3-2 USA, nice comeback

Moore is a relentless penalty killer.
- vabeachbear

Still way too early to say one way or another but today it seems like Moore's floor is an elite 3rd liner. Has all the traits, high work rate, brings it every shift, plays hungry, strait lines game, sprinkle in some skill, then add crazy speed and he's how you'd draw up an elite 3rd liner.

Fun player to watch.

3-2 USA, nice comeback
- vabeachbear

I wanted Halttunen....

Still way too early to say one way or another but today it seems like Moore's floor is an elite 3rd liner. Has all the traits, high work rate, brings it every shift, plays hungry, strait lines game, sprinkle in some skill, then add crazy speed and he's how you'd draw up an elite 3rd liner.

Fun player to watch.
- Mr Ricochet

Sounds like Lafferty.

3-2 USA, nice comeback
- vabeachbear

If the Gold Game is this good it'll be great for the fan...... Seems to me the US team is always skilled but this group of skill seems hungrier, gets to the middle more, works the walls harder, pays the price more, not afraid to get their noses over pucks. Seems a smarter group too.

The Finns were, and always are, a good test. You'd better stay structured or they'll bite you. They have a way of minimizing your skill advantage. ....... Sets up very nicely for the US squad going into the Gold Medal Game.

Friedman writing Chicago (meaning Bedard) in line for next year's Winter Classic at Wrigley Field.
- boilermaker100

How about at Soldier Field

Why would they need to hit on all their draft picks? They don't. That's why the plan has been to rebuild by drafting a lot of players because KD knows you won't hit on all of them. We won't see the team improve by 35-40 points all at once, it will be incremental increase until they suddenly improve from mediocre to good. You may now understand how other teams were built if you only see 1 team that built through the draft, because there are many.
- breadbag

i didn't say that weren't built around the draft, I said the way KFC is going about this. Nobody jettisoned any player on the team that could bring back a draft pick, roster construction bedamned.

So as according to Powers, Jason Richardinson is going to be the big signing next year, I should get a timgle down my leg because they got another high draft choice, and being gaslighted by saying how wonderful it is the Hawks will get yet another top 3 pick?

Can't wait to see Soderblom and Stalock next year. Let's see how good KK, Vlasic consistently fishing the puck out of the net as the Hawks still give up 40 shots a game, an inordinate amount of high quality chances because the forwards cannot put 2 passes together and get it out of the defensive zone. But because they get another top draft choice, I am supposed to believe they are better.

Maybe Bedard can host skills training over the summer for the guys....he has by far elite SKILLS

The thing is they are getting better, it's going to take time. The days of 5000 fans showing up to the game are long gone. As I've said before the west side has cleaned up nicely, the bars offer shuttles now to and from the games, many young adults live in the area and are always looking for something to do. Throw Bedard in the mix people want their season tickets and will keep them because like the team is investing in the future so are those same fans.

Also aren't they getting better next year if they have a top 4 pick? Certainly better than any fringe playoff team.
- BetweenTheDots

Where are the Hawks getting better? Their prospect pipeline is certainly looking more promising but the Hawks look worse this year than last year.

Do you really believe people are going to buy season’s tickets to see a team that isn’t improving on the United Center ice? The novelty of Connor Bedard’s first year filled the seats this year, if next year's team looks to be as bad, or worse than this year do you think people are buying tickets? People look for things to do not things to waste money on.

I think it’s imperative KD improves the Hawks next season. Obviously he doesn’t need to have a contender on the ice but he has to have a team that isn’t mostly AHL and fourth line journeymen. KD can improve the team in the short term without impacting the cap long term. I don’t understand why you are arguing against this?

I guess most here are really understanding what a rebuild looks like. Better on the ice do you mean record wise? Maybe, but they are better having Vlasic play, Korchinski play who's already better than Boqvist, Bedard play, Reichel play and Phillips, Crevier and whoever else they feel comfortable bringing up at this level. They will get better after this draft and who knows maybe we'll see a surprise or 2 drafted by KD make this roster and maybe just maybe our 1st pick will join Bedard next season as well. The fear of the rebuild going wrong is just a waste of time. Signing high priced FAs, well then KD shouldn't of tore it all down then
- BetweenTheDots

Been enjoying this thread. Lotta fantastic points...... But I'll jump in with a thought here. I think for most fans we are very pleased with the play of the rookies. If you would have told me that 3 rookie D played every game, and many games 4 of them, and they weren't getting overwhelmed I'd say you were nuts. Hard to hope for more from the rookies.

It's the forward group that's disappointing. It probably would have been sufficient had Hall stayed healthy for 60-65 games, his usual yr, and Perry was still here but it didn't happen.

I think going into next yr, while still staying with the plan, KD will learn from this yr. I think he'll look to cover his bases better adding vet forwards to better insulate from known unknowns.

How about at Soldier Field
- glennjpawlak22

Because Jamie Faulkner's husband is an executive with the Cubs.

i didn't say that weren't built around the draft, I said the way KFC is going about this. Nobody jettisoned any player on the team that could bring back a draft pick, roster construction bedamned.

So as according to Powers, Jason Richardinson is going to be the big signing next year, I should get a timgle down my leg because they got another high draft choice, and being gaslighted by saying how wonderful it is the Hawks will get yet another top 3 pick?

Can't wait to see Soderblom and Stalock next year. Let's see how good KK, Vlasic consistently fishing the puck out of the net as the Hawks still give up 40 shots a game, an inordinate amount of high quality chances because the forwards cannot put 2 passes together and get it out of the defensive zone. But because they get another top draft choice, I am supposed to believe they are better.
- LAHawk

They just aren't going after the big fish in Free Agency who want big deals on long term. Expect more of the short term deals for middle 6 types. Serviceable players that can play with the kids. It's exactly what they have been doing during the rebuild and makes sense until they have enough to build around.

Especially considering that most of those big names in the UFA market get overpaid in dollar and term. It's a quick way to put the team back in cap hell and have contracts for guys in their 30's who can't live up to the value. It doesn't help the rebuild at all. Not one bit to sign a big name UFA right now.

i didn't say that weren't built around the draft, I said the way KFC is going about this. Nobody jettisoned any player on the team that could bring back a draft pick, roster construction bedamned.

So as according to Powers, Jason Richardinson is going to be the big signing next year, I should get a timgle down my leg because they got another high draft choice, and being gaslighted by saying how wonderful it is the Hawks will get yet another top 3 pick?

Can't wait to see Soderblom and Stalock next year. Let's see how good KK, Vlasic consistently fishing the puck out of the net as the Hawks still give up 40 shots a game, an inordinate amount of high quality chances because the forwards cannot put 2 passes together and get it out of the defensive zone. But because they get another top draft choice, I am supposed to believe they are better.
- LAHawk

There is a difference between making the organIzation btter and the NHL roster better. Obviously with the total tear down method of rebuilding KD is in the improve the organIzation phase.

Guess the question is when do you move to the next phase and say we have enough legit blue chippers time to focus on the NHL roster. Who knows when that is but we know it ain't now.

For me, if they get a top 3 pick this yr I'm ok with whatever I have to watch on the NHL roster this yr. The pain will have been worth it to have Celebrini, Eiserman or that big power forward that some are talking about.

There is a difference between making the organIzation btter and the NHL roster better. Obviously with the total tear down method of rebuilding KD is in the improve the organIzation phase.

Guess the question is when do you move to the next phase and say we have enough legit blue chippers time to focus on the NHL roster. Who knows when that is but we know it ain't now.

For me, if they get a top 3 pick this yr I'm ok with whatever I have to watch on the NHL roster this yr. The pain will have been worth it to have Celebrini, Eiserman or that big power forward that some are talking about.
- Mr Ricochet

It will probably be worth it and it will mean they may not be stuck in rebuild mode for so many seasons. Drafting later in the draft you "can" get good players still, but you are gonna hit more on good players early in the draft. Almost all the great teams right now have multiple elite guys in the lineup and the Hawks right now, have 1 guy who fits that bill. They need to keep trying to find the core guys that are worth building around.

There is a difference between making the organIzation btter and the NHL roster better. Obviously with the total tear down method of rebuilding KD is in the improve the organIzation phase.

Guess the question is when do you move to the next phase and say we have enough legit blue chippers time to focus on the NHL roster. Who knows when that is but we know it ain't now.

For me, if they get a top 3 pick this yr I'm ok with whatever I have to watch on the NHL roster this yr. The pain will have been worth it to have Celebrini, Eiserman or that big power forward that some are talking about.
- Mr Ricochet

Normally I'd preach the same patience you are Rico, but The Hawks have drafted 5 first rounders and five second rounders in the last two years. They also have multiple 1sts and 2nds in the next three drafts already secured. Not to mention the fact that they have one of the deeper defenseman prospect pools in the entire league.

At what point do you have enough prospects where you say "OK, it's time to put an actual team together."?

How many prospects have to prove themselves in the NHL and what would that proof look like?

Normally I'd preach the same patience you are Rico, but The Hawks have drafted 5 first rounders and five second rounders in the last two years. They also have multiple 1sts and 2nds in the next three drafts already secured. Not to mention the fact that they have one of the deeper defenseman prospect pools in the entire league.

At what point do you have enough prospects where you say "OK, it's time to put an actual team together."?

How many prospects have to prove themselves in the NHL and what would that proof look like?
- Chunk

interesting that now it appears the Hawks are going to draft in the top 3, that this season is now considered a success. Most before the season started said the Hawks would probably draft #'s 7-12, but that isn't going to happen so the narrative changes to it is a successful year as the team underperformed (Reichel, Soderblom, Raddish in addition to the veterans they either brought in or retained.)

The teams successes this year Bedard, KK and Vlasic. Mrazek was a success but he will probably be traded at the TDL, cause who needs a goalie when your team gives up an average of 40 SOG and more grade A's than probably any other team.

So all the Hawks draft choices have to produce 17 players to replace the dreck currently wearing a Hawks jersey. How many years will it take to fill 17 roster spots hoping all the "elite" draft picks hit?

New blog up!!
https://www.hockeybuzz.co...and-Quick-Hits/300/123934

Cutter Gauthier is going to look real nice in that Flyer uniform as part of their retool.

Maybe Bedard can host skills training over the summer for the guys....he has by far elite SKILLS
- glennjpawlak22

He could but I think what you'd end up seeing is once he got around to passing drills- and no one could either pass or receive passes --- he'd get ticked and break a stick on something then give up.

I don't know what KD is going to do, nor do I believe anything at this point in the season - however, he does need to look after his investment - and if he isn't clear on that, I'll spell it out -his investment is 98.

Here is my $0.02… you build your team through the draft, but not 100% of your team. They need to keep their first round picks, and hopefully 50% of them become legitimate/valuable NHL players. They are only one or two years into the rebuild(depending on the poster), it is not yet time to add a Nylander or anyone of that magnitude, it is however time to add a couple of quality NHL players on top of D!ck!nson, Hall, AA, and whoever else they decide to keep, and also time to bring in a couple of young forwards through trades, whether they use young D or second round picks to make that happen, or both. They are not going to be able to sign a Lindstrom or a Reinhart to a short term contract, and not sure any of these type of players would sign here due to where this team is in the rebuild process. KD needs to keep the rebuild going, but at the same time they cannot ice the type of garbage that they have iced this year, KD needs to find that happy medium. 6-3 Rangers

[quote=LAHawk]
Davidson’s plan is rebuilding while sticking to the plan. Stockpile high draft picks and build from within. As we’re seeing with nearly every free agent class… nearly no one is worth signing long term at age 29. The teams that are successful use mostly home grown talent, aside from Vegas.

The most refreshing part of Davidson is that he’s not making panic Stan moves. He’s not trading a Jokiharju for Nylander, or a Boqvist for Jones, Panarin for Saad, picks for Weise, etc.


It’s no fun, and people whining while it’s happening is to be expected. I’d like to watch a better team too, but I get it. I’m glad he’s in charge and not us.

Where are the Hawks getting better? Their prospect pipeline is certainly looking more promising but the Hawks look worse this year than last year.

Do you really believe people are going to buy season’s tickets to see a team that isn’t improving on the United Center ice? The novelty of Connor Bedard’s first year filled the seats this year, if next year's team looks to be as bad, or worse than this year do you think people are buying tickets? People look for things to do not things to waste money on.

I think it’s imperative KD improves the Hawks next season. Obviously he doesn’t need to have a contender on the ice but he has to have a team that isn’t mostly AHL and fourth line journeymen. KD can improve the team in the short term without impacting the cap long term. I don’t understand why you are arguing against this?
- paulr

Well I'm not sure but i bet the people who bought season tickets are probably trying to get better seats if they become available. That's the thing if you give up your season tickets and you like them good luck getting them back. I think the season ticket fan understands its going to be a couple years of tears before they really have something.

And really don't think its imperative at all. I saw what the Cubs did, this works no matter how wrong you think he's doing it. Do i expect him to sign FAs that will form another NHL line, so i like it when you think I'm disagreeing with you when I'm not, i do, but he's not going to sign a top level FA to 8 years at a ridiculous amount of money.

Some games are over by the 1st period and i recall you and others being concerned about my blood pressure? Now you guys are the ones that can't handle this, interesting.

They are getting better, we just don't see it yet.

Normally I'd preach the same patience you are Rico, but The Hawks have drafted 5 first rounders and five second rounders in the last two years. They also have multiple 1sts and 2nds in the next three drafts already secured. Not to mention the fact that they have one of the deeper defenseman prospect pools in the entire league.

At what point do you have enough prospects where you say "OK, it's time to put an actual team together."?

How many prospects have to prove themselves in the NHL and what would that proof look like?
- Chunk

Two are in the NHL. Two.

They have one top six forward. They need many more high end players to be a contender. They need to accumulate assets until they are sure they have enough high end players. Long way to go.

Nice play by 55

Is Phillips still up with the Hawks? Anyone hearing anything on him? ......... Not a bad start. Pucks out and pucks in.