I, personally, would appreciate your opinion on fixing Dach. We're all amateurs here, but I respect your take on such matters.
- mohel

"Fixing" I didn't know he was broken. Like it or not he's still a kid.

"Fixing" I didn't know he was broken. Like it or not he's still a kid.
- rpeters01

Nah! Dach is washed up! It’s time to get a 4th round pick or to just launch him into the Andromeda galaxy.

I'm sure it goes back to Tom Lysiak knocking down that linesman.
- scottak

"Fixing" I didn't know he was broken. Like it or not he's still a kid.
- rpeters01

How about "completing his development"? Or "maximizing his skillset"?

Better? Use whatever term you want. And I'm still a Dach fan.

Friedman floating MAF to the Capitals in his most recent 31 things. Says WSH is looking into it.

Friedman floating MAF to the Capitals in his most recent 31 things. Says WSH is looking into it.
- scottak

He's a perfect rental if he's willing to go.

Friedman floating MAF to the Capitals in his most recent 31 things. Says WSH is looking into it.
- scottak

Washington, Edmonton are two rumours. Two or three more teams needing a goalie give Davidson an opportunity to try to maximize the return.

Friedman floating MAF to the Capitals in his most recent 31 things. Says WSH is looking into it.
- scottak

Except for their 2nd this year (they have the Jets' 2nd), the Caps have all their picks for the next 3 drafts.

Washington, Edmonton are two rumours. Two or three more teams needing a goalie give Davidson an opportunity to try to maximize the return.
- paulr

Colorado also has been linked to maf

I, personally, would appreciate your opinion on fixing Dach. We're all amateurs here, but I respect your take on such matters.
- mohel

One thing I'm sure of is development is not linear and can, and does, look funky sometimes. So it's never even close to one size fits all. But I think the eye test has shown us all since the bubble v EDM Dach has either stagnated or regressed. His fancies back up the eye test, he's stagnated in some stats and regressed in others: https://www.naturalstattr...d=8481523&sit=5v5&stype=2

I posted awhile back if you drew up a plan to railroad Dach the circumstances could not have been more perfect. Two covid yrs, a yr without camp cuz he broke his wrist, a broken wrist, his whole career under Colliton. The definition of climbing uphill every step of the way. This on top of coming up as an 18 yr old and as a bigger player which the stats show take longer to develop and as a centerman.

I'm sure they had a developmental plan for him and yr 1 he seemed on track but has regressed. Then came the funk I posted above. Did they tweak the developmental plan to adjust for the funk? Does the plan allow for regression as it's understood development is rarely linear?

The fancies show regression my eye test shows a player thinking much more than playing, a confused player, but interestingly enough his body language doesn't show too much frustration.

Is the pace so quick he can't process properly (confused, skating into a cul de sac leaving no options) and as he thinks a play thru too slowly he losses all time and space? I think this is probably the problem. He's not processing quickly enough. What I saw from him in jrs the kid showed IQ so IMO it's not that.

Then look at his fancies and traditional stats. What does the kid leave the arena feeling good about? He ain't scoring, ain't dishing, ain't winnin faceoffs, minus in corsi and shot share, he has no basis for confidence. I think if he had at least one element of his game that was successful the confidence gained would allow him to improve other areas.

What can be done to allow some success for the just turned 21 yr old with only 121 NHL games, a season and a half? IMO a 10-15 game stretch in the AHL would help the kid a bunch especially due to the slower pace as I believe processing speed is his biggest problem right now. If not that a move to wing where he's not burdened with the responsibilities of a centerman in theory allowing him to think less and just play more. Let er rip if you will.

Whatever needs done to allow the kid some confidence, have some success, to slow the game down for him, to think less and just play and build off of that cuz the longer he regresses the more the problems will get into his head and then instead of just developing the kid you have to undo things. And that's never easy as we see from StanBow, and others, trying reclamation projects of former 1st rd picks.

I always go back to the week after that draft when an exec said at his size and skating only a handful of players on earth can do what Dach can. The kid is a specimen. ......

Friedman floating MAF to the Capitals in his most recent 31 things. Says WSH is looking into it.
- scottak

Washington's 4th round pick in 2024 is looking mighty enticing!

Rico, you make an excellent case to support the approach the Hawks are taking. I absolutely LOVE thinking outside the lines and always pull for those doing so. The downside is that sometimes the drawn, established way is the established way for good reason. Ask Marc Trestman. Take the Steel example...can this possibly be done at the NHL level with a salary cap? Doubtful.

I admire your enthusiasm for the Hawks plan, and I'm hoping you are on target.
- mohel

I'm not a fan of Sportsology per say but I am a fan of anyone, anything, that can help the decision makers who extended and promoted Stan this offseason. ...... As asked in an earlier post, does a fan have any choice but to hang their hat on Sportsology?

Friedman floating MAF to the Capitals in his most recent 31 things. Says WSH is looking into it.
- scottak

If I had to bet a dollar that's where MAF ends up and fits best. Add there is a chance he can bump the Pens out of the playoffs good chance he likes WSH.

I mentioned IMO WSH is a damn fine fit for MAF a few days ago when the rumors to Rado were reported by Friedman. Rado gave up a 1st for Keumper in the summer and Francouz is pushing for more and more starts throwing up 2 shutouts in a row.

Still two months before the TDL and injuries can still play a part but if I'm WSH I try and get MAF in tomorrow. And they can sign him for another yr or two as well...... If you're the Hawks do you take 26 yr old goalie Vitek Vanecek, who is an RFA next yr, as compensation or a draft pick? https://www.eliteprospect...ayer/161469/vitek-vanecek

Colorado also has been linked to maf
- Scott1977

Sakic would never give more than a 3rd. Perfect.

Jackpot!! Prince Albert @ Swift Current. Nolan Allen wearing the green #2 and Connor BEDARD in the white, think #93......... Get to see Allen defend the surefire 2023 first overall Bedard.

http://onhockey.tv/index....place=sawlive&channel=tvh

Sakic would never give more than a 3rd. Perfect.
- rpeters01

Sakic can keep losing

Jackpot!! Prince Albert @ Swift Current. Nolan Allen wearing the green #2 and Connor BEDARD in the white, think #93......... Get to see Allen defend the surefire 2023 first overall Bedard.

http://onhockey.tv/index....place=sawlive&channel=tvh
- Mr Ricochet

Bedard and Matvei Mitchkov are fighting it out to be drafted number one. The Russian factor may give Bedard the advantage but Mitchkov is a good one too.

Sakic can keep losing
- Ogilthorpe2

So long as the leaves lose more.

For all the talent Colorado have they always seem to be missing something to get them over the top.

Bedard and Matvei Mitchkov are fighting it out to be drafted number one. The Russian factor may give Bedard the advantage but Mitchkov is a good one too.
- paulr

Would love to have the problem of choosing between the two! ........ Pats PP, 100 footer up to Bedard between 2 Raider Dmen at the attack blueline, nicely takes the pass and explodes past Allan and wrists er home.

Allan looks ok though. Jumping in on any play he can in the attack zone. But Bedard, man. Wow. After scoring 4 goals in one game at the WJC this yr the 16 yr old has 19 pts in 8 games with Regina of the WHL.

So long as the leaves lose more.

For all the talent Colorado have they always seem to be missing something to get them over the top.
- paulr

Few things make me as happy as watching the Leaves choke in the playoffs every spring.

Would love to have the problem of choosing between the two! ........ Pats PP, 100 footer up to Bedard between 2 Raider Dmen at the attack blueline, nicely takes the pass and explodes past Allan and wrists er home.

Allan looks ok though. Jumping in on any play he can in the attack zone. But Bedard, man. Wow. After scoring 4 goals in one game at the WJC this yr the 16 yr old has 19 pts in 8 games with Regina of the WHL.
- Mr Ricochet

As much as I want Chicago to win, let’s hope next year they get the number one overall pick and then the front office don’t bungle it like Edmonton

One thing I'm sure of is development is not linear and can, and does, look funky sometimes. So it's never even close to one size fits all. But I think the eye test has shown us all since the bubble v EDM Dach has either stagnated or regressed. His fancies back up the eye test, he's stagnated in some stats and regressed in others: https://www.naturalstattr...d=8481523&sit=5v5&stype=2

I posted awhile back if you drew up a plan to railroad Dach the circumstances could not have been more perfect. Two covid yrs, a yr without camp cuz he broke his wrist, a broken wrist, his whole career under Colliton. The definition of climbing uphill every step of the way. This on top of coming up as an 18 yr old and as a bigger player which the stats show take longer to develop and as a centerman.

I'm sure they had a developmental plan for him and yr 1 he seemed on track but has regressed. Then came the funk I posted above. Did they tweak the developmental plan to adjust for the funk? Does the plan allow for regression as it's understood development is rarely linear?

The fancies show regression my eye test shows a player thinking much more than playing, a confused player, but interestingly enough his body language doesn't show too much frustration.

Is the pace so quick he can't process properly (confused, skating into a cul de sac leaving no options) and as he thinks a play thru too slowly he losses all time and space? I think this is probably the problem. He's not processing quickly enough. What I saw from him in jrs the kid showed IQ so IMO it's not that.

Then look at his fancies and traditional stats. What does the kid leave the arena feeling good about? He ain't scoring, ain't dishing, ain't winnin faceoffs, minus in corsi and shot share, he has no basis for confidence. I think if he had at least one element of his game that was successful the confidence gained would allow him to improve other areas.

What can be done to allow some success for the just turned 21 yr old with only 121 NHL games, a season and a half? IMO a 10-15 game stretch in the AHL would help the kid a bunch especially due to the slower pace as I believe processing speed is his biggest problem right now. If not that a move to wing where he's not burdened with the responsibilities of a centerman in theory allowing him to think less and just play more. Let er rip if you will.

Whatever needs done to allow the kid some confidence, have some success, to slow the game down for him, to think less and just play and build off of that cuz the longer he regresses the more the problems will get into his head and then instead of just developing the kid you have to undo things. And that's never easy as we see from StanBow, and others, trying reclamation projects of former 1st rd picks.

I always go back to the week after that draft when an exec said at his size and skating only a handful of players on earth can do what Dach can. The kid is a specimen. ......
- Mr Ricochet

If he was coaching, what would Scotty Bowman do if he couldn't send the kid to the minors for seasoning? Probably slot him on a wing beside his most experienced and successful center and for the rest of the season ask that line to play effectively in all 3 zones and not worry much about offensive production. By doing that the kid would have 2 coaches - 1 on the ice with him and 1 behind the bench. Patiently point out the mistakes he makes and continually correct them.

Dach isn't going to be the 2nd coming of Mario Lemieux, despite the fanboy expectations. Its probably too early to tell if he will ever even be an effective #1 or #2 centerman on a very good NHL team.

But based on his physical toolbox, at the very least a good coaching staff likely could develop him into a Bob Gainey/Don Marcotte/Bill Guerin/John Tonelli type player. Very valuable to have - those type of guys do a lot of dirty work along the walls, on the PK and away from the puck. Teams win with those type of guys, they are road graders with some skill and open up ice for the real offensive guys (and as importantly cover their butts because they won't/can't play defence).

Top end coaches like Rod Brindamour, Mike Sullivan, John Cooper, Bruce Cassidy would be salivating if they got their hands on a kid like Dach. Those guys coach winning veteran teams and wouldn't feel it necessary to throw him into the deep end of the pool immediately. Rebuild his game based on the role they think best suits what he does best and helps their team the most. In Chicago he just floundering like a pro golfer who has lost his game, doesn't understand why and has nobody to help him out of it.

So long as the leaves lose more.

For all the talent Colorado have they always seem to be missing something to get them over the top.
- paulr

Love watching the Avs play during regular season, exciting, high speed and skill. Nathan Mackinnon is my favourite player in the league.

But when the real physicality and nastiness commences in April, do you think they have what it takes to take out 3 of St.Louis, Minnesota, Vegas in the West and then take down Tampa to win a Cup?

I don't - goaltending is just average at best, some weak links and depth issues on the blueline and have my doubts about the coach.

And 1 more very important - Nazem Khadri. Ex Leafs don't win sh$t, they just drag their new teams down into a similar polluted swamp known best as Leafland.

One thing I'm sure of is development is not linear and can, and does, look funky sometimes. So it's never even close to one size fits all. But I think the eye test has shown us all since the bubble v EDM Dach has either stagnated or regressed. His fancies back up the eye test, he's stagnated in some stats and regressed in others: https://www.naturalstattr...d=8481523&sit=5v5&stype=2

I posted awhile back if you drew up a plan to railroad Dach the circumstances could not have been more perfect. Two covid yrs, a yr without camp cuz he broke his wrist, a broken wrist, his whole career under Colliton. The definition of climbing uphill every step of the way. This on top of coming up as an 18 yr old and as a bigger player which the stats show take longer to develop and as a centerman.

I'm sure they had a developmental plan for him and yr 1 he seemed on track but has regressed. Then came the funk I posted above. Did they tweak the developmental plan to adjust for the funk? Does the plan allow for regression as it's understood development is rarely linear?

The fancies show regression my eye test shows a player thinking much more than playing, a confused player, but interestingly enough his body language doesn't show too much frustration.

Is the pace so quick he can't process properly (confused, skating into a cul de sac leaving no options) and as he thinks a play thru too slowly he losses all time and space? I think this is probably the problem. He's not processing quickly enough. What I saw from him in jrs the kid showed IQ so IMO it's not that.

Then look at his fancies and traditional stats. What does the kid leave the arena feeling good about? He ain't scoring, ain't dishing, ain't winnin faceoffs, minus in corsi and shot share, he has no basis for confidence. I think if he had at least one element of his game that was successful the confidence gained would allow him to improve other areas.

What can be done to allow some success for the just turned 21 yr old with only 121 NHL games, a season and a half? IMO a 10-15 game stretch in the AHL would help the kid a bunch especially due to the slower pace as I believe processing speed is his biggest problem right now. If not that a move to wing where he's not burdened with the responsibilities of a centerman in theory allowing him to think less and just play more. Let er rip if you will.

Whatever needs done to allow the kid some confidence, have some success, to slow the game down for him, to think less and just play and build off of that cuz the longer he regresses the more the problems will get into his head and then instead of just developing the kid you have to undo things. And that's never easy as we see from StanBow, and others, trying reclamation projects of former 1st rd picks.

I always go back to the week after that draft when an exec said at his size and skating only a handful of players on earth can do what Dach can. The kid is a specimen. ......
- Mr Ricochet

I see what you see...his mind not keeping up with his body or the action around him. Also agree with the idea of a few games in Rockford with the list of "work on these things" - hopefully, he can show himself (and his coaches) that the talent and competitiveness we saw in EDM has not been negatively impacted by the speed bumps in his development path.

They've said he is a student of the game, so maybe he is trying to process and apply in real time what he's learning about the players he's playing with and against and the teams the Hawks are playing. That's not a bad thing, but it will cause issues until he gets comfortable.

New blog! Thoughts on the Marc-Andre Fleury trade rumor involving the Capitals and on a former 1st round reclamation project possibly hitting the market.

Games tonight: Blackhawks vs Red Wings + IceHogs vs Wild.

https://bit.ly/3raEhtf