Theo Fox: Game 21 @ Blue Jackets
A preview to the Blackhawks battle with the Blue Jackets looking to continue crushing them offensively while stifling them defensively.

Plus, a look at whether Hagel is now the gold standard for forward role players in Chicago's system.

Love that Hagel finally dented the twine with his FIRST! Like some have said, anything you get from him on offense is gravy.

Once he hits his water level, being a 3rd liner capable of 15 goals (30-35 points) isn't out of the question.

He's around the puck and the net so often where I could see that too Theo. Great write up and Go Hawks!

Thank you, Theo. Like you, I cannot say enough about this young Hagel. Great motor, nose for the puck, ++ speed. Will be, if not already, first on the ice for the PK, deservedly so. He's earning minutes, big time.

Theo. When looking at Special teams I always use the 100% rule.

Any combination on PP and SH % at or around 100% is mid-pack and acceptable. Really between 97-98% and 102-103% is ok.
Hawks are presently 33% and 77%. That is a 110% Total. That puts them among league leaders in combined special teams.

If the Hawks SH % could creep over 80%....and the PP keep around the same, that would be elite in the league.

On another note, If Hawks truly want to be a playoff contender...tonight is huge. Unless Florida implodes, Hawks will be fighting Dallas and Columbus for that 4th spot. A win over Columbus tonight would REALLY help their cause.

Starting to believe this team has a real chance to get in. Let's see a win tonight, then we have 2 against Detroit. We need these points......because a slew of games vs Dallas and Tampa are on the horizon. We likely need 4 or 5 of the next six points to head into those games in good shape.

Go Hawks....keep up the great writing Theo!!!

Theo. When looking at Special teams I always use the 100% rule.

Any combination on PP and SH % at or around 100% is mid-pack and acceptable. Really between 97-98% and 102-103% is ok.
Hawks are presently 33% and 77%. That is a 110% Total. That puts them among league leaders in combined special teams.

If the Hawks SH % could creep over 80%....and the PP keep around the same, that would be elite in the league.

On another note, If Hawks truly want to be a playoff contender...tonight is huge. Unless Florida implodes, Hawks will be fighting Dallas and Columbus for that 4th spot. A win over Columbus tonight would REALLY help their cause.

Starting to believe this team has a real chance to get in. Let's see a win tonight, then we have 2 against Detroit. We need these points......because a slew of games vs Dallas and Tampa are on the horizon. We likely need 4 or 5 of the next six points to head into those games in good shape.

Go Hawks....keep up the great writing Theo!!!
- hawk35

PP oddities (I think):

They’ve scored PP goals in 16 out of 20 games so far. Sounds like a lot.

They’ve given up PP goals in 8 out of 20. Sounds like a little.

If they give up one, they give up multiples: in those 8 games, they’ve given up more than one 6 times.

And giving any up drags the team down: they’ve only won two games when giving up any PP goals.

PP oddities (I think):

They’ve scored PP goals in 16 out of 20 games so far. Sounds like a lot.

They’ve given up PP goals in 8 out of 20. Sounds like a little.

If they give up one, they give up multiples: in those 8 games, they’ve given up more than one 6 times.

And giving any up drags the team down: they’ve only won two games when giving up any PP goals.
- StLBravesFan

Interesting to see what the league average is on that. Not a stats guy, also kinda lazy with looking this stuff up and where to find it, but would be interesting to know

Love that Hagel finally dented the twine with his FIRST! Like some have said, anything you get from him on offense is gravy.

Once he hits his water level, being a 3rd liner capable of 15 goals (30-35 points) isn't out of the question.

He's around the puck and the net so often where I could see that too Theo. Great write up and Go Hawks!
- HawkintheD

I know Hagel is being compared to Sikura but I don’t see the similarities? He’s made some really smart heads up skilled plays. As you say he plays with his nose over the puck, similarly to Shaw, he’s not afraid of the tough areas one being in front of the net where you and I could bag a half dozen goals a season just by pucks deflecting in off our, heads, butts and other body parts. I think he’ll be a bottom six guy who can on occasion step into the top six to give the opposition a different look.

Theo Fox: Game 21 @ Blue Jackets
A preview to the Blackhawks battle with the Blue Jackets looking to continue crushing them offensively while stifling them defensively.

Plus, a look at whether Hagel is now the gold standard for forward role players in Chicago's system.
- Theo Fox

Theo who else in the chicago system would be the same type or close to player like hagel?

Theo who else in the chicago system would be the same type or close to player like hagel?
- Scott1977

Reese Johnson will be similar.

Theo Fox: Game 21 @ Blue Jackets
A preview to the Blackhawks battle with the Blue Jackets looking to continue crushing them offensively while stifling them defensively.

Plus, a look at whether Hagel is now the gold standard for forward role players in Chicago's system.
- Theo Fox

Hagel has been a pleasant surprise. These are exactly the kind of players you need on the bottom 6, guys who flip the ice into your favor.

He is a rookie and needs to clean things up some, but he's already one of my favorite players on this team. Hope he stays injury free and keeps moving them legs.

I know Hagel is being compared to Sikura but I don’t see the similarities? He’s made some really smart heads up skilled plays. As you say he plays with his nose over the puck, similarly to Shaw, he’s not afraid of the tough areas one being in front of the net where you and I could bag a half dozen goals a season just by pucks deflecting in off our, heads, butts and other body parts. I think he’ll be a bottom six guy who can on occasion step into the top six to give the opposition a different look.
- paulr

Shaw is a much better comparison than Sikura.

Theo Fox: Game 21 @ Blue Jackets
A preview to the Blackhawks battle with the Blue Jackets looking to continue crushing them offensively while stifling them defensively.

Plus, a look at whether Hagel is now the gold standard for forward role players in Chicago's system.
- Theo Fox

Thanks Theo.

I was just thinking about how "well" this team is doing (based on expectations) and trying to figure out why. Do you think in some way without Toews playing this season there is less pressure on some of the young guys to just play their game?

Love that Hagel finally dented the twine with his FIRST! Like some have said, anything you get from him on offense is gravy.

Once he hits his water level, being a 3rd liner capable of 15 goals (30-35 points) isn't out of the question.

He's around the puck and the net so often where I could see that too Theo. Great write up and Go Hawks!
- HawkintheD

I see you added some brown liquor to your Hawks Marketing Kool-Aid today.....

Well, pass me a glass, I'm hopeful for Hagel, too.

Interesting to see what the league average is on that. Not a stats guy, also kinda lazy with looking this stuff up and where to find it, but would be interesting to know
- vabeachbear

https://www.hockey-refere...com/leagues/NHL_2021.html

Scroll down to Team Statistics and you'll see a breakdown of each team's PP% and PK%. Click on a column header to sort that column high to low.

Hope everyone is well....

What a fun team to watch. Was holding off posting for a bit until we got a decent sample size for the players and the team overall.

1. Patrick Kane.....what else can be said? For years the debate on this board, was always Kane vs Toews....I was part of it, and I was always PRO Toews. However, I just have to say how truly amazing Kane is. You look at the stats he's compiling and the players he's playing with vs a McDavid, McKinnon, Matthews, and if Kane isn't in vegas as a top 3 hart nominee, I hope the disband the entire Canadian media. This guy gets better, and better, and better with each year, and has fully accepted the leadership role and bought into to JC's system/plan. If i am Stan Bowman, this should tickle you pink. We will never see another Kane. Name it, and this guy has conquered it.

yes he still is never going to win a selke and so Uncle Barry's back handed slams in his articles get old, tiresome, as maybe Kane told Uncle Barry to F off 10 years ago....but I always revert back to what Sassone and Miles from the DH would tell me about Uncle Barry...rarely goes into a locker-room so he never has to face the players he slams which always made it hard on Miles/Sassone.

2. DeBrincat....remember when 85% of this board wanted to jettison DeBrincat into the sun? Not taking into the account his shot percentage was way down as he was getting stoned/missing nets/hitting posts....chances were always there...and again, this kid has stepped up and rebounded nicely.

3. Strome.....turd. Waste of every $1 they pay him.

4. Beaudin....big fan.....wow. This kid gets it and rarely has the blinding defensive miscues you see out of Boqvist.

5 Mitchell....ditto. Huge fan. Well worth the wait.

6. Depth players....kurashev, Hagel, Suter, Kampf.....got some pieces here. Throw in Janmark who has shown some offensive skill and maybe....just maybe the turnaround is a lot quicker then we all hoped.

7. Lankinen...reminds me so much of Niemi....never gives up on the play, raw, athletic as heck.....they can win this kid in net IF they can sure up the shots against a bit more.....

8. JC.....give him credit. Hawks are almost at my entire win total when the season began, today. Who knew? Team plays hard, never gives up, and it's fun to see. Is Jc the guy to lead the charge to the next step? No idea....but I'd put him well above where Savard was at back in 2007-08.

Biggest thing for JC is going to be able to maximize the development of the young players, know when to jump down their throat and when to back off to not ruin their confidence.


What is going to be very interesting for Bowman is IF, and it's a huge IF given how many games this team has played ahead of say....Dallas, IF they are in the 4th spot does he sell off some veteran pieces like a Carpenter, Soderberg, Murphy/DeHaan, Shaw, etc......or does he stay the course?


Impressive run by this team missing their 1A and 1B Centers......

I see you added some brown liquor to your Hawks Marketing Kool-Aid today.....

Well, pass me a glass, I'm hopeful for Hagel, too.
- mohel

I am a fan of his. Kid busts tail every night.....I think what another poster said holds true.....on a contending team, I think he can be a 3rd line, depth scorer, disrupter......he gets the chances, and if he works on his finishing he can elevate further.

Always a tell for me....the guys who routinely get chances....tells us they are doing the right things vs a guy who isn't scoring and isn't noticeable where you start to worry.....say, Strome?

https://www.hockey-reference.com/leagues/NHL_2021.html

Scroll down to Team Statistics and you'll see a breakdown of each team's PP% and PK%. Click on a column header to sort that column high to low.
- boilermaker100

Thanks, what I was referring though to was what a teams W-L record is when they give up a PP goal.

Shaw is a much better comparison than Sikura.
- vabeachbear[/quote

]Hagel stat's
2019 - 2020. Rockford
19 G 12 A; 38 PM 59 GP

2018 - 2019 season Red Deer Western Junior
41 G 61 A 80 PM. 66 GP

Reece Johnson
2019 - 2020 Rockford
4 G 4 A. 52 GP. 63 PM
27 G 26 A 71 PM 67 GP*
* team captain

Johnson is not offensively gifted. Hagel is a poor 2nd line more third line two way forward. Hagel can score but is second line material in junior he was fast and got shots. Johnson is a fill in depth a real character guy who always hits and always pays attention to defensive role.

I am a fan of his. Kid busts tail every night.....I think what another poster said holds true.....on a contending team, I think he can be a 3rd line, depth scorer, disrupter......he gets the chances, and if he works on his finishing he can elevate further.

Always a tell for me....the guys who routinely get chances....tells us they are doing the right things vs a guy who isn't scoring and isn't noticeable where you start to worry.....say, Strome?
- SteveRain

I'm sure the Kings would love to give their 5th round pick back to have Kubalik in the line up. 23 when they traded him.

I'm sure the Kings would love to give their 5th round pick back to have Kubalik in the line up. 23 when they traded him.
- BetweenTheDots

are you saying the Hawks would regret trading Strome if a team would take him today?

100% disagree...if Hawks were that high on him, he would have been a major priority to sign....not an after thought.

Hope everyone is well....

What a fun team to watch. Was holding off posting for a bit until we got a decent sample size for the players and the team overall.

1. Patrick Kane.....what else can be said? For years the debate on this board, was always Kane vs Toews....I was part of it, and I was always PRO Toews. However, I just have to say how truly amazing Kane is. You look at the stats he's compiling and the players he's playing with vs a McDavid, McKinnon, Matthews, and if Kane isn't in vegas as a top 3 hart nominee, I hope the disband the entire Canadian media. This guy gets better, and better, and better with each year, and has fully accepted the leadership role and bought into to JC's system/plan. If i am Stan Bowman, this should tickle you pink. We will never see another Kane. Name it, and this guy has conquered it.

yes he still is never going to win a selke and so Uncle Barry's back handed slams in his articles get old, tiresome, as maybe Kane told Uncle Barry to F off 10 years ago....but I always revert back to what Sassone and Miles from the DH would tell me about Uncle Barry...rarely goes into a locker-room so he never has to face the players he slams which always made it hard on Miles/Sassone.

2. DeBrincat....remember when 85% of this board wanted to jettison DeBrincat into the sun? Not taking into the account his shot percentage was way down as he was getting stoned/missing nets/hitting posts....chances were always there...and again, this kid has stepped up and rebounded nicely.

3. Strome.....turd. Waste of every $1 they pay him.

4. Beaudin....big fan.....wow. This kid gets it and rarely has the blinding defensive miscues you see out of Boqvist.

5 Mitchell....ditto. Huge fan. Well worth the wait.

6. Depth players....kurashev, Hagel, Suter, Kampf.....got some pieces here. Throw in Janmark who has shown some offensive skill and maybe....just maybe the turnaround is a lot quicker then we all hoped.

7. Lankinen...reminds me so much of Niemi....never gives up on the play, raw, athletic as heck.....they can win this kid in net IF they can sure up the shots against a bit more.....

8. JC.....give him credit. Hawks are almost at my entire win total when the season began, today. Who knew? Team plays hard, never gives up, and it's fun to see. Is Jc the guy to lead the charge to the next step? No idea....but I'd put him well above where Savard was at back in 2007-08.

Biggest thing for JC is going to be able to maximize the development of the young players, know when to jump down their throat and when to back off to not ruin their confidence.


What is going to be very interesting for Bowman is IF, and it's a huge IF given how many games this team has played ahead of say....Dallas, IF they are in the 4th spot does he sell off some veteran pieces like a Carpenter, Soderberg, Murphy/DeHaan, Shaw, etc......or does he stay the course?


Impressive run by this team missing their 1A and 1B Centers......
- SteveRain

Lots to digest here, but pretty much spot on Steve.

1. As long as McDavid, Matthews, Drasaitl, McKinnon and a few others put up gaudy numbers, Kane will never really get the respect he deserves for doing basically the same with much less. To add to the argument, Kane also gets hammered for his defensive liabilities, which are not as bad as made out to be, but look at the list above and tell me which one plays solid D..........yeah, didn't think so.

2 Those wanting to discard ADB were a bunch of the same wanting to jettison Hossa after an off shooting season.

3.what? you didn't see how much his absence affected the offense on tues? Not sure I would classify him as a turd, but I would never pay him a dime over what he is making now.

4&5. Pleasantly surprised with Beaudin and Mitchell's progress. I think Boqvist will be OK too.

6&7 Agree. I think Lankinen is better than Niemi, more positionally sound.

8. I think JC is fine and is improving. A good sign is to see how hard they play and compete. They have been in almost every game, which is way above what most expected.

I am currently of the belief that selling off a few of those pieces at the TDL may actually be beneficial. I would keep Soderberg only because C is not necessarily a position of strength with Toews and Dach out. I think deHaan and Zadarov have been horrible this year, save a few brief moments where they were "OK". I can live with mistakes from youngsters as they learn, not so much from veterans. Shaw is probably done career wise (or should be if he is smart)

Theo, I take credit for calling Hagel a "dime a dozen player" it was in reference to finding D-Men like Zadarov. My question, is what Hagel brings sustainable or will he wear out quickly? I'm fine with ~$4M/yr 3rd line players when they are a notch above your "dime a dozen" 3rd line players. They are the ones who make a better team. Of the players you mentioned, I think Ben Smith was the biggest difference maker albeit for a short time before he wore his body out.

I'm sure the Kings would love to give their 5th round pick back to have Kubalik in the line up. 23 when they traded him.
- BetweenTheDots

I'm all about letting young guys actually develop, and for the most part I've liked the improved play of Strome this year (save for the last 4-5 games). Kubalik's situation in LA was different though. It was widely reported (locally and nationally) that Kubalik had no intention of signing with the Kings. That is why they were so keen to trade his rights.

Edit: I'm also willing to bet that Strome's concussion has contributed to his recent issues.

Theo, I take credit for calling Hagel a "dime a dozen player" it was in reference to finding D-Men like Zadarov. My question, is what Hagel brings sustainable or will he wear out quickly? I'm fine with ~$4M/yr 3rd line players when they are a notch above your "dime a dozen" 3rd line players. They are the ones who make a better team. Of the players you mentioned, I think Ben Smith was the biggest difference maker albeit for a short time before he wore his body out.
- rpeters01

Was it back problems or concussions that pushed Smith out?

Theo, I take credit for calling Hagel a "dime a dozen player" it was in reference to finding D-Men like Zadarov. My question, is what Hagel brings sustainable or will he wear out quickly? I'm fine with ~$4M/yr 3rd line players when they are a notch above your "dime a dozen" 3rd line players. They are the ones who make a better team. Of the players you mentioned, I think Ben Smith was the biggest difference maker albeit for a short time before he wore his body out.
- rpeters01

I think the stagnant cap among other reasons is eliminating a lot of the middle class in the NHL. There are plenty of bottom 6 guys in the ~$1-$3M range, no need to stretch it to $4M. You can see that teams with a few high $ salaries out of necessity resort to much lower cap hits for their bottom 6, or are leveraging players on their ELC's. Obviously easier to spread the money out over the entire roster when you don't have multiple guys in the $9-12M range.