What are the chances Bedard goes out of his way to slash Manson? They need to put Foligno and D!ckenson in his line tonight.

We’ll see, but I envision them signing a couple more middle 6 type players. No idea if they think Nazar is ready, but hopefully Hall and AA are healthy.

You can’t count on either which is why I think KFC signs some FA’s on short deals or trades for a few players who maybe only have a couple years on their deal left.

I can see more actual NHL players in the lineup vs some of the AHL placeholders this season, but time will tell.
- HawkintheD

Even if Hall and AA show up healthy next training camp, how effective will they be at this point in their careers after sitting out basically a whole year? KD absolutely has to go out and sign some talent at the point in their careers where long term deals do not have to be handed out.

Even if Hall and AA show up healthy next training camp, how effective will they be at this point in their careers after sitting out basically a whole year? KD absolutely has to go out and sign some talent at the point in their careers where long term deals do not have to be handed out.
- 67hawks

They only have 6 or 7 guys signed for next year and I'd say only two locks to be resigned as RFA's. I'd like to say we can be pretty sure that they will have a number of new faces in the lineup, but I'm not going to put the cart before the horse this offseason.

Hmmm that's interesting because when i brought up the team lost focus vs CBJs because of the Perry incident, it was a ridiculous concept

Or when Korchinski dad passed away, they had a bad game again? I thought these players were machines and had no emotions.

It's a crazy concept
- BetweenTheDots

Jesus, are you still going on about that?

They only have 6 or 7 guys signed for next year and I'd say only two locks to be resigned as RFA's. I'd like to say we can be pretty sure that they will have a number of new faces in the lineup, but I'm not going to put the cart before the horse this offseason.

- Chunk

They have 12 players signed, including those on IR. Of this summer's RFA's who are in Chicago, the only one who is a 100% lock to be signed is Vlasic, though I would guess they are going to sign both Phillips and Crevier.

What are the chances Bedard goes out of his way to slash Manson? They need to put Foligno and D!ckenson in his line tonight.
- bjphawkfan

F Manson - Go after Maker!

They have 12 players signed, including those on IR. Of this summer's RFA's who are in Chicago, the only one who is a 100% lock to be signed is Vlasic, though I would guess they are going to sign both Phillips and Crevier.
- 333inthe3rd

Sorry, I should have said forwards. I'm sure they sign Reichel, and I'd say one of the remaining RFA's, but none more.

It's official, Josh Manson is a pussie:
https://x.com/Mario_Tirab.../1764719842677133315?s=20

It's official, Josh Manson is a pussie:
https://x.com/Mario_Tirab.../1764719842677133315?s=20
- 35Tony0

C. Jones into the lineup.

Not sure if anyone saw this the other day. A lot of talk on here about how goods/bad S. Jones is. The Athletic posted their player cards the other day.

S. Jones: Market Value: $3.0m. Salary: $9.5m Surplus Value -$6.5m
C. Jones: Market Value: $4.5m. Salary: $0.8m Surplus Value $3.7m

So at this point Caleb is worth about $10m more in value than Seth.
Seth while not the worst defenseman in the league, value wise is at the bottom.

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?
- Mr Ricochet

I think he could be a valuable member of a winning team's middle six, where he is not being counted on to actually make all the plays he currently doesn't.

I think he could be a valuable member of a winning team's middle six, where he is not being counted on to actually make all the plays he currently doesn't.
- wiz1901

I agree with you, it's encouraging that he has some chemistry with Bedard as well.

They only have 6 or 7 guys signed for next year and I'd say only two locks to be resigned as RFA's. I'd like to say we can be pretty sure that they will have a number of new faces in the lineup, but I'm not going to put the cart before the horse this offseason.

- Chunk

Hawks also have to look into a third goaltender. Hawks are one of the few teams that haven't had goaltender(s) injuries this year. Imagine if Mrazek would of been injured this year.

Hawks also have to look into a third goaltender. Hawks are one of the few teams that haven't had goaltender(s) injuries this year. Imagine if Mrazek would of been injured this year.
- LAHawk

... they would have lost two more games than they have...

... they would have lost two more games than they have...
- Chunk

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

I wonder if someone could find you the stat on which players spends more time in the middle of the attack zone.

Even if Hall and AA show up healthy next training camp, how effective will they be at this point in their careers after sitting out basically a whole year? KD absolutely has to go out and sign some talent at the point in their careers where long term deals do not have to be handed out.
- 67hawks

They are a half of year less worn. Players nowadays train all year and it probably doesn't take any more than usual, unless that sat around drinking Cokes, and eating Twinkies...

This was in Friedman's 32 thoughts.

On an unrelated matter, how lucky have we been recently with number retirements? Chris Chelios’s speech was excellent — going from Richard Butkus to Bob Probert to Chicago’s first-responders, etc. He knows absolutely everyone, and apparently, the after-party was bananas, featuring John McEnroe and Patty Smyth. Broadcast host Pat Boyle said Chelios revealed a great story: that a 2010 injury to Brian Campbell opened an opportunity for the Hall-of-Famer to be re-acquired for a run to the Stanley Cup. But he declined because he didn’t think it fair to the players already there. Finally, as a television person, I wanted to shout out the Blackhawks’ production crew, who did an magnificent job with the video packages.

And sure enough Wheeler puts out his top 75 drafted prospects today. Has Moore at 27 and Nazar 35. Captainserious posted his write up of Moore, I'll post what Wheeler said about Nazar. ...... IMO he hits the nail on the head with both evaluations as this is what I posted yesterday (as you did too, bjp) and pretty much most of the yr.. He's especially right on Nazar about having little impact in too many games and will do best to stay another yr in college. IMO that could be seen all yr in his game, that he needs more time.

But, and Wheeler's right here too, Nazar can fly and has top 6 skill. very nice prospect, very nice.



Nazar lost most of his freshman season to a hip injury and then had to find his way back into a Michigan lineup with national championship aspirations that was already clicking last year. Early on this year as a sophomore, he was fairly productive but his game often left me wanting to see him battle a little more and show some more competitiveness when it’s 50/50 (he was getting to a lot of pucks when they were his to get to but there was too much reaching in/not a ton of fight when that was required). That’s always been a part of his game — this feeling that if he won more possessions his game could go to another level, that he’s not quite noticeable enough given his talent level, and that there’s too much vanilla between the good moments. Some of that, early on, though, was him getting huge ice time out of the gate and still working his way back. Because he really hit his stride leading into the world juniors and after a standout tournament (especially at the front of it), that play has spilled into a more impactful second half with the Wolverines.

Few prospects dash around the ice and make plays like Nazar does when healthy and feeling it. He’s a threatening player from the hashmarks because of his wrister, which he pops off of his stick with sneaky power and precision thanks in large part to the balance he displays through his weight shift (he’s not a super strong kid, though he is a tremendous athlete).

He’s got quick hands, which help him deftly adjust in traffic to get shots off under pressure. He flashes creativity throughout his game. He plays pucks into space extremely well, regularly executing through tight gaps in coverage. And he’s capable of being a hungry, driven player who consistently targets the middle lane and can get to wherever he needs to get to with his greatest asset — his skating.

Nazar’s one of the faster prospects in the sport, not only in straight lines and winding up through his crossovers, but also in adjusting tempos (a learned skill he really developed at the NTDP). That allows him to impact play both with the puck, attacking in transition to turn defenders or creating breakaways, as well as without it, speeding into lanes to get open for his linemates.

He also consistently supports the play high in the offensive zone without possession when that’s his role (another learned habit that has come a long way). He can be careless with the puck and try to do too much at times but he’s also capable of going right into coverage to make something happen or breezing to the perimeter to pull eyes to him and facilitate. His ability to get out in transition and make plays off the rush is particularly impressive, especially as a passer where he routinely executes beautiful cross-ice passes from out wide while in motion. He’s got impressive touch. And while there’s still the odd time he gets too far in front of the play trying to get open down ice, he can also open a game up.

He moves and does things on the ice that few can and has upside as a top-six playmaker. The question is whether he has the jam/fire to stick as a center at 5-foot-9/10, or if he’ll have to transition to the wing in the pros. If I were him, I’d go back for one more year at Michigan as a junior next season, too. I think it could really benefit him.
- Mr Ricochet

I think there is little more to be said Nazar's impact in games is less than Moore's.
It is always difficult trying to pull one guy on a team's roster and attempt to project their eventual toolbox as pros.
Not attempting to besmirch Ollie Moore, because there certainly is something there.
This idea when Nazar came back and hadn't played, and how he played "careful" is a worthy criticism of THEN, prior to his return from the World juniors, the light went on. To me Nazar thinks the game as an attacker, tremendous forechecker that puts fear in the opposing player who has the puck and sees him barreling in. He is fearless as a player in the middle in traffic. He his super daring, creative and fearless when between two defending opposing guys, and always has an idea where he is goin g, where the puck is going...that has not disappeared from playing with the USANDT. If Wheeler thinks it is missing now, he needs to look again.
Do I favor Nazar as batter prospect to one taht should come out asap? I don'y really care or weigh in, as the organization and kid probably know where they are leaning.
(I start getting the shakes as Junior year approaches that we get "Hayes ed" agin, so if the kid says I wanna come out that sorta helps Kyle's decision, right?

We all hear about Ollie Moore's speed, and sure it is different that the speed in short areas that nazar shows. I think the drafting of Moore was directly related to finding a true fit as a thicker fast centre to play behind Bedard, and I never thought of Nazar as a pivot (except to take second man in face-offs) as anything but just what beard needs in an F-1.
Moore wants the puck, looks good on zone entires from both sides and middle blue line. I think Moore is the best as an off handed Left wing when attacking. (Could both be the eventually wings for Bedsy?) He has an impressively strong shot. he can at the current level of play take advantage of teh time and space he is give, and uses it quick and efficiently, but like Bedard, he is gonna find that you don't get that "picnic blanket" space in the NHL, and I favor what Nazar will achieve as initial NHL rookie. But I hope it is all good for both.

Trouba at $8 mil?
- LAHawk

Wasn't on NTR yet.

They had McDonagh, Girardi, Staal and Stralman in their top 4.

Not a lot of mobility but those guys could sure block a lot of shots and clear the crease.

For those who were concerned about the slash Manson gave Bedard, a little perspective:

Manson whack ‘blown out of proportion’
Bedard has fielded a ton of questions about the Manson whack since Thursday during the lead-up to the Hawks and Avs' rematch Monday in Colorado — a game which Manson will miss due to an injury.

He seemed surprised at first that it was perceived as such a big deal, then increasingly amused as the questions continued. He couldn't help but laugh a little when asked Thursday morning if it would make him extra motivated to beat the Avs.

"No, no, not at all," he said. "It was nothing. Maybe because it was a nationally televised game, people saw the video a little more and made a big deal out of it, but it was a love tap."

Nobody on the Hawks fought or messed with Manson after the incident Thursday; coach Luke Richardson said that was probably because Manson was "sneaky" about it and few people noticed in the moment. Richardson said he didn't expect it to be on anyone's mind Monday, either.

For Bedard, it's the latest reminder of just how ridiculously scrutinized every little moment — good or bad — in his rookie season has been.

"There's probably 100 examples I could go to where things got blown out of proportion," he said.

For those who were concerned about the slash Manson gave Bedard, a little perspective:

Manson whack ‘blown out of proportion’
Bedard has fielded a ton of questions about the Manson whack since Thursday during the lead-up to the Hawks and Avs' rematch Monday in Colorado — a game which Manson will miss due to an injury.

He seemed surprised at first that it was perceived as such a big deal, then increasingly amused as the questions continued. He couldn't help but laugh a little when asked Thursday morning if it would make him extra motivated to beat the Avs.

"No, no, not at all," he said. "It was nothing. Maybe because it was a nationally televised game, people saw the video a little more and made a big deal out of it, but it was a love tap."

Nobody on the Hawks fought or messed with Manson after the incident Thursday; coach Luke Richardson said that was probably because Manson was "sneaky" about it and few people noticed in the moment. Richardson said he didn't expect it to be on anyone's mind Monday, either.

For Bedard, it's the latest reminder of just how ridiculously scrutinized every little moment — good or bad — in his rookie season has been.

"There's probably 100 examples I could go to where things got blown out of proportion," he said.
- Chunk

That's exactly what I would say if I were Bedard. No opposing locker room quotes to be put up from what he said. Pretty savvy for an 18 year old.
I hope the 'Hawks play physical tonight.