Rinzel and Phillips?
- rpeters01

Rinzel is a very intriguing prospect, Phillips we'll see. For now i just see the 3 rookies playing in the NHL already better than him, he really doesn't move my needle much right now.

I'll even add i didn't like his comment when he was brought back up to play in the NHL, like it was his turn to be playing in the NHL based on his time more so then his performance.

No disrespect meant to you, but I think Kyle isn't looking for just a big future NHL defender, he is now on the hunt long term to find and develop a Cole Makar attacker (and if he has more size, the better).

They have to have a runway for the Icehog defenders they drafted and probably have their eyes on a attacking/ defending defenseman in the 2024 group if he sits as the best player available when they select.

Remember when I said way back that bear wasn't toes or Kane, but more?

Barring injuries, we really got the special door prize last draft.
- wiz1901

Just looking for a possible up and coming RD. Yes someone like Kirczak would add to the pipeline but I doubt if Crevier or the two college seniors will pan out at RD. Getting a young RD would make Murphy expendable. Let KK or an upcoming pick carry the offensive mail.

He will be a strong guy, similar to Crosby, but right now he’s still a boy and for a couple of years he’s not going to win the physical battles against bigger men. But if, as you say, he incorporates a reverse hit, it initially negates big hits then it makes opponents think twice about loading up with a big hit.
- paulr

He will also adjust and not put himself into those dangerous situations. Not saying he will shy away, but maybe take a different angle or dump the puck realizing he has no where to go. Something it appears that Dach has not learned yet.

BTW, seems like the lightbulb has gone on for Lafreniere., now playing to 6 minutes and producing.

Just looking for a possible up and coming RD. Yes someone like Kirczak would add to the pipeline but I doubt if Crevier or the two college seniors will pan out at RD. Getting a young RD would make Murphy expendable. Let KK or an upcoming pick carry the offensive mail.
- boilermaker100

I'm hoping Allen makes Murphy expendable and the goal is to get 4 to only play 20 to 22 minutes a game and off the 1st team power play.

Lines at practice. Reichel back at center.

Foligno-Bedard-Kurashev
T. Johnson-Reichel-Raddysh
Katchouk-Richardinson-Perry
R. Johnson-Entwistle-Donato

Injured/not practicing: Athanasiou & Hall.

He will also adjust and not put himself into those dangerous situations. Not saying he will shy away, but maybe take a different angle or dump the puck realizing he has no where to go. Something it appears that Dach has not learned yet.

BTW, seems like the lightbulb has gone on for Lafreniere., now playing to 6 minutes and producing.
- LAHawk

If the Hawks PP wasn't so bad, Bedard would probably have at least 4 more points, if not more.

Bedard is T-2 in the league for even strength goals.

If the Hawks PP wasn't so bad, Bedard would probably have at least 4 more points, if not more.

Bedard is T-2 in the league for even strength goals.
- bhawks2241

If the Hawks had any top 6 forward to play with Bedard, he would have more than 4 assists so far this season.

Francour out for season
Mrzeck available
Not unreasonable to say he will be playing well all season up to trade deadline

Wish KD moves him and #2 for #1. But is it really a big jump in draft slots. Say we draft 5th in round two. Where might Avalanche select?

Despite a loaded roster, perhaps closer to 23/25th or 30th.

Food for thought.

Lines at practice. Reichel back at center.

Foligno-Bedard-Kurashev
T. Johnson-Reichel-Raddysh
Katchouk-Richardinson-Perry
R. Johnson-Entwistle-Donato

Injured/not practicing: Athanasiou & Hall.
- boilermaker100

When Hall is ready, I’d like to see him on a line with Reichel and Raddysh.

Your comment stated nothing of the sort. . Your comment had nothing to do with rookie vs veterans.
- paulr

Yeah, that's all well and good, Chief, but you should still keep it in your pants.

Rinzel is a very intriguing prospect, Phillips we'll see. For now i just see the 3 rookies playing in the NHL already better than him, he really doesn't move my needle much right now.

I'll even add i didn't like his comment when he was brought back up to play in the NHL, like it was his turn to be playing in the NHL based on his time more so then his performance.
- BetweenTheDots

To me, Phillips will be the first of the young dmen moved, maybe in a package deal for a young forward or a young RD.

Yeah, that's all well and good, Chief, but you should still keep it in your pants.
- mohel

Assuming he put on pants today.....

Yeah, that's all well and good, Chief, but you should still keep it in your pants.
- mohel

It’s cold up here, I can’t even find it!

Francour out for season
Mrzeck available
Not unreasonable to say he will be playing well all season up to trade deadline

Wish KD moves him and #2 for #1. But is it really a big jump in draft slots. Say we draft 5th in round two. Where might Avalanche select?

Despite a loaded roster, perhaps closer to 23/25th or 30th.

Food for thought.
- jhawk59

Mrazek isn't going anywhere unless/until the Hawks have a veteran replacement. The Hawks goalies have to stand on their heads to keep the game close, Soderblom isn't ready for full time work, and no way would I bring up Comesso this year behind this defense.

Francour out for season
Mrzeck available
Not unreasonable to say he will be playing well all season up to trade deadline

Wish KD moves him and #2 for #1. But is it really a big jump in draft slots. Say we draft 5th in round two. Where might Avalanche select?

Despite a loaded roster, perhaps closer to 23/25th or 30th.

Food for thought.
- jhawk59

The Hawks moved up 13 spots in the trade with the Leafs, from #38 to #25, for comparison.

They also have three second round picks in June. Their own, the Kings, and the Canucks. So they trade the furthest down of the three. Or their own third or Ottawa's.

What are the comparables for available goalies in the NHL? Less leverage if the Avs have more options.

Mrazek isn't going anywhere unless/until the Hawks have a veteran replacement. The Hawks goalies have to stand on their heads to keep the game close, Soderblom isn't ready for full time work, and no way would I bring up Comesso this year behind this defense.
- LAHawk

There are goaltending issues with so many teams in the NHL - injuries, poor play, salary cap limitations. Desperate teams start doing desperate things. There will be a time to move Mrazek, just not now, maybe nearer the trade deadline. Hope he stays healthy for once in his career.

There are goaltending issues with so many teams in the NHL - injuries, poor play, salary cap limitations. Desperate teams start doing desperate things. There will be a time to move Mrazek, just not now, maybe nearer the trade deadline. Hope he stays healthy for once in his career.
- RickJ

Supposedly the Leafs are want Zadorov for defense. Zadorov and McCabe on the same team. How did that work out for the Hawks?

Supposedly the Leafs are want Zadorov for defense. Zadorov and McCabe on the same team. How did that work out for the Hawks?

- LAHawk

Is Zadorov the Reaves of D-men? If so, he'll fit right in.

Good game, we got our monies worth. There are no words to describe the kid, man can he pick corners. I was really impressed with Kaiser, he had a nice game. Without checking the box score, it seemed like Jones played too many minutes, Reichel needs better line mates, the skill is there. That fraking stadium plays music too loud, kind of annoying.
- Angotti

Hey Lou, I didn't realize you were going to the game in FLA, thought you meant you were going to the game when they got back to The City of Big Shoulders.

Where did you sit, what level? Did anything you saw confirm or refute anything you saw with the benefit of seeing the Hawks live? .. Curious how Reichel's speed looked live to you?

It’s early yet but Bedard is on track for 50 plus goals and 80 points. Imagine the numbers he’d be putting up playing with some real talent and not AHL players, journeymen and vets who’s best days are behind them?
- paulr

It's gonna ramp up the fun a bunch when the organIzation decides it's win time. Lotta bridges (land mines) for KD to navigate before that day comes but when it does the excitement will be every bit as palpable as the Hawks were pre 2010.

There are goaltending issues with so many teams in the NHL - injuries, poor play, salary cap limitations. Desperate teams start doing desperate things. There will be a time to move Mrazek, just not now, maybe nearer the trade deadline. Hope he stays healthy for once in his career.
- RickJ

If you look at goaltending in the recent era, seems like you need 3 NHL goaltenders. Goaltenders are getting injured as much as skaters do. Most teams have at least one goalie injured, some have 2 and are on their third.

Foligno needs to stay another year. He is Bedard's Secord. {minus the scoring}
- bjphawkfan

I'm on board for this. I've always been kind of a closet CLB fan and since Foligno came into the league I've probably had him on half of my fantasy teams, so I've followed him his whole career.

In fantasy he's what they call a category stuffer and that is true in real hockey. Simply said the guy checks a lotta boxes and watching his skating he still has a good bit left to give. One of the things that jumped out immediately was Foligno's skating this yr.

Love to see Foligno's value with the Hawks as they go thru the phases of the rebuild.

There are goaltending issues with so many teams in the NHL - injuries, poor play, salary cap limitations. Desperate teams start doing desperate things. There will be a time to move Mrazek, just not now, maybe nearer the trade deadline. Hope he stays healthy for once in his career.
- RickJ

Rick, don't know about you but you could see just how dialed in and efficient Mrazak was in preseason. His tracking, reads and efficiency was as good as I've ever seen from him and without seeing all NHL goalies IMO the guy is damn near as good as any goalie I've seen in the league this yr.

Indeed, he can help a lotta NHL playoff type teams in a difference making way. Maybe all the way to the cup. The only concern is will he stay healthy.

And as much as I was impressed with Mrazak from the jump I'm not with Soderblom at this stage. Nothing this guy does is clean and if he's the #1 when/if Mrazak is moved I think that solidifies the Hawks securing a top 5 pick.

Not sure Nylander is the way to go. He’d help short term, but long term not so sure. He’d want a massive long term contract and by the time the Hawks are ready to compete for the cup in 2 to 5 years he’d be over 30 and could very possibly be a cap albatross when the young guys need their pay day. There will come a time to sign a UFA, I hope KFC waits until he knows what the final needs are.
- paulr

If KD follows the blueprint of the 2010-13-15 Blackhawks, isn't it still 1 year too early to be running after big name FA this summer?

As a reminder, Brian Campbell was acquired the summer before the 08-09 season, 1 year before the 1st Cup in 2010. Hossa was brought in for the 1st Cup run in 09-10.

So, is this the plan?
23-24 - rookies show growth and they spin off a piece or two before the deadline
24-25 - add youth currently in the system, and a mid level FA or two
25-26 - make a splash on an impact FA, more youth join the team
26-27 - one impact FA, time to make that 1st SC run

Do I have that about right?

If you look at goaltending in the recent era, seems like you need 3 NHL goaltenders. Goaltenders are getting injured as much as skaters do. Most teams have at least one goalie injured, some have 2 and are on their third.
- LAHawk

Agreed, 3 goalies are necessary.

And in looking at really good teams around the league, can they win anything with what they have now?

LA Kings - love their team, buy win with Talbot and Copley?
NJ Devils - 2 real average guys
Colorado - Francouz gone
Leafs - neither goalie real good, average/poor defence
Oilers - none of them any good
Carolina - Anderson hurt again, Raanta always injured.