I posted yesterday that London would make Lardis’ life difficult. I wasn’t able to see much of yesterday’s game. My only concern about Lardis is if he can handle physical punishment and is willing to play through it. I’m hoping Brantford meets London in the OHL playoffs so we can see how Lardis fares in a tough, mean series where he will be targeted for very physical play both clean and dirty. If he can handle it against London he then has to prove he can play through the same in Rockford then Chicago. However if he shrinks against London I’m not that confident in him getting far professionally.
- paulr

Watched the first two periods - London was dominant from the opening faceoff. Didn't really have to get physical with Lardis as they were just bigger, stronger, faster in the game. Lardis and Vanacker (who was a -2) both had 5 shots, but each trip into the o-zone was kind of a one-and-done, no sustained pressure from Brantford at all. Don't think the difference is as big as in this one game, but London is impressive. Will be interesting to see if they meet in the OHL final.

What does it tell you?
- paulr

Tells me was a decent player, we got 2, 1sts for him and Raddyish and hopefully will be a win-win.

Not every player will hit for every team and so need a wakeup call or fresh start elsewhere to "get/find it".

I am sure you are thinking about Reichel and his speed and tenacity at times is eye opening, but his finishing tools seem to be more tailored to a depth player than a guy you can count on night in and night out. Like Bedard, sure it would be nice to play with him better talent but these lines and constantly juggling by AS don't make a ton of sense especially for a team trying to evaluate younger players.

They just need to find homes for some vets before Friday at 3 pm EST to open places for younger players. Exactly what they are doing at the goalie position should be the model they follow on D and F. I don't care if they lose EVERY single game the rest of the way, as the minutes the younger kids can play will be invaluable long term for their development and hockey ops to see where these kids are at.

So if that means the Maroons, Smiths, Brodies, Martinezs of the world sit.....so be it.

You haven't been to North Carolina lately. One of the hottest areas in the country for population growth. We're not talking Columbus.
- rpeters01

Traveled there a lot for work. It's exploding.

Also an owner who seems to want to keep that window open to win, and a pretty damn good coach. Always pull for them in the east.

What's the rule on sticking your prime asset with a non-existing supporting cast? As we discussed last week, this is THE worst set up any top pick has ever had with Jack Eichel being a close 2nd.

Very happy they moved Jones....great trade. KD fans can flex all day.

Now KD MUST find him a legit top 3 linemate or else this kid goes his entire ELC without anyone knowing where his ceiling is and dragging inferior players up and down the ice...and people wonder why he isn't producing consistently. Shocker.
- SteveRain

His next contract will be more like a MacKinnon instead of McDavid.

It's not like Eichel had waves of forwards in the minor league system. The org also chased away Reinhart and Eichel, there's more to that orgs dysfunction than we know about.

We've got 10 open contract slots so there are plenty of forwards coming, if we are going to pay a player like that Id rather it be McDavid or MacKinnon, not Marner or Rantanen

His next contract will be more like a MacKinnon instead of McDavid.

It's not like Eichel had waves of forwards in the minor league system. The org also chased away Reinhart and Eichel, there's more to that orgs dysfunction that we know about.

We've got 10 open contract slots so there are plenty of forwards coming, if we are going to pay a player like that Id rather it be McDavid or MacKinnon, not Marner or Rantanen
- BetweenTheDots

The guy I don't ever want to see wearing the Indian head is Matthews.

Also, what is Rantanen without MacKinnon is the question. Is he worth an enormous contract? Since the trade

MacKinon - 13 games - 18 points
Necas - 13 games - 13 points

Rantanen - 12 games - 6 points

Rantanen is at his peak right now, 28 years old. Is he a 100 points player without one of the games top players on his line? Or is he an 80 point player? I like him a lot as a player, but a team in a win now position is likely going to overpay to get him and then worry about figuring out the back half of his absurd contract.
- breadbag

Well the heck with it then Bread, let’s trade for Mackinon.

The guy I don't ever want to see wearing the Indian head is Matthews.
- rpeters01

because adding an elite player would be bad?

Well the heck with it then Bread, let’s trade for Mackinon.
- Angotti

I'm just saying, I think there is valid reasons to question. I think it's likely that whatever team signs Mikko, they are likely not getting a bargain, they will pay more that his actual value.

Servalli mentioning some team is placing a guy on waivers to get creative with cap room.......Next 24+ hours should be a riot. Watching these gms sell their souls.

I'm just saying, I think there is valid reasons to question. I think it's likely that whatever team signs Mikko, they are likely not getting a bargain, they will pay more that his actual value.
- breadbag

All those guys Dots just listed will also be in their late 20s when they hit UFA as well......

All those guys Dots just listed will also be in their late 20s when they hit UFA as well......
- SteveRain

I'll be happy when we have a solid young core that veteran players want to be a part of because they see that it will be a team set up to actually contend again.

The guy I don't ever want to see wearing the Indian head is Matthews.
- rpeters01

I don’t either, why don’t you want to see him in Chicago? I see him as a good player but he’s not a guy who plays his best when it matters. He’s never been great in the playoffs and in the 4 Nations he was adequate, but I don’t think he’s a difference maker.

Watched the first two periods - London was dominant from the opening faceoff. Didn't really have to get physical with Lardis as they were just bigger, stronger, faster in the game. Lardis and Vanacker (who was a -2) both had 5 shots, but each trip into the o-zone was kind of a one-and-done, no sustained pressure from Brantford at all. Don't think the difference is as big as in this one game, but London is impressive. Will be interesting to see if they meet in the OHL final.
- totem

I have no idea how London does it year after year. Probably the best organization in the CHL.

I don’t either, why don’t you want to see him in Chicago? I see him as a good player but he’s not a guy who plays his best when it matters. He’s never been great in the playoffs and in the 4 Nations he was adequate, but I don’t think he’s a difference maker.
- paulr

Pretty sure all 32 GMs would disagree with the above. Would you say marner has been great in the playoffs? Matthews is an elite player in the league.

I'll be happy when we have a solid young core that veteran players want to be a part of because they see that it will be a team set up to actually contend again.
- breadbag

Same but they need to get 98 some help ASAP.

Unless there is an injury, there is no reason for TJ Brodie to skate another second for this team.
- SteveRain

Unless Smith or Maroon are sitting, I don't see the need for anyone on that list to play for the Hawks again this year. Bench Maroon and Smith. Richardinson and Foligno can skate with Reichel.

Pretty sure all 32 GMs would disagree with the above. Would you say marner has been great in the playoffs? Matthews is an elite player in the league.
- SteveRain

You know I wouldn’t say that about Marner, because I’ve said it over and over. Two great talents but both have tiny hearts. Marner looked better in the 4Nations because he was a complimentary player, the team expected less from him because of the talent on the team. The other teams in the tournament didn’t key on him and he had more time, more space and he knew he wouldn’t be run at every shift. Matthews was looked on as important for team USA, they keyed on him, they hit him each chance they had and he wasn’t able to play his game and he doesn’t know how to play any way else.

I know this will be unpopular but i sure hope they don't sign Marner or Rantanen. If they make a move i want a younger player even if it costs the Blackhawks more, and i mean in trade.
- BetweenTheDots

I want that as well Dots, but would also like a free agent, so trade for a young center and sign someone like Boeser.

It's funny how everyone compares the Blackhawks to the Sabres. For a 4 year span after they draft Reinhart, Eichel and Nylander they had thin drafts. And then when Eichel and Reinhart became disgruntled they started over again with the picks.

Kind of confused on why they traded Savoie away? But they have drafted a ton of players and actually had 7 first round picks in the last 4 years minus one who was traded away. So we'll see but let's look at the Blackhawks in 3 years 8 first round picks, 5 seconds round picks and 8 third round pics, oh and wait there's 2 more first round picks coming the next 2 years and 5 second round picks, it's not the same it's no where near the same as the Sabres rebuild

You know I wouldn’t say that about Marner, because I’ve said it over and over. Two great talents but both have tiny hearts. Marner looked better in the 4Nations because he was a complimentary player, the team expected less from him because of the talent on the team. The other teams in the tournament didn’t key on him and he had more time, more space and he knew he wouldn’t be run at every shift. Matthews was looked on as important for team USA, they keyed on him, they hit him each chance they had and he wasn’t able to play his game and he doesn’t know how to play any way else.
- paulr

Eh agree to disagree. Marner wasn't noticeable except for having a great set up by Crosby in OT, and making a pass to a wide open guy in the slot that anyone here could have made. 3 pts in 4 pts I wouldn't call impressive. They each had 2 assists in the title game. matthews had 3 in 3 games and was banged up, played very well defensively outside of his last shift.

He has just about as many points in playoff games as Marner does 48 in 55 vs 50 in 57. 23 goals vs 11 and yes roles are changed but 23 in 55 is pretty good. I would say he has adapted just fine. Leafs lose because as a complete unit they suck and their idiot fans and ownership continue to roll out the same group year after year and think it'll change and it doesn't. Just like this upcoming spring when they $hit the bed again in what will be epic fashion because that's what the Leafs do and it's an annual tradition I love to see.

Who's Shanahan going to blame next because god knows that finger won't be pointed anywhere near himself......

It's funny how everyone compares the Blackhawks to the Sabres. For a 4 year span after they draft Reinhart, Eichel and Nylander they had thin drafts. And then when Eichel and Reinhart became disgruntled they started over again with the picks.

Kind of confused on why they traded Savoie away? But they have drafted a ton of players and actually had 7 first round picks in the last 4 years minus one who was traded away. So we'll see but let's look at the Blackhawks in 3 years 8 first round picks, 5 seconds round picks and 8 third round pics, oh and wait there's 2 more first round picks coming the next 2 years and 5 second round picks, it's not the same it's no where near the same as the Sabres rebuild
- BetweenTheDots

KD has to look at Buffalo, try to identify the failures and try to avoid them or take the steps to not make those mistakes. As pointed out by a few others on this thread it takes a while for players to be productive in the NHL. So it’s possible one or two prospects are ready right away and others may take 2-3-4-5 years or more to be ready to contribute. KD has to have his Plan A but also be ready to make it a plan B or C or D or Z. That means trades like the one he made for Knight. With Knight solidifying the goaltending position for quite a while the other prospects have time to develop. Same goes for defense where Vlasic, Kaiser, EDM and Allan got the necessary time to build their respective games. Now he can target the forwards and he may feel a number of prospects are ready in a year or two but others are a few more years away. Davidson will have to make the trades or signings to hurry the forward group along.

It's funny how everyone compares the Blackhawks to the Sabres. For a 4 year span after they draft Reinhart, Eichel and Nylander they had thin drafts. And then when Eichel and Reinhart became disgruntled they started over again with the picks.

Kind of confused on why they traded Savoie away? But they have drafted a ton of players and actually had 7 first round picks in the last 4 years minus one who was traded away. So we'll see but let's look at the Blackhawks in 3 years 8 first round picks, 5 seconds round picks and 8 third round pics, oh and wait there's 2 more first round picks coming the next 2 years and 5 second round picks, it's not the same it's no where near the same as the Sabres rebuild
- BetweenTheDots

Uhhh....
Middlestadt
Dahlin
Cozens
Quinn/Peterka
Power

Eh agree to disagree. Marner wasn't noticeable except for having a great set up by Crosby in OT, and making a pass to a wide open guy in the slot that anyone here could have made. 3 pts in 4 pts I wouldn't call impressive. They each had 2 assists in the title game. matthews had 3 in 3 games and was banged up, played very well defensively outside of his last shift.

He has just about as many points in playoff games as Marner does 48 in 55 vs 50 in 57. 23 goals vs 11 and yes roles are changed but 23 in 55 is pretty good. I would say he has adapted just fine. Leafs lose because as a complete unit they suck and their idiot fans and ownership continue to roll out the same group year after year and think it'll change and it doesn't. Just like this upcoming spring when they $hit the bed again in what will be epic fashion because that's what the Leafs do and it's an annual tradition I love to see.

Who's Shanahan going to blame next because god knows that finger won't be pointed anywhere near himself......
- SteveRain

Marner was excellent defensively during the whole tournament. In a low scoring environment he had his points. His pass to McDavid won the game. Matthews terrible positioning mistake was a huge reason why the US lost in overtime.

The Leafs will go out early because their best players Matthews, Marner, Nylander , Reilly can’t get the job done. It doesn’t help that the team was poorly constructed.

Until I see Matthews and Marner play out of their minds and do everything needed to succeed in the playoffs I wouldn’t want to see either in a Blackhawk jersey.

It's funny how everyone compares the Blackhawks to the Sabres. For a 4 year span after they draft Reinhart, Eichel and Nylander they had thin drafts. And then when Eichel and Reinhart became disgruntled they started over again with the picks.

Kind of confused on why they traded Savoie away? But they have drafted a ton of players and actually had 7 first round picks in the last 4 years minus one who was traded away. So we'll see but let's look at the Blackhawks in 3 years 8 first round picks, 5 seconds round picks and 8 third round pics, oh and wait there's 2 more first round picks coming the next 2 years and 5 second round picks, it's not the same it's no where near the same as the Sabres rebuild
- BetweenTheDots

The comparison is because when Eichel came into the league for Buffalo he a slightly better supporting cast and my point was name another marque young player who's had a worst supporting cast to start his career than Bedard. Chunk found the Sabres....that's it. That's the list and that's the point. that's where KD has failed and that's why all this national talk about Bedard by a complete idiot lke Bissionette is just that. Dude had 20 pts being a punch bag in 200+ career games.

That's why IMO it's imperative that KD find a TOP 3 F to skate with 98 by camp. To your point, I dont' care if its an UFA, an offer sheet, or they trade for one.....and maybe they get a Martone Misa or Hagens and they are NHL ready day 1....but watching Bedard skate with this pile of crap the 1st, 2 years of his career is a tough watch. Kid can't even begin to do his magic because the guys he plays with have 1/10th the skill and hockey IQ to get to where they are supposed to. Guys like Donato and Bertuzzi have had some luck because they go to front of the net and usually have 1 on 1 vs the goalie because everyone sucks down on Bedard. Every time he steps on the ice he has 2-3 guys circling him...why? Because there isn't a soul on this team that another team has to respect for those 30-45 seconds he's out there...shift after shift, game after game.

Idiot Richardson had him checking Barkov in November with Richardinson. Think about that.

Look if we all want to have a VERY real conversation here it is....

The longer this rebuild takes who's to say Bedard ponies up here LT? Would you? If you go 3 of 3 years in your ELC and all you do is become a lottery team drafting top 5 who's to say he doesn't go the Eichel route and eventually ask out? Yep....way down the line but losing impacts everyone differently. This team might have a goalie in Knight, has a ton of defensive prospects in the system which god willing a bunch hit....but upfront? not so much as of now.....and when you are running in game montages about the Lardis's of the world do you think the organization realizes fans and players alike might be growing tired of the constant losing? Not even competitive.

I don't think above will happen but I can't discount it either the way Davidson's lack of attention upfront is helping Bedard. To Paul's point....go make a hockey trade. Everyone has a price. Go find a young top 3 player or maybe a guy your hockey ops feels can be that player if given the right situation. Would a cup contender maybe give up on a younger player who's a lower role for draft capital to add to their arsenal to win now? They might.

However, if this team shows up in camp and it's Bedard and his group of misfit toys for the 3rd year in a row, I would $hit can Davidson and not think twice about it.

3 years in a row we are going to likely have a top 3 pick. 2 years with a generational NHL ready player on the roster. that can't happen. Should be a little bit better than that and this roster is a joke. HOnestly, I'm afraid who's he going to sign to hit the cap floor this summer...what other aging god awful vets like TJ Brodie can he give 4-5 AAV deals to?

See what shakes out, and again he won that Jones trade and it's great start to 2025-26 but he better even become more aggressive and be having those convos to possible summer trades because this crap can NOT continue.

Marner was excellent defensively during the whole tournament. In a low scoring environment he had his points. His pass to McDavid won the game. Matthews terrible positioning mistake was a huge reason why the US lost in overtime.

The Leafs will go out early because their best players Matthews, Marner, Nylander , Reilly can’t get the job done. It doesn’t help that the team was poorly constructed.

Until I see Matthews and Marner play out of their minds and do everything needed to succeed in the playoffs I wouldn’t want to see either in a Blackhawk jersey.
- paulr

Beggars can't be choosers and the Hawks need elite talent to supplement Bedard. So if Marner wants to come here, I'd be over the moon to sign him. Same with Rantanen. I need to see how good Bedard can be, and most importantly, get this kid some confidence that the flashes he has seen himself can become a norm. Confidence is a beautiful thing and once this kid knows he can dominate a game and a shift you can then float a turd up there like they used to with Kane....but Danny Carcillos of the world weren't skating with Kane his 1st 2 years for a reason (yes I know Carcillo wasn't on the roster, those type of players).

Just get this kid some damn talent and somebody who can be on the same page as him skill/hockey iq wise. Otherwise go find a GM who can. If collecting picks were it, Davidson would be elite. Outside of that......