I think last years group has some speed as well but the skill difference seems to stand out to me.
- BetweenTheDots

Definitely agree on the skill upgrade from last draft. Now all we need to see is if all this talent can all take the next two, biggest steps, to the NHL.

I think last years group has some speed as well but the skill difference seems to stand out to me.
- BetweenTheDots

The D group is definitely far more skilled for this year with Kaiser joining. I hope Korchinski sticks and Vlasic starts to apply his size.

The forward group is pretty thin after Bedard, Hall, and Reichel. Hoping Guttman, Kurashev, and maybe Raddysh can take a step this year. Raddysh and Katchouk fumbled some great setups last night. Guttman kind of reminds me of younger Tyler Johnson, low center of gravity with good handles and some slick cuts toward the net. Rooting for him a bit after someone on here pointed out his road to the NHL captaining his college team to the NCAA championship.

Very true but for now KK is far from being consistent. Roos doesn't look to good to me but Philips i give him a go and see if he can carve out some consistent good minutes. I think stability on the back end will go much further than what KK will bring right now. I hope I'm wrong but to me give him his 8 day beating so he can go back to Seattle with his tail between his legs knowing what he's got to work on.
- BetweenTheDots

There are few if any 19 year old dmen fresh out of junior that ever bring consistency and stability to an NHL blueline. Even Bobby Orr didn't do it.

So the Hawks will keep KK around for quite awhile so he earns some NHL $, let him practice with the big boys regularly and get NHL coaching, spot him into 9 games spread out over a few months and then it will be time to play in the WJC. After that they will send him back to junior and if Seattle isn't a good team he will get traded to a contender so his season is extended as long as possible.

It may just be me but it sure seems what I've seen from this year's crop of rookies they seem to have more stick skill than last year's group so far.
- BetweenTheDots

That's how it is now. Not a lot of D men run guys anymore. Skill is awesome to watch. A million years ago if some kid pulled out some skill and dummied a D man that kid would get his ass kicked. Shouldn't be like that. I do miss physical play, but not the cheap stuff.

I think last years group has some speed as well but the skill difference seems to stand out to me.
- BetweenTheDots

Haven't seen enough to say that. Except for highlights, never saw Moore play. Of course saw Gajan in the WJC, looks like a big Roger Crozier to me (in a good way).

From last years group, outside of highlights, never seen Rinzel play. Caught a few college games of James, Nazar, Thompson, and Greene, but haven't seen them in training camp or the Kurvers tournament to tell which draft class has more talent.

Very true but for now KK is far from being consistent. Roos doesn't look to good to me but Philips i give him a go and see if he can carve out some consistent good minutes. I think stability on the back end will go much further than what KK will bring right now. I hope I'm wrong but to me give him his 8 day beating so he can go back to Seattle with his tail between his legs knowing what he's got to work on.
- BetweenTheDots

Eh, he's better than Philips and shown more than him. Kaiser has been better than Philips and Allen has shown better (albeit in the preseason) than Philips. Vlasic also seems more steady. Not sure what the fascination with Philips is other than that he's spent time in the AHL and that seems to make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

K2 needs to play in the NHL to clean up his game and it's better now then when they start to get closer. The stuff he needs to learn is related to speed of play and strength of opponent which is impossible for him to learn in the WHL.

The plays he's missed are ones he would routinely make against players that are smaller and lesser skaters which at least related to the skating is probably 99% of the league. There isn't a whole lot gained from sending him down at this point. He's going to have to make the same adjustments and have the same issues against NHL players regardless of if it is this year or next year.

Eh, he's better than Philips and shown more than him. Kaiser has been better than Philips and Allen has shown better (albeit in the preseason) than Philips. Vlasic also seems more steady. Not sure what the fascination with Philips is other than that he's spent time in the AHL and that seems to make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

K2 needs to play in the NHL to clean up his game and it's better now then when they start to get closer. The stuff he needs to learn is related to speed of play and strength of opponent which is impossible for him to learn in the WHL.

The plays he's missed are ones he would routinely make against players that are smaller and lesser skaters which at least related to the skating is probably 99% of the league. There isn't a whole lot gained from sending him down at this point. He's going to have to make the same adjustments and have the same issues against NHL players regardless of if it is this year or next year.
- fattybeef

Korchinski’s weak points are his defensive play, his decision making and possibly his physical strength. All can and should be learned in junior playing against boys, which he is. The WHL also helps develop confidence in those weaker parts of his game. Confidence is a huge part of development, and loss of confidence can hinder development. 9 games on the Hawks then back to Seattle where he can work on the weak parts of his game and where he’ll be a leader. Then in January to the WJC where he’ll again be a leader. Then hopefully the WHL playoffs and Memorial cup.

Korchinski’s weak points are his defensive play, his decision making and possibly his physical strength. All can and should be learned in junior playing against boys, which he is. The WHL also helps develop confidence in those weaker parts of his game. Confidence is a huge part of development, and loss of confidence can hinder development. 9 games on the Hawks then back to Seattle where he can work on the weak parts of his game and where he’ll be a leader. Then in January to the WJC where he’ll again be a leader. Then hopefully the WHL playoffs and Memorial cup.
- paulr

Not really. It's making plays at speed against better competition. Better competition to hone his game does not exist in the WHL.

Zegras signs a bridge contract with Anaheim 3 x 5.75M.

Eh, he's better than Philips and shown more than him. Kaiser has been better than Philips and Allen has shown better (albeit in the preseason) than Philips. Vlasic also seems more steady. Not sure what the fascination with Philips is other than that he's spent time in the AHL and that seems to make everyone feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

K2 needs to play in the NHL to clean up his game and it's better now then when they start to get closer. The stuff he needs to learn is related to speed of play and strength of opponent which is impossible for him to learn in the WHL.

The plays he's missed are ones he would routinely make against players that are smaller and lesser skaters which at least related to the skating is probably 99% of the league. There isn't a whole lot gained from sending him down at this point. He's going to have to make the same adjustments and have the same issues against NHL players regardless of if it is this year or next year.
- fattybeef

I agree, although the posters here who’ve advocated for shielding him from the NHL have some points. Wish we could send him to Rockford but he’s not 20 for a while.

Not really. It's making plays at speed against better competition. Better competition to hone his game does not exist in the WHL.
- fattybeef

He’s out of position allot in the defensive zone. Why? Because he pinched at a bad time and vacated his position. When he’s in his zone there are instances when he doesn’t know what to do and gets caught watching. Making plays at speed is certainly another aspect but he wasn’t great defensively as a junior and he made some risky decisions as a junior. He has brought those weaknesses with him to camp. Next time he plays focus only on him.

There are few if any 19 year old dmen fresh out of junior that ever bring consistency and stability to an NHL blueline. Even Bobby Orr didn't do it.

So the Hawks will keep KK around for quite awhile so he earns some NHL $, let him practice with the big boys regularly and get NHL coaching, spot him into 9 games spread out over a few months and then it will be time to play in the WJC. After that they will send him back to junior and if Seattle isn't a good team he will get traded to a contender so his season is extended as long as possible.
- RickJ

Nice to see you weigh in, Rick. Curious about a couple of your thoughts, or anyone who cares to reply.

Of the rookie Dmen ready for NHL minutes TODAY, after KK and Vlasic, I'm thinking Allen has jumped to #2 on my list behind KK and probably the coaches list too.

Kid was always a +skater but IMO he progressed so well I rank his skating, minus speed, to be on par with KK's. Kid has seamless 4 dimensional skating and his balance is as good as KK's IMO....... Agree?

Add he plays much heavier, understands he's a D first Dmen but has shown he can challenge pucks with his feet and hands/stick at both bluelines/open ice stopping and creating rushes and keeping plays alive. Agree?

Soderblom: Too many plays are adventures for him. He's not close to being a clean goalie. Not deal breakers as guys like Flower and Stalock can play NHL hockey that way, but not many can... Agree?

IMO the goaltending without Stalock will be a huge huge problem this yr and could be worse than that depending on how may rookies, or even the Hawk's NHL veteran Dmen, play D in a given game....Agree? 

There are few if any 19 year old dmen fresh out of junior that ever bring consistency and stability to an NHL blueline. Even Bobby Orr didn't do it.

.
- RickJ

Your post is worth tagging twice. If a good Canadian boy posts, I read.

There is a reason few 19 yr olds have sustained good play in the NHL over time/eras. If KK is sent down it's not a failure or the organIzation's confidence in him has lessened.

Simply said, there is a reason few 19 yr old Dmen are absorbed into an NHL roster as it has proven it's not the best developmental path for a kid............. I can argue both for and against keeping KK up all yr but I can't argue the lack of success for 19 yr old Dmen in the NHL over decades and eras.

Your post is worth tagging twice. If a good Canadian boy posts, I read.

There is a reason few 19 yr olds have sustained good play in the NHL over time/eras. If KK is sent down it's not a failure or the organIzation's confidence in him has lessened.

Simply said, there is a reason few 19 yr old Dmen are absorbed into an NHL roster as it has proven it's not the best developmental path for a kid............. I can argue both for and against keeping KK up all yr but I can't argue the lack of success for 19 yr old Dmen in the NHL over decades and eras.
- Mr Ricochet

With KK, I do not think there is any question he has an NHL skillset. The question is how to get him to the point where he can excel in an 82 game regular season schedule against players every bit as gifted as him. Mental development is also a thing.
I'd go as far as saying, over the course of this year, even he he plays 20 or more games with the 'Hawks, it's ok. Burning a year on the ELC should not be a concern in his developmental decision tree.

Not really. It's making plays at speed against better competition. Better competition to hone his game does not exist in the WHL.
- fattybeef

How about just being the guy in all situations. I think he can learn to be on the PK, play defense without the puck, from what I've seen he's still a bit irresponsible with the puck and this was at the Kurvers exhibition. Most importantly he can continue to weight train. I guess like Rick said he could do that here until the tournament as well but a full season for this kid who is still green? Like i said if he shows up in those 8 or 9 games than sure but if he doesn't than I'd prefer he doesn't get the Bowen Byram treatment. The NHL has not been nice to him or Boqvist.

More assignee's to the A - these all forwards (I think): David Gust, Mike Hardman and Brett Seney have been assigned to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

Korchinski’s weak points are his defensive play, his decision making and possibly his physical strength.

- paulr

I feel safe I have a seen enough of KK in the WHL, WJC's and the NHL to have a feel for him.

His decision making is not poor by any stretch but I don't see him being particularly adept at reading opportunities at a high enough rate, especially in the half court game, in the Ozone.

IMO his skating and physical talent are what makes him a top prospect, not his decision making/IQ or shot. ......... Not saying any of this is bad just that it's average. Of course the kid has had over 70 pts the last 2 seasons which is fantastic but it's mainly because of his physical skills not so much thinking the game.

Your physical skills in the bigs aren't the advantage they are in jrs/NCAA/AHL/Europe cuz the opponent has loads of guys with physical talent too........ To take the next step as a difference maker a guy like KK, who QB's much of the offense in all 3 zones, has to be at least average reading NHL plays/chances.

I can argue both ways on keeping KK but IMO he needs to be where he's best developing not only his skill/IQ in the Dzone but his how he reads the Ozone, especially his 1/2 court game.

All said and done i think they will handle KK a lot like Reichel. If he jumps in and takes the bull by the horns than all this talk is for not, but i can see if he struggles them going the route that Rick talked about and bringing him along slowly without a permanent seat with the big club. So when next season starts he'll be eligible for the A or he takes the next step. There's no need to force a square peg in a round hole for now.

With KK, I do not think there is any question he has an NHL skillset. The question is how to get him to the point where he can excel in an 82 game regular season schedule against players every bit as gifted as him. Mental development is also a thing.

I'd go as far as saying, over the course of this year, even he he plays 20 or more games with the 'Hawks, it's ok. Burning a year on the ELC should not be a concern in his developmental decision tree.
- 35Tony0

Yep, especially the bolded..... If KK in on the NHL roster he's there cuz he will be best developed there not to help the team win right now. Bottom line for me, slot KK wherever he'll best develop this yr. And that's the same for any prospect really but KK is a bit different cuz he does have NHL physical talent today.

So far in the small 1yr sample size it seems KD and the organIzation are developing that way. ... The final roster will be very interesting and probably answer KD's and the organIzation's approach/preference to developing.

All made possible cuz they ain't gotta win this yr so there are no decisions made that would impede taking the best developmental path for each prospect. A nice advantage to have that unfortunately doesn't last long enough concerning prospects around the NHL.

I agree, although the posters here who’ve advocated for shielding him from the NHL have some points. Wish we could send him to Rockford but he’s not 20 for a while.
- ObeseOprah

And the cannot send to Rockford is really the crux. That would be the appropriate landing spot but with that not being possible I think he just has to learn on the job especially with how well he's played overall.

Unless he really really regresses after a few games - just going to have to live with the defensive mistakes for now.

Zegras signs a bridge contract with Anaheim 3 x 5.75M.
- boilermaker100

Seems like a lot of these guys are trying to bridge until the cap is supposed to allegedly open up.

Very true but for now KK is far from being consistent. Roos doesn't look to good to me but Philips i give him a go and see if he can carve out some consistent good minutes. I think stability on the back end will go much further than what KK will bring right now. I hope I'm wrong but to me give him his 8 day beating so he can go back to Seattle with his tail between his legs knowing what he's got to work on.
- BetweenTheDots

I gotta be honest, I don't get the Phillips love here.

Nice to see you weigh in, Rick. Curious about a couple of your thoughts, or anyone who cares to reply.

Of the rookie Dmen ready for NHL minutes TODAY, after KK and Vlasic, I'm thinking Allen has jumped to #2 on my list behind KK and probably the coaches list too.

Kid was always a +skater but IMO he progressed so well I rank his skating, minus speed, to be on par with KK's. Kid has seamless 4 dimensional skating and his balance is as good as KK's IMO....... Agree?

Add he plays much heavier, understands he's a D first Dmen but has shown he can challenge pucks with his feet and hands/stick at both bluelines/open ice stopping and creating rushes and keeping plays alive. Agree?

Soderblom: Too many plays are adventures for him. He's not close to being a clean goalie. Not deal breakers as guys like Flower and Stalock can play NHL hockey that way, but not many can... Agree?

IMO the goaltending without Stalock will be a huge huge problem this yr and could be worse than that depending on how may rookies, or even the Hawk's NHL veteran Dmen, play D in a given game....Agree? 
- Mr Ricochet

Mr R:

Was thinking about your goalie quandary Hrabel still on board when Hawks took Gajan, when I listened to NHL Prospects radio Blackhawks draft review;

https://www.hockeyprospectradio.com/

Scroll down a section, their review of all the teams is there, you have to scroll right a few times to get to Blackhawks.

I found the Arizona one very interesting as well.

I gotta be honest, I don't get the Phillips love here.
- vabeachbear

I haven’t seen much from him yet but I’m guessing some fans are intrigued because he’s big, skates well and has shown some physicality? Also if nothing else he’s a stopgap until the youngsters are ready to try to win a position on the team.

I gotta be honest, I don't get the Phillips love here.
- vabeachbear

No love, but from my amateur eye he looks better than Roos, it's time for him to be kicked out of the nest per say and earn a position in the NHL. So let's see what he's got and it allows the next group time to develop.