Justin Lowe: Blackhawks All-Prospect Team – December Edition Another weekend of losses left me searching for more optimism this fine Monday morning.

Nashville took down the Hawks on Saturday on the road 5-2 and Calgary snuck by with a 3-2 win last night.

I'm at a loss for words right now with this Blackhawks team so this blog is actually focusing on the players that the Hawks own the rights to that aren't on the team; that includes Rockford, CHL, NCAA and Europe.

First...……...lol

You pen some very in-depth pieces Justin...……….thanks!

Its hard for all of us JL.

Love the prospect updates.

The playoffs are a pipe dream at this point. This team can't beat teams that they are 'supposed to beat'. They have stretches where it looks like the opponent is on a power play. Forays into the offensive zone look like a gauntlet of turnovers nearly every time. Half the time it's Kane or Saad trying to one man army it all the way to the net, while the other forwards and D go off after an over-extended shift.

The Hawks started the first ten games or so playing 67% hockey, but that is long gone. You can't win every game in overtime against the Blues. Unless there's some major change (Crawford becoming Hasek, a big trade to acquire an NHL level defenseman or three, a callup from Rockford saving the team) we're likely looking at a bottom 8 team again.

I was really hoping Colliton would tighten things up, try new things on the Power Play, and form some form of system around Crawford to prevent tons of high danger chances against. Unfortunately that hasn't happened yet.

Justin Lowe: Blackhawks All-Prospect Team – December Edition
Another weekend of losses left me searching for more optimism this fine Monday morning.

Nashville took down the Hawks on Saturday on the road 5-2 and Calgary snuck by with a 3-2 win last night.

I'm at a loss for words right now with this Blackhawks team so this blog is actually focusing on the players that the Hawks own the rights to that aren't on the team; that includes Rockford, CHL, NCAA and Europe.
- Justin Lowe

Thanks, Justin - nice beginning to a series that could get us through the winter.

No love for Jake Wise - 3rd pick last spring - was supposed to be a "surprise", IIRC - but apparently not lighting it up at BU.

Nice prospect blog, Justin.

Agree with your lists. Would add Broadhurst to the Rockford list as an honorable mention. Similar season for him as Schroeder.

For the non-AHL list, I’d add Hakkarainen who left Providence College to go back to the USHL. He’s similar to Kurashev: great offensively and solid on defense. Both could be middle 6 forwards, even centers.

When do you think they give Carlsson (or anyone on the AHL roster really) a few NHL games? After the holiday maybe?

Love the prospect updates.

The playoffs are a pipe dream at this point. This team can't beat teams that they are 'supposed to beat'. They have stretches where it looks like the opponent is on a power play. Forays into the offensive zone look like a gauntlet of turnovers nearly every time. Half the time it's Kane or Saad trying to one man army it all the way to the net, while the other forwards and D go off after an over-extended shift.

The Hawks started the first ten games or so playing 67% hockey, but that is long gone. You can't win every game in overtime against the Blues. Unless there's some major change (Crawford becoming Hasek, a big trade to acquire an NHL level defenseman or three, a callup from Rockford saving the team) we're likely looking at a bottom 8 team again.

I was really hoping Colliton would tighten things up, try new things on the Power Play, and form some form of system around Crawford to prevent tons of high danger chances against. Unfortunately that hasn't happened yet.
- ObeseOprah

The Hawks started out 6-2-2=14=70%, but that was based on getting a goal per game EACH from 12/19/88 - and very little from anyone else.

12/19/88 cooled off - now, only 12 TOTAL from the three of them in 18 games. And - apart from Saad - still very little from anyone else.

And the leaky boat has continued to pad opponents goal totals.

He was mentioned once or twice in the blog, but not much detail about Hillman. I feel that they Hawks will need players like Hillman going forward (strong defense and clearing the net). How has he been this year? He looked decent in his brief call up last year.

Bring back Brandon Pirri to solve all our problems

Love the prospect updates.

The playoffs are a pipe dream at this point. This team can't beat teams that they are 'supposed to beat'. They have stretches where it looks like the opponent is on a power play. Forays into the offensive zone look like a gauntlet of turnovers nearly every time. Half the time it's Kane or Saad trying to one man army it all the way to the net, while the other forwards and D go off after an over-extended shift.

The Hawks started the first ten games or so playing 67% hockey, but that is long gone. You can't win every game in overtime against the Blues. Unless there's some major change (Crawford becoming Hasek, a big trade to acquire an NHL level defenseman or three, a callup from Rockford saving the team) we're likely looking at a bottom 8 team again.

I was really hoping Colliton would tighten things up, try new things on the Power Play, and form some form of system around Crawford to prevent tons of high danger chances against. Unfortunately that hasn't happened yet.
- ObeseOprah

At the risk of being a heretic with the name I am going to mention:

As the decision was being made to axe Q, a wise GM and Hockey Ops Dept might have concluded that this was a weak team playing in the very tough Central Div. and the likelihood of a playoff spot wasn't great. That GM would have noted that defence was a massive weak spot and they needed a coach who could help school the young defenceman on the roster and also provide a candid, honest assessment of their capabilities.

There would have been no better guy than 'retired' Ken Hitchcock on a short term deal - pay him $2M for the season with no commitments beyond that because Colliton was heir to the throne for next season. Hitch might not have gotten the team into the playoffs but this disaster of a defence corps would have been noticeably improved over the course of this season and going forward. And Colliton would have had the time to prepare for the transition instead of being thrown into a complete dumpster fire.

31st overall here we come.

Justin,

I know it is hard to write positive things these days, and very much appreciate the effort, but I don't see much hope in the pipeline either. A few guys might get a shot - maybe even one or two might be above average someday.

However when you look at the fact that the NHL team is lucky if on any given night there are eight legit NHL players in the lineup, the "best of Rockford" is already on the team filling out the lineup, and that the Hogs are also playing like ass.....

Great tweet last night from Lazerus:


Mark Lazerus
‏Verified account @MarkLazerus
16h16 hours ago

If the Blackhawks were a caravan of scary, scary migrants, all Trump would have to do is paint the southern border blue. They'd never be able to cross it.
14 replies 11 retweets 101 likes

From the last blog:

Today @ 11:33 AM ET

Seriously? Regardless of McD, GM's would be pushing each other out of the way to get a chance at being the GM of an Original 6 franchise with an owner that has treated everyone with class. The Hawks organization has set the bar high with how the people in the entire organization are treated. From the mom/dad trips to paying for everyones families to travel to road SC games.
- TheTrob


I wouldn’t be so sure about that. We’re talking about what’s attractive to a professional hockey executive. Much of what you said is more oriented toward what a player might find enticing, and I would argue that a rookie coach vs Q diminishes that in most prospective UFA’s eyes.

McD has a reputation of being far more involved in hockey decisions than his limited background would warrant - with an ego surpassing the typical A-type personalities you find amongst the executive ranks. The “Mc-Ego” nickname was earned, not randomly handed out. It’s been widely reported about how the front office operates in a management-by-committe fashion, with McD substantively involved in hockey decisions. Furthermore, there have been persistent anecdotes on how McD treats those who give him some push back when it comes to his expertise vs their own (e.g. Dale Tallon).

So what does this all mean? Well, if you’re an accomplished/experienced GM candidate (which I’d argue is what the Hawks need) you’re going to think long and hard about the environment you’d be working under with McD. Am I going to be given the freedom to perform my job based upon my own judgment and experience, or am I going to be continually asking for permission/approval? Will I be required to continually explain and justify proposals to someone who’s subject matter expertise is significantly below mine - while still being sure not to bruise their oversized ego? That describes an exhausting and unattractive work environment to most people. The hockey executive profession is big, but like most professional ranks, it’s small too. People earn a reputation, and it spreads from person-to-person, and seldom, if ever, “on the record.”

So sure, some relatively inexperienced “eager beaver” GM candidate is going to leap at the job because he’ll just be happy at the chance (like Colliton has with the coaching job). But with the problems Hawks face and the decisions that need to be made, and with the potential complex trades that will need to be executed, is that really what any of us want?

The Hawks need a new team president. One who has the depth of experience to properly perform the job, and one who’s reputation amongst the hockey professional ranks will allow the Hawks to attract and retain top talent in the front office. John McDonough is woefully lacking in those areas and no amount of “original six” mystique or 1st class road trips can compensate for that.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

This 1000 x 1000

Thank you Chief4Feathers!!

It was good to see that JC has finally found the right position for Gus, in the press box. Hopefully, he'll place Kunitz there to join him, permanently.

Also, Dcat earned a ton of respect for his stand up against the vile team in mustard yellow.

From the last blog:

Today @ 11:33 AM ET

Seriously? Regardless of McD, GM's would be pushing each other out of the way to get a chance at being the GM of an Original 6 franchise with an owner that has treated everyone with class. The Hawks organization has set the bar high with how the people in the entire organization are treated. From the mom/dad trips to paying for everyones families to travel to road SC games.
- TheTrob


I wouldn’t be so sure about that.
- 17SEC

You speak truth

Eklund reporting Colton Parayko is available

Bring up the big Wheaton guy Anthony Louis

Eklund reporting Colton Parayko is available
- EnzoD

Of course cause we know everything Ek says is true - E4

He was mentioned once or twice in the blog, but not much detail about Hillman. I feel that they Hawks will need players like Hillman going forward (strong defense and clearing the net). How has he been this year? He looked decent in his brief call up last year.
- Chunk

From my observations, both Hillman and Carlsson have been the most steady of the rookie Hog defenders. They skate well, don’t give up on plays, and can play physical. Carlsson could be Hjalmarsson lite. Hillman? Maybe Hamonic lite?

Dahlstrom is a work horse and the elder skatesman so he brings lots of experience and leadership. While not always consistent and could stand to use his size a little more, he’s similar to Hillman and Carlsson as defensive D-men.

Justin Lowe: Blackhawks All-Prospect Team – December Edition
Another weekend of losses left me searching for more optimism this fine Monday morning.

Nashville took down the Hawks on Saturday on the road 5-2 and Calgary snuck by with a 3-2 win last night.

I'm at a loss for words right now with this Blackhawks team so this blog is actually focusing on the players that the Hawks own the rights to that aren't on the team; that includes Rockford, CHL, NCAA and Europe.
- Justin Lowe

Great piece, JL. A lot of depth and stats to this. This is a great read while our season slides further down the pipes of this toilet.

It would probably be cheating if I said that I am excited for everyone, but honestly, I am. If I have to narrow it down: Kurashev, Shulanov, Barratt, Boqvist, Beaudin, and Gravel. Most I have seen and like, but these guys are much more unknown to me, hence the high level optimism.

Eklund reporting Colton Parayko is available
- EnzoD

I share the love, but I am sure the priests in the Temple of Syrinx have already determined "he doesn't fit the plan."

You know, big, physical.....

I share the love, but I am sure the priests in the Temple of Syrinx have already determined "he doesn't fit the plan."

You know, big, physical.....
- Return of the Roar

"We shall assume control" .... of C.P.
I know he went into arbitration, and it caused a little tension. As their season slides out of control, what would they look for? A first, and a great prospect?

Kunitz should be waived this week.
Fortin could benefit from more time in the AHL.
JC should keep the Dmen on their strong side. Keith, Forsling, Gus Manning are left defenders. Seabs, Rutta, Joki are right side. I am interested to see Murphy under JC. It seems like JC is encouraging more physicality from the D.
Probably roster moves at forward soon, and on D when Murph gets back.

Eklund reporting Colton Parayko is available
- EnzoD


I share the love, but I am sure the priests in the Temple of Syrinx have already determined "he doesn't fit the plan."

You know, big, physical.....

But, but...they call him the working man.