And talking about Phillips, Dots, why was he paired with KK? I missed the opening 2-3 minutes and missed the scratches.

2-0 Hawks

D!ckinson and Katchouk.
- DarthKane

For me never a bad call looking at Katchouk and D!ckinson to score, on this roster, but they both had some nice looks tonight. .. What made it better is Katchouk looked like he was headed to the IR after blocking a shot and came back and was dangerous a few more times.

No, they don't have finishers but this 5 game spell of not scoring is crazy. Law of averages say you gotta start getting some bounces/tips/in off a body/off a skate/off an opponent a couple times in a game.

Dots, ask yourself how many times you've seen a Hawk Dman go coast to coast and in alone on the goalie? .... Phillips has some difference making skills/traits in his skating/hands/reads/size. I'll say it again, I just don't see how this kid is not an NHL Dman. Just a matter of his ceiling IMO.
- Mr Ricochet

This kid ends up on the wrong side of the puck to often. Great he made a move but like all the Blackhawks tonight couldn't finish. I think his compete just isn't where the staff wants him. I agree I'm that weird bird Rico don't show me what you can do offensively show me defensively. Because to me good defensev eventually ends up to good offense. Blackhawks had a ton of chances today and that's because they played good defense.

I would say if Reichel had guys who could finish tonight he'd have at least 2 apples.
- BetweenTheDots

What did he do when skating with bedard?

I would say if Reichel had guys who could finish tonight he'd have at least 2 apples.
- BetweenTheDots

We can say that in reverse too.

If he could have finished other guys would have apples.

Is Caley modeling the latest lettermans jacket the Blackhawks will be selling
- BetweenTheDots

Before Christmas I sent the Blackhawks some things they did not have in the library for their historian including a comic book with a Wheaties ad on the back that was in comic panel form and features Sis Abel and the Blackhawks, and a whole lot off other stuff that I had that they didn't. In a phone conversation, I mentioned I had an earlier made version of the jackets Joel Q and the coaching staff wore in taht first outside game. I texted photos of this and a 1956-57 a Blackhawk goalie owned. (The few occasions I wore it to games at the Stadium in my seat below the Press box, I would always have someone come down and ask about it, if I wanted to sell it...

It seemed like the Caley worn jacket had taken many of the aspects of both pieces that surprised me, since the Hawks on the phone had never seen the later jacket, and suddenly I see the US-Canada flag and other details from both, I insatntly said to myself, that's; from MY jacket! (egotist)

If anyone here can knows how to allow me to throw the comic / jackets up here, private message me and teach me, so you can see them.

IMO, I thought the piece she was wearing had too many insignias, and was far too busy.

In an effort to be fair after what I posted last, I have to post that Reichel was better against Calgary last night than he was against Edmonton the night before. Seemed more aggressive, more heads up, and more willing to go to the center of the ice. He's a confusing project.

1st goal by anyone will be the game winner.
- boilermaker100

And it was.

Is Caley modeling the latest lettermans jacket the Blackhawks will be selling
- BetweenTheDots

Channeling her inner Taylor Swift was my take.

This kid ends up on the wrong side of the puck to often. Great he made a move but like all the Blackhawks tonight couldn't finish. I think his compete just isn't where the staff wants him. I agree I'm that weird bird Rico don't show me what you can do offensively show me defensively. Because to me good defensev eventually ends up to good offense. Blackhawks had a ton of chances today and that's because they played good defense.
- BetweenTheDots

Is KK better defensively than Phillips? Phillips is 22 a 5th rd pick with less than 50 NHL games. KK is 19 yrs old the 7h overall pick less than 50 NHL games.

Is KK better defensively than Phillips? Phillips is 22 a 5th rd pick with less than 50 NHL games. KK is 19 yrs old the 7h overall pick less than 50 NHL games.
- Mr Ricochet

By pretty much every metric I’ve looked at , yeah. Especially after about game 20 or so.

By pretty much every metric I’ve looked at , yeah. Especially after about game 20 or so.
- Chunk

You mean fancy stats when you say metrics? One I look at is zone starts. KK 50ish percent starts in the Ozone, Phillips 35ish. I boil the fancies down from that stat. How many hurdles is your coach putting in front of you.

In other words, KK is the most sheltered Hawk Dman as the 19 yr old should be. Kaiser and Phillips get thrown to the wolves in that regard as NHL rookies. Yes, the metrics will look bad.

Which metrics are popping out to you concerning KK, Chunk?

You mean fancy stats when you say metrics? One I look at is zone starts. KK 50ish percent starts in the Ozone, Phillips 35ish. I boil the fancies down from that stat. How many hurdles is your coach putting in front of you.

In other words, KK is the most sheltered Hawk Dman as the 19 yr old should be. Kaiser and Phillips get thrown to the wolves in that regard as NHL rookies. Yes, the metrics will look bad.

Which metrics are popping out to you concerning KK, Chunk?
- Mr Ricochet

I’m not Chunk, those are big shoes to fill but here is my take from my eyes. KK has improved defensively from the start of the season(not a high bar), especially the last 15-20 games. Once they add more offensive talent he will put up some points as well. All you can ask from a young player is to trend in the right direction, KK is doing that. Unfortunately Reichel is not, but again, let’s see what happens when he plays with a more talented group, he’s too young and too skilled to give up on.

You mean fancy stats when you say metrics? One I look at is zone starts. KK 50ish percent starts in the Ozone, Phillips 35ish. I boil the fancies down from that stat. How many hurdles is your coach putting in front of you.

In other words, KK is the most sheltered Hawk Dman as the 19 yr old should be. Kaiser and Phillips get thrown to the wolves in that regard as NHL rookies. Yes, the metrics will look bad.

Which metrics are popping out to you concerning KK, Chunk?
- Mr Ricochet

I normally look at the game itself, TOI, the shift chart, and the fancies (in that order). It does not appear that LR trusts Phillips by his deployment. Watching him, he tends to be slow in recognition (especially around the net) to my eyes.

I keep hoping that he is able to be more, but I think he tops out at a TVR level player (not comparing player types, but just the level of utility). Not bad at all, but doesn’t move the needle much. I’d love to be proven wrong.

Stumbled upon a nice treat. McKenzie himself talking about his midseason rankings. The prospect talk begins at 43:00. https://www.youtube.com/w...Podcast-RecrutesDraftcast

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Is that surprising news about Laine?

Next Blackhawks game is Wed Feb 7 at home vs Minnesota Wild

Maybe Athansiou returns. How much longer is he going to be out? He needs rehab stint in AHL? Out so long it is like he has to go through training camp to get in hockey shape?

Edmonton and Toronto appear stronger this season but their old problems have not vanished. They may advance farther in playoffs. The LA Kings have to get out of their funk and surrender fewer goals

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine has entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
- mohel

Prayers said for a complete turnaround for this young man.

If the playoffs began now, these teams are fighting for the final two spots in each Conference:

Western
FAVORITES Los Angeles, Seattle, St Louis, Nashville.
STRUGGLING. Minnesota, Calgary.
NOT LIKELY Arizona & probably Calgary should be here and not above

EASTERN
FAVORITES NYI, Penguins. NJ Devils,
STRUGGLING Buffalo, Washington

Is KK better defensively than Phillips? Phillips is 22 a 5th rd pick with less than 50 NHL games. KK is 19 yrs old the 7h overall pick less than 50 NHL games.
- Mr Ricochet

I watch his position in the dzone, KK may look like he goes from station to station, but to be good defensively one needs to be position which he's learning. When he pins his guy to the boards and gets support he's quick to get back to the front of the net. I lost count on how many times after Phillips pinned a forward to the boards once he releases forward that same forward beats him to the front of the net and boxes him out. Hard to play good defense behind the goal line and on the wrong side of the puck which he does way to often. Korchinski active stick is on the better side in his own end. The other night i thought he was going to get lit up because his dmate passed it to him with someone reading it, he quickly processed it made a nice pass and avoided the open ice check all in a split second. It's just what i see. One last thing Phillips is a bigger body player who really doesn't look like he's very hard to play against. I see lately he's trying to be more physical but his physicality doesn't seem to be all that physical.

Is this the kid some were saying was Andrew Shaw-like?

https://twitter.com/BenPo...tatus/1751647573516149009

Is this the kid some were saying was Andrew Shaw-like?

https://twitter.com/BenPo...tatus/1751647573516149009
- Rota's Rooter

I think that was more Samuel Savoie.

Funny enough, I think Slaggert is more of a wing version of D!ckinson.

Stumbled upon a nice treat. McKenzie himself talking about his midseason rankings. The prospect talk begins at 43:00. https://www.youtube.com/w...Podcast-RecrutesDraftcast
- Mr Ricochet

Thank you for posting this link,Ric. I have all those discussed Hockey News draft issues Mackenzie was the creator of, a few feet from me right now.

I started having questions on the who, how, & what? of the you tube channel.

Who does a draft cast with a miniature dog on their lap? I started me trying wondering IF someone here was lapped by a dog, who it might by.

How did they get Mackenzie to come on.
(I would start my own just to have him as a guest.)

I thought the Celebrini evaluation was on point, and even better when they feared what a possible Chicago Celebrini - Bedard combo might be.

I think that the talk on the draft in general was very good, as MacKenzie threw out the actually disparities between his ten scouts on guys and discussed that disparity helps find a mock draft slot, but doesn't necessarily mean some will be there at a certain slot, while others can drop without any apparent reason, save teams liking other prospect's long term future than theirs.

But more important to me, was how much of Mackenzies opinions concerning the early defense aligned with mine, that as much as size and fluidity will always dictate selection on defenseman, Artyom Levshunov may look like a certain top 4 guy, he isn't looked at as impactful as Anton Silayev, who no GM has seen as live, also projects a top 4, but with Hedman like upside.

They talked about every team willing to take a big centre early if they think he really is the real deal.

Margarita Bob furthered Zayne Parekh potential saying he isn't small at 6 foot/181 lbs. and has shown he can handle his end and still be a true offensive threat.

He complimented Trevor Connelly offense, talked about the disparity in Berkly Catton mock projections, Massé foot speed, and the Dean Letourneau sightings as a first rounder, or a second or third rounder.

We have a lot more time to watch these kids.

Scott Wheeler released his mid-season rankings today:

Tier 1:

1. Macklin Celebrini, C1

Tier 2:

2. Artyom Levshunov, RHD1
3. Cole Eiserman, LW1
4. Ivan Demidov, RW1

Tier 3:

5. Anton Silayev, LHD1
6. Zayne Parekh, RHD2
7. Zeev Buium, LHD2
8. Sam Richardinson, LHD3
9. Berkly Catton, C2
10. Konsta Helenius, C3
11. Cayden Lindstrom, C4


Interesting to see that he's much higher on Eiserman and much lower on Lindstrom relative to others.

Been to a couple games this year and fortunately found two wins against the leafs and bedard’s two goal game with the sweet wrist shot in OT against the jets… bottom line even with Bedard this team has regressed.. it was easier to watch last year than it is this year.. in spite of the injuries would it really make a difference? Probably not— the other post said Calgary is a long way away I digress- this team won’t be relevant for at least another 5 years tops..
- bigfly46

Tough to say they have regressed. On most nights your starting defense has 3 or 4 rookies along with a veteran who has played only 180 games across 10 seasons. Pair that with injuries to forwards Athanasiou, T. Johnson, Hall, Beauvillier and the loss of Perry, and you have a lineup made up of mostly career fringe/4th line players and maybe a few who realistically are 3rd liners. Not exactly a formula for consistently putting pucks in the net, which is exactly what you see.

D.ickinson has played well, Kurashev has flashed, Raddysh has maybe regressed. Foligno and Donato are solid vets, but they are 25-35 pt/year guys, not big difference makers in terms of production. A bunch of others are filler, Blackwell, Anderson, Katchouk, Gutman, etc. have all had a few nice games or moments, but reality says they are what they are, dime a dozen try hard guys.

You get examples each and every game, regardless of whether the opponent is EDM or CGY. Sat. night they had multiple breakaways or high-danger scoring chances and they converted, let me check my sheet, exactly NONE.

So i don't think they've regressed. They just lack the finishing talent needed at least pot a few goals each night.