Theo Fox: Game 16 vs Blue Jackets
A preview to tonight's matchup between the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets.

Plus, a look at factors impacting slot potential of Chicago's youth.

There is no justice when prospects don't receive an opportunity to play at all. No games so far for two players you expect have a very good likelihood to be on the roster, or scratching, clawing for playing time based on their strong showing in Rockford. The covid induced roster rules has a lot to do with Entwhistle and Kalynuk barely stirring. But cmon', Stan, you have to get them some playing time. Their development is stalled right now

There are other “rookies” that project to be bottom 6; players that are in front of Entwistle in the pecking order, Hagel, Highmore, Johnson. I believe Johnson is next man up. I am sure Entwistle will get a game or 2 in soon, or be sent to Rockford for more seasoning.

Let’s see, Kalniuk has played exactly 2 pro games at Rockford, and has sat for 1 game that was played while he is on the taxi squad. Man the Hawks have sure retarded his growth over the years. Hawks are already playing 7 defenseman to get our young defenseman some ice time. Should they play 8? Or maybe sit Carlsson, which I believe you were complaining 2 weeks ago wasn’t being given a chance.

OOOPS almost forgot, where does Bovquist fit in when he comes off the COVID list.

Similarly, does Alex Nylander back at wing force Pius Suter to the bottom 6?

Ogi would love this!

Rolling four lines, quality depth, role players have been at times a quite valuable part of the Stanley Cup winning Blackhawk teams. I am thinking specificly of our glorious warriors whom have sipped from the Holy Grail after we were the toast of the NHL with three Cups starting in 2010.

On the road to such heights is an arduous task for the builder and the players themselves. I am particularly keen to see the lesser lights, those not scoring tons or making the big dollars to arise in actually a pretty descent stocked system as for character guys, bottom line players or a dman whom is not a first round selection

Theo's topic today goes hand - in - hand with the necessary emphasis he writes about this season: the compete level. Bowman himself has introduced this as a mantra or obji during the rebuild

A few of the lower rung players therefore capture my attention. I do not know if each will become a factor in the Good ship Blackhawk or ethaps elsewhere in the NHL landscape. Each player i mention though has a particular attribute which could stand out and therefore is the cause agent to really make their presence on their line or their pairing quite effective

The success of teams surely is boosted when the bottom line and bottom pair defensecoutplays the opponent

Remember Buff in Luongo's crease. The mouth on Burrish and the needling of Bolland, undungbheros who take a being and keep on ticking such as Shaw and Hjalmarsson: these can we say we're unsung heroes

I like Barret because he has a mouth and he will battle fir pucks. That along with a high skill level. Although Strome is better this season, I envision a fast skilled top six center eventually is drafted......maybe brings out a few top of the league leaders scoring years out of Kane. Pushes Strome to a third line. Too good for third line and Dach is the #2 center. Well then Strome better play this season brings perhaps more attactive renumeration because Barret's game appears better suited for third line center or wing.

With Kampf around how does Reece Johnson fit. You know everything is better with blue bonnet on it. ...er I mean Blackhawks are better with human cannonball Johnson in the lineup. He may be the least skilled but his contribution as blood and guts hitting and defensive coverage is like a Reese peanut butter cup: you need the chocolate to go with the peanut butter. The Blackhawks need Johnson to go along with the others on bottom lines: it's a good fit

I could mention Soderlund here as another key contributor. Really I need a larger amount of games to confirm my desire to see him up in the big show. He scores clutch goals based fogged forecheck persuit & upon hard work (reminds me of Entwhistle). Whereas Entwhistle has a knack to win board battles, Soderlund has jets, is fearless and could be a real pest on forecheck. Better than Stalberg; not the big body and fast like Saad but nonetheless could be a sh*t disturber

My last player i have been a real homer for on this board. Why not, as he could come cheap as a third pair. He does everything fairly well, he hits and his shot has produced powerplay goals in Rockford. He plays both sides on defense.

Seemingly gets passed over this year because honestly the Blackhawks know what they have in him. And Bowman/Colliton want to see if a Beaudin and Kalynuk can take a step forward. Yes I suspect Kalynuk slots in maybe tonight in place of Carlsson. Ah, Carlsson whom has played previously with Boqvist. Would be nice to see Boqvist development, eh. In the back of my mind I conjure a what if Carlsson is the lighter version of the physical Zadorov on third pair. Carlsson like R Johnson are steals. Use them wisely

There are other “rookies” that project to be bottom 6; players that are in front of Entwistle in the pecking order, Hagel, Highmore, Johnson. I believe Johnson is next man up. I am sure Entwistle will get a game or 2 in soon, or be sent to Rockford for more seasoning.

Let’s see, Kalniuk has played exactly 2 pro games at Rockford, and has sat for 1 game that was played while he is on the taxi squad. Man the Hawks have sure retarded his growth over the years. Hawks are already playing 7 defenseman to get our young defenseman some ice time. Should they play 8? Or maybe sit Carlsson, which I believe you were complaining 2 weeks ago wasn’t being given a chance.

OOOPS almost forgot, where does Bovquist fit in when he comes off the COVID list.
- LAHawk

I am guessing that Kalynuk gets a look but then goes back to Rockford the balance of this season.

With so many dmen it is interesting to see how Bowey and Boqvist pan out. If Bowey continues to perform well I think he will keep getting some games and Boqvist is sent for a two week conditioning stint to Rockford.

It is hard for me to guess though on Bowey after two organizations gave up on him. He us a larger size dman but I think he is jus cincerned about playing good defense and making a good pass out of hus zone. Carlsson i here because he isn't going to improve more at Rockford. Carlsson improves at NHL level but he is part of a numbers game among young dmen.

Mitchell is going to be good. Beaudin has some attractive eloful parts in his game. I suggest Carlsson plays less because brass wants to give Boqvist (especially before his covid diagnisis) and Beaudin the opportunity to step up and show what they can add to the team's level of performance

Similarly, does Alex Nylander back at wing force Pius Suter to the bottom 6?

Ogi would love this!
- tvetter

Nylander’ s return should relegate Suter to Rockford.

Thanks for the blog Theo, have fun with the family.

"Second is this projection doesn't consider future trades, signings, or drafts."

The idea that so many of our current prospects would matriculate to the NHL is probably not a good idea. Regarding Entwhistle specifically, are not Highmore and Hagel considerably faster on the ice?

JC would have to be high on crack to value Alex “Underachiever of the year, every year” Nylander over Pius Suter.

Dach should start out on the 3rd line until he gets his legs, with Strome and Kurashev ahead of him. If Toews does make it back, eventually it should be Toews, Dach, Strome, Kurashev in that order. Unless Philip can play wing.

Where do you see Drew Commesso in his development? Is he a viable goalie of the future type? I know he was a high pick.

https://twitter.com/BySco.../1360426707640016899?s=01

https://twitter.com/BenPo.../1360594324845568000?s=01

Testing his heart? Damn

https://twitter.com/ByScottPowers/status/1360426707640016899?s=01
- BetweenTheDots

No room on this team for him. Trade him for a future pick that will be useful when the window opening now shuts in 5/6 years.

https://twitter.com/BenPopeCST/status/1360594324845568000?s=01

Testing his heart? Damn
- BetweenTheDots

Oh, boy, that is super scary! By some miracle, though, he was able to do 90 minutes of intense conditioning training.

If you are a professional athlete or an aspiring professional athlete, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to check out your health thoroughly.
You might even have a congenital health condition. Rather be safe than sorry. The covid attacks weak spots in your body.

I am not going to say you have to get the vaccination. Lots of people are not for various reasons. If you have valid concern about your health, then you need to review the pro con especially careful. Even after receiving the vaccination you still could get covid. But more likely to be able to fight it off.

If you are a professional athlete or an aspiring professional athlete, you owe it to yourself and your loved ones to check out your health thoroughly.
You might even have a congenital health condition. Rather be safe than sorry. The covid attacks weak spots in your body.

I am not going to say you have to get the vaccination. Lots of people are not for various reasons. If you have valid concern about your health, then you need to review the pro con especially careful. Even after receiving the vaccination you still could get covid. But more likely to be able to fight it off.
- jhawk59

I agree, even though the risk is minimal to a young player, it pays to play it safe and protect everyone around the team and organization. They must be doing something right that this didn't spread through the entire team or coaches even management.

https://twitter.com/BenPopeCST/status/1360594324845568000?s=01

Testing his heart? Damn
- BetweenTheDots

From what I understand, that is standard procedure for any athlete who tests positive for COVID.

I Know wins are not the most important thing this year but really think they should scrap 7 Dman they need to play a more contemporary game . Highmore could take a seat love to see Entwistle get a shot .Bowey should have a seat I don't believe he is in the future plans of the HAWKS .Hope Lanky gets the game tonight but would understand if Subban gets the net ..

So you basically think every draft pick they make is gonna be on the team? Yeah, good luck with that.

So you basically think every draft pick they make is gonna be on the team? Yeah, good luck with that.
- GPHawksfan

To add on, "dumping useful players for any pick" is not a great plan either. Those picks will be lucky to play in Indy.

No. Obviously not. Some will fail, some will play for another team. Someone like Kyrs makes it maybe after a few years in the AHL

Due to a dip in team revenue - few fans attendance - teams have even more reverence for the draft. Bowman has drafted descent to good the past few drafts. Since it takes a few years often to see whether a player develops and can add much to the team's success, rating a particular player or draft accurately may entail waiting a few years for a comprehensive analysis. Comparison of Dach whom was progressing nicely, to Kyrs whom remains not ready for a trial run.

Do you have any prospects you are particularly rooting for. Not necessarily to discuss, but is there a cou pp le prospects you are high on?

https://twitter.com/BenPo.../1360625078002663425?s=01

https://twitter.com/BySco.../1360631148313931776?s=01

Glad to see Boqvist back in there to resume his development.

I don’t understand all the love for Johnson on this board. Yes he hits, but he put up 8 points in 52 games in the AHL, what exactly are the expectations and why all the love? Sorry but I’d rather play Entwistle or Wallmark for that matter. Just my $0.02...

Thanks for the blog Theo, have fun with the family.

"Second is this projection doesn't consider future trades, signings, or drafts."

The idea that so many of our current prospects would matriculate to the NHL is probably not a good idea. Regarding Entwhistle specifically, are not Highmore and Hagel considerably faster on the ice?
- rpeters01

Thanks, rpeters.

Yeah, that exercise with projecting out a future roster was half serious and half not just to see where rookies and prospects could potentially slot as the current veterans move on and the current crop of youngsters get older to become the veterans.

And yes, Highmore and Hagel are faster than Entwistle but he's mobile for a lanky kid.