There is literally no rush with this team right now. They are still trying to identify which players in their system are worth a damn and which ones aren't. Given this luxury, you don't cut bait on anyone right now.

The Hawks have an easy choice with him. You qualify him and let him play out next year (Rockford or Chicago should be determined by his play alone). If he struggles again, then you likely let him go and run the risk of him becoming the next Nick Schmaltz.

What cannot be understated is that the Hawks need much better complementary forwards next year. Running it back with a bunch of over slotted 3rd and 4th liners is only going to hold the young guys back from progressing.
- Chunk

Exactly. Look at how different the lineup is even just from the first game of the season. There is no reason to ship him off yet.

What more can they do? They've already switched all of the lines around, waived guys and/or sent them to Rockford. There is no one left to sub in. They simply don't have any NHL talent. Add in that Vlasic and Jones are currently struggling together and it's a recipe for disaster.

You said it already, they can't pass, accept a pass, or anticipate much. They are basically stuck playing "follow the puck and try hard".
- Chunk

I went to the game last night and as bad as the Hawks are they still could have won it. 3-1 can quickly become 3-2 then a late burst makes it 3-3 and anything can happen in overtime. Philly was ok but on cruise control. What struck me was it was like watching a Mite house league team where the coach makes the lineup on Tuesday and come Saturday he runs the lines as drawn 1-2-3-4. Where is the creativity? Where is the desire to eek out everything the team has to give? Foligno has been a decent player but was awful last night after the one big hit. Could not handle the puck. Made a couple of terrible passes. Blackwell scored perhaps the goal of the year and was flying. Do you think the coach would mix it up a bit and play the guy who was flying with Bedard and Kurashev for a shift or two? Reward a lower line player with a chance? Absolutely not. Like a Dad coach, the Hawks coach just kept rolling the ineffective lines and played a tired veteran who was clearly off his game almost 23 minutes of zero shots and 1 hit all night.

I went to the game last night and as bad as the Hawks are they still could have won it. 3-1 can quickly become 3-2 then a late burst makes it 3-3 and anything can happen in overtime. Philly was ok but on cruise control. What struck me was it was like watching a Mite house league team where the coach makes the lineup on Tuesday and come Saturday he runs the lines as drawn 1-2-3-4. Where is the creativity? Where is the desire to eek out everything the team has to give? Foligno has been a decent player but was awful last night after the one big hit. Could not handle the puck. Made a couple of terrible passes. Blackwell scored perhaps the goal of the year and was flying. Do you think the coach would mix it up a bit and play the guy who was flying with Bedard and Kurashev for a shift or two? Reward a lower line player with a chance? Absolutely not. Like a Dad coach, the Hawks coach just kept rolling the ineffective lines and played a tired veteran who was clearly off his game almost 23 minutes of zero shots and 1 hit all night.
- stevefrmglencoe

Remember when we used to get mad about the line blender? The Hawks are in lose mode. Blackwell just got paid and is a place holder. Not sure we should get on the coach for not hitting the blender.

I feel that Reichel at 24 will be better than Kurashev is today at 24.

I went to the game last night and as bad as the Hawks are they still could have won it. 3-1 can quickly become 3-2 then a late burst makes it 3-3 and anything can happen in overtime. Philly was ok but on cruise control. What struck me was it was like watching a Mite house league team where the coach makes the lineup on Tuesday and come Saturday he runs the lines as drawn 1-2-3-4. Where is the creativity? Where is the desire to eek out everything the team has to give? Foligno has been a decent player but was awful last night after the one big hit. Could not handle the puck. Made a couple of terrible passes. Blackwell scored perhaps the goal of the year and was flying. Do you think the coach would mix it up a bit and play the guy who was flying with Bedard and Kurashev for a shift or two? Reward a lower line player with a chance? Absolutely not. Like a Dad coach, the Hawks coach just kept rolling the ineffective lines and played a tired veteran who was clearly off his game almost 23 minutes of zero shots and 1 hit all night.
- stevefrmglencoe

Are you too young to have seen Big Twist and The Mellow Fellows, Steve?........ Any thoughts on KK watching him live?

I went to the game last night and as bad as the Hawks are they still could have won it. 3-1 can quickly become 3-2 then a late burst makes it 3-3 and anything can happen in overtime. Philly was ok but on cruise control. What struck me was it was like watching a Mite house league team where the coach makes the lineup on Tuesday and come Saturday he runs the lines as drawn 1-2-3-4. Where is the creativity? Where is the desire to eek out everything the team has to give? Foligno has been a decent player but was awful last night after the one big hit. Could not handle the puck. Made a couple of terrible passes. Blackwell scored perhaps the goal of the year and was flying. Do you think the coach would mix it up a bit and play the guy who was flying with Bedard and Kurashev for a shift or two? Reward a lower line player with a chance? Absolutely not. Like a Dad coach, the Hawks coach just kept rolling the ineffective lines and played a tired veteran who was clearly off his game almost 23 minutes of zero shots and 1 hit all night.
- stevefrmglencoe

The majority of players the Hawks ice every night cannot make or receive passes. How creative can you be with this collection?

With the way they were playing last night, no, they couldn’t have won the game. They couldn’t generate anything going the other way and when they did, they deferred on shots which quickly went the other way. They are simply a bad team.

I feel that Reichel at 24 will be better than Kurashev is today at 24.
- Ztra

Kurashev, after Vlasic, has been the best surprise of the yr IMO. ..... A great feeling watching the switch go off for a hockey player at any level, especially if you've been watching him for a few yrs.

Former Blackhawks legend Alex Nylander has been traded from the Penguins to the Blue Jackets with a 6th for Emil Bemstrom.

Kaner beats COL in OT. Seems to be moving as well as I can remember.

Kaner beats COL in OT. Seems to be moving as well as I can remember.
- Mr Ricochet

Yes he does, good game as well.

Are you too young to have seen Big Twist and The Mellow Fellows, Steve?........ Any thoughts on KK watching him live?
- Mr Ricochet

They were very popular and I do recall seeing them. It must have been the early 80s. Are you suggesting that these Hawks are too mellow?

The majority of players the Hawks ice every night cannot make or receive passes. How creative can you be with this collection?

With the way they were playing last night, no, they couldn’t have won the game. They couldn’t generate anything going the other way and when they did, they deferred on shots which quickly went the other way. They are simply a bad team.
- Chunk

I feel like a lot of the time Bedard is on the ice there is a chance something good could happen. They do get pinned in their zone every few shifts. I would like to see the coach sneak him on the ice more, especially if there is an offensive zone faceoff, instead of being so predictable.

Hate to open the can of worms, but Kane should be playing with Bedard, not with the Wings. They would still get a top pick, but the games sure as heck would be more entertaining.

They were very popular and I do recall seeing them. It must have been the early 80s. Are you suggesting that these Hawks are too mellow?
- stevefrmglencoe

A thread or two back Wiz mentioned you sang in a blues band. Did I understand him correctly?.... And yea, the Twist played a bunch of small venues and big bars in the early 80's.

Any thoughts on KK after seeing him live?

Hate to open the can of worms, but Kane should be playing with Bedard, not with the Wings. They would still get a top pick, but the games sure as heck would be more entertaining.
- Angotti

Kaner would look damn good riding shotgun with Bedard right about now. Before his injury I'd have said those two on a line together would spell disaster for Hawk goalies but Bedard looks like a different player getting back and in his own zone. ... But yea, looks like the organIzation couldn't cut ties fast enough to the Beach situation.

Kaner would look damn good riding shotgun with Bedard right about now. Before his injury I'd have said those two on a line together would spell disaster for Hawk goalies but Bedard looks like a different player getting back and in his own zone. ... But yea, looks like the organIzation couldn't cut ties fast enough to the Beach situation.
- Mr Ricochet

Yeah, Rico, it's going to be painful on Sunday seeing Kaner in a Wings jersey. I'd love to see him setting up Bedard. That said, I'm sure we'll get to see him in the One More Shift role maybe 5-10 years from now.

A little off topic but has anyone been reading Wheeler's prospect rankings?
1 a day from Jan 30th to Feb 29th?

Currently has the Yotes at #9.
Meaning he has the Blackhawks in the top 8?
Can that be right? I don't think he counts #98 has a prospect since he is in the NHL. Not sure Korch counts either.
Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit odd?

I feel like a lot of the time Bedard is on the ice there is a chance something good could happen. They do get pinned in their zone every few shifts. I would like to see the coach sneak him on the ice more, especially if there is an offensive zone faceoff, instead of being so predictable.
- stevefrmglencoe

How are they going to “sneak” bedard on the ice when hes the only offensive asset they have? And whats the point? The plan is to lose, whats not to understand?

A little off topic but has anyone been reading Wheeler's prospect rankings?
1 a day from Jan 30th to Feb 29th?

Currently has the Yotes at #9.
Meaning he has the Blackhawks in the top 8?
Can that be right? I don't think he counts #98 has a prospect since he is in the NHL. Not sure Korch counts either.
Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit odd?
- captainserious

Cooley is off their prospect list now as well, and he was the big one keeping it as high as it was

Yeah, Rico, it's going to be painful on Sunday seeing Kaner in a Wings jersey. I'd love to see him setting up Bedard. That said, I'm sure we'll get to see him in the One More Shift role maybe 5-10 years from now.
- Popsghostly

Although some of the shock of seeing Kane in a Ranger's jersey took some of the shock away it's beyond strange seeing him in a Wing's sweater. But, I'm really looking forward to the game this weekend in front of a packed house.

KD has built a decent stable of prospects in two years. Lots of potential in the last two drafts even without Bedsy and KK.

A thread or two back Wiz mentioned you sang in a blues band. Did I understand him correctly?.... And yea, the Twist played a bunch of small venues and big bars in the early 80's.

Any thoughts on KK after seeing him live?
- Mr Ricochet

I like to sing with Blues bands and on the West Side and South Side there are clubs and parties where the band brings up guests to join. I am more of an entertainer than a singer but nobody has more fun doing it than me. I am a wannabe Soul Singer who singes with Blues Bands but unfortunately has a Rock voice.

Wiz is being very generous as always. As you all can see Wiz is one of the most giving and supportive people around. Not only is he incredibly knowledgeable about prospects and hockey history, but he has also been famous since he was a little kid about collecting comics.

As for KK, in the third he made a nice simple play along the boards in the Hawks zone where he leaned on a Flyer, angled him off the puck and made a short tape to tape breakout pass and I remember thinking he looked like a legit NHL defenseman.


Side note, my kid was at the game with his friends so we were not sitting together. He has always been more charitable to Jones than me. He's always thought Jones is decent but a victim of the lack of talent around him. I have always thought KK is a bit over his head. When we talked about the game on Thursday, he was saying he's lost faith in Jones and I told him I gained some faith in KK.

How are they going to “sneak” bedard on the ice when hes the only offensive asset they have? And whats the point? The plan is to lose, whats not to understand?
- LFS

By sneak him I mean put him on the ice on offensive zone faceoffs after icings with other wingers to try and create some offense.

As for the plan is to lose, are you suggesting that the coaches have been told to not try and win with the players they have?

A little off topic but has anyone been reading Wheeler's prospect rankings?
1 a day from Jan 30th to Feb 29th?

Currently has the Yotes at #9.
Meaning he has the Blackhawks in the top 8?
Can that be right? I don't think he counts #98 has a prospect since he is in the NHL. Not sure Korch counts either.
Am I the only one who thinks this is a bit odd?
- captainserious

I have been and yes I suppose a little (odd). Like you said, pretty sure Bedard and Korchinski won't count but maybe he likes the growth this year of Nazar, Moore, and some others.

Edit - and just read wiz(i)'s point. I know in the past the sheer number of prospects with NHL potential they thought the Hawks had usually drove up the ranking, in spite of maybe lacking as many blue chippers as some.

He hasn't posted 8 yet this morning.

I have been and yes I suppose a little (odd). Like you said, pretty sure Bedard and Korchinski won't count but maybe he likes the growth this year of Nazar, Moore, and some others.

Edit - and just read wiz(i)'s point. I know in the past the sheer number of prospects with NHL potential they thought the Hawks had usually drove up the ranking, in spite of maybe lacking as many blue chippers as some.

He hasn't posted 8 yet this morning.
- HawkintheD

Nashville is #8. I believe they’re hanging a banner to commemorate the occasion.