Theo Fox: Lean Muscle An update on Khaira's health status and breakdown of Mitchell's defensive play from Tuesday's Rangers game.

Blackhawks vs Canadiens tonight.

Plus, a summary of the IceHogs shootout victory over the Wild.

So are McCabe and Murphy back in tonight? Also any word on when Reichel comes back for RFD?

Lots of interesting items in Scott Powers' article in the Athletic today. Here's one:

According to advanced metrics, Alex DeBrincat has been the Blackhawks' most valuable player this season. He's at +4.8 goals above replacement, according to Evolving Hockey's model. He's followed by Hagel (+4.0), Seth Jones (+3.6), Gustafsson (+2.4), Kane (+1.8), Reece Johnson (+1.5) and Dach (+1.3).

At the other end, Kubalik is the worst at -1.9 GAR and is followed by Connor Murphy (-1.1), Caleb Jones (-1.0), Tyler Johnson (-0.9) and Wyatt Kalynuk (-0.7).

Theo Fox: Lean Muscle
An update on Khaira's health status and breakdown of Mitchell's defensive play from Tuesday's Rangers game.

Blackhawks vs Canadiens tonight.

Plus, a summary of the IceHogs shootout victory over the Wild.
- Theo Fox

Thank you, Theo.
During their call ups, I was impressed with the progress shown by Mitchell and Kalynuk.
Very happy to hear a complete recovery is expected for Khaira.
Looking forward to tonight's tilt versus Montreal.
Let's Go Blackhawks.

Hey Theo. I saw that he had a secondary assist (actually a pretty good cross ice backhander after pulling up on the wall), but how was Nylander's overall game?

What's ironic about "how this ends", Ogithorpe2? That you caught me in my hypocrisy of being a homer and my guy does no wrong? Nicely done. My posts since 2009 are littered with "we" when I reference anyone in the organIzation and complaining about every call against the Hawks .......

I see a snapshot in the 10 yr career of a 175lb guy going 3 MPH hitting a guy twice his size. And what was the yr Ogi, and what did the rule book say at that time, Ogi, and what was the context, Ogi?

Feel free to find more at YouTube that reveals my hypocrisy but I'll stand by my response to yours calling Shaw a "dirty POS" that, IMO "yea he'll stick you but didn't try and cripple people" as I remember him.



https://youtu.be/P7KrtmVrRxo

What's ironic about "how this ends", Ogithorpe2? That you caught me in my hypocrisy of being a homer and my guy does no wrong? Nicely done. My posts since 2009 are littered with "we" when I reference anyone in the organIzation and complaining about every call against the Hawks .......

I see a snapshot in the 10 yr career of a 175lb guy going 3 MPH hitting a guy twice his size. And what was the yr Ogi, and what did the rule book say at that time, Ogi, and what was the context, Ogi?

Feel free to find more at YouTube that reveals my hypocrisy but I'll stand by my response to yours calling Shaw a "dirty POS" that, IMO "yea he'll stick you but didn't try and cripple people" as I remember him.

https://youtu.be/P7KrtmVrRxo
- Mr Ricochet

I believe that the irony had to do with the name of the guy that challenged Shaw. Nice rant, though

So are McCabe and Murphy back in tonight? Also any word on when Reichel comes back for RFD?
- HawkintheD

It's assumed that McCabe and Murphy return to the lineup which allowed for Mitchell and Kalynuk to return to Rockford. Let's hope that's the case for all involved, i.e. get the top shutdown pair back and the top D prospects get to continue developing to round out their games.

As for Reichel, no timetable for his recovery, at least not during the initial report of him going into concussion protocol.

My 2nd response to a poster is a rant and your 68th, with a little help from your friends, in a 7 page "dialogue" is a what, Mo?

I believe that the irony had to do with the name of the guy that challenged Shaw. Nice rant, though
- mohel

My 2nd response to a poster is a rant and your 68th, with a little help from your friends, in a 7 page "dialogue" is a what, Mo?

Hey Theo. I saw that he had a secondary assist (actually a pretty good cross ice backhander after pulling up on the wall), but how was Nylander's overall game?
- Chunk

Nylander is producing at a 0.50 PPG clip which would be great at the NHL level but understandably lower than expected at the AHL level. Still, though, his game last night reflected marked improvement with compete level and hustle overall this season.

He just needs to show more consistency but he at least has a pulse now to gave a darn when he doesn't have the puck and exerts more effort to get it back.

One would think he'd get a callup at some point to see how his new-found confidence translates to the NHL as he's on an expiring contract unless the Hawks already know they're going to cut bait with him regardless of his growth in Rockford.

My 2nd response to a poster is a rant and your 68th, with a little help from your friends, in a 7 page "dialogue" is a what, Mo?
- Mr Ricochet

Just pointing out that Ogi was likely referring to the fact the JK is the guy that challenged Shaw, and is also the guy knocked out by Trouba.

Cheers.

Theo, isn;t Nylnader still an RFA after this season, would only cost the Hawks $950K to keep him?

Nylander is producing at a 0.50 PPG clip which would be great at the NHL level but understandably lower than expected at the AHL level. Still, though, his game last night reflected marked improvement with compete level and hustle overall this season.

He just needs to show more consistency but he at least has a pulse now to gave a darn when he doesn't have the puck and exerts more effort to get it back.

One would think he'd get a callup at some point to see how his new-found confidence translates to the NHL as he's on an expiring contract unless the Hawks already know they're going to cut bait with him regardless of his growth in Rockford.
- Theo Fox

Thanks Theo. My biggest concern with him was his compete and consistency (and defensive awareness). At least he is showing that his knee is holding up well.

Theo, isn;t Nylnader still an RFA after this season, would only cost the Hawks $950K to keep him?
- LAHawk

Yes, Nylander is an RFA this summer. Currently earning $874K.

Last I checked, we are having massive issues scoring, and this guy has been helping in that department...

@MarkLazerus
Dylan Strome is a healthy scratch today. Derek King acknowledged he's playing better, but the trust isn't there yet. "He's got a lot more to give."

Last I checked, we are having massive issues scoring, and this guy has been helping in that department...

@MarkLazerus
Dylan Strome is a healthy scratch today. Derek King acknowledged he's playing better, but the trust isn't there yet. "He's got a lot more to give."
- pdx2ord

I could be wrong but Strome has this infuriating habit of getting comfortable and becoming complacent after a few good games. Maybe this is King’s way of giving Strome the proverbial kick in the ass for the game against the better team on Saturday?

For your notebook, Theo. 02 Dman Michael Krutil a 2020 4th rd pick has made the Czech preliminary WJC roster. Big teenager has played 28 games with the Hogs over the last 2 yrs: https://www.eliteprospect...yer/427900/michael-krutil

For your notebook, Theo. 02 Dman Michael Krutil a 2020 4th rd pick has made the Czech preliminary WJC roster. Big teenager has played 28 games with the Hogs over the last 2 yrs: https://www.eliteprospect...yer/427900/michael-krutil
- Mr Ricochet

Unfortunately, he's struggled mightily in those AHL games. Hopefully he is able to turn things around, but it seems as though he's playing in a league over his talent.

Theo, find your coverage of the Hogs very helpful as I see zero AHL games. Any thoughts ever on 01 Dman Isaak Phillips is appreciated. Kid's physical skills, skating and size were apparent during his couple game call up but I was also impressed by his poise.

The 20 yr old is now on my radar. https://www.eliteprospect...yer/416750/isaak-phillips

Unfortunately, he's struggled mightily in those AHL games. Hopefully he is able to turn things around, but it seems as though he's playing in a league over his talent.
- Chunk

Yea, the numbers don't show well for him his 2 yrs with the Hogs but I have no context for them other than he's a young 18 and 19 yrs old in a tough league.

Since he wasn't drafted out of the CHL and subjected to The Indentured Servitude Clause he was eligible to play in the AHL after his draft yr as an 18/19 yr old. Maybe he wasn't ready at that age and should have stayed home for a yr or two before coming to the Hogs?

Last I checked, we are having massive issues scoring, and this guy has been helping in that department...

@MarkLazerus
Dylan Strome is a healthy scratch today. Derek King acknowledged he's playing better, but the trust isn't there yet. "He's got a lot more to give."
- pdx2ord

= it's about more than just scoring. It's now three different coaches (maybe four, I don't know how many he played under in AZ) that have had the same issue with him.

Case in point this Question (Pope) and Answer (King):

In my eyes, though, he'd been playing better recently? Yeah, he's been playing better recently. You can't base everything on points, right? It's the trust factor. When we are late in the game, and I have to go to three lines, is he going to be that guy on one of those lines that I trust on a D-zone face-off or when trapped in your own end? And right now we are just not trusting each other to that extent. He has a lot more to give and he realizes that. Has he been playing better? For sure, he has. But it's those little details in the game.

Additionally:
What did you talk with him about? Just in general, just his game. We keep pounding it in him. The big thing with him is, he's going to have to change his game a little bit to play. He understands that, and it's a work in progress. It doesn't happen overnight. He's just got to keep picking away...

Yea, the numbers don't show well for him his 2 yrs with the Hogs but I have no context for them other than he's a young 18 and 19 yrs old in a tough league.

Since he wasn't drafted out of the CHL and subjected to The Indentured Servitude Clause he was eligible to play in the AHL after his draft yr as an 18/19 yr old. Maybe he wasn't ready at that age and should have stayed home for a yr or two before coming to the Hogs?
- Mr Ricochet

If memory serves, he was in the AHL because his league was shut down for COVID last year, and was out over his skis a bit. I'm not writing the kid off at all, but he needs more development time at the right level.

Last I checked, we are having massive issues scoring, and this guy has been helping in that department...

@MarkLazerus
Dylan Strome is a healthy scratch today. Derek King acknowledged he's playing better, but the trust isn't there yet. "He's got a lot more to give."
- pdx2ord

Not a Strome fan, but the eye test showed that he has been playing better, so another fourth liner playing top nine tonight? For a team struggling to score, this makes no sense.

And this is why I can't stand reporters sometimes. King literally just told him what Strome needs to do to improve and he ends with this chirp:



Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
25m
I just....really don't get it. I don't know what Strome needs to do differently. He'd been pretty good in my eyes, as I told King.