Wondering if you, or anyone else, noticed this about Vlasic. Seems every 5ish games he gets a little more aggressive. The kid is always smart about his pinches and gaps, D first for that high IQ kid, but I'm talking about his rushes up the ice with the puck.

More and more you see this. He's looking for these opportunities. With his reach/big body to shield the puck and his waaaay under talked about straight away speed along with his fine balance he reminds me of a young Bouwmeester.

No, even Vlasic doesn't skate like fellow big guy Bouwmeester, an elite skater, but the kid is a ++ skater. Some mention he could become a Pronger type but that dude was outright nasty with fine physical skills. Vlasic, like Bouwmeester, seems more smooth, cerebral and cunning.
- Mr Ricochet

I think by the end of the year 72 is going to be very good. He’s getting more comfortable, heck he even made quite a rush with the puck all by himself today, and got a shot on goal. I’m not sure he’s mean, but I’ve read they’re asking him to get more physical. He has the potential to be a building block for the next 10+ years.

The Hawks had ZERO 5 x 5 rush chances in the first 2 periods.
- LAHawk

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
The Blackhawks didn't score a single goal on this road trip when Connor Bedard wasn't on the ice.

That's the simple reality of their offense right now, but it's a depressing reality nonetheless.

Vlasic-Crevier will be an interesting pairing.
- rickboardman

Like goal posts!! Very much like what Crevier showed today. Does not move his feet like a 6ft 8in guy and with his crazy reach he can be a real problem, especially if he's properly developed and coached.

Murray mentioned something we all know but got past me this time. Guys in the AHL getting called up tells the whole AHL roster we're watching and hard work and good play gets you a call up. Murray mentioned it's great for morale and you get an AHL roster that's bought in and is developing. ........Makes good sense.

I think by the end of the year 72 is going to be very good. He’s getting more comfortable, heck he even made quite a rush with the puck all by himself today, and got a shot on goal. I’m not sure he’s mean, but I’ve read they’re asking him to get more physical. He has the potential to be a building block for the next 10+ years.
- scottak

He really really does. Very interesting to wonder what his ceiling is.. Love that he was in no rush to leave the NCAA or even the AHL. Tells me the kid is mature, understands and is excepting the coaching which for him has been elite. The endless resources of the NTDP than Boston U before turning pro.

We always look for a comparable with a player and I think I landed on Bouwmeester for Vlasic.

Maybe they resign Beauvelier, add an FA and trade for another top 6 guy. Who knows?

Oh right...my bad, the BOD knows and with that the Hawks are doomed to forever suck because in his almost 2 yrs as GM, Little Nappy has shown he's married to his draft picks and will never make moves to improve the team. RF
- HawkintheD

I see KD tried to make the right moves. Breaking in kids on defense is fine; was KD supposed to go out and upgrade his veteran dmen. No, just hope your veteran dmen aren’t too bad and too slow. And S Jones isn’t going anywhere. Murphy is back.Tinordi is a 7th depth guy and we got a draft choice out of taking on Zaitsev.

Perhaps next season KD will find a way to rid the team if either Tinordi or Zaitsev. I don’t know about Murphy; he is a player I imagine could be traded at deadline but then too a team doesn’t want to be without too few veteran dmen. Murphy is more akin to a third pair but I think we need a rookie to step up and then we go with him.

In only a one game sample maybe Crevier is who is most able and ready with Kaiser and Phillips given opportunity to stick next season

The trade for Hall cost us nothing. Let him play next season and hopefully he gets in more games. Oh sure we need a couple more forwards and KD should be able to get a couple. Perhaps even exchange for a couple on the roster presently. The idea is to get forwards with a tad more skill who will compete. Also I hate the fly by defense effort by forwards …..this always exists on teams but try to minimize

You mention that previous draft choices won’t be ready. I agree but I suggest a couple might come up to the NHL and look promising at some point next season. However we cannot count on their readiness too soon. Reichel - who knows how much time he needs and if adding strength really matters. I have reservation whether he is able to overcome the mindset of tough physical hockey. Teravainen did. The ex Blackhawk Schmaltz - I don’t know if he still is timid but he always winds up on the injured list for many games

Best case scenario is we draft a good forward hopefully Celebrini - and I am willing to see what KD does about the forwards.

I don’t believe he struck out with the moves he made for this current team. I am not going to say either that KD could have added a couple of better forwards.

As for his dearly beloved draft choices, KD is going to need to be willing to possibly move a pick or two in future years but not the ‘24 selections. We do need to see some draft choices keep progressing because we need help up front. I am definitely concerned long term that we upgrade at forward; however, I have less worry about some prospects improving among the dmen

I was kidding and agree with a previous post of yours that drafting top 3 or 5 again next year will help the rebuild.

I don't think NOW is the time for big moves but I could see them making a couple moves after the season to augment the forward group.

Austin Matthews was always a pipe dream but I could see them adding a top 6 forward next year to help ease Bedard's suffering.
- HawkintheD

The rebuild is not for the faint of heart. It's going to be like this for a while.

Looks like they are asking the dmen to be more aggressive with the dzone entries by the opponents, problem is a couple of times the forwards were to slow to cover the 3rd forward entering the zone. Don't know how this is going to work.

Saw Seth activate and once again the forward didn't cover but the Wild couldn't handle the puck and make us pay.

Yes it's ugly right now but that's the price paid for rebuilding. We already have 1 dman making 11.5% of the cap, let's not compound the problem by making an ill advised signing out of desperation. It takes 23 players to win a cup.

Bowman won a cup 3 out of his first 5 years at the helm (I kid).

Actually Chunk and Totem’s comments encapsulates my feelings.

Blake had bad records, and sold players off but when he had a chance to improve his team he did, and now they are way ahead of schedule.

Even Sakic with his tear down and cup win, how many of his own draft choices played on his cup winner? I think I counted 7.

Did the Hawk GM really help Bedard out on the ice ? Who was his opening night RW? Ryan Donato. I was against the Perry signing from day 1. The GM must of thought Hall was enough for Bedard on the ice, he was much more concerned with off the ice. And Hall is a couple of down years removed from his MVP season, when he was even able to stay healthy

I would think Domi could have been had for the same contract as AA 2 x $4, same cap hit as Perry. That is just one player who was available besides Perry. They acquired Josh Bailey for nothing just to buy him out to get to the cap floor. The GM couldn’t have used the cap space to get a player that could play in the NHL?

Development year, well Kaiser and Phillips are back in Rockford, and Zaitsev or Tinordi are still on the club? Andreas England (remember him) I’d having a real nice year with the Kings.

And what about next year? You gonna have Bedard, Nazer possibly, Cellabrini hopefully, Reichel, Dach maybe.

Is KD going to sign players that are good enough to play with them? Or sign 3 over 35 vets whose functional years are way past them because of leadership.

I get leadership, but how many times do you hear Foligno say the right things, and the next game you see the same result ?
- LAHawk

The teardown job the Hawks decided was the route to take really has only just begun. Like a house or building that has been taken down, there was all kinds of junk left on the premises,some of it good (Toews, Kane), but there is still more to remove (Seth Jones, Connor Murphy, Tinordi). All of this takes time and patience.

KD has done a very good job accumulating futures but they are just lottery tickets right now. What I hope he realizes is that he needs more than the draft to get back into the upper echelon of the league.

Perfect example is the Buffalo Sabres, since 2013 they have had an incredile number of choice draft selection positions - and where has that got them? Basically nowhere. And probably won't make the playoffs this year either.

2013 - 8th and 16th
2014 - 2nd
2015 - 2nd
2016 - 8th
2017 - 8th
2018 - 1st
2019 - 7th & 31st
2020 - 8th
2021 - 1st & 14th
2022 - 9th, 16th & 28th
2023 - 13th

Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs in any of these years. So much for the draft.

The teardown job the Hawks decided was the route to take really has only just begun. Like a house or building that has been taken down, there was all kinds of junk left on the premises,some of it good (Toews, Kane), but there is still more to remove (Seth Jones, Connor Murphy, Tinordi). All of this takes time and patience.

KD has done a very good job accumulating futures but they are just lottery tickets right now. What I hope he realizes is that he needs more than the draft to get back into the upper echelon of the league.

Perfect example is the Buffalo Sabres, since 2013 they have had an incredile number of choice draft selection positions - and where has that got them? Basically nowhere. And probably won't make the playoffs this year either.

2013 - 8th and 16th
2014 - 2nd
2015 - 2nd
2016 - 8th
2017 - 8th
2018 - 1st
2019 - 7th & 31st
2020 - 8th
2021 - 1st & 14th
2022 - 9th, 16th & 28th
2023 - 13th

Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs in any of these years. So much for the draft.
- RickJ

And you can probably count this year as a miss also.

The teardown job the Hawks decided was the route to take really has only just begun. Like a house or building that has been taken down, there was all kinds of junk left on the premises,some of it good (Toews, Kane), but there is still more to remove (Seth Jones, Connor Murphy, Tinordi). All of this takes time and patience.

KD has done a very good job accumulating futures but they are just lottery tickets right now. What I hope he realizes is that he needs more than the draft to get back into the upper echelon of the league.

Perfect example is the Buffalo Sabres, since 2013 they have had an incredile number of choice draft selection positions - and where has that got them? Basically nowhere. And probably won't make the playoffs this year either.

2013 - 8th and 16th
2014 - 2nd
2015 - 2nd
2016 - 8th
2017 - 8th
2018 - 1st
2019 - 7th & 31st
2020 - 8th
2021 - 1st & 14th
2022 - 9th, 16th & 28th
2023 - 13th

Buffalo hasn't made the playoffs in any of these years. So much for the draft.
- RickJ

I agree and disagree, i think they reset in 2018 when they got the 1st overall. This gm has done what KD is doing now, especially 2021 and 22 drafts. I think this will bode very well for them going forward. We'll see.

I agree with the Blackhawks they didn't even leave any studs they tore it down to the foundation. It'll be interesting how this goes going forward.

He is a 7th defenseman on any team. He is the least of their problems.
- LAHawk

I did not see what Dman was out of position. Can't rewind, can't record, nuttin, so I asked for help on who the Dman was. Thought it might have been KK.

And yes, LA, I realize Tinordi don't matter!!

If KFC is unsure when to pull the trigger on starting to target real players the time is coming quickly. You can't keep waiting for draft choices that may never materialize.
- rpeters01

No, you surely can not. Different phases of a rebuild and soon you'd think getting solid help from outside the organIzation is coming soon.

The rebuild is not for the faint of heart. It's going to be like this for a while.

Looks like they are asking the dmen to be more aggressive with the dzone entries by the opponents, problem is a couple of times the forwards were to slow to cover the 3rd forward entering the zone. Don't know how this is going to work.

Saw Seth activate and once again the forward didn't cover but the Wild couldn't handle the puck and make us pay.

Yes it's ugly right now but that's the price paid for rebuilding. We already have 1 dman making 11.5% of the cap, let's not compound the problem by making an ill advised signing out of desperation. It takes 23 players to win a cup.
- BetweenTheDots

Totally agree and progress isn't always linear. You're either along for the ride or you're not. Have said it a few times now. Maybe some of us (not you) could give the GM a bit more rope than an offseason or two to try to shape his vision.

I agree and disagree, i think they reset in 2018 when they got the 1st overall. This gm has done what KD is doing now, especially 2021 and 22 drafts. I think this will bode very well for them going forward. We'll see.

I agree with the Blackhawks they didn't even leave any studs they tore it down to the foundation. It'll be interesting how this goes going forward.
- BetweenTheDots

Thr Buffalo GM better hope for the best because he has doled out some very large salary contracts with term. (Unlike KD with only 42 total contracts on the books and a challenge to hit cap floor).

I agree and disagree, i think they reset in 2018 when they got the 1st overall. This gm has done what KD is doing now, especially 2021 and 22 drafts. I think this will bode very well for them going forward. We'll see.

I agree with the Blackhawks they didn't even leave any studs they tore it down to the foundation. It'll be interesting how this goes going forward.
- BetweenTheDots

Well the Sabres stud forward came in a trade, not drafted. And they traded #2 overall for Tuch, Krebs , etc.

Did Buffalo reset because the first rebuild failed? So you don’t count the first 5 years because it failed?

End of this season who do they have left on the team? AA, Donato, Kurashev, Bedard, Hall. Probably Reichel. You need far more than that to actually build around. How many rookies forwards are truly going to be ready to step in next year? Hall (if healthy) and Bedard are top 6. Kurashev you can start to make the argument, but who knows. You need at least two more top six forwards even if they are not great ones.
- Chunk

I have put so little thinking into the rebuild other than who they drafted, following the prospects, what that yrs draft/prospects looks like and the rookies in the Bigs.

But they have to add soon. You think they go Stevie Y and add 2 legit NHL centerman like Copp and Compher? Those legit guys at 28 and 29 want, and got, term....... Signing those types to 4-5 yrs will get you to a seasoned Lardis, Hayes, Misiak, Moore, Nazar, Marcel, Ludwinski, Eiserman!!

Only guys who will sign for a yr are 38 yr olds, guys coming off of injury or have been bad for 2-3-4 yrs and need a prove it contract.

What do you do?.......... GMing ain't easy!

Well the Sabres stud forward came in a trade, not drafted. And they traded #2 overall for Tuch, Krebs , etc.

Did Buffalo reset because the first rebuild failed? So you don’t count the first 5 years because it failed?
- LAHawk

Yea, i think that's why they hired the new GM, it happens, it may happen with KD.

I'll also add let's not look at how much they suck or how bad their record is cause we are going to be bad,

Bedard
Korchinski
Vlasic
S Jones by contract

This looks like my core guys for now

3/4 out of 8

We need a ton of role players

I think Reichel part of the future

Kurashev will he still be here?

I just don't see anyone else from our 2nd 3rd or 4th lines players still here in 3 years.

The other dmen we'll see.

Yo LA, your PBP Guy makes a great point. "No surprise, the Avs score off the rush cuz their attack has the Dmen backing and backing".....Indeed. 2 choices, step up and challenge a McKinnon or the forwards gotta get back and break up the rush. Otherwise, a Grade A chance at pace.

Thr Buffalo GM better hope for the best because he has doled out some very large salary contracts with term. (Unlike KD with only 42 total contracts on the books and a challenge to hit cap floor).
- RickJ

I bet that was the plan these are the guys we are going to give long term contracts to so we need to stock our farm system up with as much talent as we can. To me its not a bad plan.

I bet that was the plan these are the guys we are going to give long term contracts to so we need to stock our farm system up with as much talent as we can. To me its not a bad plan.
- BetweenTheDots

Just draft well. Just draft smart.
Good evaluation means good scouting not just good review by KD
Just do it well

I have put so little thinking into the rebuild other than who they drafted, following the prospects, what that yrs draft/prospects looks like and the rookies in the Bigs.

But they have to add soon. You think they go Stevie Y and add 2 legit NHL centerman like Copp and Compher. Those legit guys at 28 and 29 want, and got, term....... Signing those types to 4-5 yrs will get you to a seasoned Lardis, Hayes, Misiak, Moore, Nazar, Marcel!!

Only guys who will sign for a yr are 38 yr olds, guys coming off of injury or have been bad for 2-3-4 yrs and need a prove it contract.

What do you do?.......... GMing ain't easy!
- Mr Ricochet

I would sniff around Calgary, if they blow it up, see if Lindholm would sign here, and make a deal. Lindholm 2 years ago was 1/3 of the best line in hockey, until the other 2/3 didn’t want to play there anymore. I get he is 29, but to me you have to look into it.

Not saying KD needs to turn into “Trader Jack” Adams (although he won 7 cups as a coach/GM ) but I sure hope he isn’t Don Waddell either.

So best case scenario next year is Bedard, Cellabrini, Nazer Reichel and a healthy Hall up front?


.
- LAHawk

My waaaay too early hot take, Nazar won't be on the big league roster..... He needs some time with his smallish stature. The eye test does not show a dominating player, maybe even a kinda light player.. Forget how many pts he's getting.

Plenty of skill in his feet and hands, it's his body, maturity that will allow him to navigate an NHL surface. Pencil him in for 2025, hopefully ...... Unless he comes to camp like a hungry bastard, ala Zach Benson/Poitres.

Just draft well. Just draft smart.
Good evaluation means good scouting not just good review by KD
Just do it well
- jhawk59

Rockford lost with Phillips and Kaiser in the lineup. They were not a pair, at least not as Phillips started game with someone else. Not Roos, though; he was missing in lineup. Two ECHL dmen played among blue line crew
Hartman only goal in 3–1 setback

BTW Faber, a rookie straight from collegiate, holding up on defense for Minny Wild

I would sniff around Calgary, if they blow it up, see if Lindholm would sign here, and make a deal. Lindholm 2 years ago was 1/3 of the best line in hockey, until the other 2/3 didn’t want to play there anymore. I get he is 29, but to me you have to look into it.

Not saying KD needs to turn into “Trader Jack” Adams (although he won 7 cups as a coach/GM ) but I sure hope he isn’t Don Waddell either.
- LAHawk

Right on!! You never know what KD will turn into but I think that rigid CAR owner has something to do with Waddell's decisions, and the fanbases are different too......

Yo LA, your PBP Guy makes a great point. "No surprise, the Avs score off the rush cuz their attack has the Dmen backing and backing".....Indeed. 2 choices, step up and challenge a McKinnon or the forwards gotta get back and break up the rush. Otherwise, a Grade A chance at pace.
- Mr Ricochet

Nik Nixon is a HOF announcer. Fox has turned into an excellent color man. Evans between the benches is good also.

Do you know they simulcast TV and radio, getting rid of pretty face Alex Faust, who was still better than Voisters.

Totally agree and progress isn't always linear. You're either along for the ride or you're not. Have said it a few times now. Maybe some of us (not you) could give the GM a bit more rope than an offseason or two to try to shape his vision.
- HawkintheD

More rope? What are you talking about? He’s obviously a bum