A guy about half the size as Dach?
- 6628

Yet he's twice the player.....

On Kirby Dach:

The Hawks got picks #13 and #66 in return for Dach. Also, the Habs gave Dach $13.5 mill over four seasons after trading for him.

The Hawks have no forwards signed beyond next season. They will be trading some of the current group at the deadline.

As armchair GMs, we have to assess if Dach is worth that return, and if we want to offer him something comparable to his Habs contract. We also want that deck as clear as possible, with no more iffy longer contracts for the foreseeable future beyond what we already have with the defensive group. This is a gut rehab, not a refurbish.

This trade gave KD maximum flexibility for the future. That's the bottom line here.

In all seriousness, people are comparing Dach's potential to Nazar's potential and that's not necessarily correct. I think we need to look at Dach's potential in Chicago and not his production in Montreal. I'm happy to see Dach improve in Montreal, but I don't believe that would have happened in Chicago.


If we were re-drafting the 2019 NHL draft we all know who the Hawks would take at #3.
- DarthKane

Dylan Cozens?

I think they stubbornly thought that they had serious upside in their over-drafting at defense when in fact they had a lot less potential, despite a bare cupboard at forward of selections.

Gonna be the Tage show the rest of the way

Damn do the Blue Jackets suck

Gonna be the Tage show the rest of the way

Damn do the Blue Jackets suck
- BetweenTheDots

And Boquist isn't going to help too much when he returns. He is the definition of injury prone or injury/concussion prone. I hope he can have one really great season when he is not injured too much - he has great offensuve ability befitting of the draft choice Bowman made. Unfortunately just having ability doesn't mean you become a star in the NHL

Buffalo offense has been lighting up and appears they can not only keep it up, but thrive.

T Thompson is attaining a new level no one thought he would reach. The rookie, Quinn, has added to their offensuve output. I don't know what to expect Krebs and Middlestadt. But there are others who are scoring.

Now we have heard about their young dmen

I think it would be the Blackhawks who COULD approach what Buffalo is showing this year. For this to happen, SOME of our dmen need tp develop and KD must draft a bevy of scoreres

I know wiz has said I get too excited about all the prospects. That was stretching it wiz but I realize there is some truth to it. While I hold out hope for many, only Korchinski and Vlasic might become pretty darn good. Many of the others are certainly intriguing and representation of the deepest
best group we have ever had

Our guys don't compare to the potential what Buffalo has in Dahlin , Power, Samuelson, Jokiharju. But let's bookmark this and see how our guys (dmen)stack up in 2-3 years. A deep defense with puck movers who skate above average to good, with some toughness too....could become our strong suit.....with Soderstrom and Comesso....

Gonna be the Tage show the rest of the way

Damn do the Blue Jackets suck
- BetweenTheDots

That Thompson trade worked out for both teams, O’Reilly helped bring the Blues their first cup, and Buffalo got young talent back. That is how trades are supposed to go, both teams got what they were looking to attain.

And Boquist isn't going to help too much when he returns. He is the definition of injury prone or injury/concussion prone. I hope he can have one really great season when he is not injured too much - he has great offensuve ability befitting of the draft choice Bowman made. Unfortunately just having ability doesn't mean you become a star in the NHL

Buffalo offense has been lighting up and appears they can not only keep it up, but thrive.

T Thompson is attaining a new level no one thought he would reach. The rookie, Quinn, has added to their offensuve output. I don't know what to expect Krebs and Middlestadt. But there are others who are scoring.

Now we have heard about their young dmen

I think it would be the Blackhawks who COULD approach what Buffalo is showing this year. For this to happen, SOME of our dmen need tp develop and KD must draft a bevy of scoreres

I know wiz has said I get too excited about all the prospects. That was stretching it wiz but I realize there is some truth to it. While I hold out hope for many, only Korchinski and Vlasic might become pretty darn good. Many of the others are certainly intriguing and representation of the deepest
best group we have ever had

Our guys don't compare to the potential what Buffalo has in Dahlin , Power, Samuelson, Jokiharju. But let's bookmark this and see how our guys (dmen)stack up in 2-3 years. A deep defense with puck movers who skate above average to good, with some toughness too....could become our strong suit.....with Soderstrom and Comesso....
- jhawk59

Jokiharju is a dumber version of Leddy.

Jokiharju is a dumber version of Leddy.
- rpeters01

Without the offense.

T Thompson is attaining a new level no one thought he would reach. The rookie, Quinn, has added to their offensuve output. I don't know what to expect Krebs and Middlestadt. But there are others who are scoring. Centre Dylan Cozens while Casey Middlestadt is on aRW now)


I think it would be the Blackhawks who COULD approach what Buffalo is showing this year. For this to happen, SOME of our dmen need tp develop and KD must draft a bevy of scorers

I know wiz has said I get too excited about all the prospects. That was stretching it wiz but I realize there is some truth to it.
- jhawk59

Buffalo should be your boiler plate for patience. in regards to when a Rockford MIGHT be truly be ready for elevation.
Dahlin first over all and he comes into his own this season, FIVE seasons after being selected, as in Korchinski is one season from being drafted.
Owen Power is already their solid second best backliner, and he will become much more threatening as he plays past this his second season.
(It is a bonus when you draft a fluid giant...and please no Vlasic comparison, because WE wish Vlasic had Owen Power's toolkit.)

Samuelson, Jokiharju.are place holders who will be jorneymen in Buffalo of elsewhere.
(They don't tickle my gullet.)

Our guys don't compare to the potential what Buffalo has in Dahlin , Power, Samuelson, Jokiharju. But let's bookmark this and see how our guys (dmen)stack up in 2-3 years. A deep defense with puck movers who skate above average to good, with some toughness too....could become our strong suit.....with Soderstrom and Comesso....While I hold out hope for many, only Korchinski and Vlasic might become pretty darn good.
- jhawk59

Everyone of our farm defenseman have good wheels; that isn't the issue.
And I am not convinced Vlasic, Del Mastro, or even defensive defenseman Nolan can amount to anything but journeymen NHLers, who play in many phases well enough to be on rosters, but I don't even see an Adam Pelech or Devon Toews projection there; it take a long workload against the best players to grow an NHL defenseman's games; Cale Makar's (throw out there, just add ice) who after time in BC juniors coupled by two college years are not who they are.
And I don't like the Kevin Korchinski - Makar comparisons either...Makar's skating, stick handling andI immediate puck distributions don't come standard in all models--I pray Korchinski can sometimes turn Kirby Dach inside out like Makar did. I see him as fluid attacker whose stick handling is improving and has offensive instincts, but let's take it easy on his upside too.
Contenders are loaded with players they take EARLY and the ones they ferret out in the ensuing rounds who have "it."

Please do not "Pat Boyle" me, with expanded hopes and dreams based on Commeso and Solderholm until they both prove they can steal NHL games, and not be more than the last defense as teams turnstile the Hawks in their defensive zone.

I agree that Sabres are showing signs as a team that will make noise.

But it is a complicated matter to rebuild and get to contender status. (Let me know when those 4 dee-men and company in Buffalo get there.)
Columbus has had several drafts, trades, etc. with no results.

Detroit's results continue to improve, but was its 7 year plan or a bit more?

Have Arizona seen ANY good results?
And I prefer not to be a middle team where little advancement seems possible until you trade or draft star impact player to the group and so many of the middle teams...

(Not gonna mention Winnipeg's climb and fall from contending team.)

I watch every hawk game; I don't fast forward, watch their highlights. I am a committed Hawk fan and know there will be plenty of games and unpleasant results before there is even light at the end of the tunnel, because it is really long tunnel and the farm is far from brightening my hopes so far. Just saying, Jimbo!

Hopefully he can build this kind of confidence in the NHL soon:

https://twitter.com/CRoum...?cxt=HHwWgMCqtZyw87YsAAAA

Buffalo should be your boiler plate for patience. in regards to when a Rockford MIGHT be truly be ready for elevation.
Dahlin first over all and he comes into his own this season, FIVE seasons after being selected, as in Korchinski is one season from being drafted.
Owen Power is already their solid second best backliner, and he will become much more threatening as he plays past this his second season.
(It is a bonus when you draft a fluid giant...and please no Vlasic comparison, because WE wish Vlasic had Owen Power's toolkit.)

Samuelson, Jokiharju.are place holders who will be jorneymen in Buffalo of elsewhere.
(They don't tickle my gullet.)



Everyone of our farm defenseman have good wheels; that isn't the issue.
And I am not convinced Vlasic, Del Mastro, or even defensive defenseman Nolan can amount to anything but journeymen NHLers, who play in many phases well enough to be on rosters, but I don't even see an Adam Pelech or Devon Toews projection there; it take a long workload against the best players to grow an NHL defenseman's games; Cale Makar's (throw out there, just add ice) who after time in BC juniors coupled by two college years are not who they are.
And I don't like the Kevin Korchinski - Makar comparisons either...Makar's skating, stick handling andI immediate puck distributions don't come standard in all models--I pray Korchinski can sometimes turn Kirby Dach inside out like Makar did. I see him as fluid attacker whose stick handling is improving and has offensive instincts, but let's take it easy on his upside too.
Contenders are loaded with players they take EARLY and the ones they ferret out in the ensuing rounds who have "it."

Please do not "Pat Boyle" me, with expanded hopes and dreams based on Commeso and Solderholm until they both prove they can steal NHL games, and not be more than the last defense as teams turnstile the Hawks in their defensive zone.

I agree that Sabres are showing signs as a team that will make noise.

But it is a complicated matter to rebuild and get to contender status. (Let me know when those 4 dee-men and company in Buffalo get there.)
Columbus has had several drafts, trades, etc. with no results.

Detroit's results continue to improve, but was its 7 year plan or a bit more?

Have Arizona seen ANY good results?
And I prefer not to be a middle team where little advancement seems possible until you trade or draft star impact player to the group and so many of the middle teams...

(Not gonna mention Winnipeg's climb and fall from contending team.)

I watch every hawk game; I don't fast forward, watch their highlights. I am a committed Hawk fan and know there will be plenty of games and unpleasant results before there is even light at the end of the tunnel, because it is really long tunnel and the farm is far from brightening my hopes so far. Just saying, Jimbo!
- wiz1901

Wiz, always appreciate your input, you have probably forgotten more about hockey than I know. That being said, let me slow you down a bit on Devon Toews, as he was a 4th rd pick and was almost 25 when he became a regular in the NHL, and then was traded for two seconds just before he turned 27. I’m not saying any of the Hawks prospects will end up being as good as Toews, but there’s plenty of time for one or two of Vlasic, Allan, or Del Mastro to develop into solid NHL defensemen, time will tell.

Wiz, always appreciate your input, you have probably forgotten more about hockey than I know. That being said, let me slow you down a bit on Devon Toews, as he was a 4th rd pick and was almost 25 when he became a regular in the NHL, and then was traded for two seconds just before he turned 27. I’m not saying any of the Hawks prospects will end up being as good as Toews, but there’s plenty of time for one or two of Vlasic, Allan, or Del Mastro to develop into solid NHL defensemen, time will tell.
- Angotti

Toews is on my fantasy team, and I love the kid.
My only point is no one can say the Hawk kids are of high water marks and of course he is playing in a first pair, great feet, hands and head, and a whole lot better than we can RIGHT NOW expect from our unfinished prospects.
and heck yeah, the Hawks pulling a Toews in the 4th round would tickle my bottom as well as yours...no disrespect was meant for Toews as an example I was just trying to pull two drafted Islanders who progress, weren't hype as much as I think we will hear about our futures. I am not sold until they pop out of their cocoons and are equals to these two in some form...

Hopefully he can build this kind of confidence in the NHL soon:

https://twitter.com/CRoum...?cxt=HHwWgMCqtZyw87YsAAAA
- Chunk

There are no flying bodies on a shoot out.

There are no flying bodies on a shoot out.
- wiz1901

True Wiz, but the kid picked the corner with the goalie way out of the net. Not sure if that was talent or dumb luck, but he didn't hesitate.

True Wiz, but the kid picked the corner with the goalie way out of the net. Not sure if that was talent or dumb luck, but he didn't hesitate.
- 6628

Honesty,I hope we got a first line player there.

Toews is on my fantasy team, and I love the kid.
My only point is no one can say the Hawk kids are of high water marks and of course he is playing in a first pair, great feet, hands and head, and a whole lot better than we can RIGHT NOW expect from our unfinished prospects.
and heck yeah, the Hawks pulling a Toews in the 4th round would tickle my bottom as well as yours...no disrespect was meant for Toews as an example I was just trying to pull two drafted Islanders who progress, weren't hype as much as I think we will hear about our futures. I am not sold until they pop out of their cocoons and are equals to these two in some form...
- wiz1901

Outside of maybe a spotlight on the team website or a quick write up from some of the bloggers on other sites, I don't think many of our D-men prospects have been hyped much, if at all. People here say things, but has anyone else seen much outside of analysts saying "we'll see" about these guys?

There are no flying bodies on a shoot out.
- wiz1901

Indeed, but I was more talking about the fact that there was no hesitation and he actually seemed to set up the goalie a bit.

It will be interesting to see during his next extended call up who he plays with and what they ask him to do.

Without the offense.
- Chunk

That's fair because Nylander is a dumber version of Nylander without the offense.

Outside of maybe a spotlight on the team website or a quick write up from some of the bloggers on other sites, I don't think many of our D-men prospects have been hyped much, if at all. People here say things, but has anyone else seen much outside of analysts saying "we'll see" about these guys?
- Chunk

We don't have the prior front office hyping every prospect as the next coming of the great one. That should help the prospects. Was a huge pet peeve with the prior crew.

TT was hyped as the next Kane. The front office PR machine hyped him so much. Same with a lot of the other prospects that have come and gone.

I like the low profile/minimal hype. Let the kids learn their craft without the hype.

Hype them when they get to the NHL and start showing signs of being good NHL players.

I hope Reichel turns into the wall mucker he could be - one that also scores and set things up. He is not my mind's preoccupation as that is where that Tampa Bay 1st Rd. pick ends up being, and then I try to project another Blackhawk success with that late first rounder.
I continue to draw comparisons of current NHL newbies rookies like Wyatt Johnson, whose play as a regular has helped make Dallas Stars a contender playing third line centre with Vet Jamie Benn on one side and the young Ty Dellandrea (selected early four years ago).
Wyatt Johnston was drafted two years ago 23rd overall and is doing more than fitting in.
So I imagina the first of the Tampa Bay Hagel returns in form of a 2023 first pick and emulates Dallas' Wyatt has good fortune with a quick ascension quick elevation.

I don't see the Lightning falling apart enough to pick as low as #23 this 2023 unless suddenly Rangers Capitals, and Florida take off and pass them in the standings.

New blog!