I vote Vlasic as the defensive rookie of the year. He is amazing game in and game out.

For perspective on the goalie discussion, in the MoneyPuck GSAE ranking of goalies that have played at least 1 game this season, Mrazek ranks 46th (don't forget it ranks every goalie that hit the ice during a game this season, he's 39th if you eliminate guys with less than 10 games) with a 0.4 GSAE. Soderblom ranks 93 of 94 goalies with an -18.0. So Soderblom costs the team 2/3 of a goal in every game he's been in, on average. Here's the link.

https://moneypuck.com/goalies.htm

I vote Vlasic as the defensive rookie of the year. He is amazing game in and game out.
- bjphawkfan

For the Hawks? sure, but Faber is going to win that for the league.

For perspective on the goalie discussion, in the MoneyPuck GSAE ranking of goalies that have played at least 1 game this season, Mrazek ranks 46th (don't forget it ranks every goalie that hit the ice during a game this season, he's 39th if you eliminate guys with less than 10 games) with a 0.4 GSAE. Soderblom ranks 93 of 94 goalies with an -18.0. So Soderblom costs the team 2/3 of a goal in every game he's been in, on average. Here's the link.

https://moneypuck.com/goalies.htm
- scottak

Sounds about right.

When I was in college we had this fullback, I won't say his last name, I'll refer to him as Jerry L. We used to call him "2-yard Jerry," because all he could ever do was get back to the line of scrimmage and fall forward for a 2 yard gain. That nickname has today been resurrected and morphed into "4-goal Arvid."

For perspective on the goalie discussion, in the MoneyPuck GSAE ranking of goalies that have played at least 1 game this season, Mrazek ranks 46th (don't forget it ranks every goalie that hit the ice during a game this season, he's 39th if you eliminate guys with less than 10 games) with a 0.4 GSAE. Soderblom ranks 93 of 94 goalies with an -18.0. So Soderblom costs the team 2/3 of a goal in every game he's been in, on average. Here's the link.

https://moneypuck.com/goalies.htm
- scottak

Thank you for this, Scott. You just linked me to a rabbit hole......... Not that this is a be all end all, but click on rebounds per save. Of 94 goalies HellBoy ranks 82nd, Shesterkin 77th, Soderblom 60th, Mrazak. ..... If we were sittin in the tavern and you told me this you'd have taken my money. https://moneypuck.com/goalies.htm

I'd add Hellybuyck and Shesterkin make save in balance so they slide into position to stop/deal with rebounds easily.

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

Pavel Datysuk was nearly impossible to take the puck away from. The Charles Barkley of hockey.

Soderblom seems like he has the technical tools IMO, but the confidence is in the tank bad right now. He overplays his positioning, scrambles and just doesn't have the poise of an experienced NHL goalie. I would have hoped the coaches would have been helping him improve in that area.

The 3 most likely goalies to get a spot behind Mrazek next year, comparing their AHL careers as a point of reference.

Soderblom - 71 GP 2.83 GAA 0.913 SV%
Stauber - 41 GP 3.16 GAA 0.895 SV%
Commesso - 30 GP 2.73 GAA 0.904 SV%

Soderblom might not be the guy and might not find his game. Stauber and Commesso haven't exactly been world beaters in the minors. I was hoping that the Hawks would have swapped Stauber and Soderblom for a while this season to give him a break from the NHL pressure.

Maybe KD will wheel and deal and move one of Stauber or Soderblom in a deal to bring in another young goalie who is stuck behind NHL talent.

"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.
- Mr Ricochet

Wilson is a piece of poop that should have gotten a 40 game suspension for that slash to the head. If the player got injured it would have been completely different.

Yeah, size matters for NHL players but it's secondary to the fight and determination in the player. Some of our best battlers of the past Bolland, Shaw, Kruger, as examples weren't huge, they weren't going to out-muscle many guys, but they were smart with their sticks to get pucks, or fearless to go to tough areas and get knocked down.

We will need some of the guys who are hard to knock off the puck, ala Hossa, Ladd, Brouwer, Bickell, Saad, Toews.

KD did draft a few forwards with a bit of size, Misiak, Pharand, Marcel x2, Oscarson, Felcman, Tohila. More so in the 2023 draft then 2022, but maybe that trend will continue even more in the 2024 draft.

Right now, if we want to talk numbers, I see a source listing us as 22nd team in weight, about 3-4 pounds less than average in the NHL. Heaviest teams being Vegas, NYI, Boston, NYR, Edmonton.

Does it matter, I guess somewhat, but one of the "smallest/shortest" teams is Colorado and they are still a very solid contender. I think it's more that if you don't have as much size, you better have the speed/skill to make up for it.

Soderblom seems like he has the technical tools IMO, but the confidence is in the tank bad right now. He overplays his positioning, scrambles and just doesn't have the poise of an experienced NHL goalie. I would have hoped the coaches would have been helping him improve in that area.

The 3 most likely goalies to get a spot behind Mrazek next year, comparing their AHL careers as a point of reference.

Soderblom - 71 GP 2.83 GAA 0.913 SV%
Stauber - 41 GP 3.16 GAA 0.895 SV%
Commesso - 30 GP 2.73 GAA 0.904 SV%

Soderblom might not be the guy and might not find his game. Stauber and Commesso haven't exactly been world beaters in the minors. I was hoping that the Hawks would have swapped Stauber and Soderblom for a while this season to give him a break from the NHL pressure.

Maybe KD will wheel and deal and move one of Stauber or Soderblom in a deal to bring in another young goalie who is stuck behind NHL talent.
- breadbag

Since we're talking goalies in the Hawk system let me say a bit on Commesso.. https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/201741/drew-commesso

He was the 2nd goalie taken, Askerov went 14th, in his 2020 draft. He was 1 of 2 goalies taken from a population of 330 million people to play for the NTDP as a 17 yr old. IIRC he had the highest save percentage of any NTDP goalie in his draft yr. That includes Knight and Ottenger, to name a couple.

He was at a top program at the U of Boston for 3 yrs, 2 yrs the starter and threw up .915, .914 and .913 SPG's in his 3 yrs and a a 24-8 record his last yr there. Now the 21 yr old with a July birthday has a .904 SPG and a 13-13-4 record his first yr as a pro.

Personally I love to death the path of 2 yrs at the NTDP playing internationally and domestically (but no WJC's) as a 17-18 yr old, 3 yrs at a top NCAA program and now the AHL as a young 21 yr old. To me a fantastic path of slow, proper, reasonable development.

One of 330 million to play for the NTDP, best save percentage of a goalie factory in the NTDP his draft yr and 2nd goalie taken his draft yr....... This kid has a real chance admitting I have not seen him once this yr but his body of work and path is excellent as well as seeing him a bunch at the NTDP and a bit at Boston U.

And to me my favorite style for the position. Skating=balance=square, technical with very good athleticism. A calm approach that makes saves technically but when needed a lotta athleticism to make saves when things break down in front of him....... A Carey Price style.

Edit: He was the starter for USA in the 21/22 WJC that was cancelled. He threw up a .920 SPG in the win in 1 game before the WJC was cancelled.

Yeah, size matters for NHL players but it's secondary to the fight and determination in the player. Some of our best battlers of the past Bolland, Shaw, Kruger, as examples weren't huge, they weren't going to out-muscle many guys, but they were smart with their sticks to get pucks, or fearless to go to tough areas and get knocked down.

We will need some of the guys who are hard to knock off the puck, ala Hossa, Ladd, Brouwer, Bickell, Saad, Toews.

KD did draft a few forwards with a bit of size, Misiak, Pharand, Marcel x2, Oscarson, Felcman, Tohila. More so in the 2023 draft then 2022, but maybe that trend will continue even more in the 2024 draft.

Right now, if we want to talk numbers, I see a source listing us as 22nd team in weight, about 3-4 pounds less than average in the NHL. Heaviest teams being Vegas, NYI, Boston, NYR, Edmonton.

Does it matter, I guess somewhat, but one of the "smallest/shortest" teams is Colorado and they are still a very solid contender. I think it's more that if you don't have as much size, you better have the speed/skill to make up for it.
- breadbag

Nichushkin, Mikko and MacKinnon are a load but other than that they are a smaller faster flip the ice team. And that Makar and Toews pairing is probably the best in the NHL and that also makes your argument.

I think having at least one heavy top 6 modern power forward would be a good thing but I also don't think it would be ideal if they had their top 2 centers under 5'10.

Since we're talking goalies in the Hawk system let me say a bit on Commesso.. https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/201741/drew-commesso

He was the 2nd goalie taken, Askerov went 14th, in his 2020 draft. He was 1 of 2 goalies taken from a population of 330 million people to play for the NTDP as a 17 yr old. IIRC he had the highest save percentage of any NTDP goalie in his draft yr. That includes Knight and Ottenger, to name a couple.

He was at a top program at the U of Boston for 3 yrs, 2 yrs the starter and threw up .915, .914 and .913 SPG's in his 3 yrs and a a 24-8 record his last yr there. Now the 21 yr old with a July birthday has a .904 SPG and a 13-13-4 record his first yr as a pro.

Personally I love to death the path of 2 yrs at the NTDP playing internationally and domestically (but no WJC's) as a 17-18 yr old, 3 yrs at a top NCAA program and now the AHL as a young 21 yr old. To me a fantastic path of slow, proper, reasonable development.

One of 330 million to play for the NTDP, best save percentage of a goalie factory in the NTDP his draft yr and 2nd goalie taken his draft yr....... This kid has a real chance admitting I have not seen him once this yr but his body of work and path is excellent as well as seeing him a bunch at the NTDP and a bit at Boston U.

And to me my favorite style for the position. Skating=balance=square, technical with very good athleticism. A calm approach that makes saves technically but when needed a lotta athleticism to make saves when things break down in front of him....... A Carey Price style.

Edit: He was the starter for USA in the 21/22 WJC that was cancelled. He threw up a .920 SPG in the win in 1 game before the WJC was cancelled.
- Mr Ricochet

Not trying to take anything away from the guy, but no he’s not. Regardless of how many people are in the country he’s only competing with the number of goalies available in his age group.

For the Hawks? sure, but Faber is going to win that for the league.
- LAHawk

I don't care how many points Faber has {and he will never catch Bedard}, as far as defense goes, Vlasic is the best rookie out there.

I don't care how many points Faber has {and he will never catch Bedard}, as far as defense goes, Vlasic is the best rookie out there.
- bjphawkfan

I will go with Mintuyokov from Anaheim.

This a pretty big compliment but I’m not seeing it, just yet anyway. Korchinski being compared to Scott Niedermayer. This comparison will drive a certain poster crazy. 🤣🤣🤣


https://thehockeynews.com...oach-luke-richardson-says

This a pretty big compliment but I’m not seeing it, just yet anyway. Korchinski being compared to Scott Niedermayer. This comparison will drive a certain poster crazy. 🤣🤣🤣


https://thehockeynews.com...oach-luke-richardson-says
- paulr

I think his comment was related to effortless skating not necessarily ceiling or anything like that.

I think his comment was related to effortless skating not necessarily ceiling or anything like that.
- fattybeef

Yes. There is something to be said for quoting in context.

I think his comment was related to effortless skating not necessarily ceiling or anything like that.
- fattybeef

Richardson‘s direct quote is “ may have the wheels and skills to match the former Norris Trophy winner.”

Not trying to take anything away from the guy, but no he’s not. Regardless of how many people are in the country he’s only competing with the number of goalies available in his age group.
- Chunk

Commesso is not what?

Yeah, size matters for NHL players but it's secondary to the fight and determination in the player. Some of our best battlers of the past Bolland, Shaw, Kruger, as examples weren't huge, they weren't going to out-muscle many guys, but they were smart with their sticks to get pucks, or fearless to go to tough areas and get knocked down.

We will need some of the guys who are hard to knock off the puck, ala Hossa, Ladd, Brouwer, Bickell, Saad, Toews.

KD did draft a few forwards with a bit of size, Misiak, Pharand, Marcel x2, Oscarson, Felcman, Tohila. More so in the 2023 draft then 2022, but maybe that trend will continue even more in the 2024 draft.

Right now, if we want to talk numbers, I see a source listing us as 22nd team in weight, about 3-4 pounds less than average in the NHL. Heaviest teams being Vegas, NYI, Boston, NYR, Edmonton.

Does it matter, I guess somewhat, but one of the "smallest/shortest" teams is Colorado and they are still a very solid contender. I think it's more that if you don't have as much size, you better have the speed/skill to make up for it.
- breadbag

Hawks have neither

Playoff hockey tonight...

6pm Central - EDM @ TOR
7pm Central - FLA @ NYR
9:30pm Central - TBL @ LAK
9:30pm Central - CHI @ SJS

Playoff hockey tonight...

6pm Central - EDM @ TOR
7pm Central - FLA @ NYR
9:30pm Central - TBL @ LAK
9:30pm Central - CHI @ SJS
- boilermaker100

Torts welcomes BOS to Philly at noon.

CHL Memorial Cup starts next week, NCAA conference playoffs and the Frozen Four are here. Great time of the yr.

Speaking of playoff hockey, can we mention that and not NSH??? 8-0-2 their last 10 currently holding the top wild card spot in the West. On a 4 game run after shutting out FLA out @ FLA... Yo LA, how's NSH lookin in Yr 1 of their rebuild under Trotz?

Torts welcomes BOS to Philly at noon.

CHL Memorial Cup starts next week, NCAA conference playoffs and the Frozen Four are here. Great time of the yr.

Speaking of playoff hockey, can we mention that and not NSH??? 8-0-2 their last 10 currently holding the top wild card spot in the Wedt. Yo LA, how's NSH lookin in Yr 1 of their rebuild under Trotz?
- Mr Ricochet

Got rid of the 2 cancers Duchense and Johansson, brought in O’Reilly, couple of rookies like Evsngalista pound calll it more of a retool under Trotz than a rebuild.

Got rid of the 2 cancers Duchense and Johansson, brought in O’Reilly, couple of rookies like Evsngalista I would calll it more of a retool under Trotz than a rebuild.
- LAHawk

Torts welcomes BOS to Philly at noon.

CHL Memorial Cup starts next week, NCAA conference playoffs and the Frozen Four are here. Great time of the yr.

Speaking of playoff hockey, can we mention that and not NSH??? 8-0-2 their last 10 currently holding the top wild card spot in the West. On a 4 game run after shutting out FLA out @ FLA... Yo LA, how's NSH lookin in Yr 1 of their rebuild under Trotz?
- Mr Ricochet

Vegas on the outside looking in for the 2nd West wild card at this time. It would be something if they miss the playoffs after doing their LTIR gymnastics and the addition of Mantha, Hanafin and Hertl at the TDL.

BIG10 championship tonight at 7pm Central - Michigan @ Michigan State. Michigan ranked 10th last week, so win or loss they will be in the NCAA tourney beginning next week. Their season will last until next weekend at least. Will Nazar turn pro or spend one more year at Michigan? I say he stays.

Greene with 2 goals for Boston U last night. With Celebrini, they are #2 in the country and play BC, #1, tonight for their conference championship.