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Nice work Frenchy. I love these games when the all the young guys put it together and win the contest. The future is certainly bright.
Do we have to round up everybody else?
Are they gone headed to Elbow’s site?
Here’s a link to register at Elbows’ site. There is much more Hawks conversation there and the site is easier to navigate. Dots, Wiz, Frenchy and others are more than welcome to join and engage with everyone else.
I agree Murphy, Dickinson and Mikheyev are the three most likely to go and the returns mentioned are in the ballpark. I doubt if KD will trade anyone if no other team meets his asking price. Perhaps if Murphy and Dickinson would be packaged together, the return would be higher sort of like a few years ago when McCabe and Lafferty got a 1st from Toronto. I’m sure some team out there wants an experienced right D-man and a PK killing/defensive minded depth center for the stretch run.
Freudian slip calling Sam Rinzel Sam Norris, Frenchy? Maybe you expect him to win the Norris Trophy some year. LOL.
The offense has really dried up. As you mentioned, Bedard, not playing to his potential (still feeling the effects of his injury IMO) and TT being out are indeed key factors. Another consideration is Nazar not contributing much for whatever reason. Maybe he’s not 100% and/or gun shy due to his early season injury.
This team desperately needs some scorers/finishers. In the General Comments thread on our forums page, I mentioned the plethora of goal scorers in the system. Unfortunately, they all may not pan out, and if they do, they’ll have to learn the NHL game. Help may be around the corner, but the corner is still 2 or 3 blocks (years) away.
Vanacker 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.
Fun to watch Greene, Moore, and Lardis play. If you didn’t notice, they each got a point on the only Hawk goal last night – Greene with the goal assisted by Moore and Lardis. And the othe night Lardis scored in regulation with Moore potting the winner in the shootout. Let’s hope they keep that up.
Especially where’s Boilermaker
I’m still here, but mostly to read Frenchy’s informative articles and not to post comments. I can’t say this enough – there is great content here, thanks to Frenchy. But, as others as mentioned, there are times I’m frustrated with the workings of this site.
1) Connor Bedard’s addition to the Olympics, with the Wilson knee-ankle injury?
Brayden Point injured last night, too. Another possible opening for an injury replacement on the Canadian squad.
1) Which of the players with ending contracts MAY be interested in a trade deal where they play for the Silver Cup?
Frank Seravalli on the CHSN studio show last night said the Hawks are getting calls on Murphy and Dickinson.
Looking at both the KHL and the SHL it looks like both Kantserov and Frondell won’t be joining us in March or April
SHL regular season ends in mid March. 1st 6 teams automatically qualify for playoffs. 7 plays 10 and 8 vs 9 in a 2 out of 3 series to determine the last 2 playoff spots. Then 7 game series the rest of the way.
Djugardens currently 7th so as of now they are in the play in round. That should last a week. If they lose then Frondell may be available by the end of March.
Kantserov’s KHL contract ends on May 31 plus their playoff run may be deeper anyway lasting beyond the Hawks season.
Check out the most recent comment in the Blackhawks Prospects thread for a review of Nestrasil’s, Frondell’s and Spellacy’s play at the WJC.
Steven Ellis of the Hockey News summarizes the play of about 90 WJC players that have been drafted by NHL teams.
http://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-world-juniors-scouting-reports-on-every-nhl-drafted-prospect
His excerpts on Nestrasil, Frondell and Spellacy –
Vaclav Nestrasil, F (Chicago Blackhawks): I really, really Nestrašil. The 6-foot-6 forward is truly a menacing figure. He hits hard, plays hard and shoots even harder. He dominated Canada and Denmark physically and appeared quicker than the last time I saw him in person. Even away from the puck, I thought he did an outstanding job of breaking up plays and winning individual battles. I wrote earlier in the tournament that Blackhawks fans should absolutely believe the hype around Nestrašil – he’s a monster.
Anton Frondell, F (Chicago Blackhawks): Frondell getting moved to the wing at the start of training camp really paid off here. Frondell is better when he’s focusing on generating offense, especially with his patented one-timer from the right dot. Sweden looked significantly worse when Frondell wasn’t able to get any pucks on net against Switzerland, but he made up for it with some huge showings the rest of the way. Frondell did most of his shot generation on the man advantage, but if it wasn’t for Frondell, the Swedes could have easily found themselves with a disappointing record in the round-robin. That’s how important he was.
A.J. Spellacy, F (Chicago Blackhawks): Spellacy was one of USA’s top players. Not only was he their best penalty killer, but he was also instrumental in the Americans’ comeback against Slovakia. Spellacy was given more opportunities in the latter stages of the tournament, where he turned out to be one of the top shot generators. His mix of speed and toughness made him an absolute force, and I really like his odds of becoming a solid fourth-liner in the NHL.
Definitely Foligno, Dickinson or Lafferty won’t be here next year.
I can see Kantserov and Frondell on the team next year replacing 2 of Foligno, Angie and Lafferty. IMO that 3rd spot will be given to an overpaid veteran forward, maybe on a 2 year deal, to eat up some cap space. Can’t ice a team with 8 to 10 guys on ELC’s for both cap floor requirements and the need for some veterans.
Vanacker, Spellacy, maybe Boisvert at the Rock next year. Behm committed to Arizona State next season. Nestrasil likely still in college next season. Also next year, West plays at Michigan State, probably for 2 years.
Happy new year
Happy New Year to you Dots, Coach Frenchy, and all the many participants here on this forum.
For 2026, best wishes for everyone’s good health and welfare. And for the Hawks, a quick and lasting recovery to Bedard and Nazar, and success for our young players as they gain NHL experience.
I wonder which team we’ll see tonight. The one that upset Dallas, or the one that got thrashed by the Pens. I’d like to see some scoring from the rookies – Greene, Moore, Lardis.
