Not so many right handed dman in that roster. Now with Seabs is out and Murphy has groin issues they chose Regula because of that?

TC - you mentioned that Murphy is expected to be back, but he's got a groin injury. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he have a similar injury that kept him out for a long time earlier in the year? If he is not working at 100%, and de Haan is just coming back... I've got serious concerns about our D holding up for very long. There is a part of me that would love to see a D of mostly young guys going up against the oilers, just to see how they stack up, but I don't see this ending well.

Gotta love the late night, west coast Hawks comments... And SimpleJack...

Totally agree. At the end of the day, it's Seabrook's decision. Whatever he decides to do is his business.

It will be an interesting saga to continue viewing as we see if he can get 100% healthy and play a reliable defensive game again.
- AEL_Fox

Seabrook's and Dr. Terry's decision to continue playing with the injuries it seems from the post-practice interview comments.

So, I do think Seabs has to look in the mirror a bit if he's angry about what has happened to his playing time and stats.At some point, Seabrook and the team could both have looked at the pain he was in and its impact on his mobility (if he couldn't tie his shoes, how did he lace up his skates??) and concluded logically that it was negatively impacting his play on the ice.

Ah well, water under the bridge, and I hope for him and for the team that these surgeries give him new life. Love the guy, even if he may have taken that "warrior" mentality a bit too much to heart.

No. They are saying that Seabrook is not fully healed and cannot compete right now. He just had three major surgeries and is still working his way back to health. From what I understand, this was his decision.
- Chunk

I don't hear that in Seabrook's words at all.

The rosters we see in the playoffs is not going to be experiencing much changeover next season

Reshuffling the deck- or some phrase similar to that - has been used when evaluating the challenge facing NHL teams

Challenging indeed to improve or remodel a roster next season. No team is in position to take on salaries. Not really unless you want to think just because the Kings are not as bad off, or Ottawa is so dirt cheap Doesn't mean they are going to look for deals which gives them prospects or draft choices to take on a bad contract

Challenging is also applicable to developing the talent you have on your current NHL roster, as well as from AHL& the amalgam of juniors, collegiate, europe/Sweden/Russia etc al.

How some players develop is to move on to the next level. But can an AHL season happen? Isn't the bulk of their operating expense come from ticket sales. Certainly not much from broadcast rights.

Another month and leagues here in our country, Canada, and overseas will have to come to grip with the reality of the covid19 on their operation.

The covid is worse in some places but everywhere in hockey playing countries people are going to have to get the so called cure all shot or just change their safety measures.

We do not know how soon and how effective a shot will be. We learn opening up society brings the covid back, and that is due to people not being careful enough.

Maybe we go an entire year with shots not 100% cure all and so many people get covid or know someone close to them who got it. How bad does it get in society before enough people practice safe measures to avoid getting the virus.

We learn the hard way and I mean society as a whole. We need a Pearl Harbor for some people to face reality to practice safe or "safer" human relations.

Eventually all of society including kids running around outside unsupervised in poor Español and black neighborhoods, as well as homeless people and defiant people: they need to get an innoculation or else they represent even if it is a small spike, nonetheless a spike in the covid not going away

A new President may change some things for the better- but we do not know until voting ends and the results are tallied.

I guess some prospects will just sit around and not play hockey. This covid has messed up the world and things getting back to normal won't happen very soon.

So what they're saying is Seeler is better than Seabrook. I don't see that if Seabs had a leg amputated. Regula on the team is trying to make the Schmaltz trade look good?
- rpeters01

I think we got him from Detroit for Perlini.

I think we got him from Detroit for Perlini.
- I Am The Breadman

...and before that Perlini came with Strome for Schmaltz. So it´s Strome and Regula(tor) now for idle Nicky.

...and before that Perlini came with Strome for Schmaltz. So it´s Strome and Regula(tor) now for idle Nicky.
- FeatheredFinn

*smacks head* totally forgot about that.

I don't hear that in Seabrook's words at all.
- rpeters01

The athletic article that the quote comes from says that it was Seabrooks decision or at least he was on board not to travel to Edmonton.

The quote in TCs article I believe is discussing Seabrooks thoughts prior to his surgeries when he was being scratched.

That's what I would think about the forward lines being set as you laid out.

As attrition happens, I would think next in line are Sikura, Kurashev, and Hagel (in that order) based on how they performed in camp.

On the blueline, it's looking like:

Keith - Boqvist
de Haan - Murphy
Maatta - Koekkoek

My preference is Carlsson and Beaudin waiting on deck but can see Seeler getting the nod first by Colliton.
- AEL_Fox

Anyone else wonder why 4K would be in front of Carlsson any longer?

Looks like capfriendly.com has all the 31 man rosters.

On their homepage go to Fantasy-Tools then Depth Charts then select a team.

Edit - Also can go straight to the team page then select Depth Charts.

Happy Monday Tyler. Another fantastic blog , but nevertheless you always come extremely prepared in your writings.


I'm just curious does anyone know why the nhl just didn't come forward and be upfront with the fans about players testing positive for covid? Other leagues have done so .


Looking back at training camp imo I don't think JC prepared enough or ran a thorough training camp , and what I mean by that is not playing the starters or crawford enough to brush off the rust learn JC new system.

I see a parallel here with players and crawford not being ready to start the playoffs. Scrimmages are okay but from all the write ups I've read it seems to me that everyone is navel gazing over the kane line and I don't see nylander or strome being that big of a positive impact?


My predictions Edmonton 3 games to 1

...and before that Perlini came with Strome for Schmaltz. So it´s Strome and Regula(tor) now for idle Nicky.
- FeatheredFinn

That is true, but I don't give GM's that much credit. The schmaltz for Strome/Perlini trade has worked out fair for the Blackhawks so far (I would call it even), but the Perlini for Regula trade we cannot call yet. Need to see Regula play in the NHL to decide.

TC - you mentioned that Murphy is expected to be back, but he's got a groin injury. Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't he have a similar injury that kept him out for a long time earlier in the year? If he is not working at 100%, and de Haan is just coming back... I've got serious concerns about our D holding up for very long. There is a part of me that would love to see a D of mostly young guys going up against the oilers, just to see how they stack up, but I don't see this ending well.

Gotta love the late night, west coast Hawks comments... And SimpleJack...
- Chunk

Keith, DeHaan (if healthy)....and a bunch of young D-men. Look, Hawks have little to no chance of getting by Edmonton. They will be lucky to keep Edmonton under 5 goals in any game. So, run n gun with them. Send out the young "D" and tell the forwards to score 6+ a game. At least go down firing. It would be entertaining, at least!

Exactly. Colliton wasn't the only one who "saw something he didn't like" in Seabrook's play. Add my name to the list of those who though the benching of Seabrook was justified based on his poor play. Colliton haters will hate on him regardless, but benching Seabrook - based on his play - was the right move by the coach. I hope the surgeries and rehab have worked miracles, including a drink from the Fountain of Youth, but if he isn't improved enough to be one of the six d-men in the lineup - it won't be Colliton's fault.

Happy Monday Tyler. Another fantastic blog , but nevertheless you always come extremely prepared in your writings.


I'm just curious does anyone know why the nhl just didn't come forward and be upfront with the fans about players testing positive for covid? Other leagues have done so .


Looking back at training camp imo I don't think JC prepared enough or ran a thorough training camp , and what I mean by that is not playing the starters or crawford enough to brush off the rust learn JC new system.

I see a parallel here with players and crawford not being ready to start the playoffs. Scrimmages are okay but from all the write ups I've read it seems to me that everyone is navel gazing over the kane line and I don't see nylander or strome being that big of a positive impact?


My predictions Edmonton 3 games to 1
- Taylorst1

First, It was an agreement between the NHLPA, and the league to call all absences "unfit to play". I am sure that was to make sure the league (and teams) are in compliance with HPPA laws. Second, training camp? Wasn't the agreement limiting the number of players you could have on the ice at one time, and other such measures to avoid an outbreak within the locker rooms?

Crawford was in quarantine because he tested positive. That is Colliton's fault?

I am in LA, so both the Kings and Ducks season are over with, but from what I have read, the other teams in the league have followed the same format/training schedule.

Are you in the play the kids to get experience, or to try and get into the dance? Depending on which side of the spectrum you are on, JC is going to be vilified.

I know you want JC fired, but at least wait until after the first whistle to start complaining about the coach.

To me, you can bring in the ghost of Toe Blake to coach the Hawks, and Edmonton would still be favored to win the best of 5. I am just hoping the Hawks play good hockey, and something to build on for next season. They got a 3 to 5 game gift, hope win or lose they come out of it with a positive experience.

Not so many right handed dman in that roster. Now with Seabs is out and Murphy has groin issues they chose Regula because of that?
- MjulQvist

Good observation - plausible.

I don't hear that in Seabrook's words at all.
- rpeters01

I think Seabrook said he didn't feel ready to play. Seems pretty simple with no interpretation required.

Anyone else wonder why 4K would be in front of Carlsson any longer?
- vabeachbear

4K is a lefty but plays the right side with Maatta on the left. Maybe 4K is better playing his off side than Carlsson is ?

Seabrook should not play under any circumstances - healing after three surgeries should be the priority. deHaan shouldn't dress either IMO - two major shoulder surgeries in two years? Just not very smart.

And addressing the comment that Seabrook "needs to look the mirror," the organization has a responsibility to see the change in the play and work with the player to make the right decision. It was obvious to everyone that Seabrook wasn't Seabrook on a regular basis. Where was the medical staff the last three years?

The mishandling predates JC as coach, but JC hasn't shown me much in how this was handled. To not take him as one of the roster spots is a slap in the face, even if there is no intention to play him for a single game.

Happy Monday Tyler. Another fantastic blog , but nevertheless you always come extremely prepared in your writings.


I'm just curious does anyone know why the nhl just didn't come forward and be upfront with the fans about players testing positive for covid? Other leagues have done so .


Looking back at training camp imo I don't think JC prepared enough or ran a thorough training camp , and what I mean by that is not playing the starters or crawford enough to brush off the rust learn JC new system.

I see a parallel here with players and crawford not being ready to start the playoffs. Scrimmages are okay but from all the write ups I've read it seems to me that everyone is navel gazing over the kane line and I don't see nylander or strome being that big of a positive impact?


My predictions Edmonton 3 games to 1
- Taylorst1

Crawford practiced and played in a scrimmage immediately from returning from Covid quarantine so somehow blaming Colliton for that is ridiculous. As for your assessment of Colliton's practice sessions - what do you base your opinion on other than your well established confirmation bias?

Thanks Tyler and Theo. As always a first class blog.

I wonder how the Hawks are viewing this behind close doors? Do they want to win the series? Or are they ok with winning the series, but would not mind losing and getting a chance at the #1 overall pick?

Was the recent training camp about beating the Oilers or was it about assessing your own prospects (Kurashev, Sikura, Carlsson, Johnson, Hagel) and RFA's (Subban, K4, Caggiula) and finding out who is healthy (DeHaan, Seabs, Caggiula)?

I doubt Crow will be on the top of his game. If they are going to lose to the Oilers I would like to see what Subban can do.

It is hard to understand how separating Toews and Kubalik makes sense. Toews season came alive when he had Kubalik on his wing. Same for Kubalik.

Why not go with ADB, Toews Kubalik. Then if you wanted the "75' no defense line" of Kane, Strome and Nylander go ahead. The 3rd line of Dach, Saad and Caggiula could be interesting. Then Carp, Highmore, and Kampf.

If Crow plays it could affect his next contract. If he is stellar it could get him a 2 year contract at decent money. If he is off his game it could be one year at a lower price.

I am looking forward to the series. I hope the Hawks win, but I think the Hawks are eliminated.

Seabrook should not play under any circumstances - healing after three surgeries should be the priority. deHaan shouldn't dress either IMO - two major shoulder surgeries in two years? Just not very smart.

And addressing the comment that Seabrook "needs to look the mirror," the organization has a responsibility to see the change in the play and work with the player to make the right decision. It was obvious to everyone that Seabrook wasn't Seabrook on a regular basis. Where was the medical staff the last three years?

The mishandling predates JC as coach, but JC hasn't shown me much in how this was handled. To not take him as one of the roster spots is a slap in the face, even if there is no intention to play him for a single game.
- jrsamu

Would you still have that opinion if it was Seabrook who decided he wasn't ready to play - because I think I read that it was HIS decision. Do you think the organization should have taken Seabrook into the bubble knowing he isn't an option to play - based on his own assessment? Are you certain the organization didn't offer to take him so as to not "slap him in the face" but Seabrook declined the offer? If yes, please share your verifiable insights with the rest of us.

Was the recent training camp about beating the Oilers or was it about assessing your own prospects (Kurashev, Sikura, Carlsson, Johnson, Hagel) and RFA's (Subban, K4, Caggiula) and finding out who is healthy (DeHaan, Seabs, Caggiula)?


- -Doh-

This is certainly uncharted territory, so maybe standard training camp methodology doesn't apply - but usually the early phase of training camp is conditioning and self evaluation with no emphasis on future opponent. Colliton has said they will focus on Edmonton during the time in the bubble.

Would you still have that opinion if it was Seabrook who decided he wasn't ready to play - because I think I read that it was HIS decision. Do you think the organization should have taken Seabrook into the bubble knowing he isn't an option to play - based on his own assessment? Are you certain the organization didn't offer to take him so as to not "slap him in the face" but Seabrook declined the offer? If yes, please share your verifiable insights with the rest of us.
- EbonyRaptor

I can't say I have any inside information, but Seabrook's reaction to the press after the decision was made certainly suggests that everyone was not on the same page. It doesn't matter if not playing was his decision or not - that was the right decision to make. Not taking him with the team makes no sense, unless JC didn't want him there with the team even if he wasn't playing. If the team did offer to take him (playing or not), why would he react the way he did? If I'm misreading the tea leaves, I'll stand corrected.