Sam Rinzel ?
- rpeters01

Outside of Canadian and eastern teams, Button doesn't pay a lot of attention.

Outside of Canadian and eastern teams, Button doesn't pay a lot of attention.
- wizardofi

And I don’t even trust Button’s opinion about Canadian and Eastern teams.

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 didn't think they were that bad defensively. They got a little antsy in their pants in the third period trying to hold onto the lead but you'd expect that with two rookies, one very young player and whatever is left of Brodie on the blue line.

I think giving Levshunov and Korch a quick cuppa coffee (not against the panthers preferably) while jones is out would be a good reminder to what they are working towards.

Maybe they stick for a bit and Brodie can have some off nights.

I just don't see the Blackhawks doing much. They are in line for another top 5 pick. They have a ton of draft capital, if a trade falls in your lap like it did for Florids and Tkachuck make the deal, for now we are in line to draft a highly skilled forward. Nazar will either join this team in the spring or fall. Hopefully Moore and Greene sign, we'll get a chance to see where they are at skill wise in the spring or early next season.

Keep developing the defenseman on the roster and in the system, improve their value so when the time comes you can make a deal for a highly skilled forward.

1-2-3-1-2

I can't see the Blackhawks drafting a dman, unless he's off the charts crazy good.
- BetweenTheDots

Matone or Misa imo

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.
- Mr Ricochet

There isn't a reason to keep him down there if he is good enough to be in the NHL especially since the big club can't score.

Keeping him a year just to keep him there a year is arbitrary.

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.
- boilermaker100

Yes.

Hall has to get out of this slump for anybody to take him on at half his $6 mill cap hit. And I don't see a team paying another to broker a deal, either. As I have said on previous threads, the ACL recovery has a big psychological component to it. Plus that shoulder history. It's enough to make anybody wonder about the next contract.

Martinez should be one, assuming he is healthy at the deadline. My dark horse for one of the two slots is Murphy. As always, it depends on his health, and on how much teams need another defenseman.

I wouldn't be surprised if Donato gets asked about, given his start to the year. Coach's son, also.
- 333inthe3rd

I think the recent outburst will convince someone desperate that it's not a "him" problem and that a change of scenery will provide a bump.

That being said a nice lil point streak would be helpful. I think they need to get another creative player in the line up though and if they don't make a move for one it's gotta be Nazar.

Matone or Misa imo
- Scott1977

That would be nice. Since we are almost 20 games into the season, just keep it the way it is, let these guys fight for playing time, let them continue to work on being a good defensive unit. At this point there is no need to do anything, let the kids develop at the Rock, they are in a position to draft in the top 5 again with real hockey players this year. So be it, we need top 6 forwards or if that dman is that good grab him.

Like i said before, you most likely have Nazar coming up, maybe Moore, Greene, Reichel with a year under his belt. Add one of those players you mentioned, or Hagens who sounds like he'd be a pretty good 2nd line center, hell a first line center.

Matone or Misa imo
- Scott1977

Misa’s game is very similar to Celebrini, a good sized two way centerman. Martone is this year’s Cayden Lindstrom a big strong physically dominant guy with great skating ability and lots of skill, he can go around or through you. But if he’s available it would be hard to pass on Schaefer, I think he’s that number one do it all defenseman who’s offensive and defensive games are already strong.

Misa’s game is very similar to Celebrini, a good sized two way centerman. Martone is this year’s Cayden Lindstrom a big strong physically dominant guy with great skating ability and lots of skill, he can go around or through you. But if he’s available it would be hard to pass on Schaefer, I think he’s that number one do it all defenseman who’s offensive and defensive games are already strong.
- paulr

Hypothetical say they draft Misa say at 4 I would try and make a bold move and trade up and get Malcolm Spence get a center and big winger if I remember wiz's profile 6 2 about 200lb great skater plays with a edge and nhl shot

I think the recent outburst will convince someone desperate that it's not a "him" problem and that a change of scenery will provide a bump.

That being said a nice lil point streak would be helpful. I think they need to get another creative player in the line up though and if they don't make a move for one it's gotta be Nazar.
- fattybeef

Hall has a get out of jail card at the end of this season (he doesn't need to come back... sure points sell - but he has some options)- so it isn't overly relevant if he is able to assist getting himself traded. I mean if it is that, and it might be- I think he's right - I hadn't noticed him being anything but a solid winger - he isn't a shut down winger, never was ... but really if LR is going to point fingers and start sitting people -- frankly he has a lot of choices - and if he doesn't own that as being the situation -he's -well, I guess, I think he's mistaken. I know he can take me - so ... I am not going there. I think he has to know it though ...

I think the recent outburst will convince someone desperate that it's not a "him" problem and that a change of scenery will provide a bump.

That being said a nice lil point streak would be helpful. I think they need to get another creative player in the line up though and if they don't make a move for one it's gotta be Nazar.
- fattybeef

Change of scenery trades are always possible. I'm thinking along the lines of Neal for Lucic. I suppose the Hawks could take on yet another bad contract with say another year left on it, plus a sweetener. Depressing if we are still entertaining these possibilities.

If you meant rent him out at the deadline, this is the list of UFA forwards: https://www.spotrac.com/n...ion/f/sort/contract_value Plenty of room to move up in the pecking order on this front. They did take Hall's contract and the rights to Foligno for two prospects who were not going to make it here. And that was before the knee injury.

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.
- boilermaker100

$20 is about 2$ per game. If you have Apple TV you can mirror it from your phone onto the TV. You also have NHL Center Ice and ESPN plus as options. So the process has been a crap show. But it is not the end of the world.

I don't think D!ckinson will be on the trade block. Yes he has value, but you also need decent players like him on the team going forward. I can see KD even extending him after his contract is up after next season.

I didn't see the 3rd period last night, but supposedly Bertuzzi sat for most of the period? Bamford speculating he may be scratched the next game.

Wonder what KD has been thinking the past couple of weeks. Will he pull the trigger on a LR firing or make a trade? How long before a veteran like Martinez or Hall wants out? Remember the Hawks only have two salary retention spots so those are the likely trade candidates IMO. Murphy being the only veteran RD available since Jones is out probably stays. Doubt if they trade the captain Foligno. Other guys like Bertuzzi, TT, Mikheyev and Brodie have term. Maroon and Smith may be trade fodder sooner or later too.
- boilermaker100

Why would you break up your very good shut down line, move D!ckinson to the top line with Bedard and then put a zero offense guy like Anderson on their wing. It makes no sense. I like Anderson on the 3rd line. He fits there. I have not given up on Hall. I would try Hall on the top line with D!ckinson centering and Bedard on the other wing for maybe 10 games. Then reevaluate.

That was the first question I had.
- HawkintheD

In another year or two, he will be at the top section of the Hawks 24 and under

Missed all the rebuild talk the last few pages.

My lecture;

It was never going to be done in a year or two, need to adjust expectations

It was always going to be tough to watch at times, especially the first couple years.
I wouldn't shift direction at this point.

You can watch players develop in Rockford and that helps, but that line up really only has a few players that are part of the rebuild, in two years, it will be full of them and a true pipleline, again patience.

My only complaint so far is they haven't drafted not enough goal scorers, or power forwards. However, there is still two years of top picks, so i'll continue to be patient.

KD has moved ahead of Poles in the rebuild contest. Poles losing all cred by keeping Flus around, I know many here calling for LR head, just find it interesting how much both rebuilds are similar to each other. I've always been a LR fan, but i'm not a coaching expert. We'll see if KD can learn from Poles mistakes.

Missed all the rebuild talk the last few pages.

My lecture;

It was never going to be done in a year or two, need to adjust expectations

It was always going to be tough to watch at times, especially the first couple years.
I wouldn't shift direction at this point.

You can watch players develop in Rockford and that helps, but that line up really only has a few players that are part of the rebuild, in two years, it will be full of them and a true pipleline, again patience.

My only complaint so far is they haven't drafted not enough goal scorers, or power forwards. However, there is still two years of top picks, so i'll continue to be patient.

KD has moved ahead of Poles in the rebuild contest. Poles losing all cred by keeping Flus around, I know many here calling for LR head, just find it interesting how much both rebuilds are similar to each other. I've always been a LR fan, but i'm not a coaching expert. We'll see if KD can learn from Poles mistakes.
- vabeachbear

The difference though is that Poles has a ton more talent but his HUGE mistake was keeping this High School coach in Eberflus. Poles will rebuild the Oline this off-season and hopefully hire the right coach this time.

LR does not have the talent but is also regressing in motivating this team. An entire new coaching staff is needed here also and KD must find another top scorer in Free Agency or trade.

Missed all the rebuild talk the last few pages.

My lecture;

It was never going to be done in a year or two, need to adjust expectations

It was always going to be tough to watch at times, especially the first couple years.
I wouldn't shift direction at this point.

You can watch players develop in Rockford and that helps, but that line up really only has a few players that are part of the rebuild, in two years, it will be full of them and a true pipleline, again patience.

My only complaint so far is they haven't drafted not enough goal scorers, or power forwards. However, there is still two years of top picks, so i'll continue to be patient.

KD has moved ahead of Poles in the rebuild contest. Poles losing all cred by keeping Flus around, I know many here calling for LR head, just find it interesting how much both rebuilds are similar to each other. I've always been a LR fan, but i'm not a coaching expert. We'll see if KD can learn from Poles mistakes.
- vabeachbear

I don't know if he's lost/losing all cred but he's definitely squandered some of the good will and juice that he created from the CAR trade.

I'm hoping Flus being gone at the end of the season is a foregone conclusion but Poles will have lost credibility if he sticks with him again.

Hoping they hire a guy who can actually be an NFL Head Coach and not just an OC or DC. When I say that, I'm not excluding OC's from their search. I know Ben Johnson's a hot name but I'm hoping they look at Liam Cohen too. Think he's doing a good job with Baker and the Bucs.

Afa the Hawks, preach brothah. I think they need to focus on goal scorers too in the upcoming drafts but defense has the potential to be really good. They should be in line for a top line pick and maybe they get someone like an Ehlers as a UFA to play with Bedard. Rantanen would be great but not sure they are going to pony up $13m.

Maybe with Bedard not quite playing at a ppg pace they can get him for around $3.5M on his next deal.

Missed all the rebuild talk the last few pages.

My lecture;

It was never going to be done in a year or two, need to adjust expectations

It was always going to be tough to watch at times, especially the first couple years.
I wouldn't shift direction at this point.

You can watch players develop in Rockford and that helps, but that line up really only has a few players that are part of the rebuild, in two years, it will be full of them and a true pipleline, again patience.

My only complaint so far is they haven't drafted not enough goal scorers, or power forwards. However, there is still two years of top picks, so i'll continue to be patient.

KD has moved ahead of Poles in the rebuild contest. Poles losing all cred by keeping Flus around, I know many here calling for LR head, just find it interesting how much both rebuilds are similar to each other. I've always been a LR fan, but i'm not a coaching expert. We'll see if KD can learn from Poles mistakes.
- vabeachbear

I think both franchises are in a very good spot for their rebuilds. I really really really hope the McCaskeys will finally let a GM decide on who should be the head coach. It's really been the main issue with the Bears. This next hire as head coach is everything.

The difference though is that Poles has a ton more talent but his HUGE mistake was keeping this High School coach in Eberflus. Poles will rebuild the Oline this off-season and hopefully hire the right coach this time.

LR does not have the talent but is also regressing in motivating this team. An entire new coaching staff is needed here also and KD must find another top scorer in Free Agency or trade.
- Hawkytalk

I don't know how he is regressing, they did only give up 2 goals vs Canucks, plus 2 ENs, 3 goals to the Ducks with no Seth Jones. Both 1 goal losses which has been the mo of this team. You can't magically score that's probably why top 6 forwards get paid so much and don't grow on trees.

6-12-1 this year
6-13-0 last year

Sure similar record but he hasn't regressed, statistically this team is better in every category except for, yep you guessed it, goal scoring, virtually identical to last season.

Over the course of the season this will translate into more wins.

6-12-1 this year
6-13-0 last year

Sure similar record but he hasn't regressed, statistically this team is better in every category except for, yep you guessed it, goal scoring, virtually identical to last season.

Over the course of the season this will translate into more wins.
- BetweenTheDots

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Nick Foligno: "[I'm] making sure we're not OK with moral victories. I don't want to be creeping into our [minds]. That's a losing atmosphere, and that's something we need to change drastically here, and it's starting to turn that way. We're expecting more out of ourselves because we realize we're a good team."
1:44 PM · Oct 31, 2024

Another thing, unlike after the commanders loss the Bears quit for 2 weeks until changes were made curious to see what happens this week after the coach didn't trust the offense for one more 10 to 15 yards pass, even though it's frustrating to watch, this Blackhawks team plays hard every night which i appreciate.

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Nick Foligno: "
- LAHawk[I'm] making sure we're not OK with moral victories. I don't want to be creeping into our [minds]. That's a losing atmosphere, and that's something we need to change drastically here, and it's starting to turn that way. We're expecting more out of ourselves because we realize we're a good team."
1:44 PM · Oct 31, 2024

Maybe they should trade Rinzel for some smaller scoring forward?

Hell no.

Maybe they should trade Rinzel for some smaller scoring forward?

Hell no.
- BetweenTheDots

Why not just trade all the prospects for a bunch of journeymen to make the team a .500 club. That oughta make the impatient ledge dwellers happy.