Theo Fox: No Mean Feats A summary of the Blackhawks thrilling OT victory over the Capitals that saw 3 goals in 34 seconds, Patrick Kane's 700th career apple, and Marc-Andre Fleury's 500th career win tribute.

Plus, updates on Henrik Borgstrom, Kyle Beach, GM search, and NHL COVID protocols.

Thanks Theo. While Entwistle and Slavin need to be further developed, I like that they bring a little more offense than some of the other fourth liners on the team. They are also more capable of possession time as well, which this team needs. I’ll take the 17 seconds over the 34 seconds any day of the week. Also, the reason that Strome was on the ice at the end of regulation was due to Toews being gassed, I noticed that when he came off the ice in the last minute of the game.

Toews has been gassed 3rd period during every game.....

Toews has been gassed 3rd period during every game.....

Yo Theo, thanks for posting, and how damn beautiful is the news, that Rocky and his boy have indeed put the wheels in motion to hire hockey ops people. Too bad it was national and not local media that had to dig up the scoop. I understand sexual scandals will get 100 hits to 1 about solid, important franchise changing hockey news none the less I'm embarrassed for CHI reporters.

That the Hawks have hired a firm to evaluate the whole organIzational structure comparing and contrasting it to other sports and franchises from across the globe tells me they are serious and have realized this rare opportunity. ......

For this fan this is better news than a 30 game win streak.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....-box-leadership-analysis/

Sources tell Daily Faceoff the Blackhawks have hired well-known pro sports consultant Mike Forde from Sportsology to a year-long contract to assess and analyze the team’s current hockey operations structure and how it stacks up compared to the best-in-class practices from organizations across other sports.

Forde has been dubbed the NBA’s “GM kingmaker” and has been involved in numerous high-profile candidate searches. Forde is a former Premier League executive with Chelsea. While he has worked with the parent companies of other NHL clubs, including the Devils and Capitals. This deep dive on the Blackhawks is expected to be Forde’s first into the NHL.

Once the Blackhawks have received the appropriate audit guidance from Forde and the appropriate intelligence from the pro sports community, they plan to then map out a model for hockey operations and exactly what is needed.

Only then are the Blackhawks expected to begin searching for candidates to fill those roles – and there is no guarantee that whomever Chicago hires will fit neatly into a box with his or her hockey background.

It is great news Ricco, but a year long contract probably means we do not see a hire until at least after the playoffs, and probably not before the draft, and free agent time. Until that time it is Davidson's bus to drive.

Hopefully they play tomorrow's game

Yo Theo, thanks for posting, and how damn beautiful is the news, that Rocky and his boy have indeed put the wheels in motion to hire hockey ops people. Too bad it was national and not local media that had to dig up the scoop. I understand sexual scandals will get 100 hits to 1 about solid, important franchise changing hockey news none the less I'm embarrassed for CHI reporters.

That the Hawks have hired a firm to evaluate the whole organIzational structure comparing and contrasting it to other sports and franchises from across the globe tells me they are serious and have realized this rare opportunity. ......

For this fan this is better news than a 30 game win streak.

https://www.dailyfaceoff....-box-leadership-analysis/

Sources tell Daily Faceoff the Blackhawks have hired well-known pro sports consultant Mike Forde from Sportsology to a year-long contract to assess and analyze the team’s current hockey operations structure and how it stacks up compared to the best-in-class practices from organizations across other sports.

Forde has been dubbed the NBA’s “GM kingmaker” and has been involved in numerous high-profile candidate searches. Forde is a former Premier League executive with Chelsea. While he has worked with the parent companies of other NHL clubs, including the Devils and Capitals. This deep dive on the Blackhawks is expected to be Forde’s first into the NHL.

Once the Blackhawks have received the appropriate audit guidance from Forde and the appropriate intelligence from the pro sports community, they plan to then map out a model for hockey operations and exactly what is needed.

Only then are the Blackhawks expected to begin searching for candidates to fill those roles – and there is no guarantee that whomever Chicago hires will fit neatly into a box with his or her hockey background.
- Mr Ricochet

The hiring of an outside consultant worked well for the Bears.

Hiring someone with NBA expertise to organize an NHL front office doesn't give me warm and cozy feelings. Does Forde have any expertise with how successful NHL operations are run? I hope so.

It is great news Ricco, but a year long contract probably means we do not see a hire until at least after the playoffs, and probably not before the draft, and free agent time. Until that time it is Davidson's bus to drive.
- LAHawk

Agree, the yr long audit before they hire hockey ops people seems excessive, for sure, but with Davidson showing competence and considering the how incompetent the organIzational decision makers have been the last 5 yrs I'll wait the yr.

I expected little to nothing from Rocky and his boy but that has changed in a big way today. Hire experts to do what you can't is always a good thing and they've done that. ...... Add there is no possible way anyone would have thought that bringing King up and the structuring of the coaching duties with Crawford being HC 1B would have led to a 10-6(?) run and a complete on ice reversal. KD has to be given lotsa credit for that.

Now, lets see if KD can make a Raycroft for Raask kinda deal!!

Agree, the yr long audit before they hire hockey ops people seems excessive, for sure, but with Davidson showing competence and considering the how incompetent the organIzational decision makers have been the last 5 yrs I'll wait the yr.

I expected little to nothing from Rocky and his boy but that has changed in a big way today. Hire experts to do what you can't is always a good thing and they've done that. ...... Add there is no possible way anyone would have thought that bringing King up and the structuring of the coaching duties with Crawford being HC 1B would have led to a 10-6(?) run and a complete on ice reversal. KD has to be given lotsa credit for that.

Now, lets see if KD can make a Raycroft for Raask kinda deal!!

Mr. Riccochet

I was wondering after last nights ceremony, if Fleury would not be adverse to be extended for another year here. Lankinen has not shown he can handle #1 responsibilities, and Soderblom probably needs at least another year in the A (or a year as a #2 in the NHL)

Agree, the yr long audit before they hire hockey ops people seems excessive, for sure, but with Davidson showing competence and considering the how incompetent the organIzational decision makers have been the last 5 yrs I'll wait the yr.

I expected little to nothing from Rocky and his boy but that has changed in a big way today. Hire experts to do what you can't is always a good thing and they've done that. ...... Add there is no possible way anyone would have thought that bringing King up and the structuring of the coaching duties with Crawford being HC 1B would have led to a 10-6(?) run and a complete on ice reversal. KD has to be given lotsa credit for that.

Now, lets see if KD can make a Raycroft for Raask kinda deal!!

Mr. Riccochet

I was wondering after last nights ceremony, if Fleury would not be adverse to be extended for another year here. Lankinen has not shown he can handle #1 responsibilities, and Soderblom probably needs at least another year in the A (or a year as a #2 in the NHL)
- LAHawk

Whoever the MBA's say Rocky should hire, that person will be working for Rocky and Danny; and that person will be implementing the Wirtz vision. So, will they be doing a gut rehab? Or an on the fly retooling? The former mean Flower should go. The latter suggests a re-signing. The former is a large financial commitment. Is Wirtz willing to do it?

Yo Theo, couple thoughts on your blog.

* Dylan Strome turned in arguably his best game of the season exerting appreciable effort from the center line in, accumulating puck touches, making nifty feeds, staying strong on the puck, and generating his own chances.

IMO the TOR game was about as good as I've ever seen Strome play but yes his feet were moving last night and he was good. Seems the common denominator for Strome playing well is are his feet moving. ..... No doubting his skill, vision, hands and skill but unless his feet are moving, and he ain't fast, they are useless. How long does that last will be the question every time he dresses until he strings together 30-40-50 games of effort.

Along with Henrik Borgstrom, Kurtis Gabriel may also start to become available this weekend to dress for games as he brings to closure his visa paperwork. It wouldn't be a surprise if Josiah Slavin gets sent back down to Rockford to continue his development at the AHL level.

Not sure about Slavin going down but am not against it depending on who takes his NHL ice time. If that has to happen for a spot to open for the continuing evaluation of a Borgstrom I'm fine with it. Don't want Slavin sitting in an NHL press box instead of getting AHL ice time.

Slavin's fancies are a mixed bag of sorts but IMO he passes the eye test. One thing I noticed about him is if there is a play to be made he sees it and is a hard accurate passer. Kid is showing t be a fine facilitator. Also if there isn't a play to be made the kid will dump... His expected goals for/against are even. His high danger chances for/against are even. This is with 23% offensive zone starts!!!!!!! Shots for/against are 45% and scoring chances for/against are 48% and again that's with 23% offensive zone starts.

By no means is the 22 yr old being sheltered. Conversely he's been put in a shut down hard minutes role in his first 7 games as a 22 yr old rookie and that's against WSH and NYR twice, TOR, MTL, NYI. Some stiff competition and 5 of those 7 games were on the road where the opposing coach can target him on line changes.

Some fine fancies when looking at the whole of them and in context for a 22 yr old rookie. Now, he was down to 6:38 TOI so maybe something is up.

If the Hawks keep winning at the pace they are and flower continues to play out of his mind - they could finish the season very close to 90 points and potentially in a wildcard spot.

Pretty crazy to think about. They figure out how to score some goals consistently and this could be one heck of a crazy season.

Yo Theo, couple thoughts on your blog.

* Dylan Strome turned in arguably his best game of the season exerting appreciable effort from the center line in, accumulating puck touches, making nifty feeds, staying strong on the puck, and generating his own chances.

IMO the TOR game was about as good as I've ever seen Strome play but yes his feet were moving last night and he was good. Seems the common denominator for Strome playing well is are his feet moving. ..... No doubting his skill, vision, hands and skill but unless his feet are moving, and he ain't fast, they are useless. How long does that last will be the question every time he dresses until he strings together 30-40-50 games of effort.

Along with Henrik Borgstrom, Kurtis Gabriel may also start to become available this weekend to dress for games as he brings to closure his visa paperwork. It wouldn't be a surprise if Josiah Slavin gets sent back down to Rockford to continue his development at the AHL level.

Not sure about Slavin going down but am not against it depending on who takes his NHL ice time. If that has to happen for a spot to open for the continuing evaluation of a Borgstrom I'm fine with it. Don't want Slavin sitting in an NHL press box instead of getting AHL ice time.

Slavin's fancies are a mixed bag of sorts but IMO he passes the eye test. One thing I noticed about him is if there is a play to be made he sees it and is a hard accurate passer. Kid is showing t be a fine facilitator. Also if there isn't a play to be made the kid will dump... His expected goals for/against are even. His high danger chances for/against are even. This is with 23% offensive zone starts!!!!!!! Shots for/against are 45% and scoring chances for/against are 48% and again that's with 23% offensive zone starts.

By no means is the 22 yr old being sheltered. Conversely he's been put in a shut down hard minutes role in his first 7 games as a 22 yr old rookie and that's against WSH and NYR twice, TOR, MTL, NYI. Some stiff competition and 5 of those 7 games were on the road where the opposing coach can target him on line changes.

Some fine fancies when looking at the whole of them and in context for a 22 yr old rookie. Now, he was down to 6:38 TOI so maybe something is up.
- Mr Ricochet

I like Slavin, but forget the fancies he needs to get better on the PK and i cringe a lot when he's out there, when Khiara comes back would like to see 36 sent back to Rockford so he can really work on that part of his game.

Mr. Riccochet

I was wondering after last nights ceremony, if Fleury would not be adverse to be extended for another year here. Lankinen has not shown he can handle #1 responsibilities, and Soderblom probably needs at least another year in the A (or a year as a #2 in the NHL)

This scenario is where waiting a yr to hire the top hockey ops guy can be a problem. Lets say MAF and his family is diggin being in a world class city on an original 6 club and would like to stay.

My guess is that would take a 2 yr commitment with a no move clause. Will that turn out to be wise and fit into the new hockey ops' vision/plan or would be moving him for a 2nd at the TDL? ........ No way to know that.

As far as depth at the goalie position. Hawks have not had that in forever and neglected the pipeline on that account. I'm a guy who likes to have 2 possible NHL starter type prospects in the system with a true #1 on the NHL team. ..... Might not sound realistic but still worthy of striving for.

I would really like this team to be able tighten up defensively and score goals.

Whoever the MBA's say Rocky should hire, that person will be working for Rocky and Danny; and that person will be implementing the Wirtz vision. So, will they be doing a gut rehab? Or an on the fly retooling? The former mean Flower should go. The latter suggests a re-signing. The former is a large financial commitment. Is Wirtz willing to do it?
- mohel

We assume Rocky and Danny have a vision other than winning and selling the joint out. I think that's what they want, success on and off the ice (duh) but do not know how to achieve that and know that they don't.

If true I love that they went outside to hire a guy (FINALLY fresh eyes) who was an executive at Chelsea, which is probably the most valuable sports franchise on earth, who's expertise is in consulting on organIzational structure.

I see a plan today not a rudderless ship I saw yesterday and the last 5 yrs that's all I ever asked for whether or not that plan turns out to be wrong. Get competent people together, hammer out a plan and hire people from top to bottom to execute that coherent, achievable, understandable plan.

I would really like this team to be able tighten up defensively and score goals.
- BetweenTheDots

I would like them to be the 1972 Montreal Canadiens, but then reality sets in.

If the Hawks keep winning at the pace they are and flower continues to play out of his mind - they could finish the season very close to 90 points and potentially in a wildcard spot.

Pretty crazy to think about. They figure out how to score some goals consistently and this could be one heck of a crazy season.
- fattybeef

Erasing a 3rd period 3 goal deficit in Toronto and beating the Caps twice in a week makes this seem achievable doesn't it?

Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers
The Rockford IceHogs are loaning Blackhawks defenseman prospect Michael Krutil to the Czech Republic for the World Junior Championship.
8:07 AM · Dec 16, 2021·TheAthletic

I would really like this team to be able tighten up defensively and score goals.
- BetweenTheDots

Geez Dots, numbers might be off but since King took over they are 10-6 and a top 5 defensive squad and that's with bottom 6 types and rookies strewn throughout the lineup.

A win is a win whether it's 6-5 or 2-1. Let the talent grow into the system.

We assume Rocky and Danny have a vision other than winning and selling the joint out. I think that's what they want, success on and off the ice (duh) but do not know how to achieve that and know that they don't.

If true I love that they went outside to hire a guy (FINALLY fresh eyes) who was an executive at Chelsea, which is probably the most valuable sports franchise on earth, who's expertise is in consulting on organIzational structure.

I see a plan today not a rudderless ship I saw yesterday and the last 5 yrs that's all I ever asked for whether or not that plan turns out to be wrong. Get competent people together, hammer out a plan and hire people from top to bottom to execute that coherent, achievable, understandable plan.
- Mr Ricochet

That was the assumption when the Bears went outside to hire Ryan Pace.

Did the Wirtz's not know of any hockey people who have built a solid organization? What they need is a hockey ops retooling. What does a soccer and NBA guy know about hockey ops?

Maybe it'll work.

That was the assumption when the Bears went outside to hire Ryan Pace.

Did the Wirtz's not know of any hockey people who have built a solid organization? What they need is a hockey ops retooling. What does a soccer and NBA guy know about hockey ops?

Maybe it'll work.
- mohel

Bettman?
Yes, it will be a failure.

I was wondering after last nights ceremony, if Fleury would not be adverse to be extended for another year here. Lankinen has not shown he can handle #1 responsibilities, and Soderblom probably needs at least another year in the A (or a year as a #2 in the NHL)
Let's assume the going rate for a true #1 goaltender is $6M per. Would you give MAF a 2 year deal at that or chase Jack Campbell as a UFA on a 5 year contract?

Lankinen is a very adequate backup but I don't see him as a true #1 on a contender.

Bettman?
Yes, it will be a failure.
- powerenforcer

Explain how Bettman has been a failure.