Aidan Thompson just signed, so I guess the rumors that he wasn't interested didn't have any weight to them.
- breadbag

Good news!

Good news!
- 35Tony0

Hopefully Carle comes along with Thompson in a few weeks. Hmmmm possibly that is the plan all along so much for the talk of not wanting to sign.

Hopefully Carle comes along with Thompson in a few weeks. Hmmmm possibly that is the plan all along so much for the talk of not wanting to sign.
- BGKarras

I notice there's a site that is very dramatic, it's as if a teenage girl is writing for it. It also talks about Bedard and a bunch of crap.

I was thinking the same about the coach

Now we'll here how Greene is having a change of heart, blah blah blah

He was also dumped by the Canes and was likely going back to EU before FLA put a claim in on him and got him some run with good players.

This is part of the argument that I make when I say the Hawks can’t just wait for the kids to create the winning culture. You need more guys that know what it’s like to win (now not 10 years ago).
- Chunk

My point is that the path isn't linear. The Hawks sold low on a guy that showed promise but they failed to give him enough time and opportunity. 120 games and the they used him in a trade that failed to improve the team. In the end they made the wrong choice.

They don't need to bring in more guys with winning culture, they need to improve the talent and head coach. Because of the draft, the talent is finally moving in the right direction.

I notice there's a site that is very dramatic, it's as if a teenage girl is writing for it. It also talks about Bedard and a bunch of crap.
- BetweenTheDots

Harsh critique of Tab over at BN, geez Dots

I'm not saying KK is going to be a premium defenseman in the league, but in a rebuild you better be damn sure he won't become one in the league because the org had no patience.
- BetweenTheDots

Unfortunately, you only get a few years befor eyou cannot shuttle him about from Rockford to Chicago.

There will always be room to carry young lower pair defenders as they add and develop their pro games, because they necessarily have to establish that dfensive side and utilize it.

Believe me, I bet each defenseman has been introduced to #6 Rinzel's abilities, coolness and instincts and HAVE to be feeling the roster competition just got one less open opportunity.

KK, Kaiser, and #55 HAVE to feel that.
DelMastro, Crevier, and Allan know their role and Rinzel isn't direct competition for them, as #6 is going to impact the guys they expect to generate quickly on the backline.
(For that matter, Vlasic must see his advancement as that key defender and pp guy slipping with the big Sam arrival too.)

Depth get increased as the kiddie corps dee develops, and there is not yetr a hurray to "get value" in trade returns now.

They will sort out who works toegther and who might actually crrate trade buzz as time goes on.

It seems a bit premature to draw up pairings, lines, because there is going to be more revolving door, no matter if Colorado native,Thompson, goes the free agent route, or not (as ke did sign with Hawks) ,no matter if Minnesota native Dominic James goes free agent.

I don't think these college kids are fearful of competing against the stable the Blackhawks continue to accumulate, but both are not raging scorers, they have to think Slaggert is no slouch and walking in and gaining ground on the young pro might not be the easiest path to the pros.

When Kyle added picks he said they were capital and we have seen former 2nd & 3rd rounders getting ready for their after 4th college year against UFA status to begin, and their draft owners mangae to trade the for returns ala Jimmy Vesey.

So I am ready to chuck up any kids who want to try to develop in the Bedard era on a non Hawk team.

He was also dumped by the Canes and was likely going back to EU before FLA put a claim in on him and got him some run with good players.

This is part of the argument that I make when I say the Hawks can’t just wait for the kids to create the winning culture. You need more guys that know what it’s like to win (now not 10 years ago).
- Chunk

Hossa brought what he had learned in Detroit. He was exactly what the Hawks needed at that moment. I hope they can repeat that when the time comes and the opportunity presents itself.

Hopefully Carle comes along with Thompson in a few weeks. Hmmmm possibly that is the plan all along so much for the talk of not wanting to sign.
- BGKarras

Wouldn't THAT be sumptinnn'

I notice there's a site that is very dramatic, it's as if a teenage girl is writing for it. It also talks about Bedard and a bunch of crap.

I was thinking the same about the coach
- BetweenTheDots

I've seen a couple of those as well. With all the talk of Thompson not wanting to sign. I'm wondering if coach Coyle dropped a seed in his ear....pssst I'll see you in training camp.

Wouldn't THAT be sumptinnn'
- wiz1901

Bill I would be so happy if that happened. Kinda like following the Bear's off-season. It all starts with the Coach.

looks like Isaac Howard and the Lightning are not close on a contract and he is returning to MSU for his senior year. TB might be looking to trade him. Any interest? He just won the Hoby Baker. Short (5'10") but strong.

Scott Wheler's recent assessment

2. Isaac Howard, LW, 20 (Michigan State University)

Howard is a player I diverged from the consensus on in his draft year, ranking him in the front half of the first round when he was drafted at the tail end of it. After an up-and-down freshman year at Minnesota Duluth and a transfer to MSU gave me some pause about whether I was a little too high on him, he has gotten back to looking like the player I believed him to be with the Spartans, where he’s been a top team’s top offensive player as a sophomore and junior these last two years. He also scored seven goals and nine points at the Gothenburg World Juniors, where he was an important part of an excellent line and made some big plays in big moments, including the gold medal game, and was impressive on my trip down to East Lansing last year. This season, his production has gone from point-per-game to well above and I expect he’ll sign and turn pro in the spring.

Howard is a player with the kind of track record of success that nearly always translates. Though he’s “short” at 5-foot-10, he’s not small, with a muscular build that makes him sturdier than you might expect on his feet and over pucks. He’s got quick crossover acceleration with a hurried stride that cranks its way up ice to give him good speed. There are times when he can look like an all-offense player but when his effort level and tenaciousness match his skill level, you’ll see him around the puck all game, which we’ve seen more of as he has ramped up his off-puck movement and drive at MSU.

Inside the offensive zone, he’s extremely dangerous on the puck, with underrated creativity to complement his high-end skill; though he tries things occasionally at the offensive-zone blue line that he shouldn’t get away with, he also usually executes them. He makes a lot of plays under the triangles of defenders’ sticks, he navigates in and out of holes in traffic really well, and when he’s in attack mode taking pucks from a standstill into the middle of the ice to create looks, he’s a ton of fun to watch and forces opposing players to reach in on him, which draws a lot of penalties.

But he’s even more dangerous off the puck, with a scorer’s sixth sense for always arriving just in time in Grade-A locations, whether that’s hiding in coverage or just staying around the puck at the net. He’s the kind of player who finds ways to get open in the home-plate area and then makes quick, aggressive finishing plays either with his hands or a heavy one-touch/catch-and-release shot. I think some of his so-so freshman year can now be attributed to some of his struggles to create for himself, but also that they didn’t have a natural playmaker to find him in soft space and facilitate for him. He’s going to need that at the next level to make the most of his talent.

Ultimately, Howard is a player who is always going to have PP utility but will require the right coach, usage and linemates to be the impactful top-six winger I think he’s capable of being at five-on-five. It has been nice, though, over the last two years to see him play with more jump, get to more loose pucks, move his feet to get off the wall and to the slot/net, and be above and supporting more pucks when the other team has possession.

Harsh critique of Tab over at BN, geez Dots
- Assman22

Hahaha, i don't mind Tab, it's hawkinsider site i laugh at and don't read now because it's a if the basketball wives are writing the stories.

Now we'll here how Greene is having a change of heart, blah blah blah
- BetweenTheDots

Everything thing I hear about green would be a perfect 3rd line shutdown center we'll see if he signs.

looks like Isaac Howard and the Lightning are not close on a contract and he is returning to MSU for his senior year. TB might be looking to trade him. Any interest? He just won the Hoby Baker. Short (5'10") but strong.
- Revco38

It was the same type argument that had a fellow USANDT player traded when Philly siad they didn't have the "budget space" for him or any guarantees he plays inm Tampa Bay rightaway.
(Issac was the boastful kid on his draft days, saying how he was gonna bring his scoring touch to the league.

Good friend to his former USA teammates including all them hawk kiddies.

I guess the answer to question of whether the Hawks would be VERY interested depends upon whether they think they have scoring wingers in their cupboard or whether a Hawk youngster from the backline fills the trade return.

Everything thing I hear about greene would be a perfect 3rd line shutdown center we'll see if he signs.
- Scott1977

Yeah, he is a very smart three zone player who is strong and does what it takes to win, plus having the interchangabilty to play up and down the line up on the wing, or settle in as a middle centre.

I hope he is a Hawk.

So much is ignored when it comes to commitment and heart and when a kid has it and NHL ability, you see how he could make the group better.

You’ve been wrong on numerous occasions using Google, maybe you should stop using it. The official Chicago Blackhawks website says he’s 6’1 185.
- paulr

He's 6'3" in skates.

Why is Martinez playing? 3 games left in the season. Play the youth.

It was the same type argument that had a fellow USANDT player traded when Philly siad they didn't have the "budget space" for him or any guarantees he plays inm Tampa Bay rightaway.
(Issac was the boastful kid on his draft days, saying how he was gonna bring his scoring touch to the league.

Good friend to his former USA teammates including all them hawk kiddies.

I guess the answer to question of whether the Hawks would be VERY interested depends upon whether they think they have scoring wingers in their cupboard or whether a Hawk youngster from the backline fills the trade return.
- wiz1901

From what I have seen and read about him, I would be willing to part with Toronto's 1st for signing rights. Would want to speak with him first to ensure he would sign (want him to sign this year and forgo his senior year).

Why is Martinez playing? 3 games left in the season. Play the youth.
- bhawks2241

Cause he’s retiring I believe which was news to me. Neither he nor Maroon are making the trip to MTL and OTT. Class move. Sitting Korch and Crevier for a night does nothing really to impede the youth movement.

Cause he’s retiring I believe which was news to me. Neither he nor Maroon are making the trip to MTL and OTT. Class move. Sitting Korch and Crevier for a night does nothing really to impede the youth movement.
- HawkintheD

He is? That makes sense then.

Maroon and Martinez not making the trip weird. Never heard of players retiring before last game of season.

He is? That makes sense then.

Maroon and Martinez not making the trip weird. Never heard of players retiring before last game of season.
- bhawks2241

Read it somewhere and now Bamford has it up on BN as well.

I'm really enjoying the greater speed on the Blackhawks it really is creating a bit more space for the players on the ice

He is? That makes sense then.

Maroon and Martinez not making the trip weird. Never heard of players retiring before last game of season.
- bhawks2241

Yeah I think they are just giving them one last game here as a farewell in Chicago and they want the kids to play to finish out the year. It's good to give them this game when they could have just easily been scratched at this point.

I'm really enjoying the greater speed on the Blackhawks it really is creating a bit more space for the players on the ice
- BetweenTheDots

The speed is evident and it will give them a lot of build on. Some rookie mistakes from the quick kids out there, but they are playing hungry.