Thank you for the feedback.

For tributes like this, I would much rather leave it up to Chicago news sites like NBC Sports Chicago, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune, etc. to handle these and consistent coverage of news like the current investigation.

Fans tend to read multiple sources to get their daily Blackhawks news, info, rumors, and such so I just want to stick to my lane.
- Theo Fox

Thanks.
I appreciate the response.

Now I know you’re not telling the truth. Mo is known as alligator arms because of his inability to reach money to pay for the card.

Joking aside, thanks Theo for the great job and the effort you put into your blogs. Like Tyler before you I like how you bring up new ideas almost daily for us to discuss. I really appreciate it. I’ll get your Starbucks card to you soon.
- paulr

Thanks, paul. I do appreciate everyone's readership and constant dialogue.

The only thing I don't accept is bitcoin, dogecoin, and all that jazz. Cryptocurrency evades my understanding.

I always liked Koekkoek for what he was (cheap 5/6/7) and thought his short tenure coupled with Colliton's crappy system didn't allow him to show what he could do. His ceiling may not be that high, but I think he is better than he showed here, or Edmonton.
I see similarities between Kalynuk and KK so here's to hoping Kalynuk has a higher ceiling and Colliton learns from his mistakes.
- GreenJeans

I didn't mind Koekkoek but he wasn't ideal either. We'll see if Stillman and/or C Jones can be an upgrade in the longer term rather than have the 5/6/7 spots be a revolving door.

I'm not a fan of Stan, but I do not hate the S.Jones deal and extension as much as many of you. Yes, it is a risk. Yes, there are legit concerns. But it is not predetermined to fail.

Take the S.Jones PP role on the Hawks, for instance. Two big factors in the decline in S.Jones traditional stats the past few years has been (i) a change in how he was deployed (e.g., less PP emphasis, more PK emphasis, more shutting down top lines) and (ii) Columbus getting relatively fewer PP chances. Also fewer primary assists on PP due to lack of finishers on Columbus PP.

If the Hawks give him PP1 emphasis, less PK deployment, and do not count on him as the primary shut down D all the time, and the Hawks should get more PP chances that Columbus has the past couple years, you can see a direct path to his traditional stats rebounding.

The fancy stats don't fully account for a lot of these influences. Some better than others. I'd also like the see the Hawks get his ATOI back down around 24.
- LetsGoHawks

Good thoughts and points on S Jones. I know many of the advanced stats point to him actually being the reason for his declining performance.

Regardless, I hope this clean slate and new opportunity will reverse his fortune for not only his own performance but also more importantly for the Hawks as a whole.

I didn't mind Koekkoek but he wasn't ideal either. We'll see if Stillman and/or C Jones can be an upgrade in the longer term rather than have the 5/6/7 spots be a revolving door.
- Theo Fox

I just hope we have a stable top 4. I can live with McCabe or Kalynuk partnering up with Murphy. Our defensive identity really changed in less than 2 seasons. We got heavy quickly. I hope 1 defender stays home now

Thanks.
I appreciate the response.
- CanHawk

You bet, CanHawk. I'll always strive to give an honest answer and not BS any of you.

Good thoughts and points on S Jones. I know many of the advanced stats point to him actually being the reason for his declining performance.

Regardless, I hope this clean slate and new opportunity will reverse his fortune for not only his own performance but also more importantly for the Hawks as a whole.
- Theo Fox

Maybe all the drama in the beginning of the season affected him, after his first 10 games is when he scored all his points.

I'm not a fan of Stan, but I do not hate the S.Jones deal and extension as much as many of you. Yes, it is a risk. Yes, there are legit concerns. But it is not predetermined to fail.

Take the S.Jones PP role on the Hawks, for instance. Two big factors in the decline in S.Jones traditional stats the past few years has been (i) a change in how he was deployed (e.g., less PP emphasis, more PK emphasis, more shutting down top lines) and (ii) Columbus getting relatively fewer PP chances. Also fewer primary assists on PP due to lack of finishers on Columbus PP.

If the Hawks give him PP1 emphasis, less PK deployment, and do not count on him as the primary shut down D all the time, and the Hawks should get more PP chances that Columbus has the past couple years, you can see a direct path to his traditional stats rebounding.

The fancy stats don't fully account for a lot of these influences. Some better than others. I'd also like the see the Hawks get his ATOI back down around 24.
- LetsGoHawks

Also, if the Hawks are looking for a shutdown pair, I would consider McCabe + Murphy then have de Haan (pray for a healthy body) play with S Jones.

I'd also be open to Kalynuk with S Jones, too, even if de Haan is ready to go.

But don't be surprised if the Jones brothers get some time together. I'd rather not but things are already wacky so why not.

I always liked Koekkoek for what he was (cheap 5/6/7) and thought his short tenure coupled with Colliton's crappy system didn't allow him to show what he could do. His ceiling may not be that high, but I think he is better than he showed here, or Edmonton.
I see similarities between Kalynuk and KK so here's to hoping Kalynuk has a higher ceiling and Colliton learns from his mistakes.
- GreenJeans

I also see similarities. Both of their last names start and end with a k.

I just hope we have a stable top 4. I can live with McCabe or Kalynuk partnering up with Murphy. Our defensive identity really changed in less than 2 seasons. We got heavy quickly. I hope 1 defender stays home now
- BetweenTheDots

The Hawks sure did get heavy quickly on the blueline. I do like that idea of having one defender stay back. That could be something like this (stay-at-home D-man in bold):

de Haan - S Jones
McCabe - Murphy
Stillman - C Jones

McCabe and de Haan could switch. If that happens, then de Haan would be the stay at home while Murphy gets a little more tether to pinch.

The thing with Murphy is he's really at his best when he stays back. His pace to advance the puck is subpar.

Either way, Murphy's pair is likely the shutdown unit whether his partner is McCabe or de Haan.

Also, if the Hawks are looking for a shutdown pair, I would consider McCabe + Murphy then have de Haan (pray for a healthy body) play with S Jones.

I'd also be open to Kalynuk with S Jones, too, even if de Haan is ready to go.

But don't be surprised if the Jones brothers get some time together. I'd rather not but things are already wacky so why not.
- Theo Fox

If C. Jones shows vast improvement and earns that stop with his brother fine. If it is "just because" or "they're brothers" then

If C. Jones shows vast improvement and earns that stop with his brother fine. If it is "just because" or "they're brothers" then
- Chunk

That would be so sweet if it works, then our defense becomes that much better.

Then you can reduce deHaans minutes which would help him

Its an opinion. Its a a forum.
You don't like it then too bad.
If we female doged every time you wrote something stupid then we would be here all day.
So take a seat.
- CanHawk

The Hawks sure did get heavy quickly on the blueline. I do like that idea of having one defender stay back. That could be something like this (stay-at-home D-man in bold):

de Haan - S Jones
McCabe - Murphy
Stillman - C Jones

McCabe and de Haan could switch. If that happens, then de Haan would be the stay at home while Murphy gets a little more tether to pinch.

The thing with Murphy is he's really at his best when he stays back. His pace to advance the puck is subpar.

Either way, Murphy's pair is likely the shutdown unit whether his partner is McCabe or de Haan.
- Theo Fox

Hey Theo. The only guys on the active roster who have shown the ability to produce points from the backend are S. Jones and Kalynuk. That being the case, I think all the pairs are going to concentrate on being "shutdown" pairs until some more of the offensively gifted prospects are ready to play.

That would be so sweet if it works, then our defense becomes that much better.

Then you can reduce deHaans minutes which would help him
- BetweenTheDots

At this point, I'm fully expecting a training camp injury. I hate to say it, because I don't wish him ill will at all. He just gets nicked so easily and it turns into a notable absence now. He's got a year left so it's not like it's prohibitive to the future of the club. I'm just hoping for more growth opportunity and production from the younger players.

Hey Theo. The only guys on the active roster who have shown the ability to produce points from the backend are S. Jones and Kalynuk. That being the case, I think all the pairs are going to concentrate on being "shutdown" pairs until some more of the offensively gifted prospects are ready to play.
- Chunk

Frankly, we are WAY past due in wanting to see the goal crease not infiltrated with 5 opposing players. That is not a winning formula.

Course none of this matters if JC is going to juggle lines constantly like he did last season. It was maddening. No wonder their D coverage was mass confusion at times.


Also, I guess Tyler Johnson. I keep forgetting he is on the team.
- Elbows15

To be fair, the D has been mass confusion since before JC arrived.

Hey Theo. The only guys on the active roster who have shown the ability to produce points from the backend are S. Jones and Kalynuk. That being the case, I think all the pairs are going to concentrate on being "shutdown" pairs until some more of the offensively gifted prospects are ready to play.
- Chunk

That makes sense to me. Honestly, any offense by the blueline is icing on the cake in my book and not a requirement. Defense is an Achilles' heel so why not have a majority of the D corps focus on locking it down in their end.

Agree that this may be temporary until Mitchell, Beaudin, and the other D prospects fully develop into more well-rounded defenders who can carry the mail and generate offense while having a defensive conscience and not be a liability.

Frankly, we are WAY past due in wanting to see the goal crease not infiltrated with 5 opposing players. That is not a winning formula.
- 35Tony0

I hear you, and I think the Hawks saw that and made moves to address it. The problem comes in that you NEED the back end to be able to generate offense. Not necessarily points themselves, but identify ways to quickly get the puck out of the zone and to someone who can attack the opponent. We don't have a lot of that on the back end right now. Hopefully the improved overall D creates that better atmosphere.

Thanks, paul. I do appreciate everyone's readership and constant dialogue.

The only thing I don't accept is bitcoin, dogecoin, and all that jazz. Cryptocurrency evades my understanding.
- Theo Fox

Haha! It is a scam! And mining coin uses up absurd amounts of energy. I know some guys that started their own coin and coin wallet program. Literally a scam. Get people to invest and inflate the value. Cash out. Rinse and repeat.

When you have an open position in your department the worst thing you can do is put somebody into it just to fill the job!
- rpeters01

or fail to recognize the right person for the job was under your nose the whole time.

I hear you, and I think the Hawks saw that and made moves to address it. The problem comes in that you NEED the back end to be able to generate offense. Not necessarily points themselves, but identify ways to quickly get the puck out of the zone and to someone who can attack the opponent. We don't have a lot of that on the back end right now. Hopefully the improved overall D creates that better atmosphere.
- Chunk

I agree, that's why i was sad to see Boqvist go, once he had the puck on his stick he almost always got it out of his own zone with a nice pass.

I hear you, and I think the Hawks saw that and made moves to address it. The problem comes in that you NEED the back end to be able to generate offense. Not necessarily points themselves, but identify ways to quickly get the puck out of the zone and to someone who can attack the opponent. We don't have a lot of that on the back end right now. Hopefully the improved overall D creates that better atmosphere.
- Chunk

Yep.
If you're hemmed in, it is no sin to ice the puck.

Anyone catch the article in the Athletic about the ten worst contracts in the NHL? Seth Jones is #4
- tvetter

Wait until it actually takes effect. It will climb the charts.

Really? Burns, Pietro, Karlsson are 3 that go into almost their 40's?

Don't hear much about Trouba?
- BetweenTheDots

Well, the difference might be at one time their play warranted being one of top 3 contracts for D-men. Just a guess.