Strome is performing, for a #3 center.
- Tee56

That's true he only set up 3 guys with excellent scoring chances, Kubs, Kurashev and Cat what a bum

Th Hawks have placed Seeler on unconditional waivers.
- DarthKane

Music to my ears.

This is a family site! You’re disgusting!
- paulr

Sorry. I felt I was being besmirched.

I thought the team was much better last night .Zadorov hit on Coleman was great Coleman was running our goalie and that 3rd goal was interference . I like to see Hagel get a shot not sure who comes out for that .Boqvist has been rushed and maybe could use a break give Beaudin a shot . If the HAWKS continue to improve at this rate the playoffs are a cinch
- oldduffman

Not that Carpenter has played poorly but I’d rather see Hagel at this point as well. Patience I suppose.

I have a feeling we will. The Hawks already our playing 3 rooks in Mitchell, Suter and Kurashev to go with 2nd year players like Highmore, Boqvist and Kubalik.

I think the Hawks are close to being a contender again. All they need to do is improve they offense, defense, goaltending, power play, penalty kill, 5 on 5 play, and coaching then they’ll be right there with the Lightning.
- DarthKane

I thought Tyler Johnson was waived for cap reasons?

Music to my ears.
- BetweenTheDots

Does that mean he thinks he can find a team worse than Chicago where he can play in the NHL?

That's true he only set up 3 guys with excellent scoring chances, Kubs, Kurashev and Cat what a bum
- BetweenTheDots

Strome is not a #1 or #2 Center on a good team. Might have been so in the 80's, before skating became so important.

He's also not a Bottom Six center. Because of his poor skating, he's not good at defending.

So, he's a placeholder until the Hawks are good again. Maybe they'll get a pick for him at some point.

I think the Hawks are close to being a contender again. All they need to do is improve they offense, defense, goaltending, power play, penalty kill, 5 on 5 play, and coaching then they’ll be right there with the Lightning.
- DarthKane

Most realistic assessment I have heard so far!

Not that Carpenter has played poorly but I’d rather see Hagel at this point as well. Patience I suppose.

I have a feeling we will. The Hawks already our playing 3 rooks in Mitchell, Suter and Kurashev to go with 2nd year players like Highmore, Boqvist and Kubalik.
- HawkintheD

I wouldn't mind seeing Hagel in for Janmark who hasn't been very noticeable to me (not horrendous but he's just been kind of meh). Wallmark has made an impact and so has Carpenter.

Adding in another rookie isn't the worst thing as all of the current ones in Mitchell, Suter, and Kurashev have acquitted themselves pretty well in the young season. I can live with rookie mistakes as long as they inject hustle and skill.

That's true he only set up 3 guys with excellent scoring chances, Kubs, Kurashev and Cat what a bum
- BetweenTheDots

I agree, Strome may have a list of things to work on still to solidify himself as a long-term top 6 center option for the Hawks but he hasn't been a problem thus far. His play has been rather respectable.

I wouldn't mind seeing Hagel in for Janmark who hasn't been very noticeable to me (not horrendous but he's just been kind of meh). Wallmark has made an impact and so has Carpenter.

Adding in another rookie isn't the worst thing as all of the current ones in Mitchell, Suter, and Kurashev have acquitted themselves pretty well in the young season. I can live with rookie mistakes as long as they inject hustle and skill.
- Theo Fox

Good call Theo. He's been so invisible I forgot he was even on the team.

Strome is not a #1 or #2 Center on a good team. Might have been so in the 80's, before skating became so important.

He's also not a Bottom Six center. Because of his poor skating, he's not good at defending.

So, he's a placeholder until the Hawks are good again. Maybe they'll get a pick for him at some point.
- mohel[

Hopefully

I wouldn't mind seeing Hagel in for Janmark who hasn't been very noticeable to me (not horrendous but he's just been kind of meh). Wallmark has made an impact and so has Carpenter.

Adding in another rookie isn't the worst thing as all of the current ones in Mitchell, Suter, and Kurashev have acquitted themselves pretty well in the young season. I can live with rookie mistakes as long as they inject hustle and skill.
- Theo Fox

Thoughts on why Hagel was in the doghouse from day 1, Theo?

I haven’t been able to figure it out. He wasn’t given a shot on a “real line” once.

All I heard Colliton say was something like Hagel hasn’t been on the ice much since December. So maybe a minor injury?

But that doesn’t even seem to add up.

I’m just confused because I know you like his skill set - as do I - and think the Hawks need more Highmores and Hagels out there.

Good call Theo. He's been so invisible I forgot he was even on the team.
- HawkintheD

I fully believe Janmark was signed to be flipped at the deadline, nothing more. He’ll land a solid 3rd round pick, or C-level prospect.

Good call Theo. He's been so invisible I forgot he was even on the team.
- HawkintheD

I agree as well, Hagel in for Janmark, and Pirri needs to go with Seeler. Wallmark has looked okay in a bottom six role, he’s younger as well so may be worth keeping around.

Good call Theo. He's been so invisible I forgot he was even on the team.
- HawkintheD

Suprisingly, though, Janmark had the most TOI amongst forwards. Guessing that's a combination of ES plus the fact that he plays both special teams.

I agree, Strome may have a list of things to work on still to solidify himself as a long-term top 6 center option for the Hawks but he hasn't been a problem thus far. His play has been rather respectable.
- Theo Fox

Common Theo he is so overmatched out there, who wants a guy who's been winning over 50% of his faceoffs, can generate offense, seems to have a decent hockey IQ unlike Murphy, even though he was standing in front of the net tried to hustle back to get to the open player that Kane quit on? Worthless

Thoughts on why Hagel was in the doghouse from day 1, Theo?

I haven’t been able to figure it out. He wasn’t given a shot on a “real line” once.

All I heard Colliton say was something like Hagel hasn’t been on the ice much since December. So maybe a minor injury?

But that doesn’t even seem to add up.

I’m just confused because I know you like his skill set - as do I - and think the Hawks need more Highmores and Hagels out there.
- Tyler Cameron

Yeah, not sure why and Colliton's comments about Hagel not skating seemed odd to me.

Hagel was one of the few prospects to be loaned to Europe and he played 14 games not to mention however many practices.

Then when the NHL season was affirmed, he either flew back home then to Chicago or just straight to Chicago.

Either way, you would think he had the ability to at least skate a few times after quarantining.

Common Theo he is so overmatched out there, who wants a guy who's been winning over 50% of his faceoffs, can generate offense, seems to have a decent hockey IQ unlike Murphy, even though he was standing in front of the net tried to hustle back to get to the open player that Kane quit on? Worthless
- BetweenTheDots

- Theo Fox

Hey Theo you hear anything on Reichel?

Two games in there have been some negatives I could point out but I will focus on what I like so far instead:

* Mitchell is a keeper. Love his skating, decision making and first pass. I think he takes over PP1 by end of year.

* Suter belongs. He’s got NHL skill and it will be fun to see him grow this year.

* Zadorov has something to him. I’m not a fan of how he coasts into the corners and tries to use his size vs getting to the pick quicker. He’s a little scrambly and has made some questionable plays but I think there’s something there. If he works with the coaching staff and watches Keith all year they may have something unique in him.

* Delia needs some work on his puck handling (duh) but overall I like his composure. He’s more sound and I feel better with him than Subban but it will be fun to watch that battle play out.

* Lankinen - and then there is the 3rd and forgotten goaler. I know he hasn’t played yet but I’m excited to see what the Hawks have in him. Some think he’s going to be the best out of all 3.

* Wallmark - he looks like a perfect no 3 C. He’s got more offended then many thought and he’s great defensively. Watch his decision making. It’s very evident his hockey IQ is through the roof. I would like to keep him. He may end up making Strome expendable when Dach and Toews come back.

* Kurashev - he’s another on that could make Strome expendable eventually. Colliton said they still see him as a C and so do I. He looked solid and I liked that he went to the right areas like Theo mentioned in the blog.

—

That’s all I got for now. Excited to see how this team looks against non-Tampa opponent.

Stay safe y’all.

Hey Theo you hear anything on Reichel?
- BetweenTheDots

Reichel has been playing but I haven't seen much footage besides a few highlight clips. His stat line shows a goal and assist in 6 games.

He reminds me of Kurashev: knows how to be effective up and down the ice, makes smart plays, not electrifying skill but still impactful, willing to go to the tough areas.

Also, Reichel has been playing center as much as wing so that's good to see him get that experience and versatility.

Given the absence of Toews and Dach, the roster is what it is. There is no "number one center" or "number one line". The best the Hawks can do is put together two number two lines. Strome is not bad but not number one center. Last nights line up was decent ... two number two lines, pretty solid third and our usual fourth line. Suter and Kurashev just need to play and grow. In the long run, they will be alright. Wallmark and Janmark were good on the penalty kill

After 2 games

Zadorov kinda sucks.

Janmark is what I thought he would be. Useless

Wallmark is okay-ish.

Suter is adjusting.

Delia > Subban

Shaw still plays all out.

Boqvist is playing with no confidence but let's not forget he is essentially a rookie.

Strome is still slow AF but can pass for sure.

Dinky is working his ass off out.

None of us have any idea who is suppose to do what in JC's system. Sadly, neither do the players.

Two games in there have been some negatives I could point out but I will focus on what I like so far instead:

* Mitchell is a keeper. Love his skating, decision making and first pass. I think he takes over PP1 by end of year.

* Suter belongs. He’s got NHL skill and it will be fun to see him grow this year.

* Zadorov has something to him. I’m not a fan of how he coasts into the corners and tries to use his size vs getting to the pick quicker. He’s a little scrambly and has made some questionable plays but I think there’s something there. If he works with the coaching staff and watches Keith all year they may have something unique in him.

* Delia needs some work on his puck handling (duh) but overall I like his composure. He’s more sound and I feel better with him than Subban but it will be fun to watch that battle play out.

* Lankinen - and then there is the 3rd and forgotten goaler. I know he hasn’t played yet but I’m excited to see what the Hawks have in him. Some think he’s going to be the best out of all 3.

* Wallmark - he looks like a perfect no 3 C. He’s got more offended then many thought and he’s great defensively. Watch his decision making. It’s very evident his hockey IQ is through the roof. I would like to keep him. He may end up making Strome expendable when Dach and Toews come back.

* Kurashev - he’s another on that could make Strome expendable eventually. Colliton said they still see him as a C and so do I. He looked solid and I liked that he went to the right areas like Theo mentioned in the blog.

—

That’s all I got for now. Excited to see how this team looks against non-Tampa opponent.

Stay safe y’all.
- Tyler Cameron

Excellent review, Tyler.

So far the rookies don't look out of place and seem that they can be impact players. Yes, they will hit developmental walls and make mistakes but I like their compete level, skill, and 200-foot play.

Zadorov can win a lot of battles all over the ice if he just applies himself to get there first and outwork the opponent. His size and strength will indirectly come into play without him having to intentionally flex his muscles.

Definitely agree on Wallmark's intelligence. That's one of his strengths and why coaches love him. Of the newbies, he's the one I would retain or at least be the last one considered to flip.