Giving up a 1st for a kid that’s lost and signed for 5 years at $7.1 per? Only 47 pts last year and even worse this year - 26pts in 52g and -17 mind you, woof.
- Assman22

Buffalo would have to retain salary on him, unless it's a comparable bad contract coming back the other way. More importantly, whoever trades for him better do their due diligence on what might be causing the decline. Is it injuries, mental, hates playing there, or something else?

I'd flip Levshunov (RD) for Byram right now straight up. Idk what a blockbuster would look like for Cozens/Byram and I doubt Jonesy would waive his NMC to go to Buffalo but if there's a coaching philosophy that Jones would do well playing under it's Lindy Ruff's. Also think they need to sell high on Crevier. That giraffe is going to continue to get beat up unless he develops a mean streak.
- Assman22

Byram hasn’t played a full NHL season yet. Are you sure you want to give up on a 19 year old for an injury prone player?

Byram hasn’t played a full NHL season yet. Are you sure you want to give up on a 19 year old for an injury prone player?
- paulr

No way I’m making that trade, maybe it will come back to haunt me later, but heck no. The Hawks have a boat load of LD’s, not trading their best RD prospect for an injury prone LD.

Probably. There are some nice consolation picks in no particular order Hagens, Martone, Misa and Desnoyers. I’d like to see KD try to use Toronto’s pick to move higher in the draft, there are a few players who look good especially Malcolm Spence, Logan Hensley, Jake O’Brien (Lardis and Vanacker teammate) and Lynden Lakovic.
- paulr

One guy that's all over lists is Ivan Ryabkin who may or may not have character flaws. He's anywhere from top 10 to falling into 2nd round as he just came over from Russia and has 6 goals and 9 points in his first 9 games in USHL.

No way I’m making that trade, maybe it will come back to haunt me later, but heck no. The Hawks have a boat load of LD’s, not trading their best RD prospect for an injury prone LD.
- Angotti

If the Hawks were to luck out and select Schaefer, Levshunov could become one potential trading chip. Would it be possible to trade a Levshunov, a Rinzel, Korchinski or whomever to get right back into the mix for a 2 to 4th choice overall for a crack at Hagens, Misa or Martone? Assuming of course one of those picks are ranked equal to or higher than what they give up.

Byram hasn’t played a full NHL season yet. Are you sure you want to give up on a 19 year old for an injury prone player?
- paulr

Injury prone? He played 73 games last season and 52 of 53 games so far this season and he's 23. Avs were up against the cap and thrusted him into big mins his first few seasons, he got beat up as he learned on the go and seems to be trending towards the draft day ceiling he had.

Lottery balls bounce weird ways sometimes
- Assman22

I just meant in the standings.

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

NHL coaching staffs and the support staffs are superior to any junior program. Do I think he improved? Absolutely. He learned what the speed and physicality of the NHL is like. He learned how to be a professional hockey player, on his own, in a new city. The video coaches and trainers probably taught him more about hockey, how to take care of his body, and how to be professional, than anything he learned while playing Jrs.

Development is not just about linear improvement on the ice. There is so much that goes into being a successful professional athlete in today's world. You usually learn a lot more being the small fish in a big pond versus being the big fish in a small pond.

Could KK have gone back to JRs sure but to proclaim he didn't develop or really benefit from a year in the NHL is a bridge too far for me.

If the Hawks were to luck out and select Schaefer, Levshunov could become one potential trading chip. Would it be possible to trade a Levshunov, a Rinzel, Korchinski or whomever to get right back into the mix for a 2 to 4th choice overall for a crack at Hagens, Misa or Martone? Assuming of course one of those picks are ranked equal to or higher than what they give up.
- paulr

If they get lucky and get Schaefer, sure I’d move a defenseman or two, but I’d hang on to Arty and Vlasic, unless KD is blown away.

NHL coaching staffs and the support staffs are superior to any junior program. Do I think he improved? Absolutely. He learned what the speed and physicality of the NHL is like. He learned how to be a professional hockey player, on his own, in a new city. The video coaches and trainers probably taught him more about hockey, how to take care of his body, and how to be professional, than anything he learned while playing Jrs.

Development is not just about linear improvement on the ice. There is so much that goes into being a successful professional athlete in today's world. You usually learn a lot more being the small fish in a big pond versus being the big fish in a small pond.

Could KK have gone back to JRs sure but to proclaim he didn't develop or really benefit from a year in the NHL is a bridge too far for me.
- bhawks2241

NHL coaching is definitely more robust than a junior coaching staff. But each is there to provide a different thing. NHL coaches are there to try to win, not to teach players the basic fundamentals. In this post you cite many intangibles. He learned the speed and physicality of the NHL, yet he didn’t demonstrate either. Him learning to live alone in a city, something he could have learned as a 20, 21 or 22 year old. NHL coaches taught him him how to look after his body et all, true but that information can and is conveyed to drafted junior and college players.

What tangible things did Korchinski learn from playing in the NHL last season? I already acknowledged his defensive play improved marginally. I didn’t see any reason for him to be in the NHL last season especially when that experience didn’t help him make the team this season. What tangible thing(s) did you see him improve on?

I think Korchinski simply wasn’t ready to leave junior. He wasn’t physically ready and there were/are big holes in his game at the time. Korchinski’s time in the NHL saw him play horrid defense, saw him play a very apprehensive, timid game and because of a terrible supporting cast, the skill that made him attractive to the Hawks, his offense, was non existent. And one of Korchinski’s strongest attributes coming out of junior was his hockey IQ, because he was playing scared that IQ was never evident.

Very few players can make the direct jump to the NHL and most of them have many difficulties. Korchinski was never that player to make the jump as a 19 year old. Without factoring in his physical deficiencies (aka size and strength) he simply wasn’t good enough defensively to be in the NHL. And playing for a team bereft of talent did him absolutely no favours.

All that said I can’t wait for KK to play regularly in the NHL, when he’s ready.

So do you think KK won't develop into an NHL dman because he played in the NHL last year?
- BetweenTheDots

I am going to go out on the plank and speak for Pauol, but I bet he means the instant promotion tpo. the hawks (because they figured satying in junior in the Dub wouldn't serve his ability to access and learn to play at NHL speed.

The kid had his father die, and probably was thrown into the pond, but the squalls were clearly knocking him about, even with the high first round characteristics he display IN junior. (I don't know if you remember that I noted his climb up that draft had to do with his maneuverability, his stick, and ability in junior to disrupt scoring plays, not barreling over guys like Artie does in Rockford. His offensive side is smooth reads into soft areas with his stick feet and quick passing are strengths. His point shot won't strike fear in goalies, but he is so young and already sees and reacts really well offensively.
Note my point a week back about he might be feeling the heat if they did end up taking LD Matt Schaefer, because his shot is exceptionally better and he probably solidifies himself, but not as a future top two guy.

I don't think he is worried that he cannot play in the bigs, and there is a place for him on the future Balckhawk rosetrs, but I bet he won't get top apir salary anytime soon, unless he is a dominant offensive weapon.

Byram hasn’t played a full NHL season yet. Are you sure you want to give up on a 19 year old for an injury prone player?
- paulr

And everybody was willing to plant their flag that he was a future Balckhawk/ NHL first pair guy...until his hockey IQ didn't improve and concussions mounted.

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

Maybe they are getting another left dee from the hawks, lol.

or six foot RDTopi Niemelä

NHL coaching is definitely more robust than a junior coaching staff. But each is there to provide a different thing. NHL coaches are there to try to win, not to teach players the basic fundamentals. In this post you cite many intangibles. He learned the speed and physicality of the NHL, yet he didn’t demonstrate either. Him learning to live alone in a city, something he could have learned as a 20, 21 or 22 year old. NHL coaches taught him him how to look after his body et all, true but that information can and is conveyed to drafted junior and college players.

What tangible things did Korchinski learn from playing in the NHL last season? I already acknowledged his defensive play improved marginally. I didn’t see any reason for him to be in the NHL last season especially when that experience didn’t help him make the team this season. What tangible thing(s) did you see him improve on?

I think Korchinski simply wasn’t ready to leave junior. He wasn’t physically ready and there were/are big holes in his game at the time. Korchinski’s time in the NHL saw him play horrid defense, saw him play a very apprehensive, timid game and because of a terrible supporting cast, the skill that made him attractive to the Hawks, his offense, was non existent. And one of Korchinski’s strongest attributes coming out of junior was his hockey IQ, because he was playing scared that IQ was never evident.

Very few players can make the direct jump to the NHL and most of them have many difficulties. Korchinski was never that player to make the jump as a 19 year old. Without factoring in his physical deficiencies (aka size and strength) he simply wasn’t good enough defensively to be in the NHL. And playing for a team bereft of talent did him absolutely no favours.

All that said I can’t wait for KK to play regularly in the NHL, when he’s ready.
- paulr

Someone was interviewing Slaggert near the beginning of the year and they asked what he gained from his short stint at the end of last year. He mentioned that it showed him what he would need to work on in order to be a regular NHL player.

If you simply compare cost/benefit from being in the NHL vs junior, I think the NHL comes out on top for simply that fact alone. He would need to gain strength, and size regardless. His time in the NHL certainly does not seem to have affected his confidence at all, and his recent call up showed that he's taken positive steps forward.

Agreeing that he was not ready for NHL action last year, but him looking better this year, I guess the question is - what is the negative?

I just hope wherever Chicago picks, Schaefer will be there.
- paulr

I bet they are not sweating it if he is there either.

I just think there is something special there, and I think they have the forwards ranked knowing that they have many under 6 foot forwards.

As much as I can open my arms wide for Misa, Martone, or Hagel, I bet they might feel better selecting 3rd to clear the board of Schaefer and James Hagens.

Since I mentioned the draft I finally have a decent top 150 prospects I will stand by.

https://www.lines.com/nhl/drafts/2025

, after my pitfalls with getting thsi year done. The last two rounds are work in progress.

Here's my prediction concerning the Hawks Kyles plan with the phethora of decent goaltenders across the world:

I bet he take TWO...now sice they are my favorites you see I have both slot #23 (Joshua Ravensbergen) and the second 2nd #59. (Jack Ivankovic), two goalies!

I have no clue what Kyle when Kyle wants to fortify his goal position.
Maybe he trades some picks to move up before that slot #23 to ensure he gets the big Canadien Askarov (an opposite glove catcher)?

I have conveniently let Ivankovic drop until late in the second based on his current size.
(I said all this before - that his dad growth spurt had him play at a 6' 4 "height/ 195. while playing at Wilfrid Laurier University Golden Hawks.)
Will others place the son's superb abilities supersede his current size. That might be the case, so maybe they strike earlier in the second?

The farm has Commesso and college has Adam Gajan, so there is lots of room to figure which goaler's fill the bill as future NHL workhorses and taking a few,.

I dunno their plan; they may just follow their board and call the names of two over the course of the draft.
This goalie class includes ine of the early flops the Francophone Gabriel D’Aigle, who started many iunternational torneys and well stunk out the joint. This doesn't necessarily mean his chance at a pro career are over, but honestly Isee lots of goalies and they fit on also every draft tier to select and hope you struck gold.

Interestingly enough two of the gaolies with Swedish looking names were boan in Chicago area, but one has played his position in Sweden.

So I predict two goalies by hawks.
I also will predict that if Kyle feels he wanst to fill the upcoming years with picks he will do as he has in the past, trade 2nds or 3rds for the sma ein future drafts.

Should I predict they take only one deeman the entire draft?

Oh, Best Player Available.


After I wrote this Scott Powers decided he had the hawks stance on goalies figured out differently:
"The Blackhawks are going to pay their forwards and defensemen in the years to come, but they aren’t penciling in a $10 million goalie. Unless someone internally becomes elite, the Blackhawks likely won’t possess that top-tier goalie. Davidson isn’t likely to sign or trade for one or devote a first-round pick. The Blackhawks want a solid goalie, but it doesn’t have to be one who steals games consistently, just one who doesn’t lose them games."

We will see.

NHL coaching is definitely more robust than a junior coaching staff. But each is there to provide a different thing. NHL coaches are there to try to win, not to teach players the basic fundamentals. In this post you cite many intangibles. He learned the speed and physicality of the NHL, yet he didn’t demonstrate either. Him learning to live alone in a city, something he could have learned as a 20, 21 or 22 year old. NHL coaches taught him him how to look after his body et all, true but that information can and is conveyed to drafted junior and college players.

What tangible things did Korchinski learn from playing in the NHL last season? I already acknowledged his defensive play improved marginally. I didn’t see any reason for him to be in the NHL last season especially when that experience didn’t help him make the team this season. What tangible thing(s) did you see him improve on?

I think Korchinski simply wasn’t ready to leave junior. He wasn’t physically ready and there were/are big holes in his game at the time. Korchinski’s time in the NHL saw him play horrid defense, saw him play a very apprehensive, timid game and because of a terrible supporting cast, the skill that made him attractive to the Hawks, his offense, was non existent. And one of Korchinski’s strongest attributes coming out of junior was his hockey IQ, because he was playing scared that IQ was never evident.

Very few players can make the direct jump to the NHL and most of them have many difficulties. Korchinski was never that player to make the jump as a 19 year old. Without factoring in his physical deficiencies (aka size and strength) he simply wasn’t good enough defensively to be in the NHL. And playing for a team bereft of talent did him absolutely no favours.

All that said I can’t wait for KK to play regularly in the NHL, when he’s ready.
- paulr

So in a nutshell.

NHL coaching staff is only about winning, not developing young players on the team into better players.

The training staff, conditioning coaches, etc are no better than what he could get in junior or college.

Since he didn't make the team out of camp he didn't learn anything.

He has huge holes in his game and was scared.

Playing in the NHL offers no value for young players.

If his fundamentals were as bad as you suggest or if he was missing basic fundamentals, he wouldn't have been on the team. He would have been back to Jr after his handful of games or after camp. He wasn't as bad as you make him sound and he was improving as the year progressed. He needed to engage more physically (and that will probably never be his strong suit) but it's an exaggeration to say that he was playing scared. I'd rather he learn that lesson on physically engaging at age 19 then allow him to continue any bad habits from Jr, where he wasn't challenged enough. If he was going to learn it there, he would have learned it in season 1,2 or 3.

He got the benefit of being in an NHL locker room, talking with NHL player, taking shifts with NHL players. He definitely learned more about NHL habits and the NHL game by sitting next to a team of NHL players than he would learn from a bunch of other teenagers in Seattle.

He got direct feedback from the coaches and veteran players. There is no comparison to junior here. It would have been a different story if the Hawks were pushing for wins last year but this is the transition of the rebuild. He got the benefit of getting his feet wet early and that's not a bad thing. He has demonstrated his progress in the AHL and when called up. We've been hearing it all year about how he looks improved, it was the number 1 talking point of his call up.

I'm not saying everything is perfect or ideal, but there are benefits to getting him pro experience. It wasn't that he didn't make the team this year because he didn't learn anything last seasons or that last season's experience didn't benefit him.

He didn't make the team because the Hawks had the option to have him play pro hockey in the AHL in their system to continue his development. They added more veteran depth (in theory) and let some of the older prospects get a shot. He still got the benefit of playing pro hockey a year earlier and will have an extra year of that under his belt when he does make the team full time.

I'd flip Levshunov (RD) for Byram right now straight up. Idk what a blockbuster would look like for Cozens/Byram and I doubt Jonesy would waive his NMC to go to Buffalo but if there's a coaching philosophy that Jones would do well playing under it's Lindy Ruff's. Also think they need to sell high on Crevier. That giraffe is going to continue to get beat up unless he develops a mean streak.
- Assman22

and next week, Bowen hits his head in a pile up and what?

I just read Wheeler’s breakdown of the Blackhawks as the 4th best prospect pool (Bedard to entrenched in teh bigs, Slaggert too old)

I wish I could strung together words like he does!

I thought he was brutally fair in his evaluations on everybody.


I am not sure how he thinks Louis Crevier, Nolan Allan and Wyatt Kaiser shake out (as in out) but like everyone here , he was willing to make a guess.
JHawk59s will be thrilled that he sees Ethan DelMastro as regular.

He hit KK on the head.

He had lots more possibles but had the balls to slot some of the board favorites three RW’s Marek Vanacker, Nick Lardis, Roman Kantserov and basically take a non fanboy conservative shot at projecting their abilities.

He slotted Ryan Greene after them, and slotted AJ Spellacy #14 (deservingly so based on his newness) and said he expect him to build toward a potential role as a prototypical fourth-liner in time. One of our old timers, said that the needle doesn’t point up until he makes it.

So in a nutshell.

NHL coaching staff is only about winning, not developing young players on the team into better players.

The training staff, conditioning coaches, etc are no better than what he could get in junior or college.

Since he didn't make the team out of camp he didn't learn anything.

He has huge holes in his game and was scared.

Playing in the NHL offers no value for young players.

If his fundamentals were as bad as you suggest or if he was missing basic fundamentals, he wouldn't have been on the team. He would have been back to Jr after his handful of games or after camp. He wasn't as bad as you make him sound and he was improving as the year progressed. He needed to engage more physically (and that will probably never be his strong suit) but it's an exaggeration to say that he was playing scared. I'd rather he learn that lesson on physically engaging at age 19 then allow him to continue any bad habits from Jr, where he wasn't challenged enough. If he was going to learn it there, he would have learned it in season 1,2 or 3.

He got the benefit of being in an NHL locker room, talking with NHL player, taking shifts with NHL players. He definitely learned more about NHL habits and the NHL game by sitting next to a team of NHL players than he would learn from a bunch of other teenagers in Seattle.

He got direct feedback from the coaches and veteran players. There is no comparison to junior here. It would have been a different story if the Hawks were pushing for wins last year but this is the transition of the rebuild. He got the benefit of getting his feet wet early and that's not a bad thing. He has demonstrated his progress in the AHL and when called up. We've been hearing it all year about how he looks improved, it was the number 1 talking point of his call up.

I'm not saying everything is perfect or ideal, but there are benefits to getting him pro experience. It wasn't that he didn't make the team this year because he didn't learn anything last seasons or that last season's experience didn't benefit him.

He didn't make the team because the Hawks had the option to have him play pro hockey in the AHL in their system to continue his development. They added more veteran depth (in theory) and let some of the older prospects get a shot. He still got the benefit of playing pro hockey a year earlier and will have an extra year of that under his belt when he does make the team full time.
- breadbag

Should KK have been promoted to the NHL factoring in his small size, his lack of strength, his timidity? And his lack of any semblance of a defensive game?

After a year in the NHL, other than getting marginally better defensively, how did he improve?

Knowing what you know today, do you think Korchinski would have been better served continuing in the WHL or getting promoted to the Hawks.

Where do you draw the line on what players should be promoted as teenagers and which players shouldn’t?

And everybody was willing to plant their flag that he was a future Balckhawk/ NHL first pair guy...until his hockey IQ didn't improve and concussions mounted.
- wiz1901

Levshunov's hockey IQ is arguably much worse

Should KK have been promoted to the NHL factoring in his small size, his lack of strength, his timidity? And his lack of any semblance of a defensive game?

After a year in the NHL, other than getting marginally better defensively, how did he improve?

Knowing what you know today, do you think Korchinski would have been better served continuing in the WHL or getting promoted to the Hawks.

Where do you draw the line on what players should be promoted as teenagers and which players shouldn’t?
- paulr

Seattle WHL team was a rebuilding, non-playoff team last year. Yes they would have been better with Korchinski but not much. They might have made the playoffs but would have exited early.

He would have gained some leadership skills. But he also would have been focused on scoring to keep the team in the playoff hunt. It doesn't seem like defensive play would have been emphasized.

Always thought this was a 50-50 call. Could have done the Magical Mystery Tour with him, NHL, press box, AHL, WJC, then WHL or back to NHL.

If the Hawks were to luck out and select Schaefer, Levshunov could become one potential trading chip. Would it be possible to trade a Levshunov, a Rinzel, Korchinski or whomever to get right back into the mix for a 2 to 4th choice overall for a crack at Hagens, Misa or Martone? Assuming of course one of those picks are ranked equal to or higher than what they give up.
- paulr

KK is an AHL Allstar, our fastest defenseman, will likely grow into a 6'-3" body and near NHL ready. Remind me again why we're trading him.

Seattle WHL team was a rebuilding, non-playoff team last year. Yes they would have been better with Korchinski but not much. They might have made the playoffs but would have exited early.

He would have gained some leadership skills. But he also would have been focused on scoring to keep the team in the playoff hunt. It doesn't seem like defensive play would have been emphasized.

Always thought this was a 50-50 call. Could have done the Magical Mystery Tour with him, NHL, press box, AHL, WJC, then WHL or back to NHL.
- totem

Seattle would have made the playoffs last year had they kept John Quenville they grabbed from us.

Should KK have been promoted to the NHL factoring in his small size, his lack of strength, his timidity? And his lack of any semblance of a defensive game?

After a year in the NHL, other than getting marginally better defensively, how did he improve?

Knowing what you know today, do you think Korchinski would have been better served continuing in the WHL or getting promoted to the Hawks.

Where do you draw the line on what players should be promoted as teenagers and which players shouldn’t?
- paulr

Did it hurt him in any way? It's not like we made this decision. The Hawks FO and coaches signed off on this move and they kept him playing the entire year, so they didn't seem to think he was that far over his head or unready for the game at the NHL level. That should count for something, no?

Levshunov's hockey IQ is arguably much worse
- Assman22

Except for the fact that he's been able adjust quite well to a new league every year for the past three years, including moving to a new country as a 17 year old. Indeed, he's a bit raw, but the majority of reports on his indicate that he is a very quick study and his defense seems to always improve as the year progresses.