Theo Fox: Rat Hockey
Some reminiscing of Dave Bolland, Marcus Kruger, and Andrew Shaw and reflecting on whether the Blackhawks have facsimiles of them in the system to restore the rat mentality that has been missing on the team.

Great blog Theo! Love the topic. Have to go through and watch some of your clips but I can tell from the one you included Bolland blowing up Nyquist in the neutral zone which helped Seabs walk in unmolested for one of my all time favorite Hawk goals and moments.

It would be great if we had a few Rats in the system. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I liked what I saw from Hagel in his ONE game. Am hoping he is either on the club to start or gets brought up at some point.

Highmore's not bad but as you've alluded to here and before, Hagel brings a bit more offense.

Edit - Went back and watched the Shaw vs Roussel dust ups. Nicely done Shawzie.

Great write-up.
Those clips are bitter sweet. Love the memories but seeing Hammer, Bic's Bolland, Kruger, and even Frolik and Teraveinan makes me whine like an old duffer "for the good old days"
Like Murphy and understand the reasoning, But that Hammer trade still leaves a mark. Truly marked the end of the an era.

Great read to go along with breakfast.

Theo - When I read your first sentence, I thought this was going to be a eulogy to Bolland. I was expecting some bad news.

Thanks for shining the light on the players who do not always get the spotlight, but are just as important to the team in winning. Most fans who just watch Sportcenter highlights never know about the plays that create the showcases.

Coming in the 2nd half of next season, Mackenzie Entwistle

Good thread Theo.

All three of those guys made a difference. They were different but all had that "rat" quality that, as you so correctly point out, is a vital piece to a winning team. While Bolland and Shaw had memorable moments, Kruger had consistency that could be counted on.

Of the current Hawks prospects that could fill the "rat" role - Barratt is the first guy I thought of. He seems to have the proper attitude. Hopefully he fills that role.

Nice blog Theo, I remember the presser when Stan brought Shaw back, he mentioned not only he wanted to shake things up on ice, but also off ice, thought the locker room was too quiet. I also think that is another reason that Saad was traded, he never really was a leader in the dressing room.

Today @ 7:46 AM ET
Never. They get 50% of hockey related revenue every year. No more, no less. The players allegedly owe $200M still from last year. This year's revenue is gonna be a very small percentage of normal. The players and the owners are splitting a far smaller pie. No big deal, they're all rich. The stadium workers, not so much. But, that's how it goes.
- mohel

Dots said....

The escrow works the other way the money is withheld from the players.

Minimum wage part time work at the stadium isn't going to pay any bills


Dots....the escrow works to ensure that the players aren't overpaid (i.e., that they don't get more than half of hockey related revenue). Prevents the owners from having to collect money back from players. So, when it appears revenue won't be enough for 200% of the salary cap (100% to players, 100% to owners), money is held in escrow. Some of what is held in escrow may be paid to the players to get to 50%. This year, they're suggesting revenue will be 20%+ short of projection, after eliminating salary from games not played. If they play half the games, a $1M ELC player will get $400k (minus taxes, agent fees, etc.). Add a 0 for the $10M player. Of course they'll get zero if there are no games.

Your minimum wage comment seemed a tad condescending - I'm guessing the jobs at the arena are important to those who do them, and that the loss of the job is detrimental to them.

Adam Burish was another guy in that mold. A feisty irritating player to match up against with enough skill to contribute up and down the lineup when needed. More recently, Caggiula has some of that Shawzer type edge and ability in him too, though it’s looking like he might not be back.

Theo Nailed right on the head on what the hawks have been missing for years now. Plus those type of players balance out the lineup and have a big impact when it comes to the playoffs. You could also include burish and sharp as players that with a edge and got under the opposing teams skin. Need some of that rat mentality also on the defensive part as well.

Good thread Theo.

All three of those guys made a difference. They were different but all had that "rat" quality that, as you so correctly point out, is a vital piece to a winning team. While Bolland and Shaw had memorable moments, Kruger had consistency that could be counted on.

Of the current Hawks prospects that could fill the "rat" role - Barratt is the first guy I thought of. He seems to have the proper attitude. Hopefully he fills that role.
- EbonyRaptor

Bolland had more than just a few “memorable moments”. He defensively dominated some of the best lines in hockey, and got inside their heads, and stayed there for long stretches. He was an animal. The only thing keeping him from being a perennial Selke candidate was his wonky back. When healthy, he was as consistentl as anyone.

I both Love and miss me some Dave Bolland.

Very, very underated on the Cup teams. Maybe not here so much, but outside of Chicago, I don't think people realize how good he was.

Just the impact he alone made on the Vancouver series.

Today @ 7:46 AM ET
Never. They get 50% of hockey related revenue every year. No more, no less. The players allegedly owe $200M still from last year. This year's revenue is gonna be a very small percentage of normal. The players and the owners are splitting a far smaller pie. No big deal, they're all rich. The stadium workers, not so much. But, that's how it goes.
- mohel

Dots said....

The escrow works the other way the money is withheld from the players.

Minimum wage part time work at the stadium isn't going to pay any bills


Dots....the escrow works to ensure that the players aren't overpaid (i.e., that they don't get more than half of hockey related revenue). Prevents the owners from having to collect money back from players. So, when it appears revenue won't be enough for 200% of the salary cap (100% to players, 100% to owners), money is held in escrow. Some of what is held in escrow may be paid to the players to get to 50%. This year, they're suggesting revenue will be 20%+ short of projection, after eliminating salary from games not played. If they play half the games, a $1M ELC player will get $400k (minus taxes, agent fees, etc.). Add a 0 for the $10M player. Of course they'll get zero if there are no games.

Your minimum wage comment seemed a tad condescending - I'm guessing the jobs at the arena are important to those who do them, and that the loss of the job is detrimental to them.
- mohel

Just informing you escrow works the other way, i figured you assumed the players or players union held the money, which isn't accurate. You said the players owe the owners a lot money which is an inaccurate statement. They pay them twice a week, oops once every 2 weeks, as well so when the season ended from the virus the paychecks did as well. Payed for the games they played. I only know of Matthew's who was paid a ton of money up front, i do wonder if % went into escrow.

The 2nd part isn't condescending it's the truth no one can support a family with a part time minimum wage job. I'm sure they have full time employees at the stadium that maintain the facility and what not, but security, concession stand employees, parking lot employees if they are supporting themselves and their families with those jobs, bless them

Bolland had more than just a few “memorable moments”. He defensively dominated some of the best lines in hockey, and got inside their heads, and stayed there for long stretches. He was an animal. The only thing keeping him from being a perennial Selke candidate was his wonky back. When healthy, he was as consistentl as anyone.
- Ogilthorpe2

Fully agree on Bolland. Way underrated by many.

Just informing you escrow works the other way, i figured you assumed the players or players union held the money, which isn't accurate. You said the players owe the owners a lot money which is an inaccurate statement. They pay them twice a week as well so when the season ended from the virus the paychecks did as well. Payed for the games they played. I only know of Matthew's who was paid a ton of money up front, i do wonder if % went into escrow.

The 2nd part isn't condescending it's the truth no one can support a family with a part time minimum wage job. I'm sure they have full time employees at the stadium that maintain the facility and what not, but security, concession stand employees, parking lot employees if they are supporting themselves and their families with those jobs, bless them
- BetweenTheDots

C'mon Dots....the players got all but one paycheck last year, but the owners lost several regular season games and all game day revenue from the playoffs. Reports were that even with the playoffs, players were paid $200M more than their 50% of hockey related revenue. So, the players owe $200M to the owners. It was part of the negotiations of the flat cap for the next few years.

Nice of you to decide for others that a job they do is worthless. I'm guessing that the loss of those jobs has seriously affected many of those people.

C'mon Dots....the players got all but one paycheck last year, but the owners lost several regular season games and all game day revenue from the playoffs. Reports were that even with the playoffs, players were paid $200M more than their 50% of hockey related revenue. So, the players owe $200M to the owners. It was part of the negotiations of the flat cap for the next few years.

Nice of you to decide for others that a job they do is worthless. I'm guessing that the loss of those jobs has seriously affected many of those people.
- mohel

You do have trouble interpreting what others actually say, so whatever you read really doesn't matter it seems you just have a way of twisting everything

You do have trouble interpreting what others actually say, so whatever you read really doesn't matter it seems you just have a way of twisting everything
- BetweenTheDots

Oh, I'm pretty clear on what you said.

Love rat hockey!

These tend to be some of my personal favourites and I agree Theo, more of this is needed in this new direction of the Hawks.

He's not a forward and a different animal entirely - but I think that's what the Hawks appear to be looking for by adding a guy like Zadorov.

Give me more "relentless buggers" (I term I thoroughly enjoy, Theo) on the Hawks and let them drive teams crazy so the Patrick Kanes', Jonathan Toews', and Alex DeBrincats' can drive the boat with more ease on offense.

Love rat hockey!

These tend to be some of my personal favourites and I agree Theo, more of this is needed in this new direction of the Hawks.

He's not a forward and a different animal entirely - but I think that's what the Hawks appear to be looking for by adding a guy like Zadorov.

Give me more "relentless buggers" (I term I thoroughly enjoy, Theo) on the Hawks and let them drive teams crazy so the Patrick Kanes', Jonathan Toews', and Alex DeBrincats' can drive the boat with more ease on offense.
- Tyler Cameron

I always thought that Toews, Kane, Hossa, etc., were also relentless buggers with skill. Maybe the Hawks need to eliminate those who are not relentless buggers.

Bolland had more than just a few “memorable moments”. He defensively dominated some of the best lines in hockey, and got inside their heads, and stayed there for long stretches. He was an animal. The only thing keeping him from being a perennial Selke candidate was his wonky back. When healthy, he was as consistentl as anyone.
- Ogilthorpe2

I didn't say "a few" memorable moments. By you adding "a few" to my statement it makes it seem that I was downplaying the contributions Bolland and Shaw made. My point wasn't to minimize Bolland and Shaw, who both have provided MANY memorable moments, it was to be appreciative of Kruger who doesn't have a resume of WOW moments like Bolland and Shaw have, but who provided a consistent "rat" presence that contributed to team success.

Oh, I'm pretty clear on what you said.
- mohel

For what it's worth I'm sorry you lost your minimum wage job

Fully agree on Bolland. Way underrated by many.
- mohel

The hope, if not anticipation, was that Bolland would be the #2 center. The 2009 Ladd-Bolland-Havlat line and the 2010 Ladd-Bolland Versteeg line were arguably the Hawks best lines those years. Bolland against Daniel Sedin in the playoffs was a thing of beauty. Bolland was one of those "sum is greater than the parts" kind of players with a hockey IQ off the charts. He was overshadowed by other players on the team but I don't think he was underrated by knowledgeable Hawks fans.

For what it's worth I'm sorry you lost your minimum wage job
- BetweenTheDots

More condescending (is there something wrong with minimum wage jobs and those that have them?), and a personal attack. Nice.

Dave Bolland personified “hockey”. His style and attributes were a dictionary definition of the perfect hockey player IMO. Physicality, grit, toughness, personality, leadership, ...but also very underrated speed and skill. Played above and beyond is size and could skate very well. Solid shot too. ELITE 2way ability. Which is why he excelled in the clutch/post season. What a legend.