Chin up 2241. I would be amazed if there wasn't a serious influx in NHL talent this offseason. I think KD picks up two notable forwards. Add to that, Nazar and Slaggert getting to their second years, a new coach who can actually handle the NHL and there should be some serious growth.

I'm most nervous about the coaching hire.

Slightly off topic, but I was worried about Kaiser after he got sent down again. If he can find a consistent baseline near what he did last night, he'll be a really nice piece.
- Chunk

Coaching hire definitely key. There is enough talent on the roster that he shouldn’t be with a rookie bottom 6 prospect and a NHL bottom 6 journeyman.

Put him with Mik and TT. Or just leave Nazar with him. He needs someone with similar level of offensive skill. I feel bad for the kid.

Seattle is one team that will take Schaefer for sure, so I’m taking Misa. If Misa needs to gain 10-15 lbs, he can stay at my house, three months should do it.

Edit- If KD can move up for another top 7 pick, I’d add Desnoyers
- Angotti

Lou, I'm not sure any organIzation can pass on Schaefer including the Hawks. I do think the Hawks covet Misa maybe even thinking the gap between him and Schaefer is small enough to draft Misa if they happen to get the #1 pick.

A bigger kid who can skate and plays center as he stacks up crazy points in the OHL.

You so are not saying you want to see Velano on Bedard's line

- SC116

Well why not? Probably the only forward on the roster that hasn’t played with him this year yet

KD can likley trade someone like Reichel (or a pick) to a cap team that needs to cut salary and take on a D-man with a higher cap hit, but still under 37 years old.
- Chunk

So you would trade Reichel for a defenseman to play one year, half the games 10-12 minutes a night?
That is why I mentioned resigning Martinez, a one year bridge for veteran presence.

3/14/25 CHL TONIGHT

CHI Drafted
BNT Lardis 1A
BNT Vanacker 2G
KIT Pridham 1G
SUD Pharand ---

OHL 2025 Eligible
BNT J. O'Brien 2A
BMP P. Martone 1G
BMP J. Ivankovic W, 21/22 Saves
SAG M. Misa ---
SOO T. Hayes 1A
SOO B. Martin 2A

QMJHL 2025 Eligible
CHC A. Gosselin ---
CHC E. Guite ---
CHC A. Huang 1G 1A
CHC N. Lecompte DNP
HFX L. Kilfoil 1G 1A

So you would trade Reichel for a defenseman to play one year, half the games 10-12 minutes a night?
That is why I mentioned resigning Martinez, a one year bridge for veteran presence.
- LAHawk

Considering they are done with Reichel, yeah. I’m done with the dinosaurs. I don’t think they need any more d-men. They have enough guys that can at least not drown and still have developing to do. The backend is the least of their issues.

Are there any similarities between Secord and Martone?

Well why not? Probably the only forward on the roster that hasn’t played with him this year yet
- LAHawk

Touche - nicely done LA . :D

This would be my lineup tonight.

TT/ Bedard/Mikheyev
Reichel/Nazar/Donato
Bertuzzi/Veleno/Dach/Slaggert
Foligno/D!ckinson/Slaggert/Dach

Vlasic/Levshunov
Del Mastro/Murphy
Kaiser/Crevier
Soda-his turn

This would be my lineup tonight.

TT/ Bedard/Mikheyev
Reichel/Nazar/Donato
Bertuzzi/Veleno/Dach/Slaggert
Foligno/D!ckinson/Slaggert/Dach

Vlasic/Levshunov
Del Mastro/Murphy
Kaiser/Crevier
Soda-his turn
- Angotti

Lou putting his name into the hat for HC. Hopefully Anders reads here.

This would be my lineup tonight.

TT/ Bedard/Mikheyev
Reichel/Nazar/Donato
Bertuzzi/Veleno/Dach/Slaggert
Foligno/D!ckinson/Slaggert/Dach

Vlasic/Levshunov
Del Mastro/Murphy
Kaiser/Crevier
Soda-his turn
- Angotti

I don't think you can run out 4-person lines even if the Hawks are that bad

If the Hocks win the lottery this year and pick #1, does that mean next year they wouldn't be allowed to pick 1st unless they finished dead last?
- captainserious

It would be their first LOTTERY WIN, so they would still be elligible to win a second first

Last year was not a lottery win, just the results of no team moving in by a winning ping pong ball, where they would have naturally selected.

So while Donato has had a nice year, albeit a career year, is anybody disappointed that he wasn’t moved at TDL? I like what he brings, however KD just might overpay due to his success this season.

What the heck happened to Spence? He was mentioned in the top ten towards the beginning of the season, no?
- Chunk

I guess I am the guy best to answer it as I had him going as high as 8th overall in my initial starters.
I did so because when in the various international tourneys (many where he and Martone were out there together), he was really showing high end smarts in every area of those sheets of ice and getting chances.
Spence is not an imposing figure at 6' 1 190, but is a bully, continual agitator, and guy who is going let you know he is in that home plate area.

He simply isn't a big gun offensively, but gives a honest effort at helps you win.

All the players I have before him as he sits in my #23 (Blackhawk's 2nd first) slot are really good skaters, scorers, and have srtong rounded games also.

I wouldn't be surprised him going before slot #23, it is more a matter of who each team sees as the best player long term.
Is he going to show a strong potential to improve and be a factor / impact NHLer, b/c the scouts will gravitate towards the kids with the highest ceiling at 18.

It would be their first LOTTERY WIN, so they would still be elligible to win a second first

Last year was not a lottery win, just the results of no team moving in by a winning ping pong ball, where they would have naturally selected.
- wiz1901

Hi Wiz!
But the Hocks won the lottery in the Bedard draft. Moving up from 3 to 1.
So if they don't finish last this season and move to 1 they won't be eligible for a move up in the McKenna draft next year..right?

Just me or are other excited about his passing ability. So nice to see a guy make tape to tape passes repeatedly.

I can’t figure out who he reminds me of…
- bhawks2241

I know what Arty reminds me of…like an early episode of Yellowstone where they are going attempt to break a wild stallion…ha!

In both of his games I was wishing he was on the ice in place of various Blackhawk defenders in situations more suited for his gallop, his aggressive threat and the fact that he’s this bull who doesn’t think twice if he is making contact while trying too make a play, even a teammate or two!

Arty’s “defer to the vets” and hand it to them is a common occurrence in a players first call ups, but with him, it seems to be stifling his offensive creativity, while he seems completely comfortable in the other two zones to simply react and do whatever he individually excels in out there, so you see the gallop and unorthodox positional moves SO fast that he is very noticieable in speed foot, hand and decisions as if he is moving faster than most others.
It hasn’t completely blended as a positive yet.
(I love the way the Hawk’s staff is answer the press’s questions on him, it is so funny and not honestly giving any discussion as to how they bottle HIS abilty to impact the time he is out on the sheet.

I don't think you can run out 4-person lines even if the Hawks are that bad
- Assman22

4 skaters 2 goalies is the way to go.

Lou putting his name into the hat for HC. Hopefully Anders reads here.
- HawkintheD

I thought I was the 13th forward.

Hi Wiz!
But the Hocks won the lottery in the Bedard draft. Moving up from 3 to 1.
So if they don't finish last this season and move to 1 they won't be eligible for a move up in the McKenna draft next year..right?
- captainserious

Teams are only allowed to improve their positioning via the Lottery twice in a five year period (beginning with the 2022 Lottery).

Bedard was was ONE, and Arty was NOT #2, they just maintained the position they were entitled to IF another team didn't move up and into it.

Yes a WIN to select M Schaefer would negate a climp through the lottery next year. If the Blackhawks do NOT win the lottery this year or 2026, or 2028, the 5 yeqr period becones 2029-2033.

Blackhawks lines in morning skate in Vancouver:

Dach-Bedard-Nazar
Teravainen-Donato-Mikheyev
Slaggert-Richardinson-Foligno
Reichel-Veleno-Bertuzzi

Vlasic-Levshunov
Kaiser-Murphy
Martinez-Crevier

Soderblom

This is an improvement, still like mine better.

Just me or are other excited about his passing ability. So nice to see a guy make tape to tape passes repeatedly.

I can’t figure out who he reminds me of… Peitrangelo maybe but Lev is a better skater.

Brent Burns but plays better D? That would be a hell of a nice ceiling.
- bhawks2241

You know, comparing Artie to Burns is not a bad comparison. Lott similarities but I've thought Doughty was the best comparison for me. Seems like it's been awhile since Doughty wasn't "old" but I see Artie as a more dynamic, better skating Doughty.

Anyone younger is going to want a multi-year deal, which is why I would resign Martinez for one. No need to give out multi-deal deals to veteran D men with the pipeline the Hawks have.
- LAHawk

LA, remember last yr and the beggining of this yr when two rookie kid Dmen were paired they got absolutely caved, every time! We don't see that anymore. ... A huge massive jump in development that took place right in front of our eyes as kids developed both in the Bigs and on the RKF shuttle.

That should only improve to some degree, and each situation is different, but at this stage/phase of the rebuild I'm good with placeholder vet Dmen on 1-2 yr deals on the roster and although Martinez ain't what he was he checks a lotta boxes for this group as a 6/7 Dman.

If you must, or are forced, to have or play 4-5 Dmen under 23/24 safety nets are a good thing in a lotta ways.

There are still plenty of questions about Arty. Save for some initial "getting used to it in the NHL" moments, he's looking really natural out there. They need to drill into his head that if he has an open opportunity to shoot - just do it. He'll just create so many rebound chances.

Like with most kids, the consistency is going to be the biggest issue. Making sure that he uses his partner effectively is another area that I think he needs to clean up.

If you get the chance to watch next game, key on how effectively he kills plays at the blue line. That's where I think he's actually really underrated. I think everyone focuses so much on his offense and kind of expect sporadic defense, that they are almost surprised when he makes a good play defensively. If you actually pay attention, he makes a ton of those plays each game. He's got such an efficient skating stride that he covers a ton of ground without looking like he's trying.
- Chunk

Sure there are, but Artie has answered 37 questions for me in his 2 NHL games. I feel loads and loads better about the kid cuz, as you point out, there's questions. But, for me, Artie answered so many for me.

I can see at the NHL level in these two games that indeed, Artie can be a difference maker at this level. Will he be? You can neven know until it's a fact but it is very reasonable to think Artie has a legit chance to be a difference maker on a top club.

The whole post is on target IMO, Chunk. I saw Artie more in the USHL and MSU than at RKF. Appreciate you sharing what you see, saw(?), of him in the AHL.

https://www.msn.com/en-us...20ca59599720bc76a2f&ei=64

I’m not saying the acquisition of Spencer Knight has lit a fire under Drew Commesso, but he’s playing the best hockey of his young professional career right now. He made 26 saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season and his second in his last four starts. Since returning from an ankle injury on Feb. 28, Commesso is 4-0-0 with a .967 save percentage (SV%). The IceHogs go for five in a row tonight when they host the Grand Rapids Griffins.

You know, comparing Artie to Burns is not a bad comparison. Lott similarities but I've thought Doughty was the best comparison for me. Seems like it's been awhile since Doughty wasn't "old" but I see Artie as a more dynamic, better skating Doughty.
- Mr Ricochet

I will compare Artie to another right handed Russian defenseman, Sergei Zubov.