https://www.bleachernatio...other-blackhawks-bullets/

Some good nuggets

Simon Nemec not happy being stuck in the AHL. That would be a nice add.

https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/01/20/bedard-with-nazar-bertuzzi-reichel-dach-and-foligno-lardis-huge-season-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

Some good nuggets

Simon Nemec not happy being stuck in the AHL. That would be a nice add.
- BetweenTheDots

I think he'll be good,but wouldn't he just be another Levshunov/Rinzel?
I guess if you think you can send Korch ++ for him and Nemec will play tomorrow, it would be a solid trade for both teams, they don't have the forwards to trade for him + I figure if the Hocks are looking to trade for someone then it would be a fwd?
Or Seth Jones+cap retention for Nemec?

I think there's a possibility, Greene, Moore and Rinzel sign after the BU and Minnesota seasons are completed. Will the Hawks allow one or all to burn the 1st year of their ELC's ala Nazar last year? Guess that depends if KD wants them in the system for next year. Burning a year is an enticement teams use to sign a player. Davidson didn't think it was a big deal when Nazar was signed.
- boilermaker100

It doesn't seem that KD even really considers the "burning a year" issue when talking about the prospects. Honestly, by the law of averages, it's probably a really good way to go. Most guys aren't going to absolutely kill it in their first couple of years in the NHL. Why not get to that second contract a little quicker and likely sign them for a lower amount?

For sure you run the risk of committing early to a guy who hasn't really proven anything, but it does keep the costs more controlled and allow for more cap breathing room. Again, the problem comes down to the sheer volume of prospects they have in the system.

It doesn't seem that KD even really considers the "burning a year" issue when talking about the prospects. Honestly, by the law of averages, it's probably a really good way to go. Most guys aren't going to absolutely kill it in their first couple of years in the NHL. Why not get to that second contract a little quicker and likely sign them for a lower amount?

For sure you run the risk of committing early to a guy who hasn't really proven anything, but it does keep the costs more controlled and allow for more cap breathing room. Again, the problem comes down to the sheer volume of prospects they have in the system.
- Chunk

You're right.
They could end up having another prospect or two signed to a Vlasic like deal.

You're right.
They could end up having another prospect or two signed to a Vlasic like deal.
- captainserious

I think the end of the 25-26 season (and offseason) will be the first really big test for KD since he'll theoretically have a higher number of players eligible to sign a pro contract.

Kantserov
Mustard
Spellacy
Vanacker

on top of
Greene
James
Rinzel
Moore
Boisvert
And possibly a few they draft this year.

I think the end of the 25-26 season (and offseason) will be the first really big test for KD since he'll theoretically have a higher number of players eligible to sign a pro contract.

Kantserov
Mustard
Spellacy
Vanacker

on top of
Greene
James
Rinzel
Moore
Boisvert
And possibly a few they draft this year.
- Chunk

I know Nazar hasn't cashed in yet but i for one am very pleased with the selection of Nazar. The article points out how well that line is playing Bedard Nazar and Bertuzzi. Since Bertuzzi has been combined with Bedard he leads the league in goals scored. It's nice to see glimpses of a dominant line and I hope this compete that KD and staff look for are throughout all the draft prospects, because even if they aren't scoring they are still effective hockey players.

And I've said on the last page if we don't win the lotto and even fall and Martone drops to us, and the scouts are right, that top line could really be something special.

I know Nazar hasn't cashed in yet but i for one am very pleased with the selection of Nazar. The article points out how well that line is playing Bedard Nazar and Bertuzzi. Since Bertuzzi has been combined with Bedard he leads the league in goals scored. It's nice to see glimpses of a dominant line and I hope this compete that KD and staff look for are throughout all the draft prospects, because even if they aren't scoring they are still effective hockey players.

And I've said on the last page if we don't win the lotto and even fall and Martone drops to us, and the scouts are right, that top line could really be something special.
- BetweenTheDots

I think we already discussed this a couple days ago, but I have no concerns with Nazar. He's been getting grade A chances. It's only a matter of time before they consistently go it. It's not like he has bad hands or doesn't know what to do/where to be.

The great thing about him is that regardless of his production he does all the other things right. Works hard, wins battles, forechecks like a beast. He might even be a slight reason why Reichel is playing better. He sees a guy about his size that is always doing things to affect the game.

At a minimum, if they keep playing like this, I won't be mad for making the effort to watch them. Those games around the WC were just nightmares.

You're right.
They could end up having another prospect or two signed to a Vlasic like deal.
- captainserious

KD is on the record he doesn't think burning through an ELC matters.

KD is on the record he doesn't think burning through an ELC matters.
- rpeters01

Turned out pretty well with Vlasic.

Turned out pretty well with Vlasic.
- Chunk

Probably won't matter with KK either.

I think we already discussed this a couple days ago, but I have no concerns with Nazar. He's been getting grade A chances. It's only a matter of time before they consistently go it. It's not like he has bad hands or doesn't know what to do/where to be.

The great thing about him is that regardless of his production he does all the other things right. Works hard, wins battles, forechecks like a beast. He might even be a slight reason why Reichel is playing better. He sees a guy about his size that is always doing things to affect the game.

At a minimum, if they keep playing like this, I won't be mad for making the effort to watch them. Those games around the WC were just nightmares.
- Chunk

I know I'm picky, i think he has to work on fielding the pass from team mates but i feel the same way about his play, and that's a good point about Reichel watching Nazar play hockey.

I think we already discussed this a couple days ago, but I have no concerns with Nazar. He's been getting grade A chances. It's only a matter of time before they consistently go it. It's not like he has bad hands or doesn't know what to do/where to be.

The great thing about him is that regardless of his production he does all the other things right. Works hard, wins battles, forechecks like a beast. He might even be a slight reason why Reichel is playing better. He sees a guy about his size that is always doing things to affect the game.

At a minimum, if they keep playing like this, I won't be mad for making the effort to watch them. Those games around the WC were just nightmares.
- Chunk

This will also help Bedard develop a 200 foot game.

I think we already discussed this a couple days ago, but I have no concerns with Nazar. He's been getting grade A chances. It's only a matter of time before they consistently go it. It's not like he has bad hands or doesn't know what to do/where to be.

The great thing about him is that regardless of his production he does all the other things right. Works hard, wins battles, forechecks like a beast. He might even be a slight reason why Reichel is playing better. He sees a guy about his size that is always doing things to affect the game.

At a minimum, if they keep playing like this, I won't be mad for making the effort to watch them. Those games around the WC were just nightmares.
- Chunk

Mentioned this a few days ago. The way Nazar plays is contagious. Leading by example is a real thing. Vets going through the motions is bad for the young guys. You can see Bedard playing with more energy all over the ice since Nazar started playing top 6.

I’m in a grocery store with my Blackhawk cap on, some older guy walks up to me and asks if he was my favorite Blackhawk. I said “if you played for Chicago you may have been, or are you on the current roster”. He laughed and said he played 19 games for the Hawks in 1970. We talked for a while and discussed how the game has changed. His name is Howie Ménard, I have absolutely no recollection if him.

I’m in a grocery store with my Blackhawk cap on, some older guy walks up to me and asks if he was my favorite Blackhawk. I said “if you played for Chicago you may have been, or are you on the current roster”. He laughed and said he played 19 games for the Hawks in 1970. We talked for a while and discussed how the game has changed. His name is Howie Ménard, I have absolutely no recollection if him.
- paulr

If you didn't post it on Facebook, it didn't happen.

Sounds like Maroon is day to day and Kurashev gets back into the lineup.

Nazar-Bedard-Bertuzzi
Teravainen-Richardinson-Mikheyev
Dach-Reichel-Foligno
Hall-Donato-Kurashev

Martinez-Jones
Vlasic-Crevier
Kaiser-Brodie

Mrazek

Sounds like Maroon is day to day and Kurashev gets back into the lineup.

Nazar-Bedard-Bertuzzi
Teravainen-Richardinson-Mikheyev
Dach-Reichel-Foligno
Hall-Donato-Kurashev

Martinez-Jones
Vlasic-Crevier
Kaiser-Brodie

Mrazek
- breadbag

Reported back injury.

You can get tickets for $20 tonight, I'm guessing everyone wants to stay in their igloos tonight. I know i am.

You can get tickets for $20 tonight, I'm guessing everyone wants to stay in their igloos tonight. I know i am.
- BetweenTheDots

And the college football championship game is tonight. Ohio State versus some team from South Bend, Indiana.

Looks like the Bears are getting the guy from Detroit, Ben Johnson.

It's a copycat city with the Bears and Blackhawks, so KD's going for Carle.

I’m in a grocery store with my Blackhawk cap on, some older guy walks up to me and asks if he was my favorite Blackhawk. I said “if you played for Chicago you may have been, or are you on the current roster”. He laughed and said he played 19 games for the Hawks in 1970. We talked for a while and discussed how the game has changed. His name is Howie Ménard, I have absolutely no recollection if him.
- paulr

Was obtained from the Kings in summer of 70 in an intralegue draft. Traded mid season for the immortal Gene Ubriaco. Wore #19 about 40 years before Toews.

Was obtained from the Kings in summer of 70 in an intralegue draft. Traded mid season for the immortal Gene Ubriaco. Wore #19 about 40 years before Toews.
- boilermaker100

And there you have it. I’m pretty sure Boiler knows everything.

https://x.com/CRoumelioti...tatus/1881453794187493858

Charlie Roumeliotis
@CRoumeliotis
Find someone who speaks about you the way Connor Bedard speaks about Lukas Reichel.

https://x.com/CRoumeliotis/status/1881453794187493858

Charlie Roumeliotis
@CRoumeliotis
Find someone who speaks about you the way Connor Bedard speaks about Lukas Reichel.
- breadbag

I wish I could say my wife ….

And there you have it. I’m pretty sure Boiler knows everything.
- paulr

Boiler is the man! By the way, Bertuzzi and Nazar are switching sides on Bedard’s line tonight, Nazar will be on left wing. Not sure what to make of this, hey, Maybe Boiler knows.