That's why I didn't use the word effective. I said they could keep up. My comment was not related to the fitness of our young D for playing regular minutes in the NHL. It was strictly related to Vlasic's readiness compared to Kalynuk and Mitchell after what I thought was the same amount of collegiate experience.
- Chunk

My argument is those guys weren't ready either.

if it comes down to seattle taking gaudette kampf or stillman my guess is they take gaudette. He mentions Suter or Kurashev as replacements but wouldnt or roster be stronger if those guys were on the 3/4th line and bump out carpenter. he also mentions barrett but then we take a step back if we run out a ton of rookies again.
gaudette is one year removed from 33 pts in 59 games that would have put him 4th on this team and has finally figured out his diet. assuming teows does not play and strome is not back.

nylander-suter-kane
cat-dach-kubalik
gaudette-borgstrom-shalunov
hagel-kampf-kurashev
conelly
- kmw4631

I hope they protect Gaudette and Stillman. If Seattle follows the Vegas model those are the kind of players they take a chance on (Tuch, Marchesseault, Schmidt).

My protected list: Toews, Kane, Debrincat, Hagel, Gaudette, Borgstrum, Nylander, Keith, Murphy, Stillman, Lankinen
(based on cap friendly expansion draft tool) https://www.capfriendly.c...m/expansion-draft/seattle

For anyone keeping track: Jakub Galvas was cut from the Czech World Championships roster today, due to injury sustained in a game against Sweden last night. It is being reported that his arm is broken.

Kubalík will join the team tomorrow morning, but will not play in a game against Russia on Saturday afternoon. Both games mentioned are part of the Czech Hockey Games tournament (CZE, RUS, SWE, FIN), which is part of the annual Euro Hockey Tour.

That's why I didn't use the word effective. I said they could keep up. My comment was not related to the fitness of our young D for playing regular minutes in the NHL. It was strictly related to Vlasic's readiness compared to Kalynuk and Mitchell after what I thought was the same amount of collegiate experience.
- Chunk

It's a crap shoot. You have guys like Makar and Hughes who stepped right into the NHL and did pretty well. Then you have guys like Gostisbehere who started out on fire and then struggled. One consideration is that if you look at Makar, Hughes and Ghost, while they have excelled more on the offensive side, they really struggle at times in their own ends, as most young defenseman do. The scrutiny of the Hawks young D has been more on the defensive side of the puck.

My argument is those guys weren't ready either.
- rpeters01

In your eyes, what would show that they were ready? What is the minimum that a D prospect needs to demonstrate?

I don't think Mitchell and Kalynuk were in over their heads. By no means did they excel, but they were able to step in and play in the NHL without completely embarrassing themselves. I think they played D like TVR did when he first came up (although the two new guys tend to get more involved in offense).

Svedberg, Hillman, Runblad were all clearly not able to process what was happening on the ice.

Agree on Kampf and Nylander. But I would not protect Kampf. I would protect Nylander. I am higher on Gaudette (24yo). I think he has more upside potential. I would protect him. I like Hino (27yo), but I would not protect him and if I signed him it would be cheap and short term.
- Doh
Agree on most of this, many complain about our defense, yet they want to get rid of our most defensively responsible center. Maybe if we add more top end talent, we won’t have to worry about Kampf scoring, all players have roles. Where I disagree is on Hino,not a fan, yes he put up a few points because he was playing on the second line and power play, but he’s a turnover machine at the blue line, no thanks. Add two top six forwards(Toews could be one) and Kurashev, Suter, Gaudette, Borgstrom, Kampf, Enwhistle, and others can fill bottom two lines. Maybe give Nylander another kick at the can, let him play with Toews and Kubalik, he won’t have a choice but to play a 200’ game, if he doesn’t then c u.

Thanks for the blog, Theo.

As an aside, I know 7 games is a small sample, but isn’t it a bit unfair to say that Cale Morris has been meh also? In his first taste of pro hockey, his numbers are significantly better than any other Rockford goalkeeper this year, not by a small amount. And considering he posted very good numbers throughout his career at Notre Dame, I am looking forward to see more of him next year in Rockford. He may still turn out to be meh, for sure, but I’d say he earned another good look.

(edited: Notre Dame, not North Dakota)
- stonefire

You bet, stonefire.

Out of the 4 goalies in Rockford, I don't mind Tomkins and Morris as they have shown flashes of ability to at least be an NHL backup but they need consistency rather than run hot and cold.

If they can be more even keel like Lankinen was when he was with the Hogs than like Delia who was either lights out or a giant sieve, then that would boost their stock.

Tomkins and Morris have it in them to raise their pro game to that level.

Svedberg, Hillman, Runblad were all clearly not able to process what was happening on the ice.
- Chunk

Fun Fact: Giant Viktor Svedberg will play for Team Kazakhstan at World Championships. He’s been playing for Astana/Nur-Sultan in the KHL for three years and voila…

You bet, stonefire.

Out of the 4 goalies in Rockford, I don't mind Tomkins and Morris as they have shown flashes of ability to at least be an NHL backup but they need consistency rather than run hot and cold.

If they can be more even keel like Lankinen was when he was with the Hogs than like Delia who was either lights out or a giant sieve, then that would boost their stock.

Tomkins and Morris have it in them to raise their pro game to that level.
- Theo Fox

Agreed. Neither of the two is signed for next season, but I’d like to keep Morris for a longer look.

Theo, great addition of the play-by-play guy. Do they just let Foley keep going until he's says he's done, or do they cut him out early?

Tomkins - shine's off that penny, huh? I think you had him as a dark horse to surprise at the beginning of the year. I didn't get to see any Icehog games this year, but it's funny how one year can put a sour taste in you mouth.

Vlasic - just curious why you think Vlasic would need 1-2 years in the AHL when guys like Kalynuk, and Mitchell were able to step in and at least keep up in the NHL? Is Vlasic that far behind those two in development, or is it still that he has to figure out how to play with his size?
- Chunk

IMO, Foley is the play-by-play announcer until he decides to hang them up. I know most people like Wiedeman for the radio broadcasts and can't see him going anywhere soon but Zakrzewski could be an option down the road.

I still like Tomkins quite a bit actually but he didn't run with the season as the bonafide Hogs starter like he should have. Part of it was that he was on the taxi squad a lot and so sat for long stretches.

When Tomkins is on his game, he's really strong. It's the cold streaks that he needs to cut down on, i.e. be less like Delia and more like Lankinen.

As for Vlasic, he is going to be leaned on as a shutdown defender and that may take more time to develop at the pro level with keeping up with the speed, managing gaps, defending in different ways, leveraging his size, etc.

Similar to Regula, some fans (not saying you of course) see his size and want Vlasic to be a big bruising blueliner and that's just not his game. Vlasic even said so himself in an Athletic article a few months ago.

In that same article, Vlasic also said he found it refreshing in his pre-draft interviews that the Hawks were not expecting him to be that type of player while other teams harped on that being what they would like him to be if they drafted him.

No Problem, my son is one of the Athletic Trainers at BU (and played Hockey when he was in school there)
- TheTrob

That's cool your son is a BU Athletic Trainer and played hockey there when he was a student.

Has your son ever talked about Jake Wise? I've always wondered whether if it was more than just injuries derailing Wise's development. He's now transfered to Ohio State.

For anyone keeping track: Jakub Galvas was cut from the Czech World Championships roster today, due to injury sustained in a game against Sweden last night. It is being reported that his arm is broken.

Kubalík will join the team tomorrow morning, but will not play in a game against Russia on Saturday afternoon. Both games mentioned are part of the Czech Hockey Games tournament (CZE, RUS, SWE, FIN), which is part of the annual Euro Hockey Tour.
- stonefire

That's too bad about Galvas. Heal up and be ready for Hawks training camp, then develop on the Hogs blueline.

IMO, Foley is the play-by-play announcer until he decides to hang them up. I know cost people like Wiedeman for the radio broadcasts and can't see him going anywhere soon but Zakrzewski could be an option down the road.

I still like Tomkins quite a bit actually but he didn't run with the season as the bonafide Hogs starter like he should have. Part of it was that he was on the taxi squad a lot and so sat for long stretches.

When Tomkins is on his game, he's really strong. It's the cold streaks that he needs to cut down on, i.e. be less like Delia and more like Lankinen.

As for Vlasic, he is going to be leaned on as a shutdown defender and that may take more time to develop at the pro level with keeping up with the speed, managing gaps, defending in different ways, leveraging his size, etc.

Similar to Regula, some fans (not saying you of course) see his size and want Vlasic to be a big bruising blueliner and that's just not his game. Vlasic even said so himself in an Athletic article a few months ago.

In that same article, Vlasic also said he found it refreshing in his pre-draft interviews that the Hawks were not expecting him to be that type of player while other teams harped on that being what they would like him to be if they drafted him.
- Theo Fox

IMO, Foley is growing increasingly Harry Carey like - concentrates too much (with Olczyk) on non-hockey “shout outs to” and stories that overlap the play, and (non) funny voices….They need to get back to the game in hand.

There’s another on-ice performer that I’d like to see launched immediately, but I won’t get into that now.

That's cool your son is a BU Athletic Trainer and played hockey there when he was a student.

Has your son ever talked about Jake Wise? I've always wondered whether if it was more than just injuries derailing Wise's development. He's now transfered to Ohio State.
- Theo Fox

He hasn't said much about Wise. He has only been a trainer there for about a year, coming back after being a PT for a couple of years. He spends more time with sports and teams other than men's hockey, though he is a fan. As the premier team at BU it is mostly more senior trainers that work with them, the main trainer is the one that heads the department and has been there forever, he was there when Travis Roy was paralyzed.

General consensus is that injuries just derailed him, and others passed him.

For anyone keeping track: Jakub Galvas was cut from the Czech World Championships roster today, due to injury sustained in a game against Sweden last night. It is being reported that his arm is broken.

Kubalík will join the team tomorrow morning, but will not play in a game against Russia on Saturday afternoon. Both games mentioned are part of the Czech Hockey Games tournament (CZE, RUS, SWE, FIN), which is part of the annual Euro Hockey Tour.
- stonefire

Dammit, Stan, shoulda kept Galvas in the bubble wrap.

IMO, Foley is growing increasingly Harry Carey like - concentrates too much (with Olczyk) on non-hockey “shout outs to” and stories that overlap the play, and (non) funny voices….They need to get back to the game in hand.

There’s another on-ice performer that I’d like to see launched immediately, but I won’t get into that now.
- StLBravesFan

Agreed, and please let’s get into that…why not?

IMO, Foley is growing increasingly Harry Carey like - concentrates too much (with Olczyk) on non-hockey “shout outs to” and stories that overlap the play, and (non) funny voices….They need to get back to the game in hand.

There’s another on-ice performer that I’d like to see launched immediately, but I won’t get into that now.
- StLBravesFan

That Zamboni guy is a menace; somebody's going to get hurt.

I’m with you on Kampf. While his offensive abilities seem to be near zero even as a junior aged player and it makes me crazy that he’s a player where offense goes to die he is pretty good defensively. Defensively he plays his position properly, he doesn’t cheat by leaving the zone too early. Of course if he did cheat he’d only disappoint us and himself with futile offensive forays. But he is one of the few who makes a strong effort to dedicate himself to looking after the defensive part of the game. And many of the fans screaming for the hawks to unload him are the same ones screaming that the hawks defense sucks and that the Hawk forwards don’t provide any support in the defensive zone. Kampf is what he is and until a better fourth line defensive forward, hopefully with a bit of a scoring touch is developed the hawks may as well keep him.
- paulr

I'm not on board with Kampf. If this is a full build then put a young forward in the spot. The Hawks also don't need Kampf types. They need two way forwards. Kampf might be an above average defensive forward but he is so bad on offense that negates it. I also don't see him really shutting down other top lines like Kruger used to do.

Part of being good at defense is also keeping the puck on the other side of the ice for extended periods of time.

If the Hawks keep Kampf then he needs to stay on the 4th line and only the 4th line. Preferably with two young wingers.

He hasn't said much about Wise. He has only been a trainer there for about a year, coming back after being a PT for a couple of years. He spends more time with sports and teams other than men's hockey, though he is a fan. As the premier team at BU it is mostly more senior trainers that work with them, the main trainer is the one that heads the department and has been there forever, he was there when Travis Roy was paralyzed.

General consensus is that injuries just derailed him, and others passed him.
- TheTrob

Thanks, Trob. That makes sense what you described about the senior trainers being with the crown jewel of the sports program in the hockey team.

As for Wise, sometimes it is what it is with injuries just being a constant source of derailment. Hopefully he stays healthy in his senior year and can rejuvenate his viability as a center prospect for the Hawks.

IMO, Foley is growing increasingly Harry Carey like - concentrates too much (with Olczyk) on non-hockey “shout outs to” and stories that overlap the play, and (non) funny voices….They need to get back to the game in hand.

There’s another on-ice performer that I’d like to see launched immediately, but I won’t get into that now.
- StLBravesFan

Cornelison?

Cornelison?
- Theo Fox

Cornellison.

In your eyes, what would show that they were ready? What is the minimum that a D prospect needs to demonstrate?

I don't think Mitchell and Kalynuk were in over their heads. By no means did they excel, but they were able to step in and play in the NHL without completely embarrassing themselves. I think they played D like TVR did when he first came up (although the two new guys tend to get more involved in offense).

Svedberg, Hillman, Runblad were all clearly not able to process what was happening on the ice.
- Chunk

Like Boqvist, Mitchell's body was not matured before coming into the league. I don't know as much about Kalynuk he did play half a season although not many games at Rockford.

Didn’t realize until now with how the “division’s “ were set up there could be a Stanley Cup final of:

Boston vsTBL
Or
Colorado vs LVK

An east vs east or west vs west final.....

Odd year to say the least....

Exhale......

Like Boqvist, Mitchell's body was not matured before coming into the league. I don't know as much about Kalynuk he did play half a season although not many games at Rockford.
- rpeters01

Quinn Hughes body wasn't matured either. What determines whether or not a player is ready to play in the NHL?

Quinn Hughes body wasn't matured either. What determines whether or not a player is ready to play in the NHL?
- Chunk

Realistically, while physical skills such as size, skating ability, hands, shot, etc. obviously play a role, the most important thing that determines whether a player is ready or not is their Hockey sense.

There is so much talk about "having to learn" especially when it comes to defenseman that the more someone knows coming in, the shorter the curve. Unfortunately, for many of these 19-21 year old's they have grown up dominating at almost every level they have played at.

Many (way more than you would think), have never learned the "proper way" to play the game, they excelled because they were bigger, stronger, faster, etc. than anyone else, so they didn't have to, were never forced to or were never taught. If you were to watch a lot of AAA and Jr. games and break them down on what you would consider to be the "correct" way to play, you would be shocked at how many of these kids have no idea.

When they are then thrown into a pool where most players are at the same level or better and no longer can rely on their physical abilities to dominate, they need to have the mental side or they will fail.