Hey Wiz! I know he is not a traditional "power forward" type, but I really like Reichel's overall game. He's already shown he can play in corners against men, and thinks a fast game. Where do you think he fits in ultimately?
- Chunk

At first my impression of the pick not good. The times I did see him a kid with men he seemed like he was playing all three positions taking initiative, AND was still getting matched physically the other two zones too.
I thought there was maybe a Tuevo comparison (and there still is)...but then I saw this footage that Yannick St. Pierre had not only thrown up, he expertly bro down. (We tried to hire this guy to share the workload at Draftsite.com., but he was doing well in youTube world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM3lD7C7aSc

He is always honest with his perception, and usually sticks to his guns and can back up why thinks what he does in his evals.

When you watch that you see exactly what he first thought and how his critic evolves.

I also thought that as a kid Reichel had a nice feel in the flow of things.
(many scouting reports I read after the draft about him had him as game quiet n to c causing any offense by way of dynamic plays...to me it is always difficult to pull out this individual attributes when you are playing with others and dependent upon that team game beside the fact his games are with older men.

So beyond the kids in his draft year as a processors good on both sides EVENTUALLY, and that, of course, is tied to weight room muscle.

Yannick St. Pierre argues that he thinks like you expect a centre to, and that he is probably a wing, but one whose centre has the luxury of a smart play reading wing to help out on things. (Anybody recently read how now wings have more duties with def. reads and changing assignments?) He a player win understand reads and wins puck everywhere especaoilly down low.
Projects Reichel in2025 to be at his correct physical shape to possibly be and impact guy.

The wall work went unnoticed by me by and large.
He has a down low game, behind the net and the boards, and strength is what takes the superior IQand feel and helps it come together on an NHL ice.

1st pair options: Beaudin, Boqvist, Mitchell

2nd pair options: Carlsson, Kaiser, Kalynuk, Vlasic

3rd pair options: Demin, Galvas, Krys, Phillips, Regula

This doesn't count future draft picks, trades, and free agent signings.

It also doesn't count other D prospects I didn't include above like Ess, Laavainen, Moberg, Krutil, and Crevier.
- Theo Fox

Isaak Phillips

I flew through reading the post these and just sorted stared to disagree with the pair level tiers (typical b.c that is how I work), and I was gonna comment on how the break downs =of 2nd and 3rd options were just were I would have put them, and I so love to argue and disagree, ha!

The real issue is
whether any of the first tier are kids that can pull off first tier acknowledgment across the NHL.
I would love to feel confident that they are what we would lie them do be, but I am not until they develop a whole lot, and this that is why you announce re-build.

Add block shots. Hawks have had plenty that dodge shots and I think this has been a problem.

At first my impression of the pick not good. The times I did see him a kid with men he seemed like he was playing all three positions taking initiative, AND was still getting matched physically the other two zones too.
I thought there was maybe a Tuevo comparison (and there still is)...but then I saw this footage that Yannick St. Pierre had not only thrown up, he expertly bro down. (We tried to hire this guy to share the workload at Draftsite.com., but he was doing well in youTube world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XM3lD7C7aSc

He is always honest with his perception, and usually sticks to his guns and can back up why thinks what he does in his evals.

When you watch that you see exactly what he first thought and how his critic evolves.

I also thought that as a kid Reichel had a nice feel in the flow of things.
(many scouting reports I read after the draft about him had him as game quiet n to c causing any offense by way of dynamic plays...to me it is always difficult to pull out this individual attributes when you are playing with others and dependent upon that team game beside the fact his games are with older men.

So beyond the kids in his draft year as a processors good on both sides EVENTUALLY, and that, of course, is tied to weight room muscle.

Yannick St. Pierre argues that he thinks like you expect a centre to, and that he is probably a wing, but one whose centre has the luxury of a smart play reading wing to help out on things. (Anybody recently read how now wings have more duties with def. reads and changing assignments?) He a player win understand reads and wins puck everywhere especaoilly down low.
Projects Reichel in2025 to be at his correct physical shape to possibly be and impact guy.

The wall work went unnoticed by me by and large.
He has a down low game, behind the net and the boards, and strength is what takes the superior IQand feel and helps it come together on an NHL ice.
- wiz1901

Sweet! Thanks Wiz. The video was cool. I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do when he adds a bit of weight.

Ogi, How are you now?

I have been meaning to specificity this question due to your clear NO RUSSIAN IN THE FIRST ROUND stand.

I was listening to a predator announcer saying the best best part of Askarov WAS that he was that "reverse" right catching goaltender (like Tomáš Vokoun was.)...

His point was NHL attacker nowadays don't even look up as they are assessing where they are going with the puck...if the are accustomed to glove-side high, they are on past experience and almost instinctive muscle and mind memory to continue to shoot there, not thinking the goalie they now face is stick side there.

This pundit said more better favoring Yaroslav Askarov.

I want to know what you think, Ogi? (Everyone else too!)

Maybe I am not in that camp, that NHL shooters know who is the net and adjust,

Also to me, his defenders have to adjust to a difference too.

I speak with the position of really not knowing if being the rare right catching glove goaltender is an advantage of not...I dunno I think not...

Whatya' think?
- wiz1901

I have no idea how much the whole righty vs lefty thing matters. Just happy he’s not in Chicago.

First round Russian = risky
First round Goalie = risky
First round Russian Goalie?

No thanks.

I have no idea how much the whole righty vs lefty thing matters. Just happy he’s not in Chicago.

First round Russian = risky
First round Goalie = risky
First round Russian Goalie?

No thanks.
- Ogilthorpe2

First round Russian goalie in Chicago = surefire disaster!

Add block shots. Hawks have had plenty that dodge shots and I think this has been a problem.
- -Doh-

Good point. Blocking shots is something the Hawks sorely need to improve upon as a team. It's part of the defensive toolkit that all defenders need to have.

Stick checking can only go so far. A well timed shot block is a thing of beauty and so effective.

Of the D prospects, Carlsson does it fairly well. Krys at least attempts to but can always improve.

One would also hope that Vlasic could given his size.

Some of these guys might end up being injury prone as well. I couldn't wait for James Wisniewski to get to the pros. He was described as having all of the offensive abilities and was tough as nails. Both were somewhat true, but he ended up being as fragile as they come. So it's good that they have stockpiled a bunch of young defensemen and aren't just assuming Boqvist or Mitchell are the next Keith.

Some of these guys might end up being injury prone as well. I couldn't wait for James Wisniewski to get to the pros. He was described as having all of the offensive abilities and was tough as nails. Both were somewhat true, but he ended up being as fragile as they come. So it's good that they have stockpiled a bunch of young defensemen and aren't just assuming Boqvist or Mitchell are the next Keith.
- JPBurke27

Very good point and something the Hawks have experienced this past few years with injuries claiming games from Seabrook, Murphy, and de Haan as well as Keith and Maatta to a lesser extent.

The starters still need a reliable 7th and depth on the farm in case of those injuries. That depth is where cups of coffee come in handy as a way to fill in for injuries but also have a look see at prospects on the cusp.

Thanks, Glenn! See my post above in response to Chunk who said something similar.

In short, yes, I could see Zadorov with the Hawks a bit longer than 2020-21.
- Theo Fox

I agree, I think Zadorov will be with the Hawks long term. The team needs players with experience too and 25 is not even close to old for a d-man. He’s the type of physical defenseman fans have been clamouring for. He may not be Chara 2.0 but he can be valuable to the team.

I have no idea how much the whole righty vs lefty thing matters. Just happy he’s not in Chicago.

First round Russian = risky
First round Goalie = risky
First round Russian Goalie?

No thanks.
- Ogilthorpe2

Wish you worked in the Tampa front office

Ogi, How are you now?

I have been meaning to specificity this question due to your clear NO RUSSIAN IN THE FIRST ROUND stand.

I was listening to a predator announcer saying the best best part of Askarov WAS that he was that "reverse" right catching goaltender (like Tomáš Vokoun was.)...

His point was NHL attacker nowadays don't even look up as they are assessing where they are going with the puck...if the are accustomed to glove-side high, they are on past experience and almost instinctive muscle and mind memory to continue to shoot there, not thinking the goalie they now face is stick side there.

This pundit said more better favoring Yaroslav Askarov.

I want to know what you think, Ogi? (Everyone else too!)

Maybe I am not in that camp, that NHL shooters know who is the net and adjust,

Also to me, his defenders have to adjust to a difference too.

I speak with the position of really not knowing if being the rare right catching glove goaltender is an advantage of not...I dunno I think not...

Whatya' think?
- wiz1901

Hey Wiz, I don't think lefty/righty matters as much anymore. Back in the day shooters were taught to avoid shooting at the glove as standup goalies have their core working to help flash the leather and are much more able to reach the crossbar. With tenders being predominately butterfly these days, unless they are tall enough for their shoulders to reach the intersection of the crossbar and the post, those high corners are there for a good shooter all night long from either side.

And with regard to the defencemen talk, it's my opinion that the reason they are much more important these days is because of the butterfly goalies. Due to the short side now being open all night long shooters are dangerous from a full 180 degrees, goal line to goal line. Back in the day goalies were taught to take the short side away. The shooters were dangerous basically between the faceoff dots so playing D was easier and didn't require as much mobility.

Hey Wiz, I don't think lefty/righty matters as much anymore. Back in the day shooters were taught to avoid shooting at the glove as standup goalies have their core working to help flash the leather and are much more able to reach the crossbar. With tenders being predominately butterfly these days, unless they are tall enough for their shoulders to reach the intersection of the crossbar and the post, those high corners are there for a good shooter all night long from either side.

And with regard to the defencemen talk, it's my opinion that the reason they are much more important these days is because of the butterfly goalies. Due to the short side now being open all night long shooters are dangerous from a full 180 degrees, goal line to goal line. Back in the day goalies were taught to take the short side away. The shooters were dangerous basically between the faceoff dots so playing D was easier and didn't require as much mobility.
- 6628

I certainly appreciate your email answer!

I posted this because I didn't see it as some Preadtor advantage that the local hockey scrim made it into, but wanted lots of diverse opinions.

Theo Fox: Get Me a 6 Pack
A look at whether the Blackhawks blueline pipeline is strong enough to churn out a solid Starting 6 especially if a prototypical Big 3 isn’t in the cards.
- Theo Fox

I get the big 3 thing, but I think to not consider Oduya at least from 2013 on, and those second two cups is doing him a disservice.

Especially in 2015, those 4 played monster minutes in those playoffs because 5,6,7 and 8 were so bad.

I also get the point of the blog was strickly development and in the system, but some of those development guys can also be used to acquire someone as well.

Can't remember who or what was traded for Oduya

I hope Mitchell turns out to be as good as most opinions of him are, but until he plays against NHL players for 82 games, it's all just hope and optimism at this point. I haven't seem him play very much - probably 3 or 4 games when Denver games were on TV - and my takeaway was that he was OK but nothing special. Of the d-man requirements Theo listed, based on my very limited viewing, I would rate him average to slightly above average which wouldn't qualify as a top pairing guy and barely a second pairing guy.

I hope I'm wrong because we need him to be better than what I came away with or we're farther away from constructing a new d-man nucleus than we hope we are.

I get the big 3 thing, but I think to not consider Oduya at least from 2013 on, and those second two cups is doing him a disservice.

Especially in 2015, those 4 played monster minutes in those playoffs because 5,6,7 and 8 were so bad.

I also get the point of the blog was strickly development and in the system, but some of those development guys can also be used to acquire someone as well.

Can't remember who or what was traded for Oduya
- vabeachbear

They got him from the Jets for a second and a third. We’ll see what these young Dmen bring in the next couple of years, the rebuild is dependent on their growth.

I get the big 3 thing, but I think to not consider Oduya at least from 2013 on, and those second two cups is doing him a disservice.

Especially in 2015, those 4 played monster minutes in those playoffs because 5,6,7 and 8 were so bad.

I also get the point of the blog was strickly development and in the system, but some of those development guys can also be used to acquire someone as well.

Can't remember who or what was traded for Oduya
- vabeachbear

No argument here on either of your points.

I agree, I think Zadorov will be with the Hawks long term. The team needs players with experience too and 25 is not even close to old for a d-man. He’s the type of physical defenseman fans have been clamouring for. He may not be Chara 2.0 but he can be valuable to the team.
- DarthKane

I'm actually excited to see see Zadorov play for the Hawks. As long as he plays withn his means, he'll be a critical piece to the blueline.

I don't mind the Boqvist bodyguard role either if it helps 27 grow his game and gain confidence to thrive with his offensive prowess.

That isn't to say I only want Zadorov to be the big thug that mashes people because he can contribute more.

Yet, seeing some monstrous Zadorov hits will be fun to watch as long as he stays in the play.

I'm actually excited to see see Zadorov play for the Hawks. As long as he plays withn his means, he'll be a critical piece to the blueline.

I don't mind the Boqvist bodyguard role either if it helps 27 grow his game and gain confidence to thrive with his offensive prowess.

That isn't to say I only want Zadorov to be the big thug that mashes people because he can contribute more.

Yet, seeing some monstrous Zadorov hits will be fun to watch as long as he stays in the play.
- Theo Fox

I agree that it will be fun seeing Zadorov mash people but he has to be more than that. For as good as Hjalmarsson was for the Hawks, he could have been even better had he not been tagged with an illegal hit early on. It was an inflection point that altered the way he played and, at least in my opinion, the call was not warranted and it affected his play from that point on.

I'm actually excited to see see Zadorov play for the Hawks. As long as he plays withn his means, he'll be a critical piece to the blueline.

I don't mind the Boqvist bodyguard role either if it helps 27 grow his game and gain confidence to thrive with his offensive prowess.

That isn't to say I only want Zadorov to be the big thug that mashes people because he can contribute more.

Yet, seeing some monstrous Zadorov hits will be fun to watch as long as he stays in the play.
- Theo Fox

I’m excited to see how long it takes before he threatens to go back to Mutha Russia when it’s time to negotiate his next contract.

I’m excited to see how long it takes before he threatens to go back to Mutha Russia when it’s time to negotiate his next contract.
- Ogilthorpe2

At an exchange rate of $1 to 77 rubles, his $3.2M salary would be worth a cool 250M at home.

At an exchange rate of $1 to 77 rubles, his $3.2M salary would be worth a cool 250M at home.
- boilermaker100

But a loaf of bread costs 150 MM ruples....

I have no idea how much the whole righty vs lefty thing matters. Just happy he’s not in Chicago.

First round Russian = risky
First round Goalie = risky
First round Russian Goalie?

No thanks.
- Ogilthorpe2

I hope your right as we will have a front row seat for this kid . I still believe if it were not for some bad luck the HAWKS would have grab Askarov at 9 or 10 seeing how quick they were to take a goalie in the next round and the whispers about the HAWKS trying to move up to that area of the draft .

@Sportsnet

Could the @Raptors be heading down to Smashville ?

Nashville has reportedly joined a growing list of cities that appear to be backup options should the Canada/U.S. border remain closed for non-essential travel.

Can’t believe NBC is preempting News and SNL while forcing a meaningless College football game on us today. Very poor programming choices.