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Early in the 2nd period, in a late morning game, Rockford leads Chicago 6-0. Moore 1 G, Lardis 2 G, Savoie 1 G, Joey Anderson 1 G and Cates with a goal.
I was checking that out too. Seemed like Lardis (2G 1A), Moore (1G 1A) and Korchinski(2A) are really going today in what I’ve seen.
I can’t wait for EDM and Moore to graduate to the NHL, they’ll be upgrades to some on the current roster. For those that watch Rockford, how is EDM looking?
I would also add Allan to the graduation list as I really think he’s ready to be an NHL stay-at home rearguard but he’s unfortunately tasked with being KK’s partner. Hawks need a shutdown pairing and honestly don’t have one right now. I hope to be able to catch more Rockford games going forward and would love to hear any player analysis from those that have watched at least a few of the games.
On the outside looking in, Hogs are +5 in 7 games and EDM is +7 with 3 pts (3 helpers) in 7 games leading all blueliners and staying out of the box thus far. Meanwhile, KK +3 in 6 games with 4 pts and Allan +2 in 5 games with 1 pt. Both had concussions and both can’t seem to stay out of the box.I think EDM really hurt his stock with his play in the preseason and start of the year. The spot was his to take and they ended up going with the PTO for Grezlcyk. He seems to have bounced back decently in the AHL which is promising.
From Scott Powers’ article today:
“Hawks are allowing, on average, more shot attempts, more shots on goal, more scoring chances and more high-danger chances than they did last season.Also,
overall:
defensive zone percentage 43.8 ranks 31st
offensive zone percentage 38.3 ranks 32ndat even strength:
defensive zone percentage 42.8 ranks 28th
offensive zone percentage 38.7 ranks 29thIt’s true, the play on the ice isn’t that much different from last season. Some tweaks and some younger personnel, but there are still a lot of the same flaws. The big part right now is that the Hawks have been finishing chances at a high rate and getting much better than typical goaltending. Losing Mrazek and adding knight has been a huge swing in ability to stay in games.
I might ruffle some feathers, but we don’t have a true #1 Center. Bedard is very talented, but he doesn’t at this time check all the boxes of a good and effective 1C. I’m not saying he doesn’t offer a lot, but the 200 foot game, the complete game, the board battles and everything that goes into it, it’s not at the level where you win more shifts than you lose yet. Nazar’s game is more complete but still he is growing into that top 6 C role and has more to round out. These are growing pains and things will work themselves out as more F bubble up through the system, but to me, Bedard will have to continue to improve his overall game or end up at wing.
Levshunov to me right now, should be playing AHL minutes. He has talent and does a lot of good things but there are still struggles and he is only 19. This whole 11F and 7D is a Band-Aid over the real issue. How is he going to get better playing in his own end when the coach is afraid to put him on the ice in the Dzone? They can only shelter him for so long before they have to either pull off the Band-Aid and let him play or send him down.
I’ll probably get flak for this too, but Kaiser should be and would be 3rd pair LD on a good team. I know he had a few good games to start the year and the coach has given him minutes, but the cracks have been showing against tougher competition. Grezlcyk is also a 3rd pair guy. The Hawks to be a better team would ultimately need another option in the top 4. The right side isn’t without issues either. Rinzel is learning on the job. Levshunov is inconsistent. Crevier is a 7th D. Murphy is wearing down and starting to really visibly struggle to keep up.
I like the direction the team is heading in, but just saying we have a ways to go before the wins come more regular, because we are gonna continue to be outplayed, relying on goaltending and counter-attacking with speed to try to close the gap.
Man, our 3rd line continues to look good. They are out there creating pressure and chances and put LA on their heels. The top line came out and capitalized on the lucky bounce.
Reichel dumped to VAN for a 2027 4th round pick.
Not much return, but sounds like Reichel is the one that asked for a trade. Honestly, I think some of this is on the Hawks coaches who spent too much time trying to make him into something he isn’t.
By bad it was Teuvo who stripped the puck. I think Rinzel had one earlier?
He did.
I think Kucherov probably felt pretty bad after the goal against. He was stripped of the puck, he tried to stop the pass to Nazar and missed and then he was slow on the backcheck and Donato beat him to the open ice on the goal.
According to @MoneyPuckdotcom
, Spencer Knight leads all NHL goaltenders in Goals Saved Above Expected.Happy Friday…Spencer Knight GSVA
He is at least top 3 goalie in the NHL so far this season, no question. This has been the biggest improvement for the Hawks year over year. Mrazek when he was on, was never in this category, he was just above average at best. It helps to have a goalie who is legit able to close the gap, he deserves so much credit for the Hawks points in the standings.
Mikheyev with a monster 200′ game tonight. For all the roses people seem to throw at Dickinson’s feet, I think Mikheyev is the better player.
It’s kind of splitting hairs, they’ve both been very good overall. An apples and oranges comparison when one is playing W and the other C. Mikhevev is the better athlete, faster and just proving to be more durable. Dickinson playing the more difficult role, winning faceoffs, more physical, drives play a bit more.
I think their differences are what makes them effect together. Jeff Blashill has the option of putting Donato with those 2 and on a nightly basis and they have a line that can match up pretty well against the top lines of the opposing teams. Definitely more difficult to play against than the top 2 lines. IMO one of the big reasons why the Hawks are so much weaker on the road than at home.
Levshunov is tied for the league lead in 5 on 5 goal differential.
Blackhawks have outscored opponents 6-1 in nearly 55 minutes of Lev 5 on 5 play.I noticed he was doing well there, but I also noticed the Hawks are shooting nearly 30% when he is on the ice.
With 7 in 11 games, 18 year old Frondell is tied for 3rd for goals in the SHL. He is actually tied with former Blackhawk (2015-2017) legend Dennis Rasmussen.
Frondell is also leading the SHL in +/- with +11.
One interesting quote I saw floating around. Blashill was pretty level headed about the wins.
“Yeah, the other team didn’t play to the level they’re capable of. So I don’t want to make more of it than it is.”
I think overall he is less likely to knee jerk react to the outcome of any particular game or sequence of games.
Probably while he hasn’t juggled lines too much either. He seems to be a guy who reads into more of how you got the win rather than just the end result.I like it, because while we got a couple wins, the team still has a long way to go.
Last night, that was a game where secondary scoring showing up really swung the momentum in the Hawks favor. The bottom 6 gave the Hawks the 3-2 lead and then Nazar scored that nice one. We took advantage of some leaky goaltending and ran away with the game.
Hawks are 2-2-1 and that’s on the back of the bottom 6 showing up with secondary scoring and specifically strong play from the 3rd line. While I didn’t like his play on one of the Blue’s goals, I thought Vlasic played better than he has to start the year. I’ve felt he has only really been “okay” so far this season. He was more into it last night, using his stick well.
Levshunov seems that he will be growing into a real difference maker. Grzelcyk has chipped in pretty well for a PTO signing. He isn’t the best defensively but making some nice passes and can skate the puck well.
For me, this game was a nice step in the right direction, mostly just because of the confidence boost that young teams need.
Sounds like the Hawk will be without Nick Foligno for a bit. Hope everything goes well for his family and his daughter has successful surgery.
https://www.nhl.com/news/chicago-blackhawks-nick-foligno-taking-leave-of-absence-from-team
It sucks to hear about the concussions in the AHL, hopefully nothing too serious for Korchinski or Allan.
Sounds like there will be a shake up in the line up with Foligno taking a leave of absence due to his family (his daughter’s medical surgery).
I really hope the Hawks can push the pace a bit more. They just need to find a way to not have to lean so heavy on the goalie to remain in games. Between now and November we should hopefully start to see some progress/improvement to show that Blashill is making a meaningful difference.
Just an ugly win, but a win. Utah really gave that game away.
I really hope Blashill stops going with 7 D and considers getting Mikheyev/Donato into the top 6. Down the stretch last year we had a top 6 like this
Donato – Bedard – Mikheyev
Bertuzzi – Nazar – TurboMaybe it’s just me, but I don’t think Dach is a top 6 player at the NHL level. Bertuzzi has been mostly invisible for long stretches for most of his Chicago career. I would be considering moving Donato and Mikheyev up the lines and Bertuzzi and Dach down to the bottom 6.
