Zach Jarom: Three Takeaways from Game 6

Ive been saying that about Reichel before the season started, give him an assigned role and teamate like Di ckinson. I mean give the kid a consistent line which he hasn't even done in 2 games he's played.

I don't understand why Jones is paired with Vlasic now? Brodie and Vlasic were an affective pairing.

I would have Kaiser playing with Jones. I would even try Allan with Jones at times during the game.

100% for more youth in the lineup. There are more than enough vets to establish culture on and off ice.

Leave Reichel in for the majority of the rest of the year. Sink or swim.

Vlasic Kaiser Allan paired with 3 vets.

100% for more youth in the lineup. There are more than enough vets to establish culture on and off ice.

Leave Reichel in for the majority of the rest of the year. Sink or swim.

Vlasic Kaiser Allan paired with 3 vets.
- bhawks2241

Agreed, but also okay if Allan gets sent down as well, since he doesn’t need to clear waivers. If they’re in the show, play them, and maybe they can watch a game from upstairs once in a while for development purposes. Reichel should be getting 12-13 minutes a game, and if Allan stays up, he should get around 16-17 minutes. They need ice time to get the game to slow down for them, this team is not making the playoffs.

I don’t know why the Rockford dmen and the team fell badly over the weekend but a pretty good guess is that a young squad has a lot of growing do They might have thought they were so good out skating Grand Rapids but the dmen and probably the forwards to have to play defense and not find success due to skill or outskating an opponent

We really should let their highly acclaimed prospects - mainly the dmen- learn and grow so that they are more solid in their habits and effort. Unless they have been playing so well and not looking green at all, a couple of ten or 20 game segments minimum before they even get a cup of coffee.

If another dman is recalled i wouldn’t give arty a look until maybe end of the season. KK no recall until maybe end of season insofar as just hopefully he starts and continues playing the right way. Play smart, make good decisions. If a dman is recalled due to injuries let it be DelMastro or Crevier because they have an idea albeit not much experience - nonetheless they have been in the show and understand somewhat how to play at the NHL level. They might slide by but right now the prospects at Rockford are a mess Perhaps not Nazar but the others- bad

I don’t know why the Rockford dmen and the team fell badly over the weekend but a pretty good guess is that a young squad has a lot of growing do They might have thought they were so good out skating Grand Rapids but the dmen and probably the forwards to have to play defense and not find success due to skill or outskating an opponent

We really should let their highly acclaimed prospects - mainly the dmen- learn and grow so that they are more solid in their habits and effort. Unless they have been playing so well and not looking green at all, a couple of ten or 20 game segments minimum before they even get a cup of coffee.

If another dman is recalled i wouldn’t give arty a look until maybe end of the season. KK no recall until maybe end of season insofar as just hopefully he starts and continues playing the right way. Play smart, make good decisions. If a dman is recalled due to injuries let it be DelMastro or Crevier because they have an idea albeit not much experience - nonetheless they have been in the show and understand somewhat how to play at the NHL level. They might slide by but right now the prospects at Rockford are a mess Perhaps not Nazar but the others- bad
- jhawk59

As you alluded to, it's likely because they are young and still trying to figure out what/who they are. Not completely unlike the Hawks. There are more vets, so they play more disciplined, but still there are a ton of new parts that need some time to figure out the best fit.

I don't think Arty is going to be anywhere near the big club this year unless it's for the last couple of games in the season. Unless he completely blows everyone away, AND there is an injury that necessitates it, I think he stays down. It's really frustrating they tried to play it off as "not that concerned" when it happened, and now he's been out for several weeks. Maybe they just didn't know what the extent of the injury was, but why not say "we'll wait and see"?

Re: Reichel. It's great that he's looked better since being re-inserted into the lineup. I agree that his skill set isn't exactly well suited to L4, but maybe just give him some more run on that line (as long as there is some consistency of linemates) and give that line more minutes?

If he's finding success in a situation, I'd first want to see him continue that success for a longer period of time (considering consistency has been his biggest issue). Then they can move him up to see if he can replicate among the top two lines.

Re: Reichel. It's great that he's looked better since being re-inserted into the lineup. I agree that his skill set isn't exactly well suited to L4, but maybe just give him some more run on that line (as long as there is some consistency of linemates) and give that line more minutes?

If he's finding success in a situation, I'd first want to see him continue that success for a longer period of time (considering consistency has been his biggest issue). Then they can move him up to see if he can replicate among the top two lines.
- Chunk

They've tried everything they could with Reichel except letting him sit for a bunch of games in a row as an NHL healthy scratch, until now. He finally got in 2 games ago and both games the kid was engaged, nose over the puck, feet moving. ..... Is it cuz he sat 5 straight games?

I think so....... Agree with you 100% Chunk but I'd go a bit farther. Consistency seems to be the only thing keeping him from being an everyday NHLer in some capacity. He showed consistency the last 2 games after sitting 5. The next game he disappears I'd sit him again for 5 games and continue in that way until he's consistent enough that a low effort game is an anomaly.

They've tried everything they could with Reichel except letting him sit for a bunch of games in a row as an NHL healthy scratch, until now. He finally got in 2 games ago and both games the kid was engaged, nose over the puck, feet moving. ..... Is it cuz he sat 5 straight games?

I think so....... Agree with you 100% Chunk but I'd go a bit farther. Consistency seems to be the only thing keeping him from being an everyday NHLer in some capacity. He showed consistency the last 2 games after sitting 5. The next game he disappears I'd sit him again for 5 games and continue in that way until he's consistent enough that a low effort game is an anomaly.
- Mr Ricochet

Seems Reichel only has chemistry with AA, going back 2 years ago. That is a problem because AA is only going to play when there are injuries, or to give someone a night off.

Also who is he going to replace on the tpp 6, Foligno? A line of Bedard, Reichel, TT might show some flashes of brilliance once they have the puck on their stick when moving, but without a puck retirever, or better passing from the defense, that will be few and far between.

They've tried everything they could with Reichel except letting him sit for a bunch of games in a row as an NHL healthy scratch, until now. He finally got in 2 games ago and both games the kid was engaged, nose over the puck, feet moving. ..... Is it cuz he sat 5 straight games?

I think so....... Agree with you 100% Chunk but I'd go a bit farther. Consistency seems to be the only thing keeping him from being an everyday NHLer in some capacity. He showed consistency the last 2 games after sitting 5. The next game he disappears I'd sit him again for 5 games and continue in that way until he's consistent enough that a low effort game is an anomaly.
- Mr Ricochet

Eh, that's kind of a tightrope to walk. If you want to bring out the best in him, you don't want him scared that any mistake he makes will take him out of the lineup. I guess it depends on what you mean by "disappears". I don't think Reichel's issue has ever been low effort. I think it's more indecision and not being sure of what his role is, then trying to do too much. They have him trending in the right direction (ok 2 games is not exactly a trend). I'd say just try to foster that into more TOI and ultimately a promotion. Then again, I'm not a coach/scout/GM and barely play one on a message board.

Seems Reichel only has chemistry with AA, going back 2 years ago. That is a problem because AA is only going to play when there are injuries, or to give someone a night off.

Also who is he going to replace on the tpp 6, Foligno? A line of Bedard, Reichel, TT might show some flashes of brilliance once they have the puck on their stick when moving, but without a puck retirever, or better passing from the defense, that will be few and far between.
- LAHawk

Just spitballing, but if they were to entertain a line shuffle, I'd bump Hall up to L1 and put Reichel on L2 Foligno to L3 and L4 could be the grab bag it normally is.

At this point, just waiting on the call from CBUS to take AA...

Seems Reichel only has chemistry with AA, going back 2 years ago. That is a problem because AA is only going to play when there are injuries, or to give someone a night off.

Also who is he going to replace on the tpp 6, Foligno? A line of Bedard, Reichel, TT might show some flashes of brilliance once they have the puck on their stick when moving, but without a puck retirever, or better passing from the defense, that will be few and far between.
- LAHawk

Easy Taylor Hall, there's a reason he was playing on the 3rd line in Boston.

Eh, that's kind of a tightrope to walk. If you want to bring out the best in him, you don't want him scared that any mistake he makes will take him out of the lineup. I guess it depends on what you mean by "disappears". I don't think Reichel's issue has ever been low effort. I think it's more indecision and not being sure of what his role is, then trying to do too much. They have him trending in the right direction (ok 2 games is not exactly a trend). I'd say just try to foster that into more TOI and ultimately a promotion. Then again, I'm not a coach/scout/GM and barely play one on a message board.
- Chunk

I think like many young players a lot of it has been confidence and trying to play without being in his own head. Last year was his first nearly full NHL season at age 21 and he stumbled, which isn't that uncommon. He just needs to keep working hard, listening to the coaches and making the most of his opportunities while he has them. The Hawks have some runway with him still to get him sorted.

Easy Taylor Hall, there's a reason he was playing on the 3rd line in Boston.
- BetweenTheDots

It's because Boston had a really deep group more than Taylor Hall is bad. He was absolutely one of the best players they had in the playoffs that season for a reason.

Easy Taylor Hall, there's a reason he was playing on the 3rd line in Boston.
- BetweenTheDots

Same reason that Foligno was a 4th liner on that team, Marchand and deBrusk were on lines 1 and 2 ?

It's because Boston had a really deep group more than Taylor Hall is bad. He was absolutely one of the best players they had in the playoffs that season for a reason.
- breadbag

Well during the regular season he wasn't. He's at that magic age of decline and it's showing to me. When he came here before the injury i thought that.

The argument about his injury, all i have to say is if it is affecting him why is KD giving him so many minutes?

Same reason that Foligno was a 4th liner on that team, Marchand and deBrusk were on lines 1 and 2 ?
- LAHawk

Yea but Foligno is an effective hockey player.

Our 2nd line has 4 total points and i believe Bertuzzis came on the PP. They are like a minus 15? So why are we keeping this line the same?

Well during the regular season he wasn't. He's at that magic age of decline and it's showing to me. When he came here before the injury i thought that.

The argument about his injury, all i have to say is if it is affecting him why is KD giving him so many minutes?
- BetweenTheDots

You mean LR?

Just spitballing, but if they were to entertain a line shuffle, I'd bump Hall up to L1 and put Reichel on L2 Foligno to L3 and L4 could be the grab bag it normally is.

At this point, just waiting on the call from CBUS to take AA...
- Chunk

While I like the idea of replacing Foligno on the first line with a capable forward like Hall, where does that leave the second line? Kurashev, Bertuzzi, and Reichel? That’s not going to cut it, and it’s the biggest reason they are who they are, just not enough talent at this time to dress a good second line. Bertuzzi is not a strong skater, yes he pots 20 goals a year, but really surprised that KD signed a forward to a four year contract that has skating deficiencies. I love the TT and Martinez signings, not a fan of the Brodie and Bertuzzi signings. Until they come up with a good second line center, the other team is going to throw everything at the Bedard line, including the kitchen sink.

You mean LR?
- Chunk

That is what i meant. No There's no hidden meaning there.

I don't know it just seems like some have to earn playing time and some don't.

Re: Reichel. It's great that he's looked better since being re-inserted into the lineup. I agree that his skill set isn't exactly well suited to L4, but maybe just give him some more run on that line (as long as there is some consistency of linemates) and give that line more minutes?

If he's finding success in a situation, I'd first want to see him continue that success for a longer period of time (considering consistency has been his biggest issue). Then they can move him up to see if he can replicate among the top two lines.
- Chunk

Alex Nylander was good on the L3 and L4 lines. As soon as you moved him up, not so good.

Our 2nd line has 4 total points and i believe Bertuzzis came on the PP. They are like a minus 15? So why are we keeping this line the same?
- BetweenTheDots

Does that mean he should sit Vlasic because he is tied for a team worst -3 among D-men?

If anything, I'd say sub Reichel for Kurashev. What's he done since being away from Bedard? You could make the argument he's the same as Reichel, but costs more.

I'm mildly kidding here. The second line has been generating a lot of chances. They need a few to go in and thing will equalize. If they just go changing all the lines after a couple games because one isn't producing points, there will be very little consistency and you will end up at the exact same place you are now.

Eh, that's kind of a tightrope to walk. If you want to bring out the best in him, you don't want him scared that any mistake he makes will take him out of the lineup. I guess it depends on what you mean by "disappears". I don't think Reichel's issue has ever been low effort. I think it's more indecision and not being sure of what his role is, then trying to do too much. They have him trending in the right direction (ok 2 games is not exactly a trend). I'd say just try to foster that into more TOI and ultimately a promotion. Then again, I'm not a coach/scout/GM and barely play one on a message board.
- Chunk

I vehemently disagree. Again, and simply said, a Reichel with his nose over the puck is an NHLer. A Reichel without his nose over the puck is not. No stick waving, no reaching. When he moves his feet and doesn't do those things he wins pucks, disrupts with his plus speed/explosion and becomes dangerous in all 3 zones.

Mistakes are fine, in fact welcomed, as long as those mistakes happen while his feet are moving.

Move your feet, linemates or where he's slotted does not matter, move your feet, engage, do not observe and his talent will be unlocked. Don't move your feet (disappear) and you'll sit 5 games. ........ I love the results of his last 2 games. Only correlation I can find for that is he sat the previous 5 games.

You disagree? If so, what haven't they tried with Riechel besides making him a 5 game NHL healthy scratch?