No college needed here for the Obvious, the Hawks do need a second-line center. This season, the Hawks center group has consisted of Bedard, Kurashev, Dickinson, Athanasiou, Reichel, and Donato. Their consistent second-line center this season has been Kurashev, and when he was a healthy scratch on Oct. 22 against the Canucks, Athanasiou filled that spot. This season, Kurashev has a 51.7% faceoff percentage, while Athanasiou has a 48.6% faceoff percentage. Funny part being, the Hawks’ top three in faceoff percentages this season are Anderson (66.7%), Foligno (63.6%), and Teravainen (60%), who are not the “starters” at center. So, you could say there is a significant need for an anchor at the dot.
These reports of our Hawks looking for a second-line center are unsurprising, considering this issue keeps arising. Last season, during opening night against the Penguins, the Hawks centers were Bedard, Reichel, Dickinson, and Cole Guttman. There was turnover throughout the year with Tyler Johnson, Entwistle, Seney, and Sanford, and towards the end, they tried out Athanasiou in the 2C and 3C roles. Then Nazar made his NHL debut in a center role, too.
All of that is to say that these Hawks can’t continue down this path of not having solidified centers. It was thought it might get addressed this summer, but Bedard is still struggling at the dot (32.1%). Nazar is doing well with the IceHogs, leading the team with 4 points in 3 games. But it’s still unclear when Nazar will be recalled since the coaching staff wants him to get development time in Rockford. Guttman (2 points in 3 games in Rockford) is an option, but he fits more of a third or fourth center. Moore is playing third-line center with the Minnesota Gophers, and we won’t know if he will make the NHL jump until April. So, they don’t have many internal options.
The Hawks should explore the trade market, but it likely won’t be a quick process. A top defenseman and center are hard to come by. Ducks’ Trevor Zegras might be a trade target, as he has been mentioned in trade rumors dating back to last season. Hawks’ talk around that possibility intensified then, but young centers are a luxury. However, the Hawks have a lot of draft capital to offer. They have 13 draft picks in the first three rounds of the next three NHL drafts. They have two first-round picks in 2025 and may be willing to dangle one if the price is right.
GM Davidson mentioned many times they would be willing to use their draft capital in a trade to address needs, so a trade seems like a realistic possibility at some point.
Maybe slot Foligno there as a center and throw Bertuzzi in with Bedard…
Its still early in the season…. all good.
Then we can focus on the Hawks (while in opponents zone) to USE THE POINTMEN more often by passing the puck up the boards instead of CONSTANTLY getting pinched along boards and coughing up the biscuit…lol
To address the post about 2nd line center, call Montreal, maybe get Dach back with Laine and Savard for Jones and Brodie. Or a Dach Savard for Murphy or Brodie and a a 2nd round pick in a few years
Hawks65, agree with alot of your post. With Reichels confidence up right now, why not try him with Kurashev and Hall. Let Bert who is struggling have some reps with Dick and Mik where he might be more comfortable and get him going. Donato can play with Maroon and Smith/AA. Still basically staying the course with some minor tweaks.
Bedard is a 19 yr old taking fos against the Ryan O’Reillys masters at it, and getting schooled most nightd, agree with LR doing that in the hope learns from them, takes time should come. If he won only 15 of the fos he lost this year, Badard be at 50%, i mean picking spots a little bit and the fo% could be dressed up pretty easily if they wanted, but let him learn from the best is and live with it these years is doing that part right in my opinion.
A game like last night sends me to thoughts of prospects – like Rinzel with 2 goals and an assist and like Arty making his pro debut today. And then there is the possible future Hawks prospect of Misa or Martone or McQueen.
Patience grasshopper.
The obsession’s with Rachel is comical. Tab, instead of telling us Reichel’s shortcomings and disappearing in games, It is it time to write about how awful the second line of Kurashev, Hall, and Bert have been. In fact, Reichel has been better than all three yet we dwell on a 22 year old. If you look at his draft year, the NHL team that has A Holtz, J Quinn, M Rossie, D Holloway are not any better than Reichel and all of them were drafted ahead of him. One guy quit skating professionally in R Amirov. Reichel is 22 years old still learning the physical side on the NHL. I dont expect him to go out every night and be a consistent difference maker, It takes time. Last night, the Short Handed goal was because Bert, was not aggressive in puck retrieval along the boards. Bert was soft all night, missed a great scoring chance (has missed all year), Yes, people dwell on Reichel, everyone needs a scapegoat
Lastly, I knew at the beginning of the season the Hawks had a huge problem aka the second line. Now they also have a first line problem in the regressing of Kurashev . WTF. Great idea coach breaking up Bed and Kur as well as Jones and Vlassic.
The good news I want the Hawks to lose to get a top 4 forward which is definitely needed. The Hawks have solid DEF and G prospects but need a top notch A+ scorer to match with Bed. I have the Hawks consistently getting 6-8 points every 10 games this year. My under is 65 points because every team got better last year. The goal is two years away from winning. At least they are competitive. I look forward to the Bert and Ernie, opps Broadie show of slow and inept.
Talk last night that Taylor Hall has indicated a desire to stay in Chicago beyond this year. Considering the players resigned after last season, that’s a great indicator of something very positive taking place in the organization. Report also had KFC indicating that kind of decision is for after New Year talk, not right now, which seems like the smart answer.
Ian— Never said Bedard was NOT right pick… Je Is an excellent shooter/scorer! He Just isn’t gonna be as Generational as Kucherov/Toews/Crsoby/Kane/McJ— Period… He Is Stamkos — Like… Stamkos was an EXCELLENT player… Just NOT as EXCELLENT driver // difference maker –as Kucherov!!!
Regarding other 2 guys
KK– Very BAD/POOR omstincts– I hope he develops– has skills/skating /Hands/// But really SHITTY instincts…
LEVS- I like him… gonna Be Good– I just LOVE Demidov–PERIOD
My Opinion- Is Demidov- Gonna be a star– Kucherov great….
And Levs- Gonna be solid– #2 D man-Maybe
Rinzel Gonna be better tham Levs–IMO
Ian
Yes we should trade those 3 picks Specially Bedard who didnt score 10-12 goals in is last 5 games and isn’t fast enough for the league and at same time trade Levs and Kk to a top team like Panthers for first round pick hahaha 😂
i am convince that Levs will be a top Dman in the NHL and KK will become a good player but will need time to grow like many DMen .
Duncan Keith was in AHL for almost 2 years before arriving with the Hawks
Those kids need TIME TO DEVELOP . And this team needs time to adapt to eachothers .
Nice to finally watch a game and sorry to everyone for jinxing it. Reichel came out like gangbusters and then he disappeared. Glad to see Big Rig taking names out there. Other than that, it was an uneventful boring game. I guess I can’t complain about the announcers because I got to watch the game. Fubo just signed so I’m guessing Hulu will be right around the corner.
Announcers said that at one point Nashville had won 9 of 12 defensive draws on penalty kill. That goes a long way in crippling your power play, says Captain Obvious.
Nice thing about message boards is everyone is entitled to their opinion.Personally, I think it’s a great concept.
Thanks Coach Reay for giving us a playground to throw sand at each other!!
According to what we’re reading here Mo, every 1st pick KD made Bedard, KK, Levshunov were big blunders and ruined the rebuild anyways. Better clean house from top to bottom and start over i guess.
We go to Florida and get the two way center/draft high pick player with size.
Do we get 1st pick with debrincat and no K2. What yr is debrincat a ufa again.
Lafreniere just got a $5mil raise. NYR on the hook for $66.5mil already for 2025. They need 2 goalies 3 Dmen and 6 Forwards to fill out a roster with $23.5mil to spend on a $90mil est. cap.
Shesterkin
Miller
Kakko
Cuylle
Edstrom
Rempe
Edstrom 6’7″ 240lb centre 24yrs old
Trade AA for Chytil 6’3″ 209lb centre 25yrs old retain $2.125mil on AA and we have a young center with good NHL talent and experience for two years at AA’s same money. Health only question but we will find out in two years.
Nick Foligno — Connor Bedard — Teuvo Teravainen
Taylor Hall — Philipp Kurashev — Tyler Bertuzzi
Ilya Mikheyev — Jason Dickinson – Ryan Donato
Patrick Maroon — Lukas Reichel — Craig Smith
Alex Vlasic — Seth Jones
Wyatt Kaiser — Connor Murphy
Nolan Allan — T.J. Brodie
Petr Mrazek
Arvid Soderblom
With 70+ games to go this season, it makes sense to me to give the opportunity for 2C to be earned by Reichel or Kurashev. Lots of hockey yet. Filling 2C also closes the door to them if you bring in a more solid player. Why block them now? They are already competing for the job.
2nd line Center??? What about 1st line Center?
Bedard- can’t in a Faceoff and Is NOT strong 2 way guy…
The stuff he did in JRS is NOT working at this level…
as mentioned he is a Wing- with A++ shot… he needs a Center who can win Bttles and has IQ/Skating to get BEDARD the Shots
Bedard–trying to generate his OWN shots is proving fruitless so far
Yes-it would be slighlty better w Better /younger real talent around him…. BUT… He is Stamkos good… NOT Kucherov/ Crosby/Toews/McJ Good
Speaking of Great players– DEMIDOV is on another Tear… Boy did KD and Scouts screw the Pooch there…by NOT picking the Kid
Agree with ya ER. The only impact scoring forwards we have that figure to stick around are Kurachev and Reichel (assuming Bedard doesn’t request a trade). We don’t have enough talented young forwards NHL ready. Until then – it will remain a mess.
Puting Hall on 1st line and moving Foligno means you lose more draws, can’t get the puck in a board battle, and really only have TT as a responsible player. We may look flashier when we have the puck, but I wouldn’t want to be Mrazek.
Ian and ER – I agree with both of you, despite the fact that your takes conflict a bit. ER, when I read that the Hawks were looking at the 2C market, my first reaction was, “Why?” An excellent 2C won’t get them to the playoffs. If they believe their future 2C is in Rockford right now, then this is at odds with that. Ian, after my initial reaction, I got to thinking that it is probably better to have the young guys coming up to a team that is more viable. With a huge void at 2C, it is not a healthy thing for these young players to develop under these circumstances with major gaps in the lineup. Some of them will probably be here sooner than we think given what will inevitably happen injury wise.
It is a fantasy to think there is a good second line center out there that is young and will come cheap. So you have two options. You bring in an old guy on a short deal or you bring in a young guy that you have to pay. Neither is ideal given that we want our next guy to be in Rockford right now, but it is the real world. Is anybody willing to part with one of these for less than a huge return? Probably not.
Bedard needs to bring it tonight and rack up some major points.
Right now there is a void, having too many optiins down the road would be a good problem not a bad one.
EB, to me it’s not about winning but about having a functional top 6 vs a dysfunctional one, for current and soon to be nhl prospects to get called up to, Bedard yes is learning pro game and if you don’t have patience for that, then you obviously don’t want a rebuild, can cherry pick opinions all day but like it or not, bottom line is it’s these youngsters that will make or break this process.
Assuming this 2C talk is bringing in a veteran, I’m confused by this 2C talk – for what purpose? I doubt it’s to “win now” since having a better 2C isn’t going to be the difference between making the playoffs or not. Is it help the young players improve by providing steady and consistent play – what young players? The new 2C isn’t going to help Bedard as they wouldn’t play together. Is this move designed to help Reichel cuz I don’t see any other “young player” on the roster among the forwards.
Color me confused.
2C will not be a problem next year. I already penciled in Rantanen $13mil for the next 4yrs.
I would like to put Hall up on the first line a get him 25 goals or more to get another #1 pick and good prospect or #2 pick at TDL.
Bert Kurashev AA as second line to get AA points and get #2 at TDL.
Mick Dick Reichel as 3rd line. Mick’s and Dick’s speed and defense will open up opportunities for Reichel’s offense.
Older gents 4th line Maroon Foligno Smith to start. Drop in Anderson and Donato anywhere in the line up when rest is needed. This could build chemistry without mixing up the lines.
Want to know why Foligno is on the top line? Read the WGH comments aboout the top line center. Will he get better? I don’t know – probably. But his ceiling doesn’t appear to be top line. He needs reps, yes, but that right now reqally hurts the team. Pick your poison.
Unless that changes and he plays better defense, he is a wing. Like Kane was. He can get his 100 points a season without any other obligations.
2C isn’t rocket science, if KD has a chance to land a young player who can be a top 6 C for a few years at the right price go for it. If not get a place holder while developing long term options so LR can roll out some wingers with his top 2Cs and have a functional top 6 to work with.
First of all if DeBrindcat wasn’t traded, I doubt we’d be seeing Bedard on the roster. So while yes he, Kane, and Bedard would make a terrific line, its only available in fantasy hockey.
Reichel was pretty good in the dot in Rockford, and probably was their best faceoff guy; why he can’t control the dot in the NHL is yet another quirk to his lack of success.
The choice of Donnato, Anderson, or Kurashev as #2C is at best a band aid for a hole. Although I think if Kurashev was just given that role, over time he’d be the best answer. He hasn’t always responded well to the line blender, so knowing his role he could excel at it. The #1C at a FO% of 35% or less is a killer, as the best line seldom starts with the puck. No wonder why this team can’t come back after giving up a goal or two, it’s too easy to defend against them, unless special teams come to the rescue. The bottom six can’t be the scoring lines and possession lines too. That never works except against the Hawks!
I have to think that Tuevo is a perfect linemate for Bedard. Makes you wonder why we traded DeBrincat for Korchinski when he could have been that sniper that Bedard needed. I digress…
I think we could pry Matty Berniers from Seattle, but Nazar would probably have to be part of that deal and maybe Korchinski too.
Get Knies or Cowan .from Leafs 🍁 keep Murphy salary
Leafs lost again .i like it .
Would like to see them loose in first round in playoff and het a good pick in first round ,,,yess i know it’s early in the season but its like their is no chemistry on this team ,i dont know whats wrong but their is something that need to be done this year for them .
But i am not complaining iff they 💥 crash and get a top 20 pick for us .or they make a deal with the hawks sending a good young player for Murphy,Reichel and kurachev or ? ?
Its been 2 off seasons and full season that 2C needed addressed and hasn’t happened yet. You could say the same for Bedards linemates, alot of respected opinions in the hockey world feel that not having better linemates for him last year was big mistake. Here we are all thus time gone by, the go to guy in every situation is Foligno, who is a great leader and can still play some hockey but at this stage of his career isn’t a true top line or top 6 talent anymore. Makes you ask what gives?