Maybe he would be producing at that level, but also his opportunities would be less. He would not always be the first one deployed in the offensive zone and he would probably be held more accountable for his 2-way play. He probably wouldn't always be first PowerPlay unit and he wouldn't be a lock for first line, probably playing more like 17-18 minutes a night than 20.

Maybe he would get there, but he wouldn't be "the guy" for a team like that, he would be "one of the guys" and in some cases players (especially young players) end up scoring less. It could be that he'd have a few more 5v5 points and less powerplay points.
- breadbag

Not directly related to this, but the Hawks need to hire their new coach as soon as possible after their season ends so that he can provide input on the type of players that he wants/needs on the team. If the Hawks want to be a forechecking/relentless team, then stop signing diesels like Maroon, Smith, Foligno to take up space. I know Foligno will be on the team next year, but at most he should be a 4th liner. If they sign or trade for anyone it should be with the identity of the team they want in mind.

After watching the first 8+ minutes of this 3rd, they need friggin everything. Just stupid hockey being played. If Sorenson can't get this team to be even close to competent, then I'm not sure he should be teaching the kids. I know this is a "hot take" but it's just pure discombobulation.

Guys either have no idea where to go with the puck, or there are simply no outlets for anyone. Not sure which is the bigger failure.
- Chunk

Somehow this is Reichel's fault. Should be doing a better job from the press box.

Not directly related to this, but the Hawks need to hire their new coach as soon as possible after their season ends so that he can provide input on the type of players that he wants/needs on the team. If the Hawks want to be a forechecking/relentless team, then stop signing diesels like Maroon, Smith, Foligno to take up space. I know Foligno will be on the team next year, but at most he should be a 4th liner. If they sign or trade for anyone it should be with the identity of the team they want in mind.
- Chunk

Yeah, that has merit for sure. A little more focus on guys with a bit more foot speed. Right or wrong I think KD is learning on the job a bit as well, so maybe we'll see him shift his focus a bit more again.

As guys like Vlasic, Bedard, Nazar, etc gain experience and become the "new core" the need for experienced vets declines. There will be leadership from the younger players start to solidify. I think Vlasic might be the next best guy to get a letter. If they move Jones or Murphy, give an 'A' to him. Right now, I'd still pick him over Bedard as the next Captain if Foligno were gone today.

Not directly related to this, but the Hawks need to hire their new coach as soon as possible after their season ends so that he can provide input on the type of players that he wants/needs on the team. If the Hawks want to be a forechecking/relentless team, then stop signing diesels like Maroon, Smith, Foligno to take up space. I know Foligno will be on the team next year, but at most he should be a 4th liner. If they sign or trade for anyone it should be with the identity of the team they want in mind.
- Chunk

Maroon was brought in as a 4th line "protector."

I think the Hawks poor play coming out of the break is also exacerbated because we are missing Jason Richardinson. He plays a lot of shifts and does a lot for this team even though we aren't good, he is a bit of a driving force for his line.

One thing a few players have said kind of also ring true right now. The Hawks got off to a bad start this season. I think that puts all of them, especially the vets into that "we got nothing to play for" kind of mentality a bit too much. The guys with nothing to prove right now know there isn't much hope for this season so that just adds to the hill they need to climb at the moment. I hope they can get things off on a good foot once the summer is over. More fresh faces with some hunger and maybe start to become a team with a chip on their shoulder. Right now, personally, I'd love for them to step up the physical play. Even if it results in the odd penalty, just don't go down easy.

Maybe he would be producing at that level, but also his opportunities would be less. He would not always be the first one deployed in the offensive zone and he would probably be held more accountable for his 2-way play. He probably wouldn't always be first PowerPlay unit and he wouldn't be a lock for first line, probably playing more like 17-18 minutes a night than 20.

Maybe he would get there, but he wouldn't be "the guy" for a team like that, he would be "one of the guys" and in some cases players (especially young players) end up scoring less. It could be that he'd have a few more 5v5 points and less powerplay points.
- breadbag

5 on 5 only 55% of his starts are in the ozone. Down from last year. He'd be first unit PP on almost every team in the league.

Saw a post that he's had 36 different line combinations through 57 games. If that is true....

I think the Hawks poor play coming out of the break is also exacerbated because we are missing Jason Richardinson. He plays a lot of shifts and does a lot for this team even though we aren't good, he is a bit of a driving force for his line.

One thing a few players have said kind of also ring true right now. The Hawks got off to a bad start this season. I think that puts all of them, especially the vets into that "we got nothing to play for" kind of mentality a bit too much. The guys with nothing to prove right now know there isn't much hope for this season so that just adds to the hill they need to climb at the moment. I hope they can get things off on a good foot once the summer is over. More fresh faces with some hunger and maybe start to become a team with a chip on their shoulder. Right now, personally, I'd love for them to step up the physical play. Even if it results in the odd penalty, just don't go down easy.
- breadbag

Anytime Mikheyev, Filigno, or Donato want to hit someone on the forecheck, I'd be ok with it. Whole lot of fly by action.

Opposing D just eat the puck along the boards, wait for the fly by, and then proceed up ice. Seen Bedard try to throw more hits the last few games than those 3.

I think this also ties into the recent trend of people pointing out that Bedard doesn't draw a lot of penalties. I think that comes down to defenders not having to cross the line too much to cancel him out at this point. He is more easily pushed, he isn't creating too much separation or putting them on their heels. I think it will come in time, but right now, he does still have more physical maturing to do.

I think this is one area where someone like Kane was more successful early on, he was more slippery, would dodge contact more and move his feet quicker. Of course, when someone had young Kane lined up, he had some instances of using his stick defensively up high a few times, but overall, he was harder to nail down.
- breadbag

I agree and think this is a good post.

https://www.bleachernatio...efore-the-trade-deadline/
If the other teams said yes, I'd make every one of these trades.

I agree and think this is a good post.
- 6628

I'm not sure Kane had more slippy in his game (yes just made up a word). Kane did not go to high traffic areas and tended to stay on the perimeter. Especially his first 3-4 seasons.

Bedard tries to take the puck to the net and through center ice all of the time. He doesn't shy away from contact, even though he loses the physical battle most of the time. That is why you see him take more hits and get pushed off pucks more often.

I honestly think Bedard's floor is Kane's career. Just look at Kane's 5 on 5 zone starts. His career avg 5 on 5 is 64% ozone starts.

Look at the talent Kane had around him by year 2 of his career. Put Kane in year 2 of his career on this team and he probably looks awfully similar to what TT is currently doing on the Hawks. Doubt he would've cracked 60 pts.

Maybe he would be producing at that level, but also his opportunities would be less. He would not always be the first one deployed in the offensive zone and he would probably be held more accountable for his 2-way play. He probably wouldn't always be first PowerPlay unit and he wouldn't be a lock for first line, probably playing more like 17-18 minutes a night than 20.

Maybe he would get there, but he wouldn't be "the guy" for a team like that, he would be "one of the guys" and in some cases players (especially young players) end up scoring less. It could be that he'd have a few more 5v5 points and less powerplay points.
- breadbag

Riffing on what paulr just said, imagine if he gets left open more often because they have to focus on guys like Kucherov or Matthews. As it is, he's the main focus of every team's top defenders every night. I don't buy the notion that he's a studio gangster, as big scorers on bad NBA teams are called.

What? He’s 19. McKinnon cracked 60 pts once his first 4 seasons. Some of the posters on here are so funny. Kucherov didn’t crack 70pts until his 4th season. Marner 3 seasons to crack 70. Draitsal didn’t crack 70 till his 3rd season.

That’s 4 of the 5 top point producers this year. The other is McDavid. No one in the top 10 in scoring aside from McDavid has done what Bedard has done so far.

Y’all need to lay off the green leaf or whatever is being consumed 😂
- bhawks2241

You make a good point. I just find it odd that he has games with 0 or 1 SOG. It is really weird. And to be honest,I have no idea how many SOG Mackinnon,Kucjherov or Draisaitl had as 19 year olds. I watched them play then,I just didn't dissect their games like I have 98's.

A friend used an NBA reference about Bedard once. He said he's going to be hockey's version of Steph Curry. He lit up the ncaa at Davidson and when he was drafted it took him 3-4 years to become elite. I guess you could say Draisaitl,Kucherov and Mackinnon all fit that profile as well.

This is hilarious but it sums up the BOD. If there’s one player no one needs to be concerned about, now or in the future, is Connor Bedard. But here we are desperately looking for and inventing ways to find fault with him.

This is hilarious but it sums up the BOD. If there’s one player no one needs to be concerned about, now or in the future, is Connor Bedard. But here we are desperately looking for and inventing ways to find fault with him.
- paulr

It's not like he's above criticism. His game last night was not great by any means. Also, there isn't really much else to talk about unless you (collective, not personal) want to just keep complaining about how bad the team is, or what pittance the Hawks will get back from trading Jones.

I fully agree any sweeping declarations about what Bedard will or won't be is pretty pointless right now especially considering the current state of the team.

I can't harp on it enough, if KD messes up the next coaching hire, this team will be poop for a good long time (and he'll likely be looking for a new job).

It's not like he's above criticism. His game last night was not great by any means. Also, there isn't really much else to talk about unless you (collective, not personal) want to just keep complaining about how bad the team is, or what pittance the Hawks will get back from trading Jones.

I fully agree any sweeping declarations about what Bedard will or won't be is pretty pointless right now especially considering the current state of the team.

I can't harp on it enough, if KD messes up the next coaching hire, this team will be poop for a good long time (and he'll likely be looking for a new job).
- Chunk

Obviously no one is above criticism but Bedard is the absolute least problem. The BOD does what the BOD does.

Obviously no one is above criticism but Bedard is the absolute least problem. The BOD does what the BOD does.
- paulr

I am waiting for someone to criticize him for not showing enough emotion b/c he does the blank stare when he scores and doesn't seem to care.

The reverse of Caleb Williams who cares too much b/c his facial expressions and body language show how he is feeling.

Is that rink tiny? The broadcast they doesn't show more than 5-6 rows up. The "crowd shots" are of the same 30 people.


- bhawks2241

It is at the Delta Center, where the Jazz play, so it seats 19,000 for basketball and probably 16,000+ for hockey, so not small. There are some obstructed views though with it being designed for basketball.

What? He’s 19. McKinnon cracked 60 pts once his first 4 seasons. Some of the posters on here are so funny. Kucherov didn’t crack 70pts until his 4th season. Marner 3 seasons to crack 70. Draitsal didn’t crack 70 till his 3rd season.

That’s 4 of the 5 top point producers this year. The other is McDavid. No one in the top 10 in scoring aside from McDavid has done what Bedard has done so far.

Y’all need to lay off the green leaf or whatever is being consumed 😂
- bhawks2241

Forget points. Consider style of play and energy. He might still score 80 to 100 points. But I just don’t see a 1C.

Forget points. Consider style of play and energy. He might still score 80 to 100 points. But I just don’t see a 1C.
- Ztra

Why don’t you see a number one center?

Forget points. Consider style of play and energy. He might still score 80 to 100 points. But I just don’t see a 1C.
- Ztra

Maybe. Did you watch McKinnon his first few years? He spent some time on the 4th line every now and then b/c he had long stretches where he struggled.

We used to complain about Kane's linemates. Those linemates would be upgrades for what Bedard is dragging around. Even Brad Richards and Versteeg on his line would be an upgrade most nights.

This is hilarious but it sums up the BOD. If there’s one player no one needs to be concerned about, now or in the future, is Connor Bedard. But here we are desperately looking for and inventing ways to find fault with him.
- paulr

I am not concerned with his hockey skills as I think those are elite. I do have grave concerns all this kid has been subjected to for his 1st 100+ NHL career games is just constant losing. Kid has 110 pts in 126 games and what marque talent has he played with? In fact, what top 6 player on a true contender has he skated with? Not a single one. Hes dragged around corpse after corpse and at some point his frustration is going to unleash much like that idiot Jones did last night.

I don't like Jones, but what he said is very much accurate. You look at this team...and what do you have? You have a collection of rookies trying to earn their keep, veterans playing FOR THEMSELVES to raise their value to be shipped off, or get another a contract this summer, or guys hanging on to a roster spot (maroon).

With the cap space they have, and the cap going up, they need to make a commitment to a top tiered guy NOW this summer. If you don't want to go 7, go 4-5 but it can't be a riding on fumes Teuvo, or a journeyman like Bertuzzi.

back to Jones....i said for years how idiotic these so called leaders on this team were. Murphy and Jones in particular. These talks just talk in chardes and cliches and never get a response in the room. They can try to lead, but does anyone follow? Not one player. Or not enough to at least set the right blueprint in that room for the young guys. Hate to say it...same can be said for Foligno and Maroon, and Smith.

They should have lost 6-0+ last night. They couldn't even muster a push and it goes far deeper than Reichel but coach after coach now doesn't "get it" with Reichel so what makes anyone here think he's ever going to be much more than a 3rd or 4th line player in this league on a crap team? Same can be said for Kurashev....

As for Donato...you haven't seen BOD yet because god willing they trade him before the deadline next Friday, this board will melt down because of a guy pushing hard who almost didn't make a lottery team roster out of a camp, who somehow has found it OR has he found enough to get paid? SOrry....you can find the Donatos a dime a dozen when it's time.....but their main goal has to be the kids on D, Nazar, and Bedard.....and for the love of christ....get 98 a proven skilled star and overpay somewhat if you have to because not one person here knows where Bedard's ceiling is because he hasnt had a single linemate to challenge him a good way and push him the way kane and Toews had their Sharps and Hossas of the world.....Bedard has a bag of $hit.

It's not like he's above criticism. His game last night was not great by any means. Also, there isn't really much else to talk about unless you (collective, not personal) want to just keep complaining about how bad the team is, or what pittance the Hawks will get back from trading Jones.

I fully agree any sweeping declarations about what Bedard will or won't be is pretty pointless right now especially considering the current state of the team.

I can't harp on it enough, if KD messes up the next coaching hire, this team will be poop for a good long time (and he'll likely be looking for a new job).
- Chunk

KD has put Bedard in an awful position and it's getting old. Kid is getting hounded by national media because of small things and at times....they are right to bring them up but we saw them with Kane as well. Especially young.....

My beef with KD lies much like it lied with Bowman at the end with his hard on with JC thinking he found the next Jon Cooper, is does KD have that hard on for Sorrensen? Goodness.....their system is brutal.

We know this market is finicky and the Hawks are again buried deep in local coverage. Right or wrong KD needs to get a player and pay for that player to come here and hopefully see signs they will win sooner vs later....Jones coming out and female doging about it while right about losing, but quickly asking out after HE signed that deal similar to what he did in Columbus, to me....launch him before Friday because I'll bet dollars to donuts he will become more toxic as the season drags on and will force KDs hand further or cop out with an injury.

Same with Murphy. Find a suitor for that dolt before he puts himself back on IR running into a wall thinking he's some great open ice hitter.

Play the kids....Keith and Seabrook learned on the job....most of these kids on D can do the same. Find the RIGHT veteran leadership with skins on the wall who can demand a presence and the team doesn't bail on them. Foligno is NOT that guy and they don't have that guy on the roster TODAY.

I hope the Hawks have a helluva shrink on the payroll because this losing is going to eat and eat hard at these youngs guys desire and make them question their own abilities which this team cant afford.

THey need to find a young coach, who can be respected by veterans, and young guys feel good about....Call him a placeholder or maybe he grows with the team when it's time to win......but it can't be the guy behind the bench now.

I am not concerned with his hockey skills as I think those are elite. I do have grave concerns all this kid has been subjected to for his 1st 100+ NHL career games is just constant losing. Kid has 110 pts in 126 games and what marque talent has he played with? In fact, what top 6 player on a true contender has he skated with? Not a single one. Hes dragged around corpse after corpse and at some point his frustration is going to unleash much like that idiot Jones did last night.

I don't like Jones, but what he said is very much accurate. You look at this team...and what do you have? You have a collection of rookies trying to earn their keep, veterans playing FOR THEMSELVES to raise their value to be shipped off, or get another a contract this summer, or guys hanging on to a roster spot (maroon).

With the cap space they have, and the cap going up, they need to make a commitment to a top tiered guy NOW this summer. If you don't want to go 7, go 4-5 but it can't be a riding on fumes Teuvo, or a journeyman like Bertuzzi.

back to Jones....i said for years how idiotic these so called leaders on this team were. Murphy and Jones in particular. These talks just talk in chardes and cliches and never get a response in the room. They can try to lead, but does anyone follow? Not one player. Or not enough to at least set the right blueprint in that room for the young guys. Hate to say it...same can be said for Foligno and Maroon, and Smith.

They should have lost 6-0+ last night. They couldn't even muster a push and it goes far deeper than Reichel but coach after coach now doesn't "get it" with Reichel so what makes anyone here think he's ever going to be much more than a 3rd or 4th line player in this league on a crap team? Same can be said for Kurashev....

As for Donato...you haven't seen BOD yet because god willing they trade him before the deadline next Friday, this board will melt down because of a guy pushing hard who almost didn't make a lottery team roster out of a camp, who somehow has found it OR has he found enough to get paid? SOrry....you can find the Donatos a dime a dozen when it's time.....but their main goal has to be the kids on D, Nazar, and Bedard.....and for the love of christ....get 98 a proven skilled star and overpay somewhat if you have to because not one person here knows where Bedard's ceiling is because he hasnt had a single linemate to challenge him a good way and push him the way kane and Toews had their Sharps and Hossas of the world.....Bedard has a bag of $hit.
- SteveRain

Can I nominate this for post of the year? Said it all pretty much. I don't even know if I have to post anymore.

I actually think Jones hates Bedard b/c he gets the spot light on him instead of Jones. I swear Jones intentionally will ignore Bedard and not pass him the puck on the PP. Quite a lot.

KD has put Bedard in an awful position and it's getting old. Kid is getting hounded by national media because of small things and at times....they are right to bring them up but we saw them with Kane as well. Especially young.....

My beef with KD lies much like it lied with Bowman at the end with his hard on with JC thinking he found the next Jon Cooper, is does KD have that hard on for Sorrensen? Goodness.....their system is brutal.

We know this market is finicky and the Hawks are again buried deep in local coverage. Right or wrong KD needs to get a player and pay for that player to come here and hopefully see signs they will win sooner vs later....Jones coming out and female doging about it while right about losing, but quickly asking out after HE signed that deal similar to what he did in Columbus, to me....launch him before Friday because I'll bet dollars to donuts he will become more toxic as the season drags on and will force KDs hand further or cop out with an injury.

Same with Murphy. Find a suitor for that dolt before he puts himself back on IR running into a wall thinking he's some great open ice hitter.

Play the kids....Keith and Seabrook learned on the job....most of these kids on D can do the same. Find the RIGHT veteran leadership with skins on the wall who can demand a presence and the team doesn't bail on them. Foligno is NOT that guy and they don't have that guy on the roster TODAY.

I hope the Hawks have a helluva shrink on the payroll because this losing is going to eat and eat hard at these youngs guys desire and make them question their own abilities which this team cant afford.

THey need to find a young coach, who can be respected by veterans, and young guys feel good about....Call him a placeholder or maybe he grows with the team when it's time to win......but it can't be the guy behind the bench now.
- SteveRain

Well now you have two posts nominated for post of the year.

and yes I am all for the rebuild, have been, and continue to be, but they can't keep trending in the realm of top 3 picks year after year......they need to take a step forward like say.....Anaheim.

Hawks and Bears have big drafts and big UFAs looming and 1 can't afford to continue to wallow in putrid performance.


I likely need to go dig...but when was the last next great rookie paired with such crap for the 1st years of his deal?

I mean and on top of it, does Donato have pics on Sorrenson to warrant top line minutes? Hell, why not skate Maroon with him at this point. OR smith.