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January 31, 2026 at 1:21 pm #62943
Breagbag
ParticipantI didn’t watch the game but judging by the box score Rinzel made it through the game unscathed and at least activated for 3 shots on goal and led in time on ice.
I think Rinzel plays into the structure better. Maybe less flashy but definitely more predictable and more likely to make the safe play. I hope #6 can stick from here because if he can play his minutes reasonably well, it’s a big improvement. I haven’t looked at the numbers, but I think they were a better team with him in the lineup.
January 30, 2026 at 11:34 pm #62882Dan Maloneys left hook
ParticipantGlad to see the bring up Rinzel again to shake things up. Right now, the 55/44 pair is an outright disaster in their own end. The development isn’t a straight line, but we need better. Levshunov was better playing with 48 and with less responsibility. Inexperience and the long grind of an NHL season seem to be wearing on him.
44 has had a decent year but he is not at the top of his game lately when it comes to play in his own end, I think he is trying to do too much. It would be great if the Hawks could just back him off the #5 whole where he should be slotted.
I didn’t watch the game but judging by the box score Rinzel made it through the game unscathed and at least activated for 3 shots on goal and led in time on ice.
January 30, 2026 at 4:43 pm #62849Breagbag
ParticipantGlad to see the bring up Rinzel again to shake things up. Right now, the 55/44 pair is an outright disaster in their own end. The development isn’t a straight line, but we need better. Levshunov was better playing with 48 and with less responsibility. Inexperience and the long grind of an NHL season seem to be wearing on him.
44 has had a decent year but he is not at the top of his game lately when it comes to play in his own end, I think he is trying to do too much. It would be great if the Hawks could just back him off the #5 whole where he should be slotted.
January 27, 2026 at 6:10 pm #62237Dan Maloneys left hook
ParticipantWe’ve still got 3 guys at Rockford playing defense and one goalie hopefully making it to the big team. Something tells me KK gets traded before next season.
January 25, 2026 at 8:11 pm #61861BetweenTheDots
ParticipantVanacker leading the OHL in goals with 33. Pridham 2nd in the OHL in goals with 31.
Let’s assume they continue scoring and finish 1 and 2 in goals scored.
When was the last time, if ever, the two top OHL goal scorers were property of the same NHL club? Not to mention last year’s OHL top goal scorer (Lardis) is with the same club also.
Also, the current leading KHL goal scorer was drafted by the same club above. You can guess who.
Slackers Nathan Behm is tied for 7th in goals scored in the WHL, and Anton Frondell is way down the pack tied for 14th in the SHL.
I realize that their scoring prowess may not translate to the NHL, but there are a lot of guys in the system that could put the puck in the net. Hopefully a few continue their scoring ways down the road.
Isn’t that great Boiler?
You are correct all of them won’t hit or even fit, but that’s the advantage drafting the most top 100 prospects in the past 4 years.
I’m hoping he’s going to be able to get another 1st and 2nd round pick for 2027 and keep this outstanding talent pipe line rolling.
If Wiz is right we might not see a trade in the first round this year, like 2023.
Right now he is 5 of 26 top 100 picks who look like NHL players? Teams hope for at least 1 NHL player a year, 5 in 4 drafts and expect at least another 5 coming from those 4 drafts is outstanding
January 25, 2026 at 4:22 pm #61833Mr Ricochet
ParticipantVanacker leading the OHL in goals with 33. Pridham 2nd in the OHL in goals with 31.
Let’s assume they continue scoring and finish 1 and 2 in goals scored.
When was the last time, if ever, the two top OHL goal scorers were property of the same NHL club? Not to mention last year’s OHL top goal scorer (Lardis) is with the same club also.
Also, the current leading KHL goal scorer was drafted by the same club above. You can guess who.
Slackers Nathan Behm is tied for 7th in goals scored in the WHL, and Anton Frondell is way down the pack tied for 14th in the SHL.
I realize that their scoring prowess may not translate to the NHL, but there are a lot of guys in the system that could put the puck in the net. Hopefully a few continue their scoring ways down the road.
When you start putting pencil to paper and the stats of the pipeline you can’t help but think nothing goes so right, to the limits of what looks possible. It’s just crazy but when I look at prospect after prospect leading leagues in all kindsa categories I see danger and opportunity and that indeed there are still important phases of the rebuild to navigate.
History tells us not all of these guys with the heady stats are gonna be impact or even useful NHLers. It seems the amateur scouts and amateur side of the organIzation has done well now the pro scouting is going to take us thru the next phase along with development. Identifying who they think are going to be NHL playoff roster caliber players, who aren’t and who should be moved while they still have value.
Lotta cards to be played in this total tear down rebuild.
January 25, 2026 at 1:46 pm #61760boilermaker
ParticipantVanacker leading the OHL in goals with 33. Pridham 2nd in the OHL in goals with 31.
Let’s assume they continue scoring and finish 1 and 2 in goals scored.
When was the last time, if ever, the two top OHL goal scorers were property of the same NHL club? Not to mention last year’s OHL top goal scorer (Lardis) is with the same club also.
Also, the current leading KHL goal scorer was drafted by the same club above. You can guess who.
Slackers Nathan Behm is tied for 7th in goals scored in the WHL, and Anton Frondell is way down the pack tied for 14th in the SHL.
I realize that their scoring prowess may not translate to the NHL, but there are a lot of guys in the system that could put the puck in the net. Hopefully a few continue their scoring ways down the road.
January 24, 2026 at 4:27 pm #61597Mr Ricochet
ParticipantI went to the game last night with a couple of old friends. The parking cost is ridiculous. For twenty dollars more, you could buy a ticket. I thought they looked quite lethargic. Five minutes into the second period, they had four SOG. What’s that? They need a better coach for the defense. They constantly leave the front of the net to go halfway up the D zone. What I can’t stand is all of the noise in the UC. It is constant. You can’t talk to the guy sitting next to you. I love this team, but I hate that place!
The SOG and TOI in the Qzone was really skewed vs TB. But, the Hawks are a very green young team and TB rolls with systems under a world class coach that has won multiple cups. No doubt dominated for the most part but context is needed.
As far as SOG against, the Hawks play a system that accentuates Knight’s strengths and that is it’s ok to give up shots as long as Knight can see them. It’s a trade off the Hawk’s system is designed for. This is generally speaking, of course HDCA are not part of any system but a regular Hawk game should see the Hawk’s outshot until the talent is so good the puck will be at the other end the majority of the time and there will be less shots against.
January 24, 2026 at 4:01 pm #61592Mr Ricochet
ParticipantThank you, I really appreciate that. I’m still delivering the same level of work, even if I’m now covering a few teams. Yes, I’m French Canadian and I cover the Canadiens every day as well.
I’ve always tried to write the game with a different pair of eyes — to help fans understand what’s really happening on the ice.
Frenchy, you don’t have to take inventory of yourself more than any other normal person does. You’re not only steeped in the sport at its grassroot level but in the hockey hotbed of the world. Add your abilities with the written word and you’re a fine conduit. ……… My hope is you never change a thing.
January 24, 2026 at 3:41 pm #61588Dionysus
ParticipantI can’t see this experiment working. All the rookies are a bunch of weak, undersized junior players. Wirtz has to get rid of Davidson and get a real GM.
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