Theo Fox: Game 15 vs Blue Jackets
A preview to Round 2 between the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets at the United Center tonight and Saturday.

Plus, a look at how Wallmark’s return impacts the forward lines

Moberg is a darkhorse. He showed well at Traverse City if some readers recall. He stands out to me since he would slot in as a Seabrook or Zadorov replacement. If he develops. We don't really have any dmen prospects like him.

Theo Fox: Game 15 vs Blue Jackets
A preview to Round 2 between the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets at the United Center tonight and Saturday.

Plus, a look at how Wallmark’s return impacts the forward lines
- Theo Fox

D.J. Busdeker played wing and defense in juniors for the Saginaw Spirit so he could see time on the Rockford backline. Having one more reserve would be more ideal, though.

I thought Boqvist was going back down

Moberg is a darkhorse. He showed well at Traverse City if some readers recall. He stands out to me since he would slot in as a Seabrook or Zadorov replacement. If he develops. We don't really have any dmen prospects like him.
- jhawk59

Vlasic?

Vlasic?
- Ogilthorpe2

Don't think he is gonna leave Boston University. He is starting to play better there as a sophomore after a rough first year. He's a longer term prospect, I would guess he plays at least thru his Jr. season before he considers a pro contract.

So if a forward gets injured during the game we basically finish the game with 3 lines vs the opposition's 4. That was my first thought when Hagel went down after that hard hit the other night. Unless there is a good reason not to, then you play with the stand 12F and 6D format. It is also difficult to get good flow when you have different forward combinations every time you jump out on the ice.

I enjoy watching this team and glad they’re letting the kids play. Mitchell was worth the wait!

Not a fan of having young guys playing their off side in the NHL right off the bat. Tough enough to get acclimated to the speed/size at the next level as is. If you’re going to bring them up at least give them their best chance to succeed and gain confidence.

Theo, Like your D pairings with the 6D lineup. This works but what happens when Murphy and Boqvist return? Maybe give deHaan a maintenance day here and there or sit Zadorov against a non physical team?

If Boqvist returns to the lineup and still plays tentatively give him some time in Rockford especially if Beaudin and Carlsson play well. Let their on ice play dictate a player's role in the lineup, not their draft position status.

Theo, Like your D pairings withe 6D lineup. This works but what happens when Murphy and Boqvist return? Maybe give deHaan a maintenance day here and there or sit Zadorov against a non physical team?

If Boqvist returns to the lineup and still plays tentatively give him some time in Rockford especially if Beaudin and Carlsson play well. Let their on ice play dictate a player's role in the lineup, not their draft position status.
- boilermaker100

For sure. This, along with communication of expectations, is a good developmental process. Even outside of sports. JC is thought to be good at that stuff.

Is HB dying? The Preds blogger suddenly stopped posting on 1/25. The Blues don't have a blogger. What's going on?

Don't think he is gonna leave Boston University. He is starting to play better there as a sophomore after a rough first year. He's a longer term prospect, I would guess he plays at least thru his Jr. season before he considers a pro contract.
- TheTrob

Ok, but What does that have to do with his size or style of play?

Is HB dying? The Preds blogger suddenly stopped posting on 1/25. The Blues don't have a blogger. What's going on?
- mohel

Nashville is a poop market, and St. Louis blows.

Any other questions sport?

To highlight how this team has changed, when was the last time there was not enough playing time because we have too many defenseman deserving ice time?

ADD fact that Ben Shelly doesn’t 5 teams as well

My version of the proposed lineup for the Hawks

DeBrincat - Suter - Kane
Janmark - Strome - Kubalik
Hagel - Soderberg - Kurashev
Wallmark - Kampf - Shaw


I like Shaw slotting on that 4th line, he was looking effective there and adds a bit of offense to that unit. Soderberg while not flashy, has been solid in the middle, letting him play with a couple guys with offensive upside Hagel/Kurashev might spark something.
Janmark has the skill to make passes and play. I feel like Strome should be able to get the puck on Kubalik's stick to let him shoot.

So if a forward gets injured during the game we basically finish the game with 3 lines vs the opposition's 4. That was my first thought when Hagel went down after that hard hit the other night. Unless there is a good reason not to, then you play with the stand 12F and 6D format. It is also difficult to get good flow when you have different forward combinations every time you jump out on the ice.
- 67hawks

You aren't wrong, but I think it can be done effectively, we've seen the Hawks of the past (with Q) often only give the 4th line wingers minimal ice-time 5-7 minutes a night and almost no shifts in the second half of the game.

I do hope they only dress 6 D.

My version of the proposed lineup for the Hawks

DeBrincat - Suter - Kane
Janmark - Strome - Kubalik
Hagel - Soderberg - Kurashev
Wallmark - Kampf - Shaw


I like Shaw slotting on that 4th line, he was looking effective there and adds a bit of offense to that unit. Soderberg while not flashy, has been solid in the middle, letting him play with a couple guys with offensive upside Hagel/Kurashev might spark something.
Janmark has the skill to make passes and play. I feel like Strome should be able to get the puck on Kubalik's stick to let him shoot.
- breadbag

Maybe eventually, but my comments:

Why fix what is not yet broke? Yes the Hawks needed OT to score 2 goals a game, but Dallas is one of the best defensive teams (if not the best) in the league. Not like the Hawks were totally void of scoring chances.

With the way ADB has now morphed from being strictly a shooter to one who likes to carry the puck, that is not what you need on Kane's line. Of course you want Kane handling it as much as possible. I would only use ADB with Kane when going nuclear. Also when those 2 are on the ice together when the puck goes in the defensive zone, theny seem to spend the whole shift trying to get it out.

Don't think he is gonna leave Boston University. He is starting to play better there as a sophomore after a rough first year. He's a longer term prospect, I would guess he plays at least thru his Jr. season before he considers a pro contract.
- TheTrob

oh, Vlasic will play, but this idea of every 19 year old taken in the first three rounds need two minutes of next tier play, a half a year in the weight room, and he can contend with the stronger quicker sticks of NHL guys is simply silly.

He CAN skate, and he knows to play inside his present abilities, so you just dont push it.
Th kid they signed< Mitchell's teammate found out quickly his college quickness was ordinary playin g agent the elite looking NHL players and there are plenty of adjustments and work he (and they all) need(s) to do to be a guy who gets minutes.

It is nice to concentrate our positive energies on how exeelnt #74 looks as a comfortable attacker and our PP option, Mitchell's smart solid two way abilities, and continue to let these two grow, and THEN start putting the employment signs up after Boqvist and these two round out (or get exposed) because all this add to the defense in the future talk is like a power ball ticket to me.

I did want to mention that the entire Draftsite owner was having a second kid, and has a real job, and decided to hunt a new owner to preserve his legacy. He found buyers who wanted to use the Canadian site traffic to get more people to their new betting site. Instead of leaving the site up and as is, they chose to attempt to preserve PARTS of it in their present site Lines.
If you go to drfatsite it takes you to there.
I was not asked to participate in the setting up of the new software, it has taken me a good three months to (attempt after attempt) learn it, criticize it with the developers, and it is less than perfect with no junior teams showing or shoots right handed or the ability to show if a guy plays multiple position.

I do have many many player profiles up and pretty good descriptions of the guys in the draft, and although I don't have chubbies for Luke Hughes and Willie ecklund (no relation, lol) and I have the player with most skill going to the Blackhawks eight overall, you can g4t a good sense that teams who did good extensive advanced scouting may end up lucky with diamonds chosen later because a lot of kids from the Canadian Junior leagues simply are nit playing, just working out. They either chose not to fly off to Europe and fill lower team rosters there or teams there are unwilling to oblige them by shelving their kids / players in the process.

I like the draft class but anyone instantly saying this kid will be a top line forward or top pair defenseman better "Take it easy" as there are no close to finished guys.
Use the TREVOR ZEGARS ARGUMENT, apply it to them: you don't try and get instant help until the prospect (and he is quite a remarkable one) until he thrives and is grown to make the transition with less bumps in confidence, opportunities, and more refinement.

Anyway long term some NHL team is going to very happy with Centre Matthew Beniers. winger Dylan Guenther and centre-forward Kent Johnson and a whole slew of big defenders.

The site sorta works the same as Draftsite, go to Drafts year, and click on a player, except for the high schools and Russians were many profiles in the 6th 7th and 8th rounds and most of the earlier rounds give you the bluster of an old guy who was there instead of her the last months, with more to do.

Maybe eventually, but my comments:

Why fix what is not yet broke? Yes the Hawks needed OT to score 2 goals a game, but Dallas is one of the best defensive teams (if not the best) in the league. Not like the Hawks were totally void of scoring chances.

With the way ADB has now morphed from being strictly a shooter to one who likes to carry the puck, that is not what you need on Kane's line. Of course you want Kane handling it as much as possible. I would only use ADB with Kane when going nuclear. Also when those 2 are on the ice together when the puck goes in the defensive zone, theny seem to spend the whole shift trying to get it out.
- LAHawk

That is an interesting point, I think it isn't a problem to have Janmark and Debrincat swap. I'm more thinking about keeping the lower lines effective.

D.J. Busdeker played wing and defense in juniors for the Saginaw Spirit so he could see time on the Rockford backline. Having one more reserve would be more ideal, though.

I thought Boqvist was going back down
- vabeachbear

Boqvist in Rockford is definitely an option worth exploring especially if playing time in Chicago is based on merit.

Of the youngsters on the Hawks blueline, he struggles the most and may not improve in just practices as a taxi squader.

Ben Pope tweets that Murphy will be out 10-14 days - and Shaw is back in concussion protocol.

Boqvist in Rockford is definitely an option worth exploring especially if playing time in Chicago is based on merit.

Of the youngsters on the Hawks blueline, he struggles the most and may not improve in just practices as a taxi squader.
- Theo Fox

I most definitely agree that the Dee kids now playing deserve to play, and if it puts pressure on Adam ant, that is the NHL at work. Now I know it gets ticklish with the first rounders and the recent stay home by Rosovic, trade requests by the tow Jet, jacket big boys, so you better figure out a diplomatic way of having him come to an agreement about dropping down. I know it sounds like I am coddling him, but I think there is still a lot there the makes the team a strong attacking group in time.

Theo, Like your D pairings with the 6D lineup. This works but what happens when Murphy and Boqvist return? Maybe give deHaan a maintenance day here and there or sit Zadorov against a non physical team?

If Boqvist returns to the lineup and still plays tentatively give him some time in Rockford especially if Beaudin and Carlsson play well. Let their on ice play dictate a player's role in the lineup, not their draft position status.
- boilermaker100

Good question. If the Hawks do roll 6D, then I would at least keep Mitchell and Beaudin in the lineup with Keith and Zadorov then rotate Murphy and de Haan in and out for maintenance days (not necessarily at the same time).

Murphy seems to have nagging injuries here and there while de Haan has a history of shoulder problems. Sitting every 3-4 games for either of them may be good for them and opportunity to get Carlsson and Boqvist in the lineup.

Otherwise, send Boqvist to Rockford to alleviate some of the traffic jam.

Ben Pope tweets that Murphy will be out 10-14 days - and Shaw is back in concussion protocol.
- StLBravesFan

With Boqvist training to return and Murphy out up to two weeks, that's at least another trial period to get Boqvist back in the lineup on RD.

If 7D:

Keith - Beaudin
de Haan - Mitchell
Zadorov - Boqvist
Carlsson

if 6D:

Keith - Beaudin
de Haan - Mitchell
Zadorov - Boqvist

(sit Carlsson unless/until Boqvist sinks)

Guessing that Colliton will have Beaudin and Mitchell switched.

Ben Pope tweets that Murphy will be out 10-14 days - and Shaw is back in concussion protocol.
- StLBravesFan

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