The same can be said of Demidov, Buium, Lindstrom, D!ckinson and others for different reasons. If Demidov is able to make those moves at the NHL level I’d hate to play against that. If Lindstrom is able to play like a runaway freight train in the NHL, I’d hate to play against that. If Buium is able to bring his two way game to the NHL …. well you get the idea.
- paulr

Yup. Pretty soon we'll know.

I thought I read somewhere that the Hawks signed Anderson and Blackwell. Can anyone confirm that?

I thought I read somewhere that the Hawks signed Anderson and Blackwell. Can anyone confirm that?
- bjphawkfan

Can anyone confirm what you thought you read?

Kidding. Nothing I can see either in news I normally follow or on CapFriendly.

Elliott Friedman is saying he thinks the Blackhawks will be signing Guentzel on July 1st.

Thoughts??
- dahawks8819

Friedman said this on the Marek show yesterday. He said it was an outside-the-box prediction, not that he knows that it will happen or has any insider info. It is based on the Hawks' need to surround Bedard with NHL talent and because Guentzel is from the Midwest.

It’s narrowing …

https://youtu.be/n4ArvHmBQ1c?si=mhSRLpyRUOqLB0bk

A couple of surprises namely Sennecke and Parekh.

I know this could be a long shot and most likely not going to happen. But as a group we have been talking about young players preferably 25 and under who Davidson could target how Shane Wright from Seattle? Probably not on the market but been to and down ahl and nhl might want out. Mist likely starts with 18th overall pick but maybe pick up the phone and see if there is any smoke if not move on.

That's the problem with having very little depth on your hockey team because they were in a big hurry to win.

Btw Draisaitl and McDavid were passengers until this year.
- BetweenTheDots

That is simply not true.

When they went to the CF 2 years ago ze German was playing on a bum ankle and still racking up 2 points per game.

McDavid has been just as tremendous. But they have been an unbalanced team.

The biggest difference - and this analysis that it is some how McDavid's or ze Germans fault for poopty roster construction (same as the Leafs its 100% not Marner, Matthews and Nylander's fault) - is the maturity of Bouchard and the partnership with Ekholm and their ability to both shut down and flip the ice. It is arguably the best pairing in the NHL in all 3 zones. Only one that may be better is Makar and Toews if they're both healthy.

Nurse slotted on the second pairing where he belongs has been an improvement and their third pairing is more like a 2b. Top to bottom they probably have the best 6 defenders in the playoffs overall.

Transitioning the puck quickly and efficiently from one zone to the other is the most important predictor of playoff success. Just look at how much an injured Fox impacted the Rangers ability to create scoring opportunities.

Florida is tremendous across their top two pairings, even though there isn't superstar talent, at moving the puck from one end to the other and disrupting play in the neutral zone. The Stars transition the puck exceptionally well and are relentless going forward. The impact the little Hughes kid had for Vancouver was amazing.

Tornoto does not have anyone on their blue line that can fill that role with any reliability.

That is why the Oilers were not able to make it past the first round before Bouchard made the team. The play and production of the Oilers top players increased astronomically once they got their first pairing sorted out and Nurse appropriately slotted.

This narrative that it is all up to the superstar forwards to carry a team in spite of poor roster construction is lazy and incorrect analysis. If we could please stop it that would be nice.

Idk, if Zegras is available, I’d be wary of a team wanting to cut bait on him so quickly. I know it happens (Dach, Drysdale, etc.) but for me it’s a bit of a red flag.
- HawkintheD

They also have an ass ton of projected high end forward prospects so trading him from a position of strength makes some sense if he's the odd man out.

Some folks are overly excited when they exclaim that the Blackhawks could challenge for a playoff spot next season

We will be better on paper but the entire league is going to be better whether some teams slide a bit and others rise a notch or two. And we better be an improved team because the same cast would finish dead last.

A thorough review after next season includes how new players filtered in and more newbies shall follow. For the most part we are looking at prospects stepping into the lineup but other young players hopefully show improvement incrementally. With injuries always needing to be factored into the equation I hope whatever KD does about adding a couple of useful veterans is not offset by yes - injuries

The final month or perhaps more like the final handful of games I imagine Moore, Greene and possibly a couple more of our collegiate prospects enter the lineup. With Hayes and maybe a couple AHL players getting a cup of coffee at some point during the season, there is likely a significant number of younger players who will be pushing to take a job from someone else

I cannot say in two years we will be challenging for a playoff spot just yet but we should be very encouraged seeing more and more youngsters stepping up

And with this said just want to say 6628 and Steve Rain thank goodness Blackhawks have a boatload of good prospects unlike the dearth of genuine prospects White Sox and Cubs often pretended to have
- jhawk59

They shouldn't be in the playoff mix but hopefully not mathematically eliminated until like game 70ish.

Friedman said this on the Marek show yesterday. He said it was an outside-the-box prediction, not that he knows that it will happen or has any insider info. It is based on the Hawks' need to surround Bedard with NHL talent and because Guentzel is from the Midwest.
- Larmer

kFC wont give him term at his age. I think hell go in another direction. I wouldnt mind debrusk.

It’s narrowing …

https://youtu.be/n4ArvHmBQ1c?si=mhSRLpyRUOqLB0bk

A couple of surprises namely Sennecke and Parekh.
- paulr

From what i read parekh has not been impressive in the playoffs.

From what i read parekh has not been impressive in the playoffs.
- LFS

I wasn’t impressed with him.

That is simply not true.

When they went to the CF 2 years ago ze German was playing on a bum ankle and still racking up 2 points per game.

McDavid has been just as tremendous. But they have been an unbalanced team.

The biggest difference - and this analysis that it is some how McDavid's or ze Germans fault for poopty roster construction (same as the Leafs its 100% not Marner, Matthews and Nylander's fault) - is the maturity of Bouchard and the partnership with Ekholm and their ability to both shut down and flip the ice. It is arguably the best pairing in the NHL in all 3 zones. Only one that may be better is Makar and Toews if they're both healthy.

Nurse slotted on the second pairing where he belongs has been an improvement and their third pairing is more like a 2b. Top to bottom they probably have the best 6 defenders in the playoffs overall.

Transitioning the puck quickly and efficiently from one zone to the other is the most important predictor of playoff success. Just look at how much an injured Fox impacted the Rangers ability to create scoring opportunities.

Florida is tremendous across their top two pairings, even though there isn't superstar talent, at moving the puck from one end to the other and disrupting play in the neutral zone. The Stars transition the puck exceptionally well and are relentless going forward. The impact the little Hughes kid had for Vancouver was amazing.

Tornoto does not have anyone on their blue line that can fill that role with any reliability.

That is why the Oilers were not able to make it past the first round before Bouchard made the team. The play and production of the Oilers top players increased astronomically once they got their first pairing sorted out and Nurse appropriately slotted.

This narrative that it is all up to the superstar forwards to carry a team in spite of poor roster construction is lazy and incorrect analysis. If we could please stop it that would be nice.
- fattybeef

I wouldnt say that the play of the german and mcdavid increased astronomically, they were producing at a tremendous level before. The problem was that they scored five and the other team scored six. The oiler defense has certainly upped their game but so has the entire team. Their team defense has improved a lot this year.

Elliott Friedman is saying he thinks the Blackhawks will be signing Guentzel on July 1st.

Thoughts??
- dahawks8819

I'd prefer Marner since he's 2 years younger but it's fine. I don't have the same aversion to them spending money now. They're gonna have to spend it anyway at some point. Has to make you wonder what else Kyle has up his sleeve.

If they sign him they'll probably draft D with 2 would be my expectation.

It's actually an interesting read on Barstool sports. Not just the Guentzel part but the whole thing.

https://www.barstoolsport...r.com&utm_campaign=buffer

AHL>KHL. Check the top players in each league.
- ObeseOprah

I wouldn't agree with that statement. The AHL is not very good hockey and it's less of a jump from the KHL to NHL.

I thought I read somewhere that the Hawks signed Anderson and Blackwell. Can anyone confirm that?
- bjphawkfan

I think the Hawks will let Blackwell walk, but eventually re-sign Anderson.

Anderson is a decent 4th liner / 13th forward. On a contender he doesn’t make the roster, but he could have a place with the Hawks. I’d re-sign him for 2 years with a $1.25 million AAV.

Chris Vosters is out of the TV broadcast and is replaced by Rick Ball.

kFC wont give him term at his age. I think hell go in another direction. I wouldnt mind debrusk.
- LFS

DeBrusk and Guentzel are not comparable players.

KFC could sign them both if he really wanted to go crazy. I think the money DeBrusk wants vs what he's going to get are going to be very divergent things. Same for Necas.

kFC wont give him term at his age. I think hell go in another direction. I wouldnt mind debrusk.
- LFS

I agree on both points.

I wouldnt say that the play of the german and mcdavid increased astronomically, they were producing at a tremendous level before. The problem was that they scored five and the other team scored six. The oiler defense has certainly upped their game but so has the entire team. Their team defense has improved a lot this year.
- LFS

Their production the last 3 payoffs vs the playoffs before Bouchard was pretty different. With the exception being the play in against the Hawks they hilariously lost in the covid season. (3 years vs 3 years - the first one they made the second round but that was before Kefbolm's career ended)

That is simply not true.

When they went to the CF 2 years ago ze German was playing on a bum ankle and still racking up 2 points per game.

McDavid has been just as tremendous. But they have been an unbalanced team.

The biggest difference - and this analysis that it is some how McDavid's or ze Germans fault for poopty roster construction (same as the Leafs its 100% not Marner, Matthews and Nylander's fault) - is the maturity of Bouchard and the partnership with Ekholm and their ability to both shut down and flip the ice. It is arguably the best pairing in the NHL in all 3 zones. Only one that may be better is Makar and Toews if they're both healthy.

Nurse slotted on the second pairing where he belongs has been an improvement and their third pairing is more like a 2b. Top to bottom they probably have the best 6 defenders in the playoffs overall.

Transitioning the puck quickly and efficiently from one zone to the other is the most important predictor of playoff success. Just look at how much an injured Fox impacted the Rangers ability to create scoring opportunities.

Florida is tremendous across their top two pairings, even though there isn't superstar talent, at moving the puck from one end to the other and disrupting play in the neutral zone. The Stars transition the puck exceptionally well and are relentless going forward. The impact the little Hughes kid had for Vancouver was amazing.

Tornoto does not have anyone on their blue line that can fill that role with any reliability.

That is why the Oilers were not able to make it past the first round before Bouchard made the team. The play and production of the Oilers top players increased astronomically once they got their first pairing sorted out and Nurse appropriately slotted.

This narrative that it is all up to the superstar forwards to carry a team in spite of poor roster construction is lazy and incorrect analysis. If we could please stop it that would be nice.
- fattybeef

Lazy comprehension of what is being said is a problem too. Matthews, Marner and Nylander obviously are not the only problem with the Leafs. Poor roster construction, completely disregarding defence and goaltending, lack of good goaltending, targeting a center in free agency, Tavares, when defensemen were needed are all huge issues. But when your highest paid/best players are all playing on the perimeter, when none have any interest in battling for pucks and when between them in a seven game series they only had four shots from the slot, that is very telling. Draisaitl and McDavid have never been perimeter players, both played hard in the playoffs but were on teams poorly constructed or coached, until this spring. McDavid and Draisaitl have consistently been the best Oiler players in the playoffs. In all the Leaf playoffs I’ve seen in the last eight years, Nylander was the best Toronto player in two of them. During this past playoff series against Boston there were two or three other players better than the three regular season superstars. I have yet to see Matthews or Marner play in the playoffs like they do in the regular season, that is a huge problem.

Lazy comprehension of what is being said is a problem too. Matthews, Marner and Nylander obviously are not the only problem with the Leafs. Poor roster construction, completely disregarding defence and goaltending, lack of good goaltending, targeting a center in free agency, Tavares, when defensemen were needed are all huge issues. But when your highest paid/best players are all playing on the perimeter, when none have any interest in battling for pucks and when between them in a seven game series they only had four shots from the slot, that is very telling. Draisaitl and McDavid have never been perimeter players, both played hard in the playoffs but were on teams poorly constructed or coached, until this spring. McDavid and Draisaitl have consistently been the best Oiler players in the playoffs. In all the Leaf playoffs I’ve seen in the last eight years, Nylander was the best Toronto player in two of them. During this past playoff series against Boston there were two or three other players better than the three regular season superstars. I have yet to see Matthews or Marner play in the playoffs like they do in the regular season, that is a huge problem.
- paulr

Having a threat on the blue line to stretch out the D so guys can get to the front of the net makes a difference.

The amount of space Makar creates for the Avs forwards or Hughes for the Canucks and Bouchard for the Oilers allows those guys to get to the net since the D is stretched.

Boston could sit 5 guys between and below the circles because there was zero threat from the Toronto blue line. There also weren't a lot of transition goals for the leafs because they don't have anyone competent to make a home run pass.

A player like TheChuck would have issues getting to the net regardless of how physical he plays if he was playing with the Leafs.

DeBrusk and Guentzel are not comparable players.

KFC could sign them both if he really wanted to go crazy. I think the money DeBrusk wants vs what he's going to get are going to be very divergent things. Same for Necas.
- fattybeef

Through free agency I’d like to see KD land a centre to take pressure off Bedard and allow D!ckinson to revert back to a defense-first role where he’s more comfortable.

This summer’s UFA centre crop isn’t the best, but for the right price and term guys like Roslovic and Wennberg could be decent options. I wouldn’t mind seeing Domi return as the 2C, but I think that ship has sailed.

Anyone listen to the latest 32 thoughts with Friedman?

https://thehockeywriters....ay-drag-into-next-season/

Looks like Marner is willing to play out his contract in Toronto...wonder what that'll look like.

I saw the Guentzel talk. Is it me,or would he just not fit too well with the Blackhawks. If the Blackhawks had another playmaker or two I'd say go for it (despite his age).
I'd rather go with DeBrusk as some mentioned and maybe another fwd like Teravainen or Kane.

Chris Vosters is out of the TV broadcast and is replaced by Rick Ball.
- DarthKane

Good riddance.

A sample of Ball's play by play while with Calgary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDzU0OKfHpU