- HawkintheD

I do agree for the most part, Paul: tired of the banter back and forth about whether this or that player is good enough or whether coaching could be better

Sure Steve has a point sometimes line juggling works out but with this roster the key is player development. The won lost and compete is what it is and this is not too bad but rather encouraging when you can measure improvement with young players.

However I would not say Soderstrom has improved yet he isn’t terrible. Next season he needs to show improvement though otherwise it is difficult to retain faith in his progression

When the team has more top end players then Kurashev is a player a GM may like in his group of forwards or he may first see if the coach can change or get anything better out of him

This summer KD would be prudent to make the same type of player moves as has been on his record. Do not invest big money yet and there really is no benefit in swapping our top players for another team’s best guys. Those draft picks are like gold nuggets since they represent opportunities to add

A team builds up its quality and quantity of young players through draft and development. Extra draft picks may allow for taking a swing on project type or boom/bust selections. Furthermore there may be some foreign players - notably Russian players - who may come over later. So it is a bonus when you have even a modest stockpile of the foreign players who may turn into NHL players

But nitpicking on what Kurashev could do better or whether line juggling is always a good strategy…well it is not as big a deal while we are a bad team/lacking top end talent AS whether the players do play hard and the coach is a good communicator

Like him or not, Tab Bamford at the Bleacher Nation wrote this about Seth Jones. (Hint - Bamford is not a fan of Seth.)

The Blackhawks’ head coach was very strategic in how he answered a question about the gong show performance from his highest-paid player last night. Seth Jones was terrible. He played like a guy who would waive his no-move clause yesterday if a deal came along and has emotionally left the building. Which wouldn’t come as a surprise; he’s the first guy off the ice and out of the building after practices and morning skates. It might be time for the coaches to have a conversation with the front office about some potential next steps here because if everyone isn’t pulling in the same direction this thing ain’t gonna work and last night was a Grade A example of how bad it can be when a disinterested veteran gives his team zero.

Richardson's quote about Jones.

"Back to the drawing board… He’s starting to think of offense before we finish our defensive responsibilities. The first play was just a tough one. That puck should’ve been out twice before that happened, but we kept turning it back in the…— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 3, 2024

Like him or not, Tab Bamford at the Bleacher Nation wrote this about Seth Jones. (Hint - Bamford is not a fan of Seth.)

The Blackhawks’ head coach was very strategic in how he answered a question about the gong show performance from his highest-paid player last night. Seth Jones was terrible. He played like a guy who would waive his no-move clause yesterday if a deal came along and has emotionally left the building. Which wouldn’t come as a surprise; he’s the first guy off the ice and out of the building after practices and morning skates. It might be time for the coaches to have a conversation with the front office about some potential next steps here because if everyone isn’t pulling in the same direction this thing ain’t gonna work and last night was a Grade A example of how bad it can be when a disinterested veteran gives his team zero.

Richardson's quote about Jones.

"Back to the drawing board… He’s starting to think of offense before we finish our defensive responsibilities. The first play was just a tough one. That puck should’ve been out twice before that happened, but we kept turning it back in the…— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 3, 2024
- boilermaker100

Banford only goes so far with analysis. Jones’ future has been discussed on this board. Below is my summation how I believe most of us feel about Jones’ continued employment here

Try to foresee anything positive about s Jones?

We need some veterans now but we can be more selective who those veterans are after more kids filter in and the kids are successful

The other Jones - brother Caleb - thankfully is gone. We are stuck with Seth for at least one or two more seasons. And to stress what has bern said in the board: S Jones could in fact perform better with a smaller role and on a roster with an improvement in both talent and experience

That may not be to his liking which is fine if it expedited his being headlights

Maybe more like 45 given about what he's averaging and that's close to doubling what he's had before. Progress.
- HawkintheD

I have always liked Kurashev, he’s unfortunately slotted too high due to Hawks lack of talent. I’d love for KFC to sign Reinhart to play with Bedard, real good player with high hockey IQ, although I doubt he would sign with a cellar dweller.
Hall/Bedard/Reinhart

I might be wrong but Zaitsev and Murphy as veterans in the lineup is not as bad as Tinordi and Megna

S Jones’ contract practically precludes his movement. I am wishing kids development on fast forward works out fine and I include the guys in Rockford, The sooner they well perform enough for oh maybe half a season the sooner S Jones could depart. Too many kids on defense though is dangerous because they wouldn’t have enough veterans to help support. Three kids in Rockford may not fully incorporate into NHL roster until the season after next?!

Banford only goes so far with analysis. Jones’ future has been discussed on this board. Below is my summation how I believe most of us feel about Jones’ continued employment here

Try to foresee anything positive about s Jones?

We need some veterans now but we can be more selective who those veterans are after more kids filter in and the kids are successful

The other Jones - brother Caleb - thankfully is gone. We are stuck with Seth for at least one or two more seasons. And to stress what has bern said in the board: S Jones could in fact perform better with a smaller role and on a roster with an improvement in both talent and experience

That may not be to his liking which is fine if it expedited his being headlights
- jhawk59

If S. Jones is such a cancer and KD does not move him this summer, it is all on KD. Seems other GM’s are able to move disgruntled players, and if all else fails buy him out. Fact of the matter is, if Jones is at best s #3 defenseman, the Hawks currently have no one to replace him, and KD is not going to trade for or commit $’s and term to do so.

Vancouver bought out OEL, case in point. Then he wouldn’t have to sign veterans to bloated contracts to get to the cap floor.

I'm going to go against the grain here. Do not like Kurashev as a player. Drifts, bad defensively, not very good on the boards, vision isn't there. Don't think he's hockey smart at all. He was terrible and non existent without Bedard creating space for him.

He skates good and is the only guy on the team smart enough to shoot when the rest of the opponent is marking Bedard so I guess that counts for something.

Other than that I think he's a Donato clone where it looks like he has all the tools but doesn't seem to put it all together.

Seems to be more of a player where the focus is on the toolsyness rather than the results.
- fattybeef

Interesting, Fatty. I'll go against the grain on most everything you said. ..... Kurashev has made passes at pace into the low slot/blue area that were exceptional, showing vision and IQ. Kid battles on the boards, +skater with +speed, ain't scared, comes back hard. And IMO he's better without Bedard.

Kid showed he could damn near carry a line of bums, with Bedard waaaaay too much deference.

Think D said he's probably not a top of the lineup guy but can slot up and down. I agree and think he'd be a crack 3rd liner on a good team and fill in top 6 due to injuries.

I have always liked Kurashev, he’s unfortunately slotted too high due to Hawks lack of talent. I’d love for KFC to sign Reinhart to play with Bedard, real good player with high hockey IQ, although I doubt he would sign with a cellar dweller.
Hall/Bedard/Reinhart
- Angotti

That would be great if they could give him high $$$ on a short deal but in addition to the caveat you mention, he may be looking to cash in, so I don't see it happening.

Kuraschev might end up with 40 points.
- wiz1901

Wiz, I know you were never high on Kurashev. You don't like what you see from him this yr, big big jump man as he enters 250 games played and should pop if he's got it in him. ...... Add he's never played on even a decent NHL squad.

Are you dug in on your evaluation of him when he was 18 and ain't budging or truly don't see anything in the 24 yr old this yr?

I remember watching Hitchcock's Kalamzoo IHL teams and thinking this team plays hard and disciplined.


I have watched many NHL practices starting at Johnny's East with Lorne Molleken, though Johnny's West and 5/3. Lots of flow in a Richardson practice. I am not seeing lots of teaching. You might say it is all done through video. I hope you are right.

StevefromGlencoe Trivia: I used to ride my bike to Lake Forest and watch the Bears practice. This is 1978-1982. The intensity of the Bears practices were night and day from before 82 till 82. In 83 they put up a construction fence so nobody could watch and. 85 was pretty good. Even as a kid, it was easy to sense the seriousness after watching a team for a while.


The timeouts, not juggling lines, the lack of creatively getting Bedard on the ice for Ozone faceoffs, the one-on-one style I see. Bad starts. Late collapses. Understandable to some extent with the roster. You like some of what you are seeing and you are an optimistic guy. He's not impressing me.

You know I thought Reichel was a perimeter player. I wrote about going to Rockford and watching the AHL playoffs. I asked the Wilds Director of Player Personnel, Matt Hendricks, about Reichel this summer and he told me, "All talented guys take the puck outside so they can find time and space. Coaching is getting them into the hard areas." I'm not sure about Reichel but I know the coach bounced him from line to line and position to position and he still took the puck away from the center of the ice and is a minus machine.


Yes there have been short bursts where teams exceed those numbers, right now Dallas is by far on the hottest drafting run I can remember. But the GM there is a 30 year management vet. Our GM is 35.



- stevefrmglencoe

Have you been to the arena in Kzoo? How bout Muskegon, they're 80 miles apart. Great little arenas.

Have you see Stankoven since he was brought up in DAL? Saw 2 games and this kid is damn fun to watch and produces....... You think DAL has outdrafted BUF the last 5-6 yrs and what do you think of BUF? And of course their rookie GM has been in charge, Kevyn Adams, who I thought was waaaay overmatched when hired.

I watched Mich. Vs Minn. again, last night. IMO Oliver Moore is miles ahead of Frank Nazar. Moore is always a presence on the ice where Nazar goes barely noticed. Fun fact; Moore and Rinzel are roommates.

If S. Jones is such a cancer and KD does not move him this summer, it is all on KD. Seems other GM’s are able to move disgruntled players, and if all else fails buy him out. Fact of the matter is, if Jones is at best s #3 defenseman, the Hawks currently have no one to replace him, and KD is not going to trade for or commit $’s and term to do so.

Vancouver bought out OEL, case in point. Then he wouldn’t have to sign veterans to bloated contracts to get to the cap floor.
- LAHawk

If Jones is indeed not bringing the effort expected by the team AND the young guys around him, he does need to go.

KFC has made a point of setting up a scenario where the next wave of kids needs to build its own identity and culture. He didn't think they could do that with Kane (Johhny The Ghost, too) around. To a lesser degree (because of age and lack of Cups), same should apply to Jones.

I hope you're well, LA.

If Jones is indeed not bringing the effort expected by the team AND the young guys around him, he does need to go.

KFC has made a point of setting up a scenario where the next wave of kids needs to build its own identity and culture. He didn't think they could do that with Kane (Johhny The Ghost, too) around. To a lesser degree (because of age and lack of Cups), same should apply to Jones.

I hope you're well, LA.
- mohel

I am Mohel, hope you are too

I disliked the choice from the moment I heard it because I clearly remember Richardson's Binghampton era as being unimpressive. I prefer retread NHL coaches or a rising guy with some championship or major turnaround track record. I remember watching Hitchcock's Kalamzoo IHL teams and thinking this team plays hard and disciplined. The next year, Gainey made him head coach and I loved Hitchcock' Hall of Fame speech. I think a hard head coach, even on a below average team, creates the culture. I don't think this is a learn on the job league. I think it is silly to rush young players. It was Richardson who vouched for Perry's character. What a debacle. Rumor has it Perry has been a booze bag everywhere he has been. Somebody on this board wrote some horrible things about him.

I have watched many NHL practices starting at Johnny's East with Lorne Molleken, though Johnny's West and 5/3. Lots of flow in a Richardson practice. I am not seeing lots of teaching. You might say it is all done through video. I hope you are right.

StevefromGlencoe Trivia: I used to ride my bike to Lake Forest and watch the Bears practice. This is 1978-1982. The intensity of the Bears practices were night and day from before 82 till 82. In 83 they put up a construction fence so nobody could watch and. 85 was pretty good. Even as a kid, it was easy to sense the seriousness after watching a team for a while.


The timeouts, not juggling lines, the lack of creatively getting Bedard on the ice for Ozone faceoffs, the one-on-one style I see. Bad starts. Late collapses. Understandable to some extent with the roster. You like some of what you are seeing and you are an optimistic guy. He's not impressing me.

You know I thought Reichel was a perimeter player. I wrote about going to Rockford and watching the AHL playoffs. I asked the Wilds Director of Player Personnel, Matt Hendricks, about Reichel this summer and he told me, "All talented guys take the puck outside so they can find time and space. Coaching is getting them into the hard areas." I'm not sure about Reichel but I know the coach bounced him from line to line and position to position and he still took the puck away from the center of the ice and is a minus machine.

I am trying to bite my tongue about Richardson and have only made a handful of negative posts all season because I am even less optimistic that we have a stacked prospect pool and good times are around the corner. Just as Vegas is built by losers, 60% of 1st rounders play 300games. 25% of 2nd rounders, and 20% of 3rd rounders. 8% of everyone else. Yes there have been short bursts where teams exceed those numbers, right now Dallas is by far on the hottest drafting run I can remember. But the GM there is a 30 year management vet. Our GM is 35.

I am a firm believer that Drafting, Astute Trading, and Aggressive Free Agent Signing make a winner. The tanking for top picks only scratches at the first. You may say wait. I think the can do more now. If they end the season with $10+ million of unused Cap Space, it shows there is no eye of the tiger here. Would Bill Foley slow play like this?

I love the passion on this board. Great joy to burn off steam here. I read everything you post and respect your knowledge and vision. Thanks for the back and forth.
- stevefrmglencoe

I like the way Richardson addresses the media and talks about the game. Haven't seen any practices or anything so no idea what is going on there. Tough to argue with the progress of Vlasic and Korchinski. Some of the other regressions aren't great.

Tough to judge without a NHL calibre team. At least they play hard.

I agree that it would be nice to see some more aggression on the trade side to get someone to take some attention from Bedard. Don't feel great about just eating the Hall loss but looking at the NHL trade market in general what is a reasonable expectation for a mid season move. Not sure who that player is or what the ask would be though.

Even if you look at the 2010 Blackhawks they had at least 13 players who weren't originally drafted by the Hawks. Sharp was a find. Obviously Hossa and Campbell were big signings. They'll have to find guys outside the org that don't suck. Seems like D1ckinson was a decent find but that seems to be the only guy working out that was an unknown to a certain degree.

Like him or not, Tab Bamford at the Bleacher Nation wrote this about Seth Jones. (Hint - Bamford is not a fan of Seth.)

The Blackhawks’ head coach was very strategic in how he answered a question about the gong show performance from his highest-paid player last night. Seth Jones was terrible. He played like a guy who would waive his no-move clause yesterday if a deal came along and has emotionally left the building. Which wouldn’t come as a surprise; he’s the first guy off the ice and out of the building after practices and morning skates. It might be time for the coaches to have a conversation with the front office about some potential next steps here because if everyone isn’t pulling in the same direction this thing ain’t gonna work and last night was a Grade A example of how bad it can be when a disinterested veteran gives his team zero.

Richardson's quote about Jones.

"Back to the drawing board… He’s starting to think of offense before we finish our defensive responsibilities. The first play was just a tough one. That puck should’ve been out twice before that happened, but we kept turning it back in the…— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 3, 2024
- boilermaker100

I generally like Tabs writing. The Faxes from Uncle Dale guys aren't huge Seth Jones fans either. I usually like Zawaski and crew most of the time but they get a bit too superfanny especially regarding Jones. Its easy to get enamored with the tool set.

The stuff he was retweeting at the start of the pandemic was a bit of a red flag.

Back to the drawing board is a hilarious commend about guy who is on the ice for almost half the game.

Would be fun if he actually got benched for (frank)ing up.

I’ve always defended Jones, thought he was decent but way overpaid, however last night was his worst game as a Hawk. At this point he’s basically untradeable, but the Hawks have to get to the cap floor anyway. After the 25/26 season, his salary drops to $8M or below(cap hit remains $9.5M), so at that time KD or whomever will probably be able to move him. Let’s hope that in the next couple of years two of the young defenders can surpass him and move to top pair minutes, leaving Jones for the second pair where he belongs. I’ve said this before, once Kurashev is getting 3rd line minutes and Jones is on the second defensive pair, this team will be competing for a playoff spot.

I’ve always defended Jones, thought he was decent but way overpaid, however last night was his worst game as a Hawk. At this point he’s basically untradeable, but the Hawks have to get to the cap floor anyway. After the 25/26 season, his salary drops to $8M or below(cap hit remains $9.5M), so at that time KD or whomever will probably be able to move him. Let’s hope that in the next couple of years two of the young defenders can surpass him and move to top pair minutes, leaving Jones for the second pair where he belongs. I’ve said this before, once Kurashev is getting 3rd line minutes and Jones is on the second defensive pair, this team will be competing for a playoff spot.
- Angotti

I agree Lou, what would be even better if he was our 3rd best option playing RD, less than 20 minutes a night and no PP time.

Columbus was my 5th in person game this season (bought the 5 game flex plan). I watched from Section 227. A few thoughts:

55 & 72 are going to be really good. Maybe not Keith & Seabrook good, but certainly a solid half of the future top 4. Both looked much more comfortable in all zones than at the beginning of the year, and are pushing the play in the O zone much more.

Jones looked like he took acid, or mushrooms, or some other hallucinogenic before the game. Starting with the exasperating turn over in the 1st minute, he looked like he was new to the game. Added a couple of penalties, the 1st was especially egregious. I had a discussion with a few people sitting around me, and we concluded he would have been a 5th D on the 3 Cup teams, we all liked Oduya more to be paired with Hammer. It'd be really nice to launch him and his salary once the young ones sort themselves out.

Soderblom gives more rebounds than any other goalie of recent memory, even on rather easy/soft shots. Crevier saved him on 1 in the 1st, or it would have been uglier earlier. No idea what he was doing on the 3rd goal, and the 4th was a scramble, but he managed to lose his net before the shot. I'm not sure he can be fixed.

Phillips loses a lot of puck and board battles.

Blackwell will get a chance to play for a Stanley Cup this season. He'd help any playoff team.

Donato and Katchouk were engaged and positively noticeable. If Katchouk brought that every game, he'd be someone to hang on to.

As outstanding as Bedard is in the offensive zone, he's going to need a couple of wingers with a strong 200 foot game to make up for his defensive 'engagement'.

Banford only goes so far with analysis. Jones’ future has been discussed on this board. Below is my summation how I believe most of us feel about Jones’ continued employment here

Try to foresee anything positive about s Jones?

We need some veterans now but we can be more selective who those veterans are after more kids filter in and the kids are successful

The other Jones - brother Caleb - thankfully is gone. We are stuck with Seth for at least one or two more seasons. And to stress what has bern said in the board: S Jones could in fact perform better with a smaller role and on a roster with an improvement in both talent and experience

That may not be to his liking which is fine if it expedited his being headlights
- jhawk59

Who's the worst second pairing player to get to a Cup (in the modern era) and what was he surrounded with I think would be a fun way to determine that value.

John Klingberg? Though he wasn't the number 1 or 2. If we think hard enough about it this could be a good comparable. First pairing would have to be pretty legit.

Maybe Bowmeester is a comparable? Though if Jones at 27 is comparable to Bowmeester in his mid 30s what's Jones gonna look like once he crosses that threshold which probably coincides with the Hawks being less crappy.

Montour or Forsling? Though again the dollars don't match and those guys defend the blue line well. I guess Ekblad played fewer minutes but his money isn't totally egregious. They also had tremendous goaltending until they only had very good goaltending.

Niskanen or Orlov on the caps? Though not quite the dollar value.

The 2011 Canucks were not impressive on the blue line but they did have a really good goaler. Same with the Canadians.

Maybe it's Brian Campbell if only for the size of that contract but Campbell was a much better (also smarter) hockey player than Jones and really showed he could defend that year.

When you start to look at it like that - it's hard to come up with a team that made it to the finals that has a player with the same dollar commitment on their second pairing. Maybe the Hawks can make it work but woof.

But it all circles back to there being 7 seasons left in the contract. If we're ultra conservative they are not good for another 4, maybe a contender in 5 or 6 and then the deal doesn't matter anymore because its over.

Or they make some of us happy, do some wheeling and dealing and accelerate this a bit and if they're contending in 3 or 4 years than Jones becomes a little more problematic cause once those kids start winning you gotta pay them.

Interesting, Fatty. I'll go against the grain on most everything you said. ..... Kurashev has made passes at pace into the low slot/blue area that were exceptional, showing vision and IQ. Kid battles on the boards, +skater with +speed, ain't scared, comes back hard. And IMO he's better without Bedard.

Kid showed he could damn near carry a line of bums, with Bedard waaaaay too much deference.

Think D said he's probably not a top of the lineup guy but can slot up and down. I agree and think he'd be a crack 3rd liner on a good team and fill in top 6 due to injuries.
- Mr Ricochet

I see it more like someone is gonna put up points on a team like that.

Domi had 49/60 with the Hawks last year and Raddysh scored 20 goals. Stuff that is only possible on an awful team and probably won't ever happen again. No one would mistake Domi for a first line center or a player with finish or vision but there was a 60-70 point pace for the okayest player.

If stuff was clicking my expectation wouldn't be an occasional great pass or highlight every 4 or 5 games but consistency being a threat and generating opportunities and I don't think he's that player.

But we'll see what happens next year when hopefully the roster is better or at least some of these youngsters with higher skill levels are providing some competition.

I watched Mich. Vs Minn. again, last night. IMO Oliver Moore is miles ahead of Frank Nazar. Moore is always a presence on the ice where Nazar goes barely noticed. Fun fact; Moore and Rinzel are roommates.
- bjphawkfan

So, Nazar is KD's second bust, after Korchinski?

So, Nazar is KD's second bust, after Korchinski?
- Dieselhead

Thought they're all busts, or am I confusing KFC with Stanbo?

So, Nazar is KD's second bust, after Korchinski?
- Dieselhead

Well, he's not an NHL All-star yet, so.....bust.

I see it more like someone is gonna put up points on a team like that.

Domi had 49/60 with the Hawks last year and Raddysh scored 20 goals. Stuff that is only possible on an awful team and probably won't ever happen again. No one would mistake Domi for a first line center or a player with finish or vision but there was a 60-70 point pace for the okayest player.

If stuff was clicking my expectation wouldn't be an occasional great pass or highlight every 4 or 5 games but consistency being a threat and generating opportunities and I don't think he's that player.

But we'll see what happens next year when hopefully the roster is better or at least some of these youngsters with higher skill levels are providing some competition.
- fattybeef

I don't disagree with the point but see that guy as Richardinson more so than Kurashev.

Who's the worst second pairing player to get to a Cup (in the modern era) and what was he surrounded with I think would be a fun way to determine that value.

John Klingberg? Though he wasn't the number 1 or 2. If we think hard enough about it this could be a good comparable. First pairing would have to be pretty legit.

Maybe Bowmeester is a comparable? Though if Jones at 27 is comparable to Bowmeester in his mid 30s what's Jones gonna look like once he crosses that threshold which probably coincides with the Hawks being less crappy.

Montour or Forsling? Though again the dollars don't match and those guys defend the blue line well. I guess Ekblad played fewer minutes but his money isn't totally egregious. They also had tremendous goaltending until they only had very good goaltending.

Niskanen or Orlov on the caps? Though not quite the dollar value.

The 2011 Canucks were not impressive on the blue line but they did have a really good goaler. Same with the Canadians.

Maybe it's Brian Campbell if only for the size of that contract but Campbell was a much better (also smarter) hockey player than Jones and really showed he could defend that year.

When you start to look at it like that - it's hard to come up with a team that made it to the finals that has a player with the same dollar commitment on their second pairing. Maybe the Hawks can make it work but woof.

But it all circles back to there being 7 seasons left in the contract. If we're ultra conservative they are not good for another 4, maybe a contender in 5 or 6 and then the deal doesn't matter anymore because its over.

Or they make some of us happy, do some wheeling and dealing and accelerate this a bit and if they're contending in 3 or 4 years than Jones becomes a little more problematic cause once those kids start winning you gotta pay them.
- fattybeef

Trouba at $8 mil?