...and who;s the first guy there to grab Bedard after he scores? Knight. Who had to skate half the rink to be there... loving that #30 -entirely the opposite vibe that whoever that guy was - who he was traded for gave up.

Team guy, and he's barely been here. That's the locker room attitude that you want to be building.

...and who;s the first guy there to grab Bedard after he scores? Knight. Who had to skate half the rink to be there... loving that #30 -entirely the opposite vibe that whoever that guy was - who he was traded for gave up.

Team guy, and he's barely been here. That's the locker room attitude that you want to be building.
- SC116

That glove save on Schmaltz was save of the year material. Just insane. He stopped 36 of 39 and I know it’s just two games but he looks like the real deal.

That glove save on Schmaltz was save of the year material. Just insane. He stopped 36 of 39 and I know it’s just two games but he looks like the real deal.
- HawkintheD

Yep just needs to clean up some technical stuff but that will come with coaching and more playing time.
Covers the bottom half of the goal exceptionally wellbut tends to go down to quickly leaving the corners exposed.

Yep just needs to clean up some technical stuff but that will come with coaching and more playing time.
Covers the bottom half of the goal exceptionally wellbut tends to go down to quickly leaving the corners exposed.
- Scott1977

Yea but it's nice that all 3 goals had to be either incredible high percentage shots or a playoff goal, can't stop what you can't see.

Was it over time they tried to jam a goal in and he had the awareness to take the leg he wasnt using and brace it against the back of the net so they couldn't push him into his own net.

Yea but it's nice that all 3 goals had to be either incredible high percentage shots or a playoff goal, can't stop what you can't see.

Was it over time they tried to jam a goal in and he had the awareness to take the leg he wasnt using and brace it against the back of the net so they couldn't push him into his own net.
- BetweenTheDots

Spencer is the future in goal for the Hawks no doubt and is elite with coaching he going to be even better.

Spencer is the future in goal for the Hawks no doubt and is elite with coaching he going to be even better.
- Scott1977

I hope he is, i really don't disagree but even at 23 it took high skilled shots to beat him, we know Waite is one of the best so man oh man I'm excited to watch this kid be part of this team.

It is true, i think Lou said it or maybe Rico, ice time is the most valuable thing to a hockey player, Sure he won a SC or was part of it but i think he's thrilled to be here and be part of a goalie rotation already.

3-0-1 minus Seth Jones

I can honestly say when i watch our current defenseman i don't think boy do we miss Jones, as i do when Kurashev or AA are on the ice, or not based on their limited minutes, and think this team will be better when D!ckinson comes back.

I do think we will pass Nashville in the standings, (frank) it, this is fun to watch.
- BetweenTheDots

I think Jones had the personality of a dead fish. With him out of the locker room and the lineup there seems to be more life, more spirit, more energy, more fight.

Sitting Brodie was the right thing to do.

When D!ckinson is ready I have to believe Kurashev is the odd man out most nights.Maybe Maroon takes a seat some nights. But he has a little mean streak I like and do not see from other Hawks.

I would like to see Donato signed. A D!ckinson / Foligno type contract might be an overpay, but they have the cap room and Donato is only 28 (until April). You can play him up and down the lineup, at wing or center. I might even go 4 years on Donato.

I wonder if Knight's .951 save percentage will hold up. (red font)

Unless Soder slumps I think sharing the net fairly evenly would be a good idea. After all Soder is an RFA this summer.

It would be great if Brossoit could get in a game or two before year end. Because it is likely he or Soder are moved this summer. The other option is to let Brossoit get 100% healthy and have he and Soder fight for a spot in training camp next year. If they both play well in camp you have a decent trade piece. (That is another benefit of the Jones trade that we might be overlooking.)

When D!ckinson is ready I have to believe Kurashev is the odd man out most nights.Maybe Maroon takes a seat some nights. But he has a little mean streak I like and do not see from other Hawks.

I would like to see Donato signed. A D!ckinson / Foligno type contract might be an overpay, but they have the cap room and Donato is only 28 (until April). You can play him up and down the lineup, at wing or center. I might even go 4 years on Donato.
- Ztra

Bottom 6 looks to be filled out for next season and will be interesting to see what they do with Richardinson whether they keep him at 3C and move him up to 2C. Think I'd prefer they keep him at 3C and let him continue to play to his strengths.
Bottom 6 going into the season on paper could be:

Slaggs/Richardinson/Mik
Foligno/Veleno/Dach

Seravalli said something interesting the other day when asked about the team’s improvement, if any.

He basically talked about all the young guys getting playing time and how that might not play out in wins and standings this season but eventually will.
- HawkintheD

young guys playing over washed up vets? Who woulda thought it........

3-0-1 minus Seth Jones

I can honestly say when i watch our current defenseman i don't think boy do we miss Jones, as i do when Kurashev or AA are on the ice, or not based on their limited minutes, and think this team will be better when D!ckinson comes back.

I do think we will pass Nashville in the standings, (frank) it, this is fun to watch.
- BetweenTheDots

addition by subtraction. Guy is toxicity to a another level. Would NOT be shocked if he's out of Florida in 2 years. Maurice is going to tear his @ss up and ole Seth will likely pout when he's playing 2nd pairing minutes regardless of winning. All those Jones boys care about is ME, and anyone who thinks they care about winning or team first can't be helped.

Bottom 6 looks to be filled out for next season and will be interesting to see what they do with Richardinson whether they keep him at 3C and move him up to 2C. Think I'd prefer they keep him at 3C and let him continue to play to his strengths.
Bottom 6 going into the season on paper could be:

Slaggs/Richardinson/Mik
Foligno/Veleno/Dach
- Assman22

For the first time since the start of the Toews/Kane era, training camp next fall might be really interesting. I imagine there will be FA additions, Hogs (Levsh), college players, players from Juniors, a top 4 draft pick, etc. We may not have turned a corner yet. But at least we might be at the corner and can peek around it.

addition by subtraction. Guy is toxicity to a another level. Would NOT be shocked if he's out of Florida in 2 years. Maurice is going to tear his @ss up and ole Seth will likely pout when he's playing 2nd pairing minutes regardless of winning. All those Jones boys care about is ME, and anyone who thinks they care about winning or team first can't be helped.
- SteveRain

I think he will be good in Florida. Jones is a follower, not a leader. Plenty of good players and a coach to light a fire under him.

For the first time since the start of the Toews/Kane era, training camp next fall might be really interesting. I imagine there will be FA additions, Hogs (Levsh), college players, players from Juniors, a top 4 draft pick, etc. We may not have turned a corner yet. But at least we might be at the corner and can peek around it.
- Ztra

We shall see....I was encouraged to hear Davidson mention he's ready to start dealing picks and prospects contrary to those on this board who want the 10 year rebuild.

To make a jump from mid 50s-60s pts and jump 20-25 points is a tall ask. That's likely a 10-13 win improvement and again....they'll need at least 1 top line player addition if you keep Bedard and Nazar up there and an additional player to skate with Bertuzzi and Teuvo.

Athletic ran a piece ranking top line players and apparently the low down on 98 coming out was if he could be a LT center in NHL. Still think that's still a variable that isn't solved quite yet.

Davidson was more transparent yesterday than I anticipated so lets see what plays out but just trying to plug the holes internally isn't going to elevate this team dramatically. Boeser would be nice....but they will need more. It would be nice to be able to deal a Foligno,Richardinson, and Murphy at the deadline because extending any of the 3 doesn't make sense. You can find cheaper, younger players to replace them and this will hopefully help recoop some assets you likely use to make the trades Davidson mentioned.

Play the kids. It's time to start seeing what you have and help them gain NHL experience.

I think he will be good in Florida. Jones is a follower, not a leader. Plenty of good players and a coach to light a fire under him.
- Ztra

He;s a raging @ss hat who quits on his teammates. Did it in Columbus and did it here. He can hold this high opinion of himself all he wants but the Jones brothers never held themselves accountable.

Just wait....he'll cost them a game or two come the spring with his idiocy.

...and who;s the first guy there to grab Bedard after he scores? Knight. Who had to skate half the rink to be there... loving that #30 -entirely the opposite vibe that whoever that guy was - who he was traded for gave up.

Team guy, and he's barely been here. That's the locker room attitude that you want to be building.
- SC116

100%....seems like they have a 1000 lb weight lifted off them. Bench looks ecstatic, they are playing loose and having fun.

Amazing what happens when you cut the cancer out.

That glove save on Schmaltz was save of the year material. Just insane. He stopped 36 of 39 and I know it’s just two games but he looks like the real deal.
- HawkintheD

How nice will it be for a young defensemen knowing that any mistake he does make will not ultimately turn the red light on? Huge confidence builder.

Heard Bedard say it..."he's a dog"........he's only going to get a LOT better and imagine when they cut the shots down in half and these kids on D add muscle/strength/size.....they'll be able to box out a lot more giving him more time to react.

Knight alone is going to win the Jones trade....and that's before we see what Davidson does with that pick.....

young guys playing over washed up vets? Who woulda thought it........
- SteveRain

My larger point there is while you haven’t seen the jump in the standings you’re craving, you’re starting to see an improvement on the ice with younger guys forcing their way into the lineup.

I don’t think the ESPN woman is out of her mind when she says things could come together quickly. If Davidson can make a signing or two or one signing and trade for top 6 fwd talent, next season would likely be a lot less agonizing.

addition by subtraction. Guy is toxicity to a another level. Would NOT be shocked if he's out of Florida in 2 years. Maurice is going to tear his @ss up and ole Seth will likely pout when he's playing 2nd pairing minutes regardless of winning. All those Jones boys care about is ME, and anyone who thinks they care about winning or team first can't be helped.
- SteveRain

There is possibly a reason why FL is his 4th team, especially when you hear people talking about not trading big RHD’men.

My larger point there is while you haven’t seen the jump in the standings you’re craving, you’re starting to see an improvement on the ice with younger guys forcing their way into the lineup.

I don’t think the ESPN woman is out of her mind when she says things could come together quickly. If Davidson can make a signing or two or one signing and trade for top 6 fwd talent, next season would likely be a lot less agonizing.
- HawkintheD

There are 100% reasons to be optimistic. My major beef is I continue to feel that they have done Bedard dirty. Dirty in the sense that without the few games here or there that Nazar skates with him, he really doesn't have anyone else.

Bertuzzi has miles on him and can't move fast enough to be his wing man. Teuvo is too inconsistent. That's why we have seen the parade of crap this kid has had to baby sit and try and produce. Which leads to a LOT of bad tendacies that COULD develop the longer he plays with guys he doesn't trust. That's before you start thinking of the mental toll it takes on him. 19 and 88 had Sharp, Lang, and havalt. Even the corpse of Lang was better than what Bedard has been presented with.

I love Nazar. Kid is electric. Speed, hands, fiesty, hockey iq, defensive awareness.....lot to LOVE there. Kaiser, Allan, Del Mastro all have taken huge steps. Vlassic I feel has regressed a little but not worried there. He's been left out to dry with a lot of aging, turd veterans he's been stuck with.

Knight is going to be sensational. Love his attitude. He's ALL IN. So building out from the goalie to the front I think they have a ton to be excited about. That's before you throw in guys like Korchinski, Arty, and Rinzell so Davidson if he does deal a prospect it's likely going to be from that stable of all his d men. God willing they pick the RIGHT guy to sell on like the 90s Braves used to and not regret it.

I am cautiously optimistic more so now then before Davidson's presser. He said exactly what I was hoping for and is going to explore everything to improve with trading picks and prospects. They have a TON. Sign Boeser, trade for a young highly skilled F, draft another highly skilled F......deal the Murphys, Folignos, Richardinsons of the world next spring who have no LT spot here and I think mid 70s-low 80s pt totals are reasonable. Then you start to have pending UFAs see what they have brewing here with young talent like Hossa in 2009 did and you likely land a LARGE fish next summer and then the window is open. Fully expect 2026-27 to be how 2007-08 was when they are right there until the last day for the playoffs.

That's my vision...100% likely wrong, but the smart moves and smart signings are all on Davidson and the Knight trade is a great start, but we need more to make sure we have the RIGHT GM, and that's before he hires the HC this summer.

Oh, and all the above includes buying out Brodie. That guy can NEVER play another second for this team unless they are decimated by injuries. I'd rather play a young kid who isn't ready than watch TJ Brodie pin us in our own end for 45 seconds with his play. His sun has set, like it has for Maroon. Great careers but time to go audition for studio job. Maybe replace that moron Bissionette on TNT

There is possibly a reason why FL is his 4th team, especially when you hear people talking about not trading big RHD’men.
- HawkintheD

Players will always take the high road but I guarantee that guy is makes Marty havlat's requests of Bananas look like a team bonding activity.

Give it time.....He isn't going to survive in that alpha locker-room they have down in Sunrise. He and Maurice will sniff out the REAL Seth Jones and when they do, he'll ask out...again, just like he did in Columbus and Chicago. That's before you throw in Barry Trotz launching his @ss as a young hyped prospect to land Johansen years ago.

There's a pattern there regardless of what some think. Same with his brother who has 1% the skill set of Seth but 100% the same arrogance and ego.

I saw Dean verbally destroy him on the bench multiple times when the retired Hossa's number vs Pittsburgh. It was a top 3 moment live moment at a game for me.

There are 100% reasons to be optimistic. My major beef is I continue to feel that they have done Bedard dirty. Dirty in the sense that without the few games here or there that Nazar skates with him, he really doesn't have anyone else.

Bertuzzi has miles on him and can't move fast enough to be his wing man. Teuvo is too inconsistent. That's why we have seen the parade of crap this kid has had to baby sit and try and produce. Which leads to a LOT of bad tendacies that COULD develop the longer he plays with guys he doesn't trust. That's before you start thinking of the mental toll it takes on him. 19 and 88 had Sharp, Lang, and havalt. Even the corpse of Lang was better than what Bedard has been presented with.

I love Nazar. Kid is electric. Speed, hands, fiesty, hockey iq, defensive awareness.....lot to LOVE there. Kaiser, Allan, Del Mastro all have taken huge steps. Vlassic I feel has regressed a little but not worried there. He's been left out to dry with a lot of aging, turd veterans he's been stuck with.

Knight is going to be sensational. Love his attitude. He's ALL IN. So building out from the goalie to the front I think they have a ton to be excited about. That's before you throw in guys like Korchinski, Arty, and Rinzell so Davidson if he does deal a prospect it's likely going to be from that stable of all his d men. God willing they pick the RIGHT guy to sell on like the 90s Braves used to and not regret it.

I am cautiously optimistic more so now then before Davidson's presser. He said exactly what I was hoping for and is going to explore everything to improve with trading picks and prospects. They have a TON. Sign Boeser, trade for a young highly skilled F, draft another highly skilled F......deal the Murphys, Folignos, Richardinsons of the world next spring who have no LT spot here and I think mid 70s-low 80s pt totals are reasonable. Then you start to have pending UFAs see what they have brewing here with young talent like Hossa in 2009 did and you likely land a LARGE fish next summer and then the window is open. Fully expect 2026-27 to be how 2007-08 was when they are right there until the last day for the playoffs.

That's my vision...100% likely wrong, but the smart moves and smart signings are all on Davidson and the Knight trade is a great start, but we need more to make sure we have the RIGHT GM, and that's before he hires the HC this summer.

Oh, and all the above includes buying out Brodie. That guy can NEVER play another second for this team unless they are decimated by injuries. I'd rather play a young kid who isn't ready than watch TJ Brodie pin us in our own end for 45 seconds with his play. His sun has set, like it has for Maroon. Great careers but time to go audition for studio job. Maybe replace that moron Bissionette on TNT
- SteveRain

Agree with just about all of that. Idk about the doing Bedard dirty part. I get what you're saying but is seems like KFC talks to Bedard a lot and sounds like he’s been fairly transparent about the rebuild.

I also think that a bit of adversity is not necessarily a bad thing and Bedard for the Hawks and Williams for the Bears seem like guys with the mental makeup to come through on the other side a better overall product. We’ll see. Also, full disclosure, I’m here to drink whatever flavor Kool Aid is being peddled at the Blackhawk and Bear stands these days. Gotta have hope, otherwise, what’s the point?

Pretty sure Brodie is bought out and I think you’re right, that maybe they try and flip Foligno to a contender as KFC has done right by a number of guys.

They don’t have a lot of fwd prospects ready to make the jump next season but maybe one of them surprises. Will be interesting to see if both Arty and KK prove ready to join the Big Club. That’s a lot of LHD but I know Allan has played some on the right side and I believe Kaiser has too. Like you mention they’ll likely deal from strength and maybe one of their D prospects and a first rounder brings back a young NHL ready top 6 fwd.

Nice to see them win and would like to see them keep stacking them.

Players will always take the high road but I guarantee that guy is makes Marty havlat's requests of Bananas look like a team bonding activity.

Give it time.....He isn't going to survive in that alpha locker-room they have down in Sunrise. He and Maurice will sniff out the REAL Seth Jones and when they do, he'll ask out...again, just like he did in Columbus and Chicago. That's before you throw in Barry Trotz launching his @ss as a young hyped prospect to land Johansen years ago.

There's a pattern there regardless of what some think. Same with his brother who has 1% the skill set of Seth but 100% the same arrogance and ego.

I saw Dean verbally destroy him on the bench multiple times when the retired Hossa's number vs Pittsburgh. It was a top 3 moment live moment at a game for me.
- SteveRain

Caleb? If so that’s pretty funny. Yeah he was no gouda.

Always liked the story Steve Dahl told on the Loop ages ago. Was in the 90’s when Keenan was coach. Guess the boys were playing like ass so Keenan calls a timeout and when they all got over by the bench, he said loudly “(frank) you guys!”

That was all he said and everyone sort of stood around uncomfortably til the TO was over and went back out and played.

I think Jones had the personality of a dead fish. With him out of the locker room and the lineup there seems to be more life, more spirit, more energy, more fight.

Sitting Brodie was the right thing to do.

When D!ckinson is ready I have to believe Kurashev is the odd man out most nights.Maybe Maroon takes a seat some nights. But he has a little mean streak I like and do not see from other Hawks.

I would like to see Donato signed. A D!ckinson / Foligno type contract might be an overpay, but they have the cap room and Donato is only 28 (until April). You can play him up and down the lineup, at wing or center. I might even go 4 years on Donato.
- Ztra

I would say from the KD presser, that he wanted to not comment on that, and the way he did, made me believe his extension was close, maybe i read too much into it.

100%....seems like they have a 1000 lb weight lifted off them. Bench looks ecstatic, they are playing loose and having fun.

Amazing what happens when you cut the cancer out.
- SteveRain

ONe of the few mistakes FL made over the last few years, was rushing Knight. Putting him in right after World Jrs and putting the playoff pressure on him right off the bat was kind of crazy, reagarless how good he played for a short stint.

But who cares how it happened, really belive this trade could have the same impact as the Sharp trade was to the last dynasty.

In the summer of 2033 after the 2nd cup in 3 years, guys here saying how crazy it was that KD got Knight, and the guy who just scored the game 7, SCF, OT goal to win the cup for that 3 wheeled shopping cart Seth Jones.