Smith practiced today. If healthy, looks like Dach, Kurashev and Allan are sitting. My hope at this point is that they are just trying to get someone to bite on Murphy's contract. There really is not point in playing him. He's just going to break down again.

There was a recent article that stated he's dealing with the same issue as last year and just trying to find ways to cope. I'll try to find it. Martinez will be gone next year, and I'd bet good money that they buy Brodie out.

I'd love to see in the near future:
Vlasic-Jones
Allan - Crev (Yeah Rico, I said it)
KK - EDM
Kaiser
- Chunk

Brodie makes me think of JJ's famous "three-wheeled shopping cart" denotion for Rozy back in the day. Take Rozy and his 3 wheels over Brodie though

Brodie makes me think of JJ's famous "three-wheeled shopping cart" denotion for Rozy back in the day. Take Rozy and his 3 wheels over Brodie though
- Assman22

Any day. From all that I've seen, it's not for a lack of effort on Brodie's part, or him being a jackass. He's not at all used to the Hawks defensive structure and he's thinking instead of playing. He's got very little idea of where to go with the puck.

I'll reiterate, the most important addition to the Hawks this offseason will be the coach.

Any day. From all that I've seen, it's not for a lack of effort on Brodie's part, or him being a jackass. He's not at all used to the Hawks defensive structure and he's thinking instead of playing. He's got very little idea of where to go with the puck.

I'll reiterate, the most important addition to the Hawks this offseason will be the coach.
- Chunk

Without talent a coach can’t do much. On the other hand a team of talented players need a good coach. The most important moves the Hawks can make this offseason is moving out deadwood and getting more talent.

Smith practiced today. If healthy, looks like Dach, Kurashev and Allan are sitting. My hope at this point is that they are just trying to get someone to bite on Murphy's contract. There really is not point in playing him. He's just going to break down again.

There was a recent article that stated he's dealing with the same issue as last year and just trying to find ways to cope. I'll try to find it. Martinez will be gone next year, and I'd bet good money that they buy Brodie out.

I'd love to see in the near future:
Vlasic-Jones
Allan - Crev (Yeah Rico, I said it)
KK - EDM
Kaiser
- Chunk

One that I've heard a couple times is that Edmonton might be interested in Connor Murphy, but that might have been before they signed Klingberg. So that door might have closed, and they'd probably be looking for Chicago to take Skinner in return and possibly retain a little on Murphy for next year.

The injury status with Murphy is definitely a factor as it continues. I still think it might be that he ends up on LTIR and then retires rather than continue to struggle with the groin issues.

Without talent a coach can’t do much. On the other hand a team of talented players need a good coach. The most important moves the Hawks can make this offseason is moving out deadwood and getting more talent.
- paulr

Oh, for sure you need talent, but I think the right coach can and will at a minimum will get the team playing together instead of individuals.

To me, it looks like one of the biggest issues with this team is that there are too many players that don't understand where they are supposed to be or how to support the play.

I think at this point, it is a given that KD will strongly push to improve the roster again. I'll throw my guess out that he'll land on Boeser.

One that I've heard a couple times is that Edmonton might be interested in Connor Murphy, but that might have been before they signed Klingberg. So that door might have closed, and they'd probably be looking for Chicago to take Skinner in return and possibly retain a little on Murphy for next year.

The injury status with Murphy is definitely a factor as it continues. I still think it might be that he ends up on LTIR and then retires rather than continue to struggle with the groin issues.
- breadbag

I guess the ideal is that Murphy plays really well tomorrow night and comes out unscathed. I wouldn't care at all about Skinner coming back, or retaining for an extra year on Murphy.

Well, yeah, that's why I used the word theoretically.
- Chunk

I skip over words that are more than two syllables.

No idea, I hope he can get his development on track and learn the defensive side of the game. But I think another season in junior would have been better for his development. And that last season playing pro didn't benefit him, the team or the fans.
- paulr

KK didn’t benefit from playing a full NHL season last year? Come on. A year with NHL coaching, NHL trainers, NHL video analysis, being around NHL vets but zero value added?

You didn’t like him being in the NHL but let’s not over exaggerate to the point we claim it didn’t benefit him at all.

I guess the ideal is that Murphy plays really well tomorrow night and comes out unscathed. I wouldn't care at all about Skinner coming back, or retaining for an extra year on Murphy.
- Chunk

Buffalo has been looking for a RD for years as Dahlin, Byram , Samuelsson, and Power are all LD. Their best RD is Jokiharju.

KK didn’t benefit from playing a full NHL season last year? Come on. A year with NHL coaching, NHL trainers, NHL video analysis, being around NHL vets but zero value added?

You didn’t like him being in the NHL but let’s not over exaggerate to the point we claim it didn’t benefit him at all.
- bhawks2241

Korchinski’s defense improved marginally over the course of last season. He was timid in his first NHL game and last time I saw him he still was. I think his passing is off the charts, so far his best attribute. His vaunted offensive game was non existent.

So do I think he benefited from NHL coaching, which many thought was below average, and other NHL resources? He benefited marginally defensively and that’s about it. Do you think he improved? And if yes, why isn’t he in the NHL now? I still think KK would have benefited more from an additional season in Seattle to get stronger, bigger, more confident and learned to play defensively.

Whatever the Hawks do this offseason, coaching, talent, etc... They need to move the needle on getting better in moving through the neutral zone. We need to improve our transition out of our end and through to the attacking zone with possession of the puck. When I look at our D, very little ability to carry the mail and join the rush. Good by not outstanding passes up the ice from our D. Pair that with our somewhat lack luster forecheck and we will continue to be underwater in shots/chances on most nights.

I think we need more guys that can actually win board battles who aren't on their last legs from a speed perspective and we could really use a D who can carry the puck from point A to point B with speed. It gives us options in getting out of the zone when the D doesn't have to just throw the pass up ice and the attacking forwards have to respect that the D can just skate the puck up ice.

I'm all for having big D that can defend in their own end, but to start to turn the tables I think we need at least one more D that can really skate. It leads to those 4 or 5 instances in a game where instead of being stuck in our zone we get on the attack. I know Jones and Vlasic skate well for their size, but we don't really have anyone in the lineup who is gonna get the puck on their stick and burn up ice very often. It would help a fair bit IMO.

One that I've heard a couple times is that Edmonton might be interested in Connor Murphy, but that might have been before they signed Klingberg. So that door might have closed, and they'd probably be looking for Chicago to take Skinner in return and possibly retain a little on Murphy for next year.

The injury status with Murphy is definitely a factor as it continues. I still think it might be that he ends up on LTIR and then retires rather than continue to struggle with the groin issues.
- breadbag

That's been mentioned here before. Considering the Hawks cap situation, they may just keep him on regular IR for the season so his cap hit counts toward the floor. Or, if on LTIR, trade him to someone who wants to utilize his LTIR status to make ends meet next season.

Whatever the Hawks do this offseason, coaching, talent, etc... They need to move the needle on getting better in moving through the neutral zone. We need to improve our transition out of our end and through to the attacking zone with possession of the puck. When I look at our D, very little ability to carry the mail and join the rush. Good by not outstanding passes up the ice from our D. Pair that with our somewhat lack luster forecheck and we will continue to be underwater in shots/chances on most nights.

I think we need more guys that can actually win board battles who aren't on their last legs from a speed perspective and we could really use a D who can carry the puck from point A to point B with speed. It gives us options in getting out of the zone when the D doesn't have to just throw the pass up ice and the attacking forwards have to respect that the D can just skate the puck up ice.

I'm all for having big D that can defend in their own end, but to start to turn the tables I think we need at least one more D that can really skate. It leads to those 4 or 5 instances in a game where instead of being stuck in our zone we get on the attack. I know Jones and Vlasic skate well for their size, but we don't really have anyone in the lineup who is gonna get the puck on their stick and burn up ice very often. It would help a fair bit IMO.
- breadbag

You obviously never know, but I would highly doubt that KD signs or trades for anyone like that. They've got KK, Lev, and RInzel as guys that have that ability. I would bet that KK is up at the start of next year. Jones has the ability, and would be much more effective at it with a better team around him as there would be other players of concern for the opponent to consider.

I think having one or two other forwards that can make the opposition take note would be a huge benefit to what you are saying as well.

Buffalo has been looking for a RD for years as Dahlin, Byram , Samuelsson, and Power are all LD. Their best RD is Jokiharju.
- Angotti

They could have picked Boqvist on waivers last week, but the Islanders, higher up in the standings than Buffalo, claimed him.

Korchinski’s defense improved marginally over the course of last season. He was timid in his first NHL game and last time I saw him he still was. I think his passing is off the charts, so far his best attribute. His vaunted offensive game was non existent.

So do I think he benefited from NHL coaching, which many thought was below average, and other NHL resources? He benefited marginally defensively and that’s about it. Do you think he improved? And if yes, why isn’t he in the NHL now? I still think KK would have benefited more from an additional season in Seattle to get stronger, bigger, more confident and learned to play defensively.
- paulr

The guy already was a top dman in the WHL. Already won in that league. He already won with Canada at the WJC. There really wasn't much more confidence he was going to gain from playing again in juniors. After 3 years of playing in the WHL, was a 4th really going to add much? No, probably not. The WHL wasn't going to teach him to play against men. It wasn't going to give him pro experience. If he didn't learn the positioning and tendencies needed while playing for the Thunderbirds after 3 seasons, it's unlikely he was going to make huge progress going back to the same environment and situation.

Most of his progress at this stage comes from maturing physically, ice-time and experience. Three things that still happened during his NHL season last year. He wasn't in the press box watching. He wasn't playing 6-8 minutes a night. He wasn't in and out of the dog house losing confidence. He was playing a regular shift, learning from NHL vets, learning from the coaches and most importantly progressing as the season went on.

Did the Hawks have the best coaching staff in the NHL, no. That doesn't mean they are bad at everything and didn't help him along. We are talking about coaches in the best league in the world vs a Jr league. Being with an NHL club he has access to their training staff, nutritionists, conditions and strength coaches. All while he also learns from actual NHL players on his team. Many things he doesn't get the benefit of in junior or not to the same caliber.

Edit: I know we won't agree, but just making my case for why there are benefits to bringing him up last year. It would have been different IMO if the Hawks were a competitive team last season and he was sitting on the shelf rather than playing minutes.

You obviously never know, but I would highly doubt that KD signs or trades for anyone like that. They've got KK, Lev, and RInzel as guys that have that ability. I would bet that KK is up at the start of next year. Jones has the ability, and would be much more effective at it with a better team around him as there would be other players of concern for the opponent to consider.

I think having one or two other forwards that can make the opposition take note would be a huge benefit to what you are saying as well.
- Chunk

I know what you mean and I'm not confident we'd be picking up another Dman like that either, but just saying it seems like such a hole right now. I feel like we need more options in moving the puck and/or winning it back when it's 50/50. Watching us barely get 15-20 shots many nights is tough. I know league wide, the average shots per game is down by about 2-3 shots, but we are on the wrong end of it by about 7 shots per game differential. I think we block shots decently well too. I don't know the actual "time of attack" for each team, but I'm willing to bet we are dead last.

I know what you mean and I'm not confident we'd be picking up another Dman like that either, but just saying it seems like such a hole right now. I feel like we need more options in moving the puck and/or winning it back when it's 50/50. Watching us barely get 15-20 shots many nights is tough. I know league wide, the average shots per game is down by about 2-3 shots, but we are on the wrong end of it by about 7 shots per game differential. I think we block shots decently well too. I don't know the actual "time of attack" for each team, but I'm willing to bet we are dead last.
- breadbag

You aren't wrong, and Fattybeef used to harp on this all the time. It's one of the reasons he said the Leafs would never win because there was no push from the back end.

Regarding the shots on goal, they need to be able to get out of their zone and not just dump the puck over to the other team. They lose possession so easily and often, that they end up chasing most of the game.

Slaggert has improved that some. Donato and Nazar are pretty good at it, but most others are kinda brutal. Once they get some more speed and puck hounds in the lineup, that should change.

I'm still hoping Dach switches gears soon, although it looks like he'll likely be out tomorrow.

Is Connor Bedard worth $17M a season? If the cap goes to the expected $104M in 26/27 when his ELC expires, he can conceivably get a $17M per season contract.

https://search.app/6BsX8nC6i7257BSH9

Is Connor Bedard worth $17M a season? If the cap goes to the expected $104M in 26/27 when his ELC expires, he can conceivably get a $17M per season contract.

https://search.app/6BsX8nC6i7257BSH9
- paulr

If I had to guess, he goes the Matthews route and take around $11 for five years, then go a high number for another 5 years or so. Gives both him and the club some flexibility and the opportunity for him to earn more as he improves.

I know what you mean and I'm not confident we'd be picking up another Dman like that either, but just saying it seems like such a hole right now. I feel like we need more options in moving the puck and/or winning it back when it's 50/50. Watching us barely get 15-20 shots many nights is tough. I know league wide, the average shots per game is down by about 2-3 shots, but we are on the wrong end of it by about 7 shots per game differential. I think we block shots decently well too. I don't know the actual "time of attack" for each team, but I'm willing to bet we are dead last.
- breadbag

This team obviously has many issues, however the fact that their defensemen can’t push the puck up ice may be their biggest shortcoming. They have drafted two defensemen to help with this challenge in KK and Levshunov, hopefully they’ll be up with the team next year(at least KK). Kk’s best attribute at this point is his passing, I can foresee many scoring opportunities as he sends in guys like Nazar, Slaggert, Reichel and others with speed into the offensive zone. The best case scenario is to have a couple of these type of defensemen along with a Vlasic, EDM, or Allan types to hold down the fort. Of course we need KK and Levshunov to be dependable on the defensive side as well, no Gustafsson’s allowed.

I guess the ideal is that Murphy plays really well tomorrow night and comes out unscathed. I wouldn't care at all about Skinner coming back, or retaining for an extra year on Murphy.
- Chunk

Unfortunately, Stan gave Skinner one of his famous NMC so he decides where he ends up.

Indeed it was. He was indecisive and caught in no man's land when the puck came down and flat-footed while Spellacy was in stride.
- Chunk

I wonder upon seeing this replay, has the Flyers board decided he is a complete and total bust??

Unfortunately, Stan gave Skinner one of his famous NMC so he decides where he ends up.
- Assman22

In this case Jeff Jackson signed him on July 1st and Stan wasn't hired until later that month about 3 weeks later.

Dave Pagnotta at The Fourth Period reporting this...

Buffalo continues to talk to teams about Dylan Cozens. Chicago and Calgary are among the teams interested. Something to keep an eye on.

Dave Pagnotta at The Fourth Period reporting this...

Buffalo continues to talk to teams about Dylan Cozens. Chicago and Calgary are among the teams interested. Something to keep an eye on.
- boilermaker100

What do you think Boiler? Big guy who can skate, good junior numbers, one good productive NHL seasons and some very mediocre ones. Pretty hefty salary for five or six more years. Do you think Chicago should go after him?