Per Ben Pope twitter re Soderblom...

Arvid Soderblom has faced 6.88 rebound attempts per 60 minutes this season, 6th-most among 64 goalies league-wide.

Those rebound control problems were particularly noticeable last night.
- boilermaker100

Soderblom has some good attributes,but he does have games where he gives up rebounds. He’s only 24, that can be fixed.

Zayne Parekh, RD, supposed to be some offensive dynamo. Slated to go around 12. Doubt if the TB pick gets that low, but you never know.
- boilermaker100

Yeah, but all of the three RD below has issues needing work in their defensive game.

Yeah, I think you wait for right shooting defensemen like Zayne Parekh or Carter Yakemchuk, as they need more developmental time., as will Henry Mews who I have about 21 overall where I believe Tampa will select from unless they have a massive meltdown.

If the team feels Artyom Levshunov is the best player when they pick earlier, why not just pull the trigger and not keeping commenting on Minnesota native Sam Rinse's upside when and if he gets it together...

There is nothing wrong with having a giant nimble defense corps.

You could always select Michael Hage, Trevor Connelly , Tig Iginla, Emil Hemming, or Bedard little buddy Tanner Howe with taht Tampa pick and wait for them.

It is difficult to predict the Hawk's list but surely the top two forwards will not get by-passed, if they are lucky enough to secret that early, because I think they play soon.

Preach brother. The Hawks after losing Hall, Perry, and AA are one of the two worst teams in the league. They’ll get a top five pick(hopefully top two)and will add some NHL talent this offseason. Three of their six defensemen looked real good last night(Jones/KK/Vlasic)hard to believe that Vlasic is a +9 on this crappy team, the dude is a keeper.,
- Angotti

I was at the game last night and they showed his stats before the game. When I saw he was +7 on the year, I couldn't believe it either.

A lot of their (team) problems are going to level out as they start filling this roster with better talent.

KK can fly.

Kane Red Wings debut Thursday

I was at the game last night and they showed his stats before the game. When I saw he was +7 on the year, I couldn't believe it either.

A lot of their (team) problems are going to level out as they start filling this roster with better talent.

KK can fly.
- frafra

I switched to you tube tv and have to admit it's nice to go back and watch plays instead of getting highlights.

KK looks great, i sometimes watch the game, then go back and watch our defenseman. The thing that gets KK in trouble is when he thinks there's a change in possession damn he can get up the ice fast, then Murphy is left defending a 2 on 1.

He's so quick going station from station in his own end he kind of looks like a machine, as if okay the coaches say i got to be here then i have to be here, or i have to defend this this way. I really think once he gets a feel and anticipation for it he's really going to be in players grills and be more effective than he is now.

Eye opening article about one of the top defenseman in the class the kid from Belarus.

It looks like he wants to be a difference maker.

https://theathletic.com/5...levshunov-2024-nhl-draft/

https://theathletic.com/g...s/?access_code=y1e2go5bvn

Many of you can use my free 30 day pass...do it!
- wiz1901

If we don't get the top 2 picks, boy does he sound like a KD kind of prospect if he's still there.

I switched to you tube tv and have to admit it's nice to go back and watch plays instead of getting highlights.

KK looks great, i sometimes watch the game, then go back and watch our defenseman. The thing that gets KK in trouble is when he thinks there's a change in possession damn he can get up the ice fast, then Murphy is left defending a 2 on 1.

He's so quick going station from station in his own end he kind of looks like a machine, as if okay the coaches say i got to be here then i have to be here, or i have to defend this this way. I really think once he gets a feel and anticipation for it he's really going to be in players grills and be more effective than he is now.
- BetweenTheDots

The main thing I think he needs to improve on is retrieving a dump in. The last four or five games (that I’ve paid attention to) he’s had a habit of either overskating the puck (pulling up a bit before touching the puck) or trying to freeze it on the wall and just getting robbed by the forechecker. Maybe it’s strength or quicker decisions, but he’s going to get clobbered or demoted if that persists too long.

I saw too many giveaways tonight. Too many missed passes. Too many failures to move the puck out of the zone. Too many wrong decisions with the puck. Some mistakes, you just know they are about to pay for them. This game seemed winnable, unlike a lot of the games we've watched already, so it wasn't all bad.
- 333inthe3rd

Oh yeah, i was counting in the 1st period the Blackhawks had the puck 11 times in their own end and turned it over, not sure about the number but they also just threw it out to the neutral zone 6-8 times in that same period. Makes sense why they are defending a ton.

Unfortunately they are slow and not very skilled.

I was at the game last night and they showed his stats before the game. When I saw he was +7 on the year, I couldn't believe it either.

A lot of their (team) problems are going to level out as they start filling this roster with better talent.

KK can fly.
- frafra

No doubt, people just need some patience. No other team has as many good defensive prospects as the Hawks. The forwards will come, either from already drafted, future draft picks, trades, or free agents.

The main thing I think he needs to improve on is retrieving a dump in. The last four or five games (that I’ve paid attention to) he’s had a habit of either overskating the puck (pulling up a bit before touching the puck) or trying to freeze it on the wall and just getting robbed by the forechecker. Maybe it’s strength or quicker decisions, but he’s going to get clobbered or demoted if that persists too long.
- Chunk

Don't disagree, I'm surprised he hasn't gotten clobbered, is that because he's hard to track because of his edgework.

I also believe its harder for these rookies because they don't get any calls. Makes no sense to me but that's the NHL.

No doubt, people just need some patience. No other team has as many good defensive prospects as the Hawks. The forwards will come, either from already drafted, future draft picks, trades, or free agents.
- Angotti

Hi, Lou.

Patience is generally something we suggest to fans of other teams....

No doubt, people just need some patience. No other team has as many good defensive prospects as the Hawks. The forwards will come, either from already drafted, future draft picks, trades, or free agents.
- Angotti

The Anaheim Ducks say hi

The crazy part is the forwards not covering for the dmen is a big issue at least once a game that's why we lead the league in most man advantages against.

I do believe they are trying a new thing, being aggressive at the blue line. We saw Kaiser and Vlasic get schooled.
- BetweenTheDots

No doubt the poor odd mans against numbers can be attributed to wingers not covering for pinching D but really that stat is a reflection on the club as a whole, especially in the puck management department.

Turnovers in the neutral zone, at the attack Dzone blueline, poor attack zone passing getting picked, skating into 3-4 players, not understanding when to dump, Dmen joining as a 4th attacker and getting caught deep and especially forwards not backchecking or being too low in the attack zone to help even if they want to backcheck all lead to odd mans against.

It's sloppy play/positioning plus poor puck management and that falls on all 5 players on the ice.

I switched to you tube tv and have to admit it's nice to go back and watch plays instead of getting highlights.

KK looks great, i sometimes watch the game, then go back and watch our defenseman. The thing that gets KK in trouble is when he thinks there's a change in possession damn he can get up the ice fast, then Murphy is left defending a 2 on 1.

He's so quick going station from station in his own end he kind of looks like a machine, as if okay the coaches say i got to be here then i have to be here, or i have to defend this this way. I really think once he gets a feel and anticipation for it he's really going to be in players grills and be more effective than he is now.
- BetweenTheDots

It's crazy to think how good he is going to be when he is 23 years old. He is still a kid. Him and Vlasic are going to be monsters.

No doubt the poor odd mans against numbers can be attributed to wingers not covering for pinching D but really that stat is a reflection on the club as a whole, especially in the puck management department.

Turnovers in the neutral zone, at the attack Dzone blueline, poor attack zone passing getting picked, skating into 3-4 players, not understanding when to dump, Dmen joining as a 4th attacker and getting caught deep and especially forwards not backchecking or being too low in the attack zone to help even if they want to backcheck all lead to odd mans against.

It's sloppy play/positioning plus poor puck management and that falls on all 5 players on the ice.
- Mr Ricochet

Outstanding post. 1000000% to all of this.

Oh yeah, i was counting in the 1st period the Blackhawks had the puck 11 times in their own end and turned it over, not sure about the number but they also just threw it out to the neutral zone 6-8 times in that same period. Makes sense why they are defending a ton.

Unfortunately they are slow and not very skilled.
- BetweenTheDots

Thats the biggest problem in why this team does not generate consistent offense. The ability of the defense to make effective outlet passes and transition to offense is a huge reason why the offense is not there. To many pucks wrapped around the boards or flipped out, and when they do have clear passing options, they often fail. Frankly, the vets are way worse at it than the rookies. Jones, Murphy, Tinordi and Zaitsev are all consistently bad at it.

As a Jones hater, I will say though that I thought he had one of his better games in his own end last night.

The Anaheim Ducks say hi

- LAHawk

As far as young defenders, I was really surprised at how the Ducks' Pavel Mintyukov stands out already.

Nice game from Jones, Vlasic, KK, Guttman, and the third line.
- Angotti

Guttman is fearless isn't he? Kid just makes plays, and in all 3 zones, period.

Katchouk has never put many goals at the pro level and while he has proven he can play in the NHL at least enough to stick on a team lacking depth, he isn't top 6 material. Here are the forwards the Hawks have on the roster now that are more skilled than Katchouck IMO.

Bedard
Kurashev
Reichel
Beauviller
T Johnson
Richardson
Foligno
Raddysh

He is kind of maybe going to put up as much offense as a guy like Donato probably at best. He doesn't belong in the top 6, even once we've subtracted Perry, Hall and Athanasiou from this team.
- breadbag

I'll leave this alone and we can agree to disagree but on your list who has scored at the NHL level that's not past their prime to crowd Boris outa the top 6?

Of the listed players besides the obvious of Bedard, Reichel, Frenchy and maybe Kurashev Boris understands how to make himself dangerous with the backclass to score or at least get pucks to the net to at least create the possibility of chaos?

Beauvillier has looked pretty good since joining the team, I thought he was decent tonight and a pretty good on the forecheck to win races in to get pucks.
- breadbag

Beuavillier shows the poise/polish of a pro. He always passes the eye test but the results/points have just not followed.. Maybe now is the time with the change of scenery, riding shotgun to Bedard and all the prime NHL minutes he's going to get on this roster he clicks?

And as Murray said between periods Frenchy being in the top 6 bumps a guy from it that doesn't belong making the bottom 6 better in theory due to more reasonable slotting.

At what point does the team say that Soderblom just isn't an NHL goalie? He's had good parts within a game, but very few complete games and even fewer consecutive complete games.

In 30 career games Soderblom has only 4 wins, a GAA of 3.66 and SV% of .887. Granted, he's played on some pretty bad teams, but even Mrazek has had better numbers.
- DarthKane

The odds have always been against Soderblom being an NHLer. Undrafted he had a good yr in the Svedish AHL and the next yr in the Svedish bigs (SHL) so the Hawks signed him.

He did get a look with the Svedish Hlinka team so he was on their radar as a young player but no international play afterwards. So he was pretty far down the pecking order in Svedish goaltenders.

But he has the size at 6ft 3in, did show well in those two yrs mentioned, 1 good yr in the AHL so he was a reasonable swing cuz you just never now, especially with goalies.

I've liked his last 2 starts. A much less scrambly chaotic goalie. He has not looked clean at all except for his last 2 starts. His reads and tracking are much better that's led to less down and outs with gaping nets 2-3-4 times a game.

Odds are against him but IMO he's a reasonable swing and I'm a guy who has never been on board with him being a decent NHLer. IMO he tops out as a bottom 1/4th backup but again there is enough there to warrant an NHL look for a franchise that has no other real NHL options.

His stats: https://www.capfriendly.c...m/players/arvid-soderblom

Soderblom has some good attributes,but he does have games where he gives up rebounds. He’s only 24, that can be fixed.
- Angotti

When a goalie is not tracking well or is at a level over his head he has to sell out to make the first save. He's not square or has the proper positioning (depth) to make that 1st save AND have the priooper balance/positioning to make a 2nd save or control rebounds.

Last night yes, he gave up rebounds but nowhere near as egregious as the ones in previous games. .........

Let me give an analogy to goaltending. It's like a pool shooter. A polished player can make a shot AND (rebounds for a goalie) leave himself in position to make his next shot. A less polished player can make a shot but doesn't have the skill or seasoning to leave himself in position (a goalie in balance to be square for a rebound) to make the next.

Same as a goalie. If he tracks/reads/in proper position and balance to make save 1 he doesn't end up out of position or scrambly for a rebound if he even allows one. A pool player that has to sell out (not think the shot thru or use proper english) to make a shot his odds on making the next decreases a good bit.... Same thing for a goalie. Making a save (shot) is not good enough in the NHL it's HOW you make that save.

Eye test wise last night's tilt was the first time this season I thought KK and Reichel looked out of place. Following whole shifts Reichel really looked like a young TT afraid of contact so much it really hurt his game.

And KK was ineffective often enough to really notice.

The Hawks desperately need a RHD in the prospect pipeline, if they draft third (or later) and Levshunov is available I could see KD selecting him. If the Hawks don't pick an RHD with their pick they likely will with Tampa's (currently 16th).
- DarthKane

Guess this would depend on whether they think Allan and Kaiser can play RD in the NHL. If not, the need for RD prospects goes up. But if they can, then next year they have something like:

NHL
Vlasic - Jones
Korchinski - Murphy
Phillips - Kaiser
Vet #7

AHL
Del Mastro - Allan
Roos - Crevier
Harding - Kelley

Rinzel (R)
Peltonen (L)

This is a lot of players but prospect logjams tend to clear pretty quickly (Joki, Beaudin, Boqvist, etc). I would like to add forwards with the 2 first rounders, and then add a few defensemen in Rds 2-3 as it seems like a deep class.

Maybe something like:
Rd 2, First Pick - Charlie Elick, RD, Brandon WHL
Rd 2, Third Pick - Bryce Pickford, RD, Seattle WHL
Rd 3 - use one pick on a LD

Continue to like Pickford as he is usually in the right spot, is agile with decent speed, and plays big minutes including PP and PK. He is average size though, and doesn't seem to fit the current profile. Lots of possibilities this year.

No doubt the poor odd mans against numbers can be attributed to wingers not covering for pinching D but really that stat is a reflection on the club as a whole, especially in the puck management department.

Turnovers in the neutral zone, at the attack Dzone blueline, poor attack zone passing getting picked, skating into 3-4 players, not understanding when to dump, Dmen joining as a 4th attacker and getting caught deep and especially forwards not backchecking or being too low in the attack zone to help even if they want to backcheck all lead to odd mans against.

It's sloppy play/positioning plus poor puck management and that falls on all 5 players on the ice.
- Mr Ricochet

Post game interview last night after New Jersey scored with 30 seconds left to win the game, Rick Tochett said "I watched what our guys were doing in our zone on that play and not one player was in the correct position, it was an easy clear if they had been." That cost the Canucks the game or at least a standings point.

It really doesn't matter who the goaltender is if the goup of 5 in front of him can't execute the basics.