Will be interesting to see if Korchinski goes to Rockford. I was thinking that they got some better vets so they could keep him up and he would have a reliable partner. So he plays in CHI maybe 3rd pair and gets less minutes and more instruction, or he goes to ROC and plays big minutes, all situations. If in CHI:

Vlasic - Jones
Brodie - Murphy
Korchinski - Martinez
Kaiser

Kaiser subs in regularly and gets a chance to earn a regular spot after the deadline or next year.

As I am typing this, I think I'm talking myself into the ROC with big minutes option. Who would run PP1 in ROC then - Korchinski or Levshunov?
- totem

How bout both Artie and KK on the #1 PP at RKF?....... Going into last yr my hope was the Hawks did no harm. Don't rush or overwhelm any prospects and at the top of my worry list was KK.

No way did I think he was ready for the Bigs and really, he wasn't. Then pair him with the very bottom of the Dmen on the roster and there was legit concern about the 19/20 yr old.

In a worst case scenario for KK IIRC he was in the top quartile in the league denying entries and held is own as well as can be expected in most areas. Of course he needs work and physical maturity, and he was sheltered as best as possible, but the kid did show some moxie. ... Him not being ready for the Bigs paired with Megna types taht pairing could have easily been caved 3-4-5 shifts a game but somehow it wasn't on most nights.

If it were up to me he starts at RKF, and I think the Hawks are thinking the same thing by adding 2 legit vets on defense........ Kaiser will have an NHL career, Phillips will too, somewhere and as much as a fan as I am of both Kaiser and Phillips what matters is KK.

I hope any decisions on where KK plays next yr has nothing to do with Kaiser, or any other Dman, vet or prospect,. Kid has a chance to be a difference maker at the NHL level to some degree and with his high ceiling I expect it will be an organIzational decision on what's best for KK, RKF or the Bigs.

How bout both Artie and KK on the #1 PP at RKF?....... Going into last yr my hope was the Hawks did no harm. Don't rush or overwhelm any prospects and at the top of my worry list was KK.

No way did I think he was ready for the Bigs and really, he wasn't. Then pair him with the very bottom of the Dmen on the roster and there was legit concern about the 19/20 yr old.

In a worst case scenario for KK IIRC he was in the top quartile in the league denying entries and held is own as well as can be expected in most areas. Of course he needs work and physical maturity, and he was sheltered as best as possible, but the kid did show some moxie. ... Him not being ready for the Bigs paired with Megna types taht pairing could have easily been caved 3-4-5 shifts a game but somehow it wasn't on most nights.

If it were up to me he starts at RKF, and I think the Hawks are thinking the same thing by adding 2 legit vets on defense........ Kaiser will have an NHL career, Phillips will too, somewhere and as much as a fan as I am of both Kaiser and Phillips what matters is KK.

I hope any decisions on where KK plays next yr has nothing to do with Kaiser, or any other Dman, vet or prospect,. Kid has a chance to be a difference maker at the NHL level to some degree and with his high ceiling I expect it will be an organIzational decision on what's best for KK, RKF or the Bigs.
- Mr Ricochet

It will be interesting to see what they do with KK. The thing that impressed me about KK the most was his ability to just never get blown up. There were times where i could see a play develop and thought uh oh here it comes but with his incredible athletic ability, the ability to process what's just about to happen and make a play without getting lit up all in a split second is really impressive.

There's an argument to be made that he should play in Rockford, but then again as the NHL season went on, he might of had a bad game or 2 at the end of the season but i for one thought he actually improved as the season went on.

In sports I've always been really impressed by athletes in hockey and football that rarely if ever took big hits. The ability to process things in fractions of a second and apply it is truly amazing. Just like baseball players standing in that batters box facing 90+ fastballs, with a mix of off speed pitches.

Definitely looking forward to the hockey season.

All this talk about KK, but what if, just what if Arty is the real deal, boy would that mess everything up? 😁

I do think they brought the vets in for stability, but i think it's designed more so to give the kids an actual compitent defensive partner.

I'm curious how they are going to handle Phillips, does he start the season as the 3rd defensive pairing?

All this talk about KK, but what if, just what if Arty is the real deal, boy would that mess everything up? 😁

I do think they brought the vets in for stability, but i think it's designed more so to give the kids an actual compitent defensive partner.

I'm curious how they are going to handle Phillips, does he start the season as the 3rd defensive pairing?
- BetweenTheDots

Phillips has a golden opportunity but he has to step up. Kaiser and Phillips is the two who should stick and they should have at least half of a season before possibly KK or others from Rockford would realistically have a modest half season of development to impress for even a cup of coffee. Both Crevier and Leveshunov really should remain for a full season or three fourth of a season in the AHL. Maybe at some point after the trade deadline one of them might be recalled and given a few games - even rotated in through the end of season. Actually though it is probably best for their development to spend the entire campaign as Icehogs save a cup of coffee or up to the big show on injury recall

Phillips has a golden opportunity but he has to step up. Kaiser and Phillips is the two who should stick and they should have at least half of a season before possibly KK or others from Rockford would realistically have a modest half season of development to impress for even a cup of coffee. Both Crevier and Leveshunov really should remain for a full season or three fourth of a season in the AHL. Maybe at some point after the trade deadline one of them might be recalled and given a few games - even rotated in through the end of season. Actually though it is probably best for their development to spend the entire campaign as Icehogs save a cup of coffee or up to the big show on injury recall
- jhawk59

I want to add this to the discussion: Oldet dmen Brodie, Martinez and Murphy have a checkered past meaning that injuries have befallen them. So Kaiser and Phillips could get some ice if any of those three is hurt

All this talk about KK, but what if, just what if Arty is the real deal, boy would that mess everything up? 😁

I do think they brought the vets in for stability, but i think it's designed more so to give the kids an actual compitent defensive partner.

I'm curious how they are going to handle Phillips, does he start the season as the 3rd defensive pairing?
- BetweenTheDots

Phillips is waiver eligible so unless the Hawks decide to pick up another vet to serve as the 7th defenseman, IMO Phillips will serve in that roll. The competition is between Kaiser and KK as to who plays with Murphy to start the season., barring any training camp injuries.

Yahoo! has their predictions for the upcoming season (for their fantasy hockey site):

Bedard - 31G and 53A
Hall - 22 & 31
Bertuzzi - 20 & 23
TT - 20 & 29
Jones - 10 & 35
Kurashev - 16 & 35

Brossoit - 15 wins, 3.21 GAA
Mrazek - 14 wins, 4.19 GAA

I think they're undervaluing Bertuzzi and TT a bit. I expect Mrazek to be in the 20-25 win range with a GAA of just under 3. Brossot should have a similar GAA but fewer wins, but that could change based on how playing time is allocated.

Phillips is waiver eligible so unless the Hawks decide to pick up another vet to serve as the 7th defenseman, IMO Phillips will serve in that roll. The competition is between Kaiser and KK as to who plays with Murphy to start the season., barring any training camp injuries.
- LAHawk

I don't think the Hawks are worried about losing Phillips on waivers, I doubt any team would claim him, especially to start the season.

I am curious to see how Martinez and Brodie are used. I could see them being the 3rd pair, or maybe one of them is the 7th d-man. I think the young d-men will really have to earn a spot this year. I think KK will and Kaiser may have a shot too.

Vlasic - Jones
KK - Murphy
Kaiser - Brodie
Martinez

Yahoo! has their predictions for the upcoming season (for their fantasy hockey site):

Bedard - 31G and 53A
Hall - 22 & 31
Bertuzzi - 20 & 23
TT - 20 & 29
Jones - 10 & 35
Kurashev - 16 & 35

Brossoit - 15 wins, 3.21 GAA
Mrazek - 14 wins, 4.19 GAA

I think they're undervaluing Bertuzzi and TT a bit.
- DarthKane

I think that the UFA adds in this round, have added players who who are much more able to get the puck to Bedsy, when he squirts himself open, something most of his past wingers were unable to do consistently.

I question the timing of this deal. Did Stan really need to sign Draisaitl now? He could have waited and got him for cheaper.
- DarthKane

I think one of the interesting things to look at is he'll be 29 this October and 30 at the beginning of next season when this deal kicks in.

Ze German is a tremendous hockey player who has taken a beating in the playoffs the past few years. There are a lot of miles.

Something similar to the Matthews contract would have been more prudent. Or if they wanted him for the full 8 there should have been a discount. I don't think he will age like Ovechkin.

It's kind of funny to say Stan being Stan but that's the reality of the situation. Letting the player walk and then retooling with better depth around McDavid wouldn't have been the end of the world.

I don't think the Hawks are worried about losing Phillips on waivers, I doubt any team would claim him, especially to start the season.

I am curious to see how Martinez and Brodie are used. I could see them being the 3rd pair, or maybe one of them is the 7th d-man. I think the young d-men will really have to earn a spot this year. I think KK will and Kaiser may have a shot too.

Vlasic - Jones
KK - Murphy
Kaiser - Brodie
Martinez
- DarthKane

Will be interesting to see how Richardson manages the roster/roster decisions. Is he now under pressure to improve the win/loss record?

I think one of the interesting things to look at is he'll be 29 this October and 30 at the beginning of next season when this deal kicks in.

Ze German is a tremendous hockey player who has taken a beating in the playoffs the past few years. There are a lot of miles.

Something similar to the Matthews contract would have been more prudent. Or if they wanted him for the full 8 there should have been a discount. I don't think he will age like Ovechkin.

It's kind of funny to say Stan being Stan but that's the reality of the situation. Letting the player walk and then retooling with better depth around McDavid wouldn't have been the end of the world.
- fattybeef

So you think Stan made the decision by himself?, Or that Stan's boss Jeff Jackson (who as opposed to McDonough actually has hockey chops/player agent experience) signed off on the deal?

Yahoo! has their predictions for the upcoming season (for their fantasy hockey site):

Bedard - 31G and 53A
Hall - 22 & 31
Bertuzzi - 20 & 23
TT - 20 & 29
Jones - 10 & 35
Kurashev - 16 & 35

Brossoit - 15 wins, 3.21 GAA
Mrazek - 14 wins, 4.19 GAA

I think they're undervaluing Bertuzzi and TT a bit. I expect Mrazek to be in the 20-25 win range with a GAA of just under 3. Brossot should have a similar GAA but fewer wins, but that could change based on how playing time is allocated.
- DarthKane

The Broissoit and Mrazek wins seem light to me also. Maybe they are factoring in injuries? Anyway, 29 total wins = 58 points plus 8 or so for OTL total 66 points. I think they'll finish with a bit more than that.

Also if Hall is having that good of a season, he's gone at the TDL.

Respectfully to Pronman and Zawalski, you saw Nazar play with the Hawks. What did you think, Fatty? I doubt they can evaluate any better than you can and especially Hawk property as you watch them much more than Pronman. ...... I saw a kid who was bursting with IQ. I've seen his skill/speed since his NTDP days, WJC's and at U of MI but until he played with the Hawks had no idea his IQ was so high.

Really pumped about this kid after his couple games with the Hawks. In 3-4 yrs paired with Bedard and a legit power type forward, look out.
- Mr Ricochet

It's not a direct comparable so please keep that in mind but I was very high on Panarin when he came to the hawks because of the way he attacked the middle of the ice in the Russian highlights.

I think that the way Nazar attacks the middle of the ice but is also willing to take a little bit of a beating and dig in the corners - that he will be a Brayden Point type of tenacious play driver. Point forechecks like an animal, carries the puck in at an elite level, and has excellent vision. Nazar's skillset and play in college and internationally fit that description and the kid had zero fear in those 3 games.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was so effective in the preseason that they were compelled to give him a spot and offload someone like Donato sooner rather than later to slide other guys down the line up.

With either Bertuzzi or Hall making space for him and banging in sitters he will probably end up with 45ish points. Maybe more depending on how power play time shakes out.

It will be interesting to see what they do with KK. The thing that impressed me about KK the most was his ability to just never get blown up. There were times where i could see a play develop and thought uh oh here it comes but with his incredible athletic ability, the ability to process what's just about to happen and make a play without getting lit up all in a split second is really impressive.

There's an argument to be made that he should play in Rockford, but then again as the NHL season went on, he might of had a bad game or 2 at the end of the season but i for one thought he actually improved as the season went on.

In sports I've always been really impressed by athletes in hockey and football that rarely if ever took big hits. The ability to process things in fractions of a second and apply it is truly amazing. Just like baseball players standing in that batters box facing 90+ fastballs, with a mix of off speed pitches.

Definitely looking forward to the hockey season.
- BetweenTheDots

This applies to Jones and Vlasic as well - Having forwards who are competent and that have enough skill to advance the puck into the other teams zone and keep it there will make some of these players look quite a bit better.

All this talk about KK, but what if, just what if Arty is the real deal, boy would that mess everything up? 😁

I do think they brought the vets in for stability, but i think it's designed more so to give the kids an actual compitent defensive partner.

I'm curious how they are going to handle Phillips, does he start the season as the 3rd defensive pairing?
- BetweenTheDots

Doesn't mess anything up. Just means that Martinez, Murphy and Brodie will be on a rotation that is more conducive to keeping them fresh and healthy given their age and injury histories.

I think one of the interesting things to look at is he'll be 29 this October and 30 at the beginning of next season when this deal kicks in.

Ze German is a tremendous hockey player who has taken a beating in the playoffs the past few years. There are a lot of miles.

Something similar to the Matthews contract would have been more prudent. Or if they wanted him for the full 8 there should have been a discount. I don't think he will age like Ovechkin.

It's kind of funny to say Stan being Stan but that's the reality of the situation. Letting the player walk and then retooling with better depth around McDavid wouldn't have been the end of the world.
- fattybeef

Stan is doing Stan things - max $$, max term, and full NMC. I'm sure he'll re-sign McDavid with a similar approach and the Oilers will have 1/3 of their cap allocated to two players.

I was listening to the CHGO podcast yesterday and one of the hosts (Greg) raised a possible scenario for the Oilers in the summer of 2025. Assuming he doesn't file for arbitration, there's a possibility that Bouchard gets an offer sheet. KD would need to re-acquire his 2025 3rd round pick if they were to make an offer between $4.580 million and $11.452 million. The Canes currently hold Chicago's 2025 3rd round pick (traded to draft Jack Pridham in 2024).

Kubalik returns o Europe after 5 seasons in the NHL, he’s signed with a club in the Swiss league.

I don’t think KK plays a single game in Rockford. He’ll likely play 3rd pairing minute with some nights off here and there. I don’t think KK will learn more in the AHL vs the NHL.
- DarthKane

The competition in the AHL would slow his game down.

I question the timing of this deal. Did Stan really need to sign Draisaitl now? He could have waited and got him for cheaper.
- DarthKane

Steve from Glencoe?

Phillips has a golden opportunity but he has to step up. Kaiser and Phillips is the two who should stick and they should have at least half of a season before possibly KK or others from Rockford would realistically have a modest half season of development to impress for even a cup of coffee. Both Crevier and Leveshunov really should remain for a full season or three fourth of a season in the AHL. Maybe at some point after the trade deadline one of them might be recalled and given a few games - even rotated in through the end of season. Actually though it is probably best for their development to spend the entire campaign as Icehogs save a cup of coffee or up to the big show on injury recall
- jhawk59

KD couldn't care less about these other guys vs. KK.

Kubalik returns o Europe after 5 seasons in the NHL, he’s signed with a club in the Swiss league.
- DarthKane

Guess Stan wouldn't give him a full NMC.

The competition in the AHL would slow his game down.
- rpeters01

Did it slow or hinder Vlasic's development ?

So you think Stan made the decision by himself?, Or that Stan's boss Jeff Jackson (who as opposed to McDonough actually has hockey chops/player agent experience) signed off on the deal?
- LAHawk

Certainly could have been the owner saying make this deal happen no matter what.

Just funny it's the same guy with his name on the same kind of stuff.

Certainly could have been the owner saying make this deal happen no matter what.

Just funny it's the same guy with his name on the same kind of stuff.
- fattybeef

The alternatives? Let him walk for nothing, or trade him where you would never get fair value back?