It looks like everyone got the memo to write an article about Reichel today. I thought this was an interesting passage from Pope:

His box-score stats haven’t changed much, but that might be because he has largely been stuck in the bottom six. There have been a couple instances where he stood out — such as Dec. 19 against the Avalanche, when Bedard set up Reichel’s first even-strength goal of the season. He played with swagger and creativity the rest of that night.

More ice time probably is headed Reichel’s way with Bedard sidelined, but he will have to deal with even less support from teammates. By the time Bedard returns, King said he hopes Reichel will have improved enough to justify slotting into a first-line role alongside the rookie phenom and Philipp Kurashev.

“In a perfect world, you’d like to see Reichel-Bedard-Kurashev, our young guys coming up together,” King said. “Why wouldn’t you [want them together]? They’re all gifted. They all bring something different.”

Whole article - https://chicago.suntimes....-davidson-luke-richardson

I'm happy to hear they are being patient with him (and pretty much all of the other young players).

I think generally speaking that the Hawks have enough assets where they don't need to trade a first overall to get a player of that quality and still offer a better deal than anyone else in the league. So for all intents and purposes that hypothetical situation isn't really a thing.

If the senators were like we'll give you Stutzel or the other the chuck for the first you probably do it it but how realistic is that unless the front office there is really out for blood. Its gonna be a good player who maybe isn't a "core guy" like Norris, who has had some injury history, or Marner if Toronto established he isn't a priority and can get them help on the blue line or Draisaitl because McDavid is the guy and there's only so much money and he wants out of north western Canada.

PLD went for 2 young players and a second and a veteran.

They don't have a lot of young player capital at this point, except on the blue line but I dunno Tampas first and a second + Philips\DelMastro\Kaiser + Reichal for Norris would be acceptable. It would probably have to be two firsts for Marner but that would be fine too.

Sure some team could demand Nazar but I think more teams would prefer to pick their own guy vs an unproven prospect who hasn't played a professional season on that hip yet.

If it's the third or fourth overall then I think it gets more interesting in terms of trading down or moving for an established player especially in a year where the no one is pretty established and then it gets kinda muddy 2-10.
- fattybeef

So, you’re saying a trade like that is unlikely to happen, then you say that specific trade isn’t enough to make that deal then you present a trade scenario that makes the point I’m trying to make?

BTW, have you ever seen McTavish play? He’s on pace for a 20 goal 50 point season on a bad team. He’s also a tough nasty piece of work. If the Hawks could get him and draft Lindholm, Eiserman or Levshunov for Celebrini you do it in a heartbeat. I doubt Aneheim covet Celebrini enough to make that deal anyhow.

The hard cap in the NHL truly makes it interesting to see where and what GMs spend their money on. Is this the last year for the Maple Leafs group to win a cup? Is Boston just a great regular season team? Is this where we see the Bolts and Pens start fading away? Will they start dealing what they have to recoup the draft capital they've given up over the years?

That's fair....identifying the right core of guys and having that diversified more so....fs, and d, and even an elite goalie.

Leafs just went all in on Fs and Reilly and well.......that drought is going to march right on.
- SteveRain

Yeah oops. Just like the oilers with Darnell Nurse. Not a bad player just the okayest for 9 million not named Seth Jones.

I don't think he was ever billed as such though. I know it is just one description, but read this from Elite Prospects:

He's an unrelenting forechecker & backchecker, never gives up on a play, and wins battles through second efforts. Reichel is a pretty capable puck-handler too, even at top-speed carrying the puck through a defender's triangle, showing a predilection for outside-in maneuvers, and deploying weight shifts to avoid contact. -EliteProspects 2020 NHL Draft Guide

That sounds like a good complimentary piece, not a line driver. I think he can still be one if he gets a bit more selfish.
- Chunk

And simplifies his game. Certainly skill and speed but his positional play is not very good (again I'm gonna beat the AHL horse and ask wtf he learned there) and the egregious give aways that turn into jail breaks gotta stop.

And simplifies his game. Certainly skill and speed but his positional play is not very good (again I'm gonna beat the AHL horse and ask wtf he learned there) and the egregious give aways that turn into jail breaks gotta stop.
- fattybeef

When they interviewed Vlasic he said basically since they kept me in the A last year it let me work on parts of my game i hadn't before. I have to admit he looks damn good this year.

I did worry about Korchinski but considering the hardest hit i saw him take all year was a week ago, forgot against who, and he's actually been playing well for a kid at the greatest level of hockey even though many don't think so, half way through the season and to me he does not look over whelmed for the most part, there are minutes in games its like yikes but it's not like watching Gusto, Caleb Jones or McCabe out there. I know some will say that's a low bar, but it's better than looking worse or the same as those players.

So, you’re saying a trade like that is unlikely to happen, then you say that specific trade isn’t enough to make that deal then you present a trade scenario that makes the point I’m trying to make?

BTW, have you ever seen McTavish play? He’s on pace for a 20 goal 50 point season on a bad team. He’s also a tough nasty piece of work. If the Hawks could get him and draft Lindholm, Eiserman or Levshunov for Celebrini you do it in a heartbeat. I doubt Aneheim covet Celebrini enough to make that deal anyhow.
- paulr

Both.

I'm saying a trade like that isn't necessary because the Hawks have enough assets to outbid anyone else for players on the board and it would take an incredibly vindictive GM to walk away from a better deal just because they didn't get exactly what they wanted.

And I don't think some of those younger up and coming teams with an established core are going to move from said core. Especially when they have guys that have established themselves as NHL players.

Celebrini is going to be a very good NHL player. He's 17, 190lbs and pecker smacking the NCAA. He's big for a literal child and has been dominant. Has gotten some Toews comparisons with how he plays 200 ft and goes to the dirty areas. Every single report says hockey IQ through the roof.

Personally, I think if you get the first you take it. Plus moving a potential 80-100 point 2 way player for a 60 point blunt object maybe isn't a great long term strategy. Objectively there have been very few deals where a first overall was actually dealt and those Florida ones are hilariously bad.

KFC also has enough futures to throw a bunch of poop on the wall to try to get that first as well. Maybe a team like San Jose would rather have a surplus of picks - maybe an unprotected one next year rather than just one guy as they try to rebuild since they don't have a lot of assets or movable pieces at this stage.

https://twitter.com/darre...&t=4cKvHncpbhBho_g51bJ3DA

Looks like you can scratch Wee Willie from wearing the Indian head sweater. Another blurb says it's a full NMC for the entire length of the contract.
- Rota's Rooter

No Surprise. I was saying don't expect Nylander to be available. There was no way they are letting him walk.

I have a difficult time imagining the Hawks trading the #1 overall (if they get it again) to move back and add a player. To move off the #1 this year, they would need a massive haul in return. Not trying to crap on this idea, but the reward for this miserable season would be the #1.

Lot of positive things despite their overall record; future building blocks are emerging... but if the Hawks get the #1 again, they better get an insane return if they move it.
- frafra

I wouldn't see it happening either. There is always talk about trading a #1 but when is the last time it actually happened? Trading the pick and not the player.

I actually looked and I think it was 2003 or just over 20 years ago. It has not happened in the salary cap era and even when it did happen it rarely added much to the team trading the pick. Odds are, if we get #1 we just pick the player we want.

Nah, you take Celebrini. He's gonna be a very good player.

Then you buy someone or two with the other 12 first and second round picks over the next 3 years and try to get at least one run in Bedards contract year.
- fattybeef

They won't be ready for a run until Bedard's second contract. Will be a bubble team at best by the time his ELC is expiring. Which is fine, considering the rest of the building blocks will still be pretty cheap and they won't have a lot of pricy vets to worry about.

WILL NEVER HAPPEN!!

And why would he agree to it? At best, they will have to buy him out.
- RickJ

They won't buy him out, there is very little advantage to it. More likely they use LTIR and just stay lean with their other forward spots for a year.

When they interviewed Vlasic he said basically since they kept me in the A last year it let me work on parts of my game i hadn't before. I have to admit he looks damn good this year.

I did worry about Korchinski but considering the hardest hit i saw him take all year was a week ago, forgot against who, and he's actually been playing well for a kid at the greatest level of hockey even though many don't think so, half way through the season and to me he does not look over whelmed for the most part, there are minutes in games its like yikes but it's not like watching Gusto, Caleb Jones or McCabe out there. I know some will say that's a low bar, but it's better than looking worse or the same as those players.
- BetweenTheDots

Vlasic is a great example of how much a player can learn year over year too. He wasn't bad previously, but he is definitely most improved player in the system year to year.

I've never been a big Lukas Reichel guy, in his previous stints he seemed a bit too soft and his success seemed more from playmaking of this line mates, but the coaching staff has said they liked some of his improvement in his game. He might take that next step in the next season or two and become that second line player he has the potential to be.

Right now, I think a lot of his development comes down to what the coaches are telling him and is he responding and following through on their input? I think if he is putting that effort in, they will give him time to figure it out for now.

Happy new year to all! Hope your holidays were great.

Bedard: After watching this kid for awhile I think it's imperative that Davidson find him some skill this upcoming year or else he will continue to try to push things by himself where he ends up putting himself in vulnerable spots where he gets physically hit. I also think they should show him some clips of Kane and how he mainly avoided big hits his entire career. I just get the sense from 98 he was growing frustrated with lack of top end talent around him.


- SteveRain

Will go a little further back in time, and make him watch games and focus on 18. Think you're right about your conclusion SR, though...

And simplifies his game. Certainly skill and speed but his positional play is not very good (again I'm gonna beat the AHL horse and ask wtf he learned there) and the egregious give aways that turn into jail breaks gotta stop.
- fattybeef

He learned that he can produce well in the AHL and probably that he can get away with things there that he cannot in the NHL. I hear you on the giveaways. I do think the past few games have been an improvement in his overall game. He does need to be more assertive offensively. He has on occasion created some really good chances for himself, but he often overthinks the play or passes to an unsuspecting teammate. I'm still optimistic on him. It's maddening, because I think he has a half decent wrister.

Just played the Tankathon and noticed that TB has its own pick this year. Yeah that's right, TB has fallen to the bottom 10.

He learned that he can produce well in the AHL and probably that he can get away with things there that he cannot in the NHL. I hear you on the giveaways. I do think the past few games have been an improvement in his overall game. He does need to be more assertive offensively. He has on occasion created some really good chances for himself, but he often overthinks the play or passes to an unsuspecting teammate. I'm still optimistic on him. It's maddening, because I think he has a half decent wrister.
- Chunk

I've noticed this too. Would increasing the talent around him help this?

I've noticed this too. Would increasing the talent around him help this?
- Popsghostly

Probably, but the bigger issue is that he is passing out of a prime scoring area to begin with. He needs to develop that confidence to rip that shot himself. The other line mates around the net can follow up the rebounds.

Just played the Tankathon and noticed that TB has its own pick this year. Yeah that's right, TB has fallen to the bottom 10.
- Popsghostly

How does it work, is it top 10 protected before the lottery or the result of the lottery?

How does it work, is it top 10 protected before the lottery or the result of the lottery?
- vabeachbear

I think it just mean what it simply says. top 10 protected however it falls there.

Like any situation you take Celebrini unless what you get back is more valuable. If for example Anaheim covets Celebrini and were willing to trade their first and Mason McTavish for the first overall and say Phillips, you do the deal.
- paulr

I get what you are saying and the Hawks have to be overwhelmed by the offer. I wouldn't trade any young asset at this point....if they want a veteran on top of the 1st....OK.....

Both.

I'm saying a trade like that isn't necessary because the Hawks have enough assets to outbid anyone else for players on the board and it would take an incredibly vindictive GM to walk away from a better deal just because they didn't get exactly what they wanted.

And I don't think some of those younger up and coming teams with an established core are going to move from said core. Especially when they have guys that have established themselves as NHL players.

Celebrini is going to be a very good NHL player. He's 17, 190lbs and pecker smacking the NCAA. He's big for a literal child and has been dominant. Has gotten some Toews comparisons with how he plays 200 ft and goes to the dirty areas. Every single report says hockey IQ through the roof.

Personally, I think if you get the first you take it. Plus moving a potential 80-100 point 2 way player for a 60 point blunt object maybe isn't a great long term strategy. Objectively there have been very few deals where a first overall was actually dealt and those Florida ones are hilariously bad.

KFC also has enough futures to throw a bunch of poop on the wall to try to get that first as well. Maybe a team like San Jose would rather have a surplus of picks - maybe an unprotected one next year rather than just one guy as they try to rebuild since they don't have a lot of assets or movable pieces at this stage.
- fattybeef

"pecker smacking"

Anaheim sends Drysdale and a 2nd to Philly for Cuttter Gauthier.


Wake up KD. I would have sent them KK for him in a blink of an eye. Heck, would have given them Jones, too, just for the heck of it.

According to Frank Seravalli Cutter Gauthier advised the Flyers he didn’t want to play for the team.

KD missed that one!

Anaheim sends Drysdale and a 2nd to Philly for Cuttter Gauthier.


Wake up KD. I would have sent them KK for him in a blink of an eye. Heck, would have given them Jones, too, just for the heck of it.
- Elbows15

Geeez you’re relentless about Korchinski!

Interesting trade today between Ducks and Flyers. ANA sends RD Drysdale (2020 1st round pick, 6th overall) and a 2nd round pick to PHI for prospect forward Cutter Gauthier (2023 1st rounder 5th overall). Gauthier just got 2G and 10A in the WJC tourney.

Would like to see KFC pull off a trade like that to get a good young F.

Edit- Guess I'm late to the party.