Spellacy with a goal.

Spellacy with a goal.
- rickboardman

I’m flipping between the Windsor and Hawk game. Davidson got a real gem in Spellacy.

There’s no point in me doing anything but being a jackass when you’re concerned. You completely missed the point.
- paulr

No, I get your point. Stay the course, and for the youngins, I completely agree.

I am questioning their choice for head coach at Rockford. If that was the career path that Eaton wanted, then he should have at least been an assistant coach somewhere.

And what does his time with the Blackhawks scream head coach to you at any level??

Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Development: July 2020–present
Director of Player Development: July 2017–July 2020
Player Development Coach: July 2014–July 2017

No, I get your point. Stay the course, and for the youngins, I completely agree.

I am questioning their choice for head coach at Rockford. If that was the career path that Eaton wanted, then he should have at least been an assistant coach somewhere.

And what does his time with the Blackhawks scream head coach to you at any level??

Assistant General Manager/Director of Player Development: July 2020–present
Director of Player Development: July 2017–July 2020
Player Development Coach: July 2014–July 2017
- dahawks8819

[quote=paulr]

It seems to on the nose though. Player development...

He fired the coach and it looks like part of the reason was to help a drowning, to a degree, Bedard. So that counts as change...or no? They did sign a couple guys that should move the needle a bit in TT and Bert.

It hasn't borne the fruit most of us expected so sure...BOD out.
- HawkintheD

I'm not trying to be BOD here.

But let's be honest about the disconnect with this franchise...

The G.M. brings in veterans to help the young players, but then sends most of them to Rockford. How does that help them??

He signs 8 new players, other than Maroon, not a heavy team. Then the head coach implements a zone trap, and a dump and chase strategy. And people wonder why they are not scoring and are at the bottom of the league for shots on net??

Davidson said roster spots will now be earned. Someone please tell me what Kurashev and Brodie have done to earn their spots as this season has worn on?

And the Taylor Hall fiasco - I can't fathom an NHL coach saying he didn't know how to communicate with a former league MVP. I have been around hockey players almost my entire life. Other than Russians, I have yet to meet one you can't talk to.

There are bigger issues going on with this front office. The on ice product is suffering, and I don't think Davidson and his staff are equiped to handle it.

[quote=HawkintheD]

So, director of player development means head coach??

Outscored 11 -1 in their last 3 games, all coached by Eaton, that's how it looks.

Everything is contested, they are taking away time and space in all 3 zones and it seems all 5 are ready to go offensive the second they win a puck. ..... Fun brand to watch and for the players. Skate hard enough playing D and the reward is all 5 get to go go go.

A very hungry squad.
- Mr Ricochet

Yea, I saw that Maroon came rumbling in like 2 seconds after Smith's shot was stopped. ...... If they do employ a lotta stretch passes that spreads guy out from their zone to the attack blueline.
'
Gotta think Sorensen will figure out a get around for this is in some way. Seems he wants all 5 guys to get going forward and all the way down to the tops of the circles..

It was pretty much 4 full periods of hells bells hockey and it seems they lost some legs here in the 2nd. Losing races and puck battles, not getting the puck out numerous times you knew it was gonna bite em.

Spellacy scored a beauty. Beat two guys to a loose puck above the attack circles took it to the goalie and beat him high. ... Kid is fast but I think he may have had a growth spurt, Misiak sure did, cuz he seems a sliver slower. Might be gaing weight as he grows.

Spence is a wiry dude, man. Not seeing him live makes it tough but he looks like a kid who will gain 20 lbs and with his speed he might turn into a skilled, fast, load.

I'm not trying to be BOD here.

But let's be honest about the disconnect with this franchise...

The G.M. brings in veterans to help the young players, but then sends most of them to Rockford. How does that help them??

He signs 8 new players, other than Maroon, not a heavy team. Then the head coach implements a zone trap, and a dump and chase strategy. And people wonder why they are not scoring and are at the bottom of the league for shots on net??

Davidson said roster spots will now be earned. Someone please tell me what Kurashev and Brodie have done to earn their spots as this season has worn on?

And the Taylor Hall fiasco - I can't fathom an NHL coach saying he didn't know how to communicate with a former league MVP. I have been around hockey players almost my entire life. Other than Russians, I have yet to meet one you can't talk to.

There are bigger issues going on with this front office. The on ice product is suffering, and I don't think Davidson and his staff are equiped to handle it.
- dahawks8819

Do tell. They're in the midst of a rebuild and no matter what some of the pundits here would like to say, it's technically year 2 after a total teardown.

So what are the bigger issues? Or perceived issues I'm guessing. Davidson has been given the keys to the car and he appears to be working his plan. He's not where some of y'all want them to be in year 2 (cad)...so what are the bigger issues?

Yea, I saw that Maroon came rumbling in like 2 seconds after Smith's shot was stopped. ...... If they do employ a lotta stretch passes that spreads guy out from their zone to the attack blueline.
'
Gotta think Sorensen will figure out a get around for this is in some way. Seems he wants all 5 guys to get going forward and all the way down to the tops of the circles..

It was pretty much 4 full periods of hells bells hockey and it seems they lost some legs here in the 2nd. Losing races and puck battles, not getting the puck out numerous times you knew it was gonna bite em.

Spellacy scored a beauty. Beat two guys to a loose puck above the attack circles took it to the goalie and beat him high. ... Kid is fast but I think he may have had a growth spurt, Misiak sure did, cuz he seems a sliver slower. Might be gaing weight as he grows.

Spence is a wiry dude, man. Not seeing him live makes it tough but he looks like a kid who will gain 20 lbs and with his speed he might turn into a skilled, fast, load.
- Mr Ricochet

Yeah I’m really liking Spence and along with some skill he’s got a wide nasty streak

Spellacy with another. Nice shot!

[quote=dahawks8819]

It's 3 games FFS. You think interruption in the coaching staff is a seamless thing midseason? Ask the Bears. After 10 games if we're talking they are being outscored 99-1 I'll be as concerned as you. BOD.

Spellacy takes a pass from below the end line at the dot, rips a wrister for his 2nd of the game to make it 3-1 Spits over the Otters.

Spellacy with another. Nice shot!
- paulr

Only 2? He's a bum!

I feel a need to chime in on some posts about the progress of the players and the team as well as the impact of KD management

Covering both player development, player addition through free agent sign last summer, and the coaching changes in Chicago and Rockford

On Nazar: he is in Rockford working on some things as he was told to work on. While I don’t know whether Nazar has improved on whatever he was told to work on, obviously he is going to be recalled and it is just a matter of how soon. There is no big rush if the wait extends to oh say New Year’s Day. Let the players Sorensen is using now keep playing but also allow Nazar a tad more time in the AHL. I believe that Rockford needs Nazar to help win and the players there develop better when the team isn’t playing from behind because the team is not good. Part of their not doing well though has been inconsistent goaltending and thus is not just on Weeks past game but Comesso performed rather uneven, even poorly at times

Eaton coaching capability may be questioned but the team needs to work hard and will have to do so without Nazar very soon. The priority is Nazar gets opportunity in Chicago and Eaton will have to be a good coach

Now about the moves KD made. It is really a not so much cheap approach but not a good enough add bringing Bertuzzi and TT on board. They cannot drive play or work well enough with Bedard. Both veteran players should be useful once slotted properly. Yes thus means KD MUST add at minimum one top forward who works well with Bedard

I am in favor of adding said player through trade or free agency and the addition of a top center with the ‘25 # 1. Figure it out, KD, and you may have to make some actives with draft choices and one of your key current players

It is just one idea totally coming from myself to consider using our Toronto #1 and next year’s #1 in maybe even two trades. Two good centers or a dman and we should move into top three choices if the lottery draw puts us at fourth - then move up whatever it takes. The team needs two top line forwards and Bedard cannot remain too much a non factor. Put better players around Bedard and the rebuild should be on schedule. Lots of young talent in the blueline and forward ranks should get a look next season / some prospects who turn pro

I do not see how Sorensen is merely an interim coach. He should be fine to be the head coach so make that call please KD.

Now just to be clear…..I would prefer if KD can find someone currently in the NHL who would work well with Bedard and it does not necessarily man Vlasic had to be moved.


And as for Eaton ….i do not know for sure if he is both good and bad serving as coach right now. But I doubt he returns as coach next season

Uh oh, Chongo!!

Too bad they gave the game away in a 3 minute span there, but glad they didn't stop playing and at least made it close down to the wire. I thought this was a really up and down game for Kaiser. He has some really good moments and some really bad ones mixed in. One positive in moving the rebuild forward we have young Dmen all over the PK, Vlasic, Kaiser, Allan, all getting significant pk time and getting some key minutes under their belt at the NHL level.

Too bad they gave the game away in a 3 minute span there, but glad they didn't stop playing and at least made it close down to the wire. I thought this was a really up and down game for Kaiser. He has some really good moments and some really bad ones mixed in. One positive in moving the rebuild forward we have young Dmen all over the PK, Vlasic, Kaiser, Allan, all getting significant pk time and getting some key minutes under their belt at the NHL level.
- breadbag

Allan in his limited ice time was solid, the kid is as strong as an ox. Korchinski played a decent game as well, he is tape to tape out there. I have not seen anyone from the backend pass that well since Seabrook.

Too bad they gave the game away in a 3 minute span there, but glad they didn't stop playing and at least made it close down to the wire. I thought this was a really up and down game for Kaiser. He has some really good moments and some really bad ones mixed in. One positive in moving the rebuild forward we have young Dmen all over the PK, Vlasic, Kaiser, Allan, all getting significant pk time and getting some key minutes under their belt at the NHL level.
- breadbag

Breadbag,
I will ask you just because you make the positive comments about our young dmen in the thick of the action
Yes those kids represent part of a future culture core strength of the team - deep mobile defense with enough toughness- yes Banking a lot but Rinzell and Arty too

So.. . Are you willing to consider trading Vlasic for a top line current NHL center (or forward) who would work well on Bedard line)?

Just thinking whether or not I like this idea

We know that KD has to get appropriate help for Bedard one way or another

Breadbag,
I will ask you just because you make the positive comments about our young dmen in the thick of the action
Yes those kids represent part of a future culture core strength of the team - deep mobile defense with enough toughness- yes Banking a lot but Rinzell and Arty too

So.. . Are you willing to consider trading Vlasic for a top line current NHL center (or forward) who would work well on Bedard line)?

Just thinking whether or not I like this idea

We know that KD has to get appropriate help for Bedard one way or another
- jhawk59

No way.

When the trade deadline is over, I would try Bedard, Dach, TT. See if there is any chemistry over the last 25 games.

Breadbag,
I will ask you just because you make the positive comments about our young dmen in the thick of the action
Yes those kids represent part of a future culture core strength of the team - deep mobile defense with enough toughness- yes Banking a lot but Rinzell and Arty too

So.. . Are you willing to consider trading Vlasic for a top line current NHL center (or forward) who would work well on Bedard line)?

Just thinking whether or not I like this idea

We know that KD has to get appropriate help for Bedard one way or another
- jhawk59

KD should not be trading any of Allan, Arty, KK, Vlasic or Rinzel unless he gets blown away. Keep them around or you’ll end up like some of the pretenders in the league without enough talent on the backend.

No way.

When the trade deadline is over, I would try Bedard, Dach, TT. See if there is any chemistry over the last 25 games.
- LAHawk

Vlasic has a great set of attributes, young, big, strong (although not overly physical), gets the puck on net, passes well and skates surprisingly well. You'd have to be getting something amazing for him but even if so, I'm not sure I'd do it. Dmen made like that are in high demand.

Do tell. They're in the midst of a rebuild and no matter what some of the pundits here would like to say, it's technically year 2 after a total teardown.

So what are the bigger issues? Or perceived issues I'm guessing. Davidson has been given the keys to the car and he appears to be working his plan. He's not where some of y'all want them to be in year 2 (cad)...so what are the bigger issues?
- HawkintheD

So, the plan is to develop young talent, and build a team that's fast and young. Then sign 8 retreads, and bury most of your talent at Rockford, and take away the one coach down there that can actually develop the young talent. And they now skate the slowest and oldest team in the NHL, and it shows.

And at the pro level, draft a generational talent, then have your coach turn him into a third line shutdown forward, and force everyone to play zone trap and dump and chase. And now concerned that this team can't generate shots on net, let alone score.

When teams rebuild, there is a plan in place, and an identity of what you are going to be. And the last coach didn't seem to be on that page. His identity for the team was to do everything to keep the score close, playing not to lose. Is that really the culture you want as a G.M.??

The fanbase is starting to walk away again. They have made this team hard to watch. And as Wirtz starts to really lose money on this, like his father did in the 2000s. that's when you will see the panic button pushed, and the development phase abandoned, and this team will be in what is called "sports hell", not good enough to contend for anything, but not so bad as to get top picks to build it back up.

Breadbag,
I will ask you just because you make the positive comments about our young dmen in the thick of the action
Yes those kids represent part of a future culture core strength of the team - deep mobile defense with enough toughness- yes Banking a lot but Rinzell and Arty too

So.. . Are you willing to consider trading Vlasic for a top line current NHL center (or forward) who would work well on Bedard line)?

Just thinking whether or not I like this idea

We know that KD has to get appropriate help for Bedard one way or another
- jhawk59

Vlasic right now, no I wouldn't. I think he is one they have to keep because of his fairly team friendly contract and combination of size and speed. I think his value will keep rising too. Personally, I don't think they need to rush to get a forward to play with Bedard, but I'd consider having him play with Hall/Bertuzzi at the moment considering how they are playing.

KD should not be trading any of Allan, Arty, KK, Vlasic or Rinzel unless he gets blown away. Keep them around or you’ll end up like some of the pretenders in the league without enough talent on the backend.
- Angotti

I don’t know how or when KD could bring in a top line center. Beyond drafting in ‘25, I had one idea which I said I probably would not do but might consider it. I see you and others veto Vlasic move. Which is fine by me as our blueline crew quite likely will turn into a real team strength as more kids settle into their spot on the back end