And from the junior leagues. The season of the teams that didn’t make the playoffs will end in the next week or so. Then we’ll see a trickle come as their playoff season is over.
- paulr

Who from the junior leagues do you think have the best chance at coming up? I'm thinking Pharand and Misiak are the only ones eligible, no? (age and potentially out of the playoffs)

Kinda surprised we haven't heard that Dominic James has signed yet.
- Chunk

CHI by my count is at 45 contracts (including the signed OHL guys, who may or may not count in the total). The vets like Athanasiou and Kurashev don't come off the count until July 1, after which there is plenty of room. But there could be a squeeze in the next few months.

They could sign:
OHL: Lardis, Misiak (both already signed), Pharand
College: Moore, Greene, Thompson, James, Harding
Europe: Safonov, Soderstrom (just acquired from Utah)
Maybes: Marcel, Kelley, Felcman, etc.

Maybe there is a player or two that will be signed after July 1 because they are a little short on spots right now.

CHI by my count is at 45 contracts (including the signed OHL guys, who may or may not count in the total). The vets like Athanasiou and Kurashev don't come off the count until July 1, after which there is plenty of room. But there could be a squeeze in the next few months.

They could sign:
OHL: Lardis, Misiak (both already signed), Pharand
College: Moore, Greene, Thompson, James, Harding
Europe: Safonov, Soderstrom (just acquired from Utah)
Maybes: Marcel, Kelley, Felcman, etc.

Maybe there is a player or two that will be signed after July 1 because they are a little short on spots right now.
- totem

Yeah, not sure how Capwages counts contracts, but they say the Hawks only have 41/50 so who knows. Maybe they doesn't count Weber, Saarela, Brossoit, etc?

It'll be interesting to see how the Frozen Four shakes out. Rinzel might sign as well.

Marcel is on an AHL contract, and I would bet a paycheck he stays on one. I'm interested to see what Thompson can show being an older player now (23). I'm still sticking with Greene as the most likely to succeed. I just really like his game overall.

Yeah, not sure how Capwages counts contracts, but they say the Hawks only have 41/50 so who knows. Maybe they doesn't count Weber, Saarela, Brossoit, etc?

It'll be interesting to see how the Frozen Four shakes out. Rinzel might sign as well.

Marcel is on an AHL contract, and I would bet a paycheck he stays on one. I'm interested to see what Thompson can show being an older player now (23). I'm still sticking with Greene as the most likely to succeed. I just really like his game overall.
- Chunk

I'm a little hazy on that, I was reading somewhere that all the OHL guys are supposed to count, but they really don't until they suit up in the pros. So maybe they aren't counting Lardis, Misiak, Vanacker and Spellacy yet.
Forgot Rinzel

Building the AHL team forward lines next year is going to be interesting:

Graduated to NHL (?): Nazar, Dach, Slaggert
RFA: Raty, Guttman, Luypen
Returning: Ludwinski, Hays, Savoie
In from College: Moore, Green, Thompson, James
In from OHL: Lardis, Misiak, Pharand
AHL: Marcel

That's 14 potentially, and they probably need an AHL vet and an enforcer also.

https://soundofhockey.com...e-kraken-roster-building/

Contract limit article, talks about CHL players.....

"With respect to existing NHL contracts, though, the 50-Contract Rule is subject to only one exception: “Age 18 and age 19 players who were returned to Juniors, and who have not played 11 NHL Games in one season, shall be exempt from inclusion in the 50 Player limit” (the “Juniors Exemption”). Separately, the CBA defines the word “Juniors” to mean the major junior leagues in the Canadian Hockey League."

Misiak is 20 I think, not sure if he counts.

Who should Chicago look for to coach the team next season, assuming they’re looking to replace Sorensen. If Torts were available I hope they steer completely away from him. He has some good points but he goes overboard with the discipline and he brings a circus like environment with him. Avoid Boudreau, he’s just everyone’s best buddy, he allowed Ovie to take shifts as long as he wanted and he was fine if he didn’t play any kind of two way game. Plus Boudreau was very weak technically. No idea who to hire but he has to be able to work with younger players, he has to instill a defensive system and team identity as well as being a stratagian and tactician. I still like the idea of Carle but many seem to think he’s not ready to coach in the NHL?

Man Lev just a super aggressive move goes and challenges puck career in neutral zone. Causes an icing. Love seeing that. That’s what made Keith so good. Aggressive taking away time and space. Breaking up rushes at the blue line.

JFC Pang, SHUT THE (frank) UP! You don’t need to fill every second of silence with your stupid over analysis of every damn thing. Hopefully this summer they find someone to replace him.

Who should Chicago look for to coach the team next season, assuming they’re looking to replace Sorensen. If Torts were available I hope they steer completely away from him. He has some good points but he goes overboard with the discipline and he brings a circus like environment with him. Avoid Boudreau, he’s just everyone’s best buddy, he allowed Ovie to take shifts as long as he wanted and he was fine if he didn’t play any kind of two way game. Plus Boudreau was very weak technically. No idea who to hire but he has to be able to work with younger players, he has to instill a defensive system and team identity as well as being a stratagian and tactician. I still like the idea of Carle but many seem to think he’s not ready to coach in the NHL?
- paulr

I am with Chunk Todd Nelson, 4 time Calder Cup winner,

Also look at the young players on the Capitals that he had in the minors.

I am with Chunk Todd Nelson, 4 time Calder Cup winner,

Also look at the young players on the Capitals that he had in the minors.
- LAHawk

What is his coaching style? Is he a player’s coach or more of a technical coach? Obviously he’s good with younger guys. Other than his record I know nothing about him. Why do you think he’s a good candidate?

How was that not a penalty? Refs really have it out for 98

Stick between legs not a trip anymore?

What is his coaching style? Is he a player’s coach or more of a technical coach? Obviously he’s good with younger guys. Other than his record I know nothing about him. Why do you think he’s a good candidate?
- paulr

His coaching record reminds me of Cooper’s before Tampa. He was an assistant for Dallas 2018-2022 so he understands the NHL grind. He has been mentioned in several articles as one of the next in line for a NHL job.

He has experience but isn’t a recycled coach. And I think the Hawks need to go with someone that has no connection with the Hawks, need fresh eyes.

His specific style? I have no clue.

Idk what’s wrong with the team right now. Can’t even get a clean line change in on the PP. Everything look disorganized. No one seems to know what to do in the dZone or who is supposed to be covering who. Dumpster fire.

What is his coaching style? Is he a player’s coach or more of a technical coach? Obviously he’s good with younger guys. Other than his record I know nothing about him. Why do you think he’s a good candidate?
- paulr

Does his system involve covering the gotdamn points? If so, hire him. I can't watch the points being left open every shift anymore.

its infuriating.

Idk what’s wrong with the team right now. Can’t even get a clean line change in on the PP. Everything look disorganized. No one seems to know what to do in the dZone or who is supposed to be covering who. Dumpster fire.
- bhawks2241

They have absolutely no trust in one another or confidence.

They have absolutely no trust in one another or confidence.
- Elbows15

Yep and an impotent coaching staff.

How was that not a penalty? Refs really have it out for 98
- BetweenTheDots

The refs don’t want to listen to his whining. Bedard has to keep his head down, his mouth shut and just play. Crosby learned it, Bedard will too.

The refs don’t want to listen to his whining. Bedard has to keep his head down, his mouth shut and just play. Crosby learned it, Bedard will too.
- paulr

they all whine these days. or put their arms up to call a penalty.

His coaching record reminds me of Cooper’s before Tampa. He was an assistant for Dallas 2018-2022 so he understands the NHL grind. He has been mentioned in several articles as one of the next in line for a NHL job.

He has experience but isn’t a recycled coach. And I think the Hawks need to go with someone that has no connection with the Hawks, need fresh eyes.

His specific style? I have no clue.
- LAHawk

I see he was an assistant coach with the Atlanta Thrashers so he’s been coaching for quite a bit. I like your take on a fresh set of eyes.

The reason I asked about style, I get so frustrated watching many on the team going through the motions when they are trying to check opposition players. The worst is waving their stick pretending it’s doing something. They should be using their bodies to battle for possession. And because of all the useless stick waggling they pick up so many lazy stick penalties. I’m surprised Sorensen isn’t working on that with the team.

The refs don’t want to listen to his whining. Bedard has to keep his head down, his mouth shut and just play. Crosby learned it, Bedard will too.
- paulr

The NHL is supposed to be a professional league. Refs should call obvious penalties. Anything less is unprofessional.

I feel like I am watching a house league game.

This franchise better gets its crap together. I live in Bucktown and my digital antenna can’t even get clean signal for an entire game. I have an unobstructed view of half the skyline and the antenna is next to the window lol.

The NHL is supposed to be a professional league. Refs should call obvious penalties. Anything less is unprofessional.
- bhawks2241

You're not wrong but human emotion, stubbornness and a touch of arrogance factor into the refs calls too. Bertuzzi got tripped in this game and he’s still trying to play the puck while on his stomach, and he gets the call. Many times rookies are whining on the way down and lie on the ice glaring at the ref. At this point in the Hawk’s development it doesn’t matter but it will tell Bedard to play hard and shut up. And ultimately that’s the best thing that can happen for Bedard and for Hawk fans.

2-2-4-1-4
It is my understanding the Blackhawks lost last night.