Huh? It's pretty sad when he doesn't even understand his best personnel for key downs, or even red zone. You got that back up center and you play Coward for so many games, took him what 20 games to figure out Coward didn't belong on the field. Nagy has no clue and the worst part is these guys don't even play to the whistle. I don't blame Nagy though, Pace is good at finding talent but terrible at choosing coaches. The culprit is that front office they are constantly allowed to choose who is going to direct this team and unfortunately they are so (frank)ing lost, so it continues the suckage and it will until they all die in the front office or sell the team, sound familiar
- BetweenTheDots

Take it to Windy City Gridiron. It’s a great place for Bears talk.

Huh? It's pretty sad when he doesn't even understand his best personnel for key downs, or even red zone. You got that back up center and you play Coward for so many games, took him what 20 games to figure out Coward didn't belong on the field. Nagy has no clue and the worst part is these guys don't even play to the whistle. I don't blame Nagy though, Pace is good at finding talent but terrible at choosing coaches. The culprit is that front office they are constantly allowed to choose who is going to direct this team and unfortunately they are so (frank)ing lost, so it continues the suckage and it will until they all die in the front office or sell the team, sound familiar
- BetweenTheDots

Sadly yes. I'm a Bear fan but it's interesting as I think the Lions are in a similar situation. As long as the McCaskey's and Ford's are in charge, I'm not sure a different result is in the near future.

At least the Ford's have something to fall back on. The McCaskeys's sole focus is caretaker of the Bears and...well, I'll just end my thought there.

Sadly yes. I'm a Bear fan but it's interesting as I think the Lions are in a similar situation. As long as the McCaskey's and Ford's are in charge, I'm not sure a different result is in the near future.

At least the Ford's have something to fall back on. The McCaskeys's sole focus is caretaker of the Bears and...well, I'll just end my thought there.
- HawkintheD

Nah, it's just luck over a small sample size. You can't convince me the DeBartolo's are geniuses.

You bring in an offensive head coach and give him crap for a quarterback, crap for receivers, crap for an offensive line, barely crap for running backs, spend 2 #1 draft choices on a pass rusher another $50m on another pass rusher doing nothing and tell the head coach to "adapt" his offense. Yeah that's the coach's fault he's a bad coach.

About the only thing I can say is the old Offensive Line coach who got fired after last season isn't looking so bad now. I'm biased Heistedt who is very highly regarded came from Notre Dame.
- rpeters01

They bring in Graham, he's a red zone threat, yet they take him out in the red zone for plays, that's a coaching decision. When you try to get 1 yd you run a converted receiver instead of 32 another brilliant coaching move. And again Coward had no business being on the field but 20 games later, another brilliant coaching move. Honestly i don't know why they haven't benched Miller for Ridley? I just see a head coach in way over his head. He thinks his play calls are better than his personnel, perfect example were those passes to Harris, which he dropped, earlier this year, only took him 3 games to figure that one out

Sadly yes. I'm a Bear fan but it's interesting as I think the Lions are in a similar situation. As long as the McCaskey's and Ford's are in charge, I'm not sure a different result is in the near future.

At least the Ford's have something to fall back on. The McCaskeys's sole focus is caretaker of the Bears and...well, I'll just end my thought there.
- HawkintheD

I hear you as metallica said

Sad but true

They bring in Graham, he's a red zone threat, yet they take him out in the red zone for plays, that's a coaching decision. When you try to get 1 yd you run a converted receiver instead of 32 another brilliant coaching move. And again Coward had no business being on the field but 20 games later, another brilliant coaching move. Honestly i don't know why they haven't benched Miller for Ridley? I just see a head coach in way over his head. He thinks his play calls are better than his personnel, perfect example were those passes to Harris, which he dropped, earlier this year, only took him 3 games to figure that one out
- BetweenTheDots

I'm looking at a much higher level we can agree to disagree.

I'm looking at a much higher level we can agree to disagree.
- rpeters01

Yea sure, we definitely don't agree, and whatever that means

Nah, it's just luck over a small sample size. You can't convince me the DeBartolo's are geniuses.
- rpeters01

Maybe/maybe not but you can't tell me that organizations like the Packers that actually place a pretty significant level of importance on the QB position are lucky.

Whether Jordan Love pans out or not, even with Rodgers at the helm they targeted a guy in the first round and picked him.

Pace, who professed to believe in the strategy of picking a QB in the draft every year has picked one in his 6 years at the helm of GM.

Since 2004, the Bears have spent no higher than a 4th round pick on a QB (Kyle Orton) besides Mitch.

I don't know the DeBartolo's personally and they may not be geniuses but being better than the Bears front office would seem to be an absurdly low bar to be above.

At this point I think one hand would sufficiently represent the number of teams under it.

Yea sure, we definitely don't agree, and whatever that means
- BetweenTheDots

You're looking at play by play and I'm looking at the team Pace gave Nagy is what it means.

Maybe/maybe not but you can't tell me that organizations like the Packers that actually place a pretty significant level of importance on the QB position are lucky.

Whether Jordan Love pans out or not, even with Rodgers at the helm they targeted a guy in the first round and picked him.

Pace, who professed to believe in the strategy of picking a QB in the draft every year has picked one in his 6 years at the helm of GM.

Since 2004, the Bears have spent no higher than a 4th round pick on a QB (Kyle Orton) besides Mitch.

I don't know the DeBartolo's personally and they may not be geniuses but being better than the Bears front office would seem to be an absurdly low bar to be above.

At this point I think one hand would sufficiently represent the number of teams under it.
- HawkintheD

Unfortunately Green Bay and Baltimore, maybe KC, New England with an asterisk and very few others are model franchises.

You're looking at play by play and I'm looking at the team Pace gave Nagy is what it means.
- rpeters01

You mean Pace hiring Nagy and Pagano as well, yea then we agree there

Theo Fox: Compete, Contest, Commit
Presenting the Blackhawks edition of the HockeyBuzz sitewide blog series focusing on what each team’s biggest need is to be complete.
- Theo Fox

Great write-up Theo!

The real 3Cs to the Blackhawks’ success:

1. Cap Space (Glorious)
2. Cole Caufield (he’s so good he counts as two C’s)

@chrismpeters

Awesome finish between Minnesota Duluth and Denver as Bulldogs come back to win 2-1. Of note, late PK for UMD and Scott Sandelin threw true freshman Wyatt Kaiser (CHI) on there to hold the lead. The 18-year-old made a couple of huge plays in dying seconds. Impressive stuff.

@chrismpeters

Awesome finish between Minnesota Duluth and Denver as Bulldogs come back to win 2-1. Of note, late PK for UMD and Scott Sandelin threw true freshman Wyatt Kaiser (CHI) on there to hold the lead. The 18-year-old made a couple of huge plays in dying seconds. Impressive stuff.
- DarthKane

In that closing sequence, Kaiser had 3 blocked shots and a play where he made a desperation save to swat the puck from the crease to the corner.

Love to see that he has the mentality and courage to block shots. He's only a freshman so his timing and technique will get better over time as he gains experience.

The Hawks definitely need more shot blockers.

It's just good to see a D prospect be relied upon in a key defensive situation to preserve the game. Tonight was also Kaiser's 2nd game in a row to start his NCAA career on the top pair (again, as a freshman).

In that closing sequence, Kaiser had 3 blocked shots and a play where he made a desperation save to swat the puck from the crease to the corner.

Love to see that he has the mentality and courage to block shots. He's only a freshman so his timing and technique will get better over time as he gains experience.

The Hawks definitely need more shot blockers.

It's just good to see a D prospect be relied upon in a key defensive situation to preserve the game. Tonight was also Kaiser's 2nd game in a row to start his NCAA career on the top pair (again, as a freshman).
- Theo Fox

The Athletic has been revisiting the Hawk draft from October and yesterday they covered the first 3 rounds.

On Kaiser they talked about his strength being his attention to the defensive side of the ice.

Here was a comment...

Kaiser isn’t a can’t-miss prospect by any means, but there’s a lot to like with his game. That starts with skating, and that elite skill has already made him a top defensive player. Some believe he can also tap into that skill to become an effective offensive player.

Unfortunately Green Bay and Baltimore, maybe KC, New England with an asterisk and very few others are model franchises.
- rpeters01

I'd probably put Seattle in there too. Definitely Pittsburgh.

In regard to GB, the picking of Love this past draft was somewhat of a carryover from the previous regime, though I think Ron Wolf picked one almost every year, even though they had Brett Favre at the time.

On the luck part you mentioned, there does have to be a certain level I suppose to hit on successive HOF QB's.

Bettman says the league is going to take it's time before starting play, and that their aim is to have a "normal" 21/22. I guess the 1/1 start to the season is a pipe dream. When are/were camps supposed to start?

Bettman says the league is going to take it's time before starting play, and that their aim is to have a "normal" 21/22. I guess the 1/1 start to the season is a pipe dream. When are/were camps supposed to start?
- mohel

I read that the NHLPA is digging in on xmas. They don't want to be away from family at that time with all the cross-border quarantine required.

Bottom line is players probably won't travel to their team sites until 12/26 or 12/27 at the earliest. 14 day quarantine and then camp opens.

Probably looking at end of January 2021 to start a 48 game season at best.

I read that the NHLPA is digging in on xmas. They don't want to be away from family at that time with all the cross-border quarantine required.

Bottom line is players probably won't travel to their team sites until 12/26 or 12/27 at the earliest. 14 day quarantine and then camp opens.

Probably looking at end of January 2021 to start a 48 game season at best.
- Rota's Rooter

Seems likely. I suspect they're waiting as long as possible in the hope they can add some fans into the mix. Otherwise, they could have started already.

I read that the NHLPA is digging in on xmas. They don't want to be away from family at that time with all the cross-border quarantine required.

Bottom line is players probably won't travel to their team sites until 12/26 or 12/27 at the earliest. 14 day quarantine and then camp opens.

Probably looking at end of January 2021 to start a 48 game season at best.
- Rota's Rooter

Well we will get hockey in some abbreviated form of the Jan 1 start date.

What i expect is a put up some numbers or some solid performance by a couple younger veterans else they will be moved for even a paltry return. Teams in MLB and the NHL already are showing the second contract level salary is not going to be given if a team can get rid of a player. Non tenders in MLB all over the place yesterday.

What I mean exactly by this on the Blackhawks

* Strome and DeBrincat have to earn their money.

Not just ok or somewhat descent season. They are NOT the top scorer at their forward position on this team, so as second or third line they must contribute some other way besides scoring. DeBrincat needs to at minimum showing he is close to the form wherein he potted 40 goals.

Strome was a nice tandem usually with DeBrincat two years ago. But neither is an effective boads or cycle the puck player. That is how lesser skilled and how hungry players not suited for top line ....how they match up nowadays. They better be scoring with the linemattes if they aren't effective cycle players since the opponent is taking it to them. and If they in turn cannot respond by generating goals, then their second NHL contracts is too much for less than adequate performance

So it is about BOTH $$$ and performance level exhibited.

There is a growing stable of prospects whom are almost ready now, and after this season you should expect Hagel, Entwhistle here and others knocking on the door

Whom gets pared. Not the hard workers. Or the fast skaters whom are responsible defensively. They have a better compete level as in physical battles. I take them over Strome and DeBrincat has to show up or ship out.

Veterans like Carpenter and Special K if they last this season, surely are gone before the following season. Kids will take over. And Kampf is a question mark too but a small salary could buy him more time in Chicago. Yet he could be replaceable.

Now as for some of these collegiate kids whom develop even in their shortened season, then they are part of the next boat shipment arriving in the AHL. Players like Beaudin and Kyrs on defense either show enough progress to get a look, or handwriting on wall says they will be moved somehow... just a matter of when.

Next season is a time for young players to continue to develop and it is the beginning of more changes upon the nHl rosters not only in Chicago

The kids up in the NHL need to make progress because if they stall, down to AHL while a Beaudin and a Kalynuk get a look. Eventually Bowman will get his defense comprised most part youthful. That is how Bowman and Colliton will operate. Any major free agents signs is not happening and if it did, this happens after a number of kids stick around and cement their job. Then if affordable under salary cap and attendance is much improved, then a major free agent sign is considered...probably not going to happen though.

Instead you draft enough kids and eventually enough of them is your new core, our nucleus.

I'd probably put Seattle in there too. Definitely Pittsburgh.

In regard to GB, the picking of Love this past draft was somewhat of a carryover from the previous regime, though I think Ron Wolf picked one almost every year, even though they had Brett Favre at the time.

On the luck part you mentioned, there does have to be a certain level I suppose to hit on successive HOF QB's.
- HawkintheD

I believe Favre was claimed off waivers, he was 4th as a rookie on some team's depth chart but Wolf knew that GM and they had discussed Favre.

The Athletic has been revisiting the Hawk draft from October and yesterday they covered the first 3 rounds.

On Kaiser they talked about his strength being his attention to the defensive side of the ice.

Here was a comment...

Kaiser isn’t a can’t-miss prospect by any means, but there’s a lot to like with his game. That starts with skating, and that elite skill has already made him a top defensive player. Some believe he can also tap into that skill to become an effective offensive player.
- HawkintheD

Thanks for posting that snippet. I read the 1st part of that series on the Athletic where they highlighted Krutil, Phillips, Yetman, and Crevier but haven't read the 2nd part focusing on Reichel, Commesso, Slaggert, and Kaiser.

That snippet on Kaiser is spot on from the other reports and video footage I've seen.

An annoyance I have about some scouting reports is when they say a prospect's weakness is their offensive game even if they're very strong defensively and solid as a skater (i.e. Kaiser).

I wouldn't call that a weakness. If their defense and skating are strengths, then any offense is icing on the cake.

The other way around would be a red flag to me, though, i.e. excellent offense but weak defense.

Well we will get hockey in some abbreviated form of the Jan 1 start date.

What i expect is a put up some numbers or some solid performance by a couple younger veterans else they will be moved for even a paltry return. Teams in MLB and the NHL already are showing the second contract level salary is not going to be given if a team can get rid of a player. Non tenders in MLB all over the place yesterday.

What I mean exactly by this on the Blackhawks

* Strome and DeBrincat have to earn their money.

Not just ok or somewhat descent season. They are NOT the top scorer at their forward position on this team, so as second or third line they must contribute some other way besides scoring. DeBrincat needs to at minimum showing he is close to the form wherein he potted 40 goals.

Strome was a nice tandem usually with DeBrincat two years ago. But neither is an effective boads or cycle the puck player. That is how lesser skilled and how hungry players not suited for top line ....how they match up nowadays. They better be scoring with the linemattes if they aren't effective cycle players since the opponent is taking it to them. and If they in turn cannot respond by generating goals, then their second NHL contracts is too much for less than adequate performance

So it is about BOTH $$$ and performance level exhibited.

There is a growing stable of prospects whom are almost ready now, and after this season you should expect Hagel, Entwhistle here and others knocking on the door

Whom gets pared. Not the hard workers. Or the fast skaters whom are responsible defensively. They have a better compete level as in physical battles. I take them over Strome and DeBrincat has to show up or ship out.

Veterans like Carpenter and Special K if they last this season, surely are gone before the following season. Kids will take over. And Kampf is a question mark too but a small salary could buy him more time in Chicago. Yet he could be replaceable.

Now as for some of these collegiate kids whom develop even in their shortened season, then they are part of the next boat shipment arriving in the AHL. Players like Beaudin and Kyrs on defense either show enough progress to get a look, or handwriting on wall says they will be moved somehow... just a matter of when.

Next season is a time for young players to continue to develop and it is the beginning of more changes upon the nHl rosters not only in Chicago

The kids up in the NHL need to make progress because if they stall, down to AHL while a Beaudin and a Kalynuk get a look. Eventually Bowman will get his defense comprised most part youthful. That is how Bowman and Colliton will operate. Any major free agents signs is not happening and if it did, this happens after a number of kids stick around and cement their job. Then if affordable under salary cap and attendance is much improved, then a major free agent sign is considered...probably not going to happen though.

Instead you draft enough kids and eventually enough of them is your new core, our nucleus.
- jhawk59

Special K - Slater Koekkoek is already gone. Hawks did not offer him a contract and he's an UFA.

Strome still isn't under contract so who knows what he'll be earning. Personally I'm still hoping he gets moved somehow. For a guy who knew he was going into the last year of his contract with no arbitration rights he really did not seem to play with much intensity last season. You would think he would want to maximize his $ on his next contract. Time to move on from Strome IMO.

Well we will get hockey in some abbreviated form of the Jan 1 start date.

What i expect is a put up some numbers or some solid performance by a couple younger veterans else they will be moved for even a paltry return. Teams in MLB and the NHL already are showing the second contract level salary is not going to be given if a team can get rid of a player. Non tenders in MLB all over the place yesterday.

What I mean exactly by this on the Blackhawks

* Strome and DeBrincat have to earn their money.

Not just ok or somewhat descent season. They are NOT the top scorer at their forward position on this team, so as second or third line they must contribute some other way besides scoring. DeBrincat needs to at minimum showing he is close to the form wherein he potted 40 goals.

Strome was a nice tandem usually with DeBrincat two years ago. But neither is an effective boads or cycle the puck player. That is how lesser skilled and how hungry players not suited for top line ....how they match up nowadays. They better be scoring with the linemattes if they aren't effective cycle players since the opponent is taking it to them. and If they in turn cannot respond by generating goals, then their second NHL contracts is too much for less than adequate performance

So it is about BOTH $$$ and performance level exhibited.

There is a growing stable of prospects whom are almost ready now, and after this season you should expect Hagel, Entwhistle here and others knocking on the door

Whom gets pared. Not the hard workers. Or the fast skaters whom are responsible defensively. They have a better compete level as in physical battles. I take them over Strome and DeBrincat has to show up or ship out.

Veterans like Carpenter and Special K if they last this season, surely are gone before the following season. Kids will take over. And Kampf is a question mark too but a small salary could buy him more time in Chicago. Yet he could be replaceable.

Now as for some of these collegiate kids whom develop even in their shortened season, then they are part of the next boat shipment arriving in the AHL. Players like Beaudin and Kyrs on defense either show enough progress to get a look, or handwriting on wall says they will be moved somehow... just a matter of when.

Next season is a time for young players to continue to develop and it is the beginning of more changes upon the nHl rosters not only in Chicago

The kids up in the NHL need to make progress because if they stall, down to AHL while a Beaudin and a Kalynuk get a look. Eventually Bowman will get his defense comprised most part youthful. That is how Bowman and Colliton will operate. Any major free agents signs is not happening and if it did, this happens after a number of kids stick around and cement their job. Then if affordable under salary cap and attendance is much improved, then a major free agent sign is considered...probably not going to happen though.

Instead you draft enough kids and eventually enough of them is your new core, our nucleus.
- jhawk59

Generally, yes, a lot of teams may play more rookies this season. At least for the Hawks, some of the prospects who would come up are on the cusp.

Many deserve a cup of coffee at least and some may get an extended look if not permanent spot depending on how the roster shakes out between now and the TDL.

On Carpenter and Koekkoek, Carpenter is a likely candidate to be shipped out at the TDL for a late draft pick while Koekkoek is good as gone already (like Caggiula).

Well we will get hockey in some abbreviated form of the Jan 1 start date.

What i expect is a put up some numbers or some solid performance by a couple younger veterans else they will be moved for even a paltry return. Teams in MLB and the NHL already are showing the second contract level salary is not going to be given if a team can get rid of a player. Non tenders in MLB all over the place yesterday.

What I mean exactly by this on the Blackhawks

* Strome and DeBrincat have to earn their money.

Not just ok or somewhat descent season. They are NOT the top scorer at their forward position on this team, so as second or third line they must contribute some other way besides scoring. DeBrincat needs to at minimum showing he is close to the form wherein he potted 40 goals.

Strome was a nice tandem usually with DeBrincat two years ago. But neither is an effective boads or cycle the puck player. That is how lesser skilled and how hungry players not suited for top line ....how they match up nowadays. They better be scoring with the linemattes if they aren't effective cycle players since the opponent is taking it to them. and If they in turn cannot respond by generating goals, then their second NHL contracts is too much for less than adequate performance

So it is about BOTH $$$ and performance level exhibited.

There is a growing stable of prospects whom are almost ready now, and after this season you should expect Hagel, Entwhistle here and others knocking on the door

Whom gets pared. Not the hard workers. Or the fast skaters whom are responsible defensively. They have a better compete level as in physical battles. I take them over Strome and DeBrincat has to show up or ship out.

Veterans like Carpenter and Special K if they last this season, surely are gone before the following season. Kids will take over. And Kampf is a question mark too but a small salary could buy him more time in Chicago. Yet he could be replaceable.

Now as for some of these collegiate kids whom develop even in their shortened season, then they are part of the next boat shipment arriving in the AHL. Players like Beaudin and Kyrs on defense either show enough progress to get a look, or handwriting on wall says they will be moved somehow... just a matter of when.

Next season is a time for young players to continue to develop and it is the beginning of more changes upon the nHl rosters not only in Chicago

The kids up in the NHL need to make progress because if they stall, down to AHL while a Beaudin and a Kalynuk get a look. Eventually Bowman will get his defense comprised most part youthful. That is how Bowman and Colliton will operate. Any major free agents signs is not happening and if it did, this happens after a number of kids stick around and cement their job. Then if affordable under salary cap and attendance is much improved, then a major free agent sign is considered...probably not going to happen though.

Instead you draft enough kids and eventually enough of them is your new core, our nucleus.
- jhawk59

There is no reason Strome could not become a competent cycle player he has the size and you don't need blazing speed.