Theo Fox: Game 25: Hawks 4, Bolts 3
A recap of the Blackhawks shootout victory over the Lightning with an outstanding effort by Subban and milestone night for DeBrincat.

Plus, a few thoughts on Seabrook's retirement due to a debilitating hip injury.

First!

Gutsy win tonight. Even if they were outplayed, they still compete. Can't give enough love to this team.

Beauty of a game, Subban stole this one. I think he is gonna end up a starter in Seattle? That was an amazing 5 minutes of OT and even more amazing no one scored. Great game, way to go Hawks.

This team just doesnt quit and are always good for at least 2-3 goals with their personnel per game. Helps too that the goalies are up to the task. I was very pleased to see that multiple Lightning players didnt want to get pucks on boards when they knew Zadorov was also in the neighborhood (with Murphy, the bruise brothers), resulting in easy outlets or just a scrum. Zadorov seems to be well liked within the other Hawks. Could they possibly extend him with a little paycut? Say 2,5 for 4. That could be gold.

Great start to the day watching this battle with a W.

This team just doesnt quit and are always good for at least 2-3 goals with their personnel per game. Helps too that the goalies are up to the task. I was very pleased to see that multiple Lightning players didnt want to get pucks on boards when they knew Zadorov was also in the neighborhood (with Murphy, the bruise brothers), resulting in easy outlets or just a scrum. Zadorov seems to be well liked within the other Hawks. Could they possibly extend him with a little paycut? Say 2,5 for 4. That could be gold.

Great start to the day watching this battle with a W.
- FeatheredFinn

Feather.....you better tone it down on that Zadorov praise.....you will be soundly "booooed" off this board with talk like that!!!

Theo....again, quality blog and your promptness is impressive and appreciated.

Yes, Seabrook. A true Warrior. Hawks are a Cup or two shorter without him, no doubt.

We really stayed with the Lightning over six periods. If you total it all....the shots, the play, the goals....over the two games just about even.

Against such a great team.....rather impressive.

Gotta keep telling myself this is a team full a rookies and strictly a "Developmental" year....but, man.....hard not to be excited by what this team brings each night.

Compared to last year, night and day. Such a huge turn-around!

Feather.....you better tone it down on that Zadorov praise.....you will be soundly "booooed" off this board with talk like that!!!
- hawk35

Could be...but he is a big part of this team and has played some impressive games recently, warts and all.

I still think it's weird they still do all the arena stuff even though it's empty. That being said, next season when the place is packed again, the Seabrook and Crawford tribute nights are going to be a hard ticket to get.

This team has made tremendous strides in 25 or so games. I can see the improvement in Boqvist's game. The rookies are playing like veterans. They found a pair of more than competent goalies. DBC is a star once again. Every shot that hit a post or went wide last season is in the back of the net this season. And Kaner has put the team on his back on the offensive end and giving McDavid a run for the Art Ross.

Again, it could all fall apart any time, but when the team competes like this every night, they are going to win a lot of games.

People call the North division weak. The central has a bad Chicago club in a playoff position.

Great to see Subban rebound after a not so great game. Goalie was the biggest question coming into this season and appears to be answered.

Lankinen is 7th in sv% with a couple guys ahead having played less than 10 games.

Dinky was a question coming in whether he could rebound and he's 2nd in the league in goals, 7th in pts, 9th for ppg, and is just a better all around player.

Kubalik is proving last season wasn't a fluke. Love that he was camped out in front for his 9th to knot it.

All that, Kane, eventually Dach rejoining the team (perhaps for the playoffs if the Hawks get in), hopefully Toews too and the rookies/young players have me excited for the team's future. Idk about contending next year but talk of the playoffs will certainly be realistic and depending on prospects and other teams matriculating they could be contending again by '22/'23.

Either way, this has been a fun season so far and great to watch a young team developing.

People call the North division weak. The central has a bad Chicago club in a playoff position.
- BernardShakey

$26M in LTIR.....is it time to trade for Eichel?????

$26M in LTIR.....is it time to trade for Eichel?????
- HenryHockey

Da Windy City had that same thought. They offered 3 trade ideas. Of the 3, I would prefer #2

Story here: https://dawindycity.com/2...ade-packages-jack-eichel/

I don't see any of these happening though

Da Windy City had that same thought. They offered 3 trade ideas. Of the 3, I would prefer #2

Story here: https://dawindycity.com/2...ade-packages-jack-eichel/

I don't see any of these happening though
- ikeane

No Dach, no deal.

Sincerely,

Your Incompetent Sabre Management Team

People call the North division weak. The central has a bad Chicago club in a playoff position.
- BernardShakey

Blackhawks are playing relentless hockey this year reminds me of the LVGK when Gallant was the coach. Add to that 2 goalies who are playing excellent, then you start adding confidence. Team defense is constant work in progress but opponents can't take a shift off against us this year. This is the closest I've seen a Blackhawks team play 60 minutes of hockey since 2013

People call the North division weak. The central has a bad Chicago club in a playoff position.
- BernardShakey

If the Hawks are 'bad' what adjectives would you use for Detroit, Nashville and Dallas?

God morning BTD, did you not watch any games in 2014 and 2015?

People call the North division weak. The central has a bad Chicago club in a playoff position.
- BernardShakey

Thanks, have a good day. By the way, what crappy team from the north are you a fan of?

God morning BTD, did you not watch any games in 2014 and 2015?
- Angotti

I did, but i felt and always felt that shortened 2013 season they worked the hardest in every game.

No Dach, no deal.

Sincerely,

Your Incompetent Sabre Management Team
- RickJ

No...no Dach!

Respectfully,

Stanbo

You've got to give to get but I'm more interested in the Hawks finding a way to add picks or prospects than mortgaging the future for one guy already making $10M.

It looks like there is potentially a pipeline in place for dmen for the foreseeable future and as sad as the Seabs' news was yesterday, I think it unclouded a somewhat crowded scenario on the backend.

Keith's rumored demise certainly looks premature and I think he's having fun again (winning does that). So now instead of potentially 5 vets back there, we have 4 with deHaan possibly being traded or exposed, but it looks like Murphy could be protected for the Expansion Draft.

In any event, I'd be surprised if at least 5 and 2 weren't back next year to help provide veteran leadership and I wouldn't mind seeing 16 back there as well.

No Dach, no deal.

Sincerely,

Your Incompetent Sabre Management Team
- RickJ

Do we really need him anyway, Strome will be back soon enough

People call the North division weak. The central has a bad Chicago club in a playoff position.
- BernardShakey

Chicago would be a solid 2nd in the North! Playing Oilers, Sens, Nucks, Flames, Habs .... those 5 teams are trash...

This team just doesnt quit and are always good for at least 2-3 goals with their personnel per game. Helps too that the goalies are up to the task. I was very pleased to see that multiple Lightning players didnt want to get pucks on boards when they knew Zadorov was also in the neighborhood (with Murphy, the bruise brothers), resulting in easy outlets or just a scrum. Zadorov seems to be well liked within the other Hawks. Could they possibly extend him with a little paycut? Say 2,5 for 4. That could be gold.

Great start to the day watching this battle with a W.
- FeatheredFinn

As an RFA in order to qualify him, I think he gets at least a 10% raise.

Da Windy City had that same thought. They offered 3 trade ideas. Of the 3, I would prefer #2

Story here: https://dawindycity.com/2...ade-packages-jack-eichel/

I don't see any of these happening though
- ikeane

None of those trades get 'er done,I agree. Sabers would want a center back. And preferably Dach. Hawks could try DeBrinket, Strome, Boqvist and a 1st. Getting Eichel will demand an over-payment like this. LA has better centers to offer, I see him going there if traded. LA can take a bad contract on with Eichel as well. Wait a minute....so could the Hawks. Maybe Strome DeBrinket and a 1st for Eichel and KO ($1.5M retained), Toews will miraculously come back for the play-offs, too!!!!

None of those trades get 'er done,I agree. Sabers would want a center back. And preferably Dach. Hawks could try DeBrinket, Strome, Boqvist and a 1st. Getting Eichel will demand an over-payment like this. LA has better centers to offer, I see him going there if traded. LA can take a bad contract on with Eichel as well. Wait a minute....so could the Hawks. Maybe Strome DeBrinket and a 1st for Eichel and KO ($1.5M retained), Toews will miraculously come back for the play-offs, too!!!!
- HenryHockey

Absolutely NO WAY. He's not worth it. We'll give em an entire line of Strome, Nylander, and Highmore.....LOL.