Soderblom catching some shade but that kind of crap happens to every goalie from time to time. He tied to cover it up and it got free. Not much to worry about there realistically.

I think what KD is trying to do is ‘tank’ again this season. What I’d be concerned about is instilling a culture where trying to get good draft picks supersedes winning. This happened to the Oilers a few years back when they were more concerned about Draft picks then they were about winning.
- paulr

Ehhhh Edmonton had really no plan and if you're not going to invest in the scouting department you miss a lot of top 10 picks then you hit on. Blackhawks were so serious in the rebuild they bought the Rockford ice hogs, and no team has ever amassed as many 1st 2nd and 3rd round picks in consecutive years. They bring in the guy from Boston to teach these kids how to play the defensive position. I know it's hard to see but there's a lot to like about how the rookies are playing. I mean 2 years ago people were female doging and moaning about Kurashev, there's a lot to like about his game right now, he's getting a really good feel for the offensive part of hockey now. This will happen over time with this group of rookies and the rookies that will come into the fold next year and the year after.

I was being facetious.
- paulr

I know you were you. I just replied to the topic.

👍🏻

Rico, I’ll take Sorokin over any goalie in the league, and if you put him on the Hawks, they’re still picking top ten. Also, does anybody else think that Vlasic is a top 15 defensive defenseman in the league, because I do.
- Angotti

IMO Vlasic has the skating and size to carry the thing end to end and has shown glimpses. Beauty read on the kill to jump the pass and skate er all the way for a shot. Loved him trying to go 5 hole on that rush by the way......... Mentioned it a week back or so can Vlasic be a kinda Dobson on the carry out/up and join the rush? What will the kid look like after 300 NHL games under his belt?

Don't know where to rank Vlasic but there is not a possible way I could have hoped for more..... Total aces to send him back to RKF last yr for all the Dman premium ice time.

Yep, Sorokin looks other worldy most every game. As mentioned gotta have the fancies but when I see Soderblom ranked 11 spots better than him in goals saved above average I just move along.

Like when Rundblad has a corsi of 53ish. Same as the Soderblom-Sorokin comparison, I just move along and use it as proof to never ever ever dismiss the eye test. Ever.

3-5-4-4-3

Sam D!ckinson
- paulr

Speaking of defensemen, here's an article about Levshunov.

https://thehockeynews.com...oftly-and-play-a-big-game

Ehhhh Edmonton had really no plan and if you're not going to invest in the scouting department you miss a lot of top 10 picks then you hit on. Blackhawks were so serious in the rebuild they bought the Rockford ice hogs, and no team has ever amassed as many 1st 2nd and 3rd round picks in consecutive years. They bring in the guy from Boston to teach these kids how to play the defensive position. I know it's hard to see but there's a lot to like about how the rookies are playing. I mean 2 years ago people were female doging and moaning about Kurashev, there's a lot to like about his game right now, he's getting a really good feel for the offensive part of hockey now. This will happen over time with this group of rookies and the rookies that will come into the fold next year and the year after.
- BetweenTheDots

Of course Edmonton had a plan, amass as many high draft picks as possible and hopefully they’ll have a good team at the end of it. Very similar to what Chicago is doing now. Many of the Edmonton picks didn’t pan out. Hopefully the Hawk’s picks will. But my point wasn’t that the Hawks are doing the wrong thing. I don’t think they are. My point was I hope tanking doesn’t build a cultural where winning is secondary to obtaining draft picks.

Soderblom catching some shade but that kind of crap happens to every goalie from time to time. He tied to cover it up and it got free. Not much to worry about there realistically.
- breadbag

I've thrown shade at Soderblom since the first day I laid eyes on him. But, that's not to see he won't develop but I see no foundation to build from.

I do think the way he coughs like a covid patient in his last minute of life I'd like to see HOF coach Waite teach the guy to lay his stick along the ice cuz you know 85% of the time that's where a puck will land after he makes a save, assuming of course he's not 11 ft outside the blue paint.

This way the opponent has to get the inevitable rebound thru his stick, glove and pad to score instead of just his glove/pad.

Speaking of defensemen, here's an article about Levshunov.

https://thehockeynews.com...oftly-and-play-a-big-game
- boilermaker100

I’ve only read about him. I’ve seen D!ckinson play a few times. But Levshunov’s scouting report looks really good.

Of course Edmonton had a plan, amass as many high draft picks as possible and hopefully they’ll have a good team at the end of it. Very similar to what Chicago is doing now. Many of the Edmonton picks didn’t pan out. Hopefully the Hawk’s picks will. But my point wasn’t that the Hawks are doing the wrong thing. I don’t think they are. My point was I hope tanking doesn’t build a cultural where winning is secondary to obtaining draft picks.
- paulr

They really didn't though when you look back, not similar at all.

3-5-4-4-3

Sam D!ckinson
- paulr

BPA? ....... Waaay too early for me to have an opinion outside of guys I've seen multiple times and that's Celebrini, Eiserman and the Cossack RS Dman outa MI State who played USHL.

But the +1 yr after the TOTAL teardown is lookin like we should be concentrating on the top 2-3-4 prospects.

Rico, I’ll take Sorokin over any goalie in the league, and if you put him on the Hawks, they’re still picking top ten. Also, does anybody else think that Vlasic is a top 15 defensive defenseman in the league, because I do.
- Angotti

Sorokin had a NHL team in front of him when he played as a rookie. I can't believe the abuse Soda is getting for being a rookie and playing with 3 to 4 rookie dmen in front of him, and we were still in the game.

So i guess many of you would of been happy to be a middling NHL team and drafting between 10 and 15 every year and not amassing draft picks and hoping by some miracle we all of a sudden become a Stanley Cup team?

Not directed at you Lou, definitely not

They really didn't though when you look back, not similar at all.
- BetweenTheDots

How is it not similar? What difference do you see?

BPA? ....... Waaay too early for me to have an opinion outside of guys I've seen multiple times and that's Celebrini, Eiserman and the Cossack RS Dman outa MI State who played USHL.

But the +1 yr after the TOTAL teardown is lookin like we should be concentrating on the top 2-3-4 prospects.
- Mr Ricochet

I saw one ranking where D!ckinson was ranked at 5. Looks like he’s more in the 7 to 9 range. You’re right, best available. I’ve seen D* play a few times. He’s pretty good but I haven’t seen many of the others yet.

Loooch was arrested for some domestic issue. Unfortunately that’s probably the end of the line for him.

Okay, we have seen what we got. Now let's see what else we got. I don't expect to win much but they have been dog poop the last two games. Time to shake it up a bit. I expect to see effort and they have not been showing it. A loss is easier to take when you see that they have been battling.

5-10-0 (10 points) this year with the wonder kid, maybe a 2nd liner or two, a bunch of 3rd and 4th liners and 4 rookie D-men.

Last year at this time 6-6-3 (15 points) with the ghost of Toews, a one legged Kane, a couple of guys playing for their next contract and a more experienced blue line (McCabe, C. Jones like them or not).

Yeah, schedule this season was a bear to start, but when you look at it, the current record is not surprising and the rest of the season may not be pretty.

Hey Rico, did you see Mason Lohrei in the USHL. Looks like a good one for the Bruins.

Hey Rico, did you see Mason Lohrei in the USHL. Looks like a good one for the Bruins.
- LAHawk

Oh yea, Lohrei played for the USHL Gamblers a few yrs back. IIRC drafted in his +1 or +2 draft yr. Rangy kid who can skate with some solid IQ.

You ain't watchin NYR @ NJ? Trouba already mutilated and knocked a Devil outa the game but MTL is a fun watch IMO.

Oh yea, Lohrei played for the USHL Gamblers a few yrs back. IIRC drafted in his +1 or +2 yr. Rangy kid who can skate with some solid IQ.

You ain't watchin NYR @ NJ? Trouba already mutilated and knocked a Devil outa the game but MTL is a fun watch IMO.
- Mr Ricochet

More so watching Bo’s-Mon. For the hockey night between periods commentary.

Amazing how the Bruins are defying the prognosticators again.

More so watching Bo’s-Mon. For the hockey night between periods commentary.

Amazing how the Bruins are defying the prognosticators again.
- LAHawk

Bieska is worth the wait. IMO what BOS is doing this yr is the biggest surprise of the season by 100 miles. .... Exhibit A why we punch a time clock instead gambling for a living.

More so watching Bo’s-Mon. For the hockey night between periods commentary.

Amazing how the Bruins are defying the prognosticators again.
- LAHawk

After the 2nd intermission of HNIC and if the game ain't so good NYR @ NJ are tied at 2 thru 2 and the game is just one more event from the refs losing control. And FYI Jack Hughes is back.

Always a good one between these two but this one especially so and sets up for a fine finish for the fan. Lotta hittin, skill, reviews on quite a few plays cuz they were so close.

How is it not similar? What difference do you see?
- paulr

It's a way more organized approach, just look at the Oilers draft history its all over the place. If you draft in the top 10 for years and you can't pick the right prospect you are going to suck for years and If you can't draft an NHL player in the first round how the hell are you supposed to draft one later in the rounds.

By my count, it's a little early but I'm thinking Bedard and Korchinski are going to be NHL players. Both 1st round picks

C.Dach with a hatty for the Hogs

Just a couple or so quick notes about prospects down on the farm club Rockford

I see a pattern whereas J Anderson and Bjork appear to be the leaders offensively. However I expect more points shall be forthcoming from Guttman

After the Wolves shut the door 5-0 and a loss last night, the Icehogs stood at .500. Stauber has been the goaltender in net in most of the losses, although I don’t think he has been bad. Comesso though usually has looked pretty good

Last night rookies Saarela and Dach scored while part way through tonight’s contest Dach had tallied twice. Hopefully they hold a one goal lead and will move one game above .500.

Later this season I will attend a couple of AHL games. I would like to find out the TOI for youngsters as well as line combinations. How are the rookies performing/how do they look according to the eye test and from asking around

I don’t have anything on R Rolston so he’ll be one to inquire about Of course I want to see how efficient and steady the dmen prospects

C.Dach with a hatty for the Hogs
- LAHawk

Bring him up.