Theo Fox: Prospect Showcase: Pregame A look at the Blackhawks dearth of blue chip prospects yet wealth of role-playing ones and why that's not necessarily a bad thing.

Plus, thoughts on Nolan Allan after his ELC signing yesterday.

Do you YouTube tv to see tonight's match up or Minnesota channel?

RIP Lou Angotti. The Hawks and Ice Hogs should have film segments for their younger 3rd and 4th line players highlighting the play of some of the old fashioned players like Lou. High compete level and went to tough areas at 5’9” and 170 lbs.

RIP Lou Angotti. The Hawks and Ice Hogs should have film segments for their younger 3rd and 4th line players highlighting the play of some of the old fashioned players like Lou. High compete level and went to tough areas at 5’9” and 170 lbs.
- Ztra

Anyone remember when Brad Gassoff of the Blues put Louie through the glass and into the second row at the Stadium right next to the visitors bench? The glass was tempered Herculite (laminated glass) and small chunks of it went everywhere including the faces of the two unlucky ladies sitting in the front row. That might be one of the reasons why buildings use acrylic (5'8" thick if I remember correctly).

Also Lou had a great bar in Pompano called Pickles Pub for years. Had a couple of good sessions shooting the poop with him down there. He was intense at the rink, but a real nice man away from it. One of the good guys. RIP.

Correction: Bob Gassoff, not Brad.

Do you YouTube tv to see tonight's match up or Minnesota channel?
- Scott1977

The wild have their own you tube section...and not sure if it will be a late stream or close to live...and as that one last year (where the Wings minor pro team's announcers saw only the greatness in all Wing prospects...expect plenty of home town horsefeathers...

As a kid, I simply loved Blackjhawk Lou Angotti.

I think it had to do with the fact that he played so little behind the three regular lines that teams put out there.

The hawks might have been down in the score, and Billy Reay would call his name and he always seemed two steps faster and more east-west mobile than any of the other players on the sheet.
Of course he was fresh and fearless and scored 12 and 15 goals in two of his seasons, but it was those early years that we saw a dominant force (albeit an illusional one).

The knock on Allan being drafted so high was that he doesn't generate much offense. Frankly, though, who cares as long as he skates well, plays shutdown defense, and adds muscle and grit. His 2021 draft classmates Del Mastro and Taige Harding are similar.

Preach brother Theo!

Also: Altybarmakian and Barratt... exhibits A and B. I see what you did there.

"...is Jonathan Toews' swan song on the horizon, too?"

Just a feeling Theo? In everything I have seen and heard so far, it looks like Toews is ready and enjoying being back on the ice. Did the year off make him realize how much he missed being around and energized him, or did it make him realize that he can go on without hockey and will just play out his contract?

I obviously loved Lou Angotti, small in stature, but fearless and relentless, also loved when all the fans would yell “louuuu”. RIP Lou. As far as Nolan Allan, Murphy doesn’t really put up any points either, defensive defensemen are needed for a winning environment. As a matter of fact, you can more easily acquire an offensive defenseman(Gus/Ghost) than a defensive defenseman. Of course when you are good on both ends, then you end up as a top two dman.

I obviously loved Lou Angotti, small in stature, but fearless and relentless, also loved when all the fans would yell “louuuu”. RIP Lou. As far as Nolan Allan, Murphy doesn’t really put up any points either, defensive defensemen are needed for a winning environment. As a matter of fact, you can more easily acquire an offensive defenseman(Gus/Ghost) than a defensive defenseman. Of course when you are good on both ends, then you end up as a top two dman.

Angotti.

If Lou played in today's NHL, he would be a top 6 forward. His stickhandling skills were insane. I don't remember him ever being shut down on a breakaway. As far as Allen is concerned, if he becomes the next Hjarmalsson, I think we would all be ecstatic.

Not getting any votes were:

* Carson Gicewicz
* Michael Krutil
* Dmitri Osipov
* Tom Aubrun

…all But guaranteeing that one of these 4 has the best career out of any of them.

I obviously loved Lou Angotti, small in stature, but fearless and relentless, also loved when all the fans would yell “louuuu”. RIP Lou. As far as Nolan Allan, Murphy doesn’t really put up any points either, defensive defensemen are needed for a winning environment. As a matter of fact, you can more easily acquire an offensive defenseman(Gus/Ghost) than a defensive defenseman. Of course when you are good on both ends, then you end up as a top two dman.

Angotti.

If Lou played in today's NHL, he would be a top 6 forward. His stickhandling skills were insane. I don't remember him ever being shut down on a breakaway. As far as Allen is concerned, if he becomes the next Hjarmalsson, I think we would all be ecstatic.
- LAHawk

Maybe instead of going back to Prince Albert they should send him to IK Oskarshamn?

The knock on Allan being drafted so high was that he doesn't generate much offense. Frankly, though, who cares as long as he skates well, plays shutdown defense, and adds muscle and grit. His 2021 draft classmates Del Mastro and Taige Harding are similar.

Preach brother Theo![/I]

I must come off as one of the most argumentative SOBs around when it comes to these prospects and what is"'said" about these junior players.

I have notepads of the kids in the 2022 and start to write what I think see and try and accent the positive. With most top end first rounders, you will start to see written word of attributes and concerns, and usually both ends make the casual reader think like this is a finished product.
Starting with the lesser two guys.
Taige Harding was big a year ago, but it was his improved all-around play that suddenly made him a hot developmental quantity....a bit different than an Owen Power who very few would ever doubt he will get a chance to play in the NHL and tons of time / and rope to improve and do just that.
Harding's size and spot on the radar jumped because his size was now much more at work and the skills were better all around. (The playoffs this Spring saw plenty of long reached veteran defenseman make great plays because of their reach and grit when it counted in the post season...Jamie Oleksiak type excelled, even though they were lower-salaried guys not considered as game breakers in an sense of the word.)


Del Mastro most likely was talked about more, ranked higher as an "is what he is" defender with snarl, a year or two BEFORE the draft and was higher ranked on most draft prognosticator's lists because you know what he is now, what he does already. You take him and his improvement progression is set to basically fill role in the higher levels.

The only reason I am mentioning this stuff is to get to Nolan Allen.
THREE years ago you looked at Allen's balance, feet, smarts at his position and you could have easily said, "Yeah, he is on the way yo being a first rounder..."

The "looks like a reach" selection by the Hawks was a shock to me, because besides the U-18, there was very little in his league play to justify that he was a future NHL defenseive defenseman either. (Lots of playing errors, no super strong defensive showings.)There really seemed like there was no growth. (My opinion)
I don't think anyone bypassed his natural talent and just simply looked at his scoring totals when they had him in so many prognosticator's draft lists as a 3rd round selection, or later.

My point is I don't think the knock was lack of offense, but lack of strong success even as an offense lacking defenseman.

I find it hard to believe that Kelley and Bowman saw the U-18s and based their selection on that, so maybe they have a really strong relationship to his people, staffs and they felt he was a safe guy right there.
There are comparisons to Seabrook. (Seabrook here on this board was never acknowledged as a good speeder for his size, a fallacy; Seabrook's feet ,balance and short area quickness went hand in hand with his awareness and execution.)

It is really fun to see the Drysdale (Anaheim) type offenseman that get taken because they are effortlessly involved in lots of the action. Or Canuck's Hughes.
BUT ... they aren't gonna give any "seabrook " in their game.

Maybe the hawks feel there is an untapped capability in Noah Allen that he CAN grow and relax offensively. Sure, they know he hasn't, but he hasn't a lot of things in his game and that why I am rooting for him, but still feeling unless they know something we don't, he may be a low end projection, a reach, and not even a safe selection at #31.

Osipov can't even be considered a prospect at this point. he is like 200 in prospect years.

The knock on Allan being drafted so high was that he doesn't generate much offense. Frankly, though, who cares as long as he skates well, plays shutdown defense, and adds muscle and grit. His 2021 draft classmates Del Mastro and Taige Harding are similar.

Preach brother Theo!
- wiz1901[/I]

I must come off as one of the most argumentative SOBs around when it comes to these prospects and what is"'said" about these junior players.

I have notepads of the kids in the 2022 and start to write what I think see and try and accent the positive. With most top end first rounders, you will start to see written word of attributes and concerns, and usually both ends make the casual reader think like this is a finished product.
Starting with the lesser two guys.
Taige Harding was big a year ago, but it was his improved all-around play that suddenly made him a hot developmental quantity....a bit different than an Owen Power who very few would ever doubt he will get a chance to play in the NHL and tons of time / and rope to improve and do just that.
Harding's size and spot on the radar jumped because his size was now much more at work and the skills were better all around. (The playoffs this Spring saw plenty of long reached veteran defenseman make great plays because of their reach and grit when it counted in the post season...Jamie Oleksiak type excelled, even though they were lower-salaried guys not considered as game breakers in an sense of the word.)


Del Mastro most likely was talked about more, ranked higher as an "is what he is" defender with snarl, a year or two BEFORE the draft and was higher ranked on most draft prognosticator's lists because you know what he is now, what he does already. You take him and his improvement progression is set to basically fill role in the higher levels.

The only reason I am mentioning this stuff is to get to Nolan Allen.
THREE years ago you looked at Allen's balance, feet, smarts at his position and you could have easily said, "Yeah, he is on the way yo being a first rounder..."

The "looks like a reach" selection by the Hawks was a shock to me, because besides the U-18, there was very little in his league play to justify that he was a future NHL defenseive defenseman either. (Lots of playing errors, no super strong defensive showings.)There really seemed like there was no growth. (My opinion)
I don't think anyone bypassed his natural talent and just simply looked at his scoring totals when they had him in so many prognosticator's draft lists as a 3rd round selection, or later.

My point is I don't think the knock was lack of offense, but lack of strong success even as an offense lacking defenseman.

I find it hard to believe that Kelley and Bowman saw the U-18s and based their selection on that, so maybe they have a really strong relationship to his people, staffs and they felt he was a safe guy right there.
There are comparisons to Seabrook. (Seabrook here on this board was never acknowledged as a good speeder for his size, a fallacy; Seabrook's feet ,balance and short area quickness went hand in hand with his awareness and execution.)

It is really fun to see the Drysdale (Anaheim) type offenseman that get taken because they are effortlessly involved in lots of the action. Or Canuck's Hughes.
BUT ... they aren't gonna give any "seabrook " in their game.

Maybe the hawks feel there is an untapped capability in Noah Allen that he CAN grow and relax offensively. Sure, they know he hasn't, but he hasn't a lot of things in his game and that why I am rooting for him, but still feeling unless they know something we don't, he may be a low end projection, a reach, and not even a safe selection at #31.

Hey Wiz. My enthusiasm was aimed at the "who cares as long as he skates well, plays shutdown D and adds grit and muscle" comment. It is not realistic to expect all your D-men to be all around players. They just aren't, and if you are lucky enough to have 6, you can't pay them all. I'm not expecting anything from these players until I actually see them play. Do I want them to pan out? Of course, but I'm not putting any prognostications out there.

Thanks for the background on the players Wiz. It is much appreciated.

The knock on Allan being drafted so high was that he doesn't generate much offense. Frankly, though, who cares as long as he skates well, plays shutdown defense, and adds muscle and grit. His 2021 draft classmates Del Mastro and Taige Harding are similar.

Preach brother Theo!
- wiz1901[/I]

I must come off as one of the most argumentative SOBs around when it comes to these prospects and what is"'said" about these junior players.

I have notepads of the kids in the 2022 and start to write what I think see and try and accent the positive. With most top end first rounders, you will start to see written word of attributes and concerns, and usually both ends make the casual reader think like this is a finished product.
Starting with the lesser two guys.
Taige Harding was big a year ago, but it was his improved all-around play that suddenly made him a hot developmental quantity....a bit different than an Owen Power who very few would ever doubt he will get a chance to play in the NHL and tons of time / and rope to improve and do just that.
Harding's size and spot on the radar jumped because his size was now much more at work and the skills were better all around. (The playoffs this Spring saw plenty of long reached veteran defenseman make great plays because of their reach and grit when it counted in the post season...Jamie Oleksiak type excelled, even though they were lower-salaried guys not considered as game breakers in an sense of the word.)


Del Mastro most likely was talked about more, ranked higher as an "is what he is" defender with snarl, a year or two BEFORE the draft and was higher ranked on most draft prognosticator's lists because you know what he is now, what he does already. You take him and his improvement progression is set to basically fill role in the higher levels.

The only reason I am mentioning this stuff is to get to Nolan Allen.
THREE years ago you looked at Allen's balance, feet, smarts at his position and you could have easily said, "Yeah, he is on the way yo being a first rounder..."

The "looks like a reach" selection by the Hawks was a shock to me, because besides the U-18, there was very little in his league play to justify that he was a future NHL defenseive defenseman either. (Lots of playing errors, no super strong defensive showings.)There really seemed like there was no growth. (My opinion)
I don't think anyone bypassed his natural talent and just simply looked at his scoring totals when they had him in so many prognosticator's draft lists as a 3rd round selection, or later.

My point is I don't think the knock was lack of offense, but lack of strong success even as an offense lacking defenseman.

I find it hard to believe that Kelley and Bowman saw the U-18s and based their selection on that, so maybe they have a really strong relationship to his people, staffs and they felt he was a safe guy right there.
There are comparisons to Seabrook. (Seabrook here on this board was never acknowledged as a good speeder for his size, a fallacy; Seabrook's feet ,balance and short area quickness went hand in hand with his awareness and execution.)

It is really fun to see the Drysdale (Anaheim) type offenseman that get taken because they are effortlessly involved in lots of the action. Or Canuck's Hughes.
BUT ... they aren't gonna give any "seabrook " in their game.

Maybe the hawks feel there is an untapped capability in Noah Allen that he CAN grow and relax offensively. Sure, they know he hasn't, but he hasn't a lot of things in his game and that why I am rooting for him, but still feeling unless they know something we don't, he may be a low end projection, a reach, and not even a safe selection at #31.

I think you have to have a decent mix of guys who show a bunch of talent and look like the "real deal" and guys who have the physical gifts but haven't put it together. So difficult to predict any level of success with these players.

I think you have to have a decent mix of guys who show a bunch of talent and look like the "real deal" and guys who have the physical gifts but haven't put it together. So difficult to predict any level of success with these players.
- fattybeef

Examples of a successful defenseman whose you develop after selection mid second -third round:

Joel Edmundson late 2nd round #44 2011
Colton Parayko late 3rd round #86 2012

This is where you used to mine for defensive defenseman goals....btw, this is who the Blows picked BEFORE them, so maybe that indicates the luck needed on 18 yr olds.
NO FIRST rounder
2 #32 Ty Rattie (F) 6 98 13 17 30 12
2 #41 Dmitrij Jaskin (F) 8 303 27 42 69 88
2 #46 Joel Edmundson (D)
2011
1 #25 Jordan Schmaltz (D) 3 42 0 5 5 12
2 #56 Sam Kurker (F)
3 #67 MacKenzie MacEachern (F)

Hey Wiz. My enthusiasm was aimed at the "who cares as long as he skates well, plays shutdown D and adds grit and muscle" comment. It is not realistic to expect all your D-men to be all around players. They just aren't, and if you are lucky enough to have 6, you can't pay them all. I'm not expecting anything from these players until I actually see them play.
- Chunk

I wasn't going after you but more the hawks, honest.

Just thinking about prospects and I know he isn't part of the roster, but Chad Krys...Do you think this is a sink or swim season for him in Rockford? It can be hard to tell given that there wasn't a lot of hockey in the last two years, but just feels like he is behind a lot of other guys in the pecking order.

I'm pretty interested to see what we get from Evan Barratt.

I get all the appeal of an offensive defenseman, they put up points and they are like fourth forward, they join the rush. Defensemen, to contribute to the offensive part of the game should be good at: getting the puck out of their own zone by making good outlet passes ...... HEAD MAN THE PUCK. Keep the puck alive in the offensive zone by timely pinching in or good stick at the point to keep it in the zone. Have a heavy shot from the point and good at getting pucks to the net, even if it means taking wrist shots to get that shot to the net, so that tip ins or rebounds can occur. If they can do that, and be stellar in the defensive zone, guy like that is worth his weight in gold

I get all the appeal of an offensive defenseman, they put up points and they are like fourth forward, they join the rush. Defensemen, to contribute to the offensive part of the game should be good at: getting the puck out of their own zone by making good outlet passes ...... HEAD MAN THE PUCK. Keep the puck alive in the offensive zone by timely pinching in or good stick at the point to keep it in the zone. Have a heavy shot from the point and good at getting pucks to the net, even if it means taking wrist shots to get that shot to the net, so that tip ins or rebounds can occur. If they can do that, and be stellar in the defensive zone, guy like that is worth his weight in gold
- chuckdahammer

Even Keith didn't do all those things his shot wouldn't go through newspaper.

Hey Wiz. My enthusiasm was aimed at the "who cares as long as he skates well, plays shutdown D and adds grit and muscle" comment. It is not realistic to expect all your D-men to be all around players. They just aren't, and if you are lucky enough to have 6, you can't pay them all. I'm not expecting anything from these players until I actually see them play. Do I want them to pan out? Of course, but I'm not putting any prognostications out there.

Thanks for the background on the players Wiz. It is much appreciated.
- Chunk

People forget that's why Roszival at $650-$2M was really good.

I obviously loved Lou Angotti, small in stature, but fearless and relentless, also loved when all the fans would yell “louuuu”. RIP Lou. As far as Nolan Allan, Murphy doesn’t really put up any points either, defensive defensemen are needed for a winning environment. As a matter of fact, you can more easily acquire an offensive defenseman(Gus/Ghost) than a defensive defenseman. Of course when you are good on both ends, then you end up as a top two dman.

Angotti.

If Lou played in today's NHL, he would be a top 6 forward. His stickhandling skills were insane. I don't remember him ever being shut down on a breakaway. As far as Allen is concerned, if he becomes the next Hjarmalsson, I think we would all be ecstatic.
- LAHawk

He was actually very quick. I don't know about Allen?

We hardly knew you....

https://www.nhltraderumor...0an%20alternate%20captain.

We hardly knew you....

https://www.nhltraderumor...0an%20alternate%20captain.
- powerenforcer

Next up Carpenter🤞🏻