Theo Fox: Adam's Apple
A look at Boqvist's exponential growth, where it may come from, and what this means for the other Blackhawks youth.

Thank you, Theo.
I too think Boqvist is a keeper. The thing right now that separates him from Mitchell, Beaudin and Kalnyk (sp?) could definitely be those NHL games last year the rookies don't have. Here's hoping they all find their way past the wall. We need all of them!

A great look at some details behind what we all see lately with his improved play--thanks Theo!

Bettman Cup Standings (Biggest Loser - GP/Pts)
1) 0.595 Sabres
2) 0.744 Ducks
3) 0.775 Wings
4) 0.789 Sens
5) 0.889 Devils
6) 0.897 Flames
7) 0.900 Jackets
8) 0.944 Kings
9) 0.946 Canucks
10) 1.000 Hawks (tie)
10) 1.000 Wild (tie)
12) 1.027 Sharks (tie)
12) 1.027 Blues (tie)
14) 1.051 Preds
15) 1.054 Rangers
16) 1.079 Yotes
17) 1.083 Flyers
18) 1.206 Canadiens
19) 1.237 Jets (tie)
19) 1.237 Oilers (tie)
21) 1.265 Bruins
22) 1.316 Pens
23) 1.333 Wild
24) 1.368 Islanders
25) 1.389 Knights
26) 1.395 Leafs
27) 1.421 Caps (tie)
27) 1.421 Lightning (tie)
29) 1.432 Canes
30) 1.436 Panthers
31) 1.459 Av's

Is the perfect Hawks scenario playing out? They are having a better year than expected. A lot of playing time for young players. They are playing important games in April. A #1 goalie on the Hawks has emerged. (How good is still unknown.) A decent compete level (definitely better than the last two years). A few young guys could be keepers (Boqvist, Hagel, Suter, Lank). Hawks are tied for 10th position in the 2021 entry draft right now. But it is possible they could fall a few more slots. 10th position would have 7.3% chance of a top 2 pick and 3.5% chance of the #1 overall pick. If they fall to 7th it becomes 13.3% and 6.5%.

Theo i think you lost a lot of people with Bowmans quote really talented players and Strome in the same sentence.

Theo i think you lost a lot of people with Bowmans quote really talented players and Strome in the same sentence.
- BetweenTheDots

Stan is building his market value, Chief.

Theo, thanks for another nice blog. I’m a little confused with your Kurashev concerns, I still see compete level, I see some talent, why not keep playing him? In my opinion he has been slotted incorrectly and has seen his ice time go down the last two to three weeks. Last game he replaced Kampf between Hagel and Kubalik, I’d like to see that again, let’s face it, not one line produced scoring on Saturday, so that line was not alone. I’d like to see Entwistle replace Highmore vs Kurashev, just my opinion. I don’t think Highmore has a future on this team, I just don’t see it.

Theo, thanks for another nice blog. I’m a little confused with your Kurashev concerns, I still see compete level, I see some talent, why not keep playing him? In my opinion he has been slotted incorrectly and has seen his ice time go down the last two to three weeks. Last game he replaced Kampf between Hagel and Kubalik, I’d like to see that again, let’s face it, not one line produced scoring on Saturday, so that line was not alone. I’d like to see Entwistle replace Highmore vs Kurashev, just my opinion. I don’t think Highmore has a future on this team, I just don’t see it.
- Angotti

Agree, Kurashev for a young guy, still fights along the boards and wins many of those pucks.

Nothing wrong with a game or two off every now and then, long season for the young guys who aren't used to it, but I would keep playing him as well.

Maybe even give him a bit of time with better line mates, he can skate also, usually a knock on our youngsters of the past.

Stan is building his market value, Chief.
- mohel

If they were trying to do that, they would put him back at center.

Thank you, Theo.
I too think Boqvist is a keeper. The thing right now that separates him from Mitchell, Beaudin and Kalnyk (sp?) could definitely be those NHL games last year the rookies don't have. Here's hoping they all find their way past the wall. We need all of them!
- 35Tony0

You're welcome, Tony.

That's the constant reminder we all need as fans: the rookies and even sophomores are going to hit walls. Ideally at different times and less time in the pits for 2nd year players like Boqvist and Kubalik.

A great look at some details behind what we all see lately with his improved play--thanks Theo!
- RaleighHawk

You're welcome, Raleigh.

There was a similar feature a few years ago with Sikura so just an example that not all prospects who get hyped up make it, at least not right away and maybe not even with the Blackhawks.

Then again, one was a 1st rounder and the other was a 6th rounder so somewhat to be expected.

Talk of Palmeiri being traded soon. UFA after the season. He is much better than Janmark, but still worth watching how much he brings back in trade.

Palmeiri Janmark
Age 29 28
Goals 8 10
Assists 9 9
+/-, -2, -16
PIM 18 8
TOI 17:47 16:56
Blocks 10 9
Hits 37 21
Takeaways 17 12
Giveaways 16 19

Only 2 Blackhawks have a positive Corsi for the season (5v5) from Natural Stat Trick.

Carpenter 53.04%
Pirri 52.94%

3 others are close.

Kampf 49.94%
Murphy 49.31%
Johnson 49.09%

Theo, thanks for another nice blog. I’m a little confused with your Kurashev concerns, I still see compete level, I see some talent, why not keep playing him? In my opinion he has been slotted incorrectly and has seen his ice time go down the last two to three weeks. Last game he replaced Kampf between Hagel and Kubalik, I’d like to see that again, let’s face it, not one line produced scoring on Saturday, so that line was not alone. I’d like to see Entwistle replace Highmore vs Kurashev, just my opinion. I don’t think Highmore has a future on this team, I just don’t see it.
- Angotti

I personally don't think Kurashev should get sent to Rockford but could see management making that call to jump start him a bit more. Or to healthy scratch him on a day when the Hawks and Hogs both have home games.

Overall, I like Kurashev's game even when he's not producing. He's still an asset on the forecheck and defensively. He's on pace for 15 goals in an 82-game season. That's still very good.

Agree, Kurashev for a young guy, still fights along the boards and wins many of those pucks.

Nothing wrong with a game or two off every now and then, long season for the young guys who aren't used to it, but I would keep playing him as well.

Maybe even give him a bit of time with better line mates, he can skate also, usually a knock on our youngsters of the past.
- vabeachbear

Not only can Kurashev skate but he's a lot stronger than he looks and has a fearlessness to drive to the net and park himself there. He's one of the few that does consistently.

Only 2 Blackhawks have a positive Corsi for the season (5v5) from Natural Stat Trick.

Carpenter 53.04%
Pirri 52.94%

3 others are close.

Kampf 49.94%
Murphy 49.31%
Johnson 49.09%
- scottak

These stats are exactly why hockey analytics should not be taken as gospel, I’ll take the eye test all day long.

I was also a bit of a doubter on Boqvist and thought he should have stayed in London last year but alas the kid has prevailed and seems to be raising to the occasion so good to see I think the sky is the limit .

Wallmark placed on waivers.

Hinostroza practicing on a line with Kurashev and Kubalik. He's also wearing #28.

These stats are exactly why hockey analytics should not be taken as gospel, I’ll take the eye test all day long.
- Angotti

What does the eye test say that is anything different?

Most games - Hawks are outshot, out-chanced, out-zone-timed....

The reasons for the surprising record so far (IMO, of course) are (a) Lankinen (and Subban) playing much better than expected, and (b) the defense (as protection to the goalies) has been better than expected.

Any stats relating to a transition game, or an offensive pressure game or zone-time, should be negative.

Wallmark placed on waivers.
- Theo Fox

He was a throw-in in the Trocheck trade last year, and apparently Florida didn't offer him a contract or arbitration last offseason. He had 28 points in 2019 when with Carolina. Only 3 assists so far this year. Not expecting the world, but what happened this year? So room must be made for other prospects, and if he gets claimed, so be it.

Talk of Palmeiri being traded soon. UFA after the season. He is much better than Janmark, but still worth watching how much he brings back in trade.

Palmeiri Janmark
Age 29 28
Goals 8 10
Assists 9 9
+/-, -2, -16
PIM 18 8
TOI 17:47 16:56
Blocks 10 9
Hits 37 21
Takeaways 17 12
Giveaways 16 19

He also is making $4.5 mil. and Janmark $2.6

What does the eye test say that is anything different?

Most games - Hawks are outshot, out-chanced, out-zone-timed....

The reasons for the surprising record so far (IMO, of course) are (a) Lankinen (and Subban) playing much better than expected, and (b) the defense (as protection to the goalies) has been better than expected.

Any stats relating to a transition game, or an offensive pressure game or zone-time, should be negative.
- StLBravesFan

Well, the eye test tells me that Carpenter and Pirri are not the best forwards on the team.

He was a throw-in in the Trocheck trade last year, and apparently Florida didn't offer him a contract or arbitration last offseason. He had 28 points in 2019 when with Carolina. Only 3 assists so far this year. Not expecting the world, but what happened this year? So room must be made for other prospects, and if he gets claimed, so be it.
- 333inthe3rd

I think that trade put the nail in the coffin for Tallon as far as his GM duties for the Panthers were concerned.

Hinostroza practicing on a line with Kurashev and Kubalik. He's also wearing #28.
- Theo Fox

Kinda like that