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

Huh, I feel just the opposite about Delia and Subban.

Delia lost his net at least 4-5 times, including on the 3rd (?) goal. And obviously, the skating and puck handling are atrocious.

Subban is way more athletic, and just as good on the 1st shot. His trouble is rebounds.

I’m looking forward to seeing Lankinen. I’ve got a feeling it ends up being:

1. Lankinen
2. Subban
3. Delia

And after watching the WJC, I’d love to see Stan pry Knight out of FLA. He’s of the best technical goalies I’ve seen at his age. FLA is stuck with Bob, and I think Levi from CAN is a FLA draftee as well.

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.
- Theo Fox

Flip them all if you can. Picks are what will build the future.
Trade em all.

Huh, I feel just the opposite about Delia and Subban.

Delia lost his net at least 4-5 times, including on the 3rd (?) goal. And obviously, the skating and puck handling are atrocious.

Subban is way more athletic, and just as good on the 1st shot. His trouble is rebounds.



- scottak

Delia was a poor man's Ottawa's Murray, unable to stop pucks near his body and totally un able to see and react to the high glove hand lasers.
He still seemed better than Subban.

At one point I started thinking Delia might be the starter then, the rest of the game went on.


That cap space will be used to get some interim vet until they draft or find a keeper from inside.

The first two games were against the league's new standard...so I will let them and the entire squad a bit off the hook, hoping they learned more than the scouting of the hawks adds to the next competitors.

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

We can agree to disagree. I do want to say first that I respect your solid knowledge and your views are such i do not recall disagree but seldom. And I am not selling out Strome. He is a placeholder until someone better comes along. It is not like he doesn't have some value. But if I am paying salaries and I want to improve the quality on this roster, I do not accept Strome's weak points

I do not accept players on L2-4 who cannot skate and won't be physical. That combination is a lot as a disadvantage. Loose battles to puck and battles for puck control is not acceptable. Not when hockey is a game of turnovers. I said it before, i would like to see Barrett progress - gain some pro experience - maybe he might work on his skating. Perhaps he can improve his skating; Strome cannot.

Barret is a skill guy, gets points, reportedly will battle for puck in a scrum. And I love that he is a yapper as we need one. When a team needs grit, sandpaper, and response to the opposing player taking liberties...I want Barrett, not a too slow non aggressive Strome.

You say/I respond: Strome winning over 50% face offs; i doubt he keeps that high a success rate. Can generate offense and seems to have a descent IQ; i say a faster, equal or better point producer who will match or has better hockey IQ than Strome. You say Strome hustles back; good, he better and Barret or someone else will hustle back faster.

This is a step or two higher than junior and Strome weaknesses hold him and the team back from improvement. Strome is a descent player with inherant weakness in his game = placeholder.

Anyone besides me like the Hawks chances against the Panthers Sunday night?

Florida has had their 1st two games against Dallas postponed so the Hawks should be in better game shape and won't have first night jitters. Also, Bobrovsky has been unfit for practice and has not been cleared to play so Driedger in goal for them.

Of course FLA has Q behind the beach while the Hawks have JC.

Anyone besides me like the Hawks chances against the Panthers Sunday night?

Florida has had their 1st two games against Dallas postponed so the Hawks should be in better game shape and won't have first night jitters. Also, Bobrovsky has been unfit for practice and has not been cleared to play so Driedger in goal for them.

Of course FLA has Q behind the beach while the Hawks have JC.
- boilermaker100

Q was stubborn and his teams got in a funky the veteran coach couldn't get them out of it the last few years in Chicago. Q doesn't like to use kids unless they are already good to go/not a Q trademark to develop kids. I thank him for his coaching but it was time for him to move on. Now it is ironic that his replacement is a "JC" level in terms of experienced coaches.

Late Add: interesting that Q had Forsling, and i ask again. May be more a statement of Florida depth on defense position and hoping Forsling with a couple seasons experience...has improved. If Forsling plays.....over Yandle....today's complaint is Yandle, tomorrow could be someone else. When you are short, defensively, someone is to blame. Yandle managed to stick around many years more for what he could do, than wouldn't do. Is that similar to a Strome situation....I don't know but watch and see if it is so.

Anyone besides me like the Hawks chances against the Panthers Sunday night?

Florida has had their 1st two games against Dallas postponed so the Hawks should be in better game shape and won't have first night jitters. Also, Bobrovsky has been unfit for practice and has not been cleared to play so Driedger in goal for them.

Of course FLA has Q behind the beach while the Hawks have JC.
- boilermaker100

Nope, it will be another L for the Hawks. 6-2.

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.
- Theo Fox

I thought Zadorov hit on Coleman was perfect example of what he can bring to this team as Coleman was taking liberties with Delia

Anyone besides me like the Hawks chances against the Panthers Sunday night?

Florida has had their 1st two games against Dallas postponed so the Hawks should be in better game shape and won't have first night jitters. Also, Bobrovsky has been unfit for practice and has not been cleared to play so Driedger in goal for them.

Of course FLA has Q behind the beach while the Hawks have JC.
- boilermaker100

Driedger wasn’t too bad last season.

7-2-0, 2.05 GAA, .938 save %

He beat STL, MTL, TOR, PIT, DET, CAR & NSH

Driedger wasn’t too bad last season.

7-2-0, 2.05 GAA, .938 save %

He beat STL, MTL, TOR, PIT, DET, CAR & NSH
- scottak

Still like the Hawk's chances 4-3. Goals by Strome, Kane, Mitchell and Shaw. Subban gets the win.

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.
- Elbows15

You’re right Strome is a very good passer and he thinks the game well, offensively. I wish he’d use his brain when he doesn’t have the puck. I also wish he’d get his nose over the puck and not play the perimeter so much. He doesn’t need to kill people but he has to be more involved physically and not only battle for puck possession more, he has to win those puck battles.

I thought Zadorov hit on Coleman was perfect example of what he can bring to this team as Coleman was taking liberties with Delia
- oldduffman

I looked at a compilation of Zadorov hits when he was with Colorado and most of the time he loses his position to make the big hit.

You’re right Strome is a very good passer and he thinks the game well, offensively. I wish he’d use his brain when he doesn’t have the puck. I also wish he’d get his nose over the puck and not play the perimeter so much. He doesn’t need to kill people but he has to be more involved physically and not only battle for puck possession more, he has to win those puck battles.
- paulr

His only chance at a successful career is to fill out his frame. His lack of speed and quickness will always be a huge liability. He is very good below the dots. Getting him there with the puck is a problem. Plus, he is pretty useless on the rest of the rink. He is okay once he gets into position but by the time he is one position, the play requires him to be in another position.

I looked at a compilation of Zadorov hits when he was with Colorado and most of the time he loses his position to make the big hit.
- paulr

One thing I noticed is he slow to read the play. Anticipation is a huge part of being a defenseman. However, I will allow it is possible he is still trying to figure out JC's system.

Maybe once he figures it out, he can explain it to everyone else. Cause they sure look like they have no idea, too.

I looked at a compilation of Zadorov hits when he was with Colorado and most of the time he loses his position to make the big hit.
- paulr

He did not on that one he broke up the play ..And if someone is taking liberties on one of our players I will take the hit to send a massage

His only chance at a successful career is to fill out his frame. His lack of speed and quickness will always be a huge liability. He is very good below the dots. Getting him there with the puck is a problem. Plus, he is pretty useless on the rest of the rink. He is okay once he gets into position but by the time he is one position, the play requires him to be in another position.
- Elbows15

It's very unlikely, imo, he becomes a 1C or 2C on a high end team. Unless, perhaps, he plays with several HOF guys.

It's very unlikely, imo, he becomes a 1C or 2C on a high end team. Unless, perhaps, he plays with several HOF guys.
- mohel

Oh you just hate JC.

Oh you just hate JC.
- paulr

Which one?

Which one?
- mohel

Whichever one suits the current narrative.

Huh, I feel just the opposite about Delia and Subban.

Delia lost his net at least 4-5 times, including on the 3rd (?) goal. And obviously, the skating and puck handling are atrocious.

Subban is way more athletic, and just as good on the 1st shot. His trouble is rebounds.

I’m looking forward to seeing Lankinen. I’ve got a feeling it ends up being:

1. Lankinen
2. Subban
3. Delia

And after watching the WJC, I’d love to see Stan pry Knight out of FLA. He’s of the best technical goalies I’ve seen at his age. FLA is stuck with Bob, and I think Levi from CAN is a FLA draftee as well.


- scottak

Hmmm... well we disagree right now on that however, it was only 1 game for both and many more to come so I suspect I could share your view in due time.

We’ll have to see how it plays out.

Whichever one suits the current narrative.
- paulr

This guy gets it!

Hmmm... well we disagree right now on that however, it was only 1 game for both and many more to come so I suspect I could share your view in due time.

We’ll have to see how it plays out.
- Tyler Cameron

Ty-Cam, you've been around a bit. You know that one game is plenty to make a permanent decision.

Ty-Cam, you've been around a bit. You know that one game is plenty to make a permanent decision.
- mohel

Haha. It sure is.

Haha. It sure is.
- Tyler Cameron

Sometimes just one shift.

Things are not pretty down on the farm....


https://nypost.com/2021/0...dire-because-of-covid-19/