I thought he was a Tab drinker....
- mohel

RC Cola

RC Cola
- DarthKane

Tang

Incredible patience is being a Buffalo Sabres fan.

13 years of no playoffs, sh$tty goaltending and bad coaching.
- RickJ

I thought Granato was the bees knees.

He is the perfect coach to get a shot at Celebrini.

He has moved the centerman of the future to wing and took a winger who ended last season productively to center. He's getting a lot of credit for Vlasic who should really slot 3 or 4 on a .500 with his lack of offense. Korchinski has some tools for sure but can you realistically say he looks any more aware in his own zone now compared to October? Numbers don't lie, he's -37. He has been a plus player in 8 of 71 games. Richardinson is 28 years old. This is not a kid he has molded. Is Richardson's claim for development Kurashev? 16 goals playing with Bedard and lots of powerplay time?

Davidson can't fire Richardson yet because a coach firing turns the attention to the GM's work which has also been underwhelming at the NHL level. The owner and fan base is showing incredible patience. The "at least they are playing hard" crowd still buys tickets and jerseys.

Rockford is being led by Seney, Gust, Pitlick and Guttman offensively so hard to believe the offense will improve next season. How many years till competitive?
- stevefrmglencoe

If Murphy would have stayed healthy I think you would have seen better results on paper from Korchinski. Playing with Megna and Tinordi is probably not very conducive to him having a good time.

That being said when you start looking at stats like allowed zone entries he does really well and the eye test verifies that he disrupts plays at the blue line effectively and he is good with his stick disrupting passes and poking the puck away.

He looks competent defensively, which is different from what many people expected at the start of the year. There's lots of minus players on the team. Bedard and Kurashev are pretty far underwater there.

For year one against men (unlike someone like Vlasic who had some NHL exposure the two previous years and after a full AHL season as well as dealing with bigger guys in the NCAA) I don't think there is anything to be disappointed there.

No way LR moved Bedard to wing without talking it over with KD. I know you're not a fan of the plan; but there indeed is a plan. The coach is doing exactly what the GM wants him to do.

LR will be the coach for awhile - at least until he coaches KD's prospects (only two of which are currently in the NHL).
- mohel

Bedard has also been on a bit of a cold streak and it looks like he's trying to get him going again. He's got 2 goals in the last 10 games.

I don't think it has a lot of value for long term outlook more a short term get the kid some space to get more opportunities in theory.

If Murphy would have stayed healthy I think you would have seen better results on paper from Korchinski. Playing with Megna and Tinordi is probably not very conducive to him having a good time.

That being said when you start looking at stats like allowed zone entries he does really well and the eye test verifies that he disrupts plays at the blue line effectively and he is good with his stick disrupting passes and poking the puck away.

He looks competent defensively, which is different from what many people expected at the start of the year. There's lots of minus players on the team. Bedard and Kurashev are pretty far underwater there.

For year one against men (unlike someone like Vlasic who had some NHL exposure the two previous years and after a full AHL season as well as dealing with bigger guys in the NCAA) I don't think there is anything to be disappointed there.
- fattybeef

My only major concern with KK is that they are neutering his offensive abilities. I thought at a minimum that he would be able to get more shots on net and/or attacka bit more, but it seems as though he's defense first. I'm far from anything close to a coach, but it's the one area where I've got concerns about him.

Ovaltine for me. I’ve missed about four Hawk games this year, my eye test tells me that Korchinski has improved defensively quite a bit from October, however definitely not a finished product just yet.

My only major concern with KK is that they are neutering his offensive abilities. I thought at a minimum that he would be able to get more shots on net and/or attacka bit more, but it seems as though he's defense first. I'm far from anything close to a coach, but it's the one area where I've got concerns about him.
- Chunk

I’m thinking that they know what Korchinski brings offensively, therefore they are focusing on the part of his game that needs the most improvement. JMO

Ovaltine for me. I’ve missed about four Hawk games this year, my eye test tells me that Korchinski has improved defensively quite a bit from October, however definitely not a finished product just yet.
- Angotti

It will probably be another couple years before he even approaches finished. I think getting him a solid (and ideally consistent) partner will go miles in his development. I'm hoping they sign someone and can relegate Murphy to the 3rd pair (due mostly to durability concerns than anything else).

What scotch are you working on? I’ve got a half bottle of Glenlivet 12 I was given but I prefer Macallan double cask 12. Tried Macallan DC 18 once but I’d need a mortgage to buy a bottle
- paulr

I don't drink anymore but...

If you're trying to hit a price point and prefer highland scotch then check out the Dalmore 12. In the Chicago land area should be in the 60 dollar range. Balvenie has a double oak and carribean cask that are around that price point and a big step up from Glenlivet.

Ardbeg makes a very good 10 year at about the 60 dollar price point. I think that is the best value scotch if you like Islay. Their higher tiered ones are tremendous. Not overly peaty and an absolute delight. Oban more expensive but also a lovely drink and doesn't assault you like some of the Islay ones can.

When I was over there pre pandemic one of the bartenders in Inverness had an uncle who was the head taster for Balvenie and her dad worked at macallan and the general consensus is the Balvenie 21 is the best scotch you can buy and to stay as far away from Glenfiddich, Glenlivet and even the Macallan now since their process is more automated and industrialized and less traditional grumpy old scotsman eyeballing everything.

Around that 40 dollar price point I think you'd be better off with a good bourbon. Few makes an excellent one, they are a Chicago based distillery. Koval uses millet and I don't care for in their mash but a lot of people like it. Also Chicago based. Breckenridge bourbon is excellent and made in Colorado. Those are all independently owned distilleries.

For 20-30 the industrialized stuff like Buffalo Trace or Elijah Craig don't disappoint. A little more expensive you get into Angels Envy or Woodford Reserve and those are good (just about all of the more popular ones are made out of the Buffalo Trace or Beam distilleries or owned and operated by them). At the end of the day you can't really go wrong with a majority corn mash aging in oak. There's some nuance in the higher tiered stuff but with all the rules for what you can call a bourbon it's tough to (frank) up.

No way LR moved Bedard to wing without talking it over with KD. I know you're not a fan of the plan; but there indeed is a plan. The coach is doing exactly what the GM wants him to do.

LR will be the coach for awhile - at least until he coaches KD's prospects (only two of which are currently in the NHL).
- mohel

This is the same duo that had to have Perry till they didn't. Then instead of handling inhouse and getting something for Perry, they screwed it up. Now we will be watching Perry every other night for a while as Edmonton marches on.

Incredible patience is being a Buffalo Sabres fan.

13 years of no playoffs, sh$tty goaltending and bad coaching.
- RickJ

They also no longer have Reinhart and Eichel and are a team that could use difference makers at center.

Lots of mistakes, mismanagement and poor choices for who they should have built around. They certainly accumulated enough talented through the draft but a lot of good that has done them.

It will probably be another couple years before he even approaches finished. I think getting him a solid (and ideally consistent) partner will go miles in his development. I'm hoping they sign someone and can relegate Murphy to the 3rd pair (due mostly to durability concerns than anything else).
- Chunk

I agree Chunk, I understand why they kept him up vs juniors, but at least they could have given him a decent partner. Sign or trade for a reliable RD, then sign or trade for a center and a forward and they will be very watchable next year.

There are 5 games left in a season that’s been over since November. What is the harm in moving any player around - let alone Bedard? He gets molested at the dot, and is not great defensively. Do you think this will derail his development somehow?

Please link an article giving LR credit for Vlasic’s play. Anything that hasn’t been credited to Vlasic himself has been pushed to KD for keeping him in Rockford most of last year. Regarding him on top pair, is there ANYONE else on this team who could you could even challenge a conversation to put above him at this point?

KK is a 19 year old defenseman who was borderline to keep up to begin the year. He’s shown growth in several area, but needs a ton more work. The problem was that he wouldn’t make much if any growth staying in Junior last year. Yes, he gets buried at times right now, and that’s OK because this team was not built to be competitive. It was built to give some opportunities out to the kids and provide some leadership and-or structure around them. I have my own concerns about how that was done, but I do realize that this team was never going to be competing for a playoff spot. They simply don’t have the talent. And please don’t use +/- to make a point. It’s an incredibly flawed stat when looking at individual players.

The owner and fan base are showing a lot of patience, because they were told precisely what was going to happen when KD was hired (by KD himself). I have my own concerns about signing fossils to fill in around the roster, but I’m expecting more for next year. It’s not just rookies they will be looking to for improvement next year. They will only have 8-9 forwards returning, and 5 defensemen. New faces will surely arrive.
- Chunk

I don't have a link because I don't waste any time reading the beat writer's articles. It is impossible for them to be objective traveling North America in first class with the team. But I do like to read the comments here and the Richardson supporters here mention that the staff has done a good job with the D. I don't see it. This is Jones worst year ever. Murphy is a glass jar and has never improved. Vlasic is a mobile guy with a long stick but no offense. KK has some nice tools but is over his head and rushed. The BS about him not getting anything by playing Junior and WJC is silly. Kaiser knows the game but is undersized and not quick enough to be a Playoff type defenseman. The fill-ins are all too slow. Plus minus is not perfect but in this case it reflects a guy being over matched.

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
- BetweenTheDots

Young is one thing, Megna and Tinordi, throw in Zaitsev are another. They've held it together with a bunch of young defense men and three AHLers. Somebody deserves a medal.

My only major concern with KK is that they are neutering his offensive abilities. I thought at a minimum that he would be able to get more shots on net and/or attacka bit more, but it seems as though he's defense first. I'm far from anything close to a coach, but it's the one area where I've got concerns about him.
- Chunk

If you google some of the scouting reports he is a very passy player.

He could attack more with the puck on his blade in junior but maybe that doesn't fly in the NHL. And I think it's smart that the player is focusing on overall learning the game and figuring out how to make reads rather than just skating around like a maniac.

https://smahtscouting.com...-report-kevin-korchinski/

I think the passing skill is evident. And when he has opportunities in the ozone he has made some really nice plays. The problem though is that isn't anyone to receive the puck and do anything productive with it aside from Bedard on a consistent basis.

After a summer to let the year soak in, review some tape and get into the weight room I think you'll see a different player if they do some things to address the massive talent gap that exists.

Most players - Jack Hughes is a very good example of this take at least 2 full years to figure it out the NHL and by their third you should have a good idea of what is or isn't there. Guys like Vlasic are solid contributors straight away but that isn't the norm.

So in your world of incredible patience where exactly should the Hawks be in year two of a rebuild that the GM stated he was going to build primarily through the draft?

Also, you do realize most of the forward prospects they've drafted over the last several years are either playing on the Hawks (Bedard, Reichel, Slaggert), ineligible for the AHL because they are too young (Lardis, Ludwinski, Hayes, Misiak, etc.), in college (Nazar, Moore), or playing in Europe (Kantserov).
- HawkintheD

From the coach, I would like to see a bit less of a player's coach and a more desperate and tougher style.

From the GM, more creativity in finding players to fill in, better scouting of NHL talent, far more experience on the coaching staff, and a more professional demeanor. The Perry saga was embarrassing in what happened, how he responded and how he managed the asset.

If Murphy would have stayed healthy I think you would have seen better results on paper from Korchinski. Playing with Megna and Tinordi is probably not very conducive to him having a good time.

That being said when you start looking at stats like allowed zone entries he does really well and the eye test verifies that he disrupts plays at the blue line effectively and he is good with his stick disrupting passes and poking the puck away.

He looks competent defensively, which is different from what many people expected at the start of the year. There's lots of minus players on the team. Bedard and Kurashev are pretty far underwater there.

For year one against men (unlike someone like Vlasic who had some NHL exposure the two previous years and after a full AHL season as well as dealing with bigger guys in the NCAA) I don't think there is anything to be disappointed there.
- fattybeef

There is a lot to like when the puck is on his stick, when he's jumping into the play and at times along the boards when he makes simple plays in his own zone.

I don't have a link because I don't waste any time reading the beat writer's articles. It is impossible for them to be objective traveling North America in first class with the team. But I do like to read the comments here and the Richardson supporters here mention that the staff has done a good job with the D. I don't see it. This is Jones worst year ever. Murphy is a glass jar and has never improved. Vlasic is a mobile guy with a long stick but no offense. KK has some nice tools but is over his head and rushed. The BS about him not getting anything by playing Junior and WJC is silly. Kaiser knows the game but is undersized and not quick enough to be a Playoff type defenseman. The fill-ins are all too slow. Plus minus is not perfect but in this case it reflects a guy being over matched.
- stevefrmglencoe

This is the same duo that had to have Perry till they didn't. Then instead of handling inhouse and getting something for Perry, they screwed it up. Now we will be watching Perry every other night for a while as Edmonton marches on.
- stevefrmglencoe

Really, you're going to war over Perry?

Tang
- LAHawk

Bosco.

They also no longer have Reinhart and Eichel and are a team that could use difference makers at center.

Lots of mistakes, mismanagement and poor choices for who they should have built around. They certainly accumulated enough talented through the draft but a lot of good that has done them.
- fattybeef

We'll see but when you look at their goals against and the younger players gaining experience, I'm thinking unless they got off to a cold start they will be in the mix next year. If they stay injury free probably in the top 10 of goals against that usually gets you in the playoffs. Plus the depth they've been building is trickling in.

I don't have a link because I don't waste any time reading the beat writer's articles. It is impossible for them to be objective traveling North America in first class with the team. But I do like to read the comments here and the Richardson supporters here mention that the staff has done a good job with the D. I don't see it. This is Jones worst year ever. Murphy is a glass jar and has never improved. Vlasic is a mobile guy with a long stick but no offense. KK has some nice tools but is over his head and rushed. The BS about him not getting anything by playing Junior and WJC is silly. Kaiser knows the game but is undersized and not quick enough to be a Playoff type defenseman. The fill-ins are all too slow. Plus minus is not perfect but in this case it reflects a guy being over matched.
- stevefrmglencoe

So you claim that LR gets credit for Vlasic, but say you read it on here....

90% of this team is at best borderline NHL level and half of it was injured for a good portion of it, but you seem to think different lines and/or a changed approach by LR would improve things. Please name a coach that could get a team with Jason Richardinson as it's best/most consistent all around player into the playoffs. There isn't one.

The staff has done a good job with the D. KK has improved defensively throughout the year. He still has a ways to go at 19yo, but he's better at denying entries and has learned how to play the body better. If he stayed in Juniors, he would have lit up that league just like he did last year, and then we are just a year behind in him learning how to play defense in the NHL. You say Vlasic is mobile with a long stick, but no offense. Was he expected to? The most pts Hjalmarsson ever put up was 26, but he was a vital part due to his defense.

Why do you refuse to realize that this team was not meant to be competitive for a PO spot? KK's +/- is reflective of the fact that he is learning to play defense on an ungodly bad team. Vlasic had a full year in the AHL and a few in the NCAA to learn how to actually play defense against better and larger players. Juniors won't do that and KK wasn't eligible for the AHL. so here we are.

Young is one thing, Megna and Tinordi, throw in Zaitsev are another. They've held it together with a bunch of young defense men and three AHLers. Somebody deserves a medal.
- rpeters01

Mrazek