Theo Fox: Ill Equipped
Thoughts on the Blackhawks taxi squad as COVID keeps leaving its mark including cancelation of tomorrow's Blue Jackets game.

Plus, updates on the IceHogs as well as the WJC including highlights and random musing on Team USA head coach Nate Leaman.

Thank you, Theo.
I hope everyone with COVID beats it.

The next trio of dman prospects is quite intriguing. Perhaps they will be closer to playing and understanding how to play in the NHL. I know some of the adjustment to pros - especially NHL - the player has to figure it out. However the adjustment comes also from coaching and, as we have seen with Mitchell and Beaudin (and Kalynuk too when he is back to stay), comes from applying what techniques and strategy given by the various coaches.

We all thought that Mitchell was practicky a slam dunk, maybe a bit of seasoning in the AHL Mitchell has shown real progress this year. It does appear obvious that he should get this stretch pass idea out of mind, because you cannot be looking to do it all the time

Anyway, I am intrigued by the skill and progress seen in Kaiser, Vlasic, and Crevier. I do expect that there is room to think they could transition sooner if not for the issue of strength. Each has a different body

Kaiser is more the lean quick thin type whom probably needs sone weight training work in summertime - like perhaps two summers worth

Vlasic is a big size guy whom has been sort of growing into his body. He could be more assertive. He has been said to need one year AHL.

Crevier is the more intriguing. At 6-7" and a string bean he surely needs some weight and strength. But he has surprised at how good he is. Contributes in each phase of the game. Calm composed but that body frame.....I don't know....he needs AHL time too.

These three are not necessarily going to push a Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk out of a job. Not immediately like next October. The current prospects are showing progress. Eventually some make it and sone you cut bait. It is going to be very interesting when the newest three plus Galvas press for a look see

Rogula and Phillips aren't close and need to become not only consistent, but assertive because they have size and or strength but are not naturally aggressive. Check on them after three years AHL.

Today @ 8:38 AM ET
The next trio of dman prospects is quite intriguing. Perhaps they will be closer to playing and understanding how to play in the NHL. I know some of the adjustment to pros - especially NHL - the player has to figure it out. However the adjustment comes also from coaching and, as we have seen with Mitchell and Beaudin (and Kalynuk too when he is back to stay), comes from applying what techniques and strategy given by the various coaches.

We all thought that Mitchell was practicky a slam dunk, maybe a bit of seasoning in the AHL Mitchell has shown real progress this year. It does appear obvious that he should get this stretch pass idea out of mind, because you cannot be looking to do it all the time

Anyway, I am intrigued by the skill and progress seen in Kaiser, Vlasic, and Crevier. I do expect that there is room to think they could transition sooner if not for the issue of strength. Each has a different body

Kaiser is more the lean quick thin type whom probably needs sone weight training work in summertime - like perhaps two summers worth

Vlasic is a big size guy whom has been sort of growing into his body. He could be more assertive. He has been said to need one year AHL.

Crevier is the more intriguing. At 6-7" and a string bean he surely needs some weight and strength. But he has surprised at how good he is. Contributes in each phase of the game. Calm composed but that body frame.....I don't know....he needs AHL time too.

These three are not necessarily going to push a Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk out of a job. Not immediately like next October. The current prospects are showing progress. Eventually some make it and sone you cut bait. It is going to be very interesting when the newest three plus Galvas press for a look see

Rogula and Phillips aren't close and need to become not only consistent, but assertive because they have size and or strength but are not naturally aggressive. Check on them after three years AHL.

JHawk59.

You can throw a blanket over Mtichell Beaudin, Kalnyuk, C. Jones. They are all basically the same type of defenseman. Assuming next year Gus does not get resigned, deHaan gone (lets for the sake of argument say Stillman replaces deHaan), you also have S.Jones, McCabe and Murphy (assuming he is not traded, which means the Hawks would need 2 more top 4 defenseman next year) and C.Jones returning. That means 5 defenseman returning leaving a 6th and a seventh. Assuming Murphy is still here that means Mitchell probably has a leg up (because he would be the third right handed shot defenseman) on Kalnyuk, Beaudin, Galvas fighting for a spot on the roster as an extra.

If the combo of King/Crawford return, they seem to be more old school, and are less impressed with tiny defenseman that can look good skating the puck up when not under pressure, than a stay at home type old school defenseman. I personally see Beaudin, Kalnyuk as additions to a trade, or else another trip to the A next year.

They're far enough in our review mirror to fully realize and appreciate now just how rare and special and important to contenting it was to have all of Keith, Seabrook, Hammer and Oduya all playing big minutes in their prime for the Blackhawks.

Now, the Blackhawks are looking like a team with 6 defensemen capable of playing 20 minutes each, with Seth Jones as a big minute muncher. Murphy, McCabe, Stilman and I think Caleb Jones can all handle 20 minutes a night. To my eyes, Gus has been good in this stint with the team. de Haan has also shown he can handle 20 minutes a night, but he tried to play through some injuries while here which caused his effectiveness to trail off.
As noted in earlier comments, the AHL defensemen should rotate in and create opportunity for quality trade prospects either for themselves or big club defensemen not named Seth Jones.

Today @ 8:38 AM ET
The next trio of dman prospects is quite intriguing. Perhaps they will be closer to playing and understanding how to play in the NHL. I know some of the adjustment to pros - especially NHL - the player has to figure it out. However the adjustment comes also from coaching and, as we have seen with Mitchell and Beaudin (and Kalynuk too when he is back to stay), comes from applying what techniques and strategy given by the various coaches.

We all thought that Mitchell was practicky a slam dunk, maybe a bit of seasoning in the AHL Mitchell has shown real progress this year. It does appear obvious that he should get this stretch pass idea out of mind, because you cannot be looking to do it all the time

Anyway, I am intrigued by the skill and progress seen in Kaiser, Vlasic, and Crevier. I do expect that there is room to think they could transition sooner if not for the issue of strength. Each has a different body

Kaiser is more the lean quick thin type whom probably needs sone weight training work in summertime - like perhaps two summers worth

Vlasic is a big size guy whom has been sort of growing into his body. He could be more assertive. He has been said to need one year AHL.

Crevier is the more intriguing. At 6-7" and a string bean he surely needs some weight and strength. But he has surprised at how good he is. Contributes in each phase of the game. Calm composed but that body frame.....I don't know....he needs AHL time too.

These three are not necessarily going to push a Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk out of a job. Not immediately like next October. The current prospects are showing progress. Eventually some make it and sone you cut bait. It is going to be very interesting when the newest three plus Galvas press for a look see

Rogula and Phillips aren't close and need to become not only consistent, but assertive because they have size and or strength but are not naturally aggressive. Check on them after three years AHL.

JHawk59.

You can throw a blanket over Mtichell Beaudin, Kalnyuk, C. Jones. They are all basically the same type of defenseman. Assuming next year Gus does not get resigned, deHaan gone (lets for the sake of argument say Stillman replaces deHaan), you also have S.Jones, McCabe and Murphy (assuming he is not traded, which means the Hawks would need 2 more top 4 defenseman next year) and C.Jones returning. That means 5 defenseman returning leaving a 6th and a seventh. Assuming Murphy is still here that means Mitchell probably has a leg up (because he would be the third right handed shot defenseman) on Kalnyuk, Beaudin, Galvas fighting for a spot on the roster as an extra.

If the combo of King/Crawford return, they seem to be more old school, and are less impressed with tiny defenseman that can look good skating the puck up when not under pressure, than a stay at home type old school defenseman. I personally see Beaudin, Kalnyuk as additions to a trade, or else another trip to the A next year.
- LAHawk

DeHaan is gone at the TDL or after the year.
Resigning C. Jones is pretty certain. Kalynuk too.
Personally unless I was overwhelmed with an offer I would not trade any of the other defenders (including Murphy or the young guys). Then let them compete for an NHL roster spot. Additional time in the AHL, juniors or college would not be a bad thing for any of them.
Gus is an interesting case. Would he have value at the TDL? You would think not, but…. Could they resign him on the cheap? That would be very unpopular on this board. But I think he is playing better under Crawford (and King). He could be a 7th dman or be sent to Rockford next year.

I could see this GM and coaching staff return next year. The Hawks are playing better and with the marginal talent that they have it might be all that can be expected. But I could also see a total front office and coaching staff changeover.

DeHaan is gone at the TDL or after the year.
Resigning C. Jones is pretty certain. Kalynuk too.
Personally unless I was overwhelmed with an offer I would not trade any of the other defenders (including Murphy or the young guys). Then let them compete for an NHL roster spot. Additional time in the AHL, juniors or college would not be a bad thing for any of them.
Gus is an interesting case. Would he have value at the TDL? You would think not, but…. Could they resign him on the cheap? That would be very unpopular on this board. But I think he is playing better under Crawford (and King). He could be a 7th dman or be sent to Rockford next year.

I could see this GM and coaching staff return next year. The Hawks are playing better and with the marginal talent that they have it might be all that can be expected. But I could also see a total front office and coaching staff changeover.
- Ztra

With this COVID stoppage, and the Olympic break coming up (however they try and get games in), with the stops and starts, and players in and out of COVID, how can King, let alone Davidson be fairly evaluated? Appears the Wirtz's are going to take their time naming a head of hockey ops. Lots of uncertainty on who is going to be steering the ship, what direction the team is going to go (rebuild, retool, resame ole same ole) let alone who is going to be traded/resigned

Very encouraging to have what appears to be a consensus solid goalie prospect in the pipeline. Hope he continues his upward trajectory and doesn't burn bright then flame out like so many before him.

Speaking of goalies

@ByScottPowers
Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen are the goalies on the ice prior to the Blackhawks practice.

Hope that doesn't mean Fleury (and his family by extension) have been hit with COVID.

ETA: Spoke too soon. Fleury indeed in protocol

UGH

This doesn't bode well for our taxi squad options...still waiting to see who else from Hawks is in protocol. I'm assuming it was our depleted squad behind the postponement of tomorrow's game since CBJ didn't add anyone to protocol before the decision was made.

@GregBoysen
Tonight's game between the IceHogs and Iowa Wild has been postponed due to the AHL's COVID protocol affecting Rockford. No make-date has been announced. #Blackhawks

Very encouraging to have what appears to be a consensus solid goalie prospect in the pipeline. Hope he continues his upward trajectory and doesn't burn bright then flame out like so many before him.

Speaking of goalies

@ByScottPowers
Collin Delia and Kevin Lankinen are the goalies on the ice prior to the Blackhawks practice.

Hope that doesn't mean Fleury (and his family by extension) have been hit with COVID.

ETA: Spoke too soon. Fleury indeed in protocol
- pdx2ord

Yes, Fleury is in COVID protocol now while de Haan exits it.

Delia recalled from Rockford.

Connolly is the first Hawk to get placed on the taxi squad.

Here's the outbreak roster for the Hogs. Thankfully, sounds like Hawks may not need them tomorrow, and I hope they all recover ASAP with no lingering symptoms.

@BenPopeCST

The Rockford IceHogs have a big COVID outbreak.

Mike Hardman, Ian Mitchell and Nicolas Beaudin are out, along with Garrett Mitchell, Dmitri Osipov, Carson Gicewicz, D.J. Busdeker and interim coach Anders Sorenson.

The next trio of dman prospects is quite intriguing. Perhaps they will be closer to playing and understanding how to play in the NHL. I know some of the adjustment to pros - especially NHL - the player has to figure it out. However the adjustment comes also from coaching and, as we have seen with Mitchell and Beaudin (and Kalynuk too when he is back to stay), comes from applying what techniques and strategy given by the various coaches.

We all thought that Mitchell was practicky a slam dunk, maybe a bit of seasoning in the AHL Mitchell has shown real progress this year. It does appear obvious that he should get this stretch pass idea out of mind, because you cannot be looking to do it all the time

Anyway, I am intrigued by the skill and progress seen in Kaiser, Vlasic, and Crevier. I do expect that there is room to think they could transition sooner if not for the issue of strength. Each has a different body

Kaiser is more the lean quick thin type whom probably needs sone weight training work in summertime - like perhaps two summers worth

Vlasic is a big size guy whom has been sort of growing into his body. He could be more assertive. He has been said to need one year AHL.

Crevier is the more intriguing. At 6-7" and a string bean he surely needs some weight and strength. But he has surprised at how good he is. Contributes in each phase of the game. Calm composed but that body frame.....I don't know....he needs AHL time too.

These three are not necessarily going to push a Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk out of a job. Not immediately like next October. The current prospects are showing progress. Eventually some make it and sone you cut bait. It is going to be very interesting when the newest three plus Galvas press for a look see

Rogula and Phillips aren't close and need to become not only consistent, but assertive because they have size and or strength but are not naturally aggressive. Check on them after three years AHL.
- jhawk59

Next season, Mitchell is the only one of the prospects who is closest to being a slam dunk to make the Hawks roster.

Kalynuk needs more marination than originally expected, maybe not necessarily a full season.

Beaudin needs another full season, though, compared to Kalynuk.

Galvas is perhaps a dark horse to nab the 7th spot assuming de Haan and Gustafsson are gone before or during this offseason and no UFA D-man is picked up.

C Jones - S Jones
McCabe - Murphy
Stillman - Mitchell
Galvas

The next trio of dman prospects is quite intriguing. Perhaps they will be closer to playing and understanding how to play in the NHL. I know some of the adjustment to pros - especially NHL - the player has to figure it out. However the adjustment comes also from coaching and, as we have seen with Mitchell and Beaudin (and Kalynuk too when he is back to stay), comes from applying what techniques and strategy given by the various coaches.

We all thought that Mitchell was practicky a slam dunk, maybe a bit of seasoning in the AHL Mitchell has shown real progress this year. It does appear obvious that he should get this stretch pass idea out of mind, because you cannot be looking to do it all the time

Anyway, I am intrigued by the skill and progress seen in Kaiser, Vlasic, and Crevier. I do expect that there is room to think they could transition sooner if not for the issue of strength. Each has a different body

Kaiser is more the lean quick thin type whom probably needs sone weight training work in summertime - like perhaps two summers worth

Vlasic is a big size guy whom has been sort of growing into his body. He could be more assertive. He has been said to need one year AHL.

Crevier is the more intriguing. At 6-7" and a string bean he surely needs some weight and strength. But he has surprised at how good he is. Contributes in each phase of the game. Calm composed but that body frame.....I don't know....he needs AHL time too.

These three are not necessarily going to push a Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk out of a job. Not immediately like next October. The current prospects are showing progress. Eventually some make it and sone you cut bait. It is going to be very interesting when the newest three plus Galvas press for a look see

Rogula and Phillips aren't close and need to become not only consistent, but assertive because they have size and or strength but are not naturally aggressive. Check on them after three years AHL.
- jhawk59

As for the Hogs blueline next season, several D prospects are likely to sign ELCs and go pro while some are enticing to sign but really should stay in college or juniors for another year.

The Hogs blueline will be crowded if the bolded go pro next season:

Galvas - Mitchell
Kalynuk - Regula
Beaudin - Allan
Phillips - Crevier
Vlasic - Kaiser
Del Mastro - Krutil

Mitchell and perhaps someone like Galvas make the Hawks roster.

Keep in mind Allan and Crevier already have inked ELCs.

Of that bunch, Vlasic and Kaiser should ideally play one more NCAA season but could see Vlasic out of those two making the jump this summer.

Same with Del Mastro.

Demin runs out of NCAA eligiblity as he's a senior but my gut thinks the Hawks just let his draft rights lapse.

talk about a rule that is unevenly applied in the NHL

@Aportzline
Told Tuesday’s #CBJ vs. #Blackhawks was postponed due to issues regarding “integrity of competition.”

With COVID affecting #CBJ and
@monstershockey
rosters, icing a legitimate lineup may have been impossible.

Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers
·
12m
Blackhawks lines in practice
DeBrincat-Borgstrom-Kane
Hagel-Toews-Strome
Kubalik-Dach-Kurashev
Carpenter-Entwistle-Khaira

Its Happening! I know it's trivial as the lines change all the time, but I've really wanted to see how this line would play for a while.

Wednesday v WPG now also postponed

Wednesday v WPG now also postponed
- pdx2ord

They should have gone the NBA route.

Scott Powers
@ByScottPowers
·
12m
Blackhawks lines in practice
DeBrincat-Borgstrom-Kane
Hagel-Toews-Strome
Kubalik-Dach-Kurashev
Carpenter-Entwistle-Khaira

Its Happening! I know it's trivial as the lines change all the time, but I've really wanted to see how this line would play for a while.
- Chunk

Sub Slavin for Carpenter and that’s as good as this roster will allow. Not necessarily a playoff lineup, but would be just about in every game.

They should have gone the NBA route.
- Chunk

What exactly is the NBA route? I don’t follow pro basketball.

What exactly is the NBA route? I don’t follow pro basketball.
- Angotti

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but the NBA does not do scheduled testing they only test when a player/employee is symptomatic.

Sub Slavin for Carpenter and that’s as good as this roster will allow. Not necessarily a playoff lineup, but would be just about in every game.
- Angotti

Maybe true. When Tyler Johnson is ready to return that should add something too.

They should have gone the NBA route.
- Chunk

The NBA isn't doing much better. The taxi squads is the NHL's answer to the NBA forces teams to sign players out of the D league to 10 day contracts. A lot of NBA teams have 5-7 players in protocol. Bulls had ten. 6 or so came back and 5 went in.

Maybe true. When Tyler Johnson is ready to return that should add something too.
- Ztra

Johnson won't return until next season, if at all considering the surgery he had.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but the NBA does not do scheduled testing they only test when a player/employee is symptomatic.
- Mr Ricochet

I was more talking about not pausing the season. They allow short term hardship signings (10-day I believe), to fill in for players out due to covid, and seem to only postpone games when absolutely necessary (like when multiple players test positive on gameday and they don't have time to sign new players).

I could be wrong on some of this, but I think it's the only way to actually get through a season right now.

The NBA isn't doing much better. The taxi squads is the NHL's answer to the NBA forces teams to sign players out of the D league to 10 day contracts. A lot of NBA teams have 5-7 players in protocol. Bulls had ten. 6 or so came back and 5 went in.
- Elbows15

Right. I was alluding to the way they are handling pushing through with as many games as possible rather than pause the season.