Blackhawks
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
way too early to bank on the Bolts' falling to 12th, but it's looking great currently. big difference between ~12 & ~20. Lindstrom & Yakemchuk/Brandsegg-Nygard would be a haul (not sold on Eiserman)
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Is Vasilevskiy back? He gives them a better chance for sure, but they are getting old with a lot of mileage the past few years. Kinda mirrors the Hawks.
Yeah, he came back a week ago
...and got lit up last night by Dallas.
TB is a fringe playoff team. Long way to go, but as @Joel Goodson said, this could be a pretty good pick if they land in the 11-15 range.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Just checked his stats. Oof! I'm sure he'll work his way back to form.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
not a Bolts guy (so, talking out of my rear), but big guys typically slow down quicker (than normal sized guys) as they get into their 30s. perhaps Hedman is experiencing it. lotta wear and tear over the years.
the Hagel trade is looking like it's gonna work out wonderfully for the Hawks
the Hagel trade is looking like it's gonna work out wonderfully for the Hawks
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
Bedard outworked Hedman on the first goal he scored in Tampa. Stripped him of the puck behind the net and then beat him to the net to pounce on the rebound.
I agree, that was a good trade. Would love to have Hagel on a wing with Bedard but that was too much to pass up on.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
help is coming, in a large way:
just need to be patient. '24 should be a major haul too.
just need to be patient. '24 should be a major haul too.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I assume Nazar will sign his pro contract after his season is done. Not sure about Hayes, maybe after this year is done. The two Gophers will probably sign their pro contracts after next year. So, yeah, the pipeline will start to fill up but will take a few years. 2027, maybe.
Edit: Overall, I do like the way the young d-men are playing, even if it's inconsistent right now. They'll either figure it out or someone from Rockford will take their place.
Edit: Overall, I do like the way the young d-men are playing, even if it's inconsistent right now. They'll either figure it out or someone from Rockford will take their place.
So...if you finish last and wind up with the first overall pick, does that count as winning the lottery? Asking for a friend...
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
If you win the lottery with the 3rd worst record, that counts as winning the lottery.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
If you move up in the draft, that is considered “winning”. That’s what I have been told.
Gotcha, thanks all. It's a bit odd since technically your ping pong ball would come up, but it makes sense. Hopefully we're not consistently in a situation where it would matter, but the light at the end of the tunnel looks very small right now.
Next year we will start seeing some meaningful free agent signings I would think. This team is going to be a lot better next year. Tons of cap space and draft capital. 80% of this roster will look different in two years. Do they get it right? Who knows, but the opportunity will be there.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
I think you're advancing the timetable by a year, minimum.
bdutts
- Houston, Texas
I’d say it depends on how the young D progress this year. And who plays in net next year. They definitely need forward help.
They have almost
This team would be a bit better with Hall and Perry but things happen.
I can’t see them sitting on $30 million of cap space next year. A few short term deals like the Taylor Hall deal along with development of some young guys will make this team better. Not saying they are going all in but you can’t roll this back out again.
This team would be a bit better with Hall and Perry but things happen.
Joel Goodson
- respect my decision™
Is Kyle from Chicago going to get some skilled vets? Most definitely, yes. But they'll be short term guys. The big splash (e.g. Hossa, part 2) is a few years off yet.
The Blackhawks playing the Blues in St. Louis the day after the Illini played Mizzou in The Lou is a great thing. The NHL should make this game a permanent yearly thing to have the Chicago-St. Louis matchup like this.
Illiniaaron
- Geneseo, IL
This team is beyond bad. Giving up five goals in last 15 minutes.
Michigan goal like that happens more often than you think.
Soderblom isn't remotely close to being a NHL goalie. His career record is 4-22-3 with a 3.83 GAA and a SP of .881.