My spidey senses believe this is the Blackhawks draft order right now Celebrini, Lindstrom, Levshunov, all three of those players mirror what the Blackhawks want, skilled talented guys who compete all over the ice, plus have size
- BetweenTheDots

One thing about KD and or his staff is they have shown their best available aren’t always in line with the draft lists of the “experts”. I believe Rinzel was picked before many had him rated? Gajan was another? So I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Hawks surprise us and choose someone not necessarily in the order of Central Scouting, or anyone else.

Reichel will be back next year either on a QO or a deal like Kurashev's (with less money) to see if he can live up to the expectations. Not making excuses for his at all, but Reichel is a complementary type player. He isn't going to be able to carry a line by himself. If they get him some quality linemates, I think he'll be able to show much better.

I'm also on record as saying I think only one of the following will be on the team next year:

R. Johnson
Entwistle
Guttman
Katchouk
Beauvillier
Pitlik
Sanford

AA would be on this list if he was on the last year of his deal as well.

Completely off topic, but did Donato forget to sharpen his skates last night? The guy couldn't stay upright.
- Chunk

Have to agree, and that Blackwell and Raddysh will go at the deadline for whatever they can get in return. They will need the slots for new guys. Opening night lineup 2024-25 is something like:

Hall - Bedard - free agent
Reichel - Athanasiou - Kurashev
Foligno - D!ckinson - Nazar
rookie - Guttman - Donato
R. Johnson

The 4th line rookie might be Dach, but spot will be open to a young guy who is ready.

The top line free agent is someone who can work well with Bedard. Needs to be good puck handler, good scorer, veteran, past winner, willing to work with young players, maybe someone who can be a crowd favorite too. There are some options out there, but The Player Who Cannot Return (not C. Perry) would fit that pretty well.

Reichel will get chances until he gets passed by. No hurry to decide on him. Rockford will be loaded with young guys too, maybe they can fill in if there is bad injury luck next season.

My spidey senses believe this is the Blackhawks draft order right now Celebrini, Lindstrom, Levshunov, all three of those players mirror what the Blackhawks want, skilled talented guys who compete all over the ice, plus have size
- BetweenTheDots

Though I somewhat degree they have drafted Nazar who is small framed...Eiserman doesn't deserve to be scouted fully, and the ceiling is the way I approach it for them...and the guys with the quickest hands and passes taht can get the puck to Bedard.

Okay, then why healthy scratch him?
- BetweenTheDots

They have to play everybody and they (and he) are not scoring, so everyone takes a seat when the staff thinks they need it.

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.
- DarthKane

Part of the critique on the current state of landis might be close to the Eiserman one...he is interested in the net, cheats on the other end, no full effort defensively.

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.
- 333inthe3rd

I doubt any get moved b/c they have little value based on the fact they have not elevated the forward group by their play.

Almost the entire forward contingent would be better players if they are on NHl teams with better defenders, and better line mates.

It's sorta why I do not want the hawks to miss out on the Chicago Steel's Hage...he is playing with a poor surrounding cast...you put him elsewhere you see how he would shine.

One thing about KD and or his staff is they have shown their best available aren’t always in line with the draft lists of the “experts”. I believe Rinzel was picked before many had him rated? Gajan was another? So I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Hawks surprise us and choose someone not necessarily in the order of Central Scouting, or anyone else.
- paulr

I think from the start every team saw Rinzel as a giant with good skates and mailman ability, but also knew it was going to be longer term wait and see on his entire game, so they didn't call his name before the Hawks did at slot 25 ...he was going to go somewhere in the next dozen, and the experts did see him as a hard guy to predict due to all dat."
Gajan was highly ranked, in last year's draft his second year eligible, b/c he got more play, exposure, and experience by year two, kinda in the way Andrew Shaw wasn't taken until his 3rd and last year year.

No team with "fresh: scouting staff adhere to the Central Scouting until maybe their list is close to exhausting or their staff is fairly clueless.
If the CSS guys were so good, they would be heading of a teams scouting..

Though I somewhat degree they have drafted Nazar who is small framed...Eiserman doesn't deserve to be scouted fully, and the ceiling is the way I approach it for them...and the guys with the quickest hands and passes taht can get the puck to Bedard.
- wiz1901

In the one game I watched him closely, Catton was that guy... quick shot, good control and several nifty passes that could have been assists, and quick stick on defense also. That is why I would still like Blackhawks to get him - but he seems to be in the Twilight Zone between the top 5 and the Tampa pick right now.

Have to agree, and that Blackwell and Raddysh will go at the deadline for whatever they can get in return. They will need the slots for new guys. Opening night lineup 2024-25 is something like:

Hall - Bedard - free agent
Reichel - Athanasiou - Kurashev
Foligno - D!ckinson - Nazar
rookie - Guttman - Donato
R. Johnson

The 4th line rookie might be Dach, but spot will be open to a young guy who is ready.

The top line free agent is someone who can work well with Bedard. Needs to be good puck handler, good scorer, veteran, past winner, willing to work with young players, maybe someone who can be a crowd favorite too. There are some options out there, but The Player Who Cannot Return (not C. Perry) would fit that pretty well.

Reichel will get chances until he gets passed by. No hurry to decide on him. Rockford will be loaded with young guys too, maybe they can fill in if there is bad injury luck next season.
- totem

I wouldn't be surprised to see Dach on the opening night roster next season. I know he's had some health issues, but when he's played he's performed very well.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Dach on the opening night roster next season. I know he's had some health issues, but when he's played he's performed very well.
- DarthKane

I'm not a Guttman fan. He hustles but his hustle is always chasing the play.

Reichel has vision, he see's the opposition coming and he stops or bails out. He's looking for a place to hide out there. Ordinarily I'd say he's never going to make it. But I said the same thing about TT and that kid proved me wrong. As long as the Hawks are horsepoop might as well let Reichel try to figure it out. Never know.
It's my opinion that both Reichel and Entwhistle won't be here when the Hawks get good again. I can understand Entwhistle not getting a shot off on a breakaway with a guy hacking him from behind. But I said oh no when he was awarded the penalty shot. I knew he'd get a shot off, but I also suspected he'd hit the goalie with it after not having made the goalie move. Even with his head up. Make the goalie make a save FFS. Shot it right at him. And as far as the board battles, lowest center of gravity usually wins. That ain't him. His long legs afford him a little bit of speed but he's top heavy. He's like a bowling pin waiting to get knocked over. I respect his effort and guts, but his talent level is AHL all day long. Sorry to be negative but that's what I see.
- 6628

TT was always very good positionally and defensively even as a perimeter player. And today he still is a perimeter player. He also put up some important points when they won the cup.

Reichel hasn't shown the same aptitude on the other side of the puck or off the puck to be that comparable.

We're all frustrated with Reichel but I don't think it's like to give up on him just yet. Sign him to a Hagel-type deal (3 x $1.5 million) and see how his development goes. The kid has talent, there's no question, but something between his ears is preventing him from realizing it.

I agree that it's not looking good for Reichel to stick around for the long-term (especially since he's not a KD draft pick) but it doesn't hurt the Hawks to keep him around and try to work through these issues. At worst he's the 13th forward.
- DarthKane

Probably qualify him. They have to hit the floor but he hasn't shown anything to even justify that modest of a raise.

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.
- RickJ

Hasn't Turcotte been riddled with injuries though?

Part of the critique on the current state of landis might be close to the Eiserman one...he is interested in the net, cheats on the other end, no full effort defensively.
- wiz1901

I’ve seen Lardis twice this season and I was surprised that his effort defensively is quite good. He doesn’t always do the right things but in the games I saw he always hustles back. After the games I mentioned just that on this site. I don’t think the cheating is always an effort problem but more a problem of him not being fully coached on what to do with the effort.

I’m off to have dinner then go to the Tribute Centre to see Erie and Misiak play the Gens. I’ve been watching two Oshawa draft eligible kids all season forward Beckett Sennecke and defenseman Ben Danford. Sennecke is a tall strong skating forward who plays hard, drives the net and isn’t afraid to mix it up anywhere on the ice. I think he had quite a growth spurt from last season. For a tall guy he’s extremely agile. Danford is a good skating defenseman who stickhandles and passes very well. Some games he appears to be an offensive zone quarterback other games not as much.

TT was always very good positionally and defensively even as a perimeter player. And today he still is a perimeter player. He also put up some important points when they won the cup.

Reichel hasn't shown the same aptitude on the other side of the puck or off the puck to be that comparable.
- fattybeef

According to the coaches, Reichel has done what has been asked of him defensively. It's the offensive zone where they need him to get unstuck.

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?

.
- wiz1901

Wiz, I had forgotten Reichel was playing German pro the yr he was drafted. Then another yr in Germany, off to NA and 56 games AHL with an 11 game NHL look in 21/22, another yr in RKF with a 23 game NHL look in 22/23, that brings us to this yr.

You have to like the developmental path as well as the patience the organIzation has showed with him. ....... I was TT's biggest advocate but finally threw my hands up thinking he was just too soft. Of course I was wrong on TT and keep that in mind when evaluating Reichel.

The toughest thing for me, and probably most, is the Kraut looked fantastic with and without the puck late last yr as he put up 15 in 23 looking fast, skilled and dynamic. ... So, we know it's in there, we all saw it.

Yes he started as the 2C this yr, yes the talent around him is poor at best (I'd add his few games with Bedard he looked lost too) but man looking at him last night after 2 games off he looks as lost as ever. ..... I am at a complete loss now concerning Reichel. I guess the silver lining is the organIzation is in the early stages and can afford to run thew kid out every night but so far that ain't working.

The 21 yr old fast, dynamic, explosive, skilled kid is a complete riddle right now. to every fan and it seems obvious to the franchise too.

Have to agree, and that Blackwell and Raddysh will go at the deadline for whatever they can get in return. They will need the slots for new guys. Opening night lineup 2024-25 is something like:

Hall - Bedard - free agent
Reichel - Athanasiou - Kurashev
Foligno - D!ckinson - Nazar
rookie - Guttman - Donato
R. Johnson

The 4th line rookie might be Dach, but spot will be open to a young guy who is ready.

The top line free agent is someone who can work well with Bedard. Needs to be good puck handler, good scorer, veteran, past winner, willing to work with young players, maybe someone who can be a crowd favorite too. There are some options out there, but The Player Who Cannot Return (not C. Perry) would fit that pretty well.

Reichel will get chances until he gets passed by. No hurry to decide on him. Rockford will be loaded with young guys too, maybe they can fill in if there is bad injury luck next season.
- totem

Being here in NC, see a bit of Carolina games more than others not Hawks, talk here is they might not be able to afford Marty Necas, what's everyone thoughts on him as a FA, too soon? too much?

I’ve seen Lardis twice this season and I was surprised that his effort defensively is quite good. He doesn’t always do the right things but in the games I saw he always hustles back. After the games I mentioned just that on this site. I don’t think the cheating is always an effort problem but more a problem of him not being fully coached on what to do with the effort.

I’m off to have dinner then go to the Tribute Centre to see Erie and Misiak play the Gens. I’ve been watching two Oshawa draft eligible kids all season forward Beckett Sennecke and defenseman Ben Danford. Sennecke is a tall strong skating forward who plays hard, drives the net and isn’t afraid to mix it up anywhere on the ice. I think he had quite a growth spurt from last season. For a tall guy he’s extremely agile. Danford is a good skating defenseman who stickhandles and passes very well. Some games he appears to be an offensive zone quarterback other games not as much.
- paulr

That sounds like a quality Friday. Have fun!

TT was always very good positionally and defensively even as a perimeter player. And today he still is a perimeter player. He also put up some important points when they won the cup.

Reichel hasn't shown the same aptitude on the other side of the puck or off the puck to be that comparable.
- fattybeef

TT in his younger years here was playing with way more talent than Reichel. Personally i think you'd see a completely different player if Reichel was playing with the 2015 Hawks.

Part of the critique on the current state of landis might be close to the Eiserman one...he is interested in the net, cheats on the other end, no full effort defensively.
- wiz1901

A couple yrs back when Eiserman was in the NTDP tryout camp it was streamed and I watched it. The kid dominated but what I remember most, and caught my eye immediately, is the kid backchecked like Hossa.

Grit your teeth, grunt, drive your legs, ice gobbling kinda backcheck. Then of course his offense could be seen by a novice..... My point, Eiserman knows how to and can/will backcheck. I saw it.

Being here in NC, see a bit of Carolina games more than others not Hawks, talk here is they might not be able to afford Marty Necas, what's everyone thoughts on him as a FA, too soon? too much?
- vabeachbear

It's not like he's gonna need Marner money. And I'd prefer Marner but thats probably not realistic and I think they should add a player of that calibre or better anyway next year. Would be a nice insurance policy if Hall goes down again with something.

TT in his younger years here was playing with way more talent than Reichel. Personally i think you'd see a completely different player if Reichel was playing with the 2015 Hawks.
- vabeachbear

Thats a fair point.

Being here in NC, see a bit of Carolina games more than others not Hawks, talk here is they might not be able to afford Marty Necas, what's everyone thoughts on him as a FA, too soon? too much?
- vabeachbear

Thought Necas was younger, he's 25. Right shot centerman/wing, good size at 6ft 2in and skilled. ..... I'd grab the kid. Is he an RFA or UFA? Assuming at 25 he's now a UFA and if so I'm guessing someone overpays him if CAR doesn't find a way to keep him. https://www.hockeydb.com/...s/pdisplay.php?pid=194727

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
- Chunk[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.

Thanks Chunk for that info.

Thought Necas was younger, he's 25. Right shot centerman/wing, good size at 6ft 2in and skilled. ..... I'd grab the kid. Is he an RFA or UFA? Assuming at 25 he's now a UFA and if so I'm guessing someone overpays him if CAR doesn't find a way to keep him. https://www.hockeydb.com/...s/pdisplay.php?pid=194727
- Mr Ricochet

He's on the last year of a $3.0M two-year bridge and is an RFA. Gonna take some assets to get him.

Hey, I wonder who has a bunch of extra assets, cap space and needs top line players....?