100% expected and is the right move at this particular time (not to mention completely in line with their stated goals from right after McD was let go).

Bringing in a new coach right now does not/will not drastically improve this team. You have a mish-mosh of players, are trying to find out if you have an actual NHL goalie out of three prospects, and you have basically a throw-away season due to minimal attendance and a compressed schedule. Colliton is cheap, willing to toe the party line and communicates well with the players.
- Chunk

Common Chunk 100%, haven't you ever filled out a self evaluation and they tell you I'm sorry no one here is a 5?

Put me down for Walmark, Zadorov and Suter being pleasant surprises.
- Chunk

If that happens along with some growth from Boqvist and Mitchell becoming an NHL dman, I'd likely declare the season a win no matter how bad the overall record is.

I think Suter will continue the trend of Euro finds and would be great to see Zadorov command more ice time than he ended up in COL.

Some recent developments:

Brent Seabrook is not skating yet but is "making some progress." Bowman hopes to have him on the ice in the near future.

"It's going to take him some time to ramp it up."

They cannot say what his ailment is right now, but will get into it later. This leads me to believe that it is COVID as they are not obligated to note that until the season starts. Granted that is still just speculation on my part.

Soderberg got his visa and is in quarantine in Chicago. He will start practicing when the team gets back from the road trip.

Common Chunk 100%, haven't you ever filled out a self evaluation and they tell you I'm sorry no one here is a 5?
- BetweenTheDots

I should have separated that into two sentences. I said nothing about his actual performance. All I am saying here is that the move was 100% expected. I also think that it is the right move at this particular juncture for the reasons I stated.

Yes Colliton leaves a lot to be desired, but they are not going to go out and find a new (likely more expensive) coach at a time when they have little idea about the financial position of the league, and while they are still clearing the debris from the demolition of the roster. He is not beholden to many vets (mostly due to the fact that the majority of them are gone), and will play young players in big situations. Precisely what a rebuilding team needs to do.

They will lose plenty of games (despite my prognostications yesterday), but that is where this team is right now. Us being impatient has zero effect on management decisions.

And by the way, I am a 5 darn it!

I should have separated that into two sentences. I said nothing about his actual performance. All I am saying here is that the move was 100% expected. I also think that it is the right move at this particular juncture for the reasons I stated.

Yes Colliton leaves a lot to be desired, but they are not going to go out and find a new (likely more expensive) coach at a time when they have little idea about the financial position of the league, and while they are still clearing the debris from the demolition of the roster. He is not beholden to many vets (mostly due to the fact that the majority of them are gone), and will play young players in big situations. Precisely what a rebuilding team needs to do.

They will lose plenty of games (despite my prognostications yesterday), but that is where this team is right now. Us being impatient has zero effect on management decisions.

And by the way, I am a 5 darn it!
- Chunk

Well...if the scale is 100, maybe....

Well...if the scale is 100, maybe....

- hawk35

Oh no... they're onto me!

If that happens along with some growth from Boqvist and Mitchell becoming an NHL dman, I'd likely declare the season a win no matter how bad the overall record is.

I think Suter will continue the trend of Euro finds and would be great to see Zadorov command more ice time than he ended up in COL.
- HawkintheD

This. Also, I’d like to see us take on a short term bad contract(s), as long as we get picks or young assets back as well.

Oh no... they're onto me!
- Chunk

Just given you poop, it doesn't surprise me, actually when i saw it pop up on Twitter i started laughing because i thought of the folks on here, sure enough they did not disappoint

First! Thanks for the update, Theo. Looking forward to seeing how the roster plays out today. I feel like Kurashev sticks.
- MOhawk

You bet, MOHawk.

Kurashev is essentially on the team with Beaudin and Carlsson as well. When Soderberg returns, then a decision needs to be made with one of them or Pirri to keep the active roster at 23.

Thank you, Theo. Excellent write up as per usual!
While the Blackhawks are devastated with the loss of Toews and Dach, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a couple of guys to step up and become NHLers way ahead of schedule. And we just might see some great things down the road for it.
- 35Tony0

You're welcome, Tony.

This season and the immediate future are for the future. Enjoy watching hockey despite the score (which may be really tough to do) but pay more attention to the youth development and molding of a new team identity built around work ethic and compete level.

TBL D- pairs:

Hedman-Rutta
McDonagh-Foote
Sergachev-Cernak

Soooo, Rutta first pair and Sergachev 3rd. Not sure if that is called depth or just spreading everything out?

Thanks Theo - great recap.

Why doesn't the practice facility put up white netting?

Although not many on this board like him, it is good to see Pirri making positive plays for this team. It appear he came in to camp thinking he has to work for a position. And maybe, watching a veteran work hard is something that the younger players may be seeing, and keeping in the back of their minds.
- powerenforcer

Thanks, PE.

Agree, Pirri has been a camp surprise and in a good way. I'll admit, I had written him off but he has impressed. Not saying he should be locked in for a multi-year extension but he may prove helpful this season for forward depth and as a PP weapon.

According to Capfriendly, Kurashev is waivers exempt for two more seasons.
- tvetter

Thanks for clarifying that, tvetter. Much appreciated. I'll update the blog.

I should have separated that into two sentences. I said nothing about his actual performance. All I am saying here is that the move was 100% expected. I also think that it is the right move at this particular juncture for the reasons I stated.

Yes Colliton leaves a lot to be desired, but they are not going to go out and find a new (likely more expensive) coach at a time when they have little idea about the financial position of the league, and while they are still clearing the debris from the demolition of the roster. He is not beholden to many vets (mostly due to the fact that the majority of them are gone), and will play young players in big situations. Precisely what a rebuilding team needs to do.

They will lose plenty of games (despite my prognostications yesterday), but that is where this team is right now. Us being impatient has zero effect on management decisions.

And by the way, I am a 5 darn it!
- Chunk

Looking at the forward lines:

DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Janmark - Wallmark - Shaw
Kubalik - Suter - Pirri
Highmore - Kampf - Carpenter

Line 4 is a solid NHL line. They've played together before and were one of the better/effective lines against Vegas.

Line 2 is theoretically a solid contributing line (although it looks like more of a "traditional" 3rd line).

Line 3 is almost a complete unknown. Kubalik established a bar to meet. I think he has much better odds to maintain performance than, say Panik. Suter comes with a lot of fanfare and has impressed in camp, but we still have to see how he plays out. I have no idea what to think about Pirri outside of my prejudiced thoughts from his first stint. I hope he has improved since then.

Line 1 is the most concerning to me. They should be able to put up a ton of points, but unless Strome finds his inner Kopitar, they are going to be pinned in their own end a lot.

I never thought the line I'd have the most consternation about would be line 1, but oh well. Also, outside of line 1, I'm a little more comfortable with the team defensive ability going into the season than I was last year.

I'm going to keep being optimistic on the improvement/development of this team until they prove otherwise.

I have the vibe this team will play a heavier game with the way the roster is built now. It could help off set the loss of Toews and Dach a little.

- Rota's Rooter

"I'm handsome! My mother told me I was!"

TBL D- pairs:

Hedman-Rutta
McDonagh-Foote
Sergachev-Cernak

Soooo, Rutta first pair and Sergachev 3rd. Not sure if that is called depth or just spreading everything out?
- Chunk

Can someone tell me how TB can be 16M (20%) over the cap? I thought the off season allowed overage was 10%. Or does the 16M or so they have on LTIR not count?

Can someone tell me how TB can be 16M (20%) over the cap? I thought the off season allowed overage was 10%. Or does the 16M or so they have on LTIR not count?
- boilermaker100

Good question. I thought they had to be cap compliant on day one, but apparently this works...

PROJECTED CAP HIT: $98,016,666
PROJECTED LTIR USED: $16,516,666
PROJECTED CAP SPACE: $0 ($0)
CURRENT CAP SPACE: $0
DEADLINE CAP SPACE: $0
TODAYS CAP HIT: $98,016,666
ROSTER SIZE: 21/23
CONTRACTS: 46/50
RESERVE LIST: 68/90

This. Also, I’d like to see us take on a short term bad contract(s), as long as we get picks or young assets back as well.
- Angotti

They can still do it next year when hopefully there is a little income I suspect Rocky has decided.

Looking at the forward lines:

DeBrincat - Strome - Kane
Janmark - Wallmark - Shaw
Kubalik - Suter - Pirri
Highmore - Kampf - Carpenter

Line 4 is a solid NHL line. They've played together before and were one of the better/effective lines against Vegas.

Line 2 is theoretically a solid contributing line (although it looks like more of a "traditional" 3rd line).

Line 3 is almost a complete unknown. Kubalik established a bar to meet. I think he has much better odds to maintain performance than, say Panik. Suter comes with a lot of fanfare and has impressed in camp, but we still have to see how he plays out. I have no idea what to think about Pirri outside of my prejudiced thoughts from his first stint. I hope he has improved since then.

Line 1 is the most concerning to me. They should be able to put up a ton of points, but unless Strome finds his inner Kopitar, they are going to be pinned in their own end a lot.

I never thought the line I'd have the most consternation about would be line 1, but oh well. Also, outside of line 1, I'm a little more comfortable with the team defensive ability going into the season than I was last year.

I'm going to keep being optimistic on the improvement/development of this team until they prove otherwise.
- Chunk

I think you are on LSD...

Good question. I thought they had to be cap compliant on day one, but apparently this works...

PROJECTED CAP HIT: $98,016,666
PROJECTED LTIR USED: $16,516,666
PROJECTED CAP SPACE: $0 ($0)
CURRENT CAP SPACE: $0
DEADLINE CAP SPACE: $0
TODAYS CAP HIT: $98,016,666
ROSTER SIZE: 21/23
CONTRACTS: 46/50
RESERVE LIST: 68/90
- Chunk

Thanks Chunk. I'm sure it's all "legal".

Many posters are anticipating and wanting Stan to weaponize the cap space to obtain picks/prospects from cap strapped teams.

Personally I wouldn't expect this to happen since other GM's may find ways to get around their cap issue without giving away the farm.

Just because Stan threw in Tevou to offload Bickell's contract for nothing and added Johns in the Sharp trade doesn't mean he'll be able now to obtain good assets for taking on someone else's bad contract or need to obtain cap space.

I think you are on LSD...
- rpeters01

Nope. I quit that years ago.

Just red wine, and peaty scotch these days.

I know I'm out over my skis on the optimism for his team. What I am trying to do is - publicly - create a framework in which to judge the performance of the Hawks this year. Theo does a great job breaking down a lot of this for me/us, but I want to set the expectations (for the team and the players individually) properly so at the end of this disaster of a season I have something to grade them on.

All of you lucky bastages just have to sit though my ramblings... of you can skip them completely.

Thanks Chunk. I'm sure it's all "legal".

Many posters are anticipating and wanting Stan to weaponize the cap space to obtain picks/prospects from cap strapped teams.

Personally I wouldn't expect this to happen since other GM's may find ways to get around their cap issue without giving away the farm.

Just because Stan threw in Tevou to offload Bickell's contract for nothing and added Johns in the Sharp trade doesn't mean he'll be able now to obtain good assets for taking on someone else's bad contract or need to obtain cap space.
- boilermaker100

I'm sure there are pros and cons to having the contracts off the books now vs after day one of the league year. I just never cared enough to learn that side of things.

I think you are on LSD...
- rpeters01

No, he’s on DuSable Drive.