Theo Fox: Split Decisions Thoughts on the Blackhawks pending decisions to be made on not only Dylan Strome but also Alex DeBrincat who both need new contracts this summer and next summer, respectively.

Plus, summaries of the Blackhawks + IceHogs weekend games vs the Lightning, Coyotes + Roadrunners.

Minnesota is looking like a real contender. I hope Flower gets at least 4 starts in the playoffs because Talbot doesn't look that bad.

Congratulations to Jonathan Toews who celebrated his 1000th set of different linemates in the last 5 years.

Wanna know why 19 isn’t head over heels happy about the ‘rebuild’. These are the 4 guys in the ice with him to start last night’s game:
Kubalik
Lafferty
Stillman
Gustaffson

After playing with the guys from the Cup years, that’s gotta suck.

Theo, on that 1st goal last night the problem wasn’t Caleb’s pass around the boards. Kubalik had flown the zone, instead of being where he was supposed to be. Watch the replay Kubs is out in the neutral zone, looking for a break away. Not the D’s fault if the forward f’s up.

Sorry, no - Caleb did a bushleague ring the boards pass off of a faceoff win.

You really only do that type of a pass to ice a puck - in this instance Kubalik did what wingers do off of faceoff wins. unless of course anyone buys that at any sort of professional league that there is going to be a winger that sprints to the point -and then .... stops.

It looks more like C Jones got pressure behind the net - and just bailed, did something pretty stupid, and in fairness it would be stupid in a beer league (in fact I probably done it once or twice, myself) -and got burned.

Theo, on that 1st goal last night the problem wasn’t Caleb’s pass around the boards. Kubalik had flown the zone, instead of being where he was supposed to be. Watch the replay Kubs is out in the neutral zone, looking for a break away. Not the D’s fault if the forward f’s up.
- scottak

This!
(Although the counter argument is that if Caleb looked up he could have lifted the puck down ice and Kubalik would have been off to the races. )

Wanna know why 19 isn’t head over heels happy about the ‘rebuild’. These are the 4 guys in the ice with him to start last night’s game:
Kubalik
Lafferty
Stillman
Gustaffson

After playing with the guys from the Cup years, that’s gotta suck.
- scottak

Earlier in the year King had Carpenter on his wing. Sometimes Kurashev. Sometimes Slavin. Sheesh.
Toews played well with Hagel and then King moved Hagel off his line. Toews seemed to get Dach going when they put Dach at wing and then King moved him off his line. Then Toews had chemistry with Raddysh and King moved him off his line. No one will be more glad to see King in his rear view mirror than Toews.

A couple of conspicuous absences from the pre-game ceremony photo.

1. Surprised Corey Crawford wasn't there among the ex-Hawks.
2. No long time girl friend (don't know her name, maybe ex-girl friend now).

Sorry, no - Caleb did a bushleague ring the boards pass off of a faceoff win.

You really only do that type of a pass to ice a puck - in this instance Kubalik did what wingers do off of faceoff wins. unless of course anyone buys that at any sort of professional league that there is going to be a winger that sprints to the point -and then .... stops.

It looks more like C Jones got pressure behind the net - and just bailed, did something pretty stupid, and in fairness it would be stupid in a beer league (in fact I probably done it once or twice, myself) -and got burned.

SC116

Actually Jones was not pressured, but did throw it up the boards without looking, like the designed play was for Kubalik to be along the boards. Kubalik however was in the center of the ice, Jones picked up the puck behind the net, which means he would have had to skate it a couple of strides and throw a pass up the middle so that Kubalik could hopefully receive a pass (highly doubtful with his skillset). Another example of the lack of hockey IQ by Kubalik, although granted Jones should of looked up and seen there was no Hawk there. But the way the play developed, there is no way that a pass was going to be completed to #8 considering where the puck was. Maybe Seabrook in his prime makes that pass, but I bet he wouldn't even attempt it.

A couple of conspicuous absences from the pre-game ceremony photo.

1. Surprised Corey Crawford wasn't there among the ex-Hawks.
2. No long time girl friend (don't know her name, maybe ex-girl friend now).
- boilermaker100

Crow was in the suite. I guess the on ice was only for the alternate captains.

Do you think Quenneville is done as a coach? A few people on the Jets blog are in favor of hiring him.
Here is a scenario. Jets hire Q. Before the draft Hawks trade Toews 1/2 salary retained for their first and take back an expiring contract or two.

This basically says it all:


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Derek King: "We just stop thinking, shut our brains off and let them get back in the game."

"Lanks played a great game. he was awesome. He deserved a better outcome the way he played. We just got a little too sloppy and a little too high risk in front of him there at the end."

A couple of conspicuous absences from the pre-game ceremony photo.

1. Surprised Corey Crawford wasn't there among the ex-Hawks.
2. No long time girl friend (don't know her name, maybe ex-girl friend now).
- boilermaker100

CC was in the building, but the guys on the ice were all alternate captains, I believe.

Do you think Quenneville is done as a coach? A few people on the Jets blog are in favor of hiring him.
Here is a scenario. Jets hire Q. Before the draft Hawks trade Toews 1/2 salary retained for their first and take back an expiring contract or two.
- Ztra

Yes Q is done. It is the NHL, not the NBA.

Whether Kubalik had left the zone is not really relevant, the Hawks won the face off and C Jones made a stupid play. C Jones, McCabe, and Gus have to be bottom ten defensemen in the NHL. While there are many reasons for the Hawks record, those three are the biggest reason as to why the Hawks are where they are.

This basically says it all:


Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
Derek King: "We just stop thinking, shut our brains off and let them get back in the game."

"Lanks played a great game. he was awesome. He deserved a better outcome the way he played. We just got a little too sloppy and a little too high risk in front of him there at the end."
- LAHawk

Lanky made some dandy saves but man his rebound control is absolutely terrible. Those pucks bounce off of him like he's made of rubber. He cheats a little too much but that could be because the Hawks' D doesn't clear the front of the net or worse they screen him. He was anticipating a play and was out of position on both the Yotes winning goal and Sabres winning goal a few games ago.

Whether Kubalik had left the zone is not really relevant, the Hawks won the face off and C Jones made a stupid play. C Jones, McCabe, and Gus have to be bottom ten defensemen in the NHL. While there are many reasons for the Hawks record, those three are the biggest reason as to why the Hawks are where they are.
- Angotti

I agree, Dots would include Murphy in the bottom 10 defenseman, but the defense sure looks worse without him than with him.

Well another forgettable game ,helps to drink a lot watching the games this year then I can say yes I don't remember the ending .Still paying for it today .
What makes it even tougher this year is no 1st round pick as of now . Hope they can find away to get one before the draft .

I agree, Dots would include Murphy in the bottom 10 defenseman, but the defense sure looks worse without him than with him.
- LAHawk

I also would include Murphy in there. And couldn’t disagree more with the D looking worse without him there.

Well another forgettable game ,helps to drink a lot watching the games this year then I can say yes I don't remember the ending .Still paying for it today .
What makes it even tougher this year is no 1st round pick as of now . Hope they can find away to get one before the draft .
- oldduffman

Hello, Duffer. Hope you are well.

Just wanted to point out that drinking is a fine idea whether the team is good or bad!

Earlier in the year King had Carpenter on his wing. Sometimes Kurashev. Sometimes Slavin. Sheesh.
Toews played well with Hagel and then King moved Hagel off his line. Toews seemed to get Dach going when they put Dach at wing and then King moved him off his line. Then Toews had chemistry with Raddysh and King moved him off his line. No one will be more glad to see King in his rear view mirror than Toews.
- Ztra

Boudreau is up in the air in Vancouver, isnt signed for next year. I’d love to see Paul Maurice come in. There are a few other surprising names that don’t have deals in place for next year. We’ll also likely see a good coach get fired for a playoffs collapse.

A couple of conspicuous absences from the pre-game ceremony photo.

1. Surprised Corey Crawford wasn't there among the ex-Hawks.
2. No long time girl friend (don't know her name, maybe ex-girl friend now).
- boilermaker100

Thought the same about his GF not there. Oh well, not our business anyway.

Boudreau is up in the air in Vancouver, isnt signed for next year. I’d love to see Paul Maurice come in. There are a few other surprising names that don’t have deals in place for next year. We’ll also likely see a good coach get fired for a playoffs collapse.
- ObeseOprah

Paul Maurice? I hope you’re kidding! Maurice has always had problems with team discipline, not only in taking stupid penalties at terrible times but his teams always unravel and stop playing a team game and the players play as individuals.

Lanky made some dandy saves but man his rebound control is absolutely terrible. Those pucks bounce off of him like he's made of rubber. He cheats a little too much but that could be because the Hawks' D doesn't clear the front of the net or worse they screen him. He was anticipating a play and was out of position on both the Yotes winning goal and Sabres winning goal a few games ago.
- Popsghostly

I never understood this. If they stand in front of their own goalie, they are screening him. If they don't stand there, they are basically leaving an opponent (or two) uncovered with inside position in front of their goalie. So which is the better way to play it?

If you watch literally any team in the league they have defensemen standing in front of their goalie. What is the proper way to play?