Excerpt from a Powers' Athletic article. This in regards to KK and Levshunov.
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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.
- boilermaker100

Levshunov should spend most of the season in the AHL. That's basically substituting for his second season of college hockey.

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.
- Angotti

I agree as well. You know it might of been KD who actually fired LR? I thought they were playing better defensively but it was a very passive approach to playing hockey.

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

Yes, I am unfailingly polite.

I agree as well. You know it might of been KD who actually fired LR? I thought they were playing better defensively but it was a very passive approach to playing hockey.
- BetweenTheDots

Who else would it have been?

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.
- fattybeef

Agreed.

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

Bobby Hull's checklist:
1. Skate fast
2. Shoot puck
3. Repeat #1 and #2.

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.
- Angotti

That's been my thought as well. I know many want instant gratification but I don't see Davidson making a bunch of deals right now that would include prospects til they can gauge better what their development arc might be.

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.
- Chunk

You need two good lines to compete. Otherwise the defense gets stacked against your one good line. I think that's what LR was searching for and couldn't find.

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.
- fattybeef

If we're talking Nazar, it doesn't sound like he was sent there for arbitrary reasons. They had a plan and things they wanted him to work on. I didn't get to see any of the preseason but his was reportedly somewhat underwhelming.

It sounded like they were really hoping he'd make the team out of camp. He didn't earn his spot so they sent him to the Rock to work on some things. I don't have a problem with that.

If we're talking Nazar, it doesn't sound like he was sent there for arbitrary reasons. They had a plan and things they wanted him to work on. I didn't get to see any of the preseason but his was reportedly somewhat underwhelming.

It sounded like they were really hoping he'd make the team out of camp. He didn't earn his spot so they sent him to the Rock to work on some things. I don't have a problem with that.
- HawkintheD

I don't think anyone has a problem with that. If he has shown that he's demonstrated what they wanted him to work on, and there is an open opportunity, then there really isn't any harm in bringing him up.

Hopefully, he'll take what he has learned and apply it with the big club.

You need two good lines to compete. Otherwise the defense gets stacked against your one good line. I think that's what LR was searching for and couldn't find it.
- rpeters01

That makes complete sense and is a big part of why they aren't where they want to be right now.

I think playing a bit more aggressive 2-1-2 will be helpful in at least generating a little bit more offense (it seemed to make Reichel even more noticeable than he has been). However, there is still a lack of top talent which will hold them back from moving up much. I think KD's comment that he doesn't think this team is as bad as its record is either blind or kinda gaslighting/saving face.

That makes complete sense and is a big part of why they aren't where they want to be right now.

I think playing a bit more aggressive 2-1-2 will be helpful in at least generating a little bit more offense (it seemed to make Reichel even more noticeable than he has been). However, there is still a lack of top talent which will hold them back from moving up much. I think KD's comment that he doesn't think this team is as bad as its record is either blind or kinda gaslighting/saving face.
- Chunk

After the offseason additions, I still had them bottom five. It was obviously, not enough done to move the needle.

I don't think anyone has a problem with that. If he has shown that he's demonstrated what they wanted him to work on, and there is an open opportunity, then there really isn't any harm in bringing him up.

Hopefully, he'll take what he has learned and apply it with the big club.
- Chunk

Don’t disagree and if they decide to bring him up it will add some interest to a so far blah season. That and bringing up Korbustsky even though we already know he sucks.

Let's not be too hard on Commesso. Remember, Cory Crawford spent five years in Rockford before he won two cups.

Let's not be too hard on Commesso. Remember, Cory Crawford spent five years in Rockford before he won two cups.
- bjphawkfan

Commesso and Gajan are easily the smallest of my concerns. There are so many weird things that goalies go through to get to where they should be it's not even funny. Look at Soda last year vs this year. Two completely different players and pretty much all he did was get in a different mindset, and he started peeking at the oncoming rush ahead of the play so that he can get a sense of where everyone is coming from.

If we're talking Nazar, it doesn't sound like he was sent there for arbitrary reasons. They had a plan and things they wanted him to work on. I didn't get to see any of the preseason but his was reportedly somewhat underwhelming.

It sounded like they were really hoping he'd make the team out of camp. He didn't earn his spot so they sent him to the Rock to work on some things. I don't have a problem with that.
- HawkintheD

He was fine in the preseason but not really impactful. He probably would have survived and figured it out eventually. Pavel Datsuyk started as a 4C didn't impact his development.

My guess is that they told him to wreck the league. And they had a target date for bringing him up after there was some consistent dominating. (they play 7/8 after Christmas thats why I think every outlet has said Christmas target date for Nazar)

The other part of that, is for whatever reason, Kyle believes in this roster and they're going go give those guys a look with a different voice. If stuff doesn't change relatively quickly then I think it's more than Frank that comes up and some guys are either waived or given away for a bag of pucks.

Now that he's lighting it up they have to give some excuse not to deviate from their plan or whatever so arbitrary things like moving feet or not thinking or whatever are being thrown out there.

Can't tell the media: well we're not sure yet if Kurashev really sucks or Luke made Kurashev bad somehow.

He was fine in the preseason but not really impactful. He probably would have survived and figured it out eventually. Pavel Datsuyk started as a 4C didn't impact his development.

My guess is that they told him to wreck the league. And they had a target date for bringing him up after there was some consistent dominating. (they play 7/8 after Christmas thats why I think every outlet has said Christmas target date for Nazar)

The other part of that, is for whatever reason, Kyle believes in this roster and they're going go give those guys a look with a different voice. If stuff doesn't change relatively quickly then I think it's more than Frank that comes up and some guys are either waived or given away for a bag of pucks.

Now that he's lighting it up they have to give some excuse not to deviate from their plan or whatever so arbitrary things like moving feet or not thinking or whatever are being thrown out there.

Can't tell the media: well we're not sure yet if Kurashev really sucks or Luke made Kurashev bad somehow.
- fattybeef

Were they playing the same 1-2-2 last year, or did they shift to that this year? I honestly can't remember.

Kurashev has actually played a decent amount with Bedard this year, so I'd lean on it just being the player.

I don't think you can just dismiss them asking a player to continue moving, and/or learn how to play faster by understanding what all of his responsibilities are. We all complain that the current Hawks are often out of position and are playing too slow all the time.

To have a guy that has been able to hone that in the AHL and then try to apply that in the NHL is exactly what you want to see. Like you, I think Nazar has shown that he is ready for that, but I don't think that his AHL time has been a waste at all.

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.
- Angotti

That could take 3-4 more years and you could end up with bumpkis. Your current and only star player needs a linemate asap as in two years ago asap. Let the picks/prospects that earn their way up be the backfillers.

Anyone know what time we hear about if Anderson is claimed or not?

Anyone know what time we hear about if Anderson is claimed or not?
- Chunk

Wasn't claimed
they have 30 days to send him to the piggies

@CRoumeliotis
Joey Anderson clears waivers. Chicago has 30 days to send him to the minors without needing to go through waivers again. It looks like he’ll be sticking around for now. #Blackhawks

Anyone know what time we hear about if Anderson is claimed or not?
- Chunk

24 hours

https://thehockeywriters.com/nhl-waiver-rules/

If we're talking Nazar, it doesn't sound like he was sent there for arbitrary reasons. They had a plan and things they wanted him to work on. I didn't get to see any of the preseason but his was reportedly somewhat underwhelming.

It sounded like they were really hoping he'd make the team out of camp. He didn't earn his spot so they sent him to the Rock to work on some things. I don't have a problem with that.
- HawkintheD

The entire team was crap during the preseason.
They still are crap
I don't like that they sent him down,but hopefully when he gets called up he stays up even if he struggles a bit because the entire team is struggling.

Would like to see him get called up and play on a line with 98. Not sure if they connect or whatnot, but you might as well find out since this season is lost and the only thing that is important is to see if Bedard can develop along with Korch,Nazar etc..

I don’t understand the rationale behind Anderson clearing waivers and Nazar coming up. Mrazek goes to IR, Commesso replaces his roster spot, Anderson clears and doesn’t KK take that roster spot? They would have to move someone else, no? I’m confused(there’s a shocker).

I don’t understand the rationale behind Anderson clearing waivers and Nazar coming up. Mrazek goes to IR, Commesso replaces his roster spot, Anderson clears and doesn’t KK take that roster spot? They would have to move someone else, no? I’m confused(there’s a shocker).
- Angotti

They waived AA earlier to open one up as well

I don’t understand the rationale behind Anderson clearing waivers and Nazar coming up. Mrazek goes to IR, Commesso replaces his roster spot, Anderson clears and doesn’t KK take that roster spot? They would have to move someone else, no? I’m confused(there’s a shocker).
- Angotti

Isn’t KK coming up to replace Martinez?