Kurashev had a decent debut. Played sound fundamental hockey. Not flashy but no mistakes either. Although he played somewhat conservatively, the few times he did touch the puck he did show glimpses of being able to provide top 6 offense.

One thing I did appreciate about Kurashev was his ability to cover defensively when his teammates, especially his defensemen, were pulled out of their primary areas of coverage protecting the crease and other danger areas.

Btw, the Hawks showed a lot of class tonight (and this entire season) regarding Kunitz. From the ceremony for his 1000th game, to giving him the start in their last home game. The way the team celebrated after his goal. Giving him 2nd star, and the postgame interview. That is why players want to come here. The Hawks are just a great organization.

It just seems like yesterday that the Hocks were good enough to get into the Playoffs and get Swept. I chit team for Chitown. Glad you are all so positive about missing out again.

Btw, the Hawks showed a lot of class tonight (and this entire season) regarding Kunitz. From the ceremony for his 1000th game, to giving him the start in their last home game. The way the team celebrated after his goal. Giving him 2nd star, and the postgame interview. That is why players want to come here. The Hawks are just a great organization.
- tvetter

I second this!

It just seems like yesterday that the Hocks were good enough to get into the Playoffs and get Swept. I chit team for Chitown. Glad you are all so positive about missing out again.
- VopatsRash

That's ok. When you win 3 cups in 6 years, players are gonna get paid. In this hard cap world, a retool is necessary.
Remind me...how many cups does Nashville have?

Kurashev had a decent debut. Played sound fundamental hockey. Not flashy but no mistakes either. Although he played somewhat conservatively, the few times he did touch the puck he did show glimpses of being able to provide top 6 offense.

One thing I did appreciate about Kurashev was his ability to cover defensively when his teammates, especially his defensemen, were pulled out of their primary areas of coverage protecting the crease and other danger areas.
- AEL_Fox

He has a lot of Danault to his game.

That's ok. When you win 3 cups in 6 years, players are gonna get paid. In this hard cap world, a retool is necessary.
Remind me...how many cups does Nashville have?
- tvetter

Trolls. Try to maintain board discipline.

Strongest rumor right now seems to be Kevin Hayes coming to Chicago.
- pdx2ord

That kind of rumor is 4 days late.

Not that it should be the deciding factor, but I think his ELC can slide another year if he stays in London.
- mohel

Ah - good point. That's probably more important than getting him a cup of coffee or two.

Kane x 2
Kahun
Kunitz
Koekkoek
Where was Keith's goal tonight?
- tvetter

Kane Klepto'd it.

He has a lot of Danault to his game.
- Elbows15

Be still my heart.

He has a lot of Danault to his game.
- Elbows15

Kurashev also isn't contact averse and did well in board battles. May not necessarily win all of them but engaged and at least tied up the puck and his man so teammates could help out.

One thing on the plus side of having him play in Rockford would be he can be brought up to get a taste of the NHL during the season and sent back down which can't be done mid-season if he's playing in the OHL (other than at the beginning of the season and then he goes down to JRs and stays there the rest of the season). It might be something worthwhile if he's doing well and they want to see how he does against the NHL for a few games. Maybe do it a couple times during the season.
- EbonyRaptor

Recall for a quick cup of coffee ONLY if he has grasped and is making GOOD PROGRESS learning how to play defensively. Getting fundamentals in junior for another season is much better than force feed and teach at Rockford. There are a lot of dmen prospects in our system ahead of Boqvist from a defensive point - of - view. No need to rush him. The sooner he can play well both ways is all about betterment of Boqvist into a top notch dman

Jokiharju has regained the poise and swagger I saw earlier in his tenure with the Hogs. Making smart, simple plays defensively and offensively. Great instincts and compete level. Whatever funk he was in a few games ago is gone.

On the flipside, D partners Hillman and Krys are trying to do too much. They need to simplify and bring it back to the basics. Krys especially is living up to one of the knocks on him in scouting reports and what another poster on these boards talked about, i.e. he thinks he has time to make plays and holds on too long so he gets stripped of the puck easily by the other team.

Strongest rumor right now seems to be Kevin Hayes coming to Chicago.
- pdx2ord

I can only hope. Bury the damn hatchet, both sides! Exactly the type of forward this team needs.

I can only hope. Bury the damn hatchet, both sides! Exactly the type of forward this team needs.
- wonthecup10

Elaborate as to why you think this to be the case?

Hockey break, so ignore me. Jordan Peele's Twilight Zone is really good.

Be still my heart.
- EbonyRaptor

Better offensive upside but not quite the defensive player at this point. IIRC, both are pretty much the same size at this age. I seem to recall reading one of the negatives about Kurashev was his effort level wasn't consistent. I watched him a few times over the course of this season and never saw it. Could be the kid is just maturing.

Danault always had that high motor. I saw that with Kurashev this season.

Better offensive upside but not quite the defensive player at this point. IIRC, both are pretty much the same size at this age. I seem to recall reading one of the negatives about Kurashev was his effort level wasn't consistent. I watched him a few times over the course of this season and never saw it. Could be the kid is just maturing.

Danault always had that high motor. I saw that with Kurashev this season.
- Elbows15

I remember reading that criticism about Kurashev, too, and haven't seen it at least this past year either. Getting drafted and having a pretty decent training camp last September could have been a good kick in the pants to help set him straight with not only knowing what it takes to play at the pro level but also realizing he needs to work on his weaknesses if he wants to make it.

Better offensive upside but not quite the defensive player at this point. IIRC, both are pretty much the same size at this age. I seem to recall reading one of the negatives about Kurashev was his effort level wasn't consistent. I watched him a few times over the course of this season and never saw it. Could be the kid is just maturing.

Danault always had that high motor. I saw that with Kurashev this season.
- Elbows15

I saw the Swiss play 2 or 3 times in the WJC and Kurashev looked to be giving max effort at all times - same as when he was in TC. Here again is the hope to have a top flight coaching staff in Rockford next season so a guy like Kurashev can be helped to mature his game. Entwistle too - two guys that have a chance if they develop well.

Steve Dahl always used to rave about it on his show.
- HawkintheD

Dahl?! that clown only ever 'raved' about stuff that he got given free. I remember listening to the Loop daily in the late 80's ... the work truck only had AM --- lots of Brandmeier (ugh), Kevin Mathews (I'm still twisted by this ... but it was ok), and Dahl/Meier ...

Not many Australians are going to talk that stuff...

Almost at 1000 posts again. One more good food side conversation ought to do it.

Almost at 1000 posts again. One more good food side conversation ought to do it.
- I Am The Breadman

Food or single bearded "ladies" from Missouri. 😘

Food or single bearded "ladies" from Missouri. 😘
- paulr

You used "o" too frequently in your post. That's not an American trait.

Dahl?! that clown only ever 'raved' about stuff that he got given free. I remember listening to the Loop daily in the late 80's ... the work truck only had AM --- lots of Brandmeier (ugh), Kevin Mathews (I'm still twisted by this ... but it was ok), and Dahl/Meier ...

Not many Australians are going to talk that stuff...
- SC116

That's pretty true, he was a shameless mooch, always schilling for free stuff. Dell Rhea's was different though I think in that he lived close. Maybe they were giving him free bird I don't know.

I've never been but other people have told me how good it is.

Kevin Matthews was fun til they made the mistake of moving him to mornings and either he felt he needed to change his show or the station asked him to.