Theo Fox: Top Prospects: Goalies
Part 3 of a 3-part series reviewing the Blackhawks prospect rankings. This final installment features the goalies in the system.

Basically, what you're saying is that we won't have a real goalie until at least 2024, if Subban doesn't succeed. Ouch.

I'm rooting for the underdog Tomkins. You don't read a lot on him. I would like it if he was given a chance. I am excited if & when the Commesso days start.

Agree

Theo said: Cale Morris is my pick out of this trio to catapult himself into the goalie mix for the Blackhawks in a season or two. While both were college free agents, Morris’ NCAA stats were generally stronger than Collin Delia’s. Morris is the lead candidate to be the 3rd string goalie in Rockford this season.

I say: How is any goalie going to show anything this season if he is third string on a team that will certainly play a very reduced schedule?

Like all students all over the country - remotely trying to get through a school year - development of young hockey players is going to be much compromised until the 2021-22 season.

Ideally Subban plays well in camp and gets the starting nod in 66% of the games (how many starts depends on how many games are in the season). The 2nd best goalie in camp should be the starter at the Rock so that they get plenty of games. I am thinking Lankinen. The 3rd best goalie in camp backs up Subban and gets 33% of the starts. I am thinking Delia. Then shuttle Lankinen and Delia back and forth to get them plenty of games and give them both NHL experience. By the end of the year they each will have plenty of NHL starts and you will know exactly what you have in those 3.

Now if any of the three catch fire then they earn/keep the NHL #1 slot.

Unless another move is made, I think you’ve got to ride Subban. Give him his shot at being a full time number 1 and see if he rises to the occasion or not. He has the pedigree, let him sink or swim, and then go from there.

http://hockeygoalies.org/bio/nhl/chicago.html
This site has historical stats of Hawk goalies.

I am not ready to say the Hawk goaltending will be awful. Could someone play unexpectedly well? Remember Niemi, Darling, Raanta, and Emery all had good stretches with the Hawks.

Of course GAA is effected by team defense (forwards, dmen, goalies). The last 3 years our team defense has been pretty bad. GAA 2018 2.93, 2019 3.33, 2020 (with Lehner and Crow) 2.89.

Our cup winning years the GAA 2010 2.43, 2013 2.00, 2015 2.17.

Nice job Theo, hopefully one of these guys steps up, you never know. Off topic but nice story in The Athletic on Seabrook, man it’s so easy to root for that guy, hope he comes back and proves people wrong, he’s one of my favorite Hawks of all time.

Dominic Basse was like adding a stock or fund to an investment portfolio with the idea in is a low risk that. might become a high reward.

They saw size and agility in a back-up who was on a path to get a chance to play in Colorado College.

Right, now without the college games & routine, he is basically an unknown in regards to his up-side and if he can embrace a bigger stage and then move upward to a pro level of play.

The Hawks and many other teams have tried projecting big boys who play goal and that that chance they hit gold.

Mostly the teams expectations are not met, but the idea is mid-pick gamble, and later selections may have less gamble with your draft capital (your picks) than taking a "potential in the second round.
This is no knock on young Drew Commesso, just a commentary on the philosophical difference in the drafting.

I cannot help like the Hawks wanted the Russian and they used their second round choice as a rebound choice.

So the entire position is not close to solved in their rebuild, how different than say, the NY Rangers at the position...

After looking at the forwards and d-men prospects - looking at the goalie prospects reminds me of that line in My Cousin Vinnie when Marissa Tomei shows "Vinnie" a picture of him in the shower and he says "and I didn't think I could feel even worse".

Yeesh on steroids.

Honestly, haven't really watched any of these guys play, with the exception of Lakes in the international tourney.

I was pretty impressed. I'm guessing from the fact that Subban is slated ahead of him, that international tourney was an anomaly, and not how he preformed after in Rockford.

Cause he was lights out in that tourney.

After looking at the forwards and d-men prospects - looking at the goalie prospects reminds me of that line in My Cousin Vinnie when Marissa Tomei shows "Vinnie" a picture of him in the shower and he says "and I didn't think I could feel even worse".

Yeesh on steroids.
- EbonyRaptor

Not to be a debby downer but with exception of few prospects beaudin carlson Mitchell reichel commesso there isn't much to get excited about going forward for the hawks imo.

Not to be a debby downer but with exception of few prospects beaudin carlson reichel commesso there isn't much to get excited about going forward for the hawks imo.
- Scott1977

To me a lot of it is hinging on how the d prospects progress. For me a great example is the Stars, watching guys like Heiskanen and Lindell dominate in the playoffs was very impressive. If these dmen are in the system then we will be much more competitive sooner than later.

To me a lot of it is hinging on how the d prospects progress. For me a great example is the Stars, watching guys like Heiskanen and Lindell dominate in the playoffs was very impressive. If these dmen are in the system then we will be much more competitive sooner than later.
- BetweenTheDots

Who's the last prospect who has significantly improved in the entire organization?

Any word on the AHL season? Can't imagine they have the financial resources to play a season without fans, since that has to be a huge part of the revenue.

If there isn't an AHL season, how will these kids develop? Won't some be thrown into the NHL just to get them some time?

Any word on the AHL season? Can't imagine they have the financial resources to play a season without fans, since that has to be a huge part of the revenue.

If there isn't an AHL season, how will these kids develop? Won't some be thrown into the NHL just to get them some time?
- mohel

The AHL is scheduled to start on February 5, at least that's the current plan.

The Indy Fuel (ECHL affiliate) is scheduled to start their season on December 11 with training camp opening right after Thanksgiving.

So some of the lower tier prospects may get into game action next month.

To me a lot of it is hinging on how the d prospects progress. For me a great example is the Stars, watching guys like Heiskanen and Lindell dominate in the playoffs was very impressive. If these dmen are in the system then we will be much more competitive sooner than later.
- BetweenTheDots

Time will tell. Also comes down to coaching is brookbank and king the right coaches for the d prospects?

The AHL is scheduled to start on February 5, at least that's the current plan.

The Indy Fuel (ECHL affiliate) is scheduled to start their season on December 11 with training camp opening right after Thanksgiving.

So some of the lower tier prospects may get into game action next month.
- Theo Fox

They're going to play without fans? That'd be great for the kids and the fans.

Has the NHL committed to playing without fans?

They're going to play without fans? That'd be great for the kids and the fans.

Has the NHL committed to playing without fans?
- mohel

Saw this in a TSN article from today:

"Teams would be permitted to have fans in their arenas in limited capacities as dictated by local and regional health authorities. That would allow teams to generate marginal gate revenue, with the hope that capacities could expand as the season moves along and a vaccine becomes prevalent, along with recouping in-arena signage and advertising revenue via regional broadcasts."

Time will tell. Also comes down to coaching is brookbank and king the right coaches for the d prospects?
- Scott1977

I agree time will tell. If they hit with 3 dmen that would be fantastic

Who's the last prospect who has significantly improved in the entire organization?
- vabeachbear

I mean if you draft a dman at 18, some say it takes a while. So 4 to 6ish years. Closer to 6, they started imho to tinker with rebuilding 2017, 2018 so to see a player develop you are talking about 2022 and on.

I agree time will tell. If they hit with 3 dmen that would be fantastic
- BetweenTheDots

Mitchell boqvist Carlson

Saw this in a TSN article from today:

"Teams would be permitted to have fans in their arenas in limited capacities as dictated by local and regional health authorities. That would allow teams to generate marginal gate revenue, with the hope that capacities could expand as the season moves along and a vaccine becomes prevalent, along with recouping in-arena signage and advertising revenue via regional broadcasts."
- Theo Fox

I suspect the NHL will have games to play. That said, Hockey Related Revenue is gonna be very low, and the players are gonna get snarly. I believe they still split the pot despite the level cap. Add in last season's overage the players still owe, and there's not much actual pay hitting the wallets of the players (relatively, of course).

I remain skeptical that minor and junior leagues will have the financial strength to play without normal revenues. Heck, in Illinois they're telling us not to have family over for Thanksgiving dinner - doesn't seem like full crowds are around the corner.

We shall see.

To me a lot of it is hinging on how the d prospects progress. For me a great example is the Stars, watching guys like Heiskanen and Lindell dominate in the playoffs was very impressive. If these dmen are in the system then we will be much more competitive sooner than later.
- BetweenTheDots

The other thing to keep in mind is that the Hawks D prospects don't all have to hit at the same time although that would be nice if they did or at least close to one another (i.e. 1-2 year span).

The Stars young D in Klingberg, Heiskanen, Lindell, and even Johns all hit their stride at different times. Klingberg and Lindell also have a lot to be desired as far as defensive coverage. Lindell had his moments in the playoffs and trending up.

Same with the Avs young D. They all are getting to the NHL at different rates.

Makar is a star already but also not dominant defensively. Same with Girard who wasn't drafted by Colorado. Timmins could be top 4 but could also end up being 3rd pair.

Then there's Byram. He's like the Hawks D prospects: he could be very good but could also flop. He hasn't proven anything yet.