Follow me, fatty. 2022 was KD first draft. He starting tearing it down to the studs trading Dach and Dcat on draft day. Then Hagel and anything that wasn't bolted down. That was the one and only tear down yr.

2023, his 2nd draft, KD won the lottery and got Bedard. He kept D!ckinson, Foligno, Donato and Mrazak at the TDL.

2024 he drafts Artie. That's this yr. So we are 1 yr and 23ish games out of the tear down not 3, fatty............ And you're ready to trade assets, sign big FA and go for the playoffs this yr? 1yr and 23 games out of a rebuild????

They are not 3 yrs out of a rebuild.
- Mr Ricochet

Exaggerating one’s narrative sounds better.

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.
- mohel

That's quite an all-star lineup and should make for some great reading!

Exaggerating one’s narrative sounds better.
- paulr

I do like Fatty's posts though. Probably like me you see fatty has a solid hockey mind but some of his thoughts are funky. ......... Still, a lotta value in most of fatty's posts.

Unlike many, or some, I love the process of a rebuild and these are fun times watching this kid pop, then that kid pop and this kid not pop. And we haven't hit win time in the process yet with all the signings, trades, callups and Euro adds which is what this whole thing has been working towards.

You guys who follow and kinda document the BOD's temperature are gonna have your radar going off at ten bells with all the decisions made during the win now phase to like and dislike.

Hawks looked pretty good to the eye but the fancies say that's an understatement. Hawks mutilated em in the fancies. Crushed.

Hawks had a 68.3% CF, 26-17 SOG advantage, 14-8 high danger shots advantage, 71.9 xGF. That is domination across the fancy stat board of a club that was 8-2 last 10. ....... But, and not meant as a dig at you LA, Laz will have a headline, "another moral victory?"

I thought sure Foligno was gonna score and that he was their best player last night. He was dogged and had the puck on a string with bodies on him.

https://www.naturalstattr...eason=20242025&game=20394
- Mr Ricochet

I think their best players were Craig Smith, Lukas Reichel, TJ Brodie and Wild Wyatt Kaiser. Allen had a really nice game as well.

A lot of it was driven from the blue line. They were pinching hard, taking a body at the blue line and disrupting plays early and often. They were also carrying out the puck more rather than just forcing it up the boards.

Since the Toronto blue line is hilariously less dynamic they couldn't really cope with it and them winning was more a function of talent than poor play by the Hawks.

That game was a moral victory but one I think you can live with while the last few losses were more pathetic.

I think their best players were Craig Smith, Lukas Reichel, TJ Brodie and Wild Wyatt Kaiser. Allen had a really nice game as well.

A lot of it was driven from the blue line. They were pinching hard, taking a body at the blue line and disrupting plays early and often. They were also carrying out the puck more rather than just forcing it up the boards.

Since the Toronto blue line is hilariously less dynamic they couldn't really cope with it and them winning was more a function of talent than poor play by the Hawks.

That game was a moral victory but one I think you can live with while the last few losses were more pathetic.
- fattybeef

So after the Hawks with all the pressure finally put one in, LR puts outs Kaiser, Brodie (who coughed up the puck n the corner to start the sequence for Toronto's 3rd goal. the 2 veteran leaders Foligno and Richardinson, and the cap dump who had a good game Mikahev against the Leaf's 4th line, and 20 seconds later all the hawks good goes right out the window.

The 2 overpaid leaders sure did not lead on that sequence. As a matter of fact they looked like 2 overpaid fat cat players that couldn't give a poop. I would of rather seen Mackenzie Entwhistle and Reese Johnson, at least they out out an effort..

It was always going to be a 5 year deal, at a minimum. You only have to look at any other NHL complete tear downs and rebuilds to see this.

Those that don't understand that, will be disappointed. Its a free country, so you can think and post what you believe, but I'd like to invite anyone who can point out complete tear downs and rebuilds that were competeing in 3 years.

Just not realistic, but human nature is to find a scapegoat. LR seems to the guy now. Maybe he is, but i'd challange anyone with that belief to have won more games with his rosters. I think they have mostly over preformed their ability in most of his time here.

And as far as benchings, I just listened to 4 days of Flus and Waldron bashing, one of the items was the vets had to go to them all and female dog because they wouldn't coach players hard, especially the young players, and young players weren't held accountable.

One of his main jobs with the young players is to put them into an environment where they are accountable, and learn how to play at this level.

I admit there are games i just have to turn off because they are hard to watch. It doesn't necesarily bother me though, as I didn't expect them to be competeing at this point, and really don't for another two years, I never did.
- vabeachbear

There haven't been any other successful complete tear downs except for maybe Pittsburg when they got Flurey, Malkin, Crosby, Staal and drafted 1st or second overall 4 years in a row. But they were only out of the playoffs 4 years. Perpetually bad teams like the Oilers I don't think they want to emulate.

The other successful organizations were bad with some still good veterans and turned things around in 2 or 3 and did not have overly long playoff droughts. Colorado, Tampa, Washington, for example. Colorado and Tampa got a playoff run in early, retooled again and have been solid since. After drafting Ovechkin the Capitals were back in it pretty quickly, they didn't wait around.

Florida was bad for a long time but they were ineptly run for a while. Same for Ottawa, Buffalo, Vancouver right after the Sedin's were done. And the Hawks before the old man was on his death bed.

Point being - the well run organizations are not out of the playoffs for 5-6 years. That just isn't the time table. They are back in it within 3 or 4 depending on the scale of the rebuild and maybe there is a tweak that needs to happen with the initial group after that first run.

Follow me, fatty. 2022 was KD first draft. He starting tearing it down to the studs trading Dach and Dcat on draft day. Then Hagel and anything that wasn't bolted down. That was the one and only tear down yr.

2023, his 2nd draft, KD won the lottery and got Bedard. He kept D!ckinson, Foligno, Donato and Mrazak at the TDL.

2024 he drafts Artie. That's this yr. So we are 1 yr and 23ish games out of the tear down not 3, fatty............ And you're ready to trade assets, sign big FA and go for the playoffs this yr? 1yr and 23 games out of a tear down????

They are not 3 yrs out of a tear down.
- Mr Ricochet

Fine then it's 2. It certainly isn't one. The tear down started when they moved Hagel for 2 picks and 2 bodies.

If anyone doesn't or can't watch the Hawks Wednesday night, the NHL network is airing the Rockford-Lehigh Valley game at 6 pm Central.

I do like Fatty's posts though. Probably like me you see fatty has a solid hockey mind but some of his thoughts are funky. ......... Still, a lotta value in most of fatty's posts.

Unlike many, or some, I love the process of a rebuild and these are fun times watching this kid pop, then that kid pop and this kid not pop. And we haven't hit win time in the process yet with all the signings, trades, callups and Euro adds which is what this whole thing has been working towards.

You guys who follow and kinda document the BOD's temperature are gonna have your radar going off at ten bells with all the decisions made during the win now phase to like and dislike.
- Mr Ricochet

Traumatized from the Bulls, Bears and White Sox rebuild attempts of the last 20 years.

As well as the Hawks drafting very poorly the last time they had shots in the top 10.

They have Bedard now. They can both support him, not ice a trash product and allow their precious draft picks to develop.

Traumatized from the Bulls, Bears and White Sox rebuild attempts of the last 20 years.

As well as the Hawks drafting very poorly the last time they had shots in the top 10.

They have Bedard now. They can both support him, not ice a trash product and allow their precious draft picks to develop.
- fattybeef

Fatty, you're not getting it. There has to be a process to this. You can't sign competent non-35 year old players that can help you win. The only options that would be willing to sign with the Hawks are the Rah-Rah old vet types that you have to overpay for.

I've echoed your stance before and keep getting responses like, "they aren't ready for that yet", "that will block the kids coming in", you have to see what you have in the prospects first", "why would you put yourself in cap hell now?".

I really don't see why the Hawks can't find a middle ground of icing a competent team that isn't over the hill and being able to leave room open for kids to take spots. In all seriousness, how many kids are going to be able to come in and crack the roster each year? How many kids will even be NHL caliber talent?

So after the Hawks with all the pressure finally put one in, LR puts outs Kaiser, Brodie (who coughed up the puck n the corner to start the sequence for Toronto's 3rd goal. the 2 veteran leaders Foligno and Richardinson, and the cap dump who had a good game Mikahev against the Leaf's 4th line, and 20 seconds later all the hawks good goes right out the window.

The 2 overpaid leaders sure did not lead on that sequence. As a matter of fact they looked like 2 overpaid fat cat players that couldn't give a poop. I would of rather seen Mackenzie Entwhistle and Reese Johnson, at least they out out an effort..
- LAHawk

I agree about Brodie, but i was disappointed that Kaiser was more worried about where the puck was instead of covering the guy in the slot.

Fatty, you're not getting it. There has to be a process to this. You can't sign competent non-35 year old players that can help you win. The only options that would be willing to sign with the Hawks are the Rah-Rah old vet types that you have to overpay for.

I've echoed your stance before and keep getting responses like, "they aren't ready for that yet", "that will block the kids coming in", you have to see what you have in the prospects first", "why would you put yourself in cap hell now?".

I really don't see why the Hawks can't find a middle ground of icing a competent team that isn't over the hill and being able to leave room open for kids to take spots. In all seriousness, how many kids are going to be able to come in and crack the roster each year? How many kids will even be NHL caliber talent?
- Chunk

I wouldn't of minded Debrusk, i liked the Teuvo signing, good nhl player with good term, Bertuzzi reminds me so much of Entwistle with his flailing skating but he's not a terrible pro. Smith had been a nice surprise, Brodie not so much, or Hall but i keep hearing how he has to get his legs back i guess they are tied to his hands some how.

I think Nashville has made a big splash, they overpaid Skjei, year and term, rather overpay Brodie and his term, Skjei, 7 years at $7 mil looks like he's stuck in mud on the ice. This contract already is horrible. Overpaid and over termed Marshessault 5yrs@$5.5per and Stamkos 4yrs@$8 per, all 30+ year olds, i wanted Stamkos for 2 years same with Marshessault maybe even 3.

Last thing this team needs is a 30 year old making $9 per for 7 years.

From Wyshinski

Worst regression: Connor Bedard
Is this a sophomore jinx, or the reality of playing for the current incarnation of the Chicago Blackhawks? Whatever the case, Bedard has been ineffective and frustrated in his second NHL campaign after winning the Calder Trophy last season.

He has four goals (and 17 points) in 23 games after potting 22 goals in 68 games last season. Bedard's defensive numbers have improved year over year, which was by design: Richardson moved him to the wing and had him playing with more defensively oriented linemates this season. But they need him to be Connor Bedard, not Connor Brown. Beyond his stat line, Bedard has clearly shown frustration about the way his season has played out, and what could be year-over-year regression for the Blackhawks.

Memo to Connor: Patience is a virtue in a total rebuild. Crosby had Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury with him the first time his Penguins made the postseason. Ovechkin had Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green as teammates when he made the playoffs for the first time. Granted, those examples were from when Bedard was around 3 years old, and our bones just turned into dust writing that.

From Wyshinski

Worst regression: Connor Bedard
Is this a sophomore jinx, or the reality of playing for the current incarnation of the Chicago Blackhawks? Whatever the case, Bedard has been ineffective and frustrated in his second NHL campaign after winning the Calder Trophy last season.

He has four goals (and 17 points) in 23 games after potting 22 goals in 68 games last season. Bedard's defensive numbers have improved year over year, which was by design: Richardson moved him to the wing and had him playing with more defensively oriented linemates this season. But they need him to be Connor Bedard, not Connor Brown. Beyond his stat line, Bedard has clearly shown frustration about the way his season has played out, and what could be year-over-year regression for the Blackhawks.

Memo to Connor: Patience is a virtue in a total rebuild. Crosby had Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury with him the first time his Penguins made the postseason. Ovechkin had Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green as teammates when he made the playoffs for the first time. Granted, those examples were from when Bedard was around 3 years old, and our bones just turned into dust writing that.
- LAHawk

I guess if this is regression I'll take it, nobody is outproducing him in his own draft class other than Michcov tied but the Russian has done it in 23 games. Celebrini has a better PPG but he's got several top draft picks feeding him the puck. And Cooley is outperforming Bedard by 1 point. Top 5 if you go back an additional year of draft class. I guess everyone expects him to score 100 points all by himself.

From Wyshinski

Worst regression: Connor Bedard
Is this a sophomore jinx, or the reality of playing for the current incarnation of the Chicago Blackhawks? Whatever the case, Bedard has been ineffective and frustrated in his second NHL campaign after winning the Calder Trophy last season.

He has four goals (and 17 points) in 23 games after potting 22 goals in 68 games last season. Bedard's defensive numbers have improved year over year, which was by design: Richardson moved him to the wing and had him playing with more defensively oriented linemates this season. But they need him to be Connor Bedard, not Connor Brown. Beyond his stat line, Bedard has clearly shown frustration about the way his season has played out, and what could be year-over-year regression for the Blackhawks.

Memo to Connor: Patience is a virtue in a total rebuild. Crosby had Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Jordan Staal and Marc-Andre Fleury with him the first time his Penguins made the postseason. Ovechkin had Nicklas Backstrom and Mike Green as teammates when he made the playoffs for the first time. Granted, those examples were from when Bedard was around 3 years old, and our bones just turned into dust writing that.
- LAHawk

He hasn't regressed really and the folks writing that are just looking for clicks. It's more right now that his finishing has regressed in the short term, but it's been more so that his chances haven't found he back of the net. The reality is that compared to other future star players, Bedard came in much earlier than a lot of the other talent so he has less help and at the end of the day, big whoop.

It won't affect him long term, you can't hold down a superstar player like that if they are a true superstar player, guys like him are driven and will show up when the pieces are in place. Also, tough to say he has regressed when the season is just barely over 25% through, he could get on a hot streak, or his line and they will produce.

He still can skate throw multiple defenders on the attack and make a great play. He can still shoot with his great release, he still has great vision/sense of the play on the ice. Those things aren't gone, he just isn't getting production because he has just missed on chances and those chances have been limited because of the style of play (defensive), linemates, and overall quality of our D to move the puck from defending to attacking. i.e. Bedard would get more chances if we had guys like KK and Arty who can skate the puck to the attack or join the rush more effectively.

He is facing some frustration and adversity but he still has to round out his game too. He isn't a great Center when it comes to the 200 foot game. He doesn't win draws and has things to learn in his own zone still to be better. This is part of him growing into the best version of himself on the ice. That player on the ice will probably still be a letdown to some who inevitably have unrealistic expectations of him, but he is overall a better player today than he was a year ago.

Traumatized from the Bulls, Bears and White Sox rebuild attempts of the last 20 years.

As well as the Hawks drafting very poorly the last time they had shots in the top 10.

They have Bedard now. They can both support him, not ice a trash product and allow their precious draft picks to develop.
- fattybeef

That's on you. I pretty much punted on baseball when the Cubs had their meltdown in 2003. You can only support so many losing teams...also yawn on both Bball's.

Hadn't considered it but this is probably why some of y'all are so impatient with this Hawk rebuild.

I know people are putting these Bear and Hawk rebuilds side by side but the bigger surprise by a country mile is the Bears not playing meaningful games with 5 games to go...other than QB development.

Afa the Hawks go pretty much agree with VABB so will just repost what he said...

It was always going to be a 5 year deal, at a minimum. You only have to look at any other NHL complete tear downs and rebuilds to see this.

Those that don't understand that, will be disappointed. Its a free country, so you can think and post what you believe, but I'd like to invite anyone who can point out complete tear downs and rebuilds that were competeing in 3 years.
- vabeachbear

I wouldn't of minded Debrusk, i liked the Teuvo signing, good nhl player with good term, Bertuzzi reminds me so much of Entwistle with his flailing skating but he's not a terrible pro. Smith had been a nice surprise, Brodie not so much, or Hall but i keep hearing how he has to get his legs back i guess they are tied to his hands some how.

I think Nashville has made a big splash, they overpaid Skjei, year and term, rather overpay Brodie and his term, Skjei, 7 years at $7 mil looks like he's stuck in mud on the ice. This contract already is horrible. Overpaid and over termed Marshessault 5yrs@$5.5per and Stamkos 4yrs@$8 per, all 30+ year olds, i wanted Stamkos for 2 years same with Marshessault maybe even 3.

Last thing this team needs is a 30 year old making $9 per for 7 years.
- BetweenTheDots

Losing $15 mil. in salary (Hall, Martinez, AA), they need to (over)pay someone to get to the cap floor next year. Is Donato going to get one of KD's 401K gifts, a 2 x $4mil. contract?

If the cap. is set at $92.5, the floor is $68.5. The Hawks currently have 15 contracts on the NHL roster or $57 mil.

Lets say 3 of the kids make it next year (Nazer,KK,Slaggert for arguments sake), that is another 3 million. So they need $8 mil. with 5 FA signees to hit the floor.

o unless you want another bunch of Maroon's. Smith,et. at $1 mil. a piece, who do you sign that would be enticed to come here that is nothing more than a mercenary placeholder?

How much do you think a Sam Bennett (at 30 years old) is going to get if he decides to go FA?

He hasn't regressed really and the folks writing that are just looking for clicks. It's more right now that his finishing has regressed in the short term, but it's been more so that his chances haven't found he back of the net. The reality is that compared to other future star players, Bedard came in much earlier than a lot of the other talent so he has less help and at the end of the day, big whoop.

It won't affect him long term, you can't hold down a superstar player like that if they are a true superstar player, guys like him are driven and will show up when the pieces are in place. Also, tough to say he has regressed when the season is just barely over 25% through, he could get on a hot streak, or his line and they will produce.

He still can skate throw multiple defenders on the attack and make a great play. He can still shoot with his great release, he still has great vision/sense of the play on the ice. Those things aren't gone, he just isn't getting production because he has just missed on chances and those chances have been limited because of the style of play (defensive), linemates, and overall quality of our D to move the puck from defending to attacking. i.e. Bedard would get more chances if we had guys like KK and Arty who can skate the puck to the attack or join the rush more effectively.

He is facing some frustration and adversity but he still has to round out his game too. He isn't a great Center when it comes to the 200 foot game. He doesn't win draws and has things to learn in his own zone still to be better. This is part of him growing into the best version of himself on the ice. That player on the ice will probably still be a letdown to some who inevitably have unrealistic expectations of him, but he is overall a better player today than he was a year ago.
- breadbag

Except if the GM doesn't get him competent support.

Losing $15 mil. in salary (Hall, Martinez, AA), they need to (over)pay someone to get to the cap floor next year. Is Donato going to get one of KD's 401K gifts, a 2 x $4mil. contract?

If the cap. is set at $92.5, the floor is $68.5. The Hawks currently have 15 contracts on the NHL roster or $57 mil.

Lets say 3 of the kids make it next year (Nazer,KK,Slaggert for arguments sake), that is another 3 million. So they need $8 mil. with 5 FA signees to hit the floor.

o unless you want another bunch of Maroon's. Smith,et. at $1 mil. a piece, who do you sign that would be enticed to come here that is nothing more than a mercenary placeholder?

How much do you think a Sam Bennett (at 30 years old) is going to get if he decides to go FA?
- LAHawk

If prefer they trade for a RFA to sign long term than sign Bennett. Hopefully there will be a reasonable opportunity for them to do this.

If prefer they trade for a RFA to sign long term than sign Bennett. Hopefully there will be a reasonable opportunity for them to do this.
- BetweenTheDots

To get something you have to give up something. Will KD give up some of his drat capital.

From the 2022 draft, 5 of the top 14 draft choices have already been parts of trades.

To get something you have to give up something. Will KD give up some of his drat capital.

From the 2022 draft, 5 of the top 14 draft choices have already been parts of trades.
- LAHawk

My hope is they trade Toronto's 1st or some of their 2nds more than anything else

It was always going to be a 5 year deal, at a minimum. You only have to look at any other NHL complete tear downs and rebuilds to see this.

Those that don't understand that, will be disappointed. Its a free country, so you can think and post what you believe, but I'd like to invite anyone who can point out complete tear downs and rebuilds that were competeing in 3 years.

Just not realistic, but human nature is to find a scapegoat. LR seems to the guy now. Maybe he is, but i'd challange anyone with that belief to have won more games with his rosters. I think they have mostly over preformed their ability in most of his time here.

And as far as benchings, I just listened to 4 days of Flus and Waldron bashing, one of the items was the vets had to go to them all and female dog because they wouldn't coach players hard, especially the young players, and young players weren't held accountable.

One of his main jobs with the young players is to put them into an environment where they are accountable, and learn how to play at this level.

I admit there are games i just have to turn off because they are hard to watch. It doesn't necesarily bother me though, as I didn't expect them to be competeing at this point, and really don't for another two years, I never did.
- vabeachbear

But it doesn't have to be.

He hasn't regressed really and the folks writing that are just looking for clicks. It's more right now that his finishing has regressed in the short term, but it's been more so that his chances haven't found he back of the net. The reality is that compared to other future star players, Bedard came in much earlier than a lot of the other talent so he has less help and at the end of the day, big whoop.

It won't affect him long term, you can't hold down a superstar player like that if they are a true superstar player, guys like him are driven and will show up when the pieces are in place. Also, tough to say he has regressed when the season is just barely over 25% through, he could get on a hot streak, or his line and they will produce.

He still can skate throw multiple defenders on the attack and make a great play. He can still shoot with his great release, he still has great vision/sense of the play on the ice. Those things aren't gone, he just isn't getting production because he has just missed on chances and those chances have been limited because of the style of play (defensive), linemates, and overall quality of our D to move the puck from defending to attacking. i.e. Bedard would get more chances if we had guys like KK and Arty who can skate the puck to the attack or join the rush more effectively.

He is facing some frustration and adversity but he still has to round out his game too. He isn't a great Center when it comes to the 200 foot game. He doesn't win draws and has things to learn in his own zone still to be better. This is part of him growing into the best version of himself on the ice. That player on the ice will probably still be a letdown to some who inevitably have unrealistic expectations of him, but he is overall a better player today than he was a year ago.
- breadbag

While they are playing better defense with the improvement from the young Dmen like Allan, Kaiser, and Vlasic, along with adding Brodie and Martinez, the fact is that they are not driving offense from the backend. Yes, they did a nice job last night keeping pucks in, but with the lack of scoring they could definitely use some push from the Dmen. I’m thinking that KK will be up after the TDL, and who knows, maybe Arty if he seems ready, but doubt he’ll be up before next season.

If anyone doesn't or can't watch the Hawks Wednesday night, the NHL network is airing the Rockford-Lehigh Valley game at 6 pm Central.
- boilermaker100

Thanks for the heads up.

But it doesn't have to be.
- Chunk

Well it's at least 4 years now for this club.