Tough crowd, BB. Commesso showed some damn fine reads stopping some Grade A's. Excellent rebound control from a solid efficient foundation. At least two shots stopped that were redirected.

After a fun and solid 1st period for the fan Hawks looked like last yr. No doubt a better club than last yr but the 2nd and 3rd they were out-positioned, out-skilled, out-skated, out experienced, out-paced and simply out-played in every way, just like last yr.

Would agree Mrazak probably would have kept em to 4 or 5 but the 2nd yr pro showed pretty good. What he face, 40-45 shots?
- Mr Ricochet

I just feel like he is good technically, but I didn't think he was fully comfortable in the net yet. The team didn't do well in front of him, so it was kind of a train wreck night, but I guess that is pre-season sometimes too.

I just feel like he is good technically, but I didn't think he was fully comfortable in the net yet. The team didn't do well in front of him, so it was kind of a train wreck night, but I guess that is pre-season sometimes too.
- breadbag

I thought his rebound control was bad

Realistically I don’t expect KD will provide a legitimate dynamic points maker to play on Bedard’s line until next season - Bedard’s third go round in the Show - or even later.

I want to say that the team’s fortune does not begin to turn until there is someone to play with Bedard but also a legitimate second offensive line

Who knows what position and how soon a 2025 draft suits up

But not only the forwards also we hope Arty and Rinzal will be impactful players

The goaltender position is lacking a top prospect although Comesso could become descent.

6 days to opening day, 2 more pre-season games.

Does KK and Nazer make the squad ?
Since Kaiser won't be ready opening night, will one or 2 of Allen/Creiver/Phillips be on the roster opening night?
Who slots in with Bedard and Bertuzzi on line 1 ?
What does line 2 even look like?
Who survives at forward betweenAA/Reichel/Donato/Smith/Anderson
Do the Hawks ride with Soderblom as the back-up until Brossart is ready, or do they pick up another tweener goaltender for injury protection to both Mrazek and Broissart?

Realistically I don’t expect KD will provide a legitimate dynamic points maker to play on Bedard’s line until next season - Bedard’s third go round in the Show - or even later.

I want to say that the team’s fortune does not begin to turn until there is someone to play with Bedard but also a legitimate second offensive line

Who knows what position and how soon a 2025 draft suits up

But not only the forwards also we hope Arty and Rinzal will be impactful players

The goaltender position is lacking a top prospect although Comesso could become descent.
- jhawk59

When a typo has the opposite meaning.

6 days to opening day, 2 more pre-season games.

Does KK and Nazer make the squad ?
Since Kaiser won't be ready opening night, will one or 2 of Allen/Creiver/Phillips be on the roster opening night?
Who slots in with Bedard and Bertuzzi on line 1 ?
What does line 2 even look like?
Who survives at forward betweenAA/Reichel/Donato/Smith/Anderson
Do the Hawks ride with Soderblom as the back-up until Brossart is ready, or do they pick up another tweener goaltender for injury protection to both Mrazek and Broissart?
- LAHawk

My uninformed answers:
Unless Nazar goes wild, I'm pretty sure he's going back on the same bus as KK.

Easy money is on Phillips to make the team as the 7th (who will likely play more due to age/injuries). I've got Allan as my surprise guy to make the team, but more because he can easily be shuttled back to RFD.

I don't think LR can resist putting TT with Bedard. They seem to read and process similarly, and TT will help provide some defensive cover.

Line 2 will be a mess. Hall Kurashev and ??? Maybe they play Kurashev at C and put Smith on that line who at least has a good shot?

I think they'll send Donato to someone who's had some injury issues. Brossoit isn't expected to be out very long. I think they run with Soda for the start of the year.

I was at the game and am wondering, do the Hawks really want Bertuzzi this season with all the penalties he takes?

I was at the game and am wondering, do the Hawks really want Bertuzzi this season with all the penalties he takes?


- ThatDarnCat

The most PIM's he has had in a season is 53. He is not his dad. Anyways, they have him for 4 more seasons, so they better want him.

I just read that CBJ will have a bit extra time to get above the salary floor. They are apparently $1.4M under at this point. Maybe they have some interest in either Donato or AA?

I was at the game and am wondering, do the Hawks really want Bertuzzi this season with all the penalties he takes?


- ThatDarnCat

It's all about perspective. He's better than most of what was on the roster last year. Baby steps...

Oh, I sure hope this was as bad as it gets for Bertuzzi. Dude was a mess all over the ice.
- Mr Ricochet

Agree Rico.

Some Leaf poster mentioned him falling all over the ice and I noticed that too.

The Bedard line looked much better when Hall replaced Bertuzzi. He might be a better fit on the second line with less focus on Bedard. It's only pre-season though. Better to gauge 20 games in.

I just read that CBJ will have a bit extra time to get above the salary floor. They are apparently $1.4M under at this point. Maybe they have some interest in either Donato or AA?
- Chunk

Puckpedia shows them at approximately 64.4M, about 600K below the 65M floor. And it shows them with only a 21 man roster. This is after the agreement CBJ, the NHLPA and the league came to allowing Gaudreau's 2M signing bonus paid before his death to count against the cap. And Columbus was given to November 1 to reach the floor instead of at the start of the season.

Also GM Waddell says he is in the market for a veteran forward. They want a cushion well above the floor so if and when they dump players at the TDL they'll remain cap compliant.

https://x.com/Mario_Tirab...tatus/1841493682547036343
"The #Blackhawks have sent Frank Nazar, Kevin Korchinski, and Louis Crevier to the #IceHogs

AJ Spellacy has been sent to Windsor (OHL)"

https://x.com/Mario_Tirabassi/status/1841493682547036343
"The #Blackhawks have sent Frank Nazar, Kevin Korchinski, and Louis Crevier to the #IceHogs

AJ Spellacy has been sent to Windsor (OHL)"
- 35Tony0

With Kaiser presumably out a while with his health issues, looks like the D to start the season will be Jones, Murphy, Vlasic, Martinez, Brodie, Phillips and Allan.

It will be interesting to see what the Hawks do with Reichel. He continues to underwhelm. They don't want him playing 4th line minutes but he doesn't deserve top 6 minutes even though there's a slot to fill after Bedard, Teuvo, Bertuzzi, Hall and Kurashev. Do they move Mikheyev up to the 2nd line and let Reichel play with Folgno and D!ckinson on line 3? 4th line would be a combination of Smith, Donato, AA, Anderson and Maroon.

With Kaiser presumably out a while with his health issues, looks like the D will be Jones, Murphy, Vlasic, Martinez, Brody, Phillips and Allan.

It will be interesting to see what the Hawks do with Reichel. He continues to underwhelm. They don't want him playing 4th line minutes but he doesn't deserve top 6 minutes even though there's a slot to fill after Bedard, Teuvo, Bertuzzi, Hall and Kurashev. They could move Mikheyev moves up to the 2nd line and Reichel plays with Folgno and D!ckinson on line 3. 4th line would be a combination of Smith, Donato, AA, Anderson and Maroon.
- boilermaker100

I guess that shows they aren't that impressed with Crevier, as this leaves the Hawks with only 2 right handed D on the big club.

With Kaiser presumably out a while with his health issues, looks like the D to start the season will be Jones, Murphy, Vlasic, Martinez, Brodie, Phillips and Allan.

It will be interesting to see what the Hawks do with Reichel. He continues to underwhelm. They don't want him playing 4th line minutes but he doesn't deserve top 6 minutes even though there's a slot to fill after Bedard, Teuvo, Bertuzzi, Hall and Kurashev. Do they move Mikheyev moves up to the 2nd line and let Reichel play with Folgno and D!ckinson on line 3? 4th line would be a combination of Smith, Donato, AA, Anderson and Maroon.
- boilermaker100

I think this might be the best option. Playing with the vets could help Reichel settle in. When Nazar comes back, I could see playing him a few games with Foligno and D!ckinson too.

I guess that shows they aren't that impressed with Crevier, as this leaves the Hawks with only 2 right handed D on the big club.
- LAHawk

Think Brodie plays the right side a lot as does Allan. Crevier is just a guy. Just because he's 6-8 doesn't make him Chara.

I just read that CBJ will have a bit extra time to get above the salary floor. They are apparently $1.4M under at this point. Maybe they have some interest in either Donato or AA?
- Chunk

KD needs to be charitable here and send Seth Jones to CBJ free of charge.

6 days to opening day, 2 more pre-season games.

Does KK and Nazer make the squad ?
Since Kaiser won't be ready opening night, will one or 2 of Allen/Creiver/Phillips be on the roster opening night?
Who slots in with Bedard and Bertuzzi on line 1 ?
What does line 2 even look like?
Who survives at forward betweenAA/Reichel/Donato/Smith/Anderson
Do the Hawks ride with Soderblom as the back-up until Brossart is ready, or do they pick up another tweener goaltender for injury protection to both Mrazek and Broissart?
- LAHawk

Korchinski should, Nazar hasn't been worse then Reichel but since there are waivers involved he won't.

Why would Crevier or Philips make the team when they haven't been very good. I guess maybe but they don't really need another stay at home guy with Martinez, Brodie and Murphy all on the roster.

Line two should be Hall, Nazar, Kurashev and let Nazar take his bumps now.

AA, Reichel, Donato, Smith and Anderson - it doesn't matter

Soderblom is probably fine for the first month.

Other than the Sharks twice - October is not especially kind. This season could start very ugly and they don't have the excuse of developing kids if they're going to punt some of these guys to Rockford.

Korchinski should, Nazar hasn't been worse then Reichel but since there are waivers involved he won't.

Why would Crevier or Philips make the team when they haven't been very good. I guess maybe but they don't really need another stay at home guy with Martinez, Brodie and Murphy all on the roster.

Line two should be Hall, Nazar, Kurashev and let Nazar take his bumps now.

AA, Reichel, Donato, Smith and Anderson - it doesn't matter

Soderblom is probably fine for the first month.

Other than the Sharks twice - October is not especially kind. This season could start very ugly and they don't have the excuse of developing kids if they're going to punt some of these guys to Rockford.
- fattybeef

You must have missed, KK,Nazer, and Crevier were sent down this AM

A recap of today's roster moves.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...ke-blackhawks-roster.html

With Kaiser presumably out a while with his health issues, looks like the D to start the season will be Jones, Murphy, Vlasic, Martinez, Brodie, Phillips and Allan.

It will be interesting to see what the Hawks do with Reichel. He continues to underwhelm. They don't want him playing 4th line minutes but he doesn't deserve top 6 minutes even though there's a slot to fill after Bedard, Teuvo, Bertuzzi, Hall and Kurashev. Do they move Mikheyev up to the 2nd line and let Reichel play with Folgno and D!ckinson on line 3? 4th line would be a combination of Smith, Donato, AA, Anderson and Maroon.
- boilermaker100

His decisions on the ice are just not good. Play away from the puck and positioning not good. Not dissimilar to Philips - there are interesting physical tools but not a lot else. They spent the prerequisite time in Rockford so I can't imagine why they're not developed or understand those basics better... (stress sarcasm font)

They have enough other bodies where they don't need to sit on these guys and hope. If it's a meritocracy then they should go through waivers regardless of the risk because they aren't performing and there's not a whole lot of flashes where you're like wow that could be an impact player.

Unlike someone like Korchinski where there is undeniable talent and something just needs to click or Nazar where he's making a lot of the right plays, looks dangerous against NHL players and just needs to understand what he can't get away with in the NHL.

AA should be banished to Rockford as well but here we are. Debating players that don't matter on a team that is going to be irrelevant again.

His decisions on the ice are just not good. Play away from the puck and positioning not good. Not dissimilar to Philips - there are interesting physical tools but not a lot else. They spent the prerequisite time in Rockford so I can't imagine why they're not developed or understand those basics better... (stress sarcasm font)

They have enough other bodies where they don't need to sit on these guys and hope. If it's a meritocracy then they should go through waivers regardless of the risk because they aren't performing and there's not a whole lot of flashes where you're like wow that could be an impact player.

Unlike someone like Korchinski where there is undeniable talent and something just needs to click or Nazar where he's making a lot of the right plays, looks dangerous against NHL players and just needs to understand what he can't get away with in the NHL.

AA should be banished to Rockford as well but here we are. Debating players that don't matter on a team that is going to be irrelevant again.
- fattybeef

We should just call the season over, give the Leafs the cup and go straight to the draft. Chicago will draft 3rd.

His decisions on the ice are just not good. Play away from the puck and positioning not good. Not dissimilar to Philips - there are interesting physical tools but not a lot else. They spent the prerequisite time in Rockford so I can't imagine why they're not developed or understand those basics better... (stress sarcasm font)

They have enough other bodies where they don't need to sit on these guys and hope. If it's a meritocracy then they should go through waivers regardless of the risk because they aren't performing and there's not a whole lot of flashes where you're like wow that could be an impact player.

Unlike someone like Korchinski where there is undeniable talent and something just needs to click or Nazar where he's making a lot of the right plays, looks dangerous against NHL players and just needs to understand what he can't get away with in the NHL.

AA should be banished to Rockford as well but here we are. Debating players that don't matter on a team that is going to be irrelevant again.
- fattybeef

After watching last night (and holding the torch for the kid almost since he was drafted), I think Reichel ends up like Hartman or Kubalik. He'll bounce around the league a little bit find a spot where he can be somewhat effective, but ultimately be a bit of a disappointment. I'm sure someone will point out in six years when he scores 20 goals that the Hawks gave up too soon, but there isn't really room for him anymore (as a part of the prospect pool).

Nazar already has a goal at the Rock.

https://x.com/FloHockey/status/1841512476321419572