Lol - he's a much more dynamic player than Debrincat ever has been.

Sophomore slumps are pretty normal especially for goal scorers. Selanne had a nasty slump his second year, Brian Leetch was not that great his second year, Iginla had a drop.

Bernier's who played last night and looked pretty good obviously had a drop off. Closer to his rookie pace this year.

Jack Hughes had a rough first two years, but now if he stays healthy could ultimately chase Kane's point totals.

Bedard had two that just missed last night. Maybe earlier in the season last year those go in. Teams have pretty much adjusted to him doing it by himself and playing with the likes of Kurashev, Donato, Smith, Reichel - isn't going to help.

This is probably the first time he's ever had to overcome any adversity and based on his body language and breaking of the sticks he is not handling it constructively at the moment. If one of those shots go in last night everyone is probably Richard hard he's off the schnide.

Just have to let the kid ride it out. At the end of December or beginning of January they have a 7\8 game home stand and I think there you take a look at Nazar and possibly Korchinski again there. I'd expect them to make some change around the holiday - moving out a role player or veteran.

I also think this is where you run into issues with signing place holders instead of building a team. This is another year that doesn't matter since "no one will be here anyway" when they are good (assuming that happens). Certainly the team isn't unwatchable at this point but I don't think that expectations should be that high either.
- fattybeef

To my untrained eye, Bedard looks slower than last year. He doesn't seem to have any separation speed this year . Is he hiding an injury?

Yea, even though they brought in vets this team still can't be effective in front of the goalie. Looking to score in transition most times. Even with the man advantage the same issue comes up. I don't have the answer but it sure looks like guys just don't want to take the eyes of goalie away and instead stand off to the side and hope a juicy rebound falls on their stick, and that is just not happening for now.
- BetweenTheDots

The blue line is also very slow and has no push.

Martinez getting 19 mins of even strength time and Kaiser getting 12 is irksome. Brodie should not be playing at this stage if it is actually a meritocracy.

When does someone ask why are minutes being chunked up this way when it doesn't reflect performance?

The blue line is also very slow and has no push.

Martinez getting 19 mins of even strength time and Kaiser getting 12 is irksome. Brodie should not be playing at this stage if it is actually a meritocracy.

When does someone ask why are minutes being chunked up this way when it doesn't reflect performance?
- fattybeef

Bedard been a bit disappointing but he has no help. Maybe less than last year. You big signing, TT, on pace for 39 pts this year. On pace for 3rd best total on the team. Kurashev on pace for 19 pts. Bertuzzi on pace for 29 pts.

Donato is on pace for his best season but he will not shot 20% all season.

This teams offense might be worse than last years at this point in the season. Bedard has no help. Difficult to single him out as being an issue/not meeting expectations when every other forward that is in the "top 6" is under performing.

To my untrained eye, Bedard looks slower than last year. He doesn't seem to have any separation speed this year . Is he hiding an injury?
- LAHawk

I don't think he had separation speed last year either.

He's more like Kane or Panarin - where they are fantastic on their edges and very deceptive skaters and tremendous puck handlers but neither of those guys are getting shot out of a cannon and are only breaking away unless shooting the zone.

Teams are giving him the outside and stacking guys in the middle to protect the net so he's not walking guys like last year. He's also just not finishing.

The other thing that is frustrating is which defenders LR puts him out there with. I hate to say it but the defenders that should roll with whatever Bedard's line is are Jones and Kaiser and you tell Kaiser to get aggressive and carry the puck. Same with Jones.

This passy poop out of the back is fine most of the time but if theyre going to generate on the other end there has to be some threat of advancement from the blue line and those are really the only two guys who can do it. Let Martinez babysit Brodie or adjust the roster so Jones only has to play 22 mins and you can let Martinez or Murphy eat the other 38 on the right side.

Bedard been a bit disappointing but he has no help. Maybe less than last year. You big signing, TT, on pace for 39 pts this year. On pace for 3rd best total on the team. Kurashev on pace for 19 pts. Bertuzzi on pace for 29 pts.

Donato is on pace for his best season but he will not shot 20% all season.

This teams offense might be worse than last years at this point in the season. Bedard has no help. Difficult to single him out as being an issue/not meeting expectations when every other forward that is in the "top 6" is under performing.
- bhawks2241

My issues with Bedard aren't really that he isn't producing. I could accept that if he was doing things that would lead to offense and they just weren't going in. I spent most of my time watching what he was doing in the offensive zone. It was obviously skewed since their goalie cut off virtually every dump in the Hawks made, but the few times the Hawks had possession, you see Bedard circling around hoping his teammates do something and not supporting the play. If he wants the puck, he's going to have to figure out a way to go get it sometimes.

I don't think he had separation speed last year either.

He's more like Kane or Panarin - where they are fantastic on their edges and very deceptive skaters and tremendous puck handlers but neither of those guys are getting shot out of a cannon and are only breaking away unless shooting the zone.

Teams are giving him the outside and stacking guys in the middle to protect the net so he's not walking guys like last year. He's also just not finishing.

The other thing that is frustrating is which defenders LR puts him out there with. I hate to say it but the defenders that should roll with whatever Bedard's line is are Jones and Kaiser and you tell Kaiser to get aggressive and carry the puck. Same with Jones.

This passy poop out of the back is fine most of the time but if theyre going to generate on the other end there has to be some threat of advancement from the blue line and those are really the only two guys who can do it. Let Martinez babysit Brodie or adjust the roster so Jones only has to play 22 mins and you can let Martinez or Murphy eat the other 38 on the right side.
- fattybeef

He's been really good in the last five games or so.

I don't think anyone ever thought he was going to drive his own line. He was stapled to Aho the entire time in CAR. He's a really good complement to a guy who can drive his own line.

Not calling for his head, but at some point you need to look at LR. How many times do you need to have the same issue before something drastic happens. Bedard had 2 1/2 more minutes on ice than any other forward. Knock his ass down a peg or two until he starts doing the things needed.
- Chunk

Bedard isn't really an issue. Skating him with players like Kurashev and Donato is a problem. Maybe put him between Hall and Bertuzzi for 2 or 3 games and see what happens.

Skating Martinez 19 even strength minutes and Kaiser only 12 I think is a bigger problem. Skating Brodie at all is v bad. TT had less ES time than Kurashev and Bertuzzi had less than Reichel. I think on a poop team you have to just put your best players together.

I think that is a line 1 of Bertuzzi, Bedard and Hall - and then JRichard, Anderson and TT and Hall and TT are interchangeable and (frank) the other 2.

My issues with Bedard aren't really that he isn't producing. I could accept that if he was doing things that would lead to offense and they just weren't going in. I spent most of my time watching what he was doing in the offensive zone. It was obviously skewed since their goalie cut off virtually every dump in the Hawks made, but the few times the Hawks had possession, you see Bedard circling around hoping his teammates do something and not supporting the play. If he wants the puck, he's going to have to figure out a way to go get it sometimes.
- Chunk

I know who has a good shot and is a goal scorer. He showed this in a small sample size during the exhibition season. I suspect that he is not playing in a five man unit with the dmen pair performing well I also do not think he has linemattes accomplishing much. Well he is not ready for NHL yet but I almost wonder if he stagnates with the situation in Rockford. Talking about Hayes and I suggest you watch him
Chunk

He's been really good in the last five games or so.
- Chunk

He's been outstanding and just starting to get more aggressive.

He's been outstanding and just starting to get more aggressive.
- fattybeef

Escept for losing his man on goal #2 last night, but I would say that goal was more on Brodie than anything else.

Mrazek should be the Hawks all-star selection this year, wonder if he can get a return even with the extra year left on his contract?

I know who has a good shot and is a goal scorer. He showed this in a small sample size during the exhibition season. I suspect that he is not playing in a five man unit with the dmen pair performing well I also do not think he has linemattes accomplishing much. Well he is not ready for NHL yet but I almost wonder if he stagnates with the situation in Rockford. Talking about Hayes and I suggest you watch him
Chunk
- jhawk59

I tried to concentrate on him last game (number 92 for those at home). He was ok. He does have a pretty good shot, but I think he probably needs another year after this one in RFD to figure out what he needs to do against bigger/better players that can push him around. Adding about 7-10 lbs (or at least getting a stronger base) would do him a world of good.

I still say Savoie and Nazar could be effective in the NHL right now. They jump on the ice, attack the puck and then get off. Simple, straightforward, and effective. Savoie had 2-3 really good chances that just missed going in last game. Nazar gets his shots off quickly and they have a lot of heat on them.

Edit - I'll try to follow 92 again tonight. I'm also keying on Arty and KK. As I mentioned previously, I think EDM is playing a really strong game at the moment (with a little offensive aggression added in for good measure).

What ever trade value they have. My guess Smith gets you a 5th (maybe), and Donato a third. Remember both were scratches opening night. Anderson might get you a fourth. Maroon a 5th. Kurashev a third.

Maybe with money retained you can get a third for Hall

TT and Bertuzzi have too much term

Richardinson, Foligno, Mikhayev are untradeable

Reichel was IMO the best forward last night, for $1.5 and another year, got to keep

As far as the D, Connor Murphy was fantastic IMO last night and has been solid all year. Keep him healthy, and maybe at the TDL you can trade him for a young asset even though Murph. has another year on his contract.
- LAHawk

I pretty much agree with you, with the exception of D!ckinson. He is 29, good size, plays a 200' game, has a reasonable cap hit, is locked in for one year after this year, can succeed with various linemates, can kill penalties. I would think he gets a 2nd plus. Of course if I am the Hawks, I hold onto him for those reasons, unless the offer is very very good. He is a player that could be of value if/when the Hawks are competitive.

What ever trade value they have. My guess Smith gets you a 5th (maybe), and Donato a third. Remember both were scratches opening night. Anderson might get you a fourth. Maroon a 5th. Kurashev a third.

Maybe with money retained you can get a third for Hall

TT and Bertuzzi have too much term

Richardinson, Foligno, Mikhayev are untradeable

Reichel was IMO the best forward last night, for $1.5 and another year, got to keep

As far as the D, Connor Murphy was fantastic IMO last night and has been solid all year. Keep him healthy, and maybe at the TDL you can trade him for a young asset even though Murph. has another year on his contract.
- LAHawk

If you can get a 3rd for Kurashev, take it and bring up Nazar.

I pretty much agree with you, with the exception of D!ckinson. He is 29, good size, plays a 200' game, has a reasonable cap hit, is locked in for one year after this year, can succeed with various linemates, can kill penalties. I would think he gets a 2nd plus. Of course if I am the Hawks, I hold onto him for those reasons, unless the offer is very very good. He is a player that could be of value if/when the Hawks are competitive.
- Ztra

He is Marcus Krueger 2.0. Contending teams aren’t paying $4 mil+ AAV for Marcus Krueger

I pretty much agree with you, with the exception of D!ckinson. He is 29, good size, plays a 200' game, has a reasonable cap hit, is locked in for one year after this year, can succeed with various linemates, can kill penalties. I would think he gets a 2nd plus. Of course if I am the Hawks, I hold onto him for those reasons, unless the offer is very very good. He is a player that could be of value if/when the Hawks are competitive.
- Ztra

He is Marcus Krueger 2.0. Contending teams aren’t paying $4 mil+ AAV for Marcus Krueger

Obviously, but when your main source of offense is not doing the required things needed to generate chances that's going to be a big issue and you aren't going to win many games.

IMO, Kurashev has officially turned back into a pumpkin. He passes up so many good opportunities trying to make the extra pass.

On the flip side, Kaiser was a monster last night. Kept the offensive pressure a few times and broke up tons of plays. For all the poop he gets, I thought Jones was really good last night too. Lots of movement and got a lot of shots on net from the back end. If they could only get everyone (or at least most of the team) going at the same time. How many times do they have to say the same crap after games before they start doing it?
- Chunk

Kaiser is under appreciated because he is only 6', 175. Not making a comparison in style or skill level, but Keith was 6'1" and 195. (Some people thought he was not really 6'1", nor 195.) Kaiser could add a few pounds in the next few years. And for only 175 Kaiser plays a pretty physical game.

He is Marcus Krueger 2.0. Contending teams aren’t paying $4 mil+ AAV for Marcus Krueger
- LAHawk

Kruger made $3mil 8 years ago. Inflation and higher cap now.

Kruger made $3mil 8 years ago. Inflation and higher cap now.
- Ztra

Noel Acciari is one in the same as Jason Richardinson, he got 3 x $2 mi

He is Marcus Krueger 2.0. Contending teams aren’t paying $4 mil+ AAV for Marcus Krueger
- LAHawk

Idk about that. Kruger's best year I believe was 9 goals...but yeah, most contending teams likely wouldn't have signed D!ckinson at $4mil+.

The Hawks best line is D!ckinson, Anderson, and whomever they put in as the other winger (Mikheyev/Kurashev, etc.). They are put out their as often as LR can get them on the ice against the other teams top line.

Their 2nd best line is arguable. You could say Maroon, Reichel and Smith. Or you could say none of the other lines are any good. So I would even out the minutes between the other three lines and then look at the eye test and fancy stats.

Personally I would put your leading scorers Bedard and Donato on a line with a veteran like Hall. Call that your "top" line.

The 3rd line than is TT, Bertuzzi, Foligno. You can call it the $15 million dollar line. Because that is what you are paying them.
- Ztra

Yogi Berra said "if you've got three best lines you don't have a best line."

Kurashev is being exposed as what he is, a decent bottom 6 player, that can player higher in a pinch. At 25 with nearly 300 games in the league he is not going to get much better. But the better players he plays with the better he will seem.
- Ztra

I keep saying if Kurashev wants to stick around he must become Frolik because he sure ain't McDavid.

Kruger made $3mil 8 years ago. Inflation and higher cap now.
- Ztra

The $3 mil Krueger got was a make up contract by Stan for all the $1.5's he helped the team playing for.

Mrazek should be the Hawks all-star selection this year, wonder if he can get a return even with the extra year left on his contract?
- LAHawk

KD's biggest concern right now is Rockford sucks, not Chicago.

Noel Acciari is one in the same as Jason Richardinson, he got 3 x $2 mi
- LAHawk

33 years old in December
Only scored 23 points one year.
5’ 10”
Other centers on Pittsburgh…. Crosby, Malkin, Rakell, Glass, Hayes, Lizotte