So is a DC3 Vs. a 777.

- rpeters01

I’d rather own the DC-3

The Athletic has a piece that has observations on the Canadian and US WJC camp. Pronman was at the Canadian and Hultman at USA's. Guess they wrote this before rosters were finalized but I know no Hawk prospects made Team Canada. By the way Fantili was cut...Was really hoping to see Korchinski on the big stage but he was cut. Remember this is a U-20 tournament. Not sure who made USA's roster. Canada's roster: https://hockeycanada.ca/e...s/team-rosters?teamid=175

Observations on Hawk prospects.

Team Canada camp observations

Colton Dach, C, Chicago: Dach, the younger brother of Kirby Dach, surprised me with how much he stood out at the camp. I thought he brought good energy to go with his usual skill, and created a lot around the high-percentage areas. He’s a prospect who has trended sharply upward over the last few years and looks like he’s on the path to becoming a legitimate NHL player who can help a team.

Ethan Del Mastro, LHD, Chicago: I didn’t think Del Mastro was anything amazing, but coming off a strong OHL season, he looked like a steady defenseman. He made smart outlets, he jumped up occasionally and he was a solid defender. His skating and skill don’t inspire, but just like how his role at his U18 worlds grew, he can play his way onto this team with more games like that.

Team USA camp observations

Aidan Thompson, C, Chicago: Thompson had a great camp, with USA coach Nate Leaman calling him the “biggest surprise by far” of the week and praising his playmaking, compete level and hockey sense. Indications are that he was going to make the team for next week’s tournament, but late in Sunday’s mixed scrimmage, he took a knee-to-knee hit from Tyler Boucher that knocked him out of the tournament. No longer-term update has been given so far, but certainly everyone will be hoping for a speedy recovery from Thompson, who is set to be a freshman at Denver next season.

Dominic James, C, Chicago: James plays a classic energy game, but he also has an impressive shot, and the Blackhawks’ 2022 sixth-rounder looks like he could end up in a top-nine role on the 2022 team to go with PK responsibilities.

Frank Nazar, C/W, Chicago: Nazar impressed enough to make it through the round of 2022 team cuts that followed Sunday’s scrimmage. He played on the wing and displayed his great speed throughout the weekend, scoring a pair of goals in the 2023 scrimmage.

In Dach’s case much closer to his pre-draft ranking.

Fairness argument aside, is it a contract that helps them in the rebuild? Aside from staying above the salary floor, as was mentioned earlier.
- 333inthe3rd

Yes, perhaps it’s not as helpful in this rebuild, but you can’t turn back time. It’s done and over. The horse has left the barn.

I know this is about a week or so old, but did anyone else read this dog poop?

https://chicago.suntimes....-agency-under-appreciated

Pope goes on and on about Strome's numbers (and compares him to others and their contracts). He then states that he was told by someone in the front office that Strome doesn't perform well against top competition (among myriad other things), and that he didn't get any interest on the trade market.

Despite that information, he is baffled that Strome didn't receive any higher offers. Well Mr. Writer, maybe you actually listen to the things people tell you when writing about a topic. If you are completely baffled by a situation, and someone gives you an explanation that makes sense, you don't immediately discredit it by saying "That doesn't make sense to me."

And people wonder why the media is held in such low regard....

I know this is about a week or so old, but did anyone else read this dog poop?

https://chicago.suntimes....-agency-under-appreciated

Pope goes on and on about Strome's numbers (and compares him to others and their contracts). He then states that he was told by someone in the front office that Strome doesn't perform well against top competition (among myriad other things), and that he didn't get any interest on the trade market.

Despite that information, he is baffled that Strome didn't receive any higher offers. Well Mr. Writer, maybe you actually listen to the things people tell you when writing about a topic. If you are completely baffled by a situation, and someone gives you an explanation that makes sense, you don't immediately discredit it by saying "That doesn't make sense to me."

And people wonder why the media is held in such low regard....
- Chunk

KD probably received several solid offers; but, as is often expressed here, GM's are often too stupid to tell which of two or more offers is the best. We've seen this with Stan, and now with KD.

It is really stunning that this moronic writer can't fathom that perhaps, just perhaps, it was he that had the wrong analysis of the player....

KD probably received several solid offers; but, as is often expressed here, GM's are often too stupid to tell which of two or more offers is the best. We've seen this with Stan, and now with KD.

It is really stunning that this moronic writer can't fathom that perhaps, just perhaps, it was he that had the wrong analysis of the player....
- mohel

I don't know why this bothers me so much, but it's infuriating. You've been given the reason. "Maybe he's not as good as you think...", but nope, there's gotta be something else.

I don't know why this bothers me so much, but it's infuriating. You've been given the reason. "Maybe he's not as good as you think...", but nope, there's gotta be something else.
- Chunk

Yep. The market just told us the value of Dylan Strome at this time. The Hawks were unable to trade him for anything (making the wild-arse assumption that KD knows that a 7th round draft pick is more than 0), and he got a puny offer in the open market. Does this mean his market can't go up? No. But it does mean that this goof writer had him waaaaaay over-valued.

Then Lysiak hit the linesman and turned the NHL officials against the Blackhawks for all eternity.
- scottak

Lysiak tripped the linesman. Had a second row seat for it. He became a god to the fans and he was pretty good too.

Yep. The market just told us the value of Dylan Strome at this time. The Hawks were unable to trade him for anything (making the wild-arse assumption that KD knows that a 7th round draft pick is more than 0), and he got a puny offer in the open market. Does this mean his market can't go up? No. But it does mean that this goof writer had him waaaaaay over-valued.
- mohel

The writer must be ghost writing for Lazarus

what hurt strome is he put up solid numbers and teams were worried eh would get 4.5 Mil in ARB. that uncetainuity drove down his value.

what hurt strome is he put up solid numbers and teams were worried eh would get 4.5 Mil in ARB. that uncetainuity drove down his value.
- kmw4631

Kinda counterintuitive, but I agree

I know this is about a week or so old, but did anyone else read this dog poop?

https://chicago.suntimes....-agency-under-appreciated

Pope goes on and on about Strome's numbers (and compares him to others and their contracts). He then states that he was told by someone in the front office that Strome doesn't perform well against top competition (among myriad other things), and that he didn't get any interest on the trade market.

Despite that information, he is baffled that Strome didn't receive any higher offers. Well Mr. Writer, maybe you actually listen to the things people tell you when writing about a topic. If you are completely baffled by a situation, and someone gives you an explanation that makes sense, you don't immediately discredit it by saying "That doesn't make sense to me."

And people wonder why the media is held in such low regard....
- Chunk

I think the league was fairly certain the relationship between the player and organization had soured and that they would be able to pick him up for free and at a reduced cost over the summer.

Perfect for Washington where they will need someone to put up some points while Wilson and Backstrom are out.

Its also not outlandish to think some of that was the Patrick Kane making a meh player look better then they are. And why would you give up stuff for a player that has been very inconsistent throughout their career? Even if they have the ability to be a 50 point player it doesn't necessarily mean you give up an asset and sign the guy to a long term deal. If he was Dachs age - maybe you take that flier (which the Hawks did for Strome) but at this stage who knows.

If he puts up 60 points playing in Washington then that would be awesome and good for him. That would be fantastic.

If he puts up 30 points no one remembers and only plays 50 or 60 games then a bunch of people can say I told you so which is also fantastic.

Either pleasant surprise or meets expectations. No one loses that assessment.

I think the league was fairly certain the relationship between the player and organization had soured and that they would be able to pick him up for free and at a reduced cost over the summer.

Perfect for Washington where they will need someone to put up some points while Wilson and Backstrom are out.

Its also not outlandish to think some of that was the Patrick Kane making a meh player look better then they are. And why would you give up stuff for a player that has been very inconsistent throughout their career? Even if they have the ability to be a 50 point player it doesn't necessarily mean you give up an asset and sign the guy to a long term deal. If he was Dachs age - maybe you take that flier (which the Hawks did for Strome) but at this stage who knows.

If he puts up 60 points playing in Washington then that would be awesome and good for him. That would be fantastic.

If he puts up 30 points no one remembers and only plays 50 or 60 games then a bunch of people can say I told you so which is also fantastic.

Either pleasant surprise or meets expectations. No one loses that assessment.
- fattybeef

There's no fun if you can't rub someone else's nose in it. Especially from behind a keyboard.

Look on the bright side, at least KD traded some guys to start the rebuild......

New blog! A look at the Blackhawks prospects who were invited to World Junior Championship camps for Team USA and Team Canada and what the implications are for their development trajectories and NHL ceilings.

https://bit.ly/3JsZ9TP

Ethan Del Mastro, LHD, Chicago: I didn’t think Del Mastro was anything amazing, but coming off a strong OHL season, he looked like a steady defenseman. He made smart outlets, he jumped up occasionally and he was a solid defender. His skating and skill don’t inspire, but just like how his role at his U18 worlds grew, he can play his way onto this team with more games like that.

I am hoping that this kid can be a Seabrook lite type player for the next core or players. Less skilled and most likely less clutch but he is a big boy already at his age.