Feel like Reichel has been a bit better tonight.

Feel like Reichel has been a bit better tonight.
- breadbag

Healthy scratch against Utah.

Feel like Reichel has been a bit better tonight.
- breadbag

All i see is a guy who skates in circles, even when a defenceman has the puck he just kind of watches and glides in the direction he's in, not adjusting his route to give the dman a passing lane. Zero anticipation to his game without the puck.

And his quick little no look pass is very irritating

Maroon's your heavy on this season's team -for use in games against teams that play that way ... not going to waive him for that reason alone.

Nothing wrong with Brodie, 5,6,7 can alternate - no need not too - the deal being to develop a more cohesive corps playing together unless someone ends up standing out like a sore thumb in the AHL. Just my take, though.

This must be a really bad St. Louis team they threw out there if Sanford scored.

This must be a really bad St. Louis team they threw out there if Sanford scored.
- bjphawkfan

On the bright side I liked seeing Dach go to front of net and score

All i see is a guy who skates in circles, even when a defenceman has the puck he just kind of watches and glides in the direction he's in, not adjusting his route to give the dman a passing lane. Zero anticipation to his game without the puck.

And his quick little no look pass is very irritating
- BetweenTheDots

We will see what happens with him but at least tonight had some positive signs.

Via Ben Pope on Twitter.
Richardson on Reichel: "We might not be happy with and totally convinced with his total camp, but I think tonight was his best showing. That’s what we asked of him. So we've got to be happy with that, and we’ll see where that leads us on Monday and Tuesday."

Yes, but I’m also seeing that chemistry between Kurashev and Bedard, until they find another wing that can be more productive with Bedard, I’d keep those two together. That will leave two of Hall, Bertuzzi, and Teuvo for the second line, which will balance the scoring a bit.
- Angotti

Why can't you have Hall Bedard and Kurashev on the 1st line?

I really like the 3rd line of Foligno, D!ckinson, and Anderson. But why not try D!ckinson as 2C. Bertuzzi, D!ckinson and TT.

All i see is a guy who skates in circles, even when a defenceman has the puck he just kind of watches and glides in the direction he's in, not adjusting his route to give the dman a passing lane. Zero anticipation to his game without the puck.

And his quick little no look pass is very irritating
- BetweenTheDots

It looks like he is thinking too much. Just play on your instincts and reactions. Let loose.

Why can't you have Hall Bedard and Kurashev on the 1st line?

I really like the 3rd line of Foligno, D!ckinson, and Anderson. But why not try D!ckinson as 2C. Bertuzzi, D!ckinson and TT.
- Ztra

That works for me, that’s why I stated the remaining two of the aforementioned will be on the second line, it will give them more balanced scoring. They’ll be in more games this year, more watchable, but still picking top seven or so. An old Brodie and Martinez are still better than Tinordi and Megna, as long as they don’t get overworked.

We will see what happens with him but at least tonight had some positive signs.

Via Ben Pope on Twitter.
Richardson on Reichel: "We might not be happy with and totally convinced with his total camp, but I think tonight was his best showing. That’s what we asked of him. So we've got to be happy with that, and we’ll see where that leads us on Monday and Tuesday."
- breadbag

Even though I'm not thrilled how he's playing right now I hope they give him minutes and games to develop in the NHL. I wasn't a big fan of Kurashev but over time he's developing into a nice hockey player.

Why not try TT as the 2nd line center? He was drafted as a center. I just think with their chemistry, Bedard and Kurashev need to play together. Stick Reichel with them, give the kid a chance to have success. If Reichel cannot play with our 2 most skilled players, then cut him loose. Think a damn good 2nd line is TT centering Hall and Bertuzzi. Love Richardinson as the 3rd line shutdown center with Foligno and Anderson or 95. As for the 4th line, mix and match between Smith, Donato, Athanasiou, and Maroon.

Why not try TT as the 2nd line center? He was drafted as a center. I just think with their chemistry, Bedard and Kurashev need to play together. Stick Reichel with them, give the kid a chance to have success. If Reichel cannot play with our 2 most skilled players, then cut him loose. Think a damn good 2nd line is TT centering Hall and Bertuzzi. Love Richardinson as the 3rd line shutdown center with Foligno and Anderson or 95. As for the 4th line, mix and match between Smith, Donato, Athanasiou, and Maroon.
- ChicagoHope

Reichel with Bedard and Kurashev? Who would be able to win a board battle? All 3 would be allergic in their own zone too. I would rather see Mikhalev with the 2.

Reichel with Bedard and Kurashev? Who would be able to win a board battle? All 3 would be allergic in their own zone too. I would rather see Mikhalev with the 2.
- LAHawk

I would like to see them just stick Reichel on Di ckinsons line and just let Jason be his coach on the ice. He looks very tentative out there. I think its at a point that the coaches need to shut up and give the kid a line he knows he will be on every night and Jason will mentor him during shifts and between shifts.

Reichel with Bedard and Kurashev? Who would be able to win a board battle? All 3 would be allergic in their own zone too. I would rather see Mikhalev with the 2.
- LAHawk

I do think that's probably the concern with Bedard/Kurashev playing together, they struggled in the defensive end last year, even with a decent 2 way player on their line. (Both in the NHL top 10 total goals against while they are on the ice at 5 on 5.)

It's clearly been on the mind of the GM and the coach as they went out and got other wingers to play top line and moved Kurashev to another line.

With a talented offensive player like Bedard, should he need a guy like Kurashev to be successful? Or should he be able to produce with solid vet wingers who have a more complete game?

The Hawks need that Bedard line to be closer to (ideally above) 50% GF/GA at 5 on 5 to become an actual competitive team, because the other lines don't have the offense to make up the difference. By the numbers, Bedard and Kurashev offensive production together at 5 on 5 wasn't even that great compared to top offensive players. I hope they keep them separate for now, let them maybe link up on the PP if the first unit needs a shake up.

Today the Bears have a better likelihood to win against a team from Carolina than the Blackhawks do any time soon against a team from Carolina

When you think how sweet to beat Carolina at least I draw a connection to Neil Diamond and his famous song “Sweet Caroline.” I enjoyed his singing at Nrw Year’s countdown only a few years ago including in Chicago then he announced he had Parkinson Disease. Just a week or so ago his wife said that she would give her final goodbye to her husband….meaning Neil Diamond is in bad shape and an icon will suffer badly and pass maybe soon.

Today the Bears have a better likelihood to win against a team from Carolina than the Blackhawks do any time soon against a team from Carolina

When you think how sweet to beat Carolina at least I draw a connection to Neil Diamond and his famous song “Sweet Caroline.” I enjoyed his singing at Nrw Year’s countdown only a few years ago including in Chicago then he announced he had Parkinson Disease. Just a week or so ago his wife said that she would give her final goodbye to her husband….meaning Neil Diamond is in bad shape and an icon will suffer badly and pass maybe soon.
- jhawk59

Not so far, typical Flus, they are never ready to play.

Drafted the wrong QB...........again

Not so far, typical Flus, they are never ready to play.

Drafted the wrong QB...........again
- vabeachbear

The wrong QB drafted recently and somewhat surprisingly has performed well - for the Pittsburgh Steelers

Our current rookie QB is a higher draft and has more upside at least in his passing game.

Yet Bears do seem bedeviled often by poor trades, poor play calling but not yet going to say C Williams was a mistake. Consensus choice to (was) choosen first overall

I do think that's probably the concern with Bedard/Kurashev playing together, they struggled in the defensive end last year, even with a decent 2 way player on their line. (Both in the NHL top 10 total goals against while they are on the ice at 5 on 5.)

It's clearly been on the mind of the GM and the coach as they went out and got other wingers to play top line and moved Kurashev to another line.

With a talented offensive player like Bedard, should he need a guy like Kurashev to be successful? Or should he be able to produce with solid vet wingers who have a more complete game?

The Hawks need that Bedard line to be closer to (ideally above) 50% GF/GA at 5 on 5 to become an actual competitive team, because the other lines don't have the offense to make up the difference. By the numbers, Bedard and Kurashev offensive production together at 5 on 5 wasn't even that great compared to top offensive players. I hope they keep them separate for now, let them maybe link up on the PP if the first unit needs a shake up.
- breadbag

Nazar success as L2 center would help the offense but Bedard needs someone and I fear Kurashev will never develop as a top point producer - a middling producer most likely. I am premature but really would like Hayes recalled and put with Bedard - later in season possibly? Please

Nazar success as L2 center would help the offense but Bedard needs someone and I fear Kurashev will never develop as a top point producer - a middling producer most likely. I am premature but really would like Hayes recalled and put with Bedard - later in season possibly? Please
- jhawk59

What has Hayes shown - at all - to make you think he is ready for the NHL?

Why not try TT as the 2nd line center? He was drafted as a center. I just think with their chemistry, Bedard and Kurashev need to play together. Stick Reichel with them, give the kid a chance to have success. If Reichel cannot play with our 2 most skilled players, then cut him loose. Think a damn good 2nd line is TT centering Hall and Bertuzzi. Love Richardinson as the 3rd line shutdown center with Foligno and Anderson or 95. As for the 4th line, mix and match between Smith, Donato, Athanasiou, and Maroon.
- ChicagoHope

Yeah, I agree with LA, can’t have Reichel with Bedard and Kurashev. I do agree that Reichel needs to play and play with some talent, so play him on the second line with a combination of TT, Bertuzzi/Mikheyev and give him 20 games to sink or swim.

What has Hayes shown - at all - to make you think he is ready for the NHL?
- Chunk

He has a scouting report which says he has a good shot and is able to receive and unload fast at speed. He is the only goal scorer I see who is playing pro and the only realistic help Hayes is well rounded offensive player who has improved his game each of last two seasons. If after a weak offense continues past Christmas maybe KD will be looking at Hayes performance in the AHL and whether a recall might be a good idea

He has a scouting report which says he has a good shot and is able to receive and unload fast at speed. He is the only goal scorer I see who is playing pro and the only realistic help Hayes is well rounded offensive player who has improved his game each of last two seasons. If after a weak offense continues past Christmas maybe KD will be looking at Hayes performance in the AHL and whether a recall might be a good idea
- jhawk59

Hayes hasn’t played one game as a pro. If he was close to making the NHL, he wouldn’t of been one of the first cuts in camp

Phillips on waivers

If claimed or sent down, roster at 22, as everyone else assigned to Rockford previously is still assigned

Nazar success as L2 center would help the offense but Bedard needs someone and I fear Kurashev will never develop as a top point producer - a middling producer most likely. I am premature but really would like Hayes recalled and put with Bedard - later in season possibly? Please
- jhawk59

I think Kurashev will not be a top point producer. He has good instincts and a nose for putting the puck in the net, but likely he is second line on a decent team and 3rd line on a contender. He can move up and down the forward lines and contribute, but not a star that drives things. I don't know about Hayes just yet, maybe in time, but still seems a bit green IMO. I think this year will clear the picture of some of the prospects moving up the system as they have more playing pro hockey.