Theo Fox: Top Prospects: Forwards A look at the Blackhawks top forward prospects now that TDL and offseason moves have occurred plus the 2021 draft has come and gone.

Plus, a brief review of what's on tap for prospect showcases later this summer.

I’m not a Hawks fan, but that’s a pretty quality write up.

Nice job

I’m not a Hawks fan, but that’s a pretty quality write up.

Nice job
- Hesh_

Theo has been fantastic. Best writer on the site!

Theo, I love the list. To me Borgstrom is the KEY with these new guys. Centre in so important, and we are unsure of what Toews can bring. Borgstrom could really help solidify the middle if he could hold down the 2C spot. It might be asking a lot, but it would certainly make it easier to slot all the others.

I could also see Entwhistle starting in the AHL, but by mid-season holding a bottom 6 role. I like his game.

A pretty good young group. No superstar in the making, but 4-5 who could surely help our 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines over the next year or two...

Thank you, Theo.
Your write ups and analysis really have me chomping at the bit for some Blackhawk hockey!

Theo has been fantastic. Best writer on the site!

Theo, I love the list. To me Borgstrom is the KEY with these new guys. Centre in so important, and we are unsure of what Toews can bring. Borgstrom could really help solidify the middle if he could hold down the 2C spot. It might be asking a lot, but it would certainly make it easier to slot all the others.

I could also see Entwhistle starting in the AHL, but by mid-season holding a bottom 6 role. I like his game.

A pretty good young group. No superstar in the making, but 4-5 who could surely help our 2nd, 3rd and 4th lines over the next year or two...
- hawk35

To me Toews is the key to this season on offense. If Borgstrom proves he's ready for the NHL and a legit top 6 center that bodes well for the Hawks down the middle this year and the beyond.

To me Toews is the key to this season on offense. If Borgstrom proves he's ready for the NHL and a legit top 6 center that bodes well for the Hawks down the middle this year and the beyond.
- HawkintheD

Borgstrom will be an interesting storyline during training camp. Will he emerge to be a top-6 or middle-6 forward as the Hawks envision or will he be the type of forward that Florida deemed expendable?

We have drafted some dmen in the first round as well as a couple forwards

The defense: blueline appears to be shaped for this season. I expect a larger role for Kalynuk perhaps sooner than later. There may be an issue with quality depth if Murphy is traded. I like some of the dmen prospects still collegiate better than Beaudin despite Beaudin's first round status. There may be one or two dmen from Rockford who can move up eventually, but the greatest help would be Mitchell. It may be a lot of forwards and dmen are ready after one more season experience. I rate Galvas a darkhorse.

The whole thing about the.forwrds is that we need top two line power forwards, one or two. There are plenty of bottom line candidates.

With no first round selection next year, Bowman would be smart not to trade another first round pick..Teams that win in playoffs have a competent good mix on defense pairs, ....

Bowman hear this: we need top.line forwards who can cycle the puck Larger size willing cycle forwards have been winning or taking the ice fir theirvteam in playoffs. Until we can match this in our too lines, we aren't going anywhere. Just teasing ourselves, spinning I no our wheels. Getting better but better only matters if you can get into playoffs and compete equally well as your opponent


It is nice.to just have skill guys like Reichel and Borgstrom; they have a nice mix in skill and some grit.

But again,, we really need skill added in top six forwards. Not necessarily big point producers but skilled and willingness to play cycle game.

Looks bleak

Looks bleak
- LFS

Why?

This is exactly how I want Stan to handle most, if not all contracts going forward, from the Preds blogger:

Juuse Saros and the Preds have avoided arbitration scheduled for this Wednesday, August 18, and have agreed to a 4-year, $20 million extension. This results in an AAV of $5 million. Considering the craziness of this market, it isn't too bad.

It puts faith in Saros that he gets paid for what he's done, yet still places a lot of his future in his own hands. I was fearful of rewarding him too soon and getting locked into something that puts all the risk on the Preds into the future. That's why I was willing to go to arbitration or agree to a 3-year deal. The extra year here isn't surprising, and I think Poile did nicely here.

It should be noted that Entwistle, Barratt and Alternatebartender moved up in the rankings by default since Hagel and Kurashev are on the big club and Suter and Soderlund are no longer around.

Hawks still need some top 6 top six forwards even though I hope for the best with Reichel and Borgstrom. I can see Stan doing a Joki/Nylander type trade within the next year to try to obtain one.

Borgstrom will be an interesting storyline during training camp. Will he emerge to be a top-6 or middle-6 forward as the Hawks envision or will he be the type of forward that Florida deemed expendable?
- DarthKane

Until he shows something he's Marko Dano and John Queneville. At least Queneville was good enough to get claimed by the Kraken.

Until he shows something he's Marko Dano and John Queneville. At least Queneville was good enough to get claimed by the Kraken.
- rpeters01

I don’t disagree, but I’m looking forward to see what Borgstrom and Gaudette bring to the table. There’s no doubt that the Hawks have a lot of ifs, but so do 25-28 other teams.

To me Toews is the key to this season on offense. If Borgstrom proves he's ready for the NHL and a legit top 6 center that bodes well for the Hawks down the middle this year and the beyond.
- HawkintheD

How can a third line centerman possibly be a key?

Borgstrom will be an interesting storyline during training camp. Will he emerge to be a top-6 or middle-6 forward as the Hawks envision or will he be the type of forward that Florida deemed expendable?
- DarthKane

C’mon Darth, Stan acquired him, do you really think Borgstrom make the team let alone be in the top six?

Nylander is in the fold

1 year deal

It should be noted that Entwistle, Barratt and Alternatebartender moved up in the rankings by default since Hagel and Kurashev are on the big club and Suter and Soderlund are no longer around.

Hawks still need some top 6 top six forwards even though I hope for the best with Reichel and Borgstrom. I can see Stan doing a Joki/Nylander type trade within the next year to try to obtain one.
- boilermaker100

Hopefully Willie Nylander. Wonder why Nylander hasn't signed it's not like they're negotiating?

Probably my favorite write up yet Theo kudos!

Can’t help but think 2-3 guys in the bottom 6 will be flipped at the TDL and the young guys will come up and replace if not improve the bottom 6 energy/grit. Let’s gooo!

Nylander is in the fold

1 year deal
- BetweenTheDots

deal worth $874,125

I'm not a fan, but at that price and on a prove it deal, meh

To me Toews is the key to this season on offense. If Borgstrom proves he's ready for the NHL and a legit top 6 center that bodes well for the Hawks down the middle this year and the beyond.
- HawkintheD

Would be great if Borgy pushed Dach to wing imo but lots of dominoes would need to fall perfectly before that happens

Nylander is in the fold

1 year deal
- BetweenTheDots

Bowman: "There is still plenty of room for growth in his game. He is just scratching the surface of the type of player we feel he is capable of becoming. This will be an important season for him to perform consistently and contribute offensively."

Blackhawks re-sign Alex Nylander to a 1-year contract at $874,125.

He was the last guy left to re-sign, so that work is now done.

deal worth $874,125

I'm not a fan, but at that price and on a prove it deal, meh
- pdx2ord

Darth will be pissed

deal worth $874,125

I'm not a fan, but at that price and on a prove it deal, meh
- pdx2ord

I'm neutral, i like all the competition for roster spots.

Bowman: "There is still plenty of room for growth in his game. He is just scratching the surface of the type of player we feel he is capable of becoming. This will be an important season for him to perform consistently and contribute offensively."

Blackhawks re-sign Alex Nylander to a 1-year contract at $874,125.

He was the last guy left to re-sign, so that work is now done.
- Chunk

And now back to your regularly scheduled program: Trading Strome, Delia or Subban, and de Haan

Would be great if Borgy pushed Dach to wing imo but lots of dominoes would need to fall perfectly before that happens
- Assman22

For me it would be great if Toews comes back and plays somewhat at his level, Borgstrom and Dach essentially are competing to be the 2nd line center bouncing back and forth from line 2 and 3.