Two teams both rebuilding with promising young talent tonight. Both teams have drafted early first round picks recent seasons.

After tonight victory Anaheim at .500. Blackhawks flailing away as they tumble farther from .500.
- jhawk59

Ducks are a pretty good young squad. Last night's win at DAL was no fluke even though they were outshot and Dostal was excellent. And they're doing it without Fowler and McTavish. ..... Yea, they're coming out of their rebuild too but are much farther along in yrs of it than the Hawks.

Looks as though they've drafted well and Dostal is the real deal in goal and with Gibson they have a fine tandem. If it clicks, and BUF shows that's no guarantee, they might have something legit in ANA. ...... Really a fun brand and club to watch.

Two teams both rebuilding with promising young talent tonight. Both teams have drafted early first round picks recent seasons.

After tonight victory Anaheim at .500. Blackhawks flailing away as they tumble farther from .500.
- jhawk59

Troy Murray commentary post game talks about how frustrating the line blender is to everyone and I am sure that includes everyone concerned from fans to players and the coach

Murray explains away and after a while he talks about the pulse of the team. The coach knows the pulse, had a feel for it. Talk about players who have underperformed.

This group just doesn’t click and the talent isn’t good enough. Increasing goal production has to go through Bedard. The Blackhawks are just going to suffer with goal scoring irregardless of some players brought in do pick it up later in the season. The couple of guys in Rockford could provide a lift but they shouldn’t come up until later in the season; let them continue to produce and develop in the AHL Troy said this I am just paraphrasing

Now this from myself

Our hope AS WE ALL know and awaiting…..the kids on defense in Rockford come up and the defense is better at least offensively. KD must draft one or two top forwards; perhaps they come in the ‘25 draft

Best player available is the mantra OF cOURSE but what we really need is a top second center and a top heavy forward who wins board battles. We don’t know when those assets arrive

But I do believe we will be a better team with better talent next season more prospects filtering in, prospects closer to arrival in the NHL Rebuilding Kyle’s way

Weirdly enough as a fan I don't find it frustrating - but that's mostly because they are so boring at the moment, I sort of lost motivation to find the effort to care. I guess I am living down to the product provided.

I am not sure I have noticed the team having a pulse. But to be fair, I think they actually are supposed to have one.

Weirdly enough as a fan I don't find it frustrating - but that's mostly because they are so boring at the moment, I sort of lost motivation to find the effort to care. I guess I am living down to the product provided.

I am not sure I have noticed the team having a pulse. But to be fair, I think they actually are supposed to have one.
- SC116

Get on board the love train ….try to love the prospects coming……that is your pulse

So if Soda plays well like he has been and the back up goalie we signed comes back from injury do we put Soda on waivers?

I bet he gets claimed by some team
- BetweenTheDots

Dots, Soderblom might be the Hawk's #1 in 3-4 yrs. I'm a Commesso guy and was shocked watching Soda play last yr. The 25 yr old showed little as he was overwhelmed as most any puck that came his way turned into complete chaos as the Hawks had no real choice but to keep running him out for 32 games.

Knowing not to say never or ever I've never seen a goalie have a totally different game/approach the next yr. IMO he is showing the foundation and feel that would allow him to be a legit NHL goalie. ..... I know this yr is a small sample size but last yr wasn't and it makes his play this yr feel like it's a 60 game .925 fantastic yr.

I'm not ready to plant a flag on Soderblom but I will say if he ends up a top 1/2 of the league NHL goalie I won't be surprised a bit. .... He has the tools, foundation and what's needed between the ears to do it.

I will say both those 3rd period goals were kinda poor reads. Good plays and shots but he was a tad late getting into position on the 3rd goal.

Post game information courtesy Charlie R: 1). mrzak is out due to personal reason. Unsure for how long. 2). Soderblom has four more games before waiver exempt. Boisvert not yet back on ice Dicey situation.

On the post game show The Greek mentioned Soderblom can play 4 more NHL games until he has to clear waivers to go to RKF. ........ I don't think there's a chance they expose him to waivers no matter what it takes.

Post game information courtesy Charlie R: 1). mrzak is out due to personal reason. Unsure for how long. 2). Soderblom has four more games before waiver exempt. Boisvert not yet back on ice Dicey situation.
- jhawk59

What's up with Boisvert, Jhawk?

5 shots on goal in the third period against a team that played the night before.

20 shots for the game.

What will the lines look like next game?
- LAHawk

I thought the lines looked good tonight except for Anderson rolling with Bedard and Foligno. ...... Gotta see the fancies but thought the Hawks showed some rhythm and flow tonight. Do that enough or consistently and you get dangerous.

Dots, Soderblom might be the Hawk's #1 in 3-4 yrs. I'm a Commesso guy and was shocked watching Soda play last yr. The 25 yr old showed little as he was overwhelmed as most any puck that came his way turned into complete chaos as the Hawks had no real choice but to keep running him out for 32 games.

Knowing not to say never or ever I've never seen a goalie have a totally different game/approach the next yr. IMO he is showing the foundation and feel that would allow him to be a legit NHL goalie. ..... I know this yr is a small sample size but last yr wasn't and it makes his play this yr feel like it's a 60 game .925 fantastic yr.

I'm not ready to plant a flag on Soderblom but I will say if he ends up a top 1/2 of the league NHL goalie I won't be surprised a bit. .... He has the tools, foundation and what's needed between the ears to do it.

I will say both those 3rd period goals were kinda poor reads. Good plays and shots but he was a tad late getting into position on the 3rd goal.
- Mr Ricochet

Same thoughts Rico. His rebound control and positioning were unbelievably bad last year. It's like night and day. Good coaching?

Nazar with another goal.
- rickboardman

Tell you what, if Nazar keeps this up the Hawks are gonna have a tough time not calling him up and see what he can do.

I know the Hawks want him to play at least a yr on the farm to give him a yr being a pro before seriously considering exposing him to the NHL and I agree. .... But if he keeps scoring goals, he has 7 in 12, and they think it won't stunt him I think they call him up..

Pretty sure the Hawks have a few NHL roster hurdles to bring Nazar up but can't remember what they are.

Same thoughts Rico. His rebound control and positioning were unbelievably bad last year. It's like night and day. Good coaching?
- Popsghostly

I have no answers. In 50 yrs watching the sport I have never ever seen anything like this. ...... Every time I see or think about Soderblom my head starts shaking.

This dude looks like a legit NHL goalie and his play will stay near this level consistently due to his foundation which was invisible last yr. ... It's said he went home in the offseason, talked to his old coach and decided he's going back to the style that got him signed as a never drafted free agent. He has no pedigree as an undrafted FA but he sure looks like a player.

What's up with Boisvert, Jhawk?
- Mr Ricochet

Who knows? Not us but probably still recovering and not yet back on ice

BTW: after the disparaging remarks - but I believe accurately given - about the Blackhawk forwards in Rockford - I would appreciate your supporting me on whether you believe that Hayes is a genuine prospect

It may be that neither of us YET have seen him
Perform at the AHL level and it is probably true that he has to adjust to bigger larger players in this his rookie professional season. But I don’t believe this kid is intimidated. I do believe however that he can look invisible when his linemattes and his team look like crap. This kid receives and gets off a good shot fast. He is a goal scorer. He scored a couple actually in intra squad and an exhibition game this season. While I am not calling him a great prospect, his steady improvement in his game the past couple seasons is encouraging. Hayes represents a prospect who could develop nicely if he had better players surrounding him . He is someone who probably flies under the radar and I am hyping him. Please verify if you believe he is a genuine prospect. As well Ludzindki could develop into a fast checking center hard to play against and he can chip on with some offense

What's up with Boisvert, Jhawk?
- Mr Ricochet

I think he’s referring to Broissoit.

Who knows? Not us but probably still recovering and not yet back on ice

BTW: after the disparaging remarks - but I believe accurately given - about the Blackhawk forwards in Rockford - I would appreciate your supporting me on whether you believe that Hayes is a genuine prospect

It may be that neither of us YET have seen him
Perform at the AHL level and it is probably true that he has to adjust to bigger larger players in this his rookie professional season. But I don’t believe this kid is intimidated. I do believe however that he can look invisible when his linemattes and his team look like crap. This kid receives and gets off a good shot fast. He is a goal scorer. He scored a couple actually in intra squad and an exhibition game this season. While I am not calling him a great prospect, his steady improvement in his game the past couple seasons is encouraging. Hayes represents a prospect who could develop nicely if he had better players surrounding him . He is someone who probably flies under the radar and I am hyping him. Please verify if you believe he is a genuine prospect. As well Ludzindki could develop into a fast checking center hard to play against and he can chip on with some offense
- jhawk59

You said it, Hayes is a goal scorer. Going into this yr I thought of the whole pipeline the most pure goal scorers were Landis and then Hayes. I was really impressed with his poise as he controlled pace any time he was on the ice. Kid can skate, has some size, head up, tons of poise, a smooth athlete and I quickly thought he was a pure goal scorer as I watched his draft +1 yr.

I think the kid has a 25-30 goal ceiling if indeed he's an NHLer. Remember KD and Crew has drafted crazy speed/skill or a high motor forechecking jam player, a projected 2 way centerman and Hayes is neither. Tells me the Hawks think the same thing, that Hayes is a goal scorer and couldn't pass on the kid.

Put me in the Hayes camp.

They are bad and worse without Jones. Really had trouble stringing passes and breakouts in the second half. Bring up some rookies (and move some vets)?
- Popsghostly

I posted yesterday, other than Nazar, Slaggert and Savoie, there are no other forwards at Rockford that are going to help this team this year.

The Wolves are not good, and players like Dach and Hayes were invisible. Other than that, they have career AHL players.

There are three good defensemen down there right now - Korchinski, Levshunov and Dal Maestro.

Any other forward help that could help this team are at least 2- 3 years away. So I wouldn't get my hopes up I were you.

Weirdly enough as a fan I don't find it frustrating - but that's mostly because they are so boring at the moment, I sort of lost motivation to find the effort to care. I guess I am living down to the product provided.

I am not sure I have noticed the team having a pulse. But to be fair, I think they actually are supposed to have one.
- SC116

And I do believe we are watching the beginning of the end for Richardson. He is literally grasping for straws, and he is killing Bedard's development.

I would almost guarantee the next coach of this team will go back to the 3 forward 2 defenseman PP structure, and they will be a lot better than what we are seeing.

I have no answers. In 50 yrs watching the sport I have never ever seen anything like this. ...... Every time I see or think about Soderblom my head starts shaking.

This dude looks like a legit NHL goalie and his play will stay near this level consistently due to his foundation which was invisible last yr. ... It's said he went home in the offseason, talked to his old coach and decided he's going back to the style that got him signed as a never drafted free agent. He has no pedigree as an undrafted FA but he sure looks like a player.
- Mr Ricochet

The difference is the defense play in front of him. Last year was a constant train wreck, and he folded under the pressure, as most young goalies will.

And JHawk, the Hayes Ludwinski types are 2nd rd picks who generally need 2-3 yrs AHL if they end up NHL caliber players..... Take Ludwinski as an example. He came into RKF last yr as a speed demon with not too much else. I commented, and IIRC you agreed, he's showing hands/dangles/skill he didn't last yr. He also seems to play with a purpose other than just flying around and it took a yr of pro for that to develop.

And Vlasic came back to the Hawks showing hands and puck skills he hadn't shown before after a yr down on the farm. Some of that is natural development with age and reps but it seems somebody at RKF knows how to develop these traits with Ludwinski and Vlasic as examples.

If I'm right this is a wonderful thing with a steady stream of higher end 1st-2nd rd prospects coming to RKF in the next few yrs.

You've seen Pridham before, Paul? Tonight was the first time for me, haven't even seen clips of him. That screaming PBP Guy said he's a blazer. I was lucky enough to see the first 2 periods before the Hawks started and have to admit I wasn't able to see his skating much...... I'll definitely catch more Ranger games.

You've seen enough of his skating to like it?
- Mr Ricochet

No, last night was the first time I’ve ever seen him. The only thing I knew about him until yesterday was his old man is the Maple Leafs assistant GM. The first thing I noticed last night was his speed, balance and edges.

You still think that D!ckinson does not have trade value? You still think he could not play a 2C/3c for a contender?

You still think that D!ckinson does not have trade value? You still think he could not play a 2C/3c for a contender?
- Ztra

He won't get you a first round draft pick. His max on a contender is a 3c. Even with his 2 goals last night, he is on pace for 16 goals and 30 points. If a contender is going to give up a first rounder, I can see a Brock Nelson/Mikael Granlund (both UFA's after this year) among others getting a first round pick before Richardinson.

He won't get you a first round draft pick. His max on a contender is a 3c. Even with his 2 goals last night, he is on pace for 16 goals and 30 points. If a contender is going to give up a first rounder, I can see a Brock Nelson/Mikael Granlund (both UFA's after this year) among others getting a first round pick before Richardinson.
- LAHawk

He can score and produce more when playing with offensive minded players and playmaking gifted players. He goes to the net, he is an above average shooter, wins faceoffs, wins puck battles and plays a solid defensive game. Talent wise he might be a 3C on some contenders, but he definitely can move up to a 2C role without hurting a team, that's the point. It comes down to the depth down the middle, especially when you are facing injuries in the lineup. You never hear of a team complaining about too much depth at C and guys like Richardinson who can play a role effectively and consistently are valuable, no question. You might not get a 1st round pick for him, but you "could" if he gets scoring more again and follows up on his 20+ goal season. Teams are desperate to win the cup and will pay if it gives them the edge to get over the top.

He can score and produce more when playing with offensive minded players and playmaking gifted players. He goes to the net, he is an above average shooter, wins faceoffs, wins puck battles and plays a solid defensive game. Talent wise he might be a 3C on some contenders, but he definitely can move up to a 2C role without hurting a team, that's the point. It comes down to the depth down the middle, especially when you are facing injuries in the lineup. You never hear of a team complaining about too much depth at C and guys like Richardinson who can play a role effectively and consistently are valuable, no question. You might not get a 1st round pick for him, but you "could" if he gets scoring more again and follows up on his 20+ goal season. Teams are desperate to win the cup and will pay if it gives them the edge to get over the top.
- breadbag

A center who goes against the opponents best competition in his own end and shuts them down? There's a lot of value there, but i think KD is going to keep him around he's just getting better every year and it looks like he's one of those players that can play different styles of hockey. Those players are extremely valuable.

Is this team close to becoming irrelevant in the Chicago market? Personally, it's getting unbearable for me to watch for more than a period. Then I switch to a better game that's on the Center Ice package. The CHSN rollout was terrible and prevented a lot of fans from watching the early season games. Now that they are playing terrible who's going to pay $20 a month to watch these guys on their phone or tablet. Also, I think the Bedard hype has worn off. It will be interesting to watch the UC attendance figures in the coming months to see if there is a decline.