Not sure if this was posted yesterday, but Bowman on Dach:

Kirby Dach, who underwent right wrist surgery on Dec. 28 and was put on a four-to-five-month timetable, has officially started skating. But he still has many hurdles to overcome before being cleared to play.

"When you watch him skate, you think he could play tomorrow night," Bowman said. "He looks ready to roll, but he's got a ways to go. It's one of those injuries where he's going to look ready to play much earlier than he's ready to play and cleared by the doctors, but that's why you have the doctors there.
- Chunk

Wrist injuries can take a long time to recover fully. No need to rush him back. Definitely do not want any setbacks. This could be several months of building up his skating skills, core and lower body strength and stamina. Then a summer of strengthening his wrist and upper body. Target next season.

The Hawks already have a project in Nylander, why trade for another, unless they want to give him away.
- LAHawk

I wouldn't, unless there's something very unusual causing his availability. Big power forward types don't just appear on the trade market when they are young.

How long do you think Duncan Keith stays in this mix? Yes, his contract is up in 2023 (I think), but you have to think, he stays as long as he wants to.
- hpk90

Assuming he wants to play and his price is reasonable, I'd say he stays until there are six better players than him on the roster.

I don't think that was the case. He was a thick kid the first year he was in the league. He lived around the corner from me.

Not a noticeable difference in size when I ran into him (literally) on the lakefront trail 3 years ago (the kid is built like a fire hydrant) and seeing him around the neighborhood walking his dog.

The strength and conditioning coaches at this level are good enough at their jobs to not kill a kids season to put on bulk or strength or whatever. They wouldn't have jobs if that was the case.
- fattybeef

It's interesting that people find it hard to believe that player development takes time. ADB had shown that he can put up points and wanted to improve his overall game. Me made some strides in that direction last year and his points took a little bit of a hit. Another offseason to work on things, another year of experience and now he is showing that he is an even better 200' player.

How long do you think Duncan Keith stays in this mix? Yes, his contract is up in 2023 (I think), but you have to think, he stays as long as he wants to.
- hpk90

Good question. Not saying this is the case nor am I advocating for it but just want to throw out a possible scenario that I know wouldn't be popular.

Keith may want to play longer once his contract expires (he has stated before he wants to play into his 40s) but do the Hawks want him? Would he still fit what the Hawks are striving to do at that point in time and years after?

On the one hand, they did let Crawford walk so they're not shy to let any of the core go and don't seem married to the idea of lifelong Blackhawks if the fit isn't there anymore.

But on the other hand, there was the conjecture that maybe the Hawks let Crawford go because they knew or at least had a hunch that he was inches from retiring if certain circumstances occurred. Thus, it wasn't worth it to re-sign him.

The Hawks had publicly stated reasons why they didn't retain Crawford but there could have been more to it than that.

Why is he available?
- mohel

Drafted 6th O/A in 2014.

Disappeared in the playoffs after a career year of 18G/18A. It was a contract year so, like many other players, he made an effort to try to maximize his payday.

1 goal in 12 games so far this season.

Looking at his fancy stats, he's spending more time trying to get the puck back then he is possessing it. That could be that it's a bad Canuck team or more likely it's him.

Looks like another early 1st rounder who hasn't lived up to his hype.

It's interesting that people find it hard to believe that player development takes time. ADB had shown that he can put up points and wanted to improve his overall game. Me made some strides in that direction last year and his points took a little bit of a hit. Another offseason to work on things, another year of experience and now he is showing that he is an even better 200' player.
- Chunk

Kubalik may be doing the same thing this season.

Koivu announces retirement today. He signed on with the Jackets after the Wild let him go. Wonder if Tortorella was a factor?

It's interesting that people find it hard to believe that player development takes time. ADB had shown that he can put up points and wanted to improve his overall game. Me made some strides in that direction last year and his points took a little bit of a hit. Another offseason to work on things, another year of experience and now he is showing that he is an even better 200' player.
- Chunk

I think it's also common getting a new contract and trying harder or putting more pressure on himself to validate it. In his case i think a little overtraining happened and his hands seemed not as quick and soft as they usually were, it really showed on receiving passes.

Drafted 6th O/A in 2014.

Disappeared in the playoffs after a career year of 18G/18A. It was a contract year so, like many other players, he made an effort to try to maximize his payday.

1 goal in 12 games so far this season.

Looking at his fancy stats, he's spending more time trying to get the puck back then he is possessing it. That could be that it's a bad Canuck team or more likely it's him.

Looks like another early 1st rounder who hasn't lived up to his hype.
- Rota's Rooter

I'd steer clear.

The Hawks already have a project in Nylander, why trade for another, unless they want to give him away.
- LAHawk

In a rebuild, much of the team can be labeled “project” - we think they CAN be top-6 / top-4, but they haven’t proven it yet: Mitchell, Beaudin, Boqvist, Kubalik, Suter, Kurashev, others not here yet....

If the price is low enough, and the in-house experts think Vantenan is worth a chance, I say go ahead. Now is the time to take a chance on getting a future star.

Of course, this team’s history with such “projects” has not been terrific - Strome has reasonably worked out, DuClair didn’t, Perlini didn’t....

Koivu announces retirement today. He signed on with the Jackets after the Wild let him go. Wonder if Tortorella was a factor?
- Theo Fox

He probably has FU money, and Torts can certainly elicit his share of FU's.

Koivu announces retirement today. He signed on with the Jackets after the Wild let him go. Wonder if Tortorella was a factor?
- Theo Fox

I thought we would see a lot more of this from older vets like Spezza, Perry, etc. With the lower contract numbers, short season, and no fans in the stands I thought there would be less interest in continuing to play.

I'd steer clear.
- mohel

Very very clear
https://lastwordonsports....nen-soap-opera-continues/

Very very clear
https://lastwordonsports....nen-soap-opera-continues/
- LAHawk

If the article is accurate, I rescind my approval of going after him.

Darling appears to be the Hogs starter for today's afternoon game vs the Wolves.

Why is he available?
- mohel

Apparently he's not happy about ice time, he's also a wiener though too

Penguins officially hire Burke as President of Hockey Operations and Hextall as GM.

Saw this amusing tweet soon after:

@capnSeri0us

Burke is gonna trade Jake Guentzel for Andrew Shaw and Calvin De Haan I can see it now

Penguins officially hire Burke as President of Hockey Operations and Hextall as GM.

Saw this amusing tweet soon after:

@capnSeri0us

Burke is gonna trade Jake Guentzel for Andrew S
haw and Calvin De Haan I can see it now
- Theo Fox

There is also Mario Lemieux whom is sort of an unofficial team advisor.

The new mnagement team has a big job on their hand. Aging stars, big salaries, not much in the pipeline.

Someone vetoed Letang trade? Could Letang and Malkin find new homes. One of them as the headliner land in Seattle. R Francis is not trading his draft choices. Hmm. Crosby retires one day as a Penguin.

I wouldn't, unless there's something very unusual causing his availability. Big power forward types don't just appear on the trade market when they are young.
- mohel

Not sure why he’s a available, however if you recall Charlie Coyle was traded, and I love his game. Coyle is not a prolific scorer, but twelve goals in the playoffs the last two years.

Don't see any changes, really, at least of interest in Icehogs lineup for the Tuesday matinee in the marvelous hockey building in Hoffman Estates

No Morrison. Darling starts which is meaningless. I saw a C Wilkie on Rockford. Don't know but surely a non prospect but hey I'll look him up.

Tuesday afternoon. Reminds me of The Moody Blues song. I'll listen to it just to pass a bit of time, then see if there was any scoring yet in the hockey tilt

Didn't Zidane head-butt an opponent as a player during one of the World Cups?
- Chunk

Yup

Wrist injuries can take a long time to recover fully. No need to rush him back. Definitely do not want any setbacks. This could be several months of building up his skating skills, core and lower body strength and stamina. Then a summer of strengthening his wrist and upper body. Target next season.
- -Doh-

If he's cleared by doctors then it all comes down to what the team is looking like/where they are in the standings. If we're in position to sneak into the playoffs(if we keep playing like we are now), then I'd definitely bring him back ASAP . But if we regress and the playoffs are out of the question, then i agree. Best thing to do would be to just hold him out until next season.

The only problem with DeBrincat last season was some tough shooting luck. He’s back, slightly above his normal shooting percentage so far this year.

ADB shooting %

17-18 15.5%
18-19 18.6%
19-20 8.7%
20-21 17.6%
Career 14.5%

“Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar” -Sigmund Freud

It's interesting that people find it hard to believe that player development takes time. ADB had shown that he can put up points and wanted to improve his overall game. Me made some strides in that direction last year and his points took a little bit of a hit. Another offseason to work on things, another year of experience and now he is showing that he is an even better 200' player.
- Chunk

I thought there was a story at one point last season about ADB having changed the length/curve/lie on his stick also. Seems trivial, but could explain some of the issues he had last season.