Theo Fox: Foley Artist A look at the Reese Johnson re-signing and a quick personal tribute to Pat Foley who called his last game for the Blackhawks.

Plus, a summary of the Blackhawks shootout winner over the Sharks to snap an 8-game losing skid.

I missed Gus tonight. red font.

I wonder if they told Toews to stop criticizing players (younger or older) and that is why he is questioning what they want from a captain?

King playing McCabe in OT? Is he pulling names out of a hat?

I hope Reichel is sent back to Rockford (soon). I am not judging his future in the NHL, I am judging what is best for his present. Playing with Dach and Lafferty is not developmental.

I am ok with giving Lankinen the net next year. Worst case - one of two worst records in NHL.
Best case - a decent goalie that buys time until Soderblom or Commesso are ready.

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

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. [/img]

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, maybe 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?

I missed Gus tonight. red font.
- Ztra

I missed C Jones as well(red font). Actually, Regula and Vlasic did not look out of place, they both had a decent game and seemed to play with confidence. I would not mind going with Stillman and Vlasic on the left side next year, along with a vet, and McCabe is not it.

I missed Gus tonight. red font.
- Ztra

I missed C Jones as well(red font). Actually, Regula and Vlasic did not look out of place, they both had a decent game and seemed to play with confidence. I would not mind going with Stillman and Vlasic on the left side next year, along with a vet, and McCabe is not it.
- Angotti

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.

One thing I like about Regula is that he puts some shots on net. You can't score if you don't shoot and there's always a chance for a deflection or rebound.

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?

If on the team and health next season, probably a trade candidate at the TDL for a team looking for the proverbial sandpaper. Probably get a 4th or 5th rounder for him like the Carpenter return.

One thing I like about Regula is that he puts some shots on net. You can't score if you don't shoot and there's always a chance for a deflection or rebound.
- boilermaker100

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.

The next coach will probably be fired before the Hawks are good again. What is the read on Sorensen at Rockford? If he was good he could be ready when some of the prospects are ready to matriculate to the NHL.

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.

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]

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

Watching Kings post game interview with Eddie and Pat, Vlasic looks like he's settling in out there and we were talking about how some of his game reminds me of Larry Robinson, but he probably doesn't even know who that is. He's got a ways to go but if he does become a player like Robinson this org hit it out of the park.

The next coach will probably be fired before the Hawks are good again. What is the read on Sorensen at Rockford? If he was good he could be ready when some of the prospects are ready to matriculate to the NHL.
- Ztra

How much coffee have you had today? You're on like a post per minute pace.

I would guess Sorensen is a no. per the Hogs site:

BIOGRAPHY
Sörensen is entering his third full season as assistant coach of the IceHogs. He previously served as development coach for the Chicago Blackhawks and Rockford IceHogs from 2014-18. Sorensen was promoted to assistant coach on Jan. 4, 2019 to replace Sheldon Brookbank, who was named an assistant with the Blackhawks the same day.
Prior to working with the Blackhawks, the Södertälje, Sweden, native spent the 2014-15 season as head coach of the Chicago Mission U16 club and the 2010-11 season as head coach of the Chicago Mission U18 team.
Sorensen was also previously an assistant coach with the Swedish Hockey League's Södertälje from 2011-13, before serving as interim head coach in October 2013.

Watching Kings post game interview with Eddie and Pat, Vlasic looks like he's settling in out there and we were talking about how some of his game reminds me of Larry Robinson, but he probably doesn't even know who that is. He's got a ways to go but if he does become a player like Robinson this org hit it out of the park.
- BetweenTheDots

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Watching Regula and Vlasic gives me hope, heavy dmen, soft hands, willing to take a hit to make a play, some crisp tape to tape passes. We have miles to go but looking forward to watching them develop.

One thing I like about Regula is that he puts some shots on net. You can't score if you don't shoot and there's always a chance for a deflection or rebound.
- boilermaker100

I agree that Kane is still the big architect in setting up scenarios where the "team look" scores, but is it out of respect that most of the newer players spend a season always defer to a pass towards him when the options of shooting were there.
I am talking Dach, Jones, Reichel, etc.

I like that Regula is able to feel comfortable to not only shot shots that have gotten through, but steps ups in the area between the circles with confidence.

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?