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.
- wiz1901

Everyone will be ready and compete hard for jobs among them a large contingent of prospects THE BLUELINE CREW

Really
Think about it
For example last camp DelMastro was overwhelmed at the NHL speed. Korchinski but not Allen gets a look? Hmmm

Korchinski wasn’t trusted to play big minutes in the WJC although he was a year younger than some other guys. Allen can pass puck well now? Sure in juniors he improved a lot but see him do so as a pro?

I do suggest some under the radar dmen who return to school could develop nicely. The other kid on defense from Kaiser’s team and Harding as you called

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

Although Kaiser is probably more advanced than both Vlasic and Phillips, Kaiser has one more year on his ELC than Vlasic and Phillips. Since winning is not the main object, I would hope that Vlasic and Phillips at least start the year playing regularly with the big squad and Kaiser in the minors. Wouldn't you want to see what you had in Vlasic and Phillips before having to decide what kind of contract (or to trade them etc.) to offer them?

How many more years do you hold a prospect back before seeing what they can do? This isn't the 2015 Hawks with a veteran coach that could give a hoot about developing anyone. If Matthias Samuelson, Devon Toews, K'Andre Miller, etc. etc. were on the Hawks, based upon the BOD, they would still be getting their requisite 250 games in the minors before maybe becoming the seventh defenseman on the team, or maybe needing another 200 games to really make sure they are ready?

Also, the Hawks are about to have a car crash as far as defenseman go. Your top 4 in Rockford next year are delMaestro, Allen, Kaiser, Roos. (I can see Louis Creivier is going to win the Adam Gaudette/Dylan Sikura BOD trophy). If you keep Vlasic and Phillips in the minors by picking up another veteran defenseman (Caleb Jones?
), how much playing time do these 4 get ? And you have Korchinski on the big squad next year?

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

Yes...and no. In all honesty, Zaitsev and Tinordi should not be taking minutes away from any young defenseman. Love them or hate them, Jones and Murphy are NHL defensemen. So fill in the other 4 with youngsters. If Vlassic and Kaiser are your best of the youngsters then slot one with Jones and one with Murphy. Who is next up in the org? Roos, Crevier, Phillips who are coming to the end of their ELC's or have KK, Allan and DelMastro jumped them? The Hawks cut bait with C. Jones, Mitchell and Regula, having determined that what was in the system was already better.

Although Kaiser is probably more advanced than both Vlasic and Phillips, Kaiser has one more year on his ELC than Vlasic and Phillips. Since winning is not the main object, I would hope that Vlasic and Phillips at least start the year playing regularly with the big squad and Kaiser in the minors. Wouldn't you want to see what you had in Vlasic and Phillips before having to decide what kind of contract (or to trade them etc.) to offer them?

How many more years do you hold a prospect back before seeing what they can do? This isn't the 2015 Hawks with a veteran coach that could give a hoot about developing anyone. If Matthias Samuelson, Devon Toews, K'Andre Miller, etc. etc. were on the Hawks, based upon the BOD, they would still be getting their requisite 250 games in the minors before maybe becoming the seventh defenseman on the team, or maybe needing another 200 games to really make sure they are ready?

Also, the Hawks are about to have a car crash as far as defenseman go. Your top 4 in Rockford next year are delMaestro, Allen, Kaiser, Roos. (I can see Louis Creivier is going to win the Adam Gaudette/Dylan Sikura BOD trophy). If you keep Vlasic and Phillips in the minors by picking up another veteran defenseman (Caleb Jones?
), how much playing time do these 4 get ? And you have Korchinski on the big squad next year?
- LAHawk

Yeah, I mentioned something along these lines a day or so ago. A few of these guys will be traded no doubt. Right now they have two spots definitely open (for playing time). Injuries and performance can quickly increase that number.

IMO, Hawks pairings come October, unless KD possibly picks up anyone else.

Vlasic-Jones
Phillips-Murphy
Roos-Zaitsev
Tinordi

Tinordi will get games in while one of the kids get press box time to learn from on high. He'll eventually get hurt and placed on IR.

Zaitsev may very well play himself out of the job before long and become the 7D, or waived and sent to Rockford.

Murphy played 80 games last year. What are the chances he stays that healthy again? He'll likely be on IR at some point throughout the season.

There may be injuries to the other 4 defensemen, or one of the kids isn't cutting it in the NHL and returned to the Rock to work on their play.

There should be plenty of NHL playing time for Kaiser and Crevier as call-ups during the season..

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
- jhawk59

Askarov went 11th overall and has played well in the A maybe not this year but soon for the starting job .I think we missed a chance at a real game changer there .Gajan was superman at last WJC and only Bedard was a bigger story .Small sample size but you have to start somewhere . Goalie are difficult to predict and some just come out of no were like Gajan did .
Think Allan will play in the A next year .

Hasek is the guy I remember we once had.
- rpeters01

Belfour & Hasek was one of the best goalie duos since the expansion Blues had Glenn Hall and Jaques Plante.

Not many times 2 HOFers are goalies on the same roster.

Belfour & Hasek was one of the best goalie duos since the expansion Blues had Glenn Hall and Jaques Plante.

Not many times 2 HOFers are goalies on the same roster.
- scottak

If we had made the trade for Lindros Hasek would have become the starter and who knows how history would have changed

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
- jhawk59

There was talk at the draft they were offering Askafrov trade to move into the top end of the draft...

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

Lets hope you are right. Davidson is tough to predict. They sent Vlasic down last season but in the AHL instead of focusing on a defensive defenseman role they put him on the 1st powerplay and gave him a bigger offensive role. Crevier was mostly a scratch in the playoffs. Regula played a lot and they dumped him in the offseason.

Hopefully they don't make Korchinski stick around for 2 month then go back then WJC then back etc.

The Hawks have turned over most of the roster. Teams that do that are usually a mess for the first two months till they get some chemistry. And if you look at the Hawks schedule for the first 2 months it is stacked with the best teams in the league. 2xTor 2xVegas 2x FLA 2xTB COL, BOS NJ, Seattle. The non playoff teams are AZ, NAS, BUF, Det.

I was hoping between the cooking classes and comedy club tours at Development Camp that one or all of Rinzel, Moore and Nazar were going to renounce their college scholarships and play in the CHL. They could play twice the games and have much bigger roles in juniors than playing on College teams with lots of older guys ahead of them.

Belfour & Hasek was one of the best goalie duos since the expansion Blues had Glenn Hall and Jaques Plante.

Not many times 2 HOFers are goalies on the same roster.
- scottak

Didn't they choose some guy named Chevrolet close to that name anyway over Hasek?

I am still pinching myself with our fortunate lottery win.

"I think just kind of get back to work (when I get home)," Bedard said. "I'm going to do everything I can this summer, for the rest of the summer, to improve myself and try to make the leap."

How come I see no bullfeathers in this simple comment?

First and foremost, he wants to play hockey.

The week in Chicago was unusual for him, since he wasn't playing or truly practicing his passion.

Belfour & Hasek was one of the best goalie duos since the expansion Blues had Glenn Hall and Jaques Plante.

Not many times 2 HOFers are goalies on the same roster.
- scottak

Right up there with Crawford and Lehner.

Sounds like we may be getting Granlund and a pick or two in the Karlsson trade .Think we may also end up with Murray from the Leafs along with a 2nd .

Sounds like we may be getting Granlund and a pick or two in the Karlsson trade .Think we may also end up with Murray from the Leafs along with a 2nd .
- oldduffman

Is the buyout period over?

Sounds like we may be getting Granlund and a pick or two in the Karlsson trade .Think we may also end up with Murray from the Leafs along with a 2nd .
- oldduffman

Where did you see that?

Don't want to retain for 4 years on Karlsson. If anything take Granlund and the picks for future considerations in a separate trade with the Penguins enabling them to shed some cap hit. Then buy out Granlund. Hawks will have a second buy out window since Kurashev is going to arbitration.

Is the buyout period over?
- rpeters01

Since Kurashev is going to arbitration, Hawks will get a 2nd buy out window.

Sounds like we may be getting Granlund and a pick or two in the Karlsson trade .Think we may also end up with Murray from the Leafs along with a 2nd .
- oldduffman

I thought Granlund was in Pitt? How does he factor in? Neither San Jose or pitt. have any Toronto picks.

What would be the purpose?
- paulr

I can't answer that question for you. If you don't see the difference between Dumba and Zaitsev then any answer I give you, won't make your comprehension any easier.

If Dumba were worth signing, and on the upswing as a refined polished player, Minny would have kept him.
- wiz1901

Is Perry on the upswing? Foligno? Would he maybe help out the young defensemen more than Murphy, Jones or any other veteran? We are always complaining about our defense. His offense has dropped but he is still an above average defender with grit.

I thought Granlund was in Pitt? How does he factor in? Neither San Jose or pitt. have any Toronto picks.
- Rota's Rooter

Here's how I see it. PIT will have to move some cap hit to make room for Karlsson. If Hawks are retaining part of Karllson's cap hit (which I don't want to happen) they have to receive a sweetener. Garlund alone won't be the sweetener. I imagine hopefully a 2nd round pick, plus, plus, comes back from PIT. Pens have a poor prospect pool except for Yager. In fact if it was me, the only way the Hawks take on the 4 year, 4M or so cap hit for Karllson would be for Yager. Then also maybe SJS sends a pick/prospect too.

Agree Toronto has little to offer the Hawks for taking Murray.

I can't answer that question for you. If you don't see the difference between Dumba and Zaitsev then any answer I give you, won't make your comprehension any easier.
- bjphawkfan

Or get Petry from PIT with sweeteners to allow them to shed some cap hit to acquire Karllson.

Here's how I see it. PIT will have to move some cap hit to make room for Karlsson. If Hawks are retaining part of Karllson's cap hit (which I don't want to happen) they have to receive a sweetener. Garlund alone won't be the sweetener. I imagine hopefully a 2nd round pick, plus, plus, comes back from PIT. Pens have a poor prospect pool except for Yager. In fact if it was me, the only way the Hawks take on the 4 year, 4M or so cap hit for Karllson would be for Yager. Then also maybe SJS sends a pick/prospect too.

Agree Toronto has little to offer the Hawks for taking Murray.
- boilermaker100

If I were KD, and Pit wanted me to be the middle man in the deal, I start with Crosby. Can you imagine Crosby mentoring Bedard?

Yes...and no. In all honesty, Zaitsev and Tinordi should not be taking minutes away from any young defenseman. Love them or hate them, Jones and Murphy are NHL defensemen. So fill in the other 4 with youngsters. If Vlassic and Kaiser are your best of the youngsters then slot one with Jones and one with Murphy. Who is next up in the org? Roos, Crevier, Phillips who are coming to the end of their ELC's or have KK, Allan and DelMastro jumped them? The Hawks cut bait with C. Jones, Mitchell and Regula, having determined that what was in the system was already better.
- TheTrob

What wonderful fantastic problems to have. Seemingly too many D prospects deserving of a shot in the NHL and not enough spots for them, and another wave behind them!! And none of them are midgets!...... Now it's up to the evaluators to sort these things out.

Fingers crossed in a few yrs the organIzation has similar problems with the forward prospects.

Here's how I see it. PIT will have to move some cap hit to make room for Karlsson. If Hawks are retaining part of Karllson's cap hit (which I don't want to happen) they have to receive a sweetener. Garlund alone won't be the sweetener. I imagine hopefully a 2nd round pick, plus, plus, comes back from PIT. Pens have a poor prospect pool except for Yager. In fact if it was me, the only way the Hawks take on the 4 year, 4M or so cap hit for Karllson would be for Yager. Then also maybe SJS sends a pick/prospect too.

Agree Toronto has little to offer the Hawks for taking Murray.
- boilermaker100

In Yager scouting report mentions he could be a better skater. Not sounding like a KD like. Second round choices for taking on salary PLUS TERM shouldn’t we get a first round? Or is San Jose to receive any # 1’s?