Tinordi is what happens when you think there is still a place for John Scott in this league. Tough is great as long as you know how to also play hockey. Just being cubed steak on skates is pointless.
- Chunk

Tinordi is what happens when you want to tank, worst defenseman in the league. I honestly don’t want to watch when he’s in the lineup, but I end up tuning in anyways.

The Hawks goalie situation should be interesting next season. Do they go again with the Mrazek/Soderblom tandem? That's a bit risky IMO. Both have stayed healthy this season, but what if Mrazek goes down with an injury? Then the Hawks would have to rely on Soderblom and probably Stauber (with Commesso maybe getting in a game or two).

Another alternative, proposed by Darth I think, is to move on from Arvid. Then it's either promoting one of the kids to backup, or finding a journeyman veteran.

I haven't been following Commesso much so I don't know if he's the real deal. Gajan is probably 3 or 4 years away but who knows how he'll turn out. I wouldn't be surprised if another goalie is drafted this summer to add to the pipeline.
- boilermaker100

I don't see Soderblom back with the organization next season. My guess is that the Hawks will buy him out. If they can send him to Europe and keep the cap hit they may do that as well (they need the cap hit). Either way, he shouldn't be on the Hawks roster or take away playing development time from Commesso and Stauber in Rockford. I would sign a UFA goalie and trade for a decent back-up.

On a side now...after struggling with the cap through the championship years it still feels odd that the Hawks need to find ways to get to the cap floor.

I don't see Soderblom back with the organization next season. My guess is that the Hawks will buy him out. If they can send him to Europe and keep the cap hit they may do that as well (they need the cap hit). Either way, he shouldn't be on the Hawks roster or take away playing development time from Commesso and Stauber in Rockford. I would sign a UFA goalie and trade for a decent back-up.

On a side now...after struggling with the cap through the championship years it still feels odd that the Hawks need to find ways to get to the cap floor.
- DarthKane

He can be 3rd goalie in Rockford/injury call up next year. Maybe someone would pick him up if put on waivers? No need to buy him out, just keep him as depth in case of injuries.

This obsession with size is weird. I noticed both LA and the Ducks, Bedard would exit the zone, Kurashev would be right behind one dman takes an angle on Bedard a forward coming back skates as fast as he can at Bedard making him turn and pass the puck off to the trailer. It's to bad Hall is injured, but if Nazar or Moore were playing on the same line i highly doubt the dman would put himself in that position and leave his dpartner in a most likely 2 on 1 situation. For now teams get to cheat this way because we are to damn slow as a team.

Calling John Scott Tinordi is an insult.
- rpeters01

To which one?

This obsession with size is weird. I noticed both LA and the Ducks, Bedard would exit the zone, Kurashev would be right behind one dman takes an angle on Bedard a forward coming back skates as fast as he can at Bedard making him turn and pass the puck off to the trailer. It's to bad Hall is injured, but if Nazar or Moore were playing on the same line i highly doubt the dman would put himself in that position and leave his dpartner in a most likely 2 on 1 situation. For now teams get to cheat this way because we are to damn slow as a team.
- BetweenTheDots

It's not unfounded. You need a balanced lineup. You can't have a bunch of trucks just like you can't have a bunch of smaller high skill guys. You need to be able to match up against a variety of opponents. I don't think anyone is talking only about height. As Fatty alluded, you need guys that are sturdy.

From what I've seen of Moore and Ludwinski, I am encouraged. I've not been able to watch much, if any, of Nazar outside of highlights. Savoie seems like he's a solid kid as long as his leg is holding up. There are a bunhc of yonger guys that seem to be pretty solid. We'll see.

Speaking of Soderblom, here's an excerpt from today's article by Scott Powers -

Söderblom has often been given the benefit of doubt by Richardson because of lack of offense around him this season, but in the big picture, Söderblom also hasn’t done much to give Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson assurance that he has his No. 1 goalie of the future in place.

The Blackhawks obviously aren’t in a win-now mode, so Davidson can take his time assessing what to do in net in the future. Söderblom will likely at least finish out this season in the NHL. Even if he starts half of the Blackhawks’ remaining games, that’s only six more games. Also, IceHogs goalies Jaxson Stauber and Drew Commesso have had their share of ups and downs this season, and neither is definitely ready for the NHL. Commesso has a .904 save percentage in 30 games and Stauber has an .896 save percentage in 24 games. Stauber has been in net for eight consecutive wins in Rockford, but he’s also allowed three or more goals in his last five starts.

Mrázek was given a two-year extension earlier this season and Söderblom and Commesso have time remaining on their contracts. Stauber is a restricted free agent at the end of the season. It’ll be interesting to see what Davidson decides to do for next season. If he doesn’t re-sign Stauber, who turns 25 in April, he could look to bring in another goalie who at least has some NHL experience.

Davidson won’t want to simply move on from Söderblom, who turns 25 in August, because goalies do sometimes figure it out at later ages and he had shown potential leading up to this season, but Davidson probably also doesn’t want to just hand Söderblom the No. 2 role next season and wait to see if he figures it out.

Söderblom could still be the Blackhawks’ No. 1 goalie of the future, but there won’t be an endless window for him to prove that. At some point, Söderblom has to show he’s exactly that. So far, he hasn’t.

Speaking of Soderblom, here's an excerpt from today's article by Scott Powers -

Söderblom has often been given the benefit of doubt by Richardson because of lack of offense around him this season, but in the big picture, Söderblom also hasn’t done much to give Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson assurance that he has his No. 1 goalie of the future in place.

The Blackhawks obviously aren’t in a win-now mode, so Davidson can take his time assessing what to do in net in the future. Söderblom will likely at least finish out this season in the NHL. Even if he starts half of the Blackhawks’ remaining games, that’s only six more games. Also, IceHogs goalies Jaxson Stauber and Drew Commesso have had their share of ups and downs this season, and neither is definitely ready for the NHL. Commesso has a .904 save percentage in 30 games and Stauber has an .896 save percentage in 24 games. Stauber has been in net for eight consecutive wins in Rockford, but he’s also allowed three or more goals in his last five starts.

Mrázek was given a two-year extension earlier this season and Söderblom and Commesso have time remaining on their contracts. Stauber is a restricted free agent at the end of the season. It’ll be interesting to see what Davidson decides to do for next season. If he doesn’t re-sign Stauber, who turns 25 in April, he could look to bring in another goalie who at least has some NHL experience.

Davidson won’t want to simply move on from Söderblom, who turns 25 in August, because goalies do sometimes figure it out at later ages and he had shown potential leading up to this season, but Davidson probably also doesn’t want to just hand Söderblom the No. 2 role next season and wait to see if he figures it out.

Söderblom could still be the Blackhawks’ No. 1 goalie of the future, but there won’t be an endless window for him to prove that. At some point, Söderblom has to show he’s exactly that. So far, he hasn’t.
- boilermaker100

I believe you have the right calll on everything here. I do not feel that the duo at Rockford are going to become top NHL starters but could become average goaltenders. Gajan might be someone to
Keep an eye upon. The goaltender of the future has probably not arrived yet; drafting another goaltender is definitely a long term
Solution

This obsession with size is weird. I noticed both LA and the Ducks, Bedard would exit the zone, Kurashev would be right behind one dman takes an angle on Bedard a forward coming back skates as fast as he can at Bedard making him turn and pass the puck off to the trailer. It's to bad Hall is injured, but if Nazar or Moore were playing on the same line i highly doubt the dman would put himself in that position and leave his dpartner in a most likely 2 on 1 situation. For now teams get to cheat this way because we are to damn slow as a team.
- BetweenTheDots

How fast can you skate when you are on your ass? I don't think Kurashev has taken a check yet this year where he hasn't fallen down. That goes for most of the forwards on the team. Skating faster doesn't help you win a board battle. NHL rinks are still 200 x 85. You need to get puck possession first before you can utilize speed.

I believe you have the right calll on everything here. I do not feel that the duo at Rockford are going to become top NHL starters but could become average goaltenders. Gajan might be someone to
Keep an eye upon. The goaltender of the future has probably not arrived yet; drafting another goaltender is definitely a long term
Solution
- jhawk59

Based on what? How do you define a top NHL starter?

It's not unfounded. You need a balanced lineup. You can't have a bunch of trucks just like you can't have a bunch of smaller high skill guys. You need to be able to match up against a variety of opponents. I don't think anyone is talking only about height. As Fatty alluded, you need guys that are sturdy.

From what I've seen of Moore and Ludwinski, I am encouraged. I've not been able to watch much, if any, of Nazar outside of highlights. Savoie seems like he's a solid kid as long as his leg is holding up. There are a bunhc of yonger guys that seem to be pretty solid. We'll see.
- Chunk

I'd be happy if the org when scouting players size is not one of the main variables in their decision making. I think you posted on the last blog about competing is an important one which i agree with.

Not so much redwoods, but physical players. Look at our tall defense, all 6'2 and above, and except for Tinordi, they are not physical.

Foligno is the most physical forward, R. Johnson is physical also (probably will be resigned to at least an AHL contract just for the fact he provides what is not in the system now).

Above what you mentioned above, Toews was physical, Hossa was physical, Bolland was physical, besides a Boynton/Brookbank on the back end.
- LAHawk

"Tough minded" players. Not guys whose specialty is fighting but will take a hit every time to make a play, take an elbow to the choppers every time to play hockey in both slots, hair on fire to loose pucks along the walls and have enough size to do so so he's not on the IR 5 times a yr playing that way, "tough minded".

A guy like My Guy Tom Wilson is Gold. A couple Hathaway types who have good size can skate a shift and is "tough minded"..........

This is why 1,000 GM's have missed on Lindstrom types (and why he'll go top 5 this yr) and 1,000 more will to the same. Why 1,000 GM's will grab a Panik thinking he just might click with our group. Why Jamie Benns are Gold.

And if it were that easy to roster these kinds every squad would have a few. ... GMing ain't easy, man.

How fast can you skate when you are on your ass? I don't think Kurashev has taken a check yet this year where he hasn't fallen down. That goes for most of the forwards on the team. Skating faster doesn't help you win a board battle. NHL rinks are still 200 x 85. You need to get puck possession first before you can utilize speed.
- LAHawk

If you are the faster team you get to more 50 50 pucks sooner, if a defender is cheating you can exploit him. Passing lanes are smaller. One of the things that impressed me the most of our SC teams was most times you saw 5 guys around the puck defending. Bolland Frolik, Shaw, Kruger all smaller guys, tenacious and puck hounds. They all skated really well.

And if you are the faster team you will have more puck support so if your team mate gets knocked on his ass theirs another player there to muck it up all over again.

If you are the faster team you get to more 50 50 pucks sooner, if a defender is cheating you can exploit him. Passing lanes are smaller. One of the things that impressed me the most of our SC teams was time you saw 5 guys around the puck defending. Bolland Frolik, Shaw, Kruger all smaller guys, tenacious and puck hounds. They all skated really well.
- BetweenTheDots

How many 50/50 pucks are in open ice compared to 50/50 pucks along the boards? Even along the boards if you get there sooner, you can still be outmuscled How many greasy goals are scored as opposed to the tic-tac-toe's?

The top 4 defensive teams in the league are Winnipeg, Florida, Los Angeles, and Carolina. all considered big and heavy teams. They must figure out a way to win the puck against faster teams.

How many 50/50 pucks are in open ice compared to 50/50 pucks along the boards? Even along the boards if you get there sooner, you can still be outmuscled How many greasy goals are scored as opposed to the tic-tac-toe's?
- LAHawk

Hagel seems to win his fair share of board battles and playing in front of the net, Slaggert looks like another guy who fits that mold. Korchinski a 190 rookie and he seems to get to the puck 1st and make a play he also seems to be able to pin bigger forwards to the boards.

Kirby was supposed to be this power forward and he was pretty weak along the boards

Really good hockey players come in all shapes and sizes, don't get so caught up in size and ignore the talent part. Talent always first.

If you are the faster team you get to more 50 50 pucks sooner, if a defender is cheating you can exploit him. Passing lanes are smaller. One of the things that impressed me the most of our SC teams was time you saw 5 guys around the puck defending. Bolland Frolik, Shaw, Kruger all smaller guys, tenacious and puck hounds. They all skated really well.

And if you are the faster team you will have more puck support so if your team mate gets knocked on his ass theirs another player there to muck it up all over again.
- BetweenTheDots

I’ll take a small player with a big heart like Bolland, Shaw, Frolik etc. over a big player like Dylan Strome who’s still looking for a heart and is happy playing a perimeter game. But it’s also nice to have some bigger guys to make the front of either net, along the boards and in the corners a living hell. The thing about those Hawks teams was as big, physical and mean other teams were, they couldn’t intimidate the Blackhawks. Guys were willing to take hits to make plays, willing to stand in front of pucks and willing to battle much bigger stronger players to win puck battles. All that said if I had my choice between two guys of equal ability, both aggressive, both very competitive and one’s 5’10 170 and one is 6’2 200 I’ll go with the bigger guy every time.

Kirby was supposed to be this power forward and he was pretty weak along the boards
- BetweenTheDots

Athanaseu is probably the fastest skater in the league and what does he accomplish on the ice?

Athanaseu is probably the fastest skater in the league and what does he accomplish on the ice?
- LAHawk

He's missing the talent part

Really good hockey players come in all shapes and sizes, don't get so caught up in size and ignore the talent part. Talent always first.
- BetweenTheDots

Yes, but skating speed is just one component of a hockey player. And give me a player with hockey smarts over the guy who is not smart, no matter how fast they can skate of shoot the puck.

I’ll take a small player with a big heart like Bolland, Shaw, Frolik etc. over a big player like Dylan Strome who’s still looking for a heart and is happy playing a perimeter game. But it’s also nice to have some bigger guys to make the front of either net, along the boards and in the corners a living hell. The thing about those Hawks teams was as big, physical and mean other teams were, they couldn’t intimidate the Blackhawks. Guys were willing to take hits to make plays, willing to stand in front of pucks and willing to battle much bigger stronger players to win puck battles. All that said if I had my choice between two guys of equal ability, both aggressive, both very competitive and one’s 5’10 170 and one is 6’2 200 I’ll go with the bigger guy every time.
- paulr

That's why i say it should be something they consider, but not the top thing they consider.

Yes, but skating speed is just one component of a hockey player. And give me a player with hockey smarts over the guy who is not smart, no matter how fast they can skate of shoot the puck.
- LAHawk

You're right I'm assuming Hall, Nazar and Moore have talent. Maybe they don't

Speaking of Soderblom, here's an excerpt from today's article by Scott Powers -

Söderblom has often been given the benefit of doubt by Richardson because of lack of offense around him this season, but in the big picture, Söderblom also hasn’t done much to give Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson assurance that he has his No. 1 goalie of the future in place.

The Blackhawks obviously aren’t in a win-now mode, so Davidson can take his time assessing what to do in net in the future. Söderblom will likely at least finish out this season in the NHL. Even if he starts half of the Blackhawks’ remaining games, that’s only six more games. Also, IceHogs goalies Jaxson Stauber and Drew Commesso have had their share of ups and downs this season, and neither is definitely ready for the NHL. Commesso has a .904 save percentage in 30 games and Stauber has an .896 save percentage in 24 games. Stauber has been in net for eight consecutive wins in Rockford, but he’s also allowed three or more goals in his last five starts.

Mrázek was given a two-year extension earlier this season and Söderblom and Commesso have time remaining on their contracts. Stauber is a restricted free agent at the end of the season. It’ll be interesting to see what Davidson decides to do for next season. If he doesn’t re-sign Stauber, who turns 25 in April, he could look to bring in another goalie who at least has some NHL experience.

Davidson won’t want to simply move on from Söderblom, who turns 25 in August, because goalies do sometimes figure it out at later ages and he had shown potential leading up to this season, but Davidson probably also doesn’t want to just hand Söderblom the No. 2 role next season and wait to see if he figures it out.

Söderblom could still be the Blackhawks’ No. 1 goalie of the future, but there won’t be an endless window for him to prove that. At some point, Söderblom has to show he’s exactly that. So far, he hasn’t.
- boilermaker100

Puuuhleeeeeeeeease, a NUMBER ONE NHL goalie?? Soderblom???? Agreed, you never know until you try a goalie in the AHL/Bigs but there are hundreds of Soderbloms out there........ Guy was undrafted, never played in his country's top league!!!.But maybe he's a possible NHL #1????????????????

IMO his ceiling was ALWAYS a 3rd/4th best goalie in a system, not counting goalies drafted still in jrs or NCAA.... A guy who can take 15 AHL starts and come up when both NHL goalies are injured. Basically cannon fodder but these kinds are useful to an organIzation. A guy who takes starts/minutes so real prospects aren't overused, compromised or stunted..... That's what Soderblom is auditioning for, to be the cannon fodder goalie of a pipeline.

That said, zero problem trying him with the NHL squad with the club in this stage of a rebuild THIS yr. Simply cuz, you just never know but if you go with him as your NHL #2 next yr you are hurting the rebuild.

Reader let me ask, have you ever seen Soderblom balanced, not scrambly, not down and out 5 ft from his crease, not cough rebound after rebound after rebound, not give up at least 1 softie a game, not have chaos in front of him Every. Single. Game? Ever?

Shame on Powers. Even if a Hawk employee fed him this "possible future #1" crap he should know better to print it. Shameful. If you have no material for an article don't print one! Future #1??????????

And, if a Hawk employee who matters thinks Soderblom could even be an NHL #2, coupled with taking Gajan over Hrabal I will officially be worried, no alarmed, about this organIzation's ability to evaluate the position.

Future #ONE. Cmon, man.

You're right I'm assuming Hall, Nazar and Moore have talent. Maybe they don't
- BetweenTheDots

What you said makes no sense. Of course they have talent. Hall, and appears Nazer and Moore also have hockey sense, If you watch an AHL, major college, and jr. leagues they are for the most part all great skaters, or they wouldn't have made it that far.

And I guess I didn't know speed was the only component of being a great skater.