If the rumors of Blashill are true it's a good sign that KD is considering placing someone in the organization that is not a first timer and has experience. A sign of confidence or he's been told by Wirtz and Faulkner to get someone with an NHL track record. Of the retreads available, others have Stanley Cup rings as Head Coach, which would be helpful. The prospects don't need another kindergarten coach. They need someone who will be tough and instill Championship quality habits. Better details will lead to more wins.
- stevefrmglencoe

For me i don't want them to hire a coach who will belittle them on the bench

He can always take minutes away from them if they aren't meeting coaches expectations.

I hope defensively he doesn't have forwards play a sink to the goalie kind of defense. I'm all for protecting the front of the net but i think there can be a balance of when the only outlet is the defenseman at the blue line along the boards there's a forward within striking distance instead of a free keep in.

Most of all the coach isn't the star of the team

If the rumors of Blashill are true it's a good sign that KD is considering placing someone in the organization that is not a first timer and has experience. A sign of confidence or he's been told by Wirtz and Faulkner to get someone with an NHL track record. Of the retreads available, others have Stanley Cup rings as Head Coach, which would be helpful. The prospects don't need another kindergarten coach. They need someone who will be tough and instill Championship quality habits. Better details will lead to more wins.
- stevefrmglencoe

In seven years coaching the Detroit Red Wings Blashill guided them to one post season where the team bowed out with a single win and had a 37% winning percentage during Seven regular seasons. Where do you see a coach that can “instill championship habits”?

I believe Danny's biggest complaint is that Comcast wouldn't pick up his network. Without viewers, there would be fewer fans. He needs to get that rectified soon. Either sign on with Marquee or go back to WGN. Rocky is doing a spin right now.

In seven years coaching the Detroit Red Wings Blashill guided them to one post season where the team bowed out with a single win and had a 37% winning percentage during Seven regular seasons. Where do you see a coach that can “instill championship habits”?
- paulr

I’m not excited about the thought of Blashill, but a few things about his time in DET. They were already on the downswing when he took over. Old and declining with no youth coming in. Kinda like the Hawks circa 2017-2021. Lots of bad.

The results weren’t great, but he’s got NHL HC experience and knows about what he can and can’t do.

Finally, he’s spent the past few years working with Cooper and to think he hasn’t learned anything from that would be short sighted. I keep going back to the same saying. Paul Maurice wasn’t a good coach… until he was. Barry Trotz was an average coach, until he wasn’t, etc. There are tons of coaches who weren’t considered good until they won.

I could see them bring back Sorensen , think the players really like him. Had them playing solid hockey near the end ,when the kids were up and playing significant minutes . Keep it simple

I could see them bring back Sorensen , think the players really like him. Had them playing solid hockey near the end ,when the kids were up and playing significant minutes . Keep it simple

Desnoyers continues to grow on me the more I read about him and watch his highlights. He's having a nice postseason too and if he happens to excel in the Memorial Cup starting next week I think I'll firmly be in the him at #3 (behind Schaefer and Misa) no matter what.

I also really like this little tidbit I found (hat tip to The Hockey Writers blog): "With 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) in 16 games, he not only leads the QMJHL, but has a historic 1.88 point-per-game rate. Among draft-year players with at least 10 playoff games this century, only Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby, Jonathan Drouin, and Jakub Voráček have reached 1.80 points per game—all were top-seven picks."

Pretty good company to be in.
- TommyHawk

Watching all the videos i could on Desnoyers, if it were me i can't draft him before Hagens or Martone, to my eye Hagens and Martone have more talent.

Watching all the videos i could on Desnoyers, if it were me i can't draft him before Hagens or Martone, to my eye Hagens and Martone have more talent.
- BetweenTheDots

Who is more talented Austen Matthews or Jonathan Toews? I’d say Matthews is. Who would you rather have on your team? I know who I’d choose. Talent is very important no doubt but there are other things to factor in. BTW, Desnoyers is being compared to Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews in his overall game and leadership.

I could see them bring back Sorensen , think the players really like him. Had them playing solid hockey near the end ,when the kids were up and playing significant minutes . Keep it simple
- oldduffman

If so then make him in charge of the fowards and development and pp. Also would take the pressure off of blashhill can focus on culture defense side of the puck and structure. Not excited about the hire if it is him nothing official yet. So maybe it was just an interview and looking at others to interview or waiting for other coaches that are still in the playoffs one last thing what coach in the pool right now is better thanblashill they are all kinda the same.

Who is more talented Austen Matthews or Jonathan Toews? I’d say Matthews is. Who would you rather have on your team? I know who I’d choose. Talent is very important no doubt but there are other things to factor in. BTW, Desnoyers is being compared to Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews in his overall game and leadership.
- paulr

If i saw Toews in Desnoyers id say he's my guy, i just don't see it

In my amateur opinion I see so much more talent in Hagens then Desnoyers,

If i saw Toews in Desnoyers id say he's my guy, i just don't see it

In my amateur opinion I see so much more talent in Hagens then Desnoyers,
- BetweenTheDots

I’ve seen Desnoyers play a few times, he’s a good two way player, good wheels and he has an edge to his game. But playing in the QMJHL makes it difficult to judge him. Desnoyers team, the Moncton Wildcats, is in the Memorial cup tournament against the best teams from the OHL and WHL. We’ll have a better chance to see how he plays against the top CHL teams.

Here is a scouting report that I found.

Caleb Desnoyers is a well-rounded center with a strong focus on two-way play, good size, and a strong work ethic. He's known for his patience, smart playmaking, and ability to generate scoring chances for himself and his teammates. While not a flashy scorer, Desnoyers consistently contributes in all three zones and is a valuable asset in multiple situations.
Key Strengths:
Two-Way Play:
Desnoyers is a responsible defensive player who is committed to the 200-foot game. He's strong in transition, wins board battles, and is involved defensively.
Smart Playmaking:
Desnoyers excels at spotting opportunities and making quick, accurate passes. He's a good puck-carrier and can create chances with his vision and playmaking abilities.
Strong Work Ethic:
He's a consistent, reliable player with a high work ethic and a competitive nature.
Good Size and Skating:
Desnoyers possesses a good size (6'2, 172 lbs) and skates well, particularly in straight-line situations.
Leadership:
He's a natural leader and has captained at the QMJHL level.
Areas for Improvement:
Shot Selection and Scoring Touch:
While he's improving his shot, he could develop his scoring touch and shot selection further.
Explosiveness and Acceleration:
While he skates well, his skating could benefit from more explosiveness and acceleration.
Physicality:
While he demonstrates physicality, he could become more dominant in that area.

Here is another one.

https://thehockeywriters....y-draft-prospect-profile/

I’ve seen Desnoyers play a few times, he’s a good two way player, good wheels and he has an edge to his game. But playing in the QMJHL makes it difficult to judge him. Desnoyers team, the Moncton Wildcats, is in the Memorial cup tournament against the best teams from the OHL and WHL. We’ll have a better chance to see how he plays against the top CHL teams.
- paulr

I have no issue if the Blackhawks pick him at 3, because i feel a team like Toronto switched gears when they signed Tavares and after the Matthews draft year, they went for the playoffs.

But even if they don't, even if they draft Hagens or Martone, which i believe it'll be 1 of the 2, our blue line will be deeper than most teams, i keep thinking what an advantage it was to have Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Campbell, trade Campbell and bring in Oduya and Rozy.

I know Pitt got away with it but most teams don't.

So in other words if I'm making any sense, i think the lack of over all talent is hurting the Maple Leafs or any team who can't take the next step in the playoffs.

That was quite the trade for Knight, filled a huge hole on this team.

And the great news is we've got more bullets/depth in the upcoming drafts

Wow. Mark Schiefele's dad passed away unexpectedly last night. Don't know what Schiefele's status is tonight. I can see the team bonding together, winning game 6 tonight and heading back to WPG for game 7.

EDIT - Schiefele is playing tonight.

Here is another one.

https://thehockeywriters....y-draft-prospect-profile/
- Angotti

I have a hard time passing Hagens up when i read elite skater and elite playmaker. I thought yea right then i watched his highlights, but the Blackhawks will make their choice and of course I'll support it.

I have no issue if the Blackhawks pick him at 3, because i feel a team like Toronto switched gears when they signed Tavares and after the Matthews draft year, they went for the playoffs.

But even if they don't, even if they draft Hagens or Martone, which i believe it'll be 1 of the 2, our blue line will be deeper than most teams, i keep thinking what an advantage it was to have Keith, Seabrook, Hjalmarsson, Campbell, trade Campbell and bring in Oduya and Rozy.

I know Pitt got away with it but most teams don't.

So in other words if I'm making any sense, i think the lack of over all talent is hurting the Maple Leafs or any team who can't take the next step in the playoffs.

That was quite the trade for Knight, filled a huge hole on this team.

And the great news is we've got more bullets/depth in the upcoming drafts
- BetweenTheDots

My post wasn’t clear. I’m not promoting Desnoyers or anyone else. I’m just pointing out what I’ve read or seen. To be honest if Misa isn’t available I’m hoping KD selects Martone.

In seven years coaching the Detroit Red Wings Blashill guided them to one post season where the team bowed out with a single win and had a 37% winning percentage during Seven regular seasons. Where do you see a coach that can “instill championship habits”?
- paulr

Of all the retreads he is my least favorite. I hope KD doesn't go off board to a college guy or junior coach who has to learn the league while trying to develop. I didn't like the Carle pursuit at all. I would prefer Torts or Laviolette. I know that is not popular at HB. I just can't see how having a guy like that is going to hurt the development of the prospects. John Moore told me he hated Torts at the time but quickly realized that Torts taught him more about the game than any other coach. This is the NHL. The prospects don't need a player's coach. They need to learn the NHL game fast.

Who is more talented Austen Matthews or Jonathan Toews? I’d say Matthews is. Who would you rather have on your team? I know who I’d choose. Talent is very important no doubt but there are other things to factor in. BTW, Desnoyers is being compared to Patrice Bergeron and Jonathan Toews in his overall game and leadership.
- paulr

Two completely different players. If you’re adding to this team, it’s Matthews.

Wow. Mark Schiefele's dad passed away unexpectedly last night. Don't know what Schiefele's status is tonight. I can see the team bonding together, winning game 6 tonight and heading back to WPG for game 7.

EDIT - Schiefele is playing tonight.
- boilermaker100

Yea i saw that earlier today, if he was close to his dad, i really feel for him

Of all the retreads he is my least favorite. I hope KD doesn't go off board to a college guy or junior coach who has to learn the league while trying to develop. I didn't like the Carle pursuit at all. I would prefer Torts or Laviolette. I know that is not popular at HB. I just can't see how having a guy like that is going to hurt the development of the prospects. John Moore told me he hated Torts at the time but quickly realized that Torts taught him more about the game than any other coach. This is the NHL. The prospects don't need a player's coach. They need to learn the NHL game fast.
- stevefrmglencoe

We need a coach that is going to bring accountability and help our young players gain their high water mark. LD wasn't holding the veterans accountable. Watching Jones make the same mistakes over and over and still getting the ice time then when a kid made the same mistake, he missed a shift or two.

Torts is only good for a couple of years. Lavy about 4 years.

KD already had his "off the board" hire in LD. He needs a more experienced coach this time to guide this team on the next phase, playoffs.

That's not good for Peg, hope he only has a stinger

Wow. Mark Schiefele's dad passed away unexpectedly last night. Don't know what Schiefele's status is tonight. I can see the team bonding together, winning game 6 tonight and heading back to WPG for game 7.

EDIT - Schiefele is playing tonight.
- boilermaker100

Scored a pretty goal for Peg earlier. Sure he had some divine assistance

Of all the retreads he is my least favorite. I hope KD doesn't go off board to a college guy or junior coach who has to learn the league while trying to develop. I didn't like the Carle pursuit at all. I would prefer Torts or Laviolette. I know that is not popular at HB. I just can't see how having a guy like that is going to hurt the development of the prospects. John Moore told me he hated Torts at the time but quickly realized that Torts taught him more about the game than any other coach. This is the NHL. The prospects don't need a player's coach. They need to learn the NHL game fast.
- stevefrmglencoe

I get what you are saying, but Torts and Laviolette just got canned because their methods weren’t working in the NHL with better talent than the Hawks.

Again, I’m not advocating for him, but Blashill isn’t exactly known as a players coach. He hounds guys to be defensively responsible and create offense off of that.

My favorite will continue to be Nelson at Hershey. It’s been at the AHL level, but he’s shown the ability to adjust his scheme/structure to better offensive or defensive rosters. He’s had a ton of success at the AHL level and coached the oilers the year before McJesus was drafted. Blashill (or anyone else they sign at this point) isn’t going to make or break them.