Theo Fox: Game 41: Hawks 1, Stars 5
A recap of the Blackhawks series split with the Stars as Dallas capitalized on Chicago's mistakes en route to a 5-1 win.

Plus, a look at the deal with the Panthers netting Borgstrom, Connolly, Stillman, and a 7th.

Morning,

Last night was ugly, but predictable. Others looking over their shoulders if they're getting shipped out.

But as they say, water finds its level, and i think both that, and the game every other day schedule is wearing on the younger guys and they are showing signs of getting tired, or at least mentally tired.

Either way, if the season ended today, I think most here would say it was a success, and the Hawks are at least on a decent path to a rebuild.

Development, draft picks, getting out from under big contracts that aren't playing any longer are the goals the next couple years, with a continual step forward in the rebuild.

I think the stats need to be dramatically score adjusted - Hawks played well in first, and it was fairly even after that until the game was well in hand for Dallas.

PP and PK have both deteriorated, leaving a sketchy 5x5 game to hold the fort - and they can’t shoot well enough to score much there: they haven’t scored 5 goals in 17 games, they’ve hit 4 only 3 times (and at least one of those was ENG).

They also have stopped getting games to OT: they forced extra time in 11 of their first 25 games, and 17 out of their first 31 points came in games that went beyond 60 minutes.

No OTs in the past 16 - 5 wins 11 losses - and only two of those loses were one-goal games - six were by more than two.

My eyes say that’s at least in part due to Blackhawk misplays and bad special teams that they couldn’t cover up.

I question the timing of this deal. Deal Stan really need to make this trade now? If he waited I’m sure he could have got a better draft pick than a 7th round pick.

And...is Bjorgstrom eligible for the Kraken-pickings or not?

Seems to be a “yes”, but some doubt.

Borgström has actually gotten in a pretty good place since his injuries and covid-layoffs the past year. He has been posting a point per game the last 12 games and been very noticeable on ice. He could become quite a nice feather in Stans cap starting next fall. He is on the ice tonight for IFK in FEL as a go to center.

Borgström has actually gotten in a pretty good place since his injuries and covid-layoffs the past year. He has been posting a point per game the last 12 games and been very noticeable on ice. He could become quite a nice feather in Stans cap starting next fall. He is on the ice tonight for IFK in FEL as a go to center.
- FeatheredFinn

Actually on a same line with Niklas Nordgren, another Hawk-prospect who has had a tough time with injuries.

It will be interesting to see what Stan does if his choice on protection is if Borgstrom is eligible between Borgstrom and Nylander.

It will be interesting to see what Stan does if his choice on protection is if Borgstrom is eligible between Borgstrom and Nylander.
- jrsamu

I am sure he wont risk losing either given what he has done to get them. This assuming he still believes in Nylander.

Nylander really doesn’t fit the plan going forward with the emergence of others. Expose him to the draft and go from there.

Nylander really doesn’t fit the plan going forward with the emergence of others. Expose him to the draft and go from there.
- Assman22

How many wings in the Hawk system have Top Six potential?

Borgström has actually gotten in a pretty good place since his injuries and covid-layoffs the past year. He has been posting a point per game the last 12 games and been very noticeable on ice. He could become quite a nice feather in Stans cap starting next fall. He is on the ice tonight for IFK in FEL as a go to center.
- FeatheredFinn

Thanks. Keep the updates coming.

And...is Bjorgstrom eligible for the Kraken-pickings or not?

Seems to be a “yes”, but some doubt.
- StLBravesFan

I don't think it matters, if Stan doesn't sign him then the Kraken would have to worry about him signing and playing on NA ice, so if i were the Kraken i would actually snag an actual hockey player instead of a project that might or might not sign with you

Hawks are headed to the lottery and at least a top 10 pick. I am ok with that.

Soderberg could well be traded by Monday. If so, I hope they at least get a 3rd round pick. Any lower than that and they should keep him. If he is still here after the TDL he should be in the lineup and on the PP. It is not like we have other centers deserving starts at center.

People on the blog were wanting Connolly not that long ago. It should be interesting to see how he fits in and if he can break out of the doldrums.

I really hope Zadorov is not on the Hawks next year. He is not good at hockey. He is 26 next week. He is not getting better. Let him go and use the cap space on someone else.

Nice article in the Athletic about next years roster. A lot of things could go right. But a lot of things could go wrong too. (Toews, Reichel, Borgstrom, Connolly, young dmen.....)

Since we're talkng about expansion draft protection lists, what about Hawk defensemen. Keith and Murphy are the shoe ins, but who's the 3rd?

After watching Z last night, he can be exposed for all I care. deHaan also isn't worth protecting, but Seattle probably won't take him. Will the new kid Stillman be protected?

Back to Z, his minimum qualifying offer is 3.36M. Will the Hawks just let him go, or QO him and keep him as a placeholder for another year. Or, heaven forbid, extend him to longer term and $$$. Like to see Stillman get in several games down the stretch to see what he has. If he plays with some physicality, maybe Z is expendable.

Bettman Cup Standings (Biggest Loser Pts/games played)

1) 0.615 Sabres
2) 0.732 Sens
3) 0.762 Wings
4) 0.775 Ducks
5) 0.875 Flames
6) 0.895 Jersey
7) 0.905 Jackets
8) 0.946 Canucks
9) 0.947 Kings
10) 1.000 Sharks, Stars, Hawks
13) 1.026 Blues
14) 1.051 Rangers
15) 1.075 Yotes
16) 1.077 Flyers
17) 1.098 Preds
18) 1.162 Canadiens
19) 1.268 Oilers
20) 1.275 Jets
21) 1.297 Bruins
22) 1.300 Pens
23) 1.316 Wild
24) 1.350 Caps
25) 1.366 Panthers
26) 1.368 Knights
27) 1.400 Islanders, Lightning
29) 1.425 Leafs
30) 1.436 Av's
31) 1.462 Canes

Hawks are headed to the lottery and at least a top 10 pick. I am ok with that.

Soderberg could well be traded by Monday. If so, I hope they at least get a 3rd round pick. Any lower than that and they should keep him. If he is still here after the TDL he should be in the lineup and on the PP. It is not like we have other centers deserving starts at center.

People on the blog were wanting Connolly not that long ago. It should be interesting to see how he fits in and if he can break out of the doldrums.

I really hope Zadorov is not on the Hawks next year. He is not good at hockey. He is 26 next week. He is not getting better. Let him go and use the cap space on someone else.

Nice article in the Athletic about next years roster. A lot of things could go right. But a lot of things could go wrong too. (Toews, Reichel, Borgstrom, Connolly, young dmen.....)
- -Doh-

Where has Soderberg been? Injured or Stan holding him out from playing to avoid an injury leading up to the TDL? I'd take a 4th or 5th for him. Like you said the Hawks may be a lottery team so what's the use of keeping him. A 4th or 5th may not get you much, but it's better than nothing.

Agree with you on Z. See my previous post that I was composing when you posted yours.

I question the timing of this deal. Deal Stan really need to make this trade now? If he waited I’m sure he could have got a better draft pick than a 7th round pick.
- DarthKane

The fact he wasn't able to get Barkov or Ekblad included in the deal is just another Bowman FAIL!

Hawks are headed to the lottery and at least a top 10 pick. I am ok with that.

Soderberg could well be traded by Monday. If so, I hope they at least get a 3rd round pick. Any lower than that and they should keep him. If he is still here after the TDL he should be in the lineup and on the PP. It is not like we have other centers deserving starts at center.

People on the blog were wanting Connolly not that long ago. It should be interesting to see how he fits in and if he can break out of the doldrums.

I really hope Zadorov is not on the Hawks next year. He is not good at hockey. He is 26 next week. He is not getting better. Let him go and use the cap space on someone else.

Nice article in the Athletic about next years roster. A lot of things could go right. But a lot of things could go wrong too. (Toews, Reichel, Borgstrom, Connolly, young dmen.....)
- -Doh-

A third round pick would be nice since we lack one for 2021. I think Stan will get a few picks from Soderberg, Janmark, and maybe from one of his defencemen. But his biggest get should come from aiding another club in a 3-way for a Taylor Hall type of deal by eating 50% Cap.

And I am fine with Connolly since his deal does not run past what should be his prime playing years. And I am okay with Stan's deployment of Cap space here and with the assets we received. I believe that he has only one retention available for a Hall type of deal. So a deal of that type would cement his earlier comments re using Cap space for the rebuild.

I think we need to be patient and wait for the TDL period to end before we assess our GM's overall performance.

Where has Soderberg been? Injured or Stan holding him out from playing to avoid an injury leading up to the TDL? I'd take a 4th or 5th for him. Like you said the Hawks may be a lottery team so what's the use of keeping him. A 4th or 5th may not get you much, but it's better than nothing.

Agree with you on Z. See my previous post that I was composing when you posted yours.
- boilermaker100

I'm with you. I'd take a 4th or 5th for Soda and a 3rd or 4th at this point for Janmark unless they know they can resign him for around what he currently makes.

I think weather Z is here or not depends on:

Do they think Stillman is ready next year. My guess is he is going to be playing quite a lot for the remainder of the year to make that observation. Or can they find another big defenseman that they think will be better than Z.

It is obvious that Stan is looking for more size on the back end. That is why he wanted to draft Guhle last year, but the Canadiens picked him one slot above the Hawks getting Reichel.

Shows you how unmarketable Saad was with his $6 mil. contract. Couldn't trade him at the TDL last year, and only netted Z in the off season.

A third round pick would be nice since we lack one for 2021. I think Stan will get a few picks from Soderberg, Janmark, and maybe from one of his defencemen. But his biggest get should come from aiding another club in a 3-way for a Taylor Hall type of deal by eating 50% Cap.

And I am fine with Connolly since his deal does not run past what should be his prime playing years. And I am okay with Stan's deployment of Cap space here and with the assets we received. I believe that he has only one retention available for a Hall type of deal. So a deal of that type would cement his earlier comments re using Cap space for the rebuild.

I think we need to be patient and wait for the TDL period to end before we assess our GM's overall performance.
- 67hawks

Since the Hawks can afford Connolly's salary, would you rather have Connolly, or Carpenter/Highmore?

How many wings in the Hawk system have Top Six potential?
- mohel

Not counting Borgstrom and Reichel, they already have Kane, Kubaleek, Dachass, Hagel, Suter, Kitten, Strome, Connolly, Barratt. Keep him if he plays in the A until he proves he can live up to the family name. Otherwise I’d rather he was exposed moreso than a few others.

I think weather Z is here or not depends on:

Do they think Stillman is ready next year. My guess is he is going to be playing quite a lot for the remainder of the year to make that observation. Or can they find another big defenseman that they think will be better than Z.

It is obvious that Stan is looking for more size on the back end. That is why he wanted to draft Guhle last year, but the Canadiens picked him one slot above the Hawks getting Reichel.

Shows you how unmarketable Saad was with his $6 mil. contract. Couldn't trade him at the TDL last year, and only netted Z in the off season.
- LAHawk

I did see him in a game recently. Can't recall if it was vs the Hawks or Wings but he was noticeable in a good way.

Hoping to see both him and Connoly in upcoming games soon.

On Borgstrom, watched some YouTube highlights and I'm not sure where the Viktor Ejdsell comparisons are coming from. Think that was mostly just JHawk, but Borgstrom has some pretty awesome stick handling skills.

Since the Hawks can afford Connolly's salary, would you rather have Connolly, or Carpenter/Highmore?
- LAHawk

Ship out all 3 plus Soda & Jan. Lots of smoke around Chi/Tor. Queafs have absolutely nothing in the prospect pool woof. I’d assume they want to move Kerfoot off the books to open up cap. Picks are about all they have to offer.