That was a nicely executed pick play on the winner. Well coached.........
- Mr Ricochet

That was just a poor defensive play by Kurashev. There is a reason why he is a -103 in 267 career games.

That was a nicely executed pick play on the winner. Well coached.........
- Mr Ricochet

Thought they played pretty well but in the end not well enough. I'll take the effort and I think as they learn to play together games like this end up in the win column.

Kunitz trying to not rip Kurashev.

I really like KDs philosophy of drafting burners in the 3rd round, hell why not, but when i read about Spellacy he's one of those luxuries you can draft when you have so many draft picks, burner with size and a baby in development
- BetweenTheDots

Speaking of burners.....does Bedard have a sore leg or a
bad heart ?? Last year he was often the fastest and best player on the ice. Tonight he was terrible, slow and meaningless. And his preseason was soft as well. He needs to watch some tape of Matthew Barzal and see what hustle is all about.
When are we going to see the generational SUPERSTAR he's getting accolades for ? He's certainly was not taking charge of "jack" on his shifts tonight.

Speaking of burners.....does Bedard have a sore leg or a
bad heart ?? Last year he was often the fastest and best player on the ice. Tonight he was terrible, slow and meaningless. And his preseason was soft as well. He needs to watch some tape of Matthew Barzal and see what hustle is all about.
When are we going to see the generational SUPERSTAR he's getting accolades for ? He's certainly was not taking charge of "jack" on his shifts tonight.
- Hawkytalk

That's because wherever he goes on the ice, 3 opposing players are on him, daring someone else to beat them.

And let's be clear here, Foligno is NOT a first line player.

Until they get Bedard some real offensive talent to play on his line, this is what it's going to look like.

I do notice with Soda he stands longer than he did last year, he made some great saves, to bad these fu ckers couldn't finish playing good defense in front of him.

Thought they played pretty well but in the end not well enough. I'll take the effort and I think as they learn to play together games like this end up in the win column.
- HawkintheD

I’ll take the defensive structure they had for 59 minutes. I’ve always supported Kurashev, but he needed to be better on the winning goal. Three on three, you have to stay between your man and the net when defending.

Speaking of burners.....does Bedard have a sore leg or a
bad heart ?? Last year he was often the fastest and best player on the ice. Tonight he was terrible, slow and meaningless. And his preseason was soft as well. He needs to watch some tape of Matthew Barzal and see what hustle is all about.
When are we going to see the generational SUPERSTAR he's getting accolades for ? He's certainly was not taking charge of "jack" on his shifts tonight.
- Hawkytalk

Bad heart, he’s a bum.

Bad heart, he’s a bum.
- paulr

Bustard!!!!

Nah ... they played pretty well*

* = means comparatively speaking, to last season.

Bad break for Soda- stands on his head- and gets burned for the tie goal with the sliding 5 hole.

Different story if they go for the empty netter when in the zone (and if they get it).

Breakouts were miles better than 2023-24, did not see any turtling at even strength where they devolved into essentially playing a 5 man box -and allowing the other team full reign in their own zone (also known as 'shooting gallery time).

---> Jets aren't exactly terrible at team D, they tend to make other teams look like that. Naturally that tends to make your own forwards look like that- that is sort of the point. The Hawks were doing the same thing for the most part, or at least, waaaaay better than last season.

Hellybuck is just a damned good goalie.

That was just a poor defensive play by Kurashev. There is a reason why he is a -103 in 267 career games.
- LAHawk

Do you have the ability to rewatch and rewind the play, I don't? If so do so and let me know what you see.

I saw Shiefelle nicely skate near enough Morrisey(?) who was diving with the puck to put Vlassic between himself and Kurashev springing him open. Looks to me like it was a big league play.

Do you have the ability to rewatch and rewind the play, I don't? If so do so and let me know what you see.

I saw Shiefelle nicely skate near enough Morrisey(?) who was diving with the puck to put Vlassic between himself and Kurashev springing him open. Looks to me like it was a big league play.
- Mr Ricochet

Replayed at least 3 times. There was no pick, Kurashev fell asleep and let Shieffle get inside of him.

Replayed at least 3 times. There was no pick, Kurashev fell asleep and let Shieffle get inside of him.
- LAHawk

I don't know why anyone is surprised.

Kurashev is Russian. His family moved to Switzerland.

Russian hockey players are not known for their defensive prowess. This is nothing new for him. He is one of the reasons why Bedard was a -44 last year, and why he is not on his line anymore.

I don't know why anyone is surprised.

Kurashev is Russian. His family moved to Switzerland.

Russian hockey players are not known for their defensive prowess. This is nothing new for him. He is one of the reasons why Bedard was a -44 last year, and why he is not on his line anymore.
- dahawks8819

Kurashev = the good the bad the ugly
First we had Schmaltz. Now Kurashev who is similar

Lardis with another goal, two goals and an assist tonight but his best play tonight was him backchecking an Ottawa player who had at least a twenty foot lead and Lardis caught up to him and stripped the puck away. Looks like he will have a big season for Brantford this year. And the best thing is how he’s improving his overall game from last season.
- paulr

Very helpful post, paul. Very cool you get to see the OHL live....... As you certainly know it's too early with a 19/20 yr old like Lardis but you have to love hios game after the Hawk's drafted him. Of course the best part is Lardis paying attention to detail, his 2 way game and playing hungry.

IMO it's ok to get excited about Lardis.

That's because wherever he goes on the ice, 3 opposing players are on him, daring someone else to beat them.

And let's be clear here, Foligno is NOT a first line player.

Until they get Bedard some real offensive talent to play on his line, this is what it's going to look like.
- dahawks8819

The excuses for bedard are getting old.

I don't know why anyone is surprised.

Kurashev is Russian. His family moved to Switzerland.

Russian hockey players are not known for their defensive prowess. This is nothing new for him. He is one of the reasons why Bedard was a -44 last year, and why he is not on his line anymore.
- dahawks8819

Because bedard was stellar on defense last year

Will say this about Bedard, his on ice body language ... if for some reason he hasn't worked it out that the looking to the roof when something bad happens (like a fanned shot, or a stick breakage), isn't telegraphing to the other side how to play him (and what gets in his head)...

then -it might be time to stop that sorta thing, like yesterday. Just my 2 cents- he did it all of the time last season, and he might want to be a little more under-expressive.

As it is, shut down the Bedard line, you have a really good chance to win, same as last season - but now with better discipline. Still --- like I said earlier, far better on ice product than last year -which you couldn't even call a dumpster fire -without offending dumpsters...

Will say this about Bedard, his on ice body language ... if for some reason he hasn't worked it out that the looking to the roof when something bad happens (like a fanned shot, or a stick breakage), isn't telegraphing to the other side how to play him (and what gets in his head)...

then -it might be time to stop that sorta thing, like yesterday. Just my 2 cents- he did it all of the time last season, and he might want to be a little more under-expressive.

As it is, shut down the Bedard line, you have a really good chance to win, same as last season - but now with better discipline. Still --- like I said earlier, far better on ice product than last year -which you couldn't even call a dumpster fire -without offending dumpsters...
- SC116

Agree...that was a very watchable game. Like you said before they didn't turtle with a one goal lead and didn't get caved in on shots or play the entire third period in their end.

They keep playing that way they'll come out on the right end of some of the close ones.

That was just a poor defensive play by Kurashev. There is a reason why he is a -103 in 267 career games.
- LAHawk

It seems for the last couple of years the Hawks have had their players on the wrong side of the player they are defending in a 3v3. Is it that hard to teach which side of the opposing player you should be on when defending a 3v3.
It looked to me that Kurashev was thinking about heading up ice to cherry pick.

It seems for the last couple of years the Hawks have had their players on the wrong side of the player they are defending in a 3v3. Is it that hard to teach which side of the opposing player you should be on when defending a 3v3.
It looked to me that Kurashev was thinking about heading up ice to cherry pick.
- Ztra

Considering Kurashev has a history of being on the wrong side of the puck, maybe it’s the player?

Kurashev = the good the bad the ugly
First we had Schmaltz. Now Kurashev who is similar
- jhawk59

Stop playing kurashev at center he cannot win face-offs cannot drive the play and is making glaring mistakes but he might be the only option at 2nd line center we have now.

Stop playing kurashev at center he cannot win face-offs cannot drive the play and is making glaring mistakes but he might be the only option at 2nd line center we have now.
- Scott1977

Well if that’s the case maybe stop the Bedard and Richardinson at C experiments too since they were equally as bad on draws last night.

Two games and the sky is falling while the bottom’s dropping out. Gotta love this place.

Will say this about Bedard, his on ice body language ... if for some reason he hasn't worked it out that the looking to the roof when something bad happens (like a fanned shot, or a stick breakage), isn't telegraphing to the other side how to play him (and what gets in his head)...

then -it might be time to stop that sorta thing, like yesterday. Just my 2 cents- he did it all of the time last season, and he might want to be a little more under-expressive.

As it is, shut down the Bedard line, you have a really good chance to win, same as last season - but now with better discipline. Still --- like I said earlier, far better on ice product than last year -which you couldn't even call a dumpster fire -without offending dumpsters...
- SC116

If shutting down the Bedard line affects your own ability to score goals, i welcome every team to do it.

As far as body language, Bedard looks to be the hardest on himself so it really doesn't matter what the opponent does, in other words it's Bedards drive to be great we are seeing when he misses a prime chance to score.

Last night is a prime example of learning how to win. For 59 minutes the Blackhawks were in position to do just that, and low and behold the team that has a winning record the past few years ends up winning the game. Be interesting to see if they can get over the hump more often than not this season.

I thought the team looked really good last night, really disappointed for Soda, he played fantastic, that left leg save in the 3rd period was outstanding.