If DuBois is moved and Columbus does not get a young center back, they may have a need for Strome. His contract and control for 2 years fits the Columbus modus operandi. I am not suggesting this will happen and you can say that with Toews and Dach out the the Hawks need Strome this year. But if the Hawks are tanking and can get a decent return from Columbus for Strome you would think that they would have to at least consider it.

Your right about JK’s job loss, but if another team ends up with Dubois it would be a shame. Dach and Dubois up the middle would be fun to watch moving forward. Two young talented centers. I believe it’s the right fit, just my thought. Unfortunately we just don’t know what will happen with Toews this year or next.
- Tee56

I agree totally with Dubois and Dach up the middle but the chances of landing Dubois are slim to slimmer. Toews and Dach are horrendous losses. Your going to see a big loss without Saad as well, CC had to go but man he was a rock for this team when healthy. I just can't see too many bright lights at this point. You never know though, I remember when Lafontaine went down for the Sabres long time ago everyone thought the season was over. In fact the team did better without Patty as they pulled together and played a total team game and worked their butts off. So who knows?

If DuBois is moved and Columbus does not get a young center back, they may have a need for Strome. His contract and control for 2 years fits the Columbus modus operandi. I am not suggesting this will happen and you can say that with Toews and Dach out the the Hawks need Strome this year. But if the Hawks are tanking and can get a decent return from Columbus for Strome you would think that they would have to at least consider it.
- -Doh-

All good points but I think Columbus would be more interested in getting Laine instead of Strome. If Dubois really is available a Strome package just will not be enough. If Laine could get locked up for a few years I am sure the Dubois for Laine rumours would be more than rumours.

Very possible. Hopefully not though, I do despise the 11 + 7.
- Tyler Cameron

11/7 will result in double shifting Kane or as someone put it in an earlier blog every line has Kane on it. This is not the season to run 88 into the ground.

11/7 will result in double shifting Kane or as someone put it in an earlier blog every line has Kane on it. This is not the season to run 88 into the ground.
- riozzo

This.

... AAANDDD looks like Colliton might go nuclear up front with DeBrincat-Strome-Kane as line 1. Followed by a bunch of bottom 6ers. Not the route I would go, but guess that's why I'm not an NHL coach.

https://twitter.com/CRoum.../1346141953562464258?s=20
- Tyler Cameron

I tend to agree with you Tyler. Going "nuclear" is nice if your other lines have some offense on them. I thought coach might spread it around for better balance. Maybe keep Strome & Cat together, given their past chemistry, and get a third player that is bit more defensive minded. Kane can play with everyone, since he is their best offensive player. I was hoping Kubalik and Kane possibly. Watch for Pius Suter to possibly crack that top six later in the year.

All good points but I think Columbus would be more interested in getting Laine instead of Strome. If Dubois really is available a Strome package just will not be enough. If Laine could get locked up for a few years I am sure the Dubois for Laine rumours would be more than rumours.
- joegreif17

Let's say there is a Laine for Dubois swap (which I think is pretty unlikely). Laine is a winger and Columbus would still need a young center.

Who the heck said that?
- Chunk

Most of the pro-Trade Anisimov crew.

great read.

Happy New Year, everyone.
- yellowdog

Thanks, yellowdog.

New year, new season, and hopefully new (positive) results for the Blackhawks despite the circumstances.

Thank you, Theo.
Blackhawk hockey, yay!!

With Strome signed, here is hoping he is now 100% recovered from last year's ankle injury. We shall soon see.
- 35Tony0

Thanks, Tony.

Strome's ankle shouldn't be an issue. This is his chance to make his mark. As others have mentioned, his contract will be a bargain if he hits potential and can earn a bigger pay day in two years.

This.
- Tyler Cameron

Totally agree.

If Colliton plays Keith more than 23 minutes and Kane more than 20 minutes he should be fired immediately. What is the point?

If Keith, Murphy, deHaan, and Zadorov are all healthy they should all be playing 18 to 22 minutes per game depending on how much PP and PK time there is in the game. That would leave about 17 minutes for the other 2 dmen.

Boqvist should start on the 1st unit power play and not be on the PK. That should balance out his TOI.

If the Hawks are leading in a close game the last few minutes should be mainly Keith, Murphy, deHaan, and Zadorov. With Boqvist, Mitchell, Carlsson getting a shift once in a while.

(I did not include Seabs at all, pending a clarification on his situation. He is a warrior and hope the best for him.)

You mentioned that Smith is healthy, and talked about him going to the taxi squad or being a leader in Rockford. I commented last blog that I think Bowman should ask him his preference. I think that would go a long way with the players. I remember the internal uproar in Ottawa when they just placed him on waivers, and don't want to see that situation here.
Along the same lines, I was reading that the NHL may allow 20 man rosters this year, with the extra 2 or 3 players being placed on the taxi squad. This could be a way to accrue additional cap space throughout the year. Do you think Bowman could approach Seabrook and tell him that he's probably going to sit every a game every 3 to 5 games while they are evaluating their young players, and ask him if he would accept going to the taxi squad on days when he sits? Seabs has a NMC, so he would have to waive that to be anywhere except the active roster or LTIR. If we stuck with a 20 player roster all season, our current cap space jumps from 1.2M to 3M, freeing up even more space at the TDL to weaponize the cap for futures.
- tvetter

IMO, Seabrook will be one of the subs on the active roster and not placed on the taxi squad. He won't be viewed as a starter but should get a decent amount of reps to spell Mitchell and Boqvist given the compact schedule.

Same with Carlsson on the left side. He may be the other sub. Having him give de Haan a breather here and there will be much welcome.

Let's say there is a Laine for Dubois swap (which I think is pretty unlikely). Laine is a winger and Columbus would still need a young center.
- -Doh-

For sure they would. However If Dubois has asked for a trade and is leaving as soon as he can I think the Jackets may entertain a Dubois for Laine and Roslovic offer. I would do that based on the situation in Columbus.

Thanks Theo for another wonderful blog. At this time there is always too many story lines to watch, I am glad you can summarize them for us.

What is your feeling on the taxi squad? Do you think those players will ever see actual NHL game time? I really feel sorry for the goalie that gets assigned there if they don't, that is almost 1 year of lost game experience (either NHL of AHL). Maybe assign Scott Foster to the taxi squad if the chances of that goalie not seeing playing time?
- powerenforcer

Thanks, PE.

My take is similar to what Ogi described: the taxi squad should be for players who aren't going to develop much more in Rockford but aren't solid enough to be on the active roster.

Pirri, Quenneville, Seeler, and Lindholm come to mind.

The goalie on the taxi squad will need to play once every other week or every three weeks. The coaches will need to be crafty with making that work equitably across the 3 goalies.

For sure they would. However If Dubois has asked for a trade and is leaving as soon as he can I think the Jackets may entertain a Dubois for Laine and Roslovic offer. I would do that based on the situation in Columbus.
- joegreif17

Yea no way, besides their issue is price, unless Laine wants to sign a team friendly deal not happening

RickJ you are right on the money. That other guy comparing Strome to Dubois or Barzal is off his rocker. Happy New Year to all Hawk fans as we prepare for what I can see on paper a classic battle with the Wings for the prestigious toilet bowl trophy. It will be a miracle for this roster to compete with any of the established teams. The team is going to miss Toews, Dach, and Saad the most. No proven goaltender, Corey will not be here to keep this team in the game, no center ice man as Strome will not be able to match up with other teams top two centers. I sure hope I am wrong but the outcome is pretty much written in stone. Great blog Theo, top three on HB and maybe number one, appreciate the excellent coverage.
- joegreif17

Thanks, joe.

Lots of good writers for HockeyBuzz so I'm just grateful to be part of the site.

Very early on, but the lines and pairings will shape up sooner than most years.

It appears Colliton might be leaning towards Keith-Murphy, de Haan-Mitchell, Zadorov-Boqvist on the backend.

Who knows what's going on with Seabrook, but he or Carlsson should be the 7th D that's rotated in to these pairings.
- Tyler Cameron

That's spot on with what I'm leaning towards for the blueline.

The only swap worth considering is something you've suggested with Mitchell paired with Keith which moves Murphy with de Haan. Either set up is fine by me.

Keep Boqvist with Zadorov. Boqvist needs the bodyguard to let him wheel and deal.

Zadorov is already showing early in camp that he's a huge presence and a pain to play against, even in drills.

Very possible. Hopefully not though, I do despise the 11 + 7.
- Tyler Cameron

Yeah, the 11+7 lineup would be horrible especially in a compacted season.

I've never been a fan of double or triple shifting Kane unless it's a key game situation. That strategy makes no sense during a youth movement and runs counter to what Colliton has said in offseason interviews.

That's spot on with what I'm leaning towards for the blueline.

The only swap worth considering is something you've suggested with Mitchell paired with Keith which moves Murphy with de Haan. Either set up is fine by me.

Keep Boqvist with Zadorov. Boqvist needs the bodyguard to let him wheel and deal.

Zadorov is already showing early in camp that he's a huge presence and a pain to play against, even in drills.
- Theo Fox

De Haan will likely be injured before mid-February so JC better start working on pairings for after that inevitability.

With the Hawks’ luck this year, Strome will likely be injured during training camp.
- DarthKane

While at home.

Perhaps those who see Strome in person, regularly, beforr his injury last season .....can testify if all his off season of work resulted in nary improvement in skating. I suggest that Strome will always have difficulty holding a top six job primarily due to his skating but also his lack of interest playing a physical boards game. Strome skating and too one dimensional is an issue

You mentioned that Smith is healthy, and talked about him going to the taxi squad or being a leader in Rockford. I commented last blog that I think Bowman should ask him his preference. I think that would go a long way with the players. I remember the internal uproar in Ottawa when they just placed him on waivers, and don't want to see that situation here.
Along the same lines, I was reading that the NHL may allow 20 man rosters this year, with the extra 2 or 3 players being placed on the taxi squad. This could be a way to accrue additional cap space throughout the year. Do you think Bowman could approach Seabrook and tell him that he's probably going to sit every a game every 3 to 5 games while they are evaluating their young players, and ask him if he would accept going to the taxi squad on days when he sits? Seabs has a NMC, so he would have to waive that to be anywhere except the active roster or LTIR. If we stuck with a 20 player roster all season, our current cap space jumps from 1.2M to 3M, freeing up even more space at the TDL to weaponize the cap for futures.

After day 1, when Toews goes on LTIR, the Hawks will have plenty of space at the trade deadline to take on a "bad" contract, that is if Danny and Rocky tell Stan that he could.

Is it really worth it to screw around with Seabrook and put him on the "taxi " squad and only go with a 20 or 21 player roster for $1 mil. in cap savings? I am sure even with a full roster, he is going to sit some games, and he won't be blocking a young defenseman's ice time.

We are talking about veterans setting an example for the youngsters. You want to screw around with a guy who could easily collect his $6.5 mil. on LTIR, but instead went through 3 surgeries because he wants to prove he can still play? I think that sets a great example for a young player. I am sure Dach's development was aided by living with Seabrook last year.

I am sure that in training camp the decision by the brass is that Seabrook cannot play anymore, they will put him on LTIR, and maybe he can be a player development coach for the defense.
- LAHawk

This should not be overlooked or under estimated.

Sure he did but he had more playoff experience than Strome, if you compare their first 9 games in the playoffs the stats are eerily similar. I know i know you formed a concrete opinion about him but let's compare apples to apples
- BetweenTheDots

The eye 👁️ test beats stats every time. I have not made up my mind on his long term future. I have made up my mind if he doesn't get or play stronger he has no future. Slow finesse is kind of hard to do.

I think whatever cap space the Hawks have at the trade deadline is moot, cause I do not see the Hawks spending the actual cash to take on a dead contract.
- LAHawk

Unfortunately probably yes this year but I'm not convinced and probably Rocky isn't either that with the flat cap next year will be just as bad/opportunistic and he hopefully will have more income.

Who the heck said that?
- Chunk

McD but Stan's lips were moving.