I know alot of us had concerns regarding the goalie position. Just watching Lankinen the past several games I think we have our goalie for the future that's only going to get better. Great write up Theo really appreciate your writing skills.
- BGKarras

Thanks, BGK.

If Lankinen's early success isn't a fluke and he proves to be a capable starter, the best you could hope for is he at least gives around 5 years of strong tending until the organization develops another top candidate.

That could be Commesso given his draft position. Basse could surprise, at least as a backup. Subban and Delia are still here so still time to take the bull by the horns.

With Z and Murphy, hell with most dmen what i see is the better the opponents team forecheck, the harder it is for Murphy and Z to pass the puck. With the rookie defenders they can make a good pass but they struggle recognizing even if the guy looks open he really isn't and that should come with more experience.
Wonder if that might of looked different if Dubois was still on the team and playing to his best ability.
- BetweenTheDots

That sounds like an accurate characterization of the rookie D passing. That part of their game should improve with NHL experience.

Despite the fact, Mitchell and Beaudin are excellent passers. Intelligent and silky smooth. Carlsson has a strong first pass out of the zone, too.

Even when they don't pass, they could prove to be key cogs of a mobile defense that moves the puck up ice with their feet. Add Boqvist to that group, too.

Hawks cancel practice over “abundance of caution”. Wonder if more guys hit with Covid. Story on NBC Sports Chicago.
- ChicagoHope

@BenPopeCST

We'll find out if any new players are added to the COVID-19 Protocol list by 5pm CT today. DeBrincat, Boqvist and Wallmark are on the list right now.

Tomorrow's 6pm home game vs Columbus is still on for now.

Some including me don’t think he will make a good 3rd line center when we get Toews and Dach back. We are looking for a 3rd line center that can be a shut down guy with some offense, Strome’s lack of speed is a deterrent to that role. Does he bring hockey IQ and hands? Yes, can he be a decent 2nd line center on a good team? Not sure, can he be a #1 or #2 center on a bad team?Probably, just my $0.02..
- Angotti

What if your 4th line is the shut down line? Never really understood the concept.

I would think your 4th line would be a good shut down line, and have 3 lines that can score. I get you got to play some defense, but why waste two lines??

Love your optimism but we'll need quite a few more games before we declare anyone the goalie of the future. Remember Andrew Hammond with the Sens in 14/15?

But I get your point, Lankinen has been impressive and has provided some home for between the pipes. Let's hope Subban keeps his progression going too.
- DarthKane

Darth I just like how Lanks is composed and reads the game. It belies his length of time in the league. Also he doesn't was waste his movements. I really think we have something with him moving forward. The battle is between Delia and Subban to be the backup

Some including me don’t think he will make a good 3rd line center when we get Toews and Dach back. We are looking for a 3rd line center that can be a shut down guy with some offense, Strome’s lack of speed is a deterrent to that role. Does he bring hockey IQ and hands? Yes, can he be a decent 2nd line center on a good team? Not sure, can he be a #1 or #2 center on a bad team?Probably, just my $0.02..
- Angotti

I thought Toews was the 3C?

Darth I just like how Lanks is composed and reads the game. It belies his length of time in the league. Also he doesn't was waste his movements. I really think we have something with him moving forward. The battle is between Delia and Subban to be the backup
- BGKarras

That description of Lankinen is on point. It's also similar to how Commesso has been described, i.e. economical in his movements, making the simple saves, and doesn't get rattled.

IIRC, the Chicago netminders have practiced how to redirect pucks to areas of the ice where their teammates are so possession is gained off of a save rather than turn into a juicy rebound.

I thought Toews was the 3C?
- scottak

Well in that case.... I’m actually okay with Strome, but just not sure about his defense. I like my centers to be responsible defensively. That’s my thought process and I know that there are different ways to build a championship team, I’m obviously not a GM, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express.

Tyler Motte
Tanner Kero
Ryan Hartman
Marko Dano?
etc.
etc.
etc.
- Chunk

He's not Ryan Hartman all those other guys were throw ins.

What if your 4th line is the shut down line? Never really understood the concept.

I would think your 4th line would be a good shut down line, and have 3 lines that can score. I get you got to play some defense, but why waste two lines??
- vabeachbear

I agree. Put the best players on the ice. 4th line doesn't really play enough minutes but Sharp Toews and Hossa were our shut down line when s defensive stop was needed. Some will argue Bolland but that was a long time ago.

Darth I just like how Lanks is composed and reads the game. It belies his length of time in the league. Also he doesn't was waste his movements. I really think we have something with him moving forward. The battle is between Delia and Subban to be the backup
- BGKarras

I agree with both of you guys, Lanks looks good so far, but sooner or later other teams will probably find a weakness and he’ll have to adjust, time will tell. He seems to be in position, doesn’t lose his net, and not a lot of movement back there, all good traits for a goalie.

So is Kuemper going to be traded because Arizona looks to cut cost as much as possible? Nobody will pay fair value for him now. Closer to deadline he forms a solid twosome in goal unless he goes to a couple of teams that need a goaltender. And don't say Edmonton because I think their biggest problem is that their dmen collectively kind of are not good.

Well we have a big storm and after we shovel out maybe no Blackhawks due to covid. All we can do is just look forward to hockey returns in a week or two. I am not too confidant about the 5pm announcement today

I am kind of excited that Kaiser could be another Mitchell only better. How long before he turns pro anyone's guess. I suggest he plays at least one more season collegiately.

Late add: with Kaiser i bet he is another lightweight who needs to get stronger. So I am cautiously optimistic but how many years away is he, really?

Is the Maple Leafs M Reilly the best skating dman in the league. Among descent rated dmen which precludes ex Leaf Gardiner

Well in that case.... I’m actually okay with Strome, but just not sure about his defense. I like my centers to be responsible defensively. That’s my thought process and I know that there are different ways to build a championship team, I’m obviously not a GM, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express.
- Angotti

I used to, before Covid.

Maybe that's why i'm not as smart as I was a year ago

So is Kuemper going to be traded because Arizona looks to cut cost as much as possible? Nobody will pay fair value for him now. Closer to deadline he forms a solid twosome in goal unless he goes to a couple of teams that need a goaltender. And don't say Edmonton because I think their biggest problem is that their dmen collectively kind of are not good.

Well we have a big storm and after we shovel out maybe no Blackhawks due to covid. All we can do is just look forward to hockey returns in a week or two. I am not too confidant about the 5pm announcement today

I am kind of excited that Kaiser could be another Mitchell only better. How long before he turns pro anyone's guess. I suggest he plays at least one more season collegiately.
- jhawk59

Vegas could use another goalie

Curious to get feedback: If Toews, Dach, DeBrincat, and Nylander could all come back now, based on what has already happened, who would sit?

Well in that case.... I’m actually okay with Strome, but just not sure about his defense. I like my centers to be responsible defensively. That’s my thought process and I know that there are different ways to build a championship team, I’m obviously not a GM, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express.
- Angotti

I actually think Dach's game is better suited for now as a 3rd line canter. Very good defensively, hustles all over the ice. Be it a small sample size and he's only played 60+ games, but his production doesn't scream 2nd line center yet. He was hot in the playoffs, sure, but let's see when he comes back, what we have in a long 82 game season.

Curious to get feedback: If Toews, Dach, DeBrincat, and Nylander could all come back now, based on what has already happened, who would sit?
- RaleighHawk

Kubalik-Toews-Suter
DeBrincat-Dach-Kane
Janmark-Strome-Shaw
Hagel-Kampf-Carpenter
Kurashev/Highmore

Would be my guess. I think Nylander has a long way to go and lots of competition might be passing him up on the depth charts(like Suter, Kurashev, and Janmark) as top 9 plug ins at the wing.

I actually think Dach's game is better suited for now as a 3rd line canter. Very good defensively, hustles all over the ice. Be it a small sample size and he's only played 60+ games, but his production doesn't scream 2nd line center yet. He was hot in the playoffs, sure, but let's see when he comes back, what we have in a long 82 game season.
- BetweenTheDots

I disagree completely.

He’s too good to be 3C playing with inferior linemates(guys like Shaw for example).

He’s too skilled, needs to be playing with Kane or other elite top 6 caliber wingers. We didn’t draft him to be a 3C. He’s already proven he’s better than Strome and will be able to produce if he’s given the right role(this includes playing in the top 6 and top PP unit). He spent the majority of his rookie year in the bottom 6, which is why his production doesn’t jump out at you.

Beaudin and Carpenter have now been added to the COVID protocol.

I disagree completely.

He’s too good to be 3C playing with inferior linemates(guys like Shaw for example).

He’s too skilled, needs to be playing with Kane or other elite top 6 caliber wingers. We didn’t draft him to be a 3C. He’s already proven he’s better than Strome and will be able to produce if he’s given the right role(this includes playing in the top 6 and top PP unit). He spent the majority of his rookie year in the bottom 6, which is why his production doesn’t jump out at you.
- SimpleJack

He probably will be a better player than Strome, but why must we define players. Doesn't McDavid play the PK? Other great centers play the PK, Toews plays on the PK? This entire 2nd line 3rd line center thing is way overblown. What would be nice is to have 3 top 6 centers on 1 team, what an advantage that would be. Is their some rule book that i don't know about that says you can't have 3 top 6 centers in your lineup. Seems to me you would have an advantage almost every game up the middle.

Added, honestly how is that not an advantage if everyone was healthy?
Toews
Dach
Strome
Kampf
That looks pretty (frank)ing good to me

Beaudin and Carpenter have now been added to the COVID protocol.
- DarthKane

Spreading like a west coast fire

Wonder how many BJs are going to get it now.

Spreading like a west coast fire

Wonder how many BJs are going to get it now.
- BetweenTheDots

Started by Jewish lasers....

Started by Jewish lasers....
- StLBravesFan

From outer space ...

Kubalik-Toews-Suter
DeBrincat-Dach-Kane
Janmark-Strome-Shaw
Hagel-Kampf-Carpenter
Kurashev/Highmore

Would be my guess. I think Nylander has a long way to go and lots of competition might be passing him up on the depth charts(like Suter, Kurashev, and Janmark) as top 9 plug ins at the wing.
- SimpleJack

Interesting--and looks a lot better. Can Shaw be left unprotected for Kraken draft? If so could be possibility, but doubt they would bite.

Kubalik-Toews-Suter
DeBrincat-Dach-Kane
Janmark-Strome-Shaw
Hagel-Kampf-Carpenter
Kurashev/Highmore

Would be my guess. I think Nylander has a long way to go and lots of competition might be passing him up on the depth charts(like Suter, Kurashev, and Janmark) as top 9 plug ins at the wing.
- SimpleJack

Kurashev needs to be in the line-up. Otherwise this whole season is a waste. Barely making the playoffs is the worse thing this team can do.