Good job Theo. I can’t say enough good things about Bolland, if you look up winner in the dictionary you’ll see a picture of him. I don’t recall the year, however both Bolland and Sharp were out (playoffs)and a casual fan at work kept mentioning how much they needed Sharp. I tried to explain to him that Bolland is who they really missed, and sure enough Bolland came back that night and made a huge play to create a goal. The next day the casual fan understood what I was saying the previous day. I don’t want to undermine what Sharp did for the Hawks, but in a big game, if both healthy, I’d take Bolland everyday. Unfortunately his back issues hurt his success and longevity in the NHL.
- Angotti

Hi, Lou - I remember Joe Thorton getting so frustrated playing a series against Bolland that he gave him a two hander across the the hands in the face off circle. Great guy to have on a team.

@Weesesports

"I like the approach of Kirby. Kirby isn't a vocal guy. Goes about his business, focuses on his thing. Right now it's on detail and applies it in practice. He set the right example for everyone."

[Team Canada head coach Andre] Tourigny on #Blackhawks prospect Kirby Dach's approach.

@Weesesports

"I like the approach of Kirby. Kirby isn't a vocal guy. Goes about his business, focuses on his thing. Right now it's on detail and applies it in practice. He set the right example for everyone."


- Theo Fox[Team Canada head coach Andre] Tourigny on #Blackhawks prospect Kirby Dach's approach.

Probably always been that way, but couldn't hurt to live with Seabrook last season.

https://twitter.com/NHLBl.../1329174988511907844?s=01

Great write up Theo I think it's safe to say that the "enforcer" of years ago is obsolete and has been replaced the past decade by "the rat". "The rat" has some attributes that the enforcer has but not necesarily the fighter that the enforcer was. The big difference between the two is that the rat can play some hockey ... has skills. sandpaper and can play a role on the team and get under the skin of the opposition. Size helps but is not necessary to play the rat. Rats like Krueger can take a pounding and get right back up .... like the playoff series against the Ducks. Rats score clutch goals ..... Boland will never be forgotten with the 17 seconds goal ... none bigger in a career. When you are talking third lines, Boland - Ladd - Versteeg in 2010 were one of the best. Boland the big rat - Ladd the big physical guy and Steeger the little pest with some speed and skill. Third line "rats" score important goals and are needed for any team to succeed. I have always thought that a good third line, could be a first or second line on a lousy team

It has been my understanding for years now that revenue is an essential element to a business plan.

It has also been my understanding that major league sports needs minor league/junior/kid level leagues to develop the players fans will pay revenue to watch.

As I mentioned a few days ago, it'll be interesting to see how development of Hawks draft picks progresses if they have eighteen months with little to no hockey. Some can play in Europe (which seems to be having a season somehow), which is nice. Interesting times.
- mohel

Not always, see "dot com" bust early 2000's and just about every biotech stock I have ever bought.

Not always, see "dot com" bust early 2000's and just about every biotech stock I have ever bought.
- rpeters01

I see.

https://twitter.com/HC_WJ.../1329106044287594497?s=01

https://twitter.com/HC_WJC/status/1329106044287594497?s=01
- BetweenTheDots

Beautiful.

https://twitter.com/HC_WJC/status/1329106044287594497?s=01
- BetweenTheDots

I'm pretty sure I'd be in traction if I tried that.

I'm pretty sure I'd be in traction if I tried that.
- Chunk

I hear that and he's 6 4 right. Pretty impressive

I hear that and he's 6 4 right. Pretty impressive
- BetweenTheDots

I'm 6', but I creak and crack when I walk. I'm not really even that old (recently turned the page to 44), but you really start to notice this stuff after 40.

It’s not all bad. From McIndoe’s article in ‘The Athletic’ on how the teams ranked ‘10 worst’ by their writers could actually be good. So it is possible.

6. Chicago Blackhawks

The rankings say: Over half the writers slotted Chicago into the “lottery contender” category, and the model was even less impressed.

Why they’re probably right: The Blackhawks are rebuilding, kind of, and Stan Bowman has basically signaled that we shouldn’t expect much this year. It’s not hard to see why, especially when their big offseason move was turning the crease over to a threesome of unproven youngsters.

But hear me out … : Despite the apparent rebuild, the Blackhawks haven’t really moved any of their big names. Bowman might want to, but he can’t, thanks to no-trade clauses and big salaries, and a fan base that might not stand for it. That might hurt the long-term vision, but it means Chicago goes into this season with some decent talent.

None of that will matter if the goaltending is as big a mess as it looks like. But here’s where I break out my “goaltending is voodoo” card and remind you that every season has at least a few guys you’ve barely heard of who turn out to be really good, at least temporarily. Remember, a lot of us went into last season thinking the Blue Jackets were weak in net, and it turned out to be a strength.

This will sound weird, but I think Chicago is the hardest team we’ve covered so far to see as contenders, but also the least surprising if it happens. If one of the goalies breaks out, is it really that hard to imagine Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews going deep into the playoffs while everyone goes “Oh right, these are still the Hawks?”

It’s not all bad. From McIndoe’s article in ‘The Athletic’ on how the teams ranked ‘10 worst’ by their writers could actually be good. So it is possible.

6. Chicago Blackhawks

The rankings say: Over half the writers slotted Chicago into the “lottery contender” category, and the model was even less impressed.

Why they’re probably right: The Blackhawks are rebuilding, kind of, and Stan Bowman has basically signaled that we shouldn’t expect much this year. It’s not hard to see why, especially when their big offseason move was turning the crease over to a threesome of unproven youngsters.

But hear me out … : Despite the apparent rebuild, the Blackhawks haven’t really moved any of their big names. Bowman might want to, but he can’t, thanks to no-trade clauses and big salaries, and a fan base that might not stand for it. That might hurt the long-term vision, but it means Chicago goes into this season with some decent talent.

None of that will matter if the goaltending is as big a mess as it looks like. But here’s where I break out my “goaltending is voodoo” card and remind you that every season has at least a few guys you’ve barely heard of who turn out to be really good, at least temporarily. Remember, a lot of us went into last season thinking the Blue Jackets were weak in net, and it turned out to be a strength.

This will sound weird, but I think Chicago is the hardest team we’ve covered so far to see as contenders, but also the least surprising if it happens. If one of the goalies breaks out, is it really that hard to imagine Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews going deep into the playoffs while everyone goes “Oh right, these are still the Hawks?”
- scottak

Dare to dream

It’s not all bad. From McIndoe’s article in ‘The Athletic’ on how the teams ranked ‘10 worst’ by their writers could actually be good. So it is possible.

6. Chicago Blackhawks

The rankings say: Over half the writers slotted Chicago into the “lottery contender” category, and the model was even less impressed.

Why they’re probably right: The Blackhawks are rebuilding, kind of, and Stan Bowman has basically signaled that we shouldn’t expect much this year. It’s not hard to see why, especially when their big offseason move was turning the crease over to a threesome of unproven youngsters.

But hear me out … : Despite the apparent rebuild, the Blackhawks haven’t really moved any of their big names. Bowman might want to, but he can’t, thanks to no-trade clauses and big salaries, and a fan base that might not stand for it. That might hurt the long-term vision, but it means Chicago goes into this season with some decent talent.

None of that will matter if the goaltending is as big a mess as it looks like. But here’s where I break out my “goaltending is voodoo” card and remind you that every season has at least a few guys you’ve barely heard of who turn out to be really good, at least temporarily. Remember, a lot of us went into last season thinking the Blue Jackets were weak in net, and it turned out to be a strength.

This will sound weird, but I think Chicago is the hardest team we’ve covered so far to see as contenders, but also the least surprising if it happens. If one of the goalies breaks out, is it really that hard to imagine Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith and Jonathan Toews going deep into the playoffs while everyone goes “Oh right, these are still the Hawks?”
- scottak

NO! We need to be a lottery pick in 2021 AND 2022. We need to add a couple top-5 studs to accelerate the rebuild. We'll have none of this obscure goalie coming out of nowhere to foil the plan stuff. Everybody back in line.

NO! We need to be a lottery pick in 2021 AND 2022. We need to add a couple top-5 studs to accelerate the rebuild. We'll have none of this obscure goalie coming out of nowhere to foil the plan stuff. Everybody back in line.
- EbonyRaptor

I'd be ok with this, but would rather see them with a top 5 this year (preferably barely miss the playoffs, but win the lottery for a top 3 pick), and then make the playoffs next year.
I think playoff experience is so valuable, and want them to really be able to make a run in the 22-23 season.

I'd be ok with this, but would rather see them with a top 5 this year (preferably barely miss the playoffs, but win the lottery for a top 3 pick), and then make the playoffs next year.
I think playoff experience is so valuable, and want them to really be able to make a run in the 22-23 season.
- tvetter

And I want a Ferrari for xmas.

And I want a Ferrari for xmas.
- 6628

All I want is to win the Blackhawks Queen of Hearts contest. You can have the Ferrari

I think everybody underestimates the fan base. 1/2 will leave because we are not good but they have started aleady and will with our without keith and kane and teows. the other 1/2 understand that keeping all 3 and ending up 7-8 in the lottery (unless we get a ton of luck) also does not help much. Keith is the one I move 1st. mostly because his AAV and his actual salary would entice teams that want to contend the next 2-3 years. so we get a good young player to help start getting better. I also consider move deahaan, and probably1 of murph or zadorov at the trade deadline.

If Seabs is healthy and plays a more physical game than he has in the past couple of years, you could have Seabs, Murph and Zadorov taking the body. Carlsson also does not shy away from contact. Neither does Dehaan if his shoulders are healthy. The defense may not necessarily be better but it will be more fun to watch.

In the same vein, if Shaw is healthy, Shaw, the Marx brothers (Janmark and Wallmark), Dach, Toews, Carp, Highmore could provide some physicality up front.

Grit and sandpaper is somewhat contagious. On past teams when Shaw, Seabs, Eager, Bickell, Bolland, Rosival, Sopel, started throwing their weight around the whole team started playing with more energy and even non-physical players got involved.

The team defense and goaltending probably is going to be bad. They probably will be a lottery team again. But if they play with an edge it will at least give us a reason to watch.

And I want a Ferrari for xmas.
- 6628

I said it's what I want, not that it's gonna happen.

Great write-up.
Those clips are bitter sweet. Love the memories but seeing Hammer, Bic's Bolland, Kruger, and even Frolik and Teraveinan makes me whine like an old duffer "for the good old days"
Like Murphy and understand the reasoning, But that Hammer trade still leaves a mark. Truly marked the end of the an era.
- camfor

Hey I resemble that remark LOL .I liked the Murphy deal felt it was done at the appropriate time . Hope Murphy is here for long time . Liked this blog good memories got to give it sometime to see how the kids come along GO HAWKS !!!!

I'd be ok with this, but would rather see them with a top 5 this year (preferably barely miss the playoffs, but win the lottery for a top 3 pick), and then make the playoffs next year.
I think playoff experience is so valuable, and want them to really be able to make a run in the 22-23 season.
- tvetter

I would rather that the team plays as well as they possibly can in every season they play.

I'd like to see the young guys progress.

I think the idea of a core on this team as currently constructed is laughable and thus any trades should be considered as long as you are getting at minimum equal value back (and obviously dependent on NMC waiving).

Whatever draft slot they end up in you take the best player available. Draft slotting is literally a crap shoot

If Seabs is healthy and plays a more physical game than he has in the past couple of years, you could have Seabs, Murph and Zadorov taking the body. Carlsson also does not shy away from contact. Neither does Dehaan if his shoulders are healthy. The defense may not necessarily be better but it will be more fun to watch.

In the same vein, if Shaw is healthy, Shaw, the Marx brothers (Janmark and Wallmark), Dach, Toews, Carp, Highmore could provide some physicality up front.

Grit and sandpaper is somewhat contagious. On past teams when Shaw, Seabs, Eager, Bickell, Bolland, Rosival, Sopel, started throwing their weight around the whole team started playing with more energy and even non-physical players got involved.

The team defense and goaltending probably is going to be bad. They probably will be a lottery team again. But if they play with an edge it will at least give us a reason to watch.
- -Doh-

Love the Marx Brothers

If Seabs is healthy and plays a more physical game than he has in the past couple of years, you could have Seabs, Murph and Zadorov taking the body. Carlsson also does not shy away from contact. Neither does Dehaan if his shoulders are healthy. The defense may not necessarily be better but it will be more fun to watch.

In the same vein, if Shaw is healthy, Shaw, the Marx brothers (Janmark and Wallmark), Dach, Toews, Carp, Highmore could provide some physicality up front.

Grit and sandpaper is somewhat contagious. On past teams when Shaw, Seabs, Eager, Bickell, Bolland, Rosival, Sopel, started throwing their weight around the whole team started playing with more energy and even non-physical players got involved.

The team defense and goaltending probably is going to be bad. They probably will be a lottery team again. But if they play with an edge it will at least give us a reason to watch.
- -Doh-

"IF"