With Reichel where I think it also comes down to him playing with some very non skill guys. I think him peeling off and looking for a pass would be better if he was playing with speedy skilled forwards who could find an open area, setup a cycle and start to move the puck around. He ends up right now playing with the more "meat and potato" dump and chase types like he is now, his style doesn't mesh well. It would be good to see him develop more of that willingness to lean on the defender, fight through a check and just use his speed. I think that's what LR is trying to bring out laying him where he is, but it's not happening. I don't know what will get him going, but he has only one shot on goal in his last 4 games. He started the year as one of our top shooters with 18 shots over the first 7 games. It's becoming sink or swim time for him depending on how much rope and time they are willing to have with him. Probably since the team is still 2-3 years from starting to be actually competitive, they might give him a good amount of rope, but who knows.
- breadbag

They still have some time (cap) money, and (roster) space next year to see if Reichel can be useful. Similar to what you are saying here, I think he can be a good complimentary piece, but he needs the right linemates.

Funny, that's the area where Richardson said he was doing everything they were asking of him.
- Chunk

Okay, then why healthy scratch him?

All things considered it's at least nice to see a lot of the prospects continuing to have decent seasons on the stat sheet. I'm not watching them play, but some notables.

Lardis (18 yr old) 5th in OHL goal scoring
Hayes (19 yr old) tie for 9th in OHL goal scoring
Ludwinski (19 yr old) decent OHL production

Some decent assist/setup production still coming from the prospects in the NCAA. Rinzel, Moore, Nazar, Greene all putting up some respectable assist/points and Slaggert putting some goals on the board.

There is some potential there with a few other guys in the system, some already in Rockford where it feels like the future is getting closer, even if it still a few years away.

Okay, then why healthy scratch him?
- BetweenTheDots

Per Richardson, it was to get him to see where he can be more effective offensively.

From the Sun Times a few days ago:

“Maybe [they will get] a different perspective looking down on the game,” Richardson said. “It looks a little easier. But then [it’s about] taking that perspective . . . and putting it into your game.”

Reichel’s demotion to the press box comes after he tallied just one assist in eight games since Bedard broke his jaw Jan. 5.

Reichel’s playing time, which surged to 18:39 and 19:40 on Jan. 5 and Jan. 7, has sagged to 13:03 and 11:18 in the last two games. He has tallied zero shots on goal in the last three games. On the season, he has three goals and six assists in 45 games.

Richardson doesn’t sound nearly as frustrated right now with the fashionable German forward as he was back on Dec. 3 in Minnesota — when he scratched Reichel for the first time this season — but the two of them did talk Monday morning.

“It’s not like he’s playing terrible defensively, but we need him to spark a little bit more offense and get that confidence going offensively,” Richardson said.

They still have some time (cap) money, and (roster) space next year to see if Reichel can be useful. Similar to what you are saying here, I think he can be a good complimentary piece, but he needs the right linemates.
- Chunk

Definitely it won't hurt the progress of the team to keep him around and keep trying for the next like two seasons. His value is gonna be down right now, so probably not a lot of value in moving him anyway.

Neat story on KK getting more comfortable on the PP:

https://chicago.suntimes....ments-nhl-luke-richardson

The Hawks’ severe teamwide scoring issues are weighing down everyone’s stats, though. And this season was never destined to be more than an adjustment season for Korchinski, who already checked off his biggest accomplishment by sticking on the NHL roster.

The Hawks kept him because they saw he wasn’t overwhelmed at this level and wouldn’t have his confidence dented by learning lessons by fire this season — lessons which should help him take bigger steps forward next season, when expectations will begin rising.

“He looks to me like he’s getting bigger and stronger and handling things defensively,” Richardson said. “If he had 40 points and he was struggling defensively, we’d be concerned. It’s the other way around, and . . . we know the offense will come.”

Blackhawks resign Zamboni driver to 2x$4.

Okay, then why healthy scratch him?
- BetweenTheDots

Because they want more offense from him. It has been mentioned here on numerous occasions, Reichel will not carry a line, he needs more skilled players to run with, hopefully next year.

Neat story on KK getting more comfortable on the PP:

https://chicago.suntimes....ments-nhl-luke-richardson

The Hawks’ severe teamwide scoring issues are weighing down everyone’s stats, though. And this season was never destined to be more than an adjustment season for Korchinski, who already checked off his biggest accomplishment by sticking on the NHL roster.

The Hawks kept him because they saw he wasn’t overwhelmed at this level and wouldn’t have his confidence dented by learning lessons by fire this season — lessons which should help him take bigger steps forward next season, when expectations will begin rising.

“He looks to me like he’s getting bigger and stronger and handling things defensively,” Richardson said. “If he had 40 points and he was struggling defensively, we’d be concerned. It’s the other way around, and . . . we know the offense will come.”
- Chunk

Imo, this is the most overlooked criteria for deciding whether to play a kid at the higher of two levels. Note to the class - I'm not saying physical ability and strength are unimportant.

Blackhawks resign Zamboni driver to 2x$4.
- rpeters01

Hopefully he doesn’t get scratched next game, better view of straight lines from the press box.

Blackhawks resign Zamboni driver to 2x$4.
- rpeters01

Is it a two-way contract?

Blackhawks resign Zamboni driver to 2x$4.
- rpeters01

Did he get a NMC?

All things considered it's at least nice to see a lot of the prospects continuing to have decent seasons on the stat sheet. I'm not watching them play, but some notables.

Lardis (18 yr old) 5th in OHL goal scoring
Hayes (19 yr old) tie for 9th in OHL goal scoring
Ludwinski (19 yr old) decent OHL production

Some decent assist/setup production still coming from the prospects in the NCAA. Rinzel, Moore, Nazar, Greene all putting up some respectable assist/points and Slaggert putting some goals on the board.

There is some potential there with a few other guys in the system, some already in Rockford where it feels like the future is getting closer, even if it still a few years away.
- breadbag

Lardis could be a steal for the Hawks. He could also be Teply 2.0, but he’s having a heck of a season so far.

Owen Tippett just inked an 8X $6.2M contract with Philly. Drafted in 2017 1st rd/10th overall, ELC slid two years. Was at about 0.3PPG the first three years of playing in the NHL (Last year was the first he played close to a full 82 games due to injury/COVID, etc).

Listed at 6' 183lbs. Put up 49 in 77 games last year and has 30 in 46 this year. This is the path I'm expecting/hoping for from Reichel.

Is it a two-way contract?

- Chunk

If we let him go we'd just have to replace him.

Did he get a NMC?
- DarthKane

Limited he can block 10 stadiums. Probably the ones with the biggest ice he'd have to work faster. KD says he's good at going into the corners.

They still have some time (cap) money, and (roster) space next year to see if Reichel can be useful. Similar to what you are saying here, I think he can be a good complimentary piece, but he needs the right linemates.
- Chunk

True statement.

The bigger question is where management and the coaching staff sit on whether of not he will ever become a useful, productive NHL player. Responses to questions from the media that aren`t publicly critical of a young player is one thing, but what do they really think and how much more time are they willing to give Reichel. Theres all kinds of guys like Alex Nylander, Martin Kaut, Alex Turcotte who were 1st round picks that never became anything at the NHL level.

Frankly, based on performance so far, the only NHL team Reichel would be on the roster of is the Blackhawks. The other 31 teams would have him in the minors.

You know, we might be dead last in terms of converting on the PowerPlay (12.6%) and that drags down the offensive production, but you know what is interesting to me.

The team one spot above us in 31st place for PP% is Pittsburgh at 13.3%. Their top PP minute players Guentzel, Karlsson, Malkin, Crosby, Rakell, Letang, Smith, Rust and the have the second worst PP% in the league.

I think we might finally see Pittsburgh rebuild since they probably miss the playoffs this season and for the second straight season. Washington, another former powerhouse has really is following that same path. The star players are getting old and most of their core are coming up on being UFA in the next 1-3 years.

Owen Tippett just inked an 8X $6.2M contract with Philly. Drafted in 2017 1st rd/10th overall, ELC slid two years. Was at about 0.3PPG the first three years of playing in the NHL (Last year was the first he played close to a full 82 games due to injury/COVID, etc).

Listed at 6' 183lbs. Put up 49 in 77 games last year and has 30 in 46 this year. This is the path I'm expecting/hoping for from Reichel.
- Chunk

Heard something on Sirius his norning - some company attaches a device to the jersey of certain NHL players to measure skating speed during games (i.e. not a race). They pick guys like McDavid, Mackinnon and a few others. Owen Tippett is one of them and so far this year he has clocked the fasted time of any player in the league - 24 MPH.

Heard something on Sirius his norning - some company attaches a device to the jersey of certain NHL players to measure skating speed during games (i.e. not a race). They pick guys like McDavid, Mackinnon and a few others. Owen Tippett is one of them and so far this year he has clocked the fasted time of any player in the league - 24 MPH.
- RickJ

The league does this and posts the stats now on the NHL edge.

https://edge.nhl.com/en/home

The league does this and posts the stats now on the NHL edge.

https://edge.nhl.com/en/home
- breadbag

Edit: also Owen Tippett just got resigned 8Yrs x 6.2AAV. I'm curious to see how he does with that new deal as the (I think) second line RW) behind Travis Konecny.

You know, we might be dead last in terms of converting on the PowerPlay (12.6%) and that drags down the offensive production, but you know what is interesting to me.

The team one spot above us in 31st place for PP% is Pittsburgh at 13.3%. Their top PP minute players Guentzel, Karlsson, Malkin, Crosby, Rakell, Letang, Smith, Rust and the have the second worst PP% in the league.

I think we might finally see Pittsburgh rebuild since they probably miss the playoffs this season and for the second straight season. Washington, another former powerhouse has really is following that same path. The star players are getting old and most of their core are coming up on being UFA in the next 1-3 years.
- breadbag

Amazing that Washington has scored 4 more goals than the Hawks, but have 20 more standings points and are 5 pts out of a playoff spot. Something to be said for defense I guess.

Heard something on Sirius his norning - some company attaches a device to the jersey of certain NHL players to measure skating speed during games (i.e. not a race). They pick guys like McDavid, Mackinnon and a few others. Owen Tippett is one of them and so far this year he has clocked the fasted time of any player in the league - 24 MPH.
- RickJ

I'm pretty sure that's that little rectangular hump you see sewn into the sweaters on the back shoulder. Also, some more tracking data.

Agree totally with 6628's comments on Foligno and the perplexing Reichel.

You don't want to see one of Bowman's last draft picks fail. Wasn't one of their comments on his strong points was he was already playing with men?
I guess we can allow as much time as Reichel needs before he gets jettisoned out of the organization. His early lack of success certainly is enough evidence in arbitration to not pay him for more than worth...not raise for future successes than so many of these contracts are.

Don't forget that Reichel draft had the Bowman staff selecting Derek Commesso, Landon Slaggert (youngest brother is looking good), Wyatt Kaiser, Issak Phillips, and Louis Crevier.

(His staff was around for the next one too, taking Nolan Allen, Colton Dach, Paige harding, Ethan Del Mastro, Ilya Safonov.)

on to another topic:

Forgot about attempting to call Cole Eiserman the next Arthur Kaliyev.

I see an intense passion in Eiserman, and it gets the better of him, sure, but I refuse to put on the blinders that all big NHL shooter cheat in their defensive duties because they are paid to score. He can learn and be more disciplined at the other phases that round out players.

Without evidence, just shooting it out my arse, each draft in the last decade usually has guys the have impact in the TOP SIX picks.
So we know with Dach we got burned.

I gotta believe they will shoot for the fences this year.

They have to add more slick smart passing forwards who CAN get the puck to Bedsy, and who can score when he gets it to them.

I do strongly feet Lil Frankie alleviates some of this., b/c he is also really good in small spaces.
- wiz1901

Right on there, Wiz

If I had to guess, it's either Katchouk or Guttman who returns. I also think Raddysh's future with the club is in serious doubt.

Its hard to gauge what the team has in Reichel and Raddysh. I think they're two guys who can play well with talented forwards but they're not the type to drive the play on their line.
- DarthKane

I would guess that Raddysh and Blackwell are the most likely to be moved at the deadline. The forwards with bigger expiring cap hits, I'm not optimistic about any of them being moved. Aside from whether or not they will be healthy at the deadline, too many sellers offer better options at the higher cap hits, and there's probably not enough cap space available to get far enough in that pecking order.