Zach Jarom: Getting Excited about Rock Vegas

It would be nice to have some of the Rockford games televised in the Chicagoland area. Maybe the Hawks' new TV network could use Hogs games to fill in some of their programming gaps.

I'm still not convinced that Korchinski will start the season in Rockford. I think it's a possibility, but I have doubts that it will realistically happy. KK can play a reduced role if needed, in Chicago and gradually increase his ice time as he develops. If he struggles then yes, send him to Rockford. I'm just not sold that AHL time will be needed.

From last blog.

I like listing to Zawaski most times. He's such a super fan but I remember his days back on the score fondly.

The other guys most of the time I can do without. Mario is fine but Boysen can be a really bad blowhard more often than not.

I haven't listened to that episode yet but thats something they'd say. Let's move a potential top pairing guy out of Rockford so that big Arty can have the most minutes there and he can place hold on the third pairing - or something like that maybe argued?

If he plays well I think Allen gets a look at some point when one of these guys gets injured (I posted their last 4 years, all of the 4 veterans aren't playing over 50 games) but, unless Seth Jones is traded, I can't imagine the opening day 6 being anything other than:

Vlasic Jones
Korch Martinez
Kaiser Brodie\Murphy

Or if something crazy happens with the kid and Jones being swappable on the top pairing.

Vlasic Jones
Martinez Arty
Korch Brodie\Murphy
- fattybeef

Personally I think KD is playing the long game in regards to prospect development. Plus he said recently regarding the upcoming season that players have to earn the job.

If KK doesn't perform well in camp he starts in Rockford. If he earns a position good for him. He more or less got the job by default last season since there weren't many players to beat out, and the staff thought he would get better development in the bigs versus the WHL. That changes this year with his eligibility to play in the AHL, more veterans to beat out, and KD's attitude about earning your playing time.

I think Arty spends most of the year in Rockford. If KK is out of the picture, to me it's a tossup between Kaiser, DelMastro and Allan winning a roster spot, with all of the above as injury call ups at one time or another.

I’m with you Darth. If KK had not improved defensively throughout the season, then I could see a Rockford stint. The kid was much better in March vs October on the defensive side, and with the added talent to the lineup he will put up some points this year. What I saw from him was a top tier passer from the backend, hopefully this year he will be more comfortable skating the puck out as well and he continues to improve his defensive game.

I'm still not convinced that Korchinski will start the season in Rockford. I think it's a possibility, but I have doubts that it will realistically happy. KK can play a reduced role if needed, in Chicago and gradually increase his ice time as he develops. If he struggles then yes, send him to Rockford. I'm just not sold that AHL time will be needed.
- DarthKane

I'm with you there and I think my rational is that his offensive upside will trump the inexperience in his own end. The Hawks are in short supply of dmen who can effectively join the rush and push the pace with their skating.

It's not like the other young D were better than he was either.

Meh, call me Debbie downer but I need to see great NHL players, not simply NHL players. See: Boqvist, Jokiharju, Beaudoin and Cam Barker. On the otherside, Sikura, Perlini, Nylander, and omg Reichel. Until then we can only hope which is pretty much what KD is saying, they have to earn it.

I'm with you there and I think my rational is that his offensive upside will trump the inexperience in his own end. The Hawks are in short supply of dmen who can effectively join the rush and push the pace with their skating.

It's not like the other young D were better than he was either.
- breadbag

It’s not a case of what KK brings this coming season. It’s what’s best for him long term. I thought he made real strides defensively last year. But there are areas where he needs work, like puck battles, working in the corners and along the boards and boxing guys out from in front of the net. Playing in the AHL also gives him an opportunity to work on his offensive game. With the veterans now in the lineup it gives KD the freedom to ensure only the guys ready to play now are on the Hawk roster.

Meh, call me Debbie downer but I need to see great NHL players, not simply NHL players. See: Boqvist, Jokiharju, Beaudoin and Cam Barker. On the otherside, Sikura, Perlini, Nylander, and omg Reichel. Until then we can only hope which is pretty much what KD is saying, they have to earn it.
- rpeters01

They do need to earn it, but KD and the Hawks didn't set the bar "that high" for the kids to clear the vets. I mean, we got rid of Megna, Tinordi, Zaitsev and replaced them with even older guys in Brodie and Martinez. Kind of the same story up front with Maroon and Smith being added, along with Foligno returning.

5 guys all in that 34-37 year old range this season who will be very likely showing even more decline this season. With the focus starting to shift more towards winning points in the standings, the "they have to earn it" mentality will only go as far as "who gives us the best chance to win".

Hopefully they try various D combinations during training camp. One of the young defenders will click with a veteran. And that guy should open the season with the Hawks and get a fair opportunity (10 games).

That is not to say that multiple young Dmen won’t get looks throughout the season.

Signing the veteran (mentor) dmen do very little good if the young men do not get to play with them in the NHL at some point this season.

I’m with you Darth. If KK had not improved defensively throughout the season, then I could see a Rockford stint. The kid was much better in March vs October on the defensive side, and with the added talent to the lineup he will put up some points this year. What I saw from him was a top tier passer from the backend, hopefully this year he will be more comfortable skating the puck out as well and he continues to improve his defensive game.
- Angotti

The reasoning behind a Rockford demotion would be to improve the defnsive side of his game.

I envision a year of Rockford and it's players as a more heavily used shuttle from Chicago to reward, encourage, fill in during injuries, and also as a reality check (as the EdM call-up) for the large contingent sent there.

Because a kid is assigned there, spends time there, doesn't necesarily mean that by March they aren't up with the pafrent club.

I like to think of the Lightning use of the syracuse Crunch as the template; you use the AHL, and your players there to help see how their strengths will fit on the parent club, and when you need that replaced, that player gets a chance to be a NHLer.

I dunno which of the phethora of veteran adds is going to be of value to a playoff contender, but I bet there will be at least one they unload, IF the Rockford kid(s) are actually ready for prime time.

It’s not a case of what KK brings this coming season. It’s what’s best for him long term. I thought he made real strides defensively last year. But there are areas where he needs work, like puck battles, working in the corners and along the boards and boxing guys out from in front of the net. Playing in the AHL also gives him an opportunity to work on his offensive game. With the veterans now in the lineup it gives KD the freedom to ensure only the guys ready to play now are on the Hawk roster.
- paulr

I personally just don't think the vets we added on D bring much more than the ones we just let go. They had better careers but they are even older and in decline. There doesn't seem like much veteran presence blocking the young players any more this year over last.

Where I don't buy into the "he needs AHL time" theory is his usage last season. The Hawks felt he was ready and able to develop at the NHL pace (or they would have sent him to Jr) and he was a top minute D for us, 2nd in total even strength minutes played and 3rd overall on the blueline. If he had so many problem areas, he would have been benched or press boxed or given a reduced role.

To me, it was more than he could handle the minutes and continued to show improvement. There was only one other Young D who showed to be more NHL ready, and that was Vlasic.

He could be sent down to Rockford to start the year, but to me, he would have to fall flat in camp or have another young Dman really outshine him. There aren't that many holes in his game really that he must be sent to the AHL, the biggest thing for him was getting stronger and more aggressive at battling in front of the net.

I'm still not convinced that Korchinski will start the season in Rockford. I think it's a possibility, but I have doubts that it will realistically happy. KK can play a reduced role if needed, in Chicago and gradually increase his ice time as he develops. If he struggles then yes, send him to Rockford. I'm just not sold that AHL time will be needed.
- DarthKane

A lot depends upon his continued learning, and what the veterans can provide in encouragement and advice.
It will be a handle with kid gloves matter.
I am sure he knows the major league position bequeathed him last season was a gift to get him valuable developmental time as a new pro. A GIFT that has now become a logjam of competition.

The beauty of a start of an infusion of draft talent to Rockford, is the youth, energy and camaraderie with help make all their play better, and they are not there in Rockford solo, where their own upside are above the curve.

I have to wonder if KK is an IceDog, and they call up Arty for a look-see, if that adds to his resolve...

The bottom line is every NHL clubs usually wants 10 NHL-able defenseman in the cupboard so if needed, four Rockford rearguards are call ups. Who those fills are maybe less significant to us, but these are ways to showcase the development of the lesser lites Crevier & Phillips as trade pieces, until the likes of the rest of that IceHog Arty, Nolan Allen, Ethan delMastro, and eventually Sam Rinzel to fight for parent club jobs in the coming years.

I personally just don't think the vets we added on D bring much more than the ones we just let go. They had better careers but they are even older and in decline. There doesn't seem like much veteran presence blocking the young players any more this year over last.

Where I don't buy into the "he needs AHL time" theory is his usage last season. The Hawks felt he was ready and able to develop at the NHL pace (or they would have sent him to Jr) and he was a top minute D for us, 2nd in total even strength minutes played and 3rd overall on the blueline. If he had so many problem areas, he would have been benched or press boxed or given a reduced role.

To me, it was more than he could handle the minutes and continued to show improvement. There was only one other Young D who showed to be more NHL ready, and that was Vlasic.

He could be sent down to Rockford to start the year, but to me, he would have to fall flat in camp or have another young Dman really outshine him. There aren't that many holes in his game really that he must be sent to the AHL, the biggest thing for him was getting stronger and more aggressive at battling in front of the net.
- breadbag

Count me in the group that KK was playing like an NHLer the last month or so of last season.
Now, if staff says that a 7 game stint in Rockford to work on one particular aspect of his game is needed, I could buy that.

I do worry about Davidson shipping out one of the D prospects to clear the logjam. I don’t know who among our young hopefully would get shipped off, but anyone not named Philips or Crevier would take a little wind out of my sails as a fan. I have a reasonable expectation that at least two of the prospects among Kaiser, Allan, EDM will turn into solid everyday defensemen.

I do worry about Davidson shipping out one of the D prospects to clear the logjam. I don’t know who among our young hopefully would get shipped off, but anyone not named Philips or Crevier would take a little wind out of my sails as a fan. I have a reasonable expectation that at least two of the prospects among Kaiser, Allan, EDM will turn into solid everyday defensemen.
- ObeseOprah

The only young D that are not waiver exempt are Phillips/Crevier. KD is only going to trade any of the other young D is he believes he gets fair value back.

The only young D that are not waiver exempt are Phillips/Crevier. KD is only going to trade any of the other young D is he believes he gets fair value back.
- LAHawk

and Crevier and Phillips aren't bad gets for a team depth at defense in THEIR prospect pool.

Soon these to have to stay (up) or go, but I am sure they know they control their destinies. I am not going to stretch and say that there future is as high a upside as Forsling, but teams are always willing to look for reclamation projects, even grab one when that team is cutting bait on a young forward and takes a Crevier as part of the return.

I do worry about Davidson shipping out one of the D prospects to clear the logjam. I don’t know who among our young hopefully would get shipped off, but anyone not named Philips or Crevier would take a little wind out of my sails as a fan. I have a reasonable expectation that at least two of the prospects among Kaiser, Allan, EdM will turn into solid everyday defensemen.
- ObeseOprah

Yeah, and they will have more value in future deals than the two you and I are mentioned earlier....

Meh, call me Debbie downer but I need to see great NHL players, not simply NHL players. See: Boqvist, Jokiharju, Beaudoin and Cam Barker. On the otherside, Sikura, Perlini, Nylander, and omg Reichel. Until then we can only hope which is pretty much what KD is saying, they have to earn it.
- rpeters01

You're a Debbie Downer

Poles next step of the rebuild starts tomorrow, good when Hockey is back to compare both rebuilds this year.

Count me in the group that KK was playing like an NHLer the last month or so of last season.
Now, if staff says that a 7 game stint in Rockford to work on one particular aspect of his game is needed, I could buy that.
- 35Tony0

You are right, it could go that way.

It's true that he could come in and stumble in camp. He could need more time, I'm just saying I think he comes into this season more ready after getting the full season last year. Not all players need to play in the AHL when they can keep up at the NHL level and he kept up last year better than many of the other blueliners we had. He didn't look overmatched like Boqvist did for example.

RIP Bob Newheart
Didn't know he went to St Ignatius like LFS

I took my prom date to see his show at the Palmer house afterward....

It is so nice to draft early get the best player in awhile with Bedsy, and then get #2 and a chance for Arty to shine at a very high level of competency.
No matter what we are waituing for from the the other top picks, we know if they ALL flop as dominant scorers, they have enough on ice speed to cut down the opponents attacks and we are still going to have more chances in the lottery and in finding gold in the draft.
It is a process that changes as each draft class IS diiferent.
But the chances of a good pick in 2025 (even in 2026) is NOT out of the realm.
This is still a couple years in the making but this was a real spirited use of the draft to get there.
Kane and as the secondary support the luck of Kane being there, Seabrook in the #14 and Duncs in the second along with good picks all around the draft, it still came with good luck, great coaching a plenty of heart.

we have gotten the picks, but we still need the luck and the heart of the picks to lead them to Lord Stanley's Cup.

Poles next step of the rebuild starts tomorrow, good when Hockey is back to compare both rebuilds this year.
- vabeachbear

Bedard = Williams