Official Chicago Blackhawks Thread: Bedard Era

Discussion in 'The Mainboard' started by Illinihockey, Apr 9, 2015.

  1. Fran Tarkenton

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    Blackhawks seeking to trade a few prospects at deadline

    by Scott Powers, posted minutes ago
    The Blackhawks are trying to give two prospects who could use fresh starts new homes at the trade deadline.

    Chicago is shopping forward Mark McNeill and defenseman Ville Pokka leading up to Wednesday afternoon’s NHL trade deadline, according to a source.

    The 24-year-old McNeill, a 2011 first-round draft pick, was once considered a top prospect by the Blackhawks, but has been passed over by other prospects for call-ups in recent seasons. McNeill averaged 20-plus goals the previous three seasons. His production has dropped this season, and he has six goals and 22 assists in 58 games.

    McNeill is in his fourth season with the IceHogs. He re-signed for one year prior to the current season and will be a restricted free agent following the 2016-17 season.

    Pokka, 22, was acquired by the Blackhawks as part of the Nick Leddy trade with the New York Islanders in 2014. Pokka has led the IceHogs’ defensemen in ice time and points the past two seasons, but has failed to move up the organization’s depth chart and has yet to make his NHL debut. His road to the NHL this season was blocked when the Blackhawks decided to re-sign Michal Rozsival, sign Michal Kempny from the KHL and keep Gustav Forsling in North America.

    Pokka had 10 goals and 35 assists in 76 games last season and has four goals and 19 assists in 58 games this season. He is in his third season with the IceHogs. His entry-level contract will expire after this season and he’ll become a restricted free agent.

    The Blackhawks have often moved players who have been with the organization for multiple years and don’t appear to have a future in the NHL with the team. In recent years, the Blackhawks traded Jeremy Morin and Brandon Pirri after lengthy stays with the IceHogs.
     
  2. Illinihockey

    Illinihockey Well-Known Member
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    Pokka and a 2nd for Oduya with 50% retained.
     
  3. Bankz

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    I miss Oduya... so consistent for us
     
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  4. Illinihockey

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  5. visa

    visa Well-Known Member
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    #3155 visa, Feb 28, 2017
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2017
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  6. Illinihockey

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    Even cheaper than I thought
     
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  7. Fran Tarkenton

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  8. Fran Tarkenton

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    4th round pick that becomes a 3rd if they make the WCF. Perfect.

    Dallas owes for making out like bandits on our cap situation.
     
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  9. dallasdawg

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    Tell me about McNeil. Limited research says he's gonna be a pretty solid player

    Oduya is still solid, just has been dealing with injuries the past two seasons
     
  10. visa

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  11. dallasdawg

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  12. Fran Tarkenton

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    Yea Id think youre looking at a 3rd line defensive center. But he was projected to be a top 6 guy at the draft. Guess is worth the speculative chance given Oduya was walking.
     
  13. Fran Tarkenton

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    know this is a nightly thing now but Schmaltz playing so damn well next to Toews
     
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  14. Illinihockey

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    That panik goal
     
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  15. Fran Tarkenton

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    what happened to Anisimov?
     
  16. Illinihockey

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  17. Bankz

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    This has been a pretty intense March game.
     
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  18. Fran Tarkenton

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    Schmaltzy
     
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  19. Bankz

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    Kane so nasty
     
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  20. Tex

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    Alll the goals
     
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  21. visa

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    On fucking fire. Don't peak boys
     
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  22. Illinihockey

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    Schmaltz and Hartman are legit. The defense needs to get healthy and the Hawks are a dangerous team.
     
  23. Illinihockey

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    That's Q speak for 4-6 weeks
     
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  24. Fran Tarkenton

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    yea saw that. Basically puts his timeline right at the start of playoffs. Wish this would've happened a few days earlier so Stan could've use the LTIR relief (assuming he does miss 4 weeks) like he did with Kane 2 yrs ago.
     
  25. Fran Tarkenton

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    buying a sub to The Athletic has been worth it. Powers is one of the better guys on the Blackhawks beat and hedger is on there too.

    I had to mute Laz on twitter. Too annoying.
     
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  26. visa

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    Agreed. Also feel that Laz basically retweets/re-parcels Hine, Laz, Powers etc.

    I like Sharma and Greenberg too so I'll probably subscribe before MLB opening day.
     
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  27. Illinihockey

    Illinihockey Well-Known Member
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    I don't follow Laz, that got retweeted into my timeline. I fully agree that Powers is head and shoulders the best
     
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  28. Illinihockey

    Illinihockey Well-Known Member
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    Anyone listen to Zawaski's Hawks podcast or the one the Committed Indian guys do?
     
  29. visa

    visa Well-Known Member
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    No. Thoughts?

    Zawaski annoys me; he has that holier than thou "I was sharpening Jeff Shantz' skates before you became a fan" attitude. He is the Simpsons comic book guy.
     
  30. Illinihockey

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    I haven't listened which is why I was asking. Listened to the committed Indian guys once and it was pretty solid. I like Zawaski, the Committed Indian guys can get tiresome at times, Fels in particular.
     
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  31. Illinihockey

    Illinihockey Well-Known Member
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    Little Nostalgia for you fellas on a Friday





     
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  32. Illinihockey

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    Crawford got screwed out of the 2013 Conn Smythe
     
  33. Illinihockey

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  34. Tex

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  35. Fran Tarkenton

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    I really thought I'd be done watching Roszival play hockey when he broke his ankle 2 playoffs ago

    and here we are still watching him turn the puck over
     
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  36. Fran Tarkenton

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    Panarin bailed out a point
     
  37. Fran Tarkenton

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  38. visa

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  39. Fran Tarkenton

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    Preds are a pesky bunch
     
  40. Fran Tarkenton

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    Campbell Dagger
     
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  41. Fran Tarkenton

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    Putting Ryan Hartman’s Blackhawks rookie season into context

    by Satchel Price, 8 hours ago
    The Blackhawks have had some great luck with rookies over the past decade.

    They hit big 10 years ago with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane, did it again in 2016 with Artemi Panarin and had others successes like Andrew Shaw and Brandon Saad in between. They’ve had more hits than misses, unlike previously – i.e. Mikhail Yakubov, Cam Barker and Jack Skille.

    Now, there’s another exciting crop of talented Blackhawks rookies in town. While a number of them have contributed in some way this season, none has been as productive as Ryan Hartman. The 2013 first-round pick has been a revelation for the Blackhawks as an even-strength Swiss Army knife, surpassing the expectations bestowed upon him years ago as “the next Andrew Shaw.”

    Compared to the best Blackhawks rookies of the past 20 years, Hartman comes in as one of the most effective. While his raw production isn’t close to the likes of Kane, Toews and Panarin, he’s fit right in that next tier, which bodes well for his future as a secondary scorer and all-around good role player.

    Among Blackhawks rookies since 1998, Hartman is currently ninth in goals (15) and tied for 13th in points (26), according to Hockey-Reference’s Play Index. He’s still got another 17 games to play in this season, so he can be expected to keep climbing the lists. At his current pace, he’ll finish the year with 19 goals and 33 points. That would put Hartman right behind that top tier (plus Kris Versteeg and Tuomo Ruutu) among Blackhawks rookies over the last two decades.

    But there’s more to Hartman’s performance than points. Lots of players have big first years who can’t sustain it for one reason or another. With Hartman, on the other hand, there are a bunch of reasons to believe he’s at least as good as his production indicates.

    Strong underlying stats point to sustainable production

    Hartman piles on the shots on goal at an incredible rate. Only Panarin, Kane, Toews and Rene Bourque have averaged more shots per game as Blackhawks rookies since 1998 (minimum 41 games played), and all of them played more each night. In terms of shots on goal generated per 60 minutes, Hartman has the best mark of the past 20 years by far (stats via Hockey-Reference),

    [​IMG]

    Shot generation is usually a strong indicator of future goal scoring ability. Every player on that list scored 20 goals in an NHL season at least once after their rookie season, and while guys like J.P. Dumont and Tyler Arnason didn’t become stars, they still had good years in the NHL. Even Bourque, whose career has slowed down now at age 35, scored 75 goals in 211 games with the Calgary Flames from ages 27-29. The worst-case scenario here is basically that Hartman is a solid role player through his mid-20s.

    Hartman has also driven possession. Hockey-Reference only has possession statistics dating back to 2007-08, but during that time, there have been 15 Blackhawks forwards to play at least 50 percent of the games in their rookie seasons. Among those players, Hartman is second in even-strength Corsi relative at plus-2.3 percent, which means the Blackhawks’ shot attempt differential is 2.3 percent better with Hartman on the ice than off.

    Only Panarin, who benefited from an extremely offensive-minded role next to Kane, has had a greater impact on even-strength Corsi in his rookie season among those 15 players. Given his role, that makes Hartman’s impact even more noticeable.

    A special year with no special teams

    But even beyond those numbers, the thing that makes Hartman’s season unique is that he does all this work at even strength. Just about every rookie who puts up big numbers gets a boost from the power play. That’s where a young player’s offensive talents can shine with time and space, even if he’s still working out the intricacies of the 5-on-5 game.

    Hartman has never had that luxury. All 26 of his points have come at even strength because he’s played over 96 percent of his minutes at even strength. That’s just 20 minutes on the power play and seven minutes on the penalty kill out of 753 overall. Compared to someone like the Toronto Maple Leafs’ William Nylander, who has recorded 20 of his 46 points on the power play this season, Hartman’s usage has been vastly different, in a more difficult way.

    If Hartman keeps pace and finishes the season with 19 even-strength goals, he’ll top what Toews (17) did in his rookie campaign. The 22-year-old Hartman has already passed Kane (14), and he’s got an outside shot to top Panarin’s 22 even-strength goals, which is the highest total by a Blackhawks rookie in the past 20 years. Only Patrik Laine and Auston Matthews have more among this year’s rookies right now.

    Hartman isn’t versatile in the same sense as someone like Toews, who can play even strength, power play and penalty kill minutes with equal comfort, but his ability to switch between skilled and checking lines makes the Shaw comparison apt. That adaptability, even more than the secondary scoring or bite, is the biggest part of Shaw’s game that Hartman has replicated this season.

    To take that comparison further, Shaw also had a pretty strong rookie season. He had 12 goals and 11 assists in 37 games during the 2011-12 season. He did compile 50 penalty minutes during his short first season. Hartman has stayed out of the box relatively. He has 55 penalty minutes in 60 games.

    Hartman has also shown a knack for drawing penalties. He leads the Blackhawks with 18 drawn penalties and is tied for a team-leading plus-4 penalty differential in 5-on-5 play. Shaw drew 13 penalties and had a plus-5 differential in his rookie season.

    Put it all together, and Hartman is having one of the most impressive Blackhawks rookie seasons in recent memory. He’s not benefiting from unsustainable shot percentages, playing regularly with a superstar or inflating his numbers on the power play. He’s just playing consistent, versatile hockey, the sort we’ve seen from only a select few Blackhawks in their first seasons over the past 20 years.
     
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  42. visa

    visa Well-Known Member
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    In my dreams he's Tyler Johnson /Johnny Hockey



    [​IMG]
     
  43. Bankz

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    If that kid was a bit taller... He's got an incredible ability to score goals.
     
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  44. Illinihockey

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    Saw someone on another board compared him to Conor Sheary. I'm taking a wait and see with DeBrincat. If he dominates next year in the AHL, get excited.
     
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  45. Fran Tarkenton

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    Brutal finish to 1st period. Detroit still as hateable as ever.
     
  46. Fran Tarkenton

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    by Scott Powers, Yesterday


    The Blackhawks got younger this season and even more youth is on its way.

    The Blackhawks have as many as 13 prospects they could add to their roster pool next season. A few of those have already signed and a number more are expected to sign. Plus, there are a few unknowns.

    Here’s a look at all 13 prospects the Blackhawks could be adding to their AHL and NHL rosters next season:

    Radovan Bondra, forward, Prince George Cougars (WHL), fifth round 2015

    2016-17 stats: 32 goals, 31 assists, 62 points, 59 games

    What you need to know: Bondra, 20, has been one of the Blackhawks’ top goal-scoring prospects this season. He had just 15 goals in 58 games in the WHL last season. He matched that total in November of this season. He’s consistently scored, too — he’s had goals in 26 games this season. The production is a sign of his progression. He’s especially learned how to better use his 6-foot-5, 221-pound frame in the offensive zone and around the net. He’s a left-handed shot and has played both wings.

    What they’re saying about him: “When we drafted him, it was going to be a project because he was sort of a raw talent,” Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said. “He’s really starting to put it together. He’s physically imposing with that size and the skating. You always wondered could he find a way to be productive, and he’s been able to do that.”

    Next season: It’ll be interesting to see what the Blackhawks do with Bondra. They don’t have to sign him after this season, but he’s close to being ready for pro hockey.


    Chris Calnan, forward, Boston College (NCAA), third round 2012

    2016-17 stats: 5 goals, 9 assists, 14 points, 36 games

    What you need to know: Calnan, 22, is one of those role players who will do anything to win. He’s the captain at Boston College and has been a solid role player for the Eagles. He’s especially physical and reliable defensively. He underwent two offseason surgeries this past year and had to work hard to get back on the ice this season. He’s a right-handed shot and plays the right wing.

    What they’re saying about him: “He’s a leader, he’s a team guy,” Blackhawks amateur scouting vice president Mark Kelley said. “He’ll do anything for his team to win. He’ll play hurt. He’ll block shots. He has a net-presence on the power play. Chris will get involved offensively or what have you. But in the end, he’ll measure himself by the wins and losses.”

    Next season: Calnan hasn’t developed exactly as the Blackhawks had hoped, but they still value what he could bring to a team. It’s up in the air whether he’ll be offered an NHL or AHL contract after his season. It could come down to numbers.

    Alex DeBrincat, forward, Erie Otters (OHL), second round 2016

    2016-17 stats: 62 goals, 59 assists, 121 points, 59 games

    What you need to know: DeBrincat, 19, has been by far the Blackhawks’ most productive prospect this season. He’s been putting up crazy numbers even for the OHL. He’s produced points in 53-of-59 games and has had multiple points in 34 games. He leads the OHL in points and goals and isn’t too far off the assists leader. He’s playing his best now too. He’s on a 23-game point streak and 19-game goal streak. The goal streak tied Mike Ricci’s 1988 OHL record. DeBrincat was cut from the U.S. team for the World Juniors, and it appears to have only motivated him. His size at 5-foot-7 has always been the concern about him and why he slipped to the second round last year. He has proven so far it isn’t detrimental to him. He’s doesn’t have high-end speed, but he understands how to find space and create for himself and others. He’s right-handed and plays the right wing.

    What they’re saying about him: “What should transfer well to the next level are all aspects of his shot, offensive instincts, his willingness to play defense and compete level, his edginess and willingness to engage physically, he plays with no fear and his intelligence,” an anonymous scout said. “The concerns are he’s an above-average skater, but he’s not a burner for his size like you’d like, so it makes his size a little bit of a concern. He’s really strong and shifty, can avoid contact, but takes contact well. He’s short, but not small in stature. And can he be good enough in other facets and roles at the NHL level other than scoring goals, which he won’t do at the kind of pace he does at the junior level. He’ll need to adapt his game some, but has the brains and willingness to do so. He’s not going to be an elite scorer in NHL like junior, but he can be better than Nathan Gerbe who’s even smaller than him. Think Steve Sullivan-ish.”

    Next season: DeBrincat has already signed a three-year entry-level deal and will join the roster pool next season. The question is whether he can make the NHL team next season. He’ll certainly get a long look at camp.

    Alexandre Fortin, forward, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL), free agent signee

    2016-17 stats: 20 goals, 29 assists, 49 points, 48 games

    What you need to know: Fortin, 20, was the surprise of the summer. He was invited to the Blackhawks prospect camp, shined there, was invited to training camp, played well there and earned an NHL contract. He’s continued to produce in the QMJHL and has been averaging a litte more than a point a game. He went through some struggles in December, but bounced back in a big way in January. His game is about speed and creating space in the offensive zone. He even showed that some when getting to play in the NHL preseason. He’s a left-handed shot who played center and left wing.

    What they’re saying about him: “I think we like his game,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “Obviously, we think he’s got some potential. He’s got some quickness and speed, which in today’s game seems to be where it’s going to. He has some finish. The other parts of the game from a young kid, his strength in the puck area, protecting the puck, you know, the little things that can get you more predictability in your game, will be something that we continue to watch here, but certainly it’s nice for him to get this type of experience as well, to help his game.”

    Next season: Fortin signed a three-year entry-level contract in September. The Blackhawks staff loved his game last season, so he’ll likely get another long look at the next camp.


    John Hayden, forward, Yale (NCAA), third round 2013

    2016-17 stats: 20 goals, 13 assists, 33 points, 32 games

    What you need to know: Hayden, 22, was offered a contract after his junior season, but he decided to return to Yale to be the team captain for his senior season. He’s led the team on and off the ice. He’s especially helped Yale offensively with 20 goals, which is tied for 11th in the NCAA. He has scored in 17 of the 32 games. Hayden knows how to use his size – 6-foot-3, 210 pounds – and doesn’t mind playing a physical game. He’s good around the net and has skill. He’s a right-handed shot and has played center and right wing.

    What they’re saying about him: “John is a guy we like,” Blackhawks assistant general manager Norm Maciver said. “We liked his size. We liked the physicality. He’s got offensive upside to his game. There’s a lot of things we liked about him when we drafted. Obviously he’s going to a great school. He’s going to leave Yale with a pretty impressive degree.”

    Next season: Hayden was the one player the Blackhawks were slightly concerned would opt for free agency when he decided to return to Yale. All indications are he’s going to sign with the Blackhawks after his college season. He could be one of the incoming prospects closest to the NHL too. The Blackhawks don’t have a lot of players of his size and skill set in their system. He’s also more developed than some of the other players after four years in college.


    Matthew Highmore, center, Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL), free agent signee

    2016-17 stats: 33 goals, 55 assists, 88 points, 62 games

    What you need to know: Highmore, 21, caught the Blackhawks’ attention this season and impressed them enough to be offered an NHL contract. His offensive numbers are among the best in the QMJHL this season. He’s fourth in points, 14thin goals and tied for third in assists. As much as he’s produced, he’s also considered to be an effective defensive player. His current coach compared him to former Blackhawks prospect Phillip Danault. He’s a left-handed shot and plays center.

    What they’re saying about him: “I really liked what I saw early on,” Blackhawks director of player recruitment Ron Anderson said. “I compared him to a lot of different players. His game continued to progress. I like a lot about his game. Everything I could find out about his character and the integrity in his game from his coaches and our staff that know him. There was a lot to like about him.”

    Next season: Highmore recently signed a three-year entry-level contract. He’ll likely start next season with the Rockford IceHogs in the AHL.


    Matheson Iacopelli, forward, Western Michigan (NCAA), third round 2014

    2016-17 stats: 20 goals, 14 assists, 34 points, 35 games

    What you need to know: Iacopelli, 22, made a huge jump from his freshman to sophomore season. He had just one goal as a freshman and now is tied for 11th in college hockey with 20 goals. He has an NHL-ready shot. The other parts of his game are coming along. He said learning some mental skills techniques from the Blackhawks has helped him. He’s a left-handed shot and plays right wing.

    What they’re saying about him: “You look at some of the great shooters in history,” Maciver said. “Like Brett Hull was like that. He could shoot that wrister, where I call it no backswing. He just got the puck on his stick and it went forward and it went forward with a lot of force. Iacopelli does that fairly effectively.”

    Next season: The Blackhawks may leave it up to Iacopelli if he wants to sign. He’s a little bit older at 22 as a college sophomore. He might be able to use another college season, but he could also develop just as fine in Rockford.


    Graham Knott, forward, Windsor Spitfires (OHL), second round 2015

    2016-17 stats: 15 goals, 33 assists, 48 points, 55 games

    What you need to know: Knott, 20, was disappointed with his play in the OHL last season after being drafted by the Blackhawks, and he’s been a lot better this season. His production is up. He had 42 points in 68 games last season. More than that, he’s just more consistent this season. He’s not expected to produce a whole lot at the next level, but the Blackhawks like his size at 6-foot-4, 193 pounds, and his reliability. He’s left-handed and has played left wing and center.

    What they’re saying about him: “He’s not a pure offensive player, but it’s nice to see him scoring,” Bowman said in December. “He’ll probably be more that well-rounded pro. He’s a good-sized kid that can play with the puck, but also he can be a guy you can groom for a two-way role. I don’t know if he’ll be a high scorer in the pros, but he’s got enough offense that he can produce. At this level, you’re looking for your third and fourth lines to contribute offensively. I think that’s something we’ve talked to Graham about.”

    Next season: Knott signed a three-year entry-level contract in September. He’ll also likely start with the IceHogs.


    Anthony Louis, forward, Miami Ohio (NCAA), sixth round 2013

    2016-17 stats: 13 goals, 25 assists, 38 points, 35 games

    What you need to know: Louis, 22, also opted to return to school for his senior season. He wasn’t happy about his junior season and felt his game could use another year in college. It appears the season has benefitted him. He’s been consistently productive and averaged more than a point a game. Like DeBrincat, Louis is also 5-foot-7 and will have to show he can continue to put up numbers at the pro level. Louis has playmaking ability and some speed. He’s a left-handed shot and has played center and left wing.

    What they’re saying about him: “In the case of Anthony, he’s a very skilled offensive player,” Maciver said. “He sees the ice very well, makes plays. Again, the NHL level, the college level is a significant difference in size and quickness. Anthony like a lot of players has to continue to work and improve on the quickness and the speed factor.”

    Next season: Louis is expected to sign with the Blackhawks after his season. He’ll likely join the IceHogs next season.


    Roy Radke, forward, Barrie Colts (OHL), sixth round 2015


    2016-17 stats: 22 goals, 12 assists, 34 points, 41 games

    What you need to know: Radke, 20, has dealt with some ankle sprains this season, but he’s still been productive and scored 22 goals in 40 games. He has size at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, and has been using it more to his advantage this season. He had 19 goals in 66 games last season. Radke and Bondra have some similar attributes as wingers. Radke spent the summer shadowing Ryan Hartman. He is a right-handed shot and plays right wing.

    What they’re saying about him: “He had a strong start to the season and then got hurt,” Bowman said.

    Next season: Radke is someone who could get an NHL or AHL offer. He’s played well as of late, and that could help him when the Blackhawks made a decision on him. He has some upside.


    Maxim Shalunov, forward, Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL), fourth round 2011


    2016-17 stats: 19 goals, 18 assists, 37 points, 49 games

    What you need to know: Shalunov, 24, was seen as bit of a project when the Blackhawks drafted him in 2011. He came over to North America for the 2013-14 season and succeeded in the ECHL but struggled in the AHL. He decided to return to Russia and has played in the KHL the past three seasons. Over that time, he’s developed and become one of the league’s better offensive players. He has an elite shot, is 6-foot-4, 211 pounds, and has become more rounded. The Blackhawks still own his rights. He’s a left-handed shot and has played right wing and center.

    What they’re saying about him: “The one thing I remember about him was he could really shoot the puck,” Bowman said. “That’s a special talent. It sounds like a simple thing, but not everyone can snap it like he does. I think you like his size. We don’t have a lot of big wingers in our system. We have a few coming, but you can never have too much. The fact he’s in a big top league and he’s playing and scoring at that level it shows that he’s sort of rounded out [his game]. He’s not just a talent anymore. He’s a hockey player.”

    Next season: Shalunov was willing to discuss coming over this season, but it doesn’t appear that’ll work out. There’s a chance he remains in the KHL next season, but he could also sign with the Blackhawks. It should all play out in the next couple months. If he signs with the Blackhawks, he’ll be in the NHL next season.


    Dylan Sikura, forward, Northeastern (NCAA), sixth round 2014

    2016-17 stats: 21 goals, 36 assists, 57 points, 37 games

    What you need to know: Outside of DeBrincat, Sikura, 21, has been the most impressive Blackhawks prospect this season. The Blackhawks saw high-end potential in Sikura when they drafted him, but they weren’t sure if he would physically develop. He could still use a few more pounds at 6-foot, 166 pounds, but he’s getting there. He had a breakout sophomore season and took it another level this season. He’s tied for fourth in college hockey with 57 points. He’s tied for eighth in goals and is second in assists. He’s had points in 30-of-37 games and multiple points in 18 games. His vision and playmaking ability separate him from most players. He’s a left-handed shot and has played center and right wing.

    What they’re saying about him: “We took him and we believed in him,” Kelley said. “It’s fine and good to say that, but he’s the one who has had to do it. That comes with the dedication and the work, not the work on the ice. He’s made himself bigger and stronger. It’s all the work you don’t see the ice, the dedication off the ice. The on-ice stuff you always see.”

    Next season: The Blackhawks will undoubtedly attempt to sign Sikura after the season. For one, he’s ready for the next level, but he’s also a player they don’t want having the option to become a free agent. Sikura appears to be open to discuss the possibility of signing. He could another player who gets a great opportunity in camp to prove himself.


    Luc Snuggerud, defenseman, Omaha (NCAA), fourth round 2014


    2016-17 stats: 11 goals, 20 assists, 31 points, 37 games

    What you need to know: Snuggerud, 21, has taken a step forward in each of his college seasons and done that again as a junior. He’s really elevated his offensive game and been finding a way to get his shot through more this season. It’s something he worked on over the offseason. He’s tied for first among college defensemen with 11 goals. He can also skate and has worked on improving his play in the defensive end. He’s a left-handed shot.

    What they’re saying about him: “Luc is sort of that modern defenseman where he’s a good skater, he’s involved in the play,” Bowman said. “He’s be good on the power play a lot this year. He’s scoring more than he ever has. I don’t know if he’ll be a scoring defenseman as a pro, but he’s at least got the skill set to complement your offense.”

    Next season: The Blackhawks will likely offer Snuggerud a contract after his season. He seems to open discussing that. He could be the lone defenseman prospect the Blackhawks sign and add to their roster pool for next season.
     
    visa and Bankz like this.
  47. illinasty

    illinasty Well-Known Member

    Not a super exciting batch of prospects. I like Snuggerud, not sold on Debrincat or Sikura.

    Think Hayden is a 3rd liner soon and is the only guy I'm sure will play a while in the league.
     
  48. Fran Tarkenton

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    what about Shalunov? I know the HF board was obnoxious about him playing 3C right away, but seems to be hopes from respected ppl that he could be a contributor if/when he comes over.
     
  49. Fran Tarkenton

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    Running Wild: Sunday’s win just further proof Blackhawks are ready for playoff run


    by Brian Hedger, 8 hours ago


    Statistically speaking, the Blackhawks had no business defeating the Minnesota Wild on Sunday at the United Center, let alone by two goals.

    Outside of their own tallies, which were all pretty, the Blackhawks’ 4-2 victory was largely ugly. They couldn’t keep the puck out of their own end and couldn’t sustain much time in Minnesota’s zone. They gave up breakaways, left pucks loose in high-danger areas and consistently needed Corey Crawford to bail them out with a season-high 42 saves.

    It was brutal for long stretches of time, but it was also a perfect case study on what makes the Blackhawks so dangerous as the playoffs draw nearer.

    While they’ve significantly improved their puck-possession game the past month or two, the Blackhawks haven’t forgotten how to win games like these – when they get dominated in everything but the actual score.

    Minnesota outshot them 44-22, which was bad, but the possession metrics were even worse.

    According to Naturalstattrick.com, the Blackhawks’ 38.17 percent Corsi (score-and-venue adjusted) was their lowest of the season. Their 37.96 percent adjusted Fenwick was their third-worst.

    They were outshot 43-19 during 5-on-5, finished minus-21 in even-strength scoring chances (39-18) and allowed 10 more high-danger scoring chances (15-5).

    And yet, the Blackhawks also drove Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk from the game just 4:38 into it, taking a 2-0 lead on beautiful goals by Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin. Those goals were scored on their first two shots, and the Blackhawks also managed to hold two-goal leads in all three periods – countering each Wild goal with one of their own.

    Their shooting percentage was a mind-boggling 21.05 percent, Crawford’s save percentage was 95.35 percent and their PDO was a whopping 1.164 – their third-highest of the season.

    Some might look at a game like this and wish to throw it out the window as an extreme outlier. They’ll say it doesn’t prove anything, about either team, and they’d be right if we were only talking about this one game.

    But we’re not talking about just this game. We’re talking about it in the context of something larger, something the Blackhawks have been working on since the 2015 offseason.

    That was the summer when general manager Stan Bowman had to rip apart the roster following the Blackhawks’ latest Stanley Cup run, as part of his ongoing battle with the NHL’s stringent salary cap. He jettisoned a slew of players who helped drive puck possession that summer, including Brandon Saad, Patrick Sharp, Johnny Oduya, Antoine Vermette, Brad Richards and Kris Versteeg.

    Panarin and Artem Anisimov replaced some of that talent, but not all of it – and the result was painfully obvious. Right from the outset of last season, the Blackhawks struggled to possess the puck at the rate they were used to having it. They were forced to win in other ways.

    It wasn’t easy, but eventually they figured it out.

    The Blackhawks finished third in the Central Division, qualified for the playoffs an eighth consecutive season and took the St. Louis Blues to seven games in a first-round series they narrowly lost.

    The challenge grew even more difficult this season, despite a long offseason for star veterans to rest their overworked bodies.

    Brian Campbell was signed to bolster the defense, along with first-year defenseman Michal Kempny, but the Blackhawks began this season with six rookies – four of them forwards.

    Their puck-possession issues continued, but their ability to manage them did too. The Blackhawks went 16-6-3 through November, and did it in similar fashion to the way they won Sunday.

    They weathered the storm as opposing teams ran up Corsi counts against them. Crawford posted a ridiculously high 5-on-5 save percentage, which hovered in the .980 range for much of that stretch. They scored timely goals nearly every game.

    The most common fancy stats tell it just as clearly.

    This season, the Blackhawks are 9-1-0 in their 10 worst Corsi games, shooting an average of 12.64 percent and posting a 95.44 save percentage for a crazy 108.1 PDO. That’s a small sample size, but the trend also applies to a wider window.

    They’re 22-8-1 this season when finishing with a Corsi of less than 50 percent, and have a slightly worse mark (22-12-3) when they win the Corsi battle.


    Now, those records weren’t derived from score-adjusted Corsi percentages, so there were a few games when the Blackhawks’ Corsi numbers lagged as they protected big leads. Regardless, it’s impressive when a team wins 71 percent of its games when then opponent attempts more shots.

    It’s even more eye-opening when you broaden the scope to include last season.

    In 2015-16, the Blackhawks went 29-8-6 with Corsi rates lower than 50 percent, and since their 2015 overhaul, they’ve gone 51-16-7 when attempting the fewest 5-on-5 shots in a game. They’re 40-30-6 during that span when they win the Corsi battle (50 percent or higher).

    That’s no longer a small sample size, folks.

    That’s nearly two full seasons worth of data, which equates to a body of evidence that says the Blackhawks are just as dangerous when getting crushed in possession rates as they are while dominating the puck.

    If they were the Washington Generals, the Harlem Globetrotters might stage a protest. If they were personified as a single person, they’d be a cantankerous, old-timey player/coach/scout who gleefully tells the “nerds” where they can stick their “Corwicks and Fensis.”

    That stuff no longer applies to the Blackhawks, because they’ve become an outlier – an exception to the rule. They’ve figured out how to game the system the past two seasons, and now can beat you under virtually any circumstance.

    The Wild were just the latest to fall prey to this reality, when they did nearly everything right but win the game Sunday afternoon. It was yet another example of what former St. Louis Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said of the Blackhawks earlier this season, when they defeated his team 2-1 in overtime Nov. 9 at Scottrade Center.

    “They’ve got big dogs,” Hitchcock said, pausing a beat. “And their big dogs bite.”

    Now, even their smaller dogs nip, and they’re all howling as the playoffs approach.


    (still have to be worried its Luck rather than the Norm and the regression will eventually happen in the playoffs, but figured Id post the article)
     
  50. Fran Tarkenton

    Fran Tarkenton Hilton Honors VIP
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    Anisimov dead

    knee/ankle left leg