Zach Jarom: Quick Hits: Bedard, Reichel, Captain

First! Man, Bedard’s shot is amazing! Looking forward to the new season!

I know they talk so 'dat someone else can write the spoken,
and of this recent announcement about captaincy, Korchinski-bud in-skis, and Reichel centres the second line, the last one makes me hope different or make Reichel a staple on extra shifts, and a couple with the first powerplay group down low in the corners.


And like everybody has surmised, the consensus has KK on some long unraveling /traveling tour.

And how & how many newcomers from the system on defense?

I am guessing many.

And maybe they invited Vili Saarijärvi, the 26 yr. Finn defenseman they acquired.

Thank you, Zach, let's go Blackhawks!

I think KK would be best served by another year in Seattle and then at least a half year at Rockford. In Seattle he can learn to dominate and lead. At Rockford he can learn the Hawks defensive system (and be held accountable when he floats defensively or takes off on a rush when he should be staying home). I can really see him coming into his own in the 2025/26 season. It seems far away, but it might be well matched with the other Hawks development timeline.

I think Kaiser and Vlasic are the most NHL ready prospects (besides the obvious Reichel and Bedard).
I hope Guttman and Anderson have good showings at camp. I would like them to vie for the last roster spots. I am not too enthusiastic about R. Johnson, Entwistle, Hardman, and Blackwell.
Del Mastro and Allan will benefit from time in Rockford.
I expect a fairly steady shuttle between Rockford and Chicago this season.
I could see Zaitsev and Blackwell getting a lot of press box time this season. They are veterans and fringe NHLers on the last year of their contracts.

MMonN lNJ hn4l
- jhawk59

Noted!

I think KK would be best served by another year in Seattle and then at least a half year at Rockford. In Seattle he can learn to dominate and lead. At Rockford he can learn the Hawks defensive system (and be held accountable when he floats defensively or takes off on a rush when he should be staying home). I can really see him coming into his own in the 2025/26 season. It seems far away, but it might be well matched with the other Hawks development timeline.
- -Doh-

Not to be flippant, but I think KK will be best served by whatever the coaches deem is necessary for him. They’ve laid out what they want/need to see from him in order for him to make the NHL squad. If he shows that ability, he’ll be up. If he maintains it, he’ll stay.

I think Kaiser and Vlasic are the most NHL ready prospects (besides the obvious Reichel and Bedard).
I hope Guttman and Anderson have good showings at camp. I would like them to vie for the last roster spots. I am not too enthusiastic about R. Johnson, Entwistle, Hardman, and Blackwell.
Del Mastro and Allan will benefit from time in Rockford.
I expect a fairly steady shuttle between Rockford and Chicago this season.
I could see Zaitsev and Blackwell getting a lot of press box time this season. They are veterans and fringe NHLers on the last year of their contracts.
- -Doh-

Barring some massive improvement by Hardman, I seriously doubt he’s got much of a chance. He’s Mashinter but without the flair.

I think it will be between Blackwell and Guttman for the last forward spot. I think the rest of the guys on your list are already headed back down or out.

On D, barring injuries, I think there will be three young guys in the lineup each night. Who those three are I think will be the most interesting thing to watch in camp (and during the season).

Barring some massive improvement by Hardman, I seriously doubt he’s got much of a chance. He’s Mashinter but without the flair.

I think it will be between Blackwell and Guttman for the last forward spot. I think the rest of the guys on your list are already headed back down or out.

On D, barring injuries, I think there will be three young guys in the lineup each night. Who those three are I think will be the most interesting thing to watch in camp (and during the season).
- Chunk

I can't imagine that's an actual competition, if so, that's great for Guttman

Not to be flippant, but I think KK will be best served by whatever the coaches deem is necessary for him. They’ve laid out what they want/need to see from him in order for him to make the NHL squad. If he shows that ability, he’ll be up. If he maintains it, he’ll stay.
- Chunk

We can say that in every situation. The player will be best served by whatever the coaches deem necessary for him. Likewise the team will be best served by whatever management deems necessary for the team. But that would kill the necessity for this Blog. This is a blog of speculation, opinion and criticism of the fans.

We’ll see what Korchinski looks like in preseason. If it’s anything like last year, he’ll be cementing himself in the lineup. I honestly think he could’ve skated full time on this dumpster fire last year, but I’m glad he didn’t. Let him, Bedard, and Reichel come in together and watch the fireworks happen. Him and Kaiser can already skate circles around the plugs we have back there, it’ll look like we took the boat anchors off our D’s feet compared to what we witnessed last season.

Not that I am advocating for four rookie Dmen to play, but Montreal did it last year. Hockey News had a great article on it. They spent hours on the team flights together watching video, evaluating what went right/wrong, and are noticeably better by the end of the season than they were at the beginning. The Hawks could do something similar to develop these kids in a low pressure year. There is zero talent blocking their paths to the five roster spots available except Jones.

I think Kaiser and Vlasic are the most NHL ready prospects (besides the obvious Reichel and Bedard).
I hope Guttman and Anderson have good showings at camp. I would like them to vie for the last roster spots. I am not too enthusiastic about R. Johnson, Entwistle, Hardman, and Blackwell.
Del Mastro and Allan will benefit from time in Rockford.
I expect a fairly steady shuttle between Rockford and Chicago this season.
I could see Zaitsev and Blackwell getting a lot of press box time this season. They are veterans and fringe NHLers on the last year of their contracts.
- -Doh-

I could see Zaitsev losing playing time, but on the other side of the coin it wouldn't surprise me if plays more than last season. We could see a guy like him up his game since this is a contract year. I know the desire from fans is often to "let the kids play" but I really hope the Hawks don't go overboard and repeat the mistakes we've seen with other teams who put kids into roles they weren't ready for.

I could see Zaitsev losing playing time, but on the other side of the coin it wouldn't surprise me if plays more than last season. We could see a guy like him up his game since this is a contract year. I know the desire from fans is often to "let the kids play" but I really hope the Hawks don't go overboard and repeat the mistakes we've seen with other teams who put kids into roles they weren't ready for.
- breadbag

Agreed, I can't see three young defensemen playing at the same time unless necessitated by injuries.

I can't imagine that's an actual competition, if so, that's great for Guttman
- vabeachbear

"Competition" for the 13th forward. "Stop yourself."

I could see Zaitsev losing playing time, but on the other side of the coin it wouldn't surprise me if plays more than last season. We could see a guy like him up his game since this is a contract year. I know the desire from fans is often to "let the kids play" but I really hope the Hawks don't go overboard and repeat the mistakes we've seen with other teams who put kids into roles they weren't ready for.
- breadbag

Playing Zaitsev, flipping him at the deadline, then bring up a young guy who got top 2 or 4 mins in Rockford, for the rest of the season, is not a bad plan, and I could argue is what they should do.

"Competition" for the 13th forward. "Stop yourself."
- rpeters01

I actually think Guttman is higher than that, and will be a bit surprised if he's not.

Barring some massive improvement by Hardman, I seriously doubt he’s got much of a chance. He’s Mashinter but without the flair.

I think it will be between Blackwell and Guttman for the last forward spot. I think the rest of the guys on your list are already headed back down or out.

On D, barring injuries, I think there will be three young guys in the lineup each night. Who those three are I think will be the most interesting thing to watch in camp (and during the season).
- Chunk

I am including asterisk beside your evaluation

This is something that happens often to varying level of surprise; in sports in general and to the Blackhawks roster competition I am suggesting the dark horse only slightly foreseeable. As the upset for roster spot opening night and or during the season

On defense let us not overlook Roos and in goal Stauber

Both enjoyed some good moments or games in Chicago.

Stauber ‘s case. More like a fleeting moment of good or descent performance, then Stauber lost out in numbers game as returning from injury two NHL veterans were to merit playing time due to their NHL status.

As for Roos, his game showed he was not ready then his situation was compounded by the coach not giving him any games. Roos had to agree to play in the AHL per contractual terms. Apparently he agreed as he needed to get playing time somewhere as his status was as a greenhorn in his rookie North American debut. Roos had at least one injury while remaining in the AHL

No one apparently deemed fit to report upon his progress or any evaluation so he is today sort of a mystery man.

Both Stauber and Roos could be given an NHL opportunity while other prospects like Korchinski or Soderstrom are farmed out

Likely both Stauber and Roos would demonstrate that they need additional NHL preparation, need more developmental time. They do have some NHL experience though so like many prospects this upcoming season they will receive NHL look see - maybe even a 5-10 gp stretch to see if they can improve as they keep playing

What we have to go on/more on Roos: is KD saw in training camp a skill guy, a good player…. Like hey we recognize he looks like he can play some but he was in a numbers crunch and it is difficult to stay sharp when barely dress for any games

Not to be flippant, but I think KK will be best served by whatever the coaches deem is necessary for him. They’ve laid out what they want/need to see from him in order for him to make the NHL squad. If he shows that ability, he’ll be up. If he maintains it, he’ll stay.
- Chunk

I belive LR wants his defenseman to pin their opponent to the boards in their own end. I saw barely any of that in the showcase. So we'll see, but during the showcase i thought Korchinski was irresponsible with the puck more so on the PPs than anywhere else. I'm going to try and keep an open mind, i am leaning towards him going back to Seattle.

One thing I love about this time of year are the surprises. There are always one or two or three players that just surprise everyone with improvement. There are duds and folks that disappoint, but really enjoy seeing what comes out of left field.

I know they talk so 'dat someone else can write the spoken,
and of this recent announcement about captaincy, Korchinski-bud in-skis, and Reichel centres the second line, the last one makes me hope different or make Reichel a staple on extra shifts, and a couple with the first powerplay group down low in the corners.


And like everybody has surmised, the consensus has KK on some long unraveling /traveling tour.

And how & how many newcomers from the system on defense?

I am guessing many.

And maybe they invited Vili Saarijärvi, the 26 yr. Finn defenseman they acquired.
- wiz1901

When did they acquire him? I looked him up and he appears to be Red Wing property.

Personally I'm fond of Finnish defensemen. It's as if the ancient Viking warrior genes reemerge with those guys.

When did they acquire him? I looked him up and he appears to be Red Wing property.

Personally I'm fond of Finnish defensemen. It's as if the ancient Viking warrior genes reemerge with those guys.



- Rota's Rooter

They got him from Arizona in the Kane trade.

I actually think Guttman is higher than that, and will be a bit surprised if he's not.
- vabeachbear

I hope I'm wrong but I have zero expectations for Guttman, I think he'll be a career AHLer (which isn't a bad thing).

I hope I'm wrong but I have zero expectations for Guttman, I think he'll be a career AHLer (which isn't a bad thing).
- DarthKane

Same. Him, Buddy Robinson, they just sound like AHLers to me. Hope we’re wrong. Training camp and preseason will be over scrutinized to death, but I can’t wait for it to be hockey time. The Bears are their annual disaster and the Cubs hope isn’t very strong.

"Competition" for the 13th forward. "Stop yourself."
- rpeters01

It’s a better conversation than “when’s X gonna be traded. 😂