Theo Fox: Mano a Mano Random thoughts on handedness in hockey, particularly how that influences wingers and defensemen playing on their off sides and whether that has an impact on lineup decisions for the Blackhawks.

I sure remember the debates here during the cup years about Q forcing guys to play their opposite side and making them bad players

The backhand shot is so effective and so seldom used. You would think watching Kane would at least motivate other Hawks to work on it in the off season or at practices. (Though Kane’s mitts are ridiculous). Saad was the worst. He would be in front of the net and the pick would find his backhand and he would always try to get it on his forehand.

I agree on the PP. On the first PP unit Kane on the right half board and Debrincat setting up on the left half board for the one timer.

Kubalik should be on the 2nd unit on the right half board for the one timer. Maybe Johnson or Nylander across from him.

Toews, Dach in front of the net (one on each unit).

Hagel and Kurashev for pick retrieval. Maybe Gaudette, Connolly, Borgstrum (and Strome if he is still around) in the mix.

Agree on Kubalik. IMO he has the best one timer, a little harder than the Cat. And I agree they don't deploy him like that enough.

I often wondered if Hjalmarsson’s offensive numbers and contributions would have been a lot better if he played on the left side. It took him that extra second or two to get the pass from the right corner in the offensive zone off the boards and transfer it to his forehand. By the time he did he was covered and the dmen had time to reestablish their position.

But he was a stud defensively and made good (low risk) decisions in all 3 zones.

I agree on the PP. On the first PP unit Kane on the right half board and Debrincat setting up on the left half board for the one timer.

Kubalik should be on the 2nd unit on the right half board for the one timer. Maybe Johnson or Nylander across from him.

Toews, Dach in front of the net (one on each unit).

Hagel and Kurashev for pick retrieval. Maybe Gaudette, Connolly, Borgstrum (and Strome if he is still around) in the mix.
- Ztra

But won't it be nice to have Seth Jones right handed being an option with one timers from the blue line from Kane.

Hi Theo - thanks for the write-up.

I may be in a pissy mood over all that is happening in this State and Country, but these guys are playing a game. Should it really matter what side of the ice they are playing on? It's not like if they win or lose will determine if WW III starts or not. Every day workers have to learn new things on the job, and they do. If these guys can't play on either side of the ice, they are a flawed player and your roster has limitations.
It's like the talk of Jenkins with the Bears, can he move from the right side to the left. He has been an O-lineman all his life, yes he can. Block the guy in front of you. Learn the differences and play the game. If these guys are pros, they can do it.

Hey wiz,

Over the years you would catch the Ivan Hlinka Tournament in August. Then many teams had NHL rookie tournaments. This year the Blackhawks again are bypassing the Traverse City Tournament.

Theo however will surely have a report of the games the Blackhawk rookies are playing - has to be soon as we are on the last week of August.

What I would like to know Wiz, is whom do you think Bowman would have drafted if no S Jones deal. Sillinger was there. The goaltender idea never materialized

Now when we play Columbus and Sillinger is a beast, do you want Murphy or Stilman OR does even S Jones match up against him. There may be moments in games throughout the season when a Murphy could switch sides just to go up against a buzzsaw like Sillnger?

Today @ 7:55 AM ET
Agree on Kubalik. IMO he has the best one timer, a little harder than the Cat. And I agree they don't deploy him like that enough.

6628

Since Kane is deployed on the half wall, and plays at least 1:30 of the 2 minute PP, that doesn't leave much PP time for Kubalik does it? The times they have tried Kane on the left boards, he has generally been less effective than the right.

So if Kane and Kubalik are considered most effective at the same area on the PP, who do you prefer? Then where do you put Kubalik? Does he replace ADB? Does he play the point? Does he play behind the net, or does he play bumper? Or does he play his :30 seconds on PP2?

Btw Theo i love the clip of the great Dougie Hamilton being so (frank)ing slow, dare i say Strome like slow. All that time and space for Cat, was it JFresh that said a weird stat is goalies save percentage kind of sucks when he's on the ice? Every year

Today @ 7:55 AM ET
Agree on Kubalik. IMO he has the best one timer, a little harder than the Cat. And I agree they don't deploy him like that enough.

6628

Since Kane is deployed on the half wall, and plays at least 1:30 of the 2 minute PP, that doesn't leave much PP time for Kubalik does it? The times they have tried Kane on the left boards, he has generally been less effective than the right.

So if Kane and Kubalik are considered most effective at the same area on the PP, who do you prefer? Then where do you put Kubalik? Does he replace ADB? Does he play the point? Does he play behind the net, or does he play bumper? Or does he play his :30 seconds on PP2?
- LAHawk

Consider he's up for a new contract you make him earn his points playing 5 on 5 hockey, and 2nd PP unit

The backhand shot is so effective and so seldom used. You would think watching Kane would at least motivate other Hawks to work on it in the off season or at practices. (Though Kane’s mitts are ridiculous). Saad was the worst. He would be in front of the net and the pick would find his backhand and he would always try to get it on his forehand.

Dach loves the backhander.. I think nearly all of his rookie goals came off the back hand.

Hi Theo - thanks for the write-up.

I may be in a pissy mood over all that is happening in this State and Country, but these guys are playing a game. Should it really matter what side of the ice they are playing on? It's not like if they win or lose will determine if WW III starts or not. Every day workers have to learn new things on the job, and they do. If these guys can't play on either side of the ice, they are a flawed player and your roster has limitations.
It's like the talk of Jenkins with the Bears, can he move from the right side to the left. He has been an O-lineman all his life, yes he can. Block the guy in front of you. Learn the differences and play the game. If these guys are pros, they can do it.
- powerenforcer

They may be pros but anytime you are learning something new everyone will make mistakes. If an olineman has played stepping off with his left foot his entire life time, it's an unreasonable expectation to think he can perform at the same level when he's stepping off with his right foot now? he has to think about what he's doing which will affect his performance.

I mean if you're right handed, just start writing with your left hand, i mean you know how to.

The Hockey News put out their annual pool guide today, here are some of the Hawks' rankings:

Kane - 90 points
DeBrincat - 76
Dach - 66
Kubalik - 50
Toews - 50
Strome 42
Johnson - 36
Nylander - 30
Hagel - 28

S Jones - 53
Murphy - 21
Kalynuk - 19
C Jones - 19

Fleury - 28 wins, 2.65 GAA, 0.915 SP, 5 SO
Lankinen - 14 wins, 2.89, .906, 2


Of the most importance... they project Caufield with 58 points which is grossly underestimating his talents. Caufield will net 70 points on his way to winning the Calder Trophy.

Hi Theo - thanks for the write-up.

I may be in a pissy mood over all that is happening in this State and Country, but these guys are playing a game. Should it really matter what side of the ice they are playing on? It's not like if they win or lose will determine if WW III starts or not. Every day workers have to learn new things on the job, and they do. If these guys can't play on either side of the ice, they are a flawed player and your roster has limitations.
It's like the talk of Jenkins with the Bears, can he move from the right side to the left. He has been an O-lineman all his life, yes he can. Block the guy in front of you. Learn the differences and play the game. If these guys are pros, they can do it.
- powerenforcer

Hey PE. Yes they are professionals and should be able to adapt. However, it is not as simple as just saying "do it". Tell an artist who is right handed to switch and paint left handed. Sure they can do it, and probably at a decent enough level, but it certainly won't be as good (at least at the beginning) and it certainly would take longer. That is what is at play here. Sure the player can be effective, but it will take more time to do so, and/or it will take a good amount of time to get more proficient at it.

Your example of the O-line is another interesting case. Let's say you've been playing left tackle your entire life and all of training camp. The right and left tackles don't always have "mirror image" responsibilities on either side of the line. So you first have to re-learn the plays to a degree, then you have to change the muscle memory of what you have been drilling for so many years. Again, it's not impossible and obviously can be done, but a player can't be expected to simply flip a switch unless they've been doing it for a while.

The Hockey News put out their annual pool guide today, here are some of the Hawks' rankings:

Kane - 90 points
DeBrincat - 76
Dach - 66
Kubalik - 50
Toews - 50
Strome 42
Johnson - 36
Nylander - 30
Hagel - 28

S Jones - 53
Murphy - 21
Kalynuk - 19
C Jones - 19

Fleury - 28 wins, 2.65 GAA, 0.915 SP, 5 SO
Lankinen - 14 wins, 2.89, .906, 2


Of the most importance... they project Caufield with 58 points which is grossly underestimating his talents. Caufield will net 70 points on his way to winning the Calder Trophy.
- DarthKane

Sweet! They only need 16 OTL's to be secure in a PO spot!

Sweet! They only need 16 OTL's to be secure in a PO spot!

- Chunk

I think more like 10, isn't it about 93 to 95 gets you into the dance

My quoting isn't working, so in looking at those projections:

I sure hope there is a Subban for 5 wins in there too. Or we will need 10 OTLs, maybe 12 because Dallas and Nashville usually get a lot.

I think more like 10, isn't it about 93 to 95 gets you into the dance
- BetweenTheDots

Fine. 16 OTL's to "comfortably" secure a spot.

Theo Fox: Mano a Mano
Random thoughts on handedness in hockey, particularly how that influences wingers and defensemen playing on their off sides and whether that has an impact on lineup decisions for the Blackhawks.
- Theo Fox

Interesting topic Theo, and really good write up. I'm kind of on PE's side that players should be able to play "all over the ice", but I understand it is not always that simple. Thanks for the lead into the weekend.

Cheers everyone!

Hi Theo - thanks for the write-up.

I may be in a pissy mood over all that is happening in this State and Country, but these guys are playing a game. Should it really matter what side of the ice they are playing on? It's not like if they win or lose will determine if WW III starts or not. Every day workers have to learn new things on the job, and they do. If these guys can't play on either side of the ice, they are a flawed player and your roster has limitations.
It's like the talk of Jenkins with the Bears, can he move from the right side to the left. He has been an O-lineman all his life, yes he can. Block the guy in front of you. Learn the differences and play the game. If these guys are pros, they can do it.
- powerenforcer

You always put your employees, in this case players in a position to succeed, on defense a right handed shot has a better chance at succeeding playing RD. Forwards can play on their side or off wing, doesn’t matter as much.

My quoting isn't working, so in looking at those projections:

I sure hope there is a Subban for 5 wins in there too. Or we will need 10 OTLs, maybe 12 because Dallas and Nashville usually get a lot.
- biskit67

How are five extra wins for Vegas going to help the Hawks get into the PO's?

Hey wiz,

Over the years you would catch the Ivan Hlinka Tournament in August.
- jhawk59

Thanks for posting on my personal Q & A, here (LOL), and sorry I missed your phone call, but there were a few medical appointments.
As much as the world awaiting the 2022 lottery selection of Shane Wright, I watched much of the Ivan Hlinka and was most impressed by Russian Ivan Miroshnichenko. You may be the only one on the interweb who saw/remember my 2010 prediction on Vladdy Tarasenko was certainly up there with Taylor / Tyler (Hall/Sequin) in terms of impact skills but would linger because of the "Russianess."
I am ready to go out on a plank with Ivan Miroshnichenko based on the Ivan Hlinka tourney. (Ultra skilled Danila Yurov and the 6' 7" right winger Kirill Dolzhenkov were high-skilled too.)

What I would like to know Wiz, is whom do you think Bowman would have drafted if no S Jones deal. Sillinger was there. The goaltender idea never materialized
- jhawk59

As far as which way a Hawk team w/o the Seth Joines addition would draft:
I think they would stick to their list, and I think if you look at the way the top eight picks went off the board as they were predicted, you see that Ottawa felt the next tier began with their #10 slot.

That tells me that with #10 a goalie or forward would have to be a name on the Hawks draft card at #12 (#11).

All those months prior to the draft I had my draft day dream scenario where the Hawks two second rounders (later, one went bye-bye in the S Jones' acquistion) were filled with e names Tyler Boucher/ Chase Stillman and never had my sites on Colton Dach. (I even commented a time back how may maybe the just take Colton even if they add/trade where they pick late in the first...why not? You like him (C. Dach), you take him.

Sure, I could easily see the hawks taking Cole Sillinger at #11(12), but the present level of his upside is still in question. That is what happenes when the entire draft class is suspect due to Covid-19/games played, and so I can say I WOULD have taken Sillinger (or a goalie) I can't speack fro a Hawk team whose brain trust "trusted" THEIR thoughts on Nolan Allen enough to stick for the fences there.
(In my own backward perverse fan brain, I keep thiunking at #32 they were hoping Ty Boucher or Riley's little brother Chase Stillman were gonna be there.)

.
- Jhawk59

Now when we play Columbus, and Columbus is a beast, do we want Murphy/Stillam, or even Seth jones matched against him?

I don't think any Sillinger buzz-sawing hawks takes place before Seth Jones makes a reverse impact on his old team.
We KNOW what Seth does and we only know what Sillinger with time and work might do.

Hey wiz,

Over the years you would catch the Ivan Hlinka Tournament in August.
- jhawk59

Thanks for posting on my personal Q & A, here (LOL), and sorry I missed your phone call, but there were a few medical appointments.
As much as the world awaiting the 2022 lottery selection of Shane Wright, I watched much of the Ivan Hlinka and was most impressed by Russian Ivan Miroshnichenko. You may be the only one on the interweb who saw/remember my 2010 prediction on Vladdy Tarasenko was certainly up there with Taylor / Tyler (Hall/Sequin) in terms of impact skills but would linger because of the "Russianess."
I am ready to go out on a plank with Ivan Miroshnichenko based on the Ivan Hlinka tourney. (Ultra skilled Danila Yurov and the 6' 7" right winger Kirill Dolzhenkov were high-skilled too.)

What I would like to know Wiz, is whom do you think Bowman would have drafted if no S Jones deal. Sillinger was there. The goaltender idea never materialized
- jhawk59

As far as which way a Hawk team w/o the Seth Joines addition would draft:
I think they would stick to their list, and I think if you look at the way the top eight picks went off the board as they were predicted, you see that Ottawa felt the next tier began with their #10 slot.

That tells me that with #10 a goalie or forward would have to be a name on the Hawks draft card at #12 (#11).

All those months prior to the draft I had my draft day dream scenario where the Hawks two second rounders (later, one went bye-bye in the S Jones' acquistion) were filled with e names Tyler Boucher/ Chase Stillman and never had my sites on Colton Dach. (I even commented a time back how may maybe the just take Colton even if they add/trade where they pick late in the first...why not? You like him (C. Dach), you take him.

Sure, I could easily see the hawks taking Cole Sillinger at #11(12), but the present level of his upside is still in question. That is what happenes when the entire draft class is suspect due to Covid-19/games played, and so I can say I WOULD have taken Sillinger (or a goalie) I can't speack fro a Hawk team whose brain trust "trusted" THEIR thoughts on Nolan Allen enough to stick for the fences there.
(In my own backward perverse fan brain, I keep thiunking at #32 they were hoping Ty Boucher or Riley's little brother Chase Stillman were gonna be there.)

.
- Jhawk59

Now when we play Columbus, and Columbus is a beast, do we want Murphy/Stillam, or even Seth jones matched against him?

I don't think any Sillinger buzz-sawing hawks takes place before Seth Jones makes a reverse impact on his old team.
We KNOW what Seth does and we only know what Sillinger with time and work might do.