Zach Jarom: Are The Blackhawks Improving?

1st!


Some news on McDavid

@FriedgeHNIC
Good news as, thankfully, the worst-case scenario is averted with Connor McDavid.

Looking like at least a couple of weeks, but exact timeline TBD.

Been sharing it here and yes, from a metric's standpoint and quality of what you see on the ice, they are a bit better this year over last year.

Been sharing it here and yes, from a metric's standpoint and quality of what you see on the ice, they are a bit better this year over last year.
- breadbag

We've also managed to integrate two more young defense men, Allen and Kaiser. I admit the barre was low with Tinordi and Megna but it has gone fairly well.

Aside from the Vancouver loss, they have competed in every single game. And no way last year's team beats the Avs if the first line is held pointless.

We've also managed to integrate two more young defense men, Allen and Kaiser. I admit the barre was low with Tinordi and Megna but it has gone fairly well.
- rpeters01

I'm a really big fan of Nolan Allan and I think he could eventually be a good shutdown dman, but I'm still on the fence if he is really ready right now. Not saying he has been bad but more that I feel like he is still playing a bit too timid/passive for what I think will make him successful.

He hasn't been too physical so far and I'm just hoping we see him bring it a bit more and become that guy you don't want to battle in the corners. He is still young at just 21, so I think he has room to grow here as a Dman. I just think he might still be a bit green and could shuttle back down if someone in RFD deserves a call up. I'm glad he is playing but I just hope we see him take another step here.

Something interesting from the hockey news.

https://thehockeynews.com...er-is-prized-trade-target

"A guy who I think people would take a look at and think, 'does this make sense at all?' would be a guy like Connor Murphy," Friedman revealed to the host. "Last year, there were a lot of teams that were interested in Murphy."

Something interesting from the hockey news.

https://thehockeynews.com...er-is-prized-trade-target

"A guy who I think people would take a look at and think, 'does this make sense at all?' would be a guy like Connor Murphy," Friedman revealed to the host. "Last year, there were a lot of teams that were interested in Murphy."
- breadbag

Stan Bowman and the Oilers will surely be lining up.

I'm a really big fan of Nolan Allan and I think he could eventually be a good shutdown dman, but I'm still on the fence if he is really ready right now. Not saying he has been bad but more that I feel like he is still playing a bit too timid/passive for what I think will make him successful.

He hasn't been too physical so far and I'm just hoping we see him bring it a bit more and become that guy you don't want to battle in the corners. He is still young at just 21, so I think he has room to grow here as a Dman. I just think he might still be a bit green and could shuttle back down if someone in RFD deserves a call up. I'm glad he is playing but I just hope we see him take another step here.
- breadbag

After seeing him in WHL I was thinking he would require two full years in Rockford to really be ready. He is getting some good experience now, but I have to agree that some more AHL time would probably generate some significant improvement.

Something interesting from the hockey news.

https://thehockeynews.com...er-is-prized-trade-target

"A guy who I think people would take a look at and think, 'does this make sense at all?' would be a guy like Connor Murphy," Friedman revealed to the host. "Last year, there were a lot of teams that were interested in Murphy."
- breadbag

I think they will wait a year on Murphy, left side is still too raw, unless Arty shows so much improvement in Rockford.

Regarding Allan all the fancies are saying he's holding more than his own except when paired with Brodie.

Nice work on the blog post, Zach.......

Perfect thread to add some numbers from Second City Hockey that looks at exactly the same thing Zach is asking. Are the Hawks better this yr thru 10 games? ... Copy and paste from the last thread.

Ran across a really helpful crunching of the numbers over the first ten games this yr and last at Second City that shows the Hawks are demonstrably better than last yr. Your eyes are correct, really since Game 1 in the preseason, that this yr is a much better team. ......... The 2nd graph is the one to see.

https://www.secondcityhoc...khawks-games-this-season/

Something interesting from the hockey news.

https://thehockeynews.com...er-is-prized-trade-target

"A guy who I think people would take a look at and think, 'does this make sense at all?' would be a guy like Connor Murphy," Friedman revealed to the host. "Last year, there were a lot of teams that were interested in Murphy."
- breadbag

I wouldn’t trade Murphy unless a young center is the return.

I wouldn’t trade Murphy unless a young center is the return.
- LAHawk

Is RNH too old? The Oil sure could use some help on D.

Is RNH too old? The Oil sure could use some help on D.
- Dieselhead

31 years old
5 more years left at 5.125mil

I guess the question is - will Kyle send Murphy and Martinez packing at or before the deadline? Just one of them?
Keep checking to see the Blackhawks could trade for. The Islanders roster is not that good and not young. Maybe a prospect+1st round pick(Toronto's) + a future 1st round pick could be enough for Barzal?

I've seen places mentioning Zegras might be on the block,not sure Anaheim would trade in conference

Pope has a not too complimentary article about Brodie's play thus far.

https://chicago.suntimes....n-allan-alec-martinez-nhl

I wouldn’t trade Murphy unless a young center is the return.
- LAHawk

A center that might be available is Morgan frost depends if Philly thinks he is part of the future or not.
Lundwiski and 2nd and 5th. Frost fills that 2nd line young center that Davidson is looking for. I m sure there looking and other players are being looked at.

Pope has a not too complimentary article about Brodie's play thus far.

https://chicago.suntimes....n-allan-alec-martinez-nhl
- LAHawk

When Martinez comes back maybe they sit Brodie, which I'm fine with, but then you have , Jones and Martinez, Murphy and Vlasic, Allan and Kaiser? I don't know if i want Allan playing his off side or even Kaiser.

When Martinez comes back maybe they sit Brodie, which I'm fine with, but then you have , Jones and Martinez, Murphy and Vlasic, Allan and Kaiser? I don't know if i want Allan playing his off side or even Kaiser.
- BetweenTheDots

Martinez can play the right side, just insert him in for Brodie, everything else stays the same. Or they send Allen down for more playing time, and your third pair is Brodie/Martinez, with Phillips getting NHL service time for his pension.

When Martinez comes back maybe they sit Brodie, which I'm fine with, but then you have , Jones and Martinez, Murphy and Vlasic, Allan and Kaiser? I don't know if i want Allan playing his off side or even Kaiser.
- BetweenTheDots

That’s why you keep drafting right shot defensemen if there’s an opportunity and they’re up on your board, you can never have enough of them in the system. Another reason why Murphy has more value than many on this board think, not only because he’s a right shot, but he’s also reliable defensively. Not a coincidence that Vlasic and Murphy make a good shutdown pair.

Dominic James and Ryan Greene are both off to very good starts in the college seasons.

Outside of statistics, I know very little about them. Are they considered top/middle/bottom of the lineup guys? What are the pertinent parts of their games?

Dominic James and Ryan Greene are both off to very good starts in the college seasons.

Outside of statistics, I know very little about them. Are they considered top/middle/bottom of the lineup guys? What are the pertinent parts of their games?
- Chunk

While watching the frozen four i remember the announcers raving about Greene's all around hockey game and how fortunate the Blackhawks are to have drafted him.

Dominic James and Ryan Greene are both off to very good starts in the college seasons.

Outside of statistics, I know very little about them. Are they considered top/middle/bottom of the lineup guys? What are the pertinent parts of their games?
- Chunk

I am curious about James also, don't know much about how he plays, but he hasn't been a PPG anywhere until now. Seems like a bottom 6 guy, active and good defensively. Was wondering if they have a spot for him with all the other prospects coming (as he is already 22 yo).

He had a shoulder injury (from taking a faceoff) last fall and hardly played.

https://www.wdio.com/spor...ed-to-miss-entire-season/

If he made a big jump this year maybe there is a spot in ROC. Might take Guttman's spot if he is not tendered.

That’s why you keep drafting right shot defensemen if there’s an opportunity and they’re up on your board, you can never have enough of them in the system. Another reason why Murphy has more value than many on this board think, not only because he’s a right shot, but he’s also reliable defensively. Not a coincidence that Vlasic and Murphy make a good shutdown pair.
- Angotti

They need forwards with scoring skills

They need forwards with scoring skills
- LFS

When i look at many of the prospects they've drafted, they are building a pain in the ass team to play against.

Considering there is so many of them i imagine some of them will be able to score as well.

I remember watching a hockey show on espn, they asked Barry Melrose who is the best team in the NHL he said the Blackhawks hands down. Why? No matter where the puck is you see 5 Blackhawks in the picture, always.

They need forwards with scoring skills
- LFS

Lardis seems to have the highest likelihood to be that guy at the moment. Nazar is showing well in that regard also. We'll see what guys like Boisvert, Kantserov, Hayes, James and Greene end up being.