The narrative is Dach is like his brother and can’t stay on his feet. Please stick to the narrative.
- paulr

Besides that Kirby's career ended when he broke his wrist.

I’m sure that your wife differs with that statement. Yes, Reichel has a long way to go, however the eye test tells me that he’s trending in the right direction, obviously the fancies don’t. We’ll see where he ends up. Go Hawks!
- Angotti

Well according to nhl edge Reichel is better at even strength, possessing the puck in the offensive zone, almost 2 percentage points from last year to this year.

I'd say that's progress.

Besides that Kirby's career ended when he broke his wrist.
- rpeters01

Go easy on Kirby's slow development, he has had to learn French and play hockey at the same time.

Bowman should have drafted Alex Turcotte instead, like a lot of posters on here wanted.

Go easy on Kirby's slow development, he has had to learn French and play hockey at the same time.

Bowman should have drafted Alex Turcotte instead, like a lot of posters on here wanted.
- RickJ

They're the same guy.

Go easy on Kirby's slow development, he has had to learn French and play hockey at the same time.

Bowman should have drafted Alex Turcotte instead, like a lot of posters on here wanted.
- RickJ

That Habs team has given up 67 goals already, yikes

The narrative is Dach is like his brother and can’t stay on his feet. Please stick to the narrative.
- paulr

Chunk,

Would you present your thoughts on the prospects through your lens after either ten or 20 game mark. Prospects do show progress in development but often to assess or see it with your own eyes you need to consider an incremental stage of games to notice the difference in their game

Chunk,

Would you present your thoughts on the prospects through your lens after either ten or 20 game mark. Prospects do show progress in development but often to assess or see it with your own eyes you need to consider an incremental stage of games to notice the difference in their game
- jhawk59

Remind me, and I'd be happy to. Hopefully, they tab someone to keep this blog going.

AA cleared waivers, on his way to Rockford, maybe. Would somebody take him at 50% retained for a lower pick?

AA cleared waivers, on his way to Rockford, maybe. Would somebody take him at 50% retained for a lower pick?
- Angotti

The Hawks might have to give a pick to get rid of him, even with 50% retained.

The Hawks might have to give a pick to get rid of him, even with 50% retained.
- LAHawk

He'll get recalled when there is a injuries

He'll get recalled when there is a injuries
- Scott1977

Not if he doesn't improve his game.

The Hawks might have to give a pick to get rid of him, even with 50% retained.
- LAHawk

They don't really have to move him. If someone shows interest, I think at most they retain a bit, or take back an equally poor contract. KD isn't giving up an asset to get rid of a guy that is done at the end of the year.

Actually, if you watch the Icehog games, Dach seems to be pretty strong. I've watched three full games and parts of two others and he's actually noticeable in that regard. Seems to stay on his skates and not get knocked off the puck.
- Chunk

What are your thoughts on Arty from your game views? The one I watched, he definitely seemed disinterested, I guess is the word I would use. Just casually coasting to spots and not in a hurry to defend.

What are your thoughts on Arty from your game views? The one I watched, he definitely seemed disinterested, I guess is the word I would use. Just casually coasting to spots and not in a hurry to defend.
- Black Raven

I've heard this and kind of understand what people are talking about. I honestly think he's just a really efficient skater. He's not an aggressive skater, but still usually gets to his spot. He's been beat once or twice, but I really don't think it's been that egregious.

He takes a lot of shots and gets a lot of shots through. He also seems to be able to use/set up his teammates as well. Kind of what Fatty keeps saying about the offense being driven from the back end, he seems quite adept at it. I've seen him paired with EDM and KK, and I've seen a couple times where he looked a bit hesitant about coverage, etc. I don't think it's a huge issue and I think it will be addressed with more playing time.

I'm praying people don't turn this trope into him being like Lovie, or Cutler that just because he looks calm, or likes to enjoy himself on the ice that he doesn't care. Maybe that's just the way he is.

If I'm being honest, I'm a little more concerned about KK. I was hoping that he'd be able to drive more offense being in RFD. I guess he's getting more shot attempts and maybe creating a few more opportunities for his mates, but I guess I was looking for more consider the pomp he came in with. Defensively, he's still kinda the same thing. Some really good, some really bad. He's learned to defend a bit better with his stick, but struggles defending the rush more than I was hoping for.

They don't really have to move him. If someone shows interest, I think at most they retain a bit, or take back an equally poor contract. KD isn't giving up an asset to get rid of a guy that is done at the end of the year.
- Chunk

I don't see them retaining on AA before the TDL.

Go easy on Kirby's slow development, he has had to learn French and play hockey at the same time.

Bowman should have drafted Alex Turcotte instead, like a lot of posters on here wanted.
- RickJ

Kirby Dach should never have been given a spot on the Blackhawks when he was 18. They knew his offensive game wasn’t strong. He wasn’t ready for the NHL mentally and he certainly wasn’t ready physically. I wonder how his development would have been affected if he had played two more seasons in the WHL then some time in the AHL. Same thing happened with Korchinski, he wasn’t ready last season to play in the NHL, I wonder how he would have developed had he stayed in junior and then had a stint in the AHL?

Kirby Dach should never have been given a spot on the Blackhawks when he was 18. They knew his offensive game wasn’t strong. He wasn’t ready for the NHL mentally and he certainly wasn’t ready physically. I wonder how his development would have been affected if he had played two more seasons in the WHL then some time in the AHL. Same thing happened with Korchinski, he wasn’t ready last season to play in the NHL, I wonder how he would have developed had he stayed in junior and then had a stint in the AHL?
- paulr

It would have taken at least two more years for people to realize he was soft.

Not if he doesn't improve his game.
- Chunk

Good point

I've heard this and kind of understand what people are talking about. I honestly think he's just a really efficient skater. He's not an aggressive skater, but still usually gets to his spot. He's been beat once or twice, but I really don't think it's been that egregious.

He takes a lot of shots and gets a lot of shots through. He also seems to be able to use/set up his teammates as well. Kind of what Fatty keeps saying about the offense being driven from the back end, he seems quite adept at it. I've seen him paired with EDM and KK, and I've seen a couple times where he looked a bit hesitant about coverage, etc. I don't think it's a huge issue and I think it will be addressed with more playing time.

I'm praying people don't turn this trope into him being like Lovie, or Cutler that just because he looks calm, or likes to enjoy himself on the ice that he doesn't care. Maybe that's just the way he is.

If I'm being honest, I'm a little more concerned about KK. I was hoping that he'd be able to drive more offense being in RFD. I guess he's getting more shot attempts and maybe creating a few more opportunities for his mates, but I guess I was looking for more consider the pomp he came in with. Defensively, he's still kinda the same thing. Some really good, some really bad. He's learned to defend a bit better with his stick, but struggles defending the rush more than I was hoping for.
- Chunk

I think that was one of the comments in the scouting videos before the draft, he's not coasting he's just that smooth.

It's probably some combination of both. He's probably the best pure athlete on the team, especially with his size factored in. There's also the processing of the game factor.

He apparently literally showed up in the states with a bag in 2022. Just a bag. One year of USHL, one year of college and now in the AHL. I think it'll take a minute to find his bearings and build some consistency. It has to be pretty bananas for the kid.

Korchinski should be dominating that league with his skating ability and skill. I also think he showed enough last year to indicate that he has some pretty good hockey sense and maybe with enough reps he'll build that consistency and figure it out. As long as he's shooting more and driving play forward - I think the points will eventually come. Maybe not the most confident and assertive guy in the world and could just need some time to grow up.

Kirby Dach should never have been given a spot on the Blackhawks when he was 18. They knew his offensive game wasn’t strong. He wasn’t ready for the NHL mentally and he certainly wasn’t ready physically. I wonder how his development would have been affected if he had played two more seasons in the WHL then some time in the AHL. Same thing happened with Korchinski, he wasn’t ready last season to play in the NHL, I wonder how he would have developed had he stayed in junior and then had a stint in the AHL?
- paulr

He's on pace for about 40 points on a dreadful team which is probably pretty good.

I think if he can stay healthy (looks like someone finally got him to put on some weight since he's now listed at 220 which should in fact qualify as "size") he'll be a 50-60 point depth player - which every good team needs.

Even after Chicago he's had his share of injury woes that have derailed things but when healthy he's been a pretty effective player. Maybe he develops some kind of killer instinct in the WHL another year or maybe he just coasts cause he can put up a lot of points and develops bad habits.

He's on pace for about 40 points on a dreadful team which is probably pretty good.

I think if he can stay healthy (looks like someone finally got him to put on some weight since he's now listed at 220 which should in fact qualify as "size") he'll be a 50-60 point depth player - which every good team needs.

Even after Chicago he's had his share of injury woes that have derailed things but when healthy he's been a pretty effective player. Maybe he develops some kind of killer instinct in the WHL another year or maybe he just coasts cause he can put up a lot of points and develops bad habits.
- fattybeef

And at 18 he did get access to NHL caliber coaching, including skills coaching, skating etc. and mental health, nutritionists, athletic training staff, etc. A lot more resources and plenty of time to make yourself better as a hockey player.

He's on pace for about 40 points on a dreadful team which is probably pretty good.

I think if he can stay healthy (looks like someone finally got him to put on some weight since he's now listed at 220 which should in fact qualify as "size") he'll be a 50-60 point depth player - which every good team needs.

Even after Chicago he's had his share of injury woes that have derailed things but when healthy he's been a pretty effective player. Maybe he develops some kind of killer instinct in the WHL another year or maybe he just coasts cause he can put up a lot of points and develops bad habits.
- fattybeef

Just curious why you call Rockford a dreadful team? What makes them dreadful? Bad players? Too much youth? This is not a disagreement with your comment but only asking why you say dreadful

Decided to check how S.Wright was doing this season since I had noticed that he made the Seattle Kraken roster

Remembering too there was some talk how he might be worth drafting and exactly what kind or type player is he? Is he overated going into his draft?

Well......he has a grand total of one goal and one assist! Whoopee!

But i would take him .......for Athanasiou! Maybe but why pay him if not really sure he will amount to much of anything? Probably worth it for AA but actually I would just pass on the less than sterling Wright. It would be the right move to not make!

Decided to check how S.Wright was doing this season since I had noticed that he made the Seattle Kraken roster

Remembering too there was some talk how he might be worth drafting and exactly what kind or type player is he? Is he overated going into his draft?

Well......he has a grand total of one goal and one assist! Whoopee!

But i would take him .......for Athanasiou! Maybe but why pay him if not really sure he will amount to much of anything? Probably worth it for AA but actually I would just pass on the less than sterling Wright. It would be the right move to not make!
- jhawk59

On the topic of prospects, I am cheering for A Holtz to turn into a better scorer which befits the actual skill he possess

He has accumulated 1 6 for 7 points playing slightly more than the TOI as he did for New Jersey approx 13.00.

On the topic of prospects, I am cheering for A Holtz to turn into a better scorer which befits the actual skill he possess

He has accumulated 1 6 for 7 points playing slightly more than the TOI as he did for New Jersey approx 13.00.
- jhawk59

Re: prospects

Noticed Vancouver brings in Lekkerimaki with the all offensive Ratty too their lineup

So let's see Lekkerimaki debut. Through period two Lekkerimaki about 10 TOI and Ratty 6.5 TOI. Canucks changed some of the deck chairs on bottom two lines thus season and I am not impressed. But let us see if Lekkerimaki gets much of an opportunity or goes back to AHL to gain experience and development