So they call a hooking call on 5, but no interference on Sissons, okay ref whatever

Bedard just has no room. Teams don’t even bother covering other guys because they know double or tripling teaming Bedard ensures the Hawks won’t score.

Bedard just has no room. Teams don’t even bother covering other guys because they know double or tripling teaming Bedard ensures the Hawks won’t score.
- paulr

how many times do the Hawks go in three wide with the puck and not even get a shot off. It's so repetitive, it's not even funny anymore.

Yeh well one thing that stood out to me in those old videos was how much room they seemed to have then --- effective passing I think made that happen.

Meh game, another one- but Soderbloom played pretty good too - a positive. I mean it is an empty one, because there isn't really anything to build off of.

Think this one makes it 7 of the last 8 games the Hawks have given up 35+ shots...... Really big game for Soderblom. I give the guy a lotta credit as he hasn't been able to stop a beachball the last month and puts up a very good effort. Not easy to climb out of that mental hole.

That's good for Mrazak and LR too if he knows he can give Soderblom some starts and not get clubbed. Mrazak gets some rest and the club ain't deflated before the puck is even dropped.

And Guttman, what else is new. Just makes plays in all 3 zones as usual.

So Mrazek , Richardinson, and Foligno are the only Hawks marketable at the TDL. Must kill KFC he has nothing left to tear down.

So Mrazek , Richardinson, and Foligno are the only Hawks marketable at the TDL. Must kill KFC he has nothing left to tear down.
- LAHawk

How's that TOR @ LA tilt shapin up, LA? And who is the TOR backup goalie wearing #41, do you know?

So Mrazek , Richardinson, and Foligno are the only Hawks marketable at the TDL. Must kill KFC he has nothing left to tear down.
- LAHawk

Think the organIzation has made any decisions on which of the young Dmen they are gonna make available fora trade?

How's that TOR @ LA tilt shapin up, LA? And who is the TOR backup goalie wearing #41, do you know?
- Mr Ricochet

The goalie the Leafs brought up from the Marlies, Hildeby.

Actually watching Anthony Bourdain reruns

Think the organIzation has made any decisions on which of the young Dmen they are gonna make available fora trade?
- Mr Ricochet

I thought they would try and move Murphy. Since Jones went Down, Murphy has actually played real well though.

I think Phillips will be moved.

And who is the TOR backup goalie wearing #41, do you know?
- Mr Ricochet

6ft 7in undrafted 22 yr old Svede with about 50 pro games: https://www.eliteprospect...yer/402949/dennis-hildeby

Next 2 games for TOR are at SJ and ANA. Big kid should see some action.

I thought they would try and move Murphy. Since Jones went Down, Murphy has actually played real well though.

I think Phillips will be moved.
- LAHawk

I would not wanna be the GM making the decisions on these kid Dmen but besides KK and probably Rinzel, Vlasic is off the table, Phillips would probably bring back the most of all the young Dmen.

He's a nice fit in that he can play in the NHL right now and is still a prospect. Imagine him on a good club with a decent partner in a 3rd pairing with sheltered minutes? As solid as he's been with the Hawks if slotted properly you just might see an effective NHLer with size/skating right now.

What should your guy KD be asking for Phillips, LA?

Actually watching Anthony Bourdain reruns
- LAHawk

Surprised you didn't have this one circled. As soon as I saw TOR @ LA I was excited to see the game. ....... Good one locked at zero 5 into the 2nd. Talbot v Jones.

I would not wanna be the GM making the decisions on these kid Dmen but besides KK and probably Rinzel, Vlasic is off the table, Phillips would probably bring back the most of all the young Dmen.

He's a nice fit in that he can play in the NHL right now and is still a prospect. Imagine him on a good club with a decent partner in a 3rd pairing with sheltered minutes? As solid as he's been with the Hawks if slotted properly you just might see an effective NHLer with size/skating right now.

What should your guy KD be asking for Phillips, LA?
- Mr Ricochet

Trade him to the Leafs for Roni Hironen

Surprised you didn't have this one circled. As soon as I saw TOR @ LA I was excited to see the game. ....... Good one locked at zero 5 into the 2nd. Talbot v Jones.
- Mr Ricochet

Hey Rico, almost halfway through the season, how would you rate LR’s development of the youngsters?

Hey Rico, almost halfway through the season, how would you rate LR’s development of the youngsters?
- LAHawk

Defenseman I think he's done well. As far as Bedard I like that too........... I think handling the kid mentally is more important than physically or x's and o's. The kid will be experiencing failure for the 1st time, has weak mates and he too will hit the rookie wall. Keeping his frame of mind positive while he' surrounded by losses is the most important thing with him IMO...... Physically not much anyone can teach the kid. He'll figure that stuff out himself or seek out those who can help both inside and outside the organIzation.

You can quibble whether or not Kurashev fits best with him but I do like him picking a guy and keeping the two together for the familiarity. ..... Something I wish he did with Reichel. We all see the uneven efforts from the German but he was successful on last yrs callup and he's far from that this yr. I guess you'd have to throw some blame at LR and the staff for that. .... I don't like the yo ypooing of Reichel. Like Bedard, pick a mate for Reichel and leave it alone, at least for 15-20 games.

I don't think you can screw up Guttman. He is 25 but his game is the same as his jr days. Kid just makes plays and his motor keeps going.

Raddysh has stagnated even given top 6 minutes. ...... I like what Entwhistle has done. Seems every other game he's alone with the puck in front of the goalie. Motor goes every game, he plays physical and brings size. Gotta give the staff some credit there even though he tops out as a 4th liner but he can be a useful player.

It's almost like Fields the first two yrs with the Bears. The personnel was so bad it's tough to evaluate and develop them. Until the personnel around a Bedard improves to at least average their frame of mind is important. ........... They gotta figure Reichel out and keep giving the rookie Dmen NHL reps and at season's end I'll be satisfied with LR. Everyone else is a placeholder.

I don't read around much but am reading the honeymoon with LR is wearing off. Sure, losses will do that, even in a rebuild, but the yo yoing players in the lineup so frequently is wearing thin on some folks.

Think the organIzation has made any decisions on which of the young Dmen they are gonna make available fora trade?
- Mr Ricochet

If prior activity is any indication, I’d say that Phillips is first in line to be dealt. I also think that Crevier isn’t high on their list as well.

If prior activity is any indication, I’d say that Phillips is first in line to be dealt. I also think that Crevier isn’t high on their list as well.
- Chunk

But Crevier coming up to the Bigs and showing pretty good it would seem his value right now is higher than it's ever been. Agreed?

And, with the organIzation being so thin on RS Dmen you still think he'd be one to move?

Hey Rico, almost halfway through the season, how would you rate LR’s development of the youngsters?
- LAHawk

I'd add it's not like following a jrs club from tryout camp, regular camp and thru the season. My eye can see big differences, sometime real big. With the NHL guys the increments of improvement are smaller so a guy with a better or trained eye can see these things better.

I kinda go by the golf ball theory with NHLers. I watch the flight of the ball to determine how the swing was. A trained eye will look at the swing and tell you how the ball will fly. I can't do that, I watch the ball to determine the quality of the swing.

Curious what you, or anyone else, thinks about LR's handling of the young Hawks?

Hey Rico, almost halfway through the season, how would you rate LR’s development of the youngsters?
- LAHawk

With the lack of talent and not an over abundance of overzealous checkers, no coach is going to get barely anything more - if not less - than Richardson tried to squeeze out.

Expectations can only be more starting NEXT season. There needs to be a true.beginning of a matriculation of drafted players onto the parent Blackhawks roster. Really think some dmen prospects need even next year in the AHL. Therefore next season is a slight incremental step forward with the season after next hopefully will not be as sickening as the current campaign.

Bedard just has no room. Teams don’t even bother covering other guys because they know double or tripling teaming Bedard ensures the Hawks won’t score.
- paulr

Thats why they might consider on of his wing men to enter with the puck. Your observation is right on.

I'd add it's not like following a jrs club from tryout camp, regular camp and thru the season. My eye can see big differences, sometime real big. With the NHL guys the increments of improvement are smaller so a guy with a better or trained eye can see these things better.

I kinda go by the golf ball theory with NHLers. I watch the flight of the ball to determine how the swing was. A trained eye will look at the swing and tell you how the ball will fly. I can't do that, I watch the ball to determine the quality of the swing.

Curious what you, or anyone else, thinks about LR's handling of the young Hawks?
- Mr Ricochet

I actually have no problem with the young player development. IMO Reichel might be a top 6, but as a complimentary piece. With all the injuries, now is his chance to take charge when he is on the ice, and I don’t see it. I don’t care about points, but I do not see him even trying to impose his will. If the puck finds him, with space he is very good setting someone else, but he doesn’t seem too interested in working to get the puck himself.

I am frustrated when Tinordi, and Zaitsev play ahead of either Phillips or Kaiser. What can they learn from them? Since this is another throw away year, I would rather see the young guys make mistakes, and learn from them than have 2 guys who will not be in the NHL next year.

Nothing more LR can do with this roster. I knew that this was still a bottom 5 team, but I did not think it would or could be worse than last year. Was that the GM’s true plan? Interesting, Trotz got rid of Duchense, Johansson, Barrie, and the coach, and are currently in the first wild card position. From watching the Preds broadcast last night ( which was surprisingly good, very complimentary of KK especially and of course Bedard) , they believe the Preds will not make the playoffs, but are excited about the youngsters con the roster this year. Another ‘soft rebuild’

Will be interesting to see how the new GM’s with plenty of hockey experience (Briere, Trotz) going with the soft rebuild fare.

I actually have no problem with the young player development. IMO Reichel might be a top 6, but as a complimentary piece. With all the injuries, now is his chance to take charge when he is on the ice, and I don’t see it. I don’t care about points, but I do not see him even trying to impose his will. If the puck finds him, with space he is very good setting someone else, but he doesn’t seem too interested in working to get the puck himself.

I am frustrated when Tinordi, and Zaitsev play ahead of either Phillips or Kaiser. What can they learn from them? Since this is another throw away year, I would rather see the young guys make mistakes, and learn from them than have 2 guys who will not be in the NHL next year.

Nothing more LR can do with this roster. I knew that this was still a bottom 5 team, but I did not think it would or could be worse than last year. Was that the GM’s true plan? Interesting, Trotz got rid of Duchense, Johansson, Barrie, and the coach, and are currently in the first wild card position. From watching the Preds broadcast last night ( which was surprisingly good, very complimentary of KK especially and of course Bedard) , they believe the Preds will not make the playoffs, but are excited about the youngsters con the roster this year. Another ‘soft rebuild’

Will be interesting to see how the new GM’s with plenty of hockey experience (Briere, Trotz) going with the soft rebuild fare.
- LAHawk

Davidson probably figured they would be bottom 5-10 team this year, but I doubt he accounted for Perry having to leave the team, Reichel not progressing, Hall only playing a handful of games along with injuries to several other vets.

Also, I know it helps your position/narrative on a soft rebuild vs what the Hawks are doing but you sound surprised that the Preds announcers are "excited about the youngsters" currently on the team. Usually the hometown crew is the epitome of objectivity when talking about the prospects in the system.

Davidson probably figured they would be bottom 5-10 team this year, but I doubt he accounted for Perry having to leave the team, Reichel not progressing, Hall only playing a handful of games along with injuries to several other vets.

Also, I know it helps your position/narrative on a soft rebuild vs what the Hawks are doing but you sound surprised that the Preds announcers are "excited about the youngsters" currently on the team. Usually the hometown crew is the epitome of objectivity when talking about the prospects in the system.
- HawkintheD

Ain't that the truth

Ain't that the truth

- LAHawk

Exactly...Hawks, Preds, whoever. They are all paid to help sell the future.

The Wings had a great run but their window started to close even before they lost to the Hawks in 2013.

Around that time, the team had brought up Gus Nyqvist and Tomas Tatar and all you heard about during the Wing telecasts was "The Kids".

Even though they came into the league later, Nyquist and Tatar were just a year younger than Toews and Kane respectively. Always found it funny that Mickey and Ken kept referring to them as "The Kids", but I suppose it's all relative when most of the rest of the team was 30+.