Theo Fox: Cross Examination A summary of the Blackhawks vs Canadiens game featuring Philipp Kurashev's odd OT-GWG that required a pair of video reviews to confirm the win.

Plus, news about Kirby Dach, Dylan Strome, Alex DeBrincat, Kurtis Gabriel, Josiah Slavin, and Drew Commesso.

I'm a bit under the weather and swamped with work so not much commentary in today's blog but two questions for readers:

Thanks Theo.

That OT goal was a no-doubter! It reminded me of a play years ago against the Wild I believe, where the puck exited the zone but it hit Seabrook's skate and went back in to the zone, (nullifying off-sides). In NHL logic, control=touch.

Positive vibes allowing Reichel to sniff NHL pace and two games sounds right - for now. He will obviously partake in AHL playoffs and might even be recalled for a few games late in the Blackhawks season

I am glad for Kane and DeBrincat to see there is a legitimate top line prospect!

Now what I really would like to see the board's response is actually touched upon last blog

Preface the question by saying, four of the top five prospects in the '22 Entry Draft are centers, according to The Hockey News report of the initial draft ratings.

Add to that ....we do not know how difficult it might be to secure a center for top line duty through a trade, free agency. Or through currently most likely the 2023 Draft.

Which means two years later in Kane"s career

So would you push hard to trade for a top four or top five pick in '22 and include Kane in a trade to get that pick?

Top five picks are of great value, not easily traded. It helps if you can trade back a later pick in round one.

Keeping this thought in mind, I would be willing to.part with Fleury and Murphy because they represent the more valuable pieces we could consider trading. Our #2 this year plus one of them for a pick in round one? All '22 picks

Now ask yourself, 1). Do you think each of rhe centers is worthy trading up to acquire; and 2) would you be willing to pass on those centers and concentrate on improvement from within our young players and prospects, then take a chance that some other center is available in '23 with our own #1.

Well in '23 you probably don't have Fleury to trade. You have Murphy a year older. If Fleury agrees to trade, his highest value is immediately and not in one year should he play another season.

The kicker is Kane. The team is simply spinning its wheels, not improving much if we are counting on Dach and not adding a top rated center prospect. Draft a center in either '22 or '23 and if this center is able to make Chicago roster in '24, this is when we hope to field a line up strong enough to battle for a playoff spot. So do we need to include Kane in a trade? Kane plus a later first round for early first round? Figure out the exact components, but that is the major idea in this trade.

This is debatable. I would guess Rocky knows it is a big gamble to trust Davidson to make the right moves. As well Eddie O ..... I
just question him too..Mostly because he would be an inexperienced GM.

I am happy if Kane remains a Blachawk. I just don't know however if we could squeeze an early "22 first
That is where the most affordable way to acquire a top rated prospect lies. You don't expect some sort of overpayment for an established #1 center to actually come to fruition (Similar to the S Jones trade).

Kurashev - Close on both fronts, but good on him driving to the net and being rewarded. He has played much better since going to the Rock and returning. I am still very high on him, and I think he could become a nice secondary scorer for this organization.

Reichel - Looked really confident and comfortable. He did play the Habs who are not good at all, but the speed and skill is definitely very apparent when watching him play the game. Kid is going to be a good one, Hawks just need to continue to be smart with him even though it might be very enticing to keep him in Chicago.

3 straight wins and 13-9-3 under King, definitely a lot more fun to watch this team perform than JC's.

I was at the game last night. I came away impressed with Reichel, Galvas, and to some extent Lafferty.
Reichel had vision, quickness with feet and hands. Legit 1st round pick.
Galvas is smooth, love the way he moves. Seems to know where to be and go to and when. Looked to have nice touch with the puck as well.
To have a very good forecheck the first thing needed is 1st man in speed. Lafferty beat the D man to the puck after it was dumped in multiple times. Need to watch him more to gauge his game IQ, but he has the necessary speed to get there. Takes a lick and keeps on ticking too. That was a textbook great hit last night. He might be the Ben Eager part of the 2010 fourth line. If Entwhistle can learn how to get around a D man on the forecheck the pair of him and Lafferty could have the potential to be a forechecking nightmare for the opposition and from either side of the ice.

Kurashev - Close on both fronts, but good on him driving to the net and being rewarded. He has played much better since going to the Rock and returning. I am still very high on him, and I think he could become a nice secondary scorer for this organization.

Reichel - Looked really confident and comfortable. He did play the Habs who are not good at all, but the speed and skill is definitely very apparent when watching him play the game. Kid is going to be a good one, Hawks just need to continue to be smart with him even though it might be very enticing to keep him in Chicago.

3 straight wins and 13-9-3 under King, definitely a lot more fun to watch this team perform than JC's.
- ChicagoHope

Honestly, after TALKING to Wiz about Kuraahev, my suspicions appear correct. Probably is always going to be timid along boards. Can he ever be consistent. I would not sweat loosing him. I would actually like to see Barret, Altybarmaken and Slavin here over Kurashev. The ND kid Slaggert (name?) Sounds like a slam dunk but he has to prove himself once he turns pro. As well, I really believe that Wise will surprise as a pretty good player

Those players are secondary lines 2-4 or lines 3 &4. Borgstrom is sort of an enigma because he could be line 2 if he scores more. That could occur eventually? So we have Reichel and a #1 2023 if we select a forward, as our top line prospects.

Not Dach. He could possibly become a complimentary line 2 or 3. He could be someone who outplayed the other team's center. But he needs to figure things out better and get stronger on skates and a streak of meaness would help.

No on Kurashev. Yes to moving into top five '22 draft if it can be accomplished

Honestly, after TALKING to Wiz about Kuraahev, my suspicions appear correct. Probably is always going to be timid along boards. Can he ever be consistent. I would not sweat loosing him. I would actually like to see Barret, Altybarmaken and Slavin here over Kurashev. The ND kid Slaggert (name?) Sounds like a slam dunk but he has to prove himself once he turns pro. As well, I really believe that Wise will surprise as a pretty good player

Those players are secondary lines 2-4 or lines 3 &4. Borgstrom is sort of an enigma because he could be line 2 if he scores more. That could occur eventually? So we have Reichel and a #1 2023 if we select a forward, as our top line prospects.

Not Dach. He could possibly become a complimentary line 2 or 3. He could be someone who outplayed the other team's center. But he needs to figure things out better and get stronger on skates and a streak of meaness would help.

No on Kurashev. Yes to moving into top five '22 draft if it can be accomplished

JHawk

Is trading to get into the top 5 this year gonna produce a slam dunk #1 Center? Unless the Hawks win the lottery, they aren't getting Shane Wright. Brad Lambert stock has fallen. Logan Cooley is right now the next best center. He cheks all the boxes, except he might be a little small. I am not nearly as adept as Wiz and Ricco as to projecting the development of prospects, or how they will do in the NHL. but is Cooley (no assurances that someone drafting higher won't pick him either) that good to blow all your trade capital on?

Honestly, after TALKING to Wiz about Kuraahev, my suspicions appear correct. Probably is always going to be timid along boards. Can he ever be consistent. I would not sweat loosing him. I would actually like to see Barret, Altybarmaken and Slavin here over Kurashev. The ND kid Slaggert (name?) Sounds like a slam dunk but he has to prove himself once he turns pro. As well, I really believe that Wise will surprise as a pretty good player

Those players are secondary lines 2-4 or lines 3 &4. Borgstrom is sort of an enigma because he could be line 2 if he scores more. That could occur eventually? So we have Reichel and a #1 2023 if we select a forward, as our top line prospects.

Not Dach. He could possibly become a complimentary line 2 or 3. He could be someone who outplayed the other team's center. But he needs to figure things out better and get stronger on skates and a streak of meaness would help.

No on Kurashev. Yes to moving into top five '22 draft if it can be accomplished

JHawk

Is trading to get into the top 5 this year gonna produce a slam dunk #1 Center? Unless the Hawks win the lottery, they aren't getting Shane Wright. Brad Lambert stock has fallen. Logan Cooley is right now the next best center. He cheks all the boxes, except he might be a little small. I am not nearly as adept as Wiz and Ricco as to projecting the development of prospects, or how they will do in the NHL. but is Cooley (no assurances that someone drafting higher won't pick him either) that good to blow all your trade capital on?
- LAHawk

Maybe not. That is why I stressed how this is likely the best way to get a center soonest. At some point I have to question if you even get Cooley- exactly as you say. The alternative is waiting to '23 draft. And if we can maneuver to assure we get a center we like in '23. I just have great doubt that an establlished center comes through trading. You could try on a smaller scale of expectation, trading Murphy and Kubalik for a young center. Maybe that makes more sense. I admit to getting carried away with the '22 trading idea only because we have pieces to move if we really want to draft a center early on

Thoughts on what Tuch would cost in a trade w/ Boooooffalo?

Honestly, after TALKING to Wiz about Kuraahev, my suspicions appear correct. Probably is always going to be timid along boards. Can he ever be consistent. I would not sweat loosing him. I would actually like to see Barret, Altybarmaken and Slavin here over Kurashev. The ND kid Slaggert (name?) Sounds like a slam dunk but he has to prove himself once he turns pro. As well, I really believe that Wise will surprise as a pretty good player

Those players are secondary lines 2-4 or lines 3 &4. Borgstrom is sort of an enigma because he could be line 2 if he scores more. That could occur eventually? So we have Reichel and a #1 2023 if we select a forward, as our top line prospects.

Not Dach. He could possibly become a complimentary line 2 or 3. He could be someone who outplayed the other team's center. But he needs to figure things out better and get stronger on skates and a streak of meaness would help.

No on Kurashev. Yes to moving into top five '22 draft if it can be accomplished
- jhawk59

Not sure what you and Wiz are watching but I haven't noticed that at all...or timidness to his game in general.

I think that was a knock when the Hawks originally drafted him but like someone just said I think he can provide some secondary scoring and be a key component of a decent 3rd line...maybe him Borgstrom and Hagel if they don't trade the Borg.

Thoughts on what Tuch would cost in a trade w/ Boooooffalo?
- Assman22

It pains me to say this but I would rather they resign Kubalik for $4 x 3, then to trade for Tuch who is at $4.75 for the next 4.

I know it was just one game, against a not very good team, but Reichel to me has that "it" factor. The way he skates, handles the puck, sees the play, he has that certain flair. Hope he ends up being like another mid-round #1 pick Barzal.

They came out flying in the first period and should have been up like 3.

Reichel looked like a smooth puck handler and fast, but exhibited hesitation and there were times I wish he would take a shot or drive to the net. However, with Kane on your line, I'm sure you'd want to pass to him, especially in your first game. Overall, I'm excited and want to see more Reichel.

Galvas looked good again but there was one shift in the second were he was gassed and made some horrendous cough ups. I'd still like to keep him up.

Lafferty wasn't noticeable but seemed like a faster Carpenter. Theo hit it on the head in his assessment, not noticeable but not a liability. I'd much rather have Lafferty in the lineup based on this small sample size over R. Johnson, Gabriel or Hardman.

Feel pretty bad for the Habs, losing Price, Danault, Weber and Kotiniemi in a single off-season. I didn't see Anderson either. No wonder they've fallen so quickly. That, said the Hawks took their foot off the pedal in the second and took some bad penalties like Khaira's offensive zone blunder and Stillman's delay of game. A 60-minute effort with smarter play would have made this a much easier win. I've never seen such a strange overtime goal, it feels as these types of calls always go against the Hawks but to win on the goal and the off side (as Colbyboy corrected me on as opposed to offsides as I'd been calling it for 36 years lol) was nuts.

One thing that I like about Galvas is that he doesn't need much, if any, time to process where to go with the puck. you rarely see him hanging onto the puck and getting himself into trouble. He seems to know where his teammates are and makes a good first pass, or starts skating.

It's nice to see that kind of awareness. I like Murphy in general, but he and de Haan really seem to struggle with that.

Also, how about Stillman with 5 pts in four games. He seems to really be picking it up lately. Certainly a couple mistakes here and there, but he's becoming a pretty solid contributor.

They came out flying in the first period and should have been up like 3.

Reichel looked like a smooth puck handler and fast, but exhibited hesitation and there were times I wish he would take a shot or drive to the net. However, with Kane on your line, I'm sure you'd want to pass to him, especially in your first game. Overall, I'm excited and want to see more Reichel.

Galvas looked good again but there was one shift in the second were he was gassed and made some horrendous cough ups. I'd still like to keep him up.

Lafferty wasn't noticeable but seemed like a faster Carpenter. Theo hit it on the head in his assessment, not noticeable but not a liability. I'd much rather have Lafferty in the lineup based on this small sample size over R. Johnson, Gabriel or Hardman.

Feel pretty bad for the Habs, losing Price, Danault, Weber and Kotiniemi in a single off-season. I didn't see Anderson either. No wonder they've fallen so quickly. That, said the Hawks took their foot off the pedal in the second and took some bad penalties like Khaira's offensive zone blunder and Stillman's delay of game. A 60-minute effort with smarter play would have made this a much easier win. I've never seen such a strange overtime goal, it feels as these types of calls always go against the Hawks but to win on the goal and the off side (as Colbyboy corrected me on as opposed to offsides as I'd been calling it for 36 years lol) was nuts.
- Popsghostly

I noticed that as well, and have the same hope - that he defers less if the shot is there to take. One thing I noticed was on the last PP at the end of regulation, he just started firing shots from the left side. Hopefully he takes that and builds off of it.

Not sure what you and Wiz are watching but I haven't noticed that at all...or timidness to his game in general.

I think that was a knock when the Hawks originally drafted him but like someone just said I think he can provide some secondary scoring and be a key component of a decent 3rd line...maybe him Borgstrom and Hagel if they don't trade the Borg.
- HawkintheD

My mental picture of Kurashev has him skating toward the net with a guy on his back. I wish there were 6-7 more forwards as "afraid" of contact as Kurashev.

I know it was just one game, against a not very good team, but Reichel to me has that "it" factor. The way he skates, handles the puck, sees the play, he has that certain flair. Hope he ends up being like another mid-round #1 pick Barzal.
- LAHawk

Agree with you and 6628. To me he looked very aware of what is going on around him.

Honestly, after TALKING to Wiz about Kuraahev, my suspicions appear correct. Probably is always going to be timid along boards. Can he ever be consistent. I would not sweat loosing him. I would actually like to see Barret, Altybarmaken and Slavin here over Kurashev. The ND kid Slaggert (name?) Sounds like a slam dunk but he has to prove himself once he turns pro. As well, I really believe that Wise will surprise as a pretty good player

Those players are secondary lines 2-4 or lines 3 &4. Borgstrom is sort of an enigma because he could be line 2 if he scores more. That could occur eventually? So we have Reichel and a #1 2023 if we select a forward, as our top line prospects.

Not Dach. He could possibly become a complimentary line 2 or 3. He could be someone who outplayed the other team's center. But he needs to figure things out better and get stronger on skates and a streak of meaness would help.

No on Kurashev. Yes to moving into top five '22 draft if it can be accomplished
- jhawk59

You’re high.

One thing that I like about Galvas is that he doesn't need much, if any, time to process where to go with the puck. you rarely see him hanging onto the puck and getting himself into trouble. He seems to know where his teammates are and makes a good first pass, or starts skating.

It's nice to see that kind of awareness. I like Murphy in general, but he and de Haan really seem to struggle with that.

Also, how about Stillman with 5 pts in four games. He seems to really be picking it up lately. Certainly a couple mistakes here and there, but he's becoming a pretty solid contributor.
- Chunk

I know it's only 2 games in but i really like how he plays without the puck, noticed a couple of turnovers in the 3rd period but i like this kid, since they have a taxi squad i wouldn't mind them having Galvas play every other game, until trades are made.

Mike Smith is injured again. How desperate is Holland for a goalie that can stop a puck?

I'm sensing far too much optimism on the board today.

So, just to keep us all firmly grounded in reality... https://www.tankathon.com/nhl

Agree with you and 6628. To me he looked very aware of what is going on around him.
- mohel

If I was playing a game in the show at 165 lbs I'd be very aware as well.

One thing that I like about Galvas is that he doesn't need much, if any, time to process where to go with the puck. you rarely see him hanging onto the puck and getting himself into trouble. He seems to know where his teammates are and makes a good first pass, or starts skating.

It's nice to see that kind of awareness. I like Murphy in general, but he and de Haan really seem to struggle with that.

Also, how about Stillman with 5 pts in four games. He seems to really be picking it up lately. Certainly a couple mistakes here and there, but he's becoming a pretty solid contributor.
- Chunk

There are two subsections of the typical IQ test that seem to me to apply to hockey. One is called processing speed, which you describe well. It is speed and accuracy of visual scanning and identifying visual objects, short-term memory, and visual-motor coordination. The other is visual-spatial, which is seeing visual details, understanding spatial relationships and construction ability, understanding the relationship between parts and a whole, and integrating visual and motor skills.

Many hockey players have enormous physical ability, but can't seem to be highly effective player (i.e., Stalberg). I strongly suspect that players with the added gifts described above are the players who become excellent.

Mike Smith is injured again. How desperate is Holland for a goalie that can stop a puck?
- LAHawk

Holland hasn’t been a country in decades and even if they were I doubt the Hawks would trade Flower to Holland before the Olympics