Theo Fox: Game 19: Hawks 3, Canes 5
A recap of the Blackhawks first multi-goal loss in over a month falling to the Hurricanes 5-3 despite Kane dazzling with a spinorama goal and racking up 3 points.

Plus, a glance at IceHogs forwards who are running hot and cold.

I’d go with the 10 forwards and 8 defensemen lineup once Murphy is back:

DeBrinat - Suter - Kane
Janmark - Kurashev - Kubalik
Hagel - Strome - Soderberg
Kampf

Keith - Mitchell
DeHaan - Beaudin
Murphy - Boqvist
Zadorov - Carlsson

Good stuff Theo and thanks for the Hog updates too.

Theo Fox: Game 19: Hawks 3, Canes 5
A recap of the Blackhawks first multi-goal loss in over a month falling to the Hurricanes 5-3 despite Kane dazzling with a spinorama goal and racking up 3 points.

Plus, a glance at IceHogs forwards who are running hot and cold.
- Theo Fox

Describing Dylan Strome's play as 'clearly slumping' is as benevolent and sympathetic as a hockey writer can be. I would have used 'healthy scratchable until further notice'. But the fact that he is dressing indicates how devoid at the center position the Hawks really are.

Describing Dylan Strome's play as 'clearly slumping' is as benevolent and sympathetic as a hockey writer can be. I would have used 'healthy scratchable until further notice'. But the fact that he is dressing indicates how devoid at the center position the Hawks really are.
- RickJ

Down our top 2 C's and instead of Strome cementing a larger role, Suter has slotted in between Kane and Dinky and he's not a natural center.

So yes, kind of telling. Hopefully Toews can come back healthy and if so they should be fine with him, Dach, Kurashev and Kampf. Might be worth hanging on to at least one of Soderberg or Wallmark though.

Also, I was reading in The Athletic this morning that Reichel is being given time at center and it was something Bowman talked about in terms of guys like him and Suter possibly giving them some flexibility.

Thanks Theo, great read as always.

After having some surprising success, last night's tilt was a good measuring stick for our young squad. We're not wildly of the mark anymore,
however improvement is still needed.

The Hawks were not sure how to respond to Carolina's relentless forecheck. Time and space were non existant for them to make plays. I consider the Hawks to be a speedy team, but the Canes looked much faster last evening.

Strome was non existant, and Zadorov looked lost. They seem to only succeed against lesser teams. Not to be harsh, but I think Chicago is a better team with out them. What do you guys think the chances are for StanBo moveing either of them before next year's season?

Down our top 2 C's and instead of Strome cementing a larger role, Suter has slotted in between Kane and Dinky and he's not a natural center.

So yes, kind of telling. Hopefully Toews can come back healthy and if so they should be fine with him, Dach, Kurashev and Kampf. Might be worth hanging on to at least one of Soderberg or Wallmark though.

Also, I was reading in The Athletic this morning that Reichel is being given time at center and it was something Bowman talked about in terms of guys like him and Suter possibly giving them some flexibility.
- HawkintheD

If Toews and Dach were healthy to start this season, do you think Stanbo still would have offered Strome a contract?

I'm not a Dylan Strome fan but, in his defense, he is going to be a 1st time father next month.

It may be something that's distracting him.

Beaudin's performance overall does suggest that he is more a niche dman right now (borrowing LA Hawk terminilogy). Beaudin has to improve in protecting the puck on his carries and not succumbing to the pressure from forechecking. Now whether Beaudin could one day be a regular second pair, we can debate all day. The fact is that he has strengths and they are very attractive to see but he has tidy up the weak areas. Whether he takes a couple years or more who knows. Time in AHL. Maybe.

I will give you some JB as a reference though....I mean Jake Bean, whom sounded pretty good in the spurts I heard as I was busy doing other things and unable to closely focus on the game. Perhaps LA Hawk and others are familiar with Bean

Bean was 13th overall. Played two seasons AHL and voted AHL dman of the year. Like Beaudin both skill wise and thinking the game, yet also similar for both is that they need to improve certain things before they become solid NHL dmen

Bean is ahead of Beaudin and that may be in large part to experience. A second full AHL season might make quite a difference for Beaudin. Oh, btw remember how hot Bergevin was to draft, then to trade for him. Beaudin has a very good upside but will have to battle and be smart due to his size. Think Brian Rafalski perhaps as a comparison for
a lightweight dman.

I just want to say to LA Hawk....yes I have lamented the fact that the trade value is low and it will be difficult to pry a first round choice even if you peddle Murphy and a 2nd it is likely in vain.

Presently we need to retain Murphy but later on I would consider moving him. If he skated even a tad better I probably am against trading him. I am focused upon the dmen reaching their potential and in a league where speed always gives you an advantage - but not a big deal if you are really good yet a tad slow - I would trade Murphy and loose some salary too. I want a younger tough dman and a skill center. The best ones come from early top ten or top five picks. If we had two first round selections, then MAYBE that is to say trade both for a top ten or top five. The top picks are potential generational and later first round picks are not necessarily usually more than just good NHL players

I wonder if it would be worth trading Beaudin straight up for Montreal's #1 2020 - the tough dman reportedly we were set to choose until Bergevin scooped him up. This dman would replace Zadorov once he is ready.

I’m not sure what these stats mean - I don’t know the definitions, I don’t know how subjective the stats are venue to venue - but the Hawks had 17 giveaways last nite, coupled with 13 Carolina takeaways - that’s 30 TOs, compared to 10+3=13 for the Hurricanes.

Must mean something.

If Toews and Dach were healthy to start this season, do you think Stanbo still would have offered Strome a contract?
- King Agler

Yes. He's 23 (24 this or next month) and was an RFA with no arbitration who wasn't going to break the bank or really hamstring them Cap wise.

I figure the thought process even before Toews and Dach went out was why not give him another year to figure it out? When they did he was probably able to squeeze a bit more money out of the Hawks, but if you were to ask me today if he looks like a guy who fits their long term plans, I'd say, nein.

Last year we lost in Raleigh 4-0 and were never in the game with Toews, Dach and Crow. This year's team is definitely more competitive. The young D has a long way to go. As said often, we need more upfront. Goalie, certainly appears to be on the back burner for now. The defense will be a project for a few more years. Hopefully, most of those pieces are here?

Why is tonight’s game postponed?

I’m not sure what these stats mean - I don’t know the definitions, I don’t know how subjective the stats are venue to venue - but the Hawks had 17 giveaways last nite, coupled with 13 Carolina takeaways - that’s 30 TOs, compared to 10+3=13 for the Hurricanes.

Must mean something.
- StLBravesFan

I read those numbers and after watching the game, I think it would indicate that the Carolina forecheck was very effective.

Pressured the puck carrier immediately, had open men covered and won a majority of contested pucks.

Why is tonight’s game postponed?
- SMS4016

Seems like the NHL is juggling the schedule. The Hawks site notes that Carolina is going to play Tampa tonight instead.

https://www.nhl.com/black...to-later-date/c-321561924

Yes. He's 23 (24 this or next month) and was an RFA with no arbitration who wasn't going to break the bank or really hamstring them Cap wise.

I figure the thought process even before Toews and Dach went out was why not give him another year to figure it out? When they did he was probably able to squeeze a bit more money out of the Hawks, but if you were to ask me today if he looks like a guy who fits their long term plans, I'd say, nein.
- HawkintheD

I prefer drafting a center. The center to be a top line center, a one two punch with Dach. Toews or Kurashev is your #3 center. If Kurashev and Toews are both L3, who plays center? Hagel on one wing, and I hope Barret or Alty (the Russian guy) on other wing. Toews plays one more season? Then Barret or Alty take over n L3?

I see Entwhistle, Kampf, Soderlund or Highmore as 4th line. I would be willing to include Highmore in a trade and R Johnson is an extra.

Why is tonight’s game postponed?
- SMS4016

Because Gary Bettman has ruled that the Bolts are more important!

Last year we lost in Raleigh 4-0 and were never in the game with Toews, Dach and Crow. This year's team is definitely more competitive. The young D has a long way to go. As said often, we need more upfront. Goalie, certainly appears to be on the back burner for now. The defense will be a project for a few more years. Hopefully, most of those pieces are here?
- rpeters01

The future defense hope for breakthrough is Mitchell, Boqvist and Kaiser then hope either Beaudin and or Kalynuk work out. I am guessing either a center or dman selected first round 2021. Although best player available could alter the selection. The top wing pick would be upstanding too.

Note: also hope that Carlsson is perfect complimentary affordable third pair whom could play second pair in future years.

The future defense hope for breakthrough is Mitchell, Boqvist and Kaiser then hope either Beaudin and or Kalynuk work out. I am guessing either a center or dman selected first round 2021. Although best player available could alter the selection. The top wing pick would be upstanding too.

Note: also hope that Carlsson is perfect comimentary affordable third pair whom could play second pair in future years.
- jhawk59

Always, otherwise you're helping the competition. Unfortunately, more like baseball it's difficult to tell who that player is?

I’d go with the 10 forwards and 8 defensemen lineup once Murphy is back:

DeBrinat - Suter - Kane
Janmark - Kurashev - Kubalik
Hagel - Strome - Soderberg
Kampf

Keith - Mitchell
DeHaan - Beaudin
Murphy - Boqvist
Zadorov - Carlsson


- HawkintheD

Good one!
That should really give nice flow to our game. A team coming at us hard with the standard 4 lines and 6D really messes up our mixed D pairings and shuffled lines.

Hope we have seen the last of Couliton's 7D lineups.

I think that line has been great, actually. Probably our best line recently.

The lines should be:

Cat-Suter-Kane
Janmark-Kurashev-Kubalik
Wallmark-Soderberg-Hagel
Highmore/Johnson-Kampf-Carpenter

Strome needs to sit for a game. Maybe its lights a fire under his ass. We've got absolutely NOTHING to lose by trying this. What's the worst that could happen? He comes back and still sucks?
- SimpleJack

If Toews comes back from his illness, Strome is not needed on this team, however scratching him from a game or two will lower the return when he’s eventually traded.

From last blog.

I think that line has been great, actually. Probably our best line recently.

The lines should be:

Cat-Suter-Kane
Janmark-Kurashev-Kubalik
Wallmark-Soderberg-Hagel
Highmore/Johnson-Kampf-Carpenter

Strome needs to sit for a game. Maybe its lights a fire under his ass. We've got absolutely NOTHING to lose by trying this. What's the worst that could happen? He comes back and still sucks?
- SimpleJack

If Toews comes back from his illness, Strome is not needed on this team, however scratching him from a game or two will lower the return when he’s eventually traded.

From last blog.
- Angotti

What trade value in return do you think Strome really has? The scouting eyes around the NHL are very kean and they see everything and more of what we see. And it certainly won't be as a player who can help or be very good depth to a contender - like, say, an Antoine Vermette or Sammy Paulsson.

My guess on his value in trade - to a team that needs to get to the cap floor next season or to a team that might want to expose him in the expansion draft so they can protect another player on their roster that they might otherwise have to expose.

Describing Dylan Strome's play as 'clearly slumping' is as benevolent and sympathetic as a hockey writer can be. I would have used 'healthy scratchable until further notice'. But the fact that he is dressing indicates how devoid at the center position the Hawks really are.
- RickJ

There’s been so many times the last handful of games that I forget Strome is on the team.

That’s a good thing from a defensive side as I don’t notice any egregious errors there but there’s times I don’t hear his name called for a period and a half and the Hawks can’t have that. They don’t have much offensive firepower and he needs to be much more effective.

Good one!
That should really give nice flow to our game. A team coming at us hard with the standard 4 lines and 6D really messes up our mixed D pairings and shuffled lines.

Hope we have seen the last of Couliton's 7D lineups.
- 67hawks

Credit goes to Darth on that one. Love his well placed zingers. I’m sure he’ll be in here at some point with his “what me?” schtick.

For the inevitable comments about the system when the Hawks slump:

"(The Hurricanes’) systems are very similar to how we want to defend," Ian Mitchell said after the Hawks’ 5-3 loss Friday. "We can take a lot from how they played us tonight."

Ian Mitchell on the Hurricanes: "They were just all over us. Pressure-wise, they play man-on-man all over the ice. Anytime you're looking for an outlet, there's a man right on him... Kinda showed they were definitely better than us tonight."

It's not the system, it's the execution.