Wow...... Rarified air is Hedman who I'd guess will go down as the best all around Dman of his generation. Nothing this dude could not do and do at an elite level.

I see a Jay Bouwmeester type with Vlasic. The exquisite skating being the common denominator followed by both being big dudes although Vlasic is a couple inches taller....... I finally looked at Bouwmeester's numbers and like the comparison better since. Forgot Jay B hit 40+ points 3 times while always taking the oppositions best..........https://www.hockeydb.com/...ts/pdisplay.php?pid=46419

You see Vlassic resembling Bouwmeester at all, Rick?
- Mr Ricochet

Yes Bouwmeester is a good one for comparison purposes, but any offence JBo had in him was squelched out of him by coaches like Jacques Martin, Pete Deboer, Ken Hitchcock, Berube and Mike Yeo. He did turn into a very good defensive defenceman but I think he could have been much more.

I;m not saying Vlasic is going to be Hedman, but I would like the development people to give him enough leash to try. He needs to pack some more bulk on his frame but there is so much I see in his game that I really like. Unfortunately he is playing with a team made up of so many minor leaguers right now.

Yes Bouwmeester is a good one for comparison purposes, but any offence JBo had in him was squelched out of him by coaches like Jacques Martin, Pete Deboer, Ken Hitchcock, Berube and Mike Yeo. He did turn into a very good defensive defenceman but I think he could have been much more.

I;m not saying Vlasic is going to be Hedman, but I would like the development people to give him enough leash to try. He needs to pack some more bulk on his frame but there is so much I see in his game that I really like. Unfortunately he is playing with a team made up of so many minor leaguers right now.
- RickJ

I also think Vlasic has a more physical side to his game than Bouwmeester.

No problem boss, black or with cream?
- paulr

You still can't remember I take my coffee black? (frank)ing lackeys.....

Lackey's Lackey the modern day Assistant to the Assistant Regional Manager

Honestly, I don't think you should expect him to be the next Victor Hedman or close to it. With all respect to Vlasic, I don't think that is probable given his body of work so far. He has shown he can play in a top pair at the NHL level and play well defensively and overall decent, but

"every indication of being capable of assuming the Hawks #1 Dman role for years to come."

To be that's putting a bit too much expectation on his shoulders. I would say he is giving indications of being a good #2 guy for the hawks future core. He would really have to keep stepping up his game a lot to be in the same class as Hedman.

There is not much to suggest that he will suddenly have a surge in offensive production/ability/skill that would put him on that path. He is having a great year and solid showing as a regular playing a lot of minutes.
- breadbag

Not that a player can't out perform his history as a prospect but yea, Vlasic would have to take some very big leaps to do so. ...... I saw the kid live with the NTDP for at least a handfull of games and he never showed a desire to skate it up, be a 4th attacker or get especially involved below the dots. He seemed to take small leaps in that regard at Boston U.

Looking at his yr in 10 game increments this yr I see bigger leaps offensively, I mean offensively minded not points, than in jrs over a full yr. Suggests we have a ways to go to find his ceiling, what that is is the question. Seeing him this yr I'd have to change what I thought about him offensively going back 4-5 yrs to his jrs days.

Either way with each passing game it looks more and more like the organIzation has struck gold with Vlasic. ........ The 2 games vs McDavid sold me hook line and sinker on Vlasic. The kid's skating allowed him to use his crazy reach to pretty much frame McD and damn near neutralize him as best as any human can.

I also think Vlasic has a more physical side to his game than Bouwmeester.
- paulr

Agreed, Bouwmeester definitely wasn;t a baggage smasher, Played his whole career at about 200 lbs about where Vlasic is now.

2 defenceman out of the 2002 draft played 1200+ games - J Bo and Duncan Keith.

Yes Bouwmeester is a good one for comparison purposes, but any offence JBo had in him was squelched out of him by coaches like Jacques Martin, Pete Deboer, Ken Hitchcock, Berube and Mike Yeo. He did turn into a very good defensive defenceman but I think he could have been much more.

I;m not saying Vlasic is going to be Hedman, but I would like the development people to give him enough leash to try. He needs to pack some more bulk on his frame but there is so much I see in his game that I really like. Unfortunately he is playing with a team made up of so many minor leaguers right now.
- RickJ

You make good point about the coaching, Rick. Indeed, thinking big and coaching Vlasic to that should allow him to find his ceiling. It would be easy to look at Vlasic as a prototypical huge defensive defenseman and coach him to that... As I posted earlier I really do see jumps offensively this yr in 10 game increments.

He seems more and more comfortable carrying the puck up. Earlier he'd skate it up once every couple games or jump in as a 4th attacker. Now we see it damn near every game and he does so responsibly..... And on the PP. The first game without KK and Jones he was pressed into manning the point on the #1 PP and as I watched I felt bad for the kid. He was obviously over matched and just 10 games later the kid looks like he belongs to an extent.

No doubt, there is more in there. And your point about the coaching is gonna have a big determining factor on what his offensive ceiling ends up being as you pointed out with Bouwmeester.

Kevin Weekes is reporting the Hawks have re-signed Mrazek to a 2 year deal with a $4 million AAV.
- DarthKane

Of all the possible rehire possibilities I'd count Mrazak even with D!ckenson as most important. ... A team/prospects in most phases of a rebuild, especially early, without solid to good goaltending will to some extent get stunted.

And the window of 2 yrs, plus this one, allows them to give Commesso as much time in the AHL as they think he needs. .... Love this resign.

You make good point about the coaching, Rick. Indeed, thinking big and coaching Vlasic to that should allow him to find his ceiling. It would be easy to look at Vlasic as a prototypical huge defensive defenseman and coach him to that... As I posted earlier I really do see jumps offensively this yr in 10 game increments.

He seems more and more comfortable carrying the puck up. Earlier he'd skate it up once every couple games or jump in as a 4th attacker. Now we see it damn near every game and he does so responsibly..... And on the PP. The first game without KK and Jones he was pressed into manning the point on the #1 PP and as I watched I felt bad for the kid. He was obviously over matched and just 10 games later the kid looks like he belongs to an extent.

No doubt, there is more in there. And your point about the coaching is gonna have a big determining factor on what his offensive ceiling ends up being as you pointed out with Bouwmeester.
- Mr Ricochet

I always thought Duncan Keith & Bouwmeester were really, really good defenceman but never super elite because they fell a little short in the offensive categories. But in virtually the same number of career games played, Keith put up 200+ points more than Bouwmeester - pretty big difference.

Now Viktor Hedman so far has played about 200 games less than those guys and he is already at about Keith`s total points. So what`s the reason for that - pure talent, coaches letting him play without a rigid system or the fact Hedman has much better forward talent to play with that allows him to better accumulate ponts. I suggest a little of each.

Of all the possible rehire possibilities I'd count Mrazak even with D!ckenson as most important. ... A team/prospects in most phases of a rebuild, especially early, without solid to good goaltending will to some extent get stunted.

And the window of 2 yrs, plus this one, allows them to give Commesso as much time in the AHL as they think he needs. .... Love this resign.
- Mr Ricochet

After re-signing probably less likely that he is traded………at least not this trade deadline

Not that a player can't out perform his history as a prospect but yea, Vlasic would have to take some very big leaps to do so. ...... I saw the kid live with the NTDP for at least a handfull of games and he never showed a desire to skate it up, be a 4th attacker or get especially involved below the dots. He seemed to take small leaps in that regard at Boston U.

Looking at his yr in 10 game increments this yr I see bigger leaps offensively, I mean offensively minded not points, than in jrs over a full yr. Suggests we have a ways to go to find his ceiling, what that is is the question. Seeing him this yr I'd have to change what I thought about him offensively going back 4-5 yrs to his jrs days.

Either way with each passing game it looks more and more like the organIzation has struck gold with Vlasic. ........ The 2 games vs McDavid sold me hook line and sinker on Vlasic. The kid's skating allowed him to use his crazy reach to pretty much frame McD and damn near neutralize him as best as any human can.
- Mr Ricochet

He does use his reach and frame really effectively to keep guy to the outside and disrupt plays. I hope we can keep him in the fold long term for sure.

I had totally forgotten that Mrazek is only 31.

All three of these 2 year contracts are very shrewd moves by KD. Massive amount of flexibility regarding when/if to trade or resign again. None of them could ever get a better payday elsewhere.

And what these vets that resigned are doing is meaningful IMO, too, as far as their legacy in the NHL.

Players and commenters can talk all day about how the only goal is to win a cup, but I have no doubt that many players, if not most, are fine earning umpteen million over their careers and having an awesome care-free life start before their 40th birthday.

Soderblom in the net tonight. Reichel still sitting. Tinordi in for Phillips.

https://twitter.com/BenPo...amp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Soderblom in the net tonight. Reichel still sitting. Tinordi in for Phillips.

https://twitter.com/BenPo...amp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
- boilermaker100

Interesting. I thought Crevier struggled the most last game. Maybe because Crevier is a RD and Tinordi is a natural LD?

I'm calling Donato getting one against his former team and Pitlik getting his first as a Hawk.

It will be interesting to see if the offense can get on the board this game (how sad is that to say?).

Foligno re-signed - 2 years
D!ckinson re-signed - 2 years
Mrazek re-signed - 2 years

It looks like the rebuild will take at least 2 more years. I would expect improvement during those 2 years, but the team won't be contending until then.

Also, I have to say that I've been impressed with Katchouk since he returned. He's a bottom 6 forward creating excitement and driving the play when he's on the ice. He's averaged 1:41 of PK time per game which is only behind D!ckinson, Blackwell and Foligno amongst the forwards. He's also averaging 12:34 in total ice time which is a career high.

I think there's a 50/50 chance Katchouk is brought back next season, but I hope he is. I think there's a role he can fill in the bottom 6 (likely bottom 3), but I'm not sure how the organization sees him.

Soderblom in the net tonight. Reichel still sitting. Tinordi in for Phillips.

https://twitter.com/BenPo...amp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet
- boilermaker100

I'd let Reichel sit for a few games, hopefully that triggers something within him to shoot the puck more.

It makes sense to play Soderblom tonight against Seattle and Mrazek tomorrow against Edmonton. Watch the Hawks end the Oilers winning streak, just because that's hockey.

Interesting. I thought Crevier struggled the most last game. Maybe because Crevier is a RD and Tinordi is a natural LD?

I'm calling Donato getting one against his former team and Pitlik getting his first as a Hawk.

It will be interesting to see if the offense can get on the board this game (how sad is that to say?).
- Chunk

The Blackhawks "One Goal" slogan has never been more fitting.

I had totally forgotten that Mrazek is only 31.

All three of these 2 year contracts are very shrewd moves by KD. Massive amount of flexibility regarding when/if to trade or resign again. None of them could ever get a better payday elsewhere.

And what these vets that resigned are doing is meaningful IMO, too, as far as their legacy in the NHL.

Players and commenters can talk all day about how the only goal is to win a cup, but I have no doubt that many players, if not most, are fine earning umpteen million over their careers and having an awesome care-free life start before their 40th birthday.
- GreenJeans

Trade bait for the 2026 trade deadline

The Blackhawks "One Goal" slogan has never been more fitting.
- DarthKane

Per week.

I'd let Reichel sit for a few games, hopefully that triggers something within him to shoot the puck more.

It makes sense to play Soderblom tonight against Seattle and Mrazek tomorrow against Edmonton. Watch the Hawks end the Oilers winning streak, just because that's hockey.
- DarthKane

Agree. Was reading in The Athletic that they don't want to send him to RFD, so what else is left?

Alex Formenton has been given an indefinite leave of absence from his Swiss club. Another 2018 Canadian WJC member.

Agree. Was reading in The Athletic that they don't want to send him to RFD, so what else is left?
- HawkintheD

The gallows!

Foligno re-signed - 2 years
D!ckinson re-signed - 2 years
Mrazek re-signed - 2 years

It looks like the rebuild will take at least 2 more years. I would expect improvement during those 2 years, but the team won't be contending until then.

Also, I have to say that I've been impressed with Katchouk since he returned. He's a bottom 6 forward creating excitement and driving the play when he's on the ice. He's averaged 1:41 of PK time per game which is only behind D!ckinson, Blackwell and Foligno amongst the forwards. He's also averaging 12:34 in total ice time which is a career high.

I think there's a 50/50 chance Katchouk is brought back next season, but I hope he is. I think there's a role he can fill in the bottom 6 (likely bottom 3), but I'm not sure how the organization sees him.
- DarthKane

Could be, but it's all a work in progress, no? There have been cases of a young team all of a sudden gelling and going on a run (provided they have enough talent). If you look at the production of Foligno, D!ckinson, and Mrazek, their AAV's are pretty much inline with the market right now considering their production. Foligno is probably a bit high considering his age and on contending teams closer to the cap, he'd have to take a discount to play there.

I'm happy to hear that they like the direction of the Hawks. I'm sure the extra scratch is a big reason for the re-signings, but there is something to be said for them willingly sticking around when they know it is a tall task forth the team to compete. That they see and like the direction of the club is a really good sign. If they expected the situation to be miserable, they'd be much less inclined to stick around (at least that would be the case from my perspective). All three could have likely gotten contracts with more competitive teams next year.

Agree. Was reading in The Athletic that they don't want to send him to RFD, so what else is left?
- HawkintheD

I think Reichel's problem is between his ears. Maybe he is home sick. Can he be loaned to a Euro team while the Hawks retain his rights?

Agree. Was reading in The Athletic that they don't want to send him to RFD, so what else is left?
- HawkintheD

Honestly, I don't have a problem with them having Reichel figure it out at the top level. He'll watch for a few games come back in and try to improve. If there was ever a year to do it, this is it.

Hopefully he takes advantage of the All Star break to work on his game, his shot, whatever to get back to the guy he was at the end of last year. I really think that it's all between the ears with him right now. He's got some good resources around him to help out.