Theo Fox: The Finer Things
Part of prospect development is helping young players translate the talents that got them drafted or acquired in the first place into results at the pro level. However, not all prospects are high-end players yet many still become impact players as bottom 6 forwards or bottom pair defensemen in the big show.

What then is the common denominator that sets them apart?

Nice blog Theo. the more and more I read about king, it appears to me he "gets" it. I know he has been mostly an AHL assistant coach, but he had a nice NHL career and now has coached in the A about 10. Do you think he has the chops to be an NHL coach someday? You seemed to be very leery when he was promoted from the Icehogs assistant to coach.

Great blog Theo. It is extremely difficult to jump straight to the NHL. Not everyone is a Patrick Kane. Rush a player too fast, it can have irreversible damage to their development. Great points.

I know that Stan will wait on a buyout of matta but the reality even at 25% retention I doubt anybody takes him wihtout a sweetner. if he gets bought out what does his next contract look like? Im guessing a 1-2 year deal at 1.5- $2mil? so no one is going to take at less then 50% retetnion and his buyout figure is a better option.

You may be right. But there is no rush to buy out Maatta. The window is open for two weeks. With all of the teams looking for defensemen there may be a team that is afraid of not landing one, and be willing to take on his full contract. Maatta played pretty well in the playoffs, is only 26 and is cost controlled for two years (at a slightly inflated cap hit).

Act in haste. Repent at leisure.

I know that Stan will wait on a buyout of matta but the reality even at 25% retention I doubt anybody takes him wihtout a sweetner. if he gets bought out what does his next contract look like? Im guessing a 1-2 year deal at 1.5- $2mil? so no one is going to take at less then 50% retetnion and his buyout figure is a better option.
- kmw4631[/quote
Unless a team like Ottawa needs to get to the cap floor, which Matta is perfect cause his cash outlay is less than his cap hit.

You may be right. But there is no rush to buy out Maatta. The window is open for two weeks. With all of the teams looking for defensemen there may be a team that is afraid of not landing one, and be willing to take on his full contract. Maatta played pretty well in the playoffs, is only 26 and is cost controlled for two years (at a slightly inflated cap hit).

Act in haste. Repent at leisure.
- -Doh-

If Joel Edmondson is worth 4 more years at $3.5 million, then Matta is worth $4 million for 2

Bobby Ryan being bought out by Ottawa. Ottawa now needs $22 million in cap hit to reach the salary floor this year.

I think people are going to be shocked at how many and who gets bought out. Sounds like schnieder, MAF, lundquist will be. also wennberg from Columbus. I think edmunson is probably thought of as a slightly better player then matta? they are both still in there prime.

I think people are going to be shocked at how many and who gets bought out. Sounds like schnieder, MAF, lundquist will be. also wennberg from Columbus. I think edmunson is probably thought of as a slightly better player then matta? they are both still in there prime.
- kmw4631

Both slow, Edmundson plays more physical, but I think Matta is a better defender/shotblocker.

Nice blog Theo. the more and more I read about king, it appears to me he "gets" it. I know he has been mostly an AHL assistant coach, but he had a nice NHL career and now has coached in the A about 10. Do you think he has the chops to be an NHL coach someday? You seemed to be very leery when he was promoted from the Icehogs assistant to coach.
- LAHawk

I've warmed up to King quite a bit despite being not so high on him a year ago. He at least says the right things in interviews, seeming to be a straight shooter and doesn't get caught up in the cliches.

As for NHL coaching, yes, I can definitely see him as a head coach one day. This is going to sound like a dig at Colliton (maybe it is) but if he can be a head coach then King most certainly can.

Great blog Theo. It is extremely difficult to jump straight to the NHL. Not everyone is a Patrick Kane. Rush a player too fast, it can have irreversible damage to their development. Great points.
- ikeane

Yes, appropriate timelines and "over marination" can be the difference for most prospects. Inserting them in the NHL too soon can stunt their growth. Perhaps we are seeing that with Strome and Nylander. Even Boqvist.

You may be right. But there is no rush to buy out Maatta. The window is open for two weeks. With all of the teams looking for defensemen there may be a team that is afraid of not landing one, and be willing to take on his full contract. Maatta played pretty well in the playoffs, is only 26 and is cost controlled for two years (at a slightly inflated cap hit).

Act in haste. Repent at leisure.
- -Doh-

I think that is the case with Maatta. While there is some economical sense to buy him out, there is potential for a better return as far as a draft pick(s) or prospect coming back to Chicago.

If I had to guess, the Senators, Devils, and Wings could be possible destinations where he could fit in as an experienced yet still young defender.

Bobby Ryan being bought out by Ottawa. Ottawa now needs $22 million in cap hit to reach the salary floor this year.
- LAHawk

Interesting move by Ottawa.

My guess, they'll look to take on bad contracts for a significant price.

I think that is the case with Maatta. While there is some economical sense to buy him out, there is potential for a better return as far as a draft pick(s) or prospect coming back to Chicago.

If I had to guess, the Senators, Devils, and Wings could be possible destinations where he could fit in as an experienced yet still young defender.
- Theo Fox

If Stan wants to move Maatta I think they'll be interest. The return won't be stellar, maybe 1-2 mid round draft picks, but the real asset to the Blackhawks is the cap space.

Another great blog Theo! I read all of the Hawks blogs(seldom post). Just wanted you to know that some of us lurkers are enjoying your topics/style.
Thank you!

I think this guy is a big butt hole, but his tweet makes a good point.


Patrick O'Sullivan
@realPOSULLIVAN
· 17h
If skating is your greatest strength as a player you either aren’t a very good player or you are leaving a lot on the table because your skating actually makes the game more difficult for your slower thinking. The fastest path to improvement is through thinking more efficiently.

Patrick O'Sullivan
@realPOSULLIVAN
To follow up on this. Everyone says the game is fast or faster now. I’d ask...for who? Speed is perception based. It’s not the same for everyone, players see it different ways. Exclusively saying “play fast” is a misguided attempt at controlling more than you can as a coach.

RE: Patrick O'Sullivan

Yeah...it shows in the draft class too...the guys in the top two thirds of the first round are basically good visioned read and react guys.
It speaks well for all the development they get in the various junior leagues.

have no Lue why the quotes dont work again...

You may be right. But there is no rush to buy out Maatta. The window is open for two weeks. With all of the teams looking for defensemen there may be a team that is afraid of not landing one, and be willing to take on his full contract. Maatta played pretty well in the playoffs, is only 26 and is cost controlled for two years (at a slightly inflated cap hit).

Act in haste. Repent at leisure.
- -Doh-

Stan’s history seems to be - wait so long that by the time he acts - the audience has gone home.

But that might be HIS best mode: last year - he perhaps acted in haste by getting Maatta early, and then was presented with the opportunity to get deHaan.

If Stan wants to move Maatta I think they'll be interest. The return won't be stellar, maybe 1-2 mid round draft picks, but the real asset to the Blackhawks is the cap space.
- DarthKane

That sounds like a reasonable return for Maatta. And yes, the glorious cap space.

Another great blog Theo! I read all of the Hawks blogs(seldom post). Just wanted you to know that some of us lurkers are enjoying your topics/style.
Thank you!
- camfor

Thanks, camfor! I appreciate the readership from you and everyone else -- from those who are simply readers of the blog to those who post daily and everyone in between.

John built a large following here, then Tyler did an excellent job with the culture he created over the past few years. I hope to build off of their legacies and keep our conversations going.

For those of you who love just reading the blogs and message board but never post or seldom do, you are always welcome to email me at [email][email protected][/email] to talk in that format instead if that is more comfortable for you.

A few of you have already done that already and I love hearing your thoughts! I know you as fans have a lot on your mind but don't necessarily need a message board to broadcast your perspectives. My email address is an outlet for you, too!

If Joel Edmondson is worth 4 more years at $3.5 million, then Matta is worth $4 million for 2
- LAHawk

And Montreal gave up a 5th round pick for him as an RFA. Let's hope Maatta has equal or greater value. My thinking though is Bergevin kicked the tires on Maatta before dealing for Edmundson. Maybe Stan was asking too much. It should be interesting to see how this plays out.

I am not positive they will move Maatta. DeHaan may have more trade value. Maybe they move deHaan and go with Bovist/Keith, Murphy/Carlsson, Maatta/K4. Bring Mitchell (R) & Beaudin (L) along slowly and then move Maatta at the TDL.

I think people are going to be shocked at how many and who gets bought out. Sounds like schnieder, MAF, lundquist will be. also wennberg from Columbus. I think edmunson is probably thought of as a slightly better player then matta? they are both still in there prime.
- kmw4631

So you're buying what Eklund is selling eh? Good luck with that.

Stan’s history seems to be - wait so long that by the time he acts - the audience has gone home.

But that might be HIS best mode: last year - he perhaps acted in haste by getting Maatta early, and then was presented with the opportunity to get deHaan.
- StLBravesFan

Now that's funny ... and true.