Agree, but he also needs to play with better players. LR had him on the same line with the likes of Entwistle and Reese Johnson on too many occasions.
- Angotti

I always play real good golf when I am in a foursome with better golfers. But the pro always puts me in a group with 3 hackers so then I play bad because those guys stink.

Reichel should have been sent to Rockford in December for the rest of the year. Injuries and the Perry situation saved him. He did very little to make anyone believe he is going to be a real good NHLer. Unless you believe 4 goals, 15 points and a -30 demonstrates promise.

Not calling out you, because I do not remember your prediction at the start of the season, but several posters with the addition of Bedard, Foligno, Perry, Hall, etc. was predicting the Hawks to improve about 4 or 5 places to be picking 7th or 8th in the draft this year.

But that all changes when for whatever happened, injuries, players don't progress, etc. etc. and the fall back is "it's part of the plan", "No one expected them to be good this year".

So at what point in the future should there be some accountability for the product on the ice?
- LAHawk

I predicted the Hawks be in the 6-8 range for picks after the first month or so. Bedard had that 4 point game against the Leafs, a nice game against the Panthers and it looked good. Hall going down, Perry getting axed, the plethora of injuries to Murphy (yeah he's still light years better than Megna, Tinordi and Zaitzev), AA, Jones, Bedard, Johnson, Blackwell, etc. killed it. Not to mention Reichel and Raddyish having sophomore slumps (or just not replicating their last year stats). That said, I'd much rather have the 2-4 pick than 7 or 8, so either way we are all winners.

Nazar showed some flash which excites me for next year although after seeing Dach's performance his rookie year and in the bubble did the same. Bedard really spuddered out in the past 5-8 games or so. He looked like he was overthinking his game trying to be creative too much rather than make the simple play. I saw a lot of this from Dach in his sophomore year slump. That said, for what Bedard showed us in the 60+ other games, there's not too much to be worried about.

I believe that message is from a captain who is competitive and is a strong leader. He has the right to express his views and surely is not clashing or trying to offend KD. There is no problem or issue here. Filigno wants to win, for the team to be better. That is natural and KD should recognize such. I'm sure thar he does
- jhawk59

Didn't say Foligno did anything wrong or was out of line. I think a frank and open discussion between the two would be beneficial and would like to be a fly on the wall.

Well if the plan is to use the cap space to get more draft capital to take on bad contracts, what kind of player do you think the Hawks get with a bad Contract?
- LAHawk

LA, I didn't say anything about using cap space to get more draft capital. Nothing out there says you need to take on a bad contract. They have plenty of capital over the next few years, It's time to think about bringing in contributors, not place holders.

My point on not bringing back Megna, Zaitsev and Tinordi had nothing to do with cap space. Megna and Tinordi are more or less making the minimum, they don't effect the cap. Sure Zaitsev and probably T.Johnson at $4.5m and $5.5m help you get to the cap floor, but the re-signing of Richardinson, Mrazek and Foligno pick up a little of that slack. Vlassics new deal will take up some more.

Going into next year you have S.Jones, Murphy and Vlassic as established D-men now. You can realistically put Korchinski in that group now that he has played a full season, he will only get better. There is no reason for Megna, Tinordi or Zaitsev with all the young D-men that are in the System. Some combination of Kaiser, Allan, delMastro and Roos should see significant time.

LA, I didn't say anything about using cap space to get more draft capital. Nothing out there says you need to take on a bad contract. They have plenty of capital over the next few years, It's time to think about bringing in contributors, not place holders.

My point on not bringing back Megna, Zaitsev and Tinordi had nothing to do with cap space. Megna and Tinordi are more or less making the minimum, they don't effect the cap. Sure Zaitsev and probably T.Johnson at $4.5m and $5.5m help you get to the cap floor, but the re-signing of Richardinson, Mrazek and Foligno pick up a little of that slack. Vlassics new deal will take up some more.

Going into next year you have S.Jones, Murphy and Vlassic as established D-men now. You can realistically put Korchinski in that group now that he has played a full season, he will only get better. There is no reason for Megna, Tinordi or Zaitsev with all the young D-men that are in the System. Some combination of Kaiser, Allan, delMastro and Roos should see significant time.
- TheTrob

The take on a bad contract mantra was not meant about you specifically but others on the board still think it is the way to go.

I always play real good golf when I am in a foursome with better golfers. But the pro always puts me in a group with 3 hackers so then I play bad because those guys stink.

Reichel should have been sent to Rockford in December for the rest of the year. Injuries and the Perry situation saved him. He did very little to make anyone believe he is going to be a real good NHLer. Unless you believe 4 goals, 15 points and a -30 demonstrates promise.
- RickJ

Maybe that’s my problem. Reichel’s stats do not demonstrate promise, however the eye test often does, he has tools, just can’t carry a line. I believe that if he’s on a line with better talent, that he’ll be okay, not a star, but a very serviceable forward.

Maybe that’s my problem. Reichel’s stats do not demonstrate promise, however the eye test often does, he has tools, just can’t carry a line. I believe that if he’s on a line with better talent, that he’ll be okay, not a star, but a very serviceable forward.
- Angotti

I tend to agree. I think the eye test, along with his age tells you Reichel will be fine. I think coming into this year with all the hype/hope from previous years, Reichel not just placed a ton of pressure upon himself, that when success didn't come early in the season the pressure and expectations put him into a hole he couldn't escape from. He pressed and questioned himself to the point of almost paralysis. Since coming back from Roickford he played much freer/looser

Boy, I stayed up and was feeing so happy that the group was going to finish the season out the season on such a positive note.

It simply would have set a nice tone for the future.

I am not gonna go after #23 here.

HEY I do have a QUESTION to you all:

Why do you all do 5 hits for pick #1? (Ex. 2-1-4-4-3)

Why not just do one and post it as Tankathon - hawks 4th

That was mine for today, a perfect spot to swing for Cayden Lindstom without pushback, or anyone they deem.

And then we can be in the lottery again next year and not excluded for winning 1 or 2 this year.

My guess is Davidson has drawn up a plan with a timeline and presented it to upper management. I would assume accountability will be based on that plan and its timeline.
- paulr

Since these kids are drafted at 18, since they are doing this exactly like the Cubs and Red Sox, i imagine it's a 5 year window, the 5th year is the year you start seeing the accumulated talent on the ice. It's no coincidence that KD accumulated all that draft capital till 2026. I imagine he wants to get another 1st for 2026 most likely one of D!ckinson, Murphy or Mrazek will be traded for that reason or some unknown few agent we haven't signed yet.

I believe the Cubs are in their 5th year of tearing it all down and building it up again and they have some serious talent at the MLB level and the minor league level.

Reichel:

So happy he scored that one.

I didn't listen to the intermission where the teaser was "What Reichel will do this summer."
I just assumed it was going to be the predictable, he'll hand around most of the summer and be in the gym, next to his coach, Tinordi, and the youngsters...was I correct?

Reichel has engaged as a player everywhere in the last games and I see no lack of effort, a good start to improve drastically.

Soderblum is garbage hands down.. kurashev is a product of having extended minutes and having 54 points— you’re three steps from the blue line and you do that?
- bigfly46

They must have lost. You're here to piss and moan anytime they do.

No matter who the performance outcomes where for both, the one thing I do see is when nazar and beard are out there, they don't hesitate to advance pucks to where they think scoring plays can emerge.

Foligno:

a competitor who answered frankly after the game ended.

You would think that he sees a need for a couple more higher skilled vets.

It is pretty obvious the team needs better offense.

Kyle from Chicago may get some interested vets, but there are so many holes and more than filling them is they have to get the substractions right, so they don't slander the bottom of the line up with releasing their surplus there.

4-3-3-1-2

No matter who the performance outcomes where for both, the one thing I do see is when nazar and beard are out there, they don't hesitate to advance pucks to where they think scoring plays can emerge.

Foligno:

a competitor who answered frankly after the game ended.

You would think that he sees a need for a couple more higher skilled vets.

It is pretty obvious the team needs better offense.

Kyle from Chicago may get some interested vets, but there are so many holes and more than filling them is they have to get the substractions right, so they don't slander the bottom of the line up with releasing their surplus there.
- wiz1901

4th, the more i read and watch some highlights I'm hoping they draft Eiserman

No matter who the performance outcomes where for both, the one thing I do see is when nazar and beard are out there, they don't hesitate to advance pucks to where they think scoring plays can emerge.

Foligno:

a competitor who answered frankly after the game ended.

You would think that he sees a need for a couple more higher skilled vets.

It is pretty obvious the team needs better offense.

Kyle from Chicago may get some interested vets, but there are so many holes and more than filling them is they have to get the substractions right, so they don't slander the bottom of the line up with releasing their surplus there.
- wiz1901

If next year the top two pairs are Jones-Vlasic and Murphy-Korchinski, who do you see on the third pair next year? Kaiser and ???? I saw Crevier is the only RD in Rockford. And who is the 7D? Maybe they add a free agent or acquire another salary cap casualty? Can't imagine they bring back any of Tinordi, Zaitsev, or Megna.

Sounds like Toews when KD tore it down and recent trade deadlines. Foligno is just doing the Captain's job.
- rpeters01

Yep. I think only the fans read too much into it.

4-3-3-1-2
- 333inthe3rd

4-2-2-2-1

If next year the top two pairs are Jones-Vlasic and Murphy-Korchinski, who do you see on the third pair next year? Kaiser and ???? I saw Crevier is the only RD in Rockford. And who is the 7D? Maybe they add a free agent or acquire another salary cap casualty? Can't imagine they bring back any of Tinordi, Zaitsev, or Megna.
- 333inthe3rd

I think as long as Tinordi can simply use his strength to detain attackers on the wall, and he can punch, he has a job, at the 7th 8th who knows.

I think this team could benefit by a veteran defenseman who can shut things down.

The young rearguards have to continue to see a dressing room with examples of playing their position.
Tanev type.

That is again why you have to wonder if the hawks truly draft best player b/c what if it puts another guy in the pecking order, maybe one who slips ahead of many in the cue already.

Big Lindstom and Eiserman if they select #3 or #4 is easier a swallow than answer they why did you pass on questions.

Goal scoring, setting up offense, speed in a large package --- this is what I want added to the pecking order.

Tankathon try - hawks 4th (again)





Do not get my thinking wrong...if the draft #1 Celebrini simply gets a starting centre job, and the team scurried in the evaluation to figure where Ollie Moore and Frankie Nazar play - on the wings with centre duty occasionally.

Celebrini won't burst into flames once he takes off in the NHL, and you need gifted think centre who can handle the bigger boys defensively.

I just think that #2 spot isn't much of an advantage for this Hawk prospect group with so many defenders being thrust as the second best option.
I read the Belarusian kid is "gonna be a star" before playing one game against a playoff team!

4th, the more i read and watch some highlights I'm hoping they draft Eiserman
- BetweenTheDots

He is not the draft baby they have concocted

I just did a mock draft with the Hawks drafting 2nd and 19th. I selected Demidov 2nd and Yakemchuk.

Another quote from Foligno.

“We have to change. I want to change. We can’t go through this again. And I certainly won’t allow it.

“Either the mindset changes from the group or personnel changes.”

—Nick Foligno pic.twitter.com/Cwb6q9Ap8K— Phillip Thompson (@_phil_thompson) April 19, 2024

I wonder if he is talking about anyone in particular about mindset changes. We can speculate - Seth Jones?
- boilermaker100

Yup, seth jones’ mindset was the reason they sucked.

Reichel:

So happy he scored that one.

I didn't listen to the intermission where the teaser was "What Reichel will do this summer."
I just assumed it was going to be the predictable, he'll hand around most of the summer and be in the gym, next to his coach, Tinordi, and the youngsters...was I correct?

Reichel has engaged as a player everywhere in the last games and I see no lack of effort, a good start to improve drastically.
- wiz1901

Reichel is going to the Hogs for the playoffs. Depending on how far they make it, if they are out in the 1st or second round, he might join Germany for the tournament. Beyond that he will go back to Germany for his offseason training.

Yup, seth jones’ mindset was the reason they sucked.
- LFS

Yeah couldn't possibly be the lack of top six talent, consistent defending and injuries...

The team has still been way more watchable than the late 90's and early 2000s and it's been refreshing to have them execute a clear plan without flip flopping.
- breadbag

Without a doubt. Back then you had to stomach the BS being handed to you by the organization from Pulford and Dollar Bill - when you knew they truly didn’t care about winning - just being competitive enough to be profitable.

Well if the plan is to use the cap space to get more draft capital to take on bad contracts, what kind of player do you think the Hawks get with a bad Contract?
- LAHawk

A player not with a lot of term left; maybe two years maximum.

Year after next expectations will be at least .500 team but honestly all this talk about drafting best player available......in two years have we a strong candidate to center L2 ?....if we haven't drafted anyone to eventually secure that role, it isn't easy trading for a competent L2 center/what would you trade to get a L2 center.....horror......not those precious gold draft choices!.....so what does that mean.....it means free agent or draft someone