Theo Fox: Stretchy Pants
An early look at a potential Blackhawks expanded roster if the NHL and NHLPA approve teams to go from 23 to 26 players plus 4 more on a taxi squad.

Another great write up Theo, thanks for all you do. I actually like Hagel more than Highmore, as from what I have seen, and I’ll admit that’s not much, he brings the same type of game with more offense. I’d rather not see Pirri or Seeler on the NHL club, in my opinion it would be more beneficial to play our prospects if any injuries come up.

Exactly what I've been trying to say the whole time. Not much to complain about except goaltending. Highmore and Hagel are not a problem. Both warriors!

Great overview of all the potential players that can take the main roster spots. If some of the youngsters step up, some of the vets have to go.

Great point about swapping players in and out of a taxi squad without injury.
Also, amazing at the way you keep cranking out blogs that offer so many insights and what if's as opposed to just a review of what's happened. You make quite an effort and it shows.

Anyone have any news on the imminent trades of 88 and 19 per Ek?

Another great blog Theo.

Whether it's your first or second lineup, aren't the Hawks still one of if not the youngest team in the league?

I would think they are at least in the conversation especially after not bringing Crow back.

Again, depends on who they break camp with, but they were the youngest team in the playoffs. Since then they've parted ways with several players while bringing in a few all of similar ages which is kind of a wash but most notably went much younger in goal.

If Smith is healthy, I'm not sure how much he plays, but after this next season, I don't see him or Carpenter on the team, as I'd think their spots could be filled by some of the Yute in Rockfish...and may (hopefully) even be this season.

I envision the Marks, Hagel, Highmore, etc. making 15 and 22 expendable hopefully during this season.

Another great write up Theo, thanks for all you do. I actually like Hagel more than Highmore, as from what I have seen, and I’ll admit that’s not much, he brings the same type of game with more offense. I’d rather not see Pirri or Seeler on the NHL club, in my opinion it would be more beneficial to play our prospects if any injuries come up.
- Angotti

Completely agree with you Lou, not like they are going to become NHL hockey players overnight.

I don't feel this way about Seabs though, I'm hoping the surgery/ injuries is what was keeping him from being a solid defenseman so he can be the leader he is and he and Keith can mentor these kids.

Anyone have any news on the imminent trades of 88 and 19 per Ek?

Another great blog Theo.

Whether it's your first or second lineup, aren't the Hawks still one of if not the youngest team in the league?

I would think they are at least in the conversation especially after not bringing Crow back.

Again, depends on who they break camp with, but they were the youngest team in the playoffs. Since then they've parted ways with several players while bringing in a few all of similar ages which is kind of a wash but most notably went much younger in goal.

If Smith is healthy, I'm not sure how much he plays, but after this next season, I don't see him or Carpenter on the team, as I'd think their spots could be filled by some of the Yute in Rockfish...and may (hopefully) even be this season.

I envision the Marks, Hagel, Highmore, etc. making 15 and 22 expendable hopefully during this season.
- HawkintheD

Toews to the Panthers to join Q and let Barkov to focus on putting the puck in the net.

Completely agree with you Lou, not like they are going to become NHL hockey players overnight.

I don't feel this way about Seabs though, I'm hoping the surgery/ injuries is what was keeping him from being a solid defenseman so he can be the leader he is and he and Keith can mentor these kids.
- BetweenTheDots

Agree with the both of you and think the Seabs vs Seeler/Pirri thing is a bit different in that the latter have never shown to regular NHL'ers.

If Seabs can come back from injury and play as you suggest, that would be huge in that it would help out the blue line and it would provide some value on his deal to look a bit less of an albatross.

Agree with the both of you and think the Seabs vs Seeler/Pirri thing is a bit different in that the latter have never shown to regular NHL'ers.

If Seabs can come back from injury and play as you suggest, that would be huge in that it would help out the blue line and it would provide some value on his deal to look a bit less of an albatross.
- HawkintheD

My intentions weren't to compare Seabs to them, simply no comparison imo, just writing out loud and rooting for him to win comeback player of the year.

More writing out loud, didn't Q seem to always pair Seabs with the green horn?

Theo - you are a blog writing machine! Well done sir - your effort to keep a thought provoking conversation going is much appreciated.

I have seen 2 projections, we were somewhere between 3-7 worst team in the league. The 2major teams to tank the last couple years 1) slowly did it and did not really sell and did more of a retool and 1) sold everything that was not going to be in there prime in 3 years. name the teams and which one worked out better?

Agree with the both of you and think the Seabs vs Seeler/Pirri thing is a bit different in that the latter have never shown to regular NHL'ers.

If Seabs can come back from injury and play as you suggest, that would be huge in that it would help out the blue line and it would provide some value on his deal to look a bit less of an albatross.
- HawkintheD

You are right on with Seabs, playing defense in the NHL is hard enough, to play with two bad shoulders and a bad hip, well we saw the results. I’ll be rooting for him to play solid defense, he’ll never be 2015 Seabs again, but if healthy he can be a reliable defenseman, and you know he will be a leader for the young guys coming up. In my opinion, out of all the core, Seabrook has the best chance of becoming an assistant coach in the NHL, and probably a very good one. I hope when that day comes, it will be with the Hawks.

I have seen 2 projections, we were somewhere between 3-7 worst team in the league. The 2major teams to tank the last couple years 1) slowly did it and did not really sell and did more of a retool and 1) sold everything that was not going to be in there prime in 3 years. name the teams and which one worked out better?
- kmw4631

I am not a gambler, but I have tried working the new NHL divisions into some somber of how the all eventually end the season, and even with the tyro goalied Blackhawks, it is tough.

You win a few in a row, get on streak and you gain momentum.

Who knows how sick some teams may get?
IF THE NFL IS any indicator, there won't be much re-schedule or backing up matches, and you play with that group no matter who is absent.

I am just saying, a lot depends upon catching opponents and putting them behind the eight ball early in contest and early in the standings...

Anyone have any news on the imminent trades of 88 and 19 per Ek?

Another great blog Theo.

Whether it's your first or second lineup, aren't the Hawks still one of if not the youngest team in the league?

I would think they are at least in the conversation especially after not bringing Crow back.

Again, depends on who they break camp with, but they were the youngest team in the playoffs. Since then they've parted ways with several players while bringing in a few all of similar ages which is kind of a wash but most notably went much younger in goal.

If Smith is healthy, I'm not sure how much he plays, but after this next season, I don't see him or Carpenter on the team, as I'd think their spots could be filled by some of the Yute in Rockfish...and may (hopefully) even be this season.

I envision the Marks, Hagel, Highmore, etc. making 15 and 22 expendable hopefully during this season.
- HawkintheD

To Pitt for Malkin and the ghost of Rob Scuderi.

Toews to the Panthers to join Q and let Barkov to focus on putting the puck in the net.
- Rota's Rooter

How can that be?? Isn't Barkov coming to the Hawks in that deal???

How can that be?? Isn't Barkov coming to the Hawks in that deal???
- hawk35

Theo....big applause for the great efforts you are bringing forward.

You are so on da ball, or puck, with your thought provoking blogs, that I almost feel silly requesting such a favor....as I am sure it is in your planner to do in the next couple of weeks.

But, I am beginning to get pumped for the upcoming World Juniors.

Obviously Dach being a key cog on Canada will be a treat to watch. I am also interested in Mercer, who I wanted the Hawks to nab....but they let slip away.

Would love the complete run down on Hawks at the Juniors....that upcoming in a future Theo blog....in not toooo long????

- Rota's Rooter

Ok....that is just toooooo horrid! You can stop the madness please!!!

Excellent blog again Theo, you cease to amaze me with your blogs being the best on HB and the insight you bring to us is off the charts. Thank you! I am really excited about Mitchell and Suter in particular and what they can provide. I have no doubt that Kubalik will keep sniping as to me he is a Patrick Sharp all over again. I would love to see the team pick up a Fleury or Varlamov as the starter but I realize that would be tricky as the cap will not allow it. If Sorokin proves he can play early on Varlamov could be available as well as Fleury. However with the condensed games those two teams may bite the bullet and be salary stacked in goal. Merry xmas and thanks for entertaining morning reads.

Theo....big applause for the great efforts you are bringing forward.

You are so on da ball, or puck, with your thought provoking blogs, that I almost feel silly requesting such a favor....as I am sure it is in your planner to do in the next couple of weeks.

But, I am beginning to get pumped for the upcoming World Juniors.

Obviously Dach being a key cog on Canada will be a treat to watch. I am also interested in Mercer, who I wanted the Hawks to nab....but they let slip away.

Would love the complete run down on Hawks at the Juniors....that upcoming in a future Theo blog....in not toooo long????
- hawk35

I am so pumped to watch Dach at the world juniors. He should be a major piece for team canada. Should get him off to a great start to the season. The other guy I am excited to see is going to be Askarov in net for Russia. I know he is not ours but I have seen him do some fancy stickhandling behind his own net and then clear the zone with a perfect outlet pass, not to mention a .964 save percentage in the KHL after 13 games. Looking so forward to the return of hockey.

Another great write up Theo, thanks for all you do. I actually like Hagel more than Highmore, as from what I have seen, and I’ll admit that’s not much, he brings the same type of game with more offense. I’d rather not see Pirri or Seeler on the NHL club, in my opinion it would be more beneficial to play our prospects if any injuries come up.
- Angotti

Thanks, Angotti.

Agree on your thoughts about Hagel having more upside the Highmore although they both can bring value to the Hawks, just in different ways (i.e. middle 6 vs 4th line).

Also agree that I'd rather not see any of the 4 players I suggested for the taxi squad, i.e. Seeler, Lindholm, Pirri, and Quenneville. None have a future with the Hawks and are just placeholders.

Great point about swapping players in and out of a taxi squad without injury.
Also, amazing at the way you keep cranking out blogs that offer so many insights and what if's as opposed to just a review of what's happened. You make quite an effort and it shows.
- 6628

Thanks, 6628.

I know you all can find Blackhawks news anywhere on the web as there's lots of sources out there that do a great job with staying on top of that stuff.

Just don't think this space here on HockeyBuzz needs to be an extra voice in an already crowded marketplace of news outlets.

Instead, we can provide more detailed analyses and unique takes on topics, then have sustained conversation through the message boards.

Anyone have any news on the imminent trades of 88 and 19 per Ek?

Another great blog Theo.

Whether it's your first or second lineup, aren't the Hawks still one of if not the youngest team in the league?

I would think they are at least in the conversation especially after not bringing Crow back.

Again, depends on who they break camp with, but they were the youngest team in the playoffs. Since then they've parted ways with several players while bringing in a few all of similar ages which is kind of a wash but most notably went much younger in goal.

If Smith is healthy, I'm not sure how much he plays, but after this next season, I don't see him or Carpenter on the team, as I'd think their spots could be filled by some of the Yute in Rockfish...and may (hopefully) even be this season.

I envision the Marks, Hagel, Highmore, etc. making 15 and 22 expendable hopefully during this season.
- HawkintheD

Thanks, D.

Let me do more reading on whether the Hawks are still the youngest team in the NHL or still in the top 5. I imagine they are.

Theo - you are a blog writing machine! Well done sir - your effort to keep a thought provoking conversation going is much appreciated.
- EbonyRaptor

Thanks, ER.

Back to the typewriter...