Stay safe anyone in Florida. Milton ripped the roof off Tropicana, the staging area for post hurricane support

The kids will be alright if I were to bet on how they turn out. This is an assumption the top prospects will move up to Chicago probably next season for good The veterans help the team be more competitive this season. Some collegiate prospects though may be back and forth to the AHL next season but I like the talent package of the top collegiate players they drafted. Just draft one top
Line forward and one more dman. We could really should bring in a big size kid to employ on L3 or L4.
- jhawk59

You are missing the point.

They have been talking about all this veteran talent to mentor the youngins. Most of the youngins were sent to Rockford, so how are they mentoring them???

You are missing the point.

They have been talking about all this veteran talent to mentor the youngins. Most of the youngins were sent to Rockford, so how are they mentoring them???
- dahawks8819

Exactly.
I get that they don't want some combo of Korch,Allan,DelMastro,Levshunov,Rinzel,Kaiser as therir 3-6 dmen.
But they could easily have Martinez and Korch as their 2nd pair dmen and some combo of Brodie/Murphy+young gun as the third pair. This way they'd be playing with veterans against NHL competition.

Other than Bedard,Vlasic,Kurashev and Allan none of these guys are going to be here in the next few years.

They could have easily thrown in Slaggert and Nazar in this top 12. Slaggert Nazar can't do what Maroon/Mikheyev or Smith/Donato are doing,really?

Nazar might not be ready for a 2C role,but I'm pretty sure he can play on the 2nd line as a W or a 3rd line W and develop with "veteran leadership". And Slaggert looks like a solid 4th line grinder that will block shots and could turn into a good PKer.

https://x.com/BulldogsOHL/status/1844190603405295973?t=aoRue16Ggh-1LUdJKXN25Q&s=19

Keep it up Lardis, see you soon
- BetweenTheDots

Having never been to an OHL game before, is that they typical size of the rinks? Looks tiny like a HS rink, maybe its just the view.

The best case scenario for the Hawks current defensive pairings in my opinion is this…
Vlasic/Jones
Allan/Murphy
Martinez/Brodie
Unfortunately they brought in Martinez and Brodie to play and mentor the youngsters, so playing them together defeats that purpose. Martinez is still a reliable defenseman(need to lower his TOI), Brodie is better than Megna and Tinordi, but still a #7 at this point of his career. I’m going to predict that Arty will be up by Christmas, and KK will replace Martinez after the TDL.
- Angotti

I don't like Allan paired with Murphy. Murphy is so one dimensional. He is beyond awful in the transition and offensive parts of the game. I would rather see Allan paired with Martinez or Brodie. Allan is a stay at home defender right now. They want him to develop a transition and offensive game. Put him with partners that are more well rounded.

https://x.com/spittinchic...hvrrQCK4JcZjtRle2avA&s=19

Does the NIL deals allow college to start tapping into other leagues? Why not, baseball next?

You are missing the point.

They have been talking about all this veteran talent to mentor the youngins. Most of the youngins were sent to Rockford, so how are they mentoring them???
- dahawks8819

They were brought in so that the Hawks wouldn’t have to make up their lines with castoffs and waiver pickups. With all the old guys playing, there was one spot open. If the kids were ready and playing well enough, they could have pushed one of the old guys out.

Nazar certainly wasn’t ready and I don’t think could supplant anyone in the top 6. I think the only one that could have reasonably taken a spot among the forwards is Slaggert.

Having never been to an OHL game before, is that they typical size of the rinks? Looks tiny like a HS rink, maybe its just the view.
- vabeachbear

Most OHL arenas have seating capacities for 4,500 to 9,000 people. Most games in most towns sell out on weekends but attract less during weekday games.

They were brought in so that the Hawks wouldn’t have to make up their lines with castoffs and waiver pickups. With all the old guys playing, there was one spot open. If the kids were ready and playing well enough, they could have pushed one of the old guys out.

Nazar certainly wasn’t ready and I don’t think could supplant anyone in the top 6. I think the only one that could have reasonably taken a spot among the forwards is Slaggert.
- Chunk

Agree...not sure what all the hand wringing about "The Plan" or perceived deviation from it is all about. KFC pretty much has said everything you have in press conferences since last season ended.

I have no issue with them sending players to RFD to be coached vs having vets mentoring them on the bench between shifts.

Injuries/things happen so pretty sure we'll see Slaggert, Nazar and possibly others up at times and maybe some more permanently by the end of the season.

I don't like Allan paired with Murphy. Murphy is so one dimensional. He is beyond awful in the transition and offensive parts of the game. I would rather see Allan paired with Martinez or Brodie. Allan is a stay at home defender right now. They want him to develop a transition and offensive game. Put him with partners that are more well rounded.
- Ztra

Brodie is more well rounded. He sucks at everything!!

Agree...not sure what all the hand wringing about "The Plan" or perceived deviation from it is all about. KFC pretty much has said everything you have in press conferences since last season ended.

I have no issue with them sending players to RFD to be coached vs having vets mentoring them on the bench between shifts.

Injuries/things happen so pretty sure we'll see Slaggert, Nazar and possibly others up at times and maybe some more permanently by the end of the season.
- HawkintheD

Because it's not fast enough. I fall into the same problem often. Why sign these retreads when better options were available, etc... I lean more towards Fatty's thoughts that you shouldn't "waste" Bedard's ELC years, but KD's plan - and the ideal - is that it isn't about one guy. They need several of these prospects to come in and be difference makers.

End of the day, it's not my money. KD is responsible for the team. I'm a Hawks fan. I'll support them as much as I can and enjoy the ride if they end up winning it again.

Because it's not fast enough. I fall into the same problem often. Why sign these retreads when better options were available, etc... I lean more towards Fatty's thoughts that you shouldn't "waste" Bedard's ELC years, but KD's plan - and the ideal - is that it isn't about one guy. They need several of these prospects to come in and be difference makers.

End of the day, it's not my money. KD is responsible for the team. I'm a Hawks fan. I'll support them as much as I can and enjoy the ride if they end up winning it again.
- Chunk

As I read the comments on this thread, I keep thinking about Korchinski. People can't have their cake and want to eat it at the same time, too. A lot of people blasted Korchinski last year for not being ready (and that's fair); the Hawks sent him down, along with many of their young players... and after one game, people are questioning if they would be better at the NHL level. While the Hawks brought in a lot of vets this summer, I don't think many people were expecting them to be competing for a playoff spot. I think they will have significant improvement from last year, but patience is everything right now as fans!

What they did with Vlasic seemed to pay off and work pretty well. If they can get that same kind of development out of these other guys who are now at Rockford, I think the payoff will be worth the wait.

I would imagine that by the end of this season, the roster will look a lot different and feel a lot younger. For now, I plan to enjoy these building stages of their rebuild for what they are... hope.

As I read the comments on this thread, I keep thinking about Korchinski. People can't have their cake and want to eat it at the same time, too. A lot of people blasted Korchinski last year for not being ready (and that's fair); the Hawks sent him down, along with many of their young players... and after one game, people are questioning if they would be better at the NHL level. While the Hawks brought in a lot of vets this summer, I don't think many people were expecting them to be competing for a playoff spot. I think they will have significant improvement from last year, but patience is everything right now as fans!

What they did with Vlasic seemed to pay off and work pretty well. If they can get that same kind of development out of these other guys who are now at Rockford, I think the payoff will be worth the wait.

I would imagine that by the end of this season, the roster will look a lot different and feel a lot younger. For now, I plan to enjoy these building stages of their rebuild for what they are... hope.
- frafra

The bottom 6 is full of retreads. Brodie and Martinez are washed up. Slaggert should be playing in the bottom 6. You could easily have Nazar on the third line.

You have less young players on the roster than last year…. so apparently the rebuild took a step backward? Or are we still 2 years away from a youth movement?

And sorry Korchinski looks every bit as good as washed up Brodie and Martinez.

Brodie is more well rounded. He sucks at everything!!
- LAHawk

What about that he has experience

He sucks on that too?

Did you see C Zary OT winner as Calgary came back to beat Vancouver. Zary is a first round pick played a couple years AHL He was looking good on a line with K Dach in WJC then Dach got that injury Anyway Calgary might have a top line with Mantha having a break out year. But Zary is a rugged forward who can score too I saw Vancouver jump out to a big lead and noticed their offense got deeper, better. I figured Calgary dmen maybe not too good but Vancouver was who wound up loosing. Their dman depth looks bad

Now I wonder how the Blackhawks defense will look or compare when we meet these teams. I believe that you and Darth Kane see a lot of West coast and Canadian teams

The defense rests. No something better for descriptive negative connotation regarding the state of NHL blueline crews this season
The defense wrecks havoc in their own end? No doesn’t sound right. Grammatically that is. But you get the idea

Brodie is more well rounded. He sucks at everything!!
- LAHawk

I'm beginning to get the feeling you don't like Brodie.

As I read the comments on this thread, I keep thinking about Korchinski. People can't have their cake and want to eat it at the same time, too. A lot of people blasted Korchinski last year for not being ready (and that's fair); the Hawks sent him down, along with many of their young players... and after one game, people are questioning if they would be better at the NHL level. While the Hawks brought in a lot of vets this summer, I don't think many people were expecting them to be competing for a playoff spot. I think they will have significant improvement from last year, but patience is everything right now as fans!

What they did with Vlasic seemed to pay off and work pretty well. If they can get that same kind of development out of these other guys who are now at Rockford, I think the payoff will be worth the wait.

I would imagine that by the end of this season, the roster will look a lot different and feel a lot younger. For now, I plan to enjoy these building stages of their rebuild for what they are... hope.
- frafra

If Allan keeps playing steady, I think it will be very interesting when Kaiser comes back. I would not surprise me at all to see him push out Murphy or Brodie from a spot. Also, I don't see any way that Martinez keeps playing over 20 minutes a night. I'd guess Vlasic and Jones get back together and the bottom four spots are battled for the rest of the year.

I'm beginning to get the feeling you don't like Brodie.
- BetweenTheDots

More than you don't like Jones.

The bottom 6 is full of retreads. Brodie and Martinez are washed up. Slaggert should be playing in the bottom 6. You could easily have Nazar on the third line.

You have less young players on the roster than last year…. so apparently the rebuild took a step backward? Or are we still 2 years away from a youth movement?

And sorry Korchinski looks every bit as good as washed up Brodie and Martinez.
- bhawks2241

I do wonder if KD brought in these vets to also see how LR is willing to put kids in the best position to succeed?

Didn't KD say he is tired of developing players for other teams? So maybe this is a LR test as well. I get you a bunch of old slow nhl players and you can't put a Reichel on the ice to further his development?

I will emphasize again practice should just be 5 on 5 drills of getting through all 3 zones and establishing some offensive zone time.

More than you don't like Jones.
- Chunk

Hahaha, you're right if he was off the PP and played about 20 minutes a game he's fine.

I will never have this mind set of, he makes all that money so he has to play over 25 minutes a night and be on the number 1 PP.

The bottom 6 is full of retreads. Brodie and Martinez are washed up. Slaggert should be playing in the bottom 6. You could easily have Nazar on the third line.

You have less young players on the roster than last year…. so apparently the rebuild took a step backward? Or are we still 2 years away from a youth movement?

And sorry Korchinski looks every bit as good as washed up Brodie and Martinez.
- bhawks2241

I think the point is to have korchinski play better than brodie and martinez

As I read the comments on this thread, I keep thinking about Korchinski. People can't have their cake and want to eat it at the same time, too. A lot of people blasted Korchinski last year for not being ready (and that's fair); the Hawks sent him down, along with many of their young players... and after one game, people are questioning if they would be better at the NHL level. While the Hawks brought in a lot of vets this summer, I don't think many people were expecting them to be competing for a playoff spot. I think they will have significant improvement from last year, but patience is everything right now as fans!

What they did with Vlasic seemed to pay off and work pretty well. If they can get that same kind of development out of these other guys who are now at Rockford, I think the payoff will be worth the wait.

I would imagine that by the end of this season, the roster will look a lot different and feel a lot younger. For now, I plan to enjoy these building stages of their rebuild for what they are... hope.
- frafra

If they were going to bring in vets and have the kids be in rockford they should have brought in not poopty older players.

If they're place holders to tank again then I don't know how you can hold Richardson accountable for the team going 3-8 or 4-7 over the first month.

What the organization is saying vs what it is doing are two different things.

It's a meritocracy except when you're paying someone 4 million dollars or you don't think they'll clear waivers.

I do wonder if KD brought in these vets to also see how LR is willing to put kids in the best position to succeed?

Didn't KD say he is tired of developing players for other teams? So maybe this is a LR test as well. I get you a bunch of old slow nhl players and you can't put a Reichel on the ice to further his development?

I will emphasize again practice should just be 5 on 5 drills of getting through all 3 zones and establishing some offensive zone time.
- BetweenTheDots

Reichel spent the requisite time in the AHL so with how valuable that league is and how much the guys learn developing there its unfathomable as to why he can't figure it out.

The bottom 6 is full of retreads. Brodie and Martinez are washed up. Slaggert should be playing in the bottom 6. You could easily have Nazar on the third line.

You have fewer young players on the roster than last year…. so apparently the rebuild took a step backward. Or are we still 2 years away from a youth movement?

And sorry Korchinski looks every bit as good as washed-up Brodie and Martinez.
- bhawks2241

You can also say the bottom 6 is full of a bunch of guys who probably won't be around next year... when a lot of these young players will be up.

As an organization, I want to believe that they think their young players should start at Rockford to begin the development process- they aren't in a rush this year to win at the NHL level.

Korchinski was an example of the main point that is being discussed. They aren't competing for a playoff spot this year...why rush the development of all these kids? Alex Vlasic seemed to pan out pretty well based on their process with him.

To your point about the youth movement... I wouldn't be surprised if, by the end of the year, there were 3 to 5 players currently in Rockford who are up with the Hawks based on their individual development and what is happening at the NHL level (trades, etc).

I don't think they are taking a step back this year with any movement or plans for their rebuild. Look at the talent that they have drafted- it is now in their system. With time, it will all begin to surface.

I'm beginning to get the feeling you don't like Brodie.
- BetweenTheDots

Nope, not since July 1, especially for 2 years.

You can also say the bottom 6 is full of a bunch of guys who probably won't be around next year... when a lot of these young players will be up.

As an organization, I want to believe that they think their young players should start at Rockford to begin the development process- they aren't in a rush this year to win at the NHL level.

Korchinski was an example of the main point that is being discussed. They aren't competing for a playoff spot this year...why rush the development of all these kids? Alex Vlasic seemed to pan out pretty well based on their process with him.

To your point about the youth movement... I wouldn't be surprised if, by the end of the year, there were 3 to 5 players currently in Rockford who are up with the Hawks based on their individual development and what is happening at the NHL level (trades, etc).

I don't think they are taking a step back this year with any movement or plans for their rebuild. Look at the talent that they have drafted- it is now in their system. With time, it will all begin to surface.
- frafra

well Richardinson and Foligno were both signed for 2 years at bloated salaries, so there is 2 of the 6 that will still be around next year.