Theo Fox: Top Prospects: Defensemen A look at the Blackhawks top prospects in the blueline pipeline.

Plus, a review of what to expect from Alex Nylander after his recent re-signing and thoughts on the NHL approving sponsor logos on jerseys.

Another thorough write-up. Great stuff.

The strength of our team. Hawks have done a good job building a nice pipeline of young D-men.
I like the potential of Vlasic, although 2-3 years away,,,,I like that he is different than the rest, and the Hawks NEED that defensive responsibility behind the blueline to compliment Mitchel, Beaudin, Jones, etc. In 3 years time those 4 have the potential to be a real solid TOP 4 behind the blueline.

Beaudin and Mitchell could BOTH use a full year of grooming before being Hawks, but I would guess both end up playing a number of games with the BIG club for 2 reasons. 1. They likely show well in AHL and earn a spot as the year progresses....and 2. The more likely scenerio where a couple of injuries make it essential that these guys move up. No doubt, the future looks better on the blueline than it has in eons.

Thanks, Theo.
It's great you are keeping us up to speed with the prospect season.
I'm hoping to find time to view some Icehog games to see the work in progress.

Crevier will get broken if he doesn't gain muscle. He'll either pop a lung from being that tall and thin or get some serious injuries taking hits. I don't know how he'll be able to walk on some nights in Chicago without being blown away by the wind.

I’d really love to see Regula put it all together this season in the A. Would like to see these pairings consistently:
Kalynuk/Mitchell
Beaudin/Regula

Imo, Regula is a slow learner (not short bus slow) and if paired w/ Beaudin consistently then I think you’ll see a lot of progression over the season. Similar to how he progressed mightily when paired with Boq in London for most of the season. Some guys just take longer for it to click but he has the NHL body/IQ to make it imo.

Excited to see Kalynuk/Mitchell with top minutes.

I’d really love to see Regula put it all together this season in the A. Would like to see these pairings consistently:
Kalynuk/Mitchell
Beaudin/Regula

Imo, Regula is a slow learner (not short bus slow) and if paired w/ Beaudin consistently then I think you’ll see a lot of progression over the season. Similar to how he progressed mightily when paired with Boq in London for most of the season. Some guys just take longer for it to click but he has the NHL body/IQ to make it imo.

Excited to see Kalynuk/Mitchell with top minutes.
- Assman22

Great write up Theo!

Will be interesting to see how all the young dmen develop. I'm hoping to see Kalynuk up with the big club to start the season, but if deHaan isn't traded, he'll probably start the season in RFD.

That wouldn't be a bad thing either and like you mention, along with Mitchell, he'd be getting top minutes. Beudin is another guy who should get big minutes and I like that the Hogs roster looks like it will consist of all prospects.

Thanks Theo - Looks like there are many prospects who slot in the same positions. Most likely one or more will get traded (just because you can't play them all). It will be interesting to see who the team trades.

Jack the ticket prices $5-10 as an alternative to desecrating an Original Six, the best jersey in all sports, Blackhawks jersey. Terrible idea. I knew the helmet ads were the stepping stones to a shlt-stained Euro jersey.

Chad krys is 23 I think you have him rated to high. I dont see him ever being a NHL player.

Chad krys is 23 I think you have him rated to high. I dont see him ever being a NHL player.
- kmw4631

Disagree. Played 3 seasons at BU so started with Hawks at age 21. Just as Vlasic is about to and played just over 1 season in the A before having season ending surgery.

The Hawks re-signed Mackenzie Entwistle to a 2 year, 1 way, deal at $800,000 AAV. Entwistle had 1 year left on his current deal at ~ $812,000.

Disagree. Played 3 seasons at BU so started with Hawks at age 21. Just as Vlasic is about to and played just over 1 season in the A before having season ending surgery.
- Assman22

Krys = bust. Let’s move on.

The Hawks re-signed Mackenzie Entwistle to a 2 year, 1 way, deal at $800,000 AAV. Entwistle had 1 year left on his current deal at ~ $812,000.
- DarthKane

For clarity - this starts in 22-23 not this year. He is still on a two-way this year.

Jack the ticket prices $5-10 as an alternative to desecrating an Original Six, the best jersey in all sports, Blackhawks jersey. Terrible idea. I knew the helmet ads were the stepping stones to a shlt-stained Euro jersey.
- Zapur

This appears to be a league-wide decision not the individual teams.

This appears to be a league-wide decision not the individual teams.

Chunk

I am sure the players would be for it, they would get 50% of the revenues.

The Hawks re-signed Mackenzie Entwistle to a 2 year, 1 way, deal at $800,000 AAV. Entwistle had 1 year left on his current deal at ~ $812,000.
- DarthKane

Yuge. Love this guy. And Entwistle too. Tee hee

Another thorough write-up. Great stuff.

The strength of our team. Hawks have done a good job building a nice pipeline of young D-men.
I like the potential of Vlasic, although 2-3 years away,,,,I like that he is different than the rest, and the Hawks NEED that defensive responsibility behind the blueline to compliment Mitchel, Beaudin, Jones, etc. In 3 years time those 4 have the potential to be a real solid TOP 4 behind the blueline.

Beaudin and Mitchell could BOTH use a full year of grooming before being Hawks, but I would guess both end up playing a number of games with the BIG club for 2 reasons. 1. They likely show well in AHL and earn a spot as the year progresses....and 2. The more likely scenerio where a couple of injuries make it essential that these guys move up. No doubt, the future looks better on the blueline than it has in eons.
- hawk35

Jack the ticket prices $5-10 as an alternative to desecrating an Original Six, the best jersey in all sports, Blackhawks jersey. Terrible idea. I knew the helmet ads were the stepping stones to a shlt-stained Euro jersey.
- Zapur

Please, get ofc the ledge.. the sun will rise and biden will screw up something else.

Can't wait to see the Hawks sporting the Chico's Bail Bonds logo. "Let Freedom Ring".
Good to see Entwistle signed today.

Another nice write up Theo. I really like Beaudin, Kalynuk, and Mitchell, but I don’t see how they could ever be dressed at same time with the Blackhawks, just not enough size to be all part of top six. There’s no doubt that at least one of these guys will be traded in the next year or so, I just hope that we get a decent return, maybe part of a bigger package. Since Mitchell is the only RD of this group, he probably stays, I could see one of them going with Strome to get better value coming back. I really like Beaudin, but he’s probably the odd man out.

Jack the ticket prices $5-10 as an alternative to desecrating an Original Six, the best jersey in all sports, Blackhawks jersey. Terrible idea. I knew the helmet ads were the stepping stones to a shlt-stained Euro jersey.
- Zapur

Don’t give them ideas cuz they’ll do both.

Please, get ofc the ledge.. the sun will rise and biden will screw up something else.
- LFS

Yesterday you mentioned that a good poster here didn’t know anything about hockey, yet I never see you add value to a hockey discussion, what gives?

Disagree. Played 3 seasons at BU so started with Hawks at age 21. Just as Vlasic is about to and played just over 1 season in the A before having season ending surgery.
- Assman22

he is starting his 6 year since his draft year and really has not excelled in a major way at any level. He is a PMD who is 5-11 180 LBS if he has not started to work his way up to top pair at the AHL level (which he will probably be 2nd or 3rd pair then he is more then likely not a NHL level player. Vlasic is 20 years old if in 3 more years he is in the same spot as Chad is right now I will say the same thing and he is a 6-6 Def Dman who due to his size tend to take a little more time.

he is starting his 6 year since his draft year and really has not excelled in a major way at any level. He is a PMD who is 5-11 180 LBS if he has not started to work his way up to top pair at the AHL level (which he will probably be 2nd or 3rd pair then he is more then likely not a NHL level player. Vlasic is 20 years old if in 3 more years he is in the same spot as Chad is right now I will say the same thing and he is a 6-6 Def Dman who due to his size tend to take a little more time.
- kmw4631

I kind of agree with you, but the only reason he won't be top pair at Rockford is that Mitchell and Beaudin are there. Besides, COVID has really screwed up the last 2 years, and on top of that, he missed most of last year with an injury. I wouldn't rule him out just yet.

I kind of agree with you, but the only reason he won't be top pair at Rockford is that Mitchell and Beaudin are there. Besides, COVID has really screwed up the last 2 years, and on top of that, he missed most of last year with an injury. I wouldn't rule him out just yet.
- tvetter

Thanks for another detailed write up Theo. Let's face reality, if two of these guys become full time NHL players who are not simply place holders that is great and three would be out of this world fantastic!

Every team has a Mitchell and Beaudin in their minor leagues Mitchell wasn't even a first round pick which says "if you are not one of the top players you probably aren't NHL material." Even more likely if you have been around a while.