Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks lines in practice have Foligno on the first line and Reichel still out:

Foligno-Bedard-Teravainen
Hall-Kurashev-Bertuzzi
Mikheyev-Richardinson-Anderson
Maroon-Donato-Athanasiou
(Reichel-Smith)

Martinez-Jones
Vlasic-Brodie
Allan-Murphy
(Kaiser-Phillips)
- LAHawk

I'd rather flip flop AA and Anderson. That would be a line that can get to the puck. What they do with it is unknown?

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

And how much mentoring went on last yr when they got murdelized 3 out of every 4 nights? And would bringing back back a roster like last yrs entrench a losing culture? ...... And even though a KK may have made this yrs roster better would it be good for his development, ditto Nazar?

The idea of bringing vets to help mentor was maybe #7 on the list of priorities. #1 IMO the Hawks wanna develop and #2 give Bedard some legit NHLers to play with while also lessen the chance a losing culture sets in.

Yea, mentoring is a good thing but it's #17 of the reasons they brought in a TT, Bert, Brodie or Martinez..... And when a Nazar, Crevier or Artie busts their way up to the NHL the Martinez' are here to help em along. Not the other way around.

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

Remember, this is the first yr that KD's draft picks are AHL eligible and they are the crown jewels of the organIzatrion.

KD has said the plan is to tear down and develop. So, I don't think they took a step backward or deviated from the plan by bringing in vets it's just that this yr they have a proper place, AHL, for the KK's to develop.

Got a link to that?

I'm kind of glad they missed out on Guentzel.
Hope this means they go after Marner this summer if he doesn't sign long term anywhere else.

Got the link to the 32 thoughts?
- captainserious

I got the text from BleacherNation.
https://www.bleachernatio...other-blackhawks-bullets/

Here is the link to 32 thoughts (number 17):

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...t-will-change-the-market/

I see us picking top 3 again... KD's perfect scenario is the Blackhawks picking 1st and Rockford winning a cup.
- rpeters01

I can certainly stomach that. Hawks couldn't go find some reclamation projects though? There wasn't a 23 or 24 year old former first rounder out there that could play bottom 6 instead of Smith Donato Anderson and Maroon?

There should be some lotto tickets in the bottom 6. Guys take a long time to develop sometimes. If they don't pan out who cares, the team isn't competing for anything yet.

They see flaws in his game that they believe are better worked on the in the AHL instead of the NHL. He'll get all situations work and learn to trust his game more so he can be the offensive generator he's been in the past. He was so concerned about his defense last year that he clipped his own wings. The coaches saw the same thing in the preseason.
- Chunk

That is likely the reason but that really concerns me the Hawks had him in the NHL last season then.

Hawks decided to take the risk last year but this season the Hawks don't want to risk hurting his development? He didn't fall flat on his face last season so I don't see how the risk would be higher this season....

Or is there a bigger issue in that KK didn't do what the Hawks wanted him to do all summer as far as development, etc.? Kaiser Allen and Phillips all jumped ahead of him as far as development? Yikes.

Remember, this is the first yr that KD's draft picks are AHL eligible and they are the crown jewels of the organIzatrion.

KD has said the plan is to tear down and develop. So, I don't think they took a step backward or deviated from the plan by bringing in vets it's just that this yr they have a proper place, AHL, for the KK's to develop.
- Mr Ricochet

I get it but give me some lotto tickets at least in the bottom 6. Heck I'd be ok with someone like Erik Brannstrom. Avs signed him on a cheap 1 year. Heck even Enwhistle back would be better than watching Smith, Maroon, and co.

That is likely the reason but that really concerns me the Hawks had him in the NHL last season then.

Hawks decided to take the risk last year but this season the Hawks don't want to risk hurting his development? He didn't fall flat on his face last season so I don't see how the risk would be higher this season....

Or is there a bigger issue in that KK didn't do what the Hawks wanted him to do all summer as far as development, etc.? Kaiser Allen and Phillips all jumped ahead of him as far as development? Yikes.
- bhawks2241

I don't think it's that complicated. They didn't think he'd benefit from dominating in Seattle, so they brought him up. They saw he wasn't completely overwhelmed by the NHL, but he was not able to unleash his offense because he was too concerned about his own zone (not a bad thing). He showed the same tendencies this camp/preseason, so he goes down to work on it outside of the NHL spotlight.

He just turned 20. How many 20 year old D-men are there in the league? Kaiser got a taste at the end of 23, and split time last year. He was showing that he was getting it. It appears that the Hogs can at least develop D-men.

I get what you are saying. I just think they want to make sure the kids are attacking and not just trying to keep up in the NHL. Some kids are going to be ahead of the curve, some behind.

I don't think it's that complicated. They didn't think he'd benefit from dominating in Seattle, so they brought him up. They saw he wasn't completely overwhelmed by the NHL, but he was not able to unleash his offense because he was too concerned about his own zone (not a bad thing). He showed the same tendencies this camp/preseason, so he goes down to work on it outside of the NHL spotlight.

He just turned 20. How many 20 year old D-men are there in the league? Kaiser got a taste at the end of 23, and split time last year. He was showing that he was getting it. It appears that the Hogs can at least develop D-men.

I get what you are saying. I just think they want to make sure the kids are attacking and not just trying to keep up in the NHL. Some kids are going to be ahead of the curve, some behind.
- Chunk

If that is the reason then all for it. The Hawks need guys on the backend that can drive possession and produce from the backend, while still being good in their own end. Keith was the engine for the cup teams.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks activated Wyatt Kaiser from IR and sent Isaak Phillips to Rockford.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
New Blackhawks power play units:

PP1: Foligno replaces Hall down low with Bertuzzi bumper, Bedard and Teravainen flanks, Jones point

PP2: Maroon down low, Kurashev bumper, Hall flank, Martinez and Vlasic up top

Remember, this is the first yr that KD's draft picks are AHL eligible and they are the crown jewels of the organIzatrion.

KD has said the plan is to tear down and develop. So, I don't think they took a step backward or deviated from the plan by bringing in vets it's just that this yr they have a proper place, AHL, for the KK's to develop.
- Mr Ricochet

I think some people are viewing this rebuild and trying to compare it to the 2006-7 rebuild when the AHL was full of solid prospects about ready to be promoted and there were still prospects in junior and college then the Blackhawks drafted their stars Toews and Kane. This rebuild is the opposite with a star player acquired before the support players are ready to play in the NHL. In each case there are growing pains but the expectations were lower in the late 2000s because of the lack of any stars before Toews and Kane.

I’m surprised at the number of knowledgeable posters who as we used to say, are on the ledge, after one regular season game! The veterans KD signed will be long gone, when this team is competitive and their salary at this time is irrelevant. KD isn’t trying to win the cup let alone make it to the playoffs, he’s waiting for the prospects to develop so they can EARN a spot on the Hawk roster.

I get it but give me some lotto tickets at least in the bottom 6. Heck I'd be ok with someone like Erik Brannstrom. Avs signed him on a cheap 1 year. Heck even Enwhistle back would be better than watching Smith, Maroon, and co.
- bhawks2241

Seems fair, reasonable and maybe smart to take a swing on a player who didn't pan out yet and put em in the bottom 6. But, for more context on the rebuild at this yrs stage they wanna win more, be more predictable (structure/fundamentally sound) and fend off a losing culture. .... A reclamation or a swing on a player doesn't usually give you the predictability you're looking for.

I do get your point and don't disagree, but I could also see reasons why not to bring in a kinda of someone else's Reichel...... Braanstrom is interesting, I agree. Too bad he's not a forward cuz the D pipeline is a bit thick.

I think some people are viewing this rebuild and trying to compare it to the 2006-7 rebuild when the AHL was full of solid prospects about ready to be promoted and there were still prospects in junior and college then the Blackhawks drafted their stars Toews and Kane. This rebuild is the opposite with a star player acquired before the support players are ready to play in the NHL. In each case there are growing pains but the expectations were lower in the late 2000s because of the lack of any stars before Toews and Kane.

I’m surprised at the number of knowledgeable posters who as we used to say, are on the ledge, after one regular season game! The veterans KD signed will be long gone, when this team is competitive and their salary at this time is irrelevant. KD isn’t trying to win the cup let alone make it to the playoffs, he’s waiting for the prospects to develop so they can EARN a spot on the Hawk roster.
- paulr

it's almost like there isn't just one way to build a team.

I think some people are viewing this rebuild and trying to compare it to the 2006-7 rebuild when the AHL was full of solid prospects about ready to be promoted and there were still prospects in junior and college then the Blackhawks drafted their stars Toews and Kane. This rebuild is the opposite with a star player acquired before the support players are ready to play in the NHL. In each case there are growing pains but the expectations were lower in the late 2000s because of the lack of any stars before Toews and Kane.

I’m surprised at the number of knowledgeable posters who as we used to say, are on the ledge, after one regular season game! The veterans KD signed will be long gone, when this team is competitive and their salary at this time is irrelevant. KD isn’t trying to win the cup let alone make it to the playoffs, he’s waiting for the prospects to develop so they can EARN a spot on the Hawk roster.
- paulr

That is something I did not think about. You are very much spot on. At least the 05/06 squad still had the ABC line and some other semi young players.

Seems fair, reasonable and maybe smart to take a swing on a player who didn't pan out yet and put em in the bottom 6. But, for more context on the rebuild at this yrs stage they wanna win more, be more predictable (structure/fundamentally sound) and fend off a losing culture. .... A reclamation or a swing on a player doesn't usually give you the predictability you're looking for.

I do get your point and don't disagree, but I could also see reasons why not to bring in a kinda of someone else's Reichel...... Braanstrom is interesting, I agree. Too bad he's not a forward cuz the D pipeline is a bit thick.
- Mr Ricochet

Would a reclamation project or 2 in the bottom 6 negatively impact any of that? Maroon, Donato, Anderson, and Smith minimal impact on this team winning or losing games or playing the right way.

All fair and valid points. I can't disagree... I also think the players they brought in were strategic. I still think they are going to be better than last year... with that said, the majority of players that WE probably agree on or label as "over the hill" won't be around long after this year.

I want to believe that KD didn't want to handcuff the team with any bad money or contracts long-term so that when the time is right, they will be able to fill out this roster and their youth with players who can plug gaps at a high level.
- frafra

Agreed.

I don't doubt that's part of the reasoning but they can't tippietoe around bringing in top level talent either for much longer.

With how much Bedard likes Barzal I wonder what it would take to get him off the Island? Lou would maybe need to be out first but at some point that org is going to need a youth movement and he's the right age. Would slot pretty good on the second line behind young Connor and there's a hell of a 1 - 2 punch.

I get waiting for prospects to a point but there are going to be a lot more Reichel's and Philips type guys coming through then there are not and they're going to have to give to get. Moving some of these guys while their value is high rather than waiting for them to possibly fail wouldn't be bad money at this point.

Of the guys who got 1-year deals around the league this year, which ones would have agreed to join the Hawks and which would have been better than what they signed.

For the record, I'm with LA on this that there is no reason that Brodie should have been signed for two years. They wanted to have better players in place so that prospects who weren't ready didn't have to fill these spots and they would have people in place instead of finding guys on waivers or signing FA's.
- Chunk

They could have given Marchassault 20 million for 2 years.

I'd rather flip flop AA and Anderson. That would be a line that can get to the puck. What they do with it is unknown?
- rpeters01

Anderson has been one of the best play drivers in the league.

AA has been very bad at getting and keeping the puck.

Would a reclamation project or 2 in the bottom 6 negatively impact any of that? Maroon, Donato, Anderson, and Smith minimal impact on this team winning or losing games or playing the right way.
- bhawks2241

Anderson has had some of the best defensive metrics on the team (including last year). Donato had been one of the most effective forwards in the preseason.

Let's be honest though. What is the fourth line expected to do? Maybe Slaggert would be a benefit there, but Nazar is wasted in that role. I think so would any reclamation project that would be worth signing. Just my view though. I reserve the right to be horribly off-base (as I usually am. )

Seems fair, reasonable and maybe smart to take a swing on a player who didn't pan out yet and put em in the bottom 6. But, for more context on the rebuild at this yrs stage they wanna win more, be more predictable (structure/fundamentally sound) and fend off a losing culture. .... A reclamation or a swing on a player doesn't usually give you the predictability you're looking for.

I do get your point and don't disagree, but I could also see reasons why not to bring in a kinda of someone else's Reichel...... Braanstrom is interesting, I agree. Too bad he's not a forward cuz the D pipeline is a bit thick.
- Mr Ricochet

Isn't that what the Board criticized Bowman about? Acquiring Duclair, Nylander, Borgstrom, Strome all fit into the reclamation category.

Agreed.

I don't doubt that's part of the reasoning but they can't tippietoe around bringing in top level talent either for much longer.

With how much Bedard likes Barzal I wonder what it would take to get him off the Island? Lou would maybe need to be out first but at some point that org is going to need a youth movement and he's the right age. Would slot pretty good on the second line behind young Connor and there's a hell of a 1 - 2 punch.

I get waiting for prospects to a point but there are going to be a lot more Reichel's and Philips type guys coming through then there are not and they're going to have to give to get. Moving some of these guys while their value is high rather than waiting for them to possibly fail wouldn't be bad money at this point.
- fattybeef

I would love to see something like that as well. I don't think KD is purposely trying to slow roll the rebuild. I think he has to fight against the fact his team is not going to be good for a couple years. I think his best route to improvement is going to be by trade the next two years.

I think some people are viewing this rebuild and trying to compare it to the 2006-7 rebuild when the AHL was full of solid prospects about ready to be promoted and there were still prospects in junior and college then the Blackhawks drafted their stars Toews and Kane. This rebuild is the opposite with a star player acquired before the support players are ready to play in the NHL. In each case there are growing pains but the expectations were lower in the late 2000s because of the lack of any stars before Toews and Kane.

I’m surprised at the number of knowledgeable posters who as we used to say, are on the ledge, after one regular season game! The veterans KD signed will be long gone, when this team is competitive and their salary at this time is irrelevant. KD isn’t trying to win the cup let alone make it to the playoffs, he’s waiting for the prospects to develop so they can EARN a spot on the Hawk roster.
- paulr

Good points about both rebuilds. I'd add to that that during this rebuild a fan has 3 cups in the last decade in their thoughts. No such thing in 2007. The cap was i9n its infancy back then. And it's 17 yrs out from 2007 and social media has skewed the world since then. .. Guess it would take some pointy heads to unwrap that part but at minimum I'd think 17 yrs of social media has at least turned a helluva lotta brains to mush.

For sure, the 2 rebuilds are different.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
New Blackhawks power play units:

PP1: Foligno replaces Hall down low with Bertuzzi bumper, Bedard and Teravainen flanks, Jones point

PP2: Maroon down low, Kurashev bumper, Hall flank, Martinez and Vlasic up top
- LAHawk

I truely thought Jones on PP1 Tuesday was awful

I truely thought Jones on PP1 Tuesday was awful
- glennjpawlak22

Yea all this talk about players earning their positions, Jones has not earned the PP1 position.