For all of Dach's weaknesses, I am ready to give him plenty of time. He just turned 21 and only has played 120 games in the NHL (less than 2 full seasons). He has had injuries, was in covid protocol, played with a huge variety of linemates (some of them were bums) and under some pretty weak coaching. He has shown flashes of top 6 material. A cup half full says he is trying to figure things out and that is why he is processing things so slowly. After he figures things out he will become more instinctive and will not require the over thinking. The cup half empty sees a player with some tools but lacking in hockey sense and vision. 3C or a 2nd/3rd line winger at best. The Hawks are not making the playoffs this year and probably for a few years. What is the harm in letting him play center and see what he can do. Toews, Strome, Borgstrum, Dach, and if/when T. Johnson could be top 9 centers. None are playing like a stud #1c. The opinion on this blog is that they are all playing like #2 or #3 centers on a decent team. What is the rush? Tap the breaks. Let things play out the rest of this year and next year.
- -Doh-

You've got a lot of nerve trying to introduce reason into this discussion on Dach.

You've got a lot of nerve trying to introduce reason into this discussion on Dach.
- HawkintheD

My apologies. I will banish myself from posting for a week or so.

My apologies. I will banish myself from posting for a week or so.
- -Doh-

However be warned! The second time you’re reasonable it’s a lifetime ban. And you’re lucky I’m nice, D would have you drawn and quartered.

While I do like them to give younger players a look, you can’t have too many inexperienced players dress for a game at same time, they’ll get killed and demoralized, which is not good for their development.
- Angotti

You're right, and I knew this to be true but overlooked it. My whole objective was just to get as competitive a line up .....as a better.opportunity to win. Although honestly one day a year or two away it is possible a large influx of forwards and a couple dmen does become reality. Just not all at the same time.

Bummer - kid did well last night

@johndietzdh

Blackhawks place Kevin Lankinen on injured reserve with a right hand injury. Arvid Soderblom is called up.

For all of Dach's weaknesses, I am ready to give him plenty of time. He just turned 21 and only has played 120 games in the NHL (less than 2 full seasons). He has had injuries, was in covid protocol, played with a huge variety of linemates (some of them were bums) and under some pretty weak coaching. He has shown flashes of top 6 material. A cup half full says he is trying to figure things out and that is why he is processing things so slowly. After he figures things out he will become more instinctive and will not require the over thinking. The cup half empty sees a player with some tools but lacking in hockey sense and vision. 3C or a 2nd/3rd line winger at best. The Hawks are not making the playoffs this year and probably for a few years. What is the harm in letting him play center and see what he can do. Toews, Strome, Borgstrum, Dach, and if/when T. Johnson could be top 9 centers. None are playing like a stud #1c. The opinion on this blog is that they are all playing like #2 or #3 centers on a decent team. What is the rush? Tap the breaks. Let things play out the rest of this year and next year.
- -Doh-

Good point and your correct with your assessment but imo I just don't see dach going forward as a center I hope I m wrong and dach has a very successful career.

My biggest problem is that I don't have the background to know what to look for regarding what actual development looks like. Example: Strome is looking good now. Is there something he is doing that is fundamentally different, or is it simply more consistent effort (maybe two sides of the same coin there).

This is why I asked the question about the center position. Borgstrom is pretty slippery and seems able to glide into and out of scoring areas quickly and effectively. Would that skillset be better suited for a winger? Is he missing something to play center?
- Chunk

Think it's fair to say a centerman's #1 duty is to be responsible defensively. As you notice he's down in the low slot/crease or endwall in his zone with the Dmen. The wingers cover the Dmen at the point so generally speaking he has a long way to go to the Ozone so being a good skater helps. But he is a glorified 3rd Dman in his zone. His areas of responsibility go from board to board where a winger's is generally his 1/2 the ice so again being a plus skater is helpful...

From there 75% of them are dish men making those around him better. So those two responsibilities lend themselves to a high IQ player. Broken down it's as simple as that between C's and W's. C is a glorified Dman in his zone and has larger areas of responsibilities.

Maybe you haven't played but by simply watching enough you are qualified to see development. If you're eyes see Hagel or Stillman are skating better they probably are. If you see the young Jones making better decisions he probably is. If you see Slavin on the right side of the puck, below it, most every time and hitting the open man it's cuz he is. ........ By shear repetition a fan can see that and that doesn't take a scouts eye.

Now the hard part, why? Cuz he's taken a step forward, is simply acclimating to the level, has he simply just started understanding the system and or his role, has there been a position or slotting change where he's has chemistry with different linemates or cuz of quality of competition relief (moved down the lineup facing easier competition), is he just more confident and if so why are just a few things for improved play besides his skills/skating have improved thru age and practice.

That's where the guys from scouts to the prez of hockey ops comes in with their experience, analytics and IQ. Why, for anything good or bad..........

I've liked Borgstrom from the hop, as they say. Didn't take a scouts eye to see his skating, size and skill. But isolating on his shifts I saw being responsible is in his DNA. He's wonderfully positioned and reads plays on both sides of the puck well (Slavin too) which shows IQ. 15 games in I check his fancies and see he's on the plus side of corsi and shot share but my eye test told me that so in my mind I was correct on the kid in that regard (still gotta score/finish, dish, hit, be hit, handle an 82 game grind, compete, stay healthy to be an NHLer).

Now he pops for 2 yesterday and I didn't watch the game but watched a 5 minute capsule of the game. Immediately, before the goal, when he stole the puck to start the goal scoring sequence I could see more explosion in his feet, immediately. Now the hard part, why? Cuz he moved to wing, cuz he was slotted correctly, cuz he had chemistry, quality of competition relief, is becoming comfortable at this level, cuz he was benched the night before?....... Above my pay grade but I saw the "development" of explosion in his feet. And anyone else can too that's not a scout but by shear repetition of seeing the kid play but knowing why is how you make a million bucks a yr.

That's where the guys from scouts to the prez of hockey ops comes in with their experience, analytics. Why, for the good and the bad.......... But IMO a fan who never played has plenty of ability to see development.

Bummer - kid did well last night

@johndietzdh

Blackhawks place Kevin Lankinen on injured reserve with a right hand injury. Arvid Soderblom is called up.
- pdx2ord

Indeed sucks Lankinen got injured but now we'll see Soderblom get that valuable NHL ice time. Looking forward to seeing that myself and for whoever the hell might be calling shots in the FO too.

Kid might show he's a big leaguer but maybe not. Will never get closer to the answer until he gets NHL ice time.

Separate topic.
In the defensive zone Kane is pretty useless at the half board, in the slot or behind the net. But he is also regularly 20+’ from the point in no man’s land. Why not in a normal setup have him stay on top of the left defender near the blue line.
It takes that defender out of being a passing or shooting option. Or at least takes away time and space.
It allows Kane to get a step on the defender during a breakout.
He can always come back deeper in the zone when we gain possession to help the breakout.

As it is now that defender has plenty of time to shoot, pass, or move laterally along the blue line.

They were saying that was the 13th time that the Wild have scored with the extra skater this season. How is that possible?

Separate topic.
In the defensive zone Kane is pretty useless at the half board, in the slot or behind the net. But he is also regularly 20+’ from the point in no man’s land. Why not in a normal setup have him stay on top of the left defender near the blue line.
It takes that defender out of being a passing or shooting option. Or at least takes away time and space.
It allows Kane to get a step on the defender during a breakout.
He can always come back deeper in the zone when we gain possession to help the breakout.

As it is now that defender has plenty of time to shoot, pass, or move laterally along the blue line.
- Ztra

.

It is a good idea but the Hawks D is 31st in the league in defensive turnovers so Kane Playing high is basically taking himself out of the play anyway

They were saying that was the 13th time that the Wild have scored with the extra skater this season. How is that possible?
- 333inthe3rd

Maybe that number includes delayed penalty time, that would include an extra skater as well, who knows? But yeah, you’re right, that doesn’t seem probable.

Just last night? Although with your assertion that the refs are against the Hawks because of 2010 you did bring it up three or four notches.
- paulr

Yeah, it appeared that the crash cart might be needed. I had one reading at 220/150. Scary stuff!

Lankinen out for 3 weeks per Charlie Roumelatis.

Lankinen out for 3 weeks per Charlie Roumelatis.
- boilermaker100

Is Delia hurt? I would bring him up to sit behind Fleury and let Soderbloom play games at Rockford.

Now that we traded for Seth Jones what if the Hawks went after Chychurin? Give up another 1st, then you'd have to include a prospect and young player, and our 1st round pick would be really attractive

Now that we traded for Seth Jones what if the Hawks went after Chychurin? Give up another 1st, then you'd have to include a prospect and young player, and our 1st round pick would be really attractive
- BetweenTheDots

Depends on what young player and what prospect. Is the young player and prospect have ceiling as.
......what? They aren't getting top few prospects. So it boils down to, essentially Chychurin worth the #1 and a young player.

But when you have a crying need for a center, I doubt that you trade a #1

And you have to be patient with a center such as Dach.

But a defense led by S Jones and Chychurin with Galvas, Mitchell, McCabe and Kaiser on the way? And if not traded bright future Vlasic and maybe Phillips

Well aforementioned not going to trade for him. Doesn't make sense.

* If that sort of trade went down, it might look like this;

Chychurin FOR #1 "23, Vlasic, Phillips, Kurachev.

,* maybe feeling insecure at center, another trade could be:

Then trade Murphy + (does it have to be Dach) FOR someone's NHL center. And remember we have Reichel and Slavin coming (both should be solid).

But again I doubt trade for
Chychurin. But I pondered a what if such a trade went down just for the fun of it. Didn't take long time come up with this

Theo,

Does McLaughlin get pushed off puck, is he a rag doll? I believe you said that although he is not a boards type player, he competes and can withstand the tough checking.

You have opined that Blackhawks might give him a contract this summer. I am intrigued with his skill and style. Would like this kid to get an opportunity.

Theo,

Does McLaughlin get pushed off puck, is he a rag doll? I believe you said that although he is not a boards type player, he competes and can withstand the tough checking.

You have opined that Blackhawks might give him a contract this summer. I am intrigued with his skill and style. Would like this kid to get an opportunity.
- jhawk59

McLaughlin is a smart player and sleek skater making him elusive. He rarely gets throttled by the defense.

When you see prospects like Morrison and Pour get NHL contracts, it's a head scratcher why McLaughlin doesn't have one. He's >> than most players in Rockford.

New blog! Thoughts on the status of the Blackhawks at the halfway point of the season.

Plus, updates on goalies Kevin Lankinen and Arvid Soderblom as well as prospect Artur Kayumov.

Game vs Avalanche tonight.

https://bit.ly/3qTG4Cu