Reichel sent to Rockford this morning.
- DarthKane

Possibly a change of scenery might be in order. He's another bust that Stan leaves behind.

Possibly a change of scenery might be in order. He's another bust that Stan leaves behind.
- BGKarras

He's 21.....

Most of the players in the 2020 draft have needed extra time to break out.

Lafreniere
Byfield
Holtz
Rossi
Perfetti

I'm not saying he'll figure it all out, but some players need more time to do so. There is literally no rush to judgment on him. He is an easy to qualify RFA who has time to turn things around. He's shown glimpses, hopefully the club finds ways to bring that back out of him more consistently. If not, there is absolutlely no detriment to the team and they cut him loose.

He's 21.....

Most of the players in the 2020 draft have needed extra time to break out.

Lafreniere
Byfield
Holtz
Rossi
Perfetti

I'm not saying he'll figure it all out, but some players need more time to do so. There is literally no rush to judgment on him. He is an easy to qualify RFA who has time to turn things around. He's shown glimpses, hopefully the club finds ways to bring that back out of him more consistently. If not, there is absolutlely no detriment to the team and they cut him loose.
- Chunk

It’s easy to lose the fact he is just 21. Let’s hope he can find his game in Rockford.

Celebrini would be a nice player to have, but thinking ahead, the odds are small that the Hawks would have the 1st overall pick. With that being said, if they select 2-4 there is no consensus pick at those spots since the rankings are over the place. However there should be a good player out there. Pessimstically at #4, even if KD stays away from the Russians, and if Eiserman and Lindstrom are gone Leyshunov at RD would be a a good add. If one of the top rated D goes 2 or 3, one of the aforementioned forwards will be available.
- boilermaker100

Which makes this draft very interesting AND a very real chance to hit a grand slam with, say, the #5 pick, or really any top 20 pick besides the #1..

Good chance the Hawks draft higher than #4.

I'm a draft the best player available kinda guy, especially rd 1.

Most agree the Hawks are in great shape in the pipeline with Dmen and short on forwards.

If the Hawks do draft #4 and Celebrini, Lindstrom and Eiserman are gone IMO the next 4-5 slots of best available players are Dmen save for Demidov, and I'm in the camp no Russians in rd 1, unless it's late rd 1.

I do want a forward with that top 1st rd pick but if it plays out the way I described you gotta take the Dman at #4.

Then, which one??? Seemingly overdraft right shot Parekh who is possibly the next Karslsson, elite skating great size D!ckinson who for some reason I see a kinda Shea Weber, right shot Levshunov who as a 17 yr old Dman put up 42 pts in the USHL and as a true freshmen a pt per game for a top 10 MI St squad as a kinda better skating Doughty? .... Love the Siliyev giant but he's a Cossack.

Thought he looked pretty good to end last season. Like most, thought he would really run with his opportunity this year and still wondering if them having him move to center messed with his mojo.

Like several have said, progress isn't always linear so hopefully he gets his confidence back and becomes another piece of the forward puzzle for next season.
- HawkintheD

That's the thing/problem, we SAW Reichel do it at the big league level last yr and this preseason. We don't have to envision the kid playing good NHL hockey, we saw it. ..... A riddle.

KD and LR have to take some of the blame but the vast majority of it is on Reichel himself..... I do hope they keep him down with RKF the rest of the yr to work thru his issues and try again next yr.

Oh, nothing better than the Harold Ballard & Punch Imlach era. If losing is the benchmark.

I just dont see anything in Reichel that indicates he will become a productive NHL player, for all of the reasons you mention. I guess its possible to learn to play in the tough areas of the ice. But the learning starts with having the will to do it. Can you imagine Tortorella, Tocchet or Roy watching this kid from behind the bench.

After Rockford next stop might be Dusseldorf or Franfurt.
- RickJ

Spent a month one night in the Aldstadt in Dusseldorf not sure that's going to help him...............

That's the thing/problem, we SAW Reichel do it at the big league level last yr and this preseason. We don't have to envision the kid playing good NHL hockey, we saw it. ..... A riddle.

KD and LR have to take some of the blame but the vast majority of it is on Reichel himself..... I do hope they keep him down with RKF the rest of the yr to work thru his issues and try again next yr.
- Mr Ricochet

I hope mgmt. decides they envision Reichel as a center or winger, and just let him play the position they see him playing next year. Although he has all the skills to be a top 6 center, I don’t think he ever has felt comfortable there. His success last year was playing on the wing with AA as his center. That being said, if the Hawks see him as a center, just put him there and leave him.

I simply want to qualify my answer about The Blackhawks first round pick and things I have said about the draft in general, and my feeling right now about it.

This draft is nowhere near as good as last year.
And I would like to further explain my opinion and then take some time off from Buzz to concentrate on making sure I adequately have time to place as many profiles up as I am able to, without dragging myself down and simply shutting down the gas pedal, and getting out of vehicle.

The reason this draft is weaker affair than last year starts with there is NO Connor Bedard. I can argue strongly that Celebrini looks like player that WILL and reach levels that equal or surpass the likes of the Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli , or Will Smith, and most likely settle in a all around notch above them.
I will not argue against the 2024 selections from #s 2-11 being of MORE UPSIDE than the 2023 3rd tier (after Will Smith, but I am of the opinion 2024 may offer better quality prospects.

But, after that, the 2024 draft fall woefully below the 2023.
I said some time back, you want to know when the pickings in 2024 get slim? When the injured Adam Jiricek comes off the board.

I promise not to drone on, repeating this until the draft but after the top half of the 2024 first round, there is a HUGE DROP-OFF, and when comparing 2023 bottom half to my OR anyone of the draft Prognosticator’s bottom half…each and every player in 2024 would have been slotted and drafted in the mid-40’s if they were in last year’s 2023 Draft.

And what I was trying to say yesterday is I really do think there are more long term development players in the top 100 plus this year than last year[/I].
This might be the last of the Covid-19 affected classes.
That simple means that with good scouting and luck this year, you might find prospects dedicated enough to eventually play pro hockey over last years later rounds.

That is why I am not trading down out of 4, or 5 if we e=nd up selecting there.

That is why I am stubborning holding firm to my desire to plant the tentpole with Michael Hage with the Tampa Bay pick no matter where it lands, because I simply like him more than the rest of first round menu entrees and don’t want the restaurant to tell me they ran out by the top of the second.

The Second Round Der and the rest in the top 70we have.
Iapologive as the programmers have still not figured out why late second rounder, Vancouver's pick currently in slot #65, can, with a play-off ouster before the final four, (Conference Final) drop to( only) as low as slot #61.

And there are loads of right defenseman prospect who can develop and maybe help the Blackhawks later on, which works for me because of the Rockford logjam with the San Rinzel’s eventually leaving school, if he signs with them. I really have no problem using any of the FIVE 2nd & 3rd rounders to go right defenseman, hunting or LD for taht matter (like Lukas Fischer).

So there is NO pressure to take one in the first unless he is the best player and certainly destined to actually play for the Blackhawks, b/c I don’t want an Adam Fox, Kevin Hayes ball bust, or a player whose so far in a cultural divide that he Amy be frightened by leaving his homeland, especially if it invading Poland with our next President’s consent.

I just want the pick as low as it can be and complete control and understanding of that prospect ’s arrival, attitude, and desire to wear the Indianhead and win Lord Stanley’s silver.

If it Zanye Parekh, and the scouts are sure, grab him, or a non gigantic forward too, if they are sure he is aNHL scorer, no issues from me.

Let's just hope with draft first...

I just saw that Logan Cooley is playing on the fourth line for the Yotes. I bet he wished he had stayed in college. Not too many points can be gathered from that position. Also, wasn't it Brian Noonan who scored 7 straight goals for the Hawks over two games?

One more unrelated thing:
I think Totem asked or mentioned this guy:

Joshua Zakreski Portland 5 10 179 LW
He is slightly undersized but looks like an ideal energy line player at the NHL level. He’s a relentless forechecker who wins puck battles with smart stick and excellent body positioning combined with that high effort level that most opposing players simply cannot match. There’s little wow factor; just tenacity, solid board play and basic puck to the net style. Quick attacks open space without any hesitation. He has been able to produce offense at an impressive clip considering he is basically a complimentary player on an experienced and deep Portland team.

I simply want to qualify my answer about The Blackhawks first round pick and things I have said about the draft in general, and my feeling right now about it.

This draft is nowhere near as good as last year.
And I would like to further explain my opinion and then take some time off from Buzz to concentrate on making sure I adequately have time to place as many profiles up as I am able to, without dragging myself down and simply shutting down the gas pedal, and getting out of vehicle.

The reason this draft is weaker affair than last year starts with there is NO Connor Bedard. I can argue strongly that Celebrini looks like player that WILL and reach levels that equal or surpass the likes of the Leo Carlsson, Adam Fantilli , or Will Smith, and most likely settle in a all around notch above them.
I will not argue against the 2024 selections from #s 2-11 being of MORE UPSIDE than the 2023 3rd tier (after Will Smith, but I am of the opinion 2024 may offer better quality prospects.

But, after that the 2024 draft fall woefully below the 2023.
I said some time back, you want to know when the pickings in 2024 get slim? When the injured Adam Jiricek comes off the board.

I promise not to drone on, repeating this until the draft but after the top half of the first round, there is a HUGE DROP-OFF, and when comparing 2023 bottom half to my OR anyone of the draft Prognosticator’s bottom half…each and every player in 2024 would have been slotted and drafted in the mid-40’s last year’s 2023 Draft.

And what I was trying to say yesterday is I really do think there are more long term development players in the top 100 plus this year than last year.
That simple means that with good scouting and luck this year, you might find prospects dedicated enough to eventually play pro hockey over last years later rounds.

That is why I am not trading down out of 4, or 5.
That is why I am stubborning holding firm to my desire to plant the tentpole with Michael Hage, because I simply like him more than the rest of first round menu entrees and don’t want the restaurant to tell me they ran out by the top of the second.
And there are loads of right defenseman prospect who can develop and maybe help the Blackhawks later on, which works for me because of the Rockford logjam with the San Rinzel’s eventually leaving school, if he signs with them.

So there is NO pressure to take one in the first unless he is the best player and certainly destined to actually play for the Blackhawks, b/c I don’t want an Adam Fox, Kevin Hayes ball bust, or a player whose so far in a cultural divide that he Amy be frightened by leaving his homeland, especially if it invading Poland with our next President’s consent.

I just want the pick as low as it can be and complete control and understandingof that prospect ’s arrival, attitude, and desire to wear the Indianhead and win Lord Stanley’s
- wiz1901silver.

Don’t worry Trump will fall hard. Let’s roll & see what happens. But the other guy is not very good and better be changing his stance on some things yet I doubt that he (aka the current guy in charge/on top) will not be an agent causing many good young euro’s and Russians from coming to the NHL

I hope mgmt. decides they envision Reichel as a center or winger, and just let him play the position they see him playing next year. Although he has all the skills to be a top 6 center, I don’t think he ever has felt comfortable there. His success last year was playing on the wing with AA as his center. That being said, if the Hawks see him as a center, just put him there and leave him.
- LAHawk

Welcome back.

I hope mgmt. decides they envision Reichel as a center or winger, and just let him play the position they see him playing next year. Although he has all the skills to be a top 6 center, I don’t think he ever has felt comfortable there. His success last year was playing on the wing with AA as his center. That being said, if the Hawks see him as a center, just put him there and leave him.
- LAHawk

I think when the organIzation gets together and visits what went wrong with Reichel this yr I think they'll decide 90% of his problem this yr was between the ears. If true, proceed with that knowledge.

Following that logic for sure the #1 way to help the kid is to give him as much certainty as possible and eliminate as much confusion as they can for him. Logic would follow the best way to do that is to decide on his position/role, coach him to it and slot him properly

Kid regressed, no doubt. Like you, I see a kid with top 6 skills and even with this bad stretch I think the organIzation does too. Hopefully they can "fix" him cuz what they've done with him so far has not worked.

I think when the organIzation gets together and visits what went wrong with Reichel this yr I think they'll decide 90% of his problem this yr was between the ears. If true, proceed with that knowledge.

Following that logic for sure the #1 way to help the kid is to give him as much certainty as possible and eliminate as much confusion as they can for him. Logic would follow the best way to do that is to decide on his position/role, coach him to it and slot him properly

Kid regressed, no doubt. Like you, I see a kid with top 6 skills and even with this bad stretch I think the organIzation does too. Hopefully they can "fix" him cuz what they've done with him so far has not worked.
- Mr Ricochet

Amen and Amen

I know he's young and learning defensively, but it's pretty cool that we have a kid on this team that makes forwards on his line better in the offensive zone and on the scoreboard. With this rag tag group he's just picked up where he left off.

They talked about his shot but his poise, processing ability, passing ability is off the charts, top line is in great hands hopefully for many years to come.

That's why i do believe best available when it comes to the draft, because Bedard gives you flexibility. Sure you want better linemates for him but at the same time it's not that much of a concern because he makes the players around him better.

So no need to have tunnel vision at the draft. I don't get the crowd that's worried that Bedard won't be sticking around, i see the opposite.

My hope is and it sounds like people outside the org are very very complimentary about how the org approaches and treats everything now. Hopefully we see more college FAs sign with us.
- BetweenTheDots

Other than the offsides goal - which was a highlight reel goal - his backhand pass to Kurashev was absolutely insane,it's a shame Kurashev couldn't bury it. Maybe Hall or Nazar do. Still think he needs a more skilled player on his line.

3-1-3-2-2

Other than the offsides goal - which was a highlight reel goal - his backhand pass to Kurashev was absolutely insane,it's a shame Kurashev couldn't bury it. Maybe Hall or Nazar do. Still think he needs a more skilled player on his line.

3-1-3-2-2
- captainserious

I think you should change your handle to Captain Obvious.

1-2-2-1-3

3G and 7A to go with a -28 in 50 games is more than struggling. Hell hes got 1 point more than Joey Anderson in 22 more games. All of the injuries kept him in Chicago, otherwise he would probably have been sent to Rockford in December.
- RickJ

Here’s hoping he figures it out because he’s a broken player right now, for whatever reason, and not just stalled-out. I wouldn’t expect to see him again anytime soon. It’s going to take more time than less to find himself.

2,1,3,3,3

That's the thing/problem, we SAW Reichel do it at the big league level last yr and this preseason. We don't have to envision the kid playing good NHL hockey, we saw it. ..... A riddle.

KD and LR have to take some of the blame but the vast majority of it is on Reichel himself..... I do hope they keep him down with RKF the rest of the yr to work thru his issues and try again next yr.
- Mr Ricochet

I think I remember him having a concussion previously. Perhaps it was worse than everyone thought and he's running scared due to that.
3,3,2,1,3

I think you should change your handle to Captain Obvious.

1-2-2-1-3
- paulr

Read at a few places that 98 makes players around him better,and maybe he doesn't need a more skilled player to play on his line.

Years ago when I was trying to join hockeybuzz I kept getting error notifications and couldn't get a profile created witht he nickname faceoffcircle,ended up using captainserious because I was reading something either at the dailyhearld or 2nd city hockey and it was about Toews,and for whatever reason it worked!

Nice work on tankathon,I've never been able to get 1st pick more than once when doing 5 sims

I think I remember him having a concussion previously. Perhaps it was worse than everyone thought and he's running scared due to that.
3,3,2,1,3
- 6628

Reichel may indeed have this issue

Notwithstanding Reichel has to get comfortable with the style he will play. Will he shy away from board battles and delivering and receiving body checks

And this too: the AHL is a tough physical league

So he can hit the weight room but a stronger body doesn’t necessarily mean he can or wants to engage in physical play. We just will have to see how he performs in training camp and quite possibly AHL to the start of next season. He has to be a really new changed performance in training camp to even think about making the team from the get go

There really is no sense to trade him now at his lowest value

3-3-3-1-1
Carolina tonight, let's go 'Hawks!
And hoping the injured guys get back to playing ASAP.

I know he's young and learning defensively, but it's pretty cool that we have a kid on this team that makes forwards on his line better in the offensive zone and on the scoreboard. With this rag tag group he's just picked up where he left off.

They talked about his shot but his poise, processing ability, passing ability is off the charts, top line is in great hands hopefully for many years to come.

That's why i do believe best available when it comes to the draft, because Bedard gives you flexibility. Sure you want better linemates for him but at the same time it's not that much of a concern because he makes the players around him better.

So no need to have tunnel vision at the draft. I don't get the crowd that's worried that Bedard won't be sticking around, i see the opposite.

My hope is and it sounds like people outside the org are very very complimentary about how the org approaches and treats everything now. Hopefully we see more college FAs sign with us.
- BetweenTheDots

Yup and having a glut of quality defenders and very good ones at the beginning of their careers allows for a lot of flexibility and ability to move one to get a forward anyway - which if its a proven player may be more attractive than taking a flyer on a maybe at 4 or 5.

I just saw that Logan Cooley is playing on the fourth line for the Yotes. I bet he wished he had stayed in college. Not too many points can be gathered from that position. Also, wasn't it Brian Noonan who scored 7 straight goals for the Hawks over two games?
- bjphawkfan

Yep on Noonan, 7 straight, but only 12 the rest of the year. Best thing about Noonan, he helped the Hawks get Amonte.

Here’s my take on the draft and on Reichel. Take BPA, much easier to trade defensemen for forwards than vise versa, however I’d stay away from the Russians. On Reichel, I do believe that it’s all upstairs, once Hall went down there was pressure on him to produce, both from himself and the team. The team lacks NHL talent, and him being a first round pick, well, production was expected. I don't believe that he’ll ever carry a line, so he needs more talent to play with, he’s not the type of forward to be playing on the fourth line, which he was on many occasions. The kid is 21, and he has many tools, I would not trade him, the Hawks need more darts upfront, not less.

It may sound intriguing if the players from 4-7 are all rated as, close in ability, to the Blackhawk’s scouts. But if the number 4 player is rated much more highly than players after them then that’s who the Hawks have to go for.

- paulr

I am back just to add this because I didn't:
In the recent 5 Nations Tourney in Michigan, Cole Eiserman again displayed why he is the best goal scorer in the crop. The criticisms of not doing more, and rounding out his game, he is going to score a poop ton of goals in the nHL, and again display his abilities: touch that can hit the tiniest openings on the goalie/net, bull-like power in his carries, game breaker scoring, that elite catch and release, so if any team selecting a Russian or two, or Levshunov, Parekh or another defense for player in the top three, Christmas arrives in July at slot#4

Paulie, he can keep improving the edgework, but he is powerful attacker and isn't going to Denis Savard you, he's going to Al Secord you.