Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 
Forums :: Blog World :: Theo Fox: Cool Hand Luke
Author Message
Theo Fox
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.18.2016

Jun 27 @ 12:03 AM ET
Theo Fox: Cool Hand Luke A look at the pending announcement that Luke Richardson will be the new head coach of the Blackhawks and how he can impact the rebuild.

Plus, thoughts on Caleb Jones and an early prognosis of the Chicago blueline.
theneek
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: United States, CA
Joined: 07.02.2008

Jun 27 @ 12:40 AM ET
First!

Great post Theo and on the Stanley Cup night. Thank you.

Luke sounds like a goods choice but I also was liking the Calgary assistant as well.

Everyone will be gone/traded possibly so let’s get ready for that. Davidson wants a high draft pick this year I’m sure.

GPHawksfan
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: AB
Joined: 01.26.2018

Jun 27 @ 12:49 AM ET
I'm willing to bet that Vlassic starts with the Hawks next season.
Mr Ricochet
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 04.19.2009

Jun 27 @ 3:49 AM ET
What a sport. Congrats to the Avs and the Bolts too!! Helluva series........ Sakic in a piece at The Athletic:

But not without plenty of heartache, including that woeful 2016-17 season.

“Well worth it,” Sakic said Sunday night, referring to the tougher times. “To be honest with you, (because) you get a (Cale) Makar, you get a (Bowen) Byram, obviously we got (Nathan) MacKinnon No. 1, I mean, as hard as it is to go through those things, that’s how you get those players.

“You always try and win, but sometimes you have to go through tough times to get those players to eventually have this.”
Mr Ricochet
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 04.19.2009

Jun 27 @ 3:54 AM ET
What a sport. Congrats to the Avs and the Bolts too!! Helluva series........ Sakic in a piece at The Athletic:

But not without plenty of heartache, including that woeful 2016-17 season.

“Well worth it,” Sakic said Sunday night, referring to the tougher times. “To be honest with you, (because) you get a (Cale) Makar, you get a (Bowen) Byram, obviously we got (Nathan) MacKinnon No. 1, I mean, as hard as it is to go through those things, that’s how you get those players.

“You always try and win, but sometimes you have to go through tough times to get those players to eventually have this.”

- Mr Ricochet


But a Boilermaker nicely pointed out last blog, and others too, there are many directions a rebuild can take, and needs to, depending on circumstances. The next little bit of the same piece.

And as Sakic said in that January 2021 interview, even in that nightmarish 2016-17 season, the bones were there to start building around.

“As bad as it was, we still had Nathan MacKinnon, Gabe Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen. We had the core pieces already but knew it was about building around them,” Sakic said. “We needed more core pieces around them. So as bad as ’16-17 was, we still had budding superstars that were ready to take the next step. We just had to build around them.”

And build around them, Sakic did.



jhawk59
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 02.15.2013

Jun 27 @ 4:06 AM ET
I'm willing to bet that Vlassic starts with the Hawks next season.
- GPHawksfan

Mitchell will force his way on to the roster soon

C Jones playing erractily will get him press box seatI too.

Richardson is going to expect accountability and if you don't do your part, you sit - except Kane and DeBrincat. No excuses fir veterans either. McCabe not 100% after surgery two years ago - he will sit. Too many bonehead plays by Murphy, he sits. No country club. And Toews better get ready too

Richardson is going to be, what's your f-ing problem. He'll teach, instruct.and expects accountability. Or you sit. I sure hope so
SC116
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 08.29.2015

Jun 27 @ 4:45 AM ET
Don't know that I would force King on a new coaching staff; would hope that Richardson would insist on having full say in choosing his assistants.

The entire point of going in another direction for the interim coach is to actually go in another direction. I don't hate King, but it's just the way that it ends up sometimes.
Mr Ricochet
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 04.19.2009

Jun 27 @ 4:49 AM ET
Don't know that I would force King on a new coaching staff; would hope that Richardson would insist on having full say in choosing his assistants.

The entire point of going in another direction for the interim coach is to actually go in another direction. I don't hate King, but it's just the way that it ends up sometimes.

- SC116


Richardson choosing his own staff is the last chance, at least for a little while, to get "fresh eyes" in the system. Let's hope that happens.
Ztra
Joined: 06.21.2018

Jun 27 @ 6:27 AM ET
I think King will not be on a Hawk or Hog coaching staff. I could see him being a scout or “advisor”. But I could also see him leaving to be an AHL head coach or NHL assistant elsewhere.
6628
Joined: 08.24.2009

Jun 27 @ 8:44 AM ET
Worst to first in 5 years. Hellava job.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Jun 27 @ 9:08 AM ET
Richardson choosing his own staff is the last chance, at least for a little while, to get "fresh eyes" in the system. Let's hope that happens.
- Mr Ricochet


Does this really matter though? Couldn't it be that they just needed to move out the guys that were in the way, and let the guys with better ideas - who are already in the organization - take over?

You've got KD taking over the whole thing from Stan, and thus far has a vastly different approach. They dumped the guys who were in charge of both amateur and pro scouting (areas this board has harped on for years) and have "new eyes" in those roles.

Greenberg is in with a completely new role. Richardson has zero ties to the organization.

MacIver left for a year and came back. A bunch of lower level people were promoted. From reading their backgrounds and articles about their new positions, it sounds like they all have the same vision for the team going forward which I think is more imperative than just being from outside the org.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Jun 27 @ 9:32 AM ET
As it stands right now, the Hawks have only one notable forward contract on the books after the coming season (T. Johnson @ $5M). Aside from navigating the upcoming year, it looks like KD will have the opportunity to make-up the roster however he pleases.

I, for one, am excited to see how he does it.
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Jun 27 @ 9:43 AM ET
Jeff Marek was on NHL radio, and he was talking how Richardson is supposedly really good with communicating with the kids. Hopefully he can communicate with Dach, Kurashev, Reichel, and the young defenseman. That is all I am looking for next year is progression from the youngsters.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Jun 27 @ 9:50 AM ET
Jeff Marek was on NHL radio, and he was talking how Richardson is supposedly really good with communicating with the kids. Hopefully he can communicate with Dach, Kurashev, Reichel, and the young defenseman. That is all I am looking for next year is progression from the youngsters.
- LAHawk


Funny, I had the opposite thought this morning. I was really intrigued to see how Richardson affects S. Jones' game. I think it could end up being a boon for the Hawks.
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Jun 27 @ 9:51 AM ET
Anyone watching last nights game and smile when realizing the Hawks got 2 firsts and 2 NHL players for Brandon Hagel? For the series against Colorado one assist, and averaging about 14 minutes of ice time.

He will be a nice third liner for them for many years to come.
Angotti
Season Ticket Holder
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: IL
Joined: 07.03.2019

Jun 27 @ 9:58 AM ET

I'm willing to bet that Vlassic starts with the Hawks next season.
- GPHawksfan

With his size and skating ability, he should start with the Hawks, plus the Hawks left side is pretty weak.
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Jun 27 @ 10:04 AM ET
Funny, I had the opposite thought this morning. I was really intrigued to see how Richardson affects S. Jones' game. I think it could end up being a boon for the Hawks.
- Chunk


Actually the same could be said for the irredeemable Connor Murphy.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Jun 27 @ 10:10 AM ET
I'm willing to bet that Vlassic starts with the Hawks next season.
- GPHawksfan


It sure seems that way considering they didn't even want him playing for them in the playoffs. KD stated that they didn't want to take a chance on him getting injured because this was going to be the most important offseason that he's had. I personally see it at about 50/50 he stays on the NHL team, only because I don't really know how they view his current development. They've been really pushing the fact that they don't want to rush anyone.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Jun 27 @ 10:11 AM ET
Actually the same could be said for the irredeemable Connor Murphy.
- LAHawk


I was assuming he'd be traded.
DarthKane
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: 5.13.4.9
Joined: 02.23.2012

Jun 27 @ 10:35 AM ET
I'm willing to bet that Vlassic starts with the Hawks next season.
- GPHawksfan



I think he'll play the season in Rockford, like Mitchell did this past season. My guess is that the Hawks will take a slow and cautious approach to Vlasic's development.

Barring any trades or UFA signings, I'd expect the following D to start the season.

S. Jones
C. Murphy
J. McCabe
R. Stillman
I. Mitchell
A. Regula

The #7 spot will be interesting, if he's still with the team I think Beaudin will start as the extra d-man. Beaudin will require waivers to be sent to Rockford, they may send him down eventually but I think he'll start the season with the Blackhawks.
boilermaker100
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 06.23.2015

Jun 27 @ 10:53 AM ET
A recap of Hawks picks in the early 2000's leading up to the Cup runs.

2002 - Keith (2nd round)
2003 - Seabrook (1st - 14th overall), Crawford (2nd), Buff (7th)
2004 - Bolland (2nd), Bickell (2nd), Brouwer (7th)
2005 - Hammer (4th)
2006 - Toews (1st - 3rd OA)
2007 - Kane (1st - 1st OA)

It's interesting to note that of about 50 draft picks between 2002-2005, only 8 picks contributed to the Cup winning teams a decade later. 10 picks out of 66 if you count the 2006 and 2007 draft classes. (Yes, no one besides Toews and Kane made it from the 2006 and 2007 draft.) The "draft success rate" if you want to call it that, comes out at 15 to 16%.

And then corresponding playoff history after those drafts -

2003-2004 through 2008-2009 seasons - Missed Playoffs
2009-2010 season - Won 2 rounds - lost in conference final
2010-2011 season - Won Stanley Cup

A few years of drafting (and then developing) players followed by the two high 1st rounders (and the luck of the draw in getting the 1st overall in 2007) led up to the dynastic years. (Edit - This was augmented by a decent trade or two (Sharp) and the Hossa UFA signing.)

Aside from Debrincat who it seems has one foot out the door, what other young players on the team or in the system compare to the guys drafted from 2002 onward? Maybe Dach if the light bulb turns on. Probably too early to tell with some of the others. Anyway I guess when Davidson said the rebuild may take 5 or 6 years he was looking at the early 2000's as a model.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Jun 27 @ 11:21 AM ET
I think he'll play the season in Rockford, like Mitchell did this past season. My guess is that the Hawks will take a slow and cautious approach to Vlasic's development.

Barring any trades or UFA signings, I'd expect the following D to start the season.

S. Jones
C. Murphy
J. McCabe
R. Stillman
I. Mitchell
A. Regula

The #7 spot will be interesting, if he's still with the team I think Beaudin will start as the extra d-man. Beaudin will require waivers to be sent to Rockford, they may send him down eventually but I think he'll start the season with the Blackhawks.

- DarthKane


Not believing the reports on C. Jones?
Mr Ricochet
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Joliet, IL
Joined: 04.19.2009

Jun 27 @ 12:09 PM ET
Andrew Shaw on playing under Richardson: https://www.nhl.com/black...ks-head-coach/c-334742434
LAHawk
Chicago Blackhawks
Joined: 11.02.2017

Jun 27 @ 12:17 PM ET
Andrew Shaw on playing under Richardson: https://www.nhl.com/black...ks-head-coach/c-334742434
- Mr Ricochet


Maybe he can convince Toews and Kane to take on the mentoring role.
Chunk
Chicago Blackhawks
Location: Why did I move back here again?, IL
Joined: 11.06.2015

Jun 27 @ 12:21 PM ET
Andrew Shaw on playing under Richardson: https://www.nhl.com/black...ks-head-coach/c-334742434
- Mr Ricochet


Hopefully this isn't just talk, and he can actually get through to them:

"He's gonna teach a structured game, but have that flexibility to be creative," Shaw offered. "He was on the back end. He got to see his forwards be creative, and you need that but with that you need structure defensively especially and I think he's going to grow the young prospects coming into Chicago because he's done it time and time again. He knows what it takes to win. He knows what it takes to compete day to day. I think he's going to be great, not just for the young guys, but I think even some of the older veteran defenseman (too)."
Page: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7  Next