Commesso is a freshman at Boston University. His college debut was not good, surrendering too many goals. Commesso had been with The US Developmental Team. Brian Eklund, a former NHL gialtender, is his goaltending coach.
- jhawk59

Commesso has bounced back from a subpar NCAA debut. He's now 3-1-0 with a save % of .907. His GAA is a tad under 4.00 but that could be more a variable of a bad defense in front of him than something about him entirely.

Vlasic started the season on the 1st pair but then has since been on the 2nd pair mainly and I think at least one start on the 3rd pair. He has 2 assists in 4 games and is a +3.

Wise has sat out the past two games. Not sure if it's health related or a healthy scratch. He has one assist in 2 games and is an even 0 in terms of +/-.

FYI: Commesso, Vlasic, and Wise are all at BU.

Batten down the hatches but Strome is 11th in the league in faceoff % at 61.3% (per John Dietz of the Daily Herald).

Regression to his mean will come in due course but hopefully an uptick to at least get to 50% once the season is all said and done.

NBC's TV contract expires at the end of this season. Wonder if this means they will not be in the running for the next contract. If not, not good for the league if one less network bidding on the package. Say goodbye to that big cap increase some were expecting upon the signing of the new TV contract.
- boilermaker100

It is not just what the level if the cap becomes. The issue is that small market teams are more dependent on national (US and Canada) TV revenue streams to financially survive. Take the Florida Panthers. What is the extent of their revenue from fans in seats (pre-Vid) and local TV and radio? Think it is enough for pay near the current salaries? How about the Yotes? Or Carolina? Or Columbus? How about Ottawa, Calgary or the Oil?

Things are going to get interesting for the league.

Batten down the hatches but Strome is 11th in the league in faceoff % at 61.3% (per John Dietz of the Daily Herald).

Regression to his mean will come in due course but hopefully an uptick to at least get to 50% once the season is all said and done.
- Theo Fox

Sell high!!

Batten down the hatches but Strome is 11th in the league in faceoff % at 61.3% (per John Dietz of the Daily Herald).

Regression to his mean will come in due course but hopefully an uptick to at least get to 50% once the season is all said and done.
- Theo Fox

I was one of Strome's most vocal opponent here. I wanted him to prove that he was more than just a guy with good IQ and hands. Thus far he has been much improved. Not a ton of points, but he's had better defensive positioning, competed better for pucks, improved his FO's, and has shown a bit more aggression. He's still not a #1 (the speed thing is still noticeable, and he needs to compete with more consistency), but I have to at least give him kudos for improving his game.

https://youtu.be/RR-rYdrG4iw

Boy does he stammer when asked if you think this might be more of a personal issue with Torts

I was one of Strome's most vocal opponent here. I wanted him to prove that he was more than just a guy with good IQ and hands. Thus far he has been much improved. Not a ton of points, but he's had better defensive positioning, competed better for pucks, improved his FO's, and has shown a bit more aggression. He's still not a #1 (the speed thing is still noticeable, and he needs to compete with more consistency), but I have to at least give him kudos for improving his game.
- Chunk

You are ruining the narrative Chunk, but I agree. I keep saying he is only forward currently who can make a play in the offensive zone.

You are ruining the narrative Chunk, but I agree. I keep saying he is only forward currently who can make a play in the offensive zone.
- LAHawk

Yea now we are going to have to listen how he can't be a 2nd line center on a SC team even though no one said it.

Funny thing is wasn't Stamkos pretty much out of the playoffs, they pretty much won a SC without a 1st line center

You are ruining the narrative Chunk, but I agree. I keep saying he is only forward currently who can make a play in the offensive zone.
- LAHawk

I'd say Kane can. And Cat. Probably Kubalik and The Pope, too.

Even so, why does right now matter? The goal is to identify whether he can be important to a Cup contender. Who cares where he ranks now?

You are ruining the narrative Chunk, but I agree. I keep saying he is only forward currently who can make a play in the offensive zone.
- LAHawk

Not to make the case, but to support it, his underlying numbers/fancy stats - through 4 games - are improved as well.

Yea now we are going to have to listen how he can't be a 2nd line center on a SC team even though no one said it.

Funny thing is wasn't Stamkos pretty much out of the playoffs, they pretty much won a SC without a 1st line center
- BetweenTheDots

Where would Strome slot in on Tampa's roster? Would he play on their top six? If so, who gets demoted?

Not to make the case, but to support it, his underlying numbers/fancy stats - through 4 games - are improved as well.
- Chunk

Do they have him as a top six guy?

Not to make the case, but to support it, his underlying numbers/fancy stats - through 4 games - are improved as well.
- Chunk

That's good to hear, hopefully he can continue to be a better hockey player. I'm surprised since Toews and Dach are out, teams can match up against the Kane and Strome line.

Do they have him as a top six guy?
- mohel

They who?

They who?
- Chunk

The fancy stats?[/img]

The fancy stats?
- mohel[/img]

The stats are just the stats. That's why I added that notable disclaimer.

Where would Strome slot in on Tampa's roster? Would he play on their top six? If so, who gets demoted?
- mohel

Do the Hawks have the talent of Tampa? How many teams have the talent of Tampa? Would Strome have been a top 6 center for the Hawks in 2013 or 2015?

Kubalik is a shooter. He does not have the playmaking ability of Strome. I haven't looked it up but i bet most of Kubalik's assist's are from rebounds. Kubalik's defense is nothing to right home about. Either is ADB's.

You want to compare Strome now to a HOF'er? And I am talking about making a play this year. Haven't seen kane make too many play's THIS YEAR.

keith's play has been bad. Lets not sugar coat it. Lets hope he's not on an expedited regression here but it's time accept he isn't the shut down #1 guy he was in the past.


My whole point on Keith is similar to Chelios in the late 90s. You, me, Stan Bowman, JC, his teammates, nobody knows how long they can last in a losing situation especially when you have won so much previously. If he chooses he wants to go elsewhere to win 'one last time" that's his right and the Hawks should honor that request.
- SteveRain

That Keith's performance has deteriorated is not too surprising; however, I believe most knowledgeable fans would argue for Keith remaining a capable, valuable dman. So actually I do agree with what you said. I just wonder exactly why he makes more bone head decisions, more turnovers than his gambling style used to produce.

Sure Keith is not the Norris Trophy dman any longer. But he still skates well. Certainly he might have an attitude issue when in the games he feels he has to compensate or is just pissed with the level of talent of his teamatte during his shifts.

Perhaps too Keith is frustrated with the particular system Colliton has instructed since the abbreviated training camp. Is it the same system employed at the beginning of last season. Or very similar to that system. We have heard complaints by players and complaints by us bloggers how chasing opponent to the boards has resulted in leaving other players in a wide open for glorious scoring opportunities. To be fair, a forward may be behind the play and could be to blame.

But overall players look confused an say they are confused what their job is in this defensive scheme

Whatever happens with this defensive coverage probably is not going to influence Keith being traded.

The system will be tweaked if the players continue to have issues. Really what we need to realize is, if another dman prospect beside Mitchell plays well (at the NHL level), then there is reason to trade Keith.

But Keith has to agree to the trade. How much term is left on his contract: two years @ about $5mill? A playoff contender might bite if Keith comes cheap. I would expect a trade not this trade deadline. Either over summer months or next season's trade deadline.

I do not expect a good prospect would be available and renumeration might be a #3 round. Not a #2.

Face the facts: Keith is an older player. Due to covid even next year the league is going experience poor to non existent attendance. Therefore a #3 and Chicago pays half his salary. I would do that trade if Keith wants out and agrees to play for the team traded to. Yet I would defer and allow Keith to retire a Blackhawk. Although this might be hard on Keith if his TOI and conceivably a healthy scratch becomes an issue.

Whether Keith's level of performance remains or is worse, is going to result in the amount his ice time. I would like to see him playing with fewer turnovers and off the Pp.

It will not be easy to trade Keith. A trade could occur, sure it could. But when a trade could go down is no time close at hand IMHO. Let's see how well Keith performs next season when hopefully the team is playing better

.

Announcement about NBCSN closing

https://www.cnbc.com/2021...e-operations-in-2021.html

Do the Hawks have the talent of Tampa? How many teams have the talent of Tampa? Would Strome have been a top 6 center for the Hawks in 2013 or 2015?

Kubalik is a shooter. He does not have the playmaking ability of Strome. I haven't looked it up but i bet most of Kubalik's assist's are from rebounds. Kubalik's defense is nothing to right home about. Either is ADB's.

You want to compare Strome now to a HOF'er? And I am talking about making a play this year. Haven't seen kane make too many play's THIS YEAR.
- LAHawk

Nope, and that's the point. The target is to have that much talent. Right? Will Strome ever be that good? If yes, awesome, that's one less high end talent they need to obtain. If no, I'd sell now.

How he compares to anyone else on today's roster couldn't be less relevant.

Nope, and that's the point. The target is to have that much talent. Right? Will Strome ever be that good? If yes, awesome, that's one less high end talent they need to obtain. If no, I'd sell now.

How he compares to anyone else on today's roster couldn't be less relevant.
- mohel

Wel; if you are going to get rid of Strome because he is not Stanley Cup talent level, you have to get rid of every Hawk not named Kane, and that includes Dach because he hasn't proven he is Stanley Cup level yet. He might be, but as of today, no, because Dach would not be top 6 in Tampa either, as a matter of fact, he might not have played a game in the pro's as of yet if he was on Tampa.

Strome is young enough to raise the level of his game if he has the drive and desire. Improvement in the face-off circle (if he can sustain it) is a great start.

If that happens it is a win for the Hawks regardless of whether he stays or goes.

If Kane stays, it is because he wants to play for one team win or lose. He has to be looking at this and seeing the same things we are. And if Toews injury/illness is on the worse side of the various scenarios, that is another huge hole to fill.

Looking for the same effort level tonight as the last game and tightening things up in the “D” zone. Hoping to see Boqvist play like he did in the 3rd period last game as well. Hoping Hagel and Kurashev continue to impress. I have given up being negative because this is where the Hawks are at right now!! Baby steps, not fun, but sitting back and watching continued improvement along the way from our kids.

Wel; if you are going to get rid of Strome because he is not Stanley Cup talent level, you have to get rid of every Hawk not named Kane, and that includes Dach because he hasn't proven he is Stanley Cup level yet. He might be, but as of today, no, because Dach would not be top 6 in Tampa either, as a matter of fact, he might not have played a game in the pro's as of yet if he was on Tampa.
- LAHawk

going round and round on Strome again boys......

lets hope this kid improves and can be a building block for the team. The argument/debate is how much time is allowed for that to happen because if he doesn't pan out and you hold on too long.....he isn't going to fetch much back vs what we COULD today......and if you give up on him too soon....could be regrettable.

I am in the camp that so far, he doesn't move the needle for me given where he was drafted, etc....what opportunities he's had here in his stint. I also keep thinking how long the Hawks took to resign this kid arguably not because of WANT but because of NEED after Toews/Dach....so maybe we just need to look to the organization and professionals who make those decisions and trust their judgement.

Could easily be that the Hawks see the flashes and want more consistency before investing long term.

Looking for the same effort level tonight as the last game and tightening things up in the “D” zone. Hoping to see Boqvist play like he did in the 3rd period last game as well. Hoping Hagel and Kurashev continue to impress. I have given up being negative because this is where the Hawks are at right now!! Baby steps, not fun, but sitting back and watching continued improvement along the way from our kids.
- ChicagoHope

I hope this holds through the first period.

I still lose my crap when they make a boneheaded play, but I've concentrated on the individual players more now than the overall team.

I think if Boqvist concentrates on going more North-South he'll have much better success.