Zach Jarom: Its About to Get Bad and Game Day Preview vs Boston

First

Probably back to the days when every team plays their spare goalie against the hawks.

Mitchell really deserved being recalled and earned this big opportunity to prove his worth. In his brief stint with the Hogs coming off injury, he continued where he left off last season as the bona fide #1 D-man in Rockford.

He skates and defends so well: plays aggressive, maintains tight gaps, wins 1-on-1 battles, gets stops, and prioritizes net protection.

As a PP quarterback, he walks the line with ease and with confidence, gets shots through, and makes nice feeds to teammates.

Personally, I wouldn't be surprised if he has staying power or at least makes it hard on management to send him back down to the AHL which is likely to happen once S Jones is healthy.

Galvas isn't too far off Mitchell's trajectory and was by far the Hogs best all-around blueliner while Ian was injured. He surprisingly is a PPG player with a goal and 11 assists.

Not stellar at any one thing, Galvas is just good at everything in all zones. Like Mitchell, he defends so well off the rush, keeps a tight gap, stays between his man and the net, kills the other team's plays, and moves the puck out expediently with a crisp pass or with his feet.

He makes simple smart plays in all situations. Excellent fundamentals and hockey IQ.

Hope Hawks brass doesn't sleep on Galvas. Not a high bar but he's way better than C Jones.

Not sure what to think of Regula. When he keeps it simple and sticks to his strengths, he can be reliable. Otherwise he's not that good.

Same with Phillips. Both get caught flat footed or sleeping at the wheel quite a bit. Their play recognition needs to sharpen.

Vlasic had his best pro game last night being consistent with using his size and reach to kill plays early, plaster guys along the boards, and take away time and space by the crease.

Crevier is steadily playing that same style as Vlasic's partner. It's good he plays within his means. Still lots to work on but he's not horrid by any stretch as a rookie who will continue to fill out his huge frame and add more muscle.

Besides Reichel, not much to get too excited about with forwards.

Gust, Philp, and Seney are top 20 in the AHL for points (Reichel too) but these 3 are career minor leaguers.

In particular, Seney needs to learn how to stay on his feet. He gets knocked down or just dives all over the ice way too often. Oddly, so does a much bigger Hardman.

Slavin is excellent on the PK and is an industrious forward that is endearing to coaches but his offense would be rather limited in the NHL.

Teply has his moments. Still a shooter but he's an underrated playmaker and is getting stronger with puck protection especially in tight quarters.

Guttman is interesting. Great hustle and offensive skill but the heavy checking and physicality of the pros could wear him down. He's an opportunistic player needing lots of time and space to operate.

Theo, great to see you here. Hope you're well.

Last post and it's a hot take.

When Korchinski was drafted, analysts kept comparing him to Shea Theodore. I don't really see that. Not a bad comparable but I see a better one.

Instead, I see his comparable (in terms of style of play, not necessarily being in the same stratosphere) as Cale Makar. World-class skating, puck skills, and offensive instincts. Very dynamic as a game-breaking catalyst.

Korchinski may be notches below Makar offensively but could be better defensively. One thing that impressed me with Korchinski during the prospect tourney and pre-season is his fearlessness to push back against the other team's rough play.

Theo, great to see you here. Hope you're well.
- mohel

Thanks, Mo. Just taking it a day at a time and control what you can control.

Hope all is good with you and your family. Same to everyone else on the boards.

Excellent work by Zach with his blogs, podcasts, and contributions to Blackhawks fandom. Voices like his to provide depth analysis and unique takes are much needed.

Thanks for the insights Theo. Best wishes for you and your family.

Besides Reichel, not much to get too excited about with forwards.

Gust, Philp, and Seney are top 20 in the AHL for points (Reichel too) but these 3 are career minor leaguers.

In particular, Seney needs to learn how to stay on his feet. He gets knocked down or just dives all over the ice way too often. Oddly, so does a much bigger Hardman.

Slavin is excellent on the PK and is an industrious forward that is endearing to coaches but his offense would be rather limited in the NHL.

Teply has his moments. Still a shooter but he's an underrated playmaker and is getting stronger with puck protection especially in tight quarters.

Guttman is interesting. Great hustle and offensive skill but the heavy checking and physicality of the pros could wear him down. He's an opportunistic player needing lots of time and space to operate.
- Theo Fox

I surely miss reading your blogs.

Yes sir, thank you Theo from so many on this board for your insight and evaluation. I do try to make it to a couple games each season

One point that I hope to see from Crevier: his wingspan with his stick in defending. Chara - like. Crevier is an well rounded dman but is a shut down type should he reach his ceiling. He could be a nice complimentary dman. Large size dmen who are at least somewhat pugnacious is a valuable help on defense. Buffalo with Power & Samuelson has a youthful example

By next year I expect Vlasic and Galvas capable to join Mitchell. Philips and Regula is like having a bonus if they eventually work out. Korchinski, Kaiser. AND Crevier would make a youthful defense complete. That is not unrealistic as each of the youngsters continue to develop. With only S Jones a holdover and that is for both his experience in a youthful crew as well as salary cap he is needed.

I mentioned this the other day. Tonight's Hogs game against the Wolves is on local TV in the Chicago area. It's on Channel 50 at 7pm. Good opportunity to watch the players Theo wrote about above.

Yes sir, thank you Theo from so many on this board for your insight and evaluation. I do try to make it to a couple games each season

One point that I hope to see from Crevier: his wingspan with his stick in defending. Chara - like. Crevier is an well rounded dman ut is a shut down type should he reach his ceiling. He could be a nice complimentary dman. Ig size dmen who are at least somewhat pugnacious is a valuable help on defense. Buffalo with Power & Samuelson has a youthful example

By next year I expect Vlasic and Galvas capable to join Mitchell. Philips and Regula is like having a bonus if they eventually work out. Korchinski, Kaiser. AND Crevier would make a youthful defense complete. That is not unrealistic as each of the youngsters continue to develop
- jhawk59

With Allan turning pro next season after running out of Jrs eligibility. ...... Tough spot for Mitchell to draw in tonight at Boston but the conditions for him to come up are so much better than last time.

Conditions are much better to succeed under Richardson than Colliton, kid has some AHL seasoning, although only 65 games but 116 NCAA games, 2 WJC tournaments and the Hlinka with Canada, more physical and mental maturity as well. ........ Call ups under proper conditions will be highlights for Hawks fans the next few yrs and starting tonight is one of those times.. Hawks look to get thumped tonight but tuning in to see Mitchell will be a reason to watch.

With Allan turning pro next season after running out of Jrs eligibility. ...... Tough spot for Mitchell to draw in tonight at Boston but the conditions for him to come up are so much better than last time.

Conditions are much better to succeed under Richardson than Colliton, kid has some AHL seasoning, although only 65 games but 116 NCAA games, 2 WJC tournaments and the Hlinka with Canada, more physical and mental maturity as well. ........ Call ups under proper conditions will be highlights for Hawks fans the next few yrs and starting tonight is one of those times.. Hawks look to get thumped tonight but tuning in to see Mitchell will be a reason to watch.
- Mr Ricochet

The future on defense will include Allen too.

How could you not be excited by everything this group.brings:
Vlasic, Mitchell, Korchinski, Allen

I omitted DelMeastro (sic) btw. I like to see Crevier in mix as valued 6th dman. Some other dmen prospects not mentioned just means young kids developing in Rockford and you can refine who among young kids stays at NHL level

Thanks Theo and Zach. On paper the Hawks seem to have some talent coming up on the backend, and like you mentioned, very weak as far as offensive prospects. Hopefully with twelve picks in the first three rounds in ‘23 and ‘24(and more to come), they can add more talent up front to go with Nazar and Reichel.

Thanks Theo and Zach. On paper the Hawks seem to have some talent coming up on the backend, and like you mentioned, very weak as far as offensive prospects. Hopefully with twelve picks in the first three rounds in ‘23 and ‘24(and more to come), they can add more talent up front to go with Nazar and Reichel.
- Angotti

With so many good dmen prospects, i really hope they do not go with best player available since the draft is so deep and strong. Keep drafting forwards where there is crying need. Even another goaltender as Wiz has pondered.....please refrain from dmen unless absolutely overwhelmed by another dman over another position player.....which I doubt mid first round and beyond.

With so many good dmen prospects, i really hope they do not go with best player available since the draft is so deep and strong. Keep drafting forwards where there is crying need. Even another goaltender as Wiz has pondered.....please refrain from dmen unless absolutely overwhelmed by another dman over another position player.....which I doubt mid first round and beyond.
- jhawk59

They are far away; best player available is the way to go.

They are far away; best player available is the way to go.
- mohel

Usually this is correct approach. If it is a close call on best player available, do you think they go the dman route again? Would you after reviewing the depth of dmen prospects we have already drafted?

Usually this is correct approach. If it is a close call on best player available, do you think they go the dman route again? Would you after reviewing the depth of dmen prospects we have already drafted?
- jhawk59

Yep, accumulate as many high-end assets as possible. Trade excess talent for need down the road.

With so many good dmen prospects, i really hope they do not go with best player available since the draft is so deep and strong. Keep drafting forwards where there is crying need. Even another goaltender as Wiz has pondered.....please refrain from dmen unless absolutely overwhelmed by another dman over another position player.....which I doubt mid first round and beyond.
- jhawk59

I think you always take the most talent. If there is a surplus then you can move a guy down the line to fill a gap.

The future on defense will include Allen too.

How could you not be excited by everything this group.brings:
Vlasic, Mitchell, Korchinski, Allen

I omitted DelMeastro (sic) btw. I like to see Crevier in mix as valued 6th dman. Some other dmen prospects not mentioned just means young kids developing in Rockford and you can refine who among young kids stays at NHL level
- jhawk59

Yes, but the clock has started ticking on many of the kids as to how long they have to turn pros as there are six spots, one that Seth Jones holds.
So only six kids on dee play and shut in the preswbox.

There is going to be decisions made on some of these kids that lands them in other organizations, the natural talent squeeze.
Late success happens a lot in the league.
Justin Holl was drafted by the Hawks in the second round in what, 2010 and they choose not to sign him as he spent four years in the college hockey @ University of Minnesota, and then a free agent, went elsewhere(Maple leaves). the hawks weren't overly keen on his game then, and let it happen.

Well, now they are going to have guys that are simply left out of the line-up because they are similar to the guys in front of them, and although they might end up leap frogging, that squeeze will be sending them elsewhere, hopefully for goalie prospects and mid round choices, after all the time and money spent on their development.

I don't know which kids make the pro club as regulars but the team is probably counting on Korchinski & Nolan Allen, Vlasic & Crevier, Del Mastro, and Roos with Seth Jones. as their core, with Kaiser and Phillips and Galvas as fillers (before Rinzel arrives and possibly Taige Harding much later maybe).
Roos can play ad cannot be disregarded until we are sure he can be disregarded.
Regula's feet and his play over the last stretch probably earmarked his fall from grace to Rockford. I don't think Krutil has a chance, and that's why I think they spend draft capital on forwards and hopefully goalies.

Last post and it's a hot take.

When Korchinski was drafted, analysts kept comparing him to Shea Theodore. I don't really see that. Not a bad comparable but I see a better one.

Instead, I see his comparable (in terms of style of play, not necessarily being in the same stratosphere) as Cale Makar. World-class skating, puck skills, and offensive instincts. Very dynamic as a game-breaking catalyst.

Korchinski may be notches below Makar offensively but could be better defensively. One thing that impressed me with Korchinski during the prospect tourney and pre-season is his fearlessness to push back against the other team's rough play.
- Theo Fox

Might be a bit early to compare him to Makar.

The future on defense will include Allen too.

How could you not be excited by everything this group.brings:
Vlasic, Mitchell, Korchinski, Allen

I omitted DelMeastro (sic) btw. I like to see Crevier in mix as valued 6th dman. Some other dmen prospects not mentioned just means young kids developing in Rockford and you can refine who among young kids stays at NHL level
- jhawk59

Careful. The list of offensive Junior defensemen who turn into nothing in the NHL is long. These guys are racking up points against juniors. In the NHL it is D first and real NHL coaches don't play gamblers on D.