There's that special rare burst Stutzle has..... The kids fight back and get a point. .. Knight is up next.
- Mr Ricochet

I'll say one glaring difference between Knight and Soda. Knight is a much better puck handler and better and connecting on his passes. So many times that Soda just puts the puck around the boards or off the glass to no one and it stays in the zone.

Was it Martinez? Thought it was Donato that threw the pass over to the bench while someone was changing.
- bhawks2241

Earlier in the 3rd.He puck handled from the half board to almost the blue line then threw a weak pass along the line that was easily picked off. Infuriating to watch. Just make sure that gets out of the friggin zone.

TODAY'S TANKATHON

STL moves up to #1, BOS to #2. CHI drops to #4. Lots of trade possibilities if KFC wants to trade down or trade for a player.

10 St. Louis
8 Boston
1 San Jose
2 Chicago
3 Nashville
4 Buffalo
5 Seattle
6 Pittsburgh
7 Philadelphia
9 Anaheim
11 Utah
12 NY Islanders
13 Montreal
14 Detroit
15 NY Rangers (to PIT)
16 Vancouver

I'll say one glaring difference between Knight and Soda. Knight is a much better puck handler and better and connecting on his passes. So many times that Soda just puts the puck around the boards or off the glass to no one and it stays in the zone.
- Chunk

Another strength of Knight’s, and it’s just a small sample size, is his ability to make a save and be ready and in position for the next one.

I'll say one glaring difference between Knight and Soda. Knight is a much better puck handler and better and connecting on his passes. So many times that Soda just puts the puck around the boards or off the glass to no one and it stays in the zone.
- Chunk

Another strength of Knight’s, and it’s just a small sample size, is his ability to make a save and be ready and in position for the next one.

I’m really liking Del Mastro’s game. He’s smart he makes some really good plays. His skating isn’t near as bad as some have suggested, he skates like a big man, it appears he isn’t putting effort into his stride but I think it’s because his stride is so long. The one thing I wish is he’d be more physical.
- paulr

Del Mastro can play on my team anytime. Fourth round pick that will probably be on their top six when it’s all said and done. He seems to pick his spots on the physical side, does not go out of position to make a hit. Could end up playing a similar game to Seabrook, only from the left side.

Well was still fun game to watch ,tough way to lose .Like to see Reichel get a little more ice time .
Ever since the trade , I have had such sense of relief .And I think I see that with the team . I hope they don't get to good be nice to stay in the bottom 4 . Really though I did not think Kyle had it in him .,what a great trade .Question. Why can't we just wave Mrazek ?

Well was still fun game to watch ,tough way to lose .Like to see Reichel get a little more ice time .
Ever since the trade , I have had such sense of relief .And I think I see that with the team . I hope they don't get to good be nice to stay in the bottom 4 . Really though I did not think Kyle had it in him .,what a great trade .Question. Why can't we just wave Mrazek ?
- oldduffman

It'll be hard to catch Nashville. I wouldn't be too concerned about it. They were 3rd two years ago and got the 1st. Stayed 2nd last year. it's a crapshoot. Don't lose sleep over it.

The Big Rig has to regulate that motor and pick his spots to engage. Not enough oil left in that deisel to run on high RPM's any .
- Mr Ricochet

Yes, well aware of his 1DM use for this squad. Point is he’s too (frank)ing slow to do anything and can’t keep with the rush so instead of 3 attackers, we having (frank)ing two for (frank)s sake Ricochet. (frank)!

I'll say one glaring difference between Knight and Soda. Knight is a much better puck handler and better and connecting on his passes. So many times that Soda just puts the puck around the boards or off the glass to no one and it stays in the zone.
- Chunk

Love you but think it’s much more than that. Knight is showing us Soda isn’t the right fit for this defense. This defense needs a stopper/blocker. Like me some Soda but he lives/does on the push out. No rhythm at all. Sell high on Soda, if possible.

Getting a look at Roger McQueen (RC, Brandon WHL, 6-5, 193, 2025 eligible, Wiz #7) in his second game back from injury. He is not quite in game shape yet and is trailing the play at times, but is moving well and has very good stick handling.

Got an assist by carrying in, passing the puck, and then screening the goalie. Still a little rusty on faceoffs and passing as is to be expected. Had a nice carry into the zone and a hard shot that was deflected by the goalie. Has not been involved in much of the physical play, but should be more so as he gets in a few more games.

Brandon has 8 more regular season games and then figures to be in a round or two of playoffs at least. Playoffs should tell as to what his final ranking will be.

A CHI pick at #5 or #6 would still give some good options with McQueen, Desnoyers, Frondell, etc.

Getting a look at Roger McQueen (RC, Brandon WHL, 6-5, 193, 2025 eligible, Wiz #7) in his second game back from injury. He is not quite in game shape yet and is trailing the play at times, but is moving well and has very good stick handling.

Got an assist by carrying in, passing the puck, and then screening the goalie. Still a little rusty on faceoffs and passing as is to be expected. Had a nice carry into the zone and a hard shot that was deflected by the goalie. Has not been involved in much of the physical play, but should be more so as he gets in a few more games.

Brandon has 8 more regular season games and then figures to be in a round or two of playoffs at least. Playoffs should tell as to what his final ranking will be.

A CHI pick at #5 or #6 would still give some good options with McQueen, Desnoyers, Frondell, etc.
- totem

Totem, thank you! I did not know McQueen was back. I'll be sure to catch a game or two before season's end. Would love to see him in the playoffs. .... I saw him once early this yr and he was a man among boys. Huge kid who was fast with soft quick hands. A real interesting kid.

But a big kid like that with a bad back that took him outa action two yrs in a row is a scary proposition. Depends on your tolerance for risk and where you're drafting him. ...... I guess it can vary but talented guys like him with injury questions seem fall to maybe 6-7-8 although Lindstrom had back issues and went 4th to CLB last yr .

I still hold if the Hawks draft top 4 they should be good. Any of Scheafer, Misa, Mortone or Hagen fit nicely.

Stat of the day. Brandon Hagel has 30 goals this year, zero power play goals. Not knocking the trade because the results are TBD, however that’s impressive.

From Ben Pope on Twitter.

"The Blackhawks are going to use a two-man goalie rotation of Knight and Soderblom moving forward, Sorensen said. Mrazek is not going to be part of it."

Love you but think it’s much more than that. Knight is showing us Soda isn’t the right fit for this defense. This defense needs a stopper/blocker. Like me some Soda but he lives/does on the push out. No rhythm at all. Sell high on Soda, if possible.
- Assman22

Well sure, it's more than that, but I was pointing out a specific difference. That's why I started the sentence with "one glaring difference".

Didn't get to see the game, but London beat Brantford 5-0. Lardis had five shots on goal (and was -4).

Trade him now...

From Ben Pope on Twitter.

"The Blackhawks are going to use a two-man goalie rotation of Knight and Soderblom moving forward, Sorensen said. Mrazek is not going to be part of it."
- breadbag

I'm glad to hear it, it's what i would do.

Didn't get to see the game, but London beat Brantford 5-0. Lardis had five shots on goal (and was -4).

Trade him now...
- Chunk

https://www.nytimes.com/a...lardis-prospect-70-goals/

Or maybe not, 😁

Didn't get to see the game, but London beat Brantford 5-0. Lardis had five shots on goal (and was -4).

Trade him now...
- Chunk

Yikes, not good. Missed the game but hope I can find a replay/encore.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6175605/2025/03/05/blackhawks-nick-lardis-prospect-70-goals/

Or maybe not, 😁
- BetweenTheDots

Don't ruin my hot take Dots.

I was just starting to get the hand of this "one-shift proclamation of value" that people here are so fond of.

Didn't get to see the game, but London beat Brantford 5-0. Lardis had five shots on goal (and was -4).

Trade him now...
- Chunk

I posted yesterday that London would make Lardis’ life difficult. I wasn’t able to see much of yesterday’s game. My only concern about Lardis is if he can handle physical punishment and is willing to play through it. I’m hoping Brantford meets London in the OHL playoffs so we can see how Lardis fares in a tough, mean series where he will be targeted for very physical play both clean and dirty. If he can handle it against London he then has to prove he can play through the same in Rockford then Chicago. However if he shrinks against London I’m not that confident in him getting far professionally.

I posted yesterday that London would make Lardis’ life difficult. I wasn’t able to see much of yesterday’s game. My only concern about Lardis is if he can handle physical punishment and is willing to play through it. I’m hoping Brantford meets London in the OHL playoffs so we can see how Lardis fares in a tough, mean series where he will be targeted for very physical play both clean and dirty. If he can handle it against London he then has to prove he can play through the same in Rockford then Chicago. However if he shrinks against London I’m not that confident in him getting far professionally.
- paulr

Good thing the Hawks also have Kantserov so they aren't counting on a bust.

I posted yesterday that London would make Lardis’ life difficult. I wasn’t able to see much of yesterday’s game. My only concern about Lardis is if he can handle physical punishment and is willing to play through it. I’m hoping Brantford meets London in the OHL playoffs so we can see how Lardis fares in a tough, mean series where he will be targeted for very physical play both clean and dirty. If he can handle it against London he then has to prove he can play through the same in Rockford then Chicago. However if he shrinks against London I’m not that confident in him getting far professionally.
- paulr

He is still only a kid so maybe, but at least the overall trend is positive in that he finds ways to open areas to finish chances really well. I'm not saying you are wrong, just that I wouldn't put too much into a couple games here and there or an OHL playoff series. Give him time to mature and let's see how he plays in the pro leagues. He isn't probably a superstar in the making, but he looks like he has potential to be a decent finisher.

I posted yesterday that London would make Lardis’ life difficult. I wasn’t able to see much of yesterday’s game. My only concern about Lardis is if he can handle physical punishment and is willing to play through it. I’m hoping Brantford meets London in the OHL playoffs so we can see how Lardis fares in a tough, mean series where he will be targeted for very physical play both clean and dirty. If he can handle it against London he then has to prove he can play through the same in Rockford then Chicago. However if he shrinks against London I’m not that confident in him getting far professionally.
- paulr

Rantanen won't sign in Carolina. TO me here is in for Davidson.

Talk to his agent. IF you trade for him would he take 8 years and an AAV 13-14 million?

If so, send them both 1st round picks next year, Donato, and a prospect to start with. Anyone not named Vlassic, Nazar, Bedard, Knight is available.

They have OOGLES of cap space this summer (38 milion) and next summer (85+ million). You are going to have to overpay to get a big fish. Here is your chance.

lots of ifs and starts with Rantanen's asks but how many legit cup contenders can squeeze him in this summer? So does he want to be a mercenary and go every few years and buy into what's coming here and see the LT plan.

Good thing the Hawks also have Kantserov so they aren't counting on a bust.
- Chunk

Counting on a bust is the worst