Honestly had no idea they could do that. Might try to go to the game on Wed night. Tickets are $26 for 3rd row lol
- Assman22

Indy Fuel regular season tickets for ECHL team are $72 in new arena. Crazy!

Got this from PHR
With Brantford’s season ending in a Game 6 loss to the Oshawa Generals in the second round of the playoffs, he’s now free to join Rockford. Vanacker just turned 19 earlier this month, though, so he won’t be eligible for a full-time assignment to the IceHogs next season. It’s either Chicago or Brantford again for him in 2025-26 with the latter seeming far more likely given his regression this season.
- Angotti

This stupid age rule for the AHL has got to go!

This stupid age rule for the AHL has got to go!
- rpeters01

Why? What do you think will happen to the junior leagues if the best players are immediately put into the AHL after being drafted? And further what do you think happens to the players themselves if they’re playing in the AHL as 18 year old under sized and under developed players? I have season tickets to the Oshawa Generals, if Ritchie, Sennecke, Barlow, Danford and Merelli were all immediately promoted to the AHL I wouldn’t renew my tickets next season and I’m positive most season ticket holders would so the same. Then what happens to the CHL, one of the prime hockey development leagues? And do you think an undersized Lardis is getting 10 goals in the AHL?

The only way to solve this age issue is to draft kids when they’re 20.

I love that a kid comes back from shoulder surgery halfway through the year and doesn't immediately put up better numbers than the previous year and it's a regression. He's for sure going back to Brantford, but that framing is silly.
- Chunk

Agree, I chuckled when I read that as well.
Edit - Bylsma is out and so is Tocchet.

Why? What do you think will happen to the junior leagues if the best players are immediately put into the AHL after being drafted? And further what do you think happens to the players themselves if they’re playing in the AHL as 18 year old under sized and under developed players? I have season tickets to the Oshawa Generals, if Ritchie, Sennecke, Barlow, Danford and Merelli were all immediately promoted to the AHL I wouldn’t renew my tickets next season and I’m positive most season ticket holders would so the same. Then what happens to the CHL, one of the prime hockey development leagues? And do you think an undersized Lardis is getting 10 goals in the AHL?

The only way to solve this age issue is to draft kids when they’re 20.
- paulr

Why do we care what happens to the juniors league? How about enter the draft at any age but once drafted, you start in college or AHL. CHL/USHL can remain as developmental leagues.

Why? What do you think will happen to the junior leagues if the best players are immediately put into the AHL after being drafted? And further what do you think happens to the players themselves if they’re playing in the AHL as 18 year old under sized and under developed players? I have season tickets to the Oshawa Generals, if Ritchie, Sennecke, Barlow, Danford and Merelli were all immediately promoted to the AHL I wouldn’t renew my tickets next season and I’m positive most season ticket holders would so the same. Then what happens to the CHL, one of the prime hockey development leagues? And do you think an undersized Lardis is getting 10 goals in the AHL?

The only way to solve this age issue is to draft kids when they’re 20.
- paulr

It would still be up to the big team just like in baseball where they start their players. Kirby Dach and KK for two, possibly Bedard as well would have been better off beginning in the AHL. And the junior teams can always find juniors.

It would still be up to the big team just like in baseball where they start their players. Kirby Dach and KK for two, possibly Bedard as well would have been better off beginning in the AHL. And the junior teams can always find juniors.

- rpeters01

You do know each Baseball team has four minor league teams, Single A, High A, Double A and Triple A. Players can be assigned to the various leagues based on age, physical development, skill development their progress etc.. Some 18 year old hockey players are small, physically weak with underdeveloped skills. I’ll use Lardis as an example again. When he was drafted he was 155 lbs. Do you think playing in the AHL as a small boy would have been good for his development? I’m betting he’d no longer be in hockey today if he had been moved to Rockford after the 2023 draft.

And how do you figure any of those players you mentioned would have been better off beginning in the AHL? All of the players you mentioned were small physically unready to be playing against men especially a tough league like the AHL.

The health of the CHL is vital to the future health of the NHL.

Why? What do you think will happen to the junior leagues if the best players are immediately put into the AHL after being drafted? And further what do you think happens to the players themselves if they’re playing in the AHL as 18 year old under sized and under developed players? I have season tickets to the Oshawa Generals, if Ritchie, Sennecke, Barlow, Danford and Merelli were all immediately promoted to the AHL I wouldn’t renew my tickets next season and I’m positive most season ticket holders would so the same. Then what happens to the CHL, one of the prime hockey development leagues? And do you think an undersized Lardis is getting 10 goals in the AHL?

The only way to solve this age issue is to draft kids when they’re 20.
- paulr

While you are probably right on your points, every player should be free to do what is best for them and their career.

I don't think NHL teams would have all their underdeveloped players in the AHL, but for the handful of guys who would benefit from it, they should be free to do so.

I've said for a year or so now that NIL is going to take most of the top players eventually anyway.

Bylsma is available, anyone interested?

While you are probably right on your points, every player should be free to do what is best for them and their career.

I don't think NHL teams would have all their underdeveloped players in the AHL, but for the handful of guys who would benefit from it, they should be free to do so.

I've said for a year or so now that NIL is going to take most of the top players eventually anyway.
- vabeachbear

I heard a podcast a while back and they were talking about Korchinski, one of the guys said the reason the Blackhawks brought him into the NHL at 19 was because the org was watching him develop in Seattle and saw he was so talented he was reinforcing his bad habits in the defensive end and was able to get away with it.

I also wonder in time if NHL teams will be able to sign their draft picks while they are playing in college or even before they go.

You do know each Baseball team has four minor league teams, Single A, High A, Double A and Triple A. Players can be assigned to the various leagues based on age, physical development, skill development their progress etc.. Some 18 year old hockey players are small, physically weak with underdeveloped skills. I’ll use Lardis as an example again. When he was drafted he was 155 lbs. Do you think playing in the AHL as a small boy would have been good for his development? I’m betting he’d no longer be in hockey today if he had been moved to Rockford after the 2023 draft.

And how do you figure any of those players you mentioned would have been better off beginning in the AHL? All of the players you mentioned were small physically unready to be playing against men especially a tough league like the AHL.

The health of the CHL is vital to the future health of the NHL.
- paulr

To add to your point, there are five levels of baseball, Rookie league comes before A ball. You are correct, some 18 year olds just aren’t ready for professional hockey, however some are, so it’s a catch 22. TBH, if I had an18 year old son that played hockey at a high level, I would hope that he would choose the college route.

Danny Wirtz is not happy with tv ratings, what a shocker. That’s what he gets for getting in bed with Reinsdorf. They need to rethink their tv strategy and come up with a better plan, or they will not gain future fans from today’s youth.

Danny Wirtz is not happy with tv ratings, what a shocker. That’s what he gets for getting in bed with Reinsdorf. They need to rethink their tv strategy and come up with a better plan, or they will not gain future fans from today’s youth.
- Angotti

There was a report out a day or two ago saying that they might cut a deal with WGN. That would probably be a great idea.

Danny Wirtz is not happy with tv ratings, what a shocker. That’s what he gets for getting in bed with Reinsdorf. They need to rethink their tv strategy and come up with a better plan, or they will not gain future fans from today’s youth.
- Angotti

Did he not learn from grandpa's Sports Channel folly?

WGN radio posted some interview stuff with Bedard. https://wgnradio.com/blac...tlines-offseason-mission/

The highlights are...

He is 100% onboard with being with the Hawks, loves it in Chicago

His primary training focus in the offseason is speed + acceleration, as he feels that is where he can improve the most.

Apparently he asks a lot of guys for advice on improving his workout routine. Donato is one of the guys Bedard has been going to for advice.

"Ryan Donato was one of several teammates Bedard turned to throughout the season. Last summer, Donato revamped his offseason training and hired a skating coach to help address what many viewed as a weakness in his game."

Would you trade one of the defense high end prospects (Rinzel, Leshunuv, or other) and/or draft pick to Tampa for Isaac Howard rights, with the prospect of him signing and playing this fall for Hawks?

Would you trade one of the defense high end prospects (Rinzel, Leshunuv, or other) and/or draft pick to Tampa for Isaac Howard rights, with the prospect of him signing and playing this fall for Hawks?
- TrueGrit

IMO Rinzel or Lev - no. Our top 4 pick this season, no.

A late 1st or a 2nd round pick definitely.

Red flag for me is that he didn't sign with Tampa. I wouldn't want to trade a guy who is already signed and playing.

WGN radio posted some interview stuff with Bedard. https://wgnradio.com/blac...tlines-offseason-mission/

The highlights are...

He is 100% onboard with being with the Hawks, loves it in Chicago

His primary training focus in the offseason is speed + acceleration, as he feels that is where he can improve the most.

Apparently he asks a lot of guys for advice on improving his workout routine. Donato is one of the guys Bedard has been going to for advice.

"Ryan Donato was one of several teammates Bedard turned to throughout the season. Last summer, Donato revamped his offseason training and hired a skating coach to help address what many viewed as a weakness in his game."
- breadbag

Yes yes yes yes. Speed and explosiveness. He needs to be able to get separation from opposing defenders. He’s got decent speed. It just takes him 4-5 strides to reach it.

Organizational failure if Bedard is turning to Donato for advice. Not a knock on Donato at all but there should be a proven successful cup winning vet he can turn to not a retread middle 6 guy.

Hope we see a big change in Bedard’s skating. Similar to what we saw with Dcat after he focused on that during the offseason going into year 2 or 3 I believe

Would you trade one of the defense high end prospects (Rinzel, Leshunuv, or other) and/or draft pick to Tampa for Isaac Howard rights, with the prospect of him signing and playing this fall for Hawks?
- TrueGrit

I would trade Toronto’s 1st this year or Florida’s 1st next year and KK (prefer to give up Toronto’s this year). But would need permission to speak with him and try to sign him.

I would trade Toronto’s 1st this year or Florida’s 1st next year and KK (prefer to give up Toronto’s this year). But would need permission to speak with him and try to sign him.
- Revco38

Absolutely, my assumption is he would agree to sign and play.

IMO Rinzel or Lev - no. Our top 4 pick this season, no.

A late 1st or a 2nd round pick definitely.

Red flag for me is that he didn't sign with Tampa. I wouldn't want to trade a guy who is already signed and playing.
- breadbag

It is going to be interesting. Whether he saw it that way or not, Howard did not do himself any favors with the Lighting. Point, Kuch, and everyone but Hedman and Stamkos did some AHL time. Cooper did 3 years there himself.

For a supposed competitive guy, Howard looks like he wants the easiest path to NHL, with one of the best organizations in pro sports.

I expect him to be traded by/at draft.

I would trade Toronto’s 1st this year or Florida’s 1st next year and KK (prefer to give up Toronto’s this year). But would need permission to speak with him and try to sign him.
- Revco38

Pass Korchinski has top 4 written all over him. Howard can go back to school and further his education.

As i said before Blackhawks are in the drivers seat right now in their rebuild, Arty or Sam for Howard, now that's funny.....

Would you trade one of the defense high end prospects (Rinzel, Leshunuv, or other) and/or draft pick to Tampa for Isaac Howard rights, with the prospect of him signing and playing this fall for Hawks?
- TrueGrit

What is the market for this type of situation usually? Kevin Hayes, a #24 pick, went to free agency rather than sign here, lest we forget. The Hawks were compensated with the 54th pick in 2015. Hayes had a similar final college season production-wise to Howard, but I didn't watch either play in college, so I'll leave the rest of the comp to those who did.

Preference between Kaprisov or Necas for a long term deal next offseason?
- Assman22

Necas for his IQ/analytical mind, willingness to put in the work, and size. Oh, and he's almost a full two years younger than The Thrill.

They’re going to get a good player in the top four, but I’d rather pick top two.
- Angotti

Why would you want KD to pick top two. I mean, all the "experts" tell me that he took Busty Bedard over Fantilli and Losing Levshunov over Demidov.