Theo Fox: Game 18 @ Red Wings
A preview to the Blackhawks vs Red Wings matchup that will hopefully have more fundamentally sound play toward another series sweep.

Plus, a look at "being strong on the puck" and a recap of the IceHogs vs Wolves battle.

Thank you, Theo.
Here's hoping the pucks aren't so bouncy tonight. Last game had that in spades.
Watching the doggedness of this 'Hawks team is great! To my eye, they're getting a lot more greasy goals.

Thank you, Theo.
Here's hoping the pucks aren't so bouncy tonight. Last game had that in spades.
Watching the doggedness of this 'Hawks team is great! To my eye, they're getting a lot more greasy goals.
- 35Tony0

I'll second the thanks to Theo and also agree with TonyO. It's nice to see the team winning board battles, getting sustained Ozone time and scoring goals from in close.

Seems like the last couple seasons were largely characterized by a lot of one and dones so it's nice to see them spending some time on the other side of the rink.

Thanks Theo. I don’t see Strome and Nylander here long term, they just don’t fit the new culture in my opinion. Strome maybe if he gets stronger, because he’s not getting faster.

Thanks Theo. I don’t see Strome and Nylander here long term, they just don’t fit the new culture in my opinion. Strome maybe if he gets stronger, because he’s not getting faster.
- Angotti

Or Nylander if the lightbulb goes on, but I could easily see the situation you suggest play out where neither are here long term, and I’m ok with that.

A lot of guys have stepped up instead. Dinky’s looking like last season was the exception offensively vs the rule and his overall game is better.

Kubalik is showing last season wasn’t a one off and looks to be trying to improve his overall game too.

Add to that mild to big surprises among the forwards with guys like Kurashev, Suter and Janmark.

Like others have suggested, we could use a bit more top end talent. Dach appeared ready for a breakout season so next season will be big for him.

Potentially the bill could be filled from within with guys like Reichel or Teply...maybe Kayumov or Wise, but Time will tell on all.

Liking Mitchell and Beaudin so far...

Or Nylander if the lightbulb goes on, but I could easily see the situation you suggest play out where neither are here long term, and I’m ok with that.

A lot of guys have stepped up instead. Dinky’s looking like last season was the exception offensively vs the rule and his overall game is better.

Kubalik is showing last season wasn’t a one off and looks to be trying to improve his overall game too.

Add to that mild to big surprises among the forwards with guys like Kurashev, Suter and Janmark.

Like others have suggested, we could use a bit more top end talent. Dach appeared ready for a breakout season so next season will be big for him.

Potentially the bill could be filled from within with guys like Reichel or Teply...maybe Kayumov or Wise, but Time will tell on all.

Liking Mitchell and Beaudin so far...
- HawkintheD

Yes, we need to add a bit more top end talent. While some want more scoring from Kubalik, I have been very impressed with his 200’ game this year. Last year Doh and I went back and forth on Kubalik because he kept calling him Hossa lite, and I did not agree. Although he will never be Hossa, this year he is bringing some of those intangibles, like back checking for example. If you want to see Kubalik score more 5 on 5 like last year, give him a good center to play with, like our old 3L center (Toews). I’m not liking Beaudin and Mitchell, I’m loving them!

Or Nylander if the lightbulb goes on, but I could easily see the situation you suggest play out where neither are here long term, and I’m ok with that.

A lot of guys have stepped up instead. Dinky’s looking like last season was the exception offensively vs the rule and his overall game is better.

Kubalik is showing last season wasn’t a one off and looks to be trying to improve his overall game too.

Add to that mild to big surprises among the forwards with guys like Kurashev, Suter and Janmark.

Like others have suggested, we could use a bit more top end talent. Dach appeared ready for a breakout season so next season will be big for him.

Potentially the bill could be filled from within with guys like Reichel or Teply...maybe Kayumov or Wise, but Time will tell on all.

Liking Mitchell and Beaudin so far...
- HawkintheD

Looking at that Rockford lineup there is not a whole lot of top end talent coming. There are some future NHL guys, but no-one that projects out to a top 6. Maybe someone surprises.

In terms of Jake Wise, you may want to tap the breaks on any expectations. Not that things can't change, but he is now a Jr. at BU and is a healthy scratch more often than not. Things have not played out as expected with Wise.

Looking at that Rockford lineup there is not a whole lot of top end talent coming. There are some future NHL guys, but no-one that projects out to a top 6. Maybe someone surprises.

In terms of Jake Wise, you may want to tap the breaks on any expectations. Not that things can't change, but he is now a Jr. at BU and is a healthy scratch more often than not. Things have not played out as expected with Wise.
- TheTrob

This is said every year. It seems our top end talent are RFA from Europe and in college. The latest trend is if they have an inkling of NHL talent they go straight to the NHL

This is said every year. It seems our top end talent are RFA from Europe and in college. The latest trend is if they have an inkling of NHL talent they go straight to the NHL
- BetweenTheDots

Sure seems to be this way lately but it's not a bad thing.

STRONG ON THE PUCK ..... yes size helps ... but not necessary. To be strong on the puck, you have to be willing to fight and establish position .... have to find ways to get your body in position to take the puck and hold the puck. Using your stick to sweep, poke and jab is not strong on the puck. Get your body in front of the opposing player, so you can establish and maintain pocession. Strome and Nylander do none of the above

I am on the fence with Strome. He is big and young. Maybe he blossoms. But he will be 24 next month and has played 180 games in the NHL. Maybe he is what he is. I just do not see any fire/passion/compete in his game. I would not mind having him sit out a game.

ADB Suter Kane
Janmark Soderberg Kubalik
Hagel Wallmark Kurashev
Highmore Kampf Carp/Johnson

PP1 - Kane ADB Soderberg Hagel/Wallmark Beaudin
PP2 - Kursahev Suter Kubalik Janmark Keith

https://www.sport-express...tsya-zhafyarovym-1758512/
Hawks in the hunt for another eurosmurf? You may need to use google translate to read.

They're still pretty bad at defending and haven't won a lot in regulation.

That being said at least they are entertaining enough to not completely lose your mind watching them.

STRONG ON THE PUCK ..... yes size helps ... but not necessary. To be strong on the puck, you have to be willing to fight and establish position .... have to find ways to get your body in position to take the puck and hold the puck. Using your stick to sweep, poke and jab is not strong on the puck. Get your body in front of the opposing player, so you can establish and maintain pocession. Strome and Nylander do none of the above
- chuckdahammer

Agree. When you watch the game tonight look at how many opportunities Strome has to take the body and he shies away. Also look at how many times he goes for a puck retrieval or into a board battle and pulls up. Finally what when he is carrying his puck into the offensive zone and when someone gets near him he just looks to unload the puck or dump it instead for taking the hit and making the play. The other team has scouting reports and they know they just need to get near him to get the puck. I am not saying he has to play like Hagel or Johnson. But he should be at least as physical as ADB, Kubalik, Kurashev, Suter, and Highmore.

Anybody else on board for giving Hagel some shifts with Kane, not necessarily long term, just to get him going offensively, get him that first goal. I think that he can pot 12-15 annually, just needs that first one.

Yes, we need to add a bit more top end talent. While some want more scoring from Kubalik, I have been very impressed with his 200’ game this year. Last year Doh and I went back and forth on Kubalik because he kept calling him Hossa lite, and I did not agree. Although he will never be Hossa, this year he is bringing some of those intangibles, like back checking for example. If you want to see Kubalik score more 5 on 5 like last year, give him a good center to play with, like our old 3L center (Toews). I’m not liking Beaudin and Mitchell, I’m loving them!
- Angotti

I'm more impressed in Kurashev 200 foot game, wonder if we are watching our future 3rd line center?

https://www.sport-express...tsya-zhafyarovym-1758512/
Hawks in the hunt for another eurosmurf? You may need to use google translate to read.
- Rota's Rooter

According to SE expert Nikolai Lemtyugov, the third KHL scorer, Torpedo forward Damir Zhafyarov received offers from Chicago and Detroit.

“There is information that Zhafyarov is determined to go to North America. He has offers from "Chicago" and "Detroit" - said Lemtyugov on the air on the YouTube channel "SE".

Zhafyarov's contract with the Nizhny Novgorod club ends on April 30 this year. In 54 matches of the KHL regular championship, he scored 58 (20 goals, 38 assists) with a +6 usefulness rating.

In the NHL, the 26-year-old has not been drafted by any club.

2020-21 team NIZHNY NOVGOROD KHL GP54 G20 A38 PTS58 PIM26 +6

They're still pretty bad at defending and haven't won a lot in regulation.

That being said at least they are entertaining enough to not completely lose your mind watching them.
- fattybeef

Yes, certainly room for improvement, especially on defense, transition, and possession (and I'm not sure what else there is besides those attributes).

But to say they haven't won a lot in regulation at this stage of the rebuild is a bit misleading:

They've won 4 games in regulation, and gotten ties in eight more - that's 12 out of 17 games (and 12 out of the last 14) where they've played the opposition at least even.

Goalie play has been terrific, and the defense has been helpful, after a fashion (limiting team to one shot, doing a decent job of keeping teams to the perimeter in the dzone....)

Anybody else on board for giving Hagel some shifts with Kane, not necessarily long term, just to get him going offensively, get him that first goal. I think that he can pot 12-15 annually, just needs that first one.
- Angotti

Or just give him / his line more TOI and maybe some PP time.

Yes, certainly room for improvement, especially on defense, transition, and possession (and I'm not sure what else there is besides those attributes).

But to say they haven't won a lot in regulation at this stage of the rebuild is a bit misleading:

They've won 4 games in regulation, and gotten ties in eight more - that's 12 out of 17 games (and 12 out of the last 14) where they've played the opposition at least even.

Goalie play has been terrific, and the defense has been helpful, after a fashion (limiting team to one shot, doing a decent job of keeping teams to the perimeter in the dzone....)
- StLBravesFan

I agree with you and FattyB. The difference between winning and losing is both razor thin and a mile wide. It is razor thin in that one good play can get you tied after regulation and one bad play can sink you. The Hawks are doing great to keep games close and get games to overtime. But winning games in regulation regularly against really good teams is a whole other thing. The Hawks may have the goaltending, but they need more top end offensive talent (Toews? Dach? more?) and they need the young dmen to continue to improve and overall D to improve quite a bit.

YES ! absolutely Somebody with Strome's size, should be able to at least "nudge" for positioning in front of the other players. Guys smaller than Strome, on Hawks, watch them ...... they try like hell to at least come from the side and get in front of the opposition. Key is, you have to WANT IT ... to do it !!

According to SE expert Nikolai Lemtyugov, the third KHL scorer, Torpedo forward Damir Zhafyarov received offers from Chicago and Detroit.

“There is information that Zhafyarov is determined to go to North America. He has offers from "Chicago" and "Detroit" - said Lemtyugov on the air on the YouTube channel "SE".

Zhafyarov's contract with the Nizhny Novgorod club ends on April 30 this year. In 54 matches of the KHL regular championship, he scored 58 (20 goals, 38 assists) with a +6 usefulness rating.

In the NHL, the 26-year-old has not been drafted by any club.

2020-21 team NIZHNY NOVGOROD KHL GP54 G20 A38 PTS58 PIM26 +6
- -Doh-

Listed as 5'9" / 170lbs or 175cm / 77kg for you metric fans on the board.

Or just give him / his line more TOI and maybe some PP time.
- -Doh-

Agree ! Hagel could thrive on the power play. How many times have we heard Eddie "O" talk about puck retrieval ... hell Hagel is all about puck retrieval !!!

Listed as 5'9" / 170lbs or 175cm / 77kg for you metric fans on the board.
- Rota's Rooter

Put him opposite of ADB!

I see this board has the "Sikura Syndrome". Just give Hagel more ice time/play with Kane, and he will get off the schneid. Maybe if he would not try and go 5 hole on every breakaway and shoot it directly into the goalie's crest, he might have 3 or 4 by now. it isn't because of lack of chances, it is lack of finish.

He is not a top 6 forward. I sure hope JC doesn't plug him in a such.

I am like everyone else on the board, i like the guys grit and hustle, but lets not make him out to be what he is not.