Preliminary results on D!ckinson are that he has a high ankle sprain. Imaging tomorrow to determine severity.
- Chunk

Didn't that happen to Strome when he was with us and killed a good season he had going?

Didn't that happen to Strome when he was with us and killed a good season he had going?
- rpeters01

I think that was Colliton.

I think that was Colliton.
- Chunk

I am glad I stimulated a new thread. I hope he turns out to be close to the players Kane and Toews were. That would be something. I like Bedard a lot. I am not going to pigeon hole him. He can just be a great Connor Bedard. We won't know for a few years. We will see if he is a 1C, a captain or even a Hawk when he is 25. Who knows??

I am glad I stimulated a new thread. I hope he turns out to be close to the players Kane and Toews were. That would be something. I like Bedard a lot. I am not going to pigeon hole him. He can just be a great Connor Bedard. We won't know for a few years. We will see if he is a 1C, a captain or even a Hawk when he is 25. Who knows??
- Ztra

Bedard has great hockey IQ when he has the puck. His defensive IQ still still needs work, though I have seen some flashes that he is getting it, at times. The intangibles, or situational hockey IQ needs work. You're done your shift, get off the ice as quickly as possible, not work on your stick on the way to the bench.

Bedard has great hockey IQ when he has the puck. His defensive IQ still still needs work, though I have seen some flashes that he is getting it, at times. The intangibles, or situational hockey IQ needs work. You're done your shift, get off the ice as quickly as possible, not work on your stick on the way to the bench.
- wizardofi

I’ve always wondered if the reason that LR played Bedard on the checking line was for defensive development purposes. He does seem to be more engaged defensively lately, still a long ways to go, but trending in the right direction.

I’ve always wondered if the reason that LR played Bedard on the checking line was for defensive development purposes. He does seem to be more engaged defensively lately, still a long ways to go, but trending in the right direction.
- Angotti

Possibly. Bedsy did play some better defense before LR got canned.

The thing about Bedard is that at 5 on 5, his numbers aren't bad considering the quality of the team.

Bedard is -7 at 5v5. How does that compare to some forwards?

Seabastian Aho -12
Bryan Rust - 10
Luke Kunin - 21
Tyler Toffoli - 15
Alex Newhook -13
Kirby Dach -17
Tyler Bertuzzi -14
Mika Zibanejad -14
Cole Silinger -16
Tomas Hertl -11
Matvei Michkov -9
Kurashev -19
Barclay Goodrow -24

Many more who are worse or at a similar deficit. Some of these guys are with the Hawks and have been in the league longer and should be better at 5v5.

How many are 19 year old first line C who are facing the other team's best every night?

People look at plus minus but as it was pointed out you have to consider the EN goals which have not gone Chicago's way. For reference Bedard has been on the ice for 15 EN goals against, and each of those was a minus.

The thing about Bedard is that at 5 on 5, his numbers aren't bad considering the quality of the team.

Bedard is -7 at 5v5. How does that compare to some forwards?

Seabastian Aho -12
Bryan Rust - 10
Luke Kunin - 21
Tyler Toffoli - 15
Alex Newhook -13
Kirby Dach -17
Tyler Bertuzzi -14
Mika Zibanejad -14
Cole Silinger -16
Tomas Hertl -11
Matvei Michkov -9
Kurashev -19
Barclay Goodrow -24

Many more who are worse or at a similar deficit. Some of these guys are with the Hawks and have been in the league longer and should be better at 5v5.

How many are 19 year old first line C who are facing the other team's best every night?

People look at plus minus but as it was pointed out you have to consider the EN goals which have not gone Chicago's way. For reference Bedard has been on the ice for 15 EN goals against, and each of those was a minus.
- breadbag

Indeed, his +/- in EN situations is -11 the largest contributor to his rating. There are also 5 shorties in there. He's not "bad" defensively. He just isn't good yet. Once there is more talent around him, his overall numbers will look a lot better.

The thing about Bedard is that at 5 on 5, his numbers aren't bad considering the quality of the team.

Bedard is -7 at 5v5. How does that compare to some forwards?

Seabastian Aho -12
Bryan Rust - 10
Luke Kunin - 21
Tyler Toffoli - 15
Alex Newhook -13
Kirby Dach -17
Tyler Bertuzzi -14
Mika Zibanejad -14
Cole Silinger -16
Tomas Hertl -11
Matvei Michkov -9
Kurashev -19
Barclay Goodrow -24

Many more who are worse or at a similar deficit. Some of these guys are with the Hawks and have been in the league longer and should be better at 5v5.

How many are 19 year old first line C who are facing the other team's best every night?

People look at plus minus but as it was pointed out you have to consider the EN goals which have not gone Chicago's way. For reference Bedard has been on the ice for 15 EN goals against, and each of those was a minus.
- breadbag

Another thing, it sure seems to me that Connor must not even come close to committing a penalty because he will be called for it, while opponents take liberties with him. It's as if the refs are jealous he has a big following and take it out on him.

Obviously, small sample sizes, but the top three Hawks for xGF% are EDM, KK, and Slaggert in that order.

They are all in the top 5 in CF% as well. It'll obviously normalize as they play more games, but hey, I'm just trying to find positives at this point.

Obviously, small sample sizes, but the top three Hawks for xGF% are EDM, KK, and Slaggert in that order.

They are all in the top 5 in CF% as well. It'll obviously normalize as they play more games, but hey, I'm just trying to find positives at this point.
- Chunk

The positive are the kids are beginning to play. That's all that matters now. The more kids that can start pushing the old and slow out the better.

The positive are the kids are beginning to play. That's all that matters now. The more kids that can start pushing the old and slow out the better.
- BetweenTheDots

Not only that, but they are not just passengers. They are noticeable and some of the better players on the team at the moment. The kids on D for the most part don't look out of place. The forwards all work had and have been effective and not getting caved in the entire game.

It won't work, but I am going to try and watch the rest of the games without losing my poop about how they are playing. I go into each one knowing they are a bad team and expecting better. I'm going to just key in on certain players on the ice and hopefully that makes things better.

The thing about Bedard is that at 5 on 5, his numbers aren't bad considering the quality of the team.

Bedard is -7 at 5v5. How does that compare to some forwards?

Seabastian Aho -12
Bryan Rust - 10
Luke Kunin - 21
Tyler Toffoli - 15
Alex Newhook -13
Kirby Dach -17
Tyler Bertuzzi -14
Mika Zibanejad -14
Cole Silinger -16
Tomas Hertl -11
Matvei Michkov -9
Kurashev -19
Barclay Goodrow -24

Many more who are worse or at a similar deficit. Some of these guys are with the Hawks and have been in the league longer and should be better at 5v5.

How many are 19 year old first line C who are facing the other team's best every night?

People look at plus minus but as it was pointed out you have to consider the EN goals which have not gone Chicago's way. For reference Bedard has been on the ice for 15 EN goals against, and each of those was a minus.
- breadbag

Well that doesn’t fit the narrative that Bedard doesn’t play D, should be moved to wing, and that his lack of effort on D is so bad it’s causing issues in the locker room.

Also not captain material. Think I covered it all. Unless we want to revisit the “he has no generational talent”. That was fun a few months ago.

They should just cut the cord and release Brodie, he doesn’t add anything to this team or the rebuild. While Martinez is not the same player he was say five years ago, he’s more dependable than Brodie. I’d be okay if they brought Martinez back for one more year, as long as Brodie is gone.

They should just cut the cord and release Brodie, he doesn’t add anything to this team or the rebuild. While Martinez is not the same player he was say five years ago, he’s more dependable than Brodie. I’d be okay if they brought Martinez back for one more year, as long as Brodie is gone.
- Angotti

Considering the number of kids they can reasonably rely on at the moment, I would bet money that they buy him out this offseason.

They are going to keep playing him and Martinez at least until the TDL. If they move Martinez, Brodie isn't coming out of the lineup until the end of the year.

The Brodie signing was just bad on all levels. KD needs to get away from the "placeholder" mind-set and just pursue better players in general.

If I had to guess, the Hawks will miss out on both Rantanen and Marner (as I don't think they will get away from their current teams. I think they make a hard push for Boeser (and/or Ehlers), who I think would fit in well and not be insanely priced.

The positive are the kids are beginning to play. That's all that matters now. The more kids that can start pushing the old and slow out the better.
- BetweenTheDots

It's getting obvious every time we send somebody back to Rockrat KD needs to dump a few older bodies at the TDL.

It's getting obvious every time we send somebody back to Rockrat KD needs to dump a few older bodies at the TDL.
- rpeters01

You know I'm good with the old bodies because they can nurture the young players on what their expectations are and what is expected of them.

They should just cut the cord and release Brodie, he doesn’t add anything to this team or the rebuild. While Martinez is not the same player he was say five years ago, he’s more dependable than Brodie. I’d be okay if they brought Martinez back for one more year, as long as Brodie is gone.
- Angotti

I agree Martinez>Brodie, but we are trying to develop young players, Allan hit the rookie wall, but now EDM comes up and does not look out of place and i just don't think 2 rookies should be playing together even if you have a broken down slow as (frank) no feel for the puck dman. That dman does have experience and was decent before father time caught up with him. I'm surprised they paid him as much after i started to watch him play each game for the Blackhawks, but it's not like they can't send him to Rockford next season.

And when it comes to bad free agent signings, it pales in comparison to many FA contacts that were handed out prior to this season.

I agree Martinez>Brodie, but we are trying to develop young players, Allan hit the rookie wall, but now EDM comes up and does not look out of place and i just don't think 2 rookies should be playing together even if you have a broken down slow as (frank) no feel for the puck dman. That dman does have experience and was decent before father time caught up with him. I'm surprised they paid him as much after i started to watch him play each game for the Blackhawks, but it's not like they can't send him to Rockford next season.

And when it comes to bad free agent signings, it pales in comparison to many FA contacts that were handed out prior to this season.
- BetweenTheDots

Didn't you want to launch Jones? or was it Murphy? Why keep either of Brodie/Martinez over either one of them? They are both younger and better.

Didn't you want to launch Jones? or was it Murphy? Why keep either of Brodie/Martinez over either one of them? They are both younger and better.
- Chunk

I do agree with Jones when he's focused he's a better defenseman, as i said prefer 20 minutes a night, i also thought Murphy played well under LRs system but he can't stay healthy which is why i believe Brodie was signed. Martinez seems to get injured as much as Murphy does so it's a IDGAF which one you keep.

So you keep Seth and Vlasic for next year, bring up KK and Arty next season, so maybe

Vlasic and Arty
KK and Seth
Allan/EDM/Kaiser and Crevier?

Rinzel to the Rock? Same with Brodie

Then what if they draft Shaefer, if they do then i believe you'll see some kind of trade involving a young left defenseman.

I do agree with Jones when he's focused he's a better defenseman, as i said prefer 20 minutes a night, i also thought Murphy played well under LRs system but he can't stay healthy which is why i believe Brodie was signed. Martinez seems to get injured as much as Murphy does so it's a IDGAF which one you keep.

So you keep Seth and Vlasic for next year, bring up KK and Arty next season, so maybe

Vlasic and Arty
KK and Seth
Allan/EDM/Kaiser and Crevier?

Rinzel to the Rock? Same with Brodie

Then what if they draft Shaefer, if they do then i believe you'll see some kind of trade involving a young left defenseman.
- BetweenTheDots

Some of these D prospects need to bring back quality Forwards in trade.

I do agree with Jones when he's focused he's a better defenseman, as i said prefer 20 minutes a night, i also thought Murphy played well under LRs system but he can't stay healthy which is why i believe Brodie was signed. Martinez seems to get injured as much as Murphy does so it's a IDGAF which one you keep.

So you keep Seth and Vlasic for next year, bring up KK and Arty next season, so maybe

Vlasic and Arty
KK and Seth
Allan/EDM/Kaiser and Crevier?

Rinzel to the Rock? Same with Brodie

Then what if they draft Shaefer, if they do then i believe you'll see some kind of trade involving a young left defenseman.
- BetweenTheDots

I still think it will be Murphy, Jones, Vlasic and four kids (in a rotation). For the most part, the kids that have played have not really looked out of place. Over time, some have shown some issues, but it's not Boqvist bad.

If Brodie is still in the org next year he'll be with the Hawks. I personally think he'll just be bought out as he would literally be blocking a prospect that can play as well as he does. I'd say KK is a fixture next year and Allan, EDM, Crev, and Kaiser fight for the last three spots on the big team. Maybe one of Allan/Kaiser get traded.

In RFD, you'll have Lev, likely Rinzel, and possibly Harding and/or Kelley added.

Another thing, it sure seems to me that Connor must not even come close to committing a penalty because he will be called for it, while opponents take liberties with him. It's as if the refs are jealous he has a big following and take it out on him.
- BetweenTheDots

Oh come on Dots! I’m 100% sure the refs don’t think that way. Bedard gets lots of penalties because he’s always got his stick wrapped around the opposition. Instead of using his body to impede players he’s usually waving his stick around and that will more often than not get a penalty call. The other day on the third Hawk goal he proved he could win a puck battle when he outfought Nurse for a loose puck by using his body and stick.

Obviously, just an article from a guy at DFO, but a cautionary tale for the Hawks.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....e-again-a-massive-failure