... 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

Certainly hope not as they just don't play well together, and they are far too easy to play against. I do not see the chemistry they claim to have at all.

Hoping it's just a factor of having the team split into two sessions for camp. I'd really like to see Kane take a few spins with Kubalik on his LW.

Certainly hope not as they just don't play well together, and they are far too easy to play against. I do not see the chemistry they claim to have at all.

Hoping it's just a factor of having the team split into two sessions for camp. I'd really like to see Kane take a few spins with Kubalik on his LW.
- pdx2ord

Unfortunately it is ideal to have a right handed shot on the left side with Kane, for the one timer. Just as Kane has stated his preference is to play with a left handed center, as it is easier to pass to Kane on the forehand.

If JK ever traded Dubois for these two I am sure he would be canned. You can not trade a third liner and a midget for a stud 200 foot players like Dubois. I actually love the midget but the only way he survives is on a good team like TB with lots of offensive players. He is now in a position where him, Strome and Kane need to be the go to guys. Kane and Kubalik fit the bill but the other two are talented but soft. Hopefully they have both prove me wrong, honestly they have lots to prove. Proving it on a depleted roster like this will be very difficult. I do see potential in the pp but teams will just stay out of the box as a game plan as the only way they lose if the pp bites them. Bring on the 13th.
- joegreif17

"Dinky is stinky"

Certainly hope not as they just don't play well together, and they are far too easy to play against. I do not see the chemistry they claim to have at all.

Hoping it's just a factor of having the team split into two sessions for camp. I'd really like to see Kane take a few spins with Kubalik on his LW.
- pdx2ord

Lets see how they slot when Soderberg arrives.

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

%^÷¶#&+π•¥✓] was hoping for Seabrook to be a regular...

@MarkLazerus

Kane on Toews: "I’ve talked to him. I don’t know how much I want to dive into those conversations just to respect his privacy. I’ll just say hopefully we have him back soon and if not, I think all of us told him just to make sure he’s OK before that happens."

“It doesn’t really feel like a team without Jonny as captain.” #Blackhawks

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

It has already been decided Kane will re break his clavicle this season.

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

Laine and Torts. Let's see how long that would last.

Just watched a lot of the clips that Powers posted.

1) I'm liking Zadorov more now (and I liked the move before). His first inclination is to get close to the puck carrier and he stays with them quite well.

2) I know he is slower, but Walmark looks quite calm and he positions himself well.

3) If you get the chance, watch the Keith vs Krutil matchup. It's adorable.

Video clip of Keith vs Krutil in a 1-on-1 drill. This runs counter to what I mentioned in the blog about most players generally executing drills reasonably well. This clip shows a 2-time Norris Trophy winner schooling an 18-year old rookie.

https://t.co/8Z1FVUhsDg

Just watched a lot of the clips that Powers posted.

1) I'm liking Zadorov more now (and I liked the move before). His first inclination is to get close to the puck carrier and he stays with them quite well.

2) I know he is slower, but Walmark looks quite calm and he positions himself well.

3) If you get the chance, watch the Keith vs Krutil matchup. It's adorable.
- Chunk

If there's one person to follow to get video clips, Scott Powers is the one.

https://twitter.com/ByScottPowers

Just watched a lot of the clips that Powers posted.

1) I'm liking Zadorov more now (and I liked the move before). His first inclination is to get close to the puck carrier and he stays with them quite well.

2) I know he is slower, but Walmark looks quite calm and he positions himself well.

3) If you get the chance, watch the Keith vs Krutil matchup. It's adorable.
- Chunk

In the clips I've seen so far, Zadorov and Mitchell manage gaps fairy well.

Wallmark may not be quick but he's smart and knows what to do and where to be. That's what Strome can do to improve. Some better foot speed helps but leveraging hockey IQ and applying fundamentals may be more important.

Yeah, that Keith vs Krutil drill is one to watch. If Keith can consistently play that way against the NHL's best, then that would be a huge lift for the blueline.

If there's one person to follow to get video clips, Scott Powers is the one.

https://twitter.com/ByScottPowers
- Theo Fox

It looks like Shaw was working with Kubalik as well. I'll repeat what I said a couple blogs back when we found out Toews would e out for some time. I'm more interested in the season now, than I was before. Before, I expected them to struggle to try and make the playoffs. Now, there are so many storylines to follow since we know that this is, for all intents and purposes, an extended evaluation season.

Lineup construction
Goalies
Who steps up now that legit top six spots are open?
How will the taxi squad be managed?
Who surprises and earns a contract (or extension)?
Who disappoints and is traded?
How do the young guys develop (Mitchell, Boqvist, Hagel, Suter, Kubalik) compared to last year or even in-season?

Per Ben Pope:

The lines and pairings for Group 2 of the Blackhawks are getting constantly scrambled.

We are seeing a lot of Keith-Carlsson, which is interesting.

Also saw Highmore-Kampf-Carpenter, the old 4th line, together again at the start.

Video clip of Keith vs Krutil in a 1-on-1 drill. This runs counter to what I mentioned in the blog about most players generally executing drills reasonably well. This clip shows a 2-time Norris Trophy winner schooling an 18-year old rookie.

https://t.co/8Z1FVUhsDg
- Theo Fox

Keith showing Krutil the ropes between drills. That's good mentorship right there.

https://t.co/L8ViJddfVC

Suter has been working out with the team today but not on ice. Now he has been tagged as unfit to play.

Seabrook and Barratt began camp as unfit to play.

With the taxi squad and the condensed schedule, I imagine Colliton will want the forwards and defensemen to get used to playing with an assortment of line mates and pairing combos in camp.

I am ok with that. Even into the first few weeks of the season, treat it as an exhibition schedule. There is no need to rush to set lines or pairings.

It's not like they are competing for the President's trophy, where a loss early on could be extremely meaningful.

After a few weeks Colliton can see what is working and what is not working. Then he can start getting more regular combinations.

Here's an image of the Penguins helmets with sponsor logo on it. Very gawdy and exactly what people don't want to see.

The Devils and Capitals did a much better job with inserting sponsor logos and blending of colors.

It has already been decided Kane will re break his clavicle this season.
- rpeters01

Cue up the Tonya Harding gang to assist....

Suter has been working out with the team today but not on ice. Now he has been tagged as unfit to play.

Seabrook and Barratt began camp as unfit to play.
- Theo Fox

Nylander, Toews, Dach....

Soderberg having trouble getting through immigration (did I miss Sweden being designated a “poop-hole country?)....

Seabrook and Barrett previously “unfit to play”....

Now Suter....

There are usually one or two who can’t quite get to camp on time for various reasons - but this is now 6 (plus Barrett) who should be players on January 13.

It’s going to be a strange season.

Here's an image of the Penguins helmets with sponsor logo on it. Very gawdy and exactly what people don't want to see.

The Devils and Capitals did a much better job with inserting sponsor logos and blending of colors.






- Theo Fox

We’ll get used to it.

I don’t find the helmets as jarring as it will be on the sweaters - coming soon, to an NHL-team near you.

If anything, Torts harassed him to the point where the only fire lit under him was a long term urge to get away from Torterella.

Yeah, Strome is nowhere near their already reached levels of consistency/ achievement.
- wiz1901

Torts don't play favourites. If he can harass Vinny Lecavalier into becoming a better player he sure isn't going to hesitate to run 21 year old P-L Dubois thru his boot camp. It means he thinks the kid can be great.

Glad to see Strome signed at a very reasonable number and term . Stan been doing a great job of late .
Hoping to see Hagel and to longer shot Soderlund make a impact on the roster . Also Highmore during the summer tournament played well with some timely goals I felt at the time he should have been given some PP time seeing the state of the PP production .Time to change it up on the PP a bit

Just watched a lot of the clips that Powers posted.

1) I'm liking Zadorov more now (and I liked the move before). His first inclination is to get close to the puck carrier and he stays with them quite well.

2) I know he is slower, but Walmark looks quite calm and he positions himself well.

3) If you get the chance, watch the Keith vs Krutil matchup. It's adorable.
- Chunk

And the one with Keith spending time coaching Krutil. Hopefully we can drop the false narrative that Keith isn’t a great mentor to young players. Joki & Boqvist both had nothing but good things to say about DK.

It looks like Shaw was working with Kubalik as well. I'll repeat what I said a couple blogs back when we found out Toews would e out for some time. I'm more interested in the season now, than I was before. Before, I expected them to struggle to try and make the playoffs. Now, there are so many storylines to follow since we know that this is, for all intents and purposes, an extended evaluation season.

Lineup construction
Goalies
Who steps up now that legit top six spots are open?
How will the taxi squad be managed?
Who surprises and earns a contract (or extension)?
Who disappoints and is traded?
How do the young guys develop (Mitchell, Boqvist, Hagel, Suter, Kubalik) compared to last year or even in-season?
- Chunk

Also, I think there is a coaches story line in all this. How does Colliton manage the development of some young prospects and stay competitive at same time?
Being that you are without Toews and Dach, does he try to balance the line up more ? The team has acquired veteran forwards that are good defensively, Soderberg-Janmark-Wallmark. But has huge question mark in goal. Does he alter the scheme slightly to try be better team defense .. to help the goalies ?

This will also be a test for Colliton as well. Can he make something out of the situation without key personal ??