Theo Fox: Captain Slog
An in-depth look at how the Blackhawks could truck ahead in the wake of the sudden and unfortunate sidelining of captain Jonathan Toews.

Thank you, Theo for this great read.
For the record, please put me in the column of liking 2021 much, much less than 2020.
Losing 40+ minutes of centerman ice time per game is impossible for me to comprehend.

Great title and echo 35's sentiments...great read!

Agree with your points too. Don't use Cap Space to acquire anyone to replace any of these guys. Play the kids and weaponize Cap Space if possible.

Lost their best 2 centers so it's not like they're tanking on purpose. Might as well use this season to see what you have.

Theo Fox: Captain Slog
An in-depth look at how the Blackhawks could truck ahead in the wake of the sudden and unfortunate sidelining of captain Jonathan Toews.
- Theo Fox

Another good blog Theo, thanks. The Hawks will probably struggle to win games this year, however I’m looking forward to seeing some of the young guys step up, and some will, and I’ll be watching every single game so I can witness this growth from guys like Boqvist, Mitchell, Suter, and any surprise that comes along.

Great blog Theo. Hopefully the next one is not:

Why did Dylan Strome not sign with the Blackhawks?

Term?

Money?

Hawks don't value him as a player?

All of the above?

None of the above?

2 of the above?

Great title and echo 35's sentiments...great read!

Agree with your points too. Don't use Cap Space to acquire anyone to replace any of these guys. Play the kids and weaponize Cap Space if possible.

Lost their best 2 centers so it's not like they're tanking on purpose. Might as well use this season to see what you have.
- HawkintheD

Yep - exactly. HawkintheD has said it better than I could. Especially like the bolded.

Great breakdown, Theo.

I would have to assume Stan, Jeremy, and the front office have been trying to determine variables for these questions as well.

Knowing the Blackhawks, they’ll be looking for some good PR to be spin out soon, so let’s hope a Dylan Strome announcement comes out in the next couple of days.

Great breakdown, Theo.

I would have to assume Stan, Jeremy, and the front office have been trying to determine variables for these questions as well.

Knowing the Blackhawks, they’ll be looking for some good PR to be spin out soon, so let’s hope a Dylan Strome announcement comes out in the next couple of days.
- Tyler Cameron

Hi Tyler. Hope all is well. Glad you still stop by and see the old gang.

I would think the loss of Dach/Toews gives Strome more leverage than he would have had otherwise. Stan seems to err more on the side of caving in negotiations than holding the line so it will be interesting to see what happens.

Desperate times, desperate measures. Find a way to turn Strome into Barzal. Offer sheet? Why not? Could we get a 1st for Strome, or a couple picks to make up for what we send to the Isles?
Imagine a one-two of Dach and Barzal in the coming years.
And of course I know we have a better chance of getting 50 pts and a +10 out of Pirri, but if things can get this bad with Toews and Dach out, I want to believe they could get this good with Barzal in and Strome out.

Anyone know if Suter is more of a center or wing? Listed as C/LW on Capfriendly. Just curious

Desperate times, desperate measures. Find a way to turn Strome into Barzal. Offer sheet? Why not? Could we get a 1st for Strome, or a couple picks to make up for what we send to the Isles?
Imagine a one-two of Dach and Barzal in the coming years.
And of course I know we have a better chance of getting 50 pts and a +10 out of Pirri, but if things can get this bad with Toews and Dach out, I want to believe they could get this good with Barzal in and Strome out.
- GreenJeans

I think if the theory is that that putting Toews on LTIR gives you guys a whole slew of new cap space, the Islanders also have the same exact thing with Boychuk so they'd be able to match anything

Hi Tyler. Hope all is well. Glad you still stop by and see the old gang.

I would think the loss of Dach/Toews gives Strome more leverage than he would have had otherwise. Stan seems to err more on the side of caving in negotiations than holding the line so it will be interesting to see what happens.
- EbonyRaptor

You're making the leap that McD wasn't the head "negotiator" in the past? Now we will see???

Nobody has said it and he's considerably older now, but around 2012 when Toews had concussion issues and was out over 20 games, Kane played center and carried the team into the playoffs. I'm not saying they would be playoff material just stating the option.

Nobody has said it and he's considerably older now, but around 2012 when Toews had concussion issues and was out over 20 games, Kane played center and carried the team into the playoffs. I'm not saying they would be playoff material just stating the option.
- rpeters01

For that to happen we would still need Subban or Delia to play like Corey Crawford.

Great blog Theo. Hopefully the next one is not:

Why did Dylan Strome not sign with the Blackhawks?

Term?

Money?

Hawks don't value him as a player?

All of the above?

None of the above?

2 of the above?
- LAHawk

Because Stan is inept, that's all you need to know.

Nobody has said it and he's considerably older now, but around 2012 when Toews had concussion issues and was out over 20 games, Kane played center and carried the team into the playoffs. I'm not saying they would be playoff material just stating the option.
- rpeters01

I remember that. I would doubt they go in that direction simply because they have enough true centers on the roster (as well as guys that have played it more recently). They don't have the offense that Kane would bring to the position, but they are more adept at handling the job:

Soderberg
Strome (if signed)
Wallmark
Kampf
Carpenter
Suter
Pirri (break glass in case of emergency)

You're making the leap that McD wasn't the head "negotiator" in the past? Now we will see???
- rpeters01

Careful. You'll get the tinfoil hat designation.

Thank you, Theo for this great read.
For the record, please put me in the column of liking 2021 much, much less than 2020.
Losing 40+ minutes of centerman ice time per game is impossible for me to comprehend.
- 35Tony0

Given al the injuries I think we (the fans) need to recalibrate our expectations for this season. Realistically, reaching the playoffs wasn't going to happen but I expected progress and the team would be closer than last season with the continued development of the young forwards and d-men.

However, given that the team has lost 3 top 9 forwards (arguably top 6) for an extended period of time it's not realistic to expect much improvement, if any. There are still some things to be positive about, like the development of the remaining young talent like Boqvist, Mitchell, Suter, DeBrincat and Kubalik. Also, how will the new additions impact the team - Janmark, Wallmark and Soderberg. Let's not forget the sideshow that is the Blackhawks goalie situation, it's possible (albeit unlikely) that one of the 3 youngsters takes the reigns.

I think Stan's done a decent job improving the overall team defense with Janmark, Wallmark and Soderberg. Those guys will be even more important now.

I'm expecting another draft lottery year with a realistic shot at the top pick. I'm not getting my hopes up about getting the 1st overall pick, but a top 5 pick is certainly quite possible and would have a massive impact on the team's long-term development.

Great blog Theo. Hopefully the next one is not:

Why did Dylan Strome not sign with the Blackhawks?

Term?

Money?

Hawks don't value him as a player?

All of the above?

None of the above?

2 of the above?
- LAHawk

He will be signed this week

For that to happen we would still need Subban or Delia to play like Corey Crawford.
- LAHawk

And Dinky to play like Hossa, Kubalik to play like Sharp. Keith and Seabrook to play like Keith and Seabrook.

Barry Rozner wrote a very good article in Daily Herald about the loss of Toews. One of the things he said was that he is one of those guys you don't miss until he is not there. So Hawks will not replace his leadership and respect of his team mates.This will have to be a collective effort. THEO: Does anybody know how long Toews has felt like this ? If it's been for awhile, that might explain the off season aquisitions of Janmark, Wallmark and now Soderberg. Signing players that play 200 ft game and compete. Notice how the Hawks have so many centers / wingers on the team
Make you wonder if they knew awhile ago and tried to stock up on players that can take draws, compete and are defensively responsible. The more I think about this, you might expect two guys on several lines that can take draws .... example on Strome line, you might see Janmark, who has played center and can take draws. Not a bad thing actually to do. Also, I read that Jack Raslovic of Jets, wants to be traded
He's 23, finished his entry level contract, oozes offensive instincts, and wants an elevated role ... he plays wing but wants to be play center. Jets want a defensemen for him. Could Hawks try to acquire him for say DeHann ? Do the Jets have cap space for him ? First sign Strome of course - please but getting Raslovic would give Hawks another young player with offensive skills, some NHL experience and the "want to" for more responsibilities. What are your thoughts ???

Given al the injuries I think we (the fans) need to recalibrate our expectations for this season. Realistically, reaching the playoffs wasn't going to happen but I expected progress and the team would be closer than last season with the continued development of the young forwards and d-men.

However, given that the team has lost 3 top 9 forwards (arguably top 6) for an extended period of time it's not realistic to expect much improvement, if any. There are still some things to be positive about, like the development of the remaining young talent like Boqvist, Mitchell, Suter, DeBrincat and Kubalik. Also, how will the new additions impact the team - Janmark, Wallmark and Soderberg. Let's not forget the sideshow that is the Blackhawks goalie situation, it's possible (albeit unlikely) that one of the 3 youngsters takes the reigns.

I think Stan's done a decent job improving the overall team defense with Janmark, Wallmark and Soderberg. Those guys will be even more important now.

I'm expecting another draft lottery year with a realistic shot at the top pick. I'm not getting my hopes up about getting the 1st overall pick, but a top 5 pick is certainly quite possible and would have a massive impact on the team's long-term development.
- DarthKane

Hey Darth, I think most here have gone far beyond "recalibration" and moved to full on bottom 2 in the league. There is a good case to be made for just that.

My only caveat to this is that virtually every addition that the Hawks have made over the last two years have been to improve play over the entire ice sheet. Walmark, Janmark, Soderberg, Zadorov, de Haan, Maatta, Suter, Dach, Reichel, etc.

They are doing a lot of work to be a more complete team. There are obviously a lot of landmines here (goaltending being the biggest one), but there is the possibility that the Hawks start to turn themselves into a version of the Islanders (obviously with less offensive prowess for now). If that is the case, they could certainly surprise in the standings... although I'm not counting on it.

I remember that. I would doubt they go in that direction simply because they have enough true centers on the roster (as well as guys that have played it more recently). They don't have the offense that Kane would bring to the position, but they are more adept at handling the job:

Soderberg
Strome (if signed)
Wallmark
Kampf
Carpenter
Suter
Pirri (break glass in case of emergency)
- Chunk

They had gone from first place to out of the playoffs, lost something like 8 straight, then Toews got hurt it looked bleak. Then Kane took over but they still had Hossa, Sharp a younger defense and Crawford. Oh, and Frolik...

Barry Rozner wrote a very good article in Daily Herald about the loss of Toews. One of the things he said was that he is one of those guys you don't miss until he is not there. So Hawks will not replace his leadership and respect of his team mates.This will have to be a collective effort. THEO: Does anybody know how long Toews has felt like this ? If it's been for awhile, that might explain the off season aquisitions of Janmark, Wallmark and now Soderberg. Signing players that play 200 ft game and compete. Notice how the Hawks have so many centers / wingers on the team
Make you wonder if they knew awhile ago and tried to stock up on players that can take draws, compete and are defensively responsible. The more I think about this, you might expect two guys on several lines that can take draws .... example on Strome line, you might see Janmark, who has played center and can take draws. Not a bad thing actually to do. Also, I read that Jack Raslovic of Jets, wants to be traded
He's 23, finished his entry level contract, oozes offensive instincts, and wants an elevated role ... he plays wing but wants to be play center. Jets want a defensemen for him. Could Hawks try to acquire him for say DeHann ? Do the Jets have cap space for him ? First sign Strome of course - please but getting Raslovic would give Hawks another young player with offensive skills, some NHL experience and the "want to" for more responsibilities. What are your thoughts ???
- chuckdahammer

I think you nailed it that the organization knew about this awhile ago. Obviously kept it quiet not only because of HIPPA, but then the other teams wouldn't be eating the carcass. I said when Soderberg was signed that Stan knew something we didn't. In my wildest imagination did I think it was this. Thankfully, the word is whatever he has is not life threatening, and hope he can make a full and complete recovery.

Given al the injuries I think we (the fans) need to recalibrate our expectations for this season. Realistically, reaching the playoffs wasn't going to happen but I expected progress and the team would be closer than last season with the continued development of the young forwards and d-men.

However, given that the team has lost 3 top 9 forwards (arguably top 6) for an extended period of time it's not realistic to expect much improvement, if any. There are still some things to be positive about, like the development of the remaining young talent like Boqvist, Mitchell, Suter, DeBrincat and Kubalik. Also, how will the new additions impact the team - Janmark, Wallmark and Soderberg. Let's not forget the sideshow that is the Blackhawks goalie situation, it's possible (albeit unlikely) that one of the 3 youngsters takes the reigns.

I think Stan's done a decent job improving the overall team defense with Janmark, Wallmark and Soderberg. Those guys will be even more important now.

I'm expecting another draft lottery year with a realistic shot at the top pick. I'm not getting my hopes up about getting the 1st overall pick, but a top 5 pick is certainly quite possible and would have a massive impact on the team's long-term development.
- DarthKane

Not much recalibration needed for my expectations - I thought they would "earn" a top-10 draft pick before Dach's injury. After Dach's injury I did a slight recalibration to top-5 draft pick. Now with the Toews situation I put us in the running but the #1 draft pick. But I've maintained all along the best thing they can do is embrace the suck and make the best of it by playing the young players and acquiring more of them.