Nazar reminds me of Pit Martin. Yeah I am going back 50 years.
- LAHawk

I was a wee lad of 8-9 yrs old rarely seeing the Hawks on tv in those days, but Pitt Martin was my guy. ........ You must have seen Martin live, you see similarities on Martin and Nazar? Skilled, mobile, high IQ?

Vlasic need to knock this crap off of the weak pass right in front of his goalie.
- Chunk

Vlasic did seem to me he had some extra jump tonight... You notice he and Crevier were out every chance Sorensen got v O'Rielly's line? I counted 7-8 times Crevier engaged in a net front/side battle and tied O'Rielly up.

Sorensen likes Crevier, I'm starting to think he doesn't go back down to RKF. Paired with Vlasic this has been close to their shutdown pairing conceding Martinez is a legit tried and true cup winning shutdown guy.

Imagine a real top line forward that can skate with Bedard and Nazar.

Edit: seeing that generational bedard talent flashing. His play making and awareness.
- bhawks2241

Yep, and it's coming when the kid is making a 200 ft effort making him less and less a liability without the puck. That makes the flashes he showed tonight even more impressive IMO.

Is the kid becoming a proper hockey player before our eyes?

I'll say this though, I don't care if he makes 5 highlight reel pass plays per night his shot by far is his best trait. Never ever saw a shot like his and more importantly, neither has the opposing goalie.

D!ckinson just sucks tonight. So unlike him. He's turned it over a bunch of times and put the puck into unnecessary traffic a ton.
- Chunk

D!ckenson is a money in the bank 3C, but he's not as effective this yr as much as last. Been a few games this yr I thought he was really ineffective.

Just checked how our prospects are doing in Rockford and the point totals look concerning. Slaggert is ok at 21 points in 35 games, he’s a bottom 6 guy and we know that. Savoie has only 8 points in 35 games. Gavin Hayes (3rd round 2022) has 5 points in 29 games. Marcel Marcel 4 in 18. Ludwinski 2 in 28. Levshunov 11 in 31.
To be fair, the call ups like Nazar and Dach did well. I’m just concerned that outside of our first round picks nothing has worked so far.
- ObeseOprah

Other than Slaggert and Savoie, you would be correct.

Yep, and it's coming when the kid is making a 200 ft effort making him less and less a liability without the puck. That makes the flashes he showed tonight even more impressive IMO.

Is the kid becoming a proper hockey player before our eyes?

I'll say this though, I don't care if he makes 5 highlight reel pass plays per night his shot by far is his best trait. Never ever saw a shot like his and more importantly, neither has the opposing goalie.
- Mr Ricochet

I'll say this. I've watched a bit of more of him the last few weeks.

There is something Kane/Datsyuk/Kucherov/Crosby like about him with the puck when he's entering the O zone or receiving the puck in the O zone and is waiting for his teammates to catch up. He creates space and time in such a good way. It might only be a second or a second and a half of extra time,but that is a heck of a lot in hockey.

The Bert/Bedard/Nazar line should stick together for another few games. I think they might click together. They each could have had a few more pts last night if Nazar could have finished a chance or two.

I'll say this. I've watched a bit of more of him the last few weeks.

There is something Kane/Datsyuk/Kucherov/Crosby like about him with the puck when he's entering the O zone or receiving the puck in the O zone and is waiting for his teammates to catch up. He creates space and time in such a good way. It might only be a second or a second and a half of extra time,but that is a heck of a lot in hockey.

The Bert/Bedard/Nazar line should stick together for another few games. I think they might click together. They each could have had a few more pts last night if Nazar could have finished a chance or two.
- captainserious

Anyone catch the play in the 3rd, I believe, Bedard was in the dzone. D threw the puck around the boards to Bedard. Bedard saw the pass coming around, turned and started skating forward, look around on his options, then the puck arrived, Bedard was already headed up ice back to the puck, he just put his stick down at the perfect time, puck arrived, then he immediately passed the puck up the ice. Kid was thinking 2 steps ahead.

I was a wee lad of 8-9 yrs old rarely seeing the Hawks on tv in those days, but Pitt Martin was my guy. ........ You must have seen Martin live, you see similarities on Martin and Nazar? Skilled, mobile, high IQ?
- Mr Ricochet

The one negative was he was part of the return on the Esposito to Boston trade.

He was a smallish center, fast, smart, played 200 feet, and could score.

Maybe Martin came to my mind because they are both right shots. But taking into account how the game has changed in 50 years, I think that they are very comparable hockey players.

D!ckenson is a money in the bank 3C, but he's not as effective this yr as much as last. Been a few games this yr I thought he was really ineffective.
- Mr Ricochet

He's been driving the struggle bus for about 2-3 weeks now. Not sure if it was the wrist issue, or if he has another injury, but he looks stuck in the mud when he plays.
Overall, I'm not really worried, but just wondering if there is a bigger problem there.

Vlasic did seem to me he had some extra jump tonight... You notice he and Crevier were out every chance Sorensen got v O'Rielly's line? I counted 7-8 times Crevier engaged in a net front/side battle and tied O'Rielly up.

Sorensen likes Crevier, I'm starting to think he doesn't go back down to RKF. Paired with Vlasic this has been close to their shutdown pairing conceding Martinez is a legit tried and true cup winning shutdown guy.
- Mr Ricochet

Nice to see Crevier sitting on people. He's gotten more aggressive. Still don't know exactly why he bugs me so much. The entire d-corps is struggling to complete passes. Martinez icing in overtime last night was brutal. Vlasic and Allan both were off on most of their passes. Jones was the best on the ice yesterday which was a welcome sight.

Anyone catch the play in the 3rd, I believe, Bedard was in the dzone. D threw the puck around the boards to Bedard. Bedard saw the pass coming around, turned and started skating forward, look around on his options, then the puck arrived, Bedard was already headed up ice back to the puck, he just put his stick down at the perfect time, puck arrived, then he immediately passed the puck up the ice. Kid was thinking 2 steps ahead.
- bhawks2241

The play that caught my eye was Bertuzzi's 200 foot sprint back into the D zone and get his stick in the way to break up a cross ice pass and saved a wide open weak side goal.

Nazar reminds me of Pit Martin. Yeah I am going back 50 years.
- LAHawk

Now all we need are Phil Esposito, Ken Hodge and Fred Stanfield to go with him.

The play that caught my eye was Bertuzzi's 200 foot sprint back into the D zone and get his stick in the way to break up a cross ice pass and saved a wide open weak side goal.
- LAHawk

What a difference it makes when players build some chemistry and have confidence in their linemates. Guys hustling and putting the effort in to win board battles is contagious.


I would leave Bedard Bertuzzi and Nazar together for a while. Nazar can forecheck and win board battles. A nice surprise. He will start scoring b/c Bedard is going to keep getting him the puck in the right areas.

Seeing the energy that line brought gives me some much needed hope in this otherwise pretty rough season.

Yep, and it's coming when the kid is making a 200 ft effort making him less and less a liability without the puck. That makes the flashes he showed tonight even more impressive IMO.

Is the kid becoming a proper hockey player before our eyes?

I'll say this though, I don't care if he makes 5 highlight reel pass plays per night his shot by far is his best trait. Never ever saw a shot like his and more importantly, neither has the opposing goalie.
- Mr Ricochet

I'm not a fan of his one timer, i know I'm being nit picky, however goalies early in the season were cheating and taking away the top corner wrist roof shots. To Bedard's credit I've seen him score at the hip area by the elbow of the goalies last several times now. Kudos to the kid recognizing this and making the adjustment. Last night he's getting so comfortable with that shot he barely had any time and space and damn he made it count. I am enjoying watching not only his growth but many of the kids on this team. I really liked Reichel's game last night.

I also thought Dach would struggle in the bigs, but he's been a pleasant surprise, i just like the way he plays the game. He looks like a kid who gives an honest shift any time he is out there.

Laugh my ass cuz the Pens got Sullivan from the Hawks organization.
- 6628

First thing I thought.

I keep reading Kyle from Chicago is on the hot seat, but he is is going to be in there with ownership mangement on the quest to decide who th team's coach is.

If he is canned, does it skew the process? (I realize he is only a whisper full of experience at that sort of thing.
Not sure the last hires going back to StanBo ispire confidence in the search.
Luke was fine just not winning and the current guy made a good impression the other night at how his team actually finished the last 3 minutes.
Doe we place the winning results on the player son te ice along wioth him? Becasue it is clear the young defenders (Crevier and the lot) are playing with confidence.

I'm not a fan of his one timer, i know I'm being nit picky, however goalies early in the season were cheating and taking away the top corner wrist roof shots. To Bedard's credit I've seen him score at the hip area by the elbow of the goalies last several times now. Kudos to the kid recognizing this and making the adjustment. Last night he's getting so comfortable with that shot he barely had any time and space and damn he made it count. I am enjoying watching not only his growth but many of the kids on this team. I really liked Reichel's game last night.
- BetweenTheDots

The puck was also bouncing. He didn't even fully settle it. Just enough so he could get the shot off. He's sniped a few under the elbow lately. Goalies will adjust and then hopefully he starts sniping a few high again. Not a lot of guys are elite playmakers and elite goal scorers. He has the tools to be both.

He's been driving the struggle bus for about 2-3 weeks now. Not sure if it was the wrist issue, or if he has another injury, but he looks stuck in the mud when he plays.
Overall, I'm not really worried, but just wondering if there is a bigger problem there.
- Chunk

I think he looks a little worn out, maybe a little banged up. He has taken more shifts on the ice than any other forward on the team, he is the #1 forward PK guy, lots of draws/battles. Playing the more difficult minutes in general and if he has any injury bugging him, it probably just drags on him.

Nazar reminds me of Pit Martin. Yeah I am going back 50 years.
- LAHawk

Does that mean if he gets traded we'll get the modern equivalent of Phil Esposito and Ken Hodge?

Thought you might like this piece on a Hawk trade possibility, Scott. https://www.msn.com/en-us...df99bfd6f8d8edc4411&ei=54
- Mr Ricochet

Went through all that - I post one trade to illustrate the issue with it.


To Blackhawks: Elias Pettersson

To Canucks: Frank Nazar, Marek Vanacker, 2025 First-Round Pick (TOR)

I like Nazar a lot, I am thinking that TOR pick is where they take a goalie, and even though Vanaker is slight, he seems to survive to hit the back of the net.

Elias Pettersson will "help" Bedard? How by teaching him to be more like HIM?
His scoring toatsl blow his contact blows and even though he is a "centre" his set place is from the rw farther outside.

YEARS ago in these blogs I said that during his junior career Kurachev was afraid in so many circumstances. That's how I see Elias Pettersson - if HE played like Donato he be a much more dominant player.
I agree in spirit a sniper for BEdsy to go along with current front man Bertuzzi really would help.
But I afraid I don't think Elias Pettersson is a fit.

I’d gladly be the writer if it got us below 173 pages. Don’t know how Ek would contact me, but everyone is welcome to read my weekly posts about the possession black hole of Connor Murphy.
- ObeseOprah

How about you conaact him by PM?

Most of us wanted to sign Lafferty after the trade back. Through 33 games he has 2g and 2a 4pts, -3. Sometimes your best deals are the ones you don't make.

Other than Slaggert and Savoie, you would be correct.
- dahawks8819

Most AHL team's players will always be AHL players.

Went through all that - I post one trade to illustrate the issue with it.


To Blackhawks: Elias Pettersson

To Canucks: Frank Nazar, Marek Vanacker, 2025 First-Round Pick (TOR)

I like Nazar a lot, I am thinking that TOR pick is where they take a goalie, and even though Vanaker is slight, he seems to survive to hit the back of the net.

Elias Pettersson will "help" Bedard? How by teaching him to be more like HIM?
His scoring toatsl blow his contact blows and even though he is a "centre" his set place is from the rw farther outside.

YEARS ago in these blogs I said that during his junior career Kurachev was afraid in so many circumstances. That's how I see Elias Pettersson - if HE played like Donato he be a much more dominant player.
I agree in spirit a sniper for BEdsy to go along with current front man Bertuzzi really would help.
But I afraid I don't Elias Pettersson is a fit.
- wiz1901

How do you feel about a trade involving Seth Jones and Pettersson?

Martin had Pappin and Hull on his wings. Tough players who could score. Bedard doesn't have even close to that yet. Now, if they could find another Secord and Larmer, I would be thrilled!