Theo Fox: Game 44 @ Red Wings
A preview to the Blackhawks final series of the season versus the Red Wings with possible returns of Mitchell and Beaudin to the blueline.

Plus, a look at what the Chicago draft classes from 2017 to 2020 may net out when all is said and done.

A team that makes playoffs and can go to war along the boards in the cycle game, has not been an apt description of Blackhawk hockey in recent years.

That should be changing

I realize Theo predicts that the timeline for Barret and Altybarmaken is the year after next. I will make the bold prediction that their combative style will have a positive effect on the entire roster. Their disruptive, agitating in your face style really stands out. Teams will hate those players; Blackhawk fans will be giddy

There also appears a role for Slaggert and Slavin plus Entwhistle. Entwhistle could slot on the fourth line although he may eventually be a third line staple. Slaggert, Slavin and Entwhistle are going to battle for pucks and are rugged, physical players.

All these newbies help transform the team into a physical force and probably result in four lines being rolled confidently. Kampf could still be the #4 center; Re Johnson is depth; and Soderlund has to prove he can fit as a 4th line or with Barret and Alty.
It would appear that Slaggert or Slavin would be due second line duty due to a numbers game although one could complete a third line and the other situated on fourth line with Entwhistle.

Due to the responsible play of Entwhistle, Slaggert, and Slavin I imagine they fit anywhere. I project Suter and Toews would score if they had these type linemattes.

A mobile defense with lots of kids also appears to be in the works.

Thank you, Theo.
A couple great video clips these last two days.
Let's get a win tonight.
And there's nothing wrong with Mitchell and Beaudin playing so well this time around they stick!!

Does anyone know how Toews is doing?

Thank you Theo for the rundown of the past drafts. I do like that there is an abundance of NHL talent in those players (maybe not super high end) that will at least compete. As much as GM's are there for fans to love and hate, I do hope Stan can finally prove his worth, without McD getting most of the credit.

Just wondering, do you have any insight on some of the Euro or Russian players the scouting team is looking at?

Theo Fox: Game 44 @ Red Wings
A preview to the Blackhawks final series of the season versus the Red Wings with possible returns of Mitchell and Beaudin to the blueline.

Plus, a look at what the Chicago draft classes from 2017 to 2020 may net out when all is said and done.
- Theo Fox

Good analysis, Ted. Appreciate it. Looking forward to these upcoming formative years for the young & upcoming players.

I thought there was an article recently that mentioned the status of Lank. He might be injured. I'll update - I wasn't able to find anything. I have no clue. Maybe Delia isn't cutting it?

Does anyone know how Toews is doing?
- Tee56

I'll ask Bob....he might know....

Just win Hawks.

Let's somehow get to the last week having a CHANCE!!!

Thanks for the update Theo!

Will be interesting to see if Reichel makes the jump next year. If he and Borgstrom can round out the top 6 next year, the Hawks could have a pretty potent offense.

Looking at the Wing lineup, I'm surprised Yzerman wasn't more active at the deadline. I know he dealt a few dmen and got a haul for Mantha, but I figured Helm, Glendenning and Filpula would all be gone.

Just win Hawks.

Let's somehow get to the last week having a CHANCE!!!
- hawk35

Maybe this year our prospects will be rated higher than the bottom third of the league by almost all prognosticators. Until then, I am not as up on the prospects as some on the board. Other teams have a way stronger pipeline than the Hawks.

I'll ask Bob....he might know....
- BGKarras

You really think Bob will know???

Maybe this year our prospects will be rated higher than the bottom third of the league by almost all prognosticators. Until then, I am not as up on the prospects as some on the board. Other teams have a way stronger pipeline than the Hawks.
- LAHawk

But do they really? Or just one guys opinion who's never seen any of them play??

Tell me a team who has played more young guys this year who have performed better than the Hawks young guys.

Which of the publications or prognosticators had that in their rankings last year

Maybe this year our prospects will be rated higher than the bottom third of the league by almost all prognosticators. Until then, I am not as up on the prospects as some on the board. Other teams have a way stronger pipeline than the Hawks.
- LAHawk

Maybe you should just ignore what the "expert" prognosticators say since they are right about as often as most of the people on these boards.

If you actually look at the Hawks drafts, they have done surprisingly well given where they were picking in the draft.

I'll ask Bob....he might know....
- BGKarras

Great let me us know.

Does anyone know how Toews is doing?
- Tee56

He's doing well. He has since mastered falconry in Inner Mongolia and found enlightenment with the Sadhguru yogi. He is currently embarking on a deep water dive to the Mariana Trench.

But do they really? Or just one guys opinion who's never seen any of them play??

Tell me a team who has played more young guys this year who have performed better than the Hawks young guys.

Which of the publications or prognosticators had that in their rankings last year
- vabeachbear

Exactly. If you look at where The Athletic had the Hawks rated to begin the season, it's interesting to wonder how much their assessment would change.

I don't recall Wheeler or Pronman even mentioning Suter or Hagel and they had Kurashev as an NHL/AHL tweener.

Maybe this year our prospects will be rated higher than the bottom third of the league by almost all prognosticators. Until then, I am not as up on the prospects as some on the board. Other teams have a way stronger pipeline than the Hawks.
- LAHawk

Which teams have stronger pipelines? Which teams have drafted better?

Dach may be a better pick than Kakko and Hughes, Boqvist and Beaudin showing to be pretty solid picks. Debrincat is the steal of the '16 draft, trailing only Laine and Matthews in goals. Hawks have been able to get contributions out of lower round picks and Euro FA's like Suter, Kubalik, Kurashev, Kahun, Lankinen, etc.

He's doing well. He has since mastered falconry in Inner Mongolia and found enlightenment with the Sadhguru yogi. He is currently embarking on a deep water dive to the Mariana Trench.
- Rota's Rooter

I’ve heard rumors about those things

You really think Bob will know???
- vabeachbear

I asked, Bob doesn’t know.

Kings, Senators, Canadiens, Avs to name 4 better pipelines.

Kings, Senators, Canadiens, Avs to name 4 better pipelines.
- LAHawk

The Aves talent pool is incredible. You can be assured the Sens will (frank) up regardless of how much talent they have.

How’s your heel coming along?

The Aves talent pool is incredible. You can be assured the Sens will (frank) up regardless of how much talent they have.

How’s your heel coming along?

Paul thanks for asking just came back from PT. See the Dr. next Tuesday, hopefully will be able to be in a shoe. I probably got another 10-12 weeks before being able to jog. After that is just continue to strengthen the calf. By the end of the year should be as close to 100% as it is going to get.

I asked, Bob doesn’t know.
- paulr

Dammit...

Kings, Senators, Canadiens, Avs to name 4 better pipelines.
- LAHawk

IMO to be considered a team with a good or excellent talent pipeline, the NHL team has to deliver a Cup or at least some strong playoff runs.

Ron Hextall built a real ggod farm system in Philly and what have they done since? Same with Nashville - drafted well and patiently developed guys in the AHL - no Cups. Same with Winnipeg. And for all of the great kids Ottawa supposedly has in their system, they are still near the bottom.

Lots of times the NHL GM or Owner get in the way by being impatiient or getting sucked in by free agency or trading away too many draft picks for an NHL ready player.

Boston seems near the best at getting their pipeline to produce players that support their established core. If the Hawks can graduate 2 good contributing players a year thats is about as good as it gets.