What the hell has gotten into Boris
- BetweenTheDots

Katchouk caught my eye a few weeks back. Not uncommon to watch a Hawk's game and not notice him but he seems to have possibly taken a step the last couple weeks. he's been noticeable and even creating some danger.

Seems to be playing with some confidence, skating with a purpose, in good position to make plays on both sides of the puck and with pretty good speed he's noticeable.

He's kind of interesting. 24 yrs old, 6ft 2in and 205lbs so he's youngish with good size. Drafted in rd 2 by Stevie Y in 2016, 1 pt per game in 4 yrs in the OHL and played for Canada in two WJC's so he has some back class.

Add he's only played 102 NHL games and it's reasonable to assume he hasn't reached his ceiling. IMO he has the tools and size to end up a useful NHL bottom 6 player..... The fortunate thing is he'll probably be on the Hawk's roster for a yr or two, 150ish games, and get plenty of ice time to see if he ends up a useful player and is worth keeping.

https://www.eliteprospect...yer/269859/boris-katchouk

I hear you and I have seen very little of him but so many ?? about his story worries me .Then I think of Yakupov and I am like ya maybe Michkov falls into the teens we could try and engineer something to get him . Give me a Canadian kid like Benson little slight but feisty high energy motor and offensive Dymo right up KD ally . I do think Michkov will drop unless someone has a inside track .
- oldduffman

I get the issue with drafting a Russian. But from what i have watched and read i don't think it would be wise to pass on him. Especially a team like the Hawks that could wait a few years for him to arrive and fully produce. If we are indeed picking between 4-6 and seeings as we need all forward positions i would take a Centre and pick either Will Smith or after reading up more Zach Benson. Build from the middle out

I might have the stat slightly off but IIRC the Hawks have a 42% expected goals for at 5 on 5 on the yr. That's terrible and means they've had very good goaltending and a lotta luck.

The roster has been bad all yr, is full of bottom 6 and 3rd pairing guys but the group is hungry and coachable.
- Mr Ricochet

I have to say since the trade deadline, Entwistle said something about the team having a chip on their shoulder, they were hearing and reading what everyone was saying about the team, both goalies if you combine them since March 3rd have a .932 save percentage? My eyes tell me the defense has gotten better in front of them.

I thought I'd see a high scoring game tonight, 1-1 Avs and Leafs.

I have to say since the trade deadline, Entwistle said something about the team having a chip on their shoulder, they were hearing and reading what everyone was saying about the team, both goalies if you combine them since March 3rd have a .932 save percentage? My eyes tell me the defense has gotten better in front of them.
- BetweenTheDots

How can that be? C. Jones has basically taken over the playing time of Mc Cabe as the LD on the first paiir

I have to say since the trade deadline, Entwistle said something about the team having a chip on their shoulder, they were hearing and reading what everyone was saying about the team, both goalies if you combine them since March 3rd have a .932 save percentage? My eyes tell me the defense has gotten better in front of them.
- BetweenTheDots

Through no fault of their own, perhaps Toews and Kane caused the younger players to tighten up. With Toews being out and Kane being traded, maybe Seth Jones becomes the de facto leader. So everyone is playing more relaxed, as is Seth Jones personality.

Through no fault of their own, perhaps Toews and Kane caused the younger players to tighten up. With Toews being out and Kane being traded, maybe Seth Jones becomes the de facto leader. So everyone is playing more relaxed, as is Seth Jones personality.
- Ztra

Sounds like a pretty huge lack of mental toughness.

Sounds like a pretty huge lack of mental toughness.
- fattybeef

Idk about that or the loosening up with 88 and 19 not playing, but it always seems the on ice play is effected around the TDL. I would think even more so on a Hawk team where there was a huge FOR SALE sign out front.

Binnington had another implosion last night. Good video here.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-wilds-fleury-from-scrap/

Note the author. Former AZ Hockeybuzz blogger?
- mohel

....the kid who refused to stop arguing that Oliver Ekman Larson as THE Best defenseman in teh entire league by a mile.

So, suddenly, Capitals brother Strome has 33 assists and plays as smart as he did here.
No one on him for lack of this or that.

It was the pay raise they weren't going to budge on.

Idk about that or the loosening up with 88 and 19 not playing, but it always seems the on ice play is effected around the TDL. I would think even more so on a Hawk team where there was a huge FOR SALE sign out front.
- HawkintheD

Morning.....Just not sure what to think of the next "leadership" group here assuming 19/88 do not return for 2023-24 and beyond. IMO...I would just keep these guys at "A" level.....I don't see a "C" on this team.

Seth Jones quit on his columbus teammates and got dealt here. His ego maniac brother who thinks in his head he's 2nd coming of Bobby Orr but in reality, closer to a D3 player in the adult Canlan league in romeoville.

They really don't have that "skins on the wall" veteran presence in the room but what I found interesting is the number of guys who spoke up about Kane after he left learning from him on a day to day to level....where did 88 likely learn that from? 81.

All we have now for veterans are guys who talk in cliches and then do the EXACT opposite game in and game out...and for a young up and comer....do you want to model your game after those type of players? WOuld a coaching staff and front office want that as well? Which again, I would NOT be shocked to go see them find a "skin on the wall" type of veteran to help guide the young kids when they start to hit....because I don't see it here. Sure as hell not with 4 or 5 being those supposed defacto leaders.

So, suddenly, Capitals brother Strome has 33 assists and plays as smart as he did here.
No one on him for lack of this or that.

It was the pay raise they weren't going to budge on.
- wiz1901

With KD's complete tear down rebuild Strome (and Kubalik, etc) didn't have a place here. I'm ok with that. Strome is a good depth forward and I have no issue with him on the team (I quite liked him) but I don't think he'd move the needle much on this Blackhawks team.

I'm happy for him that things are working out in DC and he got a nice big contract, he deserves it.

Binnington had another implosion last night. Good video here.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-wilds-fleury-from-scrap/
- boilermaker100

No issue with it...we saw it here first hand in the 90s when the Eagle would melt down and go charging anyone and everyone or try and destroy a goal after a playoff OT goal.

The ONLY issue I see is, it would be nice to see somebody call him to carpet and see if he's more Ray Emerey or Rick DiPeitro (spell). If a goalie came charging after me and I am Ryan Hartman, I am kicking his @ss instantly.

With KD's complete tear down rebuild Strome (and Kubalik, etc) didn't have a place here. I'm ok with that. Strome is a good depth forward and I have no issue with him on the team (I quite liked him) but I don't think he'd move the needle much on this Blackhawks team.

I'm happy for him that things are working out in DC and he got a nice big contract, he deserves it.
- DarthKane

Lets see how well that contract is in the next few years when he gets complacent and checks out like he did with Arizona and Chicago. Nobody plays harder to get paid like Dylan Strome and then checks out until it's time to get paid again.

Good for him. He's a dime a dozen.

Morning.....Just not sure what to think of the next "leadership" group here assuming 19/88 do not return for 2023-24 and beyond. IMO...I would just keep these guys at "A" level.....I don't see a "C" on this team.

Seth Jones quit on his columbus teammates and got dealt here. His ego maniac brother who thinks in his head he's 2nd coming of Bobby Orr but in reality, closer to a D3 player in the adult Canlan league in romeoville.

They really don't have that "skins on the wall" veteran presence in the room but what I found interesting is the number of guys who spoke up about Kane after he left learning from him on a day to day to level....where did 88 likely learn that from? 81.

All we have now for veterans are guys who talk in cliches and then do the EXACT opposite game in and game out...and for a young up and comer....do you want to model your game after those type of players? WOuld a coaching staff and front office want that as well? Which again, I would NOT be shocked to go see them find a "skin on the wall" type of veteran to help guide the young kids when they start to hit....because I don't see it here. Sure as hell not with 4 or 5 being those supposed defacto leaders.
- SteveRain

I don't think the next wave of leadership is on the team, outside (maybe) Murphy. Sure, there will be guys to wear the "A" but I'm not sure about anyone wearing the "C" for a while if/when Toews leaves. Jones could wear an "A" next season and maybe Tinordi if he returns. I can't see any of the forwards wearing the "A" unless Domi returns.

I don't think the next wave of leadership is on the team, outside (maybe) Murphy. Sure, there will be guys to wear the "A" but I'm not sure about anyone wearing the "C" for a while if/when Toews leaves. Jones could wear an "A" next season and maybe Tinordi if he returns. I can't see any of the forwards wearing the "A" unless Domi returns.
- DarthKane

1000% agreed.

I just hope they don't try to push some guy into that role who doesn't deserve/earn it. That's my biggest fear. Maybe 1 of these kids will be an alpha male and assume that role naturally. Bigger things to worry about then who is wearing a letter.....

Sounds like a pretty huge lack of mental toughness.
- fattybeef

Nah i think it's a bunch of kids who are playing their asses off to make a roster somewhere in the NHL, the forwards, most of them are playing good defense in the neutral zone and in their own end. It must be much easier as well when your coach doesn't have you chasing your tail in your own end

I don't think the next wave of leadership is on the team, outside (maybe) Murphy. Sure, there will be guys to wear the "A" but I'm not sure about anyone wearing the "C" for a while if/when Toews leaves. Jones could wear an "A" next season and maybe Tinordi if he returns. I can't see any of the forwards wearing the "A" unless Domi returns.
- DarthKane

T. Johnson will wear a letter next year, as he should.

Nah i think it's a bunch of kids who are playing their asses off to make a roster somewhere in the NHL, the forwards, most of them are playing good defense in the neutral zone and in their own end. It must be much easier as well when your coach doesn't have you chasing your tail in your own end
- BetweenTheDots

Remember when some didn't want to admit how bad of a coach JC was? That was a fun period on this board....

Remember when some didn't want to admit how bad of a coach JC was? That was a fun period on this board....
- SteveRain

I was one of those, but I also said it is on the players. How many of them are still on the team? obviously the new regime thought the players were a problem also.

I was one of those, but I also said it is on the players. How many of them are still on the team? obviously the new regime thought the players were a problem also.
- LAHawk

Players had a very small part in it....the teams he had were a helluva lot more talented then what Richardson is dealing with, and this team coached by him would beat JC's teams 10 out of 10 times.

Reason why JC will never coach again in the NHL unless Bowman surfaces and somehow gets a GM job...then all bets are off.......

Players had a very small part in it....the teams he had were a helluva lot more talented then what Richardson is dealing with, and this team coached by him would beat JC's teams 10 out of 10 times.

Reason why JC will never coach again in the NHL unless Bowman surfaces and somehow gets a GM job...then all bets are off.......
- SteveRain

Well then you sure drank Bowman's cool aid if you think the team that Colliton had (and yes I now agree he was a horrible choice as head coach) was playoff worthy.

Sounds like a pretty huge lack of mental toughness.
- fattybeef

We'd have the best record in the league if KD had gotten rid of the dead wood sooner.

#KDfail

Well then you sure drank Bowman's cool aid if you think the team that Colliton had (and yes I now agree he was a horrible choice as head coach) was playoff worthy.
- LAHawk

Oh I admittedly thought when they added Fleury, etc they were a playoff contender.