being in one of the two or three top US markets helps.

But I also wouldn't be surprised if - quietly and behind the scenes - they weren't one of the more militant ownership groups in the league during CBA negotiations.

I'm good, Mo - and good with the season they just had, given the rebuilding / retooling mode that they are in. I think we've seen more positive developments than I would have thought last summer and through the fall.

I heard on NHL radio that Buffalo will take on salary for a #1 pick, would Buffalo do AA, our #1 for Roustalainen?
- LAHawk

They would. I wouldn't. Risto isn't very good. Murphy is far better defensively and Risto gets a lot of his point production from the PP.

Cool, didn't know that Toews also worked with Oates and another skills coach last summer.

So when is Oates joining the Hawks coaching staff?
- AEL_Fox

Take a listen to his Spittin Chiclets interview. It was fantastic. He got the inspiration from watching the NBA Finals and hearing about Lebron James Skills Coach. Really fascinating approach to the game and how he works with different guys.

https://player.fm/series/...-115-featuring-adam-oates

Dollar Bill also said winning Cups cost too much money. He was content to be a PO team to rake in the cash on those tickets.
- Elbows15

Your reading comprehension skills are intact.

Spill. What did the Wirtz family do to you?
- Elbows15

Nothing - see my next post.

I read The Breakaway - by Bryan Smith - excellent (if a bit depressing, because of the family drama) reading - I recommend it. The only problem with it is the Smith couldn't get interviews with Rocky's siblings, especially Peter. I would have liked to hear Peter's side of it.

They would. I wouldn't. Risto isn't very good. Murphy is far better defensively and Risto gets a lot of his point production from the PP.
- Elbows15

.

So hype better than reality I see. Rarely get to see Buffalo play, I wouldn't mind getting Brandon Montour, but he is not worth a #1 and AA.

They would. I wouldn't. Risto isn't very good. Murphy is far better defensively and Risto gets a lot of his point production from the PP.
- Elbows15

And Risto is currently at a smooth -42 so far this season. Even Gus would have trouble matching that.

And Risto is currently at a smooth -42 so far this season. Even Gus would have trouble matching that.
- RickJ

Got it, just looking to see where we can pick up a top 4 (guess Risto is not) defenseman in a deal that makes sense.

Got it, just looking to see where we can pick up a top 4 (guess Risto is not) defenseman in a deal that makes sense.
- LAHawk

Ristolainek is a top 4 on almost every NHL team. Hes only 24 and has been Buffalo’s #1 Dman since he was an 18 yr old. He is also a mean mother(frank)er and does not let you have a picnic in front of his net like most Hawks Dmen. You know when Ristolainek is on the ice. Would love him in Chicago...but not for our Top 10 pick.

Got it, just looking to see where we can pick up a top 4 (guess Risto is not) defenseman in a deal that makes sense.
- LAHawk

The Sabres really stink. Since that 10 game win streak they had in November ended, the only team with a worse record is Ottawa. Fans are PO'd, GM is PO'd. Have missed the playoffs 7 years in a row.

Ristolainek is a top 4 on almost every NHL team. Hes only 24 and has been Buffalo’s #1 Dman since he was an 18 yr old. He is also a mean mother(frank)er and does not let you have a picnic in front of his net like most Hawks Dmen. You know when Ristolainek is on the ice. Would love him in Chicago...but not for our Top 10 pick.
- EnzoD

Would love Travis Sandheim from Philly, wonder what they would want?

From Powers today after the Krys signing.

Peter Russo trains Krys on the ice during the offseasons. He also believes Krys’ potential is greater at the next level.

“Chad has similar traits to Erik Gustafsson,” said Russo, who runs PRS Hockey. “Similar frame and similar length, where their range and ability to use their stick and upper body fluidly makes them appear longer than they are. Chad is a ‘98, Gustafsson a ‘92. They both are exactly what you want as a pro team. Can gather pucks in all areas quickly while keeping clean vision of the ice. They can protect pucks, pop pucks and both throw a good first pass. When you catch a pass from Chad, it feels easy to handle as the receiver on first touch. I’d imagine Gustafsson gets similar reviews from teammates, especially on the power play. He knows how much spin or touch to put on or take off a pass. Both can be used in different ways on the power play. Either unit, multiple set ups, can be shooters or distributors. Both shoot with a purpose and have multiple releases and angles, making them more of a pitcher than a shooter.

“Chad does a fantastic job understanding when to pop into the rush at the right time. When to shrink the zone. When to dive into pockets when a forward climbs the wall. When to jump the wall as weakside D on a shot missing wide.

“I’m excited for Chad, I think he’s one of a few D-men in NCAA that will actually be better pros than college players. And once he gets to the pro level, he’ll get the proper coaching in terms of net front details, D-zone coverage, etc., etc. In college, you’ll watch games and he’s sort of left on an island in dangerous areas of the ice because there isn’t the same support in NCAA as you see in pro game. What he does well, translates and can be cultivated further. And the areas he needs to build up are very coachable, and Chad is a bright kid who understands and adapts quickly.”

The Sabres really stink. Since that 10 game win streak they had in November ended, the only team with a worse record is Ottawa. Fans are PO'd, GM is PO'd. Have missed the playoffs 7 years in a row.
- RickJ

Yeah, but the Hawks should definitely Tank because the process has worked so well for the Buffalos and Edmontons of the league. Keep adding those high picks...........smh