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Michael Ernst @mjernst.bsky.social · 3h

And we're back to Odunze not making tough catches.

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Michael Ernst @mjernst.bsky.social · 5h

I'll gladly take him back as soon as he's ready though.

Michael Ernst @mjernst.bsky.social · 5h

This typically means 7-10 days away. Hawks have games Tues, Thur, Sat next week. I kinda doubt we see him then. Maybe the Saturday 10/17 game vs DAL. But then Hawks have a rare 5 day stretch with no games before hosting MTL on the 23rd. I'd be surprised if Bedard not back for that game.

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Reposted by Michael Ernst

Funky Cold Luda @funkycoldluis.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

spotted in the neighborhood

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Just saw that Mike Ditka passed. The only Super Bowl winning coach in Bears history. Larger than life figure in Chicago for a long time. RIP Da Coach

I was more encouraged by Hawks loss tonight than the win Tuesday. But this was Hawks best game. More speed, more structure, more strength, more push back. A couple sloppy plays and broken sticks went Islanders way. But really the difference was a top 5 starting goalie vs a bottom 5 backup goalie.

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And they score. It has always bothered me that teams play two D when going 6v5. Play 5 or even 6 forwards. The goal is to score. Who cares if you give up more. You're already in line to lose. Truly for the win.

With the goalie pulled the Hawks were playing with 5 forwards and 1 D. Love it.

That was the Hawks best 5v5 period so far this season. By far. Unfortunately the ST were sloppy. Two PP opportunities generated little. And then Islanders score on the Hawks PK in the final minute. Still plenty to build upon though.

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Hawks looking in sync for the first time this season. Even the win the other night was disjointed. The first ten minutes tonight though they are playing with speed, confidence, and with proper spacing. Not cheating anywhere on the ice.

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Concussion spotter better pull Kaiser out of the game. Head went into the boards.

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Detroit seems like they don't want to go full rebuild again, which is reasonable, so they want immediate help back. Not many other teams could offer a package including a player with the combo of age/team friendly contract like Vlasic. That would seem to fit what Detroit is targeting.

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Byram, Edvinsson, Levshunov would make 3/4 of a legit Top 4 for the foreseeable future. Another RHD addition would be necessary, but they need that anyway. Upgrading from Vlasic or Kaiser to Edvinsson would be a huge win.

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I've been assuming Detroit couldn't possibly irreparably screw up the Simon Edvinsson RFA negotiations but now that its crept a week into the season... Davidson should be calling offering whatever combo of Vlasic/Kaiser/Korchinski/Rinzel, Lardis/Boisvert/Vanacker, FLO 1st/EDM 1st gets it done.

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Calgary and Vancouver are the two worst NHL teams. Both are actively tanking. Chicago Blackhawks have climbed out of that phase. Hope to close the gap with the next tier of teams. Want to finish ahead of at least of few of Seattle, Detroit, St. Louis, Winnipeg, San Jose, Philly, NYI, NYR, Columbus.

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Talent wise for sure. Both are so daring offensively, playing as 4th forwards, so Hawks forwards have to play very responsible while they are out there. There are going to be shifts/games where that bites them. But so far so good. The poor roster construction gives no real other option.

Teuvo has responded to Blashill's challenge. He's been good. Good enough to stay in the lineup when injured players return. Hopefully last season's lack of production was just injury related and he's back to health now.

Byram had about as bad a first two games as you could imagine. But I think we can chalk that up to him being on the road while his wife was about to give birth to twins. His first game back tonight and he was good.

He's been Hawks best D this season. Everyone was bad game 1 but he's been solid since. Not making a huge offensive impact yet but his assist tonight was a beauty so hopefully that propels him further. Very encouraging start for him.

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Hawks needed that win. OK game defensively. Knight was great. Only goal allowed came off a turnover. Hawks didn't generate a ton offensively, but controlled the puck better, actually showed some transition ability. They can be better, no doubt, but you also need points when you aren't at your best.

A transition period is expected. He's at least been solid defensively. But Hawks can't afford for it to be a long transition. They need him to bring offense if they are going to go anywhere this season.

Looks like Hawks will survive. Cole Smith with an empty netter.

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Kantserov has had a rude awakening in the NHL thus far. He hasn't been as bad as some but he has made zero impact so far. And now a brutal offensive zone penalty while protecting a one goal lead.

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So much better from the Hawks tonight. Still one more period to go to secure the win but a much more structured game so far. Even ig they don't finish it off it is a step in the right direction.

Hopefully, this is just the first of many from this combo: Levshunov -> Frondell -> Goal

Michael Ernst @mjernst.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Gotta keep reminding myself it is 3 only games. All of these guys, even the young guys, have played better before. They won't stay this bad. Lardis has time before Bedard returns to change the narrative. But if the decision had to be made right now I'd say Lardis (or Donato) has played the worst.

Michael Ernst @mjernst.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

More in favor of taking Lardis out than Teuvo. Teuvo is playing soft (like most of team), but he's helping on PK, and has been one of the few who have made some passes at 5v5. Lardis (and Donato) have done nothing. If Lardis continues to struggle a reset would be good. I assume Moore moves to W.

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Reposted by Michael Ernst

Ben Pope @benpopecst.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Bowen Byram’s wife gave birth to twin girls Saturday afternoon in Chicago. While in Buffalo, he got a call around 5:30am that he needed to get back ASAP. "Even just getting off the ice after practice, I’m so excited to get back and see my girls." New story: chicago.suntimes.com/blackhawks/2...

chicago.suntimes.com

With new dad Bowen Byram back in fold, Blackhawks hope to stabilize defense

Byram rushed back from Buffalo to Chicago on Saturday in time to be there when his wife, Kailey, gave birth to twin girls.

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Anyone interviewed needs to be wary a recording can/will be fed into AI to create any number of slop articles, not just what you originally agreed to. They can/will use quotes out of context. Don't make off the record comments either. You are now making agreements with corporations not reporters.

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One thing they could do is move Greene up to the Top 9 and replace him with Toninato on the 4th. But that breaks up the only decent line they've had. Just no good options right now. Guys simply need to play more to their ability.

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Yesterday was a lot of fun. After watching the Bears game in the morning, I headed to the symphony for a collection of music from Ennio Morricone, and then finished off the night with the Kraken home opener. Perfect timing with about an hour or so between each let me casually walk to each locale.

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Unfortunately, until Bedard/Mangiapane return only Lardis replacement options are non-Top 9 (Slaggart/Toninato). Lardis probably gets a bit of slack due to circumstance. Rinzel is getting another shot Tuesday. Korch played well in the 1st on Saturday but fell off after. Hawks have no other RHD too.

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Yeah, I have serious concerns there. I had no big issues with his tear down. I agreed with most. Some quibbles, but no big red flags. I always said though that the tear down was the easy part. The build up would be the judge of his competence. And so far his talk and actions haven't synced.

And it is not like this issue wasn't obvious at the time they acquired Byram: bsky.app/profile/mjer...

Both are just 21. It is just 3 games. Nothing about their performances is damning or alters their upside. It is simply a disheartening start after offseason talk of them being ready to step into a bigger role and help Hawks improve. Without them taking a step soon the team has little hope to improve

I'm disappointed in the starts by Moore/Lardis. Moore is the guy Hawks need to be a puck hound, get in on the forecheck, then harass puck carriers on backcheck all the way up the ice. Be more like Zach Benson. Instead he's been cheating for offense. The no B game concerns about Lardis are blazing.

If no trade options materialize this season I am really hoping one of Artem Zub or Jalen Chatfield make it to UFA. If they don't I'd be ok giving Justin Faulk a deal for a couple of years. Would prefer someone closer to 30 than 35 though. But Hawks absolutely need somebody if they hope to improve.

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The first three Hawks games were some of the tissue softest performances I've seen in a while. There was rarely any effort to win races to loose pucks or pressure opposing puck carriers. And even when Hawks did get there they showed zero desire to engage physically and play through contact.

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Hawks badly need a legit veteran Top 4 RHD. I'm not even asking for a legit 1st pair guy. This issue is 100% on Davidson. Totally unfair to do this to Levshunov this early in his career. But no other option exists.

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ALT: The Secret Of Nimh Rat

Anything with snakes but nothing specific. I recall the Great Owl spooking me a bit in The Secret of NIMH. I definitely got scared by media as a kid but I was adamant about rewatching them in order to diminish it. It was effective enough I don't recall anything scarring me or giving me nightmares.

static.klipy.com

The Secret Of Nimh Rat

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Offense was really good except for 2 plays Defense was really good except for 1 play No ST mistakes Win

Really solid day for Bagent today Faced with 70+ yard fields all day, 3 times starting inside the 10, and still posted 20+ points. Only one bad play. Exactly what you hope out of a backup QB.

260+ passing yards 230+ rushing yards

For as much as the Bears D has limited the Jets O today, they haven't generated any turnovers. Bears offense has had long fields all day.