JC will go down as one of the all time disasters in my lifetime for coaching hires. That guy couldn't coach a kid's team let alone a NHL team.
- SteveRain

You're lucky you didn't have to deal with Alpo...

Roos is the mystery man. We should figure out his standing when Roos receives a good look in the exhibition season. It would be a sham to overplay Korchinski and Allen in preseason because no matter how promising, they are first year pro’s with a lot to learn

On the other hand, Phillips and Kaiser have an edge in not only professional experience, but each in their own way has a valuable part in their game which needs to be utilized.

Phillips has the size but he needs to use that size and ride players off the puck. Phillips is strong and fast and has come a long ways yet he still could use half a season AHL

Vlasic is going to have to loose his job whereas Kaiser is just too good already and his poise stands out. Not sure playing time in the AHL is advantageous for him as opposed to good coaching and plays - not sits every other game - in the NHL

So now we come to Roos….whose spot does he take. I suggest he needed just to get comfortable with the AHL and NHL pace after playing in Sweden. Not much reporting on him so I just go with that BUT ……..You have to give a young guy like him regular playing time, not spot starts in the NHL. The coaching staff know his ability and remember he made the team as a rookie, so how do you fit all these guys into the lineup?

Well a couple of things to consider

Murphy is going to be headlights once one probably two kids are good enough to remain playing NHL

Secondly someone - prospect or veteran like Tinordi - when in lineup has to provide whatever it is that makes them useful in one of the pairings

You know what Tinordi brings. The preseason is an opportunity to show aggressiveness and puck handling from the youngsters. The young guys is the future and their time is getting closer and closer

Oh BRW I do not believe the inexperience among dmen is such a big deal any longer. Coach the kids and the youngsters with pro experience aren’t all too raw. However the Korchinski and Allen type is too young to expect to get more than a look

Although not to be overlooked is to see Crevier is getting better and will hopefully warrant a look next season

Alas there is a group of other prospects dmen who have been developing as collegiate players but it is hard to get much of a look since the farm system is overloaded on dmen even after Mitchell andcRegula departed

The new guy's numbers have been announced. Richardinson is changing back to number 16 so Foligno can have 17. Hall is going to be number 71 and Donato is going to be number eight and everyone's favorite Corey Perry is taking 94

I dont know if you play Bedard on the big team this year other than a drawn out 9 game deal. Take the temperature of the team. If they look good maybe he stays in or if he looks great. Take thos 9 games up to the WJC, send him there. Send him back to junior. Get him stronger and understanding the daily grind and save a year of his entry. Unless all the pieces fall together or he's close to dominant at the NHL level. There are too many knuckleheads in the NHL that'll take runs at him. Not knowing players like him bring the tide up and all the boats with it.
- BluemanGuruu

Interesting slant

So, if the Blues won the lottery your strategy would be the same?

He already shoots the biscuit better than anyone on your roster...

What if we buried Zaitsev in Rochford and made Dumba a nice one-year offer?

I thought the same thing about TT and Shwartz. I was surprised at the end of the last blog to see some not wanting to resign Kurashev.

Wiz, you don't want to see Kurashev resigned?
- Mr Ricochet

Really don't think the hawks should stress out and hold back on the arguments why he gets paid the lower number.

I actually don't care. I don't think he is a piece that suddenly blossoms this year or next contract.

What if we buried Zaitsev in Rochford and made Dumba a nice one-year offer?
- bjphawkfan

What would be the purpose?

What would be the purpose?
- paulr

Make next year's pick less desirable by signing a guy who won't be here long term?

Make next year's pick less desirable by signing a guy who won't be here long term?
- mohel

Could be. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Roos is the mystery man.
- jhawk59

No mystery, Jim...if he plays better than the rest he makes the roster.

As much as I think the team planners have an idea of who they think may stay, this is all about which of the young defenseman guys is ready all around.

As much as I think they may have discussed Kaiser to Rockford, I think he would have to lose all confidence, stop jumping up, and simply start playing like he doesn't belong.

I think we may be surprised if many of the drafted guys come in ready to stay.

I think we will see many of them all year, as it cannot hurt things, if they play regularly ,or even get call ups as rewards if injuries at the parent club occur;

It may seem as if there is no urgency, but you notice they had young defenseman pushed on out, after they really did take those steps.

I realize you only get a certain time before you have to choose them as keepers to the parent roster, so some my be ill prepared to step up soon, like Roos...and if so, he plays elsewhere. Unfortunately, if you are not a kid ready earlier these days, you may not have worked as hard as could, and lose to the competition, and I think we can say the young defenseman who have left just didn't have the toolkit and demeanor and skill at that young age...maybe they gain experience and later are good pros.

So many ex-hawk defenseman still being signed and re-invented.

Unfortunately I am not sure you can bury, say a Crevier until we are ready for playoffs where he can move and rattle things.

Oh, and with every defenseman in the system, they have to know where to skate, when to skate and when to go/pass/shoot....they all have been in situations like that, but it is ramping up that notch against the best players in the world that they simply have to play well against.

And you let guys like Taige Harding go to school another year before you decide where /if they fit.

Make next year's pick less desirable by signing a guy who won't be here long term?
- mohel

If Dumba were worth signing, and on the upswing as a refined polished player, Minny would have kept him.

My dark horse is for Boris Katchouck to push for a regular spot in the top 6 .Was not thrilled they brought AA back but whatever we are going to be a lottery team again . Bedard plays top line no WJC for him ,say he comes in around 70 to 80 points takes Rookie of the year honors
Korchinski is headed back to Jr. .

I guess the Blackhawks made a nice pick in 1989 in the 12th round when they took goalie
Mike Doneghey,
their current chief scout.

Did that nudge the first goalie off the board Gajan selection at #35?

I guess the Blackhawks made a nice pick in 1989 in the 12th round when they took goalie
Mike Doneghey,
their current chief scout.

Did that nudge the first goalie off the board Gajan selection at #35?
- wiz1901

I like that pick .They started the goalie roll ,and got their man .Should pay dividends in 3 or 4 years .

I guess the Blackhawks made a nice pick in 1989 in the 12th round when they took goalie
Mike Doneghey,
their current chief scout.

Did that nudge the first goalie off the board Gajan selection at #35?
- wiz1901

If it did he should be fired. Total overreach.

My dark horse is for Boris Katchouck to push for a regular spot in the top 6 .Was not thrilled they brought AA back but whatever we are going to be a lottery team again . Bedard plays top line no WJC for him ,say he comes in around 70 to 80 points takes Rookie of the year honors
Korchinski is headed back to Jr. .
- oldduffman

Then Allen too
Defense pairing again in juniors

If it did he should be fired. Total overreach.
- Ogilthorpe2

Curious to see if the Russian goaltender, Askorov, selected I believe 20th overall by Nashville and who Bowman inquired, does he become Nashville top net minder next season. A lefty he was very good in AHL last year

Then Allen too
Defense pairing again in juniors
- jhawk59

I think Allan is old enough to be in Rockford. Pretty sure he'll be there this season.

I think Allan is old enough to be in Rockford. Pretty sure he'll be there this season.
- Chunk

Pretty sure that’s where he’s headed (RFD). Del Mastro too I believe.

Pretty sure that’s where he’s headed (RFD). Del Mastro too I believe.
- HawkintheD

The Hawks definitely have some beef on the back end at the moment.

Allan
Del Mastro
Vlasic
Phillips
KK has gotten bigger
A few other lesser names.

I'm not naïve enough to think they will all make the team and play together, but it's really nice to see a full stock of promising players.

Dmen
NHL Locks - S. Jones, Tinordi
NHL Lock unless traded (which is doubtful) - Murphy
Looked NHL ready last year - Kaiser, Vlasic
NHL or Juniors - Korchinski
NHL or AHL (could go either way) - Roos, Phillips,
Likely starting at Rockford - Allan, Del Mastro, Crevier

Zaitsev - probably untradable. NHL (7th defender in the press box most nights)? bought out? waived and plays in AHL?

Maybe Hawks pick up journeyman defender so that they do not have to rush the keep kids.

I hope Karlsson and Debrincat get moved soon. I think after those two are moved we could see a 2nd wave of activity. (Not necessarily by the Hawks)

I still think the Hawks will be the middle man in the Karlsson deal.

Dmen
NHL Locks - S. Jones, Tinordi
NHL Lock unless traded (which is doubtful) - Murphy
Looked NHL ready last year - Kaiser, Vlasic
NHL or Juniors - Korchinski
NHL or AHL (could go either way) - Roos, Phillips,
Likely starting at Rockford - Allan, Del Mastro, Crevier

Zaitsev - probably untradable. NHL (7th defender in the press box most nights)? bought out? waived and plays in AHL?

Maybe Hawks pick up journeyman defender so that they do not have to rush the keep kids.
- -Doh-

If Allan and Del Mastro are starting in Rockford, as they should, then Korchinski is going back to junior. There’s no rush to get them to the Hawks. Get bigger, stronger, better learn the pro game and when they’re ready and earn a spot, promote them.

If Allan and Del Mastro are starting in Rockford, as they should, then Korchinski is going back to junior. There’s no rush to get them to the Hawks. Get bigger, stronger, better learn the pro game and when they’re ready and earn a spot, promote them.
- paulr

Yes, but then comes the age old questions:

What is big enough/strong enough/smart enough? Do those answers changed depending on the type of player or the role expected?

Yes, but then comes the age old questions:

What is big enough/strong enough/smart enough? Do those answers changed depending on the type of player or the role expected?
- Chunk

The question is answered when one or all of them beat out the incumbents for a position on the team.