Soderblom will be our vezina winner in short order…..

Shouldn’t even be on a nhl roster

Makes sense you tuned into that CHL Prospect game, totem. I caught 30:00 of the game. The kid who tied it at 1 was a big kid, good shot and seemed balanced on the play....... Catton looked small. .. Real shame Lindstrom is injured and couldn't play.

Anything else catch your eye?
- Mr Ricochet

Missed the first half and looks like there is no replay. Catton is sliding down the boards a little, he did use his speed to draw a penalty.... if he gets into the mid-teens maybe get him on a trade up from the Tampa pick. Curious to see Wiz's new rankings.....

Soderblom will be our vezina winner in short order…..

Shouldn’t even be on a nhl roster
- bigfly46

To be fair -- you shouldn't have to expect to make a save from your idiot highest paid defenseman doing a stunt that gets you yelled at in beer league and below ... although it was a nice deflection by Vlasic (if unfortunate) ... it should never have been a pass attempt - so I mean there is that.


Entertaining as, though .... lol. Outshot the other team again... seeming like the shot differentials have trended more positively lately.

To be fair -- you shouldn't have to expect to make a save from your idiot highest paid defenseman doing a stunt that gets you yelled at in beer league and below ... although it was a nice deflection by Vlasic (if unfortunate) ... it should never have been a pass attempt - so I mean there is that.


Entertaining as, though .... lol. Outshot the other team again... seeming like the shot differentials have trended more positively lately.
- SC116

I thought the same thing, surprised Eddie didn't use it as a teaching point, but then again he had nothing but glowing remarks about the Blackhawks resigning Foligno.

It's amazing being able to actually see how overmatched this team is. I'm not complaining, but you can actually see how hard it is for these guys (especially the forwards) to process what is going on during play and how to react to the situations.

It's really noticeable in the neutral and offensive zones. It's like they are so excited to actually be there, they kind of panic and just shut down mentally. I counted six times where our players literally skated into each other last night.

It's unfortunate, but not unexpected. It will be exciting when the talent starts improving.

It's amazing being able to actually see how overmatched this team is. I'm not complaining, but you can actually see how hard it is for these guys (especially the forwards) to process what is going on during play and how to react to the situations.

It's really noticeable in the neutral and offensive zones. It's like they are so excited to actually be there, they kind of panic and just shut down mentally. I counted six times where our players literally skated into each other last night.

It's unfortunate, but not unexpected. It will be exciting when the talent starts improving.
- Chunk

What talent? You’ve seen Korbustsky haven’t you? And he was the most highly thought of.

Missed the first half and looks like there is no replay. Catton is sliding down the boards a little, he did use his speed to draw a penalty.... if he gets into the mid-teens maybe get him on a trade up from the Tampa pick. Curious to see Wiz's new rankings.....
- totem

As Zach Benson was falling outside the top 10 on draft day I was thinking the same exact thing. Will KD move up and draft the kid but he hung tough and Moore fell to him with the TB pick? ...... I was not prepared for this game. Didn't know it was last night until they were 5ish minutes in. Usually I go to twitter for line charts for a jrs game so I know who's who so I just watched instead of "scouting" the thing.

Button raved about Iginla's IQ and he too looked small to me. Really don't have much of an opinion but will say I don't put much stock in prospect games generally speaking. ...... The big kid who tied it at 1 looked interesting but other than that no real opinions.

Mr Richochet,

What is your take on the projection of our prospect Hayes to NHL. He has been given an extra look in training camp and may be the best goal scorer in the farm system. Looking at what he needs to improve upon, could he be a fast track? I am thinking starts next season at Rockford but if SOmEoNe shows they can score even in a brief call up, maybe he learns and grows/matures his while game for a longer NHl look. Is this realistic?

What kind of shot does he have - good? Good all around offensive skill set? Skating. I can go back and look at scouting report but I like to hear your eye test observation. I know you don’t see him as much now that he moved from USHL to major Junior
- jhawk59

J, I can't speak in depth, or answer pointed questions, about Gavin Hayes. Wiz would know more as he's scouting the league right now for the draft. I've watched maybe 3 periods of Flint and none of Soo where he's been traded. ... I will see more of the OHL and will post if I have a thought.

But I liked the 3rd rd pick usage on Hayes. 6ft 2in winger with a good shot, solid effort and skates fine. Looks like you hope a 20 yr old looks in jrs. Dominating as far as pts as a 19 and now 20 yr old.,

You need to draft well enough to get Hayes' in rd 3 and Lardis' in rd 4. Get enough of these in the pipeline and you'll get a couple NHLers who out perform where they were drafted and right now Hayes has a realistic chance of doing just that.

For the first time last night I thought Crevier was overmatched in the NHL. He's had rough nights for sure but the eye test showed an overmatched AHLer last night.

Finally got a Hogs stream last night but it only lasted a period. Small sample size but Kaiser looks his usual self and besides him I'd say Allen looked the closest to the NHL of the rest of the Dmen. He was paired with Del Mastro.

What talent? You’ve seen Korbustsky haven’t you? And he was the most highly thought of.
- paulr

I know! Screw that guy!!

Minus the sarcasm, I think he'll start to really pop when three things happen:

1) He develops more consistency. Within a single game you see where he goes from dialed in and engaged, to questioning what to do.

2) The forward talent improves. There is simply too much confusion up front to get a true evaluation of what he can do.

3) He better understands when to attack. He's shown on a few occasions that he can be dangerous carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating chances, or shooting the puck himself. He just tends to try and do it at inopportune times. Maybe this is why we all like Vlasic so much. He seems to know precisely when to take a chance and go by himself. It's provided him probably 6-10 really great scoring chances this year.

For the first time last night I thought Crevier was overmatched in the NHL. He's had rough nights for sure but the eye test showed an overmatched AHLer last night.

Finally got a Hogs stream last night but it only lasted a period. Small sample size but Kaiser looks his usual self and besides him I'd say Allen looked the closest to the NHL of the rest of the Dmen. He was paired with Del Mastro.
- Mr Ricochet

Crevier hasn't really looked like more than a 7th man fill in or AHL guy for the most part. I just don't think he has tools to get a regular minute player at the NHL level.

Nolan Allan has the potential to be a good defensive dman. Del Mastro taking some strides, I think these guys are going to leap frog Phillips and a few others and start to get a real shot to play some NHL games next season or two. It feels like the Hawks think highly of Kaiser, Allen, Del Mastro and just want them getting those minutes right now.

For the first time last night I thought Crevier was overmatched in the NHL. He's had rough nights for sure but the eye test showed an overmatched AHLer last night.

Finally got a Hogs stream last night but it only lasted a period. Small sample size but Kaiser looks his usual self and besides him I'd say Allen looked the closest to the NHL of the rest of the Dmen. He was paired with Del Mastro.
- Mr Ricochet

I was going to say the same about Crevier. Natural side be damned, I hope Phillips gets back in tonight.

I know! Screw that guy!!

Minus the sarcasm, I think he'll start to really pop when three things happen:

1) He develops more consistency. Within a single game you see where he goes from dialed in and engaged, to questioning what to do.

2) The forward talent improves. There is simply too much confusion up front to get a true evaluation of what he can do.

3) He better understands when to attack. He's shown on a few occasions that he can be dangerous carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating chances, or shooting the puck himself. He just tends to try and do it at inopportune times. Maybe this is why we all like Vlasic so much. He seems to know precisely when to take a chance and go by himself. It's provided him probably 6-10 really great scoring chances this year.
- Chunk

I think we can really highlight just how much the Hawks miss Bedard right now, not just for his shot but the simple fact that he is good at taking the puck from the defending zone and gaining the attacking zone with control. I think that will do wonders for a lot of the Hawks players when the team adds just a couple more players that are really good at getting the puck through the neutral zone. Back when the team was good, we had a lot of players who could carry it up ice quickly and efficiently. In time, I think Korchinski will more often "carry the mail" at times and take the puck up ice, help gain the zone. Take the pressure and turn it onto the opponent.

Nine minute video from NHL Draft Pros going into some detail on Bob McKenzie's January draft rankings. The narrator spends a lot of time on prospects who have risen in the rankings since September. This includes Cayden Lindstrom who McKenzie ranks at #5.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN4EEBUP0ag

Crevier hasn't really looked like more than a 7th man fill in or AHL guy for the most part. I just don't think he has tools to get a regular minute player at the NHL level.

Nolan Allan has the potential to be a good defensive dman. Del Mastro taking some strides, I think these guys are going to leap frog Phillips and a few others and start to get a real shot to play some NHL games next season or two. It feels like the Hawks think highly of Kaiser, Allen, Del Mastro and just want them getting those minutes right now.
- breadbag

What were we hoping for from a 7th rd pick? And how often do these kinds get NHL looks? ...... I liked Crevier's skating from first look acknowledging it still needs work. I liked how you can see he's been coached to use his stick/reach. I like that he's 6ft 8in.

Not the most appealing foundation but not without one. Like he's gotten NHL reps and to be an NHLer for a spell. Would love for him to hit the squat rack all summer long and come back to NHL camp next yr as a 23 yr old and see what his NHL reps and summer work have done for his game.

I think we can really highlight just how much the Hawks miss Bedard right now, not just for his shot but the simple fact that he is good at taking the puck from the defending zone and gaining the attacking zone with control. I think that will do wonders for a lot of the Hawks players when the team adds just a couple more players that are really good at getting the puck through the neutral zone. Back when the team was good, we had a lot of players who could carry it up ice quickly and efficiently. In time, I think Korchinski will more often "carry the mail" at times and take the puck up ice, help gain the zone. Take the pressure and turn it onto the opponent.
- breadbag

Thought I read recently that Bedard is top 10 or 20 in the NHL for controlled entries. For any 18 yr old to rank that high is simply amazing especially when you consider he's the focus of the opponent. .... To me that's much more IQ/feel/read than skill.

Really starting to feel like Soderblom is not thriving in this situation. Just seems like his confidence is going the wrong direction, he is doesn't look comfortable in the net and his results just continue to be below par. I've been here outlining that I think the team has not put him in a situation to succeed, because the situation with the rebuild is that the team isn't good in front of him, but just feel like they could do with a change to help him. Call up Stauber and give him some reps and maybe let Soberblom get some games in Rockford since he is still waiver exempt.

Neither goalie in Rockford has been too amazing, but I'm just thinking keep Commesso as the younger guy sheltered a bit and keep in playing in Rockford.

I know! Screw that guy!!

Minus the sarcasm, I think he'll start to really pop when three things happen:

1) He develops more consistency. Within a single game you see where he goes from dialed in and engaged, to questioning what to do.

2) The forward talent improves. There is simply too much confusion up front to get a true evaluation of what he can do.

3) He better understands when to attack. He's shown on a few occasions that he can be dangerous carrying the puck into the offensive zone and creating chances, or shooting the puck himself. He just tends to try and do it at inopportune times. Maybe this is why we all like Vlasic so much. He seems to know precisely when to take a chance and go by himself. It's provided him probably 6-10 really great scoring chances this year.
- Chunk

I noticed Korchinski’s defense is better when he isn’t taking every opportunity to lead a rush or pinch from the point. He’s picking his spots better and as a result is in position when the opposition transitions and begins a rush. Which, with this collection of talent is quite often. However he still gets caught standing around watching the play develop in his zone or worse starts chasing the puck around. I think it was Dots who said he breaks up allot of plays with his stick, obviously that’s something passed on from the coaches because he wasn’t doing it earlier. I hope to see him get more physical and get better at win more puck battles. On the offensive side I wish he’d look to shoot when he has the opportunity but that’s a rookie thing, unless your name is Connor Bedard.

Korchinski’s passing is very good now, imagine how good it will be when he has better players to work with who not only can get to open ice but can receive a pass more often than not.

Thought I read recently that Bedard is top 10 or 20 in the NHL for controlled entries. For any 18 yr old to rank that high is simply amazing especially when you consider he's the focus of the opponent. .... To me that's much more IQ/feel/read than skill.
- Mr Ricochet

Definitely, I just think even one or two more forwards who are "above average" at getting the puck through the neutral zone will make a big difference just because it gives options other than making 2 or 3 or 4 cute passes to try to make a play to just gain the zone. A couple more those guys who you get it on their stick and they excel at getting it up ice to transition to the attack.

I noticed Korchinski’s defense is better when he isn’t taking every opportunity to lead a rush or pinch from the point. He’s picking his spots better and as a result is in position when the opposition transitions and begins a rush. Which, with this collection of talent is quite often. However he still gets caught standing around watching the play develop in his zone or worse starts chasing the puck around. I think it was Dots who said he breaks up allot of plays with his stick, obviously that’s something passed on from the coaches because he wasn’t doing it earlier. I hope to see him get more physical and get better at win more puck battles. On the offensive side I wish he’d look to shoot when he has the opportunity but that’s a rookie thing, unless your name is Connor Bedard.

Korchinski’s passing is very good now, imagine how good it will be when he has better players to work with who not only can get to open ice but can receive a pass more often than not.
- paulr

One other thing that we lost since Joel Quenneville era with the team is some of the patience/poise with the puck from the blueliners. How many times when he was the coach would we see our D take a bit more time and if they didn't like their options, just go with another D to D pass to get a better passing lane. Maintain possession. I get that they want to move the puck quickly, that is the mantra, but I find a lot of our current D just fire a hot pass that forward can't contain because they are trying to force it, it ends up turned over before gaining the attacking zone and then the Hawks are back defending.

Really starting to feel like Soderblom is not thriving in this situation. Just seems like his confidence is going the wrong direction, he is doesn't look comfortable in the net and his results just continue to be below par. I've been here outlining that I think the team has not put him in a situation to succeed, because the situation with the rebuild is that the team isn't good in front of him, but just feel like they could do with a change to help him. Call up Stauber and give him some reps and maybe let Soberblom get some games in Rockford since he is still waiver exempt.

Neither goalie in Rockford has been too amazing, but I'm just thinking keep Commesso as the younger guy sheltered a bit and keep in playing in Rockford.
- breadbag

Unfortunately, there is no good solution here. Stauber has been pretty brutal in Rockford, and Soderblom has struggled up with the Hawks. I think they are just going to have to ride it out this year. Fully agree on Commesso. He likely will need to stay there for another year or two.

Definitely, I just think even one or two more forwards who are "above average" at getting the puck through the neutral zone will make a big difference just because it gives options other than making 2 or 3 or 4 cute passes to try to make a play to just gain the zone. A couple more those guys who you get it on their stick and they excel at getting it up ice to transition to the attack.
- breadbag

Very true. I'll add that it is nice to see that the forwards (the whole team really) has been more aggressive shooting the puck instead of deferring recently. Great to see the SOG increase. Now just get some more players who can consistently attack, and we'll really have something.

Really starting to feel like Soderblom is not thriving in this situation. Just seems like his confidence is going the wrong direction, he is doesn't look comfortable in the net and his results just continue to be below par. I've been here outlining that I think the team has not put him in a situation to succeed, because the situation with the rebuild is that the team isn't good in front of him, but just feel like they could do with a change to help him. Call up Stauber and give him some reps and maybe let Soberblom get some games in Rockford since he is still waiver exempt.

Neither goalie in Rockford has been too amazing, but I'm just thinking keep Commesso as the younger guy sheltered a bit and keep in playing in Rockford.
- breadbag

Soderblom fits well with what the Hawks need from a backup goalie right now. Firstly, give him an NHL look/audition to see if he has NHL upside. But maybe more importantly is protect Commesso as he develops. A Soderblom allows a Commesso to develop properly.

As we go he seemingly doesn't look to be an NHLer, but really too early to say, and he's simply cannon fodder. Takes some games to rest Mrazak and allows Commesso to stay in RKF.

I'm perfectly fine with bringing up 24 yr old undrafted Stauber and giving Soderblom some reset time in RKF. Stauber would be serving the same role as Soderblom that at minimum he's simply cannon fodder. He wasn't bad last night and IMO his last 3-4ish games he's been competent but if they sent him down I'm ok with it.

I noticed Korchinski’s defense is better when he isn’t taking every opportunity to lead a rush or pinch from the point. He’s picking his spots better and as a result is in position when the opposition transitions and begins a rush. Which, with this collection of talent is quite often. However he still gets caught standing around watching the play develop in his zone or worse starts chasing the puck around. I think it was Dots who said he breaks up allot of plays with his stick, obviously that’s something passed on from the coaches because he wasn’t doing it earlier. I hope to see him get more physical and get better at win more puck battles. On the offensive side I wish he’d look to shoot when he has the opportunity but that’s a rookie thing, unless your name is Connor Bedard.

Korchinski’s passing is very good now, imagine how good it will be when he has better players to work with who not only can get to open ice but can receive a pass more often than not.
- paulr

IIRC you were in the same camp I was with KK. Thought watching a bunch of him in jrs last yr that he was better off with another yr in jrs. But was open to him earning an NHL spot in camp and go from there. Keep him up as long as he wasn't overwhelmed. Just do no harm to his development by being in over his head in the Bigs.

Yep, he is picking his spots better and that is the benefit of NHL reps. A couple games back he took 2 one timers from the point. In Game 25 you didn't see that from him. Again, the benefit of NHL reps as he gets more comfortable at this level.

Sometimes you might have to squint to see incremental improvements from 19 yr old KK. Acknowledging he's more sheltered than any other Dman on the NHL roster I'm satisfied with his developmental path and his improvement as the yr goes on.

IIRC you were in the same camp I was with KK. Thought watching a bunch of him in jrs last yr that he was better off with another yr in jrs. But was open to him earning an NHL spot in camp and go from there. Keep him up as long as he wasn't overwhelmed. Just do no harm to his development by being in over his head in the Bigs.

Yep, he is picking his spots better and that is the benefit of NHL reps. A couple games back he took 2 one timers from the point. In Game 25 you didn't see that from him. Again, the benefit of NHL reps as he gets more comfortable at this level.

Sometimes you might have to squint to see incremental improvements from 19 yr old KK. Acknowledging he's more sheltered than any other Dman on the NHL roster I'm satisfied with his developmental path and his improvement as the yr goes on.
- Mr Ricochet

I'd love to be able to get him away from Megna. He looked much more sure of himself with Murphy.