The recent moves is most likely because they needed players to have a team in RFD. They only had 5 forwards under contract before the recent signings.
- Elbows15

As Theo wrote..."earlier this offseason Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has professed the desire to have a farm club that goes deep in the playoffs and challenge for the Calder Cup every season..."

Could be that's part of the plan to return the Hawks to greatness, although having a crap farm team didn't cause much trouble from 2009-2016. Could also be that the new owner wants to make a profit (nothing wrong with that, btw). Could be both, I suppose.

They sold off a lot of their realty holdings in recent years. The liquor distributorships is probably where most of their investments are these days.

I am sure they are still in the game but not like they were years ago.
- Elbows15

Liquor is as close to recession proof as anything out there, and here I was going to start a Gofund me for Rocky.

Liquor is as close to recession proof as anything out there, and here I was going to start a Gofund me for Rocky.
- Angotti

His apartment buildings considering how much rents are increasing are not doing too shabby either.

Not sure anyone mentioned this yet....

One major reason for the push toward competitiveness in Rockford is that Rocky now owns the Hogs. Probably wants to sell more tickets and have more playoff games.
- mohel

Was thinking the same thing. He owns the stadium as well. Sell that beer...

His apartment buildings considering how much rents are increasing are not doing too shabby either.
- LAHawk

And most of his apartment buildings are old school high end buildings

As Theo wrote..."earlier this offseason Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson has professed the desire to have a farm club that goes deep in the playoffs and challenge for the Calder Cup every season..."

Could be that's part of the plan to return the Hawks to greatness, although having a crap farm team didn't cause much trouble from 2009-2016. Could also be that the new owner wants to make a profit (nothing wrong with that, btw). Could be both, I suppose.
- mohel

Still doesn't change the fact they had nothing in RFD for this season. So they signed a bunch of AHL bums to fill a roster.

Maybe down the road but he needed to fill a roster especially since any forward prospects they do have aren't eligible for RFD as of yet.

Good luck trying to make a profit at the AHL level. Whatever profit he would make at the A level Rocky makes in about 5 minutes in any of his other business concerns.

My guess is he bought the Piggies so it can be operated under their management to achieve organizational goals to help build a winning product at the NHL level.

Liquor is as close to recession proof as anything out there, and here I was going to start a Gofund me for Rocky.
- Angotti

As of 2017 and after the mergers, the liquor distributorship was worth an estimated 12 billion. Since the whole Wirtz Corp is not publicly traded their true values are guesses.

The recent moves is most likely because they needed players to have a team in RFD. They only had 5 forwards under contract before the recent signings.
- Elbows15

Speaking of which signed another Forward for RFD

https://twitter.com/NHLBl...&t=uYbsb4z84rV1CsbdI2AMbA

As of 2017 and after the mergers, the liquor distributorship was worth an estimated 12 billion. Since the whole Wirtz Corp is not publicly traded their true values are guesses.
- Elbows15

What they are worth and how much cash they have on hand are 2 different things. I'm sure they are struggling to get by. Hahaha who cares if Rockford makes money they make money when things depreciate anyways. Win=Win

As of 2017 and after the mergers, the liquor distributorship was worth an estimated 12 billion. Since the whole Wirtz Corp is not publicly traded their true values are guesses.
- Elbows15

They also own a ton of property. Wirtz aren't hurting.

As of 2017 and after the mergers, the liquor distributorship was worth an estimated 12 billion. Since the whole Wirtz Corp is not publicly traded their true values are guesses.
- Elbows15

Since I called out the Sikura bandwagon earlier. I will admit Elbows you were 100% right on Strome from the start.

I'll eat my words b/c I thought the Hawks could do something Strome given the training staff and leadership in place, etc.

Besides the number of wins for the Hawks next season, this is the only other time "minor" has been used in association with the Hawks

Honest question....do you care where they place in the AHL?
- SteveRain

If it develops the Hawks prospects further, then yes. Otherwise, it would be interesting and I’d be mildly interested.

Scott Wheeler ranked Commesso #8 on this top 10 drafted goalie prospects list and here are his comments:

“After a .915 freshman year at BU, Commesso climbed back to a .914 sophomore season with the Terriers following a slow start (for him and the team in front of him, which was banged up and not at its best out of the gate), while also continuing to be a focal point of USA Hockey’s with an invite to the Olympics. I see a mature makeup as a kid and goalie. At 6-foot-2, he’s not big by today’s standards for a goalie, but he blends a studious approach to the position with sharp angles, sound technique, and a calming, poised demeanour to keep shots in his chest, control rebounds, settle down plays and hold firm to his edges. And while he’s not a dynamic athlete, he can fall back on his athleticism when the play does break down, he’s efficient in his movements, he’s quick on his feet and he doesn’t put himself into many scrambles because of the way he reads the play. Commesso reliably makes the saves that he should and plays the same game-to-game. He doesn’t steal a ton of starts and I wouldn’t say he’s got any A-plus tools that really pop, but there’s not a lot in his game that you can nitpick either. I’m not convinced he’s going to be a starter at the next level, but I — and the rest of the hockey world — fully expect him to become an NHL goalie.”

Scott Wheeler ranked Commesso #8 on this top 10 drafted goalie prospects list and here are his comments:

“After a .915 freshman year at BU, Commesso climbed back to a .914 sophomore season with the Terriers following a slow start (for him and the team in front of him, which was banged up and not at its best out of the gate), while also continuing to be a focal point of USA Hockey’s with an invite to the Olympics. I see a mature makeup as a kid and goalie. At 6-foot-2, he’s not big by today’s standards for a goalie, but he blends a studious approach to the position with sharp angles, sound technique, and a calming, poised demeanour to keep shots in his chest, control rebounds, settle down plays and hold firm to his edges. And while he’s not a dynamic athlete, he can fall back on his athleticism when the play does break down, he’s efficient in his movements, he’s quick on his feet and he doesn’t put himself into many scrambles because of the way he reads the play. Commesso reliably makes the saves that he should and plays the same game-to-game. He doesn’t steal a ton of starts and I wouldn’t say he’s got any A-plus tools that really pop, but there’s not a lot in his game that you can nitpick either. I’m not convinced he’s going to be a starter at the next level, but I — and the rest of the hockey world — fully expect him to become an NHL goalie.”
- DarthKane

Sounds like they are describing Corey Crawford minus the weak glove hand. 😉

Speaking of which signed another Forward for RFD

https://twitter.com/NHLBl...&t=uYbsb4z84rV1CsbdI2AMbA
- Revco38

Buddy Robinson.

His name sounds like he should be part of Bob Luce Wrestling on channel 44.

Scott Wheeler ranked Commesso #8 on this top 10 drafted goalie prospects list and here are his comments:

“After a .915 freshman year at BU, Commesso climbed back to a .914 sophomore season with the Terriers following a slow start (for him and the team in front of him, which was banged up and not at its best out of the gate), while also continuing to be a focal point of USA Hockey’s with an invite to the Olympics. I see a mature makeup as a kid and goalie. At 6-foot-2, he’s not big by today’s standards for a goalie, but he blends a studious approach to the position with sharp angles, sound technique, and a calming, poised demeanour to keep shots in his chest, control rebounds, settle down plays and hold firm to his edges. And while he’s not a dynamic athlete, he can fall back on his athleticism when the play does break down, he’s efficient in his movements, he’s quick on his feet and he doesn’t put himself into many scrambles because of the way he reads the play. Commesso reliably makes the saves that he should and plays the same game-to-game. He doesn’t steal a ton of starts and I wouldn’t say he’s got any A-plus tools that really pop, but there’s not a lot in his game that you can nitpick either. I’m not convinced he’s going to be a starter at the next level, but I — and the rest of the hockey world — fully expect him to become an NHL goalie.”
- DarthKane

He also had 3 Hawks in his 50 best prospects (under the age of 23) list.

Nazar at 26
Korchinski at 30
Reichel at 41

With apologies to Theo, here are links to another blogger with his opinions on some Hawk prospects.

https://www.bleachernatio...nkings-post-draft-update/

https://www.bleachernatio...n-the-blackhawks-rebuild/

Hopefully KD can accumulate a few more picks in coming years and deepen the pool in 2023 and 2024.

He also had 3 Hawks in his 50 best prospects (under the age of 23) list.

Nazar at 26
Korchinski at 30
Reichel at 41
- HawkintheD

Glad to see 'Dylan Sikura' Reichel is still on the list. Has he dropped from this fella's previous rankings?

Glad to see 'Dylan Sikura' Reichel is still on the list. Has he dropped from this fella's previous rankings?
- mohel

41. Lukas Reichel, LW/RW, 20 (Chicago Blackhawks — No. 17, 2020)

Loyal readers here will know that I’m a fan of Reichel’s and his play as a rookie in the AHL last season did nothing to dissuade me. (He led the IceHogs in scoring by 15 points and was the league’s only under-20 prospect who broke a point per game (his 1.02 points per game narrowly bested Alexander Holtz’s 0.98 and JJ Peterka’s 0.97). Reichel plays a modern, play-driving style on the wing, excelling with the puck on his stick, handling it with finesse, and using a smooth, almost effortless skating stride to transport it up ice in transition or attack on angles. He’s also a delicate handler inside the offensive zone, using impressive footwork to navigate in and out of pressure and bait defenders.

He’s a multifaceted offensive player who is as effective playing off his linemates and using space as a tool to get open as a shooter as he is creating his own chances or using his ability to weave through pressure to draw attention and then facilitate. He also never looks bothered by pressure, solving problems easily and asserting himself on games with poise and confidence. There’s footwork, puck control, confidence and just an ease to his game that you don’t typically find in young players.

He’s always trying to use what’s available to him and his ability to manipulate and adjust makes it possible for him to do just that. He’s not going to be a game breaker unless he develops one of his several high-end tools into the elite stratosphere that allows some players to differentiate themselves, but I still see a top-six winger who will thrive in today’s NHL. I’m excited to see what he does with the opportunity that it looks like he’ll get with the now-rebuilding Blackhawks next season.

He also had 3 Hawks in his 50 best prospects (under the age of 23) list.

Nazar at 26
Korchinski at 30
Reichel at 41
- HawkintheD

So a guy puts up almost a PPG in the AHL and drops down the list?

Glad to see 'Dylan Sikura' Reichel is still on the list. Has he dropped from this fella's previous rankings?
- mohel

Interesting to see that even in a supposedly weak 2022 draft some of the players have leapfrogged picks from 2019-2021. Some of the favorites of this board (Turcotte, Broberg, etc.) are now just "Honorable Mentions", or no longer on the list.

Glad to see 'Dylan Sikura' Reichel is still on the list. Has he dropped from this fella's previous rankings?
- mohel

Vlasic = Rizzo?

So a guy puts up almost a PPG in the AHL and drops down the list?
- Chunk

No prior d-men on the list.

Interesting to see that even in a supposedly weak 2022 draft some of the players have leapfrogged picks from 2019-2021. Some of the favorites of this board (Turcotte, Broberg, etc.) are now just "Honorable Mentions", or no longer on the list.
- TheTrob

Just to add, seems liks a lot of recency bias. 19 picks from the 2022 draft on the list. Thats a lot for not just a weak draft but not accounting for 2 years of covid considerations for a lot of the 2019-21 picks.