Zach Jarom: Forwards Need to Step Up, Game Day: Hawks vs Preds, WJC

Do you think LR is any better than JC?
- paulr


Not lately.

Do you think LR is any better than JC?
- paulr


Not lately.
- mohel

It's hard to imagine anybody being as bad as JC was when he was here. About the only player who seemed to benefit was Magic Gus.

They're playing four rookie defensemen on some nights, and fielding three fourth lines, is how someone put it on here recently. What could Scotty Bowman in his prime do with this group?

Scotty would for sure have 7 wins, JC would have maybe 2.

A copy and paste from Zach's entry.

"This wasn’t a team that was expected to do much this season, but you have to expect more from the forward unit. This team currently sits 30th in the league for shots per game played; they are 29th in the league in scoring chances with 459; and they are 31st in high danger scoring chances with just 162. "

And it wouldn't take much diggin into fancy stats as further evidence of how poor this group is offensively. That really compounds my confusion of why Boris ain't in the top 6. On THIS roster he's a top 6 player.

Great news Beauvillier is now available to play every game. Let's see what he's got riding shotgun to Bedard and with #1 PP minutes. .... Hawk's fans will like this player.

Hopin Reichel says fuk it, I'm gonna skate, skate, skate, shut his brains off and let er rip. He'll face much weaker pairings skating L4..... The kid has the yips right now. Pucks fly off his stick like a hand grenade. Anyone remember that happening to him last yr? Kid is fighting it. ...... Give the kid 5 games with the same linemates. THAT would be the only thing LR has NOT tried with him!!!

Hopin to see more of Crevier tonight. Impressed with his feet in open ice last game.

Edit: To my eye his last start was Soderblom's best. Game slowed down for him. Those things don't go away in a week so I'm hoping/expecting to see the efficient, quiet, compact with good reads/tracking Soderblom he needs to be to play in this league.

It's hard to imagine anybody being as bad as JC was when he was here. About the only player who seemed to benefit was Magic Gus.

They're playing four rookie defensemen on some nights, and fielding three fourth lines, is how someone put it on here recently. What could Scotty Bowman in his prime do with this group?
- 333inthe3rd

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.

Yo LA, have you seen My Guy Fantilli with CLB yet? Kid has looked like a fit from the start this yr. A whole bunch of speedy Cossacks with Provorov, Severson and rookie Jiricek added to the defense. Not a bad watch.

Kings invade at 6:00, Hawks puck drop at 7:30.

A copy and paste from Zach's entry.

"This wasn’t a team that was expected to do much this season, but you have to expect more from the forward unit. This team currently sits 30th in the league for shots per game played; they are 29th in the league in scoring chances with 459; and they are 31st in high danger scoring chances with just 162. "

And it wouldn't take much diggin into fancy stats as further evidence of how poor this group is offensively. That really compounds my confusion of why Boris ain't in the top 6. On THIS roster he's a top 6 player.

Great news Beauvillier is now available to play every game. Let's see what he's got riding shotgun to Bedard and with #1 PP minutes. .... Hawk's fans will like this player.

Hopin Reichel says fuk it, I'm gonna skate, skate, skate, shut his brains off and let er rip. He'll face much weaker pairings skating L4..... The kid has the yips right now. Pucks fly off his stick like a hand grenade. Anyone remember that happening to him last yr? Kid is fighting it. ...... Give the kid 5 games with the same linemates. THAT would be the only thing LR has NOT tried with him!!!

Hopin to see more of Crevier tonight. Impressed with his feet in open ice last game.

Edit: To my eye his last start was Soderblom's best. Game slowed down for him. Those things don't go away in a week so I'm hoping/expecting to see the efficient, quiet, compact with good reads/tracking Soderblom he needs to be to play in this league.
- Mr Ricochet

IMO Boris would only be top 6 in Rockford.

The guy is 25 years old and has 10 career goals to his name.

He lacks the high end skill to be more than a 4th liner in the NHL. On a weak team like this, he can get a few extra minutes as like a 3rd line option, but there is a reason why Tampa was willing to part with him, a reason why he isn't always in the lineup. If he was more physical, maybe you make an argument to use him to create space for more skilled players.

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

That was my thought about the odd man rushes, the forwards and D not exchanging coverage very well. I think some of it can be attributed to some of the young guys in key positions on D and at C.

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

Absolutely. Dates back to Q's last couple years.

IMO Boris would only be top 6 in Rockford.

The guy is 25 years old and has 10 career goals to his name.

He lacks the high end skill to be more than a 4th liner in the NHL. On a weak team like this, he can get a few extra minutes as like a 3rd line option, but there is a reason why Tampa was willing to part with him, a reason why he isn't always in the lineup. If he was more physical, maybe you make an argument to use him to create space for more skilled players.
- breadbag

We differ on Katchoyuk's skill level but have you scrubbed his resume lately? Had 42 and 35 goal yrs in the OHL as a 19 and 20 yr old. Played on 2 Canadian WJC teams. ...... As a pro he was drafted rd 2 by TB, not just any franchise but TB who drafts well. Never gonna get decent ice time on those powerful rosters. Then he's been with the train wreck in CHI the last couple yrs...... Not any reasonable opportunity in the Bigs.

2 yrs in the AHL where I admit he didn't score.

But look em up. IMO his back class and the eye test today says he's a top 6 on THIS roster. https://www.capfriendly.com/players/boris-katchouk

Any tiny bit will help this feckless squad. Ice the most dangerous top 6 players and unfortunately IMO Katchouk kiisone of them, especially with no Hall and AA.... The guy can at least make plays at pace, decent in possession and has the feet to be able to throw the thing towards the net.

The Hawks were terribly weak on offensive talent to start the season. Then subtract Hall, AA, Perry and the offense looks even worse. No GM could have foreseen that. No coach could do much with this little offensive talent. Major in season adjustments are difficult. Their top prospects are not at Rockford. They are in juniors, college or overseas. All they can do now is give players who lack talent or are not ready NHL minutes and hope it does not wreck them. I think Bedard will be ok, but I can see him struggling as the season drags on, the losing continues, and the noncompetitive games build up. I would expect them to add a few young experienced talented NHL players through trades or signings next summer. Not big ticket items. But legit middle six worthy players that could stick around as the team transitions to being a contender.

IMO Boris would only be top 6 in Rockford.

The guy is 25 years old and has 10 career goals to his name.

He lacks the high end skill to be more than a 4th liner in the NHL. On a weak team like this, he can get a few extra minutes as like a 3rd line option, but there is a reason why Tampa was willing to part with him, a reason why he isn't always in the lineup. If he was more physical, maybe you make an argument to use him to create space for more skilled players.
- breadbag

While I agree that Katchouk should be slotted on the 4th line, he hustles and wins some board battles. Now take Reese Johnson, he’s more physical than Katchouk, yet can’t win a board battle to save his life.

Which is more likely to happen tonight. An early goal by Bedard or an early questionable goal against Soderblom?

While I agree that Katchouk should be slotted on the 4th line, he hustles and wins some board battles. Now take Reese Johnson, he’s more physical than Katchouk, yet can’t win a board battle to save his life.
- Angotti

Katchouk should be playing regularly. He works harder than the forwards he’s competing for ice time with. He adds a threat on the PK too. He hasn’t got a shortie yet but he’s been close several times.

Nic with the goal, nice hard work! Lots of good hits so far.

Nic with the goal, nice hard work! Lots of good hits so far.
- SaskHawkFan

I like that third line, they do work hard.

We differ on Katchoyuk's skill level but have you scrubbed his resume lately? Had 42 and 35 goal yrs in the OHL as a 19 and 20 yr old. Played on 2 Canadian WJC teams. ...... As a pro he was drafted rd 2 by TB, not just any franchise but TB who drafts well. Never gonna get decent ice time on those powerful rosters. Then he's been with the train wreck in CHI the last couple yrs...... Not any reasonable opportunity in the Bigs.

2 yrs in the AHL where I admit he didn't score.

But look em up. IMO his back class and the eye test today says he's a top 6 on THIS roster. https://www.capfriendly.com/players/boris-katchouk

Any tiny bit will help this feckless squad. Ice the most dangerous top 6 players and unfortunately IMO Katchouk kiisone of them, especially with no Hall and AA.... The guy can at least make plays at pace, decent in possession and has the feet to be able to throw the thing towards the net.
- Mr Ricochet

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.

Man Zaitsev can't you look to see what your options are?

You’re Arvid Soderblum? The Rebound King of Chicago

JD with the Snipe top cheese!

What a snipe by Richardinson that shot along with the other one from the top of the circle against the leafs have been impressive.

and another Foligno strike!

Sharks win

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