Going back to the defense discussion, is it just me, or does it seem like Zaitsev is playing a decent simple game, not noticing him much these days, in a good way. No need for a face puncher in the NHL in 2024, just waive Tinordi when Jones returns to the lineup.
- Angotti

Good observation and analysis. I had Zaitsev possibly turning out that way in the back of my mind; I wanted to see if he continued to show an in lineup once Jones returned. I also want to see if Zaitsev would rotate in out of lineup with a Phillips and or Crevier

My latest guess is to agree with poster who figures Phillips back to the Rock when Jones returns


Here is something else to look think about. Richardinson has around 20 goals come trade deadline and Mrzak has continued his stellar work. If not separately then certainly together they are worth a first round choice. Dallas is just one trade partner; Colorado, New Jersey, Carolina among other teams maybe interested

Why would KD trade both? One possibility is that he wants a top two overalll choice so he is guaranteed a top line calibre forward. He cannot forecast how the lottery balls turn out. Yet KD could entice with three first round picks and even our own second round. What would it take to get a credible top gun to play on Bedard line or to complement his line

Sure future year add a free agent…. When time is right… .no better time most likely than NOW when KD may have assets to barter insofar as to land Celebrini or Eiserman. Both would be good fit in Chicago

Don’t worry about loosing your gold nuggets aka first round draft choices because you have another first round in ‘25 Entry Draft. We may not have opportunity to draft as coveted a forward prospect in a later drafts

Good observation and analysis. I had Zaitsev possibly turning out that way in the back of my mind; I wanted to see if he continued to show an in lineup once Jones returned. I also want to see if Zaitsev would rotate in out of lineup with a Phillips and or Crevier

My latest guess is to agree with poster who figures Phillips back to the Rock when Jones returns


Here is something else to look think about. Richardinson has around 20 goals come trade deadline and Mrzak has continued his stellar work. If not separately then certainly together they are worth a first round choice. Dallas is just one trade partner; Colorado, New Jersey, Carolina among other teams maybe interested

Why would KD trade both? One possibility is that he wants a top two overalll choice so he is guaranteed a top line calibre forward. He cannot forecast how the lottery balls turn out. Yet KD could entice with three first round picks and even our own second round. What would it take to get a credible top gun to play on Bedard line or to complement his line

Sure future year add a free agent…. When time is right… .no better time most likely than NOW when KD may have assets to barter insofar as to land Celebrini or Eiserman. Both would be good fit in Chicago

Don’t worry about loosing your gold nuggets aka first round draft choices because you have another first round in ‘25 Entry Draft. We may not have opportunity to draft as coveted a forward prospect in a later drafts
- jhawk59

You don't have to trade those 2 for the Hawks to be a bottom 5 team this year or next. The GM has already got the team well set-up to be flounder again next year.

Believe what I read was 4-6 weeks.
- HawkintheD

Broken jaw is normally 4-6 weeks but can extend beyond that bested on severity and any surgery. Do we know if he had surgery? I had a hairline fracture in my jaw years ago that didn’t require surgery but I got awfully sick of eating soup and oatmeal.

You don't have to trade those 2 for the Hawks to be a bottom 5 team this year or next. The GM has already got the team well set-up to be flounder again next year.
- LAHawk

Sure would prefer as good a guarantee to draft one of top two forwards in ‘24 draft

Believe what I read was 4-6 weeks.
- HawkintheD

Sit him for the rest of the season, that would be the prudent thing to do. Make sure he doesn't hit those performance bonuses and save all that glorious cap space.

I guess I am puzzled as to why Kyle would trade his goalie Mzarek or blooming all-star "Richardson."

There is no goalie in the system ready to supplant Mzarek.

and unless there is a secret trade /June UFA signing in place, the big forward either.

I figure the possible trade chips are the likes of Tyler Johnson or even new fan favorite Colin Blackwell, or a lesser lite defender whose contract is up who a Cup challenger desires for depth.

I am not sure they want to lose Mzarek.
It isn't like they make a gentlemen's agreement to trade him to a contender and then re-sign him, after he gets a taste of the "other side."

Many may say securing a replacement will do the trick, but it certainly doesn't inspire confidence to the rest of the group, or show that after the 2024 draft, that they are advancing the group towards their goal to be a up n comer.

Good luck thinking Frankie Nazar III and prospects are going to be the overnight difference.
The idea of surly veteran forwards should still be the emphasis, and the higher their scoring attributes the better, but more than anyone else the kid Bedsy has to see and feel there is advancement to the group.
He is a team guy no matter what, but I hardly think he is going to ignore steps back as helpful to winning.
He isn't the management, or coaching staff, but he is interested in moving his team forward.

Sit him for the rest of the season, that would be the prudent thing to do. Make sure he doesn't hit those performance bonuses and save all that glorious cap space.
- DarthKane

I WOULD also take it slow as he chomps on the but TO play again.
I believe that he lives to play the game, but medical prudence works to help build him into a stronger competitor and no reason he needs to take a chance, as we are not in the race for a playoff spot.

You don't have to trade those 2 for the Hawks to be a bottom 5 team this year or next. The GM has already got the team well set-up to be flounder again next year.
- LAHawk

If no improvements are made this summer and the goal next year is to tank again I’ll be just as irate as you are. I went into this season knowing what the game plan was. I expected KD was trying for another top pick in this years draft. Yes it’s been difficult to watch the play on the ice with Bedard’s magic being the exception. Another season of AHL players, has been journeymen while younger guys sit will be irritating. A big concern if they tank again is the culture the team takes on. Are the players there to win or to collect draft picks?

I hope the plan is to bolster next year’s lineup with homegrown prospects, maybe a trade for a youngish guy who may be part of the future nucleus, perhaps a UFA signing or two. Dump many of the guys who don’t belong in the NHL. And go into next season with the goal of winning games, not in winning draft lotteries.

Sit him for the rest of the season, that would be the prudent thing to do. Make sure he doesn't hit those performance bonuses and save all that glorious cap space.
- DarthKane

Richardson said that they are supposed to receive a timeline today. There were supposed to finish all their medical evaluations and let the staff know.

I guess I am puzzled as to why Kyle would trade his goalie Mzarek or blooming all-star "Richardson."

There is no goalie in the system ready to supplant Mzarek.

and unless there is a secret trade /June UFA signing in place, the big forward either.

I figure the possible trade chips are the likes of Tyler Johnson or even new fan favorite Colin Blackwell, or a lesser lite defender whose contract is up who a Cup challenger desires for depth.

I am not sure they want to lose Mzarek.
It isn't like they make a gentlemen's agreement to trade him to a contender and then re-sign him, after he gets a taste of the "other side."

Many may say securing a replacement will do the trick, but it certainly doesn't inspire confidence to the rest of the group, or show that after the 2024 draft, that they are advancing the group towards their goal to be a up n comer.

Good luck thinking Frankie Nazar III and prospects are going to be the overnight difference.
The idea of surly veteran forwards should still be the emphasis, and the higher their scoring attributes the better, but more than anyone else the kid Bedsy has to see and feel there is advancement to the group.
He is a team guy no matter what, but I hardly think he is going to ignore steps back as helpful to winning.
He isn't the management, or coaching staff, but he is interested in moving his team forward.
- wiz1901

I don’t care what the compensation is via trade for Mrzak and Richardinson because we should keep them
UNLESS
The objective is to maneuver for a top two overall in ‘24.
You can disagree but as I explained a few posts back I believe the best two top line forwards we could be in position to select the next few years are in the ‘24 draft

We would have to be bad AND win a top draft lottery choice probably ‘24 - ‘26 drafts. We may not be able to draft forwards as good as Celebrini and Eiserman due to our draft slot in future years

If no improvements are made this summer and the goal next year is to tank again I’ll be just as irate as you are. I went into this season knowing what the game plan was. I expected KD was trying for another top pick in this years draft. Yes it’s been difficult to watch the play on the ice with Bedard’s magic being the exception. Another season of AHL players, has been journeymen while younger guys sit will be irritating. A big concern if they tank again is the culture the team takes on. Are the players there to win or to collect draft picks?

I hope the plan is to bolster next year’s lineup with homegrown prospects, maybe a trade for a youngish guy who may be part of the future nucleus, perhaps a UFA signing or two. Dump many of the guys who don’t belong in the NHL. And go into next season with the goal of winning games, not in winning draft lotteries.
- paulr

If he can get healthy and show as well as he did this preseason, I'd have to think that Dach sticks next year. The coaches seemed to rave about his progress. Beyond him, there is a chance with Nazar depending on how confident they are in his ability to step up the NHL, and maybe if they get a top two pick in the next draft.

It would also be nice if the team would put forth games like last night when the higher talent guys filter back into the lineup.

Phillip's fancies are horrible but when you watch him does the eye test match up with the fancies? It does not at all for me and I'll zero in on him for whole shifts.

I see an upside with Phillips as a poor man's K'Andre Miller. ..... Why not give him the NHL reps over Tinordi or Zaitsev?
- Mr Ricochet

Eye test is he's okayish. Times he looks fine others he looks not fine. I think Miller is a stretch. Maybe a 12-15 minute won't kill you type player. Seems like he's been kind of a project. For all the whinging about developing guys and taking their time it seems like being cautious with him and not overly traumatizing would appeal to most here.

He's tall and can skate. I think his floor is NHL player - ceiling not especially high. They have a lot of guys who fit that mold at this point. Maybe they want him watching more so they can point out what not to do.

I think at this stage theyre trying to have some consistency somewhere and maybe showcase guys. Tinordi is certainly expendable and not a guy to keep around long term. If he keeps accumulating points maybe they can pawn him off to Toronto which I think would provide a lot of entertainment of the folks on this board.

Maybe Zaitsev has expressed interest in proving himself and they want to try to do right for those veterans before the TDL and you'll see Philips take on a bigger role towards the end of the year.

Somebody needs to remind Korchinski that he is a horse out there and that he has all of the speed in the world to bring the puck up and in on power plays. The drop passes in the neutral zone (or worse, in their zone) are predictable and so vanilla compared to his capabilities. (I know he is 19, but this is part of his game that I cannot wait to see come alive with age, maturity, and confidence)
Vlasic brought the puck up and got it deep a few times in Edmonton's zone; it was awesome to see.

If McDavid hits FA when his current contract is up, the Hawks should offer him a blank check and tell him to write the #. What a monster.
- frafra

Kid deferring. Just needs to grow up.

If no improvements are made this summer and the goal next year is to tank again I’ll be just as irate as you are. I went into this season knowing what the game plan was. I expected KD was trying for another top pick in this years draft. Yes it’s been difficult to watch the play on the ice with Bedard’s magic being the exception. Another season of AHL players, has been journeymen while younger guys sit will be irritating. A big concern if they tank again is the culture the team takes on. Are the players there to win or to collect draft picks?

I hope the plan is to bolster next year’s lineup with homegrown prospects, maybe a trade for a youngish guy who may be part of the future nucleus, perhaps a UFA signing or two. Dump many of the guys who don’t belong in the NHL. And go into next season with the goal of winning games, not in winning draft lotteries.
- paulr

Agreed there.

I don’t care what the compensation is via trade for Mrzak and Richardinson because we should keep them
UNLESS
The objective is to maneuver for a top two overall in ‘24.
You can disagree but as I explained a few posts back I believe the best two top line forwards we could be in position to select the next few years are in the ‘24 draft

We would have to be bad AND win a top draft lottery choice probably ‘24 - ‘26 drafts. We may not be able to draft forwards as good as Celebrini and Eiserman due to our draft slot in future years
- jhawk59

The goaltending will be bad enough and probably another 1 or two rookies on the blue line so theyre going to bleed goals some games. Probably a top 10 pick in the year after next's draft BUT they should also be competitive and not like an amateur team.

If he can get healthy and show as well as he did this preseason, I'd have to think that Dach sticks next year. The coaches seemed to rave about his progress. Beyond him, there is a chance with Nazar depending on how confident they are in his ability to step up the NHL, and maybe if they get a top two pick in the next draft.

It would also be nice if the team would put forth games like last night when the higher talent guys filter back into the lineup.
- Chunk

Dach, Nazar, someone they traded for and a couple of UFAs would sure make this team look different. And to play a hard game like they did the last two games would require some harder to play against types like possibly Dach and a UFA or two.

Also it would be nice to see a more competitive lineup so LAHawk will stop being so miserable.

Sarcasm?
- ObeseOprah

About as sarcastic as your hatred of Murphy. Reichel looked good last night, loosened up and flashed some of his talent, but I've yet to see any respectable level of compete in his game.

Dach, Nazar, someone they traded for and a couple of UFAs would sure make this team look different. And to play a hard game like they did the last two games would require some harder to play against types like possibly Dach and a UFA or two.

Also it would be nice to see a more competitive lineup so LAHawk will stop being so miserable.
- paulr

Amen all the way around what you say

Broken jaw is normally 4-6 weeks but can extend beyond that bested on severity and any surgery. Do we know if he had surgery? I had a hairline fracture in my jaw years ago that didn’t require surgery but I got awfully sick of eating soup and oatmeal.
- paulr

What I heard yesterday from a friend is that apparently he had surgery on Monday and he had a fracture on both sides of his jaw.

If no improvements are made this summer and the goal next year is to tank again I’ll be just as irate as you are. I went into this season knowing what the game plan was. I expected KD was trying for another top pick in this years draft. Yes it’s been difficult to watch the play on the ice with Bedard’s magic being the exception. Another season of AHL players, has been journeymen while younger guys sit will be irritating. A big concern if they tank again is the culture the team takes on. Are the players there to win or to collect draft picks?

I hope the plan is to bolster next year’s lineup with homegrown prospects, maybe a trade for a youngish guy who may be part of the future nucleus, perhaps a UFA signing or two. Dump many of the guys who don’t belong in the NHL. And go into next season with the goal of winning games, not in winning draft lotteries.
- paulr

I think somewhat similar.

The goal for next season should be to see more of those young guys start to make an impact and improvement from within. If there is a trade to be made that makes hockey sense, sure make it, but I really hope they don't try to force it. There is no reason to try to rush and screw it all up IMO.

I think we've been seeing the culture shift but it's not an overnight process. Davidson has already said that this TDL won't be a fire sale, the draft picks we have just need time to actually be NHL ready so that the team can actually improve organically and not become a flash in the pan team that has 1 or 2 good seasons before being back in the middle of the pack again.

About as sarcastic as your hatred of Murphy. Reichel looked good last night, loosened up and flashed some of his talent, but I've yet to see any respectable level of compete in his game.
- Dieselhead

I can't imagine they are going to get much for Reichel if they trade him now. Two likely possibilities are he's in a sophomore slump or he's a bust. They probably will have to ride this out and see which it is.

I don’t care what the compensation is via trade for Mrzak and Richardinson because we should keep them
UNLESS
The objective is to maneuver for a top two overall in ‘24.
You can disagree but as I explained a few posts back I believe the best two top line forwards we could be in position to select the next few years are in the ‘24 draft

We would have to be bad AND win a top draft lottery choice probably ‘24 - ‘26 drafts. We may not be able to draft forwards as good as Celebrini and Eiserman due to our draft slot in future years
- jhawk59

I still think for guys like #16 and #34, a bit part is do they want to be here past this year? That's the big factor to me. If they want to remain in Chicago, sure resign them to reasonable deals. If they ask too much or obviously plan to test UFA market, then I hope KD listens to offers on them.

Eye test is he's okayish. Times he looks fine others he looks not fine. I think Miller is a stretch. Maybe a 12-15 minute won't kill you type player. Seems like he's been kind of a project. For all the whinging about developing guys and taking their time it seems like being cautious with him and not overly traumatizing would appeal to most here.

He's tall and can skate. I think his floor is NHL player - ceiling not especially high. They have a lot of guys who fit that mold at this point. Maybe they want him watching more so they can point out what not to do.

I think at this stage theyre trying to have some consistency somewhere and maybe showcase guys. Tinordi is certainly expendable and not a guy to keep around long term. If he keeps accumulating points maybe they can pawn him off to Toronto which I think would provide a lot of entertainment of the folks on this board.

Maybe Zaitsev has expressed interest in proving himself and they want to try to do right for those veterans before the TDL and you'll see Philips take on a bigger role towards the end of the year.
- fattybeef

Does it matter what Tinordi and Zaitsev (remember Zaitsev cleared waivers last year, and the Hawks picked up Tinordi on waivers) do over the next 2 months? Think other teams pro scouts do not already know what they are? Do you think a 10-15 game "good stretch" is going to cause a playoff team to give you more than chattel for them? Besides, you would definitely have to retain to move Zaitsev.

Flyers have already come out and said they are willing to retain on Walker and Seeler. Savard is available from the Canadiens , Barrie, Bovquist, De Angelo are some of the other defenseman available at the trade deadline. I do not see Zaitsev/Tinordi being in the top 15 available defenseman that a bubble or playoff team are looking to acquire for depth.

Dach, Nazar, someone they traded for and a couple of UFAs would sure make this team look different. And to play a hard game like they did the last two games would require some harder to play against types like possibly Dach and a UFA or two.

Also it would be nice to see a more competitive lineup so LAHawk will stop being so miserable.
- paulr

Just no free-agent signings that are overpays for the sole purpose to get to the cap floor. Lets see where the GM spends his $30 million.

I still think for guys like #16 and #34, a bit part is do they want to be here past this year? That's the big factor to me. If they want to remain in Chicago, sure resign them to reasonable deals. If they ask too much or obviously plan to test UFA market, then I hope KD listens to offers on them.
- breadbag

Mrazek would have no problem resigning:

https://sports.yahoo.com/...eves-trade-185542988.html