Cassidy, Tocchet and DeBoer named coaches of the Canadian Olympic team.

Will DeBoer be in charge of the goalies?
- boilermaker100

Hahaha, i think JC coached the Canadian hockey team in Beijing, maybe it'll end better for them this time? The good news is DeBoer will be an assistant coach

New Blackhawks Every Shift video out covering the draft and development camp. The video is about half way down this link.

https://www.nhl.com/black...ackhawks-development-camp
- boilermaker100

Have to say it sure looks like Frondell and West train a lot, and they are 18?

It's mostly from EK. This is some of the hard hitting reasoning he uses:

So why would both go to Chicago?
For Kaprizov, having lived in a very cold and rugged environment in the middle of nowhere, Chicago holds a lot of intrigue, and obviously he has played there quite a few times as a member of the Wild and has fallen in love with the Windy City per my source,,,

The fuq...
- Chunk

Well I guess .We will have to see what happens .

Have to say it sure looks like Frondell and West train a lot, and they are 18?
- BetweenTheDots

Nicklas Backstrom and Eric Lindros they will be.

Pope has an article on Mason West today about how he combines hockey and football. Within the article he mentions West received football scholarship offers from Marshall, Miami Ohio and Kent State.

I don't buy that Kaprizov talk (meaning from any source over whatever period), yes I know it got mentioned here the last couple of posts on the main area - it feels too much like click bait.

I'll believe it when I see it.
- SC116

"if you believe it, he will come"

"its not a lie if you believe it Jerry!"

Have to say it sure looks like Frondell and West train a lot, and they are 18?
- BetweenTheDots

Training is overrated. Ask Phil Kessel and Sam Bennett.

If Kaprizov is available next offseason via free agency, then KD needs to make a move on him. The Hawks currently cannot afford him through a trade, it would cost too many assets.

If Kaprizov is available next offseason via free agency, then KD needs to make a move on him. The Hawks currently cannot afford him through a trade, it would cost too many assets.
- Angotti

Yep. Any player, no matter how good, it all comes down to the price. I personally think that "If" is really small. I think he will be resigned in Minny or traded before he becomes available as UFA.

I don't buy the "he really want to be in Chicago" narrative. Not saying he wouldn't be a possibility, but I'm willing to bet he has at least a handful (probably more) of places that he'd be willing to play. I'm not confident we have the parts to make a trade work out to land him and probably don't get the shot at him as a UFA.

Yep. Any player, no matter how good, it all comes down to the price. I personally think that "If" is really small. I think he will be resigned in Minny or traded before he becomes available as UFA.

I don't buy the "he really want to be in Chicago" narrative. Not saying he wouldn't be a possibility, but I'm willing to bet he has at least a handful (probably more) of places that he'd be willing to play. I'm not confident we have the parts to make a trade work out to land him and probably don't get the shot at him as a UFA.
- breadbag

If it happens great, if it doesn't great, Blackhawks are right where they want to be in the rebuild.

If Kaprizov is available next offseason via free agency, then KD needs to make a move on him. The Hawks currently cannot afford him through a trade, it would cost too many assets.
- Angotti

Assuming The Thrill wants a long term deal, the Hawks would only be able to offer 6 years in free agency, compared to the 8 years the Wild can offer prior to July 2026. So, if he does not intend to stay in MN, he can use his full NMC to force a trade to the team he wants. Yes, the Hawks will have to give up some real assets, but not as much as they would have to in normal course.

Despite my ongoing position that AI is the devil, I ran a few prompts to identify the cases in the last 20 years where NHL team achieved a 20 point improvement from one year to the next and identify the main reasons why.

There were 26 instances that it came up with. The top 5 reasons were explained as follows:

1. Improved Goaltending / Defensive Systems
Most common driver

Many teams that saw huge jumps (e.g., Islanders in 2018–19, Blue Jackets in 2016–17) had significantly better goals-against averages due to:
A new elite goalie (or breakout season)
Hiring a defense-first coach
Improved team defensive structure and discipline
Examples:

Islanders (2017–18 to 2018–19): went from worst in goals against to best after hiring Barry Trotz and adding goalie Robin Lehner.
Blue Jackets (2015–16 to 2016–17): Bobrovsky had a Vezina-winning season.

2. Offensive Breakouts / Young Core Maturing
A major increase in goals scored from either a maturing core, new star draft picks, or offseason additions.
Often involves multiple players posting career-high seasons or a system that opens up offensive opportunities.
Examples:

Oilers (2015–16 to 2016–17): Connor McDavid played a full season and exploded offensively.
Leafs (2015–16 to 2016–17): Auston Matthews' rookie year plus Nylander and Marner added a surge of goals.

3. Coaching Changes
New coaches frequently install more effective systems, especially in structure or pace of play.
Some also bring a cultural reset (confidence, accountability).
Examples:

Capitals (2006–07 to 2007–08): Bruce Boudreau replaced Hanlon mid-season; the team surged.
Islanders (2017–18 to 2018–19): Barry Trotz instilled elite structure.

4. Health / Injury Rebounds
A healthy roster compared to a previous injury-plagued season can yield double-digit point jumps.
This is often overlooked, but it's a huge hidden factor.
Examples:

Montreal (2015–16 to 2016–17): Carey Price was healthy after missing most of the previous season.
St. Louis (2005–06 to 2006–07): key players returned from injuries and the team stabilized.

5. Strong Offseason Additions (Free Agency or Trades)
Impactful signings or trades (especially for top-6 forwards, top-pair defensemen, or a No. 1 goalie).
These acquisitions often bring not only skill but leadership.
Examples:

Tampa Bay (2009–10 to 2010–11): added Dwayne Roloson and Simon Gagné.
Panthers (2010–11 to 2011–12): retooled half the roster and added multiple veterans.


Big IF's, but the Hawks have:

New goalie tandem of Knight/Soderblom.
New coach that supposedly stresses defense.
A bunch of kids that are poised to break out. (Bedard/Nazar/Rinzel/possibly Lev, KK, Moore) Burakovsky fully healed, etc.

It could happen...

Despite my ongoing position that AI is the devil, I ran a few prompts to identify the cases in the last 20 years where NHL team achieved a 20 point improvement from one year to the next and identify the main reasons why.

There were 26 instances that it came up with. The top 5 reasons were explained as follows:

1. Improved Goaltending / Defensive Systems
Most common driver

Many teams that saw huge jumps (e.g., Islanders in 2018–19, Blue Jackets in 2016–17) had significantly better goals-against averages due to:
A new elite goalie (or breakout season)
Hiring a defense-first coach
Improved team defensive structure and discipline
Examples:

Islanders (2017–18 to 2018–19): went from worst in goals against to best after hiring Barry Trotz and adding goalie Robin Lehner.
Blue Jackets (2015–16 to 2016–17): Bobrovsky had a Vezina-winning season.

2. Offensive Breakouts / Young Core Maturing
A major increase in goals scored from either a maturing core, new star draft picks, or offseason additions.
Often involves multiple players posting career-high seasons or a system that opens up offensive opportunities.
Examples:

Oilers (2015–16 to 2016–17): Connor McDavid played a full season and exploded offensively.
Leafs (2015–16 to 2016–17): Auston Matthews' rookie year plus Nylander and Marner added a surge of goals.

3. Coaching Changes
New coaches frequently install more effective systems, especially in structure or pace of play.
Some also bring a cultural reset (confidence, accountability).
Examples:

Capitals (2006–07 to 2007–08): Bruce Boudreau replaced Hanlon mid-season; the team surged.
Islanders (2017–18 to 2018–19): Barry Trotz instilled elite structure.

4. Health / Injury Rebounds
A healthy roster compared to a previous injury-plagued season can yield double-digit point jumps.
This is often overlooked, but it's a huge hidden factor.
Examples:

Montreal (2015–16 to 2016–17): Carey Price was healthy after missing most of the previous season.
St. Louis (2005–06 to 2006–07): key players returned from injuries and the team stabilized.

5. Strong Offseason Additions (Free Agency or Trades)
Impactful signings or trades (especially for top-6 forwards, top-pair defensemen, or a No. 1 goalie).
These acquisitions often bring not only skill but leadership.
Examples:

Tampa Bay (2009–10 to 2010–11): added Dwayne Roloson and Simon Gagné.
Panthers (2010–11 to 2011–12): retooled half the roster and added multiple veterans.


Big IF's, but the Hawks have:

New goalie tandem of Knight/Soderblom.
New coach that supposedly stresses defense.
A bunch of kids that are poised to break out. (Bedard/Nazar/Rinzel/possibly Lev, KK, Moore) Burakovsky fully healed, etc.

It could happen...
- Chunk

Chunk, What flavor kool-aid you drinking?

Chunk, What flavor kool-aid you drinking?
- boilermaker100

To improve 20 points, we have to win 10 more times and those have to be 2pt. wins, not converting a 1pt. loss.

To improve 20 points, we have to win 10 more times and those have to be 2pt. wins, not converting a 1pt. loss.
- rpeters01

While it’s a lot of rookies or “1st year guys”. if you can’t see the difference between the start of this season and what started the last I’d be happy to help with your purchase of a pair of glasses.

I don’t know if they’re ten wins better but before the season starts I don’t know that they’re not either.

To improve 20 points, we have to win 10 more times and those have to be 2pt. wins, not converting a 1pt. loss.
- rpeters01

Well no, it can be a mixture. Pushing more games to OT, winning more OT games are a factor as well. For example, taking 5 games that were OT losses and turning them to wins, is 25% of that 20 point swing.

I have looked before, but I did some digging over the last 30 seasons. When teams have consecutive bottom 5 finishes (3 in a row) they gain more than 10 points in the standings more than 50% of the time in the following season. More than 1/3rd of the time they gain 20 or more. The teams that didn't get a big jump usually just needed one more season to gain significant points in the standings.

Each situation is different of course, and the Hawks maybe only gain 12-15 points or something like that, but they should gain for sure. Young teams, when they start to get it together, tend to improve quickly. For the Hawks it will probably be about closing some of the defensive holes in the young player's game.

While it’s a lot of rookies or “1st year guys”. if you can’t see the difference between the start of this season and what started the last I’d be happy to help with your purchase of a pair of glasses.

I don’t know if they’re ten wins better but before the season starts I don’t know that they’re not either.
- HawkintheD

Just got two new pairs of glasses this past month. Not used them yet. Old glasses were more than 10 years old.

Well no, it can be a mixture. Pushing more games to OT, winning more OT games are a factor as well. For example, taking 5 games that were OT losses and turning them to wins, is 25% of that 20 point swing.

I have looked before, but I did some digging over the last 30 seasons. When teams have consecutive bottom 5 finishes (3 in a row) they gain more than 10 points in the standings more than 50% of the time in the following season. More than 1/3rd of the time they gain 20 or more. The teams that didn't get a big jump usually just needed one more season to gain significant points in the standings.

Each situation is different of course, and the Hawks maybe only gain 12-15 points or something like that, but they should gain for sure. Young teams, when they start to get it together, tend to improve quickly. For the Hawks it will probably be about closing some of the defensive holes in the young player's game.
- breadbag

I remember '68-69 and '69-70 when we went from last to first. 77-99 points. New goalie among many other new players. Tony 0 set the record for shutouts that year with 15.

I remember '68-69 and '69-70 when we went from last to first. 77-99 points. New goalie among many other new players. Tony 0 set the record for shutouts that year with 15.
- rpeters01

I remember that year!

I remember '68-69 and '69-70 when we went from last to first. 77-99 points. New goalie among many other new players. Tony 0 set the record for shutouts that year with 15.
- rpeters01

I'm just thrilled to finally be where half this roster or more will be 25 and under. It's going to be an interesting season, i know we have at least 4 top 4 defenseman, top end goalie, 2 top 6 forwards, i think Nazar will be one, it's going to be fun to see how this roster begins to fill out.

Just got two new pairs of glasses this past month. Not used them yet. Old glasses were more than 10 years old.
- rpeters01

Well…I’m off the hook for that at least.

I'm just thrilled to finally be where half this roster or more will be 25 and under. It's going to be an interesting season, i know we have at least 4 top 4 defenseman, top end goalie, 2 top 6 forwards, i think Nazar will be one, it's going to be fun to see how this roster begins to fill out.
- BetweenTheDots

Defense and goalie will all be much younger than what we started last season with. Will be interesting to see if Lev starts the season in CHI or RFD with possibly Crevier playing in a 3rd pairing role if it’s the latter.

In which case I could see Rinzel with Vlasic, Murphy with Kaiser and EDM with Crevier or maybe even Allan as I believe they had him playing his off side a bit in RFD.

I think Frankie and Bedard both have break out years but will be interesting to see other than Slaggert and maybe Dach, which (if any) other young fwds start the season in CHI.

"if you believe it, he will come"

"its not a lie if you believe it Jerry!"
- vabeachbear

Fair point I guess.

Chunk, What flavor kool-aid you drinking?
- boilermaker100

Hey man, I was bored, there is nothing else going on and I prefaced it with BIG IF and AI is the Devil. Not sure I can put any more qualifiers in there.


I don't expect them to actually be 20 pts better, but I wanted to see what the main drivers of big improvements have been in the last 20 years.

I think Bedard is going to be a monster this year. Between the new coaching staff putting in a more defined system (not cheating/paying defense to create offense/etc.), his approach to the offseason, the more active D, and I'm going to reiterate that I think Burakovsky will be a big surprise this year, I think Bedard is going to be much better.

They scored 47 more goals last year, but also gave up 6 more. Look at last year's roster vs what it is right now. I don't think anyone can say it's worse. In fact, I think between simple subtraction of the older guys like Smith, Maroon, Brodie, etc, and the addition of a few of the kids -who will have to fight for their spot - I'm not sure how you can't say it's better.

For sure there is Kool-Aid involved here, but it's not completely impossible. If the coaching staff is the real deal, it will be evident very early.

I'm just thrilled to finally be where half this roster or more will be 25 and under. It's going to be an interesting season, i know we have at least 4 top 4 defenseman, top end goalie, 2 top 6 forwards, i think Nazar will be one, it's going to be fun to see how this roster begins to fill out.
- BetweenTheDots

I'm not sure exactly what point in time was used, but I saw a post showing the Hawks as the third youngest team in the league behind BUF, and MTL (youngest). Considering you've got Foligno, D!ckinson, Mikheyev, Murphy, and Lafferty on expiring contracts, you'll probably get much younger by the time the TDL is done, and for sure younger next year.