Thanks Theo - you're the best and I truly appreciate your contributions.

I too, would love to watch hockey all day, but I can only carve out so much time. Theo you have been doing a great job filling in the gaps for me and that's just a win-win for everyone here!
- Tyler Cameron

So thankful for both you guys and all the commenters here.

However, being a 'Hawk fan for nearly 60 years, there is simply no way to list my all time favorite Blackhawks. With that said, #CupWinnersBackCheckLikeTheirLifeDependedOnIt

I am pleased to admit that I was wron about Kirby Dach. Despite all situations being different, I found Dach to make more of an impact game to game then Hughes or Kakko. When I watch him, I see Mark Scheifele. Good skaters with big bodies and the ability to create. We have a good one on our hands.

Boquist has looked fantastic, however I worry about the durability aspect. He takes a lot of hits. But overall I like what I am seeing from two blue chips within the pipeline.

With that being said, does Dach's success and what we have seen, make Strome expendable? IMO the answer is no. This division is so heavy on center depth, you can't afford to let that walk or be moved. Think about a top 3 down the middle of Toews-Dach-Strome, that is a skilled group that can drive offense from the middle of the ice.

I am pleased to admit that I was wron about Kirby Dach. Despite all situations being different, I found Dach to make more of an impact game to game then Hughes or Kakko. When I watch him, I see Mark Scheifele. Good skaters with big bodies and the ability to create. We have a good one on our hands.

Boquist has looked fantastic, however I worry about the durability aspect. He takes a lot of hits. But overall I like what I am seeing from two blue chips within the pipeline.

With that being said, does Dach's success and what we have seen, make Strome expendable? IMO the answer is no. This division is so heavy on center depth, you can't afford to let that walk or be moved. Think about a top 3 down the middle of Toews-Dach-Strome, that is a skilled group that can drive offense from the middle of the ice.
- nickmo2699

Agreed on Strome, but I’d be leery of giving him too much term.

https://www.tsn.ca/chicag...ement-to-return-1.1458828

I guess here is your next blog Tyler

https://www.tsn.ca/chicago-blackhawks-chairman-rocky-wirtz-says-head-coach-jeremy-colliton-management-to-return-1.1458828

I guess here is your next blog Tyler
- LAHawk

Saw that and will definitely include some thoughts fro tomorrow's blog.

https://www.tsn.ca/chicago-blackhawks-chairman-rocky-wirtz-says-head-coach-jeremy-colliton-management-to-return-1.1458828

I guess here is your next blog Tyler
- LAHawk

Somewhere, scottak just lost his mind.

Somewhere, scottak just lost his mind.
- Chunk

The hate list went way beyond just 1 poster.

The hate list went way beyond just 1 poster.
- I Am The Breadman

This should be fun.

The hate list went way beyond just 1 poster.
- I Am The Breadman

I know, but he was the one I can remember off the top of my head being the most consistent. Heck, it's probably at least half the board here.

You're welcome, TonyO.

Agree, some of these youngsters will be impact players and for many years to come, not just as placeholders waiting for something better to come along.
- AEL_Fox

Not to be Debbie downer but isn't Rockford perennially bad?

Somewhere, scottak just lost his mind.
- Chunk

Saw that in The Athletic, I did throw up in my mouth a little.

Maybe I’m wrong, I suppose JC could turn it around in his 8th season as a professional head coach.

Saw that in The Athletic, I did throw up in my mouth a little.

Maybe I’m wrong, I suppose JC could turn it around in his 8th season as a professional head coach.
- scottak

How difficult was that to type?

https://www.tsn.ca/chicago-blackhawks-chairman-rocky-wirtz-says-head-coach-jeremy-colliton-management-to-return-1.1458828

I guess here is your next blog Tyler
- LAHawk

I’m ok with McDonough staying - he’s done an excellent job for Rocky on the business side, and I’m guessing (but only guessing - no inside knowledge at all) that his reputation for interfering in the on-ice product is largely overstated. Is he sayin “no, Stan, you can’t make that trade / that draft pick / that free agent signing / that call-up from Rockford”? Is he telling Colliton who to play, what lines to put out? Has he killed deals by slowing the process down (and ill give his critics a bit of leeway on that one - I don’t know, but it’s possible)? I’m not sure I’ve heard a real source quoted about a real incident. I just think he is too smart a businessman to get involved with the hockey ops side.

I’m ok with Bowman staying. I still think he did a very good job retooling after the 2010 sell off to get to the 2013-2015 run.

He didn’t do a very good job in keeping them at the top for the last 5 seasons (has it really been 5 seasons since that very rainy night in June in the UC?).

But his recent moves have been mostly positive - the draft picks coming up through the system, the deals for Murphy and deHaan (if he can get his shoulder fixed), trading nothing for Kubalik, even signing Lard...uhhh, I mean Lehner (who did mostly play well for them at least until his last several starts under the TDL cloud and his concern about the lack of a new contract). Another big summer (or whenever) coming up for him - resigning Strome and Kubalik to reasonable deals, the draft with probably another top-10 pick....

It’s Colliton that I’m concerned about. I’m not sure that I’ve seen much improvement in several areas - continuing inability to transition out of the dzone into an offensive pressure situation being the one I notice most. His line combinations often - until the last couple of weeks, were confusing at best.

But he seems to have done a good job with the rookies (or, in a positive sense, allowed his assistants to be successful in that) - Dach, Boqvist, Kubalik, even Nylander have progressed. As the next successful Cup run will depend on them - and other young players coming up - for that reason alone, I’m pretty much ok with him staying around.

How difficult was that to type?
- paulr

It wasn’t hard, but I have no expectation that it will prove true.

I’m ok with McDonough staying - he’s done an excellent job for Rocky on the business side, and I’m guessing (but only guessing - no inside knowledge at all) that his reputation for interfering in the on-ice product is largely overstated. Is he sayin “no, Stan, you can’t make that trade / that draft pick / that free agent signing / that call-up from Rockford”? Is he telling Colliton who to play, what lines to put out? Has he killed deals by slowing the process down (and ill give his critics a bit of leeway on that one - I don’t know, but it’s possible)? I’m not sure I’ve heard a real source quoted about a real incident. I just think he is too smart a businessman to get involved with the hockey ops side.

I’m ok with Bowman staying. I still think he did a very good job retooling after the 2010 sell off to get to the 2013-2015 run.

He didn’t do a very good job in keeping them at the top for the last 5 seasons (has it really been 5 seasons since that very rainy night in June in the UC?).

But his recent moves have been mostly positive - the draft picks coming up through the system, the deals for Murphy and deHaan (if he can get his shoulder fixed), trading nothing for Kubalik, even signing Lard...uhhh, I mean Lehner (who did mostly play well for them at least until his last several starts under the TDL cloud and his concern about the lack of a new contract). Another big summer (or whenever) coming up for him - resigning Strome and Kubalik to reasonable deals, the draft with probably another top-10 pick....

It’s Colliton that I’m concerned about. I’m not sure that I’ve seen much improvement in several areas - continuing inability to transition out of the dzone into an offensive pressure situation being the one I notice most. His line combinations often - until the last couple of weeks, were confusing at best.

But he seems to have done a good job with the rookies (or, in a positive sense, allowed his assistants to be successful in that) - Dach, Boqvist, Kubalik, even Nylander have progressed. As the next successful Cup run will depend on them - and other young players coming up - for that reason alone, I’m pretty much ok with him staying around.
- StLBravesFan

With the uncertainty of how this season and playoffs are going to start-up again and finish, shortened time for the draft/training camps and next season (Bettman vowed to play a full schedule next year), I think the last thing the Hawk's need is a reset with a new GM and new coach. You don't know what the salary cap will be, what the timeline to sign UFA and RFA's etc., there is no scouting going on, no time to lay new foundations for trades, etc. etc.

With the uncertainty of how this season and playoffs are going to start-up again and finish, shortened time for the draft/training camps and next season (Bettman vowed to play a full schedule next year), I think the last thing the Hawk's need is a reset with a new GM and new coach. You don't know what the salary cap will be, what the timeline to sign UFA and RFA's etc., there is no scouting going on, no time to lay new foundations for trades, etc. etc.
- LAHawk

Another excellent point.

Not to be Debbie downer but isn't Rockford perennially bad?
- rpeters01

Yes kinda sorta. Even though the Hogs were 2 points out of the 8th seed, both special teams were ugly.

PP was 29th out of 31 teams at 11.4%
PK was dead last at 76.2%

Delia was 20th in the AHL with a 2.66 GAA and 16th with a .912 save % (goalies with 20+ games played).

on aside note maybe Ryan pace will give the hawks a 4th rounder for Seabrook? Nobody in the world thought they were going to get out of foles contract without adding a sweetner. He can play TE I guess Pace like over the hill TE

Speaking of prospects ,I really like this Ragula kid ,was playing big minutes for London ,used in Front of the net on the PP had 27 goals . Could be one of Stan biggest steals ..

on aside note maybe Ryan pace will give the hawks a 4th rounder for Seabrook? Nobody in the world thought they were going to get out of foles contract without adding a sweetner. He can play TE I guess Pace like over the hill TE
- kmw4631

Wait. You think a 4th for Foles was a bad move by Pace? You are aware the Bears aren't paying all of that contract. right?

Do I like all the moves Pace has made? No. People forget how bereft of talent the Bears were when Pace took over. I think there are only 2 players on the team from before Pace took the job. Fuller and the punter. I wish he get over his fondness for some of his small college picks but overall, I think he has done a decent job.

Yes kinda sorta. Even though the Hogs were 2 points out of the 8th seed, both special teams were ugly.

PP was 29th out of 31 teams at 11.4%
PK was dead last at 76.2%

Delia was 20th in the AHL with a 2.66 GAA and 16th with a .912 save % (goalies with 20+ games played).
- AEL_Fox

TBF, they have had a lot of injuries this season.

The Hockey News is projecting World Cup of Hockey rosters for each country with the expectation that each team is cap compliant. First up is Finland. Former Blackhawks are bolded.

Forwards

Teuvo Teravainen – Sebastian Aho – Mikko Rantanen
Roope Hintz – Aleksander Barkov – Patrik Laine
Kasperi Kapanen – Erik Haula – Joonas Donskoi
Artturi Lehkonen – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Joel Armia
Kaapo Kakko

Defense

Miro Heiskanen – Rasmus Ristolainen
Esa Lindell – Sami Vatanen
Henri Jokiharju – Markus Nutivaara
Juuso Valimaki

Goaltending

Tuukka Rask
Joonas Korpisalo
Kaapo Kahkonen

Total cap hit (Per CapFriendly): $81,233,999

TBF, they have had a lot of injuries this season.
- Elbows15

Yes, very fair caveat to the Hogs season. Not just injuries on their squad but also to the Hawks requiring call ups which diluted the Rockford roster.

The Hockey News is projecting World Cup of Hockey rosters for each country with the expectation that each team is cap compliant. First up is Finland. Former Blackhawks are bolded.

Forwards

Teuvo Teravainen – Sebastian Aho – Mikko Rantanen
Roope Hintz – Aleksander Barkov – Patrik Laine
Kasperi Kapanen – Erik Haula – Joonas Donskoi
Artturi Lehkonen – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Joel Armia
Kaapo Kakko

Defense

Miro Heiskanen – Rasmus Ristolainen
Esa Lindell – Sami Vatanen
Henri Jokiharju – Markus Nutivaara
Juuso Valimaki

Goaltending

Tuukka Rask
Joonas Korpisalo
Kaapo Kahkonen

Total cap hit (Per CapFriendly): $81,233,999
- AEL_Fox

Another reason the NHL guys need to play in the Olympics. The tournament would be incredible with the strides different Countries have made.

US
Canada
Sweden
Finland

They could all win the whole thing!

The Hockey News is projecting World Cup of Hockey rosters for each country with the expectation that each team is cap compliant. First up is Finland. Former Blackhawks are bolded.

Forwards

Teuvo Teravainen – Sebastian Aho – Mikko Rantanen
Roope Hintz – Aleksander Barkov – Patrik Laine
Kasperi Kapanen – Erik Haula – Joonas Donskoi
Artturi Lehkonen – Jesperi Kotkaniemi – Joel Armia
Kaapo Kakko

Defense

Miro Heiskanen – Rasmus Ristolainen
Esa Lindell – Sami Vatanen
Henri Jokiharju – Markus Nutivaara
Juuso Valimaki

Goaltending

Tuukka Rask
Joonas Korpisalo
Kaapo Kahkonen

Total cap hit (Per CapFriendly): $81,233,999
- AEL_Fox

The defense is a little bit underwhelming, but that forward group is outstanding.