Theo, find your coverage of the Hogs very helpful as I see zero AHL games. Any thoughts ever on 01 Dman Isaak Phillips is appreciated. Kid's physical skills, skating and size were apparent during his couple game call up but I was also impressed by his poise.

The 20 yr old is now on my radar. https://www.eliteprospect...yer/416750/isaak-phillips
- Mr Ricochet

I saw Phillips live in the 18/19 season when Sudbury played the Gens. The only thing I remember and reason I remember was he was a tall skinny guy who was a very good fast skater, but he didn’t really do anything at the time. That isn’t to take away from him, it was early in his rookie OHL season. But the reason I remember him was because of his skating ability.

Not a Strome fan, but the eye test showed that he has been playing better, so another fourth liner playing top nine tonight? For a team struggling to score, this makes no sense.
- Angotti

Kurashev is slotting in for Strome. My guess is Hardman goes in for Khaira.

I think the move makes tons of sense when you realize that this team is an enormous long shot to make the playoffs and they need to see if they can actually develop some of these guys in a more structured scheme.

I admittedly know (frank) all about coaching hockey, but you can definitely see the difference between King and JC. If they can actually get Strome to be a responsible player - and also produce - they might be able to sign a decent asset to a reasonable contract.

I saw Phillips live in the 18/19 season when Sudbury played the Gens. The only thing I remember and reason I remember was he was a tall skinny guy who was a very good fast skater, but he didn’t really do anything at the time. That isn’t to take away from him, it was early in his rookie OHL season. But the reason I remember him was because of his skating ability.
- paulr

He didn't embarrass himself when he was up briefly. Keep him playing more minutes in RFD and he might turn some heads. Seems to play pretty calm.

And this is why I can't stand reporters sometimes. King literally just told him what Strome needs to do to improve and he ends with this chirp:



Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
25m
I just....really don't get it. I don't know what Strome needs to do differently. He'd been pretty good in my eyes, as I told King.
- Chunk

Yep, several coaches have had the same issue with him. They could all be wrong.

For your notebook, Theo. 02 Dman Michael Krutil a 2020 4th rd pick has made the Czech preliminary WJC roster. Big teenager has played 28 games with the Hogs over the last 2 yrs: https://www.eliteprospect...yer/427900/michael-krutil
- Mr Ricochet

As Chunk pointed out, Krutil has struggled mightily in the AHL and really should be developing in juniors where the Kelowna Rockets hold his rights. Colton Dach is with Kelowna after being traded from Saskatoon.

Against pro players, Krutil gets turnstiled and easily beat literally every shift and play. That's not hyperbole either. I really question who thought it was a good idea for him to continue in the AHL this season.

Last season made sense due to COVID shutting down lots of leagues but no excuse this season.

Kurashev is slotting in for Strome. My guess is Hardman goes in for Khaira.

I think the move makes tons of sense when you realize that this team is an enormous long shot to make the playoffs and they need to see if they can actually develop some of these guys in a more structured scheme.

I admittedly know (frank) all about coaching hockey, but you can definitely see the difference between King and JC. If they can actually get Strome to be a responsible player - and also produce - they might be able to sign a decent asset to a reasonable contract.
- Chunk

I love it, it's exactly what they all need, being held accountable. Not put in a dog house for good.

As Chunk pointed out, Krutil has struggled mightily in the AHL and really should be developing in juniors where the Kelowna Rockets hold his rights. Colton Dach is with Kelowna after being traded from Saskatoon.

Against pro players, Krutil gets turnstiled and easily beat literally every shift and play. That's not hyperbole either. I really question who thought it was a good idea for him to continue in the AHL this season.

Last season made sense due to COVID shutting down lots of leagues but no excuse this season.
- Theo Fox

This is something that the new front office needs to sort out and correct. Guys should only be promoted when they have proven they are ready to complete at the next level. Future Krutil’s have to be handled to succeed not to fail.

This is something that the new front office needs to sort out and correct. Guys should only be promoted when they have proven they are ready to complete at the next level. Future Krutil’s have to be handled to succeed not to fail.
- paulr

What kind of hairbrained logic is that?!?

My 2nd response to a poster is a rant and your 68th, with a little help from your friends, in a 7 page "dialogue" is a what, Mo?
- Mr Ricochet

Are you sure it was only 68th, hahaha

#instigator

Yep, several coaches have had the same issue with him. They could all be wrong.
- mohel

Powers pulled the same (frank)ing poop and spouted off a bunch of advanced stats. It's just stupid. It's like he's saying "I think Strome has played well enough to stay in the lineup, so I'll just completely ignore what the coach just told me."

I'm fired up for no reason right now, but it's just irritating. It's not like King is whispering to his buddies before he talks to the press "hey guys, watch me mess with these idiots." He obviously sees that Strome is still thinking about offense too much and taking himself out of proper position/coverage. If he figures that out, he'll stay in the lineup.

Theo, find your coverage of the Hogs very helpful as I see zero AHL games. Any thoughts ever on 01 Dman Isaak Phillips is appreciated. Kid's physical skills, skating and size were apparent during his couple game call up but I was also impressed by his poise.

The 20 yr old is now on my radar. https://www.eliteprospect...yer/416750/isaak-phillips
- Mr Ricochet

Phillips has great potential as an eventual 3rd pair defender in the NHL. Great mobility, provides outlets for his D partner, passes and shoots fairly well.

Where he needs to improve is leveraging his size, strength, and wing span more to shut down the other team. When he applies himself, he is rather effective in this regard but that's the issue: he doesn't apply himself consistently enough.

One way to put it, he's reactive in his physical game when he could be more proactive to flex his muscles. Regula is the same way, actually.

Are you sure it was only 68th, hahaha

#instigator
- BetweenTheDots

Hi, Dots.

Powers pulled the same (frank)ing poop and spouted off a bunch of advanced stats. It's just stupid. It's like he's saying "I think Strome has played well enough to stay in the lineup, so I'll just completely ignore what the coach just told me."

I'm fired up for no reason right now, but it's just irritating. It's not like King is whispering to his buddies before he talks to the press "hey guys, watch me mess with these idiots." He obviously sees that Strome is still thinking about offense too much and taking himself out of proper position/coverage. If he figures that out, he'll stay in the lineup.
- Chunk

King should probably check with Pope, Laz, et al., when setting the lineup. The guy wasn't saying he doesn't understand why Strome is sitting - King just told him that. He's saying King is wrong and he knows better. I'm with you on that one.

I guess everyone is enamored by Strome because he was the 3rd pick in the draft. Many jabbed Stan about his reclamation projects when he thought they could get more from him. Yet they are using similar logic by not believing what several coaches have said about him - "maybe if we just.....he will become that start we dreamed of".

I also love how one #3 pick is given pass after pass here at 23 years old, and another #3 pick is being hammered at 20 years of age.

The Strome thing is weird but either way it will resolve itself after the season is over. I think he needs to play center or bust. The dude scored 50 points centering Debrincat a few years ago.

I have two issues with the player.

1. His stick is too short - I think having be hunched over, with how lanky he is, is problematic for maintaining his balance or doing anything productive when someone breathes on him.

2. If you're not fast you're slow and better bring something else to the table physically and not having that is problematic.

Finally - seeing Strome benched is fine, but if we're being fair, it is probably time to get Toews away from Kane and try Borgstrom or Kurshev there as well as move him off the power play.

We talked about the failure to develop talent by the Hawks or abandon it or move it for reasons. Getting rid of Panarin for jack and poop (and jack left town) was a horribly egregious deal. Worse than the Danault trade tbh.

I saw Phillips live in the 18/19 season when Sudbury played the Gens. The only thing I remember and reason I remember was he was a tall skinny guy who was a very good fast skater, but he didn’t really do anything at the time. That isn’t to take away from him, it was early in his rookie OHL season. But the reason I remember him was because of his skating ability.
- paulr

Helpful post, thanks for it. Gives some context to what I saw with the Hawks. Big kids who can skate always draws eyes, especially a scouts. That a kid like that fell to the 5th rd tells us he had holes, or other issues, in his game.

Again, I thought the kid showed some poise as a 20 yr old in his first look. Some tools in the toolkit for sure.

Phillips has great potential as an eventual 3rd pair defender in the NHL. Great mobility, provides outlets for his D partner, passes and shoots fairly well.

Where he needs to improve is leveraging his size, strength, and wing span more to shut down the other team. When he applies himself, he is rather effective in this regard but that's the issue: he doesn't apply himself consistently enough.

One way to put it, he's reactive in his physical game when he could be more proactive to flex his muscles. Regula is the same way, actually.
- Theo Fox

Wonderful post, Theo. Very helpful. When you say he's reactive as opposed to proactive do you think the speed of the AHL level is still too quick for Phillips or is it an IQ thing or maybe a bit of both?

And as far as Regula he's a slower heavier player than Phillips. Safe to say Regula's feet won't bail him outa mistakes like Phillips' will?

King should probably check with Pope, Laz, et al., when setting the lineup. The guy wasn't saying he doesn't understand why Strome is sitting - King just told him that. He's saying King is wrong and he knows better. I'm with you on that one.

I guess everyone is enamored by Strome because he was the 3rd pick in the draft. Many jabbed Stan about his reclamation projects when he thought they could get more from him. Yet they are using similar logic by not believing what several coaches have said about him - "maybe if we just.....he will become that start we dreamed of".

I also love how one #3 pick is given pass after pass here at 23 years old, and another #3 pick is being hammered at 20 years of age.
- mohel

I don't remember anyone hammering on Kane when he was 20...

Dominos:

Blackhawks trade: Chad Krys to the Maple Leafs for Kurtis Gabriel.

Krys, Hawks' 2016 2nd-round pick, had been stuck in Rockford for a while and wasn't going to make it.

Gabriel is a 28-year-old wing with 5 points in 49 NHL games since 2015. He’ll join the Hawks in Toronto.

Cue the "Theo called it months ago" chant.

This is something that the new front office needs to sort out and correct. Guys should only be promoted when they have proven they are ready to complete at the next level. Future Krutil’s have to be handled to succeed not to fail.
- paulr

Every single word of this post is a grand slam especially the last sentence! You only get so many high draft picks in any yr, you only win so many trades, you only get a small number, if any, of Euro/NCAA free agents that can help so you must develop properly, you simply must.

These are more underrated and unseen things a top notch hockey ops guy can do for a franchise and why I myself am so adamant about the importance of hiring one, the right one.

Well said, Paul. Very very well said!!

Dominos:

Blackhawks trade: Chad Krys to the Maple Leafs for Kurtis Gabriel.

Krys, Hawks' 2016 2nd-round pick, had been stuck in Rockford for a while and wasn't going to make it.

Gabriel is a 28-year-old wing with 5 points in 49 NHL games since 2015. He’ll join the Hawks in Toronto.

Cue the "Theo called it months ago" chant.
- Chunk

They acquired a face puncher after Trouba pushed them around

Dominos:

Blackhawks trade: Chad Krys to the Maple Leafs for Kurtis Gabriel.

Krys, Hawks' 2016 2nd-round pick, had been stuck in Rockford for a while and wasn't going to make it.

Gabriel is a 28-year-old wing with 5 points in 49 NHL games since 2015. He’ll join the Hawks in Toronto.

Cue the "Theo called it months ago" chant.
- Chunk

via GIPHY

They acquired a face puncher after Trouba pushed them around
- GPHawksfan

I expect to see Gabriel on the top PP unit

Jim Rutherford, formerly of the Penguins, named President of Hockey Operations in Vancouver.

Wonder what Elbows thinks of King's player evaluations.


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Derek King on Seth Jones: "He’s by far been our most consistent, probably our best player on the ice... Watching him, you can see why they brought him here. I don’t know why somebody would let him go, a player like that, but I'm glad he’s with us."
9:51 AM · Dec 9, 2021·TweetDeck

Not a Strome fan, but the eye test showed that he has been playing better, so another fourth liner playing top nine tonight? For a team struggling to score, this makes no sense.
- Angotti

That was my thinking with my original post. As long as he is improving and as long as he offers more than some of the other options, I'd play him over them.

However, if they're top-6 or bust with him (which makes sense), I can understand King's approach.