Theo Fox: Bullish
A comparison of 1st round picks and head coaches between United Center co-tenants, the Bulls and Blackhawks.

First!

Hmm, let me see ... take the title, add a "t" and move the "i" and there ya go ... jes kiddin

If the comparison leads to the draft of Trubisky, then we'll know it is a bust.

I can't and won't comment on the basketball aspect but, regarding Lukas Reichel, I'm thinking we may have a good, steady, reliable player here in the future.

Theo has touched on what the scouts may have seen in him and I'm looking also at his bloodlines. His father and brother both played in the German pro league. His cousin is with the Manitoba Moose and of course his uncle Robert had a good career in the NHL where you could count on him for 20-25 goals and 30+ assists a season.

Boy it would be nice if he developed into a steady, reliable Steve Larmer type player where you can rely on him to be in the right place and make the correct decision.

On Colliton I think he's a placeholder coach. Have him develop the young talent and when he's gone as far as he can with them, bring in someone who will get them over the top.

As someone has mentioned previously, his coaching record from overseas is really not that impressive.

Theo, I will grant that in all likelihood, you are correct, but the following statement always irritates me when stated before the guy ever even laces up with the team:

"Although the Hawks top pick isn’t going to be an elite player, he will be an impact one who can provide that reliable positionless hockey to help the team win."

Again, most likely, you are correct. That said, we have no idea of what he will ultimately become. I guess is depends on your definition of elite, but there are a number of players that were expected to be "pretty good" or simply an "impact player" who became much more.

Off the top of my head:
Hossa
Aho
Bergeron
Marchand

So again, it would depend on your definition of elite, but just a peeve of mine regarding unknown quantities.

I can't and won't comment on the basketball aspect but, regarding Lukas Reichel, I'm thinking we may have a good, steady, reliable player here in the future.

Theo has touched on what the scouts may have seen in him and I'm looking also at his bloodlines. His father and brother both played in the German pro league. His cousin is with the Manitoba Moose and of course his uncle Robert had a good career in the NHL where you could count on him for 20-25 goals and 30+ assists a season.

Boy it would be nice if he developed into a steady, reliable Steve Larmer type player where you can rely on him to be in the right place and make the correct decision.

On Colliton I think he's a placeholder coach. Have him develop the young talent and when he's gone as far as he can with them, bring in someone who will get them over the top.

As someone has mentioned previously, his coaching record from overseas is really not that impressive.
- Rota's Rooter

His overall record wouldn't be indicative of the success he had
https://www.nhl.com/black...-building-from-experience

I can't and won't comment on the basketball aspect but, regarding Lukas Reichel, I'm thinking we may have a good, steady, reliable player here in the future.

Theo has touched on what the scouts may have seen in him and I'm looking also at his bloodlines. His father and brother both played in the German pro league. His cousin is with the Manitoba Moose and of course his uncle Robert had a good career in the NHL where you could count on him for 20-25 goals and 30+ assists a season.

Boy it would be nice if he developed into a steady, reliable Steve Larmer type player where you can rely on him to be in the right place and make the correct decision.

On Colliton I think he's a placeholder coach. Have him develop the young talent and when he's gone as far as he can with them, bring in someone who will get them over the top.

As someone has mentioned previously, his coaching record from overseas is really not that impressive.
- Rota's Rooter

The best coaches, the reknown successful coaches had to start somewhere. Maybe Colliton will be a placeholder. But for this year and even next season, I am willing to see how kids develop with him as the coach. I know assistant coaches can be helpful, too, as can a GM who is not force feeding high end talent before theyare ready fir the NHL challenge.

That bring said, prospects need to learn certain things on their own. It may take a partial or full season to figure some things out. We know that Sharp was helpful, kind of a mentor in some respect, for (was) that both Kane and Toews.

So a coach has to be aware and have good communication and good coaching strategy. But a coach needs a GM on the same page and a coach encourages or just likes to see a Sharp hanging out, talking up some stuff.

Now as for Theo's comparison....quite "sharp" on your behalf. Nice analogy. You are commended actually not just for this blog topic, but clearly you have put in time, effort to produce many interesting blogs. You write well and we all should be grateful you took that statue of liberty handoff and have run for a first down (er, um i mean) produced more blogs in a shirt duration of time than anyone expected. You are active with well thought out, researched opinions too. You see AHL games and have a beat on collegiate action too. Thanks for a you have put into hockeybuzz

But I just want to say this about our draft choice in 2021: i really want an elite tier one prospect and we should get such by being in the lottery

I agree with all these comments and really enjoy your work, Theo. This article/blog had a fun, creative twist to it that was enjoyable to read. I found myself on several occasions wondering where you were taking me as a reader. A delight.

I have full day today, but was com pulled to throw my opinion (actually revised opinion) of the hawks choice related to the entire available prospect pool when the selected.

First my pure speculated opinion:
I think they wanted the Russian goalie, and I knew they attempted a move up.

I also think they would have easily chosen the Montreal choice of
Kaiden Guhle over any forward simply because of his feet, jam and play...no matter if he was a second pair guys, or higher, or lower.
Pure opinion.

Theo:
"The Hawks who could have drafted Dawson Mercer, Hendrix Lapierre, Braden Schneider, Connor Zary, or Mavrik Bourque..."

No disrespect meant, but I see Mercer as a solid supporting player who contributes all around and has success in helping his Devils win (as a winger it wiouyld seem). I is more suited to the wing.
He is not a dynamic scorer but a highly able attacker and all around smart contributor, with keen defensive tendencies and dots his I's out there with strong smarts when he doesn't have the puck.

Hendrix Lapierre was one of my favorites, but I totally understand the drop because terasms dont want to invest and come up with nothing and an injury my permanently table him. He dies has really big upside but...not without this reservations.

Braden Schneider has playing the defense part of his position down, has some edge and seems like a safe choice, but you still are hoping he gets to an ability level that could be a NHL attacker too, but I am not sure that's close to a assured stance.
You get a player nonetheless less.

Connor Zary is a play driver, but again I would call him a future first life centre or wing.
(You may seem him in the World Junior as Kirby Dach's left wing unless that Ranger first round Alexis Lafrenière shows ups in their return to play evaluation camp.)

Same with Mavrik Bourque.
You get smarts quickness in a small package and some upside, but I am not so sure there is an impact player in the package albeit a good one.

So I believe the hawks were settling, but not for an unknown quantity.

He is a young lightweight boy holding his own in a men's league.
He is FAST agile skilled and probably most important a terrific hockey "reader of the ice," one who takes very little time to diagnose and react.

There is probably less true production when compared to the forwards I named above.

But, this seems to be a true upside type pick.

If your scouts get it right you may get a guy who really is an eventual first line contributor.

The kid is really good at unearthing pucks on the wall and then doing something with them. He has hands feet and head.

Without sounding like a homer, I think he has more upside than the rest.

But, this seems to be a true upside type pick.

If your scouts get it right you may get a guy who really is an eventual first line contributor.

The kid is really good at unearthing pucks on the wall and then doing something with them. He has hands feet and head.

Without sounding like a homer, I think he has more upside than the rest.
- wiz1901

Plus, he's listed at 6'0" / 170lbs, but if you see him in a t-shirt you will see he's got a frame that will easily carry another 20lbs once he grows into it. So, he's a lightweight now but I could see him in a couple years playing at 190lbs and no longer a lightweight.

I can't and won't comment on the basketball aspect but, regarding Lukas Reichel, I'm thinking we may have a good, steady, reliable player here in the future.

Theo has touched on what the scouts may have seen in him and I'm looking also at his bloodlines. His father and brother both played in the German pro league. His cousin is with the Manitoba Moose and of course his uncle Robert had a good career in the NHL where you could count on him for 20-25 goals and 30+ assists a season.

Boy it would be nice if he developed into a steady, reliable Steve Larmer type player where you can rely on him to be in the right place and make the correct decision.

On Colliton I think he's a placeholder coach. Have him develop the young talent and when he's gone as far as he can with them, bring in someone who will get them over the top.

As someone has mentioned previously, his coaching record from overseas is really not that impressive.
- Rota's Rooter

I would have to agree on Reichel being an impact player who is just so smart knowing where to be at all times and knowing what play to make in any situation. All of this along with his skill, compete level, and resilience.

As for Colliton, I also could see him being a placeholder coach. Unless he evolves into some coaching savant where the Hawks hold onto him as long as they can, he will become part of the coaching carousel in hockey.

Theo, I will grant that in all likelihood, you are correct, but the following statement always irritates me when stated before the guy ever even laces up with the team:

"Although the Hawks top pick isn’t going to be an elite player, he will be an impact one who can provide that reliable positionless hockey to help the team win."

Again, most likely, you are correct. That said, we have no idea of what he will ultimately become. I guess is depends on your definition of elite, but there are a number of players that were expected to be "pretty good" or simply an "impact player" who became much more.

Off the top of my head:
Hossa
Aho
Bergeron
Marchand

So again, it would depend on your definition of elite, but just a peeve of mine regarding unknown quantities.
- Chunk

Honestly, I'm on the same page with you as my pet peeve is also when prospects are written off so early or their story is pre-written for them before they've had a chance to develop their potential.

It does become splitting hairs with terms I used in the blog like "elite" or "great" or "very good" or "impact player" etc. Elite is in the eye of the beholder and somewhat arbitrary measures like awards, all-star bids, and even stats.

Advanced stats could tell a more accurate tale of a player but they also have their limits. Rundblad is an example: IIRC, he had good advanced stats but I would never want him on my team because he simply fails the eye test.

Personally, my metric for Reichel meeting expectations includes him being a top 6 forward who can play competitively in all situations, put up at least 50 points a year, and impact the game without the puck on his blade.

His overall record wouldn't be indicative of the success he had
https://www.nhl.com/black...-building-from-experience
- just69sayin

While I did like reading about Colliton's hockey journey which included unfortunatel struggles with head injuries, it does come off as a "feel good story" that Hawks management and Colliton himself hope to recreate at the NHL level.

Not sure if it works that way but we shall see. That article was somewhat annoying because is it the right decision to invest in a "feel good story" and hope the magic continues or invest instead in a coach with a proven track record.

The best coaches, the reknown successful coaches had to start somewhere. Maybe Colliton will be a placeholder. But for this year and even next season, I am willing to see how kids develop with him as the coach. I know assistant coaches can be helpful, too, as can a GM who is not force feeding high end talent before theyare ready fir the NHL challenge.

That bring said, prospects need to learn certain things on their own. It may take a partial or full season to figure some things out. We know that Sharp was helpful, kind of a mentor in some respect, for (was) that both Kane and Toews.

So a coach has to be aware and have good communication and good coaching strategy. But a coach needs a GM on the same page and a coach encourages or just likes to see a Sharp hanging out, talking up some stuff.

Now as for Theo's comparison....quite "sharp" on your behalf. Nice analogy. You are commended actually not just for this blog topic, but clearly you have put in time, effort to produce many interesting blogs. You write well and we all should be grateful you took that statue of liberty handoff and have run for a first down (er, um i mean) produced more blogs in a shirt duration of time than anyone expected. You are active with well thought out, researched opinions too. You see AHL games and have a beat on collegiate action too. Thanks for a you have put into hockeybuzz

But I just want to say this about our draft choice in 2021: i really want an elite tier one prospect and we should get such by being in the lottery
- jhawk59

Thanks for the shout out, jhawk.

I know he's still young in his coaching career but at least has several years of being an NHL assistant, someone who I would keep an eye on as a future head coaching candidate (whether with the Hawks or other teams) is Manny Malhotra.

He has a good trajectory in coaching plus had a strong playing career, redefining himself as an effective checking forward after being drafted in the 1st round and falling short of reaching his potential.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/...-promising-young-coaches/

I agree with all these comments and really enjoy your work, Theo. This article/blog had a fun, creative twist to it that was enjoyable to read. I found myself on several occasions wondering where you were taking me as a reader. A delight.
- Aurora Hawk

Thanks, Aurora.

My first draft of this blog was pretty rough so I wasn't sure if I was weaving a coherent article. After editing, it got more clear and articulate but I still wasn't sure if the topic would resonote with others.

At least it shares some food for thought during this slow time!

I have full day today, but was com pulled to throw my opinion (actually revised opinion) of the hawks choice related to the entire available prospect pool when the selected.

First my pure speculated opinion:
I think they wanted the Russian goalie, and I knew they attempted a move up.

I also think they would have easily chosen the Montreal choice of
Kaiden Guhle over any forward simply because of his feet, jam and play...no matter if he was a second pair guys, or higher, or lower.
Pure opinion.

Theo:
"The Hawks who could have drafted Dawson Mercer, Hendrix Lapierre, Braden Schneider, Connor Zary, or Mavrik Bourque..."

No disrespect meant, but I see Mercer as a solid supporting player who contributes all around and has success in helping his Devils win (as a winger it wiouyld seem). I is more suited to the wing.
He is not a dynamic scorer but a highly able attacker and all around smart contributor, with keen defensive tendencies and dots his I's out there with strong smarts when he doesn't have the puck.

Hendrix Lapierre was one of my favorites, but I totally understand the drop because terasms dont want to invest and come up with nothing and an injury my permanently table him. He dies has really big upside but...not without this reservations.

Braden Schneider has playing the defense part of his position down, has some edge and seems like a safe choice, but you still are hoping he gets to an ability level that could be a NHL attacker too, but I am not sure that's close to a assured stance.
You get a player nonetheless less.

Connor Zary is a play driver, but again I would call him a future first life centre or wing.
(You may seem him in the World Junior as Kirby Dach's left wing unless that Ranger first round Alexis Lafrenière shows ups in their return to play evaluation camp.)

Same with Mavrik Bourque.
You get smarts quickness in a small package and some upside, but I am not so sure there is an impact player in the package albeit a good one.

So I believe the hawks were settling, but not for an unknown quantity.

He is a young lightweight boy holding his own in a men's league.
He is FAST agile skilled and probably most important a terrific hockey "reader of the ice," one who takes very little time to diagnose and react.

There is probably less true production when compared to the forwards I named above.

But, this seems to be a true upside type pick.

If your scouts get it right you may get a guy who really is an eventual first line contributor.

The kid is really good at unearthing pucks on the wall and then doing something with them. He has hands feet and head.

Without sounding like a homer, I think he has more upside than the rest.
- wiz1901

Thanks for sharing your insights, Wiz. You definitely have more credibility and experience analyzing prospects so your contributions are always welcome!

I would have to agree that Reichel could very well have more upside than the others drafted after him. Maybe even some before him.

Reichel may take longer to get to his ceiling and impact potential but they could be highest when all of the 2020 1st rounders hit their water level.

Plus, he's listed at 6'0" / 170lbs, but if you see him in a t-shirt you will see he's got a frame that will easily carry another 20lbs once he grows into it. So, he's a lightweight now but I could see him in a couple years playing at 190lbs and no longer a lightweight.
- EbonyRaptor

That's an astute observation that also matches the resilience that I've come to know more about Reichel. He is willing to take a licking to make a play but he jumps right back into the play.

Gotta love that not only because of that competitiveness and courage but also because his body is able to withstand that beating. As his body matures, he'll get that much better in that regard.

NHL Network tweet: if you could have one of these remaining UFAs, who would you want on your team?

How about none of the above?

How about none of the above?
- LAHawk

Haula did not sign with Edm? He is a descent player. But with our signs we do not need his service. And future bottom line type guys would challenge Haula for playing time. I would pass with no hesitation on the others.

Theo, that was a thought-provoking, well written article. We'll see how it works out for the prospect and the coach. No need to decide yet on either yet, so I'll just watch what happens.

NHL Network tweet: if you could have one of these remaining UFAs, who would you want on your team?


- Theo Fox

Unsafe to answer until you know the cap space it would take to sign them.

Theo, that was a thought-provoking, well written article. We'll see how it works out for the prospect and the coach. No need to decide yet on either yet, so I'll just watch what happens.
- mohel

Thanks, mohel.

Yes, even though I have my opinions now, it is wait and see with Reichel and Colliton as well as the other prospects.

Some will surprise in a good way and some may disappoint while others will meet expectations whether that's making the NHL or falling short.

I wasn't aware of this nugget within an article on having a bunch of outdoor games...

"It’s important to remember that even if the NHL caves and doesn’t amend the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed a few months ago, the players still would have to eventually pay back any salary that brings them over 50% of the hockey-related revenue. With no fans and very little revenue to be made, it seems likely that both sides would be open to out-of-the-box ideas like outdoor contests if it brought in ticket sales."

So both sides are going to share the revenue hit from this season.

https://www.prohockeyrumo...by-several-nhl-teams.html