I don’t want to bag on Bedard, but I’m gonna. He spends a ton of time circling around waiting for his linemates to get him the puck and not supporting. He needs to learn how to be engaged in the friggin play.

I don’t want to bag on Bedard, but I’m gonna. He spends a ton of time circling around waiting for his linemates to get him the puck and not supporting. He needs to learn how to be engaged in the friggin play.
- Chunk

He also does a lot of gliding by a check rather than stopping and engaging in a battle. If Bedard doesn't bulk up like Crosby or develop breakaway speed in the next couple of years, I can't see him centering a top line, might be better off playing wing. Rather than a generational talent, we might be looking at DeBrincat 2.0

He also does a lot of gliding by a check rather than stopping and engaging in a battle. If Bedard doesn't bulk up like Crosby or develop breakaway speed in the next couple of years, I can't see him centering a top line, might be better off playing wing. Rather than a generational talent, we might be looking at DeBrincat 2.0
- Dieselhead

Think about Bedard like this:
So he is not the next generational player
So what do you see in his potential
Because he should be more than DeBrincat
Based on talent alone. At his tender age playing without
much top talent surrounding him
What would be his numbers if he traded place with Draisalti?
No no no he is going to be a really good one
Put a few - a few and not necessarily an entire really loaded lineup
And he produces 100 point seasons
A top offensive dman, two good scoring lines with Bedard at the forefront
Probable
Won’t you concur

Think about Bedard like this:
So he is not the next generational player
So what do you see in his potential
Because he should be more than DeBrincat
Based on talent alone. At his tender age playing without
much top talent surrounding him
What would be his numbers if he traded place with Draisalti?
No no no he is going to be a really good one
Put a few - a few and not necessarily an entire really loaded lineup
And he produces 100 point seasons
A top offensive dman, two good scoring lines with Bedard at the forefront
Probable
Won’t you concur
- jhawk59

Not sure what to think about him anymore.
Was hoping for a big jump this season, and right now I'm not seeing it.
It took MacKinnon 4 years to turn into a beast,maybe 98 has a similar trajectory.
Also,I'd like to see if KD swings a deal for a decent player or bring up Nazar to see how he meshes with 98.
It also could be possible that LD doesn't know who to combine with 98.
4 SOG in the last 3 games for 98, that is just awful.

https://cdn.bsky.app/img/...sdt2d6g5cpnzq5fjtj6y@jpeg

This is why the fancies don’t always match the eye test.

The Hawks best line is D!ckinson, Anderson, and whomever they put in as the other winger (Mikheyev/Kurashev, etc.). They are put out their as often as LR can get them on the ice against the other teams top line.

Their 2nd best line is arguable. You could say Maroon, Reichel and Smith. Or you could say none of the other lines are any good. So I would even out the minutes between the other three lines and then look at the eye test and fancy stats.

Personally I would put your leading scorers Bedard and Donato on a line with a veteran like Hall. Call that your "top" line.

The 3rd line than is TT, Bertuzzi, Foligno. You can call it the $15 million dollar line. Because that is what you are paying them.

More issues than Bedard. With seven minutes left in the second period the hawks had 5 shots on goal. Bedard does seem to be missing the net too much when he does get loose.

More issues than Bedard. With seven minutes left in the second period the hawks had 5 shots on goal. Bedard does seem to be missing the net too much when he does get loose.
- 6628

Yea, even though they brought in vets this team still can't be effective in front of the goalie. Looking to score in transition most times. Even with the man advantage the same issue comes up. I don't have the answer but it sure looks like guys just don't want to take the eyes of goalie away and instead stand off to the side and hope a juicy rebound falls on their stick, and that is just not happening for now.

The Hawks best line is D!ckinson, Anderson, and whomever they put in as the other winger (Mikheyev/Kurashev, etc.). They are put out their as often as LR can get them on the ice against the other teams top line.

Their 2nd best line is arguable. You could say Maroon, Reichel and Smith. Or you could say none of the other lines are any good. So I would even out the minutes between the other three lines and then look at the eye test and fancy stats.

Personally I would put your leading scorers Bedard and Donato on a line with a veteran like Hall. Call that your "top" line.

The 3rd line than is TT, Bertuzzi, Foligno. You can call it the $15 million dollar line. Because that is what you are paying them.
- Ztra

I bet TT has floated more this year, already than the entire 6 years he played under Brind'amour.

The Hawks best line is D!ckinson, Anderson, and whomever they put in as the other winger (Mikheyev/Kurashev, etc.). They are put out their as often as LR can get them on the ice against the other teams top line.

Their 2nd best line is arguable. You could say Maroon, Reichel and Smith. Or you could say none of the other lines are any good. So I would even out the minutes between the other three lines and then look at the eye test and fancy stats.

Personally I would put your leading scorers Bedard and Donato on a line with a veteran like Hall. Call that your "top" line.

The 3rd line than is TT, Bertuzzi, Foligno. You can call it the $15 million dollar line. Because that is what you are paying them.
- Ztra

LR went full blender with about 10 mins left. If I saw it right, I believe he had Bedard with Smith and Donato and that was the line that scored. There was net front, sustained pressure and guys engaged everywhere. Bedard/TT/Kurashev got obliterated. He definitely needs at least one road grader on his line otherwise you just get *enter zone - lose puck - scramble back* on repeat the entire game.

I bet TT has floated more this year, already than the entire 6 years he played under Brind'amour.
- LAHawk

I called TT "Chicken Man" when he was here the first time. Nothing has changed. He is a decent 2nd line player if the other two on the line are really good. He does not have that luxury with the Hawks.

I am not saying he is a total waste. As the Hawks build up their top two lines he will be able to contribute. But he is not going to lead or drive a line on his own.

More issues than Bedard. With seven minutes left in the second period the hawks had 5 shots on goal. Bedard does seem to be missing the net too much when he does get loose.
- 6628

Obviously, but when your main source of offense is not doing the required things needed to generate chances that's going to be a big issue and you aren't going to win many games.

IMO, Kurashev has officially turned back into a pumpkin. He passes up so many good opportunities trying to make the extra pass.

On the flip side, Kaiser was a monster last night. Kept the offensive pressure a few times and broke up tons of plays. For all the poop he gets, I thought Jones was really good last night too. Lots of movement and got a lot of shots on net from the back end. If they could only get everyone (or at least most of the team) going at the same time. How many times do they have to say the same crap after games before they start doing it?

LR went full blender with about 10 mins left. If I saw it right, I believe he had Bedard with Smith and Donato and that was the line that scored. There was net front, sustained pressure and guys engaged everywhere. Bedard/TT/Kurashev got obliterated. He definitely needs at least one road grader on his line otherwise you just get *enter zone - lose puck - scramble back* on repeat the entire game.
- Chunk

Kurashev is being exposed as what he is, a decent bottom 6 player, that can player higher in a pinch. At 25 with nearly 300 games in the league he is not going to get much better. But the better players he plays with the better he will seem.

Yea, even though they brought in vets this team still can't be effective in front of the goalie. Looking to score in transition most times. Even with the man advantage the same issue comes up. I don't have the answer but it sure looks like guys just don't want to take the eyes of goalie away and instead stand off to the side and hope a juicy rebound falls on their stick, and that is just not happening for now.
- BetweenTheDots

Six veteran forwards making about $30mil. (avg about $5 mil) . I would expect that next year the Hawks have two forwards making more than $10 mil by FA or trade. Hopefully they produce like the $20 mil investment. They could make a world of difference by slotting everyone else properly.

I called TT "Chicken Man" when he was here the first time. Nothing has changed. He is a decent 2nd line player if the other two on the line are really good. He does not have that luxury with the Hawks.

I am not saying he is a total waste. As the Hawks build up their top two lines he will be able to contribute. But he is not going to lead or drive a line on his own.
- Ztra

I don't think anyone ever thought he was going to drive his own line. He was stapled to Aho the entire time in CAR. He's a really good complement to a guy who can drive his own line.

Not calling for his head, but at some point you need to look at LR. How many times do you need to have the same issue before something drastic happens. Bedard had 2 1/2 more minutes on ice than any other forward. Knock his ass down a peg or two until he starts doing the things needed.

I don't think anyone ever thought he was going to drive his own line. He was stapled to Aho the entire time in CAR. He's a really good complement to a guy who can drive his own line.

Not calling for his head, but at some point you need to look at LR. How many times do you need to have the same issue before something drastic happens. Bedard had 2 1/2 more minutes on ice than any other forward. Knock his ass down a peg or two until he starts doing the things needed.
- Chunk

Totally agree. Match up the D!ckinson line and put them on the ice against the other teams top line. After that roll the other 3 lines.

Bedard gets more time because of PP. He is not on the PK, so that should offset that most nights. 16 or 17 min TOI (including PP) should be fine.

Totally agree. Match up the D!ckinson line and put them on the ice against the other teams top line. After that roll the other 3 lines.

Bedard gets more time because of PP. He is not on the PK, so that should offset that most nights. 16 or 17 min TOI (including PP) should be fine.
- Ztra

Hard to do on the road, opposing teams right now are licking their chops to put their #1 line out against Bedard whoever his wingers are.

Totally agree. Match up the D!ckinson line and put them on the ice against the other teams top line. After that roll the other 3 lines.

Bedard gets more time because of PP. He is not on the PK, so that should offset that most nights. 16 or 17 min TOI (including PP) should be fine.
- Ztra

They had 25 seconds of PP time last night. I know it is cherry picking looking at one game, but they need him to be more responsible overall. He's getting some Reichel tendencies where he drop passes to no one (or worse, the opponent) and passes up opportunities to shoot looking for the perfect play.

One of this team's biggest problems is that they don't get enough pucks on net. If your best shot is passing up chances to do so, that should be rectified. I still think he is a great player, but he is 19 and needs to learn how to play when the league clamps down on him.

Last night was one of the handful of games I’ve seen this year where this year’s version looked like last year’s

Not sure about any help coming soon from inside or out but if Nazar keeps playing how people keep mentioning, hopefully he gets a look.

Hawks were outhustled to just about every puck last night which is a bit perplexing since they had about 3 or 4 days between games.

Back at it tomorrow for another late tilt. Hate these 10p games but at least it’s on a weekend.

I don't think anyone ever thought he was going to drive his own line. He was stapled to Aho the entire time in CAR. He's a really good complement to a guy who can drive his own line.

Not calling for his head, but at some point you need to look at LR. How many times do you need to have the same issue before something drastic happens. Bedard had 2 1/2 more minutes on ice than any other forward. Knock his ass down a peg or two until he starts doing the things needed.
- Chunk

Unfortunately the hardest workers at forward, Donato/Smith will be the one's shipped out by the TDL.

Most everyone else are playing like overpaid player's with job security (multi-year contracts)

Unfortunately the hardest workers at forward, Donato/Smith will be the one's shipped out by the TDL.
- LAHawk

So you are saying the Hawks could have up to 4 months to get the most out of them and raise their trade value?

So you are saying the Hawks could have up to 4 months to get the most out of them and raise their trade value?
- Ztra

What ever trade value they have. My guess Smith gets you a 5th (maybe), and Donato a third. Remember both were scratches opening night. Anderson might get you a fourth. Maroon a 5th. Kurashev a third.

Maybe with money retained you can get a third for Hall

TT and Bertuzzi have too much term

Richardinson, Foligno, Mikhayev are untradeable

Reichel was IMO the best forward last night, for $1.5 and another year, got to keep

As far as the D, Connor Murphy was fantastic IMO last night and has been solid all year. Keep him healthy, and maybe at the TDL you can trade him for a young asset even though Murph. has another year on his contract.

Unfortunately the hardest workers at forward, Donato/Smith will be the one's shipped out by the TDL.

Most everyone else are playing like overpaid player's with job security (multi-year contracts)
- LAHawk

I think Foligno is pulling his weight. Unfortunately, they have him playing a bit high in the lineup. Bertuzzi is underwhelming right now, but I still think they should staple him on Bedard's wing for a while and see if he can just dig pucks out of corners and piss off goalies. Bedard needs at least one guy on his line that can win a board battle. TT and Shev ain't gonna do it.

He also does a lot of gliding by a check rather than stopping and engaging in a battle. If Bedard doesn't bulk up like Crosby or develop breakaway speed in the next couple of years, I can't see him centering a top line, might be better off playing wing. Rather than a generational talent, we might be looking at DeBrincat 2.0
- Dieselhead

Lol - he's a much more dynamic player than Debrincat ever has been.

Sophomore slumps are pretty normal especially for goal scorers. Selanne had a nasty slump his second year, Brian Leetch was not that great his second year, Iginla had a drop.

Bernier's who played last night and looked pretty good obviously had a drop off. Closer to his rookie pace this year.

Jack Hughes had a rough first two years, but now if he stays healthy could ultimately chase Kane's point totals.

Bedard had two that just missed last night. Maybe earlier in the season last year those go in. Teams have pretty much adjusted to him doing it by himself and playing with the likes of Kurashev, Donato, Smith, Reichel - isn't going to help.

This is probably the first time he's ever had to overcome any adversity and based on his body language and breaking of the sticks he is not handling it constructively at the moment. If one of those shots go in last night everyone is probably Richard hard he's off the schnide.

Just have to let the kid ride it out. At the end of December or beginning of January they have a 7\8 game home stand and I think there you take a look at Nazar and possibly Korchinski again there. I'd expect them to make some change around the holiday - moving out a role player or veteran.

I also think this is where you run into issues with signing place holders instead of building a team. This is another year that doesn't matter since "no one will be here anyway" when they are good (assuming that happens). Certainly the team isn't unwatchable at this point but I don't think that expectations should be that high either.

https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_fullsize/plain/did:plc:yhovbu5zkl6qxr2lz7znals5/bafkreid434dywz2dliqwcm4ouyytg5xsto2emmsdt2d6g5cpnzq5fjtj6y@jpeg

This is why the fancies don’t always match the eye test.
- Angotti

How do you mean? The team got shelled last night and were dreadful all around. Donato was the only one who was getting shots to the goal. I think that chart is pretty accurate.