How's everyone doing out there?
I hope you all are safe and sound and aren't going stir crazy in your house.
Here, in Ontario, it sounds like we be shutting most of the province down as of Monday. It appears to be the best decision as we look to contain this sickness.
I promised to provide you with Blackhawks and hockey content and that's what I am here to do. I also promised you a mailbag edition so that's what you get.
Before I get into your questions, obviously, there doesn't appear to be any updates on the NHL (or any of the major sporting leagues) but there have been a lot of talk about what could happen if play was to resume in time for the playoffs.
Igor Eronko (KHL reporter) posted on Twitter the following:
So you're saying there's a chance?
The Hawks could sneak into the postseason due to unforeseen circumstances.
No idea if this is actually going to happen (no one knows at this point) but it's worth keeping an eye on if the world can contain COVID-19 and the NHL playoffs are closer to a reality in a few weeks.
Anyway, without further ado, here are your questions:
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HawkintheD
It was only one game, but did the amount of youth in the lineup and their overall effectiveness that game give you any glimmer of hope for the next few years.
I thought they could contend for at least a playoff spot this year and kind of see similar for next and maybe being a contender but not a heavyweight favorite the year after.
How about you?
TC: I will admit, the Hawks left me with a good taste in my mouth after that 6-2 win vs. SJ.
The reality is though that the Hawks could be bringing back a very similar team next year and it was the consistency that was the biggest issue this season.
They need more depth, speed, and overall dynamic players to become a playoff team again.
If guys like Dach, Boqvist, and Kubalik can take the next step, that would be huge. Couple that with an addition like Ian Mitchell – who albeit will be learning on the job – could make an impact to the back end, continued success from Toews, Kane, and Keith, plus a bounce back from DeBrincat, the Hawks could challenge for a playoff spot in 2020-21.
There's just a lot of "If's" for me right now and I want to see what happens over the summer.
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Chunk
1) Not sure if you have access to this kind of info, but I would love to hear what scouts and GM's from other clubs think of our top 5 prospects/young players (in my mind - Dach, Boqvist, Mitchell, Beaudin, Nylander).
TC: Hey Chunk, I don't have any insight from other scouts or GMs but I can look into that for you. I always like to get a 3rd party opinion on the Hawks prospects because everyone tends to overrate their own players. I'll work on that for you.
2) How much time to do give new players before you think about moving on and what else goes into that decision? For example, Nylander has had a number of cups of coffee with BUF and a full season with the Hawks. You can see the talent, but at the same time 26 pts in 65 games is not really notable for that type of player. That said, he is only 22yrs old vs. how would you feel about Boqvist if he basically is the same player in year 3 as he is this year.
TC: Great question. I think there are so many factors that go into a decision with a young player. There is, of course, what you see on the ice, but that is definitely only surface level on how the team views a player.
What we don't see as fans is how that player reacted on the ice to specific feedback or how they are in the room or how hard they train in the gym.
For example, from what I heard, the Hawks were not pleased with the way Henri Jokiharju was reacting to advice from the coaching staff in the offensive zone. They were relatively pleased with his defensive game but there were some character issues they assessed when it came to his "coachability".
I'm not sure that I wouldn't have been just as stubborn at 19-years old, so I can't really judge. I personally thought it was a bad move at the time and still don't like the trade.
In Nylander's case, they also had insider knowledge from a family friend and current Rockford Assistant Coach, Anders Sorensen who vouched for Alex.
So factor things like that in and there is so much at play when moving on from a young player.
I really hope Alex Nylander works out as a top 6 forward in Chicago, but then again, these trades can be risky and they all don't pan out the way you want.
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ToewsdNKanefusd
Now that the NCAA season is over, Do you think the Hawks try to sign Mitchel to play with them once play resumes, if it resumes?
Also, do you think Mitchell will sign, or do you think he will want another chance at the NCAA championship next year?
TC: I believe that they will give Ian Mitchell some space for the next few weeks.
The kid will be beat up emotionally right now. His entire purpose of coming back to the NCAA was to lead the University of Denver to a Frozen Four Championship. Now, he'll never get that opportunity.
Once the appropriate time has passed – call it a few weeks – the Hawks will engage Mitchell and his agent.
I do believe he will sign in the NHL and with the Chicago Blackhawks.
I also think he's in the starting lineup come October 2020 as well.
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35Tony0
Tyler-
Please picture a Stanley Cup contending Blackhawk team. Which current team members do you feel are capable of contributing?
My list:
Forwards - Kane, Toews, Kubalik, Saad, Dach, DeBrincat, Nylander, Highmore, Hagel, Shaw(?), Caggiula, Carpenter
Defense - Keith, deHaan, Boqvist, Beaudin, Carlson, Murphy, Maatta, Seabs (?)
Goaltender - Crawford
(My humble opinion is D injuries kept this year's squad from ever really getting going and they likely could have been a playoff contender without the injury
TC: Great question and this could have a blog of its own.
I think to have a Stanley Cup contending team the Hawks need 2-3 more dynamic, super skillful forwards, as well as 2-3 top-flight defenders.
Some of those players could be internal right now and yet to grow into that role (ie. Dach, Boqvist, Mitchell) but they definitely need a lot more to be that consistently competitive team.
I think they are 2+ years away from being really good again, so it's a hard question to add.
You obviously want the experienced guys there if they are still capable of playing at a high level so I would count on Toews, Kane, and Keith.
You then need those highly competitive role players coupled with skilled skaters. So I like what guys like Dach, Kubalik, and DeBrincat bring. High motor guys like Highmore and Hagel could prove to be valuable as well.
In net, I think Crawford is re-upped for a couple of years this offseason but they need a new goalie to take the next level. Could it be a guy like Delia? Who knows, the dude needs to play for us to find that out.
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Boilermaker100
Which college players (e.g. Mitchell, Barratt) or Europeans (e.g. Nalimov) from the reserve roster do you think will be signed by the Hawks this offseason.
TC: As mentioned above, I think Mitchell is on the team.
Evan Barratt and Ryan Shea are a couple that I believe get signed out of the NCAA.
Alexis Gravel should sign, even if he's destined for the Indy Fuel in the ECHL. The like him and it would be a good spot for him coming out the QMJHL.
The Nalimov experiment was derailed from the suspension of the AHL, but there's a chance he resigns to compete for a backup spot or a role in Rockford. It's so difficult to say though because the goaltending situation is so fluid at this point.
Lastly, I believe there could be a wave of Russian players coming over in Altybarmakyzn, Kayumov and, yes, maybe Max Shalunov. Possibly all of them start in Rockford, but there's a chance 2-3 come over if interested in making the move now.
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Scott1977
Tyler mailbag question: first is bowman the gm in the offseason? Second do the hawks make a blockbuster trade that shakes up the team?
TC: No, I don't believe Bowman is the first GM fired in the offseason. I actually don't think he's fired at all (don't @ me… but a gut feeling/some stuff I've heard).
I think Bowman gets another shot at turning this thing around and Jeremy Colliton might be there to start the season as well (#ugh).
In terms of a blockbuster trade, I don't think Toews, Kane, Keith or Seabrook are being moved if that's that you're thinking.
I do think there's a good chance that Brandon Saad is moved at the draft though.
I believe a lot of this will depend on the salary cap, which might not be as high as anticipated due to the lost revenue from unplayed games.
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That's all I have for now.
I have some fun content coming up this week, so stay with me and keep checking back for a form of Blackhawks entertainment.
Stay safe and see ya out there!
TC
Chicago Blackhawks Blogger • 
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