Theo Fox: Games 22-23 vs Red Wings
A preview to the Blackhawks 3rd series versus the Red Wings on back-to-back nights.

Plus, a look at how the recent player movement with the IceHogs impact both the varsity and JV teams.

For Delia to have any shot at the NHL from now on, he needs to get into some games. This move isn't surprising. Same with the other AHL/taxi squad moves

The Rockford defense just got a lot better. As much as I like what Beaudin has been doing this year, playing 20+ minutes a night will do him a lot of good. The question for Delia now becomes, would he be the backup if Subban or Lankinen got injured and had to miss a couple weeks? I'm sure if one of them had the flu and missed a couple games, that Tomkins would sit on the bench.

I've been thinking about that stretch of 19 games coming up. A few people on this board are pretty doom and gloom about it. 4 of those games are against a Nashville team that has been pretty bad. 4 are against a Dallas team that has had to start and stop their season twice now and are faced with a really condensed schedule. Even if the Hawks went 7-12 they would still be in the mix. Even worst case I think they still would go at least 6-10-3. I mean are they going to lose in regulation in all 11 games against Tampa Bay, Florida, and Carolina? Even when they stunk at the beginning of the season, they got into OT against Florida, and they are much better now. If they can sweep these 2 against Detroit, they will be in even better shape.

Let's do it guys! Two against the Wings....don't look past these two. Get 3 or 4 points in these two games and will be firmly in hold of a playoff spot. Massive run of tough games and a road trip coming. These two games could give us a little buffer. Go Hawks!!

Seems like they’re trying to iron out Boq on the big club rather than shatter his confidence by sending him down. JMO. Eager to see Beaudin/Regula as top pairing 20+ mins/game.

I could be wrong but I think Delia is done playing here. When he's had the chance to play he was "ok"... Made the stops he needed to make but didn't make the stops to keep his team close or in the lead in a game. Package him with anyone else and get what you can. With Lanks and Subban playing extremely well it's gonna be hard for Delia to get into a game. Now Subban has looked really good his last couple of starts give him some more games and see how he responds. At the beginning of the season my concerns were the goalie and defenseman position who would have thought that these two positions are probably one of the better strengths that this team has currently moving forward with reinforcements on the way. Future is looking bright I got to wear shades...

Seems like they’re trying to iron out Boq on the big club rather than shatter his confidence by sending him down. JMO. Eager to see Beaudin/Regula as top pairing 20+ mins/game.
- Assman22

I think if they were worried about his confidence he would be paired with Keith. Mitchell is playing well but being Keiths partner is helping him a lot.

I'll add, Bo like a lot of young players have to work on many little things to be good NHL players. 1 lesson so far is he's learning to avoid the big hit, and sometimes making a play while doing it, gotta keep his feet moving while playing defense, so does Z, but at 20 i like Adam's chances of learning how to do it.

I would bet (if I was a gambler) that the Bowman assurance/agreement when Kalynuk signed, was he gets one game NHL. The two games from earlier in February for Rockford merely whets the appetite to see more what Kalynuk provides.

But honestly Bowman and Colliton (after the brief training camp)know pretty much what they have in Kalynuk. He is good in many areas. Close to NHL trial. Sure he has a weak spot(s) in his game.

This is a numbers game in defense presently. Primary concern probably is to see everyone does qualify for Expansion Draft.

Those in that situation either have now qualified or it is not much more than a couple games to qualfy. So now in order to get a good evaluation of Kalynuk, he should be in game shape. Hence Rockford assignment. The GM & coaches always want to see if a player is ready and able to grow, to improve. So Kalynuk gets an opportunity.

I hope that Kalynuk can become a third pair anchor. Boqvist on second pair, Mitchell on first. A couple veterans should stick around for at least next year. Keep Murphy and Keith. Just them as veterans.

I don't know how Beaudin figures in, but if he improves enough he forces a slot for himself as a 12 -16 TOI. Then you might have to figure who might play off side on defense just to get the guys in the lineup whom you want.

Carlsson is a great complimentary piece too if we can start to rely on more kids even though there remains much inexperience.

Bowman had said that this youth direction is their objective. Several puck movers on defense could become a strength, could boost the offense
One day if they each pan out rather well, there could be a puck control offense steered by the dmen and at a minimum two pain to play against fast compete bottom lines. Rolling four lines would be sweet.

I really root to see attributes from each: Soderlund, Entwhistle, Barret (one attribute, his mouth, is good to have an agitator) and await a couple other players.

Then it will be upon Bowman to draft top six forwards next two drafts. It all adds up to playoff contention. We are in the formative stage of it all to transpire.

I can see it take root with young kids succesfully transitioning to full time NHL dmen

Next up to get excited about: Kalynuk.

I think if they were worried about his confidence he would be paired with Keith. Mitchell is playing well but being Keiths partner is helping him a lot.

I'll add, Bo like a lot of young players have to work on many little things to be good NHL players. 1 lesson so far is he's learning to avoid the big hit, and sometimes making a play while doing it, gotta keep his feet moving while playing defense, so does Z, but at 20 i like Adam's chances of learning how to do it.
- BetweenTheDots

Good post!

I posted the other day that one thing Beaudin and Mitchell demonstrate that so far Boqvist hasn’t and that is playing with confidence. That confidence has gotten Mitchell and Beaudin, especially Beaudin, into trouble but it’s easier to rein a player in than to instill confidence. Boqvist probably has the greatest upside of the three of them but to achieve that he has to play more confidently.

I think Bovquist has been much better since coming back from COVID. I remember in the OT against Columbus, Laine having him one on one and Bovquist stripping the puck away from him.

I think Bovquist has been much better since coming back from COVID. I remember in the OT against Columbus, Laine having him one on one and Bovquist stripping the puck away from him.
- LAHawk

A few times I like how he has led the transition without trying to do too much and getting into trouble. What I really like is seeing three guys who all have the potential to man the Hawk blueline for the next decade.

A few times I like how he has led the transition without trying to do too much and getting into trouble. What I really like is seeing three guys who all have the potential to man the Hawk blueline for the next decade.
- paulr

That's right, tough guy.

There also seems to be another wave of defensemen from which a few more could emerge. Hopefully, the same happens up front.

A few times I like how he has led the transition without trying to do too much and getting into trouble. What I really like is seeing three guys who all have the potential to man the Hawk blueline for the next decade.
- paulr

Might add Kalynuk to those able to man the Hawks blueline for the next decade. Kalynuk would be the best of them on Pp. Not discounting the others but it is a strength of Kalynuk. Hopefully we see him for a couple games before regular season ends

That's right, tough guy.

There also seems to be another wave of defensemen from which a few more could emerge. Hopefully, the same happens up front.
- mohel

Kaiser top end second pair pair ceiling? That is the thought from others.

Might add Kalynuk to those able to man the Hawks blueline for the next decade. Kalynuk would be the best of them on Pp. Not discounting the others but it is a strength of Kalynuk. Hopefully we see him for a couple games before regular season ends
- jhawk59

I haven’t seen him play so I can’t add him at this point, however I hope he’s better than the other three.

That's right, tough guy.

There also seems to be another wave of defensemen from which a few more could emerge. Hopefully, the same happens up front.
- mohel

Barney would never have let you pick on me like this. 😭

Barney would never have let you pick on me like this. 😭
- paulr

Sure he would. I was special......

What are your thoughts on Beaudin going to the Rock?

Good post!

I posted the other day that one thing Beaudin and Mitchell demonstrate that so far Boqvist hasn’t and that is playing with confidence. That confidence has gotten Mitchell and Beaudin, especially Beaudin, into trouble but it’s easier to rein a player in than to instill confidence. Boqvist probably has the greatest upside of the three of them but to achieve that he has to play more confidently.
- paulr

Thanks

I think he has a ton of upside. Poor kid got beat up pretty bad last year. I think once he stops thinking about playing defense, stays healthy, really important, and it starts coming naturally to him, hopefully, we will see his offensive ability grow. I also think it's important that the coaching staff break down film on him, which i think they are doing, and point out what he's doing well and what he needs to work on, since he's being paired with wild card dman.

Sure he would. I was special......

What are your thoughts on Beaudin going to the Rock?
- mohel

With Murphy back he was going to lose his minutes and while there were many parts of his game I liked, he was making some mistakes more from overconfidence than from not knowing what to do. He was over handling the puck at times and he was susceptible to strong physical pressure. Also he needs work on his defensive game, especially his positioning and taking away shooting and passing lanes. So long as he understands that he’s in Rockford to work on certain aspects of his game I think it’s very beneficial. You?

Colliton admitting that 12F/6D is the way to go and what he expects of Beaudin:

@BenPopeCST

Colliton on sending Beaudin down: "The right thing for the team now is to go 12D/6F and the right thing for him is to keep playing. We’re happy with him, we delivered that message to him, there are no negatives... These games in Rockford, he has to treat it as an opportunity."

With Murphy back he was going to lose his minutes and while there were many parts of his game I liked, he was making some mistakes more from overconfidence than from not knowing what to do. He was over handling the puck at times and he was susceptible to strong physical pressure. Also he needs work on his defensive game, especially his positioning and taking away shooting and passing lanes. So long as he understands that he’s in Rockford to work on certain aspects of his game I think it’s very beneficial. You?
- paulr

I think it is a positive for the reasons you state. Seems they are pretty high on him, and want him to work on certain things to finish off the development. Rather than sending him down because he can't cut it, I think they sent him down because he is going to be good.

It looks like they are going to try and stick to 12f/6d going forward. Also seems they are going to pair 27 w/44 for a bit. Subban starting again.

It looks like they are going to try and stick to 12f/6d going forward. Also seems they are going to pair 27 w/44 for a bit. Subban starting again.
- Chunk

Hopefully 44 doesn't hang 27 out to dry with some his bail out passes, fingers crossed

I'm wondering if we will see Brad Morrison make his NHL debut any time soon. Read that he could be another break out rookie on the Hawks. Don't know much about him other than he was included in the trade for Matta to the Kings.

I'm wondering if we will see Brad Morrison make his NHL debut any time soon. Read that he could be another break out rookie on the Hawks. Don't know much about him other than he was included in the trade for Matta to the Kings.
- BGKarras

Don't know, but wouldn't it be fun to see another rookie score a goal this season