Zach Jarom: Hawks Fall in Utah, Three Take Aways

Big difference than last year. down 2-0 last year, it was all over. They were one (of a few) posts away from tying it up.

Did you see the Panthers/Boston game? Panthers with the banner raising had the same energy spurt that Utah did for it being their first game "ever".. Actually if Richardinson would of buried that wide open chance in the first couple of minutes, it could have been a different game.

Sure the Hawks are not a playoff team, but they look like a team that belongs in the NHL. Couldn't say that the last 2 years.

YES this team is old and for the most part VERY slow. Again the one thing they did starting in the second period that never happened last year was they started putting pucks behind the defenseman forechecking and causing turnovers.

Will be inteesting to see how LR sets up his defensive pairings for the Oilers.

The current Blackhawks team sort of reminds me of the Punch Imlach Toronto teams of the 60's. A bunch of over the hill hockey players sprinkled in with some talent that know how to play the game.

Now the rest of the blog I will be ranting about KD signing Brodie for 2 years.

Since Kubalik has been gone (and out of the league), he is my new whipping person.

Back to back games Friday and Saturday. I would guess Reichel, AA and Phillips slot in one of the games for the older vets like Maroon, Smith and Brodie/Martinez. Soderblom probably gets a start too.

Big difference than last year. down 2-0 last year, it was all over. They were one (of a few) posts away from tying it up.

Did you see the Panthers/Boston game? Panthers with the banner raising had the same energy spurt that Utah did for it being their first game "ever".. Actually if Richardinson would of buried that wide open chance in the first couple of minutes, it could have been a different game.

Sure the Hawks are not a playoff team, but they look like a team that belongs in the NHL. Couldn't say that the last 2 years.

YES this team is old and for the most part VERY slow. Again the one thing they did starting in the second period that never happened last year was they started putting pucks behind the defenseman forechecking and causing turnovers.

Will be inteesting to see how LR sets up his defensive pairings for the Oilers.

The current Blackhawks team sort of reminds me of the Punch Imlach Toronto teams of the 60's. A bunch of over the hill hockey players sprinkled in with some talent that know how to play the game.

Now the rest of the blog I will be ranting about KD signing Brodie for 2 years.

Since Kubalik has been gone (and out of the league), he is my new whipping person.
- LAHawk

Didn’t watch much of the game initially as it was a 10pm start here. They got going eventually and made it a game.

Not expecting playoffs this season, but at least playing meaningful games late in the season and as you alluded, not folding like a cheap tent when the game has the potential to get away from them.

Hoping for that and growth from the couple of young guys playing in the NHL lineup as well as the AHL and other prospects.

Allan didn’t get a ton of time last nite but looked decent when he was in. If he ends up being a 3rd pairing guy or better that’s a win afaic. Potentially another position that they don’t have to fill thru FA down the road.

I was watching his time on ice and Martinez only played more minutes than last night once last season. Even as the game went on last night, he made a couple unforced errors in the 3rd, maybe fatigue was a factor? Murphy was pretty damn solid, that 5 minute penalty for fighting ate away at this ice time a bit.
- breadbag


I do think Murphy is properly slotted, when it comes to the PP Jones is an enigma, his hands are just bad enough to turn the puck over and when entering the zone I always get the sense he just doesn't know what to do with the puck. I'd like to see Martinez on the first unit and Vlasic on the 2nd unit.

If they are going to trot these older fellas out there they are going to have to be physical all game, not just certain times of the game.

Last blog

You know maybe just maybe Reichel would of at least helped on the PP last night.

How about Bedard being physical, really liked him coming with an effective forecheck last night. Hope Reichel took notes and can get his nose dirty.

Personally i found the entire night of blowing smoke up our as ses to Utah thing tiresome. Even the NHL didn't want them to be there until they got voted out of Arizona.

Big difference than last year. down 2-0 last year, it was all over. They were one (of a few) posts away from tying it up.

Did you see the Panthers/Boston game? Panthers with the banner raising had the same energy spurt that Utah did for it being their first game "ever".. Actually if Richardinson would of buried that wide open chance in the first couple of minutes, it could have been a different game.

Sure the Hawks are not a playoff team, but they look like a team that belongs in the NHL. Couldn't say that the last 2 years.

YES this team is old and for the most part VERY slow. Again the one thing they did starting in the second period that never happened last year was they started putting pucks behind the defenseman forechecking and causing turnovers.

Will be inteesting to see how LR sets up his defensive pairings for the Oilers.

The current Blackhawks team sort of reminds me of the Punch Imlach Toronto teams of the 60's. A bunch of over the hill hockey players sprinkled in with some talent that know how to play the game.

Now the rest of the blog I will be ranting about KD signing Brodie for 2 years.

Since Kubalik has been gone (and out of the league), he is my new whipping person.
- LAHawk

I believe utah hit the post three times also

And for the love of God can we just have practice where we pass the puck over and over and over again, awful awful awful, continuation from last season even with better players.

You know maybe just maybe Reichel would of at least helped on the PP last night.

How about Bedard being physical, really liked him coming with an effective forecheck last night. Hope Reichel took notes and can get his nose dirty.
- BetweenTheDots

But then what do you do with Reichel besides PP2 minutes. Do you play him 4-6 minutes a game?

Flipping Foligno and Mikhayev seemed to light a spark. Replace Smith/Maroon on the 4th line? 5 on 5 the 4th line was very good last night. Is Reichel an 4th line player?

But then what do you do with Reichel besides PP2 minutes. Do you play him 4-6 minutes a game?

Flipping Foligno and Mikhayev seemed to light a spark. Replace Smith/Maroon on the 4th line? 5 on 5 the 4th line was very good last night. Is Reichel an 4th line player?
- LAHawk

I already told you what I'd do with him, I'd put him on Jasons line

The 1st write up for the 2024/2025 season.
Nicely done Zach!

One thing I didn't really agree/like in your write up.
Bedard with 70pts this season??
If he would have stayed healthy he would have had more than 70 last season.
Anything under a point per game is a huge disappointment in my opinion.

I already told you what I'd do with him, I'd put him on Jasons line
- BetweenTheDots

Well Anderson has earned that spot currently, Reichel did not earn a spot in the pre-season. According to KD, the idea of bringing in the new players was to force players to earn their playing time (like most other professional teams).

Captain Nick would be up in KD's office in a nano second if LR did that. Maybe he plays 4th line and sits Smith? Maybe Reichel gets in when they rest Hall as they are going to manage his ice time.

Reichel is signed for 2 years so he will get plenty of chances to earn playing time. So far he hasn't.

The lack of speed and quickness is going to be a huge issue on D.

Jones is fast when he gets to top speed but his feet are slow and he is anything but quick in small areas. Martinez, Brodie, and Murphy not winning many foot races. Vlasic can move for a big guy but he's not quick.

You can bring in veterans to teach younger players but you don't need an entire team full of slow old vets and retreads. Not a single young forward in the bottom 6. Slaggert or Dach could be skating bottom 6. Or some 23 year old reclamation project. Instead we have a bunch of vets.

Shouldn't the Hawks be building a system that maximizes Bedard's talent? Puck possession, play with speed, etc.

Well Anderson has earned that spot currently, Reichel did not earn a spot in the pre-season. According to KD, the idea of bringing in the new players was to force players to earn their playing time (like most other professional teams).

Captain Nick would be up in KD's office in a nano second if LR did that. Maybe he plays 4th line and sits Smith? Maybe Reichel gets in when they rest Hall as they are going to manage his ice time.

Reichel is signed for 2 years so he will get plenty of chances to earn playing time. So far he hasn't.
- LAHawk

Idk. I see vets make the same mistakes over and over again. Just a continuation of last year. Young guys make those mistakes they get benched or sent down.

Well Anderson has earned that spot currently, Reichel did not earn a spot in the pre-season. According to KD, the idea of bringing in the new players was to force players to earn their playing time (like most other professional teams).

Captain Nick would be up in KD's office in a nano second if LR did that. Maybe he plays 4th line and sits Smith? Maybe Reichel gets in when they rest Hall as they are going to manage his ice time.

Reichel is signed for 2 years so he will get plenty of chances to earn playing time. So far he hasn't.
- LAHawk

All i hear is blah blah blah blah, if he keeps him a healthy scratch then the org is wasting valuable development time for him.

You sound old school to me which is fine, but maybe just maybe Reichel can't translate what LR is trying to teach him, you know it happens and most times the best way to learn is on the job and sometimes the boss just needs to get out of the way.

It was fun watching 2 Sask boys from towns 40km away from each other play last night.

Hawks looked bad in the first and the PP was brutal. but overall a few posts and its a tie game.

All i hear is blah blah blah blah, if he keeps him a healthy scratch then the org is wasting valuable development time for him.

You sound old school to me which is fine, but maybe just maybe Reichel can't translate what LR is trying to teach him, you know it happens and most times the best way to learn is on the job and sometimes the boss just needs to get out of the way.
- BetweenTheDots

So fire Richardson for a coach that will play Reichel ?


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Kyle Davidson's expectations for Blackhawks now include execution, not just hard work.

And on that note, Davidson seemed to be struggling to contain annoyance this morning when the subject of Lukas Reichel came up.

New story:
From chicago.suntimes.com
2:24 PM · Oct 8, 2024

From Banford:

With that being said… man this is a tough look — not for Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, but for forward Lukas Reichel. GMKD spoke with the media on Tuesday before the opening game of the new season and Reichel came up. Ben Pope at the Chicago Sun-Times did a nice job of eloquently sharing that Davidson, like head coach Luke Richardson, is no longer in the “he’ll get there” business. It’s do it or sit time for Reichel, and it sounds like he might sit for some time before he gets a chance to do anything. This quote from GMKD is not great if you’re a Reichel fan/family member:
“He’s got to work and get to the point where, if an opportunity opens up, he’s going to jump in and take advantage of it,” Davidson said.

“if an opportunity opens up” is pretty doom and gloom, eh? Keep in mind the Blackhawks opened the new season with 14 forwards on the NHL roster. Andreas Athanasiou is also dressing nicely to watch with the media. Both AA and Reichel were massively underwhelming in camp. And Anderson’s performance last night doesn’t open up a spot for either one of them.
·

I fell asleep on the couch after they were down 2-0. Is that a sign of something?

As for Bedard's point total, if he plays a full season, he's capable of 100, even with this group. He finally has people who can finish.

So fire Richardson for a coach that will play Reichel ?


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Kyle Davidson's expectations for Blackhawks now include execution, not just hard work.

And on that note, Davidson seemed to be struggling to contain annoyance this morning when the subject of Lukas Reichel came up.

New story:
From chicago.suntimes.com
2:24 PM · Oct 8, 2024

From Banford:

With that being said… man this is a tough look — not for Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson, but for forward Lukas Reichel. GMKD spoke with the media on Tuesday before the opening game of the new season and Reichel came up. Ben Pope at the Chicago Sun-Times did a nice job of eloquently sharing that Davidson, like head coach Luke Richardson, is no longer in the “he’ll get there” business. It’s do it or sit time for Reichel, and it sounds like he might sit for some time before he gets a chance to do anything. This quote from GMKD is not great if you’re a Reichel fan/family member:
“He’s got to work and get to the point where, if an opportunity opens up, he’s going to jump in and take advantage of it,” Davidson said.

“if an opportunity opens up” is pretty doom and gloom, eh? Keep in mind the Blackhawks opened the new season with 14 forwards on the NHL roster. Andreas Athanasiou is also dressing nicely to watch with the media. Both AA and Reichel were massively underwhelming in camp. And Anderson’s performance last night doesn’t open up a spot for either one of them.
·
- LAHawk

It's nice he's supporting the coach that way, but it's got to be frustrating knowing he needs minutes to get better. That's cool i guess they think there is only one way to develop a player. What happens when the next young prospect comes up and he's not good enough for LR? And KD is in the same position?

I'm just not sure where Reichel fits into the lineup with everyone healthy. Sure, he's faster and more talented than Craig Smith, but he's just not a 4th line type player and can't see anyone in the top 6 sitting to get him minutes.

It's nice he's supporting the coach that way, but it's got to be frustrating knowing he needs minutes to get better. That's cool i guess they think there is only one way to develop a player. What happens when the next young prospect comes up and he's not good enough for LR? And KD is in the same position?
- BetweenTheDots

He's going to have to show something in practice before he gets into games.

I fell asleep on the couch after they were down 2-0. Is that a sign of something?

As for Bedard's point total, if he plays a full season, he's capable of 100, even with this group. He finally has people who can finish.
- 333inthe3rd

Bedard and TT are going to take a lot of cheap hits the next few weeks...

And for the love of God can we just have practice where we pass the puck over and over and over again, awful awful awful, continuation from last season even with better players.
- BetweenTheDots

To much of their passing is just panic get rid of the puck type of passes. I grow tired of watch our supposed #1 d-man get pucks and just wrap them around the boards, just flip them out, or ice them. On top of that one of the issues with PP1 is Jones' Poor and/or slow decisions with the puck, on top of not really scaring anyone with his shooting.

Overall the game was much better than the score indicated. They had Utah on their heels especially in the 3rd, and was almost expecting them to tie it up. The Utah goals were not necessarily Mrazek's fault, but he did not look great in net.

All the hype around Utah was a bit over the top. Sure, new city, but its the Coyotes, who started last season strong until pooping the bed, and they have added some nice pieces like Sergachev.

It's nice he's supporting the coach that way, but it's got to be frustrating knowing he needs minutes to get better. That's cool i guess they think there is only one way to develop a player. What happens when the next young prospect comes up and he's not good enough for LR? And KD is in the same position?
- BetweenTheDots

It's got to be frustrating for the coaches that Reichel can't put on the ice what's been requested of him. It's not just LR making these decisions. Watch the latest "Every Shift". Everyone is in the room. They've got crap tons of forward prospects wanting to come up. All of them will have to push a vet out as well. While he doesn't have as much skill, Slaggert showed to be a better prospect than Reichel. He plays on the right side of the puck, makes smart/quick decisions, shoots when he has the opportunity (especially in the slot) and can come out of a corner with the puck. Reichel has a very clear path to get back in the lineup. It is not up to the coaches to give it to him. It's up to him to make them put him in and then keep it.