The Chicago Tribune Sunday had two big long stories (one is a columnist).

I think it is mentioned really buried late in the news story. The story contains five points and is a good read

But I heard this somewhere else previously anyway
- jhawk59

Sorry jhawk. I read the Tribune's "5 points" article and the column by Paul Sullivan. Danny Wirtz and his mandate are not mentioned in either story. In fact Danny Wirtz isn't even mentioned. You may be reading between the lines here, but we are all entitled to our opinions on the state of the rebuild and what will happen next.

From Pope's latest article. Sheds a bit of light on what the team has asked Nazar to work on in Rockford.

His period-to-period and shift-to-shift consistency levels are two key areas that he has improved compared to his two years in college and his mediocre NHL training camp back in September. He has achieved that improvement by creating a mental checklist for himself every time he steps on the ice.

"[I’m] going back to knowing what the key parts of my game are and knowing, ‘OK, if I stick to these things each shift, it’s bound to be a decent shift,’” he said. “Stops and starts, using my feet, stuff like that — [I’m] creating a checklist like that in my head so when I go out there and I’m not feeling my best for a shift or a game, I’m really getting down to those things.”

Nazar’s intelligence is an asset, but Sorensen — during his time coaching Rockford — emphasized how Nazar can’t afford to stop and think. It needs to be done on the fly.

“I know my brain can handle it and I know I can process [things] right away,” Nazar said. “I’m making sure my body and brain are working at the same time and on the same page.”

Anyone that he would/could have picked in the '24 draft would not be in the NHL for at least a couple years. Heck, guys he picked two years ago are just now starting to look like they can break through to the NHL roster.

Not to mention, how do we know that he didn't already draft someone that can play with Bedard?
- Chunk

The GM has a talent in Bedard there is a need to obtain someone who can play effectively with on his line. This means a homework assignment to determine or judge what could be a fit.

I was split on the Demidov vs Arty pick. The safest choice pick was Arty so then just have to pick someone even short term via trade or free agency who works with Bedard. Now after what has transpired a trade and or free agent add plus either someone we drafted or will draft. How would you like to be in KD’s position/job

From Pope's latest article. Sheds a bit of light on what the team has asked Nazar to work on in Rockford.

His period-to-period and shift-to-shift consistency levels are two key areas that he has improved compared to his two years in college and his mediocre NHL training camp back in September. He has achieved that improvement by creating a mental checklist for himself every time he steps on the ice.

"
- Chunk[I’m] going back to knowing what the key parts of my game are and knowing, ‘OK, if I stick to these things each shift, it’s bound to be a decent shift,’” he said. “Stops and starts, using my feet, stuff like that — [I’m] creating a checklist like that in my head so when I go out there and I’m not feeling my best for a shift or a game, I’m really getting down to those things.”

Nazar’s intelligence is an asset, but Sorensen — during his time coaching Rockford — emphasized how Nazar can’t afford to stop and think. It needs to be done on the fly.

“I know my brain can handle it and I know I can process [things] right away,” Nazar said. “I’m making sure my body and brain are working at the same time and on the same page.”

Can't adjust to the speed of the NHL in the AHL though. Great that he's building confidence but once he shows he's above that competition (which he very clearly has) it's time for that next step.

The GM has a talent in Bedard there is a need to obtain someone who can play effectively with on his line. This means a homework assignment to determine or judge what could be a fit.

I was split on the Demidov vs Arty pick. The safest choice pick was Arty so then just have to pick someone even short term via trade or free agency who works with Bedard. Now after what has transpired a trade and or free agent add plus either someone we drafted or will draft. How would you like to be in KD’s position/job
- jhawk59

Other than Florida, where their blue line does it by committee and they have one of the better power forwards in the league and the best defensive forward in the league - all of the other teams that go deep have a tremendously talented player on the blue line.

Korchinski I think hits a Brian Campbell type ceiling or maybe like a Shea Theodore. While Levshunov can be that very dynamic physical and offensive force to be reckoned with.

I think a player like Levshunov is going to help you win sooner and go further than a forward.

Having only forwards and defensive defensemen gets you Toronto and I don't think they'll get past the second round in the playoffs until they have a dynamic force on the blue line that can break down an aggressive forecheck that negates the forwards ability to carry the puck in.

Sorry jhawk. I read the Tribune's "5 points" article and the column by Paul Sullivan. Danny Wirtz and his mandate are not mentioned in either story. In fact Danny Wirtz isn't even mentioned. You may be reading between the lines here, but we are all entitled our opinions on the state of the rebuild and what will happen next.
- boilermaker100

I read the stories in a hurry and am not sure where I got my thoughts from - thought it was from there. I know something I read gave me those words in I posted. And was not aware any problems existed or perceived - I was willing to keep Richardson as coach. I better know where I read something before post. I should go back and check but truthfully I am consumed right now with getting the Medicare bill so I can pay it then schedule surgery for kidney stone and hernia. Been working a whole lot trying to save money for the time off period when I won’t work. A small pension only goes so far. I am waiting a couple years on social security as most folks probably do

Can't adjust to the speed of the NHL in the AHL though. Great that he's building confidence but once he shows he's above that competition (which he very clearly has) it's time for that next step.
- fattybeef

Seems the people who are paid to make that assessment don’t agree. He will get his promotion when the GM feels he’s earned it. There’s no urgency, we’ve seen how Bedard is struggling the team doesn’t need another young prospect to struggle.

Seems the people who are paid to make that assessment don’t agree. He will get his promotion when the GM feels he’s earned it. There’s no urgency, we’ve seen how Bedard is struggling the team doesn’t need another young prospect to struggle.
- paulr

Friedman reporting he'll be with the team after Anderson clears waivers

From Pope's latest article. Sheds a bit of light on what the team has asked Nazar to work on in Rockford.

His period-to-period and shift-to-shift consistency levels are two key areas that he has improved compared to his two years in college and his mediocre NHL training camp back in September. He has achieved that improvement by creating a mental checklist for himself every time he steps on the ice.

"
- Chunk[I’m] going back to knowing what the key parts of my game are and knowing, ‘OK, if I stick to these things each shift, it’s bound to be a decent shift,’” he said. “Stops and starts, using my feet, stuff like that — [I’m] creating a checklist like that in my head so when I go out there and I’m not feeling my best for a shift or a game, I’m really getting down to those things.”

Nazar’s intelligence is an asset, but Sorensen — during his time coaching Rockford — emphasized how Nazar can’t afford to stop and think. It needs to be done on the fly.

“I know my brain can handle it and I know I can process [things] right away,” Nazar said. “I’m making sure my body and brain are working at the same time and on the same page.”

So it sounds like they want him to be consistent every shift? It also sounds like they want him to build very good habits so when he plays in the NHL its a muscle memory instead of a mental memory. That makes a lot of sense to me.

Friedman reporting he'll be with the team after Anderson clears waivers
- fattybeef

If he’s ready to be promoted that’s great.

I read the stories in a hurry and am not sure where I got my thoughts from - thought it was from there. I know something I read gave me those words in I posted. And was not aware any problems existed or perceived - I was willing to keep Richardson as coach. I better know where I read something before post. I should go back and check but truthfully I am consumed right now with getting the Medicare bill so I can pay it then schedule surgery for kidney stone and hernia. Been working a whole lot trying to save money for the time off period when I won’t work. A small pension only goes so far. I am waiting a couple years on social security as most folks probably do
- jhawk59

Good luck J hope all goes well.

I've gotten off of Twitter because it was making my brain feel weird and i got tired of being misled. So i didn't even know LR was fired until i checked in here. I'm at a point where id rather just here what happens instead of all these crazy rumors.

If he’s ready to be promoted that’s great.
- paulr

Like I said, when they do, hope he runs with the opportunity and never looks back.

Like I said, when they do, hope he runs with the opportunity and never looks back.
- HawkintheD

Yeah the last thing we need to see is a repeat of the Korbustsky situation when some tall foreheads on this site were certain he should be promoted as an 19 year old when he clearly wasn’t ready for the NHL and struggled all season only to get demoted this season. I expect KD won’t be making the same mistake again.

Yeah the last thing we need to see is a repeat of the Korbustsky situation when some tall foreheads on this site were certain he should be promoted as an 19 year old when he clearly wasn’t ready for the NHL and struggled all season only to get demoted this season. I expect KD won’t be making the same mistake again.
- paulr

All young players in the NHL are going to struggle. I think it is better they get their lumps early and if they have to go down - then there are very clear things they need to work on and it helps focus and drive.

If a guy like Korch goes back to the WHL and puts up 100 points maybe that fine. Probably pushes the timeline back another year so he's eating it this year instead of last.

If he comes up now and is solid and were like wow what a good player he just really needs more NHL reps at this point - hard to say him playing with the big club last year was a mistake and not a jump start for his career.

I read the stories in a hurry and am not sure where I got my thoughts from - thought it was from there. I know something I read gave me those words in I posted. And was not aware any problems existed or perceived - I was willing to keep Richardson as coach. I better know where I read something before post. I should go back and check but truthfully I am consumed right now with getting the Medicare bill so I can pay it then schedule surgery for kidney stone and hernia. Been working a whole lot trying to save money for the time off period when I won’t work. A small pension only goes so far. I am waiting a couple years on social security as most folks probably do
- jhawk59

No problem. I appreciate yours and everyone's else passion here about Hawks related things. I hope your surgeries turn out well, and wish you a speedy and complete recovery.

What are the thoughts on Alex Pharand? He seems to be off to a decent start to his season. Finding a bit more offensive game to go with his defensive game.

This season GP:25 G:12 A:14 P:26

Last year GP:68 G:17 A:13 P:30

The GM has a talent in Bedard there is a need to obtain someone who can play effectively with on his line. This means a homework assignment to determine or judge what could be a fit.

I was split on the Demidov vs Arty pick. The safest choice pick was Arty so then just have to pick someone even short term via trade or free agency who works with Bedard. Now after what has transpired a trade and or free agent add plus either someone we drafted or will draft. How would you like to be in KD’s position/job
- jhawk59

Before the season started, most were excited that KD brought in TT (and to a lesser degree Bertuzzi). That was supposed to give Bedard real NHL talent to skate with. Those three together have skated a total of 1 minute 5v5. Bedard has skated 48 minutes with Bertuzzi, 173 mins with TT, and 198 minutes without either. Kurashev has also been a ghost this year. Again, we can't be sure what these prospects will be when they get to the NHL.

Some guys that light it up in the CHL turn into Bolland, or Kruger, or Stahlberg. Others can go full Hagel (who had one outstanding year in Red Deer and others that were merely "nice"). My point is that saying KD has to draft someone to play with Bedard is not really a plan. They could already have a few guys drafted that will be those guys (Nazar, Moore, Lardis, Spellacy, etc). Injuries happen, progression is not linear, yada yada. Collect as much talent as you can and try to diversify that talent a bit which is what he's done.

I think the biggest issue is that they thought they could improve by adding a couple top six guys and a bunch of fill-ins. That obviously isn't cutting it.

Imo, Fatty and Paulie are right in the Great AHL debate. (Damn, sitting on fence posts hurts the nether regions)

Frankie is a solid example. He is working on things (like consistency) that can be accomplished at a lower level (this is where I think Paulie is right); once he's developed those skills to a satisfactory degree, he can play in The Show and make the transition (or not) to the faster, better league (Fatty is right about that).

What are the thoughts on Alex Pharand? He seems to be off to a decent start to his season. Finding a bit more offensive game to go with his defensive game.

This season GP:25 G:12 A:14 P:26

Last year GP:68 G:17 A:13 P:30
- breadbag

I’ve seen him a few times on TV this season. He’s getting more involved, going to the net more and is just more visible that’s why he’s getting his points, that and he’s an older player in the league. Unfortunately for a big guy he’s not really physical. Another big guy, Martin Misiak, is similar a big guy who’s not really physical, but he’s really strong defensively. Imagine if smaller more aggressively physical players like Andrew Shaw or Sam Savoie had Pharand or Misiak’s size?

Can't adjust to the speed of the NHL in the AHL though. Great that he's building confidence but once he shows he's above that competition (which he very clearly has) it's time for that next step.
- fattybeef

Agreed fatty, let's let the dawg eat and take the next step. Kyle's seat is on fire and hoping it spurns him to overpay for Brady Tkachuk before someone else does (NYR) and put together a more legitimate top 6 for the rest of the season. Call up Dach and Slaggert once you trade the geezers and then fill voids in FA while the next crop of prospects marinades in Rockford accordingly.

Excerpt from a Powers' Athletic article. This in regards to KK and Levshunov.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Levshunov, 19, and Korchinski, 20, are two major pieces to that long-term plan, and Davidson prioritized their development in Rockford for much of this season. As of late, the Blackhawks have been seeing the dividends from that. Korchinski’s game has been less chaotic and more offensive. Levshunov is starting to get a better grasp of what he can and can’t get away with and how to play at the pro level.

Anders Sorensen was coaching both before his recent NHL arrival and provided his thoughts on them on Sunday.

“Just be in control,” Sorensen said of Korchinski. “Defensively be reliable and use his offensive instincts and be up in the rush and even, moving his feet a lot with the puck. Without the puck, do the right things defensively, be in the good spots.”

Of Levshunov, Sorensen said: “Big improvements the last couple of weeks. Just talking to Mark Eaton last night, he felt (Levshunov) was the best D (Saturday) night. He played really well. We have to remember he’s a young kid that comes over here, lots going on, but his last 2-3 weeks have been encouraging. … (He’s improved) his engagement in battles. When he’s utilizing his reach and his size to kill plays defensively and be able to jump up offensively and he’s a good passer. He’s a really good passer. All those little things.”

Korchinski was called up Sunday after Alec Martinez was hit in the neck by a puck on Saturday, but it’s unclear how long he’ll stay up. He will likely play on Monday, but his play and Martinez’s and Seth Jones’ health will probably determine if he remains in Chicago. Jones was on the ice before Sunday’s practice.

Imo, Fatty and Paulie are right in the Great AHL debate. (Damn, sitting on fence posts hurts the nether regions)

Frankie is a solid example. He is working on things (like consistency) that can be accomplished at a lower level (this is where I think Paulie is right); once he's developed those skills to a satisfactory degree, he can play in The Show and make the transition (or not) to the faster, better league (Fatty is right about that).
- mohel

JFC you are a Canadian eh. You have been hosing us all along.

The Hawks have eight first round picks from the last three years, and two more coming up. Only two of those picks are with the big club, and one was brought up yesterday. This does not include 2nd or 3rd rd picks. Me thinks that before they explore a trade for a star player, that they first see what they have in all of these picks.

What are the thoughts on Alex Pharand? He seems to be off to a decent start to his season. Finding a bit more offensive game to go with his defensive game.

This season GP:25 G:12 A:14 P:26

Last year GP:68 G:17 A:13 P:30
- breadbag

The Hawks have a bunch of prospects that are showing really well:
Pharand
Pridham
Spellacy
Lardis
Kantserov (now that he's back)
Vanacker (ditto)
Thompson
Rinzel
Nazar
Moore (his total game is really good and now scoring again)

I think Misiak is going to ultimately be a miss. Obviously, he's very young. From what I've seen of him, he's been a passenger and not a driver. Maybe too small of a sample size for me (three games), but not really impressing.

The goalie results give pause, but the timeline for them is so long, that I don't really lose sleep over them.

Imo, Fatty and Paulie are right in the Great AHL debate. (Damn, sitting on fence posts hurts the nether regions)

Frankie is a solid example. He is working on things (like consistency) that can be accomplished at a lower level (this is where I think Paulie is right); once he's developed those skills to a satisfactory degree, he can play in The Show and make the transition (or not) to the faster, better league (Fatty is right about that).
- mohel

And if he regresses in 5 games then you send him back down with focus and a carrot. Where if you just stick him there for arbitrary reasons I think it sends the wrong message to the rest of the prospect pool.