See I'm still trying to figure out what on Earth he means when he says 'halfwall' ... I mean for me it would be near boards/far boards- and relative to whatever side of the ice the broadcast booth is on... I think maybe he's trying to be Mike Emerick too much of something ... like he talks about 'cycling' -and I've played it a little bit - I mean those terms just feel made up by some announcer guy somewhere --- but what the hell do I know - I never wanted them to lose the ties.

- SC116

I think the half wall iis halfway along the boards between the face-off circle and the blue line, that area where so many plays both defensively and offensively make or break things.

Uh oh, KD is in trouble, don't think Wheeler has ever mis-projecteed a player yet
- vabeachbear

Red Font
Uh oh, KD is in trouble, don't think Wheeler has ever mis-projecteed a player yet

Right?

We can attempt to place both these Hawk futures in a list anywhere, as the important thing is what they eventually grow in to.

After seeing the big Finnish kid polish off the hawks twice with shut outs (and giving Zach a shut out in our fantasy league!!!) I think I like them giant goalies, but how many giant sized one have actually won Cups?

No one could be happier for Soderholm for FINALLY getting a win behind this team.
I had to be extremely rough in so many ways. I wouldn't give up on him or the Hawks attempts to get his giant of a brother, Elmer.

I'm not an expert on NCAA hockey but U of MN and U of MI have been top programs for decades. But of course it's cyclical. U of WI was a top program for a long long time, hit the skids bad for a decade and this yr top 5.

And for sure, if you have a KK, any of the prospects in the CHL, the hockey is better in the NCAA with a good bit of the reason being a bunch of 22-23-24 yr olds play NCAA. .... Much more mature league both physically and mentally.

Missed the game last night so I went over to Dobber for a look see. KK, AGAIN, turned his back to play and tied up his man giving him no chance to make a play or present his stick. He's doing this consistently now. ..... Kid is coming along when it's getting time for the rookies to hit the rookie wall but he's improving in all 3 zones.

Hawks got killed in the fancies, got outshot 39-32 and without the 4 PP goals probably lose....... But really good to see poor Soderblom get a win. It's his 5th win in 42 NHL games played!!!

Funny to see LR still repulsed by Katchouk. ... Bamford points out Phillips had 6 hits. Doubt it helps him in LR's eyes but you never know. .... Also liked seeing Foligno back up with Bedard and Kurashev. It's the best line LR can put together from this roster.
- Mr Ricochet

College players would be more like 18-22. Yes the older ones would be more mature.

But I have read that all 5 GM's are stupid because in order to take the next step they traded draft picks for established players.

- LAHawk

Hahaha, where shall i start

so it was smart to sign Lindy Ruff to a contract extension earlier in the season and then fire him? I never like Ruff but boy oh boy Timo is really paying off for them this season.

Kings fire their coach this year, PLD seems to be really paying off for the Kings as well, i like that they didn't give up their own pick and it was a 2nd round pick but they did give up a nice prospect in the trade and leveraged themselves against the cap signing PLD.

Oilers fire their coach this year but in all honesty McDavid is at that age where they have to try to win a Cup like the Golden Knights. So i liked the move for the defenseman

I liked Stevie Ys shrewd deal with the Senators he gave up a first that he traded for and only a 4 year contract with Cat at a reasonable price.

If KD wants to package a late 1st rounder for a young established top 6 forward i have no problem with that, i just don't want it to be 2 firsts and prospects. And not a disgruntled forward

All these teams have to show for their trades is making the playoffs banners and being up against the cap banners. Well except for Detroit but I'm sure they will be up against the cap pretty quick here.

Added, i don't know if it'll pay off but i like the Sabres direction right now, slow and steady, let your already good players get more playing experience and keep building through the draft.

Hahaha, where shall i start

so it was smart to sign Lindy Ruff to a contract extension earlier in the season and then fire him? I never like Ruff but boy oh Timo is really paying off for them this season.

Kings fire their coach this year, PLD seems to be really paying off for the Kings as well, i like that they didn't give up their own pick and it was a 2nd round pick but they did give up a nice prospect in the trade and leveraged themselves against the cap signing PLD.

Oilers fire their coach this year but in all honesty McDavid is at that age where they have to try to win a Cup like the Golden Knights. So i liked the move for the defenseman

I liked Stevie Ys shrewd deal with the Senators he gave up a first that he traded for and only a 4 year contract with Cat at a reasonable price.

If KD wants to package a late 1st rounder for a young established top 6 forward i have no problem with that, i just don't want it to be 2 firsts and prospects. And not a disgruntled forward

All these teams have to show for their trades is making the playoffs banners and being up against the cap banners. Well except for Detroit but I'm sure they will be up against the cap pretty quick here.
- BetweenTheDots

Exactly! I think what keeps getting lost is this is year 2 of the rebuild and actually the first year where they were trying to build up from bottoming out the season before.

I suppose we can be jealous of some clubs having a less painful turnaround but let's see where things stand in a couple years.

I'm still going into the offseason thinking they sign a couple of middle 6 fwds and the team is a bit more competitive next season but still not sniffing the playoffs for at least another year after.

Stevie Y is in the 5th year of his rebuild. Even before he took over, the Wings were bad enough where they were picking top 10 (Zadina and Rasmussen). This is the first year they are contending for a playoff spot and last year was the first where Yzerman started acquiring NHL talent in free agency.

Give it some time people.

You know what's interesting as well is the teams that gave up 1st round picks and sign those players, Islanders fired their head coach, Devils fired their coach, Oilers fired their coach, Senators fired their coach, Kings in their desperation to accelerate the rebuild fired their coach, crazy what a coincidence.

Hahaha, where shall i start

so it was smart to sign Lindy Ruff to a contract extension earlier in the season and then fire him? I never like Ruff but boy oh boy Timo is really paying off for them this season.

Kings fire their coach this year, PLD seems to be really paying off for the Kings as well, i like that they didn't give up their own pick and it was a 2nd round pick but they did give up a nice prospect in the trade and leveraged themselves against the cap signing PLD.

Oilers fire their coach this year but in all honesty McDavid is at that age where they have to try to win a Cup like the Golden Knights. So i liked the move for the defenseman

I liked Stevie Ys shrewd deal with the Senators he gave up a first that he traded for and only a 4 year contract with Cat at a reasonable price.

If KD wants to package a late 1st rounder for a young established top 6 forward i have no problem with that, i just don't want it to be 2 firsts and prospects. And not a disgruntled forward

All these teams have to show for their trades is making the playoffs banners and being up against the cap banners. Well except for Detroit but I'm sure they will be up against the cap pretty quick here.

Added, i don't know if it'll pay off but i like the Sabres direction right now, slow and steady, let your already good players get more playing experience and keep building through the draft.
- BetweenTheDots

Their direction right now is backwards. They are at hockey .500 when they were above that last year, and most were expecting this year to be "the year" they finally got back to the playoffs. They had to trade away the best player they drafted during the last twelve years they've been trying to get back to the playoffs. They've traded for or signed as many impact players as they have drafted. Their best forward was a late bloomer who was a throw in on the Ryan O'Reilly trade.

Outside of a select few, no one is saying the Hawks should go trade two firsts for a star. Most here are saying they simply need to put competent NHL players around the kids as they learn. That means they will probably have to spend a bit more money, or give a bit more term, or give up a a higher value asset than some will be happy with, but It needs to be done.

EDM is kind of the same story. They didn't start to get good until they sold off some of their high end assets to better round out their team (I'd say Ekholm was by far their most important pick-up).

I'll repeat what I said before the last draft (which turned out to be mostly wrong). I don't see any way that they make all of the selections they currently have.

You know what's interesting as well is the teams that gave up 1st round picks and sign those players, Islanders fired their head coach, Devils fired their coach, Oilers fired their coach, Senators fired their coach, Kings in their desperation to accelerate the rebuild fired their coach, crazy what a coincidence.
- BetweenTheDots

Possibly they fired the coach because the GM who made those trades believe the team is underperforming?

Ruff has been on the chopping block for the last 2 years
Lambert was a mistake in hiring after Trotz left.
Senators were making moves so that the team could be sold (remember the moves Hendry made so The Tribune could sell the Cubs)
Mc Lellan ha been rumored to be on his way out for a few years also.

How about the positive coaching changes? Montgomery in Boston, Cassidy in Vegas, DeBoer in Dallas, Tocchet in Vancouver, Maurice in Florida. All legit Stanley Cup contenders that have recycled coaches, and been with the teams for 2 years or less.

But I have read that all 5 GM's are stupid because in order to take the next step they traded draft picks for established players.

- LAHawk

Think you misrepresent what most of us were discussing. I don't remember anyone saying they were wrong in doing whatever they were doing for their rebuild, just that it wasn't what the Hawks were or should be doing at this point of their rebuild.

It was more that our side of the debate (I think mostly with you and steve from glen) was countering what I interpreted of you saying that KD was going about the rebuild was wrong, and he shouldn't build through the draft.

Even then, most would agree not to build only through the draft, it was just they weren't at a point in rebuild to be spending larger dollars and term.

I can see where there was a bit of back and forth that might have gotten out of hand a bit, but if you bring up the Kings or any other team really on a Hawks board, ya there's going to be pushback after a while.

Their direction right now is backwards. They are at hockey .500 when they were above that last year, and most were expecting this year to be "the year" they finally got back to the playoffs. They had to trade away the best player they drafted during the last twelve years they've been trying to get back to the playoffs. They've traded for or signed as many impact players as they have drafted. Their best forward was a late bloomer who was a throw in on the Ryan O'Reilly trade.

Outside of a select few, no one is saying the Hawks should go trade two firsts for a star. Most here are saying they simply need to put competent NHL players around the kids as they learn. That means they will probably have to spend a bit more money, or give a bit more term, or give up a a higher value asset than some will be happy with, but It needs to be done.

EDM is kind of the same story. They didn't start to get good until they sold off some of their high end assets to better round out their team (I'd say Ekholm was by far their most important pick-up).

I'll repeat what I said before the last draft (which turned out to be mostly wrong). I don't see any way that they make all of the selections they currently have.
- Chunk

I really don't believe that, sometimes the puck bounces your way sometimes it doesn't. A truly good gm knows what his team is. They are better for it because Benson was sitting their for them to pick up in the 1st round who i think will be a nice addition to the future Sabres team and they have $20 mil kicking in next year because of the 2 dmen they signed.

Look at NJ every one thought shoe in to make the playoffs the next 10 years, not so much.

You know what's interesting as well is the teams that gave up 1st round picks and sign those players, Islanders fired their head coach, Devils fired their coach, Oilers fired their coach, Senators fired their coach, Kings in their desperation to accelerate the rebuild fired their coach, crazy what a coincidence.
- BetweenTheDots

The Kings skated past their rebuild stage a couple seasons ago, in fact looked like the best team in the league early this season. Who knows what went on with Todd McClennan but in fairness the GM decided his team could win with 2 minor league goalies. There aint no Cups coming if Cam Talbot is any teams starting goalie, but nobody ever asks Rob Blake what the hell he was thinking when he decided that. Instead make it the coaches fault.

Pretty much the same applies in New Jersey.

Think you misrepresent what most of us were discussing. I don't remember anyone saying they were wrong in doing whatever they were doing for their rebuild, just that it wasn't what the Hawks were or should be doing at this point of their rebuild.

It was more that our side of the debate (I think mostly with you and steve from glen) was countering what I interpreted of you saying that KD was going about the rebuild was wrong, and he shouldn't build through the draft.

Even then, most would agree not to build only through the draft, it was just they weren't at a point in rebuild to be spending larger dollars and term.

I can see where there was a bit of back and forth that might have gotten out of hand a bit, but if you bring up the Kings or any other team really on a Hawks board, ya there's going to be pushback after a while.
- vabeachbear

Did I bring up the Kings? Yes there was a misread. I didn't say the Hawks were in a position today to sign big name free agents, just commenting on Mohel's post of how the bottom dwellers a few years back are now competitive, and each has made a move using draft capital, of which a comment has been made how each of these GM's were stupid. My point is that I do not think these GM's are stupid, and that the team has improved by the moves they made.

You know what's interesting as well is the teams that gave up 1st round picks and sign those players, Islanders fired their head coach, Devils fired their coach, Oilers fired their coach, Senators fired their coach, Kings in their desperation to accelerate the rebuild fired their coach, crazy what a coincidence.
- BetweenTheDots

To your point, it is all about timing. TB spent tons on guys like Goodrow, and Coleman (not to mention Hagel, and Jeannot). Look what VGK gave up to get Eichel. With the cap in place, at some point you have to rob Peter to pay Paul. FLA gave up a ton for Tkachuk (even though hindsight shows that was a great deal).

Ideally, you minimize the costs to acquire any player, but it's inevitable that it will happen (and happen often) when the time comes.

Possibly they fired the coach because the GM who made those trades believe the team is underperforming?

Ruff has been on the chopping block for the last 2 years
Lambert was a mistake in hiring after Trotz left.
Senators were making moves so that the team could be sold (remember the moves Hendry made so The Tribune could sell the Cubs)
Mc Lellan ha been rumored to be on his way out for a few years also.

How about the positive coaching changes? Montgomery in Boston, Cassidy in Vegas, DeBoer in Dallas, Tocchet in Vancouver, Maurice in Florida. All legit Stanley Cup contenders that have recycled coaches, and been with the teams for 2 years or less.
- LAHawk

Shouldn't it be time to fire Mike Sullivan in Pittsbugh? After all he can't get Malkin, Karlsson and Letang to play any good and the GM promised they would.

The Kings skated past their rebuild stage a couple seasons ago, in fact looked like the best team in the league early this season. Who knows what went on with Todd McClennan but in fairness the GM decided his team could win with 2 minor league goalies. There aint no Cups coming if Cam Talbot is any teams starting goalie, but nobody ever asks Rob Blake what the hell he was thinking when he decided that. Instead make it the coaches fault.

Pretty much the same applies in New Jersey.
- RickJ

Blake know's Talbot is not the answer, they have been rumored in every trade for a goaltender this year (including the preseason with Hellebuck). Who knows why a trade did not happen. And yes Blake is under the microscope on how the team performs in the playoff's this year.

@reporterchris
It's a one for one deal: Casey Mittlestadt to Colorado for Bowen Byram.

I really don't believe that, sometimes the puck bounces your way sometimes it doesn't. A truly good gm knows what his team is. They are better for it because Benson was sitting their for them to pick up in the 1st round who i think will be a nice addition to the future Sabres team and they have $20 mil kicking in next year because of the 2 dmen they signed.

Look at NJ every one thought shoe in to make the playoffs the next 10 years, not so much.
- BetweenTheDots

12 years of fits and starts trying to get back to the playoffs. They've had ten straight years of top 10 overall picks. Two 2nd OA and two 1 OA. If KD is given ten years of runway and has these results (not to mention if he traded Bedard away) people will be asking for his head on a pike (and rightfully so). As many have said, the NHL is results driven. They need to start producing results sooner rather than later.

Blake know's Talbot is not the answer, they have been rumored in every trade for a goaltender this year (including the preseason with Hellebuck). Who knows why a trade did not happen. And yes Blake is under the microscope on how the team performs in the playoff's this year.
- LAHawk

As he should be - he has $2.5M total tied up in his minor league goaltenders and no cap space because he spent it all on PL (I want to be in Montreal) Dubois and Kevin Fiala.

Philly trades Walker and a 5th to Colorado for Johansen and a 1st. Philly immediately puts Johansen on waivers.

Buffalo acquires Bowen Byram from Colorado Casey Mittlestadt

So the guy who everybody said was a sure fire #1 NHL defenseman and should have been who the Hawks pick instead of Dach, has proven my predraft evaluation that despite his clear offensive capabilities, that he has lacking enough hockey sense and decision making to deem him replacable by Sean Walker.

As he should be - he has $2.5M total tied up in his minor league goaltenders and no cap space because he spent it all on PL (I want to be in Montreal) Dubois and Kevin Fiala.
- RickJ

Fiala has been great for the Kings, I don't disagree the PLD trade was a headscratcher.

Of course PLD's agent is Pat Brisson, childhood friend of Luc Robitaille, always thought that was a big influence.

Philly trades Walker and a 5th to Colorado for Johansen and a 1st. Philly immediately puts Johansen on waivers.
- DarthKane

How could this possibly be - the great Ryan Johansen on waivers? Drafted 4th overall as a #1 center.

I think I know the answer - Burnaby Joe Sakic knows a hockey player when he sees one. He didn't see one in Johansen. Neither did his teammates.

Hope KD takes a cue from that and does same with Mr. Seth Jones.

Fiala has been great for the Kings, I don't disagree the PLD trade was a headscratcher.

Of course PLD's agent is Pat Brisson, childhood friend of Luc Robitaille, always thought that was a big influence.
- LAHawk

Great point.

Buffalo acquires Bowen Byram from Colorado Casey Mittlestadt

So the guy who everybody said was a sure fire #1 NHL defenseman and should have been who the Hawks pick instead of Dach, has proven my predraft evaluation that despite his clear offensive capabilities, that he has lacking enough hockey sense and decision making to deem him replacable by Sean Walker.
- wiz1901

I wonder if Colorado will be able to keep him after the season. I believe he is an RFA. He was one of the guys I thought the Blackhawks could make a run at this offseason.

Buffalo acquires Bowen Byram from Colorado Casey Mittlestadt

So the guy who everybody said was a sure fire #1 NHL defenseman and should have been who the Hawks pick instead of Dach, has proven my predraft evaluation that despite his clear offensive capabilities, that he has lacking enough hockey sense and decision making to deem him replacable by Sean Walker.
- wiz1901

Your scouting report probably right but a lot of concssions for Byram after coming into the league as a 19 year old. Took a beating playing against men before he was ready.

I'd bet Buffalo will flip him, they already have Owen Power and Dahlin.