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Forums :: Blog World :: Justin Lowe: Off-Season Checklist
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bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

Apr 16 @ 1:20 PM ET
Like you I get tired of hearing how brutal coach Q was because he didn't "develop" Olsen, Leddy, Pirri et all. It's up to the player and developmental leagues to prepare a player for the NHL. Unless the team is really bad NHL coaches don't have time to develop talent, their job is to use developed talent to try to win.

And as for projecting talent, look how wrong everyone was about Andrew Shaw.

- paulr


EVERY TEAM has hits and misses...these are young men and human beings not robots or hockey algos's you plug into a spreadsheet...

here we are sitting up in 300 section judging gm's, scouts, coaches and players...aah the brilliance of fandom hindsight....
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Apr 16 @ 1:20 PM ET
His puck carrying is the best of the D men and he's great at QBing the PP. Could just be nerves still of making a jump from college to the pros but his passing at ES needs to be more precise and his decision making needs to be quicker.

He also needs to make simple, safe plays. Because he's trying to do too much, he flubs a lot of plays due to the pro game being so much faster than he may realize.

At least one full year in the AHL will be good for him. He has potential to be an eventual 3rd pair defender who can also manage the point on the PP.

- AEL_Fox


Thank you for the details. As long as we don't have a backend made up entirely of players like this I'm fine with some. From what I've read, Mitchell and Beaudin play a slightly different game. I hate comparing to past players, but I've read names like Keith and Lidstrom respectively in relation to the type of game they play (NOTE: not talent, just their approach to defense and transition).

I would still like some big bodies (I personally like Murphy) that can tie up the corners, and rub forwards off of pucks.
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Apr 16 @ 1:22 PM ET
No one saw Keith being as good as he was or he would have been drafted allot higher than he was. It's way too early to project where Byram will be in 5 or 10 years.
- paulr


Look, Pallie..........Aaagh, I've got nothing. Just watch yourself.
RickJ
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burlington, ON
Joined: 01.12.2010

Apr 16 @ 1:23 PM ET
No one saw Keith being as good as he was or he would have been drafted allot higher than he was. It's way too early to project where Byram will be in 5 or 10 years.
- paulr

The list of defenceman drafted very early that don't turn out to be very good is as long as your arm. Griffin Reinhart, Dylan McIlrath, Eric Gudbranson etc, etc, etc.

And then there are the 5th and 6th rounders that make it when they are 25 after numerous years in the minors. Or a 1st rounder like Ron Hainsey that took 7 years to 'mature'.
bogiedoc
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: VA
Joined: 09.27.2011

Apr 16 @ 1:24 PM ET
Tampa has lots of skill but apparently little will.
- paulr


i completely disagree...who are you to get into anybody's head let alone a teams psyche and make that determination after the season they had...cbj is playing out of their minds..

the nhl is known for these types of "upsets"

https://theathletic.com/9...f-game/?source=dailyemail

get a subscription...its worth it...

Rota's Rooter
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2017

Apr 16 @ 1:27 PM ET
EVERY TEAM has hits and misses...these are young men and human beings not robots or hockey algos's you plug into a spreadsheet...

here we are sitting up in 300 section judging gm's, scouts, coaches and players...aah the brilliance of fandom hindsight....

- bogiedoc

Well...yeah.
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Apr 16 @ 1:36 PM ET
I hate how officiating changes in the playoffs. If Svechnikov and Ovechkin would of been called for coincidental slashes like they would of been in the regular season, it would never have escalated into a fight.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Apr 16 @ 1:38 PM ET
i completely disagree...who are you to get into anybody's head let alone a teams psyche and make that determination after the season they had...cbj is playing out of their minds..

the nhl is known for these types of "upsets"

https://theathletic.com/9...f-game/?source=dailyemail

get a subscription...its worth it...

- bogiedoc

Why does anyone need to get into anyone's head when you can see plain as the nose on your face that the Tampa players aren't doing the things needed to win like skate and play harder than the opponent, get involved in puck battles, win puck battles, play strong defensively without the puck (ie: be on the right side of the puck when you don't have it), don't cheat when playing defense, put your body in shooting lanes. Yes Columbus is playing well but I'm not seeing Tampa compete .... are you?
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Apr 16 @ 1:39 PM ET
I hate how officiating changes in the playoffs. If Svechnikov and Ovechkin would of been called for coincidental slashes like they would of been in the regular season, it would never have escalated into a fight.
- LAHawk



They were gonna get after it no matter what. They have a longstanding feud over the best Russion vodka.
RickJ
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Burlington, ON
Joined: 01.12.2010

Apr 16 @ 1:41 PM ET
i completely disagree...who are you to get into anybody's head let alone a teams psyche and make that determination after the season they had...cbj is playing out of their minds..

the nhl is known for these types of "upsets"

https://theathletic.com/9...f-game/?source=dailyemail

get a subscription...its worth it...

- bogiedoc

Few if anybody in hockey would have picked Columbus to win a 7 game series over Tampa. But to think they couldn't compete at all was just crazy. The BJ's have some outstanding players on their roster and they are getting the goaltending needed.



paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Apr 16 @ 1:42 PM ET
EVERY TEAM has hits and misses...these are young men and human beings not robots or hockey algos's you plug into a spreadsheet...

here we are sitting up in 300 section judging gm's, scouts, coaches and players...aah the brilliance of fandom hindsight....

- bogiedoc

I'm not sure how your reply has anything to do with what I posted? To be clear, I said it's not Q's job to teach players the basic skills required to be NHL players. How is hindsight incorporated into that opinion?
StLBravesFan
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2011

Apr 16 @ 1:54 PM ET
I don't think it is so black-and-white. When Q arrived, the Hawks were loaded with youngsters, and kids with little development time came along later - Toews, Kane, Hammer, Bolland, Shaw, Saad. Others I'm sure I've missed. If development means teaching how to play a position, I agree Q isn't doing that. If it means helping young players blend together to play a system and become a better team, Q was pretty successful at that.
- mohel

But I think that IS what "championship" coaches do - take the talent that knows how to play a position / knows how to play hockey - and put them into a system and mold them into a better team.

The current Hawks need to learn how to play their positions and become good hockey players all over the ice.
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Apr 16 @ 1:57 PM ET
I'm not sure how your reply has anything to do with what I posted? To be clear, I said it's not Q's job to teach players the basic skills required to be NHL players. How is hindsight incorporated into that opinion?
- paulr


Or maybe Q had made the determination that the players were not NHL caliber. I remember when the Q hates young players because he wasn't playing Jeremy Morin, and Pirri, and except for one 20 plus goal season (primarily power play and had like 9 assists with the Panthers), they couldn't make it with other organizations either.
BetweenTheDots
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 06.13.2015

Apr 16 @ 2:05 PM ET
i completely disagree...who are you to get into anybody's head let alone a teams psyche and make that determination after the season they had...cbj is playing out of their minds..

the nhl is known for these types of "upsets"

https://theathletic.com/9...f-game/?source=dailyemail

get a subscription...its worth it...

- bogiedoc


Being up 3-0 and losing the way they did was brutal. Very talented team but 2 things happened after that game, self doubt creeped in and a huge jolt of confidence went to the blue jackets
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Apr 16 @ 2:09 PM ET
Or maybe Q had made the determination that the players were not NHL caliber. I remember when the Q hates young players because he wasn't playing Jeremy Morin, and Pirri, and except for one 20 plus goal season (primarily power play and had like 9 assists with the Panthers), they couldn't make it with other organizations either.
- LAHawk

The sad part is Pirri has some serious offensive talent but is so terrible defensively he can't stick with any NHL team. Defense is easy to learn but hard to play. Seems Pirri and guys like that expect the NHL to be easy. Imagine how different his career would have turned out if he had played even a moderately good game without the puck.
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 16 @ 2:18 PM ET
i completely disagree...who are you to get into anybody's head let alone a teams psyche and make that determination after the season they had...cbj is playing out of their minds..

the nhl is known for these types of "upsets"

https://theathletic.com/9...f-game/?source=dailyemail

get a subscription...its worth it...

- bogiedoc

More like Tampa needs to match the intensity Columbus displays
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 16 @ 2:27 PM ET
That #3 selection is so difficult to predict what Bowman is thinking. I figured one could look at team needs and carefully consider what impact each prospect brings.

I can sde the things other posters like in some of the prospects. While i figured Cozens would make the most sense, you cannot rule out that Bowman swung for the fence and the big home run sensational talent on Boqvist. So drafting Pod is yet another possibility-
jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Apr 16 @ 2:27 PM ET
That #3 selection is so difficult to predict what Bowman is thinking. I figured one could look at team needs and carefully consider what impact each prospect brings.

I can see the things other posters like in some of the prospects. While i figured Cozens would make the most sense, you cannot rule out that Bowman swung fir the fence and the big home run sensational talent on Boqvist. So drafting Pod is yet another possibility-
gabriel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: West Lafayette, IN
Joined: 02.02.2013

Apr 16 @ 2:37 PM ET
You actually think the D will be worse without Seabrook(who has become a train wreck), another year of growth and development for Jokiharju(former 1st round pick), and the addition of Byram(best defenseman in the draft)??

Look other than maybe also going after a vet like Benn or Polak I don’t see a better plan for future blue line success than what I’ve proposed. Get that young talent out there and let it grow. And make no mistake Byram is a true top end young talent, adding him would be HUGE for the future of our Dcore.

- SimpleJack


One name I never hear mentioned is Tyler Myers, age 28. Right handed shot with huge wingspan. Precision passer from D to neutral zone. Good skater who holds up attackers along the boards. Am I the only poster who would like to see this guy in a Hawks sweater?
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Apr 16 @ 2:37 PM ET
Thank you for the details. As long as we don't have a backend made up entirely of players like this I'm fine with some. From what I've read, Mitchell and Beaudin play a slightly different game. I hate comparing to past players, but I've read names like Keith and Lidstrom respectively in relation to the type of game they play (NOTE: not talent, just their approach to defense and transition).

I would still like some big bodies (I personally like Murphy) that can tie up the corners, and rub forwards off of pucks.

- Chunk

Balance of skill sets is key for the blueline, iMO. You want at least one player per D pair to be defensively reliable whether as a true stay at home defenseman or as a blueliner who is effective in all zones. Ideally, both in the pair need to play a respectable defensive game, of course.

As for defenders with size or at least who can play physical, Gilbert and Tuulola fit the bill. Carlsson, too. Gilbert and Carlsson have more potential than Tuulola to make the Hawks in the 6/7 slot and 3/4/5 slot respectively. Tuulola isn't a horrible player but just lower on the depth chart with several higher potential prospects ahead of him.

Hillman has potential as well to play this role, but like Krys, needs to simplify his game. Make smart plays and play within his means. Don't do too much.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Apr 16 @ 2:40 PM ET
The sad part is Pirri has some serious offensive talent but is so terrible defensively he can't stick with any NHL team. Defense is easy to learn but hard to play. Seems Pirri and guys like that expect the NHL to be easy. Imagine how different his career would have turned out if he had played even a moderately good game without the puck.
- paulr

Your post about Pirri is a reason why I respect Sikura's game so far. While that first goal is elusive, his offensive talent, vision, and poise is present. Regardless, he seems to have the wherewithal to know that he needs to (and can) be a difference maker and contributor across 200 feet so he's not useless during dry spells on the scoresheet.
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Apr 16 @ 2:43 PM ET
One name I never hear mentioned is Tyler Myers, age 28. Right handed shot with huge wingspan. Precision passer from D to neutral zone. Good skater who holds up attackers along the boards. Am I the only poster who would like to see this guy in a Hawks sweater?
- gabriel


Way too expensive
wiz1901
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: DraftSite com, IL
Joined: 05.14.2008

Apr 16 @ 2:46 PM ET
No one saw Keith being as good as he was or he would have been drafted allot higher than he was. It's way too early to project where Byram will be in 5 or 10 years.
- paulr


All I know is the first time I saw Keith in hawk prospect camp, I (still not allowing myself to believe the NHL game was gonna allow smaller deeman to be hockey point guards, I just remember posting "He (Keith) is incredible on his skates, but so small and slight, he is gonna be asked to play centre, or wing, because he will get swallowed by the big forwards."

He if Byram's Vancouver club wins the WHL championship, it is because of him.
maybe one NHL drafted prospect there (Milos Roman) and none that look like 2019 draft gems.

Bowen basically is giant possession minute eater and he is able to have his way against the WHL goalies, the other team's defensive schemes, in the same way you could say the other WHL top end draft elligible forwards has had their successes.

dante fabbro and a slew of Dub defenders are gonna be really good NHL defenders with offensive edge. I think they will defend pretty well becaus ethe systems they were playing in demanded it.

It is not that I wouldn't love to see superior push the pace attacking offensivemen as the general of the hawks next generation, and if they are conifident he can also NOT be Gufstasson like, I am all in...

I have said lots of nice things about each and every player in their profile at DraftSite, and have actually thrown up the fiorst three rounds of descriptive banter...you can go read those but i want add exclusive new horsefeathers here:


I just wish I hadn’t watched that stupid podcast!
It got me doubting then thinking they were taking nobody but Bowen, that they really were throwing darts with their dee picks in past years...well if that is the case, Boqvist might end up on the wing, lol .

Here is the breakdown on the forward they may select at #3:

Podkolzin is an angry beast. (maybe the intensity has to do with his nationalistic feelings of emotion...) he takes the freak over, he is unstoppable with the puck on a string through 4 opponents and if the puck is in the corners he (frank)ing knocks up against you to get it.

There is part Ovie in him but he ios not some guy who sets up to take a shot, he (frank)ing bulls through and sur[prise shoots and scores and easily receives passes and gets them off quickly, not a certain area needed to laser it...anywhere.
He is Tarasenko like but with more outward intensity. It is like he plays angry. (Really)


Dylan Cozens, C, Lethbridge (WHL):
Offensive comparison: Mark Scheifele shooting centre
WILL grow bigger on his frame
Ryan Kesler like in intensity and is Toews like in his leadership and all around commitment to the entire ice.

Kirby Dach is a guy who will need time to add the speed, a first step but right now he is calm and so opportunistic. He has never been a wall flower when it comes to contact to unearth pucks or win space where it is and take possession of it. He always just seems to get free from the pile and then quickly use the opportunity as a set up man or in fromnt for the garbage goal. You don't wait for him to learn and earn responsibilties on the PK and PP. I am not sure if he can be the bumper guy (that Toews Bergeron plays) he is the Anisimov guy who floats to the front for the screen, and plays the corners down low. Dach’s comparison to Getzlaf is a good one, because Getzlaf took time to get up to the NHL speed but always was big enough to play the opponents bodies.

Turcotte will be able to play the bumper on the PP and alway the outside on the PP. He is fast period.
He has a nice anchor of balance so contact doesn’t usually stop him full stride, and he is fearless, exciting and you will notice him in all three zones. He is Larkin-like in his speed.

Zegras is quick, light and is like Turcotte a floating power play guy who fits nicely with the way the attack is always in shifts and rotation, and he has the skill to quickly make plays and shots in a split second. I do think Button’s compared on him was correct that he is Elias Petterson-like.
wiz1901
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: DraftSite com, IL
Joined: 05.14.2008

Apr 16 @ 2:47 PM ET
Myers----Way too expensive
- LAHawk


and to me, anyway still kinda a finesse defenseman.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Apr 16 @ 2:49 PM ET
Your post about Pirri is a reason why I respect Sikura's game so far. While that first goal is elusive, his offensive talent, vision, and poise is present. Regardless, he seems to have the wherewithal to know that he needs to (and can) be a difference maker and contributor across 200 feet so he's not useless during dry spells on the scoresheet.
- AEL_Fox


Those points seem lost one some posters who think Sikura is a write off. Even if he can't score at all he becomes a younger Kruger, a guy who can anchor the 4th line and penalty killing unit. If he can score, as his talent and past suggest, he then becomes a possible tiop 9 player who can be a solid penalty killer and who the coaches can play in most situations.
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