Looking forward to Juniors and NHL. I expect that Covid will rear its ugly head and cause some disruption or roster juggling at least until the vaccines are widely administered.

Hawks might not be good. But there are a lot of things that will make them interesting to watch.
- Will one of the goalies have a Niemi or Darling like year?
- Is Seabs healthy and rejuvenated or just a year older?
- Are the Marx Bros (Janmark/Wallmark) serious actors or comic relief?
- Shaw?
- Nylander and Boqvist boom or bust?
- Are Suter and Zadorov legit or are they the reason Bowman is fired?
- Can Colliton coach? Can he exceed expectations? (.500 is the expectation?)
- Which of the young players progress, which stagnate, and which regress?
- Can ADB regain his scoring touch and Kubalik maintain his?

I am with Theo on expecting one more move by Bowman. It could involve moving Strome.

Surprised and disappointed they are playing Dach on a wing in Juniors.
- -Doh-

That's a good "what to watch for" list.

I'm okay with Dach playing wing at the WJC as it could give the Hawks a glimpse at whether they have positional flexibility with him so they can perhaps keep grooming Strome as a top 6 center without stunting Dach's trajectory either as one.

Being a winger might also put Dach in situations to shoot more rather than be the playmaker.

Who knows, maybe the Hawks asked Team Canada that they would be open to this and even encouraged it.

Good summary, Theo.

About the taxi squad makeup..... it may depend on whether the AHL is playing. If not, I imagine that the top prospects will be on the taxi squad in order to get the work in.
- mohel

Good point. The status of the AHL will definitely play a major factor in who makes up the taxi squad.

Did Strome find a new agent yet, as the one he had chose a different career path.
- LAHawk

Yes, Strome's new agent is Pat Morris who also represents Anthony Cirelli, Ryan O'Reilly, and Jacob Markstrom.

The Panthers may be the only team to see an attendance increase under COVID-19 restrictions.

I will just say this, when have the Hawks low balled anyone? Kubalik got close to $4 mil. Players who can produce over .5 points a game are valuable and everyone who thinks they have no leverage really isn't accurate There's a thing called market value, even when it comes to restricted free agent bridge deals. They all have agents. The kid is 22 years old 5 years away from his best hockey. Toews is 32 5 years away from being retired.
- BetweenTheDots

Bobby Hull

I like how you phrased the bolded part. On point with how to approach this season.

On where the Kraken are slotted for the entry draft, I found this doing a web search:

"It’s not known what slot the Kraken will get to pick in the first round next summer. Seattle will be in the Draft Lottery as the ‘third position’ team. That means there is a 10-percent chance that the Kraken will have their lottery ball land on the top pick. They’ll end up with at least the sixth pick – the Vegas Golden Knights had the sixth overall pick during their first draft and took Portland Winterhawks star Cody Glass."
- Theo Fox

That's right. Same rules as when Vegas came in and Seattle can then wheel and deal for more picks as they want to.

There should be plenty to talk about, speculate and get frustrated with over the next 9-10 months other than Covid.

Aside of coming off a Cup year I don't think I've looked forward to a hockey season more then this one.

Not really. Crawford wanted more then a year and the Hawks stood fast only offering one. Of course that kind of screwed the team from a goalie standpoint.

Look, I would love to have Strome prove me wrong and be all that he can be but, you've seen in all pro sports players going into the last year of a contract have really good seasons to maximize their next payday.

I just didn't see that from Strome last year. I don't think he elevated his game. Even with a majority of O-zone starts he and his line mates were chasing the puck most of the time.

Hopefully he gets paid to the satisfaction of everyone and he can maximize his talents and all will be right with the world.
- Rota's Rooter

He was injured.

Caggiula signs with the Coyotes for one year.

Basse (freshman) has started 4 straight for Colorado College (with one relief appearance prior to that).

5 GP, 2-1-1, 2.05 GAA, .918 Sv%

Slavin off to a hot start, too, as a sophomore. He's playing LW on the top line after being in the bottom 6 last season.

2 G, 5 A in 7 games

Caggiula signs with the Coyotes for one year.
- Theo Fox

Good for him. Glad he signed somewhere. He unfortunately is just an extra guy in the way on the Hawks.

I have a feeling you will be disappointed with the Strome contract. His agent will laugh at that offer, i know people don't want to hear this but i see him getting close to double that.
- BetweenTheDots

Without an offer sheet it's whatever Stan offers. Time to play hardball if there ever was a time.

@FriedgeHNIC

TB's cap issues may be solved by LTIR. There is word Nikita Kucherov is battling an injury that may keep him out awhile. No comment from team/agent, so details are sketchy -- but clarity expected this week. If unable to play (unfortunately), it will clear room for the Lightning.

@FriedgeHNIC

TB's cap issues may be solved by LTIR. There is word Nikita Kucherov is battling an injury that may keep him out awhile. No comment from team/agent, so details are sketchy -- but clarity expected this week. If unable to play (unfortunately), it will clear room for the Lightning.
- Theo Fox

Is Stamkos expected to be healthy?

His agent can laugh all he wants. Strome has no leverage since he is not arbitration eligible and IMO showed little desire to increase his value with his play last season going into the final year of his contract.

If he still balks, then he'll sit out the season or get traded. At least the Hawks will know where they stand with him then.
- Rota's Rooter

I think the only leverage Strome has is to say NO to Stan's offer and take the one year qualifying offer whatever it is? Since next year is not likely to be any better with the flat cap Stan only needs to make his two year offer where a rational person would not take the one year bet. I suspect between $2.5-$3.2 ish? Unless Stan is only offering the QO like Perlini which is possible???

Good point. The status of the AHL will definitely play a major factor in who makes up the taxi squad.
- Theo Fox

Theo,

Not sure where the reader mailbag stands but my request is for an update of the overall AHL status?

Thanks for all the blogs!

Bobby Hull
- scottak

Hull was older than 22 lol.

I am not liking the ad thing, but I just hope it is only ads and not social movements also. It would be sickening if a BLM (or some other cause) appears on a helmet.
- powerenforcer

Advertisements, but no real socially related things that need adjusting, got it.

Advertisements, but no real socially related things that need adjusting, got it.
- wiz1901

Difficult to change those who can't see the forest from the trees.

Is Stamkos expected to be healthy?
- Chunk

From what I've read, Stamkos should be ready for the start of the season after abdominal surgery in October.

Theo,

Not sure where the reader mailbag stands but my request is for an update of the overall AHL status?

Thanks for all the blogs!
- rpeters01

Thanks, rpeters. I'll add this to the mailbag blog coming up this week.

Klefborn out entire year for Edmonton - shoulder. Thomas Steen career done, back injury

Klefborn out entire year for Edmonton - shoulder. Thomas Steen career done, back injury
- LAHawk

Alex Steen? Thomas was done at the end of the 90's.

I mentioned previously and I want to bring up this topic because it is relevant. I feel like several people on hockeybuzz would have a a good analysis. Due to the high volume of questions I anticipate on Theo's mailbag, I ask here:

How much better might Boqvist be assuming he worked diligently nearly four months in weight training before returning to action.

The answer has a lot to do with his confidence level. Can he better absorb and or dish out checks. Overall it is his attitude about playing the game when there is no escaping the times when a particular physical checking brand is being played.

I suggested two off season of weight training ought to make a difference. I suggest using other players who faced this hurdle is not always appropriate as a comparison nor as an expectation to arrive at. Different bodies, different training, different attitude or relentless pursuit? But we have a current star RW whom was sort of bullied as a rag doll his first few years in the league. He became stronger

So what can we expect from Boqvist. Of course just gaining experience is a key in Boqvist's development. I hope he improves here in the NHL but perhaps he turns up in Rockford and work on the things which Beaudin and Kyrs did last season. Eventually though Boqvist has to adapt to the rough checking.

Advertisements, but no real socially related things that need adjusting, got it.
- wiz1901

Tim Horton's and other advertisers call help get the players more of the contracts they signed. I assume the "socially related things" wouldn't. Which is fine, if the players agree to sacrifice a portion of their checks.

Tim Horton's and other advertisers call help get the players more of the contracts they signed. I assume the "socially related things" wouldn't. Which is fine, if the players agree to sacrifice a portion of their checks.
- mohel

Maybe they can use the same technology they use to put ads on the glass behind the goalies - and change them every period or so.

Or have each player where a different ad on his helmut.