Theo Fox: Passing Grade
A breakdown of how the Blackhawks can improve their passing game which hasn’t been a strong suit and limits their offensive chances.

First !!

In a lot of way’s Theo this blog and the last about shortening the shifts go hand and hand. A player who should be getting off the ice because he has been on 30 to 45 seconds thinks he can cheat at the other teams blue line waiting for the home run pass. Happened so often last year.

Well done on these series of blogs Theo

Theo Fox: Passing Grade
A breakdown of how the Blackhawks can improve their passing game which hasn’t been a strong suit and limits their offensive chances.
- Theo Fox

So, then the question is, tying in to the last conversation on the boards, would Tuch, cost controlled, help this teams situation or not? I'm on the side of he would help greatly.

I'd prefer Marchessault

Pacioretty would seriously hand cuff this team at the cap for 3 years, no thanks, 1 year deal maybe but 3.

👌👍☝️

One of the most important articles here since June, 2015.

Thanks, Theo.

👌👍☝️

One of the most important articles here since June, 2015.

Thanks, Theo.
- StLBravesFan

Sage with three separate emojis in one post, showing us old guys can indeed learn new tricks.

I would look at Tampa, I would take Tyler Johnson, Verhaghe or Volkov, and a draft choice for a bag of pucks, provided Stan already has a deal in place with Seattle that they would take him in the draft.

I would look at Tampa, I would take Tyler Johnson, Verhaghe or Volkov, and a draft choice for a bag of pucks, provided Stan already has a deal in place with Seattle that they would take him in the draft.
- LAHawk

Don’t know much about TB’s prospects. Where would these guys rank among Hawk prospects?

My guess is Detroit weaponizes their Cap Space and raids Tampa’s prospect depth for TJ.

Also, great stuff as always Theo. Watching LVK utilize short quick passes to get thru the NZ and sustain pressure in the Hawk end was hopefully something this team can take a step toward this year.

Sage with three separate emojis in one post, showing us old guys can indeed learn new tricks.
- mohel

What’s an “emoji”?

I drew those by hand.

Damn it Theo. Another well written, thought provoking blog.

Between you and Tyler previously, you'd think we are here to probe a little deeper as to how ice hockey is actually played and how we watch it.

I'm kinda missing the days of unfounded trade proposals, rumour-mongering and weight lifting tips.

Throw us a bone every once in a while.

I would look at Tampa, I would take Tyler Johnson, Verhaghe or Volkov, and a draft choice for a bag of pucks, provided Stan already has a deal in place with Seattle that they would take him in the draft.
- LAHawk

All this is a great idea, but where the Hawks going to find the 5mil Cap space?


Strome has to sign.

Damn it Theo. Another well written, thought provoking blog.

Between you and Tyler previously, you'd think we are here to probe a little deeper as to how ice hockey is actually played and how we watch it.

I'm kinda missing the days of unfounded trade proposals, rumour-mongering and weight lifting tips.

Throw us a bone every once in a while.
- Rota's Rooter

Pick up something heavy... then put it back down. Now do that again.

So, then the question is, tying in to the last conversation on the boards, would Tuch, cost controlled, help this teams situation or not? I'm on the side of he would help greatly.

I'd prefer Marchessault

Pacioretty would seriously hand cuff this team at the cap for 3 years, no thanks, 1 year deal maybe but 3.
- BetweenTheDots

If the event we're aiming at is a youth movement rebuild, then our event horizon is three years at the earliest, in my opinion. Meaning everything done in the next three years should be done to enhance the team of 2023/24, and by extension - nothing should be done in the next three years that doesn't help the 2023/24 team and beyond.

Tuch , at 24 years old, is young enough to be a long term player on the 2023/24 team so from that perspective I would have no problem with acquiring him now. However, I don't think he's worth his cap hit of $4.75M for 6 more years. He's not a top-6 player and $4.75M is too much to lock in a 3rd line guy for that long.

On the other hand, Pacioretty will be out of contract in 3 years so he will not negatively affect the cap when the "event horizon" starts - so as long as the Hawks can structure a trade that passes cap compliancy - then I would be all for acquiring him in order to bring in a top prospect that will be part of the 2023/24 rebuilt core group - Peyton Krebs would be my preference.

First !!

In a lot of way’s Theo this blog and the last about shortening the shifts go hand and hand. A player who should be getting off the ice because he has been on 30 to 45 seconds thinks he can cheat at the other teams blue line waiting for the home run pass. Happened so often last year.

Well done on these series of blogs Theo
- LAHawk

Thanks, LA.

Agree, cherry pickers need not apply. It doesn't show work ethic, compete level, or defensive responsibility.

👌👍☝️

One of the most important articles here since June, 2015.

Thanks, Theo.
- StLBravesFan

I knew you would like this blog, STL. Good use of emojis, too!

Don’t know much about TB’s prospects. Where would these guys rank among Hawk prospects?

My guess is Detroit weaponizes their Cap Space and raids Tampa’s prospect depth for TJ.

Also, great stuff as always Theo. Watching LVK utilize short quick passes to get thru the NZ and sustain pressure in the Hawk end was hopefully something this team can take a step toward this year.
- HawkintheD

Thanks, D.

Vegas is a prime example of the short quick passes to advance up ice and lay down a smothering attack.

Not a difficult strategy. It boils down to work ethic and compete level. That's been the tricky part for the Hawks.

Being able to skate well helps, too, but hockey IQ can compensate if you have a knack of where to be and what to do in every situation.

Damn it Theo. Another well written, thought provoking blog.

Between you and Tyler previously, you'd think we are here to probe a little deeper as to how ice hockey is actually played and how we watch it.

I'm kinda missing the days of unfounded trade proposals, rumour-mongering and weight lifting tips.

Throw us a bone every once in a while.
- Rota's Rooter

Thanks, RR.

I'll see what I can do about trade proposals and rumors. Going to Costco later so maybe I can get a jumbo jar of them there.

All this is a great idea, but where the Hawks going to find the 5mil Cap space?

Put Shaw or Smith (if unhealty) on IR before the season. Who cares about accruing cap space at the TDL (whenever that is). I am sure there will be other injuires/illnesses to give Stan some wiggle room if needed


Strome has to sign.
- wiz1901

Gotta hand it to Ek. At least he's entertaining:

And what better way to kick in this silly season (holiday version) than word from an NHL contact that he has heard that Patrick Kane and Jon Toews are being discussed with a few teams "way under the radar."

Gotta hand it to Ek. At least he's entertaining:

And what better way to kick in this silly season (holiday version) than word from an NHL contact that he has heard that Patrick Kane and Jon Toews are being discussed with a few teams "way under the radar."


- Chunk

Stanley needs to clear cap space to re-sign Dylan Strome.

Gotta hand it to Ek. At least he's entertaining:

And what better way to kick in this silly season (holiday version) than word from an NHL contact that he has heard that Patrick Kane and Jon Toews are being discussed with a few teams "way under the radar."

Kane and Toews cash outlay are $3.5 mil. per less than cap hit. Can't see Rocky doing this.


- Chunk

Looks like there is a possibility for the Hawks and Wings to be division rivals once again if the NHL moves forward with their (temporary, probably just for 2021) division realignment. It also puts all 7 Canadian teams in one division.

Stanley needs to clear cap space to re-sign Dylan Strome.
- Rota's Rooter

Didn't Strome's agent leave the industry? does he have a new one yet?

I would look at Tampa, I would take Tyler Johnson, Verhaghe or Volkov, and a draft choice for a bag of pucks, provided Stan already has a deal in place with Seattle that they would take him in the draft.
- LAHawk

That's like saying all I need for a happy marriage is to buy my wife a diamond 💎 ring as long as she let's me buy a Ferrari. I don't have the cap space for either just to clarify.

I would look at Tampa, I would take Tyler Johnson, Verhaghe or Volkov, and a draft choice for a bag of pucks, provided Stan already has a deal in place with Seattle that they would take him in the draft.
- LAHawk

I said several blogs ago that we should get TJ plus a top prospect or high draft pick for Smith and a 4th or 5th round pick. Tampa can put Smith on LTIR, plus they gain a couple million in actual cap space. We get a 3C, which means Strome is tradebait. We have plenty of space with Smith gone, and we could even do the Strome for Tuch+ deal.

I said several blogs ago that we should get TJ plus a top prospect or high draft pick for Smith and a 4th or 5th round pick. Tampa can put Smith on LTIR, plus they gain a couple million in actual cap space. We get a 3C, which means Strome is tradebait. We have plenty of space with Smith gone, and we could even do the Strome for Tuch+ deal.
- tvetter

Tyler Johnson is 30 and 5'8" - he's not the same player he was 2-3 years ago. His cap hit of $5M for 4 more years is a big risk on a player who may have already started his career decline. After averaging 0.65ppg for his career prior to 2020 - he scored only 31 points in 65 games last season - a dip to 0.47ppg. He is not part of the youth movement and, in my opinion, 4 years is too long to pay to get a top prospect in the deal.

Now, if TB wants to part with Cirelli - an up and coming 23 year old center who plays defense and wins faceoffs - we can talk.