Defensive hockey and penalty killing are the most important things for a team to be successful. I think it was the 2013 cup win where the Hawk’s PK was one of the best and their PP had allot of difficulty scoring. Power plays are a nice to have penalty killing and defensive hockey are crucial. And right now the team doesn’t have a guy to quarterback the PP. Maybe someone can step up but it’s crucial for LR to be instilling a three zone defensive mindset. At this point in time a power play isn’t a priority.
- paulr

Improving every aspect of your team at this point is important.

It looks like you are going to get your wish anyway. They're putting Martinez and Vlasic on the ice together on PP2.

They had Martinez on it last game. They are trying other guys. That said, Jones is still the best guy for it on the team. They tried KK on it a few times last year and even with all his offensive gifts, he was worse than Jones.
- Chunk

Jones is still by far the best option for the PP. Vlasic can shoot, but he hasn't demonstrated the offensive instincts to be a top PP Dman.

KK and Levshunov might eventually overtake Jones in that role, but Jones today is still the best offensive option we have, regardless of the contract.

I’m with LA on this one, you need Vlasic to weather the storm on defense after a power play, focus on the penalty kill, that’s more important.
- Angotti

The penalty kill last year was just as bad statistically as the power play. If the Hawks were NHL average, they would of scored a grand total of 8 more PP goals for the year If they would of been league average defensively, they would of given up 11 goals less.

The prospects will work on their game in Rockford and starting next year there will be an ongoing influx of young talent looking to and sooner or later permanently taking a veteran’s job. If some collegiate forwards turn pro for the following season, I figure two seasons away a lot of young kids are going to be in the lineup. If they are a bit short on nhl capable, they may not spend any or not much time prepping in the AHL. It will be a play the young kids as much as possible mode. Mixed in could be whomever KD drafts in ‘25 (particularly if a forward in top ten overall).

What I would like to see your thoughts on, however, is the LA Kings Eklund report how they are going hard after Shesterkin. A big if NYR did agree to move him, what do they get back. Salary cap issues is going to be a concern regarding the salaries now - and later - each player for both teams. I believe NYR loose thus trade no matter who they get because the NYR will have a tougher time winning in playoffs with a lesser goaltender in net. I would choose to pay the goaltender more and adjust their roster y subtracting someone - who like who knows but do not move your goaltender

Imagine Byfield and Clarke will be in trade rumor for Shesterkin? Yet I predict NYR re-sign their netminder
- jhawk59

As one commenter on Eklund's page mentioned the Rangers should ask Alex Laferierre be included on the trade coming back. Then they'll have him and Alexis Lafreniere.

I would then suggest New York trade for Sam Lafferty, ask him to change his first name to Alec, and put them all on the same line.

Small sample size but after 5 CHL games the scoring leaders are Porter Marone 6-3 208 lbs with 5G, 8A and Michael Misa 6-1 185 lbs with 10G and 2A. Hope one of these two are available for the Hawks assuming they don't win the lottery and take Hagens.

Wiz has them at #3 and #5 respectively.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks brass has been talking all summer and fall about wanting more specific roles for players this year, and we're seeing that demonstrated now with Jason Richardinson not getting PP time.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Blackhawks brass has been talking all summer and fall about wanting more specific roles for players this year, and we're seeing that demonstrated now with Jason Richardinson not getting PP time.
- LAHawk

I really don't mind Maroon being on the PP as long as he plants his rear in front of the goalie. They have limited options for sure, but if you get guys with specific skills in the right place, you may have better success.

What has Vlasic done that makes you think he's good at the PP (aside from the fact he's not Jones)? He's the best defensive D-man on the team. Was anyone clamoring for Hjalmarsson to run a PP even when Keith was launching shots into defenders' shin pads?
- Chunk

And I'll be fair to Jones here, this coaching staff is delusional using the 4 forward, one defenseman format.

This system only works if you have good puck control forwards, which they do not.

How many short handed breakaways and odd man advantages does this team need to give up before they realize this, and go back to the traditional 3 - 2 setup?

Wow poor Blue Jackets


Michael Russo
@RussoHockey
Don Waddell says #cbj captain Boone Jenner, who had shoulder surgery yesterday, sustained a “really freaky accident during practice. Very disappointing.” Will miss at least 5 months

I’m with LA on this one, you need Vlasic to weather the storm on defense after a power play, focus on the penalty kill, that’s more important.
- Angotti

But that's why they signed Brodie.

But that's why they signed Brodie.
- BetweenTheDots

Who said that?

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
Wyatt Kaiser in for Nolan Allan tonight. Andreas Athanasiou in for Craig Smith. Arvid Söderblom starts.

Who said that?
- Chunk

I did

Mark Lazerus
@MarkLazerus
Wyatt Kaiser in for Nolan Allan tonight. Andreas Athanasiou in for Craig Smith. Arvid Söderblom starts.
- LAHawk

LR playing 4D chess. Making sure all the young guys are ready to go before launching the old guys. Well played LR... well played.

I did
- BetweenTheDots

Sooooo, it's not based on anything real...

We can all hate the contract he got, but he was not brought in to take Vlasic's place as the main defensive d-man.

Sooooo, it's not based on anything real...

We can all hate the contract he got, but he was not brought in to take Vlasic's place as the main defensive d-man.
- Chunk

Then why is Vlasic on the 2nd unit power play?

It has nothing to do with the contract, he sucks on the PP, i thought you were taking about Jones.

I don't give 2 sh its about Brodie and and Brodie's contract, that's LAs obsession

Then why is Vlasic on the 2nd unit power play?

It has nothing to do with the contract, he sucks on the PP, i thought you were taking about Jones.

I don't give 2 sh its about Brodie and and Brodie's contract, that's LAs obsession
- BetweenTheDots

No I was talking about Brodie because you were (cuz his contract sucks too). They didn't sign Brodie to be the main shutdown guy.

My guess as to why Vlasic is on PP2 is because there isn't enough good forwards and they want to try and minimize the amount of shorthanded chances against. I'm sure it will go horribly too.

No I was talking about Brodie because you were (cuz his contract sucks too). They didn't sign Brodie to be the main shutdown guy.

My guess as to why Vlasic is on PP2 is because there isn't enough good forwards and they want to try and minimize the amount of shorthanded chances against. I'm sure it will go horribly too.
- Chunk

Not disagreeing that Vlasic helps defend on the PP2 but I'd just add


1) Reward for his play - He had a good season last year for the most part
2) KK is in Rockford, Lev is hurt and probably going to Rockford
3) We don't have any Offensive Dmen besides Jones who is on PP1.

No I was talking about Brodie because you were (cuz his contract sucks too). They didn't sign Brodie to be the main shutdown guy.

My guess as to why Vlasic is on PP2 is because there isn't enough good forwards and they want to try and minimize the amount of shorthanded chances against. I'm sure it will go horribly too.
- Chunk

I don't recall saying that because his contract doesn't bother me even the 2 years, either i misspoke or you misunderstood me.

So let me understand this correctly Reichel has to earn a spot on this roster to get any kind of minutes.

But by default everyone assumes Seth Jones is the only one capable to be on the number 1 PP unit.

I don't recall saying that because his contract doesn't bother me even the 2 years, either i misspoke or you misunderstood me.
- BetweenTheDots

I added that his contract sucks. No reason to give him two years at all.

So let me understand this correctly Reichel has to earn a spot on this roster to get any kind of minutes.

But by default everyone assumes Seth Jones is the only one capable to be on the number 1 PP unit.
- BetweenTheDots

Reichel has not proven to be a capable NHL player, nor better than the guys that are active. Seth Jones is the best defenseman on this team. Low bar, but still.

So let me understand this correctly Reichel has to earn a spot on this roster to get any kind of minutes.

But by default everyone assumes Seth Jones is the only one capable to be on the number 1 PP unit.
- BetweenTheDots

Pope's article explains LR's (and by extension KD's) reasonings on why (or why not) certain personnel are playing on the power play or not

I don't think the board assumes Jones is the only one capable to be on the #1 power play. But speaking for myself, I really don't care who is because there is a whole lot more that needs to be fixed before figuring out how to squeeze 8 more goals out of the power play this year.

I added that his contract sucks. No reason to give him two years at all.
- Chunk

That two year contract was a head scratcher, but it’s not like they’re going anywhere this year or next, he can be the 7th Dman next year, maybe sooner.

So let me understand this correctly Reichel has to earn a spot on this roster to get any kind of minutes.

But by default everyone assumes Seth Jones is the only one capable to be on the number 1 PP unit.
- BetweenTheDots

I don't see it as an assumption, you just need to look at the evidence.

1) Jones has far more points than any other D on the roster
2) As far as Points per 60 minutes on the PP, only Korchinski was close to Jones Blackhawks average.
3) The coaches put Jones on PP1 (because he is the most capable)