Many keep saying trying to trade for the next Patrick Sharp, if there is ever a profile that mirrors Sharp it's this kid. Goal scorer, really good skating, this year is playing a tougher brand of hockey, and coincidentally drafted in the 3rd round.
- BetweenTheDots

Sharp really came into his own when he was 25 or 26. Lardis is 19. He might be the next Sharp, but the Hawks will need someone between now and when Lardis or other prospects are ready.

The Hawks have 2 top 6 forwards. Bedard and TT. Seems Bedard is being used as a play maker and puck distributor a lot.

Remember all the excuses on this board when Toews wasn’t playing at an elite level? He needed a top 6 power forward on his line to help.

If it was TT Toews Foligno we’d be hearing excuses left and right.

Bedard is 19. No consistency in line mates. No chemistry with anyone really. Dragging around guys that might be on the 4th line on a playoff team.
- bhawks2241

I would say Bedard and Hall is top 6. TT and Bertuzzi middle 6.

I would say Bedard and Hall is top 6. TT and Bertuzzi middle 6.
- Ztra

Hall is middle 6. Injuries and age are undefeated.

Is that really a blue line issue though when the forwards already have the puck and enter the zone like that? There was some crossing/exchanging going on for a few games that at least gave the defense something to think about, but that seems to have gone away.

Bedard isn't able to forecheck all that well at this point of his development. He has a great shot and can see the ice very well. He needs someone on his line that can win a board battle and someone who can keep up with him. I'm sure that's why LR keeps going back to Foligno on his line, but I'm still bewildered that Bertuzzi hasn't been bumped back up there.
- Chunk

I think it's part of it. In terms of moving forward it has to start with the blue line. I know everyone wants to poop on Marner, Matthews, Nylander and Tavares but Toronto's biggest issue in the playoffs was no push from the blue line so unless one of those 4 did something special a half dozen times a game (which isn't very realistic IMO) then you're going to have a bad time.

if the only threat is the forwards carrying the puck in it just makes it that much easier to defend.

Being able to kill the play in the neutral zone so the forwards can pick it up and go the other way is part of the problem as well though as Vlasic and Kaiser get more comfortable I think there is some room for improvement. Unfortunately Jones is not great in that type of scheme.

But to your point - the Bedard line needs a puck winner. I think he forechecks well enough but with that 1-2-2 they play I think it limits their ability to win pucks in the neutral zone. I agree on Bertuzzi. He doesn't need any touches. He wins the puck, gives it to someone else then goes and causes problems in front of the net. The issue with Hall and Bedard and TT or Reichel all on the same line is its 3 guys who want the puck on their blade and it doesn't work.

Stop making proclamations about a 19 year old.

Idk the last time you even posted something positive. Just constant bashing of the young players.

TT 8 pts in 16 games -9 2nd lowest plus minuse

Kurashev 4 pts 15 games -11 leads forwards

Hall 16 games 6 pts

Bertuzzi 16 games 6pts

Seth Jones second highest point total. Tied with Donato.

Maybe just maybe Bedard is elite and he’s got absolutely no help around him and he’s 19….. but continue to rip on him and proclaim he has no elite skills.
- bhawks2241

I thought during the game he was headed for another seat in the press box, but then he scored the OT goal.

Anyone notice Bedard had only 16 minutes last night, one short shift in OT I believe?

I would like to see them call up C. Dach, they need more of that type of forward (now and in the long run).
- LAHawk

I don't think there is much difference between a guy who is 6'4 and 193 vs a guy who is 5'9 and 175. I'd rather have the shorter guy with a lower center of gravity that skates good in that case.

If they are going to keep S Jones on PP1, Jones needs to get to the rink early like Bedard and Jones needs to just keep feeding pucks to Bedard along the left dot until Jones can actually consistently deliver a puck in the wheel house of Bedard for a one timer, sheesh how many times does Bedard have to collect the puck and reset.
- BetweenTheDots

Jones for whatever reason doesn't seem to like passing to Bedard. And has been yelled at by both Patrick Kane and Bedard after poop show power plays.

If you had watched the game you would know what I meant but instead you, being one of the annointed elite experts on all things hockey here, chose to attack someone expressing an opinion. I said there is nothing so far of what i have seen of bedard that leads me to believe his play is elite. Maybe we're watching different players. I wholeheartedly support and hope Levshunov becomes the player we drafted. Me expressing my opinion onhis play up to now does in no way imply that he is a bust or that we should not have drafted him. My opinion is based on his play and not on his, or bedard’s potential. I am sorry that you and the other elite hockey experts here are offended by stating the obvious of what is happening on the ice. Bedard has what three goals after 14 games? I’m sorry but i would expect more from a generational talent and i hope this will change as the season goes on. How many different forwards have been put on his line with no change. Maybe hes the issue at this point in time. Reading the comments of some of your elite partners here it would seem that one cannot criticize the play of a player without being accused of calling that player a bust. No one wants to see our guys and team succeed more than I do.
- LFS

Regarding Bedard: puck just isn't going in. He'll go on a heater and dump in 15 in 10 games and all of a sudden he'll have close to 30 goals and we won't know how he got there.

Jonathan Toews hilariously didn't start scoring until December and all of a sudden he'd have 35.

His high danger chances for are up. His high danger chances against and shot differentials in general are significantly improved. In terms of being a more complete player he's improved and that's clear with the eye test as well as on paper.

I thought during the game he was headed for another seat in the press box, but then he scored the OT goal.

Anyone notice Bedard had only 16 minutes last night, one short shift in OT I believe?
- LAHawk

TT underperforming. He’s on pace for 41 pts. Bertuzzi not contributing. Hall past his prime.

Bedard has no help. I see no real difference from last year. Hawks 2nd best forward, TT, on pace to produce less points than Kurashev last year….

Everyone has been trying to stop Ovechkin for years from the left dot and he's close to breaking an unbelievable record. All I'm saying in the NHL you only have seconds to get a quality shot off, for example Jones had a wide open lane on the PP to pass it to Bedard and Bedard was cocked and ready, then the brutal pass went to Bedard, reset, opportunity dead. The cost of getting rid of a Patrick Kane.
- BetweenTheDots

Yeah, but he's always had other dangerous options on the PP as well. We are generally in agreement on the basics here. I'm just saying it's not exactly as simple as practicing passing more and he'll get more shots and score more goals.

Regarding Bedard: puck just isn't going in. He'll go on a heater and dump in 15 in 10 games and all of a sudden he'll have close to 30 goals and we won't know how he got there.

Jonathan Toews hilariously didn't start scoring until December and all of a sudden he'd have 35.

His high danger chances for are up. His high danger chances against and shot differentials in general are significantly improved. In terms of being a more complete player he's improved and that's clear with the eye test as well as on paper.
- fattybeef

Agreed. Bedard currently less help than last year. Until and if TT and Hall get going. Bertuzzi just collecting a paycheck.

Sharp really came into his own when he was 25 or 26. Lardis is 19. He might be the next Sharp, but the Hawks will need someone between now and when Lardis or other prospects are ready.
- Ztra

Sharp was also pigeon holed at center and blocked by a team that was pretty deep in that regard.

That Philly team had Giroux, Carter and Richards to play up the middle and luckily the Hawks took a flier (see what I did there) on him.

When he got regular playing time in Chicago he scored goals.

Jones for whatever reason doesn't seem to like passing to Bedard. And has been yelled at by both Patrick Kane and Bedard after poop show power plays.
- fattybeef

I remember the mic caught Kane screaming "WTF are you doing?!?!?"

Agreed. Bedard currently less help than last year. Until and if TT and Hall get going. Bertuzzi just collecting a paycheck.
- bhawks2241

Betuzzi has been really good lately. Wins battles, disrupting in front of the goal, back checking well. The first few games were a nightmare but recently he's done all of the things you'd want him to do.

If you had watched the game you would know what I meant but instead you, being one of the annointed elite experts on all things hockey here, chose to attack someone expressing an opinion. I said there is nothing so far of what i have seen of bedard that leads me to believe his play is elite. Maybe were watching different players. I wholeheartedly support and hope Levshunov becomes the player we drafted. Me expressing my opinion onhis play up to now does in no way imply that he is a bust or that we should not have drafted him. My opinion is based on his play and not on his, or bedard’s potential. I am sorry that you and the other elite hockey experts here are offended by stating the obvious of what is happening on the ice. Bedard has what three goals after 14 games? I’m sorry but i would expect more from a generational talent and i hope this will change as the season goes on. How many different forwards have been put on his line with no change. Maybe hes the issue at this point in time. Reading the comments of some of your elite partners here it would seem that one cannot criticize the play of a player without being accused of calling that player a bust. No one wants to see our guys and team succeed more than I do.
- LFS

This is all rich coming from the guy posting hot takes on 19 yo’s and like he’s the smartest guy in the room.

Forgive me for having a hard time believing the bolded as you seem more a fan of your opinion.

If memory serves you were so against the Arty pick that you were trying to suggest he wasn’t the age he claimed to be.

Yet they win and this place is crickets. Not on you, just saying...

I know I was fansplaining it yesterday but another reason this place has earned the BOD moniker.
- HawkintheD

They're still numb from the Bears game.

Martinez must be ready, Phillips was sent down this morning.

Betuzzi has been really good lately. Wins battles, disrupting in front of the goal, back checking well. The first few games were a nightmare but recently he's done all of the things you'd want him to do.
- fattybeef

Think he has too and would like to see him up with Bedard which is what I thought they might do when they signed him.

They're still numb from the Bears game.
- rpeters01

I am too. I don’t think I can watch the routine pasting the Packers will give them this weekend.

I am too. I don’t think I can watch the routine pasting the Packers will give them this weekend.
- HawkintheD

How does GB always find a coach? Who the hell ever heard of Matt LaFluer? If we'd hired him the press would have been all over us and the cheap McCaskey's. And they pull Quarterbacks out of their asses like it's nothing.

Stop making proclamations about a 19 year old.

Idk the last time you even posted something positive. Just constant bashing of the young players.

TT 8 pts in 16 games -9 2nd lowest plus minuse

Kurashev 4 pts 15 games -11 leads forwards

Hall 16 games 6 pts

Bertuzzi 16 games 6pts

Seth Jones second highest point total. Tied with Donato.

Maybe just maybe Bedard is elite and he’s got absolutely no help around him and he’s 19….. but continue to rip on him and proclaim he has no elite skills.
- bhawks2241

You apparently have a problem with reading. I have bashed no one. All i ever said about bedard that SO FAR he hasnt been elite, especially for someone considered generational. You are happy with his production and play, i am not. The sun will rise tomorrow.

[quote=LFS]

I don't have a problem reading. You always seem to after the fact put qualifiers on your "opinions".

So far Bedard doesn't have an elite shot, is an above average play maker, average skater, and not a generational talent... more or less what you posted a week or so ago.

There is a big difference between under performing and making proclamations about someone's skill. Especially very young players. You can state that he is underperforming and I think many, including myself would agree.

The question is then why? You decided to go with, he doesn't have an elite shot, is only an above average play maker, and only an average skater.

I go with, a bit snake bitten so far, still getting off shots, playing a more well rounded game, setting up his teammates, and the guys they brought in to help him are all underperforming.....it is not Bedard's fault TT is a .5ppg player and Hall looks like a 3rd liner.

Betuzzi has been really good lately. Wins battles, disrupting in front of the goal, back checking well. The first few games were a nightmare but recently he's done all of the things you'd want him to do.
- fattybeef

Definitely better the last 3-4 games. He was brought in to help the top 6 and to help Bedard. So far, a lot to be desired. If he keeps up his recent play that will certainly help open up more ice.

I am too. I don’t think I can watch the routine pasting the Packers will give them this weekend.
- HawkintheD

I will have open Sundays for the rest of the Bears season unless there is another game I want to watch.

Caleb is getting the Derrick Carr look in his eyes. Pressure up the middle, especially when unblocked, will ruin every QB in the NFL. I don't care who it is, you cannot function as a QB with constant pressure up the middle.

WRs are also not getting open. The replays yesterday of Caleb just holding the ball with no one open.... or seeing Caleb get sacked and the WRs and TE with their backs turned still trying to get into their routes.


Another huge problem. We play Cover 2. That means in practice, I doubt WRs are getting bumped at the line or jammed. Easy to throw timing routes in practice against the Cover 2... a lot harder in real games when your WRs don't get free releases. Timing won't be there and hasn't been.

Also huge concern is the wind. Caleb has not played well in the wind. Someone needs to be working with him on how to throw balls in 15mph plus winds. He's been inaccurate at times but some of that is the wind at Soldier Field. It was blowing yesterday.

Interestingly Boudreau mentions
that LR won't be around when the Hawks become good. Midway (2:32ish) during the segment:

https://www.tsn.ca/video/...art-this-season%7E3025522