Theo Fox: Let's Reschedule Thoughts on whether it's high time for the Blackhawks to crank up the youth movement again or play the long game with prospects.

Plus, a quick look at the schedule ahead as the road trip ends in Calgary with a tilt tonight vs the red-hot Flames.

Let's Go Blackhawks!
While I hope they continue letting the young players develop in the AHL, between injuries and COVID, call ups will continue to be a thing.
It would be a big improvement if they can stay away from a 4-0 deficit like they allowed in Edmonton.

I’d rather play the long game with prospects, but recall for a few games if injuries dictate. The Hawks GA’s are way down since King took over, which is a good thing, now they need to work on their offense. Some will say this is it, they don’t have the talent to score more, well, I beg to differ. While I don’t see them as an offensive juggernaut, I don’t see them as the second lowest scoring team in the league either. No more of these Clydesdales playing top nine, that’s it, fourth line or press box.

Nice write up Theo!

I'd prefer a lot of these guys spend their season in RFD, but like you mention with Nylander, a call up for a cup of coffee to the Big Club can help players figure out holes in their game and what to work on when sent back down.

I like that Nylander has maintained a positive attitude about going down to play in the A. Would be big if he keeps improving his game without the puck and could come up next season to provide some top 6 or top 9 scoring.

Same with Reichel. Was thinking scoring wouldn't be the issue it has been so far but here we are. Hopefully Dach and Kubalik can start hitting on some of their chances,

Thanks Theo

I am glad that Nylander so far has had a positive attitude while in the A. He is still young enough to invest some time to see if he will become a top line scorer in the NHL.

Nice write up Theo.

If Nylander turns out to be a bonafide NHL top 6LW that would be a huge surprise and a bonus.

Reichel is the real deal and will be in the NHL later this year or at the start of next year.

Is Connolly playing on a line with Reichel and Nylander? His experience could really benefit both Reichel and Nylander at the AHL level. If he is playing well they can call him up around the first of the year and see if he has any trade value.

I would like to see more of Borgstrum, Gaudette, and even Strome in the next 20 games or so. Strome mainly to see if he has any trade value.

Hawks have some interesting decisions when Tyler Johnson and Entwistle comeback. If no trades are made and no new injuries pop up I would probably send Reese Johnson to Rockford. Also give Entwistle a few games at Rockford to get back in games shape.

Potential next year
10 signed - Kane, Toews, ADB, T Johnson, Reichel, Borgstrum, Hagel, Entwistle, Hardman, Khaira
6 RFA's - Kubalik, Dach, Nylander, Kurashev, Strome

I’d rather play the long game with prospects, but recall for a few games if injuries dictate. The Hawks GA’s are way down since King took over, which is a good thing, now they need to work on their offense. Some will say this is it, they don’t have the talent to score more, well, I beg to differ. While I don’t see them as an offensive juggernaut, I don’t see them as the second lowest scoring team in the league either. No more of these Clydesdales playing top nine, that’s it, fourth line or press box.
- Angotti

If they really were "Clydesdales" (Curt Fraser, Troy Murray, and Ed Olczyk) I would have no problem with them in the top 9.

Nice write up Theo.

If Nylander turns out to be a bonafide NHL top 6LW that would be a huge surprise and a bonus.

Reichel is the real deal and will be in the NHL later this year or at the start of next year.

Is Connolly playing on a line with Reichel and Nylander? His experience could really benefit both Reichel and Nylander at the AHL level. If he is playing well they can call him up around the first of the year and see if he has any trade value.

I would like to see more of Borgstrum, Gaudette, and even Strome in the next 20 games or so. Strome mainly to see if he has any trade value.

Hawks have some interesting decisions when Tyler Johnson and Entwistle comeback. If no trades are made and no new injuries pop up I would probably send Reese Johnson to Rockford. Also give Entwistle a few games at Rockford to get back in games shape.

Potential next year
10 signed - Kane, Toews, ADB, T Johnson, Reichel, Borgstrum, Hagel, Entwistle, Hardman, Khaira
6 RFA's - Kubalik, Dach, Nylander, Kurashev, Strome
- -Doh-

If the Hawks want bottom 6 scoring not sure why Connolly is not up. Rather see him then one of Carpenter and Khaira. If we are not going to pay young guys then why is he in Rockford? Salary cap?

Theo Fox: Let's Reschedule
Thoughts on whether it's high time for the Blackhawks to crank up the youth movement again or play the long game with prospects.

Plus, a quick look at the schedule ahead as the road trip ends in Calgary with a tilt tonight vs the red-hot Flames.
- Theo Fox

I think whats more important is actually finding the right coach to lead this middling team. As someone mentioned before there usually is an improvement to a team when a new coach comes in so is King the right guy? Don't know, looks like the guys seem to respond to him for now. His tweaks have already made this team better in its own end, can they continue this and/or actually improve on puck possession, sustaining ozone pressure, but not sacrificing odd man advantages the other way. They sure seem to vs the Canucks in the 3rd period. There's so much for King to clean up here.

If the Hawks want bottom 6 scoring not sure why Connolly is not up. Rather see him then one of Carpenter and Khaira. If we are not going to pay young guys then why is he in Rockford? Salary cap?

Yep, they currently have about $5m in cap space, but that is what Johnson makes, so when he comes off LTIR, they have zero cap space. I also believe if Connolly is brought up, he would have to clear waivers to be sent back down again. They can't handle his $2.4m. It's much easier to bring up guys making $1m or less.

I’d rather play the long game with prospects, but recall for a few games if injuries dictate. The Hawks GA’s are way down since King took over, which is a good thing, now they need to work on their offense. Some will say this is it, they don’t have the talent to score more, well, I beg to differ. While I don’t see them as an offensive juggernaut, I don’t see them as the second lowest scoring team in the league either. No more of these Clydesdales playing top nine, that’s it, fourth line or press box.
- Angotti

Other than Hagel, Carpenter, Khiara and Dach, no one else seems to be willing to pay the price standing in front of the goalie taking their eyes away, catch so many standing off to the side

When that puck goes high and you know a dman is willing to get that shot on net, it'd be nice if a forward was there to force the goalie to either peek or lose sight of the puck and hope it hits him

If they really were "Clydesdales" (Curt Fraser, Troy Murray, and Ed Olczyk) I would have no problem with them in the top 9.
- -Doh-

Ha ha, not even close. Troy Murray was one of my favorite players in the 80’s, talking about a 200’ game, he was it. Glad that he was able to eventually win a cup with the Avs before he retired, also hoping for a full recovery, one of the good guys.

Yep, they currently have about $5m in cap space, but that is what Johnson makes, so when he comes off LTIR, they have zero cap space. I also believe if Connolly is brought up, he would have to clear waivers to be sent back down again. They can't handle his $2.4m. It's much easier to bring up guys making $1m or less.
- biskit67

And what exactly would the Hawks lose if Connolly was claimed? Besides his $3.5M cap hit that is. Heck, if they knew he would get claimed, he would have been up yesterday and sent down today.

I think whats more important is actually finding the right coach to lead this middling team. As someone mentioned before there usually is an improvement to a team when a new coach comes in so is King the right guy? Don't know, looks like the guys seem to respond to him for now. His tweaks have already made this team better in its own end, can they continue this and/or actually improve on puck possession, sustaining ozone pressure, but not sacrificing odd man advantages the other way. They sure seem to vs the Canucks in the 3rd period. There's so much for King to clean up here.
- BetweenTheDots

#fireking

I see I missed the Seth Jones hate club last night.....

Is Seth Jones a great defenseman? Depends on how you categorize "great". Is he elite on the offensive side of the puck? Sure....15 points in 18 games, and jumping in and out of plays, stretch passes, PP awareness....all seem to be what I expected. Defensively....I can see the concern and I would hope once he settles in he becomes more reliable in his own end. Do I expect Lidstrom? No. Do I expect above average defensive awareness? Yes.

However, to flip it to the Seth Jones Hate club.....what do we say about Connor Murphy? Earning ALMOST HALF of what Jones does, and what does this guy do well? Offensively? No. Defensively? Could argue he is just as bad if not WORSE then Jones, yet there is no whining, or female doging about somebody taking his money off the Hawks hands as he sits with a team worse -12 and 2 points, and getting 3 minutes LESS of ice time per game than Jones.

I have no issue being skeptical on Jones, but to routinely turn a blind eye to what Murphy is...sorry.....doesn't work.

Save me from his great leadership at the world's over the year's when he was leading team USA's F squad to wins over Sweden tier 3 teams as some great attribute. Guy has made the playoffs ONE time in his career, here, due to a Covid favorable bump with playoff expansion.....so one could argue Murphy either has the worst luck in the world landing on crap teams OR is part of the problem.......

#fireking
- paulr

I think it's way too early to say either way....I like he has played in the NHL under great coaches and was a decent player in his day....has some skin on the walls when he addresses players. I don't believe JC's career lasted that long.....at all.

I think it's also fair to say how more often than not, when a coach gets fired, the next guy who takes over gets a free bounce as most players take it personally and push for a bit.....how long will this team push? No clue....maybe this IS their wake up call, but I don't think so.....seem far too out gunned by better teams in the league.

I think the next major event will be what Wirtz does.....my wish is he hires the best hockey minded guy to run the team in a president's role...who that is, I don't know....but they need that person....a set of NEW eyes on this roster and organization from top to bottom.....hire a savvy GM who has experience with advanced analytics but doesn't hide behind a computer either.....a blended approach eye test/analytics.....hire a coach who commands respect, and has a history of maximizing possibly lesser talent to get team results....ie.....as individuals they are average to slightly above average, but as an unit they can scare some teams......

For years it's fair to question if Bowman and his hockey ops were drafting the wrong guys AND/OR the organization was HORRIBLE at developing said draft picks....as I relayed months ago...the amount of 1st round picks that never materialized for the Hawks and other teams is quite alarming.....and it seems ONE of Bowman's strongest traits was hitting on European UFAs.


After all this, I fully expect this organization to sit down with 19 and 88 and figure out that LT plan. As of today....I am all in favor of extending 88 minute that window opens, but i would wait on 19.....I dont know if 19 is done, and I can't justify how they pay 19 anymore than a low tiered 2nd line center or high end 3c at this point.....his regression is more like Seabrook's than Keith's........and yes, I know Seabrook was hurt....maybe Toews is beat down as well.

I think it's way too early to say either way....I like he has played in the NHL under great coaches and was a decent player in his day....has some skin on the walls when he addresses players. I don't believe JC's career lasted that long.....at all.

I think it's also fair to say how more often than not, when a coach gets fired, the next guy who takes over gets a free bounce as most players take it personally and push for a bit.....how long will this team push? No clue....maybe this IS their wake up call, but I don't think so.....seem far too out gunned by better teams in the league.

I think the next major event will be what Wirtz does.....my wish is he hires the best hockey minded guy to run the team in a president's role...who that is, I don't know....but they need that person....a set of NEW eyes on this roster and organization from top to bottom.....hire a savvy GM who has experience with advanced analytics but doesn't hide behind a computer either.....a blended approach eye test/analytics.....hire a coach who commands respect, and has a history of maximizing possibly lesser talent to get team results....ie.....as individuals they are average to slightly above average, but as an unit they can scare some teams......

For years it's fair to question if Bowman and his hockey ops were drafting the wrong guys AND/OR the organization was HORRIBLE at developing said draft picks....as I relayed months ago...the amount of 1st round picks that never materialized for the Hawks and other teams is quite alarming.....and it seems ONE of Bowman's strongest traits was hitting on European UFAs.


After all this, I fully expect this organization to sit down with 19 and 88 and figure out that LT plan. As of today....I am all in favor of extending 88 minute that window opens, but i would wait on 19.....I dont know if 19 is done, and I can't justify how they pay 19 anymore than a low tiered 2nd line center or high end 3c at this point.....his regression is more like Seabrook's than Keith's........and yes, I know Seabrook was hurt....maybe Toews is beat down as well.
- SteveRain

I’m being facetious. The problem with this team is a lack of talent. Unless a coach goes to a trap game this team isn’t going to win many games until there’s a huge infusion of talent.

I’m being facetious. The problem with this team is a lack of talent. Unless a coach goes to a trap game this team isn’t going to win many games until there’s a huge infusion of talent.
- paulr

I know you were.....

I was completely fooled...I didnt' expect a division championship, but I did expect to be knocking at the playoff door come March...finish with high 80-low 90 points.

I also think it's fair to question the leadership in that room. I don't think that's been brought up enough.....we can female dog about JC all day long, but how many times did we hear all these supposed leaders talk about "each guy looking at themselves in the mirror, etc" after those early losses and what happened? Nothing.

One thing to be a bad team and lose close games but this team in 7 out of 12 games was run out of building for LONG stretches of play and dominated for smaller stretches in the other 5.....

Nothing is worse than a team that is all talk and zero action.....as fans it's beyond infuriating.

I think it's way too early to say either way....I like he has played in the NHL under great coaches and was a decent player in his day....has some skin on the walls when he addresses players. I don't believe JC's career lasted that long.....at all.

I think it's also fair to say how more often than not, when a coach gets fired, the next guy who takes over gets a free bounce as most players take it personally and push for a bit.....how long will this team push? No clue....maybe this IS their wake up call, but I don't think so.....seem far too out gunned by better teams in the league.

I think the next major event will be what Wirtz does.....my wish is he hires the best hockey minded guy to run the team in a president's role...who that is, I don't know....but they need that person....a set of NEW eyes on this roster and organization from top to bottom.....hire a savvy GM who has experience with advanced analytics but doesn't hide behind a computer either.....a blended approach eye test/analytics.....hire a coach who commands respect, and has a history of maximizing possibly lesser talent to get team results....ie.....as individuals they are average to slightly above average, but as an unit they can scare some teams......

For years it's fair to question if Bowman and his hockey ops were drafting the wrong guys AND/OR the organization was HORRIBLE at developing said draft picks....as I relayed months ago...the amount of 1st round picks that never materialized for the Hawks and other teams is quite alarming.....and it seems ONE of Bowman's strongest traits was hitting on European UFAs.


After all this, I fully expect this organization to sit down with 19 and 88 and figure out that LT plan. As of today....I am all in favor of extending 88 minute that window opens, but i would wait on 19.....I dont know if 19 is done, and I can't justify how they pay 19 anymore than a low tiered 2nd line center or high end 3c at this point.....his regression is more like Seabrook's than Keith's........and yes, I know Seabrook was hurt....maybe Toews is beat down as well.
- SteveRain

I see this term all the time. What exactly does "hockey-minded" guy mean? A guy who played, coached, scouted?

I know you were.....

I was completely fooled...I didnt' expect a division championship, but I did expect to be knocking at the playoff door come March...finish with high 80-low 90 points.

I also think it's fair to question the leadership in that room. I don't think that's been brought up enough.....we can female dog about JC all day long, but how many times did we hear all these supposed leaders talk about "each guy looking at themselves in the mirror, etc" after those early losses and what happened? Nothing.

One thing to be a bad team and lose close games but this team in 7 out of 12 games was run out of building for LONG stretches of play and dominated for smaller stretches in the other 5.....

Nothing is worse than a team that is all talk and zero action.....as fans it's beyond infuriating.
- SteveRain

If a team is trying to play to their coaches wishes and continue to lose, the players are the problem. I witnessed the Bears completely outcoached by the Ravens. Personnel decisions, line formations, all decided be coaches. Players won't throw their coach under the bus, they just won't, very hard for people to grasp i guess. Hockey is the ultimate team sport and if you can't coach them to play as 1 unit they will suck just like the Blackhawks did, almost every game they were out of it after 30 minutes of play with boy wonder at the helm. Give King 20 games like you were going to with JC and let's see what we got.

If a team is trying to play to their coaches wishes and continue to lose, the players are the problem. I witnessed the Bears completely outcoached by the Ravens. Personnel decisions, line formations, all decided be coaches. Players won't throw their coach under the bus, they just won't, very hard for people to grasp i guess. Hockey is the ultimate team sport and if you can't coach them to play as 1 unit they will suck just like the Blackhawks did, almost every game they were out of it after 30 minutes of play with boy wonder at the helm. Give King 20 games like you were going to with JC and let's see what we got.
- BetweenTheDots

#fireking

Nice write up Theo.

If Nylander turns out to be a bonafide NHL top 6LW that would be a huge surprise and a bonus.

Reichel is the real deal and will be in the NHL later this year or at the start of next year.

Is Connolly playing on a line with Reichel and Nylander? His experience could really benefit both Reichel and Nylander at the AHL level. If he is playing well they can call him up around the first of the year and see if he has any trade value.

I would like to see more of Borgstrum, Gaudette, and even Strome in the next 20 games or so. Strome mainly to see if he has any trade value.

Hawks have some interesting decisions when Tyler Johnson and Entwistle comeback. If no trades are made and no new injuries pop up I would probably send Reese Johnson to Rockford. Also give Entwistle a few games at Rockford to get back in games shape.

Potential next year
10 signed - Kane, Toews, ADB, T Johnson, Reichel, Borgstrum, Hagel, Entwistle, Hardman, Khaira
6 RFA's - Kubalik, Dach, Nylander, Kurashev, Strome
- -Doh-

Yes, for much of the season Connolly has been on the wing opposite of Nylander as Reichel centers them. Even when Nylander gets bumped down a line, Reichel and Connolly remain together.

Agree, having the two top forward prospects playing together on a iine with a veteran is a plus for their learning and development. Like Nylander, Connolly has had a good attitude about being in the AHL.

It should also be noted that Connolly also hasn't been a dead weight on their line and on most nights is one of the best players for the Hogs along with Reichel and Nylander. Connolly's new-found energy matches these two.

Or maybe it's vice versa. Either way, having a re-energized Connolly is a good thing because it helps these youngsters while boosting his trade value.

I see this term all the time. What exactly does "hockey-minded" guy mean? A guy who played, coached, scouted?
- Chunk

A guy who is focused on the hockey ops side of the organization and not the business side. Divide the organization into 2 sides.

McEgo was 1000% business side.

If a team is trying to play to their coaches wishes and continue to lose, the players are the problem. I witnessed the Bears completely outcoached by the Ravens. Personnel decisions, line formations, all decided be coaches. Players won't throw their coach under the bus, they just won't, very hard for people to grasp i guess. Hockey is the ultimate team sport and if you can't coach them to play as 1 unit they will suck just like the Blackhawks did, almost every game they were out of it after 30 minutes of play with boy wonder at the helm. Give King 20 games like you were going to with JC and let's see what we got.
- BetweenTheDots

I am fine with that, giving King 20 games....but I am also questioning not only the upper level management of this team and the direction they are heading in the future, but the supposed "leaders" from a player level.

IMO...a good coach puts each guy in the best way he can succeed and maximize his contribution that helps the team WIN games. With that said, said coach also holds each guy accountable for his play in said role.....see if King starts cracking the whip regardless of the name on the back of the sweater if stupid mishaps continue to haunt this team.

Potential next year
10 signed - Kane, Toews, ADB, T Johnson, Reichel, Borgstrum, Hagel, Entwistle, Hardman, Khaira
6 RFA's - Kubalik, Dach, Nylander, Kurashev, Strome,Gaudette
- -Doh-

Think you forgot Gaudette among the RFA's. And then there's Connolly who may or may not be around, via trade, burial at Rockford or buy out.

Anyway 16 forwards vying for 13 spots, not including any other acquisitions. Hopefully Reichel is the real thing, but that forward lineup does not inspire any confidence in me. Toews is close to be being finished, Kane will be Kane, as will ADB. The rest are 3rd or 4th line types or should be in the AHL.

Then there's the defense and goaltending to worry about for next year. Seth Jones, love him or hate him, is the best they have. McCabe, Murphy, C. Jones, Stillman and the rest are probably better suited as 3rd pair types. Who's taking over in goal if Fleury retires? Lankinen hasn't been impressive in his limited appearances this season.

Whoever becomes the permanent GM is in for a huge job rebuilding this team.