Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST

Spencer Knight starts for the Blackhawks against the Devils tonight at 6:30.

Donato-Nazar-Bedard
Teravainen-Foligno-Mikheyev
Kurashev-Veleno-Bertuzzi
Slaggert-Reichel-Maroon

Vlasic-Crevier
Del Mastro-Murphy
Kaiser-Levshunov
- breadbag

I can't wait for the day that the Hawks have enough talent to keep Foligno in the bottom six (ideally L4).

You’re missing the point I was trying to make. With all the tariffs, boycotts and economic uncertainty there is a chance it will affect the cap going forward.

Vandalism and other criminal activity is wrong and shouldn’t be tolerated regardless of who does it. Be it by Democrats, Republicans or anyone else.
- paulr

Nonsense! As long as the perpetrators are doing it with the correct letter next to their name it’s ok. (red font)

I can't wait for the day that the Hawks have enough talent to keep Foligno watching the game from his man cave(ideally L4).
- Chunk

Fixed

Bedard will improve over time, but looking back I think Sid was stronger at this age in comparison. Sure, he still got roughed up at times, but he seemed more difficult to contain in the corners even at 19. I don't know if Bedard projects to be quite in that same mold physically. Not saying he won't be good, but just not the same.
- breadbag

I agree.

I asked the DET blogger what he thought was the main issue with the Red Wings rebuild. I thought his response was interesting and a bit of a cautionary tale for the Hawks (bolded is my emphasis):

My personal opinion is that this was a complete tear down with none of the first round picks prior to Yzerman working out. Mantha - gone. Zadina - gone. Svech - gone. Bought out Abdelkader and at this point there are 4 players on the main roster if you count Shine (was in GR the whole time but still pre Yzerman). Larkin, Berggren, Rasmussen. 2 of those are bottom 6. Pair with that free agent signings that have been really bad on the blue line and underperformance by Copp and Compher. So Seider came in and blew everyone away. Wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card. Raymond has come alive. Debrincat has now eclipsed 30 and is playing a stronger game. Kasper is a breath of fresh air. Edvinsson seems to be something special. But Chiarot, Petry, Gustafsson, Copp, a bottom 6 that barely contributes and a goalie carousel that never stops. Lyon was the man last year, this year he’s struggling. The coaching change is changing the culture, but it was done way too late. Looking to see Cossa grow and stabilize and hoping Augustine is in GR next year as Lombardi, Tuomisto and Wallinder should all compete for jobs. Mazur too, but he is constantly on IR. Hoping it doesn’t go south. It’s been a lot of highs and lows the past 2 seasons, but finally seeing some of the depth picks come up. Axel Sandin-Pellikka looks to be heading over post season/playoffs. Great things coming, but way too many bad “fillers” while prospects developed didn’t work out.

I think that last sentence is the big one.

I thought trading Jones was the elixer that fixed this? Apparently not according to Asst. GM Foligno


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
As the Blackhawks move forward, they need to "weed out" players who are committed and players who aren't, Nick Foligno said today.

"That’s where you separate yourself as a guy who really cares."

I thought trading Jones was the elixer that fixed this? Apparently not according to Asst. GM Foligno


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
As the Blackhawks move forward, they need to "weed out" players who are committed and players who aren't, Nick Foligno said today.

"That’s where you separate yourself as a guy who really cares."
- LAHawk

They don't have the structure in place to keep everyone/anyone accountable. They have a ton of kids on the roster, so it's not like you can sub a couple out for vets. The only ones they really do are Kurashev and Reichel, and they rotate a D-man.
The vets they do have are middling at best. Everyone knows the coaching staff is gone at the end of the year. This is where the bad habits creep in. Foligno has one year left. How much sway does he really have?

They don't have the structure in place to keep everyone/anyone accountable. They have a ton of kids on the roster, so it's not like you can sub a couple out for vets. The only ones they really do are Kurashev and Reichel, and they rotate a D-man.
The vets they do have are middling at best. Everyone knows the coaching staff is gone at the end of the year. This is where the bad habits creep in. Foligno has one year left. How much sway does he really have?
- Chunk

To be fair here is the entire quote:

“I knew what I signed up here to do; it’s to try and help move this thing forward,” Foligno said. “Whether it’s in increments or big jumps, we still have to push this thing forward and help. That’s where you separate yourself as a guy who really cares or a guy who just does it when it’s convenient. I think we’re weeding out some of those things, too, in here. We need guys who want to be a part of this.

“It’s not easy. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s hard. As you can see, it’s an emotional roller coaster. But we’re hoping we can solidify ourselves. It’s going to be an important last stretch heading into a really important summer, where we can move off of this feeling. These last games are so important for the identity we’re trying to be.”

Another edit:

Torts is basically saying the same thing about the Flyers, but putting it on himself, and not the players

“When you’re in this type of situation, you’re losing all of the time, and there is nothing at the end of the tunnel for you; there’s certainly going to be some frustration," Tortorella said. "This falls on me. I’m not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season where we’re at right now. I have to do a better job.


"So this falls on me, getting the team prepared to play the proper way until we get to the end."

Is Foligno saying the above because he knows Sorenson is a lame duck coach?

To be fair here is the entire quote:

“I knew what I signed up here to do; it’s to try and help move this thing forward,” Foligno said. “Whether it’s in increments or big jumps, we still have to push this thing forward and help. That’s where you separate yourself as a guy who really cares or a guy who just does it when it’s convenient. I think we’re weeding out some of those things, too, in here. We need guys who want to be a part of this.

“It’s not easy. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s hard. As you can see, it’s an emotional roller coaster. But we’re hoping we can solidify ourselves. It’s going to be an important last stretch heading into a really important summer, where we can move off of this feeling. These last games are so important for the identity we’re trying to be.”

Another edit:

Torts is basically saying the same thing about the Flyers, but putting it on himself, and not the players

“When you’re in this type of situation, you’re losing all of the time, and there is nothing at the end of the tunnel for you; there’s certainly going to be some frustration," Tortorella said. "This falls on me. I’m not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season where we’re at right now. I have to do a better job.


"So this falls on me, getting the team prepared to play the proper way until we get to the end."

Is Foligno saying the above because he knows Sorenson is a lame duck coach?
- LAHawk

Torts wants an out. Bottom line is, if players can't motivate themselves, then they are the problem. Coaches are there to help players, teach them, keep them in line. But a player has to want it. A coach can't do that. IMHO.

To be fair here is the entire quote:

“I knew what I signed up here to do; it’s to try and help move this thing forward,” Foligno said. “Whether it’s in increments or big jumps, we still have to push this thing forward and help. That’s where you separate yourself as a guy who really cares or a guy who just does it when it’s convenient. I think we’re weeding out some of those things, too, in here. We need guys who want to be a part of this.

“It’s not easy. It’s not for the faint of heart. It’s hard. As you can see, it’s an emotional roller coaster. But we’re hoping we can solidify ourselves. It’s going to be an important last stretch heading into a really important summer, where we can move off of this feeling. These last games are so important for the identity we’re trying to be.”

Another edit:

Torts is basically saying the same thing about the Flyers, but putting it on himself, and not the players

“When you’re in this type of situation, you’re losing all of the time, and there is nothing at the end of the tunnel for you; there’s certainly going to be some frustration," Tortorella said. "This falls on me. I’m not really interested in learning how to coach in this type of season where we’re at right now. I have to do a better job.


"So this falls on me, getting the team prepared to play the proper way until we get to the end."

Is Foligno saying the above because he knows Sorenson is a lame duck coach?
- LAHawk

I think Foligno means what he says. I don't really hold anything against him other than the fact that they have to play him too high in the lineup because they don't have anyone better (which is obviously more on the GM than him).

What does anyone expect him to say? "We suck, just accept it". He's doing all he can to ge the team moving in the right direction. They simply don't have the horses. We've been harping on the next coach being important for a while, but it also cannot be underestimated that they need some better players as well. Hey, at least the offseason will be exciting!!

Torts wants an out. Bottom line is, if players can't motivate themselves, then they are the problem. Coaches are there to help players, teach them, keep them in line. But a player has to want it. A coach can't do that. IMHO.
- powerenforcer

Of the guys playing right now, I think Nazar is the most likely to see a big improvement. Now that he's got an understanding of how he needs to play, he can work on some deficiencies in his game to adjust. He's been known to work as hard as anyone to improve himself (hopefully he works on those breakaway shots )

Another guy I'm interested to see next year is Slaggert. He was kind of the same to start the year in Rockford. Always working hard, but needed to figure out how to be more dangerous with the puck. I think he makes a good jump next year as well.

TODAY'S TANKATHON

PHI wins the #1, BUF to #2. CHI drops 2 spots to #4.

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

Of the guys playing right now, I think Nazar is the most likely to see a big improvement. Now that he's got an understanding of how he needs to play, he can work on some deficiencies in his game to adjust. He's been known to work as hard as anyone to improve himself (hopefully he works on those breakaway shots )

Another guy I'm interested to see next year is Slaggert. He was kind of the same to start the year in Rockford. Always working hard, but needed to figure out how to be more dangerous with the puck. I think he makes a good jump next year as well.
- Chunk

I've been thinking about Slaggert as well and hoping he can find a way to translate his effort into just a bit more production on the scoresheet. I know he doesn't always get the prime minutes, but would be nice to see him just get that little bit more. He seems like one that will have impact that doesn't land on the scoresheet, but I just don't want to see him drop off to the 8-10 minute a game mark because the coach is looking for more offense.

I've been thinking about Slaggert as well and hoping he can find a way to translate his effort into just a bit more production on the scoresheet. I know he doesn't always get the prime minutes, but would be nice to see him just get that little bit more. He seems like one that will have impact that doesn't land on the scoresheet, but I just don't want to see him drop off to the 8-10 minute a game mark because the coach is looking for more offense.
- breadbag

Just for context, he has 1 assist in his last 19 games after scoring 2 goals in his first 3 games after call up. I hope he can finish strong and add just a bit more here and there.

I've been thinking about Slaggert as well and hoping he can find a way to translate his effort into just a bit more production on the scoresheet. I know he doesn't always get the prime minutes, but would be nice to see him just get that little bit more. He seems like one that will have impact that doesn't land on the scoresheet, but I just don't want to see him drop off to the 8-10 minute a game mark because the coach is looking for more offense.
- breadbag

I think part if his issue is that the lines that he has been on haven't had a lot of offensive zone time. It's a lot of one and done. I think he's with Maroon and Reichel tonight, so we'll see what they can do.

I thought trading Jones was the elixer that fixed this? Apparently not according to Asst. GM Foligno


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
As the Blackhawks move forward, they need to "weed out" players who are committed and players who aren't, Nick Foligno said today.

"That’s where you separate yourself as a guy who really cares."
- LAHawk

Isn't Foligno one of the guys who blew off the morning skate the other day?

I asked the DET blogger what he thought was the main issue with the Red Wings rebuild. I thought his response was interesting and a bit of a cautionary tale for the Hawks (bolded is my emphasis):

My personal opinion is that this was a complete tear down with none of the first round picks prior to Yzerman working out. Mantha - gone. Zadina - gone. Svech - gone. Bought out Abdelkader and at this point there are 4 players on the main roster if you count Shine (was in GR the whole time but still pre Yzerman). Larkin, Berggren, Rasmussen. 2 of those are bottom 6. Pair with that free agent signings that have been really bad on the blue line and underperformance by Copp and Compher. So Seider came in and blew everyone away. Wasn’t on anyone’s bingo card. Raymond has come alive. Debrincat has now eclipsed 30 and is playing a stronger game. Kasper is a breath of fresh air. Edvinsson seems to be something special. But Chiarot, Petry, Gustafsson, Copp, a bottom 6 that barely contributes and a goalie carousel that never stops. Lyon was the man last year, this year he’s struggling. The coaching change is changing the culture, but it was done way too late. Looking to see Cossa grow and stabilize and hoping Augustine is in GR next year as Lombardi, Tuomisto and Wallinder should all compete for jobs. Mazur too, but he is constantly on IR. Hoping it doesn’t go south. It’s been a lot of highs and lows the past 2 seasons, but finally seeing some of the depth picks come up. Axel Sandin-Pellikka looks to be heading over post season/playoffs. Great things coming, but way too many bad “fillers” while prospects developed didn’t work out.

I think that last sentence is the big one.
- Chunk

In simple terms, drafting 17-18 year olds is a crap shoot and free agents who move the needle are few and far between.

You’re missing the point I was trying to make. With all the tariffs, boycotts and economic uncertainty there is a chance it will affect the cap going forward.

Vandalism and other criminal activity is wrong and shouldn’t be tolerated regardless of who does it. Be it by Democrats, Republicans or anyone else.
- paulr

I responded to VA. No idea what you wrote and not going back to find political posts in a hockey forum. Let’s all move Paul and agree to disagree.

I can't wait for the day that the Hawks have enough talent to keep Foligno out of the lineup (ideally in press box).
- Chunk

FTFY

Isn't Foligno one of the guys who blew off the morning skate the other day?
- rpeters01

Watching him play a lot of the time this year one could easily weed him out as one that doesn’t care with the amount of shifts he just glides around like Rig does between the blues.

55 showing some nice offensive decisions, enjoying his excellent passing.

55 showing some nice offensive decisions, enjoying his excellent passing.
- BetweenTheDots

He made a nice move with the puck to lose some pressure from the forechecker.

He made a nice move with the puck to lose some pressure from the forechecker.
- breadbag

Carter already saying the Blackhawks have a stud in Arty

55 showing some nice offensive decisions, enjoying his excellent passing.
- BetweenTheDots

They are singing his praises on TNT and rightly so. When I look at that first goal again may have been more on Kaiser? Both? Lev went to go over to Kaiser’s guy and then Kaiser left a split second later leaving Bastian wide open to bang it home.

He made a nice move with the puck to lose some pressure from the forechecker.
- breadbag

Made a risky play on the Hawk goal, but it paid off.