IDK, Lou. Brodie really fell off last season. Still not sure why KD even signed him for 2 years,
- Elbows15

Hopefully Brodie has more to offer than the mob squad we had here last year.

IDK, Lou. Brodie really fell off last season. Still not sure why KD even signed him for 2 years,
- Elbows15

He fell off because the Leafs had a thin blueline and he was playing close to his career average of 22 minutes a game which is far too much. His defensive play and shot blocking would be nice to see other younger Hawk defensemen learn. I suspect the only way KD was signing him was on a two year deal. And if he isn’t up to the task it doesn’t impact the pay structure going forward. But maybe the most important thing he brings is he forces young Hawk defenders to play better than him to earn a spot on the blueline. I don’t see much of a downside to the signing.

He fell off because the Leafs had a thin blueline and he was playing close to his career average of 22 minutes a game which is far too much. His defensive play and shot blocking would be nice to see other younger Hawk defensemen learn. I suspect the only way KD was signing him was on a two year deal. And if he isn’t up to the task it doesn’t impact the pay structure going forward. But maybe the most important thing he brings is he forces young Hawk defenders to play better than him to earn a spot on the blueline. I don’t see much of a downside to the signing.
- paulr

The second year bothers me, but he got the same contract as Matt Dumba who has fallen off the cliff also, so I guess Bodie got market rate.

The second year bothers me, but he got the same contract as Matt Dumba who has fallen off the cliff also, so I guess Bodie got market rate.
- LAHawk

Why would the second year bother you? Managing the cap won’t be an issue for two more years. Even if two or three rookies beat him out for a spot next year and he sits in the press box all season the Hawk’s cap still won’t be affected. While I’m not a fan per se, I don’t see a problem at all with the signing. He’s a placeholder, nothing more nothing less.

Why would the second year bother you? Managing the cap won’t be an issue for two more years. Even if two or three rookies beat him out for a spot next year and he sits in the press box all season the Hawk’s cap still won’t be affected. While I’m not a fan per se, I don’t see a problem at all with the signing. He’s a placeholder, nothing more nothing less.
- paulr

Because next year you have Jones, Murphy, Vlasic, Korchinski, and probably Kaiser/Leshunov. You will also have Allen and DelMaestro with 2 full seasons in the A looking for a roster spot.

That is 8 D not including if Phillips pans out this year.

If you wanted defensive depth, you could of signed any one of Schmidt, Cole Bertuzzo, Grzylyk etc, for one year, and if needed done it again next year.

He fell off because the Leafs had a thin blueline and he was playing close to his career average of 22 minutes a game which is far too much. His defensive play and shot blocking would be nice to see other younger Hawk defensemen learn. I suspect the only way KD was signing him was on a two year deal. And if he isn’t up to the task it doesn’t impact the pay structure going forward. But maybe the most important thing he brings is he forces young Hawk defenders to play better than him to earn a spot on the blueline. I don’t see much of a downside to the signing.
- paulr

Yeah, Vlasic will be the best defensive partner he’s had in awhile, but not sure they’ll play together in regular season, we’ll see. Jones had his best season as a Hawk last year playing with Vlasic, that’s not coincidental. By the next year, Jones will probably not be on the first pair, once that happens the Hawks will have a formidable defensive group. Jones will be fine as a second pair dman, although his AAV will not be, but as you mentioned, they don’t have a cap issue currently.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Sounds like the Blackhawks will likely stick with the D pairings of Martinez-Jones and Vlasic-Brodie into the start of the season. Luke Richardson gave a lot of reasons why he thinks those duos fit well together.

Because next year you have Jones, Murphy, Vlasic, Korchinski, and probably Kaiser/Leshunov. You will also have Allen and DelMaestro with 2 full seasons in the A looking for a roster spot.

That is 8 D not including if Phillips pans out this year.

If you wanted defensive depth, you could have signed any one of Schmidt, Cole Bertuzzo, Grzylyk etc, for one year, and if needed done it again next year.
- LAHawk

As I said his contract doesn’t negatively affect the Hawks in any way. I don’t see the problem.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Sounds like the Blackhawks will likely stick with the D pairings of Martinez-Jones and Vlasic-Brodie into the start of the season. Luke Richardson gave a lot of reasons why he thinks those duos fit well together.
- LAHawk

Kinda not good if Martinez is on the first pairing. The dude is 37. No way he's playing 20 mins a night for more than 50 games.

Seems like he should be spotting guys or locking stuff down in the last 10 of the 3rd not playing on D1.

Kinda not good if Martinez is on the first pairing. The dude is 37. No way he's playing 20 mins a night for more than 50 games.

Seems like he should be spotting guys or locking stuff down in the last 10 of the 3rd not playing on D1.
- fattybeef

Well this way you have a 37 year old on D!, a 34 y.o. on D2, and a 31 y.o with a body of a 45 y.o on D3.

Might as well split the time evenly between the 3.

Plus I think LR is under pressure to win some games this year. He is going to go with what he believes is his best line-up right out of the gate.

Kinda not good if Martinez is on the first pairing. The dude is 37. No way he's playing 20 mins a night for more than 50 games.

Seems like he should be spotting guys or locking stuff down in the last 10 of the 3rd not playing on D1.
- fattybeef

Martinez and Brodie are there for two reasons, to help the younger guys and to be surpassed by the younger guys. If two or more young guys learn to play defense like Martinez or Brodie in their prime the signings were successful.

Martinez and Brodie are there for two reasons, to help the younger guys and to be surpassed by the younger guys. If two or more young guys learn to play defense like Martinez or Brodie in their prime the signings were successful.
- paulr

I love the Martinez signing for one year. Would have liked the Brodie signing if it was for one year. What young guy is making the roster (can't call Vlasic a young inexperienced defenseman anymore) this year, Kaiser?

I love the Martinez signing for one year. Would have liked the Brodie signing if it was for one year. What young guy is making the roster (can't call Vlasic a young inexperienced defenseman anymore) this year, Kaiser?
- LAHawk

As pointed out the age of Martinez and Brodie probably means some “maintenance days” where the Kaisers, Phillips, Delmastros, Korchinskis and possibly Levshunovs spell them. This is perhaps the most crucial part of the rebuild, the development of the younger players. Most guys, especially the defensemen have a lot to learn. Getting them in some NHL games is a good way to reward them for the hard work they put in in Rockford. And who knows the ideal situation is if one proves himself enough to pass one of Martinez or Brodie.

I expect watching the Hawks this coming season will be far more pleasant than watching the on ice mess the last two seasons.

As pointed out the age of Martinez and Brodie probably means some “maintenance days” where the Kaisers, Phillips, Delmastros, Korchinskis and possibly Levshunovs spell them. This is perhaps the most crucial part of the rebuild, the development of the younger players. Most guys, especially the defensemen have a lot to learn. Getting them in some NHL games is a good way to reward them for the hard work they put in in Rockford. And who knows the ideal situation is if one proves himself enough to pass one of Martinez or Brodie.

I expect watching the Hawks this coming season will be far more pleasant than watching the on ice mess the last two seasons.
- paulr

I expect it also. It is actually a pretty veteran team. Hope Mrazek stays in one piece like last year. Broissart is already injured and is more injury prone than Mrazek.

He fell off because the Leafs had a thin blueline and he was playing close to his career average of 22 minutes a game which is far too much. His defensive play and shot blocking would be nice to see other younger Hawk defensemen learn. I suspect the only way KD was signing him was on a two year deal. And if he isn’t up to the task it doesn’t impact the pay structure going forward. But maybe the most important thing he brings is he forces young Hawk defenders to play better than him to earn a spot on the blueline. I don’t see much of a downside to the signing.
- paulr

Him sucking is a downside. Yeah, cause a coach is gonna sit a guy the GM signed for 2 years.

If they only way to sign him was on a 2 year deal, let some other GM offer it up to him.

AAnnd he is being ticketed for top 4 minutes by LR.

I love the Martinez signing for one year. Would have liked the Brodie signing if it was for one year. What young guy is making the roster (can't call Vlasic a young inexperienced defenseman anymore) this year, Kaiser?
- LAHawk

Hopefully none if the plan is for them to play every 5th game so broken down vets can play. I mean they have the great Seth Jones to mentor the kids, right?


How do young players get better? By (frank)ing playing. Not by being in and out of the line-up.

IF LR is so worried about his job, just fire him now. None of these guys are the future.

Well this way you have a 37 year old on D!, a 34 y.o. on D2, and a 31 y.o with a body of a 45 y.o on D3.

Might as well split the time evenly between the 3.

Plus I think LR is under pressure to win some games this year. He is going to go with what he believes is his best line-up right out of the gate.
- LAHawk

I don't think that proves a whole lot. Korchinski or Kaiser or whomever putting up 30 points and playing respectable D and the team finishing with 72 points is a hell of a lot better then riding these old guys until the wheels fall off and finishing with 84.

I think the 3 should be splitting games not time.

Hopefully none if the plan is for them to play every 5th game so broken down vets can play. I mean they have the great Seth Jones to mentor the kids, right?


How do young players get better? By (frank)ing playing. Not by being in and out of the line-up.

IF LR is so worried about his job, just fire him now. None of these guys are the future.
- Elbows15

Pretty much that.

I don't think that proves a whole lot. Korchinski or Kaiser or whomever putting up 30 points and playing respectable D and the team finishing with 72 points is a hell of a lot better then riding these old guys until the wheels fall off and finishing with 84.

I think the 3 should be splitting games not time.
- fattybeef

How many games do you think Murphy is going to play? If past is prologue, he might get in about 50, so he won’t be available for almost 1/2 a season.

Hockey guy or football guy...still say you're confusing the two. Don't live in Chicago anymore but have heard lots of interviews with him.

Williams doesn't come off as cocky to me at all, just very confident in his ability to play football. He's a really sharp kid and from interviews I've heard thought he displayed a level of humility as well.

Some of the things happening with the Bears are definitely a rookie QB figuring it out; but the mess on offense is about 80% roster construction vs rookie qb learning on the job if not more.

I like watching Bagent hold a clipboard while Williams learns on the job.
- HawkintheD[/quote
] That's a funny line right there.

How many games do you think Murphy is going to play? If past is prologue, he might get in about 50, so he won’t be available for almost 1/2 a season.
- LAHawk

50 or 60 maybe. I wouldn't take the over. Martinez maybe 45. Brodie probably 75 just to make us look like ass holes.

50 or 60 maybe. I wouldn't take the over. Martinez maybe 45. Brodie probably 75 just to make us look like ass holes.
- fattybeef

Third pairing for Connor Murphy. I wonder why??

And that's only if two other players end up outshining him in preseason.

His minutes per game this upcoming year will be the lowest of his career (16:22 in 2017-18).

And don't be surprised to see him back on LTIR sooner rather than later.

Third pairing for Connor Murphy. I wonder why??

And that's only if two other players end up outshining him in preseason.

His minutes per game this upcoming year will be the lowest of his career (16:22 in 2017-18).

And don't be surprised to see him back on LTIR sooner rather than later.
- dahawks8819

It'll probably end up six guys playing ~20 mins each until the old guys get ouchie.

He fell off because the Leafs had a thin blueline and he was playing close to his career average of 22 minutes a game which is far too much. His defensive play and shot blocking would be nice to see other younger Hawk defensemen learn. I suspect the only way KD was signing him was on a two year deal. And if he isn’t up to the task it doesn’t impact the pay structure going forward. But maybe the most important thing he brings is he forces young Hawk defenders to play better than him to earn a spot on the blueline. I don’t see much of a downside to the signing.
- paulr

If I'm not mistaken his dad passed away also but I could be wrong.

Is there any way to watch the game tonight if you are not in the Chicago area?

I have to believe the Wings are broadcasting it somehow.