Zach Jarom: Game 7: Hawks vs Canucks

All 3 players on the 3rd line and Reichel on the 4th line have more skills and hockey IQ than AA.

Bury AA in the bottom 6 or in the press box. He will not help you greatly to win games. He has no future with the Hawks. He is not going to have much trade value.

Hall Bedard TT
Mikheyev D!ckinson Bertuzzi
Foligno Donato Anderson
Maroon Kurashev Reichel

Smith AA

Demote Kurashev. But no need to sit him.

Hall Bedard TT
Mikheyev D!ckinson Bertuzzi
Foligno Donato Anderson
Maroon Kurashev Reichel

Smith AA

Demote Kurashev. But no need to sit him.
- Ztra

From what I understand, Anderson is still sick.

My comments in the last blog were related to Bedard playing center.

They can do whatever they want with Reichel or Kurashev for that matter.

Hall Bedard TT
Mikheyev D!ckinson Bertuzzi
Foligno Donato Anderson
Maroon Kurashev Reichel

Smith AA

Demote Kurashev. But no need to sit him.
- Ztra

We always talk like one mediocre guy is going to make a difference. Let's not forget in 2013 we beat Boston in the SCF's without Duncan Keith who was suspended one game for hitting a guy with his stick. One player here or there simply doesn't matter in the big scheme of things.

New article at the assthletic

What are the NHL’s Top 10 front offices? Here’s how 40 executives voted

Stars

Lightning

Panthers

Golden Knights

Bruins

Avalanche

Devils

Hurricanes

Rangers

Red Wings

Canadiens

Ducks

Blues

Wild

Penguins

Utah HC

Oilers

Jets

Capitals

Flyers

Predators

Canucks

Maple Leafs


Did not receive votes
Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken
Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello won the Jim Gregory Award in back-to-back years in 2020 and 2021, just to highlight how quickly a team can fall in fellow execs’ eyes. The Kings going without a single vote is a surprise, given they’ve had some modest success over the past few years under team president Luc Robitaille and GM Rob Blake. Ditto GM Ron Francis in Seattle, where the Kraken did win a playoff round not long ago.
If the Flames continue their hot start, Craig Conroy might get some praise for his first season as GM. The rest of this no-vote group may have a ways to go before earning some attention around the league.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
15m
Artyom Levshunov said he skated on his fractured foot for about a month this summer before learning it was fractured. That exacerbated the problem, which is why it has taken him a while to come back. But he seemed as happy-go-lucky as always this morning.

Sportsnet's top 2025 prospects, October edition.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...rankings-october-edition/

Top 10 - Hagens, Martone, Scheafer, McQueen, Misa, Ryabkin, Hensler, Frondell, Moore, Spence.

IMO Hawks will finish in the bottom 5, possibly as low as the 7th pick due to the lottery.
- boilermaker100

I haven't viewed this but that certinly cannot be the rankings, right?

On the 2025 Draft front:


I now have adjusted my top two rounds my Lines.com draft board, and there is a top 12 echelon of players and furure #1 goalie Prince George's Joshua Ravensbergen or big RD Blake Fiddler sitting there for the Toronto pick.
(I just am not sure Joshua Ravensbergen lingers to the Maple Leaf first rounder;i guess that wiull depend upon if Toronto winss a lot, advances in the playoffs as that make drop that second first rounder and I am gonna bet someone selects Ravensbergen. Sure there are a trio of other goaltenders one might consider, but they all stand around or less than 6 foot, and the big Swiss goalie is not in my first tier of 'tenders...

Post note:

This draft is unlike the past couple without an undisputed #1 and four players vying for that first overall:

Hagens
Martone
Anton Frondell
and LD defender Matthew Schaefer
Roger McQueen, and Ivan Ryabkin could all go in the top three.

I think at present, big Roger McQueen and Russian Ivan Ryabkin and continually improving and now play top line centre Michael Misa, and Malcolm Spence not in their headlights just yet.
These players are not going to linger.

All year folks ask me who would you put on the hawks draft focus, and instead spending time later I want to have my Hawk draft intentions here so Bamford or someone doesn’t ask me again:

I think the Hawks intentions radically change from the two first round choice with goal after the first round will be to draft players with excellent possible futures but at this juncture, they won’t garner interest since they are far from finished guys, ready to handle the stronger, faster pros.

They will take the best player with the first pick but only one defender will be considered: Schaefer

I don’t think the Blackhawks will win a move-up to #1 or #2, but whenever they pick, I could see the focus go to scorer forward, but I don’t have the Matt Schaefer lad second overall and wonder if that would be the back end scoring punch from a left shot. I don’t if the Blackhawks like him. I do think Hawk brass isl ignorant of the Red Wings’ Axel Sandin-Pellika ascension as a prime candidate as an offensive generator, that smaller offensemen-type.
The type the Hawk team has yet find in the their drafts in the past be their “Makar.”

So I see the Blackhawks easily selecting Matthew Schaefer a defender.

I cannot think the Blackhawks would pass on many of the top of this 2025 class.

I see them identifying another goalie prospect, and not be hesitant to elect him him in that first round, maybe not in the top 8, but if they can get the goalie there, do not hesitate.

They draw the best two prospects with those two first rounders, with no hesitation if there is a goalie there they really adore.

After that first round each Blackhawk pick will of the ling term developmental type, where they like aspects of the player but they know the development path will take time. So they won't necessarilly "reaching" for players after the first round as much as selecting the ones that like that have great potential IF they improve.

Not thinking there will be Chicago picks with short developmental paths, so they will not hesitate after the draft’s big names are selected to take:

Yaroslav Bryzgalov Des Moines - big 200+ winger or

Ben Kevan Des Moines - a L.A. area RC/W speedy and creative, and

Let’s not forget the diminutive 158 lb. Adam Benak, who at 5’ 7” is far too advanced and is simply dangerous and would also be an easy Blackhawk pick by way of Czech Republic. He is a lethal attacker who scores for the Youngstown Phantoms and will be in the NHL. I wouldn’t pass on him.
Bryzgalov isn’t playing soon, but I can see that he will be given a chance to be on a team. His dad was a pretty good West Coast NHL goalie.

But whatever picks are in the wallet after the first round, there will be little interest in moving up, just hold those later picks and look at these players, all on longer developmental tracks and so there is not a problem, taking their scout's favorites, wherever / whenever they next pick is. You work the hunches like when the staff bet on the big RD defender Sammy Rinzel
I guess next couple years that the Sabres get use of Jiří Kulich a future 2nd line utility guy, we hope to have yet another large all around attacker / defenders...

I still think the Axel Sandin-Pellika defenseman is what they lack and I am gonna guess they will keep looking...

I haven't viewed this but that certinly cannot be the rankings, right?

On the 2025 Draft front:


I now have adjusted my top two rounds my Lines.com draft board, and there is a top 12 echelon of players and furure #1 goalie Prince George's Joshua Ravensbergen or big RD Blake Fiddler sitting there for the Toronto pick.
(I just am not sure Joshua Ravensbergen lingers to the Maple Leaf first rounder;i guess that wiull depend upon if Toronto winss a lot, advances in the playoffs as that make drop that second first rounder and I am gonna bet someone selects Ravensbergen. Sure there are a trio of other goaltenders one might consider, but they all stand around or less than 6 foot, and the big Swiss goalie is not in my first tier of 'tenders...

Post note:

This draft is unlike the past couple without an undisputed #1 and four players vying for that first overall:

Hagens
Martone
Anton Frondell
and LD defender Matthew Schaefer
Roger McQueen, and Ivan Ryabkin could all go in the top three.

I think at present, big Roger McQueen and Russian Ivan Ryabkin and continually improving and now play top line centre Michael Misa, and Malcolm Spence not in their headlights just yet.
These players are not going to linger.
.
- wiz1901

Hi Wiz!
Repeating my question from the last blog:
Where would you rank Levshunov,Sennecke,Lindstrom and Demidov in this year's draft? Above or below the Martones,McQueens,Hagens etc..of this year's draft?
Would Levshunov or any of the dmen from the last draft be above or below Schaefer?

@Hockey_Robinson
Hearing Roger McQueen's injury is going to keep him out longer than expected.

It's likely we don't see him until at least December at this point. Could be even longer.

I haven't viewed this but that certinly cannot be the rankings, right?

On the 2025 Draft front:


I now have adjusted my top two rounds my Lines.com draft board, and there is a top 12 echelon of players and furure #1 goalie Prince George's Joshua Ravensbergen or big RD Blake Fiddler sitting there for the Toronto pick.
(I just am not sure Joshua Ravensbergen lingers to the Maple Leaf first rounder;i guess that wiull depend upon if Toronto winss a lot, advances in the playoffs as that make drop that second first rounder and I am gonna bet someone selects Ravensbergen. Sure there are a trio of other goaltenders one might consider, but they all stand around or less than 6 foot, and the big Swiss goalie is not in my first tier of 'tenders...

Post note:

This draft is unlike the past couple without an undisputed #1 and four players vying for that first overall:

Hagens
Martone
Anton Frondell
and LD defender Matthew Schaefer
Roger McQueen, and Ivan Ryabkin could all go in the top three.

I think at present, big Roger McQueen and Russian Ivan Ryabkin and continually improving and now play top line centre Michael Misa, and Malcolm Spence not in their headlights just yet.
These players are not going to linger.

All year folks ask me who would you put on the hawks draft focus, and instead spending time later I want to have my Hawk draft intentions here so Bamford or someone doesn’t ask me again:

I think the Hawks intentions radically change from the two first round choice with goal after the first round will be to draft players with excellent possible futures but at this juncture, they won’t garner interest since they are far from finished guys, ready to handle the stronger, faster pros.

They will take the best player with the first pick but only one defender will be considered: Schaefer

I don’t think the Blackhawks will win a move-up to #1 or #2, but whenever they pick, I could see the focus go to scorer forward, but I don’t have the Matt Schaefer lad second overall and wonder if that would be the back end scoring punch from a left shot. I don’t if the Blackhawks like him. I do think Hawk brass isl ignorant of the Red Wings’ Axel Sandin-Pellika ascension as a prime candidate as an offensive generator, that smaller offensemen-type.
The type the Hawk team has yet find in the their drafts in the past be their “Makar.”

So I see the Blackhawks easily selecting Matthew Schaefer a defender.

I cannot think the Blackhawks would pass on many of the top of this 2025 class.

I see them identifying another goalie prospect, and not be hesitant to elect him him in that first round, maybe not in the top 8, but if they can get the goalie there, do not hesitate.

They draw the best two prospects with those two first rounders, with no hesitation if there is a goalie there they really adore.

After that first round each Blackhawk pick will of the ling term developmental type, where they like aspects of the player but they know the development path will take time. So they won't necessarilly "reaching" for players after the first round as much as selecting the ones that like that have great potential IF they improve.

Not thinking there will be Chicago picks with short developmental paths, so they will not hesitate after the draft’s big names are selected to take:

Yaroslav Bryzgalov Des Moines - big 200+ winger or

Ben Kevan Des Moines - a L.A. area RC/W speedy and creative, and

Let’s not forget the diminutive 158 lb. Adam Benak, who at 5’ 7” is far too advanced and is simply dangerous and would also be an easy Blackhawk pick by way of Czech Republic. He is a lethal attacker who scores for the Youngstown Phantoms and will be in the NHL. I wouldn’t pass on him.
Bryzgalov isn’t playing soon, but I can see that he will be given a chance to be on a team. His dad was a pretty good West Coast NHL goalie.

But whatever picks are in the wallet after the first round, there will be little interest in moving up, just hold those later picks and look at these players, all on longer developmental tracks and so there is not a problem, taking their scout's favorites, wherever / whenever they next pick is. You work the hunches like when the staff bet on the big RD defender Sammy Rinzel
I guess next couple years that the Sabres get use of Jiří Kulich a future 2nd line utility guy, we hope to have yet another large all around attacker / defenders...

I still think the Axel Sandin-Pellika defenseman is what they lack and I am gonna guess they will keep looking...
- wiz1901

Agree that Chicago will likely be looking at longer-term development pieces. Guys like Rinzel, Vanecker, Spellacy, etc. all fit that mold of being projectable players that are far away. If the idea is to continue to have waves of waves of prospects coming up then this makes plenty of sense as a strategy.

I'm of the mindset that the team badly needs to bring in scoring so I'd like to see pure firepower added up front. Thus far, all the advanced fancies indicate that beyond Bedard the team is really struggling with creating any kind of offense up front. Nazar, Moore, Boisvert are nice complementary pieces, but still don't see an easy 65-70+ point player in there yet. Would love to see one added in free agency this offseason, and two of those pure offense-first types drafted in the first round. Then the rest of the roster can be filled in with guys that are toolsy but a ways away.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
15m
Artyom Levshunov said he skated on his fractured foot for about a month this summer before learning it was fractured. That exacerbated the problem, which is why it has taken him a while to come back. But he seemed as happy-go-lucky as always this morning.
- breadbag

More info (he participated in the morning skate):

https://www.bleachernatio...orning-skate-return-near/

New article at the assthletic

What are the NHL’s Top 10 front offices? Here’s how 40 executives voted

Stars

Lightning

Panthers

Golden Knights

Bruins

Avalanche

Devils

Hurricanes

Rangers

Red Wings

Canadiens

Ducks

Blues

Wild

Penguins

Utah HC

Oilers

Jets

Capitals

Flyers

Predators

Canucks

Maple Leafs


Did not receive votes
Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken
Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello won the Jim Gregory Award in back-to-back years in 2020 and 2021, just to highlight how quickly a team can fall in fellow execs’ eyes. The Kings going without a single vote is a surprise, given they’ve had some modest success over the past few years under team president Luc Robitaille and GM Rob Blake. Ditto GM Ron Francis in Seattle, where the Kraken did win a playoff round not long ago.
If the Flames continue their hot start, Craig Conroy might get some praise for his first season as GM. The rest of this no-vote group may have a ways to go before earning some attention around the league.
- captainserious

Means absolutely nothing.

More info (he participated in the morning skate):

https://www.bleachernatio...orning-skate-return-near/
- Chunk

I know the speculation is that he will be sent down, but might be possible he gets a game or more to see him in action since he missed most of camp.

Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers
·
2h
Artyom Levshunov was upbeat, as always. He said he had been on playing on his fractured foot for about a month before it was assessed. He nor Richardson were exactly sure the plan for him once he's activated.

I know the speculation is that he will be sent down, but might be possible he gets a game or more to see him in action since he missed most of camp.

Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers
·
2h
Artyom Levshunov was upbeat, as always. He said he had been on playing on his fractured foot for about a month before it was assessed. He nor Richardson were exactly sure the plan for him once he's activated.
- breadbag

Second line center?

Second line center?

- LAHawk

Well played.

Well played.
- Chunk

The next Dale Tallon

I know the speculation is that he will be sent down, but might be possible he gets a game or more to see him in action since he missed most of camp.

Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers
·
2h
Artyom Levshunov was upbeat, as always. He said he had been on playing on his fractured foot for about a month before it was assessed. He nor Richardson were exactly sure the plan for him once he's activated.
- breadbag

Arty officially assigned to RFD. For those in the Chicago area, they are playing at the Wolves on Nov 17th.

Means absolutely nothing.
- LFS

Doesn't look like KFC is in the club.

Doesn't look like KFC is in the club.
- rpeters01

The CHSN debacle makes the club look like it is run like the Arizona Coyotes (the business side)

Hi Wiz!
Repeating my question from the last blog:
Where would you rank Levshunov,Sennecke,Lindstrom and Demidov in this year's draft? Above or below the Martones,McQueens,Hagens etc..of this year's draft?
Would Levshunov or any of the dmen from the last draft be above or below Schaefer?
- captainserious

Sorry still cleaning here and thus kept adding on to the one Draft post and not sticking around.

Levshunov will always rank high b/c of his size, feet, aggresiveness and offensive potential in a large size container.
Sennecke was a guy who will take longer and he has yet to warrant his early draft spot.
I think (just to keep size guys with sizee 2025 kids) Martones is better than Lindstrom based on smarts, but both have huge upside.

McQueen has got to be considered "similar" to Cayden Lindstrom based on how well he skates shoots andf how aggressive and gigantic he is.
He keeps improving each viewing. He is 6' 5' and some of then best hands in the draft, and I think he ahs like 8 goals 11 points alredy this season in 8 games.
Cayden plasy aggressive but Roger roger is a haevy player whose size let's heim walk around defnders and can beat you lots of ways.

Hagens is a much lighter weight but so skilled so he is off the board early with concerns about that. Demidov to me, is still full of concerns for me.

I simply don't see another defender who climbs up to match the top 8 draftees of 2025 and Matthew Schaefer.

Rd Hensler and giant 6' 6' RD Radin Mrka will go in the top 12 I don't think thee guys, or RD 5'10 Luka Radivojevic are viewed highly as is my fav Blake Fiddler (lower) but Schaefer's play internationally, his two way play and the playing speed he displays is tough to ignore in that ...as I mentioned he is an inch taller thaRed Wing prsopect Axel Sandin Pellikka with a similar smarts and reliability at his size.

So Schaeffer is that tweener category with upside.
No doubt Zayne Parekh could get his name mentioned but Schaeffer can and will be a better defender.

It is tougher to try and take the bigger defensemen taken last year, Carter Yakemchuk or the big Russian Anton Silayev, or Sam Richardinson.

Zeev Buium is not better.

I think this year is going to be a competitive run for first overall and a nice solid offensive players in that top 12 I am hoping the Blackhawks can get.

Hey even if the are super succesful this season, and they pick at 13-16 they can just get that goalie prospect there, and not l;ook back.

I guess I am saying this draft has less impact for Hawk future because they are fat with possibles.

The CHSN debacle makes the club look like it is run like the Arizona Coyotes (the business side)
- LAHawk

It's half assing a digital transformation which is why most of them fail.

They went to market with an unready product (oops) in a model that is no longer relevant (regional sports carriers) so it isn't surprising it's been a poop show.

Going in with Reinsdorf again who is a cheap wiener doesn't help.

If they had a direct to consumer app that could stream games that solves a lot of problems. If they didn't have regional blackouts that would solve a lot of problems.

It's a weird landscape and trying to stand up a new provider in a few months that's supposed to stream and provide digital media, live and archived. They just bit off more than they could chew.

Doesn't really matter because most people are following the Bears because they are fun again and the Hawks will take a back seat until that football season ends.

Sorry still cleaning here and thus kept adding on to the one Draft post and not sticking around.

Levshunov will always rank high b/c of his size, feet, aggresiveness and offensive potential in a large size container.
Sennecke was a guy who will take longer and he has yet to warrant his early draft spot.
I think (just to keep size guys with sizee 2025 kids) Martones is better than Lindstrom based on smarts, but both have huge upside.

McQueen has got to be considered "similar" to Cayden Lindstrom based on how well he skates shoots andf how aggressive and gigantic he is.
He keeps improving each viewing. He is 6' 5' and some of then best hands in the draft, and I think he ahs like 8 goals 11 points alredy this season in 8 games.
Cayden plasy aggressive but Roger roger is a haevy player whose size let's heim walk around defnders and can beat you lots of ways.

Hagens is a much lighter weight but so skilled so he is off the board early with concerns about that. Demidov to me, is still full of concerns for me.

I simply don't see another defender who climbs up to match the top 8 draftees of 2025 and Matthew Schaefer.

Rd Hensler and giant 6' 6' RD Radin Mrka will go in the top 12 I don't think thee guys, or RD 5'10 Luka Radivojevic are viewed highly as is my fav Blake Fiddler (lower) but Schaefer's play internationally, his two way play and the playing speed he displays is tough to ignore in that ...as I mentioned he is an inch taller thaRed Wing prsopect Axel Sandin Pellikka with a similar smarts and reliability at his size.

So Schaeffer is that tweener category with upside.
No doubt Zayne Parekh could get his name mentioned but Schaeffer can and will be a better defender.

It is tougher to try and take the bigger defensemen taken last year, Carter Yakemchuk or the big Russian Anton Silayev, or Sam Richardinson.

Zeev Buium is not better.

I think this year is going to be a competitive run for first overall and a nice solid offensive players in that top 12 I am hoping the Blackhawks can get.

Hey even if the are super succesful this season, and they pick at 13-16 they can just get that goalie prospect there, and not l;ook back.

I guess I am saying this draft has less impact for Hawk future because they are fat with possibles.
- wiz1901

How about McQueen and Fiddler in the first round and call it a day Wiz. Hope all is good by you, the cleanup after the storm never ends.

It's half assing a digital transformation which is why most of them fail.

They went to market with an unready product (oops) in a model that is no longer relevant (regional sports carriers) so it isn't surprising it's been a poop show.

Going in with Reinsdorf again who is a cheap wiener doesn't help.

If they had a direct to consumer app that could stream games that solves a lot of problems. If they didn't have regional blackouts that would solve a lot of problems.

It's a weird landscape and trying to stand up a new provider in a few months that's supposed to stream and provide digital media, live and archived. They just bit off more than they could chew.

Doesn't really matter because most people are following the Bears because they are fun again and the Hawks will take a back seat until that football season ends.
- fattybeef

All valid points -but, they’re making it real easy to become apathetic about this team. I live in the Chicago suburbs and I have both a cable subscription AND streaming subscriptions to most major providers - and yet, I’ve only been able to watch ONE game so far this season. I shouldn’t have to gerry-rig some digital antenna to my house to watch a major sports team in my own metropolitan area.