I like Darth's idea of signing Tanev this summer and having him play 4th line with Kampf and Caggiula. Or at least someone like Tanev.
- AEL_Fox

Whats the skinny on Caggiula regarding his D game? is he a solid defender?

I watched the Avs feed on Saturday and they were talking about Toews' resurgence this season. Some of you probably knew this already but Toews spent the summer in Chicago last summer working out with Goodman, particularly with leg exercises including squats. Toews also built a home rink and skated every day during the off season. He truly did re-dedicate himself.
- AEL_Fox

I truly think Toews hasn't been 100% the last few years. I think the last 10 years really took it's toll on the core of the team.

I like Darth's idea of signing Tanev this summer and having him play 4th line with Kampf and Caggiula. Or at least someone like Tanev.
- AEL_Fox

Add Entwhistle to that mix, start him out at wing with those 2
and you've got a line that at least on paper should score and
be able to tilt the ice.

Add Entwhistle to that mix, start him out at wing with those 2
and you've got a line that at least on paper should score and
be able to tilt the ice.
- gazza53

I'd prefer to see Entwhistle, or any kid out of Junior for that matter, spend some time in the AHL playing against men then earn their way onto the big club.

I watched the Avs feed on Saturday and they were talking about Toews' resurgence this season. Some of you probably knew this already but Toews spent the summer in Chicago last summer working out with Goodman, particularly with leg exercises including squats. Toews also built a home rink and skated every day during the off season. He truly did re-dedicate himself.
- AEL_Fox

Also worked with one of Kane’s skill coaches and Adam Oates on his offense and his skating.

Blackhawks signed Krys to ELC. He will play in Rockford the rest of the season. ELC seems to be kicking in next season as he also signed an amateur tryout contract with Rockford to round out this year.

For those keeping track, Shaw was essentially traded for DeBrincat and Krys.
- AEL_Fox

Glad to see Stan and company moving away from burning an ELC year!

Whats the skinny on Caggiula regarding his D game? is he a solid defender?
- glennjpawlak22

According to those in Edmonton, it is not good, but I would take that with a grain of salt.

I'd prefer to see Entwhistle, or any kid out of Junior for that matter, spend some time in the AHL playing against men then earn their way onto the big club.
- paulr

I don't mind that either, but I think the kid has it
He's a natural center, so playing wing to start is
a good way to break him in

Any news on Evan Barratt, his stock seems to have fallen since the WJC.

I don't mind that either, but I think the kid has it
He's a natural center, so playing wing to start is
a good way to break him in
- gazza53

It get the CHL games along with the NHL package so I see him play allot. Smart player who is very good in all situations.

I watched the Avs feed on Saturday and they were talking about Toews' resurgence this season. Some of you probably knew this already but Toews spent the summer in Chicago last summer working out with Goodman, particularly with leg exercises including squats. Toews also built a home rink and skated every day during the off season. He truly did re-dedicate himself.
- AEL_Fox

I knew he worked on skating more but did not know he spent the summer with Goodman. I know Dcat did and he looks a lot more explosive. Maybe its time for Seabrook to spend his summer here with Goodman. Hopefully Strome as well.

Edit: actually if I am the front office and can see how much Dcat and Toews skating has improved from being with Goodman last summer, I demand the Seabs and Strome stay all summer and workout with him. Clearly whatever strength/plyometric workout mix Goodman has works.

Any news on Evan Barratt, his stock seems to have fallen since the WJC.
- LAHawk

Seems like he had a decent season 32games 16G 27A 43Pts. 55 penalty minutes is a bit troublesome.

I know he got suspended for one game awhile back:

https://chippewa.com/spor...c5-9051-65fa6605d5e8.html

Whats the skinny on Caggiula regarding his D game? is he a solid defender?
- glennjpawlak22

Don't have a full report on him, but from the games I've seen of him as an Oiler and of course now as a Blackhawk, Caggiula seems responsible and doesn't make a lot of blunders or brain farts. He's a good skater who can make smart plays while also able to agitate, play physical, and drop the gloves if needed. Not stellar in any one area but a good overall package.

It get the CHL games along with the NHL package so I see him play allot. Smart player who is very good in all situations.
- paulr

So one year at the Rock, then the show?

I truly think Toews hasn't been 100% the last few years. I think the last 10 years really took it's toll on the core of the team.
- paulr

No disagreement here. Hard miles from not just the long playoff seasons but all of the international play as well.

I knew he worked on skating more but did not know he spent the summer with Goodman. I know Dcat did and he looks a lot more explosive. Maybe its time for Seabrook to spend his summer here with Goodman. Hopefully Strome as well.

Edit: actually if I am the front office and can see how much Dcat and Toews skating has improved from being with Goodman last summer, I demand the Seabs and Strome stay all summer and workout with him. Clearly whatever strength/plyometric workout mix Goodman works.
- bhawks2241

Management can't demand anything of the players in the offseason. They can suggest but that's as far as it goes. It's in the player's interest to work out in the summer and it doesn't have to be in Chicago. There is a great facility North of Toronto that many players attend run by Gary Roberts. He also pushes similar nutritional concoctions that Toews is into. As an added benefit they can play golf at Robert's golf course Wooden Sticks. All the holes are designed as iconic holes on famous courses. The bridge at St. Andrews, The water hole at Sawgrass and so on.

Also worked with one of Kane’s skill coaches and Adam Oates on his offense and his skating.
- pdx2ord

Cool, didn't know that Toews also worked with Oates and another skills coach last summer.

So when is Oates joining the Hawks coaching staff?

Made a lot of stride the last two seasons according to reports.
- Elbows15

His major issues are being pushed off puck and his defense. He has worked hard to improve. AEL_FoX is on top of his improvement. He is a great puck carrier but wiz told me he has to be careful not to get picked because he thinks he is so good at it. Yes a speed guy. Hiw good a distributor and the rest of his offensive game- I cannot say i know for sure ...someone else can answer. I concur with AEL_FOX that he looks like he might be a future third pair guy. Most likely a season in Rockford. There he will show us whether he can advance.

It is Kyrs and Carlsson speed in a second and third pair, respectively which excites me. I am suggesting that the blueline crew can become a team strength. From puck possession to winning races to puck we could be among best in the league.

I have fingers crossed that Beaudin &. Mitchell, eventually play in top two pairs due their good enough to very good defensive ability combined with their offensive game. There is nothing actually to say negative about them insofar as playing NHL. It is going to be, how good can they be?

Want to see the gamble of Boqvist become reality. His offense is so good that be a. might be abke to slide by in defensive side and be a too two pair

Of course i am hypothesis about Boqvist. But i am hopeful that his defensive game progresses so maybe he could be like a Rafalski type. Only so potentially very good offensively. Even seems to be a clutch performer.

Rain man, McD is a marketing/management guy. He's supposed to spin. I don't get mad about it because I expect it. I care about management's goals, and I think he knows they have to win to make big money. They could've settled for being a very good team, but they went for it throughout the run. I appreciate that.
- mohel

Relatively easy to do when they have one of the top markets in the league, expanding team revenues, while have controlled expenses due to the salary cap.

I don't mind that either, but I think the kid has it
He's a natural center, so playing wing to start is
a good way to break him in
- gazza53

FWIW, Entwistle earned defensive forward of the year in the OHL western conference.

Anything is possible but I would also prefer he play at least a full season in Rockford first, if not two seasons. Same for Barratt if he leaves the NCAA. It is exciting, though, to wonder who the dark horses will be in camp.

He production and overall game was on the decline the last 2.5 years or so. He was playing like a lower end #1 center.

This year has been a huge bounce back year. Reason #1 is his skating looks a lot better. Not only does he have more jump but he also seems quicker in tight areas. He made a great little stop and start move last night at center ice and then just exploded forward with the puck.

We are also seeing him shoot the puck more. Slapshots and wristers.

Whether it was a nagging injury that finally healed or a different approach to offseason training. This years Toews looks a lot different then the past 2 years.
- bhawks2241

A couple weeks ago I had the Sirius NHL station on in the car. They were discussing Toews' resurgence this year and the guest (can't recall who it was) remarked that a hockey associate of his told him that last year Johnny had completely lost his confidence and was really questioning his own abilities and status in the game. If it can happen to golfers and baseball players I guess it can happen to somebody like #19. Good for him to deal with whatever his issues were. Some guys would have just sat on their big fat contracts.

FWIW, Entwistle earned defensive forward of the year in the OHL western conference.

Anything is possible but I would also prefer he play at least a full season in Rockford first, if not two seasons. Same for Barratt if he leaves the NCAA. It is exciting, though, to wonder who the dark horses will be in camp.
- AEL_Fox

Found one more update on Barratt:

https://wjactv.com/sports...rns-big-ten-hockey-honors

I knew he worked on skating more but did not know he spent the summer with Goodman. I know Dcat did and he looks a lot more explosive. Maybe its time for Seabrook to spend his summer here with Goodman. Hopefully Strome as well.

Edit: actually if I am the front office and can see how much Dcat and Toews skating has improved from being with Goodman last summer, I demand the Seabs and Strome stay all summer and workout with him. Clearly whatever strength/plyometric workout mix Goodman has works.
- bhawks2241

Seabrook did spend the summer with Goodman...via cell phone.

All kidding aside, similar to paulr's post, it's a player's decision to work out wherever he wants. However, I would think that regardless of location, the team can still help players set up and manage their workouts. Possibly even demand certain elements be part of their routines.

One other factor as far as Toews vs. Seabrook's workouts is that Toews has no kids while Seabrook has 3. Spending all of his summer in Chicago away from his family after an NHL season of constant travel may not be something he or his wife want.

I knew he worked on skating more but did not know he spent the summer with Goodman. I know Dcat did and he looks a lot more explosive. Maybe its time for Seabrook to spend his summer here with Goodman. Hopefully Strome as well.

Edit: actually if I am the front office and can see how much Dcat and Toews skating has improved from being with Goodman last summer, I demand the Seabs and Strome stay all summer and workout with him. Clearly whatever strength/plyometric workout mix Goodman has works.
- bhawks2241

Appears DCat and Strome have been besties since their Erie Otter days, I bet that they will work out together in the offseason.

A couple weeks ago I had the Sirius NHL station on in the car. They were discussing Toews' resurgence this year and the guest (can't recall who it was) remarked that a hockey associate of his told him that last year Johnny had completely lost his confidence and was really questioning his own abilities and status in the game. If it can happen to golfers and baseball players I guess it can happen to somebody like #19. Good for him to deal with whatever his issues were. Some guys would have just sat on their big fat contracts.
- RickJ

IIRC, the Blackhawks employ a sports psychologist to help players with the mental side of playing and maybe even the tough balance between being a pro athlete and a human being who has baggage away from the rink.