Nice pass Jones.

Is sucking at this game an unacceptable behavior so they can terminate Jones' contract?

Is Phillips the only D-man with the balls to hold the blue line in the ozone?

Is Phillips the only D-man with the balls to hold the blue line in the ozone?
- Elbows15

You named the group here the BOD and now you’re sounding like them. What happened to the Elbows who looked for positives especially with younger players?

You named the group here the BOD and now you’re sounding like them. What happened to the Elbows who looked for positives especially with younger players?
- paulr

I am still positive about a lot of players.

Kaiser, Phillip and Vlasic for 3. Bedard is the poops. Been a fan of kurashev all along.
Reichel is getting close to being hammered. Not sure what is going on with him.

Korchinski has never impressed me ever since all his reports mentioned his skating and they were wrong. Plus, I didn't like the pick and still don't.

Is Phillips the only D-man with the balls to hold the blue line in the ozone?
- Elbows15

Vlasic does as well.

I am still positive about a lot of players.

Kaiser, Phillip and Vlasic for 3. Bedard is the poops. Been a fan of kurashev all along.
Reichel is getting close to being hammered. Not sure what is going on with him.

Korchinski has never impressed me ever since all his reports mentioned his skating and they were wrong. Plus, I didn't like the pick and still don't.
- Elbows15

I think Reichel, like Kurashev the last two years, is still trying to figure it out. I think Korchinski is a good skater, he’s not a burner, but he has enough speed to keep up with the play and his edge work is really good. I think he’ll be fine in a couple of years. I’m hoping they lend him to the Canadian junior team to get him away from the pressure and to give him an opportunity to lead Canada. I think it will be a boon to his confidence.

I am still positive about a lot of players.

Kaiser, Phillip and Vlasic for 3. Bedard is the poops. Been a fan of kurashev all along.
Reichel is getting close to being hammered. Not sure what is going on with him.

Korchinski has never impressed me ever since all his reports mentioned his skating and they were wrong. Plus, I didn't like the pick and still don't.
- Elbows15

Although their playing styles are completely different I think Korchinski is a better, faster skater than Seabrook was. And Seabrook’s skating was never a hindrance to him.

I agree he wasn’t/isn’t ready for the NHL. He was weak defensively in junior, and his decision making didn’t look great when i watched him in the memorial cup. He’s a good skater, he has average speed but his edge work is very good. He’s on the big club and they’ll have to fix things on the fly.
- paulr

LR and the D coach won the argument with KD about keeping him up in the NHL. And the reasoning is simple - he's not going to improve by going back to junior hockey and he isn't eligible to play in the AHL which is the place that would benefit him most.

WIth very few exceptions, 19 year old defenceman don't belong in the NHL, especially on a bad team. And his play as the season grinds on isn't likely to get better.

Although their playing styles are completely different I think Korchinski is a better, faster skater than Seabrook was. And Seabrook’s skating was never a hindrance to him.
- paulr

Seabrook had short area quickness. Korchinski doesn't at this point. Is he willing to work at it?

LR and the D coach won the argument with KD about keeping him up in the NHL. And the reasoning is simple - he's not going to improve by going back to junior hockey and he isn't eligible to play in the AHL which is the place that would benefit him most.

WIth very few exceptions, 19 year old defenceman don't belong in the NHL, especially on a bad team. And his play as the season grinds on isn't likely to get better.
- RickJ

Unfortunately he’s struggled for a few games now. He’s been chasing the play and that starts causing mental mistakes. You’re right, most 19 year old defensemen don’t belong in the NHL. It’s too bad there isn’t a rule that allows an NHL team to have one 18 or 19 year old in the AHL.

LR and the D coach won the argument with KD about keeping him up in the NHL. And the reasoning is simple - he's not going to improve by going back to junior hockey and he isn't eligible to play in the AHL which is the place that would benefit him most.

WIth very few exceptions, 19 year old defenceman don't belong in the NHL, especially on a bad team. And his play as the season grinds on isn't likely to get better.
- RickJ

All true and I accept that. I just want to see more flashes from him.

Unfortunately he’s struggled for a few games now. He’s been chasing the play and that starts causing mental mistakes. You’re right, most 19 year old defensemen don’t belong in the NHL. It’s too bad there isn’t a rule that allows an NHL team to have one 18 or 19 year old in the AHL.
- paulr

Maybe KK gets that mysterious injury that he gets to have a conditioning stint in the A .

IDK. Entwistle is another guy finds ways to make himself noticeable when he gets a chance to play.

Perry being launched should allow him and Anderson some chances to play.

Seabrook had short area quickness. Korchinski doesn't at this point. Is he willing to work at it?
- Elbows15

If LR and Dean can work with him? The first thing I think they should do is take him off the powerplay and let him concentrate on playing five on five stressing his defensive game.

IDK. Entwistle is another guy finds ways to make himself noticeable when he gets a chance to play.

Perry being launched should allow him and Anderson some chances to play.
- Elbows15

But neither of them know how to show Bedard how to pack a suitcase or to remind him to bring his toothbrush on road-trips.

If LR and Dean can work with him? The first thing I think they should do is take him off the powerplay and let him concentrate on playing five on five stressing his defensive game.
- paulr

He needs a power skating coach and that is mostly done in the off-season. His stride is awkward AF.

Richardenson playing himself into a nice TDL piece.
- SaskHawkFan

For sure. A couple nice games has gone on to be a very solid season for D!ckenson......... Was really impressed seeing him take it behind his own net and skate er all the way up. Big dude has nice balance and is strong on his skates.

For the love of god, KD, please go ask Toews if he’ll come back. No hard feelings, he’s just what this team needs. Bedard needs to learn how to play on both sides of the puck. And how to win face offs.
- scottak

And not skate into 3 dudes. .... Two worst periods the phenom has played as a Hawk. But, with that crazy shot his poor game can be erased in a blink.

Sometimes the 18 yr old plays like an 18 yr old.

You learn as a kid that when you’re a defenseman pinching you never pass back to your point position because the forward covering probably isn’t in position yet and all the coverage could be on that side of the ice. And if you need to pass to the point as a pinching defender it means you weren’t in a position to pinch in the first place. But these mistakes are fixable.
- paulr

Good post..........

He needs a power skating coach and that is mostly done in the off-season. His stride is awkward AF.
- Elbows15

You used to defend Duncan Keith’s awkward stride, and I’d argue it was far more awkward than KK’s. But Keith never had issues despite what his skating stride looked like.

Although their playing styles are completely different I think Korchinski is a better, faster skater than Seabrook was. And Seabrook’s skating was never a hindrance to him.
- paulr

Seabrook only lasted until pick #14 b/c injuries kept him from showing / being in the discussion as he was Ryan Sutter, Phaneuf, Coburn (cough) while Weber, who was selected mid-second was considered "slow."
And that's about all the defenders who stuck form that draft year.

I do think KK has had two straight games counting tonight when he struggles defensively when he tries to place pucks out in transition and in his positioning.

It is going to take time. The head coach played defense so that a is comforting tutor.

I am sick of staying it but although the game's basic stand firm, the back-liners are never going to be the defenders type defenseman from years gone by.
The skills of the attackers are just so much superior to any possible superhuman reactions from the guys defending them.
The split seconds are making it less possible.

I am not going to speculate where the defenseman position morphs, but having the feet, passes, block shots ability and being able to rub out attackers will be important but their expertise at high IQ reads, passes in the attack are what will start start deciding what the defenseman get paid.

LR and the D coach won the argument with KD about keeping him up in the NHL. And the reasoning is simple - he's not going to improve by going back to junior hockey and he isn't eligible to play in the AHL which is the place that would benefit him most.

WIth very few exceptions, 19 year old defenceman don't belong in the NHL, especially on a bad team. And his play as the season grinds on isn't likely to get better.
- RickJ

I think KD and Crew asked can KK get valuable NHL reps without it overwhelming him and decided yes.

They always say the kid is coachable and picks up things fast. That helps developmentally of course but sells the decision makers he'll develop in the Bigs...... We won't know 100% until he hits that rookie wall maybe Game 45-50ish.

Ha!! LR gave Boris a 1st line shift to start the 3rd!! .. Atta boy, LR.

You guys are high if you think KK doesn’t belong in the NHL right now. He’s our best defender, which says nothing. His partner is one of the worst in the league. Go look at Murphy’s advanced stats and I’ll tell you why Korchinski can’t get out of his own end.

Ha!! LR gave Boris a 1st line shift to start the 3rd!! .. Atta boy, LR.
- Mr Ricochet

He should get a few more.