Mark Messier doesn’t sound as if he’s a Connor Bedard fan and wonders if Bedard is a team morale killer because his defensive play is so weak. Than of course that brings out everyone to pile on. Messier is also critical of Sorensen not being tougher on Bedard. There aren’t many players, especially veterans, who play an effective two way game, so I’m not sure how Bedard is supposed to learn? That said Bedard does have to play better defensively, the number of flybys where he pretends to check has to stop. He has to position himself much better, he’s almost always on the wrong side of the puck defensively, then he tries to engage with his stick and not get his body involved. I will say he’s stopped cherry picking and he is in the defensive zone more. Someone has to work with him when he doesn’t have the puck and hold him accountable when he gives a half effort.

https://search.app/JEAuqvVyYS6AV3Zg8

Ottawa supposedly expressing interest in Donato.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...donato-brandon-tanev.html

Senators have three 3rd round picks in 2026. One of those could be the likely return, IMO.

Ottawa supposedly expressing interest in Donato.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...donato-brandon-tanev.html

Senators have three 3rd round picks in 2026. One of those could be the likely return, IMO.
- boilermaker100

I'm not trading him for a 3rd. High 2nd at worst.

Mark Messier doesn’t sound as if he’s a Connor Bedard fan and wonders if Bedard is a team morale killer because his defensive play is so weak. Than of course that brings out everyone to pile on. Messier is also critical of Sorensen not being tougher on Bedard. There aren’t many players, especially veterans, who play an effective two way game, so I’m not sure how Bedard is supposed to learn? That said Bedard does have to play better defensively, the number of flybys where he pretends to check has to stop. He has to position himself much better, he’s almost always on the wrong side of the puck defensively, then he tries to engage with his stick and not get his body involved. I will say he’s stopped cherry picking and he is in the defensive zone more. Someone has to work with him when he doesn’t have the puck and hold him accountable when he gives a half effort.

https://search.app/JEAuqvVyYS6AV3Zg8
- paulr

Tell us something we don't know. Edmonton and Gretzky didn't play a lot of defense either.

Just 2 teams at the opposite ends of the league. Valuable minutes for any of the kids playing. I recall when we were winning Stanley Cups Florida had maybe 5000 fans coming to the games. It's their time to shine but i don't believe it'll be Buffalo long or oiler long or new jersey long before we start to improve as a team.
- BetweenTheDots

Agree just shows how far Hawks have to go before getting better.

Tell us something we don't know. Edmonton and Gretzky didn't play a lot of defense either.
- rpeters01

Saw Gretzky play multiple times, biggest cherry picker in the history of the game. Spent most of the time at the red line, since two line pass offsides was in play back then.

Lardis with a natural hat trick and 4 total goals thus far today. Kid has a damn good shot!

Lardis with a natural hat trick and 4 total goals thus far today. Kid has a damn good shot!
- Chunk

Lardis with four and Vanacker with two in the second period.

Lardis with a natural hat trick and 4 total goals thus far today. Kid has a damn good shot!
- Chunk

Hopefully we see him and his shot and speed later this season.

Mark Messier doesn’t sound as if he’s a Connor Bedard fan and wonders if Bedard is a team morale killer because his defensive play is so weak. Than of course that brings out everyone to pile on. Messier is also critical of Sorensen not being tougher on Bedard. There aren’t many players, especially veterans, who play an effective two way game, so I’m not sure how Bedard is supposed to learn? That said Bedard does have to play better defensively, the number of flybys where he pretends to check has to stop. He has to position himself much better, he’s almost always on the wrong side of the puck defensively, then he tries to engage with his stick and not get his body involved. I will say he’s stopped cherry picking and he is in the defensive zone more. Someone has to work with him when he doesn’t have the puck and hold him accountable when he gives a half effort.

https://search.app/JEAuqvVyYS6AV3Zg8
- paulr

Keep in mind than Patrick Kane wasn't much of a defensive guru either.

Lardis with four and Vanacker with two in the second period.
- paulr

Bamford has Lardis highlights on his site.

https://www.bleachernatio...-has-a-natural-hat-trick/

Keep in mind than Patrick Kane wasn't much of a defensive guru either.
- bjphawkfan

Yeah, having one or two guys that aren't defensive stalwarts isn't a big problem if they are putting up 1+ PPG. I'm not really worried about it until I see what the rest of the roster is going to look like. If they have too many guys that don't want to be 200' players, they'll trade for a few.

Mark Messier doesn’t sound as if he’s a Connor Bedard fan and wonders if Bedard is a team morale killer because his defensive play is so weak. Than of course that brings out everyone to pile on. Messier is also critical of Sorensen not being tougher on Bedard. There aren’t many players, especially veterans, who play an effective two way game, so I’m not sure how Bedard is supposed to learn? That said Bedard does have to play better defensively, the number of flybys where he pretends to check has to stop. He has to position himself much better, he’s almost always on the wrong side of the puck defensively, then he tries to engage with his stick and not get his body involved. I will say he’s stopped cherry picking and he is in the defensive zone more. Someone has to work with him when he doesn’t have the puck and hold him accountable when he gives a half effort.

https://search.app/JEAuqvVyYS6AV3Zg8
- paulr

Ehhhhh don't care what Messier has to say. Bedard wants to win and is actually in the defensive zone, he's just not very good at it right now. Shocker teenager playing against men.

Bamford has Lardis highlights on his site.

https://www.bleachernatio...-has-a-natural-hat-trick/
- boilermaker100

The reality of a 3rd round pick making it to the big dance and being a top 6 forward are very low. We'll see what happens but i have to admit I'm very intrigued to see the kids from college join us this year, 2 years from now we may be looking at Lardis, Moore, Kantserov, Vanacker, Spellacy start to get their feet wet in the NHL. Talent and speed is going to be a lot of fun to watch.

Ehhhhh don't care what Messier has to say. Bedard wants to win and is actually in the defensive zone, he's just not very good at it right now. Shocker teenager playing against men.
- BetweenTheDots

Would it carry more weight with you if Toews said it? I mean, he does have more Cups than Toews does and was a revered leader. I don't think Messier is necessarily wrong, but I also don't think it's all that critical at this point.

He will 100% need to learn how to be more defensively responsible, but I don't think he'll ever be regarded as a great (or even good) defensive forward. I think we'd all be happy with average as long as the points are there. As I said, as long as the majority of the team plays a strong 200' game it won't really matter.

Right now, the biggest issue is that they need to get out of their heads what they think they can get away with and start playing simple hockey. Put as many pucks on net as possible. Have players in position to follow up those shots, make sure they fight their hearts out on the boards and be sure to understand their assignments in their own end.

Big list, I know, but that is where they need to start, to say nothing about where they need to be to be a threat in the playoffs.

Would it carry more weight with you if Toews said it? I mean, he does have more Cups than Toews does and was a revered leader. I don't think Messier is necessarily wrong, but I also don't think it's all that critical at this point.

He will 100% need to learn how to be more defensively responsible, but I don't think he'll ever be regarded as a great (or even good) defensive forward. I think we'd all be happy with average as long as the points are there. As I said, as long as the majority of the team plays a strong 200' game it won't really matter.

Right now, the biggest issue is that they need to get out of their heads what they think they can get away with and start playing simple hockey. Put as many pucks on net as possible. Have players in position to follow up those shots, make sure they fight their hearts out on the boards and be sure to understand their assignments in their own end.

Big list, I know, but that is where they need to start, to say nothing about where they need to be to be a threat in the playoffs.
- Chunk

Well Paul says he wonders if he's a team morale killer? That's a wee bit dramatic. Don't care who says it he's a kid who's never had to play defense and is learning how at the NHL level. Is he going to win every puck battle, or board battle no but he's trying. His style of play didn't cost the world junior club a gold medal. He'll be fine and he wants to win so he'll learn and get better but also becoming a man will help more than anything else.

Would it carry more weight with you if Toews said it? I mean, he does have more Cups than Toews does and was a revered leader. I don't think Messier is necessarily wrong, but I also don't think it's all that critical at this point.

He will 100% need to learn how to be more defensively responsible, but I don't think he'll ever be regarded as a great (or even good) defensive forward. I think we'd all be happy with average as long as the points are there. As I said, as long as the majority of the team plays a strong 200' game it won't really matter.

Right now, the biggest issue is that they need to get out of their heads what they think they can get away with and start playing simple hockey. Put as many pucks on net as possible. Have players in position to follow up those shots, make sure they fight their hearts out on the boards and be sure to understand their assignments in their own end.

Big list, I know, but that is where they need to start, to say nothing about where they need to be to be a threat in the playoffs.
- Chunk

Messier isn’t wrong, it’s imperative Bedard does the bare minimum defensively, even Kane played some defense. But most team veterans aren’t great defensively either, Bedard wasn’t expected to play any defense in junior and he didn’t get any development in the minors so he has to figure it out on the fly. If he wants the captaincy he’ll have to remedy this part of his game.

Well Paul says he wonders if he's a team morale killer? That's a wee bit dramatic. Don't care who says it he's a kid who's never had to play defense and is learning how at the NHL level. Is he going to win every puck battle, or board battle no but he's trying. His style of play didn't cost the world junior club a gold medal. He'll be fine and he wants to win so he'll learn and get better but also becoming a man will help more than anything else.
- BetweenTheDots

Well Paul didn’t say Bedard was a morale killer, if you’d read the article you’d see that was Messier who made that comment.

Well Paul didn’t say Bedard was a morale killer, if you’d read the article you’d see that was Messier who made that comment.
- paulr

I didn't know Messier is auditioning for day time soaps. Like i said whoever said it is being a wee bit dramatic.

I didn't know Messier is auditioning for day time soaps. Like i said whoever said it is being a wee bit dramatic.
- BetweenTheDots

Unfortunately guys on TV feel they have to say something and say stupid poop. But Messier is right in that Bedard has to do a whole lot better without the puck.

Bamford has Lardis highlights on his site.

https://www.bleachernatio...-has-a-natural-hat-trick/
- boilermaker100

I watched the first two periods, man Lardis’ release and shot are next level. His shot is comparable to Bedard’s. He’s a much better skater than Bedard but Bedard’s hockey IQ and vision are off the charts. And while most of Lardis’ goals are from 15-25 feet out Vanacker must score most of his goals from within inches of the blue paint.

Ottawa supposedly expressing interest in Donato.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...donato-brandon-tanev.html

Senators have three 3rd round picks in 2026. One of those could be the likely return, IMO.
- boilermaker100

Donato for boucher enough with the picks. How about Donato Murphy Toronto's 1st and 4th for Norris boucher and ostapchuk
Hawks get a second line center and size and physicality.

Lardis with four and Vanacker with two in the second period.
- paulr

Only question I have with lardis will his scoring translate to the nhl? Hope so but time will tell.

Donato for boucher enough with the picks. How about Donato Murphy Toronto's 1st and 4th for Norris boucher and ostapchuk
Hawks get a second line center and size and physicality.
- Scott1977

Norris’ contract runs until the 29-30 season, the cap hit isn’t bad but he’s never played a full season because he’s injury prone.

Only question I have with lardis will his scoring translate to the nhl? Hope so but time will tell.
- Scott1977

Even with his crazy scoring numbers I’m not sure if Lardis will eventually make the NHL however I think Vanacker is a lot more of a sure bet to make it.