Korchinski is already better in his own end then Leddy was the entire time he was in Chicago. With this coaching staff and time to play vs the best players in the world he will get better, i can see he's trying to figure it out and seems to be very conscious of where he's at, where he's supposed to be and keeps his head on a swivel to see if players are trying to sneak in behind him and so on.
- BetweenTheDots

That is an awfully low bar. Leddy was better offensively and a far superior skater. and i hated Leddy.


Guy has been playing defense most of his hockey playing life and still doesn't know vacating his side of the ice(twice) is a terrible decision. But next time, he will figure it out.

He isn't even that good offensively.

Says the man who thinks Bobby Orr spent too much time in the offensive zone.
- rpeters01

Now comparing Korbustski to Orr.

Interesting

Now comparing Korbustski to Orr.

Interesting
- Elbows15

How is that comparing Korchinski to Orr? Was just pointing out a previously held viewpoint of yours relating to defensemen.

That is an awfully low bar. Leddy was better offensively and a far superior skater. and i hated Leddy.


Guy has been playing defense most of his hockey playing life and still doesn't know vacating his side of the ice(twice) is a terrible decision. But next time, he will figure it out.

He isn't even that good offensively.
- Elbows15

Leddy had a stud NHL team already built around him

As the 5th dman Korchinski would look like a stud on that 2011 team.

At 19 in 46 games Leddy only had 7 points

Korchinski has 7 points in 27 games with a terrible supporting cast, but okay

i know in the Blues game he switched with Zaitsev because Z Was lazy in his skating, and he even communicated to Z hey lazy (frank) cover my side since you are doing figure 8s in your end while making a terrible pass to center ice

I can't believe we're discussing jettisoning 19 yr old 1st round draft picks and deeming them washed up or busts after 20 something games.

Yes, this is the way you do a rebuild.

Has me wishing we'd go back to politics here

I can't believe we're discussing jettisoning 19 yr old 1st round draft picks and deeming them washed up or busts after 20 something games.

Yes, this is the way you do a rebuild.

Has me wishing we'd go back to politics here
- vabeachbear

You know some people can only think in absolutes.

Pro Hockey Rumors is reporting that T Johnson will be made available by the Hawks after the roster freeze is lifted and they’ll retain salary. For what he’ll probably bring back, is it really worth to retain salary on Johnson? TBD…

The Slovaks obviously knew something about Hrabal. They were shooting for his glove side all game, and I don’t think they were trying to exploit a weak glove hand but rather he doesn’t move to his left very well.
- paulr

They showed us the list of Slovaks already drafted so we know they're talented. On top of that I was really impressed with their structure, game plan and execution of it.... More than a handful of times they got shots thru multiple bodies and on net.
No doubt a concerted effort to take the goalie's eyes away.

They are in USA's Group so that is the game I have circled in group play. CAN, SWE and FIN are in the other group.

For sure, if anyone knows each other's strengths and weaknesses it's SVK and CZE. You'd think the coaches would have an idea how to attack a Hrabal type. How do you attack a 6ft 7in goalie who is mobile, technical with athleticism to back that up?

Like any goalie, besides individual weaknesses, get him to open up by moving the puck side to side and take his eyes away and that is exactly what SVK did, in spades. Well coached, well executed.

I've watched Hrabal as a true freshman play 2 games for UMass, a bunch in the USHL and of course last yrs WJC. Seems to me he was out challenging further than usual IIRC. Being so big he can play deeper in his net thereby reducing the travel distance needed to go side to side. He was beat twice that way in this game. ..... And, as you point out they were going high glove side. Not necessarily that they think he's weak glove side but more so he's near impossible to beat along the ice with his freaky coverage down low.

My takeaway from this tilt was SVK seems to be a real player which is great cuz Gajun should see some huge minutes on a big stage in this tournament. Hoping 17 yr old RS Dman Jiricek is ok. Hate to see injuries dictate who goes far or doesn't in the tournament and especially so any of Gajun's Dmen.

Pro Hockey Rumors is reporting that T Johnson will be made available by the Hawks after the roster freeze is lifted and they’ll retain salary. For what he’ll probably bring back, is it really worth to retain salary on Johnson? TBD…
- Angotti

Agreed, Lou. Hard to believe that D!ckenson would not be a much more coveted target than Johnson anyways. ..... My hope is Mrazak and D!ckenson are signed for next yr but if they don't plan on bringing them back those guys would bring back much more than Johnson so if you're going to retain salary it would be those two.

Sure KD will have to make some moves but the luxury of being in a full fledged rebuild is you have time to develop these kids.

So let's say Phillips takes a consistent competent jump next year as a 20 minutes dman? Vlasic is playing better than 41 and Korchinski becomes a better 20 minute dman, then you have a wonderful trade chip. Don't have to move him right away but a 20 minute dman on a RFA contract who's making probably $1.5-$2.5 mil per for a couple of years, I'd imagine his value would be pretty high at the trade dead line.
- BetweenTheDots

Dots, I'm as impressed with Phillips as you are. After seeing Phillips in the small NHL sample not hard to imagine a 10 yr 2nd pairing guy. But there is a logjam at the position and we're all counting on management to pick the right ones to keep or trade.

Your scenario is dead on. A Phillips would be really attractive to a club looking for young cheap Dmen.

I can't believe we're discussing jettisoning 19 yr old 1st round draft picks and deeming them washed up or busts after 20 something games.

Yes, this is the way you do a rebuild.

Has me wishing we'd go back to politics here
- vabeachbear

We aren't unless you read and respond to those posts.

Agreed, Lou. Hard to believe that D!ckenson would not be a much more coveted target than Johnson anyways. ..... My hope is Mrazak and D!ckenson are signed for next yr but if they don't plan on bringing them back those guys would bring back much more than Johnson so if you're going to retain salary it would be those two.
- Mr Ricochet

I can’t see Johnson bring back anything but open up a roster spot. IMO he has been bad this year, and is getting crushed 5 x 5

Agreed, Lou. Hard to believe that D!ckenson would not be a much more coveted target than Johnson anyways. ..... My hope is Mrazak and D!ckenson are signed for next yr but if they don't plan on bringing them back those guys would bring back much more than Johnson so if you're going to retain salary it would be those two.
- Mr Ricochet

Lots of comments from KD saying he's not looking to fire sale just any vet who draws interest. I'd guess that D!ckinson is one of the highest likelihoods to come back (along with Foligno). I'd guess he's just going to launch guys who don't have ANY future with the club.

I can’t see Johnson bring back anything but open up a roster spot. IMO he has been bad this year, and is getting crushed 5 x 5
- LAHawk

Exactly, so why retain for what he’ll bring back? Also, who’s he going to open up a spot for? Not many options currently, I know that could change, so we’ll see.

SVK dominates the 2nd period and puts up 2 to take a 2-1 lead into the 3rd period. Sets up well as CZE should come out hard to tie it up and test our guy Gajun who saw very little action in the 2nd.

Misiak has the look, plays a solid 2 way Euro game. Good size, solid skating, positioned well, good motor, feet are moving, his play off the puck looks solid. ..... Best I can tell he's playing 2nd line and 2nd unit PP.

SVK has a boatload of draft picks with a chance to go deeo into the tournament. It would be great to see Gajun and Misiak go deep into the tournament.

FIN vs CAN is the 2nd game with USA vs Norway following that tilt at 10:00 AM.
- Mr Ricochet

I like Misiak a lot. I thought he looked good in preseason and once he fills out will be a solid up and down player.

Exactly, so why retain for what he’ll bring back? Also, who’s he going to open up a spot for? Not many options currently, I know that could change, so we’ll see.
- Angotti

.

I agree, unless he uses that spot to take on a bad contract and gets a draft choice, or a young prospect already playing in the pro’s.

Maybe Tampa would take Johnson back, and be a 5th line C/RW like he was in their cup years.

I like Misiak a lot. I thought he looked good in preseason and once he fills out will be a solid up and down player.
- fattybeef

I like him a lot also. Reading what the scouts were saying, they question if he is going to score at the pro level. But he knows how to play, and has a high motor.

Reading about him, I see a Jason Richardinson comp, which is not a bad thing.

Pro Hockey Rumors is reporting that T Johnson will be made available by the Hawks after the roster freeze is lifted and they’ll retain salary. For what he’ll probably bring back, is it really worth to retain salary on Johnson? TBD…
- Angotti

Either a condition 7th round pick or future considerations.

I like Misiak a lot. I thought he looked good in preseason and once he fills out will be a solid up and down player.
- fattybeef

You are not alone there. I've liked him for a while.

Pro Hockey Rumors is reporting that T Johnson will be made available by the Hawks after the roster freeze is lifted and they’ll retain salary. For what he’ll probably bring back, is it really worth to retain salary on Johnson? TBD…
- Angotti

Reading that the Hawks would retain on Johnson because if they would shed his entire $t mil. It could limit other moves as they will be very close to the cap floor

Either a condition 7th round pick or future considerations.
- DarthKane

Who cares , what difference will it make. Hawks destined for the fewest points .

Who cares , what difference will it make. Hawks destined for the fewest points .
- Lauerg

Gonna make it exciting in May when they have the lottery as well as the draft in July.

Who cares , what difference will it make. Hawks destined for the fewest points .
- Lauerg

Yes, they were built that way. Were you expecting something different?

Either a condition 7th round pick or future considerations.
- DarthKane

Mikael Hakkarainen

Wouldn't mind Foligno over three years -with the idea that it is to be effectively a defacto playing assistant coach, that can parlay into being an assistant coach.

Yep I imagine other teams will be interested. Personally I want him around.

Do I think that in 3 years he will still play anywhere near this level? No, not really - and I guess term projects out to whatever the team needs for roster slots in a longer term than I can think to. I'd go 2 even and have that talk - if he is interested in being a part of what he's invested a lot of himself into - then you do it, in whatever capacity it works out for the team. Guys like him are pretty tough to come by, and from what I can tell, he's a pretty great tutor as well.