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Ill Equipped
December 27, 2021, 2:06 AM ET [32 Comments]
Theo Fox
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NHL games scheduled for today were postponed so there's more time to monitor COVID test results. As Ben Pope from the Chicago-Sun Times pointed out, this change in league scheduling doesn't change the Blackhawks schedule. Alas, tomorrow's Blue Jackets is now canceled, though.

Obviously, there will be constant recalibration of the Hawks schedule as they have several previously canceled games to make up in addition to Tuesday's game. The return of taxi squads and a new roster element for emergencies are in place to theoretically reduce future cancelations.

However, as Pierre LeBrun from TSN stated, rescheduling will be tough given arenas are shared venues that rely heavily on revenue from other sources like NBA teams, concerts, and other forms of entertainment. NHL schedules may become more fast and furious in order to end the season on time.


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Taxi Squad Revisited

In the December 17 blog, I brainstormed possible taxi squad candidates for the Blackhawks if the NHL reinstitutes this feature from last season. Now that specific parameters have emerged, below is a revised version of candidates for the taxi squad and roster emergency exception.

Previous Version

* Collin Delia (G)
* Brett Connolly (W)
* Kurtis Gabriel (W)
* Reese Johnson (C/W)
* Tyler Johnson (C/W)
* Alex Nylander (W)
* Erik Gustafsson (D)

One note from the previous version is that MacKenzie Entwistle (C/W), Mike Hardman (W), and Josiah Slavin (C/W) are possibilities for the taxi squad but they're better off getting regular minutes. If they're going to sit for extended periods, may as well have them start in Rockford instead.

It should also be noted that both R Johnson (broken clavicle) and T Johnson (neck surgery) are still out for at least a month and two months, respectively, so they wouldn't be available until February and March at the earliest. Connolly needs to finish serving his 4-game suspension as well.

Revised Version

If reading the parameters correctly, the players listed in the previous version are still eligible for the taxi squad since each of them doesn't meet at least one of the requirements for ineligibility. But let's have the decision makers in the Blackhawks front office sort out who's in and who's out.

In terms of other players who could be in consideration, there are Ian Mitchell and Wyatt Kalynuk plus possibly Nicolas Beaudin and Jakub Galvas on the blueline. Up front are Andrei Altybarmakian, Evan Barratt, and Lukas Reichel. It's arguable, though, that Reichel is worth preserving in Rockford.

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IceHogs Updates

The IceHogs game this evening in Des Moines to face the Iowa Wild has also been canceled due to COVID. The Hogs round out calendar year 2021 with a trip to Milwaukee to battle the Admirals on the 30th and host the Chicago Wolves at home in Rockford on New Year’s Eve.


In typical circumstances, this IceHogs-Fuel transaction would be to address injuries and illnesses on the AHL team or to reward top performing ECHL players. But now it has implications on how the Blackhawks formulate their roster heading into the post-holiday docket amidst COVID.

For example, as a forward, Chad Yetman may be taking a spot as Nylander and/or Hardman head to the taxi squad. As a D-man, Jacob LeGuerrier may be taking a spot as Mitchell and/or Kalynuk spend time with the Hawks. And goalie Cale Morris may be taking Delia's spot to back up Arvid Soderblom.


The likely candidates to have represented the IceHogs in the now canceled AHL All Star Game were Reichel and/or Mitchell with an honorable mention to Dylan McLaughlin. The last time there was an AHL All Star Game on January 27, 2020, Kevin Lankinen was Rockford's representative.

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World Junior Championships


That's high praise from Team USA head coach Nate Leaman and captain Jake Sanderson. Drew Commesso backed up those words with a strong exhibition and opening game by showing poise and no panic, staying compact, and being economical in his movement. This clip illustrates him at his best.


Defenseman Wyatt Kaiser played on the 2nd pair with Brock Faber while Landon Slaggert got 3rd line assignments with Tanner Dickinson and Mackie Samoskevich. Kaiser (#5) and Slaggert (#19) teamed up on a few scoring chances including this one where Kaiser activated and Slaggert picked up the garbage.


Blackhawks color analyst Colby Cohen said it best describing Kaiser as playing quick but not rushed. Like Commesso, Kaiser has composure particularly in how he moves the puck zone to zone. He made smart pinches and retreated back expediently to play his position which he does just as well.


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Head Coach Candidates

Just a random thought but if the Blackhawks are looking to go outside the box and select another first-time NHL head coach, perhaps they kick the tires on Team USA's head coach Leaman. His experience is primarily in the NCAA as Providence College's head coach with a prior stint at Union College.

However, the salty taste of the failed Jeremy Colliton experiment is still very raw so Part II isn't exactly appealing. If anything, a coach with Leaman's mindset may be worth pursuing to be at the helm in Rockford developing Chicago's prospects or be an assistant coach for the varsity club.

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