A bit off topic, but have you guys watched the Dach mic’d up video? Kid is hilarious, slightly goofy (in a really good way), super encouraging to the rest of the kids, and has a fun personality (judging from that 60 seconds anyway ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )

I dubbed him Captain Not So Serious. And, so far I really like him. "Good work, FELL-ELL-AS!"

https://twitter.com/nhlbl.../1151217899060809729?s=21
- Marlowe

Great to see these kid's personalities at these camps. Dach sleeps, eats and breathes hockey... but looks like he's got a goofy side as well, like you said Marlowe.

Love the Hawks fans passion . Over 800 comments last blog for the trade of a player everyone knew was coming. AA was ok but the 4.55 m cap hit had to go . I was not a fan of some of the moves Stan has made so far. I'm liking the moves better now. I have to hand it to him he said he was going to make changes and he has. In the end I believe the Hawks are better now then they were at the end of last year.
Everyone seems so worried about the 3 c spot but IMHO it's will either be Dach or Shaw .

Idk if this was posted, but Blackhawks development camp notebook: Ian Mitchell reiterates loyalty to Denver.

I still have my Alexei Zhamnov autographed jersey hanging in my closet.
- Brownie's_Purse

Worst trade Chicago made sending Roenick to Winnipeg for Alexei .

Or belfour to San Jose for Ulf dahlen

Too many syllables in his last name.

Stan Bowman is trying to construct a team with a maximum of 2 syllables in their last name. Reduced cost on nameplates on the sweaters.
- Rota's Rooter

... and for whatever reason, most times when I'm editing my blogs... I spelled his name incorrectly.

I won't miss that.

Know I’m in the minority with this, but I like the trade. Glad to see AA move on and think everyone will like Smith once they watch him play. Smith and Shaw on the checking line with Kubalik would be tough yo play against, although I haven’t actually seen Kuba play yet.
My bottom 6:
Kubalik/Smith/Shaw
Caggs/Carpenter/Kampf
- Assman22

That could be the bottom 6 for sure. Caggiula another one of those guys that can slide up and down the lineup. He has played essentially 3rd line type minutes, but JC also seemed to really like slotting him with Toews/Kane. I would not be surprised if he finds himself back as a forechecking force with 19/88.

i.e.

Caggiula - Toews - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Perlini
Saad - Smith - Shaw
Kubalik/Kampf/Carpenter/Sikura

There are a number of wildcards on the roster and 1LW/2RW seem to be areas where the Hawks might mix and match IMO.

Of course you know that Perlini is unwilling to do anything to improve himself.

What's he doing right now - laying in bed eating a bag of Fritos?
- RickJ

Idk if this was posted, but Blackhawks development camp notebook: Ian Mitchell reiterates loyalty to Denver.
- SoftServe

I think this is a good thing and Mitchell seems to be a (young) man of his word. Mitchell made the commitment to Denver and he's not backing down. He also committed to signing with Chicago after this current season. It's not as if Mitchell would have been playing the NHL this season so I think this is a good path for him.

Worst trade Chicago made sending Roenick to Winnipeg for Alexei .

Or belfour to San Jose for Ulf dahlen
- Taylorst1

I think most would consider the Esposito trade to Boston as a far worse trade made by the 'Hawks.

Esposito, Hodge, Stanfield for Martin, Marotte, Norris.

Arguably the worst hockey trade ever.

Worst trade Chicago made sending Roenick to Winnipeg for Alexei .

Or belfour to San Jose for Ulf dahlen
- Taylorst1

This one was worse. At least the Hawks got a serviceable centre in Zhamnov. Dahlen, Terreri and Sykora didn't do much for the Hawks.

Worst trade Chicago made sending Roenick to Winnipeg for Alexei .

Or belfour to San Jose for Ulf dahlen
- Taylorst1

No! The worst trade the Hawks ever made was Trading away Phil Esposito.

I think this is a good thing and Mitchell seems to be a (young) man of his word. Mitchell made the commitment to Denver and he's not backing down. He also committed to signing with Chicago after this current season. It's not as if Mitchell would have been playing the NHL this season so I think this is a good path for him.
- DarthKane

Yep, the Hawks didn't really have a spot for him. Probably gonna have a real shot to make the team next year.

I posted these pretty late the past two nights after 10pm Pacific Standard Time so most of you were asleep so in case you missed them, here are a few Day 1 camp notes gathered across different sources:

- Soderlund is having visa issues so not at camp yet.
- Gravel is not medically cleared to play but is present at camp.
- Wise is skating but not doing drills; still rehabbing from shoulder surgery but says he will be ready for training camp.
- Nordgren and Foo participated off ice.
- Kunitz sat with management in the press box so thoughts are he may be earning a role within those ranks (or already has).

Keeping in mind the limited sample size of just a handful of drill videos so please take with a couple barges of salt, here are some personal observations from Day 1 camp:

- Dach and Entwistle both have that deceivingly awkward yet fluid skating stride of a tall, lanky right-handed shooter.
- Wise is moving well with speed.
- Hakkarainen is a pretty fluid skater; good on his pivots, edges, and reverses.
- Slavin skates well for a big body prospect; also very industrious on the forecheck or backcheck using his frame to his advantage.
- Krys and Beaudin are both excellent skaters making it look effortless; both also have active sticks and agile skating to shadow the opponent stride for stride taking away options.
- Mitchell looks fluid in his skating as well; good puck control and poise.
- Vlasic uses his long reach and tall body well defending in successive forechecks by Dach, Johnson, and Nylander; does not seem to skate with an awkward lankiness.
- Ess and Shea had decent skating; not stellar but not horrible either.
- Moberg really needs to work on his skating; lumbering and awkward in his pivots and edge work.

And a few Day 2 prospect camp observations:

- Dach is really strong on his skates and can make plays with someone else draped on him. He won't be hulking like Byfuglien dragging around half the other team around him but he's showing he can be dominant driving to and parking in the crease. Overall a very good skater with tight pivots and edges.
- Someone else noticed this in an earlier post but Nylander's compete level on defense is lacking as he coasts and gives up on plays.
- In a 2-on-2 drill where Nylander and Hagel were linemates, Nylander's drive to obtain the puck was noticably less than Hagel's who engaged in board battles and played aggressive to get the puck back.
- The D-men participated in a drill where they took shots from one far side of the blueline then walked the line to take a shot from the other side. Beaudin's skating was silky smooth while Vlasic's was more utilitarian (not ugly but not graceful or effortless either).
- Boqvist on defense lets guys get behind him and can sometimes miss assignments. If he's going to show any semblance of defensive awareness, these aspects of defending need to improve dramatically at the pro level.
- Gravel sat out Day 1 due to not being medically cleared but participated in Day 2. Not sure what the medical reason yesterday and/or leading in to camp.

I think you may be overthinking the trade. Are there better guys in the league to mentor Dach than Toews and Seabrook and even Patrick Kane (imagine saying that 7 years ago)? A mentor doesn't have to come from the same Province or state or country, so long as they can communicate. I believe the only reason for the trade was $1.3M is cap savings.
- paulr

I sobered up and had a thought. No big deal. Certainly agree that the cap was what triggered the trade.

The Rink's takeaways from prospect camp on Day 1 and Day 2:

https://www.the-rink.com/...t-camp-day-one-takeaways/

https://www.the-rink.com/...t-camp-day-two-takeaways/

One of the Day 2 takeaways: "Chad Krys put on a decent shooting display that get a number of 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the crowd at the Fifth Third Ice Arena as well."

With his supreme skating, pinpoint passing, and creative shooting, Krys could develop into a more defensively responsible version of Gustafsson. Not necessarily 60-point level but 40-point range with the same dynamism as a puck mover with a wicked shot.

Wasnt Smith waived last year....with no takers?

And now hes the 3rd line C?

He should be battling New Q for the 13th F spot at best

Whether there are naysayers here on the board, I think that these moves were ALL made to help change culture, have short contract returns in trades, and this deal along with the others, is setting an enviroment where ANY draftee walks in gets a room full of help to each their goals of being SOLID all around players and attackers.
And despite the need the zack smith imo only points towards AA not fitting part of that, my friend Steven who did along time skated with one Dineen commented that when AA had Saad subtracted from his line last yr when they tried midgame shake ups, that Anisimov really didn’t like his replacements for what ever we can read into the comment.
My first response was they have seen enough of Kirby Dach to indicate he may not be rushed in playing soon.g
Is this team a contender ? I think not, but more aligned to further addition inside the system tweaks , yeah that.
But IF the kids do come on THAT REALLY COULD CHANGE THINGS
- wiz1901

Maybe that was a consideration, Wiz. But I'm reserving an opinion on the trade until I see some games. I had respect for most aspects of AA's game. The season is a few months away, but as I type the hawks appear weaker down the middle. And that's never long term good. We'll see

There are a lot of forwards that will need to fight for a roster spot and playing time in training camp. Smith, Caggiula, Carpenter, Kampf, Perlini, Kubalik, Dach, Wedin, Sikura, Nylander, Quennville. Not too mention a possible training camp surprise star like Kurashev, Entwistle, Highmore. I am wondering if they package one of these extra forwards, a prospect, and a pick for a true 3C. Would they risk moving Saad/Murphy in a package for a true 3C? If they are taking salary back they are the only options (considering Seab’s contract unmovable).

No matter what Rockford should have the most talent they have ever had up and down the lineup.

I think most would consider the Esposito trade to Boston as a far worse trade made by the 'Hawks.

Esposito, Hodge, Stanfield for Martin, Marotte, Norris.

Arguably the worst hockey trade ever.
- Schlep

The Hasek trade was up there too. Even worse in hindsight.

Think Smith doesn't make it pass season one with Hawks..he's a cheap buyout(tad over $1M) after this season.
- Beaver-Warrior

either a buyout, a waiver, a trade...he will have a year left after this season...he is moveable and the hawks will not be able to afford him...

There are a lot of forwards that will need to fight for a roster spot and playing time in training camp. Smith, Caggiula, Carpenter, Kampf, Perlini, Kubalik, Dach, Wedin, Sikura, Nylander, Quennville. Not too mention a possible training camp surprise star like Kurashev, Entwistle, Highmore. I am wondering if they package one of these extra forwards, a prospect, and a pick for a true 3C. Would they risk moving Saad/Murphy in a package for a true 3C? If they are taking salary back they are the only options (considering Seab’s contract unmovable).

No matter what Rockford should have the most talent they have ever had up and down the lineup.
- -Doh-

the hawks have assets and not just salary dump bad contract...camp will be the most entertaining and interesting in years...

either a buyout, a waiver, a trade...he will have a year left after this season...he is moveable and the hawks will not be able to afford him...
- bogiedoc

He was waived last year and no one picked him up for nothing....why would he be moveable next year?

The Hasek trade was up there too. Even worse in hindsight.
- Jance

Hasek did not stand out when he was here like the other guys did. He also was a head case in the room so that contributed.

The Rink's takeaways from prospect camp on Day 1 and Day 2:

https://www.the-rink.com/...t-camp-day-one-takeaways/

https://www.the-rink.com/...t-camp-day-two-takeaways/

One of the Day 2 takeaways: "Chad Krys put on a decent shooting display that get a number of 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the crowd at the Fifth Third Ice Arena as well."

With his supreme skating, pinpoint passing, and creative shooting, Krys could develop into a more defensively responsible version of Gustafsson. Not necessarily 60-point level but 40-point range with the same dynamism as a puck mover with a wicked shot.
- AEL_Fox

Krys has been somewhat of the forgotten defensive prospect behind Boqvist, Mitchell and Beaudin. It would be funny (and great) if Krys somehow emerged as the best D prospect of the bunch.