Tyler Cameron: 10 "other" storylines from Blackhawks' camp Yes, we know the Kane, Strome, and Nylander line is lighting it up in scrimmages.

Yes, Kirby Dach looks like a machine.

I've touched on these briefly as well, but for this blog, I wanted to talk about 10 "other" storylines that haven't gotten as much attention.

Where are all the "firsters"?

This young defence core the hawks are grooming are impressive indeed. I get giddy when I see Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlsson, etc easing their way into the lineup. Many promising years ahead.....just keep on bringing on and developing the prospects!!!

Not to mention Dach, Kubalick and Nylander all looking improved up front!!!

1) I always thought that stick handling was a weakness for Crow (not as much as high glove).

2) The defense looks 1000 times better going into next year than it did 3 years ago.

3) A top 9 of Toews, Kane, Saad, ADB, Kubalik, Dach, Nylander, Strome, Suter/Sikura could be pretty good. Especially if you consider a 4th line of Shaw, Caggiula and Kampf. Obviously we would need to see today's Sikura on a consistent basis. Carpenter would be a great 13th forward. Highmore, Kurashev, Entwistle and Johnson could be potential call-ups.

Tyler, I must dispute your assessment of Crawford's puck handling. I think he's terrible at making the simple pass play - a pass that is intended for a guy 10 feet away goes 20 feet often to an opposing player and likewise a pass that needs to go 20 feet usually goes only about 10 feet and puts the d-man in a pickle. I think he's a very good goalie and I'm glad the Hawks have him between the pipes but I cringe every time he ventures out of his crease. JMO.

1) I always thought that stick handling was a weakness for Crow (not as much as high glove).

2) The defense looks 1000 times better going into next year than it did 3 years ago.

3) A top 9 of Toews, Kane, Saad, ADB, Kubalik, Dach, Nylander, Strome, Suter/Sikura could be pretty good. Especially if you consider a 4th line of Shaw, Caggiula and Kampf. Obviously we would need to see today's Sikura on a consistent basis. Carpenter would be a great 13th forward. Highmore, Kurashev, Entwistle and Johnson could be potential call-ups.
- tvetter

You forgot Lafreniere.

6th

(Just the 8th 6th of my career btw)

You forgot Lafreniere.
- boilermaker100

While it's obviously a done deal, I didn't want to count my chickens.

Crawford was terrible handling the puck when he toiled in Rcckford/AHL. But he has not been burned in this respect while earning three Cups.

I would like 6628 to chime in on Crawford puck handling nowadays. I do know that you are more qualified than some bloggers here on goaltendung. But I understand you have done a lot iof coaching. Amd often have studied and commented about technique.

Great blog to cover the prospects with not only the current camp but the next camp as backdrops.

I agree, Kurashev should be groomed as a center and hasn't struggled in that role as a first year pro. He is wired to play like a pivot covering the entire ice sheet and being effective in all zones.

This is Sikura's last chance, IMO, to make his mark for a permanent spot on the Hawks. While he may be hard pressed to crack the RTP starting lineup, he is stating his case for beyond the playoffs.

Both of them have been impressive in camp.

1) I always thought that stick handling was a weakness for Crow (not as much as high glove).

2) The defense looks 1000 times better going into next year than it did 3 years ago.

3) A top 9 of Toews, Kane, Saad, ADB, Kubalik, Dach, Nylander, Strome, Suter/Sikura could be pretty good. Especially if you consider a 4th line of Shaw, Caggiula and Kampf. Obviously we would need to see today's Sikura on a consistent basis. Carpenter would be a great 13th forward. Highmore, Kurashev, Entwistle and Johnson could be potential call-ups.
- tvetter

An under the radar performer this camp has been Johnson. He is very good at the dot and provides solid puck support in a purely checking role.

Although you won't see it in a camp setting like this with players being a tad cautious, Johnson is an agittor. He chirps the opponent to the point where many want to rip his head off between whistles.

He won't steal a spot away this camp but definitely one to watch in the system as a potential 4C or 13th forward in a year or two.

An under the radar performer this camp has been Johnson. He is very good at the dot and provides solid puck support in a purely checking role.

Although you won't see it in a camp setting like this with players being a tad cautious, Johnson is an agittor. He chirps the opponent to the point where many want to rip his head off between whistles.

He won't steal a spot away this camp but definitely one to watch in the system as a potential 4C or 13th forward in a year or two.
- AEL_Fox

An argument could be advanced that only a few pieces yet to fill roster spots in the next two years......let's say prospects develop nicely.....

THEN this team would become a faster team and deeper skilled on the blueline,

AS A COMPARISON
to the 2010 CUP winner.

There is not someone comparabe to Toewes iin his prime, not yet anyway. A point producing center or (take your choice) the Toewes clone could come via The Entry Draft. Someone like Dach could be plugged in here. But to balance things we need a very good #2 center too.

As well ideally Aaskarov or a young goalie arises too. So a center and a netminder is where we have the biggest need to bring in new pieces whom would be central to the success the team experiences.

Yet also there is a lot of young talent and this young talent includes players whom could be niche players. No the players are not going to be exactly the same as those who won in 2010. The more we see of youngsters already here and in the pipeline, however, the more a pipe dream does not seem sureality.

Seeing some prospects play moreover hearing encouraging reports from Bowman is hopefully going to be like a symphony with the crescendo which will come crashing down upon the NHL. I really hope that our team employs three solid mobile + skilled defense pairs. They help drive the play. And some fast disturbers with grit on bottom lines provides the character. A lot of kids is part of this equation. Here's hoping it all works out just fine.

Nice to read some evaluation on how the goalies are doing in camp 2.0.

I have a feeling that whoever is in (assuming Crawford doesn't play), it's either going to be a stellar series by the guy or a complete disaster. They are all so inexperienced at the NHL level that I just can't see any of them just being ok enough to keep them in a game.

Also on Crawford and his "unfit to play" status. Am I to assume that he hasn't even been to the rink? He is just somewhere not at camp? No one has seen him?

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 2010 team had Keith and Seabrook in their prime. I do not see their replacements on the Hawks yet. The Hawks defensive problems go way beyond a #1 netminder, statistically last in the league in almost every category. The Hawks have a lot of prospects on defense, but they are still prospects, not young all star caliber defenseman like #2 and #7;already were in 2010.

Crawford was terrible handling the puck when he toiled in Rcckford/AHL. But he has not been burned in this respect while earning three Cups.

I would like 6628 to chime in on Crawford puck handling nowadays. I do know that you are more qualified than some bloggers here on goaltendung. But I understand you have done a lot iof coaching. Amd often have studied and commented about technique.
- jhawk59

Correct, Crawford was not very good in the AHL or when he first came up into the NHL.

However, he's worked hard at it and it above average in my opinion at handling the puck.

And I will add clarification to that my "stickhandling" definition also includes how adept he is stopping the puck behind the net. Crawford is very good at corralling dump ins and leaving it for his D or moving the puck up.

Yes, he may not be the best at long passes and has the odd gaff, but watching a lot of other goalies around the league, he's better than most.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 2010 team had Keith and Seabrook in their prime. I do not see their replacements on the Hawks yet. The Hawks defensive problems go way beyond a #1 netminder, statistically last in the league in almost every category. The Hawks have a lot of prospects on defense, but they are still prospects, not young all star caliber defenseman like #2 and #7;already were in 2010.
- LAHawk

Agreed, the Hawks don't have anyone of that caliber and hey, they might not have another Duncan Keith for decades; he is truly that special of a player.

However, they have more higher-end options in the pipeline which gives them more options at a very competitive - and possibly elite - top 4 to be formed over the next 3-5 years.

What the rest of the team will look like at that time? Who knows. But it'll be exciting to see how it unfolds and how these prospects grow.

And remember, maybe these guys all don't have to be "elite"... look at the defence that the Penguins won the Stanley Cup with in 2017:

Justin Schultz - Ron Hainsey
Ian Cole - Olli Maatta
Trevor Daley - Brian Dumoulin


... and hey... CHI has Olli Maatta so there's that.

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 2010 team had Keith and Seabrook in their prime. I do not see their replacements on the Hawks yet. The Hawks defensive problems go way beyond a #1 netminder, statistically last in the league in almost every category. The Hawks have a lot of prospects on defense, but they are still prospects, not young all star caliber defenseman like #2 and #7;already were in 2010.
- LAHawk

The team could mirror the 2010 champion only if a couple of dmen develop into really good players.. Precisely it may be a group of young dmen whom are quite good in a couple of years or so. Admitingly though until at least a couple dmen are that good, they aren't going to become a reflection of the 2100 team. Our columnist, TC, actually spelled out the realistic view which applies what I hope could happen. I am extremely premature hoping the team does get to that point. Just to reiterate until a couple or more dmen approach the Keith & Seabrook level from 2010, I am dreaming too much .

I will just say this and not really an alibi or excuse, just happens after watching the Cubs for decades turn out basicly no real prospects (until past few years), it is exciting to see the Blackhawks now with the deepest assembly of young talent here and in the system than they have ever had. For years under the Pulford reign and the early years post year 2000 the Blackhawks were not much better than the Cubs in development of young players. I know Steve Rain is shaking his head about this.

Correct, Crawford was not very good in the AHL or when he first came up into the NHL.

However, he's worked hard at it and it above average in my opinion at handling the puck.

And I will add clarification to that my "stickhandling" definition also includes how adept he is stopping the puck behind the net. Crawford is very good at corralling dump ins and leaving it for his D or moving the puck up.

Yes, he may not be the best at long passes and has the odd gaff, but watching a lot of other goalies around the league, he's better than most.
- Tyler Cameron

I'll concede Corey is able to scoot behind the net and stop the puck pretty well, and if he either just leaves the puck there for a teammate or makes an uncontested pass to an unchecked teammate - he's fine. But, either he makes poor decisions or has poor execution when there is forechecking pressure. In those cases it would be better to not try to be a puck handling goalie because too often he either passes a hand grenade to his d-man or misses on a pass and the opposition keeps the puck in the zone. Again, just the opinion of an untrained eye (me).

Correct, Crawford was not very good in the AHL or when he first came up into the NHL.

However, he's worked hard at it and it above average in my opinion at handling the puck.

And I will add clarification to that my "stickhandling" definition also includes how adept he is stopping the puck behind the net. Crawford is very good at corralling dump ins and leaving it for his D or moving the puck up.

Yes, he may not be the best at long passes and has the odd gaff, but watching a lot of other goalies around the league, he's better than most.
- Tyler Cameron

Corey when focuses and on is one of the league's top goalies in the "batters box" area at closing down and finding pucks in the bodies and skates in that area that seems to instantly fill with sticks and bodies in front after a shot is taken stopped/deflected.

Tyler great update on some of the lesser known players. To be honest I haven't really followed any updates on each player and the scrimmages. Just curious from the little I read regarding toews , is their any chance he might be suffering a mild injury and Chicago has to keep a more tight lipped on his status or has JC taken a more serious tone and understanding that getting lucky to be included in the playoffs he has a chance to maybe save his job by being more aggressive in holding each player to a higher standard and to refocus toews?


Just curious on everyone's take.

Also what's crawfords deal is he hurt or is he sitting out rue to his future certainty?

I am as excited about the prospect pool as you are, I guess what i am saying is that you can't compare this team to 2010 because they haven't accomplished what the 2010 team had already accomplished. I would be ecstatic, if this team could be compared to the 2008-09 team when all is said and done, that was the dawn of the new era.

I think that is impossible to try and look at a past Stanley Cup championship team, disassemble it and attempt to project the new kids as "similars" to the personnel from the past.
This league continues to morph, the players are becoming more adaptive to having skills that fit systems.
Is it safe to say that most NHL teams will soon be carrying maybe SIX up-ice attackers on their backlines?
Can we conclude that quick sticks from those defenseman in their own end will be tasked with quick short accurate passes that the outlets will be able to turn the other way.

Will the forward position continue to add puck carriers with dangle and recognition skills and solid positioning with the added ingredient of size the bonus?

Cup runs in my mine are unique and each and every series and game win/loss are so close in momentum.
I am not sure if I can say looking at both teams in a match and being able to pluck a winning team from a line up card.

I think that is why we continue to hear from GMs about "just getting in the dance" because wins can be found through entire line ups of player.
With that said...I look at a team like Boston and say they are true challengers based on their pieces, especially the pieces that are their depth at the bottom of the forwards as players who "engage" the opposition, and their two good goalie options.

The Blackhawk 1961-62 Cup win was NOT supposed to happen against 2 of the other 3 teams that came to the dance, despite the Hawk impact players, that team wasn't as good as their opposition but got it done.

I starts with this idea, get a team out their that can upset, then see what /where that team needs to improve.

It is difficult to start trying to match the current Hawk group with their past winners,

Tyler great update on some of the lesser known players. To be honest I haven't really followed any updates on each player and the scrimmages. Just curious from the little I read regarding toews , is their any chance he might be suffering a mild injury and Chicago has to keep a more tight lipped on his status or has JC taken a more serious tone and understanding that getting lucky to be included in the playoffs he has a chance to maybe save his job by being more aggressive in holding each player to a higher standard and to refocus toews?


Just curious on everyone's take.

Also what's crawfords deal is he hurt or is he sitting out rue to his future certainty?
- Taylorst1

I don't think that the Hawks performance during the tournament has any effect on JC's current job status. If they were going to make a change, they would of made it already, just like the valuation and personnel changes they are doing with the front office right now.

I'm still really pulling for Kurashev and Beaudin. I feel like those guys are the second tier types that will help put the Hawks in a good spot.

For my money, Crawford is above average at handling the puck. He seems definitely better than the other goalies the Hawks have had in recent years who often struggle.

I'm not sure you can say that if jc job was in jeopardy he would have been fired. I think the most realistic way of looking at Chicago's future is to not make any changes just yet for obvious reasons. Hire a new team President and see what the organizational changes occur.

As a outsider if I had to judge jc , his record leaves me to give him a grade of a F.

I think many people thought bowman would get fired , and we saw MC D get axed , that doesn't mean stan is safe it just means new overall leadership and direction will be addressed.

From their I think everyone is on notice .