Another nice write up Theo. I’m going to go with Boqvist, I see that everyone else has a forward for the first goal.

I'm gonna go with The Pope.

And at least 2 goals against because either Subban or Delia looses their net.
- LAHawk

Florida Panthers have no use for Keith Yandle. Has a no movement clause so they can't hide his contract on the taxi squad. 3 more years after this at $6.35Mil. Now rivals Seabrook's contract as one of the worst. At least Seabrook could be put on IR. Yandle has played almost 900 games in a row before this year starts.

I predict at least one too many men on the ice penalty against the Hawks and a whiff on a one timer by Debrincat.
- boilermaker100

Followed by a close-up of the Patty Kane pouty face.

Florida Panthers have no use for Keith Yandle. Has a no movement clause so they can't hide his contract on the taxi squad. 3 more years after this at $6.35Mil. Now rivals Seabrook's contract as one of the worst. At least Seabrook could be put on IR. Yandle has played almost 900 games in a row before this year starts.
- LAHawk

Yandle still produces though. Good for 40+ points a season.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/y/yandlke01.html

#19 on Elliotte Friedman's 31 thoughts

19. I will always remember the aftermath of 2013 Stanley Cup Final Game 4 with Crawford. He had a horrible night with his glove hand, but the Blackhawks overcame it to beat Boston 6–5 in overtime, tying the series 2–2. He stood at his stall for almost an hour, answering the same questions over and over again. The next day, I had an early flight to Chicago and went right to the rink for practice. Crawford was on the ice well before everyone else with then-goalie coach Stephane Waite. That’s what it takes.

Yandle still produces though. Good for 40+ points a season.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/y/yandlke01.html
- Rota's Rooter

He is a glorified Eric Gustaffson

Yandle still produces though. Good for 40+ points a season.

https://www.hockey-refere.../players/y/yandlke01.html
- Rota's Rooter

But The 'Stache don't want him.

He is a consistent Eric Gustaffson
- LAHawk

FIFU

Game on, folks!

Who do you have as scoring the first Blackhawks goal of the season?

I'm going with Kubalik. Honorable mention to Suter.
- Theo Fox

I'm going to go with Mitchell. Excited to see competitive hockey again!

Hopefully they move on. Mitch is so far behind Rodgers that he can't even see his shadow.

Also, what extra $$$??? The Bears will be shedding players just to get under the Cap and even be in the conversation to somehow re-sign A Rob.

As it stands they don't have extra money to throw around in FA and also the QB crop there might just be headlined by Mitch.

If they can work a trade for
Stafford or even Ryan I'd be up for that...
- HawkintheD

Agreed. Like your analysis.

I was only trying to emphasize there would be a significant saving if Mitch resigned. I was being sarcastic when I said he cannot stand in A Rodgers shadow. Mitch might be better next season but never will be stand in Rodgers' shadow.

They have a #1 in 2021 but Pace is drafting again. So it is no sure thing he makes a solid choice. Aond 20th I think is their pick.

The Icehogs have fielded a lineup minus a top skill, point producing center for it seems 4-5 consecutive years (excluding Sikura). The team is not going to even make playoffs
without a legitimate center. Another area found lacking, is that they rely upon recalling ECHL forwards to address toughness issues. Those forwards are slow even for AHL and not up to par for AHL.

Barret might suffice as a center but whom does he play with? I believe sprinkling in a few veterans in their lineup helps but again where is there a center?
- jhawk59

Not any top 6 centers in Rockford if that's what you are asking, particularly with Kurashev on the big club.

All of the center possibilities are bottom 6: Entwistle, Barratt, Johnson, Hakkarainen, and Brad Morrison.

Hey Theo! Do you have the Hawks getting their first goal tonight or are you thinking several games in?
- HawkintheD

Hawks score at least one, maybe two. Take advantage of the banner raising jitters for the Bolts then face their wrath.

Not any top 6 centers in Rockford if that's what you are asking, particularly with Kurashev on the big club.

All of the center possibilities are bottom 6: Entwistle, Barratt, Johnson, Hakkarainen, and Brad Morrison.
- Theo Fox

Are we talking potential NHL top 6 or AHL top 6. I believe those are two different descriptions.

I would argue that Barratt is at least an AHL top 6. I'm also really interested to watch how Cam Morrison progresses. I know he needs to work on his skating and consistency, but I think King can get that drilled into him. I would love to see him grow into a Bickell type.

Charting Hockey has the Blackhawks finishing last in the Division, behind Detroit.

But the Hawk’s ace in the hole is Jeremy coaching ‘em up real good.
- scottak

While we might not be a good team, the Wings were really really bad last year. I think we can keep ahead of them.

To put into perspective, they had the worst points % of any team in the last 10 years and you have to go back 20 years to the Thrashers to find a team with a worse record. This is a new season, a different year with pandemic changes and who knows, but I don't see a lot of the Wings the signal much improvement, just IMO.

Agreed. Like your analysis.

I was only trying to emphasize there would be a significant saving if Mitch resigned. I was being sarcastic when I said he cannot stand in A Rodgers shadow. Mitch might be better next season but never will be stand in Rodgers' shadow.

They have a #1 in 2021 but Pace is drafting again. So it is no sure thing he makes a solid choice. Aond 20th I think is their pick.
- jhawk59

Just watch as he trades their first this year and next for the chance to draft an unknown tight end out of Ashland.

Are we talking potential NHL top 6 or AHL top 6. I believe those are two different descriptions.

I would argue that Barratt is at least an AHL top 6. I'm also really interested to watch how Cam Morrison progresses. I know he needs to work on his skating and consistency, but I think King can get that drilled into him. I would love to see him grow into a Bickell type.
- Chunk

Thanks for asking to clarify. I was referring to NHL potential. Barratt and Entwistle can play top 6 in the AHL. All the others are still bottom 6, though.

Entwistle is bottom 6 at the NHL level and Barratt is a wild card right now but could prove to be like Shaw and Caggiula, i.e. able to play up and down the lineup.

Thanks for asking to clarify. I was referring to NHL potential. Barratt and Entwistle can play top 6 in the AHL. All the others are still bottom 6, though.

Entwistle is bottom 6 at the NHL level and Barratt is a wild card right now but could prove to be like Shaw and Caggiula, i.e. able to play up and down the lineup.
- Theo Fox

Theo, would you not consider Teply a top 6 in AHL? Please disregard, I see that you were discussing centers.

For those concerned about the helmet ads being too intrusive, I think you have to admit this is pretty low key.

https://twitter.com/BenPo...tatus/1349368682795950081

Theo, would you not consider Teply a top 6 in AHL?
- Angotti

Teply is top 6 in the AHL and at least middle 6 in the NHL. Altybarmakian and C Morrison are middle 6 at the NHL level. The rest are NHL bottom 6.

My previous post was focusing just on centers.

For those concerned about the helmet ads being too intrusive, I think you have to admit this is pretty low key.

https://twitter.com/BenPo...tatus/1349368682795950081
- Chunk

That is pretty low key and blends in without being distracting.

Plus, a company name like United can indirectly act as a slogan of sorts. Similar to the Capitals helment sponsor Capital One.

Theo, would you not consider Teply a top 6 in AHL? Please disregard, I see that you were discussing centers.
- Angotti

1) If Teply does not retun to junior hockey, then
2) This team has many forwards whom need to put in an effort in each area. At minimum an effort. May not be physical. But need to have compete level on the charger. The players who put in the effort to improve and show effort in each area or aspect of the game, probably they receive higher amount of TOI, top line duty L1-2. King, the head coach, is tasked with growing these kids. He emphasizes maturity for kids new to living and managing on their own but King needs to extract more out of each player on the ice because the team is lacking the sizze top end talent brings. Not much top end although perhaps more experienced players if Chicago rotates some veterans.

There is NHL talent on the Rockford but not top end NHL ceiling. I agree exactly with Theo on Barret.

Agreed. Like your analysis.

I was only trying to emphasize there would be a significant saving if Mitch resigned. I was being sarcastic when I said he cannot stand in A Rodgers shadow. Mitch might be better next season but never will be stand in Rodgers' shadow.

They have a #1 in 2021 but Pace is drafting again. So it is no sure thing he makes a solid choice. Aond 20th I think is their pick.
- jhawk59

No worries J!

Mitch would definitely be in the budget bin and affordable for the Bears. After playing 3 worse teams than them and winning, I saw a scenario where they could bring him back.

After watching the last two games, don't know if it's all his fault as the play calling is also not good, but I just don't see him being able to outduel another team with a good offense. They should cut bait.

Agree with you on Pace. He's already swung and missed three times at QB. I'm hoping they go O Line with 20 and maybe Jones or Trask are there in the 2nd round.

Does that extension include this year or starts after this season?

Does that extension include this year or starts after this season?
- Scott1977

He was already under contract for this year. The extension is for the following two years. Basically, virtually everyone's contract is up in three years.