Theo Fox: Aligning the Stars
A look at what ideally needs to happen for the Blackhawks to bang on all cylinders and build a contender again. A bit far fetched but many things could still play out to start the process.

If Carlsson and Mitchell are good enough by the trade deadline, this makes Murphy very tradeable.

And Seabrook a descent depth, even third pair?

It is too early to compare the depth of The Entry Draft to last season. So hoping for a first for Murphy is premature and perhaps overvaluing Murphy. Not sure though how much better a dman a contender could yank off the market..

Murphy performs as a physical dman able to play both sides yet in his prime years. In covid time still and with expansion perhaps Murphy isn't going to fetch a first even if included in a package deal. I wish Murphy and 2nd + Carpenter for a mid round first.

I would dream to draft a center and a dman.

You rather want RHD Clarke or LHD Power & Lambos? C Raty is behind them imo.

Thanks Theo - fun blog. But one point you make about Subban "stealing games" disturbs me. In a season where the organization is rebuilding, I do not want this team to steal any wins. A high draft pick has to be a goal for this team. Now, I want them playing well, but to steal games they should not win will be a loss in the end.

Thankss Theo - fun blog. But one point you make about Subban "stealing games" disturbs me. In a season where the organization is rebuilding, I do not want this team to steal any wins. A high draft pick has to be a goal for this team. Now, I want them playing well, but to steal games they should not win will be a loss in the end.
- powerenforcer

You want players to develop - that’s more important than getting a high draft pick.

For goalies to develop, they need to learn how to steal wins when nothing else is working.

If Subban could progress into a top-tier goalie, I’d be very much ok with his play pushing the Hawks out of a top-10 pick.

Good job with the “ideal” wish list, Theo - I’m a bit more realistic.

For instance - Kubalik and AdB - they don’t have to be 40 goal scorers - I’m not looking for that - you’re “bonus” section for each is more important.

Excellent news about a second vaccine showing high effectiveness - this one looking like it will be easier to transport and distribute. First responders could be covered by January-February - the “masses” covered going into the second quarter.

But the situation until then is looking grim - besides the raw numbers, health care systems all across the country are being overwhelmed - reaching capacity, running out of PPE, running out of places to put the very sick.

Please - let’s get through the next few months - follow the basic guidelines: wear masks, distance, no large gatherings (especially indoors), wash hands - wear masks.

We can do this.

I would like to see de Haan stay healthy and have a decent season. If he does, he will be really attractive to Seattle. That would take 4.5m off the books and open up a roster spot for another prospect. Otherwise, they might try to poach Highmore.

Excellent news about a second vaccine showing high effectiveness - this one looking like it will be easier to transport and distribute. First responders could be covered by January-February - the “masses” covered going into the second quarter.

But the situation until then is looking grim - besides the raw numbers, health care systems all across the country are being overwhelmed - reaching capacity, running out of PPE, running out of places to put the very sick.

Please - let’s get through the next few months - follow the basic guidelines: wear masks, distance, no large gatherings (especially indoors), wash hands - wear masks.

We can do this.
- StLBravesFan

We still have the same idiots in charge though, so what difference will it make?

We still have the same idiots in charge though, so what difference will it make?
- powerenforcer

Even if it were the “usual gang of idiots” at Mad Magazine in charge, we all know what to do.

It doesn’t matter who’s in charge - Blue or Red - we need to do what WE need to do - we DON’T need the government to tell us to do the things necessary to slow this virus down until the vaccines are widely distributed.

We know what the Rx is - time to decide on our own to get it filled.

Good blog, Ted.

I'm worried about goaltending. This over-reliance in net is really sad to watch. What Crow was able to do in the Vegas series was stellar & waiting for the next Crow will be painful.

I'm failing to understand, do we have Zadorov strictly to play bodyguard & hit people? It has been proven that it doesn't stop other idiots from hitting younger and/or star players. If so, color me un-excited.

[quote=StLBravesFan]Excellent news about a second vaccine showing high effectiveness - this one looking like it will be easier to transport and distribute. First responders could be covered by January-February - the “masses” covered going into the second quarter.

But the situation until then is looking grim - besides the raw numbers, health care systems all across the country are being overwhelmed - reaching capacity, running out of PPE, running out of places to put the very sick.

Please - let’s get through the next few months - follow the basic guidelines: wear masks, distance, no large gatherings (especially indoors), wash hands - wear masks.

We cI remember when "the science" told us "15 days to flatten the curve". Then the goalposts moved. They'll move again. I saw that a government scientist in KY suggested we may need to get away from large crowds permanently. The vaccine is only about 90% effective - how can we have 20k at a Hawks game when we know some of them could die because they went to a sporting event?

BTW - my sister-in-law is a nurse in a Chicago area hospital. No overwhelming going on. Still operating at a pay cut because of the loss of business brought on by the reaction to the catastrophe.

Even if it were the “usual gang of idiots” at Mad Magazine in charge, we all know what to do.

It doesn’t matter who’s in charge - Blue or Red - we need to do what WE need to do - we DON’T need the government to tell us to do the things necessary to slow this virus down until the vaccines are widely distributed.

We know what the Rx is - time to decide on our own to get it filled.
- StLBravesFan

No, we don't know what the Rx is. Groupthink says so, but.....to challenge the Groupthink means being branded a heretic and moron. The scientific method calls for constant challenge to what we think we know - what's going on now is the opposite of science.

Anyway, at the end of this tunnel vision approach, our "cure" will end up doing more damage than the disease.

[quote=StLBravesFan]Excellent news about a second vaccine showing high effectiveness - this one looking like it will be easier to transport and distribute. First responders could be covered by January-February - the “masses” covered going into the second quarter.

But the situation until then is looking grim - besides the raw numbers, health care systems all across the country are being overwhelmed - reaching capacity, running out of PPE, running out of places to put the very sick.

Please - let’s get through the next few months - follow the basic guidelines: wear masks, distance, no large gatherings (especially indoors), wash hands - wear masks.

We cI remember when "the science" told us "15 days to flatten the curve". Then the goalposts moved. They'll move again. I saw that a government scientist in KY suggested we may need to get away from large crowds permanently. The vaccine is only about 90% effective - how can we have 20k at a Hawks game when we know some of them could die because they went to a sporting event?

BTW - my sister-in-law is a nurse in a Chicago area hospital. No overwhelming going on. Still operating at a pay cut because of the loss of business brought on by the reaction to the catastrophe.
- mohel

Yeah, the goal posts moved. That’s what science does - it evaluates, re-evaluates, adjusts, re-evaluates, adjusts....As we learn more about this virus, we learn better ways to deal with it - but the main criteria hold - masks, distance, wash hands, no large gatherings. Had these procedures been more universally in place, we would still be experiencing large numbers of infections, but probably (only probably) wouldn’t need the lockdowns that we are now experiencing. If people follow those procedures starting now, the next eight months will not be the disaster we may be looking at now.

A 90% effective vaccine is a lot better than expected, and would certainly be more than enough to generate the herd immunity (getting R0 below 1) that we are looking for - if enough people take it when it’s available. If the vaccines deliver on their promise - and the immunity lasts long enough - then yes, 20,000 at the UC by the fall of 2021 is certainly possible.

Your sister: let’s see where things are in a month. Other cities and states ARE being overwhelmed. We don’t need to be in Chicago, IF.....

If we flip a coin 25 times, what are the odds it winds up heads every times? I know this list of best case scenarios isn't all gonna happen, but hopefully a good chunk of them pan out. Who knows? Maybe we'll be better than our very low expectations.

You rather want RHD Clarke or LHD Power & Lambos? C Raty is behind them imo.
- Nighthawk

This forward was a man among boys but now the other boys playin g forward are emerging, but I agree Lambos and the other four 20121` defenders look mighty attractive as Blackhawk picks.

I have solid top ten ahead oof the other rockers:
https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2021/

If we flip a coin 25 times, what are the odds it winds up heads every times? I know this list of best case scenarios isn't all gonna happen, but hopefully a good chunk of them pan out. Who knows? Maybe we'll be better than our very low expectations.
- Hawkeynation

As a former HS mathematics teacher, I have to jump on this one:

I would argue each time the Blackhawks won a Cup, all these different things aligned that got them there.

Maybe that 25 out of 25 probability brings a Cap age dynasty?

Excellent news about a second vaccine showing high effectiveness - this one looking like it will be easier to transport and distribute. First responders could be covered by January-February - the “masses” covered going into the second quarter.

But the situation until then is looking grim - besides the raw numbers, health care systems all across the country are being overwhelmed - reaching capacity, running out of PPE, running out of places to put the very sick.

Please - let’s get through the next few months - follow the basic guidelines: wear masks, distance, no large gatherings (especially indoors), wash hands - wear masks.

We can do this.
- StLBravesFan

I hope so Sage. I was wondering how they were going to distribute a vaccine that had to be kept at 80 below. Hate to say it but i imagine i will be wearing a mask for a long time.

As a former HS mathematics teacher, I have to jump on this one:

I would argue each time the Blackhawks won a Cup, all these different things aligned that got them there.

Maybe that 25 out of 25 probability brings a Cap age dynasty?
- wiz1901

Hard to argue this. I was shocked after 2010 they were able to win 2 more, so 25 out of 25, then you're left with 9 on the roster and have to hit on so so so many moves to get back in 2013

Excellent news about a second vaccine showing high effectiveness - this one looking like it will be easier to transport and distribute. First responders could be covered by January-February - the “masses” covered going into the second quarter.

But the situation until then is looking grim - besides the raw numbers, health care systems all across the country are being overwhelmed - reaching capacity, running out of PPE, running out of places to put the very sick.

Please - let’s get through the next few months - follow the basic guidelines: wear masks, distance, no large gatherings (especially indoors), wash hands - wear masks.

We can do this.
- StLBravesFan

I wonder, could former St. Louis Brave John Brenneman have develops as a solid NHL forward?

Probably more likely than the deniers doing as you ask.

This forward was a man among boys but now the other boys playin g forward are emerging, but I agree Lambos and the other four 20121` defenders look mighty attractive as Blackhawk picks.

I have solid top ten ahead oof the other rockers:
https://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2021/
- wiz1901

Another goalie predicted to go in the top 10-15 next year?

Add this one:
Pius Suter shows u unexpected bite in his play...the type I hope Philipp Kurashev finds a some point, in order to advance.

Another goalie predicted to go in the top 10-15 next year?
- Rota's Rooter

Actually right now, yeah!

A Swede

https://www.draftsite.com...r/jesper-wallstedt/32330/

Good to set some expectations and goals that are realistic and attainable. Despite the potential poor play upcoming this season, the Hawks do have some depth at forward. It is possible that the Hawks could have 9 to 10 forwards in double figures in goals ... ten or more. And this is not hoping on career years from some players that will probably never repeat that goal total. If that were to happen, it would only increase the trade value of forwards that probably will be traded before the deadline. The biggest question mark is in goal. Have no idea who, if anybody will step up and grab the top spot.

Actually right now, yeah!

A Swede

https://www.draftsite.com...r/jesper-wallstedt/32330/
- wiz1901

OMG.
In the 2022 draft already noted for heavy heavy run on dmen and centers in the top 20, along cones another goaltender a la Knight and Askarov

We so need three top needs: a two way dman who skates well and hits. A power forward. A goaltender

I already focused on a dman
You have to take a dman when there are three in the top ten. Maybe four
Where will we pick? Who knows. The tip player on wiz list is the dreamed about power forward. O how we need a new force
Lane and Dschbon separate lines. That kid or someone like him necessary for our top six.
But wait. Along comes a goaltender and you know Bowman tried to trade up to #10 or so for Askarov
In 2021 I bet if there is some players or two or three they really like and our pick is not early enough, Bowman tries harder to move up
It is going to be really Interesting whom we draft in 2021. Would love two picks in top 20.