Theo Fox: Training Camp: Day 2
Observations and reflections on Day 2 of Blackhawks training camp.

First because the dog woke me and had to go out.

This team is capable of beating anyone who let's up on the throttle. The compete level and better blueline crew than the opponent thought could, however, be dogged by inconsistent goaltending.

I have to believe the rotation of goaltender between AHL & NHL is doable for the sole reason being to keep a back up fresh.

Laakinen appears to be the steadiest with Delia too spotty performance if he is not playing regularly

I like Regula saw him play a couple times with the Knights ,think Stan stole him out of Detoilet . Had mixed feeling trading Saad but Zadorov may bring just what the Hawks are missing on the back end . Highmore don't get enough respect should get time on the PP .

This team is capable of beating anyone who let's up on the throttle. The compete level and better blueline crew tan the opponent thought could, however, be dogged by inconsistent goaltending.

I have to believe the rotation of goaltenerves between AHL & NHL is doable for the sole ramong being to keep a back up fresh.

Laakinen appears to be the steadiest with Delia too spotty performance if he is not playing regularly
- jhawk59

I think it maybe Subban job to lose he has the pedigree And heard he is a well like teammate .He has played behind some pretty good net minders

I think it maybe Subban job to lose he has the pedigree And heard he is a well like teammate .He has played behind some pretty good net minders
- oldduffman

Wil be surprised if Subban does not hold onto the #1 job

What’s the deal with Seabrook “unfit to play”?

Is his career over?

Just read the article on NBCSN about Keith and the youth movement. I think his" The NHL is not a development league" was more about young guys practice, and off ice habits, rather than having young guys up on the NHL roster.

who is allowed to watch practices? in curious how cam morrison looked. had a goal and primary in the scrimmage. brings some size to the forward spot and is still pretty young for a college UFA he is a 20 months younger then Wyatt Kalynuk.

OK, time to get this out into the public view so we can stop re-hashing this goofiness:

Stan Bowman on Dach at the WJC: "In Kirby's case, with the request from Team Canada and Kirby and his agent weighing in that this was very important to them, at the time, there was nothing happening in the training world. We weren't training as a team. So this was actually a beneficial situation. Kirby was able to go with Team Canada in early November. So he had a full month of training. So I actually looked at it as giving us a potential leg up on all the other teams. We were going to have Kirby coming back to us coming from a team setting with team practices and intrasquad scrimmages and game activity. The more likely scenario than him getting injured was he'd be playing in the gold-medal game coming off close to eight weeks of team activity, which is just different than offseason training. So the benefits were significant."

Re Seabrook:

"No, it's not related to the surgeries. He was pretty close to being ready in the summer. Not quite there, but that was back in July. It's not related."

Just read the article on NBCSN about Keith and the youth movement. I think his" The NHL is not a development league" was more about young guys practice, and off ice habits, rather than having young guys up on the NHL roster.
- LAHawk

Not trying to start trouble, but maybe Keith has changed his tune after that comment. I will not worry about what players say, just like us we may say something we regret saying, or say something we don't say correctly.
It is good to hear that some guys are showing up in this camp. It sure sounds like there will be some guys who will surprise.

Re: Seabrook

We shouldn't speculate about Seabrook not ready right now. If there was aengthy major time away issue. I think Bowman would have referenced it. I don't know if there us a minor i jury or covid quarateen, but I do believe he will be back playing again.

There is no reason to doubt that he won't be able to keep up the NHL pace. No, not him in his prime. But able to skate better and not laboring and trying to compensate due to innuries. I expect Seabrook to skate better than Rovizal in hs last couple years. Which he better because Rozival really barely kept up. Seabrook will be serviceable and won't hurt us. Hs smarts and positioning is going to be critical as he has to be effective in defending against players coming at sped r beat him off the wall. I choose to believe that he will be descent enough.

His greatest help actally may be as a veteran presence to several kids on defense. Both on ice and off ice Seabrook will be an example of what it takes in preparation. The nuances of playing defense, some tricks and instruction. How to gage, prooer reads: In these and other ways on ice Seabrook is a bridge from the past and to the future. Not just his performance, but a bridge for the kids too

Jackets sign Bjorgstrand 5X$5.4 mil. Odd, making more AAv than DuBois, longer term, for a .5 PPG player

Jackets sign Bjorgstrand 5X$5.4 mil. Odd, making more AAv than DuBois, longer term, for a .5 PPG player
- LAHawk

Maybe the difference between wanting to play for the team and wanting to get out?

Maybe the difference between wanting to play for the team and wanting to get out?
- Chunk

He already signed his bridge deal, so you have to pay a little more for the extra years up front.

Did Boqvist fill in some this off season i see pics of him and he just looks a lot healthier/ bigger than his teammates

Did Boqvist fill in some this off season i see pics of him and he just looks a lot healthier/ bigger than his teammates
- BetweenTheDots

*In my best Austin Powers voice*

"He's a maaannn baby!"

Did I read into the Bowman - Lazerus article that Brent Seabrook w/o an exhibition season, was on the outs looking in?

*In my best Austin Powers voice*

"He's a maaannn baby!"
- Chunk

The new look (physically bigger. stronger) report is caused to wonder exactly how his on ice performance may change

We are led to believe that Boqvist might start in pair with ,Zadorov. This may bode well if Boqvist feels safer on the ice. As if the opponent knows they might get clobbered by Zadoriv and therefore is not focused upon rag dolling Boqvist.

Does this (assuming) stronger Boqvist still get rag dolled. Or does this possibly less worried about rough play Boqvist, does he start loosening up ...you know less conservative and his dynamic offensive ability rise to the forefront

Well we will wait and see about any difference in his performance this year. I figured it should be two summer worth (two off season) of dedication in the gym/weight room. Too much bulk or strength too quick could actually hinder mobility and impact the capability of executing his skill. See DeBrincat as an example last season

I don't recall how long Kane took to become sigificantly stronger. But Kane also has avoided a lot of physical checking/contact in his career.

Boqvist may be able to put on muscle and strength differently than Kane. Two different people, different bone thickness etc al. Just assuming they are not exactly alike in their body's ability to add muscle/strength

All this just to say, I hope Boqvist has not put on too much strength size too quickly. The season starts soon enough so we will find out.

The new look (physically bigger. stronger) report is caused to wonder exactly how his on ice performance may change

We are led to believe that Boqvist might start in pair with ,Zadorov. This may bode well if Boqvist feels safer on the ice. As if the opponent knows they might get clobbered by Zadoriv and therefore is not focused upon rag dolling Boqvist.

Does this (assuming) stronger Boqvist still get rag dolled. Or does this possibly less worried about rough play Boqvist, does he start loosening up ...you know less conservative and his dynamic offensive ability rise to the forefront

Well we will wait and see about any difference in his performance this year. I figured it should be two summer worth (two off season) of dedication in the gym/weight room. Too much bulk or strength too quick could actually hinder mobility and impact the capability of executing his skill. See DeBrincat as an example last season

I don't recall how long Kane took to become sigificantly stronger. But Kane also has avoided a lot of physical checking/contact in his career.

Boqvist may be able to put on muscle and strength differently than Kane. Two different people, different bone thickness etc al. Just assuming they are not exactly alike in their body's ability to add muscle/strength

All this just to say, I hope Boqvist has not put on too much strength size too quickly. The season starts soon enough so we will find out.
- jhawk59

Geez what do you have against Boqvuist? All offseason you said he better hit the weights, he is too puny, too small to play NHL, now you are saying he put on weight too fast, it is going to impact his skill, etc. etc. My guess he followed the program that was scheduled out by the Hawks off ice training staff, and the results are right where they want him to be.

So I guess this year when Boqvuist makes a mistake, it is going to be because he bulked up too much.

Did I read into the Bowman - Lazerus article that Brent Seabrook w/o an exhibition season, was on the outs looking in?
- wiz1901

Pretty much. He can't show where he is physically without playing (and he can't play without showing where he is). I love the guy, but if he can't get on the ice, he can't prove his case. It sounds like they will give him a shot to get into games once they start, but he won't be handed a spot because he is Brent Seabrook.

https://www.nhl.com/black...ist/t-277443408/c-7154102

Last week the Blackhawks posted a video on their website with a look at Boqvist working out with Paul Goodman and crew. You can see he is bulkier relative to last season.

Boqvist will also naturally get bigger going from his teens to his 20s.

Pretty much. He can't show where he is physically without playing (and he can't play without showing where he is). I love the guy, but if he can't get on the ice, he can't prove his case. It sounds like they will give him a shot to get into games once they start, but he won't be handed a spot because he is Brent Seabrook.
- Chunk

Something I enjoyed reading yesterday was an interview transcript of Keith saying that he pushes himself to compete for and earn a spot in camp every year just like any other player.

This soundbyte was in the interview about what he thinks about the youth movement and what his role is. It was refreshing to hear his thoughts on it.

Hopefully Seabrook has a similar mentality. Yes, he's a veteran, but he still needs to compete for and earn a spot whether as a starter or as the 7th/8th man.

Anyone else notice “Chipotle “ on team USA sweater yesterday?

You know, since it’s a thing now.....

Exhale......

Anyone else notice “Chipotle “ on team USA sweater yesterday?

You know, since it’s a thing now.....

Exhale......
- mike7076

Of all the sponsors there could have been.....why Chipotle?