Zach Jarom: Three Takeaways From the Hawks 5-2 Win

Thanks Zach, one of the more enjoyable Hawk games in a while. Although the Avs are playing short handed, that is still a good team.

From the ball arena (and last blog). The biggest pain in the ass for the 300 level is, especially behind the net you can't really see the closest net easily.

The first period was weird and the game itself was one of the less entertaining ones I've been too. Makar was certainly the best player on the ice.

The top line was ineffective. MacKinnon really has Bedards number. Though off the puck Bedard was whacking and maybe chirping Makar behind the play which was pretty hilarious and another good sign of growth from the kid. Kurashev does not fit with TT and Bedard. Still think Bertuzzi is the way to go there since he has no desire to handle the puck just win it, go to the net and look for garbage.

We were right behind the Hawks goal for the first period. You could have thrown a bed into the goal with the amount of space Georgiev left open. Woof. Yay that he finished that but he was also pretty useless 5v5.

It was interesting to see how they play with that 4th line on the ice. Basically, the two defenders and Smith and Maroon sit back in a box and Reichel just skates around like a wombat on speed looking to pop the puck off someone. It's like watching kids play. Sure it looks like he's productive and he's winning some pucks and getting a few shots and points but that definitely explains why that "productivity" doesn't translate to playing with actual hockey players. And I guess if you're getting spanked in possession - as long as its the other teams worst players how bad could it be?

Reichel still has the lowest 5v5 time by a margin but I'd just leave him there and maybe something clicks at some point to where he can play with better players in an actual system?

Reichel and Donato are shaping up to be the two best bum slayers in the league. Take em where you can get em.

Taylor Hall very clearly does not have the afterburner he had 5 or 6 years ago and probably needs to make some adjustments to his game. Still strong on his skates but can't blow past guys like he used to and is holding the puck too long and trying too hard to "be a guy". Really needs to get off the puck sooner and as Captain Can't Shut Up says "accept a role".

Pretty funny moment was on a break out thinking oh shoot a jail break - oh nope it's Foligno.

Watching MacKinnon undress Jones was hilarious. And one thing that is apparent live is Jones's skating backwards and side to side is very bad. Good for him finally making an adjustment and just skating directly to him and grabbing him in the later part of the game but I think his jock is still floating down the platt river somewhere on its way to Nebraska.

Murphy is actually a pretty solid hockey player. He gets a lot of poop here but he's usually in the right spot, reads the play reasonably well and usually makes a decent enough first pass. For a 15 minute \ night kills penalties player I think there is a lot of value. @19 mins maybe not so much.

Allen could end up being a better version. There were a few plays he just missed but looks the part. Used his frame well a few times and made some good passes. Kaiser was fine. Neither of these guys are going to be push the puck forward with purpose players though.

Brodie is bad. Whatever happened at the end of last year that got him dropped from the line up looks like it is persisting. He just isn't moving well. You almost feel bad for the guy.

Overall - good to see them win. Especially against Colorado. The Avs looked like a depleted team that played the night before for most of the the game and their goaler is horrifically bad but that's just the league and good on the Hawks for taking advantage of a group while theyre down.

Can't be stressed enough how amazing the Cale Makar show is when that guy flips the switch. MacKinnon is pretty impressive too but I think you could make a Makar is the best player in the NHL argument right now.

Of all the criticism of Murphy, valid or not, I take issue with ". I feel like he is the type of player that is just playing out his contract, and once it's up, he will go his way, and the Hawks will go theirs."

I never saw (or see) any evidence, that Murphy doesn't play hard. What have I been missing?

From the ball arena. The biggest pain in the ass for the 300 level is, especially behind the net you can't really see the closest net easily.

The first period was weird and the game itself was one of the less entertaining ones I've been too. Makar was certainly the best player on the ice.

The top line was ineffective. MacKinnon really has Bedards number. Though off the puck Bedard was whacking and maybe chirping Makar behind the play which was pretty hilarious and another good sign of growth from the kid. Kurashev does not fit with TT and Bedard. Still think Bertuzzi is the way to go there since he has no desire to handle the puck just win it, go to the net and look for garbage.

We were right behind the Hawks goal for the first period. You could have thrown a bed into the goal with the amount of space Georgiev left open. Woof. Yay that he finished that but he was also pretty useless 5v5.

It was interesting to see how they play with that 4th line on the ice. Basically, the two defenders and Smith and Maroon sit back in a box and Reichel just skates around like a wombat on speed looking to pop the puck off someone. It's like watching kids play. Sure it looks like he's productive and he's winning some pucks and getting a few shots and points but that definitely explains why that "productivity" doesn't translate to playing with actual hockey players. And I guess if you're getting spanked in possession - as long as its the other teams worst players how bad could it be?

I'd just leave him there and maybe something clicks at some point to where he can play with better players in an actual system?

Reichel and Donato are shaping up to be the two best bum slayers in the league. Take em where you can get em.

Taylor Hall very clearly does not have the afterburner he had 5 or 6 years ago and probably needs to make some adjustments to his game. Still strong on his skates but can't blow past guys like he used to and is holding the puck too long and trying too hard to "be a guy". Really needs to get off the puck sooner and as Captain Can't Shut Up says "accept a role".

Pretty funny moment was on a break out thinking oh shoot a jail break - oh nope it's Foligno.

Watching MacKinnon undress Jones was hilarious. And one thing that is apparent live is Jones's skating backwards and side to side is very bad. Good for him finally making an adjustment and just skating directly to him and grabbing him in the later part of the game but I think his jock is still floating down the platt river somewhere on its way to Nebraska.

Murphy is actually a pretty solid hockey player. He gets a lot of poop here but he's usually in the right spot, reads the play reasonably well and usually makes a decent enough first pass. For a 15 minute \ night kills penalties player I think there is a lot of value. @19 mins maybe not so much.

Allen could end up being a better version. There were a few plays he just missed but looks the part. Used his frame well a few times and made some good passes. Kaiser was fine. Neither of these guys are going to be push the puck forward with purpose players though.

Brodie is bad. Whatever happened at the end of last year that got him dropped from the line up looks like it is persisting. He just isn't moving well. You almost feel bad for the guy.

Overall - good to see them win. Especially against Colorado. The Avs looked like a depleted team that played the night before for most of the the game and their goaler is horrifically bad but that's just the league and good on the Hawks for taking advantage of a group while theyre down.

Can't be stressed enough how amazing the Cale Makar show is when that guy flips the switch. MacKinnon is pretty impressive too but I think you could make a Makar is the best player in the NHL argument right now.
- fattybeef

Good recap fatty. How about following the team to California and reporting back.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks call up Isaak Phillips again. He’s racking up some frequent flier miles this year.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks call up Isaak Phillips again. He’s racking up some frequent flier miles this year.
- LAHawk

Brodie taking a seat???

Of all the criticism of Murphy, valid or not, I take issue with ". I feel like he is the type of player that is just playing out his contract, and once it's up, he will go his way, and the Hawks will go theirs."

I never saw (or see) any evidence, that Murphy doesn't play hard. What have I been missing?
- LAHawk

You are right, Murphy is a guy that isn't just playing out his contract. He demonstrates that he gives a crap. Honestly the biggest issue with Murphy is just can he stay healthy? He has bounced back to be pretty healthy looking so far this season and shown yet again, that a healthy Murphy is an effective player. He is a good #4 right now at the NHL level when healthy. He is physical, he will stand up for teammates, he does his job, blocks shots and doesn't give the puck away that much. If he could last 75+ games a season, he would be worth his contract.

Of all the criticism of Murphy, valid or not, I take issue with ". I feel like he is the type of player that is just playing out his contract, and once it's up, he will go his way, and the Hawks will go theirs."

I never saw (or see) any evidence, that Murphy doesn't play hard. What have I been missing?
- LAHawk

I have to agree. He's never been a really noticeable player, but he plays hard and you can tell he cares (despite the cliche interview answers).

Brodie taking a seat???
- Chunk

Probably to have 7 healthy defensemen for the west coast trip on the roster, and Soderblom appears healthy as they sent Commesso back down.

From the ball arena (and last blog). The biggest pain in the ass for the 300 level is, especially behind the net you can't really see the closest net easily.

The first period was weird and the game itself was one of the less entertaining ones I've been too. Makar was certainly the best player on the ice.

The top line was ineffective. MacKinnon really has Bedards number. Though off the puck Bedard was whacking and maybe chirping Makar behind the play which was pretty hilarious and another good sign of growth from the kid. Kurashev does not fit with TT and Bedard. Still think Bertuzzi is the way to go there since he has no desire to handle the puck just win it, go to the net and look for garbage.

We were right behind the Hawks goal for the first period. You could have thrown a bed into the goal with the amount of space Georgiev left open. Woof. Yay that he finished that but he was also pretty useless 5v5.

It was interesting to see how they play with that 4th line on the ice. Basically, the two defenders and Smith and Maroon sit back in a box and Reichel just skates around like a wombat on speed looking to pop the puck off someone. It's like watching kids play. Sure it looks like he's productive and he's winning some pucks and getting a few shots and points but that definitely explains why that "productivity" doesn't translate to playing with actual hockey players. And I guess if you're getting spanked in possession - as long as its the other teams worst players how bad could it be?

Reichel still has the lowest 5v5 time by a margin but I'd just leave him there and maybe something clicks at some point to where he can play with better players in an actual system?

Reichel and Donato are shaping up to be the two best bum slayers in the league. Take em where you can get em.

Taylor Hall very clearly does not have the afterburner he had 5 or 6 years ago and probably needs to make some adjustments to his game. Still strong on his skates but can't blow past guys like he used to and is holding the puck too long and trying too hard to "be a guy". Really needs to get off the puck sooner and as Captain Can't Shut Up says "accept a role".

Pretty funny moment was on a break out thinking oh shoot a jail break - oh nope it's Foligno.

Watching MacKinnon undress Jones was hilarious. And one thing that is apparent live is Jones's skating backwards and side to side is very bad. Good for him finally making an adjustment and just skating directly to him and grabbing him in the later part of the game but I think his jock is still floating down the platt river somewhere on its way to Nebraska.

Murphy is actually a pretty solid hockey player. He gets a lot of poop here but he's usually in the right spot, reads the play reasonably well and usually makes a decent enough first pass. For a 15 minute \ night kills penalties player I think there is a lot of value. @19 mins maybe not so much.

Allen could end up being a better version. There were a few plays he just missed but looks the part. Used his frame well a few times and made some good passes. Kaiser was fine. Neither of these guys are going to be push the puck forward with purpose players though.

Brodie is bad. Whatever happened at the end of last year that got him dropped from the line up looks like it is persisting. He just isn't moving well. You almost feel bad for the guy.

Overall - good to see them win. Especially against Colorado. The Avs looked like a depleted team that played the night before for most of the the game and their goaler is horrifically bad but that's just the league and good on the Hawks for taking advantage of a group while theyre down.

Can't be stressed enough how amazing the Cale Makar show is when that guy flips the switch. MacKinnon is pretty impressive too but I think you could make a Makar is the best player in the NHL argument right now.
- fattybeef

Regarding Hall, I don't think we can really criticize his speed too much considering he is in his 30's now. He hasn't clicked quite with his linemates so far, but his wheels are roughly where the were a couple years ago with Boston based on skating metrics. He used to be closer to AA and Mikheyev in terms of pure speed, but he is still faster up and down than ice than most of the rest of the team including the much younger guys like Kurashev, Bedard, Reichel.

He might need to make adjustments, but he is still getting chances and putting pucks on net, I think maybe the coaches will get him going with a bit more production if he keeps putting in the work/effort here.

From the ball arena (and last blog). The biggest pain in the ass for the 300 level is, especially behind the net you can't really see the closest net easily.

The first period was weird and the game itself was one of the less entertaining ones I've been too. Makar was certainly the best player on the ice.

The top line was ineffective. MacKinnon really has Bedards number. Though off the puck Bedard was whacking and maybe chirping Makar behind the play which was pretty hilarious and another good sign of growth from the kid. Kurashev does not fit with TT and Bedard. Still think Bertuzzi is the way to go there since he has no desire to handle the puck just win it, go to the net and look for garbage.

We were right behind the Hawks goal for the first period. You could have thrown a bed into the goal with the amount of space Georgiev left open. Woof. Yay that he finished that but he was also pretty useless 5v5.

It was interesting to see how they play with that 4th line on the ice. Basically, the two defenders and Smith and Maroon sit back in a box and Reichel just skates around like a wombat on speed looking to pop the puck off someone. It's like watching kids play. Sure it looks like he's productive and he's winning some pucks and getting a few shots and points but that definitely explains why that "productivity" doesn't translate to playing with actual hockey players. And I guess if you're getting spanked in possession - as long as its the other teams worst players how bad could it be?

Reichel still has the lowest 5v5 time by a margin but I'd just leave him there and maybe something clicks at some point to where he can play with better players in an actual system?

Reichel and Donato are shaping up to be the two best bum slayers in the league. Take em where you can get em.

Taylor Hall very clearly does not have the afterburner he had 5 or 6 years ago and probably needs to make some adjustments to his game. Still strong on his skates but can't blow past guys like he used to and is holding the puck too long and trying too hard to "be a guy". Really needs to get off the puck sooner and as Captain Can't Shut Up says "accept a role".

Pretty funny moment was on a break out thinking oh shoot a jail break - oh nope it's Foligno.

Watching MacKinnon undress Jones was hilarious. And one thing that is apparent live is Jones's skating backwards and side to side is very bad. Good for him finally making an adjustment and just skating directly to him and grabbing him in the later part of the game but I think his jock is still floating down the platt river somewhere on its way to Nebraska.

Murphy is actually a pretty solid hockey player. He gets a lot of poop here but he's usually in the right spot, reads the play reasonably well and usually makes a decent enough first pass. For a 15 minute \ night kills penalties player I think there is a lot of value. @19 mins maybe not so much.

Allen could end up being a better version. There were a few plays he just missed but looks the part. Used his frame well a few times and made some good passes. Kaiser was fine. Neither of these guys are going to be push the puck forward with purpose players though.

Brodie is bad. Whatever happened at the end of last year that got him dropped from the line up looks like it is persisting. He just isn't moving well. You almost feel bad for the guy.

Overall - good to see them win. Especially against Colorado. The Avs looked like a depleted team that played the night before for most of the the game and their goaler is horrifically bad but that's just the league and good on the Hawks for taking advantage of a group while theyre down.

Can't be stressed enough how amazing the Cale Makar show is when that guy flips the switch. MacKinnon is pretty impressive too but I think you could make a Makar is the best player in the NHL argument right now.
- fattybeef

I have to agree. Murphy is more impressive in person than on television, at least in the two games I've seen in San Jose.

Good recap fatty. How about following the team to California and reporting back.
- boilermaker100

I might be able to provide a report from San Jose.

You are right, Murphy is a guy that isn't just playing out his contract. He demonstrates that he gives a crap. Honestly the biggest issue with Murphy is just can he stay healthy? He has bounced back to be pretty healthy looking so far this season and shown yet again, that a healthy Murphy is an effective player. He is a good #4 right now at the NHL level when healthy. He is physical, he will stand up for teammates, he does his job, blocks shots and doesn't give the puck away that much. If he could last 75+ games a season, he would be worth his contract.
- breadbag

He's had back and knee issues since he got here. I always felt like we never really got to see all that he has because of that. Plus the other reason people on here get after him is because of who was sent the other way. Impossible act for most to follow. If it was a bad trade, then Stan is the guy to blame. He wears an A, so that should tell us something about how he is viewed by the rest of the team.

He's had back and knee issues since he got here. I always felt like we never really got to see all that he has because of that. Plus the other reason people on here get after him is because of who was sent the other way. Impossible act for most to follow. If it was a bad trade, then Stan is the guy to blame. He wears an A, so that should tell us something about how he is viewed by the rest of the team.
- 333inthe3rd

He was the only player on the team with size until last year and teams just annihilated him. See Tampa, 2018-2022.

Of all the criticism of Murphy, valid or not, I take issue with ". I feel like he is the type of player that is just playing out his contract, and once it's up, he will go his way, and the Hawks will go theirs."

I never saw (or see) any evidence, that Murphy doesn't play hard. What have I been missing?
- LAHawk

As a Murphy basher i admit his game has improved with the LR hire. I always felt like he was chasing the game and really didn't think the game very well. I wonder if it's the combination of experience and LR style that we have a solid RD in Murphy. Prefect example was when the forward was coming towards him in the 3rd period chasing the puck and Murphy just flattened him to the ice. Didn't chase it let the game come to him and separated the guy from the puck, beautiful hockey play. He doesn't open a shooting lane anymore in his own end because a forward gives him a shoulder fake that used to drive me crazy and having a LD who can actually play his position and pass the puck out of the zone competently helps to.

But i will say 17 to 20 minutes a night is all i want to see from Murphy, that's how i feel about Seth Jones as well but I'll have to wait for that to happen.

As a Murphy basher i admit his game has improved with the LR hire. I always felt like he was chasing the game and really didn't think the game very well. I wonder if it's the combination of experience and LR style that we have a solid RD in Murphy. Prefect example was when the forward was coming towards him in the 3rd period chasing the puck and Murphy just flattened him to the ice. Didn't chase it let the game come to him and separated the guy from the puck, beautiful hockey play. He doesn't open a shooting lane anymore in his own end because a forward gives him a shoulder fake that used to drive me crazy and having a LD who can actually play his position and pass the puck out of the zone competently helps to.

But i will say 17 to 20 minutes a night is all i want to see from Murphy, that's how i feel about Seth Jones as well but I'll have to wait for that to happen.
- BetweenTheDots

My point isn't whether he played good or bad, but the comment is that he is just playing out the string.

Also what defenseman looked good during the JC era? McCabe? Matta? Da Haan? Seeler? Gustafson? They all sucked with the Hawks and JC's system yet they still have regular NHL jobs 4 years later.

My point isn't whether he played good or bad, but the comment is that he is just playing out the string.

Also what defenseman looked good during the JC era? McCabe? Matta? Da Haan? Seeler? Gustafson? They all sucked with the Hawks and JC's system yet they still have regular NHL jobs 4 years later.
- LAHawk

He looked bad with Q.

I think if he was just going through the motions he would not be playing this well. Oh yea, settle down Francis

From the last blog

Sure, but the comment was about Bedard wanting to leave because of the "losing culture".

I'm not upset about it really, but the entire situation is KD"s making. He wants to build a team through the draft and have those players as the foundational pieces. They aren't good now and it was going to be hard for them to sell the "good" free agents to come to the Hawks because of that and the fact that he didn't want to sign huge dollars for term. So we get this for another year and hope the patience pays off. I think if they end up like Detroit and are still struggling to get to the PO's in two more years after this changes will be made.

I don't mind KD's plan, but I think it's kinda short sighted in expecting your draft picks to be everything. Not to mention you have all these guys coming in at the same time which can create roster crunch and contract negotiation issues. We'll see how it goes.
- Chunk

KD is nuts if he thinks all the players on the roster are going to be his draft picks. Fire him now if that is what he's thinking.

I always thought he'd move some 1st round picks with an expiring contract for something decent.
Not sure how much value a 1st round prospect has to other teams? Doesn't the other team generally want to use that pick on someone they fits their team?

Kyle from Chicago seems to want to make a move - supposedly tried to get Montreal's pick in the last draft / put an offer out to Guentzel. But almost making a move and making a move is 2 different things.

Ryan(chief) from Barstool said it right - the moment a team landa a Bedard talent, the re-build should speed up.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them try and land Marner or Rantanen if they become FAs after this season. Not sure how much patience Bedard has.

My point isn't whether he played good or bad, but the comment is that he is just playing out the string.

Also what defenseman looked good during the JC era? McCabe? Matta? Da Haan? Seeler? Gustafson? They all sucked with the Hawks and JC's system yet they still have regular NHL jobs 4 years later.
- LAHawk

Zadorov too, got a nice contract last year. Doubt he is playing out the string, but he won't get another contract in CHI. He might go at the deadline this year, similar situation to McCabe, then try to play well enough to get his next contract in the new town.

Stan might be putting in a call at the deadline, and there could be a deal there with some retained salary.

From the last blog



KD is nuts if he thinks all the players on the roster are going to be his draft picks. Fire him now if that is what he's thinking.

I always thought he'd move some 1st round picks with an expiring contract for something decent.
Not sure how much value a 1st round prospect has to other teams? Doesn't the other team generally want to use that pick on someone they fits their team?

Kyle from Chicago seems to want to make a move - supposedly tried to get Montreal's pick in the last draft / put an offer out to Guentzel. But almost making a move and making a move is 2 different things.

Ryan(chief) from Barstool said it right - the moment a team landa a Bedard talent, the re-build should speed up.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them try and land Marner or Rantanen if they become FAs after this season. Not sure how much patience Bedard has.
- captainserious

We are in year 3, Bedard has just started his 2nd year. If we are looking at another top 5 pick this year it'll make 3 top 5 picks in 3 years. This is where championship teams start, period, Bedard, Arty, ?????

Bedard is the kind of kid who will blame himself for the Blackhawks not being better. It'll be interesting when his contract is up if he takes the mega payout or says I'm going to leave some on the table so we can really start filling in this team.

Zadorov too, got a nice contract last year. Doubt he is playing out the string, but he won't get another contract in CHI. He might go at the deadline this year, similar situation to McCabe, then try to play well enough to get his next contract in the new town.

Stan might be putting in a call at the deadline, and there could be a deal there with some retained salary.
- totem

I think if Murph can show he can stay healthy and play, he is as good as gone at the TDL or a little before.
KD can retain 50% of his cap hit for the rest of this year and next year without negatively impacting their salary cap space.
I thought Utah would pull the trigger on someone once they lost 2 Dmen for 4months

I think if Murph can show he can stay healthy and play, he is as good as gone at the TDL or a little before.
KD can retain 50% of his cap hit for the rest of this year and next year without negatively impacting their salary cap space.
I thought Utah would pull the trigger on someone once they lost 2 Dmen for 4months
- captainserious

https://x.com/NHLBlackhaw...DNExT632djfrBw6Lsxrg&s=19

Speaking of

I think if Murph can show he can stay healthy and play, he is as good as gone at the TDL or a little before.
KD can retain 50% of his cap hit for the rest of this year and next year without negatively impacting their salary cap space.
I thought Utah would pull the trigger on someone once they lost 2 Dmen for 4months
- captainserious

I agree. They have to sell high on Murphy, given his injury history, if he's at his best at the TDL.

We are in year 3, Bedard has just started his 2nd year. If we are looking at another top 5 pick this year it'll make 3 top 5 picks in 3 years. This is where championship teams start, period, Bedard, Arty, ?????

Bedard is the kind of kid who will blame himself for the Blackhawks not being better. It'll be interesting when his contract is up if he takes the mega payout or says I'm going to leave some on the table so we can really start filling in this team.
- BetweenTheDots

Some championship teams do start here,and other teams have the same amount of top picks and can't make the playoffs.
I understand what they want to do, but I also think using all 3 of Bedard's rookie contract years to be bad and acquire more picks that will also need 2-3 years to develop is kind of dumb.
Mackinnon and McDavid both made the playoffs one time in their 1st four years in the league.
My hope is that Bedard and the Blackhawks make it next year,but with the way things are looking it doesn't seem all too realistic