I'm sensing far too much optimism on the board today.

So, just to keep us all firmly grounded in reality... https://www.tankathon.com/nhl
- Rota's Rooter

It's not like we think they are good. We are just allowed to point out the few rays of sunshine that we get to see.

How's this? Carpenter was stupid for going after the guy that hit Lafferty - clean hit.
I want to like Khaira, but don't because he is not good.
This team still struggles mightily completing passes.
There is very little team cohesion in the O-zone. Basically just a bunch of guys roaming around looking for an opening.

There are two subsections of the typical IQ test that seem to me to apply to hockey. One is called processing speed, which you describe well. It is speed and accuracy of visual scanning and identifying visual objects, short-term memory, and visual-motor coordination. The other is visual-spatial, which is seeing visual details, understanding spatial relationships and construction ability, understanding the relationship between parts and a whole, and integrating visual and motor skills.

Many hockey players have enormous physical ability, but can't seem to be highly effective player (i.e., Stalberg). I strongly suspect that players with the added gifts described above are the players who become excellent.
- mohel

Wow. If you read this in Morgan Freeman's voice it sounds even more impressive. Did you get ghost writer this morning? Where are the Canadian insults and snark?

It's not like we think they are good. We are just allowed to point out the few rays of sunshine that we get to see.

How's this? Carpenter was stupid for going after the guy that hit Lafferty - clean hit.
I want to like Khaira, but don't because he is not good.
This team still struggles mightily completing passes.
There is very little team cohesion in the O-zone. Basically just a bunch of guys roaming around looking for an opening.
- Chunk

Yeah that Carpy penalty gave the Habs a lead but at the speed the hit occurred and from the ice level, I'm sure he couldn't tell it was a clean hit. I'd much rather have that penalty than Kahira's ozone blunder or Stillman's lifting the puck over the glass.

Yeah that Carpy penalty gave the Habs a lead but at the speed the hit occurred and from the ice level, I'm sure he couldn't tell it was a clean hit. I'd much rather have that penalty than Kahira's ozone blunder or Stillman's lifting the puck over the glass.
- Popsghostly

Admittedly, I have no idea what Carpenter actually, saw, but the ice level camera angle showed a perfectly legit shoulder check into Lafferty's shoulder while he had the puck. In general, I agree with your stance, but it seemed like Carpenter did it to try and get his team going (considering his gesture after being separated by the refs).

One thing that I like about Galvas is that he doesn't need much, if any, time to process where to go with the puck. you rarely see him hanging onto the puck and getting himself into trouble. He seems to know where his teammates are and makes a good first pass, or starts skating.

It's nice to see that kind of awareness. I like Murphy in general, but he and de Haan really seem to struggle with
Also, how about Stillman with 5 pts in four games. He seems to really be picking it up lately. Certainly a couple mistakes here and there, but he's becoming a pretty solid contributor.
- Chunk

Stillman has a nice shot too

I might like this future group but need to check on who plays what side on defense (I like to balance things on defense with puck handlers and toughness): Stillman, Galvas, Mitchell, S Jones, McCabe, Allen

Kaiser will probably force someone out. When he is strong enough. Kaiser is solid, doesn't panic or force things, makes good plays, smooth. Vlasic I've heard may require one year AHL. So those two plus Crevier could be on the brink. Beaudin is a mystery. Keep working at being consistent; his new look tough battling helps but he is a small guy and I think he has to beat out both Galvas and Kalynuk.

Kalynuk strikes me as a guy you need to give NHL time but may trade him if you like some other dman a lot. I really like those non pro prospects aforementioned a lot

Please just move Murphy as his skating is avg at best and he has value as a mid career, descent dman who can help a team needing defense depth. I'd move Murphy even now if we can move into a higher draft choice or get a promising center coming back to us.

Wow. If you read this in Morgan Freeman's voice it sounds even more impressive. Did you get ghost writer this morning? Where are the Canadian insults and snark?
- Chunk

I know the various areas of IQ, but I did cut and paste the exact language to describe them. I added the hockey part, which I'm sure is not novel, either!

The Canadians haven't done anything bad yet today (of course, they rarely do), but it is early.

Round and round and round they go.

Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers
·
43m
The Blackhawks assign Josiah Slavin, Ian Mitchell and Nicolas Beaudin to the IceHogs.

Round and round and round they go.

Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers
·
43m
The Blackhawks assign Josiah Slavin, Ian Mitchell and Nicolas Beaudin to the IceHogs.
- Chunk

Hopefully the Icehogs retain enough good prospects and make the playoffs.

If I was playing a game in the show at 165 lbs I'd be very aware as well.
- 6628

Be aware, keep your head on a swivel, keep the feet moving, carry your stick and elbows high and aim the blade or butt end at anyone looking to run you.

I know the various areas of IQ, but I did cut and paste the exact language to describe them. I added the hockey part, which I'm sure is not novel, either!

The Canadians haven't done anything bad yet today (of course, they rarely do), but it is early.
- mohel

You know that we Canadians never do anything bad.

Hopefully the Icehogs retain enough good prospects and make the playoffs.
- jhawk59

First, the taxi squad is currently only temporary thru the all star game. Second, a player can only be on the taxi squad for 20 consecutive days at a time. the merry-go-round will continue as long as there is a taxi squad.

Thanks Theo.

That OT goal was a no-doubter! It reminded me of a play years ago against the Wild I believe, where the puck exited the zone but it hit Seabrook's skate and went back in to the zone, (nullifying off-sides). In NHL logic, control=touch.
- powerenforcer

Not quite. Earlier in the year Hawks had a goal disallowed because Kane kicked a puck to his stick but they determined that he didn't have controk. Its a crap shoot which way they call anything.

Not quite. Earlier in the year Hawks had a goal disallowed because Kane kicked a puck to his stick but they determined that he didn't have controk. Its a crap shoot which way they call anything.
- TheTrob

On Andrew Shaw legacy night would you expect anything else but a wacky GWG?

One thing that I like about Galvas is that he doesn't need much, if any, time to process where to go with the puck. you rarely see him hanging onto the puck and getting himself into trouble. He seems to know where his teammates are and makes a good first pass, or starts skating.

It's nice to see that kind of awareness. I like Murphy in general, but he and de Haan really seem to struggle with that.

Also, how about Stillman with 5 pts in four games. He seems to really be picking it up lately. Certainly a couple mistakes here and there, but he's becoming a pretty solid contributor.
- Chunk

Galvas - I know it was only in the Czech league but the kid has been playing pro since he was 17. Many of his teammates were 25-35 years old. That experience makes a difference vs trying to force a young kid out of junior or the NCAA into an NHL lineup . Hope the Hawks keep him up for the balance of the year to see if they really have something in him as a player going forward. (Ian Mitchell might not like that idea tho).

Galvas - I know it was only in the Czech league but the kid has been playing pro since he was 17. Many of his teammates were 25-35 years old. That experience makes a difference vs trying to force a young kid out of junior or the NCAA into an NHL lineup . Hope the Hawks keep him up for the balance of the year to see if they really have something in him as a player going forward. (Ian Mitchell might not like that idea tho).
- RickJ

Maybe there is something to these guys playing in other pro leagues and them being more prepared to play in the NHL (I'm obviously being rhetorical here).

Even if they aren't great players, guys like Suter, Kahun, and Kubalik are all better prepared to contribute when they get to the NHL. Hopefully, the new FO - whoever they end up being - realizes this and allows younger players to actually develop and get some experience vs adult competition before testing them at the NHL level. There are always exceptions where guys are ready their draft year, but I think the general rule should be more preparation and not less.

Mitchell is fine where he is. He's getting a lot of minutes in all situations. If he doesn't learn to be more discerning with that stretch pass, it will be on him as to why he's not in the NHL. You can't keep turning the puck over that often.

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
·
55s
426 #NHL players have entered COVID-19 protocol since omicron spread began on Dec. 11, according to data tracked by
@DailyFaceoff
.

So, ~60% of rosters were confirmed positive in 35 days. Key stat: Those 426 do not have to test again at all for 90 days from date of positive.

Maybe there is something to these guys playing in other pro leagues and them being more prepared to play in the NHL (I'm obviously being rhetorical here).

Even if they aren't great players, guys like Suter, Kahun, and Kubalik are all better prepared to contribute when they get to the NHL. Hopefully, the new FO - whoever they end up being - realizes this and allows younger players to actually develop and get some experience vs adult competition before testing them at the NHL level. There are always exceptions where guys are ready their draft year, but I think the general rule should be more preparation and not less.

Mitchell is fine where he is. He's getting a lot of minutes in all situations. If he doesn't learn to be more discerning with that stretch pass, it will be on him as to why he's not in the NHL. You can't keep turning the puck over that often.
- Chunk

With 32 teams in the league, an NHL team that overlooks what is available on the other side of the Atlantic does so to their own detriment.

Not at all comparable to Galvas, but Nik Lidstrom, Borje Salming and Sergei Zubov turned out pretty good.

There is a long list of kids who were longshot draft picks but came over from Europe or Russia as 20/21 year olds and had pretty decent NHL careers as blueliners - Daniel Markov, Tomas Kaberle, Kenny Jonsson, Dmitri Yushkevich and others.

So should we be really surprised if Galvas turns out to be an OK NHL defenceman? Maybe he can duplicate what Gustav Forsling is doing now in Florida. The Hawks decided they had no time to wait on him developing.

Honestly, after TALKING to Wiz about Kuraahev, my suspicions appear correct. Probably is always going to be timid along boards. Can he ever be consistent. I would not sweat loosing him. I would actually like to see Barret, Altybarmaken and Slavin here over Kurashev. The ND kid Slaggert (name?) Sounds like a slam dunk but he has to prove himself once he turns pro. As well, I really believe that Wise will surprise as a pretty good player

Those players are secondary lines 2-4 or lines 3 &4. Borgstrom is sort of an enigma because he could be line 2 if he scores more. That could occur eventually? So we have Reichel and a #1 2023 if we select a forward, as our top line prospects.

Not Dach. He could possibly become a complimentary line 2 or 3. He could be someone who outplayed the other team's center. But he needs to figure things out better and get stronger on skates and a streak of meaness would help.

No on Kurashev. Yes to moving into top five '22 draft if it can be accomplished

JHawk

Is trading to get into the top 5 this year gonna produce a slam dunk #1 Center? Unless the Hawks win the lottery, they aren't getting Shane Wright. Brad Lambert stock has fallen. Logan Cooley is right now the next best center. He cheks all the boxes, except he might be a little small. I am not nearly as adept as Wiz and Ricco as to projecting the development of prospects, or how they will do in the NHL. but is Cooley (no assurances that someone drafting higher won't pick him either) that good to blow all your trade capital on?
- LAHawk

Kurashev's natural position is Center. I don't understand an urgency to push him out & down the highway or just put a 'who cares' tag on him. His contract is cheap and they will be able to qualify him at an attractive number. The guy they should be trying to push out the door asap is that f'n dog Dylan Strome who makes 3X what Kurashev does and is completely insignificant. And don't you think King would have called up and kept up Barratt, Slavin and Alty if he thought they were better than Kurashev or could help the team?

Kurashev's natural position is Center. I don't understand an urgency to push him out & down the highway or just put a 'who cares' tag on him. His contract is cheap and they will be able to qualify him at an attractive number. The guy they should be trying to push out the door asap is that f'n dog Dylan Strome who makes 3X what Kurashev does and is completely insignificant. And don't you think King would have called up and kept up Barratt, Slavin and Alty if he thought they were better than Kurashev or could help the team?
- RickJ

Agree 100%. In my eyes Kurashev battles along the boards, seems defensively responsible, and has a good shot. From what I’ve seen he belongs in the show, at least with this team. He’s a perfect 3rd line forward, who can be moved up in case of injuries. I can see him netting 15-18 goals/year in the near future.

Kurashev's natural position is Center. I don't understand an urgency to push him out & down the highway or just put a 'who cares' tag on him. His contract is cheap and they will be able to qualify him at an attractive number. The guy they should be trying to push out the door asap is that f'n dog Dylan Strome who makes 3X what Kurashev does and is completely insignificant. And don't you think King would have called up and kept up Barratt, Slavin and Alty if he thought they were better than Kurashev or could help the team?
- RickJ

Reportedly Kurashev has performed better since he returned from the AHL. I know what wiz feels so I am just watching to see how he performs the remainder of season. One useful part of his game I do like though beside some skill: sometimes it is subtle things he does that leads to a scoring opportunity.

As for the players King has coached in Rockford being Barret and Altybarmaken, I believe Theo has opined that they are getting closer to NHL deserved look as their development continues. I mention those two because I can see a niche they could carve due to their style of play. Furthermore the irritating mouth on Barret is an asset to get opposing players off their game and to commit penalties.

You and I despise Strome although he has shown better lately. The sooner his address changes the happier we shall become.

Galvas - I know it was only in the Czech league but the kid has been playing pro since he was 17. Many of his teammates were 25-35 years old. That experience makes a difference vs trying to force a young kid out of junior or the NCAA into an NHL lineup . Hope the Hawks keep him up for the balance of the year to see if they really have something in him as a player going forward. (Ian Mitchell might not like that idea tho).
- RickJ

I noticed this kid's path when I looked him up before his debut. As you mention played in the CZE pro league at 17 then at 18 and 19 yrs old then moves up to the solid top Finnish pro league as a 20 and 21 yr old and during all that plays in a U-18 WJC and two U-20 WJC's.

Then moves to the small surface as a 22 yr old in RKF this yr. This is a 5th rd pick who seems to have been developed properly. Really, the eye test shows very good processing speed, and no doubt that comes from playing vs men for so long, but taking into account he only had 20 games on the small surface in RKF it is especially impressive and might indicate he's a good bit from his ceiling ........ Hawks will have to identify, evaluate, draft and develop a few of these types to get back into relevance assuming the kid is say a 4th Dman on a solid NHL club.

This is what competent NHL organIzations look like. Finding and developing lower rd draft picks that become useful NHL contributers. Did not cheat the process or cut corners.

Edit: Galvas might end up being Exhibit A why you take 10-12 swings at a position and hope one sticks. Not unheard of for a 5th rd pick to stick when 5-6 kids in the 2nd, 3rd (and even 1st) rds don't pan out. ...... More lottery tickets you buy the better the chance of getting lucky with a winner.

With 32 teams in the league, an NHL team that overlooks what is available on the other side of the Atlantic does so to their own detriment.

Not at all comparable to Galvas, but Nik Lidstrom, Borje Salming and Sergei Zubov turned out pretty good.

There is a long list of kids who were longshot draft picks but came over from Europe or Russia as 20/21 year olds and had pretty decent NHL careers as blueliners - Daniel Markov, Tomas Kaberle, Kenny Jonsson, Dmitri Yushkevich and others.

So should we be really surprised if Galvas turns out to be an OK NHL defenceman? Maybe he can duplicate what Gustav Forsling is doing now in Florida. The Hawks decided they had no time to wait on him developing.
- RickJ

I wasn't even limiting it to EU players. I'm saying most, of not all players should get some time playing against adults in some pro league before getting to the NHL unless there is a clear demonstration of their ability to handle it mentally and physically.

Your comment on Forsling is why I'm anxious to see how they handle Mitchell. I personally see why they liked him enough to draft. I just think they need to give him the time to get his game up to the required level. Forsling is just now 25 years old.

Agree 100%. In my eyes Kurashev battles along the boards, seems defensively responsible, and has a good shot. From what I’ve seen he belongs in the show, at least with this team. He’s a perfect 3rd line forward, who can be moved up in case of injuries. I can see him netting 15-18 goals/year in the near future.
- Angotti

He's played really well since being recalled

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
·
55s
426 #NHL players have entered COVID-19 protocol since omicron spread began on Dec. 11, according to data tracked by
@DailyFaceoff
.

So, ~60% of rosters were confirmed positive in 35 days. Key stat: Those 426 do not have to test again at all for 90 days from date of positive.
- Chunk

Don't know if it's true or not but i heard you can still catch the other variant like delta a couple of weeks later or vice versa, they say the hospitals are filling up but there are almost as many delta patients as there are omi

Frank Seravalli
@frank_seravalli
·
55s
426 #NHL players have entered COVID-19 protocol since omicron spread began on Dec. 11, according to data tracked by
@DailyFaceoff
.

So, ~60% of rosters were confirmed positive in 35 days. Key stat: Those 426 do not have to test again at all for 90 days from date of positive.
- Chunk

Discounting or not considering off ice safety measures by the players, we do know that they are in close proximity with each other during games and even so (but to lesser extent) in practice time. So they were and are ripe for omnicron to encroach.

As fans we hopefully have masks on if we attend games and wearing masks when around other folks throughout our days. So as fans we are cutting down our opportunities (hopefully) by wearing mask whereas the players at times do not wear a mask.

The 60% figure appears perfectly understandable given the spreadable nature of omnicron.

As an aside, back in 1978 a well known best selling author published a book about a worldwide pandemic. This seemed hyperbole and science fiction. "That was then, this is now" is another title of a book from that bygone era. But scary times indeed nowadays and perhaps for many, many years with new variants, new strains popping up.