Theo Fox: Game 26 vs Lightning
A preview to the Blackhawks rubber match this afternoon against the Lightning.

Plus, a recap of the IceHogs second win of the year beating the Iowa Wild led by Delia and Beaudin.

First! Hungover, but first!

Surely didn't think we would be talking about WINNING a three game series with Tampa mid way through this rebuilding season. But, here it is. Just hope the effort is there and that we play a competitive game. Another nail-biter and overtime wouldn't be a bad thing!!!

Jackets got crushed last night. They look lost. Preds look awful.

Really beginning to look like a two team battle for 4th. Hawks vs Dallas.

As well as we have been playing, a team this young is not immune to going in a 2-6-2 type of run. Nothing is secured yet. But, if we can somehow avoid any prolonged slump, it is ours to lose.

A point or two this afternoon would be golden as we head into this week and some key Dallas games. The head to heads can really make or break the season. The bigger cushion going in, the better....just in case we get swept. Tuesday...Thursday....two HUGE games!

Imagine....25 games in and we talking playoff possibility, not top 5 pick. Who wooda thought?.......speaking honestly, certainly not me!

I don't have a good feeling about today's game.

side note - Have people who were so down on Soderberg changed their opinion of him? I have no idea if Toews will ever comeback. But if Dach comes back strong, I would have no problem bringing back Soderberg for another year as 3c.

Dach $925,000, Suter (RFA), Strome $3 mil, Soderberg (UFA), Kampf (RFA), Wallmark (RFA), Carpenter $1 mil. Not great. But there is some depth and versatility. Not all of these guys will be back. If Toews is able to come back strong it is a very good group.

2010 - Toews, Sharp, Bolland, Fraser
2013 - Toews, Handzus, Bolland, Kruger
2015 - Toews, Richards, Vermette, Kruger

GM and coaches beware:

Be careful what kind of players you add or inherited on your roster

Some players just will never care enough or want enough to put forth the effort you demand. The players in question may not be always lazy, but they float too much, too often. And then a coach with a strong personality and pushiness may just wear out his effectiveness or ability to intimate his troops.

I wonder if this might be the situation with Laine and Tortarello. T us a long season and teams go through stretches of I difference, or so it appears. Columbus has a lot of young players. And most players in their youth prior to turning pro, probably were among the best players their age group. So re-adjustung to roles and being responsible for many parts of their role at the NHL level is not the easiest thing to do.

Psychological games rear up and players have to accept a change in their expectation, a change in the outcome of their effort. This could lead to resentment and or bitterness especially if they believe it affects their income draw at the NHL level.

So I just wonder exactly what is going on with Laine and Torts?

BTW Theo di you know why Soderlund did not dress for last night's game? If he us back in the lineup this aTroon, then it is immaterial (probably, I hope. Just a inordinate bruise or maybe a tad sick....Crosby had covI'd protocol missed maybe two games).

That d*MN auto corrrect changes lots of words

I don't have a good feeling about today's game.

side note - Have people who were so down on Soderberg changed their opinion of him? I have no idea if Toews will ever comeback. But if Dach comes back strong, I would have no problem bringing back Soderberg for another year as 3c.

Dach $925,000, Suter (RFA), Strome $3 mil, Soderberg (UFA), Kampf (RFA), Wallmark (RFA), Carpenter $1 mil. Not great. But there is some depth and versatility. Not all of these guys will be back. If Toews is able to come back strong it is a very good group.

2010 - Toews, Sharp, Bolland, Fraser
2013 - Toews, Handzus, Bolland, Kruger
2015 - Toews, Richards, Vermette, Kruger
- -Doh-

I was wrong about both him and Janmark. That being said, would think he'd want more money next year, I wouldn't over pay him. His ability to screen seems better to me than most who have played here the last few years.

I just want to add about what I commented above regarding players being lazy and a coach's effectiveness/players tuning them out --

Of course we know star offensive players have commonly been allowed a pass on playing defense, at least not much effort quite often. And I am sure a Laine may or may not work hard in conditioning drills. But in game laziness, floating or something gets in the crawl of the coach and results in benching or testiness between a coach and player. I just wonder if this is, indeed, the case with Laine and Torts

If this isn't a developing powderkeg situation, I think it surely will be. Both player and coach try to smile and sound professional and nice, but the underlying condition exists. Either put Laine with top players and accept that he has some laziness issues you must put up with, else you get a player with world class ability providing less than average results.

Good Morning Theo,

Once again you go above and beyond in your thorough Hawk posts, thank you.
I do have an opinion/suggestion. I for one , truly appreciate your insight and preparation when writing the blog. In an effort to not "burn you out" and not lose you too soon like we have other Hawk blog initiators, I suggest foregoing the detailed game recaps to save you some time and energy to focus on your insights and opinions. I am guessing that the vast majority of us here on the site have already heard or seen the preceeding game, and this would prevent you from having to work quite so hard or long in providing all of us such great entertainment. Maybe I am off base, but this is just my opinion. Thanks for all you do, it is greatly appreciated whatever you decide to do. Be safe out there.

Good Morning Theo,

Once again you go above and beyond in your thorough Hawk posts, thank you.
I do have an opinion/suggestion. I for one , truly appreciate your insight and preparation when writing the blog. In an effort to not "burn you out" and not lose you too soon like we have other Hawk blog initiators, I suggest foregoing the detailed game recaps to save you some time and energy to focus on your insights and opinions. I am guessing that the vast majority of us here on the site have already heard or seen the preceeding game, and this would prevent you from having to work quite so hard or long in providing all of us such great entertainment. Maybe I am off base, but this is just my opinion. Thanks for all you do, it is greatly appreciated whatever you decide to do. Be safe out there.
- Gary0301

Could just use ditto marks with all you said. Thank you Theo for excellent work

Well win or lose I'm just excited about this teams future. After the first couple of games this team seemed to have found their identity and started having fun playing and with that they started to win games. I never thought I would be able to say this at the start of the season. Looking forward to this afternoon's game finally something to watch.
Go Hawks Go!

1ST wishing Seabs all the best he was a great leader for this team over the years and all the magic we have seen over the last decade would not have happen without him there . Thank you
Can't wait for the game today have not said that in awhile this young team plays with a real fire .Our coach who I am sure I am not alone in saying I was not sold on has really got them going .
GO HAWKS !!!

GM and coaches beware:

Be careful what kind of players you add or inherited on your roster

Some players just will never care enough or want enough to put forth the effort you demand. The players in question may not be always lazy, but they float too much, too often. And then a coach with a strong personality and pushiness may just wear out his effectiveness or ability to intimate his troops.

I wonder if this might be the situation with Laine and Tortarello. T us a long season and teams go through stretches of I difference, or so it appears. Columbus has a lot of young players. And most players in their youth prior to turning pro, probably were among the best players their age group. So re-adjustung to roles and being responsible for many parts of their role at the NHL level is not the easiest thing to do.

Psychological games rear up and players have to accept a change in their expectation, a change in the outcome of their effort. This could lead to resentment and or bitterness especially if they believe it affects their income draw at the NHL level.

So I just wonder exactly what is going on with Laine and Torts?

BTW Theo di you know why Soderlund did not dress for last night's game? If he us back in the lineup this aTroon, then it is immaterial (probably, I hope. Just a inordinate bruise or maybe a tad sick....Crosby had covI'd protocol missed maybe two games).

That d*MN auto corrrect changes lots of words
- jhawk59

I just can't help notice you don't question ownerships part in it? After contract negotiations Dubois wanted the (frank) out even after he signed the deal?

I was one of the few on here concerned on how the Hawks were negotiating a new contract with Strome because the org had built a good reputation on negotiating contracts with players and the transfer of power from McDonough to Wirtz had me concerned, but it all worked out.

I don't think it's a coincidence the Hawks are one of the teams that can sign European rookie free agents, or trade a 5th rd draft pick for Kubalik and know they can get him here to play on North American ice.

Players old and young talk, they advise and guide these kids. If your franchise is still stuck in the past on how you do business with hockey players, then the Blackhawks say thank you.

I just can't help notice you don't question ownerships part in it? After contract negotiations Dubois wanted the (frank) out even after he signed the deal?

I was one of the few on here concerned on how the Hawks were negotiating a new contract with Strome because the org had built a good reputation on negotiating contracts with players and the transfer of power from McDonough to Wirtz had me concerned, but it all worked out.

I don't think it's a coincidence the Hawks are one of the teams that can sign European rookie free agents, or trade a 5th rd draft pick for Kubalik and know they can get him here to play on North American ice.

Players old and young talk, they advise and guide these kids. If your franchise is still stuck in the past on how you do business with hockey players, then the Blackhawks say thank you.
- BetweenTheDots

There is definitely some weight in what you are saying about management and the desire for players to come to the Hawks. Purely speculation on my part, but I don't think the Strome delays were anything more than trying to get their head around the league financial situation and which centers would actually be available to the team on day 1. He didn't have a very good playoff and they obviously wanted to sign him to more of a "prove it" contract. I think he ended up with exactly where his market value was (and I can't deny that I really like shorter contracts).

I just can't help notice you don't question ownerships part in it? After contract negotiations Dubois wanted the (frank) out even after he signed the deal?

I was one of the few on here concerned on how the Hawks were negotiating a new contract with Strome because the org had built a good reputation on negotiating contracts with players and the transfer of power from McDonough to Wirtz had me concerned, but it all worked out.

I don't think it's a coincidence the Hawks are one of the teams that can sign European rookie free agents, or trade a 5th rd draft pick for Kubalik and know they can get him here to play on North American ice.

Players old and young talk, they advise and guide these kids. If your franchise is still stuck in the past on how you do business with hockey players, then the Blackhawks say thank you.
- BetweenTheDots

I think Stan is stupid for not overpaying mediocre players. They'll never get someone to play here.

Not only was Jokiarihu a healthy scratch the other day, he now has been demoted to the taxi squad.

Thank you, Theo. As always, a well structured interesting and informative read!

Last game, to my eyes, it seemed Hagel was not his 100%. Made me wonder if he's a bit dinged up. So far, the huge plus with his play has been his style of play without the penalty minutes. I'm hoping he is able to keep it going!

Not only was Jokiarihu a healthy scratch the other day, he now has been demoted to the taxi squad.
- LAHawk

This doesn’t fit with the narrative.

This doesn’t fit with the narrative.
- paulr

Can't squad players be claimed off waivers?

No. They are on taxi squad because teams need extra players due to the fear any day current players may test positive for covid. Also the condensed schedule - particularly in March- has a lot of games. Teams will need extra players for all the mileage upon their bodies ....i do not know whether this last point was also a consideration for taxi squad creation. But it makes sense.

I believe that once players are moved between taxi squad to AHL, there may be some cases where waivers must be used.

Can't squad players be claimed off waivers?
- rpeters01

Moot point in the case of Joki. He is waivers exempt, per capfriendly.

Good Morning Theo,

Once again you go above and beyond in your thorough Hawk posts, thank you.
I do have an opinion/suggestion. I for one , truly appreciate your insight and preparation when writing the blog. In an effort to not "burn you out" and not lose you too soon like we have other Hawk blog initiators, I suggest foregoing the detailed game recaps to save you some time and energy to focus on your insights and opinions. I am guessing that the vast majority of us here on the site have already heard or seen the preceeding game, and this would prevent you from having to work quite so hard or long in providing all of us such great entertainment. Maybe I am off base, but this is just my opinion. Thanks for all you do, it is greatly appreciated whatever you decide to do. Be safe out there.
- Gary0301

Thanks, Gary. I appreciate it!

Your advice is something I've thought about over the past few weeks. I'm likely going to compromise by at least posting the video clips of each goal (that's an easy copy and paste of HTML code) then focus more on analysis.

Not everyone is able to watch every game so I want to at least provide the goal clips so they can watch on their own.

Thanks, Gary. I appreciate it!

Your advice is something I've thought about over the past few weeks. I'm likely going to compromise by at least posting the video clips of each goal (that's an easy copy and paste of HTML code) then focus more on analysis.

Not everyone is able to watch every game so I want to at least provide the goal clips so they can watch on their own.
- Theo Fox

To make it even easier you could just post a link for the game highlights from NHL Network...just sayin', but like the others have said, appreciate the excellent work here Theo!

Thank you, Theo. As always, a well structured interesting and informative read!

Last game, to my eyes, it seemed Hagel was not his 100%. Made me wonder if he's a bit dinged up. So far, the huge plus with his play has been his style of play without the penalty minutes. I'm hoping he is able to keep it going!
- 35Tony0

You bet, Tony.

I noticed that, too, about Hagel. He's still noticeable but the razor's edge was a tad dull. He can't play at 110% each game and not have it impact his durability.

Degrading to 80-90% is still rather good when the Hawks used to have players who couldn't even give 50%.

Those numbers are arbitrary, of course. I have zero advanced metrics to back those up.

BTW Theo di you know why Soderlund did not dress for last night's game? If he us back in the lineup this aTroon, then it is immaterial (probably, I hope. Just a inordinate bruise or maybe a tad sick....Crosby had covI'd protocol missed maybe two games).
- jhawk59

Not for certain why Soderlund was a healthy scratch. Several players like Yetman, McKay, and Busdeker hadn't played in several games so it could've just been a factor of having to sit some players so others could get in.

Something else I noticed in Soderlund's last game played was he made a few fancy between-the-leg stickhandles for no apparent reason that led to nothing productive and near turnovers.

I thought it was completely unnecessary and dangerous so can imagine the coaches didn't care for it either.

To make it even easier you could just post a link for the game highlights from NHL Network...just sayin', but like the others have said, appreciate the excellent work here Theo!
- HawkintheD

Thanks, D.

If things get crazy busy, I might do that. Yet, I find the video clips add some color to the page and break up the monotony of words.