Tyler Cameron: Random Blackhawks Spotlight: Kyle Calder I really struggled as to what member of the A-B-C line to cover on the Random Blackhawks Spotlight and I have landed on Kyle Calder.

You knew I had to cover one of them.

Let's take a look Calder’s career in a snapshot.

Like you alluded to, he wasn't great at anything. The one thing I do remember is wondering why everyone on the team didn't compete as hard as he did. Always really strong on the puck.

He and Bell did have some good chemistry together. Too bad Bell got hooked on the sauce.

Like you alluded to, he wasn't great at anything.


He was great at coming out of the corner with the puck. Didn't seem to matter what the odds were, he was great at it. His nickname wound up being Grease cuz he was so slick in the corners.

Tyler, nice blog on Calder. Blue collar work ethic, rugged, fearless, and skilled. Solid leader, too, as he was captain for at least one season.

If Calder was on the Hawks and in his prime today, he would be a great complement as a 3rd line winger to DeBrincat and Strome.

Saad - Toews - Kubalik
Nylander - Dach - Kane
DeBrincat - Strome - Calder

Was awful in Philly; one of the biggest disappointments of what turned into the worst season in Flyers franchise history. Even then-radio broadcaster Brian Propp, who rarely criticized players on the air, got on Calder more than once.

Calder was dealing (poorly) with off-ice issues at the time. Whether that was affecting him on the ice, too, I don't know. But the Flyers moved him out in less than one season.

Was awful in Philly; one of the biggest disappointments of what turned into the worst season in Flyers franchise history. Even then-radio broadcaster Brian Propp, who rarely criticized players on the air, got on Calder more than once.

Calder was dealing (poorly) with off-ice issues at the time. Whether that was affecting him on the ice, too, I don't know. But the Flyers moved him out in less than one season.
- bmeltzer

I think the Kimmo trade makes them even. He was less than awful in Chicago. Don't blame him though. I blame whomever scouted him for his few practices and thought he could still play.

Yes. I am aware of all the medical issues surrounding Kimmo's health and lack of game conditioning.

Calder had a decent 4 year stretch and then he met the cliff.

Great write up, TC. I enjoy these flashbacks on players & the conversations they spark.

Side note, did Trubisky get traded to New England?

I think the Kimmo trade makes them even. He was less than awful in Chicago. Don't blame him though. I blame whomever scouted him for his few practices and thought he could still play.

Yes. I am aware of all the medical issues surrounding Kimmo's health and lack of game conditioning.
- Elbows15

Right on with this post

Like you alluded to, he wasn't great at anything.


He was great at coming out of the corner with the puck. Didn't seem to matter what the odds were, he was great at it. His nickname wound up being Grease cuz he was so slick in the corners.
- 6628

I'll take your word for it, but I don't remember it that way. I remember him going full bore into the corners and fighting like hell, but I also thought he lost as many as he won. Reminds me of Hinostroza like that a bit.

Great write up, TC. I enjoy these flashbacks on players & the conversations they spark.

Side note, did Trubisky get traded to New England?
- I Am The Breadman

Not that I've seen, but I'm probably not drinking as much as you right now. Source?

Not that I've seen, but I'm probably not drinking as much as you right now. Source?
- Chunk

I think it's fake. Was just looking for someone to confirm my suspicion. I can't find it, but for one spot. Schefter, I think is the source?

Great write up, TC. I enjoy these flashbacks on players & the conversations they spark.

Side note, did Trubisky get traded to New England?
- I Am The Breadman

Not unless Belichek suffered a stroke.

I think it's fake. Was just looking for someone to confirm my suspicion. I can't find it, but for one spot. Schefter, I think is the source?
- I Am The Breadman

This is a lot of "sort of" reading.
Calder: sort of good for a couple years
Trubinsky: arguably sort of half descent. Sort of figured it was fake news, though. How the heck could they trade his contract. It is worse than Seabrook's although only one season left on Trubinsky.

And as for the Blackhawks in the Calder years: no other way but to just admit they were brutal. No real prospects. Not even sort of. The team and it's farm system was a joke. Reminds me of really bad Cubs in the 1970's and parts of the '80's.
A good adjective describing ther top young talent and drafting/developing players: bereft

https://www.secondcityhoc...al-teply-winnipeg-ice-whl

Second City Hockey has a podcast interviewing Winnipeg Ice broadcaster Mitch Peacock who discusses LW prospect Teply. A few summarized notes of the 23+ minute interview:

Teply is a RH shot who loves coming down the left wing.

He is not only a volume shooter but also an accurate one who can fire from anywhere even with heavy defensive coverage.

Although he plays on the PP, he is just as good if not better 5v5 so he's not just benefiting from the man advantage.

At 6'2" he uses his long reach to his advantage which sounds similar to Dach.

Peacock thinks it is best for Teply to play with his age group in the WHL again next year given his calling card is goal scoring, not someone like Dach or say Lundell who can be a defensive asset while still waiting for the offensive flow to pick up.

Another reason for Teply to consider juniors for another year is so he can build endurance for long seasons dotted with extensive travel.

The main area for improvement is a common one for offensive junior players and that is play without the puck; while not horrible, he does have a growth curve to get through.

https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2020/5/11/21255070/chicago-blackhawks-nhl-podcasts-may-2020-scouting-developent-michal-teply-winnipeg-ice-whl

Second City Hockey has a podcast interviewing Winnipeg Ice broadcaster Mitch Peacock who discusses LW prospect Teply. A few summarized notes of the 23+ minute interview:

Teply is a RH shot who loves coming down the left wing.

He is not only a volume shooter but also an accurate one who can fire from anywhere even with heavy defensive coverage.

Although he plays on the PP, he is just as good if not better 5v5 so he's not just benefiting from the man advantage.

At 6'2" he uses his long reach to his advantage which sounds similar to Dach.

Peacock thinks it is best for Teply to play with his age group in the WHL again next year given his calling card is goal scoring, not someone like Dach or say Lundell who can be a defensive asset while still waiting for the offensive flow to pick up.

Another reason for Teply to consider juniors for another year is so he can build endurance for long seasons dotted with extensive travel.

The main area for improvement is a common one for offensive junior players and that is play without the puck; while not horrible, he does have a growth curve to get through.
- AEL_Fox

This is great. Thanks for sharing this, Theo.

Teply could be a real asset for the Hawks if he can adapt well to the pro game.

Looking forward to seeing him in Rockford in the fall ... or whenever the season begins.

Darth fed the Trubisky rumor to JJ.

As many of you have pointed out, Mike Smith deserves a lot of credit for the three cups. In this Athletic article, he tells his tale of his time with the Hawks:

https://theathletic.com/1...ource=user_shared_article

"Mike Smith is talking about xenophobia in the Blackhawks front office, about Bob Pulford’s relentless two-year quest to get him fired, about the organization actively sabotaging his chances at landing future jobs, about how his name has been all but erased from the history books when it comes to the modern Blackhawks resurgence.

But while there’s a clear bitterness to the words, it’s nowhere to be found in his tone. He says it all calmly, matter-of-factly, dispassionately. These are the facts as he sees them, that’s all."

Here’s a wild baseless accusation that has no evidence to support it, let me know what you guys think:

When Seabrook was signing his new deal, he was demanding that type of contract and likely would have received it on the open market.

The hockey guys all thought maybe it’s best to just move on from Seabs if those were his demands. The marketing guys lead by McDonough think they gotta keep seabs and pressure the team to meet the demands he was making.

Fast forward to coronavirus. The organizations have all already received notification that they are getting two compliance buyouts for the upcoming season among whatever else has to be done to get the teams under the cap.

At this point seabs is cooked, and the organization basically has no option but to buy him out for the good of the team. It’s the worst contract in the NHL. Rocky is rich, but that buyout will be $20m+, nobody likes to swallow sending $20m down the pooper. This leads to tension between Rocky and McD eventually leading to Rocky blowing a gasket and sending McD packing with no plans.

What does everyone think? Still curious why McD was fired when just a month before rocky said no chance.

The more i think about if i were a hockey player I don't know if I'd play. Considering the one thing they know of this virus and how hockey is an endurance sport, the lungs are detrimental component to being able to play. If i were to play I'd only do it if the team purchased an insurance policy on my future earnings. This will be the biggest obstacle. I'm certain the agents are explaining this to their clients.

2 words - "Fake News", that is what I think.

Beginning Monday May 18, NBC Sports Chicago will air all 16 of the Hawk victories from their 2013 Cup winning run.

Full schedule here courtesy of Second City Hockey:

https://www.secondcityhoc...stanley-cup-run-victories

This is great. Thanks for sharing this, Theo.

Teply could be a real asset for the Hawks if he can adapt well to the pro game.

Looking forward to seeing him in Rockford in the fall ... or whenever the season begins.
- Tyler Cameron

The more I read and see on Teply the more I picture his comparable being Daze. While not as tall, still a lanky frame for a finesse goal-scoring winger who may want you desiring more from the physicality department given his size.

Like Daze, though. I could see Teply still giving an honest effort, being at least average defensively and contributing 25-30 goals a year if he hits potential. Perhaps the occasional 35 goal outburst.

Teply also thrived last year playing on a line with an elite playmaker in Krebs scoring 39 points in 30 games as linemates.

Say Teply eventually makes the team within a few years: consider 35-40 goal scorers in Kane, DeBrincat, and Kubalik, then Teply potting 25-30. This doesn't even count 15-20 goal scorers in Toews, Saad, Dach, Strome, and Nylander.

Not all will be on the team down the line but goal scoring shouldn't be an issue, theoretically (and hopefully).

Here's a link to an article about the Leafs possibly looking for another LTIR contract to give them some cap flexibility since their current LTIR players Horton and Clarkson are coming off the books. The story mentions Seabrook as a possible acquisition. IMO maybe Shaw would be another candidate.

https://www.tsn.ca/expect...-ltir-contracts-1.1475747

The more I read and see on Teply the more I picture his comparable being Daze. While not as tall, still a lanky frame for a finesse goal-scoring winger who may want you desiring more from the physicality department given his size.

Like Daze, though. I could see Teply still giving an honest effort, being at least average defensively and contributing 25-30 goals a year if he hits potential. Perhaps the occasional 35 goal outburst.

Teply also thrived last year playing on a line with an elite playmaker in Krebs scoring 39 points in 30 games as linemates.

Say Teply eventually makes the team within a few years: consider 35-40 goal scorers in Kane, DeBrincat, and Kubalik, then Teply potting 25-30. This doesn't even count 15-20 goal scorers in Toews, Saad, Dach, Strome, and Nylander.

Not all will be on the team down the line but goal scoring shouldn't be an issue, theoretically (and hopefully).
- AEL_Fox

With all that offense and all the whiz kids coming up on defense the future looks bright. Big ifs are can all these kids reach their ceiling and can hopefully stay injury free.