You're right, so long as the additions aren't "lavender sniffers"!
- paulr

You really are enjoying that aren't you?

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
- TheTrob

Don't you just love teams like Buffalo, Edmonton, Florida, Arizona and Jersey. As a fan why would anybody want to go watch other than to see the opposition team come into town.

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

As others have described, Barratt has been fine despite an injury and suspension. While I wouldn't mind if he left Penn State soon to start his pro career, I wouldn't mind either if he stayed in college another year. Even if he did leave the NCAA, like Entwistle, he should play 1-2 years in the AHL first.

Are there any prospects in the system who can be like Saad and Shaw who spent little to no time in the minors? Sure, but for long-term growth of the prospects and the team, it's best they develop at an appropriate pace.

But if a prospect is lights out in camp and is not a liability on defense, then by all means try to find a way to get him a spot on the roster.

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
- nickmo2699

Thanks for the Oates interview. Seems like a great guy to learn from.

Don't you just love teams like Buffalo, Edmonton, Florida, Arizona and Jersey. As a fan why would anybody want to go watch other than to see the opposition team come into town.
- RickJ

Don't forget, Dale is a genius who built the Cup winners, he has done real well in Fla..........NOT.

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

You know he is on the ice cause you are picking the puck out of your net. He isn't very good. You would hate him if you had to watch him every game. He struggles with outlets. Is prone to some incredible brain farts. Doesn't play zone entries well.

Almost half of his points are on the PP. He gets caved in when he is on the ice. You can say he is on a bad team but his CoRRel% indicates his team is better when he isn't on the ice.

I am not sure I would trade AA for him, tbh. JMO

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

Yikes -42! Plus/minus is a useful stat when used in context of the role the player plays relative to his team mates. The next worst plus/minus player on Buffalo is forward Tage Thompson at -21. The next worst d-man is Marco Scandella at -13. Granted, Risto plays over 7 minutes more per game than Scandella - but still ... -42.

Don't you just love teams like Buffalo, Edmonton, Florida, Arizona and Jersey. As a fan why would anybody want to go watch other than to see the opposition team come into town.
- RickJ

Murray screwed Buff by rushing a re-build. I think Botterill has them heading in the right direction but he has to clean up some of the mess left behind.

Yikes -42! Plus/minus is a useful stat when used in context of the role the player plays relative to his team mates. The next worst plus/minus player on Buffalo is forward Tage Thompson at -21. The next worst d-man is Marco Scandella at -13. Granted, Risto plays over 7 minutes more per game than Scandella - but still ... -42.
- EbonyRaptor

-190 for his career. So its not an aberration.

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

Nothing. They aren't trading him. Or at least they would be crazy to trade him.

Nothing. They aren't trading him. Or at least they would be crazy to trade him.
- Elbows15

The Flyers have quite a few good young defenseman (Gothespere, Provinov, Morin, Hagg) was just spitballing that one of them could be on the market.

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.”
- scottak

Very nice report on Krys. Thank you for sharing. Enjoyed reading it.

I really like that analogy of certain shooters having shot selectivity like a pitcher with pitches. Same could be said about passing and the way the article described how Krys and Gustafsson are strategic with their passes to ensure the receiver can accept it smoothly.

The Flyers have quite a few good young defenseman (Gothespere, Provinov, Morin, Hagg) was just spitballing that one of them could be on the market.
- LAHawk

If any of the Flyer defensemen are available, I'd pursue Provorov or Hagg.

Murray screwed Buff by rushing a re-build. I think Botterill has them heading in the right direction but he has to clean up some of the mess left behind.
- Elbows15

Botterill can start with offloading guys like Okposo, Bogosian, Pominville, Hunwick, Sobotka etc but that isnt going to be easy considering the salaries. And he better find himself a #1 goalie because Carter Hutton isn't it.

If any of the Flyer defensemen are available, I'd pursue Provorov or Hagg.
- AEL_Fox

Hagg might be had. No way they trade Provorov. He's their franchise Dman

The Flyers have quite a few good young defenseman (Gothespere, Provinov, Morin, Hagg) was just spitballing that one of them could be on the market.
- LAHawk

The Flyers are most likely not going to deal Provorov or Sanheim. From more recent readings, it seems like they have soured some on Gostisbehere for many of the same reasons that people complain about Gustafsson. Lets also not overlook that Gostisbehere is signed for another 4 years at $4.5mil.

Hagg might be had. No way they trade Provorov. He's their franchise Dman
- GPHawksfan

No doubt Provorov is a pipe dream so it would cost too much to get him which assumes the Flyers are even open to trading him.

Hagg is a gritty defender who can munch minutes, play reliable defense, and kill penalties. I believe he's also top 10 in hits in the league. He makes a little over $1M for one more season after this one before being an RFA.

No doubt Provorov is a pipe dream so it would cost too much to get him which assumes the Flyers are even open to trading him.

Hagg is a gritty defender who can munch minutes, play reliable defense, and kill penalties. I believe he's also top 10 in hits in the league.
- AEL_Fox

He's more of what the hawks need with all these small puck movers in the system or about to be. Imo

You know he is on the ice cause you are picking the puck out of your net. He isn't very good. You would hate him if you had to watch him every game. He struggles with outlets. Is prone to some incredible brain farts. Doesn't play zone entries well.

Almost half of his points are on the PP. He gets caved in when he is on the ice. You can say he is on a bad team but his CoRRel% indicates his team is better when he isn't on the ice.

I am not sure I would trade AA for him, tbh. JMO
- Elbows15

Definitely don't watch Buffalo nightly, but +/- is a flawed stat. Certainly he was rushed to the NHL too soon, but that is because he is a large man with a lot of talent. I think if you pair him with Keith or Joki, he is at worst an even player in Chicago. Connor Murphy was terrible in Arizona, and has shown improvement from his age 24 season to his age 25 season this year. Ristolainen has much more talent, is bigger, and meaner than Murphy. If you can buy low on Rasmus Ristolainen, I think its a high reward reclamation project move similar to the Strome trade. He bullies Hawks forwards every time they play Chicago. Far from a perfect Top Pair defender, but we all know if he was perfect, he wouldn't be available via trade. Who have his defensive partners been? What is their overall team +/- since he was drafted by Buffalo?? These are all factors in assessing him as a player. He's 24, his best hockey is ahead of him.

they are in the red zone but hey its been a helluva ride

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.
- Elbows15

I didn't say the Hawk organization, meant he was being highly
touted everywhere and after the WJC, that seemed to fall off.

Yes I noticed right after that you mentioned it, thanks.

Definitely don't watch Buffalo nightly, but +/- is a flawed stat. Certainly he was rushed to the NHL too soon, but that is because he is a large man with a lot of talent. I think if you pair him with Keith or Joki, he is at worst an even player in Chicago. Connor Murphy was terrible in Arizona, and has shown improvement from his age 24 season to his age 25 season this year. Ristolainen has much more talent, is bigger, and meaner than Murphy. If you can buy low on Rasmus Ristolainen, I think its a high reward reclamation project move similar to the Strome trade. He bullies Hawks forwards every time they play Chicago. Far from a perfect Top Pair defender, but we all know if he was perfect, he wouldn't be available via trade. Who have his defensive partners been? What is their overall team +/- since he was drafted by Buffalo?? These are all factors in assessing him as a player. He's 24, his best hockey is ahead of him.
- EnzoD

Look at any metric you want. He is bad at all of them. He is what he will always be.
Reclamation project have a better chance with a strong base behind the obvious numbers. Risto's are terrible. It doesn't matter who he has played with. They all were better away from him than with him except for maybe one or two guys.

He is not good.

I didn't say the Hawk organization, meant he was being highly
touted everywhere and after the WJC, that seemed to fall off.

Yes I noticed right after that you mentioned it, thanks.
- gazza53

I think most fans still think highly of him. He was 1st team All Big-Ten. nominated as a finalist for the Hobey Baker. Didn't make the final cut. Prospects tend to become flavor of the months for us fans. So a barge of salt is always to be taken in that respect.

I watched most of the WJC and there was a point where he was dinged in the leg area. I noticed his play seemed different afterwards. Part of me wonders if he was playing through something for a bit afterwards.

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

I'd love to see him paired with Joki on the blue line

Look at any metric you want. He is bad at all of them. He is what he will always be.
Reclamation project have a better chance with a strong base behind the obvious numbers. Risto's are terrible. It doesn't matter who he has played with. They all were better away from him than with him except for maybe one or two guys.

He is not good.
- Elbows15

Buy-low baby!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJdTf3abCPQ