Last year KD let RFA Taylor Raddish walk after a horrible year, even thought the year before he scored 20 for the club. And he was making the minimum.

Kurashev this year is the same age as Raddish last year, and I can argue is having a worse year than Raddish did last year. Is he worth qualifying for $2.25, which is his current AAV? Or does he trae him for a bag of pucks (doubt you would get more than that for him.
- LAHawk

Hawks will still need several more up front next season. Signed at F next year are Bertuzzi, TT, Foligno, D!ckinson, Mikheyev, Reichel, Bedard, Nazar. I could see Dach, and Slaggert maybe making the team. Still need at least 3 or 4 bodies.

I'm not saying Kurashev should be among them. He could be around unless KD adds a few forwards via trade and free agency. If he doesn't get tendered and walks it's no big deal.

Nice to see my thoughts echoed in print

https://chicago.suntimes....ospects-nhl-kyle-davidson

This is the most important passage:

There wouldn’t be enough roster spots for all of them even if the Hawks created a team entirely composed of homegrown players. There were 20 forwards alone listed above. But it’s also not realistic to create a team with only prospects.
- Chunk

Someone mentioned here once that the jump from Juniors to the AHL is huge as is the jump from AHL to NHL. That forward prospect group likely will be whittled down a lot the next couple of years due to this. Examples could be Hayes and Ludwinski. I had hopes of them moving up eventually, but so far they have showed little at Rockford.

Hawks will still need several more up front next season. Signed at F next year are Bertuzzi, TT, Foligno, D!ckinson, Mikheyev, Reichel, Bedard, Nazar. I could see Dach, and Slaggert maybe making the team. Still need at least 3 or 4 bodies.

I'm not saying Kurashev should be among them. He could be around unless KD adds a few forwards via trade and free agency. If he doesn't get tendered and walks it's no big deal.
- boilermaker100

Well, he'll get a chance to prove... something tonight on a line with Reichel and Maroon. Maybe it's his turn to become the bum slayer for a few games. It's nice they are getting a more "skilled" winger with Reichel, but he seems to be the proverbial square peg at the moment. Not good enough to stay in the top six, but not the right skillset for 4th line minutes.

Not to bring up an old argument, but I'm gonna.

I was looking at the D groups among the league and came to the Kings. This kid Clarke finally got into the lineup and is doing quite well. 19pts in 34 games.

I know there was a lot of talk here about the Kings giving up on such a great talent in Faber (and he is), but they had a logjam behind him, and they picked up a really good player in Fiala.

Get ready for a number of trades like that one from KD. He's got to start going quality over quantity now.
- Chunk

Exactly.
Aaaand maybe,they keep Korch in the NHL for that reason. What if they send Korch to get some sort of young forward back and then draft Schaefer? Or is everyone on the Misa train?

A few of these guys are getting sent somewhere,which is sorta the reason I was disappointed that they didn't try and nab Kakko...DelMastro/Crevier/Philips + a 2nd or 3rd round pick - like they couldn't have gotten him for that?

You never know,maybe he'd gel well with 98 or Nazar's line. I know everyone says he's slow,even though I think his skating is ok,but he has more skill than Donator or Foligno.

Hawks will still need several more up front next season. Signed at F next year are Bertuzzi, TT, Foligno, D!ckinson, Mikheyev, Reichel, Bedard, Nazar. I could see Dach, and Slaggert maybe making the team. Still need at least 3 or 4 bodies.

I'm not saying Kurashev should be among them. He could be around unless KD adds a few forwards via trade and free agency. If he doesn't get tendered and walks it's no big deal.
- boilermaker100

AA is the forgotten man. Must feel like he's in Siberia.

AA is the forgotten man. Must feel like he's in Siberia.
- rpeters01

He's been injured since his 2nd or 3rd game down there. So, that's not helping his case either.

Hawks will still need several more up front next season. Signed at F next year are Bertuzzi, TT, Foligno, D!ckinson, Mikheyev, Reichel, Bedard, Nazar. I could see Dach, and Slaggert maybe making the team. Still need at least 3 or 4 bodies.

I'm not saying Kurashev should be among them. He could be around unless KD adds a few forwards via trade and free agency. If he doesn't get tendered and walks it's no big deal.
- boilermaker100

They went after Guentzel last offseason, they didn't get him,but stuff like that can at least tell you the way Kyle is thinking. So if Marner or Rantanen make it to FA you can bet that Kyle will make a pitch to try and sign one of them.

If he fails,then he'll probably go after Ehlers or Bennett too.

If they land a top 3 pick and go after a forward, can we expect a Hagens/Martone/Misa come straight to the NHL?

Vanacker can only play NHL or junior next season.
Kantserov is still a season and a half away.
Same with Boisvert.
Lardis will be AHL eligible next season as will Moore. Maybe they give them a shot to make the team outta camp. And don't forget Savoie,could be a lower line dude like Slaggert.

Kurashev still has time to show he can play,if he shows some production in Anders system..just never figured he was more than a 3rd line wing,and an average one at best.

Someone mentioned here once that the jump from Juniors to the AHL is huge as is the jump from AHL to NHL. That forward prospect group likely will be whittled down a lot the next couple of years due to this. Examples could be Hayes and Ludwinski. I had hopes of them moving up eventually, but so far they have showed little at Rockford.
- boilermaker100

Was wondering why Ludwinski was off to such a slow start, only 1 point, no goals in 21 games. Seemed like he had a good year in the OHL last year. Guess he is Ludbustski now.

Just not a lot of spaces with all the prospects coming in. Would like to see Guttman, Luypen, and maybe even Marcel get another chance next year but I don't think there are spots for them.

All the comments about McLellen taking over for Lalonde, and no one cared to mention that the wings also brought in Trent Yawney as an assistant coach?

I figured that would have been the bigger story here by far.
- Chunk

Saw that. And also wonder when the noise gets louder to have more questions around the job Yzerman has done.

They got rid of some decent dmen last season and some forwards who were scoring for them and didn't really replace it.

Switzerland has a 15 year old playing today in the World Juniors. 6-3, 181, scoring pretty well in the Swiss U20 league.

https://www.eliteprospect...9625/jonah-neuenschwander

Anyone see Felcman in action yesterday? Guess he had an assist. I had a Sudden Onset Geezer Nap during that game and missed most of it.

Last year KD let RFA Taylor Raddish walk after a horrible year, even thought the year before he scored 20 for the club. And he was making the minimum.

Kurashev this year is the same age as Raddish last year, and I can argue is having a worse year than Raddish did last year. Is he worth qualifying for $2.25, which is his current AAV? Or does he trae him for a bag of pucks (doubt you would get more than that for him.
- LAHawk

kurashev will be a throw in via trade at the tdl. Imo I think Davidson will add and substract at the TDL. I don't think Davidson is looking for picks more so young players that fit what the Hawks are looking for. Maybe two players that need a change of scenery type trade with kurashev.

Nice to see my thoughts echoed in print

https://chicago.suntimes....ospects-nhl-kyle-davidson

This is the most important passage:

There wouldn’t be enough roster spots for all of them even if the Hawks created a team entirely composed of homegrown players. There were 20 forwards alone listed above. But it’s also not realistic to create a team with only prospects.
- Chunk

I don't disagree, many of them won't even play a 100 games in the NHL. What this does is populate the system to see which prospects will be NHLers, which ones will play in the top 6 and top 4 and of those which ones are really difference makers. The obvious solution is letting the older not prospects in the Rock go, but then again they have 9 contract slots open and another 8 FAs to be on the big club?

I don't like your comparison to trading away Faber because i believe if LA really knew how good he was going to be they would of traded any other RDman in the system away other than Faber and/or Clarke.

Honestly i would be pissed if they traded away Rinzel or Arty right now in their development.

They do have some saturation on the left side for now but then again they have 2 very old defenseman playing for the Blackhawks and Murphys contract is almost up.

It'll be interesting to see how things go but I don't think KD is in a position of really knowing what he has in his farm system for now. I guess it's like being a farmer, how do you sell your crop without knowing the quality and quantity of it.

Saw that. And also wonder when the noise gets louder to have more questions around the job Yzerman has done.

They got rid of some decent dmen last season and some forwards who were scoring for them and didn't really replace it.
- HawkintheD

Never, it is not allowed to question the greatest (living or dead) GM there has ever been under penalty of death

They went after Guentzel last offseason, they didn't get him,but stuff like that can at least tell you the way Kyle is thinking. So if Marner or Rantanen make it to FA you can bet that Kyle will make a pitch to try and sign one of them.

If he fails,then he'll probably go after Ehlers or Bennett too.

If they land a top 3 pick and go after a forward, can we expect a Hagens/Martone/Misa come straight to the NHL?

Vanacker can only play NHL or junior next season.
Kantserov is still a season and a half away.
Same with Boisvert.
Lardis will be AHL eligible next season as will Moore. Maybe they give them a shot to make the team outta camp. And don't forget Savoie,could be a lower line dude like Slaggert.

Kurashev still has time to show he can play,if he shows some production in Anders system..just never figured he was more than a 3rd line wing,and an average one at best.
- captainserious

Schaefer all the way!!

Martone would be interesting cause he doesn't fit the KD mold. Not a fast skater but does compete and has size.

Schaefer all the way!!

Martone would be interesting cause he doesn't fit the KD mold. Not a fast skater but does compete and has size.
- Black Raven

Martone can skate, hes not slow. Schaefer right now is the guy I like. Excellent in all three zones, exceptional skater, he probably won’t put up huge Karlsson like numbers offensively but he’s miles better defensively. Plus he’s physical and has no qualms about rubbing a smelly glove or elbow in an opponents face.

Hot damn, what a wonderful surprise. I've stopped checking to see if HB is up but thought what the hell, I'll take a look and here it is.

Like many I've been bumping around the internets looking for a place to read, learn and share some thoughts. ..... A lotta funk out there like any message board but I'm willing to look past a lot bs to read some good hockey minds. Seems HF has the most action/activity but after reading for a couple weeks there are very few solid hockey minds posting. Very few.

Say what you want about HB but concerning the Hawk's thread there are loads more good hockey minds than any other place. ..... Really glad it's back.

BUF on tap. Still not sure if I want Cozens to have a great showing in front of KD and Crew's eyes... No way I'm giving up on a 23 yr old 2C type with size, can skate, is in his 6th NHL season and scored 31 goals and 68 pts as a 21 yr old.

To me it's a matter of cost and what your evaluation of him is that dictates what you'll do to acquire him.

I don't disagree, many of them won't even play a 100 games in the NHL. What this does is populate the system to see which prospects will be NHLers, which ones will play in the top 6 and top 4 and of those which ones are really difference makers. The obvious solution is letting the older not prospects in the Rock go, but then again they have 9 contract slots open and another 8 FAs to be on the big club?

I don't like your comparison to trading away Faber because i believe if LA really knew how good he was going to be they would of traded any other RDman in the system away other than Faber and/or Clarke.

Honestly i would be pissed if they traded away Rinzel or Arty right now in their development.

They do have some saturation on the left side for now but then again they have 2 very old defenseman playing for the Blackhawks and Murphys contract is almost up.

It'll be interesting to see how things go but I don't think KD is in a position of really knowing what he has in his farm system for now. I guess it's like being a farmer, how do you sell your crop without knowing the quality and quantity of it.
- BetweenTheDots

That’s the problem though. They are likely going to have to trade some of these guys before they know what they are. Sure, “if” you know how good a player is/will be then you probably don’t trade them, but they’ve put themselves in this position where they will have to make early decisions.

We already have him in Kurashev
- wizardofi

Wizard, IMO you are way underrating Kakko. He's a lot like a young Barandon Saad in that he'++ defensively with middle 6 skill/hands. .... Kakko is a fancy stat darling, good size, can skate, never got much of a shot at the top 6 but was part of NYR's best line, their 3rd.

No, without a crack points man as the 3rd forward Kakko is not gonna help Bedard score 130 pts. But he's a good hockey player that can skate and makes most any team better slotted correctly. A coach's dream in many ways. ........ Kid has shown he'll play a role and that matters especially from young players.

Well they have certainly dug themselves a nice hole tonight. Mrzak's save percentage would make for a pretty good batting average, though ... there is that.

Anyone ever tell Jones that you do not pass back right after you cross the blue line into the O-Zone? I mean there are probably 5 year olds that get benched for that move.

Well they have certainly dug themselves a nice hole tonight. Mrzak's save percentage would make for a pretty good batting average, though ... there is that.
- SC116

4 for 11 = .363. Ted Williams in a bad year.

Soderblom started the 2nd.

4 for 11 = .363. Ted Williams in a bad year.

Soderblom started the 2nd.
- boilermaker100

Ok ok ok - I should have gone with a typical Wrigley Field ERA ...

I find it interesting Jones comes and kurshev comes into the lineup and no flow to the Hawks game but when those two were out Hawks looked better, maybe not the results they wanted but looked better in all areas of their game. Kurashev imo will not be back with the Hawks next season. And would not be surprised if they try and move Jones he just has no hickey IQ or very little.

Wizard, IMO you are way underrating Kakko. He's a lot like a young Barandon Saad in that he'++ defensively with middle 6 skill/hands. .... Kakko is a fancy stat darling, good size, can skate, never got much of a shot at the top 6 but was part of NYR's best line, their 3rd.

No, without a crack points man as the 3rd forward Kakko is not gonna help Bedard score 130 pts. But he's a good hockey player that can skate and makes most any team better slotted correctly. A coach's dream in many ways. ........ Kid has shown he'll play a role and that matters especially from young players.
- Mr Ricochet

I've never been overly impressed by Kakko. Didn't like how he played, though as you said that could be the way NYR used him. Didn't like his outburst for being scratched, which is why NY got so little for him.

I'd rather see what we have in the system before adding players like Kakko. If this happened during the 2026 or 2027 season, then maybe trade for him.

That’s the problem though. They are likely going to have to trade some of these guys before they know what they are. Sure, “if” you know how good a player is/will be then you probably don’t trade them, but they’ve put themselves in this position where they will have to make early decisions.
- Chunk

What is the timeline on something like this, Chunk. That the Hawks have too many legit prospects that they don't have one of the 50 contacts allotted them?