Watching the first games of the World Juniors, and a few other junior games, if the Hawks get the 1st pick I want them to take Schaefer.

I know he is another D-man, but he can skate, hit, pass, and plays both PK and PP already for Canada as a 17 year old. Appears to think the game at a high level as well. 6'2" 183 and is one of the youngest players in the draft class with a Sept. 2007 birthday. Looks every part the #1 Dman.
- Black Raven

You should have seen Schaeffer last yr as a 16 yr old for half the season. Kind of kid who you have to look at his DOB 5 times to make sure you're reading it right cuz the kid looked like a 19 yr old poised difference maker minus the points. He only had about 25ish pts last yr, amazingly enough.

I've been a big fan since early last yr but that said as of today I stand by the Hawks will take any of Misa, Martone or Hagens before Schaeffer. ....... Yes, you/they wanna take best available but for a pipeline bursting with top end legit D prospects and just as short of forward prospects they can easily convince themselves, right or wrong, that any difference between Schaeffer and those 3 forwards is minimal enough to take the forward.

Plus 2 of them are legit centerman and the other is a legit NHL power forward probable. ....... I also stand by as long as the Hawks draft in the top 4 they'll be alright.

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

Well I'll be the first one to say i don't trade Rinzel until i have him signed and in the program. I guess that's my point. You are correct in saying there is a ton of prospects. I mean they will have a better barometer on what Arty will be because he's in the system now more so than Rinzel.

I would prefer they trade known commodities unless of course they find out Rinzel will wait past his Aug 2027 date to become a URFA? Then get what you can for him but otherwise they've got over 2 years before they sign him.

They will trade guys especially the ones they don't plan on resigning and others team have interest in. I keep all my blue chip pieces i drafted close to me and try to develop them the best i can.

I'd be perfectly fine with not seeing Kurashev, S Jones and Brodie not play another game this year.

Can we put Mrazek back on IR he's not ready to come back yet.

Just for the heck of it, I checked. And there all you guys were. It is like Christmas all over again! I tried other sites but nothing compares to this one. So, we put Mrazek in and in four periods he gives up 9 goals. Nothing ever changes with this team. Leave Soderbloom in and let him play. Bedard really needs to amp up with the shots on goal. Welcome back everybody!!!

EDM, Phillips, Kaiser and Crevier are kind of blocked right now. But nothing is urgent to get them out of Rockford. I don't think any of them are full time NHLers. I think Allen and Korch have moved ahead.
- rpeters01

Of the D prospects I think Allen has risen the most and Phillips has fallen the farthest since the start of the yr. This with Rinzel and Levshunov on the way.

Of the D prospects I think Allen has risen the most and Phillips has fallen the farthest since the start of the yr. This with Rinzel and Levshunov on the way.
- Mr Ricochet

Funny that we thought Jone's contract was going to be the big issue when the real problem is he may be taking up a spot for one of the kids in the near future.

Funny that we thought Jone's contract was going to be the big issue when the real problem is he may be taking up a spot for one of the kids in the near future.
- wizardofi

If KD thinks Jones is blocking players, then why hasn’t he moved him yet? The Rangers were able to offload Trouba, and Trouba’s contract is far worse versus how he is playing than Jones.

If KD thinks Jones is blocking players, then why hasn’t he moved him yet? The Rangers were able to offload Trouba, and Trouba’s contract is far worse versus how he is playing than Jones.
- LAHawk

You still need Jones for now until one or two more of the kids are ready. Next year will be the year to trade him.

If KD thinks Jones is blocking players, then why hasn’t he moved him yet? The Rangers were able to offload Trouba, and Trouba’s contract is far worse versus how he is playing than Jones.
- LAHawk

The difference is term, I believe that Trouba only has one year left on his contract. If Brandon Manning can be traded, anyone can be traded. Sorensen/Dean need to rearrange the defensive pairings and reduce Jones’ time on ice a bit. I did not see the game last night, but maybe it’s time for Soderblom to take over the #1 spot for now.

The difference is term, I believe that Trouba only has one year left on his contract. If Brandon Manning can be traded, anyone can be traded. Sorensen/Dean need to rearrange the defensive pairings and reduce Jones’ time on ice a bit. I did not see the game last night, but maybe it’s time for Soderblom to take over the #1 spot for now.
- Angotti

Hey Lou check your PM's.

I was watching on and off last night as we had some people over. Saw the Sabres 1st goal and the next time I looked back at the tv it was 3-0.🤬

From what I've read Mrazek didn't have much of a chance but I agree about Soda maybe getting the net more.

Hey Lou check your PM's.

I was watching on and off last night as we had some people over. Saw the Sabres 1st goal and the next time I looked back at the tv it was 3-0.🤬

From what I've read Mrazek didn't have much of a chance but I agree about Soda maybe getting the net more.
- HawkintheD

Pope teeetrd that the first period was probably the worst he has ever seen a Blackhawk team play.

Hall was harsh in his comments about the lack of effort.

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?
- Mr Ricochet

Not quite sure, but I would guess probably within the next two years. The problem they will run into is that they have so many guys ready to bump to the AHL, and they likely don’t want to have an entire NHL roster made up of young kids they they’ll have to move some out.

Pope teeetrd that the first period was probably the worst he has ever seen a Blackhawk team play.

Hall was harsh in his comments about the lack of effort.
- LAHawk

Ben Pope:
The cliche of "not being ready to play" gets used too often without much meaning.

But the Blackhawks tonight looked as unready to play as any 21st-century NHL team ever will.

1st intermission: Sabres 4, Blackhawks 0

One of the worst periods I've ever seen, and I've seen lots of bad ones.

Shot attempts: 7-23 BUF
Shots on goal: 1-13 BUF
Scoring chances: 4-11 BUF

Taylor Hall:
things that we did wrong and so many things to clean up, but overall it was our compete. We had so many stick checks and fly-bys. They could do whatever they want. I don’t know how many hits we even had, other than Fliggy’s big hit in the second period… I don’t want to use the S word, but we’re not a good enough team to play like that.”

Ben Pope:
The cliche of "not being ready to play" gets used too often without much meaning.

But the Blackhawks tonight looked as unready to play as any 21st-century NHL team ever will.
- LAHawk

Lazerus also said they were awful in the 1st. Like I said was mostly scoreboard watching but noticed they didn't have any shots on net with 5 mins left in the period.

Lazerus also said they were awful in the 1st. Like I said was mostly scoreboard watching but noticed they didn't have any shots on net with 5 mins left in the period.
- HawkintheD

I bring it up because it appears there are several other overpaid players besides Jones not playing up to their contracts

Hall
Mikhauev
Brodie
Foligno
Richardinson

For that matter, does it really matter if Kurashev or Teichel are playing or in the press box?

Who knew the team would fall apart when Vrsig Smith got injured.

I bring it up because it appears there are several other overpaid players besides Jones not playing up to their contracts

Hall
Mikhauev
Brodie
Foligno
Richardinson

For that matter, does it really matter if Kurashev or Teichel are playing or in the press box?

Who knew the team would fall apart when Vrsig Smith got injured.
- LAHawk

Disagree with some of who you identified. Hall may not be playing up to his contract but he’s played better since Sorensen took over.

I know you have an issue with some of the deals Davidson inked but he didn’t sign Hall to that deal and who knew the guy was only going to play 10 games last year.

D1ckinson, Mikhayev and Teravainen had been playing really good hockey as a line before last night, and everyone looked bad in that game.

It’s one of a half dozen games maybe where they were more out of it than in it headed into the 3rd.

I bring it up because it appears there are several other overpaid players besides Jones not playing up to their contracts

Hall
Mikhauev
Brodie
Foligno
Richardinson

For that matter, does it really matter if Kurashev or Teichel are playing or in the press box?

Who knew the team would fall apart when Vrsig Smith got injured.
- LAHawk

Those 4 and most likely Kurashev are just place holders. I dont see any of them resigned once their contracts are up.

I do agree with many of you, next season if the Blackhawks are a rock bottom team KDs job may be in jeapordy. I will admit though if they do get a top 4 pick that will be great for this rebuild and actually may accelerate it.

Those 4 and most likely Kurashev are just place holders. I dont see any of them resigned once their contracts are up.
- BetweenTheDots

Agree. Don’t see Kurashev coming back either. Hall will be gone at the TDL. The Brodie deal doesn’t look so great but it’s not like they can’t press box him.

Agree. Don’t see Kurashev coming back either. Hall will be gone at the TDL. The Brodie deal doesn’t look so great but it’s not like they can’t press box him.
- HawkintheD

The flip side is when you draft and develop dmen it takes a while for them to become effective consistent NHL dmen. How are we suppose to win when our best dmen aren't even playing for the team yet, or are so young they are learning at the NHL level? Vlasic has emerged but the rest are still fumbling about.

Don't get me wrong i like what i see in Korchinski and Allan but they are just babies right now in the NHL.

Those 4 and most likely Kurashev are just place holders. I dont see any of them resigned once their contracts are up.

I do agree with many of you, next season if the Blackhawks are a rock bottom team KDs job may be in jeapordy. I will admit though if they do get a top 4 pick that will be great for this rebuild and actually may accelerate it.
- BetweenTheDots

KD is lucky the Bears and Bulls are bad too. I read that Illitch is putting pressure on Stevie Y to start winning because the Tigers and Lions are nowgood

KD is lucky the Bears and Bulls are bad too. I read that Illitch is putting pressure on Stevie Y to start winning because the Tigers and Lions are nowgood
- LAHawk

There should be pressure on Yzerman. He's in year 5 of his rebuild but the team had already started on that path before he was GM so they're like in year 7.

There should be pressure on Yzerman. He's in year 5 of his rebuild but the team had already started on that path before he was GM so they're like in year 7.
- HawkintheD

I think the bigger problem is what talent has he brought in? Seider, Raymond? That's not going to cut it

Lazerus also said they were awful in the 1st. Like I said was mostly scoreboard watching but noticed they didn't have any shots on net with 5 mins left in the period.
- HawkintheD

D, you know the scene. Didn't win any puck battles or races, BUF came flying thru the neutral zone, the first 3 goals were in by wide open guys when BUF was in a 1/2 court offense, Mrazak was not good at all, Soderblom came in allowed a softie, Hawks not close to being connected coughing lots of pucks.

A game a normal squad would flush down the toilet but not sure this group should.

I think the bigger problem is what talent has he brought in? Seider, Raymond? That's not going to cut it
- BetweenTheDots

This statement is pretty much my argument for why KD shouldn’t pass up the chance to add true difference makers when available. He won’t land all of them, but hoping your draft picks turn into those guys isn’t really a strategy.

This statement is pretty much my argument for why KD shouldn’t pass up the chance to add true difference makers when available. He won’t land all of them, but hoping your draft picks turn into those guys isn’t really a strategy.
- Chunk

Agreed, building strictly on draft picks isn’t much of a strategy. But KD has to have some criteria of the players he tries to acquire. Age being one, there’s no point in getting guys in their late twenties or early thirties who have large contracts or command larger contracts with lots of term. He has to be very careful with injury prone players. I was disappointed he didn’t make a play for Kakko, he seemed like a low risk acquisition.