Theo Fox: Game 42: Hawks 4, CBJ 3
A recap of the Blackhawks 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets as Lankinen came up with big stops in net and Kalynuk registered his 1st NHL goal.

Plus, a look at trade predictions for the TDL and offseason.

Jamark and Soderberg could go today today or tomorrow. I doubt anyone takes Zadorov. Same with DeHaan, especially with the hip pointer. Carp maybe. Kampf maybe. I think Connolly is part of next years team. Delia no way.

Does anyone else feel that Strome and Kurashev just pull up or ease back multiple times a game when they are about 1 or 2 strides from making a play. Usually on the forecheck or on 50/50 pucks. Keep an eye out for this. They get there but at pedestrian speed.

I thought the same of Nylander last year.

Nice recap Theo!

Other than a bad clear at the end, Kalynuk played another pretty steady game and was nice to see him get his first.

Dach's assist was a beauty. He's definitely looking a little better every game.

Colliton should get one of the game star's for pulling everyone over to the bench and telling them to WTFU.

Wonder if that was enough to satisfy the fans who don't like him because he doesn't go ballistic every other game...prolly not.

Thanks Theo for the recap. I’m also seeing game to game improvement from Dach, he’s quickly getting into game shape. Am I the only one who thinks that as they are currently playing, that Boqvist is now the Hawks best defenseman, has he surpassed Keith?

I can't believe anyone would ever trade anything for Colin Delia ... however I guess that is nitpicking.

From Powers’ article in The Athletic after the game:

If Hagel can figure out how to finish such chances at the NHL level, what he can be for the Blackhawks changes so much. So far, he hasn’t been able to convert on a lot of these type of opportunities. He came into the game third on the team with 28 individual high-danger chances in five-on-five play, but he had just four goals.

Nice recap Theo!

Other than a bad clear at the end, Kalynuk played another pretty steady game and was nice to see him get his first.

Dach's assist was a beauty. He's definitely looking a little better every game.

Colliton should get one of the game star's for pulling everyone over to the bench and telling them to WTFU.

Wonder if that was enough to satisfy the fans who don't like him because he doesn't go ballistic every other game...prolly not.
- HawkintheD

Colliton only did what any decent NHL coach should have done - the obvious move - I didn’t see anything special in it.

Doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s a good coach for now, developing a young team - or that he won’t be a good coach down the line when these guys are ready to compete for a Cup.

The jury in my head hasn’t yet seen enough of the evidence to decide about the latter....

Theo: Boqvist has been smothering in his defensive coverage by mirroring and getting stick on puck. He's also seemingly the only player on the team who can actually consistently connect with a stretch pass.

Me: doesn’t stop others from tryin the stretch pass that usually fails and results in a TO. A result of over-aggressiveness by defensemen? forwards not being in position for quicker, shorter passes? The transition method preferred by “the system”? It happens often enough that it seems like it could be the latter.

Theo: Not taking away his all-world talent, Patrick Kane often skates himself into trouble taking the puck to the blueline then coughing it up to create a turnover and fast break in the other direction.

As soon as he gets the puck in the ozone 5x5, he gets doubled by the opposition. Time for Kane and the coaches to come up with a system to either free him up, or to better take advantage of the doubling.

Theo: Boqvist has been smothering in his defensive coverage by mirroring and getting stick on puck. He's also seemingly the only player on the team who can actually consistently connect with a stretch pass.

Me: doesn’t stop others from tryin the stretch pass that usually fails and results in a TO. A result of over-aggressiveness by defensemen? forwards not being in position for quicker, shorter passes? The transition method preferred by “the system”? It happens often enough that it seems like it could be the latter.

Theo: Not taking away his all-world talent, Patrick Kane often skates himself into trouble taking the puck to the blueline then coughing it up to create a turnover and fast break in the other direction.

As soon as he gets the puck in the ozone 5x5, he gets doubled by the opposition. Time for Kane and the coaches to come up with a system to either free him up, or to better take advantage of the doubling.
- StLBravesFan

I agree. Because of the lack of good 2nd and 3rd lines opponents are putting a shut down winger and shut down defender on Kane. The only answer is putting together a 2nd and 3rd line that have some scoring potential. Which means keeping Kampf on the 3rd or 4th line.

Kane, ADB, Dach, Kubalik are definite top 6. Strome, Suter, Soderberg, Hagel, Janmark, Connolly, Kurashev middle 6. Kampf, Carp, Hino bottom 6. Of course this will change after a trade or two later today or tomorrow.

Boqvist is a stud...and only getting better...his feel for the puck cant be teached...its just there. Joy to watch and he is one of ours. I am glad.

Colliton only did what any decent NHL coach should have done - the obvious move - I didn’t see anything special in it.

Doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s a good coach for now, developing a young team - or that he won’t be a good coach down the line when these guys are ready to compete for a Cup.

The jury in my head hasn’t yet seen enough of the evidence to decide about the latter....
- StLBravesFan

I don't know about special either but credit where credit's due. While it's preceisely what he should have done and did, how many times does it actually happen where the coach calls his TO within the first five mins...if you had to guess?

Agree that his report card's incomplete but I like what I've seen overall this year vs what some of the JC's a Swede Squirt Coach would have you believe.

Boqvist is a stud...and only getting better...his feel for the puck cant be teached...its just there. Joy to watch and he is one of ours. I am glad.
- FeatheredFinn

You’re right, Boqvist has some seriously good offensive skills. I’d love for him to be a bit more selfish at times and look to make a play himself rather than look to pass the puck off but this early in his career it’s probably to be expected as most younger players tend to do this. What I really like is that he has obviously been working on the defensive side of his game because that has really improved. What still worries me is he has to learn to roll off or away from hits.

I don't know about special either but credit where credit's due. While it's preceisely what he should have done and did, how many times does it actually happen where the coach calls his TO within the first five mins...if you had to guess?

Agree that his report card's incomplete but I like what I've seen overall this year vs what some of the JC's a Swede Squirt Coach would have you believe.
- HawkintheD

Also JC took a club expected by many, including myself, to be a bottom feeder due to a roster made up of a large amount of rookies, no obvious goaltending talent, cast offs, a lack of top end talent and experience and had them fighting for a playoff spot all season. The team ha worked hard, limited their mistakes and played much better than expected and I think that is a credit to Colliton.

You’re right, Boqvist has some seriously good offensive skills. I’d love for him to be a bit more selfish at times and look to make a play himself rather than look to pass the puck off but this early in his career it’s probably to be expected as most younger players tend to do this. What I really like is that he has obviously been working on the defensive side of his game because that has really improved. What still worries me is he has to learn to roll off or away from hits.
- paulr

He has gotten better at that, and what I most enjoy is that he isnt bothered by that, just part of the game and lets go. I do like his mojo. He´s right there with Versteeg with the extra skill and intangibles to boot. Good ol swagger.

Also JC took a club expected by many, including myself, to be a bottom feeder due to a roster made up of a large amount of rookies, no obvious goaltending talent, cast offs, a lack of top end talent and experience and had them fighting for a playoff spot all season. The team ha worked hard, limited their mistakes and played much better than expected and I think that is a credit to Colliton.
- paulr

But other than all that, he's turrible.

Also JC took a club expected by many, including myself, to be a bottom feeder due to a roster made up of a large amount of rookies, no obvious goaltending talent, cast offs, a lack of top end talent and experience and had them fighting for a playoff spot all season. The team ha worked hard, limited their mistakes and played much better than expected and I think that is a credit to Colliton.
- paulr

For sure. Credit wheres credit is due. He is the captain of this ship and doing good with what he is got. No doubt. And getting the vibe from press talk that he is getting more comfortable and edgy (good trait) going about it. Owning this thing. He could come very good.

Also JC took a club expected by many, including myself, to be a bottom feeder due to a roster made up of a large amount of rookies, no obvious goaltending talent, cast offs, a lack of top end talent and experience and had them fighting for a playoff spot all season. The team ha worked hard, limited their mistakes and played much better than expected and I think that is a credit to Colliton.
- paulr

Morning gentlemen,
Well said Paul I didn't think that this team would be in this position playing games that are entertaining. Listening to players talk about JC they seem to enjoy playing for him. Definite stick tap to the coach.

Thanks Theo for the recap. I’m also seeing game to game improvement from Dach, he’s quickly getting into game shape. Am I the only one who thinks that as they are currently playing, that Boqvist is now the Hawks best defenseman, has he surpassed Keith?
- Angotti

Adam has been playing great especially without the puck, he's the one i trust the most when he has the puck on his blade, his ability to pass and see all the angles is really impressive. Keith with this schedule and all these minutes he's playing at his age to me is doing him no favors. JC getting as much mileage out of him as he can, i don't blame him as much as some think he's here to just develop players, he wants to win these games.

Boqvist is a stud...and only getting better...his feel for the puck cant be teached...its just there. Joy to watch and he is one of ours. I am glad.
- FeatheredFinn

I hope he does not obsess in being Keith II. He can learn a lot from Keith on defense and transition. But Boqvist has a ton more offensive skills than Keith ever had. I hope he watches film of Josi or Kilngberg. They are like a 4th forward.

I hope he does not obsess in being Keith II. He can learn a lot from Keith on defense and transition. But Boqvist has a ton more offensive skills than Keith ever had. I hope he watches film of Josi or Kilngberg. They are like a 4th forward.
- Ztra

Well Josi would do, and I am sure he knows he is his own man. The sky is literally the limit for him...and I do love Keith but life goes on and its fine.

I hope he does not obsess in being Keith II. He can learn a lot from Keith on defense and transition. But Boqvist has a ton more offensive skills than Keith ever had. I hope he watches film of Josi or Kilngberg. They are like a 4th forward.
- Ztra

I’d rather he concentrate on being a 1st D-man.

I hope he does not obsess in being Keith II. He can learn a lot from Keith on defense and transition. But Boqvist has a ton more offensive skills than Keith ever had. I hope he watches film of Josi or Kilngberg. They are like a 4th forward.
- Ztra

Really? I'll pretend you said Heiskanen.

I’d rather he concentrate on being a 1st D-man.
- Ogilthorpe2

It’s amazing how many people forget the reason the hawks were so good in their cup days was because the great defence they played fueled their offense.

It’s amazing how many people forget the reason the hawks were so good in their cup days was because the great defence they played fueled their offense.
- paulr

Especially forgotten, imo, is how much of that defense (pardon the American lingo) was provided by the forwards.