LBR over at Second City suggested that part of the reason for this last night was that he was matched up against the Cirelli line.

This is his sophomore campaign, so regression is to be expected. And it's usually the worst time to trade a slumping prospect. Let's see how he does when they play easier opposition.
- 333inthe3rd

There's no need to rush, maybe it didn't help he was playing center to start the season, but really it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is he's playing and getting experience, like Bedard and LD men.

I also think it's time to give credit to Jimmy Waite, every year we seem to have a goalie that plays great, credit goes to the goalie and defense but he's obviously very good at what he does and how he's able to teach these goalies to be better.

I really can't disagree with him, there were a couple of plays on the PK where he engaged the guy in front of the net, the forward leaves the front of the net and he goes with him? Opens up a great shot for another Bolts player. It's like he forgot he was on the PK.

It's foolish to dismiss anyone who has a passion for hockey, writers tend to be assigned to a sport where as life long hockey fans know a hell of a lot more about the sport because they've put the time in and seen what works what doesn't and so on.
- BetweenTheDots

Well if the writer really understands the game, he could of on Jones penalty that it was a weak call because Jones was caught in a bad position because Vlasic got beat on a pinch at the offensive blue line. Not blaming Vlasic, that happens to all defenseman, no one is perfect. I bet if it was the opposite, the writer would of been all over Jones for making a bad pinch and leaving Vlasic in a bad position.

You are right Dots, Jones seems to get sucked out of position at times. That is what LR keeps preaching that you have to trust your teammates and play within the system. I think Jones gets wrapped up in that he has to do everything himself which leads to the WTF moments I alluded to in the first period especially.

I also think it's time to give credit to Jimmy Waite, every year we seem to have a goalie that plays great, credit goes to the goalie and defense but he's obviously very good at what he does and how he's able to teach these goalies to be better.
- BetweenTheDots

Great shout out, his knowledge from experience and his consistent demeanor make him a positive force and very effective. Love Jimmy Waite.

Well Jones played 32 minutes last night. That is a lot of time to criticize mistakes. I will admit that I saw some WTF moments from Jones last night,

But after that horrible defensive start in the first period, the Hawks locked it down pretty good in periods 2 and 3. Since Jones was on the ice for at least half the game, those WTF moments must have included some good play also.

Jones isn't the only overpaid defenseman in the league, there are quite a few, and it wouldn't matter how good or poorly he plays, but the fact he was traded for and signed a contract put in front of him by Bowman is going to make him the whipping boy from 6 more years after this.

This reminds me of when Seabrook became the villain /whipping boy because he was offered and signed a contract that became one of the worst in the league as his play was declining.
- LAHawk

To start the discussion I will give you one with the same salary as Jones - Darnell Nurse. One bonehead mistake after another from this guy.

I know I am going to be mercilessly mocked due to my boat anchors mantra, but I wouldn't mind seeing Perry (especially if AA and Hall can't play Sunday) play on Reichel's RW. "Here Lucas, just shoot the puck to the net, I will be there to cause havoc for the goalie"

There's no need to rush, maybe it didn't help he was playing center to start the season, but really it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is he's playing and getting experience, like Bedard and LD men.
- BetweenTheDots

He's getting chances they just aren't going in unfortunately.

He has some crazy speed and ability but kind of on an island right now. Once he gets going he'll be fine. It's realistically his first NHL year so he's still a rookie for all intents and purposes. Probably going to take another two full seasons because thats how long it takes regardless of time spent in the AHL.

I'd also like to emphasize again how of little importance playing in the AHL prepares for success in the NHL and that Reichel should have ben in the league all of last year.

I think they may have to look into trading reichel. Totally invisible, again.
- LFS

Patrick Sharp was 25 before he became visible.
Exhale.

Yup, nothing at all to do with the five goals that were scored.
- Chunk

Give this team 5 goals a night and they'll be Stanley Cup Champs. You couldn't say that about the Collitan teams.

Patrick Sharp was 25 before he became visible.
Exhale.
- rpeters01

You too?

Mrazek PLayed great , and was easily the reason the hawks won
- Ging72

In 8 games Mrazek has only 1 game below .900 save % and that was the OT win against Vegas. He has 4 games above .910 and a season average of .921 which is 5th for goalies who've played 8+ games (and 14th overall).

If Mrazek keeps this up I'd like to see him brought back for another year. Maybe KD can trade him, but I doubt he'd get more than a 3rd and I question the value at that point.

The free agent goalie market isn't great, unless KD wants to look at Talbot, Quick or DeSmith (to name a few). Commesso has done well in Rockford, but there's no need top rush him. Keep him in Rockford for this season and next season with the occasional cup of coffee with the Hawks.

Patrick Sharp was 25 before he became visible.
Exhale.
- rpeters01

Agreed that KD should be patience, plus he wouldn't get much for Reichel at this point. His best option would be to trade for another under-performing former 1st rounder and hope it works out.

I'd also like to emphasize again how of little importance playing in the AHL prepares for success in the NHL and that Reichel should have ben in the league all of last year.
- fattybeef

Idk about that. I think a lot depends on the player. I certainly don't think it damaged him and when he did come up in his second stint, he definitely proved he belonged.

I do think it's hilarious people are wanting to trade him a dozen games into a season that means nothing in terms of wins and losses and everything about his and the other Yutes development.

To start the discussion I will give you one with the same salary as Jones - Darnell Nurse. One bonehead mistake after another from this guy.
- RickJ

I would rather have Seth Jones. I miss the days of players like Keith, Seabrook and so on who didn't have to think to play defense and i believe were constantly thinking ahead, okay if i get the puck here, these are my outlets and so on. It is really a key ingredient that Seth Jones and Murphy don't have. I truly believe they are so focused on playing defense without the puck once they get the puck they have no idea where their team mates are, look up to see their options are, by then most times they are already under pressure to make a possession pass.

You too?
- boilermaker100

I'll speak to my writer about new material.

I'll speak to my writer about new material.
- rpeters01

Just don't inhale.

Idk about that. I think a lot depends on the player. I certainly don't think it damaged him and when he did come up in his second stint, he definitely proved he belonged.

I do think it's hilarious people are wanting to trade him a dozen games into a season that means nothing in terms of wins and losses and everything about his and the other Yutes development.
- HawkintheD

In a normal season Toews would be scoring his first goal about now.

Give this team 5 goals a night and they'll be Stanley Cup Champs. You couldn't say that about the Collitan teams.
- rpeters01

Yeah that's got me wondering. This team has been competitive every night save the Yotes game. Even in games where the energy was low like against the Habs and Devils, they still could have tied them.

The Colliton roster of Toews, Kane, Dcat, Hagel, Dach, Kubalik, Johnson, Jones, Lafferty, McCabe, Murphy, Fleury had much more talent than the current roster.

Looking at a multiverse point of view, could our fortunes have been better with LR as our coach? Guess we'll never know.

In a normal season Toews would be scoring his first goal about now.
- rpeters01

Yep. Always started slow and like your Sharp comment, another reason not to trade a 21 yo in his first full season.

Someone mentioned it in the game day thread,but I've got to mention it again:
Bedard's pass to Foligno at the blue line as he was chasing the puck down before his 2nd goal was a thing of beauty

In 8 games Mrazek has only 1 game below .900 save % and that was the OT win against Vegas. He has 4 games above .910 and a season average of .921 which is 5th for goalies who've played 8+ games (and 14th overall).

If Mrazek keeps this up I'd like to see him brought back for another year. Maybe KD can trade him, but I doubt he'd get more than a 3rd and I question the value at that point.

The free agent goalie market isn't great, unless KD wants to look at Talbot, Quick or DeSmith (to name a few). Commesso has done well in Rockford, but there's no need top rush him. Keep him in Rockford for this season and next season with the occasional cup of coffee with the Hawks.
- DarthKane

They have to deal him if he continues this level of performance up to the deadline. Does he want to stay here during the rebuild? He's been through a lot, and getting term and playing for a contender would be hard for him to pass up at this point. With the injury risk he carries, another reason it's a sell high situation.

It could always be worse we could be the Oilers or the Sharks, what is going on in Edmonton

It could always be worse we could be the Oilers or the Sharks, what is going on in Edmonton
- BetweenTheDots

They don't have Gretzky! They have a built in excuse.

They have to deal him if he continues this level of performance up to the deadline. Does he want to stay here during the rebuild? He's been through a lot, and getting term and playing for a contender would be hard for him to pass up at this point. With the injury risk he carries, another reason it's a sell high situation.
- 333inthe3rd

Who is going to give Mrazek term? You would think the mistakes of long term contracts to Murray, Campbell, Lehner, Peterson etc. , and Mrazek's injury history that he is not going to get a long term contract offer in FA., unless he signs for a very low AAV..