Someone wake me up the night of the draft lottery. That and draft night will be the most interesting events for the Hawks in 2025
- boilermaker100

I have to believe there is a growing concern with Seth Jones in the front office.

I have to believe there is a growing concern with Seth Jones in the front office.
- BetweenTheDots

In the famous words of Orval Tessier "heart transplants for everyone". Start with Jones.

In the famous words of Orval Tessier "heart transplants for everyone". Start with Jones.
- boilermaker100

Well when you normalize a losing culture, what do you expect?

Rockford lost 5-4

Korbustski 2A
Guttman 2A
Dach 1G 1A
Levshunov 1A

Well when you normalize a losing culture, what do you expect?
- LAHawk

I think S Jones was brought in to make sure we tank

I think S Jones was brought in to make sure we tank
- BetweenTheDots

The games Jones was out at least this team had some fight in it. Come back to make it close. Now the fight seems to be gone

Pridham 1G 1A
Pharand 1A
Lardis 2G 1A
Misiak 2A
Henry 1G

Pridham 1G 1A
Pharand 1A
Lardis 2G 1A
Misiak 2A
Henry 1G
- totem

The Pridham situation may be interesting. Was in the BCJHL to go to the NCAA, then the court ruling so he went to the OHL. I wonder if he's going into the NCAA next year, or if he's good enough going directly into the AHL since he wasn't drafted from the CHL. The BCJHL ceded from the CHL act.

Watched parts of yesterday's game (not on CHSN because it is not available here).
The Blackhawks are not good.

Pridham 1G 1A
Pharand 1A
Lardis 2G 1A
Misiak 2A
Henry 1G
- totem

I think Pharand is going to be offered a contract before June 1st

I have to believe there is a growing concern with Seth Jones in the front office.
- BetweenTheDots

Jones is a non issue. All that matters are the young players. Without them being successful the front office who had nothing to do with Jones is finished.

Well when you normalize a losing culture, what do you expect?
- LAHawk

This was a fear I had right from the get go. Tanking was telling the players new and old that losing was acceptable in the pursuit of high draft picks. Hopefully this isn’t the case and they can somehow instill a winning culture. But if The on ice product doesn’t improve next season it’s going to be (frank)ing ugly and that’s when knee jerk reaction moves tend to get made.

This was a fear I had right from the get go. Tanking was telling the players new and old that losing was acceptable in the pursuit of high draft picks. Hopefully this isn’t the case and they can somehow instill a winning culture. But if The on ice product doesn’t improve next season it’s going to be (frank)ing ugly and that’s when knee jerk reaction moves tend to get made.
- paulr

I believe more than anything else, if he hasn't figured it out before he was hurt, it puts a very bright spotlight on a player who needs to go. Be it traded or bought out at the end of the season.

How does a team go from being one of the best PK team in the league to the worst when their supposed best defenseman comes back?

I think Pharand is going to be offered a contract before June 1st
- BetweenTheDots

I think Pharand is similar to Makenzie Entwistle, an average player having a good season as a 19 year old in junior. He could very well get a contract but I doubt he is good enough to make the jump to minor pro. Paul Ludwinski was a much better junior player than Pharand and he’s having a really difficult time contributing at the AHL level. Pharand doesn’t have Ludwinski‘s skill set, especially skating, so I’m not sure I see much of a future.

I think Pharand is similar to Makenzie Entwistle, an average player having a good season as a 19 year old in junior. He could very well get a contract but I doubt he is good enough to make the jump to minor pro. Paul Ludwinski was a much better junior player than Pharand and he’s having a really difficult time contributing at the AHL level. Pharand doesn’t have Ludwinski‘s skill set, especially skating, so I’m not sure I see much of a future.
- paulr

Thanks for the info. I guess we'll see over time. I haven't seen him play just stat watching so you're probably right if you've seen him play.

I believe more than anything else, if he hasn't figured it out before he was hurt, it puts a very bright spotlight on a player who needs to go. Be it traded or bought out at the end of the season.

How does a team go from being one of the best PK team in the league to the worst when their supposed best defenseman comes back?
- BetweenTheDots

I was referring to the culture of a team intentionally tanking, not about Jones. However when a team is going well why change it up and put in Jones or Mrazek?

I think Pharand is similar to Makenzie Entwistle, an average player having a good season as a 19 year old in junior. He could very well get a contract but I doubt he is good enough to make the jump to minor pro. Paul Ludwinski was a much better junior player than Pharand and he’s having a really difficult time contributing at the AHL level. Pharand doesn’t have Ludwinski‘s skill set, especially skating, so I’m not sure I see much of a future.
- paulr

To be clear, Rockford seems to be playing Ludwinski as their version of D!ckinson. He's tasked with playing a lot of defense. He tends to have one or two good offensive chances per game, but it really isn't his concentration (at least in the games I've watched).

I'll say right now, it's between Dach, Slaggert and Savoie in terms of who is the best option/next in line to bring up to the Hawks. Slaggert could replace about half of the current Hawks roster and you wouldn't lose anything and would likely win more board battles. They need far more guys like that on the team right now.

To be clear, Rockford seems to be playing Ludwinski as their version of D!ckinson. He's tasked with playing a lot of defense. He tends to have one or two good offensive chances per game, but it really isn't his concentration (at least in the games I've watched).

I'll say right now, it's between Dach, Slaggert and Savoie in terms of who is the best option/next in line to bring up to the Hawks. Slaggert could replace about half of the current Hawks roster and you wouldn't lose anything and would likely win more board battles. They need far more guys like that on the team right now.
- Chunk

When Ludwinski played for Kingston he was a defence first forward. I saw him miss many offensive chances because he was playing so deep defensively and he seldom, if ever, cheated offensively. That said he has pretty good offensive instincts and really good hands to go with him being a strong skater. And not having seen him in Rockford I can only go by his offensive stats. To make the jump to the NHL he’s got to show lots more offence than he’s shown so far, he’s one of those guys who has the skill and more importantly the hockey IQ to possibly figure it out.

Another interesting note about the Hogs. Lev is currently 3rd on the team in SOG. He would very likely be in first if he had played the same number of games as numbers 1 and 2 (Guttman and Dach respectively).

A D man that can get his shot through is something the big club could use in spades.

To be clear, Rockford seems to be playing Ludwinski as their version of D!ckinson. He's tasked with playing a lot of defense. He tends to have one or two good offensive chances per game, but it really isn't his concentration (at least in the games I've watched).

I'll say right now, it's between Dach, Slaggert and Savoie in terms of who is the best option/next in line to bring up to the Hawks. Slaggert could replace about half of the current Hawks roster and you wouldn't lose anything and would likely win more board battles. They need far more guys like that on the team right now.
- Chunk

I thought I read somewhere that they have been guiding Pharand into what it takes to play bottom six and having him work on what's needed for that. So maybe with focus he could do that eventually.

Sounds like they have Ludwinski focusing on a certain profile too. I was wondering why he was having so much trouble scoring. Seems like he has a decent chance to improve with 2 years left on his contract.

Think they are ready to move some of the vets now and look forward to seeing the guys you mentioned come up and play some. The veterans never jelled and it's pretty much a lost season except for the top 3 draft pick.

Another interesting note about the Hogs. Lev is currently 3rd on the team in SOG. He would very likely be in first if he had played the same number of games as numbers 1 and 2 (Guttman and Dach respectively).

A D man that can get his shot through is something the big club could use in spades.
- Chunk

Saw one game where he had 9 SOG, don't think he scored. Persistence is good.

https://www.bleachernatio...ks-new-years-day-bullets/

Reading the stuff about Jones here really leaves the impression that it's time - Jones isn't really interested and pretty clearly wants to go.

Time to call Stan or another GM and move him out. Probably have to retain 3-3.5m for the remaining 5 years on his contract to get much return. Extend Murphy for a couple of years, he may not be great but at least he's engaged.

https://www.bleachernation.com/blackhawks/2025/01/01/do-better-expectations-disappointment-and-other-blackhawks-new-years-day-bullets/

Reading the stuff about Jones here really leaves the impression that it's time - Jones isn't really interested and pretty clearly wants to go.

Time to call Stan or another GM and move him out. Probably have to retain 3-3.5m for the remaining 5 years on his contract to get much return. Extend Murphy for a couple of years, he may not be great but at least he's engaged.
- totem

I wonder what it would take to unload Jones hypothetically. A 2nd and retention of 3M? Or would we have to throw in more? That 9.5 is an albatross of a contract. He's only at 4 games after coming back from the injury but they've been shellacked in every game since his return.

I wonder what it would take to unload Jones hypothetically. A 2nd and retention of 3M? Or would we have to throw in more? That 9.5 is an albatross of a contract. He's only at 4 games after coming back from the injury but they've been shellacked in every game since his return.
- Popsghostly

I suspect KD would have to take back an equally bad contract. This demonstrates the importance of understanding the value of every player you have or want to deal for. Over or under valuing talent is a GM killer. So far in Davidson’s tenure he’s made one exceptional longer term signing by locking Vlasic up to a very team friendly contract.

I wonder what it would take to unload Jones hypothetically. A 2nd and retention of 3M? Or would we have to throw in more? That 9.5 is an albatross of a contract. He's only at 4 games after coming back from the injury but they've been shellacked in every game since his return.
- Popsghostly

Hawks can also take back an equally bad contract. There's a lot of drama going on in Vancouver with a supposed feud between Petterson and Miller and the Canucks desperately need D. Probably have to add a couple of more good pieces to get Petey. He's been underwhelming since signing his big extension.

And the Rangers want to blow things up. Zib, Kreider and other names are being mentioned as expendable.

Unfortunately Jones has that NMC. Doubt if he will waive for the Canadian Pacific or the bright lights and press coverage in NY.

There are probably a couple of other examples out there where teams want to move some disgruntled overpaid players.