I forgot about Hall but can he be and stay healthy enough to be a dependable winger on Bedard’s line? Speed isn’t the question but does Nazar have the smarts to play Bedard’s line? Maybe Moore? And can they find someone who will get their nose dirty, fight for loose pucks and go to the net? KD is a good job of breaking down the team but it was pretty straightforward. He did a great job of accumulating draft picks. Time will tell if he’s drafted well, but so far it looks really good. The hard part is coming, finding players through the draft or free agency. So far KD hasn’t shown much. And perhaps the most difficult part will be getting everyone under the cap with some room to spare. Right now I’m liking what KD has done and is doing but next year cannot be a repeat. The team has to be better, play better and has to move up in the standings.
- paulr

Chelios was on the Score this morning and actually made a few good points. He said Bedard either needs a distributor on the wing that can get Bedard the puck in prime areas or a big wing to open up space and drive the net. He said Bedard has no one around him to help. Haven't even seen his hockey IQ b/c there is no one to keep up with him.

He loves Vlasic. Said he thinks he will be a #1 for the Hawks. Size reach mobility. Thinks he will become a good PP QB too.

Chelios was on the Score this morning and actually made a few good points. He said Bedard either needs a distributor on the wing that can get Bedard the puck in prime areas or a big wing to open up space and drive the net. He said Bedard has no one around him to help. Haven't even seen his hockey IQ b/c there is no one to keep up with him.

He loves Vlasic. Said he thinks he will be a #1 for the Hawks. Size reach mobility. Thinks he will become a good PP QB too.
- bhawks2241

Right now Bedard on the current Blackhawk roster is like Mozart trying to conduct the Sex Pistols.

I'm just mentioning Dach because wtf other options do they have at this point.
- fattybeef

People can pick on Reichel but all Guttman did was chase all night and Tyler Johnson was absolutely zero he could have left his stick on the bench.

Excellent check and again he has to fight because he hit a guy cleanly. I am so tired of this horse poop. Like Rick said,give the instigator two for instigating, five for fighting and a game and the guy who made the clean hit gets nothing.
- paulr

Totally agree with you and Rick. Love his suggestion with how to deal with it too. Would like to see the Dept of Player Safety issue a memo about the player with the puck having a responsibility to keep his head up. Like the turning around before being hit rule. I'm sick of the horse poop too.

Chelios was on the Score this morning and actually made a few good points. He said Bedard either needs a distributor on the wing that can get Bedard the puck in prime areas or a big wing to open up space and drive the net. He said Bedard has no one around him to help. Haven't even seen his hockey IQ b/c there is no one to keep up with him.

He loves Vlasic. Said he thinks he will be a #1 for the Hawks. Size reach mobility. Thinks he will become a good PP QB too.
- bhawks2241

https://x.com/JFreshHocke...8FuWEd0U-aGkspMu20gw&s=01

This is a great chart about Bedard and the rest of the Blackhawks

https://x.com/JFreshHockey/status/1734776115497955695?t=JW8FuWEd0U-aGkspMu20gw&s=01

This is a great chart about Bedard and the rest of the Blackhawks
- BetweenTheDots

So fi Bedard is a dual threat being shown in the top right quadrant, does the bottom left mean no threat?

Nice hit by McCabe on a player with his head down not even considering he might get popped. Do these forwards think they are playing in the men's office non contact league?

I'd add a further minor penalty to the instigator of the fight - delay of game. Its just B.S. - if an officiating crew set a precedent and threw the book at these moron players and other ref crews then followed, it would stop. The coaches would initially do an Andy Reid & whine and cry on the bench and then realize they need to deal with their players.
- RickJ

I agree with you, Paul, and 6628; it is a ridiculous trend. My question is what happens on the hits that aren't clean and a teammate steps in to challenge a cheap shot? Unless all challenges after a hit are penalized, how do refs know which to penalize (it isn't uncommon for refs to miss a cheap shot) and which to let go? Also, can't the refs just use the existing instigator penalty that is on the books?

So fi Bedard is a dual threat being shown in the top right quadrant, does the bottom left mean no threat?
- LAHawk

That's the way i read it

https://x.com/JFreshHockey/status/1734776115497955695?t=JW8FuWEd0U-aGkspMu20gw&s=01

This is a great chart about Bedard and the rest of the Blackhawks
- BetweenTheDots

Thanks for posting. That one chart tells the whole story about the quality of the forward group.

I agree with you, Paul, and 6628; it is a ridiculous trend. My question is what happens on the hits that aren't clean and a teammate steps in to challenge a cheap shot? Unless all challenges after a hit are penalized, how do refs know which to penalize (it isn't uncommon for refs to miss a cheap shot) and which to let go? Also, can't the refs just use the existing instigator penalty that is on the books?
- mohel

Good point but maybe the way to go is penalize all instigators the same way?

Totally agree with you and Rick. Love his suggestion with how to deal with it too. Would like to see the Dept of Player Safety issue a memo about the player with the puck having a responsibility to keep his head up. Like the turning around before being hit rule. I'm sick of the horse poop too.
- 6628

The stupid thing about players turning their back to an opponent when they’re near the boards is they could wind up sacrificing their careers or worse.

Thanks for posting. That one chart tells the whole story about the quality of the forward group.
- boilermaker100

Yet some posters actually believe Bedard can get around this problem by dumping the puck in the corner?

I agree with you, Paul, and 6628; it is a ridiculous trend. My question is what happens on the hits that aren't clean and a teammate steps in to challenge a cheap shot? Unless all challenges after a hit are penalized, how do refs know which to penalize (it isn't uncommon for refs to miss a cheap shot) and which to let go? Also, can't the refs just use the existing instigator penalty that is on the books?
- mohel

Edzo used to talk about taking down the guy's license plate number and coming back at a future time (later in the game, even) to deal with it. I don't remember McCabe having this kind of reputation, so I was kinda surprised by the reaction. Not like he's Trouba.

Edzo used to talk about taking down the guy's license plate number and coming back at a future time (later in the game, even) to deal with it. I don't remember McCabe having this kind of reputation, so I was kinda surprised by the reaction. Not like he's Trouba.
- 333inthe3rd

Yup,and he was right.
This b.s. where it is a clean hit,albeit a harder one,and then jumping the guy who made the hit is dumb.
Take his number and get him back with a clean hit or two.

Anyone notice that Eiserman was left off the USA roster?
Wiz still has him at #2 at LINES.com
I always thought he was the consolation prize if the Blackhawks couldn't get Celebrini

Anyone notice that Eiserman was left off the USA roster?
Wiz still has him at #2 at LINES.com
I always thought he was the consolation prize if the Blackhawks couldn't get Celebrini
- captainserious

See the McKeens prospect list link I posted on page 11.

I agree with you, Paul, and 6628; it is a ridiculous trend. My question is what happens on the hits that aren't clean and a teammate steps in to challenge a cheap shot? Unless all challenges after a hit are penalized, how do refs know which to penalize (it isn't uncommon for refs to miss a cheap shot) and which to let go? Also, can't the refs just use the existing instigator penalty that is on the books?
- mohel

I brought up similar earlier this week, you were able to articulate it a bit better(there’s a shocker, beat you to it). Sometimes you can’t tell if a hit was clean or not until you watch the replay, maybe Toronto makes the call after reviewing. They could review as the melee is going on and communicate what the penalty(s) should be to the refs. Just a thought, because I do agree with you guys as well.

See the McKeens prospect list link I posted on page 11.
- boilermaker100

I saw a few clips of the Cayden Lindstrom kid. Big, agile and fast, different assessors have him all over the place from 3 to 19. Depending where the Hawks draft I bet he’d look good going to the front of the net on Bedard’s line.

Chelios was on the Score this morning and actually made a few good points. He said Bedard either needs a distributor on the wing that can get Bedard the puck in prime areas or a big wing to open up space and drive the net. He said Bedard has no one around him to help. Haven't even seen his hockey IQ b/c there is no one to keep up with him.

He loves Vlasic. Said he thinks he will be a #1 for the Hawks. Size reach mobility. Thinks he will become a good PP QB too.
- bhawks2241

Bedard needs both to assert his line as a true line 1 in the NHL. Unfortunately big wings that can skate and produce are hard to find.

See the McKeens prospect list link I posted on page 11.
- boilermaker100

Thanks

Not sure if any of the guys from 2-10 would have cracked 4-10 in the 2023 draft.

Thanks for posting. That one chart tells the whole story about the quality of the forward group.
- boilermaker100

Won't it be nice when Bedard has actual top 6 talent to play with. We have to wait until the 25/26 season though.

Bedard needs both to assert his line as a true line 1 in the NHL. Unfortunately big wings that can skate and produce are hard to find.
- Angotti

Cayden Lindstrom 6’5 excellent skater available in the 2024 draft

Won't it be nice when Bedard has actual top 6 talent to play with. We have to wait until the 25/26 season though.
- DarthKane

Ruh roh, way to stir the pot Darth

I saw a few clips of the Cayden Lindstrom kid. Big, agile and fast, different assessors have him all over the place from 3 to 10. Depending where the Hawks draft I bet he’d look good going to the front of the net on Bedard’s line.
- paulr

One scouting report, I’m in! Have him start lifting weights and eating 20oz sirloins ASAP.

From talking to a few WHL defenders, Lindstrom might be the most feared player in a 1-on-1 situation due to his combination of speed, skill, and pure mass. Cayden Lindstrom moves extremely well for his size, at 6'5/205, and has a long and smooth stride and great breakaway speed

Thanks

Not sure if any of the guys from 2-10 would have cracked 4-10 in the 2023 draft.
- captainserious

I bet that Celebrini will be a scoring #L1 wing. The top three picks are quality and that means the two forwards and your choice too dman

If Hall sticks around after next season it has to be a low salary like $2 mill plus incentive based in go and scoring totals. Season after next if KD doesn’t like any of his drafts ready to be #L2 center then trade for a competent two way center and put Reichel on wing. Reichel has to start producing somewhat and look promising or at that time you have to make a decision on him to keep (looking better/Reichel) or cut loose.

The defense could be quite better with a few young guys playing well. Bedard, competent L2 center and sprinkle in youngsters on bottom line. Competitive team could challenge for .500. But warning: Soderblom and whomever have to be consistently good - not great but good. I don’t expect any other kids in net but for a look see next year. After that one of the duo in Rockford might alternate with Soderblom with Gajannin Rockford