Theo Fox: Thanksgiving
Ten things that I’m thankful for regarding the Blackhawks this Thanksgiving season.

First happy thanksgiving

2nd Happy Thanksgiving!

Yeah We have lots to be thankful about, especially our countries, and stations in this life.
I know I earned some on my own, but also landed in the right place on Earth and that helps.

All fo you, let your people know....give thanks with a grateful heart,

I am watching that second

GAME ONE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiXvxm41Qro

GAME TWO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ao6EhuB1J1s


ALSO conceringvthese games_________YOU want to see J C defensive scheme?

Watch what they are askingvtheir players to do quickly and effectively...


DACH DOES THE KANE pirouette to set a goal up...
when Dach gets even mote comfortable, he is goingvto realize that besides using the graceful steps to create that he can overpower and destroy the opposing players -iF and when that happens we have something...REAL have something!

Re point #5:

So you're saying Nylander isn't long for the team. I re-watched 6 games recently and tried to key on him. He's not bad defensively, but he's not good. Not that it's his main job as a forward, but he has a really hard time reading what the opponent is trying to do and ends up chasing a bit. It's not egregious, but he will need to seriously improve that if he wants to stick.

The one area where he is actually quite good is transitioning out of the defensive zone. Be it by pass or by skating he has a very good feel on how to effectively exit the zone.

Offensively, he needs to be more assertive. I'd say keep him away from Kane and put him on a line where he would be the biggest threat (if you are sure you want to commit to him going forward). I'm still pushing for Nylander with the two Marks to start the year.

Sergachev re-signs with the Lightning at $4.8 AAV for 3 years.

Boychuk retires freeing up extra money to re-sign players on Long Island including Barzal.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Be safe.
Would it be bad to add at 11 - Rocky Wirtz. I give thanks he does not think like his father, at least as to televising games.

Sergachev re-signs with the Lightning at $4.8 AAV for 3 years..
- Theo Fox

So IF he had a outside team he wanted to go to, they would have to have surrendered a 1st and 3rd and hoped that the Lightning didn't match...a good reason I say my breath when it comes the RFA signing discussions.

Re point #5:

So you're saying Nylander isn't long for the team. I re-watched 6 games recently and tried to key on him. He's not bad defensively, but he's not good. Not that it's his main job as a forward, but he has a really hard time reading what the opponent is trying to do and ends up chasing a bit. It's not egregious, but he will need to seriously improve that if he wants to stick.

The one area where he is actually quite good is transitioning out of the defensive zone. Be it by pass or by skating he has a very good feel on how to effectively exit the zone.

Offensively, he needs to be more assertive. I'd say keep him away from Kane and put him on a line where he would be the biggest threat (if you are sure you want to commit to him going forward). I'm still pushing for Nylander with the two Marks to start the year.
- Chunk

I've also thought about having Nylander play with Janmark and Wallmark. As you said, Nylander would be the offensive threat as one who can shoot and pass.

Wallmark is pretty gifted and smart offensively so he could complement Nylander well. Janmark could then muck it up down low.

Then both Janmark and Wallmark are defensively solid which could open things up more for Nylander.

If that's the case, then one would think Strome is either good as gone or would have to move over to wing unless 13-71-92 is your 4th line.

Sergachev re-signs with the Lightning at $4.8 AAV for 3 years.

Boychuk retires freeing up extra money to re-sign players on Long Island including Barzal.
- Theo Fox

Tampa Bay is also currently $1.905M over the cap with Sergachev's new deal.

@PierreVLeBrun

Year 1, 2.4
Year 2, 4.8
Year 3, 7.2

1.5 million in Signing Bonus in each of first two seasons

4.8 AAV

I've also thought about having Nylander play with Janmark and Wallmark. As you said, Nylander would be the offensive threat as one who can shoot and pass.

Wallmark is pretty gifted and smart offensively so he could complement Nylander well. Janmark could then muck it up down low.

Then both Janmark and Wallmark are defensively solid which could open things up more for Nylander.

If that's the case, then one would think Strome is either good as gone or would have to move over to wing unless 13-71-92 is your 4th line.
- Theo Fox

Theo - great blog as always and safe Thanksgiving to ALL. The most important part of the blog was this and specifically bolded part:

Not all of them will make it and there simply aren’t enough spots but the point is having as many lottery tickets as possible because only a few need to stick then move the rest

NHL D are very very valuable NHL assets to use to build the team in areas of weakness. Lets hope Stan can maximize return on such assets. Lets HOPE

Two D-corps questions Theo:

1) Between Kalynuk, Carlsson, Regula and Krys, which one (or two) have the best shot at actually being a 3-5 defenseman? From what I've seen it's Carlsson and Kalynuk, but you've been higher on Krys lately, so I wanted to get your take.

2) If the youngsters show well relatively early, do you think the Hawks start shopping vets (Murphy, de Haan, maybe ask one of the big two if they aren't getting the time they want) to open up spots, or do you think they keep them for depth and competitiveness/experience?

Theo - great blog as always and safe Thanksgiving to ALL. The most important part of the blog was this and specifically bolded part:

Not all of them will make it and there simply aren’t enough spots but the point is having as many lottery tickets as possible because only a few need to stick then move the rest

NHL D are very very valuable NHL assets to use to build the team in areas of weakness. Lets hope Stan can maximize return on such assets. Lets HOPE
- glennjpawlak22

Even with a numbers game limiting how many D prospects advance to the Hawks roster, it's still in the organization's best interest to develop all prospects to the optimal extent possible so the return on trades is also optimal.

Trading a prospect who didn't develop well doesn't result in anything advantageous, usually swapping our failed prospect for another team's failed prospect.

Or you can at least hope for a 6th or 7th round draft pick to get another crack at a new prospect to develop.

Two D-corps questions Theo:

1) Between Kalynuk, Carlsson, Regula and Krys, which one (or two) have the best shot at actually being a 3-5 defenseman? From what I've seen it's Carlsson and Kalynuk, but you've been higher on Krys lately, so I wanted to get your take.

2) If the youngsters show well relatively early, do you think the Hawks start shopping vets (Murphy, de Haan, maybe ask one of the big two if they aren't getting the time they want) to open up spots, or do you think they keep them for depth and competitiveness/experience?
- Chunk

Out of Kalynuk, Carlsson, Regula, and Krys, Carlsson is as close to a slam dunk as you can get to be a D-man in the 3-5 spot.

Kalynuk could be next based on what player personnel and former coaches have said about him. Then again, Matt Gilroy was a highly coveted NCAA blueliner who had a below average NHL career.

Regula seems to be hyped up like Kalynuk but I'd like to see them perform at the AHL level first. If they hit potential, Kalynuk and Regula could be a solid 2nd and 3rd pair respectively.

Although most seem to write him off, I like Krys as I've seen him play extensively to know the skill and talent is there. He just needs to keep it simple, get stronger, and redefine himself as two-way blueliner who errs toward defense (i.e. not a Boqvist type).

If Krys can do that, he can be a reliable 3rd pair defender.

And yes, I see the veterans like Murphy and de Haan at least being shopped within the next year. And that's irrespective of how the youngsters play, IMO.

Tampa Bay is also currently $1.905M over the cap with Sergachev's new deal.

@PierreVLeBrun

Year 1, 2.4
Year 2, 4.8
Year 3, 7.2

1.5 million in Signing Bonus in each of first two seasons

4.8 AAV
- Theo Fox

Plus, they still need to sign Corelli, Cermak and 1 more dman. If Stan is ever going to "help" a team get out of cap hell, this is a golden opportunity. I would even entertain taking Tyler Johnson if they could get enough futures, and make the money work.

Happy Thanksgiving friends to the south. Be well. Be safe.

I'm just grateful the Blackhawks became a championship team in my life time.

Thankful for what i have and a great deal of thoughts and prayers go out for the families getting together for turkey day.

Happy Thanksgiving, to everyone. I hope all my fellow superspreaders enjoy the day watching football and eating a great meal with the extended family.

Re point #5:

So you're saying Nylander isn't long for the team. I re-watched 6 games recently and tried to key on him. He's not bad defensively, but he's not good. Not that it's his main job as a forward, but he has a really hard time reading what the opponent is trying to do and ends up chasing a bit. It's not egregious, but he will need to seriously improve that if he wants to stick.

The one area where he is actually quite good is transitioning out of the defensive zone. Be it by pass or by skating he has a very good feel on how to effectively exit the zone.

Offensively, he needs to be more assertive. I'd say keep him away from Kane and put him on a line where he would be the biggest threat (if you are sure you want to commit to him going forward). I'm still pushing for Nylander with the two Marks to start the year.
- Chunk

Nylander on the top two lines has been a non event so far. The first half of last season before he started thinking too much he was one of the better players on the ice bottom two lines. He was 🦌 deer in the headlights terrible against Vegas but so were others including Kane. He needs to be put in positions to succeed and playing against the other teams best players isn't one of them. He's just so timid compared to Willie it's surprising.

Plus, they still need to sign Corelli, Cermak and 1 more dman. If Stan is ever going to "help" a team get out of cap hell, this is a golden opportunity. I would even entertain taking Tyler Johnson if they could get enough futures, and make the money work.
- tvetter

I think part of the cba negotiations will be to allow teams to play over the cap this next year.

I think part of the cba negotiations will be to allow teams to play over the cap this next year.
- rpeters01

Struggling to pay the players already and they are going to allow teams to spend more? That there just don't make no sense to me, they had their chance but they decided to forego the 2 compliance buy outs

I think part of the cba negotiations will be to allow teams to play over the cap this next year.
- rpeters01

With a third of the league over the cap, I don't necessarily disagree with you. However, if they don't, a lot of teams are going to need help. The Hawks are actually in a decent pace to take advantage of that. Especially if Smith goes on LTIR.

With a third of the league over the cap, I don't necessarily disagree with you. However, if they don't, a lot of teams are going to need help. The Hawks are actually in a decent pace to take advantage of that. Especially if Smith goes on LTIR.
- tvetter

I agree Blackhawks are in a great position, if i owned a team would i really want to set that precedent?

I agree Blackhawks are in a great position, if i owned a team would i really want to set that precedent?
- BetweenTheDots

It's not exactly a new precedent. Teams have been doing this for years. The Hawks have had it done to them for years. If it can speed up the rebuild in any way, I'm all for it.