Hello Mr.R, its nice to read your thoughts on both KK and Allan.

If it was my decision I would likely opt to keep KK up with the Hawks as long as possible rather than send him back for a full season of major junior hockey. He would likely have a huge points season in Seattle, but how much real development toward moulding a top both ends of the ice NHL defenceman would occur playing with/against kids as young as 16? The Hawks could well see the same player/same mistakes next years's training camp.

The objective with KK absolutely cannot be to develop a partial skillset blueliner like John Klingberg or Tyson Barrie but a kid who might evolve into a Miro Heiskanen or Rasmus Dahlin or Cale Makhar or even a Josh Morrissey type. (Imagine that with a Bedard up front). But that takes time, patience, coaching, plus skill and intellect on the part of the player.

One thing the Hawks have in house is their Head Coach who knows exactly what its like to be thrown into the men's league at 18. And the difficulty with that. I'm confident he will assess exactly where KK is at, where he needs help and what not to do with him before the time is right.

Nolan Allan - he's going to be a very nice defensive defenceman for the Hawks. But that too will take time.
- RickJ

As pointed out playing against 16-17 year olds, it could be easy for KK to develop some bad habits.

This is opening night roster except Soderblom, AA
Kurashev (out with a wrist injury?)

Take away Stauber, Katchook, and Entwhistle

IMO Katchook, Entwhistle, R. Johnson battling it out for 13th forward.

Tinordi 6th/7th defenseman

Zaitsev dependent on KK decision
- LAHawk

Can’t think of anything good that R Johnson brings to the table, he’s not NHL quality. If I had my choice it would be Katchouk that sticks around, although a little worried about the open issue with team Canada.

Apparently the lines for tonight. Kaiser on the right side again.

Hall-Bedard-Donato
TJohnson-Reichel-Raddysh
Katchouk-Guttman-Entwistle
Foligno-Richardinson-Perry
Vlasic-Jones
Korchinski-Murphy
Phillips-Kaiser

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks' expected lines tonight vs. Red Wings

Hall-Bedard-Donato
TJohnson-Reichel-Raddysh
Katchouk-Guttman-Entwistle
Foligno-Richardinson-Perry

Vlasic-Jones
Korchinski-Murphy
Phillips-Kaiser

Mrazek
Stauber

***Athanasiou is out with an illness

My concern with KK staying up, especially if he’s not ready, which I don’t think he is, is how many 19 year olds have had huge bumps in their career or completely fizzle out. Look no further than Kirby Dach, a kid, like KK who had gaps in his game that came onto a bad team and just couldn’t get better. Had Korchinski been a top two defenseman on Canada’s World Junior team playing against the best 18 and 19 years olds, I’d still have reservations about him making an NHL team. But only 9 months ago he was a third pairing defenseman playing protected minutes, where the coaches didn’t fully trust him in all situations. And a top two defenseman, who was a year older, DelMastro was a top pairing defenseman on that team, and he’s not ready for the show today. I’d prefer the Hawks err on the side of caution and put KK back to Seattle, where I think he belongs.
- paulr

Also, on his own SEA jr team thru the yr KK was pushed for #1 PP duty by Jeremy Hanzel who forced KK to share those duties at times throughout the yr and in the playoffs too. On his own jr team he was not the clear cut #1 PP guy and at the time Hanzel was an undrafted 20 yr old.

In fact, Hanzel outscored KK in the WHL playoffs. Korchinski had 14 in 19 while Hanzel popped for 22 in 19..... Hanzel was drafted this summer in his draft +3 season.

Numbers aren't everything but for those who watched a good bit of SEA in the regular season and playoffs the eye test showed Hanzel ran the PP better than KK.
.....As mentioned, I could argue both ways to keep KK up in the bigs but my default is always send a kid back to jrs if there is doubt, especially Dmen.

I also realize the WJC is not the bigs and just cuz your coach feels safer with a player at the WJC level does not mean he would feel that way if it was the bigs. But yes, as we've been posting since the end of the 22/23 season KK did not get the big or important minutes with his WJC squad, Del Mastro and Allan did.

Right now KK can outskate his mistakes at the jr level but of course much harder to do in the NHL. .... I do think the Hawks will decide KK's path on what's best for his development (like they did with Reichel), and nothing else, so I'll be ok with their decision.

Seattle Thunderbirds roster: https://www.eliteprospect...birds/2022-2023?tab=stats

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks' expected lines tonight vs. Red Wings

Hall-Bedard-Donato
TJohnson-Reichel-Raddysh
Katchouk-Guttman-Entwistle
Foligno-Richardinson-Perry

Vlasic-Jones
Korchinski-Murphy
Phillips-Kaiser

Mrazek
Stauber

***Athanasiou is out with an illness
- LAHawk

First time Kaiser was moved away from Jones. Seems they slot him wherever the deficiency is greatest in this case it's with another rookie, Phillips. When they ran with 3 rookie Dmen they slotted him where the greatest deficiency was and that was with Jones.

https://x.com/Mario_Tirabassi/status/1709214979839140109?t=KHhJ5QzRH_u5bsMYhHys6w&s=01

Bedard is in again tonight? I'm thinking he wants to play every chance he gets.
- BetweenTheDots

He needs the work.

First time Kaiser was moved away from Jones. Seems they slot him wherever the deficiency is greatest in this case it's with another rookie, Phillips. When they ran with 3 rookie Dmen they slotted him where the greatest deficiency was and that was with Jones.
- Mr Ricochet

Hopefully he can improve on his brutal game against Detroit where he played RD as well. Hawks seem to be experimenting with who can hold down a roster spot on the right side. I think Phillips will probably help him.

Hopefully he can improve on his brutal game against Detroit where he played RD as well. Hawks seem to be experimenting with who can hold down a roster spot on the right side. I think Phillips will probably help him.
- breadbag

I’m not a fan of dmen playing on their offside, especially rookie defensemen. Doesn’t mean it can’t be done, just not a fan. Just go with Zaitsev, it’s not like they’re competing for a playoff spot, then go with two or three rookies on the left side, gives the rooks a better chance to succeed.

He needs the work.
- mohel

He still needs to make the team, gotta see him in NHL action. May be sent back to Regina if he can't handle it.

As pointed out playing against 16-17 year olds, it could be easy for KK to develop some bad habits.
- rpeters01

To have a constructive discussion you have to be honest. Junior hockey spreads out in ages 15 to 20. Unless cleared because of exceptional status there are basically one or two 15 year olds in any given year. 16 years olds generally play in minor junior A so the bulk of the players are 17 to 19 and a handful of 20 year olds, as there is a maximum of 3 20 year olds per team.

As pointed out playing against 16-17 year olds, it could be easy for KK to develop some bad habits.
- rpeters01

I do agree a player like KK can develop bad habits in jrs like righht now him being able to cover for his mistakes with elite skating at jrs. ...... But, Major Junior is where the big boys come to play, 16 and 17 yr olds have small roles/TOI unless they are top prospects.

Yes, this is a loaded roster built to win a Memorial Cup and is not the norm but look at how many of the SEA T-Bird's players last yr were drafted. This is not a bunch of 16 and 17 yr olds. https://www.eliteprospect...birds/2022-2023?tab=stats

To have a constructive discussion you have to be honest. Junior hockey spreads out in ages 15 to 20. Unless cleared because of exceptional status there are basically one or two 15 year olds in any given year. 16 years olds generally play in minor junior A so the bulk of the players are 17 to 19 and a handful of 20 year olds, as there is a maximum of 3 20 year olds per team.
- paulr

His point remains... You can't learn how to play and strategize against NHL quality by playing against lower competition. The only question is, can his body withstand the hits from stronger men, and is he mentally prepared?

Powers has a decent piece at The Athletic about the decision KD has to make on KK. I agree with Power's conclusion and have been posting the same thing that the decision will be made with KK's long term development in mind. A copy and paste of Powers' piece with a quote from KD about KK....... To me it's totally how they feel about what's between KK's ears.



"Whether that happens or not, Davidson will undoubtedly be asking himself a more big-picture question, though. Davidson will be trying to gauge what is best for Korchinski’s long-term development. Is it a matter of adapting or is it more of a need for physical development? Is there value in him returning to the WHL for another season? What are the potential positives and negatives of him staying in the NHL"?

Davidson talked before camp about how he’ll be evaluating Korchinski.

“There’s a little bit on both sides of the puck,” Davidson said. “You want to make sure that he’s able physically and mentally to handle defending NHL forwards. And then on the offensive side of the puck, there are certain things that he could get away with just based on his physical capabilities, his skill, his skating, that maybe are a little too high-risk at times, that you want to see dialed back, that it’s not necessarily a pro habit there, that we’ll work with him on. And he might just naturally make the adjustment on that. Those are things that remain to be seen. I think those two areas are the main ones and the coaching staff will make sure to give him the proper instruction. We’ll see where the gaps are that we need to fill and we’ll try to help him fill those.”

His point remains... You can't learn how to play and strategize against NHL quality by playing against lower competition. The only question is, can his body withstand the hits from stronger men, and is he mentally prepared?
- busmaster

Even if KK is on the Hawks roster all year, I don't see him dressing for more than 55-60 games/ probably less. A lot of pressbox learning experiences.

No waiver claims today.

His point remains... You can't learn how to play and strategize against NHL quality by playing against lower competition. The only question is, can his body withstand the hits from stronger men, and is he mentally prepared?
- busmaster

His point doesn’t explain why KK wasn’t very good defensively against “lesser” competition. It does explain why KK got away with some poor decision making. In the Memorial cup Korchinski was burned a few times after ill timed offensive forays.

The best case is KK gets his 9 games for the Hawks then goes back to junior where he works on the defensive and cerebral sides of his game. Maybe have a roving coach works with him like Campbell was for Boqvist in London? The worst case is KK sits in Chicago using up his 9 games throughout the season. And should an underdeveloped KK play on the Hawk roster all season do you really think a 19 year old playing on a weak roster with “mentors” like Jones or Murphy is better for his growth than playing junior?

You're killin me, VBB!! These are the kindsa rabbit holes I live for..... Only heard the Hawks and AZ but enjoying these two guys. Love how the guy with the specs talks developmental path but I don't think it's as simple as he makes out.

Thank you for sharing, and Wiz, you'll enjoy the banter.
- Mr Ricochet

The question is though, do you feel any better about Gajan over Hrabel after listening???

I found it interesting that the most talked about F was Misiak

His point doesn’t explain why KK wasn’t very good defensively against “lesser” competition. It does explain why KK got away with some poor decision making. In the Memorial cup Korchinski was burned a few times after ill timed offensive forays.

The best case is KK gets his 9 games for the Hawks then goes back to junior where he works on the defensive and cerebral sides of his game. Maybe have a roving coach works with him like Campbell was for Boqvist in London? The worst case is KK sits in Chicago using up his 9 games throughout the season. And should an underdeveloped KK play on the Hawk roster all season do you really think a 19 year old playing on a weak roster with “mentors” like Jones or Murphy is better for his growth than playing junior?
- paulr

Hard for me to believe this isn't the end result, don't care what arguments any of you make to the contrary.

After all, its logical, and when all else fails, go with logic, that's my motto, that's how I live!!!

His point doesn’t explain why KK wasn’t very good defensively against “lesser” competition. It does explain why KK got away with some poor decision making. In the Memorial cup Korchinski was burned a few times after ill timed offensive forays.

The best case is KK gets his 9 games for the Hawks then goes back to junior where he works on the defensive and cerebral sides of his game. Maybe have a roving coach works with him like Campbell was for Boqvist in London? The worst case is KK sits in Chicago using up his 9 games throughout the season. And should an underdeveloped KK play on the Hawk roster all season do you really think a 19 year old playing on a weak roster with “mentors” like Jones or Murphy is better for his growth than playing junior?
- paulr

I don't claim to have the answer, but is it possible that "not being good defensively" has something to do with the "bad habits" picked up from said teenage competition, and cemented by being able to get away with said bad habits due to the quality of competition?

Most people are not Bedards. They will play down to or up to the level of competition (to the extent their talent allows) and call it a day.

No waiver claims today.
- DarthKane

Wow, surprised no one took a flyer on JBD from Ottawa.

I don't claim to have the answer, but is it possible that "not being good defensively" has something to do with the "bad habits" picked up from said teenage competition, and cemented by being able to get away with said bad habits due to the quality of competition?

Most people are not Bedards. They will play down to or up to the level of competition (to the extent their talent allows) and call it a day.
- busmaster

I would say that can be the case. If there are bad habits, would they improve by continuing to play against the same competition?

The coaching staff and GM will figure out what is best for KK, but I'm willing to bet that right now, they are giving him feedback and trying to measure how he adjusts to it. That's the important part for making a decision on him IMO. If the coach is telling him something right now between preseason games, are those "theoretical" bad habits changing?

It's easy to say, he isn't ready, send him to Jr, but the Hawks are not trying to win the cup this season. Sending him back to Jr might just be a waste of a year for KK's development, if they feel like it won't benefit him much. Myself, I don't know if he will really benefit or not, but I think they don't want him sitting too much, if he stays he probably plays more often than not.

Wow, surprised no one took a flyer on JBD from Ottawa.
- Angotti

Probably because most teams are trying to pare rosters down at the moment. Is he a great prospect, or simply a former 1st rounder?

Wow, surprised no one took a flyer on JBD from Ottawa.
- Angotti

That was for the previous day. We won’t know about JBD until tomorrow.

Alec Regula is on waivers today too. Maybe KD pulls a SB and brings back a former Hawks legend.

That was for the previous day. We won’t know about JBD until tomorrow.

Alec Regula is on waivers today too. Maybe KD pulls a SB and brings back a former Hawks legend.
- DarthKane

Wyatt Kalynuk was available a day or two ago also. KD missed out.