Hawks Weekly Update 4/8

The season is winding down.

With the Hawks season coming to an end within the next couple of weeks, and the playoffs starting, I've been thinking about what to do with the blog during the offseason. I have some ideas and things, but if you know me, ideas and things usually don't go well together. Other than sharing news (draft and free agency), I might do some Hawks history stuff. I usually watch old hockey games during the summer, which is better than watching the White Sox.

Below you'll find the usual weekly items, including the prospect section. If there's anything you want to see, I am always open to suggestions and criticism.

• Weekly Update
• Game Recaps
• Week Ahead
• Daydream Nation - Nick Lardis
• Sick Bay

Weekly Update

Connor Bedard won Rookie of the Month for March, marking the 3rd time he's won the accolade this season. This also marks the first time a rookie in the NHL has won it since Connor McDavid did it in 2015.

Nick Lardis signed his 3-year ELC with the Blackhawks. He'll most likely return to the OHL to play with the Bulldogs for one more season. He's put up decent numbers and I go over them in the prospect section below.

Dominic James, a forward at Duluth, is returning for another season of college hockey. He missed most of this season after an injury, which would have been his junior year. If it wasn't for the injury we could have seen a signing and maybe see him in Rockford.

The Athletic pushed out an article that identified the NHL's top shutdown defensemen. Of the 128 players identified, Alex Vlasic was ranked no. 2. You love to see it.

Chicago's chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association (PHWA) voted Colin Blackwell for the Masterson Trophy. The accolade is for the player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey." Last year, Alex Stalock was nominated. Blackwell also returned from his injury on April 6, just in time to play over the weekend.

Speaking of injuries, Nikita Zaitsev was cleared to play on April 7.

Wyatt Kaiser was sent down to Rockford on April 8, possibly indicating that Connor Murphy might return. Murphy has been out since Jan 16 with a groin injury. I'm not happy because I've been enjoying Kaiser's return, but he'll help out Rockford.

Game Recaps

4/2 Hawks @ Islanders - Hawks lose 2-1
Game recap here

4/3 Hawks vs Stars - Hawks win 3-2

Don't ask how it happened, it just did.

The Hawks beat the Stars on Saturday in a lopsided game which saw the Hawks come out on top. The game was tilted in the Stars' favor as they had a whopping 80.75% expected goals share. Take into account that the Hawks actually protected a 3-0 lead for most of the game and the win becomes more impressive. Oh, and I guess I should mention that the Stars are a solid cup contender and were on an 8 game winning streak.

Thoughts

• Bedard made some defensively smart decisions, like his play to prevent Jason Robertson from scoring on an easy wrap-around goal.
• Dallas showcased their effectiveness in the transition during this game.
• Kevin Korchinski showed some growth in his defensive game as well. Even though he had a .44 expected goals against at 5v5, he made solid plays all around.
• You did see Reichel's pass... right?

• Minutes later, Seth Jones receives a great pass from Ryan Donato for his 8th of the season. This is the kind of play that highlights Jones' offensive abilities that tend to get a lot of hate when things don't go his way.

• Classic Jarred Tinordi penalty while the Hawks were on the PK.
• Saving the best for last, Petr Mrazek. In his 50th start of the season, Mrazek held the Hawks in this one. Sure, the Hawks look better in the DZ and that contributed to their win, but it's Mrazek who robbed so many chances from Dallas. Facing 44 shots, Mrazek stopped 42 of them for a SV% of .955. He also stopped 10 of 12 high-danger shots.

4/7 Hawks vs Wild - Hawks lose 4-0

Man. Was this a boring game. How a team like the Hawks can beat a behemoth in the Stars and then get shutout by the Wild is beyond me. I feel like I've said the following at least once per week, but this was the most boring game of the season. It showcased the Hawks' lack of offense and some individual growing pains (Korchinski).

Don't worry, only a couple thoughts.

Thoughts

• Korchinski made a handful of smart defensive plays, and some bad ones as well. Prior to Kirill Kaprizov's goal, Korchinski was communicating to Landon Slaggert, who was backchecking, to take Brock Faber, which Slaggert did. Instead of taking Kaprizov, Korch leaves the middle of the ice to double-team Faber. Easy 2nd goal of the game for Kirill.

• The puck watching was noticeable on the second Wild goal. I don't need to beat that dead horse.
• The Hawks struggled with their breakouts and winning board battles. Nothing new.
• Reichel looked solid. He looks tougher and hungry. Reichel had a 50.97 expected goals share, which isn't too shabby considering this dry-as-hell game.

Week Ahead

• @ Blues 4/10 @ 7:00
• vs Predators 4/12 @ 7:30
• vs Hurricanes 4/14 @ 5:00

The Blues technically aren't out of the playoff race just yet, but realistically, they're out. With the Golden Knights firmly holding onto the 2nd wild card spot with 92 points, the Blues (87 points) would need a miracle to sneak in. But hey, anything can happen. The Blues are 5-3-2 in their last 10, which includes a loss to the Sharks. Yes, the Sharks swept the Blues this season. So maybe, just maybe, there's a chance we can win this one?

On Thursday, the Preds come up to the UC to play the Hawks. The Preds look like a different team since these two last met in a 3-0 Hawks loss in January. They're 6-4-0 in their last 10 and hold the 1st wild card spot with 94 points. The Hawks usually struggle in the NZ against this team. I'm expecting this to be a boring loss.

Closing out the home games on Sunday, the Hurricanes come into town to give a small taste of what a Teuvo reunion might be like. The Canes have clinched a playoff spot and are 7-2-1 in their last 10. This might be one of those games where the Hawks somehow pull a win, but don't count on it.

Daydream Nation

Nick Lardis - 2023 Draft, 3rd round, 67th overall

The Blackhawks signed Nick Lardis to his ELC last week, and the word is that Lardis will be returning to the OHL's Brantford Bulldogs for one more season. Coming in at 5'11'' and 165lbs, the small winger sure as hell knows how to score goals and that's just one reason to keep this prospect on your radar.

Lardis is somewhat under the radar as far as Hawks prospects go, but he's been playing good hockey in the OHL. In his 3rd OHL season, Lardis has put up 50 points in 37 games which saw him miss some games due to an injury. In his first OHL season, with the Peterborough Petes, Lardis had a slower start and put up 37 points in 63 games. In his second season, he put up 65 points in 69 games. It was during that season Lardis gained attention. He was traded mid-season from the Petes after producing 19 points in 36 games. After he showed up to the Bulldogs, his offensive production took off. Lardis also has a bronze medal from the 2023 World Juniors in which he played with Team Canada.

Lardis is known for his shot, which is accurate and powerful. He displays high hockey IQ by reading the ice well, creating and finding open space, and finishing passes with deadly shots. Lardis, who's on the smaller side, is a threat at the front and sides of the net as defenders often leave him open.

When Lardis does have the puck, he draws defenders in and creates scoring opportunities for his teammates. He also has the speed that's been present in a lot of recent Hawks' prospects.

So where does he play into the Hawks future plans?

We won't really know how well Lardis' scoring ability will translate into the NHL for some time. After his season in the OHL next year, you can expect him to spend some time in Rockford. Like most prospects, his defensive awareness begs improvement and of course there's his size to consider. His play style is better suited for a top-6 role and if Lardis is to be effectively utilized, he needs to aim for a spot on the second line.

If his production isn't good enough for a top-6 spot in the NHL, I don't see him fitting anywhere else. And while I do love the small, fast, skilled players the Hawks have, they do need some muscle to help out defensively.

Sick Bay

• Taylor Hall – Knee/Out for season
• Connor Murphy - Lower Body/day-to-day
• Reese Johnson - Concussion/unknown

Let's Go Hawks!

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