Zach Jarom: Game Day

The old Visa problem. That's a bummer as I agree with you Zach, I thought he and Bedard looked pretty good together and was hoping to see them expand on that today.

I was hoping that Crevier would draw in today. TBH, the only thing worth watching on this team for me is the kids. I don’t really care about Zaitsev or Tinordi, or any of those guys. In regards to Reichel, I know that many are down on him, but I wonder if how Reichel looks today on the Hawks, is how Sharp looked on the Flyers before he came over. I guess I have a little more patience with the young guys than most. Reichel will not carry a line, he needs to play with more talent than T Johnson, who has really been struggling. I’m hoping that KD gets a NHL caliber center next year for Reichel, and a good forward for Bedard, either through free agency or trade, or both.

I was hoping that Crevier would draw in today. TBH, the only thing worth watching on this team for me is the kids. I don’t really care about Zaitsev or Tinordi, or any of those guys. In regards to Reichel, I know that many are down on him, but I wonder if how Reichel looks today on the Hawks, is how Sharp looked on the Flyers before he came over. I guess I have a little more patience with the young guys than most. Reichel will not carry a line, he needs to play with more talent than T Johnson, who has really been struggling. I’m hoping that KD gets a NHL caliber center next year for Reichel, and a good forward for Bedard, either through free agency or trade, or both.
- Angotti

Great post Lou and agree. I think something along those lines would be great. TJ whether through trade or expiring contract will be gone after this season and I think the forward lines will look quite a bit different next season.

Want to see Crevier also.

Reichel a healthy scratch today.

I was hoping that Crevier would draw in today. TBH, the only thing worth watching on this team for me is the kids. I don’t really care about Zaitsev or Tinordi, or any of those guys. In regards to Reichel, I know that many are down on him, but I wonder if how Reichel looks today on the Hawks, is how Sharp looked on the Flyers before he came over. I guess I have a little more patience with the young guys than most. Reichel will not carry a line, he needs to play with more talent than T Johnson, who has really been struggling. I’m hoping that KD gets a NHL caliber center next year for Reichel, and a good forward for Bedard, either through free agency or trade, or both.
- Angotti

It's been rough for Reichel, where's that kid from last year? That's the thing though it's a man's league and when kids are playing against men they get worn down. I hope he develops but for whatever reason this year he's having a lot of trouble handling the puck. I know some here criticize Bedard but he has minimal issues handling the puck they have to take it from him. He's still young i really hope he refines that skill.

As far as our bottom 9 go, some of the passes they make are so awful, yesterday i saw 58s pass and just started laughing, and he's not the only one.

I must be missing something with Anderson i really like his game, sure 4th liner but still

Want to see Crevier also.

Reichel a healthy scratch today.
- rickboardman

If Reese Johnson takes Reichel´s spot at least you will get an honest effort. You may not get any positive results, but we are not seeing any from Reichel anyway.

And FFS if we see a dman down low can we have at least one forward cover for him once in this game and if a opponent releases be on the right side of the opponent instead of letting them get past you.

If Reese Johnson takes Reichel´s spot at least you will get an honest effort. You may not get any positive results, but we are not seeing any from Reichel anyway.
- 67hawks

Not a bad idea to see Reichel watch a game from the press box, however Reese Johnson just may be the worst player in the NHL, but I understand, not many options.

What is the deal with Colin Blackwell? I thought he was almost ready to go ages ago. I thought he looked good in the bottom 6 last year -at least better than some of what we have today.

From previous blog...

I guess little nappi thought the oft injured Hall and AA (who miraculously played injury free last year) would be playing 70 plus games this year, and Reichel establishing himself as a NHL top 6. Things have not gone according to the plan.
- LAHawk

Agree with you there LA. Prior to the start of the season, I had Hall penciled in for 25 goals, and maybe 15 for AA and 20 for Reichel. I also had Raddysh for about 20 goals like last year, but he has disappointed this year. So that's about 80 goals worth of production lost to injury and regression. I had Perry down for about 12-15 goals, so maybe Beauvillier will make up for that.

I figured with that goal scoring the team would get about 70 points this season putting them in the 5-7 spot in the lottery. Now it definitely looks like bottom 3 in the standings and hopefully not a further drop after the lotto balls bounce around.

Like you said, definitely not the plan KD envisoned, but it may be a blessing in disguise if the team can pick up Celebrini or Eiserman.

It's been rough for Reichel, where's that kid from last year? That's the thing though it's a man's league and when kids are playing against men they get worn down. I hope he develops but for whatever reason this year he's having a lot of trouble handling the puck. I know some here criticize Bedard but he has minimal issues handling the puck they have to take it from him. He's still young i really hope he refines that skill.

As far as our bottom 9 go, some of the passes they make are so awful, yesterday i saw 58s pass and just started laughing, and he's not the only one.

I must be missing something with Anderson i really like his game, sure 4th liner but still
- BetweenTheDots

But I remember the praise Reichel was getting when he was a boy playing among men in Germany. I guess the current crop of Germans are less manly than a few generations ago.

What is the deal with Colin Blackwell? I thought he was almost ready to go ages ago. I thought he looked good in the bottom 6 last year -at least better than some of what we have today.
- 67hawks

Still recovering from a sports hernia injury suffered late last season. TBH, the last thing this team needs is another bottom 6 forward. They already have about a dozen on the roster.

Crevier in today.

It's been rough for Reichel, where's that kid from last year? That's the thing though it's a man's league and when kids are playing against men they get worn down. I hope he develops but for whatever reason this year he's having a lot of trouble handling the puck. I know some here criticize Bedard but he has minimal issues handling the puck they have to take it from him. He's still young i really hope he refines that skill.

As far as our bottom 9 go, some of the passes they make are so awful, yesterday i saw 58s pass and just started laughing, and he's not the only one.

I must be missing something with Anderson i really like his game, sure 4th liner but still
- BetweenTheDots

Dots, the kid from last year was playing with AA, who’s a NHL caliber forward(although I’m not a fan)and Kurashev who’s currently playing on the first line with Bedard. Maybe when AA comes back he can slot in between Reichel and Raddysh, see if both of these guys get going. Maybe next year we can see something like the below, and with the young guys on D a year older, they can be more competitive.
Hall-Bedard-FA/trade
Reichel-FA-trade-Nazar
Kurashev- XX- Raddysh
Katchouk-Donato-Foligno/D!ckinson/Dach

But I remember the praise Reichel was getting when he was a boy playing among men in Germany. I guess the current crop of Germans are less manly than a few generations ago,
- boilermaker100

Ehhhh, i wonder if maybe he's dealing with a minor hand or arm injury. He handled the puck so well last year. His passing was pretty good as well. I know it's there don't understand why we aren't seeing it this season.

Looks like Guttman is back as well, would rather have him playing with Reichel and Raddysh than T Johnson, guess I’m not a fan of the Johnson’s.

I do remember when everyone kept wondering why Cat was struggling scoring goals one season. Post game interviews towards the end of the season he started to say, i definitely have to work on my shot all summer? I know he was young the Blackhawks wanted him to get stronger, the Blackhawks wanted Reichel to stay in Chicago and get stronger? I know I'm grasping at straws here, but I can see history repeating itself.

And FFS if we see a dman down low can we have at least one forward cover for him once in this game and if a opponent releases be on the right side of the opponent instead of letting them get past you.
- BetweenTheDots

What u keep referring to is a common responsibility for a forward with a decent sense of awareness of what might happen if a Dman presses deep into the Ozone. But if the puck turns over and the other team's forward(s) blow their zone at top speed and take a pass, do u really think that Hawks forward is going to make any difference defending against that breakout. No, they are just going to walk around him as if he was a statue.

And one more thought - what level of frustration is the Hawks defence corps feeling knowing there are so few forwards who can do anything with the puck offensively??Most of these guys can't even corral a simple pass, let alone make plays in tight quarters. And Bedard must feel he is playing with guys from his father's lpw IQ Over 50 mens league.

There's still a lot of hockey left to play, but Tampa Bay is currently out of a playoff spot. They weathered the storm playing without Vasilevskiy, but have lost 4 in a row since he came back. They are in the 15th pick position at this time, but teams behind them have a couple of games in hand. Definitely would be nice if they drop to the 12 or 13th pick. (And don't win the lottery of course, since their pick is top 10 protected.)

Here's another excuse for the Leafs. The Leafs have played the most OT games than any team in the league. Sportsnet writer Luke Fox says all those extra minutes will take a toll on the team down the road.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...atch-up-with-maple-leafs/

I do remember when everyone kept wondering why Cat was struggling scoring goals one season. Post game interviews towards the end of the season he started to say, i definitely have to work on my shot all summer? I know he was young the Blackhawks wanted him to get stronger, the Blackhawks wanted Reichel to stay in Chicago and get stronger? I know I'm grasping at straws here, but I can see history repeating itself.
- BetweenTheDots

Suggest you take a look at the 2020 draft and you will see quite a few 1st round picks who are off to slow NHL career starts. Marco Rossi, Dylan Holloway, Henrix Lapierre, Jamie Drysdale (lots of injuries), Reichel.

And even Quinton Byfield and Alexis Lafrenierre have only started to play well this season. Maybe because they are with much better teams.

And apparently 1st rounders from the 2019 draft like Kaapo Kakko, Alex Turcotte, Philip Broberg suck big time and weren't worthy of their draft position.

I know you and most on here won't agree with me but Lukas Reichel belongs in Rockford playing AHL hockey, the 2nd most competitive pro league in the world where smart teams develop talent internally. Play him until his arms and legs fall off, in every situation that pops up - PK, PP, shoot outs, whatever. Being a healthy scratch at the NHL level doesn't develop nothing.

I do remember when everyone kept wondering why Cat was struggling scoring goals one season. Post game interviews towards the end of the season he started to say, i definitely have to work on my shot all summer? I know he was young the Blackhawks wanted him to get stronger, the Blackhawks wanted Reichel to stay in Chicago and get stronger? I know I'm grasping at straws here, but I can see history repeating itself.
- BetweenTheDots

But ADB was still getting glorious looks, he was just missing his spots. You still saw passion with ADB even when he was struggling. I don’t see Reichel playing with any passion.

If you like Reichel’s skill set and see his success in lower leagues, then inevitably you have to wonder what is holding him back after plenty of AHL and some NHL games. Could it be more than just a strength issue? Will he always be timid amongst stronger players and the toughest physical brand if hockey in the highest skill group (NHL)? Two additional summer to become stronger through workouts + AHL games where he has displayed more confidence I wait that long and don’t give up.

Eventually he has to receive passes and show confidence and willingness to be involved in the ebb and flow of games

Didn’t the board express displeasure with Schmaltz (Arizona) and TT (Carolina). They are producing in the league although not stardom nowadays.

ADDITIONAL:
I will try to listen maybe even watch Roos. Later in season I will attend at least one Icehogs vs Wolves game. Just trying to get a short take on how Roos plays ad if he is timid

Later today Kaiser, Phillips and Roos are in action

Hi Zach, I know you weren’t the source of the reporting, but can we please stop finding ways to pump Bedard’s tires?

2nd longest point road streak for players under 18…. Let’s save the superlatives for actual impressive achievements instead of “finding” them.