His path is likely to include a drive up I-90.

I kid, I kid.
- Chunk

He’ll never clear waivers if sent down, give him an opportunity of a quarter to half season, then decide to either keep him or trade him. Playing Smith and AA vs Reichel makes no sense to me, as both of those guys will not be here next year.

Read today that Martinez is out tonight and Allen is in. I believe Martunez has an injury. And Rickford plays next on Friday
- jhawk59

Based on the morning skate, Kaiser is with Brodie, and Allan with Murphy, which means *checks math* Vlasic and Jones are back together.

He’ll never clear waivers if sent down, give him an opportunity of a quarter to half season, then decide to either keep him or trade him. Playing Smith and AA vs Reichel makes no sense to me, as both of those guys will not be here next year.
- Angotti

According to the preseason play and results, it certainly makes sense. LR needs to win games this year and he didn't think he could trust Reichel to play the way he needs to. Interesting that LR admitted Riechel has played better at wing, but this was the opportunity that was available to him.

I forgot what a smart hockey player he is, Bowman was a moron
- BetweenTheDots

He needed a change of scenery. It wasn't going to happen here for him. What sucked is that he was the sweetener for Bickell's contract. Would have been nice to get some kind of value for him, other than freeing up cap space.

Good to be seen......

Hope you're doing well.

I just like this direction. How many years did we all question rushing young guys up who werent ready? Could KK still be up here and playing top 4 minutes? 100% but for his LONG HAUL development best to put him down in the AHL, tweak his game, play in a lot of different situations and hopefully push his ceiling even higher as a pro.

I also like they have most guys slotted where they should be vs just throwing guys out there. making them earn their ice time vs just handing it to them, and again...making the young guys prove they are ready vs rushing them.

I hope Reichel FINALLY hits his stride. I really do but when he gets his chance in the lineup (guessing tonight), I hope he takes the opportunity and runs with it. Makes himself visible in a good way and builds up some confidence because at what point does he become a Marty St Pierre where he can produce in the AHL but not in the NHL? That's where his value as a trade chip has to be watched very closely by hockey ops so they don't end up holding on to him too long with little value instead of trading him off earlier IF they feel his ceiling will never get higher.

Be nice to win a few on this homestand and see what this team can do with some confidence and a more veteran room with the RIGHT veterans speaking...
- SteveRain

This is a really good point that I agree with. .. I liken sending a guy down when he can sorta play in the NHL to Tiger Woods. He won a couple Majors IIRC then totally tore his swing down and rebuilt it.

He was winning tournaments with his swing but he felt he was not gonna hit his ceiling so he tore it down... Not quite apples to apples but it does apply. Take the correct route to develop and in 5 yrs nobody is gonna say too bad he stayed in the AHL and extra yr.

With the way that third line looked last game, and the fancies confirmed it, I would leave them alone. Whatever improvements the second line would make with D!ckinson, the impact on the third line would be more significant, IMHO. There are some deficiencies on this team, 2nd line center and Foligno on the first line are obvious ones. If Nazar was brought up, it would probably improve their offense on the 2nd line, but not sure how much it would hurt them defensively, maybe not much, as Kurashev is not exactly a Selke candidate. I guess we just have to be patient and wait for the kiddies to make their way to the NHL. In the meantime, at least they’re watchable.
- Angotti

Yep, in fact I didn't think they'd take Foligno off L2 cuz he's so effective, and is slotted properly, on L3... Assumed that was one line that LR could trust and take the toughest minutes but Anderson, who IIRC had the best fancies on the squad last yr, has slipped in nicely.. Lotta IQ on L3 and is kinda money in the bank.

D!ckinson is not a 2C and if you put him there you might be weakening 2 lines but no doubt you weaken L3. IMO that's the money in the bank line and I'd guess LR sees it that way too.

A Reichel sighting


Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers
Blackhawks lines in the morning skate
Foligno-Bedard-Teräväinen
Hall-Kurashev-Bertuzzi
Mikheyev-Richardinson-Anderson
Maroon-Reichel-Smith
- LAHawk

Danota must be dinged. He's been one of the better Hawks, is solid both ways. And, IMO Smith had his worst game as a Hawk last game.

That said the have Reichel playing center???? Kid can't get his nose over the puck playing wing with less responsibility than a centerman.

So the kid is jumpy, can't find answers and you put him at C??

According to the preseason play and results, it certainly makes sense. LR needs to win games this year and he didn't think he could trust Reichel to play the way he needs to. Interesting that LR admitted Riechel has played better at wing, but this was the opportunity that was available to him.
- Chunk

Yes, I understand, but do not agree with it. They’re not making the playoffs, so I’d rather develop a young player than win a couple of more games.

Danota must be dinged. He's been one of the better Hawks, is solid both ways. And, IMO Smith had his worst game as a Hawk last game.

That said the have Reichel playing center???? Kid can't get his nose over the puck playing wing with less responsibility than a centerman.

So the kid is jumpy, can't find answers and you put him at C??
- Mr Ricochet

LR admitted they think he plays better at wing, but the opportunity is at center, so if he wants to get in a game he better take advantage of it.

I typically don't go down this route, but I wonder if Donato is being shopped. He showed really well when on the ice and is a known commodity with a low salary. No real sense that he's been out the last two games other than he's injured or being considered by other teams.

I actually think putting Donato and Reichel together would be a good use of both of them if they are just mixing and matching parts on L4.

Yes, I understand, but do not agree with it. They’re not making the playoffs, so I’d rather develop a young player than win a couple of more games.
- Angotti

Reichel had plenty of opportunity to win a job in pre-season/camp, and although not knowing how he did in internal practices, he certainly didn't show that he should make the squad in the preseason games he played. If he was eligible, he would be playing in Rockford, and probably a Cole Guttman (not really a prospect) would be the 14th forward.

Obviously the coaching staff until tonight didn't think he deserved to play.

He is signed for 2 years, he will get his opportunities during that time due to injuries/slumps/trades to prove he belongs on the club. Hopefully he will take the opportunities given to prove he can play at this level, and force the Hawks to do another roster move (like release Smith)

TT was also due a new contract and really hadn't showed that much.
- rpeters01

That was part of it. There were also questions at the time about his work ethic.

The talent was always there and I think defensive recognition too but just a more complete player at this stage of his career.

I know at the time most of the BOD was a bit upset but also not shedding too many tears over another Bowman Eurosmurf leaving the team.

Kind of like when Hjalmarsson leaving wasn't really the player he was, Teuvo then wasn't the player he is now.

Was definitely my favorite signing over the Summer. Also, Brodie doesn't appear to me to be the total cement footed goof he was painted to be.

Four games in, lotta new faces...the record is about where you'd think it might be but I still say they keep playing this way the wins will come.

New blog up!

LR admitted they think he plays better at wing, but the opportunity is at center, so if he wants to get in a game he better take advantage of it.

I typically don't go down this route, but I wonder if Donato is being shopped. He showed really well when on the ice and is a known commodity with a low salary. No real sense that he's been out the last two games other than he's injured or being considered by other teams.

I actually think putting Donato and Reichel together would be a good use of both of them if they are just mixing and matching parts on L4.
- Chunk

Quite early to go shopping. Not even Thanksgiving yet.

He’ll never clear waivers if sent down, give him an opportunity of a quarter to half season, then decide to either keep him or trade him. Playing Smith and AA vs Reichel makes no sense to me, as both of those guys will not be here next year.
- Angotti

Stan would grab him for sure.

TT was also due a new contract and really hadn't showed that much.
- rpeters01

He played some big minutes and scored some key goals in a Cup run. I think he probably showed enough. 10 points in 18 playoff games as a 20 year old is pretty good.

He’ll never clear waivers if sent down, give him an opportunity of a quarter to half season, then decide to either keep him or trade him. Playing Smith and AA vs Reichel makes no sense to me, as both of those guys will not be here next year.
- Angotti

All three probably won't to be fair. And you can't just play guys and have a meritocracy.