Theoretically they should open up the ice for each other and if it's about development and not necessarily winning every game then they gotta figure out how to score and not kill the team a the same time.
- fattybeef

It kind of comes back to that "getting Bedard the puck in motion" the coach mentioned. Guys like KK help with that because of this passing skill.

Brodie with the least TOI out of the backend tonight with <15 minutes. Vlasic was a monster and Allan was very noticeable, in a good way. With Martinez being day to day, and Jones coming back in about a week, they’ll have nine dmen. Two will have to be moved, that includes going back to the Rock, let’s see how they handle the competition.
- Angotti

Par for the course with Brodie sadly. Usually when you bring in a vet like him it's to shelter the young guys minutes but he's so (frank)ing awful (and was last year in Toronto) that they're sheltering his (frank)ing minutes. Nice 2 year deal weinerface Kyle

Bedard still not playing with confidence. Had a few passes he missed and lost possession before taking a shot. A few blind passes to the center of the ice too. He was playing much better in the beginning of the season. He's trying too hard to do too much. The good thing is Sorensen seems to be handling Bedard's ice time better with shorter shifts.

Only 2 goals but my feeling is if the 2-1-2 is more effective and there are other Hawks scoring ie, Hall, TT and Bert, less pressure on Bedard so he'll play better.

I'd still rather Bedard does not play with Kurashev, especially when KK and Brodie are the D pair. They get hemmed in the D zone.
- Popsghostly

Bedard had his best game by far since the Dallas game (7 games ago). He was much more active and was actually getting some open looks. I thought he tried to do a bit too much a few times, but he was certainly more noticeable.

With the extra push from the back end, I think you'll start to see him much more productive. When other teams have to account for defensemen jumping into the play behind the initial entry, that will open up more room for Bedard and he won't need to try and dangle three defenders.

That said, I REALLY think they need to put TT back on his line. It appears that Sorenson is going to try and get both Kurashev and Bedard going together at the same time, but I just can't stand 23 anymore.

It kind of comes back to that "getting Bedard the puck in motion" the coach mentioned. Guys like KK help with that because of this passing skill.
- breadbag

Remember how they drafted leading up to the dynasty? It was all about passing ability, speed, and 200 ft game. The team would just toy with other teams and pass it up and down and move it all around the rink. Tape to tape passing like that is such a huge advantage especially on PK and O-zone where they'd just pass it around til the d-men got tired and attack except when Duncs would occasionally fire it at shinpads from the point lol

Hey Dots, I was listening to Sirius NHL radio on the way into work this morning and they mentioned that Sorenson had the Hawks' skaters line up 10 across facing each other and just pass pucks back and forth just to get back to basics. Maybe Anders reads your comments.
- Chunk

I'm sure he didn't, he's got 2 eyes like i do. It just seems like a no brainer to me, keep the puck so you play less defense.

Or maybe my name is Anders, hahaha

One thing I think Sorensen is going to put a focus on is winning more draws. Jason Richardinson had more shifts last night than anyone else for Chicago and took 18 draws (only won 33.3%). The rest of the Hawks took 17 draws combined. Donato was the faceoff man for the powerplay. FO by player last night

Richardinson 18
Donato 8
Reichel 4
Maroon 2
Anderson 1
Kurashev 1
Bedard 1

I'm curious to see how the center position plays out as the season goes on. I just have a feeling the team is going to work on winning those more to help improve the Hawks weak possession.

Remember how they drafted leading up to the dynasty? It was all about passing ability, speed, and 200 ft game. The team would just toy with other teams and pass it up and down and move it all around the rink. Tape to tape passing like that is such a huge advantage especially on PK and O-zone where they'd just pass it around til the d-men got tired and attack except when Duncs would occasionally fire it at shinpads from the point lol
- Assman22

Honestly i think the Blackhawk organization got very lucky. The way i understand it minimally invested in the scouting department, just look at some of those draft picks they made. All the stars aligned for them the first time around.

Par for the course with Brodie sadly. Usually when you bring in a vet like him it's to shelter the young guys minutes but he's so (frank)ing awful (and was last year in Toronto) that they're sheltering his (frank)ing minutes. Nice 2 year deal weinerface Kyle
- Assman22

I'd still take Brodie over Megna, Tinordi, etc..

Not to be the "trade them all" guy, but the Rangers seem to need some bigger, stay at home defensive defenseman types. How about a Murphy for Kakko trade (since I'm sure no one has the appetite to trade any of the young kids, and I'd guess NYR would want a vet).
- Chunk

If that was the case, why did they just get rid of Trouba?

I'd still take Brodie over Megna, Tinordi, etc..
- breadbag

Or Skjei, or Trouba

If that was the case, why did they just get rid of Trouba?
- LAHawk

The $8M tag so they could sign Igor. The difference between Kakko and Murphy is only $2M. Easier to fit that into the cap. Let's be honest, if the Rangers go much further like this, they'll be changing more than just a defenseman.

Remember how they drafted leading up to the dynasty? It was all about passing ability, speed, and 200 ft game. The team would just toy with other teams and pass it up and down and move it all around the rink. Tape to tape passing like that is such a huge advantage especially on PK and O-zone where they'd just pass it around til the d-men got tired and attack except when Duncs would occasionally fire it at shinpads from the point lol
- Assman22

I also got to say remember how we were cash strapped by the time we got 2008, luckily got to bury Huet. That Campbell contract was something else. The only contract we have to manage is Jones for now then Bedard.

Bedard still not playing with confidence. Had a few passes he missed and lost possession before taking a shot. A few blind passes to the center of the ice too. He was playing much better in the beginning of the season. He's trying too hard to do too much. The good thing is Sorensen seems to be handling Bedard's ice time better with shorter shifts.

Only 2 goals but my feeling is if the 2-1-2 is more effective and there are other Hawks scoring ie, Hall, TT and Bert, less pressure on Bedard so he'll play better.

I'd still rather Bedard does not play with Kurashev, especially when KK and Brodie are the D pair. They get hemmed in the D zone.
- Popsghostly

Kurashev is not very good. Him and Bedard are going to be problematic together.

Bedard still got a point.

If Hall can start scoring consistently that will help. If he disappears for a handful of games again it's going to remain problematic.

Thats why you have people beating the drum for Nazar to come up or a trade. There just isn't enough talent on the roster to score more goals.

Remember how they drafted leading up to the dynasty? It was all about passing ability, speed, and 200 ft game. The team would just toy with other teams and pass it up and down and move it all around the rink. Tape to tape passing like that is such a huge advantage especially on PK and O-zone where they'd just pass it around til the d-men got tired and attack except when Duncs would occasionally fire it at shinpads from the point lol
- Assman22

Certainly not.

I wouldn't call Troy Brouwer, Ben Eager, Cam Barker, Brian Bickell, Evan Brophey, Hammer, Dave Bolland or Kyle Beach fast...

Jack Skille was the only "fast" guy they drafted before they started winning again. And if you look at the years around the cup - there's not ultra athletic best skaters in their class getting drafted there either.

https://www.hockeydb.com/...aft/teams/dr00005218.html

Honestly i think the Blackhawk organization got very lucky. The way i understand it minimally invested in the scouting department, just look at some of those draft picks they made. All the stars aligned for them the first time around.
- BetweenTheDots

They threw an awful lot of darts in 2003, 4 and 5. I think they had like 14 picks in one of those drafts.

The $8M tag so they could sign Igor. The difference between Kakko and Murphy is only $2M. Easier to fit that into the cap. Let's be honest, if the Rangers go much further like this, they'll be changing more than just a defenseman.
- Chunk

If they ever get the opportunity to move Jones in the next year or two, and I know I’m in the minority here, but Murphy as a RD would be just fine on the third pair skating ~ 16 minutes a night. I would be okay with Kaiser/Allan-Murphy as 5/6 on the depth chart, that leaves Arty/Rinzel/KK/Vlasic and whomever else comes along for the top four. Now go develop some forwards KD!

If they ever get the opportunity to move Jones in the next year or two, and I know I’m in the minority here, but Murphy as a RD would be just fine on the third pair skating ~ 16 minutes a night. I would be okay with Kaiser/Allan-Murphy as 5/6 on the depth chart, that leaves Arty/Rinzel/KK/Vlasic and whomever else comes along for the top four. Now go develop some forwards KD!
- Angotti

100% move him as soon as he's heathy. If NY could move Trouba and get a team to not eat money they can def get rid of Jones. And they're irrelevant enough where it probably doesn't matter if they piss him off.

Bedard had his best game by far since the Dallas game (7 games ago). He was much more active and was actually getting some open looks. I thought he tried to do a bit too much a few times, but he was certainly more noticeable.

With the extra push from the back end, I think you'll start to see him much more productive. When other teams have to account for defensemen jumping into the play behind the initial entry, that will open up more room for Bedard and he won't need to try and dangle three defenders.

That said, I REALLY think they need to put TT back on his line. It appears that Sorenson is going to try and get both Kurashev and Bedard going together at the same time, but I just can't stand 23 anymore.
- Chunk

Amen Chunk. Please get him off Bedard's line!!!

I was doing a little thought experiment about the worst Hawks draft miss of the last 10 years, but got sidetracked. Is 2019 the least impressive 1st round of the last 10 years? Hughes, Seider, Caufield, and Boldy, and that's about all you get excited about.

Kakko, Dach, Byram, Cozens, Turcotte, Zegras, and Broberg are the next tier and then it drops off pretty quick.

If they ever get the opportunity to move Jones in the next year or two, and I know I’m in the minority here, but Murphy as a RD would be just fine on the third pair skating ~ 16 minutes a night. I would be okay with Kaiser/Allan-Murphy as 5/6 on the depth chart, that leaves Arty/Rinzel/KK/Vlasic and whomever else comes along for the top four. Now go develop some forwards KD!
- Angotti

I can't tell you how many goals have gone off of Murphy this year lol. that said, I'm fine with him on the 3rd pairing too. Murphy is the reason we didn't need Trouba (at this stage in his career), solid, cheaper defense-first D-Man with the occasional big hit.

With the amount of young, good/possibly good D-Men- Vlasic, Kaiser, KK, Allan, Leyshunov, EDM, Rinzel, I'm curious to see what KD will do. At some point someone will be moved for talent up front. At what point though, I'm not sure. Obviously with his skill and size, Vlasic is a keeper. I'd personally hold on to Kaiser too.

Kurashev is not very good. Him and Bedard are going to be problematic together.

Bedard still got a point.

If Hall can start scoring consistently that will help. If he disappears for a handful of games again it's going to remain problematic.

Thats why you have people beating the drum for Nazar to come up or a trade. There just isn't enough talent on the roster to score more goals.
- fattybeef

That's the thing, there is talent to score more goals. Much of the roster is scoring below their expected and it's not just personnel, it's partially how they were playing strict defensive hockey. They weren't playing a style that is contusive to offensive production, so maybe with the coaching change we see a bit more goals.

I am not saying it wouldn't be nice to add a top offensive talent to the team, but I just don't buy that the talent on the roster was scoring as much as they are capable. Especially when you consider that the Hawks have often scored the first goal of the game and then would turtle.

I was doing a little thought experiment about the worst Hawks draft miss of the last 10 years, but got sidetracked. Is 2019 the least impressive 1st round of the last 10 years? Hughes, Seider, Caufield, and Boldy, and that's about all you get excited about.

Kakko, Dach, Byram, Cozens, Turcotte, Zegras, and Broberg are the next tier and then it drops off pretty quick.
- Chunk

Prolly Boqvist because Bouchard and Dobson were both on the board.

Caulfield was an oops for a lot of teams but the rest of that top ten in 2019 isn't so impressive that you would say they completely messed that one up. Other than Hughes and Seider it's kind of the island of misfit toys. Though nice to see Broberg having success not in Edmonton even if it is St Louis.

That's the thing, there is talent to score more goals. Much of the roster is scoring below their expected and it's not just personnel, it's partially how they were playing strict defensive hockey. They weren't playing a style that is contusive to offensive production, so maybe with the coaching change we see a bit more goals.

I am not saying it wouldn't be nice to add a top offensive talent to the team, but I just don't buy that the talent on the roster was scoring as much as they are capable. Especially when you consider that the Hawks have often scored the first goal of the game and then would turtle.
- breadbag

If i were Anders another thing i would do as coach is figure out what flex shaft Bedard needs for a one timer because right now he's having a lot of trouble connecting on them, or even just having a shorter stick on the power play, have him line up on the left wall and keep feeding him passes for one timers, not just anyone but either Vlasic, Martinez, Jones whoever is running point in the PP

Prolly Boqvist because Bouchard and Dobson were both on the board.

Caulfield was an oops for a lot of teams but the rest of that top ten in 2019 isn't so impressive that you would say they completely messed that one up. Other than Hughes and Seider it's kind of the island of misfit toys. Though nice to see Broberg having success not in Edmonton even if it is St Louis.
- fattybeef

Yeah, I was leaning on Dach until I looked at what else was there with Boqvist. Dach is so underwater right now. Not sure what his issue is outside of the fact that he can't/won't/doesn't use his size to any advantage.

That's the thing, there is talent to score more goals. Much of the roster is scoring below their expected and it's not just personnel, it's partially how they were playing strict defensive hockey. They weren't playing a style that is contusive to offensive production, so maybe with the coaching change we see a bit more goals.

I am not saying it wouldn't be nice to add a top offensive talent to the team, but I just don't buy that the talent on the roster was scoring as much as they are capable. Especially when you consider that the Hawks have often scored the first goal of the game and then would turtle.
- breadbag

That's just not true. Unless Bedard was on pace to score 40, if everyone hit a little higher than their career average they would have finished with like 220 goals (other people have done the math) which would still be 5th worst in the league.

TT is on pace for 19ish so not abnormally far from his career average esp when you take into account he's not playing with Aho or Svechnekov.

Bertuzzi is on pace for 19ish. Again not abnormally low for a low event team since his average is not much over 20 as well.

Foligno on pace for 21 which would be his most in 8 years.

Richardinson on pace for 15 which would be second most in his career by a decent amount.

Craig Smith on pace for like 18 which is his most in 5 years.

Bedard on pace for 15 which is bad but Donato on pace for 30 kind of makes up for it. Obviously one of those is kinda icky and the other one is mind blowing but like other guys have proved the last 3 years "some random is gonna put up points".

Kurashev sucks and no one should have expected him to replicate last year.

Reichel on pace for 9. I didn't expect a lot from him but maybe someone thought he'd score 20. Oops.

The defenders are on pace for 21 goals as a unit. I don't think thats too bad considering.

The rest of the roster isn't very relevant to this discussion.

So, because most of the guys with history are slightly under or slightly above their career numbers I would argue that they are scoring about how much they should be scoring relative to their talent.

There's room for not really impactful improvement if Bedard goes on a heater. Otherwise they do in fact have a major talent problem and that is why they can't score and what prompted Mciver to say "where the goals gonna come from?".