They go from active and winning board battles one game to being completely soft the next. Vlasic has looked like crap the last three games. I maintain something is wrong with Richardinson, and they are once again unable to complete a pass.

I’ve seen more Hawks on their ass tonight without being touched than any game I can remember.

How do you fix inept?
- Chunk

I was thinking Vlasic needs to be more physical in front of the net and play the man rather than go for the puck but that's not his play style.

Yeah I also think there is something wrong with Richardson he's not able to control passes in the past 6 games or so, thinking maybe a hand or wrist injury?

Yeah, the numbers aren't brutal for him, but I think it's telling that both coaches have said that his biggest issue is that he plays too much on the perimeter and doesn't shoot enough/passes up opportunities. This has gone on for two years now.

I think one of his biggest issues is that he's either not strong enough, or confident enough to engage in contact and keep the puck. It's a shame since he has some good qualities, and it sounds like most people (even here) want him to succeed. At some point, he's got to take it on himself to do what is necessary.
- Chunk

This is Reichel's third year here. He has not shown any signs of getting bigger, or stronger.

Either he isn't working out all summer to be ready for the NHL game, doesn't care, or needs someone else overseeing his workout program.

At what point do we just write it off as a 4A player, like in baseball, too good for the minor leagues, but not good enough for the pro league. He wouldn't be the first first round pick not being able to handle NHL hockey, and won't be the last.

From Bamford today: "Philipp Kurashev half-assed an attempt at the puck in the neutral zone and then “played” photographer-caliber defense on Detroit’s third goal… I wouldn’t be shocked if he wound up on waivers soon. He’s totally lost. "


I watched the clip - 'half'? Tab was being awfully polite - it wasn't even that good... probably quarter-assed to maybe eigth-assed tops --- absolutely pathetic.

I think it's time to start making roster changes via trades. The gm's of the league know what the Blackhawks are and what the players are going through. So Hall Richardenson kurashev Martinez Maroon Smith Murphy brodie reichel Foligno. Jones possibly in the offseason maybe one of the young defenseman are all trade candidates. Also Davidson imo needs to make a bold move what that is don't know. Hawks are going to be picking in the top three of the draft. So Shaffer hagens or Matone one will be selected. Use other draft pick and young assets to make that bold move. Be interesting to see if marner hits free agency most likely rattan is retained by Colorado.

I think it's time to start making roster changes via trades. The gm's of the league know what the Blackhawks are and what the players are going through. So Hall Richardenson kurashev Martinez Maroon Smith Murphy brodie reichel Foligno. Jones possibly in the offseason maybe one of the young defenseman are all trade candidates. Also Davidson imo needs to make a bold move what that is don't know. Hawks are going to be picking in the top three of the draft. So Shaffer hagens or Matone one will be selected. Use other draft pick and young assets to make that bold move. Be interesting to see if marner hits free agency most likely rattan is retained by Colorado.
- Scott1977

Unfortunately, I don't think any of those guys you mentioned as trade bait will return anything of enough value, in picks or players, which will improve the team in the long term. The highest pick coming back for anyone would probably be a 3rd rounder. So the yield from this year's TDL activity would be a couple of lower round picks and a lesser prospect or two IMO.

The only advantage to moving anyone would be to create roster spots for Slaggert, KK, and maybe Savoie and EDM.

If the Oilers ARE interested in Taylor Hall, I think I would try and get another small forward, Matt Savoie, as the return.
Savoie has got some fiestiness playing in Bakerfield California and is not Shaw, but engages in hs shifts.

The Blackhawks are at the point with their 50 player protected list where as much as improvement may come from a add of another young close to or ready youngster, the 50 player list is filling quickly.

I am guessing Kyle will look for future second round and third round adds for any of the vets he sells at the deadline.

And as much as I grimace with these losses that I think they COULD have won, with half the seaosn gone they look in prime position to draft in that nice top six in 2025, where there are no Bedards but plenty of guys with savvy and upside.


Now, related to the above posts, maybe it is time to find another non contender who ants to underachieving forwards for ours...

I think it's time to start making roster changes via trades. The gm's of the league know what the Blackhawks are and what the players are going through. So Hall Richardenson kurashev Martinez Maroon Smith Murphy brodie reichel Foligno. Jones possibly in the offseason maybe one of the young defenseman are all trade candidates. Also Davidson imo needs to make a bold move what that is don't know. Hawks are going to be picking in the top three of the draft. So Shaffer hagens or Matone one will be selected. Use other draft pick and young assets to make that bold move. Be interesting to see if marner hits free agency most likely rattan is retained by Colorado.
- Scott1977

Supposedly Rantanen isn't going to negotiate a deal until the season is over. When do they announce the new salary cap? My guess is it will cost them as much as they paid MacKinnon if not more to keep him, or maybe he wants Draisaitl money?

Damn man that Draisitl contract kicks in when he's 30. Funny these teams wanted to use up the players best years at a cheap price and now the owners can't help themselves and sign guys well past their prime for top dollar.

Huh? good to see you completely gave up with 2 minutes left

Any thoughts that Detroit may be a better team?
- wizardofi

Te-watch the end of the game after the empty net and tell me they are giving even 50%.

If the Oilers ARE interested in Taylor Hall, I think I would try and get another small forward, Matt Savoie, as the return.
Savoie has got some fiestiness playing in Bakerfield California and is not Shaw, but engages in hs shifts.

The Blackhawks are at the point with their 50 player protected list where as much as improvement may come from a add of another young close to or ready youngster, the 50 player list is filling quickly.

I am guessing Kyle will look for future second round and third round adds for any of the vets he sells at the deadline.

And as much as I grimace with these losses that I think they COULD have won, with half the seaosn gone they look in prime position to draft in that nice top six in 2025, where there are no Bedards but plenty of guys with savvy and upside.


Now, related to the above posts, maybe it is time to find another non contender who ants to underachieving forwards for ours...
- wiz1901

Nice to see you back Wiz.

Per puckpedia, the Hawks have 42 signed contracts out of the 50. Several will drop off at the TDL or at the end of the season - Hall, Maroon, Smith, AA, Martinez, Kurashev, maybe Donato, probably Saarela down in the minors. That's 7 or 8. And several prospects may be signed - Rinzel, Moore, Greene, Thompson, Pharand and probably one or two more getting the total back close to 42. Yes still have room to pick up some bodies in trades or upcoming free agent signings.

1-3-3-3-1

Nice to see you back Wiz.

Per puckpedia, the Hawks have 42 signed contracts out of the 50. Several will drop off at the TDL or at the end of the season - Hall, Maroon, Smith, AA, Martinez, Kurashev, maybe Donato, probably Saarela down in the minors. That's 7 or 8. And several prospects may be signed - Rinzel, Moore, Greene, Thompson, Pharand and probably one or two more getting the total back close to 42. Yes still have room to pick up some bodies in trades or upcoming free agent signings.
- boilermaker100

If you think the losing is difficult for the Blackhawk fan base, you have think each and every “unexpected” loss must bother these veterans, who are on the team, signed with the understanding they there to provide teaching and leadership to the kids, not take roster spots from talent that is ready.

My point of view is that the opposing GMs/scouts must see the positives that are coming in the play of the young defensive corps: Allen is a pro-defensemen and I won’t try and predict his high water mark, and I guess you could say the same for Vlasic. Now, Crevier and Kaiser look like fillers on a pro roster and I won’t predict their pro upside long term because you simply don’t know the possible upsides.

So, regardless if the best player falling to them in the 2025 draft even having the broken collarbone LD Schaefer the top defender as spa, just adds more equity; the Hawks will probably start to look at trades for underperforming youngsters on other teams. I love the way Barry Trotz makes a trade (for Justin Barron) and says, “We been trying to acquire him for awhile now.”
Maybe Kyle should go through his lists and look for “his” guys in other teams farm systems.

Any dropping UC attendance will determine if they will spend more with a $ splash towards more vet star guys b/c Bedard’s only going to be a magnet towards talent.
I was certain that their target in the draft they took Lukas Reichel was Dylan Holloway, who they scouted extensively at the Wisconsin.
Unfortunate that the Johnathan Toews last stand willed the Blackhawks to a first round playoff in the “Covid cup finals” where Oilers dropped to the slot they got Holloway.

1-3-3-3-1
- 35Tony0

I did a few days ago and got five #1s...

a bit early to convince me we finish last or go first.


but I am sure I wonder if they did get #1 and Schaefer is entrenched at #1 if they would be willing to trade for a solid now player from a team that knows they are in a downhill slide and want the selection.
(And I don't mean drop to #2 slot for more picks of prospects...i mean impact youngster eg. what you think is an impact youngster in the league with a team flat- lining.

Tough to answer trade the pick if you don't know the return.

Nice to see you back Wiz.
- boilermaker100

Honestly never meant to leave.
my Safari browser through a saved bookmark kept telling the site was toast. Was there ever a time before Christmas that any of you got errors messages like that?

It wasn't as if I tried once.

I no longer use the safari browser because the thing kept stopoing my typing and showing ads & messages.

I am using Google now.

Honestly never meant to leave.
my Safari browser through a saved bookmark kept telling the site was toast. Was there ever a time before Christmas that any of you got errors messages like that?

It wasn't as if I tried once.

I no longer use the safari browser because the thing kept stopoing my typing and showing ads & messages.

I am using Google now.
- wiz1901

The entire site was down for a little bit. Maybe a week or two. Was checking Eklund's X account for updates.
A few of us have been mentioning where we could all regroup if hockeybuzz goes down again.

Any chance the Hocks pass up on Martone if he is there because his skating is apparently - so so?

Also,your thoughts on Hagens? Chris Peters and Cam Robinson were on a podcast together where they said the wjc didn't hurt is status,but didn't do anything to improve it either. They said they see him anywhere between the 1-4 picks

https://thehockeywriters....afs-robertson-time-leave/

Sometimes these clickbait articles are a little interesting. Not sure what TOR would want.

Robertson for Kaiser + or - something?

The entire site was down for a little bit. Maybe a week or two. Was checking Eklund's X account for updates.
A few of us have been mentioning where we could all regroup if hockeybuzz goes down again.

Any chance the Hocks pass up on Martone if he is there because his skating is apparently - so so?

Also,your thoughts on Hagens? Chris Peters and Cam Robinson were on a podcast together where they said the wjc didn't hurt is status,but didn't do anything to improve it either. They said they see him anywhere between the 1-4 picks
- captainserious

I was watching the CHGO podcast, and they had a guy reviewing the WJC and the draft class (I think his name was Steven Ellis). He said that Hagens is very talented, but gets bumped off the puck even at his current level.

Lineup from BN. Allan has been playing good hockey, however as elbows likes to say, he drew the short straw tonight, and no Kaiser.

Tyler Bertuzzi — Connor Bedard — Ilya Mikheyev
Colton Dach — Frank Nazar — Lukas Reichel
Nick Foligno — Jason Richardinson — Teuvo Teräväinen
Taylor Hall — Ryan Donato — Pat Maroon

Alec Martinez — Seth Jones
Alex Vlasic — Louis Crevier
Nolan Allan — TJ Brodie

🥅 Arvid Söderblom

Lineup from BN. Allan has been playing good hockey, however as elbows likes to say, he drew the short straw tonight, and no Kaiser.

Tyler Bertuzzi — Connor Bedard — Ilya Mikheyev
Colton Dach — Frank Nazar — Lukas Reichel
Nick Foligno — Jason Richardinson — Teuvo Teräväinen
Taylor Hall — Ryan Donato — Pat Maroon

Alec Martinez — Seth Jones
Alex Vlasic — Louis Crevier
Nolan Allan — TJ Brodie

🥅 Arvid Söderblom
- Angotti

Thanks, Lou....... Martinez is back! Don't they need to make a roster move to accommodate him?.... Perfect time to get Brodie to the IR.

Reichel in the top 6 after a scratch. Let's see what kinda jump he brings with Franky.

Sorensen digs Reichel and we know he knows the kid well from RKF. 1st unit PK yesterday with Vlasic.

Thanks, Lou....... Martinez is back! Don't they need to make a roster move to accommodate him?.... Perfect time to get Brodie to the IR.

Reichel in the top 6 after a scratch. Let's see what kinda jump he brings with Franky.

Sorensen digs Reichel and we know he knows the kid well from RKF. 1st unit PK yesterday with Vlasic.
- Mr Ricochet

I was looking for a corresponding move and couldn’t find one. Good to see Reichel with Dach and Nazar. I like it, hopefully they produce and stay together.

I was watching the CHGO podcast, and they had a guy reviewing the WJC and the draft class (I think his name was Steven Ellis). He said that Hagens is very talented, but gets bumped off the puck even at his current level.
- Chunk

Doesn't seem like someone the Hocks would draft right now. Unless they somehow pull off a trade for a decent sized C and draft Hagens to play wing.
The next few months are going to be very interesting for Kyle and the management team.
He's on the clock,especially since LR was fired. He needs to make a move or two or at least try to.

Thanks, Lou....... Martinez is back! Don't they need to make a roster move to accommodate him?.... Perfect time to get Brodie to the IR.

Reichel in the top 6 after a scratch. Let's see what kinda jump he brings with Franky.

Sorensen digs Reichel and we know he knows the kid well from RKF. 1st unit PK yesterday with Vlasic.
- Mr Ricochet

Good speed and size mix on that line. Tonight should be somewhat interesting.

By the by...Kantserov with another goal earlier today

I was looking for a corresponding move and couldn’t find one. Good to see Reichel with Dach and Nazar. I like it, hopefully they produce and stay together.
- Angotti

Charlie Roumeliotis posted this:

#Blackhawks    place Connor Murphy (groin) on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 31 to make room for Alec Martinez, who has been activated from IR.

I was thinking Vlasic needs to be more physical in front of the net and play the man rather than go for the puck but that's not his play style.

Yeah I also think there is something wrong with Richardson he's not able to control passes in the past 6 games or so, thinking maybe a hand or wrist injury?
- Popsghostly

Been watching Crevier closely and the kid does mark his check closely and is looking to tie up sticks even when his back is turned to the goalie. Trick is, which guy is your man......... Kid knows his role and it seems the more he plays the chippier he gets in the slot.

Good speed and size mix on that line. Tonight should be somewhat interesting.

By the by...Kantserov with another goal earlier today
- captainserious

Kancterov just played his 100th KHL game so he's getting his seasoning at a high level, which I'm a big fan of...... How much fun will it be for Hawk fans as the Kantcerovs and Lardis trickle up to a shot at the Bigs? Never know but one of these guys may be a soul mate for Bedard or Frankie? Boisvert too and Spellacy.

Edit: One more thing about Kantcerov, IIRC last I saw he was skating 17:00 a game in the KHL.

Charlie Roumeliotis posted this:

#Blackhawks    place Connor Murphy (groin) on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 31 to make room for Alec Martinez, who has been activated from IR.
- captainserious

Thanks, makes sense.