Nazar, Moore, Misiak, Kantserov, Lardis, Greene, Ludwinski

and Rinzel

They all have above average skating quality to elite

So yea it'll be fun to see those kids come up and fly around on the ice, I'm sure this upcoming draft we will see a few more kids who can skate, drafted.
- BetweenTheDots

Im hoping that in addition to being able to fly around they can actually play some hockey

Any kids in the the US program are the cremes de la creme of the countries best but more than that their hockey IQ is high b/c they drum it in from all sides, teammates and coaching staff.

It's no accident that so many of these kids are looked at as future NHLers and the so many of the ones here have already in the league been praised higher than their accomplishments.
Not trying to disparage Columbus' Kent Johnson, or Duck's Trevor Zegras, or even the "rookie of the year" Mattie Beniers but I wonder if their hockey schooling is a major part of their successes, not necessarily acute extraordinary hockey abilities but smarts and strong toolboxes.



Kaiser's college route had him playing well and improving year by year and understanding that his skating if ramped up was his bread and butter plus making good decisions. They knew the route he was taking when they took him in the late 3rd in 2020.

When they selected Isaak Phillips in that very same 2020 in the 5th round, they saw something and he simply improved and was never college bound, so he started with on the job training in the AHL.

Crevier is still far from Tampa Eric Cernak, but adding strength is on his agenda, and getting this taste will only make him more thirty as he sees he can play with the quicker NHLers.
- wiz1901

You know when i watch him play sometimes he just looks like he's all over the place and not in a good way, kind of like Caleb Jones. He understands he has to play fast, efficiently with split second decisions, if he can start stringing shifts together like he did vs the Avs and other games already this year, and marry physical ability, hands and processing the game he can really become a stud defenseman. If i were the Blackhawks there's no way he leaves the line up for the rest of the season.

Im hoping that in addition to being able to fly around they can actually play some hockey
- LFS

Well according to their scouting reports all of them but Lardis go get the puck when the opponent has it, so they already understand what it takes to win hockey games.

Im hoping that in addition to being able to fly around they can actually play some hockey
- LFS

Right! Viktor Stahlberg was an elite skater.

Absolutely no. If the Hawks don’t want to end up like Edmonton or Toronto where the top players earn so much they can’t build any depth they have to convince Bedard and subsequent players to leave something on the table in an effort to win. If Bedard, Vlasic, Korchinski want to win they will have to take less otherwise they’ll be talking about how Chicago, Edmonton and Toronto had the best players in the game but were unable to win championships with them.
- paulr

That just isn't realistic and that certainly isn't why those teams haven't won. No one on Tampa took less. No one in Colorado or Vegas took less. Boston I guess some idiot would have paid Marchand more but Pasternak maybe left a million on the table? And their results have been the same as Colorado. One cup but in the mix every year. The Chuck took a discount in Florida and lotta good that has done them.

Taking 9.5 vs an even 10 isn't home town discount - thats a moving is a female dog and I don't feel like it amount for these guys.

The way to build consistent in the mix teams is to accurately identify the core, ruthlessly move out or don't resign role players that aren't part of that group and hopefully the scouts are good enough to identify guys in the later first and second rounds to fill those spots.

The top teams are too close to each other because of the stupid salary cap and league parity that unless someone gets super lucky like the 2010 hawks and has a bunch of guys break out all at the same time - its gonna be luck, goaltending, health and some random out kicking their coverage for a series when the superstars cool down.

After his Bedard,'s ELC, a bridge deal 9M @ 5 or 6 years, whatever takes him to maintain RFA status at its expiration. Then 8 years @ 16M.
- boilermaker100

Makar's bridge deal is 9 million. Bedard is probably more like 11 or 12 especially if the cap goes up.

I saw that mackinnon was ready for the check.

My plan today was to go look at it again, because the way Blackwell shot out of a cannon, I wanted to see how many strides he took and where he took them.

The Blackhawks won on playing "engaged" and I will. not call it a dirty play, but in my mind, I figured Balckwell was going to get suspended later, mostly because it was a star player he snuffed to close down a scoring opportunity.

This current rookie group on the backline its certainly getting strong playing time and it was really a good showing on their behalf.

After the Avs had hurt feelings post Blackwell, I love the way their #12 Ryan Johansen got forcefully grabbed by Isaak Phillips from behind post scrum and then turned to see who just got their paws on him.

Roos got to play to his strength and sw lots of PP time and didn't blow the audition.

Kaiser isn't getting taller. His burst and quick decisions will help him continue to get a NHL career out of his gifts.

Big Louie Crevier has got to be the guy with the best Christmas ever feeling.

Maybe his taste will get to accelerate his improvement and build him into more athn we have seen.
- wiz1901

I really appreciate the content in Wiz post.

We have seen what is practically a plethora of our young dmen perform in the NHL this season while a couple more have toiled for the Rockford Icehogs. Perhaps some of us may even have seen or heard the Icehogs Allen and DelMastro in a preseason game

It is really something to have so many DEFENCEMEN with at least a fair likelihood to see NHL action.

Of course Vlasic and Kirchenski are going to play a long time in he NHL. And Phillips has been impressive lately.

Then too there is the audition of Crevier and Roos;even last year I predicted these guys would surprise as creditable players if only they get an opportunity among the crowded stable of blue line prospects

Within 2/3 years we should have found each of them get a good feel if not begun to establish a role on an NHL team

Who winds up here. Circumstances. What side they play, their style and whether another team wants one if them over another in a trade scenario: each of those factors come into play

So the longer KK and our injured men remain in the sidelines (press box), the longer an opportunity to see the kids. Heck you could tune in or go see Allen & DelMastro in Rockford or s Wolves in Rosemont

Just exactly how do you like the style and shape of our wonderful future blue line crew?

That just isn't realistic and that certainly isn't why those teams haven't won. No one on Tampa took less. No one in Colorado or Vegas took less. Boston I guess some idiot would have paid Marchand more but Pasternak maybe left a million on the table? And their results have been the same as Colorado. One cup but in the mix every year. The Chuck took a discount in Florida and lotta good that has done them.

Taking 9.5 vs an even 10 isn't home town discount - thats a moving is a female dog and I don't feel like it amount for these guys.

The way to build consistent in the mix teams is to accurately identify the core, ruthlessly move out or don't resign role players that aren't part of that group and hopefully the scouts are good enough to identify guys in the later first and second rounds to fill those spots.

The top teams are too close to each other because of the stupid salary cap and league parity that unless someone gets super lucky like the 2010 hawks and has a bunch of guys break out all at the same time - its gonna be luck, goaltending, health and some random out kicking their coverage for a series when the superstars cool down.
- fattybeef

Do you think Kucherov and Stamkos signed deals that were at, above or below their market value?

This is why I think it is short sighted to wait until all of your draft picks "make it" to the NHL. You have no idea how many or which ones will be the ones that stick. You also have no control over injuries, or bad behavior (Perry), etc.

I'm not saying spend all available cap space to try and ice a SC competitor next year, but they've added more than three years worth of draft picks in the last two years, and more than half of those picks were in the first three rounds. They've also go 4-5 1st and 2nd rounders already stashed in each of the next three years. First of all, you don't really have enough room on the roster for all of those players. second there will inevitably be a player type missing from what has been drafted.

I'm aware enough to realize that this likely won't happen (or begin to happen) this year. The team is bad and will likely be out-bid by more desperate teams. However, KD will need to start adding more competitive/long term pieces to the roster, otherwise you are simply wasting time.
- Chunk

I get this point and pretty much agree with all of it... BUT...

I am fine with the Hawks bottoming out this year one more time. Again, this is the 'first' year of their rebuild. Last year, KD came out and told fans what his plan was. He then went out and tore the team down to the studs. One more year of a top-three pick would be great for this team. The other nice thing is that you have to imagine they are going to be active in the off-season. They have to spend (I believe) $30M to get to the cap floor for next season. I don't want them to add to simply add and spend. There are some BIG fish that might be available in the coming years of free agency. This team is going to be a very attractive place to play again soon with their young talent, the Chicago crowd, and most importantly, the $$$ the Hawks will have to pay players.

If the Hawks go the Edmonton route where they have 4-5 years of top picks, yes, it certainly becomes frustrating, but I don't think that is going to happen. Their young defensemen look like they are getting better every game and they might have something here for the future. If their blue line can become as good as what I think a lot of us on this board think, this team could be a wrecking ball in a few years.

That just isn't realistic and that certainly isn't why those teams haven't won. No one on Tampa took less. No one in Colorado or Vegas took less. Boston I guess some idiot would have paid Marchand more but Pasternak maybe left a million on the table? And their results have been the same as Colorado. One cup but in the mix every year. The Chuck took a discount in Florida and lotta good that has done them.

Taking 9.5 vs an even 10 isn't home town discount - thats a moving is a female dog and I don't feel like it amount for these guys.

The way to build consistent in the mix teams is to accurately identify the core, ruthlessly move out or don't resign role players that aren't part of that group and hopefully the scouts are good enough to identify guys in the later first and second rounds to fill those spots.

The top teams are too close to each other because of the stupid salary cap and league parity that unless someone gets super lucky like the 2010 hawks and has a bunch of guys break out all at the same time - its gonna be luck, goaltending, health and some random out kicking their coverage for a series when the superstars cool down.
- fattybeef

Agreed, look at Pieterangelo, Blues win a cup with him and don’t want to pay him. Vegas does, and they win a cup, with him,

That just isn't realistic and that certainly isn't why those teams haven't won. No one on Tampa took less. No one in Colorado or Vegas took less. Boston I guess some idiot would have paid Marchand more but Pasternak maybe left a million on the table? And their results have been the same as Colorado. One cup but in the mix every year. The Chuck took a discount in Florida and lotta good that has done them.

Taking 9.5 vs an even 10 isn't home town discount - thats a moving is a female dog and I don't feel like it amount for these guys.

The way to build consistent in the mix teams is to accurately identify the core, ruthlessly move out or don't resign role players that aren't part of that group and hopefully the scouts are good enough to identify guys in the later first and second rounds to fill those spots.

The top teams are too close to each other because of the stupid salary cap and league parity that unless someone gets super lucky like the 2010 hawks and has a bunch of guys break out all at the same time - its gonna be luck, goaltending, health and some random out kicking their coverage for a series when the superstars cool down.
- fattybeef

I think the Hawks cup run was beautiful. They identified and paid their core. The real kicker was time catching up to Seabrook. At the time of that extension, they were coming off their third cup and he was playing fantastic (in my opinion). The other kicker was Toews decline (due to his health). That was 17M in cap space between the two of them that murdered things for years to come.


Keith, Hossa, Kane & Toews (first contracts) were all bargains. The money players on Toronto and Colorado are making (now) is probably pretty close to what those early Hawks contracts were given the difference in the salary cap. I can't fault players for wanting to get paid their money. The players union is also going to make sure the top players are getting paid accordingly.


The way to build a team moving forward is to not pay somebody like Bryan Bickell 4.5 for multiple years because of a good playoff performance. Payouts like that crushed the Hawks ten years ago. Hopefully, KD learns his lesson.

Agreed, look at Pieterangelo, Blues win a cup with him and don’t want to pay him. Vegas does, and they win a cup, with him,
- LAHawk

True but Vegas doesn’t have that “generational “ player who can command $15 or $16M. Vegas have a good chance of repeating over the next few years because they can afford depth which other teams with those elite types can’t. I agree with fatty about identifying a core but if you look at any team who wins it’s because they have a lineup with depth everywhere. Once three or four guys take half of the cap it’s hard if not impossible to ice a team that can go all the way.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks lines in practice:

Reichel-Bedard-Donato
Kurashev-TJohnson-Raddysh
Foligno-Richardinson-Blackwell
Beauvillier-Entwistle-RJohnson

So Beauvilier already finding himself as a 4th liner. That was fast.
- LAHawk

Wow, after that last tilt my BIGGEST question going forward was will Kurashev get bumped by Donato from L1??? I like this, Donato and his solid fancies up with the two kids on L1 ........ LA, I'm a Beauvillier fan but where he fits I do not know. What I do know, no matter where he's slotted, is this guy is a legit pro/NHLer and the Hawks are real thin in that regard. .... Hawks are better with Beauvillier IMO.

Wow, after that last tilt my BIGGEST question going forward was will Kurashev get bumped by Donato from L1??? I like this, Donato and his solid fancies up with the two kids on L1 ........ LA, I'm a Beauvillier fan but where he fits I do not know. What I do know, no matter where he's slotted, is this guy is a legit pro/NHLer and the Hawks are real thin in that regard. .... Hawks are better with Beauvillier IMO.
- Mr Ricochet

Do you sign him for next year? At what price? I agree he is a good add, but how many middle 6 forwards are you going to have? Raddysh, Donato, Richardinson, Foligno, Anderson has to be put in that category now IMO.

I hope this off-season KFC looks to add some higher quality forward talent with the $30 mil. He has to spend.

And the Hawks will still have Hall and AA rostered next year, but how many games will eitherbof them play?

Right! Viktor Stahlberg was an elite skater.

- rpeters01

And he had great size. One of them deals when your player looks like a hit but you know better and trade him before his flaws are exposed in NHL competition.

Do you think Kucherov and Stamkos signed deals that were at, above or below their market value?
- paulr

Stamkos when he signed the deal was the 9th highest paid player in the league so probably not egregiously far off from what he would have gotten on the market.

Giroux got a little less at 29 at about the same time and is about the same calibre overall player.

Kucherov probably underpaid by a million but it's the same money that TheChuck makes so there's the Florida factor. 9.5 until he's 34 with his injury history may or may not age well.

Hedman and Sergachev maxed out at the time they signed. So did their goaler and Point.

Not a lot of money left on the table at the end of the day.

I get this point and pretty much agree with all of it... BUT...

I am fine with the Hawks bottoming out this year one more time. Again, this is the 'first' year of their rebuild. Last year, KD came out and told fans what his plan was. He then went out and tore the team down to the studs. One more year of a top-three pick would be great for this team. The other nice thing is that you have to imagine they are going to be active in the off-season. They have to spend (I believe) $30M to get to the cap floor for next season. I don't want them to add to simply add and spend. There are some BIG fish that might be available in the coming years of free agency. This team is going to be a very attractive place to play again soon with their young talent, the Chicago crowd, and most importantly, the $$$ the Hawks will have to pay players.

If the Hawks go the Edmonton route where they have 4-5 years of top picks, yes, it certainly becomes frustrating, but I don't think that is going to happen. Their young defensemen look like they are getting better every game and they might have something here for the future. If their blue line can become as good as what I think a lot of us on this board think, this team could be a wrecking ball in a few years.
- frafra

If the Hawks are at or near the bottom another 4 years then something went egregiously wrong injury wise or something.

True but Vegas doesn’t have that “generational “ player who can command $15 or $16M. Vegas have a good chance of repeating over the next few years because they can afford depth which other teams with those elite types can’t. I agree with fatty about identifying a core but if you look at any team who wins it’s because they have a lineup with depth everywhere. Once three or four guys take half of the cap it’s hard if not impossible to ice a team that can go all the way.
- paulr

They don't have young players but Eichel and Stone are pretty pretty pretty good.

Who's got the over (6.5) on the Buffalo Toronto game?. 3-2 Sabres at the end of the 1st.

Do you sign him for next year? At what price? I agree he is a good add, but how many middle 6 forwards are you going to have? Raddysh, Donato, Richardinson, Foligno, Anderson has to be put in that category now IMO.

I hope this off-season KFC looks to add some higher quality forward talent with the $30 mil. He has to spend.

And the Hawks will still have Hall and AA rostered next year, but how many games will eitherbof them play?
- LAHawk

Donato and Kurashev are both signed for next year as well. So are Hall and AA.

All the other forwards not named Bedard who are on the team right now would need new paper.

Do you sign him for next year? At what price? I agree he is a good add, but how many middle 6 forwards are you going to have? Raddysh, Donato, Richardinson, Foligno, Anderson has to be put in that category now IMO.

I hope this off-season KFC looks to add some higher quality forward talent with the $30 mil. He has to spend.

And the Hawks will still have Hall and AA rostered next year, but how many games will eitherbof them play?
- LAHawk

Well, firstly we have to allow the season to play out to see who makes a jump forward or backwards. My generic answer is Frenchy is a legit NHLer like Donato, Blackwell, Hall, Richardinson (he's a center so resign him) and Foligno.

They plan to have Dach up next yr? Nazar? ....... My stance is they are better with legit NHLers like Frnchy, and those I mentioned, but what is the timeline of the prospect's arrival(s) next yr and how many legit NHL "middle 6" types they wanna keep/add as place holders?

Who's got the over (6.5) on the Buffalo Toronto game?. 3-2 Sabres at the end of the 1st.
- boilermaker100

My cuz who was asking for some winners. Gave him the over on TOR at BUF. Ain't there yett though.

My cuz who was asking for some winners. Gave him the over on TOR at BUF. Ain't there yett though.
- Mr Ricochet

Winner winner chicken dinner. 5-3 BUF in the 2nd.

Was all pumped for EDM @ NJ, few minutes in 2-zip EDM. NJ pulls Schmid, NJ scores, 2-1............ Man, NJ needs a goaltender baaaad. Hope the Hawks don't move Mrazak and hope they sign him for next yr.

Without him this season would be a certifiable dumpster fire. ...... He's worth a ton more than the 2nd or late 1st he might bring.

Was all pumped for EDM @ NJ, few minutes in 2-zip EDM. NJ pulls Schmid, NJ scores, 2-1............ Man, NJ needs a goaltender baaaad. Hope the Hawks don't move Mrazak and hope they sign him for next yr.

Without him this season would be a certifiable dumpster fire. ...... He's worth a ton more than the 2nd or late 1st he might bring.
- Mr Ricochet

If somebody offers a first for Mrazek you have to take it. I’d guess that no GM will offer more than a 3rd for him and that’s not enough value to make a deal.