Lol.. i would not call most of these difference makers. But of course you knew before they got to the nhl what they would become. All i said is that i dont currently see any difference makers. And if i call some of you douche bags im not name calling, just commenting on your opinions. That how it works here?
- LFS

Well, maybe if you actually define what you mean by difference maker, some of us could have an actual conversation about it. Unfortunately you seem happy to wait for people to name off other players and you then come in and say “nope, not a difference maker”. Who’s the douche bag here?

Edit: Not to mention, most here have said it is very difficult to judge 18-19 year olds, and hedge their bets, but you seem quite confident in saying that no one is a difference maker (whatever that means) despite saying above "of course you knew before they got to the NHL what they would become". No one knows until they actually step foot on the ice against NHL talent. Why should anyone take you seriously when not only are you not making a good faith argument, you aren't really making an argument at all?

Forgive me for assuming people would use an ounce of logic in their comments...

Well, maybe if you actually define what you mean by difference maker, some of us could have an actual conversation about it. Unfortunately you seem happy to wait for people to name off other players and you then come in and say “nope, not a difference maker”. Who’s the douche bag here?

Edit: Not to mention, most here have said it is very difficult to judge 18-19 year olds, and hedge their bets, but you seem quite confident in saying that no one is a difference maker (whatever that means) despite saying above "of course you knew before they got to the NHL what they would become". No one knows until they actually step foot on the ice against NHL talent. Why should anyone take you seriously when not only are you not making a good faith argument, you aren't really making an argument at all?

Forgive me for assuming people would use an ounce of logic in their comments...
- Chunk

Chunk, i said i dont see any difference makers in the system. Does that mean none can become one, of course not.one member here said im stupid but that is not name calling only a statement on my comment. My post was to show i see no difference between the statement and the stater. I didnt call anyone here a db. My observation is that there are perhaps five or six core posters who seem to feel that only their observations have any merit snd that any contrarian OPINION is dumb and useless. As for what is a difference maker i paraphrase a SC justice who said he cant define pornography but he knows it when he sees it. I have zero malice for any poster here but i have been a fervent fan and follower of the hawks since the early sixties and feel i have some knowledge of hockey and specifically this organization. But thanks for your post.

Chunk, i said i dont see any difference makers in the system. Does that mean none can become one, of course not.one member here said im stupid but that is not name calling only a statement on my comment. My post was to show i see no difference between the statement and the stater. I didnt call anyone here a db. My observation is that there are perhaps five or six core posters who seem to feel that only their observations have any merit snd that any contrarian OPINION is dumb and useless. As for what is a difference maker i paraphrase a SC justice who said he cant define pornography but he knows it when he sees it. I have zero malice for any poster here but i have been a fervent fan and follower of the hawks since the early sixties and feel i have some knowledge of hockey and specifically this organization. But thanks for your post.
- LFS

That’s all well and good, but I’ve asked you before what you would need to see in a prospect in order to call them a difference maker and nothing. The whole point of this board is discussion. If you provide no framework under which to have one, what do you expect from responses?

That’s all well and good, but I’ve asked you before what you would need to see in a prospect in order to call them a difference maker and nothing. The whole point of this board is discussion. If you provide no framework under which to have one, what do you expect from responses?
- Chunk

Well let me ask you, which prospects in our system do you see as difference makers? Or lets call them stars which you will need to win a cup. Once again, its only my OPINION, just as all other observations are currently opinions until proven anything else. I look at nazar, moore as possibly good prospects.. will they develop into anything more only time will tell.

Well let me ask you, which prospects in our system do you see as difference makers? Or lets call them stars which you will need to win a cup. Once again, its only my OPINION, just as all other observations are currently opinions until proven anything else. I look at nazar, moore as possibly good prospects.. will they develop into anything more only time will tell.
- LFS

Answering questions with more questions is evading. You state (correctly I might add) that Nazar and Moore are possibly good prospects. Which is all that any of these young kids are until they get to the show. I don't deny that at all. My problem is that at the exact same time you are asking people who they think are difference makers in the pipeline.

What would YOU need to see in a prospect in order to move them from good prospect to difference maker? Without that distinction, it's not even intelligent to ask the question, because by default whatever name someone throws out, you just come back and say I don't see them that way. Do you have any example of a prospect that you would call a difference maker before they made it to the NHL and what was your reasoning for doing so.

Once you answer that, then we can all have a useful conversation on the topic. until then, it's just idiots yelling at each other (myself included).

To go through the (currently) useless exercise of saying who I think is a "difference maker" not currently on the team, I would say Nazar, Allan, Ludwinski, and Misiak. I've not seen enough of Moore to really form an opinion. I've done much deeper dives into the four that I've mentioned and really believe they will have a large impact on the Hawks.

Well let me ask you, which prospects in our system do you see as difference makers? Or lets call them stars which you will need to win a cup. Once again, its only my OPINION, just as all other observations are currently opinions until proven anything else. I look at nazar, moore as possibly good prospects.. will they develop into anything more only time will tell.
- LFS

Exactly, and as a fan you're along for the ride with the rest of us. You still haven't answered his question afa what you need to see to label someone a difference maker.

Either way, it's a silly statement as a number of people have pointed out players drafted all over the place and a number of those outside the first round.

You claim, they didn't know what they'd become and I'm sure you had no idea either that guys like Keith, Point, Kucherov, Josi, Pastrnak, etc. would become difference makers. Though based on another of your statements, some of those guys probably aren't difference makers and by not providing a baseline you can move the goalposts whenever it suits you.

I think any fan with a shred of reason sees a team in the infancy stages of a rebuild with a superstar in the making, some other intriguing young players, and a lot of players in the system that are pretty well regarded.

Like you mention, time will tell but you don't seem willing to wait.

Exactly, and as a fan you're along for the ride with the rest of us. You still haven't answered his question afa what you need to see to label someone a difference maker.

Either way, it's a silly statement as a number of people have pointed out players drafted all over the place and a number of those outside the first round.

You claim, they didn't know what they'd become and I'm sure you had no idea either that guys like Keith, Point, Kucherov, Josi, Pastrnak, etc. would become difference makers. Though based on another of your statements, some of those guys probably aren't difference makers and by not providing a baseline you can move the goalposts whenever it suits you.

I think any fan with a shred of reason sees a team in the infancy stages of a rebuild with a superstar in the making, some other intriguing young players, and a lot of players in the system that are pretty well regarded.

Like you mention, time will tell but you don't seem willing to wait.
- HawkintheD

How did you do that in less words than I did? You're a damn wizard.

Exactly, and as a fan you're along for the ride with the rest of us. You still haven't answered his question afa what you need to see to label someone a difference maker.

Either way, it's a silly statement as a number of people have pointed out players drafted all over the place and a number of those outside the first round.

You claim, they didn't know what they'd become and I'm sure you had no idea either that guys like Keith, Point, Kucherov, Josi, Pastrnak, etc. would become difference makers. Though based on another of your statements, some of those guys probably aren't difference makers and by not providing a baseline you can move the goalposts whenever it suits you.

I think any fan with a shred of reason sees a team in the infancy stages of a rebuild with a superstar in the making, some other intriguing young players, and a lot of players in the system that are pretty well regarded.

Like you mention, time will tell but you don't seem willing to wait.
- HawkintheD

Based on what i see in the pipeline im not as optimistic about our future as some of you. But i dont lable any of you as stupid for thinking otherwise. Enough on this already. And nowhere in any of my posts did i ever hint that i feel only first round picks have a chance of becoming something.

Based on what i see in the pipeline im not as optimistic about our future as some of you. But i dont lable any of you as stupid for thinking otherwise. Enough on this already. And nowhere in any of my posts did i ever hint that i feel only first round picks have a chance of becoming something.
- LFS

There is only one or two bloggers on this board that will attack you personally. Vast majority on the BOD when they disagree with a post, do it respectfully. I was given great advice by another BOD member. Just ignore, and interact with the ones that you can hold a civil conversation with.

We are all fans, or we wouldn't be spending our time reading and posting if we weren't. There are more important things in life than getting upset with a post. Calling each other names and being derogatory, isn't that what X is for?

So who goes first, the Blue Jackets Coach that wasn't supposed to be, or the GM that has caused all the mess?
- LAHawk

Similar to Stevie Y, I've never understood the gushing love the hockey media pours on Jarmo K????

Every year at the draft they heap praise on him, like he's some master of maneuvering. What have they done, won one or two playoff series in his entire time there?

Just bizarre

There is only one or two bloggers on this board that will attack you personally. Vast majority on the BOD when they disagree with a post, do it respectfully. I was given great advice by another BOD member. Just ignore, and interact with the ones that you can hold a civil conversation with.

We are all fans, or we wouldn't be spending our time reading and posting if we weren't. There are more important things in life than getting upset with a post. Calling each other names and being derogatory, isn't that what X is for?
- LAHawk

I never called a poster a name. Besides, its all opinions anyway. I, as im sure most posters here, want nothing more than to see the hawks win more cups. Thank you for your post, LA.

Based on what i see in the pipeline im not as optimistic about our future as some of you. But i dont lable any of you as stupid for thinking otherwise. Enough on this already. And nowhere in any of my posts did i ever hint that i feel only first round picks have a chance of becoming something.
- LFS

Let's try a different route.

What don't you like about Nazar's game that makes you think he isn't/won't be a difference maker?

Chunk, i said i dont see any difference makers in the system. Does that mean none can become one, of course not.one member here said im stupid but that is not name calling only a statement on my comment. My post was to show i see no difference between the statement and the stater. I didnt call anyone here a db. My observation is that there are perhaps five or six core posters who seem to feel that only their observations have any merit snd that any contrarian OPINION is dumb and useless. As for what is a difference maker i paraphrase a SC justice who said he cant define pornography but he knows it when he sees it. I have zero malice for any poster here but i have been a fervent fan and follower of the hawks since the early sixties and feel i have some knowledge of hockey and specifically this organization. But thanks for your post.
- LFS

I guess we'll just have to wait 3 years to settle this.

Nothing like starting a debate that doesn't have an answer..........

Similar to Stevie Y, I've never understood the gushing love the hockey media pours on Jarmo K????

Every year at the draft they heap praise on him, like he's some master of maneuvering. What have they done, won one or two playoff series in his entire time there?

Just bizarre
- vabeachbear

He had the foresight to pick Dubois over Pool Party, and fleeced Stan on Saad twice and the Jones trade. Hasn't gotten him that much, but hey, it's something.

Based on what i see in the pipeline im not as optimistic about our future as some of you. But i dont lable any of you as stupid for thinking otherwise. Enough on this already. And nowhere in any of my posts did i ever hint that i feel only first round picks have a chance of becoming something.
- LFS

Seems like you’re missing the point. Maybe people inferred that you were referring to first round picks and particularly high ones, as they are typically what you would be able to most accurately identify as a difference maker.

Idk, like someone just said…it’s a pointless argument. Come back in 3 years and if all of these guys are busts, you win. As Hawks fans we all lose though.

Seems like you’re missing the point. Maybe people inferred that you were referring to first round picks and particularly high ones, as they are typically what you would be able to most accurately identify as a difference maker.

Idk, like someone just said…it’s a pointless argument. Come back in 3 years and if all of these guys are busts, you win. As Hawks fans we all lose though.
- HawkintheD

Hey at least a few of them are considered top 50 prospects. That's a great start.

Another thing id like to throw out there, is there maybe a chance players in college who see a Connor Bedard out there with little help think hey I'll wait it out become a rookie free agent and sign with the Blackhawks? Like a Snuggerud, maybe

Similar to Stevie Y, I've never understood the gushing love the hockey media pours on Jarmo K????

Every year at the draft they heap praise on him, like he's some master of maneuvering. What have they done, won one or two playoff series in his entire time there?

Just bizarre
- vabeachbear

Traded Anisimov for Saad
Traded Saad for Panarin
Traded Jones and #32 OA for Boqvist, #6OA, #12OA and #44OA

I thought Korchinski had one his poorest games yesterday. I felt he was out of position allot, he was constantly behind the play and he was resorting to holding and hooking because of it. He’s a 19 year old rookie and having off games is to be expected. He needs to have bad games to improve. Do you really want to see him take on another responsibility? If KK is put on the first powerplay unit do you risk getting him in over his head? Remember fans want him on the power play because it’s not producing. There’s a chance he can’t improve it. A big reason that powerplay isn’t productive is because the Hawks simply don’t have the talent. The only real threat is Bedard and teams are not only shadowing him, they sometimes double team him. That won’t stop until there are more scoring threats. There’s enough pressure on Korchinski to play solidly on the NHL, I’m not sure LR wants to add any more.
- paulr

I agree on his play last game. He was taking some very poor penalties due to self inflicted wounds.

As far as the PP goes.....I see it both ways. Korchinski biggest attribute is what? Skating and offense? Considering they give up a ton of short handed chances, or have teams grind out time pinning them in their own zones....can he do any worse?

Hawks issue on the PP is way too many guys are standing still. They force either Jones or Bedard to stick handle in and try to set it up and most times the opposition is high against the boards making said guys dig it out or work to get it free. It's hellacious to watch and that's before 4 goes racing in like he's bobby orr and airmailing a shot wide and clearing the zone on his all.

Lol.. i would not call most of these difference makers. But of course you knew before they got to the nhl what they would become. All i said is that i dont currently see any difference makers. And if i call some of you douche bags im not name calling, just commenting on your opinions. That how it works here?
- LFS

How do you not consider most of these difference makers? I listed some of the best forwards of their generation, some of the best goalies of their generation. Many guys who were key parts of Stanley Cup winning teams.

We didn't even talk about guys who were undrafted into the NHL like Gretzky, St Louis, Giordano, Duchesne, Bobrovsky, Belfour, Joseph, Boyle, Ciccarelli, Mullen, Oates, Rafalski, Stastny, Thomas, Backstrom, Panarin, Krug and many others.

There are players found all over the place in the draft and outside of it that are difference makers, all stars, cup champions, award winning/finalists for league awards. We don't know everything about the players in the Hawks pipeline, but there will likely be the odd gem found that will play a big role on this team. The quality of the prospect pool is the best it's been in about 10 years and I'd challenge anyone to argue otherwise with facts.

I get that Murphy struggled last year and has had some iffy moments this year, but I also think its difficult for guys like this to get going for these losing seasons. I'm not saying they are phoning it in, but there is a difference when it's a team that is built to win and a team that is built to "rebuild". Murphy to me, he carried the load on defensive starts, PK, and just babysitting rookie/young Dmen for most of his Chicago career at a reasonable salary. I think the most important thing right now is he is a solid teammate for the guys coming up. They always say great things about him. He is what he is, and will probably play out his contract in time for younger guys to take his job.
- breadbag

Murphy just makes a ton of mistakes that even rookies learn from. That's my issue with him....he's a border line 4/5 D man on a true contender....and yes you are correct he has played on crap teams but is Murphy part of that problem that follows him in Arizona and here? Fair question.

To me....Jones contract without retaining a large sum for too many years makes him untradeable.......so that leaves Murphy. IF these kids continue to improve.....I would love to see them retain up to 50% on his last 2 years (after this year) and deal him off to another team desperate for D line help (toronto, edmonton) and get back a nHL ready forward and/or pick.

The young guys will continue to make rollercoaster plays, but Vlassic really looks like he's getting it and can easily handle Murphy's minutes LT. Question is can somebody back fill Vlassic's?

Even when it was apparent KK was making the team, I thought LR would shelter him, maybe play PP #2 and 3 rd pairing, with some games in the press box. I bet Dean has had big input in KK’s development path. He was big in the development of McIlvoy, Carlo, and Gruzlyk.
- LAHawk

Yeah KK with coaching and results, has avoided the press box sits we thought he would be asked to have.

Still nor sure if they will even send him to the world Junior now.

Murphy just makes a ton of mistakes that even rookies learn from. That's my issue with him....he's a border line 4/5 D man on a true contender....and yes you are correct he has played on crap teams but is Murphy part of that problem that follows him in Arizona and here? Fair question.

To me....Jones contract without retaining a large sum for too many years makes him untradeable.......so that leaves Murphy. IF these kids continue to improve.....I would love to see them retain up to 50% on his last 2 years (after this year) and deal him off to another team desperate for D line help (toronto, edmonton) and get back a nHL ready forward and/or pick.

The young guys will continue to make rollercoaster plays, but Vlassic really looks like he's getting it and can easily handle Murphy's minutes LT. Question is can somebody back fill Vlassic's?
- SteveRain

The problem I see with trading Murphy at the TDL with salary retained is that the Hawks still have McCabe for this year and next. That would leave 1 slot available at this TDL and next offseason and TDL to retain.

If T. Johnson, Perry, Foligno are move at the TDL, each would probably need money retained to make it work. Also, it would limit the Hawks to take on retained salary in a 3 team deal in order to acquire a draft choice.

unfortunately I do not see Murphy moved this season. Hope I am wrong.

Yeah KK with coaching and results, has avoided the press box sits we thought he would be asked to have.

Still nor sure if they will even send him to the world Junior now.
- wiz1901

I’m pretty sure when KK hit the 10 game threshold that LR and KD basically stated he’s staying with the Hawks the whole year and likely not going to the WJC. Nothing explicitly, but basically “he’s staying up to play with the Blackhawks”.

I never called a poster a name. Besides, its all opinions anyway. I, as im sure most posters here, want nothing more than to see the hawks win more cups. Thank you for your post, LA.
- LFS

So you saw Seabrook and Keith panning out under Yawney when they were dismal and Aucoin was playing babysitter? YOu saw Versteeg, Buff, Brouwer, and Sharp paying off when they were up/down? YOu believed a "midget" like Kane was going to withstand the physical battle of the NHL and produce?

Please......Every argument above can be made for the exact same kids coming up now. Nobody knows a damn thing. Not even the organization. They are hopeful the ceilings each of these kids has hits and the kid can figure out the mental side and the physical side without the game being too fast for him. From there can a player accept his role that allows him to stay in the league and help a team win?

What is the 1 constant we see with the game today? Speed/skill. I am sure as a 18-21 year old playing against men is a bit overwhelming so the evaluation period is a not as black/white. Biggest thing this organization DOES need is a true hockey ops guy who can sniff out the guys who are plateauing far quicker and sell them off to a team and get in a diamond in the rough. Those are the trades that are JUST as important as hitting on picks......the sharps, versteegs, leddy's, etc of the world. From there you identify your next core and build around it.

Way early here to give up on a rebuild that hasn't even started trending upwards. They have 7 more picks in the top 3 rounds this summer. 5 more picks in the same 3 rounds the following 2 years and that's before they even make a trade or eat a salary. IT's a numbers game.... more pieces you have more likely some will hit, and some can be dealt due to organizational strength at a position to acquire pieces you have minimal organizational depth.

They have cap room. They are in a PRIME spot to open that window in 2-3 years...and the best part is Bedard on a team with virtually ZERO help....is producing at almost a point a game clip......there are a lot of reasons to be happy/excited/cautiously optimistic. This process is doing this correctly and sorry for those who want them to spend up to the cap just to be the NHLs version of the bulls or sox just to appease meatheads. That's not how it's done.

The problem I see with trading Murphy at the TDL with salary retained is that the Hawks still have McCabe for this year and next. That would leave 1 slot available at this TDL and next offseason and TDL to retain.

If T. Johnson, Perry, Foligno are move at the TDL, each would probably need money retained to make it work. Also, it would limit the Hawks to take on retained salary in a 3 team deal in order to acquire a draft choice.

unfortunately I do not see Murphy moved this season. Hope I am wrong.
- LAHawk

No that's a fair counter argument and I have thought of that as well....I just don't know if any team could give you the return on a Foligno, Perry, or Johnson even with money returned vs Murphy and essentially getting him at 2 AAV for the remainder of this year, and the following 2 years.....again that's why i was saying a team like Toronto or Edmonton could make sense.

Really going to be fascinating to see how KD balances out this trade/cap space this year, etc......as the deadline approaches.