I didn’t see KK in his 26 minutes win one board battle, nor be able to handle anyone physically in front of the net.
- LAHawk

How would going to the AHL help with that? It’s probably a more physically league.

The speed of the NHL doesn’t appear to be a major issue. Not sure you send down KK after a full year at the NHL level.

How would going to the AHL help with that? It’s probably a more physically league.

The speed of the NHL doesn’t appear to be a major issue. Not sure you send down KK after a full year at the NHL level.
- bhawks2241

If he were to play in Rockford this year, i don't see how that would hurt his development.

I'm okay either way, if they have him play for the Blackhawks fine, If he goes to Rockford fine, i think there are many different paths to the NHL.

How would going to the AHL help with that? It’s probably a more physically league.

The speed of the NHL doesn’t appear to be a major issue. Not sure you send down KK after a full year at the NHL level.
- bhawks2241

I will quote Duncan Keith “The NHL is not a development league”

I didn’t see KK in his 26 minutes win one board battle, nor be able to handle anyone physically in front of the net.
- LAHawk

FWIW I watched him engage some guys in front of the net in pushing matches, but his style isn't going to be shoving guys around in front of the net or along the boards. Think more Brian Campbell. You pair him with a more physical partner to go into the corner scrum more and let KK be more about handling the puck. Korchinski is more about using his stick, which he did to kill plays and cut off pucks.

As he continues to mature the physical part will get easier, but he is already lightyears better than a guy like Boqvist was. There has been multiple comments about how KK is looking a bit thicker, likely getting a bit closer to his ideal playing weight.

KK should be in the NHL if he's currently one of the six best defensemen in the system. He proved last year that he is physically and emotionally strong enough to handle the league.

How does this poop get started? Some anonymous Joe on the internet makes this baseless comment and now others are picking it up. Do you really think an NHL hockey team with all the knowledge they have are going to pick the guy if this nonsense were true?
- paulr

Well said
.

How would going to the AHL help with that? It’s probably a more physically league.

The speed of the NHL doesn’t appear to be a major issue. Not sure you send down KK after a full year at the NHL level.
- bhawks2241

Thought Korchinski did ok last year especially considering he was the youngest guy in the league on D.

Not sure what the downside is on letting him start at RFD and play half to a whole season there is. It’s not like he was dominant last season at either end. Let him go to RFD and play big mins maybe with Allan who’s more of a defense first guy.

I know Allan is a LHD like KK but have read here and other places he’s been played on the right side.

I will quote Duncan Keith “The NHL is not a development league”
- LAHawk

The biggest key to unlocking his potential or basically to become a competent even above average NHL dman, is to receive a good chunk of TOI. Of course gain confidance is part and parcel so where does that best happen. .,,,,,, AHL

In nHL this year I fear he may play, sit, play, sit and I also am not keen on his possibly going back and forth AHl - NHL

Remember it was thought Vlasic could fare ok in the NHL but he played one season AHL and it really helped him. He worked on things, got to be in situations where he could grow, improve. You are so correct quoting Duncan Keith.

Thought Korchinski did ok last year especially considering he was the youngest guy in the league on D.

Not sure what the downside is on letting him start at RFD and play half to a whole season there is. It’s not like he was dominant last season at either end. Let him go to RFD and play big mins maybe with Allan who’s more of a defense first guy.

I know Allan is a LHD like KK but have read here and other places he’s been played on the right side.
- HawkintheD

I believe that Allen started last season in the AHL on the right side and sort of struggled. I can recall story or stories citing DelMastro and another dman prospect talking about being quick to move puck, that this was their focus and this was a big deal they all were concentrating upon. Now I do not recall whether Allen went back to left side but I do know, however, that in some chunks of time KK and Allen last year together in junior they played together. Which necessarily meant Allen moved over to right side:

A big concern is handling the puck and even receiving on forehand or backhand. Also when chased back behind your net and dman has to beat the on rushing forward……this is a repetitive drill in practice and in games for dmen to master. It may take years sometimes to improve upon making good quick decisions and passing accurately So saying all that, doing so on your opposite side for a developing young dman indeed as a teenager is quite the challenge.. We can look at Murphy and Hjalmasson in Chicago. Did Rozival play some on left side too? And just remember I ital report on Allen ion his draft year was his prone to errant passing when pressured on break out. Seem d he got better at it but maybe getting better had somewhat to do with going back to his natural side on defense. Maybe someone could figure out who plays with who on what side for the AHL prospects this season

I heard on NHL radio on the Hockey Prospects shows Shane Malloy (Wiz’s buddy) that Demidov dangles the puck with his feet facing 9 to 3 that he won’t be able to get away with it at the NHL level and his legs will be susceptible to injury from getting hit trying that maneuver against pro’s.

So it has nothing to do with his skating stride, but more about learning what maneuvers he will be able to get away with against pro’s
- LAHawk

So like most every other player who has been great all their life when they come into the league and learn its not the same


Its like no other player who skated what some consider normal ever got a knee injury before...................

At least we haven't got the "He's going to get a knee injury cause he's a Russian and his dad doesn't like Putin"

KK should be in the NHL if he's currently one of the six best defensemen in the system. He proved last year that he is physically and emotionally strong enough to handle the league.
- mohel

That will be the focus, because the team isn't tanking. If the Coach/GM feel that KK gives them a better chance to win, he will play. He could end up in the AHL, it's not really going to be a big deal either way. That Hawks are lacking on the offensive side of the puck and especially on the blueline, so that might be the area where KK finds himself on the NHL roster. He is young, he has skill and could play in the NHL or AHL, and neither one will be a disaster or problem for his development.

That will be the focus, because the team isn't tanking. If the Coach/GM feel that KK gives them a better chance to win, he will play. He could end up in the AHL, it's not really going to be a big deal either way. That Hawks are lacking on the offensive side of the puck and especially on the blueline, so that might be the area where KK finds himself on the NHL roster. He is young, he has skill and could play in the NHL or AHL, and neither one will be a disaster or problem for his development.
- breadbag

Agree in full.

I will quote Duncan Keith “The NHL is not a development league”
- LAHawk

Keith, Hammer, Buff and Leddy all played 100 or more games in the AHL. Seems they turned out OK.

I believe that Allen started last season in the AHL on the right side and sort of struggled. I can recall story or stories citing DelMastro and another dman prospect talking about being quick to move puck, that this was their focus and this was a big deal they all were concentrating upon. Now I do not recall whether Allen went back to left side but I do know, however, that in some chunks of time KK and Allen last year together in junior they played together. Which necessarily meant Allen moved over to right side:

A big concern is handling the puck and even receiving on forehand or backhand. Also when chased back behind your net and dman has to beat the on rushing forward……this is a repetitive drill in practice and in games for dmen to master. It may take years sometimes to improve upon making good quick decisions and passing accurately So saying all that, doing so on your opposite side for a developing young dman indeed as a teenager is quite the challenge.. We can look at Murphy and Hjalmasson in Chicago. Did Rozival play some on left side too? And just remember I ital report on Allen ion his draft year was his prone to errant passing when pressured on break out. Seem d he got better at it but maybe getting better had somewhat to do with going back to his natural side on defense. Maybe someone could figure out who plays with who on what side for the AHL prospects this season
- jhawk59

When Allan was in Seattle he played some RD, but it was new to him then; he did OK, but not sure he was ever comfortable there. Since then, they have drafted Levvy, and Rinzel has improved a lot.

Allan still has a lot to work on to be an everyday NHLer, so putting him back at LD and letting him play a Hjalmarsson-type game is probably a good choice. If he becomes a fixture at 2LD or 3LD and on the PK, that's not a bad outcome.

Slaggert, Dach, Guttman, Rolston, Savoie and EDM back to Rockford

Keith, Hammer, Buff and Leddy all played 100 or more games in the AHL. Seems they turned out OK.
- RickJ

Sure but you also have guys like Seabrook who was a top 15 pick who didn't really play in the AHL either, and he was fine.

The thing about KK, he is 20 now, and has a professional season under his belt, his year in the NHL was as valuable if not more valuable than a year in the AHL, because he played tons of minutes (wasn't riding the bench) .

I'm not saying he can't (won't) play in the AHL, but the important thing is that he plays minutes. If the plan is that he won't get many NHL minutes this season, then yes, AHL might be better, but if he is still going to play 20 minutes a night, there is really no advantage to having him in the AHL, not when he already has a season under his belt. Comes down to where he fits in the pecking order.

There are multiple reasons why KK should be playing in the AHL, and multiple reasons why he should get NHL minutes, I’m sure the Hawks will do what is best for him.

Kind of fun looking back and when he was drafted I mused, oh a real skill guy someone for real as an offensive catalyst not a half fake offensive D Keith type.

He has had a checkered injury history and I am cheering for him with Florida
- jhawk59

The biggest knock on him at the draft was high risk high reward.

I think he got 3 or 4 concussions before ending up in the NHL. At least 2 in the NHL. A few shoulder issues.

Wiz's assessment was summarized as good offensive instincts, good foot speed, bad positioning in his own zone, not able to deal with physicality even against other youths.

Bouchard or Dobson would certainly have been safe and better picks.

A lot of Stan's picks on the blue line at that time were undersized, fast feet but not overwhelmingly fast straight line speed, and lil offensive guys. I think he tried too hard to replace Keith vs just taking the best player that was on the board. Boqvist, Beaudin, Joker, Mitchell, Clendening. None really panned out in that way.

If he can stay healthy I think Boqvist is more of a power play specialist than anything else. 35 ish points you don't remember and he doesn't skate a lot in the playoffs. He should be able to have a decent enough career though.

I didn’t see KK in his 26 minutes win one board battle, nor be able to handle anyone physically in front of the net.
- LAHawk

Probably not a guy who is ever going to shove anyone out of the way in front of the net.

Let's be a little more realistic here about the player.

His job is to get the puck, make it go forward quickly and efficiently, and create in the ozone. Not muck it up in the corners or push guys out of the crease. Defensively you want him to deny entries with his stick, and beat guys to the boards on stuff that's chipped in.

He should be similar to a lil Bouchard without a 120 mph bomb that puts up 40-60 points per year and playing not atrocious defense.

We can all sit here and say oh man he needs to do everything really but that shouldn't be the expectation. Brian Campbell or Brandon Montour should probably be the comp. Not Duncan Keith. Yes useful player. No not an anchor piece.

Big Arty however, as a 2 OA, is someone you would expect to be more impactful and in that Roman Jossi change a game model.

I will quote Duncan Keith “The NHL is not a development league”
- LAHawk

Which is ironic because that's where Keith developed. Even though he spent time in the AHL and bouncing around the NCAA and CHL before that - he was still a manic poop show his first year or two in the NHL. Certainly the potential was evident but it's not like he was a Norris winner day one.

This isn't Baseball. The AHL is not comparable to AAA competition wise. Guys that come up from AHL still typically need 2 full years to adjust to the speed of the NHL. No matter where these guys come from there is a very long learning curve to adapt to the speed and intensity of the NHL. League is irrelevant.

It's a place holder and overflow league. Some guys need an extra year or two to physically and mentally mature. Not everyone is ready at 19 or 20 to be in the NHL and if there are no other options then the AHL is where they end up. They can play on the weekends and get in the gym during the week. Maybe they pull a Sharp or Forsling and surprise everyone in their year 25 or 26 but that isn't the norm.

I think they should do what the Devils did with Jack Hughes - let him eat poop this next year and by year 3 he should be ready to go, mentally strong and resilient, grown more into his body and 'developed'. I think that is what they should do with Nazar as well but I doubt that will actually happen.

The biggest knock on him at the draft was high risk high reward.

I think he got 3 or 4 concussions before ending up in the NHL. At least 2 in the NHL. A few shoulder issues.

Wiz's assessment was summarized as good offensive instincts, good foot speed, bad positioning in his own zone, not able to deal with physicality even against other youths.

Bouchard or Dobson would certainly have been safe and better picks.

A lot of Stan's picks on the blue line at that time were undersized, fast feet but not overwhelmingly fast straight line speed, and lil offensive guys. I think he tried too hard to replace Keith vs just taking the best player that was on the board. Boqvist, Beaudin, Joker, Mitchell, Clendening. None really panned out in that way.

If he can stay healthy I think Boqvist is more of a power play specialist than anything else. 35 ish points you don't remember and he doesn't skate a lot in the playoffs. He should be able to have a decent enough career though.
- fattybeef

So Boqvist is penciled in to be a smaller, less physical Gus

Which is ironic because that's where Keith developed. Even though he spent time in the AHL and bouncing around the NCAA and CHL before that - he was still a manic poop show his first year or two in the NHL. Certainly the potential was evident but it's not like he was a Norris winner day one.

This isn't Baseball. The AHL is not comparable to AAA competition wise. Guys that come up from AHL still typically need 2 full years to adjust to the speed of the NHL. No matter where these guys come from there is a very long learning curve to adapt to the speed and intensity of the NHL. League is irrelevant.

It's a place holder and overflow league. Some guys need an extra year or two to physically and mentally mature. Not everyone is ready at 19 or 20 to be in the NHL and if there are no other options then the AHL is where they end up. They can play on the weekends and get in the gym during the week. Maybe they pull a Sharp or Forsling and surprise everyone in their year 25 or 26 but that isn't the norm.

I think they should do what the Devils did with Jack Hughes - let him eat poop this next year and by year 3 he should be ready to go, mentally strong and resilient, grown more into his body and 'developed'. I think that is what they should do with Nazar as well but I doubt that will actually happen.
- fattybeef

Not sure what you’re talking about. Keith was an offense first defenseman who learned to play defense under the coaching of Trent Yawney in the AHL and became one of the best defensive defensemen during his time in the NHL. Without the development in the AHL there is no chance he has the hall of fame career .

Korchinski shouldn’t have been promoted to the NHL last year if this year he’s going to be playing in Rockford. KK wasn’t terrible last year but he was far from being NHL ready, especially defensively. Granted his defense was improving but he was still a long way from being a solid player.

Not sure what you’re talking about. Keith was an offense first defenseman who learned to play defense under the coaching of Trent Yawney in the AHL and became one of the best defensive defensemen during his time in the NHL. Without the development in the AHL there is no chance he has the hall of fame career .

Korchinski shouldn’t have been promoted to the NHL last year if this year he’s going to be playing in Rockford. KK wasn’t terrible last year but he was far from being NHL ready, especially defensively. Granted his defense was improving but he was still a long way from being a solid player.
- paulr

Have to disagree.

If KK was playing Jr last year he probably doesn't progress as much as he did and he would just now be breaking his teeth on a pro season and learning what it takes to be a pro in the NHL.

He already got that trial by fire and he was okay. He is young and learning, but he played important minutes for his development last season, and if he was so far from NHL ready, they would have sent him back to Jr, vs keeping him on the team and then playing him extensively in the top 4 (3rd in total minutes for the Hawks).

It's not like they kept him because of injuries on the backend to start the year and there were a ton of other LD prospects. They kept him on the team so they could start his development as a pro and because they knew he could handle it, and he did.

Sure but you also have guys like Seabrook who was a top 15 pick who didn't really play in the AHL either, and he was fine.

The thing about KK, he is 20 now, and has a professional season under his belt, his year in the NHL was as valuable if not more valuable than a year in the AHL, because he played tons of minutes (wasn't riding the bench) .

I'm not saying he can't (won't) play in the AHL, but the important thing is that he plays minutes. If the plan is that he won't get many NHL minutes this season, then yes, AHL might be better, but if he is still going to play 20 minutes a night, there is really no advantage to having him in the AHL, not when he already has a season under his belt. Comes down to where he fits in the pecking order.
- breadbag

Why bother signing 2 old goats like Brodie and Martinez to go with Murphy and Jones if they thought any of their kid defenceman were actually ready for prime time and didn't need further development and playing tume?

If KK hadn't been a #1 - 7 OA I don't think this would even be a discussion.

Why bother signing 2 old goats like Brodie and Martinez to go with Murphy and Jones if they thought any of their kid defenceman were actually ready for prime time and didn't need further development and playing tume?

If KK hadn't been a #1 - 7 OA I don't think this would even be a discussion.
- RickJ

You’re right, but the fact of the matter is that they still need two young ones to make the roster besides Vlasic. If Korchinski goes to Rockford, then you have Kaiser and two guys to choose from that will have to go through waivers(Crevier/Phillips)if sent down. I still think that Phillips will get traded, maybe not before they break camp, but eventually. Martinez will get traded at the TDL, veteran defensemen with three cups are always desirable by contenders. Also, some of those vets will land on IR at some point during the season, that’s inevitable.