Theo Fox: Make Up Test
A look at how the Blackhawks roster depth will be tested in order to make up for Kirby Dach and Alex Nylander’s season-long absence.

First! Nice to be on the West Coast

Good post as always Theo

Great work as always Theo! Nothing new at this point. Maybe we should just let you know when you're phoning it in instead.

You hit on about the only silver lining I can think of for Dach's surgery in that it hopefully extends his shelf life...maybe slightly lessens his next deal too.

I'm sure Ogi's doing backflips about the prospect of Nylander's Hawk career being prolonged.

I agree with you on signing Strome and here's a blurb from Powers in The Athletic yesterday.

6. As for the Blackhawks’ current free agent, I’d expect Dylan Strome to get a deal done between now and training camp. It sounds like the two sides have been talking more.

I think with Dach looking to be out the whole year, I'm hoping Strome signs and seizes the opportunity to establish himself as a 2C.

As far as all the Swedes who've signed, they're all decent chips to flip at the TDL and get more picks in 2021.

It allows the prospects to marinate for another year in RFD. No need to rush them for this season.

Dach never even played 1 game with the "C" on his jersey. Boy, what a complete waste of time. I hope this proves finally that no pro athlete should participate in any amateur contest.

Dach hasn’t played a single game since last March. This was a set back.

Theo- Do you have an opinion on if Dach never got hurt that Bowman was trying to trade Strome?

When it rains it pours Blackhawks fam. Jonathan Toews to miss the start of the season due to “illness” per Dreger.

https://twitter.com/pierr.../1343918404101660673?s=21

There was no reason for on Dach to be to at W JC . The Hawks determined he was a NHL player last year and wasted a year of his ELC . Now a second year wasted . With the cap situation the way it is this is not good.

When it rains it pours Blackhawks fam. Jonathan Toews to miss the start of the season due to “illness” per Dreger.

https://twitter.com/pierr.../1343918404101660673?s=21
- Tyler Cameron

Time to give Kurashev a shot. He may not be a direct replacement for Toews but he’s a centre prospect who deserves a shot.

I said when they signed Soderberg that Stan knew something we didn't. And it wasn't because of the Dach injury.

Time to give Kurashev a shot. He may not be a direct replacement for Toews but he’s a centre prospect who deserves a shot.
- DarthKane

I’m in. This season is going to be the one to get these young guys some experience.

Better add Toews to the list. Hockey Canada reporting he will not be available to start season due to “illness”.

How long before Keith says "Get me out of here?"

Yep, no surprises but this is going to be even more ugly than expected - but may improve later in the season depending on who rises and who doesn’t.

Unfortunately it’s draft board watching season already too, but not a bad thing really as sacrificing this season is the best to get us back to cup glory sooner than later. Play the kids.

Sucky for both Dach, definite top 6, and Nylander, still young and trying to prove himself....

Now Toews, just ouch.......

Was hoping they’d at least compete for the playoffs, not so sure now.....

Instead of a lottery pick in the 10-14 range, they could be in the 3-5 range.....

Roster for the 2021/2022 season will have a HUGE influx of young talent...

Dach
Nylander
Reichel (possibly/ maybe).....
Top 5 pick......

That’s 4 new forwards with potential....

On top of the young D playing this year.....

I’m pretty optimistic....

2021/2022 season is only 10 months away.....

Exhale......

When it rains it pours Blackhawks fam. Jonathan Toews to miss the start of the season due to “illness” per Dreger.

https://twitter.com/pierr.../1343918404101660673?s=21
- Tyler Cameron

Illness? That's not good. Wow what an offseason so far. They always seem to come in threes....

I ma sure we will know soon via a team-related statement, but " an illness" make me think loads of things from lung issues, to measles /mononucleosis and concussion-related.

I don't guess it is something w/o concern for the dressing room, or the team would let it go.


It is so odd when the teams get out t-twiitered by the Athletic when a simple announcement early puts the news upfront.

I am sure that Bowman will have to have all responses to the Soda signing, allowing the begging of Dach & agent to the U-20 answers in place first.

The Dach one is really silly. Why do you have a NHL player in a showcase for children.

Even if its a really bad year at least it'll be entertaining.

And still no Strome signing?

I ma sure we will know soon via a team-related statement, but " an illness" make me think loads of things from lung issues, to measles /mononucleosis and concussion-related.

I don't guess it is something w/o concern for the dressing room, or the team would let it go.


It is so odd when the teams get out t-twiitered by the Athletic when a simple announcement early puts the news upfront.

I am sure that Bowman will have to have all responses to the Soda signing, allowing the begging of Dach & agent to the U-20 answers in place first.
- wiz1901

Kind of weird they let Dach go. Also, with the Nylander thing - wouldn't that be operated on right after the season? I know a lot of surgeons like to treat knees and hips conservatively but it seems like athletes will get that cleaned up even if its minor and a not professional athlete can probably live with it. Not that I care that he's missing the season I just question those kinds of things.

The Toews thing is just icing on the cake, especially since he didn't slap hands with his coach after the playoffs last year.

All the Chicago sports orgs this year seem to be having a contest about who is the worst run.

And still no Strome signing?
- LAHawk

I wonder what he's asking for.

I wonder what he's asking for.
- fattybeef

$7 mil. as the #1 center?

The nascent Blackhawks' season reminds me of the meme we have been seeing:
Just wait until 2020 turns 21 and starts drinking...

Welp this season is over before it started. Can't wait to see what the Sox look like in 21

Toews to miss the start of the season with an illness? WTF! That's more than 2 weeks away. What kind of illness lasts more than a couple weeks ... I suppose there's a long list but none of them good. Year 2020 isn't done with us yet.