So you're saying Reese Johnson is coming back....
- Chunk

Nevermind.

Good one Chunk, forgot about him, but i can see a 2 way contract for him, why not? As much as we pan him, he is a perfect 13th forward for the Hawks. he can take face-offs, is actually defensively responsible can penalty kill, and will "answer the bell" for his teammate. Is his offense really any different than what David Kampf is?
- LAHawk

Johnson has problems in this role. He'll stand up for teammates but he's really concussion prone it seems. He's had a few this year after altercations and last year too.

Well unless you want Foligno to be the designated face puncher, or Murphy when he is not injured, you do need a Ryan Reeves type (not necessarily a D man) to "answer" to any unnecessary roughness on Bedard. As much as fighting is not a thing in the NHL there still is a code, and there still are the Matt Rempe's, Radko Gudas's that are on major league rosters that the Hawks better have an answer for.
- LAHawk

I know what you are saying, but I think it's really debatable how much you need. You need to play tough as a team and have some guys who are willing to fight when needed, sure. The days of having guys who deter opponents from hitting your stars is gone though. Guys still stir things up, but it does so very little to actually prevent anything anymore.

I'm not saying they won't have anyone in the lineup who is willing to drop the gloves when needed, but I don't think they need to go out of their way to add more. This year we had R Johnson, Tinordi, Entwhistle, Flogino, Murphy, Vlasic, etc.. drop the gloves on at least one occasion. If they need to add to that, it's secondary compared to some of the other needs the team has. Not hard to add grit to the depth players if they decide they need to.

Johnson has problems in this role. He'll stand up for teammates but he's really concussion prone it seems. He's had a few this year after altercations and last year too.
- Popsghostly

Tinordi has concussion issues too, as do most players who role is to be the teams policeman. Even good players that fight have a lot of concussions. How many concussions has Tom Wilson had in his career?

Kaiser recalled. Seven defenseman now on the active roster.

After the TDL, a team can only make 4 non-emergency call ups. 1st Reichel and now Kaiser. Only two left. Hopefully Kaiser will stick on the roster for the remainder of the season and get some big league ice time and experience.
- boilermaker100

I saw Kaiser listed as Emergency Loan call up, so I don't think he counts.

Ethan Del Mastro 21 years old First Pro stent

56GP 7G 26A 33P +11

Alex Vlasic 21 years old

56GP 2G 17A 19P +12 First AHL stent

Vlasic is a STUD in NHL can we see EDM be a big part of #Blackhawks    future blue line ?

https://twitter.com/Rizzy...AVZsDWnxIrkUHPNkthmQ&s=19

I think if the Gods smile upon us and we get Celebrini, lose a couple of slug defensemen, we shouldn't have any problem signing a couple of good free agents.

Well unless you want Foligno to be the designated face puncher, or Murphy when he is not injured, you do need a Ryan Reeves type (not necessarily a D man) to "answer" to any unnecessary roughness on Bedard. As much as fighting is not a thing in the NHL there still is a code, and there still are the Matt Rempe's, Radko Gudas's that are on major league rosters that the Hawks better have an answer for.
- LAHawk

Eh. They had those guys on the team and he still got his jaw broke, still got sat on the last game until the wee old man had to knock the guy off. Guys are hacking and whacking him non stop.

There is zero deterrent. I know all these guys say in the interview they think it does something but it really doesn't. Unless more teams start playing to the point where the game devolves into a brawl like that NJ game that Bedard got his jaw broken and the referees are forced to do their job - who they have as an "enforcer" really doesn't matter.

Long story short - the code is BS guys are going to run Bedard and slash his hands no matter who is on the ice.

Ethan Del Mastro 21 years old First Pro stent

56GP 7G 26A 33P +11

Alex Vlasic 21 years old

56GP 2G 17A 19P +12 First AHL stent

Vlasic is a STUD in NHL can we see EDM be a big part of #Blackhawks    future blue line ?

https://twitter.com/Rizzy...AVZsDWnxIrkUHPNkthmQ&s=19
- BetweenTheDots

Oh....EDM = Ethan Del Mastro. At first I wondered what the hell does Edmonton have to do with Chicago defensemen.

Don't forget Allan, whom it seems LR likes, he was praising his physical play before the season started during prospects tourney and training camp. He may not make the jump yet, but I bet he will be in the mix. Murphy will definitely continue to fill that role too.

First and foremost though, before worrying about having enough "physical" guys on back end, they need to focus on defensive reads and having sticks in lanes, disrupting plays and defending the rush better.

Once the team starts to get actually competitive, it's not like they can't add some physical guys as depth to round things out. The trade market and UFA market will always have options to add grit.
- breadbag

At some point they'll need heavies. Toews, Hossa and Saad were never going to light anyone up but they were big guys who could wear other teams down in the corners and outstate them over 200ft.

The best shut down line the Hawks had in their glory days was the 2010 team with Bolland, Versteeg and Ladd. Other than Ladd those were two lil guys that gave Joe Thornton a nervous breakdown that year in the playoffs.

As much of a proponent I am that size "doesn't matter" in mens sports in a lot of areas - you still need some bigger guys to wear down other bigger guys. In a 7 game series there has to be a certain amount of guys that are +6ft and over 200lbs that can play 18 mins a night and grind a team down.

With Bedard as the 1C and Nazar as 2 (theoretically) I think that creates problems at some point. Less so if it's a guy like Celebrini who plays a heavier game and has the frame to play down low.

I guess it's possible if you argue that Detroit did it with Zberg and Datsyuk but they also had those bigger wieners Franzen, Holstrom and Cleary who were huge pieces of garbage. Along with probably the best defender of all time and a very good number two guy in Rafalski - but then balanced with that trash can Kronwall who would run guys on a fairly regular basis.

Either way there needs to be some balance and at some point in the next year or two - especially at forward - they'll need some guys who are a bit heavier.

Even the Avs for as fast as they were - Landeskog, Mikko, that giant Russian all big dudes and MacKinnon can play a heavy and fast game.

Ethan Del Mastro 21 years old First Pro stent

56GP 7G 26A 33P +11

Alex Vlasic 21 years old

56GP 2G 17A 19P +12 First AHL stent

Vlasic is a STUD in NHL can we see EDM be a big part of #Blackhawks    future blue line ?

https://twitter.com/Rizzy...AVZsDWnxIrkUHPNkthmQ&s=19
- BetweenTheDots

The guy has Seth Jones as a stud too. I used to play strato-matic baseball all the time.

https://x.com/RizzyNHL/st.../1747094405876461615?s=20

Ethan Del Mastro 21 years old First Pro stent

56GP 7G 26A 33P +11

Alex Vlasic 21 years old

56GP 2G 17A 19P +12 First AHL stent

Vlasic is a STUD in NHL can we see EDM be a big part of #Blackhawks    future blue line ?

https://twitter.com/Rizzy...AVZsDWnxIrkUHPNkthmQ&s=19
- BetweenTheDots

Let’s not get carried away with the accolades just yet. Vlasic is having a nice rookie season but he’s a long way from being. ‘Stud’ defenseman. There are still areas of improvement. Hopefully, one day, he will be that number one stud defenseman.

The guy has Seth Jones as a stud too. I used to play strato-matic baseball all the time.

https://x.com/RizzyNHL/st.../1747094405876461615?s=20
- LAHawk

Just enjoy that EDM is performing as well if not better than Vlasic in Rockford. Did he post Seth jones numbers in Rockford?

At some point they'll need heavies. Toews, Hossa and Saad were never going to light anyone up but they were big guys who could wear other teams down in the corners and outstate them over 200ft.

The best shut down line the Hawks had in their glory days was the 2010 team with Bolland, Versteeg and Ladd. Other than Ladd those were to lil guys that gave Joe Thornton a nervous breakdown that year in the playoffs.

As much of a proponent I am that size "doesn't matter" in mens sports in a lot of areas - you still need some bigger guys to wear down other bigger guys. In a 7 game series there has to be a certain amount of guys that are +6ft and over 200lbs that can play 18 mins a night and grind a team down.

With Bedard as the 1C and Nazar as 2 (theoretically) I think that creates problems at some point. Less so if it's a guy like Celebrini who plays a heavier game and has the frame to play down low.

I guess it's possible if you argue that Detroit did it with Zberg and Datsyuk but they also had those bigger wieners Franzen, Holstrom and Cleary who were huge pieces of garbage. Along with probably the best defender of all time and a very good number two guy in Rafalski - but then balanced with that trash can Kronwall who would run guys on a fairly regular basis.

Either way there needs to be some balance and at some point in the next year or two - especially at forward - they'll need some guys who are a bit heavier.

Even the Avs for as fast as they were - Landeskog, Mikko, that giant Russian all big dudes and MacKinnon can play a heavy and fast game.
- fattybeef

It wasn’t just Thornton who lost his mind, they, especially Bolland had that affect on everyone. Remember the Sedins

Let’s not get carried away with the accolades just yet. Vlasic is having a nice rookie season but he’s a long way from being. ‘Stud’ defenseman. There are still areas of improvement. Hopefully, one day, he will be that number one stud defenseman.
- paulr

His words not mine, but let's get carried away why not? Is it plausible that Ethan may be as good as Vlasic, looks like it. Even if Vlasic doesn't get better he's a 20 minute responsible in his own end defenseman. If that's what Ethan becomes that will just make this team better in the long run.

His words not mine, but let's get carried away why not? Is it plausible that Ethan may be as good as Vlasic, looks like it. Even if Vlasic doesn't get better he's a 20 minute responsible in his own end defenseman. If that's what Ethan becomes that will just make this team better in the long run.
- BetweenTheDots

I’m not saying Del Mastro will or won’t be better, than Vlasic I frankly have no clue? Considering how well Vlasic has played so far in his rookie season if EDM is close that will huge for Chicago. I just wouldn’t be calling Vlasic a stud …. Just yet.

At some point they'll need heavies. Toews, Hossa and Saad were never going to light anyone up but they were big guys who could wear other teams down in the corners and outstate them over 200ft.

The best shut down line the Hawks had in their glory days was the 2010 team with Bolland, Versteeg and Ladd. Other than Ladd those were to lil guys that gave Joe Thornton a nervous breakdown that year in the playoffs.

As much of a proponent I am that size "doesn't matter" in mens sports in a lot of areas - you still need some bigger guys to wear down other bigger guys. In a 7 game series there has to be a certain amount of guys that are +6ft and over 200lbs that can play 18 mins a night and grind a team down.

With Bedard as the 1C and Nazar as 2 (theoretically) I think that creates problems at some point. Less so if it's a guy like Celebrini who plays a heavier game and has the frame to play down low.

I guess it's possible if you argue that Detroit did it with Zberg and Datsyuk but they also had those bigger wieners Franzen, Holstrom and Cleary who were huge pieces of garbage. Along with probably the best defender of all time and a very good number two guy in Rafalski - but then balanced with that trash can Kronwall who would run guys on a fairly regular basis.

Either way there needs to be some balance and at some point in the next year or two - especially at forward - they'll need some guys who are a bit heavier.

Even the Avs for as fast as they were - Landeskog, Mikko, that giant Russian all big dudes and MacKinnon can play a heavy and fast game.
- fattybeef

Don't sweat it. The Hawks are drafting Lindstrom.

Don't sweat it. The Hawks are drafting Lindstrom.

- Chunk

I heard an additional scouting assessment about Lindstrom, not only is he a great skater , a skilled forward and very physical but he can also be nasty, he can fight and apparently he’s a non stop chipper as well.

I’m not saying Del Mastro will or won’t be better, than Vlasic I frankly have no clue? Considering how well Vlasic has played so far in his rookie season if EDM is close that will huge for Chicago. I just wouldn’t be calling Vlasic a stud …. Just yet.
- paulr

I agree, he's been playing really well for a kid in his first NHL season. To be a pro he needs to start stacking games and seasons.

I agree, he's been playing really well for a kid in his first NHL season. To be a pro he needs to start stacking games and seasons.
- BetweenTheDots

Where would you like to see Vlasic improve?

Just enjoy that EDM is performing as well if not better than Vlasic in Rockford. Did he post Seth jones numbers in Rockford?
- BetweenTheDots

I take issue with the Vlasic is a stud line. He is good and improving, but a stud NHL defenseman he currently is not.

That is what I hate about all these Jfresh, hockeystat etc. cards. IMO all it is is robot fandom.

Where would you like to see Vlasic improve?
- paulr

Consistency, when SJ scored their 2nd goal he kind of was in between wasnt sure what to do. Later in the game the same situation presented itself and he closed on the puck carrier quickly to kill the play. I like his passing, stick handling, positioning in the defensive zone, i would like him to work on his feet being a bit quicker and do some lower body work outs too get stronger on his bottom half so he can be even more effective along the boards and in front of the net.

Consistency, when SJ scored their 2nd goal he kind of was in between wasnt sure what to do. Later in the game the same situation presented itself and he closed on the puck carrier quickly to kill the play. I like his passing, stick handling, positioning in the defensive zone, i would like him to work on his feet being a bit quicker and do some lower body work outs too get stronger on his bottom half so he can be even more effective along the boards and in front of the net.
- BetweenTheDots

Consistency hopefully will come from experience, as will improvement. There is so much to like about Vlasic, he’s had a strong rookie season. Like you I think he needs to get stronger to win puck battles etc.. Like Korchinski I think Vlasic tends to look for a pass that isn’t there instead of trying the play himself, a thing most rookies are prone to do. I love how quickly he releases shots from the point using a wrist or snapshot if that’s the quickest way to get the puck on the net. I’d like to see him be more physical and dare I say mean around the net and during puck battles. Overall he’s shown improvement all season and that what we all want.

Consistency hopefully will come from experience, as will improvement. There is so much to like about Vlasic, he’s had a strong rookie season. Like you I think he needs to get stronger to win puck battles etc.. Like Korchinski I think Vlasic tends to look for a pass that isn’t there instead of trying the play himself, a thing most rookies are prone to do. I love how quickly he releases shots from the point using a wrist or snapshot if that’s the quickest way to get the puck on the net. I’d like to see him be more physical and dare I say mean around the net and during puck battles. Overall he’s shown improvement all season and that what we all want.
- paulr

Supposedly that is part of Del Mastro's game, I'm looking forward to seeing him maybe next year. Next season

At some point they'll need heavies. Toews, Hossa and Saad were never going to light anyone up but they were big guys who could wear other teams down in the corners and outstate them over 200ft.

The best shut down line the Hawks had in their glory days was the 2010 team with Bolland, Versteeg and Ladd. Other than Ladd those were to lil guys that gave Joe Thornton a nervous breakdown that year in the playoffs.

As much of a proponent I am that size "doesn't matter" in mens sports in a lot of areas - you still need some bigger guys to wear down other bigger guys. In a 7 game series there has to be a certain amount of guys that are +6ft and over 200lbs that can play 18 mins a night and grind a team down.

With Bedard as the 1C and Nazar as 2 (theoretically) I think that creates problems at some point. Less so if it's a guy like Celebrini who plays a heavier game and has the frame to play down low.

I guess it's possible if you argue that Detroit did it with Zberg and Datsyuk but they also had those bigger wieners Franzen, Holstrom and Cleary who were huge pieces of garbage. Along with probably the best defender of all time and a very good number two guy in Rafalski - but then balanced with that trash can Kronwall who would run guys on a fairly regular basis.

Either way there needs to be some balance and at some point in the next year or two - especially at forward - they'll need some guys who are a bit heavier.

Even the Avs for as fast as they were - Landeskog, Mikko, that giant Russian all big dudes and MacKinnon can play a heavy and fast game.
- fattybeef

I agree the Hawks will need to keep adding players that can win those board battles, maintain possession, and grind like you described. It doesn't hurt to have guys who are difficult to knock off the puck or that can get it back.

AA coming back into the lineup has helped, he has had some good shifts so far, winning pucks by being engaged. I think Jason D and Joey Anderson have decent job. Colin Blackwell has been a battler since coming back from injury. Donato has been at times.

For me, I'm not convinced on having Nazar as 2C, I think he may just end up on the wing. I do think we will need 3 solid defensively sound C. I'm not saying Bedard or Nazar can't be that in time, but I don't think it happens right away. Reichel can kind of be in that list too, they can play C, but none of them have much size/weight to their game.

Right now, we really have one solid defensively sound C and that's Jason D. Just an example looking back at our cup winning teams, we had
2010 Toews/Sharp/Bolland/Madden down the middle
2013 Toews/Handzus/Bolland/Kruger
2015 Toews/Richards/Vermette/Kruger

In 2014 when we got close, it was Toews/Handzus/Smith/Kruger/Shaw playing in the middle, and I think we were a good center short of going all the way.

I know the post wasn't all about C, but I think that will be important along with a few more of those guys that are hard on the puck. My personal feeling is that the D is starting to slowly take shape, but the C position is murky. Jason D is here for two more years, but probably isn't a long term solution past the next few seasons. Bedard if he stays at C, will be the 1C no doubt, but I really wonder about 2C and 4C in the longer term.