Nice blog Theo.

I think it is about time we give Derek King and the Hawk’s development staff some kudo’s for developing these kids to be as ready to play in the big show as they have shown so far. Such a difference from the Dent era.

Oh, and FIRST
- LAHawk

Thanks, LA.

Totally agree on Derek King. Given his success developing prospects, let's hope the Hawks retain him as the Hogs head coach for a while and don't do what they did with Colliton by promoting him too early when he worked well with King grooming the kids for the big show.

Then again, I do hope King gets a shot at NHL coaching at some point. When that happens, the Hawks should ideally have pre-identified his successor. Perhaps someone internal who is working with prospects now like Kendall Coyne Schofield or Erik Condra.

Wow Hagel is the next stu grimson. If he wants to show his grit drop the gloves. Evil glares and love taps are nice but dont intimidate. I had to work so I only saw the 1st period.
- vandymeer23

Hagel doesn't need to fight or intimidate. Sticking up for a teammate anytime, anywhere is a good thing as long as you don't get a penalty in the process (unless you can take someone from the other team with you).

As Chunk said, Hagel just needs to play his game being a relentless and fearless spark plug with skill and sandpaper.

Great write-up Theo. I was thinking the exact same about the overtime. It was like they just wanted to play keep away until the 5 mins was up. Kane and ADB had two decent shots (one from each circle), but that was about it. As strange as it is for me to say it, Janmark has been playing the whole ice surface quite well. He's got some speed, physicality and a decent shot.

I thought Highmore came back and had a better game. They need to find some sort of better combination for the third line.
- Chunk

Thanks, Chunk.

I agree, Janmark should be a weapon in OT. He plays with an intensity that was largely absent in last night's extra frame.

The bottom 6 should get reshuffled a bit as you said.

I doubt he sits because he needs to be showcased for the TDL but Soderberg has been a big meh. Shaw has been okay lately, just a step down from the first few games. I expect more out of both.

I would build a bottom 6 with Highmore, Hagel, Johnson, and Kampf. Wallmark and Carpenter likely slot back in once off COVID protocol then rotate them with Soderberg and Shaw.

Also, give Entwistle his debut and see what he has. He could be in the mix, too.

Zadarov should probably sit and watch to learn why he is out of position. If you can get him "right", he can be an asset on this team and set the tone of the game with his size. Just cannot have him get out of position, just to make a hit. If the hit is there, knock em on their butt ! Just like you can't have all big slow bruisers on defense, you cannot have all little puck movers that never use their body on the back end. You need BOTH
- chuckdahammer

On the bolded, thankfully the young D have been groomed to defend in many ways and not just over rely on stick checking.

Regardless of size and strength, they use their bodies to pin an opponent, bump them to create separation from the puck, and push off of them in the crease to get them off balance and out of the goalie's eyes.

They're not perfect at it but the effort is there. Natural physical maturity and NHL experience will aid their growth in this area of defending.

It matters less about whom is 1st/2nd pair and more about how many players we have of this ilk. If the Hawks groom 3 solid top 4 D out of the prospects they have, it will be a huge win. The issue will then become how to get them all under contract.
- Chunk

IMO, there's a high probability that the Hawks can find a top 4 out of the young D with the team currently and in the system: Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Carlsson, Kalynuk, Regula, Vlasic, and Kaiser.

My wager would be on Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk, and Kaiser as top candidates.

Vlasic is a tweener to me. He has top 4 potential, just needs to put it all together. Otherwise, he's 3rd pair. Regula, too.

Carlsson could play top 4 but think he could be best off solidifying a 3rd pair.

Krys, Demin, and Galvas are 3rd pair potential but likely get squeezed out.

Derek King coaches the right way with teaching valuable lessons on how to prepare and play like a pro but he also doesn't sugar coat things. Love it. Take your lumps early and learn from it.

@pwilliamsNHL

King on what his youthful team will face on opening night in the AHL:

"Our forwards are a little young and naive. I don't they know what's going to hit them [in that first game]."

"The first couple of games are going to be a little bit of an eye-opener for some people."

Derek King coaches the right way with teaching valuable lessons on how to prepare and play like a pro but he also doesn't sugar coat things. Love it. Take your lumps early and learn from it.

@pwilliamsNHL

King on what his youthful team will face on opening night in the AHL:

"Our forwards are a little young and naive. I don't they know what's going to hit them
- Theo Fox[in that first game]."

"The first couple of games are going to be a little bit of an eye-opener for some people."

I think that happened to the Hawks in Florida.

One was a lucky bounce can't really blame Murphy for blocking the shot. Who should have been on the left side IDK?
- rpeters01

I thought Murphy made a nice play, i believe Strome was suppose to cover Trochek, instead he didn't, bad defense by 17

I guess with the defensive responsibilities what they are,

1st goal was on Kampf
2nd on Suter
3rd on Strome

I just don't like how our defensive structure is set up, opponents can get our defenceman away from the front of their own goalie.

In my ever evolving view on Strome (thank you, no one, for asking), I've noticed one major difference between this year and last. He is much more likely, this year, to skate the slot as opposed to going around or to the outside/walls. I'm not sure if he is simply more aggressive or has more confidence in his lower body strength to push through, but it is noticeable. He also has been better and fending off checkers and maintaining possession.

Good on him thus far.

In my ever evolving view on Strome (thank you, no one, for asking), I've noticed one major difference between this year and last. He is much more likely, this year, to skate the slot as opposed to going around or to the outside/walls. I'm not sure if he is simply more aggressive or has more confidence in his lower body strength to push through, but it is noticeable. He also has been better and fending off checkers and maintaining possession.

Good on him thus far.
- Chunk

I think so too. I heard Boyle and Mayers talking about his life situation. He's going to be a father soon and his girlfriend lives here. It'll be hard for the Hawks if he plays as a top 6 center and is willing to give them Hometown discount to not sign him to a longterm deal.

I thought Murphy made a nice play, i believe Strome was suppose to cover Trochek, instead he didn't, bad defense by 17

I guess with the defensive responsibilities what they are,

1st goal was on Kampf
2nd on Suter
3rd on Strome

I just don't like how our defensive structure is set up opponents can get our defenceman away from the front of their own goalie.
- BetweenTheDots

One really nice thing about not having any fans in the stands is that you can hear a little bit more of the on-ice conversations. There seems to be much more communication by some groups than others (and their effectiveness seems to be a bit better as well). I could certainly be projecting here as I personally assume that better communication begets better results, but I think there is some merit to it.

Just practice and it's the skills competition, but what I like about Mitchell here is that after slowing a bit, he speeds back up through the slot. Just interesting to me.

https://twitter.com/CRoum...tatus/1357033591843262464

So far with Zadorov I see a player who is out of position, ALLOT! Though he is improving. I see a guy who seems to lose track of the play in his own zone. I see a guy who overhandles the puck in his own zone and gets stripped of it. His strong points are, he can hit like a truck, he passes quite well, he has a decent shot and he’s got a pretty quick release if he chooses a wrist or snap shot.

You commented on him covering for mistakes Beaudin made but I saw on two occasions of covering up because Zadorov was completely out of position. I’d love to see someone with Zadorov’s size and physicality be a permanent player on the Hawk’s blueline but he has some work to do to earn that spot.
- paulr

That’s being generous.

The reality is, he blows. It looked like a bad trade at the time, and nothing I’ve seen so far has done anything to change my mind.

That’s being generous.

The reality is, he blows. It looked like a bad trade at the time, and nothing I’ve seen so far has done anything to change my mind.
- Ogilthorpe2

That's some Canadian nice showing through.

On the bolded, thankfully the young D have been groomed to defend in many ways and not just over rely on stick checking.

Regardless of size and strength, they use their bodies to pin an opponent, bump them to create separation from the puck, and push off of them in the crease to get them off balance and out of the goalie's eyes.

They're not perfect at it but the effort is there. Natural physical maturity and NHL experience will aid their growth in this area of defending.
- Theo Fox

Forgive me if you thought I was knocking our kid defensemen. Beaudin has really come on of late. I see a physical element in Zadarov's game that has more potential than any other player. To maximize that physical element, they have to try and correct the rest of his game, and sitting and watching would be the first step. You are correct in your accessment of the current kids and their physical play. I have seen others in the past, that try to stick check everybody and that does not work all the time ..... as putting somebody on their butt all the time also does not work

Forgive me if you thought I was knocking our kid defensemen. Beaudin has really come on of late. I see a physical element in Zadarov's game that has more potential than any other player. To maximize that physical element, they have to try and correct the rest of his game, and sitting and watching would be the first step. You are correct in your accessment of the current kids and their physical play. I have seen others in the past, that try to stick check everybody and that does not work all the time ..... as putting somebody on their butt all the time also does not work
- chuckdahammer

I was just affirming your point about needing balance as far as ways to defend. You described it well that stick checking all the time won't cut it and neither will being taking the body all the time.

Learning what method to use takes ability to read the play and execute the right method all within a few seconds. So fast processing is key.

Thanks, Chunk.

I agree, Janmark should be a weapon in OT. He plays with an intensity that was largely absent in last night's extra frame.

The bottom 6 should get reshuffled a bit as you said.

I doubt he sits because he needs to be showcased for the TDL but Soderberg has been a big meh. Shaw has been okay lately, just a step down from the first few games. I expect more out of both.

I would build a bottom 6 with Highmore, Hagel, Johnson, and Kampf. Wallmark and Carpenter likely slot back in once off COVID protocol then rotate them with Soderberg and Shaw.

Also, give Entwistle his debut and see what he has. He could be in the mix, too.
- Theo Fox

Hard to believe Soderburg could be moved for anything, even a 7th. If he plays no better in the next 3 or 4 games, think you have to dump him.

He doesn't bring anything, let the young guys play. As you said, let Entwhistle get some time.

Shaw, Johnson, Highmore, Hagel, Entwhistle, Kampf can be 3rd and 4th lines. Wallmark and Carpenter will be back also.

Soderberg is a waste of a spot.

Hard to believe Soderburg could be moved for anything, even a 7th. If he plays no better in the next 3 or 4 games, think you have to dump him.

He doesn't bring anything, let the young guys play. As you said, let Entwhistle get some time.

Shaw, Johnson, Highmore, Hagel, Entwhistle, Kampf can be 3rd and 4th lines. Wallmark and Carpenter will be back also.

Soderberg is a waste of a spot.
- vabeachbear

This season has the taxi squad, too.

Hard to believe Soderburg could be moved for anything, even a 7th. If he plays no better in the next 3 or 4 games, think you have to dump him.

He doesn't bring anything, let the young guys play. As you said, let Entwhistle get some time.

Shaw, Johnson, Highmore, Hagel, Entwhistle, Kampf can be 3rd and 4th lines. Wallmark and Carpenter will be back also.

Soderberg is a waste of a spot.
- vabeachbear

He's not great, but this year he serves a purpose. With the number of guys that can be down and out at a moment's notice, it's good to have a guys who's been around. He's gone at the end of the year, so it's not a big deal. I get where you are coming from, but I don't think he's a detriment necessarily.

Damn unicorns.
- Chunk

Pink 🦄 unicorns.

This kind of stuff irritates the heck out of me. Ben Pope has an article out about Kubalik's "slow start" because he has only two goals this year. Stating "Last season, seemingly every shot Dominik Kubalik took went in. Hockey is fickle, though, and Kubalik's luck has completely flipped this season".

The problem is that Kubalik has the same number of goals and more points than after 11 games last year. The problem with small sample sizes and focusing on one thing...

Most scorers are streaky. The question should be "is he playing well?". I'd say thus far yes, although he needs to clean up a couple things defensively. He's generating shots and opportunities.

This kind of stuff irritates the heck out of me. Ben Pope has an article out about Kubalik's "slow start" because he has only two goals this year. Stating "Last season, seemingly every shot Dominik Kubalik took went in. Hockey is fickle, though, and Kubalik's luck has completely flipped this season".

The problem is that Kubalik has the same number of goals and more points than after 11 games last year. The problem with small sample sizes and focusing on one thing...

Most scorers are streaky. The question should be "is he playing well?". I'd say thus far yes, although he needs to clean up a couple things defensively. He's generating shots and opportunities.
- Chunk

Also, his overall game is improving.

There is something to be said when you have someone who can take the body. What purpose does Ryan Reeves play besides taking the body? Do you want to see a replay of last years playoffs when Reeves/Bellamare etc. just ran roughshod over the Hawks? You don't think that was on Stan's mind in acquiring Zadorov? He brings something that the Hawks do not have, a big nasty. Better than watching Shaw be the one sticking up for his team, or for that matter Toews like he had to do against Vegas last year.

Plus I was impressed when Niederrider was slashing at Zadorov and he did not retaliate then and get a stupid penalty. He took a number and paid it back later. I know that hitss aren't everything, but he did record 6, and a couple were those that makes the opposition take notice.
- LAHawk

Took 3 of them before he gave a bit of push back and took a stick to his face. He may be better if he just stopped trying to play the puck and go back to pee wee hockey. Play the man and not the puck. Getting beat wide by Staal is a bad look

This kind of stuff irritates the heck out of me. Ben Pope has an article out about Kubalik's "slow start" because he has only two goals this year. Stating "Last season, seemingly every shot Dominik Kubalik took went in. Hockey is fickle, though, and Kubalik's luck has completely flipped this season".

The problem is that Kubalik has the same number of goals and more points than after 11 games last year. The problem with small sample sizes and focusing on one thing...

Most scorers are streaky. The question should be "is he playing well?". I'd say thus far yes, although he needs to clean up a couple things defensively. He's generating shots and opportunities.
- Chunk

Yep. Kubalik is a better player this season. Still a work in progress in the NHL. His effort is there so he should get better defensively. Its not like he doesn't have any interest in playing defense.

Hard to believe Soderburg could be moved for anything, even a 7th. If he plays no better in the next 3 or 4 games, think you have to dump him.

He doesn't bring anything, let the young guys play. As you said, let Entwhistle get some time.

Shaw, Johnson, Highmore, Hagel, Entwhistle, Kampf can be 3rd and 4th lines. Wallmark and Carpenter will be back also.

Soderberg is a waste of a spot.
- vabeachbear

Depends on what you expect from him I guess. He is serving his role. Once he gets on the board he will be the same player he always has been, imo. His main role is showing what it means to work hard every shift. Sacrifice your body on the PK. How to take of yourself.

He has been okay, imo.