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Forums :: Blog World :: Theo Fox: Spare Time
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paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Aug 5 @ 11:01 AM ET
Come on Dach was playing through a possible career ending or at least altering injury and he has shown much more upside then Nylander who almost jumps over the boards when he faces contact .And I don't believe Dach is a number 1 center right now .Not to say that's not in his future
- oldduffman

I expect Dach to be a good forward in the NHL, not sure he has the high end finishing ability to be a first line player? Nylander has all the skill but I watch him and his compete level reminds me of Strome. He can put up points but he’s not real interested in getting his nose dirty to win puck battles. Kane has figured out how to win puck battles without getting banged up maybe Nylander can figure it out too. If he can, he gives Chicago a legit top six forward, if he can’t he’ll be the Hawk’s whipping boy until he’s run out of town.
oldduffman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.06.2013

Aug 5 @ 11:05 AM ET
According to Capfriendly if I am reading it correctly, there's presently no cap space so Shaw on LTIR is a solution but needs to wait until the first day of the season to take advantage. Anyone with a better grasp of the cap, feel free to correct me.

Assuming that's the case, though, then there would need to be a trade or two to ship out some salary. Strome or de Haan could be options. We know for a fact that de Haan is being shopped. No rumors on Strome, though.

There's also trying to move Carpenter or Connelly with the latter granting the most cap space ($500K more than Strome).

- Theo Fox

I may be mistaken but thought I read that TB was putting Seebs on injury reserve before the season and the article was asking why the Hawks would not have done the same .
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Aug 5 @ 11:05 AM ET
Thank you Theo. It is a pleasure reading your posts. You do it with knowledge without being arrogant or condescending.

The overall quality or skill/talent level on the roster is much better than it was before the start of last season. Health of Toews is huge. Recovery of Nylander, McCabe, and deHaan (if he is still on the roster) will be very important. Toews and McCabe are skating in Chicago. I hope Nylander and deHaan are working their asses off.

A 4th line center (better than Carpenter) is still needed. They need to move a salary. They may be waiting see another few weeks of Toews before moving Strome. I think there are still multiple moves coming. But they may not make a move until training camp starts.

- Ztra

Thanks, Z.

I agree, Kampf's departure left a hole at 4C even if there are quantifiably enough centers on the roster. Carpenter is okay in that spot but the Hawks could do better. Same with Khaira who I would prefer he play wing.

If Entwistle is spending a little more time in Rockford in 2021-22, then this is where a free agent like Zajac or Bozak could be a good move (assuming cap space is freed up). Both are excellent on draws, well above 50% with Bozak hovering closer to 60%.
Scott1977
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Yorkville, IL
Joined: 08.30.2012

Aug 5 @ 11:06 AM ET
Theo this just my assumption but i would think when arbitration is done for group of players i would imagine more trades will happen. Strome imo needs to be traded hawks have enough depth at center in case towes is not ready to start the season. So what potential teams would make sense to trade for strome and what would be a realistic return?
Assman22
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: San Francisco, CA
Joined: 04.13.2012

Aug 5 @ 11:09 AM ET
According to Capfriendly if I am reading it correctly, there's presently no cap space so Shaw on LTIR is a solution but needs to wait until the first day of the season to take advantage. Anyone with a better grasp of the cap, feel free to correct me.

Assuming that's the case, though, then there would need to be a trade or two to ship out some salary. Strome or de Haan could be options. We know for a fact that de Haan is being shopped. No rumors on Strome, though.

There's also trying to move Carpenter or Connelly with the latter granting the most cap space ($500K more than Strome).

- Theo Fox

Worst case scenario I would assume would be a buyout of Connolly which I believe would get them just under the cap.
*Update - If he’s bought out, Hawks save $2.33 mil this season and thus would be under the cap.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Aug 5 @ 11:10 AM ET
One of the best?
- paulr


(Seinfeld reference for those that don't know where this is from)
powerenforcer
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Wheeling, IL
Joined: 09.24.2009

Aug 5 @ 11:11 AM ET
One of the best?
- paulr


Too many people use "The Best ... " too much. We all know Theo is top notch.

Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Aug 5 @ 11:12 AM ET
I may be mistaken but thought I read that TB was putting Seebs on injury reserve before the season and the article was asking why the Hawks would not have done the same .
- oldduffman

Good question. For those with a better understanding of the cap and LTIR, feel free to chime in. I read up about this in the spring but forget the finer details of in-season vs out-of-season LTIR.
rpeters01
Season Ticket Holder
Joined: 07.09.2016

Aug 5 @ 11:13 AM ET
Interesting Blog Theo.

After a few of the moves, I started to think that this is exactly what was going on. Developing almost all rookies at that same time does no one any good. It could be they saw this, and felt like they needed to change.

The signings could be looked as a readjustment of the young guys development program, and I kind of see it as a decent adjustment to that plan.

Just look at Goalie. Now Lanky won't take the load (like his play, but he seemed to wear down last year to me), Soderblom, getting lead AHL minutes, Commesso getting lead mins in a top College program. That looks much better than what we thought it was going to be.

As you said, Mitchell, Beaudin, etc. should have been playing a full season of AHL minutes, playing in all the situations.

I know many hate the Jones trade and some of the other moves, I get it. Its important though to get back to more "normal" development plan for the young guys.

- vabeachbear

Getting Jones for Keith was a fabulous move!
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Aug 5 @ 11:15 AM ET
Worst case scenario I would assume would be a buyout of Connolly which I believe would get them just under the cap.
- Assman22

There were two buyout periods this offseason and both have elapsed already (second one was July 27) so that's no longer an option for the Hawks.

Cap space withstanding, I personally don't mind Connolly in the bottom 6. He's effective, can play a heavy style, and still capable of secondary scoring.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Aug 5 @ 11:17 AM ET
Getting Jones for Keith was a fabulous move!
- rpeters01

If that was the trade I’d agree. But an awful lot of future went the other way and that contract will kill the Hawks if Jones is unable to play close to Keith did in his prime. That said I’m willing to see if he can be a great defenseman and a difference maker.
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Aug 5 @ 11:19 AM ET
Theo this just my assumption but i would think when arbitration is done for group of players i would imagine more trades will happen. Strome imo needs to be traded hawks have enough depth at center in case towes is not ready to start the season. So what potential teams would make sense to trade for strome and what would be a realistic return?
- Scott1977

If Strome is traded, it's tough to say who could be a good trade partner. It depends on whether other teams view him as a top 6 center or middle 6 center and whether they are looking to fill a 2C or 3C role.

It's at least agreeable that team's looking for a 1C aren't going to pursue Strome. To many, even 2C is a stretch but there could be a team or two who value him as such.
oldduffman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.06.2013

Aug 5 @ 11:22 AM ET
Good question. For those with a better understanding of the cap and LTIR, feel free to chime in. I read up about this in the spring but forget the finer details of in-season vs out-of-season LTIR.
- Theo Fox

Thanks Theo It something that has puzzled me for sometime .Thanks for all you do this is my primary news about the Hawks and can always count on you for informative and interesting topics .
SteveRain
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Connor Murphy Sucks, IL
Joined: 05.07.2010

Aug 5 @ 11:26 AM ET
I think the biggest problem with the Hawks - at least from a PR perspective though with how they run these kids out there it is probably internal evaluation as well - is that they seem to think every single one of them is going to be a NHL contributor.

That just simply isn't the case. Between, Mitchell, Beaudin, Kalynuk and Krys - one of them is probably going to be a contributor, maybe one journeyman and the rest career AHL players or whatever.

Kalynuk looks like he can play and I don't know that playing against anything but the best competition makes him better. Mitchell would benefit from some AHL time to work on his happy feet for example though.

Point being is that it looks like someone finally realized that having a team of completely drafted talent with out being very very bad for 10 years and having them staggered so they all don't need paper at the same time is kinda tough to plan. The Dylan Sikura is our TDL acquisition statements are hopefully a thing of the past.

I think their forward groups will be competitive (Kane is always exciting) and the goaltending at least decent.

They will have at least 3 competent NHL defenders (4 if DeHaan is still on the team) who are proven veterans which makes working a few younger players in and properly slotting players like Stillman or the other Jones a possibility with out being an eyesore.

This team shouldn't be horrific to watch like the last few years have been.

- fattybeef



Well said, and your 1st, 2 paragraphs.......that's a lot of fan's expectations as well....falling in love with EVERY prospect.
SteveRain
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Connor Murphy Sucks, IL
Joined: 05.07.2010

Aug 5 @ 11:28 AM ET
I expect Dach to be a good forward in the NHL, not sure he has the high end finishing ability to be a first line player? Nylander has all the skill but I watch him and his compete level reminds me of Strome. He can put up points but he’s not real interested in getting his nose dirty to win puck battles. Kane has figured out how to win puck battles without getting banged up maybe Nylander can figure it out too. If he can, he gives Chicago a legit top six forward, if he can’t he’ll be the Hawk’s whipping boy until he’s run out of town.
- paulr


I am holding out hope Dach can be a very decent top 6 player year in and year out. 25-30 goals a year.

Nylander...I keep on saying it....give me a poor man's Versteeg. Versteeg had some snarl to him, so lets hope Nylander dials it up a bit before he's on organization #3 and possibly his last shot in the show.
SteveRain
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Connor Murphy Sucks, IL
Joined: 05.07.2010

Aug 5 @ 11:30 AM ET
There were two buyout periods this offseason and both have elapsed already (second one was July 27) so that's no longer an option for the Hawks.

Cap space withstanding, I personally don't mind Connolly in the bottom 6. He's effective, can play a heavy style, and still capable of secondary scoring.

- Theo Fox


Secondary scoring is extremely important, especially when the Hawks play a team with 2 solid pairs on the back end that can keep the Hawks skilled guys at bay.
oldduffman
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.06.2013

Aug 5 @ 11:34 AM ET
I expect Dach to be a good forward in the NHL, not sure he has the high end finishing ability to be a first line player? Nylander has all the skill but I watch him and his compete level reminds me of Strome. He can put up points but he’s not real interested in getting his nose dirty to win puck battles. Kane has figured out how to win puck battles without getting banged up maybe Nylander can figure it out too. If he can, he gives Chicago a legit top six forward, if he can’t he’ll be the Hawk’s whipping boy until he’s run out of town.
- paulr

Its tough to say about Dach he has shown promise and the injury was a bit of a setback . I still see him rebounding in a big way this year .As for Nylander that about some it up .Watching his brother in Toronto gives me hope he can mature into a decent player but neither is going to be a gritty player .
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Aug 5 @ 11:35 AM ET
I am holding out hope Dach can be a very decent top 6 player year in and year out. 25-30 goals a year.

Nylander...I keep on saying it....give me a poor man's Versteeg. Versteeg had some snarl to him, so lets hope Nylander dials it up a bit before he's on organization #3 and possibly his last shot in the show.

- SteveRain

Versteeg was a terrier, Nylander is a teacup poodle. I don’t see any way Nylander gets any nasty in his game. But like I said, if he can compete for pucks and puts up some points I think most fans will cut him some slack.
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Aug 5 @ 11:41 AM ET
Versteeg was a terrier, Nylander is a teacup poodle. I don’t see any way Nylander gets any nasty in his game. But like I said, if he can compete for pucks and puts up some points I think most fans will cut him some slack.
- paulr


Nylander is a lavender sniffer until he shows otherwise.
paulr
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: YYZ
Joined: 06.26.2011

Aug 5 @ 11:42 AM ET
Nylander is a lavender sniffer until he shows otherwise.
- mohel

Not that there’s anything wrong with lavender sniffers, after all I like you.
mohel
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 02.08.2013

Aug 5 @ 11:50 AM ET
Not that there’s anything wrong with lavender sniffers, after all I like you.
- paulr


I am a known limburger sniffer, Chief.
kmw4631
Location: CHICAGO
Joined: 02.27.2015

Aug 5 @ 11:55 AM ET
off season LTIR only works well if you have 2 players going on. 1 off season and 1 day 1. the sabs thing was going to help us allot this year. But unless somebody else is LTIR next it makes it much harder. you dont accrue cap space during the year on LTIR in the off season. But in our case we would have accruued cap space with Shaws in season LTIR. we can also open the year with 20 players for the first game so that can save you around $2mil. I still think we are not under the cap even if we go 20 players. I wonder if we know of another player that may go on LTIR? who else had any surgeries and might not be ready day 1?
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Aug 5 @ 12:02 PM ET
off season LTIR only works well if you have 2 players going on. 1 off season and 1 day 1. the sabs thing was going to help us allot this year. But unless somebody else is LTIR next it makes it much harder. you dont accrue cap space during the year on LTIR in the off season. But in our case we would have accruued cap space with Shaws in season LTIR. we can also open the year with 20 players for the first game so that can save you around $2mil. I still think we are not under the cap even if we go 20 players. I wonder if we know of another player that may go on LTIR? who else had any surgeries and might not be ready day 1?
- kmw4631


What is Toews odds of starting the season?
wizardofi
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Maple Ridge, BC
Joined: 04.17.2011

Aug 5 @ 12:02 PM ET
Isn't Toews still considered to be LTIR eligible since he ended last season on LTIR?
vabeachbear
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Ft Courage - out in the middle of Indian Country, NC
Joined: 10.17.2011

Aug 5 @ 12:04 PM ET

(Seinfeld reference for those that don't know where this is from)

- Theo Fox


Frogger
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