Theo Fox: Training Camp: Day 11 A summary of Day 11 of Blackhawks training camp including thoughts on Wyatt Kalynuk's injury and Brett Connolly on waivers.

Plus, a look at how the starting lineup is beginning to come into focus more sharply and who should ideally earn spots.

I said yesterday that on day 1, K. DACH, Kurashev and Kalynuk would be in Rockford, but will be back in the NHL in time for the first game. This would allow the Hawks to only lose one of Strome, Nylander, Carpenter or Subban to waivers, while protecting Gaudette and Borgstrom. Obviously, with the injury, Kalynuk may not be back for the first game, but that lineup allows for the Hawks to have some additional time to try and find a trade partner for Nylander and Strome.

I said yesterday that on day 1, K. DACH, Kurashev and Kalynuk would be in Rockford, but will be back in the NHL in time for the first game. This would allow the Hawks to only lose one of Strome, Nylander, Carpenter or Subban to waivers, while protecting Gaudette and Borgstrom. Obviously, with the injury, Kalynuk may not be back for the first game, but that lineup allows for the Hawks to have some additional time to try and find a trade partner for Nylander and Strome.
- tvetter

Seems to me if Stan could find a partner for Strome or Nylander, they'd be gone already.

I'm afraid he's going to need to go the route of Connolly to rid himself of them.

That being said, I wouldn't mind either playing in the A. They are both still fairly young, and have talent, just don't seem to be aggressive enough. Seems like it would be better to try and find that in the A then taking minutes on the big club.

My biggest gripe about the rebuild is that the young guys you drafted or traded for, have never gone through the proper "over developing".

Guys should have been drafted, been captains on the college or OHL, WHL teams, gone to Rockford, played at least two years top minutes in the A. (the second year starring and showing they belong in the NHL)

Its how you go from a cup champion to making the transition/rebuild, back to a contender in a shorter period of time.

I said yesterday that on day 1, K. DACH, Kurashev and Kalynuk would be in Rockford, but will be back in the NHL in time for the first game. This would allow the Hawks to only lose one of Strome, Nylander, Carpenter or Subban to waivers, while protecting Gaudette and Borgstrom. Obviously, with the injury, Kalynuk may not be back for the first game, but that lineup allows for the Hawks to have some additional time to try and find a trade partner for Nylander and Strome.
- tvetter

I get what you're saying but I don't see them sending K Dach down even if it is to juggle contracts.

Carpenter would have to clear waivers but if he's claimed, no big deal and his contract can be buried in RFD without consequence. Maybe the OTT injury creates a trade scenario for Strome.

If Nylander can be kept and he figures it out great. Others seem to be moving ahead of him (Kurashev, Gaudette, Borg, Reichel) so it's a good problem to have IMO.

Seems to me if Stan could find a partner for Strome or Nylander, they'd be gone already.

I'm afraid he's going to need to go the route of Connolly to rid himself of them.

That being said, I wouldn't mind either playing in the A. They are both still fairly young, and have talent, just don't seem to be aggressive enough. Seems like it would be better to try and find that in the A then taking minutes on the big club.

My biggest gripe about the rebuild is that the young guys you drafted or traded for, have never gone through the proper "over developing".

Guys should have been drafted, been captains on the college or OHL, WHL teams, gone to Rockford, played at least two years top minutes in the A. (the second year starring and showing they belong in the NHL)

Its how you go from a cup champion to making the transition/rebuild, back to a contender in a shorter period of time.
- vabeachbear

Unfortunately, the hard salary cap dictates this.

Successful teams wind up having to move out moderately paid depth - with cap hits in the $3 million to $5 million - and replacing them with minimum-salary vets (who generally aren’t very good) or young players on ELCs (who, as you say, should be developing in the AHL.

It takes a good cap-manipulating GM (and some stars willing to take discounts) to overcome this (the Blackhawks seemingly has not had either) - otherwise, the cap accomplishes one of its goals (parity).

The conventional baseball wisdom used to say that plat players should have 1,500 plate appearances in the minors before being brought up. There probably would be an equivalent hockey measure.

Good morning Theo, thanks for the update. Guys, not sure Nylander makes it through waivers, with his potential, age, and cap hit, he will get plucked instantly.

Connolly being waiver sets up an Eichel trade perfectly.

via GIPHY

Seems to me if Stan could find a partner for Strome or Nylander, they'd be gone already.

I'm afraid he's going to need to go the route of Connolly to rid himself of them.

That being said, I wouldn't mind either playing in the A. They are both still fairly young, and have talent, just don't seem to be aggressive enough. Seems like it would be better to try and find that in the A then taking minutes on the big club.

My biggest gripe about the rebuild is that the young guys you drafted or traded for, have never gone through the proper "over developing".

Guys should have been drafted, been captains on the college or OHL, WHL teams, gone to Rockford, played at least two years top minutes in the A. (the second year starring and showing they belong in the NHL)

Its how you go from a cup champion to making the transition/rebuild, back to a contender in a shorter period of time.
- vabeachbear

I don't disagree but it ain't easy. You have 31 other NHL teams looking for the same type of players and there simply is a finite amount of them.

connely is not going to report he has 7 mil reasons over 2 years. that was his first and last big contract. the problem with him is burying he hits the books at 2.2 if you retain half he is at 1.75 or so. IE very little savings to retain compared to bury. my guess he is in Rockford for the next 2 years.

Good morning Theo, thanks for the update. Guys, not sure Nylander makes it through waivers, with his potential, age, and cap hit, he will get plucked instantly.
- Angotti

Aside from wasting an asset (1st round pick > Jokiharju > Nylander) would that be such a bad thing? Nylander hasn’t earned a roster spot and Stan doesn’t create his best roster with #92 on the team. The Hawks have shown they want to win now, I don’t think Nylander is on the team for day 1. That being said, I think Nylander will be traded for a 2nd or 3rd (but most likely 7th) round pick.

Aside from wasting an asset (1st round pick > Jokiharju > Nylander) would that be such a bad thing? Nylander hasn’t earned a roster spot and Stan doesn’t create his best roster with #92 on the team. The Hawks have shown they want to win now, I don’t think Nylander is on the team for day 1. That being said, I think Nylander will be traded for a 2nd or 3rd (but most likely 7th) round pick.
- DarthKane

With Stan retaining all of Nylander's salary?

on the other board somebody posted strome and nylander avaliable. I think they both have value it sounds like 4-5 teams need centers (strome being higher). OTT, BUF, MONT, a few others mentioned. I think strome gets moved and we keep nylander as the 13-14 forward. I think some teams may want to wait and see what happens with waivers before they trade. with the 7 D set, Maybe we can keep 14 forwards for a little bit to see how things shake out. could also keep a Subban as the 3rd goalie.

Aside from wasting an asset (1st round pick > Jokiharju > Nylander) would that be such a bad thing? Nylander hasn’t earned a roster spot and Stan doesn’t create his best roster with #92 on the team. The Hawks have shown they want to win now, I don’t think Nylander is on the team for day 1. That being said, I think Nylander will be traded for a 2nd or 3rd (but most likely 7th) round pick.
- DarthKane

If Stan’s ask for Nylander and Strome is reasonable, they will get moved before next week. Reasonable to me is a 3rd, maybe he gets a 2nd, we’ll see.

Thank you, Theo.
If Connolly clears waivers, I can see the club then putting Strome on waivers. If Strome clears waivers, I can see the club then putting Nylander on waivers.
Very tough decision though on all three.
My best guess is Nylander, because of salary, may be the one to get claimed.

I don't disagree but it ain't easy. You have 31 other NHL teams looking for the same type of players and there simply is a finite amount of them.
- Rota's Rooter

Yep. Detroit is a model franchise for keeping the kids on the farm until they are ripe. Lots of success in the A. But not much in the Show. Sometimes guys are marinating a long time because they are low grade grub.

on the other board somebody posted strome and nylander avaliable. I think they both have value it sounds like 4-5 teams need centers (strome being higher). OTT, BUF, MONT, a few others mentioned. I think strome gets moved and we keep nylander as the 13-14 forward. I think some teams may want to wait and see what happens with waivers before they trade. with the 7 D set, Maybe we can keep 14 forwards for a little bit to see how things shake out. could also keep a Subban as the 3rd goalie.

kmw4631

Nobody keeps third goalies on their roster anymore because it has never worked/goalies hate it. Splitting practice between 3 goalies, they all complain they do not get enough practice reps.

Yep. Detroit is a model franchise for keeping the kids on the farm until they are ripe. Lots of success in the A. But not much in the Show. Sometimes guys are marinating a long time because they are low grade grub.
- mohel

Hard to tell if it was a product of picking middle of the pack til recently or maybe Ted Dent is coaching the Griffins.

People are high on some of their more recent 1st rounders (also high picks) now that the Messiah is picking them, but remains to be seen.

Hard to tell if it was a product of picking middle of the pack til recently or maybe Ted Dent is coaching the Griffins.

People are high on some of their more recent 1st rounders (also high picks) now that the Messiah is picking them, but remains to be seen.
- HawkintheD

Yes, picking in the middle of the pack definitely has impacted their prospect group, however now that they have been picking earlier in round one, I for one can see some high end talent. Raymond looked really good the other night, that kid has skills.

Good morning Theo, thanks for the update. Guys, not sure Nylander makes it through waivers, with his potential, age, and cap hit, he will get plucked instantly.
- Angotti

It does happen every once in a while when a team is worried about losing a goalie thru waivers such as us losing subban.

It does happen every once in a while when a team is worried about losing a goalie thru waivers such as us losing subban.
- kmw4631

I doubt they are worried about losing Subban to waivers, there are plenty of goalies just put on waivers that are better (Montabault, Hutchison). If they are that worried, send down Lankinen, he is waiver exempt.

Connolly's contract was the price for Stillman and Borgstrom. The front office had to know this was a likely scenario, seeing Connolly put on waivers and going unclaimed.

I don't know what they're waiting for with Strome. The Toews situation seems resolved, and I gathered he was the insurance policy (albeit a policy that pays out less than it should for a sidelined future Hall of Famer).

Given that Nylander missed last season, Darth's half-serious suggestion of a 7th in return might be closer to truth. If you think Nylander has a better chance of making it than the average 3rd rounder, if that's what other teams have offered, then keep him. This is a free lottery ticket. The reason to deal him or waive him, God forbid, is if there is someone being blocked in Rockford who absolutely has to be here now. Otherwise, I say figure out his upside for this year and beyond, then make plans one way or another.

If Stan’s ask for Nylander and Strome is reasonable, they will get moved before next week. Reasonable to me is a 3rd, maybe he gets a 2nd, we’ll see.
- Angotti

The only reason a team would move a 3rd or 2nd for either of these guys is if they think they couldn't get them via a waiver claim and really need one of them to fill a position they badlly need help at. (see Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, maybe Washington)

As badly as I want Strome gone though, he is still a center with size and some offensive skill. And he is depth in the Hawks organization right now in case one of Toews, Dach or Johnson go down early.

Losing Nylander would not be a loss. Someone could take him for free and that would be fine. Slow decision maker, awful away from the puck, worse on the boards - looks really good with the puck on his blade and no one within 3 meters but who wouldn't at this level. Certainly has individual skill but no sense of how to play the game.

The Strome situation is what it is. Obviously the coach isn't keen on using him and with inconsistent play and some injuries he certainly wouldn't get a 2nd or 3rd round pick.

They can either sit him in the box for in case Toews falls apart or move forward, eat the salary and let him pass through waivers. I'd think at his salary he'd go through. If he Richard slaps the AHL then maybe you give him a few games and then try to move for value then.

To start the year Strome would need to play with Kane and el gato if they want to get any value back and move him quickly.

Also, Johnson should be on a checking line with Hagel and someone else competent defensively and they should take all of the dungeon draws and have Toews bum slay for a while. Perhaps even move him to Dachs wing even if he takes the majority fot he draws (like Giroux).

But because the coach is a moron and thinks that everyone on the line up should be able to do everything all the same way no matter who is with who - they are going to get lit up like a Christmas tree against teams with a competent person behind the bench who will exploit match ups and the last draw.

Arizona wants nothing to do with Kessel. His caphit is $6.8mil. but only $1 mil. in actual dollars.

Trade Strome, Nylander, Connolly, and Subban to Arizona for one year of Kessell. Solves all the Hawks roster problems, for this year.