As mentioned the Hawks have 7 forwards 9(ncluding Slaggert) under contract next year
Bedard, AA, Hall, Donato, Slaggert, Foligno, Richardinson

You have 2 UFA's T. Johnson/Blackwell that I cannot see KD bringing back either because you have 6 RFA's to decide to sign or not

Raddysh, Gutman, Entwhistle, R. Johnson, Reichel, Anderson.

Still have C. Dach signed and possibly ready for a spot.

How many of the RFA's does KD attempt to sign, and how many does he try to trade the rights or just lets walk?

Really depends on how much KD wants to improve the forwards next year, via trade or UFA. Or is he going to run the same players out again? Is Nazer going to sign (and start on the big club), and of course all depends how the lotto balls fall with Cellebrini.
- LAHawk

As far as the UFAs in my opinion:
1. Entwistle can walk
2. Reichel bring back. He's been very disappointing, but still can't give up on him yet.
3. Raddysh can walk too, but if you need a placeholder to keep the guys in Rockford maybe?
4. Gutman has been solid in Rockford, maybe Rockford gives him an AHL contract?
5. Bring back Anderson as he's a solid 4th line guy
6. Let Johnson walk

Blackwell is gone. Johnson is likely gone, but I could see him getting a 1-2 year deal if the Hawks value his veteran leadership like they do Foligno.

I don't see Nazar as NHL ready. I expect a few forward free agent signings of trade bait guys and at least one big body (but maybe with a bit more skill than Entiwstle)

Wow lots of anger there. Don't understand the need for an attack especially since we are all Hawks fans. You can definitely express your opinion, but no need for the shade.

Been to plenty of games at the Stadium too and I have enough maturity to "have a clue" that times change. But maybe going to the games in the late 80's isn't fossil enough to qualify as a real fan or whatever you are getting at.

Affordable? Yeah hop on Stub Hub and get tickets for 28 bucks plus the fee, hot dog for 6.75 and Spot Hero parking for 17 or so. Looking at 60 dollar event. I'm not sure that qualifies for having a poop load of money.
- Popsghostly

Good on you for the money stuff. My first time in the Stadium was 1959. Between the Stadium and United Center I've been to slightly over 2,000 hockey games and a few concerts. And I'd still go IF I enjoyed the atmosphere. I don't. Sure things change, but cups or no playoffs at all I'm there for the game. Wasn't trying to break bad on you, but all the other stuff is nonsense to me. So to each their own, good luck to you.

The problem is the broadcaster's job is to teach the game, and it's intricacies to the new fan as well as the old.. It is very apparent Voister's had no experience in hockey, even as a fan, and unfortunately, I don't think he puts in the work to learn it. You can have the best color commentator/analysist in the business to explain, but they have limited time on the broadcast to do that. Makes things difficult when the color commentator is explaining to the play by play guy what just happened in the 30 seconds he has, as opposed to further breaking down a play, or isolate on a player or situation that happened away from the puck.

Emrick's "On to the turning stick" phrase, how he used it was poetic, Voisters new "flicks the wrists" to me is like a school teacher (in the old days) scratching the chalboard with their nails.

Remember when Tirico did the one game, he wanted to do a hockey broadcast, and never had done one before. He prepared, and sounded like he called hockey all his life.
- LAHawk

He's awesome. I'd listen to him read the phone book (if you can still find one).

NCAA Hockey Tournament games Thursday:

1 pm Central - ESPN 2 - Denver (Aidan Thompson) vs U Mass
4 pm Central - ESPNU - BU (Celebrini & Ryan Greene) vs RIT
730 pm Central - ESPNU - Minnesota (Moore & Rinzel) vs Omaha
- boilermaker100

Thank you, BM!!....... Can't find the UMass-Denver score. Hrabal is the UMass goalie. ... Hoping to get a stream tonight to see Rinzel and Moore tonight.

Thank you, BM!!....... Can't find the UMass-Denver score. Hrabal is the UMass goalie. ... Hoping to get a stream tonight to see Rinzel and Moore tonight.
- Mr Ricochet

Rico, games on Thursday, not today. My bad.

Good on you for the money stuff. My first time in the Stadium was 1959. Between the Stadium and United Center I've been to slightly over 2,000 hockey games and a few concerts. And I'd still go IF I enjoyed the atmosphere. I don't. Sure things change, but cups or no playoffs at all I'm there for the game. Wasn't trying to break bad on you, but all the other stuff is nonsense to me. So to each their own, good luck to you.
- 6628

I'm with you, 66. The too loud music, intermission stuff, theme nights and all that stuff ain't for me. But, as I mentioned while following the USHL for 15 yrs closely 3 franchises folded.

I learned that solvency is priority 1 and that as a hard core I have to put up with the nonsense to have hockey. ...... And that's ok if you separate the nonsense from the hockey side so you please the folks there for entertainment and those there for the hockey.

And that includes the people who call the game. Those people are what the hard cores find important so keep the Vosters out of the hockey side.

Rico, games on Thursday, not today. My bad.
- boilermaker100

Can't wait to see Hrabal on a big stage. My Guy......

Interesting Q&A with Wheeler

If this draft class and last year’s draft were combined, how would you see the top 10 turning out? — Robert B.
Where would your top four prospects of Macklin Celebrini, Artyom Levshunov, Ivan Demidov and Cole Eiserman (as well as Anton Silayev out of interest) have ranked/been selected if they were in the 2023 draft class? — Michael M.

Slotting only using where I was at on the 2023 kids pre-draft, and not what’s happened since, the combined ranking of the top prospects from each would probably look something like this:
Connor Bedard (’23)
Macklin Celebrini (’24)
Matvei Michkov (’23)
Adam Fantilli (’23)
Leo Carlsson (’23)
Will Smith (’23)
Artyom Levshunov (’24)
Ivan Demidov (’24)
Cole Eiserman (’24)
Zayne Parekh (’24)
Sam Richardinson (’24)
Zeev Buium (’24)
Anton Silayev (’24)
Zach Benson (’23)
Gabe Perreault (’23)
Berkly Catton (’24)
Konsta Helenius (’24)
Cayden Lindstrom (’24)

Wiz,Rick and anyone else who analyzes prospects,do your lists look similar?
- captainserious

Notice 5 of the first 6 on Wheeler's list are centerman..... I liked his newest list bringing Parekh and Eiserman into the top 5 but don't see Lindstrom falling outa the top 10.

I do think Parekh has a real shot at being a pt per game Dman in the NHL and Eiserman challenging 50 goals for a lotta seasons. Those kinds are rare and you don't pass on them.

I also think Wheeler underrates 6ft 7in elite skating Dman Siliyev. Maybe he falls a bit cuz he's Russian but not out of the top 6-7.

But, I do like his list overall. ...... I do believe the Hawks are in a great spot to get a probable or near elite player whether it be a Dman, goal scoring winger or a centerman in Celibrini or the beastly Lindstrom who would add the needed size with Bedard, Moore and Nazar as smallish top 6 players.

I watched a good bit of the BOS @ FLA last night. Old school playoff type game with a few fights, scrums after every whistle and thought a top 6 including Bedard, Moore and Nazar would get pounded.

Today is the 39th birthday for Dustin Byfuglien, best net front presence we've had in recent years.

Good on you for the money stuff. My first time in the Stadium was 1959. Between the Stadium and United Center I've been to slightly over 2,000 hockey games and a few concerts. And I'd still go IF I enjoyed the atmosphere. I don't. Sure things change, but cups or no playoffs at all I'm there for the game. Wasn't trying to break bad on you, but all the other stuff is nonsense to me. So to each their own, good luck to you.
- 6628

Couldn’t agree more. I still have season tickets and go to a fair number of games. Nothing irks me more than the screaming, preening idiot during the breaks in play. I get it, the place is filled with people who are there for anything except the hockey game and you want/need something to keep their attention, but I really don’t need a constant reminder to scream, yell, clap, etc.

I have been to a number of games in Vegas. It’s what you would expect from Vegas, loud, over produced, etc. but even there they don’t have an idiot like the dude at the Hawks games.

Notice 5 of the first 6 on Wheeler's list are centerman..... I liked his newest list bringing Parekh and Eiserman into the top 5 but don't see Lindstrom falling outa the top 10.

I do think Parekh has a real shot at being a pt per game Dman in the NHL and Eiserman challenging 50 goals for a lotta seasons. Those kinds are rare and you don't pass on them.

I also think Wheeler underrates 6ft 7in elite skating Dman Siliyev. Maybe he falls a bit cuz he's Russian but not out of the top 6-7.

But, I do like his list overall. ...... I do believe the Hawks are in a great spot to get a probable or near elite player whether it be a Dman, goal scoring winger or a centerman in Celibrini or the beastly Lindstrom who would add the needed size with Bedard, Moore and Nazar as smallish top 6 players.

I watched a good bit of the BOS @ FLA last night. Old school playoff type game with a few fights, scrums after every whistle and thought a top 6 including Bedard, Moore and Nazar would get pounded.
- Mr Ricochet

The question/problem that keeps cropping up in my head when talking about Parekh is "Is he closer to Q. Hughes, or Boqvist?" And how do you determine that?

The question/problem that keeps cropping up in my head when talking about Parekh is "Is he closer to Q. Hughes, or Boqvist?" And how do you determine that?
- Chunk

That in a nutshell are the challenges of scouting. He has the talent to be like Hughes, Makar or Karlsson I’m guessing teams want to talk to him to see if they can determine if he has the mindset to get his game there.

Speaking of determinations, I read that a few teams have Trevor Connolly on their do not draft list because of off ice indiscretions. From all accounts he has the talent to be top five, if not number two in the draft. I’m guessing with the off ice issues the Blackhawks are one team that will steer clear.

That in a nutshell are the challenges of scouting. He has the talent to be like Hughes, Makar or Karlsson I’m guessing teams want to talk to him to see if they can determine if he has the mindset to get his game there.

Speaking of determinations, I read that a few teams have Trevor Connolly on their do not draft list because of off ice indiscretions. From all accounts he has the talent to be top five, if not number two in the draft. I’m guessing with the off ice issues the Blackhawks are one team that will steer clear.
- paulr

For what it's worth:

https://www.therinklive.c...s-doing-to-make-up-for-it


I'm not brushing off what he did, but I'm pretty sure if there were cameras around when we were all kids - I'm 47 - as bad (of not worse) would have been captured on most of us.

The question/problem that keeps cropping up in my head when talking about Parekh is "Is he closer to Q. Hughes, or Boqvist?" And how do you determine that?
- Chunk

I think Paul answered this properly, it comes down to scouting. You can apply your question to most any prospect. There is always some uncertainty with any prospect and that's where you have to lean on your scouts.

As far as Hughes and Boqvist, I thought Hughes would be just too small to be a difference maker. I was wrong. And Boqvist predraft I had never ever seen a Dman almost refuse to remotely play defense. .... Kid just floated around and looked to jump in the offense as his 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th option defense be damned. Parekh is not like that. ...... His reads are crazy good and immediate and he has the feet and hands to capitalize on his elite reads.

For what it's worth:

https://www.therinklive.c...s-doing-to-make-up-for-it


I'm not brushing off what he did, but I'm pretty sure if there were cameras around when we were all kids - I'm 47 - as bad (of not worse) would have been captured on most of us.
- Chunk

Connelly was with something like 7 different organIzations in 2-3 yrs as a young teenager. IIRC he tried to go back to the Ducks youth program and they said no.

That is a big red flag then add the kid reposted pics of nazi symbols. I'm a pass on the kid even at #19. The Hawks would never get the on from the Biz Lady on a player like this although it would be a boon/jackpot for a click whore like Laz.

For what it's worth:

https://www.therinklive.c...s-doing-to-make-up-for-it


I'm not brushing off what he did, but I'm pretty sure if there were cameras around when we were all kids - I'm 47 - as bad (of not worse) would have been captured on most of us.
- Chunk

Oh I agree we all did things, but I’m sure KD doesn’t want anything to do with it. Hopefully he can set himself straight.

Not sure who posted about Tirico- but Ill chime in, that guy is just so damn good. whatever sport he does, its GOLD - Gold Jerry. Very impressed by him!!!

He's awesome. I'd listen to him read the phone book (if you can still find one).
- 6628

SAME

Chris Vosters
@CJVosters
Hi! 👋 just wanted you to know I will not be calling tonight’s #Blackhawks game. I’m at the #NHL offices in NYC for a dress rehearsal of our animation game on Apr. 6. Can’t wait for you to see it! Panger & the great John Wiedeman have you covered tonight. Talk to you from Ottawa!

https://www.dailyfaceoff....ween-blackhawks-and-stars
- LAHawk

That’s his calling - Vosters fits right in as a cartoon voice.

6 W, 6 L for March, 2 games to play. Do they finish the month .500?

6 W, 6 L for March, 2 games to play. Do they finish the month .500?
- scottak

I’d love it! Can you imagine the teeth gnashing about draft position. 🤣

Rockford vs. Chicago on NHL Network

Seney with PPG to put the Hogs up 3-2 still in the 1st

I’d love it! Can you imagine the teeth gnashing about draft position. 🤣
- Chunk

Speaking of draft position, San Jose has Pittsburgh’s first in the Karlsson trade, but it is top 10 Protected.right now the pick is #10. Wonder how much the Pen’s play Crosby their last 11 games

I'm with you, 66. The too loud music, intermission stuff, theme nights and all that stuff ain't for me. But, as I mentioned while following the USHL for 15 yrs closely 3 franchises folded.

I learned that solvency is priority 1 and that as a hard core I have to put up with the nonsense to have hockey. ...... And that's ok if you separate the nonsense from the hockey side so you please the folks there for entertainment and those there for the hockey.

And that includes the people who call the game. Those people are what the hard cores find important so keep the Vosters out of the hockey side.
- Mr Ricochet

I went last year for Hossa's number retirement.

I could do without the guy during tv timeouts constantly thinking he has to ear fvck me with his not stop b.s.

Speaking of draft position, San Jose has Pittsburgh’s first in the Karlsson trade, but it is top 10 Protected.right now the pick is #10. Wonder how much the Pen’s play Crosby their last 11 games
- LAHawk

Why? Eventually they’ll have to pay the piper, can’t see them doing much better next year.