Dach to the Rock.

Charlie Roumeliotis
@CRoumeliotis

#Blackhawks assign Colton Dach to AHL's Rockford IceHogs for Calder Cup Playoffs after being medically cleared to return from elbow injury:

Looks like Lardis injury isn't too bad. No specifics, but he says that it should take care of itself with rest and some therapy.

Said his goal was to improve strength and work on winning board battles. Looking forward to seeing him in camp.
- Chunk

That's fantastic news. That's a guy i see as a potential top 6 guy in the system.

As i said before they most likely put him on the PK in Rockford next year so he can work on the defensive side of the game, fingers crossed

I read Lardis will begin working out at Gary Roberts Performance Academy in Richmondhill Ontario. Many NHL and CHL players work out at this facility. Along with the physical aspects Roberts is well known for guiding players nutritionally.
- paulr

Didn't hear that about him going to Roberts' camp. Good to hear.

I don't know if the Hawks will hire Carle, but if they do, I hope he can have a similar jump to NHL coaching as Jim Montgomery did.

Obviously not the part where he had an alcohol problem, but his coaching has seemed pretty solid all the way so far. Boston fired him, but it really seems like he wasn't the issue there as he has picked things up pretty well helping St Louis improve since he arrived. Just saying, Maybe the next guy out of Denver will be another decent coach.

I didn't watch the game, only the highlights, but Thompson played some minutes! Any thoughts on how he looked for the hogs?


Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers

Artyom Levshunov played a game-high 27:46 in the IceHogs' overtime win over the Wolves last night.

Other notable ice times: Kevin Korchinski 24:28, Ethan Del Mastro 23:49, Aidan Thompson 23:16.

I didn't watch the game, only the highlights, but Thompson played some minutes! Any thoughts on how he looked for the hogs?


Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers

Artyom Levshunov played a game-high 27:46 in the IceHogs' overtime win over the Wolves last night.

Other notable ice times: Kevin Korchinski 24:28, Ethan Del Mastro 23:49, Aidan Thompson 23:16.
- breadbag

I watched most of it. Thompson was noticeable. He’s quick/shifty and gets a decent amount of pop on his shots. Not scared at all going to the net. I think he would do really well with someone who can set him up, simply because he doesn’t dust anything off. He just shoots it instead of looking for the optimum play.

Because he accepted his role as a defensive specialist and did it exceedingly well without complaint. Preventing goals is just as important scoring them.
- Chunk

I know lol stirring the pot. It is the offseason after all

Just never liked the argument how great Kruger was for shutting down top lines in the playoffs. Elite shutdown guy.

He was good at it but I don't think he's some legendary Hawk

Especially when Toews was an elite shut down 2-way center who took away other teams top line in the playoffs most of the time.

It's true Lev's muffed pinch in led to a 2 on 1 - but he played it pretty well after that- he managed to get back and assist in cutting off the pass option meaning Comesso focused on the shooter all the way - and stoned the guy.

The recovery from it was pretty good - as I've seen long time NHL players have zero clue how to play that situation (ok nevermind that I don't know why long time NHL players might not know that -- that's a different thing, but that dude is playing in Florida right now- so who cares?).

Not really. Chicago's goal was a nice tip by the net front guy on the PP. KK's was flukey for sure (long shot in off the end boards that was kicked in by the goalie). Arty's was from longer range and not that hard, but Hayes did a nice job screening the goalie immediately before he shot it.

It was actually a really good goalie duel if you like that kind of thing. RFD generated a lot of really good chances.

KK looked really strong both with and without the puck. EDM was solid as expected. Allan had a strong game (shut down a bunch near the net and put a number of guys on their behinds). Arty played well, but he had a pinch with about a minute left that I'm sure he'd want back (gave up a 2-on-1). Hogs generated a ton from the back end.

Thompson was noticeable and played a lot. Guttman looked like a guy playing for an NHL spot (too bad he won't get one with the Hawks). The game was chippy as hell (not as much as their last regular season meeting, but still). Good start for the kids. Hopefully, they can keep it going.
- Chunk

I wanted to watch this game, unfortunately fortunately had plans. From the looks of it looked like a good defensive game.

Makes me smile that both of our baby defenseman scored in a playoff game.

It's just my opinion but i believe when all said and done Vlasic, Arty, Rinzel, Korchinski, EDM and Allan will be the ones left standing on the Blackhawks team, all of them to me look like possible top 4 dmen.

Damn Hagel just lit up Barkov, still miss him

Damn Hagel just lit up Barkov, still miss him
- BetweenTheDots

If Barkov misses any games, I can see Hagel getting a suspension. Dirty hit

It's true Lev's muffed pinch in led to a 2 on 1 - but he played it pretty well after that- he managed to get back and assist in cutting off the pass option meaning Comesso focused on the shooter all the way - and stoned the guy.

The recovery from it was pretty good - as I've seen long time NHL players have zero clue how to play that situation (ok nevermind that I don't know why long time NHL players might not know that -- that's a different thing, but that dude is playing in Florida right now- so who cares?).
- SC116

Yeah, I wasn't trying to poop on Arty. My opinion of the guy (I think) is pretty well known here. I'm all in on him. Just pointed out that he had a play that he would want back with a minute left. He'll learn.

I wanted to watch this game, unfortunately fortunately had plans. From the looks of it looked like a good defensive game.

Makes me smile that both of our baby defenseman scored in a playoff game.

It's just my opinion but i believe when all said and done Vlasic, Arty, Rinzel, Korchinski, EDM and Allan will be the ones left standing on the Blackhawks team, all of them to me look like possible top 4 dmen.
- BetweenTheDots

The only guy that I think can throw a wrench in that is Kaiser. He's got that "I'm going to get it done no matter what" thing about him. Also, that kid who they traded for who's playing in Sweden might be a piece as well.

The only guy that I think can throw a wrench in that is Kaiser. He's got that "I'm going to get it done no matter what" thing about him. Also, that kid who they traded for who's playing in Sweden might be a piece as well.
- Chunk

Kaiser is better than Allan, EDM and KK. He is the one that was doing it with tougher QoC than any of those 3. He also a far better skater than all 3 of them.

The Swede is a nothing. He probably isn't even coming over. He isn't going to supplant Lev and Rinzel.

I watched most of it. Thompson was noticeable. He’s quick/shifty and gets a decent amount of pop on his shots. Not scared at all going to the net. I think he would do really well with someone who can set him up, simply because he doesn’t dust anything off. He just shoots it instead of looking for the optimum play.
- Chunk

FWIW, he was on the top line.

The only guy that I think can throw a wrench in that is Kaiser. He's got that "I'm going to get it done no matter what" thing about him. Also, that kid who they traded for who's playing in Sweden might be a piece as well.
- Chunk

I like Kaiser, I think it would be great if he could take the next step, it just seems he talks about playing faster he gets some games on the bench comes back plays really fast then fades each game he plays until he gets some more bench time then comes back playing really fast, if he could play at that same speed every game then Id agree.

Vegas can't contain Kaprizov

FWIW, he was on the top line.
- Elbows15

The lineup card technically had him on the "second" line with Seney and Anderson. First line was Sanford/Guttman/Mayhew. I think Thompson would do well with Guttman, but let's be honest, their forward group doesn't really scare anyone. Dach may help if he gets in. They also have Spellacy and Vanacker available to them. We'll see what happens.

Lardis on his injury:

“There’s no long-term effects that will come from this injury,” Lardis said. “There’s no surgery involved or anything. It’s just more of resting it for a little bit, like a week or two, then starting the rehabbing as well. I should be good, hopefully, in a couple weeks here, or a little longer. I’ll have the whole summer here to kind of train and be 100 percent, ready for next year, which is really good.”

And:

“It sucks what it is, but I’m really thankful it’s not anything really bad and I can be 100 percent ready going into next year and have the whole summer to train,” Lardis said.

The only guy that I think can throw a wrench in that is Kaiser. He's got that "I'm going to get it done no matter what" thing about him. Also, that kid who they traded for who's playing in Sweden might be a piece as well.
- Chunk

Kaiser has a lot of Keith in him. When he gets the stick swing down at the guys head he'll be there.

Kaiser has a lot of Keith in him. When he gets the stick swing down at the guys head he'll be there.
- rpeters01

He might have some Keith qualities but it's also a pretty unfair comparison, Keith was quite a bit better at age 22. Will Kaiser show he is more than 3rd pair NHL defenseman?

He might have some Keith qualities but it's also a pretty unfair comparison, Keith was quite a bit better at age 22. Will Kaiser show he is more than 3rd pair NHL defenseman?
- breadbag

Was he? His first season in the NHL was at age 22. I don't remember him being near the player he ultimately was. Same kind of rookies mistakes that Kaiser makes. Keith played a full 82 that year and ended with 21 pts and -11 (for whatever that is worth). In 98 career games over three years, Kaiser has 18 pts and is -4 (He's even the last two years).

By no means am I making the comparison that Kaiser is the second coming, but Keith wasn't great out the shoot either.

Was he? His first season in the NHL was at age 22. I don't remember him being near the player he ultimately was. Same kind of rookies mistakes that Kaiser makes. Keith played a full 82 that year and ended with 21 pts and -11 (for whatever that is worth). In 98 career games over three years, Kaiser has 18 pts and is -4 (He's even the last two years).

By no means am I making the comparison that Kaiser is the second coming, but Keith wasn't great out the shoot either.
- Chunk

I think this is great, we are discussing potential players the Blackhawks will keep.

So far the way i see it, Vlasic, Arty, Sam are part of the plan

As i said before watching Korchinski live i thought he was the most athletic Blackhawk 2 seasons ago. I definitely would try to develop him because he really could become something.

It'll be interesting going forward how all this unfolds

I think this is great, we are discussing potential players the Blackhawks will keep.

So far the way i see it, Vlasic, Arty, Sam are part of the plan

As i said before watching Korchinski live i thought he was the most athletic Blackhawk 2 seasons ago. I definitely would try to develop him because he really could become something.

It'll be interesting going forward how all this unfolds
- BetweenTheDots

It will be interesting to see what happens with the draft lottery. If the Hawk’s luck out and pick number one do they draft Schaefer? If they do is KD inclined and if so can he put a package together to try to land an NHL ready forward or try to get the second or third pick to try to acquire Misa, Hagens or Martone? Either way I’d guess Toronto’s first plus a prospect or two would be required to make the trade.

Was he? His first season in the NHL was at age 22. I don't remember him being near the player he ultimately was. Same kind of rookies mistakes that Kaiser makes. Keith played a full 82 that year and ended with 21 pts and -11 (for whatever that is worth). In 98 career games over three years, Kaiser has 18 pts and is -4 (He's even the last two years).

By no means am I making the comparison that Kaiser is the second coming, but Keith wasn't great out the shoot either.
- Chunk

I remember someone calling Keith "a chihuahua on skates" in that first year.