Almost looked like that was a set play.... Vlasic off the puck to get dangerous was the reason for that goal.

Points isn’t nor should be the criteria for promotion to the AHL or NHL. The AHL is for the development of a player’s overall game as well as an opportunity for a player to get introduced to the pro game including the physical aspect of playing against men.
- paulr

But defensemen who can move like him and put up points like him in the NCAA typically go straight to the NHL.

Selecting Vanacker and Boisvert was in fact controversial to some on this site and to others in the media and such. Many thought the Hawks should have selected Hage or Eiserman. Personally I agree with both selections. And I think Vanacker is going to be a real gem, he just has to get up to playing speed after being out for most of the season.
- paulr

The Boisvert pick was more about giving up an asset to move up before knowing what was going to be there. Vanacker was guy they moved up to get the guy they wanted. There was no issue with that.

At least they aren't playing the trap

Anyone think it was his groin that took Mrzak out??? That is not good although I wouldn't mind having to watch Soderblom play. From his point of view that would be a huge opportunity for him especially with the way he's playing this yr.

When was the last time the Hawks got 2 goals from D-men in the same period?

But defensemen who can move like him and put up points like him in the NCAA typically go straight to the NHL.
- fattybeef

Fatty. I watched Rinzel's 2 yrs at USHL Waterloo and take my word for it he's taken huge leaps. I'm down as him being the most improved Hawk in the whole system last yr but his fine play has only been over a 1+ seasons.

He's patient staying in the USHL after he was drafted. Love seeing that out of a prospect, those kids see the big picture. ...... If he's ready after a full offseason and camp, maybe even late NHL games this yr if he signs after this NCAA season, the Hawks will decide then.

The Boisvert pick was more about giving up an asset to move up before knowing what was going to be there. Vanacker was guy they moved up to get the guy they wanted. There was no issue with that.
- Elbows15

I thought Davidson looked like a novice GM and was taken advantage of by trading before he knew how the draft would unfold.

I thought Davidson looked like a novice GM and was taken advantage of by trading before he knew how the draft would unfold.
- paulr

Especially for the guy he was going to take all along. There were reports a couple weeks before the draft Boisvert was all but locked in.

He turns out and we won't remember the transaction at all.

I wanted others in that spot but he is off to a good start at North Dakota.

Yo Dots, do they seem more connected and passing better? ....... Did not like seeing Soderblom bite, anchor and give Lambert a wide open cage. That's last yr Soderblom.

Vlasic has taken a real jump handling the puck. Kid is calmer, cleaner and more poised with the thing.

I'm a tad concerned about Soderblom. Kid is down early and anchoring. Just like last yr.

Especially for the guy he was going to take all along. There were reports a couple weeks before the draft Boisvert was all but locked in.

He turns out and we won't remember the transaction at all.

I wanted others in that spot but he is off to a good start at North Dakota.
- Elbows15

There’s just no compete in this team. Guys aren’t interested in getting involved they want to reach in with their stick and keep their body back as far as possible. Bertuzzi and TT seem to be content picking up a paycheque, Foligno and Maroon are done. The rest are journeymen. The highly competitive guys willing to engage like Boisvert, Vanacker, Dach, Savoie and I understand Moore can’t get into the lineup soon enough, assuming they develop.

Selecting Vanacker and Boisvert was in fact controversial to some on this site and to others in the media and such. Many thought the Hawks should have selected Hage or Eiserman. Personally I agree with both selections. And I think Vanacker is going to be a real gem, he just has to get up to playing speed after being out for most of the season.
- paulr

I was a Boisvert guy even before the draft, and even more now, but I would not have passed on Eiserman. Would you have taken Eiserman?

There’s just no compete in this team. Guys aren’t interested in getting involved they want to reach in with their stick and keep their body back as far as possible. Bertuzzi and TT seem to be content picking up a paycheque, Foligno and Maroon are done. The rest are journeymen. The highly competitive guys willing to engage like Boisvert, Vanacker, Dach, Savoie and I understand Moore can’t get into the lineup soon enough, assuming they develop.
- paulr

I'd like to see TT get scratched, the guy is absolutely useless right now. At least put Reichel on the top line and see what he can do. D!ckinson centering Bedard and Reichel might be worth a shot.

I thought Davidson looked like a novice GM and was taken advantage of by trading before he knew how the draft would unfold.
- paulr

Maybe. I do know they game plan the draft but that is never 100% accurate even near the top of the draft... I'd like to think it was a near lock they thought KK or another they coveted would be there at 7(?).

And, I'm ok with overpays you just can't do it that often. I was ok with the Hawks taking Allan earlier than most had him ranked but they liked him and didn't wanna chance him not being there in rd 2... And it looks like that will pay off the way Allan has played in the Bigs this yr.

I was a Boisvert guy even before the draft, and even more now, but I would not have passed on Eiserman. Would you have taken Eiserman?
- Mr Ricochet

I didn’t see enough of either to make an honest educated opinion. A rule of thumb is you can’t teach scoring but many suggested Eiserman was strictly a one way guy plus his draft stock plummeted all season. I only saw a few clips of Boisvert so I had no real idea about him. I said all along I’d be happy with whoever they chose.

Any chance BUF panics after losing their 6th in a row and kinda stagnant under a new coach? Maybe KD can take advantage of them panicking? ....... Plenty of 23-24-25 yr old guys drafted in the 1st and 2nd rds on that squad and most scored in jrs.

I didn’t see enough of either to make an honest educated opinion. A rule of thumb is you can’t teach scoring but many suggested Eiserman was strictly a one way guy plus his draft stock plummeted all season. I only saw a few clips of Boisvert so I had no real idea about him. I said all along I’d be happy with whoever they chose.
- paulr

When in doubt taking the centerman is the right thing to do. A STL buddy said Brett Hull was a one way player like Eiserman was colored as. ... I couldn't disagree with him.

When in doubt taking the centerman is the right thing to do. A STL buddy said Brett Hull was a one way player like Eiserman was colored as. ... I couldn't disagree with him.
- Mr Ricochet

I don’t think two guys who don’t play any defense on the same team would be a good thing.

There’s just no compete in this team. Guys aren’t interested in getting involved they want to reach in with their stick and keep their body back as far as possible. Bertuzzi and TT seem to be content picking up a paycheque, Foligno and Maroon are done. The rest are journeymen. The highly competitive guys willing to engage like Boisvert, Vanacker, Dach, Savoie and I understand Moore can’t get into the lineup soon enough, assuming they develop.
- paulr

This is what I have been saying all along. We will see if it hold but they have more compete today than I seen in 2 seasons.

They are at least being aggressive in the neutral zone and at the blue lines today instead of backing up into the goalies' lap.

I'd like to see TT get scratched, the guy is absolutely useless right now. At least put Reichel on the top line and see what he can do. D!ckinson centering Bedard and Reichel might be worth a shot.
- Dieselhead

Playing Richardinson with any guys with a modicum of offensive ability is a waste.

Just waive Hall. He is useless.

12 ENG against? *sigh*

So the Hawks changed the director but forgot the script needed rewriting also.

Blow a 2-1 lead after the second period.

Muster a grand total of 14 shots on goal. (With a minute and a half left).

Looks like new coach bounce lasted one period.

14 SOG for the Hawks in the loss.