I’m not knocking LR. I agree that he’s done better than expected. That said, as a GM I would always be on the lookout for a better coach. I would like to keep Kevin Deen, as I think he’s been a secret weapon in developing great Dmen for Boston for years. LR has pushed the team hard, but I do wish we’d see more tenacity and push back when things get chippy. As for Xs and Os, I have no clue so no comment there.
If a Brindamour, Sullivan, or other good coach becomes available I’d hope they consider it.
- ObeseOprah

I think LR will probably be given the chance to show he can win with a competent roster before they go looking for another coach. All we've seen him coach so far is a teardown and start of the rebuild, but he very well might be a good coach for a win now team. Nobody knows really.

I’m not knocking LR. I agree that he’s done better than expected. That said, as a GM I would always be on the lookout for a better coach. I would like to keep Kevin Deen, as I think he’s been a secret weapon in developing great Dmen for Boston for years. LR has pushed the team hard, but I do wish we’d see more tenacity and push back when things get chippy. As for Xs and Os, I have no clue so no comment there.
If a Brindamour, Sullivan, or other good coach becomes available I’d hope they consider it.
- ObeseOprah

1st bold. No, you are.

2nd bold. And what players are those coaches working with? S. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Aho, Jarvis,, Martin Nečas, Teuvo. Carolina has 7 players with 40+ points and 2 of them are d-men. Pitt has 6 players with 49+ pts and 2 them are d-men. The Hawks have 2 guys at 50+ pts. And the 3rd place guy has 37.

I’m not knocking LR. I agree that he’s done better than expected. That said, as a GM I would always be on the lookout for a better coach. I would like to keep Kevin Deen, as I think he’s been a secret weapon in developing great Dmen for Boston for years. LR has pushed the team hard, but I do wish we’d see more tenacity and push back when things get chippy. As for Xs and Os, I have no clue so no comment there.
If a Brindamour, Sullivan, or other good coach becomes available I’d hope they consider it.
- ObeseOprah

There is nothing glaring that Lr has done wrong. He's made the best of the rosters he has been given. As you say, I think his staff is important to the overall success. Lets not be so quick to run out and get the next guy just because its a "name" Brindamour and Sullivan have been successful, but both stepped into situations with pretty solid rosters. Sullivan was coaching for the Hawks when he stepped onto the bench part way into the Pens season with a roster of Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Kessel, Rust, Kunist, Hornquist, Hagelin, etc.... Brindamour took over a pretty decent roster. If they or any other coach were to become available its typically because they got fired, so why are they necessarily better?
I like the fact that the Hawks are not on the re-used coaching carousel.

1st bold. No, you are.

2nd bold. And what players are those coaches working with? S. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Aho, Jarvis,, Martin Nečas, Teuvo. Carolina has 7 players with 40+ points and 2 of them are d-men. Pitt has 6 players with 49+ pts and 2 them are d-men. The Hawks have 2 guys at 50+ pts. And the 3rd place guy has 37.
- Rota's Rooter

As you're well aware, Rooter, these guys only put up those numbers because of the coaching.

1st bold. No, you are.

2nd bold. And what players are those coaches working with? S. Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Aho, Jarvis,, Martin Nečas, Teuvo. Carolina has 7 players with 40+ points and 2 of them are d-men. Pitt has 6 players with 49+ pts and 2 them are d-men. The Hawks have 2 guys at 50+ pts. And the 3rd place guy has 37.
- Rota's Rooter

The facts are we don’t have a clue if Richardson can coach a team with good talent. We don’t know if he’s able to develop a strategic game plan and have the tactical ability to adjust for in game situations. We do know Richardson is able to get a bunch of AHL players with a few rookies to play hard on most nights. We do know he appears to have the patience and ability to help younger players improve without resorting to ridiculous Tortorella type theatrics. Richardson may prove to be a good coach or a not so great one? Time will tell. But at the moment I think he’s fine for the situation. His ability, or lack thereof, will become apparent.

If LR was coaching a team that was underachieving, then you say OK, time to look for a different coach. As it stands you have a team that competes hard most nights and is competitive. You can also see the development of young players like Vlassic, Kaiser, Kurashev, Richardinson, and even Korchinski. It's pretty tough when you have to put out some combination of Tinordi, Megna, Zaitsev every evening. When you spend time hoping that Murphy returns because he is miles better than any of those three it tells you the state of the "veteran" D.

This team will be so much more competent when it’s not forced to play Zaitsev, Tinordi, Megna, and the Johnsons. Need to create competition for playing time, sign some actual NHL players and bring up some of the Rockford players of this year like Allan, del Mastro, Dach. At what point does Luke get replaced by a ‘we’re ready to start winning’ coach?
- ObeseOprah

I don't know? I think that'll happen when KD starts feeling the heat. For now if you are ranked 32nd in scoring and 26th in goals against, we have a few more years before we start winning. I did like this latest stretch of the Blackhawks only giving up 8 goals in 5 games until last night. Need many more of those stretches. I do believe that coincided with Kaiser being called up.

The facts are we don’t have a clue if Richardson can coach a team with good talent. We don’t know if he’s able to develop a strategic game plan and have the tactical ability to adjust for in game situations. We do know Richardson is able to get a bunch of AHL players with a few rookies to play hard on most nights. We do know he appears to have the patience and ability to help younger players improve without resorting to ridiculous Tortorella type theatrics. Richardson may prove to be a good coach or a not so great one? Time will tell. But at the moment I think he’s fine for the situation. His ability, or lack thereof, will become apparent.
- paulr

You mean you don't want him to go all Knute Rockne on the boys?
https://www.efootage.com/...na-go-go-go-go-sound-bite

I don't know? I think that'll happen when KD starts feeling the heat. For now if you are ranked 32nd in scoring and 26th in goals against, we have a few more years before we start winning. I did like this latest stretch of the Blackhawks only giving up 8 goals in 5 games until last night. Need many more of those stretches. I do believe that coincided with Kaiser being called up.
- BetweenTheDots

Currently 27 of the 32 NHL head coaches were hired into their current position in 2021 or after. Cooper with TBL the only coach with more than 10 years, then its Sullivan with 9, Bednar with 8, Brindamour with 6 and Keefe with 5. At some point you may decide that LR is not that guy, I would have to believe he has a few years though.

Currently 27 of the 32 NHL head coaches were hired into their current position in 2021 or after. Cooper with TBL the only coach with more than 10 years, then its Sullivan with 9, Bednar with 8, Brindamour with 6 and Keefe with 5. At some point you may decide that LR is not that guy, I would have to believe he has a few years though.
- TheTrob

We'll see but i think KD wants to develop the D first so LR makes a lot of sense for now. The Blackhawks have given up the same about of goals as NJD this year. Both teams have young dmen

The eclipse is a sign. We didn’t repent. It’s proof that Korbustky is a bust.

Total poop show
- LFS

You must be giddy with joy!

I would like to know what KD's plans are for pairing Korchinski (and Kaiser) with NHL quality defensemen ?
- LAHawk

Has Jones been as good the last 5ish games as he has been as a Hawk?.... If so and he's found new life as a Hawk he'll eat enough minutes where the 3rd pairing only has to skate 17ish minutes per game.

But I agree, will be interesting to see how KD puts together his defense next yr.

There are a ton of Zegras rumours, I’m guessing he’s on the block. If true, that tells us what Verbeek thinks.

On the subject of Verbeek, he’s been known to go against the grain. He chose Carlson when the prevailing opinion was Fantilli being the second choice after Bedard. I’m wondering if Anaheim were to win the draft lottery would he pick the consensus, Celebrini or would he go after someone else? And I’m thinking Zayne Parekh, who may have the highest ceiling in the draft.
- paulr

As an example and not realistic - a Zegras for Crosby type swap is probably what the Ducks would be looking for in that scenario. A winner who can help them start to move forward and show the younger guys how to win.

Problem is it can go both ways, he has a penchant for bad penalties, he has little to no interest in checking and his numbers may not improve. If any or all of those factors enter his play the coach may not use him and he’ll get less playing time and show everyone what a difficult player he is. Of course he could put up a ton of points, play a reasonable two way game, not take stupid penalties and stop his on and off ice shenanigans, in which case the Ducks will probably want to keep him. So far I’d bet on the former, in which case the return in any trade may not be great.
- paulr

At least he has a personality.

Maybe pump the breaks a bit on Dach. Like his brother, he has missed a bunch of games with various injuries. He has been OK when he has played, but im not sure he has earned time over a few of the others. Dachs size would make him a bit more desirable that the crew of 5'10" guys (or smaller) the Hawks have in Seney, Gust, Pitlick, Guttman.

Hawks already roster enough "try hard" guys between Blackwell, R. Johnson, Entwhistle, Raddysh, Slaggert. If you are bringing up Dach hes needs to bring something the others don't/can't
- TheTrob

Dach is listed at 6'4 193. Not sure why people get so hard for height. The kid is skin and bones.

I'd rather have a 5'10 guy at 185 tbh.

I'm intrigued to see Ludwinski he looks a bit like Slaggert style of play. I think he wears the A for his team.
- BetweenTheDots

Ludwinski is a + skater, very fast. Slaggert would be considered to have average speed but if you watch the kid he has tons of IQ. He just makes plays in all 3 zones.... Gonna have to wait and see if Ludwinski shows that kinda IQ at higher levels.

Of course Slaggert at just 21 yrs old, turns 22 in June, has 2 yrs playing for the NTDP, 2 WJC's and 4 full yrs of NCAA hockey and is 2 yrs older than Ludwinski.

I'm really intrigued by Ludwinski. From as little as I've seen he's always engaged, very good motor/compete and withj his speed he has a real chance to be a player. The kid has difference making speed.

Kaiser sent down for the final stretch and playoffs for RFD. Felcman released from his ATO. #Bustman.
- Chunk

Very much like the way KD has used RKF for development. Vlasic is the obvious example but sending Kaiser down early in the season worked well and the last demotion and then promotion back to the Bigs seems to have helped Reichel.

A 3 legged stool. Evaluate, draft and then develop properly Early results are pretty good for KD and Crew.

As an example and not realistic - a Zegras for Crosby type swap is probably what the Ducks would be looking for in that scenario. A winner who can help them start to move forward and show the younger guys how to win.
- fattybeef

Would Tavares for Zegras work? Probably get about the same production, but worse overall game for a lot less money.

Would Tavares for Zegras work? Probably get about the same production, but worse overall game for a lot less money.
- Chunk

It would work for Toronto but not Anaheim. Tavares is on the decline and Zegras is entering his prime years. I also think Toronto media would eat Zegras alive. A guy who got their captain traded and is offense first.

There is nothing glaring that Lr has done wrong. He's made the best of the rosters he has been given. As you say, I think his staff is important to the overall success. Lets not be so quick to run out and get the next guy just because its a "name" Brindamour and Sullivan have been successful, but both stepped into situations with pretty solid rosters. Sullivan was coaching for the Hawks when he stepped onto the bench part way into the Pens season with a roster of Crosby, Malkin, Letang, Kessel, Rust, Kunist, Hornquist, Hagelin, etc.... Brindamour took over a pretty decent roster. If they or any other coach were to become available its typically because they got fired, so why are they necessarily better?
I like the fact that the Hawks are not on the re-used coaching carousel.
- TheTrob

This is 100% the correct view

It would work for Toronto but not Anaheim. Tavares is on the decline and Zegras is entering his prime years. I also think Toronto media would eat Zegras alive. A guy who got their captain traded and is offense first.
- ObeseOprah

I think it's great, i had a feeling this would happen. If i were the Blackhawks I'd kick the tires on the kid and we can turn around and make a similar trade like they made to get Gauthier, Reichel and a 2nd for Zegras.

I think it's great, i had a feeling this would happen. If i were the Blackhawks I'd kick the tires on the kid and we can turn around and make a similar trade like they made to get Gauthier, Reichel and a 2nd for Zegras.
- BetweenTheDots

If Verbeek would be willing to take that trade you know for sure there’s an underlying reason Verbeek wants him gone.

If Verbeek would be willing to take that trade you know for sure there’s an underlying reason Verbeek wants him gone.
- paulr

I'm guessing he's not a fan of his, probably has that old school mentality. I don't mind some brash kid who gets under the opponents skin and he would look good with Bedard on many shifts.

I'm guessing he's not a fan of his, probably has that old school mentality. I don't mind some brash kid who gets under the opponents skin and he would look good with Bedard on many shifts.
- BetweenTheDots

Why would Verbeek trade Zegras for a return that is less than KD got for Dach?