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?
- boilermaker100

Beat me to it.

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.
- Chunk

I'm glad KD brought these 3 back and the team continues to build for the short term and long term instead of just tearing it down.

I was worried they wouldn't bring Mrazek back and look to trade him at the deadline. Early returns indicate that Soderblom may (very big MAY) have turned the corner, in his last 3 games he's had a save % above .900. They're 3 losses, but the Hawks were shut out twice.

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?
- boilermaker100

If they loan #27 to a Euro team I'd imagine he'd be done for the season, which isn't necessarily wrong or right. My guess, the Hawks would rather send him to Rockford than Europe, if they had to choose between those 2 options.

I'll wait for someone else to report it because he's come out with stuff before that wasn’t true.
- BetweenTheDots

On the Hawk's site: https://www.nhl.com/black...zek-to-two-year-extension

ESPN had the cap hit slightly higher (to be overly technical - it was 4.25 mil, not 4), same as 16's I think.

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.
- RickJ

Rick, I think much of Hedman's success is due to that he's a very very good athlete to go along with his size/skill, skating and IQ. No holes in his game or physical/mental make up.

And I didn't realize Keith had so many more pts than Bouwmeester. Bouw had size/skating over Keith, maybe skill too but it's close, and of course Keith played on 3 cup winners and as a whole much better teams than Bouwmeester played for.

I just think Hedman is the gold standard but very much agree coaching/systems, especially Dmen, have a whole lot to do with Dmen reaching their offensive ceiling.

Edit: To my eye not one of the rookie Dmen in the Bigs show any hesitancy about jumping in or being aggressive. To me that says they are indeed being allowed to be aggressive and fix/coach up any flaws that that style brings to their particular games....... In other words, I do like how the D kids are being coached.

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

Trade him to Anaheim for Sykura.

Rick, I think much of Hedman's success is due to that he's a very very good athlete to go along with his size/skill, skating and IQ. No holes in his game or physical/mental make up.

And I didn't realize Keith had so many more pts than Bouwmeester. Bouw had size/skating over Keith, maybe skill too but it's close, and of course Keith played on 3 cup winners and as a whole much better teams than Bouwmeester played for.

I just think Hedman is the gold standard but very much agree coaching/systems, especially Dmen, have a whole lot to do with Dmen reaching their offensive ceiling.
- Mr Ricochet

It would be something if Vlasic could add to his already very very good defensive play, let's keep in mind it took Hedman about 4 years in the league before his offensive hockey IQ took off. I'm not saying i agree with Rick but on the other hand kids got 10 points in 40 games. Considering his supporting cast, his outlet passes and so on i can see him at least a 40 point dman once he settles in and actual top 6 forwards start playing on this team.

I'm glad KD brought these 3 back and the team continues to build for the short term and long term instead of just tearing it down.

I was worried they wouldn't bring Mrazek back and look to trade him at the deadline. Early returns indicate that Soderblom may (very big MAY) have turned the corner, in his last 3 games he's had a save % above .900. They're 3 losses, but the Hawks were shut out twice.
- DarthKane

No doubt, the eye test shows a much less scrambly every play is an adventure Soderblom. Seems to me it starts with his reads being much better allowing for a more prepared goalie for what's next in the sequence.

And, if this keeps up especially so, it shows me Soderblom might have a little something between the ears. He was lost man, lost, and within a few weeks time he's putting up serviceable stats and passing the eye test doing so.

I still think the undrafted Soderblom tops out as a lower level backup but he's a goalie, so you never know. Look at Lyon and Daccord playing good NHL hockey right now.

On the Hawk's site: https://www.nhl.com/black...zek-to-two-year-extension

ESPN had the cap hit slightly higher (to be overly technical - it was 4.25 mil, not 4), same as 16's I think.
- SC116

Thanks, now i believe it.

If you go back at Hedman stats he really didn't become the offensive force he is today until about 26 years old.

When we are on the PP i feel way more comfortable with Vlasic out there. I trust him much more than Seth Jones.

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.
- breadbag

And his skating/balance allows his frame/reach to be even more effective. ... Not many, if any, 6ft 6in Dmen skate like Vlasic. Add IQ and skating to that equation and you've got something rare.

It would be something if Vlasic could add to his already very very good defensive play, let's keep in mind it took Hedman about 4 years in the league before his offensive hockey IQ took off. I'm not saying i agree with Rick but on the other hand kids got 10 points in 40 games. Considering his supporting cast, his outlet passes and so on i can see him at least a 40 point dman once he settles in and actual top 6 forwards start playing on this team.
- BetweenTheDots

Today, this is where I land on Vlasic in much the same way as a Bouwmeester. 40 pts with 2nd unit PP and PK time too leading the Dmen in TOI.. And yes, bigger players, especially Dmen, take longer to hit their ceiling. Generally speaking per Dobber, a Vlasic would start to hit his ceiling around 350 games. 4ish yrs.

When we are on the PP i feel way more comfortable with Vlasic out there. I trust him much more than Seth Jones.
- BetweenTheDots

I like the 2 Dman PP. Like the idea of Vlasic getting NHL reps on the PP cuz we know KK will........ I'd add the PP has had much more zone time, possession and puck movement since Bedard has been out.

They have the PP run thru an 18 yr old who faced an overload on him without many options as he's figuring it out. Tough for the kid but with enough reps he'll figure it out.

When we are on the PP i feel way more comfortable with Vlasic out there. I trust him much more than Seth Jones.
- BetweenTheDots

Well, he is out there on the PP with Jones. Maybe that makes them both a bit better?

It sucks that Jones can't be a monster by himself (especially with that contract), but if Vlasic helps him unlock the offense and settle them both in their own end, at least that is a win.

I think Vlasic is going to be taking some pointers from Bedard this summer on his breakaways.

Well, he is out there on the PP with Jones. Maybe that makes them both a bit better?

It sucks that Jones can't be a monster by himself (especially with that contract), but if Vlasic helps him unlock the offense and settle them both in their own end, at least that is a win.

I think Vlasic is going to be taking some pointers from Bedard this summer on his breakaways.

- Chunk

Don't know about you, Chunk, but in the last handful of games there were stretches I thought to myself this is as good as I've seen Jones as a Hawk. And little doubt having Vlasic as a partner has a lot to do with that.

Dude does have a big shot and although he has hands of stone and questionable IQ his feet allow him to get into rushes as a 4th attacker. He'll mangle most feeds to him at pace but if he just shovels pucks to the net, who knows.