If you're worried about Keith not contributing to the development of the youngsters - I think it's going to be more complicated having Seabrook on the roster but playing fourth pairing minutes. I don't think he's psychologically ready for that.

Also, given that in normal circumstances, going from college to pro would be a major adjustment, in pandemic times it will be even moreso - Mitchell would have to go from playing basically on weekends to more a "back-to-backs and three-games-in-four-nights" schedule - made even worse by a compressed schedule - plus adjusting to the physicality of the pro game. He should spend substantial (however much that is) time in Rockfish (if there is a viable AHL schedule).

Boqvist is still developing, Carlsson certainly will be, again with a compressed schedule and little teaching time in Chicago. Let them be the two prospects in the Show to begin the season, playing with Keith, Murphy, deHaan, and Pia Zadora.
- StLBravesFan

I agree, being relegated to a spare part may not go well with Seabrook over time. Perhaps at first but especially not if he can bounce back healthily and log productive minutes when he is in the lineup.

That doesn't mean he'll necessarily ask for a trade (same with Keith for that matter) but that also doesn't mean there won't be tension on and off the ice.

I agree, being relegated to a spare part may not go well with Seabrook over time. Perhaps at first but especially not if he can bounce back heaithily and log productive minutes when he is in the lineup.

That doesn't mean he'll necessarily ask for a trade (same with Keith for that matter) but that also doesn't mean there won't be tension on and off the ice.
- Theo Fox

Both 2 & 7 will get pissy once in a while. But Seabrook has more kids so he figures to have more patience. Eventually I see him more of a mentor than Keith.

I have been occasionally checking to see how our young loaned players have been faring through the capfriendly site. But the last time I checked it appeared that the stats had not changed. It looks like the European leagues may have suspended play which would be unfortunate for some of our players on the verge of cracking the lineup.

I have been occasionally checking to see how our young loaned players have been faring through the capfriendly site. But the last time I checked it appeared that the stats had not changed. It looks like the European leagues may have suspended play which would be unfortunate for some of our players on the verge of cracking the lineup.
- 67hawks

A fellow Blackhawks prospects buff Wally Maz does a good job tracking prospect stats and posting videos on his Twitter account.

Here's a link to his stats tracker:

https://docs.google.com/s...MiXRreQavKqBuk/edit#gid=0

HockeyDB is a good website that stays up to date, too, but you have to search each player individually.

Both 2 & 7 will get pissy once in a while. But Seabrook has more kids so he figures to have more patience. Eventually I see him more of a mentor than Keith.
- 6628

Agree on Seabrook being more of a mentor to the youth than Keith.

The term mentor gets thrown around freely but a true mentorship means both parties are willing to engage and be part of the process.

Keith may indirectly mentor others (i.e. being his D partner) but can't see him enjoying it.

For this reason, I would almost rather trade Keith than deHaan, and getting potentially better assets in return. Also, given Keith’s comments about the NHL not being a development league, I question whether young players get much from Keith while he’s on the roster.

If this is a rebuild and the focus is upon building a young blue-line, then move Keith instead of deHaan. I’d be tempted to move deHaan also later, if it appears Seabrook can play 3rd line minutes in a shortened season.

Pairings:
Murphy-Mitchell
Z-Boqvist
CdH-Carlsson
Seabrook
- Aurora Hawk

Both Jokiharju and Boqvist had made nothing but positive comments about playing with, and learning from, Duncan Keith. Your narrative is false.

Agree on Seabrook being more of a mentor to the youth than Keith.

The term mentor gets thrown around freely but a true mentorship means both parties are willing to engage and be part of the process.

Keith may indirectly mentor others (i.e. being his D partner) but can't see him enjoying it.
- Theo Fox

Dach lived with Seabrook last year, nothing but positive came out of that relationship.

Both Jokiharju and Boqvist had made nothing but positive comments about playing with, and learning from, Duncan Keith. Your narrative is false.
- scottak

You beat me to it, I was just going to post same.

What's supposed to be Keith's hockey personality flaw - that he burns to win and has little patience for spouting the all is good company line when things don't happen accordingly?

Theo Epstein retires as Cubs President. Jed Hoyer taking over the position.

I'd rather deHaan get traded over Keith because I think Keith would be a steady on-ice partner for Mitchell to break into the NHL. The return you get for trading deHaan is addition by subtraction to free up a slot in the starting lineup - anything tangible coming back in the trade is gravy.

Theo Epstein retires as Cubs President. Jed Hoyer taking over the position.
- boilermaker100

Next Bears GM! He's about as good at developing pitching as the Bears are at developing QB's.

Rumor I read is he wants to be Commissioner of MLB. Either way, I've been thinking for a while it made no sense for him to stay one more year if not signing an extension.

I'm optimistic on Seabrook but obviously we can't say much until he is playing NHL hockey again.

He was recently saying he felt great and better than he has in years. He is mid 30's but could still contribute better than he has in recent seasons if he is physically able to play his game style again. He is a leader and I think he can really help the young players. Obviously he has to get out there and prove it, but his 18 minutes a game could go back to the 20-22 minute range he was in from 2012 to 2018.

None of the youngsters looked ready for PP time on the point so maybe we see Seabrook take some minutes on the PP again and use his shot?

I have been occasionally checking to see how our young loaned players have been faring through the capfriendly site. But the last time I checked it appeared that the stats had not changed. It looks like the European leagues may have suspended play which would be unfortunate for some of our players on the verge of cracking the lineup.
- 67hawks

Hagel started off a tad slow in the Swiss league but has been heating up of late. Today he had a hat trick + 2 assists. He now has 9 points in 9 games.

Theo,

Please continue your inciteful blogs regarding the current and future state of the Blackhawks and don't succumb to the ways of about a dozen other HB bloggers who have found an easy topic, Retro Jerseys, to discuss.

You and the Detroit writer Jeremy Laura are must reads on this site. Keep up the good work.

Theo Epstein retires as Cubs President. Jed Hoyer taking over the position.
- boilermaker100

Rizzo next?

Theo,

Please continue your inciteful blogs regarding the current and future state of the Blackhawks and don't succumb to the ways of about a dozen other HB bloggers who have found an easy topic, Retro Jerseys, to discuss.

You and the Detroit writer Jeremy Laura are must reads on this site. Keep up the good work.
- boilermaker100

Thanks, boiler.

I'm just picking up where Tyler left off with providing unique content that is different from what you can find elsewhere. Any and all Blackhawks content is welcome, of course, yet I want to play my part to help differentiate HockeyBuzz in the marketplace.

New blog out tomorrow that hopefully provides some new food for thought rather than be an extra voice in existing storylines (or at least provide a new angle to them).

@PierreVLeBrun

Players that I hear are on the Return to Play committee:

David Backes, Darren Helm, David Savard, Justin Faulk, Lars Eller, Sam Gagner, Justin Abdelkader, Ian Cole, Zach Hyman, Ron Hainsey, Claude Giroux, Ryan Dzingel, Andrew Copp, Alex Biega, Chris Kreider, Mark Scheifele.

@NYP_Brooksie

NHL is asking for additional 13-percent deferral from players, [New York] Post has learned.

Theo Epstein retires as Cubs President. Jed Hoyer taking over the position.
- boilermaker100

Interesting comment by him in his presser - paraphrasing here - talking about the relative lack of success after the WS win - he found out about himself - that he enjoyed (and was good at) the process of building a team to the top - but he didn’t enjoy so much (and wasn’t so good at) the maintenance of it.

I’ve thought that for a long time - extend it to coaches, too.

Apply it to Stan, reversing the attributes - Stan is good at maintaining a high quality team, but not so good at rebuilding one.

The Phil Jackson syndrome - he (and Quenneville) could win with a team that’s expected to win - but wouldn’t be as good with one that needs development. Many (most?) coaches can’t win when they’re expected to - it’s a specific skill.

@NYP_Brooksie

NHL is asking for additional 13-percent deferral from players,
- Theo Fox[New York] Post has learned.

The question is when would the players get the 23% back? Or is this a can the owners can just keep kicking down the road

Interesting comment by him in his presser - paraphrasing here - talking about the relative lack of success after the WS win - he found out about himself - that he enjoyed (and was good at) the process of building a team to the top - but he didn’t enjoy so much (and wasn’t so good at) the maintenance of it.

I’ve thought that for a long time - extend it to coaches, too.

Apply it to Stan, reversing the attributes - Stan is good at maintaining a high quality team, but not so good at rebuilding one.

The Phil Jackson syndrome - he (and Quenneville) could win with a team that’s expected to win - but wouldn’t be as good with one that needs development. Many (most?) coaches can’t win when they’re expected to - it’s a specific skill.
- StLBravesFan

I don't think you can really say this yet. He's spent the last few years trying to do two things at once - rebuild and maintain competitiveness - at the behest of McD (admittedly, this is complete conjecture on my part). This is the first time he's been in "true rebuild" mode.

He's also still saddled with a number of high dollar contracts that are difficult to move and take up a lot of the cap. Yes, you can argue that they were negotiated by Stan, but they were also done at a time when they were still trying to win now (except Seabrook's - that one still blows my mind). Regardless of what we say, he's got the reigns of this team and I'm optimistic on the (very) early returns.

@PierreVLeBrun

Players that I hear are on the Return to Play committee:

David Backes, Darren Helm, David Savard, Justin Faulk, Lars Eller, Sam Gagner, Justin Abdelkader, Ian Cole, Zach Hyman, Ron Hainsey, Claude Giroux, Ryan Dzingel, Andrew Copp, Alex Biega, Chris Kreider, Mark Scheifele.
- Theo Fox

Is it just me, or does it seem like about 1/3 of those guys are almost out of the league?

Backes, Helm, Abdelkader, Hainsey, Gagner...

And like four guys on the Red Wings. Weird.

Theo,

Please continue your inciteful blogs regarding the current and future state of the Blackhawks and don't succumb to the ways of about a dozen other HB bloggers who have found an easy topic, Retro Jerseys, to discuss.

You and the Detroit writer Jeremy Laura are must reads on this site. Keep up the good work.
- boilermaker100

I have to mention about the jerseys...I don't like what Adidas has done with any of their tinkering with Hawk sweaters. It's hard to make a Hawks sweater look bad though regardless. Hopefully the entire uniforms look good when on the ice.

Both Jokiharju and Boqvist had made nothing but positive comments about playing with, and learning from, Duncan Keith. Your narrative is false.
- scottak

I wouldn’t know and not disputing it, but what else would you expect a young player to say about a hall of fame player?

Is it just me, or does it seem like about 1/3 of those guys are almost out of the league?

Backes, Helm, Abdelkader, Hainsey, Gagner...

And like four guys on the Red Wings. Weird.
- Chunk

That's what I thought