I would still be shocked if Jones gets traded this year. The rumblings are coming from other teams calling the Hawks on him, not the Hawks trying to sell him or get out of his contract. He has a full NMC, the Blackhawks don't want to trade him, and he doesn't want to be traded.
Let's not get carried away here. No question that Hawks had some good moments for sure but make no mistake, that was a goaltending steal more than Hawks playing well. There were many breakdowns throughout this game and Soder had to come to the rescue far too often.
You complained about the team winning and how, because of it, we'll end up with 2nd or 3rd overall instead, as if either of those picks are bad. But neglect to mention in your original post that the worst team is unlikely to win 1st overall.
Vlasic is playing over his head, IMO. I don't think he's quite a top pairing D, or maybe a low end #2, but he's basically being played like he's a #1. He is bound to struggle here and there, as young Dman. He'd be a much more effective Dman, playing 20mins a night, instead of 24mins he's getting.
These risky plays are nothing new and it needs to be coached out of Bedard. He's not a rookie anymore...nice goal though.
If Vlasic could be convinced to use his big body to his advantage along with his good stick work, he'd be a dynamite dman. He doesn't have to smoke guys, just get body position and/or lean on them more often.
He does this all the time from what I’ve seen. More than anyone else on this team.
He’s got a mean streak, not somebody you’ll want to mess with when he has fully grown into his size.
