Nice to see 25 and 44 stand their watching while Geekie scored.

The Avs will be a lock if they can get their goalie situation sorted out. Wedgewood was an immediate shot in the arm.

Landeskog has had a few set backs. Most people here (Denver) don't think he'll play again and also don't think they'll win a cup without him. Kinda like how a bunch of Sox fans said they couldn't win without Rowand.
- fattybeef

I had written him off until I saw the speculation that he could return sometime this year. Even if he is back for say the beginning of the season next year, however brief it could be, that's gonna be a helluva cap management problem. I had never heard of a cartilage transplant before, so I have no idea how that will ultimately work out. Is there an associated track record for this procedure in the NHL? That seems like a last resort surgery, anyway.

This guy is saying you can see this team beginning to play as one.

I wonder if they want Nazar to stop coming off the wall and try to beat 2 defenders with the puck
- BetweenTheDots

No idea what they’re looking for in Nazar, but I’m sure when he’s doing the things they have him working on consistently he’ll get his promotion.

One thing is certain Nszar is a helluva passer

What a shot by Nazar

Nice to see 25 and 44 stand their watching while Geekie scored.
- BetweenTheDots

Kaiser had a rough shift there, he also missed a pass from Bedard that should have started a breakout from the zone.

Guttman goal #3
- totem

Nazar nice bar down shot on 2-man advantage, 4-1.

Thought Kaiser was a 1/2 tick slow and flat footed on the BOS goal.... Hall is playing like an average IQ guy. Missing a lotta little plays/opportunities to make better plays...... I'm guessing I'm out over my skis but Allan just might have taken a jump. A couple reads were outstanding, choking up on the stick at the blueline to keep a wobbling puck in is a thing that leads to longer Ozone possession. Done often enough it leads to goals/drawing penalties/hemming teams in . Kid is making more/better/tougher plays right now, and his last game was solid and that was after being a 3 game scratch interestingly enough..... IIRC same thing happened with Reichel. Multiple game scratches and walla, they find a better game/focus.

Roster competition is a good thing!

Kaiser had a rough shift there, he also missed a pass from Bedard that should have started a breakout from the zone.
- Angotti

Good eye, Lou. Kaiser has had better periods and Crevier is watching/waiting!... Great to see Martinez was not injured on that puck to the knee. Dude is a player.

Good eye, Lou. Kaiser has had better periods and Crevier is watching/waiting!... Great to see Martinez was not injured on that puck to the knee. Dude is a player.
- Mr Ricochet

I like Kaiser, these are just the growing pains for a defenseman, 25 should know not to take anything for granted

Nazar nice bar down shot on 2-man advantage, 4-1.
- totem

Guttman gets another, 5-1.

Oh, and good for Vlasic. Kid is on the cusp of impacting the offensive, skating pucks in with regularity and IMO he handled the puck better on that last PP than I had ever seen outa him. ....... He's carried in and driven the net a couple times the last few games and gotten shots off from the crease.

Sometimes all it takes is a goal for a young guy and a switch flips to some degree.

IMO some of his reads have been weakish the last 5-6 games. Thought he looked a tad drained mentally and maybe in his legs too. Haven't looked but wondered if his extra TOI with Jones out may have been wearing on him. Games like tonight show a second wind of sorts.

Too many seam passes allowed. Would have loved to see my centerman down there taking away that seam pass!!! ..... LR wisely coined Bedard's game the other day, can't get 1 and give up 2. Indeed........

Too many seam passes allowed. Would have loved to see my centerman down there taking away that seam pass!!! ..... LR wisely coined Bedard's game the other day, can't get 1 and give up 2. Indeed........
- Mr Ricochet

Honestly prefer watching the hogs right now, that team is buzzing, speed just makes it so hard for the opponent

Nazar nice bar down shot on 2-man advantage, 4-1.
- totem

In order for Nazer to get called up, there needs to be an injury, or cut someone. KD is probably
trying to make a deal to open up a spot for Nazer.

Might as well put Anderson on Waivers

In order for Nazer to get called up, there needs to be an injury, or cut someone. KD is probably trying to make a deal to open up a spot for Nazer.
- LAHawk

I think he's going to wait, i bet he plans on following when the Stars brought up Stankoven around the AHL 50 game mark.

I like Kaiser, these are just the growing pains for a defenseman, 25 should know not to take anything for granted
- BetweenTheDots

I like Kaiser as well, but have to call it as I see it, he struggled in the first period.

7-1 Rockford leading vs Lehigh Valley tonight. Scoring is spread out although Nazar has a goal and two assist

In order for Nazer to get called up, there needs to be an injury, or cut someone. KD is probably
trying to make a deal to open up a spot for Nazer.

Might as well put Anderson on Waivers
- LAHawk

I believe I read maybe even on this hockeybuzz Chicago site, that Blackhawks wanted Nazar to work on his feet. I don’t know if this means in the same way Crevier needs to work on moving his feet.

Perhaps after the trade deadline and after one the veteran dmen was dealt, Crevier and Allen both in the lineup each game. Alternatively, Allen in and a prospect at Rockford gets a cup of coffee while Crevier sits or demoted to AHL

Sure seems sometimes when the Hawks shoot there is nobody within 25 ft of the goalie.. LR has gotta insist that be better and give guys a game to watch from up top to see.

A contrarian opinion.

Bedard will never be a 1C. He could be a first line winger or definitely a top 6 forward, floor maybe a DeBrincat/Sharp type. He does not have the leadership or skill set of a Toews or the charisma and skill set of a Kane or Hossa.

Sign Marner and Rantanen. Build your team around them, Bedard, and a very good young defense. Hope that in the next couple of years some of the young, fast, highly skilled, and highly rated forward prospects can fill out the roster.

Yep, I know the arguments against this.
Their cap hits would prevent the Hawks from resigning some of their young players.
They will be getting old and slow by the second half of their big contracts.
But if you think the Hawks are going to the cup finals with Bedard and Nazar as your top two centers you are asking/wishing a lot.

I had written him off until I saw the speculation that he could return sometime this year. Even if he is back for say the beginning of the season next year, however brief it could be, that's gonna be a helluva cap management problem. I had never heard of a cartilage transplant before, so I have no idea how that will ultimately work out. Is there an associated track record for this procedure in the NHL? That seems like a last resort surgery, anyway.
- 333inthe3rd

Lonzo Ball on the Bulls had a similar operation but was also 26ish instead of 31 when he had it done.

There isn't a track record. Those are two of the first professional athletes to have it done. I don't know of anyone else who has had it.

Ball had his surgery in March 2023 (cartilage and meniscus replacement) just started playing limited minutes.

Landeskog had his in May 2023 and has been on and off the ice this fall with allegedly a significant set back recently. Would be really hard for a guy to come back at 32 or 33 after missing over 2 years.

In order for Nazer to get called up, there needs to be an injury, or cut someone. KD is probably
trying to make a deal to open up a spot for Nazer.

Might as well put Anderson on Waivers
- LAHawk

Don't they have a spot open since AA isn't on the NHL roster?

I remember the days when the Hawks were down a goal and their goalie would make the save(s) to keep them in the game. I guess I’m living in the past.

I believe I read maybe even on this hockeybuzz Chicago site, that Blackhawks wanted Nazar to work on his feet. I don’t know if this means in the same way Crevier needs to work on moving his feet.

Perhaps after the trade deadline and after one the veteran dmen was dealt, Crevier and Allen both in the lineup each game. Alternatively, Allen in and a prospect at Rockford gets a cup of coffee while Crevier sits or demoted to AHL
- jhawk59

They mean defensively.

Kind of tough in the AHL when he is so much faster and quicker than the competition he can cheat. One of the reasons I dislike these younger players beating up on lesser competition is regardless of how focused or driven they are - its human nature to follow the path of least resistance and at some point soon confidence building is going to turn into bad habit reinforcement.

A contrarian opinion.

Bedard will never be a 1C. He could be a first line winger or definitely a top 6 forward, floor maybe a DeBrincat/Sharp type. He does not have the leadership or skill set of a Toews or the charisma and skill set of a Kane or Hossa.

Sign Marner and Rantanen. Build your team around them, Bedard, and a very good young defense. Hope that in the next couple of years some of the young, fast, highly skilled, and highly rated forward prospects can fill out the roster.

Yep, I know the arguments against this.
Their cap hits would prevent the Hawks from resigning some of their young players.
They will be getting old and slow by the second half of their big contracts.
But if you think the Hawks are going to the cup finals with Bedard and Nazar as your top two centers you are asking/wishing a lot.
- Ztra

That's what everyone said about Jack Hughes. Seems to be fine now.

Bedard is still the second youngest player in the league. He just needs to take his lumps and not play with poopty players.

Hall at this stage is a black hole. Really dreadful play from him. And Bertuzzi can't stay on his feet.

Not sure what Bedard is supposed to do when he's getting double teamed every time he touches the puck and constantly facing the other teams top line.