Vic Fangio was a very good defensive coach.
- rpeters01

Still was a version of prevent defense.

Lardis with a goal and assist today.
Vanacker with an assist.
Spellacy 2 goals (one an empty net) and an assist.

Lardis with a goal and assist today.
Vanacker with an assist.
Spellacy 2 goals (one an empty net) and an assist.
- boilermaker100

When do the WJT start because they haven’t make final cuts and play a couple exhibition practice games too. Want to see Spellacy on the team not cut. See how he produces in the tournament

But maybe it is called WJC not sure last letter

When do the WJT start because they haven’t make final cuts and play a couple exhibition practice games too. Want to see Spellacy on the team not cut. See how he produces in the tournament

But I maybe it is called WJC not sure last letter
- jhawk59

It’s WJC World Junior Championship and it begins December 26

Larkin asking for a trade? He's tired of playing for a team in an endless rebuild. That leaves Chicago out as a trade partner. See Detroit blog comment page.
- boilermaker100

The Larkin rumor has been debunked, BM.

That was the news report given in media reports and mentioned in at least one post on this site. Danny Wirtz is wants a full house and better record, winning more ...
- jhawk59

Well the top objective, you can do that with nickel beer night. . . I suppose if you sell enough nickel beers, you can just gaslight the crowd that they have a better record than reality... might be more realistic than trying any of that actual winning stuff- and would take less time to realise.

Well the top objective, you can do that with nickel beer night. . . I suppose if you sell enough nickel beers, you can just gaslight the crowd that they have a better record than reality... might be more realistic than trying any of that actual winning stuff- and would take less time to realise.
- SC116

The more Danny Wurtz interferes, the less likely the team will be as good as it could become once all the prospects have (or starting to) make an impact

For better or worse (sic), the money factor matters

Above:,worse or Wurtz

Danny Wurtz the business man obviously knows when something is not worth plugged nickel. Right?!

I hope he leaves KD in charge for one more draft but KD has to add someone to work with Bedard. If that is an implied message from Danny - or not - KD hears loud and clear.

Ok thanks. Didn't hear or read about it.
- boilermaker100

I didn't hear that either, not sure its not just some speculation.

And as far as it being a media report, well, if he really did tell a reporter that, i'd think you'd see it in a lot more places.

The Larkin rumor has been debunked, BM.
- Mr Ricochet

More fake news

I didn't hear that either, not sure its not just some speculation.

And as far as it being a media report, well, if he really did tell a reporter that, i'd think you'd see it in a lot more places.
- vabeachbear

The Chicago Tribune Sunday had two big long stories (one is a columnist).

I think it is mentioned really buried late in the news story. The story contains five points and is a good read

But I heard this somewhere else previously anyway

The more Danny Wurtz interferes, the less likely the team will be as good as it could become once all the prospects have (or starting to) make an impact

For better or worse (sic), the money factor matters

Above:,worse or Wurtz

Danny Wurtz the business man obviously knows when something is not worth plugged nickel. Right?!

I hope he leaves KD in charge for one more draft but KD has to add someone to work with Bedard. If that is an implied message from Danny - or not - KD hears loud and clear.
- jhawk59

I have a hard time believing Danny Wirtz is doing a lot of interfereing.

First off, I assume he's not an idiot. I assume he understood what a complete tear down and rebuild meant when they hired KD to do the job. I assume he knew there would be a few years of lost revenue, and I assume they are doing other things business wise to deal with the gap.

Now you may say I'm doing a lot assuming here, but maybe the agreagious assuming is being done by the folks who think Danny Wirtz is fallen off the ledge (ya, that ledge) and is shocked by the obstacles presented to the organ i zation during a complete rebuild.

I have a hard time believing Danny Wirtz is doing a lot of interfereing.

First off, I assume he's not an idiot. I assume he understood what a complete tear down and rebuild meant when they hired KD to do the job. I assume he knew there would be a few years of lost revenue, and I assume they are doing other things business wise to deal with the gap.

Now you may say I'm doing a lot assuming here, but maybe the agreagious assuming is being done by the folks who think Danny Wirtz is fallen off the ledge (ya, that ledge) and is shocked by the obstacles presented to the organ i zation during a complete rebuild.
- vabeachbear

Your view is valid however I don’t believe we really know. I edited the post and just to say the Chicago Tribune story is a good read. Informative. The column is worth reading as well. Has quotes from Foligno and mentions how the players liked their coach. Also covered: But something was missing and different issues or problems game -to-game arose this season

I say KD erred by not getting someone in the ‘24 draft or a free agent who works on a line with Bedard. Two players working on a line at least gives the line a chance to succeed even when the game plan is to blanket Bedard. He obviously cannot be a savior by himself.

Drafting Arty was ok no problem in my view but the free agent signing isn’t what the doctor ordered insofar as Bedard’s and the team’s success

Both TT and Bertuzzi could be useful if used properly - see their history even last season. They are not first line players at least not worthy along side Bedard. Yes I realize TT has been on lines with top players but TT is not really first line guy to rely upon

Bedard's linemates in practice today are Kurashev and Mikheyev.

I don't get the Mikheyev thing at ALL. He provides zero offensive support whatsoever.


Looks like Sorensen is just as lost as LR was
We'll see how this line works out.
- captainserious

Not to star the GM's guys conversation already but they took Mikheyev for a second and in a true cap dump you'd usually expect a bit more based on his salary. So it seems like he was targeted.

Seems like Kyle and co like Kurashev for whatever reason.

Not sure if it's a doubling down on your mistakes or seeing what they got but I don't think thats gonna help the kid.

I think I can explain the 98, 23, and 95 line - but do it in the context of the board narrative... it makes perfect sense (to a point), as 23 brings nothing defensively to that line (arguably, not much offensively either -not this season), and if 95 brings nothing offensively to that line -- there you go, that's the Ying-Yang of your balance.

Ok - I got nothing...leastwise, no explanation for that.
- SC116

Lol - this is one of the better hot takes.

Commesso took Andersen's spot, no? They'd have to make another move to bring Nazar up, no?

Either way things are about to get real. I don't care about any fancies you'd have to see Mrazek since he was a Hawk to know just how damn good this guy's been and the only reason they have not been an AHL level squad getting pounded every single night.

Now, he goes down along with their best Dman in Martinez with their #1 TOI Dman having been out for weeks. ..... And the solid choice for backup/tandem goalie in Broisett hasn't dressed this yr.

And, you have a brand new coach who is barking about opening their game up which will cause trading chances at best.

Que Soderblom. And Commesso, who has never made an NHL start and is having his worst ever season. ........ Soderblom has more or less defied physics in his complete 180 since a horrid, terrible yr last yr. Well, this new found solid play is gonna be tested, tested in a way the last yr and 25 games that only a few goalies could have withstood and Mrazek is one of them and he's on the shelf with a groin that could be a season long thing. With young and rookie Dmen strewn throughout and new systems that opens the game up that the club will be asked to learn as they go.

This could get very very ugly, quick.

.
- Mr Ricochet

That is my concern for them going away from the trap.

Your view is valid however I don’t believe we really know. I edited the post and just to say the Chicago Tribune story is a good read. Informative. The column is worth reading as well. Has quotes from Foligno and mentions how the players liked their coach. Also covered: But something was missing and different issues or problems game -to-game arose this season

I say KD erred by not getting someone in the ‘24 draft or a free agent who works on a line with Bedard. Two players working on a line at least gives the line a chance to succeed even when the game plan is to blanket Bedard. He obviously cannot be a savior by himself.

Drafting Arty was ok no problem in my view but the free agent signing isn’t what the doctor ordered insofar as Bedard’s and the team’s success

Both TT and Bertuzzi could be useful if used properly - see their history even last season. They are not first line players at least not worthy along side Bedard. Yes I realize TT has been on lines with top players but TT is not really first line guy to rely upon
- jhawk59

When TT and Bertuzzi were signed, I think most thought (me included) those were decent signings and still can be.

They may not be first line players but they aren’t bottom 6 guys playing further up in the lineup either.

Just hasn’t worked out the way it was supposed to so far. Simple as that.

Larkin asking for a trade? He's tired of playing for a team in an endless rebuild. That leaves Chicago out as a trade partner. See Detroit blog comment page.
- boilermaker100

Chicago "should" be on an upswing though.

Hopefully Korch looks good in his call up, Nazar is up soon and does't suck. And then Levshunov is up for I dunno the last 20 or so games.

At that point you can star to sell look we have Bedard and our new guys are gonna not suck here's the small sample size we'd like you to be part of it. Long shot but not terrible argument.

If they ride out this roster the rest of the year and just eat it - woof. It's gonna be tough to get anyone over. They'll be like Buffalo and not a destination. Their fans were brining inflatable palm trees to the stadium which was pretty funny.

Your view is valid however I don’t believe we really know. I edited the post and just to say the Chicago Tribune story is a good read. Informative. The column is worth reading as well. Has quotes from Foligno and mentions how the players liked their coach. Also covered: But something was missing and different issues or problems game -to-game arose this season

I say KD erred by not getting someone in the ‘24 draft or a free agent who works on a line with Bedard. Two players working on a line at least gives the line a chance to succeed even when the game plan is to blanket Bedard. He obviously cannot be a savior by himself.

Drafting Arty was ok no problem in my view but the free agent signing isn’t what the doctor ordered insofar as Bedard’s and the team’s success

Both TT and Bertuzzi could be useful if used properly - see their history even last season. They are not first line players at least not worthy along side Bedard. Yes I realize TT has been on lines with top players but TT is not really first line guy to rely upon
- jhawk59

Anyone that he would/could have picked in the '24 draft would not be in the NHL for at least a couple years. Heck, guys he picked two years ago are just now starting to look like they can break through to the NHL roster.

Not to mention, how do we know that he didn't already draft someone that can play with Bedard?

When TT and Bertuzzi were signed, I think most thought (me included) those were decent signings and still can be.

They may not be first line players but they aren’t bottom 6 guys playing further up in the lineup either.

Just hasn’t worked out the way it was supposed to so far. Simple as that.
- HawkintheD

Those two also have not really played all that much with Bedard either.

I have a hard time believing Danny Wirtz is doing a lot of interfereing.

First off, I assume he's not an idiot. I assume he understood what a complete tear down and rebuild meant when they hired KD to do the job. I assume he knew there would be a few years of lost revenue, and I assume they are doing other things business wise to deal with the gap.

Now you may say I'm doing a lot assuming here, but maybe the agreagious assuming is being done by the folks who think Danny Wirtz is fallen off the ledge (ya, that ledge) and is shocked by the obstacles presented to the organ i zation during a complete rebuild.
- vabeachbear

Not necessarily an idiot thing but CEO's often change their minds and have different perspectives depending on how the wind blows.

I think theyre irritated that the stadium is looking more empty on TV (for the 12 people who can watch). I also think theyre irritated their golden goose is getting beat up in a lot of the media outlets.

For a lot of these high level guys perception is reality and if that starts to sour they usually want to see some kinda change. Danny doesn't strike me as a person immune to that. He still runs the liquor business very old school and usually when you tell a guy like that results will be different - if theyre not different - it's gonna be a problem.

Chicago "should" be on an upswing though.

Hopefully Korch looks good in his call up, Nazar is up soon and does't suck. And then Levshunov is up for I dunno the last 20 or so games.

At that point you can star to sell look we have Bedard and our new guys are gonna not suck here's the small sample size we'd like you to be part of it. Long shot but not terrible argument.

If they ride out this roster the rest of the year and just eat it - woof. It's gonna be tough to get anyone over. They'll be like Buffalo and not a destination. Their fans were brining inflatable palm trees to the stadium which was pretty funny.
- fattybeef

Not sure if that was in response to this:

A lot of players have the Buffalo Sabres on their no-trade lists
Heather Engel of NHL.com: Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said that they are not “a destination city” and it’s not easy to lure top-end players in free agency or in trades.

“You have to earn it,” Adams said. “I mean, look, this is for me, it’s really simple. You become a perennial playoff team, you make the playoffs, you have a chance to win the Stanley Cup year after year. You are on less teams’ no-trade list.

“We don’t have palm trees. We have taxes in New York. Those are real, and those are things you deal with. But, and trust me, there’s I think conversations every day and there’s a lot of players in this league that we’re on their (no-trade) list. So we need to earn the respect and it starts with getting over the hump, getting in the playoffs, competing.”

Saw this on NHLRumors.com:

Speaking Of Brady Tkachuk…
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen: The Ottawa Senators appear to be determine to win with Brady Tkachuk. A feeling of we are doing this to hell or high water permeates the Senators right now. Being around .500 and staring up at the playoff picture does not help.

For the rumors that came out on Friday, Brady Tkachuk eloquently pointed out what he thought of them.

The words complete hoses**t and total garbage were prevalent.

Well placed sources indicate this has never even been discussed.

NHL Rumors: Rangers and Penguins Trade Tiers

All may not ultimately end well in Ottawa. However, it is clear that Steve Staios and the Senators are willing to go down with the ship. The problems run deep in the organization and player structure. Some will argue coaching and development also. Anyway, that is for another time and place.

One thing is clear. Brady Tkachuk is an Ottawa Senator into 2025. How long that lasts is truly up to him and Ottawa only.

Now the question... what is the limit you would offer for B. Tkachuk?

Not sure if that was in response to this:

A lot of players have the Buffalo Sabres on their no-trade lists
Heather Engel of NHL.com: Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said that they are not “a destination city” and it’s not easy to lure top-end players in free agency or in trades.

“You have to earn it,” Adams said. “I mean, look, this is for me, it’s really simple. You become a perennial playoff team, you make the playoffs, you have a chance to win the Stanley Cup year after year. You are on less teams’ no-trade list.

“We don’t have palm trees. We have taxes in New York. Those are real, and those are things you deal with. But, and trust me, there’s I think conversations every day and there’s a lot of players in this league that we’re on their (no-trade) list. So we need to earn the respect and it starts with getting over the hump, getting in the playoffs, competing.”
- Chunk

It is.

Saw this on NHLRumors.com:

Speaking Of Brady Tkachuk…
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen: The Ottawa Senators appear to be determine to win with Brady Tkachuk. A feeling of we are doing this to hell or high water permeates the Senators right now. Being around .500 and staring up at the playoff picture does not help.

For the rumors that came out on Friday, Brady Tkachuk eloquently pointed out what he thought of them.

The words complete hoses**t and total garbage were prevalent.

Well placed sources indicate this has never even been discussed.

NHL Rumors: Rangers and Penguins Trade Tiers

All may not ultimately end well in Ottawa. However, it is clear that Steve Staios and the Senators are willing to go down with the ship. The problems run deep in the organization and player structure. Some will argue coaching and development also. Anyway, that is for another time and place.

One thing is clear. Brady Tkachuk is an Ottawa Senator into 2025. How long that lasts is truly up to him and Ottawa only.

Now the question... what is the limit you would offer for B. Tkachuk?
- Chunk

No Levshunov no Bedard. Thats about it.

Saw this on NHLRumors.com:

Speaking Of Brady Tkachuk…
Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen: The Ottawa Senators appear to be determine to win with Brady Tkachuk. A feeling of we are doing this to hell or high water permeates the Senators right now. Being around .500 and staring up at the playoff picture does not help.

For the rumors that came out on Friday, Brady Tkachuk eloquently pointed out what he thought of them.

The words complete hoses**t and total garbage were prevalent.

Well placed sources indicate this has never even been discussed.

NHL Rumors: Rangers and Penguins Trade Tiers

All may not ultimately end well in Ottawa. However, it is clear that Steve Staios and the Senators are willing to go down with the ship. The problems run deep in the organization and player structure. Some will argue coaching and development also. Anyway, that is for another time and place.

One thing is clear. Brady Tkachuk is an Ottawa Senator into 2025. How long that lasts is truly up to him and Ottawa only.

Now the question... what is the limit you would offer for B. Tkachuk?
- Chunk

What the limit for Chicago would be would be of no interest to Ottawa. It is very unlikely the Hawks are going to be able to make a trade for a star player. Keep moving forward with the current rebuild, but keep on the lookout for a young player(s) who is talented but hasn’t established himself yet.