If he isn’t ready to play in the NHL where do you suggest he play to improve his game?
- paulr

KHL. It's right there in front of you.

Martinez and Smith have both been downgraded to what the rest of us are, day to day. Should both be back soon and will create a logjam on the defensive side. Anderson has already cleared waivers, so I’m sure he’ll be going down to Rockford.

Korchinski was promoted last season when he wasn’t ready. He was said to be strong offensively but his defensive game was weak. While he improved a bit defensively last season with the Hawks, his vaunted offensive game in junior was nowhere to be seen. This season while he looked a bit better he was making a number of bad reads, he was vacating his positioning and got running around but worse he was taking on the persona of the whole Hawk team reaching his stick at opposing players trying to stay away from contact. He needs to go back to Rockford with instructions to get in front of the opposition, to use his body to impede their progression, and learn to defend properly.

The fact the Hawks are going nowhere this season is EXACTLY why you leave Korchinski in the minors. There’s no urgency to his development but he needs to develop his game. He’s not going to get better when he’s in over his head, and he’s in way over his head in Chicago right now. Add to that there isn’t a support structure on the Hawks. There isn’t a solid nucleus for Korchinski to work with to improve his game. Instead he’s basically on his own trying to get better in a league that isn’t there, nor is it designed for development. And while KD is at it I think it’s in the team’s and Nazar’s best interest that he get moved down as well.
- paulr

Agree on Korchinski but I'd leave Nazar up for a while. He hasn't looked out of place and has that nagging thing where he's deferring to vets at times when he should be shooting, but I could see him working this out with the big club. Kid doesn't seem to be lacking for confidence.

Why do you think Nazar should go down?

Agree on Korchinski but I'd leave Nazar up for a while. He hasn't looked out of place and has that nagging thing where he's deferring to vets at times when he should be shooting, but I could see him working this out with the big club. Kid doesn't seem to be lacking for confidence.

Why do you think Nazar should go down?
- HawkintheD

No one can consistently get a puck to Bedard’s stick while he’s moving or even standing still. Bedard’s teammates are seldom in position to take a pass from Bedard. Nazar’s is going through the same problem, the young guys just have no support. In this case my issue isn’t with Nazar but with the terrible team who are unable to help him.

No one can consistently get a puck to Bedard’s stick while he’s moving or even standing still. Bedard’s teammates are seldom in position to take a pass from Bedard. Nazar’s is going through the same problem, the young guys just have no support. In this case my issue isn’t with Nazar but with the terrible team who are unable to help him.
- paulr

Or Bedard has to pull up and wait for his wingers to get into the zone.

Also not many who can go from a stand still and beat an NHL dmen. If guys could get the puck on his stick while he’s in motion we’d see more of the special talent.

No one can consistently get a puck to Bedard’s stick while he’s moving or even standing still. Bedard’s teammates are seldom in position to take a pass from Bedard. Nazar’s is going through the same problem, the young guys just have no support. In this case my issue isn’t with Nazar but with the terrible team who are unable to help him.
- paulr

Hadn't thought of it that way but I think things have gotten better with the coaching change. Bertuzzi is now on Bedard's line and he's at least playing to his strengths under Sorenson...tough along the boards and setting up shop in front of the net.

I get your point to a degree. They just don't have enough top 6 guys at this point and they are also trying to balance 4 lines.

No one can consistently get a puck to Bedard’s stick while he’s moving or even standing still. Bedard’s teammates are seldom in position to take a pass from Bedard. Nazar’s is going through the same problem, the young guys just have no support. In this case my issue isn’t with Nazar but with the terrible team who are unable to help him.
- paulr

Yep, hopefully KD finds some talented forward for Bedard this offseason, and TT and their first pick in the draft can play with Nazar. If they take your guy, then they’ll have to trade KK and whatever for a young forward.

It just boggles my mind how many unforced errors 9.5 makes.

Trading for a very young difference-maker is tough. If everyone involved knows the player is a difference-maker, he is unlikely to be available or will cost something nobody here wants to pay.

That leaves a scenario where the player's current team doesn't think he's a difference-maker and the Hawks do. It's possible to do this, but the gamble is that the Hawks are right and the current team isn't. Sharp is an example of this. Unfortunately, so was Nylander and many other "just needs a change" flyers.

They are very unlikely to get a Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook level cornerstone players via trade, imo. A few really good players? Perhaps. I may have mentioned in the past that - to avoid being Detroit - the Hawks need cornerstones. So far they have one.

It's worth a try, though, if you can trade your kids that you know will suck before the other team catches on. Self-scouting is vital, and we don't know yet if KD is good at it.
- mohel

Looks like you've been paying attention, Mo. ..... And for sure self scouting, pro scouting and amateur scouting are two different things and besides good drafting and good development you need both. AND, as you mentioned we don't know if KD and Crew are good at these things yet cuz he's never done them. AND, add KD is the top of the hockey pyramid for the Hawks for sure we don't know.

I do think his interest in Guentzel was real. I do think he was trying to move up to get Demidov. We saw him trade Dach........ I think his ear is always open to a deal and at the same time we've seen him be the aggressor.

We're going thru the phases of a total teardown watching KD operate but soon he's gonna have to make decisions on which prospects he likes and which he'll move. Important decisions.

It just boggles my mind how many unforced errors 9.5 makes.
- BetweenTheDots

I watched Jones live a few times as a 17 and 18 yr old with the NTDP and he was a low IQ player then and still is. Rangy, can skate, good size but born a low IQ player.

Looks like the dead cat bounce due to Sorensen taking over has run its course. He had a nice little run at the start going 4-3-0, but now has lost 4 in a row. (Hmm, Seth has been back for those 4 games.)

It's small sample size but team stats haven't improved much. I ran some numbers.

Under LR

Point % (18 points in 26 games) = 34.6%
Goals per game = 2.5
Goals against per game = 3.15

Under AS

Point % (8 points in 11 games) = 36.4%
Goals per game = 2.64
Goals against per game = 3.73

The last 2 games have been blowouts, but the previous Sorensen games were almost all 1-2 goal differences, like most of LR's games. I hope a trend isn't developing based on the 2 recent games.

Looks like the dead cat bounce due to Sorensen taking over has run its course. He had a nice little run at the start going 4-3-0, but now has lost 4 in a row. (Hmm, Seth has been back for those 4 games.)

It's small sample size but team stats haven't improved much. I ran some numbers.

Under LR

Point % (18 points in 26 games) = 34.6%
Goals per game = 2.5
Goals against per game = 3.15

Under AS

Point % (8 points in 11 games) = 36.4%
Goals per game = 2.64
Goals against per game = 3.73

The last 2 games have been blowouts, but the previous Sorensen games were almost all 1-2 goal differences, like most of LR's games. I hope a trend isn't developing based on the 2 recent games.
- boilermaker100

With Sorensens style the dmen pressing at the blue line to deny entry, its showing how slow and bad both Brodie and Jones are at skating and positioning and being caught behind the play once the forward gets past them

On Friedman's 32 thoughts podcast dropped today, there is 2 in-depth interview'ss with both Davidson, and Darren Pang.

With Sorensens style the dmen pressing at the blue line to deny entry, its showing how slow and bad both Brodie and Jones are at skating and positioning and being caught behind the play once the forward gets past them
- BetweenTheDots

You’re correct Dots. Brodie cannot play in this system and he’s being exposed. I’ve defended Jones in the past, but man he’s playing like crap, I’m hoping that it’s due to just coming back from his foot injury. I’d pair him up with Vlasic for now and Allan with Murphy. Also, Kaiser with Crevier/Martinez and send Brodie packing, or keep him around as the 7th D.

Trading for a very young difference-maker is tough. If everyone involved knows the player is a difference-maker, he is unlikely to be available or will cost something nobody here wants to pay.

That leaves a scenario where the player's current team doesn't think he's a difference-maker and the Hawks do. It's possible to do this, but the gamble is that the Hawks are right and the current team isn't. Sharp is an example of this. Unfortunately, so was Nylander and many other "just needs a change" flyers.

They are very unlikely to get a Toews, Kane, Hossa, Keith, Seabrook level cornerstone players via trade, imo. A few really good players? Perhaps. I may have mentioned in the past that - to avoid being Detroit - the Hawks need cornerstones. So far they have one.

It's worth a try, though, if you can trade your kids that you know will suck before the other team catches on. Self-scouting is vital, and we don't know yet if KD is good at it.
- mohel

KD self scouted us, fired the coach and said this team is much better.

You’re correct Dots. Brodie cannot play in this system and he’s being exposed. I’ve defended Jones in the past, but man he’s playing like crap, I’m hoping that it’s due to just coming back from his foot injury. I’d pair him up with Vlasic for now and Allan with Murphy. Also, Kaiser with Crevier/Martinez and send Brodie packing, or keep him around as the 7th D.
- Angotti

We're currently playing a very big blue line. Who'd have ever thought that! But if we don't wipe out the other teams forwards there's no way we can skate with them without strong back checking by our forwards.

I watched several replays of the Bertuzzi Elbow. That was a BS penalty. Two minutes, sure. It was unintentional. Just more NHL BS. The Hawks have to hit. This isn't the WNHL. (Women). Where are the close in shots. They don't go to the net. I am getting tired of turning the channel when they are on TV. I hope they bring in a whole new coaching staff next year and we get rid of the old guys and start playing the prospects. If you are going to lose, at least learn while you are doing it.

You’re correct Dots. Brodie cannot play in this system and he’s being exposed. I’ve defended Jones in the past, but man he’s playing like crap, I’m hoping that it’s due to just coming back from his foot injury. I’d pair him up with Vlasic for now and Allan with Murphy. Also, Kaiser with Crevier/Martinez and send Brodie packing, or keep him around as the 7th D.
- Angotti

I'm always hoping, once again my hope is both of them watch Murphy use his body so the forward has less chance to get past them even if they don't stop the puck, but missing on both has been killing this team Murphy was guilty of it last night as well but damn the other 2 have been consistently awful at it.

Another thing is I would do a drill with my forwards if the puck is in our own end they must skate all the way back far enough and tap the goal post with their stick then head back up ice. How many times are we going to witness a forward wide open at the last minute and try to skate 20 feet to play defense in front of our own goalie because the opponent has a man advantage inside the dots.

To me it's the easy goals they give up that are the most frustrating.

I watched several replays of the Bertuzzi Elbow. That was a BS penalty. Two minutes, sure. It was unintentional. Just more NHL BS. The Hawks have to hit. This isn't the WNHL. (Women). Where are the close in shots. They don't go to the net. I am getting tired of turning the channel when they are on TV. I hope they bring in a whole new coaching staff next year and we get rid of the old guys and start playing the prospects. If you are going to lose, at least learn while you are doing it.
- bjphawkfan

The problem is, why the (frank) do players turn to hit with their back? It’s been going on for a few years but it’s completely senseless. When you turn your back you lose track of the play. And, unless you go high or swing an elbow or stick into an opponent the hit won’t be as hard as a shoulder into the body of an opponent. As a kid I was taught to lower the shoulder and drive it into the chest of the opposition.

The problem is, why the (frank) do players turn to hit with their back? It’s been going on for a few years but it’s completely senseless. When you turn your back you lose track of the play. And, unless you go high or swing an elbow or stick into an opponent the hit won’t be as hard as a shoulder into the body of an opponent. As a kid I was taught to lower the shoulder and drive it into the chest of the opposition.
- paulr

We were also taught (or learned quickly) to never expose your back to a player along the boards. But now players do it on purpose as it is now a minor for cross-checking (wheras before it was tough luck you put yourself in a bad position). Maybe they get so used to turning their back to draw the penalty that it becomes second nature when you go to hit someone? Or is it now because the reverse hit is taking over from the Bobby Baun, Leo Boivin, Doug Jarrett hip check that is now a penalty also?

We were also taught (or learned quickly) to never expose your back to a player along the boards. But now players do it on purpose as it is now a minor for cross-checking (wheras before it was tough luck you put yourself in a bad position). Maybe they get so used to turning their back to draw the penalty that it becomes second nature when you go to hit someone? Or is it now because the reverse hit is taking over from the Bobby Baun, Leo Boivin, Doug Jarrett hip check that is now a penalty also?
- LAHawk

It’s only a matter of time before a player gets seriously hurt doing that.

Another problem I have are defensemen who sprawl on the ice on a two on one. Once you’re prone on the ice there’s no chance you can make a follow up play. Or when a defenceman looks down at the puck on a one on one waving his stick at the puck instead of looking right at the crest of the opponent’s sweater and driving into his body.

The problem is, why the (frank) do players turn to hit with their back? It’s been going on for a few years but it’s completely senseless. When you turn your back you lose track of the play. And, unless you go high or swing an elbow or stick into an opponent the hit won’t be as hard as a shoulder into the body of an opponent. As a kid I was taught to lower the shoulder and drive it into the chest of the opposition.
- paulr

Didn't Kronwall popularize that type of check?

Didn't Kronwall popularize that type of check?
- 333inthe3rd

He did and in fairness to him he almost always picked his spot so he didn’t get out of position. And of course, despite how dirty a hit it was, we remember Seabrook hitting Backes that way.

I can't say I've ever listened to the missin curfew podcast
But this is a pretty funny story about Versteeg's old man

https://youtu.be/hlemkwaaseg?si=B5sCiT4ZMTM-jMR6

Starts at the 47:38 mark

Anyone ever give Upshall and O'Brien a listen? Podcast worth listening to?
The Pat Boyle/Ryan(barstool chief) podcast on espn1000 is pretty good for Blackhawks related stuff

New line mates for Nazar:



Charlie Roumeliotis
@CRoumeliotis
#Blackhawks lineup ahead of Winter Classic:
Hall-Bedard-Bertuzzi
Foligno-Richardinson-Donato
Teravainen-Nazar-Mikheyev
Maroon-Reichel-Smith

Allan/Vlasic-Jones
Brodie-Kaiser
Martinez-Crevier

Mrazek
Söderblom

Extras: Anderson, Kurashev
*Murphy was on ice for team pic but he’s gone?