Per Roumeliotis:

9. Kirby Dach logged ice time 19:08 of ice time in regulation. Only Patrick Kane had more among Blackhawks forwards (barely) at 19:33. Dach went up against McDavid’s line all night, a difficult task for a young player like him but he held his own.


Not that we are experts by any stretch, but does anyone have a handle on some specifics that Dach needs to improve?
- Chunk

Part of Dachs time was PK.

Janmark was better, at least he had a clue what to do when he had the puck on his stick.
- LAHawk

Janmark is $2.5M ?

Regarding Kubalik, no way they should qualify him at a $4 mill cap hit. Trade him at the deadline, or try to keep him for $2 mill per if that fails. I don't know what happened to him. This is his third season, and it's worse than last year's sophomore regression. Is there an injury we don't know about that has hobbled his development?

Janmark is $2.5M ?
- rpeters01

$ 2 Mil. free agent at end of year

I prefer the 200 level to see the game but freebie tix rule. I sat at ice level for years so being up a bit you can see more.
- 6628

Certainly being up a bit higher allows to see the game better especially seeing how plays develop. But close to the glass makes it almost feel like you’re involved in the play.

All the criticism of King and his line-up construction, etc. the biggest positive, and the reason why I hope he is named head coach, is the team (including the veteran's) all play hard. The players have been given roles, some are basically tryouts, but each player know what is expected of them.

Regarding Kubalik, no way they should qualify him at a $4 mill cap hit. Trade him at the deadline, or try to keep him for $2 mill per if that fails. I don't know what happened to him. This is his third season, and it's worse than last year's sophomore regression. Is there an injury we don't know about that has hobbled his development?
- 333inthe3rd

The last 2 years have been tough. Covid. Coaching change. GM change. Injuries. Scandal. Turnstile of linemates. I am with you though. Resigning him at less than $4mil (probably more than $2mil). Maybe Strome and Kubalik at about $3mil for a couple of years. Maybe an overpay. But it maybe a bargain if Kubalik returns to form and Strome consistently plays like he has for the last month or so. Also if you bring in a new coach you can see how they respond. It is not like you have a lot of top 9 forwards in Rockford they are blocking. You have cap room.

All the criticism of King and his line-up construction, etc. the biggest positive, and the reason why I hope he is named head coach, is the team (including the veteran's) all play hard. The players have been given roles, some are basically tryouts, but each player know what is expected of them.
- LAHawk

I think a lot of coaches can motivate players to play hard consistently. But are they playing the right way. Are they being put in position to succeed. Line combinations, in game matchups, etc. are important too. I think we can do better.

The last 2 years have been tough. Covid. Coaching change. GM change. Injuries. Scandal. Turnstile of linemates. I am with you though. Resigning him at less than $4mil (probably more than $2mil). Maybe Strome and Kubalik at about $3mil for a couple of years. Maybe an overpay. But it maybe a bargain if Kubalik returns to form and Strome consistently plays like he has for the last month or so. Also if you bring in a new coach you can see how they respond. It is not like you have a lot of top 9 forwards in Rockford they are blocking. You have cap room.
- Ztra

How is that going to happen when you have to qualify stone feet at $3.6 and stonehands at $ 4 mil.?

The last 2 years have been tough. Covid. Coaching change. GM change. Injuries. Scandal. Turnstile of linemates. I am with you though. Resigning him at less than $4mil (probably more than $2mil). Maybe Strome and Kubalik at about $3mil for a couple of years. Maybe an overpay. But it maybe a bargain if Kubalik returns to form and Strome consistently plays like he has for the last month or so. Also if you bring in a new coach you can see how they respond. It is not like you have a lot of top 9 forwards in Rockford they are blocking. You have cap room.
- Ztra

It amazes me when the backers of Kubalik point to his 30 goal season, but do not take into account the unsustainable 20% shooting percentage he had that year. Please tell me in the last 2 years what benefit he has provided to the Hawks to be signed for a minimum of $4 mil. a year?

Please tell me how he has improved at all in the defensive end, making passes that are easily picked off, or trying to carry it out of the zone and can't. I would love to see the micro stat of how many times he fails to get the puck out of the zone when he is 3 feet away from the blue line. How many times he has blown coverage? Lucky he was able to add to his stats with a gift goal. The other 3 he should of had if he was the sniper everyone is hoping he would be he wiffed, and got 2 weak shots on goal that went right into a moving goalie. We have Carpenter who could do that, and he is much better at other areas of the game.

How is that going to happen when you have to qualify stone feet at $3.6 and stonehands at $ 4 mil.?
- LAHawk

1)Reading RFA qualifying offers for players making over $1mil do you need to go 10% over current contract? Also qualifying offers are 1 year.
2) Kubalik, having a poor year, may take less dollars for more term if he wants to stay with the Hawks. My thought is that on the open market Kubalik will be offered something similar to what Pius Suter took last year.

Agree with most of this 66.

McDavid is unreal when you see him live, most impressive is how quickly he gets to full speed. That all being said, he really doesn't put much effort into defending, or dipping deep into the D zone. He is an incredible talent though.

Officiating last night was typical NHL brutal. There is so much interference allowed these days it is ridiculous.

The guy (Jon Hansen) during breaks is brutal. Screaming, yelling, fake enthusiasm, minor league bull-crap. The worst part about it is that he has been given more and more screen time since he started. Each game unfortunately he appears more and more. You wanna drop in the occasional game, player profile, or goofy stuff thats all fine. I don't need to see him trying to be funny or relevant or telling me to scream/chant/etc.
- TheTrob

I'm afraid this will be the way the Hawks do business for the next few decades. The Sneaker Lady in charge of selling tickets finds this kinda thing, as well as rotating announcers, are what the regular people have asked for and want for their in game experience.

Although he has minus finishing skills, Lafferty checks a lot of boxes. Fast, physical, young, cheap.

Also nice to see Entwistle continue to develop. Lots more confidence in his game.
- scottak

Any thoughts on Koskinen last night, Scott? Watch him enough a poor glove hand and as big as he is he overplays pucks.

It amazes me when the backers of Kubalik point to his 30 goal season, but do not take into account the unsustainable 20% shooting percentage he had that year. Please tell me in the last 2 years what benefit he has provided to the Hawks to be signed for a minimum of $4 mil. a year?

Please tell me how he has improved at all in the defensive end, making passes that are easily picked off, or trying to carry it out of the zone and can't. I would love to see the micro stat of how many times he fails to get the puck out of the zone when he is 3 feet away from the blue line. How many times he has blown coverage? Lucky he was able to add to his stats with a gift goal. The other 3 he should of had if he was the sniper everyone is hoping he would be he wiffed, and got 2 weak shots on goal that went right into a moving goalie. We have Carpenter who could do that, and he is much better at other areas of the game.
- LAHawk

I am not seeing, even most of the Kubalik backers, suggesting that he should be given a qualifying offer. Talk to his agent before the TDL. Find out if he wants to be on the Hawks. If his expectations for his next salary in dollars or term are too much then move him at the deadline.

I prefer the 200 level to see the game but freebie tix rule. I sat at ice level for years so being up a bit you can see more.
- 6628

200 level all day long. I have to be up a bit to get some kinda birds eye view. My tix are 300 level 1st row but it is a bit high trying to judge speed but the 200 level is perfect.

When I bought my seasons back in 08/09 I asked about the 200 level. Was told each seat comes with a 1,000 dollar fee per seat for wait service!! Thousand bucks for the waiter so I said gimme 1st row 300 level.

It amazes me when the backers of Kubalik point to his 30 goal season, but do not take into account the unsustainable 20% shooting percentage he had that year. Please tell me in the last 2 years what benefit he has provided to the Hawks to be signed for a minimum of $4 mil. a year?

Please tell me how he has improved at all in the defensive end, making passes that are easily picked off, or trying to carry it out of the zone and can't. I would love to see the micro stat of how many times he fails to get the puck out of the zone when he is 3 feet away from the blue line. How many times he has blown coverage? Lucky he was able to add to his stats with a gift goal. The other 3 he should of had if he was the sniper everyone is hoping he would be he wiffed, and got 2 weak shots on goal that went right into a moving goalie. We have Carpenter who could do that, and he is much better at other areas of the game.
- LAHawk

If there is no qualifying offer, what do you think Kubalik’s next contract will be for (in years and dollars). With the Hawks or any team.

Question for the board, can the team offer to sign the RFA's right now before they have to send them QO? Let's just take Kubalik for example. He knows the team will not Qualify him at $4mil, and he might think he will only get a 1 year deal as a FA. Could the team offer him 2 years at the same salary before the end of season?

I don't know if your comment was intended as sarcasm, but I will say that Paul Shmyr was a fine defenseman; I hated to see him traded. Also hated to see the goaltender Gilles Meloche traded.
- stanleyhawk

They owned Paul Shmyr since he was at the St. Catherines tee-pees with the other more successful graduates.
Paul was under 5'11" and played with heart, but not sure if there is reason to think he was more than average undersized two way journeyman that the two leagues WHA & NHL were filled with.
(Today's defenders are ALL better skilled than those 12 lteam NHL league defenseman)

For some reason the locals think for Canucks to shed Tyers Myers and his deal they will need to toss in a early draft pick.

It will be interesting HOW the Blackhawks will be taking ON contracts using their space for addition draft picks....

Thanks Theo. New updated info on our 3rd line center. The Hawks record with King when Toews is in the lineup is now, 16-11-2, all while still not 100%, food for thought.
- Angotti

FWIW, that's a .586 points percentage and would have the Hawks 1 spot out of the 2nd WC spot:

DAL .594 WC #1
NSH .593 WC#2
CHI .586
VGK .582
EDM .582

Literally the definition of a 'bubble team'.

Any thoughts on Koskinen last night, Scott? Watch him enough a poor glove hand and as big as he is he overplays pucks.
- Mr Ricochet

The 1st was questionable, not a hard shot that went 5 hole
The 3rd goal was absolutely inexcusable
Lost his net on the OT winner, but it there was great puck movement by the Hawks.

I don't think that EDM makes the playoffs without an upgrade in goal, unless Skinner can play.

Could be because of his wrist, but it took him too long to tee up a couple of shots last night that immediately got blocked. That and his decision making, which is improving the last month or so. Notice King had him to start the OT because McDavid was on the ice.
- LAHawk

It's so hard to pinpoint Dach problem(s). Probably fair to say he came up too early, his only coach was JC until King, 2 of his yrs were during Covid, broke his wrist, came back too early from that injury and has been on bad teams.

But as you mention sometimes I watch this guy and think was I wrong thinking he was above average IQ? Too many bad reads on passes and skating himself into a cul-du-sac..... But you have to wonder is that due to improper development, he hasn't caught up to the speed of the NHL level?

King putting him out vs McD shows why most NHL people won't give up on him as a center for a long long time. Kid has the feet, length, size and dare I say defensive IQ to make a fine defensive player.

It's so hard to pinpoint Dach problem(s). Probably fair to say he came up too early, his only coach was JC until King, 2 of his yrs were during Covid, broke his wrist, came back too early from that injury and has been on bad teams.

But as you mention sometimes I watch this guy and think was I wrong thinking he was above average IQ? Too many bad reads on passes and skating himself into a cul-du-sac..... But you have to wonder is that due to improper development, he hasn't caught up to the speed of the NHL level?

King putting him out vs McD shows why most NHL people won't give up on him as a center for a long long time. Kid has the feet, length, size and dare I say defensive IQ to make a fine defensive player.
- Mr Ricochet

'
You know Ricco, if Dach takes 6 years to figure it out like Cotourier of the Flyers did, but he can match up with the #1 centers in the league defensively, I am ok with that.

The 1st was questionable, not a hard shot that went 5 hole
The 3rd goal was absolutely inexcusable
Lost his net on the OT winner, but it there was great puck movement by the Hawks.

I don't think that EDM makes the playoffs without an upgrade in goal, unless Skinner can play.
- scottak

No, I meant things like balance, tracking, depth in his net, coverage, width, efficiency, too eager or any observation?

I think EDM made the Hawks look better than they are. They really are a poor defensive club. You don't have to add Dmen though, although preferable, they can change systems at the expense of some offense.

As I've been posting they have to pick their poison as to which hole(s) they're not gonna fill. Goalie, D or middle 6 forward.

So i guess most are trade Kubalik or let him walk?

That really worked out well for us with Suter? Still don't know wtf Bowman was doing. And they promoted him

For sure and Kubalik is not that. He's a one trick pony sniper and we need players who can carry the play to the other team. Generate time in the opponents zone.

- rpeters01

Who isn't particularly good at finding open ice or the soft spots in coverage. He also loves to shank one timers.