Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
Luke Richardson said he'd keep these sessions quick and to the point, focused narrowly on one significant concept, then hammer it home in video afterward. Yesterday, it was D-zone coverage. Today, it's neutral-zone transition. Tomorrow, offensive-zone and set faceoff plays.


Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
And sure enough, after about 35 minutes, we're already into conditioning skating, which signals the end of practice. A far cry from the super-heavy, super-long, hyper-competitive camp Jeremy Colliton went for last season. (That one... didn't turn out great.)


Wasn't that what the Hawks players loved about Q? Short, high paced practices, Get your work done and get off?

I'd prefer to see the kids all start in Rockford and dominate. Win together at that level like the Cubs High A team just did. Start a winning culture in Rockford and carry it over to the Hawks. Maybe earn call-ups mid-season when players get hurt, then take that NHL experience back to Rockford with them.
- Hawksfan74

Great post!
I totally agree to let the prospects learn to win together, And when ready, make the NHL team almost together. What good does it do to a good young prospect to be a part of what is going to be a miserable year for the Hawks. Of course if they can't win against AHL competition?...Then the rebuild will take longer than expected!

Hi Blackhawk friends,

I might be visiting Chicago for two days only next month, with no plans. What's good to check out. I like food and stuff. Thanks from your Leafy pal, Zezel.

If players can play in the NHL they should. It takes typically 2 full years of NHL time regardless of AHL or Junior or European experience to realize their talent.

Outside of the occasional late bloomer there isn't any value in keeping players in the AHL just to keep them in the AHL unless there is a log jam which there isn't. +\- 1 year down there should be enough.

Hockey is incomparable to baseball when it comes to the quality of the minor league.
- fattybeef

I can respect that point of view. There's no "one size fits all" approach to rebuilding. The last rebuild started with an 18 year old Kane and 19 year old Toews that never played a minute of AHL hockey. There's also a point to the belief in over-marinating in the A. Plus like others have pointed out, keeping them away from this year's tank-a-thon isn't a bad idea.

I can respect that point of view. There's no "one size fits all" approach to rebuilding. The last rebuild started with an 18 year old Kane and 19 year old Toews that never played a minute of AHL hockey. There's also a point to the belief in over-marinating in the A. Plus like others have pointed out, keeping them away from this year's tank-a-thon isn't a bad idea.
- Hawksfan74

You’re right and there’s a nuance to it. Like maybe a guy like Dach goes back to junior for a year with the instructions to shed blood and comes to the NHL a more confident player. Doesn’t necessarily mean they should marinate in the AHL but also doesn’t mean they need to be immediate NHL players.

I read here so after thoughts on the DeBrincat and Dach trades their market values at the time of this last 2022 draft' first round, etc.

I find it totally "fascinating" that the return was a #7 and a #13, e.g.,

that only six slots separate the returns.

A proven scorer about to start making 10 million, in his physical prime, in a league where diminutive scorers CAN hang a long time, but in general they (smaller offensive "shot" forwards are more likely to absorb lots of punishment in the next part of their playing careers.

I am just not understanding how Kirby got us a first rounder in a really decent promising draft class in the top part of the first. (To answer the question I read about, if Frankie Nazar was gone....the two Finns (for sure wingers non centres, Jonathan Lekkerimaki and Joakim Kemell are not as far along developmental as Frankie, but there is huge upside) were still thereabout I am as usual rambling....

I really wanted Kirby's first couple years to have more positive jumps in offensive respect by the opponents (they weren't), and I am certain I didn't see teams worrying about his impact, although we lived his strong already ing place defensive abilities.

So for Montreal to send Romanov packing to Isles was a big chancy Hab move, after already going balls in on the "Svarkowsky tricket" over the rest of the class. (but that is a scouting decision.) if the only return is a possible emerging form a cocoon by Dacher...and it I am certain it will not be as fast as the nie caterpillars on my milkweed that will be butterflies before the weekend is over.

Montreal hosted the draft and splashed.

And although I don't expect Frankie Nazar or Connor Bedard to grow to Dach's proportions, I think there was little organizational appetite to re-up Dach, and watch it not happen, where Davidson takes the hit on the re-up.

We got somer possible fast feet in the moves, and hold off paying the two picks re-ups on a team with little pulse right now.

Oh contraire, when a big fat loaded 2023 Draft comes along where there is a TRUE generational and more there, softening NOT going first overall, there is only one way to go if you are in this organizations growth...this way. I am glad JD was actually allowed the option.

I can respect that point of view. There's no "one size fits all" approach to rebuilding. The last rebuild started with an 18 year old Kane and 19 year old Toews that never played a minute of AHL hockey. There's also a point to the belief in over-marinating in the A. Plus like others have pointed out, keeping them away from this year's tank-a-thon isn't a bad idea.
- Hawksfan74

Actually the last rebuild kind of ended with Kane and Toews. They drafted most of the other pieces before those two and Hossa was the cherry on top.

Actually the last rebuild kind of ended with Kane and Toews. They drafted most of the other pieces before those two and Hossa was the cherry on top.
- GPHawksfan

Frolik was the cherry on top.

Espn plus has hawk game next Tuesday....

Espn plus has hawk game next Tuesday....
- wiz1901

As well as Wednesday’s game against Detroit.

Latest Blog: https://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog.php?post_id=118803

Hi Blackhawk friends,

I might be visiting Chicago for two days only next month, with no plans. What's good to check out. I like food and stuff. Thanks from your Leafy pal, Zezel.
- Zezel

There are a million places to eat. These days if you stay from downtown to near north you'll be fine. Closer to the lake the better. Enjoy. Unfortunately head on a swivel where ever you go.