If you look at Carolina - Waddell doesn't suffer bad skaters regardless of talent level.

It'll be interesting to see how things progress there. Monohan was an excellent pick up for them and I think he has a little more top end talent (potential anyway) in Johnson, Fantilli and the Russians than he had in Carolina to build around.
- fattybeef

Waddell has another trade chip in Provorov. He'll probably return a late 1st rounder at the TDL.

This is 3 years. They moved Hagel, Debrincat and Dach 3 years ago.

They should be competing for a playoff spot this year and winning games. Maybe not winning one but they should be 75-85 point range where they aren't completely out of it until February or March - perhaps even sitting in the 9 or 8 spot after going on a heater. Not these moral victories to quote nick foligno.

They are still the worst team in the league and it's not even debatable.
- fattybeef

I don't see any logic in your time frame?

Not totally bad. But should be on the bottom six unless there is an emergency.
- Ztra

He definitely hasn't taken the next step he needed to take to be a legitimate NHL player.

I don't see any logic in your time frame?
- rpeters01

I look at it like this: You certainly want a stocked pipeline of prospects that can continually feed the parent club as players either drop in effectiveness or price themselves out of the team. They've built that. You now need to build a team for those players to matriculate into (ideally a competitive one).

I still don't think that you just draft a bunch of players and hope all of them turn into NHLers. I don't think you can point to any successful franchise that's done that. They certainly have their own drafted players (that are typically key cogs in the machine), but they fill in around them with trades and FAs to create a balanced team.

I look at it like this: You certainly want a stocked pipeline of prospects that can continually feed the parent club as players either drop in effectiveness or price themselves out of the team. They've built that. You now need to build a team for those players to matriculate into (ideally a competitive one).

I still don't think that you just draft a bunch of players and hope all of them turn into NHLers. I don't think you can point to any successful franchise that's done that. They certainly have their own drafted players (that are typically key cogs in the machine), but they fill in around them with trades and FAs to create a balanced team.
- Chunk

Yes, but not in year 2-3.

Yes, but not in year 2-3.
- rpeters01

Why? Were there not enough good players available via trade or FA? It's not like there wasn't enough draft capital or cap space to make a few moves. KD has overpaid, AA, Richardinson, Foligno, Martinez and Brodie. Why wouldn't you put some or all of that money toward better younger players instead of journeymen at best?

Why? Were there not enough good players available via trade or FA? It's not like there wasn't enough draft capital or cap space to make a few moves. KD has overpaid, AA, Richardinson, Foligno, Martinez and Brodie. Why wouldn't you put some or all of that money toward better younger players instead of journeymen at best?
- Chunk

But what better younger players?

I thought we got deleted. Haven't been on for a week and we are not on the front page any longer. Are we getting a replacement writer?

Anyway, glad everyone is still here. Scary feeling thinking I lost everyone.

Both Kurashev and Hall are anchors to Bedard. Kurashev can't handle the puck this year, even simple passes. Hall is a turnover machine- he can't make a clear pass. He's just a millisecond off. I can tell that he was making those passes and moves even early last year before the injury. The line is getting killed.

I think LR should reunite TT with Bedard and fill in the blank as the 3rd. There's not much talent to work with but either a Donato, Smith or Foligno would work as a better trio.

Yes, they could be just letting him physically mature more at the AHL level rather than having him get hammered in the NHL.
- breadbag

I think it's healthy they allow these kids to play against career hockey men who just aren't good enough to play in the NHL.

Nazar was buzzing all over the ice yesterday, i look forward to seeing him in a Blackhawks sweater, the talent is there he could of had 5-6 assists yesterday even a goal, 2 tries on the PK on a breakaway, something all Blackhawk players seem to struggle with. I do like they have him on the PK nothing like having a forward with speed on the PK to give your team short handed chances. I think they want him to be comfortable playing in all the positions he's playing so when he comes up he doesn't have to think about his position, he just has to play it.

I just read a rumor that there will be a College of Bloggers approach going forward. So far, JJ, Ed(n)zo, Arlington Rob, and Vandy will rotate blogs. Other suggestions will be accepted.

https://x.com/scottcwheel...tatus/1863355215304352180

Just saying with this roster how can anyone not consider Bedard elite.

I also wonder if Taylor Hall slammed both hands in the car door before the Columbus game. Might as well have Mikhelev out there with Bedard.

Michael Misa left off the WJC roster?
I'm a bit confused. I thought he was killing it this year?

Iginla too?

Yes, they could be just letting him physically mature more at the AHL level rather than having him get hammered in the NHL.
- breadbag

I do not understand this narrative. Not attacking you but I see this all the time. Has anyone been to or watched the AHL regularly? I haven't been since before the pandemic but I've always thought the AHL was/is a much more physical league. Guys trying to make a name for themselves. Less skill. More guys out of position to make big hits, etc. Far less protection from the officiating.

College hockey is no cake walk with full cages... lot of cheap shots and a ton of physicality.

But what better younger players?
- BetweenTheDots

Off the top of my head:
JT Compher
Ross Colton
Jesper Boqvist
Jake Debrusk
Elias Lindholm
Viktor Olofson
Mantha
Bean
Noesen

I think these are just FAs that were available. I'm sure the Hawks cold have gotten better options in trades.

Obviously, the players need to want to play for the Hawks, but maybe if they put more effort into having a more competitive team, more players would want to join.

The had (and have) plenty of cap space. Considering what the young kids have shown thus far, how much do you really think the second contracts will cost the Hawks? KK? Nazar? Lev? Kaiser? Bedard is the only one that will command anything that is of any concern for the cap - which is projected to grow nicely in the next few years.

They don't have to go full Vegas and sign their entire team while trading away all pics and prospects, but they can certainly at least build a competent top line.

https://x.com/scottcwheeler/status/1863355215304352180

Just saying with this roster how can anyone not consider Bedard elite.

I also wonder if Taylor Hall slammed both hands in the car door before the Columbus game. Might as well have Mikhelev out there with Bedard.
- BetweenTheDots

That is an incredible stat - considering that those other players had a significantly stronger supporting cast while Bedard has done it basically by himself.

https://x.com/scottcwheeler/status/1863355215304352180

Just saying with this roster how can anyone not consider Bedard elite.

I also wonder if Taylor Hall slammed both hands in the car door before the Columbus game. Might as well have Mikhelev out there with Bedard.
- BetweenTheDots

If it's any consolation, it looked worse live.

If it's any consolation, it looked worse live.
- Chunk

There is a reason one was a $6 mil. cap dump, and the other $5 mil. cap dump.

Michael Misa left off the WJC roster?
I'm a bit confused. I thought he was killing it this year?

Iginla too?
- captainserious

Lardis left off as well.

Lardis left off as well.
- Angotti

Moore and Spellacy invited to USA team.

Lardis left off as well.
- Angotti

Not just the Hawks prospects.

24 1st RD Yakemchuk Left Off Canada World Junior Roster

Cater Yakemchuk left off Team Canada for the 2025 WJC despite having 23 points in 20 games as a defenseman. The seventh overall pick from the 2024 draft has 9 goals and 14 assists, but is a -1.

It looks like there will be some damn good hockey at the (edit) WJC.

You know who else had slumped shoulders? Gordie Howe.
- paulr

Were you at the Kingston @ Oshawa game yesterday? Lotta dislike between these 1st and 2nd place divisional foes. Great game until OSH blew it open with 3-4 straight goals. ..........

Not just the Hawks prospects.

24 1st RD Yakemchuk Left Off Canada World Junior Roster

Cater Yakemchuk left off Team Canada for the 2025 WJC despite having 23 points in 20 games as a defenseman. The seventh overall pick from the 2024 draft has 9 goals and 14 assists, but is a -1.

It looks like there will be some damn good hockey at the (edit) WJC.
- Chunk

I went to Steel tryout camps, and these things were over 2-3 days, for probably 10-12 straight yrs. Loved this part of a season,. Loved researching the draft picks, getting heads up on this kid or that kid.......

Took maybe 10 yrs to realize just how damn good the league was and it was cuz of the talent of the kids cut not the kids who made it. ......

Same thought you just had. Yaremchuk is cut, damn this squad is gonna be good if they leave this guy off the roster.

From one of Power's recent pieces:

When the Blackhawks score at least three goals, they’re 7-1-0 this season. When they fail to reach that mark, they’re 1-12-2. That’s their season there.

Tough to believe they still have 58 games left.

Anyway, bout a quarter review of this years signings:

Smith - win. The dude is just a good hockey player.
Maroon - bad. Tooo slow. Don't care how fast he thinks the game the slowness is comically bad
Brodie - bad. hasn't been as atrocious lately but 2 years. woof.
Martinez - good. seems to help settle things down. kind of what you want in an older vet.
Brossoit - poop happens but you'd think they would have done a better job on the medical side here.
Bertuzzi - mixed bag. very bad at times but also on pace for 18ish goals.
TT - more good than very bad. also very bad at times, line juggling not helping, on pace for 41 points over 82 games which is not great.

Anyway - it doesn't look great results wise. It was also mentioned earlier that the team has identity and being all over the place with these acquisitions kind of shows that.

I'd give Kyle a D for not addressing the scoring which they knew was going to be a problem and bringing in these very slow guys who are the opposite of how his head coach said he wants to play.

I'd give Luke a D for running out of ideas, resulting in weird benching and line blending and not just saying (frank) it - putting his best players together (mainly leaving Bedard with TT) and letting the chips fall where they may across the rest of the line up. He's reaching for wins which would lead me to believe they expect certain results this year even with this very bad roster.

Also team isn't any better or worse without Jones so that's very good.

Were you at the Kingston @ Oshawa game yesterday? Lotta dislike between these 1st and 2nd place divisional foes. Great game until OSH blew it open with 3-4 straight goals. ..........
- Mr Ricochet

No, my son in law and grandson had the tickets. I’m sure I’ll hear all about it tonight when I go to see him play. Unfortunately didn’t catch it on TV either. I heard Sennecke had a big game.

From one of Power's recent pieces:

When the Blackhawks score at least three goals, they’re 7-1-0 this season. When they fail to reach that mark, they’re 1-12-2. That’s their season there.

Tough to believe they still have 58 games left.

Anyway, bout a quarter review of this years signings:

Smith - win. The dude is just a good hockey player.
Maroon - bad. Tooo slow. Don't care how fast he thinks the game the slowness is comically bad
Brodie - bad. hasn't been as atrocious lately but 2 years. woof.
Martinez - good. seems to help settle things down. kind of what you want in an older vet.
Brossoit - poop happens but you'd think they would have done a better job on the medical side here.
Bertuzzi - mixed bag. very bad at times but also on pace for 18ish goals.
TT - more good than very bad. also very bad at times, line juggling not helping, on pace for 41 points over 82 games which is not great.

Anyway - it doesn't look great results wise. It was also mentioned earlier that the team has identity and being all over the place with these acquisitions kind of shows that.

I'd give Kyle a D for not addressing the scoring which they knew was going to be a problem and bringing in these very slow guys who are the opposite of how his head coach said he wants to play.

I'd give Luke a D for running out of ideas, resulting in weird benching and line blending and not just saying (frank) it - putting his best players together (mainly leaving Bedard with TT) and letting the chips fall where they may across the rest of the line up. He's reaching for wins which would lead me to believe they expect certain results this year even with this very bad roster.

Also team isn't any better or worse without Jones so that's very good.
- fattybeef

If memory serves, he hurt the knee while training after he signed.