According to "Spittin Chiclets" the rumor is that KD went to the team after the Winter Classic and laid into them for the effort (or lack there of).

Maybe this is the start of more changes to the team, time will tell, but I hope we don't get another outdoor game for several years. We always suck in them.

Charlie Roumeliotis
@CRoumeliotis
Anders Sorensen said Alec Martinez (neck) isn't cleared for game action yet. He's still listed as day to day.

Connor Murphy, who missed practice with a groin injury, will be re-evaluated on Friday.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Jason Richardinson: "You felt like things were changing and now, all of a sudden, it feels worse than it ever has.

It's probably because there was hope, there was a reason to be excited about what we were doing, and all of a sudden, it's now been three embarrassing losses."

According to "Spittin Chiclets" the rumor is that KD went to the team after the Winter Classic and laid into them for the effort (or lack there of).

Maybe this is the start of more changes to the team, time will tell, but I hope we don't get another outdoor game for several years. We always suck in them.
- breadbag

I don't really care that the Hawks are bad in them, it's more that they don't deserve the national platform.

With them calling up Dach, and now this about him laying into the team, maybe he starts to just say eff it and starts making a couple moves.

Maroon, Smith, Reichel, Shev, Donato all options. I don't think any of the D would move until they can prove they are all healthy.

Sorensen on scratching Reichel: "We've got to make some decisions here, and [we're] making room for Colton as well."

Asked what he's not seeing from Reichel: "The finishing product... I'd like to talk to him about having more of an attack mentality and utilizing his shot more."

Sorensen on scratching Reichel: "We've got to make some decisions here, and
- Chunk[we're] making room for Colton as well."

Asked what he's not seeing from Reichel: "The finishing product... I'd like to talk to him about having more of an attack mentality and utilizing his shot more."

We should have paid Reichel 2 x $4m so we could send him down if need be.

First bolded: It will be at least three years before you have a realistic understanding of what those players are, if not more.

Second bolded: I'm sorry Lou, but this is just not remotely realistic to consider. If you are talking about getting a cup of coffee, then outside chance at maybe. But to think that all of these players will have a roster spot on the Hawks by the end of next year is not of this world.
- Chunk

As far as Boisvert, Moore, and Rinzel go, yeah, just a few games at the end of the next season, so not necessarily regulars. KK and Levshunov should be with the big club to stay sometime next season, KK early on and Arty after next years TDL. I just don’t think that they should commit to an expensive FA this offseason, they should wait at least one more year. JMHO.

As far as Boisvert, Moore, and Rinzel go, yeah, just a few games at the end of the next season, so not necessarily regulars. KK and Levshunov should be with the big club to stay sometime next season, KK early on and Arty after next years TDL. I just don’t think that they should commit to an expensive FA this offseason, they should wait at least one more year. JMHO.
- Angotti

Do you think KD, the executive management, the fans and the team are going to accept being this bad for another year?

As much as I love what I'm seeing from Lev, him being an impact player next year is questionable at best. I'd certainly love it as it would give them protection against trade or injury to Murphy and/or Jones.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Jason Richardinson: "You felt like things were changing and now, all of a sudden, it feels worse than it ever has.

It's probably because there was hope, there was a reason to be excited about what we were doing, and all of a sudden, it's now been three embarrassing losses."
- LAHawk

I'd love to be a fly on the wall during the practice sessions when they try to figure out what everyone's responsibility is in the D-zone. That's gotta be a nightmare.

"Seth... Seth!!!. WTF are you doing?!?!?!"

I'd love to be a fly on the wall during the practice sessions when they try to figure out what everyone's responsibility is in the D-zone. That's gotta be a nightmare.

"Seth... Seth!!!. WTF are you doing?!?!?!"
- Chunk

I hope the Winter Classic was a positive kick in the pants for the players. We know they don't have the greatest roster, but they are better than they've been showing in the last 5 games. I just hope to see some emotion and fight in their game.

KD has to be very careful whoever he acquires isn’t just a guy he settles on but rather a guy who he can build around.
- paulr

Well, he's not done so well with that as of yet as we're not exactly building around his prized offseason acquisitions of TT and Bert. This offseason has a solid group of top 6 forwards and yes Rantanen projects to be a beast for years to come. Rantanen, Marner, Ehlers, and even Boeser (at the right term) would be ideal.
Besides Nazar, the rest of the kids that might be ready in the next few years are not likely to be top 6 but they can fill out the energy line. Dach and Slaggert would likely both excel in bottom 6 roles starting next season.

Well, he's not done so well with that as of yet as we're not exactly building around his prized offseason acquisitions of TT and Bert. This offseason has a solid group of top 6 forwards and yes Rantanen projects to be a beast for years to come. Rantanen, Marner, Ehlers, and even Boeser (at the right term) would be ideal.
Besides Nazar, the rest of the kids that might be ready in the next few years are not likely to be top 6 but they can fill out the energy line. Dach and Slaggert would likely both excel in bottom 6 roles starting next season.
- Assman22

Meh, too soon to say top 6 or bottom 6. Dustin Bufgylien was what a 5th or 7th rounder?

I hope he can rise to the occasion and get some traction at the NHL level. I was curious about where he might play. I found this via twitter.

Bertuzzi-Bedard-Mikheyev
Hall-Richardinson-Foligno
Dach-Nazar-Teräväinen
Maroon-Donato-Smith

Reichel and Kurashev are extras
- breadbag

Truer words have never been spoken

I just don’t think that they should commit to an expensive FA this offseason, they should wait at least one more year. JMHO.
- Angotti

So 98 will play a 3rd season of his ELC without someone worth a poop? It's been two seasons too long already. They need to grab someone this offseason like Rantanen, Marner or Ehlers, then grab another big FA in the next offseason like Kaprizov, Eichel, or McDavid lol then start going for the Cup. Rantanen, Kaprizov, Bedard, and Martone in the top 6 would be insane!

As far as Boisvert, Moore, and Rinzel go, yeah, just a few games at the end of the next season, so not necessarily regulars. KK and Levshunov should be with the big club to stay sometime next season, KK early on and Arty after next years TDL. I just don’t think that they should commit to an expensive FA this offseason, they should wait at least one more year. JMHO.
- Angotti

I think you have to take your shots with UFA's when KD sees one he likes at any time. They're not easy to get.

According to "Spittin Chiclets" the rumor is that KD went to the team after the Winter Classic and laid into them for the effort (or lack there of).

Maybe this is the start of more changes to the team, time will tell, but I hope we don't get another outdoor game for several years. We always suck in them.
- breadbag

Idk if that’s a good thing. Do GMs normally do this? KD is young and has no hockey experience as a player.

NHL vets going to listen to him? I just imagine him going down to the room and throwing a tantrum in front of the players who prob tuned him out.

Idk if that’s a good thing. Do GMs normally do this? KD is young and has no hockey experience as a player.

NHL vets going to listen to him? I just imagine him going down to the room and throwing a tantrum in front of the players who prob tuned him out.
- bhawks2241

I've heard of GMs or owners doing this once in a while. You have to pick your spot because you can only do it once. After getting humiliated on national television is a good spot. However, KD is really short, so some of the vets might have had a hard time holding in the laughter.

This doesn't necessarily mean much but the kid in goal for CZE is the 6ft 7in Hrabal. Kid has shown well, again, in the WJC and was taken 2 picks after the Hawks took Gajan.

Augustine, the US goalie who won Gold last yr, was taken 7ish spots after Hrabal.

Hawks took Gajun, an overager at the time, before either of these kids and after staying one more yr in the USHL and putting up an .883 SPG he's scuffling along as a 20 yr old freshman at UMD with a 5-7 and an .882 SPG.

I've pretty much been ok with any draft picks of KD and Crew's but the Gajan one over Hrabal, and probably Augustine too, the Hawk's brass will sorely regret....... We all know you don't know what the hell with goalies and Gajan may end up the real deal. He's certainly athletic enough for the Bigs but the early returns ain't good.

Idk if that’s a good thing. Do GMs normally do this? KD is young and has no hockey experience as a player.

NHL vets going to listen to him? I just imagine him going down to the room and throwing a tantrum in front of the players who prob tuned him out.
- bhawks2241

Aaaannnddd I wonder what prompted that reaction???

Could it be he specifically tried to assemble an NHL roster that was better than last year's, committed money and term to several players, and the end product is worse than last year's train wreck???

As I commented on here about a month ago, his seat has warmed considerably this year, specifically because there is a serious question about KFC's ability to assemble a competent NHL roster. But I was laughed at and ridiculed for this.

He has drafted and built a decent prospect pool, but the actual NHL roster is driving fans away, and the current ownership is getting impatient. The coach was the first head to fall, and there is room for more to fall.....

Aaaannnddd I wonder what prompted that reaction???

Could it be he specifically tried to assemble an NHL roster that was better than last year's, committed money and term to several players, and the end product is worse than last year's train wreck???

As I commented on here about a month ago, his seat has warmed considerably this year, specifically because there is a serious question about KFC's ability to assemble a competent NHL roster. But I was laughed at and ridiculed for this.

He has drafted and built a decent prospect pool, but the actual NHL roster is driving fans away, and the current ownership is getting impatient. The coach was the first head to fall, and there is room for more to fall.....
- dahawks8819

The publicity departments of the Hawks, NHL, and TNT .

If I heard Gord right this is the first time Canada has gone 2 straight yrs not medaling at the WJC U-20. ....... Always better when CAN is playing for a Gold but CZE for the most part earned the win.

IMO no Canadian was impactful but Martone getting scratched was the most disappointing....... Hrabal moves on even though IMO he was just ok in this tilt. Kid seemed to have plenty of holes in his big body and didn't track rebounds all that well.

If I heard Gord right this is the first time Canada has gone 2 straight yrs not medaling at the WJC U-20. ....... Always better when CAN is playing for a Gold but CZE for the most part earned the win.

IMO no Canadian was impactful but Martone getting scratched was the most disappointing....... Hrabal moves on even though IMO he was just ok in this tilt. Kid seemed to have plenty of holes in his big body and didn't track rebounds all that well.
- Mr Ricochet

I read that there is a major dysfunctional issue going on with Canada hockey.

They are currently treating it like youth sports in the U.S., parents having more say about their sons playing, and the players more out for looking good and being noticed by scouts, than playing in a team system to win.

And most people in Canada HATE the coach that was picked to lead them. From top to bottom, it sounds like the entire program needs to be cleaned out.

I read that there is a major dysfunctional issue going on with Canada hockey.

They are currently treating it like youth sports in the U.S., parents having more say about their sons playing, and the players more out for looking good and being noticed by scouts, than playing in a team system to win.

And most people in Canada HATE the coach that was picked to lead them. From top to bottom, it sounds like the entire program needs to be cleaned out.
- dahawks8819

I've only kinda half followed the Canadian roster construction but just as every single yr the fans are screaming. Guess guys like Cristall being left off had fans nuts and complain that instead of building a roster of speed/skill they prioritize grit.

So, the complaining about the roster, those who choose it and the coach is really nothing new. ....... I always wanna see Canada go deep but the disappointment for me with Canada this yr is kids like Martone and Misa were not noticable at all and Schaffer getting hurt robbed the team, all fans and scouts who wanted to see the kid on a big stage.

The loss to Latvia hurt but that squad, and their crazy good goalie, are a damn tough out.

I've only kinda half followed the Canadian roster construction but just as every single yr the fans are screaming. Guess guys like Cristall being left off had fans nuts and complain that instead of building a roster of speed/skill they prioritize grit.

So, the complaining about the roster, those who choose it and the coach is really nothing new. ....... I always wanna see Canada go deep but the disappointment for me with Canada this yr is kids like Martone and Misa were not noticable at all and Schaffer getting hurt robbed the team, all fans and scouts who wanted to see the kid on a big stage.

The loss to Latvia hurt but that squad, and their crazy good goalie, are a damn tough out.
- Mr Ricochet

Too many Zamuners in this lineup this year. Misa wasn't on the roster, Martone was a healthy scratch most of the tourney. Questionable adds to the roster over other much better options.

Canada did have long stretches of dominance in their games but lacked the finish they needed.

Too many Zamuners in this lineup this year. Misa wasn't on the roster, Martone was a healthy scratch most of the tourney. Questionable adds to the roster over other much better options.

Canada did have long stretches of dominance in their games but lacked the finish they needed.
- wizardofi

I'd read that Team Canada cancelled practice after losing to Latvia, again after losing to the USA, and apparently opted out of a morning skate before their quarter final game. Even if the team didn't feel like they needed it, bad perception from the outside looking in. Makes it look like they aren't taking it seriously enough.

I would think in a tournament like this you want the opportunity to get your guys on the ice building chemistry, even if you have a lighter practice.