Few, if anyone, on this board, thought Kurashev would get to where is now. There are still things he can work on, and more importantly there is time to see if he can get there. Like any move you always make a move that improves the team within the plan of a rebuild. I see no hurry to move Kurashev.
- paulr

All the talk of KD making moves, I can envision him moving on from AA if he can find an interested party.

All the talk of KD making moves, I can envision him moving on from AA if he can find an interested party.
- Chunk

Davidson has to make the team better regardless of who is moved to do that. He also has to consider potential growth of younger players. Korbustsky played ok this past season but He showed improvement and potential growth, as did Kurashev. AA is what he is and is really a spare part, other than seeming to be the catalyst that makes Reichel play decently. But Reichel has to swim on his own and if he can’t without AA in the lineup then he will eventually be moved too.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, adieu…
- Chief4Feathers

Or to quote Stephen King "No great lost"

All the talk of KD making moves, I can envision him moving on from AA if he can find an interested party.
- Chunk

AA you would think would be one that the leadership group was talking about, but he played such few games this year. IMO Katchook was another, and that is why he was gone by the TDL? Zaitsev, I was never a fan anyway. Have a hard time thinking of any others, but it seems that the leadership group were talking about more than 1 or 2 players.

Lots of talk here lately about KFC's end-of-season comments. To me, he said demo is done, and the building is underway. To that end, I'd expect trades to be "hockey trades" rather than financial trades. Players who leave now are likely to be traded for a similar level player, or to open a path for a kid who is ready.

I don't think he will tie himself up financially with long-term UFA signings until he has a better idea of what holes he will have to fill. I believe he would commit to a longer deal if he can find a younger (RFA) player to trade for. I'm not confident that will occur, though. I can also see some prospect-for-prospect trade (most likely a Phillips type for a forward prospect).

Should be a fun summer.

While some want a Karlsson type of defenseman, I’ll take the all round Morrissey, and man do I hope that Korchinski becomes a Morrissey clone. No sense in wishing for a Makar type, that guy is on a different planet.
- Angotti

I was elated to read a few days ago that Korchinski was studying take of guys like Josi as models for his game. Not sure how much to expect him to improve in one year, but glad that he's looking at complete players for guidance.

I was elated to read a few days ago that Korchinski was studying take of guys like Josi as models for his game. Not sure how much to expect him to improve in one year, but glad that he's looking at complete players for guidance.
- Chunk

What do you think Korbustsky has to work on for next season?

This.
But also it appeared during the regular season tha some players thoughtvthey could just show up and be a supetiorvtram without putting in the work ethic. One of the top players criticized his teamattes for such .....this was a few months ago but it looks like the Avslanche had the same issue in game one

Was Georgiev stopping shots he needed to stop; was he good - I bet that team needs a leader to push his teamattes to a better effort..May not be enough though with CA Jones playing and among an overrated defense. How well was J Johnson performance?
- jhawk59

Girard being out in concussion protocol not helpful. The best "D" in the league let in 6 so it's not like anyone was interested in playing on that side of the puck.

Girard being out in concussion protocol not helpful. The best "D" in the league let in 6 so it's not like anyone was interested in playing on that side of the puck.
- fattybeef

I watched some of that game, albeit not all of it. From what I saw the Avs had the better of the play, some weak goaltending from them for sure.

Still left from the Bowman era:

Jones
Murphy
Kurashev

Do you think KD moves any of the 3 in the offseason?

Most likely Murphy could be moved, depending on who KD brings in via FA or trade, Kurashev would be next but highly unlikely, again depending on how player acquisition works out, and then Jones, because I think KD and LR think more highly of Jones as a player than the majority of fans.
- LAHawk

Kurashev could move in a hockey trade. Carolina (since we keep using this example) would probably want some kind of NHL player in a deal for Necas.

For Jones: Toronto seems like a team primed to do something stupid on the blue line. Ottawa still wants someone on the right side. Utah is probably going to try to do a thing or two for an attendance bump. He has to approve the trade and the Hawks would need someone to eat minutes on that right side. Regardless of how okayish he is instead of really good - they don't have anyone to step into that spot either.

Murphy only has two years left. Don't think there is much point in moving on there. Plus he's played fairly well this year when healthy.

What do you think Korbustsky has to work on for next season?
- paulr

Defensively, there were two things I saw where I'd like to see improvement. He was atrocious at playing 2-on-1's. He routinely took neither the shot nor the pass away.

The other was being able to make a quicker decision on retrievals in his own zone. So many times that he would get to the puck first only to pin the puck against the wall until engaged by the forechecker. He's such a good passer and skater that I'd love for him to be able to diagnose the situation in real time so he can get it going the other way.

Offensively, I thought when he shot the puck, it was accurate, but maybe a bit soft? Finding a way to get a bit more on his shots would be great as well as doing so more often. 93 shots in 76 games I think is a light number for him.

Again, a lot to expect in one offseason, but those are the things that stuck out to me.

Side note, one thing that I think would help everyone would be better communication in the defensive zone. How many times did we see our goalies send absolute grenades either around the boards or glass only to be easily kept in by the opponent? Or 2-3 forwards all in the same spot while trying to breakout?

Lots of talk here lately about KFC's end-of-season comments. To me, he said demo is done, and the building is underway. To that end, I'd expect trades to be "hockey trades" rather than financial trades. Players who leave now are likely to be traded for a similar level player, or to open a path for a kid who is ready.

I don't think he will tie himself up financially with long-term UFA signings until he has a better idea of what holes he will have to fill. I believe he would commit to a longer deal if he can find a younger (RFA) player to trade for. I'm not confident that will occur, though. I can also see some prospect-for-prospect trade (most likely a Phillips type for a forward prospect).

Should be a fun summer.
- mohel

I agree.

Let's remember that KFC was part of the organIzation in a different capacity when Bowman was in charge. He was witness to the cap hell that the team went through and who knows what other skullduggery he saw behind the scenes with John McDonough and others.

Someone earlier mentioned the purging of Dach, Hagel and Debrincat. While it would have been nice to keep 2 or all 3, who else could KFC move to get the return he did? Kurashev wasn't going to get you 2 1sts from any team. He's trying to build a competitive NHL at the same time as trying to build a farm system that will pump out replacement players when needed.

Like you stated, should be a fun summer.

2-3-1-3-2

AA you would think would be one that the leadership group was talking about, but he played such few games this year. IMO Katchook was another, and that is why he was gone by the TDL? Zaitsev, I was never a fan anyway. Have a hard time thinking of any others, but it seems that the leadership group were talking about more than 1 or 2 players.
- LAHawk

Guess you could break up the team into a few categories. It's hard for me identify Foligno's "malcontents" for lack of a better word.

Veterans playing out their contracts - Zaitsev, T. Johnson, Megna, Tinnordi
Veterans that are decent try hard types - Blackwell, Donato, AA (injured most of the year and overpaid)
Veterans who showed some leadership - Foligno, D!ckinson, supposedly Murphy is a leader
Young 3rd/4th line try hard guys - Entwistle, R. Johnson, Raddysh, Anderson
Young underachiever - Reichel
Young good players - Bedard, Vlasic, KK, Kaiser, Nazar, Slaggert

I woud put T. Johnson and Zaitsev in that malcontent category but why would Foligno emphasize changes are needed when he surely realizes that those two are as good as gone anyway. So the bad guys must be someone who will be on next season's roster or possibly extended this summer.

Then there is S. Jones. His play is lackadaisical at times. Bamford wrote once he is the 1st off the ice after practice and rarely sticks around the room for post game interviews. (Yes I read how excited Foligno was to play with Jones again and what a great team mate he is.) Could he be one?

Back to Reichel? Did he underachieve due to his practice habits or refusal to listen to coaching. Could he be another?

Without being at practice, in the locker room, or seeing how everyone interacts on road trips, it's hard to guess who Foligno is talkng about.

I watched some of that game, albeit not all of it. From what I saw the Avs had the better of the play, some weak goaltending from them for sure.
- Angotti

It was wildly entertaining. That near side break away for sure was a weak goal but otherwise it was a lot of stuff in the high danger areas. Neither team could lock it down. I still think Colorado takes one in Winnipeg and wins all their home games but we'll see.

The NYR and Capitals game was a little meh and Wilson should probably get 2 or 3 games but other than that all of the games have been pretty great so far.

Kurashev has progressed with his point total, but IMO his compete level still makes him worthy of playing for the Leafs. He doesn't win very many board battles (if he even engages), gets knocked off the puck easily, and I don't think he consistently works hard on the defensive side of the puck.
- LAHawk

You just described bedard

Guess you could break up the team into a few categories. It's hard for me identify Foligno's "malcontents" for lack of a better word.

Veterans playing out their contracts - Zaitsev, T. Johnson, Megna, Tinnordi
Veterans that are decent try hard types - Blackwell, Donato, AA (injured most of the year and overpaid)
Veterans who showed some leadership - Foligno, D!ckinson, supposedly Murphy is a leader
Young 3rd/4th line try hard guys - Entwistle, R. Johnson, Raddysh, Anderson
Young underachiever - Reichel
Young good players - Bedard, Vlasic, KK, Kaiser, Nazar, Slaggert

I woud put T. Johnson and Zaitsev in that malcontent category but why would Foligno emphasize changes are needed when he surely realizes that those two are as good as gone anyway. So the bad guys must be someone who will be on next season's roster or possibly extended this summer.

Then there is S. Jones. His play is lackadaisical at times. Bamford wrote once he is the 1st off the ice after practice and rarely sticks around the room for post game interviews. (Yes I read how excited Foligno was to play with Jones again and what a great team mate he is.) Could he be one?

Back to Reichel? Did he underachieve due to his practice habits or refusal to listen to coaching. Could he be another?

Without being at practice, in the locker room, or seeing how everyone interacts on road trips, it's hard to guess who Foligno is talkng about.
- boilermaker100

Anything Bamford writes about Jones I take with a grain of salt. he just does not like him as a player and will bash him anytime he sees an opportunity.

You just described bedard
- LFS

Bedard has no issues going to the middle and regularly competes for the puck. His problem is that he was not strong enough to make much of a difference there. He said himself that he needs to get stronger and faster.

Kurashev is 6 years older, bigger, and still gets manhandled. I liked that Kurashev seemed to break out this year, but I see him as a decent 2nd liner or good 3rd liner provided he has the right linemates.

I should have qualified and said playing in the NHL when Bowman was still GM.
- LAHawk

To Paul's point, and so far I don't think it's been Davidson's M.O. but yeah I would hope he wouldn't trade players just cause they aren't "his guys".

Too bad it took til Stan had already been shown the door for a dman pick or two of his and that regime to hit.

2-3-1-3-3

I think trading Kuraschev is the farthest thing form Kyle's mind.

And no post playoff decisions are going to be fully discussed until they know exactly where they will be drafting. If the won the first lottery spot, I think they look at the win as one that just added a new centre for next year.

But let's look at it this way:

The hawks don'y win the lottery and draft 3rd or 4th.
(therefore, no new season ticket bump or jersey sales b/c of a lottery win...granted, I know the Bedard win/ sales bump is a much different level.)

I simply cannot see Kyle breaking up the Bedard - Kurachev familiarity after losing the lotto, no matter what the hype is on the return.



We have seen how Bedard can elevate the production of his winger.

So, in a sense, Bedard HAS made "Phil" a better trade piece.

I just don't see them considering a subtraction of Kurachev, until a lot more turnover adds options for Bedard's production and success as a generator.




I got a 1 in tankathon today...

Only one of those teams lost on purpose (penguins). The others were bad for various other reasons.

Why don't we think Nazar, Korch and Bedard are the three?
- fattybeef

Williams, Harrison Jr.

Kurashev could move in a hockey trade. Carolina (since we keep using this example) would probably want some kind of NHL player in a deal for Necas.

For Jones: Toronto seems like a team primed to do something stupid on the blue line. Ottawa still wants someone on the right side. Utah is probably going to try to do a thing or two for an attendance bump. He has to approve the trade and the Hawks would need someone to eat minutes on that right side. Regardless of how okayish he is instead of really good - they don't have anyone to step into that spot either.

Murphy only has two years left. Don't think there is much point in moving on there. Plus he's played fairly well this year when healthy.
- fattybeef

I know they have a bunch of UFA dmen to sign and I just don't see CAR deciding to part with Necas unless it's a really good deal. That said, if CAR wanted to swap Necas for Kurashev, sign me up.

Bedard has no issues going to the middle and regularly competes for the puck. His problem is that he was not strong enough to make much of a difference there. He said himself that he needs to get stronger and faster.

Kurashev is 6 years older, bigger, and still gets manhandled. I liked that Kurashev seemed to break out this year, but I see him as a decent 2nd liner or good 3rd liner provided he has the right linemates.
- Chunk

Kurashev isn't top 6 on a good team. Bolland would have taken his lunch and then shoved it back down his throat.

Williams, Harrison Jr.
- rpeters01

He won't be there at 9. I'd take Odunze if he's there though. WR, DL or OL....one of those.

Lots of talk here lately about KFC's end-of-season comments. To me, he said demo is done, and the building is underway. To that end, I'd expect trades to be "hockey trades" rather than financial trades. Players who leave now are likely to be traded for a similar level player, or to open a path for a kid who is ready.

I don't think he will tie himself up financially with long-term UFA signings until he has a better idea of what holes he will have to fill. I believe he would commit to a longer deal if he can find a younger (RFA) player to trade for. I'm not confident that will occur, though. I can also see some prospect-for-prospect trade (most likely a Phillips type for a forward prospect).

Should be a fun summer.
- mohel

Article today, Vlasic is looking long term no bridge deal. This could actually be to our benefit and he will cost less in three years.