Zach Jarom: Top Five Prospects

First!

Waiting for Guttman, playing in arenas across the nation, starting in October.

I don't think Reichel is a bust but going to take time to see how he handles full time NHL minutes.

It may be that he will top out as a 2nd line type talent rather than first line (on a good team) or that he will be good, but not great or elite. He hasn't really done anything wrong, but he hasn't really blown the lid off things either.

I think he will have the next 2-3 seasons to find his role and establish himself.

I think for Kevin Korchinski his fate for this season is in his hands.

If he has matured enough physically and shows what he can do in camp (and potentially in that short window before he can go back to Jr) he could play with the Hawks starting this year. I just don't think there is an answer yet until we see how he plays and if anyone else just earns the spot over him.

C. Bedard
K. Korchinski
'24 draft
'25 draft
'26 draft

The Leafs have signed goaltender Martin Jones to a 1 year, $875,000 deal.

The Leafs have signed goaltender Martin Jones to a 1 year, $875,000 deal.
- DarthKane

The dominoes are falling into place.

The dominoes are falling into place.
- rpeters01

More dominoes, the Devils have signed defenseman Cal Foote to a 1 year, 2 way deal.

Not sure how you leave out Nazar or Moore, easily the best behind Bedard.

Your lists don’t match haha.

Was surprised to not see Moore on the list, then he was #5 in the explanations

I'm not sure how many people think Reichel is a bust. He's been brought along slowly (which is good if needed). I think he could have been up last year if the circumstances were different, but overall, I think he will be quite good. I think I said before if he becomes a version of Sharp (point producer and a good defender) it's a win.

I'm on Fatty's side regarding KK. I think he'll be up with the team to start the year unless he proves inept. After that, if he shows he's in a bit over his head he'll be sent down. Otherwise, he'll stay up. I've got no problem with that track unless they are doing it to justify the pick.

Your lists don’t match haha.

Was surprised to not see Moore on the list, then he was #5 in the explanations
- mkrisnosky

You didn't read. One list was NHL Beat writer Tracey Myers and the other was Zach here.

It all depends on the specifications around your list. If it is about guys who are closest to playing, I would say:

Bedard
Reichel
Kaiser
Vlasic
KK

If it is purely based on potential:

Bedard
Reichel/Nazar
Nazar/Reichel
KK
Moore

Not sure how you leave out Nazar or Moore, easily the best behind Bedard.
- Glak18

No one really knows how Tracey puts her lists together. Zach's list is obviously more realistic.

No one really knows how Tracey puts her lists together. Zach's list is obviously more realistic.
- Chunk

If I had to guess, Tracey's list is unofficially with the qualification of guys who probably play this season with Chicago. Now, that might not be the definition of top prospect to most of us but probably how the list landed that way.

Guttman isn't the highest ceiling guy, but he was one of two "rookie" (by NHL definition) forwards for the Hawks last season.

Reichel played 23 games and Guttman played 14. Guys like Nazar or Moore have more upside, but Guttman is more likely to play NHL games this season.

I would Def put KK back in WHL next year - no D man is ready or close to ready at 19. Heck, even that #1 pick on Buffalo was meh for a few years until just recently (Dahlin) and he was the 1 pick - The other D that i am really excited to see more of is Allen. In that tournament he was by far the better player than KK in the final 4 game. I think that KD had seen enough of the rush the player to the NHL and has learned that lesson - so many examples over the years prior to him becoming GM. its gonna be a fun season coming up.

You didn't read. One list was NHL Beat writer Tracey Myers and the other was Zach here.
- breadbag

I am back to admit I am a dunce.

It all depends on the specifications around your list. If it is about guys who are closest to playing, I would say:

Bedard
Reichel
Kaiser
Vlasic
KK

If it is purely based on potential:

Bedard
Reichel/Nazar
Nazar/Reichel
KK
Moore
- Chunk

I was going for purely based on potential. I do like you bringing up Kaiser, he is a guy I just keep forgetting about but am very excited to see get a shot.

I would Def put KK back in WHL next year - no D man is ready or close to ready at 19. Heck, even that #1 pick on Buffalo was meh for a few years until just recently (Dahlin) and he was the 1 pick - The other D that i am really excited to see more of is Allen. In that tournament he was by far the better player than KK in the final 4 game. I think that KD had seen enough of the rush the player to the NHL and has learned that lesson - so many examples over the years prior to him becoming GM. its gonna be a fun season coming up.
- glennjpawlak22

I am fully with you on that. I believe taking the extra year in juniors is the way to go. I think best play might be give him a game or two in the start of the season just to test the water then send him back to Seattle and revaluate when their season comes to an end.

Maybe her list deals with guys under contract who will be playing in the NHL?

Catching up on this and the Wirtz memorial......

Anyone heard of the reason why Toews wasn't in attendance yesterday or today? Seems odd. Saw Hossa, Sharp,Seabrook, Kane, Keith all were there........

I am fully with you on that. I believe taking the extra year in juniors is the way to go. I think best play might be give him a game or two in the start of the season just to test the water then send him back to Seattle and revaluate when their season comes to an end.
- Zach Jarom

Said it before and say it again....fans, teams, etc are all good with a rebuild until they are not. I don't see any logical reason to rush any of these kids if they show they are not ready. I also think if a kid shows he is ready, you bump him up to the show...see if he can handle himself and if he can.....let him build some confidence at the nHL level. IF not, you sit him down and show him tape of what he needs to work on and send back to wherever.

I don't get the vibe this management will rush anyone just to do so......

I would Def put KK back in WHL next year - no D man is ready or close to ready at 19. Heck, even that #1 pick on Buffalo was meh for a few years until just recently (Dahlin) and he was the 1 pick - The other D that i am really excited to see more of is Allen. In that tournament he was by far the better player than KK in the final 4 game. I think that KD had seen enough of the rush the player to the NHL and has learned that lesson - so many examples over the years prior to him becoming GM. its gonna be a fun season coming up.
- glennjpawlak22

Korchinski will get a tryout at the beginning of the season but I don’t think the Hawks are worried about burning the first year of his contract or not. Korchinski will dictate if/when he returns to the WHL.

Ideally Korchinski would be playing in Rockford this season, its too bad that he’s not allowed to.

Said it before and say it again....fans, teams, etc are all good with a rebuild until they are not. I don't see any logical reason to rush any of these kids if they show they are not ready. I also think if a kid shows he is ready, you bump him up to the show...see if he can handle himself and if he can.....let him build some confidence at the nHL level. IF not, you sit him down and show him tape of what he needs to work on and send back to wherever.

I don't get the vibe this management will rush anyone just to do so......
- SteveRain

If we have any tip of the hand by KD how he will handle prospects and when to brig them up it was Reichel. He could have easily, and possibly justifiable, brought him up to the NHL last yr and didn't.

And as far as KK we'll go thru this into next season. KK was the 3rd or 4th best Dman in his own age group on the CAN WJC roster, did not dominate the WHL last yr, split some time with Hanzal as his WHL team's #1 PP option..... By most measures he did not show he's ready for the NHL.

But, this is a new yr and I'm sure he'll get a long look in camp, preseason and a good handful of NHL games to start the yr. My guess is KK would have to knock people's socks of and even themn KD will send him down.

Besides, it's probable 2 much more deserving rookies, Vlasic and Kaiser, start with the Hawks with Phillips being close. Bad idea to go with 3 pure rookie Dmen on an NHL roster. ...... Loads of reasons to let KK go back to the WHL and be the man, be the man at the WJC, hopefully gets a deep run in the CHL playoffs then up with RKF and a playoff run there.

Thought Kaner had a solid post in the last thread with some really good responses about the prospect pool. Also likes that Kaner posted Bedard is part of the rebuild plan not THE plan. Indeed........ A copy and paste.




I don't see the Hawks making the same mistakes as the Oilers. The Hawks have invested in every facet of the game, from scouting (pro and amateur), data analytics, nutrition, off-ice player development, facilities just to name a few.

KD has a plan to bring the Hawks back into contention. Bedard is part of the plan, he is not the plan. Bedard will obviously play the biggest role in the Hawks resurgence, but KD is focused on building a quality team with depth. The prospect pool is as deep as I can remember.

Grade A Prospects
- Bedard
- Reichel
- Korchinski
- Nazar
- Moore

Grade B Prospects
- Soderblom
- Commesso
- Vlasic
- Del Mastro
- Kaiser
- Gajan
- Rinzel

Grade C Prospects
- Kantserov
- Greene
- Dach
- Phillips
- Hayes
- Allan
- Ludwinski
- Savoie
- Marcel (although it was tempting to put him with the Grade As based on name alone)
- DarthKane