Does Chicago's Anemic Offense Put Luke Richardson on the Hot Seat?

[@trevormillardgolf]

I agree with the Tuevo - Bedard - Bertuzzi line, but more importantly, I'd just like to see them stick with the same lines for consecutive games. How is anyone supposed to build chemistry when there's constant movement, game to game?

[@marcuseriksson4808]

My biggest problem with Luke Richardson is that he ALWAYS shuffle the LINES. Let the players actually play with each other for more than 1 game.

[@anotherhobbit]

One thing to note is that Dickinson, while not producing offensively, is doing an excellent job shutting down opponents’ top scorers.

[@deanrichter9887]

He loses too many faceoffs…and doesn’t hustle enough

[@deanrichter9887]

Get a new coach who wants the players to just play hockey

[@biancavaunt999]

As a hockey fan, it was sad watching Bedard live in Seattle last week. Just not in a good structure or with enough talent around him yet.

[@SmallzTvGaming]

@@biancavaunt999 I thought generational talents didn’t need other “talents” to perform.

[@Mango_8755]

@@SmallzTvGaming yes they do that’s why hockey is called a team sport?

[@HarryRiceHockey]

@@SmallzTvGaming McDavid needed Draisaitl to turn into a phenomenal player. Crosby still needed competent guys around him, hell Gretzky needed an enforcer on his line to always protect him. Only guy I can think of that didn't need other good players was Lemieux, he was always fantastic no matter who was on his line. Bedard is trying to make Phil Kurashev and Ryan Donato work, no shit his offense is down. Put him with Teravainen and Hall when he's healthy and he'll be PPG no problem.

[@Aaaeendrew]

​@@HarryRiceHockeyhe was with Tera and Bertuzzi and it didn't work

[@Aaaeendrew]

@HarryRiceHockey wait, I lied. It was Tera and Foligno with Bedard at the start of the year

[@BSAnime]

Here's my take so far. The goal tending and defense have improved by a decent amount. The stats seems to back that up. The scoring, as you said, is anemic. Reminds me a lot of last season... it's brutal. If this team can score, then they would be a good team. But my god, I swear a lot of the games I've watched goes the same. The game is close for majority of the game, Hawks score 1 or maybe 2 goals... but they are down by 1/2 goals near the end game. They empty net and then get scored on pretty quick. SOGs can be pretty pathetic in many periods or even games... a common trend for years. The offence needs some life. A lot of the game feels like the Hawks are playing to not lose than rather winning. Clear the puck out of their zone and just dump the puck to switch lines. It has helped lower the GAs but dang... scoring is so low.

[@sharkhaos_probably]

THG on a historic thumbnail run rn

[@bsfm6990]

Not me watching the news video and just as you mentioned of planning a Chicago video the notification pops up

[@pjhagen11719]

Frank Nazar has 13 pts in 11 games in the AHL. if the Hawks want to generate offense, call him up and place him on Bedard’s wing OR as a Center on a 2nd or 3rd line scoring role next to vets like Donato, Bertuzi, Hall, or Teuvo

[@jdog345]

It’s absolutely on Richardson. They have almost always had 1 goal games and yet they can never win them because they second the go down he moves the lines killing all momentum and preventing any chance of a comeback.

[@mimoblos]

This is on Richardson. As a hawks fan, I am not expecting a playoff team. But at this point there should be a better system and consistency in lines. I'm seeing a lot of people say that Luke will stay the remainder of the season. That worries me for many reasons. The main one being regression in development. Another being lack of drive and motivation. Who are these guys playing for? It's certainly not Richardson. Also, put Bertuzzi on Bedard's line. It is the one combo that hasn't been tried and that's why we brought him to the team!

[@ericmiller5748]

The constant line changes have not helped Beard’s growth. Every other game he has new wingers. Let Bedard play with Bertuzzi (or Kurashev) and Turbo for an extended period like you said and see where the offense goes from there.

[@somewherenowhere676]

Shaving hasn't either

[@Bc232klm]

Kane would be a really nice linemate right now...

[@Mike1__]

Too bad Davidson is a clown and had the audacity to say they won't sign Kane even if he wanted to come back. He should be fired for that alone.

[@CoalPolmer]

This is your best thumbnail yet shannon

[@williamford9564]

I think not having Teivo and Bertuzzi with Bedard is a fireable offense for Richardson.

[@OGtheartcollector]

Just hopped of from the CHGO podcast with Alex Vlasic to see this little treat, what a delightful surprise

[@anthonytony8328]

That was a Great interview. Vlasic answered questions like a vet. Another KZbin channel I like is Rinkside General. He has some good breakdowns on the Hawks play.

[@lancemartin1836]

“Other than the fact the sun is right outside my window”😂😂😂😂

[@stevesmart170]

As a Blackhawks fan, I am scratching my head. Kyle D. said several times this summer it will be good to put top 6 guys in the top 6, and bottom 6 guys in the bottom 6. Then Luke constantly changes the lines and puts guys all over the place. Luke SHOULD be on the hot seat. His moves are making no sense. Now add the lack of communication with Taylor Hall, and I think it is time. You are right he has NOT had Bertuzzi with Bedard in 5 v 5 all year!!

[@bradenstewart6270]

Just draft Michael Jordan and Chicago will be fine

[@Mike1__]

All the focus is on Bedard right now but nobody is talking about how Richardson has killed Kurashev this season. I watched those first two games. Kurashev was buzzing all around people making sick moves and could of had a few goals. I know what I saw, he was the Hawks best player those two games over Bedard. Then Richardson shafted him in PP1, shuffles all the lines constantly and suddenly, it's like he disappeared. It's an issue all over the lineup, not just Bedard. So much offense being suppressed on that team. It's the coach.

[@brazghost]

Not sure if there is something different, but your face is perfectly clear on this video. New lighting?

[@tt128556]

Definitely either new lighting or closer to the light source, the board is much more readable now.

[@rileyyy01]

Gotta be new lighting. Also the contrast from the red makes his face stand out. Looks good regardless

[@evanedwards93]

He said the sun was right outside his window which changed the lighting on the set

[@brazghost]

@@evanedwards93 That explains

[@Bc232klm]

I'm still upset they passed on Demidov.

[@heathclark318]

yeah, it was surprising to me as well. Not sure why you arent taking EVERY shot at getting a top winger or 3 to go with your clear franchise player...

[@fubartotale3389]

Get over it, defense wins cups.

[@Ben.Mangels]

​@@fubartotale3389Defense is important, but Bedard-Demidov would likely be a top duo in the NHL. Levshunov is not expected to be the level of player of Demidov.

[@heathclark318]

@fubartotale3389 gotta be in it to win it! Goals win games...

[@brAnd7onX87]

talking with hawks fans they said levshunov has not looked good in any game. He is putting up points but definitely and hockey IQ not good. I'm surprised they didn't go with demidov

[@petergajda6463]

Jones is good defensively but horrible offensively. He is paid a lot, but he really needs less ice time - sunken cost. He makes bad decisions in the offensive zone every game on repeat. Great 3rd or 4th D, but not a 1 or 2. Remove him from PP1, and insert Vlasic. I like Bedard with Kursahev. Hall should not be a healthy scratch. I agree lines should be together. Here is what I think the lineup should be. Kurashev - Bedard - Teravinen Hall - Foligno - Bertuzzi Mikheyev - Dickenson - Anderson Maroon - Reichel - Donato Vlasic - Murphy Jones - Kiaser Brodie - Martinez

[@blackhawks9763]

Chicago’s biggest flaw is faceoff’s. Bedard is struggling (but that’s common among young players). Kyle needs to address that problem firstly.

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

I’m still waiting for him to play on the wing. If we can draft a 2 way center, that would be huge for Conner

[@blackhawks9763]

@ This is where I wish Toew’s was still playing. Nobody would’ve been a better mentor than him.

[@deanrichter9887]

Agreed about the faceoffs and they even have a faceoff coach who was the best faceoff player in the league when he played

[@gamingintrospection]

Bedard doesn't have that 1A/1B luxury that so many other superstars before him were fortunate enough to play alongside. Crosby had Malkin, either out there with him (especially on the power play), or on the 2nd line so that the other team was forced to match up against both. Similar to how Edmonton's McDavid and Draisaitl get favourable matchups at times because the other teams best defenders can't be out there against both all the time. Gretzky had Messier and Kuri. Toews and Kane in Chicago's previous era could function similarly to Crosby/Malkin although Kane wasn't a centre, they had that luxury of a 2 line threat, or combined together. Taylor Hall is past his prime, and no one else remotely comes close to any of those examples. He's out there with very little to work with, which isn't the entire story, but it does make quite a difference.

[@ryan_2586]

Yes it should. Richardson's system makes it very difficult for anyone to get anything going on offense. It's not just Bedard, it's the whole team. His offensive systems make no sense and his adjustments are always throwing the lines in the blender. When you've tried almost every single line combination and almost every one of them has the same issues, it's clear there's a coaching issue. The cherry on top is Luke saying he has no plans to make changes to the system. Nice.

[@heathclark318]

Think they need to try and take pressure off of Bedard. Sounds simple. IMO its a matchup thing. Get him in against as many 3rd and 4th lines as possible. Maybe I am looking at this wrong but take advantage of his innate offensive skills and get him against as many 2nd and 3rd pairings. Bertuzzi - Dickinson - Bedard

[@anthonytony8328]

What's frustrating is they beat good teams like the Oilers, the Avs, the Wild, the Kungs, and came a few seconds away from beating the Jets, then they fall flat in games that are winnable. Also, even in their wins, they fail to play a full 60 minutes, with Mrazek and Soderblum keeping them in those games.

[@victorsladkowski]

As you said, it’s not the record at this point, it’s the stats and body language. All are trending in the wrong direction. Couple this with the Chicago Sports Network situation forcing most fans in Chicago to not have access to watch this team and you have a Hawks franchise that is at its lowest point in relevancy in 2+ decades.

[@edtierney6076]

If the line shuffling can chill out for a min.... I know Richardson is trying to spark something but dude you can't keep shuffling the lines every game. My faith in him as a coach is dwindling

[@infinity-vm4ul]

I feel like the coach's message has been lost. With Bedards lack of production and the general lack of motivation amongst the team I think a shake up is needed. Hell even the Sharks show fight back when their down. Just because you aren't a competitive team doesn't excuse this

[@tylerp.6300]

Even though they went out and got top 6 talent in the off-season, the team is slow. They need speed in order to push the opposing defense back to allow them an easier entry into the zone. They are currently having a hard time entering the zone, forcing them to dump and chase. They are in dire need of another dynamic forward or two before they can truly exit the rebuild successfully.

[@chc33-SouthSideMike]

What about Kurashev amd Teuvo with Bedard? The two kids with the old vet is always a good combo

[@wokenpancake]

Hawks have pretty much one good period each game. Come out of the gate in the first, and then they fall apart. OR, terrible first half, spur up in the third but it's too late. It's maddening.

[@GeorgeKoebel]

First line should be centered by Connor Beddard with Taylor Hall and Tyler Bertuzzi his wingers

[@non-influential]

It is painful to watch them as a fan right now, their entire strategy is chase the puck around in their own zone for 2 minutes and then just dump and change when they finally get it out, every single shift.

[@cygnusx-1862]

Last year the Blackhawks scored the fewest goals in the NHL, they had the worst forwards in the NHL.... So instead of drafting dynamic offensive forward(Demidov) they draft a defenseman. Fast forward to this season they go out and sign some truely mediocre forwards, teravainen, bertuzzi to add to their already feeble offense and now, man they suck. Bedard is having an awful sophomore year and so is the rest of the team. So what's their future look like? Nazar, Moore, slaggert, boisvert... These 4 are not going to be difference making players. The future Hawks don't look much better than the current Hawks.

[@GizmoBeach]

Obviously replacing Luke Richardson for some shmoe in the AHL who’s 67 or something will immediately turn Chicago into the 80’s Oilers. Hot seat, what a crock. Richardson didn’t put this scraggly team around Bedard.

[@cygnusx-1862]

I totally agree

[@corth1395]

Best thumbnail so far

[@jerryg3202]

I went to a number of live training camp days over the Summer and Bedard was exclusively on a line with Bertuzzi and Tuevo all Summer. Then we get the first lineup before the 1st game and Mikhayev is on the top line with Bedard and Tuevo. It was a huge head scratcher. We lost that game. But to this day, Bedard has not had a shift with Bertuzzi on the same line. What happened? The line blender has also been very questionable at times, as have been some of the scratched players that were performing better than other. I fear Richardson lost the locker room. It's only a matter of time now.

[@chc33-SouthSideMike]

Another great video by the hockey guy btw

[@jamesruscheinski8602]

maybe one or two puck carrying up the ice defensemen?

[@fubartotale3389]

Yep, that pretty much sums it up, can't score if their lives depended on it. And now losing their best D Man, well, you do the math.

[@LSA30]

The Blackhawks have a chance to do the funniest thing and hire Joel Quenneville back😂

[@clydeblair9622]

No one is more anemic than Detroit.

[@stefan1132]

Good lord tell me about it. From a fantasy perspective I’m so frustrated

[@WomNyHu]

I’ll say this as a Chicago fan yes I’ve now even myself been seeing it however bc we weren’t expected to be good this season ill let it slide so let Richardson finish out and then if this continues fire him next season

[@badger14]

I'm not an NHL coach. But you have to figure something out offensively. Theres nothing there at all. Not even the powerplay which was humming early on is working. Richardson is on the hot seat for sure unless he can find his winning line combinations soon

[@ayroau]

Maroon should be waived, coaching should be LESS lenient, some assistant coaches need to be fired

[@Roochfan20]

Shannon, can you do one for the Ducks?

[@jetern1569]

We stink and I am not confident the Davidson has gotten enough forward talent to build around Bedard.

[@codypendency9482]

I don’t understand why he is changing the lines every single game

[@brandonriley296]

I’m new hockey fan in recent years and follow lightly, what’s going on with Red wings this season? Why did we regress?

[@gocanuckurself1]

Bedard’s gonna get frustrated and demand a trade to his beloved hometown Canucks 🥰

[@zacharyrantissi4234]

Well we are losing by one goal most games until we pull our goalie and get blown out. Wouldn't we be winning games if the Hawks could actually score? I just don't get that idea, "Idc about wins i just want them to score goals!"... it doesn't make sense. You win games by scoring more goals lol...

[@WomNyHu]

Richardson is safe right now according to Davidson however yea it’s a rebuild but we will see how this goes

[@theScotian24]

Hawks need to spend some time at the bottom. Talk about spoiled rotten. They remind me of Edmonton but with cups this current century.

[@buldog190]

Move Bedard to wing, find a real 1st line center next season.

[@jaybirdsmusic6659]

Should they not pursue Zegras or Dvorak or just someone to be excited about?

[@mbertrand]

What did we expect Chicago to do? Other than Bedard, they’re terrible.

[@dominicpardo4783]

He's just not giving any line combination time to gel.

[@simbeau]

Well, I just put in a waiver claim on Bedard for my pool. Here's hoping he can get out of his funk somehow.

[@mikes7446]

Conner Bedard has been Ghostard this season

[@Vis_Electra]

Could Mrazek be on the block in exchange for another pick or a talent?

[@Baseball1984]

Certainly. If no improvements by the break, fire him. Accountability is a must or we will just always suck. I'm personally not impressed.

[@Beforethebeginning]

Does Bedard need a Probert or McSorley type to follow him around?

[@waltconklin882]

Who gets canned first, Luke or Lalonde?

[@goodbar440]

Rehire joel q

[@southsidesky]

The truth is ............. the Hawks played better last year. They had younger players and they had more rookie mistakes, but last year they at least beat some pretty good teams....................

[@heathclark318]

Youth and Exuberance beating Older Age and Pay Days

[@leerotten]

Uhh. That roster just looks like one of the "tear it down" rebuilds that goes on for years. Hopefully not but just looking at it, the offence feels ice thin overall.

[@fubartotale3389]

The veteran players are mostly placeholders till the kids in Rockford are ready. They don't want to rush anybody to the bigs. Once Nazar, Moore, Slaggart and the rest come up, scoring us going to be less of a problem.

[@fubartotale3389]

At this point, I don't even mind not being able to watch the team so far, brutal. CHSN has made the genius business decision to keep the games from 80% of the Chicago audience rather than take the bog standard boiler plate deal that every other provider in the universe takes.

[@leerotten]

@@fubartotale3389 True that and not rushing young players is a good thing.

[@Baseball1984]

I also think Bedard has been awful this year. 30% faceoff, already minus 8 and over -50 in 86 games and pretty much is not relevant. Turns the puck over way too much and can't stand all the spins while everyone else is going north and south. He should be in the minors, but he's the chosen one. Bring up Nazar. Why we sign Maroon and now benched Hall. I have no clue. Again, Richardson???

[@chc33-SouthSideMike]

Yes, it does put him on the hot seat. This whole season Bedzy hasn’t played with Kurashev and they looked great together last year everyone in town expected them to play together again and get better. This guy has a different line up every night and somehow NEVER plays those two guys together. He’s a moron. I hope he gets fired asap. Too smart for his own good it’s a joke such a layup call amd he’s refusing he thinks he’s smart. Bum. Get out of town

[@KenLash]

As a Chicagoland native, Bedard is all hype! Chicago got suckered into drafting him, He's not that good! Richardson should have been fired after last season. I don't know what Davidson is waiting for.

[@deanrichter9887]

Agreed

[@maxcapacity7022]

Team's getting bullied......bottom line.

[@tydoom7559]

Dude if Luke Richardson is on the "hot seat", Lalonde better be fired tonight win or lose. The Wings are the most boring and frustrating team to watch.

[@wokenpancake]

Chicago hadn't won in the regular season in Philly since 1996, however that record was broken on January 19, 2023, when the Hawks beat the Flyers 4-1 in Philly. Here is your review including that game: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIPYhGWQmt-NoNUsi=tClyIc6bfqgPBrCF

[@blackhawks9763]

Should they be better, yes. Will they be in 3-5 years, absolutely. Obviously it’s disappointing, but it’s all apart of the process. If you’re a fan of a team who’s a “contender”, you should worry about your team winning championship(s), before teams like Chicago, San Jose, and Montreal get great again.

[@ifryday833]

Bruce Boudreau as coach? Idk it might be nice. Even though he’s pushing 70. But he’s good with players Our team just has no flow, no depth, or chemistry. A coaching change would be nice.. but if we change coaches… we’re still going to suck lol. If we lose Bedard… our team is absolutely done for.

[@clydeblair9622]

Detroit will take Richardson.

[@RMFH34]

Clean thumbnail, I like it. As a hawks fan, I can’t help but feel like they’re intentionally tanking to try and bring young talent in to build around bedard, definitely not a time to panic in my opinion knowing that we have solid goaltending and a future superstar to set the standard.

[@WindyCityHawkey]

I think it's time to call up Frank Nazar, and Colton Dach. Nazar is lighting it up in Rockford and Dach isn't afraid to drive to the front of the net to help produce points in Rockford. It's time for Kyle to consider bringing up some of the kids because this old roster isn't doing it.

[@shakukon-to]

You wouldn’t really notice if the Blackhawks aren’t the team you watch all the time, but they kind of get goalie’d a lot. In the past week I can think of the Minnesota and Seattle game where they could’ve scored 3 if their respective goalies didn’t have elite reaction time in that second. Overall, this offense makes me feel better than anything did the last few years. But I’m a little disappointed

[@jdog345]

Literally every game bar 2 have been 1 goal games if you don’t count empty nets. It’s Richardson, he can’t keep players together to build chemistry and just moved things around if things don’t immediately pick up and it destroys any momentum the team gets. I genuinely believe if they fire Richardson and put anyone worth a damn in by the end of November they will make the playoffs.

[@WomNyHu]

@@jdog345rn he’s safe according to a report Idk if that’s true but Davidson said he’s safe for now

[@jdog345]

@@WomNyHu then the season is a bust completely unnecessarily

[@tomfilipiak3511]

I don’t know what people are seeing,but if not for their goaltending they would be dead last,their close already!Bedard,starting to be a very wary,question mark!Generational player,sorry,but the proofs in the pudding!No,talent,in the minors,here in Chicago,they hyped up the coming of these great players three years ago,we’re are they,well they aint!I am sorry,THG,and I really appreciate your breakdown,but no matter what,no matter who Bedard is playing with,this so called hyped generational talent,so far can’t,find it,maybe,just maybe,and I will say maybe,it just ain’t there!Gos Forbid,Thank you sir!

[@shakukon-to]

@@jdog345 That’s my biggest issue with Richardson, the man cannot keep the same lines 2 games in a row. You can’t expect something good to come with that. I’m like make lines like you did in Colorado or Winnipeg and let it ride for a bit

[@serfindukdb1776]

if anyone should be on the "hot seat", it's Kyle Davidson. the roster construction is absolute crap. Tyler Bertuzzi absolutely stinks, TJ Brodie is a street cone, Ilya Mikhayev is useless, Pat Maroon is garbage, & Alec Martinez is a walking IR stint. Luke Richardson is doing the best with what he has... which is basically nothing. Kyle Davidson NEEDS to get some actual talent via FA along with trades, & stop promising that all of his picks are going to be hits. Kyle's basically just trying to prolong his job tenure, without being "risky"... as if he's playing EA NHL GM Mode & thinks a 5+ year rebuild is acceptable

[@Stzu-s2bt55]

I wouldn’t put KD on the hot seat yet. Remember if a team can’t produce enough goals and can’t put the effort in every game that’s on the coach to get the players on board and if the communication isn’t getting through, that’s on Richardson, Work ethic is more important than talent. Look at the 2018 golden knights. They didn’t have that much talent but the work ethic was there every game. Also comparing EA GM to real Life GM is probably the worst thing I’ve seen on your comment. Rebuilds take time and patience. In EA GM you can have a rebuilding team and win the cup next year.

[@iliaponomarev1624]

I don't see problems here. It's just a bad team playing badly. And that's by design, more or less.

[@mr.abrams8112]

First