Step in the right direction for the franchise.
- BetweenTheDots

The bigger challenge to me is the forwards, how many times did this happen the last few years? I would say hardly at all

think the offense is going to come from if we can play fast defense," Richardson said. "Sometimes, as soon as we lose the puck in the offensive zone, you're on defense, so if we can have our forwards have that mindset it’s going to help our D’s have a better gap and stay out of the D-zone and transition better in the neutral zone to have more offense and lead to more offense.

The bigger challenge to me is the forwards, how many times did this happen the last few years? I would say hardly at all

think the offense is going to come from if we can play fast defense," Richardson said. "Sometimes, as soon as we lose the puck in the offensive zone, you're on defense, so if we can have our forwards have that mindset it’s going to help our D’s have a better gap and stay out of the D-zone and transition better in the neutral zone to have more offense and lead to more offense.
- LAHawk

It's going to be rough going this year. My expectations are very low

Awwww my sweetie passed away, Olivia Newton John RIP

"top free agent" is a generous use of that term.

I mean for 1M? sure.

Was referring to Sonny Milano.

And those 4 were also a combined -53. So although they provided most of the offense, the 4 (and Hagel was a -14 before he was traded, and BTW, I think Raddysh can replace Hagel's offense), they were a net minus 5 x 5.

Also the Hawks were 7th worst in the NHL in PP/PK percentage. Even if you don't replace all of ADB's 14 PP goals, a significant improvement on the PK would help tremendously.

Of course I will admit that if Mrazek has a year like last year, the Hawks will be looking to sign the Geico Walrus to play nets this year, and it won't matter how much the defense improves or how many goals are scored.
- LAHawk

Jones was a -37 himself. By far the worse on the team. Playing him fewer minutes in theory should improve the team.

Goaltending - probably slightly weaker than last year.
Forwards / PP - probably less goal point production than last year.
Defense / Team Defense / PK - even though the real changes will come in following years after roster changes, it would be nice to see some progress made in defensive scheme, structure and execution not only by the defenders but by the team overall.

Particularly important to see will be the development of younger players in Rockford, juniors, college, and Euro leagues.

I would be in favor of Reichel starting in the AHL. He and other Hogs could be called up at various times due to injuries or in season trades. Getting some NHL time has value. But I would like the Hogs to have a good year and the younger players start getting some chemistry together.
- -Doh-

Which would be fine if there was anything in Rockford other than roster fillers this season. Reichel will be in the NHL. The whole marinating in the A is a misnomer.

Honestly. Who cares what system Richardson uses with this team? 90% of them will be gone in 2 seasons anyway. He may as well draw stick figures on the whiteboards and tell the boys to go out, hit somebody and have some fun.

Honestly. Who cares what system Richardson uses with this team? 90% of them will be gone in 2 seasons anyway. He may as well draw stick figures on the whiteboards and tell the boys to go out, hit somebody and have some fun.
- Elbows15

King will be on the staff, helps the tank

"top free agent" is a generous use of that term.

I mean for 1M? sure.

Was referring to Sonny Milano.
- Elbows15

Maybe top remaining Free Agent (but even that is a bit of hyperbole)? I have been advocating the Hawks signing him for a while as I think he is a very flippable asset (if his contract is reasonable $ and length) Would also keep the younger players down on the farm where they need to mature and gain strength, etc.

Honestly. Who cares what system Richardson uses with this team? 90% of them will be gone in 2 seasons anyway. He may as well draw stick figures on the whiteboards and tell the boys to go out, hit somebody and have some fun.
- Elbows15

No practices and showing up for games is optional next year. Just let them know in time to call somebody up from Indy.

Honestly. Who cares what system Richardson uses with this team? 90% of them will be gone in 2 seasons anyway. He may as well draw stick figures on the whiteboards and tell the boys to go out, hit somebody and have some fun.
- Elbows15

Would you rather that they have Colliton run his system? It matters because when the prospects to get their cup of coffee, they can actually acclimate into the team and get some mental validation that what they have been working on is correct.

Is there nothing at all meaningful to be taken out of this year? They have to start building what they want. I would think they want the entire team to play together and start to build some semblance of structure regardless of the pieces in place.

Would you rather that they have Colliton run his system? It matters because when the prospects to get their cup of coffee, they can actually acclimate into the team and get some mental validation that what they have been working on is correct.

Is there nothing at all meaningful to be taken out of this year? They have to start building what they want. I would think they want the entire team to play together and start to build some semblance of structure regardless of the pieces in place.
- Chunk

Nah, this way if they don't play with a modicum of structure, you can female dog about the coach not having any structure.

Would you rather that they have Colliton run his system? It matters because when the prospects to get their cup of coffee, they can actually acclimate into the team and get some mental validation that what they have been working on is correct.

Is there nothing at all meaningful to be taken out of this year? They have to start building what they want. I would think they want the entire team to play together and start to build some semblance of structure regardless of the pieces in place.
- Chunk

What prospects is the question? There is certainly no forwards in RFD this season. A few spots for the D-men and of those maybe one or two will earn some time at the NHL level.


90% of the players on this team will be gone in a season or two anyway. It doesn't matter if they get the system or not in reality.

Sounds like Reichel took the recommendations to heart:

https://chicago.suntimes....protect-puck-paul-goodman

Up to about 185.

Maybe top remaining Free Agent (but even that is a bit of hyperbole)? I have been advocating the Hawks signing him for a while as I think he is a very flippable asset (if his contract is reasonable $ and length) Would also keep the younger players down on the farm where they need to mature and gain strength, etc.
- Revco38

Not sure how flippable he will be considering teams can find a way to sign him if they want him badly enough.

He has a career high of 14 goals which he finally reached 8 years after being drafted. Is he real worth more than 1 to 1.5M?

Sounds like Reichel took the recommendations to heart:

https://chicago.suntimes....protect-puck-paul-goodman

Up to about 185.
- Chunk

I keep hoping they get rid of the barefoot jamoke Goodman. I will believe Reichel got stronger when I see it cause he might be the first player to actually gain strength working with that goof.

What prospects is the question? There is certainly no forwards in RFD this season. A few spots for the D-men and of those maybe one or two will earn some time at the NHL level.


90% of the players on this team will be gone in a season or two anyway. It doesn't matter if they get the system or not in reality.
- Elbows15

That may be the case. If they do get time on the big team, I'd rather they are not just skating around with no direction.

You say it doesn't matter because 90% of these players will not be on the team. I say it 100% matters because you want those that are going to stay to understand what you are building and how you want to play. Not to mention you want whatever NHL time they do get to actually count and not be just wasted time (a la playing "man-and-a half").

We've all been lamenting the fact that they Hawks took too long to launch everyone that they did. Do you really want to waste a single game trying to get back to competitive?

That may be the case. If they do get time on the big team, I'd rather they are not just skating around with no direction.

You say it doesn't matter because 90% of these players will not be on the team. I say it 100% matters because you want those that are going to stay to understand what you are building and how you want to play. Not to mention you want whatever NHL time they do get to actually count and not be just wasted time (a la playing "man-and-a half").

We've all been lamenting the fact that they Hawks took too long to launch everyone that they did. Do you really want to waste a single game trying to get back to competitive?
- Chunk

Nothing is going to make this group competitive. If they aren't going to be here anyway, what difference does it make what they are doing on the ice? The new guys can learn once they get here.

I keep hoping they get rid of the barefoot jamoke Goodman. I will believe Reichel got stronger when I see it cause he might be the first player to actually gain strength working with that goof.
- Elbows15

FFS. Would you be happier if they just poop canned everyone again and started looking for everything new today?

Look at the roster for this season. How many players do you think will here next season let alone in 2 seasons?

2 maybe 3 on defense.

Maybe 2 Fwds is Kane stays.

Richardson, if he survives, will have plenty of time to teach his system in the future.

FFS. Would you be happier if they just poop canned everyone again and started looking for everything new today?
- Chunk

The guy sucks. Or have you not watched the Hawks get shoved all over the ice the last couple of seasons.

Da (frank) has guys working with weights in their bare feet. He is all about core work. Which is fine but at some point you need to move steel if you want o gain strength.

The good news for the Hawks: Expectations are so low that they could not possibly disappoint.
- Hawkeynation

You don't hang out here much do you.......

They'll make him a deal he can't accept.
- rpeters01

And rightfully so

You don't hang out here much do you.......
- vabeachbear

The theme for this season is embrace the suckage. Hopefully Bedard is at the end of the rainbow

The guy sucks. Or have you not watched the Hawks get shoved all over the ice the last couple of seasons.

Da (frank) has guys working with weights in their bare feet. He is all about core work. Which is fine but at some point you need to move steel if you want o gain strength.
- Elbows15

He’s been on the Hawks for over 10 years (14 I believe). So does he just suck now, or did he suck when the Hawks were good too?

Richardson on how he wants to play. Notice he is going with zone for the reasons noted in the interview:

https://www.nbcsports.com...-zone-defense-not-man-man
- LAHawk

He mentioned that "sometimes" playing defense starts in the Ozone. Indeed. I wanna know his schematic approach to his defensive system in the O and neutral zones.

Forecheck with 1 or two men at or below the circles, just 1 man low, nobody above the blueline, clog the neutral zone, nothing allowed up the middle?

Team should be on the fast side. How does he wanna use that speed defensively?