Theo Fox: Game 20 @ Blue Jackets
A preview of the Blackhawks visit to Columbus to square off in the 3rd series versus the Blue Jackets.

Plus, a recap of the battle between farm teams as the Cleveland Monsters trounced the IceHogs in the first of a 4-game set.

Thanks Theo - First

there was a interview with Reichels coach. he is scoring over a point per game his last 10 games. has elite speed and but is a smart player and plays 200 feet. needs to add weight and in the draft he always is high in high danger chances and is adept at carrying the puck into the neutral zone. can play all 3 spots my guess is he projects as a top 6 wing. I think he ends up being a 5-12 rated pro out of this draft. Speed, over 6 feet, high danger chances and sound DEF game.

my guess is he makes the team next year as a wing. I know there was rumor of Tuch for strome back 2 months ago and we were holding out for more return. probably should have pulled the trigger. strome slumping and hurt, thou he did play a little better early in the year. IMO. his lack of skating and effort was not as noticelable as last year.

there was a interview with Reichels coach. he is scoring over a point per game his last 10 games. has elite speed and but is a smart player and plays 200 feet. needs to add weight and in the draft he always is high in high danger chances and is adept at carrying the puck into the neutral zone. can play all 3 spots my guess is he projects as a top 6 wing. I think he ends up being a 5-12 rated pro out of this draft. Speed, over 6 feet, high danger chances and sound DEF game.

my guess is he makes the team next year as a wing. I know there was rumor of Tuch for strome back 2 months ago and we were holding out for more return. probably should have pulled the trigger. strome slumping and hurt, thou he did play a little better early in the year. IMO. his lack of skating and effort was not as noticelable as last year.
- kmw4631

Sounds really good, and he is playing against men right now, but remember he is only 18 right now (19 in May). If he's ready, he's ready, but I wouldn't expect that he is next year.

Sounds really good, and he is playing against men right now, but remember he is only 18 right now (19 in May). If he's ready, he's ready, but I wouldn't expect that he is next year.
- Chunk

Do you think he'll stay in Europe until he's ready for the NHL? Or will they put him in Rockfish for seasoning first?

I saw something about some Canadian politicos suggesting they pull out of the Winter Olympics in China in 2022 (over the treatment of the Uighur minorities). Any chance this happens? I believe NHL players are scheduled to play.

Do you think he'll stay in Europe until he's ready for the NHL? Or will they put him in Rockfish for seasoning first?
- mohel

I'm not totally sure how that would work with his age. Maybe since he has played in the German Pro league, he is eligible for the AHL? I think they would prefer Rockford, but Suter came straight from the Swiss league (albeit much older). It will be interesting to see. I wish I had better insight here.

I saw something about some Canadian politicos suggesting they pull out of the Winter Olympics in China in 2022 (over the treatment of the Uighur minorities). Any chance this happens? I believe NHL players are scheduled to play.
- mohel

Per Ek's story last week:

Mike Waltz, a Republican representative from Florida, said Monday he doesn't believe the United States "cannot" in good conscience participate in the quadrennial Games hosted by a "brutal dictatorship." This follows British politicians supporting a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Games.

Waltz filed a resolution urging the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to "propose the transfer of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games to a site other than within the People's Republic of China." Should moving to another country not happen, then Waltz said the U.S. and other countries should "withdraw" from the 2022 Winter Olympics.

I doubt it gets any traction, but who knows if other countries start to get on board with it. There is way too much money that changes hands for anything to happen there, in my opinion. If the US would pull out, the games likely would not be televised (or at least to a much lesser extent) in the US. Players from other countries I think could still play. it would be a crap show, I'm sure.

Per Ek's story last week:

Mike Waltz, a Republican representative from Florida, said Monday he doesn't believe the United States "cannot" in good conscience participate in the quadrennial Games hosted by a "brutal dictatorship." This follows British politicians supporting a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Games.

Waltz filed a resolution urging the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to "propose the transfer of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games to a site other than within the People's Republic of China." Should moving to another country not happen, then Waltz said the U.S. and other countries should "withdraw" from the 2022 Winter Olympics.

I doubt it gets any traction, but who knows if other countries start to get on board with it. There is way too much money that changes hands for anything to happen there, in my opinion. If the US would pull out, the games likely would not be televised (or at least to a much lesser extent) in the US. Players from other countries I think could still play. it would be a crap show, I'm sure.
- Chunk

I agree that it is very likely the US participates. I had just noticed recent discussions in Canada, and am curious about their participation, given that NHL players are participating.

I agree that it is very likely the US participates. I had just noticed recent discussions in Canada, and am curious about their participation, given that NHL players are participating.
- mohel

I was a little surprised that the Brits were considering a boycott. Again, I think it goes nowhere.

there was a interview with Reichels coach. he is scoring over a point per game his last 10 games. has elite speed and but is a smart player and plays 200 feet. needs to add weight and in the draft he always is high in high danger chances and is adept at carrying the puck into the neutral zone. can play all 3 spots my guess is he projects as a top 6 wing. I think he ends up being a 5-12 rated pro out of this draft. Speed, over 6 feet, high danger chances and sound DEF game.

my guess is he makes the team next year as a wing. I know there was rumor of Tuch for strome back 2 months ago and we were holding out for more return. probably should have pulled the trigger. strome slumping and hurt, thou he did play a little better early in the year. IMO. his lack of skating and effort was not as noticelable as last year.
- kmw4631

But, can he drop the mitts?

But, can he drop the mitts?
- Rota's Rooter

I heard he can take Elbows.

I agree that it is very likely the US participates. I had just noticed recent discussions in Canada, and am curious about their participation, given that NHL players are participating.
- mohel

I suspect if Canada and Britain boycott the Olympics the boycott will snowball with more Western countries joining them.

I heard he can take Elbows.
- mohel

Barney could have taken Elbows.

Barney could have taken Elbows.
- paulr

Barney could have taken Elbows.
- paulr

You clearly mean the big purple dinosaur ....

- Rota's Rooter

The best

Be nice to get Murph back hope they play 6 and 12 need this game tonight .Time for Hagel to pot one or two .

I'm not totally sure how that would work with his age. Maybe since he has played in the German Pro league, he is eligible for the AHL? I think they would prefer Rockford, but Suter came straight from the Swiss league (albeit much older). It will be interesting to see. I wish I had better insight here.
- Chunk

I think it depends more how big a schedule Rockroach plays next year?

I think it depends more how big a schedule Rockroach plays next year?
- rpeters01

Full schedule, with fans. Covid will be in the rearview mirror in a couple months.

Sounds really good, and he is playing against men right now, but remember he is only 18 right now (19 in May). If he's ready, he's ready, but I wouldn't expect that he is next year.
- Chunk

Is not likely strong enough to withstand the rigors of the NHL. No need to rush him. Encouraging rrport though of his progress.

I had to chuckle when I saw this. Lukas Reichel's Wiki page lists his weight in British dry weight.

Lukas Reichel
Born 17 May 2002 (age 18)
Nuremberg, Germany
Height 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight 172 lb (78 kg; 12 st 4 lb)
Position Left winger
Shoots Left
DEL team Eisbären Berlin
NHL Draft 17th overall, 2020
Chicago Blackhawks
Playing career 2019–present

Full schedule, with fans. Covid will be in the rearview mirror in a couple months.
- mohel

Could be people in the seats at the UC this season. MLB this season for sure.

Johns Hopkins researcher believes herd immunity will be reached in April, based on known cases, asymptotic cases and vaccinations.

Lori just opened the Lakefront, and Chicago’s positivity rate is the lowest since the start of the pandemic.

Lots of data showing this 3rd peak we just crested is the last one.

https://www.dailymail.co....-COVID-herd-immunity.html

Full schedule, with fans. Covid will be in the rearview mirror in a couple months.
- mohel

Yeah and pigs will fly. This will take years with mutations. Being open for business does not guarantee a profitable level of attendance. At mine and my wife's ages and health conditions, we will be quite choosey what we attend for a while. I'm sure we're not the only ones. Many of our friends are more cautious than us.