Yeah, hence the worse part of my comment. They give him a C in couple of years and he will be tied for the worse captain in hawks history with Adrian (frank)ing Aucoin.
- Elbows15

Someone is going to wear a letter next year. Any of the choices are going to be poop. This is by far the least of their worries.

That's because most of Rockford's forward group were AHL lifers. The upcoming season is where some prospects should start filtering into RFD.
- Elbows15

Well yeah, but that's why I said I expect to see KD take on a bad contract and/or sign some FA's. Oprah was saying that he doesn't want "guys" getting int he way of prospects. There aren't many forward prospects that are ready, and the ones they have will likely have a spot open to them.

...and from my perspective, it makes me question if goalie Arvid Söderblom is ready for the NHL, as well as any of the "exciting" future NHLers in the group.

Let all percolate, and go get some kids to hang our dreamcoats on.
- wiz1901

I watched all 3 game's highlights at the AHL site. Now these are only highlights but a couple of those goals on Soderblom could be called soft and most others were savable and from 20 feetish that he saw all the way.

IMO Soderblom did not look good in those "highlights". Regardless, he'll get a full offseason to work on his game and will, or should, share the Hawk's crease with Mrazek next yr.

Another example you need plans A, B, C, D and E in the pipeline for the goalie position. Commesso and Stauber need to work in the AHL next yr, Basse in the ECHL and IMO they need to draft another goalie this yr to work in the NCAA or juniors for a couple/few yrs.

We don't know yet but will get a glimpse of how KD and the organIzation values the position by what draft resources they use on the position. A Hrabel type in rd 1 or 2 or swings in the later rds?

It’s crazy how few players we have walking this offseason. Toews, Athanasiou, Khaira are the only UFA forwards. Englund is the only UFA D. We could just not qualify Bjork, Wagner, C Jones, and Mitchell. But I want to keep Mitchell and Kurashev. Guys like Blackwell, Richardinson, seem to grow on trees. Every D on the nhl squad aside from Seth Jones could go and I’d be happy. Zaitsev, Murphy, C Jones, Tinordi, Englund are all below average defenseman and most are around 30 years old. Give those spots to some kids and let them learn the speed of the pros. Vlasic, Phillips, and others are knocking on the door but we’re going to let one of the above mentioned bums have their ice time? Come on.

I don’t care if the Hawks stink next year, they will. I will care if I have to hunt and peck for the one or two prospects they’re icing each night like this year. The misfits they iced at the end of this season isn’t really forgivable when there’s youth chomping at the bit and guys who COULD be part of the future here. No one aside from Jones and Kurashev has a high probability of being here in three years. Don’t waste our time as fans holding the kids back so that Jared Tinordi can show other plugs how to leadership qualities.
- ObeseOprah

As bad as many of the current Blackhawk dmen are, replacing them with AHL dmen is not rationale. I wish those AHL dmen could take half the spots on the NHL club; however, those AHL guys are not ready. We would be so bad the fans wouldn’t turn out. There is hope for Vlasic but I am lukewarm in Phillips. He has to be physical and if it doesn’t come natural and or he cannot be physical regularly, he may never be an effective third pair dmen.

Give Phillips another year in the AHL. He has come a long ways and may possibly improve. He has a lot of natural ability so I am willing to allow him one or two more years BUT NEED to show incremental improvement.

The next prospects to impact Chicago defense is a bit hard to gauge since they too need to develop

I would bet on Korchinsli, DelMaestro and of course Kaiser (soon will be) a given

I don’t believe Regula makes it with Chicago. Allen has issues which he might overcome yet they may always hinder him even when he makes NHL. If he doesn’t try to do too much and isn’t regularly a heavy puck mover, then I like his chances. Crevier May or may not be a sleeper - time will tell

Rinzal and others are so far away from NHL. Yes I believe KD will draft a dmsn if the best player available and he likes the profile

Mitchell is a wild card. If he returns I am willing to give him one year to show improvement

The point was the early selected are the best chance to succeed; for all the critics of StanBo for trading for first round selected guy that didn't work out (but it didn't work out).

All the teams in the dance, even the losers, are teams loaded with early drafted guys, at draft day or after they don't work out somewhere else.

I am saying that besides hitting on your picks, there are always "ingredients" found outside the team's guys and when they work out, your team progresses to playoff team, then true contenders.
- wiz1901

Well said, Wiz. You simply can not have long term sustained success without building thru the draft. And it's baked into the cake that you'll miss on some 1st rounders, everyone does, but that does not dismiss the fact you have no choice but to build thru the draft.

OrganIzations must scout, evaluate, draft and develop properly and I guess the key is understanding you missed on a pick EARLY enough to move that prospect before it's too late and the whole league sees the prospect will not live up to his draft position or is a bust.

But you gotta keep drafting and the higher the pick, and the more picks you have, the better the percentages are that prospect will be an NHLer.

...and if so, how come Simon Nemec (3rd overall before Shane Wright!) and David Jiricek go off the board at slot #2 & #6?

Just a couple weeks ago, I watched him blow his defensive coverage and lead to an invasion by the opposition...there his still work to be done, but the good feet and instincts of the smaller Makar will aid in him getting better in his end. I am glad you all want to see him in Chicago next year, but I want him ready when he arrives to ride the waves of NHL attackers.
- wiz1901

Zero clue why you tagged me, none, but I don't want, and never said, I want Korchinski to be a Hawk next yr. Not too much more developing he can do in juniors but no way do I want him, or anyone else, up with the Hawks before it's beyond apparent they're ready for the bigs, then maybe wait another yr!!

I like the path they've taken with Reichel. I'm ok with Korchinski finishing his jrs/WJC eligibility and start him in the AHL the next yr and see how he looks.

Samuel Honzek or Kasper Halttunen
- DarthKane

I would take Kasper Halttunen or was this reference to who skates better than Dach? both

Charlie Stramel. No Euros.
- Elbows15

Yeah Stamen is very intriguing and probably deserves recognition in the 20's...but it was a bad year in Wisconsin, and he is staying another year for sure to improve, and his best hockey buddy Wm. Whitelaw is joining him.

If the Rangers make Lafreniere available what would be a reasonable price? I’d be willing to give him a shot for a 2nd round pick, but not Chicago’s 2023 second.

...and if so, how come Simon Nemec (3rd overall before Shane Wright!) and David Jiricek go off the board at slot #2 & #6?



- wiz1901

How come Kucherov was drafted 58th, Point 79th, Cam Berker 3rd and Yakupov 1st, Wiz???

Here is what I saw watching the Hogs play in what turned out to be the last game of the season for them:
1) Soderblom is too passive in his net. It seemed like he is always deep in the crease. The 2nd and 3rd goals should have been saves if he is on top of the crease. It is like he lets the puck come to him instead of going to save the puck. Matt Murray was much more aggressive and it really made the difference in some of the IceHogs rushes.
2) The Hawks Organization need to find their next Seabrook, I know that is easier said than done. For having a collection of big Dmen, they play like they are 5'7", 150 lbs. So many times they could wipe their player out on the boards, but they play so passive. I'm not saying they need to headhunt, but just the play along the boards was so weak. Need to be better separating the man from the puck. Lost a lot of puck battles.
3) Reichel...you see the flashes of his talent, great skater. But you would think for the next "star" player for the Hawks, he should be dominating in the AHL...he didn't. I know he scored at the end, but Murray should have save it.
4) Players that stood out:
Joey Anderson just does a lot of things right. Plays on PP & PK. Not going to be a 1st or 2nd line player, but has many usual tools.
Reichel for his speed and stick handling, with better line mates he can certainly drive the play. He played a lot of C, but in my opinion, it seems like a wing is better suited for him.
Teply looked pretty good until he took that stupid crosscheck penalty at the end of the game, that lead to the 4th Stars goal.
Buddy Robinson moves a lot better for being as big as he is. He can't do anything when the puck comes to him, but he is way faster than I would have thought.
Of all the young Defensemen, I would say it was Phillips that looked the best, than maybe Vlasic. The interesting thing is they all seem like the same player. Nothing stood out that makes you say, wow, that guy is the next young 1 pairing, or even 2 pairing to come up next year. They all skate well, just need to get tougher/stronger.
It was a fun game, wish it was a better outcome, but it was nice to see what is in the pipeline for the Hawks. And at $20 a ticket and free parking, totally worth it (except for the idiot fan next to me wearing a Hawks jersey that would stand up and cheer every time the Stars scored)!
- spudrock512

Thanks for taking the time, Spud......... Seems to me the Hawks, and a lot of organIzations, are teaching the stick check over the body check. The don't want Dmen taking themselves out of a play to play the body. Right or wrong that seems to be the trend.

From what I've seen the closest the organIzation has to a Seabrook is Del Mastro. Big stong kid who will hit and has 35 pt skills too.

I watched all 3 game's highlights at the AHL site. Now these are only highlights but a couple of those goals on Soderblom could be called soft and most others were savable and from 20 feetish that he saw all the way.

IMO Soderblom did not look good in those "highlights". Regardless, he'll get a full offseason to work on his game and will, or should, share the Hawk's crease with Mrazek next yr.

Another example you need plans A, B, C, D and E in the pipeline for the goalie position. Commesso and Stauber need to work in the AHL next yr, Basse in the ECHL and IMO they need to draft another goalie this yr to work in the NCAA or juniors for a couple/few yrs.

We don't know yet but will get a glimpse of how KD and the organIzation values the position by what draft resources they use on the position. A Hrabel type in rd 1 or 2 or swings in the later rds?
- Mr Ricochet

Value small, Ric...they need to draft a big goalie prospect one of the four Giant Michael Hrabal (6' 6" 200+), Adam Gajan (6' 3" 186) Carson Bjarnason (6' 3") or Scott Ratzlaff (6' 1").

Does it matter at all who the captain will be next year? In 06-07 the captains were Aucoin and Lapointe. Did that matter at all to the trajectory of the club?

The difference between having Toews and Kane on the team and having Jones is that Toews and Kane came with a pedigree of being champions. Players deferred to them when on the ice and in the locker room. Very few will defer to Jones in either aspect.
- Chunk

They won't have anyone wearing a C for a couple of seasons.

If the Rangers make Lafreniere available what would be a reasonable price? I’d be willing to give him a shot for a 2nd round pick, but not Chicago’s 2023 second.
- DarthKane

No more than a 3rd. He doesn't fit the mold Kd is trying to build. He doesn't skate well enough. There was also something from inside the Rangers org just recently that maybe he needs to spend more time working on his hockey game in the off-season instead of his golf game.

Thanks for taking the time, Spud......... Seems to me the Hawks, and a lot of organIzations, are teaching the stick check over the body check. The don't want Dmen taking themselves out of a play to play the body. Right or wrong that seems to be the trend.

From what I've seen the closest the organIzation has to a Seabrook is Del Mastro. Big stong kid who will hit and has 35 pt skills too.
- Mr Ricochet

Watching Del Mastro playing London in Westen Ontario final .Big kid good skater plays all the time not sure he is next Seebs I think there is only one but kid plays a physical game all night long .

Someone is going to wear a letter next year. Any of the
choices are going to be poop. This is by far the least of their worries.
- Chunk

I keep hearing Reese Johnson is captain material


In all seriousness, Tyler Johnson would not be a bad choice for the C. He was wearing a letter at the end of the year.

...and if so, how come Simon Nemec (3rd overall before Shane Wright!) and David Jiricek go off the board at slot #2 & #6?



- wiz1901

How come Kucherov was drafted 58th, Point 79th, Cam Berker 3rd and Yakupov 1st, Wiz???
- Mr Ricochet

a)Because he was a Russian and small
b)Point had various in juries and simply wasn't a great prospect and became one.
c) Cam Barker gola and assist totals were viewed as the entire story, when there things missing from the package.
d) Yakupov was allowed to ply on a dec3ent line w/o little backcheckor feet, just hands and the lottery winners GM and most everyone didn't see past the hype.

Zero clue why you tagged me, none, but I don't want, and never said, I want Korchinski to be a Hawk next yr. Not too much more developing he can do in juniors but no way do I want him, or anyone else, up with the Hawks before it's beyond apparent they're ready for the bigs, then maybe wait another yr!!

I like the path they've taken with Reichel. I'm ok with Korchinski finishing his jrs/WJC eligibility and start him in the AHL the next yr and see how he looks.
- Mr Ricochet

I can see Korchinski on the Clarke, Wright path next year. 9 games with the big club, a “conditioning” stint in the A, world juniors, then back to Seattle to finish the year.

I keep hearing Reese Johnson is captain material


In all seriousness, Tyler Johnson would not be a bad choice for the C. He was wearing a letter at the end of the year.
- LAHawk

He is only here for one more year. The Hawks will not have a captain for at two seasons is my guess. Just 3 guys wearing A's

No more than a 3rd. He doesn't fit the mold Kd is trying to build. He doesn't skate well enough. There was also something from inside the Rangers org just recently that maybe he needs to spend more time working on his hockey game in the off-season instead of his golf game.
- Elbows15

He's getting the TT treatment, maybe just maybe he needed some seasoning in the minors as well.

I can see Korchinski on the Clarke, Wright path next year. 9 games with the big club, a “conditioning” stint in the A, world juniors, then back to Seattle to finish the year.
- LAHawk

I hope they just leave Korchinski in junior. He has lots to learn and needs to get stronger. Other than a reward for a strong camp there’s no other reason for him not to spend the season in junior. Improve his weaknesses, strengthen his strengths and be an important player in the WJC for Canada.

So is Bobrovsky’s contract still considered a bad one?

Florida is up 2-0 on Toronto, just like we all expected.

He's getting the TT treatment, maybe just maybe he needed some seasoning in the minors as well.
- BetweenTheDots

He doesn't skate anywhere near as well as TT. Difference is TT was always good defensively.

As the Hawks stand currently, I don’t think there’s any doubt that as a collection they have the worst set of forward prospects in the league. That needs to change in the next three years. The good news is that they have the picks to start accumulating those assets.
- Angotti

Id say yes and no, i remember Reichel coming up and thinking all this talk about him and watching, thinking i must be missing something cause he's ordinary out there, but over time, marinating in the rock the last stint he came up he looked like a difference maker. Credit to the player, and credit to developing the player. So i found it weird when he was struggling in the playoffs in the A, come to find out he was playing through an injury.

I think when it comes to these minor league rankings got to take them with a grain of salt.

For example if LAs minor league system was so stacked why would they trade for Fiala, you know the same could be said of NJ for Meier