Theo Fox: Game 5 vs Red Wings
A preview to the Blackhawks home opener versus the long-time rival Red Wings.

Plus, player capsules on Boqvist, Kubalik, and Carpenter as well as roster updates for the Hawks and Hogs.

Great write-up!

And from me? Two posts. Two firsts!

Great write-up!

And from me? Two posts. Two firsts!
- larkster

Thanks, larkster.

Let's hope your 2 for 2 rubs off on the Hawks to win 2 of 2 against the Wings.

Thank you, Theo.
Good to see Boqvist getting points while acclimating to the NHL. Earning your keep!
And, to paraphrase Doc Holliday from "Tombstone": My hatred of Detroilet knows no bounds.

Thanks, larkster.

Let's hope your 2 for 2 rubs off on the Hawks to win 2 of 2 against the Wings.
- Theo Fox

If the Hawks don’t get 3 or 4 points this weekend, I don’t know how they will get to 20 this season.

I know - it’s a “long season” even at only 56 games - and in a random sport, picking up 3 or 4 points in the 6 remaining games against TB isn’t an impossibility - but still....

I was going to make a comment on Carpenter last blog.

He is noticeable on the forecheck on a team with plenty of guys whos aren't.

He is a good PK'r.

Thinking he might be a tradeable to a contender looking for just that kind of guy come playoff time.

He is what he is, and a useable piece for a cup contending team. Not so much on the worst team in the league.

Isn’t the taxi squad just made for the Pirri’s of the hockey world?

I would guess (hope) that he would be in the cab and Entwhistle would be on the farm when the AHL starts skating.

I was going to make a comment on Carpenter last blog.

He is noticeable on the forecheck on a team with plenty of guys whos aren't.

He is a good PK'r.

Thinking he might be a tradeable to a contender looking for just that kind of guy come playoff time.

He is what he is, and a useable piece for a cup contending team. Not so much on the worst team in the league.
- vabeachbear

We're on the same page. Hopefully Janmark starts playing more like that too and we can trade them both.

It would be one thing if Hagel could be sent back to the Hogs to get more playing time, but he's essentially shelved again after one game.

I know he's a bottom 6 player but just like the way he plays and was hopeful he'd be in the lineup for a while.

Tonight is the Escalator game. Wings going up Hawks going down.

I was going to make a comment on Carpenter last blog.

He is noticeable on the forecheck on a team with plenty of guys whos aren't.

He is a good PK'r.

Thinking he might be a tradeable to a contender looking for just that kind of guy come playoff time.

He is what he is, and a useable piece for a cup contending team. Not so much on the worst team in the league.
- vabeachbear

I don't think Carpenter will be traded. He'll be needed as one of two forwards who have to be exposed in the expansion draft that fits the criteria of 40 games played this season year/70 games played the last two seasons and also is signed for the 21/22 season. He's already over the 70 game mark.

Edit - Shaw could be the other exposable forward candidate but he has to get 36 more games in to reach this year's 40 game plateau.

The Hagel move I think is more salary cap related. Hawks are still up against the cap, and are using LTIR money to stay compliant. Adding Soderberg's $1 mil. means Hagel has to go on the taxi squad. Other choice is to put one of the 3 goalies on the taxi squad.

I was going to make a comment on Carpenter last blog.

He is noticeable on the forecheck on a team with plenty of guys whos aren't.

He is a good PK'r.

Thinking he might be a tradeable to a contender looking for just that kind of guy come playoff time.

He is what he is, and a useable piece for a cup contending team. Not so much on the worst team in the league.
- vabeachbear

Considering that Carpenter is basically being paid league minimum, we are getting good value here. I do not know why some posters get on his case. He has another year left on his contract so that probably brings his value down a bit at the TDL.

Considering that Carpenter is basically being paid league minimum, we are getting good value here. I do not know why some posters get on his case. He has another year left on his contract so that probably brings his value down a bit at the TDL.
- 67hawks

One more year at $1 mil, I don't think anyone would balk at that, it can be buried in the minors. Plus a lot of cap strapped teams would salivate at an experienced reliable 4th liner PK'er for $1 million. ( for example: Do you think Thornton, Simmonds and Spezza are going to be around again next year for Toronto?).

After playing only a few minutes in the 1st period, Dubois benched by Torts for the remainder of the game.

Here's a video of his last shift.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USs9AXkGpMs

After playing only a few minutes in the 1st period, Dubois benched by Torts for the remainder of the game.

Here's a video of his last shift.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USs9AXkGpMs
- boilermaker100

T.U.R.D. Total leader.

After playing only a few minutes in the 1st period, Dubois benched by Torts for the remainder of the game.

Here's a video of his last shift.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USs9AXkGpMs
- boilermaker100

Torts is an idiot. He is driving down the value of PLD as his GM is trying to trade him. Torts may end up leaving town before PLD.

Torts is an idiot. He is driving down the value of PLD as his GM is trying to trade him. Torts may end up leaving town before PLD.
- 67hawks

I love it. Then he benches him. I wonder how frustrated Kane would be if his teammates didn't pass him the puck?

Torts is an idiot. He is driving down the value of PLD as his GM is trying to trade him. Torts may end up leaving town before PLD.
- 67hawks

I´ll say this is all on PLD. What the hell is he doing there? Real teammate we have there. Real pro would try to bring his best even if you want out. If anyone is driving his value down it is himself.

Considering that Carpenter is basically being paid league minimum, we are getting good value here. I do not know why some posters get on his case. He has another year left on his contract so that probably brings his value down a bit at the TDL.
- 67hawks

At least for me, it’s not so much getting on his case as right now the Hawks strength afa the prospect pool goes is dmen and bottom 6 fwds.

Right now we have 5 veteran bottom 6 fwds. I think that’s enough veteran leadership there. Would just like to see Hagel have a regular role there and if it comes at the expense of Carp or Janmark, that’s ok with me.

I´ll say this is all on PLD. What the hell is he doing there? Real teammate we have there. Real pro would try to bring his best even if you want out. If anyone is driving his value down it is himself.
- MjulQvist

Many say a player doesn't have any rights or they have to accept whatever the team decides. I wish they recorded the negotiations something went horribly wrong behind the scenes.

I´ll say this is all on PLD. What the hell is he doing there? Real teammate we have there. Real pro would try to bring his best even if you want out. If anyone is driving his value down it is himself.
- MjulQvist

I know Torts wasn't coaching Columbus at the time, but this reminds me of the Ryan Johansen situation at that time. He wanted out of there, played lackadaisically and was traded to Nashville for Seth Jones.

Can you imagine if the BJ have the same type of guy negotiating contracts as they do coaching the team.

How would Torts negotiate a contract, Common you're way overrated you piece of poop, we're already offering way more money than you're worth, its a good thing I'm not the owner I'd just trade your worthless ass.

Many say a player doesn't have any rights or they have to accept whatever the team decides. I wish they recorded the negotiations something went horribly wrong behind the scenes.
- BetweenTheDots

Dubois situation probably a combination of playing for Torts and playing in a small market like Columbus. A lot of players want out of there or don't extend with them, Johansen, Panarin, Duchesne, Dzingel, Bobrovsky and now Dubois.

Can you imagine if the BJ have the same type of guy negotiating contracts as they do coaching the team.

How would Torts negotiate a contract, Common you're way overrated you piece of poop, we're already offering way more money than you're worth, its a good thing I'm not the owner I'd just trade your worthless ass.
- BetweenTheDots

Grumpy Brian Burke was on NHL radio yesterday talking about this situation. He said if he had a player that requested a trade, he'd never wear the sweater again and ship him out ASAP.

At least for me, it’s not so much getting on his case as right now the Hawks strength afa the prospect pool goes is dmen and bottom 6 fwds.

Right now we have 5 veteran bottom 6 fwds. I think that’s enough veteran leadership there. Would just like to see Hagel have a regular role there and if it comes at the expense of Carp or Janmark, that’s ok with me.
- HawkintheD

Hagel probably back on the 23 man roster once Pirri is picked up on waivers or clears and is reassigned to Rockford.