I get it too and I don't think it's right or wrong, just opinion. I really value the discussion, even if I'm an argumentative pain in the butt.

I think that in some ways guys like Maroon, Smith, Brodie are meant to be obstacles and part of their job is to be in the way. Guys like Reichel, Nazar, Dach, Slaggart, Korchinski, Allan, Kaiser etc... they need guys in their way who they have to beat for the playing time. I think the coaches need to sit those guys when the young guys do beat them out. Maybe they haven't done that enough. I think it's good we've seen guys like AA and Anderson go down to the AHL.

Did KD maybe sign too many? Maybe, but he also had like half the team on the shelf part of last season, so I think he was trying to avoid having to scrape the bottom of the barrel in that possibility too. Could they upgrade on younger guys like Kurashev and Reichel as "not prospects" who are fighting for NHL jobs, probably, but I don't know if that moves the needle much.

They situation would get better if another young forward who isn't Bedard showed they were ready to be a top 6 NHL player. Nazar hasn't seized the opportunity. Kurashev has been really inconsistent. Reichel only had success so far in a limited role. The team could use a win with a young player stepping up right now on the front end. It would go a long way to help the depth.
- breadbag

I think that is the problem with this team, KD expected the young guys to step up, and they haven’t. Nazar was given every opportunity to win a job out of camp, and didn’t. Hasn’t really been noticeable since his call up. Kurashev and Reichel for the most part have been terrible. That is 4 guys that IMO KD was expecting to be top 6 or middle six by now, snd he would of shipped a couple of vets out.

And I think that is what got LR canned, the lack of progress from the young guys, along with LR’s prevent defense style of play

I think that is the problem with this team, KD expected the young guys to step up, and they haven’t. Nazar was given every opportunity to win a job out of camp, and didn’t. Hasn’t really been noticeable since his call up. Kurashev and Reichel for the most part have been terrible. That is 4 guys that IMO KD was expecting to be top 6 or middle six by now, snd he would of shipped a couple of vets out.

And I think that is what got LR canned, the lack of progress from the young guys, along with LR’s prevent defense style of play
- LAHawk

Without that prevent defense I think its going to be a lot of puck chasing and ugliness tonight.

You never know though maybe getting pasted in the Winter Classic might fire up the team.

Yeah, I'd actually rather see Nazar sit than Reichel. That said, either Smith or Maroon should be sitting instead of Reichel.

Was a terrible draft pick then and it's just as bad if not worse now. Gajan was #3-4 on most experts goalie rankings and Hrabal was #1 across the board but Kyle liked that he stoned Bedard in a tournament so he picked his goofy ass.
- Assman22

As we all know it takes prospects awhile to begin to develop enough to have a good idea what they might become, goalies 3 times as much and they can take huge leaps outa nowhere.

Gajan is extremely athletic with very little technical ability. Remember all the goalies drafted with him were a yr younger and the first 7 goalies drafted after him are either simply outplaying him with most of them a ton better. Check out the goalies drafted that yr. Looking like a very good class. https://www.eliteprospect...try-draft/2023?position=g

Gajan has a long ways to go to see what they have in him but a Soderblom comparison is not at all a good one. Soderblom was an undrafted free agent, Gajan was the first goalie drafted. ........... And yes the majority of draftniks had Hrabal as the best in class, as did I, followed by votes for Fowler, Augustine and Gajan. Didn't like the pick the second it was made.

What I do like is the Hawks used a prime draft pick on a goalie with Soderblom and another 2nd rounder Commesso in the pipeline. Not a bad idea to draft a goalie every 4 outa 5 yrs to have plenty of lottery tickets in the pipeline.

I wouldn't get too worked up about it. Goalies are so odd in their development. UMD isn't really a great team outside of a couple players, so Gajan doesn't have a lot of help. If missing out on Hrabal or Augustine kills the Hawks, then there are much bigger problems. It's probably another 2-3 years before any of them get notable time in the NHL. Commesso could also turn out to be a "good enough" goaltender.
- Chunk

Sure Chunk, if a Hrabal, Augustine, Fowler prove to be goalies that can get a club thru 2-3 rds of playoffs ain't no big deal. Cuz those kinds are all over the place?

And, if Vanacher, Boisvert, Moore, KK, Rinzel don't cut it no big deal? ...... Cmon, Chunk.

For sure no panic moment but Gajan has been bad regardless of what any other goalie has done. I've seen the kid 3 times this yr and IIRC he's been pulled in 2 of them. Right now he's overmatched and doesn't have the technical game to fall back on. .... And indeed, Commesso is in the pipeline and I like the kid. Always did and love his development. 2 yrs at The Program, 3 yrs at Boston College and now in his 2nd yr in the AHL at 22 yrs old. For comparison sake Gajan is an NCAA freshman at 20 yrs old.

The league didn't choose the game because of the Blackhawks. They chose it due to Bedard.
- boilermaker100

Watching Bedard reminds me of how pumped I was to see McDavid live the first time at the UC. Q matched Johnny on the kid and he won every face off. Don't think McD had the puck on his stick more than 15 seconds.

I think about a guy coughing up to see Bedard during his bad stretch where he didn't even get a shot off. Lotta people saw that first time seeing Bedard after reading generational. ....... Until the kid starts popping big I think much of the shine has worn off nationally for him.

Three team trade: To Vancouver Seth Jones kurshev and 4th for J.t.miller then flip j.t Miller to the NY Rangers for Chytill and othmannn back to Chicago. Now picks could be added but the base of the trade idea.

I think that is the problem with this team, KD expected the young guys to step up, and they haven’t. Nazar was given every opportunity to win a job out of camp, and didn’t. Hasn’t really been noticeable since his call up. Kurashev and Reichel for the most part have been terrible. That is 4 guys that IMO KD was expecting to be top 6 or middle six by now, snd he would of shipped a couple of vets out.

And I think that is what got LR canned, the lack of progress from the young guys, along with LR’s prevent defense style of play
- LAHawk

At least there has been progress on the back end, which is probably the more important part as it can take the longest to build there. Kurashev and Reichel being holdovers from before KD, it was always going to be questionable if they fit long term. Maybe their days are numbered now, Kurashev definitely has lost the teams confidence. Nazar hasn't been bad but yeah, just not impactful so far. I'm not a coach but I think if I had it my way right now, both him and Bedard would be playing wing or Nazar back to Rockford for now. I feel like they needed a legit top 6 C more than they needed someone like Bertuzzi. Most of the decent ones were labelled for contenders in the offseason, so that might have been a stretch.

Three team trade: To Vancouver Seth Jones kurshev and 4th for J.t.miller then flip j.t Miller to the NY Rangers for Chytill and othmannn back to Chicago. Now picks could be added but the base of the trade idea.
- Scott1977

Do you think Vancouver would make that trade?

Arvid Soderblom starts for the Blackhawks against the Canadiens tonight.

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

Kaiser-Jones
Vlasic-Crevier
Allan-Brodie

Murphy nursing a groin injury.
- Chunk

Glad Soderblom gets the start. They need a good game outa him. Good to see Dach up and have come around to the Hawks having a rookie on each paring like they have tonight. ... Allan, Crevier, Kaiser and even KK don't hurt the squad. Sure, you could make a case each one could use more AHL time but my eye thinks they are not hurting the club, in fact these good skating Dmen fit Sorensen's system, and I don't think any of their developments will be hurt in the Bigs.

One thing about watching Dach down on the farm is each time I see him I'm surprised at how quick his feet are and how agile he is for a bigger player. ... It's good to get a look at him up in the Bigs and with solid linemates who play a 200 ft game. ...... Hope to see the kid's nose over the puck, see him win some pucks along the walls and establish some territory in the slots.

Do you think Vancouver would make that trade?
- paulr

I just did the trade idea for poop and giggles

Kirby working Jones lol.

Sure Chunk, if a Hrabal, Augustine, Fowler prove to be goalies that can get a club thru 2-3 rds of playoffs ain't no big deal. Cuz those kinds are all over the place?

And, if Vanacher, Boisvert, Moore, KK, Rinzel don't cut it no big deal? ...... Cmon, Chunk.

For sure no panic moment but Gajan has been bad regardless of what any other goalie has done. I've seen the kid 3 times this yr and IIRC he's been pulled in 2 of them. Right now he's overmatched and doesn't have the technical game to fall back on. .... And indeed, Commesso is in the pipeline and I like the kid. Always did and love his development. 2 yrs at The Program, 3 yrs at Boston College and now in his 2nd yr in the AHL at 22 yrs old. For comparison sake Gajan is an NCAA freshman at 20 yrs old.
- Mr Ricochet

WTF?? My point is missing one goalie pick is not going to sink this team. They five skaters on the ice are far more important for the long-term success of the team. KD's got boatloads of other picks to spend on goalies. I'm sure he'll find one eventually.

The Hawks won with Niemi and Crawford. Crawford was very good, but I think we can all agree he wasn't an elite goalie (I'm not slighting his contributions at all). Niemi was also "good" that year.

WTF?? My point is missing one goalie pick is not going to sink this team. They five skaters on the ice are far more important for the long-term success of the team. KD's got boatloads of other picks to spend on goalies. I'm sure he'll find one eventually.

The Hawks won with Niemi and Crawford. Crawford was very good, but I think we can all agree he wasn't an elite goalie (I'm not slighting his contributions at all). Niemi was also "good" that year.
- Chunk

Hahaha just dropped the “Crawford isn’t elite” nuke. 😂

Pretty sure Crevier is going to be the next guy to sit. Last couple games have been rough for the big fella.

Hahaha just dropped the “Crawford isn’t elite” nuke. 😂
- bhawks2241

Pretty sure Crevier is going to be the next guy to sit. Last couple games have been rough for the big fella.
- Chunk

You think? Big kid looks ok to me and showed his considerable skating v STL when he beat a pretty good shutdown Dman in Paryako wide for an in alone. ...... Someone will have to go down when Martinez is back in and it'll probably be Crevier.

Good to see Kaiser not showing any signs of playing too careful after being sent down, brought back up and scratched while here. ... Think it was his first shift and he dove down to keep 2 pucks alive...... Kid has been the same since jrs. He reacts to his reads instantly and many times it gives him an edge.

A month ago he was getting dangerous a few times a game and it seemed only a matter of time before he scored. Nice IQ play to shot pass to Foligno on the 2nd goal.

Dach has played well. Nice 1st period when the kid had a couple scoring chances, one he showed deft hands to create his own down low shot.

Crevier and Allan on the 2nd unit PK!! Two rookies.

You think? Big kid looks ok to me and showed his considerable skating v STL when he beat a pretty good shutdown Dman in Paryako wide for an in alone. ...... Someone will have to go down when Martinez is back in and it'll probably be Crevier.

Good to see Kaiser not showing any signs of playing too careful after being sent down, brought back up and scratched while here. ... Think it was his first shift and he dove down to keep 2 pucks alive...... Kid has been the same since jrs. He reacts to his reads instantly and many times it gives him an edge.

A month ago he was getting dangerous a few times a game and it seemed only a matter of time before he scored. Nice IQ play to shot pass to Foligno on the 2nd goal.

Dach has played well. Nice 1st period when the kid had a couple scoring chances, one he showed deft hands to create his own down low shot.
- Mr Ricochet

He's just been slow to pick up his assignment, and has put himself in some poor positions. To quote a past coach. He's been "fine".

Got home at start of 2nd period. Great period by Soderblom. I said it after the three game winning streak, make him the #1 for the rest of the year. Good discussions tonight folks, and seeing Toews on another team will hurt.

Remember last year when pretty much every poster here, me included, wanted Soderblom sent to the nearest constellation?

Got home at start of 2nd period. Great period by Soderblom. I said it after the three game winning streak, make him the #1 for the rest of the year. Good discussions tonight folks, and seeing Toews on another team will hurt.
- Angotti

Especially if Toronto is the team.

Especially if Toronto is the team.
- paulr

That would indeed suck

I read the Blackhawks won 4-2 last night.
Did not get to see the game.

Do you think Vancouver would make that trade?
- paulr

Def not lol

Question to the board in the offseason would the Hawks be smart and offer sheet Matthew knives 6years 6million per year. Don't know exactly what the compensation would be. Thoughts