Why do you believe that? I would believe that Allen and Del Mastro are being developed to be the best they are capable of be it third, second, first pairing, seventh defenseman or Rockford farmhand.
- paulr

Well i think they will be eased into the NHL, injuries most likely will require them to play more minutes but i don't mean that being s 3rd pairing is their ceiling, just their beginning into the NHL.

Well i think they will be eased into the NHL, injuries most likely will require them to play more minutes but i don't mean that being s 3rd pairing is their ceiling, just their beginning into the NHL.
- BetweenTheDots

Learning to play defense takes development. From positioning, to blocking out shooting and passing lanes, to using your stick or body in a defensive maneuver and when to use either, to battling for the puck, clearing the front of the net, blocking shots and getting the puck out of the zone. Also factor in what type of defense the team is looking to deploy, man on man vs zone. Lots to learn and I suspect the organization sees Del Mastro and Allen as potential shutdown types? I have no idea how they’ll enter the NHL or what their ceilings will be? But if there is a thought one or both are shutdown defensemen I’d expect that type to be on the first or second pairing.

I read the Powers piece on Rockford teaching defenders but ended on the John Scott podcast that was taken down per the organization.
I was concerning Corey Perry.
Has anybody heard it before he was ordered to take it down.

I think that Davidson hammered him, as a show the team had changed and was not going to put up with Perry type issues with could lead to suits involving sexual harassment.
Quoting Powers: "John Scott defended Perry, nonchalantly suggested why he thought Perry’s contract was terminated — which also happened to put the focus on another person — and then downplayed everything."


I would just like to know what was really said.

It won't change my decision on the fact the Hawks did what they thought they had to.
- wiz1901

I looked this up earlier after I read the Powers article. It's all in there.

https://lancasteronline.c...22-a502-b20876367b33.html

Back to Del Mastro. Reading between the lines, I got the impression that he and probably Allen will spend another year in Rockford (ala Vlasic) and be in Chicago the 25-26 season.

That would be Murphy’s last season under contract. Maybe he'll be moved by that time to make room for one of the newcomers.

Back to Del Mastro. Reading between the lines, I got the impression that he and probably Allen will spend another year in Rockford (ala Vlasic) and be in Chicago the 25-26 season.

That would be Murphy’s last season under contract. Maybe he'll be moved by that time to make room for one of the newcomers.
- boilermaker100

If you’re correct that would mirror Duncan Keith’s development.

No, they could extract a second from the Canucks...they probably would have to throw one in, because the Canucks are not giving him away, despite their cap issues.

I saw that the scribes were wondering if Kuzmenko would even be willing to go to non-playoff team.
Jeez, less than two years in the league, and he thinks he has privilege?
That seems an insult to every player scratching and working to score goals and stick with an NHL club.
This isn't Panarin lite.
(Because Panarin will occasionally fight hard for possessions, while everything I have seen form this guy is he is more shy of contact than Kurashev.)
- wiz1901

News flash, Wiz....privilege is the rage (pardon the pun).

Ethan Del Busto.
- paulr

He'll be traded in KD's version of the Jokiharju / Nylander trade.

Maybe Del Mastro for Turcotte?

He'll be traded in KD's version of the Jokiharju / Nylander trade.

Maybe Del Mastro for Turcotte?
- DarthKane

I was thinking The Maestro for Cole C.?

He'll be traded in KD's version of the Jokiharju / Nylander trade.

Maybe Del Mastro for Turcotte?
- DarthKane

I think KD is just waiting for someone to sign Jesse Puljujärvi so we can trade for him.

Learning to play defense takes development. From positioning, to blocking out shooting and passing lanes, to using your stick or body in a defensive maneuver and when to use either, to battling for the puck, clearing the front of the net, blocking shots and getting the puck out of the zone. Also factor in what type of defense the team is looking to deploy, man on man vs zone. Lots to learn and I suspect the organization sees Del Mastro and Allen as potential shutdown types? I have no idea how they’ll enter the NHL or what their ceilings will be? But if there is a thought one or both are shutdown defensemen I’d expect that type to be on the first or second pairing.
- paulr

I believe you have dmen who can handle 20+ minutes a night and the ones that can't. Typically the ones that can't are your 3rd pairing. 1st pairing, 2nd pairing to me is over thinking it. Most good teams typically have 4 guys who can handle the bulk of the work, for me, it would be nice if in the near future say Allen and Del Mastro do come up to the NHL and are able to put in a quality 18 to 20 minutes a game. In time it could be an advantage for the Blackhawks.

He'll be traded in KD's version of the Jokiharju / Nylander trade.

Maybe Del Mastro for Turcotte?
- DarthKane

Wonder how the organization is ranking the D prospects. I suspect

1. Vlasic
2. KK
3, 4, 5 Del Mastro, Allen, Kaiser in some form or another
6. Phillips
7. Crevier
8. Roos

I figure Vlasic and KK are keepers. Phillips may go and has some trade value. Crevier and Roos little trade value IMO.

That leaves DM, Allen and Kaiser as trade bait for a forward. Who needs D and has some young forwards? Toronto (Knies ?) comes to mind. Also Buffalo has a stable full- Peterka, Benson, Savoie, Kulich.

I believe you have dmen who can handle 20+ minutes a night and the ones that can't. Typically the ones that can't are your 3rd pairing. 1st pairing, 2nd pairing to me is over thinking it. Most good teams typically have 4 guys who can handle the bulk of the work, for me, it would be nice if in the near future say Allen and Del Mastro do come up to the NHL and are able to put in a quality 18 to 20 minutes a game. In time it could be an advantage for the Blackhawks.
- BetweenTheDots

And who can or can’t handle 20 minutes a night?

Wonder how the organization is ranking the D prospects. I suspect

1. Vlasic
2. KK
3, 4, 5 Del Mastro, Allen, Kaiser in some form or another
6. Phillips
7. Crevier
8. Roos

I figure Vlasic and KK are keepers. Phillips may go and has some trade value. Crevier and Roos little trade value IMO.

That leaves DM, Allen and Kaiser as trade bait for a forward. Who needs D and has some young forwards? Toronto (Knies ?) comes to mind. Also Buffalo has a stable full- Peterka, Benson, Savoie, Kulich.
- boilermaker100

In a year or so Rockford will need space for Rinzel as well as other potential draft choices. It won't stay static.

Boston U (Celebrini, Greene) vs Northeastern tonight 5:30 Central on ESPNU.

Back to Del Mastro. Reading between the lines, I got the impression that he and probably Allen will spend another year in Rockford (ala Vlasic) and be in Chicago the 25-26 season.

That would be Murphy’s last season under contract. Maybe he'll be moved by that time to make room for one of the newcomers.
- boilermaker100

I lean pretty conservative in development, especially Dmen and goalies. I'd love to see Del Mastro and Allen spend 2 full yrs in RKF and go from there.

And KD has shown patience already. He put Vlasic in RKF for another yr last yr and the same with Reichel so really, a very good chance both Del Mastro and Allen do spend next yr in RKF too. Of course pending camp and one of them show you just can't send him down. In other words the prospect will decide where he plays depending on his play.

I lean pretty conservative in development, especially Dmen and goalies. I'd love to see Del Mastro and Allen spend 2 full yrs in RKF and go from there.

And KD has shown patience already. He put Vlasic in RKF for another yr last yr and the same with Reichel so really, a very good chance both Del Mastro and Allen do spend next yr in RKF too. Of course pending camp and one of them show you just can't send him down. In other words the prospect will decide where he plays depending on his play.
- Mr Ricochet

KD's done the same with Kaiser as well. Considering how defensively oriented the coach and assistants are, I'm very optimistic that they know what they need and what they are looking for.

This is kind of why I think they've soured on Phillips. Not really because I think he's not good, but how they are handling him. He's been kept up and not played quite a few times. He's played better in the past couple games, so we'll see how it goes.

Looks like all 5 players who requested leave from their teams have been charged (or will be) in London.

Formenton, Dube, McLeod, Hart and Foote

He'll be traded in KD's version of the Jokiharju / Nylander trade.

Maybe Del Mastro for Turcotte?
- DarthKane

How about if the Hawks trade for Kuzmenko, KD asks for Aatu Raty as the sweetener?

He'll be traded in KD's version of the Jokiharju / Nylander trade.

Maybe Del Mastro for Turcotte?
- DarthKane

Couple months or so early for April Fools
Seriously I know you are into using satire

I would bet on DelMastro and Allen impacting NHL defense. I predict both will work very hard to reduce their susceptibility to any weak spots in their game.

The current dman prospect I am cheering hardest for, however, is Crevier. Hoping to see him develop into a tower of strength and using his reach like Vlasic does

I am uncertain as to Phillips’ future. If he was naturally aggressive then he would be more effective I am unsure too if down the road with maturity if he thinks and plays a smarter game

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

Yes. Probably doesn't help who he's paired with but CF, FF, xGF and all that isn't very good. No one's is on the team but Phillips is towards the bottom with Tinordi and Crevier. Maybe he's better with Murphy? I dunno.

He's got some nice physical tools but doesn't seem like he reads the game especially well. Not great at the blue lines for keeps, gap control on entries is ok, doesn't time pinches well, meh with his back to the boards and tracking guys. 2 full years in Rockford - if that was worth anything significant - you'd expect to see a bit more polish.

Maybe he's more of a guy like Forsling where the light won't go off until he's 25. Probably a guy you qualify but if you can package him in a deal to get a good veteran forward who can score with some level of reliability then I'd prefer to move him vs a guy like Allen or Del Mastro where there may be a higher ceiling and a similar floor.

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

Lotta injuries. Maybe a pain killer problem.

Lotta injuries. Maybe a pain killer problem.
- fattybeef

He also lost his dad two years ago.

Yes. Probably doesn't help who he's paired with but CF, FF, xGF and all that isn't very good. No one's is on the team but Phillips is towards the bottom with Tinordi and Crevier. Maybe he's better with Murphy? I dunno.

He's got some nice physical tools but doesn't seem like he reads the game especially well. Not great at the blue lines for keeps, gap control on entries is ok, doesn't time pinches well, meh with his back to the boards and tracking guys. 2 full years in Rockford - if that was worth anything significant - you'd expect to see a bit more polish.

Maybe he's more of a guy like Forsling where the light won't go off until he's 25. Probably a guy you qualify but if you can package him in a deal to get a good veteran forward who can score with some level of reliability then I'd prefer to move him vs a guy like Allen or Del Mastro where there may be a higher ceiling and a similar floor.
- fattybeef

Re: Phillips
I don’t know if there is a more sensible choice therefore I would go along with your observations and plan

Re: other prospect dmen
Right now Kaiser is under concussion protocol so if he doesn’t return soon then an entire year at Rockford may be a good tonic.

Some discount Crevier even writing him off as being insignificant as Roos. Well Crevier should be given a couple years. He appears to play better defense than Phillips (?) and that reach is a big plus. He was good when paired with Vlasic. Like all the dmen prospects he has experienced some good and bad moments …..so you have to try to gauge do you see room for growth. If Richardson thought he was that bad then he wouldn’t have stuck around Crevier could become a solid all around dman although more aggressive physical checking would be a plus

Hey Bill (wiz),

Just want to clarify my thoughts about Reichel.
This after you felt like I was proposing that he could get traded if one looks at various scenarios

We just for sake of brevity I won’t throw up our past posts but instead let me be more precise and clear about the former # 1 draft choice

I had stated that I prefer to keep him and look to find him skilled finishers. We know that Reichel has speed and skill plus we wouldn’t get much for him anyway. I feel like KD prefers to hold onto him and see how he pans out with skill linemmates. Hopefully next season Reichel performs admirably with even one strong offensive player. If his results are skewered, I want to see him emerge even two years away. He is not going to cost much to hang here and I want to see him
Succeed

San Jose with a win last night moving into 31st place with 32 points. And they play ANA tonight. Maybe a 3 point game in the offing.

Hawks with 30 points in 50 games. On pace for 50 points for the season.

Tankathon, believe it or not, 2-1-1-1-1