Don’t waste that glorious cap space!
- paulr

And Danny Wirtz's wallet will be a little fatter since he won't have to pay Bedard those performance bonuses at the end of the season.

I’m thinking walk up ticket sales will be drastically reduced going forward. All we have left is watching the young D develop, plus Reichel and a couple of others. Hopefully they get Celebrini or Lindstrom in the draft, and add some talent for 24/25 season.

Already dealing with a long injury list, things just got even worse on that front for the Blackhawks. The team announced (Twitter link) that they’ve placed center Connor Bedard and winger Nick Foligno on injured reserve. Bedard has a fractured jaw while Foligno is dealing with a fractured left finger.
- Angotti

That really sucks that's worst case scenario that I said yesterday. I wish I was wrong incredible how long the list of players on IR.

https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2024/01/05/another-depleted-loss-all-star-bedard-gold-medal-game-summer-spending-and-other-blackhawks-bullets/

Powers noted: “Blackhawks 2023 second-round pick Roman Kantserov recently signed a two-year contract with Metallurg and will remain in the KHL through at least the 2026-27 season. His contract was set to expire after this season.” Not ideal.
- Mr Ricochet

Just quit drafting these guys. A rare Russian in round 6 is fine otherwise it’s mostly fools gold.

I, like you, thought Korchinski should have stayed in junior but he’s up now and has to learn his weaknesses under pressure. I noticed against New York he didn’t force his rushes and pinches and was always in position defensively. Last night he was out of position allot again and had a terrible night defensively. I think he is also a bit timid in physical situations but he’s a 19 year old boy who needs to get stronger, that’ll come. Let’s give him a couple of seasons before we make absolutist judgements.

As for Nazar, let’s hope there’s chemistry with him and Bedard. I also hope he can do his share of sniping. It’ll prevent teams from double teaming Bedard if there’s another legit scoring threat on the ice. Also I’m tired of seeing teammates unable to find Bedard or receive a pass from him. But most of all Nazar has the speed and hopefully awareness to get on the rush when Bedard does so Bedard has an option other than to try to deke around the team himself or just give the puck up.
- paulr

Considering there are only about 2 top line players on this team when everyone is healthy you are going to be tired for the rest of the year.

I share your concerns overall. I didn’t care if KK stayed or was sent back down as long as it was a coaching decision on ability and not to just have another name on the roster. He is about what I expected. Fits and starts with some good some bad. I don’t think it would hurt for him to sit for a game or two to watch someone like Vlasic from above.

Maybe KD will sign Bjork in addition to this trade?
- DarthKane

Phil Kessel still out rhere

Did Bobby Hull miss any games with a broken jaw? I remember him coming back with a QB face mask soon after his broken jaw. I also remember him getting into a fight with his Detroit shadow Bryan “Bugsy” Watson at the stadium

You guys need to relax a bit on the negative. I thought they would be a bit better than they have been, but i certainly didn't expect them to be any good. Next year either.

I said I wasn't on board with KK being in the NHL, thought he should lead his minor league team, lead team Canada in the World Jrs, and maybe come up.

They saw it different, I might have been better on that one than them, only time will tell. My point wasn't based on anything i saw, its just i would always take that route with anyone not named Bedard.

You need to get your excitement for this and the next two years from guys in College, Minors, and world tourney's cause that's where the guys are that are going to be playing until the team is good again.

I was impressed with Nazar, Moore and Rinzel (Hayes didn't show me much), and Misiak (that guy goes to the front of the net and attacks it like an animal) He will be in that position on the power play for the Hawks for a decade.

Nazar will get on a line with Bedard and have a minimum of 50 or 60 assists per year. Howard and Brindley thrived in the tourney, Frankie was the one dishing to them.

Don't get overly negative about the NHL team, there won't be more than 4 or 5 guys on it when they are good again in 2 to 3 years.

It was always going to be this way.
- vabeachbear

How dare you come in here and peddle your rational thoughts!

I didn't see a ton of the tournament but by all accounts Nazar looked good and his having a good year at Michigan.

It wasn't going to be good this year and like Powers mentions in The Athletic today (think someone here did as well), they are missing 9 of the fwds they started the season with mostly due to injury.

Was hoping they'd be more competitive and watchable. It is what it is.

Embrace the suck and imagine Celebrini or one of the other top 5 prospects putting on a Hawk sweater in Vegas in June. Actually that last part doesn't sound so great. Maybe a Hawk t-shirt.

IAs for Nazar, let’s hope there’s chemistry with him and Bedard. I also hope he can do his share of sniping. It’ll prevent teams from double teaming Bedard if there’s another legit scoring threat on the ice. Also I’m tired of seeing teammates unable to find Bedard or receive a pass from him. But most of all Nazar has the speed and hopefully awareness to get on the rush when Bedard does so Bedard has an option other than to try to deke around the team himself or just give the puck up.
- paulr

I agree and think Nazar pays his centre position in a way that will give Bedard opportunities. Nazar has never be shy or worried about the "I lose the puck if a try this" part of his game, always taking the biscuit to the middle and into the opposing traffic and having surveyed his options, usually gets the puck on net, or to an option, not stressed by the times the play is broken up. Frankie can outright fly and he doesn't hesitate to press on the forecheck either.

Fractured Jaw I assume is a season ender?
- vabeachbear

and meals through a straw Bobby Hull style if the medical procedure calls for the wiring it. I am clearly not sure what they do now. Haven't broken a bone yet.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks acquire Rem Pitlick from Pittsburgh for a conditional 2026 7th.
- LAHawk

I think that he is smaller height than the programs say.

Did Bobby Hull miss any games with a broken jaw? I remember him coming back with a QB face mask soon after his broken jaw. I also remember him getting into a fight with his Detroit shadow Bryan “Bugsy” Watson at the stadium
- LAHawk

and in that game, Phil Esposito used Bugsy's skull to clang the cross bar, after he he got froggy with Bobby...

I was there too.

Did Bobby Hull miss any games with a broken jaw? I remember him coming back with a QB face mask soon after his broken jaw. I also remember him getting into a fight with his Detroit shadow Bryan “Bugsy” Watson at the stadium
- LAHawk

I’ll put on my best Old Dude voice here .. “yeah but that was back in the day, when men were men and didn’t need sissy helmets, visors and goalies didn’t need face masks. And they didn’t need agents either, real men shook hands with the GM and accepted whatever was offered but could ask for a team jacket which the team offered for a 10% discount. Real men got what today is called a concussion, we used to call it getting your bell rung, and went out the next shift. These are the same men who walked to school in snow to their shoulders, in -50F weather, uphill both ways.

Today’s “man” is a snowflake, they play with equipment to protect themselves, they need agents to get them cushy lifestyles. If they get hurt these pansies get better before they go back on the ice. And their mommies drive them to school so the snow, temperature and gradient don’t matter.

I’ll put on my best Old Dude voice here .. “yeah but that was back in the day, when men were men and didn’t need sissy helmets, visors and goalies didn’t need face masks. And they didn’t need agents either, real men shook hands with the GM and accepted whatever was offered but could ask for a team jacket which the team offered for a 10% discount. Real men got what today is called a concussion, we used to call it getting your bell rung, and went out the next shift. These are the same men who walked to school in snow to their shoulders, in -50F weather, uphill both ways.

Today’s “man” is a snowflake, they play with equipment to protect themselves, they need agents to get them cushy lifestyles. If they get hurt these pansies get better before they go back on the ice. And their mommies drive them to school so the snow, temperature and gradient don’t matter.
- paulr

Without shoes and a jacket, too.

I’ll put on my best Old Dude voice here .. “yeah but that was back in the day, when men were men and didn’t need sissy helmets, visors and goalies didn’t need face masks. And they didn’t need agents either, real men shook hands with the GM and accepted whatever was offered but could ask for a team jacket which the team offered for a 10% discount. Real men got what today is called a concussion, we used to call it getting your bell rung, and went out the next shift. These are the same men who walked to school in snow to their shoulders, in -50F weather, uphill both ways.

Today’s “man” is a snowflake, they play with equipment to protect themselves, they need agents to get them cushy lifestyles. If they get hurt these pansies get better before they go back on the ice. And their mommies drive them to school so the snow, temperature and gradient don’t matter.
- paulr

Today’s “man” is a snowflake, they play with equipment to protect themselves, they need agents to get them cushy lifestyles. If they get hurt these pansies get better before they go back on the ice. And their mommies drive them to school so the snow, temperature and gradient don’t matter.
- paulr

Interesting that Pang mentioned that the latest gloves are made with less protection than the older ones so players could have better stick/puck control, and that hits on them readily broke bones.

Zach Sanford (LW, 6-4, 207) is listed on the roster at Blackhawks website. Elite Prospects has him transferred ARI -> CHI. No word on what, if anything, is going back to Arizona.

Interesting that Pang mentioned that the latest gloves are made with less protection than the older ones so players could have better stick/puck control, and that hits on them readily broke bones.
- wiz1901

That’s just so todays namby pamby snowflake can break his wrist and get a few months off to play on their PS5s in their Mom’s basement.

Zach Sanford (LW, 6-4, 207) is listed on the roster at Blackhawks website. Elite Prospects has him transferred ARI -> CHI. No word on what, if anything, is going back to Arizona.
- totem

My bad, Sanford claimed off waivers from Arizona. Sorry if this was already mentioned.

My bad, Sanford claimed off waivers from Arizona. Sorry if this was already mentioned.
- totem

All these guys getting claimed off waivers are going to be playing on the first line and getting PP time. Crazy…

That’s just so todays namby pamby snowflake can break his wrist and get a few months off to play on their PS5s in their Mom’s basement.
- paulr

That's HYSTERICAL !!
Question....the NHL NOW goof Ken Daneyko said it was a perfectly "legal hit".
Isn't the jaw part of the head ???
And aren't they trying to take HEAD SHOTS out of the game ?
It's ridiculous how these analysts think some times.
But Kudos to Foligno from coming to attack and protect our Superstar. Unfortunately we could have used a couple more of those guys on this years team since we're sucking anyway. Gotta protect our Star and that should have been a priority.
I don't know who the young bad asses are today but maybe that hit wouldn't have happened if we had a Ryan Reeves type on this team.

Zach Sanford (LW, 6-4, 207) is listed on the roster at Blackhawks website. Elite Prospects has him transferred ARI -> CHI. No word on what, if anything, is going back to Arizona.
- totem

That's Zach "Stanley Cup Winner" Sanford to you.

Put me in cold, I’m ready to play today (que the organ music)

That's HYSTERICAL !!
Question....the NHL NOW goof Ken Daneyko said it was a perfectly "legal hit".
Isn't the jaw part of the head ???
And aren't they trying to take HEAD SHOTS out of the game ?
It's ridiculous how these analysts think some times.
But Kudos to Foligno from coming to attack and protect our Superstar. Unfortunately we could have used a couple more of those guys on this years team since we're sucking anyway. Gotta protect our Star and that should have been a priority.
I don't know who the young bad asses are today but maybe that hit wouldn't have happened if we had a Ryan Reeves type on this team.
- Hawkytalk

I thought the hit was clean, hard but clean. Smith was standing his ground and Bedard ran into him. Yes Bedard’s chin hit Smith’s shoulder but he let Bedard come to him. It’s a freak accident. But these are the kinds of hits I want to see.

As for protecting players, there is no way to do that. Yes a teammate can beat up a guy after an incident but there’s no way to prevent that incident. And please explain how Ryan Reeves would have prevented that hit? Did you not see that game where Marchand slew footed Liljegren? Reeves not only couldn’t prevent it, he didn’t even try to avenge it.

That's HYSTERICAL !!
Question....the NHL NOW goof Ken Daneyko said it was a perfectly "legal hit".
Isn't the jaw part of the head ???
And aren't they trying to take HEAD SHOTS out of the game ?
It's ridiculous how these analysts think some times.
But Kudos to Foligno from coming to attack and protect our Superstar. Unfortunately we could have used a couple more of those guys on this years team since we're sucking anyway. Gotta protect our Star and that should have been a priority.
I don't know who the young bad asses are today but maybe that hit wouldn't have happened if we had a Ryan Reeves type on this team.
- Hawkytalk

That's because it was. Bedard came over the line with the puck 1 on 3; looked down when he began to lose control just as Smith stepped up. Stick down, arms down, center mass hit and Bedards smaller size didn't help him in this case.

Regarding a Reeves type guy; that's what the Leaves that too until he hurt himself and is on IR taking his -11 +/- and 7:20 ATOI with him. They're doing just fine without him.