If I was a season ticket holder, I would be demanding my money back. That game was atrocious. I think it is time to make some changes. Player and coaches. I counted at least three penalties not called on the blues and there was absolutely no reaction from the coach. I would be banging a stick against the boards wanting an explanation.

We came down to St Louis to watch this one live. This is a great arena to watch a game. Good sightlines and an amazing atmosphere. Even down 5-2 the Blues fans around us were still pulling for them and having a good time. They let us have it big time in the 3rd. As the momentum turned I kept waiting for someone to do something to turn it around. Nothing. Just like Dallas last year, the coaches must had dinner reservations because there is no excuse for them not calling timeout and slowing this down. Regardless of the time left, the goalie needed to be pulled. I guess this is all part of Danny's plan but they did not look like an NHL Franchise tonight. Last night we were in Peoria watching the Rivermen in the SPHL and Evansville showed more desperation and emotion in the 3rd than this team has in 2 years. Yes there are prospects in the WJC to get excited about but this is embarrassing.

Yep, today's NHL is stick on stick, stick on puck. Playing the body is old school now.
- Mr Ricochet

Tinordi plays the body when he can catch it, doesn't seem to do him much good.

Nice to see Bedard getting a little better at faceoffs, he's up to 41%.

Tinordi plays the body when he can catch it, doesn't seem to do him much good.

Nice to see Bedard getting a little better at faceoffs, he's up to 41%.
- Dieselhead

He’s a smart kid, next season he’ll be around 50% and continue to improve from there.

This season isn’t about winning. Ride out the season with Soderblom then make a decision in the off season.

The team in front of Soderblom isn’t great, but its the same team playing in front of Mrazek whom is getting praised for his play.
- DarthKane

Mrazek is playing some good hockey right now, but neither goalie is in a position to succeed right now. Tonight we had no business being ahead. Doubled up in shots, out chanced, out played. Looking at the heatmap of shots, the Blues had a ton right around the net, a lot better concentration of shots from that area compared to the Hawks. Right now, the difference is that Mrazek isn't as easily rattled, has more experience, but with our green defense things are gonna be rough on goalies for another couple seasons.

The free agent goalie market isn’t great for 2024. But if Soderblom doesn’t improve by the end of the season I’d look to 2 of the following 3 UFAs:

MRAZEK - .907 save %(should be re-signed, not traded then hope KD can sign him)

NEDELJKOVIC - .927

DESMITH - .920

None of these guys are the long term solution, but they can mind the net for a couple seasons until Commesso is ready.

Yep, today's NHL is stick on stick, stick on puck. Playing the body is old school now.
- Mr Ricochet

That’s the way the players want it.

Two years away maybe when KD recalls a dman, they will have better know how, experience in playing effective defense. Vlasic and Crevier, too for the most part, show understanding and are ahead of the other young dmen

I noticed that the Kings called up a 4th round choice from a few years ago named Moverare instead of #1 round Clarke. I saw that Moverare is a big kid so maybe he moves people around with solid checks?

I like the fact that Chicago has some dmen prospects who feature a solid game moving puck and defending. Not saying Roos is a heavy hitter but he excels in puck movement and can man the power play. He may loose a job though if. KK and Kaiser progress. I really think that KD hoping that Allen and Delmastro can provide muscle among the blue line group

The future dmen: Vlasic, Crevier, DelMastro, Allen, KK. Kaiser, + s Jones = one too many for full time though. And if KD drafts a dman round one first pick ‘24 then long term one if the projected kids lands elsewhere

P Kane up to five goals. When is DeBrincat get more goals and not just assists lately?

Zegeas with a Michigan goal too but L Carlson was missing - injured and missed in Anaheim loss tonight. Guess out injured probably short term so in OT loss Drysdsle 25 TOI and Fowler 31 TOI

Two years away maybe when KD recalls a dman, they will have better know how, experience in playing effective defense. Vlasic and Crevier, too for the most part, show understanding and are ahead of the other young dmen

I noticed that the Kings called up a 4th round choice from a few years ago named Moverare instead of #1 round Clarke. I saw that Moverare is a big kid so maybe he moves people around with solid checks?

I like the fact that Chicago has some dmen prospects who feature a solid game moving puck and defending. Not saying Roos is a heavy hitter but he excels in puck movement and can man the power play. He may loose a job though if. KK and Kaiser progress. I really think that KD hoping that Allen and Delmastro can provide muscle among the blue line group

The future dmen: Vlasic, Crevier, DelMastro, Allen, KK. Kaiser, + s Jones = one too many for full time though. And if KD drafts a dman round one first pick ‘24 then long term one if the projected kids lands elsewhere
- jhawk59

Outside of Vlasic looking steady and confident, I don't buy what anyone is saying about how the young D corps look. We might have some keepers, we might not.
Every one of them had someone remark about how promising they looked yet thy are constantly getting turned inside out; Crevier especially tonight. And no one anticipated Vlasic's steady game this year.

As for tonight... I think its fair to say if Soderbloom was ever a decent prospect, he is now a broken one. I don't see how the team can mentally get up for one of his starts.

KK is pressing so much he's broken as well. Always a step behind and caught up ice and out of position. Is it too late for him to join the Junior team?

Tinordi... For those lumping Zaitsev and Murphy in with him I'd say his lame penalties place him in a category by himself. He needs to go.

If I was a season ticket holder, I would be demanding my money back. That game was atrocious. I think it is time to make some changes. Player and coaches. I counted at least three penalties not called on the blues and there was absolutely no reaction from the coach. I would be banging a stick against the boards wanting an explanation.
- bjphawkfan

They are making some changes. Developing young talent at the NHL level. Yep it looks bad, but this is what a rebuild looks like. How else do you get high end, cost controlled talent other than drafting at the top of the draft? 2 years into KDs tenure give it time. I think next season is going to be rough as well but 25-26 season we will see the patience of the org start paying off. At least I'm hoping, but in the mean time how about that kid he's unbelievable, and we could only draft him if we were bad last year.

Outside of Vlasic looking steady and confident, I don't buy what anyone is saying about how the young D corps look. We might have some keepers, we might not.
Every one of them had someone remark about how promising they looked yet thy are constantly getting turned inside out; Crevier especially tonight. And no one anticipated Vlasic's steady game this year.

As for tonight... I think its fair to say if Soderbloom was ever a decent prospect, he is now a broken one. I don't see how the team can mentally get up for one of his starts.

KK is pressing so much he's broken as well. Always a step behind and caught up ice and out of position. Is it too late for him to join the Junior team?

Tinordi... For those lumping Zaitsev and Murphy in with him I'd say his lame penalties place him in a category by himself. He needs to go.
- busmaster

I do think the goalie is struggling, but to me just let the kids play, KK is fine he's getting important minutes against the best players in the world. Lots of lessons to be learned, while we are stacking talent through the draft and they are developing in whatever league they are in.

I do think the goalie is struggling, but to me just let the kids play, KK is fine he's getting important minutes against the best players in the world. Lots of lessons to be learned, while we are stacking talent through the draft and they are developing in whatever league they are in.
- BetweenTheDots

KK is not fine and he shouldn’t be allowed to “just play”, he needs to learn how to play defense and to stop joining the rush and pinching from the point on almost every play. When he vacates his defensive position he’s leaving, hopefully, a forward who has never been trained to defend against an oncoming rush. A defenseman can join the rush or pinch in from the point, vacating his defensive position, when he sees a very good offensive opportunity. Korchinski seemingly is vacating his defensive position almost as a default, good opportunity or not. Then to make matters worse he’s Not hustling back and he assumes the defensive role of a forward instead of relieving the forward who has hopefully taken his position.

Defensively Korchinski is weak, he’s unsure of his responsibilities in his own end and often gets out of position or stands around watching the play. He’s not strong on the body, but that is in part due to him not fully physically mature.

Korchinski has many tools in his toolbox. He’s a strong skater, he’s an exceptional passer, he reads the play well, he moves the puck from his end extremely well. We haven’t seen his shot yet but he had a decent one in junior. His inability to play defense and his poor decision making was evident in junior. He was promoted to the Hawks with these known weaknesses, the assumption was the Hawk coaching staff would correct them. So far these weaknesses are not improving in fact they are getting worse. I think it’s time for the Blackhawk coaches to restrict his offensive forays and work with him to understand his defensive responsibilities and how to apply them.

If I was a season ticket holder, I would be demanding my money back. That game was atrocious. I think it is time to make some changes. Player and coaches. I counted at least three penalties not called on the blues and there was absolutely no reaction from the coach. I would be banging a stick against the boards wanting an explanation.
- bjphawkfan

Well that would have reversed the calls

Yes, this 100%. So many Dmen who were deemed "not good enough" for a struggling Hawks team seem to find a comfortable home on better teams.

Sometimes folks just have blinders on mistakes for some players and amplify everything on the ones they don't like. I think we all do it at times.
- breadbag

To be fair - Out of all of them Leddy was really the only one to have a very good career post Hawks and get paid. The rest of the guys are 3rd pairing dime a dozen players. Even Rutta never made more than 2.75 million per. (The Hawks got de Haan when the 4.1 was in place he didn't make that after).

I guess TVR got 3 million but thats probably the going rate for a veteran third pairing player.

No surprise

Asking
Why Montreal is better than Chicago They have young men and are in a rebuild too

Their dmen aren’t as bad. As for the dmen in our lineup tonight, Crevier is ok and the others are not desirable. Well KK needs AHL learning and application. The kid Phillips we shall see if he ever gets past this stage in his development;?I will give him time.

The goaltender of future probably Comesso and Gajan

Vlasic is needed. Murphy can go.
- jhawk59

Montreal is pretty bad. And their young defenders are between 22-29 not 18-22 so one would reasonably expect them to look a bit sharper.

Caulfiend + Suzuki is probably good for more wins than Bedard by himself...

Monohan's corpse is on pace for about 50 points which isn't terrible.


The guys on the Hawks aren't going to be 'good' and consistent tomorrow. The amount of AHL experience they have does not matter in that regard. They are going to have good periods, maybe some good games but a lot of up and down. Reichel is a good example about how significant AHL experience is for adjusting to the pace of the NHL.

People forget the fire drill Hammer was when he first came up and Keith skating around like a purposeless maniac his first two years. And thats with precious AHL experience. Dahlin didn't look really good until his 4th year. Adam Fox was good his first two years and exceptional after that. Sergachev bounced up and down the pairings when he first came through.

Korchinski, Crevier and Philips are certainly NHL players and if they continue to build on their experience it will pay off in two years. Especially Korchinski with his skill level.

Standing around no doubt and penalty trouble (the Murphy penalty was a weak call), 32 seconds of a 5-3, but watch two of the goals he gave up in the 3rd. Also watch a weak shot from the blue line go in to tie it at 2. They are showing a montage of Soderblum’s good saves and every one- 4 of them, he’s giving up rebounds. Not one of them did he hold on to the puck.
- Popsghostly

Theyre trying to get rid of crosschecks to the back I think so theyre calling some - albeit inconsistency - more often now.

21 points, thats a clear and undeniable improvement that the glory days are right around the corner.

This season is more frustrating than last for sure, some positive growth was expected. I’d argue that there has been individual progress with Bedard, Vlasic, Korchinski and Kurashev. Sadly the team success hasn’t been there. Losing Hall, Jones, AA, and Perry long-term certainly doesn’t help. Not to mention certain players completely underperforming - Raddysh, Reichel, Soderblom.
- DarthKane

At least Reichel is starting to put some good shifts together. There just isn't a lot of talent and Kurashev has replaced Domi as the not really good but someone has to score points guy.

If I was a season ticket holder, I would be demanding my money back. That game was atrocious. I think it is time to make some changes. Player and coaches. I counted at least three penalties not called on the blues and there was absolutely no reaction from the coach. I would be banging a stick against the boards wanting an explanation.
- bjphawkfan

Probably not an issue with the coach but it's definitely mostly 4th liners and rookies. That is probably a bit of an overreaction.

P Kane up to five goals. When is DeBrincat get more goals and not just assists lately?

Zegeas with a Michigan goal too but L Carlson was missing - injured and missed in Anaheim loss tonight. Guess out injured probably short term so in OT loss Drysdsle 25 TOI and Fowler 31 TOI
- jhawk59

Debrincat is a streaky shooter. As long as he's getting shots they'll go in eventually.

And yes Patrick Kane is apparently back.

Montreal is pretty bad. And their young defenders are between 22-29 not 18-22 so one would reasonably expect them to look a bit sharper.

Caulfiend + Suzuki is probably good for more wins than Bedard by himself...

Monohan's corpse is on pace for about 50 points which isn't terrible.


The guys on the Hawks aren't going to be 'good' and consistent tomorrow. The amount of AHL experience they have does not matter in that regard. They are going to have good periods, maybe some good games but a lot of up and down. Reichel is a good example about how significant AHL experience is for adjusting to the pace of the NHL.

People forget the fire drill Hammer was when he first came up and Keith skating around like a purposeless maniac his first two years. And thats with precious AHL experience. Dahlin didn't look really good until his 4th year. Adam Fox was good his first two years and exceptional after that. Sergachev bounced up and down the pairings when he first came through.

Korchinski, Crevier and Philips are certainly NHL players and if they continue to build on their experience it will pay off in two years. Especially Korchinski with his skill level.
- fattybeef

Doesn’t matter how talented your defense is, if your offense cannot control the puck long enough to barely put 20 shots on net night after night your defenseman will be under so much pressure mistakes are going to happen. Doesn’t matter how experienced or inexperienced they are.

Outside of Vlasic looking steady and confident, I don't buy what anyone is saying about how the young D corps look. We might have some keepers, we might not.
Every one of them had someone remark about how promising they looked yet thy are constantly getting turned inside out; Crevier especially tonight. And no one anticipated Vlasic's steady game this year.

As for tonight... I think its fair to say if Soderbloom was ever a decent prospect, he is now a broken one. I don't see how the team can mentally get up for one of his starts.

KK is pressing so much he's broken as well. Always a step behind and caught up ice and out of position. Is it too late for him to join the Junior team?

Tinordi... For those lumping Zaitsev and Murphy in with him I'd say his lame penalties place him in a category by himself. He needs to go.
- busmaster

They should be getting turned inside out some games. They should look better other games.

It's a bunch of rookies and 4th liners + Bedard and Foligno. Probably not a great recipe for consistency or success BUT there is a lot to build on.

For the most part Crevier is cool and collected, has a nice reach and can make a tape to tape pass consistently.

Philips has looked like a very good hard nosed defender some games and like a lost puppy others.

Korchinski was told by the coaching staff to play more aggressively and play his game. He is figuring it out. Dangerous at some points and kind of manic at others but that isn't a whole lot different from what Keith did his first year.

Vlasic has exceeded everyone's expectations.

This is what happens when you play 3 or 4 rookies and can't hide them. And it isn't a bad thing. Way more success for that group to build on than failures which is encouraging.

Doesn’t matter how talented your defense is, if your offense cannot control the puck long enough to barely put 20 shots on net night after night your defenseman will be under so much pressure mistakes are going to happen. Doesn’t matter how experienced or inexperienced they are.
- LAHawk

There you go LA, that’s exactly correct. They have a bunch of rookies and a couple of sieves in the backend and the forwards are for the most part below average NHL players. Also, they are currently missing two of their best dmen, Vlasic is a stud. I do believe that KD will bring in some talent this offseason to add to the forward group, plus another year of experience for the young D and Bedard. Please no more Tinordi, he got knocked on his arse three times in the first period alone, and out of position 80% of the time, not to mention the stupid penalties. It’s really a joke that they are keeping him around. I was a Soderblom fan, but man there’s something wrong there, I’d bring up Stauber for now and send Soda down to get his confidence back.

KK is not fine and he shouldn’t be allowed to “just play”, he needs to learn how to play defense and to stop joining the rush and pinching from the point on almost every play. When he vacates his defensive position he’s leaving, hopefully, a forward who has never been trained to defend against an oncoming rush. A defenseman can join the rush or pinch in from the point, vacating his defensive position, when he sees a very good offensive opportunity. Korchinski seemingly is vacating his defensive position almost as a default, good opportunity or not. Then to make matters worse he’s Not hustling back and he assumes the defensive role of a forward instead of relieving the forward who has hopefully taken his position.

Defensively Korchinski is weak, he’s unsure of his responsibilities in his own end and often gets out of position or stands around watching the play. He’s not strong on the body, but that is in part due to him not fully physically mature.

Korchinski has many tools in his toolbox. He’s a strong skater, he’s an exceptional passer, he reads the play well, he moves the puck from his end extremely well. We haven’t seen his shot yet but he had a decent one in junior. His inability to play defense and his poor decision making was evident in junior. He was promoted to the Hawks with these known weaknesses, the assumption was the Hawk coaching staff would correct them. So far these weaknesses are not improving in fact they are getting worse. I think it’s time for the Blackhawk coaches to restrict his offensive forays and work with him to understand his defensive responsibilities and how to apply them.
- paulr

Yet he played over 20 minutes the past 2 games, so your answer is don't let him play so he can't improve his skills at the NHL level? It's exactly what he's doing even though you can't see it, he's learning how to play as a NHL defenseman.

Yet he played over 20 minutes the past 2 games, so your answer is don't let him play so he can't improve his skills at the NHL level? It's exactly what he's doing even though you can't see it, he's learning how to play as a NHL defenseman.
- BetweenTheDots

I post a balanced detailed opinion about how Korchinski is weak in two main areas and your response is ‘ It's exactly what he's doing even though you can't see it, he's learning how to play as a NHL defenseman.’? So what exactly is he doing? How do you see him improving? Do you dispute he’s overwhelmed in his own zone? Do you disagree that he’s constantly leaving his defensive position to make offensive forays? Are his offensive rushes and pinches resulting in team goals?

Despite his considerable skills Korchinski is showing little defensive prowess and he’s certainly not driving the offense. If he doesn’t improve drastically over the course of the season the Hawks will have little option but to start him in Rockford next season especially considering the plethora of defensive talent in the organization.