Gross.....
- mohel

Yeah, be that as it may …. you’re just here looking for Canadians to pick on.

Now that the Phoenix Roadrunners return next year,

I will now admit I really like the coyotes jersey and will miss seeing it.


I agree that the only defenders that will be a lock here in the "next phase in the rebuild" are Vlasic, KK, and vets Jone and Murphy (maybe until the deadline?).

and one top six forward, Bedard.

I was difficult at the start and still at the ending that Kurachev, and vet leaders match well against other teams top six.
As stated already by others here before the forward group is loaded with bottom six NHLers.
(What is really ironic is the Predators come to town and their fourth line is one big heavy know your role trio who seemed better than all of forwards when it comes to attacking the offensive zone and sending the Hawks defending players into a tizzy.)
Granted, that Nashville line is one constructed as a playoff pounder, and not anything our franchise needs to construct until we are a playoff team.

Which leads us to the present conglomerate of excuses of injuries, and constant repetition in Blackhawk media of how we are going to make progress and plays to the future potential of the farm, the early additions of newbies, but I ma sorry, I don't see more than 4 regular defenders that deserve NHL experience or are vets with the prowess to continue to show enough competence to hang in the top pro league.

I wouldn't count out the Blackhawks signing a RD UFA.
I wouldn't count out taking part of the current 2024 forward contingent, no matter their age, and trade it to add a good skating and reacting defense who has played in the league.

On to the 2024 forwards:
I commend them for buying in for as long as they had this year. I think most of us has been in some competition where we were getting beat badly, and had to push ourselves to "finish" that game.
This was a season for them....having to play so many stinkers where the opposing team mounted big leads they had to try and compete to beat.

But that doesn't mean that makes them NHL worthy if they cannot win 60 minutes of on ice battles.

So where does that leave the 2024-25 line-up at forward?

Most assuredly winning the lotto would mean one new addition at centre.

But no one in the hockey prospect world is expecting the others to walk on NHL rosters of the lesser teams and be playing next year.

I think that is why they are nudging Nazar to sign, and plan to invoke a forward call-up plan with Rockford and their next year newbies that we saw with their defensive prospects
I think we will see Nolan Allen on a reward game before the season ends.)

You know despite my denigration of their forwards, I am certainly glad I am not deciding who stays and goes b/c they all are different in their strengths.

(And since Celebrini father works in SJ area, it would be nice if they won the lotto for that "hometown flavor of North Vancouver.")

Yeah, be that as it may …. you’re just here looking for Canadians to pick on.
- paulr

Never!

The Salt Lake Sun Dogs!

Martin Misiak officailly an Rockford IceHog.

Martin Misiak officaillu an Rockford IceHog.
- wiz1901

This confirms each of three assigned to Rockford is a legitimate prospect. They will get to Chicago eventually. And I hope they become better than their opponent they face on L2-4.

Add these prospects to Chicago line up in 2-3 years: Moore, Greene, Nazar, Savoie, Dach

So far there is 8 eight prospects coming to Chicago or another NHL pond. Other prospects with an opportunity - there are at least a couple one if which is the player on Denver whose team is playing for the Frizen Four championship. You expect Rinzel and first round choices in ‘24 and ‘25 to impact sooner or later, right? Allen and Del Mastro + Comesso or Stauber

Changes are forthcoming, eh

Martin Misiak officaillu an Rockford IceHog.
- wiz1901

On an ATO

This confirms each of three assigned to Rockford is a legitimate prospect. They will get to Chicago eventually. And I hope they become better than their opponent they face on L2-4.
- jhawk59

A prospect and $2.45 will buy me a medium Timmy’s coffee. The most difficult part of the hockey career journey is turning pro. The first big step is minor pro, the massive step is the NHL. Right now Ludwinski is the closest of the three to making that first step. I saw Misiak play 10 or 12 times, twice live, this season and he was OK, he certainly didn’t stand out. Lardis put up some very good numbers but he had problems physically against boys. Lardis is a very slight guy. There’s no certainty any will ever make the Blackhawks. That said, right now I think Ludwinski has the best chance in succeeding in the pros.

A prospect and $2.45 will buy me a medium Timmy’s coffee. The most difficult part of the hockey career journey is turning pro. The first big step is minor pro, the massive step is the NHL. Right now Ludwinski is the closest of the three to making that first step. I saw Misiak play 10 or 12 times, twice live, this season and he was OK, he certainly didn’t stand out. Lardis put up some very good numbers but he had problems physically against boys. Lardis is a very slight guy. There’s no certainty any will ever make the Blackhawks. That said, right now I think Ludwinski has the best chance in succeeding in the pros.
- paulr

I omitted the Russian Kantserov who I believe is a smaller size player like Lardis. He has been productive in the KHL, correct? But that doesn’t mean he would handle the physicality in a tough physical league like the AHL.

Paul you are hitting the nail on the head about the transition to professional hockey especially the last step being ascension to the NHL

I also omitted Hayes who might be our top offensive prospect currently (emphasis “currently”).

I suggest there would be many on this board in the following years interested in watching some Icehogs games where a bevy of young talent is working to hopefully make it to the NHL

I omitted the Russian Kantserov who I believe is a smaller size player like Lardis. He has been productive in the KHL, correct? But that doesn’t mean he would handle the physicality in a tough physical league like the AHL.

Paul you are hitting the nail on the head about the transition to professional hockey especially the last step being ascension to the NHL

I also omitted Hayes who might be our top offensive prospect currently (emphasis “currently”).

I suggest there would be many on this board in the following years interested in watching some Icehogs games where a bevy of young talent is working to hopefully make it to the NHL
- jhawk59

Hayes scores a lot in the OHL but our best offensive prospects are in college (Nazar and Moore). While I haven't seen Kantserov play other than some highlights, the info I've read sounds like he's not afraid to go to the net vs Lardis who at this point has been tabbed more of a perimeter player.

Just read stuff on both those guys. Believe it was in The Athletic.

I just read Nazar signed his ELC.

Hayes scores a lot in the OHL but our best offensive prospects are in college (Nazar and Moore). While I haven't seen Kantserov play other than some highlights, the info I've read sounds like he's not afraid to go to the net vs Lardis who at this point has been tabbed more of a perimeter player.

Just read stuff on both those guys. Believe it was in The Athletic.
- HawkintheD

The good thing is the sheer volume of prospects increases the chances of getting them to the Hawks one day. I’m intrigued by Kantserov, Moore and Nazar. Can Lardis play a more robust game next season in Brantford?

I think what Misiak has to do is get more involved physically. He’ll never make it if he can only play a perimeter game. In all the games I saw him I don’t know if I saw him hit anyone? He’s going to have to roll up his sleeves and get dirty. To be fair he has lots of above average skills (skating, shot, passing) and it was his first season in the OHL with all the changes both on and off ice, language and culturally. But unless he starts playing more physically I can’t see him going far.

I just read Nazar signed his ELC.
- bjphawkfan

https://www.nhl.com/black...ar-on-three-year-contract

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-agree-to-terms-with-nazar-on-three-year-contract
- paulr

Frank Nabustzar....it has a nice ring to it.

Lil Frankie in the fold.

Frank Nabustzar....it has a nice ring to it.
- mohel

They’reallbusts, rings true.

I just read Nazar signed his ELC.
- bjphawkfan

yep, he did. It's nice to see some promising prospects starting to trickle further into the system and get closer to actually taking their first steps.

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/news/release-blackhawks-agree-to-terms-with-nazar-on-three-year-contract
- paulr

Contract expires after 25-26 season so he's burning the 1st year now.

New blog

Lil Frankie in the fold.
- wiz1901

Over the last month or so, he was the best player on the ice for MI, better than Brindley, McGroarty, and Casey.

Hope he continues that upward climb.

Know they are both Centers, but wouldn't mind seeing him center Bedard for a couple games to end the season.