If You Love Somebody, Set Them On Fire
Thoughts on potential Hawks who can still make the opening night roster
The Hawks roll into the final week of preseason with a roster that has pretty much been set since the summer. With roster cuts and players making their way back to juniors or Rockford, I thought I would take a look at who has a case for making the opening night roster.
Forwards
I think the forwards are pretty much set. Frank Nazar has one more preseason game but he’s pretty much Rockford-bound at this point. And that’s not a bad thing.
During his preseason games, he hasn’t really stood out to me1. It’s nothing to even be remotely concerned about (that would be silly). I even think if he did make the NHL roster right out of camp it wouldn’t do him any harm. But I think spending time in Rockford will do good for Nazar.
Joey Anderson has made his impression on the coaching staff since last year. He’s maintained that momentum going into camp. If there’s a player who isn’t a prospect who could be on the verge of going to the AHL, it’s Anderson. He’s played well enough that I think he’s making the NHL roster barring taking a massive dump on the ice during the remaining preseason.
Anderson is also the Hawks’ “analytics darling” (dubbed by one of the beat writers) and I have a strong feeling that if he is placed on waivers (which he is eligible for) he is going to get claimed.
I guess you can also lump Ryan Donato with Anderson. He’s another player that I would be surprised to see not make the roster. If the Hawks go with Donato and Anderson, they wouldn’t be playing with a 7th defenseman. If one has to go though, it’s probably Anderson.
I don’t think Craig Smith had any reason to be scared of getting sent down, although he’s certainly been playing like it (in a good way). The Hawks brought him on for a reason, and that’s to keep young players in Rockford. Same thing for Pat Maroon, who I keep forgetting is a Hawk.
Defenseman
Things are still looking weird on the blue line.
With Ethan Del Mastro now down in Rockford, that leaves Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Isaak Phillips, and Wyatt Kaiser as the remaining choices to fill the two remaining spots.
Kaiser has been taking maintenance days and hasn’t appeared in a preseason game yet. I do think if we had some actual looks at Kaiser we would see a player who’s eager to prove that he can make and hold a spot in the NHL. But if he’s injured, we won’t get that chance. And that leaves a spot for Korchinski.
Again, I believe that Korchinski should stay in the NHL (and I could totally be wrong). But if Korch does start on the Hawks roster, as soon as Kaiser is healthy, Korch will get sent down to Rockford. Unless he really impresses the coaching staff to start the season.
As for the 7th defenseman, I think it comes down to Allan and Phillips. Allan looks better and I’m a fan of him. Phillips hasn’t looked great in preseason.
Prospect Pulse
It bears repeating that I am not a prospect nut (and let me be clear, there’s nothing wrong with being one).
I thought I would take a look at some of the prospects and what they’re up to.
Nick Lardis was sent back to the Brantford Bulldogs on Sept. 28 and immediately played in their home opener. Lardis scored to help the Bulldogs win 6-2.
A player who is junior-bound but is still on the training camp roster is AJ Spellacy. He’s been making a favorable impression on the coaching staff and fans. Spellacy is being rewarded with a longer training camp stint.
For all of our aspiring nerds at college, the NCAA hockey season starts Oct. 4. ESPN+ had college hockey last season, but I’m not sure if games will be back there this year (someone can tell me).
Cole Guttman was one of the players recently sent back down to Rockford. He didn’t have a real chance of claiming a spot. He’s on his 1 year extension and I don’t really see him being a part of the team after this season.
Trash Bin
For all things not Hawks related.
Insidious
The last movie we looked at I bashed cheap jump scares. This movie does them right.
I saw this a couple of times when it first came out. I was terrified both times. Watching it now in my 30s, I am still terrified. All it takes is that title screen to make you dread whatever is coming next.
This movie takes a pretty simple premise and fleshes it out into a captivating horror film: a family moves into a new home and quickly deals with hauntings.
Without going into any details, there is a lot more going on than just ghosts. The movie does really well with making a “haunted house” story into something unique. This movie is also directed by James Wan, who directed Saw. And no, this movie is not a gore-fest like Saw.
The best part of the movie is, however, is the soundtrack. Seriously. Listen to this stuff. It’s scary enough without having to watch this movie.
Nikolai Piombo
To close out today’s edition of the blog, here’s some amazing ledge work by Nikolai Piombo. Some nitpick Nikolai’s choice to approach some of the ledges from the back. You might argue that it doesn’t count as a true “backside” slide or grind. I personally don’t really care because he has some amazing tech work on those ledges.
Out.
I say this as someone who only intently watched 2 whole periods over the course of 3 preseason games.