Zach Jarom: Bad Enough?

The Bears have already surprised--let's hope the Hawks don't pull out a few surprises and leave that top 3.

Hats off to Mrazek for tackling the job for a Hawks team in this phase because he’s going to have a lot of rubber flying his way.

Anytime there’s talk about tanking in order to secure the 1st overall, I always think of this short TSN doc about what the Pens did to get Mario:

https://youtu.be/i-CRnk6fH0c

Interesting how the front office and players had different views on what took place. There’s def a moral and integrity debate when it comes to tanking.

Hey Zach. Good write up. The only statement that I had an issue with was this:

Now, to put that in perspective let's pretend those where all non overtime winners, that takes the Hawks from 68 total points and 27th in the league to 56 points and 31st in the league.

The problem is that four of them were OT. I always thought the "GWG" stat was one of the most flawed. If it is scored 5 minutes into a 5-0 game, does it really give you much information about a player? If they instead reported "Game tying or wining goals in the 3rd period", I think that would be a better indication of what the player brings.

One last thing that I don't really hear many talk about when projecting how they will finish, is how this team could be playing a notably different game/style. I'm not naive enough to think that Richardson is like Trotz, but it is not out of the realm of possibility for the Hawks to be notably improved defensively. I know players are a huge part of this, but The amount of goals given up is just as important as the what you score. How many years were Nashville (or going back a while further, NJ) competitive without much in the way of star players.

Hey Zach. Good write up. The only statement that I had an issue with was this:

Now, to put that in perspective let's pretend those where all non overtime winners, that takes the Hawks from 68 total points and 27th in the league to 56 points and 31st in the league.

The problem is that four of them were OT. I always thought the "GWG" stat was one of the most flawed. If it is scored 5 minutes into a 5-0 game, does it really give you much information about a player? If they instead reported "Game tying or wining goals in the 3rd period", I think that would be a better indication of what the player brings.

One last thing that I don't really hear many talk about when projecting how they will finish, is how this team could be playing a notably different game/style. I'm not naive enough to think that Richardson is like Trotz, but it is not out of the realm of possibility for the Hawks to be notably improved defensively. I know players are a huge part of this, but The amount of goals given up is just as important as the what you score. How many years were Nashville (or going back a while further, NJ) competitive without much in the way of star players.
- Chunk

100% agree with you about the GWG stat and probably wasnt the best example to use when trying to make my point about how much a difference one player can make. Same thing goes for the Plus Minus stat, lot of other factors go into a players game that a big negative number wont reflect.

I am excited for Richardson to put his prints on this team, when he was hired he talked about creating a team thats going to be aggressive and hard to play against. I think over time he's going to improve this team defensively, it's just a matter of how fast players will adjust and buy in. Hey if we are losing a lot but its low scoring and not being blown out I will gladly take that any day of the week.

4 times in the last 10 the worst team got the first pick, but they just recently changed the parameters of how far a team can rise/fall in the lottery. I think the chances are significantly better now than they were 10 years ago.

4 times in the last 10 the worst team got the first pick, but they just recently changed the parameters of how far a team can rise/fall in the lottery. I think the chances are significantly better now than they were 10 years ago.
- Ogilthorpe2

Yup so I think that right there should be a sign to others to really mange expectations and not view this as a Bedard or Bust. This is a good draft class to fall in the top three. Fans have to remember this rebuild is a marathon not a sprint.

Hats off to Mrazek for tackling the job for a Hawks team in this phase because he’s going to have a lot of rubber flying his way.

Anytime there’s talk about tanking in order to secure the 1st overall, I always think of this short TSN doc about what the Pens did to get Mario:

https://youtu.be/i-CRnk6fH0c

Interesting how the front office and players had different views on what took place. There’s def a moral and integrity debate when it comes to tanking.
- Matt Ross

Integrity really only applies to people who have it, for those who don't have it, they call us suckers.

Besides Montreal and Arizona, Anaheim, San Jose, and Philadelphia have the potential to be just as bad, if not worse than the Hawks.

Besides Montreal and Arizona, Anaheim, San Jose, and Philadelphia have the potential to be just as bad, if not worse than the Hawks.
- LAHawk

I am super curious how this whole Philly/Torts situation goes. I just cant imagine it working with his mind set and was a very confusing move by a GM who is on the Hot seat already.

4 times in the last 10 the worst team got the first pick, but they just recently changed the parameters of how far a team can rise/fall in the lottery. I think the chances are significantly better now than they were 10 years ago.
- Ogilthorpe2

Bottom line, you have the worst record you have an 25% chance at the first pick.....wow, surprisingly close to 4 of the last 10 years or.....25% of the time (sarcasm). Full tank to worst record means you are getting a top 3 pick, but odds are never better than 1 in 4 you will actually wind up with it.

The Hawks on paper are worse than last season. Will they be the worst in the league? Who knows. I think the Hawks will likely finish in the bottom 3, regardless of their actual position they’ll need some luck from the bouncing balls.

I’m going into the season/draft expecting Fantilli or Michkov, Bedard would just be a bonus.

The Hawks on paper are worse than last season. Will they be the worst in the league? Who knows. I think the Hawks will likely finish in the bottom 3, regardless of their actual position they’ll need some luck from the bouncing balls.

I’m going into the season/draft expecting Fantilli or Michkov, Bedard would just be a bonus.
- DarthKane

KD will trade any players showing up for practice.

Bedard will go to whichever team Bettman wants.

The Hawks on paper are worse than last season. Will they be the worst in the league? Who knows. I think the Hawks will likely finish in the bottom 3, regardless of their actual position they’ll need some luck from the bouncing balls.

I’m going into the season/draft expecting Fantilli or Michkov, Bedard would just be a bonus.
- DarthKane

This is the mind set you need and honestly I don't think there is a wrong choice there.

The Hawks on paper are worse than last season. Will they be the worst in the league? Who knows. I think the Hawks will likely finish in the bottom 3, regardless of their actual position they’ll need some luck from the bouncing balls.

I’m going into the season/draft expecting Fantilli or Michkov, Bedard would just be a bonus.
- DarthKane

Bottom 5 for sure. Need to bring JC back so we go 1-12 again to start the season

The Hawks on paper are worse than last season. Will they be the worst in the league? Who knows. I think the Hawks will likely finish in the bottom 3, regardless of their actual position they’ll need some luck from the bouncing balls.

I’m going into the season/draft expecting Fantilli or Michkov, Bedard would just be a bonus.
- DarthKane

Getting Fantilli would be huge. I wouldn´t mind Brayden Yager either. Bedard or Michkov are bonuses. I believe Blackhawks first pick in 23 will be at least top 10. They are getting a really good prospect anyway and that pick whoever it is will be their top prospect right away.

Getting Fantilli would be huge. I wouldn´t mind Brayden Yager either. Bedard or Michkov are bonuses. I believe Blackhawks first pick in 23 will be at least top 10. They are getting a really good prospect anyway and that pick whoever it is will be their top prospect right away.
- MjulQvist

The end of the year standings will be very dependent on if and when Kane is traded. After the trade deadline the results could be very ugly.

Great article Zach!

I'm torn, I always want to see the Hawks do well and win, but I know that bottoming out and getting high draft picks will speed up the restock and rebuild.

Hopefully they can loss games by tight margins and not get disheartening blown out. Maybe some small person victories by seeing some rookies and young players taking steps and improving, maybe some bounce back efforts for a few of the vets to increase their trade deadline value.

Could be a tough season, but if there is light at the tunnel it will make it a bit easier.

Kane is going to be playing with young players? What young players? Reichel is the only forward prospect who might make the team. There are no other young forwards.

I keep seeing the mention of rookies by some. Who exactly are these rookies you speak of? Reichel I know but who else is there at forward?

I wouldn't even count on seeing any on D either with all the bum vets on the roster.


Embrace the suckage cause this team has the worse roster in the league.

Kane is going to be playing with young players? What young players? Reichel is the only forward prospect who might make the team. There are no other young forwards.
- Elbows15

You know, everyone in the bottom six, Raddysh, Katchouk, Entwistle, and Kurashev

You know, everyone in the bottom six, Raddysh, Katchouk, Entwistle, and Kurashev
- Chunk

Kane is playing bottom 6 this year? Raddysh is the only one he might play with.

Katchouk and Entwistle are bottom 3 players. Kurashev? Maybe. Tho, I have a feeling he gets moved during camp.

Kane is going to be playing with young players? What young players? Reichel is the only forward prospect who might make the team. There are no other young forwards.
- Elbows15

While not rookies you are going to see young guys like Kurashev (22) Raddysh (24) getting a chance at a much bigger role this season. You have to imagine too that the line blender will still be in full effect so there is a chance any one on the roster gets a chance with Kane. Some more younger players that might get more of a look this year include Entwistle (23) Katchouk (24) Barratt (23) Teply (21) Guttman (23).

Great article Zach!

I'm torn, I always want to see the Hawks do well and win, but I know that bottoming out and getting high draft picks will speed up the restock and rebuild.

Hopefully they can loss games by tight margins and not get disheartening blown out. Maybe some small person victories by seeing some rookies and young players taking steps and improving, maybe some bounce back efforts for a few of the vets to increase their trade deadline value.

Could be a tough season, but if there is light at the tunnel it will make it a bit easier.
- SchwiftyHawk

Agree 100% if they are losing but still battling every game I am ok with that. Getting blown out every game is going to be tough but if its going to happen let it happen with the vets in the line up and not the younger guys.