His possession numbers have fallen off a cliff the last year. Used to be an analytics darling, unless he had a terrible partner I think his game has declined considerably. His Corsi and Fenwick relatives look awful, -10 level bad. Hopefully he gets some easier deployment and can show our younger guys how he used to defend.
- ObeseOprah

I googled about his troubles this past season and saw mention of his father passing just before the season began. He also dealt with injuries in the season prior to that. I hope KD and crew did all the due diligence before offering this contract. Otherwise, the next chance will be buying him out next summer. It is a cheap buyout.

But he’s not going to be playing in the playoffs. He’ll be playing in the 24-25 regular season. And his position could include time as the press box defenseman. He’s a placeholder. When one of the young guys shows he’s ready, Brodie is out.
- scottak

It's pretty much accepted a club will need at least 8 Dmen to get thru a season. This yr when a Dman goes down a Brodie/Martinez steps in instead of a Crevier. And, as many have pointed out this gives the club an experienced Dman to pair with each young Dman.

And, as any fantasy player knows Brodie is up with the league leaders in blocked shots every yr.

Brodie, Martinez, Murphy will all be used and needed this yr and as has been mentioned the new guys won't break the bank in term or AAV and don't have a NTC and can be moved at the TDL if it falls that way.

Barry Trotz went out of his mind signing guys today. In a couple of years he is going to have a bunch of 38 year old veterans. Don't know if they were no trade or move deals but Nashville better win quick.
- RickJ

That's why I said for the most part, Rick. .... Seems the league has come a long way since the days of a club being put over a barrel to move a still pretty good Sharp.

Always been a fan of Trotz and wish him well. Sure seems like he's in for a world of hurt in a few short yrs with lotsa term being given to older players. But, I've been saying that about LVG for a handful of yrs.

Trotz may figure he can wiggle outa trouble like McCrimmon does when the time comes?

I’m also surprised by the Brodie signing, especially a two year contract, but if it gives the kids an opportunity to further develop, then that’s a good thing. Also, even in his declining stage, he’s still better than Megna, Tinordi, and Zaitsev. Without the aforementioned, they can hopefully reduce Jones TOI to a more reasonable 20-22 minutes a night, which should make him more effective. Defensemen get hurt, they now have more depth.
- Angotti

Right on, Lou..........

Don't have an opinion on Brodie honestly.
Can't be worse than Tinordi or Megna,he can only be as bad,and I'm used to that.

Martinez/Murphy
Donato/AA
These look like trade deadline chips for 2nd/3rd rounders.
I'm not sure what to think of Hall. If he plays good with 98, he could probably fetch a 1st round pick from a Dallas/Carolina/Rangers/Colorado

Listening to a bunch of youtubers/podcasts from last year,everyone thought if the stars aligned,the Blackhawks could be in the playoff hunt until March - Hall having a good year,Reichel improving,Bedard being the next big thing,limited inuries etc ... We all know how that went

Maybe this year they are better set up for something like that?
Teuvo +18/22 goals?
Bert +18/22 goals?
Hall+20 goals?
Bedard should we expect a 30 goal season at least if not closer to 40?
Reichel - if he gets his poop together - 15/18 goals?
AA - 12/15 goals?
Last year this team had trouble scoring, I think with the additions and some luck with players staying healthy they could actually improve from the miserable 179 they scored last season.

If Murphy gets injured again you at least have a Martinez as a back up plan. And a Brodie as well.
Brossiot - should be able to give you a few more wins than Soderblom.

I don't see them making the playoffs,but they should be a respectable team

Agreed- think 30 wins is realistic, maybe a couple more. And that's mostly due to the goalie situation going into the season.

Agreed- think 30 wins is realistic, maybe a couple more. And that's mostly due to the goalie situation going into the season.
- SC116

That, having a few more top 6 players, Tinordi, Megna and/or Zaitsev not being here anymore, B6 players slotted more properly and your farm team having actual prospects to be called up when injuries happen should all contribute.

That, having a few more top 6 players, Tinordi, Megna and/or Zaitsev not being here anymore, B6 players slotted more properly and your farm team having actual prospects to be called up when injuries happen should all contribute.
- HawkintheD

Also, with TT and Bertuzzi in 1st or 2nd line roles, others who belong in 3rd or 4th lines roles can now play in those roles. They are good additions to the 'Hawks lineup.

Edit: after rereading your comment, looks like you're saying the same thing. Mea culpa.

Also, with TT and Bertuzzi in 1st or 2nd line roles, others who belong in 3rd or 4th lines roles can now play in those roles. They are good additions to the 'Hawks lineup.

Edit: after rereading your comment, looks like you're saying the same thing. Mea culpa.
- 35Tony0

I was and all good. Always thought TT was a reasonable get for Davidson and thought the contract and term were very reasonable.

It will be interesting to see how lines shake out but I really like the idea of Bertuzzi playing with Bedard. Should create some space for Connor and I'd imagine Tyler will collect a lot of garbage goals given his style of play.

Teuvo on that line would look awesome but I wonder if he plays on the 2nd line for some balance, maybe with AA and Reichel? Put Hall on the 3rd line which I believe when he was in BOS was the role he was playing.

Don't have an opinion on Brodie honestly.
Can't be worse than Tinordi or Megna,he can only be as bad,and I'm used to that.

Martinez/Murphy
Donato/AA
These look like trade deadline chips for 2nd/3rd rounders.
I'm not sure what to think of Hall. If he plays good with 98, he could probably fetch a 1st round pick from a Dallas/Carolina/Rangers/Colorado

Listening to a bunch of youtubers/podcasts from last year,everyone thought if the stars aligned,the Blackhawks could be in the playoff hunt until March - Hall having a good year,Reichel improving,Bedard being the next big thing,limited inuries etc ... We all know how that went

Maybe this year they are better set up for something like that?
Teuvo +18/22 goals?
Bert +18/22 goals?
Hall+20 goals?
Bedard should we expect a 30 goal season at least if not closer to 40?
Reichel - if he gets his poop together - 15/18 goals?
AA - 12/15 goals?
Last year this team had trouble scoring, I think with the additions and some luck with players staying healthy they could actually improve from the miserable 179 they scored last season.

If Murphy gets injured again you at least have a Martinez as a back up plan. And a Brodie as well.
Brossiot - should be able to give you a few more wins than Soderblom.

I don't see them making the playoffs,but they should be a respectable team
- captainserious

If these moves keeps us from playing in our end all game it's worth and it will give them a chance to win more games.

I was and all good. Always thought TT was a reasonable get for Davidson and thought the contract and term were very reasonable.

It will be interesting to see how lines shake out but I really like the idea of Bertuzzi playing with Bedard. Should create some space for Connor and I'd imagine Tyler will collect a lot of garbage goals given his style of play.

Teuvo on that line would look awesome but I wonder if he plays on the 2nd line for some balance, maybe with AA and Reichel? Put Hall on the 3rd line which I believe when he was in BOS was the role he was playing.
- HawkintheD

Never thought of Hall on the third line, but makes sense. Hall, Richardson, Foligno would be a good third line. Richardson/ Foligno one PK unit, Hall on PP 2

I also said i will take guys who have a tremendous work ethic, which i believe Kane has, i believe that was one of the knocks against Laine his draft year.

Bedard isn't great defensively but he is constantly working on his game to be the best pro he possibly can be. I'll take that 100 out of 100 times over the guy i think may be a little better but doesn't have the same work ethic.
- BetweenTheDots

Kane sure didn’t come out of junior with a reputation as a hard worker, he was a cocky kid who did some pretty immature things, put himself in questionable off ice situations and almost ruined his career before it really got started. Then he had an epiphany, put the shenanigans behind him, at least publicly, and became a model player and teammate who came to each new season much improved from the last.

My point about Eiserman is his goal scoring ability should have ensured a top five pick in the draft. His questionable work ethic and lack of an all round game shouldn’t have impacted his draft position as negatively as it did. I believe it was something about his character that sent up red flags. Hopefully he can figure out what caused his draft stock to plummet and go about his career to prove to other GMs they (frank)ed up.

This can’t be what the final roster looks like headed into training camp. I think we see a trade before then.
Jones?
Murphy?
AA?
Donato?
Reichel?

Kane sure didn’t come out of junior with a reputation as a hard worker, he was a cocky kid who did some pretty immature things, put himself in questionable off ice situations and almost ruined his career before it really got started. Then he had an epiphany, put the shenanigans behind him, at least publicly, and became a model player and teammate who came to each new season much improved from the last.

My point about Eiserman is his goal scoring ability should have ensured a top five pick in the draft. His questionable work ethic and lack of an all round game shouldn’t have impacted his draft position as negatively as it did. I believe it was something about his character that sent up red flags. Hopefully he can figure out what caused his draft stock to plummet and go about his career to prove to other GMs they (frank)ed up.
- paulr

https://thehockeynews.com...o-be-picked-first-overall

I don't know Paul, i haven't read anything like this on Eiserman.

This can’t be what the final roster looks like headed into training camp. I think we see a trade before then.
Jones?
Murphy?
AA?
Donato?
Reichel?
- Ztra

Anyone thinking Reichel can or should be traded is on another planet. 22 year old highly skilled cost controlled player, who struggled on the second worst team in the league… any gm who picks him up will be lauded while we watch Terravainen 2.0 happen.

Kane sure didn’t come out of junior with a reputation as a hard worker, he was a cocky kid who did some pretty immature things, put himself in questionable off ice situations and almost ruined his career before it really got started. Then he had an epiphany, put the shenanigans behind him, at least publicly, and became a model player and teammate who came to each new season much improved from the last.

My point about Eiserman is his goal scoring ability should have ensured a top five pick in the draft. His questionable work ethic and lack of an all round game shouldn’t have impacted his draft position as negatively as it did. I believe it was something about his character that sent up red flags. Hopefully he can figure out what caused his draft stock to plummet and go about his career to prove to other GMs they (frank)ed up.
- paulr

There has to be something there for sure, because so many teams passed on him. What I'd heard is that a lot of his game took steps in the wrong direction last season, so I don't think it's just lacking an all round game, but more of problem areas becoming more pronounced.

The other factor that can play into it is that he is a LW and like it or not, teams do generally focus harder on C and D near the top of the draft. Some wingers get taken sure, but there is a premium put on those other positions and it's a bit easier for a winger to slide down.

I also think a lot of GMs look at the league and see that goal scoring wingers are easier to find/trade for/Sign via UFA.

It's also not usually the team with the best goal scoring winger that takes home the hardware at the end of the season. I mean yes, scoring goals helps but in a league where having a 200 foot game is more important than it's ever been, team success often comes down to the defensive side of the game, limiting mistakes under pressure. Teams generally don't just outscore their problems.

Look at Ovie, probably will score more goals than anybody in his career, but his team really only had success when they brought in a defense first coach who made him focus on his defensive game.

This can’t be what the final roster looks like headed into training camp. I think we see a trade before then.
Jones?
Murphy?
AA?
Donato?
Reichel?
- Ztra

Any of the above, except Reichel. Unless he's involved in a deal for another young player/prospect.

I think AA and Donato are legit candidates to be moved.

This can’t be what the final roster looks like headed into training camp. I think we see a trade before then.
Jones?
Murphy?
AA?
Donato?
Reichel?
- Ztra

Any of the above, except Reichel. Unless he's involved in a deal for another young player/prospect.

I think AA and Donato are legit candidates to be moved.

Any of the above, except Reichel. Unless he's involved in a deal for another young player/prospect.

I think AA and Donato are legit candidates to be moved.
- DarthKane

Reichel needs to be given a good long look with NHL caliber forwards. Let him play with any combination of Hall, TT, Bertuzzi, Kurashev, AA(if still around ), and Bedard. I believe we will see improvement with this scenario.

Reichel needs to be given a good long look with NHL caliber forwards. Let him play with any combination of Hall, TT, Bertuzzi, Kurashev, AA(if still around ), and Bedard. I believe we will see impunity this scenario.
- Angotti

I think the same. He spent too much time last year playing with grinders and trying to do too much on his own. He needs some time with other skilled players. When he got time with Bedard it was okay but that line was so focused down by the other team because of our lack of depth.

Kane sure didn’t come out of junior with a reputation as a hard worker, he was a cocky kid who did some pretty immature things, put himself in questionable off ice situations and almost ruined his career before it really got started. Then he had an epiphany, put the shenanigans behind him, at least publicly, and became a model player and teammate who came to each new season much improved from the last.

My point about Eiserman is his goal scoring ability should have ensured a top five pick in the draft. His questionable work ethic and lack of an all round game shouldn’t have impacted his draft position as negatively as it did. I believe it was something about his character that sent up red flags. Hopefully he can figure out what caused his draft stock to plummet and go about his career to prove to other GMs they (frank)ed up.
- paulr

I don't think KD would have drafted Kane #1.

Reichel needs to be given a good long look with NHL caliber forwards. Let him play with any combination of Hall, TT, Bertuzzi, Kurashev, AA(if still around ), and Bedard. I believe we will see improvement with this scenario.
- Angotti

I agree, this notion there is no place for him on this team is ridiculous. The vets were brought in to 1 be a harder team to play against and 2 help develop these kids.

I don't think it's a coincidence when AA and Hall get hurt it affected everyone's performance other than D!ckinson.

Interested to see how, Bedard, Korchinski, Reichel do with more NHL talent around them. I think its you who isn't a big fan of Bertuzzi but i have to admit i think he'll form a more effective line with Bedard than Hall.

Any of the above, except Reichel. Unless he's involved in a deal for another young player/prospect.

I think AA and Donato are legit candidates to be moved.
- DarthKane

I am not in a hurry to move Reichel. Not at all. But in a Ehlers/McGroarty deal or something like that he could be part of the package.

https://thehockeynews.com/news/patrick-kane-enters-nhl-entry-draft-hoping-to-be-picked-first-overall

I don't know Paul, i haven't read anything like this on Eiserman.
- BetweenTheDots

Fair enough. But to the point, why did Eiserman drop off the map?

I don't think KD would have drafted Kane #1.
- rpeters01

Why? He drafted Bedard #1.