I liked Foley over the years. But the joking last night was a bit over the top.
- Ztra

Let's give him his due, because he had the balls to criticize the old man (while new GM Dale Tallon was is place) ridiculous trading away stars for crap returns because he wasn't going attempt to pay them.
Foley did spend portions of the games 2005-06 (?) winning about the product, doing sometime about it with management changes and the Wirtz giving operations a free hand form him.
I believe McDonough was who brought him back.
Supposedly the old man took Roenick to dinner to try and get him to negotiate a deal during dinner, and his representation went nuts.
The old man scoffed at what Belfours agent's $ figures wanted to re-up, and we a friend and I approached Wirtz at the game the night the rumor that they made the Shock buster trade of three average NHlers and conditional 2nd rounder, and he was gleeful, almost giddy at how "we" got a return of four for Belfour.

(Goalie Chris Terreri, RW Ulf Dahlén, and defenseman Michal Sýkora, a defender that Tallon excessively praised when he was a young defenseman in San Jose.)

T Johnson to the Kraken half salary retained for a for one of the 2nd round picks they hold Thumbs up.
But optimists may feel that he like McCabe will be better next year. Maybe holding them and trading them at the TDL is better.
- Ztra[/img]

Agree with Boiler that it likely would take a sweetener to move out T Johnson. Retaining salary could be a solution.

It might also help bump up the return from say a 5th to a 3rd. The greater the retention, the higher the pick.

What about Jujhar Khaira? One would think he as well as Tyler Johnson and/or Brett Connolly are buyout candidates. One trade that could be worth exploring is sending Spokane-native Tyler Johnson to the Kraken for a late-round draft pick. - "The Inimitable" T. Fox

GM Theo and thanks for another post game blog and thoughts. Hope the back is better or at least not currently giving you fits. I know you aren't the only guy to suggest the above but why buy out any of them?

Connolly can toil in the minors another year and provide some veteran leadership which from what I've read is a role he's embraced. Khaira could be sent there or possibly traded,
- HawkintheDmaybe to recoup our 1st rounder for this year.

If you can find a taker for Johnson great but the Hawks aren't going to be pressed up against the Cap next year so are you looking at this as more of a move to free up a roster spot?

Yes, my reasoning for trying to move out T Johnson is to free up a roster spot. But it also depends what they do with other forwards like Toews, Strome, Kubalik, Kurashev, and Lafferty.

Another reason is to gain more draft capital, even if late rounders. Move out players who really aren't going to be around for when the Hawks are coming out of the rebuild or even aid the rebuild now.

Haven't had a defenseman driving shots on net from the point since Seabrook. Deflections and tap ins are easy goals to score, if players are willing to play in front of the net.
- powerenforcer

Raddysh crashes the net. Bottom 6 forwards like Lafferty, Katchouk, R Johnson, and Entwistle aren't risk averse and will drive to the net as well.

So does Strome, actually, or at least knows how to cruise around the net to either look for tips or take it down low to distribute the puck to a teammate sneaking in.

In Rockford, Teply and Altybarmakian fit the bill. Teply is getting much stronger so he can win more battles as he regularly parks in the crease and tuck in shots.

Altybarmakian is a kamikaze out there and will bulldog his way to the net to create space for linemates or create his own chances.

Also, he cleared waivers twice while with Tampa Bay his last year there. Nobody wants him at $5M. Hawks would have to add a sweetener to move him.
- boilermaker100

They either keep T Johnson or buy him out, nobody is taking him and his AAV.

Late in last nights game Foley talking about receiving snail mail from fans he dropped a subtle hint about why he is no longer the announcer moving forward.

" when it was decided that this would be my last year"

Who decided it would be his last year. He certainly didn't.
- TJYTJY

IIRC, VP of Business Jaime Faulkner wants people on the broadcast crew to each have a social media presence. That could be part of the reasoning why Foley is retiring and Wiedeman is being scaled back on radio.

Don't agree with that at all. I believe pdx said something like this but I watch and listen to Foley and Wiedeman because they do their job well and don't immediately hop onto social media to see what they tweeted or whatnot.

Have others like Genna Rose and Jason Ross, Jr. to create the social media buzz for those fans who consume entertainment and news that way. Not all fans are that type of consumer.

Honestly, I think the Hawks have some really good D-men in the system.

Galvas, Mitchell, Kaiser, Allan, Crevier, Del Maestro, Regula, Vlasic all have really good upside (for different reasons). They just obviously need to show they can do it consistently.

What was surprising to me last night is that Regula and Vlasic seemed to process the situation better than the vets.

Regula was quick with either his first pass out of the zone, or to realize he could/should skate it. Not to mention he got three shots on goal from the point.

I was happy to see Vlasic use his physicality (as he talked about before signing) to rub guys off the puck or pin them to the wall. I think he is also one of the most accurate passers on the back end.
- Chunk

All of those D prospects you listed are the ones who process the game well and who I would consider the top D prospects in the system.

Kalynuk used to be up there but isn't consistent at leveraging his hockey sense and top-flight skating.

Phillips is up there but really needs to literally flex his muscles more to be effective. He activates fairly well and gets shots on net.

Raddysh crashes the net. Bottom 6 forwards like Lafferty, Katchouk, R Johnson, and Entwistle aren't risk averse and will drive to the net as well.

So does Strome, actually, or at least knows how to cruise around the net to either look for tips or take it down low to distribute the puck to a teammate sneaking in.

In Rockford, Teply and Altybarmakian fit the bill. Teply is getting much stronger so he can win more battles as he regularly parks in the crease and tuck in shots.

Altybarmakian is a kamikaze out there and will bulldog his way to the net to create space for linemates or create his own chances.
- Theo Fox

Theo - thanks for your spotlighting on the Rockford players. I don't think I am alone in this, but I wish we (fans of the Blackhawks in the Chicago area) had an easier time watching the Hogs games (without having to pay for services). I was hoping when rocky had that big presser months ago there would have been talk about some sort of TV contract with a local TV station to broadcast games.
Is there any whispers you are hearing about that? The sad part is I feel no connection to the Wolves since they are not in independent team anymore. They are not a Chicago team.

Just curious, is this the same Pat Foley that people have been female doging about for the past couple of years for being too corny, and talking too much about ice cream?
- Chunk

Yes, it is. Glad to see that he'll be gone. I enjoyed the last two games, you can tell he's a great guy, but he hasn't been very good at his job for these past 4 or 5 years.

https://twitter.com/BenPo...gpWjdw54LQNzBw1ue9ZA&s=01

Wonder if he's hurt?

The Foley tribute was quite moving. He did stray from the on ice action for stretches a lot recently, but he's always been the voice of the Hawks for me. Going to miss him. Met him at a Harper College hockey show back in the late 80's and darn he was the nicest guy ever. My mom got a picture of me with him.

Love this goal and exhibition of the greatness of Foley, "Had his pocket picked by Murray. The shot. Hawks win!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zko64dyOMAU

Theo - thanks for your spotlighting on the Rockford players. I don't think I am alone in this, but I wish we (fans of the Blackhawks in the Chicago area) had an easier time watching the Hogs games (without having to pay for services). I was hoping when rocky had that big presser months ago there would have been talk about some sort of TV contract with a local TV station to broadcast games.
Is there any whispers you are hearing about that? The sad part is I feel no connection to the Wolves since they are not in independent team anymore. They are not a Chicago team.
- powerenforcer

Agree, Hogs games need to be more accessible to the Hawks fan base. I haven't read anything about any solutions to this end.

I do recall the Hawks pumping in a ton of money into beefing up their relationship with not just the Hogs but I think the City of Rockford, too.

Some of that funding was arena upgrades but one would hope that accessible viewing on TV or online would be offerings as well.

T Johnson to the Kraken half salary retained for a for one of the 2nd round picks they hold Thumbs up.
But optimists may feel that he like McCabe will be better next year. Maybe holding them and trading them at the TDL is better.
- Ztra[/img]

You're not getting a 2nd for T Johnson regardless of how much you retain or sweeten the pot.

He's had major neck surgery this year, been in only a handful of games and been a non-factor in all of them.

A buyout is his most likely future before a trade of any sort.

Just curious, is this the same Pat Foley that people have been female doging about for the past couple of years for being too corny, and talking too much about ice cream?
- Chunk

Yeah but a few rough spots watching a garbage team over 40 years of being spectacular is kind of inconsequential in the grand scheme of things.

Listening to some clown like Colby Cohen also puts it into some perspective that even on an off night Foley is still better then most.

Afa our defense goes next year, hoping Gus, C Jones and deHaan are all elsewhere next season.

Maybe McCabe comes back better next season with a full year removed from injury...maybe.

I thought Alec and Alex also had decent games and were noticeable in mostly good ways. They were both making quick decisions, playing decent defense and getting the puck up ice with a nice pass or carrying it themselves.

Will be interesting with those two and likely Mitchell and Galvas also competing for spots on D with the Big Club next season. I'd rather watch that than the other three I mentioned.
- HawkintheD

Best thing that could happen is some of these younger D men push some of the veterans to the point of being replaceable. If they can make McCabe and Murphy replaceable, and both aren't injured and playing decent...Davidson can flip both at the deadline and start filling other holes in the organization OR get more picks. They also could sign a battled tested veteran to help mentor the younger guys seeing that S jones isn't a defensive wizard.

I agree with you on the Fs above. I don't see a reason to waste space buying guys out. Those veterans can babysit spots until younger players are ready.

My biggest concern is what they do between the pipes. I can handle losing...but having to watch Delia and Lankinen all season....hard pass. They won't help the younger D men...and IF the Hawks go with a younger D corps (god willing) I'd be in favor of finding the next Khabibulin type to give those kids confidence that any mistake won't end up in the net...which 98% of the time it would if it were Lankinen and Delia....

Honestly, I think the Hawks have some really good D-men in the system.

Galvas, Mitchell, Kaiser, Allan, Crevier, Del Maestro, Regula, Vlasic all have really good upside (for different reasons). They just obviously need to show they can do it consistently.

What was surprising to me last night is that Regula and Vlasic seemed to process the situation better than the vets.

Regula was quick with either his first pass out of the zone, or to realize he could/should skate it. Not to mention he got three shots on goal from the point.

I was happy to see Vlasic use his physicality (as he talked about before signing) to rub guys off the puck or pin them to the wall. I think he is also one of the most accurate passers on the back end.
- Chunk

i would agree....and here's the million dollar question....does this team MISS Murphy right now? I don't think they do. They can play a younger kid, with a cheaper cap hit, get him invaluable experience and likely get the same out put if not better than Murphy.

I was hoping Murphy could make it back by season's end and show he's healthy so teams that could be interested don't hesitate.

Best thing that could happen is some of these younger D men push some of the veterans to the point of being replaceable. If they can make McCabe and Murphy replaceable, and both aren't injured and playing decent...Davidson can flip both at the deadline and start filling other holes in the organization OR get more picks. They also could sign a battled tested veteran to help mentor the younger guys seeing that S jones isn't a defensive wizard.

I agree with you on the Fs above. I don't see a reason to waste space buying guys out. Those veterans can babysit spots until younger players are ready.

My biggest concern is what they do between the pipes. I can handle losing...but having to watch Delia and Lankinen all season....hard pass. They won't help the younger D men...and IF the Hawks go with a younger D corps (god willing) I'd be in favor of finding the next Khabibulin type to give those kids confidence that any mistake won't end up in the net...which 98% of the time it would if it were Lankinen and Delia....
- SteveRain

Lankinen is having serious problems with his rebound control, especially with his mitt. Can't catch a puck to save his life. Could this be due to his wrist injury earlier?

Sorry to see Pat go but glad he's moving on before he started mailing it in - especially with the direction of the team.

Outstanding play by play person - one of the few who could call a great game while still being a huge fan. Impossible to replace.
- fattybeef

Yeah I posted last night he got a little slap happy at times and the broadcast was 100% dumbed down on purpose likely per McEgo and his sidekick Blunk, to help keep those transitional Cubs fans on board, but he also had a good pulse of the fan base and would call out guys subtly or even the team. I grew up with him and Dale through the radio and sports vision, or sports channel.

Still feel if Duncan Keith ever goes missing, the 1st place they should look is Foley's basement.......

Lankinen is having serious problems with his rebound control, especially with his mitt. Can't catch a puck to save his life. Could this be due to his wrist injury earlier?
- Popsghostly

No idea but man he's on his back a lot as well.....just doesn't look like a bona fide NHL goalie....at all. Delia, IMO, is even worse than Lankinen.

No idea but man he's on his back a lot as well.....just doesn't look like a bona fide NHL goalie....at all. Delia, IMO, is even worse than Lankinen.
- SteveRain

Not saying Lankinen or Delia are the goods, but let’s be honest. This Hawks team makes any goalie look like Huet.

i would agree....and here's the million dollar question....does this team MISS Murphy right now? I don't think they do. They can play a younger kid, with a cheaper cap hit, get him invaluable experience and likely get the same out put if not better than Murphy.

I was hoping Murphy could make it back by season's end and show he's healthy so teams that could be interested don't hesitate.
- SteveRain

The eight game losing streak says otherwise, and I do understand that MAF is no longer on the Hawks. I’m one of the few that has been okay with Murphy in the Hawks lineup, I’m also one of the few that believes that you can get something decent back for him. I’m okay with trading him, as the Hawks seem to have more talent coming on the right side(Mitchell/Regula). In my opinion Murphy will be easier to trade than McCabe. The Hawks could use a steady veteran on the left side as they bring up these kids, and McCabe ain’t it.

https://twitter.com/BenPopeCST/status/1514819365799022597?t=-PgpWjdw54LQNzBw1ue9ZA&s=01

Wonder if he's hurt?
- BetweenTheDots

Yup:

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
44m
Kirby Dach has a right shoulder sprain. That's why he left in the 3rd period last night. He's not practicing today.

Toews also not practicing for maintenance.

The Kraken suck. Why would they trade one of their 2nds for a broken down player at the end of his career?
- rpeters01

They have plenty of picks. They need to sell tickets.

The eight game losing streak says otherwise, and I do understand that MAF is no longer on the Hawks. I’m one of the few that has been okay with Murphy in the Hawks lineup, I’m also one of the few that believes that you can get something decent back for him. I’m okay with trading him, as the Hawks seem to have more talent coming on the right side(Mitchell/Regula). In my opinion Murphy will be easier to trade than McCabe. The Hawks could use a steady veteran on the left side as they bring up these kids, and McCabe ain’t it.
- Angotti

I don't think Murphy is as bad as people say on here. He's not had a great year, but he's typically a solid guy. Not going to wow you, but not completely devoid of talent.

He's back practicing, but non-contact. If I had to throw a guess out there, KD will try to trade both Murphy and McCabe and sign some other placeholder types on 1-2 year deals. There are a bunch of guys that will be available that you can get for $1-2M and likely be about as effective as these two.

They have plenty of picks. They need to sell tickets.
- Ztra

Get what you are saying, but how does T. Johnson sell tickets? Because he is from WA?